Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City - Sunday, 4 June, 2017 -
Photos were obtained of the Horned Grebe at the reservioir at ~ 5:15am, suffused in pink light of that hour. I’ve not checked-in with rehabbers about this bird yet, given the histories of grebe, loon, rail, & other less-common species sometimes found in C.P. & including at the reservoir. It was while watching the nesting Barn Swallows at the north end of the reservoir that I chanced seeing the grebe; N. Rough-winged Swallow was also seen today, as is typical. Some of the many Cedar Waxwings found today (more than 90, including a good many around Turtle Pond in early morning, and larger numbers near The Pool near W. 100-103 Sts.) have been gorging on Mulberry fruits, which are in good supply - that is, until a large flock of waxwings descends. This is the fruit now staining some of these birds, as well as certain paths, rocks, & foliage beneath said trees. Warblers in the park today included the following - Tennessee Warbler (at least 2 within the park) Northern Parula (several, Ramble & north end) Yellow Warbler (several - as above) Chestnut-sided Warbler (1) Magnolia Warbler (several, one adult male) Black-throated Blue Warbler (at least 2, Ramble & north end) Black-throated Green Warbler (1, Ramble) Blackpoll Warbler (several females & at least 2 males) Black-and-white Warbler (2 sightings in the Ramble) American Redstart (multiple - not too many though) Ovenbird (Ramble, & north end) Northern Waterthrush (seen & heard, Ramble) Mourning Warbler (Summit Rock, male seen & heard singing) Common Yellowthroat (at least 3) Wilson's Warbler (Ramble) Canada Warbler (Ramble) It’s reasonable to assume some of the above may linger a day or two, given more-adverse conditions now for moving on. An adult male Orchard Oriole continues in the park; often singing. A minimum of one dozen Baltimore Oriole pairs are on nest-territories by now. In addition, the phenomenon of nest-helpers, with 1st-year B. orioles assisting adults, has been seen in the park this spring, including today at more than one of the nest areas. - - I’ll offer a bit more on nesting species in Central, after the middle of the month. And, all should remember, never use recordings to lure out a nesting species, the more so if it is an uncommon nester for any given area, nor should individual birds on potential territories be harassed by using recordings or any other means. Use of any recordings to attempt to lure birds in Central Park is hugely unethical; of course no thoughtful birders will commonly do this in such a heavily-birded public space. "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 observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
