The City Birder: Week 18 - Green-Wood Cemetery

Monday, May 06, 2024

Week 18 - Green-Wood Cemetery

Last week saw the greatest diversity of bird species in the cemetery so far this spring. I also noticed some changes in a few of the local species.

There are literally dozens of robins now on nests. Some are more obvious than others. This individual has an annual nest on top of a mausoleum doorway next to Crescent Water. I haven't seen any nestlings yet, but expect to within the next week or two.

American Robin

The first Mallard ducklings of the season have hatched. Every year this particular mother hatches her young at Sylvan Water, then makes the precarious journey through the adjacent neighborhood to Prospect Park. A few of my friends have been on hand to monitor them along the way. This year one of the ducklings fell into a drain, but was saved by one of New York's bravest from the FDNY.

Mallard with ducklings

Our resident Monk Parakeets have a very diverse diet and, depending on the time of year, can be found feeding in different parts of the cemetery. Right now they can be found walking around in the grass munching on the superabundant dandelions.

Monk Parakeet

The mudflats at Sylvan Water continue to attract migrating shorebirds. Last week Solitary Sandpipers were joined by several Spotted Sandpipers.

Spotted Sandpiper

Blue-headed Vireo had been the only vireo species observed, but last week both Warbling Vireo and White-eyed Vireo arrived. Some of the former will remain and nest high in the trees next to the ponds.

White-eyed Vireo

Status and abundance of sparrow species shifted dramatically last week. Previously, Dark-eyed Junco had been the dominant sparrow. Most have now departed. White-throated Sparrows have increased with flocks moving through Brooklyn headed north. I noticed more Field Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows and Eastern Towhees. In addition, a rare Grasshopper Sparrow has spent several days in the cemetery and the first White-crowned Sparrow was seen.

Grasshopper Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Everybody's favorites, the Wood-Warblers, increased in numbers and diversity considerably last week. On Tuesday, my friend Steve and I observed 17 species of warbler, with a few of the scarcer species seen in multiples. Here's our list of warblers from that morning: Ovenbird, Worm-eating Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Waterthrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Palm Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler.

Ovenbird

Northern Waterthrush

Black-and-white Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Worm-eating Warbler

Hooded Warbler

Prairie Warbler

My friend Michael found this Northern Parula in distress and brought it to the Wild Bird Fund for treatment. Just a reminder of the perilous journey these tiny songbirds face twice a year on migration.

Northern Parula

Here are a few of the wildflowers that I noticed flowering last week.

Spanish Bluebells

Wild Geranium

Wild Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum)

Azaleas are now an explosion of color throughout the cemetery. The diversity is amazing. They range in color from white to pink to red to salmon and sporting small, medium or large blossoms. Pollinators have much to choose from on this menu.

Azalea

Azalea and Japanese Maple

Azalea and Bumblebee

Here are several trees (and a vine) blooming or beginning to bloom last week.

Lilac

Paw Paw

Japanese Bitter-orange

Doubleline Viburnum

Wisteria

During late-April and early-May many of the oak trees sprout dangling flowers called catkins. Those in turn attract insects, the targets of thousands of migrating birds. By the end of last week many of the oaks had begun to drop their catkins. Other trees will take their place as the destination for hungry insectivores in search of a meal.