Spring Warblers in Central Park - 29th April

An early start in Central Park, where the birding was pretty good. Yesterday's Swainson's Warbler was not relocated, but the Ramble was jumping. Warblers included Blue-winged, Black-and-white, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Cape May, Yellow and American Redstart. Also plenty of Blue-headed Vireo, one Yellow-throated Vireo, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, House Wren, Veery and lots of Ruby-crowned Kinglets.

Male Chestnut-sided Warbler 

Yet another Black-and-white Warbler.

Swamp Sparrow

Swainson's Warbler in Central Park - 28th April

Yesterday saw quite a fall of spring migrants in Central Park, particularly warblers of which 20 species were reported. I was on my way to the Ramble see if any of this bounty had lingered overnight when I saw a Swainson's Warbler had been reported from Strawberry Fields. I rapidly changed direction, grabbed a taxi and was soon on my knees peering under the shrubbery. After 10 minutes or so I relocated the bird, and after ogling it for a while in peace I spread the news. Initial views were very poor, but it stayed fairly static, bursting into song every now and then and in time I got some excellent views, and some semi-decent pictures.

Elsewhere in the park it was fairly quiet with a Northern Waterthrush from the Oak Bridge being the best of the rest. No matter, with such a mega in the bag I was a very happy birder as I headed off to work.

The bird spent most of the morning either rooting around in the leaf litter...

... or perched motionless on low branches in the densest bushes it could find.

When it did show itself it was a little cracker!

When twitching a Swainson's Warbler you can either see the bird, or retain your dignity, but not both!

Central Park - 21st April

Several more new arrivals in The Ramble today, including Northern Waterthrush, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher and Blue-headed Vireo.

Several Blue-headed Vireos today

Great White Egret at Turtle Pond

Male House Finch

Sleepy Raccoon keeping a weather ear out for danger

Central Park - 19th April

I spent the morning in The Ramble and points north. Quite a few new migrants (for me), including Savannah Sparrow, Belted Kingfisher, Palm Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler and Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Savannah Sparrow. Two birds were on the grass just north of Turtle Pond.

Red-tailed Hawk feeding on a Grey Squirrel

Belted Kingfisher on Turtle Pond

Hermit Thrush are all over the place right now.

My first Black-and-White Warbler of the year, still a stunner!

Spring birds in Central Park - 14th April

Spring has sprung,
the grass has riz,
I wonder where the birdies is?

 ...They're in Central Park! A nice morning walk in Central Park today, with lots of commoner migrants all over the shop. Northern Flickers were the most obvious, but other newcomers included Eastern Towhee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Rusty Blackbird, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Swamp Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow.

Rusty Blackbird. At least 3 along the gill today.

Common Grackle.

And to round out the day's blackbird contingent, this Red-winged Blackbird.

Northern Flickers were everywhere

Quite a few Eastern Towhees bouncing through the undergrowth

Upland Sandpiper, Oak Beach - 9th April

A twitch down to Oak Beach on Long Island for an Upland Sandpiper that has been hanging around on the median of the Ocean Parkway for about 4 days.

One of the more oddly proportioned birds I've seen here, very small head...

...and a tremendously long neck.

Cracking bird though!