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.