John guided us on Haven Road, the Nature Trail, and the Horseshoe Trail and parking area. Birds were singing everywhere. John shared the history of the development of the Marsh with us as well as some of the changes in birds’ breeding patterns and populations. We saw Bald Eagles soaring and their nest. Yellow Warblers were everywhere. A special treat was the Cerulean Warbler. John led us up and down the road until we all had good views of it.
Some of us followed John’s suggestions for the afternoon and birded the Deli fields and Stop Sign Trails.
It was a wonderful day!
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Wood Duck Mallard Ring-necked Duck Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird Common Gallinule Solitary Sandpiper Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Broad-winged Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Pileated Woodpecker Northern Flicker Merlin Least Flycatcher Eastern Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Yellow-throated Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet White-breasted Nuthatch Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Gray Catbird Eastern Bluebird Veery Swainson’s Thrush American Robin American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Blue-winged Warbler Black-and-white Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Cape May Warbler Cerulean Warbler Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Prairie Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Canada Warbler Northern Cardinal
One could sense the excitement in the air when we met this morning to begin our bird walk. Rumors were abounding about what was being seen in Strawberry Fields, so at 7:30 am, that is where all five groups headed. It did not disappoint. Bird species seen there included Least Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Northern Parula, and American Redstart. After spending some time in Strawberry Fields, the groups split up and departed, each to different parts of the park. As you can see from the bird list, it appears that every bird species present in the Park was seen by at least one of the groups. All in all, it was a glorious morning.
Species List Birds Canada Goose Northern Shoveler Gadwall Mallard Bufflehead Ruddy Duck Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Yellow-billed Cuckoo Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Green Heron Osprey Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Peregrine Falcon Least Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Yellow-throated Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Blue-gray Gnatcatcher House Wren Winter Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Veery Hermit Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Louisiana Waterthrush Northern Waterthrush Blue-winged Warbler Black-and-white Warbler Tennessee Warbler Nashville Warbler Common Yellowthroat Hooded Warbler American Redstart Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler Yellow Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Palm Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Prairie Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Scarlet Tanager Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Registrar: Evelyn Huang Participants: 40 Weather: 49-63° F; clear, mostly sunny; light winds from the north Bird Species: 60
Due to the high number of registrants, our leader Ursula arranged for a second group to go out with Michelle and Evelyn, and we were able to have 40 participants (including the leaders). The first group set off from 108th Street and Central Park West at 7:30 am and the second group departed 7:45, following the same route. Ursula had thoughtfully mapped a route that started with the less well-known birding hotspots and ended at the popular Loch and Pool.
Both the weather and the birds favored us. The sunny spring morning started out brisk and warmed to the mid-60s by early afternoon. Many new species of warblers seem to have arrived overnight, as the day before had been pretty quiet, with few birds in the park.
The route started with the Great Hill (and bathrooms) and proceeded to cover the Children’s Glades, the South Blowdown, the Pool, the Balancing Rock, the Jughandles, the East Blowdown, the High Meadow, the Lily Ponds, the Block House, the Loch, the Wildflower Meadow, the Grassy Knoll, the Compost Pile, the Nursery, the Conservatory Garden (another bathroom opportunity), the Harlem Meer, the Green Bench, and, again, the Loch and the Pool.
At the Great Hill, one group saw a Blue-winged Warbler, and the other group the first of three Scarlet Tanagers they would see that day; it was a good sign for the rest of the walk. At the Balancing Rock, both groups found Blackburnian and Prairie Warblers, as well as a Black-throated Green Warbler and a Northern Parula. Eastern Towhees appeared in good numbers, and there were numerous Yellow-rumped Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets throughout the walk. After emerging onto the road from the Block House, Ursula’s group found a Yellow-throated Vireo. Although the second group searched for it, they did not see the Vireo, but they did see a Blue-winged Warbler, which they had not found at the Great Hill. Everyone saw the Green Heron which had been at the Loch a few days, and also Black-throated Blue Warblers and an Ovenbird. Although we searched for the Hooded Warbler that had been seen at the Loch by others earlier that morning, we did not find it. At the Conservatory Garden, we found a Wood Thrush and House Wren and ate the lunch or snacks we’d brought while admiring the secret tulip garden under the wisteria trellises. From there we also got some good views of the Red-tailed Hawk’s nest on the Terence Cardinal Cooke building at 105th Street and Fifth Avenue, where two adult hawks were on their nest, one clearly feeding at least one chick.
We ended the walk a little after 1 pm. Half the participants having left earlier, the two groups had earlier merged into one group of 20 birders, who all expressed satisfaction with a very enjoyable day of birding.
Thanks to all the avid birders who participated and a huge thanks to Ursula and Michelle for sharing your expertise and knowledge of the North Woods with us.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Mallard Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Ring-billed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Green Heron Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Yellow-throated Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Tree Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Blue-gray Gnatcatcher House Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Veery Hermit Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Blue-winged Warbler Black-and-white Warbler Northern Parula Blackburnian Warbler Yellow Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Palm Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Prairie Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Scarlet Tanager Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Registrar: Sherry Felix Participants: 44 Weather: Mid 40 degrees Fahrenheit, windy and cloudy with occasional misty rain. Bird Species: 71
We started from Strawberry Fields. The first bird that one group saw was a Blue-headed Vireo, a good start to the day. The lighting was poor due to the cloud cover, and it was damp and chilly. A large area of the park was covered, including the reservoir, and an impressive number of birds were spotted.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Wood Duck Gadwall Mallard Bufflehead Ruddy Duck Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Laughing Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Red-throated Loon Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Black-crowned Night-Heron Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Peregrine Falcon Great Crested Flycatcher Blue-headed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Barn Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Brown Creeper Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Carolina Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Veery Hermit Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin House Sparrow American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Black-and-white Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler American Redstart Northern Parula Yellow Warbler Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Prairie Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Canada Warbler Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Thirty-five people showed up at Strawberry Fields despite the cold, damp weather. By 8:00, the weather and visibility had improved. There were four groups. Three started out in Strawberry Fields, and the fourth headed uptown by subway to the North End of the Park in search of the Prothonotary Warbler that had been in the Loch and at the Pool for a few days and had been reported earlier that morning, along with a Hooded Warbler. The group was treated to a gorgeous show from the Prothonotary Warbler, and saw the Hooded Warbler as well.
Species Lists Birds Canada Goose Wood Duck Northern Shoveler Gadwall Mallard Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove American Coot Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Black-crowned Night-Heron Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Peregrine Falcon Eastern Phoebe Blue-headed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Barn Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Brown Creeper Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 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 Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Rusty Blackbird Common Grackle Black-and-white Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Hooded Warbler Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Sally Weiner Participants: 43 Weather: 50-52 F until 11am, with light rain; then rising to 64 F and becoming sunny Bird Species: 62
Rain began just as everyone was assembling, and it persisted until about 11. This made for challenging conditions, especially for identifying silhouetted birds high in the trees. Starting as usual at Strawberry Fields, the groups made their way to Hernshead, the Upper Lobe, Belvedere Castle and Turtle Pond, the Ramble, Cedar Hill, and the Reservoir. Notable were the large numbers of Northern Flickers, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Hermit Thrushes.
The weather improved rapidly in late morning, encouraging a few birders to extend the walk into the early afternoon. Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Wood Duck Northern Shoveler Mallard Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove American Coot American Woodcock Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Black-crowned Night-Heron Osprey Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl Belted Kingfisher Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Merlin Eastern Phoebe Blue-headed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Brown Creeper Blue-gray Gnatcatcher House Wren Winter Wren Carolina Wren European Starling Brown Thrasher Hermit Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Fox Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Louisiana Waterthrush Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Renée Lucier Participants: 20 Weather: At the start, clearing skies, 50 degrees, wind 9 mph; later, sun in and out, brief rain, hailstorm mid-morning, stronger wind as the day wore on. Bird Species: 48
We convened at 7:30 am on the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library, where our generous and patient leader, Tom Stephenson, went over some camera basics and photography essentials. We then moved into the Rose Garden in Prospect Park, where we practiced with various settings and people got specific help with their cameras. Within the group there was a wide range of experience and skill levels, but everyone came away with invaluable tips.
After about an hour in the Rose Garden we moved on to the Vale and then further around the Park. We were lucky to see 48 species of birds, including several harbingers of spring and a merlin that was pointed out to us by a young couple with a baby, our group of 20 having walked right by it a minute earlier! Happily, a bathroom break then coincided with a freak hailstorm, so we—and all of our non-waterproof gear—were able to shelter inside until it passed.
After that short delay, we headed back into the Park, where keen-eyed lepidopterists in the group alerted the rest of us to a beautiful Morning Cloak butterfly. A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was an unexpected find, and a stalwart few stuck around to spot the Least Bittern that was in the area. (I didn’t include this in the species list as most people, including myself, left before seeing it.)
Thanks to all the eager and affable participants and a special hearty thank you to Tom for sharing his time and expertise with us!
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Mute Swan Wood Duck Mallard American Black Duck Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck American Coot Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Turkey Vulture Red-tailed Hawk Belted Kingfisher Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Merlin Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay American Crow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Brown Creeper Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Carolina Wren European Starling Hermit Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Louisiana Waterthrush Palm Warbler Northern Cardinal
Forty-three participants were greeted by singing birds and bright flowers on our first spring migration bird walk of 2022. Despite it being early in the season, we saw 63 species, including a Yellow-throated Warbler, two Ring-necked Ducks, a Great Horned Owl, and a Red-throated Loon, birds not commonly seen in Central Park. We split into four groups and visited Strawberry Fields, Hernshead, the Ramble, Belvedere Castle, Turtle Pond, and the Reservoir.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Wood Duck Northern Shoveler Gadwall Mallard Ring-necked Duck Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove American Coot Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Red-throated Loon Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Red-tailed Hawk Buteo sp. Great Horned Owl Belted Kingfisher Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay American Crow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper House Wren Winter Wren European Starling Brown Thrasher Northern Mockingbird Hermit Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Fox Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Louisiana Waterthrush Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Northern Cardinal
