Jones Beach with Joe DiCostanzo, 1/8/2023

Registrar: Kathleen Howley
Participants: 16
Weather: sunny 35–40°; winds 6–8 mph
Bird Species: 47

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

Inwood Hill Park with Annie Barry, 12/4/2022

Registrar: Lisa Kroop
Participants: 16
Weather: 37°F–40°F, mostly sunny, wind NW, 6 mph
Bird Species: 26

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

Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel

Rye Playlands and Environs with Tom Burke and Gail Benson, 12/4/2022

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

Shirley Chisholm State Park and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge with Peter Dorosh, 11/19/2022

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 12
Weather: Sunny, 32-39 degrees F, northerly winds at 7 mph
Bird Species: 54

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

Central Park with Ken Chaya and Kevin Sisco, 11/15/2022

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

Central Park with Ken Chaya and Kevin Sisco, 11/8/2022

Registrar: Michelle Zorzi
Participants: 37
Weather: 52F and sunny, light breeze
Bird Species: 53

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

Central Park with Will Papp and Kevin Sisco, 11/1/2022

Registrar: Richard Davis
Participants: 33
Weather: 60–61 F, wind w/sw, 5 mph, cloudy to partly cloudy
Bird Species: 50

Thirty-three participants gathered on a cloudy damp morning. With the threat of rain from
overnight mostly gone, the day was mild and the sun seemed to want to break through as the
morning progressed. This late fall walk took us to different parts of the Park than earlier in the
season, starting at the Pinetum, where our two groups eventually found the continuing Redheaded
Woodpecker after a thorough search by all 66 eyes. It was also interesting to observe
first-of-the-winter arrivals of American Coot, Northern Shoveler, Hooded Merganser, and Ruddy
Duck on the reservoir, with a Green-winged Teal on the Pond as a bonus.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Peregrine Falcon
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Hermit 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
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge with Joseph DiCostanzo, 10/29/2022

Registrar: Evelyn Huang
Participants: 18
Weather: 45°–55° F; mostly sunny, light NE winds
Bird Species: 56

The group met at 9 am at the parking lot of the National Wildlife Refuge and proceeded to the trail along the West Pond that begins at the Visitor Center. Although the morning started out very chilly and windy, we were rewarded by seeing a huge blizzard of migrating Brants, both in the bay and on the pond as well as flying overhead. Many of us speculated as to the numbers, with estimates reaching well over ten thousand. 

At the viewing areas around the West Pond, we saw many waterfowl species, including Northern Shovelers, American Wigeons, Buffleheads, Pied-billed Grebes, Greater Scaups, Hooded Mergansers, and Green-winged Teals. Among the gulls we were surprised to find two Black-headed Gulls, an adult and an immature. Other species included Great Egrets, a Great Blue Heron, and a Greater Yellowlegs.

It warmed considerably, with the sun coming out as we finished our circuit of the West Pond and had lunch at the picnic tables by the parking lot.

We then walked across Cross Bay Boulevard to check out the East Pond, where we found the water levels extremely high. We only made it to the first lookout, but it was a good spot where we found more ducks, including Northern Pintails, more Green-winged Teals, Gadwalls, and a Red-breasted Merganser. Along the far shore, we also saw some shorebirds, including Dunlins, Killdeer, and Greater Yellowlegs. Some of us were a bit appalled to see a Greater Black-backed Gull attack, kill, and proceed to eat a Ruddy Duck. As we were scanning the water, a Northern Harrier swooped overhead and caused a massive flight of gulls to lift off.

We ended the walk a little after 2 pm at the East Pond, after getting looks at some fairly faraway Ring-necked Ducks.

Many thanks to Joseph DiCostanzo for leading such an enjoyable and informative walk.

Species Lists

Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
American Coot
Killdeer
Dunlin
Pectoral Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Black-headed Gull
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
American Crow
Fish Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler