Registrar: Richard Davis
Participants: 11
Weather: 64-71 F and partly sunny with periods of overcast. NNE wind 6 mph, gusts to 14 mph.
Bird Species: 49
Eleven bird photographers gathered on the steps of the Brooklyn Library to share their goals and challenges with Tom Stephenson. One of the most common concerns was difficulty obtaining sharply focused images. Tom suggested trying back-button focus and increasing shutter speed, while also discussing how aperture and ISO factor into image quality.
Our first photo opportunity upon entering the park was a Northern Cardinal posed on the ground among Siberian squill (Scilla siberica). We bypassed the Vale of Cashmere—normally an excellent spot for early migrating warblers—as it is currently under reconstruction (or “destruction,” as Tom put it). He has been actively advocating for preserving natural wildlife features and soft edges in the redesign.
We continued to the Midwood and Ravine, lingering in this old-growth forest where Tom pointed out a Cooper’s Hawk nest. The female was on the nest while the male fed nearby. Soon, the female joined him; he passed her the prey, and they briefly copulated. Not far from there, Tom identified a territory where Acadian Flycatchers are known to nest later in the season. Singing Pine and Palm Warblers gave us a chance to compare their vocalizations, and Tom shared detailed insights into the calls and songs of these and other species we encountered.
We eventually made our way to the Lake, circling the Peninsula and continuing along the paths through the Lullwater, where we observed many warblers. Our final species was a Rusty Blackbird sifting through leaf litter near the boathouse. It offered a good opportunity to see the species in spring plumage. As Tom pointed out the fall coloration wears off by the spring. It also presented a photographic challenge: a dark bird against a dark, unflattering background with limited shooting angles.
We walked over two and a half miles until nearly 3 p.m., barely noticing how the day went so quickly. It was especially gratifying to hear participants grow excited about the quality of their photos, already seeing noticeable improvement.
Species Lists
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Mallard
American Black Duck
Ring-necked Duck
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
crow sp.
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Northern Cardinal
