Rye Playland with Tom Burke and Gail Benson, 12/4/2021

Registrar: Alice McInerney
Participants: 20
Weather: Sunny, cold. Temp: 30’s. Very little wind.
Bird Species: 57

Many thanks to our co-leaders, Tom Burke and Gail Benson, who organized a rigorous and exciting day of birding in Westchester County.

We began at Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary and Rye Playland, where we were treated to views of Snow Buntings, three merganser species, and Great Cormorants, among many other species. We then moved to Bowman Avenue Pond at Rye Ridge Plaza to search for the Greater White-fronted Goose. With much skill, our leaders found the bird (among about 400 Canada Geese), and with much patience, they made sure that the entire group had excellent views. After lunch at the Marshlands Conservancy’s picnic tables, we walked its wooded and seaside trails and found many more species, including several Killdeer.

Species Lists

Birds
Greater White-fronted Goose 
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
American Black Duck
Lesser Scaup
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Wild Turkey
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Killdeer
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Great Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Northern Harrier
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Horned Owl 
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
White-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Snow Bunting
Field Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Cardinal

Shirley Chisholm State Park to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge with Peter Dorosh, 11/20/2021

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 16
Weather: Sunny, calm winds, 40s-50s F
Bird Species: 62

Under the expert leadership of Peter Dorosh, we explored two parks on Jamaica Bay, the new Shirley Chisholm State Park in Brooklyn and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens. At Shirley Chisholm SP we saw a Fox Sparrow and a Horned Grebe, first-of-season birds for many participants, as well as common winter waterfowl, including a Common Loon and Buffleheads. Three beautiful Northern Harriers sailing over the mounds of the former landfill were a treat, as were several lingering Killdeer and Tree Swallows. 

We arrived at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge at lunchtime. The new saltmarsh installation at the site of the old West Pond breach has now been completed, and visitors can once again walk all the way around the West Pond. We identified 14 duck species on the pond, including Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal. A mature Bald Eagle flew over the bay, prompting several thousand Brant to take off and circle the pond before settling down again. Two immature Bald Eagles were also seen flying overhead. Initially, we were disappointed not to see the Eurasian Wigeon that had been reported earlier in the week, but we found it later in the Pumpkin Patch Channel west of the pond. Another highlight of the walk was a Barn Owl resting in its box. 

Species Lists

Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Killdeer
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Barn Owl
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Fox Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow 
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Meadowlark
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Central Park with Alice Deutsch, Will Papp, and Kevin Sisco, 11/16/2021

Registrar: Sherry Felix
Participants: 41
Weather: 40’s F, clear 
Bird Species: 47

On this walk, there were three groups led by three excellent leaders. The day was chilly and fair. We started at the Pinetum, where we saw quite a few species. The Cooper’s Hawk was a highlight, as were the large flocks of birds flying over—masses of migrating blackbirds, robins, and Cedar Waxwings. Working our way north, we stopped by the Reservoir, where Kevin’s group spotted an Orange-crowned Warbler, and then moved up to the Pond; the fall color there was magnificent, and so was the Wood Duck.

Next, we wound our way east through the Loch, heading towards the Conservatory Garden and the compost heap and picking up more species along the way.

We are looking forward to Spring and the regular Linnaean NY Central Park field trips. Thanks to all our volunteer leaders.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Mallard
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Turkey Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
European Starling
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
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Gull Identification at Coney Island with Roberta Manian and Dennis Hrehowsik, 11/13/2021

Registrar: Mary Beth Kooper
Participants: 18
Weather: Sunny, unseasonably warm 60F, Wind 7MPH SE
Bird Species: 16

This was our third annual Gull Identification field trip with Bobbi Manion and Dennis Hrehowsik and it was a great success, once again. We had several return attendees, and many prospective new larophiles. Bobbi and Dennis did a wonderful job of imparting their knowledge to us: teaching us how to differentiate gull species, and also how to age individuals.

We began the trip by looking out at the ocean which had a noticeable lack of waterfowl. In previous years, we would usually see loons, scoters, and perhaps some Common Eiders. On this day, which was warmer than last year’s trip, we had only one Common Loon. But since our purpose was to study gulls, we turned our attention back to the beach, where we had gulls aplenty to ponder, as well as many Black Skimmers. Looking back towards the ocean from time to time as the day progressed, we observed many Northern Gannets feeding out there– always fun to see.

Once again, thanks to our wonderful leaders, and to a very engaged and enthusiastic group of participants, this trip was both a joy and a big success.

Species Lists

Birds
Brant
Rock Pigeon
Sanderling
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Royal Tern
Black Skimmer
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Peregrine Falcon
European Starling
House Sparrow

Central Park with Alice Deutsch, Will Papp, and Kevin Sisco, 11/9/2021

Registrar: Vicki Seabrook
Participants: 41
Weather: Sunny, mild, mid 60’s
Bird Species: 31

A very mild day for November and a large group of participants. The walk began at 8 am—a half hour later than our usual Tuesday walks, to offset the lack of light at 7:30 am. We headed north, stopping at several locations, including the Pinetum and the Reservoir, and ending at the Pool. The highlights of the walk were good looks at a Red-shouldered Hawk, and a late Blue-headed Vireo.        

Species List

Birds
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Hermit Thrush
House Finch
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow

Central Park Hawk Watch with Anne and Phil Ribolow, 11/8/2021

Registrar: Mary Beth Kooper
Participants: 20
Weather: Mostly sunny, 66F, 10mph NW winds
Bird Species: 30

With northwest winds forecast for this hawk watch, we expected to tally buteos such as Red- Shouldered and Red-Tailed Hawks, along with accipiters such as Sharp-shinned Hawks, as well as our resident Cooper’s Hawks, and Falcons including our resident Peregrine Falcons and Kestrels.

But our primary aim was to find Golden Eagles soaring over Manhattan, and Bald Eagles too. We did not get the Gold, but we had pretty much everything else we were hoping for. We all had a marvelous time because Phil and Anne did a wonderful job of instructing the group on how to search for hawks in the sky and explaining fine identification tips, and they expertly spotted hawks at great distances. Highlights were eight Red-shouldered Hawks, including one that flew right over our group at Belvedere Castle, and a Bald Eagle that made a very close flyby as well. It was a great way to cap our series of hawk watches for the season.

Species Lists

Birds
Northern Shoveler
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
European Starling
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Palm Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Central Park with Kevin Cisco and Will Papp, 11/2/21

Registrar: Miriam Rakowski
Participants: 24
Weather: Cloudy, 47-52 degrees, NW winds, 3 mph
Bird Species: 54

Despite the cloudy day with light winds, many birds were on the move. We kept seeing flocks high up in the sky, too high to identify, and wondered aloud what they were.  Some highlights of the day were an Eastern Meadowlark, a late Blue-headed Vireo, splendid looks at multiple Wood Duck drakes, and one lone female Green-winged Teal, showing her lovely iridescent speculum. Some additional highlights were scope views of a perched Peregrine Falcon, and, for some of us, a very close encounter with two Red-tailed Hawks.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Wood Duck 
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
Green-winged Teal 
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe 
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Meadowlark
Common Grackle
Common Yellowthroat
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler 
Northern Cardinal

Floyd Bennett Field with Rob Jett, 10/23/2021

Registrar: Amanda Bielskas
Weather: Cloudy with a little rain, clearing in the afternoon, in the 50s, winds NW
Participants: 14
Bird Species: 53

On a cool and cloudy fall morning with some light rain to begin the day, our group of 14 birders were able to see 53 species, including several late migrants and rarities. We met at the entrance parking lot but quickly moved to park near the grass nursery, where we looked for our first target species—the Vesper Sparrow. None were visible then, but we did get a quick look at a fly-by Bobolink along with some other sparrows. We continued to walk through the Ecology Village, where we saw many Yellow-rumped Warblers and a female Black-and-white Warbler.

We timed our visit to the beach at the end of Archery Road with the high tide around 10 am. We were greeted there by a fly-by Belted Kingfisher and over 100 Brant. We quickly walked down the beach to the pilings where the Brooklyn Bird Club had spotted an American Golden-Plover. With some patience, we got the American Golden-Plover, along with lots of Black-bellied Plovers, many Forster’s Terns, one Royal Tern, a few Dunlin and some Red Knots. The group also spotted one Great Cormorant when we first got to the area, but it was not re-found on further looks among the Double-crested Cormorants. A Prairie Warbler was also spotted along the fence.

From there we headed over to the plastic bucket forest in search of an American Woodcock, but left the area unsatisfied. We went next to the runway, where we saw several American Kestrels on their hunting grounds. We took a drive over to the Community Gardens and added several more species to the day list. As the day was wrapping up, those with stamina decided to swing by the grass nursery one more time and were rewarded with good looks at three Vesper Sparrows!

Species Lists

Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mourning Dove
Black-bellied Plover
American Golden-Plover
Killdeer
Red Knot
Dunlin
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Forster’s Tern
Royal Tern
Great Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Mammals
Eastern Cottontail
Eastern Gray Squirrel

Butterflies & Moths
Cabbage White
Orange Sulphur
Monarch
Clover Looper