Central Park - Apr 17 - a little warmer, but still cold

OK, it was warmer for my Thursday AMNH bird walk, but it was still cold. At least the ground wasn't covered with all that frozen white stuff - compare today's view below with yesterday's.

Edge of Tupelo Meadow                                                                            © Joseph DiCostanzo

As with yesterday, we had beautiful blue skies with a similar bird list, but definitely a few differences. We only had one warbler species (vs. two yesterday), but it was a different one - a lovely, bright yellow Pine Warbler. Other highlights included a singing Ruby-crowned Kinglet, two Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, the bright male Baltimore Oriole (singing a bit) that has wintered at the feeders and an American Robin building a nest.

American Robin building a nest                                                                                                 © Joseph DiCostanzo

Our total list was 25 species:

Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Shoveler - approx. 25 on the Lake
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  - east side of Upper Lobe
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 2, west of the Point and east of the Tupelo
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - singing male east side of Upper Lobe
American Robin
European Starling
Pine Warbler - 1, between the Point and the Bow Bridge
Chipping Sparrow - 2, at feeders
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird - male at feeders
Baltimore Oriole - male at Feeders
American Goldfinch - at least six at feeders, others calling nearby
House Sparrow

Lots of the trees, shrubs and flowers are now starting to bloom. I was asked about one pretty white flower that was on the side of the road east of the Upper Lobe. It was thought to be one of the anemones. I took some pictures and based on a quick look at a wildflower guide in the office, I would say the rounded leaflets identify it as a Rue Anemone.

Rue Anemone                                                                                                                    © Joseph DiCostanzo