[nysbirds-l] Central Park & Manhattan, NYC 11/4-5-6

[Thomas Fiore]

Some who follow the SI NaturaList sightings, coming from Richmond County, the 
southernmost in NY state, may have noticed the 11/5 report from Goethal’s 
Bridge ponds of very late lingering Semipalmated Sandpipers (into 
double-digits) there, as reported by Dr. Richard Veit; also out in Staten 
Island, a single of that species was reported from the Miller Field puddles on 
11/4, by C. Barron.  Others of that species have been lately reported from at 
least a few sites elsewhere in the state.  Dr. Veit had previously remarked (to 
the SI NaturaList group) that the numbers & diversity of various waders (a.k.a. 
shorebirds, to most Americans) was quite surprising as we get well into later 
autumn, from prior sightings he had at Goethal’s Bridge Pond & elsewhere. This 
seems borne out as well in multiple locations around the northeast, with 
notably late dates, including scattered reports of Semipalm.Sand’s, &/or 
surprisingly high numbers of various shorebirds (a.k.a. waders, in most of the 
world) sticking around or passing thru, some of species not much expected into 
Nov. for the region or particular locations.  (Neighboring states, such as 
Pennsylvania & others, have also been reporting a variety of late-seeming 
shorebirds & lots of other ‘late’ migrants that winter in the tropics or even 
in temperate far-southern S. America. Perhaps of a piece in some way with the 
very many late-lingering other birds around the northeast, Y.-b. Cuckoos, etc., 
etc. & also various passerines included, many of which winter in tropical or 
subtropical realms. What also seems especially striking of all that is how at 
the same time, we see the arrivals of various ‘winter’ species, including some 
of the latter that seem a bit ‘early’, as well as increasingly the strong 
irruptions having begun of many species that have the latter trait in some 
years: finches, owls, & so forth. Plenty going on in migration and bird 
movement, even now.

- - 
A Franklin’s Gull present at least since Nov. 3rd at Kingston Point, Ulster 
County, NY was still being seen on Tues., 11/6; 2 checklists from Nov. 3rd: 
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49645499
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49655891

- - -   
Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Sunday, Monday, & Tuesday, 4 - 5 - 6 November, 2018

-   -   -   
Sunday, 4 Nov. -

Along with the happy occurence of a rare find, by Elizabeth Paredes, of a 
(first-year) HARRIS’S Sparrow at Central Park’s north end, west of the park’s 
“N. Meadow Rec. Center”, which was seen & photo’d by at least 3 dozen 
observers, likely more, all thru the afternoon, there had been a 
much-less-happy find (just outside of Central) of a first-year male VARIED 
THRUSH, which is now in the rehab. care of the Wild Bird Fund on Manhattan’s 
west side.  That western-vagrant thrush was found near Eighth Ave. & W. 57th 
St., said to be injured by striking a window there. (Thanks to W.B.F. supporter 
Jordan Spindel for the 1st news of this.)  Incidentally, a Varied Thrush was 
banded on Block Island, off Rhode Island on Oct. 31st, and it was also 
interesting that with a large no. of Hermit Thrushes was also 1 Swainson’s 
Thrush at same banding station; their checklist for that day is: 
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49720648   (There was also a Varied Thrush in 
the deep south at Dauphin Island - Mobile, Alabama found Nov. 2nd, also 
photo-documented. And a few in the Great Lakes region so far this autumn; as 
one looks farther west, the species is a little more regular, including now to 
s. Texas, as just reported from the National Butterfly Center.)

Among the warblers seen on Sunday, a Magnolia Warbler at the wildflower meadow 
of Central Park’s n. end is perhaps the most notable for date (there are 
photo-documented Central Park records of the species into December, however).

Other warblers also seen Sunday in the n. end of Central included Cape May, at 
the “Knoll” by the n.-e. edge of the N. Meadow ballfields (a species for which 
there are multiple late records in Central Park, even very rarely into early 
Jan.!), Nashville (at least 2 - a species which has been seen on a few CBC’s in 
Central Park & elsewhere on manhattan CBC’s), Common Yellowthroat (at least 2), 
& Palm (more than several), as well as the expected Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] 
Warblers, for at least six warbler species in the n. end alone, seen by 
multiple observers on the day. Also in just the n. end of the park, defined by 
being north of the 96th-97th St. Transverse, at least 4 Blue-headed Vireos were 
found in separate areas. (There was also a Sunday report to eBird of an 
Orange-crowned Warbler in Central Park, lacking any notes on further location 
or observation; this is a time to be on the lookout for that species, & on into 
at least next month too, in s.-e. NY.) 

A N. Saw-whet Owl was photographed, at a respectful distance, by 1 observer in 
Central very early on Sunday; sadly, several of this species have been brought 
in to rehab., found 

[nysbirds-l] Central Park & Manhattan, NYC 11/4-5-6

[Thomas Fiore]

Some who follow the SI NaturaList sightings, coming from Richmond County, the 
southernmost in NY state, may have noticed the 11/5 report from Goethal’s 
Bridge ponds of very late lingering Semipalmated Sandpipers (into 
double-digits) there, as reported by Dr. Richard Veit; also out in Staten 
Island, a single of that species was reported from the Miller Field puddles on 
11/4, by C. Barron.  Others of that species have been lately reported from at 
least a few sites elsewhere in the state.  Dr. Veit had previously remarked (to 
the SI NaturaList group) that the numbers & diversity of various waders (a.k.a. 
shorebirds, to most Americans) was quite surprising as we get well into later 
autumn, from prior sightings he had at Goethal’s Bridge Pond & elsewhere. This 
seems borne out as well in multiple locations around the northeast, with 
notably late dates, including scattered reports of Semipalm.Sand’s, &/or 
surprisingly high numbers of various shorebirds (a.k.a. waders, in most of the 
world) sticking around or passing thru, some of species not much expected into 
Nov. for the region or particular locations.  (Neighboring states, such as 
Pennsylvania & others, have also been reporting a variety of late-seeming 
shorebirds & lots of other ‘late’ migrants that winter in the tropics or even 
in temperate far-southern S. America. Perhaps of a piece in some way with the 
very many late-lingering other birds around the northeast, Y.-b. Cuckoos, etc., 
etc. & also various passerines included, many of which winter in tropical or 
subtropical realms. What also seems especially striking of all that is how at 
the same time, we see the arrivals of various ‘winter’ species, including some 
of the latter that seem a bit ‘early’, as well as increasingly the strong 
irruptions having begun of many species that have the latter trait in some 
years: finches, owls, & so forth. Plenty going on in migration and bird 
movement, even now.

- - 
A Franklin’s Gull present at least since Nov. 3rd at Kingston Point, Ulster 
County, NY was still being seen on Tues., 11/6; 2 checklists from Nov. 3rd: 
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49645499
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49655891

- - -   
Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Sunday, Monday, & Tuesday, 4 - 5 - 6 November, 2018

-   -   -   
Sunday, 4 Nov. -

Along with the happy occurence of a rare find, by Elizabeth Paredes, of a 
(first-year) HARRIS’S Sparrow at Central Park’s north end, west of the park’s 
“N. Meadow Rec. Center”, which was seen & photo’d by at least 3 dozen 
observers, likely more, all thru the afternoon, there had been a 
much-less-happy find (just outside of Central) of a first-year male VARIED 
THRUSH, which is now in the rehab. care of the Wild Bird Fund on Manhattan’s 
west side.  That western-vagrant thrush was found near Eighth Ave. & W. 57th 
St., said to be injured by striking a window there. (Thanks to W.B.F. supporter 
Jordan Spindel for the 1st news of this.)  Incidentally, a Varied Thrush was 
banded on Block Island, off Rhode Island on Oct. 31st, and it was also 
interesting that with a large no. of Hermit Thrushes was also 1 Swainson’s 
Thrush at same banding station; their checklist for that day is: 
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49720648   (There was also a Varied Thrush in 
the deep south at Dauphin Island - Mobile, Alabama found Nov. 2nd, also 
photo-documented. And a few in the Great Lakes region so far this autumn; as 
one looks farther west, the species is a little more regular, including now to 
s. Texas, as just reported from the National Butterfly Center.)

Among the warblers seen on Sunday, a Magnolia Warbler at the wildflower meadow 
of Central Park’s n. end is perhaps the most notable for date (there are 
photo-documented Central Park records of the species into December, however).

Other warblers also seen Sunday in the n. end of Central included Cape May, at 
the “Knoll” by the n.-e. edge of the N. Meadow ballfields (a species for which 
there are multiple late records in Central Park, even very rarely into early 
Jan.!), Nashville (at least 2 - a species which has been seen on a few CBC’s in 
Central Park & elsewhere on manhattan CBC’s), Common Yellowthroat (at least 2), 
& Palm (more than several), as well as the expected Yellow-rumped [Myrtle] 
Warblers, for at least six warbler species in the n. end alone, seen by 
multiple observers on the day. Also in just the n. end of the park, defined by 
being north of the 96th-97th St. Transverse, at least 4 Blue-headed Vireos were 
found in separate areas. (There was also a Sunday report to eBird of an 
Orange-crowned Warbler in Central Park, lacking any notes on further location 
or observation; this is a time to be on the lookout for that species, & on into 
at least next month too, in s.-e. NY.) 

A N. Saw-whet Owl was photographed, at a respectful distance, by 1 observer in 
Central very early on Sunday; sadly, several of this species have been brought 
in to rehab., found 

[nysbirds-l] Lecture, tomorrow, Thursday

[Lynne Hertzog]

*IDENTIFYING VERSUS IDENTIFYING WITH: A BRIEF HISTORY OF BIRDWATCHING, BIRD
STUDY, AND BIRDING IN AMERICA*


*By John C. RummThursday, November 8, 7pm*

Do you consider yourself a “birder” or a “birdwatcher?” As used today, the
terms have different connotations. “Birders” are considered hardcore and
dedicated to keeping (and growing) their bird lists. “Birdwatchers,”
meanwhile, are viewed as less driven and serious, and more passive about
seeing birds. In reality, the situation is more complex. Drawn from
extensive research, historian John C. Rumm traces the changing meaning of
the term “birdwatching” and the rise and fall of “bird study” from the late
1800s to the closing decades of the 20th century. View the full 2018 NYC
Audubon lecture schedule here. 

*New York City Audubon's lecture series is free and open to the public. It
is held at Reidy Hall at the Unitarian Church of All Souls, Lexington
Avenue between 79th and 80th Streets in Manhattan.*

--

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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/

--

[nysbirds-l] Jones Beach and Pt; Lookout

[Sy Schiff]

Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) found the bar at the marina covered with 
shorebirds.  They included AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, 
DUNLIN, several RED KNOT, and  2 RUDDY TURNSTONE.  Several FORSTER’S TERN flew 
over the bar. In the inlet were 3 COMMON EIDER, SURF SCOTER and a RED-THROATED 
LOON.

As we walked down the swale 3 HORNED LARK flew up’  On the beach were 5 
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and 2 very late PIPING PLOVER. A NORTHERN HARRIER flew over 
the dunes.  The parking lot held 7 LESSER BLACK-BACK GULLS.

At Pt. Lookout we walked through the new memorial and to the beach. There in 
the surf to our left were 2 HARLEQUIN,  another on the west side of the jetty, 
an AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER on the jetty and a COMMON EIDER  in the water. Breezy 
sunny day for a birthday. 

Sy

Sent from Mail for Windows 10


--

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/

--

[nysbirds-l] Jones Beach and Pt; Lookout

[Sy Schiff]

Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) found the bar at the marina covered with 
shorebirds.  They included AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, 
DUNLIN, several RED KNOT, and  2 RUDDY TURNSTONE.  Several FORSTER’S TERN flew 
over the bar. In the inlet were 3 COMMON EIDER, SURF SCOTER and a RED-THROATED 
LOON.

As we walked down the swale 3 HORNED LARK flew up’  On the beach were 5 
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and 2 very late PIPING PLOVER. A NORTHERN HARRIER flew over 
the dunes.  The parking lot held 7 LESSER BLACK-BACK GULLS.

At Pt. Lookout we walked through the new memorial and to the beach. There in 
the surf to our left were 2 HARLEQUIN,  another on the west side of the jetty, 
an AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER on the jetty and a COMMON EIDER  in the water. Breezy 
sunny day for a birthday. 

Sy

Sent from Mail for Windows 10


--

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/

--