[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - to Oct. 2 (+ a small correction for 10/1) - more migrations

[Thomas Fiore]

Firstly, the small correction from a report offered just the day before - there 
was -NOT- a Scotts Oriole in Manhattan, nor anywhere near here at all, and that 
was an inadvertent odd cut-paste error - it is an oriole species we have in the 
Manhattan not-that-long-ago list, seen by many back-when, but not a regular nor 
at-all expected species to any parts of the northeast.  Apologies for any 
confusion in that, and thanks to some sharp-eyed list-readers of that Oct. 1st 
list of species.  Of Orioles still around, it is the expected Baltimore that is 
ongoing recently.

- -
N.Y. County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Randalls Island, Governors 
Island, and Roosevelt Island, to Wed., October 2nd -

A Blue-winged Teal was still at The Pool in Central Parks n.w. sector, along 
with a Hooded Merganser and some Green-winged Teal, plus Wood Duck to 
Wednesday. Also for Wednesday, additional Wood Ducks were moving, some flyovers 
and perhaps some new for parts of the county.

A very well-photographed -B. Saunders- Great Crested Flycatcher was one of the 
most recent late-appearing individuals so far this autumn, seen in Central Park 
on Wednesday. As noted previously, any flycatchers thought to be other than E. 
Phoebe in the latter part of fall around here should be scrutinized and, as 
this find of a Great Crested was, photographed and-or video-recorded if 
possible, that still more so as we get to late this month and farther on into 
the late fall season.

An Orange-crowned Warbler was reported from Governors Island on Wednesday, and 
this is not really-early now for the chance of that species turning up locally. 
More may be anticipated in any case, in the coming weeks, as that species has 
been on the increase in the east, over some years.

Marsh Wrens have been appearing in multiple sites around this county and some 
of the latest were in upper and lower Manhattan, as well as for Wednesday on 
Governors Island, there a likely ongoing bird.  Governors had ongoing Bobolinks 
as well, to Wednesday, and a wide variety of other migrants plus some resident 
or visitant species. 

Given that 2 Dickcissels were recently confirmed as occurring at both Randalls 
Island, and then at Governors Island, on separate days, there seems a chance of 
some of that species showing into the fall, and as sometimes is seen, perhaps 
even to the December bird-count season. A chance with that species includes, in 
urban sites like N.Y. City, checking thru flocks of House Sparrow as some 
Dickciseels may at times flock in with the Housers.  They certainly also occur 
in their own way and not always grouped with the sparrows.  As we note actual 
native N. American sparrows, we have some White-crowned, as well as the large 
increases of White-throated Sparrows just recently and there are still plenty 
of Lincolns, Swamp, Chipping, Song, and some Field and Savannah Sparrows as 
well as some Slate-colored Juncos all around the county. None of the recent 
Clay-colored Sparrows were reported again just in the past few days, but that 
species may show again for later this fall.

Warbler diversity was still fairly good for Wednesday 10-2, with multiple 
species found in many locations, including in some of our smaller parks and 
greenspaces. Some of the species are running slightly late, but none seen 
recently are extremely late.  For thrushes, there are still some Veery being 
reported into October and again, the later date sightings of that species might 
well be accompanied by photos, as we get further into fall.  We may start to 
see a lot more changeover as the next weekend passes should real old-fashioned 
cold-fronts actually push through - and possibly even if they do not, as so 
many birds are departing the northlands.

Far more can be reported for this county, and may be in coming days….   Thanks 
as always to many observers and photographers for sightings and non-X alerts 
such as via Discord and thru eBird and the Macaulay Library in alerts, regular 
reports and archived media.

Good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - Tuesday, Oct. 1st - nice migration, with 'on-the-deck' sightings

[Thomas Fiore]

Manhattan island, in N.Y. County, part of N.Y. City -
Tuesday, October 1st -

An overnight migration that came in starting the night of Sept. 30th, into the 
morning of Oct. 1st was widely-noted with a great many birds choosing to sit 
down for feeding and rest, although there had also been a good lift-out of 
migrators on Monday night, so that some species were diminished in number by 
Tuesday.  As is quite typical, many observations came from Central Park with 
multiple not-for-profit guided bird walks being made, with scores and scores of 
total participants in those, plus great numbers of independent walkers 
observing and photographing birds throughout the day.  There was a good deal of 
migration activity and diversity seen in all parts of Manhattan - and for those 
who got to them, also on the other main islands in N.Y. County - Randalls, 
Governors, and Roosevelt Islands, on Tuesday.  An American Pipit was at least 
one bird lingering on, as were some Bobolinks, at the habitat good for those 
species out on Governors Island to Tuesday, Oct. 1. 

A Blue-winged Teal continued for Tues. at -The Pool- in Central Park, with a 
bit of a surprise as more than a dozen Green-winged Teal - a sizable increase 
of that species showed at that same modestly-sized waterbody. The Green-winged 
Teal movement was not confined there, with more than twice that number having 
shown around Governors Island in N.Y. Harbor on the same day. Other waterfowl 
may have increased very slightly, such as for the numbers of N. Shovelers, and 
perhaps of some other dockage. A single Hooded Merganser was also continuing at 
Central Park as were some Wood Ducks.

Philadelphia Vireo was reported from Central Park again for Oct. 1st, and a 
Marsh Wren was widely photographed or observed. The other vireo species seen 
more widely all around Manhattan were Blue-headed, with a scatter of Red-eyed 
Vireos.  However the rarer vireo on Manhattan, in most any year, a White-eyed 
Vireo - a species which has, somewhat rarely, been documented as attempting to 
and wintering in N.Y. City in the past - was seen and photographed where that 
bird had been recently seen in Central Parks north end - by some 
butterfly-garden plantings.  Other wren species more widely seen around 
Manhattan included Winter and Carolina, with at least a few lingering House 
Wrens seen as well, indeed a subtle push of some of the latter as they begin to 
clear out of the region.

Warblers were in fair to good numbers for some species around Manhattan, while 
a high number of that tribe also moved on by Monday night, off to spend their 
winter months in warmer climes. Palm Warbler once again was the leader in 
overall numbers, as seen in some of the more appropriate large patches of prime 
habitat.  In other kinds of habitat, Common Yellowthroat were again numerous, 
while there was still only a small uptick of Myrtle a.k.a. Yellow-rumped 
Warblers in this county so far.  Some of the September species of warblers may 
have mostly, or even totally moved on, however late individuals of any could 
still show. There have not been any reports of Connecticut Warbler - which had 
a very strong September showing in the county - for most-recent days, in 
Manhattan or any of the other islands of the county.

Both species of Kinglets were seen, with Ruby-crowned still leading in numbers 
over Golden-crowned and more of each sure to show as this month continues. A 
very few getting-late Blue-gray Gnatcatchers have shown in the county, with at 
least 2 on Manhattan to Oct. 1st. Thrush species still being seen have included 
more and more Hermit Thrush, and by Tuesday, rather less of any of the others, 
however Gray-cheeked types, and Swainsons Thrush were both still around as were 
a small fraction of Veery and some Wood Thrush as well.  Of mimids we have seen 
an increase in Gray Catbird - a species that often attempts wintering in some 
sites on Manhattan, but the most go on to warmer locations as fall migrations 
continue, also being seen are numbers of Brown Thrasher, and as is usual, 
plenty of N. Mockingbirds, including those not in larger parks.  Cedar Waxwings 
are still moving and some lingering at particularly rich feeding sites.

Numbers of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks continue and there was a bit of an added 
push of Indigo Bunting, fairly subtle as none are in high-breeding color, and 
indeed many are very plain looking now and are not that likely to vocalize a 
lot.  We can all continue to be on-watch for Blue Grosbeaks which are typical 
of this time of the year as migrant-vagrant sorts of birds in this county, and 
may show just where Indigo Buntings also like to feed or linger.  Numbers of 
Scarlet Tanager had dropped off with the latest exodus but were still present 
to Tuesday. Baltimore Oriole has continued to appear, and the latter is a 
species that fairly-regularly attempts to stay late into the year, in modest 
numbers, with winter sightings of course rather scarce

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Thurs., 9/26 - Clay-colored Sparrow; 22+ Warbler spp.

[Thomas Fiore]

A Clay-colored Sparrow was continuing at Governors Island, a part of New York 
County (within N.Y. City) on Thursday, Sept. 26th, found again by the original 
finder plus another keen observer there.  

For Central Park (in Manhattan, N.Y. County) alone, at least 20 species of 
Warblers were found on Thursday, 9/26, by observers on not-for-profit guided 
walks and-or walking independent of guides.  Also found on Thursday were these 
thrush species - Veery, Wood Thrush, Swainsons Thrush, and Gray-cheeked Thrush, 
including all of those being seen within Central Park.  Additionally at Central 
Park, Hooded Merganser continues as do Green-winged Teal, along with Wood Duck 
and other more-regular species this month.

A Connecticut Warbler from Wed., 9/25 was confirmed for Inwood Hill Park in 
northern Manhattan, of course quite-separate to the bird many observers saw at 
Bryant Park about 8 miles to the south, and which latter warbler was seen again 
Thursday.

Further reports for the county to come.  Thanks to many keen, quiet, courteous 
observers and photographers for sightings and reports in non-X bird alerts as 
well as in eBird and to the Macaulay Library for archived media.

Good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - Sunday 9/22 - Philly Vireo, 21 Warbler spp., ongoing migrants

[Thomas Fiore]

Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Sunday, September 22nd -

Philadelphia Vireo was again seen at Central Park on Sunday, as were multiple 
Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos. The list of warblers found on the day, by 
individuals and with guided not-for-profit birding walks is below, all for 
Sunday from Central Park:

Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush - scarcer now.
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat 
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula - numbers are up to nearly same as for Am. Redstarts.
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler - in the multiple, in various locations, by many observers.
Blackburnian Warbler - scarcer now.
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler - the most numerous warbler species in ALL of the park on Sunday.
Pine Warbler
Myrtle also-known-as Yellow-rumped Warbler (any form other than Myrtle would be 
very rare).
Black-throated Green Warbler
Wilsons Warbler

Some of the other birds still being seen in Central Park thru Sunday were -

Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Turkey Vulture
Canada Goose
Wood Duck - ongoing.
Gadwall
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal - persisting.
Hooded Merganser - persisting.
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
feral Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - recent arrivals, in the multiple.
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow-shafted Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Empidonax-genus Flycatcher - few.
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo - as noted at top.
Red-eyed Vireo
Common Raven
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch - multiple. ongoing for many weeks.
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
House Wren - getting a little late.
Winter Wren - some arrivals were confirmed in the past week.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Veery - getting a bit late.
Gray-cheeked / Bicknell's Thrush - some are definite Gray-cheeked, some are 
indeterminate among these.
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush - still in low no’s.
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
House Sparrow
Cedar Waxwing
Scarlet Tanager
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Slate-colored [Dark-eyed] Junco
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
Purple Finch
House Finch
American Goldfinch

And possibly at least a few more species on Sunday.  Thanks to the many 
individual observers and those leading and/or participating in not-for-profit 
guided walks, with sponsoring org’s that support conservation, education and 
science over profits, for so many sightings and photographs of many species on 
Sunday 9/22.

Modest numbers of Monarch butterflies were migrating on Sunday thru / over 
Central Park and the county more generally. 

Good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
Manhattan






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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Tues.-Wed., 9/28-29 - Clay-c. Sparrow; more CT Warblers; ongoing Gov.Island specials, & more!

[Thomas Fiore]

Congrat's to A.V. Ciancimino of Staten Island (Richmond Co., NY) for the 
late-Wednesday find of a N. WHEATEAR, a great bird for anywhere and, obviously 
so for N.Y. City, state, and the southernmost county of NY state (yes, that’s 
Richmond Co.), and for all the others who were able to get there as well!  
(although not, by definition, a vagrant in this region; the species is a 
*very*-rare, but still regular fall passage-migrant & is found, most-often, by 
very active, keen observers, especially those in coastal parts of eastern N. 
America in early calendar-Autumn. If seen again further reports are very 
warranted and welcomed to this and any other regional list-serves.)

- - -
Well worth a mention of the Magnificent Frigatebird seen soaring by at least 2 
observers at Oneida Shores park, out of Cicero, Onondaga County, NY on the 
morning of Mon., Sept. 27th; the report is confirmed in eBird, from obs. P. 
Novak & M. Fitzsimmons. (That bird could show yet again at some other 
localities, and perhaps in NY state.)

…...
New York City’s mayor announced on Tuesday that Governors Island will be opened 
YEAR-ROUND to all of the public this autumn - no more ending of entries to the 
general public on the last day of October.  This is great news for everyone, 
certainly including all birders.  There also may be new-increased ferry 
services.  (The island is part of N.Y. City, and is considered to be within New 
York County.)  One can walk the entire island, if one has the time, and 
fitness, in less than a day, and there is also the possibility of cycling (on a 
pedal-bike, no e-Bikes or other powered-vehicles), with pedal-power bicycles & 
others usually available for rent on the island, and if designated in one’s 
ferry reservation, the chance to bring your own human-powered cycle or scooter.

Another Clay-colored Sparrow for N.Y. County, found at Inwood Hill Park, where 
later also photographed and seen by further observers; this was in the area of 
the regenerating-marsh project, near the northern section of that park, 
Wednesday, 9/29. That bird was still seen later in the day. (Photos of it have 
been made available on eBird / Macaulay Library archives.)

. . .
Tuesday, 9/28 -
At Central Park (in Manhattan, N.Y. City) on Tuesday, 9/28, a (first-year) 
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was (again) seen along the Lake shore (this latest 
at the n.-w. part of the lake, locally called the “upper lobe”), There were 
also at least several 1st-year Black-crowned Night-Herons in the same area of 
the Yellow-crowned, so scrutiny is warranted.  (Yellow-crowned Night-Heron also 
continued at Randall’s Island, also within N.Y. County).

A "male-plumaged" Hooded Warbler brightened the Ramble area of that park, 
presumably or at least very possibly same individual as seen in same area some 
days ago now. And again, it’s at least possible, unless the individual has been 
**observed** *singing*, (not merely a heard-bird, in that particular location) 
that the Hooded Warbler being seen is a female adult, as that gender in that 
species can sometimes show a plumage quite similar to and approaching that of a 
male in bright adult plumage, even at this season. In the ornithological 
journal “The Auk”, Wm. Palmer wrote a lot on this subject - in 1894. It may 
require more than one year, and possibly even more than 2 years for Hooded 
Warblers to acquire the fully-adult plumage. This has also been studied and 
written on, in more-recent times by among others, Douglass Morse (author of the 
excellent “American Warblers”) and also by E.S. Morton, each in the literature 
and in the more-modern era; interestingly, there are observations of 
same-gender activity (some at nests) by Hooded Warbler, as well as many other 
fascinating aspects of this species life-history (and of course also by some 
other species among the New World, or American warblers, of the family 
Parulidae). Some aspects of this also were studied by R. Mumme, also found in 
the literature.  

The first-of-season Brant (all presumed Atlantic Brant) came through on Tues. 
9/28, with many others having been seen to the north of Manhattan as well as 
elsewhere; these were moving nearly at day’s end.   Ruddy Ducks in Central Park 
numbered at least 12, by Tuesday.  There also are at least several Wood Ducks 
in several locations there.  A Solitary Sandpiper was reported from Inwood Hill 
Park.Both of our species of Cuckoo were again seen on Tuesday: Black-billed 
& Yellow-billed.  There was a noticeable passage of Wood Thrush, in particular, 
among migrant thrushes; some observers still were finding Veery - in the 
singular now; and certainly some Swainson’s Thrushes, along with the 
less-numerous Gray-cheeked (&/or that type!) and some Hermit Thrush as well.  
There were still at least 22 warbler species in N.Y. County to Tuesday, with 
many species again being found in lower Manhattan, although also still very 
good diversity in the larger parks to the north includin

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Monday, 9/27 - CT Warbler, Mourning W., & 22 add'l. warbler spp., & more

[Thomas Fiore]

The TROPICAL Kingbird found by Dr. Richard Veit that was seen on Sunday 9/26 by 
many observers, at the southern part of Staten Island (Richmond County), which 
is part of N.Y. City, was NOT reported at all for Monday, 9/27.  And, the good 
numbers of E. Kingbirds that had seemed to accompany the find of that rarity 
for NYS, were greatly diminished on the search by those looking on Monday in 
that same area. Yes, there were birders a-plenty trying for the “T-K” on 
Monday, with no success being reported.

..
There also appear to be *no new* (Monday) reports by Brooklyn-birders (Kings 
County, N.Y. City) of the photo-documented Western Tanager that was seen on 
*Sunday, 9/26* in that borough - and was reported to this list promptly (thanks 
to one of the two keen observers & photographers) - that sighting from Coney 
Island Creek Park in Brooklyn on Sunday morning; some nice photos are archived 
in eBird / Macaulay library.

.. .. 
N.B., as many on this list know, this is 'just-barely the start' of a season 
for greater possibility of more ‘vagrant’ species of many kinds in the area, as 
shown by many historical records for such occurrences. At the same time, we 
have been learning increasingly that a lot also can happen in late summer, with 
vagrancy. It is all an ongoing study; among many in or based in NY state, Dr. 
Veit -noted above- has been involved with such study for some time, and is a 
mentor now to a good many younger people involved in the biological sciences. 

- - - - - -
New York County (in N.Y. City) including Manhattan, Randall’s, and Governors 
Island[s]
Monday, Sept. 27th:

A Connecticut Warbler was found (by A. Evans) at the small Canal Park (western 
end of Canal Street, in lower Manhattan), with the warbler being seen several 
times there on Monday. (This very small park has over recent years produced 
sightings of a lot of great migrant birds, with the noted 1st observer being 
finder of a great many of them for that site.) The eBird checklist from K. 
Werner arriving later to see his life-bird CT Warbler has notes, along with 
photos, for the record: https://ebird.org/checklist/S95277634 
  with thanks to the finder (who 
reported this in eBird in good time!)  Others also arrived there to see this 
warbler on Monday!  It’s been a very good fall season for that species in N.Y. 
County; I have somewhat lost-track of all of the good 2021 sightings by now. 
Notable how many of these were *NOT* from the best-known Manhattan park that 
gets so much publicity, although yes, that place also had a good passage of the 
often-skulking species.

On the walk (benefiting a  non-profit org.) led by Gabriel Willow at Bryant 
Park (in Manhattan) on Monday morning, a Mourning Warbler as well as 
Gray-cheeked Thrush were seen & photographed, and among other sightings seen by 
the multiple particiapnts was a Lincoln’s Sparrow there.Note that in a 
recent report, I erred in mentioning the location of Bryant Park precisely - it 
is one city-block east [not west] of Times Square. Thanks to one of our 
greatest area-birders for pointing out the geographical-directional mixup!  And 
I ought to have caught my error as I have spent many, many hours over the 
decades visiting both Bryant Park and its adjacent NY Public Library, the main 
branch and research rooms. Bryant can be a fascinating smaller park to walk 
through seeking birds - as is true of many, many of NYC’s smaller (and some 
much less well-known or much-birded) parks and green-spaces. Part of the 
fascination is how diverse the array of birds over the course of a year, and 
over multiple years, can be seen even in such relatively smaller areas and some 
- Bryant nearly ‘epitomizing’ this - smack-dab in the midst of the metropolis… 
and, there is great ‘patch’ style birding and nature-observation possible in so 
many locations spread through N.Y. City, with the 4 outer-boroughs (counties) 
also having a fantastic array of such places.

The photograph from Fort Tryon Park on Sunday, 9/26 of a Myiarchus [genus] 
flycatcher (with M. & P. Waldron, observers) seems to my eyes as a typical 
Great Crested Flycatcher should appear, an apparent pale base to the lower 
mandible, with a fairly large bill, and other plumage-features seen pretty well 
in that photo, all seeming to add-up (again my opinion), and a nice record for 
the species, now getting just a bit ‘late’ in the season - that was the way the 
species was reported, incidentally.  All should be on the lookout for a 
*possibility* - somewhat obviously with the discovery of that N.Y. 
City-Richmond Co. Tropical Kingbird - of various other, vagrant flycatcher 
species moving through, and of which some do occasionally stick around for a 
while as the autumn continues. (All that noted, we do have later documented 
records for Great Crested Flycatcher but the species definitely becomes scarcer 
as the month of September ends.) See the photo in the Macaulay L

[nysbirds-l] date-correction: Richmond Co. NY Trop.-KB on Sunday 9/26!

[Thomas Fiore]

Sorry for the 1 improper-date on that last post, of course Sunday’s date was 
Sept. 26th (and not 25th), (first reports for) the confirmed Tropical Kingbird 
were in the morning and through that day only at the previously-noted location 
at Mt. Loretto Unique Area, Staten Island, N.Y. City (in Richmond County).  

Updates are appreciated - and again, thanks!

good luck - & good birds,

Tom Fiore,
manhattan



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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - 9/19-20-21-22: migration-notes, incl. Dickcissel, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

N.Y. County (in N.Y. City) including Manhattan, Randall’s and Governors 
Island[s]

A Dickcissel in what seems a female-type plumage (unless a first-year male) was 
again seen on Governors Island to at least Tuesday 9/21; that species can 
linger in locations that are favorable (and even, on occasion, which don’t 
appear very favorable!) and could be sought on into the autumn. It’s also very 
possible that individual chose to depart by Wed./22nd, along with many other 
migrants which had been moving on & not lingering further.

Another White-eyed Vireo was observed for the fall at Central Park on Tues., 
9/21 (first found by K. Rosenheim), near Belvedere Castle.  This is actually 
the least-regular of the 6 northeastern breeding vireo species within Central, 
as ‘Philly' Vireo, although not common, and not always correctly identified, is 
a bit more regular than is White-eyed, in that particular well-birded park.  
All 6 of the northeastern-breeding species of vireo are annual in Central, 
however & can be found both in spring & fall - and most likely all can be 
expected in a number of other sites in the county. White-eyed also has the 
distinction of being a rare-overwintering vireo for N.Y. City (or at least, 
attempted-overwintering).  

Marsh Wren was found & re-found at Inwood Hill Park, a good site for that 
species in Manhattan, & continued there from 9/19 to at least thru 9/22; the 
Central Park sightings of that species seemed to have ended after two days 
there, 9/19-20. 

A photo (or two, the closer view of 2 linked-to here) has been placed in the 
Macaulay Library archive for an impressive flock of icterids (blackbird 
species) in morning flight over lower Manhattan on Sunday, 9/19 - which appears 
to show 29 - yes, TWENTY-NINE, Rusty Blackbirds in low-flight / a.m. migration. 
While that number is not at all close to any record or even unusual number for 
the species & particularly in migration through our area, or through N.Y. 
County, what’s unusual is the capturing of an image from *this* county, showing 
one such movement in such numbers; others have photographed these at times on 
migration in flocks, at for example such locations as the barrier-beach sites 
frequented by birders on the NYC Atlantic ocean shore, and in some other 
situations locally and regionally.  And we of course have numerous NYC examples 
of large gatherings of this species, esp. at some well-known & birded sites in 
some of the boroughs, including on Xmas bird counts (CBC’s) and other surveys 
in the colder months, but far less so (in such good numbers) for Manhattan 
island… photo[s] by Manhattan-resident birder A. Cunningham - 
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/370896971  This is also a 'species of 
concern' as a boreal-breeder, & a species which regularly winters in the 
southern half of the eastern U.S., with some wintering at times to at least 
southern New England, & regularly in N.Y. City;  numbers overall are believed 
to have dropped over recent decades, as with all too many native species.  
Further, while a lot of northeastern birders may be unware, this is an 
eagerly-sought species by those visiting the region from afar. It is one of our 
essentially-endemic North American birds. (As to the breeding areas of this 
blackbird species, when one is where these breed, it is likely that you are in 
or very close to some very special and attractive habitat, perhaps good for 
many iconic boreal-breeding and northern-resident birds!)

Migration was quieter by Wednesday, as so many birds moved south with the end 
of (calendar) summer.  Where some are headed (those going all the way into mid 
& southern parts of S. America) the next several months promise them 
lengthening days on their ‘wintering' grounds.  There was quite the contrast in 
both overall numbers and diversity of species, from Sunday to Wed. this week. 
It should be interesting to observe what the next migration-arrivals bring into 
our area.

Happy first full-day of Autumn, and good birding!

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - first-of-season Y.-b. Sapsuckers (fall-season 2021)

[Thomas Fiore]

As a clarification, the first Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers seen arriving at 
Central Park, in Manhattan, N.Y. City were observed, reported to eBird (where 
confirmed) and some also photographed, as well as seen by multiple additional 
experienced observers over recent good migration days. The first of “fall” 
season sightings *for Central Park* did not take place as-of Tuesday, Sept. 21. 
It is of course quite possible that any number of individual birders / 
reporters saw their *personal-first* of the fall season on the latter date, and 
also that some are yet to observe that fairly common annual migrant and 
winter-visitant species at that site.   Personal first-of-season, or 
first-of-year, & etc., are a different matter to *” (first-of-season for the 
park) “* in a report to this or other lists.  So, to clarify, among the 
hundreds of observers out birding in Central Park in the past week with great 
waves of arriving fall-migrants, some, and in a number of publicly-accessible 
reports in this past week -now confirmed and archived- noted the species prior 
to Tuesday, 9/21.  Just as one example, at least a half-dozen observers (with 
combined birding-experience of more than a century, all exceedingly familar 
with the noted species), observed & reported that species on Monday, 9/20 
within Central Park, some of the observations having been made in the Ramble of 
that park.  Those, and a number of additional reports, are now archived at 
eBird.

good birding,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] Manhattan & Central Park, NYC: Monday, 9/20

[Thomas Fiore]

Just very briefly, a minimum of 24 species of American warblers were seen, by 
many observers, throughout Manhattan (in N.Y. City) and of those two-dozen 
species at least 22 warbler spp. were found in Central Park on Monday, Sept. 
20th, with at least 19 of those in the Ramble -& vicinity- with thanks to the 
many keen-eyed & patient observers out & about, through the day.  Some of the 
species may be considered slightly ‘late’ by now, such as Blue-winged & Canada 
Warblers (both seen in the low-multiple).  There also continue to be fairly 
high numbers & variety of species (including many other migrants) in the 
smaller parks & green-spaces of Manhattan as well as on the outlying-islands in 
N.Y. County in N.Y. City.  A Blue Grosbeak was again seen and photo-documented 
on Governors Island, with a Dickcissel also at least being heard and possibly 
seen at times on Monday.  Also, the Common Nighthawk ‘show' is not at all over, 
for the area and for Manhattan.  It’s a 'sign of the season' too, that more 
Y.-b. Sapsuckers were found, even in small greenspaces, along with other 
starting-of-autumn sightings, around Manhattan.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan









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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC Sunday, 9/19 - much migration!

[Thomas Fiore]

N.Y. County (in N.Y. City) including Manhattan, Randall’s and Governors 
Island[s] and the skies and waters adjacent
Sunday, 19th September -

A young Yellow-crowned Night-Heron that was seen by many eventually was first 
seen at Central Park on Saturday 9/18 near the island in The Lake, only later 
on moving a bit east. There were a very impressive number of Great Blue Herons 
seen on Sunday, some of them on the move along the Hudson river & elsewhere.  
The quartet (if not more) of Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, as well as at least 2 
Green Herons, persisted on Randall’s Island, seen & photo’d. there by multiple 
observers Sunday.

Marsh Wren was one of the more-popular sightings in Central Park for Sunday, 
9/19 (some later-watchers saw two individuals at the Loch in Central Park, on 
Sunday); there were at least 24 species of migrant American warblers (but as 
usual, zero of any European “Wood Warblers”) in Manhattan - and all of those 
species were found within Central Park to Sunday, with some also seen in many, 
many other locations around the county.  Hooded Warblers were found in several 
areas of the county, that included lower & upper Manhattan as well as some for 
Central Park, a near “flight” of the species to go along with the good numbers 
of many more-numerous warbler species on the day, some in their first really 
impressive numbers (Palm, & Yellow-rumped [Myrtle], in particular).  Several 
observers reported what may have been first-fall Connecticut Warblers in 
several locations, but those reports remained as ‘possible’ by the 
careful-cautious reporters.  There were vastly more warblers and perhaps more 
migrants overall in the northern half of Central Park in the morning, as 
compared with Ramble, etc. - and/but, also many arrivals for Sunday all through 
the county from Inwood at the north tip of Manhattan, east to Randall’s Island, 
and south to lower Manhattan and on Governors Island.  Getting a bit late for 
the area were a couple of Canada Warblers, and Blue-winged also is far less 
common by now.

The morning-flight was pretty impressive in parts of N.Y. County, while in 
other counties within N.Y. City and elsewhere in the nearby region, there were 
at-least-equally good flights and diversity of migrants observed by many many 
hundreds out on the fine morning.  For warblers, a good many observers thought 
N. Parula was a major component (of the a.m. flight), although all of that 
flight and just what was seen depended on location-location-location - if you 
were at Breezy Point (Queens County, NY) or nearby at first-light on Sunday, 
you may have enjoyed a Whimbrel spectacle… and so on.  I would hazard that 
overall, the largest numbers of any one species of parulidae were in fact 
Yellow-rumped Warbler, but - many were fly-throughs in the early flights on 
Sunday, and so other species of warbler that settled a bit more were ‘seen’ as 
the most-numerous and according to what flocks one was able to find. It was 
also a good day Sunday for Magnolia, for Blackpoll (and still Bay-breasted) and 
for a few additional warbler species in good to very good numbers. It was 
*perhaps* a good day for Connecticut Warbler, all being proportional and given 
how many of the latter evade easy detections and confirmations! 

And while not absolute firsts-of-season, the Savannah Sparrow photographed at 
Central Park’s mid-west Central Park location (J. Wooten) was among the 
early-arrivals for that park, also of sparrows & their tribe were some 
Slate-colored Juncos, and more Lincoln’s Sparrows, as well as a notable fresh 
arrival of White-throated Sparrow - perhaps the first real influx to the county 
of the latter species, which was also noted in other parks & on Governors 
Island.  Olive-sided Flyctacher was seen at the n. end of Central Park.  An 
Olive-sided Flycatcher was reported near the reservoir in Central Park on 
Sunday, where at least 7 N. Shovelers continued.  Both Cuckoo species were 
seen, including both species being seen in the Central Park Ramble on Sunday.  
A few Veery were still being seen (some documented) along with Wood Thrush, 
Hermit Thrush (few), and the still more-common Swainson’s Thrush.  Philadelphia 
Vireos were found in a few locations, where carefully picked out from among the 
much more numerous Red-eyed, and Warvling Vireos; also being seen with a slight 
increase this weekend were Blue-headed Vireos, & some Yellow-throated Vireos 
had at least longered or a few new ones come in on passage.

Arrivals on Sunday included (small numbers of) Golden-crowned Kinglets, seen by 
at least several observers in several of the larger Manhattan parks, including 
Inwood Hill & Central Park[s].  Also seen where none had been in many, many 
months were a few likely just-arrived Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, same parks.  
The early movement of Yellow-shafted Flickers, even if in modest no’s. were an 
indicator for a more-general good arrival of migrants.  While not the very 
first, 

[nysbirds-l] Governors Island, N.Y. County (NYC) 9/18 - B.-w. Teal, Blue Grosbeak, Dickcissel, Y.-br. Chat, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

A goodly number of uncommon birds (for the county) were found on Governors 
Island (part of New York County, in N.Y. City), on Saturday, Sept. 18 by a 
number of observers there.

Blue-winged Teal (2)

Lesser Yellowlegs (as many as 3, with 2 seen by some observers, all with the 
above species, & some other shorebirds at the maintenance area “puddle-pond”)

Yellow-breasted Chat (reported at Colonel’s Row, no precise location)

Blue Grosbeak (2 seen by some of the observers, with at least one a continuing 
bird)

Dickcissel (apparent continuing bird around Fort Jay - on/near the fort’s 
shrubby wall)

and a good many other migrants there as well as many species of butterflies 
around the island.

good birding - and thanks to the multiple observers of these Saturday-sightings 
for their reports!

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC -mid-September- many migrants (to 9/16)

[Thomas Fiore]

The at-least FIVE Sabine’s Gulls reported from the Liverpool marina area in 
Onondaga County, NY on Wed., Sept. 15th (with multiple observers there, incl., 
D. Weber) were quite note-worthy! It appears that so far, no (new) reports have 
come from Yates County, NY for the long-staying Swallow-tailed Kite there, 
since Sept. 14th, when that bird was still being seen.  And, while well 
understood by a number of this list’s readers, that Say’s Phoebe nicely 
documented on Saturday, 9/11 was an apparent 'one-day wonder' there, on Long 
Island’s Suffolk County, NY; happily at least seen by some of those who went 
out to see it that day, after the early-morning discovery of the rare vagrant 
from the west.

…...
New York County (in N.Y. City) including Manhattan, Randall’s, and Governors 
Island[s] -

Highlights are many, but include sightings of Least Bittern (from more than one 
location), American Bittern, Virginia Rail (see notes below, non-‘chasable’ for 
the interested), Ring-necked Duck, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Broad-winged 
Hawk (incl. a few perched in the county), 7 shorebird species - continued, 
multiples of both Cuckoo species, multiple Red-headed Woodpeckers, Olive-sided 
Flycatchers, all six northeastern-breeding vireos on migration, increase of 
Red-breasted Nuthatch (& see notes below), (1st reports for season of) 
Gray-cheeked Thrush, Clay-colored Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Grosbeak, 
and at least 28 warbler species which included not fewer than SIX individual 
Connecticut Warblers, the most-recently photographed from Central Park on 9/16, 
and lastly the Dickcissel which was photographed at Governors Island on 9/11.  
(As an added note, there are Eastern Whip-poor-wills on the move now as 
expected and the species has been found in the local area, including in N.Y. 
City in recent days.).  Over 150 species obviously with many migrants, were 
well-reported for the past week in N.Y. County.

some sightings since Saturday 9/11, and including / thru Thursday, 9/16:

Canada Goose
Wood Duck (continued at least in Central Park)
Gadwall
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler (continued, Central Park)
Green-winged Teal (several sightings, incl. from Central Park to 9/16)
Ring-necked Duck (Central Park, 9/15)
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Least Bittern (confirmed as well from the “Tribute in Light” team on 9/11-12, 
at lower Manhattan - none of the Manhattan individual[s] were reported again 
later in the week)
American Bittern (‘multiple’ sightings, including from the “Tribute in Light” 
team on 9/11-12, at lower Manhattan; prob. more than 1 individual over the 
report-period)
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret (very scarce now; yet some photographed this week)
Green Heron (scarce by now)
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (several continued at Randall’s Island to 9/16)
Osprey (many sightings, multiple locations, mostly flyovers)
Bald Eagle (multiple sightings and locations and observers)
Northern Harrier (one seen again at Governors Island, 9/14, perhaps a 
continuing individual there?)
Sharp-shinned Hawk (few reports)
Cooper's Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk (several sightings perched, which is not that common for 
Manhattan, most recent to 9/16)
Red-tailed Hawk
Virginia Rail (at least one report, from the “Tribute in Light” team, which 
include some of NYC’s expert birders)
Black Vulture (few in this report’s period, all were apparently from n. 
Manhattan as is somewhat ‘typical' there)
Turkey Vulture (multiple, but not that many)
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs (was still on Governors Island into the report-period)
Lesser Yellowlegs  (was still on Governors Island into the report-period)
Solitary Sandpiper (several into the report-period)
Spotted Sandpiper (multiple)
Semipalmated Sandpiper (still in the multiple, but fewer)
Least Sandpiper (fewer, by this report’s period)
Laughing Gull (small numbers in various locations, a few reports of more than 6 
at once)
Ring-billed Gull
[American] Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Tern (getting late for the county, to Sept. 12, N.Y. Harbor)
['feral'] Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Monk Parakeet (at least one, n. Manhattan)
American Kestrel
Merlin (migrants)
Peregrine Falcon
Black-billed Cuckoo (multiple sightings in various locations)
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (almost-numerous in some locations, esp. 9/12 to 9/15)
E. Screech—Owl (resident on Manhattan)
Common Nighthawk (multiple locations, observers, and numbers to double-digits 
on some nights; observed in lower Manhattan, as well as more ‘usual’, 
more-northerly sites)
Chimney Swift (still many passing, but perhaps fewer than previous week)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (comments as for above species)
Belted Kingfisher (semi-regular on Randall’s Island, with many sightings 
elsewhere)
Red-headed Woodpecker (several locations for at least several individuals; the 
most recently-seen have been first-fall plumaged, with no red ‘hood’ yet)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woo

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Monday, 9/13 - Clay-col. Sparrow, Connecticut W., multi. Philly Vireos, shorebirds, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

[Because it was mentioned to this list, any links that go directly to *any* 
mention of a * “Least Bittern” * in Manhattan, N.Y. City in recent days might 
be offered, with a link to the sighting report &/or any documentation or notes 
regarding that species in the stated (‘unusual’) location, from whatever recent 
date. The species is rare but not unknown to the county over recent decades.]

- - - - - - 
Monday, Sept. 13th -

A Clay-colored Sparrow was found & nicely photographed, seen by eventually 
multiple observers at Central Park’s (in Manhattan, N.Y. City) north end on 
Monday (sighting was in part placed in eBird reports in time for some to 
re-locate and observe the bird) - some good sightings were bing made even 
fairly late into the day. (I believe the Clay-colored was first noted by E. 
Paredes at the loaction where others came & also re-found the bird.).  As many 
are aware, that species is not *quite* as rare as once was in our region, 
thanks in part to the spread into the northeast of the breeding-range of the 
birds which now include getting east into Maine.   Also, some observers around 
the county again were able to see at least modest no’s. of Common Nighthawks, 
including some within (over) Central Park in the later-day period.

A Connecticut Warbler was again seen in Central Park, this one on Monday 9/13 
in the very heart of the Ramble, with a report now confirmed in eBird; the 2nd 
(at least) of that species to be seen, and also included in confirmed eBird 
sightings, for the fall season in Central Park. The Monday sighting was by more 
than one observer. Again, it is often the most quiet and unobtrusive 
observer[s] who happen to be “lucky” with this shy species, and there can be 
times when the species is better-seen by a small quiet group or a single 
observer.

There were at least 23 warbler species seen in N.Y. County on Monday, and all 
of those species were found within Central Park, as well as many of the species 
being seen in a wide variety of other locations around the county. The 
“Brewster’s” type hybrid warbler was again seen in the Central Park Ramble on 
Monday (2nd day there), in the morning. That, as well as several Blue-winged 
Warblers in the area and around the county.  A Worm-eating Warbler (now 
slightly-late for the species) was reported at Central Park on Monday as well.  
Although less numerous now, a number of careful observers were still finding 
Veery, amongst the more-frequent Swainson’s Thrushes of late, including a Veery 
within the Central Park Ramble, to Monday 9/13.

A small number of Philadelphia Vireos were found in Central Park, and in a few 
other locations, part of the trend of sightings of the species in the wider 
region; these were not the first-of-season sightings, but had increased.  Also 
again seen on Monday morning including within the Central Park Ramble, was 
Olive-sided Flycatcher.Shorebirds at Governors Island (part of N.Y. County) 
again included both spp. of Yellowlegs, Solitary, Spotted, Least, & 
Semipalmated Sandpipers and Killdeer, the last a very regular species on that 
island.  

.. ... .. 
Thank You to the team of expert and very keen birders who cover the 
illuminated-at-night “Tribute in Light” of the lower-Manhattan 9-11 memorial 
(in the times of its’ having the powerful beams into the night sky lit up) so 
as to monitor migrant birds (in particular) that can be attracted to, or 
potentially somewhat confused by, lights in structures and the like, especially 
so if foggy weather sets in; this being part of a long-term project with the 
NYC Audubon & other conservation-minded partners. 

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan



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[nysbirds-l] Snowy Plover & Common Ringed Plover, Oswego Co. NY (9/13 reports)

[Thomas Fiore]

Somewhat surprisingly, the reports of both Snowy Plover (a presumptive first 
state-record, if accepted) and Common Ringed Plover in Oswego County NY, on 
Monday, Sept. 13th seem not to have yet been mentioned to this 
state-wide-coverage list.  Both species are noted in multiple eBird reports, 
with notes and photographs attached, & were appearing in the NY state eBird RBA.

Obviously, any updates on either species would be of interest to many.

good birding!

Tom Fiore,
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC, Sun., 9/12 - 22+ Warbler spp., 2 Yellowlegs spp., Com. Nighthawks, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

N.Y. County (in N.Y. City), including Manhattan, Randall’s, and Governors 
Island[s]

On Sunday, Sept. 12th, a miniumum of 22 warbler species were found in the 
county, and of those, at least 20 were seen in Central Park (and at least 18 of 
those seen within the Ramble section of that park), with some good variety and 
numbers in lower Manhattan parks & greenspaces again - as well as on the 
‘other’ islands of Governors & Randall’s.  Olive-sided Flycatcher was again 
seen in the Ramble of Central Park on Sunday.  Among the warblers seen in The 
Ramble in Central Park was an apparent “Brewster’s”[*] type (hybrid of) 
Golden-winged x Blue-winged cross, with multiple observers. (There were also a 
small no. of Blue-winged Warblers again in the county, with *at least* three in 
Central Park.)  Hooded Warbler was again in Central, at least in the n. end of 
that park.  Good no’s. of Bay-breasted, Cape May, & Tennessee Warblers were 
continuing to be found & again, lower Manhattan did as well if not better for 
those species as the larger, & more thoroughly-covered parks, on Sunday.  Veery 
are not all-gone yet, with confirmed sightings from Central Park, & a few 
elsewhere. 

[*]Incidental to “Brewster’s” type hybrid warblers, there can be a good range 
of variability in those hybrids, so going solely on what is illustrated in some 
books / apps is not indicative of the full range of variation in plumage 
features. One can also choose not to call a hybrid by any particular common 
name, and take notes, as well as photos/video, to document the variation.  
While much (!) has been written about these particular hybrids, for some solid 
discussion in an accessible book, see pp. 140-143 in the widely-available book 
“A Field Guide to Warblers of North America” by Jon Dunn & Kimball Garrett, a 
part of the “Peterson field guide” series, first pub. in 1997, & still 
containing much information not easily-accessed almost anywhere else in-print. 

Common Nighthawks were moving over at least Manhattan, in the county Sun. 
evening, with a few over Riverside Park (north) and also seen from Central 
Park’s n. end by multiple observers. At this latitude of N.Y. City, the species 
is occasionally found into Oct., so watching for them can be ongoing for a few 
more weeks although no’s. would presumably be dwindled by next month.

A few Solitary Sandpipers continued to show, including one at “the Pool” in 
Central Park; less-common for the county were both spp. of Yellowlegs (Lesser & 
Greater) seen together in the big ‘puddle pond’ at Governors Island, with 
multiple observers as well.  Once again, a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron has been 
seen near the ferry terminals just east of The Battery in Manhattan, with 
photos by recent obs. C. Weiner; multiple Yellow-Cr. N.-Herons also continue on 
Randall’s Island as previously.  At least 4 Bobolink were on Governors Island, 
likely the best location in the county for chances of seeing that species well 
(although they will be further-diminished in no’s. soon). A Dickcissel was not 
re-found there, but could potentially be lingering.

Northern Shovelers were again on Central Park’s reservoir, with Wood Duck also 
ongoing at Central Park. A small no. of Laughing Gulls were seen from various 
points on all 3 of the county’s larger islands; N.Y. Harbor areas being as 
usual the most productive for that species, although also some good no’s. on 
Randall’s Island for 9/12, with also as many as 15 warbler spp. tallied there 
esp. by 2 very keen morning-visitors; Savannah Sparrow was also continuing on 
Randall’s, one of the early arrivals in the midst of all the recently strong 
migration.  

…
Up to 25 species of butterflies were seen in N.Y. County on Sunday, with Common 
Checkered-Skipper among the sightings; while Governors Island continued as 
among the better locations for diversity of those, with keen observers 
elsewhere there have been sightings from multiple parks & green-spaces, of 
course in particular where flower plantings are lush and the more-so if native 
flowers & plants are present. Many, many other insects also have been observed.

good birding to all, with thanks to many many watchers and reporters 'in the 
field' over multiple locations on Sunday.

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Sept. 11th: 25+ warbler spp., Dickcissel, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

On Saturday, 11th of September, at least 25 species of warblers were found in 
N.Y. County (N.Y.C.) and of those at least 24 species were seen in Central Park 
alone on the day (with many also occurring in various other parks and 
greenspaces), although so far, no one had re-found or found any more of 
Connecticut Warbler[s], which are certainly still very much in the region as 
well as moving now.  More than 120 species of birds were seen in N.Y. County on 
Saturday, Sept. 11th - that with a very large number of birders out and about!

(The Townsend’s Warbler from Brooklyn’s Green-Wood cemetery was apparently not 
re-found for Saturday, after at least its' 2-day stay there, but it’s very 
possible it *could* be lingering &/or wandering a bit within even that rather 
large space, which contains so many trees that could be used by the species. In 
any event, Brooklyn’s keen birders were still finding a LOT of great birds at 
that, & other locations to Saturday, Sept. 11th, & there were obviously a good 
many still on-watch for the very rare Townsend’s.)

A female-plumaged Dickcissel was found & photographed at Governors Island (a 
part of N.Y. County) by N. Souirgi on Saturday, and there were a multitude of 
other nice migrants seen as well on Governors Island.  With so many more 
Dickcissels seemingly having been around -including some that nested- in the 
region, it will be interesting to follow their trend for the coming season.  
(The Sept. 11 Dickcissel ‘may' be only a 2nd-record of the species for 
Governors; the first was a photographed bird on Oct. 3, 2020 - R. Sorenson, w/ 
data entered picked up on by B. Cacace.  N.B. - Governors Island just “might” 
be the single top location (or in the top-three) in the county with a potential 
for new species to be added, including a *potential* for rarer vagrant species.

In other sightings of N.Y. County, both species of cuckoo were again seen, 
including both within Central Park; a small no. of Blue-headed Vireos have 
turned up, as have just a few (carefully identified &/or photo-documented) 
Hermit Thrushes, also both of those within Central Park and also elsewhere in 
the county;  at least several Olive-sided Flycatchers were again present and 
again at least several within Central Park, along with various Empidonax 
[genus] that include some Yellow-bellied Flycatchers; a putative-*likely* Cliff 
Swallow was photographed on the fly (A. Cunningham) at Central Park also on 
Saturday; multiple Red-breasted Nuthatches have been turning up, adding to the 
few reported previously in the county, and with some Purple Finches (still 
scarce) also having been showing as well;  for sparrows over recent days 
including on Saturday, there have been Savannah, Lincoln’s, and (more of) Field 
Sparrows showing up, albeit still in minimal numbers; there also have been at 
least a few Chipping Sparrows turning up which may represent arriving migrants, 
rather than only nest-succeses or lingering pairs.  Swainson’s Thrush were 
already much-increased as of Friday, 9/10 but in Saturday’s big turn-outs of 
birders still more have been found around the county. Also of course showing 
are Wood Thrush and there are still Veery about, but Swainson’s took over by 
Friday as the most-numerous Catharus genus] thrush in the county.

At least 7 species of diurnal raptors (including multiple Broad-winged Hawks 
seen and some photographed from multiple locations) plus all 3 regular falcons 
as well as the 2 vulture species of the region were all found in N.Y. County on 
Saturday.  Numbers of Bald Eagle and Osprey were again somewhat impressive, 
while some species may be just starting to pick up, on the typical season’s 
migrations thru the area, and county. (The peak southbound movement of 
Broad-winged Hawk, in particular, is likely in about the next 2 weeks around 
the region.)

Up to five Yellow-crowned Night-Herons were among interesting singings from 
Randall’s Island (N.Y. County) on Sept. 11th, a location where as many know, 
the species had even overwintered.  More than a dozen warbler species on 
Randall’s as well on the 11th are another indication of the great migration 
that’s been ongoing over a few days and nights.
...
Major nocturnal migration was again underway all through at least the eastern 
portions of North America, on Saturday night going into Sunday, Sept. 12th and 
that movement includes many birds moving on to south-of-the-U.S. borders, some 
across seas and oceans, towards and to their winter homes where a lot spend 
more time (through a year) than in their nesting-grounds - and obviously a vast 
number of migrants which are departing the vast spaces of Canada to come south 
as far as they may, which for some will mean all the way into southern South 
America, with tremendous numbers going to the Caribbean islands (Greater 
Antilles in particular) and Mexico, as well as all through Central America, 
astounding journeys undertaken even by “our” native-nesting hum

[nysbirds-l] migrants in Manhattan (mostly), 9/10 - prelim's. for a good arrival day

[Thomas Fiore]

Friday, Sept. 10th - Manhattan (for now) in N.Y. City -

A CONNECTICUT Warbler has been found in Central Park; details of that a bit 
later. Not surprising for the date & with a goodly no. being also reliably 
reported around the region in recent days.

A very preliminary tally of other warbler species for N.Y. County on Friday, 
Sept. 10th was up to 26 - species - by mid-day, with *slightly* less-expected 
(now) including Blue-winged, Worm-eating, & Mourning Warblers;  other species 
(that are expected) in good no’s. included:  Bay-breasted, Tennessee, Cape May, 
Prairie, Black-throated Green (uh - check all of those closely!), and some 
multiple of: Blackburnian, Nashville, Pine, Blackpoll, Wilson’s, & Canada. Plus 
all the rest, with a definite re-invigoration of Chestnut-sided Warbler… still 
looking to add to that warbler tally.   A Cerulean Warbler was reliably 
reported on the southern-most park of NYC and NY state (Dr. R. Veit), for 9/10, 
that’s Conference House Park on Staten Island / Richmond Co.

Also freshly-arrived in some numbers were more E. Wood-Pewees (& a few 
Olive-sided Flycatchers, for good measure), as well as more Empidonax [genus], 
& still at least a few E. Kingbirds on the move, plus Great Crested Flycatcher, 
and E. Phoebe.  Both Cuckoo species have been found on Manhattan, & a good many 
Chimney Swifts were on the move as well. No surprise on strong n/nw wind, the 
fresh cold-front bringing raptors, esp. the larger spp. - Bald Eagles, Ospreys 
as well as some others thru - and, in overnight & earliest-a.m. flight, 
Swainson’s Thrush above all, in numbers pushing south but also a good many 
dropping in, some to small parks & green-spaces.  Of course many many other 
species on the day; a more complete tally will be coming. Of interest as well 
are a few Purple Finches, not quite the 1st-of-fall here.

Indeed, while a few larger parks might have a lot of birders, some smaller 
parks this day -in lower Manhattan in particular- were hot-spots. One such was 
Corlears Hook, and the adjacent East River park spaces. Also quite active by 
the Battery, and we'll anticipate some good sightings from Governors Island for 
the day.  The southern third or so of Central Park was demonstrably as busy if 
not more so for migrants than elsewhere in that park, early in the day.

. . . .
Also good numbers of Monarchs pushing south, with at least 16 other butterfly 
spp. on the day so far in Manhattan alone - more to come...

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] NYC migrants, incl. Manhattan, 9/9

[Thomas Fiore]

With the super find of a Townsend’s Warbler in Brooklyn / Kings County, NYC (& 
congrat’s to the 3 finders, as well as all subsequent observers on Thurs., 
9/9); it’s worth a note that (other) observers were still seeing and 
documenting that warbler to the after-6 PM hour, still in roughly same part of 
Green-Wood cemetery the same day.  Hoping it might decide to stay there a 
while, so that yet more birders who wish to can come along to observe; the 
species has a ‘mixed’ history of occurences in eastern-vagrancy situations, 
with both a lot of ‘one-day wonders’ but also a number of lengthier stays by 
some Townsend’s over the years, in various e. states.  

….
On multi-hours in Manhattan (NYC) on Thurs., 9/9, I came up with *not* a whole 
lot in migrants, and limited others’ reports seem to suggest somewhat the same 
around the island. I was able to photograph the female-plumaged N. Pintail on 
the Central Park reservoir (in very light rain, in the morn’), which had been 
there a few days. (A drake pintail was not seen again after it’s showing at the 
Hudson River’s W. 79th St. ‘boat-basin’ on the 7th, but might still be 
somewhere in the area).   At least 10 warbler species (none of them vagrant nor 
rare) were seen in my wanderings, & from reports, not much more was found 
around Manhattan, albeit with less effort by fewer observers relative to prior 
days with much more seen.  Such locations as Battery Park, Bryant Park, & of 
course Central Park all seemed to indicate some departure by Thursday. The 
numbers of such recently-regular migrant spp. for Manhattan as Veery, Scarlet 
Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak -and even some of the Gray Catbirds- appeared 
to have dwindled here by Thurs., while some species might have held on a bit, 
such as Red-eyed & Warbling Vireo[s]. But more should be noted with a greater 
no. of observers out & about, thru this week-end.

There was very strong migration overnight Thurs. into Friday / 10th, and it 
will be interesting to see what the arrivals include. As noted previously, 
there’ve been multiple Connecticut Warbler sightings (and some with strong 
documentation) in the region, including in NYC over the past week+.  More might 
be moving, along with all the rest of many now-anticipated migrant species.

Good birding, and thanks to the reporters still using this list for reports of 
rarities!

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - recent birds, notes (to 9/7)

[Thomas Fiore]

Kudos to Corey Finger for the discovery of an increasingly-tougher bird within 
N.Y. City (which once bred in its’ confines) - Upland Sandpiper, at Edgmere on 
the Rockaway peninsula of Queens Co., NY - enjoyed by dozens & dozens of 
birders from (at least) around the city, since the bird happily stayed for much 
of the Labor Day Monday, 9/6. That bird was one of at least ten shorebird 
species seen there, along with a good diversity of other species.


Migration has been ongoing - and on some nights, notably in the night of 9/6 
into 9/7, birds were massed across all of eastern N. America south into Florida 
& the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, and onward - 'south by southwest’ (of NY state).  
More than enough migrants also did set down, or were passing thru in daylight 
on Tuesday, to make birding very productive.  Connecticut Warblers have been 
showing around the region this week, & at least several in the NYC region and 
in the city itself, with a fair chance that more are ‘around’ - but as is 
typical, very ‘skulking' most of the time - thus escaping easy detections. 
Locating this species often will be (by) the patient -and quiet- observers.

While not seen in NY, but at Cape May, N.J., a nice flight-photo of Connecticut 
Warbler (by Tom Johnson) seems worth sharing, via the Macaulay Library archive: 
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/366479661 
 - you don’t see a great many such 
photos nor do all of us get to watch that species from that vantage too often! 
(That one was from Saturday, 9/4, and other observers also were present for it.)
...
New York County (in N.Y. City) including Manhattan, Randall’s, & Governors 
Island[s] -

Newly arrived was a drake N. Pintail at the 79th St. boat-basin (marina) on the 
Hudson River, within Riverside Park’s borders, as of Tuesday, 9/7.  This may be 
the same individual that’s been there in past years, & also will perhaps come 
over to Central Park at times.

Going back to Friday, Sept. 3rd, there were at least 15 Bobolinks counted at 
Governors Island (L Goggin), and (I ought to have added previously), that 
observer had seen-&-photographed Lesser Yellowlegs there on that day, 
subsequently seen by more observers, at least thru Sept. 6th. There also were 
at least a half-dozen warblers, plus a cooperative Y.-b. Cuckoo found for that 
island on 9/3, another indicator of the good migrant flights, on that and the 
following day.  

On Sat., Sept. 4th, a Blue-winged Teal was again re-found (I am assuming the 
same lingering individual recently) in the maintenance area ‘big puddle’ on 
Governors Island, & a very nice observation also for that location was a N. 
Harrier (both, by L. Beausoleil) and additionally a Palm Warbler was noted 
there the same day, while Central Park had another (of very few so far this 
season) Red-breasted Nuthatch, still a bit ‘early’ but not so early as to cause 
expectations to rise much, in terms of any irruptions being foretold… only time 
will tell.  (A very very few Eve. Grosbeaks have been sighted in non-breeding 
areas in the northeast so far this season, but again, it’s early still…)   One 
early-birder had a morning sighting of Common Nighthawk passing over Manhattan 
on the 4th, and another of same was very nicely photographed passing over the 
n. end of Central Park in the eve. of the 6th, see this in the Macaulay Library 
archive: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/367297201 (one of a set of 3 photos 
of that 1 Nighthawk).

At least 17 species of warblers were still around Central Park to Labor Day 
Monday, with many observers reporting; that total included Worm-eating Warbler 
and Blackburnian Warbler, among the many others.  Magnolia Warbler was among 
the species showing a fresh upsurge in numbers; in some areas of the county, 
Cape May Warbler was increased as well, along with some other species of 
typical Sept. migrants.  On Tuesday, a part of the vanguard indicating nice 
additional migration-arrival were many more Yellow-shafted Flickers on the move 
& landing thru parts of Manhattan & elsewhere.  Many birders again out on 
walks, which that day included a number of those led by/for non-profit 
organizations such as the Linnaean Society of New York, & the N.Y. City Audubon 
(NYCAS), and by others.  The show of force by birders, and in many parts of the 
county, on Tuesday 9/7 gave a minimum of 22 warbler species on the day, with a 
goodly variety of those species also being seen south of mid-Manhattan, in the 
smaller parks and green-spaces, as well as in the most-covered parks. A modest 
up-tick in Nashville Warbler was noticeable by Tues., 9/7 along with other 
migrants' increases.  As noted in a recent report, Blackpoll Warbler also is 
now less-improbable and more likely (and a very few of those were already on 
the move weeks earlier), while Bay-breasted, and also Pine are among the 
warblers that have been ongoing.

Yellow-crowned Night-Herons continue to be seen at R

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Saturday, 9/4 - migration

[Thomas Fiore]

Just briefly, at least 23 warbler species were seen in the county (New York 
County, in N.Y. City), and of those, 22 species were found on 9/4 in Central 
Park, with many observers out all day long there.  Most species were found in 
low to modest numbers of individiuals, esp. as compared with the previous week 
or so.  An Olive-sided Flycatcher was photographed in the Ramble area of 
Central Park on Sat. morning.  An ebird checklist (with some notes) was 
included for the Olive-sided photo on 9/4: 
https://ebird.org/checklist/S94153530    

On Governors Island, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs were reported, and other shorebirds 
around the county more generally included Solitary, Spotted, Least, & 
Semipalmated Sandpipers, as well as Killdeer.   Some great sightings of 
migrants also continue to come from smaller parks and greenspaces, in all parts 
of Manhattan.  Also in the 9/4 report (A. Barry) from Governors Island, of note 
were an arrival of more Field Sparrows, one of the species showing increases 
among that tribe of birds.

There has been a lot of nocturnal migration which included birds moving on, 
while of course more also continue to arrive, & some that may linger.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan



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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Friday, 9/3 - RHWP 'flight', 24+ Warbler spp., more migrants

[Thomas Fiore]

Friday, Sept. 3rd -  New York County, in N.Y. City (here, esp. noting Manhattan 
arrivals) -

Given the extent of the good arrival this is a preliminary report with more 
sure to be noted.

At least 3 Red-headed Woodpeckers have come thru N.Y. County, and of those one 
adult, plus at least 2 first-fall (plumaged) birds, with the latter 2 in 
Central Park & Riverside Park north.  A full adult (w/bright red head) moved 
across part of Highbridge Park (south sector, in n. Manhattan) in early 
morning, but was not relocated.  Similar scenario with the Riverside-north 
(1st-fall) Red-headed, although very possibly ending up somewhere in the park 
south of the 122nd St. Grant’s Tomb area, & finally, a Red-headed Woodpecker 
(1st-fall) was in the n. end of Central Park and may well still be in that (or 
any) area of that large park. 

At least 4 Vireo species were found in manhattan on the day - with Philly, 
Yellow-throated, and more-regular Warbling & Red-eyed.   For warblers, I am not 
aware of any that are ‘new’ (species) to the season, but many species that were 
not v. common yet this ‘fall’, have started to become more widespread - 
including some if not just about all of the boreal-breeders - Cape May, 
Tennessee, Bay-breasted, & even some definitive Blackpoll (and Pine, too), plus 
Mourning & Palm Warbler[s], as well as more Wilson’s, Magnolia, and other 
species of warblers.  And some others such as Worm-eating, Prairie, 
Blackburnian, & others, showing more than in most-recent days. Yes, a few 
Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] Warblers, too.  Good spread over much of the city, as 
well, I believe, for the fresh arrivals.  24 warbler species at latest, but 
that may well be amended upwardly (for warblers in N.Y. County).

Various arrivals include the Philadelphia (& other) vireos, & many more of 
Veery, Swainson’s Thrush, & some Wood Thrush, as well as a few (so-far) unid. 
Catharus thrush species in deep shadow.  More Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were 
around.   Even a few sparrow species were starting to return, including at 
least one *Lincoln’s*, some Chipping, Savannah - & possibly a few others… along 
with (still-lingering) many White-throated Sparrows that summered in Manhattan 
(as some always do).   Some diurnal flight besides rarer woodpeckers, included 
more of E. Kingbirds, Cedar Waxwings, & Barn Swallows, and of course a number 
of (expected) raptor species, as well as Turkey Vultures and migrating falcons 
(esp. Am. Kestrel, by p.m. hours).

While there were surely far more observers prowling around Central Park than 
any other one site in the county, a lot of birds arrived in many locations, and 
any of the alternative sites may have birds of interest now.  A somewhat rapid 
survey of a number of lower-Manhattan parks & greenspaces revealed good 
diversity, if not (generally) very high numbers of individual migrants, poss. 
reflective of the day’s (& last night’s) arrivals, overall.  A good no. (and 
variety) of flycatchers - Empidonax, & others, were in many parks, again.   
Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Stuyvesant-town (Manhattan-east) on 9/3 was also a sign 
of the good diversity of arrivals (latter via A. Lazarus).   Activity was 
rather widely-spread, over the area, it seemed...

Some N. Shovelers, & P.-b. Grebe were continuing at Central Park, & Common 
Ravens also continue, around the county.

good September-birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan 














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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC, 9/1 & 9/2- pre & post storm (Caspian Terns, G.-w. & other warblers, etc.)

[Thomas Fiore]

For many, really for all New Yorkers & many others in the NYC region, these 
were sad, hard days.  R.I.P., for those we lost in the passage of this storm.  
The clearing weather of later (after sunrise, in N.Y. City) on Sept. 2nd was 
welcome as clean-up and recovery were ongoing in the aftermath. 
_ _ 

N.Y. County (in N.Y. City) including Manhattan, Randall’s, and Governors 
Island[s] -

[as a note to any who may wish to visit Governors Island NYC, to board a ferry 
one must wear a face-mask, per standard Covid-19 safety-protocol.  To enter 
buildings on the island, it’s being stated that one must have proof of 
anti-Covid vaccination for all over the age of 12, and all children under 12 
must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult.  This will be in line with a wider 
NYC policy, to begin (with enforcement) in the coming weeks.]

2 Monk Parakeets were confirmed in eBird as fly-bys at Central Park’s n. end on 
Tuesday, 8/31, and they could possibly be spending time in the general area 
(including the neighborhood) but I and others did not find them on Wed. 9/1, or 
on 9/2.

...
Wednesday, Sept. 1st -  

For Central Park, the most-noticeable increase was in N. Shoveler numbers, up 
to 22 in all, in a few modest flocks on 3 water-bodies, the majority at the 
reservoir by later in the day, along with at least 2 lingering G.-w. Teal and 
Pied-billed Grebe.  Solitary & Spotted Sandpipers each continued as well in 
Central Park.   A Palm Warbler was continuing at the s.e. corner of Central 
Park.  There also seemed to be a more-general slight increase of 
Black-and-white Warbler, which were seen in the multiple in many parks and 
smaller green-spaces on the day.   A minimum of 16 warbler spp. were present in 
Central, but many species were in rather low numbers, with the exception as 
noted and as previously, with a goodly no. of American Redstarts still around 
(but fewer now).Randall’s Island held at least 31 Killdeer on several of 
the n.-w. fields in the early morning of 9/1, and there were 4 Yellow-crowned 
Night-Herons (3 in adult plumage) around the salt marsh at Little Hell Gate, 
with some Black-crowneds also, as well as Great Blue Herons, & a few Great 
Egrets.

...
Thursday, Sept. 2nd -

A new record was established for rainfall in both a one-hour period and also in 
a 24-hour period, from the weather-station in Central Park, N.Y. City - similar 
records occurred in other parts of the NYC region, for high and rapid rainfall. 
 The potential damages were still being assessed as the day went on & more will 
be sure to have been reported.  Strong winds & even a possible tornado pushed 
through the region (including through n. Manhattan and eastward) on Wed. night, 
while by daybreak, winds were from the north, & while gusty, had lessened to 
generally well below warning-levels.  Some trees had come down, but thankfully 
not more, and many limbs and esp. smaller branches were commonly strewn all 
around the city, as daybreak came Thursday. Low-lying areas had in some places 
extreme flooding; that varied, and higher ground was in some places less or 
little affected. 

One of the birds always rather hoped-for each season, & sadly tougher to come 
by each year in migration, a Golden-winged Warbler (male) was seen at the west 
edges of Belvedere Castle pavillion in Central Park (i.e. just east of the 
Shakespeare Garden, as the sun was out, early on Thursday, 9/2; found by one of 
our keenest long-time observers, Dr. R. Pasquier) & may well be in that 
vicinity, or to the south somewhere; there was however likely a good migration 
including departure, as well as fresh arrival overnight Thurs. into Friday. 
Most likely this was among the various species already in the area from days 
prior. (G.-w. Warblers have been on the move lately as is expected in the wider 
region.)   With that species, the no. of warbler spp. on the day in (just) 
Central Park was at least 17, with perhaps a few more around - that’s in 
keeping with what had been seen in same park the day before.

14+ observers (at least) were Hudson-river-watching as the day began & some a 
bit later; I chose to watch from Riverbank State Park near W. 145 St. as there 
are areas where one is sort-of ‘suspended’ one-quarter way out into the river, 
with views to well-beyond the G.W. bridge looking north, & far south to some 
extent - views being best to the west (N.J.) side thanks to the irregular shore 
of the river along Manhattan’s upper & esp. lower west (piers, buildings, other 
structures, etc. etc.); also - it can *smell bad* there, as was so this time 
until positioned with wind in the right place!   Some Caspian Terns were moving 
on the strong northerly winds which had already been blowing well before 
first-light, all headed south down-river. My own count was 5, with all being 
farther from the Manhattan side, 2 being much higher over the river than the 
other 3, & all moving along with no hesitation as viewed from near W. 145 St.  
Vari

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC, 8/31 - migration

[Thomas Fiore]

Perhaps in the “you never know on a boat” category in pelagic birding, a large 
group of hearty sea-goers on a day trip well off Long Island NY had a 
well-documented Y.-br. Chat come fly in and ‘investigate' their boat on Monday 
(8/30) as if to say, “I fly over sea too” - that sighting at least 80+ miles 
off the nearest land. (and other goodies for that group did include actual 
pelagic species!).  Just to be clear, I was not among the lucky group in that 
pelagic.  [n.b.- a good many Yellow-breasted Chats may try & stay for some 
winters in some (esp. coastal) parts of the U.S. north of Florida, the majority 
still make their way eventually at least into peninsular Florida and many go to 
southern Mexico & much of Central America for the winter.]

...
A well-documented Anhinga has been seen by many on the n. side of Philadelphia 
Pennsylvania; a species to keep in mind & to have camera at the ready for, that 
sighting as of Tues., 8/31.  Also worth keeping in mind the Curlew Sandiper 
nicely documented in coastal New Hampshire, still being seen to 8/31 there.

. . . .
Tuesday, 8/31 - 

Yes of course there were birds…. however, just to illustrate (in one small-bird 
example) what the *departure-flights* were like over Monday night into early 
Tuesday (30-31 August) - the number of American Redstarts counted in 
morning-flight by the observer at *Cape May, New Jersey’s* Higbee Beach dike 
(regularly conducted in ‘fall’ season, on most days) was very nearly 2,000, for 
Tues., 8/31. Yes, near two-thousand.  Along with 17 other species of warblers 
in morning-flight there - but very much dominated by the species mentioned.  
There was strong migration out of the N.Y. City region (& well beyond), with 
some birds moving onward south of Virginia, into the Carolinas, just to note 
movement along the Atlantic coast region.  Cape May also experienced a 
(not-surprising) very strong diurnal flight of E. Kingbird, as would be 
expected just about right then- also on 8/31.

N.Y. County (within N.Y. City):
so, for N.Y. County on 8/31, a bit of a slower day.  However, by dusk-hour (and 
up to an hour before sunset-hour as well) there were at least some Common 
Nighthawks moving, with 14 seen from near the Hudson River - Riverbank S.P. - 
and at least a few also noted at Central Park.  Some N. Shovelers & at least 2 
G.-w. Teal were at the Central Park reservoir again, while of interest are a 
couple of (county) sightings of Palm Warbler, early for here; a few of those 
have been confirmed in a few locations well south of N.Y. City (such as in Cape 
May, N.J.) already & the species had also been reported from other parts of the 
N.Y. City region already, going with a trend of a bit of early movement of some 
boreal-breeders over this past month of August.

A nice addition to the recent lists of migrants from Randall’s Island was 
Bobolink (on 8/31), where not quite as regularly-reported as some other 
locations, such as Governors Island, the latter perhaps having just slightly 
more in appropriate rough-grass habitat.   A very good movement of 
Ruby-throated Hummingbird along the Hudson river for part of the day Tuesday; 
also seen were some Osprey, & Bald Eagle, but overall, the sky-watch was not 
especially busy. A very modest no. of Cedar Waxwings & some swallows, mostly 
Barn Swallow, also moved south.  Dragonflies were also on the move in nice 
numbers.

There were still up to 18 warbler species for N.Y. County on 8/31, however 
overall numbers of individuals had dropped off; the dominant species again, no 
surprises - American Redstart. And also showing in a number of locations were 
rather more Common Yellowthroats.  As for shorebirds, while some were still 
around at locations where they have been, numbers appeared to have dropped off. 
 

Some of what was seen in N.Y. County ‘felt’ like stragglers, as so many birds 
passed over in the night - that being true of both Monday & Tuesday nights, 
Aug. 30 & 31, and heading into the start of Sept. - in particular, on 8/30-31 
(night), migrants were clearing through to the Carolinas, and of course at 
least some well-beyond;  on Tues. night (going into Sept. 1st), there was a 
blockage in part by the remnant rains of “Ida”, however vast numbers of birds 
were easily able to get south & follow the coast far to the south of N.Y. City.

We'll see what if any unusual birds show in the wake of the remnants of “Ida”, 
although there also will be a fast-clearing n. wind likely to follow on the 
event in at least the greater NYC region by Thursday, so it is possible it will 
be some more-standard early Sept. migration to look out for.  

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan

















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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Fri., 8/27- Mon., 8/30: 2 Teal spp., 24 warbler spp., flycatchers, & other migrants

[Thomas Fiore]

While known now to possibly most readers of this list, a Swallow-tailed Kite 
has lingered on in a remarkable stay in one area in Yates County, NY, with by 
now many many observers over its’ visit there.In Quebec, Canada, a Common 
Shelduck lingering recently has been observed by many there, & might be 
presumed of natural occurence, at least by the many who went to see, & awaiting 
the determination of the local-regional avian records committee.  A good way 
farther west (and also very-obviously well out of the normal range), a Mexican 
Violetear (a hummingbird species typically found in, well - Mexico, & in 
Central America) had been seen and confirmed in Illinois, thru last week. That 
species has been documented rarely before in more-northern places, including 
into Canada, while just-slightly more so in some Texas locations.  And again 
for NY state, it’s been wonderful to read of such great shorebird sightings as 
Baird’s Sandpiper reports literally from one end of the state to the other - 
from the western NY frontier to the East End (Long Island) & from far-northern 
counties, to several in N.Y. City & yet more of New York.

.. .. .. .. ..
New York County (in N.Y. City) including Manhattan, Randall’s & Governors 
Island[s], and surrounding waters & sky:
Friday, Aug. 27th thru Monday, Aug. 30th -

At least 24 species of warblers were present through the period, and a minimum 
of 21 species for both Friday & Sat., 8/27-28, with all of those on those 2 
days present within Central Park (& many also in other locations in the 
county).  A minimum of 19 warbler species were present in Central Park on 
Monday, 8/30, with all of those species also found in the Ramble & its 
immediate vicinity (i.e., next to the Lake shore, Turtle Pond, Shakespeare 
Garden & Beleverde Castle areas, and the ‘triplets’ and oak bridge areas on the 
west side.) - plus fair no’s. of warblers and some other migrants in other 
areas, also in other parks of course. All of the warbler spp. had been present 
already (none new-to-season), some in modest to goodly numbers, some from the 
stronger migrant arrivals of days just-prior.  

On Sunday 8/29, there were at least 8 warbler species at City Hall Park in 
lower Manhattan, and various small parks in lower Manhattan also held some 
migrants - with warblers, in particular. Governors Island as well as Randall’s 
Island have been receiving some migrant warblers at times.  Parks such as Union 
Square, Washington Square, Tompkins Square, Corlears Hook (section of E. River 
park & promenade areas), and several others all have had 5-8+ warbler species & 
at least a few other migrants within this report’s period.  A minimum of 8 
species of flycatcher have been present in Central Park alone (with many also 
in other larger parks), in this report’s period. There seemed to be a small 
influx of fresh migrants from Sunday to Monday, of warblers, this was 
noticeable as an at-least modest increase in Common Yellowthroat no’s.  There 
also was a fresh influx-and-passage of both Great Crested Flycatcher, and E. 
Kingbird, the latter in active early-a.m. passage.

A Blue-winged Teal was again found at Governors Island on Sun. 8/29 (C. Weiner) 
- just possibly same individual bird as found there on 8/21.  3 Green-winged 
Teal were seen dropping into the Central Park reservoir on 8/28; thanks to E. 
Gaillard for putting word out on those; the 2nd appearance of the species for 
the season there, but very much the first time for more birders to catch up on 
the season.  Few birders have yet made note of the two N. Shovelers recently 
present (after a short period when none had been present), the latest had been 
at C.P.’s ‘the Pool' for a few days already; also continuing in Central Park, 
at least 2 Wood Ducks, which have often been fairly well hidden, but will show 
if patiently sought.  

A single Monk Parakeet has continued at a location in n. Manhattan. One 
Semipalmated Plover was still on the mudflats at Inwood Hill Park (photo’d: D. 
Karlson) as of Fri., 8/27; other shorebirds on subsequent days and various 
sites around the county include the more-regular Spotted, Least, and 
Semipalmated Sandpipers, and a few Solitary Sandpipers in select sites, 
including on Randall’s and Governors Island[s], with numbers of Killdeer on 
both as well.   On Randall’s Island, up to 4 Yellow-crowned Night-Herons have 
been present, although some observers are finding 1 or 2, depending on day / 
time of visits.  Numbers of Snowy & Great Egrets are down slightly in recent 
days (including those seen as fly-overs), while plenty of Black-crowned Night-, 
and Great Blue Herons are being found in some locations.

With only several exceptions all of the more than 120 species -listed below- in 
the report-period were seen by more than 1 observer, & single-observer 
sightings were photographed. Many of the species below had multiple to many 
observers; one example would be Common Ravens seen in this period in multi

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - 8/25-26 - Saltmarsh Sparrow, C. Nighthawks, 22 warbler spp., etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

Wed. & Thursday, Aug. 25th-26th

N.Y. County, including Manhattan, Randall’s & Governors Island[s]

Migration especially nocturnally was strong Mon. night into Tues., & far 
stronger still on Tuesday night into Wednesday.   Of course, August heat-wave 
migration is not exactly same as October-November 'clearing-cold-front' 
movement.  Fairly good overnight migration also on Wed. night to Thursday, 
particularly out of far-eastern Canada and southwardly (or really, 
‘southwestwardly’, for our local interest. Some birds such as many warblers & 
others were surely headed out to sea, directly off parts of the New England 
coastline - next stops, perhaps Caribbean isles, and even S. America. (Some 
warbler spp. that nest in N. America have already been recorded returning to 
the Caribbean & to Central America where many species stay thru more than half 
of their year.)

A Saltmarsh Sparrow turned up at Bryant Park (E. Schumann, finder) in midtown 
Manhattan, first noted in the morning of 8/25, & later seen by more observers. 
Semi-regular on passage, but near-rare for the county. That sparrow was present 
again on Thursday, 8/26. Patience is helpful for good sightings of such a 
skulker, but luck also can help out. This bird was seen off-and-on mainly in 
the south lawn area, & s.-w. ‘corner’ of the park, occasionally coming out to 
be seen well (& photographed), and the sparrow was being watched / sought thru 
near-dusk on both days, possibly becoming bolder by Thursday.  About the only 
other migrant noted there has been a N. Waterthrush, along with long-staying 
White-throated Sparrows, Gray Catbirds, and some other usuals of Bryant.

Showing off its shorebird potential again, Inwood Hill Park’s lagoon & nearby 
mud-flats offered up among other birds a Semipalmated Plover & up to 25 Least 
Sandpipers, plus Semipalmated Sandpiper, on Thursday, 8/26.  Also seen at 
Inwood was a Marsh Wren, on both days, 8/25-26 - the latter species also found 
on the move in other parts of the region.

At Randall’s Island, up to 4 Yellow-crowned (& greater no’s. of Black-crowned) 
Night-Herons have been present.  Common Nighthawk movement was visibly 
increased by Wednesday, as both early morning and evening to after dusk 
provided some, esp. over the west edges of Manhattan, but also in (over) 
Central Park and at least a few of the smaller parks of n. Manhattan. Up to 28 
nighthawks in total (a.m. thru p.m.) for 8/25, and more than 40 for the ‘fall’ 
so far in the county.  A single Monk Parakeet was continuing in n. Manhattan.

Pied-billed Grebe was added (at the Central Park reservoir last several days) 
to the waterbirds recently showing up in the county (N. Shovelers, then 
Blue-winged & Green-winged Teal having been added to the summering & lately 
moving-on Wood Ducks, a few of those still lingering on at Central Park). There 
was a nice movement of Bobolink for Wed. early-hours, esp. along the Hudson 
river side of Manhattan, with some R.-w. Blackbirds also moving, and a small 
number of Baltimore Orioles as well as at least 1 Orchard Oriole in early 
diurnal flight.  The number of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Scarlet Tanagers, & 
Veery increased very modestly by Wed., 8/25.  E. Kingbirds & several species of 
Empidonax (with Alder/Willow *mostly* not distinguished), as well as Blue-gray 
Gnatcatchers have been moving, and showing in multiple locations, too.  
Ruby-throated Hummingbird movement has been ongoing (with good no’s. of 
stop-overs feeding in flowered areas, as well as speedy southward diurnal 
migrators).  Chimney Swift movement seemed to slow a bit by Thursday however it 
will be picking up again.

At least 22 species of warblers were part of the migration, with at least 20 of 
those species present by Tues. 8/24, and a further 2 species added for the 
following day, within N.Y. County - and, all of those species having been seen 
within Central Park in Manhattan & numerous of those also found in a variety of 
other parks and greenspaces in the county.  Indeed, Manhattan *south of* 42nd 
Street had at least 12 species of warblers by 8/25 - although to my knowledge 
(and visits) no *one* park or greenspace of those areas had all those many 
species. Some diversity on the Hudson and East River sides of the island, and 
there have been a fair variety of new migrant species showing on Governors 
Island, since 8/24.  By far, the bulk of warblers on migration have been 
American Redstarts so far this week. (It *seems* that the 2-weeks-staying 
Prothonotary Warbler moved on at last, having made a good run of a portion of 
Central Park’s watery abodes.) There were also modest increases of a number of 
species, such as N. Parula, Black-throated Blue Warbler and Common 
Yellowthroat, while some species diminished such as Canada Warbler & others.  
Some less-birded areas have been quite productive in early-a.m. hours. Also 
having some migrants have been parks on the East River.

Around the wider region, some Y.-br. Chat

[nysbirds-l] Central & Riverside Parks, NYC 8/24 - Prothonotary, Mourning, Cape May, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll Warblers, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

Tuesday, Aug. 24th -

A single Prothonotary Warbler has made it through 2 full weeks, present in the 
Central Park Ramble area (Manhattan, N.Y. City) again on Tuesday, with multiple 
sightings for the day, including areas where one had been seen previously, at 
the n.w. part of the Lake, and in the Ramble not far from the Gill, or just 
north of there.

Fresh (or at least recent) arrivals included Mourning, Cape May, Bay-breasted, 
and Blackpoll Warblers, and at dusk, further arrival of Common Nighthawks 
moving near the Hudson river, as well as a bit to the east.   A minimum of 
two-dozen species of warblers were present between the 2 nearby parks - 
Riverside & Central, with as usual, the greater number of species seen at 
Central Park, by more observers there (and more hours of effort put in there).  
Migrants also continue to be detected from many other parks & greenspaces, by 
multiple observers in the county.

Other migrants showing small but clear upticks in numbers included 
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, and in just recent days, a 
reinvigoration of Empidonax [genus] flycatchers. The most regular 
shorebird-migrants in the county have been present: Least, Semipalmated, 
Spotted, & Solitary (last not as numerous) Sandpipers, along with small no’s. 
of Killdeer where the latter are regulars.  There has been some further raptor 
movement as well, including Bald Eagle and Osprey moving southwardly.

An addition to the sightings of Monday, 8/23 were 5 Mute Swans photographed 
flying (C. Quinn) past Randall’s Island (in N.Y. County).  It can be noted that 
the Lark Sparrow sighting from Central Park’s n. end on 8/21 corresponded with 
finds of that sparrow species in multiple states, and at least 2 other reports 
in eastern NYS at or near that date (one 8/24 in Suffolk Co., NY)  That sparrow 
has not been reported again from Central Park, or N.Y. County, but could 
potentially be lingering.

Below are the 24 warbler species present in Central (& some also Riverside) 
Park[s] on Aug. 24:

Prothonotary Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler

A much stronger overnight avian migration was occurring for Tuesday night into 
Wed. (25th), and which was very widespread regionally (and much farther 
beyond). 

...
Monarch butterflies continue on the move, and there have been (among multiple 
other ‘immigrant’ type butterflies), some Cloudless Sulphurs in multiple areas, 
with at least a bit of increase in recent days.

…
Seems worth a mention on this list that a Swallow-tailed Kite has been 
lingering, apparently for some (many?) days in Yates County, NY, with scores of 
observer-photographers and was present in that county again to 8/24.   Another 
species to note (from 8/20 however) in Kings County, N.Y. City was a 
photographed (H. Nove) Summer Tanager at Green-Wood Cemetery, a much-birded 
location in Brooklyn.

Good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
















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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC 8/23; - HUDSONIAN GODWIT w/ after-storm birds, multi-Tern spp., shorebirds, & ongoing Prothonotary W., etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

Monday, Aug. 23rd -

At least one Prothonotary Warbler lingered on to Monday, working towards a 
2-weeks stay of the species in the Central Park (Manhattan, N.Y. City) Ramble 
area.

...
Of river-watching, a good many observers watched the Hudson river from various 
points along Manhattan, with results in on some (but not yet all) of the 
sightings, and at least 5 species of (non-pelagic) terns were found on 
storm-“Henri”-related movement (somewhat paralleling experiences of others 
watching from some parts of the wider region, post-storm) - those 4 tern 
species for N.Y. County were Caspian, Forster’s, Black, & the most-regular of 
the county’s species, Common Tern[s].  Some watchers were out as early as 
sunrise-hour, while others continued to watch or came out later and found 
afternoon movement of interest as well.  By far the most impressive numbers (so 
far) reported were for Caspian Tern, with 30 or more counted by multiple 
careful observers as they moved past n. Manhattan.   There was a report of 
Royal Tern for Sun., 8/22 from n. Manhattan.  A Lesser Black-backed Gull was 
seen on 8/23 by at least 4 of the post-storm-watch observers.

Among shorebirds, for N.Y. County, standouts are a Black-bellied Plover, and a 
Husdonian Godwit, as well as some Sanderlings, each uncommon (the Godwit, 
any-godwit-anytime, exceeedingly rare for the county!) & all very-rarely 
documented by photos - https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/363380521 
 is one of a series by A. 
Cunningham that show both the plover and the godwit in flight, as they moved 
together along the Hudson; there are additional photos now in, or arriving in, 
the Macaulay Library archives for a number of the post-storm sightings of the 
county by various birders.

There may well be additional sightings of storm-related birds in the area (& 
perhaps, in N.Y. County) to come; thanks to the many who offered a wide variety 
of fairly prompt reports, and photos.

Many would likely enjoy reading any summaries of birds seen in other parts of 
the state, during or following the storm.

Good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
N.Y. City
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RE:[nysbirds-l] Lark Sparrow, etc. - Central Park, NYC - 8/21 (2 small corrections)

[Thomas Fiore]

Please note that almost all reports in my prior report, including of a Central 
Park Lark Sparrow, were for Aug. 21st, which of course was Saturday (not 
Sunday).

Also, a mis-spelled attribution; the Blue-winged Teal on Governor’s Island 
(also part of N.Y. County) was the find of M.B. Kooper.  My apologies, whether 
due to ‘auto-correct’ or not.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
N.Y. City & beyond
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[nysbirds-l] Lark Sparrow, etc. - Central Park, NYC - Sunday, 8/21

[Thomas Fiore]

Sunday, August 21st - Central Park (& elsewhere in Manhattan & N.Y. County; 
N.Y. City)

A LARK Sparrow was found (& nicely photographed: S. Brase) in the north end of 
Central Park Sunday morning, and was also seen later Sunday in the park’s 
compost area (which has hosted that species in the past, having been moving 
about a bit; checking around the butterfly-plantings just west of the park’s 
East Drive road is also a good idea).  The first reporter’s photo can be seen 
on the Macaulay Library archives - https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/362904401 
 

Another bird that’s uncommonly found in N.Y. County, Blue-winged Teal, was 
reported from Governors Island on Sunday 8/21 (M.B. Cooper) at the puddle[s] in 
the maintainance area there.

A Monk Parakeet was photographed and has (apparently) been lingering in the 
Washington Heights-Inwood section of Manhattan; that species is rather 
irregularly reported from the county, and may be an occasional breeder, or 
possibly more-regular as resident and/or breeder than is realized, albeit in 
(presumably) low numbers / densities.  A good count of 16 Semipalmated 
Sandpiper was made at Inwood Hill Park (n. Manhattan) on Sunday.

Both Cuckoo species (Black-billed & Yellow-billed) were seen in Central Park 
over the past 3 days, with at least Black-billed lingering to Sunday, 8/21.  A 
minimum of 16 Warbler species were still being found in Central Park alone on 
Sunday, 8/21, that including the Prothonotary sightings.  There have been some 
mass-migrations (seen in daytime) of Eastern Kingbird, including sightings of 
10+ moving from (within) Central Park over the last few days, & a few other 
migrants also noted have included Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, and 
Bobolink (the latter as fly-overs).

..
It was poignant that *Barry* Manilow (in a performance) ended the huge concert 
venue in Central Park for Saturday, due to concerns over the rain-deluges 
passing the city and region.

Good - and stay-safe - birding to all,

Tom Fiore
N.Y. City & beyond 
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[nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC - Prothonotary Warbler[s] - 8/21

[Thomas Fiore]

Saturday, Aug. 21st -

While a majority of observers at Central Park (Manhattan, N.Y. City) continue 
to note & report one Prothonotary Warbler in areas where one had regularly been 
seen (starting from Aug. 11th), there are ongoing reports to 8/21 of at least 
two birds of this species, and at least a few reports noting more than two of 
them.  In any event, the species is ongoing, in the Ramble, Lake shore areas of 
the park, with multiple observers - and photos (of a single brightly-plumaged 
individual) also again being placed in publicly-accessible archives.  As noted 
before by many, one warbler can easily be moving about from location to 
location in any given day, esp. with the locations all being within 1/2 mile -& 
often much less- from each other (referring to these various sightings).

...
While all will hopefully make safety their main concern of the coming storm 
(“Henri”), that storm may bring possibly-unusual birds over the next 48 or more 
hours! (which could include any fresh-water areas in the region, as well as 
even puddles of any size, and potentially in ‘odd’ locations where ordinarily 
not many birds normally are found.  Please take care, for your own but also for 
everyone’s sake, in particular all of our first-responders!

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
N.Y. City & beyond
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[nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC Prothonotary W. update, Thurs. 8/19

[Thomas Fiore]

Thursday, Aug. 19th - Manhattan, N.Y. City:

A brightly-plumaged Prothonotary Warbler continued in the Central Park Ramble 
(as previously, by waters such as The Gill, Azalea Pond, & adjacent locations 
in the Ramble, esp. just north of the Gill / Azalea Pond areas - & sometimes 
seen feeding on small fruits, also as previously) Thursday, 8/19, with again 
multiple observers of that & of 12 or more additional warbler spp. in the park, 
& various other migrants.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
N.Y. City & beyond
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC), Sat.-Wed., 8/14-8/18 - Protho. Warbler; 135+ species incl. many migrants

[Thomas Fiore]

Many NYS birders may be readers of, or aware of the ABA blog; there’s a brief 
write-up in one of the latest entries that offers some thoughts on the influx 
of Wood Storks and Roseate Spoonbills to the north of their breeding ranges, 
and sometimes, as the blog piece points out, very far north of the typical 
breeding ranges.  It’s an easy read, and might deserve further discussion, 
especially from those who study these species. See: 
https://www.aba.org/roseate-spoonbills-and-wood-storks-wander-to-the-north/  
-if interested.

……
New York County, including Manhattan, Randall’s & Governors Island[s], and 
adjacent waters & sky.

Sat. Aug. 14th, thru Wed., Aug. 18th -

At least one Prothonotary Warbler continued into Wed., 8/18 in the Central Park 
Ramble - 8th day in a row; I’m of the opinion 1 bird is ranging around from The 
Lake’s edges, into Ramble. This always-popular species was on Wednesday (18th) 
again showing regularly in the area of the Azalea Pond, which is formed by the 
widest section of the Gill (a stream) into a small pond. [N.B. - I have yet to 
see any photos showing 2 Prothonotarys at same time, for any days since 8/11; 
yet some are suggesting 2 have continued in Central. Many observers report one 
bird now.]

28 of the passage-migrant spp. were the many warbler species that came, in 
particular on the night of the 14th-15th, seen most widely on 8/15, with many 
lingering also to 8/16, and some afterwards.  Also impressive were the 8 or 
more spp. of flycatcher recorded for the period, and for this county, the full 
complement of all the annually-seen hirundine species.  Many species of recent 
migrants were the first-of-fall arrivals, although there were some precursors, 
such as the early Tennessee Warbler[s] in July, & a few other such hints that a 
big ‘push’ could turn up in this area this ‘early’ into August… (for many of 
the migrants, the early-ness was just a week or so ahead of more-typical 
1st-arrivals in the southbound season).  And it never hurts that a good many 
observers came out for a weekend of a lot of migration!  Unless noted 
otherwise, all of the species had multiple observers, and many, including 
uncommon species were photographed as well.

Again, I’ll add that many of the ‘early-seeming’ species found in this period 
were mainly found in small numbers; it’s an interesting event, esp. the 
arrivals of 8/15, yet not quite exceptional simply because while this looks to 
be a widespread passage (some of these ‘early’ moving migrant species were also 
detected in other counties of N.Y. City and adacent or nearby counties of the 
tri-state region hereabouts, but also, for some, in locatons a good ways south 
of N.Y. City) but not an extremely dense movement - possibly more notable in 
its relative diversity (of the Parulidae in particular), rather than for 
exceptionally high numbers moving en-masse. At the same time, and as is usual, 
far more birds passed on thru in the night, than stopped or dropped in to local 
areas.

It is reasonable to assume that (at least) a few additional species were moving 
in the great push of migrants esp. over last weekend, 8/14-15… this list is a 
result of the observations by literally hundreds of observers in thousands of 
hours of individual observing-times and from many locations.  Some of the 
migrants were detected in smaller less-visited locations, but as can be 
expected, many many observations came from a  lot of watchers in the 
most-visited parks and areas, some very well-known.  From Inwood Hill Park, to 
The Battery, and Governors Island, and from Randall’s Island, to Riverside Park 
& the Hudson river, watchers found a whole lot in the report-period. So thanks, 
to all!

Canada Goose (typical summering birds and some breeders)
Mute Swan (now-uncommon to scarce in the county, multiple sightings along E. 
River areas)
Wood Duck (slight inceease for August, generally)
Gadwall (small uptick in sightings and in numbers)
American Black Duck (more beginning to show up)
Mallard (near ubiquitous, many breeding as well as summering)
Northern Shoveler (minimum of 4 at Central Park, Sunday, 8/15)
(n.b. - a single Hooded Merganser, earlier in Aug. for the county)
Osprey (good no’s. and some are migrating now)
Bald Eagle (small no’s. with some of the earliest migrators on the move as well)
Northern Harrier (a bit early for this country but in line with general 
movements)
Sharp-shinned Hawk (early for the county, and in line with first 
early-migrators)
Cooper's Hawk (several sightings around the county - a possibilty that some 
summered)
Broad-winged Hawk (a few sightings, not unexpected for August migration on n-w 
winds)
Red-tailed Hawk (common N.Y. City residents & breeders, good no’s. around the 
county, esp. on Manhattan)
Double-crested Cormorant (common & very widespread, including fly-overs, in 
summer)
Great Blue Heron (regular now at some locations)
Great Egret (regular all summer)
Snowy Egret (regular all summer - mostly 

[nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC Tues., 8/17 - Prothonotary W. ongoing 7th day in a row

[Thomas Fiore]

Tues., Aug. 17th -

Just a brief update, at least one (and if just one now, a rather active one) 
and very possibly two Prothonotary Warbler[s] continued at Central Park 
(Manhattan, N.Y, City) with sightings at the n.-w. portion of The Lake, and 
within the Ramble as in recent days, & also at least one sighting Tues. back at 
Turtle Pond, where the initial find of the species for this season was reported 
7 days prior on 8/11.Also, while it appears some migrants have moved on 
from the weekend’s strong arrival, many birds also were lingering in addition 
to Prothonotary, and some of the species seen over the weekend or on Monday 
are, or may be, yet lingering. 

With Common Nighthawks having begun to mass and move south in parts of the 
wider region, it’s worth keeping an eye out, esp. very early or later in the 
day and through dusk.  There are also ongoing migration and movement of 
hirundines, & all of our 6 (northeastern) breeding species are possible and 
have been seen from N.Y. County within the past week (including of course 
Purple Martin as well as the 5 swallow species).

Although it would be a rare ‘prize’ for N.Y. County, the confirmed Baird’s 
Sandpiper at Jamaica Bay (*off* the walkable refuge) on Sun., 8/15 is a 
reminder to check over the various shorebirds of passage closely! Incidentally 
that Baird’s was seen in the boundaries of Kings County (Brooklyn) as a good 
part of Jamaica Bay (entire) and a smaller section of the Refuge there is in 
Brooklyn.   

In N.Y. County, we continue to have Semipalmated, Least, Spotted, & 
less-commonly Solitary Sandpipers, all thru Tues., 8/17 (various locations), 
and other shorebird species are within possibilities for that county.  

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
N.Y. City & beyond
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[nysbirds-l] Central & Riverside Parks, N.Y.C. - Sun., 8/15 - ongoing Prothonotary W., + new arrivals +

[Thomas Fiore]

At least 1 Prothonotary Warbler was ongoing at Central Park (Manhattan, N.Y. 
City) with further details below, Sunday, 8/15.  As before and as I had noted 
in previous reports here, there may be a wandering -and/or a 2nd Prothonotary- 
either moving about from Lake shore into the Ramble at a small stream (known as 
"The Gill”) and nearby - from various observations again on Sunday.  There seem 
to be no further recent sightings of the species at Turtle Pond - (and as 
photographed - with a link posted here for a Macaulay Lab archive photo, & 
credit to the original/first finder-photographer given here, on the day) - 
where the initial find in Central Park was made on 8/11.  And 5th day in a row 
for this uncommon species in Central, with by now many, many observers.

On Randall’s Island (part of N.Y. County, NYC) early Sunday (8/15), a Cape May 
Warbler was found & photo’d. (D. Aronov); adding to the modest but somewhat 
increasing evidence for some of the boreal-breeding songbird / landbird 
migrants having had a (presumed) good breeding summer, & some early to 
modestly-early movement south of those kinds of species. Using Cape May Warbler 
as an example, there are a small no. of much-earlier than typical-early 
(documented) sightings across NY state & the broader region (all south of where 
Cape Mays are known to breed) this summer.  Other species showing now, or 
recently (with additional modest no’s. in the broader region, south of where 
nesting is known) have included Wilson’s, Tennessee, just this Sunday (8/15), 
Bay-breasted, among warblers that can utilize spruce-budworm as a particular 
summer food-source in the boreal-breeding range. Also there are the uptick of 
O.-s. Flycatcher recently (again with documented sightings in the wider region 
south of known breeding areas), although the latter is a typical August 
migrant, and, for a further example, the start-up of Ruby-crowned Kinglet fall 
migration. There are some further examples, some better-documented than others. 
 For further sightings on the day specific to Randall’s Isl. and photo’d. 
warblers, thanks also to C. Quinn.  Also, ’n.b.' - some of the boreal-breeding 
migrant songbirds, warbler species in particular, are turning up from eastern & 
western ‘corners’ of NY state, as of this weekend, 8/14 - 8/15. Those few early 
Palm Warbler sightings from nearby & farther south in the past week or so now 
look *less* like weird outliers.

There were at least ten warbler spp. seen on Randall’s Island and likely more 
on Sunday 8/15; the reports for other island areas, including Governors Island, 
may be additionally interesting.
.. .. .. .. 
Central Park & Riverside Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -

Sunday, Aug. 15th - just some of the initial highlights, including some new 
southbound ‘fall’ arrivals -

First N. Shovelers for Manhattan of the ‘fall’ season. Belted Kingfisher 
numbers have increased. The Chimney Swift passage continues.  Yes, also Wood 
Ducks for Central Park, ongoing.

Some of first signs of Broad-winged Hawk migration starting through N.Y. City 
by 8/14, and some more on 8/15.  Also moving were Bald Eagle, Osprey, Turkey 
Vulture, and other diurnally-migrating species. 

Eastern Kingbird migration (ongoing!)  Far more Ruby-throated Hummingbirds 
moving, Sunday 8/15.  Yellow-shafted Flickers were somewhat increased in areas 
where not that many nest.

Empidonax [genus] Flycatchers, Olive-sided Flycatcher (several), Great Crested 
Flycatcher (some migrants, plus local breeders).  Among the 
reasonably-identified Empidonax were Least, Willow, and Yellow-bellied 
Flycatchers, with 2 more as at least ‘possible’. Rather strong movement for the 
Empidonax, generally.  E. Wood-Pewees do breed in N.Y. County, in modest no’s.

Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo (migrants in addition to locally-breeding 
families), also a further increase of Warbling Vireo (in addition to the many 
that nest annually in the county).

Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Veery, Swainson’s Thrush, Wood 
Thrush (although the last breeds on Manhattan in low numbers) - n.b., some of 
the migrant thrushes, esp. Swainson’s Thrush, confirnmed overnight Sat.-Sun. 
via ‘NFC’ (nocturnal flight calls), but then further confirmed on the ground in 
Manhattan, and in other parts of N.Y. City, on Sunday, 8/15.

At least one bright Prothonotary Warbler was continuing Sunday (8/15) around 
the n.w. portion (also known to locals as the “upper lobe”) of The Lake, in 
Central Park, with the now-confirmed sightings (by others) of 2 of the species 
*at least in the initial day* of first-fall-appearance in that park thanks to 
several birders & photographers.  With this species, the total number of 
warblers in N.Y. County on Sunday came to at least 25 species, and that total 
could rise a bit with later sightings & reports still to come. Of those, a 
minimum of 22 warbler species were in Central Park as of Sunday.  

Mourning Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Wilson

[nysbirds-l] Central & Riverside Parks, N.Y.C. - Sat., 8/14 - Prothonotary & 15+ add'l. Warbler spp., & more migration

[Thomas Fiore]

Central & Riverside Parks, Manhattan, N.Y. City - Saturday, Aug. 14th -

A bright Prothonotary Warbler has continued at Central Park, unsurprisingly 
having moved a bit, to the n.-w. portion of The Lake (as of at least 
first-light on Saturday, and as suggested in my prior reports) - and other 
movements around the lake, or elsewhere within the park, will be possible as 
per past sightings of that species there (including this past spring’s 
migrations).  In addition to the Prothonotary (present at Central Park since 
Wed. 8/11), there were at least 15 additional warbler species in Central Park 
on Sat., and at least 8 species of warblers at Riverside Park, with Yellow 
Warbler, American Redstart, and Black-and-white Warblers among the most 
numerous.  Also on the move, & in numbers, were E. Kingbirds as well as 
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, & some Bobolinks along with Baltimore Orioles.  
Several Yellow-billed Cuckoos were seen both on Sat. as well as Friday, 8/14 & 
8/13 in Central Park, & one noted for Riverside as well on Sat.  Numbers of 
other migrants also, to be noted in a further report at some point.

A Lesser Yellowlegs was photo’d. at the flats of Inwood Hill Park’s lagoon, at 
the n. end of Manhattan on 8/13.  There were additional confirmed sightings of 
hirundines on migration from Aug. 9th, passing along the Manhattan-side of the 
Hudson river, which included Purple Martins, Cliff, Bank and other swallow 
species, numbers of Barn as expected the highest.  Good numbers of Chimney 
Swifts also continue, on the move, although also seen in occasionally-large 
aerial feeding-flocks.  Of flocking migrants visible in daylight, Red-winged 
Blackbird continues as the most numerous, and there are also some Cedar 
Waxwings that appear to be on the move lately, including on 8/14.In the 
coming days - and even now, the start-up of Common Nighthawk migration may be 
on, as per their typical southbound movements. Raptor movement has already 
begun, slowly for now.

More than 75 species of birds in total were noted for Central Park alone 
Saturday, 8/14. More in a future report…

Good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
N.Y. City & beyond






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[nysbirds-l] Manhattan (NYC), 8/12-13 - Prothonotary W., & other migrants

[Thomas Fiore]

Manhattan, N.Y. City -

A Prothonotary Warbler was continuing at Turtle Pond in Central Park, albeit 
sometimes being difficult to observe; also in the same area were a few other 
warblers including Canada Warbler & Yellow Warblers, poss. leading to brief 
moments of anticipatory mix-ups on the status of the -seemingly sole- 
Prothonotary: sightings were fewer than on Wednesday (8/11) but were ongoing 
into Friday 8/13, with patience the best & likeliest means of finding. There 
were still a minimum of 1 dozen warbler species in Central and Riverside Parks 
alone on Friday, and other additional species may have also continued. By far 
the bulk of the migrant warblers lately are Yellow, Black-and-white, American 
Redstart; and N. Waterthrush. Some of the last, in particular have been -as is 
not unusual in migrations- seen in smaller parks & greenspaces, including those 
with no nearby fresh water.

There was a fair amount of migration (despite what many would assume to be 
unconducive weather) overnight Thursday & into Fri. (8/12-13) and some of the 
birds on the move, including many departing, included new arrivals of Oriole 
(more Baltimore, but some Orchard), with other icterid species also in (higher) 
numbers, esp. Red-winged Blackbird, and B-h. Cowbird, plus at least a few 
Bobolink, and (as had been on other recent days of midsummer) some Common 
Grackles, the latter in at least local staging-type movements.  Also ongoing 
have been swallow movements, with rather more Barn Swallows (& others) in the 
mix, some moving low and also many high in hazy skies. There are also 
shorebirds of course on the move, and Least, Semipalmated and Spotted 
Sandpipers continue to be some of the reguar stop-ins & drop-ins at a number of 
typical locations for shorebirds; in greater - more evident for much of the 
first part of the day - numbers were E. Kingbird in active southward migration. 
Also on the move recently, & ongoing, have been some Chimney Swifts, not always 
easily separated from the local birds this early on in their southward 
migration.

More reports for another time when more is on the move &/or newly arrived.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
N.Y. City & beyond
















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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) - Aug. 2-11 - Prothonotary & 17 more Warbler spp., shorebirds, other migrants

[Thomas Fiore]

N.Y. County (in N.Y. City), including Manhattan, Randall’s and Governors 
Island[s] and the waters & skies adjacent -

A brightly-plumaged PROTHONOTARY Warbler was found at Central Park’s Turtle 
Pond earlier on Wed., 8/11 (V. Iadevaia), & was being seen by multiple 
observers by that afternoon; some were (later) reporting more than 1 
individual.  It’s possible that this species could move about & show along any 
of the park’s water-bodies at any time during their stay; if not seen at the 
original area, the nearest other waters are those of The Lake, slightly to the 
south, and other water-bodies in that park would be additional places to check 
on.  A photo (by its’ finder) of the Prothonotary Warbler has been placed in 
the Macaulay Library archives: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/360559131

At least a few other warbler species seemed to have arrived on that or the day 
prior, with Wilson’s and Canada Warblers, and a further report of a hybrid 
(“Brewster’s” type, cross of Blue-winged & Golden-winged) warbler as well, 
these all in Central Park by 8/11; while a (male-plumaged type) Hooded Warbler 
had appeared at Riverside Park by 8/10.  Another Tennessee Warbler showed at 
Central Park by 8/9, after the rather-early individual of that species from 
7/23. It will be interesting to see if there is any trend for some additional 
boreal-breeding migrants to start re-appearing early on the southbound 
migrations; there may not yet be enough evidence to suggest it as a trend.

On 8/2, two Semipalmated Plovers appeared at Inwood Hill Park’s north-side 
mudflats, found & ID’d by S. Dodson & N. O’Reilly respectively.  They 
apparently moved on after just a short time.  Least & Semipalmated Sandpipers, 
as well as more-widespread Spotted Sandpipers, continued to be seen there & in 
a few other locations.  Solitary Sandpiper was again seen as of Aug. 7-8th. 
There was an eBird report with Lesser Yellowlegs at Governors Island on 8/5, 
and a surprisingly-early report (also in eBird) of Hooded Merganser on Aug. 9th 
in Central Park’s Turtle Pond, the latter found by K. Samel - and following a 
sighting of that species on 8/8 at Prospect Park in Brooklyn / Kings Co. (N.Y. 
City); a pair of the species had also been present at Jamaica Bay Refuge in 
Queens Co. (N.Y.C.) in recent days; there also was at least 1 of that species 
at the start of July on Staten Island (Richmond Co.), N.Y., with other 
sightings regionally over the summer.  Mute Swan made an appearance on the East 
River on 8/11.

A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was photo’d. (T. Olson) at Battery Park at 
Manhattan’s south end on 8/9, and one or two of that species have been somewhat 
regular at Randall’s Island.  Osprey, Bald Eagle, and Cooper’s Hawk are among 
the less-commonly seen raptors in the county recently.  Small numbers of Turkey 
Vultures have been seen, most-often from northern Manhattan, but also from 
other vantage points.

On Aug. 5th, some of the freshly-arriving migrants included Blue-gray 
Gnatcatcher, Orchard Oriole, and Wilson’s (early), Prairie, & Blackburnian 
Warblers, along with more of some of the below species.  Some birds being seen 
by Aug. 7th included Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager (also reported for 
8/6), Indigo Bunting and Canada Warbler.  

14 of the warbler species seen this month so far were present in Central Park 
by Sunday, 8/8 & of those, just two are potential/possible nesters in that park 
(Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat). Both Cuckoo species, Black-billed & 
Yellow-billed, were present in Central as of last Sunday and these also have 
been seen previously around Manhattan this summer.  By Wed., 8/11, there had 
been at least 18 warbler spp. in N.Y. County in August, with 17 of those having 
occurred in Central Park (and most of the more-common of them in multiple other 
locations).

An Olive-sided Flyctacher was photo’d. in Central Park’s n. end on 8/9, in 
addition to the several sightings of that species the weekend prior, 8/7 & 8/8. 
 E. Wood-Pewees have been present, although unobtrusive & often quiet, all 
summer in several Manhattan locations, including Central Park, with the same 
holding for Great Crested Flycatchers. More widespread E. Kingbirds are already 
*just* beginning to migrate through, although a good number of the breeding 
locals are still around in family groups.  Also starting to return were a few 
more of Empidonax [genus] flycatchers.  For the record, the earliest report of 
a southbound (in 2021) Empidonax flycatcher for N.Y. County came from Central 
Park’s n. end on July 20th, and by description was most likely a Least 
Flycatcher.  By 8/5, Willow Flycatcher was also noted (by calls heard) in 
Central Park, & there are some other Empidonax also appearing.

The more-numerous migrant warblers continued in about same order of abundance 
in the county as previously - Yellow Warbler & Northern Waterthrush being the 
more-often seen; by 8/4 & 8/5, however, American Redstart wa

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) - 2nd half of July birds - Cliff Swallows, ten warbler spp., & etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

The Staten Island (Richmond County, in N.Y. City) Wood Stork was continuing to 
be seen by many through at least mid-afternoon on Sunday, 8/1 - a great find by 
A.V. Ciancimino on July 31st.

… This is extra-limital and hardly ‘news’, esp. this week in the “if it ain’t a 
spoonbill just leave it alone” proliferation - it is simply … interesting… to 
note that within the state of New Hampshire, this past week -had one been 
so-inclined & able to drive just about one hour or so- it would have been 
possible to view a Snowy Owl, & then a few days later, a Roseate Spoonbill. I’m 
sure there are other areas seeing spoonbills recently with some very odd 
juxtaposed vagrants, but… Now, I suppose if one of the Spoonbills makes it to 
where Snowys breed, that would be quite the voyager...

…...
New York County (in N.Y. City), including Manhattan, Randall’s, and Governors 
Island[s], & surrounding waters & sky.

Solitary Sandpipers have moved through in small numbers in the county, 
including a few in Central Park (to at least 7/25, reservoir) as well as one 
reported from Governors Island (7/25), as well as at Swindler Park-Sherman 
Creek (7/27), and possibly elsewhere, while Spotted Sandpipers were more 
regular - both should be possible well into Aug.; fairly few reports of 
Semipalmated Sandpiper so far this summer (in the county) at Randall’s Island’s 
mudflats, a small flock of the latter by 7/27, and on Manhattan island, few 
seen by multiple observers at Swindler Park-Sherman Creek’s mudflats, as well 
as a relatively-few Least Sandpipers, the latter also again showing at least 
briefly in Central Park, on the reservoir’s shores. The flats at the northern 
end of Manhattan, off Inwood Hill Park have also produced some shorebirds 
recently - and any location with a bit of habitat potentially could, in 
addition to fly-bys in various and sometimes less-expected places.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron sightings have continued at Randall’s Island, while 
beginning on 7/22, several observers noted 1 or 2 Cliff Swallows there (and 
some noting up to three at a time). Other swallow species are (also) on the 
move recently, including Bank Swallow, and in the wider region some Purple 
Martins are moving a bit along with the other regionally-nesting species of 
hirundines. The Cliff Swallows at Randall’s Island (N.Y. County) are thought to 
be nesting, & on 7/31, at least 3 individuals were found there.  It’s also 
worth keeping eyes out for migrants among various (day-flying) birds.  Common 
Terns are still rather regular as seen from the N.Y. Harbor area & esp. on 
Governor’s Island, more occasionally at points up the Hudson or East rivers.  
Some Wood Ducks have been moving a bit, and all thru July at least several were 
present in Central Park, others, mainly as singles, seen in a variety of 
locations including both Randall’s and Governors Island[s].  Belted Kingfishers 
have continued to be seen at times from (esp.) Randall’s Island. Ruby-throated 
Hummingbirds were seen in various locations including in Central Park, thru the 
end of July (& on Aug. 1st), and that wintering-spring-&-summering Barred Owl 
has been ongoing at Central, as seen (thru the seasons) by thousands, with 
fewer noting its’ occasional forays in the northern end of same park.  A Wild 
Turkey was also ongoing in Manhattan’s northern section.

Some more Yellow Warblers and Louisiana Waterthrushes returned to Central Park 
by Tuesday, 7/20, and the latter species was also recorded from Governors 
Island on 7/19, while (probably) one of the first Northern Waterthrushes (at 
least, for there) of the southbound season showed at Central Park on 7/22.  A 
small number of N. Waterthrushes were reported (at least some photographed) by 
7/23 in N.Y. City & in the area-of, and a few more by Sunday, 7/25, including 
one at Central Park’s s. end.  [n.b., Northern Waterthrush were also already 
moving in modest numbers as of 7/22, in the nearby region.]  Also, 7/23 brought 
a stronger southbound flight of Louisiana Waterthrushes, with a slight increase 
by Sun.-Mon. (7/25-26) - and with a seemingly-small assortment of other warbler 
species, the least-expected of those being one Tennessee, as well as 
Worm-eating, Blue-winged (1), Blackburnian (1), and Black-and-white (2) 
Warblers, all of which were in the county at least by Sunday, 7/25.  In Central 
Park, by 7/26, all of those species were present and of them, Yellow Warbler 
was by far the most numerous, with sightings of more than a dozen through that 
park; also in numbers in locations where they are definitely not breeding; 
there were multiple Louisiana Waterthrush in Central through Sunday, 7/25 as 
well, corresponding to their modest increase city-wide & regionally, as more 
work their ways south.  By Friday, 7/30 if not before then, Northern 
Waterthrushes outnumbered Louisiana in Manhattan, and likely around the city as 
well.  American Redstarts were appearing on at least Manhattan by Wed., 7/28

[nysbirds-l] Manhattan (N.Y. City), 7/20 - Little Blue Heron, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

A juvenile-plumaged LITTLE Blue Heron was found & photographed at Inwood Hill 
Park (in N.Y. City) on the mudflats (& also perching up in low branches 
overlooking the flats), in late morning Tuesday 7/20, by N. O’Reilly, with 
multiple others arriving later on to view the same bird.  It’s a rarely-seen 
species in N.Y. County, & perhaps esp. so for Manhattan (Inwood is at the 
northern tip of Manhattan island); there are previous records for the species, 
including even at Central Park, but all prior county records are rather few & 
far-between.  Thanks to Nate for the quickly-posted eBird report.  [n.b.., 
Great Egrets are also rather regular now.]

(This bird’s appearance at that location as noted above may not be much related 
to the inland sightings of various wading birds, with of course some of the 
most notable / surprising being the multiple Roseate Spoonbills through a 
number of states where not expected at all, or not often - a lot of sightings 
this month well north of usual areas; there have also been inland sightings of 
Yellow-crowned Night-Herons and a number of other wading species in places and 
regions where not at all regular, or in some, the first for a location.) 

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were starting to move in modest numbers by 7/19, 
with fresh sightings around the city, including in N.Y. County at several 
locations, which included Central Park, while a number of observers have been 
seeing more than one at Fort Tryon Park.  Also on the move on 7/19 & 7/20 were 
icterids, with Red-winged Blackbird making fairly strong southbound moves (not 
unusual for the month of July, of course far ahead of the major movements of 
mid to late fall of that species and other icterids), and also some 
Brown-headed Cowbirds as well as a smattering of Orchard Oriole, which can be 
an extremely early migrant, although a good many of the latter are still on 
territories in & around N.Y. City (& county).  Also, intriguingly, a very few 
cuckoos, including Black-billed Cuckoo, were in N.Y. County as of 7/19 - early 
migrants or simply wanderers, which might indicate some non-breeding (which is 
not unusual for some).

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
N.Y. City, & beyond 
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - first half of July birds

[Thomas Fiore]

Really amazing to see all the sightings of Roseate Spoonbills, including the 
several from several N.Y. state counties, and quite the numbers of the species 
from mid-Atlantic states - what has happened here (!); these are not simply a 
result of the recent passage of storm “Elsa”, since many of the multiple 
spoonbills in the states south of N.Y. had started to be found well ahead of 
that storm’s arrival; there is something more and perhaps bigger behind the 
near-irruption of this species so typical of (in N. America) subtropical 
locales, including of course coastal areas in Florida.  It is also notable that 
there are other wading-waterbirds such as certain herons and egrets appearing 
in inland areas (in mid-Atlantic & northeastern states) where they are 
generally rare, or even ‘new’ to particular locations.  

Somewhat farther north, in eastern Canada, a Steller’s Sea-Eagle seen (& 
photographed) by many many observers last week & into last Sunday, at 
La-Cote-de-Gaspe, *Quebec* is quite the amazing occurrence, & was an 
understandable source of some local traffic-jams! (I’ve not heard if there were 
any further sightings.)

…
New York County (in N.Y. City) including Manhattan, Randall’s Island, Governors 
Island, & the adjacent waters.

Among highlights, the 4 LEAST Terns seen by 4 observers, checking N.Y. harbor & 
vicinity with the passage of storm “Elsa” on July 9th, are standouts, as the 
species is not at all regular in N.Y. County.   Another nice sighting, or 
rather, set of sightings over this month so far, is from n. Manhattan’s Fort 
Tryon Park, where at least 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird has been seen a number 
of times, & gives hope that there might have been a nesting (or an attempt), 
although no sightings have so far included the notes of any more than 1 bird at 
one time. Although presumed rare as a nester in N.Y. County, Ruby-throateds 
have been able to in the past, even though very sparsely documented for the 
modern era.

Some shorebird movement, of course having begun on the southbound start up of 
the season, with, in N.Y. County, some Least, & Spotted Sandpipers both as 
early as July 3rd (sparingly), and up thru more recently, with Semipalmated 
Sandpiper & Solitary Sandiper also already found.  Spotted SP perhaps having 
bred (or not) in areas not so far out of the city… also for Spotted, the chance 
that a few could have managed to, or to try, even if not all that likely.
[N.B., sometimes just as storms of any sort are ending -or even in storms, if 
reasonably safe to be out looking-, there can be shorebirds, and perhaps also 
other types of migrants, ‘put down’ in even small puddles, & equally possible 
on large waterbodies, in some cases those birds moving on rapidly once a storm 
has passed, & occasionally lingering a little while; some of such uncommon or 
expected migrants are found in such circumstances, including relatively recent 
finds as well as some from very long ago years.]

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron sightings have (again) come from the Randall’s 
Island shores & vicinity, and there also have been good no’s. of Black-crowned 
Night-Herons in many more locations, esp. for observers watching at very early, 
or rather late hours, or even in evenings or perhaps at night.  We’ve also had 
some Belted Kingfisher sightings, giving hope that possibly a few may have at 
least attempted nesting; however there also may be non-breeders about or even a 
few very early to start working south.  Snowy Egrets are regular, mostly seen 
as fly-bys on their regular east or west bound passages across (mostly upper) 
Manhattan as well as some seen at / from Randall’s Island, while Great Egrets 
are far more regular and some seen in the waters, marshy spots, & various edge 
habitats of the county. Green Herons; shy now, but some are ongoing. There have 
also been an uptick in Great Blue Heron sightings & numbers.

Of warblers, the first of Worm-eating Warblers were found in 2 parks on 
Saturday, July 3rd - Central & Riverside Parks, & that date corresponded with 
the species being found (same date) in south Brooklyn (Kings Co.. N.Y. City) as 
well. It’s also not an unprecedented date for the species to be starting to 
work south, in this region.  Similarly for Louisiana Waterthrush, which was 
also present in Central Park on July 3rd, at a location which can often have 
the species, near W. 77 Street, in a small stream off the Lake.  Further, on 
that date, there were some (few, perhaps) Yellow Warblers in areas where as far 
as known, they are not nesting & have not nested, although that species is a 
potential breeder in a number of locations on Manhattan and Randall’s and 
Governors Island[s]. Some of those 7/3 Yellow Warblers were at Riverbank S.P. 
on Manhattan’s west side, as well as on the east (river) side of Manhattan, so 
in areas not having been noted for many weeks before that latter date.  
(Additional Yellow Warblers in other areas, but some may be the potential 
n

[nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC 6/20-23 - B.-w. Teal, late warblers, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

Manhattan, N.Y. City - Sunday, 6/20 thru Wed., 6/23 -

A hen & drake (pair of) Blue-winged Teal showed well at the Central Park 
reservoir for dozens of observers on Wed. 6/23, thanks to M.B. Kooper for the 
find; uncommon anytime in N.Y. County & the more so this early in summer, 
despite the species being regular at other local sites such as Jamaica Bay 
refuge.  In addition to the teal pair, ongoing at Central Park have been at 
least 2 drake Wood Ducks, & both dealing with some molt for parts of late 
spring into summer.  The 2 teal ranged together all around the reservoir when 
being seen thru the afternoon & evening on Wednesday.

Even with the start of calendar summer, there are some very late / lingering 
warblers showing in Manhattan, with at least 2 late Blackpoll Warblers, both 
singing males, at Riverside Park in separate areas more than one mile apart on 
6/23, as well as the singing N. Waterthrush at Battery Park on 6/20 (T. Olson, 
& others later), also the ongoing singing Northern Parula in the Central Park 
Ramble area, & the Ovenbird (lately seen & not heard) ongoing at Central Park’s 
n. end, plus the more-expected Yellow Warblers & Common Yellowthroats (which 
are also present at N.Y. County’s Governors Island and Randall’s Island), the 
latter 2 spp. potentially nesting st some sites.

There’ve been visits by Osprey around the county recently, and sightings of 
Common Ravens have been ongoing (if more-sparsely reported now), and for some 
other lingerers, there are White-throated Sparrows in multiple locations 
(non-breeders) in the county, with my own high count at one site of (at least) 
8 of them at Bryant Park this week, a site that typically features some.

In this season of nesting & fledging, a good variety of species have been found 
with n. Manhattan & the outlying islands noted above having some of the 
diversity in nesting species. Some of these many perhaps to be detailed further 
in a future report.

...
A wide variety of insects have been showing as should be expected now; I at 
last (for this season) photo’d one of the American Snout butterflies in Central 
Park, a species that’s occasionally not uncommon in the area, & of which there 
have been at least small numbers around already, with a chance they may 
increase locally. Also (and another Hackberry - Celtis - tree feeder, in terms 
of the larval food plant) being seen lately are Hackberry Emperor, with a few 
around n. Manhattan, at least & also very possible in other areas, particularly 
where the tree is present, although that is not wholly determinative of the 
species presence in this area.  Diversity in many many other groups of insects 
has picked up in recent weeks as one would expect.
 
good summer birds & birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan


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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC), 6/1 & 6/2

[Thomas Fiore]

New York County (in N.Y. City), including Manhattan, Randall’s, & Governors 
Island[s]
Tues. June 1st & Wed., June 2nd -

The clearing-out of many migrants here was noticeable by Tuesday, and far more 
so by Wednesday.  However, there are still some migrants pushing through, 
including species we typically don’t expect into June, or not in any numbers. 
There are often any number (of species, that is) of landbirds that will be 
found lingering or lagging in this city, & in particular in some of the 
Manhattan parks or smaller green-spaces; occasionally, a few of such 
individuals will stay all through a summer; this can include some warblers 
which are not known to nest here (even if sometimes inclusive of species that 
have bred within 5 to 50 miles of Manhattan).

A Linnaean Society of New York (a nonprofit org.) walk in Central Park on 
Tuesday found among other birds, an Olive-sided Flycatcher yet again in the 
Ramble area of the park, and a modest number of warbler species.  Also found 
was a Black-billed Cuckoo, and there are still both species of Cuckoo around, 
with Yellow-billed the more-regularly seen (and a few of those still around on 
Wed. in Manhattan).  A number of Empidonax [genus] Flycatchers also have been 
seen again, with Yellow-bellied one that can be ID’d. with good views on sight. 
Also continuing in a few locations have been Acadian Flycatcher, and the latter 
is at least a potential breeder in the county (and has bred in N.Y. City). 
However, in this part of June, we may see any number of migrant species giving 
a bit of hope for potential-nesting, only to find that a lot of those 
individuals will have moved on by mid to late June (or sooner). 

Warblers of at least 15 species were still being found in the 2 days of this 
report, however some of those were likely down to a very very few individuals 
of their species. The slightly more numerous laggards or lingerers have 
included Blackpoll Warbler & American Redstart, with the (rather typical) 
modest no’s. of Common Yellowthroats & Yellow Warblers (the last 2 having bred 
in New York County on a fairly regular, if relatively-sparse basis, & with all 
the challenges that can face almost all songbirds in this county). Also still 
in modest no’s. and not known to breed in the county (but not very far away) 
have been Black-and-white Warblers, while small no’s. of N. Parula, Magnolia 
Warbler, and Ovenbird have persisted. The others that have also continued into 
at least this earliest part of June include Chestnut-sided, Black-throated 
Blue, Blackburnian, & Canada Warblers, and additionally, some N. Waterthrushes, 
Tennessee, and Mourning Warbler[s].  There might also be a few additional 
species lingering or still to show, as the possible last throes of spring 
migration are seen (esp. in the next clearing-out of stormy weather, by this 
coming weekend).  Some of these warblers are being found in small parks or 
green-spaces, while a fair number are still to be seen in the larger parks.
  
I thought it rather noticeable how many Swainson’s Thrush looked to have moved 
on, even by Tues. but especially cleared-out by Wednesday. Also seeming to have 
mostly moved-on have been Scarlet Tanagers.  Most migrant sparrows ‘should’ 
have moved on by now; the White-throated Soarrows that are still around here 
now will perhaps still move out, but of those that don’t, we welcome their 
cheering songs & the sight of the few that (most years) summer in both a few of 
the larger parks, & in some smaller spaces as well. (White-throated Sparrow is 
also one of N.Y. County’s most numerous wintering songbird species, so it’s 
sort of fun to have a few that are in the sense of at least the overall 
species, “year-rounders”.)

Central Park continues to have at least a few Wood Ducks, and that’s not at all 
unusual for a summer there. They may not be nesting, but the at-least 50+ 
species of birds that do nest in N.Y. County (including the outlying islands in 
the county) rather regularly are already at work on either nest-building, 
tending to eggs or nestlings, or in some species, already dealing with 
fledgelings & juveniles.  Please use all commonsense and restraint near and 
around nest-sites. 

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan













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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC), 5/31 - many ongoing migrants, 19 warbler spp. & more

[Thomas Fiore]

Memorial Day - Monday, May 31st -

Some of the many birds found in N.Y. County on the day are listed below.  Those 
(also) found within Central Park are noted with [C.P.]  There were at least 18 
species of warblers still lingering / passing through at Central Park, and at 
least 19 species for all of N.Y. County on the day.  Nice movements of Chimney 
Swifts & some swallows in the morning, some still on the move late-day.  Both 
Y.-b. & B.-b. Cuckoos were present in Central Park, skulking & rather quiet.  A 
few species listed below have no locations listed so as not to bring additional 
attention.  A fairly good variety of the birds were vocalizing, including male 
songbirds such as warblers giving song. However, a high proportion overall were 
either female, or non-vocal 1st-spring males. In addition, some warblers that 
were singing were giving less-typical versions of some of their songs. None 
that I saw were id’d. solely on hearing in Central Park, while elsewhere a few 
were if seen previously.

Weather clearing (fully) late, and putting smiles back on a lot of faces with 
the temp’s recovering out of the 40’s, and sunny skies by midafternoon. Birds 
were active for all 15+ hours of daylight.

Canada Goose - Central Park [C.P.] & elsewhere.
[Atlantic] Brant (most may have departed by now)
Wood Duck - [C.P.] (at least 2 drakes continue, w/ multiple observers)
Gadwall - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
American Black Duck
Mallard - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Double-crested Cormorant - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Great Blue Heron (scarce now)
Great Egret - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Snowy Egret - [C.P.] & elsewhere (as fly-overs).
Green Heron - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Black-crowned Night-Heron - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (scarce)
Black Vulture - again seen from n. Manhattan.
Turkey Vulture - seen from [C.P.] & elsewhere - (multiple observations).
Osprey - seen from [C.P.] & elsewhere - (w/ multiple observers at C.P.)
Bald Eagle (over Hudson River, fly-by; species also reported by others.
Red-tailed Hawk - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Killdeer (ongoing at several locations)
Spotted Sandpiper - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Laughing Gull - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Ring-billed Gull (much scarcer now)
[American] Herring Gull - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Great Black-backed Gull - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Common Tern - from lower Manhattan & esp. on Governors Island.
['feral'] Rock Pigeon - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Mourning Dove - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
American Kestrel - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Peregrine Falcon - seen from [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Black-billed Cuckoo - [C.P.] 
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
2 owls - and Common Nighthawk.
Chimney Swift - [C.P. & elsewhere] - great no’s. moving thru in early a.m., 
still many thru the day to dusk.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Belted Kingfisher (scarce)
Red-bellied Woodpecker - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Downy Woodpecker - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Hairy Woodpecker (relatively scarce)
Yellow-shafted Flicker - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Olive-sided Flycatcher - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Eastern Wood-Pewee - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - [C.P.] & elsewhere (seen singing/calling, C.P.; & 
late in day, 2 seen quite well at R’side. Park-north)
Acadian Flycatcher - [C.P.] & elsewhere. (multiple singing birds, incl. in the 
Central Park Ramble)
[‘Traill’s'-type Empidonax genus] Flycatcher - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Willow Flycatcher
[Least Flycatcher] - (at least several seen-not-heard Empidonax, best fitting 
this species plumage & bill… *at least* of expected sp.!)
Eastern Phoebe (scarce)
Great Crested Flycatcher - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Eastern Kingbird - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
[White-eyed Vireo - possible; and this is a potential breeding species, which 
has bred in NYC regularly]
Warbling Vireo - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Red-eyed Vireo - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Blue Jay - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Common Raven - ongoing in Manhattan.
American Crow - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Fish Crow (not that scarce at some locations in the county)
Tree Swallow - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Barn Swallow - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Black-capped Chickadee - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Tufted Titmouse - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
White-breasted Nuthatch - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Carolina Wren - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
House Wren - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (scarce)
Veery - at least 2, one in Central Park; quite late for here.
Gray-cheeked Thrush - [C.P.] & elsewhere. [possibility also for non-vocal 
Bicknell's Thrush, which are still migrating].
Swainson's Thrush - [C.P.] & elsewhere - this species is still being found 
rather widely in Manhattan & a fair no. have been singing at times, esp. with 
the recent rains.
Veery - [C.P.] - 1, or poss. 2. **[Hermit Thrush - this species has been 
reported a few times lately & we have, rather-rarely, had the species even 
later, into June here.] 
Wood Thrush - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
American Robin - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Gray Catbird - [C.P.] & elsewhere.
Northern Mockingbird - [C.P.] & else

[nysbirds-l] heads-up (southeast NYS) for poss. Swallow-tailed Kite

[Thomas Fiore]

Tuesday, May 25th -

A late afternoon report to CT-Birds from Ryan McLean notes a Swallow-tailed 
Kite "headed west” from the Greenwich (Connecticut) Audubon center - which is 
just barely east & south of parts of Westchester County, N.Y. - this kite could 
potentially show up along the shore of Long Island Sound, along the Hudson 
River valley, or take any turn & end up practically any place (including, of 
course, reversing or zig-zagging back into some part of Connecticut; another 
one of the possible areas to check might be along the Bronx River and vicinity…)

Note that the “poss.” used in the header (subject line) does *not* refer to the 
identification of the kite, rather to it’s possible destination or its line[s] 
of movement. The identification is not in question.

good luck,

Tom Fiore
manhattan



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[nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC Tues., 5/18 - Prothonotary & 24 add'l. warbler spp., Blue Grosbeak, Summer Tanagers, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

At least one Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was present on Randall’s Island on 
Mon., May 17th, inadvertently left off the listing of many species for the past 
several days in N.Y. County, within which Randall’s is included. This was up 
near the n. shore of that island, rather than where one of this species had 
wintered a bit farther south on same island. (with thanks to C. Quinn!). And 
thanks to the several other birders helping to confirm Mourning Warbler 
sightings on the weekend, at several locations, with still relatively few 
observations of that species - there are some of them being found in the 
southern & mid-Atlantic U.S., so no-worries, some are headed to the northeast 
soon.

...
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Tuesday, May 18th -

A Prothonotary Warbler continued around the Lake shore in Central Park, also 
visiting some portions of the Ramble (adjacent to the lake) with many observers 
including participants on the Tuesday Linnaean Society of New York’s 
(non-profit) guided walks, where up to 19 additional warbler species, including 
(male-plumaged) Hooded, multiple Bay-breasted, & more were seen by many; with 
at least 4 further species of warblers also recorded in Central Park in the 
morning.  The Prothonotary has been exploring more of the area around the lake, 
even as it also had re-visited the n.w. arm of the lake & vicinity, as seen in 
the previous two days by so many observers.  

A Blue Grosbeak gaining its bright blue male plumage was found in the Ramble of 
Central Park (thanks to P. Sweet / A.M.N.H., for alerting many to that bird’s 
presence on the morning), with multiple observers - note that also near this 
grosbeak had been multiple Indigo Buntings - which are still in multiple areas 
and in various plumages.  

At least 3 Summer Tanagers were seen in Central Park on the morning, with 2 in 
the n. end of the park (one in a tree where other[s] have been seen previously, 
a prominent Tulip-Poplar on the Great Hill, another near the Conservatory 
Garden, also an area of prior sightings of this species this month, and yet 
another Summer in the area of the Dene, which is near East 65th St. in the 
park’s s.e. sector).  

Cuckoos of both species have been seen and many were able to catch up again 
with Black-billed Cuckoo in the Ramble, including participants on the Linnaean 
Society guided walks. Yellow-billed Cuckoo continued as the more-regular of the 
2 species.  At least 5 vireo species have been sighted, and there is the chance 
that “Philly” vireo is still to be [re]found, with careful observing.   Some of 
us have been out and listening to song as early as 4:15 a.m. in the somewhat 
milder starts of the day, this week - & some thrushes have been vocal at that 
early hour; also heard quite early (although with the first-light) were a 
number of the warblers and other passerines, while at least 1 Yellow-billed 
Cuckoo was giving some interesting vocalizations before light came into the 
east, from the n. end of Central Park.  There was an increase in numbers of 
Blackpoll Warbler and this is an ‘indicator' for the later phase of much of 
songbird migration locally, although we should see at least some movement on 
into June. There was a lot of migration again overnight from Mon. into Tuesday, 
and many many birds overflew N.Y. City, even as some did stop off on their way. 
 Thrush movement was particularly prominent in the overnight flight.

Many migrants are also being seen & reported all throughout N.Y. County - and 
of course also well-beyond. Thanks to the very many observers & reporters of 
some of the diversity!

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) 5/15-16-17 - 140+ species of birds - migrants & nesters

[Thomas Fiore]

New York County (in N.Y. City) including Manhattan, Randall’s, & Governors 
Islands

Saturday, May 15th thru Monday, May 17th -

At least 30 warbler species were reported in the 3-day period, and of those 
most were seen by many (or very many) observers, with (2) exceptions noted 
below in the full species listing.

By Monday, 5/17 there were still at least 25 warbler species in N.Y. County, 
and all of those species were also present in Central Park on that day.  A 
number of those -and other migrant species- were becoming a bit scarcer by 
Monday, as so many migrants had moved on under favorable weather conditions - 
which also brought new arrivals. I’d lately neglected to note that some 
additional Olive-sided Flycatchers have been passing through, with sightings in 
several parks in Manhattan, with photos as well as singing heard for some. 
(There were also a few *reports* of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, among the other 
Empidonax flycatchers being found.)  The rather late Palm Warblers being seen 
in this period were all “yellow” or “eastern” forms as & where noted. The 
lingering Junco in Central Park is of the form most-expected in summer in the 
east. The same is so of the White-crowned Sparrows seen in this period, as far 
as any notes or photos indicate.

some of the sightings from N.Y. County for May 15-17:

Canada Goose (f. common breeder in the county)
[Atlantic] Brant (many continue, multiple locations)
Mute Swan (East River)
Wood Duck (continuing drake, Central Park)
Gadwall (uncommon now, rather regular summering in the county)
American Black Duck (scant now, some usually summer in the county)
Mallard (common & breeds regularly)
Red-throated Loon (ongoing individual thru May 17, off lower Manhattan - Hudson 
river)
Common Loon (fewer still migrating thru the period)
Double-crested Cormorant (many, including some still on the move northward)
Great Blue Heron (fly-bys, seen from several locations)
Great Egret (many fly-overs, the flight path esp. produces sightings - over 
Manhattan & Randall’s Islands)
Snowy Egret (many fly-overs, on the well-known flight-path that runs across 
Manhattan)
Green Heron (multiple; breeds annually in the county)
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Glossy Ibis (May 16 fly-over, seen from Central Park)
Black Vulture (ongoing sightings, from n. Manhattan)
Turkey Vulture (multiple, but not many)
Osprey (modest no’s. of sightings)
Bald Eagle (multiple sightings, & esp. from northern Manhattan)
Red-tailed Hawk (common resident, many nesters in the county)
Wild Turkey (ongoing single)
Killdeer (regular breeder in select locations, multiple chicks seen as well as 
adults)
Solitary Sandpiper (multiple, but not many, scattered locations around the 
county this period)
Spotted Sandpiper (multiple this period, & numerous at some select locations)
Least Sandpiper (multiple sighings, various locations)
Laughing Gull (moderately regular sightings - regular at E. River & NY Harbor)
Ring-billed Gull (getting somewhat scarce)
[American] Herring Gull (common & widely seen through summer)
Great Black-backed Gull (continuing)
Common Tern (many on Governors Island; much scarcer most other locations)
['feral'] Rock Pigeon (superabundant)
Mourning Dove (common / breeds)
American Kestrel (multiple locations, all seen now are likely city-residents 
&/or breeding here)
Peregrine Falcon (multiple locations, all those seen now are city-resident &/or 
breeding here)
Black-billed Cuckoo (multiple sightings)
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (many, a good passage of this species within this period)
multiple owls (ongoing birds)
Common Nighthawk (multiple, most sightings early & late; a few seen perched)
Chimney Swift (many, strong passage in this period, not clear how many will 
stay)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (many sightings, good ongoing passage this period)
Belted Kingfisher (scarce now)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (regular breeder)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (thru at least Sat., May 15, but some might be 
lingering)
Downy Woodpecker (regular breeder)
Hairy Woodpecker (a scarce resident & breeder in the county)
Yellow-shafted Flicker (breeding, poss. some lingerers as well)
-
Olive-sided Flycatcher (multiple sightings this period, from multiple parks & 
observers)
Eastern Wood-Pewee (increased this period)
[Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - some reports just now]
Acadian Flycatcher (including some heard singing)
Willow Flycatcher (including singing or calling birds)
Willow/Alder (a.k.a. “Traill’s type”, one of these 2, without vocalizing)
Least Flycatcher (including singing or calling birds)
Eastern Phoebe (scarce now, and a potential breeder in the county)
Great Crested Flycatcher (less common now; potential breeders in the county)
Eastern Kingbird (common, & a fairly common breeder in the county and through 
N.Y. City)
-
White-eyed Vireo (still present to May 17 - can be watched for poss. breeding; 
breeds annually in N.Y. City)
Blue-headed Vireo (more than several into this period)
Yellow-throated Vireo (at least several int

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County & Central Park (NYC), addendum for 5/16 - 28 Warbler spp. incl. Cerulean, & Yellow-thr. Warbler, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

Sunday, May 16th -

Thanks to Scott Stoner for clarifying the (east not west) location for the 
Yellow-headed Blackbird at Albany airport (Albany County, NY), which he also 
offered to the H-M Birds list-serve earlier on Sunday, and that list having 
updates on that, & many other birds in the Hudson-Mohawk region of N.Y.

…
In New York County (within N.Y. City) as a whole, more than 130 species of 
birds were found, even with the paucity of waterfowl & other winter-lingered 
birds that are now presumed departed.  A flyover Glossy Ibis seen from the n. 
end of Central Park in Manhattan was a part of the tally of species on the day 
(& not the first, nor 2nd nor 3rd time that that species has been observed over 
the years from that part of Central, including past occurences of the species 
IN that part of the park, albeit rarely-seen in that way).  Common Nighthawks 
(in small no’s.) were again seen, & some also photo’d again, from locations in 
Manhattan. Also seen & in great numbers at times - Chimney Swift, some flocks 
up to 200+ individuals, and in all sectors of the county all day thru dusk. 

At Central Park, in Manhattan, at least 28 species of warblers were found on 
Sunday, with the late-day find of a Yellow-throated Warbler in the Ramble, by 
G. Willow, leading a bird-walk there. (A warbler of that species was not 
re-found at Canal Park in lower Manhattan, roughly 4 miles south of Central 
Park, by the observers for Sat., 5/15 at latter location nor by another 
observer there, on Sunday).  Many later-season warbler species were seen in 
numbers, with again the numbers of Bay-breasted Warbler overall being quite 
impressive, and all through Manhattan.  A female Cerulean Warbler was noted 
from at least 2 experienced observers, in Central Park near W. 86th St., west 
of the park’s west drive (north edge of the Seneca village vicinity of the 
park).  Also noted in good numbers through the county on Sunday were 
Blackburnian Warblers in all the variations of sex & age plumages.

Purple Finch & Pine Siskin, as well as much-more-common American Goldfinch were 
still passing through Sunday, and there were notable increases of Cedar Waxwing 
arrivals - and moving - on the day.  There were very high numbers of Scarlet 
Tanager on the move, having further-arrrived on Sunday, with sightings even in 
some street-trees in Manhattan, and many (scores & scores) seen in the larger 
parks - as well as in many smaller green-spaces.  A rather large departure was 
noted for White-throated Sparrow, even as that species was still not too tough 
to find.  A drake Wood Duck was still in Central Park, one of the lingerers.

We can at last thank Alexa Chabora for finding, and also thanks to Doug Futuyma 
for alerting other birders to the presence of the Sunday Prothonotary in 
Central, later seen by so many birders!  That Prothonotary Warbler seen by so 
many at Central Park on Sunday *may* well have been a young (first-spring) 
male, as noted by some who took sharper photos, &/or had longer or closer 
views; I have seen adult females of the species (on breeding territories where 
the sex was not in doubt) which gave impressions similar to that I had 
initially of the 5/15 Central Park individual. (For now, I stick by the note 
that this bird’s sex is an adult female, but am happy to be shown that it’s a 
male.)

If any observer SAW* the Prothonotary sing (& not just call) on Sunday, it 
would make clear the bird’s gender. (As an aside, that specific location within 
Central Park, & more so Central Park as a whole, has over the decades seen two 
Prothonotary Warblers turn up, of both opposite sex, as well as same sex, & 
linger together, at least twice in memory long-enough to begin to cause a bit 
of speculation as to what a pair with female & male Protho. might be up to, 
particularly when that occured into the month of May… although nesting has not 
been seen in Manhattan at least in living memory. Incidentally, the Sunday/16th 
Prothonotary was seen later in the day to explore into the edge of the Ramble’s 
n.w. edges a bit more, beyond the Lake-shore’s n.w. arm. (*note: in Central 
Park in particular, it’s best to see a bird singing, if one has a rarer species 
in one’s hearing, for the possibility that a song is being broadcast via 
someone’s electronic device - unless the song is very obviously coming from 
on-high in twigs.)

…
Going back to May 13th, a Lesser Yellowlegs which was photo’d (C. Quinn) at 
Governors Island in N.Y. County was a nice addition to the county species 
year-list; that bird not noted there again on following days, but the location 
can be good for the possibility of shorebirds & other birds that are 
less-expected on Manhattan island. (Greater Yellowlegs was still being seen at 
least to May 14th at Inwood Hill Park’s lagoon area, at the northern end of 
Manhattan.). Inwood Hill Park’s Marsh Wren was still present thru May 16th; 
that species also having been at Randall’s Island (in N.Y. Co

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) - Sun., 5/16 - Central Park Prothonotary Warbler & 25+ add'l. warbler species there, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

The Yellow-headed Blackbird was continuing to be seen at Albany airport’s west 
side (Albany County, NY), by observers on-scene there into Sunday afternoon - 
May 16th.

--
Sunday, May 16th -

The female Prothonotary Warbler in Central Park, first reported on eBird in the 
morning, was seen by many as the day continued, at the northern end of The 
Lake, with the closest park entrance being that on West 77th Street & Central 
Park West. A lot of the views were had from “Oak Bridge” which sits astride the 
northern narrow arm of the lake.  This appears to be the first sighting of this 
species for Manhattan this year, and perhaps just the 2nd in N.Y. County (an 
earlier one was also photographed at Randall’s Island this spring). 

A minimum of 25 other warbler species were also being found in Central Park, & 
many all across Manhattan in its dozens of parks larger & smaller.  Among those 
many, Bay-breasted Warblers in double-digit numbers (including that many within 
Central Park alone, as well as many in other locations) were delighting a lot 
of observers.  This continued a several-days-long trend of that species’ 
increase in the county.  At least a few warbler species now running ‘late’ (for 
here) added to the diversity being found, including Pine & Palm Warbler[s].

There have been some Gray-cheeked-type Thrushes showing in multiple locations 
in N.Y. County, & at least a few of these could - potentially - be Bicknell’s 
Thrush (which is not actually a mega-rare migrant in this area, but is 
rarely-identified with complete certainty away from the species’ pockets of 
specialized habitat for both breeding, & winterng (the latter all in the 
Greater Antilles of the Caribbean).  Audio of any full song for these closely 
related species (Gray-cheeked &/or Bicknell’s) is a useful way of discerning 
the ID to species-level, on migration-passage observations. I have heard what 
sounded to my ear as Gray-cheeked singing, while observing a few of them, and 
counting as that species on my own list, this month - all in just the last few 
days in Manhattan. Being out at both 5 am & 8:30 pm can help.  (N.B., a 
Bicknell’s Thrush has been reported as singing from Prospect Park with over a 
dozen observers, on Sunday, 5/16 - and also of interest at Prospect Park in 
Brooklyn (Kings County, N.Y. City) have been sightings of Mourning Warbler with 
multiple experienced observers/photos.)

Among notable sightings for Saturday, May 15th were a Purple Martin seen by a 
small group of keen & sharp-eyed observers, at Central Park (with thanks to A. 
Burke for the spotting), as well as a well-described Yellow-throated Warbler at 
the small Canal Park in lower Manhattan (thanks to A. Evans for that report). 
And there certainly were many many other great sightings all around the county 
for these past several days into Sunday.

We’re working towards the 33rd warbler species of the spring for N.Y. County, 
with one species so far being unconfirmed, albeit possibly having moved through 
in some of the recent excellent migration (that would be Golden-winged 
Warbler).  

Lots of other excellent finds for Sunday 5/16 which among the many, include 
both species of Cuckoo (Black-billed the low-volume migrant this day, while 
Yellow-billed Cuckoos were nearly-common and some were calling well in at least 
3 parks in manhattan on the early morn’), Olive-sided Flycatcher (seen as well 
as heard), at least 3 species of singing Empidonax (Acadian, Willow, Least) and 
even E. Phoebe still around (but scarcer now -here- than Great Crested 
Flycatcher or E. Kingbird, & E. Wood-Pewee that’s been increasing as expected 
now), all six of our regularly-occuring Vireo species (Philadelphia the latest 
of these to be passing thru), additional finds of Summer Tanagers (of both 
sexes), and a whole lot more.

Perhaps a write-up with more of these many migrants on another day.

good peak-spring landbird migration to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan



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[nysbirds-l] Manhattan (NYC) Wed., 5/12 - Y.-br. Chat (Central Park) & more, incl. 5+ hrs. at Carl Schurz Park

[Thomas Fiore]

The continuing Wood Stork was seen by multiple (other) observers in Westhampton 
twnshp., Suffolk County, NY thru Wed. afternoon, 5/12.

As an addendum of sorts to Paul Sweet’s sighting of Mississippi Kite at the 
N.Y. Botanical Garden (in Bronx County) but just a bit extra-limital, on the 
afternoon of May 9th (confirmed in eBird), there was a Swallow-tailed Kite 
found in New London County May 12th, in eastern Connecticut, first reported by 
Linda Vegliante of Preston, CT on that latter date.  NY-birders, keep looking 
up!  (some photos of the latter bird by a later observer in the Macaulay 
library archive: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/337457601 
 along with a couple more of same 
bird in that observers checklist.) And, in the same neighbor-state, there was a 
Little Egret found in Fairfield County, CT, also on May 12, with many observers.

Some strong migration was taking place again on Wed. night to Thursday, 
throughout the region, & certainly for the N.Y. City area.
—— 
New York County (in N.Y. City), including Manhattan -
Wednesday, 5/12 -

A Yellow-breasted Chat was again seen, although not by all who sought it (it’s 
a chat, after all) in Central Park’s north end.  The day brought sightings in 
Central Park alone of at least 25 warbler species, and some small-groups of 
observers managed to see at least 23 of those on the day, May 12th.  Other 
parks in the county are also still providing very good diversity in songbirds & 
landbirds. Among those many others, Inwood Hill Park has the only old-growth 
forest on Manhattan, as a walk through the “Clove” area & up onto the high 
ridge will attest - and birds there really belt out the song in spring; they do 
seem to recognize excellent habitat when they’re in it. A Marsh Wren was 
ongoing at Inwood Hill in the area near its n. edges. Black Vulture was again 
seen from northern Manhattan locations.

A Broad-winged Hawk was lingering at Central Park, attracting attention from 
birders into Wed., and still around in a number of locations are ‘late’ 
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Also running ‘late’ are a few Slate-colored Juncos, 
and Winter Wren, among other migrants typically moved-on from N.Y. County 
before mid-May.

Along with visiting a number of other Manhattan parks, I spent 5+ hours in Carl 
Schurz Park, and spoke with a number of the regular birders who live nearby & 
visit there often (some about every day), and of those I spoke with (including 
the fellow who placed well-stocked feeders in the area where a much-observed 
female W. Tanager has wintered), all agreed that the Western Tanager had not 
been seen at all since the 3rd week in April (last day documented at Carl 
Schurz Park, 4/22) & one of these most-experienced & near-daily birders told 
me, “there are some who believe they continue to see that tanager; they are 
unfortunately mistaken”. - his words. A number of Scarlet Tanagers have been 
coming through & several (male & female) were in Carl Schurz Park on Wed., 
including a female which came near the feeder-array (which is nearly empty now, 
& is not expected to be re-filled). I spent much of my time at & near the East 
End Ave. feeder-array site, but also wandered the park, as did other birders at 
various times. Fun to find not just Scarlet Tanager but also Rose-breasted 
Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, & at least 11 warbler species including Cape May and 
Blackpoll Warblers. Most of the other migrants I found in mid-afternoon, 
scattered through that park (many migrants high in the taller trees), before 
heading west & surveying some parts of several other parks in Manhattan. 

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) Mon.-Tues., 5/10-11 - Eve. Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Summer Tanager, 26 Warbler spp., etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

New York County, including Manhattan, Randall’s, & Governors Islands

Monday & Tuesday, May 10th & 11th -

Evening Grosbeaks were still present & passing through on Monday, May 10, and 
with several in Central Park.  The latest female-type Blue Grosbeak sightings 
from Central Park were in a ‘favored’ (over the years) section of that park for 
that species, the compost area, to Tuesday 5/11. A bright male Summer Tanager 
was continuing at the north end of Central Park, although by Tuesday, was no 
longer in one tree that had enabled many to find it without too much difficulty 
on prior days. Other Summers that had been around may still be, & listening for 
their calls (female or male) may help to locate.   Both Black-billed & 
Yellow-billed Cuckoos have continued to be found, the latter (as is usual here) 
the more regular of the two.  Sparrow diversity continues, with Lincoln’s 
Sparrows as well as White-crowned and Savannah being found in multiple 
locations. There continue to be at least modest numbers of Purple Finch & Pine 
Siskin moving through, the latter less frequently noticed than the former, 
which probably does represent a difference in numbers passing in this county.

At least 26 Warbler species were found as of Monday, 5/10 in N.Y. County, & at 
least 25 of those species were present in Central Park that day. Some of the 
typically-moved-on species were still lingering, and it’s unusual that even 
Louisiana Waterthrush is still in N.Y. City at all by now, and with multiples 
of that species still present (albeit in small numbers); this is part of a 
wider observed delay in some species moving north or onward to breeding areas. 
It also is unusual to have Slate-colored Junco in N.Y. City to mid-May, but 
that also is another example of delayed movement for some species (and again, 
with the caveat that these seem for most part to be small numbers of 
individuals of such ‘late’ species for this county, or in the wider region).  
Among warbler species that are expected to come along locally in mid-May, 
Bay-breasted Warbler have been a popular sight for many, with some observations 
scattered around much of N.Y. County, including at its’ 2 principal outlying 
islands that receive birder’s attentions: Randall’s & Governors.  Both of those 
islands have been seeing a nice diversity of migrants this month, with many 
birders now visiting Governors as the island opened to the general public - and 
some of the reliable all-season birders who were permitted to survey there in 
winter & early spring also continuing their good efforts.

The last-known photo-documented & multiple-observer sighting of a female W. 
Tanager at Carl Schurz Park was on April 22nd of this year, & since that date, 
30+ observers visiting that park have not reported (any) sightings of that 
species, either at a feeder nor in the vicinity. Some of the observers at that 
park are also neighborhood residents, visiting there nearly daily.  That park 
has been, like many of the more-modestly-sized parks of Manhattan, been 
receiving a nice diversity of migrants, particularly lately, and on days of 
strong ‘fresh' migration arrivals.

A Clapper Rail seen by very many observers at Bryant Park on May 10th was not 
again found; thanks to the original finder & the principal ID-maker of that 
bird each e-Birding the report virtually immediately, which caught many dozens 
of birders’ eyes here and brought many to see the unusual visitor there. A good 
many other migrants also have been appearing in that mid-town park recently, as 
with so many of our NYC green-spaces, both smaller & larger.

Increases in sightings (and numbers) of Cedar Waxwing often portend the later 
part of spring migration, and while we’ve had small increases of that species 
in the county, the numbers are not yet that portentious.  In a similar vein, 
the female Blackpoll Warbler is not (even nearly) yet the commonest of warblers 
(nor are the males of that species) so we of course still have a good ways to 
go with songbird / landbird migrations.

Good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan



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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) - May 4 - Central Park Y.-b. Chat; Bonaparte's Gulls, 25+ warbler spp. & more

[Thomas Fiore]

New York County, including Central Park & all Manhattan, as well as Randall’s & 
Governors Islands
Tuesday, May 4th:

A flock of 8 alternate [breeding]-plumaged Bonaparte’s Gulls were on the 
Central Park reservoir for a rather rare (but not at all unprecedented) showing 
in that park; also seen was one additional Bonaparte’s Gull in similar plumage, 
moving up the Hudson River off the W. 12th St. area, early; there might’ve been 
some others of this species moving in the area.  (It would have been 
extra-excitement had any turned out to be one of the more-petite smaller gulls 
that can occasionally show amongst Bonaparte’s flocks, the little gull, but 
such was not the case for these!). Thanks to R. Young for some of the early 
spotting at the reservoir, and to D. Aronov et al for (untweeted) rapid alerts. 
(oh, and *no one* was observing there at the hour of ~ 1 a.m.!)

(at least most or all of this Bonaparte’s Gull flock were still present on the 
C.P. reservoir into the 2-3 p.m. hour, with multiple happy observers.). N.B. - 
there are of course Laughing Gulls moving as well, & the latter are regular now 
as fly-bys and in some places around N.Y. County, feeding-loafing-etc., whereas 
Bonaparte’s are not seen regularly in this county.

A shy Yellow-breasted Chat is among the sought-after migrants in the county, & 
one in Central Park was giving some views, but also playing hide-&-seek as per 
fairly usual with the species away from breeding sites. Additional to that 
'not-quite-a-warbler', were at least 25 actual warbler species, including 
Tennessee, Bay-breasted, Cape May - latter in the multiple!!!, Hooded, & more, 
in many parks and green spaces; some species have had fresh reinforcements 
arrived overnight. Perhaps one of the greater bits of evidence of new migrants 
arrived overnight are the many White-crowned Sparrows (as well as other sparrow 
species), the latter being seen in multiple locations, occ. in groups of twos, 
threes, and even 4 at a time. (It’s a good thought to keep a watchful eye for 
any really-rare Zonotrichia, too, although this White-crowned arrival is really 
an on-time kind of event for here.).  That Chat may well stick around for some 
days, also that species will sometimes move to other locations within same 
park, or possibly decide it especially likes the area near the Swedish cottage 
- the rustic building below the Shakespeare Garden.

Some interesting sightings (& reports) from the outlying islands both south & 
east of Manhattan island - Governors, and Randall’s. However those reports will 
wait a more thorough list at some point.  There are also many great birds being 
seen in northern & uptown manhattan, with plenty to be found in all the smaller 
as well as larger parks and greenspaces of the county. 

And irruptive “winter” finches (that are also seen in spring, hereabouts) are 
still passing through & some lingering, with American Goldfinches moving as 
well - the more-streaky, the much larger, and the raspberry-red or 
nicely-marked species are all of special note…

Good to see the guided walks going out for the nonprofits NYC Audubon, the 
Linnaean Society of New York, and the A.M.N.H., all long-standing N.Y. City 
organizations with great walk leaders, & a whole lot of migrants observed. 

and good “ticka-ticka-ticka-ticka, sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet, 
chew-chew-chew-chew-chew” to all - yes, that’s 'Tennessee-talk’.

Tom Fiore
manhattan 
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) 5/2 & 5/3 - many migrants!

[Thomas Fiore]

Could there be / have been some fall-out of migrants on the rains that fell 
(hard, in some places) around NYC-to-Long Island overnight, as migrants were 
pushing in fast from the south & SW? I’m looking at you, shores of Richmond, 
Kings, Queens, Nassau, maybe also Suffolk Counties, in s.e. NY. Let us know if 
anything uncommon happens on the Tuesday-watch.

.. ...
N.Y. County (in N.Y. City) with Manhattan, Randall’s & Governors Islands plus 
the skies & waters surrounding -
Sunday, May 2nd, and Monday, May 3rd:

Evening Grosbeaks were still present in Manhattan to Monday, May 3rd, and some 
within Central Park, including in the C.P. Ramble where a minimum of three were 
present, additonally there were at least 4 more Eve’-'beaks at other sections 
of that park  - & being seen at same time as those elsewhere… & still more (or 
at least one) in another park in Manhattan.  As an addendum, Evening Grosbeaks 
were being found in some of the other counties / boros of N.Y. City, in 
far-flung locations - & many including some of those in Central Park were 
nicely photographed on 5/3. Eve. Grosbeaks & some other irruptive finches have 
been in nice numbers on Long Island as well.

A female-plumaged Blue Grosbeak had lingered in the Ramble into Sunday, 5/2.  
There were new arrivals as of Monday, 5/3, while clearly some, indeed many 
migrants also continued on from the past day or more.   At least 27 warbler 
species were found in Manhattan over the 2 days of this report, and all of 
those (species) were seen as well in Central Park alone, & for Monday, May 3rd, 
at least 25 warbler species were present, with every species being seen by many 
observers, for the most part in many locations.  On Saturday, May 1st, at least 
one Tennessee Warbler was reported from Central Park, & that species had been 
seen elsewhere in the region by then, albeit in low numbers.

Of the multiple singing male Cerulean Warblers found in Manhattan on Sunday, 
5/2, the first found by song & sight was that near the weather station area in 
the Ramble (Christian Cooper, finder) of Central Park, which was enjoyed by 
many later on. Another male Cerulean found near Fifth Ave. just inside Central 
Park turned out to be the one which by far most observers (hundreds, in all)  
were able to catch up with, most getting great views all thru the a.m. & later 
too, with some patience; thus the suggestions to try for *that* latter 
individual, and many did so. At least 2 additional singing male Ceruleans were 
also present, one of those seen by several and another (unsurprisngly) not, in 
a less-birded park, ‘beyond' most birders’ interest. Thanks to K. Kleinpeter 
(who was with 2 others for a May 3rd Cerulean at Ridge, Long Island NY!) for 
the Fifth Ave. in Central Park Cerulean find, and as always, to song-seeker 
Chris. Cooper!   By far on the Sunday, the “Fifth Ave./Met.museum Cerulean was 
seen & heard singing by more folks, and for many of them a ‘life’ bird, and for 
many also a ‘county’ or NYC first. [ N.B., at least one male Cerulean was 
reported at least heard within the Ramble on 5/3, by Dr. Roger Pasquier, one of 
our most experienced ‘by-ear-birders’.]
--
An analysis of some photos taken by R. Zucker on 4/30 in Central Park have 
shown that a caprimulgid seen (all too quickly, which took off & stayed hidden 
thereafter) that early morning seems to have been a Chuck-will’s-widow, rather 
than the initially reported Whip-poor-will. The former is the rarer of the 2 
species on passage here (or in the state, of course) but that former species 
has increased in known range-limits in modern times and a few reach at least to 
Maine nowadays in the breeding season. Thanks to Ryan for the update!
—
On Sunday, May 2nd, an intrepid younger quartet of birders made what turned out 
to be a solid push to get to 100 species in Central Park alone; chances are 
that they actually did have that number, but their reporting indicates just a 
few less, with some species left as very distant fly-overs or otherwise 'let go 
of'.  This group of 4 also managed to reach about 1/4 of their total species 
tally on the day with warblers.  A photographed find by this group of four 
young observers was a fly-by Purple Martin in Central Park, which although 
probably annual, is so scarcely seen in / over N.Y. County; that may be 
changing slightly, as P. Martins have been making some progress increasing in 
the region, with breeding successes, as well as possible further range 
extensions. 

The Pileated Woodpecker of Fort Tryon Park for the 1st of May is a confirmed 
record for Manhattan in May. And there’s a Turkey of the Wild type in 
Manhattan, again, too.  The northern parts of Manhattan have certainly been 
receiving many migrants, even if that sector of the county is not getting quite 
the attention of some other areas. It’s a fantastic & special place to bird in 
for a city-space, with the one true urban old-growth forest area in Manhattan - 
at Inwood Hill 

[nysbirds-l] Cerulean Warblers, etc. - Manhattan, NYC - Sunday, May 2nd

[Thomas Fiore]

Manhattan, N.Y. City 
on Sunday, May 2nd

Thus far and it was still early when this started to be discovered, there is a 
near 'mini-fallout' of Cerulean Warbler (even two of this species, in one park 
here in migration, is nowadays a good number, and more than that is unusual) - 
in Manhattan with a ***minimum (so far)*** of 4 singing males in 4 separate 
locations & in at least 3 parks - Central, Riverside, & yet one other local 
park.  This follows the find of a (apparenty 1st-spring) female of the species 
at Prospect Park Brooklyn (Kings Co., NYC) as seen by many on 5/1 (& found 
there by R. Paine), an uncommon plumage to spot and to identify in the 
migration north. There was a fairly good migration overnight in the region, 
Sat. night into Sunday 5/2.  There are also “possible" female Cerulean[s] in 
Manhattan on 5/2, big-tree-high & in-foliage-foraging.

One (of the several male) Cerulean Warblers on 5/2 was just south of the Met. 
Museum of Art’s south edge, *in* Central Park, near E. 79th St. - a pedestrian 
entry at the n.w. side of the Fifth Ave. crossing, & a sometimes busy one. It’s 
possible this bird wlll stay in that general area, and the trees just south of 
the museum - & both sides of walkway. (There had already been 30-50+ observers 
coming to that area as of ~ 10 a.m.). Use care in distinguishing the Cerulean 
from other warblers such as female (or less-brightly plumaged) 
Myrtle/Yellow-rumped Warblers (also in all areas) just now. Song also will 
help, & so far all of these discoveries were of singing male birds! Look for 
the birders and photographers, in that area. Thanks to a woman with a good ear 
for song on the “Three Bears” early find of Cerulean near Fifth. (there is a 
bronze statue of 3 bears in the vicinity of the latter location-sighting.)

and yep, that made for warbler-species no. 32 (at least) now for N.Y. County, 
for the year - & for the spring of 2021.  There are also still Evening 
Grosbeaks in Manhattan, including at Central Park, on Sunday, 5/2 as well as 
elsewhere in the county, and elsewhere in N.Y. City as of May 2nd. Again, 
listening for calls may be helpful for finding them.
…
NYC (& other) observers also might be *on-watch* for Prothonotary Warblers, as 
there have been more showing in a number of places including more as of 
Saturday 5/1, within N.Y. City.  And Kentucky-kapers can continue too, by songs 
but female birds only by calls or sightings. At least several more have been 
detected in southeast NY in recent days, and to 5/2 in some locations.

Those who are persistent and have the time & energy may be able to locate a 
whole lot of migrant warblers in the county (N.Y. County), as such early-moving 
spp. as Pine & Palm, and even Louisiana Waterthrush were still present to 
Sunday, while a lot of mid-May (typically) species have also been found, and 
some further early-birds just might yet be.   More than 75 species of birds in 
3 parks in Manhattan as of 11 a.m. - and far more migrants will be revealed.  
At least 25 warbler species for Central Park alone by noon-hour Sunday, with 
more being sought out.

An excellent early-morning migration movement of Loons, perhaps all Common, 
starting as early as the light allowed. There was also a good a.m. flight of 
passerines that (as is expected) included many Yellow-rumped Warblers 
continuing onward, along with plenty of other songbird species. 
Swallow-movement also not too shabby. Some early flight was observed along the 
Hudson river (from Manhattan). Indigo Buntings in a lot of locations - also a 
good indicator for other neotropical-wintering migrants having been moving & 
arriving.

As a further note, there were a **lot** of migrants singing & active in many 
street-trees in Manhattan as early as 4:45 a.m. and onward, & much singing in a 
lot of the parks all morning as well. It’s also possible that ‘hatch-outs’ (of 
flying & crawling insects) will occur which can attract a lot of migrants & in 
which instances the birds may be briefly-brave about taking advantage of the 
feast, and somewhat ignore their human admirers. The warm & slightly more humid 
weather is a part of that phenomenon, which we see each spring to some extent. 
Some 'hatch-outs' were already seen locally in late April & on Sat. May 1st in 
Manhattan parks. Late-day hours (&/or warmth) may produce the phenomena, but 
days that start off with humidity & warmth can see this happen at almost any 
hours.

good real-bird-sounds-listening to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] Central Park & N.Y. County (NYC) May 1st - with a Starr-walk, & more

[Thomas Fiore]

Saturday, 1st of May -

At Central Park, there were birders out from pre-dawn through dusk (at least) 
and among all these observers spread from all corners of that park to all other 
pointswith good sightings from all around the site. One guided walk had to be 
given its due, that which honors the memory of Starr Saphir, who passed too 
soon (of cancer, eventually) yet inspired literally thousands of birders of all 
ages and proclivities, many of those birders active today, some of them 
mentored as observers with and by Starr, who was not just a leader of walks in 
Central Park, but an educator, who had birded from the Pacific (in Mexico & 
California, where she first learned her craft, as well as in SE Arizona) to the 
Indian ocean, where she led a birding tour in Kenya for some lucky folks, and 
in a whole lot of other places around the globe, such as Homer, Alaska where 
she got closer to being one of the then-small club of “700-species-observers” 
of North American birds (north of Mexico, that was).  

During this Saturday’s May-day memorial walk for Starr’s memory, offered by the 
non-profit Linnaean Society of New York, some of the highlights included the 
singing male Yellow-throated Warbler at the western edge of The Lake, and a 
couple of those wonderful city-rarities, Evening Grosbeaks - still in the 
Ramble of Central Park, along with many dozens of other migrants; thanks to 
Lenore Swenson for her role as the leader for this annual walk. (Incidentally, 
the all-time attendance-record for any bird-walk, ever, in N.Y. County is 
forever held by Starr Saphir, which took place in Central Park. I know, I was 
on that particular walk, it was as if every birder who lives in N.Y. City had 
shown up on the day. And that was well before these times & the social-media 
buzz that’s now so ubiquitous.) 

All told, birders in Central Park alone were finding more than 20 species of 
warblers, & 90+ species of birds on the first of May. For the county as a 
whole, including those outlying islands (Governors, which re-opened to the 
general public on May-day, and Randall’s Island[s]) there were far more than 
110 species found on the day, even with a lot of blustery wind to give a bit of 
a challenge.  Nice sightings from the windy s. tip of Manhattan & Governors 
Island, to the wind-chilled eastern reaches of Randall’s Island, to Inwood & 
the Hudson and Harlem and East rivers.

At the “least”, Least Flycatcher was a freshly-confirmed addition to 2021 
species seen & heard in N.Y. County, with several or more in Central Park 
alone.  Marsh Wren was among the 4 species of wrens again in Central, just as 
was seen on Friday 4/30, the others as expected being Winter, House, & Carolina 
Wrens.   There were again 5 species of vireos in Manhattan, all of those also 
being found in Central Park - Red-eyed, White-eyed, Yellow-throated, Warbling, 
& still Blue-headed Vireos were all present.  Thrushes seen & well-documented 
were Veery, Wood, Swainson’s, and above-all, in great numbers Hermit Thrush, of 
which Central Park alone had far more than 100, and many other parks also had 
large numbers - yep, Am. Robins too!  For sparrows, at least 8 species were 
found in N.Y. County - Field, Chipping, Savannah, Song, Swamp, Lincoln’s (& the 
first few of migrants just showing this or in most-recent days, as well as the 
2 known overwinters of Lincoln’s), White-throated (in the many hundreds and 
hundreds) & White-crowned (which are now not so tough to find), plus E. Towhees 
galore, & still as of Saturday a few Slate-colored Juncos, in a couple of 
less-birded sites.

In all there were still *at least* seven Evening Grosbeaks lingering in Central 
Park, & a few more also again in part of Riverside Park (near W. 91st) but 
likely others could have been in some additional sites in Manhattan or other 
parts of the county; while feeding these birds are sometimes quiet, & 
surprisingly ‘hidden’ at times in the increasing leaf-out around town. There 
also are still Purple Finches & some Pine Siskins about & passing through and 
the American Goldfinches may be building a bit. Other (rarer for N.Y. County) 
finch species are also still a possibility, so brush up on those flight- & 
contact-calls.

…
There might be more & new migrants by or after Sunday, thus a more thorough 
list by next week. Among many species to **watch** for: Golden-winged Warbler.

good May birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) - a 31st warbler species before May 1st (Prothonotary)

[Thomas Fiore]

New York County (in N.Y. City) - including Manhattan, Governors, & Randall’s 
Islands -

Not quite certain of this, but it just might be nearly unprecedented that 31 
species of American warblers have been found & documented in the county for a 
season (& year) *before the 1st of May*.  That was what came about with the 
find & photo (by A. Cunningham) of a Prothonotary Warbler out on Randall’s 
Island on Friday, 4/30. (Another species just-arrived, Canada Warbler, has been 
seen in Manhattan as of 4/30, if not before then. - N.B., a male Canada Warbler 
was photographed in Fairfield County Connecticut on 4/30, quite an early date 
for that neighboring state.)

At least 25 warbler species were seen (by many, many observers in all parts of 
that park) in Central Park alone on Friday, 4/30, with multiple other parks & 
green-spaces also having warblers of many species, as well as many other 
migrants in good numbers in some locations. 

….
It’s worth a note too that (among many other migrant breeders) Cerulean 
Warblers had already reached [**some!**] of their NYS breeding range as of late 
this past week, with singing males on territory and those are not particularly 
early, although more, including females, are still anticipated there. Another 
species to be watching for as they’ve continued to move through - Red-headed 
Woodpecker, seen elsewhere (in passage) this past week in the city & region.

One other report, the 2nd Eastern Whip-poor-will of the spring was found on 
Friday, and again just briefly, in a different part of Central Park than the 
first reported. That species had already been arriving to many breeding areas, 
some far north of N.Y. City - such as in southern Maine.

Some interesting reports of “gray-cheeked” thrush, in Central Park - an 
unexpectedly early date for that species and the *chance* for confusion with 
(varying-plumaged) Hermit Thrush exists, as can happen each year with migrant 
thrush ID here.  Good photos and even more so, crisp sound-recordings of any 
calls or song might help in confirming these. There is also the chance of 
another Catharus [genus] thrush species in the area which have 'greyish cheeks' 
- Bicknell’s: in the phenology for spring arrivals, Bicknell’s *possibly* 
sometimes starting a bit earlier than Gray-Cheeked in spring - but that 
species-ID can be ‘tricky’ *away from* the wintering (in the Caribbean Greater 
Antilles, for Bicknell’s only) or breeding areas, without sound-recordings or 
at least very good photographs that show various plumage (& bill) features 
crisply.  There are some (so far, very few) reports of “Gray-cheeked” Thrush 
this spring for states in the mid-Atlantic including photographed single birds 
in southern N.J. (on 4/28), and in Virginia (perhaps 2 or more, with photos), & 
farther south, most being of single individuals, and some of the photos 
suggestive of Gray-cheeked, from those states southwest of N.Y. City. Again 
these are noted as rare for their dates in those states, and just one 
individual had been confirmed as Gray-cheeked in the state of Virginia for 4/28 
- in other words, still an early date, that far south of N.Y.!

good birds for May,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC: Friday, 4/30 - the hat-trick on Grosbeaks! (Eve., Blue, & Rose-breasted)

[Thomas Fiore]

Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City - Friday, April 30th -

The rather-rare (for Manhattan, at the least!) trio of grosbeaks (in three 
different genera, mind you) have been found this breezy but nice & crisp 
Friday, with ongoing Evening Grosbeaks - some photographed again - and the 
expected Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, plus the fresh addition of a female-plumaged 
Blue Grosbeak in the Ramble area - indeed, all 3 of these grosbeak species 
could be seen within the Ramble on Friday, & the last time I am *sure* that 
that happened, it was the late very great Richard Gershon of Manhattan who 
commented to a few of us that he had achieved the ‘hat-trick’ trio of grosbeak 
species… & I believe, even had the 3 species without much need to swivel the 
head or binoculars.  Thanks to M. Waldron for the initial heads-up & photo of 
the Blue bigbeak for Central Park’s Ramble on 4/30/’21….  to my knowledge, the 
1st of that species for the county this year…  lots & lots of other ongoing 
migrants, and equally likely a few more new to the year, may still be uncovered 
before May arrives.  An interesting ‘orange variant’ Scarlet Tanager (male with 
orange coloration) was noted by G. Willow on his  Friday a.m. guided walk in 
Central Park, along with one dozen warblers for that a.m. group-walk.  At least 
one Solitary Sandpiper was ongoing by The Pool in Central Park’s n.w. sector, 
thanks to E. Peterson for an early find on that as well as a lingering Eve. 
Grosbeak in the N. Woods, each of those nicely photo’d by multiple later 
observers, as well. 

Yellow-Throated Warbler is also ongoing for Friday in the Central Park Ramble 
as it’s been for now 4 days. And, along with the (so far, ‘just’ the one) Blue 
Grosbeak are a fair number of Indigo Buntings, some in full-on bright plumage, 
some less so & some are apparent females.   Red-breasted Nuthatches & some 
Purple Finches are ongoing, in the multiple - and a lot of great birds are 
additionally being found throughout the county, for Friday.

Happy May to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) - 4/28-29 - B-w. Teal, Eve. Grosbeaks, 27 Warbler spp., & much more in migration

[Thomas Fiore]

It’s not every day that a Phylloscopus (genus) warbler, native to Eurasia for 
the most part in summer season, is found in *eastern Canada*.  So the 
Yellow-browed Warbler that was reported and well-documented at least to April 
24th at Missisauga (Ontario) Canada is a kind of big deal. 

. . . .
N.Y. County, including Manhattan, Randall’s & Governors Islands - highlights 
include multiple Evening Grosbeaks, many many freshly-arrived migrants, with a 
potential first-record of Blue-winged Teal photographed on Governors Island, & 
a whole lot more, for a week that is (not quite) into the month of May.  And 
interesting weather (for much of N. America & the local area) continues to 
affect some aspects of local and regional migration as would be expected.

Wed., April 28 & Thursday, 4/29 -

-you all asked for “more migrants”? You got your wishes...

The numbers of Evening Grosbeaks passing through (with some lingering for more 
than 1 day) are not the highest, historically (or even for the past 3 decades) 
but for many, they’ve been the first some observers have seen in the county 
(and for some, first for them in the city, or the state, or… ever), and a 
modest number have offered excellent and extended views.  At least two dozen 
(which is likely on the conservative side of the total numbers) Evening 
Grosbeaks passed through New York County in just the 2 days.(Further, for 
those not following the eastern irruption of this species all this past winter, 
into spring as they return north, states to the south of N.Y. have been finding 
numbers of these as they linger & move north in the past week or less, such as 
50+ at a single site in Maryland, and more modest numbers are reported from 
Delaware & New Jersey with 15 at a single site in Cape May, N.J. as examples 
there; in Virginia, there’ve been examples such as 55 at a single site; West 
Virginia, 50 at a single site, & so on through multiple additional eastern 
states. And these are not even remotely close to state-total tallies, but mere 
high counts from individual sites (locations) in each state in the past week or 
less. In other words, keep listening & watching for this species as more will 
be passing north!)  If it’s big-big numbers of Evening Grosbeaks for a state 
near N.Y. one is curious about, the recent 150 reported (on 4/29) from a county 
in Pennsylvania (Elk County, PA) might just do it.  The region (and N.Y. 
County) also continue to see a nice passage of Purple Finches, also headed back 
north to breeding areas this month (& for at least a  while longer).   Also, 
p.s. at least some of the Evening Grosbeaks hanging around have been placed in 
the “Type-3” group, by calls heard & recorded. However, other forms-types are 
also at least in theory possible as passage birds.

Congrat’s to G. Willow (& overall, the team of excellent -and permitted- 
observers over a period of many months in which Governors Island had been 
closed to access for the general public, which is due to change as of May 1st, 
when direct-ferry reservations to all are again being accepted to visit that 
south-most outpost of N.Y. County in the upper harbor area of N.Y. City) for 
the probable first 'modern-era' record there (with photo-documentation) of 2 
BLUE-WINGED TEAL, and as further representation of the nice surge of recent 
migrants hereabouts, the 8+ warbler species and Yellow-throated Vireo & many 
other migrants & breeding or all-year residents on Governors Island, for this 
April 29th, w/ further reports from that location from B. Cacace for 4/29. The  
9 Gray Catbirds & 2 Wood Thrush which Gabriel W. reported for the day at 
Governors Island also clear indications of the big fresh push of many migrants 
(indeed, first / larger Gray Catbird arrivals in spring can be good indicators 
of a fresh wave of many other neotropical migrants in an area).   Some 
interesting birds also have been showing at Randall’s Island, off to the 
northeast - but more on that another time.

30 (Thirty) species of warblers have now been recorded in New York County 
already in this calendar year (and this spring season, and this month) as of 
April 29th. The surge of neotropical-wintering species (along with 
eyes-wide-open rarities such as the nearby Black-throated Gray Warbler & 
Burrowing Owl already noted to this list, elsewhere in the local area, plus 
other rarities showing in nearby states) in just the 2 days of this report 
indicate a major migration, much of it consisting of species ahead (and some 
far ahead) of their *once-typical* **first-arrival dates** (which I will 
repeat, is not *at all* the same as expected/typical **peak arrival dates**, 
which in spring are always later dates, by obvious logic and the way migration 
functions - species do not all arrive and pass thru on 1 day, in our area) and 
this is quite a phenomenon, certainly at the least suggestive of changes on a 
broad scale of the complex effects / results of climate change & more, which 
perhap

[nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - Sat., 4/24 - Kentucky & 14 add'l. Warbler spp., & more migrants

[Thomas Fiore]

Manhattan, N.Y. City -

A male Yellow-throated Warbler seen by many on Friday 4/23 at Fort Tryon Park 
in northern Manhattan was not re-found there on Saturday, although certainly 
possible that it is still in the area. 

...
A male Kentucky Warbler continued at Central Park on Saturday 4/24, with many 
observers again. A Wilson’s Snipe was seen both Friday & Saturday, north of The 
Pond / Gapstow bridge, in Central Park, with many observers.  Orchard Orioles 
were seen again, a few photographed in Central Park by Sat., 4/24.  An 
overwintered Lincoln’s Sparrow has continued on in Central Park.

In Central Park alone on Saturday (4/24) *at least* the following additional 14 
warbler species were seen:

Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Worm-eating Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat

Some arrivals have included Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird 
(multiple locations), Warbling Vireos (multiples in Central Park’s n. end since 
at least 4/23). Red-breasted Nuthatches were seen in a number of parks, 
indicating recent increases in their passage north again. Rose-breasted 
Grosbeaks were again found, including both males in spring plumage and some 
not, as well as some females. Broad-winged Hawks have been seen from several 
locations in manhattan, including perched for a while & photographed.

All of the above species seen by multiple observers, many species photographed 
and for many, multiple birds of each species. 

The above a small fraction of the many migrants being found by many quiet, 
observant birders in N.Y. County with thanks to all.

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] Yellow-thr. Warbler, Fort Tryon Pk, Manhattan, NYC Friday p.m., 4/23

[Thomas Fiore]

Friday, April 23rd addendum - Manhattan, N.Y. City

Happy to add that a singing male Yellow-throated Warbler (photographed) is 
giving views to multiple observers at Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan, in 
an area south-southeast of the Cloisters museum there, & not far from a 
(fenced) dog-run which is just to the east.  Look for birders and photographers 
in the area, this is a bit north of the parking pullout for the New Leaf 
restaurant, & north of the “A” train subway stop at 190th Street & Fort 
Washington Ave. in northern Manhattan.  It is a well-used area of the park.  
The bird was discovered by 9-yr.-old Asher Perkins, one of our many great young 
birders!!  First reported in afternoon, and already seen by many others.  A not 
entirely unexpected arrival given the other species showing in NYC, etc. but a 
**great** find, and particularly for that beautiful area of northern Manhattan. 
Be sure to check out the Hudson river views, and the lovely heather garden too 
if not a regular to the area.

good luck if you can go,

Tom Fiore
manhattan 
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[nysbirds-l] Manhattan, N.Y. City, 4/22 & 4/23 - Kentucky & other Warblers, R.-t. Hummingbird, & more

[Thomas Fiore]

Manhattan, including Central Park (& visits to Carl Schurz, Riverside, 
Morningside, & some other local parks)

Highlights include an ongoing Western Tanager (female, seen Thursday), and many 
recently-arrived migrants for N.Y. County.

The male Kentucky Warbler continued on Friday, 4/23 at the north end of Central 
Park, in the Ravine (“Loch”) area, with many observers again; seen from 
first-light & into Friday morning, & onward.  This warbler has been moving a 
bit since its’ first sighting the day before yesterday, & had moved to the e. 
end of the Loch, near where the park’s East Drive crosses over the Loch.  
Birders were lingering and are likely to be around the full day with this & 
other migrants around.

An Orchard Oriole (male) was again present in Central Park, as well as Wood 
Thrush, Veery, & multiple White-eyed Vireos - & other very recently-arrived 
neotropical-wintering migrants are scattered about in Manhattan, including some 
that are still a bit early for the area, all a bit ahead of their *typical 
first-arrival* periods.

Not extra-early now, but first (& now fully-confirmed) sighting of Worm-eating 
Warbler also in Central Park, for Friday, and with multiple observers.  At 
least one dozen warbler species (the Kentucky among them) were in Central Park 
alone for Friday morning, 4/23; most were previously seen & reported by 
multiple observers as well, some for some time, others only this week. A bit 
tougher to find Pine Warbler (than ten days prior), but they are also still 
around, in the county.  At least 18 species of American warblers have been seen 
in Central Park this spring, so far; one of those species definitely 
overwintered: Orange-crowned.   The Spotted & Solitary Sandpipers may or may 
not have lingered, at least one of these was spooked at one point by a worker 
(unintentionally, to be clear!), and was not seen to return to its’ feeding.  
The C.P. reservoir also will be worth looking over.  And a lot more migrants 
are likely in the coming week, esp. as a warmer air mass arrives.  Purple 
Finches seem to have quieted for the time-being, but more of those may well be 
passing again in coming days.

..
And on Governors Island (within N.Y.,County) among over 40 species noted (by B. 
Cacace for Friday, 4/23) were 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, as well as Ovenbird.

. . .
Thursday, April 22nd (“Earth Day”) -

The long-staying female Western Tanager was present at Carl Schurz Park in 
Manhattan on Thursday, 4/22. It will be interesting to see if that bird is 
still there once our expected tanager species shows in numbers on passage (that 
being of course Scarlet Tanager), which might be in May, if arrivals are in 
typical order.

Despite temp’s starting out in the mid-30’s (F.) with a below-freezing 
wind-chill factor, there were numbers of observers out & about for Earth Day, 
finding spring birds, including many (more) again seeing a male Kentucky 
Warbler in Central Park’s n. end (continuing from the day prior, and it might 
be noted, for hunger or for whatever reasons of its own, being less skulking 
than is expected of the species much of the time thus far since its initial 
discovery), and also seen were male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (and again by 
many observers, following the one in Fort Tryon Park the day prior).  There 
were at least 3 R.-thr. Hummingbirds in 3 distinct locations in Central Park, & 
often seen coming to lush flowers. 

Great Crested Flyctacher, & several Orchard Orioles were found in Central Park, 
and my guess (only) is that these could have arrived locally on the day prior, 
but I was not aware of any prior reports. The two I saw in the Ramble area were 
males, one an adult, another a first-spring. It is possible that yet others 
were about, from other observers, although many folks were (rather 
understandably) on 'Loch-duty' birding in Central on the day. I also heard the 
unmistakeable calls (not song) of Baltimore Oriole from near Delacorte Theater 
/ Great Lawn in Central Park on the day as well.  My impression in general was 
of some individual birds lingering in essentially same areas where seen on 
Wed., 4/21, but there just may have been some migration-hops made by some birds 
overnight on Wed. to Thursday. (It’s been an odd & unpredictable spring so far 
& we’re still a week out from May 1st…)

Other warbler species seen included some of those found the day prior & in 
recent days in Manhattan, such as Prairie, N. Waterthrush and Louisiana 
Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white, Palm, 
Pine, & Myrtle/Yellow-rumped, with perhaps some others present as well.  My 
route in Central was from the n.w. corner of the park, to the east edges, to 
the s.e. corner, and back again to the far n. end, on the other (w.) side of 
reservoir, with a later walk in 2 other nearby parks (and earlier to east side 
of Manhattan). There were at least 4 White-eyed Vireos present in just Central 
Park on Thursday, a slightly unu

Re:[nysbirds-l] Violet-Green Swallow 4/22 (Saratoga County, NY) report, w/photo by observer

[Thomas Fiore]

In case not seen by some with interest in this report, a photo had been posted 
of the Violet-Green Swallow found April 22 in Saratoga County to the 
publicly-accessible Hudson-Mohawk group list, and that *photo* by the sole (?) 
observer / photographer John Hershey, is here:  
https://groups.io/g/hmbirds/message/27192 
  & one may follow the reports on 
that H-M group-list at this link: https://groups.io/g/hmbirds/topics 
 (as well as on other bird list-serve 
aggregators).  It’s clear too that a number of other birders came out to try.

The photo seems to show a nicely colored male. Quite rare anywhere in the east, 
of course…. Vischer Ferry & vicinity is a great area; I with several others 
once enjoyed one of the best single hours of birding I have ever had in the 
state of NY there (it was a while ago).

Thanks to all who offered reports & obviously to the finder!  If re-found, it’s 
a species deserving of reports to the NYS list along with any & all other 
bird-report ‘channels’.

good luck,
Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC 4/20-21 - W. Tanager, migrant arrivals incl. 17+ species of warblers, more

[Thomas Fiore]

A Black-throated Gray Warbler has been seen by many over several days at 
Amherst Island SP in far western NY.  Multiple neotropical-wintering migrants 
were seen & some photographed while blowing snow was falling in parts of NY 
state on 4/21, while small hail fell in multiple areas on the same day in a 
line of strong thunderstorms in some counties (including in N.Y. City). Various 
other neotropical-wintering migrants have been arriving in NYS, some a bit 
early such as Black-throated Blue Warbler and others; Indigo Bunting is an 
example of a species that’s reached a few breeding areas within NY state 
already, far earlier than even anticipated *early* arrival dates; there are 
also some further finds of Blue Grosbeak in areas where probably vagrant and 
early, but presumed part of an ‘overshoot’ migration event. A Prothonotary 
Warbler was seen in Kings Co., NY to at least 4/20, with many observers.  

Many neotropical migrant species have also been showing in various northeastern 
states, such as in Pennsylvania & some in New England states, quite a few of 
these reports further supported with photos &/or by highly-experienced 
observers. Veery has now been confirmed in the multiple (if small no’s.) in 
some locations 90+ miles n. of N.Y. City, as one of many examples, and these 
various species (of neotropical-winterers) over a period of days this week, not 
just on 4/21. At least one additional Kentucky Warbler (to the one seen in 
Manhattan, N.Y. City) also occured on 4/21 in southern New England. 

The events that have brought all these migrants into the northeast may have 
brought yet more than has been reported or discovered so far, no matter any 
slowdown in migration weather. Multiple Yellow Warblers are on territories 
already in some locations well north of N.Y. City (although that’s not 
exceedingly early for first-arrivers of that species in some of those 
locations). 

Multiple Cattle Egrets have occurred just lately in at least several 
northeastern states, & at least a few of those in the counties in N.Y. City, 
where seen by a number of birders depending on location (with photos).  An 
Orange-crowned Warbler was seen at Forest Park’s well-known site, the 
‘waterhole’ on 4/19, that's in Queens Co./N.Y. City. - that species was still 
lingering on that date (if not past that) at Carl Schurz Park in Manhattan.

…..
N.Y. County, including Manhattan, Randall’s & Governors Islands:

The female Western Tanager continues into a 5-months-long stay at Carl Schurz 
Park in Manhattan.  An Iceland Gull was found on April 19th in Central Park, 
Manhattan.
..
Tuesday, April 20th & Wed., April 21st -

Other Highlights include:  Eastern Whip-poor-will, at least 17 American Warbler 
species including Kentucky, Prairie, Ovenbird, N. Waterthrush, lots more; 
Eastern Bluebird, Vesper Sparrow, 3 migrant ‘brown-backed’ thrush species (Wood 
also a rare breeder), 4 vireo spp. (and Red-eyed rather early still), plenty of 
Purple Finches (a lot moving through and small numbers stopping off in multiple 
locations around the county), Eastern Kingbird (not that early now for the 
species), Orchard Oriole & Baltimore Oriole, Indigo Bunting, & many other 
arriving species.  

...
Tues., 4/20 - 

A Vesper Sparrow present for several days was continuing on at Randall’s 
Island.  White-crowned Sparrows arrived in minimal numbers, not all that early 
and in synch with a lot of other sparrows migrating through now.  It was quite 
notable how many Bufflehead stopped in at Central Park’s reservoir, with up to 
fifty showing for the county as a whole. Also moving (most as fly-overs) in 
numbers were Wood Duck, and some other waterfowl and other waterbirds also were 
on the move.  The E. Whip-poor-will was not surprisingly not re-discovered, 
after some walkers, dogs, raccoons, etc. etc. etc. all moved it off the ground 
where found pre-dawn on Tuesday. More of these may be on the way, & also could 
be lingering a while when they do turn up; an annually-found species in the 
county mainly in spring migration. At least a few Rose-breasted Grosbeaks 
pushed thru Manhattan in the morning, none appear to have been noted lingering, 
so far in the county (but have appeared in multiple locations n. of the city).

...
Wed., 4/21 -

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have made it north of N.Y. City, and at least one 
buzzed part of Fort Tryon Park late in the morning. Others have been seen in 
N.Y. City as well.  Going along with neotropical-winterers that are showing up, 
some additional Chimney Swifts moving through are also risking the chill in the 
air in much of the northeast in some recent & coming nights. At least one 
Eastern Kingbird came through upper Manhattan on the morning flight (this 
species also seen & confirmed in locations n. of N.Y. City). Orchard & 
Baltimore Orioles (the latter at least, in low numbers, rather than singleton) 
pushed through in the big arrival of Wednesday morning; much of the arrival 
flight was overn

[nysbirds-l] Central & Carl Schurz Parks, NYC - Fri., 4/16 - W. Tanager, Yellow-thr. Vireo, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

Manhattan, N.Y. City

Friday, April 16th -

The female Western Tanager continues, photographed again this late morning, 
seen at & near the feeder array in Carl Schurz Park, just inside the park from 
East End Ave. & south of the stairway to the East 86th St. entrance, also in 
shrubs & along the iron fence where berry treats awaited it (and other local 
birds). The Orange-crowned Warbler also continues, but harder to see (or to 
find) at times, up in the n. edges & next to Gracie mansion’s fence, in the 
same park. 

...
At Central Park, the early Yellow-throated Vireo seen Thursday by many & 
photo’d & video’d, was still present at the north end of that park this Friday 
4/16 having moved a bit to a site east of the Blockhouse, with multiple 
observers - and as already noted, quite an early arrival in mid-April.  
Blue-headed Vireos also were present again. Both species of vireo were singing 
- & the Yellow-throated was singing as early as pre-sunrise - as were a number 
of other migrants.  

Also seen just in the n. end of Central Park were Louisiana Waterthrush, 
Black-and-white Warbler, Pine Warbler, Palm Warbler, Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] 
Warbler, also a House Wren first noted in Central Park on Thurs. was again 
present this Fri., 4/16.   The overwintered Lincoln’s Sparrow at the compost 
area of Central Park’s north end was still there, with multiple observers again 
on Friday.

Some fly-overs seen from Central Park on Friday include Bald Eagles, Osprey, 
Tree, Barn, & N. Rough-winged Swallows, Common Ravens (2), as well as the 
expected Great & (fewer) Snowy  Egrets, plus various other species.  At least 
72 species of birds were found in & over Central Park alone Friday, with more 
than that in N.Y. County.

A number of migrants moved out, onward even thru Thurs. night to Friday, yet 
clearly a fair number also lingered. The E. Meadowlark that lingered so long 
just might have actually departed by Friday, & also no longer being found was a 
Vesper Sparrow, as well as any number of other recent individual birds having 
possibly moved on - such as that recent very early Wilson’s Warbler in Central 
Park, as found by Paul Sweet/A.M.N.H.

…
While a few somewhat early Yellow Warblers that showed in Central this week 
seem to also have moved on, there’ve been a couple of reports of slightly early 
Veery in Central Park (thru at least 4/15, & some (or all) of these may be 
correctly ID’d, even as Hermit Thrush is the *much* more-likely Catharus thrush 
for this part of April; some Veery were being seen in counties northerly to 
N.Y. City, including a confirmed sighting in Sullivan County, NY on 4/16.

…..
and over on Governors Island (in N.Y. County) Friday reports (from A. Barry) 
included 3 Laughing Gulls, 12 Y.-s. Flickers, & 3 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, all 
good indicators that more migrants are working their way north. 

Good & peaceful birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan



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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) Fri.-Mon., 4/9-10-11-12

[Thomas Fiore]

N.Y. County, including Randall’s Island & Manhattan

Friday April 9th thru Monday April 12th -

The female Western Tanager at Carl Schurz Park continued, as has the 
Orange-crowned Warbler both of which overwintered there.  Either bird can 
require some patience to see at various times; the tanager may come in just 
briefly by the main feeder array, near East End Ave., just n.w. of the Catbird 
playground & south of E. 86th St., but also spends time in other areas around 
the park & possibly just out of it as well, while the Orange-crowned Warbler 
has been most regular closer to Gracie mansion, at the n. end of the park.  
(There are also a few Palm Warblers & had been Pine Warbler in Carl Schurz as 
well.)

Other highlights of the 4-day period included: Pileated Woodpecker, Laughing 
Gull, Horned Grebe, Blue-headed Vireo, E. Meadowlark, and at least 5 warbler 
species as previously reported - Pine, Palm, [Myrtle] Yellow-rumped, (2) 
Orange-crowned Warblers, and Louisiana Waterthrush. (2 very early N. Parulas 
seem to have moved out of Central Park, as of this report's period, & an E. 
Meadowlark there was not reported by 4/12.)

…
Friday, April 9th - 

A Pileated Woodpecker continued at Inwood Hill Park, northern Manhattan.  An 
Eastern Meadowlark continued in Central Park’s n. end.  Light increases of some 
anticipated species such as Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, E. Towhee, and 
Chipping Sparrow.  Louisiana Waterthrush continued at Central Park as well as 
Pine, Palm, [Myrtle] Yellow-rumped Warblers.  After many sightings of an early 
N. Parula into Thurs., 4/8, there were no reports of one in N.Y. County for 
Fri. 4/9. An Orange-crowned Warbler was again seen at The Pool in the n. end of 
Central Park.

Higher numbers of Egrets, mostly Great, but some Snowys as well, have been 
flying over the central area of Manhattan in the usual east-west & west-east 
flyway, in particular increasingly noted over the n. end of Central Park. 

...
Saturday, 4/10 - A Horned Grebe was reported off Randall’s Island (L. Rohde) 
and seen from there, although unclear if it was in N.Y. County waters.  Up to 3 
Black Vultures were seen from Inwood Hill Park; that species is definitely a 
lot more regular now than even 1 year prior.  Louisiana Waterthrush continued 
on at Central Park, with many observers. The first (so far reported) 
Blue-headed Vireo of the year was seen at Central Park’s farthest n.w. corner, 
a bit early and coinciding with some others already arriving much farther 
north.  An E. Meadowlark was ongoing at Central Park.

...
Sunday, 4/11 -

The E. Meadowlark continued at Central Park for the 7th day in a row, again 
seen on the N. Meadow ballfields - an unusually long stay for that species 
anywhere in Manhattan.  There was a modest movement of at least a limited no. 
of species; ardeids came in in greater no’s. with in particular Great Egret & 
Black-crowned Night-Heron increasing in the county.  Also showing in more 
locations in the county were such species as Y.-s. Flicker, Chipping Sparrow, 
Palm Warbler, & (slight increases) Field Sparrow, & Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] 
Warbler.  A very few Savannah Sparrows also showed in at least 2 locations, 
those also part of a broader movement on the day.

Some waterbirds were moving, with Double-crested Cormorants among them. A drake 
Green-winged Teal showed in the center of the Central Park reservoir, while at 
least one Hooded Merganser was lingering there (and 2 more were seen from 
Randall’s Island); also still lingering were some American Coot, Bufflehead, 
Ruddy Duck, & Red-breasted Mergansers, with N. Shovelers in fair numbers at 
Central Park.

As noted previously, a very small (so far) number of Purple Finch have been 
moving thru, with scattered sightings on this & prior days. Not many seem to 
have noted it, but the numbers of American Robins in N.Y. County increased 
overnight into Sunday.  There were substantial numbers of [Atlantic] Brant at 
Randall’s Island late Sunday, into 4-digit numbers.

...
Monday, 4/12 - 

Despite the ‘contrary’ weather locally (northerly wind, some rain & drizzles), 
some birds have been arriving. Three Chimney Swifts were seen  (L. Beausoleil) 
at a known roost site for them in Manhattan’s E. Village.  A few Laughing Gulls 
were along the East River, seen from lower Manhattan, and a far greater number 
of Palm Warblers were evident through much of the county this day (and reported 
in the wider region as well), & various other species have increased in the 
county a bit as well, including Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Pine Warbler, & Chipping 
Sparrow.  A Lincoln’s Sparrow that overwintered was continuing at Central Park, 
in the compost area.  A couple of Rusty Blackbirds also were continuing at 
Central Park, in close to alternate (spring breeding) plumage, & also giving 
song at times.  The same 5 warbler species as found in prior days in the county 
were ongoing, that including at least the one Orange-crowned Warbler a

[nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC Thursday, 4/8 - Pileated WP, E. Meadowlark, Or.-cr. Warbler x2, N. Parula, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

Manhattan, N.Y. City,
Thursday, April 8th -

Needs to be noted, the female W. Tanager was still in Carl Schurz Park, & also 
there, the ongoing (also overwintered) Orange-crowned Warbler, on 4/8.

Always a very unexpected sight in Manhattan (although not ‘mega’ rare there), a 
Pileated Woodpecker was found at Inwood Hill Park near the island’s northern 
end, seen by a number of observers, with obviously great views, as their photos 
indicate. The northern part of Manhattan is certainly the spot to anticipate 
the chances of this species, & early spring a fairly good time to have one come 
in for a visit; it will be interesting to see whether it decides to stick 
around at all.

Another (2nd, different) Orange-crowned Warbler showed up, this latest in 
Central Park Thursday, by the Pool; one might wonder how far it came, whether 
it may have wintered not so distantly from Manhattan.  A still-early N. Parula 
was ongoing in the Ramble in Central, with many observers.  And an E. 
Meadowlark was still in the north end of Central Park, lingering a bit longer 
than that species usually will for that park.

At least some fresh migration had taken place overnight Wed.-to-Thursday with a 
modest uptick of Pine Warblers, along with modest shifts of some other 
migrants. There are signs that some of the many B.-c. Chickadees & Tufted 
Titmice of the past winter may be getting on their way, but it remains to be 
seen how many of either species linger on a while.

..
A nice variety of native plants have begun to flower, along with the many 
ornamental varieties of trees, shrubs & smaller plants, in Manhattan’s various 
parks. One of the trees starting to show blooms (and which does so ahead of 
their leaf-out) is Eastern Redbud, found in a number of locations around N.Y. 
county.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan 



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[nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - Wed., 4/7 - W. Tanager, E. Meadowlark, warblers, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Wednesday, April 7th:

The female Western Tanager continued at Carl Schurz Park, birders from Buffalo 
NY came by to view it, & the tanager showed just as they arrived at the feeder 
area south of E. 86th, n.w. of the Catbird playground. However, the bird did 
not linger long at that site, and about 20 minutes later, I saw & photo’d. it 
by Gracie mansion’s s. side, in the north edge of the park; there, the tanager 
showed for only a minute or so, then dropped behind the solid fence in the 
mansion’s grounds, not to be seen again in the short time I stayed. Also seen 
quite briefly, higher in trees on the s. side of the mansion (looking up & in 
from the n. lawn of the park) was the long-staying Orange-crowned Warbler, 
which also was reported a bit farther south & closer to the river-walk; a few 
other birds noted in Carl Schurz Park were a few Y.-s. Flickers & Ruby-crowned 
Kinglet, along with more of the regulars there.

At Central Park, an E. Meadowlark continued, moving around a bit in the n. end 
of the park, from near the Meer, across lawn, paths, & the park drive to 
eventually be by the butterfly plantings area, locally called the Knoll, 
overlooking the n.e. end of the N. Meadow ballfields, & also on the ballfield. 
Many observers of this meadowlark since it was first found, & in its various 
locations on Wednesday.  A Lincoln’s Sparrow that overwintered was again found 
at Central Park’s compost area.

Further arrivals appeared to be rather limited; there have been Louisiana 
Waterthrushes in a couple of locations (where regular & anticipated) in Central 
Park, and at least one still-very-early N. Parula was again in the Ramble in 
Central. The other warbler spp. seen lately were all still present as well in 
various locations: Pine, Palm, & a few [Mytle] Yellow-rumped. Other migrants 
still in low numbers included both Kinglet species, Brown Creepers, & (few) 
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, as well as N. Rough-winged Swallow.  Fly-overs for 
Manhattan included Osprey (few), Black Vulture (2, Inwood Hill Park), Turkey 
Vultures, & Bald Eagle.

Good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC), Monday, 4/5

[Thomas Fiore]

New York County, including Manhattan -
Monday, April 5th:

The female Western Tanager was still in Carl Schurz Park, east of East End Ave.

Light additional migration overnight (Sun.-Mon.) included the appearance of the 
2nd Eastern Meadowlark in the county in the past week (first one was on 
Roosevelt Island), this latest in Central Park’s north end, by the Meer (E. 
Paredes, finder & first reporting) and seen by multiple observers over the 
afternoon; also with a little drama, as a local Red-tailed Hawk made a serious 
effort after it; the meadowlark managed to avoid that attack & later returned 
to the area where first seen. 

Also showing at the n. end of Central were several Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, & an 
overwintered Lincoln’s Sparrow also continued there. Light additional sparrow 
movement, with more Field Sparrows around in multiple locations, including 
lower Manhattan. At least a few Snowy Egrets have started to show in the 
county, with several sightings at Randall’s Island & by Monday, several 
flyovers on the typical west-east / east-west flyway used by these & the 
also-regular Great Egrets, esp. seen at Central Park’s n. end or from adjacent 
areas in Manhattan (i.e. streets in the 90’s-100’s, thru around 125th St. at 
times). 

Warblers that have continued in Central Park were all that had been seen as 
well on Sunday:  Northern Parula (early), Louisiana Waterthrush, Pine, Palm, & 
Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] Warblers. As noted briefly in a prior report at least a 
few Purple Finches have been in with more perhaps to come. A Pine Siskin was 
reported at Central Park on 4/3.

Many more species also present to Monday, 4/5 around the county:

Canada Goose
[Atlantic] Brant
Wood Duck (Central Park)
Gadwall
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser (Central Park reservoir)
Red-breasted Merganser (multiple locations)
Ruddy Duck
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret (few, fly-overs)
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Randall’s Island)
Turkey Vulture 
Black Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot (Central Park, reservoir)
Killdeer (few)
Ring-billed Gull
[American] Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
['feral'] Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
multi-owls
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow-shafted Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Common Raven
American Crow
Fish Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
House Sparrow
Western Tanager (female at Carl Schurz Park)
Eastern Towhee
Slate-colored Junco
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
[Red] Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow (at least one overwintered, ongoing in Central Park)
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Louisiana Waterthrush (Central Park)
Northern Parula (2 locations, Central Park)
Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
(Orange-crowned Warbler - not noted, but may still be at Carl Schurz Park)
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark (Central Park, n. end)
Rusty Blackbird (at least one lingering, Central Park)
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
American Goldfinch

….
Butterflies again seen were Cabbage White, E. Comma, and Mourning Cloak.  More 
& more trees showing green buds, and further blooming each day - many cherries 
are out in full bloom and many magnolias soon will be, along with various other 
blooms. Some native early spring wildflowers are showing blooms & buds, in 
addition to the widespread ornamental flowering plants.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan









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[nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - Sunday, 4/4 - six warblers in Manhattan...

[Thomas Fiore]

Easter Sunday, April 4th -

In Central Park (Manhattan, N.Y. City) the (first-of-spring in N.Y. County) 
Louisiana Waterthrush was heard chipping & the singing before 7 am, and seen & 
heard later on by many observers at the Loch.  Also present in Central Park 
again were at least one male N. Parula (& which is still quite early for that 
species), Palm & Pine Warblers, & a couple of Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] Warblers 
(not unusual to have just a few of that species show earlier than the main 
arrival of Myrtles which is some weeks away); that’s five warbler species just 
in Central, with the sixth warbler in Manhattan: the lingering overwintered 
Orange-crowned which, along with the overwintered female Western Tanager, each 
continue at Carl Schurz Park off East End Avenue.

Thanks to many for bird observations & reports.

Many nature-lovers out on the nice day, even as 90% of NYC birders have made 
the happy pilgrimmage to Prospect Park for a *very nice Martin*, & which has 
also introduced a few to the wonders of that excellent Brooklyn NYC park, the 
one that was built by the same people who created Central, but with lessons 
learned and utilized in the design of one of the great parks of this country.

Many lovely blooms to savor in whichever NYC park or green space now & with 
more of all that to come, and at least a few new migrant birds as well on the 
warming weather.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] Central Park (&) Manhattan, NYC - Sat., 4/3 - migrants & lingerers

[Thomas Fiore]

Birders from multiple states have joined in the observations of the 
most-interesting-martin (Progne species), perhaps a Gray-breasted Martin, at 
Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Lake; great thanks to D. Gochfeld for finding and 
elucidating this very intriguing bird to this list and in eBird reports, as 
well as to many others offering updates, further photos, and observation.

...
Manhattan, N.Y. City including Central Park & other parks -
Saturday, April 3rd -

At Carl Schurz Park in Manhattan, the female Western Tanager was ongoing, as 
was the Orange-crowned Warbler there, both of those having overwintered at that 
site. Both of thse birds can take time to find, & the tanager is not always by 
the one set of feeders (there are now several separate areas with hanging suet, 
as well, within this modestly sized city park).

Also outside of Central Park and noteworthy, a Purple Martin was reported as a 
fly-by at Inwood Hill Park, northern Manhattan, as were at least 2 Black 
Vultures seen from Swindler & Sherman Creek Park. (Turkey Vultures also on the 
move, & some of the latter were seen as flyovers from multiple parks, including 
Central.)  Killdeer was also found at Sherman Creek (B. Cacace).
...
Central Park -

Many cherry trees are in bloom now, as well as some of the many Magnolia (the 
first of those were the white-blossomed Magnolia stellata), the numerous Cornus 
mas, and plenty more, along with numerous shrubs, & some native (albeit 
planted, in Central) & far more non-native ornamental flowers showing well. A 
few flowers, such as the aforementioned magnolia, are showing the touch of 
frost that jas affected buds and esp. blooms all through our region, after the 
extremely early surge of warmth brought so many plants into spring activity.

At least 2 N. Parulas were being seen simultaneously at Central Park, more than 
1/2-mile apart; still very early for the species in N.Y.  Also at least 2 N. 
Rough-winged Swallows, possibly more, in Central.  A Lincoln’s Sparrow was 
continuing on at the compost area of Central Park, & a relatively few [Red] Fox 
Sparrows; Field Sparrow in the multiple, although modest numbers. Pine & Palm 
Warblers were each continuing in various locations in Central. At least one 
singing male Purple Finch was seen again in a location one had been lingering 
(not where birds are fed). 

At least 3 Hooded Mergansers were still on the C.P. reservoir, along with other 
waterfowl, and some American Coots.  Eastern Phoebes were up slightly in 
numbers throughout the park, as were Yellow-shafted Flickers, thinly but widely 
distributed now.

Some of the above & other birds seen in (and as fly-overs) just from Central 
Park on 4/3:

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser (reservoir)
Ruddy Duck
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot (reservoir)
Ring-billed Gull
[American] Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
['feral'] Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
[the ongoing owl]
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (multiple)
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow-shafted Flicker  (multiple)
Eastern Phoebe  (multiple)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (at least 2, poss. more)
Black-capped Chickadee  (multiple)
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet  (multiple)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  (multiple)
Hermit Thrush  (multiple but in low no’s.)
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher  (in multiple locations)
European Starling
House Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Slate-colored Junco  (multiple)
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow  (multiple)
[Red] Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow (compost area; an overwintered bird)
Swamp Sparrow  (multiple)
White-throated Sparrow (common)
Northern Cardinal
Northern Parula (minimum of 2, both males, singing at times)
Pine Warbler  (multiple)
Palm Warbler  (multiple)
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird (at least one)
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch (1 male)
House Finch
American Goldfinch (multiple)

… and likely some additional species, with some also being seen all around N.Y. 
County.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan








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[nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC 4/1 - Iceland Gull, N. R.-w. Swallow, N. Parula, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City - Thursday, April 1st:

An Iceland Gull was found & photo’d. (M.B. Kooper) on the reservoir, with many 
additional observers. At least one (early) Northern Rough-winged Swallow was 
seen at various times through the day, in late afternoon flying at The Pool 
(near W. 100-103rd Sts.).  A (very early) N. Parula continued in the Ramble 
with dozens of observers on this day. Also still being seen were Pine & Palm 
Warblers, both Kinglet species, & various other typical early-spring migrants, 
most in low to modest numbers.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) 3/29 - early swift, & gnatcatcher

[Thomas Fiore]

Singles of Chimney Swift were reported (separately) from 2 locations in N.Y. 
City on Monday, March 29th, these being extremely early - possibly NY state 
early-date records.  Interestingly there also was on the same date a report for 
a single Chimney Swift at Braddock Bay (hawk-watch, in Monroe County), NY.   
Further, at Cape May, N.J. a small number of Chimney Swifts appeared (along 
with at least 4 species of hirundines including P. Martins and Cliff and Barn 
Swallows all in the multiple; & to say nothing-much of the several sightings of 
Swallow-tailed Kite[s] in N.J. also on March 29).  One of the March 29 Chimney 
Swift sightings in N.Y. City was from Manhattan (T. Olson), & is confirmed in 
an eBird report.

At least one Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was seen on 3/29, at Manhattan’s Highbridge 
Park, with others of the species appearing elsewhere in N.Y. City from Saturday 
3/27 and since. Early, but not unprecedentedly so for the county or the region.

Further migration has just taken place overnight.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City, + W. Tanager & Or.-cr. Warbler continuing, 3/29

[Thomas Fiore]

(At Carl Schurz Park, a female Western Tanager & an Orange-crowned Warbler both 
remain Monday 3/29, the warbler near the n. end of that park, with the tanager 
coming to a feeder array near East End Ave., just inside the park, south of E. 
86th Street.).  

Also of note, an Iceland Gull was again found (& photo’d., P. Shure) at 
Randall’s Island (in N.Y. County), on the Bronx Kill at the n.w. sector of the 
island, on Monday 3/29. Lingering on Randall’s also has been the overwintered 
adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, often in the same area it’s been so regular.  
On Sunday 3/28, 7 Lesser Scaup were seen off Randall’s Island.

……….
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City - Monday, 3/29 (& over last weekend) - 

As I reported to this list for Friday 3/26 (and multiple observers also saw & 
photographed) early Sat. morning, "One of the male Pine Warblers was seen going 
to a suet feeder at Central Park. It was at least a 3-warbler species day for 
the county (w/ Pine, Palm, & Orange-crowned).”   Perhaps that same Pine seen 
Friday was ongoing all weekend to Monday 3/29 visiting the same feeders in 
Central Park’s Ramble.  At the same time, other Pine Warblers have been in 
other locations (throughout Manhattan), and more continued at Central Park.

Palm Warblers have also continued from Friday on thru the weekend, with 
multiples of them around on Sunday, & at least several again in Central Park on 
Monday.  Palm Warbler was also seen at various parks in Manhattan’s northern 
sector, such as Inwood Hill Park, on Sunday.

A Lincoln’s Sparrow has remained by the compost / nursery area of Central Park 
to Monday; that sparrow overwintered there.  Also being seen are lingering 
[Red] Fox Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows, and of course many Song & White-throated 
Sparrows, plus a couple of Chipping Sparrows, as well as Slate-colored Juncos.  
A few Rusty Blackbirds were still around Central Park to Monday.

Ospreys have been seen by multiple observers over Manhattan these last few 
days, some of the ospreys flying over Central Park.  At least 4 or more Hooded 
Mergansers were continuing at the reservoir in Central Park on Monday, along 
with some Buffleheads & 75++ N. Shovelers, as well as some American Coots.  
Bald Eagle also was again seen as a fly-over past Central Park.

Also ongoing at Central Park to Monday have been Great Egret, Yellow-bellied 
Sapsucker, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Black-capped Chickadee, 
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Carolina Wren, Winter Wren, 
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, 
Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, American  Goldfinch 
& many more.   Some Common Raven sightings around Manhattan have again included 
fly-overs over Central Park.

For all of Central Park, sightings also included: Canada Goose, Wood Duck, 
Gadwall, American Black Duck, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, Common 
Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned 
Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Ring-billed Gull, [American] Herring 
Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, ['feral'] Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove, American 
Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, owl[s], Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, 
Blue Jay, American Crow, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned 
Kinglet, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, House 
Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch & likely at least a few additional 
species.

….
Beginning to flower in Central Park are several varieties of Magnolia, esp. the 
Magnolia stellata with large white blooms, as well as some of the 
earlier-blooming Cherry varieties, and much more, including Forsythia all 
around.  The Cornus mas is in full bloom as well, sometimes called Cornelian 
Cherry (although it is a species in the Dogwood family, not a cherry).  A 
number of local-native trees are in flower now as well, including some maples 
and others.  Willows are starting show small leaves.  With all of that budding 
& blooming come many emerging arthropods, and that in turn means good feeding 
for a lot of the arriving migrant birds as well as local residents.

Good spring birding to all and thanks to many for good reports.

Tom Fiore
manhattan













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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC), Fri., 3/26 - new arrivals

[Thomas Fiore]

N.Y. County, including Manhattan, Randall’s Island, and Governors Island, & 
nearby waters & sky-watches
Friday, March 26th:  (and we hit a new record high temp. for the date in 
Manhattan)

update for Western Tanager & Orange-crowned Warbler, both still present Friday 
3/26 at Carl Schurz Park, far east side of Manhattan, location[s] as posted 
here previously. However, the W. Tanager also was seen in the area of the park 
near the statue of Peter Pan, which is well east of E. 87th St. & has lush 
surrounding vegetation. On such a warm day, not that surprising it would have 
sought & located areas with active insect prey items.  Also, the Or.-cr. 
Warbler can be up high in trees at times, just as had been in its earlier 
sightings at that park at times.

Many birds were arriving overnight and also in diurnal flight, into / thru / 
over N.Y. County; the first larger & more-diverse movement of 'land-birds' this 
month, with many other birds also moving. Some of these arrivals included:

Snow Goose (several small flocks, at least 2 which contained 10 and then 14 
birds, over the Hudson in the early a.m.). Canada Geese also moving but in low 
numbers.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow (this seems & is rather early, I would think by 
around 2-3 weeks before more typical arrival times here; a very few at least 
had already been documented up the Hudson river from N.Y. City, & poss. 
elsewhere farther north this month; the singleton I observed at 12:30 p.m. was 
from Riverbank State Park, flying up high - seen at just above eye-level from 
the upper deck overlooking the Hudson, which has views (there) of 6++ miles in 
both directions on the river.  Also being seen are a few more Tree Swallows, 
the ‘default’ swallow arrival here for March; for breeding Tree Swallows in 
N.Y. County, Governors Island in particular.

Great Egret (nice arrival as expected, w/ at least 20 seen in total on the day, 
many as fly-overs, also a few in some park locations, again as expected and 
anticipated);  Double-crested Cormorant (modest flight; up to 50 in one group, 
all going up-river as viewed from Riverbank State Park on the Hudson River, 
Manhattan).  More Ospeys - as expected.  More Wilson’s Snipe, plus a goodly 
number of Killdeer; see the eBird list, linked below.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (slight increase, w/ a fair number that had 
overwintered now supplemented with more, almost all new arrivals in bright 
plumage);  also arriving in minimal numbers were some more Yellow-shafted 
Flickers.

Golden-crowned Kinglet (big arrival, one hundred+ on Manhattan island alone, a 
few even seen in uptown's street trees, near park areas); Brown Creeper (at 
least modest fresh arrival).  Also increased somewhat, E. Phoebe, in many 
locations & many observers.

Chipping Sparrow (modest arrival, but in more locations now than where a 
relative few had wintered);  also other sparrows such as Song had additional 
reinforcements arrive, and the same for Slate-colored Juncos.

Palm Warbler (first of the year) photo’d. (D. Aronov) at Randall’s Island 
Friday 3/26; an early-bird to be sure, yet a few others have been seen & incl. 
to the north of the city now; also seen on Randall’s Island, but the lingering 
overwintered one, adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. 

Pine Warbler (fresh influx after the few earliest of March; now in the multiple 
in several parks, esp. for Central Park w/ 6+ separate locations through all of 
that park; and w/ multiple observers; among the many observations was one at 
Battery Park, the southern tip of Manhattan, most if not all were males, some 
of those singing brightly at times; also found on Governors Island (B. Cacace) 
on 3/26, and see the ebird checklist for many other Governors Island sightings 
from Ben in the earlier half of the day: https://ebird.org/checklist/S84132356 
. - this warbler species was also seen 
at the northern end of Manhattan, & a few in small green spaces as well as 
along the Hudson river greenway-north sectors; likely more than 20 individuals 
were around the county.  One of the male Pine Warblers was seen going to a suet 
feeder at Central Park.  It was at least a 3-warbler species day for the county 
(w/ Pine, Palm, & Orange-crowned).

Rusty Blackbird (at least several newly-arrived, w/ 4+ in Central Park, & a 
couple more in three other Manhattan parks);  v. light movement of Red-winged 
Blackbird & Common Grackle early.

Also, lingerers included a count of 6 Hooded Mergansers (1 drake), 6 Amer. 
Coots, 10 Buffleheads, & 88 N. Shovelers, plus a very few Ruddy Ducks on the 
Central Park reservoir at about 8 a.m. (mostly n.w. area).  Wood Ducks also 
were seen in a number of waterbodies.  And of course, many other birds - a good 
further arrival of American Robins amongst them.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan











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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC), 3/22-23-24-25 - W. Tanager, Or.-cr. Warbler, W. Snipe, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

N.Y. County, including Manhattan, Randall’s Island, & Governors Island
Monday to Thursday, March 22nd to 25th -

At Carl Schurz Park in Manhattan, the long-staying (overwintered) female 
Western Tanager, and an Orange-crowned Warbler continued as of 3/25, and both 
have been seen multiple times this week, with the tanager often showing at a 
feeder array near East End Ave. & south of E. 86th St., while that warbler is 
most-often near the s. / s.w. part of Gracie mansion’s perimeter at the 
northern end of the park; both of these birds may take some time and patience 
to see.   On Randall’s Island, at least 1 Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] Warbler seems 
to have overwintered, or in any event was present in late winter, and again 
thru 3/25.

2 Wilson’s Snipe were photo’d (E. Mackevicius, w/ J. Olson) on the ballfields 
at Randall’s Island in late morning, Thursday 3/25, with some Killdeer also 
continuing there as well as the long-staying (overwintered) adult 
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron.  American Woodcocks continued to be found in at 
least several locations to 3/25, including Bryant Park and Central Park. (n.b., 
the Snipe were part of a broader flight of that species in the region.)

Osprey arrived (as a flyover) at least by Tuesday, 3/23 at N.Y. County; also 
moving earlier in the week have been some more Turkey Vultures, along with Bald 
Eagles. Also on the move have been some Great Blue Herons, and Belted 
Kingfisher.   Golden-crowned Kinglets continued their recent slight increase, 
while some Ruby-crowned Kinglets continued, some of those having wintered 
locally (and others perhaps not too far away).

With a fairly good push of birds overnight into the area a number of newer 
arrivals are fairly likely now.

….
On 3/19, an American Tree Sparrow was at Governors Island (still closed to the 
general public for now), & it will be interesting to see if any spring-time 
birds of that species show in the county.

Other species also seen in the past week in &/or from N.Y. County included:

Mute Swan (off the s. end of Manhattan)
Canada Goose
[Atlantic] Brant
Wood Duck (additional arrivals and passage)
Gadwall
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail (a few that had lingered)
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead (some further passage this week)
Common Goldeneye (as usual, off Randall’s Island far to east)
Hooded Merganser (few)
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Red-throated Loon (small no’s. out on rivers & harbor)
Common Loon
Great Cormorant (ongoing)
Double-crested Cormorant
Black Vulture
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
[American] Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
['feral'] Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
multi-owls
Belted Kingfisher (including newly arrived at Central Park)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow-shafted Flicker
Eastern Phoebe (multiple locations, now increasing)
Blue Jay
Common Raven (multiple locations)
American Crow
Fish Crow
Tree Swallow (few & all fly-overs)
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch (scant)
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren
Hermit Thrush
American Robin (large increases)
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
House Sparrow
Cedar Waxwing
Eastern Towhee (fairly few that all overwintered)
Slate-colored Junco
Chipping Sparrow (still just locally-overwintered)
Field Sparrow
[Red] Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow (at least 2 which had wintered)
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin (scant)
American Goldfinch (modest movement just underway)
- and likely at least a few additional species.

…
More & more plants are coming into bud & bloom, and will now continue to 
despite any cooler periods, and somewhat the same for arthropods of which by 
now hundreds of species have been active.  Of butterflies, a recent emergence 
were a few Cabbage Whites, while E. Comma and Mourning Cloak also were 
continuing to be seen.

A presumably rather rare occurence in the East River (east of Manhattan) were 
the 3 Common Dolphins (according to a senior scientist at the Wildlife 
Conservation Society and N.Y. Aquarium) seen (& video’d.) there on Tuesday 
3/23, also featured in many newspaper and tv news sites, etc. - it’s thought a 
bit rarer to have seen Common Dolphins (rather than Bottlenose) in the estuary, 
although the ID may not be definitive.  The sightings on Tuesday were mainly 
from the east side of the E. River, in the vicinity of Greenpoint, Brooklyn 
(Kings County, NYC), but that area is visible from lower Manhattan.

good birding to all, and a healthy Passover for those observing, as well.

Tom Fiore
manhattan






--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBird

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) - B.-h. Gull, 2 W. Tanagers, O.-c. Warbler, some migration, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

New York County, including Manhattan & Randall’s Island, & waters & sky 
surrounding them

A Black-headed Gull in adult-alernate (breeding-type) plumage was seen & 
photo’d (D. Aronov) off Randall’s Island, northern part of the East River, but 
had flown off (unknown direction) after some feeding that brought it & 
Ring-billed Gulls close to the w. edge of Randall’s. It’s possible this was one 
of the individual Black-headed seen earlier this past winter in the county, 
including at Randall’s, & it’s also possible this bird would be in the area for 
some while longer. Also of interest as seen from Randall’s, a slight build-up 
of Common Goldeneye (as is typical, far east off the island, in other county’s 
waters), perhaps the start of staging for a departure of that & other waterfowl 
spp.  

The Carl Schurz Park (Manhattan) Western Tanager continued, and also an 
Orange-crowned Warbler there, each seen & photo’d (K. Fung; and add’l. obs'. of 
tanager) Sunday 3/21, with patience often part of the key to sightings; the 
tanager there again visiting a feeder array just inside the park near East End 
Ave., south of 86th St., by the n.w. corner of the Catbird Playground; the 
Or.-cr. Warbler seen around the hedges s. of Gracie mansion’s park-side entry 
which is guarded by NYPD at all times; this warbler is more-often seen in a.m. 
hours, and may wander the north fringe of the park, as well as ‘disappear’ in 
the (off-limits) grounds of the mansion.  The less-reported, & seemingly 
more-difficult Chelsea-area W. Tanager (also in female plumage) was seen 
Sunday, after a many-hours search, and then just briefly, at the edge of a 
roof-top on West 22nd St. (n. side) a bit east of Tenth Ave., which was where 
this bird was first reported. Where this tanager is spending most of its’ time 
is not clear, partly for having been far less-reported for much of the later 
part of winter.

Migration has been occuring, esp. overnight on Sat. 3/20, although (not 
unusually) a great many of the nocturnal migrants flew onwards past at least 
N.Y. County, if not also beyond the city to points north. Perhaps most evident 
of local arrivals were American Robins, which had so far been gradually 
increasing, but will grow further. Some waterfowl movement has continued, with 
Snow Geese having been passing thru many parts of the region; at the same time, 
some duckage has also lingered on in the county.

Pine Warbler had a 1st-of-spring appearance on the northern part of Manhattan, 
at Inwood Hill Park, by Sun. 3/21. Lincoln’s Sparrows continued singly at 2 
locations where they overwintered: Bryant Park, and at Central Park’s compost 
area.  Both kinglet species were seen, still just in low no’s.  More E. Phoebes 
were starting to show, in slightly more locations. A good number of 
Slate-colored Juncos and also Song Sparrows have continued, with other sparrow 
spp. also noted, some increased a bit.

Common Ravens have been near-regular in some areas of Manhattan, including at 
first-light with ‘croaks’ heard, also seen. Bald Eagles have continued to be 
seen, including multiple individuals over Central Park, thru Sunday, 3/21. 
Vultures also were still moving, a majority being Turkey Vultures.

...
Mammals that have been seen even prior to spring (over this month) in & from 
N.Y. County (including Manhattan & its surrounding waters) have included Harbor 
Seal (N.Y.C. harbor), Eastern Coyote (including those in Central Park, as well 
as less-publicized individuals), Virginia Opossum, Muskrat, Eastern Cottontail 
(rabbit), Groundhog (a.k.a. “Woodchuck”), Eastern Raccoon, Eastern Gray 
Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, and White-footed Mouse. There are other species 
seen often as well, & we can keep eyes open for (native) bats, esp. E. Red Bat, 
which may be active in the area by now or could be soon.

Happy spring and good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
--

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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] N.Y. County (NYC) - Pine Warbler 3/12; Or.-cr. Warbler & W. Tanager continuing 3/17, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

Manhattan & Randall’s Island (N.Y. City) - belated reports from 3/11 & 3/12, 
and thru Thursday 3/18:

It turns out that at least one Pine Warbler did arrive in Manhattan at about 
the same time with the multiple that came in to the borough (county) just south 
of Manhattan (Kings County, N.Y. City) as well at the end of last week.  The 
1st-of-the-season Pine for Manhattan was seen on the Great Hill of Central Park 
on Friday, 3/12 by K. Chaya & E. Ozawa.  There was at least one additional Pine 
Warbler in Central as of 3/17, more than a mile south of that first-of-year one.

Another belated report (here) is of a Common Redpoll photographed at the edge 
of the Lake in Central Park on 3/11; that report is also in eBird.
 
An Orange-crowned Warbler, seen periodically thru this winter at Carl Schurz 
Park, was still present on Wed. 3/17 & Thursday 3/18, also posing for some 
photos; additionally, the female Western Tanager remains in & around Carl 
Schurz Park, seen most often still at a feeder array just inside the park next 
to East End Ave., & south of E. 86th St., best viewed from inside the park near 
the n.w. corner of the Catbird playground.  The Orange-crowned Warbler has 
mostly been found at & near the north end of the park, including in & adjacent 
to the fence that delimits the park outside of Gracie mansion (which is 
off-limits to the public at all times), but also making forays to as far south 
as the hedges, trees in the area east of East 87th St. - both of these birds 
may take some patience to see well (or at all).

Over-wintered Lincoln’s Sparrows have made it thru in at least 2 locations, 
Bryant Park & the compost area in Central Park, individuals in both places 
having been seen & photographed thru 3/17.   Ruby-crowned & Golden-crowned 
Kinglets have continued, including a few of each in small greenspaces; the full 
arrival of either species is yet to come. 

A lone Killdeer was still staying at the Great Lawn in Central Park to 3/17; 
that being one of a modest number that have been seen in Manhattan as well as 
on the outlying islands that are part of N.Y. County (Randall’s, in 
particular).  American Woodcocks are also continuing in some locations; a small 
number have found themselves in less-than-ideal circumstance, dropping in to 
parts of Manhattan where not much cover or normal feeding is available; a bit 
of this happens virtually every year with that species.

Some other birds continuing in N.Y. County include:  Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 
(adult, Randall’s Island), Wood Duck (drake on Central Park Meer, 3/18), Hooded 
Mergansers (at least 3 on Central Park reservoir to 3/18), American Coot (8 on 
Central Park reservoir, 3/18), Red-breasted Nuthatch (2 in Central Park - one 
at the Ramble feeders, one in n. end of same park), Brown Thrashers 
(overwintered in Central Park), Rusty Blackbird (also wintered in Central 
Park), and: Canada Goose, [Atlantic] Brant, Gadwall, American Black Duck, 
Mallard, Northern Shoveler (80+++, that is just the tally from Central Park on 
3/18), Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye (some still being seen from 
Randall’s Island looking east into other boroughs’ waters), Red-breasted 
Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Great Cormorant (still 
around on E. River), Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron (at least 
several), Black-crowned Night-Heron (still few), Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, 
Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, [report of a 
Red-shouldered Hawk], Red-tailed Hawk, Ring-billed Gull, [American] Herring 
Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, ['feral'] Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, American 
Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, multi-owls, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied 
Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, 
Yellow-shafted Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay Common Raven, American Crow, 
Fish Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, 
Brown Creeper, Carolina Wren, Hermit Thrush, American Robin (100’s through the 
county), Gray Catbird (solely the few which overwintered), Northern 
Mockingbird, European Starling, House Sparrow, Eastern Towhee (overwintered 
individuals), Slate-colored Junco (many in the county now), Chipping Sparrow 
(few), Field Sparrow (few), [Red] Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, 
White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common 
Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch, and likely some 
additional species.

. . . . .
Some of the Cornus mas (a small tree widely planted in parts of the county) is 
now showing bright yellow buds & even starting to blossom, a good sign for the 
birds that seek insects and arthropods for food; also in flower now are some 
maple trees, these & other plants offering chances for insects to proliferate, 
and wet weather now, added to sun & warming temp’s. in the coming days, will 
all be helpful to some of the early-arriving migrants, & the few

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, Monday-Thursday, 3/8-9-10-11 - new arrivals, lingering birds, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

N.Y. County (in N.Y. City) including Manhattan and Randall’s Island & adjacent 
waters & sky -

At least one of the 2 female Western Tanagers which have wintered succesfully 
in Manhattan was still being seen thru this week so far, at Carl Schurz Park; 
it’s likelier to show at feeders a bit more if/when the weather is frosty, & 
less-so when weather is very mild and it & other birds can find food without 
the extra assistance. The feeder array is just east of East End Ave. inside the 
park, & a bit south of East 86th St. (near the n.w. corner of Catbird 
playground).  The Chelsea neighborhood W. Tanager is reasonably likely to be 
continuing also, for now, but has been tough to find, with sightings on both 
West 22nd, W. 23rd, by Tenth Ave., & perhaps now & then a bit farther afield. 
When will either tanager choose to move on? - perhaps when more & more 
songbirds start migrating through, either may then join up with a (nocturnal) 
take-off.

There was a very strong goose flight northward on Tuesday, 3/9, with (at least 
passing Manhattan) only Canada Geese noted, and of those, more than 2,500 
passed in the hours from first-light (before 6 a.m.) & noon, as seen esp. from 
the Hudson river, and at several points with no gaps in observations, from W. 
79th on up to near Dyckman Street in northern Manhattan. The flights of geese 
described elsewhere in parts of NY state & a number of other eastern states 
were far greater in numbers, & also included Snow Geese on the move.   An adult 
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron has been ongoing at Randall’s Island where it 
overwintered.  Multiple American Woodcock were continung to be found in a 
number of places, & just to add some further upland-type shorebird movement, 
Wilson’s Snipe are also moving along with a few passing thru as of Monday, 3/8. 
Killdeer also continue in some locations.

Eastern Phoebe arrived on Tuesday, 3/9 at least at Central Park & quite 
possibly elsewhere in N.Y. County, with several seen (also reported by others) 
at the latter park by Wednesday, 3/10. The species was arriving elsewhere in 
the region (including other parts of the city) as well including well into a 
few locations in the state. There also is a chance that a *very* few wintered 
succesfully in the city, and a few did so elsewhere in NYS.  Some other 
movement has included both vulture species (mostly Turkey, few Black Vultures), 
and some other raptor migration including N. Harrier, Bald Eagle, the 2 smaller 
accipiters, and a few Red-tailed Hawks passing through, rather than the many 
that are local and nest-making.  Song & [Red] Fox Sparrow have been moving and 
so have Slate-colored Junco, all in modest no’s. and the few overwintered 
Lincoln’s Sparrows of Manhattan continued on (Bryant Park, Central Park’s 
compost pile area), as have some Chipping Sparrows, which also are showing up 
here & there from points-south. American Tree Sparrows have still been seen, 
but likely have diminished as is expected for them in March. 

Even though a small number wintered succesfully, it was interesting to find a 
few extra or anyhow a larger no. of Ruby-crowned Kinglets in my wanderings on 
Tues. 3/9, and in reports from others, around Manhattan (including 4 seen in 
Central Park on the day) as well as finding a couple more Winter Wrens, some in 
locations not seen nor reported from since late last autumn. Still more of 
(mainly) Ruby-crowned Kinglets came in by Thursday.  And the addition of a few 
breeding-plumaged Rusty Blackbirds to the few that wintered (with varying 
winter plumages) also corresponded to an increase of that species in some other 
areas regionally.  Good numbers of blackbirds, as expected mostly Red-winged 
Blackbird (of both sexes) and Common Grackles had already been moving by this 
month, & more have passed thru - evidenced by the first-of-year reports to as 
far as the U.S.-Canadian border in some eastern places.  There are a few 
Golden-crowned Kinglets also being seen.  Fish Crows have been seen (& heard) 
in a number of locations, esp. near the 2 rivers, while some American Crows & a 
few Common Ravens have been noted seemingly on the move, along with the all of 
these corvids in potential nesting areas.

An Iceland Gull was continuing in one area, sometimes on the Harlem river below 
(south of) or near the bridges at 125th St., & also at times over along the 
Bronx kill which divides Randall’s Island (& N.Y. County) from the mainland of 
the U.S. at the Bronx (County).  A Red-throated Loon in basic plumage was 
continuing on the Central Park reservoir (with Double-crested Cormorants 
increasingly regular) & multiple other loons of the 2 expected species have 
been on the rivers of late, Red-throated Loons also seen on the move on some 
mornings.  Some other waterbird movements have included modest no’s. of Common 
Merganser, never a ‘common’ species for N.Y. County.  Other duckage continuing 
includes Wood Duck (with an increase by 3/11), Red-breasted Mer

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC), 2/28 - Black-headed Gull, 2 W. Tanagers, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

N.Y. County, including Manhattan & Randall’s Island -

Sunday, Feb. 28th:

The adult (winter) Black-headed Gull was again seen back at Randall’s Island, 
presumably same individual that had first appeared there earlier in the winter, 
& then more recently at Central Park’s reservoir in Manhattan. This 
reappearance corresponded with a surge of Ring-billed Gulls, although the 
latter also have been appearing in good no’s. at a number of points in the past 
week or more (including at the C.P. reservoir). Seen all-too-briefly in the 
early a.m. (by at least 2 obs.) the Black-headed Gull was definitively seen 
later, on the n.-e. ballfields but also seen flying off by around 4 p.m.; still 
tough to know if this bird’s been at all regular in the county, or not (& 
presuming the same individual, which is not a certainty).  Thanks to R. Zucker 
for the persistence!  (An even more intriguing gull sighting & report from a 
few days previous at Riverside Park South’s pier at W. 70th St. had been a 
recurring ‘dark’ white-winged gull, possibly of the Thayer’s form of Iceland 
Gull, which as most readers will know was once considered a separate species - 
this is rare in the local area; this latter gull was seen on a couple of 
occasions at the pier (on the Hudson River at W. 70th) in Manhattan, but seems 
not to have been lingering there, on days it was seen. A good many gulls also 
can be viewed, distantly, using the opposite shore of the river in that 
vicinity, i.e. on the New Jersey side (mainly viewable with a scope in terms of 
attempting ID’s while standing at the pier, which juts far into the river).  
Gulls were continuing to mass at Central Park’s reservoir on some recent days, 
and/but at varying times of day, as is typical there.

Both of the female Western Tanagers were present on Sunday, 2/28 in their 
respective Manhattan locations - the Carl Schurz Park tanager coming to a 
suet-log (that is often under siege by local gray squirrels), that feeder 
set-up just inside the park from East End Ave., & south of E. 86th St. (closer 
to E. 85th), best viewed from inside the park near the northwest entry gate to 
the adjacent 'Catbird playground’;  the tanager appeared there Sun. at 8:35 & 
again at 9:05 a.m. (photo’d), while at Chelsea’s W. 22nd-23rd St. locations 
just e. of Tenth Ave., the other W. Tanager was tougher to come by (as seems to 
have been for many weeks now), & was seen mostly moving in taller trees & over 
the roofs of several buildings, not settling in-view for the mid-day hour, 
although seen well for short periods. This latter bird might have some 
inaccessible (to the public) spots that it favors, in courtyard areas or on 
vegetated rooftops, close by. There do not seem to be any feeders out for it or 
other birds, at least anywhere that’s viewable nearby. (also, note that the 
‘upper-east’ tanager has also shown in other nearby parts of same park, & 
occasionally along East End Ave. nearest E. 86th in either direction, so the 
feeder array is not the only site, however my own experience had been that 
that’s where i’ve seen it most regularly, esp. lately.)

Before visiting Randall’s Island in early morn' as had several others, I 
checked thru the 430+ Canada Geese feeding & bathing on the thawing Sheep 
Meadow in Central Park in the first hour of day-break; Canada Geese have been 
moving about locally, and likely also moving on, with the chance of a rarer 
goose appearing anywhere. No luck on that in Central (or just shortly later at 
Randall’s Island, with fewer geese overall seen there than in all parts of 
Central Park, but that could change in a hurry…)  As noted below, a Horned 
Grebe was seen off Randall’s Island on 2/28.  Some other birds of note were a 
lingering Lincoln’s Sparrow in Central Park’s n. end, Rusty Blackbird still in 
the Central Park Ramble (a wintering individual); some Killdeer; American 
Woodcock in multiple locations; ongoing Common Raven sightings (& heard), & 
more.

Some of the other species also being seen in N.Y. County thru Sunday, 2/28 
included -

[Atlantic] Brant (many, in select locations)
Wood Duck (on the move, with up to 5 off Randall’s Island, and multiples in & 
adjacent to Manhattan, as well as a few flyovers)
Gadwall (good numbers in some locations; again present in Central Park)
American Wigeon (on the move early Sun., with a few flyovers past Randall’s 
Island, Bronx-bound - or beyond)
American Black Duck (increased a bit)
Mallard
Northern Shoveler (many seen in flight on Sunday, also present in numbers at 
Central Park, and seen elsewhere)
Northern Pintail (at least one female is continuing at & near Swindler Cove 
area / Sherman Creek, northeast of the east end of Dyckman St., Manhattan)
Ring-necked Duck (fly-bys at Randall’s Island, headed n.e.)
Greater Scaup (multiple, esp. at the N.Y. harbor & lower parts of two rivers)
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye (still off Randall’s Island, & not in N.Y. County waters)
Hooded Merganser (continuing in s

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) Sunday, 2/21 - W. Tanager, & many other species

[Thomas Fiore]

N.Y. County, including Manhattan, Randall’s Island (& a note re: Governors 
Island at bottom):

The female Western Tanager continues at Carl Schurz Park (Manhattan) on Sunday, 
2/21 - again showing at the feeder array, just south of E. 86th St. & just 
inside the park off East End Ave.; a little patience sometimes required.  Other 
birds also visit the same area regularly.

An Iceland Gull has been continuing off Randall’s Island, seen again near the 
n.w. shore on Sat., 2/20 and this may be an individual that sometimes sits on 
the Manhattan island side of the E. River, and perhaps also is one of the 
Iceland Gulls (in several stages/conditions of plumage) that have been seen at 
the Central Park reservoir this winter.

There has been some great Bald Eagle movement very locally around the county, 
sometimes with multiple birds in view at once, in recent days including on 
Sunday, 2/21.

In Central Park on Sunday, 2/21 the following species were found, including a 
few fly-overs:

Canada Goose
Mute Swan (1 lingering)
Wood Duck (wintering)
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser (1 female continuing)
Common Loon (reservoir - continuing for some days)
Great Blue Heron (wintering)
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
American Woodcock (poss. one individual lingering)
Ring-billed Gull
[American] Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
['feral'] Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
[ongoing owl species]
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow-shafted Flicker (seem scarce now)
Blue Jay
Common Raven (fairly regular this winter, and even more so taking in all of 
Manhattan island)
American Crow (multiple)
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch (scarce now)
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper (several)
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren (wintering)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (wintering in Central - also continuing in some other 
areas in the county)
Hermit Thrush (several, wintering)
American Robin
Gray Catbird (scarce; more are wintering as they often do in some smaller parks 
& greenspaces)
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher (several, wintering)
European Starling
House Sparrow
Eastern Towhee (several, wintering)
Slate-colored Junco
American Tree Sparrow (lingering, and recently in fair numbers in some other 
areas of N.Y. County)
Chipping Sparrow (at least 2 wintering)
[Red] Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird (long-lingering)
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch

A Red-shouldered Hawk was seen in low flight over Central Park on Sat., 2/20 
(J. Wooten). That species is also continuing to be seen in n. Manhattan 
including on Sunday at Inwood Hill Park.

Some species elsewhere in the county also include: [Atlantic] Brant, Gadwall, 
American Black Duck, Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck (East River) 
Red-throated Loon, Great Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Black-crowned 
Night-Heron, Merlin, Belted Kingfisher, Fish Crow, Field Sparrow, & likely at 
least a few more spp. - some of these from Randall’s Island.

….
Thanks to Ben Cacace for clearing up a mix-up by me of observer name on a 2/11 
N.Y. County observation of Cackling Goose, as that eBird checklist w/photos did 
clearly indicate, C. Weiner made both, and not another of the surveyers of 
Governors Island, which is part of N.Y. County. (A. Barry has at least a 
12-year history as a volunteer at Governors Island, and also continues to do 
some bird surveys for the island.)As for visiting that island in the colder 
months, best to contact the NYC Audubon office and inquire as to being a 
volunteer.  The island is typically closed in any case with colder months, & is 
expected to re-open for general public access (by ferry) in the spring. NYC 
Audubon maintains Nolan House (#17) as a visitor center, and info. on that also 
is best found thru them online.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan







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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - 2/15-18 - W. Tanager, L.-t. Duck, earlier Cackling Goose, interesting towhee, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

N.Y. County, including Manhattan, Randall’s & Governors Island[s], in N.Y. City 
-

Worth a look at the photo placed in the Macaulay archives by Alan Drogin of an 
apparent hybrid Spotted/Eastern (the duo that used to be merged in 
“Rufous-sided”) Towhee, found by Alan on Monday Presidents Day, 2/15, in the 
Hudson Yards area of mid-west Manhattan, by the playground - it might be worth 
reading up further on hybrids in this 'sub-clade’.  
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/308216661 


Also well worth noting is the [Richardson’s] Cackling Goose photo’d. by Annie 
Barry at Governors Island (which is closed to general public access for the 
winter & into early spring) on the previous Thursday, 2/11; the report is at 
https://ebird.org/checklist/S80841692 

…..
The female Western Tanager continues, at Carl Schurz Park; with a new supply of 
suet (log), which I learned contains not just nuts but also mealworms, the 
tanager had access again to a favored addition to its winter diet at that park. 
 It was seen by me & others in the mid-day hours & photo’d. by me & others; the 
feeder array is along the inside edge of the park above East End Ave. & south 
of E. 86th St. - with forays to the n. of the feeder area also seen, as has 
been typical.  (Also, an Orange-crowned Warbler has been seen more recently 
than public reports suggest; the tanager there at C. Shurz Park also has been 
seen quite regularly by local park-goers, but is not always reported on-time. 
The warbler’s been mainly by Gracie mansion edges & occasionally at the Peter 
Pan (statue) area, in the n. sector of the park (the mansion grounds are fully 
fenced & off-limits to the public).   NO recent reports at all from Chelsea of 
the first of the season in Manhattan (2) W. Tanagers: that earlier bird, first 
found at West 22nd St. was a different individual and had been seen 
simultaneously as well as earlier to the one continuing to be seen at Carl 
Schurz Park (separated by several miles as well). It’s quite possible the 
Chelsea-area tanager is still in that neighborhood somewhere, although it also 
may have moved on.

A female Long-tailed Duck was off Pier 45 on the Hudson river (first noted, 
first reported, & photo’d. by T. Olson) near Christopher St., west of the 
greenway, on Thursday. 

One dozen SNOW Buntings were seen on Randall’s Island on Wedneday 2/17 before 
evening, next to Field 31, e. edge of the n.e. sector (D. Aronov), & only noted 
at day’s end; I was out there a bit earlier, and walked all of the island (4.5 
hours), and hadn’t noticed these, so it’s possible they stopped in for a short 
time (& were reported flying off, but this & some other ‘field’ species are 
worth checking for in such areas, which was part of why I also had walked the 
island, with snow-melt & some tundra-esque areas occurring, and will occur 
again as winter winds down. I'd also checked for a long-lingering/wintering 
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Randall’s, but was unable to find it on this 
visit (last seen & photo’d. in reports on 2/15).  On my walk I did a one-by-one 
count of N. Shoveler there, which were in at least 3 locations, esp. 
hiding/lurking on both sides of the Bronx Kill and also lurking on the ‘inner’ 
edges of the Little HellGate salt marsh cove & vicinity; the total was 161, 
with a count of 92 at Bronx Kill alone (some on the Bronx side, & many not). At 
least 5 Hooded Mergansers (3 of them drakes) were seen simultaneously at one 
point on ther Bronx Kill; these ducks & other waterfowl were photo’d. Far out 
in the w. portion of L.I. Sound were the regularly-seen Common Goldeneye, plus 
Red-throated Loon. Elsewhere, in a few places, both Great & Double-crested 
Cormorants were seen, each regular this winter. Fair numbers of Red-breasted 
Mergansers & Buffleheads in waters around Randall’s.  Worth noting, even if in 
the Bronx, was an Iceland Gull on a roof & in flight just north of the Bronx 
Kill (before noon) & I waited there a bit to see if it might come to where many 
other gulls (of the regular 3 species, but mostly Ring-billed) were loafing & 
feeding a little, in the lower-tide mudflats at the east edge of the Kill, but 
the Iceland did not cooperate.

A Rusty Blackbird continues in the Central Park Ramble. One of the Great Blue 
Herons in Central Park was well tucked-in out of the sleet/snow on Thursday n. 
of Hernshead; another was sheltered at Hallett Sanctuary. 3 Brown Thrashers 
that have been wintering were still in the same areas, one of those by The Pond 
next to Hallett Sanctuary. At least 8 [Red] Fox Sparrows were seen from the 
park’s s. through n. ends, including several in the Ramble. American Tree 
Sparrows were also seen in the multiple, & these have been continuing elsewhere 
in the county. 2 Field Sparrows plus American Tree Sparrows were seen in the 
snow on Thursday, continuing at Highbridge Park. Several E. Towhees continue i

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County 2/9-10-11 - W. Tanager, Iceland Gull, C. Redpolls, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

N.Y. County including Manhattan & Randall’s Island, N.Y. City
Tues., Wed., Thursday, February 9th, 10th, & 11th -

Greater White-fronted Goose - last definitely seen on Monday, 2/8 in Central 
Park, and no reports since, despite some still looking at various sites in N.Y. 
County where geese are gathered in any numbers.  On Tues. morning, I witnseed a 
moderate number of geese (all being Canadas, from what I saw) headed in varying 
flock sizes, southeast away from the northern 2/3 of Central Park & on out of 
the park - at least headed towards the East River if not beyond, on that a.m. - 
however, the Gr. W.-fronted may well show again; time will tell… (there has 
also clearly been a bit of shuffling of waterfowl & other waterbirds, and 
gulls, etc., in the past week, even if some or all is mostly-local movement).  
Through Thurs. 2/11, a drake Wood Duck & hen Red-breasted Merganser were 
continuing on the C.P. reservoir, & fair no’s. of Red-breasted Mergansers are 
appearing on the rivers around Manhattan, & the N.Y. harbor.  Some of the 
recent waterfowl movement has included Mute Swan, which are somewhat irregular 
in the county in most recent years, despite being fairly widespread in the 
region.  

Iceland Gull has been occasional at Randall’s Island, and was seen again on 
Thursday, this last at the western edge of the island near the R.F.K. 
(ex-Triboro) bridge.  Good numbers of gulls continue to frequent the C.P. 
reservoir at times, and the larger concentration at least by Thurs. 2/11 was 
nearer the east edge, well n. of 90th St., with many more gulls also scattered 
all around; at one point Thurs. there were more than 500 gulls present, the 
majority of them Ring-billed.  An adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron has been 
ongoing at Randall’s Island, with some further sightings also of a non-adult 
Black-crowned Night-Heron, & regular sightings of Great Blue Herons there. 
Belted Kingfisher also has continued on at Randall’s Isl., and Field Sparrow 
has turned up there, as they had in a few other N.Y. County locations, 
including Highbridge Park in Manhattan. A Merlin was seen at Randall’s Island 
as well on 2/11.  A Red-shouldered Hawk was again seen at Inwood Hill Park.

Western Tanager - female - again at Carl Schurz Park on Thursday, 2/11, photo’d 
and seen with others, early afternoon at the feeder array near East End Ave. 
inside the park south of East 86th St. (top of stairs, from 86th).  This bird’s 
been fairly reliable for me at that location, but can be otherwhere for lengthy 
times too, away from those feeders.

A solo Rusty Blackbird has continued on at the Ramble in Central Park.  
Red-winged Blackbirds started showing in what appear to be slightly higher 
no’s. than seen earlier in the winter, and in more locations, while Common 
Grackles seem just slightly more widely-distributed, although some of each of 
the latter 2 species have been around for this winter so far.  3 Common 
Redpolls showed at Carl Schurz Park by the feeders on Thurs. afternoon. A 
single Common Redpoll was seen at Battery Park City Park on Tues., 2/9. 

good winter birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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Re:[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC), Sunday 2/7 (NO Henslow's Sparrow!)

[Thomas Fiore]

A correction needed to my previous report - and a cut-&-paste-add. error:
there have been NO sightings of Henslow’s Sparrow in Manhattan or in N.Y. 
County this winter (nor would any be expected!)

Sparrow diversity has been pretty good in the area this mid-winter, but not 
quite that high.
Apologies for the error,

Tom Fiore,
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC), Sunday 2/7

[Thomas Fiore]

SuperbOwl Sunday, 2/7 - Manhattan / N.Y. County (in N.Y. City)

The Greater White-fronted Goose (form flavirostris) has continued on at Central 
Park; it had been on the Lake again for some days, but switched back to C.P. 
reservoir, swimming from n.-w. to northeast sector at daybreak, where I photo’d 
it again on Sunday. A drake N. Pintail, now uncommon for Manhattan, made an 
appearance on the reservoir as well, & also present there were a lingering hen 
Red-bresated Merganser, and a drake Wood Duck.  There were at least 400 Canada 
Geese in all on the reservoir early Sunday, 2/7. 

The female Western Tanager at Carl Schurz Park has continued to snow-Sunday 
2/7, with an appearance at a suet-log & vicinity, just off East End Ave. a bit 
south of East 86th Street. Other more-common birds also seen, but an 
Orange-crowned Warbler was not (nor was it sought by me, on Sun.)

At least 1 Rusty Blackbird has continued on at Central Park, in & around the 
Ramble. As could be expected, the feeding station[s], in various locations, 
were busy during the snow, but many birds were also coping well away from 
feeders as well.  The coming days of much colder temp’s. will be an additional 
challenge to a lot of less-hardy species.

Adding to sparrow diversity, all continung to winter in Central Park’s north 
end, a Lincoln’s Sparrow persists there, joining Field & Chipping, and more 
generally, American Tree, Swamp, Song, [Red] Fox, and White-throated Sparrows. 
8 sparrow spp. in mid-winter in a Manhattan park is more than the typical 
number for the season.  Some of these (including Chipping) have been lingering 
at a few other parks in Manhattan, and Am. Tree Sparrows have been on Randall’s 
Island in somewhat higher no’s., for a while.

An adult-plumaged Red-shouldered Hawk has been regular just lately in Fort 
Tryon Park, including on Sunday 2/7; this species had once been quite rare in 
winter in the city but has become a little more regular although still far less 
expected than the ‘default’ (and year-round) urban buteo of the past several 
decades: Red-tailed Hawk.

At least 1 Iceland Gull was still being seen at Randall’s Island to Saturday 
2/6. Many gulls were coming in to the Central Park reservoir early on Sun., 2/7 
yet as of 9 a.m., no uncommon species were making themselves apparent, among 
300+ gulls to show up, primarily Ring-billed. The gulls were seen coming in 
from both the east & west.  Also on Sat., 2/6 at least 2 Black Vultures were 
noted at Inwood Hill Park, & Turkey Vultures were seen in at least several 
locations. There was a (different) Red-shouldered Hawk still being seen at 
Inwood into at least Sat. 2/6.  

On the weekend as a whole, many additional lingering species were seen around 
N.Y. County; these included [Atlantic] Brant, Mute Swan (in at least 2 separate 
locations), Gadwall,
American Black Duck, Northern Shoveler, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Common 
Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, [flyovers of Common Merganser], Red-breasted 
Merganser (on the rivers, in addition to the single in C.P.’s reservoir), Ruddy 
Duck, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Great Cormorant (regular all winter off 
Randall’s Island & some other locations), Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue 
Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron (young bird at Randall’s Island), 
[Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was not seen but might still be on Randall’s 
Isl.],, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, American Woodcock, 
Ring-billed Gull, [American] Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning 
Dove, American Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, owls in the multiple, Belted 
Kingfisher (most regular from Randall’s Island), Red-bellied Woodpecker, 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Yellow-shafted 
Flicker, Blue Jay, Common Raven (multiple locations & observers), American 
Crow, Fish Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch 
(few), White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Carolina Wren, Winter Wren, 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (several), Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, 
Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing (few), Eastern Towhee, 
Slate-colored Junco, American Tree Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, 
Henslow's Sparrow, [Red] Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Swamp 
Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, 
Common Grackle, House Finch, American Goldfinch, & some additional species…

good birding, thanks to many offering reports on the diverse species this 
winter,

Tom Fiore
manhattan










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ht

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC), Feb. 3 & 4 - Gr. W.-fr. Goose, W. Tanager, Iceland Gulls, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

New York County, including Manhattan & Randall’s Island, N.Y. City
Wed. Feb. 3rd, & Thursday, Feb. 4th -

On Wed. 2/3, the Greater White-fronted Goose (of the form flavirostris) was 
continuing at the Central Park reservoir, among many Canada Geese; on Thursday, 
I was unable to find it there and am not sure of anyone else finding it then; I 
checked on Randall’s Island (after going into Central, & then Carl Schurz Park) 
& while I scanned thru more than 450 Canada Geese (with 1 ‘runt’ sized Canada 
not passing muster for a poss. Cackler) there, in multiple flocks and areas, no 
white-front was found. 

Iceland Gulls (all presumed the form kumleini) have been seen in both Central 
Park at the reservoir, and to the east, with one on Thursday at Randall’s 
Island/Bronx Kill; there also was a general mixed-gull flock of 300+, at the 
eastern edge and outlet to that waterbody, and for a small drama in early 
afternoon, a sudden frantic lift-off of all the previously lazily-loafing or 
half-heartedly feeding gulls there, was a signal - sure enough, less than a 
minute later, an adult Bald Eagle came along, drifting southwest, looping with 
no flaps around the area all the gulls had just vacated, and then soaring back 
north. Some but not all of those gulls resettled; the many Canadas did not 
react nearly as strongly, and none took off as the eagle came near.  Out on the 
waters of westernmost L.I. Sound, towards Queens NYC, were some 11+ Common 
Goldeneye (one hen actually dared poke into NY County waters), & several 
Red-throated plus one Common Loon[s], some Red-breasted Mergansers, [Atlantic” 
Brant, & extremely distant other waterbirds on the waters.

Randall’s Island also featured 3 ardeid spp. on the day, the adult 
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron which was hunkered in a non-regular winter-spot, but 
still at Little Hell Gate saltmarsh, and a young Black-crowned Night-Heron, 
also very skulking when seen, and a couple of sightings of Great Blue Heron, 
perhaps 2 different, or the same moving about in the course of a few hrs.

Additionally seen from Randall’s were at least 3 Turkey Vultures (seen 
simultaneously) which seemed to be ever-so-slowly drifting n./n-e. - there had 
also been at least one T.V. going north over Manhattan (seen from Central Park) 
and another sighting from by the East River. Other birders also reported the 
species over Manhattan, at differing hours. A Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] Warbler 
was seen at Randall’s Isand later on Thursday, perhaps a bird overwintering.

Carl Schurz Park on Thursday had the Western Tanager (female) which I saw (& 
photo’d) just 2 minutes after arriving in the morning, at the suet/nut-cake or 
log, along with other more-usual birds there; the Orange-crowned Warbler, 
long-lingering now as well, was tougher, & gave just a short showing, near the 
Peter Pan statue in the park’s n.e. sector, and may have flown off, as I did 
not connect with that as hoped for closer photos. That tanager has been 
available lately at times for photos taken from a yard out.

I began Thursday with a walk ‘round all of the North Meadow in Central Park, at 
first-light & while no really amazing sights were seen by doing so, I was 
slightly surprised to find a Common Grackle flock, coming into the park from 
the s.w. at about W. 96-97th, & consisting of 650+ birds as it passed over, 
low-ish but possibly flying on northeast out of the park, unless the flock 
settled in the area not far from or at the Meer. A somewhat larger number of 
that species, for so early in Feb., than I’d think ‘usual, although they have 
been around all this winter so far, but in lesser numbers, at least recently.  
On the reservoir, although lacking (as far as I found) any white-fronted 
goosage, a drake Wood Duck, a hen Red-breasted Merganser, & a Common Loon all 
were continuing, & a nice bonus bird was an Iceland Gull which was not the same 
individual as seen later at Randall’s, the latter an older gull.  As far as I’m 
aware, there have been no further sightings of that potential / putative 
'Nelson’s Gull' (hybrid of Glaucous & Herring) at the C.P. reservoir, nor 
anywhere else in the county, however it could well return to where first noted.

Other sightings in Central for Thursday 2/4 included Field, Chipping and 
American Tree (latter also being seen elsewhere) Sparrows in a little group at 
ther park’s n. end (all continuing from at least the day before; Chipping has 
been overwintering there & in a couple of other Manhattan locations); a Rusty 
Blackbird long-lingering in the Ramble of Central, all 3 falcon species 
(Merlin, Am. Kestrel, & Peregrine Falcon), a couple of Ruby-crowned Kinglets (& 
there’ve been a few others in other parts of Manhattan, all assumed wintering), 
& plenty of other overwinterers, such as Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Winter Wren, 
Carolina Wren, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Hermit Thrush, Brown 
Thrasher, Gray Catbird (esp. in some of the smaller parks and green spaces),

[nysbirds-l] Central & Carl Schurz Parks, Manhattan, NYC 2/2 - Nelson's Gull, Gr. W.-fr. Goose, W. Tanager, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

Tuesday, February 2nd - 
Manhattan, N.Y. City

At Carl Schurz Park, the female-plumaged Western Tanager made it thru the storm 
and was seen several times at & around the small feeder array, just inside the 
park near East End Ave. & south of the 86th St. entrance. 

In Central Park, numbers of observers were able to view an apparent ‘Nelson’s' 
Gull [hybrid of Glaucous & Herring Gulls] at the reservoir, which stayed into 
early afternoon. Also on the reservoir was the ongoing Greater White-fronted 
Goose (of the form flavirostris) - as usual among many Canada Geese.  At the n. 
end of the park, a Wilson’s Snipe continued, although flying off later in the 
afternoon.  

thanks to Peter W. Post for the update and the deduction on the Nelson’s Gull, 
perhaps a first for Central.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] W. Snipe & Am. Woodcock, Central Park, NYC - Feb. 1st

[Thomas Fiore]

Monday, February 1st -

At Central Park (Manhattan, N.Y. City), a Wilson’s Snipe appeared in the n. 
end, while an American Woodcock continued in the Ramble area. Both of these 
‘upland' shorebirds may well have been ‘pushed’ from sites farther north, when 
iced-in areas got to be too much for each. A second possibility is that both 
were present in that park & only just reported, but that seems slightly less 
likely.  Neither species is extremely unusual for winter in the coastal region, 
but a snipe is never a common one (!) in Central Park at any season.

…
2 extralimital vagrant European thrush species are continuing north & northeast 
of NY, a Fieldfare in Quebec, Canada, and a Redwing in Maine, not far from 
Portland; both were seen again on Feb. 1st. (Others of these two species might 
be ‘out there’ and could potentially be in NY state this winter, if so most 
likely among flocks of American Robins.)

good birds - and stay safe in the wintry weather,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC 1/31 - Gr. W.-fr. Goose, W. Tanager, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

Manhattan, N.Y. City - Sunday, Jan. 31st -

The Greater White-fronted Goose [form: flavirostris], first found back on 
December 20th at Randall’s Island, and more-recently favoring Central Park, 
almost always among many Canada Geese, had a slightly alternative site in 
Central for Sunday, putting in an appearance at the Great Lawn, which is not 
more than a few goose wing-beats up from the lake in the same park.  A Common 
Loon continues on the C.P. reservoir, & modest numbers of gulls there seemed to 
consist of just the most-usual 3 spp. for the site.

A Western Tanager (female-plumaged) continued at Carl Schurz Park, seen at 
various times Sunday, and with a fair variety of other species at that 
location, which is off East End Ave. & with a main entrance at E. 86th St.  A 
single Common Redpoll found on Sat., 1/30 may not have lingered to Sun. at 
Inwood Hill Park; that finch was admired by a number of observers while it was 
showing; all at Inwood thanked finder D. Aronov for the 1st sighting. We may be 
lucky to find some further finches as some species are still moving about in 
the region, & to the north & south as well.

Some additional species showing in Manhattan - plus a few seen from shore but 
off in the adjacent waters:

[Atlantic] Brant
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye (off Randall’s Island, a part of N.Y. County, although the 
goldeneyes perhaps in other countys' waters)
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser (on both rivers, & at the N.Y. harbor)
Ruddy Duck
Red-throated Loon (and, Common Loons are on river & harbor in addition to the 1 
at Central Park)
Great Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (continuing at Randall’s Island, L.H.G. salt-marsh)
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk (presumably same wintering individual around Inwood)
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
American Woodcock
Ring-billed Gull
[American] Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
['feral'] Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
multi-owls
Belted Kingfisher (Randall’s Island)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow-shafted Flicker
Blue Jay
Common Raven (several locations)
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
House Sparrow
Cedar Waxwing
Eastern Towhee
Slate-colored Junco
American Tree Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow (wintering)
[Red] Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird (several)
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch

(of the above species, at least 60 were found in Central Park on Sunday, a 
fairly good tally for the time of year there.)

good birds, and stay safe in the storm,

Tom Fiore
manhattan












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[nysbirds-l] Central & Carl Schurz Parks, Manhattan, NYC 1/29 - Gr. W.-fr. Goose, W. Tanager, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

The find of a Redwing (the European thrush species, Turdus iliacus) in southern 
Maine, made public on 1/29 (after another had been found much farther north in 
that state, and following several of that species in eastern Canada this winter 
so far) is an additional reminder to check through flocks of American Robins, 
in particular, as they are what that rare-in-North America thrush species is 
likeliest to travel among; same for another European thrush which has appeared 
this winter in eastern Canada: Fieldfare (that in Quebec, thru 1/29).  Either 
of those rare thrushes *could* show up in NY state, this winter. Note: I am not 
advocating for travel out of NY state, rather pointing up that an interesting 
species (or 2) might show in NYS.

...
Central Park & Carl Schurz Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Friday, Jan. 29th -

The Greater White-fronted Goose (of the form flavirostris, as nearly as can be 
determined; [mis-spelled, thanks-not to auto-correct, in a prev. report of 
mine]) was seen again at the Lake of Central Park, among many Canada Geese, 
where it was seen into the afternoon.  Many waterbodies may freeze over at 
least partially in Central, and could both concentrate waterbirds &/or drive 
some to other waters.  A Common Loon had continued on the C.P. reservoir, which 
most-likely will not freeze entirely. A drake Wood Duck was back at the Pool, 
in the park’s n.w. sector.  [N.B., it is interesting to note that some 
ornithologists have proposed a ‘split’ of the form flavirostris, or “Greenland 
- form" Greater White-fronted Goose, as a separate species, and have also noted 
some possibly nearly-unique behavioral traits (at least for geese of the same 
genus) in that form, under natural conditions in observation, including a sort 
of ‘grandparenting' behavior around nest-sites. Some of that, and more, had 
been included with updates to the “Birds of the Western Palearctic” in 2002, & 
there may have been other studies since. There is some great, detailed research 
on this particular form, by Anthony D. Fox, at Aarhus Univ., Denmark, among the 
available literature.]

A Western Tanager (female-plumaged) at Carl Schurz Park was continuing, that 
off East End Ave. and mostly in the vicinity of W. 85th-87th Streets, coming to 
trees & buildings on East End, as well as within that park and occasionally 
fairly low in shrubs or some of the conifers rather near restrooms n. of the 
main 86th St. entrance.  (An Orange-cr. Warbler was not sought by me on a 
frigid Friday, but may be ongoing, often up by Gracie mansion’s grounds, which 
is a fenced non-public area).

Back over at Central Park, a small number of vultures overflew the park, some 
of the earlier being Turkey Vultures, uncommon enough here in mid-winter, but 
then also at least two Black Vultures - and which may have wandered about over 
Manhattan for a while, eventually, as with the earlier several T.V.’s (of which 
I counted six observations, but possibly involving just 3 individual T.V.’s) 
all were headed in a southwesterly direction.  I would wonder if these vultures 
were all coming away from roosts they had been sticking with up until now, and 
finally with the sharply-colder snap, chose to head on a bit farther south. (In 
just a month or two, there is a chance of some vulture migration in the other 
direction, partly dependent in end-of-winter weather.)  I can still vividly 
recall the excitement stirred when Paul Sweet who was then as now working at 
the A.M.N.H., some 25 years or so ago, came running up in a lunch-hour break, 
to let a number of us know that the (then) rare Black Vulture was passing over 
the Great Lawn in Central Park - on a December day - it was a real rarity in 
Manhattan, at that time. It is still the less-common of our 2 partly-migratory 
vulture species - will that be so in another 25 years? 

Various other ongoing birds at Central Park included: Gadwall, American Black 
Duck, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck, 
Great Blue Heron, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Ring-billed 
Gull, [American] Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, ['feral'] Rock Pigeon, 
European Starling, House Sparrow, Mourning Dove, American Kestrel, Peregrine 
Falcon, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, 
Yellow-shafted Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted 
Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch (scarce), White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown 
Creeper, Carolina Wren, Winter Wren (at least 2 continue in 2 areas), Hermit 
Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, 
Dark-eyed Junco, American Tree Sparrow, [Red] Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp 
Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Rusty 
Blackbird, Common Grackle, House Finch, & American Goldfinch - with other 
additional species being seen in other locations in Manhattan & around N.Y. 
County, including such as Atlantic Brant, 

[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) - 1/28 - Gr. W.-fr. Goose, W. Tanager & more

[Thomas Fiore]

New York County (in N.Y. City), including Manhattan & Randall’s Island

Thursday, Jan. 28th:

The Greater White-fronted Goose (of the form flavisrotsris) remained in Central 
Park to Thursday, found (& photo’d) at the Lake in the morning, although 
reported a bit later from the C.P. reservoir, which is where it had recently 
been fairly regular. On the lake, it had been amongst many Canada Geese, & just 
south of the Hernshead, roughly near W. 76th St.

At Carl Schurz Park on Thursday, the long-lingering Western Tanager was seen as 
well as Orange-crowned Warbler; the warbler again near the south/s.w. side of 
Gracie mansion, in the n.w. sector of the park, & the tanager having been both 
by the 86th St. entrance area (off East End Ave.), as well as along that avenue 
in several trees and also within the park in a few locations - it’s sometimes 
rather skulking & inactive, and at others, can be fairly busy; some patience is 
often needed for sightings of either of these there. We don’t have a recent 
report of the Chelsea area W. Tanager (had been found on W. 22nd St., east of 
Tenth Ave.) but that other, first-to-be-reported W. Tanager of this winter 
season, may stlll be in that neighborhood, which has various fruit-holding 
trees on multiple streets.

At Randall’s Island, an adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was continuing at the 
Little Hell Gate saltmarsh.

…
On Wednesday, 1/27, an historic find, the first of its species to be documented 
in 130 years [!], took place in Central Park with the find of a Snowy Owl, a 
first-year female with strong markings; the owl happily took up a day-long 
position in a closed-to-access fenced ballfield, & thus allowed good viewing 
with distancing, and also the welcome presence of Urban Parks rangers & parks 
police who helped answer questions to young and old, & even brought out a 
Parks-provided scope for some to view the owl more closely. The only observed 
potential difficulties that owl faced, as seen by many, was that a flock of (at 
one point in mid-morning) 50+ American Crows came mobbing & raising a ruckus, & 
yet - those crows behaved as much as though they, like all of the many human 
admirers, were a bit dumbstruck at this rare sight in the midst of a most-urban 
of urban parks. There were slightly more serious-looking threats from a couple 
of (local) Red-tailed Hawks, & also at one point a visit by an adult Cooper’s 
Hawk. But the owl held its ground in the ballfield’s infield area and was later 
(after dusk), seen to move freely & healthily fly off, with at least a part of 
the Parks rangers contingent watching all the way, to be certain the rare bird 
would be good-to-go (onward) which it clearly was.  The species has been seen 
on a few occasions in Manhattan and at Governors Island, but those were birds 
seen by just a lucky few. This owl was able to be seen by hundreds, over the 
course of a day. Thanks to the original poster to eBird, who listed his name 
there simply as “Ben O.” and all observers were grateful as well to the owl 
sticking for the full day. Some news of the sighting went on local radio and 
tv, as well as at least a number of local newspaper sites. All observers were 
at some distance from the owl, thanks simply to the birds’ choice of a fenced 
sector within a big-city park and by luck, a gentle slope from which many could 
observe while also maintaining spatial distancing as regards best health 
practices.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) Sun.-Mon., 1/24-25 - Gr. W.-fr. Goose, Iceland Gull, C. Redpolls, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

N.Y. County (in N.Y. City), including Manhattan & Randall’s Island -

The Greater White-fronted Goose (of the Greenland-breeding form) has continued 
at Central Park, again favoring the Lake (both Sun. & Monday), mostly near the 
west side near approx. W. 76th-77th Streets and fairly often seems to be 
sleeping - & it’s been among hundreds of Canada Geese as previously. Photo’d on 
both days there.

A small flock of Common Redpolls was present at Randall’s Island at the Little 
Hell Gate salt marsh area, Monday, 1/25.  An adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 
has continued in that same area, mostly at the n. edges & sometimes rather 
skulking, thru 1/25.  On the same day, I also found & photographed an immature 
Black-crowned Night-Heron, at the Hudson River, near W. 69th St.

An Iceland Gull was present around Randall’s Island northern shore, at the 
Bronx Kill from sunrise onward on Sunday, 1/24, and that individual may 
possibly be lingering at Randall’s. Of local-interest only, a pair of Mute 
Swans has been around that area since at least Sunday, on into Monday also.

Merlins have been noted at several N.Y. County locations recently. A Common 
Loon was continuing at the Central Park reservoir, and there have been a few 
sightings (again) of Iceland Gull there as well.   We continue to have Bald 
Eagles showing in various locations, with the northern parts of Manhattan being 
most-regular for sightings of that species. A few Red-shouldered Hawks also 
were lingering in Manhattan and might continue to all winter. No update to Carl 
Schurz Park birds, but 2 of the specials that’ve been there may persist.

There is a chance that snow will concentrate some species in particular areas, 
such as land-birds at or near feeding areas as well as sheltered patches. Of 
course, raptors may also be found at some of the same locations.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan


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[nysbirds-l] Gr. W.-fr. Goose, etc. Central Park NYC Sat., 1/23

[Thomas Fiore]

Although rather extra-limital (so far), 2 species of European thrushes might be 
watched-for in the northeast including in New York state, as each has appeared 
in recent days in eastern Canada - Redwing, and Fieldfare, with the former rare 
thrush seen in New Brunswick & the latter thrush seen in Quebec. Both species 
could occur in New England & N.Y., and would be most likely to show up with 
American Robins, if either does make a visit - so check out large flocks or 
‘new’ assemblages of robins with that thought, too.  Either species is a major 
rarity in N. America. (The Redwing photographed in New Brunswick Canada on 1/21 
had not been reported again anywhere, while the Fieldfare in Quebec has been 
lingering there, with many observers of the latter.)

…
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City - Saturday, Jan. 23rd -

The Greater White-fronted Goose (of the Greenland-breeding form) was on the 
Lake in Central, just south of Hernshead (& close in for photo-ops, although 
mainly sleeping at 7:45 - 8 am) with hundreds of Canada Geese, all roaming the 
lake’s western portion a bit.  The C.P. reservoir was relatively quieter, at 
pre-sunrise. 

Other birds of note were a long-lingering Rusty Blackbird in the Ramble, south 
of the Gill, & such species as Winter Wren, Brown Thrasher, Hermit Thrush, 
Cedar Waxwing, & Swamp Sparrow, all within the Ramble & nearby. 

..
Addenda to Friday’s sightings, a Lincoln’s Sparrow has continued (at least) at 
the compost area in Central &, at Randall’s Island (just east of manhattan and 
a part of N.Y. County), the long-lingering adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was 
still being seen.  The Orange-crowned Warbler was seen at Carl Schurz Park (has 
been around the shrubs/trees by the Peter Pan statue) as was a Western Tanager, 
but both required a lot of patience, esp. the tanager, for this observer, on 
Friday 1/22. That tanager has been ranging out of the park to East End Ave. as 
well, and might be watched for in trees on both east & west sides of that ave. 
for a block or more up & down from East 86th St. (as well as within the park). 
A fair variety of other, more-usual spp. of wintering birds are also in Carl 
Schurz, and of course, at Central Park.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan



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[nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC Wed.-Fri., 1/20-21-22: Gr. W.-fr. Goose, W. Tanager, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

Manhattan, N.Y. City - Wed.-Friday, Jan. 20-21-22nd:

A Western Tanager continued at & near Carl Schurz Park into Thursday, seen both 
on East End Ave. (in street tree, near E. 87th) as well as within the adjacent 
park. There was some noisy tree-pruning in progress for a time in that park, 
possibly affecting a few species whereabouts there, on Thursday. (An early look 
for an Or.-cr. Warbler that’s been regular there mostly around Gracie mansion’s 
grounds was not successful, but that warbler may well be lingering, and just 
possibly, some others that were seen earlier this month, around the county.)

A Greater White-fronted Goose (of the Greenland-breeding form) has continued; I 
photographed this goose on the C.P. Reservoir at the pre-sunrise hour of 
7:10-7:20 am on Friday 1/22 (among fair numbers of Canada Geese), while the day 
before, 1/21 the Greater White-fronted chose the Lake (in Central Park) & 
mostly near Bow Bridge for Thursday’s showing, along with hundreds of the 
Canada Geese it moves about with. Two female Lesser Scaup were also noted by 
many on 1/21, and overall the reservoir continued with the larger variety of 
waterfowl & coots, numbers of the regular gulls, & several spp. of raptors in 
that vicinity. A drake Wood Duck has lingered at the north end of Central Park, 
lately sometimes favoring the Pool.

An adult Iceland Gull was reported from Battery Park (T. Olson) on 1/21, 
although perhaps not lingering (and the noted plumage would make it at least 
the 3rd individual of that species to be found in Manhattan this month; 2 
others seen at Central Park were in differeing age-plumages, neither an adult.)

Overall in N.Y. County in this week alone, more than 80 species of birds were 
still being seen, a fairly high number this far into winter, thanks in 
particular to waterbird diversity, and to many lingering birds. Some of those 
were - Greater White-fronted Goose, Canada Goose, [Atlantic] Brant, Wood Duck, 
Gadwall, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail 
(Swindler Cove Park, Sherman Creek area), Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked 
Duck,Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye (east off 
Randall’s Island), Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, 
Ruddy Duck (at both C.P. as well as the East River), Red-throated Loon, Common 
Loon (small numbers of both loon species), Great Cormorant, Double-crested 
Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Black Vulture, Turkey 
Vulture, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk (in 
several locations, most-regularly seen at Inwood Hill Park recently), 
Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Ring-billed Gull, [American] Herring Gull, 
Iceland Gull (multiple sightings from the C.P. reservoir), Great Black-backed 
Gull, ['feral'] Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, 
multi-owls, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied 
Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Blue 
Jay, Common Raven (multiple sightings & locations), American Crow, Black-capped 
Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch (few), White-breasted 
Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Carolina Wren, Winter Wren (at least several locations 
/ parks), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, 
Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher (multiple locations, skulkers), European 
Starling, House Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, WESTERN Tanager, Northern Cardinal, 
Eastern Towhee, Slate-colored Junco, American Tree Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow 
(several locations), [Red] Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, 
White-throated Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird, Common Grackle, 
Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch, & likely at least a few 
additional species.

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan


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[nysbirds-l] Gr. W.-fr. Goose, W. Tanager, Manhattan, NYC 1/18

[Thomas Fiore]

On the passing of Sy Schiff of Baldwin (Long Island, NY) at 93, a flood of 
memories: especially from longer-ago days when I birded central Long Island 
shores much more regularly and so often encountered Sy, with his easy-going but 
always-helpful manner. Many were times he may have simply said “it might be 
worth checking at the 3rd jetty”, or “It will show, if you’re patient” and 
other such quietly offered words of advice; I certainly added to my life, New 
York, and Long Island bird lists with his able assistance, and had a sense of 
someone who really enjoyed what he was out in the field for. Thanks to Shaibal 
Mitra for letting us know, sad news but also of a long and productive life. 
Condolences to his family and friends.

…
Of New York birding & birds, what a fantastic find by Linda Scrima on January 
16th, & happily re-found by (ultimately, many) others and her on Sunday, 1/17 
in the Black Dirt region of Orange County NY - that Ferruginous Hawk is 
apparently the eastern-most documented record (records from Kentucky & Virginia 
are rather farther-westerly); a very rare sight anywhere remotely that far 
east; it seems that scores & scores of birders eventually connected with it (at 
various nearby locations), on Sunday.  

…
Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 1/18 -

In Manhattan, N.Y. County (N.Y. City), a Greater White-fronted Goose was 
continuing at the Central Park reservoir. Over at Carl Schurz Park, a Western 
Tanager as well as Orange-crowned Warbler each continued - as many including me 
have found, that warbler sometimes ‘hiding’ in the fenced (& off-limits) Gracie 
mansion shrubberies and grounds at the northern edges of Carl Schurz Park, 
which is off of East End Ave. & runs from E. 84th - 90th Streets.Of local 
interest, a Baltimore Oriole was well-photographed in upper Manhattan on 
Friday, 1/15.  There are still many, many lingering species into this second 
half of January in N.Y. County.

--
Tom Fiore,
manhattan





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[nysbirds-l] 2 Iceland Gulls, etc. - Central Park, & Manhattan, NYC 1/13

[Thomas Fiore]

Wednesday, Jan. 13th:

As it turns out, there were 2 different Iceland Gulls visiting the Central Park 
reservoir (in Manhattan, N.Y. City) on Wed. 1/13, with an earlier sighting 
being documented & photo placed in the Macaulay archives, thanks to M.B. 
Cooper: 
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/297338771 


And shortly later on, the other Iceland Gull was being seen, 2 photos included 
in an eBird report thanks to D. Aronov (with others of us also there to observe 
in afternoon): https://ebird.org/checklist/S79180087 


Plumage appears to age these as a 1st-year (first sighting & photo above), & 
then also, a 2nd-year (with 2 photos in checklist above), both are presumably 
of the sub-specific form ‘kumleini'.  Serious larophiles may have additional 
comment.  

At the site, the reservoir in Central, some thin (melting) ice had formed, and 
gulls also had been using a central dike that is often-submerged, but will 
attract various birds including sometimes many gulls. Gulls were actually down 
in overall numbers from high no’s. observed late Tues. 1/12 at the C.P. 
reservoir, but there were still well over 200 others, many of them Ring-billed 
Gulls, as is the usual in winter.  A drake Ring-necked Duck was a less-common 
addition to the duckage at the reservoir, and many other ducks continued, as 
previously.

. . . .
Over at Carl Schurz Park, off East End Ave. from 84th - 90th Streets, a Western 
Tanager was again seen, albeit not so easily, and an Orange-crowned Warbler 
continued as well, the warbler generally close to the fence about Gracie 
mansion (the mayor’s official / family residence) and sometimes in the fenced 
grounds of that mansion, that being closer to E. 88th St., approximately. It 
may be interesting to see if there might be any additional less-common species 
lurking about the area of Carl Schurz Park and vicinity. However, the habitat 
inside the fence at the mansion is not open to the public.  Tanager sightings 
continue in the area of the Catbird playground, which is just south of the 86th 
St. entrance, but the tanager can be in many locations, & often favors some 
trees just n. of the NW section of the playground. There’ve been some suet & 
other goodies placed near the w. edge, also south of E. 86th in that park, 
potentially attracting a few other species of interest. There’ve been roughly 
3-dozen species (including the above 2 as noted) found in & from Carl Schurz 
Park so far this year, most reasonably regular, but including such as 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Gray Catbird, & Hermit Thrush.

….
On a personal note, having 2 Iceland Gulls at the Central Park reservoir brings 
memories of the late, great all-around naturalist Lambert Pohner, who so-often 
bird-watched at that reservoir in the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s and into the 80’s, 
with a scope at times, and was perhaps the most regular gull-spotter at that 
site especially in the later years of his life. Even though we lacked all the 
rapid-notifications of modern times, his sightings would get around & others 
sometimes were able to spot a rarer gull or other bird he’d found there. (I 
knew him, but not well, & was more acquainted with some of his rather younger 
peers of his later life).  Mr. Pohner was the principal of the book, “The 
Falconer of Central Park", by Donald Knowler, and he was also mentioned by 
Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Barlow-Rogers (the founder of the Central Park Conservancy) 
in her book, “Saving Central Park”, and has further been mentioned in books by 
Marie Winn, an author of many books.  We have on occasion since those earlier 
years had 2 Iceland Gulls at the same time at that site, but not all that 
often. 

good birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan











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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC) Gr. W.-fr. Goose, 2 W. Tanagers, Or.-cr. Warbler, Tuesday, 1/12

[Thomas Fiore]

New York County (in N.Y. City) including Manhattan, and Randall’s Island 

Tuesday, Jan. 12th -

Thanks to C. Quinn, a re-find of the Greater White-fronted Goose (of the 
Greenland-breeding form) - at Randall’s Island, late Tuesday, after having gone 
‘missing’ from the county for at least 4 days (presuming that is, this is the 
same individual also last seen at Central Park’s reservoir on 1/7) this latest 
sighting from Tues. at the Bronx Kill, seen sleeping at lower tide, among over 
100 Canada Geese around the n.-w. part of the island. Numbers of Canada Geese 
on the island generally fluctuate & move about, & with them presumably the 
Greater White-fronted is also fairly mobile at times.   Also continuing at 
Randall’s has been the adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, and as well in the 
same area at times, a young Black-crowned Night-Heron (and there are also Great 
Blue Herons seen off & on there); the Yellow-crowned has been regular at Little 
Hell Gate’s saltmarsh, often near the n. edges, & may or may not be rather 
skulking.

There has been *no* re-sighting of a Black-headed Gull that had turned up on 
one day only (the last day of 2020) at Randall’s Island & similarly there has 
not been a re-find of a Lesser Black-backed Gull seen (& also photographed as 
was the Black-headed) there, a bit more recently - these and other gulls of 
note could be around, somewhere in the county, at roosting areas, or (just 
possibly) also coming in to the Central Park reservoir for a visit, as gulls 
will come & go there regularly.  On Tuesday, many hundreds of gulls showed at 
the latter location, which may increase chances of some less-expected species 
dropping in amongst the many ‘usuals’ of Ring-billed, [American] Herring, & 
Great Black-backed Gulls.

2 Western Tanagers continue in Manhattan as before, the one at Carl Schurz Park 
& its immediate vicinity, around East End Ave. & often near East 86th St., 
where a main entry to that park is - however this bird can also be in other 
areas of that park & along East End Ave., as much as 2 blocks or so north/south 
of 86th St.- having been seen by me & numbers of others make such forays in 
recent days, and probably earlier, as well.  The first of the W. Tanagers to be 
discovered & seen by many, at West 22nd St. near / east of Tenth Ave. in the 
Chelsea area, has also been making forays for some time now, & can be elusive 
at times. I have now seen that bird from 2/3-way up 22nd St. towards Ninth 
Ave.(from Tenth Ave.) & along W. 23rd St., as well as along Tenth Ave. itself, 
& there have been a few sightings and reports from along the adjacent High 
Line, which a small portion of is visible from Tenth at 22nd-23rd Streets. On 
Tuesday it did come in to the trees along W. 22nd, east of Tenth, but seemed 
not to stay - that bird also has gone to rooftops and then been out-of-view for 
periods.  It’s hard to state which of these 2 different W. Tanagers is the 
tougher (lately) to locate, but it may be the latter; also there seem to be 
more frequent attempts by birders to observe the Carl Schurz Park bird (which 
also gives higher odds of additional reports from the latter site).  As a nice 
bonus-bird at Carl Schurz, a well-photographed Orange-crowned Warbler was found 
there by L. LaBella, also Tuesday - that being at least the 4th warbler species 
seen in N.Y. County, in recent days.

Of various & numerous other species about in N.Y. County, it’s seemed 2 species 
stand out a bit as having at least lingered on in some numbers, spread all 
through the county, &/or may have actually increased a bit as calendar-winter 
continued to now: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, which are turning up in many areas, 
& also Ruby-crowned Kinglet, which i have seen in slightly higher (overall) 
numbers in these first days of the new year than (averages) over time in the 
same period.  So long as weather remains relatively mild, these birds are still 
doing reasonably well in their multiple locations.  There are also ongoing 
smaller numbers of various other (half-hardy, to use the old term) species such 
as Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, and more; some less-common (in 
winter, here) sparrows have been lingering also, including a few Lincoln’s 
Sparrows and Chipping, Field, & Savannah Sparrow[s], with a few E. Towhees also 
around, among other species.

Good mild-stretch birding to all,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] N.Y. County (NYC), 1/10 & prior days: L. B.-b. Gull, 2 W. Tanagers, E. Phoebe, etc.

[Thomas Fiore]

Extralimital, south of NY and reported on Tues., Jan. 5th as “headed north”, a 
nicely-photographed Red-billed Tropicbird off Ocean City Inlet, in Maryland, is 
quite a sighting for mid-winter especially that far north; report in eBird: 
https://ebird.org/checklist/S7870 

.  .  .
New York County (in N.Y. City) including Manhattan and Randall’s Islands. 

It seems there are no newer reports of a Greater White-fronted Goose for N.Y. 
County since Jan. 7th at Central Park’s reservoir, when more than 50 observers 
saw this bird at various times. There have been, at times, ongoing good numbers 
of Canada Geese, in various flock-sizes, moving about Central Park, and also 
ongoing around Randall’s Island.

A good find on Wed., 1/6 was a Lesser Black-backed Gull, photographed by J. 
Keane at Randall’s Island, off the southeasterern edge; it is possible this 
gull might be lingering.

Both Western Tanagers that have been, respectively (one) near & sometimes on 
West 22nd St. in the Chelsea neighborhood, and (one, other) mostly in & near 
Carl Schurz Park off East End Ave. & adjacent to E. 86th St. (nearest park 
entry to where that 2nd tanager’s been most-often seen) have continued, albeit 
both having become trickier to find with ease, as each is wandering a bit more 
with a search, most-likely, for enough food the primary issue at each of the 2 
areas (which are separated by several miles).  The Carl Schurz Park tanager 
has, at least several times in recent days, gone to the eastern parts of the 
park to locate some food, despite the now-available ‘goodies’ such as a 
suet-block & at least 3 types of fruits, plus food more suited to seed-eating 
species, in the western edges, all south of the E. 86th St. park entrance. In 
addition, that tanager has been making ongoing forays not just to trees along 
E. End Ave. but also up on to buildings there, & possibly on to the nearest 
streets, at times.  Similarly, the 'W. 22nd St.' (other) tanager in Chelsea has 
been ranging about & has gone across Tenth Ave. as well as up to at least 23rd 
St. & by the High Line, movements that were also seen by that bird even some 
weeks ago, if not too regularly then. Thus, the increased difficulty of 
locating either of these as often as had been previously possible. So far, 
neither seems to have one particular ‘new’ location that is fully reliable; 
however I found each on Sunday, 1/10, with a fair amount of effort. The Carl 
Schurz Park bird was not as tough, but still some several hrs. were put in at 
that location. The Chelsea tanager was seen on both Tenth Ave. (briefly, where 
I had seen it a few previous times, not in street trees but in flight) and up 
along W. 23rd, but then again at W. 22nd, just across from Clement Clark Moore 
Park (which is primarily a children’s play area).

The Eastern Phoebe that was found on the Manhattan (portion of) the Christmas 
Bird Count turned up in the same area, at Stuyvesantown off First Ave. in 
Manhattan’s almost-lower east side, on Saturday (1/9), & seen again Sun. 1/10; 
re-found by Ron Lulov. This is virtually certain to be that same bird from Dec. 
20th, a full 3 weeks+ later.

A Tennessee Warbler has again turned up on Randall’s Island, after not being 
seen for some weeks, on Saturday 1/9 (separate sightings by G. Stankovic, D. 
Aronov), and that warbler was still present at least as of Sunday, 1/10.  On 
1/8, an Ovenbird was found (C. McRae) at Madison Square Park in Manhattan. At 
least one Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] Warbler is also lingering at Randall’s Island 
in an area where one had been. There may possibly be a few other warblers 
around that (so far) survived into this winter’s colder times.

A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron has been ongoing at the Little Hell Gate saltmarsh 
on Randall’s Island. A female-plumaged N. Pintail was found at Swindler Cove / 
Sherman Creek (east & north of the eastern terminus of Dyckman Street in 
Manhattan) by G.&T. Plowman on Sat., 1/9, the latter location where a Pintail 
had been in the fall also.  A drake Wood Duck has continued on the Central Park 
Meer this month, and to Sunday, 1/10.

A lone Rusty Blackbird has been regular for some time in the Central Park 
Ramble.  Among other species being seen in the past several days in N.Y. County 
are:  Canada Goose, [Atlantic] Brant, Wood Duck (mostly at the Central Park 
Meer), Gadwall, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Greater Scaup 
(rivers), Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye (from Randall’s Island, albeit often in 
non-N.Y. County waters), Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser (rivers, 
harbor, etc.), Ruddy Duck, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Great Cormorant, 
Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle 
(multiple individuals including flyovers of Central Park, & far more often 
along Hudson river), Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk (seems to be at least 
one wintering at Inwood), Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot

[nysbirds-l] Gr. W.-fr. Goose, Central Park, NYC Thursday, 1/7

[Thomas Fiore]

Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City - Thursday, January 7 -

A Greater White-fronted Goose has returned to the Central Park Reservoir, and 
of course one question locally is whether this is *definitively* the same 
individual as has been rather regular for most of more than two weeks at 
Randall’s Island, at which site a goose of that species (& also the 
Greenland-breeding form), has occasionally been in ‘hiding’ or simply not 
present at that latter site.  Distance from one to the other (to the C.P. 
reservoir) is extremely minimal as the goose flies (or even as the birder runs 
or walks), and various birds from one place are likely to show in either 
location, at times.  

Good goose-ing,

Tom Fiore
manhattan
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[nysbirds-l] Gr. W.-fr. Goose, W. Tanager, etc. - N.Y. County, NYC, Tuesday, 1/5

[Thomas Fiore]

Tuesday, January 5th -  N.Y. County, including Manhattan & Randall’s Island[s] 
& other adjacent isles.

A Greater White-fronted Goose (of the Greenland-breeding form) has continued on 
at Randall’s Island, on Tuesday photographed mid-day at the N/E quadrant (east 
of footbridge into the Bronx) & mostly in the Bronx Kill waterway, north of all 
the sports fields, with many Canada Geese; a few [Atlantic] Brant also in the 
same area. At times, a lot of the geese, including the Greater White-fronted 
were resting with bill[s] tucked-in, but that white ‘front' was a giveaway to 
the latter anyhow. (Earlier, the *white-fronted* had been seen to the west of 
the bridges, along the Bronx Kill.) 

Distant, but scope-able, were a couple of Common Goldeneye (not in N.Y. County 
waters when I was observing there this time). And there were, and often are, 
other even-more-distant duckage in the easterly direction, the western-most 
parts of Long Island Sound. [p.s., I was on-site with the geese at a rising but 
still half-out tide, & I was the only person I noticed with optics at that 
hour, seeking geese & all the other birds. I’m sorry to learn that any birds 
might have been flushed or disturbed; in a busy city, this is part of birding 
sometimes, and hopefully birds getting flushed is usually an 
entirely-unintentional act].  Easier-to-see ducks near shore out that way have 
included Red-breasted Mergansers, a few Buffleheads, and plenty of Gadwall. 
Loons of the 2 regular species have been around the waters near Randall’s also.

An adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron also persists, perhaps the individual that 
chose to stay over last winter as well, that at Little Hell Gate salt marsh, & 
(as on 1/5) often in the n. edge channel area there.  A modest number of 
American Tree Sparrows were around that area (& a few elsewhere), as well as a 
lingering R.-c. Kinglet. And, a slight increase of Slate-colored Juncos, from 
my own most-recent visit, this time over 3-dozen in various places, including 
one flock of 25+ together. With that larger group were also 3 Common Redpolls, 
which however quickly took flight, from near the w. edge of Randall’s a little 
north of the foot-bridge (that leads to Manhattan) and those flying off 
(roughly) to the southeast; I did not encounter any more. A very few Redpolls 
have also been seen in recent days, both at Randall’s, and in reports from 
Manhattan, where there also have been a (few, so far) Pine Siskins showing, 
sometimes in flocks of other seed-eating species in the Sweet Gum trees, which 
are widespread in multiple larger parks (and some are also on Randall’s 
Island). There was at least a modest movement, possibly rather local, of 
'winter passerines', such as some of the preceding, minus kinglets.

At Carl Schurz Park in Manhattan’s upper east side, off East End Ave. & near E. 
86th Street, a Western Tanager has persisted, most often in or near taller elms 
& sometimes flying a short way out of the park to some fruit bearing trees on 
East End Ave. Recently, it is this W. Tanager that’s been rather reliably 
found, while the last 2 times I have again attempted to view & photograph the 
first W. Tanager to show up in Manhattan (at West 22nd Street) this season (in 
December), I have not been able to locate it - which does not mean it’s left 
the area; however, if still around it may well be covering more ground, or 
possibly has found a new ‘base’ from which to find sufficient food. In terms of 
fruits, there are plenty of trees & shrubs within just a few city-blocks in 
several directions, to accommodate a partly frugivorous bird in the form of a 
tanager. So, as many birders have been, the Carl Schurz W. Tanager seems the 
one to seek, if seeking that species in Manhattan now. Thanks to Kathy Drake 
for a later-p.m. report of the Carl Schurz tanager.

On various jaunts to east & west shores of Manhattan, as well as at Randall’s 
Island, I’ve lately tried to check out various gull-roosts, but so far come up 
with just the typical 3 species of our area - (Ring-billed, [American] Herring, 
and Great Black-backed Gulls). It’s worth further seeking as winter goes along, 
and there are some quite interesting gulls still showing up in the wider 
region, as evidenced by various reports.

….
"If there is no struggle, there is no progress."  - Frederick Douglass 
(1818-1895; U.S. statesman, orator, writer)

Good birding to all - and thanks to the many who also keep the birds’ best 
interests at heart when out in the field - and limit any possible disturbances 
to the birds’ requirements for food, shelter, & safety, including for the many 
migrants a safe passage on their often long journeys as well as birds now on 
roost sites.

Tom Fiore,
manhattan






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[nysbirds-l] Gr. W.-fr. Goose, 2 W. Tanagers, etc., N.Y. County (NYC), Friday, 1/1/'21

[Thomas Fiore]

January 1st, New Year’s Day 2021 - New York County (in N.Y. City) -

As of around mid-day, the Black-headed Gull seen at Randall’s Island for a 
while on 12/31, by multiple observers, was NOT seen for the new year; that gull 
might however be in the general area, & could be sought in many places, both 
there & in waters all around.  (Also, thanks to Ben Cacace for the note that 
the *BHGU* sighting at Randall’s was not a ‘first’ for that location, it had 
been reported there in at least prior years, the more recent being in 2015, per 
eBird.)

On Randall’s Island in N.Y. County, a Greater White-fronted Goose (of the 
Greenland-breeding form) continued to be seen on 1/1; early in the day at the 
n.e. quadrant around Field #42, with Canada Geese.  Many hundreds of Canada 
Geese were again present around the island, esp. in the northern portions as is 
usual in winter.  Also continuing to this new year there is an adult 
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, at the Little Hell Gate salt marsh where it can be 
a bit skulking.

Both Western Tanagers continue to frequent the areas they have respectively 
been in, in Manhattan on 1/1 - one along West 22nd Street, just east of Tenth 
Ave. in the Chelsea neighborhood (and keep in mind that this bird does range up 
& down that street, and sometimes is in the small Clement Clarke Moore park on 
the corner of Tenth Ave., as well as occasionally out-of-view on or around 
buildings there, & can be some way ‘up’ the street, to the east, &/or along 
Tenth Ave. nearby), with a 2nd / different W. Tanager staying close to, and 
often in, Carl Schurz Park, off East End Ave. and near E. 86th St., the nearest 
major crosstown thoroughfare. That “Upper East” tanager may wander out at times 
along East End Ave., where there are some trees with a bit of lingering fruit, 
but is often found just inside the park, & may be sought looking up into some 
of the elms, & especially those just south of the 86th St. entrance. Patience 
with either tanager will help with finding.

Of local / county interest, at least one Canvasback (adult/drake) was found 
along the Hudson river, near & seen both just south, as well as north, of Pier 
40, near W. Houston Street, as seen from west of the Hudson river greenway. 
With this sighting, there might be some others lurking about in the county’s 
waters - & it is possible that more than just one of these is in that area, 
too.  These ducks have a proclivity for piers, and some may lurk in shadows 
near or under such structures at times (patient observing is helpful). Thanks 
to A. Evans, & also T. Olson, for reporting.

A Lincoln’s Sparrow is lingering in Union Square Park, & thanks greatly to A. 
Deutsch who has so many times found & reported birds from that most-productive 
small park of mid-lower Manhattan. (Many are aware of the Scott’s Oriole that 
was one of the rarer species to be found in NYC, having spent time at that 
small park - a number of years back!) A Rusty Blackbird that’s been lingering 
has again been in the Ramble of Central Park; if just one (as it now seems) the 
bird moves a bit from the swampy area south of the Gill, & along the Gill 
itself, the small stream in that part of the park. There may be some other 
Rusty’s lurking elsewhere.  Common Ravens are continuing to be noted in a 
number of locations in N.Y. County, mainly one or sometimes 2 at a time, & this 
includes from Central Park.

Nearly 80 species had been found in N.Y. County even by mid-day on Jan. 1st 
this year, and of those, about 60 species were seen within Central Park, or as 
fly-overs from there. 

..
Good birding to all - please remember to use all proper caution as the 
coronavirus is still very active in all areas.

Tom Fiore,
manhattan



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