May 3 - Central Park

Another warm morning in Central Park for my AMNH Thursday morning bird walk group. It seemed as if things were a little quieter than yesterday morning, but in the end the overall numbers of birds and diversity was similar to what my Wednesday morning group found, though, inevitably, there were some differences. The total species list for the regular time period of the walk, 7:00 - 9:00 am, was 44 species with 12 warblers, compared to 45 species with 12 warblers yesterday. We did miss a Yellow-throated Warbler that was seen by a number of birders on the south side of Turtle Pond. Birding was at time frustrating because of all the noise from the construction at the Belvedere Castle and the distraction caused by a "birder" who has a habit of loudly playing recordings all around the park. That aside, it was such a nice morning, I did stay in for about an hour and a half after the walk officially ended and a few people stayed in with me. That extra time added three more species including one more warbler. The full species list is below with the three additions listed separately at the end.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret (1, the Lake)
Spotted Sandpiper (2, the Lake)
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue-headed Vireo (2)
Warbling Vireo (4)
Red-eyed Vireo (1)
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse (1)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2, fewer than yesterday)
Veery (1)
Hermit Thrush (2)
Wood Thrush (1, first of the year for us)
American Robin
Gray Catbird (1)
European Starling
Ovenbird (5)
Northern Waterthrush (1, heard singing by Upper Lobe)
Black-and-white Warbler (5)
Common Yellowthroat (3)
American Redstart (1)
Cape May Warbler (1, Oak Bridge by Upper Lobe)
Northern Parula (2)
Magnolia Warbler (1)
Blackburnian Warbler (2)
Black-throated Blue Warbler (4)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (14)
Canada Warbler (1, Turtle Pond)
Swamp Sparrow (1)
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (5, all feeding in one tree)
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole (4)
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Three extra species after 9:00
Chimney Swift (3, over Maintenance Meadow)
Barn Swallow (2, Turtle Pond)
Blue-winged Warbler (1, Turtle Pond)