Friday, 31 December 2010 - Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City It wasn't for lack of looking that I did NOT come up with the long- lingering Varied Thrush in the park today - I believe it may still be around, and perhaps was even seen by some of the many others who came seeking it, through its recent haunts? In the area where it had mainly been seen, there were a good variety of more common species, including at least 3 "red" Fox Sparrows, 2 male Eastern Towhees, and 4 species of woodpeckers (N. Flicker, Y.-b. Sapsucker, Downy, & Red- bellied) - while the Red-headed (no red really showing yet) Woodpecker is still around the south path at Sheep Meadow, near the SE corner there, just north of the 66 Street transverse. At least two American Woodcock were found in 2 separate areas, one at the lake shore, another at the parks' north end by the Pool. On the reservoir continue a variety of mainly expected waterfowl & Pied-billed Grebes, American Coots, and gulls of the 3 most typical winter species. A good number of American Robins have arrived in the park in the past week, with continuing roving flocks of Common Grackles all about and sometimes swarming at the Ramble's feeders. The park is starting to thaw a bit yet icy slush & snow hold their grip quite a while in many places. All the tourists are an unending source of human activity, in the many tens of thousands daily. It is likely that a thorough search of the entire park could turn up nearly 60 species even with the recent snow, if one were included fly-by/over raptors & etc. - - - - - _______ Although almost as far from our area as can be, I thought to mention a very nice non-profit organization that is of benefit to birds and other wildlife, and can be supported by - and is very supportive of - visiting birders, who are in the 'relatively' un-birded part of the world sometimes known as Indochina, specifically in the nation of Cambodia, and more specifically at the city which has grown greatly thanks to increasing interest in the ancient ruins and renovation of those ruins at Siem Reap - the organization named for a pioneering native Cambodian wildlife researcher and birder extraordinaire - the Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation - if anyone is planning a trip to that area, they'll arrange in advance with email, for excellent guides and visits to any number of wonderful sites, from day- trips to multi-day trips and accommodations for single travelers or groups, all benefitting the local communities and good conservation efforts in that country. A nice website for the center is: http://www.samveasna.org/home.php The nation of Cambodia hosts a good number of species, including some charismatic larger birds that have nearly disappeared in much of the region, with the conservation efforts seemingly succeeding in a number of that country's protected areas. (Among the better-known of these rare large birds is their national bird, the Giant Ibis.) I don't normally go on too much about travels so far from home but the organization noted, 'SVC' for shorthand, is really special & deserves much support and definitely a visit if going.
A happy & healthy 2011 to all - and lots of great birds! Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
