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
Registrar: Alice McInerney Participants: 13 (including co-leaders) Weather: Sunny, temperature began in the 30’s F and warmed up to the 50’s F Bird Species: 55
Many thanks to our co-leaders Richard ZainEldeen and Maya Shikhman for creating an exciting trip through four parks on Staten Island. We began with a long walk at the Conference House Park which has wooded and oceanside trails. We saw some newly arrived migrants, such as Eastern Phoebe, a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher and a couple of American Oystercatchers, as well as overwintering species such as a Bufflehead.
At a brief stop at the Mt. Loretto Unique Area we added a Tree Swallow for the day.
Our visit to Wolfe’s Pond Park yielded, among others: Sanderling, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone, Greater Scaup, Red Breasted Mergansers as well as Northern Gannett and a Bald Eagle.
At our final stop, Great Kills Park, we walked on a beautiful beach. Among our sightings were: Osprey, American Oystercatchers and about 200 Northern Gannett. A Horned Grebe was a final, exciting find for the day.
Species Lists
Birds Brant Canada Goose Mute Swan Northern Shoveler Mallard American Black Duck Greater Scaup Black Scoter Bufflehead Red-breasted Merganser Wild Turkey Horned Grebe American Oystercatcher Killdeer Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Dunlin Laughing Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Northern Gannet Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Turkey Vulture Bald Eagle Red-tailed Hawk Belted Kingfisher Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay American Crow Fish Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Tree Swallow White-breasted Nuthatch Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Winter Wren Carolina Wren European Starling Northern Mockingbird American Robin House Sparrow House Finch Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Northern Cardinal
On our very first bird walk of the spring season, we could not have asked for better weather. The morning was a bit crisp, with bright sunshine. When we entered the park, we heard a chorus of song and saw a lot of bird activity. We could hear American Robins, White-throated Sparrows, House Sparrows, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, all proudly announcing their presence. They were busy establishing their territory and wooing mates.
We noted Bloodroot in bloom on the Point. Several seasonal ornamental trees now in bloom include Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas); Korean Rhododendron (Rhododendron mucronulatum); and the pretty Taiwan Cherry aka Okame Cherry (Prunus campanulata).
The specialities of the day were the recent migrants: Pine Warbler, Eastern Phoebe, and Golden-crowned Kinglets. We also witnessed a shocking attack, a Cooper’s Hawk snatching a succulent Mourning Dove. However, the big surprise of the day was the very good views of our resident Coyote!
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Northern Shoveler Mallard Bufflehead Ruddy Duck Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove American Coot Ring-billed Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Cooper’s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Barred Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay American Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Northern Rough-winged Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper European Starling Hermit Thrush American Robin House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch Fox Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Pine Warbler Northern Cardinal
