Bashakill Marsh and Environs with John Hass, 5/9/2021

Registrar: Anne Lazarus
Participants: 13
Weather: sunny, then cloudy, 40-50’s F, calm
Bird Species: 75

We thank our excellent leader, John Haas for an outstanding trip with many avian rewards.  Because of recent, heavy rainstorms, the water level was high in the marsh, and some bird species were driven to near the periphery, including the Virginia Rails and Common Gallinules. Although migration had been slowed because of the north winds, many species did manage arrive at the marsh, and John knew where to find them. We enjoyed excellent views of a Cerulean Warbler, Least Flycatchers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, two Eastern Bluebirds, several Veeries, one Cliff Swallow and more. We heard the Pileated Woodpecker and one of the nesting Orchard Orioles.  A Blackburnian Warbler was observed at the visitor’s center.

After lunch we continued to explore different sites. Some of our afternoon highlights included two Green Herons, one Broad-winged Hawk and five Pine Warblers.  The weather was deteriorating, and we reluctantly concluded our day at Bashakill.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Wild Turkey
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Virginia Rail
Common Gallinule
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
House Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Wood Thrush
American Robin
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cerulean Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Mammals
Beaver
Muskrat

Central Park with Ken Chaya, Lynne Hertzog, Linda La Bella, Kathleen Matthews, Will Papp, Kevin Sisco and Janet Wooten, 5/4/2021

Registrar: Barbara Higham
Participants: 67
Weather: Overcast, becoming sunny by midday, temp 54-72, wind 4 mph.
Bird Species: 99

Sixty-seven birders, divided among seven groups (following Linnaean’s COVID guidelines that limit group numbers to 10 people) participated in the May 4 walk, with 99 species observed collectively, though no group saw all of them. Janet, one of the leaders on the walk, provided these highlights: White-crowned Sparrows duetting in the south section of Strawberry Fields; a male Hooded Warbler heard singing and being seen between the top of Bunting Meadow and the Castle overlook; Spotted Sandpipers at Turtle Pond; a White-eyed Vireo at the Point; and the many other singing warblers we heard and saw throughout the walk.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Bonaparte’s Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Green Heron
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Barred Owl
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Least Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
House Wren
Winter Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Yellow-breasted Chat
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrush
Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting

8th Annual Starr Saphir Memorial Spring Migration Walk, Central Park, with Lenore Swenson and Lynne Hertzog, 5/1/2021

Registrar: Lenore Swenson
Participants: 19
Weather: Mostly sunny, temperatures 42-54F, winds northwest 12mph
Bird Species: 57

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

Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel

Herps
Red-eared Slider

Butterflies
Cabbage White

Central Park with Alice Deutsch, Lynne Hertzog, Kathleen Matthews, Will Papp, Miriam Rakowski, Kevin Sisco and Janet Wooten, 4/27/2021

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

Central Park with Alice Deutsch, Lynne Hertzog, Will Papp, Kevin Sisco and Janet Wooten, 4/20/2021

Registrar: Kathleen Howley
Participants: 44
Weather: Sunny 52 – 70 degrees F, Wind SW, 7 mph
Bird Species: 57

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

Hempstead Lake State Park, Point Lookout and Nickerson Beach with Ethan Goodman and co-leaders Miriam Rakowski and Anne Lazarus, 4/17/2021

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

Nickerson Beach
Brant
Scoter Sp.
American Oystercatcher
Piping Plover
Killdeer
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Boat-tailed Grackle

Mammals
Muskrat
Eastern Gray Squirrel

Butterflies
Cabbage White

Beginning Bird Walk, North Woods of Central Park with Linda LaBella and Vicki Seabrook, 4/16/2021

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

Central Park with Alice Deutsch, Lynne Hertzog, Will Papp, Kevin Sisco and Janet Wooten, 4/13/2021

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