Central Park with Ken Chaya, Lynne Hertzog and Kevin Sisco, 5/16/2023

Registrar: Michelle Zorzi
Participants: 52
Weather: Warm and sunny, light breeze, temperature upper 60s to low 80s
Bird Species: 78

On a warm spring morning, 52 eager birders gathered for an enjoyable morning of birding during
the peak of spring migration. A total of 22 species of warbler species were seen, including a male
Mourning Warbler sighted near Evodia Field by a few hardy birders who stayed out well into the
afternoon. A highlight for one group was finding a Black-billed Cuckoo by the Rustic Shelter,
where they enjoyed good views of this elusive bird. It was also a good day for Lincoln’s
Sparrows, as several were seen by the groups. Overall, it was a great day to be in the park, with
an impressive number of species seen.

Species List

Birds
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Black-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Horned Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Least Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Spring Migration at Governors Island with Todd Olson, 5/15/2023

Registrar: Mary Beth Kooper
Participants: 19
Weather: Clear skies, 57 – 66°F, Light breeze
Bird Species: 63

This was our first field trip led by Todd Olson, who works in conservation for the Wildlife Conservation Society at the Bronx Zoo. We had a wonderful morning, starting early with the 7:00 am ferry to the island, so it was still nice and quiet when we arrived and we were able to enjoy the bird songs and other vocalizations. We took a leisurely walk, starting around Fort Jay and meandering our way to the hills, and also visited the piers where the Common Terns and Herring Gulls have nested for a number of years. The walk produced a nice mix of migrants, in addition to other birds that nest on the island. We look forward to Todd
leading a similar walk in the Fall.

Species Lists

Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Green Heron
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Kingbird
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal

Liberty Loop and Wallkill National Wildlife Reservation, 5/15/2023

Registrar: Nick Dawson
Participants: 8
Weather: Sunny, low to mid 60s
Bird Species: 69

On a pleasant Sunday morning in late May, a small group of Linnaean Society birders journeyed up from New York City to walk the Liberty Loop trail, starting in New Jersey, moving into New York state, and then back to NJ. From the parking lot, we saw our first Sandhill Crane, a breeding bird at this spot that had evaded a group on the same trip the previous May. Later on, we were treated to more, including a female on her nest and a number of males competing for territory. The mixture of habitats—marsh surrounded by woodland and farm fields—offered up a nice variety of shorebirds, raptors, ducks, herons, woodpeckers, flycatchers, and migrant passerines. Other highlights of the morning, included a singing Marsh Wren, a Pileated Woodpecker, some Yellow-throated Vireos, and a Philadelphia Vireo—which, sadly, only some were able to get eyes on.

At the nearby Winding Waters Trail, also part of Wallkill River NWR, we were treated to nesting Eastern Bluebirds and Baltimore Orioles, plus Orchard Orioles on territory. Following a quick post-lunch stop at Owens Station Crossing and Wallkill River NWR’s headquarters, the birders who had stuck it out until mid-afternoon enjoyed a memorable final at Knapp’s View, where throngs of breeding Bobolinks can reliably be found mixed in with Red-winged Blackbirds and a few Eastern Meadowlarks.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Sandhill Crane
Semipalmated Plover
Least Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Lesser Yellowlegs
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Yellow-throated Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
House Wren
Marsh Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Bobolink
Eastern Meadowlark
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Central Park, East Side, with Janet Wooten, 5/9/2023

Registrar: Janet Wooten
Participants: 11
Weather: Sunny and clear, 57F-64F, light breeze
Bird Species: 54, plus 1 hybrid

It was peak migration in Central Park on May 9th and the birds were everywhere, flying from tree to tree as they foraged for insects among the leaves. Many birds sang from the canopy level and were challenging to see but one in particular, the rare hybrid Brewster’s Warbler, caused great excitement. Birders listened patiently for its song and were delighted when it finally flew down low enough to give excellent views. While this Blue-winged Warbler/Golden-winged Warbler cross certainly made our day, we were equally dazzled by the stunning Summer Tanager, another rare visitor, with it’s all red plumage and large pale bill. It was a terrific morning of birding in the Ramble!

Species List

Birds
Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
American Kestrel
Great Crested Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
House Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee (Red-eyed)
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Brewster’s Warbler (hybrid)
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal

Central Park with Alan Drogin, Kevin Sisco, and Allan Welby, 5/9/2023

Registrar: Sally Weiner
Participants: 60
Weather: Sunny early, then clouding over, winds calm, temperature upper 50s to upper 60s
Bird Species: 74

In nearly ideal weather conditions, many birders—both locals and visitors from as far away as South Africa—joined together for a rewarding morning. Increasing numbers of warblers and other migrants overlapped with lingering winter birds to produce a rich variety. A Summer Tanager, perhaps the star of the walk, was well seen high above Azalea Pond and in the nearby area. Birding (for some!) extended into the early afternoon, yielding an impressive number of species.

Species List

Birds
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Solitary Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black-crowned Night Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Great-horned Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Great-crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Worm-eating Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Brewster’s Warbler (hybrid)
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting

Central Park South End Afternoon Spring Walk, with Debbie Becker, 5/5/2023

Registrar: Debbie Becker
Participants: 10
Weather: Overcast with spotty rain
Bird Species: 23

This was the second Central Park south end afternoon spring walk.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Finch
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Starr Saphir Memorial Spring Migration Walk with Lenore Swenson, 5/5/2023

Leader and Registrar: Lenore Swenson 
Participants: 14
Weather: Partly sunny, 50-56F, calm
Bird Species: 41

Our group started out at 7:30am at the Central Park West and West 81st Street entrance to the Park, which was Starr’s meeting place. We went along Naturalists Walk, past Triplets Bridge to Hernshead and the Lake. We then walked by the Upper Lobe, went up to the Castle, along the south side of Turtle Pond, and through the Maintenance Meadow, where 2 Red Bats were flying around. A Great Horned Owl was perched in a tree in the Ramble. The Point, Swampy Pin Oak area, and Azalea Pond yielded several more species including Purple Finch, Northern Waterthrush, and Red-tailed Hawk. The walk ended at 12:00noon with 41 species, including 9 species of warbler.

Birds
Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Herring Gull
Double-crested Cormorant 
Black-crowned Night Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Horned Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker 
Downy Woodpecker 
Northern Flicker
Great Crested Flycatcher 
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo 
Blue Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
Gray Catbird 
European Starling 
Veery
Hermit Thrush 
American Robin
House Sparrow 
Purple Finch
Chipping Sparrow 
White-throated Sparrow
Eastern Towhee 
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle 
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush 
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat 
American Redstart 
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler 
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel 
Red Bat

Herp
Red-eared Slider

Central Park-East Side with Janet Wooten, 5/2/2023

Registrar: Janet Wooten
Participants: 7
Weather: Intermittent rain throughout a cool morning with a southwesterly breeze
Bird Species: 30

Wet weather did not deter seven birders on the first Tuesday morning of May. We met at the Boat House and proceeded to search the Ramble and environs, the trees around the Castle, and Turtle Pond for migrating birds on their way to their breeding grounds. Despite periodic rain and cool temperatures, we managed to see six warblers, a Baltimore Oriole, and a Blue-headed Vireo. It was a challenging morning, but we prevailed with a final count of 30 species.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Mourning Dove
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Gray Catbird
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
Purple Finch
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Black-throated Green Warbler
Northern Cardinal