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
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
Registrar: Russ Comeau Participants: 14 Weather: Air Temp: 48-50°F. Overcast. Sprinkles. Moderately strong breeze from NW to W. Bird Species: 47
Chilly LSNY members followed legendary leader, Rob Jett, on a five-mile walk, canvassing hotspots along the central arteries of Green-Wood Cemetery and circumscribing three of its precious water features.
We made an early 7:30 am start to hear part of the “Dawn Chorus” of songbirds, including scores of Northern Cardinals, American Robins, Eastern Phoebes, Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Northern Mockingbirds, House Finches, Chipping Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Grackles, accompanied by many Northern Flickers, Yellow-bellied, Red-bellied, and Downy Woodpeckers on the drums.
Typical of this calendar date were good numbers of fresh Nearctic warblers moving up from southern North America, notably Palm Warblers, Pine Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, as well as Blue-gray Gnatcatchers which added their voices to the chorus.
Really no other warblers, vireos, or Neotropical species (that migrate from Central and South America) were seen by us, as they’re really not yet to arrive here in any numbers at this early date.
We don’t know who was surprised more, us or the Green Heron (a known breeder in Green-Wood) that flushed with a sharp squawk as we climbed single file up a steep, winding, narrow foot trail.
Six raptor species plied the skies: a Turkey Vulture, Cooper’s Hawk, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, and at least two Ospreys being chased out of Dell Water airspace by a Red-tailed Hawk (one of several sighted).
Toward the end of the trip, a non-breeding plumage male Blue Grosbeak was spotted on the ground and flitted onto low branches, gracing all with thrilling views.
Species List
Canada Goose Wood Duck Mallard Mourning Dove Laughing Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Common Loon Double-crested Cormorant Green Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Cooper’s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Peregrine Falcon Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay American Crow Tree Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Brown Creeper Blue-gray Gnatcatcher European Starling Brown Thrasher Northern Mockingbird Hermit Thrush American Robin House Sparrow House Finch Chipping Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal Blue Grosbeak
Thirty-nine bird enthusiasts divided into 3 groups led by Kevin, Alan and Ken. Ideal weather conditions and barely unfurled spring buds allowed for clear views of 50 bird species. Sightings of early migrants delighted everyone. Especially noted were the Pine, Palm, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, the Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Louisiana Waterthrushes, and Rusty Blackbirds.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Northern Shoveler Mallard Northern Pintail Bufflehead Red-breasted Merganser Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Mourning Dove American Coot American Woodcock Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Common Loon Double-crested Cormorant Red-tailed Hawk Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Brown Creeper Winter Wren European Starling Brown Thrasher Northern Mockingbird Hermit Thrush American Robin 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 Rusty Blackbird Common Grackle Louisiana Waterthrush Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Amanda Bielskas Participants: 18 Weather: 40 F–51 F. Partly cloudy with a few sprinkles Bird Species: 50
This workshop started with participants assembled in a circle under the chilly shadow of the Brooklyn Library while Tom Stephenson tailored his introductory photography tutelage individually for the diverse skills of the small group. We then moved into the sun and through Prospect Park, arriving at the Rose Garden where the talk continued. Photography tips and birding advice continued until the session wound up in early afternoon. Tom encouraged us to expand our boundaries and gave some great post processing advice as well. All participants happily came away with valuable information to help grow their photography skills. We also saw or heard 50 species of birds and highlights included: Blue-winged Teal, Rufous Hummingbird, Black-crowned Night Heron, Tree Swallow, and two warbler species Louisiana Waterthrush, and Pine Warbler.
Species Lists Birds Canada Goose Mute Swan Wood Duck Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Mallard Ruddy Duck Pied-billed Grebe Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Mourning Dove Rufous Hummingbird American Coot Ring-billed Gull Common Loon Double-crested Cormorant Black-crowned Night Heron Great Blue Heron Osprey Cooper’s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay American Crow Tree Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Brown Creeper Winter Wren Carolina Wren European Starling Northern Mockingbird Hermit Thrush American Robin House Sparrow American Goldfinch Fox Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Louisiana Waterthrush Pine Warbler Northern Cardinal
With steady rain in the forecast, we had a smaller group than usual for the first Tuesday walk of the spring, but a hardy group of 20 birders set out to see what birds showed up. It turned out the warblers had not yet arrived, but we had a good number of sparrow and woodpecker species. The highlights of the walk were two Cooper’s Hawks seen in the Ramble and an active little Winter Wren giving us long and close looks at Laupot. Many thanks to our volunteer leaders, Alan, Carine, and Kevin.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Northern Shoveler Gadwall Mallard Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Mourning Dove Herring Gull Double-crested Cormorant Black-crowned Night Heron Cooper’s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay American Crow Golden-crowned Kinglet House Wren Winter Wren European Starling Brown Thrasher Northern Mockingbird Hermit Thrush American Robin House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch Fox Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Michelle Talich and Anne Lazarus Participants: 20 Weather: 35-50 F, sunny, breezy Bird Species: 52 + 2 en route
Conference House Park Twenty Linnaean members met at the Conference House Park visitors center on a bright and sunny day, greeted by a chorus of singing Carolina Wrens, Northern Cardinals, American Robins, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and other avian denizens.
Our excellent leader, Seth Wollney, showed us a Carolina Wren nest cleverly constructed in a metal box on a metal pole. We saw a majestic Bald Eagle and the tiny Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. We observed the Red-throated Loons, Buffleheads, and diving Red-breasted Mergansers in the bay. We enjoyed views of Downy Woodpeckers, several Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, and the Fish Crow as they prepared to nest. Overhead, we had excellent views of the newly arrived Osprey and a Cooper`s Hawk establishing territory. We completed our walk of the Conference House with two Eastern Phoebes.
At this location, we saw and heard thirty-five bird species.
Wolfe’s Pond Park Our next destination was Wolfe’s Pond Park. We perused the pond and were happy to see four Common Mergansers associating with a Hooded Merganser and enjoyed the antics of an American Coot. Suddenly, our attention was drawn to two Bonaparte Gulls, transitioning into alternate plumage, flying into the pond. We ultimately counted seven Bonaparte Gulls, including several along the beach. We had excellent looks at a Killdeer, a shorebird species. A graceful Great Egret flew over the pond as one Rough-winged Swallow, a harbinger of Spring, made a brief appearance. Two Bald Eagles captured our attention, and we saw an estimated one hundred and fifty Northern Gannets foraging in the bay.
Great Kills Park Our final destination was Great Kills Park, where twenty-five Horned Grebes, mainly in alternate plumage, were flocking in the harbor. In addition to the expected gulls, we saw a Laughing Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull, which was an excellent sighting. One American Oyster Catcher was quietly standing by itself. Several Red-throated Loons were diving close to shore. Ducks included Mallards, Black Ducks, Buffleheads, and Red-breasted Mergansers. We were hypnotized by the estimated fifty Northern Gannets plunging, diving, and flying in the distance. In addition to the water birds, we saw two Bald Eagles, one Red-tailed Hawk, four Turkey Vultures, an Eastern Phoebe, and other land birds.
After the trip officially ended, Richard excitedly called back the remaining participants to point out that the flock of Northern Gannets had increased to about one hundred and fifty birds. What a fantastic site, especially as three Northern Gannets flew around the parking lot. What a dramatic end to such a dynamic trip!
Before the official trip, Richard spotted a Black Vulture flying over Hylan Boulevard, and after the trip, several birders enjoyed watching the Wild Turkeys of Staten Island.
Bird Species
Birds Brant Canada Goose Mute Swan Mallard American Black Duck Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Horned Grebe Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove American Coot American Oystercatcher Killdeer Bonaparte’s Gull Laughing Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Red-throated Loon Common Loon Northern Gannet Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Turkey Vulture Osprey Cooper’s Hawk Bald Eagle Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay Fish Crow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Carolina Wren European Starling Northern Mockingbird American Robin House Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Boat-tailed Grackle Northern Cardinal
Bird Species Seen by Some Participants Black Vulture Wild Turkey
Registrar: Leslie Fiske Participants: 10 Weather: Temperature in the low 40s; cloudy into rain; wind speed ESE at 16 mph Bird Species: 37
The rain delayed the trip by a week, and although many of the expected species had already left the area for parts north, we were able to view 37 species under the great leadership of Peter Dorosh.
Beginning at Calvert Vaux Park, we saw a variety of wintering ducks and other lingering birds. We were also treated to great views of an Eastern Meadowlark. We then caravanned to Coney Island Creek, hoping to spot gull rarities, which we unfortunately could not find. However, we did get good views of a Common Loon beginning to show its breeding plumage. Our next stop was at Manhattan Beach Park, where our target was the thousands of Black Scoters reported to be on the channel the prior two weeks. We were not disappointed in our views of the scoters, including three Surf Scoters and one White-winged Scoter. Again, we looked for gull rarities at Sheepshead Bay. We did not see any, but we got some nice views of Lesser Scaup. Our final destination was Salt Marsh Nature Center at Marine Park, where we saw a nice variety of marsh birds and ducks, including American Wigeon and Pied-billed Grebe before we were forced to end the trip when light rain became a deluge.
Species Lists
Birds Brant Canada Goose Mute Swan Northern Shoveler Gadwall American Widgeon Mallard American Black Duck Lesser Scaup Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Bufflehead Red-Breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Ring-Billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Red-throated Loon Common Loon Great Cormorant Double-crested Cormorant American Crow Fish Crow European Starling Northern Mockingbird American Robin House Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Eastern Meadowlark Red-winged Blackbird
