The solidly dark back rules out most Aythya species besides Ring-necked
duck and Tufted Duck. The head shape, and the (faint, here) ring on the
bill look good for Ring-Necked. It also shows the pale spur by the wing
that would be bright white on an adult male.
Zach Schwartz-Weinstein
203 500 7774
On Thu, Aug 6, 2026 at 4:15 PM Joshua Malbin <joshuamalbin...> wrote:
> That is an odd duck.
>
> For others’ reference, I believe this is the checklist in question:
>
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S379383896 >
>
> On Thu, Aug 6, 2026 at 3:21 PM Gary Bletsch (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <
> <NYSBIRDS-L...> wrote:
>
>> Dear NY Birders,
>>
>> There was an odd Aythya duck at Dunkirk Harbor recently. That is in
>> Chautauqua County, NY. There had been a pair of Redheads there on the 21st
>> and 24th of July; each time, a drake Ring-necked Duck was with them, making
>> for an odd little out-of-season band of Aythya ducks.
>>
>> On the 2nd August at 1435, I birded there again. This time, there were
>> only two Aythyas. A drake Redhead was in the company of a duck that had me
>> puzzled; it did not look like the RNDU that I'd seen on the two previous
>> visits. I took photos and put them on my eBird checklist, initially
>> attempting to put the odd bird down as a Redhead.
>>
>> During the photo-uploading process, the Merlin application insisted that
>> the odd duck was a Ring-necked Duck. Looking at the photos, I cannot say
>> that it was a RNDU; the shape of the head seems wrong. Nor does the bird
>> look right for a REDH. Granted, I have never lived anywhere where I have
>> been able to see many Aythyas this time of year, so I don't have much
>> experience with them in eclipse or juvenile plumages.
>>
>> The bird does have a suggestion of what RT Peterson described as "a
>> vertical white mark before the wing," albeit not very pronounced.
>>
>> The hotspot is called Dunkirk Harbor; my checklist is number hecklist
>> S379383896although I know that sometimes that does not help people
>> trying to find a checklist on eBird!
>>
>> Anyway, I'd love to hear any opinions as to this bird's identity.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Yours truly,
>>
>> Gary Bletsch
>> Jamestown, NY
>> --
>> NYSbirds-L List Info:
>> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
>> Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...>
>> Archives:
>> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>
>> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
>> //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/maillist.html
>> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
>> http://www.ebird.org >> --
>>
> --
> NYSbirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org > --
>
Date: 8/6/26 2:01 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - to Aug. 6 - Royal & other Terns, P. Martins, other migrants
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Randalls, Governors, and Roosevelt Islands and the adjacent waters and skies - into August 6th -
There were some good flights of southbound migrants again by Monday night into Tues. morning, 8-4, and however as can often be so, many of the migrants simply sailed past N.Y. City or more-specific to this report, many migrants did not stop in at N.Y. County in the nocturnal or early-morning passage of various species. We regularly see this, especially on fair-weather nights and mornings, and so for example there can be much the same, ongoing set of migrant species lingering a while in the typically more relaxed period of summer to early autumn migrations here, while at the same time, occasionally strong to very strong migrations take place which includes large nocturnal overflights. This can lead some observers on the ground to mistakenly assume that little or no migration has occurred, while in actuality by now, early August, it is normal to find larger and larger numbers and diversity of some species-groups, migratory warblers among them, moving in good to very good numbers, densities, and species-diversity. Weather obviously plays a role, and on some midsummer nights, even with a good to excellent nocturnal migration, there may be relatively little in new drop-ins at various locations.
A sighting of 8 migrant Purple Martins was fortuitous on the rainstorm passage in midday of Mon., 8-3, at Randalls Island, where also noted in that day and passage of the storm were some peep, sandpipers of the genus Calidris, one a Least Sandpiper and others of another species, left as peep sp, and in that sense only, perhaps the rare-in-county sightings that got away too rapidly. Or, perhaps the non-rare peep, Semipalmated Sandpiper, of which that and Least also have appeared already in some prior southbound shorebird movements this summer. The hope for further shorebird sightings, both in numbers and hopes of greater diversity, continue on as does summer and its intensifying migrations. This month so far has featured just Solitary, many Spotted, and for peep, ie Calidris-genus, just Least Sandpipers in any numbers. Killdeer were very modestly increased at a few sites, where that species also may have bred. An American Woodcock recently at one county location might represent a breeding effort.
A Royal Tern was sighted and photographed flying along the Hudson River on 8-1, near upper Manhattan. Forsters Tern has been noted in the singular along with the regular and expected-breeding Common Terns at and around Governors Island, to Aug. 4th. Some Forsters Terns have been along the Hudson as well, with more of the documented sightings a bit north of N.Y. City on that river, but likely some have moved along Manhattan shores or just-across by New Jersey, visibly for some Manhattan-side observers recently. Common Tern is also fairly regular partway up the Hudson along lower Manhattan, and sometimes elsewhere on the county waters. All terns should be checked closely especially if away from the few regular sites for Common Tern in N.Y. County, as tern movements and migrations are underway, generally.
There has been very little detection of definite southbound migrants from Governors Island thus far this month, but that May pick up in the coming week. Some typical midsummer movements of icterids including Bobolink, Orchard Oriole, Brown-headed Cowbird, and greater numbers of Red-winged Blackbirds had already been passing by since later in July. These icterid flights are not unusual for these dates, are region-wide, and noted annually. The numbers of such species as Red-winged Blackbirds of course increase greatly in calendar-fall, at a much later phase in overall soubound migrations than the more-restricted movement of the last species in calendar-summer.
At Randalls Island there also has been limited detection of migrants, especially of passerines, but that might pick up somewhat in the coming week or so. Yellow-crowned Night-Herons and Cliff Swallows, the latter a breeding species, are ongoing at Randalls, as are some dozens of other typical summer birds, some others of which also manage to breed here. A very few Brant have been summering.
The county overall has been seeing an uptick in numbers of species and of migrants, with for example, a good movement of, among other migrants, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and American Redstart, as well as the Red-winged Blackbirds migrating, as noted above for this time of the year. Eastern Kingbird, and various hirundines also are among migrants beginning to show in numbers sufficient to start being noticed, including for these and various other species, being noted on their diurnal migrations.
Yellow-billed Cuckoos continued to be seen, and mainly fully-expected warblers of up to twelve or more species in these first days of August, with the more-common warblers lately getting a bit more numerous and a bit more widespread. A modest number of Scarlet Tanagers were showing up recently.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds continue to be on the move. A Wild Turkey has continued on essentially resident at Battery Park in lower Manhattan. The movements of migrant ducks have barely registered so far, but among early-movers are some Wood Ducks at least wandering, seen in multiple county locations besides the usuals of Central
Park, and a single Ruddy Duck was noted at Governors Island to kick off this month. Monk Parakeets, a breeding species in N.Y. City, were seen again in n. Manhattan.
Cerulean Warbler was reported on Wed., Aug. 5th at Central Park, after multiple days of no sightings there after the 4 late-July days with very high numbers of observers and photographers. In N.Y. County, some of the other warblers showing, and in numbers include Northern Waterthrush, the latter turning up even in multiple sites with no water to speak of in the specific site, as happens on migration with this species, while for the lower numbers of Louisiana Waterthrushes passing thru, it is rather rare to find that species much away from water, and often by flowing water. Other fairly numerous warblers by now include Black-and-white, and especially Northern Yellow Warblers, with American Redstarts also showing in many locations. At least 6 additional warbler spp. are turning up in multiple locations this week in the county, including multiple-but-not-many N. Parulas, and others, but the majority of flights in overnight migrations were of passage birds, rather than migrants dropping in to stay a while. Central Park alone had at least 11 warbler species present by Aug. 6.
Central Park had over 75 species found thus far this month, with nearly 70 species present on Aug. 6th, spread across all of the park. A greater diversity of species ought to be possible by next week.
Thanks to many observers and reporters for sightings, alerts in part in the Discord app, and many reports in eBird with the Macaulay Library for media, as well as reports via good old word-of-mouth.
On Thu, Aug 6, 2026 at 3:21 PM Gary Bletsch (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <
<NYSBIRDS-L...> wrote:
> Dear NY Birders,
>
> There was an odd Aythya duck at Dunkirk Harbor recently. That is in
> Chautauqua County, NY. There had been a pair of Redheads there on the 21st
> and 24th of July; each time, a drake Ring-necked Duck was with them, making
> for an odd little out-of-season band of Aythya ducks.
>
> On the 2nd August at 1435, I birded there again. This time, there were
> only two Aythyas. A drake Redhead was in the company of a duck that had me
> puzzled; it did not look like the RNDU that I'd seen on the two previous
> visits. I took photos and put them on my eBird checklist, initially
> attempting to put the odd bird down as a Redhead.
>
> During the photo-uploading process, the Merlin application insisted that
> the odd duck was a Ring-necked Duck. Looking at the photos, I cannot say
> that it was a RNDU; the shape of the head seems wrong. Nor does the bird
> look right for a REDH. Granted, I have never lived anywhere where I have
> been able to see many Aythyas this time of year, so I don't have much
> experience with them in eclipse or juvenile plumages.
>
> The bird does have a suggestion of what RT Peterson described as "a
> vertical white mark before the wing," albeit not very pronounced.
>
> The hotspot is called Dunkirk Harbor; my checklist is number hecklist
> S379383896although I know that sometimes that does not help people trying
> to find a checklist on eBird!
>
> Anyway, I'd love to hear any opinions as to this bird's identity.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Yours truly,
>
> Gary Bletsch
> Jamestown, NY
> --
> NYSbirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org > --
>
Gary, your bird is a good match for the definitive alternate male Ring-necked Duck in Waterfowl of North America by Reeber (2015).
Good birding!
Willie D’Anna
Wilson, NY, Niagara County
From: Gary Bletsch (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <NYSBIRDS-L...>
Sent: Thursday, August 6, 2026 3:20 PM
To: <nysbirds-l...>
Subject: [nysbirds-l] confusing Aythya duck
Dear NY Birders,
There was an odd Aythya duck at Dunkirk Harbor recently. That is in Chautauqua County, NY. There had been a pair of Redheads there on the 21st and 24th of July; each time, a drake Ring-necked Duck was with them, making for an odd little out-of-season band of Aythya ducks.
On the 2nd August at 1435, I birded there again. This time, there were only two Aythyas. A drake Redhead was in the company of a duck that had me puzzled; it did not look like the RNDU that I'd seen on the two previous visits. I took photos and put them on my eBird checklist, initially attempting to put the odd bird down as a Redhead.
During the photo-uploading process, the Merlin application insisted that the odd duck was a Ring-necked Duck. Looking at the photos, I cannot say that it was a RNDU; the shape of the head seems wrong. Nor does the bird look right for a REDH. Granted, I have never lived anywhere where I have been able to see many Aythyas this time of year, so I don't have much experience with them in eclipse or juvenile plumages.
The bird does have a suggestion of what RT Peterson described as "a vertical white mark before the wing," albeit not very pronounced.
The hotspot is called Dunkirk Harbor; my checklist is number
hecklist S379383896
although I know that sometimes that does not help people trying to find a checklist on eBird!
Anyway, I'd love to hear any opinions as to this bird's identity.
Dear NY Birders,
There was an odd Aythya duck at Dunkirk Harbor recently. That is in Chautauqua County, NY. There had been a pair of Redheads there on the 21st and 24th of July; each time, a drake Ring-necked Duck was with them, making for an odd little out-of-season band of Aythya ducks.
On the 2nd August at 1435, I birded there again. This time, there were only two Aythyas. A drake Redhead was in the company of a duck that had me puzzled; it did not look like the RNDU that I'd seen on the two previous visits. I took photos and put them on my eBird checklist, initially attempting to put the odd bird down as a Redhead.
During the photo-uploading process, the Merlin application insisted that the odd duck was a Ring-necked Duck. Looking at the photos, I cannot say that it was a RNDU; the shape of the head seems wrong. Nor does the bird look right for a REDH. Granted, I have never lived anywhere where I have been able to see many Aythyas this time of year, so I don't have much experience with them in eclipse or juvenile plumages.
The bird does have a suggestion of what RT Peterson described as "a vertical white mark before the wing," albeit not very pronounced.
The hotspot is called Dunkirk Harbor; my checklist is number
hecklist S379383896
although I know that sometimes that does not help people trying to find a checklist on eBird!
Anyway, I'd love to hear any opinions as to this bird's identity.
Thanks.
Yours truly,
Gary BletschJamestown, NY
Thanks for getting back to me ... Will try to commit your photos to memory
and file under juvenile cowbird!
On Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 4:35 PM Ken Gale <nuffsaid...> wrote:
>
> Nearly everyone said juvenile Brown-Headed Cowbird.
> Ken
>
> On 8/5/2026 3:46 PM, Ken Gale wrote:
> >
> > I cannot figure out what this is. It doesn't quite look like a female
> > cowbird. It was picking stuff off the sidewalk on the northeast corner
> > of 86th St & Amsterdam. It got very close to people, but was wary
> > enough when a dog went near.
> >
> > It was yesterday evening August 4 about 7:30PM.
> >
> > Happy bird-day,
> > Ken
> > www.ecoradio.org
> >
> > When the air or water are clean, thank an environmentalist. If not,
> > become one. 'Nuff Said!
> >
> > --
> > NYSbirds-L List Info:
> > Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> > Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...>
> > Archives:
> > The Mail Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/ > > maillist.html
> > Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org > > --
>
> --
> NYSbirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive:
> https://www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/maillist.html > Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org > --
>
Date: 8/5/26 1:35 pm From: Ken Gale <nuffsaid...> Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Mystery migrant 86th & Amsterdam
Nearly everyone said juvenile Brown-Headed Cowbird. Ken
On 8/5/2026 3:46 PM, Ken Gale wrote: > > I cannot figure out what this is. It doesn't quite look like a female > cowbird. It was picking stuff off the sidewalk on the northeast corner > of 86th St & Amsterdam. It got very close to people, but was wary > enough when a dog went near. > > It was yesterday evening August 4 about 7:30PM. > > Happy bird-day, > Ken > www.ecoradio.org > > When the air or water are clean, thank an environmentalist. If not, > become one. 'Nuff Said! > > -- > NYSbirds-L List Info: > Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information > Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...> > Archives: > The Mail Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/ > maillist.html > Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org > --
Date: 8/5/26 12:47 pm From: Ken Gale <nuffsaid...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Mystery migrant 86th & Amsterdam
I cannot figure out what this is. It doesn't quite look like a female cowbird. It was picking stuff off the sidewalk on the northeast corner of 86th St & Amsterdam. It got very close to people, but was wary enough when a dog went near.
It was yesterday evening August 4 about 7:30PM.
Happy bird-day, Ken www.ecoradio.org
When the air or water are clean, thank an environmentalist. If not, become one. 'Nuff Said!
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, July 31st 2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today's tape are BRIDLED TERN, LONG-TAILED JAEGER, and other pelagics, RUFF, LITTLE GULL, ARCTIC TERN, BROWN PELICAN, WHITE-FACED IBIS, GLAUCOUS GULL, CERULEAN WARBLER, BLUE GROSBEAK, and more.
An adult BRIDLED TERN made another brief appearance on eastern Long Island photographed last Monday as it quickly flew out of Mecox Inlet. This completed a trio of rewarding days at Mecox with an immature LITTLE GULL visiting there on Saturday and Sunday producing single subadult ARCTIC and molting adult BLACK TERNS. A private boat visiting the New York and Rhode Island waters between Block Island Sound and off Montauk east to Block Island last Monday encountered a continuing bonanza of seabirds including single LONG-TAILED, PARASITIC and POMARINE JAEGERS all nicely photographed as well as some WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, over 1,900 GREAT SHEARWATERS, over 200 CORY'S, and a few SCOPOLI'S SHEARWATERS and over 100 of both SOOTY and MANX SHEARWATERS. The latter in quite impressive numbers.
A RUFF, almost fully molted into non-breeding plumage, was photographed again Monday on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. This pond is unfortunately no where near in ideal condition for the Fall shorebird migration already underway but southbound birds are visiting and utilizing what shoreline is suitable. So, if visiting the East Pond please be careful and do not push feeding shorebirds from the limited habitat available.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS was reported at the north end on Monday and other shorebirds at the bay this week included WILSON'S PHALAROPE, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL and STILT, WHITE-RUMPED and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS.
Various BROWN PELICANS along Long Island's Atlantic shore included one off Jones Beach last Saturday, two at Plumb Beach Monday, six off Fort Tilden Wednesday and up to four off Riis Park from Wednesday on and four at Gilgo Thursday.
An immature GLAUCOUS GULL continues in the Breezy Point to Coney Island area and CASPIAN TERNS were noted at Jamaica Bay Saturday, Calvert Vaux Park Wednesday and Plumb Beach Wednesday and Thursday.
A few migrant warblers reported recently featured TENNESSEE, a couple of CERULEANS in Central Park, PRAIRIE and CANADA and BLUE GROSBEAKS remain in decent numbers at the Preston's Pond Complex and elsewhere in Calverton.
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.
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, July 31st 2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today's tape are BRIDLED TERN, LONG-TAILED JAEGER, and other pelagics, ROSS'S, LITTLE GULL, ARCTIC TERN, BROWN PELICAN, WHITE-FACED IBIS, GLAUCOUS GULL, CERULEAN WARBLER, BLUE GROSBEAK, and more.
An adult BRIDLED TERN made another brief appearance on eastern Long Island photographed last Monday as it quickly flew out of Mecox Inlet. This completed a trio of rewarding days at Mecox with an immature LITTLE GULL visiting there on Saturday and Sunday producing single subadult ARCTIC and molting adult BLACK TERNS. A private boat visiting the New York and Rhode Island waters between Block Island Sound and off Montauk east to Block Island last Monday encountered a continuing bonanza of seabirds including single LONG-TAILED, PARASITIC and POMARINE JAEGERS all nicely photographed as well as some WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, over 1,900 GREAT SHEARWATERS, over 200 CORY'S, and a few SCOPOLI'S SHEARWATERS and over 100 of both SOOTY and MANX SHEARWATERS. The latter in quite impressive numbers.
A RUFF, almost fully molted into non-breeding plumage, was photographed again Monday on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. This pond is unfortunately no where near in ideal condition for the Fall shorebird migration already underway but southbound birds are visiting and utilizing what shoreline is suitable. So, if visiting the East Pond please be careful and do not push feeding shorebirds from the limited habitat available.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS was reported at the north end on Monday and other shorebirds at the bay this week included WILSON'S PHALAROPE, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL and STILT, WHITE-RUMPED and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS.
Various BROWN PELICANS along Long Island's Atlantic shore included one off Jones Beach last Saturday, two at Plumb Beach Monday, six off Fort Tilden Wednesday and up to four off Riis Park from Wednesday on and four at Gilgo Thursday.
An immature GLAUCOUS GULL continues in the Breezy Point to Coney Island area and CASPIAN TERNS were noted at Jamaica Bay Saturday, Calvert Vaux Park Wednesday and Plumb Beach Wednesday and Thursday.
A few migrant warblers reported recently featured TENNESSEE, a couple of CERULEANS in Central Park, PRAIRIE and CANADA and BLUE GROSBEAKS remain in decent numbers at the Preston's Pond Complex and elsewhere in Calverton.
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: 8/2/26 12:59 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Sun. Aug. 2, 2026: 6 Species of Wood Warblers
Central Park NYC
Sunday, August 2, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Six Species of Wood Warblers.
Mallard - around 2 dozen
Mourning Dove - around 20
Chimney Swift - 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 female/immature near Cardinal Flowers in Shakespeare Garden
Laughing Gull - at least 10
American Herring Gull - around 50
Great Black-backed Gull - 8
Double-crested Cormorant - 8 or 9
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 1 adult Upper Lobe (Sandra Critelli)
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 including 1 hatch-year bird
Downy Woodpecker - 3 including at least 1 hatch-year bird (red crown)
Northern Flicker - 2 (Upper Lobe, Persimmon Slope)
Eastern Warbling Vireo - 4
Red-eyed Vireo - 3
Blue Jay - 1 on the Point
House Wren - 1 Shakespeare Garden (Caren Jahre)
Gray Catbird - including a hatch-year bird at the Upper Lobe
American Robin - still some active nests
House Finch - 2
White-throated Sparrow - 3
Baltimore Oriole - 3
Common Grackle - 4-6
Louisiana Waterthrush - 1 at the Oven (Sandra Critelli)
Northern Waterthrush - 1 Turtle Pond
Black-and-white Warbler - 2 (Upper Lobe, Captain's Bench)
American Redstart - 1 immature male west side of Tupelo Field
Northern Parula - 1 Boathouse Hill
Northern Yellow Warbler - 1 Boathouse Hill
Scarlet Tanager - 1 heard-only Maintenance Field
Northern Cardinal - 5
--
Date: 7/31/26 9:03 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, N.Y. City - end of July -
Manhattan, N.Y. City - to Friday, July 31st -
Much migration occurred on Thursday night into Friday morning, July 30-31 all around the region. The same is so again for Friday into Saturday which is August 1. Some numbers of migrants were detected in Nocturnal Flight Calls recording, with many individual birds also passing far and wide of Manhattan, or high and fast in transit, southbound. However some landings also took place, as well as a perhaps-modest amount of early morning flight thru at least portions of the area, and more-specifically to this report, across parts of Manhattan.
Some birds which are, and may have been, turning up as migrants include -
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Veery, Wood Thrush, Bobolink, Orchard Oriole, Baltimore Oriole, Red-winged Blackbird and among warblers in particular, almost all of which are here found as migrants - at least 16 warbler species - Ovenbird, Worm-eating Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Waterthrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Blackburnian Warbler, Northern Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Pine Warbler, Canada Warbler, and also some Scarlet Tanagers and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. Of these and other migratory species, some were also found to have been lingering and some, including also such species as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, also were breeding, all such breeders in very-limited numbers particularly as compared with migrant numbers of their species, as the southbound migrations tick-up. Additional species have also been showing as either migrators or local-wanderers just recently. And, none of the migrants thus far being found are early for a southbound movement, however the peak-periods of migration for almost all is still ahead. Among the warblers, by far the most numerous to be detected so far are N. Yellow Warblers, with American Redstarts far behind in overall numbers on the move.
On Thursday, 7-30, a Black Skimmer was seen moving up the Hudson River off Manhattans upper west side, from Riverside Park by the old 79th St. boat-basin area. This is the first report of 2026 in N.Y. County for this species. Skimmers have been seen fairly often in other county-waters of N.Y. City including at times, not all that far away from Manhattan, although more-typically at a bit of a remove. A Forsters Tern was also reported from the Hudson River, a bit farther north from near the western terminus of Dyckman Street, in n, Manhattan, on 7-30.
Thanks to many observers and photographers for some of the sightings, alerts, reports some of the latter via word-of-mouth, and many reports landing in eBird, with the Macaulay Library for media.
Date: 7/29/26 2:03 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park/Manhattan, NYC - to 7/28 - migrants
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
to July 28th -
Tennessee and Canada Warblers were among the newest additions among migrants showing at Central Park by Tuesday, 7-28, as the 2 ongoing Cerulean Warblers at the Ramble area lingered on for yet another day - as did some of the rest of the by-now 14-plus species of migratory warblers to have turned up in this last week of July - with at least a few of those species having passed thru as early as the first week of this month. Least Flycatcher, a recently-returning migrant was also found again in Central Park on 7-28. Migrants are appearing in various sectors of Central Park, but with the quite uncommon Cerulean-duo of warblers recently, a focal point of observers had been concentrated in just one pocket, within the much-larger overall park. Migrants are also showing in many other Manhattan locations, albeit thus far in more modest species-diversity.
. . . .
Midsummer insect diversity is being noted, as well as the increases of returning migrant birds, and some butterfly species among the many other insect-groups are showing in modestly refreshed numbers around all of N.Y. County.
. . . . .
There are some birders adding comments to some sightings, especially for recent warblers, that this or that species is -early- however this is not so, ALL of the warbler species so far being found are in absolutely normal migration timings for some of their species. The key differential in looking at such migration-timings is that the peak movements of almost all warblers had not quiet arrived yet. That is a very different point from seeing individual southbound birds as -early-, which in the numbers thus far noted, are not in the slightest early. Some of these migrants are regularly found back in their typical wintering-grounds even by now, and this has been documented over long periods, not a new set of timings or any major change in these birds movements. One aspect that might be considered as we continue watching the southbound migrations, is whether the ongoing wild-fires in Canadas great boreal forests, or fires occurring elsewhere, can activate some unexpected bird movements. However even with some very extensive burn areas, the forests of Canada in particular are so vast in total, that this may end up as a modest-at-most data point. And, for the area in and around NYC so far, we are not seeing many boreal-forest breeding songbirds start to arrive as migrants in any notable numbers - if at all, yet for many of such species. The issue of wild fires is significant, but it might not -yet- be impacting timing or even greatly-impacting numbers of certain birds which we see as migrants in places such as metro N.Y. City and surroundings.
. . . .
Elsewhere in New York County, at least some shorebird movements have been detected but mostly in limited numbers very recently, including Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, and much more widespread Spotted Sandpipers, the latter showing in Central Park as well as various other parks with shoreline in Manhattan.
Date: 7/28/26 2:00 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park/Manhattan, NYC - 7/27 - warblers + add’l. migrants
Manhattan, including Central and other parks, plus observations around other islands of New York County, all within N.Y. City -
to Monday, July 27 -
At Central Park in Manhattan, among the at-least 11 warbler species still continuing were the ongoing 2 Ceruleans at the Ramble area, while other migrants besides warblers have been appearing, such as the first of southbound Empidonax-genus flycatchers including the not-breeding-here Least Flycatcher. This county has had breeding in two species of Empidonax, most noticed in some locations being Willow Flycatchers, and managing to avoid a lot of early summer detection, Acadian Flycatcher as well. There has been a lot of focus on the uncommon Ceruleans among the migrant warblers of late, and in that one particular portion of Central Park, while simultaneously a fair number of migrants have been pushing thru in any number of additional locations, at Central Park and in multiple other parks and some other greenspaces.
Cerulean Warbler of the southbound season was first spotted by Sean Medina on July 25, later and in subsequent days many more observers came, and many birders were helpful to others in numerous re-finding, re-sighting and followings of the Cerulean whether one, or both of the individuals being noted over the recent days. Many observers had by now also viewed Blue-winged Warbler, and among the far-more common and increasing multiples, Northern Yellow and Black-and-white Warblers, as well as N. Waterthrush in the low multiples, the latter also showing - as is very typical in its migrations at times - in some less-expected sites and particularly, in the occasional totally-dry sites where no running or standing water is present. American Redstart is also showing in modest numbers, most being fresh southbound migrants by now. Also with an uptick by now, Ovenbirds have been reappearing in Manhattan locations where they did not summer-over, thus are fresh migrants. There are somewhat likely to be other warbler species beyond the dozen or so having been noted to this list recently for Manhattan, which have at least been trickling in or thru as migrants, and for some, esp such as N. Yellow Warbler, far beyond just a trickle by now.
At Central Park and at least some of the other larger Manhattan parks additional breeding flycatcher species -besides the 3 Empidonax-genus noted at the top- found annually include Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, and Eastern Wood-Pewee, with E. Kingbird also found around the county more widely, and, more limited in summer, at least a few pairs of E. Phoebes in the county. As a reminder, all of summer is a time when the possibility of vagrant flycatchers showing in this NE region is very possible, including both near-annual such vagrants to the region and the possibility of extremely rare such vagrants.
Also showing by Monday was Veery, a definite migrant here, and yet again have been some Yellow-billed Cuckoos, which might have been lingering for some time, but by now could possibly be wanderers or perhaps, early returnees from actually breeding in the northeast. The Wood Thrushes being seen thus far this summer are still likely to be ongoing breeding families, including some younger birds of the year. As mentioned in prior notes to this list, we are now in the part of summer with hummingbirds in general beginning to move more, thus some of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds by now which are appearing in Manhattan are southbound migrants, additional to those which nested or were fledged here. Some hummingbirds on the move may well linger a while when they discover good nectar sources, of which there are fair numbers especially with all manner of gardens, spread through Manhattan, both in and out of city parks.
. . . . . .
For New York County, Randalls Island observers recently were re-finding some birds that have been seen this month, including scoping distantly to the shores of N. Brother Island, which is within Bronx County - such species as Little Blue Heron, and American Oystercatchers, have been seen again this past weekend, while on Randalls itself, the small number of breeding Cliff Swallows continued, and also regulars of this season are ongoing Yellow-crowned Night-Herons. Many more species of birds are also ongoing at and around Randalls Island, and much the same for Governors Island farther south.
Thanks to many observers and photographers for increasing numbers of sightings, alerts, and reports which have come thru word-of-mouth, in the field, and for alerts via the Discord app, and via eBird with the Macaulay Library for media.
Date: 7/26/26 12:30 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] 7/26 Manhattan, NYC birds… & passing of ornithologist Guy McCaskie
Another passage, from the farthest west of the 48 contiguous U.S, states, a tremendous force in American birding and particularly so in his chosen home after leaving Scotland so long ago, Guy McCaskie of California very recently died, just shy of his 90th birthday. Almost anyone who went seeking birds in that state in the past 60 years has a debt to Mr. McCaskie, who helped bring birding in America, and especially in California, into the modern era, on multiple levels. His influences in birding are spread wide, deep, and through time around this country. Those birders who may have spent any time in southern California, and especially in and around the inland Salton Sea, have been in a special part of the world where Guy McCaskie gave much of his time, skill, and devotion - and in California overall, many are the first state records with his imprint, discovered and documented, always thorough and complete documentation of avian occurrences. It is fitting that his ashes are to be ceremonially spread in part at the great Salton Sea. R.I.P. to a unique ornithologist.
. . . .
Manhattan, N.Y. City with notes from Central Park - 2 Cerulean Warblers, etc.
to Sunday, July 26 -
At Central Park, the Ramble was continuing to host not just one, but a fully-confirmed two Cerulean Warblers in differing plumage, one very much a first-fall-aged individual - seen and photographed by many many dozens of observers. It was already being noted that two Ceruleans were present by Saturday, July 25. Also, many of the more than ten other warbler species are ongoing in Central Park with up to twelve total warbler species for Manhattan on this Sunday.
Some migrant warblers are showing in a number of parks in Manhattan as well as other islands of N.Y. County, and also increasing lately are hummingbirds on the move, with all thus far identified as Ruby-throated, of course the default-species in this period of the year. A modest variety of migrants other than warblers are starting to move as noted from this county, all while great migrations have been occurring all around the region, perhaps most obviously in the array of shorebirds each day lately is providing where habitat is, and the more so where birders have gathered to observe.
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, July 24,
2026 at 11:00 pm.
The highlights of this late vacation-shortened tape are FRANKLIN’S
GULL, BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK, RUFF, BROWN PELICAN, continuing
seabirds off Montauk Point, SEDGE WREN, BLUE GROSBEAK, SUMMER TANAGER,
DICKCISSEL and more.
On Thursday afternoon an adult FRANKLIN’S GULL was spotted feeding
with LAUGHING GULLS off Crooke’s Point at Great Kills Park on Staten
Island, staying there long enough to be nicely photographed.
The two BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS visiting the College Point
Wetlands in Queens since July 14th were last noted at that site last
Saturday.
A RUFF, conceivably the same individual previously out at Jones Beach,
was photographed on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge last
Tuesday, the bird at the south end of the East Pond, where other
migrant shorebirds and a SORA have also been seen recently.
Several sightings of BROWN PELICANS this week peaked with 14 counted
off Oak Beach inside Fire Island Inlet last Wednesday, 1 also there
Thursday; others included a couple off Breezy Point Thursday, 1
Friday, and 2 off Watch Hill on Fire Island last Saturday.
Good numbers of pelagic seabirds continue off Eastern Long Island,
including a large flight reported from Montauk Point last Saturday
that featured high numbers of CORY’S and some accompanying SCOPOLI’S
SHEARWATERS, numerous GREAT and some SOOTY SHEARWATERS and also a few
MANX SHEARWATERS. WILSON’S STORM-PETREL and PARASITIC JAEGER were
also noted. Half-day
whale-watching trips sponsored by CRESLI from Montauk harbor are a
good way to enjoy these birds and some exciting whales.
Various migrating shorebirds lately have included 4 HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL
at Breezy Point Sunday and 2 out in Jamaica Bay Thursday as well as
other expected species.
An immature GLAUCOUS GULL continues in the Breezy Point to Coney Island area.
A SEDGE WREN Wednesday in Freshkills Park on Staten Island was heard
from the Bird Tower in the North Pond section.
SUMMER TANAGERS and BLUE GROSBEAKS continue in the Prestons Pond
Complex out in the Calverton area, and a DICKCISSEL was photographed
Friday at the Arden Avenue Beach on Staten Island.
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: 7/25/26 11:29 am From: Thomas Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - to 7/25 - Cerulean & other Warblers, etc.
Manhattan -including Central Park and multiple other parks-, N.Y. City -
to Saturday, July 25 -
A Cerulean Warbler being observed by many in the Central Park Ramble on this day was a highlight of the at-least 11 additional species of warbler showing for all of that park on the day. Possibly more than twelve warbler species were present, almost all being migrants on the move and all within typical time-frames for the southbound migration of the species involved. Some species of warblers were already showing a bit of movement around 2 weeks prior.
Central Park continued to keep the multiple Ruby-throated Hummingbirds of this summer, females, males, and also some young, all being seen in this month. At least one nest was observed and the presence of another deduced as well, in at least 2 parts of the park that are widely separated. Areas with many flowers that appeal to hummingbirds are among the locations where these birds have been seen feeding, and also roosting or resting. This includes being seen at native and woodland flowers, such as Orange Jewelweed, as well as visits for nectar at garden-variety non-native flowers. By now there are also some hummingbirds on the move thru the region, and some appearing most recently may include such southbound migrators, as well as the limited number of local breeders.
Some additional recent southbound migrators appearing at Central Park have included Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers, Scarlet Tanager - this last may however be a wandering individual, rather than a directed-south migrant at this period of summer - and several other species that are likely or definite migrants, such as Worm-eating Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, multiple Northern Yellow Warblers, several Black-and-white Warblers, Ovenbirds, Northern Waterthrush and Louisiana Waterthrush, at least one Pine Warbler, Northern Parula and American Redstarts, the latter possibly including long-lingering and some likely representing potential-breeding families or at least pairs or individuals of the species which attempted breeding - in Manhattan, with some successful fledgings. Common Yellowthroats are ongoing in Manhattan as well. At least some of the migrant warblers had already passed thru by last weekend, but the past several days have provided an increase in southbound songbirds, including multiple warblers, in this current weekend. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were ongoing, as breeding birds and with a few families by now. Orchard Orioles present as breeders in Manhattan are now augmented with some migrants of that species.
- - - -
Elsewhere in N.Y. County and around Manhattan, recently -
Semipalmated Sandpiper was starting to appear again at least by July 19, with additional reports of adult Little Blue Heron again noticed by that date, these latter sightings from Randalls Island, part of N.Y. County just a bit east of Manhattan. A Common Nighthawk was reported on Monday, July 20 at the northern portion of Riverside Park on the west edges of Manhattan - the species was once a very regular breeder on Manhattan and in other parts of N.Y. City, but has greatly diminished as a breeding species here, whether this midsummer individual was a rather early returnee starting to work south from some more-northern breeding location, or a local or locally-wandering bird is tough to know. In just a few weeks however, it will be expected that Common Nighthawks are starting to move thru our region, and that southbound migration can go on for a few months, although usually a stronger presence in the late summer to early fall, which by bird-calendars is nearing that period. There are of course many more species of birds appearing in and around Manhattan and N.Y. County by now, the number of wild, free-flying bird species moving at-last well past 100. More updates on migrants perhaps soon to come.
Thanks to many observers and photographers for sightings, alerts, reports including by direct word-of-mouth, 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, July 17,
2026 at 11:00 pm.
The highlights of today’s vacation-shortened tape are BLACK-BELLIED
WHISTLING-DUCK, RUFF, CURLEW SANDPIPER, LITTLE GULL, ARCTIC TERN,
BROWN PELICAN, BLUE GROSBEAK, SUMMER TANAGER and more.
But first, a very saddening note that earlier this week Guy Tudor
passed away suddenly but peacefully. Guy was an exceptionally gifted
artist, portraying birds with amazing lifelike accuracy. A great
friend, but always uniquely himself, Mr. Guy will never be duplicated
but will be deeply missed.
Two BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS appeared Tuesday at the College
Point Wetlands in Queens and have continued there through today, this
the site of the former Flushing Airport just west of route 678.
The molting RUFF and nicely plumaged CURLEW SANDPIPER, both showing up
last Friday at Jones Beach West End, continued into this week, though
the CURLEW was not seen today. The RUFF moves between dune pools
located between West End Fields 1 and 2 and the flats off the Coast
Guard Station. Interestingly, the CURLEW was seen at West End each
day except last Saturday, when one was reported farther east out at
Tiana Beach.
An immature LITTLE GULL was present Monday and Tuesday out on eastern
Long Island at Georgica Inlet, and up to four ARCTIC TERNS were
present Monday at Mecox, with singles spotted there Saturday and
Thursday, while the GLAUCOUS GULL was seen again Tuesday off the Coney
Island Pier.
Several sightings of BROWN PELICANS on Monday featured 2 at Breezy
Point, 5 off Jones Beach, and 4 off Fire Island, with 1 at Mecox Inlet
the previous Saturday.
The half -day CRESLI whale-watching boat trips out of Montauk were
again this week also good for pelagic birds, including WILSON’S
STORM-PETREL, CORY’S, GREAT, SOOTY, and MANX SHEARWATERS, with
SCOPOLI’S also reported, plus small numbers of PARASITIC JAEGERS.
Some shorebirds showing up recently have included a few WESTERN and
STILT SANDPIPERS plus a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER identified out at Mecox
yesterday.
Some BLUE GROSBEAKS and a SUMMER TANAGER continue at the Prestons Pond
Complex, the GROSBEAKS also at other sites around Calverton.
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: 7/14/26 6:47 pm From: Andrew Baksh <birdingdude...> Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: FW: Guy Tudor
I learned the sad news of Guy Tudor's passing today from Patricia Lindsay while I was out twitching some of the great birds currently at Jones Beach.
I have very fond memories of Guy. As much as I enjoyed the outstanding lectures and photographs at the Butterfly Club meetings in Queens, I'd be lying if I said Guy wasn't one of the main reasons I looked forward to going. The way he ran those meetings was often like something straight out of a Seinfeld episode. Watching him bang the gavel with a cigarette in hand to bring everyone back to order was always a highlight.
There was nothing pretentious about Guy, and I admired him for that. He was genuine, funny, and unforgettable. Beyond the Butterfly Club, his extraordinary artwork in The Birds of South America and other classic field guides inspired countless birders and naturalists around the world.
We have lost another brilliant soul. May his memory live on.
--------“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. Be that candle” ~ AB “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order” ~ John Burroughs “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves could free our mind” ~ Bob Marley “Tenderness and Kindness are not signs of weakness and despair but manifestations of strength and resolution” ~ Khalil Gibran "I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence" ~ Frederick Douglass 風 Swift as the wind林 Quiet as the forest 火 Conquer like the fire 山 Steady as the mountainSun Tzu The Art of War
(\__/) (= '.'=)
(") _ (")
Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device!
Andrew Bakshwww.birdingdude.blogspot.com
On Jul 14, 2026, at 12:36 PM, Steve Walter <stevewalter6...> wrote:
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Steve Walter <swalter15...> Date: Tue, Jul 14, 2026, 12:34 PM Subject: FW: Guy Tudor To: <stevewalter6...>
From: Steve Walter [mailto:<swalter15...>] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 12:27 PM To: '<nysbirds-l...>' <nysbirds-l...> Subject: Guy Tudor
I learned this morning that Guy Tudor has passed away. Guy was an accomplished bird artist and naturalist. Among other things, he was a MacArthur Genius award winner, first president and host of the New York City Butterfly Club, and co-author with Rick Cech of the “Butterflies of the East Coast” book.
Date: 7/14/26 4:16 pm From: Joseph Wallace <joew701...> Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: FW: Guy Tudor
The two big volumes on South American birds that Guy did with Robert
Ridgely are really magnificent as well.
On Tue, Jul 14, 2026 at 5:51 PM Jean Shum <acugal14...> wrote:
> Sorry to hear. May he rest in peace! Jean
>
> On Jul 14, 2026, at 2:14 PM, Anne Lazarus <amlazarus47...> wrote:
>
>
> So sorry to hear this sad news.
>
> On Tue, Jul 14, 2026 at 12:44 PM edith goren <edithgoren24...>
> wrote:
>
>> So sorry to hear of Guy Tudor’s passing! I have his great butterfly book.
>> It has so much of his years of research .
>> On Tue, Jul 14, 2026 at 12:36 PM Steve Walter <stevewalter6...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
>>> From: Steve Walter <swalter15...>
>>> Date: Tue, Jul 14, 2026, 12:34 PM
>>> Subject: FW: Guy Tudor
>>> To: <stevewalter6...>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From:* Steve Walter [mailto:<swalter15...>]
>>> *Sent:* Tuesday, July 14, 2026 12:27 PM
>>> *To:* '<nysbirds-l...>' <nysbirds-l...>
>>> *Subject:* Guy Tudor
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I learned this morning that Guy Tudor has passed away. Guy was an
>>> accomplished bird artist and naturalist. Among other things, he was a
>>> MacArthur Genius award winner, first president and host of the New York
>>> City Butterfly Club, and co-author with Rick Cech of the “Butterflies of
>>> the East Coast” book.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Guy will be missed by many.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Steve Walter
>>>
>>> Bayside, NY
>>>
>>>
>>> --
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>>> http://www.ebird.org >>> --
>>>
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>
Date: 7/14/26 2:58 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - to 7/14 - and passing of G. Tudor, artist, writer, polymath
Guy Tudor was an inspiration to many in a broad variety of fields related to art, natural history and field work and research, and publishing of many books, besides his own work in monumental and ground-breaking books, the field guides to several countries of South America, and later, the 2-volume set of books published on the Birds of South America, co-authored with Dr. Robert Ridgely, which are classic books in the realm of illustration and art, of textual precision and massive research undertaken. In some ways a forerunner of many many other publications that came after, and in some the same vein and-or styles. There are uncountable numbers of ornithologists and researchers, and other researchers in further biological fields, who have learned from - in many instances, directly, from Guy Tudor. His interests in the natural world and helping to explain some of it seemed to broaden with age, as he also was awarded honors and became the recipient of a MacArthur Genius grant, when in his midlife career. Of many, many meetings in the field, and at occasional or even regular meetings in his domicile with many other esteemed naturalists, I happen to recall one such meet-up outdoors, at Central Park in Manhattan, decades ago, in which Guy was both animated and often filled with humor and many stories, yet also was keenly aware of the many many avian migrants on that long-ago day in May. He was also a joy to walk with - often with others who may have known him much more, in his local patch in this days of Forest Park, Queens County, NY where he knew not only what birds might be around, but also what insects, especially butterflies, and often what native and wild plant-life, including surprises in that category, were to be found and, what the status was both locally and at-least regionally, of many of the species was. These same understandings also carried into his later-life local area on Long Island, NYs north fork and vicinity, much of the Long Island East End being familiar ground to him. And then there was the knowledge that he had gained in the Americas over his life, above all of the birds of Central and South America, and his eagerness to share in that knowledge. Although a bit gruff in demeanor, he easily saw if some one were serious in their pursuits of understanding or depicting nature, and would offer to add his insights, which were often great - and there was also that quality that some gifted people have, where only later, or even much later, would one begin to realize the depth of knowledge in many areas of this man. There will be others who could speak of his work-ethic which was certainly prodigious, and of his openness to trying to help the younger and fresher faces in some of his own profession. R.I.P., there will be no other quite like Guy Tudor, condolences to a legion of his colleagues and admirers and to any family, and many friends.
. . . .
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Randalls, Governors, and Roosevelt Islands and adjacent waters and skies above -
to Tuesday, July 14th -
Sightings of Little Blue Heron in adult plumage were continuing at times, by scoping from the northeast edge of Randalls Island in N.Y. County and observing, mostly from a great distance, to islands located in Bronx County, which also may provide views of other herons, egrets, possible shorebirds, and etc. - no Little Blue alerts in the last several days, however. Yellow-crowned Night-Herons are often seen within Randalls Island - a known and reliable site, in the warmer months.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds persist in multiple locations in Manhattan, with at least several regular in Central Park, and others elsewhere including at Fort Tryon Park. These, including adult males, adult females and some fledged young as well as some indeterminate to age, have been found up to the present date.
A breeding-plumaged Rose-breasted Grosbeak seen and photographed -A. Evans-, the grosbeak singing from the n. end of Central Park on July 7 is a rather unusual date for that species in this county, unless a breeding-attempt was being made by one or more of the species - which attempts are not unthinkable in at least some more-wooded parks of Manhattan.
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are persisting in some areas where they nestled and some could conceivably be starting to wander in addition to birds-in-place at or around breeding sites. Overall, certainly not a common nester in the county.
The number of Least Sandpipers found on Randalls Island doubled to two individuals by the damp day of Mon., July 6, and also seen from there with scoping most often needed -or some long-range optics- were a minimum of 5 American Oystercatchers, although often a lower number of these are seen, if noted at all, by scoping. Spotted Sandpiper has continued to be seen from several county locations recently.
A Hooded Merganser at the Central Park reservoir on Thursday, July 9 is an unusual date for this species in this county, however the species has been showing at times in recent summers in the local area, and is not as unexpected as may have seemed just a decade or more ago, at this time of year. Small numbers of Atlantic-form, or now called Pale-bellied Brant were also still being seen in a few sites scattered around the county including at Randalls Island recently. A Wild Turkey continues on and on at Battery Park in lower Manhattan.
A definite migrant for this date, not much noted so far, a Louisiana Waterthrush appeared at Central Park on Saturday, July 11th. This was not likely to be a lingering bird but a definitive southbound one. Some other warblers may also be starting to move south, and some could have already done so in and through the northeastern part of N. America. Of course many migratory species are still very busy tending to nests, hatchlings, fledgelings, and so forth in much of N. America.
Good summer birding, thanks to observers and photographers for a variety of sightings, alerts, reports. Many of the latter via eBird, with the Macaulay Library for media, however, still one of the ways some reports filter in is via good old word-of-mouth. The county is pushing to just around 90 species of wild, free-flying birds so far this month, while many more new arrivals are possible as the second half of July comes in.
Date: 7/14/26 2:50 pm From: Jean Shum <acugal14...> Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: FW: Guy Tudor
Sorry to hear. May he rest in peace! Jean
On Jul 14, 2026, at 2:14 PM, Anne Lazarus <amlazarus47...> wrote:
So sorry to hear this sad news. On Tue, Jul 14, 2026 at 12:44 PM edith goren <edithgoren24...> wrote:
So sorry to hear of Guy Tudor’s passing! I have his great butterfly book. It has so much of his years of research .On Tue, Jul 14, 2026 at 12:36 PM Steve Walter <stevewalter6...> wrote:
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Steve Walter <swalter15...> Date: Tue, Jul 14, 2026, 12:34 PM Subject: FW: Guy Tudor To: <stevewalter6...>
From: Steve Walter [mailto:<swalter15...>] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 12:27 PM To: '<nysbirds-l...>' <nysbirds-l...> Subject: Guy Tudor
I learned this morning that Guy Tudor has passed away. Guy was an accomplished bird artist and naturalist. Among other things, he was a MacArthur Genius award winner, first president and host of the New York City Butterfly Club, and co-author with Rick Cech of the “Butterflies of the East Coast” book.
Date: 7/14/26 11:13 am From: Anne Lazarus <amlazarus47...> Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: FW: Guy Tudor
So sorry to hear this sad news.
On Tue, Jul 14, 2026 at 12:44 PM edith goren <edithgoren24...> wrote:
> So sorry to hear of Guy Tudor’s passing! I have his great butterfly book.
> It has so much of his years of research .
> On Tue, Jul 14, 2026 at 12:36 PM Steve Walter <stevewalter6...>
> wrote:
>
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
>> From: Steve Walter <swalter15...>
>> Date: Tue, Jul 14, 2026, 12:34 PM
>> Subject: FW: Guy Tudor
>> To: <stevewalter6...>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* Steve Walter [mailto:<swalter15...>]
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, July 14, 2026 12:27 PM
>> *To:* '<nysbirds-l...>' <nysbirds-l...>
>> *Subject:* Guy Tudor
>>
>>
>>
>> I learned this morning that Guy Tudor has passed away. Guy was an
>> accomplished bird artist and naturalist. Among other things, he was a
>> MacArthur Genius award winner, first president and host of the New York
>> City Butterfly Club, and co-author with Rick Cech of the “Butterflies of
>> the East Coast” book.
>>
>>
>>
>> Guy will be missed by many.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Steve Walter
>>
>> Bayside, NY
>>
>>
>> --
>> NYSbirds-L List Info:
>> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
>> Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...>
>> Archives:
>> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>
>> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
>> //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/maillist.html
>> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
>> http://www.ebird.org >> --
>>
> --
> NYSbirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org > --
>
Date: 7/14/26 9:44 am From: edith goren <edithgoren24...> Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: FW: Guy Tudor
So sorry to hear of Guy Tudor’s passing! I have his great butterfly book.
It has so much of his years of research .
On Tue, Jul 14, 2026 at 12:36 PM Steve Walter <stevewalter6...>
wrote:
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: Steve Walter <swalter15...>
> Date: Tue, Jul 14, 2026, 12:34 PM
> Subject: FW: Guy Tudor
> To: <stevewalter6...>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Steve Walter [mailto:<swalter15...>]
> *Sent:* Tuesday, July 14, 2026 12:27 PM
> *To:* '<nysbirds-l...>' <nysbirds-l...>
> *Subject:* Guy Tudor
>
>
>
> I learned this morning that Guy Tudor has passed away. Guy was an
> accomplished bird artist and naturalist. Among other things, he was a
> MacArthur Genius award winner, first president and host of the New York
> City Butterfly Club, and co-author with Rick Cech of the “Butterflies of
> the East Coast” book.
>
>
>
> Guy will be missed by many.
>
>
>
>
>
> Steve Walter
>
> Bayside, NY
>
>
> --
> NYSbirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org > --
>
Date: 7/14/26 9:36 am From: Steve Walter <stevewalter6...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: FW: Guy Tudor
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Steve Walter <swalter15...>
Date: Tue, Jul 14, 2026, 12:34 PM
Subject: FW: Guy Tudor
To: <stevewalter6...>
*From:* Steve Walter [mailto:<swalter15...>]
*Sent:* Tuesday, July 14, 2026 12:27 PM
*To:* '<nysbirds-l...>' <nysbirds-l...>
*Subject:* Guy Tudor
I learned this morning that Guy Tudor has passed away. Guy was an
accomplished bird artist and naturalist. Among other things, he was a
MacArthur Genius award winner, first president and host of the New York
City Butterfly Club, and co-author with Rick Cech of the “Butterflies of
the East Coast” book.
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, July 10th 2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today's tape are BRIDLED TERN, RUFF and CURLEW SANDPIPER, SABINE'S GULL, SOUTH POLAR SKUA and other pelagics, BROWN PELICAN, WHITE IBIS and WHITE-FACED IBIS, ARCTIC TERN, BLUE GROSBEAK and more.
A notably good week for unexpected birds began last Saturday when a dog-walker out on the beach by Mecox Inlet spotted an unusual bird that turned out to be an adult BRIDLED TERN which fortunately stayed around the inlet long enough to be enjoyed and photographed by a few lucky birders.
Two exceptional shorebirds appeared together today out at Jones Beach State Park West End, found in one of the dune pools a little west of field 1. First a RUFF in somewhat faded adult plumage was spotted followed soon after by an adult CURLEW SANDPIPER in vibrant plumage, both continuing for a while at least.
Other shorebirds reported on the move this week featured SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER and STILT, PECTORAL and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS plus 2 HUDSONIAN WHIMBRELS along Dune Road Thursday.
A good opportunity recently to see a variety of pelagic birds has been to take a CRESLI whale watching boat trip out of Montauk Harbor. These half-day trips focus on cetaceans and their feeding activities do attract numbers of birds. Wednesday afternoon's trip produced a well photographed adult SABINE'S GULL and both Sunday and Wednesday had multiple encounters with SOUTH POLAR SKUAS. Each of these trips also provided good numbers of WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, and CORY'S, GREAT and SOOTY SHEARWATERS, small numbers of MANX SHEARWATERS and a few good candidates for SCOPOLI'S SHEARWATERS among the CORY'S group. Also reported Wednesday were a couple of PARASITIC JAEGERS and an ARCTIC TERN.
A BROWN PELICAN was spotted crossing Robert Moses State Park towards the ocean Wednesday evening, another moving west off Jones Beach field 6 this evening.
An adult WHITE IBIS was seen flying into the marsh south of the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge last Sunday and the WHITE-FACED IBIS was still visiting the south end of the East Pond last Sunday.
A GLAUCOUS GULL was seen again at Breezy Point last Sunday. Single ARCTIC TERNS were reported during the week from Cupsogue Beach County Park, Mecox and Georgica Inlet with one also visiting Great Gull Island last Sunday. GULL-BILLED TERNS continue at Jamaica Bay and one was noted at Plumb Beach last Saturday and a BLACK TERN and some ROSEATES continue to be seen along the coast.
BLUE GROSBEAKS remain around the Preston's Pond Complex and other Calverton sites.
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: 7/9/26 11:45 am From: Andrew Block (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <NYSBIRDS-L...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Spruce Grouse finally
I was up in the Adirondacks for a long 4th weekend and unexpectably finally got a Spruce Grouse. I've been hoping to find one in NY for ages. I just happened to be driving along the St. Regis River just outside of St. Regis Falls on S. River Rd. and spotted a female Spruce Grouse with atleast two chicks just about to cross the road from the edge of the river as some idiots in an ATV came flying by just missing hitting them. The female just was able to fly out fo the way and in front of us and get out of the way and the chicks just made it back towards the river. Those people have no respect for wildlife for sure. So glad to finally get the grouse. Number 403 for the state:-)
Andrew
Andrew BlockConsulting Naturalist
Yonkers, New York www.flickr.com/photos/conuropsis/albums
