Check out City Birder Tours, and Green-Wood sponsored tours on their calendar pages here.
Celebrate your inner nerd with my new t-shirt design! Available on my Spreadshirt shop in multiple colors and products.

Saturday, December 25, 2021

New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending Friday, December 24, 2021:

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Dec. 24, 2021
* NYNY2112.24


NORTHERN LAPWING+
SHORT-BILLED GULL+
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER+
WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Greater White-fronted Goose
Eurasian Wigeon
Harlequin Duck
SANDHILL CRANE
Short-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed Dowitcher
Black-headed Gull
Laughing Gull
FRANKLIN'S GULL (extralimital)
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Bald Eagle
Rough-legged Hawk
Snowy Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
WESTERN KINGBIRD
NORTHERN SHRIKE
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
LECONTE’S SPARROW
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
LARK SPARROW
Yellow-breasted Chat
Orange-crowned Warbler
DICKCISSEL

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44nybirdsorg

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, December 24, 2021 at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of today's tape are NORTHERN LAPWING, SHORT-BILLED GULL, SANDHILL CRANE, NORTHERN SHRIKE, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER and WESTERN KINGBIRD, WESTERN TANAGER, LECONTE'S, CLAY-COLORED and LARK SPARROWS, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, DICKCISSEL, Christmas Count results, an extralimital FRANKLIN’S GULL and more.

Exceptional was the discovery last Saturday of a NORTHERN LAPWING at Santapogue Creek in West Babylon - the bird soon relocated to adjacent Bergen Point Golf Course, where seen with difficulty into the afternoon. After disappearing later in the afternoon, the bird was not seen thereafter, though subsequently single LAPWINGS did appear in both New Jersey and Maryland.

Also very noteworthy was a SHORT-BILLED GULL photographed Tuesday off Bush Terminal Piers Park in Brooklyn, this the first sighting of this western gull in our area since the American Ornithological Society recently split this bird from the Mew Gull complex. It has not been relocated since Tuesday, but a BLACK-HEADED GULL has been there.

Three SANDHILL CRANES were reported flying west over White Plains Monday.

A NORTHERN SHRIKE, found Tuesday at the Norman J. Levy Preserve just east of the Meadowbrook Parkway in Merrick, was still present today along the trails on the west side of the landfill. Yesterday YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER were also seen there.

Previously found ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS were still present today in Brooklyn's Owl’s Head Park and at the Rockwood Hall section of Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Mount Pleasant, Westchester County, and a WESTERN KINGBIRD was seen last weekend along North Fernwood Drive in Montauk.

WESTERN TANAGERS in Manhattan remain at Carl Schurz Park off East End Avenue around East 86th Street and near private Clinton Community Garden viewed from West 48th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues.

A LECONTE’S SPARROW continues on top of the landfill at Croton Point Park, single CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were seen Sunday along Seven Ponds Road in Watermill and in Mattituck, and a LARK SPARROW was found at Brooklyn's Hendrix Creek Saturday. A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was spotted at Robert Moses State Park Field 2 yesterday, and a DICKCISSEL was still at Inwood Hill Park Monday.

Single GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were reported Tuesday at Dix Hills High School and today at Tung Ting Pond off Route 25A in Centerport.

For this week's Christmas counts, Brooklyn tops the list with 129 species last Saturday, their top highlights including EURASIAN WIGEON at Jamaica Bay, 1 ICELAND and 6 LESSER BLACK-BLACKED GULLS, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER and their first LARK SPARROW.

Among Captree’s 128 species Sunday were HARLEQUIN DUCK, LONG- and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS, 5 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.

Montauk’s 125 species on Saturday included BLACK-HEADED GULL and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK on Gardiner’s Island, 37 BALD EAGLES, 9 NORTHERN SAW-WHET and 7 SNOWY OWLS, WESTERN KINGBIRD, 2 YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS and 4 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS.

Greenwich-Stamford on Sunday netted 109 species including the GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE in Rye Brook and DICKCISSEL.

Northern Nassau Saturday recorded 104 species including the EURASIAN WIGEON on Mill Pond in Oyster Bay, NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, while the Rockland Count’s 84 species Sunday featured the GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE on Rockland Lake and 78 BALD EAGLES.

An accommodating immature FRANKLIN'S GULL has been present recently in Orange County at the Newburgh Sewage Treatment Plant.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

--

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

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/
...Read more

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Birding in Peace 2021

In March of 2020, like most things in the country, the Green-Wood Cemetery "Birding in Peace" tours came to a screeching halt. We restarted the dawn walks again in 2021 as the cemetery became an oasis for, not just the birds, but for New Yorkers needing a respite from the worries of the lingering pandemic. This past Sunday was the final tour for 2021 so I thought I'd share the year's official tour species list and a short slideshow video. Enjoy. FYI - we begin the tours again on Sunday, January 23, 2022.


Green-Wood Cemetery, “Birding in Peace” 2021 (139 species):

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Mallard
American Black Duck
Ring-necked Duck
Hooded Merganser
Pied-billed Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
American Woodcock
Wilson's Snipe
Spotted Sandpiper
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Monk Parakeet
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
House Wren
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
Evening Grosbeak
House Finch
Purple Finch
Common Redpoll
European Goldfinch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
*Henslow’s Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrush
Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting

*seen after the tour officially ended, but a few participants continued birding

Friday, December 17, 2021

New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending Thursday, December 16 2021:

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Dec. 16, 2021
* NYNY2112.16


WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Cackling Goose
EURASIAN WIGEON
KING EIDER
HARLEQUIN DUCK
SANDHILL CRANE
Long-billed Dowitcher
ICELAND GULL
GLAUCOUS GULL
CATTLE EGRET
RED CROSSBILL
Grasshopper Sparrow
LECONTE’S SPARROW
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
Orange-crowned Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Wilson's Warbler
DICKCISSEL

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44nybirdsorg

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 10:00 pm.

The highlights of today's tape are WESTERN TANAGER, LECONTE’S SPARROW, SANDHILL CRANE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER and HARLEQUIN DUCK, CATTLE EGRET, GLAUCOUS and ICELAND GULLS, RED CROSSBILL, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, DICKCISSEL and more.

The locations for WESTERN TANAGER in Manhattan increased by one today when one was found at Central Park's north end, north of the 97th Street Transverse. This joins a WESTERN TANAGER continuing today at Carl Schurz Park, often visiting the feeder area just off East End Avenue adjacent to about 86th Street. And earlier this week on Monday and Tuesday a WESTERN TANAGER was seen at Clinton Community Garden, a private park viewable from West 48th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues.

In Westchester a LECONTE’S SPARROW was still being seen at Croton Point Park Tuesday, with two noted on Monday, sightings recently only occurring rather early in the morning.

Also today in Westchester, a SANDHILL CRANE was reported by motorists on the ground near the intersection of the Taconic and Saw Mill River Parkways but was gone when they returned soon afterwards.

A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE continues to roost on the Rye Brook pond off Bowman Avenue in southern Westchester, with another still visiting Rockland Lake State Park today. Several CACKLING GOOSE reports included one still at Hendrickson Park in Valley Stream today and three at Caumsett State Park Sunday.

Lingering single drake EURASIAN WIGEON were noted on the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to Tuesday and on Mill Pond in Oyster Bay to today.

The drake KING EIDER was still being seen on the flats at Great Kills Park today, and HARLEQUIN DUCKS continue around the Jones inlet jetties.

A CATTLE EGRET was an interesting find at Jones Beach West End last Saturday, and up to six LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS continued along Santapogue Creek in West Babylon early in the week.

A GLAUCOUS GULL was noted up to Tuesday at Randall's Island, with one also on Tuesday inside Shinnecock Inlet, and single ICELAND GULLS included one on Prospect Park Lake Sunday, one in Sheepshead Bay to Monday, and one continuing around Randall's Island through today.

A single RED CROSSBILL was a good find at Jones Beach West End last Sunday, as was a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW spotted at Randall's Island last Saturday. A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was photographed on Governors Island Tuesday, while another continues along the Hudson River Greenway in Manhattan along West Street south of Watts Street.

Several ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS this week included birds at Inwood Hill Park and Union Square Park in Manhattan, at Brooklyn Bridge Park and at Brooklyn's Marine Park Salt Marsh Nature Center, while Prospect Park added AMERICAN REDSTART, NORTHERN PARULA and WILSON'S WARBLER.

At least one DICKCISSEL was still present Wednesday at the Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area feeders.

We wish you good fortune on the upcoming Christmas Bird Counts.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.
...Read more

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Best of the Fortnight

Below is a selection of my fav photos of the fortnight:

Gray Kingbird, Great Kills Park, Staten Island, NY

Henslow's Sparrow, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Not a favorite photo for image quality, but rather the fact that there were 7 Red Knots still hanging around Brooklyn.
Flock of Red Knots, Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY

A bit unusual for this flycatcher to be in NYC in December, although it has been pretty mild weather.
Eastern Phoebe, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Red-bellied Woodpecker, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Kestrel, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Cedar Waxwing, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Eastern Bluebird & Pine Warbler, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Saturday, December 11, 2021

New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending Friday, December 10, 2021:

- RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Dec. 10, 2021
* NYNY2112.10


- Birds mentioned
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE+
GRAY KINGBIRD+
LECONTE'S SPARROW+
WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
EURASIAN WIGEON
KING EIDER
HARLEQUIN DUCK
Western Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Iceland Gull
Glaucous Gull
NORTHERN SHRIKE
Wood Thrush
HENSLOW'S SPARROW
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
Ovenbird
Orange-crowned Warbler
DICKCISSEL
- Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for *Friday, December 10th 2021* at 10pm. The highlights of today's tape are GRAY KINGBIRD, HENSLOW'S SPARROW, LECONTE'S SPARROW, WESTERN TANAGER, NORTHERN SHRIKE, PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER, HARLEQUIN DUCK, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, DICKCISSEL and more.

The GRAY KINGBIRD found November 29th at Great Kills Park on Staten Island and staying generally just north of Moonbeam Marina until Tuesday was relocated Wednesday farther south along the white trail out to Crooke's Point but unfortunately has not been reported since though it could still be in the area. A drake KING EIDER at Great Kills does continue to visit the mudflat area there.

A HENSLOW'S SPARROW located in Brooklyn's Green-wood Cemetery last Sunday has remained in the same general area through today. The bird frequents low grasses near the intersection of Central and Oak Leaf Avenues. It's uncharacteristic behavior is probably the result of its being compromised in some manner. Please give this bird sufficient space to subsist in and also respect the sanctity of the cemetery. Two LECONTE'S SPARROWS, first noted at Croton Point Park on December 2nd, were still present Wednesday but unlike the HENSLOW'S are very elusive with one or both only glimpsed very occasionally on top of the landfill and usually missed altogether.

A WESTERN TANAGER continues to visit the feeder area at Manhattan's Carl Schurz Park. The feeder is located just off East End Avenue adjacent to about 86th Street.

A NORTHERN SHRIKE was still being seen at least to Tuesday at the North Fork Preserve, the bird occasionally perching prominently in the preserve located north of Sound Avenue in Northville.

A PINK-FOOTED GOOSE on Short's Pond off Scuttlehole Road in Bridgehampton on Monday may be the same one reported Thursday on the Wainscott pond. Remember, these areas are private so remain on the roadways.

Single GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE recently include one still roosting at the Rye Brook Pond off Bowman Avenue in southern Westchester and one at Rockland Lake State Park. Single drake EURASIAN WIGEON continue on the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and on the Mill Pond in Oyster Bay and a pair of HARLEQUIN DUCKS have been along the jetties at Point Lookout recently.

A GLAUCOUS GULL has been roosting recently in the Point Lookout Town Park parking lot and today immatures were also spotted on Randall's Island and at Wolfe's Pond Park on Staten Island. Immature ICELAND GULLS recently have been reported on Prospect Park Lake yesterday, in Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn all week and also just north of the Brooklyn Navy Yard yesterday.

Recent shorebird reports featured a WESTERN SANDPIPER on the beach at Point Lookout and 6 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS at the traditional site on Santapogue Creek in West Babylon.

The YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was seen Wednesday and today along the Hudson River Greenway along West Street just south of Watts Street and another also on Manhattan at Bella Abzug Park along with a WOOD THRUSH and an OVENBIRD this park off West 34th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues. Two DICKCISSELS have been visiting the feeders lately at the Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area with another still at Inwood Hill Park last Sunday.

At least 8 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were spotted recently and other lingering warblers and various other passerines hopefully will still be around for the Christmas Counts.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

- End transcript
...Read more

Thursday, December 09, 2021

Friday's Foto

 

Henslow's Sparrow, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY
This will be an extended "Friday's Foto" posting, given the rarity of this species in Brooklyn and state-wide. A recent visitor to historic Green-Wood Cemetery marked a first for that spot. The previous record for Brooklyn was 48 years ago.

The Henslow's Sparrow is probably one of North America's loveliest sparrow with its olive-green head, orange lores, scaley coverts with purple highlights, rusty red primaries, buffy breast with fine, dark streaks and bright, white eyering. Previously classified in the genus Ammodramus with other grassland species, in 2018 it was reclassified into "centronyx" with the Baird's Sparrow. The name means "spurred claw" which refers to these birds' long hind toes. John James Audubon gave this bird its common name for his friend, John Stevens Henslow, a botanist, a minister, and a teacher of Charles Darwin.

This specie's decreasing population in New York State, as well as, its skulking behavior make it very difficult to observe. In their preferred habitat of thick, weedy grasslands and wetlands, this bird forages alone, usually not in flocks of Henslow's or other sparrows. They spend their time walking in dense grass while foraging and, if flushed, reluctantly fly low a short distance then drop back down into the vegetation. More often then not, they will flee perceived threats by running. In addition, James D. Rising, author of "A Guide to the Identification and Natural History of the Sparrows of the United States and Canada", notes of this bird's behavior, "Migrants are reluctant to flush, and can be approached closely." Their diet consists primarily of insects and seeds. Assessed in 2020 by the IUCN, they rate their global status as "Least Concern". That is up from "Near Threatened" in 2016. However, populations in New York State have been declining, prompting the NYSDEC to list it as "Threatened".

The Henslow's Sparrow's breeding range includes New York, southern Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. They overwinter from the Gulf Coast of Texas east into the northern two-thirds of Florida and north into North Carolina. There are infrequent records north into the Midwest and Middle Atlantic states.

This sparrow has one of the simplest song of any North American species. Its high, thin "tze-lick" was described by David Sibley as a "feeble hiccup." Judge for yourself. Be sure to turn up the volume:



Finally, here's a video I shot in Green-Wood Cemetery on Tuesday, December 7, 2021:

Monday, December 06, 2021

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of December 11-12, 2021:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, December 11, 2021, 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.
View Details


**********

Feminist Bird Club

NYC -Weird Duck Time at Baisley Pond Park
Saturday, December 11, 2021, 9:00am - 11:00am
Leaders: __
Description: Join Feminist Bird Club for a low-key ramble around Baisley Pond, one of the only places in NYC to regularly host Redhead ducks in winter. We’ll also look for Ring-necked Ducks, American Wigeons, Gadwalls, and maybe even a rare gull or a Monk Parakeet?
Registration: Register via Eventbrite
View Details


**********

Gateway National Parks

Fort Wadsworth Tour
Every week on Sunday, December 05, 2021 to December 19, 2021, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join us for a hike around Fort Wadsworth as we explore both the natural areas and the remnants of the former harbor defense system. Inclement weather will cancel this program. Dress appropriately. Bring water, face mask required.
Registration: Call 718 354-4655 to make a reservation.
View Details


**********

Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society

Winter Waterfowl: Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Sunday, December 12, 2021 - 9:00am
Leader: _____
Description: You can never be sure who is going to turn up in Jamaica Bay in the wintertime. What you can be sure of is that it’s never a bad day to go.
Registration: To register, call (585) 880-0915.
Details: Take the Southern State Parkway west to the Belt Parkway and take Exit 17S to Cross Bay Blvd. and drive south until you reach the Visitors’ Center.


**********

Saw Mill River Audubon Society

Small Group Birding: Croton Point Park
Sunday, December 12, 2021, 8:00am
Leader: Members of SMRA
Description: Good for all levels of birding experience. Beginners very welcome! Let us know in advance if you want to borrow binoculars by emailing us at: office@sawmillriveraudubon.org
Registration: Via Eventbrite
View Details


**********

South Shore Audubon Society

Mill Pond Park
Sunday, December 12, 2021
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
View Details


**********

Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Birding: Bald Eagle Watch at Payson Park House (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
December is a spectacular time for observing bald eagles in New York City parks. See if you can spot any on this adventure with our Urban Park Rangers. Bring your own binoculars.
Free

Sunday, December 12, 2021

Winter Birding at Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Explore Wave Hill’s tranquil gardens and woodland with naturalist Gabriel Willow to observe birds in their winter habitat.
Free
...Read more

Friday, December 03, 2021

New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending Friday, December 3, 2021:

- RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Dec. 3, 2021
* NYNY2112.03


- Birds mentioned
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE+
GRAY KINGBIRD+
LECONTE'S SPARROW+
WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Cackling Goose
EURASIAN WIGEON
KING EIDER
Lesser Black-backed Gull
GLAUCOUS GULL
American Bittern
NORTHERN SHRIKE
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
Orange-crowned Warbler
American Redstart
Wilson's Warbler
DICKCISSEL

- Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for *Friday, December 3rd 2021* at 8pm. The highlights of today's tape are GRAY KINGBIRD, PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, LECONTE'S SPARROW, WESTERN TANAGER, NORTHERN SHRIKE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER, GLAUCOUS GULL, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, DICKCISSEL and more.

A rather obliging GRAY KINGBIRD found last Monday at Great Kills Park on Staten Island was still present there today. It has been staying mostly in shrubby areas across from the Moonbeam Marina. So from Hylan Boulevard enter Great Kills on Buffalo Street and continue towards Crooke's Point. Park near the Moonbeam Marina and search the vegetated areas across from the marina including near the bathhouse for the KINGBIRD. A drake KING EIDER also continues along the shore at Great Kills.

Last Sunday a PINK-FOOTED GOOSE was found in a Canada Goose flock out in Bridgehampton in a field on the south side of Route 27 (Montauk Highway). On Monday the flock was with the PINK-FOOTED and relocated a little north of there on Short's Pond on the western side of Scuttlehole Road but we have no further reports since Monday. This PINK-FOOTED follows one on Wappinger's Lake in Dutchess County that departed last Saturday.

Two LECONTE'S SPARROWS were seen together on top of the landfill at Croton Point Park on Thursday morning with one reappearing there in the afternoon. This is the same area where a LECONTE'S was also present in early November.

A WESTERN TANAGER was still appearing in Carl Schurz Park in mid-Manhattan today visiting the feeder area located just off East End Avenue adjacent to about 86th Street.

A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen again yesterday and today at the North Fork Preserve which is north of Sound Avenue in Northville.

A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was still present midday today on the pond adjacent to the Rye Ridge shopping center off Bowman Avenue in Rye Brook and another was reported today on the lake at Rockland Lake State Park.

A few CACKLING GEESE include the one at Hendrickson Park in Valley Stream.

Single drake EURASIAN WIGEONS were continuing on Mill Pond in Oyster Bay on Patchogue Lake and additional drake KING EIDERS included one last weekend continuing on the Montauk Harbor Inlet and another Sunday at Shinnecock Inlet.

An immature GLAUCOUS GULL was spotted last Saturday at Jones Beach West End followed by one Monday at Fort Tilden. Dwindling numbers of LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS included 4 Saturday at Robert Moses State Park lot 2 and an AMERICAN BITTERN was still around Prospect Park Lake last Saturday

A report of 6 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS moving by Robert Moses State Park this morning provide good encouragement of perhaps a good winter ahead.

Last Sunday single flyover LAPLAND LONGSPURS were noted at both Randall's Island and Breezy Point.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were seen in Inwood Hill Park all week and Union Square Park Saturday and out at Montauk last weekend and late warblers featured AMERICAN REDSTART and WILSON'S in Prospect Park to Thursday.

Two DICKCISSELS have been visiting the Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area recently through today with another lingering in Inwood Hill Park through last weekend.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

- End transcript
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Monday, November 29, 2021

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of December 4-5, 2021:

Brooklyn Bird Club

“Splashy” Seafowl of Riis Beach and Fort Tilden, West Rockaway
Saturday, December 4, 2021, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Description: Primarily “beachcombing” for ocean waterfowl; dunes & open field species; potential rarity. Expect a good amount of walking on sand, then pavement (roughly 5 miles); dress appropriately for cold weather. Scopes recommended. There may be an option for birding elsewhere time permitting and our fatigue factor. Registration: Peter Dorosh: email Prosbird@aol.com or Prosbird@gmail.com.
View Details


Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, December 4, 2021, 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.
View Details


First Sunday Prospect Park Walks
Saturday, December 5, 2021, 8:00am - 11:00am
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.
View Details


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Gateway National Parks

Fort Wadsworth Tour
Every week on Sunday until December 19, 2021, 2:00pm — 3:30pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join us for a hike around Fort Wadsworth as we explore both the natural areas and the remnants of the former harbor defense system. Inclement weather will cancel this program. Dress appropriately. Bring water, face mask required.
Registration: Call 718 354-4655 to make a reservation.
View Details


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Great South Bay Audubon Society

Montauk Nature Walk
Saturday, December 4, 2021, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: John Gluth, Mike Cooper
Description: Join us for a wonderful bird walk as we head out to Montauk for an early morning adventure.
Registration: info@greatsouthbayaudubon.org
View Details


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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, December 5, 2021, 7:15am–8:45am
Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful Sunday morning walking tours to discover the many birds that call Green-Wood home.
View Details


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Linnaean Society of New York

Rye Playland and Environs
Saturday, December 4, 2021
Leader: Tom Burke
Description: Rye Playland is located on Long Island Sound in northeastern Westchester County, about 30 miles from New York City. We will start our walk at Playland Park & Read Sanctuary and move later to the Marshlands Conservancy; at both, the terrain is easy, and we’ll walk about a mile at each. We usually have lunch at Marshlands and finish up with a walk to the marsh in early afternoon. Birds will be whatever we can uncover on Long Island Sound, Playland Lake and Milton Harbor, as well as in the woods and fields at both locations. We also reserve the opportunity to chase any exceptional rarities in the region rather than completing the planned itinerary. Species seen during past detours have included Calliope Hummingbird, Gray Kingbird, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, and Hermit Warbler, but unfortunately these opportunities don’t come up often.
Registration: Alice McInerney — amcinerney@kmllp.com
View Details


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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

Richmondtown, Old Mill Road
Saturday, December 4, 2021, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Leader: Ray Matarazzo
Description: Enjoy a stroll along the multi-use trail overlooking Fresh Kills with Ray Matarazzo. Walk back in time as you pass the famous Hessian Spring as it crosses the path and view Fresh Kills estuary as you work your way toward the remains of Ketchum’s Mill. Along the way observe traces of the past, examine the present woodland ecosystems and search for evidence of present inhabitants especially deer and other mammals. Meet in the parking lot at the start of Old Mill Road, alongside St. Andrew’s Church.
Registration: For more information call Ray Matarazzo at 718-317-7666.
View Details


Reed’s Basket Willow Swamp/Chapin Woods
Sunday, December 5, 2021, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Leader: Clay Wollney
Description: Discover this hidden natural park in Dongan Hills. Participants will visit the three bodies of water in the park and hike the steep slopes through these intriguing woodlands. Although none of the willows grown by the Reed family still exist, the woodlands and stream are still home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Meet at the Spring Street entrance in Dongan Hills.
Registration: For more information contact Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.
View Details


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South Shore Audubon Society

Hempstead Lake State Park
Sunday, December 5, 2021
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
View Details


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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Please bring your own binoculars.
Free

...Read more

Saturday, November 27, 2021

New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending Friday, November 26, 2021:

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Nov 26, 2021
* NYNY2111.26


WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
TUNDRA SWAN
EURASIAN WIGEON
KING EIDER
SANDHILL CRANE
BLACK-HEADED GULL
American Bittern
CATTLE EGRET
Blue-headed Vireo
NORTHERN SHRIKE
House Wren
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
Vesper Sparrow
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
Baltimore Oriole
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
American Redstart
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Canada Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
DICKCISSEL


If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44nybirdsorg

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, November 26, 2021 at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of tape are SANDHILL CRANE, WESTERN TANAGER, NORTHERN SHRIKE, BLACK-HEADED GULL, TUNDRA SWAN, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER, CATTLE EGRET, WHITE WINGED CROSSBILL, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, DICKCISSEL and more.

Very interesting Tuesday morning were a large number of SANDHILL CRANES reported moving over Rye in Westchester County, with 30 estimated over Read Sanctuary at Playland Park and even more over Marshlands Conservancy shortly thereafter; these birds were not observed farther down the coast, but additional CRANES were seen at local hawk watches on following days, with five over the Quaker Ridge site at the Audubon Center in northwest Greenwich Wednesday and then six over the Chestnut Ridge watch at the Butler Sanctuary in Bedford Thursday.

Also notable is a WESTERN TANAGER reported late this week at Carl Schurz Park in Manhattan, this the same site where one visited this park's feeders all last winter. The feeders are located just off East End Avenue adjacent to about 86th Street.

A NORTHERN SHRIKE was spotted again on Long Island, this one on Wednesday at the North Fork Preserve, north of Sound Avenue in Northville.

An adult BLACK-HEADED GULL was photographed at Plumb Beach on Wednesday.

Waterfowl, still on the increase locally, this week included two TUNDRA SWANS in flight along Bellport Bay yesterday.

The GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE in the Rye area of lower Westchester has still been visiting the pond behind the Rye Ridge shopping center, though on somewhat of an irregular basis, apparently spending most of its time with CANADAS on local golf courses.

A few CACKLING GOOSE reports have included one at Randall's Island yesterday and another back at Arthur J. Hendrickson Park in Valley Stream as of today.

Last Sunday drake EURASIAN WIGEONS were still on the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and on Patchogue Lake, and a drake KING EIDER was again around the entrance to Lake Montauk.

A CATTLE EGRET was seen from Sunday at least to Wednesday near Route 51 in Eastport in fields off Eastport-Manor Road and Head of Neck Road, and an AMERICAN BITTERN was still around Prospect Park Lake at least to Wednesday.

At least three WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were noted yesterday during the morning flight at Robert Moses State Park.

A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was spotted Tuesday at the Marine Park Salt Marsh Nature Center, while VESPER SPARROWS included singles at Bayswater Park and Rockaway Beach in Queens last weekend and two at Croton Point Park in Westchester Wednesday.

A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT visited City Hall Park in lower Manhattan Tuesday and Wednesday.

At least six ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were reported during the week, and various late lingering WARBLERS this week included BLACK-AND-WHITE, TENNESSEE, AMERICAN REDSTART, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and PRAIRIE plus both CANADA and WILSON'S in Prospect Park.

Other late species have included BLUE-HEADED VIREO, HOUSE WREN and BALTIMORE ORIOLE, and a DICKCISSEL was still visiting Inwood Hill Park at least to Tuesday.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.
...Read more

Monday, November 22, 2021

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of November 27-28, 2021:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, November 27, 2021, 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.
View Details


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Gateway National Parks

Fall Hike and Fort Tour at Fort Wadsworth
Every week on Sunday, November 14, 2021 to November 28, 2021, 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Hike the overlook loop, along the paths at Fort Wadsworth. Bring binoculars, and comfortable shoes. Call 718 354-4655 for questions.
Registration: Not registration required.
View Details


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New York City Audubon

Free: Van Cortlandt Park Bird Walks
Saturdays, September 4 - November 27, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: NYC Audubon
Description: Explore Van Cortlandt Park's ecologically diverse grounds and celebrate a long tradition of birding in the park. We will look for various resident and migratory bird species and discuss a wide range of avian topics.
Registration: Via Eventbrite
View Details


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North Shore Audubon Society

Stehli Beach
Saturday, November 27, 2021, 9:30am - 12:00pm
Leader: Lindy (516) 628-1315
Description: See "Walk Locations" for directions. Wear water-resistant footwear, bring binoculars and drinking water. Wear long pants and socks so you do not touch poison ivy.
Registration: Limited registration. You must register via email to nsaudubonsociety@gmail.com, and you will receive a confirmation email. If you become unable to attend, please email to allow someone on the waiting list to take your slot.
View Details


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Queens County Bird Club

Grand Jones Beach
Saturday, November 27, 2021, 8:00am - 3:00pm
Leader: Ian Resnick (917) 626-9562
"Description: We will start this field trip at Jones Beach West End - the gazebo at the boat basin adjoining the Coast Guard Station - see map. We will proceed both on foot and by vehicle to other locales in the Jones Beach area. Please bring lunch.
" Registration: Please contact trip leader for meeting time and location. Ask whether to pack a lunch or whether to plan on eating lunch out.
View Details


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South Shore Audubon Society

Jones Beach Coast Guard Station Parking Area
Sunday, November 28, 2021
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
View Details


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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Birding: Beginner Birding at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
9:00am - 10:00am
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
Sunday, November 28, 2021


Birding: Woodland Birds at Nevada Avenue Parking Lot (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
9:00am - 10:00am
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Please bring your own binoculars.
Free

Birding: Winter Birds at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
10:00am - 11:00am
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Please bring your own binoculars.
Free
...Read more

Saturday, November 20, 2021

New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending Friday, November 19, 2021:

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Nov 19, 2021
* NYNY2111.19



ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
EURASIAN WIGEON
HARLEQUIN DUCK
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER
Red Knot
Long-billed Dowitcher
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Royal Tern
Black Skimmer
Northern Gannet
American Bittern
GOLDEN EAGLE
Bald Eagle
Pine Siskin
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
Vesper Sparrow
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Northern Parula
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
DICKCISSEL

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44nybirdsorg

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, November 19, 2021 at 10:00 pm.

The highlights of today's tape are ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, BLACK-HEADED GULL, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON, HARLEQUIN DUCK, AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, GOLDEN EAGLE, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, CLAY-COLORED and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS, DICKCISSEL and more.

This somewhat less spectacular week than we’d been enjoying recently was highlighted by the discovery today of an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER at Bayswater Park in Queens. This is the third record of this species in the last few years for this park, the entrance to which is located near the intersection of Bay 32nd Street and Dwight Avenue.

Another good find from today during a strong westward flight of gulls off Fort Tilden was an immature BLACK-HEADED GULL spotted moving down the coast.

A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE continuing in the Rye area of lower Westchester is most frequently seen on a pond off Bowman Avenue just behind the Rye Ridge shopping center. The geese roost on this pond often during mid-day before flying off to feed on one of several local golf courses.

Single drake EURASIAN WIGEON have been continuing recently both on the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and on Mill Pond in Oyster Bay, while another recurring individual was back as of today on West Lake in Patchogue.

A young male HARLEQUIN DUCK has been present around the Point Lookout jetties since Wednesday.

An immature AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was still around the pilings off Floyd Bennett Field last Saturday, this spot also attracting a decent number of RED KNOTS recently. A LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was still along Santapogue Creek in West Babylon last Saturday.

Smaller numbers of LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS still remain along Long Island’s south shore, along with some continuing ROYAL TERNS, and three BLACK SKIMMERS were hanging on at Jones Beach West End Wednesday.

Depending on wind and weather conditions, some large concentrations and movement of NORTHERN GANNETS have been taking place recently, mostly along Long Island’s south shore but with smaller numbers also occurring in western Long Island Sound. More unusual, though, was an immature GANNET spotted early Tuesday morning moving south on the Hudson River past Beacon in Dutchess County, a quick shout out on the internet enabling birders to later watch it fly by Inwood Hill Park in northern Manhattan.

Recent strong winds also brought a GOLDEN EAGLE over northern Manhattan today, while 11 BALD EAGLES were counted over Shirley Chisholm State Park in Brooklyn Tuesday.

An AMERICAN BITTERN was photographed at the Marine Park Salt Marsh Nature Center in Brooklyn Tuesday.

A calling LAPLAND LONGSPUR flew over Fort Tilden Sunday, while unusual SPARROWS this week included a CLAY-COLORED at Wolfe's Pond Park on Staten Island Sunday, preceded by a VESPER SPARROW in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx Saturday; two GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS on Long Island featured one Saturday at the East Farm Preserve in Head of the Harbor near Stony Brook and one further east on private property in Mattituck Wednesday.

A lingering ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER continued in Central Park on the west side of the Reservoir at least to yesterday, and among other late warblers were OVENBIRD, BLACK-AND-WHITE, NORTHERN PARULA, BLACKPOLL and BLACK-THROATED BLUE plus a WILSON'S in Prospect Park up to Thursday.

A PINE SISKIN was in Central Park Tuesday, and a DICKCISSEL continued in Inwood Hill Park to last Saturday

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

- End transcript
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Friday, November 19, 2021

Friday's Foto

Red-bellied Woodpecker, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY
As winter approaches, this Red-bellied Woodpecker instinctively begins caching acorns and other nuts for the lean days ahead. This bird gets its name from the pinkish blush on its underside, which is not always very apparent. Previously rare around New York, this species has expanded its range farther north in recent decades. Their breeding range is primarily in eastern North America from Florida to Canada. Making its nest in cavities, they frequently compete with the more aggressive European Starling, who readily evict them from prime locations. The IUCN Red List lists their conservation status as "Least Concern". Their scientific name, Melanerpes carolinus, means black creeper of Carolina.

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

122nd Annual Christmas Bird Count

The 122nd Annual Christmas Bird Count will take place from Tuesday, December 14, 2021 through Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Information on Covid-19 guidelines can be found here. If you'd like to participate below are the contacts for your area within New York State:

Count
Code
Count Name
Contact
Email
Phone
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Friday, December 17, 2021
Saturday, December 18, 2021
NYBR
Brooklyn
Bobbi Manian
roberta.manian@gmail.com
NYDC
Dutchess County
Adrienne Popko
cbc1@watermanbirdclub.org
NYML
Mohonk Lake-Ashokan Res.
Steve M. Chorvas
schorvas@gmail.com
845-246-5900
NYNN
North Nassau
Jennifer Wilson Pines
jwpines@gmail.com
NYOT
Oneonta
Sandy Bright
brights@hartwick.edu
NYST
Schenectady
Larry Alden
overlook@nycap.rr.com
Sunday, December 19, 2021
NYOS
Oswego-Fulton
Bill Purcell
wpurcell@twcny.rr.com
315-382-2871
NYQU
Queens County
Corey Finger
10000birdsblogger@gmail.com
NYRC
Rockland County
Alan Wells
alan.wells@optimum.net
845-942-5751
Monday, December 20, 2021
Friday, December 24, 2021
Sunday, December 26, 2021
NYSR
Southern Rensselaer County
Naomi Lloyd
naomi_kestrel@yahoo.com
518-596-5964
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
NYOO
Oak Orchard Swamp (Iroquois NWR)
Celeste Morien
celeste.morien@gmail.com
585-721-8202
Friday, December 31, 2021
Saturday, January 1, 2022
NYFR
Dunkirk-Fredonia
Joanne Goetz
goetz@netsync.net
716-673-1627
NYOD
Oneida
Bill Purcell
wpurcell@twcny.rr.com
315-382-2871
NYHV
Pawling (Hidden Valley) Count is full; not accepting more participants this year.
CT: Angela Dimmitt NY: Carena Pooth
CT: angeladimmitt@aol.com NY: pawlingcbc@watermanbirdclub.org
CT: 860-355-3429 NY: please email
Sunday, January 2, 2022
NYPC
Putnam County
Charlie Roberto<
chasrob26@gmail.com
845-270-2979
NYTR
Troy
Larry Alden
overlook@nycap.rr.com

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Fall Foliage in Brooklyn

Here's a small selection of recent fall foliage from Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn:

View from Hill of Graves looking West

Maple tree

Laceleaf Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Ornatum')

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Ocean Hill looking southwest

Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

Laceleaf Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Ornatum')

Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba)

Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua)

Monday, November 15, 2021

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of November 20-21, 2021:

Bedford Audubon Society

Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch
August 26, 2021 - November 24, 2021, 9:00am - 5:00 pm
Leader:
Description:It’s officially Hawkwatch Season! Spectacular flocks of Broad-winged Hawks pass through our area in mid-September, but Accipiters such as Sharp-shinned + Cooper’s Hawks provide the most consistent flight throughout the fall hawk-watching season. Join us for Science in Action: Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch to experience the miracle of raptor migration. Our data is combined with other Hawkwatch sites to create population and migration analyses that help us better protect raptors and their habitats. Hawkwatch takes place daily through November, 9:00am-5:00pm (weather permitting). Arthur Butler Sanctuary on Chestnut Ridge Road in Bedford Corners. Registration not necessary, but please abide by current Covid-19 guidelines based on your vaccination status.
Registration: Registration required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713.
View Details


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Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, November 20, 2021, 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.
View Details


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Gateway National Parks

Fall Hike and Fort Tour at Fort Wadsworth
Every week on Sunday, November 14, 2021 to November 28, 2021, 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Hike the overlook loop, along the paths at Fort Wadsworth. Bring binoculars, and comfortable shoes. Call 718 354-4655 for questions.
Registration: Not registration required.
View Details


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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, November 21, 2021, 6:30am - 8:00am
Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful Sunday morning walking tours to discover the many birds that call Green-Wood home.
View Details


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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society

Sea Watch: Crab Meadow Beach
Sunday, November 21, 2021 - 9:00am
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.
View Details


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Linnaean Society of New York

Shirley Chisholm State Park to Jamaica Bay NWR
Saturday, November 20, 2021
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Description: This trip involves visits to many coastal sites ringing Jamaica Bay. It features water birds in the Bay and salt marshes, as well as woodland and brush-loving birds. Sixteen species of duck are usually seen, sometimes including an Eurasian Wigeon, and, more consistently, Redheads in the East Pond. In 2019, a Vesper and a Lincoln’s Sparrow where seen at Shirley Chisholm State Park. The most intriguing sighting included three Tundra Swans at the East Pond of Jamaica Bay. The itinerary for this trip often changes from year to year, and those changes add to the excitement and fun.
Registration: Debbie Mullins - deborramullins3@gmail.com
View Details


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Littoral Society

Winter Waterfowl Workshop
Saturday, November 20, 2021, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Leader: Don Riepe
Description: Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife refuge for a hike around the east and West Ponds to look for migrating and wintering waterfowl.
Registration: For more info contact: don@littoralsociety.org
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New York City Audubon

Free: Van Cortlandt Park Bird Walks
Saturdays, September 4 - November 27, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: NYC Audubon
Description: Explore Van Cortlandt Park's ecologically diverse grounds and celebrate a long tradition of birding in the park. We will look for various resident and migratory bird species and discuss a wide range of avian topics.
Registration: Via Eventbrite
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North Shore Audubon Society

"Duck Walk" starts at Whitney Pond
Saturday, November 20, 2021, 9:30am - 1:00pm
Leader: Jennifer (516) 767-3454
Description: See "Walk Locations" for directions. Wear water-resistant footwear, bring binoculars and drinking water. Wear long pants and socks so you do not touch poison ivy.
Registration: Limited registration. You must register via email to nsaudubonsociety@gmail.com, and you will receive a confirmation email. If you become unable to attend, please email to allow someone on the waiting list to take your slot.
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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

Discovery at Richmond Terrace Waterfront Park (the proposed Kill Van Kull wildlife sanctuary)
Sunday, November 21, 2021, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Leader: Jim Scarcella
Description: Participants will gather across from 2800 Richmond Terrace at the western entrance to this newly created park space. We will look for ducks and geese, an assortment of gulls, black crown night herons, killifish and fiddler crabs with a hike down Richmond Terrace to another hidden salt marsh.
Registration: For more information contact Jim Scarcella, 718-873-4291.
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Queens County Bird Club

South Shore Potpourri
Saturday, November 20, 2021, 8:00am - 3:00pm
Leader: Ian Resnick (917) 626-9562
Description: Explore various duck ponds of the South Shore, starting with Lofts Pond in Baldwin - see map for this location - and heading east to Milburn Creek, Cow Meadow, Cammanns Pond, Mill Pond Park Bellmore, and any other nearby locations that have reported interesting sightings on that day.
Registration: Please contact trip leader for meeting time and location. Ask whether to pack a lunch or whether to plan on eating lunch out.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From the Southern State Parkway, travel west to the Belt Parkway. Exit at Cross Bay Boulevard (Exit 17) south. Continue south on Cross Bay Blvd. through Howard Beach and over the North Channel Bridge (also known as the Congressman Joseph P. Addabbo Bridge). The entrance to the refuge parking lot is on the right side of the road, at a traffic light approximately one and a half miles past the bridge.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Urban Park Rangers

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Baisley Blvd. & 157th Street (in Baisley Pond Park), Queens
1:00am - 2:00pm
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Please bring your own binoculars.
Free
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