Registrar: Matthew Fischer
Participants: 13
Weather: Sunny, light winds, 40-55 ºF
Species: 56
A perfect fall morning greeted the group as they embarked on a walking tour of this first section of Freshkills Park to be opened. Sparrow activity began immediately, with a notable number of immature White-Crowned Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows. Near the picnic area, a single Vesper Sparrow appeared, a lifer for many participants.
After an hour or so, the group reached the pond overlook, with a few shorebird species in view and a surprise fly-over White-winged Scoter. Doubling back and taking a side path yielded an adult White-crowned Sparrow of the Gambel’s subspecies, perched cooperatively on the fence. The group also had a brief view of a red fox crossing our path and several butterfly species; sadly, a number of dead snakes were on the path, inadvertently run over by bikers or park vehicles.
Overall, the species variety, the beautiful park and, most especially, Casey’s helpful commentary and explanations, made for a delightful and informative outing.
Species List
Canada Goose
American Black Duck
Green-winged Teal
White-winged Scoter
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Greater Yellowlegs
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Snowy Egret
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
American Pipit
American Goldfinch
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
