It may be noted that multiple birders have continued to seek out the recent rare warbler species documented in Central Park just in the past week (Swainson's Warbler, and then a likely Hermit Warbler just 2 days later!) - and thus far, not even a rumor, much less actual sighting, of either bird has surfaced since the single, separate days when each was seen. Either or both of those rare migrants could well be ongoing somewhere in the park, so it's good to keep an open mind & be prepared to document if there is a new sighting of either one. ......... It has been noted to this list (in this week) that some playing of bird recordings recently took place in the Strawberry Fields area of Central Park - this is a totally prohibited activity, and repeat offenders of this regulation may be warned, summonsed, or have their audio equipment & more confiscated by authorities, as well as be subject to further penalties if the practice were found to be ongoing in certain areas again. This is being monitored by the managers of the park & by the law. Signage indicating this regulation is posted at various places, and has been in place for a very long time.
In this widespread damp, very cool weather it is even more imperative to the health & well-being of all birds & other wildlife that they not be unduly stressed and any of us can make a difference to that. It is also scientifically-sound to want to be for the birds' best interests... In addition, the courtship & breeding seasons are now here, and this includes a wider variety of species even in Central Park & more generally in New York City than is realized even by some experienced observers. It is not only imperative but also the law that these many native birds not be harassed in any way, & undue playing of recordings, playback, or 'sound-broadcasting' that disturbs birds is harassment, under the law, particularly if repeatedly done within any given park or public space. With apologies to virtually every reader of this, who have the common-sense & ethical understanding, to know all of this. It is a season to be particularly careful, conscientious, & behave ethically, while observing the birds. .................................... Tuesday - Wednesday, 3 & 4 May, 2016 - Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City Wednesday, 5/4 - Still another very cool (more than ten degrees F. below typical average temp's., & cool enough to have real effects on migrants seeking food) and no-sun, very damp day in the area. Still, there are migrants around, & in (just) the north end of Central Park, this day, were at least a minimum of 18 warbler species being seen by up to 20+ observers, various times thru 1 p.m., with others still being sought & possible - among the 18 species, were: 2 Blackburnian males seen together, Chestnut-sided, Blue-winged, Blackpoll (thanks, T.Perlman), American Redstart, Nashville (at least several), Worm-eating, 'Black- throateds' Blue, & Green, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula (several), Prairie, Palm (few), Ovenbird (multiple), Black-and-white, N. Waterthrush (Malcolm M. & T.F.), Yellow, & Myrtle/Yellow-rumped (multiple)... with thanks to Karen Fung, who got some of us onto various of these, as well as an additional loose 'n. end' group of about a half-dozen+ observers. Thrushes noted included Veery (multiple), Wood (several, & singing), and Hermit (multiple), with a report of Gray-cheeked (1, which is still fairly early, and would be good to document with not only photos but some audio-recording, if heard) - as well as Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Baltimore Oriole, & some additional neotropical-wintering migrants. All these observations made well and with no use of any audio whatsoever. Within the Ramble, a Cape May Warbler was just one among the more than 20 spp. of warblers that the park entire featured today. A H. Grebe was looked for later in the day Wed. but not seen by me, while a flock of Ruddy Ducks continued, along with 3 Buffleheads. Swallows also continue there in numbers, & variety might pick up amongst them soon. ---------------- On Tuesday, 3 May, a good many birders were out & about, and finding some of what was to be seen despite drizzles & clouds. At least a dozen warbler species were noted in the Ramble area alone, by groups led by AMNH* leader[s] (*American Museum of Natural History), and up to 14 (or more) Warbler species as found by some of us also in the park, among those, a Blackpoll. The flocks seemed to be rather discrete, not a fall-out by any means, yet there seemed to have been a modest bit of movement. Of the warblers, at least almost certainly lingering in one area has been a 1st-year Cape May, & there are also some other migrants that appear to have been lingering for some many days now. With Ms. B. Inskeep for much of the 'rain-free' part of the day, & fairly long looks at the reservoir as well as in the Ramble area, which had varying migrant activity, but overall was rather birdy - in this oddly-cool weather, it can be worth searching for small (or any) pockets of feeding activity. Flycatchers seen have included Great Crested, a Least or three, & E. Kingbird, at a minimum. A modest number of White-crowned, & still a good variety of other sparrows are in the park this week. There also have been ongoing migrant sightings at the north end of the park, by multiple observers. There is ongoing work at the Loch & Ravine area there, which will continue, & increase, thru the summer, but for now, there is pedestrian access to almost all of the Loch except for a small portion of its western-most sections. A male Hooded Warbler was still present at the n. woods Tues., per Tom Perlman. A Horned Grebe was continuing on the reservoir, & at least 12 Ruddy Ducks re-convened there, as well as at least 1 Bufflehead. Swallow numbers at the at the reservoir have been on the increase, with a majority being Barn, as is typical) & also a good many N. Rough-winged (also typical), but other species have been found at least on some days. These swallow numbers and species also may shift from day-to-day & even from hour to hour, thus it's possible to find a less-common species that may not have been present just earlier in the same day. Good birding without the use of any audio-playing at all, in heavily- visited-by-birders public places, with thanks to the 99.999% of all birders who support such simple & easy norms of behavior. Tom Fiore Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES 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://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
