Category: Field Trip Reports

This Tuesday’s fall migration bird walk had many highlights. Over the prior few days, new migrants had arrived in Central Park, including the Golden-crowned Kinglet, Song, Chipping, and White-crowned Sparrows, as well as a Lincoln’s Sparrow. There were some new attendees among the three birding groups, and all were excited to see the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a highlight even for long-time birders. From the length of the bird species list below, one can see that it was just a wonderful fall morning to be out seeing birds and enjoying nature.

Species List

Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-crowned Night Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker (H)
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood Pewee
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven (H)
Black-capped Chickadee (H)
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
House Wren
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Grey-cheeked Thrush
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal

Registrar: Lisa Kroop
Participants: 12
Weather: 56°F to 70°F; sunny; 4 mph north wind
Bird Species: 45

We walked at a “birders’ pace,” as our leader called it, starting along the edge of the recreation fields, passing House Sparrows, Blue Jays, some Dark-eyed Juncos, and a large group of Mourning Doves, and made our way down to the salt marsh. There, we sorted through the sparrows foraging in the grass and spotted the next phoebe as well as the first warbler of the day, a Blackpoll. Next—as we headed towards the woods, with a soccer field to our left, and wooded cliffs on our right—we paused. There were many Palm Warblers on the edge of the soccer field feeding in the grass and flying up into the nearby trees, with a Yellow-rumped Warbler joining them, and in the woods, our first Brown Creeper. We entered The Clove, a place sheltered from the noises of the city and darkened by shadows of the mature trees and the steep rock ridge. Birds were calling and, furtively moving along a log, a Winter Wren made a brief appearance to the delight of the group.

The weather was beautiful, the skies were a cloudless blue, and the overnight bird migration forecast had been impressive—even the popular news had broadcast it. And so as we began our walk we wondered whether all that would translate into our seeing a lot of birds in Inwood Hill Park. First evidence, as it turned out, was positive: among the first birds that we saw were a couple of kinglets in a low tree and an Eastern Phoebe perched exceptionally high on the crown of a very tall tree—and as we continued our walk we found more kinglets and phoebes throughout the park.

As we continued through the woods to the summit, and made our way back down, we encountered spots of migrant bird activity, including some winter arrivals. There were Northern Parulas and Yellow-rump Warblers, a Black-throated Blue Warbler, Hermit and Swainson’s Thrushes, a Blue-headed Vireo, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, and more kinglets—both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned—and more phoebes.

We reached Spuyten Duyvil Creek as our walk drew to a close. In the distance, flying over the Hudson River, was a Bald Eagle, our first and only raptor of the day. While only a couple of us saw it, we were all happy to hear it was there.

Many thanks to Loyan Beausoleil for leading us on this wonderful walk through such a precious park in New York City.

Species Lists

Birds
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Black-and-white Warbler
Northern Parula
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Northern Cardinal

Mammals
Eastern gray squirrel

Registrar: Barrie Raik
Participants: 36
Weather: Mid 60s, overcast in morning, partly cloudy afternoon
Bird Species: 70

Enthusiastic birders and sharp-eyed leaders spent up to nine (!) hours in Central Park finding many species. Highlights included Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Belted Kingfisher, both Nuthatches, Lincoln and Field Sparrows and eleven Wood Warbler species.

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Hooded Merganser
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Blue Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Wood Pewee
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet (h)
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
House Wren
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Field Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Black and white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Registrar: Suzanne Zywicki
Participants: 12
Weather: Rainy, low 60’s
Bird Species: 31

Our annual fall walk to celebrate and remember the iconic birding guide, Starr Saphir, focused on Central Park’s Ramble and surrounding areas. We began in Strawberry Fields, where we quickly spotted several Scarlet Tanagers, a Veery and a Brown Creeper, among other species.

As we moved through the Park, we saw four species of warbler, especially appreciating our good looks at a Blackpoll. Later in the morning we were treated to extended views from the Oak Bridge of a Belted Kingfisher as it flew back and forth over the Lake, stopping to perch quite close to the bridge.

Unfortunately, the unexpected rain continued through the morning, causing us to end the walk earlier than planned, but our group was pleased with the over 30 species seen in the two hours we spent in the Park.

Species List

Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Herring Gull
Black-crowned Night Heron
Green Heron
Great Blue Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker – Heard
Northern Flicker
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
House Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
White-throated Sparrow
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Blackpoll Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal

Registrar: Matthew Fischer
Participants : 13
Weather: Light rain; temperature 62°F;  gentle E breeze; humidity: 94-95%
Bird Species: 68

After a three-year absence, Sandy Hook returned to the Linnaean field trip schedule with highly esteemed professional New Jersey guide Jason Denesevich. While the light rain may not have made for ideal conditions, it did allow us to have the park largely to ourselves, and it did not keep the birds away.

We started off at Plum Island, where we were treated to an enormous flock of over 500 Tree Swallows sitting on the telephone wires. Jason pointed out an adult and a juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull sitting on the beach across the street.

After driving to Guardian Park, we walked down to Horseshoe Cove and back. The huge numbers of Eastern Towhees led us to call this event Towhee-palooza. We also saw multiple warblers, including a Cape May and a Black-throated Blue, a very cooperative Red-eyed Vireo who posed for us, a White-eyed Vireo, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, a Brown Thrasher, and a flock of Cedar Waxwings. At Horseshoe Cove we had a Marsh Wren, a Belted Kingfisher, a Merlin, and Semipalmated Plovers, which we checked for the possibility of European vagrants.
After lunch in Guardian Park, we continued to False Hook, where we had incredible views of an American Golden Plover. We also saw a Greater Yellowlegs fly overhead, enormous flocks of Sanderlings, a pair of huge Caspian Terns, an American Kestrel, a late Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and some Field Sparrows. We had the wonderful experience of watching a juvenile American Herring Gull repeatedly dropping a tennis ball, perhaps mistaking it for shellfish.

Our last stop was at Spermaceti Cove, where we saw over a hundred Royal Terns on a sandbar. Despite the weather conditions, everyone had an incredible time.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
American Oystercatcher
Black-bellied Plover
American Golden-Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Greater Yellowlegs
Sanderling
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Caspian Tern
Forster’s Tern
Royal Tern
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Osprey (American)
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker (Eastern)
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American/Fish Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Northern House Wren (Northern)
Marsh Wren
Carolina Wren (Northern)
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Field Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow (melodia/atlantica)
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Northern Cardinal

Registrar: Evelyn Huang
Participants: 19
Weather: 43–45 degrees F, intermittent rain, winds NE at 6 mph
Bird Species: 60

Despite moderate rain in the forecast, we nonetheless had nineteen birders show up for a morning of fall birding in the North Woods. We started near the Great Hill, where we saw a few warblers, a Scarlet Tanager, Wood and Swainson’s Thrushes, an Eastern Towhee, and a few other sparrow species. We proceeded to the Pool, where we found more warblers, a Great Blue Heron, and a few duck species, including Gadwall and Green-winged Teal. At the Loch we saw a Green Heron and more warblers.

The highlights of the walk were several Scarlet Tanagers and fifteen species of warblers, as well as a Belted Kingfisher, heard between the Loch and the Meer. Many thanks to our leader Ursula Mitra.
The link to the eBird list is: https://ebird.org/checklist/S196772010


Species List

Canada Goose 
Gadwall 
Mallard 
Green-winged Teal 
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove 
American Herring Gull 
Double-crested Cormorant 
Green Heron 
Great Blue Heron 
Osprey 
Red-tailed Hawk 
Belted Kingfisher 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker 
Downy Woodpecker 
Northern Flicker 
Eastern Wood-Pewee 
Eastern Phoebe 
Blue-headed Vireo 
Red-eyed Vireo 
Blue Jay 
American Crow 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
White-breasted Nuthatch 
Winter Wren 
European Starling
Gray Catbird 
Brown Thrasher 
Northern Mockingbird 
Veery 
Swainson’s Thrush 
Wood Thrush 
American Robin 
Cedar Waxwing 
House Sparrow 
House Finch 
American Goldfinch 
Chipping Sparrow 
White-throated Sparrow 
Song Sparrow 
Common Grackle 
Ovenbird 
Northern Waterthrush 
Black-and-white Warbler 
Nashville Warbler 
Common Yellowthroat 
American Redstart 
Cape May Warbler 
Northern Parula 
Magnolia Warbler 
Chestnut-sided Warbler 
Blackpoll Warbler 
Black-throated Blue Warbler 
Palm Warbler 
Pine Warbler 
Yellow-rumped Warbler 
Scarlet Tanager 
Northern Cardinal 
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Registrar:  Suzanne Zywicki
Participants: 5
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 59 degrees
Bird Species: 42

The group met our leader, Anne Swaim, at 7am to get a start on exploring Rockefeller State Park Preserve before the peaceful morning quiet was disturbed. We were immediately greeted by a number of warblers, including a Chestnut-sided, not far from the parking area. As we walked the trails on the way to Swan Lake, we continued to be treated to warbler sightings, including the first of over fifty Northern Parulas we saw. The total for the day was six different warbler species.

As we moved on to the more forested paths, we got great looks at the hoped-for Pileated Woodpecker—one of the five species of woodpecker we saw over the course of the day. Later in the morning, we had nice views of five Eastern Bluebirds perched on fence posts in a meadow and a variety of sparrows in the surrounding area. Our group greatly appreciated Anne’s leadership and extensive knowledge of both the birds and the park.

Species List

Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Black Vulture
Osprey
Coopers Hawk
Accipiter sp.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Phoebe
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Gray Catbird
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee (heard)
Common Grackle
Tennessee Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Registrar: Amanda Bielskas
Weather: Beautiful early fall day, 62–73 degrees F, winds 15 mph
Participants: 26
Bird species: 28

On this, our first LSNY family walk, we met near the restrooms on the Great Hill at 10:00 am. Eric gave a brief lesson on using binoculars and had us do a field test to test our new skills.

To start with, we observed a Ruby-crowned Kinglet flying over the Great Hill, as well as a couple of Red-Tailed Hawks. We then walked down to the Pool; the west side was quite birdy, with a couple of warbler species being spotted. We next walked towards the east side of the Pool, observing the birds along the way and tallying several more species, including multiple waterfowl and woodpeckers. Chuck McAlexander, who was leading another bird group, helped us spot a Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

We totaled 28 species for the morning and fun was had by all. We plan to continue offering a family walk in the spring and another in the fall.

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Phoebe
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
Gray Catbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Common Grackle
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Registrar: Linda LaBella
Participants: 14
Weather: Sunny, breezy, 64 degrees
Bird Species: 35

The Beginners Bird Walk began with a demonstration on how to use binoculars, how to find birds in the trees with the binoculars, and how to use guide books and bird apps to confirm their identification. We then proceeded to the Pool, where we spent most of the time spotting migrating songbirds—especially warblers—as well as observing the resident populations and listening to their songs and calls. Other birders in the Park joined us from time to time to show us birds they had found and to share their birding knowledge. It was a successful and fun introduction to birding. 

Species List

Canada Goose  
Gadwall  
Mallard  
American Black Duck  
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  
Mourning Dove  
Red-tailed Hawk  
Red-bellied Woodpecker  
Downy Woodpecker  
Northern Flicker  
Red-eyed Vireo  
Blue Jay  
American Crow  
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  
House Wren  
Carolina Wren  
European Starling  
Gray Catbird  
Swainson’s Thrush  
American Robin  
House Sparrow  
American Goldfinch  
White-throated Sparrow  
Common Grackle  
Ovenbird  
Northern Waterthrush  
Black-and-white Warbler  
Common Yellowthroat  
American Redstart  
Northern Parula  
Magnolia Warbler  
Blackburnian Warbler  
Blackpoll Warbler  
Black-throated Blue Warbler  
Northern Cardinal

Registrar: Nick Dawson
Participants: 10
Weather: Mid 60s to low 70s, partly cloudy, moderate NE breeze
Bird species: 62

Fire Island has a certain magic to it, as do all barrier islands. There is always the chance of something rare and/or ridiculous turning up: a White Ibis; a Sage Thrasher. Or something a little more predictable, like a pelican.

On this particular day, there were no birds that caught us by surprise (until the very end), but the group led by Paul Sweet got to enjoy the diverse array of quotidian birds that can be found on this part of Fire Island on a late September day. Due to the slightly later-than-usual date of this walk, this year’s group did not see the two ammospiza species that breed in the Watch Hill marsh—Seaside Sparrow and Saltmarsh Sparrow—but the birds that we did see sparked joy.

For this crowd of mostly New York City birders, seeing good numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Royal Terns at close range was a true pleasure. There were some unexpected ducks (Blue-winged Teal), and—literally as we were leaving the island on the ferry—eagle-eyed walk attendee Kenelma Perez spotted two Caspian Terns loafing on a dock. There was some good movement of migrating raptors (especially Merlins), and in the small patch of trees and shrubs above the marsh, a smattering of warblers and other migrating passerines could be seen, the most notable of which was a semi-cooperative (but vocal) White-eyed Vireo.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Blue-winged Tea
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Greater Yellowlegs
Sanderling
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Caspian Tern
Royal Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tree Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Northern House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Blackpoll Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal