Central Park Bird Report

Here's a nice overview of  the current birding situation in Central Park as the Fall Migration begins to accelerate:


August 12, 2005
Turtle Pond
REPORTED BY: Ben Cacace

The Common Nighthawk was seen around 7:50p flying 'low', north of
Turtle Pond. It was recognizable as a nighthawk naked eye. We watched
it for minutes as it climbed and proceeded to head in a WSW
direction. No calling was heard from the nighthawk.

** Total species - 39 **

'Less Common' migrants [6 spp]:
+ Gadwall - 10 on the reservoir
+ Spotted Sandpiper - 1 around the reservoir
+ Laughing Gull - At least 4 on the reservoir
+ Common Nighthawk - 1 seen low around 7:50p from Turtle Pond - it
circled high & then headed WSW
+ Wood Thrush - 1 juvenile over the Oven in the Ramble
+ Worm-eating Warbler - 1 on the Point in the Ramble

'Common' migrants [17 spp]:
- Double-crested Cormorant - At least 27 on the reservoir
- Great Egret - 1 on the lake
- American Black Duck - 1 on the lake
- Chimney Swift - Several seen in various places, the most seen was
10 over Turtle Pond
- Northern Flicker - 1 seen & heard around Turtle Pond
- Eastern Kingbird - 3 locations: S end of reservoir (heard), S end
of lake (heard), E end of Turtle Pond (seen)
- Barn Swallow - 1 over Turtle Pond
- American Robin
- Gray Catbird
- Cedar Waxwing - Small group of 3 over Turtle Pond
- Yellow Warbler - 1 seen checking out the 1st year Red-tailed Hawk
- Black-and-white Warbler - Several around the Point in the Ramble
- American Redstart - Several around the Point in the Ramble
- Northern Waterthrush - 1 on the Riviera E of Bow Bridge
- Red-winged Blackbird - Several around the lake & Turtle Pond
- Common Grackle
- Baltimore Oriole - A few juveniles checking in on the 1st year Red-
tailed Hawk

Year round residents [16 spp]:
- Canada Goose - 10 on the lake
- Mallard
- Red-tailed Hawk - A 1-year-old (1st year) RT continues on the W
side of the reservoir
- Ring-billed Gull
- Herring Gull
- Great Black-backed Gull
- Rock Pigeon
- Mourning Dove
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Downy Woodpecker
- Blue Jay
- American Crow - At least 4 on W side of reservoir mobbing 1st year
Red-tailed Hawk
- Tufted Titmouse - 1 calling & seen in the Ramble
- European Starling
- Northern Cardinal
- House Sparrow