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
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
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
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
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
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
Plants evolved on land from algae. They have evolved a variety of strategies for survival and reproduction and have adapted to the available resources and demands of the environment. We explored the plant ecology of the Central Park Pool and surrounding area, as well as the adjacent woodlands.
We began by examining some of the trees in the vicinity of the Pool. We studied their reproductive adaptations and defenses against predation.
We compared the simple leaf of the Green Hawthorn to the Compound leaf of the Black Locust. The compound leaf is divided into leaflets along the midrib, and the leaflets do not have leaf buds. The leaf bud is found at the base where the attachment is to the stem. The simple leaf and its leaf bud are also attached to the stem The Black Locust produces seeds in a seed pod, which are dispersed by gravity, wind and birds. The Green Hawthorn (rose family) produces fruit. Its seeds are dispersed when birds consume the fruit. Three methods of seed dispersal include animal, wind and mechanical. Touch a Virginia Knotweed or Jewelweed, and the seeds will jump. Observe the wind- blown seed dispersal of the winged Maple seeds.
Our native plants play significant roles supporting the ecological balance of the Pool. Plants surrounding the Pool, such as Lizard’s Tail, Joe-Pye Weed, American Plantain (even the non-native English Plantain) and other plants absorb Nitrogen and Phosphorous. Nitrogen and Phosphorous run-off support algae growth, which contributes to the deoxygenation of the water. Duckweed (one of the smallest flowering plants) and Watermeal (the smallest flowering plant in the world) photosynthesize and release oxygen, which contributes to the dissolved oxygen in the Pool water. Other aquatic life is supported by this process, within a balanced ecology. We examined both the native and non-native plantain. To the casual observer they look the same, but the English Plantain (non-native) has a white leaf base, and the American Plantain (native) has a red leaf base.
The Bald Cypress is a conifer and unlike most conifers, and sheds its needles in autumn. When it grows in water its roots extend above the surface to form “knees” to access oxygen. When the tree grows away from water, it does not grow “knees”. The Tuliptree also borders the Pool. It grows quickly to maturity. When growing in a woodland or open area it sheds its lower limbs and concentrates its energy on its leafy crown to maximize sunlight exposure. Black Cherry provides important nutrition to our Central Park birds. Birds, butterflies and other insects feed on the flowers of the Black Locust. The seeds are also nutritious. London Plane is a hybrid of the American Sycamore and the Asian Plane Tree. Its seeds are not fertile, and it does not regrow on its own. This tree sheds bark to eliminate parasites and fungus, but the American Sycamore does not shed its bark. The wood of the American Hornbeam is exceptionally hard. Its seeds are found in its samara, a leafy structure, which is wind dispersed. The Sweet Bay Magnolia is a lovely, native tree and is related to the Tuliptree, also in the Magnolia family. The Red Oak produces acorns, which are dispersed by animals.
Flowering plants are abundant. Our native rose is the Carolina Rose. The stipule of a native rose, located at the base of a leaf stalk or petiole is smooth, but the stipule of a non-native rose has hairy fringes. Bees love to visit the roses. Virginia Knotweed (native) and Smartweed (non-native) are Polygonaceae, buckwheat family. They have a sheath, which is a leaf-like structure where the blade attaches to the stem.
Four very important plants for our birds and insects are Pokeweed, Poison Ivy, Jewelweed and the fragrant Sweet Pepperbush Pokeweed seeds are an important food source for our birds. Poison Ivy attracts sixty species of bird and is rich in essential fatty acids and protein. It does not choke our trees and is easily and sensibly managed without herbicides. Jewelweed is an important food source for hummingbirds. It is an annual. It grows to completion each summer and then dies back. Sweet Pepperbush is a source of pollen for many butterfly species and other pollinators. It is tolerant of sun, rain and a variety of soils.
Ferns reproduce from spores. Fern species have specific sporangia patterns on the underside of their pinnae. Sporangia contain the spores, from which new ferns will grow. Some ferns have separate stalks with the sporangia. We examined the sporangia pattern on the underside of the Christmas Tree and Maidenhair pinnae. The Maidenhair belongs to a large family of ferns.
Lichen consist of two symbiotic organisms. Each lichen species has a specific alga and a specific fungus. The fungus provides the alga with external nutrients, and the alga provides sugars to the fungus. We saw lichen growing on the rocks. Lichen are considered organisms.
Two non-native invasive plants are Porcelain Berry, a vine which can smother trees and non-native Hedge Vine, which crowds out almost all other plants.
We had an opportunity to observe the egg of the Lacewing, which is supported by a thin, vertical filament. The filament protects the Lacewing from predators such as ants. Lacewings are beneficial insects and consume aphids and other pests. Another interesting insect was the predatory Banded Net-winged Beetle. We carefully examined a branch covered with aphids. Leafminers also captured our attention. Leafminers are insects, which include certain species of flies, moths and wasps. The insect lays an egg under the epidermis of a leaf. The larvae tunnel through the leaf consuming epidermal leaf tissue and eventually emerge as adults. They leave track marks, which can be specific to the species. We examined a leaf with track marks. Some plants, such as Which Hazel create protective leaf galls. Insect larvae (specific to the species) determine the shape and size of the gall and emerge as adults.
In 2008 a violent storm swept through the north end of Central Park uprooting many trees. The park has since recovered with restored meadows and the planting of many native trees.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Mallard Rock Pigeon Black-crowned Night-Heron Downy Woodpecker Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay European Starling American Robin House Sparrow Common Grackle Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Yellow Warbler Northern Cardinal Plants Trees Black Locust Hawthorn London Plane American Sycamore Black Cherry Tulip Tree American Hornbeam Bald Cypress Willow Sweet Bay Magnolia Sassafras Red Oak
Shrubs, Vines and Flowers Native Sweet Pepperbush Witch Hazel Purple Flowering Raspberry Pokeweed Jewelweed Lizard’s Tail Spotted Joe-Pye Weed Poison Ivy Yellow Wood Sorrel Sunflower species Watermeal Duckweed Virginia Knotweed American Plantain White Wood Aster Cardinal Flower Everlasting Pea Common Burdock Carolina Rose Non-native Lady’s Thumb English Plantain Porcelain Berry Hedge Vine
Fern Christmas Fern Maidenhair Fern
Grass Bottlebrush Grass
Insects Banded Net-winged Beetle Aphid species Lace-wing Egg Leaf Miner Tracks Butterflies Cabbage White Possible Eastern-tailed Blue Possible Summer Azure Monarch
Odonates Green Darner Black Saddlebags Eastern Amberwing Blue Dasher
Mammals Eastern Gray Squirrel Eastern Chipmunk Brown Rat
Herps Bull Frog (h) Red-eared Slider
Bald Cypress @ 2021 Anne LazarusLizard’s Tail @ 2021 Anne LazarusBotany Lesson, Black Locust @ 2021 Kristine WallstromBlack-crowned Night-Heron @ 2021 Anne LazarusBlack-crowned Night Heron @ 2021 Kristine WallstromBanded Net-winged Beetle @ 2021 Kristine WallstromSweet Pepperbush @ 2021 David Hill
Registrar: Ellen Hoffman (with Anne Lazarus on site) Trip Report: Anne Lazarus Participants: 10 Weather: Clear, temp. mid 80s F, winds 10-15 mph Bird Species: 57
We began our walk at the south end of the East Pond at high tide, when the beach mudflats are inaccessible and the shorebirds move to the pond’s exposed mudflats. We were greeted by both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Short-billed Dowitchers, and Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers. We enjoyed scoped views of the continuing Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and were surprised by the sighting of a Pintail Duck. Everyone enjoyed the antics of a Gull-billed Tern that was feeding off the surface of the water and doing its best to steal from other terns.
Our hardy group then marched through the muck and mud to the Raunt, which attracts birds to its many posts and logs and where we saw large numbers of peeps, more Short-billed Dowitchers, and Spotted Sandpipers. Our goal, however, was the Long-billed Dowitcher, and we finally found it, mixed in with a large number of Short-billed Dowitchers. Other treats were a Willow Flycatcher perched atop a high tree and singing its “Fitz Bew,” and Bank Swallows mingling with Tree, Barn and Northern Rough-winged Swallows. We also enjoyed our parking lot birds—Yellow Warbler, Carolina Wren, House Wrens, Northern Mockingbirds, Gray Catbird, and more. Birds were everywhere.
Butterflies and odonates were also plentiful. En route to the East Pond we saw several tenerals—newly emerged odonates, not yet in adult colors, their bodies and wings still hardening. These were damselflies; Rambur’s Forktails and Familiar Bluets are common denizens of Jamaica Bay. Not as common was an immature male Variable Dancer.
Species Lists
Birds Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Canada Goose Mute Swan Gadwall Mallard American Black Duck Northern Pintail Ruddy Duck Rock Pigeon Semipalmated Plover Killdeer Least Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpiper Short-billed Dowitcher Long-billed Dowitcher Spotted Sandpiper Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Laughing Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Gull-billed Tern Common Tern Forster’s Tern Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Black-crowned Night-Heron Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Glossy Ibis Osprey Peregrine Falcon Willow Flycatcher American Crow Fish Crow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Purple Martin Tree Swallow Bank Swallow Barn Swallow House Wren Carolina Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird American Robin House Sparrow American Goldfinch Eastern Towhee Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Boat-tailed Grackle Northern Waterthrush Yellow Warbler Northern Cardinal
Butterflies Cabbage White Azure, most likely Summer Eastern-tailed Blue Anglewing Butterfly Monarch Broad-winged Skipper
Odonates Bluet, possible Familiar Bluet (teneral) Variable Dancer (male immature) Rambur’s Forktail (teneral) Blue Dasher Green Darner
