Eastport Ponds and Shinnecock Bay with Brian Moldashel, 1/13/2026

Registrar: Mary Ann Zovko
Participants: 12
Weather: High 20’s at dawn to low 40’s in the afternoon. Abundant sunshine and low wind.
Bird Species: 45

We had a stellar start to the day with the appearance of a Snowy Owl as everyone was en route to Shinnecock Inlet. We returned to Dune Road, where we were able to get excellent (yet respectfully distant) views of this beautiful bird.

We then proceeded to the inlet, where we were met with groups of Common Eiders (totaling 1,000) actively foraging close to shore. Nearby at Ponquogue Bridge, we found another 1,500, bringing the total to over 2,000. With them were numerous other sea ducks, including all three scoters (Black, Surf, and White-winged), Long-tailed Ducks, Red-breasted Mergansers, and cooperative Common and Red-throated Loons, allowing for great side-by-side comparisons on the water and in flight. Gulls and gannets were in short supply, though a quick flyby from a Bonaparte’s Gull was a nice surprise. On the small islands nearby, we viewed distant Black-bellied Plovers and a large group of seals sunning. On an island to the west, a group of 10 Great Blue Herons were roosting.

At Ponquogue Beach, we found a beautiful flock of Snow Buntings darting around the dunes, along with our first Yellow-rumped Warblers. Driving toward the usual Dune Road stops—Tiana, Hot Dog Beach, and Triton—we searched the wetlands for previously reported Short-eared Owls and a Bittern. No luck, but we did see Harriers.

During our parking lot lunch break, we saw a large group of Song Sparrows, Juncos, and a quickly passing flock of Dunlin.

Moving on to Eastport Ponds, we encountered even more avian activity. We were immediately presented with hundreds of Canada Geese and American Black Ducks, along with a healthy sprinkling of other species. Our group soon picked out several beautiful Canvasbacks, dozens of American Wigeon and Lesser Scaup, and even a well-camouflaged Double-crested Cormorant.
Across the street, we found three gorgeous adult Black-crowned Night Herons, a nice group of songbirds, woodpeckers, and a Belted Kingfisher to end the day.

We wrapped up around 3:45. It was a beautiful day spent in great company, both human and avian alike.

Species List

Snowy Owl
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Canvasback
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Black-bellied Plover
Dunlin
Bonaparte’s Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Blue Heron
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Carolina Wren
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Snow Bunting
Dark-eyed Junco
Savanna Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Jones Beach and Point Lookout with Joe DiCostanzo, 12/7/2025

Registrar: Miriam Rakowski
Participants: 14
Weather: 35-39 degrees; 2-8 MPH easterly winds with higher gusts 
Bird Species: 25

The morning began with bright sunny skies and temperate winds. The Coast Guard Station had some lovely winter birds, with highlights including a White-winged Scoter and numerous Bonaparte’s Gulls. We then went to Point Lookout, where we saw six Harlequin Ducks (which was a real treat), Purple Sandpipers, and hundreds of Dunlin.

We then lunched at Jones Beach and saw some Horned Larks. After lunch, the weather turned, becoming cloudier and windier.  Nonetheless, we caravanned to Robert Moses State Park, Field 2, with some highlights being lovely Long-tailed Ducks and a couple of Surf Scoters. At Field 5, we had one Black-bellied Plover. Also, everyone had great looks at a Northern Gannet.

Species List

Jones Beach SP–Coast Guard Station
Brant
Canada Goose
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
Rock Pigeon
American Oystercatcher
Bonaparte’s Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Merlin
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Mockingbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler

Point Lookout
Brant
Common Eider
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
Rock Pigeon
American Oystercatcher
Sanderling
Dunlin
Purple Sandpiper
Bonaparte’s Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Palm Warbler

Jones Beach SP–Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center
Horned Lark

Robert Moses SP–East End of Field 2
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bonaparte’s Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet

Robert Moses SP–parking field 5
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Red-breasted Merganser
Black-bellied Plover
Bonaparte’s Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Northern Harrier
Horned Lark

Rye Playlands and Environs with Tom Burke and Gail Benson, 12/6/2025

Registrar: MaryJane Boland
Participants: 6
Weather: Cold but clear, cold and damp in the beginning, warming a bit later when the sun broke through.  Good weather for birding.
Bird Species: 59

In the three locations we visited (Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary, Bowman Avenue Pond, and Marshlands Conservancy), there is often a high likelihood of great waterfowl and winter passerines, along with the likelihood of surprises, and that was very true this year. Four of us came from Manhattan in one car. We had arrived early and birded the Playlands lake while waiting for our wonderful leaders.

Great Blue Herons seemed to be everywhere, as were Buffleheads and Hooded Mergansers. A solo Belted Kingfisher and two Bald Eagles were thrilling to see. A greater White-fronted Goose has been hanging out with Canada Geese at Bowman Avenue Pond for several years now, and it was again spotted on this visit. We had our lunch (quickly, eating outside on a cold day) at Marshlands and then walked down into the marshy area to see the Red-headed Woodpecker, a real thrill for all of us. We headed back to NYC around 3 pm with happy memories of a fun day and good birds.


Species List

Greater White-fronted Goose
Brant
Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Purple Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Great Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junko
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Northern Cardinal

Shirley Chisholm State Park and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge with Peter Dorosh, 11/15/2025

Registrar: Cheryl Craddock
Participants: 10
Weather: mid 50s to low 60s; clear to partly cloudy; mostly calm with southwest breezes
Bird Species: 55 (34 at Shirley Chisholm, 38 at Jamaica Bay)

After a brief misunderstanding regarding the rendezvous point, we commenced observations at Shirley Chisholm, proceeding along the waters separating the two halves of the park. The area held numerous Ruddy Ducks and Buffleheads, accompanied by Double-crested Cormorants, American Black Ducks, and a calling Belted Kingfisher. En route to the pier, a Field Sparrow was noted.

The chief spectacle of the morning was a substantial mixed-species assemblage of American and Fish Crows—well in excess of one hundred individuals—creating considerable commotion. A Common Loon was observed offshore, along with additional cormorants and Buffleheads. Continuing clockwise around the park, the group recorded Song, Savannah, and White-throated Sparrows, as well as Yellow-rumped Warblers and other expected species. Upon departure, six Northern Flickers provided a final flourish with a flyover.

Our group then proceeded to the Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center for lunch at the picnic tables, where an unusually bold chipmunk partook of its own meal amid the bittersweet.

Following lunch, observations commenced at the West Pond. Present were more than 400 Greater Scaup, a continuous line of Dunlin, and a suite of waterfowl including American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Red-breasted Mergansers, Northern Pintail, and Northern Shovelers. Several Greater Yellowlegs were noted, and—unexpectedly—multiple Snowy Egrets. A scan of the shoreline produced a single American Coot, and a Purple Finch was seen along the trail. With no sign of the expected owl at its box, we reversed course and made a brief visit to the East Pond.

There, we encountered over 100 Hooded Mergansers, additional Ruddy Ducks, and a well-formed flock of Short-billed Dowitchers. Observations concluded at approximately 3 pm.

Species Lists

Birds at Shirley Chisholm State Park, Kings County

Brant
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
American Crow
Fish Crow
Tree Swallow
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler

Birds at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens County

Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Short-billed Dowitcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Dunlin
Ring-billed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Tree Swallow
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Purple Finch
White-throated Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Butterflies

Sulphur sp.

Mammals

Eastern Grey Squirrel
Eastern Chipmunk

Hawk Watch at Belvedere Castle with Gabriel Willow, 11/14/2025

November 14 is a bit late for a Central Park hawk watch, so our expectations for seeing raptors were not high. But with ideal conditions (WNW winds at 5-7 mph and overcast skies) we had the most productive hawk watch of the season. We saw nine raptor species, including an amazing number of Red-shouldered Hawks-16! Over the two and a half hours we scanned the skies and the area around Turtle Pond, 31 species were identified. The raptors included Red-tailed Hawks, some migrating and others probably resident NYC birds, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Kestrel, Cooper’s Hawk, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, and Turkey Vulture. Most of the Red-shouldered Hawks we saw were flying east to west, suggesting they may have crossed Long Island Sound before heading inland. Some skirmishes among the raptors provided extra excitement. One particularly aggressive Merlin was seen harassing a Kestrel, then going after another Merlin, while a brave crow took on a Red-tailed Hawk. In the closing moments of the watch, a Sharp-shinned Hawk was spotted, our first and only Sharpie. Fittingly, the last bird spotted was a beautiful mature Bald Eagle soaring high above the Great Lawn. Thanks to our excellent leader, Gabriel Willow, for his keen eye and helpful tips on identification.

Gull Identification at Coney Island with Bobbi Manian & Dennis Hrehowsik, 11/8/2025

Registrar: Dom Ricci
Participants: 19 (including leaders and registrar)
Weather: Around 60 F, clear, light breeze
Bird Species: 17

An unseasonably warm and sunny fall morning availed itself to the Linnaean birders who gathered on the Coney Island beach over Veterans’ Day weekend to take part in Bobbi and Dennis’s masterclass in gull identification. Traversing the beach, the birders encountered flocks which contained the five gull species frequently found in the area: American Herring, Ring-billed, Laughing, Great Black-backed, and Lesser Black-backed. Birders learned how to analyze the features of each individual bird—its size, plumage and other coloration, and behavior—to determine its species and age. Interspersed with the gulls, a flock of almost two hundred Black Skimmers staged in migratory anticipation while a single Royal Tern made a guest appearance. When the walk ended around lunchtime, everyone had all gained a foundation of knowledge to carry forward to future gull-watching experiences.

Species List

Brant
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Black Skimmer
Forster’s Tern
Royal Tern
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Fish Crow
European Starling
House Sparrow

Staten Island Conference House Walk with Seth Wollney, 11/2/2025

Registrar:  Miriam Rakowski
Participants:  5
Weather:  Sunny, 48-58 degrees, NNW 3-7 miles
Bird Species: 38


It was a beautiful fall day in Staten Island, with sunshine and light winds.  We visited Conference House Park, with its many old-growth trees, where we experienced the full spectrum of the fall colors, from green to orange to pink.

Due to the NYC Marathon, which was scheduled to begin at the Verrazzano Bridge and was thus closed to cars, we had many cancellations.  Those of us who came traveled via public transportation. It was worth the effort, as it was quite birdy.  Many Red-winged Blackbirds, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Kinglets were migrating through.

Species List

Brant
Mallard
American Black Duck
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

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