First reported last week, an American Woodcock re-emerged this afternoon in Bryant Park, actively foraging in the hedging of the northwest corner of the iceskating rink.
Because of the popular outdoor winter food stands and dining - Bryant Park has become a particular winter oasis for winter hearties. Besides the large population of Rock Doves and Common White-throated and House Sparrows - I encountered three Common Yellow-throated Warblers this week (no mask, half mask, full mask), two Song Sparrows, and two Hermit Thrushes. Also a little odd for this time of year - two European Starlings. Unusually absent were Catbirds. Swamp or Lincoln Sparrows (last year there were at least three Lincolns at this time). Once again I am amazed at the bold behavior of these less common-to-the-city birds around people. The Common Yellow-throated Warblers will hop on the ground within inches of the feet of sitting diners. The Hermits were flying from empty table-top to table-top, cocking their heads sideways the way thrushes do at worms in the ground yet instead staring with one eye at you from a few feet away like impatient waiters retrieving your wine selection. Meanwhile the sparrows are more stealthy, darting for crumbs and being chased off by another half-dozen that want to steal it from them. A weird show of the holiday give-and-take spirit. Happy Holiday Birding, Alan Drogin -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
