Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, May 26, 2018 to Monday, May 28, 2018:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, May 26, 2018, 12pm – 1pm
Introduction to Birdwatching
Join Prospect Park Alliance every Saturday for a birdwatching tour to learn about Prospect Park’s magnificent array of birds and how to identify them!

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Doodletown, Harriman State Park
Leader: Rafael Campos
Focus: early breeding birds, late migrants
Car Fee: $25.00
Registrar: Marisa Wohl email marisaw@earthlink.net
Registration Period: May 19th – May 24th
Note: group limit is 16 members

Saturday, May 26, 2018, 7:15am
Prospect Park Saturday Walk
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik Meet at Ocean/Parkside Avenues, “The Pergola” at 7:15 am No registration necessary.

Please review our general trip information and guidelines on this page.

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Gateway National Recreation Area
Saturday, May 26, 2018, 10:00am to 11:00am
Birding by the Bay
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fees: Free
Ranger-led nature walk.
View Details

Saturday, May 26, 2018, 11:00am to 12:30pm
May Flowers: A Wildflower Exploration
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fees: Free
Spring Naturalist Series: Each week through the spring, join us to learn more about the ecology of Jamaica Bay.
View Details

Sunday, May 27, 2018, 10:00am to 11:30am
Osprey Watch Guided Walk
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fees: free
Learn all about the amazing osprey on this guided walk of the West Pond Trail.
View Details

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Green-Wood Cemetery
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Birding in Peace
Peak Spring Migration Birding
From Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to over 20 species of colorful wood-warblers, our peak migration tours will feature many of the 163 bird species that have been recorded at Green-Wood during the month of May. Beginning just after sunrise, we will experience spring’s dawn chorus at the active time of day for birds.

Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful Saturday/Sunday morning walking tours to discover the many birds that call Green-Wood home. Green-Wood’s official birding checklist is available to pick up from the security guard at the main entrance on 25th Street or to print here. Comfortable footwear is recommended.

$10 for members of Green-Wood and BHS / $15 for non-members

Click here for our inclement weather policy.

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturdays -- 11:00 a.m.
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11am to 12:30pm beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Included in All-Garden Pass
Get Tickets

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, May 26, 2018, 9:00am – 10:30am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walks
Guide: NYC Audubon with the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy
Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature Center. The history of birding and Van Cortlandt Park are inseparable. Influential birders such as Roger Tory Peterson and Allan D. Cruickshank got their starts on Van Cortlandt’s ecologically diverse grounds. These walks celebrate the tradition set by these great ornithologists. Participants will look for various species of residents and migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. For more information, call 212-691-7483. No registration necessary. No limit. Free

Saturday, May 26, 2018, 2pm – 3pm
Governors Island Bird Walk
Saturdays May 26, June 2, June 23, 2-3pm
Sundays, May 20, June 10, June 17 and June 24 2–3pm
Guide: NYC Audubon
Meet at Nolan Park house #17. Join us for a bird walk around beautiful and historic Governors Island, which boasts over 192 species recorded on ebird.org. Learn about the island’s fascinating history and search for waterbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and more. Binoculars are available. No registration necessary. No limit. Free

Sunday, May 27, 2018, 9:30am – 10:30am
Queens Botanical Garden Bird Walks
Guide: NYC Audubon with Queens Botanical Garden
Explore Queens Botanical Garden in search of migrant songbirds and learn about the valuable resources the Garden offers birds and other wildlife. Binoculars available. Register for one date or the whole series of five walks (walk-ins welcome). To register, email info@queensbotanical.org or visit www.queensbotanical.org/calendar. Each walk limited to 25. Free (with Garden admission)

Monday, May 28, 2018, 8am – 9am
Birding Tours of Bryant Park
Guide: Gabriel Willow with Bryant Park Corporation
Meet at the Birding Tour sign at the 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue entrance to the Park. Discover the surprising variety of birds that stop in Bryant Park during migration. No registration necessary. No limit. Free

Monday, May 28, 2018, 5pm – 8pm
ALS Jamaica Bay Sunset Cruise
Guide: Don Riepe with American Littoral Society and Gateway National Recreation Area
NOTE: Due to a scheduling conflict, the date of this cruise has been changed from Sunday, May 27, to Monday, May 28.
Meet at Pier 4 in Sheepshead Bay to board the “Golden Sunshine.” Learn about the Bay and its history, management, and ecology. See egrets, herons, ibis, terns, gulls, falcons, and shorebirds. Includes wine and cheese, fruit, drinks, and snacks.
For information and reservations, contact Don Riepe at 718-474-0896 or donriepe@gmail.com. Limited to 140. $55

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North Shore Audubon
Saturday, May 26, 2018, 9:30am – 12:00pm
Nassau County Museum of Art
Leader: Joyce (516) 621-6678‬
Where: Nassau County Museum of Art, One Museum Dr, Roslyn, NY 11576, USA (map)

Please inform walk leader that you are attending.
See "Walk Locations" for directions.
Park in the circle in front of the big house.
Wear water-resistant footwear, bring binoculars and drinking water. Wear long pants and socks so you do not touch poison ivy.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Sunday, May 27, 2018, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Corson’s Brook Woods Wildflower Watch
Join us as we study the progress of wildflowers over the course of the spring in this unique and undisturbed natural area. Park at Jasper Street and For­est Hill Road and meet across the street at the corner of the entrance to the College of Staten Island. Bring field guides. Regis­tration is required. Please contact Hillel at 718-477-0545 or e-mail hillel5757@gmail.com. Please provide a cell phone contact.
Read More

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Point Lookout Town Park (and Lido Preserve afterwards)
From the Southern State Parkway, exit onto the Meadowbrook State Parkway south. Exit from the Meadowbrook at Loop Parkway (just before the Jones Beach toll booths) toward Point Lookout. The Loop Parkway ends west of Point Lookout at Lido Boulevard. Continue straight across Lido Boulevard into Point Lookout Park. Travel past the ticket booths and curve left into the very large parking lot on the south side of the park. Park in the southeast corner, closest to the private homes of the village of Point Lookout and the beach. We will walk east along the beach toward Jones Inlet. After returning to the parking lot, we will drive west on Lido Boulevard to Lido Beach Passive Nature Preserve on the north side of Lido Boulevard to walk through the bay marsh.
Directions to Point Lookout Park via Google Maps | Directions to Lido Beach Passive Nature Preserve via Google Maps

Bird walks led by a member of SSAS are conducted nearly every Sunday morning from late August through early June. Walks are open to the public and are free of charge. We especially encourage youngsters to attend.
All walks start at 9:00am
There is no walk if it rains or snows or temperature is below 25°F.
For more information or in case of questionable weather conditions, please phone Joe at 516 467-9498.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Bird Walks at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Join NYC Audubon on a walk through the park to observe the many species of birds in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!

Animal of the Month Club: Great Blue Heron at Wolfe's Pond Park Comfort Station (in Wolfe's Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join our park rangers at Wolfe's Pond for a chance to view and learn more about the Great Blue Heron, a little known resident species of Staten Island.
Free!

Sunday, May 27, 2018
Birding at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free!

Monday, May 28, 2018
Bryant Park Spring Birding Tours at Heiskell Plaza (in Bryant Park), Manhattan
8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Discover the surprising diversity of birds that call Bryant Park home during migratory season with guided tours.
Free!

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Wild Bird Fund
Saturday, May 26, 2018, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Focus on the Birds with Charles Chessler
WHERE: Starts at Wild Bird Fund at 565 Columbus Avenue, and then travel to Central Park
COST: $20 per person, $15 for members!
Join WBF and native New York photographer Charles Chessler for a fun couple of hours learning how best to capture the beautiful birds that visit and make Central Park their home. At 10:00 AM Charles will spend a half hour discussing some basic photographic concepts and best…
Find out more » ...Read more

New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending Friday, May 18, 2018:

- RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* May. 18, 2018
* NYNY1805.18

- Birds mentioned
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK+
BICKNELL'S THRUSH+
KIRTLAND'S WARBLER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Sooty Shearwater
Northern Gannet
Cattle Egret
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher
Philadelphia Vireo
Prothonotary Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Lark Sparrow
Summer Tanager
Blue Grosbeak

- 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

Compilers: Tom Burke and Tony Lauro
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, May 18th 2018 at 10pm. The highlights of today's tape are KIRTLAND'S WARBLER, BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK, PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, KENTUCKY WARBLER, SUMMER TANAGER, BLUE GROSBEAK, BICKNELL'S THRUSH, LARK SPARROW, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and much more.

Thankfully for hundreds of birders the wonderful KIRTLAND'S WARBLER found Friday afternoon in Central Park did remain in the same general area for all of Saturday and into Sunday morning. Attracting quite a crowd the KIRTLAND'S lingered in oaks around the northwestern corner of the reservoir until sometime after 10am on Sunday morning when it moved off and could not be relocated. This constitutes the first confirmed downstate record for New York and only the fourth overall.

This exemplified by Central Park and other city parks. It was a good week for migrants in general despite some rather unfriendly and unseasonal weather, a couple of PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS were seen in Central Saturday, one also Sunday and that park also produced KENTUCKY WARBLER and a few arriving MOURNING WARBLERS plus a CERULEAN WARBLER Monday. Also noteworthy but on the unfortunate side a number of migrants were found dead Tuesday beneath a glass building at 110th Street in the northwestern corner of Central Park. One that might fortunately survive was a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER.

Central Park is a large migrant trap and thus a good barometer on regional migration did feature an expected variety of warblers with some in pleasantly high numbers including CAPE MAY, BAY-BREASTED, WILSON'S and others, one or two or more SUMMER TANAGERS and BLUE GROSBEAKS, a full complement of flycatchers featuring OLIVE-SIDED, ACADIAN and YELLOW-BELLIED. A variety of thrushes including a singing BICKNELL'S and even PHILADELPHIA VIREO attest to the strategic value of locations like Central and our other major city parks but even the scattered vest pocket parks can be quite productive. For instance, birds reported at Madison Square Park Wednesday and Thursday included PROTHONOTARY, KENTUCKY, MOURNING and HOODED and Bryant Park addend another MOURNING.

Another nice surprise this week was a BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK spotted Wednesday morning in a flock of Brant grazing on the ballfields at Calvert Vaux Park in Brooklyn. Shortly thereafter the flock was flushed and the WHISTLING-DUCK has not been relocated.

Today a LARK SPARROW was found at Shore Road Park in Brooklyn.

A CATTLE EGRET photographed on Governors Island last Sunday may be the same one showing up at Croton Point Park in Westchester today.

A seawatch from Robert Moses State Park this morning counted 19 SOOTY SHEARWATERS and 27 NORTHERN GANNETS as well as a continuation of the spring buildup of LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS but about 15 of these, mostly immatures, also noted there.

A PHILADELPHIA VIREO was present at the Rye Nature Center Wednesday morning, a KENTUCKY WARBLER was found at Watch Hill on Fire Island Tuesday and a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER continues at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum.

Unfortunately the pelagic trip scheduled to leave Brooklyn Sunday evening has been canceled due to lack of participation. It seems rather shocking that given our birding populace we cannot generate enough enthusiasm to take advantage of these wonderful opportunities to get well offshore.

To phone in reports on Long Island call Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126 or 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

Big Day Summary

Last Saturday was World Migratory Bird Day. Created to raise awareness of the plight of bird species worldwide, it was also an opportunity to collect pledges, as well as, show off one's bird finding chops.



The Red-eyed Blearios team was composed of Chris Eliot, myself, Josh Malbin, Shane Blodgett, Mike Yuan and Heydi Lopes. Competing against several other teams in Kings County, we started our day at 4:30am at Floyd Bennett Field. Our first bird of the day was American Woodcock. We ended our day 16 hours and 134 species later. Our total was 87% of the 154 species recorded by all of the Brooklyn teams. The moneys raised in Brooklyn went to the organization Wildlife in Need of Rescue & Rehabilitation (WINORR). Below are a few pics from the day followed by our final tally of bird species. You can read a short piece on the Global Bird Day here.















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Date: Saturday, May 12, 2018
Locations: Calvert Vaux Park (Dreier-Offerman Park), Ceasar's Bay Bazaar, Floyd Bennett Field, Green-Wood Cemetery, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge--Terrapin Point (Brooklyn), Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge--West Pond, Plumb Beach, Prospect Park, Salt Marsh Nature Center at Marine Park, Shore Road Park
Species: 134

1) Snow Goose
2) Brant
3) Canada Goose
4) Mute Swan
5) Wood Duck
6) Gadwall
7) Mallard
8) American Black Duck
9) Lesser Scaup
10) Bufflehead
11) Red-breasted Merganser
12) Ruddy Duck
13) Common Loon
14) Double-crested Cormorant
15) Great Blue Heron
16) Great Egret
17) Snowy Egret
18) Little Blue Heron
19) Green Heron
20) Black-crowned Night-Heron
21) Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
22) Glossy Ibis
23) Osprey
24) Broad-winged Hawk
25) Red-tailed Hawk
26) Clapper Rail
27) American Coot
28) American Oystercatcher
29) Black-bellied Plover
30) Semipalmated Plover
31) Killdeer
32) Ruddy Turnstone
33) Red Knot
34) Dunlin
35) Least Sandpiper
36) Semipalmated Sandpiper
37) Short-billed Dowitcher
38) American Woodcock
39) Spotted Sandpiper
40) Solitary Sandpiper
41) Greater Yellowlegs
42) Willet
43) Lesser Yellowlegs
44) Laughing Gull
45) Ring-billed Gull
46) Herring Gull
47) Great Black-backer Gull
48) Least Tern
49) Common Tern
50) Forster's Tern
51) Black Skimmer
52) Rock Pigeon
53) Mourning Dove
54) Yellow-billed Cuckoo
55) Chimney Swift
56) Ruby-throated Hummingbird
57) Belted Kingfisher
58) Red-bellied Woodpecker
59) Downy Woodpecker
60) Hairy Woodpecker
61) Northern Flicker
62) Peregrine Falcon 63) Monk Parakeet
64) Eastern Wood-Pewee
65) Least Flycatcher
66) Eastern Phoebe
67) Great Crested Flycatcher
68) Eastern Kingbird
69) White-eyed Vireo
70) Blue-headed Vireo
71) Warbling Vireo
72) Red-eyed Vireo
73) Blue Jay
74) American Crow
75) Fish Crow
76) Northern Rough-winged Swallow
77) Tree Swallow
78) Barn Swallow
79) Black-capped Chickadee
80) Tufted Titmouse
81) House Wren
82) Carolina Wren
83) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
84) Ruby-crowned Kinglet
85) Veery
86) Swainson's Thrush
87) Wood Thrush
88) American Robin
89) Gray Catbird
90) Brown Thrasher
91) Northern Mockingbird
92) European Starling
93) Cedar Waxwing
94) Ovenbird
95) Northern Waterthrush
96) Black-and-white Warbler
97) Tennessee Warbler
98) Nashville Warbler
99) Common Yellowthroat
100) American Redstart
101) Cape May Warbler
102) Northern Parula
103) Magnolia Warbler
104) Bay-breasted Warbler
105) Blackburnian Warbler
106) Yellow Warbler
107) Chestnut-sided Warbler
108) Blackpoll Warbler
109) Black-throated Blue Warbler
110) Pine Warbler
111) Yellow-rumped Warbler
112) Prairie Warbler
113) Black-throated Green Warbler
114) Canada Warbler
115) Wilson's Warbler
116) Seaside Sparrow
117) Chipping Sparrow
118) Field Sparrow
119) White-throated Sparrow
120) Savannah Sparrow
121) Song Sparrow
122) Swamp Sparrow
123) Eastern Towhee
124) Northern Cardinal
125) Rose-breasted Grosbeak
126) Indigo Bunting
127) Baltimore Oriole
128) Red-winged Blackbird
129) Brown-headed Cowbird
130) Common Grackle
131) Boat-tailed Grackle
132) House Finch
133) American Goldfinch
134) House Sparrow ...Read more

Treehugger Tuesday

From Treehugger.com:

With a push from Apple, a "revolutionary" process removes CO2 from aluminum smelting
Lloyd Alter
May 11, 2018

Even when made using hydro-electricity, aluminum production had a big carbon footprint.

Rio Tinto Alcan and Alcoa (with a big push from Apple) have just announced "a revolutionary process to make aluminum that produces oxygen and replaces all direct greenhouse gas emissions from the traditional aluminum smelting process."

Demand for aluminum is going up dramatically as more and more cars are made of it instead of heavier steel; there simply isn't enough recycled aluminum to go around. Making aluminum takes a huge amount of electricity (13,500 to 17,000 kWh per ton) which is why so much of it is made in Iceland and Canada, where there is a lot of water power. That's why the announcement was made in Canada. The move was announced by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:

Read the entire article here.

Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, May 19, 2018 to Sunday, May 20, 2018:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, May 19, 2018, 12pm – 1pm
Introduction to Birdwatching
Join Prospect Park Alliance every Saturday for a birdwatching tour to learn about Prospect Park’s magnificent array of birds and how to identify them!

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Bedford Audubon Society
Saturday, May 19, 2018, 7:15am - 12:00pm
Doodletown
Doodletown Road is known as one of the best places in our area to find breeding Hooded and Cerulean Warblers as well as being a fine spot for many other songbirds, migrants and breeders alike. Join Tait in a search for these feathered gems! Enjoy the walk up the rugged trail past the ruins of a “lost civilization.” Depart Bylane Farm at 6:15am. Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous. Register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914.302.9713.
See more details

Sunday, May 20, 2018, 8:30am - 10:00am
Bedford Audubon’s Bylane Farm
35 Todd Road, Katonah, NY
In partnership with Lewisboro Land Trust. The shrub lands, wet meadows and woods around Bylane Farm hold Yellow-throated Vireo, Blue-winged Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Orchard Oriole, and many other migrants and summer resident birds. Meet in parking lot. Coffee and donuts. Level of Difficulty: Easy-moderate. Let us know if you’d like to borrow binoculars. Register with Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or 914.302.9713.
See more details

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Ridgewood Reservoir Walk
Leaders: Steve Nanz Focus: Observing spring migrants and looking for early nesters. We will also bird Highland Park if time allows. Registrar: Heidi Steiner at heidi.steiner.bklyn@gmail.com if you would like to car pool. You may also use public transportation; meet at 8:00AM at the top of the stairs of the main entrance, directly across Vermont […]

Saturday, May 19, 2018, 7:00am - 3:00pm
Michele Dreger’s Prospect Park Bird Sit
Say farewell to long time Audubon Center bird walk leader Michele Dreger, who is retiring to Florida. Stop by and help Michele and her friends celebrate her festive day. There will be food served at noon with presentations shortly thereafter. Meet 7:00 am at the Boulder Bridge (south border of Rick's Place) Map site: https://tinyurl.com/MichellesBirdsit […]

Saturday, May 19, 2018, 7:15am
Prospect Park Saturday Walk
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik Meet at Ocean/Parkside Avenues, “The Pergola” at 7:15 am No registration necessary.

Please review our general trip information and guidelines on this page.

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Eastern Long Island Audubon Society
Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 9:00am
Birding the Fields, Woods and Bluffs of Hallockville Museum Farm and Hallock State Park
Leader: MaryLaura Lamont
This walk begins at Hallockville Museum Farm. Please park there. Diversity of habitats at the Hallockville Farm complex along Long Island Sound produces good bird sightings from warblers, swallows, vultures to kingbirds and Osprey. Program sponsored by Hallockville Museum Farm. There is an $8.00 fee which goes to their educational programs. Call (631) 298-5292 to register.

Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 7:30am
Quogue Wildlife Refuge
Leader: Eileen Schwinn
Beginning at 7:30 am, we will meet in the parking lot of the Refuge, and walk the approximately one mile loop around the Ice Pond. Various warbler-loving habitats — pine woods, open fields, and tangled understory — will be explored. In past years, this hidden gem has had Mourning Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, and even Yellow-throated Warbler, along with the expected nesting warblers and song birds! Almost guaranteed to be tick-free (the Wildlife staff makes sure the trails are wide and brush-free), this spot is a real winner! Contact Eileen at beachmed@optonline.net for more information.

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Freshkills Park Alliance
Sunday, May 20, 2018, 8:00am
Birding Tour with NYC Audubon
Join local naturalist Cliff Hagen for “Birding Gems of Staten Island: Spring Migration at Freshkills Park,” organized by NYC Audubon.
Read More
Sign Up

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Gateway National Recreation Area
Saturday, May 19, 2018, 10:00am to 11:00am
Birding by the Bay
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fees: Free
Ranger-led nature walk.
View Details

Sunday, May 20, 2018, 10:00am to 11:30am
Osprey Watch Guided Walk
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fees: free
Learn all about the amazing osprey on this guided walk of the West Pond Trail.
View Details

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Great South Bay Audubon
Saturday, May 19, 2018 to Sunday, May 20, 2018 - 7:00am
Sterling Forest and Bashakill
Leader(s): John Gluth (631-827-0120)
From Tappan Zee Bridge, take I-87 to Sloatsburg exit 15A, take the exit for Rte 72 (Sterling Mine Rd.), 1-mile up Rte 17. Continue west on Rte 72 for 3 Miles until you reach Rte 84, Long Meadow Rd. Continue up long Meadow Rd to Sterling Lake Rd (4 Mi). Turn left there and continue to Park Visitors Center parking lot on Old Forge Rd. Overnight at Wurtsboro Days Inn (845-888-8727).

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Green-Wood Cemetery
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Birding in Peace
Peak Spring Migration Birding
From Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to over 20 species of colorful wood-warblers, our peak migration tours will feature many of the 163 bird species that have been recorded at Green-Wood during the month of May. Beginning just after sunrise, we will experience spring’s dawn chorus at the active time of day for birds.

Sunday, May 20, 2018
Birding in Peace
Peak Spring Migration Birding
From Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to over 20 species of colorful wood-warblers, our peak migration tours will feature many of the 163 bird species that have been recorded at Green-Wood during the month of May. Beginning just after sunrise, we will experience spring’s dawn chorus at the active time of day for birds.

Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful Saturday/Sunday morning walking tours to discover the many birds that call Green-Wood home. Green-Wood’s official birding checklist is available to pick up from the security guard at the main entrance on 25th Street or to print here. Comfortable footwear is recommended.

$10 for members of Green-Wood and BHS / $15 for non-members

Click here for our inclement weather policy.

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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society
Sunday, May 20, 2018, 8:00am
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Jamaica Bay is known for its world-class shorebirding. We will walk around looking for shorebirds and other interesting migrants.
Registration: 631-885-1881
Directions: Meet at visitor center parking lot.

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Linnaean Society of New York
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Doodletown
Leader: Paul Keim
Registrar: Anne Lazarus — amlazarus47@gmail.com or 212-673-9059
Registration opens: Monday, May 7
Ride: $30

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturdays -- 11:00 a.m.
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11am to 12:30pm beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Included in All-Garden Pass
Get Tickets

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, May 19, 2018, 9:00am – 10:30am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walks
Guide: NYC Audubon with the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy
Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature Center. The history of birding and Van Cortlandt Park are inseparable. Influential birders such as Roger Tory Peterson and Allan D. Cruickshank got their starts on Van Cortlandt’s ecologically diverse grounds. These walks celebrate the tradition set by these great ornithologists. Participants will look for various species of residents and migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. For more information, call 212-691-7483. No registration necessary. No limit. Free

Saturday, May 19, 2018, 9:30am – 10:30am
Queens Botanical Garden Bird Walks
Saturdays, April 28, May 19, and June 9, and Sundays, May 6 and 27, 9:30-10:30am
Guide: NYC Audubon with Queens Botanical Garden
Explore Queens Botanical Garden in search of migrant songbirds and learn about the valuable resources the Garden offers birds and other wildlife. Binoculars available. Register for one date or the whole series of five walks (walk-ins welcome). To register, email info@queensbotanical.org or visit www.queensbotanical.org/calendar. Each walk limited to 25. Free (with Garden admission)

Saturday, May 19, 2018, 10am – 2pm
Horseshoe Crab Festival at Jamaica Bay
Join us for a day of celebrating the annual arrival of horseshoe crabs to our local shores. During the full and new moons of May and June, these prehistoric animals, which date back approximately 400 million years, come ashore to mate. The females lay billions of eggs at the high tide line each season. At the same time, thousands of migrating shorebirds arrive in the northeast bays to feed on the eggs, regaining the body weight they lost during their long journey north. At the festival you’ll see and hold live horseshoe crabs and learn about their important ecological and medicinal values. For more info on the festival contact the American Littoral Society at 718-474-0896 or email Don Riepe at donriepe@gmail.com. The program is free, but suggested donations of $20 for adults and $10 for children to NYC Audubon are suggested to offset the festival cost.
To inquire about van transportation from Manhattan, call NYC Audubon at 212-691-7483 x304.

Saturday, May 19, 2018, 1pm – 4pm
Nesting Peregrines and Red-Tails of the Upper West Side
Guide: Gabriel Willow
Many New Yorkers are astonished to discover that their city of steel and glass is home to a diverse population of large birds of prey: the City boasts the world’s highest densities of the Peregrine Falcon—the world’s fastest flyer—and a growing population of Red-tailed Hawks (several pairs of which have reached celebrity status). We’ll visit the nesting site of a pair of each of these fascinating species, and may glimpse parents feeding their chicks. Limited to 15. $36 (25)
Click here to register

Sunday, May 20, 2018
Shorebird Blitz
Contribute to NYC Audubon’s conservation efforts by helping us take a one-day snapshot of spring shorebird activity throughout New York City. Scheduled for May 20, the fifth NYC Shorebird Blitz is a citizen science initiative that aims to find the total number of shorebirds using our City during a 24-hour period, helping us answer important conservation questions such as how many shorebirds are coming through our area during peak spring migration, how they are distributed throughout the City, what they are doing while here, and what disturbances they face.

At last September’s NYC Fall Shorebird Blitz, 17 volunteers counted over 6,000 shorebirds in one day throughout all five boroughs (see Conservation Notes on page TK to learn what was found that day).

Whether you have been shorebirding for years or are a beginner, there are plenty of areas that need to be covered, so mark your calendars and start practicing your shorebird identification. For more information or to get involved, email citizenscience@nycaudubon.org.

Sunday, May 20, 2018, 8am – 3pm
Birding Gems of Staten Island: Spring Migration at Freshkills Park
Sundays, May 6 and May 20, 8am-3pm
Guide: Cliff Hagen with NYC Department of Parks and Recreation
Meet at the Staten Island Ferry and start your trip with a journey across the Upper Bay. From wetlands to woodlands to rich, rolling grasslands, Freshkills Park offers a diverse collection of habitats and wildlife. On a spring day, over 100 species of birds and a variety of butterflies can be seen here. Join local naturalist Cliff Hagen and NYC Parks Department staff on this special opportunity to explore the deep, secret places of the City's latest, greatest park. Transport by passenger van on S.I.from the Staten Island St. George Terminal included. Limited to 12. $50 (35)
Click here to register

Sunday, May 20, 2018, 9am – 10am
The Evergreens Cemetery Bird Walk
Guide: Corey Finger with Cemetery of the Evergreens
Meet inside the cemetery entrance at 1629 Bushwick Avenue and Conway Street. Explore the delights of this hidden gem by taking a tour of historic Evergreens Cemetery and its spring migrants. Moderately strenuous with many hills and stairs. Please click here to register. No limit. Free ($5 suggested donation)

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North Shore Audubon
Saturday, May 19, 2018, 8am – 12pm
NYIT de Seversky Center
Leader: Liz (516) 404-1984‬
NOTE: EARLY START TIME
Enter from Northern Blvd and West Rd - head south on West Rd. Proceed up the hill, and follow sign to the NYIT de Seversky Mansion on right. Park in big lot across from mansion.
Wear water-resistant footwear, bring binoculars and drinking water.

Please inform walk leader that you are attending.
See "Walk Locations" for directions.
Park in the circle in front of the big house.
Wear water-resistant footwear, bring binoculars and drinking water. Wear long pants and socks so you do not touch poison ivy.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Sunday, May 20, 2018, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Weed and Herb Walk at Conference House Park
Join herbal­ist Gert Coleman for a walk through the colonial paths and gar­dens at Conference House Park to identify both wild and cultivat­ed medicinal and culinary plants. Learn through discussion the benefits of such herbs and weeds and maybe find a new apprecia­tion for the “weeds” which take root in our own gardens. Meet in the parking lot at the end of Hylan Boulevard. E-mail Gert Cole­man at gert.coleman@verizon.net for more information.
Read More

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Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Doodletown and Sterling Forest
Leader: Arie Gilbert 917-693-7178
Description: We'll meet at Doodletown at 7:30am. BRING LUNCH/DRINKS. then bird Sterling Forest.
more details»

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Hempstead Plains
Take Meadowbrook Parkway Exit M4, west towards Nassau Coliseum and Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Follow Charles Lindbergh Blvd. a short distance to first exit on right, East Parking Area for Nassau Community College. Turn right into East Parking Area and see entrance to Hempstead Plains ahead to the right. There is parking at the Entrance.
Directions via Google Maps

Bird walks led by a member of SSAS are conducted nearly every Sunday morning from late August through early June. Walks are open to the public and are free of charge. We especially encourage youngsters to attend.
All walks start at 9:00am
There is no walk if it rains or snows or temperature is below 25°F.
For more information or in case of questionable weather conditions, please phone Joe at 516 467-9498.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Bird Watching at the Reservoir at Ridgewood Reservoir, Queens
8:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Start your day with an early morning bird watching walk led by the Brooklyn Bird Club.
Free!

Bird Walks at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Join NYC Audubon on a walk through the park to observe the many species of birds in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!

Sunday, May 20, 2018
Bird Watching at the Reservoir at Ridgewood Reservoir, Queens
8:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Start your day with an early morning bird watching walk led by Jean Loscalzo of the Queens County Bird Club.
Free!

Neighborhood Ecology Walk at Wave Hill, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join a revealing exploration through the Raoul Wallenberg Forest and Abrons Woodland to see firsthand how human activity, invasive plants, and other factors have shaped the local ecology.

Family Walk: Avian Adventures at Wave Hill House (in Wave Hill), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
On this special family walk focused on birds, families will go bird-watching, using binoculars to closely observe birds in their natural habitat, with Wave Hill Environmental… ...Read more

Migration Heats Up

A shift in the winds brought us a big increase in bird diversity and abundance over the past weekend, just in time for my back to back dawn tours at Green-Wood Cemetery. Our combined Saturday and Sunday lists totalled 86 species, 22 of which were warblers. The previous weekend we tallied 73 species. Here's a selection of photos from Jim Demers and Evan Rabeck, a couple of tour regulars:



































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Date: May 5, 2018 and May 6, 2018
Location: Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn
Species: 86
Checklists: 2

Canada Goose
Wood Duck (3.)
Mallard (3.)
Common Loon (6.)
Double-crested Cormorant (6.)
Great Egret (1.)
Green Heron (2.)
Black-crowned Night-Heron (1.)
Red-tailed Hawk (4.)
Spotted Sandpiper (2.)
Laughing Gull (17.)
Herring Gull (5.)
Forster's Tern (1.)
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1.)
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel (2.)
Monk Parakeet
Great Crested Flycatcher (2.)
Eastern Kingbird (3.)
White-eyed Vireo (1.)
Yellow-throated Vireo (1.)
Blue-headed Vireo (4.)
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo (2.)
Blue Jay (6.)
American Crow (1.)
Common Raven (2.)
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2.)
Tree Swallow (2.)
Barn Swallow (5.)
House Wren (3.)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (3.)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2.)
Veery (6.)
Swainson's Thrush (4.)
Hermit Thrush (2.)
Wood Thrush (3.)
American Robin
Gray Catbird (8.)
Brown Thrasher (2.)
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing (8.)

Ovenbird (6.)
Northern Waterthrush (1.)
Blue-winged Warbler (2.)
Black-and-white Warbler (11.)
Tennessee Warbler (1.)
Nashville Warbler (5.)
Common Yellowthroat (8.)
Hooded Warbler (2.)
American Redstart (7.)
Cape May Warbler (3.)
Northern Parula (17.)
Magnolia Warbler (4.)
Bay-breasted Warbler (1.)
Blackburnian Warbler (2.)
Yellow Warbler (2.)
Chestnut-sided Warbler (2.)
Black-throated Blue Warbler (7.)
Palm Warbler (1.)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (21.)
Prairie Warbler (2.)
Black-throated Green Warbler (4.)
Canada Warbler (1.)

Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow (1.)
Swamp Sparrow (2.)
Eastern Towhee (3.)
Scarlet Tanager (2.)
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (12.)
Indigo Bunting (4.)
Baltimore Oriole (8.)
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow ...Read more

Treehugger Tuesday

From Mother Nature Network:

Operation Ornery Birds rescues birds from trafficking
Law enforcement officials release rescued birds into the Everglades.

Phil Kloer
May 5, 2018, 12:59 p.m.

Once they were locked up and abused. Now they're free.

About 130 birds were released in April into Florida’s River of Grass by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials and partners at Everglades National Park headquarters near Homestead, Florida. The birds had been bought by undercover agents from illegal trappers and traffickers, and seized in a series of arrests in the days leading up to the release.

Flying off into the morning were indigo buntings, painted buntings, rose-breasted grosbeaks, northern cardinals, house finches and clay-colored sparrows.

The long-running undercover operation was dubbed Operation Ornery Birds — a spin on the video game "Angry Birds." It was a joint operation of the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, with support from the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Division, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

You can learn more about the operation in the video below:



"Today is a particularly joyous moment for all of us in the conservation community," said park Deputy Superintendent Justin Unger. "I am thrilled that our more than 1.5 million visitors to Everglades National Park can once again see these birds fly free in their native habitat."

"The bottom line is these activities boil down to money," said USFWS Resident Agent in Charge David Pharo. "They’re making money from illegally trapping and trafficking these federally protected migratory songbirds. These people are having real impacts on the resources."

Prior to the release, six people were charged with multiple violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). This year marks the centennial anniversary of the 1918 landmark act that protects migratory birds by prohibiting hunting, possessing, killing, buying, selling, importing or exporting them.

The setting for the release was the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center in Everglades National Park. The 1.5 million-acre subtropical wilderness is also a World Heritage Site and home to Florida panthers, manatees and hundreds of species of birds.

"We want to use this release to inform the public that possessing a migratory songbird of any type is illegal," Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission Capt. Albert Maza told the media and audience who had gathered. "Many people may not realize that owning a migratory songbird such as an indigo bunting or a painted bunting is illegal."

It started with a Youtube video

The roots of Ornery Birds go back six years to 2012, when Fish and Wildlife agents in Miami found Youtube videos of birds listed under the MBTA. An undercover agent contacted the poster, who said his supplier was providing him with a steady stream of indigo buntings and painted buntings for sale.

That first contact led to more traffickers and trappers as the agents uncovered a web of sellers and buyers. Eventually agents identified hundreds of birds and dozens of species, all of them protected under the MBTA, and some under the Endangered Species Act.

More than 400 birds were seized during the long-running operation, and many of those were logged as evidence, then released into an appropriate habitat before the Everglades event.

"One of the obstacles we face is that many of these bird traps are legal to possess, make or sell," Pharo explained. "But when they are used to target federally protected species such as migratory birds, they are being used illegally."

The evidence room at the USFWS’s Miami law enforcement headquarters was filled with shelves packed floor to ceiling with traps seized in arrests: wooden traps, metal traps, traps with a variety of tricky door mechanisms and multiple chambers.

"The trappers sometimes use bait birds in the traps, and the bait bird will sing and flutter around and attract other birds," Pharo said. "Other traps use electronic calls that mimic the sounds of the birds they are trapping. Sometimes they use mist nets, which are constructed of very thin thread-like material that becomes nearly invisible. Then they use trucks to force the birds to flee and get tangled in the mist nets."

"They also use something called a lime stick, which is sticky material, similar to what you find in sticky rat traps," said Pharo. "They put that on a branch and the bird lands and becomes entangled."

The thin green line

Some of the defendants allegedly trafficked and smuggled birds, including one who allegedly tried to smuggle birds concealed in hair curlers taped to his body underneath baggy pants.

"Over the years we’ve seen an increase in the trafficking of federally protected birds," said Pharo. "They use containers with false compartments and other methods to ship birds for the underground black market trade."

The brutal business sometimes resulted in killed and injured birds. One of the trappers allegedly left birds entangled in mist nets where wild dogs and cats preyed upon them before he could remove them from the netting. Another allegedly maimed birds by ripping out their tail feathers.

Ariel Gaffney, a forensic ornithologist at the USFWS Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon, spent the week leading up to the release in Miami identifying the species of seized birds that were brought in by the investigators in the case.

"Identifying species is really important in this case because most bird species in North America are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act but some species, such as invasive species, are not," Gaffney explained.

"Illegal trapping is a widespread problem, and cutting down on it is important because it can ease some of the pressures these birds are experiencing. They are experiencing habitat loss on their wintering and breeding grounds; and at their stopover sites, such as here in Florida, they are being illegally trapped."

At the event, Deputy Superintendent Unger thanked all of the federal and state law enforcement officials who participated in Operation Ornery Birds, and who do similar work to protect our public resources year-round.

"It takes dedication,” Unger said. "from the men and women working along the thin green line to ensure that our ecosystem remains healthy and intact." ...Read more

Upcoming Birding and Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips by local birding/conservation groups for Saturday, May 12, 2018 to Sunday, May 13, 2018:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Saturday, May 12, 2018, 10am – 1pm
International Migratory Bird Day
Help Prospect Park Alliance celebrate the importance of stop-overs like Prospect Park to migratory birds. More than 250 species have been recorded in the park, and it is not uncommon to see 100 or more species in one spring day.

- Blooming Naturalist 10–12 pm: Learn about native plants and their importance to migratory birds.

- Nature on the Go! 11–12 pm: An Alliance Naturalist will lead children and families to areas near the Audubon Center, where you can learn about the nature that is all around us. This program leaves promptly at 11 pm.

- Nature's Helpers 12–1 pm: Learn how to keep Prospect Park healthy by cleaning up the lakeshore, spreading mulch or removing invasive species. This is a nature walk that leaves promptly at 12 pm.

RSVP to let us know you are coming!

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, May 12, 2018
“The Birdathon”, World Migratory Bird Day (for teams)
The Brooklyn Bird Club celebrates World Migratory Bird Day every year by holding a Birdathon, in which members form or join a team and go out and count bird species. Typically participants reach out to friends and family for donations, usually a set amount per bird species counted during the course of the day. This […]

Saturday, May 12, 2018 @ 7:15am
“The Birdathon walk” in Prospect Park
Meet 7:15 at the Grand Army Plaza park entrance (Stranahan Statue) Leader Paul Keim Note: Participants can elect to support this year's Birdathon beneficiary, WINORR, Wildlife In Need Of Rescue and Rehabilition. WINORR is the go-to organization in the metro area for rescuing, rehabbing and releasing wild birds, particularly raptors, that have suffered an injury or […]

Please review our general trip information and guidelines on this page.

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Eastern Long Island Audubon Society
Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 9:00am
Birding the William Floyd Estate on International Migratory Bird Day
Leader: MaryLaura Lamont
The woods, fields, creeks and bay, all habitats found on the historic grounds of the old William Floyd Estate, offer opportunities for observing a rich and diverse display of birds. We should see a good variety of migrating neotropical species such as warblers, vireos, thrush, grosbeaks, and tanagers to name a few. Round trip walk about 3-4 miles. Call (631) 399-2030 for more info.

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Gateway National Recreation Area
Saturday, May 12, 2018, 9:00am to 4:00pm
International Migratory Bird Day
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fees: Free
Day long celebration of migratory birds.
View Details

Sunday, May 13, 2018, 10:00am to 11:30am
Warblers for Beginners
Location: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Fees: Free
Become familiar with the warblers that pass through Jamaica Bay.
View Details

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Great South Bay Audubon
Saturday, May 12, 2018, 7:00am
Alley Pond Park
Leader(s): Mike Cooper (516-523-2369) Steve D’Amato (631-264-8413)
Northern State Pkwy to Exit 23, which reads: Cross Island Parkway, Union Turnpike and Alley Pond Park. Go to Union Turnpike (NOT Alley Pond Park). At the signal light, turn right onto Union Turnpike. Proceed to the next signal light which is Springfield Blvd and turn right. Go about 4 blocks to 76th Ave. Turn right onto 76th Ave. and proceed to Alley Pond Parking lot on your left.

Sunday, May 13, 2018, 8:00am
Birding and Breakfast, Connetquot River SPP
Leader(s): Edith & Bob Wilson, Helga Merryman, Ken Thompson, Jack Carlson
Continental breakfast hosted by Friends of Connetquot. Reservations required - call Connetquot River State Park Preserve at 581-1072 to register. Registration fee $4. plus $8 parking fee per car - unless you have yearly Empire pass.

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Green-Wood Cemetery
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Birding in Peace
Peak Spring Migration Birding
From Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to over 20 species of colorful wood-warblers, our peak migration tours will feature many of the 163 bird species that have been recorded at Green-Wood during the month of May. Beginning just after sunrise, we will experience spring’s dawn chorus at the most active time of day for birds.

$10 for members of Green-Wood and BHS / $15 for non-members

Click here for our inclement weather policy.

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Hudson River Audubon Society
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Birdathon
Bird like crazy in Westchester County to raise money for our chapter. Details to follow.

Sunday, May 13, 2018
Mother’s Day Warbler Walk
Lenoir Nature Preserve 8:00am
19 Dudley St. Yonkers
Meet us for our 25th year of this Audubon tradition. Spring migrants will be searched for; followed by refreshments at the nature center.
http://www.hras.org/wtobird/lenoir.html

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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society
Saturday, May 12, 2018, 8:00am
Robert Moses State Park
Look for migrants, including oystercatcher, heron, egrets, kinglets, warblers, and sparrows.
Registration: 516-782-0293
Directions: Meet in the NE corner of field 5, nearest to the lighthouse.

Sunday, May 13, 2018, 9:00am
Sterling Forest, Tuxedo Park, NY
Great spot to see upstate birds. Sterling Forest is known for its Golden-winged Warblers.
Registration: 585-880-0915
Directions: Meet at the end of Ironwood Drive in the park.

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Linnaean Society of New York
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Bashakill Marsh and Environs
Leader: John Haas
Registrar: Dale Dancis — ddancis@gmail.com or 212-724-3269
Registration opens: Monday, April 30
Ride: $45

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturdays -- 11:00 a.m.
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11am to 12:30pm beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Included in All-Garden Pass
Get Tickets

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, May 12, 2018, 8am – 11am
Prospect Park Bird Walk
Guide: Heather Wolf
Join Heather Wolf for a leisurely walk to see spring migrants and breeding bird residents of “Brooklyn's Backyard.” Beautiful Prospect Park’s wide variety of habitats attract a large number of migrants and breeding bird species—significantly more than Central Park, in fact. We will explore the Park's meadows, forests, and waterways in search of waterfowl, warblers, tanagers, and more. Limited to 15. $36 (25) per walk
Click here to register

Saturday, May 12, 2018, 9:00am – 11:30am
Spring Migrants at Inwood Hill Park
Guide: Annie Barry
Join Annie Barry for a hike through a mature forest in search of kinglets, warblers, flycatchers, sparrows, and other migrants and residents. We’ll then head to the shores of recently restored Muscota Marsh, the last natural saltmarsh in Manhattan, to search for herons and ducks. Some hilly walking required. Limited to 15. $36 (25)
Click here to register

Saturday, May 12, 2018, 9:00am – 10:30am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walks
Guide: NYC Audubon with the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy
Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature Center. The history of birding and Van Cortlandt Park are inseparable. Influential birders such as Roger Tory Peterson and Allan D. Cruickshank got their starts on Van Cortlandt’s ecologically diverse grounds. These walks celebrate the tradition set by these great ornithologists. Participants will look for various species of residents and migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. For more information, call 212-691-7483. No registration necessary. No limit. Free

Saturday, May 12, 2018, 10am – 1pm
Randall's Island Birding Bonanza
Guide: NYC Audubon with Randall's Island Park Alliance
Meet at Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh, south of Icahn Stadium. Randall's Island is home to over 180 species of birds. Enjoy a day of free, family-friendly bird watching! Learn about the amazing adaptations of birds as they thrive in the Island's restored habitats. No Limit. Free

Sunday, May 13, 2018, 8am – 11am
Spring Warblers Trip
Class: Friday, May 11, 6:30-8:30pm
Trip: Sunday, May 13, 8-11am
Instructor: Joe Giunta, Happy Warblers LLC
First learn to identify the 30-plus species of warblers that migrate through our area each spring, using field marks and other techniques. Then go out in the field and reinforce what you’ve learned on our field trip to Central Park. Limited to 15. $72 (50)
Click here to register

Sunday, May 13, 2018, 9:30am – 11:30am
Spring Birding Along the Hudson: Wave Hill
Sundays, March 11, April 8, May 13, and June 10, 9:30-11:30am
Guide: Gabriel Willow with Wave Hill
Meet at the Perkins Visitor Center. Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of bird species and their behaviors on these captivating walks. Wave Hill’s garden setting overlooking the Hudson River flyway provides the perfect habitat for resident and migrating birds. Ages 10 and up welcome with an adult. NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission (see www.wavehill.org for more information)

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North Shore Audubon
Saturday, May 12, 2018, 6:30am – 12:00pm
"Big DAY"
Start early at Alley Pond Park
Leader: Ian - (917) 626-9562
Where: 40.740640, -73.747500 (map)

Please inform walk leader that you are attending.
See "Walk Locations" for directions.
Park in the circle in front of the big house.
Wear water-resistant footwear, bring binoculars and drinking water. Wear long pants and socks so you do not touch poison ivy.
This walk is in conjunction with the North Shore Land Alliance.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, May 12, 2018, 9:45am – 3:15pm
The Richard Buegler Spring 10-Mile Walk @ Greenbelt Nature Center
Participants will be begin gathering at the Greenbelt Nature Center at 9:15 a.m. Hikers will traverse the Greenbelt in search of spring flowers and bird song. A favorite walk of Protector’s founder, Richard Buegler, the 10-Mile Hike takes participants along the Meisner Avenue Pond, Loosestrife Swamp, Heyerdahl Hill and more. Explore the Greenbelt with like-minded hikers and enjoy a day afield on Staten Island. Call Dominick Durso at 917-478-7607 or Don Recklies at 718-768-9036 for more information.
Read More

Saturday, May 12, 2018, 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Brookfield Park
Join Protectors of Pine Oak Woods for a natu­ral history tour of Staten Island’s newest open space park. We will view numerous salt creeks, freshwater wetlands, grasslands and beautiful scenery; a must for hawk watching. Brookfield Park stretches along the south eastern banks of Richmond Creek and runs from Richmond Avenue to Richmondtown. Meet in the main parking lot at 575 Arthur Kill Road, just north of Armstrong Ave­nue. For more information contact Ray Matarazzo at 718-317-7666.
Read More

Sunday, May 13, 2018, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Sharott's Shoreline
Meet at the bottom of Androvette Street (off Arthur Kill Road between The Tides complex and Killmey­er’s Restaurant). We will walk west through the parking lot at the end of the street to follow the access road into the DEC area to see what late spring looks like in this tough, maritime environment that is directly across the Kill from industrial New Jersey. For more information call Don Recklies at (718) 768-9036.
Read More

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South Shore Audubon Society
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Point Lookout Town Park (and Lido Preserve afterwards)
From the Southern State Parkway, exit onto the Meadowbrook State Parkway south. Exit from the Meadowbrook at Loop Parkway (just before the Jones Beach toll booths) toward Point Lookout. The Loop Parkway ends west of Point Lookout at Lido Boulevard. Continue straight across Lido Boulevard into Point Lookout Park. Travel past the ticket booths and curve left into the very large parking lot on the south side of the park. Park in the southeast corner, closest to the private homes of the village of Point Lookout and the beach. We will walk east along the beach toward Jones Inlet. After returning to the parking lot, we will drive west on Lido Boulevard to Lido Beach Passive Nature Preserve on the north side of Lido Boulevard to walk through the bay marsh.
Directions to Point Lookout Park via Google Maps | Directions to Lido Beach Passive Nature Preserve via Google Maps

Bird walks led by a member of SSAS are conducted nearly every Sunday morning from late August through early June. Walks are open to the public and are free of charge. We especially encourage youngsters to attend.
All walks start at 9:00am
There is no walk if it rains or snows or temperature is below 25°F.
For more information or in case of questionable weather conditions, please phone Joe at 516 467-9498.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Bird Walks at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Join NYC Audubon on a walk through the park to observe the many species of birds in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!

International Migratory Bird Day at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Help Prospect Park Alliance celebrate the importance of stop-overs, like Prospect Park, to migratory birds.
Free!

Birding Bonanza at Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join us for a day of free, family-friendly bird watching! Learn about the amazing adaptations of birds as they thrive in the Island’s restored habitats.
Free!

International Migratory Bird Day: Piping Plovers at Rockaway Beach, Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!

Sunday, May 13, 2018
Spring Birding at Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
9:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
Explore the gardens and woodlands with naturalist Gabriel Willow on a quest to spot both resident and rare birds as they pass through on their northern journey or settle down for the season.

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Wild Bird Fund
Saturday, May 12, 2018, 9:00am - 11:00am
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Spring Migration is in full swing! Time to get outside and see who's around! Please join WBF member, artist, and birder, Alan Messer for a deep Spring bird walk on Saturday, May 12 (Rain Date, May 13). In Central Park, we'll be searching for warblers, catbirds, vireos, and late migrant sparrows and finches. This time of year brings the flycatcher family including those difficult to identify of the genus Empidonax. Enjoy our birds and blooms of spring. We'll be meeting…
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New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending Friday, May 4, 2018:

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* May 4, 2018
* NYNY1805.04

- Birds Mentioned

WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Harlequin Duck
CHUCK-WILL’S WIDOW
Sora
Cattle Egret
Semipalmated Plover
Iceland Gull
Least Tern
Caspian Tern
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
Snowy Owl
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Least Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Cliff Swallow
Worm-eating Warbler
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER
Tennessee Warbler
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER
Nashville Warbler
KENTUCKY WARBLER
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
CERULEAN WARBLER
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
Grasshopper Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
SUMMER TANAGER
BLUE GROSBEAK
Bobolink

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

Compilers: Tom Burke and Tony Lauro
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, May 4, 2018 at 9:00 pm.

The highlights of today’s tape are CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW, WESTERN TANAGER, a good selection of WARBLERS including PROTHONOTARY, YELLOW-THROATED, KENTUCKY, CERULEAN, ORANGE-CROWNED, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, BLUE GROSBEAK, SUMMER TANAGER, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER and much more

Our continuing unusual series of weather events has not had a really negative impact on spring migration, as a good variety of northbound birds seems to be arriving relatively on time.

A standout this week was the CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW found in Central Park’s ramble today, always a treat to get in the city parks.

Also very notable was a male WESTERN TANAGER visiting a suet feeder in Brookhaven to Wednesday.

The WARBLER species total has exceeded thirty during the last couple of days, with many arrivals, though not necessarily in large numbers. Highlights among them include a couple of PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS in Central Park today, with one in the Ramble, another at the north end. Prospect Park produced a PROTHONOTARY at the Peninsula Thursday, following one from Tuesday, a male PROTHONOTARY found at Hempstead Lake State Park last Saturday was still present Thursday, and another was reported from Frank Melville Park in Setauket last Saturday.

A decent number of YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS included one lingering at Hempstead Lake State Park to Tuesday, one or two in Central Park Wednesday and Thursday, and another at Fuchs Pond Preserve in Fort Salonga Tuesday.

Prospect Park produced a KENTUCKY WARBLER last Saturday, with another at Central Park’s north end yesterday and today. A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT also appeared in Central Park today.

Other more unusual warblers included CERULEAN in Central Park Wednesday and in Prospect Park today, and single ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS in Brooklyn’s Greenwood Cemetery last Saturday, in Queens’s Crocheron Park Sunday, another still at Southard’s Pond Park in Babylon Sunday, and one in Central Park today.

Also included in the list of this week’s WARBLERS were WORM-EATING, TENNESSEE, NASHVILLE, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, HOODED, AMERICAN REDSTART, CAPE MAY, MAGNOLIA, BAY-BREASTED, BLACKBURNIAN, CHESTNUT-SIDED, BLACKPOLL, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, PRAIRIE, CANADA and WILSON’S.

Recent BLUE GROSBEAKS this week were noted at Robert Moses State Park Wednesday and Thursday, at Crocheron Park today, and at Southaven County Park to today.

One or more SUMMER TANAGERS have been in Central Park mid-week and a nice find in Central was a SORA at the north end of the lake today.

A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was also in Central Park today, following a couple out at Jones Beach West End, with one still there today.

A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was found at Robert Moses State Park Thursday, and a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was reported from Alley Pond Park Sunday.

For winter birds, a drake HARLEQUIN DUCK was still at Orient Point Thursday, a SNOWY OWL visited Great Gull Island last weekend, and an ICELAND GULL was still at Staten Island Saturday.

Two CATTLE EGRETS were at Midland Beach on Staten Island Thursday, and two CASPIAN TERNS continued at Southaven County Park to last Sunday.

Among the other arrivals this week have been both BLACK-BILLED and YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, LEAST TERN, EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE, GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, LEAST FLYCATCHER, WHITE-EYED VIREO, CLIFF SWALLOW, BOBOLINK, and WHITE-CROWNED and LINCOLN’S SPARROWS.

To phone in reports, on Long Island call Tony Lauro at (631) 734 4126 or call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922 and leave a message.

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

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