Registrar: Cheryl Craddock
Participants: 10
Weather: mid 50s to low 60s; clear to partly cloudy; mostly calm with southwest breezes
Bird Species: 55 (34 at Shirley Chisholm, 38 at Jamaica Bay)
After a brief misunderstanding regarding the rendezvous point, we commenced observations at Shirley Chisholm, proceeding along the waters separating the two halves of the park. The area held numerous Ruddy Ducks and Buffleheads, accompanied by Double-crested Cormorants, American Black Ducks, and a calling Belted Kingfisher. En route to the pier, a Field Sparrow was noted.
The chief spectacle of the morning was a substantial mixed-species assemblage of American and Fish Crows—well in excess of one hundred individuals—creating considerable commotion. A Common Loon was observed offshore, along with additional cormorants and Buffleheads. Continuing clockwise around the park, the group recorded Song, Savannah, and White-throated Sparrows, as well as Yellow-rumped Warblers and other expected species. Upon departure, six Northern Flickers provided a final flourish with a flyover.
Our group then proceeded to the Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center for lunch at the picnic tables, where an unusually bold chipmunk partook of its own meal amid the bittersweet.
Following lunch, observations commenced at the West Pond. Present were more than 400 Greater Scaup, a continuous line of Dunlin, and a suite of waterfowl including American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Red-breasted Mergansers, Northern Pintail, and Northern Shovelers. Several Greater Yellowlegs were noted, and—unexpectedly—multiple Snowy Egrets. A scan of the shoreline produced a single American Coot, and a Purple Finch was seen along the trail. With no sign of the expected owl at its box, we reversed course and made a brief visit to the East Pond.
There, we encountered over 100 Hooded Mergansers, additional Ruddy Ducks, and a well-formed flock of Short-billed Dowitchers. Observations concluded at approximately 3 pm.
Species Lists
Birds at Shirley Chisholm State Park, Kings County
Brant
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
American Crow
Fish Crow
Tree Swallow
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Birds at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens County
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Short-billed Dowitcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Dunlin
Ring-billed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Tree Swallow
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Purple Finch
White-throated Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Butterflies
Sulphur sp.
Mammals
Eastern Grey Squirrel
Eastern Chipmunk
