Thursday, 10 May, 2012 - Manhattan, N.Y. City It was by far the biggest day for diversity (although not for sheer numbers) of migrants in Manhattan this year, with the easiest example of that the more than 30 species of wood-warblers seen on the day, plus at least one of two named hybrid forms (Brewster's); highlights including more than one PROTHONOTARY being reported (the long- lingering male at Bryant Park, & another in Central Park's Ramble), at least one KENTUCKY (in Central's near-north woods), and at least one YELLOW-THROATED Warbler (in northern Manhattan, at Fort Tryon Park's south end, about 10 yards south of the heather garden entrance), a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (still - assuming same individual but maybe not - at Central Park's Maintenance Field late in the day), plus MOURNING (male singing on the Great Hill, SE side, 5:45 a.m.), at least several HOODED, & multiple (meaning more than two) BAY-BREASTED, TENNESSEE, & CAPE MAY (well, more than 3) Warblers as well as many, many others in droves - and lingerers, such as Palm Warbler. A whole fresh batch of Thrushes with the first Gray-cheeked (type) arrivals, as well as Flycatchers - with OLIVE-SIDED in Central Park (Great Hill; perhaps also elsewhere), & some of the Empidonax increasing a bit, including calling & even singing birds, plus a nice fresh infusion of many, if not most, of the other mid-May migrant land-bird species... the flight was noted all around N.Y. City as well - and there ought to be plenty still to see in the coming days. It may already have been reported on this list, if not there's been SUMMER Tanager quite regularly in Central (and also at least one had appeared in Riverside Park although not re-found today). By far the most observers have been combing through Central Park and yet there are still areas there with hundreds & hundreds of migrants which are barely (ever) looked at by almost any birders. The areas well south and east of the Ramble, and in particular around the reservoir and the entirety of the old bridle path, as well as many sections of the park north of 96th Street are all receiving migrants in great numbers. The "drip" area in Riverside Park may well start to get much more active as things dry out a bit more and the weather warms through this weekend, especially if sun prevails, which is most-often the best predictor of good activity at or near the "drip" (located west of about W. 119 Street within the park, just south of the tennis building which does have restrooms available for all park users.) I haven't heard about Inwood Hill Park which can be excellent, even better than Central on some spring days!
Birders are starting to take notice of the tremendous migratory-like movement of Red Admiral butterflies too. A great many more birds are moving tonight past the city & surely some will drop in or still be here on Friday. Good luck, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
