Category: Field Trip Reports

Registrar: Matthew Fischer
Participants: 9
Weather: Scattered clouds; temperature ~74°F;  gentle NE breeze; humidity 48-49%
Bird Species: 61 

The parks in the Jamaica Bay watershed surrounding JFK airport, collectively known as Baisleywild, named after farmer David Baisley who owned the land in the 19th century, are some of the most underrated and undiscovered birding spots in all of New York City. In order to tap into this potential, the Linnaean Society reached out to local Queens birding expert Joe Schiavone to create this brand-new trip.

We started off at Baisley Pond and were immediately treated to a Peregrine Falcon, later seen perched and apparently content, chasing Laughing Gulls over the lake. The waterfowl we spotted included Wood Ducks and an American Coot, but unfortunately we did not see the Common Gallinule that had been reported at the park recently. We circumnavigated the park and saw numerous warblers, including a Blackburnian and a Wilson’s. We had great views of some noisy Monk Parakeets attending to their nest, and at the end of the loop were treated to a Philadelphia Vireo.

Our next stop was Roy Wilkins, an active park with community gardens where we were treated to a Cooper’s Hawk, two American Kestrels, and a pair of Ravens. A quick peek into the Bluebelt Stormwater Management Facility gave us wonderfully close-up views of a very cooperative juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron.

After having lunch in the park, we circumnavigated Springfield Lake and had good views of a Belted Kingfisher. We ended the day at unkempt Idlewild Park, where we saw some late Snowy Egrets and another American Kestrel, who posed for us. Everyone on the trip came away with great memories and a much deeper understanding of the parks in the Jamaica Bay watershed.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Mallard
American Black Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
American Coot
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Monk Parakeet
Eastern Phoebe
Philadelphia Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Our walk started out slowly, with little bird activity in Strawberry Fields. However, things quickly picked up when we spotted a beautiful Prairie Warbler and Northern Parula giving us great looks in Shakespeare Garden. Our good luck continued when a perched Common Nighthawk was reported near the Polish King statue. We quickly made our way over there and were thrilled to get a good view of this rarity.

Shortly thereafter, we noticed a Hairy Woodpecker on a bare branch of a tall tree a little further west, on the south side of Turtle Pond, and were shocked to find a second Common Nighthawk perched in clear view on the same branch.

Next, our group entered Maintenance Field, where we were delighted to find a White-eyed Vireo and three Brown Thrashers. In the same area, a Philadelphia Vireo also delighted many birders later in the morning. Thank you to Kevin and Ken for leading a great walk, and to all of the enthusiastic participants!

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Common Nighthawk
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Solitary Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Blue Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Canada Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Registrar: Amanda Bielskas          
Participants: 14
Weather: Sunny and warm, high of 77, with a slight breeze
Bird Species: 52

The group walked over four miles through Prospect Park and got great views of many fall migrants. Our species count was 52, including over 10 species of warbler. We also had a flyover of Ravens that was flagged by eBird.

The different water bodies in the park led us to some great birds, including two species of Teal and good looks at a Green Heron. Prospect Park is almost always a good spot for Wood Ducks; we found several and had a few early Northern Shovelers as well. A good day for ducks!  Prospect Park never disappoints.

Thanks to our leader, Tom, for a great walk—as always!

Species Lists

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck 
Blue-winged Teal 
Northern Shoveler 
Mallard 
Green-winged Teal 
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift 
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Double-crested Cormorant 
Green Heron
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Phoebe
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Northern House Wren
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush 
American Robin 
House Sparrow 
American Goldfinch
Baltimore Oriole
Common Grackle
Northern Waterthrush 
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Registrar: Gillian Henry
Participants: 15 participants
Weather: 68 ℉, clear and sunny with mild northern winds.
Bird Species: 47 species

On a beautiful September morning, we met our guide, Rob Jett, at 8 am and embarked on a pleasant walk through historic Green-Wood Cemetery in search of fall migrants. Although the day was relatively quiet, we still spotted ten early fall warbler species. Highlights included excellent views of a Broad-winged Hawk and a Red-tailed Hawk in flight, as well as the unmistakable sight and sound of the famous Monk Parakeets tending to their large, colonial stick nest above the main entrance to the cemetery. In total, we observed 47 species, making for a delightful day of fall birding!

Species Lists

Canada Goose  36
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  28
Mourning Dove  17
Chimney Swift  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3
Green Heron  1
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  8
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
Monk Parakeet  20
Willow Flycatcher  1
Empidonax sp.  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Red-eyed Vireo  10
Blue Jay  18
American Crow  5
Northern House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  2
European Starling  25
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  12
Veery  2
Gray-cheeked Thrush  1
Swainson’s Thrush  1
American Robin  18
House Sparrow  15
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  1
Chipping Sparrow  6
Song Sparrow  2
Baltimore Oriole  1
Common Grackle  2
Ovenbird  1
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  6
American Redstart  4
Northern Parula  1
Magnolia Warbler  2
Yellow Warbler  2
Blackpoll Warbler  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Palm Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  7

Registrar: Richard Davis
Participants: 45
Weather: 62–75 F and sunny, northwest wind 5–7 mph
Bird Species: 45

It was a perfect fall day to slow down and look for migrating birds, including the warblers that hid themselves high in the canopy behind clumps of leaves, making us work hard to identify them. The jewelweed was thriving, attracting Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks that gave us generous views as they buzzed and tumbled through the yellow-orange flowers. An Eastern Wood-Pewee perched almost within arms’ length, and was not shy about hawking insects among the onlookers.

One group of participants lingered for more than an hour and finally got excellent eye-level looks at a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a lifer for a few new birders, only to find another at Evodia later. A second group was even luckier, spotting up to four Yellow-billed Cuckoos and a Red-Headed Woodpecker.

Species Lists

Birds
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Herring Gull
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great Crested Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Butterflies
Cabbage White

We met at Van Cortlandt Park for our mushroom exploration walk. Our leader, Paul Sadowski, is an instructor in mycology and a longtime member of the New York Mycological Society. After he gave us a quick overview on how to use a hand lens—even lending lenses to those that needed them—we jumped right in to begin our exploration of the Park.

Paul guided us through a few different habitats where we searched for fungi, including mushrooms. We stopped at a couple of really productive tree stumps that hosted several fungi species, and located other species along the way. Paul generously shared his knowledge of mushrooms and other fungi, and all who attended learned something new, with many discovering species we hadn’t seen before.

Species List

Mushrooms and Fungi
Crust Fungi
Cyphelloid fungi
Ganoderma sessile
King Alfred’s Cakes
Luminescent Panellus
Oak Bracket and Artist’s Bracket
Shelf Fungi
Slime Mold, Myxomycetes
Turkey Tail
Violet-toothed Polypore

Birds
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
Common Grackle
Northern Cardinal

Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel

Registrar: Evelyn Huang
Participants: 35
Weather: 65–74F and partly cloudy, light breeze
Bird Species: 63

It was a beautiful fall day for our first weekly Tuesday walk in Central Park. We started in Strawberry Fields, where we spotted birds of many species, including woodpeckers, flycatchers, and thrushes. The group was especially thrilled to see many warblers – Blackburnian, Tennessee, Cape May, and Nashville – all feeding in close proximity together with at least two Scarlet Tanagers. We continued on to The Ramble, where there were fewer birds, but we added species slowly and enjoyed our walk late into the morning, with most of us not leaving until early afternoon.
 
Species List

Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Empidonax sp.
Great Crested Flycatcher
Philadelphia Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Baltimore Oriole
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Registrar: Amanda Bielskas          
Participants: 26
Weather: Sunny and warm, with high of 87, low of 72, 50% humidity and a slight breeze
Bird Species: 74

Even before the walk officially began, a couple of early arriving birders saw a few warblers and a Black-crowned Night-heron behind the visitors’ center. After the rest of the group arrived at 8 am, everyone began birding in the gardens, staying for quite some time, since the tides would be more favorable later in the morning and the garden was quite birdy. We had great looks at many warbler species and heard a Mourning Warbler, its ID confirmed when a couple of folks got a quick glance at it. Other species seen by most of of the group included several flycatchers and woodpeckers. A pit stop at the visitors’ center to gear up for the next part of the walk produced a flyover Purple Martin.

We then headed to the south end of the East Pond. Highlights seen there included many shorebirds: Red-necked Phalarope, Lesser Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Stilt Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper. Also seen were Bonaparte’s Gull, Black Skimmer, several Caspian Terns, and many duck species as well. We thought we might have a Baird’s Sandpiper, but after examining pictures and conferring with the e-bird reviewer, we decided that we didn’t have enough evidence to confirm our sighting and blamed the mirage bird on the heat and the long day.

The group birded for quite a distance along the shore of the East Pond, with some folks departing a bit early to head home, refill water bottles, or take a break. The rest of the group headed back to the visitors’ center for a well-deserved break, and the trip concluded around 3:00 pm.

Species Lists

Birds
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Ruddy Duck 
Chimney Swift
American Oystercatcher
Killdeer
Semipalmated Plover
Short-billed Dowitcher
Red-necked Phalarope
Lesser Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone
Stilt Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper 
Pectoral Sandpiper 
Western Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Bonaparte’s Gull 
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull (American)
Great Black-backed Gull 
Black Skimmer
Caspian Tern 
Forster’s Tern
Common Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron 
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Glossy Ibis
Osprey
Downy Woodpecker 
Northern Flicker 
Peregrine Falcon 
Willow Flycatcher 
Least Flycatcher 
Great Crested Flycatcher 
Eastern Kingbird 
Blue Jay 
Tree Swallow 
Purple Martin  
Barn Swallow 
Red-breasted Nuthatch 
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird 
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing 
American Goldfinch 
Red-winged Blackbird 
Common Grackle 
Northern Waterthrush 
Black-and-white Warbler 
Mourning Warbler 
Common Yellowthroat 
American Redstart 
Cape May Warbler
Magnolia Warbler 
Yellow Warbler 
Yellow-rumped Warbler 
Northern Cardinal

Butterflies
Cabbage White
Orange Sulphur
Cloudless Sulphur
Summer Azure
American Lady
Monarch
Zabulon Skipper
Silver-spotted Skipper

Odonates
Wantering Glider
Blue Dasher
Black Saddlebags-multiple, too many to count.

Mammals
Eastern Chipmunk
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Muskrat

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 17
Weather: Low to high 70s F, clear skies, NNE winds at 5-10 mph
Bird Species: 43

It was a perfect day for birding on the mudflats at Cupsogue County Park in Suffolk County—clear skies, cool breezes, and an expert leader, Eileen Schwinn. We started walking out to the mudflats at 8:30, about two hours before low tide, encountering several species of passerines, including warblers, in the pine trees along the road. Just before reaching the campground, we turned toward the bay and saw that the sandbars and shoreline were loaded with gulls, terns, and shorebirds. We saw all five expected species of gulls, as well as four species of terns, including nineteen Royal Terns. Eleven species of shorebirds were observed, as well as many Great and Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Herons, and Black Skimmers. It was a real treat to see two Seaside Sparrows and a Saltmarsh Sparrow in the marsh, as well as a Clapper Rail. When the tide started to come in, we started walking back to the parking lot and enjoyed lunch together before returning to the city.

On the way home, part of the group stopped at Heckscher State Park, Field 7, where we saw a Stilt Sandpiper in a parking lot puddle.

Species List

Clapper Rail
American Oystercatcher
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Short-billed Dowitcher
Willet (Western)
Greater Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Dunlin
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Black Skimmer
Least Tern
Forster’s Tern
Common Tern
Royal Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Glossy Ibis
Osprey
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Kingbird
Tree Swallow
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Goldfinch
Seaside Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Boat-tailed Grackle
Prairie Warbler
Northern Cardinal