Wednesday, 5 May 2010 -
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City
A list of species seen in the Ramble was posted to the ebirdsnyc list
for Wed. by Chris Cooper: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ebirdsnyc/message/7680
- which very much reflected the relative abundances several of us
also found in the north woods areas, with (singling-out a particular
migrant) Blackburnian Warbler nicely represented in both areas of the
park, as well as the other species - and while the diversity was
fairly good (I thought) overall numbers had slacked off somewhat, from
the weekend and the prior 2 weekday sightings. The sparrow tribe was
still well represented, if not for high numbers but decent diversity,
with 10 species including E. Towhee & Slate-colored Junco, the latter
a bit tardy now for this location. We also added Prairie Warbler as
well as Yellow-throated Vireo to the day list, seen in the northern
end by several of us there.
-
At Riverside Park, the "drip" area produced almost a dozen warbler
species for end-of-day observers, with Jeff Nulle & Richard Fried
keeping watch, followed by Karen Fung & I thru nearly sunset. At that
late hour a few birds were still coming down, including a bright male
Indigo Bunting. It was good to get close views of a Northern and a
Louisiana Waterthrush, almost simultaneously in the "drip", for
comparisons of plumage, structure, and behavior. To remind all, this
specific area is often best in sunny warmer weather, particularly
following a few days or more of dry weather, and of course when the
migration is at a peak. It can be active at any hour, although some
regulars favor later-in-the-day. This area is nearest Riverside Drive
& approximately 118 Street at the lower level of the park just south
of the 'uptown' tennis courts. It is a safe place to visit in the
daylight.
- - - -
Thursday, 6 May 2010 -
Central Park was much less active than the previous day (or prior
recent days), at least in the north end. Nonetheless, a Yellow-
throated Warbler, possibly of the form albilora (but I did NOT get
fully confirming views) was in the canopy at the south side of The
Pool, a bit past 9 a.m. & (I now am aware) had been seen at least a
little earlier as well by Andy Gershon (& reported by him to the Metro
Birding Briefs list, for rare birds) - and later on [as far as I'm
aware], no further sightings were made, despite a fair number of
birders looking. There were still a number of people looking in that
area to about sunset. Incidentally I never heard the warbler sing at
all.
A Common Nighthawk was flying around the Meer (near 110 Street) after
dawn but before the sun was up, and in a very modest patch of migrant
activity on the Great Hill's SE slope, I found a Cape May Warbler, but
in less than great views with the clouds moving in, the bird very high
in an oak canopy. In general it seemed a great many migrants had
taken off overnight, with little influx to this part of the park. The
3 other birders I ran into said much the same of the early morning &
others who birded the Ramble in the morning mentioned it seeming less
active than the previous several days had been. Despite that, a fair
variety of mostly typical migrants were found in the Ramble area, as
elsewhere. A Solitary Sandpiper has continued at the Loch, an
uncommon location for it in this park. And although not too uncommon
for Central Park, a well-heard Fish Crow today.
-
A relatively brief visit to Riverside Park's "drip" found fewer
species there than Wed., although it once again provides great looks
at times.
-
Incidentally in Staten Island a Prothonotary Warbler continues to be
seen at Willowbrook Park having been reported today & 1 week ago.
This was in addition to a Prothonotary Warbler that was reported from
Clove Lakes Park, in the same general region of that [NYC] county,
with many sightings of Staten Island birds being reported available
(archived) at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SINaturaList/messages
Good birding,
Tom Fiore,
Manhattan
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