Date: 4/17/26 1:51 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - additional for Thurs., 4/16 - Ch.Swift, YTWA redux
Manhattan, N.Y. City - Thursday, April 16th -
At least one Chimney Swift has been reliably seen and reported, noted over Central Park on Thursday. And as for reliably reported Yellow-throated Warblers in Manhattan, there was one for Thursday at Inwood Hill Park, in n. Manhattan. Close listening and further watching may reveal a few more of those, given the regional influx in fair numbers. The Chimney Swift is a nice species to indicate the more general movements of many other new tropical-wintering birds, some obviously now in our area, some already even well north of the local area.
Good birding and thanks to always-keen observers for reports.
Date: 4/16/26 4:22 pm From: Thomas Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - to 4/16 - Pileated WP, V. Rails, rapid-migration ongoing
Prothonotary Warblers have arrived by now in at least 3 of New York Citys five counties and certainly should be watched for elsewhere, as well as watching out for multiple other so-called overshoot type of neotropical-wintering migrant birds, and also possible vagrants from yet farther-out.
Sightings of multiple Yellow-throated Warblers in N.Y. City by now include a fine sighting-find by a few hearty observers in the Bronx, at Franz Sigel Park which its fair to say has been visited by not-many NYC birders, that Yellow-throated was noted on April 11, and possibly not since then. Other Yellow-throated Warbler sighting-reports in Manhattan, etc. may require some further documentation to be confirmed. Yellow-throated Warbler reports from Central Park in Manhattan began on Wednesday, April 15, in eBird, and -not- on any x-app, and not in other non-publicly viewable apps.
The Glossy Ibis passing around Governors Island -in N.Y. County, NYC- and likely visible at times from Manhattan this week are now also confirmed by photos as-of Wednesday, thanks in part to L. Wong for those. This ibis is an uncommonly found species in the country, particularly so for on-the-deck sightings over the decades. It has become slightly more regular in recent decades, as the species also expanded breeding range a bit northward.
There has been a great deal of migrant passage with birds flying past, and many well-past, N.Y. City or nearby, so that for example by Thursday 4-16 Indigo Bunting has landed up to 240 straight-line miles from mid-Manhattan, at Nantucket Island, a well-known site for vagrant and all manner of migrant birds. There are many many more examples right now for overshoot-migrants having reached the north-of-NYC sites, especially by Thursday. Another fine example is the male-plumaged Hooded Warbler which has been seen and photographed by many just outside Halifax -Nova Scotia, Canada- starting on April 10, if not even before.
At minimum, 12 species of warblers were within Central Park alone on April 16th. A few more possible species need some further confirmation, for such a date-arrival. It might be worth noting however, some of the strong-overshoot-type migration of a variety of songbirds has been from as early as April 10th, in North America - and this includes Canada.
In warblers alone, there are at-least the following species already found on territories -north of- N.Y. City, some for some days, some just found on 4-16, by many other observers - Ovenbird, Worm-eating Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Northern Yellow Warbler, Palm Warbler, Pine Warbler, Yellow-rumped -Myrtle form- Warbler, Prairie Warbler, and Black-throated Green Warbler, some ON territories in various states, or Canadian provinces. And likely at least a few more warbler species than these are also occurring in locations north of N.Y. City.
Prothonotary Warbler and Yellow-throated Warbler have each been seen by now in areas not far from N.Y. City, or in potential habitat in NYC, for possible or likely breeding attempts. More of these two particular species are, not surprisingly being seen in southern New Jersey and points south or west of there, in appropriate habitat, than in more-northerly areas for potential breeding.
- - - -
Manhattan, N.Y. City - to Thursday, April 16 -
A more thorough report, for all areas in N.Y. County may be forthcoming in just a few days.
A Pileated Woodpecker has continued at least into Wed., 4-15 at Inwood Hill Park, recently around the Clove area in that parks near-northern wooded portion, a bit southwest of the small sports meadow and lagoon walkway. Of course this bird may move about at times, in its feeding. This is clearly a good time of year to see the species in NYC - also noted in Queens County and Richmond County of N.Y. City recently. The species is also a likely semi-resident or permanent resident of Bronx County in N.Y. City, which is the only county of that city which is on and part-of the N. American mainland, all the other counties are, or are part of, islands - Kings and Queens Counties each being a part of much-larger Long Island.
A Virginia Rail was reported separately at Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan, additional to the bird picked up for rehab-evaluation elsewhere already. Other rail species are also migrating lately thru the region. The Bryant Park Virgina Rail was found by N. Flowers in that park on Wed., and by Thursday, 4-16, was being seen and photographed by large numbers of people thru the day - it may take some patience to observe - as with most rails… It is a rail!
With so many trees and shrubs showing some leaves or leaf-buds, or in bloom recently, as well as all manner of other plant life reawakening, there are also more plentiful arthropods for hungry arriving migrant birds to find and consume, and the leaf cover thats been increasing daily with the very warm weather also is providing a bit of cover for the smaller migrant and other birds.
- - - -
Some but probably not all of new arrivals to the island of Manhattan and, with so many observers in the one park -Central Park- a good percentage of the newly found birds being noted from that location, indeed all that are in this paragraph - are listed here - Spotted Sandpiper - at multiple sites on Manhattan as well as in N.Y. County by now, including several in Central Park, as well as Inwood Hill Park, and elsewhere, Solitary Sandpiper, Green Herons - multiple birds, two of which seen and photographed in Central Park in the same area, plus others elsewhere, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Indigo Bunting, and Baltimore Oriole. There are some additional -other- reports for various migrants that as-of late-day on Thursday were still not confirmed. All of the species noted above and below have also occurred elsewhere in the region, and some already well north of N.Y. City. The sandpipers were also photographed or videotaped by multiple observers including at Central Park.
Still present in Central Park on Thursday was a male-plumaged Hooded Warbler, and at least 9 additional warbler species that were all present in earlier days. Those other warblers included Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush - multiple, Black-and-white Warbler - multiple, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula - at least 8 in Manhattan by Thursday after several were already seen at Central Park, one there seen by more than 100 observers and photographers by today, Northern Yellow Warbler - multiples of this species have arrived in Manhattan seen from lower Manhattan to northern Manhattan, and by now with dozens of observers and photos from several parks, Palm Warbler - many of both sexes, Pine Warbler - both sexes present in numbers, and Yellow-rumped Myrtle-form Warblers, the last the most numerous warbler species in Central on mourning flights this week and the same all around Manhattan and all of N.Y. County, although a lot of day-only observers were reporting Palm Warbler as their most-seen warbler spp, this week.
- -
Of recent warblers this week, a few species represented by individual birds may have already moved on, in the highly-favorable weather conditions for onward passage. Those additional warblers of this week included Worm-eating Warbler and Prairie Warbler. At least a few other species just seen this week may also have moved on. See the 4th paragraph of this report above, for a very few of many examples - some migrants have far-overshot the expected-anticipated early dates or northern-most breeding locations of their species by some days, weeks or considerable distances. We might not expect much more of this by this weekend and next week - however, quite a few migrants have likely arrived and some which are on the early side, or are uncommon or even rare for our region or the local sites, may well be found by birders in coming days. Whip-poor-will has already arrived, and not all that early, on territories to the north of N.Y. City. Other examples await...
Of birds at Central Park, multiple Rusty Blackbirds have been on going, many observers finding two or even more at a go, and the Green Herons have been observed there by over 100 people just in one area on Thursday. Possibly the least-expected of ducks still being seen at Central Park, into Thursday, were 2 Red-breasted Mergansers. Many other ducks at Central such as multiple Green-winged Teal have been lingering on and on, while some overwintered or rapid-migrant ducks also have moved on to more-northerly places, by now. Purple Finches have been seen in many locations in Manhattan recently, but mostly in very modest numbers, while American Goldfinches are also moving thru in greater numbers.
All of the species seen at Central Park, and most other areas within N.Y. County, have been reported or alerted first in the Discord birding-app, and on eBird with alerts there arriving in a short time, after the rapid Discord local alerts have been issued. Media including photos, videos, and audio files are also being placed in the Macaulay Library, with many eBird reports.
Thanks to vast numbers of independent birders and photographers all around Manhattan and also multiple leaders and supporters with the ongoing not-for-profit guided bird walks held in multiple locations thru this spring, led for such institutions and organizations as the American Museum of Natural History, the NYC Bird Alliance, the Linnaean Society of New York, and many more not-for-profit organizations, for many bird sightings, alerts and reports all in never-x apps. Also valued as-ever, reports via others by direct word-of-mouth.
Date: 4/16/26 12:37 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Thu. April 16, 2026: Am. Kestrel, Blue-headed Vireo, Purple Finch, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers
Central Park NYC
Thursday, April 16, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights on an unseasonably warm day with most oaks already in full bloom: American Kestrel, Blue-headed Vireo, Purple Finch, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers.
In addition, Benny Romero reported a Yellow-throated Warbler in the North Woods and a Green Heron at the Loch, and Caren Jahre reported a Rusty Blackbird at the Loch. For details see @mbaleter on "X" maintained by David Barrett.
Canada Goose - 12
Wood Duck - 1 male Reservoir (Deb-early)
Mallard - 11
Bufflehead - 5 (3 males, 2 females)
Hooded Merganser - 2 Reservoir (Deb-early)
Ruddy Duck - 2 females Reservoir (Deb-early)
Mourning Dove - 25-30
American Herring Gull - 100+
Great Black-backed Gull - 2
Double-crested Cormorant - 3
Red-tailed Hawk - 1 adult Azalea Pond
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 5 or 6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 3
Downy Woodpecker - 1 Ramble
Northern Flicker - 3 or 4
American Kestrel - 1 Humming Tombstone
Blue-headed Vireo - 3
Blue Jay - 12-25
Tufted Titmouse - 2 or 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 5 or 6
Hermit Thrush - 8-10
American Robin - 35-40
Purple Finch - 1 Tupelo Field (David Barrett)
Chipping Sparrow - 2 or 3
Dark-eyed Junco - 3 or 4
Swamp Sparrow - 3
Eastern Towhee - 8-10 including 2 females
Red-winged Blackbird - 5-7
Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 Ramble feeders
Common Grackle - 15-20
Palm Warbler - 5-7 "Yellow"
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 25-30
Northern Cardinal - 3 or 4
Date: 4/15/26 12:58 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - Mon.-Tues. 4/13 & 4/14 - arrivals incl. 13+ warbler spp. (V. Rail, midtown pickup)
Prothonotary Warbler has arrived in N.Y. City and ought to be on-the-radar for all birders of the area now, and also same regarding Yellow-throated Warbler with arrivals into our region by now. Quite a lot of other birds of neotropical-wintering status have been showing up in our region, and more are reasonably likely in the current warm weather pattern regionally.
....
In other-than-Manhattan but within N.Y. County birds, an American Oystercatcher or two were just noted from Governors Island, and still being seen offshore there were Bonapartes Gull, and some other lingerers. All of the islands of N.Y. County have been experiencing influxes of migrants, and further observations will be revealing more at those sites, including from Randalls and Roosevelt Islands, as well as Governors Island, and certainly from the length and breadth of Manhattan island. The waters and some smaller islands, as well as the skies, also offer more possibly-interesting birds, this week of warmer weather.
- - - - -
Central Park and all-Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Monday, April 13, and Tuesday, April 14 -
Some new arrivals for the year here include Northern Waterthrush, Worm-eating Warbler, Hooded Warbler, and Prairie Warbler, among at least 9 additional warbler species present. Other migrant species increased a bit, some by more than a bit. There were actually at least a dozen warbler species in some total-species tallies but a couple of these may need confirmations. A Northern Parula seen by many at Central Parks north end was just one of several, and seen by most on the 2nd day after an arrival. A Northern Yellow Warbler was ongoing but was not reported by many.
None of the warblers were record-early although several are certainly earlier than their species peak-arrival periods, which is always a bit, or a lot later in spring than first-arrival dates. This is a sometimes misunderstood or even misconstrued aspect of the phenology of migrants, in particular with some birds which have medium to longer distance migrations to make in passing into, or arriving in, our region. And some species are less prone to have ultra-early spring arrival dates, although this is less and less so in modern-recent years. Ex, some flycatcher species, and a very few sparrow spp, and perhaps Mourning Warbler. There are other examples in the array of migrants we find in spring.
On the 13th, an American Pipit was noticed as it flew over at Central Park. That species is a bit more regular on migration than is realized even over Manhattan, and is perhaps an absolutely-annual migrant, but often overlooked. Knowing the flight calls well is a big help in deducing the presence of this species. Also reported recently and in keeping with other sightings regionally, Glossy Ibis, this a Manhattan sighting…
The first -very few- Wood Thrushes were arriving this week, and by now, these are surely actual migrant-arrivals, not individual birds that somehow overwintered here and escaped detection all thru the winter. Also early, but not unprecedented, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak came in and visited a feeder which is rather little watched in northern Manhattan. Almost all of thrush species in the brown-backed, mainly Cathrarus genus set of migrators are still Hermit Thrush, which have been coming thru in high numbers and are still coming thru.
Monday had brought a heavier overflight of migrants than may have been realized as many birders could not be, or were not out in the first hours of day, or before first light for migration-observations. The multiple species which made good showings - and heard-from-below - included a fair number of Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warblers as well as many Pine, Palm, and much smaller numbers of other American Warblers, such as Black-and-white, N. Parula, and some others. Also in very nice numbers were Hermit Thrushes, Golden-crowned -and lower nos of Ruby-crowned- Kinglets, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and sparrows which especially included Chipping, White-throated, Swamp, and lesser nos of Swamp and Field, as well as more Red Fox Sparrows in migration, all joined with more Dark-eyed Juncos which of course have been moving for weeks by now. Another species on the move for some weeks, but showing a fair increase were N. Yellow-shafted Flicker. By Tuesday there were increases of Ruby-crowned Kinglets, with a definite fresh influx.
The only definitively-identified Night-Herons at Central Park so far this year have all been Black-crowned Night Herons, in varying stages of plumage. Any heron suspected of being a possible Yellow-crowned at Central or elsewhere on Manhattan might be photo-documented for definitive ID.
. . . .
Elsewhere in Manhattan, a goodly amount of migration was also being observed - and the possibly season-first Virgina Rail was found, with a pickup in mid-town and then brought to the Wild Bird Fund for at least an evaluation. If that individual is then released and is found in Central Park, thats the bird out of midtown, perhaps - however this and other rallids are certainly pushing thru in the region so more arrivals are very possible. This V. Rail was photographed in situ before it was taken to the rehab center for evaluation.
A modest flight of Common Loon occurred in the early hours of Monday, with most birds noted seeming to exit out of Long Island - Sound or Atlantic waters, and move towards the northwest as they flew and climbed. The Wild Turkey at Battery Park in lower Manhattan was ongoing.
Below are birds noted at Central Park on Monday and Tuesday.
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Mallard x American Black Duck hybrid
Green-winged Teal - ongoing for many months.
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
feral Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Pied-billed Grebe
Common Loon - good passage on Monday.
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Snowy Egret - flybys only so far.
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture - still a rarer species but a few on the wing over Manhattan and Central Park recently, to this week.
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Coopers Hawk
Bald Eagle
Broad-winged Hawk - at least one, Monday flyover.
Red-tailed Hawk
Owl species but some of these have departed now.
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - bit of increase for this week.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern -Yellow-shafted- Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe - still numerous.
Blue-headed Vireo - increasing.
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow - safely-heard as well as seen.
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow - increasing a bit.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - fresh arrivals esp. by Tuesday.
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch - multiple fresh passage-migrants by Monday.
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - regular now.
Northern House Wren - few so far.
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush - many, near-common now.
Wood Thrush - scant.
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
American Pipit - Monday, confirmed, flyover heard.
House Finch
Purple Finch - modest numbers moving thru.
American Goldfinch
Northern Cardinal
Chipping Sparrow - increasing daily.
Field Sparrow
Red Fox Sparrow - still here for now.
Dark-eyed -Slate-colored- Junco
White-throated Sparrow - good increases of passage-migrators lately.
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird - multiple in recent days.
Common Grackle
-
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler - slightly early.
Louisiana Waterthrush - in multiple parks of Manhattan.
Northern Waterthrush - first photos apparent by Tuesday.
Black-and-white Warbler - more arriving, now in multiple parks of Manhattan.
Common Yellowthroat - several. Early, but not unprecedented.
Hooded Warbler - male, with some singing.
Northern Parula - males.
Northern Yellow Warbler
Palm Warbler - numerous all around.
Pine Warbler - numerous with more females also around.
Yellow-rumped -Myrtle- Warbler - good arrival and passage on Monday.
Prairie Warbler - male. Early, but not unprecedented.
-
And probably at least a couple more species in the waves of fresh migration.
Other parks and sites around the county will likely have a bit more of freshly arrived migrants. More reporting in due course. Thanks to many hundreds of independent watchers and photographers and to the dedicated guides and leaders on not-for-profit guided bird walks, such as for the American Museum of Natural History, the NYC Bird Alliance, the Linnaean Society of NY and multiple other not-for-profit institutions and organizations which offer guided bird walks all around NYC, some also beyond NYC, and all thru the spring - observations and reports are in-part in eBird, with alerts also from the Discord birding app, and as-always, by good old word of mouth.
Date: 4/14/26 3:01 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Mon. April 13, 2026: Rusty Blackbird, Black-and-white, Palm, Pine, and Yellow-rumped Warblers
Central Park NYC
Monday, April 13, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Rusty Blackbird, Black-and-white, Palm, Pine, and Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Canada Goose - 8
Mallard - 8
Mourning Dove - 20
American Herring Gull - a few flyovers
Double-crested Cormorant - 5
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6 or 7
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 3
Downy Woodpecker - 1 Evodia Field
Northern Flicker - 4 or 5
Blue Jay - 10-12
Tufted Titmouse - 3 or 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 14-16
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 3
Hermit Thrush - 4 or 5
American Robin - 35-40
Chipping Sparrow - 5
Field Sparrow - 1 on the Point (Karen Evans)
Dark-eyed Junco - 15
White-throated Sparrow - 20-25
Song Sparrow - 1 Belvedere Castle
Swamp Sparrow - 3
Eastern Towhee - 3 or 4
Red-winged Blackbird - 3 or 4
Rusty Blackbird - 1 male Balcony Bridge
Common Grackle - 11
Black-and-white Warbler - 1 on the Point (Dan Stevenson, Karen Evans)
Palm Warbler - 5 or 6 "Yellow"
Pine Warbler - 4 or 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 3
Northern Cardinal - 6-8
Date: 4/14/26 1:01 pm From: Andrew Block (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <NYSBIRDS-L...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Cross River Dam Reservoir Yellow-throated Warbler no
As of between 7am and 1030 am the warbler was not seen from the parking lot or environs.
Andrew
Andrew BlockConsulting Naturalist
Yonkers, New York www.flickr.com/photos/conuropsis/albums
Date: 4/13/26 4:16 pm From: marciaaabrahams at aol.com (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <NYSBIRDS-L...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Reminder! The next Queens County Bird Club meeting featuring Craig Gibbs, Prospect Park Zoo is this Wednesday, 4/15/26!
Queens County Bird Club Monthly Meeting
Date: April 15, 2026Time: 7:30 PMPlace: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 229-10 Northern Blvd, Douglaston, NY 11362
Craig Gibbs, Assistant Director and Curator, Prospect Park Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society presents "Bird Conservation and the Wildlife Conservation Society Parks"
Craig Gibbs is currently the Assistant Director and Curator of the Prospect Park Zoo, part of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Craig grew up in Minnesota, where he graduated from St. John's University, a private Benedictine college located on 3500 acres of forest, prairie, and wetland. Moving to NYC, WCS and the Bronx Zoo's deep commitment to conservation and stewardship were a natural fit. Starting in 1992 in the Bronx Zoo's education department, Craig was able to impart his passion for the conservation of species and their homes to all age groups. Transitioning from the educational side to the animal side of WCS, Craig has been a curator at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo. Throughout his tenure, he has had the opportunity to work with everything from snow leopards to Andean bears, and eagles to parrots. Craig's talk will describe a bit of WCS's long history of conservation in ornithology as well as highlight some of its current programs.
Marcia AbrahamsVP/Programs CoordinatorQueens County Bird Clubhttps://qcbirdclub.org/Email: <MarciaAAbrahams...>
Date: 4/12/26 1:15 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Sun. April 12, 2026: Brown Thrasher, Fox Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird, Palm, Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers
Central Park NYC
Sunday, April 12, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Brown Thrasher, Fox Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Rusty Blackbird, Palm, Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Canada Goose - 28
Mallard - 12
Bufflehead - 4 (2 males, 2 females)
Mourning Dove - 35-40
Ring-billed Gull - 1 Reservoir
Herring Gull - 22
Double-crested Cormorant - 8
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 3 adults
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 5-7
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 4 or 5
Downy Woodpecker - 1 - Turtle Pond
Northern Flicker - 7-9
Blue Jay - 15-20
Tufted Titmouse - 3 or 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - around 20
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 3 or 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1 Mugger's Woods (Edmund Berry)
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1 female Tupelo Field
Brown Creeper - 3
Brown Thrasher - 1 Maintenance Field
Hermit Thrush - 6-8
American Robin - 30-40
Chipping Sparrow - 2 or 3
Fox Sparrow - 1 Laupot Bridge
Dark-eyed Junco - 10-15
White-throated Sparrow - 20-25
Swamp Sparrow - 5 or 6
Eastern Towhee - 4 or 5 males
Red-winged Blackbird - 3 males
Rusty Blackbird - 1 Laupot Bridge (Sandra Critelli)
Common Grackle - 10-12
Palm Warbler - 3 or 4 "Yellow"
Pine Warbler - 4 or 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 or 2 Turtle Pond
Northern Cardinal - 6-8
Date: 4/12/26 10:51 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - into 4/12 - 7 Warbler spp., etc.
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City - Sunday, April 12 -
At least 7 American Warbler species were ongoing from Saturday to Sunday at Central Park, including Northern Yellow Warbler, Northern Parula, Black-and-white Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrushes, Pine, Palm and Myrtle-form Yellow-rumpled Warblers, the last 5 listed species in the multiple, and the last 3 listed above into double digits, especially so for Palm Warblers. Also ongoing at Central Park are 3 species of swallows - Barn, Tree, and N. Rough-winged Swallows. More than 75 species of native, wild birds for this park so far this weekend, as seen by hundreds of birders and photographers, all in not-for-profit guided bird walks and independently.
…
On Saturday, 4-11, a Pileated Woodpecker was found or re-found at Inwood Hill Park, in northern Manhattan, moving from the mid-park upper woods to nearer the n. side, as seen by multiple observers in later times of day on Saturday. Elsewhere in NY County, a different Vesper Sparrow was among many migrants and other birds seen at Randalls Island on Saturday by a number of keen regulars to Randalls - the Vesper there being different to the sparrow of that species seen as well at Central Park all day Saturday by many many observers and photographers.
You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.
If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:
Gary Chapin - Secretary NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) 125 Pine Springs Drive Ticonderoga, NY 12883
Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert Number: (212) 979-3070
Compiler: Tom Burke Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
Transcriber: Ben Cacace
BEGIN TAPE
Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for *Friday, April 10th, 2026*, at 11 pm. The highlights of today's tape are SANDHILL CRANE, BOHEMIAN WAXWING, a deceased COMMON GROUND DOVE, EURASIAN WIGEON, TUFTED, and HARLEQUIN DUCKS, GLAUCOUS GULL, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, LARK SPARROW, RED CROSSBILL, some new Spring arrivals, and more.
A couple of interesting overhead sightings this week involved two SANDHILL CRANES moving west over the Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Westchester yesterday afternoon and a BOHEMIAN WAXWING reported migrating with a flock of Cedar Waxwings over Robert Moses State Park last Saturday morning.
Not moving by but instead delivered recently to the American Museum of Natural History was an apparently wild but deceased COMMON GROUND DOVE found in late March in Kew Gardens, Queens.
Interesting waterfowl included a drake EURASIAN WIGEON seen again Thursday on Agawam Lake off Pond Lane in Southampton, a drake TUFTED DUCK visiting Cammann's Pond Park Saturday to Monday off Merrick Road in Nassau, and 13 HARLEQUIN DUCKS counted Saturday off Montauk Point.
A GLAUCOUS GULL was spotted again today at Bush Terminal Piers Park, with another at Rockaway Beach last Sunday, while an ICELAND GULL and 3 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at Fort Tilden on Tuesday.
The 6-hour inshore pelagic trip Saturday aboard the American Princess also recorded an ICELAND GULL plus 2 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, along with a RAZORBILL and well over one-thousand NORTHERN GANNETS plus some nice whales.
A CASPIAN TERN was seen moving south past Fort Tryon Park Sunday. An AMERICAN BITTERN was photographed roosting in Brooklyn's Green-wood Cemetery Saturday. A RED-NECKED GREBE was still off City Island in the Bronx last weekend, and a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues at Marshlands Conservancy in Rye. A female RED CROSSBILL was seen feeding at Croton Point Park Thursday afternoon, and a late SNOW BUNTING visited Heckscher State Park field 7 last Saturday, and an apparent LARK SPARROW appeared at a Riverhead feeder Wednesday as well as an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was recorded singing at Ridgewood Reservoir in Queens last Saturday.
Among the various recent arrivals have been CHIMNEY SWIFT, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, FORSTER'S TERN, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, PURPLE MARTIN, and, among the warblers, a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER in Central Park Saturday and a NORTHERN PARULA in Prospect Park today.
To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.
This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.
Date: 4/11/26 1:34 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Sat. April 11, 2026: Blue-headed Vireo, Palm, Pine, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Other Spring MIgrants
Central Park NYC
Saturday April 11, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Osprey, Brown Creeper, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Palm, Pine, and Yellow-rumped Warblers and Other Spring Migrants.
Date: 4/11/26 11:42 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, w/ Central Park, NYC - Pileated WP (Ft. Tryon), Vesper Sparrow, etc.
Manhattan, N.Y. City, including Central Park and elsewhere -
Saturday, April 11th -
A Pileated Woodpecker, a special bird to see in this county, was photographed at the SE part of Fort Tryon Park this Saturday morning. One other site to possibly check would be Highbridge Park as well as all along the Harlem river park areas, as well as Inwood Hill, all in northern Manhattan. This is THE peak time for this species to wander, especially for unmated Pileateds. More on todays sighting in a future report.
A Vesper Sparrow has been seen by many at Central Park, around the northeast of North Meadow ball fields and vicinity in the parks northeast quadrant, thanks to R. Falk and M.B. Kooper for the alerts and the find. Other birds showing in Central Park on Saturday have included Blue-headed Vireos, at least 7 species of American warblers - a listing in later reporting - and nice increases of a variety of expected mid-April migrants. Three species of swallows were continuing in Central, and may be encountered elsewhere in the county, the more recent of these migrants being Barn Swallows.
Date: 4/10/26 1:21 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC. Fri. April 10, 2026: Bald Eagle, Osprey, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers
Central Park, NYC
Friday, April 10, 2026
OBS: Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights on a beautiful, cool, sunny morning: Green-winged Teal (8), Great Egret, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Common Raven, Field Sparrow, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Canada Goose - 30
Mallard - 6
Green-winged Teal - 8 (4 males, 4 females)
Mourning Dove - 5
Double-crested Cormorant - 2 flyovers
Great Egret - 1 flyover Harlem Meer
Osprey - 1 perched at the Pool (thanks to E. J. Bartolazo)
Bald Eagle - 1 fourth-year bird circling over the Harlem Meer
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3
Northern Flicker - 4
Eastern Phoebe - 3
Blue Jay - 8
American Crow - 3
Common Raven - 1 heard then seen over the Grassy Knoll (Kathleen Massey, Dan Stevenson)
Tufted Titmouse - 1 at the Loch
Tree Swallow - 1 at the Pool
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 at the Pool
Hermit Thrush - 2
American Robin - 20-25
Chipping Sparrow - 2 Harlem Meer (Caren Jahre)
Field Sparrow - 1 Green Bench (Caren Jahre)
White-throated Sparrow - around 30
Song Sparrow - 4
Swamp Sparrow - 2 or 3
Red-winged Blackbird - 9
Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 singing male Harlem Meer (David Barrett)
Common Grackle - 5
Palm Warbler - 1 at the Pool
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2 at the Pool
Northern Cardinal - 5
At Central Park, at least one new species for the park this year was noted early in the week, Snowy Egret - as often is with that egret species at Central, seen as a flyover by at least several observers. The Great Egrets continued to show in the park as well as rather greater numbers of flyovers at Central. 3 Swallow species were seen at Central, with Barn the least common for now, but likely to become the most common by the end of this month, and N. Rough-wingeds ongoing since March 23, as well as Tree Swallows also ongoing. The Rough-wingeds have been over several waterbodies, right thru Thursday, at times. These 3 swallow species have all been turning up elsewhere in the county by this week.
Purple Finches were seen and occasionally photographed in multiple locations this week, including multiples found at Central Park. The number of American Goldfinch were up from the week before, but still fairly low for the time of year when more might be on the move.
The quartet of warbler species most regular over this month so far were ongoing, especially at Central Park with Louisiana Waterthrush, Pine, Palm, and Myrtle-form Yellow-rumped Warblers all ongoing. All of these species have also turned up in other locations in Manhattan.
Various other species that were ongoing mainly in modest numbers this week include Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Brown Creepers, N. Yellow-shafted Flickers, E. Phoebes, Chipping, Red Fox, Field, and other native Sparrow species, and in select locations, multiple Rusty Blackbirds. All of these were occurring daily at Central Park, and also in at least several other Manhattan parks each day this week. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have been showing up more and more - some are birds which likely had overwintered in Manhattan and are still around, but some are likely recent arrivals.
There was a fair amount of regional overnight migration on Wednesday night into Thursday morning, however much of that was flying inland, and thus Manhattan seemed not to be the beneficiary of much of that new flight of migrators.
At least 2 American Woodcocks were ongoing at Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan. Lingering waterfowl has included the Green-winged Teals, Wood and Ruddy Ducks, N. Shovelers, Hooded and Common Mergansers, and others all at Central Park, while Brant, and Red-breasted Mergansers, Buffeleheads, and other waterfowl remained in various waters on or surrounding Manhattan. Some American Coots also continued, including at Central Park. Gulls being seen most regularly include Laughing Gull, along with the most regular three species, Ring-billed, American Herring , and Great Black-backed Gulls. A Wild Turkey was ongoing at Battery Park, at Manhattans south end.
The flock of over 40 Bonapartes Gulls seen in NY Harbor just south of Manhattan last Sunday was confirmed from photos added to eBird lists and archived in the Macaulay Library for media.
Good birding, and thanks to independent and not-for-profit birders, and photographers for many sightings, alerts, reports all around Manhattan, as well as for N.Y. County birds.
Date: 4/8/26 5:15 pm From: marciaaabrahams at aol.com (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <NYSBIRDS-L...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Do not miss the next Queens County Bird Club meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 7:30 PM featuring Craig Gibbs "Bird Conservation and the Wildlife Conservation Society Parks".
Queens County Bird Club Monthly Meeting
Date: April 15, 2026Time: 7:30 PMPlace: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 229-10 Northern Blvd, Douglaston, NY 11362
Craig Gibbs, Assistant Director and Curator, Prospect Park Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society presents "Bird Conservation and the Wildlife Conservation Society Parks"
Craig Gibbs is currently the Assistant Director and Curator of the Prospect Park Zoo, part of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Craig grew up in Minnesota, where he graduated from St. John's University, a private Benedictine college located on 3500 acres of forest, prairie, and wetland. Moving to NYC, WCS and the Bronx Zoo's deep commitment to conservation and stewardship were a natural fit. Starting in 1992 in the Bronx Zoo's education department, Craig was able to impart his passion for the conservation of species and their homes to all age groups. Transitioning from the educational side to the animal side of WCS, Craig has been a curator at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo. Throughout his tenure, he has had the opportunity to work with everything from snow leopards to Andean bears, and eagles to parrots. Craig's talk will describe a bit of WCS's long history of conservation in ornithology as well as highlight some of its current programs.
Marcia AbrahamsVP/Programs CoordinatorQueens County Bird Clubhttps://qcbirdclub.org/Email: <MarciaAAbrahams...>
Date: 4/7/26 11:59 am From: Andrew Block (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <NYSBIRDS-L...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] no Tufted Duck at Cammans Pond Park
The previously posted on FB male Tufted Duck at Camman's Pond Park in Merrick, NY, was not there or at Mill Pond Preserve down the road this am. There were s few Ring-necks at both spots though.
Andrew
Andrew BlockConsulting Naturalist
Yonkers, New York www.flickr.com/photos/conuropsis/albums
Date: 4/6/26 5:33 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - 4/5 - Caspian Tern, Bonapartes Gulls, other sightings & notes
Manhattan and elsewhere in N.Y. County, N.Y. City -
Late in the day Sunday, a Caspian Tern was photographed - M. Waldron - out by the Hudson River, from Fort Tryon Park. A first of the year for this county, however some of this species have been found even in or near much more northern breeding areas of NY just recently, and a good movement of Caspian Terns was also noted from western New England on Sunday.
On April 3, two Bonapartes Gulls were seen and photographed off Roosevelt Island, just east of Manhattan and part of N.Y. County. For Sunday, April 5, a flock of 40 Bonapartes Gulls were -reported- by at least 3 observers in the vicinity of the G. Washington bridge on the Hudson River, seen from upper Manhattan. Good numbers of Bonapartes Gulls have been moving in the wider region.
From back on March 31, confirmations were belatedly given to sightings of Lesser Black-backed Gull on the Central Park reservoir, from that day only, per lack of any newer reports.
Louisiana Waterthrush was ongoing at Central Park thru Sunday, as were multiple Pine, Palm, and Myrtle-form Yellow-rumped Warblers, however no Sunday reports yet for the Black-and-white Warbler photographed at Central the day before.
….
Incidentally, for a few of the species only recently found in Manhattan as first-of-year birds, some -of those species- were already showing in breeding areas, such as Louisiana Waterthrush to the Litchfield County, CT highland streams by Sunday, and Blue-headed Vireo also into Connecticut and elsewhere north or northeast of NYC by now. There are other such examples for various songbirds and other birds.
Thanks to many observers and photographers for alerts and reports.
Date: 4/4/26 9:56 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] 5th warbler sp. at Central Park, NYC - Sat., 4/4, & other county-sightings
Seems worthy of this NY State list to note the Crested Caracara seen and photographed in both Monroe County, NY and Wayne County, NY on Friday, 4-3, with multiple observers. The reports are in part in eBird with some media as well in the Macaulay Library. Thanks to those observers, and the original finder.
. . .
On Saturday, April 4th, the 5th warbler species of the day for Manhattan, NYC was found at The Pool area in Central Parks n-w quadrant, a singing male Black-and-white Warbler, first of the year in the county. Multiple observers and photographers by later in the day. A find in the Central Park Ramble of a Wilsons Snipe was enjoyed by multiple observers by later in the day on Saturday. All of the uncommon birds of the day were either first alerted via the Discord birding app, or made known by word of mouth. eBird alerts also came thru for some of the sightings within the hour of being reported. At least some observers were noticing a small increase of Ruby-crowned Kinglet, with their main arrival period still to be seen in coming weeks.
Elsewhere in the county, a first-of-season uncommon-in-county female Blue-winged Teal was found off Governors Island, just south of Manhattan, seen by several as well as photographed. At least 2 Ring-necked Ducks, and Long-tailed Duck were also found, and many other species of birds were also noted from Governors Island. At Randalls Island, the long list of species seen on Saturday included at least 2 Snowy Egrets, and at least 6 N. Rough-winged Swallows, as well as many other types of birds.
The number of bird species for N.Y. County came nearly to 100 in the first 4 days of April, and for Central Park alone the number is more than 85 for this month already.
Date: 4/4/26 4:24 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Sat. April 4, 2026: Continuing Waterfowl, Early Spring Migrants
Central Park NYC
Saturday, April 4, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Wood Duck, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Osprey, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Nuthatches, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Purple Finch, Chipping and Field Sparrows, Pine Warbler.
Canada Goose - 27
Wood Duck - 1 male near Laupot Bridge
Northern Shoveler - 15
Gadwall - 9
Mallard - 40-50
Green-winged Teal - 4 (2 males, 2 females)
Bufflehead - 4 (2 males, 2 females)
Hooded Merganser - 1 female Reservoir (Deb)
Common Merganser - 4 (1 male, 3 females)
Red-breasted Merganser - 3
Ruddy Duck - 5
Mourning Dove - around 20
Ring-billed and Herring Gulls around 60 (50/50)
Great Black-backed Gull - 3
Osprey - 1 flyover Belvedere Castle (David Barrett)
Red-tailed Hawk - 1 adult flyover Maintenance Field (Alexandra Wang)
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6-8
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 3 or 4
Downy Woodpecker - 4
Northern Flicker - 5 or 6
Eastern Phoebe - 3 or 4
Blue Jay - 15-20
Tufted Titmouse - 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 3 or 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 10-15
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1 Laupot Bridge (David Barrett)
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1 Hallett Sanctuary (Deb)
Brown Creeper - 2 or 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1 Azalea Pond
Winter Wren - 1 Laupot Bridge (David Barrett)
Hermit Thrush - 3 or 4 (David Giliotti)
American Robin - 70-80
Purple Finch - 1 male Azalea Pond
American Goldfinch - Evodia Field
Chipping Sparrow - 3
Field Sparrow - 1 Locust Grove (Deb)
Dark-eyed Junco - 25-30
Song Sparrow - 5
Swamp Sparrow - 1 Evodia Field
Red-winged Blackbird - 1 male Azalea Pond
Common Grackle - 5-10
Pine Warbler - 1 Azalea Pond (Miriam Rakowski)
Northern Cardinal - 9-12
Date: 4/4/26 10:48 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - Fri./Sat., April 3rd/4th - B.h. Vireo, 3 Swallow spp., 4 warbler spp., Laughing Gull, etc.
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Good Friday, April 3rd and Saturday, April 4th -
On Friday, the N. Rough-winged Swallows and Tree Swallows continued over the Meer in the parks northeast quadrant. These species had by then been seen by scores of observers and some photographers, and each species also had appeared by then in multiple other sites of the county. On Saturday, at least one Barn Swallow also showed at Central Park, slightly early, as had been the rough-wingeds when they first appeared and were photographed on March 23rd in Central.
Saturday has also brought a slightly-early Blue-headed Vireo in to the Central Park Ramble area, and perhaps elsewhere. The same 4 warbler species present in recent days, starting in March, were still being found in Central - Louisiana Waterthrush, Palm of the yellow form, Pine, and Myrtle-form Yellow-rumped Warbler. Each of these 4 species has also turned up elsewhere on Manhattan. Pine and Palm Warblers have already had numbers in the double-digits on some days, just within Central Park, and for all of Manhattan and the county, on many days going to double-digits. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers have showed in multiple Manhattan locations and a few times in other sites in the county by now. As noted previously, Hermit Thrushes had already begun to show in multiple areas where they had not overwintered, with by now some dozens over all of Central Park on some days.
The occurrences of ducks which were wintering or passing thru has diminished, but many species are still lingering, with at least one-dozen waterfowl spp., with a hybrid form, still to be found in Central Park, including thru Friday all three merganser spp., the very-long staying Green-winged Teal pack, and Wood and Ruddy Ducks, along with all the rest of the winterer that are still around.
On the C.P. reservoir, Laughing Gulls were continuing to show up, and that species is increasing a bit in various other sites in the county. Low-multiples of Rusty Blackbirds have been around - that species also being detected in other sites in Manhattan and around the county, lately. The American Woodcock have continued to be most-observed at Bryant Park in mid-manhattan, however the species has also been moving thru Central Park for weeks.
Up to ten or more raptor species have shown in Central in recent days, including nocturnal spp., and with the 3 falcon species present including Merlin.
Below is a partial listing of birds seen in Central Park for April 3rd and 4th -
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Mallard x American Black Duck hybrid
Green-winged Teal
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
feral Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
American Woodcock
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron increased
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Coopers Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
-multi. owl spp.-
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern -Yellow-shafted- Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe - increased
Blue-headed Vireo - new arrival
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow - increased a bit
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow - newly arrived
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper - increased
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - increased
Winter Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush - increased
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing - light influx, still an increase
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch - light influx, still an increase
American Goldfinch - increased
Chipping Sparrow - increased
Field Sparrow
Red Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed -Slate-colored- Junco
White-throated Sparrow - increased
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow - increased
Swamp Sparrow - increased
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird - increased
Common GrackleNorthern Cardinal
Louisiana Waterthrush
Palm Warbler - yellow form - increased
Pine Warbler - increased
Yellow-rumped -Myrtle- Warbler
And likely at least a few additional species.
Thanks to hundreds of independent observers and photographers as well as the increasing numbers of observers guiding for and-or affiliated with not-for-profit guided bird walks led each week now through the spring, for non-profit organizations and institutions which are promoting sound science and research, conservation and education, outreach in diversity, and with leaders who know the birds and where to find them. All the reports have come from such observers out photographers, with many reports or alerts in the Discord birding app, and via eBird with the Macaulay Library for media, as well as thru good old word-of-mouth. -Further reports for all of New York County, after Easter Sunday.-
You can also send reports and digital image files via email to
nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org
If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos
or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:
Gary Chapin - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883
Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070
Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
Transcriber: Gail Benson
[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]
Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, April 3,
2026 at 11:00 pm.
The highlights of today's tape are BLACK-HEADED and ICELAND GULLS,
CASPIAN TERN, HARLEQUIN DUCK, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, RED-HEADED
WOODPECKER, GAMBEL’S-type WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW and various earlier
spring migrants.
A slow week, with the doldrums hopefully coming to an end soon. Our
most interesting rarity possibly was the adult BLACK-HEADED GULL still
present around Frank Melville Memorial Park and Pond in Setauket at
least to Monday. An ICELAND GULL was also still visiting the Brooklyn
Army Terminal Pier 4 as of Thursday, and a few LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULLS continue to be reported, while an interesting arrival featured a
CASPIAN TERN spotted Tuesday in the bay by the Croton-Harmon train
station in Westchester..
Out at Montauk Point, 6 HARLEQUIN DUCKS were spotted offshore
Saturday, and back at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 2 LONG-BILLED
DOWITCHERS were noted visiting the West Pond Saturday through Monday.
NORTHERN GANNETS have been streaming east along Long Island’s south
shore in good numbers recently, but very few appearing in western Long
Island Sound have featured 5 off City Island in the Bronx Tuesday,
with just a few other scattered GANNET sightings this week, though a
RED-NECKED GREBE was also spotted off City Island today.
An adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues near the shore at Marshlands
Conservancy in Rye, and a GAMBEL'S-type WHITE CROWNED SPARROW was
still visiting Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery today, lingering in
bushes east of Sylvan Waters .
Among the recently arriving migrants this week have been VIRGINIA
RAIL, SOLITARY and SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, LITTLE BLUE HERON, WHITE-EYED
and BLUE-HEADED VIREOS, MARSH WREN, and a BLACK-THROATED GREEN
WARBLER, this in Prospect Park Monday.
To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.
This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.
Date: 4/3/26 1:33 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Fri. April 3, 2026: G-w Teal (7), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Field Sparrow (6), Palm and Pine Warblers
Central Park NYC
Friday, April 3, 2026
OBS: Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights on a cold, misty morning with gradual warming: Green-winged Teal (7), Golden-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Field Sparrow (6), Palm and Pine Warblers. Note: Dan Stevenson and Karen Evans reported a Louisiana Waterthrush at Laupot Bridge in the Ramble on Wednesday (4/1). Many thanks to the participants for the excellent bird spotting this morning.
Canada Goose - 21
Mallard - 10-12
Green-winged Teal - 7 (3 males, 4 females) (Sabine Schumacher)
Mourning Dove - 1
Double-crested Cormorant - flyover Harlem Meer
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 2 (male Harlem Meer, female Loch Overlook)
Downy Woodpecker - 1 male Loch Overlook
Northern Flicker - 4
Eastern Phoebe - 10
Blue Jay - 5-7
American Crow - 3
Tufted Titmouse - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2 Green Bench (Edmund Berry)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1 male near Davis Center Harlem Meer
American Robin - 19-20
American Goldfinch - 2 Wildflower Meadow
Chipping Sparrow - 2 North Meadow Ballfields (Edmund Berry)
Field Sparrow - 6 Wildflower Meadow
Dark-eyed Junco - 1 near Conservatory Garden (Scott Brevda)
White-throated Sparrow - 15-20
Song Sparrow - 3 (Caren Jahre)
Red-winged Blackbird - 5 or 6
Palm Warbler - 1 "Yellow" near Davis Center Harlem Meer (Scott Brevda)
Pine Warbler - 1 in pines next to Plant Nursery
Northern Cardinal - 5
Date: 4/1/26 6:18 pm From: marciaaabrahams at aol.com (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <NYSBIRDS-L...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] The next Queens County Bird Club meeting will be held on April 15, 2026, at 7:30 PM and feature Craig Gibbs "Bird Conservation and the Wildlife Conservation Society Parks"
Queens County Bird Club Monthly Meeting
Date: April 15, 2026Time: 7:30 PMPlace: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 229-10 Northern Blvd, Douglaston, NY 11362
Craig Gibbs, Assistant Director and Curator, Prospect Park Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society presents "Bird Conservation and the Wildlife Conservation Society Parks"
Craig Gibbs is currently the Assistant Director and Curator of the Prospect Park Zoo, part of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Craig grew up in Minnesota, where he graduated from St. John's University, a private Benedictine college located on 3500 acres of forest, prairie, and wetland. Moving to NYC, WCS and the Bronx Zoo's deep commitment to conservation and stewardship were a natural fit. Starting in 1992 in the Bronx Zoo's education department, Craig was able to impart his passion for the conservation of species and their homes to all age groups. Transitioning from the educational side to the animal side of WCS, Craig has been a curator at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo. Throughout his tenure, he has had the opportunity to work with everything from snow leopards to Andean bears, and eagles to parrots. Craig's talk will describe a bit of WCS's long history of conservation in ornithology as well as highlight some of its current programs.
Marcia AbrahamsVP/Programs CoordinatorQueens County Bird Clubhttps://qcbirdclub.org/Email: <MarciaAAbrahams...>
Date: 3/31/26 8:24 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - 3/31 - 6 Warbler spp., other migrants
Manhattan, and elsewhere in N.Y. County, N.Y. City -
Tuesday, March 31st -
Even before noon hour, it was apparent that a nice fresh arrival of spring migrants came in to areas in the county, with some likely new to the year here for this day. At least several Louisiana Waterthrushes are in again, with multiple observers of these at Central Park. Palm Warblers of the yellow form are in with double-digit numbers, and the same for Pine Warblers, and with some female-plumaged Pines now having arrived. Some Yellow-rumped Warblers of the Myrtle form are still to be found, these still not that likely to be arrivals from far away.
One Orange-crowned Warbler at Randalls Island today might well be an individual that survived the winter in that area, but could possibly be a recent or new arrival to the county. An Ovenbird reported on March 30, at the Tudor City apt. buildings outdoor plantings, Manhattan east side, was likely a successfully overwintered warbler, not an excessively-early new migrant arrival. There still might be at least a few other survivors of the deep freezes of winter, at or near sites that offered some shelter and sustenance of whatever kinds are found in the big city. Still more warblers are possible by now, although not many other species are quite fully expected just yet.
Some other songbirds have been increasing a bit with Hermit Thrushes and Chipping Sparrows just 2 of the examples, among species that will be widespread in another week or two here. N. House Wren had been reported, and may be present in minimal numbers, while at least a few Marsh Wrens also were showing in 2 Manhattan locations by Tuesday. Other wrens present for some time include Winter Wren and in some locations, Carolina Wren, the latter in part being those which survived a tough winter even here in the big city with its possibilities of sheltered locations. Many other songbirds are starting to increase, and many also have been singing from sites around the county, even if they are not breeding at all here. An example of the latter are Red Fox Sparows, singing well lately, but breed at least several hundred miles n. of here. A few Purple Finches as well as more of American Goldfinches are starting to return.
Laughing Gulls have been slowly increasing in the county, recently showing in Central Park on the reservoir, where for a time, 500-plus gulls, mainly Ring-billed Gulls were gathered on Monday. Other less common Gull species might be watched for all thru April. On Randall's Island on Tues morning, a probable first-of-season Snowy Egret came by, and Great Egrets are ongoing in multiple areas in the county. Other herons and egrets also might be watched for as some species are arriving, as are Ibis, in the local region by now.
Much more could be noted on a day when finding 100 species in this county would not be impossible, for the devoted birder with time to wander quite a bit.
Date: 3/30/26 1:22 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - 3/29 - B.-t. Grackle, Am. Oystercatcher - and Manhattan sightings
Sunday, March 29th -
At Governors Island, off the south end of Manhattan and within N.Y. County, 2 observers independently found a fly-by American Oystercatcher, still a very uncommon sight in this county, Yet more-uncommon for the county, especially as a photo-documemted and confirmed sighting, a single Boat-tailed Grackle came by, also apparently heading off north. Anyone suspecting they are seeing Boat-tailed Grackle in this county ought to attempt photos for confirmations. Thanks to M.B. Kooper, and A. Cunningham, respectively, for these 2 good finds. Of course, a variety of other migrant or semi-resident species were also seen from or on Governors Island on the day.
In Manhattan, the 2 swallow species that have been present for 7 days were seen by multiple observers at the Harlem meer in Central Park - N. Rough-winged Swallow and Tree Swallow. Some patience may be needed as the swallows are both active and-or resting at various times each day since last Monday March 23. We expect more rough-wings to come along fairly soon, as well as more of other swallows. At Inwood Hill Park, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was seen again, one of multiple migrants and resident birds being seen there. The county overall reached or surpassed a total of 120 species this month, and we still have 2 days with potential for arrivals before April.
Good birding, and thanks to 100s of independent observers and photographers, as well as those leading or affiliated with not-for-profit guided bird walks in Manhattan and around the county, for reports and alerts all via the Discod birding app and via eBird, with the Macaulay Library for media, as well as good old word-of-mouth.
Date: 3/29/26 3:06 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Sun. March 29, 2026: Wood Duck (7), Ring-necked Duck, R-b Nuthatch, Pine Warbler
Central Park, NYC
Sunday, March 29, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Wood Duck (7), Ring-necked Duck, Common Merganser (4), Red-breasted Merganser (9), Black-crowned Night-Heron (7), Red-breasted Nuthatch (2), Brown Creeper, Chipping Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Pine Warbler (2).
Canada Goose - 113
Wood Duck - 7 (6 males, 1 female)
Northern Shoveler - 16
Mallard - 25-30
American Black Duck - 1 male Lake
Ring-necked Duck - 1 male Reservoir (Deb)
Common Merganser - 4 including one adult male
Red-breasted Merganser - 9
Ruddy Duck - 3
Mourning Dove - 25-30
Ring-billed and American Herring Gulls - around 150, mostly Am. Herring
Great Black-backed Gull - 3
Double-crested Cormorant - 6
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 7
Great Blue Heron - 1 west side of the Lake
Red-tailed Hawk - 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6-8
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 4 or 5
Downy Woodpecker - 3 or 4
Northern Flicker - 4 or 5
Eastern Phoebe - 4
Blue Jay - 10-15
American Crow - 2 flyovers Tupelo Field
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 9 or 10
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Belvedere Castle (Edmund Berry)
Brown Creeper - 1 Evodia Field
Northern Mockingbird - 1 Oven/Willow Rock
American Robin - 20-25
House Finch - 4 Swampy Pin Oak
American Goldfinch - 4 or 5
Chipping Sparrow - 1 Evodia Field feeders (Caren Jahre)
Dark-eyed Junco - 20-25
White-throated Sparrow - 25-30
Song Sparrow - 4 or 5
Swamp Sparrow - 1 Evodia Field
Red-winged Blackbird - 1 male Evodia Field
Common Grackle - 25-30
Pine Warbler - 2 (Belvedere Castle (Edmund Berry), Upper Lobe (Sandra Critelli))
Northern Cardinal - 5 or 6
Date: 3/28/26 2:32 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Sat. March 28, 2026: Common Merganser (5), Belted Kingfisher
Central Park NYC
Saturday March 28, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: American Black Duck, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Chipping, Fox, and Swamp Sparrows.
Canada Goose - 85
Wood Duck - 3 (2 males, 1 female)
Northern Shoveler - 12
Mallard - 26
American Black Duck - 1 male Lake
Bufflehead - 4 (2 males, 2 females)
Hooded Merganser - 4 (2 males, 2 females)
Common Merganser - 5 (1 male, 1 second-year, 3 females)
Red-breasted Merganser - 7
Ruddy Duck - 4
Mourning Dove - 25-30
Ring-billed and Herring Gulls - 50
Great Black-backed Gull - 2 Reservoir
Double-crested Cormorant - 3
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 6
Red-tailed Hawk - 1 immature perched in Ramble
Belted Kingfisher - 1 Turtle Pond (Heather Cook)
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 8-10
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 5
Downy Woodpecker - 3 or 4
Northern Flicker - 10-12
Eastern Phoebe - 4 or 5
Blue Jay - 9-11
Tufted Titmouse - 8-10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2 Ramble
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 6-8
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1 male Laupot Bridge
Brown Creeper - 3
Whiter Wren - 2 Ramble (David Barrett)
Hermit Thrush - 1 Ramble
American Robin - 25-30
American Goldfinch - 3
Chipping Sparrow - 1 Evodia Field
Fox Sparrow - 1 Azalea Pond
Dark-eyed Junco - 15-20
White-throated Sparrow - 30-40
Song Sparrow - 4 or 5
Swamp sparrow - 1 Evodia Field
Red-winged Blackbird - 2 males (Pinetum, Turtle Pond)
Common Grackle - 30-40
Northern Cardinal - 6
Date: 3/28/26 2:56 am From: Thomas Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Correction to last post (finder of Bonapartes Gulls, 3/27)
A correction on the finder and photographer of 4 Bonapartes Gulls on the Hudson River off Manhattan, N.Y. City on Friday, March 27 - the observer was Linda LaBella. Apologies for the mixup, to both of these regulars of birding the county and region. The sighting was as stated, from the pier area off the western end of Dyckman Street, in northern Manhattan.
Date: 3/28/26 1:37 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, N.Y. City - w/ Central Park - Fri., 3/27 - Bonapartes Gulls (H. River), Palm, Pine, Y.-r. Warblers, 2 Swallow spp., etc.
Manhattan, N.Y. City - with Central Park, and other sites in Manhattan -
Friday, March 27th -
4 Bonapartes Gulls were seen and photographed -K. Becker- off the western end of Dyckman St. along the Hudson River at northern Manhattan on Friday. These and other species of gull may be moving over coming weeks.
The Northern Rough-winged Swallows seen thru Friday at the Harlem Meer in Central Park were first noted and well-photographed there as of March 23, with many observers and photographers since then, as well as the more-usual this early Tree Swallows. The swallows there have sometimes been easier to see, sometimes not. More of these species will of course be arriving. Photos, including from March 23, were placed in the Macaulay Library for media and are publicly accessible.
By Friday, multiple Palm Warblers of the yellow form had arrived on Manhattan with sightings from Central Park, Inwood Hill Park, Riverside Park, and at least a few other sites in Manhattan. For Central Park alone, a minimum of 7 individual Palms were scattered around various areas. Pine Warblers have been found in Central Park all week and still showing in multiple areas on Friday, with a very few Myrtle-form Yellow-rumped Warblers also being around, not necessarily new arrivals. A Louisiana Waterthrush which had arrived earlier this week was not re-found by Friday despite a bit of extra searching. The species will of course be regular in just a week or so all around, especially at Central Park with its multitude of small streams and waterfalls. One such flowing stream is within the C.P. Zoo grounds. Two of the streams are north of 106th St.
Of other birds showing some additional increases, Chipping Sparrows were up to more than 25 for all of Central Park by Friday, with a small flock ranging around the NE sector of the park, especially on the north sides and vicinity of the N. Meadow ballfields and adjacent knoll, where Field Sparrow was also present, along with many Song Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos. Swamp Sparrows were slightly increased as well by Friday. Red Fox Sparrows were still present and some singing by all these, as well as widespread White-throated Sparrows, was heard. Savannah Sparrow has been scarce but was again present. Also piping-up from a few areas in Central were Eastern Towhees, seen in multiple areas.
Rusty Blackbirds have continued at a few locations, the most-watched certainly one or more in the Central Park Ramble all this week. Some of these have been singing a bit at times. Golden-crowned Kinglets were still quite numerous in multiple Manhattan areas, with several dozen present spread all thru Central Park. Ruby-crowned Kinglet have been much less numerous since their spring arrivals have not really started yet. One slightly early Blue-gray Gnatcatcher has shown at Central Park by this week, and one was still present there on Friday. As already noted to this list, Hermit Thrushes increased a bit this week, with sightings in many more locations, esp. from the larger parks including Central Park, than had overwintered in these areas.
Great Egrets persisted at Central Park all week, a few fairly regular at the northern waterbodies. The species has also shown elsewhere on and over Manhattan. Great Blue Herons also were persisting in Central Park and some elsewhere, with some flyovers also being seen. The numbers of Black-crowned Night Herons in Central Park have increased with up to 8 or more present on recent days, including some roosts with up to 6 or more visible at once. These also have been found elsewhere in Manhattan just recently. Belted Kingfisher has appeared in Central Park, but more-regularly had been seen elsewhere this month. A Wild Turkey has continued on and on at Battery Park, at the s. end of Manhattan.
At the Central Park reservoir, still up to NINE Red-breasted Mergansers were lingering, as were at least 5 Common Mergansers. Other ducks lingering on at Central Park included Green-winged Teals, Wood Ducks, N. Shovelers, Gadwall, American Black Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, Buffleheads, Ruddy Ducks, and of course plenty of Mallards. Off on the rivers or the harbor, as watched from Manhattan, both Red-throated and Common Loons were still around and increasing numbers of Double-c reacted Cormorants have been arriving. Sightings of Great Cormorant were fewer and farther-between, at least as seen from Manhattan. American Coot was still present, including at Central Park.
Fish Crows are around recently making themselves heard at times, and Common Ravens are ongoing, with some appearing at Central Park at times. The Raven pair at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine have made a nest again, and others around Manhattan are likely engaged in similar activity by now. American Crows are regular and occasionally numerous around Manhattan. Owls of at least 5 species have been present within the past week.
Below are birds seen in Central Park on Friday, by hundreds of observers and photographers.
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Mallard x American Black Duck hybrid
Green-winged Teal
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
feral Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Killdeer - mainly n. Manhattan.
American Woodcock
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Coopers Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern -Yellow-shafted- Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - from 3-23, photographed at Central Park on that day and since.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Red Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed -Slate-colored- Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Northern Cardinal
Palm Warbler - all of the yellow form - in multiple areas on Friday.
Pine Warbler - in multiple areas in Central Park.
Yellow-rumped -Myrtle- Warbler - relatively few.
- - Louisiana Waterthrush earlier in the week, not found by Friday. - -
Many ornamental plants at Central Park and elsewhere in Manhattan have been budding and some blooming, including a number of the early varieties of cherry trees. Willow trees have been unfurling leaves, some trees and shrubs also at least started to show leaf-buds and many more are in flower by now. The Cornus mas trees in many areas are startling to bloom, and many Magnolia trees as well. At the Ramble, some planted native wildflowers had begun to bloom, including some Hepatica.
Insects that came out especially by Thursday when temparatures reached 75 F. At Central Park included Mourning Cloak and E. Comma butterflies, and there were a variety of small moths, bees, flies, beetles, bugs and other insect spp. being noticed as well as spiders - which are arachnids, not insects.
Good birding and thanks to many observers and photographers for reports via the Discord birding app, and via eBird with the Macaulay Library for media.
You can also send reports and digital image files via email to
nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org
If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos
or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:
Gary Chapin - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883
Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070
Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
Transcriber: Gail Benson
[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]
Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, March 27,
2026 at 11:00 pm.
The highlights of today’s tape are TRUMPETER and TUNDRA SWANS,
EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS,
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, RED CROSSBILL, GAMBEL’S
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW and more.
The New York City TRUMPETER SWAN visiting the East River since late
February was last reported Wednesday the 25th in Brooklyn off the
North 5th Street Pier and Park, where it and an accompanying MUTE SWAN
had spent most of the week up to that point.
A TUNDRA SWAN found last Friday at Moravian Cemetery in central Staten
Island stayed there through Saturday but moved on Sunday morning.
A drake EURASIAN WIGEON noted March 13th off Shirley was seen again
Sunday with a group of AMERICAN WIGEON in Bellport Bay off Shirley
Beach on the west side of Shirley.
An immature male KING EIDER was spotted again Sunday near Shinnecock
Inlet and a little west of there near the Ponquogue Bridge,
accompanying a flock of COMMON EIDER, while a female COMMON EIDER was
unusual Monday off Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx.
A BLACK-HEADED GULL in virtually full breeding plumage was seen up to
Thursday at Frank Melville Memorial Park and Pond in Setauket, this
north of Old Field Road.
An immature GLAUCOUS GULL was seen last weekend at Bush Terminal Piers
Park and nearby Bush Army Terminal Pier 4, with 1 also at Staten
Island’s Miller Field last Sunday, and lingering ICELAND GULLS were
noted at both Bush Terminal Parks above as well as at Calvert Vaux
Park Tuesday and Jerome Reservoir in the Bronx Wednesday.
A LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, perhaps wintering, was photographed along
Dune Road on Tuesday, and single RED-NECKED GREBES included 1 off
Breezy Point Saturday and 1 continuing off Floyd Bennett Field at
least to Tuesday.
An adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues at Marshlands Conservancy in Rye.
A small group of RED CROSSBILLS was encountered today near Jones Pond
off the Paumanok Trail in Manorville; this species has nested in this
area before, so please do not disturb them. Access to the area is
from Schultz Road.
An immature GAMBEL’S-type WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW continues in
Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery.
Some arrivals noted during the week have featured PECTORAL SANDPIPER,
LESSER YELLOWLEGS, GLOSSY IBIS, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED and BARN
SWALLOWS, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH.
To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.
This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.
Date: 3/27/26 3:46 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Fri. March 27, 2026: Continuing Waterfowl, Tree and N. Rough-winged Swallows, Pine Warbler
Central Park NYC - North End
Friday March 27, 2026
OBS: Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights for the North End, with additional birds at the Reservoir: Green-winged Teal (6), Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser (10), Tree and Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper (4), Field and Swamp Sparrows, Pine Warbler.
Canada Goose - 39
Mallard - 35
Green-winged Teal - 6
Ruddy Duck - 1 Harlem Meer, others at Reservoir
Mourning Dove - 4
Ring-billed Gull - 2 Harlem Meer, others at Reservoir
American Herring Gull - 4, others at Reservoir
Great Black-backed Gull - 7 at Reservoir
Double-crested Cormorant - 2 Harlem Meer, another at Reservoir
Great Egret - 1 Harlem Meer (probably the bird reported Wednesday by Ruben Giron
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 3 or 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1 Loch
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2, others heard
Downy Woodpecker - 3
Hairy Woodpecker - heard-only
Northern Flicker - 5
Eastern Phoebe - 2
Blue Jay - 12
American Crow - 5
Tufted Titmouse - 8
Tree Swallow - 1 over Harlem Meer
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 1 over Harlem Meer
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 4
Brown Creeper - 4
Northern Mockingbird - 1 Harlem Meer
American Robin - 28
American Goldfinch - 5
Field Sparrow - 1 stream between Meer and Loch, another heard
Fox Sparrow - 3
Dark-eyed Junco - 15
White-throated Sparrow - many
Song Sparrow - 6
Swamp Sparrow - 3
Red-winged Blackbird - 6 males
Common Grackle
Pine Warbler - 1 male Green Bench
Northern Cardinal - 6
Date: 3/26/26 4:32 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - to 3/26 - Redhead, Laughing Gull, W. Snipe, N.R.-w. Swallow, Gr. Egret, L. Waterthrush, Rusty BB, etc.
N.Y. County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Governors, Randalls, and Roosevelt Islands, and the adjacent waters and skies above -
Into Thursday, March 26th -
Many birds capable of song have been giving some and the singing is sure to increase with each day as spring rolls on. Some of those birds with no true songs also are vocalizing at times, according to their habits and abilities.
A drake Redhead appeared and was photographed, with at least 3 observers, off Inwood Hill Park at the northern end of Manhattan on Wed. afternoon. This duck species is generally scarce in the county in the modern era, with occasional appearances in most recent decades.
Louisiana Waterthrush arrived in the county at least by Wed, March 25, and was in Central Park as well by Thursday. The species had made initial appearances in N.Y. City at least by March 24th. Slightly earlier than the main arrivals of that species, but not unprecedented for dates.
By Monday, March 23, a slightly-early arrival of at least 2 N. Rough-winged Swallows at Central Park were added to the prior arrivals of Tree Swallows, for the year in this county. Minimal Great Egret arrivals so far, but there is still a bit of March remaining - first reports came by Sunday and some more for Monday, and slightly more by Tuesday including several at Central Park. Ospreys also came in with a bit more urgency, by the weekend. Almost any patch of habitat may hold E. Phoebe by now, as larger arrivals pick up the pace. Hermit Thrush arrivals began to appear, these are new to the year, not just the relatively few that lingered all thru the roughest parts of the winter, with some few dozen or more scattered thru parks in Manhattan and including newly arrived birds at Central Park. More Yellow-shafted Flickers have been coming in, sometimes noticed in discrete areas of sites within the county.
Also noted at Central Park from Sunday into Monday were multiple Pine Warblers at various sectors of that park. The American Wigeon continuing at The Pool in that park has been seen solely by independent observers and passersby or those participating in no-for-profit walks since that species first showed in that park this year. Hundreds of observers and photographers had seen the drake wigeon even prior to this past weekend. A Ring-nacked Duck recently continuing at the C.P. reservoir had been seen for weeks by large numbers of observers. On Monday for a time, as many as 9 Red-breasted Mergansers showed at the C.P. reservoir but again, that species is occurring in county waters in numbers up to 15-20 times greater as is typical of the season. Elsewhere in the county some Long-tailed Ducks and Common Goldeneyes were still seen to the end of last week or into the new week, and Lesser and Greater Scaup each showed as well, the latter more so thru this week. The most recent N. Pintail may have been one at Inwood Hill Park in n. Manhattan. Brant are ongoing in expected locations, as is expected thru at least mid-spring here.
The ongoing Trumpeter Swan with its Mute Swan friend on the East River have continued to be reported from, or on, N.Y. County waters at times, but far more observers were giving Kings County - Brooklyn, NYC - as the location for sightings of the rarer swan with its commoner cousin. Other Mute Swans may be seen aside from the individual partnering with the Trumpeter Swan.
Laughing Gull and Wilsons Snipe were among sightings from Governors Island last Sunday, with a bit of increase for Killdeer seen there as well. Wilsons Snipe was also present on Randalls Island from Sunday and Monday. American Woodcock were still being seen, with more than one individual turning up at a typical site for many observers to see the species in Manhattan, at Bryant Park. Others were still turning up elsewhere. Double-crested Cormorants we’re slowly increasing, and we continue to have Black-crowned Night Herons in a number of locations, including multiples staying around Central Park.
Savannah Sparrows showed a bit of increase in multiple areas of the county, as did Swamp Sparrow. Since spring officially started we have no confirmed sightings of American Tree Sparrow - and Chipping Sparrow will be the far-more-likely as we soon get in to April. Red Fox Sparrow were still around and can be heard singing well in many locations where they are gathered.
Pine Warblers had started to show in a number of county locations including multiple parks of northern Manhattan, but still in relatively modest numbers overall - this species had a nice little uptick by Wednesday, however. Myrtle-form Yellow-rumped Warblers are in even smaller supply, and those being found now are likely regionally-overwintered. Rusty Blackbirds continued to be seen at multiple locations in Central Park, and a bit less-regularly elsewhere. Such species as Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, and Red-breasted Nuthatch were ongoing in modest numbers around the county.
A more comprehensive list of species seen around the county will be given in a few days after further investigations and sightings.
Various trees and shrubs as well as mainly-planted or cultivated herbaceous plants are starting to have buds and some are blooming. Willows are greening up by the day, and red maples have color, as do a few other types of trees showing flower or bud colors.
Good birding, and thanks to many independent observers and photographers and to the many affiliated with or guiding walks for not-for-profit organizations, including the NYC Bird Alliance, the American Museum of Natural History, the Linnaean Society of New York and additional non-profit organizations and institutions. Reports and alerts were offered via the Discord birding app, and via eBird with the Macaulay Library for media, and thru good old word of mouth.
Date: 3/23/26 4:54 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Sun. March 22, 2026: American Wigeon, Co. and Red-breasted Mergansers, Bald Eagle, E. Phoebe
Central Park NYC
Sunday March 22, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: American Wigeon, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Eastern Phoebe, Fox Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow.
Canada Goose - 7
Northern Shoveler - 12
American Wigeon - 1 male continued at the Pool (Deb-early)
Mallard - 56
Green-winged Teal - several continued at the Pool
Ring-necked Duck - 1 male continued at the Reservoir (@mbalerter on "X")
Bufflehead - 3
Common Merganser - 2 females Reservoir (Ryan Serio)
Red-breasted Merganser - 6 females Reservoir (Ryan Serio)
Ruddy Duck - 3
Mourning Dove - around 20
Ring-billed Gull - 12
Herring Gull - 35
Great Black-backed Gull - 9
Double-crested Cormorant - 2 Reservoir
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 2 adults west side of Lake
Great Blue Heron - 1 adult Turtle Pond
Osprey - 1 flyover (J.P.)
Bald Eagle - 1 flyover (Ryan Serio)
Red-tailed Hawk - 1 adult near Boathouse
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6
Downy Woodpecker - 2 or 3
Northern Flicker - at least 2
Eastern Phoebe - 3
Blue Jay - 12-15
American Crow - 2 flyovers
Tufted Titmouse - 7-10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2 Azalea Pons (Bob-early)
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 6-8
American Robin - 25-30
American Goldfinch - 6-8
Fox Sparrow - 3
Dark-eyed Junco - 12-15
White-throated Sparrow - 20-25
Song Sparrow - 3 or 4
Swamp Sparrow - 1 Evodia Field
Red-winged Blackbird - 3 or 4
Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 Evodia Field (J.P.)
Common Grackle - 40-50
Northern Cardinal - 7-9
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Date: 3/21/26 4:51 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC, Sat. March 21, 2026: Co. and Red-breasted Mergansers, Osprey, Chipping Sparrow
Central Park, NYC
Saturday March 21, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights on a warm and breezy morning: Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Osprey, Cooper's Hawk, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Chipping and Fox Sparrows.
Canada Goose - at least 60
Wood Duck - 3 males
Mallard - around 25
Bufflehead - 10
Hooded Merganser - 1 male Reservoir
Common Merganser - 4
Red-breasted Merganser - 6
Mourning Dove - 10-15
Ring-billed and Herring Gulls - around 250, mostly Ring-billed
Great Black-backed Gull - 8
Double-crested Cormorant - 2 (Reservoir and Lake)
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 2 west side of the Lake
Osprey - 1 flyover (Sandra Critelli)
Cooper's Hawk - 1 or 2 in the Ramble
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 5 or 6
Downy Woodpecker - 2 (the Point, Great Lawn)
Eastern Phoebe - 1 Maintenance Field (Sam)
Blue Jay - 8
Tufted Titmouse - 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 Azalea Pond
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Shakespeare Garden
Brown Creeper - 1 Mouth of the Gill
American Robin - around 20
American Goldfinch - 9 (Sandra Critelli)
Chipping Sparrow - 1 Evodia Field (Sandra Critelli)
Fox Sparrow - 1 Humming Tombstone (Sandra Critelli)
White-throated Sparrow - 20-25
Song Sparrow - 1 Evodia field
Red-winged Blackbird - 2 or 3
Common Grackle - 40-50
Northern Cardinal - 6-8
Date: 3/21/26 10:48 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - to Fri., 3/20 - Am. Wigeon & other ducks, Pine Warblers, etc.
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
to Fri., March 20, with some updates to Saturday
Pine Warblers continued in the park thru Friday, not many but in multiple areas. Also noted again, by fewer observers, was Myrtle-form Yellow-rumped Warbler.
A drake American Wigeon showed at The Pool in Central Parks n-w quadrant by Thursday morning, 3-19, and was seen later that day into Friday by many more observers and photographers, with up to 6 Green-winged Teal also at the Pool, the latter a very long lingering species there. The Wigeon was continuing for a 3rd day at that location to Saturday. A few Hooded Mergansers also persisted there and elsewhere in the park, and other waterfowl in the park has included Wood Duck, N.Shoveler, Gadwall, American Black Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Common and Red-breasted Merganser, along with motley Mallards and Canada Geese.
Sparrows in the park have included Red Fox, Swamp, and other overwintered other recently-increased species such as Song Sparrow, and Dark-eyed Junco, as well as the hordes of White-throated Sparrows. The flyovers being noticed have included both Black and multiples of Turkey Vultures, Bald Eagle, and assorted other regulars among the birds of prey, including all 3 regular falcons - American Kestrel, Merlin, and Peregrine. Small passerines seen in the multiple include, among others, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, and various other species. Ruby-crowned Kinglets seen to now were local-wintering individuals.
Good birding, thanks to many observers and photographers for alerts and reports in the Discord app, and via eBird with the Macaulay Library for media, and via good old word of mouth.
You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.
If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:
Gary Chapin - Secretary NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) 125 Pine Springs Drive Ticonderoga, NY 12883
Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert Number: (212) 979-3070
Compiler: Tom Burke Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
Transcriber: Ben Cacace
BEGIN TAPE
Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for *Friday, March 20th 2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today's tape are TRUMPETER and TUNDRA SWANS, EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER, BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, Gambel's WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, and more.
The New York City TRUMPETER SWAN continues along the Brooklyn shore of the East River. Today, it was present with its accompanying Mute Swan for much of the day around the North 5th Street Pier and Park. These birds have frequented this section of the East River north of the Williamsburg Bridge for much of the week and seem to be comfortable there.
An adult TUNDRA SWAN was present today on the East Pond in Moravian Cemetery in central Staten Island. This likely the same swan spotted on Tuesday at High Rock Park.
Two male EURASIAN WIGEON were reported Saturday around The Raunt on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and one was noted again Monday on Agawam Lake in Southampton. An immature male KING EIDER was spotted this morning in a Common Eider flock just north of Shinnecock Inlet, and a female type BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was seen again with Common Goldeneye Tuesday in Gravesend Bay as viewed from the middle parking lot off the Belt Parkway.
A BLACK-HEADED GULL acquiring full breeding plumage was present at Plumb Beach at least through Thursday, with another adult still at Terrell River County Park at least through last weekend. A GLAUCOUS GULL visited Sammy's Beach in East Hampton last Saturday, while scattered ICELAND GULLS included one all week at Bush Terminal Piers Park, one at Calvert Vaux Park in Brooklyn today, and one still at Old Field Point Wednesday. A few LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS also continue along the coast.
A RED-NECKED GREBE spent all week around the Mill Basin at Floyd Bennett Field, with another off Pelham Bay Park on Saturday.
An adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continued through the week at Marshlands Conservancy in Rye.
A nice find was an immature Gambel's type WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW present in Green-wood Cemetery from Tuesday through today.
A notable gathering of 37 PIPING PLOVERS were counted last Sunday at Fire Island's Old Inlet in Bellport Bay, and other arrivals have featured YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, SNOWY EGRET, CHIPPING SPARROW, and PALM WARBLER.
To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.
This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.
Date: 3/19/26 12:33 pm From: Peter Polshek <pmaxp...> Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Reminder! Do not miss Shai Mitra's "Avian Vagrancy: The Sport and the Science of Rare Birds" presentation for the Queens County Bird Club tomorrow evening at 7:30 PM!
<div></div><div>Shai Mitra "Avian Vagrancy/The Sport and the Science of Rare Birds"Date & Time: Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 7:30 PM.Place: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 229-10 Northern Blvd, Douglaston, NY 11362 <br/>Vagrant birds - individuals occurring far beyond the expected geographical limits of their taxa have fascinated people for centuries. Long dismissed as the stuff of mere sport and as biologically meaningless accidents, these records are emerging as a valuable dataset. <br/>Shai Mitra begins this multimedia presentation with a discussion of the sport of finding and documenting rare birds, which is still more of an art than a science, despite technological revolutions in meteorology and surveillance. The resulting body of records constitutes a rapidly growing and increasingly accessible dataset that offers insights into important scientific questions: demographic trends in distant populations, the causes and consequences of long-distance dispersal, the biological properties of local sites, the forces shaping community composition, and, ultimately, a more rational approach to conservation. <br/>Shai Mitra has studied birds in the northeast and around the world for 40+ years. He has a BA in Biology from Cornell University and a PhD in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Chicago. From 1996 to 2000, he operated a major bird-banding station at the Fire Island Lighthouse on the South Shore of Long Island. Currently, he is an assistant professor of biology at the College of Staten Island, with research interests in the areas of avian ecology, evolution, and conservation. Shai is editor of The Kingbird, the quarterly publication of the New York State Ornithological Association; co-compiler of bird records for the New York City and Long Island region; chair of the Rhode Island Avian Records Committee; and co-compiler of the Southern Nassau County and Napatree, Rhode Island, Christmas Bird Counts. <br/> <br/>Marcia AbrahamsVP/Programs CoordinatorQueens County Bird Clubhttps://qcbirdclub.org/Email: <MarciaAAbrahams...> <br/> <br/>--
Date: 3/19/26 3:25 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - to 3/18
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Roosevelt, Randall’s, and Governors Islands, and the adjacent waters and surrounding skies -
thru March 18th -
A relatively slow past weekend for local observed migration in this county. Pine Warbler was found by somewhat more observers from Central Park, but the large arrival is very much still to come, even though eBird will not be auto-alerting, nor flagging individual reports on further sightings of those now.
The beginnings of Yellow-shafted Flicker movement was seen by at least Sunday, 15th with modest arrivals to some areas. Eastern Phoebes had very slight increases, but far more will eventually push in. Osprey were struggling to show much in this county and of course far more should be coming in by later this month thru April. Raptor movement generally had slowed again with the most recent winds and weather.
Savannah Sparrows had turned up by March 11 and 12 at a few locations in the county. One of the sites, Governors Island, had a good showing of Killdeer by that date as well. Red Fox Sparrows were increasing, with some passing thru in addition to those that overwintered. Dark-eyed Juncos have become more numerous again. Increases were also being noticed for Golden-crowned Kinglet and somewhat for Brown Creeper, even before last weekend. These will be increasing once we see a weather pattern encouraging to birds in more southerly states, and into the northeast.
Wood Ducks were seen in various locations, in fairly modest numbers relative to the big migratory flights earlier this month. Green-winged Teal were ongoing in Central Park, as was at least one Ring-necked Duck and a quartet of Common Mergansers there recently. Multiple observers had noted Red-breasted Merganser from last week at Central Park, while far greater numbers of the latter species were, as is usual, seen in the salt or brackish tidal waters of the county. Greater and Lesser Scaup were found again off both Randalls and Governors Islands, with fewer of the latter species by Sunday, overall as would be generally expected here. Some Common Goldeneyes were still being seen in the past week but had diminished as the weekend passed, and the same may be noted for Long-tailed Duck. American Woodcock were still around, with as is typical the most-often noticed, from Bryant Park in mid-Manhattan.
Horned Grebe was presumed a continuing bird around Randalls Island from last Friday into this past weekend. Some Common and Red-throated Loons continued to be seen in the waters of this county in the past week. The first modern-era non-speculative and massively documented Trumpeter Swan in N.Y. County was still being seen at times into this week from places in this county, although much or most of this one current swan duo -in company with a Mute Swan- movements have been far more visible from the Brooklyn -Kings County- side of the East River in N.Y. City, rather than from the Manhattan side. Some days after the sighting, a Purple Sandpiper was confirmed in an eBird report from an unusual location for the species, Randalls Island on March 11. A confirmation was also made for Savannah Sparrow at Central Park on that same date. A Wild Turkey was ongoing at Battery Park at the s. end of Manhattan this week, very long staying there over many many months.
At Central Park, Black-crowned Night Heron numbers already showed a slight uptick there by Sunday. Multiple independent birders and photographers at Central Park on Sunday had seen up to ten Red-breasted Mergansers, some from first-light, others much later in that day. At least 9 of that species were still present early-week at the C.P. reservoir. The waters of Manhattan annually see vastly greater numbers of that species in peak periods of the colder half of the year, and yet more are present in winter periods in the county, often into triple-digits.
Overall, by Sunday, Central Park alone was recording up to 62 or more species of wild birds, seen and reported reliably on the one day by birders and photographers individually or in not-for-profit guided bird walks, with alerts and reports to Discord birding app, and in eBird. Pine Warblers were among the many birds from Sunday at Central Park, and that species was again seen there into this week. Myrtle-form Yellow-rumped Warbler has again been reported in Central Park as well. Thus far in this month, just over 70 species of wild birds have occurred at Central Park. That number is a little less than two-thirds of all species for the county in the same time period.
Good birding, and happy end-of-winter at least by our calendars, as of this Friday morning- with the vernal equinox, bring on spring!
