On a cold, bright winter day, Annie Barry led an enjoyable walk on Governors Island when, truth be told, the birding gods did not seem to be want to cooperate. Although the group ultimately saw and/or heard 30 species, it was a bit of a grind at times, with long stretches where all that seemed to be on the water were Ring-billed and Herring Gulls and, on land, the passerines had gone silent. Luckily, that made every new species for the day something of an event (“I hear a nuthatch!” “Look, it’s a Mallard!”) in the way it would not normally be. Sadly, Purple Sandpipers were not around to be seen and admired, and the undoubted highlight of the walk was a handful of Bonaparte’s Gulls — a group of eight, and later two more — flying kinetically as they actively fed in the waters of New York harbor, right next to the island.
Species Lists
Birds Brant Canada Goose Gadwall Mallard American Black Duck Bufflehead Red-breasted Merganser Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Bonaparte’s Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Red-tailed Hawk Downy Woodpecker Blue Jay American Crow Fish Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch European Starling Northern Mockingbird House Sparrow American Goldfinch Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Northern Cardinal
The group met at 9:00 am at the parking lot of the Croton-Harmon train station and proceeded to search the riverside from the train station. Right away, three Bald Eagles were sighted on the muddy far shore, and another one could be seen flying overhead shortly after. In the water were Canada Geese, Buffleheads, Mallards, and American Black Ducks.
We proceeded to Croton Point Park, where the strong wind may have deterred several birds from showing themselves, but where we had flyover views of more Bald Eagles and a Red-tailed Hawk, saw Tree Sparrows foraging in the grass, and caught sight of an American Kestrel in some locust trees by the maintenance shed near the RV lot. A beautiful perched Bald Eagle gave us good views from a pine tree, and toward the end of the walk, sharp-eyed birders found Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks in distant trees.
After lunch at the parking lot of Croton Point Park, we returned to our cars and drove to the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, arriving mid-afternoon. We were disappointed to find that the feeders had been taken down, as had the feeders at the Croton Point Park visitor’s center; we speculated that this may have been done as a precaution against bird flu. The group split into two, with some keeping vigil on the viewing platform while others explored the two winter trails that remain open. Those on the platform had better luck, seeing a Red-shouldered Hawk, an Eastern Meadowlark, and a Red-winged Blackbird. Neither group found the Loggerhead Shrike that had been reported there by others.
Around 4:30 pm, as if on schedule, the first Short-eared Owl appeared just as the group was about to decamp due to the cold temperature and dimming light. In total, two owls were seen, the first perched in distant trees across the parking lot, and another swooping over the grassland. This was a life bird for many birders, and served as our sign to head for the warmth of our cars and the drive home.
Many thanks to Gordon Lam for stepping up to lead this enjoyable and informative walk on short notice.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Mallard American Black Duck Bufflehead Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper’s Hawk Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Short-eared Owl Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Blue Jay American Crow Fish Crow Common Raven Northern Mockingbird American Tree Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Eastern Meadowlark Northern Cardinal
We met at 9 am at the Jones Beach Coast Guard Station, and after scanning the Jones Inlet for the usual wintering species, we meandered along Fisherman’s Road until we got a clear view of the Inlet. Unfortunately, there were a couple of boats nearby with hunters firing at flying birds, aiming especially at Long-tailed Ducks. Most often, the shooters missed their targets, and we did manage to get good looks at Long-tailed Ducks, as well as at a Bonaparte Gull and Common and Red-throated Loons. Afterward, we headed toward the main road to look for a flock of Red Crossbills that had been reported earlier. We were successful in seeing them, and it was a big highlight for everyone.
But then, a little before noon, while we were birding along the Swale, someone mentioned that a Swainson’s Hawk was being seen along Front Street on Staten Island. The leader took a vote, and eleven participants voted to leave Jones Beach and head to Staten Island. Below you will find two lists, the first one of the birds seen at Jones Beach and the other of the birds seen at Staten Island. All in all, many of us never dreamed that we would start our day on Long Island and end up on Staten Island. But all’s well that ends well.
Species Lists
Birds Jones Beach Brant Canada Goose Mute Swan Mallard Greater Scaup White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Bufflehead Red-breasted Merganser Red-throated Loon Common Loon Double-crested Cormorant Rock Pigeon Sanderling Dunlin Razorbill Bonaparte’s Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Crow Red-breasted Nuthatch American Robin Northern Mockingbird European Starling Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow House Finch Red Crossbill American Goldfinch (h) Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
778 Front St., Staten Island, NY Gadwall Greater Scaup Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Bonaparte’s Gull Herring Gull Bald Eagle Swainson’s Hawk (Juv.) Fish Crow Common Raven
It was a chickadee morning in Inwood Hill Park, with several flocks seen as we made our way from the park entrance through the woods and up to the higher reaches of the park. And it was a Red-tailed Hawk morning as well: we were greeted by a loudly vocal one perched above us as we were gathering, and, later, others were seen soaring overhead through the treetops. As we walked we came upon many of the expected winter bird residents, including woodpeckers, sparrows, American Goldfinches, and Blue Jays, among others.
In addition to the birds, our leader pointed out the noteworthy geological features that are a part of Inwood Hill Park. We passed the Inwood Hill caves, glacial potholes with spring water seeping from them, a whaleback rock formation, and, finally, at the crest of the Inwood Hill ridge, a panoramic view of the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades. And as we were walking through the woods looking for birds from the understory on up to the tall forest canopy of tulip trees and oaks, we learned that this is Manhattan’s only remaining natural forest, and that one of the tulip trees growing here is possibly the tallest in all of New York City.
On the way back from the ridge to the northern end of the park, we looked down on Spuyten Duyvil Creek and saw numerous Great Blue Herons on the north shore; and as we headed back to the lower, eastern part of the park, we found the salt marsh mudflats exposed at low tide. There were many Ring-billed Gulls busy poking in the mud and Mallards were dozing in the pools at the mudflats’ edge.
We were ending our walk, looking out to the east near the water’s edge, when in the distance a Peregrine Falcon appeared, flying fast and making a lovely conclusion to a wonderful walk. A big thank you to Annie for leading us.
Species Lists
Birds Mallard Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Ring-billed Gull Great Black-backed Gull Great Blue Heron Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Peregrine Falcon Blue Jay Fish Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Carolina Wren American Robin House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Alice McInerney Participants: 10 Weather: Clear, WNW winds at 10 mph, temperatures in the 40’s F Bird Species: 45
On December 4, 2022, 10 enthusiastic birders spent the day birding at Rye Playland and other nearby spots in Westchester County. We initially birded near the lake and Long Island Sound and then moved on to walk through the trails of the nearby Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary. Among the birds seen were Greater and Lesser Scaup, Long-Tailed Ducks, Mergansers, and Common Loons.We then visited the Bowman Ave. Pond, where our leaders discovered the Greater White-Fronted Goose and a couple of Wood Ducks, in addition to many Canada Geese. Our final stop was at Marshlands Conservancy, where many Wild Turkeys roamed about.It was a beautiful day of birding.
Species Lists
Birds
Greater White-fronted Goose Brant Canada Goose Wood Duck Mallard American Black Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Long-tailed Duck Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Wild Turkey Mourning Dove Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Common Loon Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Red-tailed Hawk Belted Kingfisher Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Blue Jay Fish Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren European Starling Northern Mockingbird American Robin House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Eastern Towhee Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Northern Cardinal
We started the day at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. On the West Pond we found many duck species that had returned for the winter, as well as several species of lingering shorebirds, including Long-billed Dowitcher, Dunlin, and Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. Very large numbers of Brant and Canada Geese and Double-crested Cormorants were seen on the West Pond and in the bay, as well as four gull species, including a few Laughing Gulls. Several passerine species were observed on our walk around the West Pond, including a large flock of Pine Siskins foraging with American Goldfinches. During lunch, two mature Bald Eagles were seen circling over the Visitor Center. In the afternoon, we moved to Shirley Chisholm State Park. Fewer species were seen here than at Jamaica Bay, but we had beautiful close-up views of a low-flying Sharp-shinned Hawk and of several Northern Harriers gliding over the hills. Many thanks to our excellent leader, Peter Dorosh, for a wonderful day of birding.
Species List
Birds Brant Canada Goose Mute Swan Northern Shoveler Gadwall American Wigeon Mallard American Black Duck Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Ruddy Duck Pied-billed Grebe Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Mourning Dove American Coot Killdeer Dunlin Long-billed Dowitcher Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Laughing Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret Black-crowned Night-Heron Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Bald Eagle Red-tailed Hawk Belted Kingfisher Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Crow Black-capped Chickadee Golden-crowned Kinglet European Starling Northern Mockingbird House Sparrow House Finch Pine Siskin American Goldfinch Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Steve Holleran Participants: 38 Weather: Brisk and mostly cloudy, 30’s to low 40’s, light NNE wind Bird Species: 50
On our final Central Park outing of the year, we covered a broad area from the Ramble to the North Woods, and observed a total of 50 species of birds. Owls of two different sorts were seen, as well as an American Kestrel and Peregrine Falcon. Another highlight was the appearance of a mature Bald Eagle hunting low over the Reservoir, then swooping into a tree to pose for happy photographers.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Wood Duck Northern Shoveler Gadwall Mallard Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Ruddy Duck Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove American Coot Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Cooper’s Hawk Bald Eagle Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl Barred Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Peregrine Falcon Blue Jay American Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Ruby-crowned Kinglet Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch European Starling Northern Mockingbird Eastern Bluebird Hermit Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch Fox Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
It was a beautiful fall day for our second-to-last Central Park walk of the year. Thirty-seven enthusiastic birders met at 86th Street at 8am and split into two groups. The groups visited the Reservoir and then continued north to the Pool, the Loch, the Conservatory Garden and the North Woods. Some birders continued into the Ramble where they spotted a perched Red-shouldered Hawk, a rarity for Central Park. Other highlights were a Broad-winged Hawk (flyover at the beginning of the walk), a beautiful pair of Wood Ducks, and a female Green-winged Teal at the Pool, as well as many chickadees and titmice throughout the park. It was a wonderful walk, enjoyed by new and experienced birders alike.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Wood Duck Northern Shoveler Gadwall Mallard Green-winged Teal Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Ruddy Duck Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove American Coot Laughing Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Cooper’s Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Peregrine Falcon Blue Jay American Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren European Starling Northern Mockingbird Hermit Thrush American Robin
