The Beginners Bird Walk began with a demonstration on how to use binoculars, how to find birds in the trees with the binoculars, and how to use guide books and bird apps to confirm their identification. We then proceeded to the Pool, where we spent most of the time spotting migrating songbirds—especially warblers—as well as observing the resident populations and listening to their songs and calls. Other birders in the Park joined us from time to time to show us birds they had found and to share their birding knowledge. It was a successful and fun introduction to birding.
Species List
Canada Goose Gadwall Mallard American Black Duck Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Mourning Dove Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Ruby-crowned Kinglet House Wren Carolina Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Swainson’s Thrush American Robin House Sparrow American Goldfinch White-throated Sparrow Common Grackle Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Black-and-white Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Nick Dawson Participants: 10 Weather: Mid 60s to low 70s, partly cloudy, moderate NE breeze Bird species: 62
Fire Island has a certain magic to it, as do all barrier islands. There is always the chance of something rare and/or ridiculous turning up: a White Ibis; a Sage Thrasher. Or something a little more predictable, like a pelican.
On this particular day, there were no birds that caught us by surprise (until the very end), but the group led by Paul Sweet got to enjoy the diverse array of quotidian birds that can be found on this part of Fire Island on a late September day. Due to the slightly later-than-usual date of this walk, this year’s group did not see the two ammospiza species that breed in the Watch Hill marsh—Seaside Sparrow and Saltmarsh Sparrow—but the birds that we did see sparked joy.
For this crowd of mostly New York City birders, seeing good numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Royal Terns at close range was a true pleasure. There were some unexpected ducks (Blue-winged Teal), and—literally as we were leaving the island on the ferry—eagle-eyed walk attendee Kenelma Perez spotted two Caspian Terns loafing on a dock. There was some good movement of migrating raptors (especially Merlins), and in the small patch of trees and shrubs above the marsh, a smattering of warblers and other migrating passerines could be seen, the most notable of which was a semi-cooperative (but vocal) White-eyed Vireo.
Species List
Canada Goose Mute Swan Blue-winged Tea Mallard Mourning Dove Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Greater Yellowlegs Sanderling Laughing Gull Ring-billed Gull American Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Caspian Tern Royal Tern Double-crested Cormorant Black-crowned Night Heron Great Egret Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Northern Harrier Bald Eagle Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Merlin Peregrine Falcon Eastern Phoebe White-eyed Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay Fish Crow Common Raven Black-capped Chickadee Tree Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Northern House Wren Carolina Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Northern Mockingbird American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow American Goldfinch White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Eastern Towhee Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Black-and-white Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Cape May Warbler Northern Parula Blackpoll Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
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: Amanda Bielskas Weather: Beautiful early fall day, 62–73 degrees F, winds 15 mph Participants: 26 Bird species: 29
This was the first LSNY Birds & Brews walk of the fall. Fall evening walks are challenging to organize, because we start losing light fairly early.
The walk started at 81st Street and Central Park West. We began by birding along the paths of the park to give late arrivals time to catch up. Several raptors flew over, including an Osprey, a Red-tailed Hawk, and an American Kestrel. We spotted both White and Red-breasted Nuthatches in the pine trees and also found a good spot to view a Chimney Swift roost. We were targeting Common Nighthawks on this trip, but we had about an hour to bird before losing too much light, when we had to head to Belvedere Castle to observe Nighthawks.
Once at the castle’s overlook, we observed a few more species, including a Great Blue Heron and at least 200 Chimney Swifts going to roost in the 80s and along Central Park West. The stars of the night—the nighthawks—did not disappoint; a pair flying over Belvedere Castle circled several times just after sunset. There were perhaps more than two nighthawks, but it was hard to tell since they were circling behind the castle and nearly always appeared together.
In addition to the nighthawks circling the castle, we also had several Eastern Red Bats. After the sun had set fully, we headed off to a bar on the West Side for libations and some great conversation. We totaled 29 species for the evening and fun was had by all.
Species List
Birds Canada Goose Mallard Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Mourning Dove Common Nighthawk Chimney Swift American Herring Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Osprey Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Blue Jay American Crow White-breasted Nuthatch Red-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird American Robin House Sparrow Common Grackle Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Northern Parula Northern Cardinal
Mammals Eastern Red Bat Norway Rat Raccoons Squirrel
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
