Green-Wood Cemetery with Rob Jett, 4/13/2024

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

Central Park with Ken Chaya, Alan Drogin, and Kevin Sisco, 4/9/2024

Registrar: Samari Weinberg
Participants: 39
Weather: 50 – 73 degrees, SW winds 5 mph, mostly sunny
Bird species: 50

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
 

Photography-Focused Workshop in Prospect Park with Tom Stephenson, 4/6/2024

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

Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Racoon

Central Park with Alan Drogin, Carine Mitchell, and Kevin Sisco, 4/2/2024

Registrar: Evelyn Huang
Participants: 20
Weather: 43–45 degrees F, moderate rain, winds NW at 9 mph
Bird Species: 37

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 
 

Staten Island Hot Spots & Early Spring Migrants with Seth Wollney, 3/30/2024

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

Brooklyn Coastal Birding with Peter Dorosh, 3/9/2024

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

Central Park Winter Bird Walk with Erika Piik and David Spawn, 3/9/2024

Registrar: Kathleen Matthews
Participants: 20
Weather: mid-40s, overcast, light wind that picked up later in the morning, precipitation held off until after 1 PM
Bird Species: 28

On an overcast day in early March, a large group met in Central Park to look for early migrants and assess which winter birds were still in the park. To accommodate the large number of attendees, we split into two groups and fanned out into Strawberry Fields, moved to Hernshead and Oak Bridge, and finally headed into the Ramble.

After we trekked to The Reservoir, we delighted in a large group of Northern Shovelers swimming in a large group and working together to stir up food. Another trip highlight was seeing both a Common Loon and a Red-throated Loon. By 1 pm, the rain started to come down in earnest, so we completed the walk and rushed to find shelter from the late winter storm.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Mallard
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
European Starling
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
White-throated Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Cardinal

Pelham Bay Park with Jack Rothman, 2/24/2024

Registrar: Evelyn Huang
Participants: 18
Weather: 35–40° F; mostly cloudy, NW wind 8 mph
Bird Species: 39

The group met at 9:00 am at the Orchard Beach parking lot, and started walking to the beach, stopping to look at sparrows, cardinals, woodpeckers and a nuthatch along the trail. Some of the group had received reports of Red-necked Grebes on the water, so we scanned the water and indeed found three of them by the coast near Hunter Island. We proceeded to scan the Sound, from the middle of Orchard Beach to Twin and Two Tree Islands, were we were treated to three Purple Sandpipers resting along the rocks. Nearby was an American Widgeon, and we soon spotted a couple more, very well camouflaged by the rocks. As we were looking at the Purple Sandpipers, one of the group pointed out a Razorbill that had come quite close to our shore. We had already seen two Razorbills but those had been distant and visible only through scopes; this one was close and unfazed by us, giving even some of the more experienced birders in our group their closest look ever at this species.

Walking back from the shore, we saw a young Red-tailed Hawk swooping as it practiced hunting. In the grassy field just before the parking lot, we were treated to the sight of a trio of American Tree Sparrows foraging in the grass – we were keeping our distance to avoid flushing the birds and from afar we thought they might be Chipping Sparrows but a sharp-eyed birder pointed out the bi-colored bill, and our identification of the Tree Sparrows was further cemented by photographs. This wrapped up our great morning of birding, lead by the wonderful Jack Rothman who generously shared his expertise and his know-how of the park.

The eBird list can be found here.

Species Lists

Birds
Brant 
Canada Goose 
American Wigeon 
Mallard 
American Black Duck 
Greater Scaup 
Long-tailed Duck 
Bufflehead 
Common Goldeneye 
Red-breasted Merganser 
Red-necked Grebe 
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 
Mourning Dove 
Purple Sandpiper 
Razorbill 
Ring-billed Gull 
Herring Gull 
Great Black-backed Gull 
Red-throated Loon 
Common Loon 
Great Cormorant 
Double-crested Cormorant 
Red-tailed Hawk 
Red-bellied Woodpecker 
Downy Woodpecker 
Peregrine Falcon 
Blue Jay 
Fish Crow 
White-breasted Nuthatch 
European Starling 
Northern Mockingbird 
American Robin 
House Sparrow 
American Tree Sparrow 
White-throated Sparrow 
Song Sparrow 
Red-winged Blackbird 
Common Grackle 
Northern Cardinal