Week 1 - Green-Wood Cemetery

As the new year begins, I've decided to try and document the annual natural cycles in Green-Wood Cemetery. Fifty-two entries seems like a daunting task, so let's see how it goes.

Doldrums. People keep asking me, "Where are the birds?" It may feel like we're becalmed in the Horses Latitude, but there are changes afoot. There always is. There's never a stagnant season.

Autumn Flowering Higan Cherry trees are brightening a mostly gray landscape. As are the emerging blossoms on the Jalena Witch-hazel. Crabapples, hawthorn, hollies, barberry and persimmons are still providing lots of fruit for robins, waxwings, flickers and several other wintering songbird species.

The diversity of raptors in the area seems to have really increased. No doubt these opportunists are taking advantage of the seasonal struggles of smaller creatures. Over the past week I observed at Green-Wood Cemetery: American Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture and Bald Eagle. Be wary little critters.

Hardy species like the huge Great Blue Herons and diminutive kinglet will usually remain through even the coldest months. So far, overwintering sparrow populations are relatively sparse, but I suspect that will change as the the month progresses. I expect to see hellebore in bloom soon and an increase in waterfowl. Stay tuned...

"Birding in Peace" 2023

Below is a short video of some of the bird species seen during my 2023 "Birding in Peace" walks at Green-Wood Cemetery. After a short winter break, I will be resuming my early morning walks there on Sunday, January 21, 2024. Until then, enjoy!

Last Road Trip of 2023

On Saturday, December 30th myself and two friends decided to take our last birding road trip of 2023. There was a rare bird on Long Island and a mega-rarity near the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Both were about 90 minutes from Brooklyn. The challenge was that one bird was 90 minutes south-west of us, while the other was 90 minutes due east. The weather forecast called for some early sunshine, but mostly overcast and cold. We had talked about this chase all week and decided to go for it.

The main prize we were hoping to find was a Red-flanked Bluetail that a guy in Whiting, NJ spotted at his bird feeder. I wasn't familiar with this species and, as it turned out, neither was nearly every one of my birding friends. The reason being that this is its normal range:

Red-flanked Bluetail range

There have been several sighting of this species on the west coast over the years, mostly in Alaska. The individual found in Whiting, New Jersey would be the first for northeastern North America.

The second bird was a Mountain Bluebird spotted at Heckscher State Park at East Islip in Suffolk County. Michelle volunteered to drive and would pick up Angela, then myself a little past 6:00am. We were hoping to be at the bluetail stakeout close to sunrise. This map will give you and idea of how far we'd have to travel.

If you are a long time reader of my blog, you'd likely have noticed that, back-in-the-day, I made a lot of long day trips to chase rarities. It's been a while and I was really looking forward to it.

When we walked up to the backyard of the home "hosting" the bluetail there were a few birders already gathered. They mentioned getting great views of the bird earlier.

After a moment, one of the birders then pointed out the long distance visitor perched on a low branch in the shadow of a yew tree. This was the best of my not so great photos:

Easy, peasy! We stuck around for a few more minutes trying to get some better photos, then it was back to the car for our next bird. Before heading back north, we toasted our first win with celebratory cupcakes.

It was almost too easy. There was virtually no traffic for the two plus hour drive to Long Island. Once we got close to the next spot, we briefly struggled to figure out the most recent bluebird sighting location within this 1,600 acre park. We quickly spotted several birders riveted to a spot in the grass adjacent to the bicycle path. Michelle slowed the car to a crawl as we passed them. The bluebird was patiently standing in the grass a few yards from the edge of the road!

We parked the car about 150 yards away and rushed back to the spot. In retrospect, it was completely unnecessary to run as the Mountain Bluebird was incredible cooperative. It frequently perched on low posts that marked the edges of the bike path, scanning for prey. It would then drop down into the grass, grab an insect, then return to the post to devour it:

Mountain Bluebird, Heckscher SP, East Islip

Mountain Bluebird, Heckscher SP, East Islip

Chasing after rare birds can be exhausting, but the fun and camaraderie makes it all worth the effort...especially when successful. Big thanks to Michelle and Angela for making my last bird trip of 2023 so great. If you'd like to read more about the Red-flanked Bluetail, here's a link to a very good article.

Best of the Fortnight

Here are my final "fortnight" photos for 2023. I'm looking forward to sharing many more of my nature images in the New Year:

Northern Cardinal, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Fox Sparrow, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Japanese Snowbell tree, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Kestrel, Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY

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

American Robin in Green Hawthorn, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Red Squirrel, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Black-capped Chickadee, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

White-throated Sparrow in barberry shrub, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Happy Holidays

 

Here's to a cheerful present, a well remembered past and a prosperous year ahead.

Best of the Fortnight

Here's my second to last "Best of..." for 2023. Enjoy.

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

American Kestrel hunting, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

White Oak leaf, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Green Hawthorn, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Woodcock, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Late Palm Warbler, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of December 9 - December 10, 2023:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, December 9, 2023, 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 bird outing 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.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Freshkills North Park and Staten Island tour
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Leader: Seth Wollney
Description: Grassland species in the newest park of the Freshkills complex; afterwards other Staten Island points will yield raptors, ducks and typical late season passerines.
Registration: Peter Dorosh - email Prosbird@gmail.com or Prosbird@aol.com.
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Feminist Bird Club

NYC - Dabbling and Babbling at Baisley Pond Park
Sunday, December 10, 2023, 9:00am - 11:00am
Leaders: Sophie Barno
Description: It’s Weird Duck Time! Join Sophie Barno and FBC NYC for some quality winter duck and gull peepin’ at Baisley Pond Park. Martha and Jeana will be on hand for duck serenades and other comic relief. Baisley Pond Park is one of the best places in NYC to get good close looks at Redhead and Ring-necked Duck, plus we’ll also see Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Ruddy Duck, Gadwall, Mallard, American Coot, Ring-billed Gull, and more! Binoculars are available to borrow on request, just let us know if you need a pair.
Registration: Register online
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New York City Audubon

Van Cortlandt Park Birding
Saturday, December 9, 2023, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Haley Scott
Description: Join NYC Audubon on a bird tour in one of the Bronx's largest green spaces. Participants will look for various species of residents and migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. This event is held in partnership with Van Cortlandt Park Alliance.
Registration: Register Online
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Alley Pond Park Birding
Saturday, December 9, 2023, 10:00am - 11:30am
Leader: Woo Sung Park
Description: Alley Pond Park is an ecological treasure. Containing both fresh and saltwater wetlands, forests, tidal flats, meadows, and glacier-formed landscape, this park supports a vast array of birds. Join Woo Sung Park to discover this green space for yourself!
Registration: No registration required. No limit. Free.
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Pelham Bay Park Birding
Sunday, December 10, 2023, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Rich Aracil
Description: Join NYC Audubon to explore New York City's largest park! Pelham Bay Park's forested areas, salt marshes, and grassy meadows offer rich habitat for a variety of migrating birds.
Registration: No registration required. No limit. Free.
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Accessible Birding in Fort Tryon Park
Sunday, December 10, 2023, 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: No registration required. No limit. Free.
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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

A Walk in Butler Manor Woods and Mt. Loretto Unique Area
Saturday, December 9, 2023, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Leader: Don Recklies
Description: We will meet in the parking lot on Hylan Boulevard opposite Kenny Road then walk up to the bluff via the Wetland Trail. Low tide is around 11 o’clock, so there may be seals hauled out on the rocks. From there we will loop Butler Manor Woods before returning via the Cunningham Pond observation platform.
Registration: For more information call Don Recklies at (718) 768-9036.
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Queens County Bird Club

Montauk
Saturday, December 9, 2023, 7:30am - 4:30pm
Leader: Ian Resnick - (917) 626-9562
Description: We will start the trip viewing from the back of the restaurant specified by the map. Parking is in the lot on the opposite side of Montauk Hwy. If you have a scope, it will be useful here. Razorbills and gannets are possible here, and you will definitely see Common Eider and scoters. We will proceed to various birding spots in the Montauk area. We usually end the trip with a visit to the Shinnecock Inlet and dinner at a restaurant near there.
Registration: Call the trip leader to register.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Mill Pond Park
Sunday, December 10, 2023
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

Sunday, December 10, 2023
Bird Photography for All with the Feminist Bird Club at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street Entrance (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
9:00am - 10:30am
Join the Feminist Bird Club of NYC for a beginner-friendly bird photography walk in Inwood Hill Park. Learn tips and tricks to enhance your birding and express your creativity.
Free

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Shore Parkway and Rabbi Block Street (in Calvert Vaux Park), Brooklyn
10:00am - 11:00am
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Please bring your own binoculars.
Free

Birding: Winter Waterfowl and Clean-Up at Beach 35th Street and Norton Avenue (in Bayswater Park), Queens
11:00am - 12:00pm
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Join the Urban Park Rangers to look for the waterfowl that call NYC home during the winter.
Free

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124th Annual Christmas Bird Count

Below is the schedule for this year's Christmas Bird Count for the NYC and surrounding area. If you are unfamiliar with the CBC, it began as a protest to the barbaric tradition of teams going out and killing as many birds as possible on Christmas Day. The Audubon Society has a page that explains everything you'd want to know about what has become the largest wildlife survey on the planet. What is the Christmas Bird Count?

If you'd like to participate, just contact the coordinator for your area.

Count Code Count Name Contact Email Phone Saturday, December 16, 2023 NYBR Brooklyn Bobbi Manian roberta.manian@gmail.com NYDC Dutchess County Adrienne Popko cbc1@watermanbirdclub.org NYML Mohonk Lake-Ashokan Res. Steve M. Chorvas schorvas@gmail.com 845-246-5900 NYNN North Nassau Jennifer Wilson Pines jwpines@gmail.com NYOT Oneonta Sandy Bright brights@hartwick.edu NYPE Peekskill Michael Newhouse Michael.Newhouse@wsp.com Sunday, December 17, 2023 NYCA Captree L.I. Taylor Sturm tjsturm@gmail.com 516-375-5246 NJLH Lower Hudson NJ/NY Katherine Chen christmasbirdcount@nycaudubon.org NYND Northern Dutchess John Askildsen askildsen@verizon.net NYOS Oswego-Fulton Bill Purcell wpurcell@twcny.rr.com 315-382-2871 NYQW Quogue-Water Mill L.I. Steven Biasetti sbiasetti@eastendenvironment.org 631-219-5518 NYQU Queens County Corey Finger 10000birdsblogger@gmail.com NYRC Rockland County Alan Wells alan.wells@optimum.net 845-942-5751 Monday, December 18, 2023 Tuesday, December 19, 2023 Saturday, December 23, 2023 NYBW Bronx-Westchester Region Michael Bochnik BochnikM@cs.com Tuesday, December 26, 2023 Wednesday, December 27, 2023 NYCS Central Suffolk County L.I. Eileen Schwinn beachmed@optonline.net NYUD Ulster/Dutchess Mark DeDea forsythnature@aol.com Thursday, December 28, 2023 Saturday, December 30, 2023 NYSN Southern Nassau County L.I. Pat Lindsay gelochelidon@gmail.com Sunday, December 31, 2023 Monday, January 1, 2024 NYOD Oneida Bill Purcell wpurcell@twcny.rr.com 315-382-2871 NYHV Pawling (Hidden Valley) CT: Angela Dimmitt NY: Carena Pooth CT: angeladimmitt@aol.com NY: pawlingcbc@watermanbirdclub.org CT: 860-355-3429 Tuesday, January 2, 2024 NYPC Putnam County Charlie Roberto< chasrob26@gmail.com 845-270-2979

Best of the Fortnight

Here the lastest bi-monthly addition of my photos selected from the previous two weeks:

American Kestrel hunting in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

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

Rare Gray Kingbird, Canarsie Park, Brooklyn, NY

White Mulberry "X", Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

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

Brown-headed Cowbird, Canarsie Park, Brooklyn, NY

Late Blooming White Azalea, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Merlin, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Lichens on carved stone, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of December 2 - December 3, 2023:

Bedford Audubon Society

Field Trip to Edith Read Sanctuary & Marshlands Conservancy
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 8:00am - 12:00 m
Leader: Tait Johansson
Description: On our early-December Field Trip to Edith Read Sanctuary and the Marshlands Conservancy, we will visit two Important Bird Areas (IBA) and explore a mix of forest, meadow, fresh water, salt marsh and shore. Our Naturalist Tait Johansson will lead the way as we look out for possible sightings of Greater and Lesser Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated and Common Loons, Great Horned Owl, and Fox Sparrow.
Registration: Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate (due to the climb to the viewing platform). Email Susan to register: info@bedfordaudubon.org.
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Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 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 bird outing 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.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Early Winter Waterfowl of the Jamaica Bay Watershed
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Leader: Michael Yuan
Description: Observers will look for primarily migrating waterfowl species namely freshwater and sea ducks, raptors, winter passerines and possible late species or rarity.
Registration: Adelia Harrison, email honeywood5@yahoo.com.
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First Sunday Bird Outings
Sunday, December 3, 2023, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Paul Keim, Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Join naturalist and birder Paul Keim in search of dozens of species that visit the park through all seasons. Learn about the different habitats in Prospect Park and why they are important for all types of birds.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Great South Bay Audubon Society

Montauk Nature Walk
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Bob Grover, Ken Thompson
Description: Join us for our last bird walk of 2023 as we head out to Montauk for an early morning adventure. Meet at Lighthouse parking lot. Latecomers can still join in the vicinity of the restaurant overlook. Directions Route 27 to 27A to end.
Registration: info@greatsouthbayaudubon.org
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, December 3, 2023, 7:15am – 8:45am
Leader: Rob Jett
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

Rye Playland and Environs
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Leader: Tom Burke
Description: Rye Playland is located on Long Island Sound in northeastern Westchester County, about 30 miles from New York City. We will start our walk at Playland Park & Read Sanctuary and move later to the Marshlands Conservancy; at both, the terrain is easy, and we’ll walk about a mile at each. We usually have lunch at Marshlands and finish up with a walk to the marsh in early afternoon. Birds will be whatever we can uncover on Long Island Sound, Playland Lake, and Milton Harbor, as well as in the woods and fields at both locations. We also reserve the opportunity to chase any exceptional rarities in the region rather than completing the planned itinerary. Species seen during past detours have included Calliope Hummingbird, Gray Kingbird, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, and Hermit Warbler, but unfortunately these opportunities don’t come up often.
Registration: Mary Jane Boland - mjboland3@gmail.com
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New York City Audubon

Birding at Fort Wadsworth
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 8:00am - 9:30am
Leader: Anthony Ciancimino
Description: Discover a wide variety of songbirds and waterfowl at beautiful Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island with longtime birder and Staten Island resident, Anthony Ciancimino.
Registration: Register online
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Bilingual Birding at Van Cortlandt Park
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: Latino Outdoors NYC
Description: Únase a NYC Audubon y Latino Outdoors NYC en una observación de aves bilingüe en uno de los espacios verdes más grandes del Bronx. Buscaremos varias especies de aves residentes y migrantes y hablaremos sobre una amplia gama de temas aviares. Este evento se lleva a cabo en asociación con Van Cortlandt Park Alliance.
Registration: Registra aquí
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New York Botanical Garden Bird Tour
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Joe McManus
Description: Join 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: No registration required. No limit. Free.
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Accessible Birding in Fort Tryon Park
Sunday, December 3, 2023, 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: No registration required. No limit. Free.
View Details


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North Fork Audubon Society

Young Birders Club - Winter Ducks
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 9:00am - 11:00am
Leader: Kyra Leonardi
Description: Families are welcome, as Kyra explores the Sound beach at Inlet Pond County Park in search of Winter Ducks.
Registration: Register online
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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

Richmondtown, Old Mill Road
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Leader: Ray Matarazzo
Description: Enjoy a stroll along the multi-use trail overlooking Fresh Kills with Ray Matarazzo. Walk back in time as you pass the famous Hessian Spring as it crosses the path and view Fresh Kills estuary as you work your way toward the remains of Ketchum’s Mill. Along the way observe traces of the past, examine the present woodland ecosystems and search for evidence of present inhabitants especially deer and other mammals. Meet in the parking lot at the start of Old Mill Road, alongside St. Andrew’s Church.
Registration: For more information contact Ray Matarazzo at (718) 317-7666.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Massapequa Preserve
December 3, 2023
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, December 2, 2023
Birding: Bald Eagle Watch at Palisade Avenue and Spaulding Lane (in Riverdale Park), Bronx
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Winter is a spectacular time for observing bald eagles in New York City parks. See if you can spot any on this adventure with our Urban Park Rangers. Bring your own binoculars.
Free

...Read more

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of November 25 - November 26, 2023:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, November 25, 2023, 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 bird outing 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.
Registration: No registration necessary.
View Details


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Freshkills Park Alliance

Nature Hike
Sunday, November 26, 2023, 12:00pm
Leader: Rangers
Description: Lace up your shoes for a nature hike at Freshkills Park! Freshkills Park staff will take you behind the scenes to visit areas that are currently closed to the public. On this 2+ mile walk, you’ll learn about the different plants and animals found in the woods, wetlands, and grasslands at Freshkills Park.
Registration: Register online
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Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society

Wertheim NWR, Shirley, NY
Sunday, November 26, 2023, 9:00am
Leader: _____
Description: It’s turkey time! No, not to eat, to observe. Wild turkeys live on Long Island and the WNWR is a great place to discover these majestic birds.
Registration: Call 585-880-0915 to register in advance.
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New York City Audubon

Intro to Birding in Marine Park
Sunday, November 26, 2023, 9:00am - 10:30am
Leader: _____
Description: Explore the beauty of Brooklyn’s largest park, Marine Park. Consisting of grassland and salt marshes, this park is habitat for a variety of migratory songbirds and waterbirds. This series is hosted in partnership with the Marine Park Alliance.
Registration: No registration required. No limit. Free.
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North Shore Audubon Society

Mill Pond – Wantaugh/Bellmore
Saturday, November 25, 2023, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Leader: Jennifer - (516) 941-7434
Description: Winter ducks should be arriving.
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

Grand Jones Beach
Sunday, November 26, 2023, 8:00am - 3:00pm
Leader: Ian Resnick - (917) 626-9562
Description: We will start this field trip at Jones Beach West End - the gazebo at the boat basin adjoining the Coast Guard Station - see map. We will proceed both on foot and by vehicle to other locales in the Jones Beach area.
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, November 26, 2023
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, November 25, 2023
Summer on the Hudson: Riverside Park Birding Club at 116th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
7:00am - 8:30am
Monthly walks through birding hotspots in Riverside Park. Learn and build a birding community.
Free

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Sunset Cove Park Entrance (in Sunset Cove Park)
10:00am - 11:00am
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free


Sunday, November 26, 2023
Marine Park Alliance Presents: Intro to Birding at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
9:00am - 10:00am
Join Marine Park Alliance and experting birder Samantha Philbert for one last bird walk in the salt marsh before the winter chill sets in!
Free

Birding: Winter Waterfowl at 43rd Street and 1st Avenue (in Bush Terminal Park), Brooklyn
10:00am - 11:00am
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Please bring your own binoculars.
Free

...Read more

Best of the Fortnight

Here's a selection of my photos from the past 2 weeks:

Golden-crowned Kinglet, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Woodcock, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

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

Blue Jay, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

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

Hermit Thrush, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

American Kestrel, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Red-bellied Woodpecker, All Faiths Cemetery, Queens, NY

Merlin, All Faiths Cemetery, Queens, NY

Song Sparrow, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Autumn Reflections, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

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

American Kestrel, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Laceleaf Japanese Maple, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY