Date: 8/21/26 2:39 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Fri. Aug. 21, 2026: Osprey, Louisiana Waterthrush, Magnolia and Blackburnian Warblers
Central Park NYC
Friday August 21, 2026
OBS: Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Wood Duck, Osprey, 8 Species of Wood Warblers including Louisiana Waterthrush, Magnolia and Blackburnian Warblers.
Canada Goose - 45
Wood Duck - 1 male Harlem Meer
Mallard - 44
Mourning Dove - 5 or 6
Chimney Swift - 2
Great Egret - 3 flyovers
Great Blue Heron - 1 at the Pool
Osprey - 1 flyover Harlem Meer
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 4
Northern Flicker - 1 Loch
Great Crested Flycatcher - 3 (Paul Curtis)
Red-eyed Vireo - 1 Lily Ponds
Blue Jay - 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 3
Gray Catbird - 8
Northern Mockingbird - 4
American Robin - 20-25
House Finch - heard Conservatory Garden
American Goldfinch - 2 Harlem Meer (Scott Brevda)
Song Sparrow - 1 Harlem Meer
Common Grackle - 2
Louisiana Waterthrush - 1 at the Pool
Northern Waterthrush - 2 at the Pool
Black-and-white Warbler - 1 Loch Overlook (Sabine Schumacher)
Common Yellowthroat - 1 female Loch (Sabine Schumacher, Dan Stevenson)
American Redstart - 4
Magnolia Warbler - 1 Lily Ponds (Scott Brevda, Dan Stevenson)
Blackburnian Warbler - 1 Lily Ponds (Paul Curtis)
Northern Yellow Warbler - 1 Harlem Meer (Andrea Hessel)
Northern Cardinal - 1 Great Hill
--
Date: 8/21/26 7:37 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Fri., 8/21 Pectoral Sandpiper, Randalls Island, N.Y. County, NYC
A Pectoral Sandpiper found early Friday after the overnight rains is quite uncommon for this county, although some records of the species in the county also predate the eBird era- this one at Randalls Island, just east of Manhattan, and within N.Y. County, which is in N.Y. City. Other shorebirds which have been showing this week also continue, in part.
. . . . .
As for warblers seen just in Central Park on Thursday, 8-20, at least 17 species were present in that one park for the full day, and as seen solely by birders and photographers in not-for-profit guided walks or independently. The migration of Thursday night was good, even if consisting of a lot of flyovers, thru the night up until showers came along.
Date: 8/20/26 12:23 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC, Thu. Aug. 20, 2026: Red-shouldered Hawk, 7 Species of Wood Warblers Incl. Magnolia and Blackpoll.
Central Park, NYC
Thursday, August 20, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, m.ob.
Highlights: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-shouldered Hawk, Seven Species of Wood Warblers Including Ovenbird, Magnolia and Blackpoll warblers.
Mallard - 8
Mourning Dove - 10-15
Chimney Swift - 4-6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 south of Warbler Rock
American Herring Gull - 5 flyovers
Great Egret - 1 Turtle Pond
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 or 4
Downy Woodpecker - 2 Ramble
Northern Flicker - 2 or 3
Great Crested Flycatcher - 2 Ramble
Eastern Warbling Vireo - 4
Red-eyed Vireo - 2 Ramble
Blue Jay - 4-6
Gray Catbird - 6-8
American Robin - 8-10
Song Sparrow - 1 Belvedere Castle
Baltimore Oriole - 12-15
Common Grackle - 8-10
Ovenbird - 2 or 3
Black-and-white Warbler - 3
American Redstart - 6
Magnolia Warbler - 2 (Belvedere Castle, south side Turtle Pond)
Northern Yellow Warbler - 3
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1 south side Turtle Pond
Blackpoll Warbler - 1 south side Turtle Pond (Paul Curtis)
Northern Cardinal - 4 or 5
Date: 8/20/26 2:25 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - to Wed., 8/19 - shorebirds, other migrants, etc.
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Randalls, Governors, and Roosevelt Islands and the adjacent waters and skies -
thru Wednesday, August 19th -
Some Lesser Yellowlegs were noted from both northern Manhattan as well as Randalls Island, both in N.Y. County, on Mon., Aug. 17, for a tally of at least 7 shorebird species on that day in this usually rather shorebird-impoverished county, as compared with any neighboring counties. At least 5 of the shorebird species seen Monday were also noted in Central Park, some at the reservoir. Also noted from a few N.Y. County locations from Aug. 15, 16, and 18th as well, and with fewer Greater Yellowlegs being noted lately, for the county, making for 8 shorebird spp. recently in this county. Other shorebird species beyond those noted above may well have passed into this countys airspace, but may not have stopped in to feed or rest. Some modest shorebird stop-ins or lingerers were still being seen here to Wed., 8-19.
Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos have each been found in Central Park this week, with Yellow-billed also in some other locations in this county. Olive-sided, and up to 8 additional species of Flycatchers continued for the county, with many of the species including the one noted above again seen in Central Park.
At least 21 species of warblers have turned up so far this week after the weekend in N.Y. County, and all of the 21 species noted have been found within Central Park, while varying numbers of species were showing in other locations in the county. Reports were made to eBird for Blackpoll Warbler as well as for Yellow-rumped Warbler over the previous weekend, both species reports made for Central Park in Manhattan, and thus far, reports of those 2 warbler species have remained unconfirmed by reviewers. Non-confirmations in eBird can be for multiple potential reasons, including if and when a reporter is unresponsive to an inquiry by the reviewer or, in N.Y. City, by a review team. The one site in New York County, which includes Manhattan and three additional islands, where Yellow-rumped Warbler was confirmed by review was from Randalls Island on Aug. 15th.
Date: 8/19/26 6:50 am From: Patrice Domeischel <fourharborsheron...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Tomorrow! Summer Lecture - 50,000 MILES IN SEARCH Of GODWITS - From the Mexican Border to the Arctic Ocean
Join us for an in-person presentation hosted jointly by Four Harbors Audubon Society and Seatuck Environmental Association.
50,000 MILES IN SEARCH Of GODWITS - From the Mexican Border to the Arctic Ocean
Guest Speaker: Bruce M. Beehler, PhD.
The Bates House, One Bates Road, Setauket, NY 11733
7:30 p.m.
Free and Open to all
Please register by emailing: <fourharborsheron...> <mailto:<fourharborsheron...>
Between 2019 and 2023, the speaker carried out thirteen road trips in search of Hudsonian Godwits. Beehler visited stop-over sites through the Great Plains; visited breeding habitat in western Alaska, Churchill, Manitoba, and the High Arctic of western Canada; and did field surveys at a famous autumn staging site in James Bay. In all, Beehler traveled solo by car more than 35,000 miles and 15,000 miles by plane and train, encountering Hudsonian Godwits in 10 states and provinces. He also spent time with Marbled and Bar-tailed Godwits, and 33 additional shorebird species. Moreover, Beehler accompanied various shorebird fieldworkers as they studied godwits and other species in remote and iconic field sites. In this illustrated lecture, Beehler will recount the highlights of his more than five months in the field, from Nome and Point Barrow to Tuktoyaktuk, Moosonee, and Monomoy Island.
Bruce Beehler is an ornithologist, conservationist, and naturalist. He is currently a Research Associate in the Division of Birds at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, and a Scientific Affiliate of the American Bird Conservancy. Beehler has spent much of his scientific career studying and conserving birds and their forest habitats. After conducting doctoral fieldwork in Papua New Guinea, Beehler worked for ten years at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, followed by stints at the Wildlife Conservation Society, US Department of State, Conservation International, and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation. Beehler is an elec- tive Fellow of the American Ornithological Society and has served on the boards of the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and RARE. Currently, Beehler serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Rainforest Trust. Beehler has pub- lished seventeen books and monographs and authored scores of technical and popular articles about birds and nature. In 2007, Beehler was featured in a 60-Minutes piece highlighting an expedition he led to the Foja Mountains in the interior of New Guinea in which scores of new species of plants and animals were discovered. Today Beehler carries out natural history studies and writing focused on wildlife and natural places in North America.
Patrice Domeischel
Lecture Committee
Four Harbors Audubon Society
Date: 8/18/26 8:06 am From: Sean Beckett <sean...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Ecuador birding trip with VT nature center this February
Hi all,
We wanted to invite you to check out an upcoming birding adventure to
Ecuador with North Branch Nature Center, guided by Chip Darmstadt, on Feb
17-27. Amazing birds, unbelievable ecosystems, and a great group of
like-minded travelers. Toucans, tanagers, cock-of-the-rock, and even Andean
condors.
All the proceeds of our birding trips support our youth nature education
work here in Vermont, so these trips are a great way to combine
philanthropy with your passion for birds. And we offset the trip's carbon
footprint (including your flights) through Vermont wilderness conservation
projects with the Northeast Wilderness Trust.
On a personal note, I traveled with Chip to Ecuador as a teenager on a
similar itinerary long ago. These birds, these birding lodges, and Chip's
passionate leadership were big catalysts in my subsequent pursuit of a
career in nature—I'm so excited for others to be similarly transformed by
the experience!
Date: 8/17/26 4:13 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - thru 8/16 - migration, plus regular species
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Randalls, Governors, and Roosevelt Islands and the adjacent waters and skies -
thru Sunday, August 16 -
As for Central Park on Sunday, Aug. 16th alone, at least 17 species of migratory Warblers were seen on the day, by many observers thru all of the park. Yellow-billed Cuckoo was again seen in the Ramble area at Central, and at least 4 species of Sandpipers showed on the day, with Least, Semipalmated, Solitary, and Spotted Sandpipers all present.
The county overall had a more active migration period leading up to and starting off the weekend. A lot of migration had been occurring, with the majority being nocturnal and of southbound migrants passing right by, going on. However, some stopovers that did show have included shorebirds such as Semipalmated Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, Solitary, Spotted, Least, these last 3 species showing at Central Park as well as multiple other sites, and Semipalmated Sandpipers by Sunday, in some Manhattan sites and on at least 2 of the other islands of the county. Inwood Hill Park, in n. Manhattan, with its mudflats, had enjoyed some numbers of some of these shorebirds, and Sherman Creek just n. of the eastern end of Dyckman Street, had numbers of shorebirds on Sunday. Also showing in a number of typical sites have been Killdeer, which also breed in this county.
A listing of many of the species found in the past several days for N.Y. County is below -
Brant - very few, still summering.
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck - multiple at Central Park.
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Wild Turkey - Battery Park, southern end of Manhattan.
feral Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - several.
Common Nighthawks - multiple.
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds - multiple sites.
Semipalmated Plover - multiple for the county, but not many.
Killdeer
Least Sandpiper - modest numbers at a few locations.
Semipalmated Sandpiper - in moderate numbers at some locations.
Calidris species - some of the small sandpipers on the move were not given species ID.
Spotted Sandpiper - ongoing in fair to good numbers, multiple sites.
Solitary Sandpiper - ongoing.
Greater Yellowlegs - few, which is fairly typical for this county each season.
Laughing Gull - many, an increasingly noticed species in recent years in this county.
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Tern - regular in summer, breeds as well.
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret - good numbers in recent days.
Green Heron - ongoing.
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron - regular only at Randalls Island in this county.
Black Vulture - semi-regular from n. Manhattan, less so in any other part of N.Y. County.
Turkey Vulture
Osprey - multiple, daily.
Coopers Hawk - in very small numbers.
Bald Eagle - multiple.
Red-shouldered Hawk - very unusual find recently in mid August or any part of summer.
Broad-winged Hawk - at least one confirmed sighting for Manhattan.
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker
Monk Parakeet - several sightings recently. A breeding species in N.Y. City.
Olive-sided Flycatcher - regular over multiple recent days at Central Oark.
Eastern Wood-Pewee - some breeders are ongoing.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher - a few recent reports.
Willow Flycatcher
Alder or Willow Flycatcher species - some not identifiable to species.
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher - birders in family groups.
Eastern Kingbird - numbers are on the move now, as is expected here.
Eastern Warbling Vireo - the most common breeding vireo in this county.
Red-eyed Vireo - nesters and some likely migrators as well by now.
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Common Raven - residents.
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Purple Martins have been confirmed in southbound migration thru this county this month. More might still be found on the move, especially with careful, keen efforts.
Tree Swallow
Bank Swallow - few, so far.
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow - few. Most-expected at nest site, and might be moving on at any time.
White-breasted Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - migrating in fair numbers, in addition to scarce breeders.
Northern House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Veery - few so far.
Wood Thrush - modest numbers of breeders, and some possible migrators by now.
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing - fairly numerous overall for the summer.
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow - nested here in modest numbers, as is typical in every year.
White-throated Sparrow - small numbers spend summer every year, not breeding!
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow - a few have summered, not a breeding species in this county.
Eastern Towhee
Bobolink - rather few being noticed so far, this is an annual migrant here, with a low rate of detection.
Orchard Oriole - still being found, some certainly moving now which is very expected.
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird - some typical early movements of this species, plus locals.
Brown-headed Cowbird - migrants are showing this month.
Common Grackle
-
Ovenbird - multiple.
Worm-eating Warbler - multiple.
Louisiana Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrush - multiple.
Blue-winged Warbler - multiple.
Black-and-white Warbler - good numbers showing recently.
Mourning Warbler - few so far, and fully expected now.
Common Yellowthroat - fairly common.
Hooded Warbler - at least several already came thru.
American Redstart - many, one of the most common warblers recently.
Northern Parula - multiple.
Magnolia Warbler - few so far.
Bay-breasted Warbler - not that early by now, for the first of these to have moved south.
Blackburnian Warbler - several, so far.
Northern Yellow Warbler - the most common migrant warbler of the past 4 to 6 weeks here.
Chestnut-sided Warbler - multiple, but not that many yet.
Pine Warbler - multiple.
Prairie Warbler - at least several.
Black-throated Green Warbler - this was one of the earlier than expected birds of the season.
Canada Warbler - multiple.
-
Scarlet Tanager - multiple, in modest numbers.
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - few, so far.
- Note - there are likely some additional species that came thru the county in recent days. All of the warbler species noted above have been found in Central Park, Manhattan but not quite all of these may have shown on Sunday. A number of warblers are turning up all around the county. About 100 species of wild, free flying birds have been seen in Central Park this month so far, with over 120 species of birds for all of New York County thus far, this month. Much more migration is expected here in the coming 2 weeks.
Date: 8/16/26 4:17 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Sun. Aug. 16, 2026: Olive-sided Flycatcher, 7 Species of Wood Warblers
Central Park NYC
Sunday, August 16, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Spotted Sandpiper, Green Heron, Osprey, Olive-sided Flycatcher, 7 Species of Wood Warblers.
Mallard - 15
Mourning Dove - 15-20
Chimney Swift - 6-8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 Oak Bridge
Spotted Sandpiper - 1 Turtle Pond (Ryan Serio)
Green Heron - 1 Turtle Pond
Osprey - 1 flyover
Red-tailed Hawk - 1 perched Central Park West
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 or 3
Downy Woodpecker - 2 or 3
Great Crested Flycatcher - 2 Ramble
Olive-sided Flycatcher - 1 Boathouse Hill (Mary Kate Horbac)*
Eastern Warbling Vireo - 4 or 5
Blue Jay - 5 or 6
Barn Swallow - 4
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1 Persimmon Slope
Gray Catbird - 6
American Robin - 15-20
House Finch - 2 or 3 heard
Baltimore Oriole - 6-8
Brown-headed Cowbird - 7 Great Lawn (Sandra Critelli)
Common Grackle - 4-6
Ovenbird - 1 Captain's Bench
Northern Waterthrush - 4
Black-and-white Warbler - 2 (Gill, Belvedere Castle)
American Redstart - 8-10
Northern Parula - 1 Azalea Pond (Sandra Critelli)
Northern Yellow Warbler - 2 or 3
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 2 (Maintenance Field, Persimmon Slope)
Northern Cardinal - 4 or 5
*An Olive-sided Flycatcher was photographed at the Oven on Saturday by Sandra Critelli.
Date: 8/15/26 11:23 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - Sat., 8/15 - 21+ Warbler spp., C. Nighthawks redux
Central Park in Manhattan, N.Y. City on Saturday, August 15th recorded at least 21 migratory warbler species, that tally without the inclusion of Yellow-rumped. Other species of migrants were also found and on the move again have been some Common
Nighthawks. Sightings from many observers and photographers all thru the park all day on Saturday, and all walking independently and-or solely in support of not-for-profit institutions and organizations which offer guided nonprofit birding walks, for the causes of education, conservation, sound science and natural diversity. A further report with more migrant bird details, after the weekend.
Date: 8/15/26 3:52 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Sat. Aug. 15, 2026: 11 Species of Wood Warblers
Central Park NYC
Saturday, August 15, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Semipalmated and Spotted Sandpipers, Green Heron, Wood Thrush, Eleven Species of Wood Warblers including Blue-winged, Chestnut-sided, Yellow-rumped, Canada and Wilson's Warblers, and Northern Parula.
Canada Goose - 23
Wood Duck - 1 male Reservoir
Mallard - 73
Mourning Dove - 10-15
Semipalmated Sandpiper - 1 Reservoir
Spotted Sandpiper - 1 Reservoir
Laughing Gull - 20-30
Ring-billed Gull - 25-30
American Herring Gull - around 20
Great Black-backed Gull - 1 Reservoir
Double-crested Cormorant - 3
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 1 at the Riviera (Phyllis Newman)
Green Heron - 2 Turtle Pond
Red-tailed Hawk - 1 flyover
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 or 3
Downy Woodpecker - 4
Northern Flicker - 5
Great Crested Flycatcher - 1 Tupelo Field (Dan Stevenson)
Eastern Warbler Vireo - 4 or 5
Red-eyed Vireo - 1 Tupelo field
Blue Jay - 5 or 6
Barn Swallow - flock of around 40
Gray Catbird - 6-8
Wood Thrush - 1 west side of Tupelo
American Robin - 10-15
House Finch - 1 male at the Oven
Song Sparrow - 2 singing Reservoir
Baltimore Oriole - 10-12
Common Grackle - flock of 35-40 and a few others
Ovenbird - 1 Captain's Bench
Northern Waterthrush - 2 (Turtle Pond, Evodia Field)
Blue-winged Warbler - 2 (Boathouse Hill, Maintenance Field)
Black-and-white Warbler - 3
American Redstart - 5-7
Northern Parula - 1 Azalea Pond (Karen Evans)
Northern Yellow Warbler - 1 Captain's Bench
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Turtle Pond
Canada Warbler - 4
Wilson's Warbler - 1 Maintenance Field
Northern Cardinal - 4 or 5
You can also send reports and digital image files via email to
nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org
If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos
or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:
Gary Chapin - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883
Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070
Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
Transcriber: Gail Benson
[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]
Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, August 14,
2026 at 11:00 pm.
The highlights of today’s tape are BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK, EARED
GREBE, BROWN PELICAN, UPLAND, BUFF BREASTED and BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS,
WILSON'S PHALAROPE, MARBLED GODWIT, GLAUCOUS GULL, various pelagics,
OLIVE SIDED, YELLOW-BELLIED and other FLYCATCHERS, PROTHONOTARY and
other WARBLERS, DICKCISSEL and more.
A single BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK recently visiting Jones Beach
State Park was first spotted near the theater Monday, then around the
traffic circle Tuesday, but its elusive wanderings kept it mostly
hidden; on Thursday it was finally relocated on a small pond just west
of the bandshell and administration building. There were no follow-up
sightings today, though it may still be around there somewhere.
An EARED GREBE initially spotted Tuesday on the West Pond at Jamaica
Bay Wildlife Refuge has continued there through today; still retaining
most of its breeding plumage, the GREBE has often been frequenting
the northern end of the pond and can be tricky to locate.
BROWN PELICAN sightings this week featured two moving around the
Breezy Point area last Saturday and three flying west off Long Beach
today.
An UPLAND SANDPIPER’S distinctive flight call was heard early Friday
morning as the bird flew southeast over Cinder Island in Middle Bay,
headed unseen towards Point Lookout.
The first BUFF-BREASTED SANDPAPER of the season was photographed
Sunday at Field 7 in Heckscher State Park, and a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER was
nicely documented at Piermont Pier on Wednesday. A WILSON’S PHALAROPE
visiting the dune pools between Fields 1 and 2 at Jones Beach West End
since last Friday was joined by a second one today, and another was
seen today at the Raunt on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay, where water
levels remain challenging at best.
A MARBLED GODWIT at Plumb Beach last weekend and two at Great Kills
Park Sunday were followed by two Tuesday on the bar at Jones Beach
West End, these moving east to Field 10 on Wednesday and continuing
there today.
A GLAUCOUS GULL was still around Coney Island today, 2 GULL-BILLED
TERNS were noted at Plumb Beach irregularly through today, CASPIAN
TERNS were spotted at seven different locations during the week, and
increasing ROYAL TERNS reached 15 at Plumb Beach Monday.
Birders going out on the CRESLI Whale-watching trips Saturday, Sunday
and Wednesday recorded PARASITIC JAEGER, good numbers of WILSON’S
STORM-PETRELS, and decent numbers of GREAT and CORY'S plus a few
SCOPOLI’s, SOOTY, and MANX SHEARWATERS.
Among this week's migrant FLYCATCHERS were OLIVE-SIDED plus
YELLOW-BELLIED, ACADIAN and other Empidonax species, while the
WARBLERS were highlighted by a PROTHONOTARY in Prospect Park
Wednesday, CERULEAN in Central Park last weekend, and others including
WORM-EATING, BLUE-WINGED, TENNESSEE, NASHVILLE, a MOURNING in Prospect
Park today, HOODED in Central Park, CAPE MAY, NORTHERN PARULA and
BAY-BREASTED. And a DICKCISSEL was encountered at Dyker Beach in
Brooklyn Wednesday.
To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.
This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.
Date: 8/14/26 3:36 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - Fri., 8/14 - 18+ Warbler spp., C. Nighthawks, etc.
Central Park, Manhattan, NYC - Friday, August 14th -
A minimum of 18 species of migratory Americas-hemisphere warblers were found at Central Park on Friday, with a majority represented by multiple individuals seen and some species now running to double-digits of individuals for all of the park, and as seen by many birders and photographers at all times and in all sectors of the park. As far as reports, thus far, a Cerulean Warbler was not reported on Friday. More of some recently arriving species are starting to appear such as Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, and other warbler species. The greatest numbers for now still seem to be with Northern Yellow Warblers and American Redstarts, but other species are growing in numbers as well.
Diurnal flight now included Bobolinks in at least modest numbers and Eastern Kingbirds in very good numbers on passage. Common Nighthawks also are starting to reappear, any seen being presumptive migrants here. The park has surpassed 100 species of wild and free-flying birds for this month, thus far, and many more species will be sure to show in coming weeks.
. . . . .
Other parks and greenspaces around Manhattan are also receiving more passage flights and some drop-ins of migrants, such that for example, Bryant Park in mid-Manhattan has had at least 8 species of migrant warblers, most of those seen to this Friday. The larger parks are beginning to receive a greater diversity of migrants, in addition to heavily-birded every-day Central Park.
Good birding, thanks to hundreds of independent observers and photographers as well as those walking in support of or with leaders for not-for-profit institutions and organizations for many finds, re-finds, alerts, and reports with many coming via eBird and media in the Macaulay Library, as well as tips and reports via word-of-mouth.
Date: 8/13/26 3:17 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - to 8/13 - 8+ flycatcher spp., other migrants
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
to Thursday, August 13th -
Among migrant flycatchers, Olive-sided Flycatcher was new to the southbound season, and of other migrants, multiple species of Empidonax-genus flycatchers were being noted, including Alder, as well as Willow, Least, Acadian, and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers , the first and last of these partly identified thru calls heard while observing. Also ongoing have been E. Wood-Pewee, Great Crested Flycatcher, E. Phoebe, and E. Kingbird with the latter species in modest diurnal migrations by now.
A young Red-shouldered Hawk in August in this park is a very unusual bird for the date here. The first N. Shovelers of the season are appearing, also found elsewhere in this county lately. Wood Ducks continue in small numbers as well. Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers were still showing at Central Park, while elsewhere in Manhattan there have also been Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers coming through. Yellowlegs also were noted, but not yet to species, and in flight only, including over Central Park.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are regular, after the multiple nestings and fledglings that took place on Manhattan including at Central Park, however by now the species is also a regular diurnal migrant, with some migrants stopping in at garden sites, or potentially anywhere at all that has some attractive flower plantings. Belted Kingfishers are on the move, with some at Central Park lately.
At least 19 species of warblers were showing at Central Park with a Cerulean Warbler lingering on at the Ramble area, and now still more Bay-breasted Warblers coming oin. Orchard Orioles have continued to show here and elsewhere in Manhattan. Small numbers of Nashville Warbler have been reported, including at Central Park and most recently, also from Inwood Hill Park in n. Manhattan.
…..
Elsewhere in the county, 3 Caspian Terns were noted flying past Governors Island on Aug. 10, and one of that species had been seen on the Hudson River off northern Manhattan that day, as well as the 2 Caspian Terns that many saw and photographed on the Central Park reservoir on that day.
Good birding, thanks to many observers and photographers for sightings and re-finds, alerts thru the Discord app, and for many reports also via eBird, including the Macaulay Library for media, as well as reports via good old word-of-mouth.
Date: 8/11/26 2:15 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - warbler sightings by Aug. 11th
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
to Tuesday, August 11th -
Returning southbound warbler species showing by Tuesday, August 11th at Central Park, in three days beginning Aug. 9th, have included -
Ovenbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrush
Worm-eating Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Mourning Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Canada Warbler
American Redstart
Blackburnian Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Pine Warbler
Northern Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Canada Warbler
Many of the above warbler species were seen in the multiple over all of the park, very few were represented by just one individual bird. The latter situation might be noted of the Cerulean, and also for Mourning Warbler, thus far this week starting on Sunday. At least 85 species of birds were noted from Central Park, and likely still-more species may have been present.
-None- of the above Warbler spp. is -record early- and, it should be noted, eBird alone is not really an accurate measure of all historical records nor of the overall phenologies of birds in this area, over time, measured in more than a couple of decades on migration in this area, although it would be fairly good for the modest time that digital bird records have been kept, in comparison to all the many many more bird records detailing phenology for over a century now, in just this region.
Date: 8/10/26 1:39 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - 8/10 - Caspian Terns, 21+ Warbler spp, etc.
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Monday, August 10th -
Two Caspian Terns showed on the reservoir at Central Park, first noted by A. Kramer and later seen by many, on Monday 8-10. A Cerulean Warbler was ongoing in the Ramble area of the park. Also arriving or continuing were at least 21 species of warblers including such species as Worm-eating, Hooded, Bay-breasted, Black-throated Green, and Magnolia Warbler and at least 16 additional warbler species. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher as well as Least Flycatcher were found along with a diversity of other southbound migrants. Incidentally, Bay-breasted Warbler is -NOT- record early at all, many of the warblers seen are simply in the first weeks of standard arrival periods, with peak southbound migrations of some species expected later in the season, each year. The peak month for diversity in autumn or really southbound-migration for American warblers is now - that is, the month of August. By September, overall numbers of some warbler species grows, but peak diversity starts to drops off, within our region.
More on all the many migrants in a future report,
- good birding,
Date: 8/9/26 2:11 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - Sunday, Aug. 9th - 14 warbler spp including Cerulean
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City - Sunday, August 9 -
With ongoing nocturnal migrations each recent night, there have been some new additions to the southbound migrants showing at Central Park, with at least 14 species of migratory warblers present in the park this Sunday, as seen by birders and photographers walking independently and-or with not for profit guides and in support of birding for nonprofit organizations which support education, conservation, diversity in nature, and foster a caring community in birding, locally, regionally, and with some institutions and organizations, also worldwide.
A Cerulean Warbler had continued to be seen by many, many observers, and it is only assumed this one lingering individual in the Central Park Ramble is one of the two Ceruleans that had been present from late July - but that is not absolutely known with certainty. Multiple observers saw 1 Cerulaean Warbler on Sunday, as had been so since the re-find of just one, on Aug. 7th. Other warbler species in this park will be noted in a future report detailing some elsewhere-in-Manhattan sightings.
Date: 8/9/26 1:55 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Sun. Aug. 9, 2026: Green Heron, 5 Species of Wood Warblers
Central Park NYC
Sunday, August 9, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights on yet another hot, humid morning: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Green Heron,Great Crested Flycatcher, Louisiana and Northern Waterthrushes, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Yellow Warbler. Charlotte Khoo reported the continuing Cerulean Warbler at the south end of the Maintenance Field.
Canada Goose - flyover flock of 15-18
Mourning Dove - 15-20
Chimney Swift - 3-5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 Upper Lobe (Edmund Berry)
American Herring Gull - flyover
Green Heron - 1 hatch-year bird at the Upper Lobe
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3-5 including a hatch-year bird
Downy Woodpecker - 3
Northern Flicker - 4
Great Crested Flycatcher - 1 Tupelo Field (E. J. Bartolazo)
Eastern Warbling Vireo - 3 or 4
Red-eyed Vireo - 2 or 3
Blue Jay - 3 or 4
Barn Swallow - 1 Turtle Pond
Gray Catbird - 12-14
American Robin - 15-20
White-throated Sparrow - 1 at the Oven/Willow Rock
Baltimore Oriole - 15-20
Common Grackle - 8-10
Louisiana Waterthrush - 1 at the Gill near Azalea Pond
Northern Waterthrush - 1 Turtle Pond
Black-and-white Warbler - 2 or 3
American Redstart - 4 or 5 including an adult male
Northern Yellow Warbler - 8-10
Northern Cardinal - 4 or 5
You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.
If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:
Gary Chapin - Secretary NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) 125 Pine Springs Drive Ticonderoga, NY 12883
Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert Number: (212) 979-3070
Compiler: Tom Burke Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
Transcriber: Ben Cacace
BEGIN TAPE
Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for *Friday, August 7th 2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today's tape are BROWN PELICAN, apparent onshore SARGASSO SHEARWATER, and other pelagics, RED-NECKED and WILSON'S PHALAROPES, and other shorebirds, GLAUCOUS GULL, BLUE GROSBEAK, and more.
Continued sightings of BROWN PELICANS this week were mostly confined to coastal waters along the western end of New York's barrier beaches beginning last weekend with 2 off Breezy Point, both days, and Sunday sightings of one at Plumb Beach, and 2 off Jones Beach, and on Thursday 2 were seen in the bay south of Freeport with one also off Oak Beach today.
A shearwater, photographed close offshore at Jacob Riis Park last Sunday, appears to be an unexpected coastal record of AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER as it appears in your field guides but now conflicted by a recent name change to SARGASSO SHEARWATER. More analysis of this interesting record will follow.
Meanwhile the CRESLI whale trips out of Montauk Harbor continue to produce a nice variety of pelagic birds. Birders on boats on Wednesday and today were treated to up to 7 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, a PARASITIC JAEGER Friday, a few WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, and a variety of shearwaters including some GREAT and CORY'S with SCOPOLI'S also reported, and fewer SOOTY and MANX plus some whales and dolphins. A few WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS have also been noted this week off Breezy Point and Riis Park as well as in Lower New York Bay.
With both adult and juvenile shorebirds now moving south, unfortunately the shorebirding opportunities at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge are not at all ideal on the East Pond with high water conditions persisting. Species such as LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, and PECTORAL, WHITE-RUMPED, and STILT SANDPIPERS are occurring but water levels need to be lower. HUDSONIAN WHIMBRELS appeared this week on Staten Island with one at Great Kills Park Sunday and 2 at Miller Field on Monday, and 3 also visited Plumb Beach Sunday. A WILSON'S PHALAROPE visited the dune pools between fields 1 & 2 at Jones Beach West End today.
The Brooklyn lingering immature GLAUCOUS GULL seen today at the Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk between 19th and 21st Streets. A couple of GULL-BILLED TERNS were at Plumb Beach Thursday following a CASPIAN TERN there the day before and a few CASPIANS have also been occurring recently along the Hudson River.
Among the recent landbird migrants an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was spotted Wednesday at the Hilltop Hanover Farm in Yorktown in central Westchester and a few scattered warbler migrants featured CERULEAN in both Prospect and Central Parks plus BLACK-AND-WHITE, MAGNOLIA, BAY-BREASTED at Green-wood Cemetery, PRAIRIE and CANADA.
BLUE GROSBEAKS continue at several sites around Calverton including the Preston's Pond Complex.
To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.
This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.
Date: 8/8/26 12:16 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC, Fri. and Sat. Aug. 7-8, 2026: Cerulean, Blue-winged, and Other Wood Warblers
Central Park NYC
Friday and Saturday, August 7-8, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Saturday List:
Wood Duck - 1 male Reservoir
Gadwall - 3
Mallard - 2 dozen
Mourning Dove - 30-35
Chimney Swift - 3-5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 Oak Bridge
Laughing Gull - 3
Ring-billed Gull - 1
American Herring Gull - 18
Great Black-backed Gull - 12
Double-crested Cormorant - 6
Red-billed Woodpecker - 4-6 including 2 hatch-year birds
Eastern Warbling Vireo - 2 east of Azalea Pond
Red-eyed Vireo - 2 at the Oven
Blue Jay - 4 or 5
Barn Swallow - 4
Gray Catbird - 10-12
Northern Mockingbird - 1 flyover
Wood Thrush - 1 Evodia Field
American Robin - 15-20
House Finch - 1 Summer House
White-throated Sparrow - 3
Song Sparrow - 2 Reservoir
Baltimore Oriole - 8-10
Common Grackle - 10-12
Northern Waterthrush - 2 (Oven, Evodia Field)
Blue-winged Warbler - 3
Black-and-white Warbler - 4
American Redstart - 3
Cerulean Warbler - 1 south end of Maintenance Field (continuing)
Northern Yellow Warbler - 4
Northern Cardinal - 4 or 5
--
Highlights Friday, Aug. 8th: Black-crowned Night-Heron, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Empidonax Flycatcher (probable Least), Fish Crow (flyover flock), Cedar Waxwing, American Goldfinch, Louisiana Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Yellow Warbler. In addition, Wolfgang Demisch reported a Spotted Sandpiper at the Reservoir.
Date: 8/7/26 12:46 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - Fri., 8/7 - Cerulean, Prairie, and 10 add’l Warbler spp., etc.
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Friday, Aug. 7th -
At least one Cerulean Warbler was ongoing at Central Park, along with at least eleven other migratory warbler species on the day. Prairie Warbler may have been new to the southbound migration season here. All of the other species were represented by more than one individual and the majority by multiple individuals. N. Waterthrush showed another uptick, and again some of that species were away from any nearby water, as can be typical in migration, esp. for newly arrived migrants of that species. N. Parula also showed a bit of increase. N. Yellow Warblers and American Redstarts continued in numbers, and Black-and-white Warblers were also in many locations.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were present in the multiple again. Least Flycatcher was identified among Empidinax-genus flycatchers passing thru, and the regular breeding flycatchers of the park were each present in the multiple - Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee, and E. Kingbird, with the latter in numbers in early morning indicating some diurnal southbound movement. At least 70 total species of wild, free-flying birds were in Central Park on Friday alone.
Elsewhere in Manhattan and N.Y. County, some of the regular, annual shorebirds were again being found, including multiples of Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers.
The solidly dark back rules out most Aythya species besides Ring-necked
duck and Tufted Duck. The head shape, and the (faint, here) ring on the
bill look good for Ring-Necked. It also shows the pale spur by the wing
that would be bright white on an adult male.
Zach Schwartz-Weinstein
203 500 7774
On Thu, Aug 6, 2026 at 4:15 PM Joshua Malbin <joshuamalbin...> wrote:
> That is an odd duck.
>
> For others’ reference, I believe this is the checklist in question:
>
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S379383896 >
>
> On Thu, Aug 6, 2026 at 3:21 PM Gary Bletsch (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <
> <NYSBIRDS-L...> wrote:
>
>> Dear NY Birders,
>>
>> There was an odd Aythya duck at Dunkirk Harbor recently. That is in
>> Chautauqua County, NY. There had been a pair of Redheads there on the 21st
>> and 24th of July; each time, a drake Ring-necked Duck was with them, making
>> for an odd little out-of-season band of Aythya ducks.
>>
>> On the 2nd August at 1435, I birded there again. This time, there were
>> only two Aythyas. A drake Redhead was in the company of a duck that had me
>> puzzled; it did not look like the RNDU that I'd seen on the two previous
>> visits. I took photos and put them on my eBird checklist, initially
>> attempting to put the odd bird down as a Redhead.
>>
>> During the photo-uploading process, the Merlin application insisted that
>> the odd duck was a Ring-necked Duck. Looking at the photos, I cannot say
>> that it was a RNDU; the shape of the head seems wrong. Nor does the bird
>> look right for a REDH. Granted, I have never lived anywhere where I have
>> been able to see many Aythyas this time of year, so I don't have much
>> experience with them in eclipse or juvenile plumages.
>>
>> The bird does have a suggestion of what RT Peterson described as "a
>> vertical white mark before the wing," albeit not very pronounced.
>>
>> The hotspot is called Dunkirk Harbor; my checklist is number hecklist
>> S379383896although I know that sometimes that does not help people
>> trying to find a checklist on eBird!
>>
>> Anyway, I'd love to hear any opinions as to this bird's identity.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Yours truly,
>>
>> Gary Bletsch
>> Jamestown, NY
>> --
>> NYSbirds-L List Info:
>> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
>> Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...>
>> Archives:
>> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>
>> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
>> //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/maillist.html
>> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
>> http://www.ebird.org >> --
>>
> --
> NYSbirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org > --
>
Date: 8/6/26 2:01 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - to Aug. 6 - Royal & other Terns, P. Martins, other migrants
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Randalls, Governors, and Roosevelt Islands and the adjacent waters and skies - into August 6th -
There were some good flights of southbound migrants again by Monday night into Tues. morning, 8-4, and however as can often be so, many of the migrants simply sailed past N.Y. City or more-specific to this report, many migrants did not stop in at N.Y. County in the nocturnal or early-morning passage of various species. We regularly see this, especially on fair-weather nights and mornings, and so for example there can be much the same, ongoing set of migrant species lingering a while in the typically more relaxed period of summer to early autumn migrations here, while at the same time, occasionally strong to very strong migrations take place which includes large nocturnal overflights. This can lead some observers on the ground to mistakenly assume that little or no migration has occurred, while in actuality by now, early August, it is normal to find larger and larger numbers and diversity of some species-groups, migratory warblers among them, moving in good to very good numbers, densities, and species-diversity. Weather obviously plays a role, and on some midsummer nights, even with a good to excellent nocturnal migration, there may be relatively little in new drop-ins at various locations.
A sighting of 8 migrant Purple Martins was fortuitous on the rainstorm passage in midday of Mon., 8-3, at Randalls Island, where also noted in that day and passage of the storm were some peep, sandpipers of the genus Calidris, one a Least Sandpiper and others of another species, left as peep sp, and in that sense only, perhaps the rare-in-county sightings that got away too rapidly. Or, perhaps the non-rare peep, Semipalmated Sandpiper, of which that and Least also have appeared already in some prior southbound shorebird movements this summer. The hope for further shorebird sightings, both in numbers and hopes of greater diversity, continue on as does summer and its intensifying migrations. This month so far has featured just Solitary, many Spotted, and for peep, ie Calidris-genus, just Least Sandpipers in any numbers. Killdeer were very modestly increased at a few sites, where that species also may have bred. An American Woodcock recently at one county location might represent a breeding effort.
A Royal Tern was sighted and photographed flying along the Hudson River on 8-1, near upper Manhattan. Forsters Tern has been noted in the singular along with the regular and expected-breeding Common Terns at and around Governors Island, to Aug. 4th. Some Forsters Terns have been along the Hudson as well, with more of the documented sightings a bit north of N.Y. City on that river, but likely some have moved along Manhattan shores or just-across by New Jersey, visibly for some Manhattan-side observers recently. Common Tern is also fairly regular partway up the Hudson along lower Manhattan, and sometimes elsewhere on the county waters. All terns should be checked closely especially if away from the few regular sites for Common Tern in N.Y. County, as tern movements and migrations are underway, generally.
There has been very little detection of definite southbound migrants from Governors Island thus far this month, but that May pick up in the coming week. Some typical midsummer movements of icterids including Bobolink, Orchard Oriole, Brown-headed Cowbird, and greater numbers of Red-winged Blackbirds had already been passing by since later in July. These icterid flights are not unusual for these dates, are region-wide, and noted annually. The numbers of such species as Red-winged Blackbirds of course increase greatly in calendar-fall, at a much later phase in overall soubound migrations than the more-restricted movement of the last species in calendar-summer.
At Randalls Island there also has been limited detection of migrants, especially of passerines, but that might pick up somewhat in the coming week or so. Yellow-crowned Night-Herons and Cliff Swallows, the latter a breeding species, are ongoing at Randalls, as are some dozens of other typical summer birds, some others of which also manage to breed here. A very few Brant have been summering.
The county overall has been seeing an uptick in numbers of species and of migrants, with for example, a good movement of, among other migrants, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and American Redstart, as well as the Red-winged Blackbirds migrating, as noted above for this time of the year. Eastern Kingbird, and various hirundines also are among migrants beginning to show in numbers sufficient to start being noticed, including for these and various other species, being noted on their diurnal migrations.
Yellow-billed Cuckoos continued to be seen, and mainly fully-expected warblers of up to twelve or more species in these first days of August, with the more-common warblers lately getting a bit more numerous and a bit more widespread. A modest number of Scarlet Tanagers were showing up recently.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds continue to be on the move. A Wild Turkey has continued on essentially resident at Battery Park in lower Manhattan. The movements of migrant ducks have barely registered so far, but among early-movers are some Wood Ducks at least wandering, seen in multiple county locations besides the usuals of Central
Park, and a single Ruddy Duck was noted at Governors Island to kick off this month. Monk Parakeets, a breeding species in N.Y. City, were seen again in n. Manhattan.
Cerulean Warbler was reported on Wed., Aug. 5th at Central Park, after multiple days of no sightings there after the 4 late-July days with very high numbers of observers and photographers. In N.Y. County, some of the other warblers showing, and in numbers include Northern Waterthrush, the latter turning up even in multiple sites with no water to speak of in the specific site, as happens on migration with this species, while for the lower numbers of Louisiana Waterthrushes passing thru, it is rather rare to find that species much away from water, and often by flowing water. Other fairly numerous warblers by now include Black-and-white, and especially Northern Yellow Warblers, with American Redstarts also showing in many locations. At least 6 additional warbler spp. are turning up in multiple locations this week in the county, including multiple-but-not-many N. Parulas, and others, but the majority of flights in overnight migrations were of passage birds, rather than migrants dropping in to stay a while. Central Park alone had at least 11 warbler species present by Aug. 6.
Central Park had over 75 species found thus far this month, with nearly 70 species present on Aug. 6th, spread across all of the park. A greater diversity of species ought to be possible by next week.
Thanks to many observers and reporters for sightings, alerts in part in the Discord app, and many reports in eBird with the Macaulay Library for media, as well as reports via good old word-of-mouth.
On Thu, Aug 6, 2026 at 3:21 PM Gary Bletsch (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <
<NYSBIRDS-L...> wrote:
> Dear NY Birders,
>
> There was an odd Aythya duck at Dunkirk Harbor recently. That is in
> Chautauqua County, NY. There had been a pair of Redheads there on the 21st
> and 24th of July; each time, a drake Ring-necked Duck was with them, making
> for an odd little out-of-season band of Aythya ducks.
>
> On the 2nd August at 1435, I birded there again. This time, there were
> only two Aythyas. A drake Redhead was in the company of a duck that had me
> puzzled; it did not look like the RNDU that I'd seen on the two previous
> visits. I took photos and put them on my eBird checklist, initially
> attempting to put the odd bird down as a Redhead.
>
> During the photo-uploading process, the Merlin application insisted that
> the odd duck was a Ring-necked Duck. Looking at the photos, I cannot say
> that it was a RNDU; the shape of the head seems wrong. Nor does the bird
> look right for a REDH. Granted, I have never lived anywhere where I have
> been able to see many Aythyas this time of year, so I don't have much
> experience with them in eclipse or juvenile plumages.
>
> The bird does have a suggestion of what RT Peterson described as "a
> vertical white mark before the wing," albeit not very pronounced.
>
> The hotspot is called Dunkirk Harbor; my checklist is number hecklist
> S379383896although I know that sometimes that does not help people trying
> to find a checklist on eBird!
>
> Anyway, I'd love to hear any opinions as to this bird's identity.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Yours truly,
>
> Gary Bletsch
> Jamestown, NY
> --
> NYSbirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org > --
>
Gary, your bird is a good match for the definitive alternate male Ring-necked Duck in Waterfowl of North America by Reeber (2015).
Good birding!
Willie D’Anna
Wilson, NY, Niagara County
From: Gary Bletsch (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <NYSBIRDS-L...>
Sent: Thursday, August 6, 2026 3:20 PM
To: <nysbirds-l...>
Subject: [nysbirds-l] confusing Aythya duck
Dear NY Birders,
There was an odd Aythya duck at Dunkirk Harbor recently. That is in Chautauqua County, NY. There had been a pair of Redheads there on the 21st and 24th of July; each time, a drake Ring-necked Duck was with them, making for an odd little out-of-season band of Aythya ducks.
On the 2nd August at 1435, I birded there again. This time, there were only two Aythyas. A drake Redhead was in the company of a duck that had me puzzled; it did not look like the RNDU that I'd seen on the two previous visits. I took photos and put them on my eBird checklist, initially attempting to put the odd bird down as a Redhead.
During the photo-uploading process, the Merlin application insisted that the odd duck was a Ring-necked Duck. Looking at the photos, I cannot say that it was a RNDU; the shape of the head seems wrong. Nor does the bird look right for a REDH. Granted, I have never lived anywhere where I have been able to see many Aythyas this time of year, so I don't have much experience with them in eclipse or juvenile plumages.
The bird does have a suggestion of what RT Peterson described as "a vertical white mark before the wing," albeit not very pronounced.
The hotspot is called Dunkirk Harbor; my checklist is number
hecklist S379383896
although I know that sometimes that does not help people trying to find a checklist on eBird!
Anyway, I'd love to hear any opinions as to this bird's identity.
Dear NY Birders,
There was an odd Aythya duck at Dunkirk Harbor recently. That is in Chautauqua County, NY. There had been a pair of Redheads there on the 21st and 24th of July; each time, a drake Ring-necked Duck was with them, making for an odd little out-of-season band of Aythya ducks.Â
On the 2nd August at 1435, I birded there again. This time, there were only two Aythyas. A drake Redhead was in the company of a duck that had me puzzled; it did not look like the RNDU that I'd seen on the two previous visits. I took photos and put them on my eBird checklist, initially attempting to put the odd bird down as a Redhead.
During the photo-uploading process, the Merlin application insisted that the odd duck was a Ring-necked Duck. Looking at the photos, I cannot say that it was a RNDU; the shape of the head seems wrong. Nor does the bird look right for a REDH. Granted, I have never lived anywhere where I have been able to see many Aythyas this time of year, so I don't have much experience with them in eclipse or juvenile plumages.Â
The bird does have a suggestion of what RT Peterson described as "a vertical white mark before the wing," albeit not very pronounced.
The hotspot is called Dunkirk Harbor; my checklist is number
hecklist S379383896
although I know that sometimes that does not help people trying to find a checklist on eBird!Â
Anyway, I'd love to hear any opinions as to this bird's identity.
Thanks.
Yours truly,
Gary BletschJamestown, NY
Thanks for getting back to me ... Will try to commit your photos to memory
and file under juvenile cowbird!
On Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 4:35 PM Ken Gale <nuffsaid...> wrote:
>
> Nearly everyone said juvenile Brown-Headed Cowbird.
> Ken
>
> On 8/5/2026 3:46 PM, Ken Gale wrote:
> >
> > I cannot figure out what this is. It doesn't quite look like a female
> > cowbird. It was picking stuff off the sidewalk on the northeast corner
> > of 86th St & Amsterdam. It got very close to people, but was wary
> > enough when a dog went near.
> >
> > It was yesterday evening August 4 about 7:30PM.
> >
> > Happy bird-day,
> > Ken
> > www.ecoradio.org
> >
> > When the air or water are clean, thank an environmentalist. If not,
> > become one. 'Nuff Said!
> >
> > --
> > NYSbirds-L List Info:
> > Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> > Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...>
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Date: 8/5/26 1:35 pm From: Ken Gale <nuffsaid...> Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Mystery migrant 86th & Amsterdam
Nearly everyone said juvenile Brown-Headed Cowbird. Ken
On 8/5/2026 3:46 PM, Ken Gale wrote: > > I cannot figure out what this is. It doesn't quite look like a female > cowbird. It was picking stuff off the sidewalk on the northeast corner > of 86th St & Amsterdam. It got very close to people, but was wary > enough when a dog went near. > > It was yesterday evening August 4 about 7:30PM. > > Happy bird-day, > Ken > www.ecoradio.org > > When the air or water are clean, thank an environmentalist. If not, > become one. 'Nuff Said! > > -- > NYSbirds-L List Info: > Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information > Posting Address: <NYSbirds-L...> > Archives: > The Mail Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/<nysbirds-l...>/ > maillist.html > Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org > --
Date: 8/5/26 12:47 pm From: Ken Gale <nuffsaid...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Mystery migrant 86th & Amsterdam
I cannot figure out what this is. It doesn't quite look like a female cowbird. It was picking stuff off the sidewalk on the northeast corner of 86th St & Amsterdam. It got very close to people, but was wary enough when a dog went near.
It was yesterday evening August 4 about 7:30PM.
Happy bird-day, Ken www.ecoradio.org
When the air or water are clean, thank an environmentalist. If not, become one. 'Nuff Said!
You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.
If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:
Gary Chapin - Secretary NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) 125 Pine Springs Drive Ticonderoga, NY 12883
Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert Number: (212) 979-3070
Compiler: Tom Burke Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
Transcriber: Ben Cacace
BEGIN TAPE
Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for *Friday, July 31st 2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today's tape are BRIDLED TERN, LONG-TAILED JAEGER, and other pelagics, RUFF, LITTLE GULL, ARCTIC TERN, BROWN PELICAN, WHITE-FACED IBIS, GLAUCOUS GULL, CERULEAN WARBLER, BLUE GROSBEAK, and more.
An adult BRIDLED TERN made another brief appearance on eastern Long Island photographed last Monday as it quickly flew out of Mecox Inlet. This completed a trio of rewarding days at Mecox with an immature LITTLE GULL visiting there on Saturday and Sunday producing single subadult ARCTIC and molting adult BLACK TERNS. A private boat visiting the New York and Rhode Island waters between Block Island Sound and off Montauk east to Block Island last Monday encountered a continuing bonanza of seabirds including single LONG-TAILED, PARASITIC and POMARINE JAEGERS all nicely photographed as well as some WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, over 1,900 GREAT SHEARWATERS, over 200 CORY'S, and a few SCOPOLI'S SHEARWATERS and over 100 of both SOOTY and MANX SHEARWATERS. The latter in quite impressive numbers.
A RUFF, almost fully molted into non-breeding plumage, was photographed again Monday on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. This pond is unfortunately no where near in ideal condition for the Fall shorebird migration already underway but southbound birds are visiting and utilizing what shoreline is suitable. So, if visiting the East Pond please be careful and do not push feeding shorebirds from the limited habitat available.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS was reported at the north end on Monday and other shorebirds at the bay this week included WILSON'S PHALAROPE, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL and STILT, WHITE-RUMPED and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS.
Various BROWN PELICANS along Long Island's Atlantic shore included one off Jones Beach last Saturday, two at Plumb Beach Monday, six off Fort Tilden Wednesday and up to four off Riis Park from Wednesday on and four at Gilgo Thursday.
An immature GLAUCOUS GULL continues in the Breezy Point to Coney Island area and CASPIAN TERNS were noted at Jamaica Bay Saturday, Calvert Vaux Park Wednesday and Plumb Beach Wednesday and Thursday.
A few migrant warblers reported recently featured TENNESSEE, a couple of CERULEANS in Central Park, PRAIRIE and CANADA and BLUE GROSBEAKS remain in decent numbers at the Preston's Pond Complex and elsewhere in Calverton.
To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.
This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.
You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.
If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:
Gary Chapin - Secretary NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) 125 Pine Springs Drive Ticonderoga, NY 12883
Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert Number: (212) 979-3070
Compiler: Tom Burke Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
Transcriber: Ben Cacace
BEGIN TAPE
Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for *Friday, July 31st 2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today's tape are BRIDLED TERN, LONG-TAILED JAEGER, and other pelagics, ROSS'S, LITTLE GULL, ARCTIC TERN, BROWN PELICAN, WHITE-FACED IBIS, GLAUCOUS GULL, CERULEAN WARBLER, BLUE GROSBEAK, and more.
An adult BRIDLED TERN made another brief appearance on eastern Long Island photographed last Monday as it quickly flew out of Mecox Inlet. This completed a trio of rewarding days at Mecox with an immature LITTLE GULL visiting there on Saturday and Sunday producing single subadult ARCTIC and molting adult BLACK TERNS. A private boat visiting the New York and Rhode Island waters between Block Island Sound and off Montauk east to Block Island last Monday encountered a continuing bonanza of seabirds including single LONG-TAILED, PARASITIC and POMARINE JAEGERS all nicely photographed as well as some WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, over 1,900 GREAT SHEARWATERS, over 200 CORY'S, and a few SCOPOLI'S SHEARWATERS and over 100 of both SOOTY and MANX SHEARWATERS. The latter in quite impressive numbers.
A RUFF, almost fully molted into non-breeding plumage, was photographed again Monday on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. This pond is unfortunately no where near in ideal condition for the Fall shorebird migration already underway but southbound birds are visiting and utilizing what shoreline is suitable. So, if visiting the East Pond please be careful and do not push feeding shorebirds from the limited habitat available.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS was reported at the north end on Monday and other shorebirds at the bay this week included WILSON'S PHALAROPE, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL and STILT, WHITE-RUMPED and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS.
Various BROWN PELICANS along Long Island's Atlantic shore included one off Jones Beach last Saturday, two at Plumb Beach Monday, six off Fort Tilden Wednesday and up to four off Riis Park from Wednesday on and four at Gilgo Thursday.
An immature GLAUCOUS GULL continues in the Breezy Point to Coney Island area and CASPIAN TERNS were noted at Jamaica Bay Saturday, Calvert Vaux Park Wednesday and Plumb Beach Wednesday and Thursday.
A few migrant warblers reported recently featured TENNESSEE, a couple of CERULEANS in Central Park, PRAIRIE and CANADA and BLUE GROSBEAKS remain in decent numbers at the Preston's Pond Complex and elsewhere in Calverton.
To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.
This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.
Date: 8/2/26 12:59 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Sun. Aug. 2, 2026: 6 Species of Wood Warblers
Central Park NYC
Sunday, August 2, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Six Species of Wood Warblers.
Mallard - around 2 dozen
Mourning Dove - around 20
Chimney Swift - 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 female/immature near Cardinal Flowers in Shakespeare Garden
Laughing Gull - at least 10
American Herring Gull - around 50
Great Black-backed Gull - 8
Double-crested Cormorant - 8 or 9
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 1 adult Upper Lobe (Sandra Critelli)
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 including 1 hatch-year bird
Downy Woodpecker - 3 including at least 1 hatch-year bird (red crown)
Northern Flicker - 2 (Upper Lobe, Persimmon Slope)
Eastern Warbling Vireo - 4
Red-eyed Vireo - 3
Blue Jay - 1 on the Point
House Wren - 1 Shakespeare Garden (Caren Jahre)
Gray Catbird - including a hatch-year bird at the Upper Lobe
American Robin - still some active nests
House Finch - 2
White-throated Sparrow - 3
Baltimore Oriole - 3
Common Grackle - 4-6
Louisiana Waterthrush - 1 at the Oven (Sandra Critelli)
Northern Waterthrush - 1 Turtle Pond
Black-and-white Warbler - 2 (Upper Lobe, Captain's Bench)
American Redstart - 1 immature male west side of Tupelo Field
Northern Parula - 1 Boathouse Hill
Northern Yellow Warbler - 1 Boathouse Hill
Scarlet Tanager - 1 heard-only Maintenance Field
Northern Cardinal - 5
--
Date: 7/31/26 9:03 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, N.Y. City - end of July -
Manhattan, N.Y. City - to Friday, July 31st -
Much migration occurred on Thursday night into Friday morning, July 30-31 all around the region. The same is so again for Friday into Saturday which is August 1. Some numbers of migrants were detected in Nocturnal Flight Calls recording, with many individual birds also passing far and wide of Manhattan, or high and fast in transit, southbound. However some landings also took place, as well as a perhaps-modest amount of early morning flight thru at least portions of the area, and more-specifically to this report, across parts of Manhattan.
Some birds which are, and may have been, turning up as migrants include -
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Veery, Wood Thrush, Bobolink, Orchard Oriole, Baltimore Oriole, Red-winged Blackbird and among warblers in particular, almost all of which are here found as migrants - at least 16 warbler species - Ovenbird, Worm-eating Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Waterthrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Blackburnian Warbler, Northern Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Pine Warbler, Canada Warbler, and also some Scarlet Tanagers and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. Of these and other migratory species, some were also found to have been lingering and some, including also such species as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, also were breeding, all such breeders in very-limited numbers particularly as compared with migrant numbers of their species, as the southbound migrations tick-up. Additional species have also been showing as either migrators or local-wanderers just recently. And, none of the migrants thus far being found are early for a southbound movement, however the peak-periods of migration for almost all is still ahead. Among the warblers, by far the most numerous to be detected so far are N. Yellow Warblers, with American Redstarts far behind in overall numbers on the move.
On Thursday, 7-30, a Black Skimmer was seen moving up the Hudson River off Manhattans upper west side, from Riverside Park by the old 79th St. boat-basin area. This is the first report of 2026 in N.Y. County for this species. Skimmers have been seen fairly often in other county-waters of N.Y. City including at times, not all that far away from Manhattan, although more-typically at a bit of a remove. A Forsters Tern was also reported from the Hudson River, a bit farther north from near the western terminus of Dyckman Street, in n, Manhattan, on 7-30.
Thanks to many observers and photographers for some of the sightings, alerts, reports some of the latter via word-of-mouth, and many reports landing in eBird, with the Macaulay Library for media.
Date: 7/29/26 2:03 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park/Manhattan, NYC - to 7/28 - migrants
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
to July 28th -
Tennessee and Canada Warblers were among the newest additions among migrants showing at Central Park by Tuesday, 7-28, as the 2 ongoing Cerulean Warblers at the Ramble area lingered on for yet another day - as did some of the rest of the by-now 14-plus species of migratory warblers to have turned up in this last week of July - with at least a few of those species having passed thru as early as the first week of this month. Least Flycatcher, a recently-returning migrant was also found again in Central Park on 7-28. Migrants are appearing in various sectors of Central Park, but with the quite uncommon Cerulean-duo of warblers recently, a focal point of observers had been concentrated in just one pocket, within the much-larger overall park. Migrants are also showing in many other Manhattan locations, albeit thus far in more modest species-diversity.
. . . .
Midsummer insect diversity is being noted, as well as the increases of returning migrant birds, and some butterfly species among the many other insect-groups are showing in modestly refreshed numbers around all of N.Y. County.
. . . . .
There are some birders adding comments to some sightings, especially for recent warblers, that this or that species is -early- however this is not so, ALL of the warbler species so far being found are in absolutely normal migration timings for some of their species. The key differential in looking at such migration-timings is that the peak movements of almost all warblers had not quiet arrived yet. That is a very different point from seeing individual southbound birds as -early-, which in the numbers thus far noted, are not in the slightest early. Some of these migrants are regularly found back in their typical wintering-grounds even by now, and this has been documented over long periods, not a new set of timings or any major change in these birds movements. One aspect that might be considered as we continue watching the southbound migrations, is whether the ongoing wild-fires in Canadas great boreal forests, or fires occurring elsewhere, can activate some unexpected bird movements. However even with some very extensive burn areas, the forests of Canada in particular are so vast in total, that this may end up as a modest-at-most data point. And, for the area in and around NYC so far, we are not seeing many boreal-forest breeding songbirds start to arrive as migrants in any notable numbers - if at all, yet for many of such species. The issue of wild fires is significant, but it might not -yet- be impacting timing or even greatly-impacting numbers of certain birds which we see as migrants in places such as metro N.Y. City and surroundings.
. . . .
Elsewhere in New York County, at least some shorebird movements have been detected but mostly in limited numbers very recently, including Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, and much more widespread Spotted Sandpipers, the latter showing in Central Park as well as various other parks with shoreline in Manhattan.
Date: 7/28/26 2:00 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park/Manhattan, NYC - 7/27 - warblers + add’l. migrants
Manhattan, including Central and other parks, plus observations around other islands of New York County, all within N.Y. City -
to Monday, July 27 -
At Central Park in Manhattan, among the at-least 11 warbler species still continuing were the ongoing 2 Ceruleans at the Ramble area, while other migrants besides warblers have been appearing, such as the first of southbound Empidonax-genus flycatchers including the not-breeding-here Least Flycatcher. This county has had breeding in two species of Empidonax, most noticed in some locations being Willow Flycatchers, and managing to avoid a lot of early summer detection, Acadian Flycatcher as well. There has been a lot of focus on the uncommon Ceruleans among the migrant warblers of late, and in that one particular portion of Central Park, while simultaneously a fair number of migrants have been pushing thru in any number of additional locations, at Central Park and in multiple other parks and some other greenspaces.
Cerulean Warbler of the southbound season was first spotted by Sean Medina on July 25, later and in subsequent days many more observers came, and many birders were helpful to others in numerous re-finding, re-sighting and followings of the Cerulean whether one, or both of the individuals being noted over the recent days. Many observers had by now also viewed Blue-winged Warbler, and among the far-more common and increasing multiples, Northern Yellow and Black-and-white Warblers, as well as N. Waterthrush in the low multiples, the latter also showing - as is very typical in its migrations at times - in some less-expected sites and particularly, in the occasional totally-dry sites where no running or standing water is present. American Redstart is also showing in modest numbers, most being fresh southbound migrants by now. Also with an uptick by now, Ovenbirds have been reappearing in Manhattan locations where they did not summer-over, thus are fresh migrants. There are somewhat likely to be other warbler species beyond the dozen or so having been noted to this list recently for Manhattan, which have at least been trickling in or thru as migrants, and for some, esp such as N. Yellow Warbler, far beyond just a trickle by now.
At Central Park and at least some of the other larger Manhattan parks additional breeding flycatcher species -besides the 3 Empidonax-genus noted at the top- found annually include Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, and Eastern Wood-Pewee, with E. Kingbird also found around the county more widely, and, more limited in summer, at least a few pairs of E. Phoebes in the county. As a reminder, all of summer is a time when the possibility of vagrant flycatchers showing in this NE region is very possible, including both near-annual such vagrants to the region and the possibility of extremely rare such vagrants.
Also showing by Monday was Veery, a definite migrant here, and yet again have been some Yellow-billed Cuckoos, which might have been lingering for some time, but by now could possibly be wanderers or perhaps, early returnees from actually breeding in the northeast. The Wood Thrushes being seen thus far this summer are still likely to be ongoing breeding families, including some younger birds of the year. As mentioned in prior notes to this list, we are now in the part of summer with hummingbirds in general beginning to move more, thus some of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds by now which are appearing in Manhattan are southbound migrants, additional to those which nested or were fledged here. Some hummingbirds on the move may well linger a while when they discover good nectar sources, of which there are fair numbers especially with all manner of gardens, spread through Manhattan, both in and out of city parks.
. . . . . .
For New York County, Randalls Island observers recently were re-finding some birds that have been seen this month, including scoping distantly to the shores of N. Brother Island, which is within Bronx County - such species as Little Blue Heron, and American Oystercatchers, have been seen again this past weekend, while on Randalls itself, the small number of breeding Cliff Swallows continued, and also regulars of this season are ongoing Yellow-crowned Night-Herons. Many more species of birds are also ongoing at and around Randalls Island, and much the same for Governors Island farther south.
Thanks to many observers and photographers for increasing numbers of sightings, alerts, and reports which have come thru word-of-mouth, in the field, and for alerts via the Discord app, and via eBird with the Macaulay Library for media.
Date: 7/26/26 12:30 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] 7/26 Manhattan, NYC birds… & passing of ornithologist Guy McCaskie
Another passage, from the farthest west of the 48 contiguous U.S, states, a tremendous force in American birding and particularly so in his chosen home after leaving Scotland so long ago, Guy McCaskie of California very recently died, just shy of his 90th birthday. Almost anyone who went seeking birds in that state in the past 60 years has a debt to Mr. McCaskie, who helped bring birding in America, and especially in California, into the modern era, on multiple levels. His influences in birding are spread wide, deep, and through time around this country. Those birders who may have spent any time in southern California, and especially in and around the inland Salton Sea, have been in a special part of the world where Guy McCaskie gave much of his time, skill, and devotion - and in California overall, many are the first state records with his imprint, discovered and documented, always thorough and complete documentation of avian occurrences. It is fitting that his ashes are to be ceremonially spread in part at the great Salton Sea. R.I.P. to a unique ornithologist.
. . . .
Manhattan, N.Y. City with notes from Central Park - 2 Cerulean Warblers, etc.
to Sunday, July 26 -
At Central Park, the Ramble was continuing to host not just one, but a fully-confirmed two Cerulean Warblers in differing plumage, one very much a first-fall-aged individual - seen and photographed by many many dozens of observers. It was already being noted that two Ceruleans were present by Saturday, July 25. Also, many of the more than ten other warbler species are ongoing in Central Park with up to twelve total warbler species for Manhattan on this Sunday.
Some migrant warblers are showing in a number of parks in Manhattan as well as other islands of N.Y. County, and also increasing lately are hummingbirds on the move, with all thus far identified as Ruby-throated, of course the default-species in this period of the year. A modest variety of migrants other than warblers are starting to move as noted from this county, all while great migrations have been occurring all around the region, perhaps most obviously in the array of shorebirds each day lately is providing where habitat is, and the more so where birders have gathered to observe.
You can also send reports and digital image files via email to
nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org
If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos
or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:
Gary Chapin - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883
Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070
Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
Transcriber: Gail Benson
[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]
Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, July 24,
2026 at 11:00 pm.
The highlights of this late vacation-shortened tape are FRANKLIN’S
GULL, BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK, RUFF, BROWN PELICAN, continuing
seabirds off Montauk Point, SEDGE WREN, BLUE GROSBEAK, SUMMER TANAGER,
DICKCISSEL and more.
On Thursday afternoon an adult FRANKLIN’S GULL was spotted feeding
with LAUGHING GULLS off Crooke’s Point at Great Kills Park on Staten
Island, staying there long enough to be nicely photographed.
The two BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS visiting the College Point
Wetlands in Queens since July 14th were last noted at that site last
Saturday.
A RUFF, conceivably the same individual previously out at Jones Beach,
was photographed on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge last
Tuesday, the bird at the south end of the East Pond, where other
migrant shorebirds and a SORA have also been seen recently.
Several sightings of BROWN PELICANS this week peaked with 14 counted
off Oak Beach inside Fire Island Inlet last Wednesday, 1 also there
Thursday; others included a couple off Breezy Point Thursday, 1
Friday, and 2 off Watch Hill on Fire Island last Saturday.
Good numbers of pelagic seabirds continue off Eastern Long Island,
including a large flight reported from Montauk Point last Saturday
that featured high numbers of CORY’S and some accompanying SCOPOLI’S
SHEARWATERS, numerous GREAT and some SOOTY SHEARWATERS and also a few
MANX SHEARWATERS. WILSON’S STORM-PETREL and PARASITIC JAEGER were
also noted. Half-day
whale-watching trips sponsored by CRESLI from Montauk harbor are a
good way to enjoy these birds and some exciting whales.
Various migrating shorebirds lately have included 4 HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL
at Breezy Point Sunday and 2 out in Jamaica Bay Thursday as well as
other expected species.
An immature GLAUCOUS GULL continues in the Breezy Point to Coney Island area.
A SEDGE WREN Wednesday in Freshkills Park on Staten Island was heard
from the Bird Tower in the North Pond section.
SUMMER TANAGERS and BLUE GROSBEAKS continue in the Prestons Pond
Complex out in the Calverton area, and a DICKCISSEL was photographed
Friday at the Arden Avenue Beach on Staten Island.
To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.
This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.
Date: 7/25/26 11:29 am From: Thomas Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - to 7/25 - Cerulean & other Warblers, etc.
Manhattan -including Central Park and multiple other parks-, N.Y. City -
to Saturday, July 25 -
A Cerulean Warbler being observed by many in the Central Park Ramble on this day was a highlight of the at-least 11 additional species of warbler showing for all of that park on the day. Possibly more than twelve warbler species were present, almost all being migrants on the move and all within typical time-frames for the southbound migration of the species involved. Some species of warblers were already showing a bit of movement around 2 weeks prior.
Central Park continued to keep the multiple Ruby-throated Hummingbirds of this summer, females, males, and also some young, all being seen in this month. At least one nest was observed and the presence of another deduced as well, in at least 2 parts of the park that are widely separated. Areas with many flowers that appeal to hummingbirds are among the locations where these birds have been seen feeding, and also roosting or resting. This includes being seen at native and woodland flowers, such as Orange Jewelweed, as well as visits for nectar at garden-variety non-native flowers. By now there are also some hummingbirds on the move thru the region, and some appearing most recently may include such southbound migrators, as well as the limited number of local breeders.
Some additional recent southbound migrators appearing at Central Park have included Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers, Scarlet Tanager - this last may however be a wandering individual, rather than a directed-south migrant at this period of summer - and several other species that are likely or definite migrants, such as Worm-eating Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, multiple Northern Yellow Warblers, several Black-and-white Warblers, Ovenbirds, Northern Waterthrush and Louisiana Waterthrush, at least one Pine Warbler, Northern Parula and American Redstarts, the latter possibly including long-lingering and some likely representing potential-breeding families or at least pairs or individuals of the species which attempted breeding - in Manhattan, with some successful fledgings. Common Yellowthroats are ongoing in Manhattan as well. At least some of the migrant warblers had already passed thru by last weekend, but the past several days have provided an increase in southbound songbirds, including multiple warblers, in this current weekend. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were ongoing, as breeding birds and with a few families by now. Orchard Orioles present as breeders in Manhattan are now augmented with some migrants of that species.
- - - -
Elsewhere in N.Y. County and around Manhattan, recently -
Semipalmated Sandpiper was starting to appear again at least by July 19, with additional reports of adult Little Blue Heron again noticed by that date, these latter sightings from Randalls Island, part of N.Y. County just a bit east of Manhattan. A Common Nighthawk was reported on Monday, July 20 at the northern portion of Riverside Park on the west edges of Manhattan - the species was once a very regular breeder on Manhattan and in other parts of N.Y. City, but has greatly diminished as a breeding species here, whether this midsummer individual was a rather early returnee starting to work south from some more-northern breeding location, or a local or locally-wandering bird is tough to know. In just a few weeks however, it will be expected that Common Nighthawks are starting to move thru our region, and that southbound migration can go on for a few months, although usually a stronger presence in the late summer to early fall, which by bird-calendars is nearing that period. There are of course many more species of birds appearing in and around Manhattan and N.Y. County by now, the number of wild, free-flying bird species moving at-last well past 100. More updates on migrants perhaps soon to come.
Thanks to many observers and photographers for sightings, alerts, reports including by direct word-of-mouth, via the Discord birding app, and via eBird with the Macaulay Library for media.
