[nysbirds-l] NYC: Bryant Park, Fri. 22-Oct Prothonotary Warbler
Date: Friday, 22 October 2010 (5:00p-6:10p) Location: Bryant Park - along 5th Ave. between 40th & 42nd St. Observers: many observers Reported by: Ben Cacace I headed for the library late in the day with the idea that I might get a chance to watch a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER going to roost for the evening. Not knowing when this would happen or where they sleep at night I felt this would be a very interesting effort. The odds of keeping my eye on the bird until it went to roost were fairly low but better than ever since this bird has been very loyal to this location. I arrived at 5pm. The bird was spotted on the grass bordering the 5th Ave. sidewalk near 40th St. feeding on insects. A small crowd of bystanders developed with cell phone cameras in hand but no one approached it close enough to scare it up. A security guard for the library was taking a break behind a roped off area south of the lions when the bird flew up to the ledge he was leaning on. I asked if he had seen this bird before yesterday and he said this bird has been around for at least 2 to 3 weeks. The guard occasionally puts out food for the sparrows and pigeons and has been doing this since the Spring. When he noticed the colorful bird a few weeks ago he assumed it was an escaped cage bird. He was surprised to hear that this is a wild bird that is getting on so well with the locals. Soon it started getting dark and most of the birders drifted off. John and I remained and closely watched the warbler as it started to climb higher in the Locust tree above the roped off area. I kept the binoculars on the bird and watched it move up the tree until it got near the top of it. As it approached 5:58p the bird finally settled down after a bit of bill feaking, rousing and preening. It remained still. For the next 10 minutes it didn't budge an inch. We left the bird at 6:08p. Sunset tonight was at 6:06pm. We were both convinced that this spot is where the bird would be found tomorrow morning. I never imagined, living in New York City, that I'd watch a warbler going to roost. I've seen this with many Red-tailed Hawks, a Cooper's Hawk, Red-headed Woodpeckers and Long-eared Owls but never did I imagine this would happen with a Prothonotary Warbler. Many thanks to Matthew for finding and spreading the word about this remarkable Bryant Park bird and thanks to all who post on its status. Weather for 22-Oct for Central Park (4:51p-5:51p) < http://tinyurl.com/2vbqedo >: - Conditions: Clear - Temperature: 51.1 to 50.0 F (10.6 to 10.0 C) - Wind direction: NW / Variable - Wind speed: 5 - 9 mph (gusts to 21 mph) -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] NYC Area RBA: 22 October 2010
- RBA * New York * New York City, Long Island, Westchester County * Oct. 22, 2010 * NYNY1010.22 - Birds mentioned Snow Goose EURASIAN WIGEON Common Eider Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Northern Gannet Rough-legged Hawk American Golden-Plover American Oystercatcher Willet (subspecies "Western Willet") MARBLED GODWIT White-rumped Sandpiper Lesser Black-backed Gull Royal Tern PARASITIC JAEGER Short-eared Owl Blue-headed Vireo Tree Swallow Winter Wren Eastern Bluebird Wood Thrush American Pipit Orange-crowned Warbler Nashville Warbler Northern Parula Cape May Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Black-and-white Warbler PROTHONOTARY WARBLER Northern Waterthrush Hooded Warbler Wilson's Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat CLAY-COLORED SPARROW Vesper Sparrow Fox Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow Lapland Longspur Snow Bunting Rose-breasted Grosbeak BLUE GROSBEAK DICKCISSEL Eastern Meadowlark Rusty Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Purple Finch Pine Siskin - Transcript If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysa...@nybirds.org. If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to: Jeanne Skelly - Secretary NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) 420 Chili-Scottsville Rd. Churchville, NY 14428 Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert Number: (212) 979-3070 To report sightings call: Tom Burke (212) 372-1483 (weekdays, during the day) Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126 (Long Island) Compiler: Tom Burke, Tony Lauro Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County Transcriber: Ben Cacace BEGIN TAPE Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, October 22nd 2010 at 8pm. The highlights of today's tape are a friendly PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, MARBLED GODWIT, EURASIAN WIGEON, PARASITIC JAEGER, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, DICKCISSEL, BLUE GROSBEAK and many other Fall migrants. In a week enjoying 2 good flights with one earlier in the week followed by another today certainly the biggest surprise of the week was a male PROTHONOTARY WARBLER found Thursday in the plantings around the main entrance of the New York Public Library off 5th Ave. at 41st St. Sometimes the warbler even feeding on scraps on the library's steps, amazing. The city parks enjoyed a nice variety of seasonal migrants this week, many in good numbers, sparrows were well represented with the first FOX SPARROWS appearing and some LINCOLN'S SPARROWS continuing. Prospect Park was treated to 3 VESPER SPARROWS on Tuesday when an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was also found there and Wednesday provided such birds as BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, WOOD THRUSH, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK as well as the ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. The variety of warblers in Central Park included NASHVILLE WARBLER, a few CAPE MAY WARBLERS, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, NORTHERN PARULA, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH and WILSON'S WARBLER and other migrants featured BLUE-HEADED VIREO, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, AMERICAN PIPIT and good numbers of PURPLE FINCHES. Another ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was found in Riverside Park on Tuesday. Many birders venture out to the outer beaches this time of year where the early morning flights under the right conditions can be spectacular with flocks of many species in different families pouring overhead and the ground sometimes covered with sparrows, kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers and some hoped for surprises. Robert Moses State Park on the western end of Fire Island has been quite productive lately. Last Saturday an offshore flight included 7 PARASITIC JAEGERS harassing Forster's Terns and Laughing Gulls close to shore and also noted were 225 NORTHERN GANNETS, 3 species of scoters (WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, SURF SCOTER & BLACK SCOTER), and 14 ROYAL TERNS. The SHORT-EARED OWL near field 5 was followed on Sunday by 2 near the golf course at field 2. On Sunday the early morning flight featured 28 PINE SISKINS, 65 PURPLE FINCHES plus some species such as AMERICAN PIPIT, EASTERN MEADOWLARK and RUSTY BLACKBIRD and a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was found at field 2. On Monday a BLUE GROSBEAK appeared as Moses field 2 with a VESPER SPARROW there Thursday and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on the field 2 parking lot today. SNOW BUNTING was also noted Monday. Jones Beach West End often mirrors the Moses flight with some differences including more shorebirds. Last Sunday a MARBLED GODWIT was present again with many AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS and a few "Western" WILLETS on the bar off the Coast Guard Station with an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER there Wednesday. Also on Wednesday a PARASITIC JAEGER and 2 ROYAL TERNS were spotted offshore and 4 LAPLAND LONGSPURS appeared around the swale in front of the West
[nysbirds-l] Central Park, Friday, October 22, 2010
Alice Deutsch and I (Ardith Bondi) birded Central Park from the southern end of the Reservoir south this morning. Of note were the inordinate numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers. I saw this at Jones Beach last weekend, and I just spoke with someone who lives in Sea Cliff, LI, who had the same experience there this morning. Another phenomenon of note was at 8:10 AM, a flock of 7 Turkey Vultures flew tidily together overhead moving north. Turkey Vulture (7 flying by, not too high, either) Canada Goose Wood Duck (1 m on Lake) Gadwall (Turtle Pond) Mallard (lots) Northern Shoveler (a few on the Reservoir) Ruddy Duck (significant flocks starting on the Reservoir) Red-tailed Hawk Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Red-bellied Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Red-breasted Nuthatch (several) White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Carolina Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird (only 2) European Starling Black-throated Blue Warbler (1 f at the Point) Yellow-rumped Warbler (ubiquitous!!) Palm Warbler (Pinetum) Eastern Towhee (Tanner) Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow (Tupelo) Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow (Tupelo) Dark-eyed Junco Northern Cardinal Common Grackle Purple Finch (1 f with all the Am. Robins by Sparrow Ridge) American Goldfinch House Sparrow As a side note, on the way south, we stopped at the Central Park Zoo to see the 4 King Penguins that they added to the Penguin House this year. They have also added a couple of American Oystercatchers, a Black-crowned Night Heron and a young Great Black-backed Gull to the penguin enclosure. The Tufted Puffins have gained some impressive Spectacled Eiders as well as some pretty Harlequin Ducks. Interesting combinations - certainly colorful. Ardith Bondi -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] More Info on Prothonotary Warbler at NY Public Library, Manhattan
The Prothonatary Warbler first reported yesterday, Oct. 21, near the NY Public Library in Manhattan, may have been here for a while, based on a conversation I had this morning. I arrived at the entrance to the NY Public Library, at 41st and 5th, Manhatttan, this morning at 7:15 AM. I walked up and down Fifth Ave., and up and down the stairs by the lion statues, to no avail for the first 15 minutes. Around 7:30, in the area up the steps and to the left of the left lion, there were two homeless men nursing beers at one of the tables. One of them emptied a bag of stale bread nearby, attracting a large flock, of pigeons mostly. One to two minutes later, the Prothonatary Warbler showed up! This fellow was remarkably tame, as has been reported, feeding on the ground right by the feet of the men. The men noted my astonishment, to which I said "That's a special bird, by your feet there." The talkative one of the two (quite a comedian, full of one-liners) said "You mean this here canary bird?" After explaining to them that it was not a canary, but a rare Prothonotrary Warbler, I asked the men if they had seen the bird before. The talkative one replied, "Yeah, that's been here for the past month", while the other one nodded in agreement. While hearsay from two homeless men drinking beer early in the morning may not exactly meet the rigorous criteria of a NYSARC review, nonetheless it is fascinating. Karlo Mirth Forest Hills, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] More photos of the Prothonotary Warbler at the NYPL
For those interested, I posted photos of the Prothonotary in my "Recent Works" gallery here: http://kayeff.smugmug.com/Birds/Recent-Work-mostly-birds/2571042_5Le5j#1059346622_epX3V Many thanks to those who posted updates on the PROW, and *especially* to Matthew R (aka "ch1mneysw1fty"), the birder who found and reported it yesterday! Karen Fung Manhattan http://kayeff.smugmug.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Prothonotary Warbler NYC Public Library still continues
David et all, What a perfect place for a stunning Prothonotary Warbler to visit. Get a higher education by sharpening up its skills in the ornithology section of the NYC Public Library! Marvolous! Cheers, Mardi W. Dickinson Norwalk, CT http://kymry.wordpress.com - New Post http://twitter.com/MardiWD On Oct 22, 2010, at 8:39 PM, david speiser wrote: > > The Prothonotary Warbler at the NYC Public Library continued to be seen > though at least 415 this afternoon. This is an unbelievably cooperative bird. > Unfazed by New Yorkers who came within a couple of feet of it ,taking > pictures with their camera phones. > The bird at least, while Harry Maas and I were watching it, preferred the > small grassy patch by 40th and 5th ave. The bird took flight a few times and > landed on the famous lions, on tables and chairs and within inches of > people who were oblivious to its presence. > The left wing appeared to droop so this should be watched. > > A couple of pictures can viewed at the following link: > > http://www.lilibirds.com/gallery2/v/recent_work/prothonotary_warbler_1.jpg.html > > > > > David Speiser > www.lilibirds.com > > -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Prothonotary Warbler NYC Public Library still continues
The Prothonotary Warbler at the NYC Public Library continued to be seen though at least 415 this afternoon. This is an unbelievably cooperative bird. Unfazed by New Yorkers who came within a couple of feet of it ,taking pictures with their camera phones. The bird at least, while Harry Maas and I were watching it, preferred the small grassy patch by 40th and 5th ave. The bird took flight a few times and landed on the famous lions, on tables and chairs and within inches of people who were oblivious to its presence. The left wing appeared to droop so this should be watched. A couple of pictures can viewed at the following link: http://www.lilibirds.com/gallery2/v/recent_work/prothonotary_warbler_1.jpg.html David Speiser www.lilibirds.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Rockland Lake State Park (Rockland Co.) Eurasian Widgeon persists.
The drake Eurasian Wigeon, first seen 16-Oct-2010, persists at Rockland Lake State Park in the small pond just across the road from the north parking lot (41.1499 N -73.9223 W). It is with a mixed group of Mallard, Black Duck, Gadwall, and a few American Wigeon. Photos posted at www.rocklandaudubon.org Alan Wells Rockland Audubon So -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Barrier Beaches
October 22 Joe Giunta, Sam Jannazzo and I (Sy Schiff) joined by Joe Viglietta and Paul Gildersleeve birded the hedge row at the Jones Beach Coast Guard Station. We then went to FI to RMSP field #2, but returned to the Jones Beach turnaround after a phone call from Pat Jones. The call alerted us to our day's target bird. The VESPER SPARROW was on the grassy lawn of the far turnaround. At the near turnaround, we added a LINCOLN'S SPARROW to our already long sparrow list.. Today's weather was cool with mixed sun and clouds and a very brisk wind. It brought an excellent movement of migrants. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were everywhere. So were the sparrows. The wind and the constant movement of raptors kept the birds skittish and close to cover, Overhead, there was a constant stream of small birds, single sparrows; with EASTERN GOLDFINCH most noticeable; but also PURPLE FINCH, TREE SWALLOWS and some blackbirds. An adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was on RMSP field#2 parking lot. Overall we saw 9 sparrow and 5 raptor species. The total birding list was small as the wind undoubtedly kept most.birds under cover. Great day to be out birding. SY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Rockland Lake State Park (Rockland Co.) Eurasian Widgeon persists.
The drake Eurasian Wigeon, first seen 16-Oct-2010, persists at Rockland Lake State Park in the small pond just across the road from the north parking lot (41.1499 N -73.9223 W). It is with a mixed group of Mallard, Black Duck, Gadwall, and a few American Wigeon. Photos posted at www.rocklandaudubon.org Alan Wells Rockland Audubon So -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] More photos of the Prothonotary Warbler at the NYPL
For those interested, I posted photos of the Prothonotary in my Recent Works gallery here: http://kayeff.smugmug.com/Birds/Recent-Work-mostly-birds/2571042_5Le5j#1059346622_epX3V Many thanks to those who posted updates on the PROW, and *especially* to Matthew R (aka ch1mneysw1fty), the birder who found and reported it yesterday! Karen Fung Manhattan http://kayeff.smugmug.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] More Info on Prothonotary Warbler at NY Public Library, Manhattan
The Prothonatary Warbler first reported yesterday, Oct. 21, near the NY Public Library in Manhattan, may have been here for a while, based on a conversation I had this morning. I arrived at the entrance to the NY Public Library, at 41st and 5th, Manhatttan, this morning at 7:15 AM. I walked up and down Fifth Ave., and up and down the stairs by the lion statues, to no avail for the first 15 minutes. Around 7:30, in the area up the steps and to the left of the left lion, there were two homeless men nursing beers at one of the tables. One of them emptied a bag of stale bread nearby, attracting a large flock, of pigeons mostly. One to two minutes later, the Prothonatary Warbler showed up! This fellow was remarkably tame, as has been reported, feeding on the ground right by the feet of the men. The men noted my astonishment, to which I said That's a special bird, by your feet there. The talkative one of the two (quite a comedian, full of one-liners) said You mean this here canary bird? After explaining to them that it was not a canary, but a rare Prothonotrary Warbler, I asked the men if they had seen the bird before. The talkative one replied, Yeah, that's been here for the past month, while the other one nodded in agreement. While hearsay from two homeless men drinking beer early in the morning may not exactly meet the rigorous criteria of a NYSARC review, nonetheless it is fascinating. Karlo Mirth Forest Hills, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Central Park, Friday, October 22, 2010
Alice Deutsch and I (Ardith Bondi) birded Central Park from the southern end of the Reservoir south this morning. Of note were the inordinate numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers. I saw this at Jones Beach last weekend, and I just spoke with someone who lives in Sea Cliff, LI, who had the same experience there this morning. Another phenomenon of note was at 8:10 AM, a flock of 7 Turkey Vultures flew tidily together overhead moving north. Turkey Vulture (7 flying by, not too high, either) Canada Goose Wood Duck (1 m on Lake) Gadwall (Turtle Pond) Mallard (lots) Northern Shoveler (a few on the Reservoir) Ruddy Duck (significant flocks starting on the Reservoir) Red-tailed Hawk Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Red-bellied Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Phoebe Blue Jay Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Red-breasted Nuthatch (several) White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Carolina Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird (only 2) European Starling Black-throated Blue Warbler (1 f at the Point) Yellow-rumped Warbler (ubiquitous!!) Palm Warbler (Pinetum) Eastern Towhee (Tanner) Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow (Tupelo) Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow (Tupelo) Dark-eyed Junco Northern Cardinal Common Grackle Purple Finch (1 f with all the Am. Robins by Sparrow Ridge) American Goldfinch House Sparrow As a side note, on the way south, we stopped at the Central Park Zoo to see the 4 King Penguins that they added to the Penguin House this year. They have also added a couple of American Oystercatchers, a Black-crowned Night Heron and a young Great Black-backed Gull to the penguin enclosure. The Tufted Puffins have gained some impressive Spectacled Eiders as well as some pretty Harlequin Ducks. Interesting combinations - certainly colorful. Ardith Bondi -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] NYC: Bryant Park, Fri. 22-Oct Prothonotary Warbler
Date: Friday, 22 October 2010 (5:00p-6:10p) Location: Bryant Park - along 5th Ave. between 40th 42nd St. Observers: many observers Reported by: Ben Cacace I headed for the library late in the day with the idea that I might get a chance to watch a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER going to roost for the evening. Not knowing when this would happen or where they sleep at night I felt this would be a very interesting effort. The odds of keeping my eye on the bird until it went to roost were fairly low but better than ever since this bird has been very loyal to this location. I arrived at 5pm. The bird was spotted on the grass bordering the 5th Ave. sidewalk near 40th St. feeding on insects. A small crowd of bystanders developed with cell phone cameras in hand but no one approached it close enough to scare it up. A security guard for the library was taking a break behind a roped off area south of the lions when the bird flew up to the ledge he was leaning on. I asked if he had seen this bird before yesterday and he said this bird has been around for at least 2 to 3 weeks. The guard occasionally puts out food for the sparrows and pigeons and has been doing this since the Spring. When he noticed the colorful bird a few weeks ago he assumed it was an escaped cage bird. He was surprised to hear that this is a wild bird that is getting on so well with the locals. Soon it started getting dark and most of the birders drifted off. John and I remained and closely watched the warbler as it started to climb higher in the Locust tree above the roped off area. I kept the binoculars on the bird and watched it move up the tree until it got near the top of it. As it approached 5:58p the bird finally settled down after a bit of bill feaking, rousing and preening. It remained still. For the next 10 minutes it didn't budge an inch. We left the bird at 6:08p. Sunset tonight was at 6:06pm. We were both convinced that this spot is where the bird would be found tomorrow morning. I never imagined, living in New York City, that I'd watch a warbler going to roost. I've seen this with many Red-tailed Hawks, a Cooper's Hawk, Red-headed Woodpeckers and Long-eared Owls but never did I imagine this would happen with a Prothonotary Warbler. Many thanks to Matthew for finding and spreading the word about this remarkable Bryant Park bird and thanks to all who post on its status. Weather for 22-Oct for Central Park (4:51p-5:51p) http://tinyurl.com/2vbqedo : - Conditions: Clear - Temperature: 51.1 to 50.0 F (10.6 to 10.0 C) - Wind direction: NW / Variable - Wind speed: 5 - 9 mph (gusts to 21 mph) -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
