Monday, 10 May 2010 Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City
As suggested by Jacob Drucker's report for Mother's Day-Sunday, a lot of migrants went nowhere but stayed put on the very windy (NW wind) weekend. Especially interesting (and an annual phenomenon) are gatherings of swallows at the park's water bodies (& elsewhere) when winds are contrary to onward migration, of occasionally impressive numbers, and by this date of potential for all of the eastern-breeding swallow-martin species. So, today at the C.P. reservoir, as many as 80 swallows were seen, with by far the most being Barn, and a smaller number of N. Rough-winged, plus at least a dozen Tree, 4 or more Bank and 4+ Cliff Swallows, along with 40+ Chimney Swifts. The main viewing spots were along the north & west shores, in the lee of the wind. Also seen at the reservoir were 6 lingering Ruddy Ducks, including a "bluebill" - a "breeding" or alternate-plumaged male, 2 Gadwall, & 4 gull species with Laughing Gull the least common at any season, in the park. A couple of Spotted Sandpipers were also there. For other migrants, as seen & heard by me and a number of other birders, primarily in the a.m. but also thru the day the activity level was rather good, with well over 20 species of warbler again present plus a fair variety of many other birds of passage. I worked the southeast part of the park a bit after sunrise and in 2+ hours, was able to see 18 warbler species highlighted by (modestly late) Palm, Bay-breasted (male, Hallett Sanctuary's nw area), and Worm- eating (on or rather close by the park's south perimeter wall) and also the still-lingering White-throated, Swamp & Field (1) Sparrows. A few Lincoln's Sparrows have been seen; some more will turn up. In other areas, mainly the Ramble & vicinity and the north woods, the variety was even greater, & a number of flycatchers could be found including some Empidonax including Least & Yellow-bellied, plus possible others, and Great Crested & (at the Great Hill) a vocalizing Olive-sided Flycatcher (3rd day in a row), plus Eastern Kingbird and a few singing E. Wood-Pewees. There are also some thrushes vocalizing lately, most commonly heard are Wood Thrush & Swainson's Thrush. Also at least a few Gray-cheeked types (all that I've seen: not many: appear to be Gray-cheeked), & Veerys. It's still possible to turn up the Hermit Thrush but less easy than just over a week ago. For vireos, all 5 of the more-regular species were present, with at least 2 White- eyed, a few lingering Blue-headed, many Warbling & Red-eyed, & at least a couple of Yellow-throated Vireos present from south thru north. (I've heard suggestions of the "sixth" vireo species as well, but in looking at one that was "called" such, it was in fact a rather bright Warbling & not a 'Philly'. The latter though rare in spring can occur but should be carefully identified, with close views if possible. That Common Moorhen was still around at the lake but as has already been told, it had been found in less-than-ideal condition out on the street and was brought into the park to offer a chance at recovery, which hopefully it will manage. 'Rehabbers' have offered to try and take it in to look it over and if so, it could be released in a less- busy place next time. The species hasn't occurred much in the park in recent years, once a bit more regular. Far outdoing this was a find of an apparent Japanese Quail, an escapee or weird release over in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, this Monday. That bird was banded, and also will be looked at by a rehabber. In the collective, over 90 species of birds were seen despite a continuing chill in the air from the NW wind. By the way the Loch (Ravine ) in the north end of the park is not always a good barometer of all the migrants that may be in the north end - as with many areas, there are hot, warm, & very cool (that is, fewer birds) spots - the entire north end is more spread-out than is the relatively compact Ramble. There also are typically fewer birders or for that matter folks of any sort, which can mean not as many hot tips on where to seek a particular species or the best hot-spot[s] of the moment. Nevertheless there are a number of devoted "north-enders". The even rarer or nonexistent type is the strictly "south-ender"... not many folks will seek their Central Park birds while staying south of 72 Street. It can be done, but when the good-bird word goes out from the "Ramblers", hard to resist... There's likely be substantial migration on the next night and day with more favorable weather through the east...whenever that might be...! Incidentally, many N.Y. City area birders probably are aware of the northern NJ migrant 'hot-spot' Garrett Mt. - it's interesting how closely the migration there can parallel what's seen in the NYC parks, quite often similar. Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/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/ --
