New York County - in N.Y. City - including Manhattan, Randalls Island, Governors Island, and the skies above and adjacent - surrounding waters of the county - for March 31st, and Monday April 1st -
There was further migration arrival on both days, perhaps more-so by Monday 4/1. This included some birds moving thru as light sprinkles and drizzles occurred - not-quite April showers as such, but all of a piece with each day now bringing more plant life into leaf, bud, and bloom. A minimum of five warbler species were found in the county by April 1st and all may also have been present the day before. One which seems to have eluded a few seekers was Louisiana Waterthrush, still present in Central Park, but in a small streamlet that is not watched by many or at all times and days... and where any single-observer should be watchful of who else is about... this is in the farthest-north sector of that park. Additionally the overwintered Orange-crowned Warbler was amongst many sightings at Randalls Island on Sunday, 3/31 -by many observers on that day- and was still in-place on April 1st, by the freshwater wetlands area, where it occasionally was skulking in parts of the winter, and however also seemed to get into the adjacent off-limits areas just-east, at times in winter months, places where some warmth may have allowed comfort or even, added to chances of survival on coldest nights of the winter. - There are near-countless incidences of various passerines, warblers in particular, making it thru a northern winter in or mostly-adjacent-to a water-treatment facility or other such locations where a warmer mini-habitat may sometimes be found, and, also where small invertebrates - insects and such - may be had for hungry wintering insectivorous birds... examples of this include the area in Newburgh, N.Y. along the mid-Hudson river, which receives overwintering warblers among others - and there are many, many more examples in the northeast and mid-Atlantic states alone as well as elsewhere in northern N. America of this. Back to warblers in N.Y. County of recent, a few more Palm Warblers - all of the expected-now eastern or yellow form - were showing in Central Park and perhaps elsewhere, for both days of this report; a Myrtle Warbler or two also around, which may still be of ovrwintered individuals, as it is early yet for arrivals of that species from far out of our region, and the Pine Warblers were showing a bit of further increase again, as of April 1st, with at least 8, likely more, in Central Park on Monday - from the southern end of the park including edges of Sheep Meadow, thru the far-northern end. It is also likely that a sixth warbler species, Ovenbird, was ongoing in at-least 1 Manhattan location where an individual survived all of the winter - a not-extremely-unusual occurrence for that species in mid-Manhattan. At Randalls Island, up to three American Oystercatchers could still be found into April 1st - the species was noted by many observers watching - with scopes! - from there on Sunday, 3/31, and a Ruddy Turnstone, arguably the less-regular of these shorebird species for N.Y. County, was also seen in that manner, both on 3/31 by multiple observers, and still around for April 1st. These birds are not found on the mass of Randalls Island itself recently, they must be scoped-for if any reasonable views are desired. Giving much much closer looks at times, Purple Sandpiper was ongoing at the Pier 26 off lower Manhattan on the Hudson river, thru April 1st. Some Snowy Egrets are starting to pass thru and might be sought in many areas, as flyovers in particular, and-or with luck to be seen stopping in to feed. Great Egret was getting ever-so-slightly more regular, with for example, a drop-in feeding at Morningside Park in Manhattan, at the one small pond there - Great Egrets have also been regular as fly-overs in some sites, and seen feeding in some places such as northern Manhattan sites. Some of the migrant species that were seen --around the county, in increased numbers-- by April 1st included - Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Phoebe, Fish Crow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Hermit Thrush, Chipping Sparrow, Slate-colored Junco, Pine Warbler, Palm Warbler, and likely some additional species on the move. Below is just a partial listing of species seen on March 31st and/or April 1st, with a few annotations regarding species that have increased, denoted as-such and also many that are noted for Central Park in a lengthy foray of much of that park, from April 1, with -CP- as the marker for those sightings. Red-throated Loon -CP- at least to Sunday, 3/31, some reports also from 4/1 and certainly, the species has continued around the county overall. Common Loon -CP- and elsewhere, in modest numbers. Great Cormorant - ongoing off Randalls Island to April 1. Double-crested Cormorant -CP- - increasing numbers recently and seen from many locations. Great Blue Heron -CP- - and some additional migrants recently. Great Egret -CP- - and some additional migrants recently. Snowy Egret -CP- as 4/1 flybys, and some additionals recently, such as over Randalls Island Black-crowned Night-Heron -CP- and elsewhere. Black Vulture - from 3/31 as is typical, from northern Manhattan, but also seen elsewhere. Turkey Vulture -CP- Canada Goose -CP- etc. Atlantic Brant - good numbers esp. in the typical sites they are usually found in the county. Mute Swan - ongoing, east of Manhattan island. Wood Duck -CP- and some additionals esp. as flybys in all recent days. Gadwall -CP- etc. American Black Duck -CP- etc. - and some of those tricky hybrids of this and the following. Mallard -CP- etc. Northern Shoveler -CP- mostly in this park, for this county. Green-winged Teal -CP- very long-lingering pair stlll at The Pool, 4/1. Lesser Scaup -CP- - 1 hen, at least thru a part of 3/31. Bufflehead -CP- etc. Hooded Merganser -CP- Red-breasted Merganser -CP- one pair were ongoing into 4/1 - more have shown in the county waters, perhaps a modest increase of these just lately. Ruddy Duck -CP- Osprey -CP- etc. Bald Eagle -CP- etc. Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk -CP- etc. Cooper's Hawk -CP- etc. Red-shouldered Hawk - reported for the county. Red-tailed Hawk -CP- etc. American Kestrel -CP- etc. Peregrine Falcon -CP- etc. American Coot -CP- etc., there are a few in other locations as well as the most-watched at Central Park, where they are typical winterers in the reservoir. American Oystercatcher - off Randalls Island, up to three, T. Healy et al, to April 1st. Many observations / observers for same site on Sunday, 3/31, and with thanks to additional watchers from prior days. Killdeer - continuing in typical few sites in the county. Ruddy Turnstone - ongoing off Randalls Island, scope required for any real viewing-possibility, thru April 1st. Also seen by many observers from same site, on Sunday 3/31. --- Wilson's Snipe - may not have been detected for 3/31, or 4/1; further occurrence is very possible on migration. American Woodcock -CP- this includes sightings from The Dene area, multi-observers into 4/1. And in many more locations of the county, although many of these have also moved on. Laughing Gull -CP- just 1 noted at CP reservoir from mid-morning on 4/1. This species as well as many of the regular gulls there, may come in briefly, while some may linger longer. Ring-billed Gull -CP- etc. - these are increased as well in recent days... American Herring Gull -CP- etc. Lesser Black-backed Gull - seen off mid-lower Manhattan, the Hudson River at least to 3/31. Great Black-backed Gull -CP- etc. feral Rock Pigeon -CP- etc. etc. Mourning Dove -CP- Monk Parakeet - again at northern Manhattan, from a few areas there. Owls - 2 species continued to 4/1 in the county. Belted Kingfisher -CP- but more-evident elsewhere as increases show. Red-bellied Woodpecker -CP- etc. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker -CP- etc. Downy Woodpecker -CP- etc. Hairy Woodpecker -CP- etc. - uncommon overall. Yellow-shafted Flicker -CP- etc. Eastern Phoebe -CP- etc. - a good increase by Monday, April 1st, esp. evident from Central Park, and however also showing well in -MANY- N.Y. County locations. Blue Jay -CP- etc. American Crow -CP- etc. Fish Crow -CP- etc. - far less common than the preceding crow species. Northern Raven -CP- etc. - a few known-nesters in sites around the county. Tree Swallow -CP- etc. - most regular still, for now, at Governors Island, a well-known nest site. Northern Rough-winged Swallow -CP- etc. Barn Swallow Black-capped Chickadee -CP- etc. Tufted Titmouse -CP- etc. Red-breasted Nuthatch -CP- etc. - scant lately. White-breasted Nuthatch -CP- etc. Brown Creeper -CP- etc. Carolina Wren -CP- etc. Winter Wren -CP- etc. Golden-crowned Kinglet -CP- etc. Ruby-crowned Kinglet -CP- etc. --- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - not detected on 4/1 at site in CP where an early individual had been for some days. Hermit Thrush -CP- etc. - now with some of the first migrants starting to appear in numbers. American Robin -CP- etc. Gray Catbird -CP- etc. - ALL now are overwintered, for this time of year, not newly arrived. Northern Mockingbird -CP- etc. Brown Thrasher -CP- etc. European Starling -CP- etc. House Sparrow -CP- etc.- Cedar Waxwing -CP- etc. Eastern Towhee -CP- etc. Chipping Sparrow -CP- etc. - increased for April 1st. Field Sparrow -CP- etc. Vesper Sparrow - still present from previous sighting at Central Park, north end field. Savannah Sparrow - scant so far, perhaps a few that had lingered in some locations. Red Fox Sparrow -CP- etc. Song Sparrow -CP- etc. --- Lincoln's Sparrow - not reported most recently from a known few wintering-sites... Swamp Sparrow -CP- etc. White-throated Sparrow -CP- etc. Slate-colored Junco -CP- etc. - some increases. Northern Cardinal -CP- etc. Red-winged Blackbird -CP- etc. Common Grackle -CP- etc. --- Baltimore Oriole - one report recently, would be an overwintered individual as likely as not. Purple Finch -CP- etc. House Finch -CP- etc. American Goldfinch -CP- etc. Louisiana Waterthrush - -CP- just ONE. Orange-crowned Warbler - in particular, the overwintered individual on Randalls Island to 4/1. Myrtle -a.k.a. Yellow-rumped- Warbler -CP- etc. - very few. Pine Warbler -CP- etc. - increased by April 1st. Palm Warbler -CP- etc. - very modest numbers. --- Ovenbird - ---likely--- ongoing at one or more sites in the county, overwintered successfully. And probably some additional species for the 2 days of this report. Good birding and thanks to many quiet, keen observers, and reporters of many birds in New York County. Tom Fiore manhattan -- (copy & paste any URL below, then modify any text "_DOT_" to a period ".") NYSbirds-L List Info: NortheastBirding_DOT_com/NYSbirdsWELCOME_DOT_htm NortheastBirding_DOT_com/NYSbirdsRULES_DOT_htm NortheastBirding_DOT_com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave_DOT_htm ARCHIVES: 1) mail-archive_DOT_com/nysbirds-l@cornell_DOT_edu/maillist_DOT_html 2) surfbirds_DOT_com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) birding_DOT_aba_DOT_org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: ebird_DOT_org/content/ebird/ --
