Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Saturday, October 19 - Sunday, October 13, 2024:

Bedford Audubon Society

Breakfast with the Hawks
Sunday, October 20, 2024, 9:00am - 11:00am
Leader: Tait Johansson
Description: Hawkwatch continues through mid-November so if you haven’t yet made it to the platform, you don’t want to miss our popular Breakfast with the Hawks at Chestnut Ridge, high above I-684. Naturalist Tait Johansson, Counter Rich Aracil and Director of Conservation and Wildlife Management at Westmoreland Sanctuary Steve Ricker will be on hand to “show and tell” what we are seeing. This much-loved event is timed to take advantage of peak Red-shouldered Hawk migration and is perfect for families. (All children must be accompanied by an adult.) It’s also the time of year for a better chance ofseeing a Golden Eagle! This event is cosponsored by Westmoreland Sanctuary.
Registration: Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate – the trail to the platform is about 1/4 mile, and somewhat steep in parts, with exposed root and rocks, including some smaller loose rocks in places. Registration required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713.
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Brooklyn Bird Club

A Lovely Autumn Day at Floyd Bennett Field
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Leader: Heydi Lopes
Description: This trip focuses on late fall migrants, particularly sparrows (Emberizidae genus), plus raptors in peak, as well as early winter species, namely arriving water fowl and perhaps late shorebirds. There will be concentration on grassland species and possibly a vagrant species.
Registration: Danielle Khalife, email daniellek97@gmail.com
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Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory walk is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons. All levels are welcome.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Eastern Long Island Audubon Society

Fire Island Lighthouse and Hawk Watch
Sunday, October 20, 2024, 8:00am
Leader: __
Description: Always a favorite is our annual trek to FINS, where we will search for migrating songbirds, as well as falcons and hawks. We will meet at the eastern end of Parking Lot 5, and walk the boardwalk trail to the Hawk Watch. From there (depending on bird activity) we will continue approximately one mile to the Fire Island Lighthouse. Again, a boardwalk over the dunes puts us at eye level for any foraging songbirds, and away from the ticks! There is a fee for parking, which is usually collected from 8:00 am on, so arrive early if possible.
Registration: To register please contact Eileen Schwinn at beachmed@optonline.net
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Gateway National Parks

Fort Tilden Hawk Watch
Every week on Saturday, October 19, 2024 to October 26, 2024
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join a Park Ranger for the chance to see hawks like Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles and more as they fly overhead during peak fall bird migration. Learn to ID them by silhouette and at rest. Meet at the Battery Harris viewing platform at Fort Tilden. Rain will cancel this event.
Registration: Reservation or Registration: No.
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, October 20, 2024, 7:15am – 8:45am
Description: No matter when you stop by, you’ll always see a variety of species passing through. By September, offspring of summer’s nesting birds will be on their own. Returning warblers will be in their less flamboyant fall plumage. Large numbers of blackbirds, flycatchers, sparrows, vireos, and swallows will also be passing through. By October, we’ll be on the lookout for returning waterfowl and raptors heading south. November will bring back our overwintering feathered denizens from the north.
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Hudson River Audubon Society

Hawk Day - Lenoir Nature Preserve
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Leader:
Description: Look for hawks heading south, plus, Live Hawks! Meet hawks from falconer, Jim Eyring.
Registration: bochnikm@cs.com
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Linnaean Society of New York

Fort Tilden
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Leader: Richard ZainEldeen
Description: Fort Tilden, on the Rockaway Peninsula in southern Queens, is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, including the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Scheduled to coincide with sparrow migration, this is an excellent location to see a Nelson’s Sparrow among the many other sparrow species. If the wind conditions are right, fall is a great time for seeing migrating raptors including Accipiters, Falcons, Buteos in the sky. Late warblers, vireos, and other passerines also visit this area, and the Royal Terns never disappoint.
Registration: Matthew Fischer — matthewwfischer@gmail.com
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NYC Bird Alliance

RBESNA Birding
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 9:30am - 11:00am
Leader: Russell Jacobs
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) to explore the Rockaway Beach Endangered Species Nesting Area (RBESNA). This stretch of beach is closed during the summer breeding season for nesting shorebirds like Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and Black Skimmers, as it becomes a vital foraging habitat in the fall for sandpipers and other shorebirds making their way south. The extensive dune vegetation provides habitat for a variety of sparrows and other birds stopping over in New York City, while sea ducks, grebes, and loons overwinter just offshore.
Registration: Registration page
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7th Annual Raptorama! Part 2: Marine Park
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Leader:
Description: It's that time of the year again, time for Raptorama! For Part 2 of this annual festival, meet us at Marine Park's Salt Marsh Nature Center to learn about hawks, eagles, owls, and more. See some of these amazing raptors during a live demonstration, and go on walks with experts to get a look at hawk species flying south for the winter.
Registration: Registration link to come.
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Governors Island Bird Tour
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Leader:
Description: Nearly 240 bird species have been spotted on Governors 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 birdlife the island has to offer. Binoculars are available to borrow.
Registration: Registration not required. No limit. Free.
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Pelham Bay Park Birding
Sunday, October 20, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Rich Aracil
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) to explore New York City's largest park this fall. 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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North Shore Audubon Society

Jones Beach Coast Guard Station
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Leader: Jennifer (516) 767-3454
Description: US Coast Guard Station - Jones Beach, Freeport, NY 11520
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

The Richard Buegler 10-Mile Fall Greenbelt Hike
Sunday, October 20, 2024, 9:15pm – 4:00pm
Leader: Dominick Durso
Description: Meet at the Carousel at Willowbrook Park at the Eton Place entrance. Bring water and lunch, wear sturdy shoes, dress appropriately for the weather and be sure to confirm that the walk is not cancelled due to forecasted storms.
Registration: To confirm a day prior, please call Dominick Durso at (917) 478-7607 or e-mail Protectors at PPOW@siprotectors.org.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Massapequa Preserve
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From Sunrise Highway, turn north onto Broadway, Massapequa. Travel under the Long Island Rail Road overpass, then make the first right onto Veterans Boulevard (headed east). Go past the Massapequa train station and into the parking lot at the east end of the station. The preserve is directly east of the parking lot.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Urban Park Rangers

Sunday, October 20, 2024
Birding With Ryan at East 4th Street Community Garden at East Fourth Street Community Garden, Brooklyn
10:00am – 12:00pm
We'll check the garden's trees for migrating birds and the skies for passing hawks, and we'll also talk about birding in the city and the wonders of migration.
Free

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Best of Fortnight

Here's are a few of my favorite photos from the first two weeks of October.

Cape May Warbler

Immature Red-tailed Hawk

Hermit Thrush

Northern Flicker

American Kestrel

Gray Catbird

Cape May Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Blue Aster

Red-eyed Vireo

Song Sparrow

Scarlet Tanager

Blue-headed Vireo

Eastern Phoebe

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Week 40 - Green-Wood Cemetery

Forgive my late posting, I was distracted by New York Mets post-season excitement. That said...

We just finished week 40 at Green-Wood Cemetery, which means we are a little over 3/4 of the way through 2024. Here are a few of my observations from last week.

Diversity and abundance of sparrows has steadily increased, with many more Swamp, White-throated and Chipping Sparrows arriving. I've also heard and seen a few Eastern Towhees. Indigo Buntings have been in the area and I spotted my first Fall Blue Grosbeak.

Eastern Towhee

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Indigo Bunting

Blue Grosbeak

As the days become shorter and the temperatures drop less insects become available for warblers to eat. More seed eating species arrive and the insectivores depart. There were still a few warbler species around, and the only species that increased in abundance were the hardier Yellow-rumped and Palm Warbler. In addition, the diminutive Ruby-crowned Kinglet is suddenly plentiful.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Palm Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Cape May Warbler

Pine Warbler

Bay-breasted Warbler

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Brown Creepers have arrived and will be seen through much of the winter. Veery and Swainson's Thrush have left the area and have been replaced by the hardier Hermit Thrush. A small number of the Hermit Thrushes will actually stay the winter. Eastern Phoebes have also increased in number, but will head south once the weather gets colder. I was surprised to see a Marsh Wren foraging at the wildflower meadow. As the name suggests, they are primarily found in wetland habitats.

Brown Creeper

Hermit Thrush

Eastern Phoebe

Marsh Wren

The cycle of fruiting plants and the animals that eat them continues to evolve with the season. The last of the fruiting dogwoods have been exhausted but the two Winged Euonymus trees in the cemetery are still feeding the hungry birds. Some of the crabapple are the focus of the birds and, in coming weeks, they will switch over to the Green Hawthorns.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Scarlet Tanager

Red-eyed Vireo

Gray Catbird

Green Hawthorn

Crabapple

Raptors are heading south, with some stopping off at Green-Wood Cemetery to spend the winter. At least one Cooper's Hawk has been hunting pigeons around the periphery of the cemetery. I've spotted several Bald Eagles passing overhead and a few Turkey Vutures. Merlins are on the move with Green-Wood being a favorite stop off. We usually see one or two overwintering here.

Bald Eagle

Turkey Vulture

We've seen the last of most species of butterfly, but I still encountered at least a few Monarchs heading south.

Monarch butterfly

There was still a profusion of asters, Goldenrod, Boneset, White Snakeroot and other wildflower in bloom.

Assorted wildflower behind chapel

White Wood-Asters

Smooth Blue Aster

Finally, two trees that were flaunting their fruits were American Chestnut and Blue Atlas Cedar.

American Chestnut

Blue Atlas Cedar

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Wednesday, October 9 - Sunday, October 13, 2024:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Prospect Park Saturday Fall Migration Walks
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 7:30am
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik
Description: Walks typically go into early afternoon or later if the birding is great. Bring water, snacks and/or a sandwich if you plan to stay the whole duration–but feel free to leave whenever you want.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory walk is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons. All levels are welcome.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Feminist Bird Club

NYC - Guided Birding at the Naval Cemetery Landscape
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 9:00am - 11:00am
Leaders: Alex Tey, Feminist Bird Club
Description: Explore a native pollinator meadow and memorial landscape. The fall bird event will be a rare chance to see the Naval Cemetery Landscape (NCL) in earlier morning hours (prime time for bird activity). Participants will have a chance to see many of the 79+ species that have been observed here, including some species such as chimney swifts seen year round at the landscape but rare to the Brooklyn area plus fall migrating birds.
Registration: Registration page
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Gateway National Parks

7th Annual Raptorama at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 10:00am — 1:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center to learn all about the hawks and owls of Jamaica Bay. See some of these amazing raptors during a live demonstration and go on walks with NPS Rangers and partners to get a look at hawk species flying south for the winter.
Registration: Reservation or Registration: No.
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Great South Bay Audubon Society

Caumsett SP
October 12, 2024, 8:30am - 12:00pm
Leader: John Gluth, Ken Thompson
Description: Park is located at 25 Lloyd Harbor Rd, Lloyd Harbor, NY 11743.
Registration: info@greatsouthbayaudubon.org
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Wednesday, October 9, 2024, 7:00am – 8:30am
Description: No matter when you stop by, you’ll always see a variety of species passing through. By September, offspring of summer’s nesting birds will be on their own. Returning warblers will be in their less flamboyant fall plumage. Large numbers of blackbirds, flycatchers, sparrows, vireos, and swallows will also be passing through. By October, we’ll be on the lookout for returning waterfowl and raptors heading south. November will bring back our overwintering feathered denizens from the north.
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Hudson River Audubon Society

The Big Sit and Hawk Watch
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Leader:
Description: Rain Date Sunday Oct 13. Enjoy birds without an effort! The object of the "BIG SIT" is find as many bird species in a day from a single position. We'll be at our hawk watch sight at Lenoir; overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades. Bring a chair, drink and snacks and join us anytime on that day and help us find the birds!
Registration: bochnikm@cs.com
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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society

Heckscher State Park
Sunday, October 13, 2024 - 9:00am
Leader: _____
Description: A late fall excursion here will be sure to uncover some lingering songbird and shorebird migrants and early arriving waterfowl. But the real treat should be the migrating butterflies that travel along the dunes, drinking from the seaside goldenrod flowers. We may even be able to catch and tag a few for scientific research.
Registration: To register, call (585) 880-0915.
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Linnaean Society of New York

Floyd Bennett Field
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Leader: Rob Jett
Description: Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places for its historic significance, Floyd Bennett Field’s 1,280 acres feature one of the few remaining grasslands within New York City. Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area and located in southwestern Brooklyn, it is a major birding destination with a freshwater pond, successive upland areas, wooded campgrounds, and extensive coastal views of Jamaica Bay. The number of bird species recorded at Floyd Bennett Field totals 281. October is sparrow season, and we should expect to observe anywhere from 10-14 different species on a good day. Over the grasslands, expect to see American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and more.
Registration: Debbie Mullins — deborramullins3@gmail.com
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Randall’s Island
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Leader: Alan Drogin
Description: Randall’s Island is unique as it provides one of the only salt marshes in the borough of Manhattan. Historically, this location was not known as a popular birding destination for New York City birders. However, the island became a birding hotspot after Alan Drogin discovered Nelson’s Sparrows in the northeast section near the backstop of field 42 in the Bronx Kill salt marsh in 2012. Since then, mid-October has been the time to bird Randall’s for sparrows—Savannah, Swamp, Song, Chipping, Field, and an occasional Vesper, but especially the elusive Ammodramus sparrows of the marshes—Nelson’s, Saltmarsh, Seaside. We also get late-migrating warblers and, sometimes, interesting gulls.
Registration: Dom Ricci — domricci@gmail.com
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NYC Bird Alliance

Intro to Birding in Marine Park on World Migratory Bird Day
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader:
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) and explore the beauty of Brooklyn’s largest green space, Marine Park, on World Migratory Bird Day! Consisting of grassland and salt marshes, this park is habitat for a variety of migratory songbirds and waterbirds. This series is hosted in partnership with the Marine Park Alliance.
Registration: No registration required. No limit. Free.
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World Migratory Bird Day Birding at Conference House Park
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Anthony Ciancimino
Description: Discover a diversity of early spring migrants with longtime birder and Staten Island resident, Anthony Ciancimino on World Migratory Bird Day! Expect to see a variety of species of songbirds, including warblers, vireos, and tanagers. Waterfowl can be present in numbers off the beach and ponds as well.
Registration: Registration page
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World Migratory Bird Day Birding at Van Cortlandt Park Birding
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Woo Sung Park
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) on a bird tour in one of the Bronx's largest green spaces on World Migratory Bird Day! Participants will look for various species of resident and migrant birds and discuss a wide range of avian topics. This event is held in partnership with Van Cortlandt Park Alliance.
Registration: Registration page
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World Migratory Bird Day Birding at Crotona Park Birding
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Rich Aracil
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) bird guide and Bronxite, Rich Aracil, and explore the beautiful Crotona Park on World Migratory Bird Day! Its meadows, flowering trees, and sizable pool provide excellent habitat for a variety of birds including woodpeckers, warblers, and wading birds.
Registration: Registration page
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Bilingual Birding at Alley Pond Park
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Oliver Lopez
Description: Alley Pond Park is an ecological treasure. Containing both fresh and saltwater wetlands, forests, tidal flats, meadows, and glacier-formed landscape, this park supports a vast array of birds. Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) on World Migratory Bird Day for a stroll through this green space in English and Spanish, led by naturalist Oliver Lopez.
Registration: Registration page
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7th Annual Raptorama! Part 1: Jamaica Bay
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Leader:
Description: It's that time of the year again, time for Raptorama! Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center to learn about the hawks and owls of Jamaica Bay. See some of these amazing raptors during a live demonstration, and go on walks with experts to get a look at hawk species flying south for the winter.
Registration: Registration link to come.
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Accessible Birding in Fort Tryon Park on World Migratory Bird Day
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Alexandra Wang
Description: This World Migratory Bird Day enjoy the beautiful Fort Tryon Park as it commands sweeping views of the Palisades and the Hudson River from soaring cliffs of bedrock in northern Manhattan. Past encounters include a variety of birds such as Bald Eagles and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
Registration: Registration page
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Governors Island Bird Tour on World Migratory Bird Day
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Leader:
Description: October 12 in World Migratory Bird Day! Nearly 240 bird species have been spotted on Governors 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 birdlife the island has to offer. Binoculars are available to borrow.
Registration: Registration not required. No limit. Free.
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Intro to Birding at Van Cortlandt Park
Sunday, October 13, 2024, 8:00am - 11:00am
Leader: Tod Winston
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance's (formerly NYC Audubon) Tod Winston on an Intro to Birding tour in one of the Bronx's largest green spaces. Participants will look for various species of residents and migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics.
Registration: Registration page
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Birds, Boats, and Bivalves on the Bronx River
Sunday, October 13, 2024, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Leader:
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon), Bronx River Alliance, and Billion Oyster Project for a special event featuring not only birds but also oysters! This guided tour takes paddlers through the lower saltwater portion of the Bronx River (to the river mouth and back), featuring a duality of estuarine and urban habitat that is also home to an oyster bed regularly monitored by Billion Oyster Project and Bronx River Alliance. Come and learn how birds, oysters, and other wildlife coexist and depend on the Bronx River for resources. Binoculars and other equipment will be provided.
Registration: Registration page
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Canarsie Park Birding
Sunday, October 13, 2024, 9:30am - 11:00am
Leader: Russell Jacobs
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) bird guide, Russell Jacobs, and visit the coastal woodlands, tidal channel, and one of the only freshwater ponds in Brooklyn. Expect to see herons, shorebirds, flycatchers, vireos, warblers, and sparrows. All birding levels welcome!
Registration: Registration page
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NYC Queer Birders

Highbridge Park
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 7:30am
Leader: Leo Wexler-Mann
Description: Meet at W. 158th St. and Edgecombe Ave.
Registration:
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North Fork Audubon Society

Inlet Pond County Park: Exploring Health and Conservation
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader:
Description: Join us in collaboration with Suffolk County Department of Health, Office of Minority Health, Long Island Sound Study, Sea Grant New York and Suffolk County Parks in a community walk with health professionals & environmental conservationists. We will chat about health and how to access to clean outdoor spaces, can impact us and the environment. You can ask health questions, bird watch, & learn about preserving our Long Island Sound.
Registration: Registration page
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North Shore Audubon Society

Forest Park
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 8:00am – 11:00am
Leader: Michelle (347) 526-0598
Description: FALL BIG DAY
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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Queens County Bird Club

Big Sit
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Leader: Corey Finger - 10000birdsblogger@gmail.com
Description: The QCBC "Big Sit" takes place from dawn to dusk. You may come and go as you choose. Park in the lot shown in the map. Then, proceed west on Range Road (may also be called Murray Rd or Center Rd) until you reach the observation platform near Battery Harris East. You need to climb up several flights of stairs to access the platform.
Registration: Please contact trip leader for meeting time and location.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Mill Pond Park
Sunday, October 13, 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, October 12, 2024

Birding with an Indigenous Perspective at Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
9:30am – 11:00am
Join Bronx-based BIPOC birder Haley Scott from the Feminist Bird Club on a birding walk with an indigenous perspective.
Free

Birding: Fall Migration at Hanover Avenue and Palma Drive (in Eibs Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00am – 12:30pm
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Eib's Pond Park to look for fall birds that include warblers, raptors and more!
Free

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Week 39 - Green-Wood Cemetery

From September 23rd to the 29th we saw quite a bit of rain. I went out on some of those days, but the conditions kept me from taking many photos. We were still seeing a lot of warblers in the area, with a increase in Palm Warbler abundance. Look for flocks of these tail bobbing birds walking through areas of open grass. Yellow-rumped Warblers, typically a late arrival and half-hardy, are starting to make their presence known around the cemetery. I noticed their soft, "pip" call for the first time this season on Tuesday. It was interesting to note a large number of warblers foraging for insects in a Wych Elm near Sylvan Water the previous Sunday. That tree continued to see many birds feeding in it through to Friday. I photographed the small, winged insects on the tree that they were eating, but can't identify them.

Palm Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

American Redstart

Cape May Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Insects in Wych Elm

Other migrant birds that caught my attention last week were several Winter Wrens, the return of White-breasted Nuthatches, a few Indigo Buntings, a pair of Merlins and a very aggressive immature Sharp-shinned Hawk. The hawk was chasing pretty much every perceived competitor in sight. A few times I witnessed three-way skirmishes between kestrels, Merlins and said sharpie.

Winter Wren

White-breasted Nuthatch

Indigo Bunting

Immature Sharp-shinned Hawk

On Friday I experience an extremely unusual occurance at Sylvan Water. Solitary Sandpipers are seen in the cemetery during migration feeding around the edges of the water bodies. As their name suggests, they are usually solo or with one other individual. On Friday, however, as I circled the lake, I spotted one, then another, then another...I tried to convince myself that I was double counting them. I shot video as I panned along the shoreline. All told, there were 17 not-so Solitary Sandpipers. There was a lonely 18th at Crescent Water. This was by far the most Solitary Sandpipers that I'd ever seen together anywhere in NYC. Pretty cool.

10 of the 17 Solitary Sandpipers

All of the various oak species are in the process of dropping their acorns, adorning the ground with their diverse size, shape and colored nuts.

Acorns

The fruit of the Wing Euonymus trees have ripened and are attracting a lot of songbirds. A favorite spot to check near Twilight Dell was loaded with hungry Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Red-eyed Vireo, Gray Catbird, mockingbird and a fairly late in the season Great Crested Flycatcher.

Scarlet Tanager in Winged Euonymus

Likely triggered by all the wet weather, I noticed even more Honey mushrooms sprouting up. In addition, I found a few fresh clusters of Hen of the Woods.

Honey mushrooms

Hen of the Woods