Tom Fiore's report on TODAY's birds in the park

Blue-gray gnatcatcher - courtesy Wikipedia.com

Thursday, 17 April, 2014  -  Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City

At least some mid-April birds are being found, if not a whole lot, in this chilly weather pattern ending out the week.  Black-and-white, Pine, Palm, & Yellow-rumped Warblers, as well as a 2nd-in-the-park Common Yellowthroat, graced the Ramble & vicinity; a number of Kinglets (both species) and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers have been around, and a smattering of Hermit Thrush, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Yellow-shafted Flickers, & a very modest showing for the date of typical migrant sparrows . On the reservoir, a near-full-breeding-plunaged Red-necked Grebe continues as do some N. Shovelers and Buffleheads. Also there, as well as a few other locations in the park, modest numbers of Barn, N. Rough-winged, & less-common in early spring (in CP) Tree, Swallows.   A Blue-headed Vireo at the n. end (Loch) is been one of few so far, but it is still just ahead of that species peak arrival.  2 Baltimore Orioles remain in & around the Ramble, these the "pair" that over-wintered in Central, also likewise for a small number of Brown Thrashers & E. Towhees which are still around, thus far into mid-April - while most birders anticipate a good many more migrants by this weekend or at 'worst' by early next week.

Good (bye to snow!) birding,

Tom Fiore
Manhattan