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.
