Week 51 - Green-Wood Cemetery

The second to last week of 2024 the weather pivoted into what I remember as a child as being "real" winter. As Saturday's winter solstice approached, the temperature rapidly declined, the winds soared and Friday evening into Saturday morning saw our first snowstorm of the year. We've arrived at that point in the year where the local wildlife must be astute (or lucky) enough to avoid two perils: starvation and becoming prey to someone else trying to avoid starvation.

Gusting wind on the Hill of Graves

The Dark-eyed Junco's scientific name means "junco of winter". Appropriately, they are one of our most common winter visitors. Able to both find seeds and small insects in the leaf litter, or catch spillage beneath local bird feeders, these birds are survivors where other species might fail. In the cemetery, they currently outnumber the Chipping, White-throated, Fox, Song and Swamp Sparrows...by a wide margin. Our young Red-headed Woodpecker is surviving by stockpiling huge amounts of acorns in several, preferred horsechestnut trees. I've also been watching our "feeder" birds caching excess seeds in the flaky bark of a stand of River Birches adjacent to Sylvan Water. I knew they were carrying the seeds somewhere, but didn't realize their preference for this tree species until I stumbled on a group of birds here. The robins have mostly cleaned out the berries on the previously noted American Holly trees on Forest Avenue. Last week they were picking through the rotting fruit beneath the Common Persimmons on Alder Avenue.

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-headed Woodpecker caching acorn

Red-breasted Nuthatch caching seed in River Birch

Red-breasted Nuthatch caching seed in River Birch

Robins picking through persimmons

The water on most of the ponds have remained open, allowing waterfowl to stick around. A lone American Coot is still feeding on aquatic vegetation at Sylvan Water. A Bufflehead has been keeping him company. I expect to see other ducks and geese visiting this largest body of water in the cemetery throughout the winter.

American Coot

Bufflehead

To my amazement, a late Eastern Phoebe has managed to survive the snow and plummeting temperatures. I found it foraging for insects in the sunny leeward side of Chapel Hill between some Hemlocks and Cedars. It appeared to be finding enough to eat in that spot. I returned there over an hour later and it was still flycatching.

Eastern Phoebe

There are at least seven species of birds of prey hunting around the cemetery. A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks are fairly uncommon over the winter, but seemed to be finding enough to eat to stick around. If you look under the cover of yew trees or other dense shrubs and you will likely find the plucked evidence of one of these raptor's meals.

Pigeon feathers

Red-tailed Hawk with mouse

Red-shouldered Hawk

Have a happy holiday and look for my final 2024 Green-Wood Cemetery posting next week.

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Saturday, December 28 - Sunday, December 29, 2024:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory walk is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons. All levels are welcome.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Gateway National Parks

Winter Wander at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, December 28, 2024, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Wander with a park ranger at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge while it’s a winter wonderland! Explore how plants and animals at the park survive and adapt to the winter. Open to all ages. This is an all-weather walk, so please dress for the conditions.
Registration: Reservation or Registration: No.
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Urban Park Rangers

Sunday, December 29, 2024
Birding: Winter Birds at Arthur Kill Road and Brookfield Avenue (in Brookfield Park), Staten Island
11:00am – 12:30pm
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the trails identifying various woodland birds and winter waterfowl.
Free

Birding: Owls at Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Learn more about the various species of owls found in our parks.
Free

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Week 50: Green-Wood Cemetery

The week of December 9th through the 15th was marked by a couple of days of mid-week thunderstorms. Gusting winds tapered off by Friday.

Throughout Brooklyn, many birders were preparing for Saturday's annual Christmas Bird Count by scouting their respective areas, getting a feel for what might be around and, especially, looking for any rarities. While I lead teams at Floyd Bennett Field and adjacent habitats, I did spend time in Green-Wood Cemetery on Friday making sure that recent rare birds were still present. If they weren't observed on the official day of the count, at least they would be asterisked sightings for what is known as "count week".

I managed to find an Eastern Phoebe which had been feeding around the edges of the Dell Water. In addition, a Baltimore Oriole that has been sticking close to a berry filled Yew tree was still present. Finally, our young Red-headed Woodpecker was easily found in his favorite Horsechestnut tree on Hemlock Avenue.

Eastern Phoebe

Baltimore Oriole

Red-headed Woodpecker

The abundace of our overwintering sparrows has increased slightly. The results of the annual borough-wide census showed that Green-Wood Cemetery is hosting the largest number of Dark-eyed Juncos of all the locations. Compared to last year at this time, the cemetery's visiting Fox Sparrow number is much better. American Goldfinches, however, have suddenly decreased in abundance. I'm not sure why.

Fox Sparrow

Finally, two to three hundred American Robins were seen through the week. Most were feeding within a pair of large American Holly trees on Forest Avenue. They were alternating their diet between Holly berries and Common Persimmons. A stand of persimmons along Alder Avenue was still holding onto a feast of sweet fruit only about 100 yards to the north of the hollies, on the other side of Forest Ridge.

American Robins waiting for an opening at holly trees

I'll try to get into Green-Wood as much as possible this week, but current forecasts looks like several days of terrible weather.

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Saturday, December 21 - Sunday, December 22, 2024:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory walk is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons. All levels are welcome.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society

Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
Sunday, December 22, 2024 - 10:00am
Leader: _____
Description: It's time for our annual seal walk in the Bronx. Finish the birding year observing seals in the Bay along with a wide assortment of waterfowl in this NYC park just a few minutes off the Whitestone Bridge.
Registration: To register, call (585) 880-0915.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Hempstead Lake State Park
Saturday, December 22, 2024
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From the Southern State Parkway, take Exit 18 (Eagle Avenue) south to Field 3 (use second park entrance and make an immediate left turn.)
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Urban Park Rangers

Sunday, December 22, 2024
Birding: Winter Birds at Entrance - Baisley Blvd. & 157th Street (in Baisley Pond Park), Queens
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the park identifying various woodland birds and winter waterfowl.
Free

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Best of the Fortnight

Here are a few of my favorite photos, in no particular order, taken during the first two weeks of December:

Cooper's Hawk in Tulip Tree

American Coot

Immature Red-tailed Hawk being coy

Northern Saw-whet Owl annoyed by chickadees

Red-breasted Nuthatch

American Robin

Fox Sparrow

Merlin with bloody talons

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Great Blue Heron on blustery morning

Purple Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum)

Immature Red-headed Woodpecker

Week 49: Green-Wood Cemetery

Week 49 saw several days of gusting winds, which likely reduced perceived bird activity. Birds were around, but were foraging, hidden from view, in more protected areas. Tuesday through Sunday the wind gusts ranged from 23mph to 30mph, finally settling down by Monday the 9th.

The most noteworthy day was Saturday the 7th. Perhaps triggered by a sudden drop in temperatures and freezing lakes north of New York City, there were unexpectedly thousands of Canada Geese in the skies over Brooklyn for most of the day. Even my wife noticed and texted me on her walk to the gym. Canada Geese (and other waterfowl) typically migrate south earlier in the season, so this was an unusual late-season burst of activity. Among the Canada Geese passing by was a rare Barnacle Goose spotted by a couple of friends. After the one day event a Greater White-fronted Goose was encountered in adjacent Prospect Park on Prospect Lake, probably part of that exodus. This is a first record of the rare waterfowl species in the park.

Canada Geese streaming south

Greater White-fronted Goose - Prospect Park

I was pleasantly surprised to stumble on a couple of American Woodcocks. Most will migrate farther south than Brooklyn in the fall, but it's not too unusual to find a few overwintering throughout the borough, especially during mild winters. I always enjoy seeing this oddball shorebird.

American Woodcock

An Eastern Phoebe is lingering around the ridge at Dell Water. Cemetery workers have been piling a huge amount of leaves here, which I assume creates a rich habitat for insects ... this flycatcher's favorite meal. It wouldn't be unprecedented for a phoebe to overwinter here, just very unusual.

Eastern Phoebe at Dell Water

Scarce at Green-Wood Cemetery, but fairly common in winter at Prospect Lake is the American Coot. Last week one appeared at Sylvan Water and has been feeding and resting in near isolation. I have no theory as to why this normally gregarious species has chosen to foresake his flock, but here he remains, 1 mile away from several dozen of his kind.

American Coot on Sylvan Water

Of the kinglet species, usually the Golden-crowned is the more hardy and seen in small numbers through the winter months. Last week, however, I did spot a single Ruby-crowned Kinglet still hanging around. He appeared to be finding plenty of insects within a pair of rhododendron trees.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Of the fruiting plants, American Holly, as well as, many of the yew trees are brimming with food for the birds. The sweetgum balls are ripening and sprinkling their tiny seeds on the ground for the sparrows. Finches, titmouse, chickadees and blackbirds acrobatically scarf down the seeds directly from the source. Monk Parakeets have discovered tender buds on the Kwanzan cherry trees to munch on.

American Holly

Yew berries

American Goldfinch eating sweetgum seeds

Monk Parakeet eating cherry buds

Finally, another rare sighting over the cemetery last week was of a Black Vulture. Turkey Vultures are more common and can now be observed nearly any month of the year. Black Vultures are more common south of New York City, but I believe they may now be nesting on Staten Island. There are likely several resident individuals in the area.

Black Vulture over Hill of Graves

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Saturday, December 14 - Sunday, December 15, 2024. Most organizations will be doing their annual Christmas Bird Counts, but there are still a few walks scheduled:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory walk is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons. All levels are welcome.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, December 15, 2024, 7:15am – 8:45am
Description: Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean that there aren’t interesting birds to discover in Green-Wood. For some bird species that migrate south after the breeding season, Brooklyn is their Miami during the cold months. Spend the early morning exploring the cemetery, looking for overwintering waterfowl, nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches, and any half-hardy birds that decided to stick around. By February we’ll see some of the early north-bound birds beginning to trickle back into the area.
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NYC Bird Alliance

Accessible Birding in Fort Tryon Park
Saturday, December 14, 2024, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Alex Wang
Description: Beautiful Fort Tryon Park commands sweeping views of the Palisades and the Hudson River from soaring cliffs of bedrock in northern Manhattan. Past encounters include a variety of birds such as Bald Eagles and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
Registration: Registration not required but encouraged. No limit. Free.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Jones Beach Coast Guard Station Parking Area
Sunday, December 15, 2024
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From the Wantagh State Parkway, travel south. Upon entering Jones Beach State Park, exit at Bay Drive and continue west. Turn right (north) at entrance for Coast Guard Station and West End Boat Basin; turn right again for parking.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Weeks 47 & 48 - Green-Wood Cemetery

I've combined 2 weeks (Nov. 18th - Dec. 1st) into a single posting for a few of reasons. First, we experienced several days of inclement weather, so I didn't get out much. Also, with the holidays coming up, I'd been a bit distracted with other things. Finally, there wasn't a lot of discernible changes in the local landscape over the past two weeks. However, at the end of week 48 a cold front moved into the area, making it feel somewhat normal for this date.

Given that it is the last days of Autumn, I think I'll begin this posting with the trees.

The last of the trees are finally dropping their leaves. I've noticed that, for the most part, the species that hold onto their foliage the longest are of Asian or European origin. Norway Maple, English Oak, Japanese Maple and Ginkgo are a few that held out until Winter was nearly upon us.

(Mostly) Norway Maple

English Oak

Laceleaf Japanese Maple

There are still plenty of fruiting plants to help the wildlife through the Winter months. Red Oaks had a banner year and there are piles of acorns blanketing the ground beneath those trees. Rosehips are also plentiful. A few other species I've noticed with fruiting bodies are Cherry Birch, Carolina Silverbell and Privet.

Red Oak acorns

Rosehips

Cherry Birch

Carolina Silverbell

Privet

Witch-Hazel is in bloom, which is expected, but I was surprised to also find a patch of lavender still flowering.

American Witch-Hazel

Lavender

Purple Finch and American Goldfinch numbers are still increasing, as are Fox Sparrows. Our typical winter species, such as White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse seemed to have stabilized.

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Fox Sparrow

White-breasted Nuthatch

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Tufted Titmouse

Two species of warbler observed were Palm Warbler and Orange-crowned Warbler, the latter of which is historically half-hardy and often overwinters in our area.

Palm Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

An unexpected sighting over the past weekend was of an Eastern Phoebe. This flycatcher winters in southeastern United States to southern Mexico. An insectivore, I wouldn't think that it would find much to eat, however, we did have one spend the winter at Crescent Water a few years ago.

Eastern Phoebe

Our overwintering immature Red-headed Woodpecker was observed excavating a couple of cavities in a Sugar Maple at Hemlock Avenue. This species of woodpecker will use those holes to sleep in during the cold months, fiercely protecting them from other birds, as well as, squirrels.

Immature Red-headed Woodpecker

In addition to our local Red-tailed Hawks, our wintering songbirds have to be extremely wary of several other raptor species. At least three Cooper's Hawks, a couple of Sharp-shinned Hawks, two Merlins and several American Kestrels can be seen hunting in the cemetery nearly everyday.

Cooper's Hawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk with goldfinch

Merlin

American Kestrel

One last, unusual observation was of a Common Buckeye butterfly. This species normally has its last brood by October. In southern states they can be seen throughout the winter. Until recently, we've had relatively mild conditions, which might explain its procrastination. Hopefully it continued migrating south to warmer climes before it was too late.

Common Buckeye