Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of March 25 - March 26, 2023:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, March 25, 2023, 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.
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Coastal Spring in Jones Beach
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Leader: Joe Giunta
Description: The first weekend after spring starts focuses on seabirds, raptors and songbird migrants returning to their northerly breeding grounds. Coastal birding can be exciting in the early days of spring.
Registration: Marisa Wohl email marisaw@earthlink.net
View Details


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Gateway National Parks

Fort Wadsworth Ranger Guided Tour and Hike
Sunday, March 26, 2023, 2:00pm — 3:30pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join us for a hike around Fort Wadsworth as we explore the forts and natural areas. Inclement weather will cancel this program. Dress appropriately and bring water.
Registration: Call (718) 354-4500 to make a reservation.
View Details


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New York City Audubon

Van Cortlandt Park Birding
Saturday, March 25, 2023, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Joe McManus
Description: Join NYC Audubon on a bird tour in one of the Bronx's largest green spaces. Participants will look for various species of residents and migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. This event is held in partnership with Van Cortlandt Park Alliance.
Registration: Registration link to come. Free. Limited to 20.
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Let's Go Birding Together on Randall's Island
Saturday, March 25, 2023, 10:00am - 11:30am
Leader:
Description: Pride shouldn't only be celebrated during June! Join NYC Audubon and the Randall's Island Park Alliance for a Let's Go Birding Together (LGBT) event in the early spring. Randall's Island contains meadows, marshland, and shoreline that offer excellent habitat for all sorts of birds.
Registration: Registration page
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NYCHA in Nature Birding at Beach 41st Street
Saturday, March 25, 2023, 10:00am - 11:30am
Leader:
Description: NYCHA in Nature is a partnership program with NYC Audubon and the Fund for Public Housing to offer bird-watching opportunities and exposure to nature for NYCHA residents and the general public. The program will explore adjacent parks to NYCHA developments and also open space within the developments.
Registration: Registration page
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Pelham Bay Park Birding
Sunday, March 26, 2023, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Jack Rothman
Description: Join NYC Audubon to explore New York City's largest park this spring. Pelham Bay Park's forested areas, salt marshes, and grassy meadows offer rich habitat for a variety of migrating birds.
Registration: Registration not required. No Limit. Free.
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Spring Birding at Highland Park
Sunday, March 26, 2023, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Outdoor Afro
Description: Located in both Queens and Brooklyn, Highland Park boasts forested areas, sportsfields, and a community garden. Join Outdoor Afro and NYC Audubon in search of early spring migrants in this beautiful green space.
Registration: Registration page
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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

A Walk at Blue Heron Park
Saturday, May 25, 2023, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Leader: Don Recklies
Description: We’ll meet in the Blue Heron Nature Center parking lot, 222 Poillon Avenue, then cross the street to loop the Blue Trail, visit Butterfly Pond, then return to the Nature Center. We’ll look for signs of Spring and may find swelling buds, or perhaps blooming Skunk Cabbage.
Registration: For more information call Don Recklies at (718) 768-9036. Inclement weather – but not light rain – will cancel this walk.
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Crooke’s Point
Sunday, May 26, 2023, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Leader: Paul T. Lederer
Description: Maritime sand spits such as Crooke’s Point are dynamic topographical features formed and sculpted by water and wind action. Join naturalist Paul T. Lederer in a talk and walk where the geological and human history of the site, as well as the plants and animals that call this place home, will be discussed. It is suggested that walk participants dress in pants that cover the full leg and shoes appropriate for sand dune areas. It is also suggested that participants consider sun protection such as hats, sun block and water or other hydrating liquids. Insect repellent is also recommended. Walk participants will meet in Great Kills Park Beach Center Parking Lot (Parking Area “G”) near the beginning of the dirt permit road leading out to Crooke’s Point. To get to the meeting spot, enter the park at the Buffalo Street entrance at Hylan Boulevard and follow Buffalo Street through the park to where it ends just before the dirt Crooke’s Point Permit Road.
Registration: For more information call Paul at his cell phone (718) 354-9200.
View Details


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South Shore Audubon Society

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Sunday, March 19, 2023
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
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South Shore Audubon Society

Jones Beach Coast Guard Station Parking Area
Sunday, March 26, 2023
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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Sullivan County Audubon Society

Spring Waterfowl Walk
Saturday, March 25, 2023, 8:00am
Leader: John Haas
Description: Join John Haas at the DEC parking lot on Haven Road in the Bashakill. Bring binoculars to hopefully see an array of early ducks, geese, and mergansers. We will move to the Main Boat Launch to view additional species.
Registration: For more information and to register please call John at 845 807-2437.
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Birding: Spring Migration at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
10:00am - 11:00am
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Central Park to look for spring migrants that include warblers, raptors and more!
Free

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Birding: Waterfowl at Entrance - Baisley Blvd. & 157th Street (in Baisley Pond Park), Queens
11:00am - 12:00pm
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Please bring your own binoculars.
Free

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New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending, Friday, March 17, 2023:

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Mar. 17, 2023
* NYNY2303.17


- Birds Mentioned

MOTTLED DUCK+
SWAINSON'S HAWK+
WESTERN MEADOWLARK+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

EURASIAN WIGEON
EARED GREBE
Long-billed Dowitcher
Black-legged Kittiwake
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
American Bittern
Great Egret
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
RED CROSSBILL
SUMMER TANAGER

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 17 at 11:00 p.m.

The highlights of today's tape are MOTTLED DUCK, SWAINSON’S HAWK, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, EARED GREBE, EURASIAN WIGEON, BLACK-HEADED GULL, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, RED CROSSBILL, SUMMER TANAGER and more.

But first, another week with very sad news as our birding community has lost one of its most enthusiastic members, Arie Gilbert, to lung cancer. Arie’s active involvement regionally, including as an organizer and moderator for the Long Island birdfinders app, will unquestionably be missed. Funeral arrangements have been posted on the aba.org birding news for New York.

On the birding front, the drake MOTTLED DUCK has returned, spotted Wednesday afternoon on Avon Lake in Amityville, just a short distance west from the Ketchum Creek location where it was initially discovered back in April 2022. Look for the duck on Avon Lake from either East Lake Drive or West Lake Drive, but please remember this is a private residential neighborhood and act accordingly. As a note, the duck late this afternoon did fly a ways south but was relocated south of Route 27A on Amityville Creek as viewed from Riverside Avenue, also a private residential area.

In Brooklyn the immature SWAINSON'S HAWK remains around the Sims Waste Recovery Plant located at the end of 29th Street, west of 2nd Avenue, where it can often be found around the buildings and light structures as well as scrap piles in that vicinity.

And a little south of there the apparent WESTERN MEADOWLARK continues at Bush Terminal Piers Park, where the bird often remains hidden either in the vacant lot on the left as you walk into the park or along the shoreline, though it will periodically fly up into the bare trees for nice views. A female EURASIAN WIGEON was also reported at Bush Terminal Piers Park to last Sunday.

The EARED GREBE at Shirley Chisholm State Park was being seen through today in Hendrix Creek, usually off Hendrix Street (a walking path) out near Penn Pier.

Last Saturday an adult BLACK-HEADED GULL was spotted at Coney Island Creek, and a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE plus an ICELAND GULL were reported off Montauk Point, with another ICELAND GULL Sunday at Conference House Park on Staten Island.

Four LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were seen during the week along the edge of the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, with another one or two still present last weekend at Smith Pond in Rockville Centre.

Also lingering, an AMERICAN BITTERN was still along Dune Road in Quogue last Sunday, and the immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues in Marine Park in Brooklyn, often in the Stuart Street and Avenue T area.

About five RED CROSSBILLS were still along the Paumanok Trail near Jones Pond last Sunday, this area off Schultz Road in Manorville, and, as a note of interest, an overwintering SUMMER TANAGER was still visiting a private Islip feeder Thursday.

GREAT EGRETS and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS are now among the slowly increasing number of seasonal migrants moving into our area, replacing the large numbers of waterfowl heading north.

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

Best of the Fortnight

With the official start of Spring right around the corner, I've included several photos of new blooms from the past 2 weeks:

Hellebore, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Spring crocus, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Paperbush Plant, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Turkish Hazel, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

'Okame' cherry, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Lesser Celandine & Purple Deadnettle, Marine Park, Brooklyn, NY

Hermit Thrush, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

White-throated Sparrow, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Woodcock, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Ring-necked Pheasant, Marine Park, Brooklyn, NY

Palm Warbler, Marine Park, Brooklyn, NY

Horned Lark, Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY

Swainson's Hawk, Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY

Red-tailed Hawk, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Kestrel with Meadow vole, Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY

Merlin with Song Sparrow, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of March 18 - March 19, 2023:

Bedford Audubon Society

Nature Walk to Explore Vernal Pools
Sunday, March 19, 2023, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Leader: Paul Lewis
Description: Vernal pools are seasonal pools of water that provide habitat for distinctive plants and animals. Paul will guide us to 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. Family friendly for children 10 years of age and older, must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration: Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Registration required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713.
View Details


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Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, March 18, 2023, 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


Springtime in Prospect Park
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Leader: Paul Keim
Description: Celebrate Spring a day early with early spring migrants; spring equinox starts Monday afternoon.
Registration: No registration required.
View Details


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Eastern Long Island Audubon Society

Elizabeth Morton National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, March 18, 2023, Meet at 8:30am
Leader: Eileen Schwinn
Description: Flocks of over-wintering birds are here, just waiting for a hand out. LITERALLY – your hand out, with a few sunflower seeds and WOW! Famous for being able to feed the birds up close and personal, The Refuge is located on Noyac Road, just west of Sag Harbor. The walk is approximately 2 miles, and will take about 2 hours. Dress for the weather − some years, sunshine, and other years, deep snow! But no matter what the weather, an excellent way to kick off the beginning of Spring, the return of migrating birds, and re-visiting with long time human friends!
Registration: Contact Eileen Schwinn, beachmed@optonline.net, to register
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Freshkills Park Alliance

Family Nature Walk
Saturday, March 18, 2023, 10:00am
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. There is a […]
Registration: Register via Eventbrite.
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Gateway National Parks

Birding by the Bay
Saturday, March 18, 2023, 11:00 am - 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join Ranger Flor on a bird walk as we explore the birds of Jamaica Bay. Binoculars are provided.
Registration: Registration not required.
View Details


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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, March 19, 2023, 7:00am - 8:30am
Description: Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful early morning walking tours to discover the birds that make Green-Wood their home—at least temporarily. For some bird species that migrate south after the breeding season, Brooklyn is their Miami during the cold months. Spend the early morning exploring the cemetery, looking for overwintering waterfowl, nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches and any half-hardy birds that decided to stick around. By February we’ll see some of the early north-bound birds beginning to trickle back into the area.
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Spring Egg Hunt: Spotted Lanternfly Edition
Sunday, March 19, 2023, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Description: This is not your familiar Eastertide activity. Join Sara Evans, senior manager and curator of living collections, on a hunt for spotted lanternfly egg masses on the trees in Green-Wood. Since 2014, the spotted lanternfly, a planthopper native to Asia, has been spreading and establishing throughout the eastern United States. Because they lack significant natural predators in the area, their population is expanding unchecked.
View Details


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Linnaean Society of New York

Brooklyn Coastal Birding
Saturday, March 18, 2023
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Description: March is a time when a few winter birds remain, while early spring migrants are beginning to arrive. 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: Matthew Fischer — Matthewwfischer@gmail.com
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New York City Audubon

Free: Late Winter Stroll on Governors Island
Saturday, March 18, 2023, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Leader: Annie Barry
Description: Meet the winter birds of Governors Island! Nearly 240 bird species have been spotted on the island, which provides excellent habitat all year round. Whether you’re an expert birder or a beginner, these tours will help you discover all of the bird life the island has to offer this winter.
Registration: Registration page
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Free: Birding at Mount Loretto Unique Area
Sunday, March 19, 2023, 8:00am - 10:00am
Leader: Anthony Ciancimino
Description: Discover a diversity of wintering birds with longtime birder and Staten Island resident Anthony Ciancimino. Expect to see a variety of species of waterfowl and wintering songbirds as we explore the diverse habitats found at the park.
Registration: Registration page
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South Shore Audubon Society

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Sunday, March 19, 2023
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


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Urban Park Rangers

Sunday, March 19, 2023

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

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New York City Rare Bird Alert

Below is the New York City Rare Bird Alert for the week ending Friday, March 10, 2023:

- RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Mar. 10, 2023
* NYNY2303.10


- Birds mentioned
TRUMPETER SWAN+
SWAINSON'S HAWK+
WESTERN MEADOWLARK+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
HARLEQUIN DUCK
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE
EARED GREBE
Virginia Rail
American Oystercatcher
Piping Plover
Long-billed Dowitcher
Razorbill
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
Eastern Phoebe
Tree Swallow
House Wren
RED CROSSBILL
Chipping Sparrow
Northern Waterthrush
Orange-crowned Warbler

- 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 10th 2023* at 11pm. The highlights of today's tape are SWAINSON'S HAWK, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, EARED GREBE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, TRUMPETER SWAN, BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, HARLEQUIN DUCK, BLACK-HEADED GULL, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, RED CROSSBILL and more.

Both of Brooklyn's recently residing major highlights were still present today. The immature SWAINSON'S HAWK remains around the waste recovery plant located at 29th Street west of 2nd Avenue. Look for it around the buildings and light structures as well as garbage piles in that vicinity and a little south of there the apparent WESTERN MEADOWLARK continues at Bush Terminal Piers Park where the bird can be quite elusive moving about between the shoreline and a vacant lot and other spots providing sufficient cover.

The EARED GREBE was still around the mouth of Hendrick's Creek at the north end of Jamaica Bay at least to Sunday. This favored area near the pier at the southeastern corner of Shirley Chisholm State Park. Two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were present Thursday and today in Brightwaters visiting Lower Cascade Lake as viewed from Lakeview Avenue North while the one in the Rye area was last seen last Saturday. The TRUMPETER SWAN in Montauk was still in residence on the northwestern section of Fort Pond last Sunday and also continuing have been the drake BARROW'S GOLDENEYE at Crab Meadow Beach in Northport at least to Tuesday and a few HARLEQUIN DUCKS along the jetty at Jones Beach West End to yesterday.

A BLACK-HEADED GULL was still around Setauket Harbor on Tuesday and single ICELAND GULLS were seen at Randall's Island and Breezy Point last Saturday and Wolfe's Pond Park on Staten Island Tuesday and on Central Park Reservoir today.

Two LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were present on the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge at least to Monday and another was still around yesterday on Smith Pond in Rockville Centre.

This week one or two RAZORBILLS were noted off Governors Island and off Breezy Point, in Gravesend Bay, off Staten Island's Lemon Creek Pier and off City Island in the Bronx as well as out in Montauk.

The immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continued in Brooklyn's Marine Park to yesterday often in the vicinity of Stewart Street and Avenue T.

RED CROSSBILLS remain in the Calverton area with 3 near Preston's Pond on Tuesday and another flew over Lemon Creek Pier yesterday.

Besides some lingering ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS also apparently successfully over wintering so far has been the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH at Brooklyn Bridge Park and among various species showing up recently have been VIRGINIA RAIL, PIPING PLOVER, AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, EASTERN PHOEBE, TREE SWALLOW, HOUSE WREN and CHIPPING SPARROW.

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

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of March 11 - March 12, 2023:

Bedford Audubon Society

Field Trip: Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge and Black Dirt Region
Saturday, March 11, 2023, 8:30am - 2:00pm
Leader: Tait Johansson
Description: Since1990, the refuge has been a haven for more than 225 species of birds, including 21 species of waterfowl. We hope Snow Geese will still be around in large numbers (there have been flocks of thousands there this winter), as well as flocks of waterfowl like Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal, and many open country species like Rough-legged Hawk, Snow Bunting, and Lapland Longspur.
Registration: Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Registration required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713.
View Details


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Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, March 11, 2023, 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


Timberdoodle!: A Green-Wood Cemetery Pursuit
Sunday, March 12, 2023
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik & Bobbi Manian
Description: A search for the American Woodcock, also known as “Timberdoodle”; also early spring woodland songbirds and late winter species, raptors, perhaps eagles and vultures.
Registration: No registration required.
View Details


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Great South Bay Audubon Society

Bob Laskowski Memorial Duck Walk
Saturday, March 11, 2023, 8:30am - 12:00pm
Leader: Bob Grover
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
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, March 12, 2023, 7:00am - 8:30am
Description: Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful early morning walking tours to discover the birds that make Green-Wood their home—at least temporarily. For some bird species that migrate south after the breeding season, Brooklyn is their Miami during the cold months. Spend the early morning exploring the cemetery, looking for overwintering waterfowl, nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches and any half-hardy birds that decided to stick around. By February we’ll see some of the early north-bound birds beginning to trickle back into the area.
View Details


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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society

Sunken Meadow State Park
Sunday, March 12, 2023 - 9:00am
Leader: _____
Description: The best birding spot on the North Shore. We may see wintering waterfowl, resident songbirds, and birds of prey. You never know what is going to turn up.
Registration: To register, call (585) 880-0915.
View Details


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Linnaean Society of New York

Central Park Winter Bird Walk
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Leader: Richard ZainEldeen
Description: Central Park is our bailiwick, and March is the beginning of migration for land and water birds. A Pine or Palm Warbler is always possible. A couple of years ago, we respectfully observed a Long-eared Owl. During a recent winter a Long-tailed Duck and Horned Grebe visited the Reservoir. The feeders are an attraction for birds such as Purple Finch and other seed eaters. A Red-headed Woodpecker at the north end stayed into the spring recently. It is interesting to observe the transition.
Registration: Kathleen Matthews — redkatamat@gmail.com
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New York City Audubon

Free: Weird Duck Spotting at Floyd Bennett Field
Saturday, March 11, 2023, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Lily Mastrodimos
Description: It's winter and you know what that means. That's right, it's Weird Duck Time! Shovelers, scoters, or mergansers: which duck do you think has the most insane bill? Join us on a stroll by the water to see if we can spot any of these winter visitors.
Registration: Registration page
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Free: Winter Birding at Marine Park
Sunday, March 12, 2023, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Outdoor Afro
Description: Join NYC Audubon, Outdoor Afro, and the Marine Park Alliance to explore the beauty of Brooklyn’s largest park, Marine Park. Consisting of grassland and salt marshes, this park is habitat for a variety of migratory songbirds and waterbirds.
Registration: Registration page
View Details


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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

Crooke’s Point
Sunday, March 12, 2023, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Leader: Paul T. Lederer
Description: Maritime sand spits such as Crooke’s Point are dynamic topographical features formed and sculpted by water and wind action. Join naturalist Paul T. Lederer in a talk and walk where the geological and human history of the site, as well as the plants and animals that call this place home, will be discussed. It is suggested that walk participants dress in pants that cover the full leg and shoes appropriate for sand dune areas. It is also suggested that participants consider sun protection such as hats, sun block and water or other hydrating liquids. Insect repellent is also recommended. Walk participants will meet in Great Kills Park Beach Center Parking Lot (Parking Area “G”) near the beginning of the dirt permit road leading out to Crooke’s Point.
Registration: For more information call Paul at his cell phone (718) 354-9200.
View Details


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South Shore Audubon Society

Point Lookout Town Park (and Lido Preserve afterwards)
Sunday, March 12, 2023
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From the Southern State Parkway, exit onto the Meadowbrook State Parkway south. Exit from the Meadowbrook at Loop Parkway (just before the Jones Beach toll booths) toward Point Lookout. The Loop Parkway ends west of Point Lookout at Lido Boulevard. Continue straight across Lido Boulevard into Point Lookout Park. Travel past the ticket booths and curve left into the very large parking lot on the south side of the park. Park in the southeast corner, closest to the private homes of the village of Point Lookout and the beach. We will walk east along the beach toward Jones Inlet. After returning to the parking lot, we will drive west on Lido Boulevard to Lido Beach Passive Nature Preserve on the north side of Lido Boulevard to walk through the bay marsh.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
View Details


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Urban Park Rangers


Sunday, March 12, 2023

Spring Birding at Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
9:30am - 11:00am
Welcome migratory birds back to Wave Hill this spring! Explore the gardens and woodlands with birders Paul Keim, Kellye Rosenheim or Gabriel Willow to look for…
Free

Birding: Hawk Watch at Entrance - East 106th Street and Fifth Avenue (in Central Park), Manhattan
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Best of the Fortnight

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the past 2 weeks. Note that I've included my flight shot of a rare Swainson's Hawk in Green-Wood Cemetery. I'll be doing a blog posting dedicated to this incredible western visitor to NYC by the end of the week:

American Elm, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Striped Squill, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Silver Maple, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Immature Red-tailed Hawk, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Cooper's Hawk, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Immature Swainson's Hawk, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Goldfinch, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Red-breasted Merganser, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY

Ring-billed Gull, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY

Iceland Gull, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY

Northern Mockingbird, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Groundhog, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Woodcock, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

White-throated Sparrow, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Familiar Silhouettes

I've been creating a series of high contrast, silhouette bird photographs lately. What began as subjects in terrible lighting conditions became, well, something a bit more interesting. I'll continue to add to this posting over time, so check back again:

Fish Crow, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY

Merlin, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Red-tailed Hawk, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Carolina Wren, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Goldfinch, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY

Great Blue Heron on top of a larch, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorants, Yachats, OR

American Robin, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Mourning Dove, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Hawk food, Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Maspeth, NY

Summer Tanager, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Boat-tailed Grackle, Shirley Chisholm SP, Brooklyn, NY

Brown Creeper, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Fighting Red-tailed Hawks, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Fish Crow, Shirley Chisholm SP, Brooklyn, NY

Sharp-shinned Hawk, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Gray Kingbird, Great Kills Park, Staten Island

Fox Sparrow, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Great Egret, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Dark-eyed Junco, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

European Starling, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Mourning Dove, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Kestrel, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Northern Mockingbird, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Great Blue Heron, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Immature Green Heron, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Glossy Ibis, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, NY

Osprey with fish, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Red-tailed Hawk, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Eastern Phoebe, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

House Wren, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Downy Woodpecker, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

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