11/5 Suffolk County Farm Field Trip Report

There was an impressive turnout and lovely weather for the field trip to Suffolk Farm on Saturday, November 5th. Over the course of three hours, 35 species were observed by the group. Highlights included 10 Common Ravens (a notably high count), 8 Rusty Blackbirds, 5 American Pipits, 1 Eastern Bluebird and 1 Purple Finch. It was a good morning for raptors too, with 5 species tallied (Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Merlin). Sadly, late in the trip one Cooper’s Hawk was found dead, apparently recently deceased, probably due to a collision. It was retrieved and later transferred to a qualified party for appropriate scientific preservation. But while in our possession, co-leader Mike Cooper used the specimen as a teaching opportunity, pointing out various anatomical and plumage details. – John Gluth