Date: 3/19/25 5:57 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - to 3/18 - B.-h. Gull[s], & expected migrants as well as lingering birds
Manhattan, N.Y. City - thru Tuesday, March 18 -
Black-Headed Gull was found again at the Central Park reservoir in Manhattan, with one that is not-yet in a near-alternate -not nearing breeding-type-plumage- lingering more so than the more boldly-plumaged near-alternate plumaged individual - these were both present at least in some hours of Monday, 3-17 while only the less-advanced-plumaged Black-headed Gull may have shown for all or most observers on Tuesday, on the reservoir - where two Common Mergansers also continued their quite-lengthy stay in Central Park.
A pair of Canvasbacks continued all day Tuesday again to the north of the West Harlem Piers, a waterfront park on the Hudson River, with the Canvasbacks often at or under the pilings and bulkheads of a wastewater treatment area and associated structures, all just to the south of the south wall of large Riverbank State Park - which has its southern edge near about W. 137th Street. For some, easiest access to this area is from W. 125th St. at its western terminus and then an easy walk north, along the Hudson River waterfront path, using some care for the many 2-wheeled riders, and occasional cars that may pass here. By Tuesday, far more than 100 observers and photographers had viewed this 1 pair of ducks, at this area.
Also still present in Central Park were 2 Green-winged Teal, and other park-waterfowl has included ongoing Hooded Mergansers, Wood, Ruddy, and American Black Ducks, Buffleheads, N. Shovelers and some other typical waterfowl, as well as American Coot.
In the waters around Manhattan some Red-breasted Mergansers continue in numbers, and there are also Red-throated and Common Loons around, with at least one, perhaps more Horned Grebes also present in the area, including well-off the Manhattan shore and closer to Governors Island in N.Y. Harbor. At Inwood Hill Park, a single American Wigeon met its end, perhaps already somewhat unwell, or having a troublesome molt, and was dispatched by a Red-tailed Hawk on Monday, 3-17, the act witnessed by a few regular observers of that park and area. Great Egret faired much better around Inwood and the adjacent Muscota marsh areas, and was still present after the weekend there.
American Woodcocks have been passing thru the local region for some time by now, while at one location in Manhattan - Bryant Park in mid-town, up to 3 -or even-more!-woodcocks have been found by many observers, on Tuesday including participants in the not-for-profit Feminists Bird Club, as well as others. Other recent sightings of these birds at that site were also made by many, on a not-for-profit guided walk with the NYC Bird Alliance. American Woodcock sightings continue for all of Tuesday and there may be some others lingering, but many of the species have moved thru - and are setting up territories in sites well-north, as well as on all compass-points in appropriate habitat of the broader region.
Eastern Phoebe is still not-so-common, as they may be in a week or more, however some are showing in even some of the smaller parks and greenspaces as of Tuesday, and from one end of Manhattan northwards to some of that end of the island. A number of recent observers have been noting Fish Crows showing in fair numbers, some on the move locally, and certainly an increase over any in mid-winter.
Of our city-ravens, Common Raven numbers continue to impress all around Manhattan, in select locations including some where breeding may take place, some in known places of such in the prior year. Some additional movements included some Tree Swallows coming through - small numbers for now, but many more, as well as other diurnal migrators are likely, for some coming days and weeks ahead.
There also has been a fresh uptick in some raptor and migrant vulture activity, with a half-dozen or more raptor species as well as the usual-three species of falcons which are around lately, Peregrine and American Kestrel as local-resident and breeding-resident birds, plus Merlins in migration and a few that have been lingering in this nearly-gone winter.
Far more additional species are in Manhattan and some additional new arrivals are rather likely soon, with reports also forthcoming.
Good birding to all, and thanks to the many keen, quiet, courteous observers and photographers who share many fine sightings and photos in reports.
Tom Fiore
manhattan
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