A Bird to Remember

Bird watchers are gathering at Long Island golf courses to catch a glimpse of an unusual sight—the rare cuckoo bird. This particular bird has traveled all the way from Russia and may be making its first recorded appearance in New York state.

More than a hundred bird lovers gathered at Vineyards Golf and Country Club in Riverhead, where locals warmly welcomed those coming from afar.

Roy William Gardner, the golfer who first noticed the bird, remarked, “Farmers are allowing folks to come in and out for a better view.” He spotted the cuckoo near a cornfield while at the seventh hole a week ago, describing it as “flying from post to post.”

After snapping a quick photo and sending it to his nephew, an ornithologist from Cornell, Gardner was told to mark his location right away. “This is something no one has ever seen before,” his nephew responded, emphasizing that this bird typically doesn’t visit the lower 48 states.

Word spread quickly through online groups thanks to Gardner’s nephew, Christopher Sayers, alerting everyone that this European bird had made an unexpected stop in Suffolk County.

It didn’t take long before enthusiasts poured in, with farmers even allowing them to get a closer look at this 13-inch guest.

“We never anticipated such a buzz in the birding community. People were calling, thrilled at the discovery,” Gardner, who works in real estate in East Quogue, shared.

Sayers’ friend, ornithologist Jay McGowan, traveled five hours from Ithaca early one morning, eager for a chance to see the cuckoo. “I was kind of surprised when I got there—it was a bit quiet,” he noted, mentioning that the bird hadn’t been seen for an hour.

Despite the wait, McGowan and others were alerted to where the cuckoo had moved, eventually spotting it in an empty horse pasture. “Once we got the rare bird alerts out, more and more birdwatchers showed up,” he added.

Some enthusiasts left disappointed, but others managed to catch a glimpse of the cuckoo as sightings became easier.

The Rare Visitor

Professor Sayers mentioned that this cuckoo was the first seen in the mainland U.S. since a sighting in Providence, Rhode Island, five years ago. He speculated it may have come from places like Russia or Scandinavia.

He explained, “Considering its migration habits, this bird is likely just a young one, possibly on its first journey.” While these birds generally head to sub-Saharan Africa, Sayers noted, “A slight miscalculation in direction can land it somewhere completely unexpected.”

This cuckoo likely made a long flight across the Atlantic, a journey that this species is well-equipped for.

It probably arrived exhausted, looking to regain strength by feasting on gypsy moths and caterpillars in Riverhead. Although it hasn’t been spotted recently, McGowan commented that the bird “put on quite a show” during its brief stay.

“People were genuinely fascinated by how it foraged, moving gracefully from post to post,” Sayers reflected, adding that during its visit, the cuckoo was notably active.