April 30 - Inwood Hill Park

This morning while leading my AMNH bird walk in central Park I received a text message from James Knox that he had found a Cerulean Warbler near the overlook on the ridge in Inwood Hill Park. When I got home in the afternoon I made a quick trip through the park hoping I might find the Cerulean. i had no luck with the bird. In fact, i did not encounter a single warbler! However, I did come upon four species of butterflies: Cabbage White, Spring Azure, Mourning Cloak and my first Red Admiral of the season. The last two periodically chased each other around, but the Mourning Cloak alit on a dead leaf on the ground almost as if it wanted to frame itself for a photo while the Red Admiral only gave me a chance for a quick shot. Though the Mourning Cloak was nicely framed by the leaf, I am sure it was merely taking advantage of th afternoon sun.

Mourning Cloak 04/30/2015 Inwood Hill Park

Red Admiral 04/30/2015

Coming down off the ridge I encountered the first Greater Celandine I have seen in bloom in the park this spring.

Greater Celandine 04/30/2015 Inwood Hill Park

On the soccer fields there were a couple of Savannah Sparrows and a Chipping Sparrow. At Muscota Marsh a lone Northern Rough-winged Swallow was flying around hunting for insects.

April 30 - Central Park

A cool, but mostly sunny in the Ramble for my Thursday morning AMNH bird walk group. We did not have any large numbers of birds, but there was a nice variety with several species we had not yet had this season. The best bird was a male Blue-winged Warbler south of the Azalea Pond, thanks to Jeff Kimball who called me on my cell phone to let me know about the bird and who then stayed with it until we arrived. The total list of 41 species is below, with a couple of pictures.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Cooper's Hawk (south of the feeders)
Red-tailed Hawk (2; an immature was perched in a tree over the park drive when we first headed into the Ramble; two hours later when we were leaving it was on the same branch, now facing the other way.)

immature Red-tailed Hawk 04/30/2015 Central Park drive

Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift (3-4 overhead)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker (1, east of the archway near the Upper Lobe)
Northern Flicker
Great Crested Flycatcher (one called once northeast of Evodia Field)
Blue-headed Vireo (3-4)
Blue Jay
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2; the Lake)
Black-capped Chickadee (1, Upper Lobe)
Carolina Wren (1; singing near the Point)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (still a few around)
Hermit Thrush (scattered individuals)
American Robin
Gray Catbird (2; the first we have seen this season)
European Starling
Northern Waterthrush (1; singing near Hernshead)
Blue-winged Warbler (1; south of Azalea Paond)
Black-and-white Warbler (cattered individuals)
Northern Parula (1; Upper Lobe on the way in)
Yellow Warbler (1; male, Upper Lobe on the way out)
Palm Warbler (fewer than recently; but still all aorund the Ramble)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (everywhere in small numbers)
Eastern Towhee (several heard; one cooperative male on south side of Turtle Pond)

Eastern Towhee 04/30/2015 Central Park

Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole (I spotted a male briefly northeast of Evodia Field)
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

When we were headed west to leave the Ramble there were two racoons snuggled together in a treeover the path well west of the Azalea Pond.

Racoons 04/30/2015 Central Park

April 29 - Central Park

Another beautiful morning in the park for my wednesday AMNH bird walk group. Bright and sunny, however the winds were from the northeast so there was no big movement of migrants. Still there were plenty of birds to keep everyone interested. The highlights of the morning were a male Prairie Warbler at Hernshead when we started (another was heard near the end of the walk by the Rustic Shelter in the Ramble) and a Wilson's Snipe feeding slong the south side of Turtle Pond. Claude Bloch told me about the snipe when we were up at Belvedere Castle. We had to take a circuitous route through the Shakespeare Garden to the north side of Turtle Pond because tree pruners had several of the paths closed off. Finally, from the dock on the north side of Turtle Pond, after some searching we spotted the snipe feeding on the shoreline on the south side. The full list of forty species is below.

Canada Goose
Wood Duck (2 males on the Lake)
Mallard
Northern Shoveler (pair feeding on the Lake)
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night-Heron (2)
Cooper's Hawk (an immature was bathing in the water in the Oven by the Point)

immature Cooper's Hawk bathing, 04-29-2015, Central Park

Wilson's Snipe (1, Turtle Pond)
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue-headed Vireo (2-3)
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee (1)
Tufted Titmouse (1)
White-breasted Nuthatch (1, heard)
Carolina Wren (1, singing)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (several)
Hermit Thrush (3)
American Robin
European Starling
Northern Waterthrush (2, Hernshead and one singing by the Point)
Black-and-white Warbler (2-3)
Common Yellowthroat (female in Maintenance Meadow)
Palm Warbler (seemed to be all over the ramble)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (also all over)
Prairie Warbler (1-2; Hernshead early and one singing by the Rustic Shelter)
Eastern Towhee (2)
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1, male along the Gill)
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird (pair, Evodia Field)
House Finch (2, males, Belvedere
American Goldfinch (feeders)
House Sparrow

Finally, there was a large patch of flowers in the wet area by Loupot Bridge that Lenore Swenson wondered if they were Marsh Marigolds. I took some pictures to identify them at home later. They do appear to be Marsh Marigolds.

Marsh Marigolds 04-29-2015 Central Park

April 28 - Flowers of Inwood Hill Park

Too busy to get out today, so no bird or nature notes. However, I did want to mention I have created a new page on the blog on the flowers of Inwood Hill Park. This can be found in the list of pages on the right side of the blog. It will be an on-going work in progress, but I have enough photos on it now to start.

April 27 - Inwood Hill Park - Spring and winter meet

I had a very pleasant couple of hours walk in Inwood this morning. In that short time the weather kept changing. When I first went in it was mostly overcast and cool, but then it cleared to bright, blue skies before some clouds moved back in to turn it into a fairly bright, partly cloudy morning, Later in the day it was mainly cloudy again. It was still early and cloudy when I first stopped by the Trout Lilies (Dog-tooth Violets) and the flowers were still closed.

Trout Lilies 04-27-2015 Inwood Hill Park

A couple of hours later when I came by again, the same flowers were fully open.

Trout Lillies 04-27-2015 Inwood Hill Park

Trout Lily 04-27-2015 Inwood Hill Park

Up on the ridge there were some nice patches of Cut-leaved Toothwort. I didn't go past them again later, but I expect they also fully opened as the morning progressed.

Cut-leaved Toothwort 04-27-2015 Inwood Hill Park

I must thank Leslie Day for the identification of this wildflower. A couple of days ago Jessica Ancker posted some pictures of this flower on the inwoodbirdwatchers listserv hoping for an identification. Leslie very quickly provided the name.

Once again the birding was relatively quiet in the park. There were a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets around and a singing Blue-headed Vireo, but I only could find two warblers - Black-and-white and Yellow-rumped. However, easily the best bird of the morning was more reminiscent of winter birding than a spring day. I was surprised to spot a second year immature Glaucous Gull wheeling around over the Hudson from the overlook on the ridge. The large, very pale gull kept climbing as it circled over the river and gradually moved north.This was the first time i had seen this species in the park and my first for Manhattan. My Inwood Hill Park list is now 207 species and my New York County list is 242. The full morning list of 35 species is below.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Glaucous Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue-headed Vireo (singing)
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren (singing)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Black-and-white Warbler (male)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (a number singing)
Eastern Towhee (singing and calling)
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

[UPDATE: I raised that the above total to 36 species this afternoon with a Great Egret feeding in the salt grass section of Muscota Marsh as seen from my window. Also, the Muskrat was active in the middle pool. It does seem to have taken up residence there. Also I meant to mention two butterflies seen on my morning walk - Spring Azure and Cabbage White.]

April 26 - Inwood Hill Park - few birds

I went into Inwood Hill Park for a couple of hours this morning. The birding was pretty quiet, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the Harbor Seal was still here. I first saw it swimming in the channel off Muscota Marsh. When I was leaving the park a couple of hours later it was hauled out on the Columbia dock sunning itself. I only saw two warblers among the 29 species encountered. One encouraging encounter was to finally hear a Carolina Wren singing in the park. I have been concerned with how hard hit they may have been by this past winter. The full list is at the bottom of this post. Since the birding was quiet, I spent some time looking at plants.

This evening I was sad to see a post by Jessica Ancker on inwoodbirdwatchers that the White Trilliums had been trampled. It must have happened later in the day since they were fine when I saw them in the morning.

White Trillium 04-26-2015 Inwood Hill Park

Up by the old hawk hacking site overlooking the Clove, Dandelion and Cymbalaria (Kenilworth Ivy) were in bloom.

Dandelion 04-26-2015 Inwood Hill Park

Cymbalaria (Kenilworth Ivy) 04-26-2015 Inwood Hill Park

Up by the Overlook, above the Hudson a cherry was starting to bloom and an Eastern Redbud was coming out on the west side of the soccer fields.

Cherry 04-26-2015 Inwood Hill Park

Eastern Redbud 04-26-2015 Inwood Hill Park

Canada Goose
Mallard
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Sparrow

April 24/25 - Great Gull Island

I went out to Great Gull Island for one day to get gear out there for the start of the 2015 season. There were no terns in yet. In fact, it was quite cold with temperatures over Friday night down around freezing. There were very few birds around, but there were lots of Gray Seals around the island with some hauling themselves out on shore. I may not get back out until early June, but I expect to hear from others who are staying on the island when the terns come in, usually around May 1.

Gray Seals in the water off Great Gull Island, 04-24-2015.

Gray Seal hauled out on shore on Great Gull Island, 04-24-2015.

April 23 - Central Park

A belated posting of my Thursday morning AMNH Central Park bird walk in the Ramble. I left after the walk to head up to Connecticut to take gear out to Great Gull Island on Friday morning to start the field season out there. It was a cool, but lovely morning in Central Park with our best warbler total so far this spring: eight species. Full list of 44 species below.

Canada Goose
Wood Duck (2, males, Turtle Pond)
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret (1)
Black-crowned Night-Heron (10
American Coot (1, continuing on the Lake)
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift (1)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue-headed Vireo (1)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Louisiana Waterthrush (1)
Northern Waterthrush (1)
Black-and-white Warbler (2)
Common Yellowthroat (1)
Northern Parula (1)
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler (2)
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Eastern Towhee (1)
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

April 22 - Central Park

A beautiful morning in the Ramble for my Wednesday morning AMNH birdwalk group, though it did start a little on the cool side. Given the weather forecast of sw winds and radar images of a fairly strong migration flight I expected more birds than we actually found. A few days ago I emailed Ed Eden that the forecast looked good for a good flight on Wednesday morning, though I included the the Yoggi Berra quote: “It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” This morning Ed texted me: "Very quiet so far. Mr. Berra was right." I shouldn't really complain. the weather was beautiful and there was more bird activity than in recent weeks. I guess we are all just anxious for that first big push of migrants after the severe winter and the so far, cool spring. Still, we found 39 species in two hours. The list is below.

Canada Goose
Wood Duck (pair on the Lake)
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant (singles in the park, plus one "V" formation of about 30 migrants overhead)
American Coot (still one lone bird on the Lake)
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift (one flying high over the Ramble; my first of the season)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker (1)
Northern Flicker
Blue-headed Vireo (1, my first of the season)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Brown Creeper
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (scattered individuals)
Hermit Thrush (1-2)
American Robin
European Starling
Louisiana Waterthrush (1, by the stream west of bank Rock Bridge on the way out)
Black-and-white Warbler (1-2)
Palm Warbler (seemed to be all over; sometimes several in a tree)
Pine Warbler (1, Turtle Pond)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (scattered all over)
Prairie Warbler (1, lovely male on the Point)
Common Yellowthroat (1, Lenore spotted one at Turtle Pond)
Eastern Towhee (2, including a male seen at the Oven)
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow (1, briefly in a tree on the Point)
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow (still good numbers around; lots of singing)
Dark-eyed Junco (1)
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird (pair at feeders)
American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

April 21 - Inwood Hill Park - a few warblers arrive

I went into Inwood this morning for a short walk after the rains, before going to the office. Scattered on the soccer fields were small groups of Chipping Sparrows with a few Savannah Sparrows mixed in. One of the adult Red-tailed Hawks flew towards its nest carrying some unidentified prey in its talons. A long stretch of the path up the Clove was a flowing stream with the run-off from the rains. In the Clove, the Dutchman's Breeches are probably peaking now. They have certainly spread extensively in the Clove since only a few years ago. i saw at least one Spring Azure butterfly flitting about and a few Cabbage Whites. On the ridge I encountered my first Black-and-white Warbler of the year -- a male as would be expected. By the wall overlooking the Clove was a lovely singing, male Yellow Warbler, also my first of the year. Nearby was a Palm Warbler, so this was my first multiple warbler morning in Inwood this spring. Up by the river overlook there is a patch of Grape Hyacinth in bloom - I first noticed them on Saturday.

Grape Hyacinth 04-21-2015

I also encountered a small flower I am not familiar with. I think it is Pachysandra (Japanese Spurge).

Pachysandra (Japanese Spurge) 04-21-2015 Inwood Hill Park

Near the top of the path up from the Clove an Eastern Towhee was calling. Also near the top of the path a Striped Skunk must have a den since its odor can often be faintly detected here. My entire list of 31 species of birds follows.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Black-and-white Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Palm Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Sparrow

April 18/19 - Inwood Hill Park

In spite of the lovely weather, Inwood Hill Park was relatively quiet over the weekend. I found only 31 species of birds combined on several walks hrough the prk on Saturday and Sunday. Easily the best bird was a 2nd winter Lesser Black-backed Gull on top of one of the outer pilings on the Columbia dock on Saturday. However, it wasn't there long, being displaced by a Double-crested Cormorant just after I spotted it and flying off to the east.Saturday morning I saw my first swallows of the year in the park when I spotted three Rough-winged Swallows from my apartment window. Another notable bird was one I have not seen or heard in the park since December - Carolina Wren. This is a species that historically has suffered during har winters locally and we certainly have jus gone through a relatively hard winter. I have heard Carolina Wrens singing in Central Park this spring, but I have yet to hear one in Inwood Hill Park. The only warbler I saw in the park over the weekend was a lovely bright Palm Warbler today, with Danny Karlson, north of the Meadow Overlook. On Saturday I heard an Eastern Towhee singing on the east side of the ridge, my first of the year for the park. I also saw an American Robin on a nest in the same area.

In non-avain wildlife of note, I have not seen the Harbor Seal since Friday. In our relatively brief walk on the ridge today, Danny and I encountered three species of butterflies: Mounring Cloak, Spring Azure and a couple of Cabbage Whites.

The bird list for the weekend is below.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Palm Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Sparrow

April 17 - Inwood Hill Park - Harbor Seal and other nature notes

It was an overcast and generally threatening looking morning in the park this morning, but there was no rain. Even before I left the apartment I was seeing wildlife - from my window I could see a Muskrat swimming around the middle pool in the Muscota Marsh area. When I got downstairs I could see the ned of the Columbia dock (not visible from my apartment) and there was the Harbor Seal hauled out on it.

Harbor Seal 04-17-2015 Inwood Hill Park

There were not many birds aorund during my walk up the Clove and along the ridge. About the only bird of any note was Savannah Sparrow on the soccer fields. However, the flowers are starting to bloom. Dutchman's Breeches were all through the Clove, though I would say they are still probably a week from their peak.

Dutchman's Breeches 04-17-2015 Inwood Hill Park

Also in the Clove I caught a quick look at my second butterfly of the season, after last week's Mourning Cloaks - a single Spring Azure which quickly disappeared.

Daffodils were also finally coming into bloom. (They have been in bloom down in Central Park for over a week now.) But, like the Dutchman's Breeches, I would say they still have a week or so before they peak.

Daffodil 04-17-2015 Inwood Hill Park

Up on the ridge, the Forsythia is also coming into bloom, and it is also trailing behind Central Park further south.

Forsythia 04-17-2015

Up in the Meadow Overlook, the Lesser Celandine has also started to bloom.

Lesser Celandine 04-17-2015 Inwood Hill Park

It is suppposed to be sunny tomorrow, though with the winds predicted to be from the northwest tonight, it does not look like good conditions for any serious flight of migrants. I am sure it will be a lovely morning to get out, as almost any spring morning is now that it is warming up.

On one other bird note, I received an email today from Ben Sadock that he and his son have been seeing a raven recently at the south end of Fort Tryon Park.

April 16 - Central Park

Two spring-like mornings in a row - amazing! (At least for this spring.) My Thursday AMNH birdwalk tallied 42 species with four warblers.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Shoveler (1. male; the Lake)
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret (1; Turtle Pond)
Black-crowned Night-Heron (3; the Lake)
American Coot (1; the Lake)
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (all over)
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Northern Waterthrush (1, singing; the Point)
Palm Warbler (2, Turtle Pond)
Pine Warbler (6, Turtle Pond)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (2; the Point)
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird (1, female; the Point)
House Finch (2; the feeders)
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

April 15 - Harbor Seal at Inwood Hill Park

Yesterday Danny Karlson posted on the inwoodbirdwatchers listserv he had a Harbor Seal by the Columbia dock along the ship canal at the north end of Inwood Hill Park. One was here a few years ago, but I believe I was out of town at the time - at least I missed it then. Today I came home from the office around lunchtime so I detoured through the park on the way from the subway, hoping the seal might still be around. I was thrilled to spot it out in the canal west of the Columbia dock. It was not easy to see - it spent a lot of time underwater, but I was finally able to get a couple of pictures from the base of the dock.

Harbor Seal, Inwood Hill Park, 04-15-2015.

After getting home I ate lunch sitting by the window and watching the water. I got one view of it, so it makes a great addition to my apartment list!

On the subject of mammals recorded from the apartment: the other night Ann and I could smell a skunk from the apartment. In birding I regularly count heard birds. I have not previously thought about whether an animal identified by its odor is countable? In the case of the skunk, I already have it on my apartment list having seen one coming out of the park from my window one night.

April 15 - Central Park

Finally a spring-like morning for one of my AMNH Central Park bird walks! There was a cool northerly breeze, but it was much warmer than the last two weeks. The bright sunshine also helped. We had forty species in the two hour walk through the Ramble from 7:00 - 9:00 am. Highlights included Ruby-crowned kinglets everywhere, about half a dozen Pine Warblers at the se end of Turtle Pond and two beautiful male Purple Finches at the feeders. The full list is below:

Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Shoveler (1, male, the Lake)
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret (Turtle Pond and the Point)
Black-crowned Night-Heron (7, the Lake)
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot (1, near Upper Lobe)
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (several)
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (1, Turtle Pond, first of the year for us)
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper (Evodia Field)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2, sw of Belvedere and west of the Point)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (all over the Ramble)
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Palm Warbler (1, s. side Turtle Pond)
Pine Warbler (6, Turtle Pond)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (several)
Eastern Towhee (3, males west of the Azalea Pond)
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch (2, males, feeders)
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

On the way out we came across some Bloodroot in bloom.

Bloodroot

April 14 - Chuck-will's-widow in Bryant Park

I made a quick lunchtime run today for the Chuck-will's-widow found in Bryant Park behind the New York Public Library on 42nd Street yesterday. I was busily peering up into the bare trees trying to find the bird when a passer-by asked: "Are you looking for the nightjar?" When I replied I was, he said: "It is right over your head." And it was, near enough!

Roosting Chuck-will's-widow in Bryant Park.

April 13 - Glossy Ibis at Inwood, but I missed it (DANG!)

On the Inwood Birds group on Facebook, Ruth Cunningham posted pictures of a Glossy Ibis she photographed on the flats at Inwood Hill Park yesterday. This is a really great find, and possibly a first record for the park. From the picture, I suspect I could have seen it from my apartment window if I had looked out (and if I was home at the time).

Great find Ruth!

April 13 - A couple more Caracara pictures

Below are a couple more photographs of the Crested Caracara feeding on the opossum carcass yesterday.

April 11 - 13 - Visiting friends and chasing a rarity

Ann and I visited our friend Loretta, in Columbia County in upstate New York over the weekend. Originally, we planned on driving up on Friday (April 10), but the weather was bad, with dense fog here at home and we heard rain in Columbia County, so we put the trip off until Saturday. Not even word of a Crested Caracara in Montgomery in Orange County was sufficient to change plans back. Sean Sime made the dash up for the Caracara and after seeing the bird called to say it seemed to be happily feeding on a carcass and would probably stick around for at least a day or two. Saturday dawned bright and sunny. I did a quick walk through Inwood Hill Park early and did not find much. Ann and I then packed and headed up to the Caracara spot outside Montgomery. I kept checking the online bird reports hoping for an update on the bird, but by the time we left there had been nothing. When we arrived at the spot where the bird had been on Friday, we spotted the carcass it had been feeding on, but alas there was no sign of the bird. I thought it was strange there were also no birders around, but lacking smart phones we had no way to check for recent reports. After watching for a while we continued on to Columbia County. When we arrived at Loretta's, her feeders were active with Red-bellied and Downy woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches and lots of Dark-eyed Juncos. The juncos seemd to be carpeting the grass in front of her house.

Sunday dawned with bright, brilliant blue skies. Loretta has a pleasant, little house off a dirt road with a back deck overlooking a ravine with a stream below. In the morning I heard Louisiana Waterthrush singing from the bottom of the ravine and Golden-crowned Kinglets flitted through the trees on the edge of the ravine. A Red-breasted Nuthatch coming to the feeders out fround was a pleasant surprise. Later in the morning I heard from Sean that the Caracara was still present down in Montgomery. The reason we had missed it (and the reason we hadn't encountered any birders) was that it had relocated to a nearby golf course. We now knew we would be going home via Montgomer again on Monday! Later Sunday morning we drove over to the Ooms Conservation Area, but on such a beautiful day there were lots of people and little wildlife so Loretta suggested moving on to the Wilson Powell Wildlife Sanctuary. Our highlight here was some non-avian widlife. Coming from a wet area up the trail from the main parking area was an incredible chorus of calling Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica). They sounded like a large flock of waterfowl. A recording of their chorus can be found here. At one point they briefly became mostly silent as a Red-shouldered Hawk flew low overhead and perched in a nearby tree. After giving a few screams the Red-shoulder flew off again and the frog chorus resumed.Back at the parking lot I spotted a Fox Sparrow and we heard American Goldfinches singing.

Monday morning was again lovely and sunny, though a little cooler than Sunday. I heard a Pileated Woodpecker calling distantly in the woods, one of about thirty species I recorded in the three days at Loretta's house. Loretta left early for work and Ann and I headed south after breakfast. A final wildlife spotting from the back porch was a Coyote passing through the ravine below.

Outside the village of Montgomery in Orange County we drove to the Scotts Corners Golf Course where the Crested Caracara had been reported fot he last several days. As we drove in the access road we immediately spotted some birders and photographers looking up into the trees on the edge of a open area. Sure enough, the Caracara was perched there. The owners of the golf course have been extremely generous to the birders arriving to look at the rare visitor, just asking birders to park in the lot near the clubhouse and walk back along the access road. While we were there a local birder arrived who told everyone that if we retreated to the parking lot and waited there the Caracara would come down from the trees and feed on the opossum carcass that we hadn't noticed on the grass. We all went back to the lot and soon the bird did obliging common down to feed giving us all great views.

Crested Caracara, Scotts Corners Golf Course, Montgomery, Orange County, New York.

Normally only found in the United States in Florida, Texas and some of the border areas of Arizona, this was needless to say, a new species for my New York State list - number 415!

While we watched, two adult Bald Eagles flew over and some of the local Turkey Vultures took an interest in the carrion.

Turkey Vulture, Montgomery, Orange Co., NY April 13 2015

Ann and I reluctantly left for home and some errands we had to run on the way. Altogether a fun and very successful weekend.

April 9 - Central Park

This seems to be the winter that just won't end! I think it was even colder this morning for my Thursday AMNH group than yesterday morning. It was cold (mid to upper 30's) and solid low overcast, satring to mist at te end of the 7 to 9 am walk. Despite the weather we recorded 41 species, with this morning being our first two warbler morning of the spring. The list follows.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret (1, Turtle Pond)
Black-crowned Night-Heron (5, the Lake)
Red-tailed Hawk (2)
American Coot (1, the Lake)
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (several)
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker (1, east of the Upper Lobe, on the wayy out)
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe (1)
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper (at least 3)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (2-3)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2-3)
Hermit Thrush (1; yesterday they seemed to be everywhere)
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing (1, seen by Evelyn in the Maintenance Meadow)
Palm Warbler (2, Turtle Pond)
Pine Warbler (2, feeders)
Eastern Towhee (1, calling bird sw of the Belvedere; same place as yesterday)
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco (feeders)
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird (2-3, feeders)
American Goldfinch (good numbers at the feeders)
House Sparrow

April 8 - Central Park

Fire up the old "flux capacitor". It was back to the winter this morning. Well, it wasn't as cold as last Wednesday's inaugural American Museum of Natural History spring bird walk series, but it certainly wasn't very spring like. It was overcast and quite raw with temperatures just above forty and a stiff, damp northern breeze. Despite the handicaps we did surprisingly well with 39 species and our first warbler of the season. The list follows.

Canada Goose
Wood Duck (2, males on Turtler Pond)
Mallard
Northern Shoveler (4, on Turtle Pond)
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night-Heron (5, Hernshead)
American Coot (1, the Lake)
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (several)
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper (1, se side of Turtle Pond)
Carolina Wren (1, singing below the Belvedere)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (1)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1)
Hermit Thrush (all over)
American Robin
European Starling
Pine Warbler (1, se side of Turtle Pond)
Eastern Towhee (1, singing below the Belvedere)
Chipping Sparrow (several)
Fox Sparrow (1, the Oven)
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow (2-3, the Oven)
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird (1, male, Maintenance Meadow)
American Goldfinch (lots at the feeders)
House Sparrow

April 7 - Inwood Hill Park - sparrows in the rain.

I went into the park this morning hoping to be able to get up on the ridge and back before the predicted afternoon rains. The rains had other plans and started early so I only got about thirty minutes before turning back just as I started up the Clove. However, the soccer fields at the north end, particularly around the fenced in brushy area, were productive. Clearly there was a flight of sparrows overnight. Yesterday morning I only found the usual Song Sparrows and House Sparrows here. This morning, in addition to those, in fairly quick succession I spotted Chipping, Field, Savannah, and Swamp sparrows. Except for the Swamp, these were all the first I have seen these species in the park this year. Migrations is picking up!

April 6 - Inwood Hill Park - Early spring flowers and butterflies

I went for about a two hour walk in Inwood this morning. It was a beautiful morning with lots of sun, but not many birds. I did come across the first Periwinkles in bloom that I have seen and a couple of Mourning Cloak butterflies, one of which was very cooperative.

Periwinkle, Inwood Hill Park, 04-06-2015                                                     © Joseph DiCostanzo

Mourning Cloak, Inwood Hill Park, 04-06-2015                                                                  © Joseph DiCostanzo

April 5 - Inwood Hill Park - Common Loon, Mourning Cloak

Took a walk around Inwood Hill Park this morning before going to Brooklyn to visit family for Easter. The park was relatively quiet, but there are increasing signs of spring arrivals. On the ridge I spotted my first Golden-crowned Kinglets of the season. I had heard reports of them in other city parks already, but these were the first I have had here this spring. While I was at the Overlook I spotted a black and white bird drifting slowy northward as it sat on the Hudson River. At the distance it was, it was little more than a speck, but I guessed it was a Common Loon. I quickly headed north and crossed under the Henry Hudson Bridge to one of the lookouts west of the Henry Hudson Parkway. A quick scan reloacted the bird and I confirmed my earlier suspicion - it was a winter plumage Common Loon. I have regularly seen loons in flight overhead at the park on migration, but only rarely seen them on the water. While I watched the loon it started actively diving and I eventually lost track of it. While I watched the loon an Osprey flew north over the river.

Non-avian spring signs were the first Mourning Cloak butterfly I have seen this year. James Knox had told me he had seen a couple on a warm day about a week and a half ago, but this was my first. Also spotted a few patches of daffodils that looked like they will be in bloom within a few days.

Daffodils about to bloom.                                                                                                     © Joseph Dicostanzo

My full list of 31 species follows.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Common Loon (1, on Hudson River)
Great Egret (1)
Osprey (1, flying north over the Hudson)
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker (2)
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Golden-crowned Kinglet (2)
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Common Grackle
House Sparrow

April 4 - Bald Eagle; 2014 New York State year list.

I had various commitments today so I wasn't able to get out birding, but that did not prevent me from picking up a couple of year birds. First was an adult Bald Eagle seen from my apartment window at 10:40 am as it flew west over the ship canal and disappeared past the Henry Hudson Bridge. In the ship canal itself, north of Muscota Marsh was a male Red-breasted Merganser (this was not new for the year, but it is getting late for the species here). My other year bird was a Hermit Thrush seen while Ann and I had lunch with some out of town friends at the Central Park Zoo.

During the latter part of 2014 I posted updates here on my quest to break 300 in New York State for the year. I have now posted my entire state year list on a seperate page (2014 New York State year list).

April 3 - Inwood Hill Park - birds returning

Looking out my apratment window this morning I saw a Great Egret feeding on the edge of Muscota Marsh - the first I have seen in Inwood this spring. I headed out into the park for a quick walk before the predicted rains started. The egret was cooperatively still standing on the edge of the marsh as viewed from the boardwalk platform at Muscota.

Great Egret at Muscota Marsh, 04-03-2015                                                    © Joseph DiCostanzo

When I got to the bay north of the soccer fields, at first I saw no sign of the Horned Grebe that has been there for nearly a week, but then I spotted it at the north entrance to the bay. Later it was back in its same spot, close to shore, on the east side of the bay.

On the soccer fields, near the fenced in weedy area on the north side I found my first Palm Warbler of the season.

Palm Warbler on soccer field, 04-03-2015, Inwood Hill Park.                                     © Joseph DiCostanzo

Continuing up the Clove, I found one tiny bit of snow left in a sheltered spot. At the upper end of the Clove the Snowdrops were in full bloom.

Snowdrops, 04-03-2015, Inwood Hill Park.                                                      © Joseph DiCostanzo

The ridge was still fairly quiet. On the road west of the Henry Hudson Parkway there were still a few ice patches under piles of leaves that were helping to insulate them from the warming weather. The forecast today is for rain and temperatures in the 60's, so this is probably the last of the ice until next winter. (Finally!!) While I was scanning the Hudson, the rains finally arrived so I decided it was time to head home. The total list of 28 species seen follows.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Horned Grebe (1)
Great Egret (1)
Red-tailed Hawk (2)
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe (3)
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Palm Warbler (1)
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco (1)
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Sparrow

April 2 - Inwood Hill Park - Horned Grebe continues

This evening when I got home I detoured into the park and found that the Horned Grebe continues on the bay north of the soccer fields at the north end of Inwood Hill Park.

April 2 - Central Park

Warmer this morning than yesterday for the first of my Thursday morning AMNH Central Park bird walks. Southwest winds over night and radar images led me to hope for and expect a good morning for new arrivals. Perhaps the weather was too good and the migrants just kept on flying over. At least there was no evidence of any significant flight. We did find 32 species, about the same as yesterday morning, though the lists are not identical.

Canada Goose (about 70 on the Lake; also migrant flocks overhead)
Mallard
Northern Shoveler (pair on the Lake)
Pied-billed Grebe (1, the Lake)
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret (1, Turtle Pond)
Red-tailed Hawk (1, feeders)
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker (1, heard)
Eastern Phoebe (1, below Belvedere)
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper (1, feeders)
American Robin
European Starling
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird (2, Turtle Pond)
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird (1, male, feeders)
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

cooperative American Robin perched up singing north end of Evodia Field                                          © Joseph DiCostanzo

Fox Sparrow feeding on ground Evodia Field                                                           © Joseph DiCostanzo

April 1 - Central Park

My first 2015 spring bird walk in Central Park for the American Museum of Natural History was on April Fool's Day. I commented to the group the April Fool's joke was calling it a "spring walk"! I think it was just below freezing when we started at 7 am.While it may have gotten warmer over the next two hours, it never really got warm. The Azalea Pond was closed with a skim of ice when we checked it. Still we managed to find 34 species by 9:00 am. The list follows:

Canada Goose (90 on the Lake)
Mallard
Northern Shoveler (pair on Turtle Pond)
Hooded Merganser (pair on Turtle Pond)
Pied-billed Grebe (1, the Lake)
Double-crested Cormorant (2)
Great Egret (1, Turtle Pond in spectacular breeding plumage)
Red-tailed Hawk (1)
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker (1, in old swampy pin oak area)
Eastern Phoebe (3)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren (singing by Maintenance Meadow)
American Robin
European Starling
Fox Sparrow (all over Ramble, including singing individuals)
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Rusty Blackbird (1, Turtle Pond)
Common Grackle
House Finch
American Goldfinch (some at the feeders starting to get fairly yellow)
House Sparrow

pair of Hooded Mergansers on Turtle Pond                                                                     © Joseph DiCostanzo

Great Egret at southeast corner of Turtle Pond                                                                           © Joseph DiCostanzo