Go birding with us! Free monthly bird walks
On the 1st. Saturday of every month, we lead a Bird Walk to a local nature area. These walks - geared for novice and beginners - are designed to be fun. No experience is necessary. Bring binoculars (or borrow one of ours). Join us! Everyone is welcome.
We meet at the store promptly at 8:00 a.m. and return around 10:30 for coffee, donuts and conversation.
We saw 118 species during our monthly walks in 2007, everything from Hummingbirds to Bald Eagles. So far this year we are up to 109 species. (See below for a list of birds seen on our most recent walks)
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RESULTS OF NOV. 16TH. BIRDWALK TO JAMAICA BAY
The 23 birders who traveled to Jamaica Bay were greeted with what seemed like hurricane-force winds. Birds struggling to fly into the wind hovered like hummingbirds without making forward progress.
Still, the clean salt air invigorated our group allowing us to spot a total of 37 species (see complete list below)
Particpants:
Adam Glass, Alan Soifer, Andrew Block, Bernie Conway, Bill van Wart, Charlotte and Steve Cole, Elaine Kellogg, Ilene Zatal, Lewis Brandwine, Nancy Gersfeld, Nerry and Mike Lennon, Orlando Hidalgo, Paul Steineck, Skip Green, Steve Greenberg, Sandy Prosnitz, and, of course, Doug Bloom and Hank Weber. Jill Sen was missed
Birds Seen:
Canada Goose, Brant, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Eurasian Widgeon, American Widgeon, Black Duck, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, American Bittern, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, American Coot, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, American Crow, Fish Crow, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch
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RESULTS OF NOVEMBER 1ST BIRDWALK
The weatherman delivered a lovely autumn day for our November BirdWalk at Cranberry Lake Preserve. Fall colors and falling leaves combined to provide a perfect setting. I’ts too bad the birds were not as co-operative as well as the weather.
Birds were scarce. We only spotted a total of 14 species without any unusual species. The best finds were Golden Crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush and Winter Wren
The complete list of birds includes: Black Duck. Mallard, Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, N. Flicker, Blue Jay, Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, Golden Crowned Kinglet, Robin, Hermit Thrush, Cardinal, Common Grackle
Despite the absences of birds, it was a lovely day for a walk in the woods.
Participants:
Ed, Ernie, Ilene, Kathy, May, Sandy, Shari. Skip, Vanessa, Victoria as well as Doug and Hank
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RESULTS OF OCTOBER 2008 BIRDWALK
Birds were not very co-operative for our October 4th BirdWalk at Rockefeller State Park. Still our group of 14 birders enjoyed a pleasant walk in a lovely location.
Although we only saw a total of 13 species there were some interesting sightings. Pileated Woodpecker, Black-throated Blue Warblers, Palm Warbler, and Green Heron. The complete list is shown below:
Participants included among others: Charlotte and Steve with 2 friends, Sue and Frank, Ilene, May, Nancy, Patti, Sandy. Doug was mysteriously absent.
Species Seen:
Flicker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Robin, Blue Jay, Starling, White-breasted Nuthatch, Catbird, House Finch, Palm Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler
Next Monthly BirdWalk is Saturday, Nov 1st
Mark you calendar:
We have a special added BirdWalk on Sunday, November 16th. We will be going to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in NYC. This nationally famous location is the best birding spot in the entire northeast. The local Audubon society will join us.
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RESULTS OF SEPT 2008 BIRDWALK TO READ SCANTUARY
Despite predictions of heavy weather from hurricane Hanna, we were treated to relatively nice weather and a total of 41 species. The highlights included Wild Turkey, Osprey, Black-crowned Night Heron, Killdeer, and 3 species of woodpeckers. See detailed list below.
Participants: Adam Glass, Avril Armstrong, Carroll Wetzel, Ilene Zatal, May Guglielmo, plus Doug Bloom and Hank Weber
Species Seen at Read Sanctuary, Rye, Sept 2008
Water Birds / Shore Birds: Mute Swan, Mallard, Double Crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Osprey, Killdeer, Black-crowned Night Heron, Kingfisher
Gulls: Herring, Great Black-backed
Woodpeckers: Hairy, Flicker, Red-Bellied
Wrens: House (H), Carolina (H)
Blackbirds: Grackle, Starling, Brown-headed Cowbird
Sparrows: House, Song
Swallows: Tree, Barn
Warblers: Yellow, Am.Redstart, Common Yellowthroat
Others: E. Kingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Brown Thrasher, Blue Jay, White-eyed Vireo (H), Catbird, Mockingbird, House Finch, Goldfinch, Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Rock Pigeon, Chickadee, Robin, Wild Turkey
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RESULTS OF AUG 2008 BIRDWALK TO CRESTWOOK LAKE
August is often referred to as the Dog Days. For birders, interesting birds are usually hard to find. So we were fortunate to find some nice birds on our walk to Crestwood Lake.
Shorebirds are the earliest birds to begin migrating and many were stopping along the Bronx River to feed for their journey south. We found 4 species of sandpipers – Solitary, Spotted, Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers as well as Killdeer. Cedar Waxwing and Eastern Kingbird were nice to seen. The group had a good look at a Green Heron and Great Egret. And a quick glimpse of a waterthrush.
We tallied a total of 28 species. See list below for a detailed list. That brings our total for the eight monthly walks thus far in 2008 to 85 different species.
Participants:
Alan Soifer, Avril Armstrong, Ilene Zatal, May Guglielmo., Mike and Kelli Bochnik, Nerry Mohabir, and, of course, Hank Weber and Doug Bloom
Species Seen:
Ducks and Water Birds: Double-crested Cormorant, Mallard, Wood Duck, Canada Goose (and a Peking Duck which doesn’t count for birding),
Shorebirds: Killdeer, Solitary, Spotted, Least and SemiPalmated Sandpipers,
Green Heron, Great Egret
Warblers: Yellow
Blackbirds: Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Starling
Woodpeckers: Downy and N. Flicker
Others: E. Kingbird, Blue Jay, Robin, Goldfinch, Catbird, Cedar Waxwing,
Song Sparrow, Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Black-capped Chickadee,
White-breasted Nuthatch
Join us next month or any month. We do our walk on the first Saturday of every month (year-round).
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RESULT OF JULY 2008 BIRDWALK
Red, white and blue are traditional colors for Independence Day. Our July Birdwalk to Harts Brook Park was the following day. We did see red-colored birds (Cardinal and Scarlet Tanager), blue birds (E. Bluebird and Blue Jay) but no white birds, not even a gull.
Maybe the weather contributed. It was not a nice day. The ground was damp from heavy evening rainstorms. Humidity approached 100% with no breeze. A haze hung over the land without breaks in the gray skies to let the sun in.
Still our count of 28 species seen or heard was a respectable total for the normal
doldrums of July. The complete list is shown below. The highlights included the E. Bluebirds which were the target bird for the day. We all heard Scarlet Tanager singing loudly, but only a few actually saw it. Ditto for Wood Thrush and Pileated Woodpecker which were heard but not seen by anyone.
Participants: Avril Armstrong, Kate Daly, Lorraine Reed, Nerry Mohabir, Sandy Prosnitz, Sherri Bloom, Skip Green as well as Doug and Hank
Waterfowl: None, not a one
Sparrows: Chipping, House, Song
Woodpeckers N. Flicker, Downy, Red Bellied, Pileated,
Others: E. Bluebird, Titmouse, Cardinal, Chickadee, Mockingbird, Catbird, Baltimore Oriole, Goldfinch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Blue Jay, Robin, Tree Swallow, PeeWee, Warbling Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, Morning Dove,
Blackbirds: Brown-headed Cowbird, Starling, Grackle, Red-winged
The August Birdwalk is the first Saturday, Aug. 2nd.
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SUMMARY OF JUNE 7 2008 BIRDWALK TO MARSHLANDS CONSERVANCY, RYE
Saturday afternoon turned into the hottest day so far this year but the morning was pleasant for our walk at Marshland Conservancy. Although we had a report of a Morning Warbler - an uncommon bird if we could find it. But we didn’t. We also did not seen any shore and water birds. Maybe because the tide low.
The highlight of the morning may have been a female Wild Turkey with 5-8 young. The mother aggressively kept us at bay as her little “fluff balls” crossed the trail in front of us and disappeared into the safety of the brush.
Other good birds included: Brown Thrasher, Osprey, Baltimore Oriole, Cedar Waxwing
We tallied a total of 30 species. See list below for a detailed list. That brings our total for the six monthly walks so far in 2008 to 73 different speicies.
Mark your calendar:
Next monthly walk will be July 5th , a holiday weekend and the 1st. Saturday of the month
Participants:
Alice, Bernie, Carroll, Ilene, Kate, Lorraine, May, Nancy, Sandy and, of course, Hank and Doug
Species Seen:
Water and Shore Birds: Double-crested Cormorant, Mallard
Warblers: Yellow and Common Yellowthroat
Swallows: Tree
Wrens: Marsh, Carolina, and House
Ground Feeders: Mourning Dove, Wild Turkey
Woodpeckers Downy, Red-bellied, and N. Flicker
Birds of Prey: Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk
Blackbirds: Crow, Grackle, Starling, Red-winged Blackbird
Others: Blue Jay, Robin, Wood Thrush, Goldfinch, Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Song Sparrow, House Finch, Catbird, Baltimore Oriole,
Join us next month or any month. We do our walk on the first Saturday of every month (yearround).
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SUMMARY OF WALKS AT RYE NATURE CENTER DURING MAY
Spring migration peaks during the month of May. So this May, we did a BirdWalk every Wednesday morning at the Rye Nature Center on the Post Road in Rye. Our objective was to observe the different birds seen each week. Some early migrants were seen only during the first walk in May and not on later walks. Late migrants were seen only on the last week of the month ns not before. Some birds were seen every week.
In total we observed 47 species of birds on our brief Wednesday morning walks. We spotted over a dozen species of warblers, including excellent looks at Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia Warblers, and Ovenbird.. In addition to warblers other interesting birds included Cedar Waxwing, Wood Thrush, Veery, Scarlet Tanager
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RESULTS OF MAY 03 2008 BIRD WALK TO LARCHMONT RESERVOIR
The day was not what you would call a beautiful spring day. There was a heavy overcast and a cool, damp ground mist. Still, the 11 birders who joined us were treated to a total of 44 species. Highlights included: 7 species of warblers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Warbling and Philadelphia Vireos, Great Crested and Least Flycatchers, Baltimore Oriole, 3 species of Swallows.
Counting these birds seen on this May walk brings our total to 71 species seen thus far on our five monthly walks during 2008.
Mark your calendar:
Next monthly walk will be June 7th (the 1st. Saturday of the month)
Every Wednesday during May at Rye Nature Center at 8:00AM
Participants:
Adam Glass, Alan Soiefer, Jean & Colin Coates, Dave Kaufmann and son Grant, Andy Towle, Carroll Wetzel, Mark, May Guglielmo, Missi Gottesman and daughter, Sandy Prosnitz and, of course, Hank and Doug
Species Seen:
Water and Shore Birds: Spotted Sandpiper, Great Egret, Rudy Duck, , Canada Goose, Canada Goose, Double-crested Cormorant, Belted Kingfisher
Warblers: Am. Redstart, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Black and White, Common Yellowthroat, Black Throated Blue, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Swallows: Barn, Tree and N. Rough-winged
Flycatchers and Vireos: Great –crested Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo, E. Kingbird
Sparrows: Song, and White-throated,
Ground Feeders: Mourning Dove, Rufous-sided Towhee,
Woodpeckers Downy, Red-bellied, and N. Flicker
Birds of Prey: Red-tailed Hawk
Gulls: Ring-billed Gulls
Others: Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, Robin, Red-wing Blackbird, Common Grackle, Starling, Crow, Cardinal, House Finch, Goldfinch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Carolina Wren
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RESULTS OF APRIL BIRDWALK TO ROCKEFELLER STATE PARK
“April showers may bring May flowers.” And a forecast of possible showers keeps many potential birders inside. The 10 birders who did venture to Rockefeller State Park were treated to a fine spring morning with blue skies and moderate temperatures.
A total of 33 species were tallied including early spring returning birds such as Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Kinglets, Phoebes as well as Red-wing Blackbirds, Grackles and Starlings, and a report of a singing Baltimore Oriole. The complete list is shown below. We also had lots of deer and turtles.
Participants:
Adam Glass, Bernie ?, Elaine Kellogg, Jean & Colin Coates, May Guglielmo, Nancy Gersfeld, Sheri Bloom and, of course, Hank and Doug
Species Seen:
Waterfowl: Ruddy Duck, Bufflehead, Mallard, Canada Goose, Double Crested Cormorant
Woodpeckers Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, and N. Flicker
Sparrows: Song, Field, House, and White-throated
Ground Feeders: Mourning Dove, Junco
Birds of Prey: Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture
Blackbirds: Red-wing, Starling, Common Grackle, Am Crow
Gulls: Ring-billed Gulls
Others: Robin, Titmouse, Blue Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cardinal, Golden Crown and Ruby Crowned Kinglets, Carolina Wren, Tree Swallow, E. Bluebird,
Next BirdWalk
Our next monthly BirdWalk will be on Saturday, May 3rd. In addition, on every Wednesday in May we will lead a Warbler Walk at Rye Nature Center on the Post Road in Rye starting at 7:45AM
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RESULTS OF MARCH , 2008 BIRDWALK TO TIBBET BROOK PARK, YONKERS
The promise of 1-3 inches of snow followed by rain overnight before our March 1st Bird Walk keep many potential participants snug in their bed. But the 9 brave soles who did join in were rewarded with pleasant, sunny morning.
Although we did seen any unusual species we did spot a total of 28 species were rewarded with great views of soaring Red-tailed Hawks, flying Mute Swans, flocks of Robins, beautiful Hooded Mergansers, and a displaying Mockingbird. Other interesting sights included a lone Kingfisher, as well as the year’s first Common Grackles.
What Tree is that?
In addition to identifying birds, "tree huggers" in the group tried to identify various trees in the park. After the walk, Nerry Mohabir provided the following link, which she says is good for identifying trees in winter
http://forestry.about.com/od/forestphotogalleries/ig/Dormant-Winter-Tree-Gallery/Ash-Twigs.htm
Participants:
Adam Glass, Alan Soiefer, Jean & Colin Coates, Pat Towle, Carroll Wetzel, Nerry and Mike Mohabir, Mark and, of course, Hank and Doug
Species Seen:
Waterfowl: Mute Swan, Hooded Mergansers; Black Duck, Mallard, Canada Goose
Sparrows: Song, Swamp, House, and White-throated
Ground Feeders: Mourning Dove, Rock Pigeon, Junco
Woodpeckers Downy, Red-bellied
Birds of Prey: Red-tailed Hawk
Gulls: Herring and Ring-billed Gulls
Others: Robin, Chickadee, Titmouse, Blue Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, Mockingbird, Kingfisher, Red-wing Blackbird, Common Grackle, Starling, Crow, Cardinal
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RESULTS OF FEB 2008 BIRDWALKS
Our February walks to Croton Point to look for Bald Eagle are the most popular walks of the year. This year over 50 people joined our walk on Feb 2 and 9.
We did see Bald Eagles, 8-10 of them.
In total, we spotted 31 species on the two walks. In addition to the eagles which are a treat by themselves, other highlights included four Long Eared Owls, Bluebird, Mockingbird, N. Flicker. The complete list is shown below
Species Seen: Waterfowl: Canada Goose, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Common Goldeneye, Mallard, Black Duck
Ground Feeders: Junco, Mourning Dove, Song, House, Tree and White-throated Sparrows, Rock Pigeon.
Woodpeckers N. Flicker, Downy
Birds of Prey: Long-eard Owls, Red tailed and Rough-legged Hawk, N. Harrier (Marsh Hawk) and Peregrine Falcon
Gulls: Ring-billed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls
Others: E. Bluebird, Titmouse, Cardinal, Starling, Crow, Common Raven, Carolina and House Wren,
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RESULTS OF JAN 05 2008 BIRDWALK TO GREENWICH POINT
On our first BirdWalk of the new year we were blessed with a sunny, mild day. There was no wind and the waters of Long Island Sound were flat calm. In short, it was a lovely day for a walk in a natural setting and Greenpoint Point was a picturesque backdrop.
31 species were seen, mostly fairly common species. Highlights included: Horned Grebe, a single Common Loon, a lingering Am. Robin, and a lone Mockingbird.
Participants:
Adam Glass, Charlotte Cole, Nancy Gersfeld, Orlando Hildago, Dave Kaufman with sons Grant and Mathew, Sandy Prosnitz and Bob, Skip Green and, of course, Hank Weber.
Species Seen:
Waterfowl: Brandt, Hooded and Red-brested Mergansers; Black Duck, Long-tailed Duck; Bufflehead, Common Loon, Common Golden-eye, Double-crested Cormorant, Scaup (Greater or Lesser?)
Ground Feeders: Song, and White-throated Sparrow, Mourning Dove,
Woodpeckers Downy, Red-bellied
Birds of Prey: Unidentified Hawk
Gulls: Ring-billed and Great Black-backed Gulls
Others: Robin, Chickadee, Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cardinal, Starling, Crow, Blue Jay, Mockingbird
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RESULTS OF DEC 01, 2007 BIRDWALK
Autumn was mild and long this year. Unfortunately the sudden change to winter co-incided with our December BirdWalk. It was cold, very cold, at Edith Read Sanctuary and strong winds off Long Island Sound chilled to the bone.
Our nine hardy birders did survive long enough to find 34 species of birds. The highlights may have been the Red-tailed Hawk seen eating its lunch on a bare branch only 25 feet from our staring eyes, or maybe the distant flight of Long Tail Ducks (formerly Old Squaw), or a very late Killdeer, or maybe the 3 species of Mergansers. A complete list of the birds seen is shown below.
Participants:
Jean & Colin Coates, Nancy Gersfeld, Orlando Hildago, Neil Powell, Alan Soifer, Ilene Zatal, plus Doug and Hank.
Species Seen:
Waterfowl: Brant, Common, Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers; Black Duck, Long-tailed Duck; Bufflehead, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant
Shorebirds: Killdeer, Great Blue Heron
Ground Feeders: Tree, Song, Fox, House and White-throated Sparrow, Mourning Dove,
Woodpeckers Downy, Red-bellied
Birds of Prey: Red-tailed Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk
Gulls: Herring, Ring-billed and Great Black-backed Gulls
Others: Robin, Chickadee, Titmouse, Goldfinch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Cardinal, Mockingbird, House Finch,
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RESULTS OF NOV 11 BIRDWALK TO JAMAICA BAY
Despite the wind, which made the cool morning seem even colder than it actually was, the 29 hardy birders who join our BirdWalk to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge were not deterred. In addition to the unusual opportunity to enjoy a large, natural wildlife refuge smack in the middle of New York City, we spotted a total of 56 species of birds. A complete list of species seen is shown below.
Participants: Neil Powell, Bob Wirsneck, Terry Cooper, Sherri Bloom, Nancy Gersfeld, Ilene Zatal, Arnie Berger & June Fox, Jill Sen (Hurray!), Andrew Block, Dave Corley, Frank & Jean Alpert, Joe & Barbara Ferrari, Sandy Prosnitz, Frank& Sue O'Rourke, Fran & Dan Breslauer, Sue & Barry Fried, Dorothy Vieni, Kathy Kowler, Colin & Jean Coates, and, of course Doug Bloom and Hank Weber
Our next regular BirdWalk is on the 1st Saturday of next month, Dec1st. Join us if you can
Hank Weber, owner
WILD BIRD CENTER
Birds Seen at Jamaica Bay
Ducks, Geese, Waterbirds (22)
Canada Goose, Brant, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Mute Swan, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Am. Coot
Shorebirds (4)
Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Willet
Hawks (5)
N. Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Coopers Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Am. Kestrel
Gulls (3)
Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull
Land Birds(22)
Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Blue Jay, American Crow, Carolina Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler,
Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Boat-tailed Grackle, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow
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RESULTS OF NOV 3rd BIRDWALK
The remnants of hurricane winds and bitter cold temperatures did not deter the 15 hardy birders who joined our BirdWalk to Tibbets Brook Park in Yonkers. Their perseverance was rewarded with 29 species. Highlights included: Kingfisher, Hermit Thrush, and several early winter ducks. See complete list below or check my website: www.wildbird.com/scarsdale
Participants:
Sheri Bloom, Kelli & Mike Bochnik, Walter Chadwick, Jean & Colin Coates plus daughter Sarah, Dave Corley, Maria Ebling and son Colin, Dave Kaufman, Sue & Frank O’Rouke, Bill vanWart, Ilene Zatal, plus Doug and Hank.
Bird Seen:
Waterfowl: Hooded Merganser, Pied-bill Grebe, Bufflehead, N. Shoveler, Wood Duck, Black Duck, Mallard, Muscovy Duck, Canada Goose, Mute Swan
Ground Feeders: Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Mourning Dove, Rock Pigeon, Juncos
Woodpeckers Downy, Red-bellied
Others: Hermit Thrush, Belted Kingfisher, Red-tailed Hawk, Blue Jay, Robins, Chickadee, Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Starling, Goldfinch, Herring Gull
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RESULTS OF OCTOBER 6TH BIRDWALK
The hazy fog that hung over Rockefeller State Park as we started our monthly birdwalk made it seem like we were looking at birds in a glass of milk. You could see a bird but none of its details or true colors. Fortunately, the fog lifted by the time we reached the meadow transforming this October morning into a summer day. Sunny skies. Temperatures in mid 80s with higher humidity.
We spotted a total of 35 species. Highlights included 6 species of confusing fall warblers, 5 woodpeckers, an Eastern. Bluebird and a flock of Cedar Waxwings: That’s brings our 2007 total to 111 species. A complete lists of birds seen is shown below
Participants: Alan Soifer, Dave Kaufman and sons Mathew and Grant, Jean and Colin Coates, Jeanne and Frank Alpert, Ilene Zatal, May Guglielmo, Nancy Gersfeld, Sue and Frank O’Rourke, as well as Doug and Hank
Birds Seen
Ducks and Waterbirds Mallard
Warblers: Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Parula, Black and White plus a possible Orange-crowned.
Woodpeckers: Downy, Red-bellied, Flicker, Pileated, and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Raptors: Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey, Coopers Hawk, Turkey Vulture
Wrens: Carolina
Sparrows: White-throated
Others: Both White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatch, E. Bluebird, Cardinal, Crow, Blue Jay, Catbird, Chickadee, Titmouse, Towhee, Robin, E. Phoebe, Starling, Rock Dove, Morning Dove, Goldfinch,
Upcoming BirdWalks
1). Our next 1st Saturday BirdWalk is Saturday, Nov.3rd at 8:00
2). On Sunday, Nov. 11th. we are going to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens
Considered one of the Top Ten Birding Spots in the U.S.
Note: this BirdWalk is on Sunday, not Saturday, and at 8:30AM, not 8:00AM
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RESULTS OF SEPTEMBER 1ST BIRDWALK
The calendar said the first of September and perfect September weather greeted the dozen birders who gathered at Larchmont Reservoir for our monthly walk. Mild temperatures. Cloudless, blue sky. No wind. Low humidity. Ideal.
We spotted a total of 38 species. Highlights included: Scarlet Tanager, Brown Creeper and 6 species of migrating warblers. That’s brings our 2007 total to 104 species. A complete lists of birds seen is shown below
Participants: Alan Soifer, Avril Armstrong, Jean and Collin Coates, Jill Klein, June and Arnie Fox, Orlando Hidalgo, May Guglielmo, Nancy Gersfeld, Sandy Prosnitz, Sheri Bloom, as well as Doug and Hank
Birds Seen
Ducks and Waterbirds Green Heron, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Wood Duck, Mallard
Shorebirds: Spotted Sandpiper, Killdeer.
Warblers: Common Yellowthroat, Yellow, Canada, Yellow-rumped, Redstart, Black-throated Blue
Woodpeckers: Downy, Red-bellied, Flicker
Raptors: Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey
Wrens: Carolina
Sparrows: Song, House Sparrow
Vireos: Warbling, Red-eyed
Others: White-breasted Nuthatch, Cardinal, Crow, Blue Jay, Catbird, Chickadee, Robin, E. Phoebe, Grackle, Rock Dove, Morning Dove, House Finch, Goldfinch, Brown Creeper, Scarlet Tanager,
Next BirdWalk: Special Hawk Walk
Saturday, September 29th. 11:30 a.m.
It is the peak of hawk migration. We will join the folks at Lenoir Preserve in Yonkers as they count passing hawks migrating down the Hudson River.
The highlight will be a Live Raptor Show lead by Jim Eyring, a professional falconer and educator. Jim’s programs are always entertaining and informative. The best part is when he lets his raptors fly. They soar into the sky and swoop down inches above your head as they dive for a lure. Not to be missed!
Meet at the store at 11:30. We will not return until after 2PM, so you may want to bring a snack
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RESULTS OF AUGUST 5TH BIRDWALK
August is usually one of the slowest months for finding birds. For birders, it is the summer doldrums. But our trip to the Marshland Conservancy in Rye was exceptional.
We spotted 49 different species, everything from hummingbirds to owls. That brings our 2007 total to 101 species so far this year during our monthly BirdWalks. A complete list of our sightings for August is shown below.
Despite typical August humidity, rising temperatures, and swarms of biting insects, at the end we were pleased with our species count and ready to start the day.
Participants: Adam Glass, Alan Soifer, Avril Armstrong, Dave Kaufman, Ilene Zatal, Orlando Hidalgo, Patty and Andy Towle, Wendy Hansen as well as Doug and Hank
Hightlights: It is difficult to pick only one or two birds as the highlights of the walk. There were so many good birds –Indigo Bunting. Flying (Great Horned?) Owl. Brown Thrasher. Rudy Turnstone. Willet. Osprey. Common Tern. Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Birds seen:
Ducks and Waterbirds: Black Duck, Canada Goose, Double-crested Cormorant, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Mute Swan, Herring Gull, Common Tern.
Shorebirds: Rudy Turnstone, Semi-Palmated Plover. Willet.
Warblers: Common Yellowthroat, Yellow
Woodpeckers: Downy, Red-bellied, Flicker
Swallows: Barn and Tree
Wrens: House and Marsh
Sparrows: Song
Vireos: Warbling
Others: E. Kingbird, Brown Thrasher, Towhee, Cardinal, Robin, Blue Jay, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Starling, Goldfinch, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Catbird, Blue Jay, Am. Crow, Chickadee, Titmouse, Indigo Bunting, Osprey, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Baltimore Oriole.
Next BirdWalk: Saturday, Sept 1st, Labor Day Weekend
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RESULTS OF JULY BIRDWALK
Saturday July 7th was a lovely day for our BirdWalk at Crestwood Lake. Sunny skies, warm, but not too warm temperatures and a friendly group of nine birders.
One of the morning’s high points was watching a baby Eastern Kingbird leave it nest to make its very first flight. Another good find by young Grant was a large box turtle.
In total, we sighted 28 species. That brings the total for our 7 monthly walk so far in 2007 to 91 species. We are on track to exceed last year’s total of 110 species. A complete list is shown below.
Participants included: Adam Glass, Alan Soiefer, Dave Kaufman and son Grant, Jean & Colin Coates, Sandy Prosnitz, Sherri Bloom, Wendy Hansen and, of course, Doug and Hank.
Total Species Seen: 28
July 7th at Crestwood Lake (on the Bronx River)
Waterbirds: Mallard, Canada Goose, Double-crested Cormorants, Black-crowned Night Heron, Green Heron, Great Egret .
Shorebirds: Spotted Sandpiper, Killdeer
Warblers: Yellow Warbler
Woodpeckers: Downy, Red-bellied
Swallows: Barn, Tree, and N. Rough-winged
Orioles: Baltimore
Sparrows: Song Sparrow, House Sparrow
Blackbirds: Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, European Starling, Fish Crow,
Others: E. Kingbird, Phoebe, Catbird, Cardinal, Robin, Goldfinch, Mourning Dove, Cedar Waxwing, Towhee
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RESULTS OF JUNE 2007 BIRDWALK
Our early June BirdWalk to Hart’s Brook Park in Hartsdale did not yield many species - we only tallied 17 species. (The complete list is shown below.) The biggest disappointment was that Easter Bluebirds were not using the nest boxes this year. So no bluebirds.
The highlight of the morning was a Blue-winged Warbler that we heard calling but did not see. When Dave Corley replayed the call using the National Geographic card for his Palm Pilot, we all thought the warbler was only five feet away. It wasn’t
Participants included: Alan, Dave, Sandy, Wendy and Hank
Species seen:
Chimney Swift Catbird Robin House Sparrow Chickadee
Titmouse Grackle Starling House Wren Mockingbird
Baltimore Oriole Goldfinch Blue-winged Warbler
Chipping Sparrow Mockingbird Morning Dove Hairy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
RESULTS OF MAY 12 2007 BIRDWALK AT N.Y. BOTANICAL GARDENS
__________________________________________________________________
A lovely spring morning held promise for seeing a large number of colorful, migrating birds. However, our group of 16 birders was disappointed, not by the weather – it was very nice , but by the lack of birds.
We only spotted a total of 19 species. The best birds of the day were: Great Egret, Baltimore Oriole and Black-and-White Warbler
A complete lists of birds seen is shown below:
Red-winged Blackbird Robin Gray Catbird
Common Grackle Starling Brown-headed Cowbird
Cardinal Mallard House Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow Mockingbird Blue Jay
Chickadee Red-tailed Hawk Hairy Woodpecker
Great Egret Mourning Dove Baltimore Oriole
Mourning Dove
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RESULTS OF MAY 5th 2007 BIRDWALK
A beautiful spring morning greeted us at Larchmont Reservoir. The brilliant blue, cloudless sky was a perfect stage for the sights and songs of early spring birds.
Our band of 22 birders spotted a total of 44 different species bringing the total to 89 species on our monthly birding walks so far in the year 2007.
Highlights included Black-crowned Night Heron, Eastern Kingbird, and both Baltimore and Orchard Orioles. We tallied 7 species of warblers and 3 species of woodpeckers. Below is a detailed listing of all the species seen.
Participants: Adam, Alan, Carroll and wife, Charlette and Steve, Colin and Jean, Elizabeth and son Doug, Mr. Gold and son Noah, Ilene, Larry and Sherry, Nancy, Sandy, Sheri, Skip and, of course, Doug and Hank.
Total Species Seen
Ducks and Waterbirds: Wood Duck, Mallard, Canada Goose, Double-crested Cormorants, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Blue Heron.
Shorebirds: Spotted Sandpiper
Warblers: Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Black and White, Common Yellowthroat, Pine, Black-throated Blue, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Woodpeckers: Downy, Red-bellied, Flicker
Swallows: Barn, Tree, N. Rough-winged
Orioles: Baltimore and Orchard
Wrens: House and Carolinag
Sparrows: Song, Swamp, House, White-throated
Vireos: Warbling, Blue-headed
Others: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, E. Kingbird, Phoebe, Catbird, Cardinal, Robin, Herring Gull, Blue Jay, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Goldfinch, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Brown-headed Cowbird
Results of April 7 2007 BirdWalk
With the coming of April one expects the promise of spring. However, the weather for our April BirdWalk was more winter-like than spring-like. Temperatures in the 30s with a strong wind.
Still our hardy group of 12 managed to spot a total of 37 species at Larchmont Reservoir. The highlights included: an Osprey swooping to pluck a fish from the lower lake, a close-up view of a Common Loon in breeding plumage, the first Golden-Crowned Kinglet. Other firsts for 2007 were Tree and Rough-winged Swallows, Great Egret, Phoebe, Ring-neck Duck.
37 species brings our total for the year to 68 species:
Detail list of birds seen: Wood Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Rudy Wood, Coot, Common Loon, Bufflehead, Mallard, N. Shoveler, Canada Goose, Double-crested Cormorant, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, E. Phoebe, Cardinal, Blue Jay, Chickadee, Titmouse, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Tree Swallow, N. Rough-winged Swallow, Robin, Carolina Wren, Crow, Common Grackle, Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Mourning Dove, Herring Gull, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, House Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow,
Participants included Adam, Carrol, Charolete, Colin and Jean, Nancy, Sandy, Sheri, Skip,Sue plus Doug and Hank
Results of BirdWalk -March 2007
Nature co-operated with a beautiful morning for our March 3rd BirdWalk to Read Sanctuary in Rye. A bright, cloudless sky combined with mild temperature hinted that spring would soon be here. The total absence of any wind turned the waters of Long Island Sound into a flat, reflecting mirror.
It was a lovely day for a morning walk with nature. We spotted a total of 31 different species. Highlights included
1. The first Killdeer of the year
2. Long-tailed Duck and American Widgeon, uncommon winter visitors.
Participating in our March 3rd BirdWalk were:
Avril, Charlette, Dave, May, Nancy, Sandy plus Doug and Hank
The following species were seen:
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Double crested Cormorant
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Long-tailed Duck
Am. Widgeon
Black Duck
Mallard
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Killdeer
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Am. Crow
Black-capped Chicadee
Carolina Wren
Robin
Starling
Song Sparrow
House Sparrow
Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Finch
Goldfinch
RESULTS OF EAGLE WALKS -February 2007
What a difference a week makes! Our first EagleWalk on Feb 3rd did not locate any Bald Eagles. One week later on our Feb 10th EagleWalk, we spotted over a dozen eagles.
Even without eagles both walks uncovered some interesting species. Raptors seen included Long Eared Owl, N. Harrier, Coopers Hawk, and Red-tailed Hawk.
16 species of Waterfowl were seen: both Mute and Tundra Swans, Canvasback, Redhead, Coot, Common and Red-breasted Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Pintail, Gadwall, Black Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Mallard, Cormorant, Canada Goose.
Meadowlarks and Horned Lark were good finds. 7 species of sparrows appeared.
We found 41 species on the first walk and 39 on the second walk for a total of 52 different species for the two walks. See detailed list below
Feb 3rd Participants included:
Avril, Bill, Colin and Jean, Ed, Frank and Jean, Ivy, Jacqulie, Kathy, Linda, Ponie, Sandy,
Feb 10th participants included:
Andrew, Avril, Bernie, Gerard, Orlando, the Swerseys (Kevin, Risa, Brandon), Peter, Ryan, Sandy, Spencer, Tom, Tyler. Wendy
The following species were seen:
Mute Swan
Tundra Swan
Double crested Cormorant
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Great Blue Heron
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
White-breasted Nuthatch
Kingfisher
Carolina Wren
Chipping Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
House Sparrow
House Finch
Junco
N. Cardinal
Mockingbird
Tufted Titmouse
Starling
Blue Jay
Am. Crow
Black capped Chickadee
Horned Lark
E. Meadowlark
Morning Dove
Pigeon
Bufflehead
Canada Goose
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Black Duck
Mallard
Pintail
Ring-neck Duck
Coot
Common Goldeneye
Gadwall
Canvasback
Redhead
Long-eared Owl
Bald Eagle
N. Harrier
Coopers Hawk
Red tailed Hawk
RESULTS OF JANUARY 2007 BIRDWALK
For our first BirdWalk we traveled to Greenwich Point Park, a little peninsula that juts out into Long Island Sound. The day dawned misty and foggy but very mild. The sun began to break through the overcast just as we were finishing and by the afternoon and temperature reached 70 degrees.
Amazing flocks of Monk Parakeets (about 40 noisy birds) were our best find of the day. A great bird to start our bird list for 2007. Unfortunately most of the other birds must have been enjoying the nice weather. A single Horned Grebe was also a good find.
Participants: Avril, Carroll, Charlette and Steve, May, Nancy, Sandy, Sheri, plus Hank
A total of 22 species were seen:
Horned Grebe
Brandt
Canada Goose
Hooded Merganzer
Red-breasted Merganzer
Bufflehead
Black Duck
Double crested Cormorant
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Downy Woodpecker
Cardinal
Carolina Wren
Chickadee
Robin
Hermit Thrush
House Sparrow
Red-tailed Hawk
Herring Gull
Morning Dove
Starling
Crow
House Finch
Monk Parakeet
RESULTS OF DECEMBER 2006 BIRDWALK
Saturday, Dec 3rd, was the first truly winter day of the season. Larchmont Reservoir yielded a modest total of 20 species including some of the early winter ducks such as Hooded Merganser, Bufflehead and Rudy Duck.
Participants included: Alan, Caroll, Dave, Nancy, Shari, Skip, and Hank. Doug was on vacation.
The following species were seen:
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Rudy Duck
Mallard
Canada Goose
Blue Jay
Great Blue Heron
Red tailed Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Goldfinch
Black capped Chickadee
American Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Morning Dove
House Sparrow
White throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
RESULTS OF JAMAICA BAY BIRDWALK
On a cool, damp Sunday morning in November 14 people traveled to Jamaica Bay despite the forecast of mid-day rain. It didn’t rain. And we were rewarded with a total of 54 species of birds. (See complete list below) A good day.
Participants included: Avril, Barbara H, Bob W, Diane, Jean and Frank, Kirk, Lika, Margret, May, Neil, Rena plus Doug and Hank.
Birds Seen at Jamica Bay:
Canada Goose, Brant, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Am. Widgeon, Black Duck, Mallard, N. Shoveler, N. Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Horned Grebe, Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, N. Harrier, Red tailed Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Coot, Greater Yellowlegs, Dunlin, Ring-billed and Herring and Gulls, Downy Woodpecker, Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina, Winter and House Wrens, Robin, Catbird, Mockingbird, Am. Pipit, Yellow-rumped Warbler, E. Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow.
Birds Seen from en Route:
Snow Goose, Cooper’s Hawk, Great Black-backed Gull, Pigeon, Morning Dove, Starling,
RESULTS OF NOVEMBER 4TH BIRDWALK
Larchmont Reservoir was our destination on this true autumn-like day. The weather was brisk (36 degrees) but sunny.
Early wintering duck and late migrants were seen. (Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Hooded Merganzer) Both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets greeted us. But some common species were absent. We didn’t see any chickadees, titmice (or is in titmouses?).
The best birds of the day were: Pied-billed Grebe, Kingfisher, Winter Wren, Fox Sparrow, Green-winged Teal.
Participants: Adam and Lynn, Bill Beck, Bill von Wort, Donna, Skip plus Doug and Hank
A total of 36 species were seen.
Mallard, Wood Duck, Canada Goose, Ruddy Duck, Pied-bill Grebe, Green-
Wing Teal, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Hooded Merganzer, Cormorant, Kingfisher, White-throated Sparrow, Down Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Golden crowned Kinglet, Ruby crowned Kinglet, Catbird, Towhee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Winter Wren, Robin, Hermit Thrush, House Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk, Herring Gull, Morning Dove, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Cowbird, House Finch, Cardinal.
RESULTS OF SEPTEMBER BIRD WALK
The weather was damp, cool and overcast for our October BirdWalk at Sprain Ridge Park. The dreary weather convinced many potential participants to stay home and sleep late in their warm beds. Not too many birds appeared either – a total of only 24 species.
Highlights included a Palm Warbler that led us down the trail stopping occasionally to pose for close-up views. It looked like the bird in the field guide pictures.
Winter may be near since the first Junco and White-throated sparrow of the season appeared. Kinglets, Phoebes, Towhees were plentiful
Participants: Alan, Ed, May, Doug and Hank
Birds Seen: Robin, Blue Jay, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, Pine Warbler, Palm Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-tailed Hawk, Junco, White throated Sparrow, Ring-billed Gull, Chickadee, Titmouse, E. Phoebe, White-breasted Nuthatch, Mockingbird, Song Sparrow, House Finch, Goldfinch, House Sparrow
RESULTS OF SEPTEMBER BIRDWALK
Hurricane Ernesto and our BirdWalk were the same day. Only two hardy (or fool-hardy) souls laughed at the weather and appeared on schedule for the walk. Even Doug Bloom stayed home in bed. We traveled to Cranberry Lake in N. White Plains.
Miraculously, we had two hours without rain. While the weather co-operated, the birds did not. They were hunkered down seeking shelter from the storm. As a result, a total count was less than ten species. Green Heron and Wood Thrush were the best sightings.
Participants: Alan, Dave, Hank
RESULTS OF AUGUST 5 2006 BIRDWALK
After a week of extremely hot, humid weather, Saturday was a pleasant relief. Relatively cool temperature with a slight breeze.
August is considered the doldrums for bird activity. Still we managed to find 27 species of birds at Crestwood Lake. The mudflats in the Bronx River yielded six species of shorebirds beginning their southern migration:
Participants included: Alan, Mae, Nancy, Sara Brown, Anne Connelly, the Dondell family and others.
Total: 27 Species Cormorant, Great Egret, Wood Duck, Canada Goose, Mallard, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, Semi Palmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Mourning Dove, Pigeon, Red-bellied, E. Phoebe, Kingbird, Barn Swallow, Catbird, Robin, Starling, Song Sparrow, Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Grackle, Flicker, Goldfinch.
RESULTS OF JULY 1 2006 BIRDWALK
The first day of the holiday weekend was a perfect Goldielocks-type of day – not too hot, not too cold. Just right.
We managed to find 36 species of birds at the Marshlands in Rye including Tri-colored Heron, Osprey on the nest with 3 young, Black-crowned Night Heron, Snowy and Great Egrets. Marsh Wrens put on a vanishing act singing loudly in the reeds less than two feet away but invisible to the eyes of birders trying to see them.
Participants: Alan, Carol, Dana and Dave, Dave, Ilene, Mae, Nancy, Neil, Sherri and, of course, Doug and Hank
Species seen:
Tii-colored Heron, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Osprey, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Rough-wing Swallow, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, N. Flicker, Marsh Wren, Carolina Wren, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow, Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Catbird, White-breasted Nuthatch, Wood Thrush, Blue Jay, Cormorant, Brownheaded Cowbird, Crow, Starling, Robin, Cardinal, Goldfinch, Canada Goose, Mallard, Morning Dove, Indigo Bunting.
RESULTS OF MAY BIRDWALKS
May is a prime season for birds. So in May we added walks on 3 Wednesdays. As a result we saw a total of 60 species. This included 8 species of Warblers (Magnolia, Yellow, Black and White, Am. Redstart, Pine, Common Yellowthroat, N. Waterthrush, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher).
Other good sightings included:
Bluebird
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Scarlet Tanager
E. Wood Peewee
Rufous-side Towhee
Spotted Sandpiper
Wood Thrush
Veery
Baltimore and Orchard Orioles
The following birds were new to our 2006 list: Kingfisher, Cedar Waxwing, Warbling Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Barn and Rough-winged Swallows, Great Egret, Flicker, and Catbird.
Particpants included: Alan, Alice, Charloette, Ed and Sussie, Ilene, Mae, Nancy, Sherry and Hank and Doug
RESULTS OF APRIL BIRDWALK
Despite forecast of some rain on April 1st, the morning weather was lovely for our April Fools Day walk at Rye Nature Center. Great Horned Owl was the highlight. First we observed a male sitting high in a treetop. Soon we noticed a female perched in a nearby tree. And ultimately, we notice the nest in a fork of another tree, with a fuzzy white owlet peering back at us with coal black eyes.
After watching this owl family, the remainder of the walk seemed anti-climatic. Sure we got close looks at low circling Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey Vulture. An early Pine Warbler was the first warbler of the year. Phoebe, Wood Duck, Flicker added to our total of 26 species but the owls were at the top of our list.
Participating were: Alan, Charlotte, Doug, Hank, Ilene, Mae, Nancy, Sherry
RESULTS OF MARCH BIRDWALK
Our March BirdWalk took us to Larchmont Reservoir on bright, cloudless winter morning. The clear blue sky and bright sunshine made the day look cheerful but the temperature and wind were brutal. The lakes were frozen and the birds were scarce.
We managed 21 species. Our best sighting was both a Down and Hairy Woodpecker 4 feet apart. This gave the opportunity to compare the differences in size and to clearly see the larger, heavier beak on the Hairy. We also saw the first Red-winged Blackbird of the year. A sure sign that spring is near.
Joining our BirdWalk to Larchmont were:
Alan, Ilene, Mae, Nancy, Sheri plus Doug and Hank
Despite the cold weather we spotted 21 species:
Canada Goose, Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Herring Gull, Towhee, Goldfinch, House Finch, Downy and Hairy Woodpecker, Chickadee, Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Junco, Cardinal, Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Mourning Dove, Crow, Blue Jay
Results of February’s EagleWalk -1 and -2
What a difference one week makes. During our first EagleWalk birds were scarce. We saw less than 10 different species, and most of them were the very common, everyday kind of birds. However, we did get a spectacular view of an adult Bald Eagle that circled in front of us before catching and eating a small rodent.
One week later, on EagleWalk -2, more birds were around. 6 – 7 eagles were spotted and a total of 32 species were seen. This included Common Goldeneye, Pine Siskins, Tree Sparrows, Mockingbirds, as well the usual more common birds.
A total of 46 people participated in the two walks, 21 on the first walk, 25 on the second walk.
Results of Jan 29th Owl Prowl
The Owl Prowl at Pelham Bay Park was promoted by two Audubon Society chapters in addition to the Wild Bird Center. As a result about 40-45 people participated which is really too large a crowd for a good outing. This large group tended to split into several smaller groups. Each group saw different birds so it is hard to determine exactly what was sighted.
My group spotted a Saw Whet Owl high in a pine tree. We also had a good long look at a Great Horned Owl posing in the open allowing close examination. There were some reports of a Barred Owl, but I haven’t talked to anyone who actually saw it. I totaled about 18 species including
Great Horned Owl
Saw Whet Owl
Rudy Duck
American Wigeon
Red Breasted Merganser
Hooded Merganser
Bufflehead
Mute Swan
Black Duck
Mallard
Red bellied woodpecker
Starling
Herring Gull
Canada Goose
Mourning Dove
Song Sparrow
Blue Jay
Results of Saturday Jan 7th BirdWalk
Saturday Jan 7th was bright, sunny and cool, the kind of day you just enjoy being outdoors. Although the expected waterfowl were absent, Greenwich Point Park yielded some interesting birds. The first bird of the new year was a Robin, following by a flock of 20+ Monk Parakeets. – not what you would normally expect on a cool January morning. We ended with a total of 28 species giving us a good start on our 2006 Bird List.
Participants included:
Alan, Avril, Bill B, Dave, Hank, Ilene, Mae, Nancy, Rene, Yvonne
Birds Seen:
Monk Parakeet
Canada Goose
Black Duck
Hooded Merganser
Black Duck
Bufflehead
Great Black-backed Gull
Ring Billed Gull
Herring Gull
Cormorant, Double Crested
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Nuthatch, White Breasted
Red Tailed Hawk
Mourning Dove
Carolina Wren
Cardinal
Robin
Chickadee, Black-capped
Tufted Titmouse
Golden Crowned Kinglet
Starling
Crow
House Finch
Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Results of Dec 2005 Bird Walk
Saturday, Dec 3rd, was a typical early winter day. Larchmont Reservoir yielded a modest total of 22 species including some of the early winter ducks such as Shoveler, Hooded Merganser, and Rudy Duck. Other highlights were 3 species of woodpeckers - Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers as well as Belted Kingfisher and Turkey Vulture.
Participating were: Andy and Matthy, Dave, Ilene, Nancy, Sam, Walter. Doug was the leader. Hank was absent.
The following species were seen:
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Rudy Duck
N. Shoveler
Black Duck
Mallard
Canada Goose
Turkey Vulture
Ring billed Gull
Herring Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Goldfinch
House Finch
Mourning Dove
Black capped Chickadee
Grackle
Starling
Brown headed Cowbird
White throated Sparrow
Results of Nov 5th BirdWalk
Describe the perfect weather for birding and you would be thinking about Saturday, Nov 5th. Temperatures in the 70s. Clear blue, cloudless sky. Trees in vibrant autumn colors dropping leaves. The calm water of the lake reflecting sky and trees. Perfect!
It was a lovely day for a morning walk in Tibbets Brook Park in Yonkers. 23 species of birds just added to the pleasure of the day.
Blue headed Vireo
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Phoebe
Hooded Merganser
Black Duck
Mallard
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Blue Jay
Grackle
Starling
Cardinal
Chickadee
Goldfinch
Junco
Red Bellied Woodpecker
Titmouse
Mockingbird
Yellow rumped Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler (??)
Particpating were: Alan, Bill B, Bill van W, Ilene, Mae, Sherri, and, of course Hank and Doug
D LIST