Gallery of New York Rarities
Last updated 1/6/05

  We are actively soliciting photos (or field sketches) of other New York State rarities for inclusion on this gallery. If you can help, please contact . Scanned image files (JPEG, PICT, TIFF etc) are ideal, however, you can also send slides or prints which we will scan and return to you.

The gallery serves three main functions. Firstly, it provides an on-line record of rarities that have been photo-documented in the state. Secondly, it offers a useful source of reference material accessible to birders anywhere in the world and thirdly, the gallery should emphasize the value of taking and submitting 'field photos'. Relatively crude images are often sufficient to illustrate the criticial identification features that rule out other common possibilities and thus validate sight reports. Through electronic scanning of slides or prints, very small images can produce useable results. For example, the Cave Swallow photographed at Riis Park is little more than a pepper dot in the original slides in spite of being taken with a 400 mm lens. With scanning, a lot more information becomes visible. Also many of the photos in the gallery have been captured using a spotting scope to magnify the image and as you will see, the results can be very satisfactory for documenting rare birds.

Please note that all images are copyright of the photographer and cannot be used without their written permission.

Small races of Canada Goose, winter and spring of 1998, Ingraham, Clinton Co.
Black Brant, 31 January 1999, near Riis Park, Queens Co.
Black Brant, 28 March 1999, Floyd Benett Field Riis, Brooklyn Co.
Barnacle Goose, winter 1996, Montauk Horse Farm, Suffolk Co.
Barnacle Goose, 22 April 2000, Lysander, Onondaga Co.
Yellow-billed Loon, 23 January 1999, Hinckley Reservoir Spillway, Oneida/Herkimier Co.
American White Pelican, April 2000, Ellenville, Ulster Co.
American White Pelican, 14 May 2002, Niagara Falls, Niagara Co. / Ontario
White-faced Ibis, 27 May 2000, Jones Beach, Nassau Co.
Gyrfalcon, 25 December 1995, Centerport, Suffolk Co.
Sandhill Crane, 22 April 2000, Town of Alabama, Genesee Co.
Northern Lapwing, 4 February 1995, near Watermill, Suffolk Co.
Black-necked Stilt, Two on 3 June 1999, Jamaica Bay NWR, Brooklyn Co.
Broad-billed Sandpiper, August 1998, Jamaica Bay NWR, Brooklyn Co.
Black-tailed Gull, 31 January 1999, Jones Beach, Suffolk Co.
Common Gull, (Larus canus canus, subspecies of Mew Gull) 28 February 1999, Shinnecock Inlet, Suffolk Co.
    See also The Kingbird article about this sighting.
Sandwich Tern, summer 1996, Montauk Point, Suffolk Co.
Arctic Tern, 10 June 2000, Democrat Point, Fire Island, Suffolk Co.
Anna's Hummingbird, 15 November 1998, Binghampton, Broome Co.
Ash-throated Flycatcher, 3 November 1993, Jones Beach, Nassau Co.
Cave Swallow, 28 November 1998, Fort Tilden/Riis Park, Queens Co.
Mountain Bluebird, 22 December 1998, SUNY Purchase, Westchester Co.
Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, 27 April 2002, Goat Island, Niagara Falls, Niagara Co.
Lark Bunting, 21 April 2000, near Town of Alabama, Genesee Co.
Harris's Sparrow, 14 March and 11 April 1999, Bridgehampton, Suffolk Co.
Painted Bunting, 15 May 2002, Town of Greece, Monroe Co.
Western Meadowlark, 21 April 2000, near Dryden, Tompkins Co.}
Yellow-headed Blackbird, 9 March 2000, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx Co.
Brewer's Blackbird, February 1999, Staten Island, Richmond Co.

Contributors

Images were generously provided by Mike Cooper, Willie D'Anna, Andy Guthrie, David Hoag, Alex Pirko, Betsy Potter, and Angus Wilson.

Please note that all images are copyright of the photographer and cannot be used without their written permission.

All contents copyright © 1998, 2001-2008 New York State Ornithological Association.  All rights reserved.
All photos copyright © by the respective photographers and may not be used without written permission.