Best of the Fortnight

Here are my favorites from the second two weeks of March. Happy Spring! 🌷

Song Sparrow, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

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

Female Ring-necked Duck, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

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

Star Magnolia "Rosea", Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

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

Northern Flicker, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Eastern Towhee, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Double-crested Cormorant, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of March 30 - March 31, 2024:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, March 30, 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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Prospect Park Early Spring Migrants
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Leader: Tom Stephenson
Description: The first spring migrants should be arriving. Meet at 7:30 am at Grand Army Plaza entrance, Stranahan Statue.
Registration: _____
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, March 31, 2024, 6:30am - 8:00am
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

Staten Island Hot Spots and Early Spring Migrants
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Leader: Seth Wollney
Description: This annual trip is led by Seth Wollney, a faculty member in the Biology Department at the College of Staten Island. The choice of locations will depend on current sighting reports. Past trips included stops at Conference House Park, overlooking Raritan Bay at the southernmost point of New York State; Mount Loretto (Bald Eagle); Great Kills Park (Royal and Caspian Terns, Little Blue Heron, Saltmarsh Sparrow); Arden Avenue Beach (Lesser Black-backed Gull); Oakwood Beach (Yellow-crowned Night-Heron); Miller Beach (gulls and terns); and/or anywhere else that our leader expects to find interesting birds.
Registration: Michelle Talich — mltalich@gmail.com
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New York City Audubon

Birding at Mount Loretto Unique Area
Saturday, March 30, 2024, 8:00am - 10:00am
Leader: Anthony Ciancimino
Description: Discover a diversity of spring migratory birds with Staten Island resident and birder, Anthony Ciancimino. Expect to see a variety of songbird species as we explore the diverse habitats found at the park.
Registration: Registration page
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Intro to Birding in the Central Park Ramble
Saturday, March 30, 2024, 8:30am - 11:30am
Leader: Tod Winston
Description: Are you curious about birding but don’t have much (or any) experience? Join NYC Audubon's Tod Winston on a relaxed winter walk in Central Park to go over birding basics and see sparrows, finches, woodpeckers, ducks, and more. Binoculars available upon request.
Registration: Registration page
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Let's Go Birding Together on Randall's Island
Saturday, March 30, 2024, 10:00am - 11:30am
Leader: NYC Audubon and the Randall's Island Park Alliance
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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Early Spring Birding at Jamaica Bay
Saturday, March 30, 2024, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Leader: Don Riepe
Description: Join longtime birder and educator Don Riepe at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and explore this gem of New York City on an early morning stroll. The Refuge is home to nesting Cedar Waxwings, Brown Thrashers, Tree Swallows, Yellow Warblers, American Redstarts, Osprey, Willets, Clapper Rails, and up to seven species of wading birds. We'll traverse the refuge trails and observe these species and many more on their breeding grounds.
Registration: Registration page
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Accessible Birding in Fort Tryon Park
Saturday, March 30, 2024, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Alex Wang
Description: The beautiful Fort Tryon Park commands views of the Palisades and the Hudson River from soaring cliffs of bedrock. Fort Tryon Park’s 67 acres feature many well-paved walkways suitable for birders with strollers and carriages, as well as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.
Registration: Registration page
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Pelham Bay Park Birding
Sunday, March 31, 2024, 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 page
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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

A Walk in the Woods at Blue Heron Park
Sunday, March 31, 2024, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Leader: Don Recklies
Description: Participants will walk some of the lesser walked trails on the east side of the park hoping that March has indeed “gone out like a lamb” and spring buds are breaking. From the Nature Center at 222 Poillon Avenue we’ll follow the Red Trail to Butterfly Pond, then by local roads to the eastern part of the park where we’ll check out some awful, unwanted Wisteria, then return to continue the Red Trail loop back to the Nature Center.
Registration: For more information call Don Recklies at (718) 768-9036.
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, March 30, 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: Early Spring Migration at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Inwood Hill Park to look for spring migrants that include warblers, raptors and more!
Free

Birding: American Woodcocks at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Join the Urban Park Rangers on an evening nature walk at Pelham Bay Park to learn all about the wacky world of woodcocks.
Free

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Week 12 - Green-Wood Cemetery

With the vernal equinox arriving on March 19th this year, we are now enjoying the "official" start of Spring. On Saturday we experienced nearly 24 hours of torrential rain, so perhaps that bodes well for the coming cherry blossom explosion. Right now only a few cherry trees are budding, with the higan cherries fully in bloom. The magnolia blooming usually occurs first, so I'm not surprised to see the saucer, yulan and star magnolias ready to burst. In addition, several more species of daffodils are illuminating the understory. Forsythia shrubs throughout the cemetery are now creating beacons of brilliant yellow. I'm drawn by the color, but many of the overwintering sparrows are drawn to them for their protective tangle of stems and branches.

Forsythia

Star Magnolia "Rosea"

Daffodil "Red Devon"

Northern Flickers have suddenly increased in abundance. While technically a woodpecker, they tend to spend more time on the ground digging for food, than excavating tree trunks. Most are just passing through the cemetery, but some will remain and nest here. Listen for their rhythmic "wick-a, wick-a, wick-a" call and look for them mixed in with the robin flocks foraging in the grass.

Female Northern Flicker

Some waterfowl are still moving through the area. A pair of female Ring-necked Ducks have been staying on the Crescent Water for about a week. Waterfowl tend to molt in the early-Spring, so perhaps that has kept them grounded for a short time. Some species can't fly (or have difficulty) while molting. Enjoy these lovely ducks while you can.

Female Ring-necked Ducks

Eastern Phoebe numbers have gradually increased, but haven't yet reached the point where "they are everywhere".

Eastern Phoebe

Tree Swallows are also migrating through the area. A relatively small flock has been acrobatically grabbing insects on the wing over the Sylvan Water for the past week. We should be seeing many more, and more species, in coming weeks.

Tree Swallow

Both species of kinglet have started showing up, with Golden-crowned outnumbering Ruby-crowned by about 10 to 1.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Up to four Eastern Bluebirds were seen in the cemetery this week. The state bird of New York, we've been observing them more frequently in Green-Wood Cemetery likely due to improvements in the habitat. The mockingbirds have also seemed to notice as many have added the bluebird's musical "turalee" call to their repertoire. Try not to be fooled by it, as I often am.

Eastern Bluebird

Finally, I've been hearing, then seeing, a raven circling over Sylvan Water. It's frequent calling makes me think it is looking for its mate. It flies in and out of the cemetery from the direction of Bush Terminal Park. I've seen them in that area collecting nest material, so perhaps this is part of their annual courtship. We usually see the adults with their offspring foraging in the cemetery by early-Summer.

Common Raven

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of March 23 - March 24, 2024:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, March 23, 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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Spring Awakenings at Marine Park
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Leader: Heydi Lopes
Description: Greeting the first spring migrants, namely sparrows, Phoebe, possible Pine and Palm Warblers, Creepers, Woodpeckers, etc; raptors, late ducks, waterfowl and marsh species.
Registration: Danielle Khalife, email daniellek97@gmail.com
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Feminist Bird Club

NYC - Birding at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, March 23, 2024, 9:30am - 11:30am
Leaders: Jen Kepler
Description: Meet at 9:30 AM outside the visitors center and explore the West Pond together. We will be looking for early spring migrating birds, enjoy the wondrous weird ducks that remain, and hopefully be welcoming back the resident Ospreys. Bring your binoculars or borrow a pair. We will have two scopes on hand for our group to use in observing distant birds on the water.
Registration: Registration page
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Great Trees of Green-Wood
Sunday, March 24, 2024, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Description: It’s what we wait for all year: the explosion of colors from hundreds of flowering trees and plants across Green-Wood. This feast for the eyes only lasts for a short time. Lace up your walking shoes and get ready to post like crazy on Instagram as you discover these blossoms for yourself. This walking tour, led by a member of the Cemetery’s horticulture team, will highlight some of the nearly 8,000 trees in this accredited Level III Arboretum—one of only 26 in the US (and only 43 in the world!)
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New York City Audubon

Early Spring Birding at Green-Wood Cemetery
Saturday, March 23, 2024, 8:00am - 11:00am
Leader: Tod Winston
Description: Enjoy the first flights of spring migration at beautiful Green-Wood Cemetery. We'll look and listen for finches, warblers, woodpeckers, and waterbirds—plus the cemetery's famous Monk Parakeets! Beginning birders welcome, and binoculars available upon request.
Registration: Registration page
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South Shore Audubon Society

Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve
Sunday, March 24, 2024
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
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Week 11 - Green-Wood Cemetery

Robert Arbib wrote in his 1966 book, "Enjoying Birds Around New York City", that March is "Often the month of hope denied". He was referring to migratory birds, but there were some tantalizing hints of the approaching waves of birds. There were also many botanic changes and an early butterfly sighting.

One of the earliest butterflies to appear in the spring is the Mourning Cloak. This hibernating species will spend the winter in tree cavities or under logs, which is why it is the first to appear in March during warm spells. I spotted my first one of the year near the Charlotte Canda gravesite this week.

Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)

Before I get to the birds, here are some of the wildflowers and trees that have flowered this week. One of my favorite early-Spring (late-Winter?) native wildflowers is the "Spring Beauty". Claytonia virginica is low to the ground and easily overlooked as the flower is less than 1/2" across. Also, it is edible!

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

Hoop Petticoat (Narcissus bulbocodium)

Early Squill (Scilla mischtschenkoana)

Red Maple

Yulan Magnolia (Magnolia denudata)

An early blooming azalea near the Civil War Monument has been discovered by the honey bees. Within the next 2 weeks they will have a much more varied menu from which to choose.

Honey bee and azalea

Cedar Waxwing numbers have increased with many feeding on the profusion of early cherry blossoms.

Eating Cherry blossoms

Before the migration gets into full swing, a favorite of most birders is the cryptically plumed American Woodcock. Woodcocks are primarily active at dawn and dusk, spending the rest of the day hiding motionless in leaf litter or among the needles and fallen cones beneath conifers. This week a few have begun moving through the cemetery. Easily overlooked, scan for a beaked pine cone with big eyes.

American Woodcock

Sparrows have started migrating with many more Song Sparrows now around the cemetery. Over the winter there were likely less than a half dozen in Green-Wood. Yesterday I counted 32. Many males are finding high perches and singing their appropriate "Hip, hip, hip hurrah boys, spring is here!" song. In addition, a few Swamp and Field Sparrows have joined the Songs as they head north.

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Perhaps the most exciting observation for me this week was the arrival of a couple of species that usually mean that the full migration is "right around the corner".

Eastern Phoebes are one of the earliest songbirds to arrive in our area in the Spring. Timing their return with the emergence of multiple flying insects, look for them bobbing their tail from a conspicuous perch, then flying out to grab prey, usually returning to the same spot. I saw two this week, but expect to see dozens of them in the cemetery in coming weeks.

Eastern Phoebe

Every birder, even those just beginning, look forward to the arrival of the jewels of the avian world: New World Warblers. This diverse group of small, mostly colorful songsters will descend on our city in large numbers for a very short period on route to their breeding grounds. The Pine Warbler is always the first to appear. Like the Eastern Phoebe, they generally signal the start of the northbound migration. On Friday I heard the unmistakable loud, trilling song of one. I excitedly scanned the White Pine above me and quickly spotted the brilliant yellow warbler foraging among the tree's cones. I try to convince myself that, finally, next week they'll be lots of new birds around, but quickly recall Robert Arbib's caution and temper my optimism...but only for the moment.

Pine Warbler

Best of the Fortnight

Here's the lastest installment of my fav pics from the previous 2 weeks. Enjoy:

Turkey Vulture, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Gadwall, Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY

Flowering Quince, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Japanese Andromeda, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Drone fly on Snowdrops, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

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

Daffodil, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Red Maple flower, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Cedar Waxwing, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Woodcock, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of March 16 - March 17, 2024:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, March 16, 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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Exploring New Jersey Treasures: The Celery Farm, Halifax Road and Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Description: Exploring new locations to discover birds in an all-day adventure.
Registration: Peter Dorosh; email Prosbird@gmail.com or Prosbird@aol.com.
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, March 17, 2024, 7:00am - 8:30am
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.
View Details


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Hudson River Audubon Society

Bird the Long Island Ponds
Saturday, March 16, 2024, 9:00am
Leader: Joseph McManus
Description: We will look for ducks. Good possibility for Redheads, Ring-neckeds. Also, some land birds and definitely Black-crowned Night Herons. Bring a scope if you have one.
Registration: bochnikm@cs.com
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New York City Audubon

Birding at Mount Loretto Unique Area
Saturday, March 16, 2024, 8:00am - 10:00am
Leader: Anthony Ciancimino
Description: Join Staten Island resident and longtime birder, Anthony Ciancimino, as we explore the diverse habitats found at the park and look for wintering and early spring migrants.
Registration: Registration page
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Pelham Bay Park Birding
Sunday, March 17, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Jack Rothman
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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South Shore Audubon Society

Mill Pond Park
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: Use street parking on the westbound side of Merrick Road. The park is four blocks west of the Wantagh State Parkway.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, March 16, 2024
Rockaway Beach Coastal Cleanup and Bird Walk at Beach 59th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
10:00am – 1:00pm
Protect coastal areas at Rockaway Beach! Volunteers will remove debris from the coastline creating a healthier ecosystem and the Wildlife Unit will host a bird walk after the cleanup.
Free

Sunday, March 17, 2024
Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Brookville Boulevard and 144 Avenue (in Brookville Park), Queens
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best viewing spots in New York City to see winter waterfowl. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free

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Week 10 - Green-Wood Cemetery

Week 10 in Green-Wood Cemetery saw a few subtle changes in the avian world. More profound transformations were happening with the botanics.

One sure sign that Spring is right around the corner are the dozens of Red-eared Sliders that have emerged from the mud and are now sunning at the edges of all the ponds. Many have algae still covering their shells and common leaches attached to their exposed body parts. The cemetery's snapping turtles are also starting to stir.

A mockingbird that overwintered around the edges of Crescent Water has suddenly upped his vocal repertoire. I think he's anticipating some new females in the area. His daily serenades now include Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Kingbird and Great Crested Flycatcher.

Our two bonded pairs of Red-tailed Hawks seem to be involved in regular territorial displays. In addition to the two pairs circling, diving and screeching at each other, there may be an interloper causing some problems. One of the adult males is easily recognizable by several missing secondary feathers on his right wing. He's earned the nickname "Wonky Wing". This indivual was also banded several years ago in Putnam County and has a blue band on his left leg numbered "A10". "A10" is the father of the single chick hatched back in 2022 in the pine tree nest behind the Horace Greeley monument. Over the weekend I noticed an immature male (brown banded tail still) dive-bombing and chasing "A10" in the vicinity of the old pine tree nest. I spotted this individual again near the historic chapel chasing a non-banded hawk. Should be interesting to see how this develops. 20 years ago I watched a similar interaction in Prospect Park where an immature red-tailed challenged the dominant resident male. He eventually prevailed, bonding with that female for nearly a decade (he developed his namesake red tail in his third year).

Red-tailed Hawk "A10"

Immature Red-tailed Hawk

Cedar Waxwing numbers have increased with a flock of two dozen spotted feeding on the pagoda tree fruit this weekend. Some of the waxwings that pass through during migration will remain and nest in the cemetery. Listen for their high-pitched, trilled "bzeee" and wispy whistles.

Cedar Waxwing

The most obvious wildflower brighten the landscape this past week has been daffodils. There are several different cultivars springing up from the tiny, delicate Jonquilla to the showy large cup varieties.

Daffodil

Finally, here's a selection of week 10 blooms, in no particular order.

Flowering Quince

American Elm

Paperbush plant

Japanese Andromeda

Dawn Redwood

Lesser Celandine