Central Park with Ken Chaya, Alice Deutsch, Carine Mitchell, and Kevin Sisco, 5/14/2024

Registrar: Steve Holleran
Participants: 60
Weather: Partly sunny in the 50’s and 60’s
Bird Species: 73

After what seemed like a slow start, a total of 73 species showed up for us today, including 21 warblers. A brilliant Blackburnian Warbler drew crowds to Belvedere Terrace, a mischievous Hooded Warbler led us on a romp through the Ramble, and extended eye-level views were granted by a pair of male Scarlet Tanagers.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
House Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
TennesseeWarbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting

“Parking it” on Staten Island – A May Monday Migration Excursion with Richard Zain-Eldeen, 5/13/2024

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 9
Weather: 50-60 F, partly cloudy, northerly winds at 4 mph
Bird Species: 65

Due to recent severe storms, many of the trails at Doodletown, one of our favorite locations and a reliable location for spotting Cerulean Warblers, had to be closed for repairs. Richard kindly offered to lead a migration walk on Staten Island instead. Clove Lakes Park turned out to be a fantastic substitute for Doodletown, and we saw an amazing 65 species, including a Cerulean Warbler and, for at least one participant, a likely Bicknell’s Thrush.

We started at the southern end of the park and walked north along a beautiful wooded stream. The first birds we saw were a Spotted Sandpiper, a Least Sandpiper, and a Killdeer foraging on a mudflat at the south end of Clove Lake. As we continued walking north we were surrounded by bird song and were able to see most of the birds we were hearing. Thanks to some good “ear birding” and Merlin, we got brief looks at a continuously singing Cerulean Warbler, the target bird at Doodletown. Altogether, we saw 19 species of warblers and an amazing collection of other migrants, as well. Although we had originally planned to go to Snug Harbor in the afternoon, we all agreed that Clove Lakes Park was too good to leave, and we continued to spot additional species right up until we departed at mid-afternoon.

Species List
Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great Crested Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
crow sp.
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Veery
Bicknell’s Thrush
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cerulean Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Birds & Brews (Central Park) Walk with Alan Drogin, Gillian Henry, and Amanda Bielskas, 5/10/2024

Registrar: Amanda Bielskas
Weather: Drizzling this evening, 50-60 degrees F
Participants: 14
Bird species: 41

This was the second LSNY Birds & Brews Walk. We searched Strawberry Fields and then headed into the Ramble for spring migrants and were successful as many warblers, thrushes, and several additional species were found! Around 7:15pm we headed to Craft & Carry (a local bar) for some casual conversations and libations. We totaled 41 species for the evening which wasn’t bad considering the weather!

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Herring Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
House Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
White-throated Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird

Bashakill Marsh and Environ with John Haas, 5/8/2024

Registrar: Leslie Fiske
Participants: 11
Weather: Temperature mid-40s; light rain turning to heavy; wind speed 8 mph ESE
Bird Species: 60

A small, determined group of participants braved the rain and cool spring temperatures for a remarkable morning of birding with Bashakill’s expert, John Haas, who, throughout the walk, regaled us with tales of the history and environment of Basha Kill and the surrounding areas.

We began at the Duck Blind and were treated to the sounds of the marsh and the sight of a Belted Kingfisher traversing the area. At the Haven Road Bridge, we got great views of Eastern Kingbirds and multiple swallow species, including Bank, Tree, Northern Rough-winged, and Barn. Continuing on the Stop Sign Trail, we heard and saw 11 warbler species and 2 vireo species. We then visited the Mamakating Environmental Education Center, where we spoke with staff, gathered educational materials, and even viewed a hedgehog. Our last stop was along the Horseshoe Trail, where we were fortunate to see a male Cerulean warbler.  By then, the rain had become a downpour, and we felt chilled. Our excursion with John ended, though some participants continued to Deli Field Road on their own.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Virginia Rail
Common Gallinule
Solitary Sandpiper
Lesser Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Yellow-throated Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Bank Swallow
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
Gray Catbird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
American Robin
White-throated Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Northern Cardinal

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