Sunday, June 10, 2012

Central Park North

1. North Woods-DSCN1230 Central Park North, May 19, 2012

On the morning of May 19, 2012 my husband, my brother and I set out for the north end of Central park. after all the trips I’ve made to New York and all the times I have birded in Central Park I have never been to this section of the park. the south end of the Reservoir had been my northern boundary until now. So you can imagine that I was quite excited to see this part of the park.

2. sign-DSC_0015 

Just one look at this sign was enough to get my heart beating fast with excitement. Just look at all those trails and all that bird habitat!

 

3. view-DSCN1232 View across The Pool

However, we got a much later start than anticipated and coupled with the bright sunshine and the busy Saturday that it was the birds were few and far between for me.

4. birds-DSC_0003 

While we did find a few house sparrows and mourning doves bathing in the creek,

 

5. look up-DSC_0007 

and I did find a great egret flying lazily through a cerulean sky,

 

6. down the path-DSCN1234 

and this woodland trail down through the gorge looked promising, there were few birds, and none of them were the warblers I so desperately wanted to see and show the guys!

7. woodland bridge-DSC_0017 

Though I loved the little creek with its wooden bridge,

 

8. the guys-DSC_0018 

and though I lingered a bit behind the guys looking and listening,

 

9. robin-DSC_0022 

in the middle of the day as it was, I found little more than a robin in its nest.

 

10. Harlem meer-DSCN1236 The Harlem Meer

We emerged near the Harlem Meer where people were fishing from the pond and rows of bird watchers were perched on a bench waiting for …I don’t know what, and I didn't ask. I didn’t want to intrude though I am sure they would have told me if I had inquired.

11. CEWA-DSC_0027 Cedar Waxwing near the pond at the Meer

However, their bench was in the shade of this oak tree and right above their heads a flock of cedar waxwings gathered in the dense green leaves.

12. frog-DSC_0035 Bullfrog in pond

As we followed the path along the pond I found a large pair of eyes keeping track of me!

13. baby bird-DSC_0039 

As we neared the marshy end of the pond near the Central Park Conservatory Garden I spotted a little bird in the shade of the reeds taking a bath. Can you see it in the picture? Look closely, it is a baby starling!

14. dancing girls-DSCN1243 

Still, all was not lost. This lovely day had me dancing with joy at this beautiful place. I was glad to see this end of the park which left me wanting more, but next time I will get up earlier!

15. conservancy lawn-DSCN1247The Conservatory Lawn

Birds seen today at the North End of Central Park in all Habitats:

  1. Mallard-The Pool
  2. Great Egret
  3. Rock Pigeon
  4. Mourning Dove
  5. American Crow
  6. American Robin
  7. European Starling
  8. Baltimore Oriole
  9. House Sparrow
  10. Gray catbird (these next species were added at The Ravine)
  11. Northern Cardinal
  12. Common Grackle
  13. Double-crested cormorant (species added at The Harlem Meer)
  14. Chimney Swift
  15. Gray Catbird
  16. Cedar Waxwing
  17. Red-winged Blackbird
  18. Song Sparrow-Conservatory Garden

Note: We entered Central Park North on the West side at around 100th street. I started counting birds around 10:00 AM EST at The Pool and we walked diagonally across the park through the ravine emerging at the Harlem Meer and exiting near the Conservatory Gardens. My last bird count was entered at 11:20 AM. We went and ate a late breakfast after this. New York City was sunshiny and bustling with life today!

10 comments:

  1. Kathie, what a lovely tour of Central Park. Love the bird shots, especially the robin on the nest. The statue is pretty, looks like a lovely day. Happy Birding and have a great week!

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    1. Eileen, thank you so much! I just got back from an evening walk and I saw even more birds! Besides, my yard is full of them!

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  2. I never would have expected to see such a dense forest path in NYC, even in Central Park, which I've never been too. Love the statue.

    Guess that because one of my ancestors designed the park I really should go. Someday.

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    1. Gaelyn, I never made that connection before! You have the same last name as Frederick Law Olmstead! So, you are one of his descendants? That's so exciting! Yes, now you really DO have to go and visit! Central Park is an oasis in the middle of the city. This park is so big that there are parts of it I have yet to explore!

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  3. you have just succeeded in REALLY making me homesick! although i've been gone for a long time...i was raised there and will always be a new yorker at heart! so you've been there before...have you seen the Peregrine Falcon?

    GREAT pictures...i love them all!!

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    1. Laura, Yes, I have been here before and my brother is on a steady course to make me fall in love with "his" city! I saw a peregrine there in March on our last visit though I do not have any photos. We were walking along the Highline Trail when it flew overhead. If you click on the label for New York City or Central Park or birding new York it will bring up all the posts that I have done about this place. Look at the bottom of the posts or in the sidebar for labels. They are listed alphabetically.

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  4. Central Park North looks like a lovely place to bird. The foliage is so very lush and green. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Beautiful photographs, Kathie!

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    1. Thanks Julie! It is. I bet you would love it here!

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  5. Hi Kathie

    Your count may not have been as high as you would have wished but it looks like the walk must have been lovely. When we went to Central Park we did a lot of dog watching.

    All the best.
    Guy

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    Replies
    1. Guy, as you can imagine, I avoided the dogs, LOL!

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Welcome to my nest! I hope you will enjoy spending time here with me and the birds. Thank you for your comments. I will try to get back to you as soon as I get back from counting more birds.