[nysbirds-l] NYC Area RBA: 16 August 2019
- RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Aug. 16, 2019
* NYNY1908.16
- Birds mentioned
BRIDLED TERN+
WHITE-WINGED DOVE+
SAY'S PHOEBE+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)
GULL-BILLED TERN
CASPIAN TERN
BLACK TERN
WILSON'S PHALAROPE
Short-billed Dowitcher
Pectoral Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
MARBLED GODWIT
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Whimbrel
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Red-headed Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird
Bobolink
BLUE GROSBEAK
DICKCISSEL
Purple Martin
Cliff Swallow
Bank Swallow
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER
- Transcript
If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report
electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at
http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm
You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44
(at)nybirds{dot}org.
If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or
sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:
Gary Chapin - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883
Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070
Compilers: Tom Burke and Tony Lauro
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
Transcriber: Ben Cacace
BEGIN TAPE
Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, August 16th
2019 at 8pm. The highlights of today's tape are WHITE-WINGED DOVE, a
probable SAY'S PHOEBE, BRIDLED TERN, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, MARBLED GODWIT,
CASPIAN TERN, GULL-BILLED TERN, BLACK TERN, PROTHONOTARY WARBLER,
DICKCISSEL, BLUE GROSBEAK and more.
Some decent early Fall like flight conditions occurring during the week
produced a few very interesting birds. Watches last Saturday and Sunday
mornings at Coney Island Creek in Brooklyn uncovered a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER
seen on Saturday followed Sunday by a WHITE-WINGED DOVE photographed as it
circled over Seagate before disappearing and out at Robert Moses State Park
a flycatcher flying west passed two observers Saturday morning was by
plumage thought to probably be a SAY'S PHOEBE. Unfortunately it moved by
too quickly to be photographed. Also at Moses a DICKCISSEL was heard
overhead both Saturday and Sunday and a BLUE GROSBEAK was recorded
Saturday. Between these two sites a good variety of early Fall migrants
included EASTERN KINGBIRD, PURPLE MARTIN, CLIFF and BANK SWALLOWS and a
seasonal selection of warblers plus the occasional BOBOLINK and the like.
Out on Great Gull Island the adult BRIDLED TERN was spotted again Tuesday
on the north side of the island. An immature BLACK TERN also appeared. The
numbers of Common and Roseate Terns are now dropping quickly there so the
BRIDLED'S continued stay may be limited.
In Central Park certainly the week's highlight was a male PROTHONOTARY
WARBLER found today in the southeastern corner of the park at The Pond by
the Hallett Sanctuary.
In the Bronx Jerome Reservoir was recently drained for repairs and the low
water conditions have attracted a nice variety of shorebirds including 2
WILSON'S PHALAROPES spotted Wednesday and still present today. Also present
since Wednesday have been a WHITE-RUMPED and 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, some
BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 2 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS plus
GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, mostly the latter, SOLITARY SANDPIPER and
some SEMIPALMATED and LEAST SANDPIPERS. Unfortunately these conditions will
be short lived as the refilling of the reservoir is imminent. A good place
to park to view the reservoir is near the intersection of Webb Avenue and
Reservoir Avenue.
Three MARBLED GODWITS were still noted at Cupsogue County Park in West
Hampton Dunes yesterday and a WHIMBREL was out in Jamaica Bay last Saturday.
A GULL-BILLED TERN visited Brooklyn's Plumb Beach last Sunday and on
Thursday 2 CASPIAN TERNS flying by Floyd Bennett Field were likely the 2
seen a little later at Plumb Beach.
A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was spotted Monday at Rockefeller State Park in
central Westchester County and a BLUE GROSBEAK was seen again around the
Calverton Grasslands on Monday.
To phone in reports on Long Island call Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126 or
call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.
This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.
- End transcript
--
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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/
--
[nysbirds-l] NYC Area RBA: 16 August 2019
- RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Aug. 16, 2019
* NYNY1908.16
- Birds mentioned
BRIDLED TERN+
WHITE-WINGED DOVE+
SAY'S PHOEBE+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)
GULL-BILLED TERN
CASPIAN TERN
BLACK TERN
WILSON'S PHALAROPE
Short-billed Dowitcher
Pectoral Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
MARBLED GODWIT
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Whimbrel
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Red-headed Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird
Bobolink
BLUE GROSBEAK
DICKCISSEL
Purple Martin
Cliff Swallow
Bank Swallow
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER
- Transcript
If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report
electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at
http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm
You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44
(at)nybirds{dot}org.
If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or
sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:
Gary Chapin - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883
Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070
Compilers: Tom Burke and Tony Lauro
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
Transcriber: Ben Cacace
BEGIN TAPE
Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, August 16th
2019 at 8pm. The highlights of today's tape are WHITE-WINGED DOVE, a
probable SAY'S PHOEBE, BRIDLED TERN, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, MARBLED GODWIT,
CASPIAN TERN, GULL-BILLED TERN, BLACK TERN, PROTHONOTARY WARBLER,
DICKCISSEL, BLUE GROSBEAK and more.
Some decent early Fall like flight conditions occurring during the week
produced a few very interesting birds. Watches last Saturday and Sunday
mornings at Coney Island Creek in Brooklyn uncovered a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER
seen on Saturday followed Sunday by a WHITE-WINGED DOVE photographed as it
circled over Seagate before disappearing and out at Robert Moses State Park
a flycatcher flying west passed two observers Saturday morning was by
plumage thought to probably be a SAY'S PHOEBE. Unfortunately it moved by
too quickly to be photographed. Also at Moses a DICKCISSEL was heard
overhead both Saturday and Sunday and a BLUE GROSBEAK was recorded
Saturday. Between these two sites a good variety of early Fall migrants
included EASTERN KINGBIRD, PURPLE MARTIN, CLIFF and BANK SWALLOWS and a
seasonal selection of warblers plus the occasional BOBOLINK and the like.
Out on Great Gull Island the adult BRIDLED TERN was spotted again Tuesday
on the north side of the island. An immature BLACK TERN also appeared. The
numbers of Common and Roseate Terns are now dropping quickly there so the
BRIDLED'S continued stay may be limited.
In Central Park certainly the week's highlight was a male PROTHONOTARY
WARBLER found today in the southeastern corner of the park at The Pond by
the Hallett Sanctuary.
In the Bronx Jerome Reservoir was recently drained for repairs and the low
water conditions have attracted a nice variety of shorebirds including 2
WILSON'S PHALAROPES spotted Wednesday and still present today. Also present
since Wednesday have been a WHITE-RUMPED and 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, some
BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 2 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS plus
GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, mostly the latter, SOLITARY SANDPIPER and
some SEMIPALMATED and LEAST SANDPIPERS. Unfortunately these conditions will
be short lived as the refilling of the reservoir is imminent. A good place
to park to view the reservoir is near the intersection of Webb Avenue and
Reservoir Avenue.
Three MARBLED GODWITS were still noted at Cupsogue County Park in West
Hampton Dunes yesterday and a WHIMBREL was out in Jamaica Bay last Saturday.
A GULL-BILLED TERN visited Brooklyn's Plumb Beach last Sunday and on
Thursday 2 CASPIAN TERNS flying by Floyd Bennett Field were likely the 2
seen a little later at Plumb Beach.
A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was spotted Monday at Rockefeller State Park in
central Westchester County and a BLUE GROSBEAK was seen again around the
Calverton Grasslands on Monday.
To phone in reports on Long Island call Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126 or
call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.
This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.
- End transcript
--
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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/
--
[nysbirds-l] Wilson’s Phalarope - Jerome Reservoir 8/16 (Bronx Co)
One phalarope still being seen as of 6:30 along the southern edge of the reservoir, near the terminus of University Pl. It has been following yellowlegs around the middle sections of the flats. One Pectoral was well hidden near University Pl as well. Did not see any White-rumped or dowitchers. Street parking is available along the western and southern sides of the reservoir, but not the eastern. There is a tall fence around the perimeter and no close approach. A scope is required for all but the closest birds. Also one of the local kestrels flew over. Best, Brendan Fogarty -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Wilson’s Phalarope - Jerome Reservoir 8/16 (Bronx Co)
One phalarope still being seen as of 6:30 along the southern edge of the reservoir, near the terminus of University Pl. It has been following yellowlegs around the middle sections of the flats. One Pectoral was well hidden near University Pl as well. Did not see any White-rumped or dowitchers. Street parking is available along the western and southern sides of the reservoir, but not the eastern. There is a tall fence around the perimeter and no close approach. A scope is required for all but the closest birds. Also one of the local kestrels flew over. Best, Brendan Fogarty -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Prothonotary Warbler, Central Park, NYC 8/16
Friday, 16th August, 2019 Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City - A bright (apparent male) Prothonotary Warbler has been found (& photographed, by J. Suzuki) at The Pond, in Central Park’s southeast quadrant & corner. The sighting at least as first-discovered was around the waterfall feature, which is at the Pond’s west edge, nearer to the Sixth Ave. entrance to the park, north of Central Park South. This, to my knowledge, is the first of this species reported with documentation for the fall (2nd half of year) migration in New York County (for 2019). Be aware that with this species & at that location, it is possible an individual Prothonotary might move all about the waters’ edges, or interior woods nearby, & could at times be feeding or moving in fairly inaccessible areas; however, much of the Pond and its’ perimeter is visible from encircling paths, along with the usual many park-users of that area. In addition, at least 14 (perhaps more) species of other American warblers have been found in Central Park, thru all of the park for Friday 8/16. There are also some Empidonax flyctachers, all or most of which appear to be, or are (if heard) Willow, or “Willow-Alder-type, sometimes called Traill’s” Flyctachers, these, esp. Willow, being still the likeliest of migrant Empidonax for this mid-Aug. time-frame in this area. There’s a report of an Olive-sided Flycatcher as well, and many have been finding E. Kingbirds on the move, some in locations not adjacent to where they nested - including parts of Manhattan & the outlying isles & on watches for diurnal migrants, as that latter species often is. Various additional migrants have shown up & the migration movement region-wide over the past few days & nights has been good, whatever the local winds, rain-storms, etc. have brought in weather. Many, many migrants have been & still are moving steadily southbound, which means both departure of some - & fresh arrivals of ‘new’ birds in the region. Thanks to J. Suzuki for the special report, & to all who quietly observe & discover in our parks & greenspaces. Good birding, Tom Fiore manhattan - & elsewhere -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Prothonotary Warbler, Central Park, NYC 8/16
Friday, 16th August, 2019 Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City - A bright (apparent male) Prothonotary Warbler has been found (& photographed, by J. Suzuki) at The Pond, in Central Park’s southeast quadrant & corner. The sighting at least as first-discovered was around the waterfall feature, which is at the Pond’s west edge, nearer to the Sixth Ave. entrance to the park, north of Central Park South. This, to my knowledge, is the first of this species reported with documentation for the fall (2nd half of year) migration in New York County (for 2019). Be aware that with this species & at that location, it is possible an individual Prothonotary might move all about the waters’ edges, or interior woods nearby, & could at times be feeding or moving in fairly inaccessible areas; however, much of the Pond and its’ perimeter is visible from encircling paths, along with the usual many park-users of that area. In addition, at least 14 (perhaps more) species of other American warblers have been found in Central Park, thru all of the park for Friday 8/16. There are also some Empidonax flyctachers, all or most of which appear to be, or are (if heard) Willow, or “Willow-Alder-type, sometimes called Traill’s” Flyctachers, these, esp. Willow, being still the likeliest of migrant Empidonax for this mid-Aug. time-frame in this area. There’s a report of an Olive-sided Flycatcher as well, and many have been finding E. Kingbirds on the move, some in locations not adjacent to where they nested - including parts of Manhattan & the outlying isles & on watches for diurnal migrants, as that latter species often is. Various additional migrants have shown up & the migration movement region-wide over the past few days & nights has been good, whatever the local winds, rain-storms, etc. have brought in weather. Many, many migrants have been & still are moving steadily southbound, which means both departure of some - & fresh arrivals of ‘new’ birds in the region. Thanks to J. Suzuki for the special report, & to all who quietly observe & discover in our parks & greenspaces. Good birding, Tom Fiore manhattan - & elsewhere -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Panama birding trip in January
Greetings, Birders! North Branch Nature Center next door in Vermont is leading a birding trip to Panama this January 10-19. During this trip, clouds of feuding hummingbirds will whiz around your head while you ponder the meaning of life in the bedazzling tail of a Resplendant Quetzal. Discover more kinds of tanagers and toucans than ought to rationally coexist. What else? Meet a monkey. Gawk at jungle waterfalls. Improve your nature photography. Drink the best coffee you've ever had. Fill your notebook with a bird list 400 species strong. Joining us as our in-country leader will be one of Panama's premier birding guides, Kilo Campos. All of our trips support sustainable ecotoursim internationally, and youth nature education right here in the northeast. We've got three spaces left on this trip, and we hope you'll join us! Full details and itinerary at: https://northbranchnaturecenter.org/adventures-afar Thank you, Sean Beckett Staff Naturalist North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm St, Montpelier VT 05602 (802) 229-6206 x 102 -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Panama birding trip in January
Greetings, Birders! North Branch Nature Center next door in Vermont is leading a birding trip to Panama this January 10-19. During this trip, clouds of feuding hummingbirds will whiz around your head while you ponder the meaning of life in the bedazzling tail of a Resplendant Quetzal. Discover more kinds of tanagers and toucans than ought to rationally coexist. What else? Meet a monkey. Gawk at jungle waterfalls. Improve your nature photography. Drink the best coffee you've ever had. Fill your notebook with a bird list 400 species strong. Joining us as our in-country leader will be one of Panama's premier birding guides, Kilo Campos. All of our trips support sustainable ecotoursim internationally, and youth nature education right here in the northeast. We've got three spaces left on this trip, and we hope you'll join us! Full details and itinerary at: https://northbranchnaturecenter.org/adventures-afar Thank you, Sean Beckett Staff Naturalist North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm St, Montpelier VT 05602 (802) 229-6206 x 102 -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Bronx County (N.Y. City) Wilson's Phalarope records (older, relevant to new)
Regarding recent sightings & reports of Bronx County (N.Y. City) waders (a.k.a. shorebirds to many Americans) - With the interest & excitement of such a fine showing of shorebirds in even the northern realms of N.Y. City, & as exemplified by keen birders getting out & finding them -& including much-less-expected species for some locations- I was interested to hear from the ‘dean’ among living Bronx County birders and ornithologists, who happens to be the first author of the recent work (and intensive, serious studies done over many decades), “Urban Ornithology” - Paul A. Buckley - and was fortunate to hear directly from him on the very recent discovery of Wilson’s Phalarope for Bronx County - and as some of us very-local ‘loyalists” will also delightedly point out, a fine, newest WEST-Bronx record of that phalarope species, at that! (There is a mostly hyper-local & fun-spirited century-long relationship of east vs. west Bronx bird-finds and records, with the divide often being drawn as east of Bronx River, or west of that river.) The Jerome Park Reservoir of Bronx County, N.Y. City is in the western half of that county, by any definitions. As P.A. Buckley noted to me, and as documented (notably, not in eBird's historical records, it seems, and that is not a unique situation for many records older or not-so-old, in that forum’s world-wide data-base - all data systems have some parts where a lack of info. is part of the system): there are at least a few older records for Wilson’s Phalarope in Bronx County, N.Y. City - these include 2 records in 1924, at the Bronx zoo grounds (which is still a wonderful place to see & to look for all manner of migrants & in any & all seasons) and at Hunts Point (which is best-known or was, as the entire city of New York’s terminal for fresh produce, & much more of all manner of commercial & some industrial uses; there are also some parcels of habitat, including waterfront, which potentially could see migrants & visting birds at any season even today; there are some small public parks & green-spaces there as well); and: also records for Wilson’s Phalarope exist from the 1950’s & 1960’s in an area known as Baxter’s Creek, Bronx. This points to the current-latest sightings of Wilson’s Phalarope for the Bronx, at the Jerome Park Reservoir, as being perhaps the first in about a half-century. Well-done, Patrick Horan. This is another in the long & fine history of serious & dedicated Bronx-birders, who have shown what can be learned & seen in that county, during -and since !!- the days of the renowned Bronx County Bird Club & its many illustrious & accomplished memebers over the years. He is in a tradition, and is helping to show what keen, serious field-work means to the local study of birds and their movements - and may many more also be such a fine exemplar. And, yes - there are established records as well for the other 2 species of Phalarope (Red, & Red-necked) in Bronx County, N.Y. City (and these, or some of these, may be stored in eBird.) With absolutely no stakes, financial or otherwise, I heartily recommend all N.Y. birders and also birders world-wide to take a look at “Urban Ornithology” - P.A. Buckley & others, authors - as published by Cornell University Press, & now also available in many fine school / university libraries, research instititutions, & perhaps your local library. (And if not, inquire - they may be able to find it & order it in.) This book is no 'fast & easy’ quick read, it is serious scholarship, & goes into much detail with points that touch on birds & birding, & more generally, history / ecology, & more, which is of interest to those who not only study birds for a living but also or for their pleasure & enlightenment. In terms of local - state - or any sorts of bird records (& for much else recorded in nature & in history) it is also always good to keep in mind the fantastic resources of our superb museums, such as in New York City the American Museum of Natural History, & many others, the State Museum of New York in Albany as (just one other of) another example, as well as many great University and College or other schools and institutution’s collections, records, libraries, & further resources which are priceless storehouses & also often highly active in research, both in the field & in the lab, & beyond, in considering any researching, record-requesting, knowledge-increasing endeavors of the avian- or other-studies sorts. There may also be some private holdings of many kinds that will welcome serious researchers & students to peruse collections, or to make inquiries. A lot can be gleaned “on-line”, however much also is available equally in seeking information via some of these original sources, & some of those many sources can lead to great and serious study and further knowledge.These bases of knowledge also are compatible - and often may be linked. Good bird-finding &
[nysbirds-l] Bronx County (N.Y. City) Wilson's Phalarope records (older, relevant to new)
Regarding recent sightings & reports of Bronx County (N.Y. City) waders (a.k.a. shorebirds to many Americans) - With the interest & excitement of such a fine showing of shorebirds in even the northern realms of N.Y. City, & as exemplified by keen birders getting out & finding them -& including much-less-expected species for some locations- I was interested to hear from the ‘dean’ among living Bronx County birders and ornithologists, who happens to be the first author of the recent work (and intensive, serious studies done over many decades), “Urban Ornithology” - Paul A. Buckley - and was fortunate to hear directly from him on the very recent discovery of Wilson’s Phalarope for Bronx County - and as some of us very-local ‘loyalists” will also delightedly point out, a fine, newest WEST-Bronx record of that phalarope species, at that! (There is a mostly hyper-local & fun-spirited century-long relationship of east vs. west Bronx bird-finds and records, with the divide often being drawn as east of Bronx River, or west of that river.) The Jerome Park Reservoir of Bronx County, N.Y. City is in the western half of that county, by any definitions. As P.A. Buckley noted to me, and as documented (notably, not in eBird's historical records, it seems, and that is not a unique situation for many records older or not-so-old, in that forum’s world-wide data-base - all data systems have some parts where a lack of info. is part of the system): there are at least a few older records for Wilson’s Phalarope in Bronx County, N.Y. City - these include 2 records in 1924, at the Bronx zoo grounds (which is still a wonderful place to see & to look for all manner of migrants & in any & all seasons) and at Hunts Point (which is best-known or was, as the entire city of New York’s terminal for fresh produce, & much more of all manner of commercial & some industrial uses; there are also some parcels of habitat, including waterfront, which potentially could see migrants & visting birds at any season even today; there are some small public parks & green-spaces there as well); and: also records for Wilson’s Phalarope exist from the 1950’s & 1960’s in an area known as Baxter’s Creek, Bronx. This points to the current-latest sightings of Wilson’s Phalarope for the Bronx, at the Jerome Park Reservoir, as being perhaps the first in about a half-century. Well-done, Patrick Horan. This is another in the long & fine history of serious & dedicated Bronx-birders, who have shown what can be learned & seen in that county, during -and since !!- the days of the renowned Bronx County Bird Club & its many illustrious & accomplished memebers over the years. He is in a tradition, and is helping to show what keen, serious field-work means to the local study of birds and their movements - and may many more also be such a fine exemplar. And, yes - there are established records as well for the other 2 species of Phalarope (Red, & Red-necked) in Bronx County, N.Y. City (and these, or some of these, may be stored in eBird.) With absolutely no stakes, financial or otherwise, I heartily recommend all N.Y. birders and also birders world-wide to take a look at “Urban Ornithology” - P.A. Buckley & others, authors - as published by Cornell University Press, & now also available in many fine school / university libraries, research instititutions, & perhaps your local library. (And if not, inquire - they may be able to find it & order it in.) This book is no 'fast & easy’ quick read, it is serious scholarship, & goes into much detail with points that touch on birds & birding, & more generally, history / ecology, & more, which is of interest to those who not only study birds for a living but also or for their pleasure & enlightenment. In terms of local - state - or any sorts of bird records (& for much else recorded in nature & in history) it is also always good to keep in mind the fantastic resources of our superb museums, such as in New York City the American Museum of Natural History, & many others, the State Museum of New York in Albany as (just one other of) another example, as well as many great University and College or other schools and institutution’s collections, records, libraries, & further resources which are priceless storehouses & also often highly active in research, both in the field & in the lab, & beyond, in considering any researching, record-requesting, knowledge-increasing endeavors of the avian- or other-studies sorts. There may also be some private holdings of many kinds that will welcome serious researchers & students to peruse collections, or to make inquiries. A lot can be gleaned “on-line”, however much also is available equally in seeking information via some of these original sources, & some of those many sources can lead to great and serious study and further knowledge.These bases of knowledge also are compatible - and often may be linked. Good bird-finding &
