South Shores of Jamaica Bay with Peter Dorosh, 11/21/2020

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 17
Weather: Overcast skies, 55-64 degrees F, northerly winds at 4 mph
Bird Species: 58

Seventeen birders went out to Queens to explore several points around Jamaica Bay.  To comply with LSNYC covid-19 safety guidelines, we divided into two groups lead by Peter Dorosh or by Anne Lazarus and Alice Deutsch.  We started at Sunset Cove Park/Big Egg Marsh where we found hundreds of Brant, as well as other wintertime species, including Greater Scaup, Bufflehead and Red-breasted Merganser.  Several Savannah Sparrows posed on a fence rail for us, while a Northern Harrier glided overhead.  At the Jamaica Bay N.W.R, we circled the West Pond.  Ducks were abundant, and we caught a glimpse of a Barn Owl sheltering in its box.  An elusive Orange-crowned Warbler was briefly glimpsed near the breach.  We walked out to the East Pond overlook near Big John’s Pond where one group was fortunate to arrive in time to see about 300 Snow Geese who lifted off en masse as were leaving.  Hundreds of Ruddy Ducks, several Pied-bill Grebes, a Horned Grebe, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Green-winged Teal and other duck species were also present. 

Species Lists

Birds
Snow Goose
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Barn Owl
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Merlin
American Crow
Fish Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Butterflies
Cabbage White
Buckeye
Clouded Sulphur
Cloudless Sulphur

Odonate
Green Darner

Mammal
Eastern Gray Squirrel

Central Park with Will Papp, Kevin Cisco, Janet Wooten, 11/17/2020

Registrar: Miriam Rakowski
Participants: 26
Weather: Mostly Cloudy; 43 – 45F;  Winds WSW 5-6 MPH
Bird Species: 48

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Mallard
American Black Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Cooper’s Hawk
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
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Northern Cardinal

Central Park with Alice Deutsch, Kevin Sisco, Janet Wooten, 11/10/2020

Registrar: Linda LaBella
Participants: 28
Weather: Sunny, calm winds, 62-72 F
Bird Species: 54

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Mallard
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
American Woodcock
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Gull Identification at Coney Island with Roberta Manian and Dennis Hrehowsik, 11/7/2020

Registrar: Mary Beth Kooper
Participants: 11
Weather: Sunny, unseasonably warm, little wind
Bird Species: 21

This day was not about seeing as many bird species as possible, it was about learning how to identify gulls, and that we did! Bobbi Manion and Dennis Hrehowsik did an amazing job of sharing their vast knowledge and experience about this family of birds, which many find so difficult to differentiate among.

We began the trip by looking out at the ocean which had a nice assortment of species, including hundreds of Northern Gannets that were plunge diving to feed. When we turned toward the beach for our immersion in gulls, we almost immediately had both a first-year and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull to study. By the end of our trip, many of us were able to identify these gulls to species and cycle (or year).

Thanks to our wonderful leaders, and a very engaged and enthusiastic group of participants, this trip was both a joy and a big success.

Species Lists

Birds
Brant
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Sanderling
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Black Skimmer
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-capped Chickadee
European Starling
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow

Butterflies
Monarch
Cabbage White
Orange Sulphur

Central Park with Alice Deutsch, Kevin Sisco, Janet Wooten, 11/3/2020

Registrar: Kathleen Howley
Participants: 28
Weather: Partly Cloudy, WNW Winds 11 mph, 42-45 F.
Bird Species: 62

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge with Joe Giunta, 10/31/2020

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 17
Weather: Sunny, wind calm, mid 30’s to mid 40’s F
Bird Species: 74

On the first really cold day of the fall, seventeen enthusiastic birders headed out to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.  Given the large number of registrations for this trip, the group had to be divided into two small groups to be in compliance with the LSNYC covid guidelines.  Joe Giunta led the first group, while Anne Lazarus and Alice Deutsch co-led the overflow group.  Despite migration being nearly over, we saw an amazing 74 species of birds!  

The day started at the visitor center where we observed multiple sparrow species in the parking lot before even making it onto the hiking trails.  In the north garden, passerines were abundant, including a large flock of Pine Siskins feeding on seed heads close to the trail.  Looking up, we were treated to exciting views of the continuing American White Pelican circling overhead.  Next, we walked out to the “breach” to observe waterfowl on the West Pond.  To our delight, a Tundra Swan was spotted close to shore, giving satisfying up-close views.  

On the way back to the visitor center, a Sharp-shinned Hawk was seen conducting a vigorous aerial harassment of a Common Raven.  On the East Pond, we noted the return of many of our usual over-wintering waterfowl, as well as a few lingering Greater Yellowlegs.  A grebe, initially identified as a Horned Grebe, actually turned out to be a much more rare Eared Grebe, and both groups were able to observe the bird.

Species Lists

Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Tundra Swan
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Eared Grebe
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Greater Yellowlegs
shorebird sp.
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus sp.
Double-crested Cormorant
American White Pelican
Great Egret
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Central Park with Kevin Sisco, Janet Wooten and Alice Deutsch, 10/27/2020

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 22
Weather: Overcast, drizzle, 40’s to low 50’s F
Bird Species: 60

With wet and dark conditions, expectations were low for seeing many birds this late into fall migration.  To our surprise, it turned out to be a very good day, with the three groups seeing 60 birds, including a Nelson’s Sparrow (interior), a rarity for Central Park, a Rusty Blackbird, Eastern Bluebirds and several lingering warblers.  At the end of the walk we encountered Adrian Burke doing a hawk watch near the Pinetum who graciously helped the group spot and identify many migrating raptors. 

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Mallard
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Loon sp.
Double-crested Cormorant
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo sp.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Peregrine Falcon
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Nelson’s Sparrow (interior)
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Northern Cardinal

Floyd Bennett Field with Gordon Lam, 10/24/2020

Registrar: Gabe Cunningham
Trip Report: Anne Lazarus
Participants: 10
Weather: partly sunny, calm, 60’s-70 F
Bird Species: 54

The participants want to thank Gordon for leading this excellent trip. We especially appreciated his showing us the Vesper Sparrow, a bird we all wanted to see. Hawks, sparrows, and of course the ubiquitous Yellow-rumped Warblers were the dominant land birds we observed. The Pine Siskins did not fail us. These playful finches displayed at multiple sites, but they demanded quick hand-eye coordination to see as they darted through trees and shrubs. A Bald Eagle sighting is always a treat, and we enjoyed one such sighting.

Lunchtime was also a birding experience. We were surrounded by Palm Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, both species of kinglets, finches, and surprises like a Blue-headed Vireo and a Red-breasted Nuthatch. A lovely sighting in the Community Gardens was a male House Finch in beautiful plumage. Our attention was riveted by large numbers of American Robins, which appeared to be staging to migrate further south.

At the boat ramp, we observed a flock of Black-bellied Plovers and two American Oystercatchers on the dock, with many more oystercatchers lounging on the beach across the channel. A Royal Tern made a sudden appearance. The water was dominated by Laughing Gulls, Herring Gulls, and Double-crested Cormorants, as can be expected at this date. Altogether, we saw 54 bird species.

Species Lists

Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Oystercatcher
Black-bellied Plover
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Royal Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Butterflies
Monarch