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
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
Registrar: Vicki Seabrook Species Recorder: Mary Beth Kooper Participants: 7 Weather: Sunny, 60’s Bird Species: 37
Calvert Vaux is an urban park overlooking Coney Island Creek in Brooklyn, with little pockets of various habitats. It is a Breeding Bird Atlas Priority Block, and Adelia is very familiar with the areas. We saw 31 species at Calvert Vaux, and 27 at Six Diamonds Ballfield, a recreational area adjacent to Calvert Vaux.
Species Lists
Birds Calvert Vaux: 31 Species Canada Goose Mallard American Black Duck Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Laughing Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Northern Flicker Peregrine Falcon Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay American Crow Tree Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Brown Creeper European Starling Northern Mockingbird Chipping Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Palm Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
Six Diamonds Ballfields: 27 Species Brant Canada Goose Mallard American Black Duck Rock Pigeon Laughing Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Peregrine Falcon Blue Jay American Crow Fish Crow Golden-crowned Kinglet Brown Creeper House Wren European Starling Northern Mockingbird American Robin House Sparrow House Finch White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
This is the time of year to see sparrows, and many Song (80) and White-throated (250) were reported, as well as White-crowned, Swamp, and a Chipping. There were also high numbers of Ruddy Ducks (39) and Hermit Thrushes (28). Many of the warbler species have left and are now headed to their wintering grounds, but we look forward to their return in the spring.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Northern Shoveler Mallard 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 Northern Flicker American Kestrel Eastern Phoebe Blue-headed Vireo Blue Jay Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Brown Creeper Winter Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Hermit Thrush American Robin House Sparrow American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-crowned Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Common Grackle Common Yellowthroat Black-throated Blue Warbler Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
It was a cool, windy day, with good prospects for raptor migration, and as soon as we arrived, we began to see activity. Skeins of various sizes kept appearing, as Canada geese, Brant, and Double-crested Cormorants wove decorations in the clouds above. Some formed linear or semi-circular patterns, others partial triangles. We could see the birds alternating their positions in the flock. Turkey Vultures formed random-shaped kettles, floating through the clouds.
As an added treat, two local Peregrine Falcons entertained us with their interactions for most of the time we were there. But the most impressive feature of the event was the sheer number of birds fluttering past us.
Species Lists
Birds Snow Goose (1) Brant (135) Canada Goose (538) Mallard Rock Pigeon Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Cormorants or geese too distant to identify (101) Turkey Vulture (125) Sharp-shinned Hawk (5) Cooper’s Hawk (8) Red-shouldered Hawk (1) Red-tailed Hawk Northern Flicker American Kestrel (1) Merlin (3) Peregrine Falcon (3) Blue Jay Hermit Thrush American Robin Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow
Registrar: Amanda Bielskas Weather: Partly cloudy and cool, warming in the afternoon to the 60s, breezy WNW winds Participants: 19 Bird Species: 51
On a beautiful fall morning, our groups of 19 birders were able to see 51 species, including many late migrants. We met at the Icahn stadium parking lot and headed over to the salt marsh area. After circling the marsh we went to the wildflower meadow and nearby wetlands, where we split up into two groups because of the narrow trail. Next we headed to the northeastern ballfields, where we spotted many Savannah and Song Sparrows, gulls, and a Great Cormorant a ways offshore. After a quick stop for lunch we went toward the north ballfields and found several herons by the Hell’s Gate marsh. A walk further west and south netted us an American Kestrel, more kinglets, a brown creeper, and a Nashville Warbler. A great day was had by all.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Gadwall Mallard Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Laughing Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Great Cormorant Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Turkey Vulture Cooper’s Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Belted Kingfisher Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay American Crow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Brown Creeper European Starling Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Hermit Thrush American Robin House Sparrow House Finch Chipping Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Nashville Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
Other Species Eastern Gray Squirrel Monarch Cabbage White
Registrar: Lori Lam Participants: 6 Weather: Clear, temp ranging from 54 to 75 degrees, wind S, 18 mph Bird Species: 27
Crystal clear blue skies and warm yet strong winds made for a comfortable field trip but a challenge for birding. Despite this, we walked nearly four miles, logging 27 species but due to the winds there werefew shorebirds or hawks. We were thrilled to see a Common Raven performing an acrobatic aerial display, soaring and tumbling in flight. One group member spotted the first of three Lesser Black-backed Gulls alongside a group of Great Black-backed Gulls, distinguished from them by its smaller size, lighter back, and yellow legs.
Species Lists
Birds Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Semipalmated Plover Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Great Black-backed Gull Royal Tern Northern Gannet Double-crested Cormorant Osprey Cooper’s Hawk Northern Flicker Peregrine Falcon Eastern Phoebe Common Raven Ruby-crowned Kinglet Carolina Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Brown-headed Cowbird Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Susan Joseph Trip Report: Arabella Pajoohi, age 10 Participants: 21 Weather: Mostly sunny, 66F, 7mph S winds Bird Species: 36
Members of the New York State Young Birders Club met at the 72nd Street/Central Park West entrance to Central Park on a bright and unusually warm sunny morning that felt more like a summer day than mid-October. We couldn’t have asked for a better birding morning! Our trip leaders were Kevin Sisco and Janet Wooten, and our partner club was The Linnaean Society of New York.
We first ventured to Strawberry Fields, where, to our delight, we were greeted by quite a bit of morning bird activity. In some shrubs and smaller trees we spotted various sparrows, a Golden-crowned Kinglet, and some starlings. We also saw two Eastern Towhees flitting around in some young sumac trees. At the other side of the field, we soon noticed Blue Jays, sparrows, finches, and some activity higher up in the trees. Within a few minutes, more birds made their presence known to us, and with our binoculars and cameras at the ready, we were well into the double digits with multiple species. After spending some time watching cardinals, we crossed the West Drive, navigating among the morning joggers and cyclists, and made our way north to the Lake and Hernshead, a large rock outcropping by the Lake. As we made our way there, we spotted a Gray Catbird hopping around in a bush. At Hernshead, we climbed onto the rocks and spent a few minutes relishing the autumn sunshine before making our way down to the lake shore. We encountered some Canada Geese close to the shore and captured some close-up photos of the geese also enjoying the morning sun. Although Canada Geese may be common, it’s always a delight to see these beautiful larger waterfowl!!!!
We then walked around to the northwest corner of the Lake and stopped on the Oak Bridge to admire the amazing lake view and gaze at the starlings. After crossing the bridge, we entered the Central Park Ramble, a 37-acre heavily wooded area that is a famous spot for birders. We were not disappointed! A Red-tailed Hawk posed for many photos while watching us closely. We soon learned that this Red-tailed Hawk might be related to Pale Male, another Red-Tailed Hawk who has resided in or near Central Park since the 1990s. We also spotted two male Black-throated Blue Warblers who were moving from behind one tree to the next, and from one log to another, in their search for bugs. Unfortunately, we were not able to get good photos due to the warblers’ tendency to hop around and not stay in the same place for very long. We ventured over to Turtle Pond, where in addition to the many turtles swimming close to the pier and sunning themselves on rocks, we also saw some fish swimming close to the pier. At Turtle Pond we were treated to our first sighting of two Swamp Sparrows flitting about in the tussocks and clumps of reeds, along with a Belted Kingfisher.
We made our way around the pond up to the Belvedere Castle lookout, where, from up high, we spotted a large mother turtle and her two young sunning themselves on a rock while Blue Jays flew overhead. After some time soaking up the sun, we walked through the woods to Sparrow Rock and viewed Dark-eyed Juncos, some pigeons, White-throated Sparrows, and Chipping Sparrows. We also took a couple of minutes to break for a snack and water, and then made our way to the Arthur Ross Pinetum. To our delight, we saw yet another Red-tailed Hawk, a Palm Warbler, an Eastern Phoebe, and two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers—a fine way to end our birding adventure.
In sum, we saw 36 different species of birds with a total bird count of just over 175. What a great birding day with great company! What more could a young birder ask for?
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Mallard Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Herring Gull Cooper’s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Belted Kingfisher Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Brown Creeper European Starling Gray Catbird Swainson’s Thrush Hermit Thrush American Robin House Sparrow House Finch Chipping Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Common Grackle Northern Parula Black-throated Blue Warbler Palm Warbler (Yellow) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) Indigo Bunting Insects Monarch Butterfly Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar
