Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of July 3-4, 2021:

Gabe Willow Tours

Explore the Hidden Ecology of Prospect Park After Dark
Saturday, July 3, 2021, 8:00pm - 10:00pm
Leader: Gabe Willow
Description: Balmy summer evenings are a beautiful time to stroll at night, but a closer look reveals a secret side of wildlife in the city that appears after dark. As the city lights meet the stars, bats, cicadas, katydids, fireflies and migratory birds emerge from their slumbers, giving new meaning to “the city that never sleeps”!
Registration: Register via Eventbrite.
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Gateway National Parks

Fort Wadsworth Tour
Saturday, July 3, 2021, 11:00am — 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join us for a hike around Fort Wadsworth as we explore both the natural areas and the remnants of the former harbor defense system. Inclement weather will cancel this program. Dress appropriately. Bring water, face mask required.
Registration: Call 718 354-4655 to make a reservation.
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Fort Wadsworth Tour
Sunday, July 4, 2021, 10:30am — 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join us for a tour of Fort Wadsworth as we explore both the natural areas and the remnants of the former harbor defense system. Tour begins at the Fort Wadsworth Overlook..
Registration: Call 718 354-4655 to make a reservation.
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, July 4, 2021, 6:00am–7:30am
Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful Sunday morning walking tours to discover the many birds that call Green-Wood home.
Registration: Register via Eventbrite.
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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society

Caumsett State Park - Huntington, NY
Sunday, July 4, 2021 - 8:00am
Leader: _____
Description: What better way to celebrate our nation’s birth than by seeing someof the rarest and most beautiful insects in the area? Caumsett is home to the only known breeding population of Baltimore checkerspot butterflies on Long Island and we’ll be looking for them, as well as dozens of other bugs, birds, etc. Meet in the parking lot.
Registration: To register, call (585) 880-0915.
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NYC H2O

Bat Walk at the Ridgewood Reservoir
Friday, July, 2, 2021, 8:00pm
Leader: Gabriel Willow
Description: Join naturalist Gabriel Willow to observe and learn about bats at the Ridgewood Reservoir. There are over 1,400 species of these winged mammals worldwide. Come discover which ones live at the Reservoir.
Registration: Via Eventbrite.
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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

Photographing Nature at Mount Loretto Unique Area
Saturday, July 3, 2021, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Dana Barbato
Description: Mount Loretto Unique Area is full of surprises! You never know what you’ll encounter in this park of unique and varied terrains, from grasslands, forests and wetlands, to coastal beach shorelines. Participants will visit with Dana Barbato as they seek out the amazing flora and fauna found there, while collectively sharing tips and techniques for capturing the breath and beauty of Staten Island‘s natural world. Meet in the parking lot at Kenny Road off Hylan Boulevard.
Registration: For more information call Dana Barbato at (718) 909-8863.

New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending Friday, June 25, 2021:

- RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Jun. 25, 2021
* NYNY2106.25


- Birds mentioned
WHITE-FACED IBIS+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Blue-winged Teal
MARBLED GODWIT
STILT SANDPIPER
White-rumped Sandpiper
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
GLAUCOUS GULL
CASPIAN TERN
Royal Tern
Wilson's Storm-Petrel
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
Acadian Flycatcher
Grasshopper Sparrow
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
KENTUCKY WARBLER
Northern Parula
Blackpoll Warbler
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER
BLUE GROSBEAK
DICKCISSEL

- 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

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for *Friday, June 25th 2021* at 11pm. The highlights of today's tape are WHITE-FACED IBIS, MARBLED GODWIT, STILT SANDPIPER, GLAUCOUS GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, CASPIAN TERN, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, KENTUCKY WARBLER, BLUE GROSBEAK, DICKCISSEL and more.

The adult WHITE-FACED IBIS, recently visiting the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, was noted at least to Tuesday around the south end of the pond where it has been dropping in for short stays in the company of a small number of Glossy Ibis. STILT SANDPIPER was also between the Raunt and the south end with Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs to Tuesday.

Another interesting shorebird was a MARBLED GODWIT photographed in flight while passing by Cupsogue County Park in West Hampton Dunes last Sunday and a small number of WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS have been among late lingering shorebirds at suitable coastal locations. Good numbers of LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS have been gathering recently at various south shore locations including an impressive 79 counted out at Sagg Pond in Bridgehampton last Saturday with 68 Sunday and still 46 today. Other sites such as Robert Moses State Park have also featured decent numbers.

A GLAUCOUS GULL, perhaps the continuing immature slowly moving down the coast, was seen at Pike's Beach in West Hampton Dunes yesterday.

ROYAL TERNS are showing up, still in low numbers, along the Atlantic Coast and 2 CASPIAN TERNS paid a quick visit to Croton Point Park in Westchester Thursday.

A pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL on Central Park Reservoir Wednesday was unexpected there.

Offshore pelagic flights have not been terribly rewarding lately but today 29 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS were counted off Robert Moses State Park. Most moving east.

RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS this week included one at Oak Wood Beach on Staten Island yesterday, at least one continuing along the Paumanok Trail off Schultz Road in Manorville and another still present at the Rockefeller Preserve State Park in Westchester.

An ACADIAN FLYCATCHER also continues to stay in Prospect Park while among the warblers a YELLOW-THROATED remains at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River and the singing KENTUCKY was reported in Alley Pond Park Tuesday. Other late warblers noted locally have included OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, NORTHERN PARULA and BLACKPOLL.

Several BLUE GROSBEAKS remain in the productive grasslands around the former Grumman airport in Calverton and 2 or 3 DICKCISSELS continue to sing atop the former landfill at Croton Point Park. Both locations also contain GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS and other desirable grassland birds.

To phone in reports, 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

Friday's Foto

 

The tiny House Wren nests in cavities, natural and man-made, in Green-Wood Cemetery and through out NYC. Their genus name, Troglodytes, means "cave dweller". Listen for their rich bubbly song throughout the day during the breeding season. Weighing in at a mere 10 to 12 g, most will migrate to the extreme southern parts of North America, as well as, Mexico to spend the winter.

Listen to the House Wren's song:

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of June 26-27, 2021:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Atlasing a Priority Block at Calvert Vaux Park
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Leader: Adelia Honeywood
Description: Calvert Vaux is located in a priority block for the New York Breeding Bird Atlas and contains a variety of habitats. Help document breeding behaviors of species including warblers, buntings, flycatchers, swallows, woodpeckers, night herons, and kingfishers.
Registration: Adelia Honeywood email honeywood5@yahoo.com.
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Gabe Willow Tours

Explore the Hidden Ecology of Prospect Park After Dark
Saturday, June 26, 2021, 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Leader: Gabe WIllow
Description: Discover the mysterious nocturnal wonders of the park on a starlit expedition.
Registration: Register via Eventbrite
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Gateway National Parks

Fort Wadsworth Tour
Saturday, June 26, 2021, 11:00am — 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join us for a hike around Fort Wadsworth as we explore both the natural areas and the remnants of the former harbor defense system. Inclement weather will cancel this program. Dress appropriately. Bring water, face mask required.
Registration: Call 718 354-4655 to make a reservation.
View Details

Fort Tilden Hike
Sunday, June 27, 2021, 10:30 am — 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join a park ranger for a walking tour of Fort Tilden, highlighting the fort's role in the defense of New York City during the 20th Century.
Registration: Call 718-338-3799 to reserve. Tour will be capped at 10 participants. Social distancing will be maintained. Face mask required.
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Pollinatours of Green-Wood
Sunday, June 27, 2021, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Stroll through Green-Wood and you will certainly see (and hear) wild bees going about their daily routine. Female bees are collecting nectar and pollen, and males are busily looking for mates. Bee biologist Sarah Kornbluth of the American Museum of Natural History leads this walking tour to highlight how bees live, the resources they need, and where they make their homes across the Cemetery. Learn about the diversity of wild bee species found at Green-Wood (including bumble, carpenter, miner, leaf cutter, sweat, and more) and beecome a bee expert in just ninety minutes.
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Birding in Peace (Sold Out)
Sunday, June 27, 2021, 6:00am–7:30am
Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful Sunday morning walking tours to discover the many birds that call Green-Wood home.


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Linnaean Society of New York

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Sunday, June 27, 2021
Leader: Richard ZainEldeen
Description: The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is located in Morris County, New Jersey. It has a diversity of wildlife as influenced by its diversity of habitats. Ranging from open marshes to wet woodlands, the place is a haven for nesting heron species. Also, a variety of raptors can be seen soaring overhead, including Bald Eagles. Not to be outdone, passerines such as several swallow species including Purple Martin, are to be found within its borders.
Registration: Anne Lazarus — amlazarus47@gmail.com or 212-673-9059
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New York City Audubon

Spring Bird Walk at Van Cortlandt Park, The Bronx
Saturday, June 26, 2021, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: NYC Audubon with The Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
Description: Explore Van Cortlandt Park's ecologically diverse grounds and celebrate a long tradition of birding in the park. We will look for various resident and migratory bird species and discuss a wide range of avian topics.
Registration: Via Eventbrite
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Pride Celebration Bird Walk on Governors Island
Saturday, June 26, 2021, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Leader: Annie Barry
Description: Celebrate Pride Month with a walk to discover all of the wonderful birds of Governors Island. Beginners in particular are encouraged to join! Binoculars are available to borrow. Registration preferred.
Registration: Via Eventbrite
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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

Annual Fourth of July Butterfly Count
Saturday, June 26, 2021, 8:00am - 6:00pm
Leader: Cliff Hagen
Description: For nearly three decades folks from Staten Island have gathered to survey and document the populations of Staten Island butterflies. Each year data is consistently collected along a well-established route on the last Saturday of June. From Snug Harbor to Conference House, butterflies are sought and identified with totals being shared with the North American Butterfly Association.
Registration: (718) 313-8591 or e-mail Protectors at ppow@siprotectors.org.
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, June 26, 2021

LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Pride Birding at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00am – 11:00am
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with the Urban Park Rangers. On this fun and inclusive adventure, we will enjoy a hike about all things birding. All friends and allies are welcome.
Free

Nature Explorers at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Join us for some spirited adventure around Randall’s Island Park. Your young ones will have fun exploring the farm and nearby gardens through guided nature activities.
Free!

New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending Friday, June 18, 2021:

- RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Jun. 18, 2021
* NYNY2106.18


- Birds mentioned
ARCTIC TERN+
WHITE-FACED IBIS+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Green-winged Teal
Hooded Merganser
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Sandhill Crane
Red Knot
Stilt Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
PARASITIC JAEGER
Lesser Black-backed Gull
GLAUCOUS GULL
CASPIAN TERN
Roseate Tern
Royal Tern
Wilson's Storm-Petrel
Cory's Shearwater
Great Shearwater
Sooty Shearwater
MANX SHEARWATER
Northern Gannet
American Bittern
Least Bittern
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
Acadian Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Brown Creeper
EVENING GROSBEAK
Grasshopper Sparrow
Hooded Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Canada Warbler
BLUE GROSBEAK
DICKCISSEL

- 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

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for *Friday, June 18th 2021* at 11pm. The highlights of today's tape are WHITE-FACED IBIS, ARCTIC TERN, MANX SHEARWATER, PARASITIC JAEGER and other pelagics, GLAUCOUS GULL, CASPIAN TERN, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, EVENING GROSBEAK, BLUE GROSBEAK, DICKCISSEL and more.

At Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in an effort to restore the East Pond to the productivity levels it has enjoyed in the past is well underway and has already provided one dividend when last Sunday an adult WHITE-FACED IBIS was spotted at the pond's south end. This bird has been seen daily since then in the company of some Glossy Ibis but there is a caveat. This group of ibis does seem to be easily scared off causing rather short stays so if visiting the area try to remain somewhat concealed and quiet for best results.

The Captree June Bird Count held last Saturday tallied a record 138 species with several great finds. At Robert Moses State Park 2 ARCTIC TERNS were found and photographed while seawatching at various points along the shore netted 1 MANX, 1 GREAT, 16 CORY'S and 17 SOOTY SHEARWATERS, 15 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, 3 PARASITIC JAEGERS and 62 NORTHERN GANNETS. Other town highlights included 1 each of GREEN-WINGED TEAL and HOODED MERGANSER, some EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILLS in Connetquot River State Park, 16 species of shorebirds including RED KNOT, STILT and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, 41 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and 11 ROSEATE TERNS and among the landbirds a HOODED WARBLER on territory, and providing both good and bad news a pair of YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum unfortunately feeding a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird.

A GLAUCOUS GULL was photographed at Nickerson Beach on Tuesday and 2 CASPIAN TERNS visited Sagg Pond in Bridgehampton last Sunday when a ROYAL TERN was seen in Moriches Bay.

Three WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS were among the shorebirds at Cupsogue County Park last Sunday and out on eastern Long Island last week a LEAST BITTERN was spotted along Narrow River Road in Orient Saturday and an AMERICAN BITTERN appeared at Sammy's Beach in East Hampton Sunday.

A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was still present yesterday at Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Westchester County and an ACADIAN FLYCATCHER was still singing in Prospect Park Tuesday.

Very interesting was a male EVENING GROSBEAK visiting feeders at Fire Island Pines on central Fire Island from last Friday at least to Tuesday.

A BLUE GROSBEAK was singing at the Marine Park Salt Marsh Nature Center Sunday and others remain out in the Calverton Grasslands.

A DICKCISSEL visited the restricted access Edgemere Landfill in Queens back on Thursday the 10th and at least 2 males continue to display on the Croton Point Park landfill. At Croton please remain on the main path over the landfill and do not use any audio devices.

The Greenwich-Stamford Summer Bird Count which includes parts of eastern Westchester County last weekend recorded 124 species including a record number of YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS, ALDER and ACADIAN FLYCATCHER, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, BROWN CREEPER, 1 CANADA and 2 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW plus a SANDHILL CRANE over northwestern Greenwich in count period.

To phone in reports 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

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of June 19-20, 2021:

Bedford Audubon Society

Feathers and Fathers Bioblitz Bird Walk
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 7:30 – 9:00am
Leader: Tait Johansson
Description:Tait Johansson is joining forces with Westchester Land Trust and Healthy Yards for their Feathersand Fathers Bioblitz Bird Walk at the Tom Burke Preserve in Bedford Hills.The 7.5 acre preserve provides meadow, forest canopy, and wetlands habitat forlocal bird life. At the suggestion of the property's neighbors the land trustnamed the property the Tom Burke Preserve after Thomas Burke who died onSeptember 11, 2001, in the attack on the World Trade Center. Mr. Burke lived onMcLain Street across from Knapp's Field.
Registration: Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Registration via Eventbrite.
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Gateway National Parks

Fort Tilden Hike
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 10:30 am – 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join a park ranger for a walking tour of Fort Tilden, highlighting the fort's role in the defense of New York City during the 20th Century.
Registration: Call 718-338-3799 to reserve. Tour will be capped at 10 participants. Social distancing will be maintained. Face mask required.
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Bird of the Month: Swallows
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: History of swallows at Great Kills Park. Document and observe bird behavior. All ages welcome. Bring water.
Registration: Call 718 354-4655 to make a reservation.
View Details


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Green-Wood Cemetery

Spring Plant Walk with the Next Epoch Seed Library
Saturday, June 19, 2021 , 11:00am – 12:30pm
Description: Spring is a great time to meet some of the wild, weedy, and resilient plants who make their homes in Green-Wood’s urban meadows! Join Ellie Irons and Anne Percoco of the Next Epoch Seed Library for a socially distanced, multisensorial walking tour focused on spontaneous urban flora. As we find and interact with individual plants, we’ll consider the role of plant-human reciprocity in ecosystem function, and how different management strategies impact our plant neighbors and the many other life forms who rely on them. We’ll also make a visit to the Cemetery’s rewilding experiment “Rethinking Urban Grasslands,” where we’ll meet some of the vegetal collaborators who are helping make it happen.
Registration: Via Eventbrite View Details


Birding in Peace (Sold Out)
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 6:00am – 7:30am
Description: Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful Sunday morning walking tours to discover the many birds that call Green-Wood home.


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Linnaean Society of New York

Chandler Estates, Suffolk County
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Leader: Patrice Domeischel
Description: The access to Chandler Estate is located behind the Congregational Church in Mount Sinai, right next to the cemetery. If you search the internet for information about this park you will find numerous references to the place being haunted, but the actual history is just as interesting. According to Ann Becker, who wrote a history of the area, the land was originally a girl’s camp called Camp Sewanhaka back in the 1920s. After it became the Chandler Estate, cottages were erected on the land where notable people, such as Marilyn Monroe spent some time. When the heyday of summer residents was over, the buildings fell into disrepair. Eventually, the last structure burned to the ground in 2004 and the county (having acquired the property in 2001) razed any remaining structures. Any structural debris has long been cleared and only beautiful trails with some interesting vegetation remain.
Registration: Mary Beth Kooper — marybeth@nyc.rr.com
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New York City Audubon

Free at Last: A Juneteenth Birding Expedition
Saturday, June 19, 2021, 8:30 – 11am
Leaders: Christian Cooper, Efua Peterson, Ronnie Almonte
Description: Celebrate Juneteenth—African American Emancipation Day—with an outdoor event alongside the freest creatures in the world, birds! Meet at the Dana Discovery Center on the Harlem Meer for a birding expedition through the north end of Central Park, to be followed by a Juneteenth potluck picnic in the park. Bring something to eat and drink (non-alcoholic, please) and a little extra to share. All ages welcome. Join us! Binoculars available to borrow. Registration required. Limited to 40. Free.
Registration: Via Eventbrite
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Spring Bird Walk at Van Cortlandt Park, The Bronx
Saturday, June 19, 2021, 9:00am – 10:30am
Leader: NYC Audubon with The Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
Description: Explore Van Cortlandt Park's ecologically diverse grounds and celebrate a long tradition of birding in the park. We will look for various resident and migratory bird species and discuss a wide range of avian topics.
Registration: Via Eventbrite
View Details


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Saw Mill River Audubon

Rockefeller State Park Preserve
Saturday, June 19, 2021 7:30am
Leader: Members of Saw Mill River Audubon
Description: Park Details
Registration: Via Eventbrite
View Details


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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, June 19, 2021

Birding: Birds of Fort Greene Park
9:00am – 10:00pm
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free


Sunday, June 20, 2021

Birding: Hawk Watch at Saint Marks Place and Avenue A (in Tompkins Square Park), Manhattan
11:00 am –12:00 pm
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free

Friday's Foto

This Baltimore Oriole is being an attentive father, bringing food to the nestlings and removing their fecal sacs at a nest in Green-Wood Cemetery. A common breeding species around Brooklyn and the rest of New York City, they begin their southbound migration as early as late-July. They overwinter in Florida, the Caribbean, Central America, and the northern tip of South America. Listen for the male's rich, flute-like whistles and chattering calls.

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of June 12-13, 2021:

Eastern Long Island Audubon Society

Birds of the Meadow & Woods, Eric Salzman Memorial Bird Walk
Saturday, June 12, 2021, meet at 8:30am
Leader: Frank Quevedo
Description: For many years, the late Eric Salzman, a SOFO board member of long-standing, led this walk to explore the avian life of the meadow behind the South Fork Natural History Museum and the adjacent Greenbelt woodlands and wetlands. With his keen musical ear, Eric was adept at identifying birds simply by their songs and calls. We hold this annual walk in his memory and cosponsor it with the Eastern Long Island Audubon Society, an organization in which he was very active.
Registration: Registration information to come.
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Feminist Bird Club

NYC - Pride Was A Riot
Sunday, June 13, 2021, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Leaders: Members of FBC
Description: Join FBC and NYC Queer Birders for a trip to Prospect Park to celebrate pride while birding! With June comes warmer days and a much slower and mellowing kind of birding. It also means lots of awkward baby birds, and honestly there’s nothing more wonderful than that.
Registration: Register via Eventbrite
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Freshkills Park Alliance

Kayak Tour
Saturday, June 12, 2021, 10:00am
Leader: Rangers
Description: Kayak along Freshkills Park's waterways! This two mile round-trip paddle is a chance to explore the creeks and shorelines of Freshkills Park and experience the wildlife while the site is closed to the public. We know this program fills quickly and wish we could offer it more frequently. But we have a small staff and are generally limited to trips on the weekend during high tide.
Registration: Register via Eventbrite.
View Details


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Gateway National Parks

Fort Tilden Hike
Sunday, June 13, 2021, 10:30 am — 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join a park ranger for a walking tour of Fort Tilden, highlighting the fort's role in the defense of New York City during the 20th Century.
Registration: Call 718-338-3799 to reserve. Tour will be capped at 10 participants. Social distancing will be maintained. Face mask required.
View Details


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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace (Sold Out)
Sunday, June 13, 2021, 6:00am–7:30am
Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful Sunday morning walking tours to discover the many birds that call Green-Wood home.


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Linnaean Society of New York

Ward Pound Ridge
Saturday, June 12, 2021
Leader: Rick Cech
Description: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is located in Westchester County, New York. A perennial destination for butterfly aficionados, this is a peak date for early summer species, when nectar-rich dogbane and milkweed come into bloom. Targets include many skippers as well as showy “true” butterflies, hard to find in significant numbers elsewhere. Also, a top site for odonates, invertebrates, reptiles, and – yes – many birds.
Registration: Lenore Swenson — lenoreswenson@gmail.com or 212-533-9567
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New York City Audubon

Spring Bird Walk at Van Cortlandt Park, The Bronx
Saturday, June 12, 2021, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: NYC Audubon with The Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
Description: Explore Van Cortlandt Park's ecologically diverse grounds and celebrate a long tradition of birding in the park. We will look for various resident and migratory bird species and discuss a wide range of avian topics.
Registration: Via Eventbrite
View Details


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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

A Walk Around Wolfe’s Pond Park
Sunday, June 13, 2021, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Leader: Ray Matarazzo
Description: Meet at the restrooms west of the parking lot (find at left from the south end of Cornelia Avenue). We will walk into the ravine of the creek looking for old trees, then along western hillside trails. We’ll do a street walk along Holton Avenue–make sure you notice the manhole covers– and return to the parking lot by way of Wolfe’s Pond and the beach. (Heavy rain will cancel.)
Registration: For more information call Ray Matarazzo at 718-317-7666.
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Queens County Bird Club

Nickerson Beach and Marine Nature Oceanside
Saturday, June 12, 2021, 7:30am – 12:30pm
Leader: Mike Zito (516) 507-9419
Description: The first part of this trip is Nickerson Beach, where we will view various species of terns, hopefully some that are rare to our area. Common Terns, which nest on this beach, will be abundant. If you are ready for more birding afterwards, head over to the Marine Nature Study Area in Oceanside, where we will look for Seaside and Saltmarsh sparrows, as well as wading birds.
Registration: Please contact trip leader for meeting time and location. Ask whether to pack a lunch or whether to plan on eating lunch out.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Mill Pond Park
Sunday, June 13, 2021
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: Use street parking on the westbound side of Merrick Road. The park is four blocks west of the Wantagh State Parkway.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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A Little Coastal Birding

For the first time this spring I decided to get away from my regular patch and do some coastal birding.

Michelle picked me up early Monday morning and we headed off to Plum Beach. We'd also make stops at Canarsie Park and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Our targets were lingering shorebirds, waders, rails & Nelson's Sparrows.

It's always a treat to see a Red Knot in Brooklyn. According to the IUCN Red List, this species of shorebird is "Near Threatened" with populations decreasing. Hopefully conservation efforts are helping.

Meet "EL". He's the American Oystercatcher that runs all operations at Plum Beach. Banded in Georgia several years ago, he returns every spring to mate and collect "gifts" from the other birds to make sure "nothing bad ever happens to them".

Dunlin are common around coastal Brooklyn in winter. In basic plumage, however, they are mostly an overall, dull gray color. For their brief spring stop off here it's a treat to see them in their breeding plumage.

Here's the reason the shorebirds stop off at Plum Beach. Horseshoe crabs lay billions of eggs, which shorebirds rely on for fuel to continue to their breeding grounds. Overharvesting of horseshoe crabs have negatively impacted these long distant migrants.

The inner marsh of Plum Beach is a good spot to look/listen for migrating Nelson's Sparrow. More often found during the fall, we were fortunate to spot 4 of these lovely orange faced marsh sparrow. Populations are at present stable, which can't be said for the related Saltmarsh Sparrow.

Biggest surprise of the morning was finding a Purple Martin. Tripper spotted it flying around and it eventually perched in this tree...where it stayed for at least an hour. They nest across the water in Staten Island.

At Canarsie Park Barn Swallows nest under the bridge over Paerdegat Basin. Starting last year, a few Cliff Swallows have also begun nesting. This is very rare for Brooklyn. Unfortunately, this pair's nest looks unfinished & empty.

One highlight at Canarsie Park was that Yellow Warblers appear to be breeding in really good numbers at this location. Dense cover around the edges of a freshwater pond seem to be full of insects and nesting spots. This male had been singing as the female foraged below him.

By the time we arrived at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge water level around the outer marshes of the West Pond were too high for shorebirds, although I managed a nice shot of some flying Semipalmated Sandpipers.

The "conk-a-ree" song of the Red-winged Blackbird always makes me think of summer. This handsome gent was singing from a low perch right next to the West Pond trail.

Tree Swallow nest boxes around the West Pond are all occupied at this point. This guy was standing guard at his and periodically chased off interlopers.

Hiding in the shade during the midday heat, this Willow Flycatcher couldn't resist make a few of his sneezy "fitz-bew" calls. I love how they throw their head back when singing, as if they are actually sneezing.

Even in distant silhouette the Glossy Ibis's long, slender, down-turned bill is distinctive. An easy ID and my first Brooklyn ibises for the year.

Something seems amiss in this tiny bath. Mrs. Catbird & Mrs. Yellow Warbler may have interrupted their spouses in an embarrassing moment. There was a lot of wing pointing and alarm calls.

Big John's Pond near the East Pond. Nuff said.

We ended our day watching this cheerful little muskrat nibbling on vegetation at the edge of the East Pond. As we were leaving, Michelle noticed that a second one was a few inches away, camouflaged by marsh grass. Maybe that's why he was smiling.

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of June 5-6, 2021:

Bedford Audubon Society

Field Trip: Bashakill Marsh/Shawangunk Grasslands
Saturday, June 5, 2021, 7:30am - 3:00pm
Leader: Tait Johansson
Description: Grab your binoculars and join Naturalist Tait Johansson for a full day of birding ona Field Trip to Bashakill Marsh/Shawangunk Grasslands. Bashakill supports wetland-dependent breeding species like Virginia Rail, Sora, Common Gallinule, both bitterns, both cuckoos, and a large array of songbirds. The National Wildlife Refuge has breeding populations of Bobolink, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Upland Sandpiper.
Registration: Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Email Susan to register at info@bedfordaudubon.org or call 914-302-9713.
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Brooklyn Bird Club

First Sunday Prospect Park Walks
Sunday, June 6, 2021, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Tina Alleva
Description: The Sunday walks will start at The Audubon Center at the Boathouse. Meeting time will be provided upon registration.
Registration: Registration is by email only, to: tinamariealleva@gmail.com The registration period will open at 7 p.m. on the Thursday before each Sunday walk and will close at midnight on Friday. Current club members will receive priority. Each person must register individually; you may not register additional participants. If you need to cancel please do so at least 24 hours in advance so we can offer someone your spot; no-shows will be moved to the bottom of the list for future walks.
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Feminist Bird Club

NYC - Rock the Birds ~ Black Birders Week
Saturday, June 5, 2021, 9:00am - 11:30am
Leaders: Jeana and Martha
Description: Join NYC Audubon, Feminist Bird Club, and Flock Together World NYC for a meet and greet with the beach birds. We will help you identify birds, learn ways to #ShareTheShore, as well as elevate the work Laru Beya is doing through monthly beach cleanups, youth surfing lessons, and water safety education.
Registration: Register via Eventbrite
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NYC - Birds in the Hood ~ Black Birders Week
Saturday, June 5, 2021, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leaders: Kellie Quiñones
Description: Join Kellie Quiñones to explore the birds of Crotona Park to celebrate Black Birders Week 2021 in NYC! At Crotona Park, the largest park in the South Bronx, you can see over 130 different species of birds throughout the year. The park has a wide variety of different types of trees, making it great habitat for birds. Join us for this Black Birders Week walk as we look for woodpeckers, sparrows, orioles and other birds that live in and around this incredible park.
Registration: Register via Eventbrite
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Gateway National Parks

Fort Tilden Hike
Sunday, June 6, 2021, 10:30 am — 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join a park ranger for a walking tour of Fort Tilden, highlighting the fort's role in the defense of New York City during the 20th Century.
Registration: Call 718-338-3799 to reserve. Tour will be capped at 10 participants. Social distancing will be maintained. Face mask required.
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace (Sold Out)
Sunday, June 6, 2021, 6:00am–7:30am
Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful Sunday morning walking tours to discover the many birds that call Green-Wood home.


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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society

Makamah Preserve, Northport, NY
Sunday, June 6, 2021 - 8:00am
Leader: _____
Description: Let’s take a walk in the woods. Meet at the parking lot along Fort Salonga Rd/25A, just west of Makamah Road.
Registration: To register, call (585) 880-0915.
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Linnaean Society of New York

Van Cortlandt Park Nature Walk
Saturday, June 5, 2021
Leader: Ken Chaya
Description: Van Cortlandt Park is New York City’s third largest green space. It contains a variety of natural habitats within its 1146 acres, including woodlands, marshes, meadows and a lake. Green Herons, Mute Swans, Red-winged Blackbirds, Tree Swallows, Eastern Wood-Pewees, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egrets, Gray Catbirds, Northern Flickers, Ebony Jewelwings, Net-winged Beetles, Banded Hairstreaks and one of our target species, the Silvery Hairstreak Butterfly, are only a few of the bird and insect species encountered on past Linnaean walks there. Attendees should bring lunch, water, and insect and sun protection. There is a restroom at the beginning of our walk and another about halfway through the park, where there is a water fountain as well.
Registration: Anne Lazarus — amlazarus47@gmail.com or 212-673-9059
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Sterling Forest State Park
Sunday, June 6, 2021
Leader: Amy Simmons and Phil Ribolow
Description: Sterling Forest State Park is part of New York State’s Bird Conservation Area Program as the Park “has considerable biodiversity including a diversity of bird species”. On our visit we can expect to see and hear the lovely songs of the birds that nest there including Golden-winged Warblers, Blue-winged Warblers, Prairie Warblers, Cerulean Warblers, Indigo Buntings, Acadian Flycatchers, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, and more, as well as Broad-winged and Red-shouldered Hawks.
Registration: Debbie Mullins — deborramullins3@gmail.com or 212-239-1614
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North Shore Audubon Society

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, June 5, 2021, 9:30am – 12:00pm
Leader: Ralph
Description: See walk locations here - http://northshoreaudubon.org/walk-locations/
Registration: Limited registration. You must register via email to nsaudubonsociety@gmail.com, and you will receive a confirmation email. If you become unable to attend, please email to allow someone on the waiting list to take your slot.
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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

Brookfield Park
Saturday, June 5, 2021, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Leader: Ray Matarazzo
Description: 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 when searching for grassland birds. 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.
Registration: For more information call Ray Matarazzo at 718-317-7666.
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Queens County Bird Club

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
Saturday, June 5, 2021
Leader: Eric Miller (917) 279-7530
Description: QCBC's annual trip to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in northern Westchester County.
Registration: Please contact trip leader for meeting time and location. Ask whether to pack a lunch or whether to plan on eating lunch out.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Jones Beach Coast Guard Station Parking Area
Sunday, June 6, 2021
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From the Wantagh State Parkway, travel south. Upon entering Jones Beach State Park, exit at Bay Drive and continue west. Turn right (north) at entrance for Coast Guard Station and West End Boat Basin; turn right again for parking.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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