NYC Area Rare Bird Alert, 2/23/24

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Feb. 23, 2024
* NYNY2402.23

– Birds mentioned
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD+
PAINTED BUNTING+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

ROSS’S GOOSE
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
EURASIAN WIGEON
HARLEQUIN DUCK
Red-necked Grebe
DOVEKIE
Razorbill
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
GLAUCOUS GULL
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK
Red-headed Woodpecker
BOHEMIAN WAXWING
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (western subspecies “Audubon’s” form)

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, February 23rd 2024 at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, BOHEMIAN WAXWING, PAINTED BUNTING, ROSS’S and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, EURASIAN WIGEON, HARLEQUIN DUCK, DOVEKIE, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, “Audubon’s” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and more.

The RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, first noted in Prospect Park on February 10th, was still present today on Breeze Hill where it has been visiting a hummingbird feeder and the nearby honeysuckle plants near the hairpin turn on the Prospect Park Lake side of Breeze Hill.

Out at Jones Beach State Park a BOHEMIAN WAXWING was spotted last Saturday in the trees and vegetation around the maintenance buildings at field 10 often providing nice views but many searches the following day were unable to pin the WAXWING down.

On Thursday a somewhat drab female type PAINTED BUNTING was found at Hempstead Lake State Park and that bird did continue there through today feeding in tall grasses on the downward slope off Lake Drive as it traverses the southern end of Hempstead Lake. Park in field 3 across from the southwest corner of the lake and take a path that goes along the bottom of the downward slope below Lake Drive. The BUNTING and a sizable flock of sparrows have been feeding along this slope especially as it gets closer to McDonald’s Pond at the far end of the path. Patience may be required.

Last Tuesday a ROSS’S GOOSE was spotted in the Canada Goose flock at the College of Staten Island campus. It was refound Wednesday at nearby Willowbrook Park but has not been seen in that area since then.

The GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was present again this afternoon on the pond off Bowman Avenue next to the Rye Brook shopping center in Westchester County.

The drake EURASIAN WIGEON, now more elusive, was present again last Saturday on the main pond at Connetquot River State Park and some HARLEQUIN DUCKS continue around Jones Inlet seen at both the Jones Beach West End jetty and the Point Lookout jetty and 4 were counted at Orient Point today. A DOVEKIE was also spotted at Point Lookout last Sunday and a decent number of RAZORBILLS remain in that area including 48 on Wednesday. Another DOVEKIE was reported off Shinnecock Wednesday.

An adult BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen at Bush Terminal Piers Park Tuesday and Wednesday and at least one immature BLACK-HEADED continues in the Jones Inlet area at times drifting as far east as field 10. An immature GLAUCOUS GULL has been frequenting the area around the Fulton Fish Market at Hunt’s Point in the Bronx recently and an ICELAND GULL continues around the beach at Glen Island Park in Westchester as well as at Bush Terminal Piers Park with another at Floyd Bennett Field Sunday.

A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK spotted Monday morning over Douglaston Queens. During the week RED-NECKED GREBES were noted from Coney Island Beach, in Westchester’s Glen Island Park out to Culloden Point in Montauk. Our RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continue at Willowbrook Park on Staten Island and in Westchester’s Croton Point Park and Marshlands Conservancy. A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was still present along Hulse Landing Road in Calverton at least to Tuesday and a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was a good find at Jones Beach West End last Saturday while the “Audubon’s” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was reported from Jones Beach West End near the Coast Guard Station on Monday.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

NYC Area Rare Bird Alert, 2/16/24

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Feb. 16, 2024
* NYNY2402.16 

– Birds Mentioned

WESTERN GREBE+
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD+
THICK-BILLED MURRE+
ATLANTIC PUFFIN+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
EURASIAN WIGEON
KING EIDER
Harlequin Duck
Black Scoter
Red-necked Grebe
MARBLED GODWIT
DOVEKIE 
COMMON MURRE 
Razorbill 
BLACK GUILLEMOT 
Black-legged Kittiwake
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Northern Gannet
Red-headed Woodpecker
Horned Lark
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
Yellow-breasted Chat
“AUDUBON’S” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER
SUMMER TANAGER

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to 
nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke 
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber:  Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, February 16, 2024 at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of today’s tape are Brooklyn’s first RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, pelagic trip results including ATLANTIC PUFFIN, DOVEKIE and COMMON MURRE, as well as onshore BLACK GUILLEMOT and THICK-BILLED MURRE, a WESTERN GREBE in New Jersey waters, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON and KING EIDER, BLACK-HEADED GULL, MARBLED GODWIT, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, “AUDUBON’S” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, SUMMER TANAGER and more .

A Selasphorous Hummingbird first spotted in Prospect Park last Saturday, based on analysis of photos of the bird’s spread tail, appears to be Brooklyn’s first RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD.  Still present today, the bird has been frequenting Honeysuckle plants and a feeder put up near the hairpin turn on the path on the Prospect Park Lake side of Breeze Hill.

A 12-hour pelagic trip last Saturday aboard the American Princess left Brooklyn in comfortable seas and by day’s end had recorded 25 ATLANTIC PUFFINS, 284 RAZORBILLS, 92 DOVEKIES and 22 COMMON MURRES as well as 69 NORTHERN GANNETS, 1 ICELAND and 4 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, plus other gulls and sea ducks, including over 12,000 BLACK SCOTERS.

To round out the eastern alcids, a BLACK GUILLEMOT spotted last Saturday from Crab Meadow Beach in Fort Salonga was present offshore a little west of the beach parking lot at least to Monday but has not been reported since.  A THICK BILLED MURRE on Saturday off Conference House Park on Staten Island moved north towards Tottenville during the day but on Sunday was found heading south off Conference House Park and out towards the ocean.

A DOVEKIE was spotted east of the Jones Beach West End jetty last Sunday, and some RAZORBILLS continue along the coast.

A continuing WESTERN GREBE recently in Raritan Bay off South Amboy, New Jersey, was seen again last Sunday at long distance from Conference House Park.

A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was still visiting the Bowman Avenue pond in Rye Brook last Sunday, the same day the drake EURASIAN WIGEON was seen again on the main pond at Connetquot River State Park.

A drake KING EIDER seen Saturday off Sammy’s Beach in Northwest Harbor was possibly the same bird spotted the following day at the south end of Gardiners Island; and on Wednesday 22 HARLEQUIN DUCKS were counted around the Jones Beach West End jetty.

Up to three BLACK-HEADED GULLS were noted during the week in Jones Inlet, often along the West End jetty, and an adult was present today at Bush Terminal Piers Park in Brooklyn.

Eight BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES were counted off Montauk Point Sunday, and last week’s ICELAND GULL on the beach at Glen Island Park in Westchester was still present yesterday.

A RED-NECKED GREBE continues off Pelham Bay Park, with one also still off Culloden Point in Montauk last Sunday.

At least three MARBLED GODWITS were still around Jones Beach Field 10 last Saturday.

Continuing locations for wintering RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS include Willowbrook Park on Staten Island, Croton Point Park and Marshlands Conservancy in Rye.  A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was also reported from Croton Point last Sunday.

A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was found in a HORNED LARK flock along Hulse Landing Road in Calverton today, the “AUDUBON’S” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was still at Jones Beach West End yesterday, and a female SUMMER TANAGER appeared a couple of times during the week at a private feeder in Commack.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society.  Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

NYC Area Rare Bird Alert, 2/9/24

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Feb. 9, 2024
* NYNY2402.09 

– Birds Mentioned

WESTERN GREBE+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
EURASIAN WIGEON
KING EIDER
HARLEQUIN DUCK
Red-necked Grebe
Common Gallinule
American Oystercatcher 
MARBLED GODWIT
Purple Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
DOVEKIE 
COMMON MURRE 
Razorbill 
Black-legged Kittiwake
Bonaparte’s Gull
BLACK-HEADED GULL
ICELAND GULL
Red-headed Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Horned Lark
Lapland Longspur
Orange-crowned Warbler
“AUDUBON’S” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to 
nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke 
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber:  Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, February 9, 2024 at 10:00 pm.

The highlights of today’s tape are COMMON MURRE and DOVEKIE, a WESTERN GREBE in New Jersey waters, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER and HARLEQUIN DUCK, MARBLED GODWIT, BLACK-HEADED and ICELAND GULLS, “AUDUBON’S” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and more.

Jones inlet has recently been attracting good numbers of birds, including a decent number of RAZORBILLS during the week. Other alcids also appearing there have been a COMMON MURRE spotted last Sunday off the Jones Beach West End Coast Guard Station and a DOVEKIE present yesterday and today around the jetties off Point Lookout.  At least one immature BLACK-HEADED GULL also continues, often seen along the West End jetty or joining the BONAPARTE’S GULL flock in the inlet.  Up to 16 HARLEQUIN DUCKS can be found along the jetties on either side of the inlet, as can groups of shorebirds, including some PURPLE SANDPIPERS.  Over at Jones Beach State Park Field 10 have been a few lingering MARBLED GODWITS hanging out with numerous AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS as well as up to 3 DOWITCHERS requiring definitive identification.  And the “AUDUBON’S” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was still present near the Coast Guard Station today, while a LAPLAND LONGSPUR was spotted with HORNED LARKS near Field One Monday.

Other DOVEKIE sightings during the week featured singles off Democrat Point at Robert Moses State Park yesterday and off eastern Fire Island last Saturday, with one at Montauk Point Sunday along with 42 RAZORBILLS and a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE. 

A WESTERN GREBE present for a while in Raritan Bay off South Amboy. New Jersey, has been viewed recently from Conference House Park at the southern tip of Staten Island, though views are quite distant and require a telescope and good visibility.

A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE continues to visit the pond off Bowman Avenue in Rye Brook, and a drake EURASIAN WIGEON is still being reported from the main pond at Connetquot River State Park, though it has been sporadic there recently, and another drake was noted again Sunday on Long Creek north of the Grand Avenue bridge in Mattituck.

A female KING EIDER was noted in a SCOTER flock off Oak Neck Beach Road last Saturday, and other HARLEQUIN DUCKS included four off Orient Point and two off Ditch Plains in Montauk, both sightings today, and a female recently off West Neck Beach in Lloyd Harbor.

An adult BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen off Brooklyn’s Plumb Beach last Saturday, and a first winter ICELAND GULL was present by the beach at Glen Island Park in Westchester on Wednesday and Thursday.

Single RED-NECKED GREBES were noted during the week off Floyd Bennett Field and Pelham Bay Park; a COMMON GALLINULE continues at Mill Pond Preserve in Wantagh, and five LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were still present Sunday at Smith Pond in Rockville Centre.

A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was still in Willowbrook Park on Staten Island Thursday, while others also continue at Croton Point Park and Marshlands Conservancy in Westchester and along the Paumanok Trail by Jones Pond off Schultz Road in Manorville, and a PILEATED WOODPECKER in Shu Swamp Nature Preserve in Mill Neck recently provided some local excitement.

A decent number of ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS remain locally.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society.  Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

NYC Area Rare Bird Alert, 2/2/24

RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Feb. 2, 2024
* NYNY2402.02

– Birds mentioned
ATLANTIC PUFFIN+
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL+
PACIFIC LOON+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
EURASIAN WIGEON
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian form “Common Teal”)
HARLEQUIN DUCK
Red-necked Grebe
MARBLED GODWIT
Long-billed Dowitcher
DOVEKIE
COMMON MURRE
Razorbill
Black-legged Kittiwake
Bonaparte’s Gull
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Northern Gannet
Red-headed Woodpecker
Orange-crowned Warbler
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (western subspecies “Audubon’s” form)

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, February 2nd 2024 at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are pelagic trip results including ATLANTIC PUFFIN, DOVEKIE and COMMON MURRE; PACIFIC LOON, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON, HARLEQUIN DUCK, MARBLED GODWIT, BLACK-HEADED GULL, “Audubon’s” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and more.

The 12-hour pelagic trip leaving Brooklyn early Saturday morning aboard the American Princess in fairly calm seas encountered a good number of alcids featuring 33 ATLANTIC PUFFINS, 239 RAZORBILLS, 279 DOVEKIES and 14 COMMON MURRES along with 5 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, 62 BONAPARTE’S and 17 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, 23 NORTHERN GANNETS and some loons and various sea ducks and other gulls.

The PACIFIC LOON present at Floyd Bennett Field since January 18th was last reported on Tuesday. The bird usually seen from the kayak launch site at the northeastern edge of the park.

As an update of the GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL just north of our area which was found along the Hudson in the Newburgh-Beacon area on January 20th has not been seen since departing a corn field west of New Paltz in Ulster County on Friday the 26th but could still be around.

Up to 3 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE have been present recently around the Buffalo Farm off Reeves Avenue north of Riverhead and one was spotted yesterday on Merritt’s Pond in Riverhead. Another continues in lower Westchester often seen on Playland Lake in Rye or the Rye Brook Pond off Bowman Avenue. A drake EURASIAN WIGEON was still present on the main pond at Connetquot River State Park at least to Tuesday and the Eurasian form of GREEN-WINGED TEAL was seen Sunday near field 6 at Heckscher State Park. Up to 15 HARLEQUIN DUCKS were counted this week around the Point Lookout and Jones Inlet jetties while other HARLEQUINS included 2 at Shinnecock Inlet and one off Crab Meadow Beach last Saturday and 2 reported off Orient Point today.

Two BLACK-HEADED GULLS seen off Point Lookout last Saturday continue around Jones Inlet while Monday provided sightings of ICELAND GULL at Brooklyn Bridge Park and off Annadale on Staten Island.

At least 7 MARBLED GODWITS were still around the channel off Jones Beach field 10 Sunday and up to 6 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS continue on Smith Pond in Rockville Centre.

Coastal counts of RAZORBILLS featured 61 around Jones Inlet last Saturday and 38 off Fort Tilden today while at least 5 were also noted today off Playland Park in Rye.

Local RED-NECKED GREBES include singles off Calvert Vaux Park Sunday and Monday, continuing around Orchard Beach at Pelham Bay Park to Wednesday and on the north side of Fort Tilden Thursday and today.

Two RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continue at Croton Point Park with one at Marshlands Conservancy in Rye.

Among the few late lingering warblers are still a few local ORANGE-CROWNEDS as well as the “Audubon’s” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER still at Jones Beach West End at least to Tuesday.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

NYC Area Rare Bird Alert, 1/26/24

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Jan. 26, 2024
* NYNY2401.26

– Birds mentioned
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL+
PACIFIC LOON+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
EURASIAN WIGEON
HARLEQUIN DUCK
Red-necked Grebe
MARBLED GODWIT
DOVEKIE
Razorbill
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
GLAUCOUS GULL
American Bittern
Rough-legged Hawk
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
Vesper Sparrow
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
Orange-crowned Warbler
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (western subspecies “Audubon’s” form)

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, January 26th 2024 at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are a slightly extralimital GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, PACIFIC LOON, DOVEKIE, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON, HARLEQUIN DUCK, MARBLED GODWIT, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, “Audubon’s” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and more.

Last Saturday afternoon a subadult GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL was first spotted and identified on floating docks at the Newburgh waterfront in Orange County but as of Sunday the gull would cross the Hudson River to roost on the Beacon side in Dutchess County on ice forming near the train station. Sightings were limited to the Beacon side until the ice disappeared and by late Thursday afternoon the gull was back to using the floating docks in Newburgh. Where the GLAUCOUS-WINGED would spend its feeding time however was not determined until today when it was spotted off Mohonk Road northwest of New Paltz visiting one of a few regional gull feeding areas most of which are not accessible for public viewing. Later today it was found feeding in a New Paltz cornfield along Route 299 just west of the bridge over the Wallkill River but it subsequently left with other gulls and headed back presumably towards the Newburgh-Beacon area so the best strategy might be to look for gull feeding areas during midday though local knowledge would be very helpful but check the Newburgh waterfront early and late in the day especially the floating docks off Second Street east of Water Street or if ice gathers again on the river try the Beacon waterfront by the train station.

A PACIFIC LOON was still present at least to Wednesday off the northeastern side of Floyd Bennett Field often viewed from the kayak launch site. A DOVEKIE was seen Tuesday near the Coast Guard Station at Jones Beach West End and RAZORBILLS continue along the Atlantic coast and were seen even into western Long Island Sound.

Single adult and immature BLACK-HEADED GULLS were both noted during the week from Jones Beach West End and along the inlet to Point Lookout. Multiple GLAUCOUS GULLS featured one regular in Sheepshead Bay at least to Wednesday and off Calvert Vaux Park Thursday, an immature at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Wednesday followed by an adult there today and one at Randall’s Island last weekend. A few ICELAND GULLS were noted from Miller Field on Staten Island today out to Montauk Harbor Inlet last Saturday with a THAYER’S GULL reported from Prospect Park late Tuesday.

The GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was seen several times around the Buffalo Farm off Reeves Avenue in Riverhead and one continues in lower Westchester noted on Playland Lake a few times up to yesterday. A drake EURASIAN WIGEON continues on the main pond at Connetquot River State Park and HARLEQUIN DUCKS include up to 9 around Jones Inlet and off Point Lookout and a couple in Moriches Inlet Tuesday. Six MARBLED GODWITS were still around Jones Beach field 10 Saturday, a RED-NECKED GREBE was off Calvert Vaux Park Wednesday, one or two AMERICAN BITTERNS continue along Dune Road and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was spotted Sunday near the Long Island Expressway in Brookhaven.

A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was at Robert Moses State Park today and a VESPER SPARROW was found at Great Kills Park last Sunday while the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT occurred at Wolfe’s Pond Park on Staten Island last weekend. The “Audubon’s” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was still around the Jones Beach West End parking area by the Coast Guard Station on Wednesday and a decent number of ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS remain in the area.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

NYC Area Rare Bird Alert, 1/19/24

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Jan. 19, 2024
* NYNY2401.19

– Birds Mentioned

PURPLE GALLINULE+
PACIFIC LOON+
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD+
TOWNSEND’S WARBLER+
WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Greater White-fronted Goose
EURASIAN WIGEON
KING EIDER
Harlequin Duck
MARBLED GODWIT
Long-billed Dowitcher
RED PHALAROPE
PARASITIC JAEGER
DOVEKIE
Razorbill
Black-legged Kittiwake
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
GLAUCOUS GULL
Red-headed Woodpecker
Peregrine Falcon
Lapland Longspur
“Audubon’s” Yellow-rumped Warbler
BLUE GROSBEAK

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber:  Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, January 19, 2024 at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of today’s tape are TOWNSEND’S WARBLER, MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD, WESTERN TANAGER, PURPLE GALLINULE, PACIFIC LOON, RED PHALAROPE, EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER, DOVEKIE, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS, MARBLED GODWIT, PARASITIC JAEGER, BLUE GROSBEAK and more.

Among the lingering rare passerines, the TOWNSEND’S WARBLER in Riverdale was spotted both last Saturday and Sunday along West 231^st Street just west of Independence Avenue, usually appearing in evergreens especially along the north side of the street, but there have been no sightings of the MacGillivray’s Warbler since January 7th.

Out at Heckscher State Park the MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD was still feeding along the median strip between Field 8 and the Park Cottages as of Monday, but the storm may have forced it to move on.

The WESTERN TANAGER has become much more elusive at Jones Beach West End though still present at least to Wednesday near the Coast Guard Station. The “AUDUBON’S” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER also remains in the same area through today.

On the rather bizarre side, a photo surfaced of an immature PURPLE GALLINULE that last Saturday apparently landed on the parking lot at the Sam’s Club in Medford, though we have no idea what happened to the bird subsequently.  As a note, a PURPLE GALLINULE rescued in Westchester on November 13th was rehabilitated at Green Chimneys and has recently been driven to Florida for release – thanks, Steve!

A nice find was a PACIFIC LOON spotted yesterday around Mill Basin on the north side of Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn; it was relocated there today, though usually seen at quite a distance.

Other unexpected birds included a RED PHALAROPE photographed off Montauk Point on Monday, that same day finding a PARASITIC JAEGER off Jones Beach West End.

The recent stormy conditions have also produced several sightings of DOVEKIES, including four off Breezy Point Saturday and another in Jones inlet Sunday, but somewhat startling was a pair of PEREGRINE FALCONS capturing DOVEKIES near Smith Point County Park in Shirley and carrying them to the parking lot to be consumed – at least five DOVEKIES were dispatched in this manner.

A couple of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were seen on Tung Ting Pond in Centerport on Wednesday, and a drake EURASIAN WIGEON continues on the main pond at Connetquot River State Park as of today, with another still on Long Creek in Mattituck last Sunday.

The young male KING EIDER plus over 50 RAZORBILLS were at Montauk Point Sunday, and several HARLEQUIN DUCKS include up to eight around the Jones Inlet and Point Lookout jetties as well as nine off the Ditch Plains beach Monday.

Some MARBLED GODWITS were still around Jones Beach Field 10 recently, and four LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were at Smith Pond in Rockville Centre Sunday.

A BLACK-HEADED GULL continues around Jones Beach, with another at Sunken Meadow State Park Monday.  Two BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES occurred off Montauk Point Monday, a GLAUCOUS GULL has been spotted several times around Sheepshead Bay, and a few ICELAND GULLS have been appearing lately.

Among a few wintering RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were singles today at Willowbrook Park on Staten Island and Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown.

A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was still at Smith Point County Park last Saturday, and the Edgemere BLUE GROSBEAK was still at Rockaway Beach Monday.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society.  Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

NYC Area Rare Bird Alert, 1/12/24

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Jan. 12, 2024
* NYNY2401.12

– Birds Mentioned
THICK-BILLED MURRE+
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER+
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD+
MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER+
TOWNSEND’S WARBLER
WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Greater White-fronted Goose
EURASIAN WIGEON
KING EIDER
Harlequin Duck
Red-necked Grebe
Marbled Godwit
DOVEKIE
Razorbill
BLACK GUILLEMOT
Black-legged Kittiwake
Bonaparte’s Gull
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
GLAUCOUS GULL
Northern Gannet
BROWN PELICAN
Horned Lark
Lapland Longspur
“Audubon’s” Yellow-rumped Warbler
BLUE GROSBEAK

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber:  Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, January 12, 2024 at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of today’s tape are MACGILLIVRAY’S and TOWNSEND’S WARBLERS, MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN TANAGER, BROWN PELICAN, BLACK GUILLEMOT, THICK-BILLED MURRE, DOVEKIE and pelagic trip results, EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS, BLUE GROSBEAK and much more.

Regarding the celebrity WARBLERS in the Bronx, unfortunately, the MACGILLIVRAY’S has not been reported since last Sunday, with the TOWNSEND’S last noted the day before, but still checking the area around West 231st Street just west of Independence Avenue might prove fruitful.

The MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD visiting Heckscher State Park was still present Wednesday, continuing to feed mostly in the roadway median strip, though it had moved away from the section near the Park cottages and closer to Field 8.

The Mount Vernon ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER was still present Thursday, often feeding in trees along South 8th Avenue just south of West 2^nd Street.  Other lingering ASH-THROATEDS featured one still at Brooklyn’s Calvert Vaux Park to Sunday and another noted again last Saturday at Bayswater Point State Park in Queens.

Both the WESTERN TANAGER and the “AUDUBON’S” YELLOW RUMPED WARBLER were reported today in the trees near the Coast Guard Station at Jones
Beach West End .

And unfortunate BROWN PELICAN seen last Monday at Jones Inlet and later at Captree was captured Tuesday at Heckscher State Park and taken in for rehabilitation and repair to its broken leg.

A BLACK GUILLEMOT initially seen at Shinnecock Inlet last Friday was spotted again on Saturday but not reported thereafter.

A pelagic trip last Saturday aboard the American Princess out of Sheepshead Bay cruised inshore waters and counted 96 DOVEKIES, a THICK-BILLED MURRE on the way in, 351 RAZORBILLS, a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, 200 BONAPARTE’S and three LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, and 489 NORTHERN GANNETS.

DOVEKIES reported from shore included four from Montauk Point Monday and two each off Smith Point County Park Tuesday and off Robert Moses State Park Wednesday, while more widespread RAZORBILLS included a
small number in Long Island Sound even reaching Bronx waters.

A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE remains in the lower Westchester area, visiting Playland Lake today.

Single lingering male EURASIAN WIGEONS were noted again on the pond at Connetquot River State Park Saturday and on Long Creek in Mattituck to Monday, while continuing immature male KING EIDERS were still on Monday in Jones Inlet and off Montauk Point.  HARLEQUIN DUCKS included sightings at Shinnecock Inlet Saturday, Ditch Plains Monday, Crab Meadow Beach Tuesday, and Orient Point Wednesday, with several also continuing around Jones Inlet.

A few RED-NECKED GREBES are now showing up, and up to 11 MARBLED GODWITS have continued at least to Monday in the Jones Beach area, frequently seen off Field 10.  A BLACK-HEADED GULL also continues around Jones, often seen off Field 10 or near the Coast Guard Station spit, with another at Pelham Bay Park Wednesday.

A GLAUCOUS GULL was seen around Sheepshead Bay yesterday and today, and an ICELAND GULL was around the Bronx coast Wednesday and Thursday, while small numbers of BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES appeared along the Atlantic coast, especially during the recent storms .

A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was found today in a HORNED LARK flock along Reeves Avenue in Riverhead, and another visited Croton Point Park Tuesday. Most unusual was a female-plumaged BLUE GROSBEAK present Wednesday and Thursday at Rockaway Beach near B54th Street.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society.  Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

NYC Area Rare Bird Alert, 1/5/24

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Jan. 5, 2024
* NYNY2401.05

– Birds mentioned
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE+
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER+
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD+
MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER+
TOWNSEND’S WARBLER+
WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

BARNACLE GOOSE
Eurasian Wigeon
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian form “Common Teal”) 
TUFTED DUCK
King Eider
Harlequin Duck
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
Red-necked Grebe
MARBLED GODWIT
Short-billed Dowitcher
Parasitic Jaeger
Dovekie
Razorbill
BLACK GUILLEMOT
Black-legged Kittiwake
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
Red-headed Woodpecker
Northern Shrike
Lapland Longspur
Baltimore Oriole
Orange-crowned Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (western subspecies “Audubon’s” form) 
Yellow-throated Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at) nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, January 5th 2024 at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are MACGILLIVRAY’S and TOWNSEND’S WARBLERS, MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN TANAGER, BLACK GUILLEMOT, PINK-FOOTED and BARNACLE GEESE, TUFTED DUCK, BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, BLACK-HEADED GULL, MARBLED GODWIT, Christmas Count results and much more.

The celebrated Bronx warbler duo continues with both the MACGILLIVRAY’S and TOWNSEND’S seen today. The key area to search for these 2 warblers is along West 231st Street just west of Independence Avenue. This area is a mostly residential neighborhood so please stay on the public streets and sidewalks. Along West 231st look and listen for the MACGILLIVRAY’S in the heavier low vegetation along the street or in the overgrown lot on the south side of West 231st. The TOWNSEND’S is usually seen when it visits various evergreens especially on the north side of West 231st and some patience may be necessary.

A MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD was still present today at Heckscher State Park usually in the roadway median just north of the park cottages at the northeast sector of the park’s circle road.

An ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER continues in Mount Vernon, Westchester County often found feeding in the trees along South 8th Avenue south of West 2nd Street but may wander to adjacent streets as well. Another ASH-THROATED was seen again Wednesday in Brooklyn’s Owl’s Head Park.

A WESTERN TANAGER at Jones Beach West End was still present today in trees around the entrance to the Coast Guard Station and public parking lot as was the “Audubon’s” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER.

A BLACK GUILLEMOT was spotted today at Shinnecock Inlet stopping briefly before moving deeper into the bay.

The PINK-FOOTED GOOSE continues in the Mill Neck-Oyster Bay area ranging from the Planting Fields Arboretum up to Beaver Lake and surrounding grassy areas. Single EURASIAN WIGEON continue at Connetquot River State Park, on Jamaica Bay’s West Pond and on Long Creek in Mattituck north of the Grand Avenue bridge. A male BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was seen Sunday and Monday in Three Mile Harbor as viewed from the end of Hands Creek Road in Northwest Harbor and single KING EIDERS continue in Jones Inlet and at Montauk Point.

Two BLACK-HEADED GULLS were present today off Jones Beach field 10 where up to 12 MARBLED GODWITS have been counted recently associating with a flock of American Oystercatchers.

A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was seen Saturday and Tuesday in Orient just west of Narrow River Road and a CAPE MAY WARBLER was in Orient Sunday.

The Southern Nassau Christmas Count on Saturday, December 30th totaled an excellent New York State record 146 species. Among their numerous highlights were “Eurasian” GREEN-WINGED TEAL, KING EIDER, 8 HARLEQUIN DUCKS, 10 MARBLED GODWITS, DOVEKIE, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, 2 BLACK-HEADED GULLS, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, one “Audubon’s” YELLOW-RUMPED and 13 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, WESTERN TANAGER and 3 new count records: SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, 2 PARASITIC JAEGERS and YELLOW WARBLER.

The Central Suffolk Count Wednesday, December 27th netted 120 species including ICELAND and BLACK-HEADED GULLS and RED-HEADED WOODPECKER.

The Smithtown Count Wednesday, December 27th recorded 114 species including TUFTED DUCK and Head-of-Harbor HARLEQUIN DUCK, RED-NECKED GREBE, RAZORBILL and 2 BALTIMORE ORIOLES.

On the Putnam Count on Tuesday, January 2nd among its 85 species had a BARNACLE GOOSE still present on Lake Gleneida in Carmel, NORTHERN SHRIKE, BALTIMORE ORIOLE and WILSON’S WARBLER

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

NYC Area Rare Bird Alert, 12/29/23

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Dec. 29, 2023
* NYNY2312.29

– Birds mentioned
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE+
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER+
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD+
MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER+
TOWNSEND’S WARBLER+
WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Eurasian Wigeon
Green-winged Teal
TUFTED DUCK
King Eider
Harlequin Duck
Red-necked Grebe
Marbled Godwit
Black-legged Kittiwake
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Red-headed Woodpecker
Lapland Longspur
Chipping Sparrow
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
Baltimore Oriole
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, December 29th 2023 at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are MACGILLIVRAY’S and TOWNSEND’S WARBLER, MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN TANAGER, PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, TUFTED DUCK, BLACK-HEADED GULL, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, Christmas Count results and more.

The 100th Bronx-Westchester Christmas Bird Count Saturday recorded 121 species including 2 new to the count the most striking of which was the MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER found in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. This handsome bird has continued there through today but due to the volume of people visiting this residential neighborhood birders have been requested to park only along public streets and bird from sidewalks along those streets. A key area is the south side of West 231st Street just west of Independence Avenue just beyond the non-public parking lot at this corner bordered by a hedgerow there’s a private home and driveway and then an overgrown small field. The MACGILLIVRAY’S appears both in the hedgerow at times coming up West 231st Street and in the small field where it can be quite elusive requiring patience. The two new count ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS included a bird at Pelham Bay landfill and one lingering in Mount Vernon recently most frequently seen a short way down South 8th Avenue just south of West 2nd Street. Other count highlights included 3 RED-NECKED GREBES, ICELAND GULL, a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER at Marshlands Conservancy, 4 CHIPPING SPARROWS, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, and 7 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS.

A TOWNSEND’S WARBLER, perhaps present in Forest Park Queens since November, has been seen since Wednesday often in the gully but today also in evergreens just north of Forest Park Drive. A MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD spotted Monday at Heckscher State Park was still present today often along the roadway median just north of the park cottages at the northeast sector of the park’s circle road. Other ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS this week were noted in Brooklyn at Calvert Vaux Park Sunday and Owl’s Head Park today and at Bayswater State Park in Queens to Wednesday. A WESTERN TANAGER at Jones Beach West End near the Coast Guard Station was still present at least to Wednesday.

Single PINK-FOOTED GEESE were spotted today at Planting Fields Arboretum near Oyster Bay and at Crab Meadow Beach in Fort Salonga. The EURASIAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL was found on Short’s Pond off Scuttle Hole Road in Watermill last Sunday and a male TUFTED DUCK was still in Stony Brook Harbor today often viewed from Cordwood Park off Harbor Road. Last Sunday single young male KING EIDERS were seen off the Jones Inlet jetty and off Montauk Point and 3 HARLEQUIN DUCKS continue off the Jones jetty, another at Orient Point with 4 at Old Field Point Wednesday.

Eleven MARBLED GODWITS were present Sunday off field 10 at Jones Beach State Park with single BLACK-HEADED GULLS at Calvert Vaux Park Monday, Setauket Harbor Tuesday and on Wednesday at Coney Island Creek which also had an ICELAND GULL today.

Two LAPLAND LONGSPURS were spotted in Watermill Sunday and single CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were at Marshlands Conservancy Tuesday and Hither Hills State Park today.

Single YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS occurred today at Mecox Inlet and Big Reed Pond in Montauk.

The Captree Christmas Count on Sunday the 17th netted 133 species including a new BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER plus EURASIAN WIGEON at Connetquot River State Park, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, ICELAND GULL and 5 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS.

The Northern Nassau Count on Saturday the 16th recorded 118 species with 2 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, KING EIDER and BALTIMORE ORIOLE.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

NYC Area Rare Bird Alert, 12/22/23

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Dec. 22, 2023
* NYNY2312.22 

– Birds Mentioned 

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE+
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD+
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD+
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD+
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER+
WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

ROSS’S GOOSE
Greater White-fronted Goose
EURASIAN WIGEON
TUFTED DUCK 
KING EIDER
Harlequin Duck
Red-necked Grebe
Virginia Rail
Long-billed Dowitcher
DOVEKIE 
Razorbill 
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Short-eared Owl
Red-headed Woodpecker
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
LARK SPARROW 
Yellow-breasted Chat
Boat-tailed Grackle 
Lapland Longspur
Orange-crowned Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
“Audubon’s” Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler

|If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to 
nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070
Compiler: Tom Burke 
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber:  Gail Benson

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, December 22, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.

The highlights of today’s tape are BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD, MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN TANAGER, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, PINK-FOOTED and ROSS’S GEESE, TUFTED DUCK, KING EIDER, EURASIAN WIGEON, DOVEKIE, BLACK-HEADED GULL, LARK and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS, Christmas Count results and more. 

The Randall’s Island BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD has not been reported since last Sunday and presumably has departed after a long and pleasing stay.

The major storm arriving last Sunday did produce one surprise when a male MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD was spotted Monday morning sailing over Mattituck on the North Fork, the bird also appearing about 4 hours later over Camp Hero at Montauk Point before disappearing for good.

The ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER in Manhattan’s West Village was last reported Monday, but besides a few others on Christmas counts, one has also been present in Brooklyn’s Calvert Vaux Park yesterday and today.

The colorful WESTERN TANAGER at Jones Beach West End continues its presence near the Coast Guard Station, with the “AUDUBON’S” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER lingering nearby.

The PINK-FOOTED GOOSE continues to be seen in the Mill Neck-Oyster Bay area, including again at the Planting Fields Arboretum last Sunday.

A ROSS’S GOOSE has been seen a few times at least to Wednesday near the Buffalo Farm along Reeves Avenue north of Riverhead, with a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE also in the same area.  Another WHITE-FRONTED also continues in lower Westchester, often on a pond along Bowman Avenue.

A young male TUFTED DUCK has yesterday and today been in a Scaup flock frequenting the south end of Stony Brook harbor and has been viewed from Cordwood Park off Harbor Road.  The young male TUFTED DUCK recently on Fort Pond in Montauk was last reported there on Tuesday.

The drake EURASIAN WIGEON was still on the main pond at Connetquot River State Park last weekend, and another has returned to Long Creek in Mattituck, usually seen north of the Grand Avenue bridge.

A young drake KING EIDER continues off the viewing platform at Montauk Point, and a few HARLEQUIN DUCKS have been around the Jones Beach West End jetty recently, with 2 more continuing near Mt. Sinai inlet.

An immature BLACK-HEADED GULL was photographed Tuesday off Dune Road in Quogue, and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR was spotted at Sammy’s Beach in East Hampton Tuesday.

On Saturday the Brooklyn Christmas Count recorded a nice 136 species, including 3 ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS, along with a LARK SPARROW in Holy Cross Cemetery from last Thursday at least to Sunday and such highlights as 5 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS at Shirley Chisholm State Park, 9 RAZORBILLS, SHORT-EARED OWL, a BLACK-THROATED GREEN and 16 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS and 932 BOAT-TAILED GRACKLES.

The Montauk Count Saturday recorded 134 species, highlights including 3 new count species  – RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, TUFTED DUCK, and BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, as well as 3 DOVEKIES and 3,060 RAZORBILLS, RED-NECKED GREBE, 2 CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS, 3 YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS, NORTHERN PARULA and 10 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS.

The Queens Count Sunday set a new record with 134 species, including a first CAPE MAY WARBLER, along with an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER at Bayswater Point State Park and 108 RAZORBILLS.

The Greenwich-Stamford Count, including parts of Westchester, Sunday noted 111 species including GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, HARLEQUIN DUCK and a RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD in Cos Cob, and the Peekskill Count on Saturday set a new record with at least 109 species, including VIRGINIA RAIL, 2 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS at Croton Point, and BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society.  Thank you for calling.

– End transcript