First Warbler of the Spring Migration !!!

In Central Park TODAY, Saturday, 3/10/12

at 12:53 pm

reported by
Pat Pollock:

North end of park, Meer, Nutter's Battery
Pine Warbler, very bright, in thickest conifer (fos)
(seen with Tracy Daytin) @ 10:48 am.
On Meer, Gadwalls, Ruddy Ducks & American Coots


Also Northern Flicker
Song Sparrows on Great Hill

at 2:43 pm

reported by Andrew Bergen

Winter Wren near large willow west side of Loch
Carolina Wren (pair) near large willow west side of Loch
Fox Sparrow on up slope towards Park Drive near wooden bridge east of Glenspan Arch
Immature Pine Warbler in conifer just west of Andrew Haswell Green bench
Song Sparrow on east side of island in Meer
Red Bellied Woodpecker in Loch near willow
White Breasted Nuthatch in Loch near willow

Thursday in the park with Murray

On Thursday the temperature rose to 70 degrees and....voila!......

SPRING!

Harbingers of Spring

Carolina Wren - photo by LLOYD SPITALNIK 10/19/09

Via e-Birds-

TODAY-3/9/12

#1

Heard a very loud Carolina wren singing across from Lasker Rink at 6:25 a.m.

Lyn Dominguez

#2

Karen Fung pointed out Fox Sparrow west of Oven Earlier 2 parks people told Lee they'd seen 2 Woodcocks near Azalea Pond and taking off toward feeders.

American Woodcock - Photo by LLOYD SPITALNIK 3/15/05<

Both photos taken in CENTRAL PARK

Even Pale Male saluted Marty at his bench dedication

Marty's Bench-- with plaque and memorabilia

Photo [and photos on bench] by ARDITH BONDI

On February 15, 2012, an invitation sent out by birder Chris Cooper went out to the Central Park birding community:

Many of you remember the late Marty Sohmer, one of the best beloved birders in the metro area and an all-around fine human being. And you may remember a fundraising drive back in October to "adopt" a Central Park bench in his honor. We are pleased to announce that the bench will be dedicated on the morning of Monday, March 5, with an informal ceremony in the Central Park Ramble. Join us at the Central Park Boathouse, where promptly at 8 AM we'll make our way the short distance to the bench. Everyone is welcome, whether you knew Marty or just want to get to know him through those who loved him. Bring your best Marty stories and/or, if you like, something non-alcoholic with which to toast this warm, generous, one-of-a-kind character who frequented both Central Park and Prospect Park, taught a lot of us so much of what we know about our birds, and played a big part in fostering the community atmosphere that prevails in our metro birding circles. We hope to see you all there. --The Committee for a Marty Sohmer Park Bench

Yesterday was March 5th, and indeed , the dedication became a reality. Jack Meyer provides a report:

It was a grand party. And kept from being too long by the fact that many had to get to work. A beautiful morning. At 8 a.m. a large crowd made its way from the Boathouse to the Feeders at the Evodia Field, where the bench with a plaque celebrating Marty was located.

While I was telling a Marty-story to start things off, the group was distracted by Pale Male, who soared high above the bench. Unless that was Marty's spirit taking that form to come check on things.