Central Park with Ken Chaya, Alice Deutsch, Alan Drogin, Carine Mitchell, and Kevin Sisco, 5/7/2024

Registrar:  Yeree Shim
Participants:  78
Weather:  Fair, with temperatures ranging from 60 to a high of 70 degrees
Bird Species:  71

On May 7th we saw the largest Tuesday morning walk turnout of the Spring, with 78 individuals signing up for the adventure.  Noteworthy sightings of the day included Black-billed Cuckoo (observed in three different locations), Eastern Wood-Pewee, Great Crested Flycatcher, and 15 warbler species. 

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose  
Mallard  
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  
Mourning Dove  
Black-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift  
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant  
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk  
Downy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker  
Northern Flicker  
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo  
Red-eyed Vireo  
Blue Jay  
Tufted Titmouse
Barn Swallow  
Common Raven
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  
House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling  
Gray Catbird  
Brown Thrasher  
Veery  
Wood Thrush  
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin  
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow 
House Finch  
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow  
White-throated Sparrow  
Savannah Sparrow  
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow  
Eastern Towhee  
Baltimore Oriole  
Red-winged Blackbird  
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle  
American Redstart  
Bay-breasted Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler  
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler  
Black-throated Blue Warbler  
Common Yellowthroat  
Magnolia Warbler 
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula  
Northern Waterthrush 
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler  
Yellow Warbler  
Yellow-rumped Warbler  
Scarlet Tanager  
Northern Cardinal  
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Sandpiper sp. 

Central Park Family Walk with Eric Ozawa, 5/4/2024

Registrar: Amanda Bielskas
Weather: Beautiful spring day, 67-72 degrees F
Participants: 25
Bird species: 35

This was the third LSNY Family Walk, we had a fairly large group. We met on the Great Hill, near the restrooms at 10:30am we stayed up there for a while observing the birds. On the Great Hill we observed several warbler species and a Peregrine Falcon. We then walked down to the Pool and into the Loch where we got many more good birds. We totaled 35 species for the morning and fun was had by all!

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Green-winged Teal
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Double-crested Cormorant
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Peregrine Falcon
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
House Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Starr Saphir Memorial Spring Migration Walk in Central Park with Alice Deutsch, 5/3/2024

Registrar: Suzanne Zywicki
Participants: 15
Weather: 53-59 F, partly cloudy, breezy
Bird Species:  47

Fifteen birders met in the North Woods of Central Park for Linnaean’s semi-annual walk in memory of Starr Saphir (1939 – 2013), an iconic figure in the NYC birding community. Our leader, Alice Deutsch, started the day by sharing several of the practices espoused by Starr (“no pointing at the birds”).  Several participants who had also known her chimed in with their own recollections. We then set off on a route that approximated a path often taken by Starr.

We started at the Pool, where we were quickly treated to good views of a Solitary Sandpiper, a Rusty Blackbird, and a pair of Green-winged Teal.  We worked our way up to the Great Hill and  further into the North Woods, where highlights included Baltimore Orioles, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and various species of warbler, including Prairie and Worm-eating. We ended back at the Pool, where we added Gadwalls and American Black Ducks to our list, winding up with 47 species seen or heard. Both those who knew Starr and those who never had the pleasure of birding with her enjoyed the day and the company of their fellow birders.

Species Lists

BIrds
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Green-winged Teal
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Solitary Sandpiper
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker — Heard only
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Hermit Thrush
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler — Heard only
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Birds & Brews (Central Park) Walk with, Alan Drogin, Gillian Henry, and Amanda Bielskas 5/2/2024

Registrar: Amanda Bielskas
Weather: Beautiful evening, 60-70 degrees F
Participants: 26
Bird species: 39

This was the first LSNY Birds & Brews Walk, we divided into two groups after most of us got to see the Clay-colored Sparrow at Strawberry Fields. We separated to search the Ramble for spring migrants and were successful as many warblers, thrushes, and additional species were found! Around 7:30pm we headed to a local bar some casual conversations and libations. We totaled 39 species for the evening and fun was had by all! We have two more of these walks scheduled this spring and hopefully we will continue them in the future.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Black-crowned Night Heron
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Central Park with Ken Chaya, Alice Deutsch, Carine Mitchell, and Kevin Sisco, 4/30/2024

Registrar: Barrie Raik
Participants: 55 
Weather: Foggy, overcast and cool, temperatures in the 50s
Bird Species: 76

Despite the overcast skies, the leaders and participants were enthusiastic, and many continued birding into the mid-afternoon. Highlights of the day were a Spotted Sandpiper, first of the season Veery, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and 18 species of wood warblers, including Worm-eating, Cape May and Chestnut-sided warblers.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Mallard
Gadwall
Green-winged Teal
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Spotted Sandpiper 
Ring-billed Gull
Laughing Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Green Heron
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting

Hillside Woods in Hastings-on-Hudson with Julien Amsellem, 4/27/2024

Registrar: Nick Dawson
Attendees: 13
Weather: Clear and Sunny, 46 to 55 degrees, light south wind
Species: 51

For the New York birders who were out every day during spring migration in 2024, they’ll look back on May as something of a disappointment. Though there were some days when the trees were full of warblers and reports of rarities were popping up on the alerts, the norm was that it was uncharacteristically quiet. Either the winds were blowing in the wrong direction and no new birds were coming in, or the winds were blowing from the south, but birds seemed to be overshooting and simply not stopping in the city’s parks and other migrant traps.

The Hastings-on-Hudson walk led by Julien Amsellem in late April almost seemed to be a bellwether of the migration season to come. Julien had hoped that attendees on the walk would see up to 60 species at Hillside Woods, where he learned to bird as a child. Despite a promising forecast and south winds that seemingly should have brought in a flurry of warblers and other neotropical visitors, when we arrived there, the bird song we heard was mostly from resident birds. There was a Louisiana Waterthrush and a mess of Yellow-rumped Warblers, but few other new arrivals besides these birds. Julien was most excited about the presence of a Wild Turkey, a very uncommon bird for Hillside. For the NYC-based Linnaean members, undoubtedly the highlight of our walk through the woods was Julien calling in some Barred Owls (he can mimic their call uncannily well), who then perched obligingly for all to see. When we wrapped up at Hillside, there was a brief period of hawk watching in which we added more raptors to our list for the day: Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, and Bald Eagle. (Sadly, we missed an expected and much-desired bird, the Pileated Woodpecker, which is a resident at Hillside Woods but sadly did not grace us with its presence.)

After lunch, those who wanted to continue birding moved on to MacEachron Waterside Park, where we added some water birds to our list, plus a Bald Eagle which flew in very close and put on a show for the photographers. Just as the group was leaving, we had one final treat: a visit from a trio of Bonaparte’s Gulls, who swooped in to be our buzzer birds. It was a satisfying culmination to a very enjoyable day of birding; though still only 19, Julien is a gifted birder and knowledgeable leader, so regardless of exactly which birds show up, it’s always a great experience to go on his walks.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mallard
Wild Turkey
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Bonaparte’s Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Barred Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Louisiana Waterthrush
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Central Park with Ken Chaya, Alan Drogin, Carine Mitchell, and Kevin Sisco, 4/23/2024

Registrar: Richard Davis
Participants: 66
Weather: 46–61 F and sunny, south wind 6–10 mph
Bird Species: 51

Sixty-six individuals, including a visitor from Grenada and three young birders with their parents, gathered at Central Park West on a chilly morning. Another night of low migration meant that the leaders and their groups had to work hard to spot sought-after warblers, which were seen sporadically in low numbers. Highlights were a singing Nashville Warbler at the Point and a Common Loon in breeding plumage on the reservoir. 

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Mallard
American Black Duck
Bufflehead
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Butterflies
Red Admiral
Cabbage White

Central Park with Alice Deutsch, Alan Drogin, Carine Mitchell and Kevin Sisco, 4/16/2024

Registrar: Michelle Zorzi
Participants: 59
Weather: 52 – 68 degrees, light breeze, mostly sunny
Bird Species: 61

It was a beautiful spring day for our weekly Tuesday walk in Central Park. Fifty-nine enthusiastic birders divided into four groups led by Kevin, Alan, Carine and Alice. Overall, the park was a little quiet, but we managed to see a total of 61 species through our collective efforts, with one group continuing until mid-afternoon and visiting the Reservoir. Highlights included a first of season Wood Thrush in Strawberry Fields, a Blue-headed Vireo by the Ladies Pavillion and a Merlin perched by Bow Bridge. Thanks to our leader volunteers!

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose 
Gadwall
Mallard
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper 
House Wren
Winter Wren
European Starling
Brown Thrasher
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal