Green-Wood Cemetery Birds

Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery was slightly quieter for Wednesday's tour compared to last week. I tallied 13 species of warbler, with overall abundance lower that over the previous few days - although the early fog and drizzle could have been a factor. Still haven't seen much in the way of flycatchers other than Great Crested and kingbirds. One interesting observation was of an INDIGO BUNTING continuing to sing from the woodland edge near the Dell Water. He has been in that spot for 2 weeks now. It would be extremely rare if he found a mate and nested in the cemetery. Also of note is the arrival of Cedar Waxwings, seen and heard in good numbers.

On a non-avian note, it appears to be snapping turtle breeding season as some of these huge, prehistoric-looking reptiles have dragged themselves out of the ponds in search of soft earth to lay eggs. I spotted one on a hillside about 1/4 mile from the closest body of water. She looked exhausted and I considered giving her a hand down to the Crescent Water, then realized that she probably would have taken both.

Here's a short slideshow of some of the morning's botanics:


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Green-Wood Cemetery
May 16, 2012 8:05 AM - 10:40 AM
56 species

Double-crested Cormorant (1.)
Great Blue Heron (1.)
Great Egret (3.)
Red-tailed Hawk (3.)
Merlin (1.)
Killdeer (1.)
Spotted Sandpiper (1.)
Laughing Gull
Monk Parakeet
Chimney Swift
Northern Flicker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
House Wren
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing (43.)
Ovenbird (2.)
Northern Waterthrush (1.)
Black-and-white Warbler (4.)
Common Yellowthroat (3.)
American Redstart (6.)
Northern Parula (8.)
Magnolia Warbler (9.)
Yellow Warbler (1.)
Chestnut-sided Warbler (1.)
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler (2.)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (7.)
Black-throated Green Warbler (1.)
Chipping Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager (2.)
INDIGO BUNTING (1.)
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole (1.)
Baltimore Oriole (4.)

Other common species seen (or heard):
Canada Goose, Mallard, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, House Sparrow