Central Park Fall Migration Walk with Richard Davis, Alice Deutsch, Alan Drogin, Elijah Shiffer, and Kevin Sisco, 10/28/2025

Registrar: Catherine Ichord
Participants: 32
Weather: Mostly clear skies with a moderate breeze, 40s to mid 50s
Bird Species: 59

Chilly weather greeted birders as they gathered for the final walk of the Central Park Fall 2025 migration series. Groups set out from the 86th street park entrance and explored the reservoir, Pinetum, and sparrow rock before continuing to other areas of the park. A combined total of 59 species was observed, including a variety of sparrows, lingering warblers, and winter waterfowl.

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Green-winged Teal
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Blue Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Better Bird Photography in Central Park with Richard Davis, 10/26/2025

Registrar: Richard Davis
Participants: 2
Weather: 46-57 F and overcast to partly cloudy. N wind 5 mph.
Bird Species: 36

Our small group of bird photographers met on an overcast morning to explore the north end of Central Park, with fall color beginning to show. The focus of the outing was photography, and participants spent time at several promising locations around the Pool, where brief stakeouts provided good opportunities to practice techniques for better images.

Because attention was directed more toward photography than listing, a few species may have been overlooked; nonetheless, the morning was rewarding, particularly for the two participants, both relatively new to birding. Highlights included a cooperative Winter Wren, shared with a passerby who stopped to ask for an identification, and a lingering Northern Waterthrush at the Pool, along with a small group of Green-winged Teal.

Other areas offering good photographic potential included the Wildflower Meadow, the Grassy Knoll, Nutter’s Battery, and the Conservatory Garden.

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern House Wren
Winter Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Northern Waterthrush

Central Park Fall Migration Walk with Alan Drogin, Elijah Shiffer, and Kevin Sisco, 10/21/2025

Registrar: Steve Holleran
Participants: 36
Weather: Sunny and mild
Bird Species: 60

On a splendid autumn day, participants divided into three groups to explore the park from the Ramble to the North End. A combined total of 60 species was recorded, including 11 warblers and 4 species of woodpecker. Four raptors were also noted, highlighted by a Merlin perched regally atop the flagpole at Belvedere Castle.

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Paula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Birds & Brews: Green-Wood Cemetery with Amanda Bielskas, Tara Craig, Alan Drogin, and Gillian Henry, 10/19/2025

Registrar: Amanda Bielskas
Weather: Beautiful, fall day
Participants: 14
Bird species: 36

It was a great day birding around Green-Wood Cemetery—the first Birds & Brews excursion to Brooklyn! We started near the main entrance at the sandstone gate, where the Monk Parakeets, as usual, put on a show. We also had a Chukar walk by, giving us good looks as it foraged in the bushes.

We then headed into the cemetery and quickly spotted a Merlin perched atop a pine tree. We spent the rest of the time meandering through the grounds, admiring a good number of fall sparrows (eight species!), a couple of lingering warblers, and a Great Blue Heron.

After birding for about three hours, we headed over to Greenwood Park for conversation and snacks. We tallied 36 species and enjoyed great birds and great weather. The Chukar, an escapee, was a fun observation but does not count on our life lists.

Species Lists

Mallard
American Black Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
Great Blue Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Monk Parakeet
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Kinglet sp
White-breasted Nuthatch
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Common Yellowthroat
Palm Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Chukar* escapee

Central Park Fall Migration Walk with Alice Deutsch, Elijah Shiffer, and Kevin Sisco, 10/14/2025

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 25
Weather: Cloudy, 54°, northerly winds at 6 mph
Bird Species: 62

A nor’easter moved offshore overnight, ending two days of near-constant rain. Soggy conditions led to lower attendance than usual, but participants divided into two groups to cover Strawberry Field, the area around the Falconer statue, the Lake, the Ramble, Turtle Pond, and the Reservoir. Despite less-than-ideal conditions, a total of 62 species was recorded, including ten warbler species.

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Blue Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Northern House Wren
Winter Wren
European Starling
Brown Thrasher
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Baltimore Oriole
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Floyd Bennett Field with Rob Jett, 10/11/2025

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 11
Weather: Raining at the start, then cloudy; high 50s to mid 60s
Bird Species: 43

We were expecting the rain to hold off until the afternoon, but sadly, it started almost as soon as we got underway. Within a few minutes it was coming down hard, so we decided to do some car birding at the boat launch. We then drove to the abandoned “graffiti building” overlooking Jamaica Bay for a different view of the water. Large numbers of Brant were seen, and about 30 Black-bellied Plovers were spotted on a beach across the bay.

After about two hours, the rain stopped, and we set off to bird the runways. A very wet Peregrine Falcon was soon spotted perched on a pole, and a cooperative Cooper’s Hawk rested on a sign right next to the runway. We also got wonderful looks at a Northern Harrier flying low to the ground and an American Kestrel kiting over the grasslands in search of prey.

We then walked north along another runway to the farm area and the “North Forty”. Mixed flocks of sparrows were foraging in the grass, including three White-crowned Sparrows and two Clay-colored Sparrows. Further along the trail, an Orange-crowned Warbler was seen, as well as several other passerine species. Nine sparrow species and six warbler species were seen, resulting in an excellent day of birding, despite the inclement weather.

Species Lists

Birds

Brant
Canada Goose
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Black-bellied Plover
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Cooper’s Hawk
Northern Harrier
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Butterflies and Moths
Hawaiian Beet Worm Moth
Cloudless Sulphur

Snail
Brown-lipped Snail

Randall’s Island with Alan Drogin, 10/11/2025

Registrar: Dom Ricci
Participants: 7
Weather: Around 59-62 F, overcast, light breeze, light rain & mist
Bird Species: 41

With forecasts of a nor’easter bearing down on the Eastern Seaboard for the original walk date, trip leader Alan Drogin decided to explore Randall’s Island a day early. Although the group persevered through drizzle and damp, they still encountered a wide variety of avian species around the island.

The route wound through several ballfields, the former driving range, the urban farm, and the freshwater woodlands, with the most productive stretch being the northern edge along the Bronx Kill. There, several Killdeer were seen feeding on the mudflats, and Spotted Sandpipers bobbed and jerked their way across the rocky opposite shore.

The group lingered in a meadow patch where they were treated to an immature Dickcissel. And although they missed a reported Orange-crowned Warbler, a few members managed to catch sight of a Vesper Sparrow.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
White-throated Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Common Grackle
Common Yellowthroat
Palm Warbler (including one Western)
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Dickcissel

Belvedere Castle Hawk Watch with Anne and Phil Ribolow, 10/9/2025

Registrar: Junko Suzuki
Trip report: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 30
Weather: 57-59° F, clear, N to NNE winds at 9 mph with 16 mph gusts
Species: 28

Conditions appeared ideal for a hawk watch, with a high-pressure system moving through overnight and bringing strong northerly winds. However, the system also cleared out all the clouds, leaving a bright blue sky—a challenging backdrop for spotting migrating raptors. Despite this, several large skeins of Canada Goose were observed, along with many Turkey Vultures, three Bald Eagles, and several other raptor species.

Species

Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
American Herring Gull
Turkey Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Northern Flicker
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Common Grackle
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal