Central Park Spring Migration Walk with Ken Chaya, Richard Davis, Alan Drogin, and Kevin Sisco, 5/6/2025

Registrar: Kathleen Howley
Participants: 25
Weather: Overcast, some rain; 58–63° F
Bird Species: 47

On this Tuesday morning, only half the number of birders who registered for the walk showed up at 7:30 am because the weather report indicated rain within an hour. However, as it turned out, it did not really start raining hard until about 10 am, and by that time we had birded our way to the Castle, which afforded us good protection from the downpour.

The rain stopped by 10:30 am, and we resumed our walk, going along the south side of Turtle Pond. Birds were singing away, especially Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Blue, Magnolia, and Common Yellowthroat Warblers. Overall, it was not easy birding, but no one regretted showing up for the walk.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Spotted Sandpiper
American Herring Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
White-eyed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Central Park Family Walk with Eric Ozawa, 5/3/2025

Registrar: Amanda Bielskas           
Participants: 20
Weather: Sunny and warm, high near 80, with a slight breeze
Bird Species: 31

The several families that came for this walk met near the restrooms on the Great Hill at 10:30 am. Eric gave a brief lesson on using binoculars and had us do a field test to test our new skills.

To begin, we focused on a Snowy Egret flying over the Great Hill, using our new binocular skills to spot its yellow feet. We had a couple of warbler species on the hill and observed a pair of courting Brown-headed Cowbirds. We then walked down to the Pool, where a couple more warbler species were spotted, as well as a Swamp Sparrow. We totaled 31 species for the morning and fun was had by all.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Double-crested Cormorant
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Starr Saphir Memorial Spring Migration Walk in Central Park’s North End with Jeffrey Kimball, 5/2/2025

Registrar:  Suzanne Zywicki
Participants: 16
Weather: Calm, partly cloudy, temperatures in the 50s-60s
Bird Species: 37

Our annual spring walk to celebrate the iconic birding guide, Starr Saphir, focused on Central Park’s North End. The group met at the 103rd Street and Central Park West entrance to the park and traveled down to the Pool, where our leader, Jeff Kimball, told the group a bit about Starr and her approach to birding.

Beginning our walk, we quickly spotted a Solitary Sandpiper and a Northern Waterthrush in the mudflats. As we continued around the Pool, we spied a Nashville Warbler moving around in some low foliage. We then moved on to the Loch, where we saw lots of warbler activity, including two of the day’s highlights—a Worm-Eating and a Black-Throated Green Warbler.  We also saw a Black-Throated Blue Warbler, one of Starr’s favorite birds.

The group move on to the newly opened Davis Center to take a quick break and to explore the Harlem Meer. Our route then took us back to the North Woods, where we saw a single Cedar Waxwing—unusual for a bird we are used to seeing in small flocks. As we continued, we were excited to see a single Wood Thrush, but soon after encountered four more!

Finally, we worked our way to the Great Hill, where we were treated to several Baltimore Orioles and a Scarlet Tanager.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Solitary Sandpiper
Great Egret
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
falcon sp.
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal

Birds & Brews: Central Park with Amanda Bielskas and Gillian Henry, 4/30/2025

Registrar: Amanda Bielskas           
Participants: 20
Weather: Sunny and warm, high of 73, with a slight breeze
Bird Species: 33

This was the second Birds & Brews walk of the spring migration season. After starting at 81st
Street and Central Park West,we walked over to the Shakespeare Garden and up to Belvedere Castle, where we had some good looks at several warbler species, including Black-throated Green and Northern Parula. We also had a bonus Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Walking around Turtle Pond, we saw several additional species. At the dock, we had great looks at a Black-throated Blue Warbler, first of the year for many in the group!

Central Park never disappoints, and a great walk was had by all. Afterward,  several of us went to a local restaurant for some snacks and libations.

Species List

Canada Goose 
Mallard 
Mourning Dove 
Chimney Swift 
Double-crested Cormorant 
Great Blue Heron 
Blue Jay 
American Crow 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
Gray Catbird 
American Robin
House Sparrow 
American Goldfinch 
White-throated Sparrow 
Song Sparrow 
Eastern Towhee
Baltimore Oriole 
Red-winged Blackbird 
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle 
Ovenbird 
Black-and-white Warbler 
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler 
Yellow-rumped Warbler 
Black-throated Green Warbler
Northern Cardinal 
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Central Park with Kevin Sisco, Ken Chaya, Richard Davis and Rahil Patel, 4/29/2025

Registrar: Michelle Zorzi
Participants: 61
Weather: 55F-76F and sunny, light breeze
Bird Species: 81

It was a beautiful spring day, and 61 enthusiastic birders gathered at 7:30 a.m., eager to discover what avian delights awaited us. The morning began a bit slowly, with only a couple of warblers spotted in Strawberry Fields. However, things quickly picked up when a cooperative male Scarlet Tanager put on a show on the south side of Turtle Pond, followed by an Indigo Bunting offering great views at the new shelter across from the Weather Station. Although overall numbers of each warbler species were low, the groups collectively saw a total of 20 warbler species—an impressive tally for a single day during migration. Some birders were also fortunate to see the continuing Kentucky Warbler, which had remained for a fifth consecutive day along the west-side wall near 75th Street. All in all, it was a wonderful day, full of the sights and sounds of spring birding!

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Northern House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow 
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrush
Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting

Central Park Spring Migration Walk with Ken Chaya, Richard Davis, Alice Deutsch, Rahil Patel, and Kevin Sisco, 4/22/2025

Registrar: Barrie Raik
Participants: 45
Weather: Cool and overcast early in the day (56 F), but sunny and warm later (69 F)
Bird Species: 74

Our day started cool and overcast with difficult visibility, but as the sky cleared and the temperature rose, more and more birds were seen by four groups of enthusiastic birders. Highlights included 14 warbler species. including Worm-eating and Nashville warblers, as well as a Purple Finch and an Eastern Whip-poor-will. Some hardy members were out for six hours.

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Wild Turkey
Green-winged Teal
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Black-capped Chickad
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Northern House Wren
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrush
Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler

Central Park Spring Migration Walk with Ken Chaya, Richard Davis, Alice Deutsch, Rahil Patel, and Kevin Sisco, 4/15/2025

Registrar: Sally Weiner
Participants: approx. 51
Weather: low 50s to the upper 60s, a mixture of sun and clouds; a few sprinkles early in the walk
Bird Species: 59

Just as the temperature ranged from brisk to springlike, the birds included both winter residents and migrants, both heading north into their breeding territories. Joining them were our year-round residents. A good number of sparrow species were observed, and both kinglets and several warbler species made an appearance.
Birders formed into four groups, with Alice and Rahil co-leading one group. Time spent in the field was up to seven hours.

Species List

Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove 
American Coot
American Woodcock
Ring-billed Gull 
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Green Heron
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Winter Wren
European Starling
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Fox 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

Central Park Spring Migration Walk with Richard Davis, Alice Deutsch, Rahil Patel, and Kevin Sisco, 4/8/2025

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 40
Weather: Cloudy, 37°F at 7:30 am. Clear, 43°F by early afternoon; westerly winds at 7
mph
Bird Species: 64

It felt like a return to winter this morning. Despite the chilly weather, we had a
good turnout, and collectively we saw 64 species of birds, including six
warbler species. We divided into three groups and visited the Ramble, Turtle Pond,
and the Reservoir, where many winter ducks remain. Highlights of the day were a
Bald Eagle soaring above Central Park, a Green Heron on the shore of the Lake,
several Louisiana Waterthrushes in the Ramble, an early Blue-headed Vireo at the
Turtle Pond dock, and a first-of-season Black-and-White Warbler near Evodia Field,
and a Northern Flicker.

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck 
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall 
Mallard 
American Black Duck
Bufflehead 
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck 
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 
Mourning Dove 
American Coot 
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant 
Green Heron 
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo 
Blue Jay
American Crow 
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
European Starling
Hermit Thrush 
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch 
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Louisiana Waterthrush
Black-and-White Warbler
Northern Parula
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal