Central Park Family Walk with Eric Ozawa, 9/22/2024

Registrar: Amanda Bielskas
Weather: Beautiful early fall day, 62–73 degrees F, winds 15 mph
Participants: 26
Bird species: 28

On this, our first LSNY family walk, we met near the restrooms on the Great Hill at 10:00 am. Eric gave a brief lesson on using binoculars and had us do a field test to test our new skills.

To start with, we observed a Ruby-crowned Kinglet flying over the Great Hill, as well as a couple of Red-Tailed Hawks. We then walked down to the Pool; the west side was quite birdy, with a couple of warbler species being spotted. We next walked towards the east side of the Pool, observing the birds along the way and tallying several more species, including multiple waterfowl and woodpeckers. Chuck McAlexander, who was leading another bird group, helped us spot a Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

We totaled 28 species for the morning and fun was had by all. We plan to continue offering a family walk in the spring and another in the fall.

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Phoebe
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
Gray Catbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Common Grackle
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Beginners Bird Walk in Central Park’s North End with Linda LaBella, 9/22/2024

Registrar: Linda LaBella
Participants: 14
Weather: Sunny, breezy, 64 degrees
Bird Species: 35

The Beginners Bird Walk began with a demonstration on how to use binoculars, how to find birds in the trees with the binoculars, and how to use guide books and bird apps to confirm their identification. We then proceeded to the Pool, where we spent most of the time spotting migrating songbirds—especially warblers—as well as observing the resident populations and listening to their songs and calls. Other birders in the Park joined us from time to time to show us birds they had found and to share their birding knowledge. It was a successful and fun introduction to birding. 

Species List

Canada Goose  
Gadwall  
Mallard  
American Black Duck  
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  
Mourning Dove  
Red-tailed Hawk  
Red-bellied Woodpecker  
Downy Woodpecker  
Northern Flicker  
Red-eyed Vireo  
Blue Jay  
American Crow  
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  
House Wren  
Carolina Wren  
European Starling  
Gray Catbird  
Swainson’s Thrush  
American Robin  
House Sparrow  
American Goldfinch  
White-throated Sparrow  
Common Grackle  
Ovenbird  
Northern Waterthrush  
Black-and-white Warbler  
Common Yellowthroat  
American Redstart  
Northern Parula  
Magnolia Warbler  
Blackburnian Warbler  
Blackpoll Warbler  
Black-throated Blue Warbler  
Northern Cardinal

Watch Hill, Fire Island with Paul Sweet, 9/22/2024

Registrar: Nick Dawson
Participants: 10
Weather: Mid 60s to low 70s, partly cloudy, moderate NE breeze
Bird species: 62

Fire Island has a certain magic to it, as do all barrier islands. There is always the chance of something rare and/or ridiculous turning up: a White Ibis; a Sage Thrasher. Or something a little more predictable, like a pelican.

On this particular day, there were no birds that caught us by surprise (until the very end), but the group led by Paul Sweet got to enjoy the diverse array of quotidian birds that can be found on this part of Fire Island on a late September day. Due to the slightly later-than-usual date of this walk, this year’s group did not see the two ammospiza species that breed in the Watch Hill marsh—Seaside Sparrow and Saltmarsh Sparrow—but the birds that we did see sparked joy.

For this crowd of mostly New York City birders, seeing good numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Royal Terns at close range was a true pleasure. There were some unexpected ducks (Blue-winged Teal), and—literally as we were leaving the island on the ferry—eagle-eyed walk attendee Kenelma Perez spotted two Caspian Terns loafing on a dock. There was some good movement of migrating raptors (especially Merlins), and in the small patch of trees and shrubs above the marsh, a smattering of warblers and other migrating passerines could be seen, the most notable of which was a semi-cooperative (but vocal) White-eyed Vireo.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Blue-winged Tea
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Greater Yellowlegs
Sanderling
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Caspian Tern
Royal Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tree Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Northern House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Blackpoll Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Baisley and Beyond with Joe Schiavone, 9/22/2024

Registrar: Matthew Fischer
Participants: 9
Weather: Scattered clouds; temperature ~74°F;  gentle NE breeze; humidity 48-49%
Bird Species: 61 

The parks in the Jamaica Bay watershed surrounding JFK airport, collectively known as Baisleywild, named after farmer David Baisley who owned the land in the 19th century, are some of the most underrated and undiscovered birding spots in all of New York City. In order to tap into this potential, the Linnaean Society reached out to local Queens birding expert Joe Schiavone to create this brand-new trip.

We started off at Baisley Pond and were immediately treated to a Peregrine Falcon, later seen perched and apparently content, chasing Laughing Gulls over the lake. The waterfowl we spotted included Wood Ducks and an American Coot, but unfortunately we did not see the Common Gallinule that had been reported at the park recently. We circumnavigated the park and saw numerous warblers, including a Blackburnian and a Wilson’s. We had great views of some noisy Monk Parakeets attending to their nest, and at the end of the loop were treated to a Philadelphia Vireo.

Our next stop was Roy Wilkins, an active park with community gardens where we were treated to a Cooper’s Hawk, two American Kestrels, and a pair of Ravens. A quick peek into the Bluebelt Stormwater Management Facility gave us wonderfully close-up views of a very cooperative juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron.

After having lunch in the park, we circumnavigated Springfield Lake and had good views of a Belted Kingfisher. We ended the day at unkempt Idlewild Park, where we saw some late Snowy Egrets and another American Kestrel, who posed for us. Everyone on the trip came away with great memories and a much deeper understanding of the parks in the Jamaica Bay watershed.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Mallard
American Black Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
American Coot
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Monk Parakeet
Eastern Phoebe
Philadelphia Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Central Park with Kevin Sisco and Ken Chaya, 9/17/2024

Our walk started out slowly, with little bird activity in Strawberry Fields. However, things quickly picked up when we spotted a beautiful Prairie Warbler and Northern Parula giving us great looks in Shakespeare Garden. Our good luck continued when a perched Common Nighthawk was reported near the Polish King statue. We quickly made our way over there and were thrilled to get a good view of this rarity.

Shortly thereafter, we noticed a Hairy Woodpecker on a bare branch of a tall tree a little further west, on the south side of Turtle Pond, and were shocked to find a second Common Nighthawk perched in clear view on the same branch.

Next, our group entered Maintenance Field, where we were delighted to find a White-eyed Vireo and three Brown Thrashers. In the same area, a Philadelphia Vireo also delighted many birders later in the morning. Thank you to Kevin and Ken for leading a great walk, and to all of the enthusiastic participants!

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Common Nighthawk
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Solitary Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Blue Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Canada Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Green-Wood Cemetery with Rob Jett, 9/14/2024

Registrar: Gillian Henry
Participants: 15 participants
Weather: 68 ℉, clear and sunny with mild northern winds.
Bird Species: 47 species

On a beautiful September morning, we met our guide, Rob Jett, at 8 am and embarked on a pleasant walk through historic Green-Wood Cemetery in search of fall migrants. Although the day was relatively quiet, we still spotted ten early fall warbler species. Highlights included excellent views of a Broad-winged Hawk and a Red-tailed Hawk in flight, as well as the unmistakable sight and sound of the famous Monk Parakeets tending to their large, colonial stick nest above the main entrance to the cemetery. In total, we observed 47 species, making for a delightful day of fall birding!

Species Lists

Canada Goose  36
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  28
Mourning Dove  17
Chimney Swift  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Green Heron  1
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  8
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
Monk Parakeet  20
Willow Flycatcher  1
Empidonax sp.  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Red-eyed Vireo  10
Blue Jay  18
American Crow  5
Northern House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  2
European Starling  25
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  12
Veery  2
Gray-cheeked Thrush  1
Swainson’s Thrush  1
American Robin  18
House Sparrow  15
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  1
Chipping Sparrow  6
Song Sparrow  2
Baltimore Oriole  1
Common Grackle  2
Ovenbird  1
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  6
American Redstart  4
Northern Parula  1
Magnolia Warbler  2
Yellow Warbler  2
Blackpoll Warbler  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  7

Central Park with Ken Chaya, Richard Davis, Alice Deutsch, and Carine Mitchell, 9/10/2024

Registrar: Richard Davis
Participants: 45
Weather: 62–75 F and sunny, northwest wind 5–7 mph
Bird Species: 45

It was a perfect fall day to slow down and look for migrating birds, including the warblers that hid themselves high in the canopy behind clumps of leaves, making us work hard to identify them. The jewelweed was thriving, attracting Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks that gave us generous views as they buzzed and tumbled through the yellow-orange flowers. An Eastern Wood-Pewee perched almost within arms’ length, and was not shy about hawking insects among the onlookers.

One group of participants lingered for more than an hour and finally got excellent eye-level looks at a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a lifer for a few new birders, only to find another at Evodia later. A second group was even luckier, spotting up to four Yellow-billed Cuckoos and a Red-Headed Woodpecker.

Species Lists

Birds
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Herring Gull
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great Crested Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House 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
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Butterflies
Cabbage White