For such tragic and sudden loss of Tom Johnson, late of Cape May, N.J. and an
alumnus of New York's Cornell University, later a researcher in ornithology,
and fine professional bird-guide with experience taking birders literally
around the globe - I also extend sympathies to his family, fiancee, friends,
and colleagues far-and-wide, He left us far, far too young - too soon, and
here we saw someone still coming in to the heights of their understanding in a
chosen endeavor - and generously sharing in his knowledge in countless ways
with many, many others. I believe I now see a new bright light in the
firmament, just as many birds are again on the move in our northern hemisphere
and beyond. Rest in peace, Tom Johnson.
_______
New York County (in N.Y. City), including Manhattan, Randall's Island, and
Governors Island
from mid-June to the last day of July, '23:
There has been a clear increase, about as-expected not just by calendar dates,
but in accordance with some of the shifts in weather patterns, winds, both
regionally and in parts of the continent rather farther north; some birds were
already starting the first trickles of southward movements (thru this county)
by early July, if not a (very) few even before that month began, while the pace
quickened considerably, in the past week or less. We also now have quite a lot
more birders coming-back out and seeking migrants, in addition to the steadfast
observers who were out and about on many hot days, and some difficult-weather
(or air-quality) days of the past four to six weeks.
A selection of some of the highlights in the county, of these past 4 to 6
weeks, includes the following species: Yellow-billed and Black-billed
Cuckoo[s], Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (thru the period of this report in a few
sites), American Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Pectoral Sandpiper, Lesser
Yellowlegs, and at least 5 additional (fully-identified) shorebird species,
Bonaparte's Gull (including very recently on Manhattan's shore), Lesser
Black-backed Gull, 4 species of (documented) terns: Caspian, Forster's, Least,
and Common (only the latter being regular and a breeder in this county), Little
Blue Heron (rare in the county), Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (regular but very
uncommon), a smatter of lately-returning flycatchers among the multiple
breeding-species in the family, in this county, some hirundines (swallows and
martins, also starting on their way south-by-southwest) including Purple Martin
and Bank Swallow, rather numerous blackbird-species (a.k.a. 'Icterids', or for
the full family-name, members of the Icteridae) now adding Bobolink to many,
many Red-winged Blackbirds on the move (as is typical for some of that species
in mid to late summer around the northeast region) and also some Brown-headed
Cowbirds and a few of some other 'blackbird'-species (some so high-flying or
distant that not all are ID'd. to precise species while on their ways), as well
as multiple Orchard Orioles, and at-least the appearance of more Baltimores
(although some of the latter also may simply be getting noticed in a number of
sites that have just regained more attention by observers, as July closed), and
last-but-hardly-least, the typical southward movements of many members of the
Parulidae, with some of these American warblers being definite migrants, and a
few species also having been around as potential local-breeders, with some also
as possible lingerers, attempted-breeders, or simply those which did not make
the full journey-north in spring, and may have been in the local area for some
weeks or more - more than 1-dozen of warblers as-of the writing of this report,
while yet-more are sure to be coming along, headed south, if not (some more)
already having done that - esp. in recent days.
A taxonomic listing of many of the species seen in N.Y. County over the period
starting from about June 12, although a vast majority seen in the past 2 weeks,
and many in just the past week.
Canada Goose
Mute Swan (semi-regular, with many but not all sightings from East River areas
or near there)
Wood Duck (ongoing all summer, esp. at Central Park, but also a few sightings
elsewhere)
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Mallard x American Black Duck (hybrid types; these are fairly regular in and
around the county)
Ruddy Duck (later in June, stray and oddly-late for this county, but not
unprecedented for summer in this city)
[feral-type] Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (sightings in late June, and again much more recently)
Black-billed Cuckoo (at least one, reported by an experienced observer from
Central Park, somewhat recent, a bit uncommon for midsummer but not
unprecedented; only Yellow-billed is known as a breeder in some parts of N.Y.
City)
Common Nighthawk (several, dusk on July 30)
Chimney Swift (fair numbers - and increased efforts to observe roost or poss.
nesting sites)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (multiple sightings, including in June in a few
locations, and also more recently, with emphasis at Fort Tryon Park and Central
Park each in Manhattan)
American Oystercatcher (July 24th, from Randall's Island with multi-observers
and photos plus good textual documentation; this species is being found a
little more with some of the intensive observation for sites that have proven
potential in the county)
Killdeer (nice numbers at some locations in recent weeks, and also some
observed moving from a few locations, poss. more-local movement, and some
sightings from -among multiple other sites- Central Park in just recent days;
more-regular elsewhere and most-of-all, from the 'out' islands of the county)
Sanderling (July 25th, Randall's Island, multiple observers; still quite-rare
in this county, even if an extremely-common passage migrant and frequent
"winter" visitor in this city and region)
Least Sandpiper (multiple locations over recent weeks, modest numbers with most
sightings)
Pectoral Sandpiper (July 30th, from Governors Island; 2 experienced observers
of this quite-rare species for this county; a passage-migrant on the day)
Semipalmated Sandpiper (modest numbers for some locations, including at least a
few far-back into June, when as-likely late movers on the northward track)
Spotted Sandpiper (lots of sightings for much of the period at Randall's
Island; more from various locations in past week-plus)
Solitary Sandpiper (modest no's. from both early in this report's
lengthy-period, and much more recently on the southward passages)
Lesser Yellowlegs (at least 2 individuals at Randall's Island, July 25th;
multiple observers)
Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs [Tringa sp., likely of one of the 2 prev.]
Bonaparte's Gull (a few observations with good details and most-recent with
excellent photo-documentation; that most-recent July 30th at Sherman Creek on
the Manhattan-side of the Harlem River, just east/NE of the east end of Dyckman
Street, an unusual location as far as known for this species, which however has
been shown to occur at the Hudson river, which is not exceedingly far from the
Sherman Creek mud-flats and inlet area)
Laughing Gull (regular all this summer, some visiting Central Park's reservoir
as is typical in summer, also in multi. other locations and esp. regular at or
near New York harbor and vicinity.)
Ring-billed Gull (some increases lately)
[American] Herring Gull (the commonest 'summer gull' and can be among the
commonest of the county in many months of any year, in the county)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (July 25th, at Randall's Island, with a report from K.
Becker, a species to *watch* for in the county all summer and fall.)
Great Black-backed Gull (regular in many areas of county)
Least Tern (going back to late June, 4 of this species were reported in the New
York Harbor, where may be somewhat regular and not that oft-noticed as a
county-observation)
Caspian Tern (a few reports, one with good details - July 13th, for the Hudson
River, as scoped from Riverside Park; K. Fung)
Common Tern (regular esp. from Governors Island within the county)
Forster's Tern (at least one definite report from Governors Island, July 22nd -
8 individuals in-flight and with other bird movements on the day)
Tern 'sp.' - a few reports of terns of poss. various spp., but lacking enough
details to be sure of.
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret (very regular in summer, esp. as seen flying-by in east-west and
reverse, over Manhattan and for East and Hudson River, more-so *north of* about
72-96th Streets, and particularly regular over parts of the large areas of
Harlem and adjacent river-waters; these also are often in with or on same
east-and-west summer fly-way as for Great Egret and occasional other diurnal
fliers; at dusk and dawn, some Night-Herons -mostly Black-crowneds- may also
use the same fly-ways.)
Little Blue Heron (a very 'good bird' for the county, at Randall's Island,
although just as a fly-by, on July 29th, with 2 experienced observers; details
given in reports)
Green Heron (regular, and semi-secretive, for summer in the county)
Black-crowned Night-Heron (very regular visitor - and sometimes common, thru
summer)
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (uncommon, but regular particularly at Randall's
Island areas)
Black Vulture (occasional sightings from, in particular, n. Manhattan, often by
scanning across the Hudson to New Jersey's local air-space by the prominent
Palisades)
Turkey Vulture (some summer sightings for the county, not numerous
Osprey (fairly regular sightings at multiple sites in the county)
Cooper's Hawk (some sightings for summer in the county, no known breeding, but
is a poss. breeder, and certainly a few now non-breeding which stay in summer)
Bald Eagle (fairly regular sightings, including some over Manhattan and Central
Park at times)
Red-tailed Hawk (city resident and breeder, many in the county - including with
fledged young)
Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl (the resident owls of Manhattan remained
in place this summer, that is, in the parks which they are each inhabiting for
some years by now)
Belted Kingfisher (very few sightings but some at least as lingerers in the
county, perhaps these non-breeding however)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (a few reports, including a very few likely lingered
on thru summer; that is not well-documented for the county but has occurred -
never-breeding in this county)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker (multiple locations, some nested)
[ Yellow-shafted] Northern Flicker
American Kestrel (city residents and county-breeders)
Merlin (a very few sightings in June)
Peregrine Falcon (widespread city-residents and local breeders)
Monk Parakeet (very few reported, however may continue as a scarce resident in
the county)
Olive-sided Flycatcher (a bit on early-side for July 31st, Central Park)
Eastern Wood-Pewee (uncommonly-noted as a breeder, and some late-June lingerers
as well)
Acadian Flycatcher (at least, lingered to end of June, although more-silent by
late that month)
Willow Flycatcher (modest number of breeders, with a few perhaps also lingering
and not having success, or mates)
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (also known as Traill's-type flycatcher-species of
Empidonax-genus; some in this category may have all pertained to Willow, esp.
after mid-June in this county.)
Least Flycatcher (a few reports, but some with few details for the summer; not
known to breed here)
Eastern Phoebe (a few successes in breeding locations, and a possibility a
very-few might be on the move already)
Great Crested Flycatcher (known breeder, with a very few nestings
closely-watched, including in Central Park; nests in some other large wooded
parks each year as well, in this county)
Eastern Kingbird (typical summer breeders, and about-now, some of this species
begin to get itchy to move on)
White-eyed Vireo (at least several reports after mid-June, at least one
pertaining to a possible pair in an undisclosed location - not at Central Park)
Yellow-throated Vireo (a very few reports after mid-June)
Warbling Vireo (regular breeder, multiple sites in summer)
Red-eyed Vireo (less-common breeder than the previous vireo sp., but is regular
as-such)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow (multiple locations, and some breeding as is typical)
Common Raven (ongoing sightings, but less-reported for summer, generally)
Black-capped Chickadee (uncommon but persisting breeder, and slightly-up from
some recent year's near-lack, this after a good winter-period of occurrences.)
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (regular for much or all of summer at various
sites)
Purple Martin (a few sightings including some recently southbound, on-passage
only)
Tree Swallow (breeding at select sites in the county, also some movement,
perhaps rather-local)
Bank Swallow (nice bit of recent movement seen for these, migrating south again
in past week)
Barn Swallow (common and seen at many locations, all summer long)
Cliff Swallow (the small colony is doing all-right at Randall's Island, with
some fledges growing and flying-about this summer.)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (a very few lingerers this summer, of a species not known
to breed in this county, although not all-out 'impossible' strong documentation
would be needed for that.)
White-breasted Nuthatch (regular breeder and often rather quiet in the
breeding-season)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (a few and some possibly bred, but has been scant as-such
over all the years in this county; it is now time some could be starting to
move)
House Wren (regular breeders)
Carolina Wren (residents and breeders)
European Starling (overly-common and some interfere with some of the native
nesting species)
Gray Catbird (many, breeding and lots of fledged young in the county)
Brown Thrasher (bred again at multiple sites, and as-usual escaping many
detections!)
Northern Mockingbird (regular breeder in many parts of the county)
Veery (a couple of sighting-reports for these past 6 weeks, some not
fully-documented)
Gray-cheeked/Bicknell's Thrush (similarly, although a few mid-June sightings
were even documented to species, by recorded songs - those late-individuals
were Gray-cheeked.)
Swainson's Thrush (also a very few documented after early June, when already
scarce in most years here)
Hermit Thrush (one report for the period, may pertain to a single, non-breeding
summer-er.)
Wood Thrush (the regularly-breeding 'brown-backed' thrush species of this
county, a number of successful nestings including in Central Park, with more
elsewhere in quiet locations)
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing (numerous nesters in some parks)
House Sparrow (plenty of this often-pestiferous species, all over the county)
House Finch (regulars)
Purple Finch (slightly surprising late-June sighting, documented in Central
Park; J. Wooten et al)
American Goldfinch (quite-small numbers, as is expected in this period here)
Chipping Sparrow (as per above; some of this sparrow sp. are also breeders)
Field Sparrow (a couple of reports, perhaps one or two with documentation)
White-throated Sparrow (as is typical, a modest number spend all summer and are
non-breeders, within many sites in the county, esp. some smaller parks of
Manhattan, but also found in Central Park annually in June-July-August, these
never found breeding here nor attempting-to).
Song Sparrow (regular breeders)
Lincoln's Sparrow (one or more sightings, perhaps lingering and definitely not
breeding anywhere at all near to N.Y. City)
Swamp Sparrow (regular in small numbers in the county in summer, non-breeding,
also not very well-detected, as they are often not singing by June-July-Aug.
here)
Eastern Towhee (small numbers of this usually-scarce breeding species for
summer, better known as a migrant and rather-uncommon wintering species)
Bobolink (few starting to show by July 31st, somewhat expected and more-so thru
August)
Orchard Oriole (multiple sightings, earlier in the summer as scant breeding
pairs and fledges, now for past 2 weeks, or even a bit longer some moving on;
this esp. evident in the past week, an unusual sighting was in Manhattan's
lower-east-side, at a community garden -an unmistakeable adult male-, perhaps a
local-breeder or one of the many recent migrants passing through.)
Baltimore Oriole (quite numerous and many young around)
Red-winged Blackbird (good to excellent flights of the early-movers headed
south-by-southwest in some recent mornings, can be quite high on these
movements; also still around in their local nesting-places)
Brown-headed Cowbird (numbers have moved along, while a few also may be
lingering in the county, as is typical)
Common Grackle (mainly apparent-locals, but possibly some also with the other
early-migrating blackbird groups in past week or so)
Boat-tailed Grackle (still-rare for county, and any reports of sightings ought
best to be backed-up with photos and/or video-audio, of good quality, as well
as good textual description.)
Warbler species -
Ovenbird (small no's. of these were around all summer in some locations, and
it's slightly possible some starting to move just about now)
Worm-eating Warbler (a few in past month, including more in the past week,
various sites)
Louisiana Waterthrush (started to show in early July, and more can be expected
along with the always-more-numerous other waterthrush sp.)
Northern Waterthrush (at least one by about mid-July on migration, and many
more beginning to come in, as fully-expected; sightings of this species in late
July are not *rare" in this county, but these are regularly overlooked as are
some of the summer's other southbound warbler species before-August, in
particular.)
Louisiana/Northern Waterthrush (some sightings of recent could be of either, if
lacking much description and no photos made available.
Blue-winged Warbler (a modestly surprising late-June sighting for Central Park;
J. Wooten et al, also now a very few reports for migrators)
Golden-winged x Blue-winged Warbler (hybrid - some late reports, but seemingly
without great documentation, beyond being warbler-species)
Black-and-white Warbler (a few summer sightings, not too unusual and likely
some pertained to non-breeders that simply stayed in the city; also, now
perhaps some on the move)
Tennessee Warbler (first-arrivals for the "fall" are here, and not esp.-early
for these adults)
Common Yellowthroat (multiple locations, some were at least
potentially-breeding / nesting, and some could already be in moving-mode at
least locally.)
Hooded Warbler (in mid-June - a rather late individual for this county or for
N.Y. City overall)
American Redstart (some were around for much of summer, now also a few
apparently on the move again)
Northern Parula (a very few lingered to later-June, and now a very few
seemingly re-"appearing" and a bit early yet as typical south-bounders)
Magnolia Warbler (one or more lingered past the middle of June, and now at
least one showing, but inconclusive as to "it" being a summering bird in this
county)
Yellow Warbler (many were on the move in this past month, and some also have
lingered and are certainly among the county's 2 most-likely of breeding warbler
species)
Chestnut-sided Warbler (some south-bounders showing in the last few days)
Pine Warbler (a bit unusual for July; this species of course is a nearby
breeder in multiple states, some early-wanderers are possible.)
Myrtle/Yellow-rumped Warbler (a couple of these were detected in June, even to
around mid-June which was unusual, even in a most-odd spring migration.)
Yellow-throated Warbler (one report in late June for this county - and likely
accurately-ID'd.)
Prairie Warbler (several in the past week, more-so by just now)
Canada Warbler (several showing up in the past few days)
- and other warblers, potentially, as some have been seen and heard only as
passage-migrants in-flight, most in just the past few days.
Summer Tanager; Scarlet Tanager; Summer/Scarlet Tanager - this group of
species were reported to and also after middle of June, with a few reliable
reports of Scarlet Tanager[s] into calendar-summer in one site in the county.
We did also have more-than-the-"usual" numbers of Summer Tanagers in the
spring, for various locations in the county.
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (a few reports at-least into late June, in a very few
locations in the county)
Indigo Bunting (the only acceptable reports are from experienced, and/or
reliable observers, who give their actual names for their reports).
____
Thanks to the great many observers who were out and about in all sorts of
weather, just most recently pleasant and productive of migrators as is expected
when the northerly winds come.
Many insect species are certainly being seen all around the county now, and a
fair variety of butterfly species have been noted for the summer, so far, with
a good chance of yet more of all kinds of insects being seen as August comes in
and continues.
_____
is everyone all-set with saying "American Goshawk" now-again, for almost any
genuinely-huge (and mostly scarce) accipiter seen in the North American
continent? ("When *not* in Rome". Roma, Italia that is.)
Good birding to all,
Tom Fiore
manhattan and in points-north.
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