Week 43 - Green-Wood Cemetery

I'm going to begin this installment of my weekly Green-Wood Cemetery nature updates with a little bit of self-indulgence. October 21st through the 27th was as close as you'll get to peak foliage in Brooklyn. That said, the first section will be all trees. Following the foliage photos, I'll continue with the latest bird, botanic and insect observations.

Black Tupelo

Golden Rain Tree

Bottlebrush Buckeye

Sugar Maple

Japanese Maple

Sweetgum

Crepe Myrtle

Kentucky Coffee Tree

River Birch

Sassafras

Three Flower Maple

Shagbark Hickory

Sparrows continued to increase in abundance, especially Chipping Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos. By midweek I observed flocks of both species that numbered in the hundreds.

Chipping Sparrows

Dark-eyed Junco

Lincoln's Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Late week there was a big incursion of migrating Hermit Thrushes. Up to that point I had seen a small number in the cemetery, but on Friday I tallied (conservatively) 40. That number was for the small area that I covered, so could probably multiply that by four for the entire cemetery.

Hermit Thrush

A few species which still seem to be on the increase, and I expect to see in good numbers through the winter are: Blue Jay, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Purple Finch and American Goldfinch.

White-throated Sparrow, House Finch, Purple Finch, goldfinch

Tufted Titmouse

Blue Jay

White-breasted Nuthatch

A few lingering species seen last week who generally do not overwinter and should be dispersing soon are Eastern Meadowlark, Winter Wren and Common Yellowthroat.

Eastern Meadowlark

Winter Wren

Common Yellowthroat

Finally, the bird that everyone loves to see (although their camouflage frequently renders them invisible) migrated through the cemetery in good numbers on Friday. The American Woodcock is so adept at hiding in plain sight that, at one point, I flushed five while looking directly at the spot where they were roosting. I didn't see them until they burst from the underbrush, wings whistling and zoomed right by me. Fortunately I did manage to sneak up on a few and take several photos.

American Woodcock

The Threadleaf Bluestar has gone to seed, but the stems and leaves that remain recall sunset colors. Other botanics that caught my attention last week were Tansy, Autumn Phlox and Pampas Grass.

Threadleaf Bluestar

Tansy with Bumblebees

Autumn Phlox

Pampas Grass

There is now an abundance of rose hips around the historic chapel and on the adjacent ridge to help keep the birds nourished through the winter.

Rose hips

Prior to last week the only dragonflies that I was still seeing around the cemetery was the Eastern Green Darner. Those are now being slowly supplanted by Autumn Meadowhawks. From what I've been able to find, not a lot is know about there migration. If you are interested in migratory dragonflies here's a link to a good document on the subject.

Autumn Meadowhawk

Lastly, another migratory species which I thought had finished their cycle this season is the Sachem skipper. I've since learned that this species flight can occur as late as November. I guess I've never really noticed them at this time of year.

Sachem skipper feeding on Boneset

Best of the Fortnight

Here are my picks for the second two weeks of October.

Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's Hawk fighting

Baltimore Oriole

Brown Thrasher

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

American Kestrel

Immature Red-tailed Hawk

Lincoln's Sparrow

Winter Wren

Palm Warbler

Immature Cooper's Hawk

Blue Jay

American Woodcock aka "Timberdoodle"

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Saturday, November 2 - Sunday, November 3, 2024:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Friends remembering Lenore: A Prospect Park memorial nature walk
Saturday, November 2, 2024, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: BBC members
Description: A tribute to one of the bird club’s most ardent members who passed away last June, Lenore Swenson. A staple on many bird club walks, she embodied those noble traits that endeared her to friends. She was a keen field observer with vast experience and exceptional knowledge of all things of nature. Her passion for the natural world made her an icon in NYC.
Registration: No registration.
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Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, November 2, 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, November 3, 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
Every week on Saturday, November 02, 2024 to November 30, 2024
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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Hudson River Audubon Society

Hawk Day - Lenoir Nature Preserve
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Leader: Michael Bochnik
Description: Last of the season, on November 2, starting at 10 AM. Bring binoculars, a folding chair, and snacks. Michael Bochnik leads the hawk watch Meet at the field behind the Manor on the Lenoir Preserve. We stay for hours if it’s a good flight day; we leave around noon on quiet days. Parking available; port-a-potties by Lenoir Nature Center.
Registration: bochnikm@cs.com
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NYC Bird Alliance

RBESNA Birding
Saturday, November 2, 2024, 9:30am - 11:00am
Leader: Russell Jacobs
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) to explore the Rockaway Beach Endangered Species Nesting Area (RBESNA). This stretch of beach is closed during the summer breeding season for nesting shorebirds like Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and Black Skimmers, as it becomes a vital foraging habitat in the fall for sandpipers and other shorebirds making their way south. The extensive dune vegetation provides habitat for a variety of sparrows and other birds stopping over in New York City, while sea ducks, grebes, and loons overwinter just offshore.
Registration: Registration page
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Queens Botanical Garden Birding
Sunday, November 3, 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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North Shore Audubon Society

Robert Moses State Park
Saturday, November 2, 2024, 8:00am – 11:00am
Leader: Pat and Shai (631) 241-0749
Description: Meet at SE corner of Field 5.
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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South Shore Audubon Society

Hempstead Lake State Park
Sunday, November 3, 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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Green-Wood Cemetery "Nightfall: Time Flies"

The following is not what I typically post on this blog. I just attended Green-Wood Cemetery's annual "Nightfall" event. It defies a simple description, but is an absolutely amazing event, so had to share. I took a lot of photos and created a short video of some of the highlights. This is the description from Green-Wood's website:

Amidst the serene backdrop of weathered gravestones and trees whispering in the wind, this year’s Nightfall invites you to reflect on the fleeting nature of time itself. As dusk settles and darkness fills the cemetery, explore tales of lives lived and moments lost, revel in nostalgia for a grand past, and grieve for all the things that could have been.

Join us for an evening where memories intertwine with the present, reminding us that in this sacred space, the essence of time is both ephemeral and eternal.

Set across Green-Wood’s storied grounds, Nightfall features music and moving images curated by Death of Classical and Rooftop Films; spectacle provided by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, and storytelling and show and tell by Morbid Anatomy. Kings County Brewers Collective is the official beverage sponsor for Nightfall.

Week 42 - Green-Wood Cemetery

It's hard to believe that we just concluded week #42. The pace of change is slowing and, by next month, will need to look more closely at the plants and animals for any seasonal transformations.

Most of the warbler species have moved on leaving only the more hardy Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Palm Warbler

A definitive sign of Autumn and the increasing cooler weather are the frequent sight and sound of southbound geese.

Canada Geese

Songbirds have moved on from one depleted source of food to the next. The crabapple trees at Cedar Dell are now the hotspot for bird activity. Robin, waxwings, lingering orioles, recently arrived Purple Finches and even woodpeckers are flocking to these trees.

American Robin

Purple Finch

Baltimore Oriole

Among the sparrow species now occupying the cemetery is a distinct increase in White-throated Sparrows. A few, more scarce, White-crowned Sparrows have also been seen. I expect Fox Sparrows to be making an appearance very soon.

White-throated Sparrow

Immature White-crowned Sparrow

There has been a lot of Red-tailed Hawk activity lately. Some of the aerial battles involve our local pairs, but there are probably several migrating individuals that stuck around, much to the displeasure of the residents. A few Cooper's Hawks appear to have settled in for the cold months and are interacting with the Red-tails. In addition, our lone cemetery Red-tailed offspring is still learning the ropes and is at the "ignore the humans" phase of development.

Red-tailed and Cooper's Hawks fighting

Immature Red-tailed Hawk

Red-headed Woodpeckers are sometimes seen passing through the cemetery during migration. Occasionally a juvenile will end up spending the winter. There is currently one frequenting oak trees along Battle Hill. I watched it collecting acorns and caching them in holes in a Horsechestnut tree. Maybe that is an indication that it is planning on hanging around this winter.

Juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker

The colorful asters and other wildflowers are starting to dry and go to seed. The timing is perfect for the assortment of sparrows and finches that make Green-Wood Cemetery their winter haunt.

Dried asters

The scent of decaying leaves has begun to permeate the cemetery. Unfortunately, also at this time of year, our sense of smell is sometimes assaulted by the abundant dropped fruit beneath Ginkgo trees. The smell of these fallen fruits are frequently described as rancid cheese or vomit. It is caused by butyric acid, which is the same chemical in the aforementioned description. Now is the time to avoid walking under Ginkgo trees so as not to transport the fruit's pulp in one's shoe treads. Despite the terrible odor, many animals do eat them. In the cemetery, I frequently spot Raccoon scat dominated by ginkgo pits.

Ginkgo berries