Green-Wood Cemetery with Rob Jett, 9/19/2020

Registrar: Barbara Saunders
Participants: 10
Weather: Sunny, breezy, 50 degrees F
Bird Species: 67

On this sunny September morning, Rob Jett led us on an early fall walk through Green-Wood Cemetery in search of fall migrants. Throughout the morning, we wended our way around weathered monuments, tall statues, and up grassy ridges where we spotted an amazing 20 warbler species! Most of the warblers were hawking insects both on the ground and in trees, including fall-out numbers of Chestnut-sided Warblers, an elusive Connecticut Warbler at the Dell Water, and multiple Nashville Warblers here and there. Along the way, we also had three vireo species – Yellow-throated, Blue-headed and Red-eyed. As for sparrows, we counted three Lincoln Sparrows, as well as Chipping, Field, Savannah Sparrows, and more. We even spied a few Scarlet Tanagers busily feeding in the trees.  Early on, Rob glimpsed a Dickcissel before the walk started, which unfortunately wasn’t re-sighted (but not from lack of trying). Even though the winds weren’t favorable for migrating raptors, we managed to spot Red-tailed Hawks, an American Kestrel, a Cooper’s Hawk and a couple of Chimney Swifts (okay, those last ones weren’t raptors!). And, of course, Monk Parakeets were seen and heard near their huge stick nest above the main entrance to Green-Wood. In all, we had 68 species of birds and 4 butterfly species. Happily exhausted at the end, we all agreed it was a great early fall day of birding! 

Species Lists

Birds 
Canada Goose
Wood Duck  (Rob saw prior to walk as a pair flew toward Valley Water)
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Herring Gull
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Monk Parakeet
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Empidonax sp.
Eastern Phoebe
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson’s Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch  (Rob saw prior to walk near 20^th Street entrance)
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow  (Rob saw at Hill of Graves prior to walk)
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole  (Rob saw prior to walk chattering near Pine Hill)
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Connecticut Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Dickcissel  (Rob saw prior to walk in grass on Hill of Graves)

Butterflies
Cabbage White
Common Buckeye
Monarch
Sachem

Central Park with Kevin Sisco, Janet Wooten and Alice Deutsch, 9/15/2020

Registrar: Deborra Mullins
Attendees: 24
Weather: Clear, 55F, 8mph NNE winds
Bird Species: 63

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
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
White-throated Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee 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
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting

Watch Hill with Paul Sweet, 9/13/2020

Registrar: Miriam Rakowski
Attendees: 10
Weather: Temperatures, 70-75F; Winds, SE 10MPH
Bird Species: 45

Our adventure began on a lovely, mostly sunny Sunday morning, at the Patchogue Ferry dock. We were fortunate to have Paul Sweet, as our guide, a scientist from The Museum of Natural History. As we approached the ferry dock, Paul, pointed out clusters of Milk Weed Bugs on a host plant. Even before boarding the Ferry, a variety of birds were seen flying above. One had a lovely, bright orange bill, which turned out to be a Royal Tern.

After a relaxing 30 minute ferry ride across The Great South Bay, we arrived at Watch Hill, Fire Island part of the national seashore, maintained by the Federal Government. Watch Hill is a transformative place, without vehicles and only small buildings, all surrounded by azure blue water. It is a barrier Island about thirty miles long by about a half mile wide, just south of Long Island. There is a variety of habitats: dunes, marshes, forest, and beaches. With The Great South Bay, on one side, and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, we began our exploration.

We walked along the boardwalk, admiring the differing grasses along the marsh, an ideal habitat for a variety birds, during the nesting season. Some birds had already begun their migration. However, we were hoping to still see the Saltmarsh Sparrow. We were distracted by flocks of Least Sandpipers, probably scared up, by the many Northern Harriers, that were seen flying about. At one point we counted three. And yes, we were fortunate enough to have a good long look at the striking Saltmarsh Sparrow, arguably one of the most attractive sparrows, with its muted orange plumage.

We walked through a small forest looking for woodland species. Given that the winds were against us, we were fortunate to see a few warblers, and hear the repeated song of the Carolina Wren.

After a pleasant outdoor lunch, by the bay, we went to visit the ocean. As there had been storms earlier, the surf was strong. At the water’s edge Paul noticed a smaller gull. Upon closer inspection they were determined to be Lesser Black-backed Gulls, an adult and two juveniles. Paul, explained that the bird’s overall appearance was more delicate looking than other gulls nearby, with longer wing extensions, and a smaller bill.

We also spotted a peep. There was some conversation about this bird, as it was alone, with a longer bill that drooped a bit. However, after it demonstrated a typical Sanderling behavior, of running from the surf, we were confident in our identification.

On our way back to the ferry, we walked about half mile through the community of Davis Park. There we encountered a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, among other birds.

At 4:30 we took a relaxing ferry boat, back to Patchogue. Some of the feedback I received from the attendees on the boat were, the following: “Getting out of the city during COVID, felt like a mini-vacation.” Also, “This was a real treat!”


Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
American Black Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Sanderling
Least Sandpiper
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Tern
Royal Tern
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Downy Woodpecker
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tree Swallow
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Northern Cardinal

Mammals
White-tailed Deer

Butterflies
Monarch Larvae

Odonates
Seaside Dragonlet

Plants and Flowers
Spartina Grass
Salicornia
Winged Sumac
Marsh Elder
Bayberry
Sassafras
Poison Ivy

Other Insects
Milk Weed Bugs

Alley Pond Park with Alan Drogin, 9/12/2020

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 8
Weather: 62-67 degrees F, partly cloudy, winds SW 7 mph
Bird Species: 36

Eight masked and socially distanced birders enjoyed a cool late summer morning exploring the southern part of Alley Pond Park. This area of the park contains forests, fresh-water wetlands and open fields. Eight species of warblers were seen, as well as many ruby-throated hummingbirds visiting stands of Jewelweed and Aralia. Twice during the walk we happened upon areas where an exciting variety of warblers and other migrants were passing through in quick succession, giving good up-close looks. Four species of woodpeckers and several irrupting Red-breasted Nuthatches were also observed.

Species Lists

Birds
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
American Goldfinch
Baltimore Oriole
Common Grackle
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Butterflies
Cabbage White

Odonates
Wandering Glider

Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Eastern Chipmunk

Central Park with Will Papp and Kevin Sisco, 9/8/2020

Registrar: Mary Beth Kooper
Attendees: 19
Weather: Partly cloudy to sunny, 70F-77F, 4mph southerly winds
Bird Species: 41

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Herring Gull
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great Crested Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
White-throated Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Montauk Weekend with Joseph DiCostanzo, 2/22/2020-2/23/2020

Registrar: Dale Dancis
Participants: 9
Weather: Sunny both days, wind 5-10 mph, Sat. 5 mph Sunday, upper 40’s, 50’s Sun. pm
Bird Species: 59

Joseph DiConstanzo has been leading the Linnaean Society Montauk trip for over 40 years.  His generosity and expertise were greatly appreciated. Although the trip is made up mostly of experienced birders, we had a few enthusiastic newcomers who saw some life birds.  We all shared memories of lovely year birds.

Our group met at the West End Coast Guard Station where we enjoyed views of various water birds, including a male Surf Scoter. The hardy American Oystercatchers that over wintered deserve honorable mention. We then proceeded to Point Lookout. An interesting feature of Point Lookout parking lot is its attraction for shorebirds. We saw Red Knots and two Dunlins among the Black-bellied Plovers. Common Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks, Horned Grebes, the graceful Red-throated Loons and Common Loons were among the expected water birds we saw in the ocean at Point Lookout. We continued to Oak Beach and saw beautiful Greater Scaup.

Our next destination was Eastport where we saw several American Wigeons, two Hooded Mergansers, American Coots and other water birds.

We were surprised at the large numbers of Lesser Scaup among the Greater Scaup. We then proceeded to Shinnecock Inlet where we were greeted by a female King Eider. The sighting was not easy in the wind and rough water. The eiders were not that close. Our leader taught us how to identify it under difficult viewing conditions. The day was waning, and it was decided that we go straight to Montauk Point. The three scoter species were waiting for us. Some Razorbills were flying and quickly disappearing into the distance. We did see a few Northern Gannets. The light was fading, so we left the Point looking forward to an early dinner at the Shagwong Tavern and an early night at Daunt’s Albatross.

Sunday morning was crisp and sunny. We went straight to Montauk Point North Lookout once more. Again we saw many Black, Surf and White-winged Scoters, Common Eiders and Razorbills. One Common Goldeneye made an appearance. We eventually made our way to Old West Lake Drive where we saw the male Barrow’s Goldeneye among the Common Goldeneyes and a few Red-breasted Mergansers. We visited the west side of Lake Montauk Inlet, and were happy to see our target bird an Iceland Gull. Another very exciting site was Culloden Point. Standing out in all its beauty among huge flocks of all three scoter species and Common Eiders was a male King Eider.  A new trail had been created which ended at a nice overlook. As we listened to the scoters calling it brought back memories of former trips at Montauk Point. It was a lovely place.  Our final destination was 56 Three Mile Island Drive hoping to see the Townsend’s Solitaire, but we had to be satisfied with a Hermit Thrush. The light was fading, and it was time to go home.

Species Lists

Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
King Eider (female and male)
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Horned Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
American Oystercatcher
Black-bellied Plover
Red Knot
Dunlin
Razorbill
Bonaparte’s Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Iceland Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
White-tailed Deer
Harbor Seal
Total Mammal Species: 3

Shawangunk Grasslands N.W.R. with Richard ZainEldeen, 2/15/2020

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 13
Weather: Sunny progressing to overcast, calm winds, high 20’s 
Bird Species: 27

After a two-week postponement due to snow and ice on the original date, we finally had a clear, but very brisk day, for our trip to Ulster County.  We started the day with a trail walk through the grass where we saw several Red-tailed Hawks and an American Kestrel, as well as an owl pellet.  The feeders and the surrounding area held a nice collection of woodpeckers and passerines, including an American Tree Sparrow.  Red-tailed Hawks, a Common Raven and Black Vultures were seen at Gale Park, and a Common Merganser, American Black Ducks and Canada Geese were seen from the Birch Road bridge over the Wallkill River.  We returned to Shawangunk late in the afternoon for our target bird, the Short-eared Owl.  We were not disappointed!  Three owls put on a beautiful show, soaring around the grasslands to the delight of a large group of birders and photographers.  Overall, we saw twenty-eight bird species, and all participants had life birds or year birds. 

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
American Black Duck
Common Merganser
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Double-crested Cormorant
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier (including gray male)
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Short-eared Owl
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
European Starling
American Goldfinch
American Tree Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Northern Cardinal

Mammals
White-tailed Deer

Central Park with Richard ZainEldeen, 2/8/2020

Registrar: Ursula Mitra
Participants: 9
Weather: Partly sunny, low 30’s F.
Bird Species: 32

The trip included Strawberry Fields, north along the Lake, across Oak Bridge, into the Ramble, Maintenance Meadow, the Feeders, the Oven and to the Boathouse for an early lunch.  From there, back to the Ramble, the feeders (in hopes of some Purple Finches – but no success), along Turtle Pond, to the Pinetum, along the west side of the Reservoir and up to the west side of the Ballfields near 97th Street to see the immature Red-headed Woodpecker. The hardy bunch of the group continued up to the Pool to try and find the female Green-winged Teal (also no success).  

The highlights were: Two Eastern Towhees, a Cooper’s Hawk being chased by a red-tailed Hawk, a male Red-winged Blackbird and a White-breasted Nuthatch in the Ramble, an American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded Mergansers and Buffleheads on the Reservoir and the immature Red-headed Woodpecker near the West side of the Ballfields, this time we saw it South of the 96th Street transverse. We also saw the leucistic Common Grackle in the huge flock of Grackles near West 95th Street along the bridle path but missed the female Boat-tailed Grackle that had been seen with the flock previously.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Mallard
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-headed Woodpecker (immature)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
White-breasted Nuthatch
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle (one partially leucistic)
Northern Cardinal