-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
From my Manhattan Window (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Pinewood
- Start date
elkcub
Silicon Valley, California
Pinewood
New York correspondent
a kettle
Hello Ed,
Live and learn. I did not realise that the acorn woodpecker is an American bird of the west. Nevertheless, they do not turn up in Central Park but they are birds with striking looks.
Before my last post, I saw a flock of raptors high overhead. After some consideration I am booking them as a kettle turkey vultures which rarely turn up in Central Park but are known to pass overhead. On Sunday, I saw a gray duck far off on the Reservoir, too far for a solid identification. Again, after some consideration, I will put it down as a gadwall rather than a wigeon. However, I certainly saw a green winged teal on the Lake. Yesterday, there was a pair of wood ducks on the lake; today, a solitary male bufflehead on the Lake. Diving ducks like the bufflehead generally find the Lake too shallow.
About two weeks ago, I saw a brown creeper, today another turned up. My guess is that the former may have wintered in the and the latter may be at the start of their migration. A couple of weeks ago, I black crowned night herons; today there were at least five on branches overlooking the Lake. Today was also a three woodpecker day: downy, red bellied and a northern flicker.
Monday, I heard a warbler which was identified by others as a pine warbler. Today, I saw a chipping sparrow along with fox and song sparrows. Please do not call a chipping sparrow a "chippy," as that another meaning in American English.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :scribe:
Hello Ed,
Live and learn. I did not realise that the acorn woodpecker is an American bird of the west. Nevertheless, they do not turn up in Central Park but they are birds with striking looks.
Before my last post, I saw a flock of raptors high overhead. After some consideration I am booking them as a kettle turkey vultures which rarely turn up in Central Park but are known to pass overhead. On Sunday, I saw a gray duck far off on the Reservoir, too far for a solid identification. Again, after some consideration, I will put it down as a gadwall rather than a wigeon. However, I certainly saw a green winged teal on the Lake. Yesterday, there was a pair of wood ducks on the lake; today, a solitary male bufflehead on the Lake. Diving ducks like the bufflehead generally find the Lake too shallow.
About two weeks ago, I saw a brown creeper, today another turned up. My guess is that the former may have wintered in the and the latter may be at the start of their migration. A couple of weeks ago, I black crowned night herons; today there were at least five on branches overlooking the Lake. Today was also a three woodpecker day: downy, red bellied and a northern flicker.
Monday, I heard a warbler which was identified by others as a pine warbler. Today, I saw a chipping sparrow along with fox and song sparrows. Please do not call a chipping sparrow a "chippy," as that another meaning in American English.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :scribe:
Attachments
Pinewood
New York correspondent
Rain and physicians' appointments
Hello,
Rain and physicians' appointments have kept me out the Park. Last Sunday, I saw a ruddy duck which actually had ruddy sides but there was no sign of a blue bill. On Monday, I saw my first egret of the year on Turtle Pond. While looking at the egret a golden crowned kinglet buzzed me. Northern flickers are more plentiful and I saw red tailed hawk carrying a branch, part of its mating ritual.
The chipping sparrows may have departed but song sparrows are still around.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
Hello,
Rain and physicians' appointments have kept me out the Park. Last Sunday, I saw a ruddy duck which actually had ruddy sides but there was no sign of a blue bill. On Monday, I saw my first egret of the year on Turtle Pond. While looking at the egret a golden crowned kinglet buzzed me. Northern flickers are more plentiful and I saw red tailed hawk carrying a branch, part of its mating ritual.
The chipping sparrows may have departed but song sparrows are still around.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
Attachments
Pinewood
New York correspondent
The cherry trees are in bloom
Hello all,
In my last post I neglected to mention that I saw a hermit thrush/. Today, I saw blue gray gnatcatchers, a black and white warbler at the Point.
The shovellers have become scarce on the Lake, but are still to be seen on the Reservoir. Today, I saw a common loon on the Reservoir, along with mallards shovellers and buffleheads. The loon is a life bird for me. Even though it has been on the Reservoir for a long time, I never saw it until today.
I attach a photograph of Cherry Hill taken with my iPod Touch from Bow Bridge. The early blooming cherry trees give the Hill its name. It is also well known for Cherry Hill Fountain, which some might recognize.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
Hello all,
In my last post I neglected to mention that I saw a hermit thrush/. Today, I saw blue gray gnatcatchers, a black and white warbler at the Point.
The shovellers have become scarce on the Lake, but are still to be seen on the Reservoir. Today, I saw a common loon on the Reservoir, along with mallards shovellers and buffleheads. The loon is a life bird for me. Even though it has been on the Reservoir for a long time, I never saw it until today.
I attach a photograph of Cherry Hill taken with my iPod Touch from Bow Bridge. The early blooming cherry trees give the Hill its name. It is also well known for Cherry Hill Fountain, which some might recognize.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
Attachments
Pinewood
New York correspondent
Still, no additional warblers
Hello all,
I have not seen any additional warblers but I have been especially disappointed in not seeing any waterthrushes. Watching them forage on a shore or stream bank always fascinates me.
On Sunday, there was only one ruddy duck on the Reservoir and I think that the northern shovellers have left the park, along with most of the white breasted nuthatches, the tufted titmice and the black capped chickadees. I did see a red breasted nuthatch on Monday. On Sunday, I saw a green heron in the Oven. For years a nesting pair would be seen on the Northern Lobe of the Lake but "restoration" and construction interrupted their annual stay.
On Sunday, I saw a belted kingfisher up a tree, on the island in Turtle Pond. It must have had some good fishing because it just sat in the tree and I was not rewarded with seeing it catch lunch. This only my third sighting of one. Yesterday, I saw my first field sparrow of the season. Also on Sunday, I saw a male brown headed cowbird.
I attach a photograph of Central Park's only Egyptian obelisk, taken today with my new iPod Touch, when the foliage is still sparse. Like the one on the Great Smoke's Embankment, it is popularly called Cleopatra's Needle. New York's weather and pollution have not been kind to its hieroglyphics.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :scribe:
Hello all,
I have not seen any additional warblers but I have been especially disappointed in not seeing any waterthrushes. Watching them forage on a shore or stream bank always fascinates me.
On Sunday, there was only one ruddy duck on the Reservoir and I think that the northern shovellers have left the park, along with most of the white breasted nuthatches, the tufted titmice and the black capped chickadees. I did see a red breasted nuthatch on Monday. On Sunday, I saw a green heron in the Oven. For years a nesting pair would be seen on the Northern Lobe of the Lake but "restoration" and construction interrupted their annual stay.
On Sunday, I saw a belted kingfisher up a tree, on the island in Turtle Pond. It must have had some good fishing because it just sat in the tree and I was not rewarded with seeing it catch lunch. This only my third sighting of one. Yesterday, I saw my first field sparrow of the season. Also on Sunday, I saw a male brown headed cowbird.
I attach a photograph of Central Park's only Egyptian obelisk, taken today with my new iPod Touch, when the foliage is still sparse. Like the one on the Great Smoke's Embankment, it is popularly called Cleopatra's Needle. New York's weather and pollution have not been kind to its hieroglyphics.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :scribe:
Attachments
Pinewood
New York correspondent
A warbler and ...
Hello everyone,
The shovellers are gone as are the ruddy ducks. On the Lake I did see a pair of gadwalls and a lone American coot. There were two pairs of buffleheads on the Reservoir, today.
Today, I saw a black throated blue Today, I also got to see a blue headed vireo, and a Louisiana waterthrush, at last. The best bird of the day was a male rose breasted grosbeak.
However yesterday I saw a rare visitor to Central Park: a barred owl. I was given a tip by a very competent bird watcher, who said that he had not announced digitally. I met a group led by paid guide and told him the I was on the way to Rustic Shelter for a look. He turned his group around to follow me. It was certainly worth the 100 metre detour, but someone there was already announcing it on his smart 'phone. The reluctance to broadcast its presence was an attempt to avoid a "twitcher" situation and upset the owl. The owl was there for only one day.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :scribe:
Hello everyone,
The shovellers are gone as are the ruddy ducks. On the Lake I did see a pair of gadwalls and a lone American coot. There were two pairs of buffleheads on the Reservoir, today.
Today, I saw a black throated blue Today, I also got to see a blue headed vireo, and a Louisiana waterthrush, at last. The best bird of the day was a male rose breasted grosbeak.
However yesterday I saw a rare visitor to Central Park: a barred owl. I was given a tip by a very competent bird watcher, who said that he had not announced digitally. I met a group led by paid guide and told him the I was on the way to Rustic Shelter for a look. He turned his group around to follow me. It was certainly worth the 100 metre detour, but someone there was already announcing it on his smart 'phone. The reluctance to broadcast its presence was an attempt to avoid a "twitcher" situation and upset the owl. The owl was there for only one day.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :scribe:
Attachments
Last edited:
Pinewood
New York correspondent
More birds of the season
Hello,
After a few days of anticipation, I finally met aa yellowthroat warbler. It is not usually a visitor to New York but does turn up occasionally. A worm eating warbler appeared up a tree, where it won't find any worms. On Friday, I began to see gray catbirds, which should be here all summer. As I was walking in Strawberry fields, I saw an ovenbird.
Last week, I neglected to mention seeing an eastern towhee. On Thursday, I saw a male wood duck on the Reservoir. It was arousing great curiosity among some German tourists.
I attach an iPod photo of an egret on Turtle Pond.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
Hello,
After a few days of anticipation, I finally met aa yellowthroat warbler. It is not usually a visitor to New York but does turn up occasionally. A worm eating warbler appeared up a tree, where it won't find any worms. On Friday, I began to see gray catbirds, which should be here all summer. As I was walking in Strawberry fields, I saw an ovenbird.
Last week, I neglected to mention seeing an eastern towhee. On Thursday, I saw a male wood duck on the Reservoir. It was arousing great curiosity among some German tourists.
I attach an iPod photo of an egret on Turtle Pond.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
Attachments
Pinewood
New York correspondent
Hello,
I had a rather happy day yesterday. At the start of my bird watching, I got a decent look at a male scarlet tanager, up a tree, at Strawberry Fields. At the Point, another bird watcher pointed out s Swainson's thrush, an Americans redstart and a veery. A little later, I saw a brown mass, concealed by leaves, high up in a tree, which was a least bittern a very unusual visitor to Central Park.
There was more yesterday, so I will continue later.
All images by Louis Agassiz Fuertes from Birds of New York.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
I had a rather happy day yesterday. At the start of my bird watching, I got a decent look at a male scarlet tanager, up a tree, at Strawberry Fields. At the Point, another bird watcher pointed out s Swainson's thrush, an Americans redstart and a veery. A little later, I saw a brown mass, concealed by leaves, high up in a tree, which was a least bittern a very unusual visitor to Central Park.
There was more yesterday, so I will continue later.
All images by Louis Agassiz Fuertes from Birds of New York.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
Attachments
Pinewood
New York correspondent
Hello,
Yesterday, also brought a black throated green warbler. The best for yesterday was a red headed woodpecker, which made a three woodpecker day for me.
Although the Reservoir still had some buffleheads, I expect them to be gone by my next visit. As I am off for another "culture vulture" holiday [ or as a friend calls them, culchuh volchuh], I won't be in Central Park for eight days.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
Yesterday, also brought a black throated green warbler. The best for yesterday was a red headed woodpecker, which made a three woodpecker day for me.
Although the Reservoir still had some buffleheads, I expect them to be gone by my next visit. As I am off for another "culture vulture" holiday [ or as a friend calls them, culchuh volchuh], I won't be in Central Park for eight days.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
Attachments
Pinewood
New York correspondent
back from vacation
Hello,
I am back from my trip, yesterday. While waiting for a train at Newark Airport, I spotted an unfamiliar bird on the tracks. It was a kildeer, a bird rarely seen in Central Park and a life bird for me.
Today, I was treated to both an orchard and a Baltimore Oriole on my morning walk. The final photograph, a selfie, should reveal where I had been.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
Hello,
I am back from my trip, yesterday. While waiting for a train at Newark Airport, I spotted an unfamiliar bird on the tracks. It was a kildeer, a bird rarely seen in Central Park and a life bird for me.
Today, I was treated to both an orchard and a Baltimore Oriole on my morning walk. The final photograph, a selfie, should reveal where I had been.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
Attachments
Ooooh!! Who is that handsome lad gracing my screen tonight!!!? 
What wonderful pictures you've produced too Arthur!! Quite delightful.
Many thanks my friend.
What wonderful pictures you've produced too Arthur!! Quite delightful.
Many thanks my friend.
Pinewood
New York correspondent
In the swing
Hello all,
Last Thursday and Sunday, I finally saw a barn swallow over the Reservoir. On both days, I saw a pair of gadwalls near the South Gatehouse. I have also been seeing cedar waxwings in the Park. I have been surprised to see a black capped chickadee, titmice, and white breasted nuthatches, in the last three days. All three are scarce by now.
Today was rather busy. I did see an Eastern kingbird. There are a plethora of magnolia warblers in the Park, but I have seen yellow warblers and more, but will save those for another post.
All illustrations by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, from Birds of New York
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
Hello all,
Last Thursday and Sunday, I finally saw a barn swallow over the Reservoir. On both days, I saw a pair of gadwalls near the South Gatehouse. I have also been seeing cedar waxwings in the Park. I have been surprised to see a black capped chickadee, titmice, and white breasted nuthatches, in the last three days. All three are scarce by now.
Today was rather busy. I did see an Eastern kingbird. There are a plethora of magnolia warblers in the Park, but I have seen yellow warblers and more, but will save those for another post.
All illustrations by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, from Birds of New York
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
