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
 

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