Shirley Chisholm Magic

      Don't let the vastness of grass fool you, Shirley Chisolm State Park is such a wonderful place with wildlife hidden within. Today I had a number of delightful surprises, I am never disappointed in my visits here. It's such a great opportunity to see not only the coastal birds and ducks, but the grassland specialists.

    Also, that cold snap from a week ago, today I was very much overdressed and in far too many layers on this gorgeous day.

On my way to Shirley Chisholm SP, I stopped at the Canarsie Pier. Since I was on my bike, I just birded from my bike while riding around the edges of the pier. Saw this common loon down some kind of crustacean,

YUM!

I was flagged for my exact count of 6 fish crows at the pier. 
Then, as I was packing up to leave, a flock of 50+ fish crows flew in and descended upon the southern end of the pier! It was a very cool sight, I love crows!

At Shirley Chisholm, I stuck to the Penn Mound, and glad I did!
This great blue heron got my attention because it made its, what I could only imagine what a dinosaur sounds like, vocals. IT just strutted its way to where it would take a nice afternoon rest, as it was still there exactly where I left it, right before I left.

Along the shore, at the first coastal overlook, past the parking lot, I spied these two greater yellowlegs, who were joined by 3 killdeer, a green-wing teal, mallards, gadwall, and of course, brant.

I spotted this female harrier up the path I was walking. I rarely see sitting harriers, especially in trees. So this was a treat. I remained at a distance and on the path, but she had other plans.

Off she went, but this would not be the last we crossed paths.

Speaking of crossing paths...
If not for being on this path, I'm not sure I would have had the pleasure of seeing my first Brooklyn American Pipits. This is my first time seeing these birds here, in the past, I have only heard them, as they flew overhead.

In the same family as robins, these grassland birds get their name from their call. And as you can see, are perfectly adapted to life in the grasses. They even kinda crouched down as they walked.

In total, there were 5 birds and I was so happy the cyclists doing circuits there didn't come by as I was admiring these little nuggets.

As I made my way down and around Penn Mound, I found the Northern Harrier from earlier, clearly on a mission.

Nothing is more impressive than watching a raptor stop its flight on the dime to pursue prey.
A dive into the grasses after something...

She rises from the grasses with a vole in her talons. A perfect little meal for her.

She flew off with her prey to grasses nearby to eat.
Harriers are grassland specialists. They spend a good deal of time on the ground and even nest on the ground. Their faces are owl-like, and like owls will hunt by way of their ears, listening for small mammals and birds hiding in the grass. Just an amazing creature.

I then was fortunate enough in that she decided to land in shorter grasses. I was able to watch her consume her prey. I decided that this was just the perfect way to end an outing. Very thankful for the wonderful sights out there today!