Prospect Park with Tom Stephenson, 9/19/2021

Registrar: Crystal Thiele
Participants: 17
Weather: Clear, warm
Bird Species: 56

After meeting Tom Stephenson near the Grand Army entrance at 7:30 am, we first headed to the Rose Garden and the Vale of Cashmere; they were both very birdy, giving us good looks at many warblers. From there, we crossed Nellie’s Lawn to the Picnic House. The Sparrow Bowl nearby had several flycatchers, including Eastern Wood-Pewees and a Least Flycatcher. Behind the Well House, we saw a Lincoln’s Sparrow and a very cooperative Tennessee Warbler.

The Lake was quiet, so we headed to the Peninsula, where we saw more warblers, but the activity had mostly finished for the day. Looping north via the Lullwater, we encountered a frustrating thrush that wouldn’t give us good enough views to identify it, as well as our first Northern Waterthrush of the day.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Alder/Willow Flycatcher sp.
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk
Eastern Gray Squirrel

Herps
Red-eared Slider

Butterflies
Cabbage White
Eastern Tailed Blue
Monarch 

Odonates
Common Green Darner
Slaty Skimmer
Wandering Glider

Other Insects & Invertebrates
Cicada sp. (h)
Cricket sp. (h)
Orb Weaver Spider sp. & web

Green-Wood Cemetery with Rob Jett, 9/18/2021

Registrar: Barbara Saunders
Participants: 16
Weather: 75 degrees F, sunny and clear, 4 mph northerly winds
Bird Species: 49

Birding in Green-Wood Cemetery is always a delight, especially in September. On this sunny morning, trip leader Rob Jett led us up grassy ridges, around weathered monuments, and through leafy, wooded areas in search of fall migrants. Although it seemed a slow day, we ultimately glimpsed 49 bird species! We all agreed the Yellow-billed Cuckoo was a treat to see—first, silhouetted against the sky, and then in full view. We later spied many warblers—American Redstarts, Common Yellowthroats, Northern Parulas, and Palm Warblers, to name a few—all busily hunting for insects. Unfortunately, last week’s Townsend’s Warbler had moved on, but after much patient watching, we were rewarded with a Blue Grosbeak in the trees and grass just east of Sylvan Water—a female type, but since some observers noted blue on the wings, it was likely a young male.

Always an awesome sight, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds zipped from flower to flower in their quest for nectar. And, of course, Green-Wood wouldn’t be Green-Wood without the multitude of Monk Parakeets screeching away in their massive stick “condo” above the cemetery’s main entrance. Towards the end of our morning, another highlight was the beautiful American Kestrel perched atop a cross—a fitting guardian of Green-Wood. Happily exhausted, we all agreed it was a great early fall day of birding in this diverse and bird-rich gem of Brooklyn.


Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Herring Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Monk Parakeet
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Phoebe
Yellow-throated Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (h)
House Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Swainson’s Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch (h)
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Yellow-breasted Chat
Brown-headed Cowbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Blue Grosbeak

Butterflies
American Lady
Sachem Skipper
Monarch
Eastern Tailed-blue
Cloudless Sulphur
Cabbage White
Painted Lady
Black Swallowtail
Spicebush Swallowtail
Orange Sulphur

Odonates
Familiar Bluet
Common Green Darner
Blue Dasher

Herps
Red-eared Slider
Snapping Turtle
Italian Wall Lizard

Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel

Central Park with Richard Lieberman, Will Papp, Kevin Sisco, and Janet Wooten, 9/14/2021

Registrar: Kristin Ellington
Participants: 58
Weather: Clear and sunny, warming to 75 degrees; westerly winds at 14 mph
Bird Species: 75

What a wonderful day in Central Park, with many seasoned and several newer birders gathered to witness the wonder of fall migration. The four LSNY groups birded for almost five hours, starting at Strawberry Fields and moving on to Hernshead, Triplets Bridge, the Shakespeare Garden, Belvedere Castle, Tupelo Meadow, Azalea Pond, the maintenance field, and the Ramble. Along the way, we noted a total of 75 species, including an exciting 21 warblers, five flycatchers, four thrushes, a Black-billed Cuckoo and an early Lincoln’s Sparrow. 


Species List 
Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Empidonax sp.
Great Crested Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Alley Pond Park and Kissena Park with Alan Drogin, 9/11/2021

Registrar: Miriam Rakowski
Participants: 9
Weather: 64-78 degrees, sunny, winds SW 3-7 mph
Bird Species: 48

We began at Alley Pond Park on a sunny, beautiful morning. We saw a good variety of fall migrants: several Northern Parulas and Red-eyed Vireos bobbed in the sun, chasing insects, and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were feeding in the Jewelweed.

Because of the recent intense rains, the pine-tree area was flooded, creating a shallow pool. It attracted many warblers to drink and bathe, allowing us close looks at Northern Waterthrush, Magnolia Warbler, and American Redstart, among others. Later on we saw a Scarlet Tanager and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, both in the very same tree.

At Kissena Park, we watched a Blackburnian Warbler darting about in the crown of tall oak tree. Near the lake, we saw an array of other warblers, including a Blackpoll—a first sighting this fall for many.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ring-billed Gull
Great Blue Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great Crested Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Veery
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Butterflies
Black Swallow Tail
Monarch
Cabbage White

Rockefeller State Park Preserve with Anne Swaim, 9/8/2021

Registrar: Vicki Seabrook
Participants: 8
Weather: Sunny, low 80’s, southern winds, 5-14 mph
Bird Species: 48

Our first Linnaean field trip to Rockefeller State Park started right on time at 7:30am. We had lots of good looks at many birds beginning with Cedar Waxwings in the parking lot. We walked several of the wide, carriage trails and experienced beautiful scenic views. It was a lovely day and a lovely walk, led by Anne Swaim, executive director of Saw Mill River Audubon.

Species Lists

Birds
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Phoebe
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
House Wren
Carolina Wren
Gray Catbird
Veery
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Baltimore Oriole
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Bay-breasted Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal

Central Park with Richard Lieberman, Kevin Sisco and Janet Wooten, 9/7/2021

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 44
Weather: 65 degrees, clear, winds NW, 3 mph 
Total Species: 45

This outing was the first of this year’s fall migration walks in Central Park. After the summer hiatus, we were excited to be back in the park and to have a lovely cool and clear day. To ensure that participants were safely distanced from one another, we divided into three groups and birded Strawberry Fields, Turtle Pond, Shakespeare Garden and the Ramble. Warblers began passing through New York City in August, so it was not a surprise that we observed 11 warbler species, as well as other migrants and year-round resident birds. Unfortunately, the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) has reached Central Park and several were seen on the walk.

Species List 

Birds 
Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Gull Species
Red-tailed Hawk 
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Empidonax Species
Great Crested Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
White-breasted Nuthatch
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler 
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal

Fresh Kills Park with Shannon Curley and José R. Ramírez-Garofalo, 8/30/2021

Registrar: Mary Beth Kooper
Participants: 17
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 75F, SSW winds 6 MPH
Bird Species: 33

Shannon Curley and José R. Ramírez-Garofalo, both researchers at Fresh Kills Park, led our group on a fascinating morning tour of the reclaimed landfill. Our most sought-after bird of the day was the Sedge Wren, so we chose thearea where it had been seen to start our visit. We had not been there long when José heard a Sedge Wren chipping. We were told that the wrens were on their nests, likely already with young, so we did not see much activity in the fields. A few members of our group did catch a couple of quick glimpses of the wrens and nearly everyone in our group heard them. Some other highlights of the trip included brief views of one or two Grasshopper Sparrows, some interesting grasshoppers, and a vocalizing Ring-necked Pheasant. Unfortunately, we also saw many of the Spotted Lanternflies that have recently invaded our region.

Our group is very grateful to José and Shannon for taking time to guide us and share their vast knowledge of the species and habitat of Fresh Kills Park.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
American Black Duck
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Pheasant
Rock Pigeon
Chimney Swift
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Merlin
Eastern Kingbird
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Sedge Wren
European Starling
American Goldfinch
Grasshopper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Bobolink
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Yellowthroat

BUTTERFLIES AND OTHER INSECTS
Orange Sulphur
Monarch
Spotted Lanternfly
Black Saddlebags
Red-legged Grasshopper
Carolina Grasshopper
Green Darner
Admirable Grasshopper
Straight-lanced Meadow Katydid species

Cupsogue Flats and Beyond with Eileen Schwinn, 8/17/2021

Registrar: Regina Ryan
Trip Report: Miriam Rakowski
Participants: 18
Weather: Partly sunny; temperature 71-74 degrees; winds SSE, 5-7 MPH
Bird Species: 46

After a rather long drive, we arrived at beautiful Cupsogue beach. We checked the marshes and saw a dark sparrow in flight, a Seaside Sparrow—a nice bird to begin our day. Up on the boardwalk we found a Little Blue Heron and a Clapper Rail.

As we walked the sandy beaches, we had good looks at Black-bellied Plovers, with a few still in their dark breast plumage. Later we saw seven Red Knots and 28 Royal Terns. Also exciting were hundreds of Common Terns and a few Forster’s Terns. As we were leaving the beach, we had good looks at a scurrying Salt-marsh Sparrow, probably a juvenile, racing around in the grasses.

After lunch, some of our group went for a brief stop at Tiana Beach, where more of these lovely shorebirds were seen.

Species Lists

Birds
Mute Swan
Mallard 
Mourning Dove
Clapper Rail
American Oystercatcher
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Killdeer
Ruddy Turnstone
Red Knot
Least Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Short-billed Dowitcher
Spotted Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Willet
Lesser Yellowlegs
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Least Tern
Common Tern
Forster’s Tern
Royal Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
Seaside Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Boat-tailed Grackle
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler 

Butterflies
Monarch
Cabbage White
American Copper