The birding at Forest Park Queens continues to be very good with yet another 20+ species of warblers tallied by several birders. The high count collectively appears to be 24 Warbler species.
Today's highlights were *PRAIRIE* (female), *PINE* and *HOODED* warblers, *LINCOLN SPARROW* and *BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO*. The *HOODED* was apparently loafing around the train tracks near a termite hatch out. Although there was no report of yesterday's MOURNING WARBLER or the SUMMER TANAGERS, they could still be around. In trying to establish the best times for the Waterhole (depending on your priorities); it appears that very early on might be best for the largest variety of birds. However, it pays to stick around for those birds that might come in a bit later...much later. Here are two examples to support both scenarios: An early PINE WARBLER was not seen or heard from again after the early morning flurry. Then, late this afternoon. A Worm-eating Warbler which was not seen or heard from all day, finally showed up at the waterhole around 4:05 p.m. according to the text time stamp from Corey Finger. By the time I made it back to the water hole, it had pulled out but returned sometime around 5:45 where I along with several birders enjoyed very good looks. In the end, patience and luck rules the day. Good luck and good birding! Some photos from today are posted here http://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2013/05/warbler-fix-in-forest-park-queens-ny.html Andrew Baksh Queens, NY www.birdingdude.blogspot.com On Thu, May 16, 2013 at 9:44 PM, Steve Walter <swalte...@verizon.net> wrote: > This is part report and, since this is the right day for it, part > commentary on a question posed by Andrew Baksh a few days ago. Yes, Jamaica > Bay can still be good for migrants. But you have to be there the morning of > a flight night. Even that might not be a sure thing. But as someone who > lives relatively close and likes a shot at photographing migrants, I think > it’s worth checking out. Because when it’s the right day, it’s special. > Today was that kind of day and there was a good, although by no means > spectacular, showing of migrants. The most notable birds were *GRAY-CHEECKED > THRUSH, LINCOLN’S SPARROW*, and considering the May 16 date, a > GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. Of interest to me was a *YELLOW-THROATED VIREO*, > a longtime nemesis on the photography front. In the process of trying to > get better pictures, I followed it for some distance as it moved north > through the North Garden, perhaps confirming something for me. It’s assumed > (by me, anyway) that migrants filter northward and move on to more > favorable habitats inland as the day progresses. I haven’t done any real > study – I’d rather be in the gardens close to the migrants than standing by > the North Channel Bridge watching them fly off. But whether I’m right or > wrong, activity at Jamaica Bay seems to be less after influx mornings. *** > * > > ** ** > > So like I assume many migrants do, it’s off to Forest Park for me for the > afternoon. Hearing of good activity at the water hole yesterday and this > morning, I expected more of that this afternoon, especially with the sun > coming out and warm weather setting in on this obvious flight day. But it > wasn’t quite like that. In my estimation, the water hole was rather slow > from 1:00 to 3:00. The 3:00 hour was enhanced by the reappearance of the > previously reported *MOURNING WARBLER*, two appearances by a female type > *SUMMER > TANAGER*, and 4 *ORCHARD ORIOLES* (each in a different plumage – adult > male, first year male, female, and tailless). Better, but not > extraordinary, warbler activity ensued after 4:00. The moral of this > paragraph is that I too am baffled by the inconsistency of the water hole. > After all these years, I still can’t be sure when it’s going to be good. It > just helps to keep trying and to be patient.**** > > ** ** > > I have posted pictures of some of today’s birds, including the Summer > Tanager, at my web site (main page and recent work) > http://www.stevewalternature.com/ **** > > ** ** > > Steve Walter**** > > Bayside, NY**** > -- > *NYSbirds-L List Info:* > Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME> > Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES> > Subscribe, Configuration and > Leave<http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> > *Archives:* > The Mail > Archive<http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> > Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L> > BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html> > *Please submit your observations to **eBird*<http://ebird.org/content/ebird/> > *!* > -- > -- 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/ --
