Date: 5/11/25 3:44 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Governors Island (N.Y. Harbor), & Central Park, NYC - 5/4 - NY Harbor Little Gull, & many more migrants of note
It is worth noting that a somewhat extraordinary migration has occurred in parts of the northeast, reaching to some of at least northern New England with migrants including species not typically found until one to two weeks later for some locations having been documented over this weekend, particularly by Sunday May 4th. We have seen some aspects of this in New York City for some of the arrivals and passages of migrants, at least some of which start their northward journeys from deep within S. America, as well as those species which have somewhat shorter migrations into North America,
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Governors Island, in New York County, N.Y. City, with New York harbor adjacent. - Governors Island is a very short distance south of the southern tip of Manhattan island. -
An exceptional birding field-outing, with 5 hardy participants making the trip, took place at Governors Island on Sunday, May 4th with a successful attempt at re-finding what was -presumably- the same LITTLE GULL which had been seen recently off Manhattan on the Hudson River, now for Sunday in the upper New York Harbor from Governors Island which is within New York County, part of the same county that contains Manhattan island and other isles. The Little Gull was photographed from a distance, and was seen by all in the party of keen birders who made this species a special target to try for in going to this isle, and putting in over 5 hours of the day in watching many species which include a number of birds that are rare to uncommon for any part of the county….
Those species seen on the day include of course the above rare gull, also a fly-by White-winged Scoter, at least 1-dozen Purple Sandpipers on the islands shores, as well as a nice sighting of at least 8 Spotted Sandpipers, plus 8 Least Sandpipers, and also the more-regular numbers of Killdeer for this location, a nice count of 74 Common Terns, the latter also a species which breed here on Governors in some number, and are also seen regularly in-season over the adjacent harbor waters, a good count of 50 Laughing Gulls which is expected by now for the area, a photographed Atlantic Seaside Sparrow, out on rocky seaweed-covered rocks at the south end of Governors, a nice addition to the many birds of the day there, also much-more-expected 4 Savannah Sparrows, and an assortment of many other more-expected or regular species for the location and date. Common Raven was again seen on Governors, and there have been sightings of Yellow-crowned Night-Heron from here this month.
2 individual birders also observed 8 Glossy Ibis fly past in New York County airspace in the visit to Governors Island, watching prior to the island-landing, on Sunday, at least one observer in the group of those who later saw the Little Gull there.
Additional observers came along for, and observed the Governors Island find of Atlantic Seaside Sparrow on Sunday, which showed well thru the day. In the month of May, so far, just one dozen species of warblers have been recorded for Governors Island, however that may not be reflective of all that have passed in the 4 first days of May there - including some early-morning flights and with foggy morning conditions. At least 2 of the warbler species seen are potential-actual breeders on the island and more-generally, the only 2 species that breed somewhat regularly in parts of the county - those 2 being Yellow Warbler and Common Yellowthroat.
Many other typical migrants have been seen at Governors so far this month, and many others may yet be seen as the month goes on. A scope and-or a strong camera-lens will be wanted if attempting to view or find birds out in the harbor area, beyond the near-rocks and immediate near-waters. The view in any good weather can include far-out views to The Atlantic sea, viewing via the Narrows and looking south, mainly from the highest hill or from the southernmost points of Governors Island, but heat-distortion and even salt spray can be an issue in viewing far-off birds or anything at all. The island is easily reached by ferries, including from next to the Staten Island ferry terminal on Manhattan.
Least and other Sandpipers are occurring elsewhere in the county this week, with sightings of that and other shorebirds in Central Park and in a number of sites in Manhattan, including at northern Manhattan, as well as on the other islands of New York County, on the weekend.
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Separately noted from the above, are sightings from a highly-watched and birded site, the most heavily-visited by birders in May of all the parks in the county -
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Sunday, May 4th and some prior days -
Highlights are many but include Grasshopper Sparrow seen by many, Yellow-throated Warbler, Mourning Warbler seen by many, an April 29 sighting of Cerulean Warbler, and a popular Marsh Wren which although an annually-occurring migrant in that park is not always seen by a great-many observers at one time or place.
Gabriel Willows guided bird-walk for the non-profit NYC Bird Alliance group was able to see the Grasshopper Sparrow which was also seen by many other observers and was near the Delacorte Theater of Central Park, next to Turtle Pond and the Belvedere Castle - this not the first of that species for this spring in Central, but was again seen well and with photos obtained - a link to some photos by G. Willow in the Macaulay Library archive is - https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/635032036.
A male Cerulean Warbler has at-last been confirmed for an earlier eBird-entered sighting in Central Park, from a highly-experienced observer on the normal-date for the species of April 29th - always a much-hoped-for species for that park and the entire county, it was one of several reports from the past week, this one having now been confirmed and thus date-archived for the record. Thanks to A. Swaim who many in Westchester County NY and far-beyond know well as a birder of great experience.
The singing male Yellow-throated Warbler at Summit Rock in Central Park on Sunday was among the many warbler species - at least 27 more warbler species were also seen in Central Park on Sunday, with just a miss on Orange-crowned from all the species seen the day-before. The male Mourning Warbler at the Great Hill area of Central Park ultimately attracted up to 50 or even more observers on Sunday.
A Marsh Wren was also among many many species noted by dozens and dozens of observers at the north end of Central Park on Sunday, and in the same area of that wren were both Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers each seen as well by a large number of observers. Both Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos were again seen in Central Park on Sunday, and the cuckoos also have been seen in other locations in Manhattan and on the other islands of New York County this past weekend.
A female Bufflehead was still at the Central Park reservoir on Sunday, and is a bit late for the location but not an unprecedented date here. N. Shoveler was also still present in Central Park, a lone lingering bird apparently and now a little late for here. Wood Ducks are ongoing in the multiple and in some years, Wood Duck can be a nearly-year-round species at Central Park, with the occasional attempt at nesting there.
Far more than 100 total species od wild birds were found in - with some flyovers also noted - or over Central Park again on Sunday. Of those many species about one-fourth were species of American migrant warblers. Flight was again over the previous night, and some birds had moved on, while additional arrivals came along. Most other sites with any reasonable amount of ground-cover, trees or further habitats for birds were seeing some migrants on Sunday in this county - and some of the larger parks and greenspaces again had good diversity of species on Sunday. Multiple guided walks were again being led for not-for-profit institutions and organizations by various leaders and with a multitude of participants in various locations. As usual there are also hundreds and hundreds of independent observers and photographers out in the parks and greenspaces for all hours of days and some also in twilight times.
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A female Wild Turkey was still present at the Battery Park in lower Manhattan on Sunday, an uncommon visitor there, but with prior occurrences of the species for that park.
Good month-of-May birding to all,
Tom Fiore
manhattan
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