Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6th, 7th - A sometimes-obliging Clay-colored Sparrow was observed at various times of day both on Friday and Saturday in and around the fenced plant nursery area, just south of the parks compost area, west of the Conservatory Garden. Patience required for much of the time, some observers luckier with their timing, and in or out of rainfall. This was at least the tenth native-Sparrow species of this season, for Central Park, not including E. Towhee. The recent Grasshopper Sparrow also at Centrals northern end was not seen again after its one-day notable discovery, perhaps had moved on more quickly.
Common Nighthawks continued into Sat. evening, although current weather may push most far south soon. Chimney Swifts continued in high double digits overall to at least Friday, some also moving thru on Saturday; elsewhere in and over Manhattan there have been higher numbers of swifts. There were still Ruby-throated Hummingbirds lingering at Central, and a number of other locations in Manhattan thru Saturday, obviously those with nectar-providing flowers in particular. Even with some wet weather, Central featured at least 18 species of warblers into Saturday. Most apparently in modest numbers, but certainly still multiples of many species. Veery, as well as Wood Thrush, and Gray-cheeked Thrush were all still present at least into Friday, with more numerous Swainsons and some Hermit Thrushes. Barely any signs of waterfowl arrivals lately, and a Ruddy Duck at the reservoir was not a fresh arrival, although mostly overlooked in its singularity. Wood Duck, N. Shoveler and other regulars have also continued at Central Park, including Green-winged Teal which only became quite regular -in low numbers- again in recent years. Small numbers of Laughing Gulls have shown in Central Park, and as fly-overs, with more seen elsewhere in the county but not in great numbers. The Solitary Sandpiper which has been essentially resident for a very long stay was still at The Pool in Centrals nw quadrant, certainly the longest staying of that species in that park over the decades. Thanks to many hardy observers out in highly variable recent weather, for reports and some photos as well. More fall migrant arrivals are certain, but with them also likely departure of some species. Tremendous migration occurred Saturday night into Sunday, across N. America and many birds making their ways far south of the U.S. from Key West all across the Gulf and from Texas west thru s. California overnight, as well as many birds arriving into the U.S. from Canada. Good birding to all, 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/ --
