Spring Birding in Central Park

 Central Park, Easter Weekend 2014

I cannot believe it has already been four weeks since Gus and I went to New York City! We drove in on Friday night with my brother and we were out the door and into Central Park first thing Saturday morning so I could find me some birds!

“The boys” are good sports, but they are not birders. Still, they followed me around and let me lead the way for about two hours, when we all got tired and hungry!

The daffodils were in full bloom then, making me feel all “springy!”

 

Robins filled the trees and lawns with their bright red breasts and cheery songs!

 

This Mourning Dove all puffed up reminds me that there was still a chill in the air!

But there were blossoms everywhere, blooming with the promise of spring!

 

Bluebells in Central Park 4-19-14

We wandered around The Ramble and we stopped by Belvedere Castle and the Turtle Pond. I only saw 22 species this morning and my best birds of the day were Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Palm Warbler, and a Northern Rough-winged Swallow which I saw flying over the Turtle Pond near the castle! All 3 of these species were New York Life Birds! We spent the rest of the weekend doing other non-birdy things, except for walk along the riverfront where I saw a few ducks and geese. Saturday was sunny and warm, but Sunday was very chilly and we decided to do mostly indoor things. But then on Monday morning before we left I got up early and went back to the park by myself.

Monday, April 21, 2014

When I first came to New York City with my brother I used to be afraid to go anywhere alone. While I’m still not brave enough to do a cab ride or take the subway by myself, I have no problem walking around Central Park! The inevitable pigeons were waiting overhead as I entered the park from Central Park West. They were not a bit afraid of the Red-tailed Hawk that shared the same tree as they did!

Early morning sunlight bathes this red-tail in golden light.

I followed flower-lined paths…

 

…to secret pools where cardinals drink…

 

…and White-throated Sparrows serenade me with their morning song!

I could hear, “Oh sweet, Canada, Canada, Canada” ringing over the grassy lawns. Some people say this bird’s song says, “Old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody”! I say, take your pick! Either way, I love the song of this handsome sparrow! The white throat and yellow lores above the eyes help distinguish this species from the very similar White-crowned Sparrow, which is much more rare in the northeast!

 American Robin on the nest!

I searched and searched for something new, but I think I came to the park too early in the year. There were few warblers to be found, so I headed to The Lake, but other than a few ducks, geese, coots and gulls, Double-crested Cormorants were all I found!

 A Cormorant Castle?

 

 

Double-crested Cormorants on the ramparts!

I was pleased to find this Northern Flicker foraging along the water's edge!

 

 Female Bufflehead floating in the lake!

 

 Forsythia in a riot of bloom!

 

 Napping Ruddy Ducks 4-21-14

Here are the birds I saw on this April weekend visit to New York City and Central Park: (bold type denotes new date and/or location)

 

1. Rock Pigeon—Central Park 4-19-2014
2. Downy Woodpecker
3. Blue Jay
4. American Robin
5. European starling
6. Song Sparrow
7. White-throated Sparrow
8. Common Grackle
9. House Sparrow
10. Mallard
11. Double-crested Cormorant
12. Mourning Dove
13. Red-bellied Woodpecker
14. Northern Flicker
15. Ruby-crowned Kinglet*
16. Palm Warbler*
17. Northern Cardinal
18. Red-winged blackbird
19. Brown-headed Cowbird
20. House Finch
21. Northern Rough-winged Swallow*
22. Yellow-rumped Warbler
23. Brant—Greenwich Village Waterfront 4-19-2014
24. Ring-billed Gull
25. Herring Gull
26. Great Black-backed Gull
27. Northern Mockingbird—Brooklyn Museum 4-20-2014
28. Northern Shoveler—Central Park 4-21-2014
29. Red-tailed Hawk
30. Bufflehead
31. Ruddy Duck
32. Great Egret
33. American Coot

*New York Life Birds (Birds new to my New York Life List.)