(Thursday, 14 April) Prothonotary Warbler, Bronx - in the N.Y. Botanical Garden
I received a message late last night and only saw it just now, from an out-of-state birder who had visited the New York Botanical Garden (previously) and met a photographer who took the photo showing a Prothonotary Warbler, apparently a female, on Thursday, 14 April 2011 - the label indicates the bird was seen, and photographed at Twin Lakes in the NYBG, which is in the northwest part of the property, easily reached by heading north past the main buildings to that end of the gardens. It is possible to walk around, I believe and also can be scanned from the path next to the road or from the bridge. If you go and are unfamiliar with the garden, ask any one that works there for the location. (Mike Mastropasqua is the birder who alerted me to this find and the photographer was Pat (a woman) Gonzales. In her photo, the bird is initially labeled, "warbler at twin lakes, 4/14". I'm sorry, but what we don't know is whether the Prothonotary was seen again by anyone on Friday, 15th. It is the sort of place where that species could linger. There also is a lot of appropriate habitat along the Bronx river, both inside the garden as well as to the north (near that area). This find should also be a signal that others of this species could be around the state - indeed it's not all that surprising that this came along when it did as Prothonotarys have arrived &/or have been noticed on some breeding territories just south of NY, such as in southern NJ,in this past week. http://www.nybg.org/map/ (Note that on their map's configuration, Twin Lakes will be to the far left on the map.) The website of the N.Y. Botanical garden lists hours, but it may be possible to park or arrive earlier to bird the grounds. I've not been there recently and can't confirm their policies on that. http://www.nybg.org/visit/hours.php (this will also give other info on the garden). Note that the garden is closed on Monday. http://www.nybg.org/visit/admission_grounds.php (Note that, Saturday until noon, admission to the garden's grounds is free, as well as all day on Wednesdays. The standard grounds-entry fee for adults (non-Bronx residents) is $8. and there are also parking fees if parking at their lot. Another easy way to get to the N.Y.B.G. is by Metro-North commuter train (on weekends, a ticket anywhere within N.Y. City only is $3.75 per person one-way. You must request a city ticket specifically.) The Metro-North stop is called the "Botanical Garden" and is immediately across the boulevard from a pedestrian entrance - (if arriving that way, turn left after entering the garden to Twin Lakes area.) An even less-costly way to arrive is by subway but you'll be doing a bit more walking as the nearest subway is some distance... Good luck if you should go - and please post if the Prothonotary is re- found with location in the garden if it is found again, along with other species noted. (Thanks.) 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/ --
