Pelham Bay Park with Rob Jett, 1/26/2019

Registrar: Louise Fraza
Participants: 8
Weather: 20’s-30’s F, sunny, wind 7 mph
Bird Species: 40

A sturdy group of Linnaean birders traversed miles of terrain in Pelham Bay Park, including Bartow-Pell Mansion plus environs, in search of birds. We crossed icy terrain. We were rewarded for our efforts with excellent looks at the Common Goldeneyes, Greater Scaups and Lesser Scaup. We were entertained by a Hairy Woodpecker and Fox Sparrows. The biggest surprises were 2 Barred Owls. We did observe a variety of other water birds as listed below. Not to neglect other passerines, a Red-breasted Nuthatch mingled with the White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmice, Black-capped Chickadees.

Species Lists

Birds
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Surf Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Great Cormorant
Red-tailed Hawk
Barred Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Fox Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal

Mammals
White-tailed Deer
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Raccoon

Jones Beach with Richard ZainEldeen, 1/19/2019

Registrar: Kathleen Howley
Participants: 7
Weather: Sunny very early morning, cloudy later, 30’s F
Bird Species: 38

We arrived mid-tide at the Coast Guard Station and were greeted by a flock of Surf Scoters, some Black Scoters, Common Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks, Horned Grebes, Red-throated Loons, Common Loons and other water birds. We then turned our attention to the mud flat where we observed many Dunlins, some Sanderlings, Black-bellied Plovers and a Red Knot.  What an exciting experience!  Our journey was just beginning. We walked a long-distance counter clockwise to the jetty. We detoured a little up the hill adjacent to the Coast Guard Station and saw eight Great Blue Herons. Eventually we reached our destination, the beach jetty and the tower. Soon we saw many Razorbills, some flying and some landing on the water, a magnificent sighting. We finished our tour of the beach with an excellent observation of a Snowy Owl.

Species Lists

Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
American Black Duck
Greater Scaup
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Red-breasted Merganser
Horned Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Black-bellied Plover
Red Knot
Sanderling
Dunlin
Razorbill
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
American Kestrel
American Crow
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
House Finch
American Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler

Croton Point Park with Richard ZainEldeen, 1/12/2019

Registrar: Anne Lazarus
Participants: 4
Weather: Mostly cloudy, calm, 20’s F
Bird Species: 35

On a cold day we boarded the train at Grand Central to Croton Harmon. First exciting bird upon arrival was a Red-shouldered Hawk flying toward the highway. We continued walking south with the train station on our right. Our next interesting observations were 3 Common Mergansers among the Buffleheads. An immature Bald Eagle was also at that spot. On our way back a Black Vulture made an appearance flying with two Turkey Vultures. We then saw a second Bald Eagle. Our passerines included a substantial number of Tree Sparrows. Birding from the train we managed to spot a Great Blue Heron and a Ruddy Duck to add to our list. We were welcomed at the environmental center for lunch. We enjoyed watching the antics of the birds at the feeders. On the landfill we finally spotted one Savannah Sparrow. We suspect there were many more, but they would not be visible long enough to identify.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Mallard
American Black Duck
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
American Kestrel
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren (h)
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
House Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Common Grackle
Northern Cardinal

Rye Playland and Environs with Tom Burke, 12/1/2018

Registrar: Louise Fraza
Participants: 14
Weather: low 30’s to 40’s F, wind 5 miles per hour
Bird Species: 61

All 14 participants, who registered, showed upon this mild, sunny morning on the first of December. Tom remarked that we might have had more activity on the Long Island Sound if the weather had been less balmy, but altogether we still managed to tally 61 bird species for the day. Tom detected some Snow Buntings high up, which soon spiraled into view. Most moved right on, but the one bird that stayed for a while got all our admiration. One of the more unusual sightings on this trip was a posse of 6-7 Common Mergansers perusing the area at both Rye Playland Lake and the Rye Marshlands inlet.

Species Lists

Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
American Black Duck
Northern Pintail
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Wild Turkey
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Great Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Turkey Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin (h)
American Goldfinch
Snow Bunting
American Tree Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Cardinal (h)

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge with Joseph DiCostanzo, 11/17/2018

Registrar: Pearl Broder
Participants: 6
Weather: mostly cloudy, wind about 5 mph
Bird Species: 53

We started our day at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge’s West Pond observing a Common Raven and a Northern Harrier challenging each other. After that initial drama, we settled down and observed the beautiful ducks on the West Pond, including Green-winged Teals and Greater Scaup. We were greeted by the returning Horned Grebes with excellent scope views. A big treat was a Purple Finch and five Pine Siskins at the feeder. We then took off for Ft. Tilden and ocean viewing. It was exciting to see a flock of Black Scoters with one White-winged Scoter. A lone Common Eider swam close to shore. Northern Gannets, Red-throated Loons, Common Loons, Sanderlings, Dunlins and other birds also captured our attention.

Species Lists

Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Common Eider
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Horned Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Sanderling
Dunlin
Greater Yellowlegs
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Prospect Park with Roberta Manian, 11/10/2018

Leader: Roberta Manian
Registrar: Mary Beth Kooper
Participants: 11
Weather: low 40’s, strong gusts, sunny, some clouds
Bird Species: 46

We were greeted by four Purple Finches as we began our birding journey, followed by a Common Raven. Despite the gusty bone-chilling winds, a Merlin sat unperturbed in a tree. Many of the passerines preferred the shelter of the shrubs and conifers, but many were in the open, especially in quiet areas such as the Sparrow Bowl. The Wood Ducks of the Pool are always a beautiful sight, and we enjoyed a cooperative American Wigeon swimming in the Upper Pool among the numerous Mallards.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Accipiter sp.
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Merlin
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
European Starling
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

State Line Hawk Watch, N.J. with Pieter Prall, 11/4/2018

Registrar: Sandra Maury
Participants: 3 registered participants
Weather: 40’s-50’s F, Wind mainly northwest, light
Bird Species: 30

On the day of the NYC Marathon Linnaean members ventured forth to the State Line Hawk Watch, N.J. for a successful day of hawk watching. Thirty-three Red-shouldered Hawks were recorded, although we saw only a few of them. A Northern Goshawk was another important sighting. It was interesting to watch the social or unsocial dynamics of the resident Peregrine Falcons, Common Ravens and a Red-tailed Hawk, but they do respect their safe boundaries of interaction. Amazingly we drove to and from the site without experiencing heavy traffic.

Species Lists

Birds
Bonaparte’s Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Northern Goshawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler

South Shores of Jamaica Bay with Peter Dorosh, 11/3/2018

Registrar: Anne Lazarus
Participants: 3
Weather: Upper 40’s F, cloudy am, sunny pm, windy with gusts over 40 mph
Bird Species:  52

Windy, gusty weather was a major factor. The winds increased with each hour. Peter decided to plan our birding around the weather. Our first stop was Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, where 16 species of ducks were identified, including a Eurasian Wigeon and a Redhead. We saw several flocks of Greater Yellowlegs and two Pied-billed Grebes. We were amazed by the numbers of Great Egrets. Two Common Ravens braved the weather. Floyd Bennett was our second stop, and the antics of a Merlin flying low over the concrete, fighting the wind was an interesting sighting. Our final stop was Marine Park Nature Center where our attention was focused on a flock of about 7 Greater Yellowlegs feeding on the mud flat. A big surprise was a Lesser Yellowlegs in that group, usually not found in November in New York.

Species Lists

Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Redhead
Greater Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Oystercatcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Northern Harrier
Belted Kingfisher (h)
Northern Flicker
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler