Date: 1/31/26 4:22 am From: Thomas Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - waterbirds and winter-shuffling
Manhattan, N.Y. City - Friday, January 30th -
Some indications of further movement of waterbirds in the midst of the lingering Arctic freeze were at least 2 drake Redhead showing in the Central Park reservoir later in the day, and drake Ring-necked Duck, plus Greater Scaup among ducks next to Inwood Hill Park in n. Manhattan, plus at least modest movement and shuffling of waterfowl around the island in surrounding waters, some Common Mergansers moving along the rivers, Long-tailed Duck off lower-east Manhattan, and with more Red-throated and Common Loons appearing, there may well be more of similar movements in the coming days.
Several locations on Manhattan island still had American Tree Sparrows, including an individual coming in to feeders at the Ramble of Central Park. Sparrows of at least several species, with Dark-eyed Juncos, and assorted other birds at times, have been out on the snow in many areas, and at times digging for seed, also managing to feed on fallen sweet gum seed or other tree seeds, while also in some locations swarming where bird-seed has been distributed by humans, whether at a regular such site, or not.
Bald Eagles and Coopers Hawks were among raptors that occasionally stood out, the former species sometimes on ice-floes in the Hudson, and the latter around the town occasionally in rather unexpected street-situations such as in midtown, although that distribution, in the colder months especially, has been more-often seen in recent years than was noticed in past times.
Some native, and essentially-wild birds have taken the route preferred lately by many humans, an example being the Gray Catbirds moving inside from Bryant Park in mid-Manhattan going in the quite warm bar. At least a few other similar examples have been noted.
Good birding, stay safe in the very chilled conditions,
