I have been a bit lax about posting my sightings lately, but haven't spotted any real rarities so figured it wasn't too time-sensitive. I wanted to mention the incredible movement of thrushes I noticed over the weekend: I led an NYC Audubon walk to the NY Botanical Garden on Saturday (concurrent with Debbie's walk) and we had at least a dozen, maybe as many as 20 Swainson's Thrushes, they seemed to be in or under every shrub. I also saw about 5 Veerys and heard numerous Wood Thrushes singing. I don't ever recall seeing so many Swainson's, they must've flown in the night before. I also had one singing at Wave Hill the following day (this past Sunday), which is unusual during migration, especially at 11 AM. There was also a big oriole movement, with Baltimore Orioles all over the place at NYBG on Saturday and at Wave Hill on Sunday, and a male Orchard Oriole spotted at Wave Hill too. Many birds seemed to be reveling in the sunny weather over the weekend (as was I): we witnessed the entertaining and odd behavior of birds sun-bathing. A male Yellow-rumped Warbler was sprawled out lengthwise along a twig, with his neck extended so his chin and bill lay along the branch, and his wings were spread on either side of it. Later we saw a Swainson's Thrush on the ground in a patch of sun, feathers fluffed and wings spread in a similar fashion. It could have been anting, but I suspect it was simply enjoying the warmth. Other sightings of note recently have included a lingering Swamp Sparrow and a Lincoln's Sparrow yesterday in Bryant Park, along with huge numbers of newly arrived Common Yellowthroats (at least 20, mostly in the treetops, which was strange for this species) numerous Ovenbirds, Redstarts, a Northern Waterthrush (unusual for Bryant Park), and a singing male Blackpoll Warbler. In Central Park yesterday evening my group had several Magnolia Warblers, many Northern Parulas, a singing male Chestnut-sided Warbler, and a White-eyed Vireo, among other species. I have another tour in Central Park tonight, but don't have high hopes given the rain. Good birding, Gabriel WillowNYC Audubon --
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