The Hits Keep on Coming

On Tuesday I spent a few hours in Green-Wood Cemetery looking for seasonal changes and taking photos. I came home at around 1pm, took off my shoes, put my camera battery in the charger, then popped the memory card into my computer. I was about 10 minutes into editing my photos when I received the following from my friend Michael:

"Seven Sandhill Cranes heading north toward Park Slope from Green-Wood"

Over the past decade or so Sandhill Cranes have become a bit more common in New York State, usually only in the northern edges of the state. I've seen them twice, once near the Finger Lakes region, and once at Wallkill River NWA. The only cranes I've seen around the Big Apple have been at construction sites, so my heart jumped when I read his text.

I live directly in the path he described. I thought about running up to the roof. Not enough time. No time to put the memory card or battery back in my camera. No time for shoes. I grabbed my bins, opened the den window and climbed out onto the fire escape. I began scanning the sky, expecting the flock to be high above Park Slope. I was wrong. Within about a minute the flock glided over our intersection, about 10 stories up, traveling directly above 8th Avenue. In fact, they were flying so low that my wife (who remained indoors) watched them from the living room window.

I followed up on the local birding app which helped at least one more birder to spot the flock circling above Grand Army Plaza.

This is one of Michael's photographs taken from Green-Wood Cemetery before they moved passed my apartment. Thanks for the timely heads up!

One More Brooklyn Rarity

On February 10, 2024 someone included on their eBird submission a "Ruby-throated Hummingbird" in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Given the winter date, an alarm went off in the heads of many experienced local birders. It was unlikely to be a Ruby-throated, but more conceivably a western vagrant.

The next morning Tripper Paul (an eBird moderator) headed over to its reported location in an attempt to confirm the bird's ID. Within a relatively short time, he found and photographed the bird. To few folk's surprise, it turned out to be a selasphorus hummingbird species (Allen's or Rufous). The Allen's Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird are extremely difficult to separate, the most reliable fieldmark being a small notch in the tip of the second tail feather of the Rufous. Here's a good essay that explains the differences. That said, once word got out, an abundance of folks with long lenses and expensive cameras rushed to Prospect Park. While this bird is extremely fast moving and miniscule, it was determined relatively quickly via photos that is was, in fact, a Rufous Hummingbird. It would be the first record of this species in Kings County.

While it would be my first Brooklyn Rufous Hummingbird, it wouldn't be a New York State bird for me. In 2006, when I did a Big Year in NYS with Sean, Shane and Doug, I actually saw two of them. The first was on November 26, 2006 with my friend Sean at Lenoir Preserve in Yonkers. The second was a bird found feeding in Norman Klein's backyard in Northport on Long Island. That bird ended up sticking around for a few weeks. The third was an individual that was found feeding on wildflowers near the planetarium entrance to the American Museum of Natural History on Central Park West and West 81st St. I remember that sighting in particular as, when I was watching the hummingbird, Neil deGrasse Tyson walked passed and flushed the bird...what a loser. 😜

Rufous Hummingbird range map

The Brooklyn hummingbird had been frequenting a stretch of path below the south ridge of Breeze Hill. Josh Malbin had set up a hummingbird feeder near the last sighting, hoping that the hummer would have a regular supply of food. While it didn't find the feeder for a while, it did have plenty to eat and no competition. The understory of that 150 yard stretch is dominated by Lonicera fragrantissima, a shrub honeysuckle that blooms in the winter.

Lonicera fragrantissima, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY

I was at Coney Island Creek looking for pintails and redheads when the hummingbird was relocated and positively identified. The subway service was really sketchy due to weekend work disruptions, but I rushed over to Prospect Park as fast as possible, stressing out the entire ride. My friend Heydi was in the park and offered to stick around and help me find it. Unfortunately, the bird didn't return while I was there, so I went home rufous-less. Thankfully the bird gods smiled upon me early the next morning. I managed to get good looks and a few photographs. I've since gone back a few times.

Two snow storms and 17 days later, our Rufous Hummingbird is still being seen (as of this writing). Mostly now it appears to be feeding at the hummingbird feeder rather than the honeysuckle flowers. The photographs have shown that it has a few golden-orange feathers emerging on its gorget, which would make it a male. I hope it sticks around until it is in full breeding plumage.

Best of the Fortnight

Here are a few of my favorites for the second fortnight of February:

Red-bellied Woodpecker at nest hole, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Mourning Dove, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Tufted Titmouse, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Ring-billed Gull, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY

Merlin, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Hellebore, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Robin bathing, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

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

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of March 2 - March 3, 2024:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, March 2, 2024, 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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March Through Shirley Chisholm Park
Saturday, March 4, 2024
Leader: Max Epstein
Description: Brackish and salt water ducks, geese and waterfowl, miscellaneous marsh species, early shorebirds, gulls, raptors, late wintering passerines, early grass species and sparrows at an excellent winter location.
Registration: Mike Yuan email mjyuan@gmail.com.
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First Sunday Bird Outings
Sunday, March 3, 2024, 8:00am - 10:00am
Leader: Paul Keim, Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Join naturalist and birder Paul Keim in search of dozens of species that visit the park through all seasons. Learn about the different habitats in Prospect Park and why they are important for all types of birds.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, March 3, 2024, 6:45am - 8:15am
Description: Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean that there aren’t interesting birds to discover in Green-Wood. 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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Linnaean Society of New York

Brooklyn Coastal Birding
Saturday, March 2, 2024
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: Leslie Fiske — lesliefiske@gmail.com
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New York City Audubon

Highland Park and Reservoir Birding
Saturday, March 2, 2024, 1-:00am - 11:30am
Leader: Woo Sung Park
Description: Located in both Queens and Brooklyn, Highland Park boasts forested areas, reservoir, and a community garden. Join NYC Audubon's Woo Sung Park in search of winter migrants in this beautiful outdoor space.
Registration: Registration page
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Pelham Bay Park Birding
Sunday, March 3, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Joe McManus
Description: Join NYC Audubon to explore New York City's largest park! Pelham Bay Park's forested areas, salt marshes, and grassy meadows offer rich habitat for a variety of migrating birds.
Registration: Registration page
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Saw Mill River Audubon Society

Small Group Birding: Croton Point Park
Sunday, March 2, 2024, 8:00am - 10:00am
Leader: Members of SMRA
Description: Good for all levels of birding experience. Beginners very welcome! Walks are for adults and youth age 8 or older. Let us know in advance if you want to borrow binoculars by emailing us at: office@sawmillriveraudubon.org.
Registration: Via Eventbrite
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South Shore Audubon Society

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Sunday, March 3, 2024
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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Week 8 - Green-Wood Cemetery

One of the most noticeable changes over the passed week was an increase in bird song. Not only have the resident species, such as cardinals and robins, begun singing more frequently, but they've been joined by the overwintering species. Juncos, White-throated Sparrows and Fox Sparrows have started to make their presence known to all the females within earshot.

The resident pair of Red-tailed Hawks that we witnessed mating during my morning walk a week ago, were busy collecting branches and rebuilding an old nest near the south end of the cemetery.

The Red Maple (Acer rubrum) is a relatively early blooming species. Most can now be seen sporting small crimson buds. Once they flower, they become a favorite treat of the Eastern Gray squirrels. Look for them hanging by their back feet as they "prune" the sweetest maple blooms.

Turkish Filbert or Hazel (Corylus colurna) is an introduced member of the birch family native to Southeastern Europe, Asia Minor, western Asia. The male catkins cover the trees with mustard-colored Mardi Gras-like beads beginning in late-winter. If you look closely, though, right now you'll see the inconspicuous but brilliant, red female flowers peeking out.

This week I expect to find some of my favorite bird, the American Woodcock, camouflaged in the leaf litter or trying to look like a pine cone in the needles beneath the conifers.

We get an extra day this month, so make sure to use it to take a walk in nature.

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of February 24 - February 25, 2024:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, February 24, 2024, 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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Tilden and Breezy: The Final Weeks of Winter
Saturday, February 24, 2024, 8:30am - 3:30pm
Leader: Ryan Goldberg
Description: Enjoy the last weeks of winter on the western Rockaways as ducks, loons, and other waterfowl begin staging to return north. We’ll walk from Fort Tilden to the Breezy Point Tip, a long, exciting beach walk that follows some of the city’s best dune habitat and protected shoreline. We’re likely to see hundreds or thousands of gannets, and we could also turn up wintering favorites like snow buntings and horned larks.
Registration: Ryan Goldberg, ryan.goldberg@gmail.com.
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, February 25, 2024, 6:45am - 8:15am
Description: Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean that there aren’t interesting birds to discover in Green-Wood. 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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Hudson River Audubon Society

Jones Beach: Coast Guard Marina
Saturday, February 24, 2024, 8:00am
Leader: Michael Bochnik
Description: Winter waterfowl, loons, grebes and maybe a rare gull or two.
Registration: bochnikm@cs.com
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Linnaean Society of New York

Pelham Bay Park
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Leader: Jack Rothman
Description: Pelham Bay Park is New York City’s largest park, covering 2,772 acres. Our winter walks center around the northern forested areas of Hunter Island and Bartow-Pell Woods in search of nocturnal raptors. The waters off Orchard Beach and Twin Island are excellent spots to scan flocks of overwintering waterfowl, loons, and grebes. Harbor Seals can sometimes be seen out on the rocks north of Twin Island.
Registration: Evelyn Huang — evelynhuang1@yahoo.com
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New York City Audubon

Weird Duck Spotting at Floyd Bennett Field
Saturday, February 24, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Russell Jacobs
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: Event Registration is currently closed.
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Queens County Bird Club

Baisley Pond
Sunday, February 25, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: John & Mary Borowski (347) 705-2963
Description: Join us as we look for birds in Baisley Pond Park, the winter home for hundreds of ducks and other waterfowl. The path around the lake is paved.
Registration: Contact the trip leader to register for this trip.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Hempstead Lake State Park
Sunday, February 25, 2024
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
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Riverside Park Birding Club at West 103rd Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
8:00am - 9:30am
Monthly walks through birding hotspots in Riverside Park. Learn and build a birding community.
Free

Birding: Winter Birds at Forest Avenue and Silver Lake Park Road (in Silver Lake Park), Staten Island
11:00am - 12:00pm
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the trails identifying various woodland birds and winter waterfowl.
Free

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Gateway Drive and Erskine Street (in Spring Creek Park), Brooklyn
10:00am - 11:00am
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free

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Week 7 - Green-Wood Cemetery

The first day of Spring will be on March 19th this year. One month away but love is clearly in the air.

I didn't get into the cemetery much this week due to our second snowstorm of the season. Also, I'm still healing from a broken finger, making using my bins and camera challenging at times. During the few times I was able to check, there definitely were some obvious changes afoot.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are now courting their mates and have begun preparing nest cavities. I discovered one in progress next to the Dell Water and a second near Vernal Avenue.

Mourning Doves have also begun their breeding cycle. I spotted a few love birds nuzzling and one carrying nest material. Outside my kitchen window a pair are constructing a nest under a neighbor's AC unit. Should be fun to watch the progress.

During my dawn walk this weekend, we spotted one of our resident Red-tailed Hawk pair near Crescent Water. While watching them, the smaller male mounted his mate and they briefly copulated. Time to try and find where they've decided to build their nest this year. Perhaps they'll return to the old spot behind Horace Greeley's monument.

Best of the Fortnight

Here's my first fortnight selections for the month of February. I expect to see a few new birds and botanics by the end of the month. Enjoy:

Budding multiflora rose, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Purple Sandpipers, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY

Common Loon, Coney Island Creek, Brooklyn, NY

Cedar Waxwing, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

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

Northern Shovelers, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Dutch Yellow Crocuses, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Cattails, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Hooded Merganser hen, Coney Island Creek, Brooklyn, NY

Redhead with Canada Geese, Coney Island Creek, Brooklyn, NY

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of February 17 - February 18, 2024:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, February 17, 2024, 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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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, February 18, 2024, 6:45am - 8:15am
Description: Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean that there aren’t interesting birds to discover in Green-Wood. 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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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society

Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Sunday, February 18, 2024 - 8:00am
Leader: _____
Description: Jamaica Bay is known for it’s world-class birding all year, especially in the winter. You just never know what will turn up in the best bird spot in the 5 boroughs. Take Cross Bay Boulevard south from the Belt Parkway. We will meet at the Visitors’ Center.
Registration: To register, call (585) 880-0915.
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Linnaean Society of New York

Croton Point Park
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Leader: Ethan Goodman
Description: Croton Point Park is a 508-acre park situated on a peninsula on the east shore of the Hudson River. In past years, we have seen Great Horned Owls, Eastern Screech Owls, Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, Bald Eagles, Common Goldeneyes and Common Mergansers, as well as other species.
Registration: Anne Lazarus — amlazarus47@gmail.com
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New York City Audubon

Birding at Freshkills North Park
Saturday, February 17, 2024, 8:00am - 10:00am
Leader: Anthony Ciancimino
Description: Join Staten Island resident and Anthony Ciancimino for a tour of (recently opened to the public) Freshkills Park’s North Park. This park is a beautiful oasis of wetlands and grasslands, where you can expect to see a wide variety of wintering waterfowl, raptors, and sparrows.
Registration: Registration page
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Pelham Bay Park Birding
Sunday, February 18, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Rich Aracil
Description: Join NYC Audubon to explore New York City's largest park! Pelham Bay Park's forested areas, salt marshes, and grassy meadows offer rich habitat for a variety of migrating birds.
Registration: Registration page
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Queens County Bird Club

NJ Shore/Barnegat
Saturday, February 17, 8:00am - 4:45pm
Leader: Ian Resnick (917) 626-9562
Description: This is a full-day trip that starts early and ends with dining out in central New Jersey. Of course, you may leave at any time that your schedule requires. We are planning on having lunch at a restaurant, so there is no need to pack a lunch.
Registration: Contact the trip leader to register for this trip.
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, February 17, 2024
Birding: Winter 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.
Free

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Week 6 - Green-Wood Cemetery

The sixth week of 2024 saw little variation in the status and abundance of bird species from the previous week, but there were several botanic changes.

Small birds, and even some of the larger ones, need to be on guard at all times as a pair of overwintering Cooper's Hawks are hunting the cemetery. Look for piles of feathers for signs that one had recently dined.

A trio of Northern Shovelers have been spending their time on Sylvan Water, away from the crowds of nearby Prospect Lake. Swirling along the surface of the pond, they use their unusual bill to filter seeds and aquatic invertebrates. The two males have begun ritualistically head bobbing in an attempt to impress a lone female.

Common Lilac

Dutch Yellow Crocus

Snowdrops

Hellebore

As the amount of daylight increases ever so slightly, more botanics have started to wipe the sleep from their eyes. Snowdrops are a common sight by mid-February. Hellebore are still nodding, but will be fully awake by next week. I was surprised to see the lilac trees already budding. The Dutch Yellow Crocuses are suddenly, and brightly, punctuating sun-drenched east and southeast facing slopes. Despite the name, they are not of Dutch origin.

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of February 10 - February 11, 2024:

Bedford Audubon Society

Hudson River Eagle Trip
Saturday, February 10, 2024, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Leader: Tait Johansson
Description: Last year our Hudson River EagleTrips were so popular we are once again offering two chances to join Naturalist Tait Johansson in search of Bald Eagles along the Hudson River. Whether it’s your first or 101st time, seeing a Bald Eagle is always a thrill and the stretch ofthe Hudson River that borders northwestern Westchester holds the largest concentration of wintering Bald Eagles in the Northeast north of Chesapeake Bay. The river and its banks provide food and nesting opportunities, which will give us the chance to spot these majestic raptors along the river at multiple stops from Peekskill to Croton Point.
Registration: Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Please register with Susan: info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713.
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Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, February 10, 2024, 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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Feminist Bird Club

Gullentine's Day in New York City
Saturday, February 10, 2024, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leaders: Ryan and Martha
Description: We’re headed to Sheepshead Bay to get better at gull ID and to offer our sincere appreciation to these most unappreciated of birds. We’ll cover the basics and learn how to distinguish between gull species no matter what age they are.
Registration: Registration page
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Green-Wood Cemetery

I Lichen You A Lot: Family Tour & Crafting
Sunday, February 11, 2024, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Description: There’s no greater love than when a fungus and an algae come together to form a lichen. They literally can’t live without each other! While much of nature lies dormant in winter, lichens thrive and though they are easy to spot, they’re often overlooked. This afternoon of exploration for families will include a walking tour followed by Valentine’s Day card crafting in the Historic Chapel using lichens (and as many lichen puns as we can think of!). We think you’ll be lichen this event a lot!
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New York City Audubon

Ferry Point Park Birding
Saturday, February 10, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Loyan Beausoleil
Description: Join NYC Audubon's Loyan Beausoleil at Ferry Point Park in the Bronx for some winter birding! This coastal park offers stunning views of the East River and Long Island Sound, where waterfowl and other birds are sure to be seen.
Registration: Registration page
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Winter Birding at Shirley Chisholm State Park
Sunday, February 11, 2024, 10:00am - 11:30am
Leader: Outdoor Afro
Description: Join NYC Audubon, New York State Parks, and Outdoor Afro to explore the largest state park in New York City, Shirley Chisholm State Park! This fairly new park was built on top of landfills and now supports a rich diversity of wildlife and habitat, including hawks, waterfowl, wetlands, and many tree and native grass species.
Registration: Registration page
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Queens County Bird Club

Montauk
Sunday, February 11, 8:00am - 4:45pm
Leader: Joe Schiavone (203) 640-2927
Description: This is a full-day trip that starts early and ends with dining out near Shinnecock inlet. Of course, you may leave at any time that your schedule requires. Please pack a bagged lunch because we will not be stopping at a restaurant for lunch.
Registration: Contact the trip leader to register for this trip.
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Birding: Bald Eagle Watch at Payson Park House (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
10:30am - 12:00pm
Winter is a spectacular time for observing bald eagles in New York City parks. See if you can spot any on this adventure with our Urban Park Rangers. Please dress warmly.
Free

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00am - 12:00pm
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free

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Week 5 - Green-Wood Cemetery

The most noticeable change over the past week was the shift in menu. The birds that have relied on the fruiting trees have mostly depleted the crabapples and persimmons. The holly trees with remaining berries each have their own tenacious Northern Mockingbird standing guard. We'll see how long that lasts. Flocks of hungry songbirds have now moved on to a stretch of Japanese Pagoda trees (Styphnolobium japonicum) along Vernal Avenue.

Japanese Pagoda tree

American Robins were the first to arrive. Most were acrobatically plucking the stringbean-like fruit from the trees. The lazy individuals just stood on the ground below and picked up the dropped fruit.

The five trees along this short road have been a hive of activity, not just for robin, but also, European Starling, Cedar Waxwings and even Red-bellied Woodpecker. Was surpised to see a Brown Creeper climbing along the trunk of one tree. Creepers are way too tiny to eat the fruit but apparently find small insects and insect eggs within the bark fissures.

During my early morning tour yesterday we spotted a young Red-tailed Hawk sitting in a large oak tree beside the feeding frenzy. I imagined that he was trying to figure out how to grab one of those tasty songbirds. He took off flying and the flocks scattered. Breakfast would have to wait.

In terms of botanics, I noticed one budding plant, one starting to flower and another blooming.

Multiflora rose beginning to bud.

Honeysuckle getting ready to bloom.

Leatherleaf mahonia in bloom.

Finally, it was nice to see some waterfowl other than Canada Goose, Mallard and American Black Duck on Sylvan Water. A few Northern Shovelers and a single female Bufflehead are now enjoying the accommodations.