Central Park with Ken Chaya, Richard Lieberman, Will Papp, Kevin Sisco, and Janet Wooten, 5/3/2022

Registrar: Kathleen Howley
Participants: 50
Weather: 55 degrees F, sunny, ENE winds 6 mph
Bird Species: 87

One could sense the excitement in the air when we met this morning to begin our bird walk. Rumors were abounding about what was being seen in Strawberry Fields, so at 7:30 am, that is where all five groups headed. It did not disappoint. Bird species seen there included Least Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Northern Parula, and American Redstart. After spending some time in Strawberry Fields, the groups split up and departed, each to different parts of the park. As you can see from the bird list, it appears that every bird species present in the Park was seen by at least one of the groups. All in all, it was a glorious morning.

Species List

Birds
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Green Heron
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Horned Owl
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Least Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
House Wren
Winter Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrush
Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Central Park North Woods with Ursula Mitra, Michelle Choy, and Evelyn Huang, 5/1/2022

Registrar: Evelyn Huang
Participants: 40
Weather: 49-63° F; clear, mostly sunny; light winds from the north
Bird Species: 60

Due to the high number of registrants, our leader Ursula arranged for a second group to go out with Michelle and Evelyn, and we were able to have 40 participants (including the leaders). The first group set off from 108th Street and Central Park West at 7:30 am and the second group departed 7:45, following the same route. Ursula had thoughtfully mapped a route that started with the less well-known birding hotspots and ended at the popular Loch and Pool.

Both the weather and the birds favored us. The sunny spring morning started out brisk and warmed to the mid-60s by early afternoon. Many new species of warblers seem to have arrived overnight, as the day before had been pretty quiet, with few birds in the park.  

The route started with the Great Hill (and bathrooms) and proceeded to cover the Children’s Glades, the South Blowdown, the Pool, the Balancing Rock, the Jughandles, the East Blowdown, the High Meadow, the Lily Ponds, the Block House, the Loch, the Wildflower Meadow, the Grassy Knoll, the Compost Pile, the Nursery, the Conservatory Garden (another bathroom opportunity), the Harlem Meer, the Green Bench, and, again, the Loch and the Pool.

At the Great Hill, one group saw a Blue-winged Warbler, and the other group the first of three Scarlet Tanagers they would see that day; it was a good sign for the rest of the walk. At the Balancing Rock, both groups found Blackburnian and Prairie Warblers, as well as a Black-throated Green Warbler and a Northern Parula. Eastern Towhees appeared in good numbers, and there were numerous Yellow-rumped Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets throughout the walk. After emerging onto the road from the Block House, Ursula’s group found a Yellow-throated Vireo. Although the second group searched for it, they did not see the Vireo, but they did see a Blue-winged Warbler, which they had not found at the Great Hill. Everyone saw the Green Heron which had been at the Loch a few days, and also Black-throated Blue Warblers and an Ovenbird. Although we searched for the Hooded Warbler that had been seen at the Loch by others earlier that morning, we did not find it. At the Conservatory Garden, we found a Wood Thrush and House Wren and ate the lunch or snacks we’d brought while admiring the secret tulip garden under the wisteria trellises. From there we also got some good views of the Red-tailed Hawk’s nest on the Terence Cardinal Cooke building at 105th Street and Fifth Avenue, where two adult hawks were on their nest, one clearly feeding at least one chick. 

We ended the walk a little after 1 pm. Half the participants having left earlier, the two groups had earlier merged into one group of 20 birders, who all expressed satisfaction with a very enjoyable day of birding.

Thanks to all the avid birders who participated and a huge thanks to Ursula and Michelle for sharing your expertise and knowledge of the North Woods with us.

Species Lists

Birds 
Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Green Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
House Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Northern Parula
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Central Park with Richard Lieberman, Will Papp, Kevin Sisco and Janet Wooten, 4/26/2022

Registrar: Sherry Felix
Participants: 44
Weather: Mid 40 degrees Fahrenheit, windy and cloudy with occasional misty rain. 
Bird Species: 71

We started from Strawberry Fields. The first bird that one group saw was a Blue-headed Vireo, a good start to the day. The lighting was poor due to the cloud cover, and it was damp and chilly. A large area of the park was covered, including the reservoir, and an impressive number of birds were spotted.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Horned Owl
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Peregrine Falcon
Great Crested Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Central Park with Richard Lieberman, Will Papp, Kevin Sisco, and Janet Wooten, 4/19/2022

Registrar: Mindy Kaufman
Participants: 35
Weather: 40 degrees, windy, chilly, light rain, overcast
Bird Species: 60

Thirty-five people showed up at Strawberry Fields despite the cold, damp weather. By 8:00, the weather and visibility had improved. There were four groups. Three started out in Strawberry Fields, and the fourth headed uptown by subway to the North End of the Park in search of the Prothonotary Warbler that had been in the Loch and at the Pool for a few days and had been reported earlier that morning, along with a Hooded Warbler. The group was treated to a gorgeous show from the Prothonotary Warbler, and saw the Hooded Warbler as well.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Horned Owl
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
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
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Black-and-white Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler 
Northern Cardinal

Central Park with Ken Chaya, Richard Lieberman, Will Papp, and Kevin Sisco, 4/12/2022

Registrar: Sally Weiner
Participants: 43
Weather: 50-52 F until 11am, with light rain; then rising to 64 F and becoming sunny
Bird Species: 62

Rain began just as everyone was assembling, and it persisted until about 11. This made for challenging conditions, especially for identifying silhouetted birds high in the trees. Starting as usual at Strawberry Fields, the groups made their way to Hernshead, the Upper Lobe, Belvedere Castle and Turtle Pond, the Ramble, Cedar Hill, and the Reservoir. Notable were the large numbers of Northern Flickers, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Hermit Thrushes.

The weather improved rapidly in late morning, encouraging a few birders to extend the walk into the early afternoon.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Mallard
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
American Woodcock
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Horned Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Merlin
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
House Wren
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Brown Thrasher
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco 
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Louisiana Waterthrush
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Photography Focused Workshop in Prospect Park with Tom Stephenson, 4/9/2022

Registrar: Renée Lucier
Participants: 20
Weather: At the start, clearing skies, 50 degrees, wind 9 mph; later, sun in and out, brief rain, hailstorm mid-morning, stronger wind as the day wore on.
Bird Species: 48

We convened at 7:30 am on the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library, where our generous and patient leader, Tom Stephenson, went over some camera basics and photography essentials. We then moved into the Rose Garden in Prospect Park, where we practiced with various settings and people got specific help with their cameras. Within the group there was a wide range of experience and skill levels, but everyone came away with invaluable tips.

After about an hour in the Rose Garden we moved on to the Vale and then further around the Park. We were lucky to see 48 species of birds, including several harbingers of spring and a merlin that was pointed out to us by a young couple with a baby, our group of 20 having walked right by it a minute earlier! Happily, a bathroom break then coincided with a freak hailstorm, so we—and all of our non-waterproof gear—were able to shelter inside until it passed.

After that short delay, we headed back into the Park, where keen-eyed lepidopterists in the group alerted the rest of us to a beautiful Morning Cloak butterfly. A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was an unexpected find, and a stalwart few stuck around to spot the Least Bittern that was in the area. (I didn’t include this in the species list as most people, including myself, left before seeing it.)

Thanks to all the eager and affable participants and a special hearty thank you to Tom for sharing his time and expertise with us!

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Mallard
American Black Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Merlin
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Louisiana Waterthrush
Palm Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Butterflies 
Morning Cloak

Central Park with Alice Deutsch, Richard Lieberman, Will Papp, Kevin Sisco, and Janet Wooten, 4/5/2022

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 43
Weather: Mid-40s to low-50s F; overcast
Bird Species: 63

Forty-three participants were greeted by singing birds and bright flowers on our first spring migration bird walk of 2022. Despite it being early in the season, we saw 63 species, including a Yellow-throated Warbler, two Ring-necked Ducks, a Great Horned Owl, and a Red-throated Loon, birds not commonly seen in Central Park. We split into four groups and visited Strawberry Fields, Hernshead, the Ramble, Belvedere Castle, Turtle Pond, and the Reservoir.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo sp.
Great Horned Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
House Wren
Winter Wren
European Starling
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Louisiana Waterthrush
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Staten Island Conference House with Seth Wollney, 4/2/2022

Registrar: Alice McInerney
Participants: 19
Weather: Sunny, chilly, temps ranged from the mid-30s to the upper 40’s
Bird Species: 68

This trip covered six locations on Staten Island: Conference House Park, Wolf’s Pond Park, Blue Heron Park, Great Kills, Oakwood Beach, and Miller Field. We began at Conference House Park and walked its forest and beach trails. Among the species seen there were Horned Grebes, Red-throated Loons, and Cooper’s Hawks. At Wolf’s Pond Park, we saw thousands of Northern Gannets diving into the sea, providing a spectacular sight. Among the other species seen in this full-day walk were Pileated Woodpecker, Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Merlin, and Killdeer.

Species Lists

Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Oystercatcher
Killdeer
Bonaparte’s Gull
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Merlin
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Northern Cardinal