Central Park Spring Migration Walk with Ken Chaya, Richard Davis, Elijah Shiffer and Kevin Sisco, 5/26/2026

Registrar: Suzanne Zywicki
Participants: 55
Weather: 59 – 76 °F and sunny, with very light wind
Bird Species: 58

May 26th marked the final Spring Migration walk of 2026. Fifty-five birders set out in three groups to get last glimpses of the various warblers and other species passing through Central Park on the way to their summer breeding grounds. The groups saw a total of thirteen different warbler species, with Blackpolls predictably being the most abundant. Other highlights included Yellow-bellied, Least and Great Crested Flycatchers and Swainson’s, Gray-cheeked and Wood Thrush. We look forward to resuming our Central Park walks on Tuesday, September 1st.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Northern Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal

Central Park Spring Migration Walk with Ken Chaya, Richard Davis, Elijah Shiffer and Kevin Sisco, May 19, 2026

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 66
Weather: Sunny; 73° F at 7:30 am, going up to 88° F by noon
Bird Species: 55

Today was the first of several unusually hot days in Central Park, but despite the sudden and unpleasant change in weather, we enjoyed a productive day of birding. Fourteen warbler species were seen, including large numbers of Blackpoll Warblers and female warblers. The highlight of the day was a singing Summer Tanager in Strawberry Fields, a lifer for many participants.

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
White-breasted Nuthatch
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Northern Yellow Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Canada Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal

Starr Saphir Memorial Walk in Central Park’s North Woods with Jeff Kimball, 5/15/2026

Registrar: Suzanne Zywicki
Participants: 18
Weather: Low 50s °F to mid 60s °F and partly cloudy with light wind
Bird Species: 46

Our group met our leader, Jeff Kimball, at the West 103rd Street entrance to Central Park. We headed up toward the Great Hill, stopping first at the Blowdown and then on to the “magic” Tulip Tree, where we were able to spot several warbler species, as well as an Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Orioles and numerous Cedar Waxwings.

After hearing reports of a vocalizing Bicknell’s Thrush (likely the same bird that had been in the area for several days) in the Loch, we decided to head down to try to find it. Along the way, we explored the lower parts of the Pool, where we saw several additional warbler species and paused to reminisce about Starr Saphir, the iconic birder and walk leader. Starr was well known to Jeff and to several members of our group. They shared their memories of her with those of us who did not have the privilege of meeting her. Inspired by the conversation, we then headed off to try to see the Bicknell’s which was happily in view when we arrived. We were also able to get good looks at a Wood Thrush in the area.

Our initial plan had been to continue to the Davis Center and the Meer; however the path was temporarily closed, so we decided to end our walk at the Loch. However, those of us heading west to leave the park stopped at the second cut-out along the way and were rewarded with nice views of a Hooded Warbler.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Spotted Sandpiper
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Gray Catbird
Veery
Bicknell’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Finch
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Northern Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting

Central Park Spring Migration Walk with Ken Chaya, Will Papp, Elijah Shiffer and Kevin Sisco, 5/12/2026

Registrar: Yeree Shim
Participants: 82
Weather: 52°F warming up to a high of 65°F
Bird Species: 72

With spring migration reaching its highest point, this walk drew a large turnout of 82 participants and the observation count totaled 72 species. Highlights include first of season Eastern Kingbird, Prothonotary Warbler, which was found on the mudflat at Azalea Pond, Bicknell’s Thrush and Gray-cheeked Thrush.

Species List

Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Spotted Sandpiper
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Least Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern House Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Bicknell’s Thrush
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
White-throated Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Northern Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting

Central Park Spring Migration Walk with Ken Chaya, Richard Davis, Elijah Shiffer, Jordan Spindel and Kevin Sisco, 5/5/2026

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 88
Weather: Sunny; 61° at 7:30, going up to 79° in the afternoon
Bird Species: 70

The beautiful weather brought out a large group of enthusiastic birders. It turned out to be a really birdy day, with migrants present in large numbers. We started in Strawberry Fields but moved on rather quickly to the Ramble and Turtle Pond where birds were more numerous. Many of the warblers were very high in leafy trees, causing some serious cases of warbler neck. The four groups saw a total of 70 species.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Northern House Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Yellow-breasted Chat
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Northern Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting

Spring Migration in Central Park’s North Woods with Ursula Mitra, 4/26/2026

Registrar: Suzanne Zywicki
Participants: 26
Weather: Partly cloudy with light wind. Temperatures ranging from 44 degrees to the high 50s
Bird Species: 63

A large group eagerly met up with Ursula on a chilly Sunday morning to explore the North Woods and hopefully catch some of the interesting early Spring migrants that had been reported. Peter Davenport, Linnaean President, graciously stepped in to help support Ursula in getting us oriented on the birds and answering any questions our birders might have.

We began our walk on the Great Hill and quickly found a Black-and-white Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo and several other species. At Sparrow Rock, we were treated to three female Purple Finches up in the trees. We then headed south and walked along the northern edge of the Pool, where we saw Ovenbirds and Yellow-rumped warblers. After seeing Discord posts of some less common warblers in the Ravine/Loch area, we headed in that direction and were rewarded with sightings of a Nashville Warbler, followed by a Worm-eating Warbler.

After taking a break at the Davis Center, we headed back out to the Compost and Nursery areas followed by the Wildflower Meadow, where we saw both Blue-headed and Eastern Warbling Vireos. We then headed up to the Blockhouse, which was fairly quiet, although we did get good looks at a Great Crested Flycatcher.

After a lunch break back at the Davis Center, we headed back out, keen to try our luck at finding recently reported Orchard Orioles and an Indigo Bunting in the Ravine. While many of us were successful in seeing one or more Orchard Orioles, we were unable to get eyes on the Indigo Bunting and had to settle for just hearing the bird. Some of the group then continued over to the south side of the Pool, where we were lucky to see a Prairie Warbler and two pairs of Green-winged Teal, among several other species.

At this point, we were down to Ursula and four participants. We decided to make a final stop at the High Meadow and were able to end the day with sightings of two Wood Thrush, a Black-throated Green and a Blue-winged Warbler.

Species List

Birds
Canada Goose
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Great Crested Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Northern House Wren
Winter Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting

Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Raccoon

Reptiles
Red-eared Slider

Central Park Spring Migration Walk with Ken Chaya, Richard Davis, Elijah Shiffer and Kevin Sisco, 4/14/2026

Registrar: Catherine Ichord
Participants: 71
Weather: Sunny with a few clouds and a light breeze; 62°F at the start, rising into the 80’s
Bird Species: 54

A large turnout of birders enjoyed a warm spring morning for the second spring migration walk of the year. Birders split into four groups and set out to explore Central Park. Highlights included a Blue-headed Vireo and Rusty Blackbird, both much appreciated by the group. Other spring arrivals helped round out the morning, and by the end of the walk a combined total of 54 species were observed.

Species List



Canada Goose
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Northern House Wren
Winter Wren
European Starling
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Louisiana Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Green-Wood Cemetery with Rob Jett, 4/11/2026

Registrar: Prathima Christdas
Participants: 15
Weather: Sunny, in the 50s
Bird Species: 44

On a warm sunny day, fifteen birders, several of whom braved the vagaries of the F train to reach the meeting place, walked through the Hill of Graves, then down and across the cemetery to Valley Water and the areas surrounding Sylvan Water. Other stops were Dell and Crescent Waters. Highlights were an American Kestrel perched on top of a tree on the hill above Crescent Water, Savannah Sparrows, and Louisiana Waterthrushes.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Monk Parakeet
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Winter Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Louisiana Waterthrush
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal