[nysbirds-l] Kentucky Warbler++, Central Park, NYC 6/25

[Thomas Fiore]

Sunday, 25 June, 2017 -
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City

A singing male Kentucky Warbler has appeared again in the park, now in the 
Ramble area, & while skulking as is typical, has been followed about for much 
of the morning. The Kentucky was singing from as early as about 7 a.m. & was 
still, at least occasionally some hours later.  I believe this is very possibly 
the same individual that was found June 8th, which I then reported a short way 
north of the Ramble area (a few hundred feet north of the E. 79th St. 
Transverse, on that date).   If not chased, this warbler may be possible to 
see, if it keeps singing. It is possible that it may begin to sing with greater 
frequency again towards evening.  It also is possible that it could ‘disappear’ 
into one section of the Ramble that is fenced-off, due to ongoing 
renovation-work in one section.  Updates much later, if there are additional 
sightings / hearings of this bird.

This species has had a habit of turning up in this park, being found & then 
going quiet for some days/weeks, & then reappearing, usually not all that far 
from the earlier location. It is less-likely, though not at all inconceivable, 
that a ‘new’ male has moved in from some failed breeding attempt, which could 
also have been the situation with the appearance of 8 June (coming from a 
location outside NYC prior to then, presumably - & whether from a more-southern 
or slightly more-northern latitude than N.Y. City, is not possible to know;  
kentucky warbler of course being incresaingly scarce as a breeder north of this 
city, but there are a number of known locations in the lower Hudson valley 
region, some kept fairly quiet. for mostly-obvious reason.)  

At the same time, a very light flight of several (at least) apparent 
freshly-arrived & quite-early migrants (or potentialy, failed breeders) 
included 2 Worm-eating Warblers in the north end of the park & a Louisiana 
Waterthrush, being quite shy & silent, at the Loch - seen moving from w. to e. 
within the Loch earlier; the Worm-eatings both found north of the loch-Ravine 
path, on slopes. 

Other warblers still in the Ramble area & vicinity this morning have included 
American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler, & Black-and-white; while elsewhere in the 
park were N. Parula, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and Ovenbird. Several 
of these have also been seen the day before, & all of these species have been 
seen on-&-off over the past several weeks here.  Of other lingering birds that 
don’t appear likely to be breeding have been Yellow-billed Cuckoo, both in the 
n. end & Ramble areas in the park, still around thru this morning.

A drake Wood Duck has continued at The Pond (in the park’s SE quadrant), & is 
now in ‘eclipse’, so that it might be less-able to fly. It’s been most regular 
immediately south of the rink, which is a sort of carnival-area during 
warm-weather months.   There don’t seem to be many other species of great note, 
beyond the regulars which are breeding, including a few more-scarce breeders, 
as well as the usual suite of summer visitors & fly-overs such as Snowy Egret, 
Great Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, & others.  More of the various breeding 
species have young now, and some are quite busily tending to those young.  I 
was able to confirm a 4th Wood Thrush territory, but not yet actual breeding, 
in a location of the park where that species has nested in the past.
- - - - -
Here’s a reminder from National Audubon, on the use of playback in attempting 
to lure birds in - 
“The epitome of bad playback etiquette is the birder who walks around with a 
device continuously and loudly broadcasting sound, or a photographer who sets 
up a device on continuous playback & waits for a bird to fly in.  This is 
ineffective, unnecessary, and the kind of practice most likely to harm birds 
and disturb other birders.

Playback is prohibited in many parks & refuges. It is also illegal to disturb 
endangered or threatened species. Respect the rules.
Any potential negative impacts of playback are more likely to occur in areas 
with a lot of birding pressure, so avoid playback entirely in those areas."

- - - - - - - 
"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty 
of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise." - Aldo Leopold  
(1887–1948), U.S. wildlife biologist, conservationist, professor, author, best 
known for his book "A Sand County Almanac" (1949), which has sold more than two 
million copies.

good -and ethical- birding,

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 

[nysbirds-l] Marine Nature Center , Oceanside,ny

[syschiff]

MNSA, Oceanside SUNDAY 25 June

The county leaders have unlocked the funding freeze and have allocated some 
money to allow Sunday access to the facility (hopefully for July and August). 
Anyway, it's open.

Of note today was a continuing Clapper Rail, calling from the phragmites and a 
Saltmarsh Sparrow that posed for pictures

Sy Schiff
--

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/

--

[nysbirds-l] Kentucky Warbler -& birding ethics- Central Park, NYC 6/25

[Thomas Fiore]

Sunday, 25th June, 2017
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City

A Kentucky Warbler which was present in the Ramble of Central Park, very 
possibly the same individual also found singing not far away earlier this 
month, was vocal from as early as 6:15 a.m. when I first arrived in the area 
today, & was also still vocalizing a bit not too long before actual sunset, 
this evening.
 - - -
Over-playing of recordings or other noises meant specifically to “lure” (&/or 
harass) birds and in a place like Central Park in Manhattan, New York City is 
hugely unethical and completely irresponsible, and particularly so when a bird 
is being repeatedly taunted with such amplified electronics or other incessant 
noises is a species that is listed as either “endangered”, “threatened”, or 
“imperiled” in the state.  Kentucky Warbler is such a species, and as such it 
is unconsionable that anyone would use such amplified devices aimed at such a 
species - & furthermore that such noise-making would be directed at, any bird 
which is & was ALREADY SINGING of its own.  That such noise-making might be 
done for many minutes, in a heavily-birded location, is not normal. 

If observed, behavior such as this, the offender[s] ought be told by those 
other birders / nature-walkers in the area, that such noise-making is 
unneccesary, very irresponsible, and unethical.  

In many places including in parts of Central Park, this type of noise-making 
would be illegal.  There is a reason that in many federal, state, & some local 
lands, and on some privately owned or managed lands, use of recordings or other 
“lures” to bring birds in can be a punishable offense; in some cases, a 
violation of federal laws.

This is not in reference to people who may take out a mobile phone & play a 
single song or call, perhaps to help themselves ID a bird they’ve just heard, 
or to try to confirm a suspected identification, & such activity is done 
without any intent to harass or to cause distress, either to the bird of note, 
or to birds in the area in general.  While even those kinds of activities might 
be self-limited by conscientous birders, this is about repeated, undue, 
unnecessary, unethical & potentially harm-causing playing, to an extent that 
any intelligent adult ought recognize as such. It IS recognized by many 
responsible birders, bird-walk leaders, and others. It OUGHT to be understood 
in particular by anyone trying to earn a living showing birds to others. In 
MOST cases, it is.

Guidance on the issue of ethical birding is noted here -  
http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html 
Of particular note is that which is listed under 1.b in the above Code of 
Birding Ethics, below:

“Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and NEVER 
USE SUCH METHODS IN HEAVILY BIRDED AREAS (*emphasis added*), or for attracting 
any species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concern, or is rare 
in your local area;”

Let’s give some respect to these birds, and to all of their observers, as well.

Tom Fiore,
Manhattan
New York



--

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/

--

[nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC - Sun., June 25, 2017 - 5 Wood Warbler Species incl. Kentucky Warbler & Worm-eating Warbler

[Deborah Allen]

Central Park, NYC
Sunday, June 25, 2017
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, and many other observers

Highlights: Northwest winds overnight brought in a singing male Kentucky 
Warbler (Evodia Field) that appeared to be a first-summer bird (record late 
spring/early fall date for Central Park), and Worm-eating Warbler (Maintenance 
Field). An adult male Magnolia Warbler (Warbler Rock) and female 
Black-and-white Warbler (Upper Lobe) continued from last week. In addition: two 
Yellow-billed Cuckoos apparent male & female perched together at the Humming 
Tombstone early this morning (nesting?), with one seen later at the Humming 
Tombstone, another at the Maintenance Field. 

Canada Goose - 25 (2 Turtle Pond, 23 Reservoir)
Mallard - 12 Reservoir, others at Turtle Pond including 6 older juveniles
Mourning Dove - residents
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 2 Humming Tombstone & Maintenance Field (Bob - early, 
later m.ob.)
Herring Gull - 4 Reservoir
Great Black-backed Gull - 11 Reservoir
Double-crested Cormorant - 9 (8 Reservoir, 1 Turtle Pond)
Great Egret - Turtle Pond
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Great Crested Flycatcher - pair in Ramble 
Warbler Vireo - several singing including Maintenance Field & Reservoir, others 
heard
Blue Jay
Barn Swallow - 3 adults (2 Reservoir plus 2 active nests one with young 
visible, 1 Great Lawn)
Tufted Titmouse - Upper Lobe & heard at Azalea Pond
White-breasted Nuthatch - 3
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing - Maintenance Field (early - Bob) and heard later
Gray Catbird
Worm-eating Warbler - Maintenance Field (Bob - early, later m.ob.)
Black-and-white Warbler - female continued from last week at Upper Lobe (Bob - 
early a.m.)
Kentucky Warbler - singing male at Evodia Field found by Bob early this 
morning, many observers later 
American Redstart - 2 (immature male Upper Lobe (Bob - early a.m.), 
female/young male Maintenance Field)
Magnolia Warbler - adult male continued from last week at Warbler Rock
Song Sparrow - 2 heard at Reservoir
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird - heard Turtle Pond
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole - 4 to 6 in Ramble including adult male, adult female, 
first-summer male, and juvenile

Link to photo of Kentucky Warbler (Deb):
https://www.photo.net/photo/18402275

Video of Kentucky Warbler by Daniel Boer from the Netherlands:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4SF0Ez1ipy1QkhQRm5oRVcxWkU/view

The video has also been posted to the New York Birders Facebook Group.

Deb Allen

--

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/

--

[nysbirds-l] Kentucky Warbler++, Central Park, NYC 6/25

[Thomas Fiore]

Sunday, 25 June, 2017 -
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City

A singing male Kentucky Warbler has appeared again in the park, now in the 
Ramble area, & while skulking as is typical, has been followed about for much 
of the morning. The Kentucky was singing from as early as about 7 a.m. & was 
still, at least occasionally some hours later.  I believe this is very possibly 
the same individual that was found June 8th, which I then reported a short way 
north of the Ramble area (a few hundred feet north of the E. 79th St. 
Transverse, on that date).   If not chased, this warbler may be possible to 
see, if it keeps singing. It is possible that it may begin to sing with greater 
frequency again towards evening.  It also is possible that it could ‘disappear’ 
into one section of the Ramble that is fenced-off, due to ongoing 
renovation-work in one section.  Updates much later, if there are additional 
sightings / hearings of this bird.

This species has had a habit of turning up in this park, being found & then 
going quiet for some days/weeks, & then reappearing, usually not all that far 
from the earlier location. It is less-likely, though not at all inconceivable, 
that a ‘new’ male has moved in from some failed breeding attempt, which could 
also have been the situation with the appearance of 8 June (coming from a 
location outside NYC prior to then, presumably - & whether from a more-southern 
or slightly more-northern latitude than N.Y. City, is not possible to know;  
kentucky warbler of course being incresaingly scarce as a breeder north of this 
city, but there are a number of known locations in the lower Hudson valley 
region, some kept fairly quiet. for mostly-obvious reason.)  

At the same time, a very light flight of several (at least) apparent 
freshly-arrived & quite-early migrants (or potentialy, failed breeders) 
included 2 Worm-eating Warblers in the north end of the park & a Louisiana 
Waterthrush, being quite shy & silent, at the Loch - seen moving from w. to e. 
within the Loch earlier; the Worm-eatings both found north of the loch-Ravine 
path, on slopes. 

Other warblers still in the Ramble area & vicinity this morning have included 
American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler, & Black-and-white; while elsewhere in the 
park were N. Parula, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and Ovenbird. Several 
of these have also been seen the day before, & all of these species have been 
seen on-&-off over the past several weeks here.  Of other lingering birds that 
don’t appear likely to be breeding have been Yellow-billed Cuckoo, both in the 
n. end & Ramble areas in the park, still around thru this morning.

A drake Wood Duck has continued at The Pond (in the park’s SE quadrant), & is 
now in ‘eclipse’, so that it might be less-able to fly. It’s been most regular 
immediately south of the rink, which is a sort of carnival-area during 
warm-weather months.   There don’t seem to be many other species of great note, 
beyond the regulars which are breeding, including a few more-scarce breeders, 
as well as the usual suite of summer visitors & fly-overs such as Snowy Egret, 
Great Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, & others.  More of the various breeding 
species have young now, and some are quite busily tending to those young.  I 
was able to confirm a 4th Wood Thrush territory, but not yet actual breeding, 
in a location of the park where that species has nested in the past.
- - - - -
Here’s a reminder from National Audubon, on the use of playback in attempting 
to lure birds in - 
“The epitome of bad playback etiquette is the birder who walks around with a 
device continuously and loudly broadcasting sound, or a photographer who sets 
up a device on continuous playback & waits for a bird to fly in.  This is 
ineffective, unnecessary, and the kind of practice most likely to harm birds 
and disturb other birders.

Playback is prohibited in many parks & refuges. It is also illegal to disturb 
endangered or threatened species. Respect the rules.
Any potential negative impacts of playback are more likely to occur in areas 
with a lot of birding pressure, so avoid playback entirely in those areas."

- - - - - - - 
"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty 
of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise." - Aldo Leopold  
(1887–1948), U.S. wildlife biologist, conservationist, professor, author, best 
known for his book "A Sand County Almanac" (1949), which has sold more than two 
million copies.

good -and ethical- birding,

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 

[nysbirds-l] Marine Nature Center , Oceanside,ny

[syschiff]

MNSA, Oceanside SUNDAY 25 June

The county leaders have unlocked the funding freeze and have allocated some 
money to allow Sunday access to the facility (hopefully for July and August). 
Anyway, it's open.

Of note today was a continuing Clapper Rail, calling from the phragmites and a 
Saltmarsh Sparrow that posed for pictures

Sy Schiff
--

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/

--

[nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC - Sun., June 25, 2017 - 5 Wood Warbler Species incl. Kentucky Warbler & Worm-eating Warbler

[Deborah Allen]

Central Park, NYC
Sunday, June 25, 2017
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, and many other observers

Highlights: Northwest winds overnight brought in a singing male Kentucky 
Warbler (Evodia Field) that appeared to be a first-summer bird (record late 
spring/early fall date for Central Park), and Worm-eating Warbler (Maintenance 
Field). An adult male Magnolia Warbler (Warbler Rock) and female 
Black-and-white Warbler (Upper Lobe) continued from last week. In addition: two 
Yellow-billed Cuckoos apparent male & female perched together at the Humming 
Tombstone early this morning (nesting?), with one seen later at the Humming 
Tombstone, another at the Maintenance Field. 

Canada Goose - 25 (2 Turtle Pond, 23 Reservoir)
Mallard - 12 Reservoir, others at Turtle Pond including 6 older juveniles
Mourning Dove - residents
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 2 Humming Tombstone & Maintenance Field (Bob - early, 
later m.ob.)
Herring Gull - 4 Reservoir
Great Black-backed Gull - 11 Reservoir
Double-crested Cormorant - 9 (8 Reservoir, 1 Turtle Pond)
Great Egret - Turtle Pond
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Great Crested Flycatcher - pair in Ramble 
Warbler Vireo - several singing including Maintenance Field & Reservoir, others 
heard
Blue Jay
Barn Swallow - 3 adults (2 Reservoir plus 2 active nests one with young 
visible, 1 Great Lawn)
Tufted Titmouse - Upper Lobe & heard at Azalea Pond
White-breasted Nuthatch - 3
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing - Maintenance Field (early - Bob) and heard later
Gray Catbird
Worm-eating Warbler - Maintenance Field (Bob - early, later m.ob.)
Black-and-white Warbler - female continued from last week at Upper Lobe (Bob - 
early a.m.)
Kentucky Warbler - singing male at Evodia Field found by Bob early this 
morning, many observers later 
American Redstart - 2 (immature male Upper Lobe (Bob - early a.m.), 
female/young male Maintenance Field)
Magnolia Warbler - adult male continued from last week at Warbler Rock
Song Sparrow - 2 heard at Reservoir
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird - heard Turtle Pond
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole - 4 to 6 in Ramble including adult male, adult female, 
first-summer male, and juvenile

Link to photo of Kentucky Warbler (Deb):
https://www.photo.net/photo/18402275

Video of Kentucky Warbler by Daniel Boer from the Netherlands:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4SF0Ez1ipy1QkhQRm5oRVcxWkU/view

The video has also been posted to the New York Birders Facebook Group.

Deb Allen

--

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/

--

[nysbirds-l] Kentucky Warbler -& birding ethics- Central Park, NYC 6/25

[Thomas Fiore]

Sunday, 25th June, 2017
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City

A Kentucky Warbler which was present in the Ramble of Central Park, very 
possibly the same individual also found singing not far away earlier this 
month, was vocal from as early as 6:15 a.m. when I first arrived in the area 
today, & was also still vocalizing a bit not too long before actual sunset, 
this evening.
 - - -
Over-playing of recordings or other noises meant specifically to “lure” (&/or 
harass) birds and in a place like Central Park in Manhattan, New York City is 
hugely unethical and completely irresponsible, and particularly so when a bird 
is being repeatedly taunted with such amplified electronics or other incessant 
noises is a species that is listed as either “endangered”, “threatened”, or 
“imperiled” in the state.  Kentucky Warbler is such a species, and as such it 
is unconsionable that anyone would use such amplified devices aimed at such a 
species - & furthermore that such noise-making would be directed at, any bird 
which is & was ALREADY SINGING of its own.  That such noise-making might be 
done for many minutes, in a heavily-birded location, is not normal. 

If observed, behavior such as this, the offender[s] ought be told by those 
other birders / nature-walkers in the area, that such noise-making is 
unneccesary, very irresponsible, and unethical.  

In many places including in parts of Central Park, this type of noise-making 
would be illegal.  There is a reason that in many federal, state, & some local 
lands, and on some privately owned or managed lands, use of recordings or other 
“lures” to bring birds in can be a punishable offense; in some cases, a 
violation of federal laws.

This is not in reference to people who may take out a mobile phone & play a 
single song or call, perhaps to help themselves ID a bird they’ve just heard, 
or to try to confirm a suspected identification, & such activity is done 
without any intent to harass or to cause distress, either to the bird of note, 
or to birds in the area in general.  While even those kinds of activities might 
be self-limited by conscientous birders, this is about repeated, undue, 
unnecessary, unethical & potentially harm-causing playing, to an extent that 
any intelligent adult ought recognize as such. It IS recognized by many 
responsible birders, bird-walk leaders, and others. It OUGHT to be understood 
in particular by anyone trying to earn a living showing birds to others. In 
MOST cases, it is.

Guidance on the issue of ethical birding is noted here -  
http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html 
Of particular note is that which is listed under 1.b in the above Code of 
Birding Ethics, below:

“Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and NEVER 
USE SUCH METHODS IN HEAVILY BIRDED AREAS (*emphasis added*), or for attracting 
any species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concern, or is rare 
in your local area;”

Let’s give some respect to these birds, and to all of their observers, as well.

Tom Fiore,
Manhattan
New York



--

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/

--