Toronto to New York - late July (1 Viewer)

[foresttwitcher]

Sorry for the sort of vague enquiry.

I know it is probably not the best time of year for birding but are there any not to be missed hotspots in the Toronto and New York areas in late July? Or along a road-trip route between the two cities?

I've been to Florida and California but not this part of North America so information on any sites for regional specialities would be much appreciated.

 

[raymie]

Really the only "regional specialty" in that area is Bicknell's Thrush.

 

[foresttwitcher]

Really the only "regional specialty" in that area is Bicknell's Thrush.

Thanks raymie, poor choice of words from me - I was really referring to birds to be found in August in the north east of USA (and the adjoining parts of Canada) that I was unlikely to have encountered in August visits to Florida and California/Nevada.

Is there a known good place for Bicknell's?

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

If it was me doing this trip, I would go to Ebird and look for hotspots. I would then go to the bar charts for the hotspots to see what's likely to be around at that time of year. I'd also use it to check for the best locations for any species I might be interested in. You could also look up the bar chart for a region (e.g. New York state) and then go through that to work out what species are likely and look up the best spots. It's really easy to do this with Ebird, particularly in areas where it's used a lot.

 

[foresttwitcher]

If it was me doing this trip, I would go to Ebird and look for hotspots. I would then go to the bar charts for the hotspots to see what's likely to be around at that time of year. I'd also use it to check for the best locations for any species I might be interested in. You could also look up the bar chart for a region (e.g. New York state) and then go through that to work out what species are likely and look up the best spots. It's really easy to do this with Ebird, particularly in areas where it's used a lot.

Thanks Andrew, I did look at eBird for Toronto (filtered for August) as a start but was a bit overwhelmed by the massive number of hotspots - I'll give it another go. Thanks for the tip about regional bar charts.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Thanks Andrew, I did look at eBird for Toronto (filtered for August) as a start but was a bit overwhelmed by the massive number of hotspots - I'll give it another go. Thanks for the tip about regional bar charts.

When there's a lot of data on Ebird, you need to find ways of filtering it e.g. filtering by time of year, recent years only etc.

 

[Earnest lad]

I believe there is a good place in Toronto for birding called Tommy Thompson Park
Another good place, I hear in New York, is Central Park
Jamaica Bay in New York is also, one hears, good.
Having said that I have never personally been to USA.
There are a number of youtube channels by birders in these areas.
eg BritHikesOntario

 

[raymie]

Thanks raymie, poor choice of words from me - I was really referring to birds to be found in August in the north east of USA (and the adjoining parts of Canada) that I was unlikely to have encountered in August visits to Florida and California/Nevada.

Is there a known good place for Bicknell's?

Bicknell's nest in the Catskill Mountains.

 

[nartreb]

A large percentage of birds that summer in New York, winter in Florida. So there may not be a whole lot that's new to you.
Edit: oh, you were in Florida in August? Sorry to hear that, for both birding and weather Then you will have plenty of birds you haven't seen yet. Juncos, sparrows, orioles, diving ducks...

I'd pick out some ecosystems...

Start in new york city. Central park for backyard birds, plus red-tailed hawks. Coastal areas for shorebirds (jamaica bay for herons and such, beaches out on Long Island or in New Jersey for gulls and terns and plovers)

Shawamgunk cliffs for peregrine falcon (plus the cliffs are spectacular) on your way to the catskills for Bicknell's thrush.
I like mountains, so I'd be very tempted to take a northern route via the Adirondacks - a bigger, wilder mountain range further north. Whiteface mountain has a road to the weather observatory, which is a relatively reliable spot for Bicknell's. Lakes in the 'Dack's are also the best place to see common loon. Good chance of moose while you're visiting those lakes, too. (You can spot loons in New York harbor or the hudson river, but you won't get close and you wont' hear them. Seeing them on a quiet lake is a completely different experience.) There are also spruce grouse in the 'Dacks, but they usually take some effort.

While in Toronto, Niagara Falls is a must-visit. In addition to the world-class waterfall itself, there's always a bunch of gulls nesting right beside the path.

 

[foresttwitcher]

Thanks Earnest Lad, I had already noted Tommy Thompson Park but appreciate the NY input.

I know what you mean about Florida in August nartreb , although I did get in some nice birding and some good species . Thanks for the tip about the Adirondacks - if the trip were to happen I would be travelling north to south so it is still useful info and a couple of lifers in the species you mentioned.