We entered the Park at West 81st Street and followed Starr’s usual route toward the Ramble. Many of the participants had gone on Starr’s Central Park walks in the past, including a couple of people who birded with her as far back as the 1980’s. At Hernshead we had long, close looks at a bright male Yellow-throated Warbler, continually singing his sweetest song. A short way up the road at Balcony Bridge, we looked down at a Great Egret in the water, displaying its beautiful breeding plumes. Farther along, in the Tupelo Meadow area, were both Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, male and female, and two male Evening Grosbeaks. As often happened on spring outings with Starr, the walk continued for six hours, ending at 1:30 pm, with a decent tally of 12 warblers.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Mallard Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel White-eyed Vireo (h) Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Fish Crow (h) Tufted Titmouse Ruby-crowned Kinglet Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Blue-gray Gnatcatcher House Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Veery Hermit Thrush American Robin House Sparrow Evening Grosbeak House Finch American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird (h) Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Black-and-white Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Palm Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Registrar: Mindy Kaufman Participants: 52 Weather: Overcast in the morning becoming sunny by mid-day, high 40’s to low 60’s F Bird Species: 75
Over fifty enthusiastic birders turned out to witness spring migration in Central Park. Although the day began with overcast skies and bad light, the air was filled with bird song, and we saw more species than on the previous Central Park Spring Migration walks. The six groups visited Strawberry Fields, Hernshead, Triplet’s Bridge, the Ramble, Belvedere Castle, Shakespeare Garden, Turtle Pond, Tanner Spring, Summit Rock and the Great Hill. All the groups had several “first-of-year” species. Highlights included Cape May, Tennessee and Kentucky warblers, two Evening Grosbeaks and a first-of-season Baltimore Oriole.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Northern Shoveler Mallard Bufflehead Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Chimney Swift American Coot American Woodcock Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Turkey Vulture Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl Barred Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Peregrine Falcon Blue-headed Vireo Blue Jay Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Northern Rough-winged Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Blue-gray Gnatcatcher House Wren Winter Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Northern Mockingbird Hermit Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin House Sparrow Evening Grosbeak House Finch Purple Finch American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Louisiana Waterthrush Northern Waterthrush Black-and-white Warbler Tennessee Warbler Kentucky Warbler Cape May Warbler Northern Parula Yellow Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak
On a beautiful sunny morning, over 44 birders showed up to participate in the walk. We divided into five groups, and the list below is a composite of what was seen overall. Aside from the ubiquitous Ruby-crowned Kinglet, the number of individual migrant species was not high, but five species of warblers were seen by most groups. I have highlighted those species seen only by one group.
Another plus for many participants was observing the many flowering trees and plants. On today’s walk, we noted Carolina Silverbells (Halesia carolina), Jetbead (Rhodotypos scandens), Mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium), Quince (Cydonia oblonga), Korean Spice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii), and Asian Bleeding-Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis), to name just a few.
All in all, it was a fine day to be ‘out and about.’
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Northern Shoveler Mallard Bufflehead Ruddy Duck Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove American Coot Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Black-crowned Night-Heron Turkey Vulture Red-tailed Hawk Barred Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Peregrine Falcon Blue-headed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Common Raven Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Ruby-crowned Kinglet Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper European Starling Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Northern Mockingbird Hermit Thrush American Robin House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Louisiana Waterthrush Black-and-white Warbler Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Anne Lazarus Participants: Nineteen including leaders Weather: 40’s-50’s F, partly sunny, breezy Bird Species: 60
We thank our excellent and energetic leader Ethan Goodman for an outstanding trip, and we thank Miriam Rakowski for generously offering her skills as a co-leader.
April is a month of avian transition. Many wintering species are leaving and traveling to other areas where they will nest. Many southern species are migrating to our local habitats. Some will nest in the vicinity, and some will continue their journey north. We visited three sites where we observed both arriving birds and birds preparing for their departure.
Our first destination was Hempstead Lake State Park. This park, with its wooded areas, grasses, bushes, ponds and lake is an attraction for migrating passerines and other birds. We were greeted by the singing and calling of both arriving and resident birds, hearing Red-winged Blackbirds, Northern Flickers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Song Sparrows and other species. We saw one Palm and one Yellow-rumped Warbler, both in striking alternate plumage. A scouting trip the previous Wednesday produced several Pine, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers, but most of them had evidently moved on. We were fortunate to see ten Ring-necked Ducks and five Ruddy Ducks, which will soon depart, but the beautiful pair of Wood Ducks that we saw will nest in the park. Other signs of spring were the Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows.
Our second destination was Point Lookout. Point Lookout is a coastal site, where the beaches, beach grass, ocean and jetties attract wintering and nesting birds. We were lucky to see ducks that will soon travel north and inland to breed and raise families, including Common Eiders, three Harlequin Ducks, Long-tailed Ducks (in breeding plumage), two Surf Scoters and one Black Scoter. We also observed shorebirds and estimated about 450 Dunlins, over 200 Sanderlings with two Black-bellied Plovers among them. The flocks were flushed by a Peregrine Falcon, and took successful aerial maneuvers. Many of these shorebirds were changing into breeding plumage. They will soon fly to the tundra where they will raise their families, and they are being replaced with nesting shorebirds, such as the American Oystercatchers. Suddenly we spotted Forster’s Terns, the first tern species to usually arrive-a certain sign of spring. About 50 Northern Gannets were flying over the ocean.
Our third and final stop was Nickerson Beach. It has carefully-designed, protected nesting sites for the endangered Piping Plovers, whose plumage helps them to blend in with the colors of the sand and pebbles. We were so happy to see three of them. Killdeer are another sign of spring, and we saw two in the grass.
Species Lists
Birds Hempstead Lake State Park Canada Goose Mute Swan Wood Duck Mallard Ring-necked Duck Hooded Merganser Ruddy Duck Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Herring Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret Red-tailed Hawk Belted Kingfisher Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Blue Jay Fish Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tree Swallow Barn Swallow White-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren European Starling American Robin American Goldfinch White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Palm Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
Point Lookout Brant Canada Goose Common Eider Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck American Oystercatcher Black-bellied Plover Killdeer Sanderling Dunlin Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Forster’s Tern Red-throated Loon Common Loon Northern Gannet Double-crested Cormorant Osprey Peregrine Falcon European Starling Northern Mockingbird House Sparrow House Finch Brown-headed Cowbird
Registrar: Vicki Seabrook Participants: 10 Weather: In the forties, cloudy with sporadic sunshine Bird Species: 24
The walk began at 103rd street and Central Park West, after a discussion about how to use binoculars, what types of movement to look for, and how to describe the location of a bird in a tree. We walked down to the Pool, around the Willow, and through the Loch, turning around at Huddlestone Arch, and walking back through the Ravine. It was a very pleasant, low key introduction to birding.
Species Lists
Birds Gadwall Mallard Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Great Egret Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Blue Jay American Crow Tufted Titmouse Ruby-crowned Kinglet White-breasted Nuthatch Winter Wren European Starling Hermit Thrush American Robin House Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Louisiana Waterthrush Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Sally Weiner Participants: 48 Weather: Mostly overcast, with some patches of sunlight; 45–55º F., variable winds 5–6 mph Bird Species: 53
Numerous birders, both experienced and novice, participated in the walk. Some ventured into the north end where they saw the lingering Eastern Meadowlark and a Vesper Sparrow. All three warbler species gave us excellent views, with the Yellow-rumped Warblers actively flycatching at Turtle Pond. The seven sparrow species were also notable. Red-bellied Woodpeckers, the Northern Cardinals, and the White-throated Sparrows were especially vocal.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Northern Shoveler Mallard Bufflehead Ruddy Duck Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove American Coot Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Osprey Red-tailed Hawk Barred Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Peregrine Falcon Blue Jay American Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Northern Rough-winged Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet White-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren (heard only) European Starling Northern Mockingbird Hermit Thrush American Robin House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Eastern Meadowlark Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Renée Lucier Participants: 9 Weather: Pouring rain when we began at 7:30 am, then quite nice. Mid-50s. Bird Species: 43
As expected, this walk with Tom was extremely popular, and the available slots (limited due to current COVID-19 restrictions) were filled a few minutes after registration opened on March 29.
We convened on the steps in front of the gorgeous Art Deco façade of the landmarked Brooklyn Public Library. There, Tom spent the first hour going over camera basics as well as specific ways we could adjust our settings—shutter speed, aperture, ISO—depending on conditions and desired effect. Because we were a small group, he was also able to help each of us with our individual equipment. Experience levels among the participants were wide ranging, but everyone came away with several new tips and tricks to try out.
Then we went birding. We spent almost four hours at it, and covered a large part of Prospect Park. Highlights among our sightings included a Cooper’s Hawk in its nest, a rare, close-ish encounter with a Red-throated Loon, and an even more rare leucistic squirrel!
A big thank you to Tom Stephenson for generously sharing his expertise!
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Wood Duck Northern Shoveler Mallard Hooded Merganser Ruddy Duck Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove American Coot Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Red-throated Loon Common Loon Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Cooper’s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Carolina Wren European Starling Northern Mockingbird American Robin House Sparrow American Goldfinch White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Barrie Raik Participants: 42 Weather: Very bright sun, starting out a cool 52 getting warmer by late morning, calm winds Bird Species: 53
A very large group of birders including some first-timers, necessitating a fifth group led by Kathleen and Ken. Highlights were a bright Northern Parula, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, and an Eastern Meadowlark seen by Kevin’s group and a few other individuals.
Species Lists
Birds (Species seen by at least one of the five groups) Canada Goose Northern Shoveler Gadwall Mallard Bufflehead Ruddy Duck Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove American Coot Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Turkey Vulture Cooper’s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Barred Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Peregrine Falcon Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay American Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Northern Rough-winged Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper European Starling Hermit Thrush American Robin House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Eastern Meadowlark Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Louisiana Waterthrush Northern Parula Palm Warbler Northern Cardinal
