Central Park with Alice Deutsch, Alan Drogin, Carine Mitchell and Kevin Sisco, 4/16/2024

Registrar: Michelle Zorzi
Participants: 59
Weather: 52 – 68 degrees, light breeze, mostly sunny
Bird Species: 61

It was a beautiful spring day for our weekly Tuesday walk in Central Park. Fifty-nine enthusiastic birders divided into four groups led by Kevin, Alan, Carine and Alice. Overall, the park was a little quiet, but we managed to see a total of 61 species through our collective efforts, with one group continuing until mid-afternoon and visiting the Reservoir. Highlights included a first of season Wood Thrush in Strawberry Fields, a Blue-headed Vireo by the Ladies Pavillion and a Merlin perched by Bow Bridge. Thanks to our leader volunteers!

Species List
Canada Goose 
Gadwall
Mallard
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper 
House Wren
Winter Wren
European Starling
Brown Thrasher
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
 

Central Park with Ken Chaya, Alan Drogin, and Kevin Sisco, 4/9/2024

Registrar: Samari Weinberg
Participants: 39
Weather: 50 – 73 degrees, SW winds 5 mph, mostly sunny
Bird species: 50

Thirty-nine bird enthusiasts divided into 3 groups led by Kevin, Alan and Ken. Ideal weather conditions and barely unfurled spring buds allowed for clear views of 50 bird species. Sightings of early migrants delighted everyone. Especially noted were the Pine, Palm, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, the Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Louisiana Waterthrushes, and Rusty Blackbirds.

Canada Goose 
Northern Shoveler 
Mallard 
Northern Pintail
Bufflehead 
Red-breasted Merganser 
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 
Mourning Dove
American Coot 
American Woodcock 
Ring-billed Gull 
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull 
Common Loon 
Double-crested Cormorant 
Red-tailed Hawk 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 
Red-bellied Woodpecker 
Downy Woodpecker 
Northern Flicker 
American Kestrel 
Eastern Phoebe 
Blue Jay 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
Golden-crowned Kinglet 
Brown Creeper 
Winter Wren 
European Starling 
Brown Thrasher 
Northern Mockingbird 
Hermit Thrush
American Robin 
House Sparrow 
House Finch 
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow 
Field Sparrow 
Dark-eyed Junco 
White-throated Sparrow 
Song Sparrow 
Swamp Sparrow 
Eastern Towhee 
Red-winged Blackbird 
Rusty Blackbird 
Common Grackle 
Louisiana Waterthrush 
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler 
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
 

Photography-Focused Workshop in Prospect Park with Tom Stephenson, 4/6/2024

Registrar: Amanda Bielskas
Participants: 18
Weather: 40 F–51 F. Partly cloudy with a few sprinkles
Bird Species: 50

This workshop started with participants assembled in a circle under the chilly shadow of the Brooklyn Library while Tom Stephenson tailored his introductory photography tutelage individually for the diverse skills of the small group. We then moved into the sun and through Prospect Park, arriving at the Rose Garden where the talk continued. Photography tips and birding advice continued until the session wound up in early afternoon. Tom encouraged us to expand our boundaries and gave some great post processing advice as well. All participants happily came away with valuable information to help grow their photography skills. We also saw or heard 50 species of birds and highlights included: Blue-winged Teal, Rufous Hummingbird, Black-crowned Night Heron, Tree Swallow, and two warbler species Louisiana Waterthrush, and Pine Warbler.

Species Lists

Birds

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Mallard
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Rufous Hummingbird
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Louisiana Waterthrush
Pine Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Mammals

Eastern gray squirrel
Racoon

Central Park with Alan Drogin, Carine Mitchell, and Kevin Sisco, 4/2/2024

Registrar: Evelyn Huang
Participants: 20
Weather: 43–45 degrees F, moderate rain, winds NW at 9 mph
Bird Species: 37

With steady rain in the forecast, we had a smaller group than usual for the first Tuesday walk of the spring, but a hardy group of 20 birders set out to see what birds showed up.  It turned out the warblers had not yet arrived, but we had a good number of sparrow and woodpecker species. The highlights of the walk were two Cooper’s Hawks seen in the Ramble and an active little Winter Wren giving us long and close looks at Laupot. Many thanks to our volunteer leaders, Alan, Carine, and Kevin.

Species List

Birds

Canada Goose 
Northern Shoveler 
Gadwall 
Mallard 
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 
Mourning Dove 
Herring Gull 
Double-crested Cormorant 
Black-crowned Night Heron 
Cooper’s Hawk 
Red-tailed Hawk 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 
Red-bellied Woodpecker 
Downy Woodpecker 
Northern Flicker 
American Kestrel 
Eastern Phoebe 
Blue Jay 
American Crow 
Golden-crowned Kinglet 
House Wren 
Winter Wren 
European Starling 
Brown Thrasher 
Northern Mockingbird 
Hermit Thrush 
American Robin 
House Sparrow 
House Finch 
American Goldfinch 
Fox Sparrow 
Dark-eyed Junco 
White-throated Sparrow 
Song Sparrow 
Red-winged Blackbird 
Common Grackle 
Northern Cardinal 
 

Staten Island Hot Spots & Early Spring Migrants with Seth Wollney, 3/30/2024

Registrar:  Michelle Talich and Anne Lazarus
Participants:  20
Weather:  35-50 F, sunny, breezy
Bird Species:  52 + 2 en route

CONFERENCE HOUSE PARK
Twenty Linnaean members met at the Conference House Park visitors center on a bright and sunny day, greeted by a chorus of singing Carolina Wrens, Northern Cardinals, American Robins, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and other avian denizens.

Our excellent leader, Seth Wollney, showed us a Carolina Wren nest cleverly constructed in a metal box on a metal pole. We saw a majestic Bald Eagle and the tiny Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. We observed the Red-throated Loons, Buffleheads, and diving Red-breasted Mergansers in the bay. We enjoyed views of Downy Woodpeckers, several Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, and the Fish Crow as they prepared to nest. Overhead, we had excellent views of the newly arrived Osprey and a Cooper`s Hawk establishing territory. We completed our walk of the Conference House with two Eastern Phoebes. 

At this location, we saw and heard thirty-five bird species.

WOLFE’S POND PARK
Our next destination was Wolfe’s Pond Park. We perused the pond and were happy to see four Common Mergansers associating with a Hooded Merganser and enjoyed the antics of an American Coot. Suddenly, our attention was drawn to two Bonaparte Gulls, transitioning into alternate plumage, flying into the pond. We ultimately counted seven Bonaparte Gulls, including several along the beach. We had excellent looks at a Killdeer, a shorebird species. A graceful Great Egret flew over the pond as one Rough-winged Swallow, a harbinger of Spring, made a brief appearance. Two Bald Eagles captured our attention, and we saw an estimated one hundred and fifty Northern Gannets foraging in the bay. 
 
GREAT KILLS PARK
Our final destination was Great Kills Park, where twenty-five Horned Grebes, mainly in alternate plumage, were flocking in the harbor. In addition to the expected gulls, we saw a Laughing Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull, which was an excellent sighting. One American Oyster Catcher was quietly standing by itself. Several Red-throated Loons were diving close to shore. Ducks included Mallards, Black Ducks, Buffleheads, and Red-breasted Mergansers. We were hypnotized by the estimated fifty Northern Gannets plunging,  diving, and flying in the distance. In addition to the water birds, we saw two Bald Eagles, one Red-tailed Hawk, four Turkey Vultures, an Eastern Phoebe, and other land birds.

After the trip officially ended, Richard excitedly called back the remaining participants to point out that the flock of Northern Gannets had increased to about one hundred and fifty birds. What a fantastic site, especially as three Northern Gannets flew around the parking lot. What a dramatic end to such a dynamic trip!
 
Before the official trip, Richard spotted a Black Vulture flying over Hylan Boulevard, and after the trip, several birders enjoyed watching the Wild Turkeys of Staten Island.

Bird Species List

Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
American Black Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Horned Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
American Oystercatcher
Killdeer
Bonaparte’s Gull
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Northern Cardinal

Bird Species Seen by Some Participants
Black Vulture
Wild Turkey

Pelham Bay Park with Jack Rothman, 2/24/2024

Registrar: Evelyn Huang
Participants: 18
Weather: 35–40° F; mostly cloudy, NW wind 8 mph
Bird Species: 39

The group met at 9:00 am at the Orchard Beach parking lot, and started walking to the beach, stopping to look at sparrows, cardinals, woodpeckers and a nuthatch along the trail. Some of the group had received reports of Red-necked Grebes on the water, so we scanned the water and indeed found three of them by the coast near Hunter Island. We proceeded to scan the Sound, from the middle of Orchard Beach to Twin and Two Tree Islands, were we were treated to three Purple Sandpipers resting along the rocks. Nearby was an American Widgeon, and we soon spotted a couple more, very well camouflaged by the rocks. As we were looking at the Purple Sandpipers, one of the group pointed out a Razorbill that had come quite close to our shore. We had already seen two Razorbills but those had been distant and visible only through scopes; this one was close and unfazed by us, giving even some of the more experienced birders in our group their closest look ever at this species.

Walking back from the shore, we saw a young Red-tailed Hawk swooping as it practiced hunting. In the grassy field just before the parking lot, we were treated to the sight of a trio of American Tree Sparrows foraging in the grass – we were keeping our distance to avoid flushing the birds and from afar we thought they might be Chipping Sparrows but a sharp-eyed birder pointed out the bi-colored bill, and our identification of the Tree Sparrows was further cemented by photographs. This wrapped up our great morning of birding, lead by the wonderful Jack Rothman who generously shared his expertise and his know-how of the park.

The eBird list can be found here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S162757636

Species

Brant 
Canada Goose 
American Wigeon 
Mallard 
American Black Duck 
Greater Scaup 
Long-tailed Duck 
Bufflehead 
Common Goldeneye 
Red-breasted Merganser 
Red-necked Grebe 
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 
Mourning Dove 
Purple Sandpiper 
Razorbill 
Ring-billed Gull 
Herring Gull 
Great Black-backed Gull 
Red-throated Loon 
Common Loon 
Great Cormorant 
Double-crested Cormorant 
Red-tailed Hawk 
Red-bellied Woodpecker 
Downy Woodpecker 
Peregrine Falcon 
Blue Jay 
Fish Crow 
White-breasted Nuthatch 
European Starling 
Northern Mockingbird 
American Robin 
House Sparrow 
American Tree Sparrow 
White-throated Sparrow 
Song Sparrow 
Red-winged Blackbird 
Common Grackle 
Northern Cardinal 

Croton Point Park with Ethan Goodman, 2/17/2024

Registrar:  Anne Lazarus
Participants:  10
Weather:  some morning clouds, then sunny, wind and gusts in exposed areas, 22 F. warming to about 30 F.
Bird Species:  40

Ten enthusiastic Linnaean participants bucked the wind, snow, ice, and cold to enjoy an exciting avian tour of Croton Point Park. We were met at the Croton train station by our excellent leader, Ethan Goodman,  who immediately showed us two Bald Eagles. One Mallard was visible in the water, along with many gulls. We walked to the official Croton Park entrance, where a Brown Creeper appeared and stayed around long enough for photographic opportunities, a most unusual and courteous behavior for a Brown Creeper

Also in the area were several flocks of sparrow species, including, American Tree Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, Song Sparrows,  White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos and one Field Sparrow.

Our next target was the Red-headed Woodpecker that had been reported in the area. We climbed the hill behind the visitor center and almost immediately found 2 two of them, along with Golden-crowned Kinglets, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, a Downy Woodpecker and other birds. Ethan spotted a Black Vulture in the distance, along with two Turkey Vultures and another Bald Eagle. We thank Ethan for guiding us to the precise location of these birds, the parking lot for the model airplane field. 

We never slowed down. We next walked the periphery of the of the main landfill, where Mary Beth Kooper spotted a Killdeer. Flocks of sparrows were foraging, dominated by American Tree Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows. We stopped for a lunch break, and Ethan treated us to hot beverages and donuts, which we very much appreciated. We continued our walk toward the pine groves and enjoyed Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, more Golden-crowned Kinglets, a Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, a Gray Catbird, another Brown Creeper, a Song Sparrow, American and White-throated Sparrows, a Cooper`s Hawk, a Northern Cardinal and four Buffleheads.

Our final destination was the very gusty, main landfill. We walked across the top seeing more Savannah Sparrows, a Bald Eagle, a wind-blown American Kestrel, a Red-tailed Hawk and a Common Raven. Two participants remained with Ethan until dusk—Trang Do and Kenelma Perez and were rewarded with views of a Screech Owl, a Northern Harrier and a Cooper`s Hawk.

Thank you Ethan for your scouting, organizing, and a comprehensive ebird list. 

Birds
Canada geese
Mallard
Bufflehead
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Killdeer
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Cooper`s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Eastern Screech Owl
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Field Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated SparrowSavannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Cardinal

Birding the MET II with Kevin Sisco, 2/16/24

Registrar: Janet Wooten
Weather: Sunny, breezy and cold outside, pleasant inside
Participants: 10
Bird Species: 30+

Kevin treated us to an excellent tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s paintings, sculptures, and other objets d’art that feature or include birds. His impressive knowledge of the subject and his willingness to share it with us were also on display. He introduced us to many little-known treasures and explained the significance of birds in some of the more popular paintings in the Museum’s permanent exhibits.

Because of our avian focus, Kevin mentioned a book by publisher, author, and naturalist Jeremy Mynott, Birds in the Ancient World, that organizes human relationships to birds into six categories: Birds of the Natural World, Birds as a Resource, Living with Birds, Invention and Discovery, Thinking with Birds, and Birds as Intermediaries. We used these themes to gain insight into the art we saw as we weaved our way smoothly through the museum.

We started in some of the Met’s lesser known galleries, beginning with the ancient Roman Empire and Islam and proceeding to 17th/18th-century India and Asia. We were delighted by the many owls and roosters, peacocks and guinea fowl, depicted on pottery, worked into vases, whistles, and cups, woven into carpets, and painted onto wall fragments.

Currently on view until June 9, 2024, is ‘Indian Skies’, an exhibit of exquisite watercolors from India that feature pigeons, mynas, orioles, and a goshawk.

We made our way to 19th-Century European Paintings; through China and Japan, where falcons and cranes appear on kimonos, scrolls, and screens; then on to the Americas (parrots!), European Paintings from 1300-1800, Musical Instruments, and finally to the open storage and installation space in the American Wing, where we viewed a painting of Ivory-billed Woodpeckers, a perfect way to end our avian art adventure.

Species List
Birds
Condor (feathers)
Cranes
Curlews
Doves
Ducks
Eagles
European Goldfinch
Eurasian Blue Tit
Falcons
Geese
Goshawk
Great Hornbill
Guinea Fowl
Herons
Hoopoe
Ivory-billed Woodpeckers
Kingfisher
Magpies
Mynas
Orioles
Owls
Parrots/Macaws
Partridges
Peacocks
Pheasants
Pigeons
Roosters
Shrike
Snipes
Sparrows
Storks
Swallows
Swans
Wild Turkeys