Category: Rare Bird Alerts

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Apr. 21, 2023
* NYNY2304.21

– Birds Mentioned

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE+
PAINTED BUNTING+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Eastern Whip-poor-will
Ruby-throated Hummingbird,
Sora
WHIMBREL
Short-billed Dowitcher
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
BLACK-HEADED GULL
GULL-BILLED TERN
CASPIAN TERN
Tricolored Heron
CATTLE EGRET
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Red-eyed Vireo
Wood Thrush
EVENING GROSBEAK
RED CROSSBILL
Vesper Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Yellow Warbler
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
BLUE GROSBEAK

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070
Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber:  Gail Benson

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, April 21, 2023 at 11:00 p.m.

The highlights of today’s tape are SWALLOW-TAILED KITE, PAINTED BUNTING, BLACK-HEADED GULL, GULL-BILLED and CASPIAN TERNS, WHIMBREL, CATTLE EGRET, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, EVENING and BLUE GROSBEAKS, PROTHONOTARY and YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS, RED CROSSBILLS and spring migrants.

This morning one of the world’s great birds appeared over Brooklyn and, for a change, was enjoyed by several observers, not just a single lucky individual, when a SWALLOW-TAILED KITE was spotted and nicely photographed as it soared over both Prospect Park and nearby Green-Wood Cemetery before disappearing.

In Central Park last Tuesday a female-type PAINTED BUNTING was found up in the north end around the Loch and has continued there through today, though often hard to find as it forages in treetop blossoms.  A male EVENING GROSBEAK has also been in that same area.

A BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen again last Saturday at the Bellport Yacht Club, a GULL-BILLED TERN was spotted last Sunday at Jones Beach West End, and a CASPIAN TERN visited Croton Point in Westchester yesterday.

Arrivals among the shorebirds have featured a WHIMBREL noted moving east over Captree Island today, plus SPOTTED and SOLITARY SANDPIPERS and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER.

A CATTLE EGRET flew east over Southards Pond Park in Babylon last Saturday, and a couple of TRICOLORED HERONS have appeared in coastal marshes around Captree.

The Marine Park RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, now in nice color, continues in Brooklyn near the Stuart Street and Avenue T intersection, and a SORA was photographed recently in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens.

Two PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS were found Tuesday, with both still present today – one has been in Prospect Park, moving about a bit, while the other at Frank Melville Memorial Park by the Mill Pond in Setauket has stayed around the crabapples near the Post Office.

An influx of YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS, besides the ones at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum, include singles found at Hempstead Lake State Park Saturday to Monday, at Willowbrook Lake on Staten Island Saturday, in Green-Wood Cemetery Monday to Friday, and in Prospect Park Thursday.

Besides in Central Park, a male EVENING GROSBEAK has also been present in Prospect Park since Wednesday.

A few RED CROSSBILLS, besides around the Paumanok Trail in Manorville, were also noted in Suffolk County early in the week at Connetquot River State Park, Manorville Hills County Park, Hunters Garden in Eastport and the Quogue Wildlife Refuge.

A VESPER SPARROW occurred in Central Park last Saturday, with one also in St. Johns Cemetery in Queens Sunday, and a BLUE GROSBEAK visited Hempstead Lake State Park Monday, with another at Green-Wood Cemetery today.

Other recent arrivals have included EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL, RUBY-THROATED HJMMINGBIRD, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, SPOTTED and SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, EASTERN KINGBIRD, RED-EYED VIREO, WOOD THRUSH, LINCOLN’S SPARROW, ORCHARD and BALTIMORE ORIOLES, SCARLET TANAGER and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, as well as such WARBLERS as OVENBIRD, WORM-EATING, NASHVILLE, AMERICAN REDSTART, CAPE MAY, YELLOW, PRAIRIE and BLACK-THROATED GREEN, with many more to come. A few ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS are also still around.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society.  Thank you for calling.

– End transcript
   

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Apr. 14, 2023
* NYNY2304.14 

– Birds Mentioned 

MOTTLED DUCK+
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE+
SWAINSON’S HAWK+
SMITH’S LONGSPUR+
WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Red-necked Grebe
Long-billed Dowitcher
Willet
Iceland Gull
American Bittern
LEAST BITTERN
GOLDEN EAGLE
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
Yellow-throated Vireo
Purple Finch
RED CROSSBILL
Pine Siskin
Vesper Sparrow
Seaside Sparrow
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD
Northern Waterthrush
Orange-crowned Warbler
Hooded Warbler
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to 
nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070
Compiler: Tom Burke 
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber:  Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, April 14, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.  

The highlights of today’s tape are SMITH’S LONGSPUR, MOTTLED DUCK, WESTERN TANAGER, YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, reports of SWALLOW-TAILED KITE and SWAINSON’S HAWK, GOLDEN EAGLE, LEAST BITTERN, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, RED CROSSBILL, YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER and more.

This Friday morning a nicely plumaged SMITH’S LONGSPUR, likely a first-year male, was found on the northwestern ballfields at Randall’s Island Park.  The bird moved around the area for a while, seemingly skittish in the heat, but shortly after noon flew off towards the Bronx Kill and could not be relocated thereafter.

The drake MOTTLED DUCK was still present late Friday afternoon on Avon Lake in Amityville, where it is often seen towards the south end of the lake, best viewed from East Lake Drive since it at times is concealed in vegetation on the lake’s west side.  

A WESTERN TANAGER visiting a private Brooklyn feeder for a short while was last noted on Tuesday, and last Friday’s female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was seen at Croton Point Park again briefly in flight Monday morning but not thereafter. 

Two interesting raptor reports this week, both from Wednesday, mentioned a SWALLOW-TAILED KITE flying over Sayville on Long Island and an adult light-phase SWAINSON’S HAWK on Staten Island heading northeast over Eltingville a little southwest of Great Kills Park.  The KITE follows a Dutchess County report from late last week.

An immature GOLDEN EAGLE was photographed Monday over the Paumanok Trail near Jones Pond off Schultz Road in Manorville, this location also still hosting up to seven RED CROSSBILLS recently.

A LEAST BITTERN was spotted at City Island in the Bronx last Saturday, and an AMERICAN BITTERN visited Central Park’s Ramble today.

An immature ICELAND GULL was still present at West Harlem Piers Park in northern Manhattan last Sunday, and two LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS  continued visiting the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge at least to Tuesday, while a RED-NECKED GREBE was noted out on Gardiner’s Bay yesterday.

The Marine Park RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was still present in Brooklyn yesterday, continuing near the intersection of Stuart Street and Avenue T. 

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER continues at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River, where they do nest and should not be harassed at all, and another was spotted in Prospect Park yesterday.

Single VESPER SPARROWS were present in Central Park Tuesday and on Randall’s Island today, and several overwintering ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS continue locally.|

Among more recent arrivals into our region have been WILLET, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, SEASIDE SPARROW, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, and a male HOODED WARBLER in Central Park from Monday.  Also moving through as they head back north have been some PURPLE FINCHES and a few PINE SISKINS.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society.  Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Apr. 7, 2023
* NYNY2304.07

– Birds mentioned
MOTTLED DUCK+
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL+
WESTERN MEADOWLARK+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Chimney Swift
Least Sandpiper
Lesser Yellowlegs
Razorbill
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
CASPIAN TERN
Forster’s Tern
Northern Gannet
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Green Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Glossy Ibis
Broad-winged Hawk
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
White-eyed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Bank Swallow
House Wren
Purple Finch
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
LARK SPARROW
FOX SPARROW (“Sooty” type)
Vesper Sparrow
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD
Boat-tailed Grackle
Black-and-white Warbler
Northern Parula
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, April 7th 2023 at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are an apparent GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, MOTTLED DUCK, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, “SOOTY” FOX SPARROW, YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, BLACK-HEADED GULL, CASPIAN TERN, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, LARK SPARROW, YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, spring migrants and more.

An interesting gull was photographed last Friday afternoon March 31st in the parking lot at Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park and over last weekend was analyzed by several birders who came to the conclusion that this was an immature GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL. Unfortunately once this information was circulated subsequent searches were unsuccessful in refinding this gull. If accepted by NYSARC this would be a first NYS record.

The drake MOTTLED DUCK continues in Amityville where it is usually seen around the southern end of Avon Lake often hiding in shrubbery along the west side and thus best viewed from East Lake Drive.

The apparent WESTERN MEADOWLARK was still present yesterday at Brooklyn’s Bush Terminal Piers Park. Look for it around the […] vacant lot on the left as you walk into the park where it does perch in trees before flying over to the shoreline vegetation along the cove on the right side of the walkway.

The SOOTY-type FOX SPARROW was last reported on Monday in Brooklyn Bridge Park where it’s seen usually in the denser vegetation around the southwest corner of the Pier 3 lawn.

Today at Croton Point Park up in Westchester a female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was spotted feeding with other birds on the eastern side of the landfill as you enter the park but could not be relocated later among hundreds of icterids gathering there. However, there were also one or two male LAPLAND LONGSPURS in decent plumage circulating around the landfill area.

A BLACK-HEADED GULL was photographed yesterday at the Bellport Bay Yacht Club and late ICELAND GULLS were spotted in northern Manhattan Saturday, Queens on Sunday and in the Bronx Wednesday.

Single CASPIAN TERNS appeared at Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Wednesday and at Alley Pond Park Thursday. Recently NORTHERN GANNETS have been present in high numbers off Long Island’s south shore some also visiting western Long Island Sound where a RAZORBILL was seen off Rye last Saturday and visiting Marshlands Conservancy yesterday and today have been a BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE and 5 GLOSSY IBIS.

The previously noted LARK and VESPER SPARROWS at Pelham Bay Park were seen together there on Monday but not since.

The RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was still at Marine Park in Brooklyn last Sunday near the intersection of Stewart Street and Avenue T.

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS were back at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River as of Tuesday with another on Shelter Island today.

Among an increasing number of new arrivals this week have been CHIMNEY SWIFT, LEAST SANDPIPER, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, FORSTER’S TERN, LITTLE BLUE, TRICOLORED and GREEN HERONS, YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON and BROAD-WINGED HAWK. Among the passerines BLUE-HEADED and WHITE-EYED VIREOS, BANK SWALLOW, HOUSE WREN, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER and NORTHERN PARULA plus some PURPLE FINCHES.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

 RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Mar. 31, 2023
* NYNY2303.31

– Birds mentioned
MOTTLED DUCK+
SWAINSON’S HAWK+
WESTERN MEADOWLARK+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

HARLEQUIN DUCK
ICELAND GULL
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Caspian Tern
Northern Gannet
American Bittern
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Marsh Wren
Brown Thrasher
FOX SPARROW (“Sooty” subspecies)
Louisiana Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrush
Orange-crowned Warbler

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, March 31st 2023 at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are MOTTLED DUCK, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, SWAINSON’S HAWK, “SOOTY” FOX SPARROW, HARLEQUIN DUCK, ICELAND GULL, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, early spring migrants and more.

As the March doldrums slowly show more signs of coming to an end with new migrants trickling in, some lingering rarities continue to provide most of our highlights.

A drake MOTTLED DUCK continues in Amityville where it is usually seen around the southern end of Avon Lake best viewed from East Lake Drive.

In Brooklyn the apparent WESTERN MEADOWLARK has been reported through today at Bush Terminal Piers Park. The parking lot for the park is reached at the end of 43rd Street west of 1st Avenue. The MEADOWLARK often remains hidden in the fenced in vacant lot on the left side of the walkway as you enter the park but does perch in surrounding trees and flies over to the shoreline vegetation along the cove on the right side of the walkway. Please do not try to enter the vacant lot or leave the path along the shoreline.

The immature SWAINSON’S HAWK that had been frequenting the Sims Waste Recovery Plant a little north of the MEADOWLARK site has not been reported since last Sunday but could still be around. Look for it around the buildings, light fixtures and scrap piles inside the fenced-in facility at the end of 29th Street just west of 2nd Avenue.

The “Sooty” type FOX SPARROW was still present today in Brooklyn Bridge Park, usually spotted in the denser vegetation around the southwest corner of the Pier 3 lawn.

With much of our wintering waterfowl on its way north there still were 5 HARLEQUIN DUCKS along the jetty at Jones Beach West End on Monday.

NORTHERN GANNETS are also moving through and nice gatherings have been seen along Long Island’s south shore and also up in Gardiners Bay with a small number even making it well into western Long Island Sound.

An adult ICELAND GULL noted Monday off the Austin Nichols House in Brooklyn was followed by an immature off Governors Island Tuesday while the low numbers of LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS regionally should soon see a notable influx along the coast.

An AMERICAN BITTERN was present around Duck Island at Prospect Park Lake today and the immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues in Brooklyn’s Marine Park near the intersection of Stewart Street and Avenue T.

Among a few overwintering ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS are two still at Randall’s Island Sunday and the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was still present at Brooklyn Bridge Park Tuesday.

For arrivals CASPIAN TERN was present along the Hudson River this week while passerines featured PURPLE MARTIN, BARN and CLIFF SWALLOWS, MARSH WREN, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, BROWN THRASHER and the first LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH found on Wednesday at Bayard Cutting Arboretum.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

+-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Mar. 24, 2023
* NYNY2303.24

– Birds Mentioned

MOTTLED DUCK+
SWAINSON’S HAWK+
WESTERN MEADOWLARK+

(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Mallard
EARED GREBE
Pectoral Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
LARK SPARROW
“SOOTY” FOX SPARROW
VESPER SPARROW
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
SUMMER TANAGER

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, March 24 at 11:00 p.m.

The highlights of today’s tape are MOTTLED DUCK, SWAINSON’S HAWK, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, “SOOTY” FOX SPARROW, EARED GREBE, BLACK-HEADED GULL, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, LARK and VESPER SPARROWS, SUMMER TANAGERand more.

The MOTTLED DUCK in Amityville was still being reported today on Avon Lake, where it is usually at the south end of the lake in company with a female MALLARD. It is best viewed from East Lake Drive, though the duck is at times hidden by the vegetation lining the west side of the lake or sometimes even does fly further downstream. Please remember this is a private residential community.

In Brooklyn the immature SWAINSON’S HAWK was present at least to Wednesday around the Sims Waste Recovery Plant located at the end of 29th Street just west of 2nd Avenue. Look for it around the buildings and light structures inside the chain link fence as well as on the surrounding scrap piles.

And just south of there the apparent WESTERN MEADOWLARK continues, seen today at Bush Terminal Piers Park, the parking lot for which is reached at the end of 43rd Street west of 1st Avenue. The MEADOWLARK favors a grubby, fenced-in vacant lot on the left as you walk into the park but also flies out to the shoreline vegetation along the cove near the path. Also watch for it perching in trees.

Also in Brooklyn, a “SOOTY”-type FOX SPARROW was found Thursday at Brooklyn Bridge Park, the location described as “the southwest corner of the Pier 3 meadow.” This current subspecies of FOX SPARROW, a second record for New York following one in Central Park in May 2010, is a candidate for elevation to full species status, a caveat being that there are other similar western forms of FOX SPARROW requiring careful differentiation.

The EARED GREBE at Shirley Chisholm State Park was still present last Sunday in Hendrix Creek, usually off Hendrix Street trail out near Penn Pier.

An adult BLACK-HEADED GULL continues to fly by Randall’s Island, including today, as it heads down the East River very early in the morning.

An ICELAND GULL visited Breezy Point last weekend, and another has been present in the vicinity of Brooklyn Terminal Piers Park through today.

Four LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were still around the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge last weekend, and one or two continued at Smith Pond in Rockville Centre through today.

A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER remains in Brooklyn’s Marine Park, usually in the vicinity of Stuart Street and Avenue T.

Late last Sunday afternoon a LARK SPARROW and a VESPER SPARROW were found together on a grassy stretch adjacent to I-95 near Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx; both birds also visited that site early on Monday and Tuesday mornings but quickly moved off each day and haven’t been seen since.

A SUMMER TANAGER continues at private feeders in Islip.

Among increasing numbers of some early migrants were five PECTORAL SANDPIPERS showing up at Heckscher State Park on Tuesday, while among the WARBLERS, a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT arrived along with more PINES and PALMS, and ORANGE-CROWNEDS continued at six or more local sites. 

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Mar. 17, 2023
* NYNY2303.17

– Birds Mentioned

MOTTLED DUCK+
SWAINSON’S HAWK+
WESTERN MEADOWLARK+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

EURASIAN WIGEON
EARED GREBE
Long-billed Dowitcher
Black-legged Kittiwake
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
American Bittern
Great Egret
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
RED CROSSBILL
SUMMER TANAGER

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found athttp://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, March 17 at 11:00 p.m.

The highlights of today’s tape are MOTTLED DUCK, SWAINSON’S HAWK, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, EARED GREBE, EURASIAN WIGEON, BLACK-HEADED GULL, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, RED CROSSBILL, SUMMER TANAGER and more. 

But first, another week with very sad news as our birding community has lost one of its most enthusiastic members, Arie Gilbert, to lung cancer. Arie’s active involvement regionally, including as an organizer and moderator for the Long Island birdfinders app, will unquestionably be missed. Funeral arrangements have been posted on the aba.org birding news for New York.

On the birding front, the drake MOTTLED DUCK has returned, spotted Wednesday afternoon on Avon Lake in Amityville, just a short distance west from the Ketchum Creek location where it was initially discovered back in April 2022. Look for the duck on Avon Lake from either East Lake Drive or West Lake Drive, but please remember this is a private residential neighborhood and act accordingly. As a note, the duck late this afternoon did fly a ways south but was relocated south of Route 27A on Amityville Creek as viewed from Riverside Avenue, also a private residential area.

In Brooklyn the immature SWAINSON’S HAWK remains around the Sims Waste Recovery Plant located at the end of 29th Street, west of 2nd Avenue, where it can often be found around the buildings and light structures as well as scrap piles in that vicinity.

And a little south of there the apparent WESTERN MEADOWLARK continues at Bush Terminal Piers Park, where the bird often remains hidden either in the vacant lot on the left as you walk into the park or along the shoreline, though it will periodically fly up into the bare trees for nice views. A female EURASIAN WIGEON was also reported at Bush Terminal Piers Park to last Sunday.

The EARED GREBE at Shirley Chisholm State Park was being seen through today in Hendrix Creek, usually off Hendrix Street (a walking path) out near Penn Pier.

Last Saturday an adult BLACK-HEADED GULL was spotted at Coney Island Creek, and a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE plus an ICELAND GULL were reportedoff Montauk Point, with another ICELAND GULL Sunday at Conference House Park on Staten Island.

Four LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were seen during the week along the edge of the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, with another one or two still present last weekend at Smith Pond in Rockville Centre.

Also lingering, an AMERICAN BITTERN was still along Dune Road in Quogue last Sunday, and the immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues in Marine Park in Brooklyn, often in the Stuart Street and Avenue T area.

About five RED CROSSBILLS were still along the Paumanok Trail near Jones Pond last Sunday, this area off Schultz Road in Manorville, and, as a note of interest, an overwintering SUMMER TANAGER was still visiting a private Islip feeder Thursday.

GREAT EGRETS and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS are now among the slowly increasing number of seasonal migrants moving into our area, replacing the large numbers of waterfowl heading north.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Mar. 10, 2023
* NYNY2303.10

– Birds mentioned
TRUMPETER SWAN+
SWAINSON’S HAWK+
WESTERN MEADOWLARK+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
HARLEQUIN DUCK
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
EARED GREBE
Virginia Rail
American Oystercatcher
Piping Plover
Long-billed Dowitcher
Razorbill
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
Eastern Phoebe
Tree Swallow
House Wren
RED CROSSBILL
Chipping Sparrow
Northern Waterthrush
Orange-crowned Warbler

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, March 10th 2023 at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are SWAINSON’S HAWK, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, EARED GREBE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, TRUMPETER SWAN, BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, HARLEQUIN DUCK, BLACK-HEADED GULL, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, RED CROSSBILL and more.

Both of Brooklyn’s recently residing major highlights were still present today. The immature SWAINSON’S HAWK remains around the waste recovery plant located at 29th Street west of 2nd Avenue. Look for it around the buildings and light structures as well as garbage piles in that vicinity and a little south of there the apparent WESTERN MEADOWLARK continues at Bush Terminal Piers Park where the bird can be quite elusive moving about between the shoreline and a vacant lot and other spots providing sufficient cover.

The EARED GREBE was still around the mouth of Hendrick’s Creek at the north end of Jamaica Bay at least to Sunday. This favored area near the pier at the southeastern corner of Shirley Chisholm State Park. Two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were present Thursday and today in Brightwaters visiting Lower Cascade Lake as viewed from Lakeview Avenue North while the one in the Rye area was last seen last Saturday. The TRUMPETER SWAN in Montauk was still in residence on the northwestern section of Fort Pond last Sunday and also continuing have been the drake BARROW’S GOLDENEYE at Crab Meadow Beach in Northport at least to Tuesday and a few HARLEQUIN DUCKS along the jetty at Jones Beach West End to yesterday.

A BLACK-HEADED GULL was still around Setauket Harbor on Tuesday and single ICELAND GULLS were seen at Randall’s Island and Breezy Point last Saturday and Wolfe’s Pond Park on Staten Island Tuesday and on Central Park Reservoir today.

Two LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were present on the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge at least to Monday and another was still around yesterday on Smith Pond in Rockville Centre.

This week one or two RAZORBILLS were noted off Governors Island and off Breezy Point, in Gravesend Bay, off Staten Island’s Lemon Creek Pier and off City Island in the Bronx as well as out in Montauk.

The immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continued in Brooklyn’s Marine Park to yesterday often in the vicinity of Stewart Street and Avenue T.

RED CROSSBILLS remain in the Calverton area with 3 near Preston’s Pond on Tuesday and another flew over Lemon Creek Pier yesterday.

Besides some lingering ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS also apparently successfully over wintering so far has been the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH at Brooklyn Bridge Park and among various species showing up recently have been VIRGINIA RAIL, PIPING PLOVER, AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, EASTERN PHOEBE, TREE SWALLOW, HOUSE WREN and CHIPPING SPARROW.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Mar. 3, 2023
* NYNY2303.03

– Birds mentioned
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE+
TRUMPETER SWAN+
SWAINSON’S HAWK+
WESTERN MEADOWLARK+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
EURASIAN WIGEON
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian form “Common Teal”) 
KING EIDER
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
Red-necked Grebe
EARED GREBE
Long-billed Dowitcher
DOVEKIE
Razorbill
Black-legged Kittiwake
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
Common Redpoll
RED CROSSBILL
SUMMER TANAGER

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, March 3rd 2023 at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are SWAINSON’S HAWK, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, EARED GREBE, PINK-FOOTED and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, EURASIAN WIGEON, BARROW’S GOLDENEYE and KING EIDER, DOVEKIE, BLACK-HEADED GULL, RED CROSSBILL, SUMMER TANAGER and more.

But first, another very sad announcement. Cesar Castillo very recently passed away much too soon due to a long ailment. Cesar was an excellent birder and photographer and was always a highlight to encounter him in the field. Our deepest condolences to his wife and family.

Two top highlight birds are currently residing in Brooklyn. An immature SWAINSON’S HAWK, conceivably the bird first sighted on Staten Island back on January 8th, was last Sunday spotted over Green-wood Cemetery and subsequently refound frequenting the shoreline a little west of there. Most recently, including today, it has been seen sitting on garbage piles, light structures and buildings at the municipal recycling center located at 29th Street west of 2nd Avenue. If not visible there look at similar structures just south of there. Also, a little farther south of there, a non-breeding plumaged MEADOWLARK thought to be a WESTERN based on plumage analysis has been present at Bush Terminal Piers Park actually since December. This bird has not been heard to vocalize which could pin down this identification. Look for it around the field areas or along the shoreline but try not to disturb it.

The EARED GREBE was still frequenting Hendrick’s Creek off the southeastern side of Shirley Chisholm State Park last weekend. The PINK-FOOTED GOOSE continued with Canada Geese at the north end of Hempstead Lake State Park at least to Tuesday and the GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was still roosting on the pond off Bowman Avenue in Rye Brook Monday when the TRUMPETER SWAN was also still present around the northwestern corner of Fort Pond in Montauk. EURASIAN WIGEON included a drake on the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge last Saturday, a female at Bush Terminal Piers Park yesterday and 2 males along Long Creek north of Grand Avenue Bridge in Mattituck today. The Eurasian form of GREEN-WINGED TEAL was still on Smith Pond in Rockville Centre Monday where the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was seen the day before. The drake BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was still off Crab Meadow Beach in Northport last Saturday and the drake KING EIDER continued around Shinnecock Inlet to Sunday.

Two DOVEKIES along with 150 RAZORBILLS and 30 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES were reported off Montauk Point last Sunday with a RED-NECKED GREBE also off Culloden Point that day.

Single BLACK-HEADED GULLS were noted at Randall’s Island Saturday and in Setauket Harbor Saturday to Monday while single ICELAND GULLS occurred at Shinnecock Inlet near the Ponquogue Bridge Sunday, at Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4 Monday and over Astoria Wednesday.

Six RED CROSSBILLS were still along the Paumanok Trail off Schultz Road in Manorville last Wednesday and a flock of COMMON REDPOLLS was reported along the Hudson River in Sleepy Hollow last Saturday but not since. SUMMER TANAGER was still visiting an Islip feeder last Saturday.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Feb. 24, 2023
* NYNY2302.24

– Birds Mentioned

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE+
THICK-BILLED MURRE+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
TRUMPETER SWAN
EURASIAN WIGEON
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian form)
KING EIDER
Common Eider
HARLEQUIN DUCK
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
Red-necked Grebe
EARED GREBE
Long-billed Dowitcher
American Woodcock
Wilson’s Snipe
Razorbill
Black-legged Kittiwake
Bonaparte’s Gull
BLACK-HEADED GULL
LITTLE GULL
Iceland Gull
Northern Gannet
Red-headed Woodpecker
RED CROSSBILL
Vesper Sparrow
Northern Waterthrush
Pine Warbler
SUMMER TANAGER

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found athttp://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, February 24 at 10:00 p.m.

The highlights of today’s tape are PINK FOOTED GOOSE, EARED GREBE, THICK-BILLED MURRE, LITTLE and BLACK-HEADED GULLS, TRUMPETER SWAN, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER, HARLEQUIN DUCK, BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, RED CROSSBILL, SUMMER TANAGER and more.

But first, we very sadly report the recent passing of John Yrizarry at age 96. A long-time Brooklyn resident before moving upstate, John was quite influential in local birding activities besides being an excellent artist and a wonderfully entertaining individual. Ourcondolences especially to his wife Mary – he will certainly be missed.

A PINK-FOOTED GOOSE was being seen at least to Wednesday at the north end of Hempstead Lake, where construction activities do hamper observation opportunities of the Goose flock.

An EARED GREBE was still present mid-week in Hendrix Creek off the southeast side of Brooklyn’s Shirley Chisholm State Park, and similarly a THICK-BILLED MURRE was seen at least to Monday out in Montauk’s Fort Pond Bay, usually in the southeast corner of the Bay. A TRUMPETER SWAN was also still residing on Fort Pond itself to Tuesday, favoring the northwest section of the pond, while at Montauk Point Sunday there were four BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES and 135
RAZORBILLS.

An immature LITTLE GULL was photographed with BONAPARTE’S GULLS in Jones Inlet off the Fireman’s Park at Point Lookout last Sunday, where 58 RAZORBILLS were also counted. Lingering BLACK-HEADED GULLS were noted in Brooklyn at Plumb Beach Monday and off Coney Island Creek Park Thursday, with one still around Setauket Harbor to Tuesday.

The Westchester GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was still on the Bowman Avenue pond in Rye Brook today.

A female EURASIAN WIGEON is often seen around the Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4 but has also been noted north of there around Bush Terminal Piers Park, and a male was reported again on the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge last Saturday.

A EURASIAN form of GREEN-WINGED TEAL was still present today on Smith Pond in Rockville Centre, where other residing birds include a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, up to 3 WILSON’S SNIPE and 3 PINE WARBLERS.

A drake KING EIDER was still with the COMMON EIDER flock inside Shinnecock Inlet last Saturday.

A group of 7 HARLEQUIN DUCKS continues in Jones Inlet, often around the Jones Beach West End jetty, and a drake was at the Morton National Wildlife Refuge in Noyack Monday, while the drake BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was still present off Crab Meadow Beach in Northport last Sunday.

Two RED-NECKED GREBES, along with 600 NORTHERN GANNETS and a RAZORBILL, were noted off Coney Island Beach yesterday, and 6 RAZORBILLS were in Long Island Sound off Rye Town Park on Wednesday.

Single ICELAND GULLS were noted in Sheepshead Bay to Tuesday, at Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4 to Wednesday, and at Breezy Point today.

The RED-HEADED WOODPECKER in Brooklyn’s Marine Park was still near Stuart Street and Avenue T on Wednesday.

AMERICAN WOODCOCK are now displaying at appropriate locations.

Six RED CROSSBILLS were still along the Paumanok Trail near Jones Pond off Schultz Road in Manorville on Monday.

A VESPER SPARROW has been present recently at the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center off Yaphank Avenue, and interesting over-wintering birds feature the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH at Brooklyn Bridge Park and the SUMMER TANAGER at a private feeder in Islip.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Feb. 14, 2023
* NYNY2302.14

– Birds Mentioned

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE+
THICK-BILLED MURRE+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
TRUMPETER SWAN
EURASIAN WIGEON
KING EIDER
Red-necked Grebe
EARED GREBE
Razorbill
Black-legged Kittiwake
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
LAPLAND LONGSPUR

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found athttp://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert with a travel-shortened report as of Tuesday, February 14th at 6:00 p.m.

The highlights of today’s tape are PINK FOOTED GOOSE, THICK-BILLED MURRE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, TRUMPETER SWAN, EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER, EARED GREBE, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER and LAPLAND LONGSPUR.

A PINK-FOOTED GOOSE has been seen recently on the north end of Hempstead Lake, though visibility has been difficult due to construction activities. Another PINK-FOOTED continues to be seen in the Northport area, sometimes at the Soccer Park or on the High School fields.

A THICK-BILLED MURRE was still in Fort Pond Bay out in Montauk at least to Tuesday, most often seen around the southeast corner of the Bay. The TRUMPETER SWAN also continues right nearby – usually on the northwestern side of Fort Pond itself.

Also in Montauk, a decent gathering of 60 plus BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES and a good number of RAZORBILLS were seen off Montauk Point and fiveRED-NECKED GREBES were off Culloden Point on Saturday.

A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was still visiting Tung Ting Pond in Centerport Tuesday.

A couple of EURASIAN WIGEONS continue along Long Creek in Mattituck, usually north of the Grand Avenue bridge, and another remains near Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4.

Also continuing are the drake KING EIDER at Shinnecock Inlet, the EARED GREBE in Hendrix Creek off Shirley Chisholm State Park, the Marine Park RED-HEADED WOODPECKER near Stuart Street and Avenue T, and the LAPLAND LONGSPUR at Floyd Bennett Field.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript