[nysbirds-l] 17 warblers at Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NYC, 8/27
incidentally, on Friday 8/27, the collective tally of Warbler species for Prospect Park, Brooklyn was at least 17 species, Bay-breasted being among those reported. Some of the birders out in that park found at least a dozen warbler species on their individual walks, and at least one Olive-sided Flycatcher was also noted along with a number of other typical late-August migrants. As before many of these reports made available in the Brooklyn birding blog maintained by Peter Dorosh with sightings from a multitude of keen birders. Some noted that diversity was good but numbers overall rather low, although there were some species noted in fairly good numbers. The 17 warbler species reported at Prospect Park 27 August 2010 are: Northern Parula Tennessee Blue-winged Nashville Yellow Chestnut-sided Magnolia Black-throated Blue Blackburnian Bay-breasted Black-and-white Canada Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush Common Yellowthroat American Redstart (one report from one observer noted 35 of just this species today) - as reported by the birders in Brooklyn. Of course more reports may be forthcoming. - - - - - - Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
Re:[nysbirds-l] Birding Central Park on August 27, 2010
About Central Park (Manhattan, N.Y. City), and a question as to food scarcity. Any comments on this topic appreciated, to the list if deemed appropriate, or off-list directed to me alone. Although it may get a bit esoteric to 'non-regulars' of the place about Central Park (and even more specifically one section of the park or more so the Ramble), what's interesting in Harry Maas' report (earlier today) & his comments is that that was, in great part, exactly what a couple of other experienced birders that cover the Ramble & its environs made comments on, indeed it echoes most specifically that in birding in a couple of particular locations in that park the birds, or at least most migrant insectivores among the birds, have been found in flocks (where any flock at all has been seen) and recently (this "fall" season) in short order, said flock mainly moves on not to be re-found. I have also noticed this to greater extent than usual in much of the north end of the park this season, with activity making it appear that one might expect birds to stay in a particular section (at least, if not in the specific location) and not move out in such seeming totality, while in re- visiting an area it has been more often that activity levels have dropped off to little or no migrant activity. The only exceptions and even they haven't been a guarantee by any means, have been visiting the immediate vicinity of flowing water, mainly 3 areas (and just 2 regularly visited by many birders, this or almost any season): the Pond and it's waterfall area, near Central Park South and up from "Sixth Ave." (aka Avenue of the Americas: only to out-of-towners), the Gill in the Ramble (of which the Azalea Pond is a part), and the Loch (in the area also known as the "ravine") within the park's north end, with perhaps lesser concentrations at times at areas near the Lake, near the Pool, at Tanner's Spring (which has seemed terriibly "slow" so far this season) and at the small stream flowing into the lake from just north of West 77th Street. In these areas, I have sometimes (but by no means always) found some activity in more hours during the day, most often (as could be expected at bird bathing-drinking sites) on sunnier, warmer days. The trees and shrubs surrounding such waters are often where the birds have been and not simply at the water, as in bathing & drinking activities. One thing that a great many birders have mentioned is whether the insectivores are finding enough prey items to sustain feeding in numbers, esp. in flocks, and in discrete areas, for any length of time; some birders believing that these birds are having to move on by force to find enough to eat, esp. just after arrival on migration. If this is so, it's unusual - more often there are places which provide feeding for many birds over long periods, although there are always (or have been) what we often call "hot-spots" which of course, are really mainly particular areas which whether on a very short-term or somewhat longer term produce a great many insects and perhaps, some fruits in the case of those birds that eat much fruit or imbibe of its nectar (a number of small birds do that as well as seeking insects including some warblers, many flycatchers, & certainly vireos, & others), but protein in the form of (more properly, small invertebrates, and not just "insects") is the driver, the most important source of energy and build-up of fat reserves, for a great many birds, not just passerine species. Are we seeing a lot of overly hungry birds - and if so is it a result of local (mild, but extended) drought that we had until the very recent rains here, or is there another situation ongoing this fall? Since I like to observe insect life as well as birds, I can't say that I've noticed any crash of certain insects in Central Park - I would ask if there have been regular field observations from, among others, the informal group who do moth-watching in the park, as that group of insects actually may provide a great many prey items to migrants in the form of the moth in caterpillar form. There has also been some comment from birders region- wide as to lower than average numbers of certain (usually common) biting insects in some areas, including boreal areas in northern realms, and (if this is actually the case) whether this points to a generalized lack of feeding on many typical prey items for birds of many kinds. The variety and profundity of insect life, and more generally of smaller invertebrate life, is typically such that insectivores may usually find alternative food (prey) items without great difficulty, so if it's so that there is a general lack of these food or prey items it may be that birds, including many migrants, are having a harder time than is usual. Any rapid moving-on by migrants at this season is somewhat unusual as
[nysbirds-l] Nighthawks
Thursday night I had 15 nighthawks in Wading River in front of Little Flower. Jim Clinton Sr. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] 3 Red-necked Phalaropes, 119 Great Egrets, Tonawanda WMA NWR
August 27 - This evening at Iroquois NWR (Genesee County) there were 115 Great Egrets (a mile and a half walk on feeder Road from Rt. 77) a Bald Eagle, and a Northern Harrier. Tonawanda WMA 79 Pied-billed Grebes Bald Eagle Ad Northern Harrier Common Moorhen Osprey Great Egret 4 NORTHEN PHALAROPE 3south of Rt, 77 200 yards east of the intersection of Griswold (Ditch Road) and Rt. 77. Best Wishes for Great Birding, Bill Watson -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
Re:[nysbirds-l] Common Nighthawk @ Chestnut Ridge, 8/25
There were no large kettles yesterday (August 26) at Chestnut Ridge as there were on Wednesday, but the tally was certainly greater: ~183 Common Nighthawk. Only 31 of those were counted before 16:00 EST; the majority were spotted between 16:00 to 17:30. Most of the flocks we saw were northbound. In the last minutes of our count, however, some began exiting from view to the south (and, to a lesser degree, to the west), so I cannot rule out that a couple of these birds were double-counted. Kindly Yours, \\ Arthur On Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 9:25 PM, Arthur W. Green wrote: > I intended to run my binocular across the dark, overcast sky one last > time before closing the day's count at Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch, > located just outside of Mount Kisco. Instead, under a very light > westerly wind at 15:59 (EST), I came away with a cluster of birds due > east of the watch platform flying only a few hundred feet above the > ridge tops. For just a second, I assumed it was a late day movement > of Broad-winged Hawk piling up in a thermal; after I shook myself from > my late-day stupor, I could see plainly that it was a veritable kettle > of Common Nighthawk! 46 of them. Within minutes these birds began > heading north, streaming out in twos and threes until they were > nowhere to be seen. > > At 16:11, I spied at least 20 more nighthawk southeast of the watch > platform blinking out of the haze at the reaches of visibility near > the Long Island Sound. I could not tell which direction they were > headed, nor was I able to count all of them before they disappeared > from view. > > At 16:27, two nighthawk passed along a similar flight line as the > first larger kettle. These were the final birds I observed before I > finally went home at 17:00. Including the individual I observed late > AM, the total for today is at least 69 Common Nighthawk. An exciting > cap to a trying day! > > My colleague, Tait Johansson, had observed a flock of 19 nighthawks > south of the platform on August 17 at ~17:30, spotting another > individual north of the platform around the same time. We see > nighthawks each year at Chestnut Ridge in early fall, and I regret > that the timing of our coverage probably does not account for the > actual number of nighthawk that travel within viewing distance of the > platform. > > \\ Arthur -- Arthur W. Green Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch, Bedford, NY http://www.bedfordaudubon.org/hawkwatch.html http://www.hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=534 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Hudson-Mohawk Birdline for Aug 25
This is a summary of the Hudson-Mohawk Birdline reports for the week ending August 25, 2010. Report your sightings in New York's Hudson-Mohawk Region to birdl...@hmbc.net Seventy-seven species were reported this week, including 12 shorebird species, 9 warbler species and large flocks of nighthawks. Most-reported species were Least Sandpiper (14 reports), Semipalmated Sandpiper (8), Lesser Yellowlegs (8) and Solitary Sandpiper (8). Best of the week: LITTLE BLUE HERON: Myosotis Lake 8/19. MISSISSIPPI KITE: Root 8/20 (4 including 1 fledgling), 8/21. BAIRD'S SANDPIPER: Myosotis Lake 8/19-8/22; Crescent 8/20, 8/21; Cohoes Flats 8/21. PECTORAL SANDPIPER: Vischer Ferry 8/19 (2). SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER: Crescent 8/19-8/21. TENNESSEE WARBLER: Partridge Run 8/20. BAY-BREASTED WARBLER: Partridge Run 8/20. WILSON'S WARBLER: Partridge Run 8/20; Brunswick 8/21. CANADA WARBLER: Brunswick 8/21. Other notables: Gadwall: Cohoes Flats 8/19. Great Egret: Vischer Ferry 8/18 (25), 8/20 (39); Crescent 8/21 (2); Brunswick 8/24 (5). Osprey: Round Lake 8/18, 8/21. Bald Eagle: Brunswick 8/25. Sharp-shinned Hawk: Brunswick 8/21, 8/25. Greater Yellowlegs: Vischer Ferry 8/24. Wilson's Snipe: Cohoes Flats 8/21. Common Nighthawk: Altamont 8/20 (35), 8/21 (27-30); Latham 8/20 (13); Watervliet 8/21; Colonie 8/24 (40-50), 8/25 (42); South Glens Fall 8/25 (3).. Warbling Vireo: Brunswick 8/21. Bank Swallow: Vischer Ferry 8/19, 8/20. Carolina Wren: Cohoes Flats 8/21; East Greenbush 8/24. Golden-crowned Kinglet: Vischer Ferry 8/23. Magnolia Warbler: Vischer Ferry 8/23. Black-and-White Warbler: Claverack 8/21. Eastern Meadowlark: Saratoga Battlefield 8/20 (6). Thanks to Phil Whitney (compiler), Steve Abrahamsen (Crescent 8/20, Vischer Ferry 8/20), Ramona Bearor (South Glens Falls), Susan Beaudoin (Saratoga Battlefield), Hannah Bewsher (Altamont 8/21, Watervliet), Bruce Dudek (Vischer Ferry 8/18), Rich Guthrie (Root 8/20), Ken Harper (Crescent 8/20, Root 8/21), David Harrison (Cohoes Flats 8/21), John Hershey (Crescent 8/20), Will Raup (Cohoes Flats 8/19, Crescent 8/19, 8/21, Vischer Ferry 8/19, 8/21), Scott Stoner (Round Lake), Steven Sulzer (Claverack), Brad Walker (Brunswick, Latham), Tom Williams (Vischer Ferry 8/23, 8/24, Colonie 8/24, 8/25), T. Lloyd Williams (Myosotis Lake, Partridge Run) and Alan (Altamont 8/20). -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Birding Central Park on August 27, 2010
Today I birded the Ramble, including the Maintenance Field, from 8:30 am to noon, and must remark that my experiences there were completely different from those reported by others. Having learned of the report that 18 Warbler species had been found in the Park prior to 10 am, I expected to see many Warbler species even though I was not birding the North End. In those 3 1/2 hours, birding all of the Ramble plus (or including the Maintenance Field) and the surrounding areas, I was able to identify only six (6) species of Warbler, namely Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart (many immatures), Ovenbird, Northern Parula and Chestnut-sided Warbler. I spoke with at least a half dozen other regular Central Park birders, who were able to add Blue-winged, Common Yellowthroat, Canada, Nashville and Magnolia, for a grand total of ELEVEN (11) Warbler species (with a possible one or two others) by a half dozen veteran Central Park birders. Obviously the Warblers must have vacated the Park early. I birded the Maintenance Field from 8:30 to 8:45 (immediately following the time period another birder reported at least a dozen Warbler species), and, together with an excellent British birder and another Central Park veteran, we located NO (0) Warbler species. Amazing how fast this previous flock must have moved on. Every other birder I talked to remarked how slow it was and how the Ramble had produced only a few small pockets of activity. Guess birding really is a question of timing or coincidence -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] MNSA Avocet - yes
The American Avocet was first seen this morning at 11:00 and is currently sitting with mixed Yellowlegs on our western border (Bedell Creek) with easy views from the main trail near the blue bulkhead and bench. Michael Farina, CWB® Conservation Biologist Marine Nature Study Area Dept. Conservation & Waterways Town of Hempstead http://mnsa.webhop.org ( http://mnsa.webhop.org/ ) http://www.michael.farina.com ( http://www.michael.farina.com/ ) email: mich...@tohmail.org -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] West End/Jones Beach This Morning (Nassau County)
I spent a few hours at WE2 this morning, hoping that the overnight northwest winds might produce a coastal flight. There was a modest movement, highlighted by a flyby Common Nighthawk, a Cliff Swallow (1) on the ground in the swale with Tree, Barn and Bank Swallows, and eight flyby Bobolinks. The most common warbler was American Redstart (14) while Red-breasted Nuthatch (13) numbers at WE2 continue to increase. No shorebirds of note were found in the swale, but American Oystercatcher numbers (475) were impressive as well as Western Willet (32) on the sandbar in the WE2 Marina. Ken Feustel -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC 8/27
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City Friday, 27 August 2010 (6:50 - 9:20 a.m.) I spent over an hour at the Great Hill, specifically the area where on Thursday 8/26 I found a Grasshopper Sparrow, as well as Lincoln's Sparrow. Early this Friday morning I was unable to re-find the Grasshopper but did see Lincoln's again, in the same area, as well as a Chipping Sparrow. The area in general had fairly good migrant activity with at least a dozen warbler spp. & 4 Vireo species: my first Blue-headed of the fall in Central, plus Yellow-throated & Warbling & (multiple) Red-eyed Vireos. A Scarlet Tanager was also there today and a modest number of Veery in the woods. There was also a single Ruby-crowned Kinglet, my first of fall in NYC. Flycatchers included Great Crested, multiple Empidonax, E. Wood-Pewees, & E. Kingbirds. At the Ramble, the maintenance field area was quite good in just a short look around 8:15 - 8:30 am, with a dozen warbler spp. including a few different species from those seen earlier, & as I passed thru the Ramble a keen birder & Central Park regular mentioned a burst of early migrants in Strawberry Fields which flock then dispersed to "parts unknown", something which may have been seen there on Thursday as well. A list of the eighteen warbler species I encountered this morning (not all in one area & taking in the Ramble as well as the north end of the park) is below. Again, these & other migrants were in rather discrete smallish flocks (and not distributed all through some places which can be productive); this has been usual so far this fall & may be the usual for a long time to come... unless we see a big 'fall-out', perhaps weather-related. Blue-winged Warbler (1) Tennessee Warbler (1) Nashville Warbler (2) Northern Parula (2) Yellow Warbler (1) Chestnut-sided Warbler (5+) Magnolia Warbler (18+) Black-throated Blue Warbler (3) Black-throated Green Warbler (2) Blackburnian Warbler (2) Prairie Warbler (1) Black-and-white Warbler (8+) American Redstart (25+) Ovenbird (4) Northern Waterthrush (5+) Common Yellowthroat (7+) Wilson's Warbler (1) Canada Warbler (5+) I might add that I cam across no other birders in the north end early this morning, and not many at all in the Ramble & vicinity a bit later... but migrant birds are out there now in any case. Good luck, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC 8/27
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City Friday, 27 August 2010 (6:50 - 9:20 a.m.) I spent over an hour at the Great Hill, specifically the area where on Thursday 8/26 I found a Grasshopper Sparrow, as well as Lincoln's Sparrow. Early this Friday morning I was unable to re-find the Grasshopper but did see Lincoln's again, in the same area, as well as a Chipping Sparrow. The area in general had fairly good migrant activity with at least a dozen warbler spp. 4 Vireo species: my first Blue-headed of the fall in Central, plus Yellow-throated Warbling (multiple) Red-eyed Vireos. A Scarlet Tanager was also there today and a modest number of Veery in the woods. There was also a single Ruby-crowned Kinglet, my first of fall in NYC. Flycatchers included Great Crested, multiple Empidonax, E. Wood-Pewees, E. Kingbirds. At the Ramble, the maintenance field area was quite good in just a short look around 8:15 - 8:30 am, with a dozen warbler spp. including a few different species from those seen earlier, as I passed thru the Ramble a keen birder Central Park regular mentioned a burst of early migrants in Strawberry Fields which flock then dispersed to parts unknown, something which may have been seen there on Thursday as well. A list of the eighteen warbler species I encountered this morning (not all in one area taking in the Ramble as well as the north end of the park) is below. Again, these other migrants were in rather discrete smallish flocks (and not distributed all through some places which can be productive); this has been usual so far this fall may be the usual for a long time to come... unless we see a big 'fall-out', perhaps weather-related. Blue-winged Warbler (1) Tennessee Warbler (1) Nashville Warbler (2) Northern Parula (2) Yellow Warbler (1) Chestnut-sided Warbler (5+) Magnolia Warbler (18+) Black-throated Blue Warbler (3) Black-throated Green Warbler (2) Blackburnian Warbler (2) Prairie Warbler (1) Black-and-white Warbler (8+) American Redstart (25+) Ovenbird (4) Northern Waterthrush (5+) Common Yellowthroat (7+) Wilson's Warbler (1) Canada Warbler (5+) I might add that I cam across no other birders in the north end early this morning, and not many at all in the Ramble vicinity a bit later... but migrant birds are out there now in any case. Good luck, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] West End/Jones Beach This Morning (Nassau County)
I spent a few hours at WE2 this morning, hoping that the overnight northwest winds might produce a coastal flight. There was a modest movement, highlighted by a flyby Common Nighthawk, a Cliff Swallow (1) on the ground in the swale with Tree, Barn and Bank Swallows, and eight flyby Bobolinks. The most common warbler was American Redstart (14) while Red-breasted Nuthatch (13) numbers at WE2 continue to increase. No shorebirds of note were found in the swale, but American Oystercatcher numbers (475) were impressive as well as Western Willet (32) on the sandbar in the WE2 Marina. Ken Feustel -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] MNSA Avocet - yes
The American Avocet was first seen this morning at 11:00 and is currently sitting with mixed Yellowlegs on our western border (Bedell Creek) with easy views from the main trail near the blue bulkhead and bench. Michael Farina, CWB® Conservation Biologist Marine Nature Study Area Dept. Conservation Waterways Town of Hempstead http://mnsa.webhop.org ( http://mnsa.webhop.org/ ) http://www.michael.farina.com ( http://www.michael.farina.com/ ) email: mich...@tohmail.org -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Birding Central Park on August 27, 2010
Today I birded the Ramble, including the Maintenance Field, from 8:30 am to noon, and must remark that my experiences there were completely different from those reported by others. Having learned of the report that 18 Warbler species had been found in the Park prior to 10 am, I expected to see many Warbler species even though I was not birding the North End. In those 3 1/2 hours, birding all of the Ramble plus (or including the Maintenance Field) and the surrounding areas, I was able to identify only six (6) species of Warbler, namely Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart (many immatures), Ovenbird, Northern Parula and Chestnut-sided Warbler. I spoke with at least a half dozen other regular Central Park birders, who were able to add Blue-winged, Common Yellowthroat, Canada, Nashville and Magnolia, for a grand total of ELEVEN (11) Warbler species (with a possible one or two others) by a half dozen veteran Central Park birders. Obviously the Warblers must have vacated the Park early. I birded the Maintenance Field from 8:30 to 8:45 (immediately following the time period another birder reported at least a dozen Warbler species), and, together with an excellent British birder and another Central Park veteran, we located NO (0) Warbler species. Amazing how fast this previous flock must have moved on. Every other birder I talked to remarked how slow it was and how the Ramble had produced only a few small pockets of activity. Guess birding really is a question of timing or coincidence -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Hudson-Mohawk Birdline for Aug 25
This is a summary of the Hudson-Mohawk Birdline reports for the week ending August 25, 2010. Report your sightings in New York's Hudson-Mohawk Region to birdl...@hmbc.net Seventy-seven species were reported this week, including 12 shorebird species, 9 warbler species and large flocks of nighthawks. Most-reported species were Least Sandpiper (14 reports), Semipalmated Sandpiper (8), Lesser Yellowlegs (8) and Solitary Sandpiper (8). Best of the week: LITTLE BLUE HERON: Myosotis Lake 8/19. MISSISSIPPI KITE: Root 8/20 (4 including 1 fledgling), 8/21. BAIRD'S SANDPIPER: Myosotis Lake 8/19-8/22; Crescent 8/20, 8/21; Cohoes Flats 8/21. PECTORAL SANDPIPER: Vischer Ferry 8/19 (2). SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER: Crescent 8/19-8/21. TENNESSEE WARBLER: Partridge Run 8/20. BAY-BREASTED WARBLER: Partridge Run 8/20. WILSON'S WARBLER: Partridge Run 8/20; Brunswick 8/21. CANADA WARBLER: Brunswick 8/21. Other notables: Gadwall: Cohoes Flats 8/19. Great Egret: Vischer Ferry 8/18 (25), 8/20 (39); Crescent 8/21 (2); Brunswick 8/24 (5). Osprey: Round Lake 8/18, 8/21. Bald Eagle: Brunswick 8/25. Sharp-shinned Hawk: Brunswick 8/21, 8/25. Greater Yellowlegs: Vischer Ferry 8/24. Wilson's Snipe: Cohoes Flats 8/21. Common Nighthawk: Altamont 8/20 (35), 8/21 (27-30); Latham 8/20 (13); Watervliet 8/21; Colonie 8/24 (40-50), 8/25 (42); South Glens Fall 8/25 (3).. Warbling Vireo: Brunswick 8/21. Bank Swallow: Vischer Ferry 8/19, 8/20. Carolina Wren: Cohoes Flats 8/21; East Greenbush 8/24. Golden-crowned Kinglet: Vischer Ferry 8/23. Magnolia Warbler: Vischer Ferry 8/23. Black-and-White Warbler: Claverack 8/21. Eastern Meadowlark: Saratoga Battlefield 8/20 (6). Thanks to Phil Whitney (compiler), Steve Abrahamsen (Crescent 8/20, Vischer Ferry 8/20), Ramona Bearor (South Glens Falls), Susan Beaudoin (Saratoga Battlefield), Hannah Bewsher (Altamont 8/21, Watervliet), Bruce Dudek (Vischer Ferry 8/18), Rich Guthrie (Root 8/20), Ken Harper (Crescent 8/20, Root 8/21), David Harrison (Cohoes Flats 8/21), John Hershey (Crescent 8/20), Will Raup (Cohoes Flats 8/19, Crescent 8/19, 8/21, Vischer Ferry 8/19, 8/21), Scott Stoner (Round Lake), Steven Sulzer (Claverack), Brad Walker (Brunswick, Latham), Tom Williams (Vischer Ferry 8/23, 8/24, Colonie 8/24, 8/25), T. Lloyd Williams (Myosotis Lake, Partridge Run) and Alan (Altamont 8/20). -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Nighthawks
Thursday night I had 15 nighthawks in Wading River in front of Little Flower. Jim Clinton Sr. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
Re:[nysbirds-l] Birding Central Park on August 27, 2010
About Central Park (Manhattan, N.Y. City), and a question as to food scarcity. Any comments on this topic appreciated, to the list if deemed appropriate, or off-list directed to me alone. Although it may get a bit esoteric to 'non-regulars' of the place about Central Park (and even more specifically one section of the park or more so the Ramble), what's interesting in Harry Maas' report (earlier today) his comments is that that was, in great part, exactly what a couple of other experienced birders that cover the Ramble its environs made comments on, indeed it echoes most specifically that in birding in a couple of particular locations in that park the birds, or at least most migrant insectivores among the birds, have been found in flocks (where any flock at all has been seen) and recently (this fall season) in short order, said flock mainly moves on not to be re-found. I have also noticed this to greater extent than usual in much of the north end of the park this season, with activity making it appear that one might expect birds to stay in a particular section (at least, if not in the specific location) and not move out in such seeming totality, while in re- visiting an area it has been more often that activity levels have dropped off to little or no migrant activity. The only exceptions and even they haven't been a guarantee by any means, have been visiting the immediate vicinity of flowing water, mainly 3 areas (and just 2 regularly visited by many birders, this or almost any season): the Pond and it's waterfall area, near Central Park South and up from Sixth Ave. (aka Avenue of the Americas: only to out-of-towners), the Gill in the Ramble (of which the Azalea Pond is a part), and the Loch (in the area also known as the ravine) within the park's north end, with perhaps lesser concentrations at times at areas near the Lake, near the Pool, at Tanner's Spring (which has seemed terriibly slow so far this season) and at the small stream flowing into the lake from just north of West 77th Street. In these areas, I have sometimes (but by no means always) found some activity in more hours during the day, most often (as could be expected at bird bathing-drinking sites) on sunnier, warmer days. The trees and shrubs surrounding such waters are often where the birds have been and not simply at the water, as in bathing drinking activities. One thing that a great many birders have mentioned is whether the insectivores are finding enough prey items to sustain feeding in numbers, esp. in flocks, and in discrete areas, for any length of time; some birders believing that these birds are having to move on by force to find enough to eat, esp. just after arrival on migration. If this is so, it's unusual - more often there are places which provide feeding for many birds over long periods, although there are always (or have been) what we often call hot-spots which of course, are really mainly particular areas which whether on a very short-term or somewhat longer term produce a great many insects and perhaps, some fruits in the case of those birds that eat much fruit or imbibe of its nectar (a number of small birds do that as well as seeking insects including some warblers, many flycatchers, certainly vireos, others), but protein in the form of (more properly, small invertebrates, and not just insects) is the driver, the most important source of energy and build-up of fat reserves, for a great many birds, not just passerine species. Are we seeing a lot of overly hungry birds - and if so is it a result of local (mild, but extended) drought that we had until the very recent rains here, or is there another situation ongoing this fall? Since I like to observe insect life as well as birds, I can't say that I've noticed any crash of certain insects in Central Park - I would ask if there have been regular field observations from, among others, the informal group who do moth-watching in the park, as that group of insects actually may provide a great many prey items to migrants in the form of the moth in caterpillar form. There has also been some comment from birders region- wide as to lower than average numbers of certain (usually common) biting insects in some areas, including boreal areas in northern realms, and (if this is actually the case) whether this points to a generalized lack of feeding on many typical prey items for birds of many kinds. The variety and profundity of insect life, and more generally of smaller invertebrate life, is typically such that insectivores may usually find alternative food (prey) items without great difficulty, so if it's so that there is a general lack of these food or prey items it may be that birds, including many migrants, are having a harder time than is usual. Any rapid moving-on by migrants at this season is somewhat unusual as the fall
[nysbirds-l] 17 warblers at Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NYC, 8/27
incidentally, on Friday 8/27, the collective tally of Warbler species for Prospect Park, Brooklyn was at least 17 species, Bay-breasted being among those reported. Some of the birders out in that park found at least a dozen warbler species on their individual walks, and at least one Olive-sided Flycatcher was also noted along with a number of other typical late-August migrants. As before many of these reports made available in the Brooklyn birding blog maintained by Peter Dorosh with sightings from a multitude of keen birders. Some noted that diversity was good but numbers overall rather low, although there were some species noted in fairly good numbers. The 17 warbler species reported at Prospect Park 27 August 2010 are: Northern Parula Tennessee Blue-winged Nashville Yellow Chestnut-sided Magnolia Black-throated Blue Blackburnian Bay-breasted Black-and-white Canada Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush Common Yellowthroat American Redstart (one report from one observer noted 35 of just this species today) - as reported by the birders in Brooklyn. Of course more reports may be forthcoming. - - - - - - Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
