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