Check out City Birder Tours, and Green-Wood sponsored tours on their calendar pages here.
Celebrate your inner nerd with my new t-shirt design! Available on my Spreadshirt shop in multiple colors and products.

Monday, March 28, 2022

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of April 2-3, 2022:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, April 2, 2022, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory walk is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons. All levels are welcome.
Registration: No registration necessary.
View Details


First Sunday Prospect Park Walks
Sunday, April 3, 2022
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: The Sunday walks will start at The Audubon Center at the Boathouse.
Registration: No registration necessary.
View Details


**********

Freshkills Park Alliance

Family Nature Walk at Freshkills Park
Saturday, April 2, 2022, 1:00pm
Leader: Rangers
Description: Lace up your shoes for a nature walk at Freshkills Park! Freshkills Park staff will take you behind the scenes to visit areas that are currently closed to the public. On this one-mile walk, you’ll learn about the different plants and animals found in the woods, wetlands, and grasslands at Freshkills Park.
Registration: Register via Eventbrite.
View Details


**********

Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, April 3, 2022, 6:30am - 8:00am
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.
View Details


**********

Linnaean Society of New York

Staten Island, Conference House
Saturday, April 2, 2022
Leader: Seth Wollney
Description: This annual trip is led by a professor in the biology department at the College of Staten Island. It starts at Conference House Park, overlooking Raritan Bay at the southernmost point of New York State, where four historic buildings trace the history of the borough of Staten Island over the course of three centuries. We will hear about the history of the park while enjoying views of gulls, loons, hawks, and, as we walk the trails, woodland birds.
Registration: Alice McInerney - amcinerney@kmllp.com
View Details


**********

New York City Audubon

Winter Birds of Sandy Hook
Saturday, April 2, 2022, 9:00am - 04:00pm
Leader: Joe Giunta
Description: Sandy Hook, a spectacular barrier island at the northernmost point of the New Jersey coast, hosts a variety of species including Arctic-bound migrants and harbor seals that lie on the beach to warm up in the sun. Other possible sightings include loons, sea ducks, Snow Buntings, and Horned Larks. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $115 (80).
Registration: Via Eventbrite
View Details


Free: Queens Botanical Garden Bird Walk
Saturday, April 2, 2022, 9:30am - 10:30am
Leader: Tod Winston
Description: Explore Queens Botanical Garden in search of migrant songbirds and learn about the valuable resources that the Garden offers birds and other wildlife. Binoculars available. Register for one date or the whole series of five walks (walk-ins welcome).
Registration: Visit www.queensbotanical.org/calendar to register. Each walk limited to 25. Free (with Garden admission).
View Details


**********

North Shore Audubon Society

Cow Meadow Park and Preserve
Saturday, April 2, 2022, 9:30am - 12:00pm
Leader: Bill
Description: Located South Main Street, Freeport. NY 11520.
Registration: Limited registration. You must register via email to nsaudubonsociety@gmail.com, and you will receive a confirmation email. If you become unable to attend, please email to allow someone on the waiting list to take your slot.
View Details


**********

Saw Mill River Audubon Society

Small Group Birding: Croton Point Park
Saturday, April 2, 2022, 8:00am - 10:00am
Leader: Members of SMRA
Description: From the Southern State Parkway, take Exit 18 (Eagle Avenue) south to Field 3 (use second park entrance and make an immediate left turn.)
Registration: Via Eventbrite
View Details


**********

South Shore Audubon Society

Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve
Sunday, April 3, 2022
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From the Meadowbrook Parkway, use the Merrick Road M9 east exit. Enter the Department of Sanitation entrance immediately on right (if you’re driving west on Merrick Road, make a U-turn after Central Boulevard and before the Meadowbrook Parkway). Look for signs to Levy Park and Preserve parking lot.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
View Details


**********

Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, April 2, 2022

Introduction to Birdwatching Walks at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
10:00am – 12:00pm
Every Saturday, join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club and Prospect Park Alliance on an introductory walk to learn the basics of birding.
Free

Saturday, April 2, 2022

Birding: Beginner Birding at Cornelia Avenue and Chester Avenue (in Wolfe's Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00am – 12:00pm
Learn a new skill and take up a new hobby as we help you identify some of the most common birds found in our parks.
Free

...Read more

Friday, March 25, 2022

Friday's Foto


Unlike the white bearded wizard (who’s name come from the Welsh “Myrddin”), the small powerful, feathered “Merlin” gets its name from the French word esmerillon, meaning falcon. With a wingspan only slightly longer than the American Kestrel, they are, however, a much heavier, more robust raptor.

Ranging globally though the Northern Hemisphere, 3-9 subspecies are recognized. Feeding primarily on small birds, they also will prey on bats and large insects, such as dragonflies.

A common breeding species across the northern forests of North America and Eurasia, they take over the nests of other birds, rather than build their own. Their populations have increased significantly since the 1960s due to bans in the use of the pesticide DDT. Most will migrate south in Winter with some North America birds going as far south as South America.

Previously called the “Pigeon Hawk” due to their resemblance to Rock Pigeons in flight, the scientific name Falco “columbarius” is an homage to the humble pigeon.

The IUCN Red List lists their conservation status as “Least Concern”.

Monday, March 21, 2022

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of March 26-27, 2022:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Early Spring at Marine Park
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Leader: Heydi Lopes
Description: Welcoming spring’s early migrants; waterbirds, late ducks, raptors.
Registration: Peter Dorosh email prosbird@gmail.com and prosbird@aol.com.
View Details


Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, March 26, 2022, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory walk is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons. All levels are welcome.
Registration: No registration necessary.
View Details


**********

Gateway National Parks

Fort Tour and Hike
Every week on Sunday until March 27, 2022, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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


**********

Hudson River Audubon Society

Point Lookout
Saturday, March 26, 2022, 8:00am
Leader: Michael Bochnik Description: Late winter and early spring birds.
View Details


**********

New York City Audubon

Early Spring Walk in Central Park
Sunday, March 27, 2022, 7:30am - 10:00am
Leader: Tod Winston
Description: Celebrate spring with NYC Audubon! Explore Central Park's hotspots in search of lingering winter visitors and early spring migrants. Limited to 15. $36 (25).
Registration: Via Eventbrite
View Details


**********

South Shore Audubon Society

Massapequa Preserve
Sunday, March 27, 2022
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From Sunrise Highway, turn north onto Broadway, Massapequa. Travel under the Long Island Rail Road overpass, then make the first right onto Veterans Boulevard (headed east). Go past the Massapequa train station and into the parking lot at the east end of the station. The preserve is directly east of the parking lot.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
View Details
...Read more

Saturday, March 19, 2022

New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending Friday, March 18, 2022:

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Mar. 18, 2022
* NYNY2203.18


- Birds Mentioned

PACIFIC LOON+
WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

TRUMPETER SWAN
TUNDRA SWAN
EURASIAN WIGEON
KING EIDER
Common Gallinule
Piping Plover
Razorbill
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
GLAUCOUS GULL
Northern Gannet
Great Egret
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
American Pipit
VESPER SPARROW
Orange-crowned Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44nybirdsorg

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

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

Transcriber: Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, March 18, 2022 at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of today's tape are WESTERN TANAGER, PACIFIC LOON, TUNDRA and TRUMPETER SWANS, EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS, VESPER SPARROW and more.

Manhattan's two WESTERN TANAGERS were both seen this week as recently as yesterday – the Carl Schurz Park Tanager, more likely in the morning, often visits the feeders inside the Park off East End Avenue, just south of East 86th Street, while the West Side bird, much more elusive, was seen very briefly as it visited the private Clinton Community Garden off West 48th Street east of 10th Avenue.

A PACIFIC LOON was reported off Orient Point today, apparently still in winter plumage, and should be looked for around the breakwater area.

Seven TUNDRA SWANS were spotted Wednesday morning flying by Conference House Park on southern Staten Island, while what was reported on last week’s tape as a Tundra Swan on Lake Tappan in Rockland County on March 8th was corrected to a TRUMPETER SWAN based on analysis of photos, this not always an easy separation.

A drake EURASIAN WIGEON was seen again at Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4 last Tuesday, and the drake KING EIDER was still at Great Kills Park Wednesday.

Single BLACK-HEADED GULLS remained at least to Wednesday along the Brooklyn coast from Plumb Beach up to the Verrazano Bridge overlook just north of the bridge and out in East Setauket Harbor. A GLAUCOUS GULL also frequented the same stretch of Brooklyn coastline up to Wednesday, and an ICELAND GULL visited Plumb Beach to Wednesday and may be the same one spotted a few times up to today on Prospect Park Lake. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were seen at at least 6 locations, including 10 at Robert Moses State Park Saturday.

A COMMON GALLINULE continues at Mill Pond Park north of Merrick Road in Bellmore, and up to 6 PIPING PLOVERS continue to frequent the bar off the Coast Guard Station at Jones Beach West End.

Some RAZORBILLS continuing off Breezy Point included 12 on Tuesday, and 2 RAZORBILLS along with a NORTHERN GANNET were seen today on Long Island Sound off Playland Park in Rye.

Two VESPER SPARROWS were still present Monday at the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center off Yaphank Avenue.

An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River on Sunday, and lingering ORANGE-CROWNEDS also continued at Randall’s Island and Battery Park City.

Among the more recent migrants appearing locally have been GREAT EGRET, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, AMERICAN PIPIT and PINE and PALM WARBLERS.

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
...Read more

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Best of the Fortnight

Below are some of my favorite shots from over the past 2 weeks:

Immature Cooper's Hawk, Green-Wood Cemetery

Eastern Meadowlark, Green-Wood Cemetery

Foliose lichen, Green-Wood Cemetery

Hellebore, Green-Wood Cemetery

Paperbush plant, Green-Wood Cemetery

Red-breasted Merganser, Coney Island

Purple Sandpiper, Coney Island

American Woodcock, Green-Wood Cemetery

Merlin, Green-Wood Cemetery

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of March 19-20, 2022:

Bedford Audubon Society

Nature Walk: Exploring Vernal Pools
Saturday, March 19, 2022, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Leader: Paul Lewis
Description: Vernal pools are seasonal pools of water that provide habitat for distinctive plants and animals. Under Paul’s leadership, you’ll visit these hidden treasures deep in the forest and learn about the vital importance of these seasonal wetlands as spawning grounds for salamanders and other amphibians.
Registration: Registration is required by emailing Susan at bedfordaudubonsociety@gmail.com or calling 914-302-9713.
View Details


**********

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, March 19, 2022, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory walk is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons. All levels are welcome.
Registration: No registration necessary.
View Details


**********

Gateway National Parks

Fort Tour and Hike
Every week on Sunday until March 27, 2022, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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


**********

Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, March 20, 2022, 7:00am – 8:30am
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.
View Details


**********

Linnaean Society of New York

Brooklyn Coastal Birding
Saturday, March 19, 2022
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Description: March is a transition period when birds are preparing for migration, and some are migrating. The trip involves visits to multiple sites. Some of the highlights have included: Black-headed Gulls, Eurasian Wigeons, Snowy Owls, Horned Larks, American Pipits and Red-necked Grebes. Each site has its own special birds.
Registration: Amy Simmons - amynewyork@msn.com
View Details


**********

New York City Audubon

Winter Bird Tour at Inwood Hill Park
Saturday, March 19, 2022, 9:30am - 10:30am
Leader: NYC Audubon with Queens Botanical Garden
Description: Explore Queens Botanical Garden in search of migrant songbirds and learn about the valuable resources that the Garden offers birds and other wildlife. Binoculars available. Register for one date or the whole series of five walks (walk-ins welcome). Visit www.queensbotanical.org/calendar to register. Each walk limited to 25. Free (with Garden admission).
Registration: Visit www.queensbotanical.org/calendar to register.
View Details


The Sky-Dance of the Woodcock
Saturday, March 19, 2022, 5:00pm - 9:30pm
Leader: Gabriel Willow
Description: The American Woodcock is a remarkable bird. It is in the sandpiper family but lives in woodlands, often far from beaches. The male performs an incredible crepuscular aerial display and song early in the spring, soon after the snow melts in the northern U.S. We’ll look for it (and bats, owls, and other critters) at Floyd Bennett Field. Bring a headlamp or flashlight and a snack. Transport by passenger van included. Limited to 12. $100 (70).
Registration: Via Eventbrite
View Details


**********

South Shore Audubon Society

Hempstead Lake State Park
Sunday, March 20, 2022
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From the Southern State Parkway, take Exit 18 (Eagle Avenue) south to Field 3 (use second park entrance and make an immediate left turn.)
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
View Details


**********

Urban Park Rangers

Sunday, March 20, 2022

Birding: Beginner Birding at O'Brien Ave & Leland Ave (in Soundview Park), Bronx
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Learn a new skill and take up a new hobby as we help you identify some of the most common birds found in our parks.
Free
...Read more

Saturday, March 12, 2022

New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending Friday, March 11, 2022:

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Mar. 11, 2022
* NYNY2203.11


- Birds Mentioned

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE+
WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Greater White-fronted Goose
Canada Goose
Tundra Swan
EURASIAN WIGEON
KING EIDER
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE
Red-necked Grebe
Common Gallinule
Piping Plover
Killdeer
American Woodcock
Razorbill
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Laughing Gull
Herring Gull
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
GLAUCOUS GULL
Osprey
Eastern Phoebe
Tree Swallow
VESPER SPARROW
Orange-crowned Warbler
Pine Warbler

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44nybirdsorg

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

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

Transcriber: Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, March 11, 2022 at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of today's tape are WESTERN TANAGER, PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON, BARROW’S GOLDENEYE and KING EIDER, BLACK-HEADED, GLAUCOUS and other GULLS, VESPER SPARROW and more.

As we await the lessening of the March doldrums, with currently most of our waterfowl and other wintering birds heading north and only a trickle of spring arrivals so far appearing, at least one of Manhattan's WESTERN TANAGERS continues - the Carl Schurz Park female was still visiting feeders there this week, these located inside the park off East End Avenue just south of East 86th Street.

Among the waterfowl, a PINK-FOOTED GOOSE was spotted with CANADA GEESE last Saturday morning at Long Pond, now called Sayre Park, on the west side of Bridgehampton, while in Rockland County the immature GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was still at Rockland Lake State Park today and a TUNDRA SWAN visited Lake Tappan on Tuesday.

Lingering EURASIAN WIGEON include a male on the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge today and one at Bush Terminal Piers Park in Brooklyn at least to Tuesday. A female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was off Wildwood State Park east of Wading River last Monday, and the drake KING EIDER was still at Great Kills Park today.

A RED-NECKED GREBE and a top count of 29 RAZORBILLS were seen off Breezy Point last Sunday.

Among the Gulls, an adult BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen again last Sunday off Brooklyn's Plumb Beach, along with an ICELAND GULL, and a Brooklyn GLAUCOUS GULL was spotted during the week from Gravesend Bay up to just north of the Verrazano Bridge.

Out at Old Field Point and Lighthouse Park north of Stony Brook, the very intriguing but as yet not positively identified as to species Herring-type gull with bright yellow legs and feet and a wing pattern strongly suggestive of a European HERRING GULL was still present at least to last Sunday; other gulls occurring there have featured GLAUCOUS, ICELAND and 2 LESSER BLACK-BACKED. A few LESSER BLACK-BACKEDS elsewhere in the region included 7 at Robert Moses State Park last Sunday.

A COMMON GALLINULE remains at Mill Pond Park in Bellmore, and PIPING PLOVER numbers at Jones Beach West End increased to 6 as of today. Other earlier Spring arrivals this week have included good numbers of KILLDEER and displaying AMERICAN WOODCOCK, a few LAUGHING GULLS and OSPREY, some EASTERN PHOEBES and TREE SWALLOWS and a few PINE WARBLERS.

A VESPER SPARROW remains at the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center off Yaphank Avenue, and single ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were noted continuing at Battery Park City in Manhattan and north of the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

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
...Read more

Tuesday, March 08, 2022

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of March 12-13, 2022:

Bedford Audubon Society

Field Trip: Wallkill Nat'l Wildlife Refuge/Black Dirt Region
Saturday, March 12, 8:30am - 2:00pm
Leader: Tait Johansson
Description: This area often holds large numbers of waterfowl, including Snow Geese, Northern Pintails, and many open country birds like Rough-legged Hawk, American Kestrel, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, and Eastern Meadowlark.
Registration: Registration is required by emailing Susan at bedfordaudubonsociety@gmail.com or calling 914-302-9713.
View Details


**********

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, March 12, 2022, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory walk is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons. All levels are welcome.
Registration: No registration necessary.
View Details


Doodle or Die, Nobody Leaves Till We See A Timberdoodle!”: A Green-Wood Cemetery Pursuit
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik, Bobbi Manian & Kristin Costello
Description: Search for the American Woodcock, also known as “Timberdoodle”; also early spring woodland songbirds and late winter species, raptors, perhaps eagles and vultures.
Registration: Dennis Hrehowsik email deepseagangster@gmail.com.
View Details


**********

Eastern Long Island Audubon Society

Nature Walk at Elizabeth Morton NWR
Saturday, March 12, 2022, 8:30am
Leader: __
Description: This is always a special walk. You will be greeted by lots of hungry birds that eat right out of your hand. Frequently there are pockets of over-wintering birds. Great photo ops as you are close to the birds. Meet at the Refuge parking lot at 8:30 am. It is roughly a 2 mile walk to the beach and around the refuge. Dress warmly and appropriately. Bring binoculars! Bird seed will be provided. The entrance to the The Elizabeth Morton NWR on Noyac Road to the west of Sag Harbor.
Registration:
View Details


**********

Gateway National Parks

Fort Tour and Hike
Every week on Sunday until March 27, 2022, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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


**********

Great South Bay Audubon Society

Bob Laskowski Memorial Duck Walk
Saturday, March 12, 2022, 8:30am - 12:00pm
Leader: Bob Grover , Bob Labuski
Description: Join us for a wonderful bird walk as we head out to Brookwood Hall Park for an early morning adventure.
Registration: info@greatsouthbayaudubon.org
View Details


**********

Linnaean Society of New York

Central Park Winter Bird Walk
Sunday, March 13, 2022
Leader: Richard ZainEldeen
Description: Central Park is our bailiwick, and March is the beginning of migration for land and water birds. An early Pine or Palm Warbler or Owl is always possible. The Reservoir may have surprises, like a a Long-tailed Duck or Horned Grebe. The feeders in the Ramble will be active with birds, too. It is interesting to observe the transition.
Registration: Kathleen Matthews - redkatamat@gmail.com
View Details


**********

New York City Audubon

Winter Bird Tour at Inwood Hill Park
Sunday, March 13, 2022, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Nadir Souirgi
Description: Inwood Hill Park, simply put, is a jewel. Nestled between the Hudson River, Dyckman Street, and Seaman Avenue, this last tract of largely undeveloped oak and tulip forest transports you to another world and another time. Glacial "pot holes," towering trees, and stunning river views create an unrivaled birding backdrop. Limited to 15 per walk. $36 (25).
Registration: Via Eventbrite
View Details


**********

Saw Mill River Audubon Society

Small Group Birding: Rockefeller State Park Preserve
Sunday, March 13, 2022, 8:00am
Leader: Members of SMRA
Description: The meeting place & details in confirmation email sent after registration.
Registration: Via Eventbrite
View Details


**********

South Shore Audubon Society

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Sunday, March 13, 2022
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From the Southern State Parkway, travel west to the Belt Parkway. Exit at Cross Bay Boulevard (Exit 17) south. Continue south on Cross Bay Blvd. through Howard Beach and over the North Channel Bridge (also known as the Congressman Joseph P. Addabbo Bridge). The entrance to the refuge parking lot is on the right side of the road, at a traffic light approximately one and a half miles past the bridge.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
View Details


**********

Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, March 12, 2022

Birding: Hawk Watch at West 72nd and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00pm – 2:00pm
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
...Read more

Saturday, March 05, 2022

New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending Friday, March 4, 2022:

- RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Mar. 4, 2022
* NYNY2203.04


- Birds mentioned
THICK-BILLED MURRE+
WESTERN TANAGER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Wood Duck
EURASIAN WIGEON
KING EIDER
HARLEQUIN DUCK
Common Gallinule
Piping Plover
Least Sandpiper
American Woodcock
Razorbill
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Laughing Gull
Herring Gull
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
GLAUCOUS GULL
Rough-legged Hawk
Eastern Phoebe
NORTHERN SHRIKE
Horned Lark
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
Lincoln's Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole

- 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, March 4th 2022* at 11pm. The highlights of today's tape are WESTERN TANAGER, NORTHERN SHRIKE, THICK-BILLED MURRE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER, HARLEQUIN DUCK, BLACK-HEADED, GLAUCOUS GULL and other gulls, LAPLAND LONGSPUR and more.

Manhattan's two WESTERN TANAGERS were still present this week. The more reliable one, especially in the morning, continues at Carl Schurz Park visiting the feeders located in the park off East End Avenue just south of East 86th Street while more elusive is the one moving around in the vicinity of private Clinton Community Garden off West 48th Street east of 10th Avenue.

The NORTHERN SHRIKE at North Fork Preserve out in Northville was seen as recently as Monday. The park is on the northside of Sound Avenue and the SHRIKE is usually found in fields west of the entrance road just beyond a small pond.

A THICK-BILLED MURRE was reported last Saturday off the Jones Beach West End jetty but most of the recent alcid activity is centered around RAZORBILLS with Breezy Point providing regular sightings including a peak of 11 offshore on Wednesday.

Waterfowl have begun moving north recently in good numbers and WOOD DUCKS for instance have increased noticeably but among the lingering rarities still noted this week were single GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE at Tung Ting Pond in Centerport and on Bowman Avenue Pond in Rye Brook. Single drake EURASIAN WIGEON at Bush Terminal Piers Park in Brooklyn and on the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, a drake KING EIDER at Great Kills Park on Staten Island and up to 5 HARLEQUIN DUCKS still at Jones Beach West End Saturday.

Two BLACK-HEADED GULLS were seen together at Brooklyn's Plumb Beach last Saturday with one on Sunday and another visited the Old Field Point and Lighthouse Park site again on Saturday, this area north of Stony Brook. The Old Field Point site this week also featured a GLAUCOUS, 2 ICELAND and one or two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS but the main attraction remains a Herring type gull with bright yellow legs and feet and a wing pattern that strongly suggests a European form of HERRING GULL though a few other possibilities are still being considered as well. A GLAUCOUS GULL was also seen at Great Kills Park on Tuesday while an ICELAND GULL visited Plumb Beach last weekend. A few LAUGHING GULLS have also begun to appear.

Two PIPING PLOVERS were seen out on Dune Road today and a LEAST SANDPIPER seen last weekend at Great Kills Park may have been the one first seen there back on February 8th.

AMERICAN WOODCOCK are now displaying at most appropriate sites. A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK visited the Short's Pond area in Watermill last Saturday. Lingering birds include the COMMON GALLINULE at Mill Pond Park in Bellmore, EASTERN PHOEBE and BALTIMORE ORIOLE at Green-wood Cemetery in Brooklyn and the LINCOLN'S SPARROW at Greeley Square Park in Manhattan. A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was found at Jones Beach West End last Saturday and seen again Wednesday and another LAPLAND was with 90 Horned Larks at Nickerson Beach last Sunday.

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
...Read more

Thursday, March 03, 2022

Woodcocks are Migrating

Whether you call them Timberdoodle, Doods, Mudbat, Whistledoodle, Bog Snipe, Labrador Twister, Air Flounder or Night Partridge, the American Woodcock is one of the more uniques species of birds that migrate through Brooklyn. Found these two in Brooklyn's Historic Green-Wood Cemetery yesterday: