The Linnaean Society of New York

New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
 

Rare Bird Alert By Telephone

Bird sightings in the Greater New York area 

  • 212-979-3070 — to hear updated recordings of unusual bird sightings in Greater New York. This Rare Bird Alert is sponsored by The Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. 

To report a rare bird sighting

  • 914-967-4922 — Tom Burke for New York City, Westchester and Long Island 

NYC Area Rare Bird Alert, 3/20/2026

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Mar. 20, 2026
* NYNY2603.20

– Birds mentioned
TRUMPETER SWAN+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

TUNDRA SWAN
EURASIAN WIGEON
KING EIDER
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
Red-necked Grebe
Piping Plover
BLACK-HEADED GULL
GLAUCOUS GULL
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Iceland Gull
Snowy Egret
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
Chipping Sparrow
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (western subspecies “Gambel’s” form)
Palm 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, March 20th 2026 at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are TRUMPETER and TUNDRA SWANS, EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER, BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, Gambel’s WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, and more.

The New York City TRUMPETER SWAN continues along the Brooklyn shore of the East River. Today, it was present with its accompanying Mute Swan for much of the day around the North 5th Street Pier and Park. These birds have frequented this section of the East River north of the Williamsburg Bridge for much of the week and seem to be comfortable there.

An adult TUNDRA SWAN was present today on the East Pond in Moravian Cemetery in central Staten Island. This likely the same swan spotted on Tuesday at High Rock Park.

Two male EURASIAN WIGEON were reported Saturday around The Raunt on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and one was noted again Monday on Agawam Lake in Southampton. An immature male KING EIDER was spotted this morning in a Common Eider flock just north of Shinnecock Inlet, and a female type BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was seen again with Common Goldeneye Tuesday in Gravesend Bay as viewed from the middle parking lot off the Belt Parkway.

A BLACK-HEADED GULL acquiring full breeding plumage was present at Plumb Beach at least through Thursday, with another adult still at Terrell River County Park at least through last weekend. A GLAUCOUS GULL visited Sammy’s Beach in East Hampton last Saturday, while scattered ICELAND GULLS included one all week at Bush Terminal Piers Park, one at Calvert Vaux Park in Brooklyn today, and one still at Old Field Point Wednesday. A few LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS also continue along the coast.

A RED-NECKED GREBE spent all week around the Mill Basin at Floyd Bennett Field, with another off Pelham Bay Park on Saturday.

An adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continued through the week at Marshlands Conservancy in Rye.

A nice find was an immature Gambel’s type WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW present in Green-wood Cemetery from Tuesday through today.

A notable gathering of 37 PIPING PLOVERS were counted last Sunday at Fire Island’s Old Inlet in Bellport Bay, and other arrivals have featured YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, SNOWY EGRET, CHIPPING SPARROW, and PALM 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, 3/13/2024

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Mar. 13, 2026
* NYNY2603.13

– Birds mentioned
TRUMPETER SWAN+
COMMON MURRE+
SWAINSON’S HAWK+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

TUNDRA SWAN
EURASIAN WIGEON
Red-necked Grebe
Piping Plover
Lesser Yellowlegs
THICK-BILLED MURRE
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Laughing Gull
GLAUCOUS GULL
Iceland Gull
PACIFIC LOON
Great Egret
Osprey
AMERICAN GOSHAWK
Rough-legged Hawk
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
Tree Swallow
Pine 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, March 13th
2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are SWAINSON’S HAWK, PACIFIC
LOON, TRUMPETER SWAN, COMMON and THICK-BILLED MURRES, AMERICAN GOSHAWK,
TUNDRA SWAN, EURASIAN WIGEON, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS, RED-HEADED
WOODPECKER, Spring migrants and more.

A brief warm spell brought in a few early migrants this week but our only
reports of the adult SWAINSON’S HAWK in Brooklyn came from last Monday with
the bird seen both at the Sim’s Municipal Recycling Center and flying over
nearby Green-wood Cemetery. The recycling center is a restricted access
property but can be viewed from outside the surrounding fencing but time
will tell if the hawk moved on during this weather break.

A PACIFIC LOON recently lingering around Jones Inlet was reported again
last weekend out in the boat channel off Jones Beach West End but not
since, though possibly still present.

The TRUMPETER SWAN recently visiting the East River with an accompanying
Mute Swan has been seen the last several days off or near Brooklyn’s Marsha
P. Johnson State Park or just to the south at the North 5th Street Pier and
Park in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn.

Both MURRES were reported locally last Saturday with a THICK-BILLED
photographed first off Plumb Beach and then almost 2 hours later farther
west off Brighton Beach while a COMMON MURRE was spotted well outside
Shinnecock Inlet drifting to the east.

The immature AMERICAN GOSHAWK at Jones Beach West End was seen a few times
this week as it stealthily hunts around the dunes near the boardwalk also
appropriately used as a hawkwatch site with sightings often rather brief
and somewhat obstructed.

Two TUNDRA SWANS were spotted moving north over Croton Point Park in
Westchester Monday morning. A drake EURASIAN WIGEON was reported from the
East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Tuesday and Wednesday and another
was noted today in a waterfowl gathering in Bellport Bay off Shirley Beach
on the west side of Shirley.

An adult BLACK-HEADED GULL was spotted Tuesday on the beach at Oldfield
Point and Lighthouse. An immature GLAUCOUS GULL was moving between Brooklyn
Army Terminal Pier 4 and Bush Terminal Piers Park early in the week at
least to Tuesday with one or two ICELAND GULLS doing the same through
Thursday. Single ICELANDS were also noted Saturday at Great Kills Park and
Shinnecock Inlet with others still hanging around Gravesend Bay through
today.

A RED-NECKED GREBE was still around Floyd Bennett Field to Tuesday with
another that day at Oldfield Point.

A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was spotted Monday at Pine Meadow County Park in
Eastport and an adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues at Marshlands
Conservancy in Rye.

Among the few expected migrants beginning to show up recently have been
PIPING PLOVER, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, LAUGHING GULL, GREAT EGRET, OSPREY, TREE
SWALLOW and PINE 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, 3/6/2026

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Mar. 06, 2026
* NYNY2603.06

– Birds Mentioned
SWAINSON’S HAWK+
(+Details requested by NYSARC)

Mute Swan
TRUMPETER SWAN
EURASIAN WIGEON
KING EIDER
Common Eider
Harlequin Duck
Red-necked Grebe
American Oystercatcher
Piping Plover
American Woodcock
THICK-BILLED MURRE
BLACK-HEADED GULL
GLAUCOUS GULL
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Iceland Gull
PACIFIC LOON
AMERICAN GOSHAWK
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
Tree Swallow
LAPLAND LONGSPUR

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, March 6, 2026 at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of today’s tape are SWAINSON’S HAWK, PACIFIC LOON, TRUMPETER SWAN, THICK-BILLED MURRE, AMERICAN GOSHAWK, EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, LAPLAND LONGSPUR and more.

The adult SWAINSON’S HAWK currently wintering in Brooklyn was present at least to Wednesday around the SIMS Municipal Recycling Center located around 29th Street, west of Second Avenue – access to this facility is restricted but the area can be viewed from outside the surrounding fencing.  Also watch for it flying around the local neighborhood, including over Green-Wood Cemetery.

A PACIFIC LOON apparently still hanging around Jones Inlet was seen off Jones Beach West End on Tuesday and reported there again today.

Causing quite a stir recently has been a TRUMPETER SWAN lingering in the East River along the Brooklyn and Queens shorelines with an accompanying MUTE SWAN.  This pair has been moving up as far as Hunters Point in Queens on the north end of their travels and then down river as far as Wallabout Channel in Brooklyn, today spending some time around the Austin Nichols House a little north of the Williamsburg Bridge.

A THICK-BILLED MURRE was photographed last Saturday as it fed along the west side of Shinnecock Inlet, but more challenging has been a fairly elusive immature AMERICAN GOSHAWK seen briefly several times over the last week or so as it travels around the vegetation in the dunes at Jones Beach West End.

Among the waterfowl, a EURASIAN WIGEON continues to be seen on Agawam Lake in Southampton, a female KING EIDER was spotted Wednesday in Gardiners Bay with a group of COMMON EIDERS, and 12 HARLEQUIN DUCKS were counted off Point Lookout last Saturday.

A BLACK-HEADED GULL was photographed again Saturday at Plumb Beach in Brooklyn, with another continuing in Jones Inlet, often seen at the Point Lookout side.

A GLAUCOUS GULL was spotted Saturday in Gravesend Bay in Brooklyn, along with a couple of ICELAND GULLS, and among several other ICELANDS were birds noted at Great Kills Park, Floyd Bennett Field, Crab Meadow Beach, Robert Moses State Park and Oldfield Point and Lighthouse.  Some LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS also continue locally at coastal sites where gulls gather.

A couple of RED-NECKED GREBES were present Sunday and Wednesday off City Island in the Bronx, and a single was viewed Wednesday and today off Floyd Bennett Field.

An adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues at Marshlands Conservancy in Rye, and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR was seen Sunday to Wednesday at Smith Point County Park.

Recent arrivals regionally, hopefully showing good judgment, included a few AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS, a PIPING PLOVER at Jones Beach, a few vocalizing AMERICAN WOODCOCK, and a TREE SWALLOW or two.

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, 2/27/2026

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Feb. 27, 2026
* NYNY2602.27

– Birds Mentioned

SWAINSON’S HAWK+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

TUNDRA SWAN
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
EURASIAN WIGEON
Harlequin Duck
Red-necked Grebe
Wilson’s Snipe
THICK-BILLED MURRE
BLACK-HEADED GULL
GLAUCOUS GULL
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Iceland Gull
American Bittern
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle

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
27, 2026 at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of today’s tape are SWAINSON’S HAWK, TUNDRA SWAN,
EURASIAN WIGEON, THICK-BILLED MURRE, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS,
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK and more.

With birding this week severely hampered by last weekend’s blizzard,
fortunately some highlights do continue locally, especially the adult
SWAINSON’S HAWK wintering again in Brooklyn.  As in previous winters,
this bird continues to roost and hunt frequently in the vicinity of
the SIMS Municipal Recycling Center located around 29th Street west of
2nd Avenue – access to this facility is restricted, but the area can
be viewed from outside the surrounding fencing. The hawk has also been
seen over the local neighborhood, including nearby Green-Wood
Cemetery.

Last Sunday afternoon as the blizzard was gearing up, 9 TUNDRA SWANS
were found on the icy Hudson River just north of Croton Point Park in
Westchester.  The next day 2 were seen south of Croton Point but soon
flew north upriver and have not been relocated since.

A drake EURASIAN WIGEON was spotted last Saturday around a puddle on
the Timber Point Golf Course off the end of Great River Road in Great
River, and that same day the presumed changing drake EURASIAN WIGEON
was noted again on Agawam Lake in Southampton, this lake just south of
Montauk Highway. A drake BLUE WINGED TEAL was present again on
Patchogue Lake in Patchogue last Sunday.

Yesterday morning a THICK-BILLED MURRE was photographed in Gravesend
Bay off the Caesar’s Bay Bazaar, while a BLACK-HEADED GULL continues
around Jones Inlet, often noted on the Point Lookout side, where 5
HARLEQUIN DUCKS were also present recently.

A GLAUCOUS GULL was spotted moving south over the Red Hook section of
Brooklyn last Saturday, and another visited Orchard Beach in the Bronx
on Wednesday.

Among a few wintering LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were one visiting
Central Park Reservoir last Sunday and another at Bush Terminal Piers
Park Wednesday.

Some scattered ICELAND GULLS included up to 4 around Gravesend Bay in
Brooklyn all week and 2 on Central Park Reservoir last Saturday, with
1 there Tuesday, while elsewhere singles were spotted at Brooklyn Army
Terminal Pier 4 Tuesday and on Thursday at Great Kills Park on Staten
Island and at Louis Engel Park in Ossining up in Westchester.

A decent number of RED-NECKED GREBES featured singles at Brooklyn Army
Terminal Pier 4 and in Southampton last Saturday, 1 in Jamaica Bay
Tuesday, another off Orchard Beach Wednesday and Thursday, and others
today at Breezy Point and Floyd Bennett Field.

AMERICAN BITTERNS were still being seen before the storm along Dune
Road, and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was spotted over Douglaston in Queens
last Tuesday.

Impressive counts at Alley Pond Park last weekend featured 78 RUSTY
BLACKBIRDS and an estimated 2500 COMMON GRACKLES on Saturday, followed
by a count of 64 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS plus 35 WOOD DUCKS and a WILSON’S
SNIPE Sunday.

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, 2/20/2026

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Feb. 20, 2026
* NYNY2602.20

– Birds mentioned
SHORT-BILLED GULL+
SWAINSON’S HAWK+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
EURASIAN WIGEON
Harlequin Duck
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
Red-necked Grebe
Razorbill
DOVEKIE
THICK-BILLED MURRE
Black-legged Kittiwake
BLACK-HEADED GULL
GLAUCOUS GULL
Iceland Gull
PACIFIC LOON
Rough-legged Hawk
VESPER SPARROW
PAINTED BUNTING

– 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 20th 2026 at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are SWAINSON’S HAWK, SHORT-BILLED GULL, PACIFIC LOON, DOVEKIE, THICK-BILLED MURRE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON, BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS, VESPER SPARROW, PAINTED BUNTING and more.

Quite welcome was the return Tuesday of the SWAINSON’S HAWK to Brooklyn seen initially moving over Green-wood Cemetery and then later at its favored location, the Sims Municipal Recycling Center. This site, where it often roosts, is located around 29th Street west of 2nd Avenue. Access is restricted but the area can be viewed from outside the surrounding fences. Also watch for the hawk if around the Green-wood Cemetery area.

A SHORT-BILLED GULL was spotted Monday morning on the mudflats at Great Kills Park on Staten Island but it only stayed for a short while before moving off and has not been reported since.

A PACIFIC LOON, possibly hanging around in the vicinity of Jones Inlet for awhile now, was seen Sunday from both the Jones Beach West End side and the Point Lookout side.

Out at Montauk Point a few DOVEKIES were seen Sunday and Monday off the point and from Camp Hero along with some RAZORBILLS with 3 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES also reported Monday. Last Saturday a THICK-BILLED MURRE was identified off Lido Beach West Town Park and another was reported off Robert Moses State Park west of field 2.

A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was identified as it flew over Coney Island Beach in Brooklyn on Sunday and a EURASIAN WIGEON, in unusual plumage, was still on Agawam Lake in Southampton last Sunday, this lake south of Montauk Highway. Today a drake BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was still at Sammy’s Beach in East Hampton and a female is present off the Lemon Creek Pier on Staten Island yesterday and today. Wintering HARLEQUIN DUCKS include about 10 around the Jones Inlet jetties and 3 continuing at Ditch Plains in Montauk.

On Tuesday single BLACK-HEADED GULLS were seen at Plumb Beach and at Swindler’s Cove in northern Manhattan with another continuing around the Point Lookout Town Park seen Tuesday and Thursday. A GLAUCOUS GULL continues along the western Brooklyn coast between Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4 and Bush Terminal Piers Park and several ICELAND GULLS include up to 3 around Gravesend Bay in Brooklyn, 2 on Central Park Reservoir Saturday, one up the Hudson in Peekskill Tuesday and one continuing around the Lake Montauk inlet.

A RED-NECKED GREBE visited Playland Park in Rye Sunday, this perhaps the one off Pelham Bay Park Tuesday to Thursday, with another at Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4 Tuesday.

A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen around Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge’s West Pond early in the week with another at Jones Beach State Park Monday.

A VESPER SPARROW continues at the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center off Yaphank Avenue and a female type PAINTED BUNTING has recently been visiting a private residence on eastern Long Island. Good reason to keep those feeders full.

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, 2/13/2026

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Feb. 13, 2026
* NYNY2602.13

– Birds mentioned
COMMON GULL+ (Kamchatka form)
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

EURASIAN WIGEON
HARLEQUIN DUCK
Red-necked Grebe
Razorbill
DOVEKIE
GLAUCOUS GULL
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Iceland Gull
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
Vesper Sparrow
Rusty Blackbird

– 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 13th
2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are COMMON GULL, EURASIAN
WIGEON, HARLEQUIN DUCK, DOVEKIE, GLAUCOUS GULL, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, LAPLAND
LONGSPUR and more.

Today in Westchester a COMMON GULL was photographed along the shore of the
Hudson River in Verplanck. The bird quickly disappeared and was searched
for until dusk from Steamboat Landing in Verplanck up to a gull roost at
Riverfront Park in Peekskill without success. Eyes will be on the river
tomorrow during Eagle Fest so hopefully this bird, appearing to be a
Kamchatka form, will be relocated.

The EURASIAN WIGEON male, in unusual transitional plumage, was present this
week on Agawam Lake located on the south side of Montauk Highway in
Southampton. A female HARLEQUIN DUCK was found today on Staten Island off
Cedar Grove Beach and a few continue in Jones Inlet either off the Jones
Beach West End jetty or around the Point Lookout jetties.

A DOVEKIE and 8 RAZORBILLS were reported today off the Camp Hero bluffs out
at Montauk Point and today gulls visiting the Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4
featured single GLAUCOUS and ICELAND with other ICELANDS this week
including birds in Brooklyn from Bush Terminal Piers Park today around to
Gravesend Bay, one at Great Kills Park Sunday, one continuing at Old Field
Point and Lighthouse and singles at Bellport Bay and Lake Montauk today. A
few LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS also continue in the region including one on
Central Park Reservoir Tuesday and others along the Brooklyn shore.

Single RED-NECKED GREBES were noted this week off California Beach in
Setauket Sunday and at Ditch Plains in Montauk yesterday.

A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen again at Floyd Bennett Field Tuesday and both
light and dark morphs were noted Thursday out at Cedar Beach where at least
one has been hanging around.

A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was present from Saturday at least to Monday out at
Robert Moses State Park and a VESPER SPARROW was present all week at the
Suffolk County Farm and Education Center off Yaphank Avenue.

Some RUSTY BLACKBIRDS still hanging around in the region have included
seven or so at Alley Pond Park lately.

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, 2/6/2026

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Feb. 06, 2026
* NYNY2602.06

– Birds Mentioned

LECONTE’S SPARROW+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Canvasback
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
TUFTED DUCK
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
Common Goldeneye
Razorbill
GLAUCOUS GULL
Iceland Gull
American Bittern
Bald Eagle
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
VESPER SPARROW
NELSON’S SPARROW

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
6, 2026 at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of today’s tape are LECONTE’S SPARROW, TUFTED DUCK,
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, GLAUCOUS GULL, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, LAPLAND
LONGSPUR, NELSON’S and VESPER SPARROWS and more.

The LECONTE’S SPARROW found back on January 29th on the landfill at
Croton Point Park in Westchester was only seen there through last
Saturday, not unexpected for a reclusive bird.

With the icy conditions on New Croton Reservoir squeezing the
waterfowl seeking refuge there into increasingly smaller stretches of
open water, it at least became easier to track down TUFTED DUCKS
there. At least two drakes plus a female–plumaged bird have been found
there, the two males seen simultaneously last weekend, these all
joining large flocks of several hundred RING-NECKED DUCKS in open
water near the dam spillway or a short distance up the eastern shore
of the reservoir off Croton Lake Road. There is a parking area for the
dam spillway site off Route 129 just uphill from the Croton Gorge Park
entrance, but duck numbers may continue to drop as the freeze again
intensifies. Other birds present there have included two female
BARROW’S GOLDENEYES, at least seen to Wednesday with a flock of COMMON
GOLDENEYES, plus a few REDHEADS and a CANVASBACK and other expected
waterfowl, and several BALD EAGLES.  Two TUFTED DUCKS seen Thursday
only over at Piermont Pier in Rockland County may have moved over
there from New Croton Reservoir.

On Long Island single drake BARROW’S GOLDENEYES were seen on Tuesday
off Shoreham Village Beach and back on Saturday at Crab Meadow Beach
in Fort Salonga, where other highlights featured an ICELAND GULL and a
NELSON’S SPARROW.

In Brooklyn a RAZORBILL was photographed off Manhattan Beach Park on
Tuesday, and a GLAUCOUS GULL visited Bush Army Terminal Pier 4 last
Sunday, while up to three ICELAND GULLS were seen around Gravesend Bay
during the week, with others noted at Randall’s Island and Governors
Island Wednesday, in Westchester at the Ossining waterfront at Louis
Engle Park during the week, at Old Field Point Tuesday, and at the
Bellport Bay Yacht Club yesterday.

AMERICAN BITTERNS have been seen fairly regularly along Dune Road west
of Shinnecock inlet, and a few recent sightings of ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK,
very often. coastal, have come from Staten Island, including Great
Kills Park Sunday, and from Floyd Bennett Field and Jones Beach to
Monday.

A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was spotted at Smith Point County Park on Tuesday,
and two VESPER SPARROWS have been present recently at the Suffolk
County Farm and Education Center off Yaphank Avenue.

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, 1/30/2026

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Jan. 30, 2026
* NYNY2601.30

– Birds Mentioned

Tundra Bean-Goose+
CASSIN’S SPARROW+
LECONTE’S SPARROW+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

ROSS’S GOOSE
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Cackling Goose
Canvasback
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
TUFTED DUCK
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
KING EIDER
Common Eider
Harlequin Duck
Red-necked Grebe
Razorbill
DOVEKIE
THICK-BILLED MURRE
GLAUCOUS GULL
ICELAND GULL
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
LARK SPARROW
Orange-crowned Warbler
PAINTED BUNTING

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, January30,
2026 at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of today’s tape are CASSIN’S and LECONTE’S SPARROWS,
PAINTED BUNTING, ROSS’S and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, TUFTED DUCK,
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE and KING EIDER, THICK-BILLED MURRE and DOVEKIE,
GLAUCOUS and ICELAND GULLS, LARK and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS and more.

As anticipated, this week’s horrendous weather has definitely impacted
local birding.  The CASSIN’S SPARROW at Montauk Point was reported
Saturday and then again on Tuesday, still around the perimeter roadway
near the lighthouse entrance and upper parking lot, so this tough
little bird could still be present, as unlikely as that seems.

On the other hand, as a note to this week’s tape, the TUNDRA
BEAN-GOOSE on Long Island was last noted in the Oyster Bay area back
on Monday the 19th, but also could possibly be lingering locally.

On Thursday a LECONTE’S SPARROW was found on the landfill at Croton
Point Park in Westchester and noted there again today.  The bird has
been in company with other ground feeders around a plowed section at
the top of the landfill technically only for maintenance personnel, so
please be mindful of this if visiting there.

A female–type PAINTED BUNTING was photographed visiting a private
feeder last Saturday and Sunday in Hampton Bays but has since
disappeared.

A ROSS’S GOOSE was noted again Saturday in the large flock that had
been feeding on a set of fields on the south side of Route 27 Montauk
Highway, just west of Town Line Road in Sagaponack, this also
containing up to three GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE.

Among various CACKLING GEESE were three still visiting the Great Lawn
in Central Park last Saturday.

A drake TUFTED DUCK was spotted on New Croton Reservoir in Westchester
last Saturday but has been difficult to relocate, as the ice there
continues to increase.  The concentrations of DUCKS there, mostly
RING-NECKEDS, does still contain one or two female BARROW’S
GOLDENEYES, a few REDHEADS and a CANVASBACK, with a RED-NECKED GREBE
also there to at least Thursday.

A female KING EIDER was spotted flying up Shinnecock Inlet with COMMON
EIDERS on Wednesday, heading into the bay, and three HARLEQUIN DUCKS
were still around the Inlet last Saturday.  Other HARLEQUINS include a
male still around Southold Town Beach last Saturday and another drake
off Ditch Plains Wednesday.

A THICK-BILLED MURRE continued at least to Saturday off the southern
tip of Staten Island, seen from Conference House Park and farther up
the coast in Tottenville, while on Wednesday alcids seen off Montauk
Point featured two DOVEKIES and 9 RAZORBILLS.

A GLAUCOUS GULL visited Bush Terminal Piers Park last Saturday, and
ICELAND GULLS included three around Gravesend Bay Wednesday and one
out at Old Field Point Thursday.

A LARK SPARROW was photographed at Calvert Vaux Park in Brooklyn
Monday, while the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW lingering at Heckscher State
Park Field 5 was last reported last Saturday.

A few ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS still continue in appropriate habitat.

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, 1/23/2026

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Jan. 23, 2026
* NYNY2601.23

– Birds mentioned
TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE+
CASSIN’S SPARROW+
BULLOCK’S ORIOLE+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

ROSS’S GOOSE
Greater White-fronted Goose
Cackling Goose
EURASIAN WIGEON
Harlequin Duck
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
Red-necked Grebe
RED PHALAROPE
Razorbill
DOVEKIE
THICK-BILLED MURRE
Black-legged Kittiwake
BLACK-HEADED GULL
GLAUCOUS GULL
Iceland Gull
PACIFIC LOON
Northern Gannet
American Goshawk
Rough-legged Hawk
RED CROSSBILL
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
LARK SPARROW
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT

– 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 23rd 2026 at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE, CASSIN’S SPARROW, BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, PACIFIC LOON, pelagic trip results including RED PHALAROPE and DOVEKIE, THICK-BILLED MURRE, ROSS’S GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON and BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS, RED CROSSBILL, LARK and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT and more.

Though everything may change in a day or two the TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE was still present at least through Monday in the Oyster Bay area seen that day roosting on Dosoris Pond as viewed from Pryibil Beach at the end of East Beach Drive.

The CASSIN’S SPARROW was reported through today at Montauk Point still lingering in the short grass along the entrance road near the lighthouse and the BULLOCK’S ORIOLE in East Islip was again spotted last Saturday in trees off the parking lot at St. Mary’s School which with school open is not available on weekdays.

A PACIFIC LOON spotted Wednesday near the Coast Guard Station at Jones Beach West End was reported there again Thursday morning.

A 12-hour pelagic trip last Sunday aboard the American Princess out of Sheepshead Bay recorded a very unexpected RED PHALAROPE plus 185 RAZORBILLS and 284 DOVEKIES, 2 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, an ICELAND GULL and 87 NORTHERN GANNETS. On Monday a DOVEKIE was seen in Jones Inlet and then on Thursday another was found injured at Brooklyn Bridge Park and taken to a rehabilitator. A THICK-BILLED MURRE was still visiting the waters off southern Staten Island and was seen again today at Conference House Park eventually moving off towards the New Jersey side.

A ROSS’S GOOSE has been feeding with Canada Geese recently in Sagaponack on a set of fields on the south side of Montauk Highway, Route 27 just west of Townline Road. Multiple GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE have also been seen associating with this flock while single WHITE-FRONTEDS have been noted at Tung Ting Pond in Centerport and on Playland Lake in Rye recently. Scattered CACKLING GEESE have recently included 3 reported from the Great Lawn in Central Park. The drake EURASIAN WIGEON has been on Mill Pond in Sayville at least since Wednesday. Drake BARROW’S GOLDENEYES were seen on Monday at Sammy’s Beach in East Hampton and on Thursday near the north ferry dock on Shelter Island and another identified as a young male continues off Sunken Meadow State Park with 2 female types still on New Croton Reservoir in Westchester to today. Three HARLEQUIN DUCKS were in Shinnecock Inlet Wednesday to today and another visited Southold Town Beach at least Monday to Thursday.

A BLACK-HEADED GULL was at Brooklyn Bridge Park Wednesday, another at Plumb Beach Thursday while single GLAUCOUS GULLS were noted at Bush Terminal Piers Park Sunday and at the Bellport Bay Yacht Club Monday while up to 3 or more ICELAND GULLS have been frequenting waters between Gravesend Bay and Floyd Bennett Field.

An AMERICAN GOSHAWK has been reported a few times in the Jones Beach West End area since last Saturday and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was present at Shirley Chisholm State Park Wednesday and Thursday.

Four RED-NECKED GREBES were reported off Breezy Point Saturday, 2 on Monday.

Two RED CROSSBILLS were heard moving over Wave Hill in the Bronx Wednesday morning.

A lingering LARK SPARROW was seen again on Sunday at Plumb Beach, a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was still at Heckscher State Park field 5 on Friday and a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was noted in Lynbrook Sunday.

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, 1/16/2026

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Jan. 16, 2026
* NYNY2601.16

– Birds mentioned
TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE+
TUFTED DUCK+
CASSIN’S SPARROW+
BULLOCK’S ORIOLE+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

ROSS’S GOOSE
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
KING EIDER
HARLEQUIN DUCK
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
BLACK GUILLEMOT
Razorbill
DOVEKIE
THICK-BILLED MURRE
Black-legged Kittiwake
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
AMERICAN GOSHAWK
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
LARK SPARROW

– 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 16th
2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE,
CASSIN’S SPARROW, BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, ROSS’S and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE,
TUFTED DUCK, BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, KING EIDER and HARLEQUIN DUCK, BLACK
GUILLEMOT, THICK-BILLED MURRE and DOVEKIE, BLACK-HEADED GULL, AMERICAN
GOSHAWK, LARK and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS and more.

The TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE, while not reported for several days this week does
continue in the Oyster Bay area spotted Wednesday and again today back on
Beaver Lake. At that site look for the goose roosting with Canadas on the
south end of the lake as viewed from the causeway on Cleft Road which
splits the lake. Parking is available at nearby Shu Swamp but be careful on
the roadway. Other sites to check are Dosoris Pond as viewed from Pryibil
Beach at the end of East Beach Drive or Nassau Country Club as viewed from
Nassau Road.

The CASSIN’S SPARROW was still along the roadway near the lighthouse at
Montauk Point as of yesterday. Park in the upper lot and search the short
grass sections along the roadway towards the lighthouse and up towards the
parking lot.

The immature BULLOCK’S ORIOLE continues in East Islip but with St. Mary’s
School open now on weekdays parking there is not available at that time.
The ORIOLE moves occasionally from adjoining private property to trees
around the school parking lot but be sure to act responsibly if visiting
there.

Joining a large number of Canada Geese on a series of fields in Sagaponack
along the south side of Route 27 recently have been a ROSS’S GOOSE and up
to 14 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. Another ROSS’S visited Jamaica Bay
Wildlife Refuge last Monday and other GREATER WHITE-FRONTEDS have included
2 at Van Cortlandt Park Wednesday, 3 recently on Larchmont Reservoir off
Waver Street and one continuing in the Rye area. The immature TUFTED DUCK
continues to be reported on New Croton Reservoir in Westchester as does a
female BARROW’S GOLDENEYE while Long Island BARROW’S include continuing off
Sunken Meadow State Park through today and one at Goldsmith Inlet in
Southold last Saturday. A young male KING EIDER was spotted near Shinnecock
Inlet last Saturday and a HARLEQUIN DUCK was off Southold Town Beach Monday
and Tuesday with others in the Jones Inlet area.

A decent run of alcids this week featured a BLACK GUILLEMOT photographed
nicely during its brief visit to the Jones Beach West End jetty last Sunday
followed by a THICK-BILLED MURRE feeding in the inlet off the West End
Coast Guard Station Wednesday through today with another THICK-BILLED found
Wednesday off Conference House Park on Staten Island. Montauk Point for the
week peaked with a couple of DOVEKIES Thursday along with over 1,100
RAZORBILLS and 13 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES and 6 DOVEKIES were feeding at
Shinnecock Inlet with some RAZORBILLS last Saturday with 3 DOVEKIES still
there on Sunday. A few RAZORBILLS were also noted along the Brooklyn shore.

Single BLACK-HEADED GULLS included one returning to the Setauket Harbor
area during the week, another at Plumb Beach early in the week and one in
Jones Inlet today and a few ICELAND GULLS were also encountered.

An immature AMERICAN GOSHAWK was a nice surprise as it cruised in a
westerly direction over the JFK-Tobay Sanctuary last Sunday afternoon.

A LARK SPARROW was seen again at Plumb Beach last weekend and a
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW has been present Wednesday to today at Heckscher State
Park field 5.

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