Date: 10/20/26 2:22 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - Mon., 10/19 - Y.-br. Chat, additional arrivals, etc.
Manhattan, N.Y. City - Monday, October 19 -
Nocturnal migration overnight from Monday to now-Tuesday was very strong thru the northeast all the way south to the Gulf coast and beyond, with some migrant birds aiming for Caribbean isles where they may winter, some birds headed much farther south, and of course some birds simply getting a bit of distance from their varied farther north breeding areas.
At Central Park, the photographed arrival of Red-breasted Merganser at the reservoir on Monday made for the 2nd species of merganser arriving there this week. In this month, at least 14 species of waterfowl have been seen in, or passing over, Central Park. That total includes the recent Brant. American Coots are increasing, not just for Central Park but in at least a few sites within Manhattan N.Y. County waters. Laughing Gulls continued to visit the reservoir at Central Park, and other areas of Manhattan waters, thru Monday.
The ten native sparrow species seen at Central Park on Monday again included a Vesper Sparrow which was lingering there from at least Sunday. Vesper Sparrow had been occurring on all 4 of the main islands of N.Y. County as well, with among the latest to be well-photographed on Roosevelt Island on Monday. Scarlet Tanagers were still being seen, but the high numbers earlier this month are long off on migrations south. Fairly obviously to most observers, keep eyes out for unusual looking tanagers at this time of year, when western vagrants may start to appear.
Purple Finches, several dozen or more Pine Siskins, and Rusty Blackbirds were again found on Monday in Central Park. It might be added that Pine Siskins have been showing at sites from the northernmost point south to the southernmost point in New York County, some seem as singletons but many in flocks, occasionally well into double-digits and to dozens at one location. When finches of any type start utilizing the seeds of Sweetgum trees, which are numerous in parts of Manhattan, listen up and watch for Siskins among other birds.
At least 16 species of warblers were still present at Central Park on Monday. A few species were very slightly-late, but none of the warblers seen this fall in Manhattan are running near record-late dates yet. Prairie Warbler - possibly 2 individuals - was still at the n. end of Central Park on Monday.
A Northern Waterthrush was found at Bryant Park in mid-Manhattan on Monday. Many observers and photographers enjoyed still another Orange-crowned Warbler, among the latest finds on Monday at Battery Park city park, with yet other Orange-crowned Warblers noted elsewhere. The long-long lingering Wild Turkey continues to live at Battery Park at the southern end of Manhattan. Multiple migrant birds have been occurring there, and nearby.
A Yellow-breasted Chat was still present in Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan thru Monday, where a variety of other native birds also continue to be seen. A Marsh Wren has shown at Inwood Hill Park to Monday, a species that has also had a good run this fall in Manhattan and all of N.Y. County. Many other migrants have been showing at Inwood and other parks in the northern sector of Manhattan. All of Manhattan has featured a variety of species in parks larger and smaller, and in other greenspaces including gardens, public plazas or courtyards, and in some churchyards open to the public.
A few Empidonax-genus flycatchers have been reported lately, and if any further sightings of these occur, ideally all would be photographed or potentially even better, video-audio recorded with phone or camera, to assist with potential ID confirmations. Again, this can apply to any flycatcher seen from now thru the winter, unless positively identified as an E. Phoebe.
Thanks to many observers and photographers out and about all around Manhattan, from first light thru dusk and even later, for sightings, alerts, and reports, via the Discord app for actual birders, and via eBird with the Macaulay Library for media in visual and audio formats, and for fresh tips passed along while out in the field.
