WILDLIFE CORNER

Local Bird List

The Alley Wetlands

Snowy Egrets frequently forage in the marshes of Alley Creek. Photo: Lindsay Donald/Audubon Photography Awards

Starting from the Alley Pond Environmental Center, the Cattail Pond Trail leads to an observation deck overlooking Alley Creek and associated wetlands. Breeding birds often seen or heard here include Barn and Tree Swallow, the latter using nesting boxes situated in the salt marshes. The Barn Swallows nest under the bridge that runs along Northern Blvd., where they have been joined in recent years by Cliff Swallows, which are rare nesters on Long Island. The meadows on either side of the salt marshes that flank Alley Creek are nesting habitat for American Woodcock, Willow Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, and Baltimore Oriole. In some years, Orchard Orioles may also be found.

Marsh Wrens can usually be heard singing and on occasion seen popping up in the reeds across the creek. Spotted Sandpipers have nested here recently and may even land on the boardwalk. In mid-summer, numbers of Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers highlight the variety of shorebirds and wading birds that feed on the exposed mudflats. Killdeer, Snowy Egret, and Black-crowned Night-Heron are frequent.

Forster’s and Common Terns are not rare sights patrolling over the creek. In winter, a flock of Green-winged Teal is usually present in the creek. The brushy areas south of the environmental center building have become fairly reliable for small numbers of Fox Sparrow in recent winters. These can be looked for at the building if the feeder is active.

Saltmarsh Sparrow nest in Alley Pond Park. Photo: Lloyd Spitalnik

A larger salt marsh is situated at the confluence of Alley Creek and Little Neck Bay. Follow Joe Michael’s Memorial Mile from the Environmental Center to search for nesting Saltmarsh Sparrow and Swamp Sparrow. In 1998, fourteen acres of intertidal marsh were restored here, in an area previously dominated by Phragmites. During construction, an Osprey platform was erected and, in the spring, was immediately occupied. The Osprey fledged chicks in 1998 and in 1999. Until this time, Osprey had not been observed nesting on the north shore of Queens for 80 years or more.

By 2019, four Osprey nests were in use around Little Neck Bay. Bald Eagle may be next, as they are now regularly seen migrating or wandering through the area in early spring. During migration, also keep your eyes to the sky for vultures. Turkey Vulture has been found to be a surprisingly common migrant here, and even Black Vulture, rare on Long Island, is seen on occasion.

During the winter, Little Neck Bay is visited by wintering waterfowl, including Ruddy Duck, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, and Horned Grebe. In November, migrants have included Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, all three scoters, Bonaparte’s Gull, and storm-blown Northern Gannet. Recently, the loons have become regular through the winter, with Red-throated often even venturing into Alley Creek.