New York County -in N.Y. City- including Governers, Randalls, and Manhattan islands as well as adjacent skies and waters - Thru Thursday, October 5:
Migration was still very strong thru each night of this month to Wed. morning, although increasing numbers of birds that had stopped off were moving on with each successive night. Vast nocturnal migrations meant many millions of birds on the move over the eastern sector of N. America, many able to take off from some US states and reach the Caribbean isles, Mexico, Central America, or even farther. And then there were still nice migrants to be seen into Thursday around the county. At Central Park, a GRASSHOPPER Sparrow was found -H. Cordero, et al- with a small group of observers late on Thursday 10/5, at the parks north end, on the Great Hill. Not as rare but not at all common in the county, a White-eyed Vireo was also seen Thursday, by Turtle Pond in Central Park. Even to Wed., 10/4 there were still at least 22 species of warbler found in the county, with nearly all, or all, of those species also seen in Central Park. Among species running somewhat late were at least several Blackburnian Warblers in scattered locations around Manhattan, and prior days also out in the 2 other county-islands noted herein. For lateness, there have been a few Veery sightings even to Oct. 5, at Central Park, as well as some reliable sightings elsewhere this week. Since the start of October, a variety of interesting species were noted in the county; many were seen on Randalls Island or Governors Island. For shorebirds at Randalls there was Wilsons Snipe on Tues. 10/3, and at least 2 -of 3- Semipalmated Plovers were still lingering at the Bronx Kill on Randalls north side, those into Thursday. The Saltmarsh Sparrow sighting at Randalls of Oct. 1 led on to the finding of Nelsons Sparrow, poss. more than one, by Oct. 2, and that latter species at least lingering to 10/4 in the same area. A Dickcissel seen on Oct. 1 at Randalls might have lingered, which would not be very surprising, but some subsequent reports are not confirmed yet. A Bonapartes Gull was reported at the lower East River on Oct. 3, likely one of a modest number that have appeared in the region very slightly early, perhaps a result of the multiple tropical-weather systems that have pushed up the east coast or off in the North Atlantic; one such system is chugging around now, offshore, given the storm-name Phillippe. At Governors Island, the Blue Grosbeak found on Oct. 1 may have been the same individual that had been seen there just over a week prior. Oct. 1st there was a great day for migrants, as all around the county, and some of the sightings there included the Forsters Terns in nice numbers, at least five of which also persisted to Oct. 4th, and just might still be in the vicinity. Oct. 1 at Governors also brought Philadelphia Vireo, a late-moving Orchard Oriole, 9 American Pipits, two Boat-tailed Grackles, Orange-crowned and at least 19 other warbler species, of which 18 were included in the impressive early-day watch by 3 observers -Bonkamp, Fogarty, Morris- with many other birders later in the day also there. This good movement of warblers also had been seen all around the county, and notable for many locations were numbers of Black-throated Green Warbler, in some locations in small flocks or groups along with other spp. also numerous such as Myrtle/Yellow-rumped, Palm, and Blackpoll Warblers. Up to 22+ Warbler spp. were noted from Oct. 1 on Randalls Island, many in an early morning to midday migration watch -Aronov, Healy- and with again other birders in numbers there thru that day, and subsequently. The concentrations of Laughing Gulls there, and some elsewhere, were diminishing by a few days later, as with many of the other migrants from the 1st of this month. Yellow-crowned Night-Herons were continuing at Randalls Island, a favored site for that species, and at least 4 were seen at times there in the first 5 days of the month. Wood Duck occurred there on Oct. 3rd, uncommon but somewhat regular on migrations there. Marsh Wren was seen on Randalls on 10/4. The Common Nighthawk show enjoyed by many, many observers may have concluded by evening on Oct. 4th; less observed were that at least some or all of those lingering, esp. around Central Park, were also active very early in mornings, at first-light and before, many flying under and around the bright lamps of that park. Not noted by many, a few Pine SISKINS have been arriving and passing thru this week, part of a regional movement, although perhaps quite light, for now. Its worth listening and watching out, as this is one of the finch spp. that may occur again anytime this fall in and around N.Y. City. N.Y. County has continued to have small numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatches. A single Semipalmated Sandpiper was noted at the newly-open Gansevoort Pier park near the street of that name, along the Hudson River off lower Manhattan; whether that singular sighting bodes for more unexpected birds at that site remains to be seen - there are already many other piers and greenspaces all along the Hudson off Manhattan, for migrants and other birds to come to, however more green-space and habitat is very welcome. It is notable that a Solitary Sandpiper has lingered on, and on, and on, at The Pool in Central Parks northwest quadrant, still there into Thursday, Oct. 5th. Starting in more locations this week, some typical winter-visitors have started to move in to some sites where they may possibly linger a long time; species such as Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and White-throated Sparrow, for example, each regular in the county, esp. on Manhattan island and often in smaller parks and green-spaces of mid and lower Manhattan, but both possible and likely anywhere, and sure to increase thru this month. More than 140 species of birds have been noted for the start of October so far in N.Y. County. Some additional spp. were also reported, although not all were confirmed as of yet. A lot of great sightings are not included in the notes above... - - - There were still some diverse numbers of insects around the county this week, and Monarch butterflies were in fairly good numbers at many flowered greenspaces, all around - with easily many hundreds in the county to 10/5, likely even to quadruple digits for all of the county. With less-favorable winds for their ongoing migrations now -ultimately to central Mexico- many of them may linger on a bit until winds improve for strong onward movements. A number of dragonfly spp. have been seen with Common Green Darners, also migratory, having been, as their full name suggests, fairly common. Thanks to the many not-for-profit bird-walk leaders working with local non-profit orgs, and many participants, and to very many independent observers sharing sightings, reports, and also photos. It certainly looks like sparrows ought to be scrutinized still-more as October carries on. Good birding to all, Tom Fiore manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
