Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City Thursday, 13 April, 2017 There appear to have been NO sightings of a Yellow-throated Warbler today in Central, despite many searching for that & other migrants of the season. Sighting of that species on Wednesday was primarily in the early morning from the Point, at the south tip of the Ramble area - a minimum of 4 observers had definitive views at that location in early morning. It seems a few lucky observers caught sight of the either the same bird, or possibly a different individual at later times, but a majority of all the many birders during the day missed the bird on Wednesday. It is very possible the species is still present within the park, perhaps wandering a bit, although equally possible it may have departed overnight Wed. In addition, it may be that no reports are forthcoming for the lingering Red-necked Grebe at the reservoir lately; myself & up to a dozen other birders did not notice it today, but that grebe may or may not have actually departed. Waterbirds in general are, as expected, thinning, with the exceptions of D.-c. Cormorants and sightings of Great Egret & Black-crowned Night-Heron.
There seemed to be a general lessening in numbers from Wed. into Thursday, with fewer of many of the migrants; still being seen in some of the same areas within the park though were a few pockets of fairly good activity - the Loch has been slightly more productive of migrant passerines in the past few days than elsewhere in the north end; the Point has been modestly active as compared with some areas elsewhere in the Ramble. Birders visiting Central Park are hopeful that the construction zone in the center of the Ramble, surrounding the small stream known as the Gill, a very good area to observe many species, might re-open to the public as soon as next week - we shall see. (Workers seemed to be getting into higher tempo ths day at that site.) A number of birders today voiced complaints about the undue & unneccessary use of sounds to attempt to “attract” birds. Some stated that certain birds were driven off by the sounds that were produced. In light of this, it may be helpful to review some of the statements on ethics in birding, from well-known & respected organizations, both local, and national-international. There is no reason whatsoever that birds or birders should be subject to undue noise-making that directly affects the birds, as well as other birders ability to quietly observe and enjoy their birding experience[s] - this applies by at least an order-of-magnitude in a location such as Central Park in N.Y. City, where literally hundreds of birders, and many thousands of other park-users, can be present in a limited space & even, with migration upon us, at one time. http://www.nycaudubon.org/ethics-of-birding-and-the-law-of-birds <http://www.nycaudubon.org/ethics-of-birding-and-the-law-of-birds> The above page contains a link to the American Birding Association’s page on this subject and within that organization’s recommendations is the following. (This recommendation is followed by countless numbers of birders, birding groups, clubs, & a wide variety of environmental organizations, scientists, and, in a number of cities, states, and nations, by government agencies and law enforcement. Many U.S. [federal] lands, many state lands, local & other public lands completely prohibit the use of recording or any sounds or other activities that could unduly stress birds or other wildlife, without special permits in instances of valid research projects.) American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics (in part) 1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment. 1(a) Support the protection of important bird habitat. 1(b) To avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger, exercise restraint and caution during observation, photography, sound recording, or filming. Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and never use such methods in heavily birded areas, or for attracting any species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concern, or is rare in your local area… —— Good birding, and thanks to those who respect the birds, and their observers, Tom Fiore manhattan -- 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/[email protected]/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/ --
