[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Bryant Park has a full bloom of late summer flowers - luscious blue-green broad-leaf plants with flowers ranging from the dark blues of salvia, purple, violet, fuchsia, to the pink of the hearty begonias. Along with the London Plane trees recently dumping piles of dead leaves - the park is harboring major ground cover to attract insects and hide the new arrival of underbrush migrants. Common Yellow-throated Warblers, Ovenbirds, and Waterthrushes - both Northern and Louisiana are scattered along the flowerbeds edging the lawn. An odd leucistic House Sparrow was hanging around the begonia patch by the ice-cream shack and I spotted my first Common White-throated Sparrow of the season at their favorite location - the birdbath. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Bryant Park has a full bloom of late summer flowers - luscious blue-green broad-leaf plants with flowers ranging from the dark blues of salvia, purple, violet, fuchsia, to the pink of the hearty begonias. Along with the London Plane trees recently dumping piles of dead leaves - the park is harboring major ground cover to attract insects and hide the new arrival of underbrush migrants. Common Yellow-throated Warblers, Ovenbirds, and Waterthrushes - both Northern and Louisiana are scattered along the flowerbeds edging the lawn. An odd leucistic House Sparrow was hanging around the begonia patch by the ice-cream shack and I spotted my first Common White-throated Sparrow of the season at their favorite location - the birdbath. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Winter birding at Bryant Park is an affair of attrition, the contradictory activity of not finding, is it really gone? For those hardy species willing to stay, it is not changes in weather but sustenance that is the major decider, although the two are generally linked. The last surviving tiny flowers around the ice skating rink briefly attracted an unidentified hummingbird the weekend before Thanksgiving but the following night’s cold snap killed them off along with the chances of catching it again Monday morning before work. The first major snow (where it covers the ground), is always a big demarcation. By the first major snow storm of December 10th, I no longer could find the Ovenbird of the northwest corner, the Hermit Thrush around the garden shed, or the bold male Common Yellowthroat that was begging along 5th Avenue. The unusually large number of Swamp Sparrows that arrived in the fall slowly declined in number, but the last of them toughed out the single digits with the other sparrows along the north side of the rink with a lone harried-looking Catbird. But once the holiday food vendors folded by the end of the first week in January, they and the Catbird were gone. Now all that is left are House, Common White-throated, and a few Song Sparrows. What I keep checking for, and continue to find with great cheer, is a lone female Eastern Towhee by the folded chairs south of the library entrance. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Winter birding at Bryant Park is an affair of attrition, the contradictory activity of not finding, is it really gone? For those hardy species willing to stay, it is not changes in weather but sustenance that is the major decider, although the two are generally linked. The last surviving tiny flowers around the ice skating rink briefly attracted an unidentified hummingbird the weekend before Thanksgiving but the following night’s cold snap killed them off along with the chances of catching it again Monday morning before work. The first major snow (where it covers the ground), is always a big demarcation. By the first major snow storm of December 10th, I no longer could find the Ovenbird of the northwest corner, the Hermit Thrush around the garden shed, or the bold male Common Yellowthroat that was begging along 5th Avenue. The unusually large number of Swamp Sparrows that arrived in the fall slowly declined in number, but the last of them toughed out the single digits with the other sparrows along the north side of the rink with a lone harried-looking Catbird. But once the holiday food vendors folded by the end of the first week in January, they and the Catbird were gone. Now all that is left are House, Common White-throated, and a few Song Sparrows. What I keep checking for, and continue to find with great cheer, is a lone female Eastern Towhee by the folded chairs south of the library entrance. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Last Friday I counted over a dozen Swamp Sparrows at Bryant Park, the most I've seen in a day, pinballing among the begonias in a hide and seek with the Common Whitethroats and House Sparrows. This week the begonias were uprooted and their number has declined by half. A Hermit Thrush and a pair each of Song Sparrows and Catbirds continue to hang around the patio on the northern edge of the rink, diving for crumbs. With the nice mild weather today, a couple of warblers are still sticking around. An Ovenbird continues by the Petanque court and a Common Yellowthroat continues in the southwest corner. If you are fairly still, this particular Yellowthroat will always approach within a foot of you. What could you offer? Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
The Bryant Park ice skating rink is up and the holiday concession stands are open, attracting an atypical number of outdoor diners, but also sparrows with a steady supply of crumbs during this usually barren time of year. The afternoon was unusually balmy. Besides abundant House and White Throated Sparrows, there were a fair amount of Swampies and a puffed up Lincoln among the still blooming begonias around the bird bath. Half a dozen Hermit Thrushes curiously watched workers lay down bulbs around the southeast garden shed. A Catbird was taking a bath in the catch water along the southern edge of the rink. One Ovenbird walked by the Petanque court. Common Yellow-throat Warblers were still around, boldly giving arepa crumbs a try. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
The Bryant Park ice skating rink is up and the holiday concession stands are open, attracting an atypical number of outdoor diners, but also sparrows with a steady supply of crumbs during this usually barren time of year. The afternoon was unusually balmy. Besides abundant House and White Throated Sparrows, there were a fair amount of Swampies and a puffed up Lincoln among the still blooming begonias around the bird bath. Half a dozen Hermit Thrushes curiously watched workers lay down bulbs around the southeast garden shed. A Catbird was taking a bath in the catch water along the southern edge of the rink. One Ovenbird walked by the Petanque court. Common Yellow-throat Warblers were still around, boldly giving arepa crumbs a try. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Things got quiet again for a couple of weeks but with the cooler drier weather arriving today, there was a very active Canada Warbler high up in the London Planes in the southeast corner of Bryant Park during lunchtime. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Things got quiet again for a couple of weeks but with the cooler drier weather arriving today, there was a very active Canada Warbler high up in the London Planes in the southeast corner of Bryant Park during lunchtime. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding; Returning
It started with the Aberrants. A Northern Waterthrush kept court by the garden shed in the southeast corner of Bryant Park from Monday until Wednesday when I last saw it circling frantically around the shed after a cat moved on in. Another aberrant, a dull-striped Ovenbird showed up Tuesday, chicken-walking among the late blooming begonias on the south side of the lawn. It was joined by a Commoner, my first White-throated Sparrow of the season. When the rains took a break just before nightfall, there was a flurry of half a dozen warblers high in the London Planes - it was too leafy and dark to identify much except for the flash of racing stripes of the Black & White Warbler. With the midweek shift to colder dryer weather, things have quieted a little except for a few more Black & Whites and today a couple of Redstarts. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding; Returning
It started with the Aberrants. A Northern Waterthrush kept court by the garden shed in the southeast corner of Bryant Park from Monday until Wednesday when I last saw it circling frantically around the shed after a cat moved on in. Another aberrant, a dull-striped Ovenbird showed up Tuesday, chicken-walking among the late blooming begonias on the south side of the lawn. It was joined by a Commoner, my first White-throated Sparrow of the season. When the rains took a break just before nightfall, there was a flurry of half a dozen warblers high in the London Planes - it was too leafy and dark to identify much except for the flash of racing stripes of the Black White Warbler. With the midweek shift to colder dryer weather, things have quieted a little except for a few more Black Whites and today a couple of Redstarts. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
After being briefly closed with minimal tree damage after Hurricane Sandy, the ice skating rink and concession booths of Bryant Park are in full swing . Despite the large crowd of shoppers, the birds are sticking around for the plentiful supply of food scraps and their own "private" dining area where the benches are cordoned off on one side by the rink and the high railing on the other. Besides the large numbers of House and White-throated Sparrows, two Swampies were hiding near the bird bath in the northeast corner. Hermit Thrushes and Catbirds were on every side last week but appear to be declining in number now. Two Sapsuckers were on the Lindens in front of the library. I didn't have my binoculars at the time, but over the past two days I've seen two raptors circling and landing on top of the Bank of America. No big surprises like last winter yet, but I did get one minor surprise today - a female Brown-headed Cowbird at the northwest corner of the rink - a first for me in Bryant Park. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
After being briefly closed with minimal tree damage after Hurricane Sandy, the ice skating rink and concession booths of Bryant Park are in full swing . Despite the large crowd of shoppers, the birds are sticking around for the plentiful supply of food scraps and their own private dining area where the benches are cordoned off on one side by the rink and the high railing on the other. Besides the large numbers of House and White-throated Sparrows, two Swampies were hiding near the bird bath in the northeast corner. Hermit Thrushes and Catbirds were on every side last week but appear to be declining in number now. Two Sapsuckers were on the Lindens in front of the library. I didn't have my binoculars at the time, but over the past two days I've seen two raptors circling and landing on top of the Bank of America. No big surprises like last winter yet, but I did get one minor surprise today - a female Brown-headed Cowbird at the northwest corner of the rink - a first for me in Bryant Park. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
With the construction of the ice skating rink in full swing and concession stand booths cropping up everywhere, much of Bryant Park this month is an off-limits maze to us pedestrians. The flower beds surrounding the covered lawn have been raked and culled, but the surrounding beds are carpeted with late blooming begonias. Having concentrated so much on the bird activity among the flow beds, only now I realize how spectacular the flowers of Bryant Park have been this past year. The birds love the begonia beds, unlike the lawn, they can hop through the miniature maze completely undercover, picking off insects from the flowers. The usual suspects are around, House, White-throated, and Swamp Sparrows; Catbirds and Hermit Thrushes. Quite a few Common Yellow-throat Warblers are hanging around, and one large Brown Thrasher is holding court at the gardening shed. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are adding fresh rings of holes around the London Planes with the circular scars from years past. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
With the construction of the ice skating rink in full swing and concession stand booths cropping up everywhere, much of Bryant Park this month is an off-limits maze to us pedestrians. The flower beds surrounding the covered lawn have been raked and culled, but the surrounding beds are carpeted with late blooming begonias. Having concentrated so much on the bird activity among the flow beds, only now I realize how spectacular the flowers of Bryant Park have been this past year. The birds love the begonia beds, unlike the lawn, they can hop through the miniature maze completely undercover, picking off insects from the flowers. The usual suspects are around, House, White-throated, and Swamp Sparrows; Catbirds and Hermit Thrushes. Quite a few Common Yellow-throat Warblers are hanging around, and one large Brown Thrasher is holding court at the gardening shed. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are adding fresh rings of holes around the London Planes with the circular scars from years past. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Despite the high winds and threatening rain keeping the crowds away, there was not much activity on the Bryant Park lawn today. I could not find the Connecticut Warbler. The count of Ovenbirds seemed to have increased. The Grey-cheeked Thrush and Lincoln Sparrow on the south side of the lawn were still around. I'm not sure if it's the same bird, but there was possibly a second Lincoln Sparrow at the gardening shed in the southeast corner. Still around - the Veery, Northern Waterthrush, and many Common Yellowthroats and a few Catbirds. Happy birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown birding
The fine weather and recent planting at Bryant Park has caused abundant late summer blooms attracting lots of people and lots of insects in a feeding frenzy. House Sparrows horde lunchers and then run off into the bushes with their crumbs of crust. There were Common Yellowthroats at every corner and side of the great lawn. This morning there were a number of Catbirds, Ovenbirds, and Northern Waterthrushes. A Wood Thrush has joined the drabber Veery in the southeast corner. In the middle of the lawn, a man practiced on the Shofar for the Jewish New Year, fitting in with the sounds of the city like an ancient car horn - with the same purpose - to get attention and to summon. Sitting at the long tables for lunch, a first year Redstart tumbled on the bare ground just inches from our feet. First year warblers are said to foolishly expose themselves to danger on the open ground. Around the corner, five large domestic parrots are calmly perched on sitters. A large white macaw is nuzzling his head in a women's lap as a young girl strokes his feathers. The child asks, "why doesn't he fly away?" the women replies, "because he is happy." Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown birding
The fine weather and recent planting at Bryant Park has caused abundant late summer blooms attracting lots of people and lots of insects in a feeding frenzy. House Sparrows horde lunchers and then run off into the bushes with their crumbs of crust. There were Common Yellowthroats at every corner and side of the great lawn. This morning there were a number of Catbirds, Ovenbirds, and Northern Waterthrushes. A Wood Thrush has joined the drabber Veery in the southeast corner. In the middle of the lawn, a man practiced on the Shofar for the Jewish New Year, fitting in with the sounds of the city like an ancient car horn - with the same purpose - to get attention and to summon. Sitting at the long tables for lunch, a first year Redstart tumbled on the bare ground just inches from our feet. First year warblers are said to foolishly expose themselves to danger on the open ground. Around the corner, five large domestic parrots are calmly perched on sitters. A large white macaw is nuzzling his head in a women's lap as a young girl strokes his feathers. The child asks, why doesn't he fly away? the women replies, because he is happy. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
This week, migrants have been passing through Bryant Park despite the large crowds of people enjoying the glorious sunshine. These brave birds are most un-shy. Ben Cacace and I observed an immature Mourning Warbler on Wednesday in the south east end, hemmed in by gardeners raking leaves. At the corner, a Redstart was prancing on the ground catching flies attracted by their garbage bags. A dull Veery lurks around the gardening shed. Today a Canada was singing from the central eastern lawn entrance so much that it attracting a crowd of tourists surprised to see something so small and beautiful. Nearby was an Ovenbird, a Common Yellowthroat and my first Common White-throated Sparrow of the season. Only a matter of months before they will be taking up residence everywhere again. The grand London Planes are yellowing. They will be 78 years old next month. Fall is coming. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
The newly renovated 103rd Street bridge now permits bike-riding - so I took a ride to Randall-Wards Island to see if there was any spillover of peeps from Inwood. Little Kill, the salt-water marsh that used to separate the two islands has been under constant construction, and the boardwalk sadly suffered a recent fire. All I saw were some Mallards floating by and a Mocking and King Bird making use of the poles stuck in the mud strung with foil strips. A Peregrine and then a Red Tail scared up flocks of Pigeons and Mourning Doves in the adjacent parking lot. The other half of the kill was recently dredged and fed with rainwater drains to form a freshwater marsh, now accessible by a hidden path. Unfortunately, there was very little water, but a lot of wildflowers patrolled by a small flock of Cedar Waxwings. Heading north is the new Hells Gate pedestrian/bike path which runs under the el providing a long receding classical collonade to the Bronx. Families encamp under the arches seeking shade from the games in the nearby baseball fields. The path ends where less than twenty feet wide of rushing water makes Randall an Island. An immature Yellow-crowned Night Heron stands motionless on the shore. Double-crested Cormorants race in from the Brother Islands to check out the fishermen. Large flocks of Ring-billed Gulls sit patiently in the unused baseball fields looking like expressionless outfielders in starched white and grey uniforms. A larger flock of first-year European Starlings, however, hustle around the grounds as if chasing an invisible soccer ball. No peeps, not even a Killdeer. I biked south back to the bridge, passing Robins before leaving. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
The newly renovated 103rd Street bridge now permits bike-riding - so I took a ride to Randall-Wards Island to see if there was any spillover of peeps from Inwood. Little Kill, the salt-water marsh that used to separate the two islands has been under constant construction, and the boardwalk sadly suffered a recent fire. All I saw were some Mallards floating by and a Mocking and King Bird making use of the poles stuck in the mud strung with foil strips. A Peregrine and then a Red Tail scared up flocks of Pigeons and Mourning Doves in the adjacent parking lot. The other half of the kill was recently dredged and fed with rainwater drains to form a freshwater marsh, now accessible by a hidden path. Unfortunately, there was very little water, but a lot of wildflowers patrolled by a small flock of Cedar Waxwings. Heading north is the new Hells Gate pedestrian/bike path which runs under the el providing a long receding classical collonade to the Bronx. Families encamp under the arches seeking shade from the games in the nearby baseball fields. The path ends where less than twenty feet wide of rushing water makes Randall an Island. An immature Yellow-crowned Night Heron stands motionless on the shore. Double-crested Cormorants race in from the Brother Islands to check out the fishermen. Large flocks of Ring-billed Gulls sit patiently in the unused baseball fields looking like expressionless outfielders in starched white and grey uniforms. A larger flock of first-year European Starlings, however, hustle around the grounds as if chasing an invisible soccer ball. No peeps, not even a Killdeer. I biked south back to the bridge, passing Robins before leaving. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
One block north of Bryant Park at 6th Ave and 43rd is Grace Plaza. Once noted as the worst public space in Manhattan, it was renovated this last winter with new plantings, seats, benches, and food concession to attract passers-by, and come they have in droves. About a month ago I bumped into someone I knew from grade school. Around the same time the plaza's trees attracted a male Common Yellow-throat, who cheered me up with his song every morning and evening as I came and went. Despite his phenomenally loud song, the females just a block away in Bryant probably never heard him and left weeks ago, scared by the summer outdoor yoga classes and night time movies. Ironically, at the top floor of the HBO building that separated them I got a preview screening of "Birders: The Central Park Effect". Fall migration has already begun. IncreduIously, I asked Joe Giunta why so soon and he replied "nesting failures." Sadly, last week the little warbler fell silent and left. It's all attraction and chance encounters. Happy (and Sad) Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
One block north of Bryant Park at 6th Ave and 43rd is Grace Plaza. Once noted as the worst public space in Manhattan, it was renovated this last winter with new plantings, seats, benches, and food concession to attract passers-by, and come they have in droves. About a month ago I bumped into someone I knew from grade school. Around the same time the plaza's trees attracted a male Common Yellow-throat, who cheered me up with his song every morning and evening as I came and went. Despite his phenomenally loud song, the females just a block away in Bryant probably never heard him and left weeks ago, scared by the summer outdoor yoga classes and night time movies. Ironically, at the top floor of the HBO building that separated them I got a preview screening of Birders: The Central Park Effect. Fall migration has already begun. IncreduIously, I asked Joe Giunta why so soon and he replied nesting failures. Sadly, last week the little warbler fell silent and left. It's all attraction and chance encounters. Happy (and Sad) Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Could it be like last winter, Bryant Park is keeping the migrants around as much as the tourists? And so too us birders. Matthew helped me locate the female Wilsons on Monday along the bushes south of the lawn. That area proved to be rewarding, besides the summer resident Ovenbird, Common Yellow-throats and the year-round Catbirds and occasional White-throated Sparrows, I spotted a Wood Thrush and Matthew and I saw a Brown Thrasher fly across the lawn. Tuesday morning before the rain, I finally caught the first-year "Mourning", despite the strong eye-ring, darting and hopping very unlike a Connecticut (and making it very difficult to check out the undertail covert). Matthew caught the Wilsons again and I was surprised to still spot a Northern Waterthrush. Could this little park keep us birding year-round? Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
So I haven't been able to catch the Wilsons or Mourning at Bryant Park, but I did see Friday around 4:30pm a female Black & White (same seen Wednesday?) hanging out on the ground in the bushes on the north side of the lawn with a White-throated Sparrow. Despite being on the ground it didn't appear injured - just hangin with the Sparrow. Along with seeing the Ovenbird, it was an evening of racing stripes. Happy Birding, Alan -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
So I haven't been able to catch the Wilsons or Mourning at Bryant Park, but I did see Friday around 4:30pm a female Black White (same seen Wednesday?) hanging out on the ground in the bushes on the north side of the lawn with a White-throated Sparrow. Despite being on the ground it didn't appear injured - just hangin with the Sparrow. Along with seeing the Ovenbird, it was an evening of racing stripes. Happy Birding, Alan -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding 5/9
Bryant Park 6pm - Prothonotary still present in SW corner. Lots of Ovenbirds, Catbirds and Common Yellowthroats, and a Redstart. The females are arriving - Yellow, Common Yellow-throat, Yellow Rumps, B and a beautiful female Towhee still hanging around. A trio of Great Crested Flycatchers were chasing each other in the NW corner. Heard reports of Blackpoll and Worm-eating, but no luck. Maybe a fallout tonight with the rain and shifting winds. Looking forward to Gabriel's bird walk tomorrow. May try outdoor yoga afterwards, too. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding 5/9
Bryant Park 6pm - Prothonotary still present in SW corner. Lots of Ovenbirds, Catbirds and Common Yellowthroats, and a Redstart. The females are arriving - Yellow, Common Yellow-throat, Yellow Rumps, BW and a beautiful female Towhee still hanging around. A trio of Great Crested Flycatchers were chasing each other in the NW corner. Heard reports of Blackpoll and Worm-eating, but no luck. Maybe a fallout tonight with the rain and shifting winds. Looking forward to Gabriel's bird walk tomorrow. May try outdoor yoga afterwards, too. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Rain dashed morning plans in CP. Instead waited out the rain to visit Bryant Park for evening rush hour again. Really happy to finally see the arrival of the Common Yellow-throats chasing insects on the wet lawn with Songs, White-Throats, Swampies, Chippies and the chicken-strutting Ovenbird (as was a female CYT who looked like she was doing somersaults). Couldn't find the Orchard Oriole, but a Baltimore was singing its mournful song in a London Plane across from the entrance to the Grill. Also got Hermit Thrush, female Towhee, Catbirds, B, Blue-headed Vireo, House Wren, and the first pair of Wood Thrushes. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Rain dashed morning plans in CP. Instead waited out the rain to visit Bryant Park for evening rush hour again. Really happy to finally see the arrival of the Common Yellow-throats chasing insects on the wet lawn with Songs, White-Throats, Swampies, Chippies and the chicken-strutting Ovenbird (as was a female CYT who looked like she was doing somersaults). Couldn't find the Orchard Oriole, but a Baltimore was singing its mournful song in a London Plane across from the entrance to the Grill. Also got Hermit Thrush, female Towhee, Catbirds, BW, Blue-headed Vireo, House Wren, and the first pair of Wood Thrushes. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
The southerly winds returned and the rain departed early enough for the last rays of the sun to help warm up the evening. Opportunity to cut out of the office and cross to Bryant Park during rush hour. Believe I met Tom Rhindress who was very helpful in pointing out the male Orchard Oriole high up in the London Planes along the southern edge of the lawn - nice replacement for the Prothonotary which may have taken the winds out the Oriole arrived in on. Caught the Catbirds, Thrasher, B, Yellow-rumps but missed the Palm, Kingbird, and Blue-headed. The vocal Ovenbird was strutting among the bags of compost along 40th street. Since the compost section was roped off from humans, the Ovenbird was part of a fashionable runway of Whitethroats chasing handsome Swampys, a weaving Hermit Thrush and the bouncer Catbird. Happy Birding Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
The southerly winds returned and the rain departed early enough for the last rays of the sun to help warm up the evening. Opportunity to cut out of the office and cross to Bryant Park during rush hour. Believe I met Tom Rhindress who was very helpful in pointing out the male Orchard Oriole high up in the London Planes along the southern edge of the lawn - nice replacement for the Prothonotary which may have taken the winds out the Oriole arrived in on. Caught the Catbirds, Thrasher, BWs, Yellow-rumps but missed the Palm, Kingbird, and Blue-headed. The vocal Ovenbird was strutting among the bags of compost along 40th street. Since the compost section was roped off from humans, the Ovenbird was part of a fashionable runway of Whitethroats chasing handsome Swampys, a weaving Hermit Thrush and the bouncer Catbird. Happy Birding Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Although the Swamp Sparrow is named after its favored habitat, I can't help projecting its other connotations, its hiding and lurking around on the ground, its coloration muddied like a ruined brown/gray watercolor. I spotted one earlier in the week at Bryant Park during the colder/damper days - hiding in the underbrush. Most of last weeks Song Sparrows were gone. This morning, however, it defied my prejudices, sitting atop a bush along the south edge of the lawn and breaking out into song, sharing happiness in the return of warm weather. To top it off, I caught the first Hermit Thrush at the garden shed on 40th street. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Although the Swamp Sparrow is named after its favored habitat, I can't help projecting its other connotations, its hiding and lurking around on the ground, its coloration muddied like a ruined brown/gray watercolor. I spotted one earlier in the week at Bryant Park during the colder/damper days - hiding in the underbrush. Most of last weeks Song Sparrows were gone. This morning, however, it defied my prejudices, sitting atop a bush along the south edge of the lawn and breaking out into song, sharing happiness in the return of warm weather. To top it off, I caught the first Hermit Thrush at the garden shed on 40th street. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Two weeks ago the new lawn was laid down in Bryant Park and the daffodils were in full bloom. By the time the lilacs and tulips joined in the cold weather returned and caused everything to droop like a bed of rag dolls. Could the Catbird in the northwest corner been the same one that survived the winter? It sat out in the open on the curb watching the return of the crowds as if to brag of its survival. Meanwhile, only a handful of White-Throated Sparrows are left and I've not seen the variety of sparrows recently arrived to Central Park, yet. What is now abundant are Song Sparrows, more than two dozen of them, flitting about the new lawn still off limits to pedestrians. Among them, a lone Junco. I thought I saw a Savannah a couple of weeks ago at the garden house on 40th street, but it could have been a small Song - but then i saw it again this Friday by a statue on 6th Avenue. It lacked a yellow eyebrow (an Ipswich) but it was finely streaked, the tail forked, and it was kicking up dirt with its pink legs. Looking forward to also seeing the return of the urban birdwatchers at Gabriel Willow's Bryant Park walks April 9th. Variety starts small, then blooms. Happy Birding from Bryant Park, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
Two weeks ago the new lawn was laid down in Bryant Park and the daffodils were in full bloom. By the time the lilacs and tulips joined in the cold weather returned and caused everything to droop like a bed of rag dolls. Could the Catbird in the northwest corner been the same one that survived the winter? It sat out in the open on the curb watching the return of the crowds as if to brag of its survival. Meanwhile, only a handful of White-Throated Sparrows are left and I've not seen the variety of sparrows recently arrived to Central Park, yet. What is now abundant are Song Sparrows, more than two dozen of them, flitting about the new lawn still off limits to pedestrians. Among them, a lone Junco. I thought I saw a Savannah a couple of weeks ago at the garden house on 40th street, but it could have been a small Song - but then i saw it again this Friday by a statue on 6th Avenue. It lacked a yellow eyebrow (an Ipswich) but it was finely streaked, the tail forked, and it was kicking up dirt with its pink legs. Looking forward to also seeing the return of the urban birdwatchers at Gabriel Willow's Bryant Park walks April 9th. Variety starts small, then blooms. Happy Birding from Bryant Park, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
The ice skating rink is gone and the first daffodils popped up in Bryant Park over two weeks ago but as the saying goes, birds only check the local weather so despite the unusually warm weather, midtown pre-spring birding has so far been marked more by departures than arrivals. So there has been a steep decline in White-throated Sparrows. The Song Sparrow and at least one of the Catbirds have been hanging on, otherwise the House Sparrows have noisy full reign. The Yellow Breasted Chat was still in the south-western corner of Union Square over the weekend, carousing with a flock of Starlings and looking more mature and robust than the two that wintered at Bryant Park. Don't be surprised by the sound of tropical parrots nearby, its coming from the speaker of a South American food van.Back at Bryant Park, the workers are clearing the way for the new lawn - always a great opportunity to watch the early spring arrivals strutting on a few acres of fresh grass kept conveniently off-limits to us pedestrians. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Midtown Birding
The ice skating rink is gone and the first daffodils popped up in Bryant Park over two weeks ago but as the saying goes, birds only check the local weather so despite the unusually warm weather, midtown pre-spring birding has so far been marked more by departures than arrivals. So there has been a steep decline in White-throated Sparrows. The Song Sparrow and at least one of the Catbirds have been hanging on, otherwise the House Sparrows have noisy full reign. The Yellow Breasted Chat was still in the south-western corner of Union Square over the weekend, carousing with a flock of Starlings and looking more mature and robust than the two that wintered at Bryant Park. Don't be surprised by the sound of tropical parrots nearby, its coming from the speaker of a South American food van.Back at Bryant Park, the workers are clearing the way for the new lawn - always a great opportunity to watch the early spring arrivals strutting on a few acres of fresh grass kept conveniently off-limits to us pedestrians. Happy Birding, Alan Drogin -- 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/ --
