New York County (in N.Y. City), including Manhattan, Randall’s, & Governors
Islands
Tues., 11/16 thru Sat., 11/20 -
A Northern Gannet was seen and photographed flying down the Hudson River past
northern Manhattan on Tues., 11/16, likely a first photographed record of the
species in a non major-storm-related occurrence for N.Y. County (there is, or
are rare records in the past for non-storm-related sightings over Manhattan).
While this species is seen regularly and in numbers from portions of N.Y. City
with ocean-facing shores, it is a decidedly rare or very rare sighting away
from such shores.
A GOLDEN Eagle was photographed, and observed by multiple watchers, on the same
day, Nov. 16, moving past northern Manhattan, in a flight which also included
at least 15 Bald Eagles, many Turkey Vultures and at least 6 Black Vultures
along with some other raptors. This day also featured a major flight of Cedar
Waxwings (for N.Y. County) that comprised more than 3,000 of that species, as
well as other species in passage such as American Robins, and blackbird spp.
and some other birds in more modest no’s.
A Dickcissel was continuing at the Dyckman Fields north of the western terminus
of that street (near the Hudson River), that individual might be sought at
times by sifting thru House Sparrow flocks, or could be moving about more
independently.
Snow Buntings were found on Nov. 20 at Randall’s Island (and might be
watched-for on Governors Island); day recently seen also around the county have
been at least a few Horned Larks, American Pipits, and (further) E. Bluebirds.
There have been several strong flights of frugivores (American Robins, Cedar
Waxwings) along with blackbirds (especially Common Grackles, but also including
numbers of Red-winged Blackbirds and some Rusty Blackbirds, plus B.-h.
Cowbirds).
2 YELLOW-CROWNED Night-Herons were lingering at Randall’s Island thru Sat.,
Nov. 20th, one of them the very-long-staying adult that had overwintered from
the prior year.
A Blue-headed Vireo was still lingering at Central Park to at least 11/16. A
minimum of 8 American warbler species were found in this report’s period in the
county, among them a Prairie Warbler photographed on Randall’s Island lingering
to at least 11/20, as well as lingering Black-and-white, Black-throated Blue,
Orange-crowned and Pine Warblers all at least ongoing at Central Park (and some
perhaps elsewhere in the county) to Sat., Nov. 20th. Other warblers that were
lingering included Common Yelllowthroats, Ovenbirds, and Myrtle/Yellow-rumped
Warblers.
Many other birds have been seen including lingering waterfowl and some other
waterbirds as well as still fairly good diversity in ‘land’-birds of which many
species could try to linger on in the county.
Safe holiday travels to all doing so, and Happy Thanksgiving as well;
Good birding as always -
Tom Fiore
N.Y. City, and beyond.
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