Where do the warblers go after they pass through Central Park?

[ Click on photo to enlarge]

On July 3, Central Park birder and photographer Lloyd Spitalnik took this picture of a Louisiana Waterthrush feeding a fledgling at Ward Pound Ridge, about an hour north of Central Park. We could have seen this very bird [the parent, that is] at the Loch or the Gill last April or May. Lloyd's website: http://www.lloydspitalnikphotos.com

Here's one you won't find in Central Park but check it out anyhow

"SOCCER OWL" ON THE AIR

In early June, during a televised soccer match between Finland and Belgium,, a huge Eagle Owl flew onto the field and landed on one of the goal posts. The game was stopped for seven minutes because the owl was sitting on the field and eventually on both goal posts. It also gently cruised around the field, as you can see on the posted video-clip. Apparently, the owl had a nest somewhere in the stadium. The video is in Finnish, and the audience is heard shouting, "Huuhkaja! Huuhkaja,"meaning "Eagle Owl, Eagle Owl," as the owl is sitting on the crossbars goal. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dMBFOiYxT0


This is from the Birding Community e-bulletin [not related to the NYC e-birds listserv that reports on bird activity in NYC parks.] To get on their mailing list contact Paul Baicich at paul.baicich@verizon.net

Meeting of friends at Turtle Pond

This large dragonfly called a Swamp Darner has landed on someone's finger at Turtle Pond. Who did he[or she] pick for this friendly visit?
Nick Wagerik, Central Park's preeminent Dragonfly, Damselfly, Butterfly, Moth, Wasp and every other insect Expert, that's who.
Many thanks for taking these photos and sending them along, to Bob Levy, author of a book about [among other things] Central Park's Red-winged Blackbirds and the coterie of people who hand-feed them, Club George. Bob writes:
I have long known Nick has a special relationship with Dragonflies but I never would have thought his talents extended this far. Actually the Swamp Darner on Nick’s finger had been injured. He was hoping it might recover and fly off to escape the ravenous pair of Kingbirds hunting and nesting nearby.

Was it a rat? A rat I saw! [palindrome]

Without diminishing his achievement in the smallest way I must say that a closer examination of yesterday's photo of the 888 7th Ave fledgling with his "rat" shows distinctly white feet on that rodent. Bruce Yolton wrote in to suggest this.

Conclusion: Yesterday's catch was a white-footed mouse [Peromyscus leucopus].

PS. Palindrome -- a sentence that reads the same backwards as forwards. My family has an obsessive interest in these. So here's another:

Straw? No, too stupid a fad. I put soot on warts!

PPS Happy Fourth. Don't forget your earplugs tonight if you want to hear warblers next spring.

What a kid!

Click on photo to enlarge (if you dare)

I don't think we have to worry about the 888 7th Ave. fledgling any longer. Our faithful reporter sends in a confirming photo [above] and writes:

She did it! Caught her first rat. Incredible. Ate ate it all up, head and all. She did this in front of an adoring crowd of admirers, south end of the Heckcher Ballfield.

Beth Bergman

Learning to hunt

Beth Bergman continues reporting her observations of the 888 7th Avenu fledgling's first experiences with hunting for herself:

Not as good at catching squirrels. Funny hide and seek for a while yesterday afternoon. Squirrel knows best. Upside-down squirrel. Upside-down hawk. Hopefully, parent delivered dinner in the evening.
Beth Bergman

PS from Marie:
Not sure Beth's photo comes out clearly after uploading to this page. That thing at the left with white highlights is the fledgling. The shape on the tree to the right is the squirrel peering at the hawk. I guess imagination will have to provide the details here... BUT if YOU CLICK ON THE IMAGE IT WILL BE A BIT CLEARER