Check out City Birder Tours, and Green-Wood sponsored tours on their calendar pages here.
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Monday, March 18, 2024

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of March 23 - March 24, 2024:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, March 23, 2024, 10:00am - 12:00pm
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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Spring Awakenings at Marine Park
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Leader: Heydi Lopes
Description: Greeting the first spring migrants, namely sparrows, Phoebe, possible Pine and Palm Warblers, Creepers, Woodpeckers, etc; raptors, late ducks, waterfowl and marsh species.
Registration: Danielle Khalife, email daniellek97@gmail.com
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Feminist Bird Club

NYC - Birding at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, March 23, 2024, 9:30am - 11:30am
Leaders: Jen Kepler
Description: Meet at 9:30 AM outside the visitors center and explore the West Pond together. We will be looking for early spring migrating birds, enjoy the wondrous weird ducks that remain, and hopefully be welcoming back the resident Ospreys. Bring your binoculars or borrow a pair. We will have two scopes on hand for our group to use in observing distant birds on the water.
Registration: Registration page
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Great Trees of Green-Wood
Sunday, March 24, 2024, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Description: It’s what we wait for all year: the explosion of colors from hundreds of flowering trees and plants across Green-Wood. This feast for the eyes only lasts for a short time. Lace up your walking shoes and get ready to post like crazy on Instagram as you discover these blossoms for yourself. This walking tour, led by a member of the Cemetery’s horticulture team, will highlight some of the nearly 8,000 trees in this accredited Level III Arboretum—one of only 26 in the US (and only 43 in the world!)
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New York City Audubon

Early Spring Birding at Green-Wood Cemetery
Saturday, March 23, 2024, 8:00am - 11:00am
Leader: Tod Winston
Description: Enjoy the first flights of spring migration at beautiful Green-Wood Cemetery. We'll look and listen for finches, warblers, woodpeckers, and waterbirds—plus the cemetery's famous Monk Parakeets! Beginning birders welcome, and binoculars available upon request.
Registration: Registration page
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South Shore Audubon Society

Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From the Meadowbrook Parkway, use the Merrick Road M9 east exit. Enter the Department of Sanitation entrance immediately on right (if you’re driving west on Merrick Road, make a U-turn after Central Boulevard and before the Meadowbrook Parkway). Look for signs to Levy Park and Preserve parking lot..
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Sunday, March 17, 2024

Week 11 - Green-Wood Cemetery

Robert Arbib wrote in his 1966 book, "Enjoying Birds Around New York City", that March is "Often the month of hope denied". He was referring to migratory birds, but there were some tantalizing hints of the approaching waves of birds. There were also many botanic changes and an early butterfly sighting.

One of the earliest butterflies to appear in the spring is the Mourning Cloak. This hibernating species will spend the winter in tree cavities or under logs, which is why it is the first to appear in March during warm spells. I spotted my first one of the year near the Charlotte Canda gravesite this week.

Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)


Before I get to the birds, here are some of the wildflowers and trees that have flowered this week. One of my favorite early-Spring (late-Winter?) native wildflowers is the "Spring Beauty". Claytonia virginica is low to the ground and easily overlooked as the flower is less than 1/2" across. Also, it is edible!

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

Hoop Petticoat (Narcissus bulbocodium)

Early Squill (Scilla mischtschenkoana)

Red Maple

Yulan Magnolia (Magnolia denudata)


An early blooming azalea near the Civil War Monument has been discovered by the honey bees. Within the next 2 weeks they will have a much more varied menu from which to choose.

Honey bee and azalea


Cedar Waxwing numbers have increased with many feeding on the profusion of early cherry blossoms.

Eating Cherry blossoms


Before the migration gets into full swing, a favorite of most birders is the cryptically plumed American Woodcock. Woodcocks are primarily active at dawn and dusk, spending the rest of the day hiding motionless in leaf litter or among the needles and fallen cones beneath conifers. This week a few have begun moving through the cemetery. Easily overlooked, scan for a beaked pine cone with big eyes.

American Woodcock


Sparrows have started migrating with many more Song Sparrows now around the cemetery. Over the winter there were likely less than a half dozen in Green-Wood. Yesterday I counted 32. Many males are finding high perches and singing their appropriate "Hip, hip, hip hurrah boys, spring is here!" song. In addition, a few Swamp and Field Sparrows have joined the Songs as they head north.

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow


Perhaps the most exciting observation for me this week was the arrival of a couple of species that usually mean that the full migration is "right around the corner".

Eastern Phoebes are one of the earliest songbirds to arrive in our area in the Spring. Timing their return with the emergence of multiple flying insects, look for them bobbing their tail from a conspicuous perch, then flying out to grab prey, usually returning to the same spot. I saw two this week, but expect to see dozens of them in the cemetery in coming weeks.

Eastern Phoebe


Every birder, even those just beginning, look forward to the arrival of the jewels of the avian world: New World Warblers. This diverse group of small, mostly colorful songsters will descend on our city in large numbers for a very short period on route to their breeding grounds. The Pine Warbler is always the first to appear. Like the Eastern Phoebe, they generally signal the start of the northbound migration. On Friday I heard the unmistakable loud, trilling song of one. I excitedly scanned the White Pine above me and quickly spotted the brilliant yellow warbler foraging among the tree's cones. I try to convince myself that, finally, next week they'll be lots of new birds around, but quickly recall Robert Arbib's caution and temper my optimism...but only for the moment.

Pine Warbler

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Best of the Fortnight

Here's the lastest installment of my fav pics from the previous 2 weeks. Enjoy:

Turkey Vulture, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Gadwall, Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY

Flowering Quince, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Japanese Andromeda, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Drone fly on Snowdrops, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Immature Red-tailed Hawk, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Daffodil, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Red Maple flower, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Cedar Waxwing, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Woodcock, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Monday, March 11, 2024

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of March 16 - March 17, 2024:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, March 16, 2024, 10:00am - 12:00pm
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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Exploring New Jersey Treasures: The Celery Farm, Halifax Road and Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Description: Exploring new locations to discover birds in an all-day adventure.
Registration: Peter Dorosh; email Prosbird@gmail.com or Prosbird@aol.com.
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, March 17, 2024, 7:00am - 8:30am
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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Hudson River Audubon Society

Bird the Long Island Ponds
Saturday, March 16, 2024, 9:00am
Leader: Joseph McManus
Description: We will look for ducks. Good possibility for Redheads, Ring-neckeds. Also, some land birds and definitely Black-crowned Night Herons. Bring a scope if you have one.
Registration: bochnikm@cs.com
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New York City Audubon

Birding at Mount Loretto Unique Area
Saturday, March 16, 2024, 8:00am - 10:00am
Leader: Anthony Ciancimino
Description: Join Staten Island resident and longtime birder, Anthony Ciancimino, as we explore the diverse habitats found at the park and look for wintering and early spring migrants.
Registration: Registration page
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Pelham Bay Park Birding
Sunday, March 17, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Jack Rothman
Description: Join NYC Audubon to explore New York City's largest park! Pelham Bay Park's forested areas, salt marshes, and grassy meadows offer rich habitat for a variety of migrating birds.
Registration: Registration page
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South Shore Audubon Society

Mill Pond Park
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: Use street parking on the westbound side of Merrick Road. The park is four blocks west of the Wantagh State Parkway.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, March 16, 2024
Rockaway Beach Coastal Cleanup and Bird Walk at Beach 59th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
10:00am – 1:00pm
Protect coastal areas at Rockaway Beach! Volunteers will remove debris from the coastline creating a healthier ecosystem and the Wildlife Unit will host a bird walk after the cleanup.
Free

Sunday, March 17, 2024
Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Brookville Boulevard and 144 Avenue (in Brookville Park), Queens
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best viewing spots in New York City to see winter waterfowl. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free

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Sunday, March 10, 2024

Week 10 - Green-Wood Cemetery

Week 10 in Green-Wood Cemetery saw a few subtle changes in the avian world. More profound transformations were happening with the botanics.

One sure sign that Spring is right around the corner are the dozens of Red-eared Sliders that have emerged from the mud and are now sunning at the edges of all the ponds. Many have algae still covering their shells and common leaches attached to their exposed body parts. The cemetery's snapping turtles are also starting to stir.



A mockingbird that overwintered around the edges of Crescent Water has suddenly upped his vocal repertoire. I think he's anticipating some new females in the area. His daily serenades now include Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Kingbird and Great Crested Flycatcher.



Our two bonded pairs of Red-tailed Hawks seem to be involved in regular territorial displays. In addition to the two pairs circling, diving and screeching at each other, there may be an interloper causing some problems. One of the adult males is easily recognizable by several missing secondary feathers on his right wing. He's earned the nickname "Wonky Wing". This indivual was also banded several years ago in Putnam County and has a blue band on his left leg numbered "A10". "A10" is the father of the single chick hatched back in 2022 in the pine tree nest behind the Horace Greeley monument. Over the weekend I noticed an immature male (brown banded tail still) dive-bombing and chasing "A10" in the vicinity of the old pine tree nest. I spotted this individual again near the historic chapel chasing a non-banded hawk. Should be interesting to see how this develops. 20 years ago I watched a similar interaction in Prospect Park where an immature red-tailed challenged the dominant resident male. He eventually prevailed, bonding with that female for nearly a decade (he developed his namesake red tail in his third year).

Red-tailed Hawk "A10"

Immature Red-tailed Hawk


Cedar Waxwing numbers have increased with a flock of two dozen spotted feeding on the pagoda tree fruit this weekend. Some of the waxwings that pass through during migration will remain and nest in the cemetery. Listen for their high-pitched, trilled "bzeee" and wispy whistles.

Cedar Waxwing


The most obvious wildflower brighten the landscape this past week has been daffodils. There are several different cultivars springing up from the tiny, delicate Jonquilla to the showy large cup varieties.

Daffodil


Finally, here's a selection of week 10 blooms, in no particular order.

Flowering Quince

American Elm

Paperbush plant

Japanese Andromeda

Dawn Redwood

Lesser Celandine

Tuesday, March 05, 2024

Memorial Bench

Last week a memorial bench for my good friend Shane Blodgett was installed in Green-Wood Cemetery. Shane was a great guy and arguably one of the best birders in New York State. If you knew Shane and would like to visit the bench, it is in the south east corner of the Crescent Water.



Monday, March 04, 2024

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of March 9 - March 10, 2024:

Bedford Audubon Society

Field Trip: Wallkill River National Wildlife Reserve & Black Dirt Region
Saturday, March 10, 2024, 8:30am - 2:00pm
Leader: Tait Johansson
Description: Join Naturalist Tait Johansson as we head to Wallkill NWR and Black Dirt Region for this late winter field trip. Snow Geese may still be around in large numbers, as well as flocks of waterfowl like Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal, and many open country species like Rough-legged Hawk, Snow Bunting, and Lapland Longspur.
Registration: Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Registration required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713.
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Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, March 9, 2024, 10:00am - 12:00pm
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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Doodle or Die, Nobody Leaves Till We See a Timberdoodle!: A Green-Wood Cemetery Pursuit
Saturday, March 9, 2024, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik & Bobbi Manian
Description: A search for the American Woodcock, also known as “Timberdoodle”; also early spring woodland songbirds and late winter species, raptors, perhaps eagles and vultures.
Registration: No registration required.
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Great South Bay Audubon Society

Bob Laskowski Memorial Duck Walk
Saturday, March 9, 2024, 8:30am - 12:00pm
Leader: John Gluth, Mike Cooper
Description: Join us for a wonderful bird walk as we head out to Brookwood Hall Park for an early morning adventure.
Registration: info@greatsouthbayaudubon.org
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, March 10, 2024, 7:00am - 8:30am
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.
View Details


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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society

Jones Beach State Park
Sunday, March 10, 2024 - 8:00am
Leader: _____
Description: Get ready to see winter waterfowl as well as many resident birds. There may be some surprises.
Registration: To register, call (585) 880-0915.
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Linnaean Society of New York

Brooklyn Coastal Birding (New Date)
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Description: March is a time when a few winter birds remain, while early spring migrants are beginning to arrive. The trip involves visits to multiple sites. Some of the highlights have included Black-headed Gulls, Eurasian Wigeons, Snowy Owls, Horned Larks, American Pipits, and Red-necked Grebes. Each site has its own special birds.
Registration: Leslie Fiske — lesliefiske@gmail.com
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Central Park Winter Bird Walk
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Leader: Richard ZainEldeen
Description: Central Park is our bailiwick, and March is the beginning of migration for land and water birds. A Pine or Palm Warbler is always possible. A couple of years ago, we respectfully observed a Long-eared Owl. During a recent winter a Long-tailed Duck and Horned Grebe visited the Reservoir. The feeders are an attraction for birds such as Purple Finch and other seed eaters. A Red-headed Woodpecker at the north end stayed into the spring recently. It is interesting to observe the transition.
Registration: Kathleen Matthews — redkatamat@gmail.com
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New York City Audubon

Birding at Jamaica Bay
Sunday, March 9, 2024, 10:00am - 11:30am
Leader: Woo Sung Park
Description: Enjoy a relaxed stroll in Jamaica Bay to look for wading birds, raptors, shorebirds, waterfowl, warblers, and more.
Registration: Registration page
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Winter Birding at Highland Park
Sunday, March 10, 2024, 10:00am - 11:30am
Leader: Outdoor Afro
Description: Located in both Queens and Brooklyn, Highland Park boasts forested areas, sportsfields, and a community garden. Join Outdoor Afro and NYC Audubon in search of winter migrants in this beautiful outdoor space.
Registration: Registration page
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Winter Birding on Governors Island
Sunday, March 10, 2024, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Leader: _____
Description: Meet the winter birds of Governors Island! Nearly 240 bird species have been spotted on the island, which provides excellent habitat all year round. Whether you’re an expert birder or a beginner, these tours will help you discover all of the bird life the island has to offer this winter.
Registration: Registration page
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South Shore Audubon Society

Massapequa Lake
Sunday, March 10, 2024
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: Use street parking on the westbound side of Merrick Road. Massapequa Lake is at the south end of Massapequa Preserve, between Lakeshore Boulevard and Ocean Avenue.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Urban Park Rangers

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Birding: Beginner Birding at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00am – 11:00am
Learn a new skill and take up a new hobby as we help you identify some of the most common birds found in our parks.
Free

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Sunset Cove Park Entrance (in Sunset Cove Park)
10:00am – 11:00am
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best viewing spots in New York City to see winter waterfowl. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Entrance - 85th Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
11:00am – 12:00pm
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Please bring your own binoculars.
Free

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Sunday, March 03, 2024

Week 9 - Green-Wood Cemetery

Week 9 saw very subtle changes in the avian world. The lengthening days, however, have accelerated more obvious transformations in the botanics.

Bird song has definitely increased and I look forward to the month of May's dawn chorus. Our two resident Red-tailed Hawk pairs are spending more time together resting, preening and collecting nest material. I've found one pair's nest, but have had no luck locating "Horace's" parent's new location.

Red-tailed Hawk pair at Crescent Water


The males in the mixed flock of waterfowl on Sylvan Water have been bobbing their heads as part of their spring choreography to gain the female's attention.

Male Bufflehead, Sylvan Water


I've noticed more vultures heading north over the cemetery.

Turkey Vulture, hawkwatch hill


At least one of the overwintering Merlin is still around. A favorite perch it hunts from is the ridge behind the Steinway family mausoleum. It gives this speedy predator a great vantage point to watch the sparrows foraging in the open area of the Locust Grove mausoleums below.

Merlin, chapel hill


Here are several botanics from the past week that I noticed either fully blooming or just about to:

Hellebore

Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata 'Rosea')

Burkwood Viburnum (Viburnum × burkwoodii) along Ravine Path

Spring Heath (Erica carnea)

Spring Crocus (Crocus vernus)

Purple Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum)

Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta)

Thursday, February 29, 2024

The Hits Keep on Coming

On Tuesday I spent a few hours in Green-Wood Cemetery looking for seasonal changes and taking photos. I came home at around 1pm, took off my shoes, put my camera battery in the charger, then popped the memory card into my computer. I was about 10 minutes into editing my photos when I received the following from my friend Michael:

"Seven Sandhill Cranes heading north toward Park Slope from Green-Wood"

Over the past decade or so Sandhill Cranes have become a bit more common in New York State, usually only in the northern edges of the state. I've seen them twice, once near the Finger Lakes region, and once at Wallkill River NWA. The only cranes I've seen around the Big Apple have been at construction sites, so my heart jumped when I read his text.

I live directly in the path he described. I thought about running up to the roof. Not enough time. No time to put the memory card or battery back in my camera. No time for shoes. I grabbed my bins, opened the den window and climbed out onto the fire escape. I began scanning the sky, expecting the flock to be high above Park Slope. I was wrong. Within about a minute the flock glided over our intersection, about 10 stories up, traveling directly above 8th Avenue. In fact, they were flying so low that my wife (who remained indoors) watched them from the living room window.

I followed up on the local birding app which helped at least one more birder to spot the flock circling above Grand Army Plaza.


This is one of Michael's photographs taken from Green-Wood Cemetery before they moved passed my apartment. Thanks for the timely heads up!

One More Brooklyn Rarity

On February 10, 2024 someone included on their eBird submission a "Ruby-throated Hummingbird" in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Given the winter date, an alarm went off in the heads of many experienced local birders. It was unlikely to be a Ruby-throated, but more conceivably a western vagrant.

The next morning Tripper Paul (an eBird moderator) headed over to its reported location in an attempt to confirm the bird's ID. Within a relatively short time, he found and photographed the bird. To few folk's surprise, it turned out to be a selasphorus hummingbird species (Allen's or Rufous). The Allen's Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird are extremely difficult to separate, the most reliable fieldmark being a small notch in the tip of the second tail feather of the Rufous. Here's a good essay that explains the differences. That said, once word got out, an abundance of folks with long lenses and expensive cameras rushed to Prospect Park. While this bird is extremely fast moving and miniscule, it was determined relatively quickly via photos that is was, in fact, a Rufous Hummingbird. It would be the first record of this species in Kings County.

While it would be my first Brooklyn Rufous Hummingbird, it wouldn't be a New York State bird for me. In 2006, when I did a Big Year in NYS with Sean, Shane and Doug, I actually saw two of them. The first was on November 26, 2006 with my friend Sean at Lenoir Preserve in Yonkers. The second was a bird found feeding in Norman Klein's backyard in Northport on Long Island. That bird ended up sticking around for a few weeks. The third was an individual that was found feeding on wildflowers near the planetarium entrance to the American Museum of Natural History on Central Park West and West 81st St. I remember that sighting in particular as, when I was watching the hummingbird, Neil deGrasse Tyson walked passed and flushed the bird...what a loser. 😜

Rufous Hummingbird range map


The Brooklyn hummingbird had been frequenting a stretch of path below the south ridge of Breeze Hill. Josh Malbin had set up a hummingbird feeder near the last sighting, hoping that the hummer would have a regular supply of food. While it didn't find the feeder for a while, it did have plenty to eat and no competition. The understory of that 150 yard stretch is dominated by Lonicera fragrantissima, a shrub honeysuckle that blooms in the winter.

Lonicera fragrantissima, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY

I was at Coney Island Creek looking for pintails and redheads when the hummingbird was relocated and positively identified. The subway service was really sketchy due to weekend work disruptions, but I rushed over to Prospect Park as fast as possible, stressing out the entire ride. My friend Heydi was in the park and offered to stick around and help me find it. Unfortunately, the bird didn't return while I was there, so I went home rufous-less. Thankfully the bird gods smiled upon me early the next morning. I managed to get good looks and a few photographs. I've since gone back a few times.

Two snow storms and 17 days later, our Rufous Hummingbird is still being seen (as of this writing). Mostly now it appears to be feeding at the hummingbird feeder rather than the honeysuckle flowers. The photographs have shown that it has a few golden-orange feathers emerging on its gorget, which would make it a male. I hope it sticks around until it is in full breeding plumage.