Friday, 4 February, 2011 - Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City The Varied Thrush lives on in it's 'usual' area within the park, having now been regular there for well over 2 months. It was not initially seen in the area where most often reported (just east of the men's restroom at the Ramble's maintenance shed, which is on the south side of the East 79 Street Transverse Road & just a short distance west of the East Drive roadway of the park). The thrush, as it often, indeed regularly has been in the past 2+ months, was seen in the area across the East Drive (Cedar Hill) amongst the conifer trees there, as well as in and around the maintenance field's shrubby edges, both east & west of the snow-covered field (which is immediately south of the men's restrooms). I also noted that the Varied Thrush went to an area I'd not quite seen it in previously, east of the East Drive & along the edges (both south & north, and in adjacent shrubberies and trees) of the East 79 Street Transverse Road, which again is not at all far from where the thrush has been seen more often. One male Eastern Towhee was also present, as were at least 2 "red" Fox Sparrows, along with numbers of White-throated Sparrows, & some other expected over- wintering (&/or resident) species. The thrush did however make its way over to the "favored area" as well, if only for a short time early this a.m.,yet with some patience that may still be a good place to hold a varied-vigil.
I sought out the red-headed woodpecker south of Sheep Meadow but did not happen to find it, and see that there were no very recent reports... with the wintry weather it may have moved on or could easily still be about, spending much time "indoors" with a cache of food if it had stored a good supply away in the late fall. At The Pond near the southeast corner of the park, 2 drake Wood Ducks continue on (amongst Mallards) where open water persists at the south edge of the skating rink. A Swamp Sparrow was also in that vicinity, and a Hermit Thrush as well as a few other half-hardy species were in the C.P. zoo grounds (outdoor) a short distance to the east. The feeders in the Ramble had a variety of birds, mainly of the expected species but the passes thru that (and other) area(s) by at least 3 raptors - a Red-tailed Hawk, a Cooper's Hawk, and an American Kestrel, all had the smaller birds on the alert, and quieted the feeders at times. The Lake on it's western edge held a few lingering Northern Shovelers along with the usual Mallards, plus a few American Black Ducks. The reservoir is still fully iced-over and I saw no gulls or any waterbirds there on a rather brief scan. At least 50 American Robins were joined by 2 Cedar Waxwings, 2 male Red-winged Blackbirds & a fair number of Common Grackles at the area near the West Drive and W. 81-85 Street. A number of species were giving occasional song, despite the sub- freezing early morning. Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
