Registrar: Michelle Talich and Anne Lazarus
Participants: 20
Weather: 35-50 F, sunny, breezy
Bird Species: 52 + 2 en route
Conference House Park
Twenty Linnaean members met at the Conference House Park visitors center on a bright and sunny day, greeted by a chorus of singing Carolina Wrens, Northern Cardinals, American Robins, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and other avian denizens.
Our excellent leader, Seth Wollney, showed us a Carolina Wren nest cleverly constructed in a metal box on a metal pole. We saw a majestic Bald Eagle and the tiny Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. We observed the Red-throated Loons, Buffleheads, and diving Red-breasted Mergansers in the bay. We enjoyed views of Downy Woodpeckers, several Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, and the Fish Crow as they prepared to nest. Overhead, we had excellent views of the newly arrived Osprey and a Cooper`s Hawk establishing territory. We completed our walk of the Conference House with two Eastern Phoebes.
At this location, we saw and heard thirty-five bird species.
Wolfe’s Pond Park
Our next destination was Wolfe’s Pond Park. We perused the pond and were happy to see four Common Mergansers associating with a Hooded Merganser and enjoyed the antics of an American Coot. Suddenly, our attention was drawn to two Bonaparte Gulls, transitioning into alternate plumage, flying into the pond. We ultimately counted seven Bonaparte Gulls, including several along the beach. We had excellent looks at a Killdeer, a shorebird species. A graceful Great Egret flew over the pond as one Rough-winged Swallow, a harbinger of Spring, made a brief appearance. Two Bald Eagles captured our attention, and we saw an estimated one hundred and fifty Northern Gannets foraging in the bay.
Great Kills Park
Our final destination was Great Kills Park, where twenty-five Horned Grebes, mainly in alternate plumage, were flocking in the harbor. In addition to the expected gulls, we saw a Laughing Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull, which was an excellent sighting. One American Oyster Catcher was quietly standing by itself. Several Red-throated Loons were diving close to shore. Ducks included Mallards, Black Ducks, Buffleheads, and Red-breasted Mergansers. We were hypnotized by the estimated fifty Northern Gannets plunging, diving, and flying in the distance. In addition to the water birds, we saw two Bald Eagles, one Red-tailed Hawk, four Turkey Vultures, an Eastern Phoebe, and other land birds.
After the trip officially ended, Richard excitedly called back the remaining participants to point out that the flock of Northern Gannets had increased to about one hundred and fifty birds. What a fantastic site, especially as three Northern Gannets flew around the parking lot. What a dramatic end to such a dynamic trip!
Before the official trip, Richard spotted a Black Vulture flying over Hylan Boulevard, and after the trip, several birders enjoyed watching the Wild Turkeys of Staten Island.
Bird Species List
Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
American Black Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Horned Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
American Oystercatcher
Killdeer
Bonaparte’s Gull
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Northern Cardinal
Bird Species Seen by Some Participants
Black Vulture
Wild Turkey
