Registrar: MaryJane Boland
Participants: 6
Weather: Cold but clear, cold and damp in the beginning, warming a bit later when the sun broke through. Good weather for birding.
Bird Species: 59
In the three locations we visited (Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary, Bowman Avenue Pond, and Marshlands Conservancy), there is often a high likelihood of great waterfowl and winter passerines, along with the likelihood of surprises, and that was very true this year. Four of us came from Manhattan in one car. We had arrived early and birded the Playlands lake while waiting for our wonderful leaders.
Great Blue Herons seemed to be everywhere, as were Buffleheads and Hooded Mergansers. A solo Belted Kingfisher and two Bald Eagles were thrilling to see. A greater White-fronted Goose has been hanging out with Canada Geese at Bowman Avenue Pond for several years now, and it was again spotted on this visit. We had our lunch (quickly, eating outside on a cold day) at Marshlands and then walked down into the marshy area to see the Red-headed Woodpecker, a real thrill for all of us. We headed back to NYC around 3 pm with happy memories of a fun day and good birds.
Species List
Greater White-fronted Goose
Brant
Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Purple Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Great Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junko
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Northern Cardinal
