This observation from Manhattan is notable for winter, but in the case of that species is not at all unprecedented, and it is hardly just Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan where Ovenbirds have been seen in other winters, although that location has had its share, being so often checked by watchful observers. There is also a seeming general trend for a number of birds that most typically winter in places a bit south or even mainly in the tropical or subtropical realm, to be found as far and farther north as / than Manhattan island. One example and there are many others is from downtown Boston Massachusetts where various warblers have been found in winter - again, often in those areas that happen to be frequented regularly by people who look at, and recognize birds, whether they are there actually seeking some wintering warbler, or not. The list of warbler species that have been attempting to, and at least in some instances seem to have successfully overwinter[ed] has been fairly impressive in just the past decade or so. While Ovenbird would not make the top 3 amongst those warblers that have, it almost certainly would be in the top ten. Perhaps the foraging methods and behavior of Ovenbirds help incline it to some modest success in being in a rather confined environment in winter - and to find food in ways that can sometimes be surprising. I have seen a very early (April, but very early April) ovenbird in Central Park "chowing down' on a full slice of bologna - on a day when it was likely still to chilly to promote much in the way of insect life for the bird to fill up on. I've seen many a Yellow-breasted Chat in a variety of urban locations finding all manner of "people" foods, and seeming to enjoy, even (a few times) looking on with "outrage" and vocally complaining when someone in Bryant Park did not leave enough, or any, of that cinnamon bun, hot dog, & so on. In the case of the bird seen in the AMNH "Margaret Mead" park, it is my bet that that is not the bird from Bryant... and if a Rufous Hummingbird can winter next to the AMNH, why not a hardy ovenbird! (Of course this winter has yet to play out with the chance for all sorts of weather yet to be seen.)
Tom Fiore, Manhattan - - - - - - On Jan 10, 2013, at 5:16 PM, Megan wrote: > Thursday morning, around 10:30am, I spotted an OVENBIRD doing its > funny little walk in the park outside of the Weston entrance of the > American Museum of Natural History. > > The bird was associated with some White-throated Sparrows, foraging > around the low evergreen bushes to the south of the entrance walkway, > very close to the path. This AMNH entrance is located on Columbus Ave > around 79th Street. I was surprised to see the bird at this time of > year in such busy little park, so close to the traffic on Columbus. > > Has the Bryant Park Ovenbird paid the UWS a visit? Or have Ovenbirds > started getting wise to the benefits of urban life? > > Happy birding, > Megan Gavin > NY, NY -- 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/ --
