Week 36 - Green-Wood Cemetery

Last week saw the seasonal change birders have been anticipating. A cold front on Monday evening, with northern winds kickstarted the engine that is Fall migration. Here's a short essay that explains why.

To give you an idea of the difference that weather patterns make on southbound migratory birds, at the start of the week I tallied 36 species of birds in Green-Wood Cemetery. By the end of the week that number jumped to 55 species. In addition, it wasn't merely an increase in species, but also in overall abundance of each. Sunday saw the most profound change with 16 species of warblers observed on my morning "Birding in Peace" walk. Here's the full list: Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Cape May Warbler, Northern Parula, Magnolia Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Palm Warbler, Prairie Warbler and Black-throated Green Warbler.

Tuesday morning I met up with my friend Kevin at the Valley Water. He had texted me that there was a "fall out" of birds in that area. A Dawn Redwood at the southwest edge of the pond attacts a lot of birds during migration. It was no surprise that Kevin had been stuck in that corner for a long time, counting a profusion of birds darting around the redwood and immediate surroundings. As I was walking over to meet him, I also noticed a lot of activity within the cherry trees at the southeast edge of the pond. At the redwood there were multiple Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-side Warbler and Prairie Warbler. A pair of Eastern Wood-Pewees hawked from open perches for insects. Several Red-eyed Vireo were also present. As the mixed flock began moving counter clockwise around the pond, we decided to walk over to the cherry trees. Where we stood under the close set stand of trees, warblers seemed to be moving in all directions. Suddenly Kevin said in a baffled tone while motioning to a point in the grass a couple of yards away, "What the heck is that?" I think I may have made an audible gasp when I looked down. A tiny Sora rail was strolling through the grass towards the edge of the water. While not a particularly rare species, their preference for wetlands with dense vegetation make them difficult to see. I've seen them a few times in appropriate habitats and this was my first for the cemetery.

Sora

Veery were seen in increasing numbers and I saw my first Swainson's Thrush of the season. Sunday also brought a few Scarlet Tanagers, Yellow-billed Cuckoos and Olive-sided Flycatchers to Green-Wood.

Tennessee Warbler

Cape May Warbler

Scarlet Tanager

Baltimore Oriole eating Porcelain Berries

Veery

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

We should be seeing more migrating raptors soon, especially Broad-winged Hawk. I have noticed, however, more Osprey and Bald Eagles on the move.

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Wood-Asters are suddenly decorating the understory of the more wooded areas of the cemetery, as is White Snakeroot and Autumn Clematis. The latter of which is an introduced species and may be considered invasive.

White Wood-Aster

White Snakeroot

Autumn Clematis

A beautiful wildflower of the shaded understory that was new to me is the aptly named Turtlehead. Despite its exotic appearance, it is actually endemic to North America.

Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii)

Here are some other notable botanics from last week. The Seven-sons tree, which permeated the air with its cinamon-like fragrance, attracted an abundance of late season pollinators. Autumn Crocuses are sprouting, mostly close to the ponds. Goldenrod and pink hued Spotted Beebalm dominate the wildflower meadow with scattered patches of white Late Boneset.

Seven-sons tree (Heptacodium miconioides)

Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)

Spotted Beebalm and Goldenrod

Late Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum)

Here are some of the fruiting plants that caught my attention last week. Note that the milkweed pod is technically the fruit, but I included the dispersing seeds here because, why not?

Crabapple

Cucumber Magnolia

Milkweed seeds

Porcelain Berry

Mock Strawberry (Potentilla indica)

Cortland Apple (Malus domestica 'Cortland')

Two weeks ago I had a young European Mantis land on my camera while I was previewing some photos at Hill of Graves. This species (Mantis religiosa) is not as common here as the Chinese Mantis (Tenodera sinensis). Neither have been very plentiful this year, but that may just be me overlooking them due to their camouflage. I stumbled on the latter last week as it was trying to sneak up on some skipper butterflies. I think I blew his cover. Just wish they would stick to eating Spotted Lanternflies. Here's a link to an identification guide.

European Mantis

Chinese Mantis

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Wednesday, September 11 - Sunday, September 15, 2024:

Bedford Audubon Society

Field Trip to HawkWatch
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 11:30am - 2:00pm
Leader: Tait Johansson
Description: Over the season last year, the Bedford Audubon team on the Hawkwatch Platform at Chestnut Ridge observed more than 34,000 raptors in flight, and our Field Tripto Hawkwatch is timed for peak Broad-winged Hawk migration. 2023 was a record year, so join the team on the platform for this Field Trip to see if we can top the numbers this year. Naturalist Tait Johansson and Counter Rich Aracil will be on hand to explain what we see, and we will be hoping for kettles of these magnificent birds along with other raptors and birds from this viewing platform high above I-684 with views across the Arthur Butler Sanctuary and beyond, all the way to Long Island Sound.
Registration: Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Registration required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713.
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Brooklyn Bird Club

Prospect Park Saturday Fall Migration Walks
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik
Description: Walks typically go into early afternoon or later if the birding is great. Bring water, snacks and/or a sandwich if you plan to stay the whole duration–but feel free to leave whenever you want.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, September 14, 2024
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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Gateway National Parks

Hawk Watch at Fort Tilden
Saturdays, September 07, 2024 to September 28, 2024, 10:30am — 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join a park ranger for the chance to see birds of prey like Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, and Bald Eagles as they fly overhead during the peak fall migration. Learn to ID them by silhouette and at rest.
Registration: Reservation or Registration: No.
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Birding for Beginners at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Every week on Sunday until September 29, 2024, 10:00am — 11:30am
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Interested in birds, but feel intimidated about getting into birding? No problem, this is birding for beginners! Together we will take a nature walk, talk about what makes Jamaica Bay such a great place for birds, and give you the tools to learn the basics of bird identification and appreciation. Bug spray and sunscreen are recommended, binoculars available.
Registration: Reservation or Registration: No.
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Great South Bay Audubon Society

Connetquot River SPP Bird and Breakfast
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Jack Carlson, Helga Merryman, Ken Thompson, Edith Wilson
Description: Join us as we head out to Connetquot River SPP for an early morning adventure.
Registration: info@greatsouthbayaudubon.org
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 6:30am – 8:00am
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. By September, offspring of nesting birds will be on their own. Returning warblers will be in their less flamboyant fall plumage. Large numbers of blackbirds, flycatchers, sparrows, vireos, and swallows will also be passing through. By October, waterfowl are returning, and we’ll look for raptors heading south. November will bring back our overwintering feathered denizens from the north.
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Bugging Out!
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 10:00am - 11:30am
Description: Herbivores and carnivores, pollinators and parasites, beneficial and detrimental, beautiful and, sometimes, frightening, at least 950 species—and counting—of insects and spiders have been sighted in Green-Wood.
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Birding in Peace
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 6:30am – 8:00am
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. By September, offspring of nesting birds will be on their own. Returning warblers will be in their less flamboyant fall plumage. Large numbers of blackbirds, flycatchers, sparrows, vireos, and swallows will also be passing through. By October, waterfowl are returning, and we’ll look for raptors heading south. November will bring back our overwintering feathered denizens from the north.
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Bugging Out!: Walk for Kids
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 10:00am – 11:30am
Description: At least 950 species—and counting—of insects and spiders have been sighted in Green-Wood. Herbivores and carnivores, pollinators and parasites, beneficial and detrimental, beautiful and, sometimes, frightening—the tiny life-forms that creep, crawl, buzz, and flutter provide a fascinating wealth of knowledge about the world around us. Join expert guide Matthew Wills for a family-friendly afternoon of insect watching! In the same spirit as bird watching, we’ll observe those tiny invertebrates that your favorite birds eat and that pollinate the flowers around us.
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Hudson River Audubon Society

Broad-winged Hawk Migration: Lenoir Nature Preserve
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Leader:
Description: Broad-wing Hawks will be making their incredible 4,300 mile migration from N. America to S. America. At peak times 100’s to 1000’s can pass by hawk watches in a day.
Registration: bochnikm@cs.com
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Linnaean Society of New York

Green-Wood Cemetery
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Leader: Rob Jett
Description: Situated along the Harbor Hill Terminal Moraine in Brooklyn, this 478-acre National Historic Landmark features hills, valleys, and kettle ponds. Green-Wood Cemetery is a magnet for migrating birds, which makes perfect sense given the more than 500 species of woody plants that qualify it for Class III Arboretum status—one of only 31 in the world. In addition to spotting numerous songbirds, we’ll visit the hawk-watch hill north of the Civil War Monument, which affords a great vantage point to scan for migrating raptors. Thirteen species of raptor, plus both vultures found in our area, have been recorded at the cemetery.
Registration: Gillian Henry — gillian.henry@gmail.com
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Prospect Park
Saturday, September 15, 2024
Leader: Tom Stephenson
Description: Prospect Park, one of New York State’s Important Bird Areas, is a must-visit destination for every New York City birder, especially during migration time. We will explore the park at a leisurely pace, pointing out park exits and subway lines for those who may need to leave early. Our previous walks have been filled with unique sightings, including a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a Common Nighthawk, and numerous warbler species. And remember, fall is a prime time to spot sparrows.
Registration: Amanda Bielskas — bielskas@gmail.com
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NYC Bird Alliance

Governors Island Bird Tour
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Leader: NYC Bird Alliance
Description: Nearly 240 bird species have been spotted on Governors 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 birdlife the island has to offer. Binoculars are available to borrow.
Registration: No registration required. Free.
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Breeding Birds of Calvert Vaux Park
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 8:30am - 11:30am
Leader: Tod Winston
Description: Meet at Calvert Vaux Park and explore this Brooklyn waterside site on an early morning stroll. A surprising variety of nesting birds have been found at Calvert Vaux Park in recent years, including Willow Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Brown Thrasher, and Indigo Bunting.
Registration: Registration page
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Van Cortlandt Park Birding
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Alyssa Bueno
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) on a bird tour in one of the Bronx's largest green spaces. Participants will look for various species of resident and migrant birds and discuss a wide range of avian topics. This event is held in partnership with Van Cortlandt Park Alliance.
Registration: Registration page
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Let's Go Birding Together at Alice Austen House
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 10:00am - 11:30am
Leader: NYC Bird Alliance
Description: Pride shouldn't only be celebrated during June! Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) at LGBTQ+ historical monument Alice Austen House for a Let's Go Birding Together (LGBT) outing this fall. Right on Staten Island's eastern coast, Alice Austen Park provides a beautiful view of The Narrows, where may also find different species of waterbirds. Spend the first hour birding on the museum grounds, which will then be followed by a guided tour of the Alice Austen House Museum.
Registration: Registration page
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Accessible Birding in Fort Tryon Park
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Alex Wang
Description: Fort Tryon Park’s 67 acres are accessible to birders of all abilities and disabilities. Accessible-friendly routes including many well-paved walkways are suitable for birders with strollers, carriages, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. Accessibility is enhanced by birding guide and educator Alexandra Wang (Avian Alex), M.S. Ed., who offers augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) pamphlets, Braille pamphlets and plush birds for an inclusive birding tour. Further accommodations can be requested in advance by reaching out to Alex at alexmwang1992@gmail.com.
Registration: Registration page
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New York Botanical Garden Bird Tour
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Ronnie Almonte
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) and the New York Botanical Garden for some fall birding! Get to see some of NYBG’s diverse landscape and learn why this unique green space is such a vital haven for a great variety of species year-round. The tour will meet at the Reflecting Pool in the Native Plant Garden.
Registration: Registration not required. No limit. Free.
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Crotona Park Birding
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Haley Scott
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) bird guide and Bronxite, Haley Scott, and explore the beautiful Crotona Park. Its meadows, flowering trees, and sizable pool provide excellent habitat for a variety of birds including woodpeckers, warblers, and wading birds.
Registration: Registration page
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Latino Conservation Week: Bilingual Birding at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader:
Description: To kick off Latino Conservation Week (September 14-22), join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy for birding in English and Spanish! Come and explore the woodlands and meadows, and enjoy views of the city and the waterbirds on the East River.
Registration: Registration page
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Intro to Birding at Jamaica Bay
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 9:30am - 1:30pm
Leader: Tod Winston
Description: Are you curious about birding but don’t have much (or any) experience? Join NYC Bird Alliance's (formerly NYC Audubon) Tod Winston a relaxed stroll in Jamaica Bay to go over birding basics and look for wading birds, raptors, shorebirds, waterfowl, warblers, and more. Binoculars available upon request.
Registration: Registration page
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North Shore Audubon Society

Uplands Farm Sanctuary
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Leader: Kathy (917) 770-2727
Description: Uplands Farm Sanctuary, 250 Lawrence Hill Rd, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724.
Registration: Limited registration. You must register via email to nsaudubonsociety@gmail.com, and you will receive a confirmation email. If you become unable to attend, please email to allow someone on the waiting list to take your slot.
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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

Ambling through Arden
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Leader: Don Recklies
Description: We will walk along recently rehabilitated trails in New York City’s largest freshwater wetlands, making a loop clockwise from the parking lot off  Arden Avenue (opposite Forest Green).  Trails have been improved, but there will be  slopes and streams to cross by stepping stones, and if it has rained recently be prepared for mud.
Registration: For more information call Don Recklies at (718) 768-9036 [(646) 675-5787 on the day of the walk].  Inclement weather – but not a drizzle – will cancel this walk.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Hempstead Lake State Park
Saturday, September 14, 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, September 14, 2024
Birding: Hawk Watch at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
10:00am – 11:30am
Join the Rangers as they hike up the hills of the Bronx-Pelham Landfill, a site closed off to the public. Registration required. Registration opens Wednesday Sept 4.
Free

Sunday, September 15, 2024
Raptor Fest at Freshkills North Park Entrance (in Freshkills Park), Staten Island
12:00pm – 3:00pm
Experience the thrill of viewing New York’s premier predators live and up close, including eagles, falcons, owls, hawks, and more!
Free

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Week 35 - Green-Wood Cemetery

Here are my observations in Green-Wood Cemetery for the week of August 26th to September 1st. I've tried to be disciplined and post updates every Monday, however the Labor Day holiday this week threw my schedule off a bit. That said, here's what was going on.

Beginning with everyone's favorite songbird family, the warbler status and abundance last week remained about the same. I feel like somewhere to the north of us are massive flocks of colorful songbirds champing at the bit, anxious for north winds to help carry them to their winter grounds. That change would ultimately happen, but I'll save that for next Monday's update.

Last week I tallied 12 species of warbler, with most in the low double-digits to single numbers. Of those birds two were new for me for the fall: Prairie Warbler and Black-throated Green Warbler. The complete list was Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Cape May Warbler, Northern Parula, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Prairie Warbler and Black-throated Green Warbler.

Black-throated Green Warbler

Flycatchers were still only seen in dribs and drabs. Eastern Wood-Pewee was the most abundant, with a few unidentified empidonax flycatcher species, Least Flycatcher and a single Great Crested Flycatcher.

Empidonax flycatcher "at rest"

Increasing numbers of Northern Flickers continue to migrate through the area, as do a handful of Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers. I've also been seeing a few Green Herons stopping off to rest and fill up on frogs and small fish. With raptor migration beginning I wasn't surprised to see a Bald Eagle heading south over the cemetery on Friday.

Flickers harassing a kestrel

Spotted Sandpiper

Bald Eagle

Green Heron grabbing a bite

A short update on our only Red-tailed Hawk offspring: She has finally learned to hunt and has stopped making that whinny, whistled "feed me" call to her parents. I watched her hunting a squirrel at the Dell Water. The squirrel managed to escape, but only by inches. Her plumage looks good and she appears to be well fed. The first year is always the most difficult for Red-tailed Hawks, but she seems to be off to a good start.

Immature Red-tailed Hawk

Many of the skipper butterfly species have moved from the flowers to laying eggs in long grasses. The Hill of Graves has been particularly active. Monarch butterflies continue to increase and I've been noticing a lot more Red Admirals.

Red Admiral

I've written about the non-native Kousa Dogwood fruit attracting wildlife, now the "American" Flowering Dogwood is starting to fruit adding another much needed food source for southbound birds. In addition, I just noticed a large patch of unidentified viburnum near 35th Street providing a massive amount of berries for the birds. Native Pokeweed is also a magnet for hungry birds. One tree that I was amazed to see attracting birds was the American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana). Unlike the aforementioned, this tree has keys that enclose a very small nut.

Flowering Dogwood fruit

Chinese Fringe Tree fruit

Viburnum sp.

Pokeweed

American Hornbeam

I would remiss if I didn't touch on the oak trees in Green-Wood Cemetery. As I wandered the roads, paths and hillsides last week it was nearly impossible to put my foot down without crunching fallen acorns. It was almost as if all the different species of oaks had a secret agreement on their fruit's ripening date. I say "almost" as I noticed that the Sawtooth Oak's fruit were still developing and wrapped in their cap's long bristles. It took some creativity, but I searched the cemetery's tree database and determined that there are an astounding 55 species of oaks on this 478 acre oasis in Brooklyn. Universally revered, the mighty oak is steeped in mythology and folklore worldwide. Here's a link to one essay about their lore.

Sawtooth Oak acorn

Finally, I discovered an unusual insect that was new to me (but not particularly rare). It is called the Magnolia Leaf-footed Bug (Leptoglossus fulvicornis) and was climbing up the square, blocky bark of a Common Persimmon tree. The location was directly across the road from a towering Cucumber Magnolia tree. Perhaps this magnolia fruit specialist had just finished laying eggs (or eating) and was taking a stroll.

Magnolia Leaf-footed Bug

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Saturday, September 7 - Sunday, September 8, 2024:

Bedford Audubon Society

Field Trip to Central Park
Saturday, September 7, 2024, 7:15am - 1:30pm
Leader: Tait Johansson
Description: Come with us to the oldest public park in the United States. Central Park is an 843-acre rectangle and was designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) in 1988. Situated directly in the Atlantic Flyaway, it is a welcoming place for birds migrating along the East Coast to rest and store up energy for the next leg of their journey. Check out fall migration with Naturalist Tait Johansson on his popular Field Trip to Central Park, a regular stopover for fall-migrating warblers, thrushes, sparrows, and other songbirds.
Registration: Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Registration required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713.
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Brooklyn Bird Club

Green-Wood Cemetery: Fall begins
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Leader: Rob Jett
Description: The peak “Autumn” migration of neotropical warblers, vireos, buntings and other songbird species along with flycatchers and orioles.
Registration: Roberta Manian roberta.manian@gmail.com
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Prospect Park Saturday Fall Migration Walks
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik
Description: Walks typically go into early afternoon or later if the birding is great. Bring water, snacks and/or a sandwich if you plan to stay the whole duration–but feel free to leave whenever you want.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, September 7, 2024
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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Eastern Long Island Audubon Society

Suffolk County Farm, Yaphank!
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Leader: Eileen Schwinn
Description: Meet in the parking area of the Farm, we will walk the fields and farmyards, looking for hawks, falcons, and south-bound migrating song birds. Past trips have shown us Pipits, Meadowlarks, and Rusty Blackbirds! There are no guarantees, but it’s a great place with perfect habitat for so many species. The walk is approximately 2.5 to 3 miles, depending on recent bird reports. If there’s time, we will walk under the LIE and visit another piece of public land which may have different birds present.
Registration: Please register with Eileen Schwinn at beachmed@optonline.net, who will notify you if there is any change in plans or weather-related issues.
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Gateway National Parks

Hawk Watch at Fort Tilden
Saturdays, September 07, 2024 to September 28, 2024, 10:30am — 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join a park ranger for the chance to see birds of prey like Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, and Bald Eagles as they fly overhead during the peak fall migration. Learn to ID them by silhouette and at rest.
Registration: Reservation or Registration: No
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Birding for Beginners at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Every week on Sunday, August 04, 2024 to August 25, 2024, 10:00am — 11:30am
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Interested in birds, but feel intimidated about getting into birding? No problem, this is birding for beginners! Together we will take a nature walk, talk about what makes Jamaica Bay such a great place for birds, and give you the tools to learn the basics of bird identification and appreciation. Bug spray and sunscreen are recommended, binoculars available.
Registration: Reservation or Registration: No.
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Hudson River Audubon Society

Beverly Smith Memorial Butterfly Walk at Lenoir Nature Preserve
Saturday, September 7, 2024, 10:00am
Leader:
Description: Meet at the Nature Center. We will walk up to the garden that Beverly started and look for butterflies as well as eggs, caterpillars and chrysalis. Learn about the Monarch Butterfly’s remarkable migration to and from Mexico.
Registration: bochnikm@cs.com
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Linnaean Society of New York

Mushroom Exploration Walk in Van Cortlandt Park
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Leader: Paul Sadowski
Description: Van Cortlandt Park offers various habitats for mushroom exploration. We will walk along marshy areas, fens, lawns, woodlands, and ponds, searching for several types of fungi. We recommend that you bring a hand lens with about 10X magnification. However, you may be able to borrow one from our leader, an instructor in mycology, and a longtime member of the New York Mycological Society.
Registration: Heidi Ng — Hello.Monkey.Shops@gmail.com
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NYC Bird Alliance

Governors Island Bird Tour
Saturday, September 7, 2024, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Leader: NYC Bird Alliance
Description: Nearly 240 bird species have been spotted on Governors 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 birdlife the island has to offer. Binoculars are available to borrow.
Registration: No registration required. Free.
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Intro to Birding in the Central Park Ramble
Saturday, September 7, 2024, 8:30am - 11:30am
Leader: Tod Winston
Description: Are you curious about birding but don’t have much (or any) experience? Join NYC Bird Alliance's (formerly NYC Audubon) Tod Winston on a relaxed fall stroll 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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Bird Behavior: Birding and Photography
Saturday, September 7, 2024, 9:30am - 11:00am
Leader: LR2 Photo Studio
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) and the Bronx's LR2 PHOTO STUDIO for a special event filled with birding and photography in Crotona Park. Crotona Park's meadows, flowering trees, and sizable pool provide excellent habitat for a variety of birds including woodpeckers, warblers, and wading birds. Come take photos, look through binoculars, or just vibe!
Registration: Registration page
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Pelham Bay Park Birding
Sunday, September 8, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Joe McManus
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) to explore New York City's largest park this fall. 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 Botanical Garden Birding
Sunday, September 8, 2024, 9:30am - 10:30am
Leader:
Description: Explore Queens Botanical Garden in search of migrant songbirds and learn about the resources the Garden offers to birds and other wildlife. These outings are held in partnership with the Queens Botanical Garden.
Registration: Registration page
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Queens County Bird Club

Alley Pond Park
Saturday, September 7, 2024, 7:45am – 12:45pm
Leader: Eric Miller (917) 279-7530
Description: This min-trip includes the forested areas of Alley Pond Park south of the Long Island Expressway. Meet at the east end of the 76th Ave. parking lot - see map.
Registration: Please contact trip leader for meeting time and location.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Massapequa Preserve
Sunday, September 8, 2024
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
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, September 7, 2024
Fall Migration Birding in Community Gardens at Highland Park Community Garden, Brooklyn
10:00am – 12:00pm
This is a beginning birding class, no experience needed. We'll walk through different gardens and discover together what birds we can find.
Free

Sunday, September 8, 2024
Fall Birding at Wave Hill, Bronx
9:00am – 11:00am
Fall is peak migration time along the Hudson River.
Free

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