Week 39 - Green-Wood Cemetery

From September 23rd to the 29th we saw quite a bit of rain. I went out on some of those days, but the conditions kept me from taking many photos. We were still seeing a lot of warblers in the area, with a increase in Palm Warbler abundance. Look for flocks of these tail bobbing birds walking through areas of open grass. Yellow-rumped Warblers, typically a late arrival and half-hardy, are starting to make their presence known around the cemetery. I noticed their soft, "pip" call for the first time this season on Tuesday. It was interesting to note a large number of warblers foraging for insects in a Wych Elm near Sylvan Water the previous Sunday. That tree continued to see many birds feeding in it through to Friday. I photographed the small, winged insects on the tree that they were eating, but can't identify them.

Palm Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

American Redstart

Cape May Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Insects in Wych Elm

Other migrant birds that caught my attention last week were several Winter Wrens, the return of White-breasted Nuthatches, a few Indigo Buntings, a pair of Merlins and a very aggressive immature Sharp-shinned Hawk. The hawk was chasing pretty much every perceived competitor in sight. A few times I witnessed three-way skirmishes between kestrels, Merlins and said sharpie.

Winter Wren

White-breasted Nuthatch

Indigo Bunting

Immature Sharp-shinned Hawk

On Friday I experience an extremely unusual occurance at Sylvan Water. Solitary Sandpipers are seen in the cemetery during migration feeding around the edges of the water bodies. As their name suggests, they are usually solo or with one other individual. On Friday, however, as I circled the lake, I spotted one, then another, then another...I tried to convince myself that I was double counting them. I shot video as I panned along the shoreline. All told, there were 17 not-so Solitary Sandpipers. There was a lonely 18th at Crescent Water. This was by far the most Solitary Sandpipers that I'd ever seen together anywhere in NYC. Pretty cool.

10 of the 17 Solitary Sandpipers

All of the various oak species are in the process of dropping their acorns, adorning the ground with their diverse size, shape and colored nuts.

Acorns

The fruit of the Wing Euonymus trees have ripened and are attracting a lot of songbirds. A favorite spot to check near Twilight Dell was loaded with hungry Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Red-eyed Vireo, Gray Catbird, mockingbird and a fairly late in the season Great Crested Flycatcher.

Scarlet Tanager in Winged Euonymus

Likely triggered by all the wet weather, I noticed even more Honey mushrooms sprouting up. In addition, I found a few fresh clusters of Hen of the Woods.

Honey mushrooms

Hen of the Woods

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Saturday, October 5 - Sunday, October 6, 2024:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Fort Tilden: Aerial highway of hawks
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Description: A stationary observation of raptors seen overhead at Battery Harris East in one of Autumn’s majestic displays: hawk migration.
Registration: Peter Dorosh, email Prosbird@gmail.com or Prosbird@aol.com
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Prospect Park Saturday Fall Migration Walks
Saturday, October 5, 2024, 7:30am
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, October 5, 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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First Sunday Bird Outings
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club 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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Gateway National Parks

Fort Tilden Hawk Watch
Saturday, October 5, 2024, 10:30am — 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Join a Park Ranger for the chance to see hawks like Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles and more as they fly overhead during peak fall bird migration. Learn to ID them by silhouette and at rest. Meet at the Battery Harris viewing platform at Fort Tilden. Rain will cancel this event.
Registration: Reservation or Registration: No.
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Birding for Beginners at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Sunday, October 6, 2024, 1:30pm — 3:00pm
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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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, October 6, 2024, 7:00am – 8:30am
Description: No matter when you stop by, you’ll always see a variety of species passing through. By September, offspring of summer’s 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, we’ll be on the lookout for returning waterfowl and raptors heading south. November will bring back our overwintering feathered denizens from the north.
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Birding in Peace: Late-Risers Edition (Members Only)
Sunday, October 6, 2024, 10:00am — 11:30am
Description: You may know birding expert Rob Jett from his Birding in Peace tours. You know, the ones that meet at 6 am? Always wanted to go on a birding tour at Green-Wood but not a morning person? This tour is for you! The early birder might “get the worm” but you can birdwatch at any hour. Join Rob and a small group of fellow members to roam the grounds while hearing and seeing the many feathered friends of Green-Wood.
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Hudson River Audubon Society

Hawk Watch: Lenoir Nature Preserve
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Leader:
Description: Search the skies for hawks, eagles, falcons, vultures, and harriers migrating south. Other birds will be seen as well.
Registration: bochnikm@cs.com
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Linnaean Society of New York

Inwood Hill Park
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Leader: Loyan Beausoleil
Description: Inwood Hill Park is situated at the northernmost point in Manhattan. The 196-acre park is bordered by the Spuyten Duyvil Creek to the north and the Hudson River to the west. It features a hilly forest, a tidal estuary, rock formations, and ball fields. eBird records indicate the presence of 249 bird species, including waterfowl, gulls, and shorebirds in the estuary, Spuyten Duyvil Creek, and along the Hudson River. The forest is home to songbirds and owls, with several species nesting there. The upper ridge trail on the park’s western side offers stunning views of the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades. Raptors are a common sight soaring over the cliffs. During the fall, Dyckman Fields on the park’s west side becomes a stopover for migrating sparrows and other grassland species, such as American Pipit, Eastern Meadowlark, and Bobolink.
Registration: Lisa Kroop — lisakroop2@gmail.com
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NYC Bird Alliance

Fall Birding at Green-Wood Cemetery
Saturday, October 5, 2024, 8:00am - 11:00am
Leader: Tod Winston
Description: Enjoy fall 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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Arverne East Nature Preserve Tour
Saturday, October 5, 2024, 9:30am - 11:00am
Leader: Woo Sung Park
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance's (formerly NYC Audubon) Woo Sung Park, a Queens birder and Park Ranger, as we take a stroll through the newly opened Arverne East Nature Preserve in Far Rockaways, Queens. The preserve is full of native plants and grasses that provide habitat for a variety of sparrows and other birds stopping over in New York City, while shorebirds like Piping Plovers, American Oystercatchers, and Black Skimmers can be found nesting on the beach.
Registration: Registration page
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Governors Island Bird Tour
Saturdays, May 4 through October 26, 2-3:30pm
Leader: Annie Barry
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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The Birds of Woodlawn Cemetery
Sunday, October 6, 2024, 8:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Tod Winston, Joe McManus, and Susan Olsen
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) for a morning bird outing and tour of this beautiful cemetery. Tod Winston and Joseph McManus will look for spring migrants and year-round residents on the expansive grounds, while Woodlawn Cemetery Director of Historical Services Susan Olsen will share fascinating stories about the cemetery’s history and the interesting mixture of individuals interred there. This event is held in partnership with the Woodlawn Conservancy.
Registration: Registration page
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Fall Birding at Inwood Hill Park
Sunday, October 6, 2024, 8:30am - 10:30am
Leader: Annie Barry
Description: Inwood Hill Park is a jewel of New York City. Nestled between the Hudson River, Dyckman Street, and Seaman Avenue, this last tract of largely old-growth oak and tulip forest transports you to another world and another time. Glacial "pot holes," towering trees, and stunning river views create an unrivaled birding backdrop.
Registration: Registration page
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Pelham Bay Park Birding with the Young Conservationists
Sunday, October 6, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Ryan Mandelbaum
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance's (formerly NYC Audubon) Young Conservationist Council member, Ryan Mandelbaum, 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. Scopes may come in handy if you have them.
Registration: Registration page
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Queens Botanical Garden Birding
Sunday, October 6, 2024, 9:30pm - 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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New York Botanical Garden Bird Tour with the Young Conservationists
Sunday, October 6, 2024, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Efua Peterson
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) Young Conservationist Council member, Efua Peterson, 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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NYC Queer Birders

Sunrise Yoga and Bird Sit: Prospect Park Peninsula
Saturday, October 5, 2024, 7:00am
Leader: Pam Thompson
Description: We will supply coffee and bagels.
Registration: Sliding scale $1-$10. To RSVP please Venmo @baum-kirshenhan.
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North Shore Audubon Society

Hoffman Center Nature Preserve
Saturday, October 5, 2024, 8:00am – 11:00am
Leader: Barbara (516) 628-9022
Description: Hoffman Center Nature Preserve, 6000 Northern Blvd, East Norwich, NY 11732.
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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Queens County Bird Club

Kissena Park
Saturday, October 5, 2024, 7:45am – 12:45pm
Leader: Eric Miller (917) 279-7530
Description: This mini-trip includes Kissena Park both east and west of Kissena Blvd. Expect to find many species of sparrows and southbound migrants. Meet at the Kissena Velodrome parking lot, which can be entered from Booth Memorial Ave north of Parsons Blvd.
Registration: Please contact trip leader for meeting time and location.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Point Lookout Town Park (and Lido Preserve afterwards)
Sunday, October 6, 2024
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
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, October 5, 2024
Hispanic Heritage Month: Bilingual Birding (Observacion de Aves Bilingue) at Forest Park Visitor Center (in Forest Park), Queen
9:00am – 10:30am
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a bilingual birding experience to explore the city’s avian diversity during peak fall migration/disfrutar de una experiencia bilingüe a las aves.
Free

Birding: Birding by Ear at Greene Ave & Tompkins Ave (in Herbert Von King Park), Brooklyn
10:00am – 11:30am
It’s Bird Appreciation Month. Learn about different bird calls you may hear during the peak of fall migration. Enjoy bird-watching and decorate your own bird whistle.
Free

Fall Bird Outing at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00am – 11:30am
Join experienced bird guide, Efua Peterson, for a tour of Randall’s Island Park in search of feathered friends in the fall!
Free

Sunday, October 6, 2024
Birding: Fall Migration at Entrance - West 77th Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around The Ramble to look for fall migrants that include warblers, raptors and more!
Free

Best of the Fortnight

Here's a small selection of my photos taken during the second two weeks of September.

Scarlet Tanager (fall plumage)

Not so solitary, Solitary Sandpipers

Immature Sharp-shinned Hawk

Chestnut-sided Warbler (fall plumage)

Cape May Warbler

American Redstart

Winter Wren

Common Yellowthroat

Female Great Blue Skimmer

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Northern Parula

Carolina Wren

Black-and-white Warbler

Savannah Sparrow

Bald-faced Hornet nest

Blue Mistflower

White Aster

Immature Broad-winged Hawk

Week 38 - Green-Wood Cemetery

This past Sunday marked the Autumn equinox, the point when day and night are of approximately equal length. Going forward our nights will now become increasingly longer than the days. The Autumn migration for our birds, however, gradually began many weeks ago. From September 16th through the 22nd there was a slight transformation in the make up of our southbound birds, as well as, other noticable seasonal changes.

The colorful warblers still kept the attention of most birders, with a slight uptick in the number of Northern Parulas passing through the area. I got to see a Connecticut Warbler, which is notorious difficult to observe given their skulking, secretive nature and habit of foraging by walking in dense understory. They are one of the least studied of our North American songbirds for that reason. I expect the warbler migration to noticibly start to diminish within the next couple of weeks.

Northern Parula

Black-and-white Warbler

Connecticut Warbler

Still seeing a few flycatchers around, but only pewees and phoebes. I expect to continue to see them until we have a serious frost, which would kill off their remaining source of winged food.

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Wood-Pewee

There are now three species of wren occupying the cemetery: House, Winter and Carolina. Despite their name, Winter Wrens are rarely seen during our coldest months. They and the House Wren will eventually continue south to their wintering grounds as the season progresses. Carolina Wrens are an interesting story, however. Their historic range was south of New York State, but they began expanding north in the late 1800s. Around NYC, they are a frequent nesting species but their population dramatically expands and contracts, usually due to severe winters. Green-Wood Cemetery hadn't seen any Carolina Wrens for about a year, but they have been returning now for about a month.

House Wren

Carolina Wren

Two other songbirds that were seen in greater numbers last week were Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. I expect to be seeing Blue Grosbeak and Golden-crowned Kinglet very shortly. We never see large numbers of the former, but the tiny Golden-crowned Kinglet will be arriving by the virtual truckload.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

A migrating Green Heron has taken up temporary residence at the Dell Water. Nearly unmoved from some downed branches at the back of the slowly shrinking pond, it has had an endless supply of young bullfrogs to feed on. This small wading bird would never have a chance with a full-sized adult, so is enjoying the jackpot before it continues to Florida, Central America or South America.

Green Heron

I didn't observe any big shift in the raptors above or around the cemetery, but did have an interesting encounter on Sunday. First, a migrating immature Cooper's Hawk seems to have decided to stick around Green-Wood. A sure sign that it's still around are the piles of feathers it leaves behind after a meal. They tend to carry their prey into the dense cover of the yew trees, so take a peek under the low branches. Early Sunday morning I found myself in the middle of a Red-tailed Hawk playground on the Hill of Graves. Three immature Red-tailed Hawks ("Brown-tailed) were following each other around as they attempted to hunt for prey in the long grass. As young hawks occasionally do, I saw one successfully stalk and kill a small piece of wood. I assumed that they were siblings as Red-tailed Hawks don't usually tolerate close, sociable interactions. One of the trio eventually caught a mantis and the others watched it devour the light snack. They ultimately flew off together, but I had a brief sighting a short time later near Twilight Dell.

Immature Cooper's Hawk

Immature Red-tailed Hawk snacking

As the supply of food on the fruiting trees are exhausted and the songbirds that rely on them continue their southbound journey, the seed eaters start arriving. We're probably two to three weeks away from the peak of sparrow migration, but last week I saw the greatest diversity of the season: Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow and Swamp Sparrow.

Molting Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Immature White-crowned Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Much of what the sparrows are eating are the seeds that the grasses are producing.

Yellow Foxtail (Setaria pumila)

Panicum grass

There's a huge variety of asters now in bloom throughout the cemetery. Here's a selection of the flowers that caught my attention last week.

White Bushy Aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum)

Goldenrod

Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

White Bushy Aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum)

Groundsel (Baccharis halimifolia)

Still seeing Monarchs heading south but now they have been joined by Clouded Sulfurs. I've also been noticing some Cloudless Sulfurs, which is a southern species that occasionally strays farther north and is having a bit of an iruption in our area this year.

Clouded Sulfur

There are still a few fruiting tree producing food for the late songbird migrants. In particular, some of the magnolia trees are active and being visited by thrushes, orioles, tanagers and Red-eyed Vireos. Winged Euonymus is just beginning to ripen and should be attracting a lot of birds this week. The Burkwood Viburnum along Ravine Path has a few fruit left, but has mostly been eaten by the catbirds and mockingbirds. A few fruiting trees that I haven't noticed anyone taking advantage of are Chinese Fringetree, winterberry and Japanese Bittern Orange.

Umbrella Magnolia and Red-eyed Vireo

Winged Euonymus

Burkwood Viburnum

Chinese Fringetree

Winterberry

Japanese Bitter Orange

Last week's north winds brought, not only migrating birds, but also, a large number of southbound dragonflies. There were many swarms of, what appeared to be, Wandering Gliders from midweek to the weekend. I believe that this is a second push for this species. There were also still plenty of Twelve-spotted Skimmers around the ponds. I was also surprised to see quite a few female Great Blue Skimmers, but no males. Anyway, until next Monday...get outside and soak in the Autumn sights, sounds and smells.

Female Great Blue Skimmer