Hurricane Report : Q & A
Sunday, August 28, 2011 -- doesn't look like anybody paid much attention to the sign...
photo by Sean Curnyn
Q: Bill Trankle writes today, August 29:
According to Yahoo! News the eye of Irene actually passed over Central Park. Remembering the trees that were laid waste a few years back I'm hoping that CP survived with minimal damage. Irene was downgraded to a tropical storm, but those still pack some whoomph, so if you get a chance to post an update I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to hear how the park and its denizens survived the thrill ride.
Bill Trankle
Indianapolis, IN
A: Peter Post replies [via NYS Birds] yesterday, August 28, 2011 at 8:52 AM
Good Morning:
Despite Central Park being closed I spent an hour in the park this morning from 6:30-7:30. I birded the 72nd Street Lake, Turtle Pond, The Great Lawn and the Reservoir. I didn't expect much and wasn't disappointed. Visibility was poor and the only birds seen were 3 Mallards, and several robin and grackles.
There was a lot of debris from leaves, twigs, and some downed tree branches Water was over a foot deep on the paths in lower lying areas. I saw no one else except for several police cars and one park official. The police said nothing about my being in the park, but the park official, whom many of you know, told me to leave and then drove off. I came home soaking wet. My rain gear wasn't as waterproof as I thought.
Peter Post
New York city
Despite Central Park being closed I spent an hour in the park this morning from 6:30-7:30. I birded the 72nd Street Lake, Turtle Pond, The Great Lawn and the Reservoir. I didn't expect much and wasn't disappointed. Visibility was poor and the only birds seen were 3 Mallards, and several robin and grackles.
There was a lot of debris from leaves, twigs, and some downed tree branches Water was over a foot deep on the paths in lower lying areas. I saw no one else except for several police cars and one park official. The police said nothing about my being in the park, but the park official, whom many of you know, told me to leave and then drove off. I came home soaking wet. My rain gear wasn't as waterproof as I thought.
Peter Post
New York city
Here's another report -- via eBirds:
Went through the park on a circuit from the reservoir through the ramble, some branches downed and some trees uprooted near the base of the point, little damage.
Birds:
BC Night Heron Upper Lobe
Gt Crested Flycatchers
Kingfisher Point
Blue Winged Warbler several in mixed flock north of Lauphot Bridge
Redstart several immatures
Black and White at least two
Canada
Worm Eating
Northern Water Thrush
Near Azelea Pond, add another flock with
Female Black Throated Blue at least two
plus one White Throated Sparrow (FoS for me)
Lots of visitors although the park was nominally closed
Birds:
BC Night Heron Upper Lobe
Gt Crested Flycatchers
Kingfisher Point
Blue Winged Warbler several in mixed flock north of Lauphot Bridge
Redstart several immatures
Black and White at least two
Canada
Worm Eating
Northern Water Thrush
Near Azelea Pond, add another flock with
Female Black Throated Blue at least two
plus one White Throated Sparrow (FoS for me)
Lots of visitors although the park was nominally closed
PS from Marie: I'll post another update as soon as I get a report on damage from the Conservancy