Raven and Eagle and stumper day September 8th '25

[jle...@gmail.com]

I started off to find "grass-pipers" and in Cutchogue on one of the of fields an OSPREY and a RAVEN were next to each other and the Raven was bigger!  They almost got into it and the Raven decided to depart.... I watched disappear through the farm fields.  I checked Manor Lane and nada.  Back tracking and went down Laurel Road and nothing in the once farm puddle.  I then went off towards Riverhead.  I stopped at Lighthouse Deli for a sandwich and I was talking to Hank and he was telling me that a Buff-breast Sandpiper off 105 near Briermere Bakery.  I had a third year Eagle above the Deli. Off to 105 and spent some time scanning the field and scanning again and again, with bins and scope.  Nada except a Raven. On Doctor's Path the fields are turned over.... I went to Osborn Ave where I saw Golden Plovers last week. At the field I saw BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS and GOLDEN PLOVERS and then I saw a bird I didn't recognize. That doesn't happen often especially here. I watched the bird. It could run.... fast.  Half the size of the Plovers.  The head was warm brown, longish bill but the rest of the bird was dark in the back and the belly and vent were dark.  The bird rose in the air, trying to catch a moth. Not a Buff-breasted.....I considered Dunlin and even Starling.... No..... Nothing fit the things that I was seeing. It was too far away to get a good idea.....A first year Bald Eagle few overhead and I could hear the squeaks.  I always amused me when I hear Eagles squeak.... For such a big birds.... But the call carries a long distance.  Another Raven was sitting on a power pole near to me.  I went for my cell to take a picture.....  It flew off like saying nah-nah, you can't catch me....Hank and I was saw a "battle" between a Red Tail and a Raven several years ago.  The story is in my mind a lot. The Raven was bigger than the Red Tail. The Raven ran circles around the Hawk and the Raven chased the Hawk away.  Two of the Raven's family was still on the ground.  I wouldn't want to get into a tangle with a Raven... Two Red tails and Turkey Vultures added to the day of raptors and Ravens and Osprey.  I didn't see the bird I was searching for but it was an interesting day and a question.....