The last late-blooming flowers of Bryant Park were killed off in a major frosting just before Thanksgiving. Then the grounds crew cleared most of the downed autumn leaves, giving the bordering hedges a pristine look but reducing the chances of winter hearties that could take advantage of the holiday food concessions and then run for cover. As far I know, this late winter were no rufous-tailed hummer sightings, no Towhee or Sapsuckers in front of the library on Fifth Avenue, no Chat, no wrens, no Lincoln. By the holiday week, the sparrow population had reduced equally between House and Common White-throats with one Swamp Sparrow, plus two Catbirds. Yet, the holiday concession stands operated longer into the new year - a few remaining loyal to the ice rink until last week’s final closure. I last saw the Swamp Sparrow with a lone Catbird in mid-January, pecking at freeze-dried hotdogs by the entrance to Celsius. The last Catbird made it through the last weekend of January for the winter BBQ fest, then was not seen again. Then the snows came hard - and perhaps this winter wasn’t the worst, but unusual for the city, the park grounds remained snow-covered ever since. In the center of the winter wonderland, the fountain turned into an abstract ice sculpture and viral snapshot.
During the worst weather, the sparrows would congregate at the garden facilities in the southeast corner. If I stood nearby, they would collect in a stack of folded lawn chairs looking like an apartment complex, so they could check me out at eye level. If I put my hands in my pockets, the House Sparrows would swoop down and gather at my feet. Perhaps they are used to a charitable grounds crew worker. I expect the snow this week, like the rink’s ice, will finally melt away. I’m already seeing struggling skunk cabbage shoots out on Long Island. Then it will be arrival time. 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/ --
