Marie Winn's 2003 Central Park News

Central Park News 2003
12/21/03-- A remarkable photo of a Long-eared Owl yawning, taken by Cal Vornberger. photo by Lincoln Karim 12/21/03 In this amazing photo you may see FIVE [count 'em 5, one a little hidden but there] Long-eared Owls huddling together in a single tree. A red-letter day in Central Park owl-watching! photo by Lincoln Karim CAUGHT IN THE ACT Is it speeded-up evolution? Somehow or other, after decades of being successfully thwarted by the frisbee baffles hanging above the big plastic bird-feeders at the Evodia Field feeding station, the park's wily squirrels have learned to BEAT THE SYSTEM. That's the headline of Lincoln Karim's photograph, which catches one of the little varmints in flagrante delicto [so to speak]. Rare Fly-In Photo photo by Lincoln Karim 12/18/03 Two days ago the photographer Lincoln Karim witnessed his first "fly-in". Many observers have witnessed Central Park owl "fly-outs", those quasi-religious events where people gather at the end of the day to witness an owl fly out of its roosting place. But very few have ever witnessed a fly-in, the arrival of an owl back at its daytime roost when the night's hunt is over. Here is a photo of such a rare event by one of the park's best photographers. I'm not sure how early Lincoln had to arrive at the Cherry Hill roosting tree to be sure to see the owl's return -- sometimes a fly-in can take place as early as 4:00 a.m. But this obliging critter sat for his portrait at 6:52 a.m on December 16, 2003. Photo by Cal Vornberger 12/11/03 A GREAT PHOTO, BY CAL VORNBERGER, OF ONE OF THE FOUR LONG-EARED OWLS CURRENTLY RESIDING IN THE PARK. THIS ONE WAS IN A PINE NEAR BOW BRIDGE YESTERDAY, WHILE THE OTHER THREE WERE ALL TOGETHER IN AN EVERGREEN A BIT WEST OF CHERRY HILL. [ACCORDING TO AN OWL EXPERT WE MET LAST YEAR, ALL THE OWLS SPENDING THE WINTER IN CENTRAL PARK ARE FEMALES.] PS Why is the owl glowering so? The photographer notes that a dog arrived under the tree just as he was about to click his camera. Owls Owls Owls 12/9/03 -- Owl season has arrived. On December 2 a pair of Long-eared Owls [LEOs] were discovered in a little pine grove south-west of Bow Bridge. There have been owl sightings every day but one all week. Yesterday and today there were FOUR owls in a single pine. Fly-out is a little before 5 pm And they may be settling in until March. Stay tuned . 11/30/03 -- Thirty Days Hath... The leaves are almost gone, except for the oaks and beeches. Tomorrow a new month begins and real winter looms. Though the illustration makes it appear huge, the bird shown here -- a Ruby-crowned Kinglet--is actually tiny. Yet it has adaptations that allow it to survive in extremely cold weather, and may be found in Maine and Canada throughout the winter months. Thus Central Park birdwatchers are not surprised to find a late November kinglet in the park. But they are always delighted when it shows up,as one did on a last-day-of-the-month birdwalk taken early this morning by Tom Fiore and Mike Freeman. Their complete bird list, 33 species in all, was reported on the New York City Bird Report [see LINKS] and may be seen below: Canada Goose American Black Duck Mallard Northern Shoveler Ruddy Duck Red-tailed Hawk Ring-billed Gull Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Blue Jay American Crow Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Ruby-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird European Starling Eastern Towhee Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird House Finch Pine Siskin American Goldfinch House Sparrow Photo by Ardith Bondi 11/27/03 -- Thanksgiving There's been a wild turkey hanging around Riverside Park, five blocks west of Central Park, for the last few months. Ardith Bondi, a regular Central Park birdwatcher, thought she'd check out this unusual visitor on a day when turkey was very much on everyone's mind. As the photo to the left demonstrates, and to the relief of the many local admirers of this splendid bird, nobody in the neighborhood is dining on wild turkey quite yet. photo by Ardith Bondi 11/26/03 Three of the four birders in the photo to the right, taken this morning at the Evodia Field bird-feeding station, are well-known to readers of this website: From left to right, Tom Fiore, Jack Meyer, and me. The man on the right in the red jacket is John Forbes, a relatively recent addition to the ranks of Central Park Regulars. He's a photo editor at the NY Times. Golden Eagle [Aquila chrysaetos].Was this the mystery bird? PALE MALE AND MATE PURSUE LARGE RAPTOR On Saturday, 11/15/03, the photographer Lincoln Karim and several other observers witnessed an exciting drama: Pale Male and his current mate [now generally called Lola] pursuing a VERY large bird of prey, high above Madison Ave.& 71st Street. Lincoln reports that there were three separate sightings. Pale Male & Lola went after the intruder on the first and second occasion. On the third occasion the two resident redtails, along with a third unidentified redtail, merely soared above the nest at Fifth Ave and 74th Street. Though Lincoln took several photographs of the large bird, there has not been a positive identification yet. But Lincoln's guess is an exciting one: Golden Eagle! That evening, at 6:30 p.m. Lincoln witnessed two Long-eared Owls setting forth on their night hunt. The next morning another birdwatcher, Rebekah Creshkoff, reported two Long-eared Owls [probably the same ones Lincoln saw] roosting in a tree in a high-traffic area of the North Woods. [Please note that in a protective spirit Central Park birdwatchers have agreed to be vague about owl locations in the park. An exact roosting spot is only revealed to other trusted birdwatchers.] PALE MALE AND MATE PURSUE LARGE RAPTOR On Saturday, 11/15/03, the photographer Lincoln Karim and several other observers witnessed an exciting drama: Pale Male and his current mate [now generally called Lola] pursuing a VERY large bird of prey, high above Madison Ave.& 71st Street. Lincoln reports that there were three separate sightings. Pale Male & Lola went after the intruder on the first and second occasion. On the third occasion the two resident redtails, along with a third unidentified redtail, merely soared above the nest at Fifth Ave and 74th Street. Though Lincoln took several photographs of the large bird, there has not been a positive identification yet. But Lincoln's guess is an exciting one: Golden Eagle! That evening, at 6:30 p.m. Lincoln witnessed two Long-eared Owls setting forth on their night hunt. The next morning another birdwatcher, Rebekah Creshkoff, reported two Long-eared Owls [probably the same ones Lincoln saw] roosting in a tree in a high-traffic area of the North Woods. [Please note that in a protective spirit Central Park birdwatchers have agreed to be vague about owl locations in the park. An exact roosting spot is only revealed to other trusted birdwatchers.] Photo by Cal Vornberger 11/9/03 -- One of Central Park's regular nature photographers writes: "While I was photographing in the park today up near the Pool, a pair of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS showed-up. I got off a couple of shots before they left." P.S. The Pool is the body of water between 100th St and 104th St at the west side of the park. Note: Please see the LINKS page for a link to Cal Vornberger's great web site. Northern Pintail - Anas acuta WINTER AROUND THE CORNER Though Tom Fiore's report for Nov. 6th [see below] still includes a few warblers and a vireo -- birds of the fall migration --- his focus, is turning towards waterfowl, [notably, a Northern Pintail on the Reservoir!] migrating raptors, unusual sparrows, and the return of the feeder Regulars: the titmice, nuthatches, woodpeckers, creepers and the like. Winter birdwatching. DATE: Thursday, 6 November 2003 REPORTED BY: Tom Fiore It seems at least some birds were attempting to move south thru this morning, as evidenced by some flocks - such as a LOON, BRANT, Canada Geese, & some waxwings. A few hawks were also migrating - despite the very overcast sky, the breeze was from a northerly direction. An impressive 14 WATERFOWL SPECIES were seen this morning, and even the minimal 4 WARBLER SPECIES were a surprise to me. 8 (or 10, if one counts towhee & junco) SPARROW SPECIES were also seen. Has SPOTTED SANDPIPER simply decided to live at the Reservoir this fall? Once again, there it was! A couple of LAUGHING GULLS also were seen along the Reservoir's divider-dike, among the many Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed Gulls. An American COOT on the Meer may be the first to make it into the Park this fall, an earlier one tried, but sadly was found dead out on Central Park West, last month. I should note that some of the ducks I saw in the early morning on the Reservoir I was unable to refind only a few hours later on a second visit there, indeed the numbers of N. Shoveler seemed to have dropped a bit by late morning. The 8 TREE SWALLOWS seen might seem "late", which they are for Central Park, but at the nearby shore, in N.Y.C. & elsewhere, Tree Swallows are still being seen. Common Loon (1, flyover) Pied-billed Grebe (1, Reservoir) Double-crested Cormorant (1, Reservoir) Great Blue Heron (2, 59 St. Pond & Turtle Pond) Canada Goose Brant (small flyover flock) Mute Swan (2, Lake) Wood Duck (1 female, Reservoir) Gadwall (~15, Reservoir) American Black Duck (on every larger waterbody in the Park) Mallard Northern Shoveler (100+, mainly Reservoir; & some on Meer) Northern Pintail (1 male, Reservoir) Green-winged Teal (1 female, Meer) Lesser Scaup (3, Reservoir, 7:45 a.m. - 2 males & 1 female) Bufflehead (12+, Reservoir; & several on Turtle Pond) Hooded Merganser (2 males, Reservoir) Ruddy Duck (35+, mostly on the Meer; a few on Reservoir) Osprey (1, high flyover seen from the N. Meadow) Northern Harrier (1, high flyover seen from N. Meadow) Sharp-shinned Hawk (1, high flyover seen from N. Meadow) Cooper's Hawk (1, hunting around perimeter of Great Lawn) Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel (1, N. end) Peregrine Falcon (2, seen from S. end of Park) American Coot (1, Meer) Spotted Sandpiper (1, on edge of Reservoir, & in flight) Laughing Gull (2, Reservoir dike) Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull (Reservoir) Rock Dove Mourning Dove Red-bellied Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (several) Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker (1, Cedar Hill) Northern Flicker (20+) Eastern Phoebe (several) Blue-headed Vireo (1, near N. side of Hallett Sanctuary) Blue Jay American Crow Tree Swallow (8, flying low/southbound past Castle) Tufted Titmouse (fair number throughout the Park) Red-breasted Nuthatch (2, one Cedar Hill, one East Pinetum) White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper (2, one at S. end, & one at N. end) Winter Wren (1, Loch) Golden-crowned Kinglet (several, Cedar Hill, S. end, & N. end) Ruby-crowned Kinglet (several, Cedar Hill, S. end, & N. end) Hermit Thrush (30+ throughout the Park) American Robin Gray Catbird (several) Northern Mockingbird (several) Brown Thrasher (1, Hallett Sanctuary, N. side) European Starling Cedar Waxwing (100+ in several flocks) Yellow-rumped Warbler (10+, including 6+ around Cedar Hill) Black-throated Green Warbler (1, Cedar Hill, with Y.-r. Warblers) Palm Warbler (1, North Meadow knoll) Ovenbird (1, Hallett Sanctuary) Eastern Towhee (several, Ramble, & Hallett Sanctuary, & N. end) Chipping Sparrow (80+, most at N. Meadow Knoll; few elsewhere) Field Sparrow (3, Cedar Hill, N. Meadow Knoll, Great Hill) Savannah Sparrow (1, N. Meadow Knoll) Fox Sparrow (3, S. end, Ramble, N. end) Song Sparrow (many) Swamp Sparrow (few, Lake shore, & N. edges of Reservoir) White-throated Sparrow (many) White-crowned Sparrow (2, N. Meadow Knoll, & Great Hill) Dark-eyed Junco (many) Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird (a few) Common Grackle (a few large flocks, otherwise scattered) Purple Finch (1, female-type plumage, Cedar Hill) House Finch House Sparrow Good birding - Tom Fiore 11/3/03 -- Yesterday afternoon, not far from the madding crowds of spectators cheering on runners of the New York City Marathon, a small group of birdwatchers had the good fortune to discover a species of bird not often sighted in Central Park: the Eastern Meadowlark. Two of these handsome birds with their bright yellow throats and chests crossed by a large black V showed up on a grassy knoll just north of the North Meadow. The birds flew from tree to tree, and finally perched conspicuously for quite a few minutes, long enough for everyone to get very satisfying looks. Also seen in the same area: Palm Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Marsh Wren White-crowned Sparrow A wonderful Marathon Day, from the birding point-of-view. 10/31/03 From yesterday's e-birds, here is a report by one of Central Park's most reliable "Regulars" [and, by the way, one of the main characters of Red-Tails in Love] DATE: Tue-Thu, 28-30 October 2003 LOCATION: Central Park REPORTED BY: Tom Fiore No mega-rarities, but certainly some interesting birds continue to be seen... among the surprises have been how many warbler species keep on going; also nice to see are some waterfowl turning up, & an ongoing good mix of sparrows & other end-of-October migrants. For highlights, take your pick: a BALD EAGLE, spotted by eagle-eye Phil Jeffrey on Tues./28th, as the second-year eagle flew over those dozen or so of us looking for a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, that I had rediscovered on Cedar Hill a short time before, calling over those birders ogling the ridiculously out-there WILSON'S SNIPE - enjoying itself in the rain puddles in the middle of the Maintenance Field as seen there originally the day before - Mon. - by Jack Meyer & Marty Sohmer. While we didn't re-find the Clay-colored despite very keen eyes trying for it, the eagle was a very nice unexpected sight! (To my knowledge, no one has seen a snipe, or a Clay-colored Sparrow in the Park since then.) Then there were the 13 WARBLER SPECIES noted on Tuesday, with an ORANGE-CROWNED or 2 that Rafael Campos first identified on "Sparrow Ridge" (a made-up name for the rock outcrop across the W. Drive from Tanner's Spring, which FYI is NOT a made-up name but comes from the physician, a Dr. Tanner, who in years preceding the creation of Central Park prescribed the spring's water to patients!); other birders got to see Orange-crowned thanks to Rafael's ID. A flurry of warblers & other birds happened after sunrise on Tuesday at the Great Hill, especially apparent in trees on the W. flank of the upper lawn - with TENNESSEE, NASHVILLE, NORTHERN PARULA, CAPE MAY (adult female plumage), BLACK-THROATED BLUE, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, PINE, PALM, AMERICAN REDSTART (female) & OVENBIRD being the species seen there in under an hour! A COMMON YELLOWTHROAT was added a bit later in the N. end. Ten or more waterfowl species were possible in the Park this week, with a quartet of AMERICAN WIGEON on the Reservoir (2 drakes among the 4) on Tuesday. For some reason, unknown to me, this duck is never commonly found in Central Park despite its being such a common migrant & winterer in N.Y.C. A PIED-BILLED GREBE is now regular, if not always easily found, on the Reservoir. NORTHERN SHOVELER have been most easily seen in good numbers on The Meer, with 60+ there Thursday. At least 4 BUFFLEHEAD on the Reservoir Thursday morning (3 of them drakes) were a sign of the season, even if the weather's not showing it... On THURSDAY the Park was still producing warblers in nice variety, with a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT seen by Wada & I in the Wildflower Meadow, in shrubs near the eastern end, around 9:30 a.m. We also were seeing a good mix of other birds including LINCOLN'S SPARROW (1, perhaps 2) & INDIGO BUNTING, etc. Other warblers on Thursday included NASHVILLE, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, PINE, PALM, OVENBIRD & COMMON YELLOWTHROAT all seen in the north end; plus a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH in the Gill (in the Ramble) later on. A BALTIMORE ORIOLE turned up at Willow Rock & The Point later on too. THRUSHES now consist mainly of HERMIT, but at least one GRAY-CHEEKED was found by Rafael Campos, who showed me the bird offering a super view on Summit Rock; a couple of lingering SWAINSON'S seen in the Ramble and a WOOD THRUSH at the Great Hill. Two AMERICAN PIPIT passed thru, one landing at least briefly on the Reservoir's central dike near the South Pumphouse early Thursday; another seen going by the North Meadow's north edge a bit later the same morning. Pipits rarely linger in Central. SPARROWS continue in good supply, with those still being seen into Thursday besides Lincoln's being: Chipping, Field, Savannah, FOX (a few more may be showing up now), Song, Swamp, White-crowned (good numbers continue, with multiple sightings in some areas), & of course White-throated all over now, along with some E. Towhees & many Dark-eyed Junco. PURPLE FINCH may have slacked off a bit but are still quite findable, if one keeps eyes & ears out for them - a few were seen Thursday in Ash trees at the N. end, nibbling on their seeds. Those interested in current daily bird reports for Central Park might want to try the website Mike Freeman created -- see link below. There you'll see other parks & public lands around New York City that will have active pages for reports on this website as 2004 begins - but for NOW, Central Park is the only one actively reporting, as it has been here since the first day of this year. Just click on Central Park & then on any of the various feature "buttons" to view reports & other data - NO advertising & the most minimal graphics which allow quick loading to your browser. Enjoy it; Good birding to all, Tom Fiore ************************** New York City Bird Report ************************************************************* WILSON'S SNIPE UPDATE 10/30/03 -- The shorebird that attracted many Central Park birdwatchers to the Maintenance Meadow early this week[see article and photo below] seems to have moved on in its migration. It was not sighted yesterday, 10/29/03. 10/29/03 --The Wilson's Snipe, formerly known as the Common Snipe, is an elusive, long-billed, short legged shorebird that seems to show up in Central Park in March or April, and then again in mid to late October. On Monday, October 27 two extremely sharp-eyed birdwatchers, Marty Sohmer and Jack Meyer, spotted a Snipe in the Maintenance Meadow at 8 a.m. That is one day earlier than the 1992 Snipe, which showed up [or at least was first discovered] on October 28 of that year. On the other hand the 1999 Snipe was early, first seen on October 19. Last Monday's Snipe seems to have settled down in the park for a while. It has been sighted in the same location for the last two days. BIRD WALKS BY A CENTRAL PARK REGULAR [for Birders of ALL levels] Though Jack Meyer did not arrive on the scene until after I had written Red-Tails in Love, he has taken his place as one of the Park's most faithful Regulars; he and a small number of others are there every morning all year round, often when rain or snow keeps others away. Consequently, he has a great sense of "where the birds are." He has been leading bird walks for the last few years, and they have been highly praised. To schedule a walk and for more information you can reach him at : 212-563-0038 (Not after 8PM please) e-mail jackmeyer415@earthlink.net ************************************************************* Lincoln's Sparrow A FLURRY OF LATE FALL MIGRANTS A quintessential late October birding report, followed by some identification tips for the Lincoln's Sparrow: DATE: Sunday, 19 October 2003 LOCATION: Central Park OBSERVERS: Ilenne Goldstein, Eve Levine, Phil Sussman There was a nice flurry of activity at the Sparrow Rocks / Ridge near Tanner's Spring between 3 and 3:30 today as the sun came out. In or around the puddles on the rocks, all about the same time: Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Scarlet Tanager bathing, Cedar Waxwing, Hermit Thrush. A few minutes later, in a small crabapple tree with yellow fruit just north of the rocks, a Lincoln's Sparrow repeatedly perched briefly and then disappeared into the tall purple Smartgrass under the tree. ************************** ID Tips for the Lincoln's Sparrow [Melospiza lincolnii] * Length: 4.75 inches * Conical bill * Brown crown with gray central stripe * Gray face and supercilium * Eye ring * Brown streak extends behind eye * Thick malar streak bordered by white throat and buff submustachial stripe * Olive back with darker streaks * Brownish-olive wings * Buffy breast and flanks with fine streaks * White belly * Thin, rounded tail * Sexes similar * Juvenile (Summer) similar to adult but is buffier Similar species: The Song Sparrow can be told from the Lincoln's Sparrow by its larger bill, heavier streaking on the breast and flanks, lack of buffy color on the breast and face, brown back, larger size and longer tail. Juvenile Lincoln's Sparrows are very similar to juvenile Swamp and Song Sparrows. Savannah Sparrow is similar but has a yellowish supercilium and lacks a buffy breast. Swamp Sparrow has a rusty crown, rusty wings and much less streaking on the breast. P.S. For readers of Red-Tails in Love, note that Ilenne Goldstein, one of the observers above, appears on p. 35 of the book in an incident that happened almost ten years ago, when she was a brand-new birdwatcher. LATE FALL [AVIAN] REGULARS DOMINATE PARK As the following two reports clearly demonstrate, the final phase of the Fall Migration has set in. This is the time when the focus is no longer on warblers, but rather on sparrows, migrating hawks, waterfowl and wrens. These are the weeks when Hermit Thrushes, birds that are often hard to find on their breeding ground, [except by the sound of their lovely song] are briefly a dime a dozen in Central Park. Birds that will be present in the park all winter-- titmice, nuthatches, brown creepers -- are moving in. And birdwatchers begin to think about stocking up their supply of handwarmers. POSTSCRIPT: Note that Jack Meyer's Fall Migration walks [see below] will end by the end of this month. However he is available for off-season walks, by appointment. You can phone him at 212-563-0038 (not after 8PM please) or email him: jackmeyer415@earthlink.net DATE: Saturday, 18 October 2003 SATURDAY'S REPORTS: 1. REPORTED BY: Jack Meyer Highlights: Bufflehead (Turtle Pond) Great Blue Heron (Lake) Sharp-shinned Hawk (Riviera) Hairy Woodpecker (Falconer Hill) Belted Kingfisher (Point) Tufted Titmouse (Several) White-breasted Nuthatch (Several) Brown Creeper (Several) House Wren (Falconer Hill) Winter Wren (Several) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Sparrow Ridge) Palm Warbler (Sparrow Ridge) American Redstart (Summit Rock) Eastern Towhee (Several) Chipping Sparrow (Several) Swamp Sparrow (Balcony Bridge, Upper Lobe) White-crowned Sparrow (Maintenance Field, Tanner Spring) ************************** 2. REPORTED BY: Neil O'Hara Highlights: Blue-headed vireo - 1 nr Laupot Br Eastern towhee 2 Winter wren 2 Swamp sparrow - 1 upper Lobe Song sparrow 2 Chipping sparrow 2 Swainson's thrush 1 Hermit thrush (everywhere) Tufted titmouse 4+ ************************ photo by Cal Vornberger As the Fall Migration begins to dwindle, attention returns to some other flying visitors to Central Park. A photographer who takes many great wildlife pictures in Central Park, Cal Vornberger, captured this Small Tortoiseshell on October 14. Like many human visitors to the park, this lepidopteran may have traveled a long distance to get there, the Small Tortoiseshell being a Eurasian butterfly species. It too may have traveled to our area via airplane rather than under its own wing-power. photo by Lincoln Karim 10/14/00 Yesterday afternoon, alerted by the angry cries of mobbing Blue Jays, two regular Central Park birdwatchers came upon a Long-eared Owl roosting in a tree not far from the Azalea Pond. This is one of the earliest owl sightings on record. As usual, the news spread rapidly in the Central Park birdwatching community. Since owls are vulnerable while roosting during the daytime, it is considered improper to divulge the exact locations of their discovered roosting spots on public forums such as this one, But Central Park birdwatchers will usually oblige trustworthy owl seekers by leading them to the roosting owl. In the meanwhile, here is a picture of this beautiful creature taken on the day of its discovery. Photo by Lincoln Karim** What keeps those ducks in the Model Boatpond alive? People often ask that question. Lincoln Karim, the photographer [with the gigantic telescope] who is often stationed at the Model Boatpond, provides an indisputable answer in this photo taken on Saturday, October 11. I don't have an answer for the next question: Where do those goldfish come from? Just when I thought things were slowing down in the Southbound migration, Tom Fiore sent a report to e-birds confounding my statement. Note that one reason Tom sees so many birds [besides being an excellent observer] is that he gets to the park around sunrise, and sees migrants actually arriving! Here's his report: DATE: Fri. & Sun., 3 & 5 October 2003 LOCATION: Central Park, Manhattan REPORTED BY: Tom Fiore First, a few birds from Friday, Oct. 3rd & apologies for a belated report: RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (immature) at Falconer Hill, 7 a.m., Friday, Oct. 3rd EASTERN BLUEBIRD (several early a.m. flybys, & 1 calling at the N. Meadow around 8 a.m., Fri./3rd) RUSTY BLACKBIRD (winter plumage) at Tanner's Spring, mid-day on Fri./3rd PURPLE FINCH (males & female) early a.m. at Falconer Hill, also at Tanner's Spring, Fri./3rd On that Friday (Oct. 3) morning there was a tremendous migration of birds continuing into daylight, with literally thousands of Northern [Yellow-shafted] Flickers streaming through & over the Park, as well as great numbers of Blue Jays, American Robins, blackbirds, & some warblers & other migrants streaming overhead even as the sun rose and for a while afterward. Observed this from Falconer Hill between about 6:15-7:15 a.m. /--------------------------* Sunday, Oct. 5th - It was a rather good day with not only some lingering warblers & other songbirds about, but a nice raptor flight thru the afternoon, along with some waterfowl "trickling" in, & overhead. There were many observers of the birds, especially at Tanner's Spring in the morning; and also up on top of Belvedere Castle in the afternoon. Thanks to Richard Leiberman for compiling the vulture/raptor numbers most of the day & to ALL who observed. Brian Hart noticed that an "odd" Red-tailed Hawk was in fact COLOR-MARKED with RED DYE - 2 large patches, one centered on each underwing. In ideal light the red markings were distinctive. In poor lighting/viewing conditions it was a bit weird. Brian Hart, along with many others, helped spot numerous raptors. Two esteemed visitors were Peter Post & Irv Kantor, with well over a century of birding between them! Dennis Geisel & I got in a little more hawk-watching with the last observed Sharp-shinned Hawk around 4:30 pm. - we'd seen a few more Broad-winged Hawks after 4 p.m. as well. The full day-list: PIED-BILLED GREBE (1, Reservoir, N.E. corner) Double-crested Cormorant (mainly on Reservoir) Great Blue Heron (1 at Turtle Pond) GREEN HERON (1, in the "oven" at Willow Rock, getting late for this species) Black-crowned Night-Heron (2, island in Meer) TURKEY VULTURE (37, migrating in several flocks, seen from Belvedere Castle) SNOW GOOSE (30+, migrating at altitude in mid-morning, & thanks to David Speiser for spotting them) Canada Goose (including some flyovers) Mute Swan (2, Lake) Gadwall (6+, Reservoir) American Black Duck (several, Meer/Reservoir/Lake) Mallard Northern Shoveler (at least 4, Meer) LESSER SCAUP (1, Meer, N.E. corner in early a.m., presumed female & in first-winter plumage - this was first noted the day before by myself & Mike Freeman, same location) Ruddy Duck (1, Lake & at least 7, Meer) OSPREY (6, migrating, seen from Belvedere Castle) BALD EAGLE (3: 1 in a.m., & 2 seen together from Belvedere Castle approx. 3:30 p.m.) NORTHERN HARRIER (4, migrating & seen from Belvedere Castle) Sharp-shinned Hawk (9, migrating, seen from Belvedere Castle, plus others hunting in park) Cooper's Hawk (4, migrating, seen from Belvedere Castle, plus others hunting in park) RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (2, migrating, seen from Belvedere Castle) BROAD-WINGED HAWK (at least 36, migrating, seen from Belvedere Castle, still flying 4 p.m.) American Kestrel (4, migrating, seen from Belvedere Castle, plus others hunting in park) PEREGRINE FALCON (3 possible/probable migrants on the day, in addition to residents) Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull (mostly at Reservoir) Chimney Swift (100+ in flocks later in day) Ruby-throated HUMMINGBIRD (several sightings) HAIRY Woodpecker (1 female in Ramble, & male & female in N. end) Blue-headed Vireo (1, Lower Lobe) Warbling Vireo (1 PROBABLE, very high in canopy above Tanner's Spring, a.m.) Red-eyed Vireo (small numbers, various areas) Blue Jay (hundreds & hundreds moving through) Tree Swallow (several fairly low flyovers very early at N. end) Black-capped Chickadee (few) Tufted Titmouse (few) White-breasted Nuthatch Red-breasted Nuthatch (Pinetum) VEERY (1 at Tanner's Spring, getting a bit late for this species) Gray-cheeked Thrush (several) Hermit Thrush (2, Summit Rock, N.Woods... 1st report Fri., 10/3 by Alex Wilson) Wood Thrush (several) Gray Catbird (plenty) Northern Mockingbird (regular at N. end) Brown Thrasher (numerous, throughout park) Cedar Waxwing (few) Tennessee Warbler (minimum of 3 seen, Tanner's Spring, Summit Rock, Great Hill) Nashville Warbler (6+ seen today) Northern Parula (12+ seen today) Yellow Warbler (1, seen briefly above Tanner's Spring, early a.m.) Magnolia Warbler (5+ seen today) Cape May Warbler (1, first-fall plumage, Lower Lobe, 5:15 p.m.) Black-throated Blue Warbler (12+ seen today) Yellow-rumped Warbler (several) Black-throated Green Warbler (10+ seen today) Blackburnian Warbler (1, Strawberry Fields, N.W. side, 11 a.m.) Pine Warbler (several, Pinetum & N. end) Prairie Warbler (1, Tanner's Spring) Palm Warbler (several) Bay-breasted Warbler (1, Great Hill) Blackpoll Warbler (8+ seen today) Black-and-white Warbler (10+ seen today) American Redstart (12+ seen today) Ovenbird (several) Northern Waterthrush (several) Common Yellowthroat (20+ seen today, esp. at N. end) Canada Warbler (1, not in good shape, Central Park Zoo grounds, in shrubs near "monkey pond" - this is certainly the same individual recently noted by David Speiser in this location, & is quite a LATE DATE for this species) Scarlet Tanager (few) Eastern Towhee (several) Chipping Sparrow (few, including on Great Hill) Field Sparrow (1, Great Hill) Savannah Sparrow (1, Great Hill) Lincoln's Sparrow (1, Great Hill) Swamp Sparrow (1, Great Hill) White-throated Sparrow (hundreds, throughout park) White-crowned Sparrow (1, Great Hill) Dark-eyed Junco (1, Great Hill) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (5+) Indigo Bunting (several lingering at wildflower meadow) Red-winged Blackbird (small numbers of flyovers at sunrise) Baltimore Oriole (6+, including several in bright plumage at Tanner's Spring) House Finch American Goldfinch (2 younger birds seen being fed by 2 adults at wildflower meadow, an observation also noted by Alex Wilson recently in the same location... just feeding, no proof of nesting!) Monarch butterflies were seen migrating south today as they have each day recently. Among odonates casually noted were a few Common Green Darners & some (possibly Yellow-legged) Meadowhawks. /--------------------------* A note from the southeast corner of the Park late on Sat., Oct. 4th: a keen birder visiting while on a break from school in Syracuse, NY & I were lucky to observe 3 PEREGRINE FALCONS interacting just above The Pond near 59 St., as we stood on Gapstow Bridge - 2 appeared to be the regular pair seen in that area, & when a third bird appeared, one of the pair came alongside, & talons were out amidst high-speed aerobatics, with some lively vocalizations from the falcons accompanying the aerial struggle. The "interloper", if indeed that's what "No. 3" was, soon got away and the local pair settled down again, after a few wide circles flown high over the buildings. It was a good show and was also enjoyed by some of the many tourists who frequent the area. We also noted some migrant birds even at the very southern perimeter of the Park, including both kinglet species. Good birding & good luck to all, Tom Fiore ************************** MIGRATION SLOWS DOWN 10/5/03 -- The warbler migration begins to slow down [at least in diversity] by mid October. But numbers of thrashers, thrushes, grosbeaks, buntings, orioles will continue to show up in Central Park throughout the month. As the great Tupelo tree in the eponymous Tupelo Meadow comes into fruit in a week or two, the numbers of thrushes and flickers will swell. Sometimes you can see fifty or more flickers in that same tree, gorging on the black tupelo berries. Here is Jack Meyer's report from Saturday, 10/4: [Note -- his walks will continue until November -- see details a few paragraphs below] DATE: Saturday, 4 October 2003 LOCATION: Central Park REPORTED BY: Jack Meyer Highlights: Brown Thrasher (many) Gray-cheeked Thrush (two at Azalea Pond) Warblers: Northern Parula (Tanner Spring) Black-throated Blue (Ramble) Black-and-white (Tanner Spring) Palm (Tanner Spring) American Redstart (Tanner Spring) Common Yellowthroat (Balcony Bridge) Yellow (Castle) ************************ FALL MIGRANTS STILL POURING IN 10/3/03 -- As you can see from the following reports, the fall migration is still in full swing: DATE: Thursday, 2nd October 2003 LOCATION: Central Park REPORTED BY: Phil Jeffrey (All sightings from Tanner's Spring 8-10:30am) Accipiter sp., probably Sharp-shinned Hawk Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Northern Flicker Eastern Phoebe Red-eyed Vireo Ruby-crowned Kinglet Gray-cheeked Thrush Swainson's Thrush Wood Thrush Brown Thrasher Tennessee Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler Nashville Warbler Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler Cape May Warbler (Immature female) Black-throated Blue Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Pine Warbler Prairie Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Northern Waterthrush Common Yellowthroat probable Field Sparrow (v. brief look) Rose-breasted Grosbeak Baltimore Oriole (incl one male in full breeding plumage) ************************ DATE: Thursday, 2 October 2003 LOCATION: Central Park OBSERVERS: Mary Birchard, Lynette Connelly, Audrey Weintrob, Patty Pike, Hillary, Jack Meyer REPORTED BY: Jack Meyer Highlights: Sharp-shinned Hawk (Flyover Maintenance Field) Cooper's Hawk (Hunting at Tanner Spring) Chimney Swift (Many) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Several at Falconer's Hill & in Ramble) Eastern Phoebe (Tupelo Field) Great Crested Flycatcher (Willow Rock) Red-eyed Vireo (Ramble) Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Many on Falconer's Hill and in Ramble) Gray-cheeked Thrush (Maintenance Field and Azalea Pond) Swainson's Thrush (Many in Ramble) Wood Thrush (Gill) Brown Thrasher (Many throughout Ramble) Scarlet Tanager (Maintenance Field) Eastern Towhee (Tupelo Field) White-throated Sparrow (Several in Ramble) Warblers: Tennessee (Maintenance Field) Nashville (Maintenance Field) Northern Parula (Several in Maintenance Field) Magnolia (Willow Rock) Black-throated Blue (Many at Azalea Pond and Gill) Black-throated Green (Several in Ramble) Black-and-white (Falconer's Hill) American Redstart (Maintenance Field) Ovenbird (Tupelo Field) Common Yellowthroat (Willow Rock) ************************ DATE: Thursday, 2 October 2003 LOCATION: Central Park - north end REPORTED BY: Pat Pollock Wildflower Meadow: a number of Indigo Buntings Wilson's w. Prairie w. Blue-winged w. B&W w. Common Yellowthroats Lincoln sp. Field sp. 2 (F) Scarlet Tanagers Phoebe R.T. Hawk Broad-winged Hawks 3 American Kestrels 2 House wren Ruby-throated Hummingbird Magnolia Black-throated green w. Palm w. Swainson's thrush Song sps. Wh. thr. sps. Loch: R.S. Towhee Belted Kingfisher Chipping sp. Turkey Vulture R.C. Kinglet Winter wren (M & F) Rose-breasted Grosbeaks Pat Pollock (and other observers at times: T. Fiore, Alex Wilson, Mike Freeman) ************************ DATE: Thursday, 2 October 2003 LOCATION: Central Park - The Pond & Hallett Sanctuary REPORTED BY: Ben Cacace Before entering the park around 1:00p I spotted a raptor high, naked eye, above the southeast corner of the park. After crossing 5th Ave., at the park's edge, I brought out the binoculars and quickly spotted a small kettle of hawks which soon grew to thirty raptors. Most were BROAD-WINGED HAWKS ... a few others were identifiable as SHARP-SHINNED, COOPER's and a single RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. Within 8 minutes 50+ raptors passed overhead heading WSW before I even entered the park. In the park I met up with Denis Giesel and we picked up another 20+ raptors over the next 10 minutes including an AMERICAN KESTREL, 2 TURKEY VULTURES and a few Sharp-shinned and 2 Cooper's Hawks. The flurry died down soon after ... A local PEREGRINE FALCON was perched on the fencing below the roof of the G.M. Building's north face. ************************ photo by Lincoln Karim Fifth Avenue Redtails Update - 9/25/03 This photo of Pale Male and his latest mate, variously called Mom III or Lola, was taken a few days ago. But the two "babies," now big, capable young raptors, haven't been seen for over two weeks. This is the way it happens every year: the fledglings stay in the park through the summer, and then take off in the early fall. They cannot stay in Central Park -- it is the parents' territory. In a few months [by late December, usually]the cycle will begin anew -- courtship, mating, laying and incubating eggs, feeding the young, watching them fledge, and then teaching them how to survive on their own.If all goes well we'll have another chance to observe these exciting events from our front-row seats at the Model Boat Pond. And hawk mania will reign again Connecticut Warbler [Oporornis agilis] 9/23/03 Finding a Connecticut Warbler, a hard-to-find migrant that skulks in the understory, and usually stops over in Central Park only in the Fall, is one of the highpoints of birdwatching. This week there were TWO [count 'em] two Connecticut sightings, one yesterday --[see report below] and one this very morning at 7:30 a.m, reported by Starr Saphir. Starr's bird was seen feeding at the little stream called he Loch, one of the loveliest parts of the North Woods of Central Park. DATE: Monday, 22 September 2003 LOCATION: Central Park REPORTED BY: Alex Wilson An adult male CONNECTICUT WARBLER was at the base of the Great Hill this afternoon at 3:45. It flushed from the brush at the southeast corner of the Hill, just to the west of the paved path that runs up the Hill from the Pool. It flew a bit further up the slope, and posed briefly at the bottom of a woody thicket. It was my first encounter with an adult male, much brighter than the dusky young birds I've seen previously. He topped off a day that saw some nice birds, though numbers and diversity seemed to be down a bit from Sunday. Other interesting sights included a Yellow-breasted Chat popping out of the Wildflower Meadow, and a White-eyed Vireo along the Loch. A Kingfisher circled the Meer at dawn, but later turned up in the Loch. Lincoln's, Swamp, Chipping, and White-throated Sparrows, along with Dark-eyed Juncos, were on hand to mark tomorrow's Equinox. Best of luck to all, Alex Wilson ************************ LATEST MIGRATION REPORT DATE: Sunday, 21 September 2003 REPORTED BY: Jack Meyer Highlights: Osprey (3 flyovers) American Kestrel (flyover) Chimney Swift (Many over maintenance field) Eastern Wood-Pewee (Ramble) Eastern Phoebe (Two or more in maintenance field) Blue-headed Vireo (Maintenance field) Red-eyed Vireo (Strawberry Fields, maintenance field) Veery (Ramble) Swainson's Thrush (Strawberry Fields, maintenance field) Brown Thrasher (Azalea Pond) Cedar Waxwing (Flock over Strawberry Fields) Scarlet Tanager (Strawberry Fields) Lincoln's Sparrow (Maintenance field) White-throated Sparrow (Ladies' Pavilion) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Several, maintenance field) Baltimore Oriole (Strawberry Fields) Warblers (all in maintenance field unless noted): Blue-winged Tennessee (two) Nashville Northern Parula Yellow Chestnut-sided Magnolia Cape May (adult m, f, two immature) Black-throated Blue (Tupelo field) Black-throated Green Palm Blackpoll Black-and-white (several, maintenance & ramble) American Redstart (several, maintenance & ramble) Common Yellowthroat (Strawberry Fields & maintenance) Wilson's ************************ Weird Pulsating Fly Identified Three moths and a fly** The CP Mothers observed a weird and beautiful insect at their first Moth Night on 9/9. [See full report below]. Clearly in the Diptera [Fly] order, it was not to be found in the Peterson Insect Guide we had taken along. A few weeks later Nick Wagerik found it in the Audubon Insect Guide. It was a Pyrgotid Fly, one of a family that is attracted to lights [!]and is known to parasitize beetles. The artist and illustrator Ed Lam was one of the mothing band that night, and captured the fly as well as the three moths to the left with his Nikon Coolpix digital camera. 9/17/03 MIGRATION REPORT The winds were from the north last night, raising hope that an influx of migrants would hit Central Park early this morning. And indeed they did. At least 54 species of birds were seen in the park today, including 14 species of warbler. The hot spot was the Maintenance Meadow, located a bit north of the Boathouse, where at least 50 birdwatchers had converged by 8 a.m. Many of the park's best birdwatchers were there, including Lloyd Spitalnik, Marty Sohmer, Jack Meyer, Phil Jeffreys, Harry Maas. Also present were groups from the National Audubon Society and The American Museum of Natural History. Starr Saphir's Wednesday Morning group was part of the big crowd, as well as 5 or 6 of the Early Birders. Among the warblers were: Blue-winged, Nashville, Bay-breasted, Wilson's, Blackpoll. There were sightings of Scarlet Tanagers [in their yellow fall plumage] Blue-headed Vireos [as well as Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos, Rose Breasted Grosbeaks and a number of Brown Thrashers. At around 9 a.m. a Cooper's Hawk arrived. It perched in one of the large Oaks on the West side of the meadow and after that not a bird could be seen! Soybean Looper Pseudoplusia includens 9/16/03 -- The weather was warm and humid -- most promising for moths. Once again the Central Park Mothers [the non-maternal kind] gathered with their sheet and black light a little after sunset, and once again at the Shakespeare Garden. The group included Nick, Noreen, Lee, Charles, Jim [see previous reports] and a new observer, Mike Bonifanti. They were rewarded with three new species of moths for their Central Park list: The Clandestine Dart [who thinks up these names?], the Iris Borer Moth and the Tobacco Budworm Moth. The Clandestine, a Noctuid in the sub-family Noctuinae, includes the Apple tree among its food plants, a tree that is found at the back of the garden. The Tobacco Budworm feeds on ageratum, geraniums, roses and various members of the nightshade family, all found in the Shakespeare Garden. And the Iris Borer moth limits itself to the Iris family, which is found in great numbers in the garden. Clearly the Mothers have found a great spot for their nocturnal hobby. Other moths seen that evening [already on the C.P. list, were: Common Idia, Soybean Looper, [pictured above], the Ipsilon Dart and the Sharp-stigma Looper, new last week. The light was turned off at 10:45 p.m. 9/15/03 MIGRATION REPORT DATE: Monday, 15 September 2003 LOCATION: Central Park OBSERVERS: Brian Hart, Richard Lieberman, Alice Barner and Mary Carlson A muggy, wet day highlighted by a singing MARSH WREN, perching out in the open just east of the dock at Turtle Pond. Also seen in the Ramble vicinity: Black-crowned Night-Heron (2 adult) Green Heron (2 young) Great Egret Double-crested Cormorant Hairy Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Great Crested Flycatcher (2, Pinetum) Brown Thrasher Veery N. Parula Common Yellowthroat Magnolia Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Palm Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Common Yellowthroat Baltimore Oriole Rose-breasted Grosbeak (heard) ************************** Chickweed Geometer (Haematopis grataria) 9/9/01 Today, after a 2-year hiatus, the Central Park Mothers [first syllable of the last word rhymes with cloth] resumed activity. The group included Nick Wagerik and Ed Lam [see LINKS for his website], as well as Norma Collin, Charles Kennedy, Lee Stinchcomb and Jim Lewis. The sheet and black light [a moth and night insect lure] were set up at the butterfly garden east of the Boathouse, just behind the huge garbage bins and quite close to the spot our former Moth Nights in 1999, 2000 and 2001 were held. The night was somewhat cool. This doesn't usually bode well for moths, who tend to come out in numbers when the weather is warm -- the warmer the better. But to the Central Park Mothers' delight, several great moths showed up on this Opening Night, among them the lovely creature pictured to the left.[The photo comes from a Massachusetts website.] Here is a list of the other moths and assorted insects attracted to our sheet on 9/9: The Ambiguous Moth Pale Beauty Ipsilon Dart Large Yellow Underwing Fine-lined Grey a leaf hopper an unidentified [and strikingly beautiful] dipteran a click beetle a caddis fly a crane fly Restless Bush Cricket [seen several times in previous years -- has a yellow stripe around the tegmen [the thickened front wing of an orthopteran] See below for our next meeting. *Barberry Geometer (Coryphista meadii)* 9/10/03 -- There was a full moon tonight, inspiring the CP Mothers to meet again. This time the sheet and black light were set up at the Shakespeare Gardens, a far sweeter-smelling venue than the Boathouse garden spot behind the garbage bins. The weather seemed a bit warmer, and a number of fascinating creatures arrived, including two Barberry Geometers whose picture appears to the right. [Once again the photo is from someone else's website. You can find this website, called The Mulberry Wing, on my LINKS]. Here is a list of other moths and miscellaneous insects seen tonight: Sharp-stigma Looper Moth (a species common in the south, and rarer in this area) Ailanthus Webworm Moth Common Tan Wave Leaf Hopper Caddis Fly a beautiful little syrphid fly several bumble bees sleeping on flowers several Praying Mantises (on nearby bushes--Charles and Jim saw one eating a moth the other day, also in the Shakespeare Garden.) **************************************************************** IT PAYS TO GET THERE EARLY Why does Tom Fiore see so many birds in Central Park? It's because he gets there before sunrise! Here is Tom's latest fall migration bird [and butterfly] sighting list: DATES: Sat-Sun, 6-7 September 2003 LOCATION: Central Park REPORTED BY: Tom Fiore On Saturday, a number of warblers and some other migrants were active around Belvedere Castle quite early in the day. The biggest surprise was a single Osprey seen flying south at 6:30 a.m., before the first rays of sunlight struck the trees near the castle. (Did this bird sleep nearby?) Among the warblers seen from the Castle plaza between 6:30-7:30 a.m. were Tennessee, Nashville, N. Parula, Cape May (1, drab first-fall plumage), Blackburnian, Prairie, Bay-breasted & some others. A single Ruby-crowned Kinglet was singing a bit, at Strawberry Fields very early in the morning. Sunday's birding started off nicely: 2 beautifully-plumaged PHILADELPHIA VIREOS were in the trees just west of the Castle plaza, at 7 a.m. There were some warblers too, but not the variety as seen there early Saturday. These Philly Vireos were seen with Mike Freeman & Pat Pollock. It was relatively slow going, but there were some interesting birds around, none more so (to me) than a potential Connecticut Warbler, seen very briefly in the Loch, shortly before noon & viewed from the north path. Just west of a small bamboo patch on the north side of the Loch, the bird behaved & appeared "right" for this skulking species, but I wasn't happy with the too-brief view I had. I waited for it to resurface & finally gave up after 45 minutes or so, figuring it might be around again the next day. More of a highlight was a good look at a first-fall MOURNING WARBLER, in a sort of clearing near the West Drive, south of the Blockhouse, which allowed me several minutes to study it at very close range. I was sitting on a log and the bird stayed nice & close. I believe today's "warbler tally" was at least 20 species - not bad for a seemingly slow day. Some ducks have begun to appear lately, notably Northern Shoveler, seen on the Meer on Friday by a number of observers, and on the Reservoir this weekend. Gadwall and Black Duck can also be found. More enjoyable birds seen Sunday were 2 BALD EAGLES, one full adult & one sub-adult, flying over in the early afternoon hours. Each eagle caused the gulls on the Reservoir to take flight, settling down again well after each had passed by. Also seen were an Osprey, a Sharp-shinned or two & a few Broad-winged Hawks & American Kestrels, and a fairly high Peregrine, which I guess could be a local resident. I saw these raptors from the edge of the North Meadow; several other birders saw these simultaneously from the Castle. Conditions favored some hawk flight and perhaps more actually were moving, without being detected by us in Central Park, in Sunday's mainly bright blue sky. A lot of Monarch butterflies were seen today, many migrating south and some stopping off to feed at flowers. I estimated around 500 seen today in Central Park and Ft. Tryon Park, Manhattan, combined. A SACHEM (a mainly southern butterfly) was seen in Central Park on Saturday - apparently the first to be reported there this year - by Nick Wagerik. Sunday I saw what was likely the same individual, on Buddleia planted on the slope north of the northeast edge of the North Meadow ballfields. A Red- banded Hairstreak was also seen Saturday. Bird list for Sunday, 9/7: Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret (N. end flyover) Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Canada Goose Gadwall American Black Duck Mallard Northern Shoveler (Reservoir) Osprey (flyover) Bald Eagle (2, flyovers) Sharp-shinned Hawk Broad-winged Hawk (4 flyovers) Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel (flyovers) Peregrine Falcon (flyover) Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull (Reservoir) Rock Pigeon (or "Rock Dove" or "Feral Pigeon") Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird (several sightings) Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker (fairly regular lately at the Loch) Northern Flicker Eastern Wood-Pewee Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (several, N. end) Least Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher (1, Great Hill) Philadelphia Vireo (2, together near Castle, 7 a.m.) Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren (Ramble) House Wren (N. end) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Veery Swainson's Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher (1, near Castle, 7 a.m.) European Starling Cedar Waxwing Blue-winged Warbler (1) Nashville Warbler (1 or 2) Northern Parula (few) Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler (few) Black-throated Blue Warbler Blackburnian Warbler (Loch) Prairie Warbler (2, wildflower meadow) Palm Warbler (several, N. end) Blackpoll Warbler (few so far) Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart (only warbler that's been numerous so far) Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Mourning Warbler (1, first-fall plumage, probably female, N. end) Common Yellowthroat (somewhat numerous) Wilson's Warbler (1) Canada Warbler Worm-eating Warbler (1, seen by Phil Jeffrey at Tanner's Spring) Scarlet Tanager (few) Song Sparrow Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak (few) Indigo Bunting (a fall-plumaged male in the wildflower meadow) Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Baltimore Oriole (few) House Finch American Goldfinch (a few, mostly seen/heard in the N. end) House Sparrow Good watching to all - Tom Fiore ************************* MIGRATION NEARS PEAK The park is full of birds [and birders]as the southward migration accelerates. Here's a report from Jack Meyer: DATE: Saturday, 6 September 2003 LOCATION: Central Park OBSERVERS: Sandy Paci, Virginia Stotz, Patricia Craig, Karen Asakawa, Barrie Raik, Ellen Rockmuller, Dale Dancis, Mary Birchard, Marty Sohmer & Jack Meyer REPORTED BY: Jack Meyer Highlights: Black-billed Cuckoo (Azalea Pond) Eastern Wood-Pewee (Ramble) Great Crested Flycatcher (Willow Rock) Red-eyed Vireo (Ramble) Warblers: Blue-winged (Willow Rock) Nashville (Maintenance Field) Chestnut-sided (Several in Ramble) Magnolia (Several in Ramble) Black-throated Blue (Azalea Pond) Black-and-white (Laupot Bridge) Wilson's (Willow Rock) Canada (Ramble) American Redstart (Many in Ramble) Ovenbird (Laupot Bridge) Common Yellowthroat (Oven) ************************ BIRDERS CONVERGE ON CENTRAL PARK FOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND Various Birders' Reports Below: DATES: Sun-Mon, 31 August - 1 September, 2003 LOCATION: Central Park REPORTED BY: Tom Fiore There have been some interesting migrants turning up in Central Park! The highlights include these: AMERICAN BITTERN (1 seen Monday, Sept. 1st around the Lake: at 8 a.m. or so by Starr Saphir & some of her group from Hernshead; KENTUCKY WARBLER (1 found Sunday, Aug. 31st, in mid-afternoon, by Larry Burns, Adele Gotlib, and David Monk, near the source of the Gill, and in the area just east of Azalea Pond. A PHILADELPHIA VIREO was around the Sycamore Maple, ripe with dangling seeds, near the bridle path along the west side of the Reservoir, just up from the southwest corner, on Monday. A few other birds were also in & around those trees on Monday, including Blue-winged & Tennessee Warblers. A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT has made a number of appearances recently, with the latest two sightings at Tanner's Spring, near W. 81 St. On Wed. & Thurs. last week, one was seen on Turtle Pond's island, first noted there by Sandy Spitalnik. By Sun. & Monday Tanner's Spring seemed to be the chat-spot. There have been at least 24 warbler species (plus 1 hybrid) reported over the 3-day holiday weekend in Central Park, with 22 or more species found even on a lousy weather day as this Labor Day was. Also appearing in good numbers have been some of the flycatchers, including several empid. species. The only migrant thrush in numbers so far is Veery; other expected species are just now reappearing. Sunday, August 31st: Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret (over the N. end) Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Canada Goose American Black Duck Mallard Osprey (1, 9 a.m. flyover, seen with Mike Freeman) Red-tailed Hawk Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Rock Dove Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker (Loch, seen & heard with Alex Wilson) Northern Flicker Eastern Wood-Pewee Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Least Flycatcher (and probably other empidonax flycatcher species) Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Barn Swallow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Carolina Wren House Wren Veery Swainson's Thrush (a few) Wood Thrush (several heard calling; 1 seen in Ramble) American Robin Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird European Starling Cedar Waxwing Blue-winged Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Pine Warbler (1 was reported in Ramble, by Bob Krinsky) Prairie Warbler Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Kentucky Warbler (at least 5 observers, mid-p.m. thru eve.) Common Yellowthroat Wilson's Warbler Canada Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat (Tanner's Spring, seen with Alex Wilson) Scarlet Tanager Song Sparrow Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Common Grackle Baltimore Oriole (very numerous; in many locations this Sunday) House Finch American Goldfinch House Sparrow Labor Day - Monday, Sept. 1st: Double-crested Cormorant American Bittern (1, flying low & seen well, over S. end of Lake, at about 8:30 a.m.) Great Blue Heron (Lake) Great Egret Snowy Egret (N. end, flyover) Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Canada Goose (many, Meer) Mallard Gadwall (several, Reservoir) American Black Duck (1, Meer) Red-tailed Hawk Spotted Sandpiper (1, Pool) Laughing Gull (1, Reservoir) Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull (Reservoir) Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1, 'Warbler Rock', Ramble near Bow Bridge) Common Nighthawk (1, unintentionally flushed from low branch, near Summit Rock/W. 84 St.) Chimney Swift (1 seen in a.m. light drizzle) Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1, Loch) Rock Dove Mourning Dove Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Hairy Woodpecker (1, Loch) Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Eastern Wood-Pewee Great Crested Flycatcher (several) Eastern Kingbird Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Philadelphia Vireo (1, Sycamore Maple w/many dangling seeds, W. side Reservoir/bridle path) Blue Jay American Crow Barn Swallow (1, seen roosting near Turtle Pond) Black-capped Chickadee (1, Pinetum area) Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch (1, Ramble) Carolina Wren (1, singing from Loch) House Wren (N. end) Veery (numerous) Gray-cheeked Thrush (1, seen well, just S. of W. 81 St. Transverse Rd. & Castle) Swainson's Thrush (several, Ramble) Wood Thrush (1 or 2, Ramble) American Robin Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird European Starling Cedar Waxwing Brewster's Warbler (1, first-fall male, near bridle path, between W. 77 & W. 81 Sts.) Blue-winged Warbler (1, near bridle path on W. side of Reservoir) Tennessee Warbler (2, near bridle path on W. side of Reservoir) Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler (near Castle & also on S. side of Turtle Pond) Yellow-rumped Warbler (1, Pinetum area) Blackburnian Warbler (1, Warbler Rock, Ramble) Pine Warbler (1, near 'humming tombstone', northwest section of Ramble) Prairie Warbler (S. side, Turtle Pond) Blackpoll Warbler (1, Warbler Rock, Ramble) Black-and-white Warbler (numerous) American Redstart (very numerous) Worm-eating Warbler (1, Loch) Ovenbird (several) Northern Waterthrush Mourning Warbler (1, first-fall male, Loch) Common Yellowthroat Wilson's Warbler (1, near Bow Bridge) Canada Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat (1, north of Tanner's Spring, from path to Summit Rock) Scarlet Tanager Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow (2, Great Hill) Rose-breasted Grosbeak Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Baltimore Oriole (fair numbers) House Finch American Goldfinch (few) House Sparrow ************************ DATE: Sunday, 31 August 2003 LOCATION: Central Park REPORTED BY: Phil Jeffrey Black-crowned Night-Heron Eastern Wood-Pewee (Maintenance Field) Great Crested Flycatcher (Maintenance Field) Red-eyed Vireo Veery (several, Maint Field and Evodia Field) Swainson's Thrush (1, Azalea Pond) Cedar Waxwing Chestnut-sided Warbler (Azalea Pond) Magnolia Warbler (Maintenance Field, Point) Black-throated Blue Warbler (Maintenance Field) Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Ovenbird (Evodia Field) Northern Waterthrush (Azalea Pond) Common Yellowthroat Wilson's Warbler (Azalea Pond) Canada Warbler Scarlet Tanager (Evodia Field) Baltimore Oriole ************************ DATE: Sunday, 31 August 2003 LOCATION: Central Park - The Ramble OBSERVERS: Ethel Hill & Rhoda Lee Bauch REPORTED BY: Rhoda Lee Bauch Most active spots in the Ramble this morning: Maintenance Meadow (8:10 - 8:50 a.m.) Tupelo Tree 10 - 10:10 a.m. From 7:15 - 10:30 a.m. very quiet elsewhere. For the first time ever, it was exciting to see small flocks fly into the Maintenance Meadow trees: 4 GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHERS; 4 VEERYS; 3 Magnolia Warblers; 4 American Redstarts. Individuals included EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE; Least Flycatcher; Nashville Warbler; female WILSON'S WARBLER; Red-bellied Woodpecker (adult & juvenile); Downy woodpecker; Red-eyed Vireo; Bay-breasted Warbler; Canada Warbler; Chestnut-sided Warbler. Tupelo Tree: Ovenbird; American Redstarts; Black-and-White Warbler; female INDIGO BUNTING. Elsewhere: Green Heron; Cedar Waxwings; Chimney Swifts; Northern Flicker; Yellow Warbler; Common Yellowthroat; Red-winged Blackbird; Common Grackle. ************************ DATE: Sunday, 31 August 2003 LOCATION: Central Park OBSERVERS: Kellie Quinones, Irene Payne, Doug Schoppert, Marty Sohmer & Jack Meyer REPORTED BY: Jack Meyer Highlights: Eastern Wood-Pewee (Ramble) Great Crested Flycatcher (Warbler Rock) Red-eyed Vireo (Ramble) Black-capped Chickadee (Near Summer House) Veery (Several in Ramble) Baltimore Oriole (Gill, Strawberry Fields) Warblers: Yellow (Gill) Chestnut-sided (Gill) Magnolia (Ramble) Black-throated Blue (Strawberry Fields) Black-and-white (Many in Ramble) Wilson's (Gill) Canada (Several in Ramble) American Redstart (Many in Ramble) Northern Waterthrush (Laupot Bridge) Common Yellowthroat (Warbler Rock) ************************ 8/26/03 -- TWENTY-ONE Warbler Species Seen in North Woods [See below] At around 9 a.m. on Tuesday 8/26/03, Tom Fiore came upon an amazing flock of migrating warblers at the north end of the park. Below is his complete list of sightings for that morning: Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret (several flyovers, N. end) Green Heron (Lake, Turtle Pond, Pool) Black-crowned Night-Heron Canada Goose (regular at Meer) Wood Duck (1 eclipse-plumage male, Reservoir) Gadwall (several, Reservoir) American Black Duck (a few on Reservoir & Meer) Mallard Osprey (1, early morning flyover) Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel (1, near Meer) Spotted Sandpiper (Pool, Reservoir) Laughing Gull (several, Reservoir) Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull (Reservoir) Rock Dove Mourning Dove Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1, N. of Loch) Chimney Swift (flyovers) Ruby-throated Hummingbird (several) Belted Kingfisher (Turtle Pond) Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker (1 male, N. Woods) Northern Flicker Olive-sided Flycatcher (1, N. end) Eastern Wood-Pewee (several) Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (2, N. end & near Turtle Pond) Least Flycatcher (several) Great Crested Flycatcher (1, N. Woods) Eastern Kingbird (several) Warbling Vireo (several, N. end & Ramble) Red-eyed Vireo (2 or 3, N. end & Ramble) Blue Jay American Crow Tree Swallow (a few high flyovers) Barn Swallow (several, not too high) Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch (Ramble) Carolina Wren (N. end) House Wren (several families, N. end) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (several) Veery (2 or 3, N. end) American Robin Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird (families, N. end) Brown Thrasher (1, N. Woods) European Starling Cedar Waxwing (several, Pool & Turtle Pond) Blue-winged Warbler (several) Golden-winged Warbler (1 male, with a flock of other warblers, 9 a.m., E. side/Great Hill) Tennessee Warbler (2, Pool & near S. side of Reservoir) Nashville Warbler (1, N. Woods) Northern Parula (1, N. Woods) Yellow Warbler (several) Chestnut-sided Warbler (5+, most seen in N. end) Magnolia Warbler (several) Black-throated Blue Warbler (2) Black-throated Green Warbler (1, adult male still singing a bit, early a.m., N. end) Blackburnian Warbler (1 female, N. Woods) Prairie Warbler (1, adult male, with flock of other warblers, 9 a.m., E. side/Great Hill) Black-and-White Warbler (12+, most that I saw were in N. end) American Redstart (15+, most that I saw were in N. end) Worm-eating Warbler (2, seen together on E. side/Great Hill; another seen 200 yards east) Ovenbird (several) Northern Waterthrush (8+, most that I saw were in N. end) Louisiana Waterthrush (1, Loch) Common Yellowthroat (12+, most that I saw were in N. end) Wilson's Warbler (1 or 2, Loch & vicinity) Canada Warbler (8+, most that I saw were in N. end) Scarlet Tanager (1, south of Meer) Song Sparrow Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak (10+, seen throughout park) Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Baltimore Oriole (a few) House Finch American Goldfinch (several, flying & chattering, N. end) House Sparrow ************************ In regard to the trouble at the hawk building [see item below]: Mary Tyler Moore sent a very nice response to my note to her. She will speak to the residents of the 12th floor apartment as soon as they return from vacation. ***************************************************************** GREEN HERON MOM FEEDING CHICK AT UPPER LOBE photo by Cal Vornberger One of the highlights of spring and summer birdwatching in the park this year was provided by a total of THREE Green Heron nests at the upper lobe of The Lake. Photographer Cal Vornberger took some superb pictures of the nests at various stages. Here is one of them: Click on the link below to visit the photographer's website. Cal Vornberger's Website ************************************************************** LATEST FALL MIGRATION NEWS DATE: Saturday, 16 August 2003 LOCATION: Central Park OBSERVERS: Mary Birchard, Marty Sohmer & Jack Meyer REPORTED BY: Jack Meyer Highlights: Spotted Sandpiper (Balcony Bridge) Chimney Swift (Turtle Pond) Philadelphia Vireo (Castle) Black-and-white Warbler (Willow Rock) American Redstart (Tupelo Field) Baltimore Oriole (Castle) The birds are coming, the birds are coming! Tom Fiore's report below [from e-birds] lists many new bird arrivals: DATE: Wednesday, 13 August 2003 LOCATION: Central Park, Manhattan REPORTED BY: Tom Fiore I saw 36 species of birds at the southeast corner of the park, basically at Hallett Sanctuary and the Pond. Notable among these was an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, perched on a dead snag in the northern high ground of Hallett, seen from outside the fence of course. I also noticed that some birds appeared to be coming down for a landing from fairly high up, possibly still on the move in the fog early this morning. Among these were a flock of at least 8 Eastern Kingbirds; later I saw more of these, and while they do nest (in low density) in the park I wondered if some of those today were also migrating. It also seemed that there are "suddenly" many more Baltimore Orioles than say, just 2 days ago. Clearly there has been some migration, with a few empidonax showing up, including one Yellow-bellied Flycatcher seen well, and a possible Willow Flycatcher, along with a few unidentified others, along with at least 11 SPECIES OF WARBLERS, many of these in the Ramble. THANKS to Jack Meyer, Lloyd Spitalnik, & friends for pointing the way to some of the warblers. Also notable, among insects seen, were 2 sightings of SWAMP DARNER (Epiaeschna heros), one quite early at the 59 St. Pond, and another later in the morning near Balcony Bridge - this BIG dragonfly species is considered rare in Central Park. I also had 2 sightings of American Snout (butterflies), at Balcony Bridge & near Belvedere Castle. This species seems to be having a good year, around N.Y.C. - If you're where Hackberry trees grow, keep an eye out for this Pinocchio of a butterfly. Bird list for Wed., August 13th: Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron (1, Reservoir dike) Great Egret Snowy Egret (several flyovers, seen from N. end) Green Heron (seen at 59 St. Pond, Upper Lobe of Lake, Pool) Black-crowned Night-Heron Canada Goose (many at the Meer) Wood Duck (1, eclipse-plumaged male at 59 St. Pond, S. side) Gadwall (at least 6 on Reservoir) American Black Duck (59 St. Pond, & Meer) Mallard Osprey (1, flyover seen from N. end) Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel (1 male, seen from Meer) Peregrine Falcon (1 male, seen from Pond) Spotted Sandpiper (1, Pond; 1, Pool) Laughing Gull (1, Reservoir) Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Rock Dove Mourning Dove Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1, Hallett Sanctuary) Common Nighthawk (1, flyover at first light, Turtle Pond) Chimney Swift Belted Kingfisher (1 male, flying around Pond, early a.m.) Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker (1 female, Loch) Northern Flicker Olive-sided Flycatcher (1, at Hallett Sanctuary, early a.m.) Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (1, N. end) Eastern Kingbird (many, at Hallett Sanctuary & elsewhere) Warbling Vireo (W. side of Lake & on Cherry Hill) Blue Jay American Crow Tree Swallow (several high flyovers) Barn Swallow (several low flyovers) Tufted Titmouse (several, Ramble) Carolina Wren (1, wildflower meadow) House Wren (several, N. end) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1 E. of the Point, & 1 north of Gill) Wood Thrush (1, in cherry tree with robins, etc. near Gill) American Robin Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird (in several areas, including fledglings) European Starling Cedar Waxwing (numerous, with a flock of 20+ at Hallett Sanctuary) Blue-winged Warbler (1, Willow Rock & vicinity) Northern Parula (1, north of Azalea Pond, p.m.) Yellow Warbler (6+ altogether) Chestnut-sided Warbler (1, north of Azalea Pond, p.m.) Magnolia Warbler (1 imm., north of Azalea Pond, p.m.) Black-and-white Warbler (1, "Indian Cave") American Redstart (8+ altogether, including 2 adult males) Northern Waterthrush (several; Pond, Upper Lobe, Loch, etc.) Louisiana Waterthrush (1, Balcony Bridge, seen with Joyce Hyon) Common Yellowthroat (1 female, Point) Canada Warbler (1, adult male at Hallett sanctuary, & 1, Ramble) Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow (several in Ramble, also heard singing!) Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Baltimore Oriole (20+ seen, in many different locations) House Finch House Sparrow Good birding (& bug-watching?) to all - Tom Fiore ************************** 8/12/03 Another warbler species weighs in -- the American Redstart, seen today in the Ramble by Marty Sohmer and Jack Meyer. The picture below shows a male Redstart. The female is similar, but where the male is bright red-orange, the female is yellow. Other warblers noted during the last week: Yellow, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Waterthrush and Louisiana Waterthrush. Seen yesterday in the north part of the park, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo,a Great Crested Flycatcher, and a Belted Kingfisher.. ID Tips: American redstart Setophaga ruticilla Identification Tips: * Length: 4.5 inches * Small, insect-eating bird * Thin, pointed bill * Feeds very actively (even for a warbler) * Often fans tail exposing red or yellow patches Adult male: * Orange-red sides of breast, wing and tail patches * Belly and undertail coverts white * Remainder of plumage black Female and immature: * Yellow sides of breast, wing and tail patches * White underparts * Olive upperparts with grayer head * Immature males begin to acquire adult male pattern in second year THE FOLLOWING REPORT WAS SENT TO ME BY LINCOLN KARIM. I WILL FORWARD IT TO AN INFLUENTIAL RESIDENT OF THE NEST BUILDING, WHO LIVES ON A LOWER FLOOR. MAYBE SHE CAN HELP! Some very nasty pigeon spikes were installed on the 12th Floor balconies of the nest building. It must have missed my observation over the past few weeks. The spikes appear to be the inhumane sharp type. They were installed with nylon tie wraps, which make me suspect that this was a 'do-it-yourself' job by the occupant of the twelfth floor. . .The nest itself appears to be undisturbed. Maybe this action [by the building and/or the 12th floor owner] is justified, and maybe it is within their rights to do this. But those balconies were one of Pale Male's favorite perches and I think it is wrong and wicked to deny this creature his rights. Please do what you can to help if you believe this is something wrong. Thanks, Lincoln PALE MALE NEWS - [from e-birds] DATE: Friday, 8 August 2003 LOCATION: Central Park REPORTED BY: Bob Levy Pale Male was on a branch about twenty feet high overlooking the 79th Street Transverse very near Fifth Avenue. Two enraged Robins and one male Cardinal gave away his position. Pale Male continues to be very high profile for the last two weeks or so. MIGRATION NEWS On 7/30/03, AT 7:00 A.M. The Early Birders, a walking group celebrating its eighth year of existence, saw THREE Yellow Warblers in a willow at the north side of The Pool [100th St;. off Central Park West.] On 7/26/03, Lloyd and Sandy Spitalnik saw both the Louisiana and the Northern Waterthrushes. The Northern was at Balcony Bridge, the Louisiana at the Gill, near the Laupot Bridge. [They also report that there are 5 big Green Heron chicks in one nest at the Upper Lobe, and three brand new ones in another.] On 7/27/03, the regular band of migrant hunters --Jack Meyer, Marty Sohmer, Brian St. Clair and Lloyd Spitalnik saw a Yellow Warbler at the Oven. ****************************************************************** FLEDGLINGS AT PLAY 7/28/03 Here is a report about the Fifth Avenue Fledglings I received from Lincoln Karim, the photographer who has provided so many thrilling hawk photos to this website, including this one of the broken-beak baby: Hi Marie, The babies are now playing some incredible games. Further to their aerial combats, they now take turns in dive bombing each other. I guess you've seen this before but it's my first time. One will sit on the stove stack railing while the other fly up from behind and pretend to strike. The defender will turn and spread it's feathers to fend off the attacker. Then after a few bouts they'll switch. Our friend the broken beak keeps going to a building with black net material draped over some scaffolding and has killer fights with the net material. It'll get its talons caught and after tediously working it out, it'll do the same thing all over again. It's nerve wrecking! I have all this on DV. Cheers, Lincoln www.palemale.com MIGRATION NEWS** Spotted Sandpiper Identification Tips: * Length: 6.25 inches * Fairly small, short-legged shorebird * Yellowish or pinkish legs * White wingstripe visible in flight * Teeters tail when feeding and walking * Distinctive, stiff winged, fluttery flight on bowed wings * Sexes similar * Juvenile similar to basic-plumaged adult The fall migration has begun in earnest. The proof: more birdwatchers are prowling the park's woodlands looking for new arrivals. Most of them send their daily reports to the New York City Bird Report website [ NYC Bird Report], the source of the information below. The latest warbler arrival: the Northern Waterthrush, seen at the Loch by Tom Fiore on 7/21 and 7/22. Ben Cacace reported a Spotted Sandpiper, seen at the northern edge of the Reservoir on 7/22. Lloyd Spitalnick and Brian St. Clair saw a Yellow-billed Cuckoo on 7/21. [A Black-billed Cuckoo was sighted a few days earlier -- see picture below.] Painting of a Black-billed Cuckoo [and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker] by bird artist Louis Agassiz Fuertes 7/21/03 FALL MIGRANTS AT LAST! Though Tom Fiore reported seeing a Yellow Warbler in the North Woods a few weeks ago, no other reports have come in for quite a while. But finally a few more migrants have been sighted. On July 19, Marty Sohmer and Jack Meyer, faithful daily Central Park Regulars, saw a Black-billed Cuckoo. They were at Bow Bridge and saw the bird flying into the trees at Cherry Hill.A day before that, with Judy Rabi, they saw a Yellow-rumped Warbler near Bow Bridge. Since neither bird nests in the park, these are highly likely to be southward-bound migrants. *********************************************** BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO Identification Tips: * Length: 11 inches * Sexes similar * Slender, long-tailed bird * Black bill Adult: * Red orbital ring * Cold brown head, nape, back, upperwings, and uppertail * White chin, foreneck, breast and belly * Tail is gray below with very narrow white tips to tail feathers Juvenile: * Yellow orbital ring * Brown head, nape, back, upperwings and uppertail, with pale tips to wing coverts * White chin, foreneck, breast and belly suffused with pale buff * Tail is gray below with very narrow buff tips to tail feathers Similar species: Adult Yellow-billed Cuckoo has yellow-based bill and cinnamon primaries in all plumages, and larger white tail spots below. Juvenile Yellow-billed Cuckoos can be black-billed and can have small tail spots and are best identified by primary pattern. photo by Lincoln Karim 7/16/03 -- The fledgling siblings on a railing near the nest building. The one on the left had the damaged beak -- now almost completely restored to normal. photo by Lincoln Karim 7/13/03 A glamorous photo of a 2003 Fledgling -- the one with the unbdamaged beak. From the bulge in his gleaming front, I'd say this bird has just had a meal. Photo by Lincoln Karim 7/12/03 BETTER LATE THAN NEVER Usually the ducks that choose to raise their kids at the tiny Model Boat Pond get started in early May. But this year, perhaps because of the long cold and rainy spell, the mallard mother and her 8 babies didn't show up until the second week of July. At least they didn't have to share the spotlight with the Red-tailed hawk family, who left the nest more than a month ago. 7/9/03 -- Photos just in from Central Park's first Bioblitz photo by Brad Klein At noon on Friday, June 27th, hundreds of volunteers joined teams of scientists in a 24 hour survey of the diversity of plant, animal and microbial life in New York's Central Park. The event was called a Bioblitz. As of now, a total of 838 species has been identified. [Some collected specimens are still being examined.] At about 9:30 p.m on Friday I joined the Bat Team led by Mexican bat expert Rodrigo Medellin. Mist nets were set up at the Azalea Pond, deep in the heart of the Ramble. The savage little creature in the photo is one of four male Big Brown Bats that were caught in the mist nets, were examined by the awed crowd of about 20 adults and kids, and then were released. photo by Brad Klein Bioblitz kids admiring one of the mist-netted Big Brown Bats, just before its release 7/8/03 The Latest Hawk Baby Pictures photo by Lincoln Karim A photo of the two fledglings engaging in aerial play Photo by Lincoln Karim 7/8/03 --The nest building [at 5th Ave and 74th Street] has been doing repairs on the exterior. This incredible shot, taken a few days ago by Lincoln Karim, shows one of the baby hawks perched on a lintel beside the nest, with the ropes supporting the workers' scaffolding almost within grabbing distance. Though some hawkwatchers have been alarmed by the workers' proximity to the nest and the possible danger of their presence to the frequently returning young hawks, [to say nothing of the danger to the workmen from the hawks], the Fifth Avenue Hawk family seems to be taking it all in their stride. [Question: Do hawks have a stride?] * * * * * * LATEST FLEDGLING REPORT * * * * * * DATE: Wednesday, 2 July 2003 LOCATION: Central Park REPORTED BY: Holly Holden The red-tail fledges are growing up and learning. Late this afternoon the non-broken beak bird grabbed a pigeon on the ground near the Alice statue, flew about 6 ft. above the ground past the benches by the sailboat pond and landed about halfway up the hill toward the Pilgrim statue. Fortunately, that area is fenced off so the bird stayed on the ground pulling off feathers and eating. Rik Davis has very good digital images. Later, the young birds were up on "Pug Hill" with Pale Male. Today was one month from fledging -- not too shabby. WARD STONE REPLIES 7/1/03 The comparison photos below were sent to Ward Stone, wildlife pathologist at DEC, for assessment. Here is his reply: "The beak trauma seems minor and the bird looks bright-eyed and healthy. The loss of the hook on the beak may make removing flesh slightly more difficult and energy expending. However, I think the red-tail will do well. The major threats to this bird's survival are motor vehicles, wires, rat poison, and Trichomoniasis. Ward Stone " Note from MW: Trichomoniasis is the pigeon-carried disease that did in last year's two nestlings. Just this summer two red-tailed hawk fledglings in Prospect Park died of trichomoniasis. Photographer Lincoln Karim writes: Another composite photo showing the remarkable progress of the baby hawk's broken beak. It is now only 24 days since the beak was broken. photos by Lincoln Karim June 29, 2003 -- As these photos of the two Fifth Avenue Fledglings, class of 2003, make clear, the hawk with the injured beak is almost out of the woods, [so to speak] and the uninjured fledgling is thriving. Thanks, Lincoln Karim, for faithfully sending your great photos to this website! If You're Looking for the Fifth Avenue Hawk Family of 2003... They've moved! The latest hawk news from e-birds: DATE: Saturday, 28 June 2003 LOCATION: Central Park OBSERVERS: Marty Sohmer & Jack Meyer REPORTED BY: Jack Meyer The Red-tailed Hawk family from Fifth Avenue has moved to the back of the Metropolitan Museum. This morning we saw the two young birds in trees at the south end of the building, then they flew to the middle of the back of the museum. We then saw Pale Male perched on the top of the building. **************************************************************** FOCUS ON A BABY'S BEAK photo by Lincoln Karim A composite of three beak photos. At top right is a shot of the damaged beak on June 24. In the center, the same on June 5th. On the left, for comparison, a photo of Pale Male's perfectly undamaged beak. The two photo's of the fledgling's beak will be sent to Ward Stone of DC. He might be able to see whether the beak is healing. AN EARLY SUMMER BIRD REPORT Here's a bird report from Tom Fiore, pointing out some birds appearing unusually late in the park: DATES: Fri.- Sun., 20-22 June, 2003 LOCATION: Central Park I visited Central Park in the very early morning these 3 days, wondering if any unexpected birds might be around (& be somewhat more active &/or vocal in the earlier hours of the day, 5 a.m. & thereafter and thus overlooked) and I did see & hear a few species that I haven't seen or heard about lately: A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was heard calling & very briefly seen on the south slope of the Great Hill, on Sat./21st - really late migrant, or ... cuckoos have turned up (in previous years) quite late in the spring & occasionally in summer. A GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER was seen/heard, both Fri. & Sun. - on Friday/20th near Azalea Pond; Sunday morning one was seen & heard around the Swedish Cottage (marionette theatre), also seen flying across the W. Drive towards the 79 St. yard (park offices, vehicles, etc.) - we've had this species in Central other summers, but are they actually breeding? Anyone with clear evidence, past or present please present it. In the warbler department, an OVENBIRD has been on the east slope of the small rise south of the Boathouse, where there is a small grove of hemlock trees - it was seen & heard singing there on Sat. & again Sun. A COMMON YELLOWTHROAT was singing from near the end of the Point on Sunday; and a different one (as it was a female) was seen on the Great Hill on Sat. by Mike Freeman. Also observing the ovenbird & hearing the male yellowthroat on Sunday were Jack Meyer & Marty Sohmer. A happy & healthy summer to all, Tom Fiore GOOD NEWS FLASH - 6/18/03 Based on photographic evidence sent him by Lincoln Karim, Ward Stone, eminent wildlife pathologist for the Department of Environmental Conservation, assessed that the broken beak of the 2003 fledgling [see photo below] will grow back in a few months. Until it does, the fledgling will have to depend on its parents for assistance in feeding. A Photo of the Photographer photo by Takamitsu Muroi 6/2/03 6/17/03 Most of the recent photographs of the Fifth Avenue Redtails were taken by Lincoln Karim. Many of you may know him --- he's the friendly, generous guy with the gigantic telescope at the Model-boat Pond who lets people get amazing closeup views of the nest and the hawks. Now I've received this unbelievable photo of one of the 2003 fledglings coming in for a landing on a railing just in front of Lincoln, who is standing beside his telescopic lens waiting to take the bird's picture. I thought you'd like to see it. Check out Lincoln Karim's website *********************************************************** CONCERN ABOUT ONE OF THE 2003 FLEDGLINGS photo by Lincoln Karim** 6/14/03 -- The photo to the left shows the damaged beak of one of the Fifth Avenue Fledglings. There has been considerable concern about this hawk, since the injury prevents the young bird from tearing apart the food that the parents continue to bring. [The fledglings will be learning to hunt for themselves during the next few weeks.] One observer saw the mother hawk tearing the prey she had brought into very small pieces for the injured fledgling, as she had done in the early stages of nesting when the offspring were much smaller. We can conclude from this that even though much parental behavior [of birds as well as people] is driven by instinct --- for instance, parent Red-tailed hawks follow an instinct to deliver whole prey to fledglings, requiring them to tear it into pieces on their own -- these birds have the intelligence to adapt to new and unusual circumstances, and can adjust their behavior accordingly. Bird brains indeed! More information soon about whether and how beaks of birds regenerate after an injury * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ONE WEEK AFTER FLEDGING 6/7/03 The following report of the fledged redtail kids was just received from faithful hawkwatcher Kentaurion: Despite the many rainy days in a row, the Red-Tailed Hawk chicks are doing well. Although they are often more difficult to find now, we have seen them eating, flying and perching (sometimes precariously). One of the juvenal RTHs has a broken beak! The hooked tip is missing. Otherwise, it looks and acts healthy spending a lot of time on top of the nest building in various places facing Fifth Avenue. Pale Male and his mate Lola are often seen sitting side by side on the antenna at 79th or the railing between 78th and 77th Street. [Note from MW: the broken beak was probably the result of a collision with a window or wall, due to undeveloped flying skills. It should heal completely before too long.] Monday, June 2, 2003: THEY'RE OFF!! Both hawk babies fledged successfully this morning. Hip hip hurray! MORE DETAILS According to Charles Kennedy and Jim Lewis, dedicated hawkwatchers, the first hawk to take the plunge left at 6:25 a.m. Though in other years the hawk kids left at intervals of a day or two, this year the 2nd [and last] baby to leave the nest fledged at 9:20 a.m. At last report they were both in trees in the park, learning to deal with Bluejays and other smaller birds who attack them at every opportunity. June 1 -- One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and... photo by Lincoln Karim May 26, 2003 -- THEY'RE GETTING READY TO GO!! Another great photo by Lincoln Karim [You can meet Lincoln at the Boatpond. Look for the huge telescope] May 27, 2003 -- WHEN WILL THEY FLY??? Red-tailed Hawk young are known to spend 42-46 days in the nest before fledging [taking their first flight]. This year the eggs seemed to hatch on April 16. [See below for details] SO... it might be any day now. Please note that in the past the babies have almost always fledged on the late side. BUT.. The 42-46 day figure was based on Redtails that nest in trees. Maybe hawks that choose high-rise window ledges for nests require a longer fledging period... PS: I'm betting on June 2 for the first fledge. MEMORIAL DAY BIRD REPORT 5/26/03 The Spring Migration reached its peak more than a week ago. Still, as the following Memorial Day report by Tom Fiore shows, there are many, many birds to be seen in Central Park [especially if you get up VERY early in the morning:] Central Park was rather soggy on Memorial Day, but there were periods when it wasn't raining, both before 7 a.m. & again after about 3 p.m.- & I got out around first light- 5 a.m., which allowed me to view a Common Nighthawk hawking some of it's favored prey: moths, attracted to lights along the park drive around W. 96 St. Some other birds of note were seeing "Pale Male" himself, the Fifth Ave. nests' male Red-tailed Hawk, sitting on a fence at Sheep Meadow very early this morning, until an Eastern Kingbird drove him off his perch, a total of 8 sandpipers in view at once on the south end of the Lake by Cherry Hill- 5 Least Sandpipers & 3 Spotted Sandpipers, which were chased after by a Common Grackle, all the way across the length of the lake, a number of empidonax flycatchers, which likely included Willow &/or Alder, & certainly Least & yellow-bellied Flycatchers, a number of Gray-cheeked (& possibly Bicknell's as well) Thrushes, along with at least one Veery & a Wood Thrush, plus multiple Swainson's Thrushes, & at least 17 species of Warblers even now, nearing the end (or is it?) of spring songbird migration, including a Tennessee Warbler that appeared to be a female, 2 female Mourning Warblers, at Strawberry Fields & at Hallett Sanctuary, both very early in the morning. A Field Sparrow on Cedar Hill seems a bit late, for that species. I ran into Mike Freeman & Alex Wilson late in the day, in the N. end, & we looked at some empidonax in the wildflower meadow, & later Alex showed me the Tulip Poplar tree on top of the Great Hill that was "good" for multiple birds on Sunday, & was still busy late Monday, with at least 4 N. Parulas, male & female Blackpoll, female Scarlet Tanager & a small flock of Cedar Waxwings among the birds we noted in this one fairly small tree. List of species in Central: Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Canada Goose Gadwall Mallard Red-tailed Hawk Spotted Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Rock Dove Mourning Dove Common Nighthawk Chimney Swift Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Alder Flycatcher (possible) Willow Flycatcher (possible) Least Flycatcher Eastern Phoebe (still one at the Pool, near W. 100 St) Eastern Kingbird Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Barn Swallow Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren House Wren Veery Gray-cheeked Thrush Swainson's Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher European Starling Cedar Waxwing Tennessee Warbler (1 female, Hallett Sanctuary) Northern Parula Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler (1 female, Hallett Sanctuary) Magnolia Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler (all I saw were females) Yellow-rumped Warbler (1 female, Hallett Sanctuary) Blackburnian Warbler (1 female, Hallett Sanctuary) Blackpoll Warbler Black-and-white Warbler (several females) American Redstart (at least 1 adult male; & females) Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Common Yellowthroat (40+, males & females throughout the park) Wilson's Warbler (several) Canada Warbler Chipping Sparrow (1 seen by Mike Freeman N. of N. Meadow) Field Sparrow (1, Cedar Hill) Song Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow (1, Strawberry Fields) Swamp Sparrow Northern Cardinal Indigo Bunting Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Baltimore Oriole House Finch House Sparrow Good birding to all - Tom Fiore HAWK TEENAGERS LOOKING OUT AT THE UNKNOWN MAY 19, 2003 Photo taken by LINCON KARIM from a nearby high-rise May 19, 2003 [By the way, the hawk kids are 33 days old today] THE BABIES ARE GROWING FAST Another great photo by Lincoln Karim Taken from Dr. Fisher's terrace next door to the Hawk Building on May 17, 2003 THE MIGRATION IS STILL EXCITING Here's the latest Migration Round-up, made on Saturday, May 17, by Central Park birder Ardith Bondi Warblers (18): Nashville (near Polish statue) Tennessee (Strawberry Fields) Magnolia Prairie (Falconer Hill) Am. Redstart Ovenbird Chestnut-Sided (Strawberry Fields) Black-throated Blue (m/f) Black-throated Green (m/f) Black and White (m/f) Mourning Wilson's (The Point) Blackpoll Common Yellowthroat Northern Parula Northern Waterthrush Yellow Yellow-rumped Rose-breasted Grosbeak Baltimore Oriole Scarlet Tanager House Finch Gray Catbird (one in Strawberry Fields doing the "cell phone" call as part of its repertoire) Veery White-Crowned Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Immature Black-crowned Night Heron Great Egret Double Crested Cormorant Northern Rough-winged Swallow Also: Mallard, Canada Goose, N. Cardinal, Blue Jay, Tufted Titmouse, Red-winged Blackbird, American Robin, Mourning Dove, Common Grackle, Eur. Starling, House Sparrow, Rock Dove Also reported: Yellow-breasted Chat (I sat for a long time waiting for it, saw the Prairie Warbler and other species, but the Chat didn't show), Canada Warbler, Indigo Bunting A PEAK MIGRATION REPORT-- [Tom Fiore's round-up gives a fine flavor of Central Park birding at its annual height.] DATE: Friday, 9 May 2003 LOCATION: Central Park REPORTED BY: Tom Fiore A female BLUE GROSBEAK was seen by Starr Saphir just north of the Pool today. (A male Blue Grosbeak had been seen one week ago near the Upper Lobe, by Eilenne Goldstein.) It'd be nice for a birdathon! Well, it's been a good couple of days of birding around here... at least two dozen warbler species in Central today, along with plenty of other notables & regulars. Two species new for this season: YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, SUMMER TANAGER. Probably a few of these flycatchers were in; one Summer Tanager was moving through the trees west of the Great Lawn early on. Brian Hart mentioned a Black- billed Cuckoo he'd seen uphill from the Boathouse; I doubled back to there & spotted it or another, high in a tree on the rise just above the Point. (Thanks, Brian) A Worm-eating Warbler was around the E. side of the Castle (Wada, thanks for mentioning that one), & a nice spot for WARBLER variety was around the W. side of the basketball courts (which are N. of the N.E. side of the Great Lawn) - there I saw Nashville, N. Parula, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Bl.-thr. Blue, Myrtle/Yellow-rumped, Bl.-thr. Green, Blackburnian, Prairie, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Black-and-White, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat - 16 species just in that one area, many just in one oak! I think of the basketball courts mainly when RECALLING a Yellow-throated Warbler that ONCE was there. I also caught up with some WARBLERS that I believe were seen much earlier today by some friends up in the N. end: Dawn Hannay, Dorothy Poole, Starr Saphir & Pete Shen. Among the "goodies" were a few (as in 2 for sure, possibly 3) CAPE MAY, a nice look at a GOLDEN-WINGED, & a very high-up (for me) CERULEAN - all these seen in the far north end, along the ridge across the road from Lasker rink & swimming pool. There were several LINCOLN'S SPARROWS around, one was at the Point early on (&, yes, there was also a more-visible Swamp Sparrow there as well!), and 2 Lincoln's were together south of the Meer, opposite the Dana Discovery Center. Tried for a THRUSH with gray cheeks, but didn't find any of that type today. OTHERS mentioned that, apparently of the GRAY-CHEEKED species. The other 4 expected thrushes are around in decent numbers, with Hermit numbers noticeably thinning just lately. A full list for Friday: Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron (Meer, low flyover) Great Egret Snowy Egret (N. end flyover) Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Canada Goose Mute Swan Gadwall (pair, Reservoir) Mallard Bufflehead (pair, Reservoir) Ruddy Duck (few, Reservoir & Meer) Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel Spotted Sandpiper (1 at Meer) Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull (Reservoir) Rock Dove Mourning Dove Black-billed Cuckoo (1 in Ramble) Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird (a few zipping around) Red-headed Woodpecker (2 remain: 1 W. of Gr. Lawn; 1 S. of Pool) Red-bellied Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (yes, still 1 in tree at Maint. Meadow!) Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Wood-Pewee (several) Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (1 at the Point was singing: "chu-wee") Least Flycatcher (several, "che-bek"-ing) Eastern Phoebe (1, N. end) Great Crested Flycatcher (Ramble & N. Woods) Eastern Kingbird (several) White-eyed Vireo (1 singing at Loch) Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo (the most numerous) Blue Jay American Crow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Barn Swallow Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch (N. Woods) Carolina Wren House Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Veery (quite a few) Swainson's Thrush Hermit Thrush (fewer now) Wood Thrush (nice numbers) American Robin Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher European Starling Cedar Waxwing (I saw a few) Blue-winged Warbler (a few) Golden-winged Warbler (nice views, N. Woods) Nashville Warbler (fair number) Northern Parula (good numbers) Yellow Warbler (numerous) Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler (more than yesterday, at least for me) Cape May Warbler (also nice views of 2, maybe 3, N. Woods) Black-throated Blue Warbler (numerous) Yellow-rumped Warbler (fair numbers) Black-throated Green Warbler (still in good numbers) Blackburnian Warbler (there are NEVER TOO MANY of these!) Prairie Warbler (a few) Bay-breasted Warbler (5 males seen from Ramble to N. Woods) Blackpoll Warbler (didn't see too many today) Cerulean Warbler (typical view of a male; high in tree, N. Woods) Black-and-white Warbler (numerous) American Redstart (fair numbers) Worm-eating Warbler (1, E. of Castle) Ovenbird (numerous) Northern Waterthrush (fair numbers) Common Yellowthroat (numerous) Wilson's Warbler ( a few) Canada Warbler (not too many) Summer Tanager (male in locust grove W of Great Lawn, working N) Scarlet Tanager (several males) Eastern Towhee (smaller numbers now than a week ago) Chipping Sparrow (small number) Song Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow (I saw 3, one at Point; 2 S. of Meer) Swamp Sparrow (smaller numbers than a week ago) White-throated Sparrow (still fairly numerous) White-crowned Sparrow (several; esp. in N. end) Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak (fair numbers) Indigo Bunting (several; male & females) Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird Orchard Oriole (in vicinity of Turtle Pond) Baltimore Oriole (numerous) House Finch American Goldfinch (still fairly numerous) House Sparrow By the way, Tom's report was taken from e-birds, a splendid [and free!]listserv reporting on birds in most of the metropolitan area. To subscribe, contact the administrator, Ben Cacace, by e-mail: Benc@nac.net. 5/9/03 FEATHERS GROWING ON BABY HAWKS One of the 2003 Redtail Chicks Stretches a Wing photo by Lincoln Karim Great View of Twelfth Floor Nest Site Note the all-important spikes, put up originally to deter pigeons. They keep the twigs from blowing away in a strong wind. [This photo, by Lincoln Karim, was taken in a previous year.] 5/7/03 TWENTY SPECIES OF WARBLER SEEN Besides the Scarlet Tanagers, Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and others, here is a list of the 20 species of warbler seen by many, MANY great Central Park birdwatchers today: Blue-winged Warbler Nashville Warbler Northern Parula Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Cape May Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Prairie Warbler Palm Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Worm-eating Warbler Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Common Yellowthroat Hooded Warbler Wilson's Warbler Canada Warbler For more details about today's sightings, check out the New York City Bird Report on the link below. NYC Bird Report The Latest Baby Picture May 6, 2003 - The latest hawk-baby picture photographer: Lincoln Karim 4/29/03 MIGRATION BEGINS TO HEAT UP After a somewhat slow start [or so it felt to birdwatchers champing at the bit for migration excitement] yesterday and today were finally the real thing. A total of 73 species of bird were sighted in Central Park today, including 18 species of warblers, scarlet tanagers, Baltimore Orioles, several species of thrushes, flycatchers, wrens, vireos. In areas like Hernshead and Willow Rock, and at the far end of the Point the trees and shrubs were hopping with bird life. This next week will bring in even more birds. Now is the time to drop everything, pick up your binoculars, and head for the park. 4/24/03 First Baby Picture of Chick in Fifth Avenue Nest Mom IV feeding chick -- first baby picture of 2003 taken by Lincoln Karim [click here for better view on his website] Please note: One chick is visible in Lincoln's great photo. One or two more chicks may pop up their heads before long.[The eggs are laid at 2 or 3 day intervals. Thus the chicks develop asynchronously as well.] 4/20/03 Two Redtail Chicks Seen Through Huge Telescope at the Model Boatpond On April 16 hawkwatchers observing the 5th Avenue Redtail nest deduced, by a change in the hawks' behavior [instead of sitting on the nest all day they were now standing and making feeding motions]that at least one egg had hatched. On Sunday, April 20, thanks to Lincoln Karim's enormous, indeed, humungous telescope situated at the west side of the boatpond and focussed on the nest, a large crowd of hawkwatchers and bypassers were able to see little movements through the nest's twigs indicating two chicks within. Since the female hawk, MOM IV [see Redtails page of this website for history of the other Moms] went to the other end of the nest after feeding the chicks and settled down on something, it may be that there is still an unhatched egg in the nest. The fuzzy white heads of the chicks, two or three of them, should be visible above the nest's rim within a week. Keep tuned! In the meanwhile, enjoy some of Lincoln Karim's amazing photographs below. Mom III with last year's chicks, aged about 2 weeks. Photo by Lincoln Karim Pale Male and Moon photo by Lincoln Karim

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