2014 Great Gull Island Birdathon account

I have posted my account of my 2014 Great Gull Island Birdathon and this year's list on a separate page that can be accessed from the list of pages on the right. (Scroll down to the list of pages above the list of links on the right.)

May 29 - Central Park

From the temperature this morning one might have thought we had returned to early April! The fully leaved out trees hiding the few warblers from view, however, would have clued you in that we were in late-May. The mainly female warblers and the variety of thrushes would also have given you a hint that we were in the tail end of migration. It was much quieter than yesterday. We had a total of 33 species. The total list is below.

I have put up a separate page with the cumulative bird list for the whole spring set of Thursday walks. You can get to it by clicking on it in the list of pages to the right, just above the list of outside links.


Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Green Heron - 1, Azalea Pond (thank you to Jeff Kimball for the text message heads-up)
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
House Wren
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 1
Swainson's Thrush - 2
Wood Thrush - singing all around the ramble
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing - flock in tulip tree by Captain's Bench
Ovenbird - 1, singing north of Upper Lobe
Northern Waterthrush - 1, singing from north end of Upper Lobe
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
House Sparrow

May 28 - Central Park

This morning was the last of the Wednesday morning spring bird walks in Central Park that I lead for the American Museum of Natural History. It was a gray, cool morning with a low overcast - the tops of some of the buildings were lost in the clouds. However, we had a pretty birdy morning with 41 species identified, including eleven warblers. I don't usually use the phrase "species identified", however there were a number of Empidonax flycatchers seen, all but one of which were not calling. Since none of them were clearly a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, which is the only one you can reasonably safely identify visually at this time of year, I just listed them as "Empies". I will be posting a complete cumulative list of the Wednesday bird walks as a separate page on this blog. When it is up later today you can reach it by clicking on it on the lists of pages to the right, just above the links list. Following is this morning's list.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 1, on the Lake
Red-tailed Hawk - 2, over the New-York Historical Society on CPW as we were leaving
Spotted Sandpiper - 1, seen by Chuck McAlexander at the Point
Herring Gull - a couple overhead
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1, from oak Bridge by the Upper Lobe as we were leaving
Acadian Flycatcher - 1, calling by the stream above the Azalea Pond; usually hard to get a look at
              unidentified Empidonax flycatchers - scattered around the Ramble
Great Crested Flycatcher - 2
Eastern Kingbird - 1, seen by Chuck from Oak Bridge
Warbling Vireo - usual locations
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
House Wren - 2. heard singing
Veery - 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 1, on path northwest of Evodia Field
Swainson's Thrush - 2
Wood Thrush - singing all around the ramble
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing - the Point
Northern Waterthrush - 1, singing in the Upper Lobe
Common Yellowthroat - at least 2, Hernshead and the Point
American Redstart - various places
Northern Parula - 1, the Point
Magnolia Warbler - 2
Blackburnian Warbler - 1, heard once singing by Oak Bridge
Yellow Warbler - 1, the Point
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1, the Point
Blackpoll Warbler - various places
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1, the Point; getting late for this species
Canada Warbler - 1, Oak Bridge
Northern Cardinal
Common Grackle
House Finch - the Point
House Sparrow

May 27 - Inwood Hill Park - late migrants

It was a warm morning, leading into perhaps the warmest day of the spring so far. However, there were still migrants around to be seen on a morning walk in Inwood with Ann. As on the last few mornings an Alder Flycatcher called a few times from the east side of the Overlook Meadow. Other flycatchers heard and/or seen this morning were Eastern Wood-Pewee and Great Crested Flycatcher. Also in the Overlook Meadow and singing persistently was at least one Indigo Bunting. Warbler numbers and variety are way down, but American Redstart and Blackpoll Warbler are still all over the ridge. North of the meadow we found a pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and heard a Scarlet Tanager singing. The complete bird list is below (42 species).

The Overlook Meadow also continues to be a good spot for butterflies with Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and 3 - 4 Silver-spotted Skippers seen. Cabbage Whites were scattered throughout the park.

I also photographed a couple of wildflowers now in bloom - Common Cinquefoil and what I believe is Star of Bethlehem.

Common Cinquefoil                                                                       © Joseph DiCostanzo

Star of Bethlehem                                                                               © Joseph DiCostanzo

Morning bird list:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Alder Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Barn Swallow
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Magnolia Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Common Grackle
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
House Sparrow

May 26 - Inwood Hill Park - Memorial Day birding

Mornings don't come much prettier than this morning. The calendar may indicate it is late in migration, but the birds are still coming through in numbers. I found 55 species this morning, with 12 warblers. Flycatchers are coming through in good variety and numbers - I saw/heard four species this morning and that was without an Eastern Kingbird which breed in the park, but somehow eluded me this morning. I saw and heard a couple of Eastern Wood-Pewees and several Great Crested Flycatchers. The prizes, however, were the little Empidonax flycatchers. A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher obligingly perched up in view in the Overlook Meadow and I heard two or three Alder Flycatchers, probably seeing one of them, though it was not calling while I observed it. The first Alder was calling near the top of the Clove Road this morning. Another was fairly persistently calling in the Overlook Meadow, usually from somewhere on the east side of the meadow. I heard another or the same one as the Clove bird on the main trail northwest of the head of the Clove Road. A singing male Scarlet Tanager was very cooperative for several of us at the north end of the road north of the Overlook. A male Rose-breasted Grosbeak perched up for a few of us just south of the recent burn area.

A complete bird list for the morning is below, but first a few non-avian wildlife sightings. Butterflies are starting to be more common. This morning I saw Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Cabbage Whites, Silver-spotted Skipper and Hobomok Skipper.

Coming down the Clove Road I spotted some (Greater) Celendine in bloom which I stopped to photograph. I was so intent on the flower, that it wasn't until I was home and looking at the pictures on my computer screen that I noticed the Harvestman (or Daddy-long-legs) to the left of the flower.

Celendine and Harvestman                                                                   © Joseph DiCostanzo

Morning bird list:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - see above
Alder Flycatcher - see above
Great Crested Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Barn Swallow
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Song Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
House Sparrow

May 25 - Inwood Hill Park - Late afternoon birding with a surprise

After my very nice morning in Inwood Hill Park, Ann and I drove up to Bear Mountain Park in Rockland County planning on birding Doodletown Road. We discovered, however, that many, many, many other people had also decided that Bear Mountain Park was a fine destination on this lovely Sunday on Memorial Day weekend. We discovered that park rangers had closed the park and the roads in due to the extreme numbers of people. The stretch of road along route 9W where one parks to go up Doodletown Road was a traffic nightmare with cars pulled up on the shoulder for long distances above and below the Doodletown Road access and rangers threatening that anyone parking on the shoulder might be ticketed. We drove out to the end of the Iona Island road and ate the snacks we had brought with us before deciding to head home to Manhattan. We did at least see a few Black Vultures circling overhead with the Turkey Vultures.

Back home I found a message from Nadir Souirgi that he and some others had found an Eastern Bluebird by the area on the ridge at Inwood that burned last month. Ann still wanted to go for a walk to exercise her knee so we headed up into the park. Not surprisingly, it was much quieter than in the morning with very few birds singing or calling. We went up to the burn area and did not see or hear any sign of the morning's bluebird. I was, however, rewarded with one very good bird. While looking around the burn area I spotted a small, dark backed thrush and pointed out the "Gray-cheeked Thrush" to Ann. But as I looked more carefully at the thrush, I started to get a bit suspicious. The bird was warmer toned on the back than I am used to with Gray-cheeks, especially on the tail. The lower mandible also was extensively bright yellow for the basal two-thirds to three-quarters of its length. I told Ann, "I am going to try an experiment." I took out my iPod and softly played the song and call notes of a Gray-cheeked Thrush (this was a low volume playback since the iPod was not attached to any external speakers and was using its tiny built in speaker alone.) The bird completely ignored the playback and after a few moments dropped out of sight behind a fallen log. Next, I played, at the same volume the song and calls of a Bicknell's Thrush. The bird reacted immediately by popping back up on the log and actively looking all around, even coming a bit closer. I did not continue playing the recording since I felt I had my answer and did not wish to cause the bird any more disturbance. The bird continued to give us good views as it perched on the fallen log and continued to look around. I have seen Bicknell's Thrush on the breeding ground and years ago mist netted and banded a couple on Great Gull Island  when they could be identified in the hand by measurements. This was the first migrant out of a mist net that I felt confident in identifying. Nadir had reported hearing a Bicknell's singing on the ridge two days ago, so this may have been the same bird. I later discovered that this was my 200th species for Inwood Hill Park! It is always nice to hit a milestone with a good bird.

May 25 - Inwood Hill Park - A beautiful morning

A magnificent, beautiful spring day in Inwood Hill Park. Went out for about 2.5 hours in the morning. Not as much activity as yesterday morning, but some nice birds. The best was a singing Mourning Warbler seen briefly north of the Overlook Meadow. I missed Olive-sided Flycatcher yesterday, but had one today on the ridge shortly after reaching the top of the Clove Road. Another flycatcher today was a single Yellow-bellied on the ridge. Also on the ridge was a singing Tennessee Warbler.

The complete list of 42 species for my morning walk is below, but first a few photos of some interesting non-avian finds. On the ridge I came across a nice patch of Columbine in full bloom.

Columbine                                                                                     © Joseph DiCostanzo

Also on the ridge I came across a patch of "Bluebell" (Hyacinthoides sp.) that is presumably an escape from someone's garden or a leftover from a garden of one of the old estates in the park.

"Bluebell"                                                                                            © Joseph DiCostanzo

On a rotting log near the top of the Clove Road, there was a nice group of Turkey Tail fungus.

Turkey Tail                                                                        © Joseph DiCostanzo

Finally, for a winged, but non-avian find, there was a nice Silver-spotted Skipper that posed for me on the ridge.

Silver-spotted Skipper                                                                                      © Joseph DiCostanzo

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher

Olive-sided Flycatcher                                                                                       © Joseph DiCostanzo

Eastern Wood-Pewee - calling on the ridge
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher - several heard calling
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Tree Swallow
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Veery
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Tennessee Warbler - 1, singing on the ridge
Mourning Warbler - see above
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Magnolia Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Canada Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting - singing near the Overlook Meadow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

May 24 - Inwood Hill Park - Migration continues

I went in to Inwood Hill Park for about three hours this morning. It started out overcast and a bit threatening, but cleared up as the morning progressed. Most of the day was lovely until the afternoon rain showers.

We are now in the downward side of the spring migration but there were still many birds around with a good variety. Among the warblers there are now mostly females and young males passing through. I found 13 species of warblers this morning with a singing Mourning Warbler and three Bay-breasted Warblers topping the list. Flycatchers usually peak late and there were certainly good numbers around this morning.  I was surprised not to encounter an Olive-sided Flycatcher, but was more than rewarded by hearing singing Alder and Willow flycatchers on the ridge. Also on the ridge were both cuckoos. My full bird list is given below, but first I want to mention some non-avian finds. Just off the main ridge trail I cam across some False Solomon's Seal in bloom.

False Colomon's Seal                                                                                         © Joseph DiCostanzo

Later as I was headed out I came across a cooperative skipper butterfly. Skipper's are not showy and can be tough to identify, but I believe this one was a Hobomok Skipper.

Hobomok Skipper                                                                                    © Joseph DiCostanzo

The total bird list on my morning walk was 56 species.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret - one flying south over the Hudson
Ring-billed Gull - gull numbers are way down, but I did come across one each of the three regulars
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - heard calling near the Overlook Meadow
Black-billed Cuckoo - one seen high in a tree along the center of the ridge
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee - calling in the Clove
Alder Flycatcher - calling in the Overlook Meadow vicinity
Willow Flycatcher - perhaps two different ones calling on the ridge
Great Crested Flycatcher - at least three
Eastern Kingbird
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren - one seems to be settled in near the Clove overlook on the ridge
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush - singing all through the Clove and on the ridge
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing - a small flock on the east side of the ridge
Ovenbird - at least two seen
Northern Waterthrush - about five seen; perhaps mostly or all females since I did not hear any singing
Nashville Warbler - one singing on the southern end of the ridge
Mourning Warbler - one singing in the vicinity of the Overlook Meadow
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart - lots of the first year males
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler - at least three seen, none apparently adult males
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler - one
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler - two; getting late for this species
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting - singing near the Overlook Meadow
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
House Sparrow

South to southwest winds are predicted for at least part of tonight, so perhaps tomorrow morning will be good again.

May 22 - Central Park

Yet another overcast, misty, gray morning - but, once again with birds for my Thursday morning AMNH bird walk group. There seemed to be fewer birds than yesterday morning, but that could partially reflect our concentrated efforts to find a Mourning Warbler. The efforts were partially successful in that a few of us had a fleeting view of a Mourning Warbler on the Point after our official ending time of 9:00 am. Another good bird that everyone saw this morning was Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 1 on the Lake
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee - seen from the Oven
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - 2, one well seen above Tanner's Spring
Warbling Vireo - usual places
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Barn Swallow
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 2, one by Turtle Pond
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing - small flock flying away from Oak Bridge by the Upper Lobe
Northern Waterthrush - several singing in various places in the Ramble
Mourning Warbler - the Point
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart - everywhere
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow Warbler - the Point
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Canada Warbler - 5 or more
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole - heard near the Polish Statue
House Sparrow

May 21 - Central Park

A surprisingly birdy morning for my Wednesday AMNH bird walk in the Ramble. Though there were a good variety of birds around, the birding has reached the somewhat frustrating stage of birds being hard to see because most of the trees are fully leaved out now. Still, we were able to find a total of 46 species and 17 warblers. Flycatchers seemed to be in short supply for this point in migration while there were a few migrants you don't normally expect to see this late.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret - 1, Turtle Pond
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 1, the Lake
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1, the Point
Eastern Kingbird
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
House Wren - 1, singing near the Maintenance Meadow
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart - mostly females, but a few adult males also
Cape May Warbler - bright female on the Point
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler -  at least 3 seen
Blackburnian Warbler - male at Belvedere
Yellow Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler - a very late bird was a surprise on the Point
Yellow-rumped Warbler - getting scarce
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler - several
Wilson's Warbler - Oak Bridge on the Upper Lobe
White-throated Sparrow - Oak Bride, plus another heard singing
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - male on the Point
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Finch
House Sparrow

May 18 - Day 2 of GGI birdathon - Long Island portion

It is now Tuesday, May 20 and I am still recovering from the two days of birding madness of the great Gull Island birdathon. A longer account will be posted in due time - I am still entering lists in the computer. However, the final tally for Sean Sime and myself was 195 species, just one short of our record. There were a few bad misses which, in found, would have broken our record. Even the elusive 200 mark was within reach, but did not fall this year. But, we have no complaints. It was a fabulous and exhausting couple of days of birding. Jeff Kimball and Chuck McAlexander who did the most of the birdathon with us have their own list somewhere in the upper 170s, a new record for them.

May 17 - Day 1 of GGI Birdathon - upstate portion

A fuller account of out Great Gull Island Birdathon will have to wait until we get some rest. But a couple of highlights: Friday night at the motel in Wurtsboro there was a power failure due to the rains (presumably). The motel had a generator so there were emergency lights on, but Sean and I had to make the sandwiches for the next day with the use of headlamps.

photo taken by Ann Shaw using Sean's iPhone.

Things got better after the above. Saturday was easily out best first day ever for us on the birdathon. We had a total of 138 species including 27 warblers. More in a couple of days when time and rest allows.

Central Park - May 15 - A bit soggy.

The forecast was for the rains to stop this morning and when I looked at the weather radar at 6:00 am it looked as if most of the rains had passed us and there was nothing else coming our way. This however, turned out not to be the case. On my way down to Central Park for my Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. bird walk the heavens opened. It let up a little when I arrived at the park. A couple of participants were waiting for me and even though it was raining we decided to head down to Hernshead to see if there were any birds around. More people arrived and eventually the Magnificent Seven (plus  myself) headed into the Ramble. We were rewarded with a let-up in the rains for the entire walk. There were not as many birds as in recent days, but it was surprisingly birdy. We had a total of 36 species with 10 warblers. A Northern Waterthrush was singing loudly from the stream by Triplets Bridge. We crossed the park drive from Balcony Bridge to see if we could spot it. It was obligingly in the middle of the stream. On the way into the Ramble, the trees over Oak Bridge at the Upper Lobe had a number of birds, including a Wilson's Warbler. Other highlights included a Lincoln's Sparrow on the Point. While we were on the Point, Chris Cooper told us about a singing Gray-cheeked Thrush on the Riviera. We headed over there to look for it, doing a detour around a Park vehicle cutting some tree branches and loudly turning them into wood chips. Not surprisingly the thrush was not singing, but Phil Jeffrey was photographing it on the path. Unfortunately only a few of us saw the thrush since it quickly disappeared into the thick ground cover. The full bird list follows.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Red-tailed Hawk
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Kingbird
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 1, Riviera (see above)
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Ovenbird - still good numbers around; several seen
Northern Waterthrush - at least 3
Black-and-white Warbler - 4
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart - females all over, a couple of males
Northern Parula - 1, Riviera
Magnolia Warbler - all over
Blackpoll Warbler - males seen all around the Ramble
Black-throated Blue Warbler - several females
Wilson's Warbler - 1, Oak Bridge
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1, the Point
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1, heard at the east end of Turtle Pond
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
House Sparrow

Central Park - May 14 - Back to March temperatures

Cool and gray this morning (a familiar refrain back in April) for my Wednesday morning American Museum of Natural History bird walk. Despite the cool temperatures, there were some birds around, just in much lower numbers than in the last week.The most activity was on the point. In total we recorded 40 species with 13 warblers.

Canada Goose
Gadwall - pair on Turtle Pond
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Kingbird - Hernshead
Warbling Vireo - usual places
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Barn Swallow - 1, over the Lake
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler - male on the Point
Yellow Warbler - female on the Point
Chestnut-sided Warbler - on the point as well as a singing male on the way out at 77th Street
Blackpoll Warbler - several on the Point
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Canada Warbler - male on the Point
Lincoln's Sparrow - Upper Lobe on the way out
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - one heard on the Point
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
House Sparrow

[Update - thank you to Lenore Swenson who pointed out a couple of birds I missed.]

Inwood Hill Park - May 12 - Birds, butterflies, and flowers

I was only able to get into the park for a short time in the late morning. Still, it was a fun, productive walk. I will get to the birds in a moment. On the walk I had several first of the year butterflies. The first was an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on the large Lilac bush at the meadow overlook.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail                                              © Joseph DiCostanzo

Nearby, west of the railing fence at the overlook, I spotted a small dark butterfly on a Dandelion flower which proved to be a Juvenal's Duskywing.

Juvenal's Duskywing                                                                                           © Joseph DiCostanzo

Further north along the ridge a large, dark swallowtail flew quickly by me under the trees. Unfortunately, the fleeting view of it did not allow me to identify it, so what would have been my third first of the year butterfly got away. There were also lots of Cabbage Whites flying around the park. Near where I saw the dark swallowtail I noticed a Herb-Robert in bloom. I later came across a good size group of this pretty little wildflower member of the geranium family on another trail.

Herb-Robert                                                                                    © Joseph DiCostanzo

Finally, getting to the birds - there were still a lot around, if perhaps not as many as the last couple of days. However, it was hard to make a fair comparison with the weekend since I went in to the park a few hours later than on the last two mornings and was in for a much shorter time. Even with that smaller effort I recorded 49 species, including 12 warblers. I did not get any new species for the year. The most unusual bird was a late Dark-eyed Junco feeding on one of the roads. on the ridge.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Junco                          © Joseph DiCostanzo

Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
House Sparrow

Inwood Hill Park - May 11 - Another flight

Deep blue skies, instead of the days of fog and overcast this morning. The fog had produced some memorable birding the last few days. The clear skies continued the string of birdy mornings. It actually felt along the ridge that there were more birds than yesterday in terms of actual numbers of individuals, but the diversity of species was somewhat reduced. Yellow-rumped Warblers were easily the most abundant warbler. It was one of those May mornings where you looked at lots of "Myrtles", as Yellow-rumps were called when I started birding, looking for other species. And other species were to be found. I tallied 19 species as part of my total of 68 species during about a 3.5 to 4 hour walk. At one point James Knox called me on my cell to say it had come across a termite hatch and the warblers were all coming in to feed. A few of us hurried over and were rewarded with a nice male Bay-breasted Warbler at below eye level. This was not far southeast of the toll plaza and not far from where James and i had seen a Bay-breast (perhaps the same one) the day before. The west side of the ridge between the meadow overlook and above the toll plaza seemed to have the biggest numbers of birds this morning, though birds could be found everywhere. Earlier, James and I heard a singing Tennessee Warbler near the east overlook above the Indian caves and also found my first Yellow-billed Cuckoo of the year near here.

Before giving my complete bird list for the morning, I want to mention a few plants in bloom. The large lilac bush by the meadow overlook is now in full, fragrant bloom.

Lilacs                                                                                                          © Joseph DiCostanzo

Also, now in bloom are some of the Horse Chestnut trees scattered around the park.

Horse Chestnut                                                                                  © Joseph DiCostanzo

I had to cut short my morning because Ann and I had to go to Brooklyn due to a family matter, but my total bird list for the weekend was 84 species with 22 warblers. Following is Sunday's list of 68.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1, east side of ridge (see above)
Chimney Swift - now back in numbers
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee - my first ones of the year were singing on the ridge
Great Crested Flycatcher - 2
Eastern Kingbird - 3
White-eyed Vireo - 1, neat the east Indian caves overlook
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Veery - 2
Swainson's Thrush - 3
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Ovenbird - not as many as the other day, but still common

Ovenbird running along path                                                                     © Joseph Dicostanzo

Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler - 15
Tennessee Warbler - 1, (see above)
Nashville Warbler - 2, singing on ridge
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart - 15, this and the next two warblers were everywhere
Northern Parula - 20
Magnolia Warbler - 20
Bay-breasted Warbler - 1, male (see ablve)
Blackburnian Warbler - 1, female on the ridge
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 4, singing males on the ridge
Blackpoll Warbler - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 50, an underestimate
Black-throated Green Warbler - 10
Canada Warbler - 1, male near where the top of the Clove road
Wilson's Warbler - 1
Eastern Towhee
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1, with White-throats on the ridge
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow - 1, also with White-throats on the ridge
Scarlet Tanager - 2

Scarlet Tanager                                                                           © Joseph DiCostanzo

Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 6
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird - 7, on the soccer field
Orchard Oriole - 5
Baltimore Oriole
House Sparrow

Inwood Hill Park - May 10 - Birds, birds, birds!

A great day of birding in Inwood! I was getting ready to leave the apartment and go into Inwood a little before 7:00 AM when my cell phone rang. It was Nadir Souirgi with word that he was looking at a Grasshopper Sparrow on the soccer fields! I told him I would join him in about five minutes. When I got to the northwest side of the soccer fields Nadir had already been joined by James Knox who had quickly bicycled over, having also gotten a call from Nadir. I got great views of the Grasshopper through Nadir's scope. It was feeding in the grass with a bunch of Savannah Sparrows. During the day a number of birders got up to Inwood to see this uncommon, rarely seen in NYC sparrow thanks to Nadir's getting the word out via the Internet. Not as high tech, but equally effective was my yelling out my apartment window to Danny Karlson about the sparrow when I spotted him drinking his coffee at the entrance to the park at 218th Street and Indian Road after I got home from my morning walk in the park. When I went back in at about 4:30 pm I found Danny and Anders Peltomaa looking at the Grasshopper Sparrow, still on the soccer field.

In the morning, Nadir had to leave shortly after I got there to lead his weekly trip in Van Cortlandt Park, but James and I went into the park, up the Clove and along the ridge for a fabulous morning of birding. We had over 70 species of birds including 20 warblers. My last bird of the morning as I left the park at 11:00 AM was an adult Bald Eagle flying northeast over 218th Street. In the afternoon, I went back in for another three hours, some of which was spent in the rain from a thunderstorm. I did not mind getting wet, but I did think it wise to retreat from the ridge to the valley during the active part of the storm. When I cam down the Clove I met Nadir and James coming in. After the rain we went back up to the ridge, which was quieter than in the morning, but still with a good variety of birds around. I added a few more species to my day list, including a Canada Warbler, my 21st warbler of the day. On our way out across the soccer field after 7:00 PM, Nadir spotted a Common Nighthawk flying north for my 78th species of the day. Anders earlier told me of an Olive-sided Flycatcher and two Black-billed Cuckoos he had seen, bringing the total count for the park to at least 80 for the day. My total list follows, with a few notes follows.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron -1, flyover
Great Egret - 1
Bald Eagle - see above
Red-tailed Hawk
Greater Yellowlegs - 2, mudflats off soccer field in morning
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Common Nighthawk - see above (my first of the year)
Chimney Swift - finally back in some numbers
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher - several on the ridge (my first of the year)
Eastern Kingbird
Yellow-throated Vireo - 1, on ridge in afternoon (my first of the year)
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Blue-winged Warbler - 2
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler - 2
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler - 1, on ridge north of pine groves (my first of the year)
Blackburnian Warbler - 2 or 3 males
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler - several
Blackpoll Warbler - 1 male on ridge (my first of the year)
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler - 1, getting late for this species
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler - at least two on ridge
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler - 1
Wilson's Warbler -1
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow - 1, see above (my first of the year - naturally)
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1, near meadow on ridge
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager - all over the ridge, males and females
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting - male on the ridge
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

In the morning James and I came across a few flowers that hadn't been in bloom when I last got into the park last Sunday.

Lily-of-the-valley                                                                                        © Joseph DiCostanzo

Wild Geranium                                                                                      © Joseph DiCostanzo

We also came across a colony of Eastern Tent Caterpillars. If only there had been a cuckoo nearby to feed on them!

Eastern Tent Caterpillars                                                                                     © Joseph DiCostanzo

As I finish this blog entry late Saturday night I see online that the winds are currently favorable for another flight tonight and the radar is indicating one is on. I have got to get some sleep so I can enjoy it in the morning!

Central Park - May 9 - Birds in the mist.

Well, it actually wasn't very misty, though it was a low gray overcast all day. I filled in for Paul Sweet on his Friday morning Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. bird walk since Paul had a family commitment.Half a dozen or so of Paul's regulars braved the somewhat daunting weather forecast and were rewarded with a very nice morning of birding. The weather was actually perfect for a classic fallout with south winds to our south and a storm system over New York that knocked the migrants down when they got here. We recorded a total of 51 species.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Shoveler - pair still on the Upper Lobe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret 1, Turtle Pond
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Least Flycatcher - 1, Hernshead
Eastern Kingbird - 1, seen from Hernshead on the west side of the Lake
Warbling Vireo - singing as usual at Hernshead; others heard around the Ramble
Red-eyed Vireo - on way to Belvedere and heard in other spots
Blue Jay
Brown Creeper - south side of Turtle Pond
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - south side of Turtle Pond
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Ovenbird - singing all over the Ramble
Northern Waterthrush - singing all over the Ramble
Blue-winged Warbler - 1, west of Azalea Pond
Black-and-white Warbler - all over
Nashville Warbler - on the way up to Belvedere
Common Yellowthroat - scattered individuals
American Redstart - all over
Northern Parula - all over
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler - 1, west of Azalea Pond
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Wilson's Warbler - 1, Hernshead
Eastern Towhee
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1, near the feeders (I am not sure anyone else got on this bird before it disappeared)
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow - 1, Hernshead (this was my 200th species for the year in New York)
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - pair, on the way up to Belvedere
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Orchard Oriole - 1, female, south side of Turtle Pond
Baltimore Oriole
House Sparrow

I also heard a Worm-eating Warbler sing once on the south side of Turtle Pond and saw a Black-crowned Night-Heron by the Lower Lobe on my way to a doctor's appointment after the walk was over so I did not include them in the group's total.

Central Park - May 8 - Drizzle and birds

The string of beautiful mornings broke this morning. Four hardy birders on my AMNH walk braved light rain and drizzle and were rewarded with some nice birding. The light rain at 7:00 am gave way to drizzle and then heavy overcast by the end of the walk at 9:00 am. We had a total of 40 species, including a dozen warblers, despite the weather.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Shoveler - a pair lingering on the Lake
Double-crested Cormorant
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1, by the wooden bridge at Azalea Pond
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo - singing at Hernshead as usual and a couple elsewhere
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - still good numbers around
Veery
Swainson's Thrush - 1, west of Azalea Pond
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush - singing birds around the Ramble
American Robin
Gray Catbird - lots
European Starling
Ovenbird - all over the Ramble
Northern Waterthrush - singing at Hernshead and birds seen in a number of places
Black-and-white Warbler - at least half a dozen
Common Yellowthroat - Hernshead and elsewhere
American Redstart
Northern Parula - all over
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler - male on the south side of Turtle Pond
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1, on the way up to Belvedere
Black-throated Blue Warbler - all over
Yellow-rumped Warbler - only a very few still around
Wilson's Warbler - 1, south side of Turtle Pond (my first of the year)
Eastern Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - male at the feeders
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
House Sparrow

I went into the Ramble again on my own for a couple of hours in the late afternoon. The numbers of Ovenbirds were truly impressive. I encountered more Ovenbirds today than I normally find in an entire spring. I found the Wilson's Warbler again in the same tree as this morning and also added a few more birds for my own day list.

Great Egret -1, Upper Lobe
Chimney Swift - approx. 10 over the Point
Hooded Warbler - male on the Point
Canada Warbler - edge of the Maintenance Meadow (my first of the year)
Indigo Bunting - one calling near the Tupelo Meadow
Swamp Sparrow - 4, scattered around the Ramble

Central Park - May 7 - Great birding

A big turnout for my Wednesday morning AMNH bird walk with a good turnout of birds also. There has just been a string of lovely mornings with lots of birds for the last several days.The group had 53 species though not everyone saw every bird, but I believe everyone saw all of the really goo birds.

Canada Goose
Gadwall - 2, pair on Turtle Pond
Mallard
Northern Shoveler - 1, male lingering on Upper Lobe
Double-crested Cormorant
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift - 2. overhead
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Kingbird - 1, Hernshead
Blue-headed Vireo - a couple still around
Warbling Vireo - Hernshead, Turtle Pond, Maintenance Meadow
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - singles in various locations
Swainson's Thrush - 1, Turtle Pond (seen only by Jeff, I think, though I saw one in the afternoon by the                               Rustic Pavilion)
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing - 2
Ovenbird -2, heard
Northern Waterthrush - 2, Hernshead and the Gill
Black-and-white Warbler - scattered around Ramble
Orange-crowned Warbler - singing male in Maintenance Meadow
Nashville Warbler - singing male on the way up to the Belvedere
Common Yellowthroat - male at Hernshead
American Redstart - scattered around Ramble
Cape May Warbler - male on south side of Turtle Pond
Northern Parula - scattered around Ramble
Magnolia Warbler - scattered around Ramble
Yellow Warbler - south side Turtle Pond
Black-throated Blue Warbler - scattered around Ramble
Palm Warbler - Hernshead
Yellow-rumped Warbler- still a few around
Black-throated Green Warbler - south side of Turtle Pond
Eastern Towhee
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow - Hernshead and Belvedere
White-throated Sparrow
Summer Tanager - male moving around south of Azalea Pond
Scarlet Tanager - 3 (may have been seen only by Jeff while the rest of us were looking for the Summer)
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole - scattered around Ramble
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

In the afternoon I looped through the Ramble on the way to getting my allergy shots and picked up a few more species: Great Egret, Red-tailed Hawk, Swainson's Thrush, Veery, Worm-eating Warbler (Upper Lobe), and a Blue-winged Warbler (female, Upper Lobe).

Central Park - May 6 - Another nice day

Went into the Ramble in Central Park for about an hour and a half before work and on my lunch break. It was not as busy as yesterday, but there were still a good number of migrants around, including a few nice one. On the two walks combined I recorded a total of 46 species. The highlights, including 12 warbler species are below.

Ovenbird - several
Orange-crowned Warbler - male continuing in Maintenance Meadow, sometimes singing
Nashville Warbler - 1, south side Turtle Pond
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler - 1, male, south side Turtle Pond
Northern Parula - all over
Blackburnian Warbler - 1, male, south side Turtle Pond
Yellow Warbler  - 1, male, south side Turtle Pond
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler - 1, male, south side Turtle Pond
Black-throated Green Warbler
Summer Tanager - 1, male, near Riviera
Scarlet Tanager - 1, female, south side Turtle Pond

I hope some or all of these stay around for my Wednesday morning walk. There are predicted northwest winds for tonight which is not favorable for migration.

Madison Square and Central parks - May 5 - Chasing uncommon birds.

It was quite a birding day - before and after work.

It started with a subway ride down to Madison Square Park to try for the Prothonotary Warbler that was discovered there on Saturday. When I arrived there was a small group of birders at the south end of the park west of the Shake Shack. I went up to them and asked if there had been any sign of the Prothonotary and one replied it had been in the tree just in front of us but had flown off somewhere ten minutes earlier. As long as it had been seen I wasn't worried, figuring it is a small area and the bird was probably just making circuits. My only concern was how much time I could devote to waiting for it since I did have to get to work. After a few minutes I decided to start looking around. I suddenly heard the bird sing, but with the traffic noise wasn't sure where the song came from. Continuing to hunt for it, I happened to glance back and saw the small group of birders all either with binoculars raised or pointing into the tree to others. I quickly headed back and got nice views of the bird, which obligingly sang again while we viewed it. Then it was back to the subway and to work. The whole stay in Madison Square Park was only about 25 minutes.

At the Museum I heard about a Chuck-will's-widow in the Ramble in Central Park, but the bird had been flushed by another bird and flown off. Around noon Sean Sime called to tell me a post had gone out about the Chuck being refound. I decided to devote lunch to a run into see the bird. I missed it by about 30 seconds when it was flushed again, by a robin I think I was told. Disappointed I went back to the office. About 4:30 Sean called again to tell me about a new post going out to report the bird being refound, again near the Maintenance Meadow. I left work a little early to try for the Chuck again. Coming into the Meadow I saw a group of birders looking up into a tree. When I asked, hopefully, if they were looking at the Chuck, they said no, they were looking for an Orange-crowned Warbler (another uncommon bird for NYC, especially in the spring) that was high in the tree and the Chuck was in another tree around the northeast side of the Meadow. Leaving that group, without even trying to spot the Orange-crowned, I headed past the Maintenance Building to find another group of birders looking into a tree. Coming up to them, Lloyd Spitalnik very obligingly said: "Joe, just look through my camera." There it was!

After getting some nice, satisfying views, through my own binoculars I decided to head back to see the Orange-crowned. The other group of birders was still looking up at the same tree where the bird was being intermittently seen. Before I could spot the warbler, another birder walked up and announced she had just had nice views of the male Summer Tanager down by the Lake. For the second time in under a half hour I walked away from an Orange-crowned Warbler to chase after a rarer bird. It took a little hunting, but the tanager was finally tracked down on the "Riviera" between the Bow Bridge and the Point. Then it was back to the Maintenance Meadow for a look at the Orange-crowned. Back there I began to think the warbler may have had its feelings hurt by my twice snubbing it as it now proved to be elusive high in the tree. The tree in question was anything but quiet. While trying to spot the Orange-crowned we came across Warbling Vireos, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Northern Parula, Blue-winged Warbler, Nashville Warbler, and yes, at last the Orange-crowned. During the hunt I had also seen my first Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the year.

It was quite a bird list for a day which wasn't even supposed to be a birding day!

While watching the Chuck-will's-widow, the question that came up, quite naturally, among a number of birders, was how did we know this was a Chuck and not the very similar Whip-porr-will. After all, the birds are usually identified at night by their very distinctive calls. During the day, when they are only uncommonly seen, they both have extremely similar camouflage appearance looking like a bump on a tree limb. First, the Chuck is a much larger bird than the Whip, over two inches longer with a proportionately bigger head accentuating its size. But size can be a very hard think to judge, especially in species that are only rarely seen. However, the Chuck is a much browner bird overall with a brown throat and a usually thinner white neck collar. The Whip is also brown, but much grayer toned overall with a dark gray to black throat and a usually broader white neck collar.

Inwood Hill Park - May 4 - Another great migration day

Another great morning in the park for migrants! I went into the park twice during the day - first at 6:30 am. On the west side of the soccer fields I ran into Nadir Souirgi and we spent the morning birding the park together. Our combined list was 70 species, including 20 warblers. The weather kept changing. It was sunny, but a bit cool at first, then clouds moved in and it became mostly overcast. Interestingly, at one point during the overcast there suddenly seemed to be birds dropping out of the sky when we were on the northern part of the ridge. With the overcast it seemed to get cooler, rather than warmer as the morning progressed, but then as we left the park, it suddenly cleared again and warmed up. Ann and I went in to the park together at 12:30 for a few hours. Most of the time it was sunny, but we retreated towards the apartment when it clouded over and a light rain fell briefly around 3:30. by the time we were leaving the park, it was getting sunny again and the rest of the day was bright, but breezy. It was not as birdy the second time in so Ann and I concentrated a bit more on plants than birds. A spring wildflower we have been watching for has been Jack-in-the-Pulpit and in the afternoon I spotted one with Ann in the upper part of the Clove.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit                                                                         © Joseph DiCostanzo

Much showier, but also a spring favorite was the Flowering Dogwood now coming out in spots on the ridge.

Flowering Dogwood                                                                       © Joseph DiCostanzo

There were a number of other trees, vines, and wildflowers in bloom, many of which I am still learning to identify. I find plants much harder than birds, even though they don't move!

Another touch of color Ann and I came across was a bright orange fungus growing out of a small log at the top of the Clove road. I don't know what it is, but it certainly seems distinctive.

                                                                                                               © Joseph DiCostanzo

To finish up, the following are some of the highlights of the morning's bird list in more or less checklist order:
Common Loon - 2 breeding plumage individuals Nadir and I saw flying over as we left the soccer field
Spotted Sandpiper - 2 by Muscota Marsh at 6:30
Greater Yellowlegs - 1, Nadir spotted one on the flats north of the soccer fields that flew off to the south.                          Not common in the park.

Greater Yellowlegs                                                           © Joseph DiCostanzo

Nearly all of the following warblers were seen in the morning with things much quieter in the midday.
Ovenbird - a few, some calling
Worm-eating Warbler - 1
Northern Waterthrush - several calling as well as seen along the temporary running water in the Clove                             left by the recent rains
Blue-winged Warbler - 3, on the ridge
Black-and-white Warbler - all over
Tennessee Warbler - 2, on the ridge
Nashville Warbler - 3, ridge
Common Yellowthroat - lower Clove
American Redstart - a few all day, males and females
Northern Parula - all over the ridge
Magnolia Warbler - a few in the morning and midday
Blackburnian Warbler - 3, ridge
Yellow Warbler - on the edge of the soccer field
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 2, males on ridge in the morning and 1 male lower Clove midday
Black-throated Blue Warbler - all over the ridge all day
Palm Warbler - still a few around, but getting scarcer
Pine Warbler - Nadir spotted one in a far tree on the ridge which I missed, but didn't try very hard for                               since I have seen a number of them earlier in the park this spring
Yellow-rumped Warbler - fewer than yesterday, but still good numbers
Prairie Warbler - 2, ridge
Black-throated Green Warbler - scattered individuals on the ridge
Scarlet Tanager - 1, singing in the upper Clove in the morning
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1, a male on the ridge in the morning
Orchard Oriole - 3, an adult male and two first year males

Over the weekend, I recorded 75 species in the park. The winds are going back into the northwest tonight so I expect things will be much quieter for the next couple of days.

Inwood Hill Park - May 3 - The warblers have arrived.

A fairly birdy day in Inwood. The winds were right for a flight last night (west and southwest winds) and the day did not disappoint. As I was getting ready to leave my apartment a bit after 6:30 am, Nadir Souirgi texted me that he had heard a Nelson's Sparrow from Muscota Marsh at the north end. I did not find this bird but while looking for it I received another text from Nadir reporting a Marsh Wren in the reeds north of the soccer field. I quickly headed over there (flushing a Solitary Sandpiper from the mudflats along the way) where I met Nadir and got some nice views of the wren - a bird I rarely see in the park. Nadir and I briefly birded the north and west sides of the soccer field, but he had to leave to lead a trip at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.

On the way up the Clove a Hooded Warbler sang from the west side of the valley before flying in front of me to the east side. A few feet beyond three Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (two males and a female) chased each other around the vegetation. Further up the Clove a Wood Thrush gave its characteristic whip call, but did not sing. Yellow-rumped Warblers seemed to be everywhere.

Yellow-rumped Warbler                                                                   © Joseph DiCostanzo

Across from the southern pine grove on the ridge I encountered my first Magnolia Warbler of the season, while an adult male Orchard Oriole was nearby a few minutes later. In the afternoon, when i was back in the park with Dale Dancis, an adult male Orchard Oriole was feeding in the trees over the Henry Hudson Parkway by the Meadow Overlook. There were good numbers of Northern Parulas at the northern end of the ridge in the morning.

Many of the trees are just getting small leaves. I had not been in the park since before Wednesday's heavy rains so it was nice to see the continuing progression of flowering trees and wildflowers. To mention just a few, the Eastern Redbuds in the woods (as opposed to the planted ones on the edges of the park are now coming into their own.

Eastern Redbud                                                                                      © Joseph DiCostanzo

Also adding color to the woods are various apples and crab apples.

Crab Apple                                                                                  © Joseph DiCostanzo

On the ground in various places Common Blue Violets are adding to the purple of the Periwinkles that have been in bloom for weeks.

Common Blue Violet                                                                               © Joseph DiCostanzo

Between a few hours in the morning and another couple in the afternoon, my bird list totaled 60 species. In the evening a Black-crowned Night-Heron heard from my apartment window brought the total to 61. The full list follows.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Solitary Sandpiper - 1 (see above)
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift - 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe - calling in the Clove
White-eyed Vireo - 1, heard calling on ridge
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo - several heard around edges of soccer field and on ridge
Red-eyed Vireo - edge of soccer field and on ridge
Blue Jay
American Crow
Barn Swallow - by the Hudson River near the Amtrak train bridge
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Marsh Wren - 1 (see above)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - still a few around
Hermit Thrush - several in the Clove
Wood Thrush - 1 (see above)
American Robin
Gray Catbird - all over
Northern Mockingbird - calling by Muscota Marsh area
European Starling
Ovenbird - on the ridge and singing in the Clove
Worm-eating Warbler - one east of the center trail on the ridge south of the meadow
Northern Waterthrush - singing off the northwest corner of the soccer field
Black-and-white Warbler - quite a few
Hooded Warbler - 1 (see above)
American Redstart - at least two adult males
Northern Parula - (see above)
Magnolia Warbler - (see above)
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler - ridge
Palm Warbler - ridge
Yellow-rumped Warbler - everywhere
Black-throated Green Warbler - ridge
Eastern Towhee - male and female calling on the ridge
Chipping Sparrow - 25 or more on the soccer field in the later afternoon
Savannah Sparrow - at least 1 on the soccer field with the Chippings
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager - ridge
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - (see above)
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole - (see above)
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

The winds are predicted to be favorable for migration again tonight and on Saturday evening as I write this the NEXRAD radar is indicating a flight in the northeast.

Central Park - May 2 - More birds

I went into Central Park this morning for a few hours - just birding on my own, not leading a walk, though I, of course, ran into many other birders. Yesterday's flight continued, though this morning started with a lovely, partly cloudy sky instead of the lower than building tops overcast of yesterday. Having heard from Dale Dancis that the Yellow-throated Warbler was seen again in the vicinity of Tavern on the Green, I started down there and spent a frustrating 45 minutes or so searching for lamppost 6461 which was where the Yellow-throated was supposed to be. I encountered about half a dozen other birders also searching for the elusive warbler and the seemingly also elusive lamppost. Finally, finding the lamppost, there was of course no sign of the warbler. Somewhat frustrated, I headed up to the Ramble where I was getting cellphone calls from Dale about lots of birds. The Ramble was indeed busy with birds and birders, though it often seemed the latter were in higher numbers and certainly in greater concentrations in many spots. As I was about to head to the office, Dale got a text message that the Yellow-throated Warbler was being seen again at the ~&?#@%$ lamppost 6461. Grumbling, I headed south again. When I arrived I encountered a couple of frustrated birders leaving the area who had had no luck with the warbler. After another fruitless search, I decided to give up and head for the office. I had only gone about 25 feet when the Yellow-throated Warbler finally decided to sing from a tree top ahead of me. I got one decent look at the bird before it shut-up and disappeared again. Now happy, I went to work. My morning's list follows.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Green Heron - south side of the Lake
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue-headed Vireo - scattered birds
Blue Jay
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - individuals all over the Ramble
Veery
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
Ovenbird - Azalea Pond
Northern Waterthrush - singing birds Upper Lobe and the Oven
Blue-winged Warbler - west of Azalea and the Point
Black-and-white Warbler
Hooded Warbler - west of Azalea, probably more than one
American Redstart - female on the Point
Northern Parula - several
Yellow Warbler - the point
Black-throated Blue Warbler - west of Azalea
Palm Warbler - fewer than recently, but still small numbers around
Yellow-rumped Warbler - all over
Yellow-throated Warbler - the infamous!
Prairie Warbler - Azalea Pond and the Point
Black-throated Green Warbler - several
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Indigo Bunting - on park drive east of Tavern on the Green
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole - various places
House Sparrow