Treehugger Tuesday

David Graves on beekeeping in New York City:

Learn more about bee colony collapse here.

Hawks and Poison

The blog "Pale Male Irregulars" just posted an important piece about the use of poison in city parks. It is dangerous to both humans and animal, exacting a terrible toll on our resident Red-tailed Hawks. Read the entire piece here and be sure to send a note to the parks department through the link at the end of the post.

Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of June 4th - June 5th, 2011:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, June 4, 2011

Introduction to Birdwatching
Every Saturday, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Explore the Park's natural areas and learn how to look for amazing birds

Discover Tour
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Morning Bird Walk: Local Nesters
Meet the amazing local birds raising families in Prospect Park on this expert-guided walk. Start your Sunday morning surrounded by nature
Free

Discover Tour
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday June 4, 2011
Doodletown Trail, Harriman State Park, NY
Trip Leader: Tom Preston
Focus: Breeding birds
Car Fee: $30.00
Registrar: Joann Segreto, email jocrochet [AT] optonline.net or cell 718-344-8420 before 10:00 p.m.
Registration period: May 24th-June 2nd
http://www.rocklandaudubon.org/doodletown.htm

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, June 4, 2011, 7:30am – 9:30am
Prospect Park Members-only Walk with Peter Joost
Meet at the entrance to Prospect Park across from Grand Army Plaza. Join NYC Audubon Board Member Peter Joost as he searches Prospect Park for breeding residents and late migrants. Limited to 20. Contact Emily Loffredo at eloffredo [AT] nycaudubon.org to register.

Sunday, June 5, 2011, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Sunset Eco-Cruises to Harbor Heron Islands
Guide: Gabriel Willow With New York Water Taxi Meet at South Street Seaport's Pier 17. Experience the wonders of New York's famous harbor at sunset and see some of the three thousand herons, egrets, and ibis nesting on islands around the harbor. To register, contact New York Water Taxi at 212-742-1969. Limited to 100. $35 for adults, $25 for children under 12.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, June 4, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
High Rock Park
The woodlands of the Greenbelt are a rich environment for migrant and breeding birds and one of the best ways to experience those birds is to share them with Howie Fischer. Learn to identify birds by sight and sound with naturalist Howie Fischer. Search for signs of breeding species and identify the late spring migrants as they fly north.
For more information call Howie Fischer at (718) 981-4002.

Saturday, June 4, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Long Pond Park
From reptiles and amphibians to birds and mammals, we’ll look for signs of animal life during this one and a half mile hike to through the woodlands of Long Pond Park. In addition evidence of the geologic history and human influence on the park will be observed. Meet at PS 6, on Page Avenue and Academy Avenue about 3 blocks NW of Hylan Blvd.
For more information phone Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Early Birding Walk at Van Cortlandt Park
8:00 a.m.
Spring is back and so are our fine-feathered friends! Let's search for birds on a leisurely...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Early Birding at Marine Park
8:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for early morning birding at Marine Park.
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Vigorous Hike: National Trails Day
10:00 a.m.
We are honoring National Trails Day by hitting the beautiful trails of Cunningham Park.
Location: Cunningham Park - Union Turnpike Parking Lot (in Cunningham Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Light Hike: Seton Falls
1:00 p.m.
Newly renovated Seton Falls Park is one of the borough's Forever Wild parks. Enjoy...
Location: East 233 Street and Baychester Avenue (in Seton Falls Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Evening Hike
8:00 p.m.
Search for owls, skunks, raccoons, bats, and other noturnal creatures that inhabit the park.
Location: Inwood Hill Nature Center (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Spring Tide Lovers
10:00 a.m.
On spring nights, horseshoe crabs return to the shores of Twin Island to mate. Early...
Location: Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park-Orchard Beach), Bronx
Cost: Free

The Birds and the Bees
10:00 a.m.
Learn about the intricate role that birds and bees play in flower pollination, seed...
Location: Albert H. Mauro Playground (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Basic Canoeing
11:00 a.m.; 2:00 p.m.
Bring the whole family for a wonderful aquatic experience for canoers at all levels of...
Location: Inwood Hill Nature Center (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

D-Day White Island Landing
12:00 p.m.
Canoe down Gerritsen Creek to take a look at the current restoration project and...
Location: Burnett Street and Avenue U (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free ...Read more

Friday's Foto

The small calidris sandpipers known as "peeps" are notorious difficult to identify. Even as I post this photograph, there is still some doubt in my mind as to whether it actually is a Western Sandpiper. Here's a nice chart with field marks labeled. You can see more images of this bird here.

Coastal Birds

On Saturday I took a break from the migrating songbirds to doing a little coastal birding. In addition to the shorebirds that are heading north lots of terns are now moving around Brooklyn's coastal habitats.

Heydi and I volunteered to help with New York City Audubon Society's IWASH project (Improving Wetland Accessibility for Shorebirds and Horseshoe crabs). Our territory is Brooklyn's Plum Beach. This narrow stretch of beach is just east of Sheepshead Bay and south of the Belt Parkway. At low-tide there is a fairly large exposed mudflat that attracts shorebirds, gulls, terns and Brant, who feed on horseshoe crab eggs. We'd gone twice within the last month, but only found American Oystercatchers. One time there was also a Greater Yellowlegs on the marsh side of the dunes. We were feeling optimistic that there would be a lot of birds around on Saturday morning. Low-tide would be at 5:36am. I set my alarm for 4am.

As we walked down the beach our optimism turned to disbelief, then laughter. We could hear lots of birds, but many were just hazy silhouettes showing through a curtain of cool fog:

There were lots of horseshoe crabs both on the beach and on the mudflats. Some of the crabs were flipped on their backs and helpless. While waiting for the fog to lift, we walked down the beach turning the crabs back over and pointing them towards the water. I used to think that it was ignorant humans that turned them over, but now I'm starting to believe that perhaps it is the larger gulls (herring and great black-backed) that are to blame. After a while, the fog seemed to be lifting a bit, giving us decent views of a few hundred Sanderlings. We could hear the shrieking calls of oystercatchers and the onomatopoeic call of several Willets.

The eastern end of the beach was clear of fog and the early morning sun was blindingly bright. Several Least Sandpipers scurried around the edges of the marsh. A few Black-bellied Plovers and Ruddy Turnstones walked along the beach near the marshes outflow. Large numbers of Laughing Gulls and terns flew back and forth along the beach. We spotted our first Brooklyn Black Skimmers of the year. As the tide began coming back up we moved slowly down the beach towards the parking lot, stopping to rescan the remaining flocks of shorebirds. Fog was again drifting in off the water halfway down the beach.

At Plum Beach our shorebird list was:

Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, American Oystercatcher, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper and Short-billed Dowitcher.

From there we went to Floyd Bennett Field, Dead Horse Bay, then ended our coastal birding along the west side of Gerritsen Creek in Marine Park.

There wasn't much on the grassy areas of Floyd Bennett Field for a couple of reasons. The Cricket Field and the small field opposite Aviator Sports was overrun with people and machinery associated with a carnival that is currently operating at this National Park. Any birdlife at the main grasslands was being disturbed by a cycling race, so we headed to the Return-a-Gift Pond to try our luck there. There was a grand total of four birds on the pond. All were Black-crowned Night-Herons. Heydi and her eagle-eyes spotted this tiny, boldly patterned Eight-spotted Forester moth inside the pond's blind.

On the beach at the end of Archery Road we scoped a small mixed flock of shorebirds. The tide was still low enough that we could walk north along the beach to get a closer look. We flushed 5 Spotted Sandpipers. Eventually we got good looks at a flock of Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, American Oystercatcher, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Least Sandpiper as they foraged on the beach near the rotting remains of a pair of wooden piers. I was surprised to count over 20 Ruddy Turnstones in the flock.

The walk along the northern-most trail to Dead Horse Bay was highlighted by a soundtrack of Yellow Warblers, Eastern Kingbirds, Baltimore Orioles and, my favorite, the sneezy call of Willow Flycatchers. At one section of trail there appeared to be a termite hatching. Not only were the kingbirds and willows darting from perches to snatch insects from the air, but a Yellow Warbler was also doing a decent impression of a flycatcher.

While scanning the glass strewn beach at Dead Horse it occurred to me that, in time, we will see the completion of the sand-glass-sand cycle along said beach. Glass is made from sand and decades of discarded glassware had been deposited in a dump at Barren Island (now the Floyd Bennett Field/Dead Horse Bay complex). The edges of the dump has eroded over time, exposing the landfills contents to the elements. Some materials such as leather and wood have decomposed or washed away, metal objects are slowly succumbing to oxidation and rust, but much of the glass remains relatively intact. The action of the water and tide, however, has gradually broken some of the glass into smaller and smaller pieces. Perhaps in a thousand years there will be no signs of the glass remaining except for some very colorful grains of sand. I wonder if the shorebirds foraging among the shards of glass ever cut their feet.

The eastern side of Gerritsen Creek is still closed to the public while the Army Corp of Engineers finish a small section of wetlands restoration. The vast majority of the parks department property at Gerritsen Creek, however, is along the western side of the creek. The narrow stretch of habitat is crisscrossed by trails created by illegal ATV and motorcycle usage. We walked one of those trails to the southern-most edge of the park, then walked back along the shore. A Black-crowned Night-Heron was hunting for fiddler crabs near the start of the trail and in sight of the nature center. A few minutes later we encountered a family of Killdeer out for a stroll. Killdeer chicks are precocious and able to walk and forage on their own right after hatching. Seeing these tiny, vulnerable birds scurrying along the trail (and within tire tracks) made me wonder how they manage to survive in New York City. Check out this video:


Another at risk species encountered at Marine Park were Least Terns. This smallest of America's terns is listed as Threatened in New York and Federally Endangered (interior U. S. only). Gerritsen Creek is the only place in Brooklyn where they can be regularly seen during the breeding season. On Saturday we watched several dozen diving for fish or resting along the sand spit at the southern end of the creek. Some of the birds on the spit were displaying pairs. The terrestrial habitat around Gerritsen Creek is greatly degraded by illegal off-road vehicles, while the marine habitat during the summer is assaulted by illegal waterskiing in the creek, as well as, jetski usage. The Least Terns would probably nest along Gerritsen Creek if the NYPD or Parks Enforcement Patrols made any attempt at enforcing the law here. Unfortunately for the Least Terns and other wildlife, I don't see the situation changing in the foreseeable future.

Date: 05/21/11
Locations: Plumb Beach, Floyd Bennett Field, Dead Horse Bay, Marine Park
Total Number of Species: 61

Brant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Osprey

Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
American Oystercatcher
Spotted Sandpiper
Willet
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Short-billed Dowitcher

Laughing Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Least Tern
Common Tern
Forster's Tern
Black Skimmer
Monk Parakeet
Chimney Swift
Willow Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
House Wren
Marsh Wren
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Eastern Towhee
Boat-tailed Grackle
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole

Other common species seen (or heard):
Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Mallard, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, American Crow, crow sp., Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow ...Read more

Nesting Red-tailed Hawks Update

The Red-tailed Hawks that are nesting on Prospect Park's "Nelly's Lawn" for a second year have good news. They have two very healthy (and very large) offspring on the nest. The two birds were doing a little "hop-flapping" when I stopped off at the nest yesterday. Based on their size, I'm guessing that they are about 7-10 days away from leaving the nest. After that they will still be hanging around Nelly's Lawn and, specifically, Elizabeth's Tuliptree for a while longer.

At the Ravine nest, Alice & Ralph seemed to have struck out. This was their 9th year at that nest and there doesn't appear to be any sign of offspring. Strangely, I witnessed them copulating in a tree along Center Drive last week, which could indicate that they want to try again. I've never seen that behavior so late in the breeding cycle of our Red-tailed Hawks, so it's difficult to be sure. Later this week I plan to check on Big Mama & Junior's nest in Green-Wood Cemetery.

Treehugger Tuesday

Brooklynites are charmed by the antics of a few neighborhood colonies of Monk Parakeets, but in Britain some folks are up in arms by a huge influx in the population of Rose-ringed Parakeets. According to a story published in the New York Times, in just over 10 years the population of these Indian parakeets has risen from 1,500 in 1995 to over 30,000 birds.

British Parakeet Boom Is a Mystery, and a Mess
By Elisabeth Rosenthal

STANWELL, England — The evening started peacefully enough at Long Lane Recreation Park in the western suburbs of London, disturbed only by the occasional rumble of a distant jet landing at Heathrow Airport. But just before sunset, five bright green missiles streaked through the air toward a row of poplars at the park’s edge.

Within minutes, hundreds more of the squawking birds — in formations 10, 20, 30 strong — had passed above the tidy homes and a cricket club, whizzing toward their nightly roost.

Individually, any of the rose-ringed parakeets could be the star of a DreamWorks film, electric green with bright pink beaks and the voluble personalities that have long made the tropical species a popular household pet. But for people who frequent the park or live nearby, the visceral experience is more like “The Birds” — albeit with more color and a much noisier soundtrack than the Hitchcock film.

Native to the Indian subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa, the rose-ringed parakeet is enjoying a population explosion in many London suburbs, turning a once-exotic bird into a notorious pest that awakens children, monopolizes garden bird feeders and might even threaten British crops.

One rough estimate put the population in Britain at 30,000 a few years ago, up from only 1,500 in 1995. Researchers at Imperial College London are now trying a more scientific census through its Project Parakeet, which enlisted volunteer birders around the country for simultaneous counts on a recent Sunday evening.

“I was delighted when I first saw one in my yard, but when you have a flock of 300, it’s a different matter,” said Dick Hayden, a retiree who was volunteering at Long Lane Park. “They eat all the berries. They ate all the food from my feeder in one day; it was ludicrous. I had to stop putting it out because it got too expensive.”

There is wide agreement that the Adams and Eves behind the current population boom did not fly here from Asia or Africa but escaped from British pet cages or were intentionally released by their owners. The great mystery is what allowed the parakeets to procreate with such phenomenal success just in the past decade.

Throughout much of the 20th century, there have been occasional sightings around Britain of escaped parakeets, which are hardy enough to survive the foothills of the Himalayas. But their numbers remained low, and most scientists assumed that they were not adapted well enough to breed readily.

Theories abound. Is it that gardeners are planting more exotic ornamental plants, effectively providing imported food to match an imported bird species? That suburbanites are installing more feeders and putting out more seed? The booming British gardening industry guards sales figures and has provided little guidance.

Alternatively, some scientists suggest that a slightly warmer climate has indeed helped tip the balance, perhaps increasing the parakeet’s metabolism during its February breeding season, bolstering the growth of some of its favored food or killing off a predator.

“Being tropical, they’re used to a milder climate, and they’ve arrived here during a long spell of warm years,” said Grahame Madge, a spokesman for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Yet the parakeets also did fine over the past two winters, which were uncommonly cold.

“The jury’s out,” Mr. Madge said. “I’m not aware of any predators being removed. I’m not aware of any environmental trigger that set this off. I’m not convinced that climate is playing into it.”

Perhaps the answer lies in the numbers game that prevails in any dating venue: once the population passed a certain threshold, it was more likely that each parakeet could find a mate and make a home in the suburbs.

The new bird census may help shed some light on the trend. Scientists, birders and policymakers are “waiting with bated breath for these latest numbers,” said David Leech, senior research ecologist at the British Trust for Ornithology. “It’s absolutely fascinating to have a species come in and proliferate like this; we’ve never seen that before. But we need to know a lot more so we can understand how they’ll spread.”

British officials are watching trends closely since the parakeets have proved major agricultural pests elsewhere, ravaging crops in places like India. So far, they have shown little predilection for leaving Europe’s cities and suburbs for agricultural areas. (Far smaller flocks of rose-ringed parakeets have also arrived in other European cities like Brussels and Amsterdam.)

There is also concern that the wily parakeet will outcompete more restrained British birds like the nuthatch, since both species nest in holes in old trees.

So far British scientists have not documented either problem, said Hannah Peck, a graduate student with Project Parakeet, but they remain watchful.

“I saw one have it in with a jackdaw,” she said, referring to a British crow that is itself no shrinking violet. “The jackdaw lost.” ...Read more

Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of May 28th - May 29th, 2011:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, May 28, 2011

Introduction to Birdwatching
Every Saturday, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Explore the Park's natural areas and learn how to look for amazing birds

Discover Tour
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Discover Tour
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Shorebirding at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Trip Leader: Peter Dorosh
Focus: Shorebirds, colonial waders, terns, breeders, late passerines & stragglers
Car pool fee: $ 10.00 (if cars are available); otherwise public transportation by A train
Registrar: Peter Dorosh, Email Prosbird [AT] aol.com or TEXT Message 347-622-3559
Registration period: May 17th - May 26th
Note: High Tide is 6:46 am

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Linnaean Society of New York
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Inwood Hill Park
Leader and Registrar: Lenore Swenson
Registration opens Monday 5/16.
Public transportation.

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Littoral Society
Saturday, May 28, 2011 (4-7pm)
Jamaica Bay Sunset Cruise
Learn about the history, ecology and wildlife of the bay aboard the 100' boat " Golden Sunshine" leaving from pier 2 in Sheepshead Bay. See egrets, herons, peregrine falcon, osprey, oystercatcher, terns, shorebirds and waterfowl.
Cost: $45 includes narrated tour plus wine and cheese, drink, fruit, snacks.
Call (718) 318-9344 to reserve; e-mail: donriepe [AT] gmail.com. With NYC Audubon

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, May 28, 2011, 7:30am – 10:30am
StarrTrips in Central Park
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings in Central Park, Saturday, April 2 – Wednesday, June 1 Join Starr Saphir for bird watching in Central Park. On Mondays and Wednesdays, meet at 7:30am sharp at 81st and Central Park West (SE corner). On Tuesdays, meet at 9am sharp at 103rd and Central Park West (parkside). On Saturdays, meet at 7:30am sharp at 103rd and Central Park West (parkside). All Starr Trips are non-smoking. No registration necessary. For more information, call Starr at 917-306-3808. $8 ($4 for full time students)

Saturday, May 28, 2011, 8:00am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walks
Guide: Andrew Baksh or Urban Park Rangers. With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and Urban Park Rangers. 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 forth by these great ornithologists. Participants will look for various species of migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. For more information, please call 718-548-0912. No registration necessary. No limit. Free.

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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
Saturday, May 28, 2011, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Page Avenue Beach
We’ll begin with a look at the local geology then move to examining the flotsam and jetsam accumulated at the high tide lines to see what nature's debris has to tell us. As the water recedes with the tide we'll move into the inter-tidal zone to find out what sorts of living things survive in this challenging environment. A variety of crabs, snails, clams, worms and small fish are likely to be discovered. It's going to be muddy so dress appropriately. Meet at the parking lot at the bottom of Page Avenue below Hylan Blvd.
For more information phone Clay Wollney at (718) 869-6327.

Sunday, May 29, 2011, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Red Trail Loop
Easy/moderate closed circuit 4-mile hike in the middle of the Greenbelt through Buck's Hollow and Heyerdahl Hill. This loop trail begins and ends at Historic Richmond Town and St. Patrick's Place off Richmond Road. Bring beverage, snack and wear comfortable shoes.
Contact Hillel Lofaso at (718) 751-6629 for more information.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, May 28, 2011

Early Birding Walk at Van Cortlandt Park
8:00 a.m.
Spring is back and so are our fine-feathered friends! Let's search for birds on a...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

From the Garden to the Pines
11:00 a.m.
Take a walk around the beautiful Shakespeare Garden to discover what's in bloom. The...
Location: Belvedere Castle (in Central Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Spring Bloom Bike Tour
12:00 p.m.
We'll start our botany bike journey a the boat basin of Riverside Park, ride along the...
Location: West 79th Street Boat Basin (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Spring Birding
1:00 p.m.
Along with the temperatures, migration season is heating up. Warblers, waterfowl, and...
Location: Oakland Lake, 46th Avenue and Cloverdale Boulevard (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Canoeing the Lagoon
11:00 a.m.
Get ready for an adventure paddling through the sparkling blue waters and green marsh...
Location: Canoe and Kayak Launch (northwest corner of Orchard Beach parking lot) (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Virgorous Hike: Highbridge
11:00 a.m.
Traverse the hidden trails of Highbridge. Take in fabulous view of Morris Jumel...
Location: W 158th Street and Edgecombe Avenue (in Highbridge Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Vigorous Hike: Red Trail Adventure
2:00 p.m.
Take the road less travelled and challenge yourself on the hills of High Rock.
Location: High Rock Ranger Station (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
Cost: Free

Owl Prowl
7:00 p.m.
Take a night hike in the North Woods in search of the Eastern screech owl. Sunset is...
Location: West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Spring Tide Lovers
8:00 p.m.
On moonlit nights, horseshoe crabs return to the shores to mate. Marvel as the...
Location: Plumb Beach Comfort Station, Manhattan
Cost: Free ...Read more

Friday's Foto

This month's rainy weather has sometimes made birdwatching a challenge. Flowers, however, have been benefiting from all the rain creating a profusion of colors and fragrances throughout Brooklyn. English Hawthorns, a member of the Rosaceae family, is a favorite. I pass a pair of these trees whenever I enter Prospect Park near the Litchfield Mansion. Their rosy-pink blossoms caught my eye one rainy morning.

Urban Turtles

Tuesday's post started me thinking about our urban turtles. They are often overlooked in our city parks, except when the first Spring individuals haul themselves out on logs signally the symbolic end of Winter.

Red-eared Sliders are the most common turtle species in New York City's ponds and lakes. This native of the southern United States has become naturalized in our area due to its popularity as a pet. In fact, it is the most common water turtle kept as a pet. Clearly many end up living out their very long lives (50-70 years) in city parks, not home aquariums. Some states where this species in not native have ban their sale as they are considered invasive. These and other turtles are known carriers of Salmonella.

Two weeks ago I spotted my first Common Musk Turtle. It was in Prospect Park and it wasn't until I got home and researched the photo that I learned this individual's identity. Another common name for this species is "stinkpot". Its species name is "oderatus", which may give a clue to one of its most prominent features - when picked up they often will secrete a very unpleasant smell. This small turtle's high domed carapace and yellow facial stripes caught my attention while walking along the park's Lullwater.

"Friendly", "endearing" and "cute" are not words I would generally use to describe the Common Snapping Turtle. They eat just about anything they want, can grow to as large as 75 lbs. and are very long lived. Did I mention that these carnivores can be extremely aggressive and could easily bite off a finger? That said, there is one individual in Green-Wood Cemetery's Crescent Water that appears to like humans. The other possibility is that it is merely a ploy to gain our confidence so that it can get close enough to drag us to the bottom of the lake and eat us. This individual is probably the same turtle that Marge photographed last year and I posted about here. While birding in the cemetery with Paige last weekend we stopped off at the pond. I saw the snapper's head sticking out of the water several yards for shore. When I stomped my feet on the pond's coping water, he (or she) swam right over to us. I wouldn't advise feeding this behemoth for several reasons, but her sad eyes and blowing bubbles made it tempting. I suspect that this was once somebody's pet that they released here. Either that or it has been getting fed by someone on a regular basis, making it associate humans with feeding time.

Other local turtles include Diamondback Terrapins, which can be seen at Gerritsen Creek and other coastal areas. They should currently be involved in breeding behavior. American Red-bellied Turtles can be found in Prospect Park, as well as, Common Map Turtles. Anyway, my point is that there's a lot more to NYC turtles than store-bought-then-released-in-local-ponds Red-eared Sliders, so get curious and get exploring...but keep your fingers far away from this one's mouth.

...Read more

Treehugger Tuesday

Why is America's Smallest Turtle Getting Sick
By LiveScience

North American bog turtles are getting sick, and no one knows why. Researchers are launching a turtle health check-up to find out.

The smallest turtle in North America is getting more and more scarce, and researchers are banding together to find out why.

At 4.5 inches (11.4 centimeters) long, the North American bog turtle, or Glyptemys muhlenbergii, is the smallest turtle species on the continent. It can be found in marshes across the eastern U.S., but wildlife managers in the Northeast have noticed higher-than-average rates of bog turtle deaths over the past few years, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

BOG TURTLE IN ITS NATURAL HABITAT: Health experts from the Wildlife Conservation Society are working with state and federal wildlife managers to determine why bog turtles are dying in higher numbers than usual. (Photo: Julie Larsen Maher/Wildlife Conservation Society)

Along with state and federal wildlife agencies, WCS is beginning a bog turtle checkup in search of a cause for these mysterious deaths. Researchers will conduct physical exams on wild turtles and take blood and fecal samples for analysis.

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The Bog Turtle is Endangered in New York State. ...Read more

Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of May 21st - May 22nd, 2011:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, May 21, 2011

Introduction to Birdwatching
Every Saturday, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Explore the Park's natural areas and learn how to look for amazing birds

Discover Tour
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Discover Tour
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist

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New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center

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Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Prospect Park
Meet 7:00am at Grand Army Plaza entrance (Stranahan Statue)
Trip Leader: Tom Stephenson
Focus: late Spring passerines migration, warbler rarity, flycatchers

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Littoral Society
Saturday, May 21, 2011 (10am-1pm)
Horseshoe Crabs and Red Knots
Meet 10 am at Jamaica Bay Refuge center for a hike around the West Pond to look for mating horseshoe crabs and shorebirds. Bring boots & binoculars.
Call (718) 318-9344; E-mail: donriepe [AT] gmail.com

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New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, May 21, 2001, 6am – 7pm
Van Corlandt Park Bird-A-Thon
Rain Date: Sunday, May 22 With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy and NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Meet at Van Cortlandt Park for a great day of birding and support the park at the same time, whether you’re a birding beginner or a pro! Come any time between 6am and 7pm to participate in Van Cortlandt Park’s first bird-a-thon. Count the number of bird species you spot and get your supporters to chip in for each species you find! Experts will be on hand to help with identification. For more information and to learn about pledge collection, visit www.vcpark.org or call 718-430-1890. Bring binoculars. No limit. Free

Saturday, May 21, 2011, 7:30am – 10:30am
StarrTrips in Central Park
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings in Central Park, Saturday, April 2 – Wednesday, June 1 Join Starr Saphir for bird watching in Central Park. On Mondays and Wednesdays, meet at 7:30am sharp at 81st and Central Park West (SE corner). On Tuesdays, meet at 9am sharp at 103rd and Central Park West (parkside). On Saturdays, meet at 7:30am sharp at 103rd and Central Park West (parkside). All Starr Trips are non-smoking. No registration necessary. For more information, call Starr at 917-306-3808. $8 ($4 for full time students)

Saturday, May 21, 2011, 10am – 1pm
Birds and Plants: NY Botanical Garden in Springtime
Guides: Gabriel Willow, NY BG Docent With New York Botanical Garden Enter through the Mosholu gate and meet at the Reflecting Pool near the Visitor Center. The NY Botanical Garden is home to a large tract of East Coast old-growth forest. During the peak of spring migration, the beautiful gardens come alive with migrating songbirds. Limited to 15. $25 Click here to register!

Saturday, May 21, 2011, 11am – 2pm
Red Knots and Horseshoe Crabs at Jamaica Bay, Queens
Guide: Don Riepe With Gateway National Recreation Area ***Note: The meeting point for this event has changed from Plumb Beach to the Jamaica Bay NWR Visitor center*** Meet at the the Jamaica Bay NWR Visitor Center to see the annual mating ritual of the prehistoric horseshoe crab, along with the red knots, sanderlings, and ruddy turnstones. Hike along the beach and marshland edges to see fiddler crabs, egrets, and other wildlife. Bring lunch and binoculars.
To register, contact Don Riepe at 718-318-9344 or donriepe [AT] gmail.com. Limited to 25. Free

Sunday, May 22, 2011, 9:30am – 11:30am
Birding Along the Hudson: Riverdale Park
Guide: Gabriel Willow With Wave Hill Explore the Hudson River’s avian ecology starting at the tip of Manhattan and migrating north. Ideal for ages 10 and up. Registration recommended: online, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. All necessary information, including meeting location details, will be included in your registration confirmation email from Wave Hill. Severe weather cancels (For weather-related updates, call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8am the day of the walk). $10 for Wave Hill or NYC Audubon members/$18 non-members. (Members of other host organizations also enjoy member prices when walks take place at their location.)

Sunday, May 22, 2011, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Hawk Watch at Astoria Park, Queens
Guide: Urban Park Rangers With NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, Urban Park Rangers Meet at the parking lot at Hoyt Avenue and 19th Street in Astoria. A pair of red-tailed hawks has been nesting in Astoria Park on the RFK Bridge for years. Observe these residents and learn about their nesting and foraging habits. Registration necessary through NYC Audubon. Limited to 30. Free Click here to register!

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Staten Island Museum (Staten Island)
May 21, 2011 (All Day)
Big Sit for Birds
Gather friends, find your favorite birding spot, create an imaginary 17-foot diameter circle and count all the species of birds you can identify for 3 hours. For more information and locations contact Seth Wollney at swollney [AT] statenislandmuseum.org or call (718) 483-7105.

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Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Early Birding Walk at Van Cortlandt Park
8:00 a.m.
Spring is back and so are our fine-feathered friends! Let's search for birds on a...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Light Hike: The Old Aqueduct Trial
11:00 a.m.
We'll be exploring the forest floor on this moderate hike. Uncover a world of mosses,...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Bio-Diversity Hike at Inwood Hill Park
12:00 p.m.
Explore the diverse ecology, habitats, plants, and animals of Inwood Hill Park's salt...
Location: Inwood Hill Nature Center (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Moderate Hike
1:00 p.m.
Explore the natural world on this hike by smelling, touching, listening, and seeing the...
Location: Prospect Park Picnic House (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Shore Birds
11:00 a.m.
Gulls and geese and oystercatchers, oh my! From the common to the unusual, the beach...
Location: Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park-Orchard Beach), Bronx
Cost: Free

Hawk Watch
11:00 a.m.
A pair of red-tailed hawks has been nesting in Astoria Park on te RFK Bridge for...
Location: Parking Lot on Hoyt Avenue and 19 Street (in Astoria Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Turtle Walk
1:00 p.m.
Turtles live on land, in lakes and ponds, and in the oceans. Get to know some of the...
Location: Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free ...Read more

Friday's Foto

Searching for Wood-Warblers means spending a lot of time scanning the treetops in the forested sections of our city parks. For a nice break from "warbler neck" check out the recent profusion of Wild Geraniums in the woodland's understory. These native wildflowers are doing particularly well in Prospect Park this season.

Birds and Bugs

Sorry for the late post but the Blogger system had been down due to technical issues. Anyway...
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Mother's Day in Prospect Park began as a fairly typical morning of Spring birding. Heydi, Paige and I found a few early patches of warbler activity near the north end of the park, but nothing extraordinary. It wasn't until we reached the opposite end of the park that things got really interesting. By 9:30am nearly every birdwatcher in Prospect Park had arrived at the southeast side of Lookout Hill for a nature spectacle that I'd never witnessed in Brooklyn.

We ran into Ed, Phil and Bill at the narrow passageway that runs south from the Nethermead Meadow, along Lookout Hill, towards the Maryland Monument. Ed explained that he had been on the lower path that runs along the Lullwater when he heard the brassy song of a Hooded Warbler. He thought the sound was coming from Lookout Hill. The Hooded Warbler is a rare gem of a bird seen infrequently on migration. The bird has bright yellow plumes on its underside, an olive-green upper body and, as its name implies, a jet black hood that frames a yellow face. On their breeding ground in Eastern hardwood forests their loud, whistled "ta-wit ta-wit ta-wit tee-yo" can be heard echoing through the woods for quite a distance. We really wanted to find that bird and headed up a small rise at the base of Lookout Hill to a woodland clearing adjacent to the Maryland Monument.

As we waited and listened, the high-pitched song from a pair Cape May Warblers caught our attention. They were foraging in the trees directly above us and in virtually the same spot as we observed them a day earlier. At one point I thought I heard a partial Hooded Warbler song coming from deeper into the woods. After about 15 minutes we decided to climb a steep, woodchip trail to the top of Lookout Hill. Once at the top we ran into Tom Preston. I asked him about the Hooded Warbler to which he replied, "I just saw it over there", pointing down the hillside. It only took a moment or two for our group of three to spot the bird in the understory. We continued birding first at the Butterfly Meadow, then the small opening at the top of the hill. There are several mature oak trees at the summit which are good for spotting hungry insectivores. After only a few minutes effort, we added to our growing list of warbler sightings Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart and Worm-eating Warbler. The Bay-breasted Warbler was particular cooperative as it dropped down from the treetops briefly and foraged in shrubs at eye level. The day was going so well, I asked Heydi and Paige if we should leave Lookout Hill and go find a Cerulean Warbler. The vote for cerulean was unanimous. I should point out that this was a truly ridiculous concept on a few levels. First, Cerulean Warblers, in the rare case that a birder is able to locate one, are usually found foraging at the very top of the tallest trees. In addition, according the the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation:

"The cerulean warbler was designated a species of continental importance for the United States and Canada by the Partners in Flight program. In the late 19th century it was one of the most abundant breeding warblers in the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. By the mid 1900s, however, it had largely disappeared from most of its former range as a result of habitat loss due to forest fragmentation. In New York it is mostly rare, but locally common in areas where suitable habitat still exists."

My optimistic statement was purely fantasy. Adam, who had joined us, along with Tom Stephenson, heard my cerulean comment and declared, "If we find a Cerulean Warbler I'll pee in my pants".

We were walking on the lower path of the hill, towards the Maryland Monument when I received the following text message from Peter:

"Termite hatching on path above wellhouse lots of action"

It only took us a minute to arrive at a spot were a couple of dozen birdwatchers were already riveted to the bird activity on the hillside.

A termite hatch occurs when a new, winged generation of insects, known as alates, depart the colony to begin another colony in a new location. During their brief period of flight, large numbers of insectivorous songbirds virtually mob the area, snapping up thousands of termites. On Lookout Hill several trees had been blown down and, after the parks department cleared the larger debris, left the trunks to decompose naturally. I'm guessing that all the extra wood had contributed to a particularly large colony of termites. As we approached the area I noticed several dozen Chimney Swifts and three different species of swallow swooping down between the trees above the path, feasting on the windfall. During the next 30 minutes we witnessed an endless stream of hungry songbirds, many at or below eye level. The incredible list of species directly feeding on the termites or in the immediate vicinity were:

Chimney Swift
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Red-eyed Vireo
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
Canada Warbler
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole

At some point we heard rumor of a Blue-winged Warbler near the Boathouse, so Adam, Heydi, Paige and I decided to go find it.

We had just arrived at a grassy area near the Boathouse and next to the Lily Pond when I received another text message from Peter:

"Cerulean Warbler @ termite hatch site above wellhouse"

I read that message aloud and the four of us began sprinting back to the hill. As we passed the Concert Pagoda Heydi and I suddenly stopped and said in unison, "Blue-winged Warbler" (we heard it singing). Adam and Paige slammed on their brakes and ran back to get brief looks of the tiny yellow and blue bird as it sang from a perch in a sycamore tree. The viewing lasted all of about 10 seconds before we continued running towards Lookout Hill.

Arriving sweating and out of breath, we discovered that the bird was no longer present. The large group gathered near the hatch-out continued searching the trees and tree trunk littered hillside for this rarely seen blue songbird. At one point my friend Keir asked if I wanted to join him searching the trees at the top of the hill. I agreed and we began walking.
A moment later we heard someone shout, "Cerulean!" There, in the clearing along the steep hillside, was the bird of the day. I'd seen them on their breeding grounds and even a few time in Prospect Park, but this experience was like no other. This bird of the upperstory was hopping around on the ground, eating termites, only a few yards away from us. A dozen birders pressed up against a black, wire fence that protected the edge of the clearing. The clicking of cameras sounded like the paparazzi along the red carpet at a Hollywood opening. People were shoulder to shoulder staring in awe at the bird. Then something silly occurred to me. I announced to the group that, in light of a previous statement made by Adam, anyone standing close to him might want to move away.

I watched for a few minutes then moved back to give someone else a chance. The cerulean eventually disappeared up the hillside and into the treetops, but the show on Lookout Hill wasn't over yet.

The Hooded Warbler returned to the area near the termite hatch. There were about a dozen or more birders still present when the hooded then decided to hop out onto the sidewalk. Hooded Warblers tend to forage in the middle story or on the ground, so its behavior wasn't too unusual. Walking around in front of a crowd of people was, however, a little odd and I had to take this photograph.

Spring migration is always an exciting time to go birding. It's a time to hang out with old friend of both the avian and human variety. It's a period of whirlwind sights and sounds that won't be experienced for another year. And it's a time to experience unexpected natural phenomenon that will be remembered by birders for a lifetime. Twenty years from now, a group of birders will be sitting around telling stories of past birding glory. Someone is likely to say, "Remember when we had that termite hatch in Prospect Park and the Cerulean Warbler and Hooded Warbler were dancing around on the ground for us?" I feel fortunate to have been one of those people.

Here are a few photos of birds from the termite hatch on Lookout Hill:

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Date: 05/07/11 - 05/08/11
Locations: Prospect Park (Aralia Grove, Lookout Hill, Midwood, North Zoo, Peninsula, Quaker Cemetery, Ravine, Rick's Place, Upper Pool, Vale of Cashmere)
Total Number of Species: 88

Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Red-throated Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Spotted Sandpiper
Laughing Gull
Chimney Swift
Northern Flicker
- Empidonax sp.
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher

Blue-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Worm-eating Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
Canada Warbler

Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch

Other common species seen (or heard):
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow ...Read more

Treehugger Tuesday

The following is from the American Bird Conservancy website:

New Study Highlights Dramatic Impact of Cats on Young Birds In Washington, D.C. Suburbs

(Washington, D.C., March 14, 2011) A new study on the effects of urbanization on wildlife that tracked the early lives of gray catbirds in three Washington, D.C. suburbs found that outdoor cats were the number one source of known predation on the young birds. The study by Dr. Peter Marra and Dr. Thomas Ryder of The Smithsonian Institution and Ms. Anne L. Balogh of Towson University, published in the January 2011 edition of the Journal of Ornithology, specifically found that almost 80 percent of the catbird mortality in the study was from predation and that cats were the source of almost half of the known predation.

“While this study was not national in scope in any regard, it certainly adds more validation to what we have been saying for years; that outdoor cats are a highly destructive predatory force that is causing havoc in the world of native wildlife. This peer-reviewed study was co-sponsored by one of the most respected scientific organizations in the country – The Smithsonian Institution. I hope we can now stop minimizing and trivializing the impacts that outdoor cats have on the environment, and start addressing the serious problem of cat predation,” said Darin Schroeder, Vice President for Conservation Advocacy for American Bird Conservancy (ABC), the nation’s leading bird conservation organization.

“Up to 500 million birds or more are killed by outdoor cats in the United States. We need to get serious about halting the damage that cats are causing to birds and other wildlife species,” Schroeder said.

A key to the study was very small radio transmitters that were affixed to sixty-nine newly hatched gray catbirds in three Washington, DC suburbs – Bethesda, Spring Park, and Opal Daniels. The transmitters recorded the birds’ locations every other day until they died or left the study area. Of the 42 birds that died during the study, 33 suffered from predation. Nineteen of the predations were known and of that total, nine were killed by cats.

According to the study, the most significant factor affecting a catbird fledgling’s survival was predation and not parental age, brood size, sex, or hatching date. The study revealed that the vast majority of young catbird deaths occurred in the first week after a bird fledged from the nest. Because fledglings beg loudly for food and are not yet alert to predators, they are easy prey for domestic cats.

ABC has been a leader in seeking solutions to the issue of cat predation on birds and has published a variety of materials on the subject that outline approaches to mitigating the problems associated with cat predation. Those materials can be found at http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/cats/materials.html

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The Human Society lists lots of reasons why it is better for cats to remain indoors in this article here. ...Read more

Upcoming Nature Trips

Below is a list of upcoming nature trips within NYC's five boroughs for the weekend of May 14th - May 15th, 2011:

Audubon Center in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Saturday, May 14, 2011

Introduction to Birdwatching
Every Saturday, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Explore the Park's natural areas and learn how to look for amazing birds

Discover Tour
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Discover Tour
Every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Discover the Prospect Park you never knew! Meet birds and other wildlife on this walk, guided by a naturalist


New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Debbie Becker leads a free bird walk at the Garden every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center


Brooklyn Bird Club
Saturday May 14th, 2011
"The Birdathon", International Migratory Bird Day
A global event celebrating the beauty of birds and habitats. This event encourages fundraising for conservation causes. For this year, a cause will be discussed and adopted by the Birdathon members, posted on the Prospect Sightings blog.
Prospect Park Birdathon leader Paul Keim 718-875-1151
If you are interested in forming a team with members or friends with encouragement for pledges and fundraising, or need more information, please contact the BBC Birdathon coordinator Peter Dorosh at Prosbird [AT] aol.com.


Sunday, May 15, 2011
"A Common Border treble trio": Evergreen Cemetery, Highland Park, Ridgewood Reservoir
Trip Leader: Peter Dorosh
Focus: Migration peak of Spring passerines
Car pool fee: $ 10.00
Registrar: Peter Dorosh, Email Prosbird [AT] aol.com or TEXT Message 347-622-3559
Registration period: May 3rd - May 12th


New York City Audubon Society
Saturday, May 14, 2011, 7:30am – 10:30am
StarrTrips in Central Park
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings in Central Park, Saturday, April 2 – Wednesday, June 1 Join Starr Saphir for bird watching in Central Park. On Mondays and Wednesdays, meet at 7:30am sharp at 81st and Central Park West (SE corner). On Tuesdays, meet at 9am sharp at 103rd and Central Park West (parkside). On Saturdays, meet at 7:30am sharp at 103rd and Central Park West (parkside). All Starr Trips are non-smoking. No registration necessary. For more information, call Starr at 917-306-3808. $8 ($4 for full time students)

Saturday, May 14, 2011, 8:00am – 9:30am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walks
Guide: Andrew Baksh or Urban Park Rangers. With the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and Urban Park Rangers. 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 forth by these great ornithologists. Participants will look for various species of migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. For more information, please call 718-548-0912. No registration necessary. No limit. Free.

Saturday, May 14, 2011, 1pm – 3pm
Explore The Bronx River By Rowboat
Guide: Chrissy Word With Rocking the Boat Launch from Hunts Point Riverside Park and explore the Bronx River aboard a hand-built wooden boat, led by experienced rowers. The Bronx River is the city’s only true river and hosts an abundance of wildlife, including herons and egrets, osprey, and belted kingfishers. Visit restoration sites and learn about the Bronx River eco-system, as well as its social and cultural history. Rowing optional! Limited to 20. $35 for adults, $25 for ages 18 and under. Click here to register!

Sunday, May 15, 2011, 9am – 12pm
Explore Roosevelt Island
Guide: Gabriel Willow Meet at the Roosevelt Island Tramway Station, Manhattan side, located at 59th Street and 2nd Avenue. Discover one of the lesser-known islands of the archipelago that is New York City. Once known as Blackwell’s Island for the family that farmed it, and later known as Welfare Island for the many city hospitals and institutions found there. We will visit architectural remnants of these eras and search for birds from this prime location in the center of the East River. We may see gulls, cormorants, and herons that nest on smaller islands nearby. Limited to 20. $20 Click here to register!


North Shore Audubon Society
Saturday, May 14, 2011
BIG DAY: Alley Pond Park
Start time: 6:30 a.m.
After lunch, continues at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Leader: Barbara Garriel joint with Ian Resnick (QCBC)
Phone: 516-628-9022


Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island)
Saturday, May 14, 9:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
37th Annual Spring Ten Mile Walk of the SI Greenbelt (Pouch Camp)
Enjoy walking at a comfortable pace to see wonderful vistas, beautiful, spring woodlands and hear the latest about the imperiled Pouch Camp property. The walk will border the property and discussion will focus on what PPOW members and the public can do to support the preservation and conservation of the 140 acres of colorful woodlands. Meet at the beginning of the blue line trail at the end of Staten Island Boulevard (at the end of the road right above Petrides School which intersects Ocean Terrace). Bring lunch, a beverage and sturdy walking shoes.
For more information call Dominick Durso at (718) 967-0379 or Chuck Perry at (718) 667-1393.


Queens County Bird Club
Saturday, May 14, 2011, 12am – Sun, May 15, 12am
Big Day
Every year at about the peak of spring migration, birders across the nation participate in a “Big Day”. Queens county birders are invited to join with the Queens County Bird Club Inc. this May 14th as we cover various locations in arguably the best New York City borough to go birding in! The Queens County Bird Club Inc. has been performing a Big Day going back many many years. The information gathered is important “Citizen Science”: You'll join with other conservation minded people in collecting records needed to monitor and protect birds. The goal of a “big day” is to record as many species as possible within a 24 hr period. In practical terms the event takes place roughly from dawn to dusk - give or take, and differs from a winter CBC because we don’t tally numbers of individuals, just species. Another difference is we are not constrained by count circle boundaries, but by the boundaries of the county. Join us! Contact our Big Day coordinator and pledge your participation. We have a lot of areas to cover, and areas that need extra volunteers. Leader Ian Resnick 917-626-9562 avian [AT] nyc.rr.com


Staten Island Museum
Sunday, May 15, 2011, 1:00pm
Wildflower Walk at Mount Loretto
Join local naturalist Ray Matarazzo and investigate the wildflowers and plants of Staten Island largest coastal meadow. This walk is part of NYC Wildflower Week programming. Meet in the DEC parking lot off of Hylan Blvd. For more information call Ed Johnson at (718) 483-7110.

Sunday, May 15, 2011, 8:00pm-10:00pm
Horseshoe Crab Monitoring
Lend a hand with ecological research! Help count and tag Horse Shoe Crabs as part of a multi-state effort to monitor wildlife populations. Come for one night, or all three. Volunteers will measure shells & record data. In conjunction with NYC Audubon and Cornell University. For more information and locations contact Seth Wollney at swollney [AT] statenislandmuseum.org or call (718) 483-7105.


Urban Park Rangers
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Early Birding Walk at Van Cortlandt Park
8:00 a.m.
Spring is back and so are our fine-feathered friends!  Let's search for birds on a...
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Brooklyn/Queens Day Out
8:00 a.m.
Come on an all-day birding tour. Bring binoculars and a bag lunch. Transportation will be...
Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

On a Wing: Family Festival
12:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m.
This ongoing series ends with a fun outdoor festival. Make a bird journal, view insect...
Location: Belvedere Castle (in Central Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Vigorous Hike: The McWalk
1:00 p.m.
Walk from McCarren Park to McGolrick Park and discover the past, present, and future of...
Location: Bedford Avenue and North 12 Street (in McCarren Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Wandering Warblers
10:00 a.m.
They're little, they're fast, they're beautiful, and they're back – the warblers!
Location: Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

Strack Pond: A Haven for Herpetology
10:00 a.m.
Strack Pond in Forest Park is one of the best places in NYC to observe reptiles and...
Location: Forest Park Visitor Center (in Forest Park), Queens
Cost: Free

Canoeing Basics
11:00 a.m.; 2:00 p.m.
Explore the tranquility of Wolfe's Pond while getting to know inhabitants like egrets,...
Location: Wolfe's Pond Park Comfort Station (in Wolfes Pond Park), Staten Island
Cost: Free

Heather Garden Walk
12:00 p.m.
Stroll through the Heather Garden to see what's in bloom and enjoy the beautiful views of...
Location: Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Discover Tour: Spring Migration Hike
3:00 p.m.
Bring your binoculars and field guides as we walk to the top of Lookout Hill in search of...
Location: Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
Cost: Free ...Read more

Friday's Foto

Baltimore Orioles build hanging basket nests, usually near water. Constructed primarily of plant fibers, this colorful nest in Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery incorporates ribbons that were likely acquired from lost balloons.

Migration Gathers Steam

As I predicted in last Thursday's posting, this past weekend saw not only an increase in bird abundance, but also species diversity. Between Saturday and Sunday I tallied 96 species of birds in Brooklyn, among those were a couple of nice surprises. The previous weekend saw 71 species. During a marathon day of birding in Prospect Park on Saturday that included sighting the curious combination of a very early Blackpoll Warbler and very late Pine Siskin, a group of Brooklyn and Queens birders also stumbled on a species that hadn't been seen in the park for 15 years.

With favorable south winds late in the week, Paige Linden, Heydi Lopes and I made plans to start our weekend at 6am at Grand Army Plaza. From there we would walk to the Vale of Cashmere, eventually birding our way to the south end of Prospect Park. Seth Ausable emailed me earlier in the week as he and Corey Finger, another Queens birder, wanted to look for migrants in Prospect Park. Neither spend much time birding in my home park and I always enjoy sharing my knowledge of its hotspots. Both are excellent birders that tend to make exceptional finds wherever they go. I had good feelings about the five of us combining our skills hunting for migrant songbirds.

We met them at the vale at around 6:30am. At first, there didn't seem to be a lot of birds in the area surrounding the decorative pond, but at a large flowering cherry tree near the south end we found our first little wave of songbirds. The cherry tree, which was covered in large, white blossoms is a magnet for Baltimore and Orchard Orioles. On that morning there were also several warblers in the tree among a half-dozen orioles competing for insects. At one point Paige nonchalantly exclaimed, "I think there's a Prothonotary Warbler in front of us". Sure enough, in the low, weeping branches of the tree was a bright, golden yellow prothonotary. By 7:15am we had spotted the following impressive number of birds within the cherry tree:

Nashville Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Orchard Oriole and Baltimore Oriole.

Nearby were Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, White-throated Sparrow and Scarlet Tanager.

We left the Vale of Cashmere and headed towards the previously reported hotspot at the north end of the zoo (the woodchip pile). It was relatively quiet there, so we crossed the road at the Dongan Oak monument and headed into the Midwood. The Midwood is frequently referred to as "the last remaining natural forest in Brooklyn". With towering tuliptrees, oaks and other deciduous hardwoods, it is always a good spot to find migrating wood-warblers.

A high canopy and overcast sky made searching through the birds in the treetops a challenge. At one point I decided to bird from a horizontal position, which Corey memorialized on his blog here. After about 30 minutes in the forest we decided to continue south, towards Center Drive, the Nethermead Meadow, then up to the woods of Lookout Hill. Just before exiting the woods, we ran into Eric Miller with a few other Queens birders. More good ears and eyes usually means more birds, so we joined forces on our quest for songbirds.

Just outside the Midwood, on Center Drive, I noticed a lot of activity in a large, catkin festooned oak tree, so we stopped to scan the treetop. There was a nice mixed flock of birds that included Blue-headed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Nashville Warbler, Northern Parula, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Palm Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler and Chipping Sparrow. In an adjacent tree Heydi pointed out a Blackpoll Warbler.

When we were still in the Midwood I received a text message from Peter that there was a Bobolink seen on the Nethermead Meadow. We decided not to rush over there, but to take our time, not wanting to miss anything along the way. After several minutes of hunting through the oak tree we continued along Center Drive and passed the Nethermead Meadow. As we approached the meadow (which was covered with several dozen unleashed dogs) Eric shouted that he spotted the Bobolink. Amazingly, the bird was feeding in the grass, seemingly tolerating all the dogs. The bird was likely very hungry and exhausted. A grassland bird, Bobolink populations have declined significantly in New York State and are rarely seen in Prospect Park. My friend Steve was on the field taking photos of the bird after which he joined us on our walk up to Lookout Hill.

As good a morning as we were having, the best was yet to come.

We were slowly making our way up the curved roadway that ascents Lookout Hill from Center Drive. Passing a boxelder tree, I reminded Seth of the Townsend's Warbler he spotted there back on April 25, 2009. For whatever reason, our group stopped several yards up the road from that point, at the ridge just north of the Maryland Monument stairway. I don't know who, but someone shouted something about a flying nightjar. I looked down the ridge and saw a robin chasing a very large, rufous nightjar through the trees from left to right. The bird circled around and came to rest briefly on a tree up and to our right. Several of us got very good looks at a bird that was significantly larger than the robins and nearly uniformly reddish-brown on its upper body, head and wings. The general consensus what that it was a Chuck-will's-widow. After a moment, it spooked again, flew back and forth in front of us, then appeared to come down in the trees not far from where we first observed it. At this point there were 10 of us searching for where it came down. This nocturnal bird's cryptic plumage gives them one of nature's most incredible camouflage so, not unexpectedly, we were never able to locate its roost. I found out later in the afternoon that this was the same location where my friend Doug found one roosting 15 years ago.

Heydi and I weren't satisfied with fleeting glimpses of the Chuck-will's-widow. We decided to go back to that spot at dusk, wait for the sun to go down then playback its call off of her iPhone to see if the bird would respond. At around 8:15pm, while standing approximately where we first spotted it, we played the call and waited a minute. Nothing. We played it again. This time the bird flew up off the ridge and over Heydi's head. A couple of robins chased after it (not sure why the robins feel threatened by this insect eating bird). It circled around then headed in the direction of the Butterfly Meadow. As I write this, the memory of the experience still brings a smile to my face.

Prospect Park on Sunday seemed to have quieted down a bit, bird-wise, so after a couple of hours there, Heydi and I decided to do some birding at Green-Wood Cemetery. My thought was that current south winds might make for a decent raptor flight. The cemetery has several open areas on high ridges that could be ideal for a hawkwatch. Long story, short, the only raptors that we saw were the local pair of Red-tailed Hawks. There was one great sighting, however.

We were walking passed Boss Tweed's finally resting place when I saw another birder coming down the road towards us. His name is Jesse and I'd met him a few times in Prospect Park. There hadn't been a lot of bird activity and we stopped to compare sighting notes. After a moment, Jesse asked us about a bird whose identity he wasn't sure about. He then proceeded to perfectly describe a Blue Grosbeak! This is a very rare bird to find in Brooklyn so I asked if he could bring us back to the spot. He had never been to Green-Wood Cemetery before and was relying on a map which he downloaded from the Brooklyn Bird Club website. It has only taken me 3 years, but I've finally learned how to navigate around the cemetery's twisting, curving roads and paths and went directly to the area adjacent to the Crescent Water where Jesse had flushed the grosbeak. The Crescent Water (a pond) is surrounded on three sides by steep, grass covered ridges. On the side where Jesse spotted the bird, the grass is relatively short. Heydi and I reasoned that the bird would most likely be in longer, unmowed grass. The hillside above and adjacent to William Niblo's mausoleum had lots of long grass, so we climbed the hill and slowed worked our way north above Dale Avenue. We had only been scanning the grass here for a few minutes when I spotted a molting Blue Grosbeak on the ground within a flock of House Sparrow. A moment later Jesse noticed a second one behind it. This is such a good bird for Brooklyn that I immediately sent out a text about it. Rob Bate and Steve Nanz came over quickly and were able to see this rare pair.

It was an exhausting, but exhilarating weekend. According to David LaPuma's "Woodcreeper" website, northwest winds into Thursday kept the migration down in the northeast. However, it looks like the winds will shift to the south-southwest on Friday, then the south through the night. This weekend could be really good birding, so make sure you get out early.

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Date: 04/30/11 to 05/01/11
Locations: Green-Wood Cemetery, Prospect Park
Number of Species: 96

Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Laughing Gull
Monk Parakeet
Chuck-will's-widow
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Marsh Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Blue-winged Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Prothonotary Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak
Bobolink
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch

Other common species seen (or heard):
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, American Black Duck, Mallard, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow ...Read more