er-birds's Favorites

This is a late spring flying Azure, split from Spring Azure ladon in Gochfeld and Burger and other sources. Main host is Holly.

This is the violacea form of azure with no dark margin and no dark discal spot.

25 to 50; many photos of animals bow riding, breaching (mostly young babies, of which there were 5-10), and even heard calling (recording on video by Matt Hafner), a high multi-note high (Xantus''s Murrelet quality) sit-sit-sieeeeoooo, but also variable.

https://ebird.org/checklist/S8340649

https://we.tl/t-uCrQsII3Vc

https://youtu.be/VuLcHBeis64

Video available on YouTube and at the above WeTransfer link, shot by Alejandra Trumble who's graciously given permission to share! So surreal! Riverhead Foundation said that a family of 3 harbor porpoises had recently been spotted along the opposite side of the river in Edgewater NJ before this video was taken. No other individuals were seen by us swimming near this one--s/he appeared to be venturing alone along the shore here. In the video you can hear her scaring away the geese who quickly take flight squawking their warnings!

There are reports of large fishing vessels taking too much of the menhaden in LI Sound--thereby perhaps driving these guys up the Hudson, where according to Ira Gershenhorn the water quality has rapidly improved. Would anyone have more ecological info/theories about these awesome visitors?! Is Spring a common time for them to be here??

If we want more dolphins and porpoises like this one visiting us city-goers again, let's make sure we keep getting this water cleaner and keep plenty of their fav foods around too!