Red-tailed Hawk updates

I went away for the weekend and it looks like there was a lot of excitment surrounding the city hawks. I'm hoping that I didn't miss any of the fledging of the Prospect Park offspring. I'm working this morning and I may have some time late today to check on "my" hawks. I will also try to write a report from my New York State sojourn.

Here is the latest report from Chris Lyons on the Fordham Red-tailed Hawks:

"Subject: First Fordham Fledge of 2006
Date: 6/9/06 6:16 AM


(Photo credit - Chris Lyons)

Last year, I had to guess the exact date of fledging for Rose and Hawkeye's offspring--could have been the evening of the 14th, or the morning of the 15th. This year, much to my surprise, I happened to be present at the occasion--which transpired around a week earlier. I had earlier wondered if Hawkeye and Rose were on an earlier schedule this year, and that definitely seems to have been the case.  

I had brought the scope and camera in to work yesterday, and had checked the nest in the morning, and then again at lunch. I noticed throughout the day that the largest of the chicks was always standing up, always looking around very alertly, grasping sticks, restlessly gnawing at leftover scraps of meat, and spending a lot of time looking out into the world beyond the cornice she'd spend her entire life on to date (judging by size, relative to the other two eyasses, this was almost certainly a female). She wasn't doing a lot of practice flapping, though. She was ready for something new. When Rose came with some food--well, looking at the photos afterwards makes it hard not to anthropomorphize, look for some glimmer of recognition passing between them. I don't think Rose was saying "You go, girl." But it's not too unscientific to say she might have sensed a change coming. You'd think that after millions of years of nest-tending, birds would know more about this kind of thing than we do, even if they only know it on an instinctive level.    


(Photo credit - Chris Lyons)

I debated whether or not to stay after work, since it was drizzling a little, but I knew I wouldn't have the chance to photograph them again for a number of days. I wanted to try and get a good picture of the three Collins Hall youngsters, while they were still on Collins Hall. I also wanted to know how that sluggish eyass I mentioned in my last report was doing (seemingly better, though I can't figure out when he gets fed--he excreted over the side today, so obviously he's not missing out entirely). Rose came by, but not with food--she brought a fresh oak branch, covered with bright green leaves--then flew off. The restless chick grasped and gnawed at the branch intently. 

It's an old birder axiom that you're either birding or photographing, and I was intent on photography, my head down, my attention diverted--and then there was a commotion over me--Mockingbirds squawking and diving at something tangled in an oak branch in the tree I normally use as shelter from the elements. A hawk dangling upside-down from the branch, looking most confused. My first thought was that an adult had made a pass at something--but then I remembered seeing photos of fledged Red-Tails after their first flight, and saw the orangey chest color. A closer study revealed this to be that same chick that had the faraway look in her eyes all day. She made it at least 150 feet away from the ledge. I had assumed they'd go for one of the trees immediately adjacent to the front of the building, but she had gone a bit further. It was around 5:35pm, 6/8/06. 

It took her some time to right herself, but she managed eventually. She didn't seem too bothered by me and several passersby trying to snap some decent photos of her in this embarassing posture (and mainly failing, due to bad light). Once she was right-side up, she preened some, and then began to climb, managing to jump to a slightly higher branch while I was there. Her siblings watched curiously. The adults were around, and I wondered if I was keeping them from attending to her. One had just flown overhead, calling fiercely, while pursued by a harassing kestrel (first time I'd seen a kestrel on campus since Rob's visit to the old nest, last year). Now one of the parents, probably Rose, was perched in a nearby tree, and I decided to leave mother and daughter to sort out a changed relationship. Maybe that's anthropomorphizing too, but how else would you describe it? An oak branch lay on the ground under the tree. I wondered if it was the same branch Rose had brought to the nest a short time before."

I also just received word from D. Bruce Yolton regarding the Cathedral of St. John the Divine Red-tailed Hawk nest. He has kindly allowed me to post his words and photos here:

Fledge Day

The afternoon started out with a Great Egret flying high over Morningside Park. It concerned the parents enough that both of them returned to the Cathedral.


(Photo credit - D. Bruce Yolton)
The adult male on the Cathedral.

Then without warning at 12:20 p.m. on Sunday, one of the birds fledged (left the nest for the first time). I was changing shooting locations at the time, and unfortunately missed capturing the moment.

James O'Brien, who blogs at yojimbot.blogspot.com, was shooting video of the nest, so the moment was recorded. James was kind enough to share these stills of the fledge. (The fledgling is on St. Andrew's head and the adult female is on the right.)






(Photo Credit - James P. O'Brien)

Like parents who've lost their child in a department store, we looked high and low for the fledgling. I love fledge days. The hawk watchers who've been standing around for days looking at the nest, all seem to come magically together and work as a team to find and keep track of the location of the new fledgling.

Around 3:40 p.m. Jacquie Connors and James O'Brien, with the help of a squirrel, found the fledgling in a small Ginkgo tree, just across Morningside drive from the nest. We had hunted all around Morningside park, and the fledgling turned out to be within 100 yards of the nest.


(Photo credit - D. Bruce Yolton)
My first picture of the fledgling outside the nest.


(Photo credit - D. Bruce Yolton)
The Ginkgo tree had really small branches and the fledgling struggled to stay put.


(Photo credit - D. Bruce Yolton)

The mother returned to the Cathedral, but there wasn't a feeding of the new fledgling in the afternoon. (Reports are that a feeding did occur in the early evening.)

The fledgling had trouble staying in place. It tried to navigate the top of a tree as though it was a nest, with very poor results.

It found a more solid tree.

But for some reason moved back to a thin branch. After a few minutes a squirrel moved past, and the alarmed Red-tail gave out a cry. This happened a few times as the squirrel moved up and down the tree.


(Photo credit - D. Bruce Yolton)
As I was leaving the second eyass was alone on the nest.


(Photo credit - D. Bruce Yolton)
It should fly out soon and join its sibling in Morningside Park.

I think all of the Cathedral hawk watchers felt like proud parents today. Let's toast with some Champagne the success of these amazing parents and their new offspring!

More Red-tailed Hawk updates

Fordham hawks


(Photo credit - Chris Lyons)

I just received the following updates from Chris Lyons. Regarding the nest in Van Cortlandt Park, perhaps it succumb to the recent, severe thunderstorms that moved through the area.


(Photo credit - Yolanda Garcia)


Subject: Update on Van Cortlandt, and pictures from Fordham
Date: 6/6/06 10:41 PM

As of Sunday, 6/4/05, there were no chicks in the Van Cortlandt Park nest. And for all intents and purposes, there was no nest. The structure was enormous, bigger than any Red-Tail nest I've ever seen, and wedged firmly into the capacious crotch of an oak, but for whatever reason, most of the sticks had fallen out. We didn't see or hear the young nearby, and the only Red-Tails we spotted that day were an adult pair soaring together, high overhead, and quite some distance away from the nest site. There was no way to tell if they were Jodie & Travis. We just hope all three youngsters got out okay. They were definitely about ready to go the previous weekend, and could easily have fledged the day after our last visit. I can't understand what happened to the nest, unless it simply collapsed under its own weight, compounded by three full grown eyasses jumping around on it, plus the torrential rain of a few days earlier. The 2004 Van Cortlandt nest is still mainly intact, but that nest is much smaller and more neatly made. The worst case scenario would be that somebody climbed up there to capture the chicks. That part of the park gets little foot traffic, and most of the time, there'd be no people around to protest such an atrocity. The nest tree would be no easy climb, though--it's not a very likely scenario. I'll have to go back and see if I can find the youngsters. But there's a lot of woods for them to get lost in around there. 

Protected by 24/7 Campus Security, Hawkeye and Rose's progeny are doing fine, and probably due to fledge in a week or so, though I'm a bit concerned about one of the larger of the three. This chick seemed very sluggish today, not getting up to be fed when Rose came by with food around noontime, or when Hawkeye was feeding the two other eyasses between 4:45-5:00pm. In the earlier instance, Rose landed on the nest, with what I believe was a squirrel, and began to prepare it. The two active youngsters watched her with great interest (they were both well outside the nest, out on the ledge, where they spend most of their time now). When lunch was ready, they scrambled into the nest, and she very equitably divided the food between them, feeding one, then the other, and occasionally herself. But the third eyass, by no means a runt, just lay on the cornice, some distance off, seemingly uninterested. Possibly he'd already been stuffed to the gills earlier, and was in the process of digesting and metabolizing his breakfast. But after eating, his two siblings started exercising their wings vigorously, while he just seemed to engage in the occasional half-hearted flap. One of them actually flew/leaped over him at one point, though there was room enough to just go around him. He did get up after a while, and there didn't seem to be anything wrong with him--he definitely didn't look underfed. But he was inactive again that evening, in spite of Hawkeye arriving with more food. His two siblings happily allopreened each other after dinner, but he mainly kept to himself. Neither parent seemed concerned--they seem to feel it's the responsibility of the chicks to come to the nest when they arrive with food. Feeding does not take place outside the nest, even though the chicks spend less and less time in it. The chicks can feed themselves by now, but today it seemed that the parents wanted to feed them. A co-worker reported that she saw all three being fed that morning. That's three feedings witnessed in the course of one day, and there could have been twice that many. It's entirely possible that the only thing wrong with that sluggard eyass was that he ate too much. I'll keep an eye on him, which is just about all I can do.


-Click here for an update and photos of the hawks on the Cathedral of St. John the Divine-

Red-tailed Hawk updates

Over the weekend I scanned through my journal entries for 2002, 2003 and 2004. I was looking for the fledge dates of the previous Red-tailed Hawk broods in Prospect Park. Before walking over to the park yesterday I wanted to figure out an estimated fledge date. Previous dates were 6/11, 6/25 and 6/14. We are getting close.

My hawk watching spot has become so lush and overgrown with shrubs, saplings and low growing plants that I almost walked passed it. Fortunately, there is still an opening in the canopy framing the nest.

Alice and one of her offspring


(Photo credit - Rob J)

Alice was sitting at the south side of the nest with one of her offspring. I never observed the other chick for the two hours that I watched. That doesn’t mean something may have happened to him, it’s just difficult from my vantage point to see the east side of their huge nest. The flight feathers of the visible hawk are almost completely developed but his head plumes are still pretty thin. The effect is that he looks like a huge bird with a tiny, little head. He spent a lot of time preening his flight feathers and scratching incessantly at his emerging head plumage. I suppose it feels a lot like growing a beard. There’s a short period of time when the new whiskers cause terrible itching.

Learning to use his wings



(Photo credit - Rob J)

The young bird has begun testing out his new wings. He is at the hop-flap period of growth. Birds at this age don’t just stretch out their wings and flap, but also hop from one side of the nest to the other at the same time. The next stage will be climbing to a branch outside of the nest and flying back. I would guess that by this time next week they’ll be ready to take their maiden flight. Then the fun begins.

Also, I recently received an update from Rich and Chris at Fordham University. Their hawks are also moving along at a fast pace and should be leaving the nest soon:

Subject: Practicing Fledging
Date: 5/31/06 11:38 PM

Rob and Chris,

I do not believe that the hatchlings are quite ready to fledge but at least two of them are getting closer. Watching the nest today, I saw two of the chicks spend a great deal of time flapping their wings and one of them in particular was "jumping" all around the ledge with wings flapping. While both feet did get off of the ground, it was more of a jump than a flight. In addition, it appears that the third eyeass is developmentally behind the other two. I am attaching pictures of the wing flapping behavior.

Rich

Practicing for the big dance



(Photo credit - Rich Fleisher)

- - - - -

Prospect Park, 6/4/2006
-
Red-tailed Hawk
Northern Flicker
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Tufted Titmouse
Wood Thrush
Gray Catbird
American Redstart
Baltimore Oriole

Other common species seen (or heard):
Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Robin, European Starling, Northern Cardinal, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow

Road trip to upstate NY

Bashakill (Haven Road) at dawn

We took another insane road trip to upstate New York. Doug joined Sean, Shane and I on our second one day, thousand mile birding marathon. My infinitely patient wife never even asks why we I do these things. I guess she understands when I crawl through our front door, tired and dirty but excited about sharing the day’s events.

Our plan was to arrive at Bashakill WMA by 4:00am and listen for Barred Owls. We would then head to the road that bisects the marsh and listen for rails in the water and Whip-poor-wills in the surrounding woods. From there we would drive north to Montezuma NWR to look for a flock of pelicans, Black Terns and, nearby, a family of Sandhill Cranes. We also made an unplanned stop at Cayuga Lake. There were several other breeding songbirds along our route that we hoped to locate.

Finding the Barred Owl was pretty easy. We drove to an area where, last year, we had observed a pair of fledgling Barred Owls. Within a short time a silent, dark silhouette passed above us and vanished into the forest. Moments later came a loud, “hoo-hoo-to-hooo, hoo-hoo-to-hoo-aw”. We left him alone in his forest kingdom and drove to Haven Road. The idea of parking in the center of the marsh and listening for birds in the darkness never struck me as being a very difficult task. However, I never counted on thousands of breeding bullfrogs (possibly even millions). Their low, rumbling calls seemed to multiply across the marsh like ripples on a pond, growing in volume and intensity. Then, just as it rose to a crescendo, it would gradually diminish. Adding to the low frequency serenade was an American Bittern’s deep percussive, “oong-ka-choonk, oong-ka-choonk, oong-ka-choonk”. It was nearly impossible to distinguish any other sounds.

Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

As the sky began to lighten, Sean spotted a Snapping Turtle laying her eggs at the side of the road. By sunrise I could see several dirt mounds where other turtles had recently buried their eggs.

Snapping Turtle eggs plundered by a raccoon

At Montezuma we had hoped to find a reported flock of White Pelicans, Black Terns and a family of cranes. There were plenty of terns but, despite circling the refuge several times, we couldn’t locate the pelicans.

male Petite Emerald (Dorocordulia lepida)

Throughout our day I noticed that Eastern Cottonwoods were creating flurries of fine, downy snow showers. The blowing seeds created deep drifts along the edges of roads and converted green lawns into fluffy, white carpets.

Carncross Road dead ends near one of the area’s many canals. The habitat on either side of the road is a combination of wild, grass meadows and cut corn fields. It is in this area that a pair of Sandhill Cranes nested and are currently raising two colts. By this point in the day we were all exhausted and the temperature was soaring. Sean parked the car at one end of the road and we split into two groups. Between the long distances and heat distortion we were quickly becoming disillusioned. To come so far in one day and not find the cranes would be a disappointing way to end our trip. We climbed into the car and drove slowly back to the main road. Just as the last field was passing from view Doug yelled, “STOP“. Sean backed the car up, we rolled down the windows and pointed our binoculars towards the south horizon. There they were, mother, father and the two kids out for a late meal. The four cranes were very far away so Shane set-up his scope. I have only seen Sandhill Cranes in Florida and never with their young. We snapped a few photos through the scope, high-fived each other then got into the car for the 400 mile drive south.

Sandhill Cranes with colts

- - - - -

Bashakill WMA, Blue Chip Farms, Montezuma NWR, Montezuma WCA, Cayuga Lake, 5/31/2006
-
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Snow Goose
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Wild Turkey
Common Moorhen
American Coot
Sandhill Crane
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Dunlin
Black Tern
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Barred Owl
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Acadian Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Yellow-throated Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
House Wren
Marsh Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Wood Thrush
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
Blue-winged Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Bobolink
Eastern Meadowlark
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch

Other common species seen (or heard):
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, American Robin, European Starling, Northern Cardinal, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, House Sparrow

Long Island road trip

Beach Pea (Lathyrus japonicus) at Pike's Beach

(Photo credit - Rob J)

Doug, Sean, Shane and I are attempting, what is known in birding as, a “Big Year”. That is, we’re trying to see as many bird species in New York State as humanly possible. For New York State the bellwether for a very good year is 300 species. So, while Doug and I are at the mercy of other folks with cars, we’re helping each other to reach that goal. It has involved planning our outings around the seasonal appearance of certain species, as well as, keeping a close eye on the birding discussion groups. We also keep in touch via cellphone when we find a rare or target species. As of today, Sean is in the lead with 286 species. Shane is a close second while Doug and I have a bit of catching up to do.

Doug and I had already gone out to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to see the Fulvous Whistling-Ducks. Shane and Sean needed to make sure that they wouldn’t miss them so they went out before dawn yesterday. I drove with Shane and, when we arrived, Sean was already watching the ducks on the West Pond. Part of Shane and my strategy yesterday was to also drive out to eastern Long Island to find a few more species. We both needed to be back in Brooklyn by lunchtime so it would be a marathon run to several grassland and coastal habitats. Some of the species that we were hoping to locate were Northern Bobwhite, Upland Sandpiper, Piping Plover, White-rumped Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Blue Grosbeak and Grasshopper Sparrow. Of the seven bird species only two can be seen reliably within the limits of New York City.

Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)

(Photo credit - Rob J)

I was glad that I’d have the opportunity to look for Grasshopper Sparrow and other grassland species but was really excited about visiting the coast. Shorebirds are migrating north to their arctic breeding grounds and most are wearing their Sunday best. I usually only look for shorebirds in the fall when their plumage is worn and faded. Right now Horseshoe Crabs are laying eggs along the shoreline, just as they have for millions of years. Shorebirds have evolved to take advantage of that bounty and fatten up for the long flight north.

Mixed shorebirds

(Photo credit - Rob J)

The grassy habitats of Eastport and Zabriskie Airport were relatively quiet but we did find a Blue Grosbeak and a few Grasshopper Sparrows. In contrast the shoreline along the east end’s bay side were crawling with a mix of Ruddy Turnstones, Red Knots, Least Sandpipers, Dunlins and Semipalmated Sandpipers. At Pike’s Beach we also spotted a few diminutive Piping Plovers. The sand above the high tide line was carved with wide arcs that traced the entry and exit from the bay of breeding Horseshoe Crabs. A short distance from the shore a Ruddy Turnstone was perched on the back of a pair of mating Horseshoe Crabs. He didn’t seem to realize or care that they were slowly swimming into deeper water.

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

(Photo credit - Rob J)

Ruddy Turnstone riding Horseshoe Crabs

(Photo credit - Rob J)

Red Knot (Calidris canutus)

(Photo credit - Rob J)

-Click here for info on Horseshoe Crabs & Red Knots-

-Click here to learn about declining crabs-

Our main reason for driving to Pike’s Beach was to search for a reported Red-necked Phalarope. We expected that we’d spend a long time searching for it and left ourselves extra time. We parked the car and walked a short path to the beach and set-up our scopes. Within about 60 seconds a small flock of birds flew from our right and passed in front of us. The Red-necked Phalarope in the lead. They landed at the end of the stretch of beach and continued feeding at the water’s edge. Phalaropes are an interesting group of birds. The females have more colorful plumage than the males. The males incubate the eggs and tend to the chicks while the females fly off to breed with other males. Talk about your modern relationship.

Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) at Pike's Beach


(Photo credit - Rob J)

It was a long drive, for which I give Shane a huge thank you. I added five more species to my year’s goal, took some nice photos and made it home for lunch.

- - - - -

JBWR; Eastport; Zabriskie Airport; Shinnecock; Pike’s Beach, 5/29/2006
-
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Glossy Ibis
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Northern Bobwhite
Clapper Rail
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Killdeer
American Oystercatcher
Willet
Ruddy Turnstone
Red Knot
Sanderling
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher
Red-necked Phalarope
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Tern
Forster's Tern
Least Tern
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Red-eyed Vireo
Horned Lark
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
House Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
Cedar Waxwing
Blue-winged Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Pine Warbler
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Blue Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch

Other common species seen (or heard):
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, American Black Duck, Mallard, Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Blue Jay, Fish Crow, American Robin, European Starling, Northern Cardinal, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow

Another rarity at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)

(Photo credit - Rob J)


It’s been sort of a whirlwind weekend. Between hosting visiting relatives and family events I managed to cram in some birding on both Sunday and Monday. Sunday morning began when Doug phoned to inform me of a trio of rare Fulvous Whistling-Duck at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. I quickly packed up my gear and he picked me up in front of my place with his father in tow.

The ducks were reported earlier in the morning on the West Pond between bench number 6 & 7. As we strolled down the path towards the location several folks with scopes hurried passed us. Up ahead we saw a group of birders gathered shoulder to shoulder near bench #7. By the jovial atmosphere surrounding the bench I figured that the ducks were still present. I’ve never seen a Fulvous Whistling Duck in New York, or anywhere else, for that matter. I assumed that the word “fulvous” had something to do with color but had never heard the word used in any other context. The dominant plumage color of the three birds is a soft, cinnamon-orange. According to Oxford’s American dictionary fulvous means “reddish yellow; tawny”. They also have a wide black strip on the back of their head that runs down their neck and ends at their nape. Their legs are much longer than any other waterfowl that I’ve seen and makes them stand as tall as many geese.

Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)




(Photo credit - Rob J)

I suppose that the ducks had tallied up a lot of frequent flyer mileage as they spent most of their time sleeping along the edge of the pond. They did swim around close to the shoreline for a few minutes but, other than that, they mostly just rested.

I feel a little guilty that I have to keep this report brief. My in-laws are staying with us until tomorrow afternoon and I need to be sociable and not sit and type for hours. There were so many observations at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge that I want to share but have to just rely on my photos. Blooming Poison Ivy, Sulfur Cinquefoil and Eastern Cottonwood were just a few botanicals new to me that I noted, as well as, some of the refuge’s breeding birds. Also, this morning (Monday) Shane and I drove out to eastern Long Island at 4:30am to visit several good shorebird and grassland habitats. I have several photos and observations that will just have to wait until tomorrow evening. Until then, enjoy.

Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

(Photo credit - Rob J)

Sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta)

(Photo credit - Rob J)
-Click here for more info on Sulfur cinquefoil-

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) male flowers

(Photo credit - Rob J)
-Click here for more info on Poison Ivy-

Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus )

(Photo credit - Rob J)

Addendum:

Angus Wilson just posted the following, curious e-mail:

"Subject: Fulvous Whistling Ducks - Deja vu all over again?
Date: 5/30/06 1:22 AM

It is curious to note that the second record of Fulvous Whistling Duck (then Fulvous Tree Duck) for New York State involved 3 birds together at Jamaica Bay!

The dates...... 29 May to 4 June 1965!

Forty-one years almost to the day. Food for thought, no? If you haven't seen these delightful birds yet, I'd hurry over the bay in the next five days :)

BTW This is a NYSARC review species and we'd appreciates notes and photographs. You are welcome to use the on-line submission form.

http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

Cheers, Angus Wilson
New York City"

- - - - -

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, 5/28/2006
-
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Glossy Ibis
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Gadwall
Northern Shoveler
Osprey
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
American Oystercatcher
Willet
Spotted Sandpiper
Ruddy Turnstone
Red Knot
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Dunlin
Laughing Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Tern
Forster's Tern
Least Tern
Chimney Swift
Willow Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Fish Crow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Wood Thrush
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
American Redstart
Common Yellowthroat
Canada Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Baltimore Oriole

Other common species seen (or heard):
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, American Black Duck, Mallard, Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, American Robin, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, House Sparrow

Just a really cute photo

My friend Eleanor sent me this photo. She took it in Central Park and it was so cute I had to post it.

Raccoon family

(Photo credit - Eleanor Tauber)

Gray-cheeked-type Thrushes in Prospect Park

On Thursday morning Doug Gochfeld and I birded in the Midwood forest of Prospect Park. Over the last week or so we've seen a notable increase in migrating thrushes. Gray-cheeked-type thrushes have been fairly common. I figured that there was the possibility of a Bicknell's Thrush within the mix. Along with my bins and field guide I brought a small pair of portable speakers and a sound sample of the Bicknell's song and call on my Palm Tungsten E.

We set-up near the bridle path at the north end of the Midwood where we noticed two gray-cheeked type thrushes feeding at the edge of the path. I placed the speakers on the ground, put the recording on endless loop and backed up about 20 feet. One of the thrushes responded almost immediately by hopping down the path and right up to the speakers. Compared to the thrush that didn't respond this individual had more reddish-brown wings, tail and rump. It didn't sing or call at that time.

I returned at the end of the day with Doug and Sean Sime. Sean brought along his camera gear. It didn't take us very long to locate a gray-cheeked with similar plumage. When I played the recording near the stairs at the end of the Midwood he hopped over towards the speakers until he was chased away by a chipmunk (yes, a chipmunk). We moved a short distance from this location and played the recording again. With no chipmunk nearby he hopped right towards the speakers. This time I heard him make a muted "veeerr" call. Sean, who was taking photos much closer to the bird also reported hearing it make, what sounded like, the rising, final segment of the Bicknell's song.

Bicknell's Thrush - Photo by Sean Sime

After posting my questions and Sean's photographs online I received the following, enlightening response:

"I was most intrigued by your whole story. As far as I am concerned, the fact that it responded to a Bicknell's recording says nearly all (it would have been nice of it had also FAILED to respond to a Gray-cheek...)."

"I was curious to see the pix, and especially pleased when I did. The rufous tones to the wing and tail are there; the wing actually looks blunter than a Gray-cheek's (helps if you have handled some in banding); and most critical is that lower mandible: it is 3/4 fairly bright yellow with only a small dusky tip. Gray-cheek's is no more than 1/2 light, the rest being pale, even pinkish, yellow (if yellow at all)."

"In sum, to sort of back into the ID a bit, there is nothing WRONG for Bicknell's, and nothing RIGHT for Gray-cheek."

"Both species must move through in good numbers; it's not as if Bicknell's is some Siberian vagrant. Banding studies in Queens in the 1930s revealed that the Gray-cheek:Bicknell's ratio was ca. 3:1 in spring, and 1.3:1 in fall, in a total sample of 378 birds. I see no reason why this RATIO should have changed, notwithstanding some overall reductions in absolute numbers of all 3 'northern' Catharus thrushes."

Nice bird!"

Below are some links with more information on Bicknell's Thrushes:

-New York Natural Heritage Program-
-Conservation Action Plan-
-Species at Risk-

Ralph, Alice and the kids

After much consideration, I’ve settled on the names Ralph and Alice for the Red-tailed Hawk pair in Prospect Park. Today I visited their nest from noon until 1:30pm. Over that period I was fortunate to observe their very active offspring stretching surprisingly well developed wings. One of the adults remained at the nest the entire time I was present. Just prior to my departure the other adult arrived at the nest.

It seems as though the larger, pale headed adult is Ralph, the male. Usually the female is larger so perhaps there is a role reversal with this pair, but I doubt it. While he was at the nest Ralph retrieved the remains of an meal from within the deep stick structure. He gently presented it to Alice, who had barely moved for the 90 minutes I monitored the nest. I haven’t spent nearly as much time watching this nest as I had with Big Mama and Split-tail. Big Mama would take frequent breaks from the nest, even if it was just to perch in an adjacent tree. Alice seems to be more concerned with her offspring’s protection.

Prospect Park hawks 05/25



(Photo credit - Rob J)

The two young hawks spent a lot of time flapping their wings and waddling around the edge of the nest. At times they seemed to be eyeing the branches that extend above the nest.

While I was watching the nest a pair of young squirrels foraged nearby. They’ve been there each time I’ve visited the nest. Today I was eating peanuts and they began sniffing around behind my chair. Unlike squirrels at the edges of the park the forest squirrels are more wary of people. Just for laughs, I placed a peanut on my foot to see if they would take it. One kept circling the area, acting as if he was disinterested. Each time he’d get a little closer. Finally, he crept up to my foot and gently took the peanut. I suspect that the next time I come up to the hawk watching spot he’ll be waiting for me.



It appears that the Fordham University hawks in the Bronx are at the same stage of development at the Brooklyn offspring:

Subject: Chicks are Getting Stronger and More Active
Date: 5/24/06 10:31 PM

Rob and Chris,
 
I spent about an hour watching the nest today. Each day the chicks are getting bigger and stronger and more active.  One of them in particular has really taken to flapping its wings. You can also see the change in their feathers as they are losing the "fluffy down" and growing darker feathers.
 
Rich

Fordham hawks 05/24


(Photo credit - Rich Fleisher)


- - - - -

Prospect Park, 5/25/2006
-
Red-tailed Hawk
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great Crested Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole

Other common species seen (or heard):
Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, American Robin, European Starling, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow