Now there are three

Photo of a male Redstart by DAVID SPEISER


During the last week, two warbler species were reported, marking the start of the FALL MIGRATION: a Black-and-White Warbler and a Northern Waterthrush. Today Pat Pollack, a regular Central Park birder posted the third:

Tuesday, 8/4/09
North End

At Conservatory Garden 8:55 or so a Redstart Warbler on left just at entrance NW corner tree with vivid pink blossoms and green seeds.

Hi friends! Back at last [after travels and a computer mess] to find the summer is here and the summer is over

A Central Park cricket, species as yet unknown, photographed in the Shakespeare Garden. [Lo0ks like a leg is missing.]

Last night, as our taxi from the airport headed through the Central Park transverse at 96th St, I heard LOUD CRICKET SONG that had not been heard the week before. At least three different crickets were singing. During my absence the midsummer switch had been turned on, it seemed. Yes, summer, real summer at last.

Meanwhile, during the week I was gone, a Black-and-white Warbler, and a Northern Waterthrush were spotted in Central Park. What does this mean? The Fall Migration has begun! Summer is over.
Black & White Warbler, male
Photographed by LLOYD SPITALNIK