Registrar: Catherine Ichord Participants: 35 Weather: high 50s to mid 70s, partly cloudy, light breeze Bird Species: 54
It was a beautiful day for the final walk in the Central Park spring migration series. Birders split into two groups and explored Strawberry Fields, the Ramble, and other nearby areas of the park. A combined total of 54 species were observed, including an Acadian Flycatcher and nine species of warblers.
Species List
Canada Goose Gadwall Mallard Mallard x American Black Duck 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 Great Egret Osprey Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Eastern Wood-Pewee Empidonax sp. Acadian Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Barn Swallow Carolina Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Gray-cheeked Thrush Swainson’s Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch White-throated Sparrow Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Northern Waterthrush Black-and-white Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Magnolia Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Canada Warbler Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Lisa Kroop Participants: 8 Weather: 51°F–57°F, clear with some clouds; 8 mph NW Bird Species: 60
Birds were singing all around us as we gathered at the trailhead on the cul-de-sac of Ironwood Drive for our walk along the powerline in Sterling Forest State Park. The loudest was a Scarlet Tanager, and filling in between its songs were those of other birds, including Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Ovenbird, Field Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, and a Blue-winged Warbler, with its buzzy trill.
We soon had our first sightings: a Blue-winged Warbler in the low shrubs; a Yellow Warbler, its bright plumage highlighted against the dense foliage of a nearby tree; an Indigo Bunting perched on a bare branch of a distant tree; and an Eastern Kingbird in the same vicinity as the bunting— sallying and displaying the white of its tail.
We proceeded to walk along the power line cut, starting in the southern section. Earlier, a few of us had seen a pair of Yellow-billed Cuckoos fly across the cut, and the group climbed the trail hoping to find them. We heard them calling as we walked, but didn’t manage to see them. We saw a flock of Cedar Waxwings flying overhead—the first of several flocks we spotted during the morning. Pausing at a high point, we observed a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk flying in the distance, and a couple of participants saw a Common Nighthawk pass over and beyond the tree line.
We turned around and headed toward the northern section of the power line, accompanied by the continuing tunes of Prairie Warblers and Field Sparrows, among many other birds. Despite hearing their songs, it took a while before we were actually able to see any of them, but we eventually did, and with very good views. Tod picked up the song of a Louisiana Waterthrush and we pursued it along a side trail that veered into the woods. We didn’t find the waterthrush, but we heard a Worm-eating Warbler and found it at eye-level in a tree, and saw an Ovenbird close to us on the opposite side of the path.
Returning to the rocky power cut trail, we met a man who excitedly told us that he had just seen a bobcat, and showed us a beautiful photo. As we continued up the trail, we heard two Scarlet Tanagers singing back and forth, one high in a dead tree and the second much closer to us, perched in a low tree—we could see and hear both of them from the spot where we had paused along the trail.
We met some other birders, who told us about an active Prairie Warbler nest. It took a bit to find it, but when we did, we also saw the protective mother in a tree nearby. Not surprisingly, we didn’t spot the bobcat.
After we turned around and headed back down the trail, a Pileated Woodpecker flew across the power cut in front of us, a Broad-winged Hawk flew across the cut behind us, and we observed a Ruby-throated Hummingbird perched on a bare branch ahead of us—one of two hummingbirds of the day. Near the bottom of the trail we heard another Worm-eating Warbler and spotted it perched on top of a horizontal branch, to the delight of all.
Cerulean Warbler and Hooded Warbler were the final highlights. As we passed through the patch of woods on our way back to the cars, some of the group heard a Cerulean and caught a glimpse of it as it was chased out of the nesting territory of a pair of American Redstarts, a ruckus which we all saw and marveled at. Hearing the Hooded Warbler from our cars as we drove away on Ironwood Drive, we stopped and walked down the trail to track it down. Persistence paid off, with a measure of good luck, and all were able to get their eyes on the bird.
While this power cut location is known for Golden-winged Warblers, the species hasn’t been reported this year, and we did not come upon one, or any of its hybrids. Instead we focused on all the other birds, saw and heard many, enjoyed the cool weather, the good company, and a fantastic leader. Many thanks Tod!
Species List
Canada Goose Wood Duck Mallard Mourning Dove Yellow-billed Cuckoo Ruby-thorated Hummingbird Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture Broad-winged Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Pileated Woodpecker Eastern Wood-Pewee Eastern Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Yellow-throated Vireo (h) Warbling Vireo (h) Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow corvid sp. Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Tree Swallow Barn Swallow White-breasted Nuthatch Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Northern House Wren Carolina Wren Gray Catbird American Robin Cedar Waxwing American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Eastern Towhee Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Worm-eating Warbler Louisiana Waterthrush (h) Blue-winged Warbler Black-and-white Warbler Common Yellowthroat Hooded Warbler American Redstart Cerulean Warbler Magnolia Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Pine Warbler Prairie Warbler Scarlet Tanager Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak (h) Indigo Bunting
Registrar: Christina Black Weather: Cloudy and cold with a few showers, temperature in high 50s Participants: 15 Bird Species: 66 Tod Winston led us on a lovely day of birding in several locations, with some of our warm coats coming off as the day progressed. The report here is provided by Tod:
Our day of birding started rather coolly at the Shawangunk Grasslands, but thanks to a warning from Christina, we had come well prepared. And, mercifully, the unseasonably crisp weather did not deter the birds! We quickly found the principal targets of the trip, including singing and displaying male Bobolinks, singing Eastern Meadowlark, and cooperative nesting Eastern Bluebirds. The small and reedy-voiced Grasshopper Sparrow proved a bit scarcer this year… but after a bit of a stake-out, sharp eyes spotted a perched and singing bird in the distance. As we made our way down the trail to check the wooded border of the grasslands, we watched Barn Swallows and Purple Martins swoop over the fields, found an American Kestrel pair perched together in the distance, and heard Field Sparrow and Blue-winged Warbler singing faintly from the opposite side. A second Grasshopper Sparrow granted us a good view, energetic Bobolinks were plentiful, and we got looks at singing Willow Flycatcher, Song Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and both male and female Red-winged Blackbird.
A saunter up the refuge’s driveway allowed closer inspection of the refuge’s Purple Martin colony, and also provided views of several Eastern Kingbirds, Tree Swallows, and more Willow Flycatchers. (Alas, no Alder Flycatcher was heard this year.) The pond and woodlands then supplied a slightly different set of birds, including White-breasted Nuthatch, Cedar Waxwing, American Redstart, Ovenbird, and a still elusive but more audible Blue-winged Warbler. Singing House Wren and Eastern Wood-Pewee also made cooperative cameos, and the high, ringing echo of a Blackpoll Warbler reminded us all of the passage of spring migration.
After a relaxed lunch in the gazebo, we headed off through the neighboring Blue Chip Farms property. This area did not prove as productive as it has in past years, but we did add a few more species to our day list, such as Cooper’s Hawk, Chipping Sparrow, and Warbling Vireo. Savannah Sparrows, however, were not to be heard.
Liberty Loop in Wallkill Marsh, our final destination of the day, has been in recent years a reliable spot for nesting Sandhill Crane and Common Gallinule. Despite much scanning and listening, however, we did not detect either of these species–but were ultimately rewarded with a number of other interesting wetland and scrub birds. From the parking lot, we spotted one Bank Swallow swooping over the marsh and heard the gurgling song of the Marsh Wren; and then, while waiting out a sudden rain shower down the street, we glimpsed a Great Blue Heron. Happily, the rain then abated, permitting us a lovely walk in the dappled shade along the refuge’s stream. Several Wood Ducks flew by, as did a Belted Kingfisher and two Green Herons. A Swamp Sparrow sang its wobbly trill, and a very skulky but ultimately cooperative singing young male Orchard Oriole provided a hard-fought thrill. His chattery song gave us a useful comparison to several Baltimore Orioles in the vicinity. We also again heard a sharp “ping ping ping” call, which we had earlier concluded was the sound of one or more Spotted Sandpipers, seen near the parking lot. As noted by one astute longtime birder in the group, however, we had not actually seen any Spotted Sandpipers. This time, however, the “ping ping ping” very clearly issued from the open beak of that multi-voiced scoundrel, the Red-winged Blackbird! (Birds always have something new to teach you. It keeps things exciting ;-).) We then heard the “wheep!” of a Great-crested Flycatcher and the distant “chebek” of a Least Flycatcher, and finished off our day with a group of excitedly singing and chipping male and female Indigo Buntings.
All in all, we ID’d 66 species on the trip. You can view that complete list below (in addition to three trip checklists in the eBird Trip Report).
Species List
Canada Goose Wood Duck Mallard Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Killdeer Green Heron Great Blue Heron Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Cooper’s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Belted Kingfisher Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Eastern Wood-Pewee Willow Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Common Raven Tufted Titmouse Bank Swallow Tree Swallow Purple Martin Northern Rough-winged Swallow Barn Swallow White-breasted Nuthatch Northern House Wren Marsh Wren Carolina Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Eastern Bluebird American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Finch American Goldfinch Grasshopper Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Bobolink Eastern Meadowlark Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Blue-winged Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Yellow Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Northern Cardinal Indigo Bunting
Registrar: Steve Holleran Participants: 41 Weather: Cool and partly sunny Bird Species: 68
Forty-one birders set out in three groups to explore the Ramble, Turtle Pond, and Reservoir areas of the park, with a combined total of 68 species observed. Notable sightings included a Bald Eagle, Osprey, and Bicknell’s Thrush, as well as 18 species of warblers!
A couple of our more unusual observations involved non-avian players. The first case was a small flying squirrel that was under attack by a group of jays. Twice we saw it knocked down out of a tree, both times gliding down to the base of another tree, where it climbed back up. We didn’t see the end of the drama, but we think it may have escaped unharmed.
A short while later we came upon a tiny bat lying motionless on the pavement. When gently roused it flew up among us and attached itself to a nearby tree.
Species List
Birds Canada Goose Gadwall Mallard Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Spotted Sandpiper Ring-billed Gull American Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Black-crowned Night Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Wood-Pewee Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Barn Swallow Northern House Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Veery Gray-cheeked Thrush Bicknell’s Thrush Swainson’s Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Black-and-white Warbler Tennessee Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Cape May Warbler Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Canada Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Registrar: Sarah Dahl Participants: 54 Weather: Cloudy and low 60s at the start Bird Species: 53
A cloudy morning greeted an energetic group of 53 birders. The skies threatened rain that held off, but the day remained cloudy. Things started slowly but eventually picked up a bit as the morning went on. It was a lovely spring day to be in the park nonetheless.
Species List
Canada Goose Mallard Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Ring-billed Gull American Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Red-tailed Hawk Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Wood-Pewee Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow European Starling Gray Catbird Veery Swainson’s Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch White-throated Sparrow Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Black-and-white Warbler Nashville Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Canada Warbler (Heard only) Scarlet Tanager Northern Cardinal
Unlike spring migration walks of years past in Central Park’s North Woods, we had beautiful weather for this May’s field trip. Ursula Mitra and Kevin Sisco capably led a comparatively large group of enthusiastic birders in exploring a part of Central Park that was less familiar than most to many of the participants. Our group was a nice mix of experienced and newer birders, with those possessing stronger birding skills willingly helping others to identify and focus on the birds.
After meeting at 108th and Central Park West, we made our way to the Great Hill, where the morning began with an abundance of warbler sightings, including Blackpoll, Wilson’s, Blackburnian, and Blue-winged, among others. We also viewed several Baltimore Orioles and Scarlet Tanagers in and around the tulip tree.
We then made our way through the jug-handle into the North Woods, where we continued to see warblers in addition to two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, a few Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks, and examples of several other species.
Our next stop was the newly opened Davis Center in The Meer, where we were treated to good views of a Black-crowned Night Heron and some Double-Crested Cormorants. After a group lunch at the Green Bench, we explored the compost heap and the nursery, where we saw an Eastern Wood-Peewee, our only flycatcher of the day. We then headed into the Loch, where we had great views of a Canada Warbler near the Glen Span Arch.
We continued on to The Pool, where new birds for the day included two Solitary Sandpipers. Our day ended back on the Great Hill, after almost seven hours of birding! All told, we saw over 20 warbler species and 65 species in total. A big thank you to Ursula and Kevin for sharing their knowledge of the North End and giving us such a fun and rewarding day.
Species List
Canada Goose Mallard Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Solitary Sandpiper American Herring Gull Double-crested Cormorant Black-crowned Night Heron Snowy Egret Great Egret Turkey Vulture Osprey Red-tailed Hawk Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Wood-Pewee Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow swallow sp. Ruby-crowned Kinglet European Starling Gray Catbird Veery Swainson’s Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Louisiana Waterthrush Northern Waterthrush Blue-winged Warbler Black-and-white Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Cape May Warbler Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackburnian Warbler 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 Rose-breasted Grosbeak Indigo Bunting
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
Registrar: Gillian Henry Participants: 10 Weather: Temperature 47-52 degrees; cloudy; wind speed 8 mph ESE Bird Species: 73 species
After an anxious week with threats of heavy rain, muddy conditions and high winds, the weather at Bashakill Marsh turned out to be perfect for birding. We explored Haven Road, the Orchard and Stop Sign Trail, the Nature Trail and the Horseshoe Trail. The highlights of the day were many Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos calling to each other, two very vocal male Cerulean Warblers, and an early-for-the-season Eastern Wood-Pewee!
Species List
Birds Canada Goose Wood Duck Mallard Mourning Dove Yellow-billed Cuckoo Black-billed Cuckoo Virginia Rail Sora Common Gallinule Killdeer Solitary Sandpiper Great Blue Heron Northern Harrier Bald Eagle Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Pileated Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Wood-Pewee Least Flycatcher Eastern Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Yellow-throated Vireo Warbling Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Fish Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Tree Swallow White-breasted Nuthatch Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Northern House Wren Carolina Wren Gray Catbird Veery Wood Thrush American Robin Purple Finch American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow 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 Tennessee Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Cerulean Warbler Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler 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
