With the recent attention on lower Manhattan parks due to the continuing Western Tanager and multiple Chats, we thought it might be interesting to take a look at the birds that people reported in those same parks in the past. Reading many 19th-20th century articles about NYC birds in the Wilson Journal of Ornithology, the Auk and elsewhere, is much like reading the NYS list today - including the article we place below. Some may find lists and anecdotal observations of any era boring - but for us they are a gold mine. We have made it one of our endeavors to track and understand how the local avifauna has changed through time...and such notes, sightings, reliable reports (including Christmas Count lists) are the foundation that allows us to evaluate and write about what happened here in the past and to grapple with the why of the changes. For example, unless multiple birders took the time to write that Bobolinks were common nesters in certain parks in several boroughs of NYC in the early 20th century, we would be left thinking that these birds were always rare in NYC. Think of the Bobwhite Quail that bred at NYBG (Bronx) and other parks into the early 1930s, or the amazing occurrence of a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Central Park in 1901, or the first nest of the species in New York State in 1963. Without these sorts of anecdotal accounts how would we know the number of sparrow species that once were common summer residents in NYC parks in the 19th Century (Vesper Sparrow anyone)? What seems like dull (or amazing) reading today, may be very different to NYC birders in 2050 reading bird lists from different parks of the Big Apple in 2016.
Delete is a good key on your computer. Not a big deal...but we'd prefer to see people reporting...it keeps a buzz going on a list...and we can keep grappling with the facts to better understand, the Why? How? and When? It’s great that birders make so many lists. We encourage them to take those data and address another important question: what does it mean? Meanwhile we have our articles and books to write and field research to do (greetings from Nepal and Thailand!). We have an amazing contingent of fellow birders who join us on bird walks sometimes seven days per week (during migration) - in Central Park and the other parks of NYC. They tell us about what they have found all the time - and that makes us smile because they are seeing/doing/learning - and enjoying the local environment and its birds. We hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving and wish you all the best for the Hanukah/Christmas/Kwanzaa Holidays, Deborah Allen and Robert DeCandido, PhD ----- Ornithology of St. Paul's Church [1903-04] Even under unpromising conditions, and in unexpected places, there is often something for the bird-student to investigate. This is illustrated by some surprising records from city parks, and even from the smaller green spots, oases in the great desert of brick and mortar. As such a record I here submit, for whatever it may be worth, the results of observations in Saint Paul's Churchyard, New York City, made mostly during intervals of a few moments at noon, and occasionally in the morning, and covering the migration periods of spring and fall of 1903, and spring of 1904. Saint Paul's Church property is situated nearly midway between the East and North Rivers, fronting east on Broadway, Church Street at the rear, Vesey Street on the north side and Fulton Street on the south, and it is thus in one of the busiest and noisiest sections of the city. At the rear of the property, along Church Street, there is the constant rumble and roar of the elevated railroad. This church property is about 332 feet long by 177 feet wide, of which area the church occupies a space about 78 by 120 feet at the Broadway end, while at the Church Street end the Church School takes off another slice about 30 feet wide. The space remaining consists of the main yard at the rear of the church, between it and the school, and a wing on either side of the church, each about 120 feet long by 48 feet wide. A narrow walk completes the circuit of the churchyard, about twenty feet from its outer edge. The grounds contain three large, ten medium, and forty smaller trees, not counting several that were being removed at the time of my count, and a number of shrubs and flowers, grass-plots and grass grown graves. Even the most nerve-hardened native bird would hardly select such a spot for a summer home, nor attempt to take up winter quarters there. Throughout the greater part of the summer and winter the noisy flock of English Sparrows domiciled here holds undisputed sway. It seems probable that the native birds that occur in the churchyard during migrations are such as are attracted to the green spot while passing in their flights directly over it, and that they are in no case stragglers from the temporary residents of the near-by country or parks. I have visited the churchyard many times in summer and winter, and during these periods between regular migratory seasons, I have yet to see or hear of the occurrence of a native bird. I have no spring record later than May, and no fall record after November, save the one of the Tree Sparrow, December 8, in which case it could not be fairly said that the season of migration was past. >From my data I am inclined to believe, too, that the bird movement of this very restricted area reflects in a small way, that of the outside country. When the greatest number of birds was seen in the churchyard, it generally transpired that a bird-wave was on in the country just outside the city, which was also reflected in Central Park. Misfortune is said to make strange bed-fellows, and certainly migration produces unexpected incongruities between birds and environment. Species whose sociability about the homes of man in the country would lead one to expect them to be among the first and most common to occur in the city parks and green spots, seem in many cases to be strangely wanting in the records for such places, while others of notably retiring habits, surprise one by their unexpected appearance in the crowded marts of civilization. The Woodcock has been recorded on the lawn of the American Museum of Natural History and in Trinity Cemetery, while my Saint Paul's records of Song and Chipping Sparrows, Robin, Yellow Warbler, and some other of our more familiar birds are surprisingly few. According to the indications of the three seasons covered by my observations, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker appears to be a regular visitor, which seems rather surprising. Observations covering the period from the first to the last record were: for 1903, spring, 5 days, no birds; but on 19 days, 18 species were observed and 59 individuals counted. Total for spring 1903 was 24 days of observation. For Fall 1903, there were 25 days with no birds seen; there were 47 days when 26 species and 187 individuals were seen. Total for fall 1903 was 72 days of observation. For spring 1904, there were 7 days with no birds seen; there were 24 days with 22 species seen and 87 individuals counted. Total for spring 1904 was 31 days of observation. For the three seasons, this gives an average of one species seen per 2.25 days of observation, and 3.64 individuals on average for each day of observation. The list of birds noted is as follows: 1. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 5 records, -- 1903: April 29, 1; Sept. 25, 1; Oct. 12, 2; Oct. 22, 1; 1904, April 6, 1; total, 6. 2. Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1 record, -- Oct. 1, 1903, 1. 3. Eastern Phoebe, 3 records, 1903, Sept. 12, 1; Sept 25, 1; Oct. 15, 1; total, 3. 4. Least Flycatcher, 5 records, 1903, May 19, 3; May 22, 1; Sept. 24, 1; Sept. 25, 1; 1904, May 13, 1; total, 7. 5. White-crowned Sparrow, 2 records, -- 1904, April 25, 2; April 26, 2; total, 4 (probably only two birds). 6. White-throated Sparrow, 16 records, -- 1903, May 1, 1; May 16, 1 ; May 18, 1; May 20, 1; May 26, 1; May 28, 1; Sept. 24, 1; Sept. 26, 1; Sept. 30, 1; Oct. 19, 2; Oct. 23, 1; Oct. 24, 1; 1904 April 25, 2; April 26, 3; May 10, 1; May 11, 1; total, 19. 7. [American] Tree Sparrow, 1 record, -- Dec. 8, 1903, 1. 8. Chipping Sparrow, 6 records, -- 1903 May 11, 1; 1904, April 18, 2; May 3, 1; May 9, 1; May 11, 1; May 12, 1; total, 7. 9. Field Sparrow, 5 records, 1903, Oct.8, 1; 1904, April 18, 1; April 28, 1; April 29, 1 May 2, 1; total, 5 10. Slate-colored Junco, 24 records, 1903, April 29, 1; Sept. 26, 1; Sept. 29, 2; Sept. 30, 3; Oct. 2, 1; Oct. 3, 1; Oct 12, 1; Oct. 13, 1; Oct. 14, 1; Oct. 22, 3; Oct. 23, 1; Oct. 24, 1; Oct. 26, 3; Oct. 27, 2; Oct. 28, 2; Oct. 29, 6; Oct. 30, 1; Oct. 31, 5; Nov. 2, 1; Nov. 5, 1; Nov. 6, 1; Nov. 10, 1; Nov. 16, 1; 1904, Apri1 30, 1; total, 45. 11. Song Sparrow 1 record, -- April 30, 1904, 1. 12. [Eastern] Towhee, 7 records, --- 1903 May 1, male; May 6, male; May 7, female; Oct. 3, female; 1904, May 5, female; May 10, 2 females; May 13, male; May 16, female; total, 9. 13. Indigo Bunting, 1 record, -- May 12, 1904, bright male. 14. Scarlet Tanager, 1 record, -- May 14, 1904, male. 15. Red-eyed Vireo, 2 records, -- 1904 May 12, 1; May 13, 1; total 2. 16. Blue-wing Warbler, 2 records, -- 1903, Sept. 8, 1; Sept. 25, 1; total 2. 17. Parula Warbler, 1 record, -- May 5, 1904, 1. 18. Yellow Warbler, 3 records, -- 1903 May 19, 1; May 22, 1; Sept. 4, 1; total, 3. 19. Black-throated Blue Warbler, 1 record, -- Oct. 22, 1903, 1. 20. Myrtle [Yellow-rumped] Warbler, 1 record, -- Oct. 13, 1904, 1. 21. Magnolia Warbler, 1 record, -- May 20, 1903, 1. 22. Palm Warbler, 1 record, -- Oct. 13, 1903, 1. 23. Ovenbird, 11 records, -- 1903, May 15, 1; May 16, 2; May 18, 2; May 19, 2; Sept. 1, 1; 1904, April 25, 1; Apr. 26, 1; May 5, 1; May 16, 1; May 17, 1; May 18, 1; total, 14. 24. [Northern] Water Thrush, 1 record, -- May 19, 1903, 1. 25. Northern [Common] Yellow-throat, 7 records -- 1903, May 14 , 1; May 22, 1; Oct. 12, 1; 1904 May 11, 1; May 20, 2; May 21, 1; May 24, 2; total , 9. 26. Canadian Warbler, 1 record, -- May 21, 1903, 1. 27. American Redstart, 5 records, -- 1903, May 19, 1; Sept. 1, 2; Sept. 3, 1; Sept. 4, 1; 1904, May 20, 1; total, 6. 28. Catbirds, 10 records, -- 1903, May 9, 1; May 15, 1; May 19, 1; May 20, 1; Sept 29, 1; 1904, May 5, 1; May 7, 2; May 12, 1; May 13, 1; May 20, 1; total, 11. 29. Brown Thrasher, 4 records, -- 1903, May 4, 1; May 5, 1; May 16, 1; May 18, 1; May 20, 3; May 22, 2; May 23, 1; May 26, 1; May 27, 2; Sept. 30, 1; Oct. 3, 1; 1904, May 5, 2; May 6, 1; May 24, 1; total, 19. 30. Winter Wren, 1 record, -- Oct. 28, 1904, 1. 31. Brown Creeper, 1 record, -- Oct. 12, 1903, 1. 32. Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3 records, -- 1903, Sept. 1, 1; Sept. 8, 1; Sept. 24, 1; total, 3. 33. [Black-capped] Chickadee 14 records, -- 1903, Sept. 15, 3; Sept. 23, 1; Sept. 25, 7; Sept. 29, 2; Sept. 30, 2; Oct. 1, 4; Oct. 6, 2; Oct. 7, 2; Oct. 10, 1; Oct. 12, 2; Oct. 16, 3; Oct. 19, 1; Oct. 30, 1; total, 33. 34. Golden-crowed Kinglet, 3 records, 1903, Oct. 21, 1; Oct. 29, 1; Oct. 31, 1; total, 1. 35. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 5 records, 1903, Oct. 13, 2; Oct. 14, 3; Oct. 21, 2; Oct. 23, 1; Oct. 24, 1; total, 9. 36. Wood Thrush, 2 records, 1903, Oct. 14, 1; 1904, May 17, 1; total 2. 37. Wilson's Thrush [= Veery], 5 records, 1903, May 19, 1; 1904, May 12, 2; May 17, 1; May 20, 1; May 24, 2; total, 7. 38. Olive-backed Thrush [= Swainson's Thrush], 14 records, 1903, May 22, 2; May 27, 1; Sept. 8, 2; Sept. 9, 1; Sept. 29, 2; Sept. 30, 1; Oct. 1, 1; Oct. 14, 1; 1904, May 11, 1; May 12, 2; May 17, 1; May 13, 1; May 18, 1; May 20, 1; total, 16. 39. Hermit Thrush 32 records, -- 1903 April 29, 6; May 4, 1; Sept. 30, 2; Oct. 6, 1; Oct. 12, 2; Oct. 13, 2; Oct.14, 8; Oct. 15, 4; Oct. 16, 1; Oct. 21, 1; Oct. 23, 3; Oct. 24, 2; Oct. 26, 2; Oct. 27, 4; Oct. 28, 2; Oct. 29, 2; Oct. 30, 2; Oct. 31, 4; Nov. 2, 1; Nov. 4, 3; Nov. 5, 1; Nov. 9, 1; Nov. 10, 1; Nov.11, 1; Nov. 16, 1; Nov. 23, 2; Nov. 24, 2; 1904, April 25, 8; April 26, 2; April 30, 2; total, 79. 40. American Robin, 2 records, --1903, Oct. 21, 1; Oct. 22, 1; total, 2. 41. Bluebird, 1 record, -- Nov. 6, 1903, 2. In the record above given, where a species occurred on consecutive dates, doubtless in some cases the same individual remained two or more days. In one instance, at least, this was certainly the case. A Hermit Thrush, one of four noted October 15, 1903, had a bar of light yellowish on the left wing. This bird was again noted on the 16th, the only one seen on the latter date. In the majority of cases, however, such records probably represent different individuals, and as far as I am able to judge, the birds make but a brief stop in the churchyard. In some cases the birds noted in the morning were gone by noon, and others not noted in the morning had appeared. Truly Saint Paul's Churchyard seems to be for many migrant birds an oasis in a desert of brick and mortar, a spot where tired and hungry individuals may drop down to rest and feed, and incidentally to gladden the eye and quicken the pulse of the city confined nature lover. A Robin (young of the year) noted August 30, will perhaps necessitate the modification of the statement regarding absence of birds during summer, though it is quite possible that this individual had begun a migratory movement. With the exception of the Robin above referred to, the first migrant (a [Northern] Water-Thrush) was not noted until Sept. 13, and the indications of the churchyard evidence were that the fall migration was either begun late, or that the earlier migration was hurriedly performed, with few stops. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --