New York County, including Manhattan, Randall’s Island, and Governors Island thru Monday, May 22nd -
At least 125 species of birds have been seen, and confirmed, by multiple observers in Central Park (alone) for the past one week, and more than 85 of those species were still being found into Monday, May 22nd. And at least 25 of the species seen to May 22nd were American warbler species - in Central Park. The total number of birds for all of N.Y. County is of course a lot higher, and as-expected, includes species that are a lot less-likely within that park (such as the Common Terns of Governors Island and N.Y. Harbor, for just one example). Summer Tanager sightings continued (in the multiple, of at least 3 different individuals in at least 2 widely-separated areas) at Central Park, clearly lingering birds in these instances, which is not all that unusual with this species in spring, here. Many observers of all three birds; these were all present at least to May 21st. Scarlet Tanagers also have continued on for the county in multiple locations. Purple Sandpiper and American Oystercatcher were obvious highlights from Governors Island on Saturday, May 20th; the sightings are confirmed in eBird archives, by multiple observers including those who volunteer with NYC Audubon at that island’s nature-center by the “NYCAS” org. A calling and singing Willow Flycatcher there continued (unlike the 2 rare-in-county shorebird species, each of which apparently moved on by 5/21.) It is possible, or probable, that the same individual Willow Flycatcher had been present there for at least one entire week. An Alder Flycatcher at Randall’s Island (a species which is not known to breed in, or very near at all to N.Y. County) had continued for some days there, told for discerning observers by its vocalizations. All five of the anticipated-expected Empidonax [genus] Flycatchers have come thru the county, and all 5 of those species have been seen, recorded, and confirmed for Central Park as well as various other sites in the county. (Two species are potential breeders for the county.) Five species of vireo were still being seen in Manhattan to at least May 20th, including White-eyed (in more than one park), Yellow-throated, Blue-headed (getting late for this county) and the two that regularly breed in the county, Red-eyed and in particular, Warbling Vireo[s]. Many Mourning Warblers have been passing through, while at least several reports of Kentucky Warbler also have come thru in more than one park, including at Central Park (and not for the first sighting of this spring). A male Mourning Warbler well-photographed at Tompkins Square Park in lower-east Manhattan was a very nice find on Sunday, 5/21. This was just one of a fair number of Mournings to be seen in lower Manhattan alone on that one day, with others also present in multiple other areas of the county (including Central Park). This species has been occuring for a couple of weeks and some females as well as ongoing males on passage have occurred, with days when up to 6 or more were found in Manhattan alone. There were still up to 19 species of warblers in Manhattan alone thru the 22nd and some were still being found in fairly good numbers overall. As expected, Blackpoll Warbler numbers rose, particularly for males of that species, in the past week, and also having noticeable rise in numbers were Canada Warbler (of both genders) and some others, such as Tennessee Warbler, and ongoing very good numbers of Bay-breasted Warblers. A Kentucky Warbler has again been confirmed (for May 20) within Central Park , and in one of the most-appropriate habitat-areas for that species in that park, where many plantings include native plants that many Kentuckys would be familiar with on breeding grounds, and with moist and rich slopes all-around. (That area is fenced and gated, and is not accessible to the public at all hours of each day, but is open most days at particular hours and with appropriate added rules and regulations in place, which includes limits to group visits.) 25 (or more) species of warblers were found at Inwood Hill Park, in northern Manhattan, in the past one week, with very good counts of a variety of those species in some of the days of this past week, and thanks (as is so with many other locations in the county) to some of the devoted regulars who know that park so well). Over the past *30 days*, 17 warbler species were found in Tompkins Square Park in lower-east Manhattan. At least 19 species of warblers had been seen at Carl Schurz Park on the farthest-east edge of Manhattan, in sight of the mayor of N.Y. City’s official residence (for all mayors of the modern era), which is known as Gracie mansion. This park is well-situated as a migration hot-spot right along the East River, facing out to northwestern Queens County, as well as various islands in the East River and western edges of Long Island Sound's waters. At least 20 species of warblers were seen on Randall’s Island in the past one week, and some species were (on some days) fairly numerous. Slightly fewer species were reported for Governors Island, although it is very likely as many or more occurred but some birds may have rapidly moved-on to the larger island of Manhattan, or to parts of Kings County, and even across the harbor waters to nearby parts of New Jersey. Additional shorebird species have been seen in the county, with Spotted, Solitary, and Least Sandpipers, as well as Killdeer, some of the regulars, plus a very few somewhat-sad American Woodcock that ought to have been able to move on, as it is far into their breeding cycle now. Thanks to the many hundreds of watchers and reporters of many of the above. Good birding and caring for nesting birds, 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/ --
