Starr Saphir Memorial Spring Migration Walk in Central Park’s North End with Jeffrey Kimball, 5/2/2025

Registrar:  Suzanne Zywicki
Participants: 16
Weather: Calm, partly cloudy, temperatures in the 50s-60s
Bird Species: 37

Our annual spring walk to celebrate the iconic birding guide, Starr Saphir, focused on Central Park’s North End. The group met at the 103rd Street and Central Park West entrance to the park and traveled down to the Pool, where our leader, Jeff Kimball, told the group a bit about Starr and her approach to birding.

Beginning our walk, we quickly spotted a Solitary Sandpiper and a Northern Waterthrush in the mudflats. As we continued around the Pool, we spied a Nashville Warbler moving around in some low foliage. We then moved on to the Loch, where we saw lots of warbler activity, including two of the day’s highlights—a Worm-Eating and a Black-Throated Green Warbler.  We also saw a Black-Throated Blue Warbler, one of Starr’s favorite birds.

The group move on to the newly opened Davis Center to take a quick break and to explore the Harlem Meer. Our route then took us back to the North Woods, where we saw a single Cedar Waxwing—unusual for a bird we are used to seeing in small flocks. As we continued, we were excited to see a single Wood Thrush, but soon after encountered four more!

Finally, we worked our way to the Great Hill, where we were treated to several Baltimore Orioles and a Scarlet Tanager.

Species List

Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Solitary Sandpiper
Great Egret
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
falcon sp.
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal

Birds & Brews: Central Park with Amanda Bielskas and Gillian Henry, 4/30/2025

Registrar: Amanda Bielskas           
Participants: 20
Weather: Sunny and warm, high of 73, with a slight breeze
Bird Species: 33

This was the second Birds & Brews walk of the spring migration season. After starting at 81st
Street and Central Park West,we walked over to the Shakespeare Garden and up to Belvedere Castle, where we had some good looks at several warbler species, including Black-throated Green and Northern Parula. We also had a bonus Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Walking around Turtle Pond, we saw several additional species. At the dock, we had great looks at a Black-throated Blue Warbler, first of the year for many in the group!

Central Park never disappoints, and a great walk was had by all. Afterward,  several of us went to a local restaurant for some snacks and libations.

Species List

Canada Goose 
Mallard 
Mourning Dove 
Chimney Swift 
Double-crested Cormorant 
Great Blue Heron 
Blue Jay 
American Crow 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
Gray Catbird 
American Robin
House Sparrow 
American Goldfinch 
White-throated Sparrow 
Song Sparrow 
Eastern Towhee
Baltimore Oriole 
Red-winged Blackbird 
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle 
Ovenbird 
Black-and-white Warbler 
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler 
Yellow-rumped Warbler 
Black-throated Green Warbler
Northern Cardinal 
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Central Park with Kevin Sisco, Ken Chaya, Richard Davis and Rahil Patel, 4/29/2025

Registrar: Michelle Zorzi
Participants: 61
Weather: 55F-76F and sunny, light breeze
Bird Species: 81

It was a beautiful spring day, and 61 enthusiastic birders gathered at 7:30 a.m., eager to discover what avian delights awaited us. The morning began a bit slowly, with only a couple of warblers spotted in Strawberry Fields. However, things quickly picked up when a cooperative male Scarlet Tanager put on a show on the south side of Turtle Pond, followed by an Indigo Bunting offering great views at the new shelter across from the Weather Station. Although overall numbers of each warbler species were low, the groups collectively saw a total of 20 warbler species—an impressive tally for a single day during migration. Some birders were also fortunate to see the continuing Kentucky Warbler, which had remained for a fifth consecutive day along the west-side wall near 75th Street. All in all, it was a wonderful day, full of the sights and sounds of spring birding!

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
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
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Northern House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow 
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
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
Nashville Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting

Birds & Brews: Central Park with Leaders Amanda Bielskas, Alan Drogin, and Gillian Henry, 4/23/2025

Registrar: Amanda Bielskas           
Participants: 30
Weather: Sunny and warm, high of 75 with a slight breeze
Bird Species: 31

This was the first Birds & Brews walk of the spring migration season. We started at 72nd Street and split into two groups. One group looked through Strawberry Fields and the other headed over to the south side of the Lake, where we had a quick view of a Waterthrush and a Swamp Sparrow.

After wandering into the Ramble, we saw some great birds, including four species of woodpeckers, a Brown Creeper, and several warbler species. Central Park never disappoints,
and a great walk was had by all.

After the walk several of us went to a local bar for some snacks and libations.

Species List

Birds
Canada Goose
Mallard
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Double-crested Cormorant
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Louisiana/Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Central Park Spring Migration Walk with Ken Chaya, Richard Davis, Alice Deutsch, Rahil Patel, and Kevin Sisco, 4/22/2025

Registrar: Barrie Raik
Participants: 45
Weather: Cool and overcast early in the day (56 F), but sunny and warm later (69 F)
Bird Species: 74

Our day started cool and overcast with difficult visibility, but as the sky cleared and the temperature rose, more and more birds were seen by four groups of enthusiastic birders. Highlights included 14 warbler species. including Worm-eating and Nashville warblers, as well as a Purple Finch and an Eastern Whip-poor-will. Some hardy members were out for six hours.

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Wild Turkey
Green-winged Teal
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Black-capped Chickad
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Northern House Wren
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrush
Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler

Central Park Spring Migration Walk with Ken Chaya, Richard Davis, Alice Deutsch, Rahil Patel, and Kevin Sisco, 4/15/2025

Registrar: Sally Weiner
Participants: approx. 51
Weather: low 50s to the upper 60s, a mixture of sun and clouds; a few sprinkles early in the walk
Bird Species: 59

Just as the temperature ranged from brisk to springlike, the birds included both winter residents and migrants, both heading north into their breeding territories. Joining them were our year-round residents. A good number of sparrow species were observed, and both kinglets and several warbler species made an appearance.
Birders formed into four groups, with Alice and Rahil co-leading one group. Time spent in the field was up to seven hours.

Species List

Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove 
American Coot
American Woodcock
Ring-billed Gull 
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Green Heron
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
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
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Louisiana Waterthrush
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler 
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Central Park Spring Migration Walk with Richard Davis, Alice Deutsch, Rahil Patel, and Kevin Sisco, 4/8/2025

Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 40
Weather: Cloudy, 37°F at 7:30 am. Clear, 43°F by early afternoon; westerly winds at 7
mph
Bird Species: 64

It felt like a return to winter this morning. Despite the chilly weather, we had a
good turnout, and collectively we saw 64 species of birds, including six
warbler species. We divided into three groups and visited the Ramble, Turtle Pond,
and the Reservoir, where many winter ducks remain. Highlights of the day were a
Bald Eagle soaring above Central Park, a Green Heron on the shore of the Lake,
several Louisiana Waterthrushes in the Ramble, an early Blue-headed Vireo at the
Turtle Pond dock, and a first-of-season Black-and-White Warbler near Evodia Field,
and a Northern Flicker.

Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck 
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall 
Mallard 
American Black Duck
Bufflehead 
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck 
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 
Mourning Dove 
American Coot 
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant 
Green Heron 
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo 
Blue Jay
American Crow 
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
European Starling
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
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Louisiana Waterthrush
Black-and-White Warbler
Northern Parula
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal

Better Bird Photography Workshop in Prospect Park with Tom Stephenson, 4/5/2025

Registrar: Dom Ricci
Participants: 13
Weather: Around 47–51 F, overcast, moderate breeze, infrequent light rain
Bird Species: 40

You might think that overcast conditions are are incompatible with good nature photography, but you would be mistaken. Gathered together on a cloudy Saturday morning near the Vale of Cashmere in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, a dozen Linnaean birders learned from noted birding writer, lecturer, and technology expert Tom Stephenson how to optimize their camera techniques and post-processing skills to capture avian subjects for both identification and aesthetics.

After the workshop we put those lessons to use in Prospect Park’s mix of lingering winter residents and early spring migration arrivals. In addition to Pine and Black-and-White Warblers in the Vale, sharp-eyed spotting treated us to two Louisiana Waterthrushes in the Ravine, near the site of last fall’s brush fire. We beheld an assortment of Wood Ducks, a Ring-necked Duck, a Rusty Blackbird, Golden-crowned Kinglets, a Green Heron, and a Cooper’s Hawk in close succession around the Pools.

The walk was concluded by an extended photographing session with an Orange-crowned Warbler, whose pool-side performance gave everyone a great opportunity to apply Tom’s photography lesson.


Species List

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Green Heron
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
European Starling
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Rusty Blackbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Pine Warbler
Northern Cardinal