Date: 10/13/26 1:11 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Mon., Oct. 12 - Sora, Clay-c. Sparrow, E. Meadowlarks, multi Marsh Wrens, many other migrants, etc.
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Governors, Randalls, and Roosevelt Islands and the adjacent waters and skies -
Monday, October 12 -
A Sora was ongoing at Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan, again seen and photographed Monday, Oct. 12th.
A Clay-colored Sparrow, the most recent of multiples in this county this season, was found Monday at Carl Schurz Park on Manhattans Upper East Side, that park on the verge of Manhattan and the East River estuary. There were multiple observers and photos of this sparrow. Note that at any time of day here, one might find dogs being let loose on lawns such as where this sparrow was often seen, flushing up birds from the ground. In this and other such instances, the birds may eventually come back to the same lawn areas. Also around this modestly-sized park were Chipping, Lincolns, and other typical sparrows of the season, and still a number of warblers.
Eastern Meadowlarks showed up at both Governors Island and Randalls Island, each site also having many other migrants and fall-visitant species.
A minimum of 3 Marsh Wrens were noted from the county on Monday, two or possibly three at Central Park, with sightings again by The Pond in that parks southeast corner, and an ongoing individual for 6 straight days in one piece of the Ramble. There also were sightings again at Governors Island, where the species had been noted for several recent days or longer.
The long lingering American Wigeon at Central Park appears to be molting into a male plumage, rather more visibly in the current week. 5 Green-winged Teal also continued at Central Park, lingering an even longer time. Multiple Wood Ducks, Ruddy Ducks, and plenty of N. Shovelers also continue at Central Park. At least 16 species of warblers were still in Central Park on Monday.
Also still being found at Central Park and elsewhere in the county, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Swainsons Thrushes and Wood Thrushes along with the increasing numbers of Hermit Thrushes. Many sparrow species also continued at Central Park, with up to 8 species there Monday including the sparrow known as Dark-eyed Junco. All 8 of those sparrow species were also seen in various locations across the county.
Laughing Gulls continued in the high multiples in this county, some of the double-digit numbers seen at Central Parks reservoir, with far more in some other locations.
Thanks to many observers and photographers for sightings, alerts, and reports as well as tips from while in the field.
Date: 10/12/26 2:34 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Mon. Oct. 12, 2026: Marsh Wren, Merlin, Tennessee, Cape May and Other Wood Warblers
Central Park NYC
Monday, October 12, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Great Blue Heron, American Kestrel, Merlin, Marsh Wren, Tennessee, Cape May and Other Wood Warblers, Scarlet Tanager.
Canada Goose - 21
Mallard - 10
Mourning Dove 20-25
American Herring Gull - 15-20 flyovers
Great Blue Heron - 1 Upper Lobe (Karen Evans and Dan Stevenson)
Cooper's Hawk - 1 flyover
Red-tailed Hawk - 3-5 flyovers
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 or 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 10-15
Downy Woodpecker - 1 female Pinetum
Northern Flicker - 5-7
American Kestrel - 1 flyover Strawberry Fields
Merlin - 1 flyover Pinetum
Eastern Phoebe - 3
Blue Jay - 18-22
American Crow - 6
Common Raven - 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 10-12
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2 Pinetum (Dan Stevenson)
Brown Creeper - 1 Pinetum
Northern House Wren - 1 Strawberry Fields
Marsh Wren - 1 near Hernshead
Gray Catbird - 30-35
Brown Thrasher - 1 north end of Strawberry Fields
Swainson's Thrush - 5-7
Hermit Thrush - 25-30
Wood Thrush - 3
American Robin - 40-50
Chipping Sparrow - 20-25
White-throated Sparrow - 20-25
Song Sparrow - 8-10
Swamp Sparrow - 1 Upper Lobe (Karen Evans, Dan Stevenson)
Eastern Towhee - 18-22
Common Grackle - 7-9
Black-and-white Warbler - 3 or 4
Tennessee Warbler - 2 (Pinetum (Dan Stevenson), Tanner's Spring (Deb))
American Redstart - 3
Cape May Warbler - 4-6
Northern Parula - 1 Pinetum
Blackpoll Warbler - 1 Strawberry Fields (Dan Stevenson)
Palm Warbler - 1 Great Lawn
Pine Warbler - 6-8
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 5-7
Scarlet Tanager - 4
Northern Cardinal - 4 or 5
--
Date: 10/12/26 12:40 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Sun., 10/11 - Nelsons, Clay-col., Vesper & other sparrows, Or.-cr. & 17 other warblers, etc.
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Governors, Randalls, Roosevelt and Manhattan Islands, and adjacent waters and sky -
Sunday, October 11 -
Rains did not keep all birders indoors all day on Sunday, and depending on exactly where in this county, rain did not start at all until a few hours past first light, with the heaviest rain quite a lot later. There was not much if any effect to birds so far noted for this county, from the passage of the ex-tropical, ex-hurricane related weather system, in terms of odd or unexpected birds turning up.
Randalls Island was the site for Nelsons Sparrow on Sunday, at the salt marsh edge of the Bronx Kill at the n. edge of the island, with multiple observers on a Linnaean Society of New York field trip, and with many other migrants seen. Large numbers of Laughing Gulls also showed there, flocking especially later in the day in the storm-remnant rain.
At Governors Island, a Clay-colored Sparrow was re-found on Sunday, as well as Vesper Sparrow and a selection of other sparrows continuing, some species of which are also ongoing elsewhere around the county.
An Orange-crowned Warbler was seen and photographed on Roosevelt Island on Sunday, as well as some other migrants being found there. At least 18 species of warblers were noted for all of the county on Sunday.
At Central Park, an American Wigeon, multiple Green-winged Teal, Wood Ducks and Ruddy Ducks, N. Shovelers and other waterfowl were all ongoing on Sunday, while various other migrants around the park included lingering Wood Thrush and a wide selection of other songbirds.
Some guided not-for-profit bird walks proceeded on Sunday, ahead of or thru the wet weather here. Thanks to multiple observers and photographers for sightings, alerts, and reports, from many locations of this county.
Date: 10/11/26 6:44 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Sat., 10/10 - Sora, Clay-c. Sparrow, E. Meadowlark, R-h. Woodpecker, 19 spp. of warblers at Central Park, etc.
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Governors, Randalls, and Roosevelt Islands and the adjacent waters and sky -
Saturday, October 10th -
A Sora was still present at Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan on Saturday, where some other migrants also were still being found, some of those being species that rather regularly attempt to or do overwinter there, including occasional warbler species. The most typical are Gray Catbirds and White-throated Sparrows, each of which can and will overwinter in multiple parts of Manhattan in many milder winters, and White-throated Sparrow almost always in fair to high numbers around the island.
A Clay-colored Sparrow was among many, many migrants noted at Governors Island on Saturday. The three locations with highest numbers of species reported Saturday from this county were Governors and Randalls Island, as well as Central Park, with the latter still having at least 19 species of warblers, those including Orange-crowned photographed by multiple observers, and somewhat-late Blackburnian, as well as multiples of Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Cape May, and other warblers, some in fairly good numbers. Sparrows still being seen fairly widely around the county thru Saturday include White-crowned, Lincolns, and Savannah, the latter typically more numerous on the islands of the county next to Manhattan in appropriate habitats. All of these sparrow species were still ongoing at Central Park.
An adult Red-headed Woodpecker was surprisingly not-seen by many in Central Park on Saturday, despite lingering where many, many birders and photographers were passing - perhaps being distracted by an American Bittern also lingering for some days, and by Saturday the Bittern seen by many many hundreds of people. Although not the first of this season nor even the second or third, American Woodcocks showed in several locations on Saturday including at Central Park and elsewhere in Manhattan.
Birds continuing to be seen to Saturday included late-ish Bobolink in at least one location, and American Pipits in the multiple at Randalls Island, with Yellow-crowned Night Heron still lingering at Randalls, the prime location to observe that species in this county. Brant were noted from the n. end of Manhattan, and more of those will likely be coming in fairly soon, along with other goose and multiple duck species with further cold fronts.
White-eyed Vireo was again seen and photographed at Central Park - this species has shown recently in at least several Manhattan parks, and is the one vireo species that is known to have overwintered successfully more than once or twice in N.Y. City in the modern era of birding. Also present in Central and many other parks and locations of Manhattan and N.Y. County Saturday were Red-eyed, and in greater numbers, Blue-headed Vireos.
Flycatchers still being seen were restricted to some E. Wood-Pewees, and many E. Phoebes all around the county. Baltimore Orioles were still around as were small numbers of Rusty Blackbirds. Plenty of Yellow-billed Cuckoos, and modest numbers of Chimney Swifts were ongoing or passing thru in multiple areas of this county on Saturday. Laughing Gulls continued into triple-digits in multiple locations Saturday, with some still visiting Central Parks reservoir at times, along with the 3 regular gull species of the region, Ring-billed, American Herring, and Great Black-backed Gulls.
At Central Park, photographed birds on Saturday included an Eastern Meadowlark and in addition the lingering American Wigeon there had at least 5 Green-winged Teals for company. Other waterfowl included some flyovers thru the day, in various sectors of N.Y. County, these at least including some duck species already found in the county this season. Far more waterfowl are likely to arrive and pass thru in coming days and weeks.
Thanks to many observers and photographers for many sightings, alerts, reports, and tips while in the field.
Date: 10/10/26 1:09 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC, Sat. Oct. 10, 2026: Y-b Cuckoo, American Bittern, Tufted Titmouse, Wood Warblers
Central Park, NYC
Saturday, October 10, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, American Bittern, Great Blue Heron, Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Winter and N. House Wrens, Swainson's, Hermit, and Wood Thrushes, Tufted Titmouse, American Redstart, Black-throated Green and other Wood Warblers, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Canada Goose - 19
Mallard - 12
Mourning Dove - 15-20
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1 Boathouse Hill (Erik Skot)
American Herring Gull - 10-15
American Bittern - 1 continuing since Thursday Tupelo Field
Great Blue Heron - 1 adult Oven (Mike Schafer)
Cooper's Hawk - 1 immature Evodia Field
Red-tailed Hawk - 4 circling overhead
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 or 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 8-10
Downy Woodpecker - 2 (Upper Lobe, south side Turtle Pond)
Northern Flicker - 1 male Shakespeare Garden
Eastern Phoebe - 3
Blue-headed Vireo - 3 (Paul Curtis)
Red-eyed Vireo - 1 east of Azalea Pond (Andrea Hessel)
Blue Jay - 15-20
American Crow - 4 or 5
Tufted Titmouse - 1 Gill Source
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 12-15
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 6-8
Brown Creeper - 1 Upper Lobe
Winter Wren - 3
Northern House Wren - 1 Tupelo Field
Gray Catbird - 20-25
Brown Thrasher - 11-13
Northern Mockingbird - 1 Turtle Pond (Claire Buyens)
Swainson's Thrush - 3 or 4
Hermit Thrush - 30-40
Wood Thrush - 2 near Weather Station
American Robin - 30-40
House Finch - 2 or 3 south side Turtle Pond
American Goldfinch - 1 Shakespeare Garden (Claire Buyens)
White-throated Sparrow - 30-35
Song Sparrow - 8-10
Swamp Sparrow - 1 Tupelo Field
Eastern Towhee - 15-20
Common Grackle - 15-20
Black-and-white Warbler - 3
Common Yellowthroat - 3
American Redstart - 1 Upper Lobe
Magnolia Warbler - 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 2 males (Upper Lobe, Shakespeare Garden)
Pine Warbler - 8-10
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 east of Belvedere Castle
Scarlet Tanager - 2 south side Turtle Pond
Northern Cardinal - 5 or 6
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 3
--
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, October 9,
2026 at 11:00 pm.The highlights of todayâs tape are SAYâS PHOEBE,
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, LECONTEâS SPARROW, YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD,
EARED GREBE, WESTERN CATTLE-EGRET, LARK and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS,
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, BLUE GROSBEAK, DICKCISSEL and more.
A week without a major storm still was able to produce some great
birds, topped nicely by the SAYâS PHOEBE found last Saturday at
Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers, this accommodating individual nicely
viewed during its stay there through Monday.
This was in contrast to the ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER spotted in Inwood
Hill Park on Monday and followed with some difficulty as it moved
around the park into the later afternoon but not seen thereafter.
Another nice find was the LECONTEâS SPARROW seen Wednesday and
Thursday as it skulked within the vegetation in Kissena Park in
Queens.
An adult male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was observed a few times Sunday
and Monday when it would occasionally perch in trees visible from the
hawk watch site at Robert Moses State Park on Fire Island.
The EARED GREBE, a long-lingering visitor to the West Pond at Jamaica
Bay Wildlife Refuge, was seen there over last weekend and again
yesterday.
Two WESTERN CATTLE-EGRETS seen this morning at Jacob Riis Park in
Queens ultimately flew southwest, and other species on the beach there
included 10 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and 110 ROYAL TERNS.
Notable shorebirds this week included 2 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS last
Saturday at Plumb Beach, 3 at Mecox Inlet today, and 1 Thursday and
Friday along the Hudson River shoreline in Dobbs Ferry, an HUDSONIAN
WHIMBREL Tuesday at Robert Moses State Park, an HUDSONIAN GODWIT
Wednesday and today at Mecox Inlet, and at Jamaica Bay on the East
Pond, up to 4 or more LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS plus a WILSONâS PHALAROPE
to Monday.
CASPIAN TERNS included 1 at Plumb Beach Sunday and 2 at Mecox today,
while an AMERICAN BITTERN was in Central Park yesterday and today, and
a SORA was hanging on in Bryant Park in Manhattan through today.
Single RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were seen at at least 5 separate
locations during the week.
A LARK SPARROW was at Moses Park Field 2 on Tuesday, and a few
CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS included singles in Green-Wood Cemetery Saturday
to Thursday, on Randalls Island Monday, in Prospect Park Tuesday and
in Piermont Thursday, while last Saturday VESPER SPARROW was found in
both Inwood Hill Park and Kissena Park.
A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was at Croton Point Park last Saturday, while
most unexpected among the WARBLERS was a YELLOW-THROATED found
Wednesday at Montauk Point along the Seal Haulout Trail. Also notable
were the few ORANGE-CROWNEDS found and CONNECTICUT uncovered in
Prospect, Bush Terminal Piers and Pelham Bay Parks.
BLUE GROSBEAKS were reported at Planting Fields Arboretum last
Saturday and Sunken Meadow State Park Wednesday, with 2 today at East
Farm Preserve in Head of the Harbor south of Stony Brook. Dickcissels
included 1 at The Battery in Manhattan Thursday and Friday and 1 in
Prospect Park today.
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: 10/9/26 3:28 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Fri., Oct. 9, 2026: Merlin, Yellow-throated Vireo, Nashville, Cape May and Other Warblers
Central Park NYC - North End
Friday, October 9, 2026
OBS: Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights on a sunny, mild autumn morning: American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Merlin, Yellow-throated Vireo, Nashville, Cape May and Other Warblers. Several each of veteran and new birders today, plus visitors from Berlin and Mexico City.
In the Ramble, the American Bittern continued in the same shrub as on Thursday.
Canada Goose - 18-30 (2 locations)
Northern Shoveler - 14
Gadwall - 17
American Wigeon - 1 at the Pool
Mallard - around 60
Green-winged Teal - 3
Mourning Dove - 6
Chimney Swift - 4
American Herring Gull - 3 or 4 flyovers
Great Blue Heron - 1 immature Harlem Meer
Cooper's Hawk - 1 flyover (Joaquin)
Red-tailed Hawk - 3 (2 perched immatures (Caren Jahre), 1 flyover adult (Joaquin))
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 or 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 4-6
Northern Flicker - 2 (Loch, Green Bench)
Merlin - 1 female/immature perched Harlem Meer (thanks to Fred Cohen)
Empidonax Flycatcher - 1 probable Least Flycatcher Harlem Meer (Paul Curtis)
Eastern Phoebe - 8
Yellow-throated Vireo - 1 Lily Ponds
Red-eyed Vireo - 1 Grassy Knoll
Blue Jay - 6
American Crow - heard
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 18-25
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1 Grassy Knoll
Cedar Waxwing - 3 Green Bench (Claire Buyens and Dan Stevenson)
Brown Creeper - 2 Loch (Paul Curtis, Claire Buyens)
Winter Wren - 1 Loch (Claire Buyens)
Gray Catbird - 5
Northern Mockingbird - heard
Wood Thrush - 1 Loch (Caren Jahre)
American Robin - 10-15
American Goldfinch -around 15
Chipping Sparrow - 5
Field Sparrow - 3 (Rowena Dodds)
Dark-eyed Junco - 3
White-throated Sparrow - around 15
Song Sparrow - 13-15
Swamp Sparrow - 3 or 4
Eastern Towhee - 1 heard Harlem Meer (Caren Jahre)
Brown-headed Cowbird - 2 Harlem Meer
Common Grackle - 2 flyovers
Black-and-white Warbler - 2 (Harlem Meer (Amanda Vavilala and Dasha), Wildflower Meadow)
Nashville Warbler - 1 North Woods (Dan Stevenson)
Common Yellowthroat - 5
American Redstart - 2 (Loch (Dan Stevenson), Lily Ponds)
Cape May Warbler - 2 Great Hill (Claire Buyens)
Northern Parula - 3
Magnolia Warbler - 3 (Meer, Loch (Caren Jahre), Pool)
Pine Warbler - 1 Great Hill (Paul Curtis)
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Grassy Knoll (Amanda Vavilala)
Scarlet Tanager - 2 Green Bench (seen earlier by Rubon Giron)
Northern Cardinal - 5 including a juvenile begging from an adult female
Indigo Bunting - 2 (Harlem Meer, Nutter's Battery) (Benny Romero reported others).
--
A service for Lee Rogers is scheduled for 2pm this Saturday at the Rustic Shelter (Summer House) in the Ramble with Rev. Bartlett from Madison Ave. Presbyterian Church presiding. At 2:30 birders will meet at the Evodia Field (near the bird feeders) for an informal memorial.
--
Deb Allen
A Sora was ongoing for Friday at Bryant Park in mid-Manhattan. An American Bittern remained into Friday in the Central Park Ramble. A Dickcissel was lingering again in Battery Park at the s. end of Manhattan. Among the latest of photographed Orange-crowned Warblers was one in a favored site, Carl Schurz Park on upper Manhattans far East Side, where like all of these birds, separately, this too was photographed nicely.
Many many other migrants are also ongoing and with some turnover noted daily, such that more native sparrows are showing up, and a bit less of the numbers of neotropial-wintering songbirds, as is expected in this part of autumn.
Thanks to many observers and photographers for sightings, alerts, reports, and good tips in the field.
Date: 10/8/26 2:49 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC, Thu. Oct. 8, 2026: American Bittern, Barn Owl*, Bay-breasted and Tennessee Warblers
Central Park, NYC
Thursday, October 8, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Green-winged Teal (8), American Bittern, Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Hermit Thrush, Tennessee, Bay-breasted, and 7 Other Species of Warblers.
Date: 10/8/26 11:24 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - Thurs., Oct. 8 - Am. Bittern, Sora, Dickcissel, plenty more migrants…
Manhattan, N.Y. City - Thursday, October 10th -
With birders in multiple not-for-profit guided bird walks, and independent observers and photographers as well, an American Bittern showed nicely for many in the Central Park Ramble starting from first-light on Thursday and lingering in that area. Photos were obtained by some of these on the not-for-profit guided walks and later by others.
A Sora was a lingering bird at Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan, and a colorful Dickcissel was lingering at Battery Park at the south end of Manhattan, both seen and photographed again on Thursday, with multiple admirers in each location.
The recent ongoing spate of migrant cuckoos was continuing, not only around Manhattan including in Central Park, but also around N.Y. County, these recent sightings mostly of Yellow-billed, but a very few Black-billed Cuckoos also were still being found and well-documented. A Marsh Wren seen well and photographed in the Central Park Ramble on Wed., had not been reported so-far for Thursday, but could possibly still be around. Its been a fairly good fall here for that species, with more certainly possible going thru this month.
At least 17 species of migratory warblers were found by early afternoon on Thursday in Central Park, and the ultimate number there, and for all of Manhattan, might grow by a few additional by end of day with so many birders out enjoying the mild sunny weather, and further after-work walkers still to head thru birding locations. Some species of warblers are still being seen in fairly good, to lowered numbers, around Manhattan.
Sparrows of many species also are continuing with at least 9 native sparrow species in Central Park alone, and all of the species of that park also in sparrow-y sites scattered around Manhattan. These include White-crowned and Lincolns Sparrows in the multiple and Savannah Sparrows in somewhat more limited sites around Manhattan.
Red-breasted Nuthatches are ongoing in multiple sites, with ongoing multiples of them at Central Park on Thursday. American Wigeon, Green-winged Teals, Ruddy Ducks, Wood Ducks and other regular autumnal waterfowl are all ongoing at Central Park, with some of these species also showing elsewhere around Manhattan and N.Y. County. Also still to be found are Laughing Gulls in the multiple, including those appearing at Central Park.
Many other migrants are still being found thru Thursday, and further uncommon or rarer species may be awaiting discovery. And we will hope that the various owls that are around will be observed quietly and with respect to their needs, without any need to zoom up to a bird that might be sleeping and requires daily rest.
Thanks to many, many observers and photographers for sightings, alerts, reports, and in-the-field tips.
Date: 10/8/26 4:38 am From: Patrice Domeischel <fourharborsheron...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] 2026 Results - Four Harbors Audubon Society - Stone Bridge Common Nighthawk Watch
October 6 concluded our 10th year tallying migrating Common Nighthawks at the Stone Bridge Common Nighthawk Watch in Setauket.
Over the 41-day period, August 27 - October 6, from 5:30 p.m. to dusk, we counted 1,564 birds, and logged 4173 hours at the bridge for a 0.38 birds-per-minute total. This year's count surpassed each of our last 3 years, but fell far short of our high in 2019 of 2757.
Totals over the last ten years were:
2017: 2046
2018: 2018 (a coincidence)
2019: 2757
2020: 2245
2021: 1819
2022: 1625
2023: 1022
2024: 669
2025: 912
2026: 1564
In addition, to catch early migrators, we conducted a Supplemental Count from August 14 - 26. This count is separate, and will not be included in our regular watch totals. The Supplemental count total over the 13-day period was 234. Hours logged were 1880 for 0.12 birds per minute.
Highlights included low-flying birds feeding at dusk, including one we named Tail-less. This nighthawkâs tail appeared to be torn off, likely a raptor attack. Tail-less delighted us every evening from September 7 through the 17th. This is the first time we have been able to document a nighthawk remaining in the area, and returning to feed on subsequent evenings, before migrating on.
We would like to thank everyone who assisted at the Bridge this year, counters and observers alike. Their spotting and counting skills were greatly appreciated! And many thanks to Frank Melville Memorial Park for use of your stone bridge.
Hope you will all join us next year!
Patrice Domeischel and John Turner
Stone Bridge Common Nighthawk Watch
Four Harbors Audubon Society
Date: 10/7/26 1:56 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Tues., 10/6 - Sora, Nelsons Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, NO Ash-throated reports for Tues. :[ etc.
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Randalls, Roosevelt, and Governors Islands, and the adjacent waters and skies -
Tuesday, October 6th -
A Sora was lingering at Bryant Park in mid-Manhattan thru Tuesday and was seen by many, many observers by then. A Dickcissel was also lingering at Battery Park in lower Manhattan on Tuesday, multiple observers and again well photographed.
A Nelsons Sparrow was noted again by some of the observers at Randalls Island on Tuesday. Blue Grosbeak, American Pipits, and a variety of other birds of the season were again noted at Randalls Island.
Overall the county has come up with over 150 species of birds in less than one week of October, although the overall bird diversity had already dropped by 10 percent or so by
Tuesday relative to prior recent days. Atlantic-type Brant have been starting to arrive in still-modest numbers so far, and other geese have been moving a bit - with the possibility that Cackler types are passing thru, as was recently reported for the county, although confirmations can sometimes be tough from some flight photos, or from some sight-only reports.
More waterfowl arrivals are likely at any time from now to end of the year. Gulls still include Laughing Gulls in some locations, reducing in numbers, while the usual-three gull species of this area may swell, those being Ring-billed, American Herring, and Great Black-backed Gulls.
At Central Park, ongoing species included American Wigeon, multiple Green-winged Teals, Ruddy Ducks, Wood Ducks, and plenty of N. Shovelers among the waterfowl there, and there were still at least twenty species of migratory warblers being found in Central, including a few Hooded Warblers, one or more of those in full male-type plumage. Tennessee Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, and Wilsons Warbler were among many others, and Blackpoll and Cape May Warblers were still being seen in the multiple as was so in general around the county on Tuesday.
A good many warbler species are still being found in high-multiples in the aggregate around the county, some species still easily into double-digits, most obviously perhaps Palm and Myrtle-form Yellow-rumped Warblers, as well as Common Yellowthroats still lurking in plenty of locations.
Rusty Blackbirds and Red-breasted Nuthatches were again seen, particularly noted from Central Park again. Thrushes still included a few Gray-cheeked types, Wood, Swainsons, and plenty of Hermit Thrush, while Veery as is expected might be just about gone from these parts - if veery is suspected from now to any later dates in the year, photos or video may be helpful to confirm it as that species, which for the most part are almost all going south of Texas by about now.
For sparrows there are ongoing White-crowned, Lincolns, Field, Chipping, Swamp, Song, Savannah, and plenty of White-throated Sparrows, as well as increasing Dark-eyed Juncos, all of these being seen in Central Park thru Tuesday as well as scattered thru all of the 4 islands of this county. Some additional sparrow arrivals are certain in this month and next, and could include potential rarer sparrows too.
Other migrant species still being seen in modest numbers have included Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, and Baltimore Oriole. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have still been appearing but numbers are dropping, as expected.
Check any hummers seen a bit more closely from now thru this fall, as at some point, vagrant hummingbird species become -more- likely than our regular Ruby-throated, especially so once November rolls in. If a non-Ruby-throated is suspected, attempt lots of photos, the closer the better, and including the tail of the hummingbird. Chimney Swifts have been continuing, with rather lower numbers by Tuesday but still well into double-digits at some locations.
Diurnally flying raptors and two vulture species have been showing in migration lately, with up to 11 species in raptors including all 3 regular falcon species of the area, for this county to and thru Tuesday. Nocturnal raptors are also ongoing in some locations here.
The previous Ash-throated Flycatcher of Inwood Hill Park was NOT reported again on Tuesday, although it could potentially still be lurking somewhere in that park or within Manhattan or this county, somewhere.
Thanks to many observers and photographers for sightings, re-finds, alerts, and reports.
Date: 10/6/26 1:22 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Mon., 10/5 - ASH-THR. Flycatcher, Sora, Clay-c. Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Dickcissel, etc.
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Randalls, Roosevelt, and Governors Islands and the adjacent waters and skies -
Monday, October 5th -
The year-first Ash-throated Flycatcher for N.Y. County was found at Inwood Hill Park on Monday - Joe DiCostanzo, a regular of this park and well-known to many birders from all around NY state, this region, on thru Brazil, and Great Gull Island NY, where he did much past work with Helen Hays and others in conservation of and research on breeding, and in Brazil, migrant-wintering of terns, particularly Common Terns and Roseate Terns, of Great Gull - the Monday-in-Manhattan Ash-throated Flycatcher also re-discovered in the same area of Inwood Hill by B.M.B., his eBird moniker, and also a regular of Inwood Hill Park - and happily also seen by a number of the other reliably regular and keen birders of Inwood Hill, and some additional birders of Manhattan, the flycatcher seen around the n. sector of the park, somewhat closer to the W. 215th St. side -and far from the Dyckman St. side- around the marsh regeneration area by the lagoons s. edge and in or along the nearby soccer pitch or field. If searched for again, as this bird surely will be, and if not re-found on Tuesday, some searching all thru the semi-open edges of various fields in the area might be productiveâ¦. Hopefully, this rarity can be re-found, however it is a species that on some occasions regionally can turn up as a one-day-wonder. Thanks to all for the alerts and follow ups, and later reports. At least several observers did obtain photos, and also useful should the bird be found again would be video with audio. It is possible that there is some proclivity to this species turning up, when it does here, in the northern Manhattan sector of the county, although with sample sizes low over the years, it is just a possibility that that area could be in any way favored by rarer Myiarchus and kin.
â¦. In other NY State flycatcher-rarities, the lingering Says Phoebe originally found by Tim Graves was still being seen Monday at Tibbetts Brook Park in southern Westchester County. And a lingering Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is ongoing, out-west in Chautauqua County. As a reminder with flycatchers of all sorts, if found from now on in the northeast region, give a second look, perhaps especially so to any Empidonax-genus types that might turn up in the reminder of this yearâ¦.
Back to Manhattan in N.Y. County, slightly late Common Nighthawks - perhaps two - were seen on Monday from Inwood Hill Park, a site that can regularly have sightings of this species, in season. This park runs just slightly behind Central Park in the total number of species of birds found annually, and that with something like 2 percent of the huge numbers of birders and photographers who roam Central Park all year around. The n. portions of Manhattan have many very keen birders, and some are very loyal to certain patches and parks in that productive part of Manhattan. The same is so for other sections of Manhattan as well - it aint all-about Central Park in Manhattan.
Giving northern Manhattan some more of its due in birding, an Orange-crowned Warbler was among the sightings at Fort Tryon Park, this not the first of the species for Manhattan or the county, but a seasonal specialty most-regularly found by this month and with luck, sometimes on into winter. Fort Tryon Park is also a site to check on the hummingbirds that in particular may show at that parks Heather Garden, potentially in later season if any appropriate flowers remain in bloom - the heathers, even with very small flowers and which are hardy thru chilly weather, and can bloom in winter there, can be utilized by hummingbirds and, at least some years ago, hosted 2 Calliope Hummingbirds for some weeks in late fall into winter. For this past week Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were the species being seen there and in multiple other locations of Manhattan, and some at the other islands of the county.
A Sora was seen and photographed - D. Ricci- at Bryant Park, in mid-Manhattan on Monday, this species of course potentially a skulker - and thin as a rail - thus could be tough to see at times!
Also Manhattan, a brightly plumaged Dickcissel was seen and photographed at Battery Park on Monday, and multiple other migrants were also present there.
Randalls Island provided Clay-colored Sparrow, and Blue Grosbeak, again on Monday, each presumed to be lingering from prior observations in recent days there. Many other migrants were also still being seen at Randalls, and at least two Yellow-crowned Night Herons were present, at that site which is the best in the county to find the latter species.
Central Park on Monday featured more than 85 species of birds in total and at least 19 of those species were migratory warblers. These sightings from many, many observers, including those on, or in support of, not-for-profit guided bird walks, and independent observers and photographers, in sum having been out and about at all hours and in all sectors of that park, rather than only in one limited area and for short duration on Monday. The now Long-lingering American Wigeon and Green-winged Teals were ongoing at Central Park thru Monday. The number of sparrow species found there were at least nine, including the sparrow known as Dark-eyed Junco.
Date: 10/5/26 2:20 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Mon. Oct. 5, 2026: Green Heron, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Cape May and Other Warblers
Central Park, NYC
Monday, October 5, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Green Heron, Great Blue Heron, Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Eastern Towhee (12-14), Cape May Warbler and Ten Other Wood Warbler Species.
Canada Goose - 19
Mallard - 68
American Black Duck - 2 at 59th Street Pond (Bob-early)
Mourning Dove - 10-15
American Herring Gull - 3 or 4 flyovers
Green Heron - 1 hatch-year/first-cycle Turtle Pond
Great Blue Heron - 1 59th Street Pond (Bob-early)
Cooper's Hawk - 2 flyovers
Red-tailed Hawk - 1 flyover
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 or 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 10-15
Downy Woodpecker - 1 Strawberry Fields
Northern Flicker - 12-16
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1 Pinetum (Paul Curtis)
Eastern Phoebe - 1 Pinetum
Red-eyed Vireo - 1 Strawberry Fields
Blue Jay - 30-35 including small migratory flocks
American Crow - 25-30
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 10-14
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1 Magic Bush (Karen Evans)
Cedar Waxwing - 2 Sparrow Rock
Brown Creeper - 3 or 4
Northern House Wren - 1 north end of Maintenance Field
Gray Catbird - 15-20
Brown Thrasher - 3 or 4
Swainson's Thrush - 8-10
Wood Thrush - 2 or 3
American Robin - 25-30
White-throated Sparrow - 10-15
Eastern Towhee - 12-14
Ovenbird - 1 Upper Lobe
Black-and-white Warbler - 6
Common Yellowthroat - 1 Upper Lobe (Karen Evans)
American Redstart - 3 or 4
Cape May Warbler - 1 Magic Bush
Northern Parula - 5 or 6
Magnolia Warbler - 2 (Strawberry Fields, Balcony Bridge)
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 2 (male and female) Pinetum
Palm Warbler - 3 or 4
Pine Warbler - 7-9
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 3
Northern Cardinal - 6-8
--
Date: 10/5/26 12:11 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Sun., 10/4 - Blue Grosbeaks, Red-headed WP’s, more migrants
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Governors, Randalls, Roosevelt and Manhattan islands, and the adjacent waters and skies -
Sunday, October 4th -
At least two Blue Grosbeaks were seen on Sunday, one in a new-to-this-fall location at Riverside Park - K. Fung - in the pollinator meadow alongside the West Side Highway now-closed off ramp going to W. 125th St, and just north of the north tennis courts of Riverside, so around approx. 120-121 Steeets in latitude, this site being a bit isolated even though not very far from a main path to and next to the adjacent tennis courts - please be aware whenever visiting this site, which has native plants and many quite tall, with some non-native plants and brush all around as well. One access to this meadow is from west of the small brick tennis building, then head north along the west edge of the fenced tennis court, to reach the pollinator meadow area. It may also be approached from paths on the east edges of the tennis courts. Another Blue Grosbeak was ongoing at Randalls Island, and might be a bird lingering for some time. Neither of these Blue Grosbeaks are adult males - the typical occurrences of the species in fall season are in more subdued plumages.
Red-headed Woodpeckers continued as well on Sunday in at least 2 locations, at Governors Island, and in Central Park. We shall see if some of the recent arrivals of this species stick around, as in past years this has sometimes been an overwintering species in the county, mainly from Manhattan. Learning the calls of this species well can be helpful in locating, although some individuals may be quiet much of the time in fall or winter, especially if just one of this often somewhat colonial and gregarious species is in a set cold-weather territory.
Randalls Island added American Pipit to the fall bird list for that location on Sunday, and it can be added that Wilsons Snipe was one of the many species found on Saturday at Randalls, where Yellow-crowned Night Heron was still present thru the weekend. There were still fairly good numbers and diversity of migrants for all of the islands of N.Y. County on Sunday, but also some departure overnight on Saturday.
At least 22 species of migratory warblers were found in Central Park on Sunday, and at least 23 species were noted for N.Y. County on the day. Still in good numbers overall were such species as Blackpoll, American Redstart, and others of course including Myrtle form Yellow-rumped, and Palm Warblers of 2 forms typical for fall. Some of the warblers were among a bit of morning flight that was evident to early-birders in some locations on Sunday, although the morning flight was low by comparison with Saturday, with that mornings flight events that even went on into afternoon in multiple locations.
Sundays tally of native birds for the county was more than 120 species, with more than 100 species for Central Park, which includes various flyovers such as diurnal raptors and swallows, in this instance, Tree Swallows. As always, the tallies of species for the county, or for just one site such as Central Park, here represent many hundreds -to thousands- of observer-hours, not just from one small area or from a very limited amount of time on part of a given morning. Some observers begin watching at first light, or even in the wee-hours, and some may still be watching at dusk or later on.
Within the family Icteridae, a smattering of Bobolinks were still being found in the county, while Baltimore Orioles were again seen in modest numbers. Rusty Blackbirds were noted again Sunday, including several at Central Park. Common Grackles have increased with some flocks into the several-hundreds or more, while other Blackbird species have yet to push thru in the anticipated numbers here, likely as fall continues.
The further arrivals of sparrows, as well as some departure of some earlier-season migrants was noted in many locations in the county by Sunday, including at Central Park. The Ramble sector of Central Park alone had at least 8 species of native sparrow on Sunday, none rare, but ongoing species such as White-crowned, Field, Lincolns, etc. were seen by multiple observers and photographers, with plenty of fresh sparrow arrival in the entirety of Central Park, as well as numerous other sites in the county. Very common migrants such as Chipping and White-throated Sparrow each increased from Saturday - as noted in Central Park, these were sightings from all of the park and by large numbers of observers and photographers in all sectors of that park at most hours up to when late day rains came in, some observers birding on thru the showers as well.
Savannah Sparrows, most typically in their best numbers off Manhattan at the other large islands with habitat, were numerous Sunday, and also were present in many Manhattan locations, including Central Park. Some or even many of these could be ongoing individuals, along with fresh arrivals.
Purple Finches again showed at Central Park on Sunday, some photographed. Another aspect of arrivals were the increase of Wood Ducks, although just slightly to nearly ten of that species on Sunday at Central Park, a typically good site to find them. Around the county, American Black Duck increased, and there were some Common Loons on the move, but not very many.
Thanks to many hundreds of observers and photographers for sightings, alerts, reports, and tips in the field.
Date: 10/4/26 3:18 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Sun. Oct. 4, 2026: Green Heron, Wood Thrush (12-14), 11 Species of Wood Warblers
Central Park NYC
Sunday, October 4, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
While diversity for early October was fairly good in terms of the number of species, many species, especially sparrows, were underrepresented. Highlights on an overcast morning with a brief bout of drizzle: Green Heron, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos, Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush (12-14), 11 Species of Wood Warblers, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Canada Goose - 16
Mallard - 21
Mourning Dove - 21
Chimney Swift - 20
American Herring Gull - 5 flyovers
Green Heron - 1 hatch-year/first-cycle Turtle Pond (David Barrett)
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 or 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 5 or 6
Downy Woodpecker - 4
Northern Flicker - 12-15
Eastern Phoebe - 2 or 3
Blue-headed Vireo - 3
Red-eyed Vireo - 3
Blue Jay - 30-35 including small flyover flocks of migrants
American Crow - 12 Great Lawn (Deb-early)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 3 or 4
Cedar Waxwing - 1 on the Point (Claire Buyens)
Winter Wren - 3 or 4
Gray Catbird - 30-40
Brown Thrasher - 3 or 4
Swainson's Thrush - 6-8
Hermit Thrush - 1 Ramble
Wood Thrush - 12-14
American Robin - 20-25
House Finch - 3-5 (Edmund Berry)
Chipping Sparrow - 3
White-throated Sparrow - 20-25 (fewer than Saturday)
Song Sparrow - 3
Eastern Towhee - 4 or 5
Common Grackle - flock of 10
Ovenbird - 2 Ramble
Black-and-white Warbler - 3 or 4
Common Yellowthroat - 3 or 4
American Redstart - 2 or 3
Northern Parula - 2 or 3 (Claire Buyens)
Magnolia Warbler - 1 south side Turtle Pond (Paul Curtis)
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1 female Gill Overlook (Edmund Berry)
Palm Warbler - 1 Sparrow Rock (Edmund Berry)
Pine Warbler - Pinetum (Edmund Berry)
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 3 or 4
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 on the Point
Scarlet Tanager - 2 south side of Turtle Pond
Northern Cardinal - 6-8
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 2 (Oven (Dan Stevenson), Evodia Field)
Date: 10/4/26 9:27 am From: Andrew Block (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <NYSBIRDS-L...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Say's Phoebe yes
The Say's Phoebe immature found yesterday by the handicapped parking spaces north of the mini golf area at Tibbett's Brook Park in Yonkers was there again today early in the am and then disappeered for a few hours and came back the the same place and gave great views for about 15 minutes before flying across the field towards the brook and bridge northeast of there. Nice find to whomever found it yesterday.
Andrew
Andrew BlockConsulting Naturalist
Yonkers, New York www.flickr.com/photos/conuropsis/albums
Date: 10/4/26 5:19 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Sat., 10/3 - major migration, new arrivals, etc.
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Governors, Randalls, Roosevelt, and Manhattan islands and the adjacent waters and sky -
Saturday, October 3rd -
Plenty of migration was occurring from overnight Friday, Oct. 2 into Saturday, Oct. 3, all around the region, and N.Y. County partook of a fair bit of this strong regional migration event. Birds including those mostly known to migrate at night were still flying on and around seeking good places to settle for the day, into not just late morning but some even to the afternoon hours of Saturday.
A nice find at Roosevelt Island was an Eastern Meadowkark, likely a first of fall for N.Y. County. That species was observed at several times of day, by several observers, and multiple other migrants were also observed there including some diversity in warblers and sparrows.
Randalls Island received a good number of observers and effort to find birds through the day, while Governors Island had somewhat fewer total species, it was also clearly very active with many birds, as was so all around the county, and in general around the wider region. Manhattan island with its many many observers all over the island and at every hour of day, plus some in the dark hours of twilight meant that Manhattan also had a very large tally of birds by end of Oct. 3rd. These sightings included at least 5 species of owls, some already known of.
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Both Governors Island and Randalls Island received the first known Nelsons Sparrows of the season for this county. Randalls also pulled out Dickcissel and Blue Grosbeak, while Governors brought American Pipits. The great day for Red-headed Woodpeckers was likely topped by up to five individuals of that species at Governors, at least two there being adults. Red-headed Woodpeckers also occurred at Randalls Island, and in the multiple at Central Park, although by far the most observers saw a single adult thru the day at Central, and there were also sightings of Red-headed at Riverside Park, and reports that strongly suggested others elsewhere in Manhattan on Saturday.
Clay-colored Sparrow was one more of the specials seen at Randalls Island, while all around the county were fresh additions of White-crowned Sparrows, Lincolns Sparrows, and many other sparrow species, along with the sparrow known as Dark-eyed Junco in higher numbers than previously. The at-least 12 species of sparrows for Saturday in this county also included Vesper Sparrow.
Warblers occurred in their strongest flight of this southbound season so far in this county with a large push of Yellow-rumped Warblers, all noted to form being of the expected Myrtle form. Also moving in very high numbers were Blackpoll Warblers as well as over ten additional species, including Palm Warblers of both the yellow and western forms. The county overall had at least 22 species of warblers, almost all or all of which were seen in the multiple, and many by the dozens to many-hundred, thru the county.
Eastern Phoebes made a big move on Saturday, the county overall receiving hundreds of new arrivals of that species, and seeing a very few E. Kingbirds now straggling after the main migrations of most kingbirds weeks ago. Also moving in numbers again on Saturday were Scarlet Tanagers, and in lesser but notable numbers, Baltimore Orioles. At least a few Rusty Blackbirds were seen, with others perhaps coming in with varied flocks of icterids. There were still a few later-moving Bobolinks.
An attempt at a comprehensive list of birds noted in N.Y. County on October 3, 2026 -
Brant - few, so far.
Canada Goose
Mute Swan - East River, ongoing.
Wood Duck - multiple.
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon - including a lingering one at The Pool in Central Park.
Mallard 
American Black Duck
Mallard x American Black Duck hybrids
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal - including lingerers at Central Park.
Ring-necked Duck
Ruddy Duck
duck sp. or waterfowl species - some distant birds not identified past Duck types or sizes.
Wild Turkey - ongoing at The Battery in Manhattan.
Pied-billed Grebe
FERAL Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - multiple.
Black-billed Cuckoo - several, photographed.
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - multiple.
American Coot
Killdeer
American Woodcock
Wilson's Snipe
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper - at Central Park.
Laughing Gull - many.
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Forsters Tern - still some around the waters of Randalls Island.
Common Loon
Great Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant - many on the move, new arrivals.
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron - ongoing at Randalls Island
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Coopers Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
owl species - a minimum of 5 spp in the county.
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - increased.
Red-headed Woodpecker - multiple, as partially noted already.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern -Yellow-shafted- Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Monk Parakeet - this species is at least a rare-resident, multiple sightings this fall.
Olive-sided Flycatcher - reported, getting a bit late.
Eastern Wood-Pewee - diminished numbers by now.
Least or Empidonax-genus Flycatcher - very few.
Eastern Phoebe - hundreds of new arrivals for the county.
Eastern Kingbird - few, and getting almost late now.
White-eyed Vireo - several.
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay - many hundreds, moving in diurnal flights.
American Crow
Fish Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
House Wren
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Veery - a few reports, now quite late since peak movement is many weeks past.
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainsons Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing - hundreds in morning flight.
House Sparrow
American Pipit - Governors Island.
House Finch
Purple Finch - rather few.
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow - Randalls Island.
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco - increased.
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow - increased.
Vesper Sparrow
Nelsons Sparrow - interior form, but possibly sightings of more than one form.
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincolns Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Bobolink
Eastern Meadowlark - Roosevelt Island.
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird - multiple, but not very many.
Common Grackle
blackbird sp.
-
Ovenbird - multiple.
Northern Waterthrush - multiples.
Black-and-white Warbler - fairly numerous overall.
Tennessee Warbler - multiple.
Nashville Warbler - many.
Common Yellowthroat - many - indeed common, for this day.
Hooded Warbler - at least low multiples, some of these likely lingering individuals.
American Redstart - many.
Cape May Warbler - many dozens of this species in the county, some locations having up to ten or more on the day, and some sightings of 4 or more at one time.
Northern Parula - very many, near common on the day.
Magnolia Warbler - many.
Bay-breasted Warbler - low multiples, some not definite, on a day when so many Blackpoll Warblers were on the move.
Blackburnian Warbler - in the low multiple.
Yellow Warbler - fair numbers around the county.
Chestnut-sided Warbler - multiple
Blackpoll Warbler - many, far more than on any prior single days in this county this fall.
Bay-breasted or Blackpoll Warbler sp.
Black-throated Blue Warbler - multiple
Palm Warbler - many of both the yellow form and the western form.
Pine Warbler - multiple
Yellow-rumped Warbler - all of the Myrtle form, as far as noted.
Prairie Warbler - multiple
Black-throated Green Warbler - multiple.
Setophaga sp. - some in this category, not identified to species.
- - - there were a few additional warbler species reported which require confirmations, mostly due only to the late date per species of some of those reports.
warbler sp. (Parulidae sp.) - plenty in this category, esp. as flyovers.
-
Scarlet Tanager - many, a large fresh arrival on Saturday.
- Summer or Scarlet Tanager sp. - some were undetermined to species.
- tanager sp. (Piranga sp.) - some not determined to species.
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - multiple.
Blue Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting -multiples.
Dickcissel
. . . And it was very likely at least a few additional migrant species occurred. Over 150 species known so far came into or passed by New York County on Saturday.
Thanks to many hundreds of observers and photographers for sightings, alerts, and reports as well as hot tips on some species.
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, October 2nd 2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today's tape are such storm related birds as SOUTH POLAR SKUA, NORTHERN FULMAR, LEACH'S STORM-PETREL, LONG-TAILED JAEGER and BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE among others plus BROWN PELICAN, EARED GREBE, AMERICAN AVOCET, MARBLED and HUDSONIAN GODWITS, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, LARK and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS, SUMMER TANAGER, BLUE GROSBEAK, DICKCISSEL and more.
A nor'easter, hammering our shores since Wednesday, September 23rd, finally lessened its grip on Monday but in the interim it provided us with some coastal excitement topped by the SOUTH POLAR SKUA nicely photographed off Montauk Point last Saturday. Then on Sunday at the Point a NORTHERN FULMAR was glimpsed cruising through the waves where other pelagics included a few PARASITIC JAEGERS plus CORY'S, SCOPOLI'S, GREAT, SOOTY and MANX SHEARWATERS and NORTHERN GANNETS in varying numbers.
Meanwhile in western Long Island Sound over the weekend an uncertain number of LEACH'S and WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS along with some PARASITIC JAEGERS gathered in the waters east of the Throgs Neck Bridge between Fort Totten in Queens and Belden Point on City Island. Despite generally poor viewing conditions a LONG-TAILED JAEGER was also identified off Fort Totten and City Island on Saturday and a juvenile BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was seen and photographed off City Island over the weekend.
A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was also found Saturday at Prospect Point on Long Island's north shore at Sam's Point. A BROWN PELICAN appeared Thursday on the ocean as viewed from the Fire Island hawkwatch site at Robert Moses State Park and the EARED GREBE at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge was still on the West Pond today.
Various shorebirds featured the AMERICAN AVOCET still at the north end of the East Pond at Jamaica Bay last Monday. An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER at Floyd Bennett Field Saturday to Monday was followed by 3 off Hulse Landing Road in Calverton Wednesday and 4 at Plumb Beach today. An UPLAND SANDPIPER was heard over Hulse Landing Road Wednesday. An HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL visited Jones Beach field 6 Monday. An HUDSONIAN GODWIT at Belden Point on City Island Saturday was followed by 2 at Timber Point Golf Course Tuesday and possibly today and 3 MARBLED GODWITS were on Goose Island off Massapequa Wednesday.
Single RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were noted in Green-wood Cemetery Tuesday, at Robert Moses State Park Thursday and at Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan today.
A LAPLAND LONGSPUR at Lake Montauk Sunday was followed by one at Robert Moses State Park today. A LARK SPARROW was seen at Floyd Bennett Field Monday and Wednesday and single CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were spotted Monday in Central Park, Fort Totten and on Governors Island with another in Prospect Park today.
A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was seen on Governors Island Monday and Tuesday with another at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx Wednesday. Single SUMMER TANAGERS were reported from Central Park Tuesday and Wednesday, at Robert Moses State Park Tuesday and at the South Fork Natural History Museum Wednesday. Eight BLUE GROSBEAK reports included individuals at Floyd Bennett Field, Robert Moses State Park, Sunken Meadow State Park, Planting Fields Arboretum and the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center while DICKCISSELS included one at Piermont Pier Thursday, one on Green-wood Cemetery Thursday and Friday and one at Kensico Reservoir in Westchester Thursday along with a BLUE GROSBEAK.
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: 10/3/26 2:34 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - Sat., 10/3 - Red-headed Woodpeckers redux
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Saturday, October 3rd -
One adult, among the multiple Red-headed Woodpeckers to be seen in Central Park, with more for all of N.Y. County on Saturday, was observed by far more than 300 people, mostly birders, and including more than 200 birders with multiple not-for-profit guided bird walks from the early morning onward. Other Red-headed Woodpeckers also were seen, and a much more thorough account of the very strong migrations all around N.Y. County - including more than 100 species of birds just in Central Park on Saturday, and far more for all of the county - will be written up in a report at a later time.
Thanks to vast numbers of observers and photographers out and about at all hours, in nearly every corner of the county for Saturday for sightings, re-finds, alerts, and reports.
Date: 10/3/26 2:07 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Sat. Oct. 3, 2026: Red-headed Woodpecker, Lincoln's Sparrow, Tennessee Warbler
Central Park NYC
Saturday, October 3, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Red-headed Woodpecker, Lincoln's Sparrow, Tennessee, Cape May and other Wood Warblers. Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak. In Addition: Miriam Rakowski reported a Black-billed Cuckoo east of Belvedere Castle; Dan Stevenson and Karen Evans reported Field and White-crowned Sparrows and Black-throated Blue and Black-throated Green Warblers in upper Shakespeare Garden.
Canada Goose - 12
Wood Duck - 1 male Turtle Pond
Mallard - 17
American Black Duck - 1 male Turtle Pond
Mourning Dove - around 20
Chimney Swift - 8-10
American Herring Gull 4 or 5 flyovers
Cooper's Hawk - 1 adult female at Azalea Pond (Bob-early)
Red-tailed Hawk - 3 flyovers
Red-headed Woodpecker - 1 adult Evodia Field (Annie Plum, MD)
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 or 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 4-6
Downy Woodpecker - 3
Hairy Woodpecker - heard
Northern Flicker - 15-20
Eastern Phoebe - 5 or 6
Blue-headed Vireo - 3 or 4
Red-eyed Vireo - 1 Belvedere Castle
Blue Jay - 10-15
American Crow - flock of 9
Common Raven - 1 flyover (Paul Curtis, MD)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 5
Northern House Wren - 2 (Upper Shakespeare Garden (Dan Stevenson), Pinetum (Deb-early))
Gray Catbird - 30-40
Brown Thrasher - 9-13
Swainson's Thrush - 12-15
Wood Thrush - 4 or 5
American Robin - 25-30
Dark-eyed Junco - 1 southeast Turtle Pond
White-throated Sparrow - 60-80
Song Sparrow - 9 or 10
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1 Tupelo Field
Swamp Sparrow - 1 Shakespeare Garden (Deb-early)
Eastern Towhee - 1 female south side Turtle Pond
Common Grackle - 8-10
Ovenbird - 1 Evodia Field
Black-and-white Warbler - 5 or 6
Tennessee Warbler - 1 southeast Turtle Pond
Common Yellowthroat - 5 or 6
American Redstart - 3
Cape May Warbler - 1 hatch-year female Boathouse Hill
Northern Parula - 4 or 5
Magnolia Warbler - 3 or 4
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1 Upper Lobe (Andrea Hessel, MD)
Palm Warbler - 1 "Western" Pinetum (Deb-early)
Pine Warbler - 2 or 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Gill Overlook
Scarlet Tanager - 3 or 4
Northern Cardinal - 5 or 6
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 6 or 7
Morningside Park and Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Friday, October 2nd -
The Connecticut Warbler found - O. Fischer - at the northern end of Morningside Park in Manhattan was later seen and very well-photographed by additional later seekers there, on Friday, Oct. 2nd. A lot of other nice migrant species were also seen at Morningside.
An adult Red-headed Woodpecker was found and reported - L. Beausoleil - in Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan, and on Friday morning, thru later on Friday, was subsequently seen as well as photographed by more observers there. It could potentially linger there for sone time. Other migrant species in nice variety were also present. For the Red-headed, some sightings were around the parks dog run up in an elm and also moving to other trees at times.
The value of birding the patches shows off. And, yes, observer-finder skill, as well as persistence, helps a great deal. Thanks to all for sightings, re-finds, alerts, reports and tips on the spot for birds showing in the areas of this report.
Another time for reports out of so-often noted Central Park sightings, and for various reports from all around the rest of N.Y. County in N.Y. City.
Date: 10/2/26 1:07 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Fri. Oct. 2, 2026: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, N. Yellow, Prairie, Black-throated Green and Other Wood Warblers
Central Park NYC
Friday October 2, 2026
OBS: Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Green-winged Teal, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Solitary Sandpiper, Northern Yellow, Prairie, Black-throated Green and Other Wood Warblers.
Canada Goose - 26
Gadwall - 10
Mallard - 50-60
Green-winged Teal - 3
Mourning Dove - 6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 2 Loch Overlook (Caren Jahre)
Chimney Swift - 10-12
Solitary Sandpiper - 1 at the Pool
American Herring Gull - 4 flyovers
Great Blue Heron - 1 Harlem Meer
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 flyover
Red-tailed Hawk - 2 or 3 flyovers
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 heard
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 3
Eastern Phoebe - 5
Blue Jay - 6
American Crow - 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 3
Northern House Wren - 1 Harlem Meer (Dan Stevenson)
Gray Catbird - 20-25
Brown Thrasher - 1 or 2 at the Pool
Northern Mockingbird - 1 Harlem Meer
Swainson's Thrush - 2 at the Pool (Paul Curtis)
Wood Thrush - 1 at the Pool
American Robin - around a dozen
House Finch - 2 at the Seep (Paul Curtis)
American Goldfinch - 10-12
White-throated Sparrow - 2 (Wildflower Meadow, Pool)
Song Sparrow - 2 or 3 Harlem Meer
Black-and-white Warbler - 5
Common Yellowthroat - 9
American Redstart - 5
Northern Parula - 5
Magnolia Warbler - 1 at the Seep
Northern Yellow Warbler - 1 at the Pool (Dan Stevenson)
Palm Warbler - 1 "Western" Compost
Prairie Warbler - 1 Harlem Meer (Paul Curtis)
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 at the Pool (Paul Curtis)
Northern Cardinal - 2 Loch
Date: 10/2/26 2:45 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - Oct. 1st - migration ongoing
Manhattan, N.Y. City -
thru Thursday, Oct. 1 -
There was a report of Blue Grosbeak at Central Park for early Thursday in female-like plumage. A fair amount of nocturnal migration was occurring overnight Thursday into Friday - today - and we shall learn how much of that nocturnal flight might have included liftoff and departure for birds having been lingering in Manhattan and other areas in this region. Indigo Buntings were much more widely reported again, including low multiples from around Central Park.
Yellow-billed Cuckoos were noted from several locations, including Central Park. Common Nighthawks were still pushing thru as well on Thursday, Oct. 1st. Great Crested Flycatcher was again found at Central Park on the first day of October. Modest numbers of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are present. Purple Finches were again appearing including some in Central Park on Thursday. Many observers noted an increase of Brown Thrashers from all around Manhattan, and including Central Park.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were again seen in fairly good numbers, most of all at locations with many appropriate flowers for their feeding needs. Chimney Swifts were ongoing, into high double-digits. Green Heron was still being noted from Central Park on Thursday.
At least 21 species of warblers were found in Central Park on Thursday, with some species running very slightly late at this date. These included Blackburnian, also seen elsewhere in Manhattan, and Tennessee, as well as Hooded Warblers, and at least 14 of the warbler species into double-digits per species for the day. 22 or more warbler species were found for all of Manhattan on Thursday.
Red-breasted Nuthatches were seen in multiple locations of Central Park, as was so elsewhere in Manhattan. At least 4 vireo species were found at Central Park, including White-eyed and Philadelphia, as well as Red-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos, the latter two species in the multiple.
A minimum of 8 native sparrow species were found in Manhattan, with all of those species also being seen at Central Park on Thursday. Lincolns Sparrow was found in at least 8 different parks and greenspaces of Manhattan. White-crowned was among the ongoing sparrow species, including some at Central Park on Thursday.
Ongoing into October at Central Park were American Wigeon, Green-winged Teals, Ruddy and Wood Ducks, N. Shovelers and other waterfowl. A rather small number of shorebirds were still being found around Manhattan. Laughing Gulls were again found in numbers, including at or over Central Park on Oct. 1st.
Over all of Manhattan, more than 105 species of birds were found on Thursday, and of those, nearly 90 species were seen at Central Park, these by many observers out at all varied hours of the day, and at Central, in all sectors of that park rather than only in a limited portion. Also providing many of the first sightings of some species for the new month was Inwood Hill Park, while additional parks and many other greenspaces added a wide variety of birds to the start of October.
Thanks to hundreds of observers and photographers either walking independently or in support of, or leading, guided not-for-profit bird walks, of which there were several in Central Park alone on Thursday, plus other such not-for-profit bird walks at other Manhattan locations as well, on the day, for so many sightings, alerts, tips in the field, and reliable reports.
Date: 10/1/26 4:34 pm From: marciaaabrahams at aol.com (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <NYSBIRDS-L...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Do not miss the next Queens County Bird Club/NY meeting on Wednesday, October 21st at 7:30 PM featuring Karlo & Alison Mirth "Peninsular Malaysia"!
Queens County Bird Club Monthly Meeting
Karlo & Alison Mirth present "Peninsular Malaysia"
Date & Time:Â Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 7:30 PM
Place:Â Alley Pond Environmental Center, 229-10 Northern Blvd, Douglaston, NYÂ 11362
In September 2025, Karlo and Alison Mirth went on a Calidris Birding Tours trip to the southern part of the Malaysia Peninsula. They visited lowland rainforests, mangroves, and highland areas including world-famous Fraser's Hill. Karlo and Alison arrived two days before the start of the tour to recover from jet lag and to bird on their own in a nearby park and acquaint themselves with commonplace birds. Besides seeing many new birds and bird families, there were many sightings of other fascinating fauna including several species of primates and mammals, reptiles, and over 30 species of butterflies.
There will be no coverage at the front desk, so please be prompt and ring the doorbell to be let in.Â
Marcia AbrahamsVP/Programs CoordinatorQueens County Bird Clubhttps://qcbirdclub.org/Email:Â <MarciaAAbrahams...>
Date: 10/1/26 3:50 pm From: marciaaabrahams at aol.com (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <NYSBIRDS-L...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Do not miss the next Queens County Bird Club/NY meeting on Wednesday, October 21st at 7:30 PM featuring Karlo & Alison Mirth ""Peninsular Malaysia"!
Queens County Bird Club Monthly Meeting
Karlo & Alison Mirth present "Peninsular Malaysia"
Date & Time:Â Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 7:30 PM
Place:Â Alley Pond Environmental Center, 229-10 Northern Blvd, Douglaston, NYÂ 11362
In September 2025, Karlo and Alison Mirth went on a Calidris Birding Tours trip to the southern part of the Malaysia Peninsula. They visited lowland rainforests, mangroves, and highland areas including world-famous Fraser's Hill. Karlo and Alison arrived two days before the start of the tour to recover from jet lag and to bird on their own in a nearby park and acquaint themselves with commonplace birds. Besides seeing many new birds and bird families, there were many sightings of other fascinating fauna including several species of primates and mammals, reptiles, and over 30 species of butterflies.
There will be no coverage at the front desk, so please be prompt and ring the doorbell to be let in.Â
Marcia AbrahamsVP/Programs CoordinatorQueens County Bird Clubhttps://qcbirdclub.org/Email:Â <MarciaAAbrahams...>
Date: 10/1/26 12:01 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - to 9/30 - Blue Grosbeak, Sum. Tanager, many other migrants
Manhattan, N.Y. City - thru Wed., September 30 -
A Blue Grosbeak in female-like plumage was seen and photographed - L. Beausoleil - at a grassy area on United Nations property in Manhattans east side on Wednesday.
A Summer Tanager in female plumage was still in the area of the Hallett Sanctuary at the north edge of The Pond - in Central Park, thru Wednesday 9-30, this being in that parks southeast sector. A Clay-colored Sparrows seen on Sept. 28 at Central Park has been confirmed after review.
More than 110 species of birds were being seen in Manhattan on Wednesday, 9-30. That number included at least 22 species of migratory warblers, of which many species were still around in numbers, including but not limited to Cape May, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Chestnut-sided and other warbler species. All of the noted warbler species thru Wednesday in Manhattan were also present just in Central Park on the day, with so many observers there at all hours and in all sectors of that park, however warblers of many species and many other migrants are being seen all around Manhattan in multiple parks and greenspaces, larger and smaller.
Not much noted from these reports lately, Marsh Wrens have turned up in multiple sites in N.Y. County, including various areas on Manhattan, among the latest at Inwood Hill Park in n. Manhattan to Wednesday. Also noted at Inwood Hill Park as of Wed., 2 N. Pintails. Golden-crowned Kinglets increased in numbers this week, being seen in multiple Manhattan sites, including again at Central Park. Ruby-crowned Kinglets are also still widespread, as expected thru the autumn here.
Many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are still lingering or passing thru, of course most commonly seen where appropriate flowers are blooming in any good quantities.
Common Nighthawks were continuing to be seen over Manhattan thru Sept. 30th.
At Central Park, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Ruddy and Wood Ducks are ongoing as are N. Shovelers and other typical waterfowl there. Laughing Gulls continue to frequent the C.P. reservoir, and are also still seen in multiple Manhattan and other locations of the county, most of all along the river estuaries or N.Y. Harbor.
Veery had been seen again in a few locations to the last day of September, including at Central Park. Other thrush species still being seen in multiple locations include some Gray-cheeked types, Wood, Swainsons, and Hermit Thrushes. Plenty of sparrows are showing in fair diversity and some increases occurred for some of the species this week. Lincolns and White-crowned Sparrows are each still being found. Scarlet Tanagers were continuing in fairly good numbers all around Manhattan to the end of September. Also still being seen in numbers around Manhattan were Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings, as well as many many other typical migrants.
The previously-noted brightly-plumaged Dickcissel at Central Park on Tuesday was seen by more than 50 observers that day, many as supporters of or participants to not-for-profit guided bird walks at that park, which continue in October, organized by a wide variety of nonprofit organizations and institutions.
A female Wild Turkey is an ongoing, long-staying near resident of Battery Park in lower Manhattan, regularly seen by birders and others. The Battery area of lower Manhattan is one of the sectors of Manhattan seeing a wide variety of migrants each day recently, this includes many waterfront parks and greenspaces, as well as some parks, publicly accessible churchyards, gardens, and places among the area greenspaces.
Thanks to many observers and photographers for so many sightings, alerts, and reports.
Date: 9/30/26 1:15 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - to Tues., 9/29 - Y.-br. Chat, Clay-col. Sparrow, Dickcissel + Sum.Tanager for Central Park, etc.
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan with Central Park, Governors Island, Randalls Island and Roosevelt Island, as well as the adjacent waters and skies above -
to Tuesday, September 29th -
A Clay-colored Sparrow was found on Governors Island on Monday, Sept. 28. A Yellow-breasted Chat was ongoing from Monday to Tuesday, Sept. 28-29, also at Governors Island. A good many more migrants, some in fairly strong numbers, were noted from Governors on recent days once the island was re-opened after a short hiatus to visitors in the peak storm period last weekend.
A brightly colored Dickcissel was among Tuesday highlights at Central Park, with this latest find of the species at a location just east of the parks West Drive roadway and west of the old bridle path, in the approx. latitude of W. 83-84 Streets. Birders locally sometimes refer to the location as Sparrow Rock, a holdout-name from days of birding that park in the twentieth century. Plenty of observers for this bird once the word was out. As is sometimes so with the species, this Dickcissel showed amiability with a group of House Sparrows, in this case standing out reasonably well in its much brighter plumage.
The now long-staying Summer Tanager, in female plumage, was still at the same area of Central Park by The Pond in the parks southeast corner, thru Tuesday, and yet again well-photographed there.
A Lesser Yellowlegs is one of the shorebirds now confirmed from Randalls Island on Monday, with the storm that brought rarer species in that and prior days in the area and in this county. Randalls had ongoing good variety in expected migrants thru Tuesday, including ongoing lingering Yellow-crowned Night Herons, and good diversity in both warblers and sparrows, as well as many other birds, but not the rarest birds of the storm-watching sessions.
Roosevelt Island has had rather less regular reporting but had migrants seen at the start of last weekend, those including Forsters Tern on Saturday. It is yet another of the many locations in this county that has the potential for an avian rarity, as-always dependent on some observers being around to potentially observe.
Among many and varied migrants being seen, Great Crested Flycatcher and Veery were among some species still around and just slightly late for any peak fall movements. Both of the latter were still being seen at Central Park. At the same time, more sparrows continue to come in to the county, and deserve further scrutiny as some less-common or even rare sparrows get to peak-possibilities in terms of potential date periods in coming weeks or months. As noted already in prior reports, White-crowned Sparrows have turned up in higher than expected numbers already in this county. It is slightly possible that some arrivals were in some way storm-affected.
At Central Park alone on Tuesday, at least 22 species of migratory warblers were seen by many, many observers, these including some with guided, organized bird walks for not-for-profit institutions and organizations, and by those walking independently, all including multiple photographers as well. A fair number of warblers were still being seen in good numbers, partially an indication that not all or perhaps not-most already present in the Parulidae tribe in this county chose to lift off on Monday night. Overall the county with its 4 major islands and many, varied greenspaces was still hosting a wide variety of migrant birds. With any boosts from such arrivals as waterfowl or certain other autumnal arrivals, this month could still tally near 200 species in the county, and at the least will run to over 190 species of confirmed species of wild and free-flying birds this month.
Of ongoing waterfowl, an American Wigeon, plus Green-winged Teal, Wood and Ruddy Ducks, multiple N. Shovelers were all ongoing at Central Park in Manhattan thru Tuesday, with all of those above duck species also appearing elsewhere in this county this month, mainly more-recently, along with regulars such as Gadwall, and movement of N. Pintails, plus the usual motley crew of waterfowl. A very few Brant had summered over in the county and some of those were still being seen. A number of Common Loons have been showing in the county, most as flyovers on the move, but at least a few in local waters here, numbers so far being quite modest.
Laughing Gulls continue their high numbers in this county, a situation already noted well before any recent storms and certainly not reduced yet after the latest storm. These are showing in many locations, including at times by the dozens at Central Park, mainly on or near the reservoir there. All gulls noticed at that reservoir can fluctuate greatly in numbers at any time of day and any part of a year. At times, one might find few to no gulls there, and within the same day there could be hundreds at a different time of the day. This has been so for a very very long time at that site within Central Park.
All sectors of the county had some migrant birds around thru Tuesday and in some locations the variety and numbers were fairly good, post-storm passage. Incidentally a bit of an effect from, or effects related to, that last storm which moved up the coast was still noticeable in the atmospheric layering to as far west as eastern Ohio on Tuesday morning, while the main rotation of that storm pulled off to or past the Canadian Maritime provinces later Tuesday.
Thanks to many observers for sightings, alerts, and reports this week of autumn, even as we could get a touch of summer again for a bit in the NYC area in the upcoming days.
Date: 9/29/26 3:25 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - 9/27-28 - 2 Storm Petrel spp., shorebirds, other storm birds and migrants, etc.
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Randalls, Manhattan, Roosevelt, and usually Governors Island, plus all adjacent waters and sky -
Mainly for Sunday and Monday, September 27 and 28 -
Wilsons Storm Petrel is exceedingly rare in this county, and at least one was noted by multiple observers from Randalls Island to Monday in the storm-winds that have brought many other birds farther west than usual or to be seen from land, in this county, with up to 4 of the Wilsons seen by some on storm watch on Sunday. The storm-petrel-shows seemed to be disappearing by later in the day Monday, as the storm pulled away.
Already noted, but with up to 6 Leachs Storm Petrels from Randalls Island as of Sunday, this latter species possibly staying unseen for Monday, while Wilsons Storm Petrel occurred from Randalls in up to at least 4 individuals tallied. It is certainly possible that more than these numbers of each of these Storm Petrel species were occurring in the various periods during the storm when being noted. Some quite good photos were obtained from some observing these 2 Storm Petrel species, each of course very rare for this county.
Up to twelve Pectoral Sandpipers were recorded from the storm passage watches, these all from Randalls Island, on Monday, and on Sunday, a sighting of 3 Dunlin have been confirmed also from Randalls Island. Black-bellied Plover was also a result of storm birding efforts, seen more briefly as a calling flyover, and still a rarity for this county.
Wilsons Snipe have just occurred in multiple locations in the county - this last is an annually occurring regular migrant here but is in some years fairly scarce. More than a dozen species of shorebirds have now been reported from this county this month, some earlier in the month as expected migrants, and some still being seen, also expected for now, such as Least, Solitary, and Spotted Sandpipers as well as Killdeer. At least one Yellowlegs was reported for Monday, needing to be confirmed.
Royal Terns sightings occurred in up to three seen at once, with a trio over the Hudson River on Sunday, and further sightings also from Manhattan, then by Monday, at least singly from Randalls Island. Other terns noted to species included multiple Forsters, rather few Common, and one documented Caspian Tern, most of these associated with the noreaster type storm passage, which was pulling away by later Monday Some other Tern spp. were hinted at in text in some reports but not actually reported and no others seeming to be documented in this county out of any recent days. Black Skimmer had shown again but not in anything like the numbers at the lower East River from Saturday.
Rusty Blackbird was again found and photographed in Manhattan and this time, Sunday, not in Central Park as happened a week ago, but at Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan. More of this species are reasonably likely to show in the coming month.
A Clay-colored Sparrow was reported from the Central Park Ramble on Monday, not the first day this species was suggested in the same area, this latest also awaiting confirmation after review thru eBird. Once a rare species, with the increased breeding range of this sparrow in the greater northeast, it is not as rare by any means as was before 2000. Generally still found more often in the later months of the year in this county as well as the local region.
White-crowned Sparrows have been found on all four of the larger islands of this county, some in groups rather than all just singletons, with the latest sightings including photos taken on Governors Island later on Monday, when the storm had moved off east. Also noted to Monday at Governors were Lincolns and other expected migrant sparrows, Bobolink, and on Monday, Black Skimmer, which was also seen by greater numbers of observers who arrived to Randalls Island thru the day Monday. As to White-crowned Sparrow observations at least five separate individuals, possibly more, were in Central Park alone on Monday, in widely separated areas with multiples being photographed, and others in a variety of other locations in Manhattan and the rest of this county. All of the annual and expected migrant sparrow species in this county are yet to show in the numbers likely to be found in the coming two months or so here.
A Connecticut Warbler seen on Sept. 25 at Washington Square Park in the Greenwich village section of Manhattan has been confirmed, and same for a Mourning Warbler running very slightly late, at Riverside Park in Manhattan on Sept. 28. Many warblers were lingering thru the stormy weather and some may yet be around before they choose to head south, out of this county. Almost all areas of the county continued to hold at least some migrant warblers, as well as many other types of migrant birds. At least 20 species of warblers were still present in the county thru Monday, 9-28.
Over 125 species of birds were noted for the county even on Monday alone, and numbers of total species might grow slightly if some rarer species are still to be ascertained or confirmed to species. The above likely omits some birds and sightings, as well as details on so many interesting finds or re-finds in this county in recent days.
Thanks to many hardy N.Y. County observers all thru the storm weather as well as those taking advantage of the less wet or windy periods recently, for many many hundreds of sightings, reports, many alerts and all sorts of good bird discussion and knowledge.
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, September 25th 2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today's tape are EARED GREBE, WHITE IBIS, SEDGE WREN, LEACH'S STORM-PETREL, AMERICAN AVOCET, AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW and LARK SPARROWS, SUMMER TANAGER, BLUE GROSBEAK, DICKCISSEL, and more.
Still lingering at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, the EARED GREBE was spotted as recently as Tuesday on the West Pond and 3 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were found on Bay Island south of the West Pond last Saturday. Over on the East Pond, which is still dealing with too high a water level, the AMERICAN AVOCET was noted at the north end both last Saturday and again today. Other shorebirds did include a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER and a WESTERN SANDPIPER, a couple of CASPIAN TERNS continue, and along the pond edges there have been up to 4 SORAS and a VIRGINIA RAIL. An immature WHITE IBIS visited the Tobay JFK Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary Saturday and the SEDGE WREN spending time on private property in Manhasset was still there Tuesday along with a LARK SPARROW.
A couple of very interesting birds in western Long Island Sound began Wednesday with the appearance of a couple of LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS spotted off City Island in the Bronx. These birds were difficult to see generally due to distance and a very wind-blown water offshore. It did include one with a broken wing that was retrieved by a boat visiting Hart Island. This excitement continued Thursday and Friday as well both from Belden Point on City Island and by birders at Nassau sites like Stepping Stone Park that provide views into Eastchester Bay east of the Throgs Neck Bridge. These waters likely will continue to be rough this weekend but the conditions are also presumably responsible for the juvenile BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE photographed off Belden Point Friday afternoon. Another LEACH'S STORM-PETREL was noted Thursday from Governors Island looking towards New Jersey and a STORM-PETREL was also spotted moving east well off Rye Thursday afternoon. A BLACK TERN was off City Island Sunday.
An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER visited Piermont Pier Sunday to Wednesday and another was at Five Island Park in New Rochelle Wednesday. Two BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were at Breezy Point last Saturday where 75 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and 3 CASPIAN TERNS were also present and a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was at Heckscher State Park field 7 Saturday and Tuesday with a WILSON'S PHALAROPE at that spot yesterday.
An AMERICAN BITTERN visited Prospect Park Lake last Saturday and 98 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were counted at Robert Moses State Park last Sunday.
Notable landbirds this week, not a great one for migration, included a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW at Brooklyn Bridge Park Saturday and 2 GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS at Randall's Island Tuesday plus a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT at the Welwyn Preserve in Glen Cove Wednesday. Warblers included an ORANGE-CROWNED plus a few CONNECTICUT and HOODED. Reports of SUMMER TANAGER came from Hempstead Lake State Park Saturday, at Randall's Island Sunday and Central Park much of the week and BLUE GROSBEAKS were encountered in Green-wood Cemetery Saturday, Fort Tilden Monday and Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay Wednesday while DICKCISSELS featured birds at Pelham Bay Saturday and Green-wood Wednesday and at the Lenoir Preserve and the Kensico Reservoir in Westchester today.
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: 9/27/26 1:59 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Saturday 9/26 - Black Skimmers, terns, other stormbirds, etc.
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Randalls, Governors, and Roosevelt Islands and the adjacent waters and sky -
Saturday, September 26 -
Up to fifteen Black Skimmers were found at and near the Pier 11 heliport on the lower
East River on Manhattans shore, the first alert from L. Beausoleil of around one dozen of this species bringing other birders in the morning of Sept. 26. These high numbers may be double or more to prior peak numbers in the modern era or known historic records of the species in county waters, and are also a rather late-in-year occurrence relative to past finds, most typical of summer months, for a species usually uncommon at best in this county, despite its regular occurrence and some breeding in some adjacent counties, including within N.Y. City.
Randalls Island in N.Y. County -which is at the juncture of westernmost Long Island Sound connecting to the estuary known as the East River of Manhattan, and off to the north-northwest, the estuary of the Harlem River dividing the southwest Bronx from Manhattan- had rather less-stunning birds show up by comparison to the eastern edges of the Bronx, notably Belden Point on City Island in Bronx County, from where Black-legged Kittiwake got plenty of attention on Friday, 9-25, and drew yet more watchers to the east Bronx Sound-watch, for Saturday 9-26 east-Bronx finds of, among other storm-driven species, up to ten or more Leachs Storm Petrels, Parasitic Jaeger and a number of other birds most likely almost-only on such a storm watch, as these days are providing. Randalls watchers found Forsters Terns, also being seen eastward in numbers, and there was a later-Saturday Caspian Tern off Randalls as well. Forsters Tern and Common Tern were each seen elsewhere on Saturday in N.Y. County. Great Cormorant off Randalls is an annually expected species for all of the cooler and cold months of each year, not a real surprise by this date, for the location or the county. Fair numbers of typical migrants were noted at Randalls on Saturday.
Governors Island had seemingly no unusual or unexpected birds reported from Saturday, and may have received relatively little observation compared with other locations, particularly by birders who left N.Y. County to observe farther east. There were some NY County-Manhattan observers trying their luck from Riverside Park and some other Hudson River locations on Saturday, no known rarities being reported.
Laughing Gulls were ongoing in numbers in various typical locations in the county, not at all unusual for all of this month, and likely to be found well into October here as well, with such good numbers around this year in this county.
Much of Saturday turned out either rain-free or just barely-drizzly in much of the county, although there was some variability in rainfall even in a fairly compact county as this one is. Winds were another matter, as were tides where the latter was noticed, with plenty of strong gusts and excessively high tide noted.
Another Connecticut Warbler was reported with some textual details on Saturday from Madison Square Park, following a report from Friday of that species from Washington Square Park, each in lower-mid Manhattan, Washington Square being within the Greenwich Village neighborhood. This is very much the time period of any year to seek that warbler species, and the somewhat high numbers of sightings and reports might lately be connected in part with regional weather of the past week, and thru this weekend.
Warbler species such as Blackpoll Warbler and Cape May Warbler were among a wider assortment of warbler species being found in many county locations, in numbers at some areas in the county. At least twenty species of warbler were found on Saturday in the county, and of those all but one species was noted from Central Park.
Over the county, a nearly similar number of expected seasonal migrants were found on Saturday as had been seen Friday here. There were many birds seeming to linger in much the same areas on both days. Sparrows again included White-crowned in the low multiple, while such species as Lincolns and Savannah Sparrow were ongoing, along with the various more-common migrant sparrow species. Coming days and weeks are likely to bring fresh batches of sparrow arrivals, with possibilities for rarer species. At Central Park, lingering species were many, including ongoing American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Ruddy and Wood Ducks and assorted other typical waterfowl of the month.
At least 90 species were found for N.Y. county on Saturday, even with the various observers who defected to other eastward locations, and of course a slight reduction of observers and photographers not wishing to come out and play in the wind and rains.
â¦â¦â¦
In rarer vagrant flycatchers, a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was still being seen across the far western side of NY state in Chautauqua County to Saturday. While vastly far from NY, or anywhere in the east, a stunning seabird find, probably new to the nation of Canada if confirmed in any avian-records committees, was confirmed for eBird, off British Columbia - of a Juan Fernandez Petrel, photographed and thus far agreed by experts to be of that species, and seen from land, no less. Thats in the northeastern Pacific so we easterners should not be expecting that, but it is a reminder that pelagic birds can show up at times far from where typically expected.
Thanks to all observers and photographers all around, for many sightings, alerts, and reports.
Good birding, and stay safe around high winds, tides, and waters.
Date: 9/26/26 1:35 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - 9/22 to 9/25 - Sum. Tanager, Or.-cr., CT, + 23 add’l. Warbler spp., etc.
Among many birds of interest seen by dedicated watchers at Governors Island on Thursday, 9-24 was a scoped Leachs Storm Petrel, a very rare sighting for New York County, or to be seen hereabouts from land. This bird, seen twice by observers familiar with this and other typically-pelagic birds, was not re-found later on, and was a bit distant to Governors Island when found and re-found. Modest numbers of Forsters Terns and at least a couple of Common Terns were noted on both 9-24 and 9-25, and while not at all unusual by date or location, Purple Finch was among species noticed from Governors Island, a species already found so far in low numbers in Mamhattan including at Central Park, earlier this month.
. . . .
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
A female-plumaged Summer Tanager, which has been well-photographed on multiple days by multiple people, has continued around The Pond and Hallett Sanctuary area in the parks southeast corner, thru Friday. This now by far the longest-lingering known individual of the species thus far this fall.
An Orange-crowned Warbler at Central Park on Sept. 22 is a confirmed sighting. One of the Connecticut Warblers of Central Park continued in the Ramble sector of the park to Friday, Sept. 25, confirmed as well. In total, at least 25 species of migratory warblers were found into the latter days of this week in Central Park, including the above birds. A few of the species are running very-slightly later than the average-peak fall dates for the particular species.
Olive-sided Flycatcher was among the flycatchers still being seen at Central Park thru Friday. Many of the Empidonax-genus flycatchers appear to have moved on, although Least Flycatcher was, unsurprisingly, still being noted. In the weeks and months going ahead thru fall, any Empidonax-type flycatcher seen ought to be closely scrutinized and if possible, video-audio recorded in case of any sort of vocalizations, or photographed, for the possibility of vagrant types of this genus, which may originate in western states. This would also hold for any flycatcher at all that might appear in any way different from the standard migrants we find here in each year.
Multiple White-crowned Sparrows have come in to Manhattan, some at Central Park and also in the multiple elsewhere, including at Inwood Hill Park. Far more sparrow arrivals are likely soon, with some additional migrants turning up this week including more Dark-eyed Juncos, Chipoing and White-throated Sparrows and assorted other species.
Philadelphia Vireo was still showing for many observers and photographers thru this week, most sightings from not-for-profit guided bird walks, offered regularly for Central and many other parks and areas in Manhattan, and all around N.Y. City, organized by nonprofit organizations and institutions in support of conservation, education, sound science, and natural diversity. The increasingly regular vireo by now, overall, however is Blue-headed Vireo.
Central Park still was managing to tally at least 95 species of wild, free-flying birds on Friday, 9-25, as found by hundreds of observers and photographers out at all hours of the day, and not restricted to any small sections of the park.
Thanks to many all around N.Y. County for sightings, alerts, and reports including photos, audio, video and good textual descriptions of rare or less-common birds.
Good rain-birding for the hardy, and take good care in high winds or any storm-surge areas of the region.
Date: 9/25/26 4:38 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Fri., Sept. 25, 2026: Sparrows and Wood Warblers (14 Species)
Central Park NYC
Friday, September 25, 2026
OBS: Deborah Allen, Robert DeCandido, PhD, m.ob.
Highlights seen mostly at the North End (Deb), with additions from the Ramble (Bob): White-crowned, Savannah, Lincoln's and Swamp Sparrows; Wood Warblers (14 Species including Cape May, Blackpoll, Chestnut-sided, and Yellow-rumped Warblers). Also noted: A Brown Creeper at Azalea Pond thanks to Andrew Rubenfeld. Ruben Giron reported a Nashville Warbler near the Davis Center.
-
Canada Goose - around 30
Northern Shoveler - 4
Gadwall - 20-15
American Wigeon - 1 hatch-year bird at the Pool
Mallard - 60-70
Green-winged Teal - 2 at the Pool, one a male with rust on the chin
Mourning Dove - 25-30
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2 Conservatory Garden
American Herring Gull - 6 or 7 flyovers
Great Blue Heron - 1 hatch-year Harlem Meer
Red-tailed Hawk - 3 or 4
Barred Owl - continuing bird snacking on E. Chipmunk
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 at the Loch
Downy Woodpecker - 1 Loch (Sophie Van Brussel)
Northern Flicker - 10-15
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 4
Eastern Phoebe - 7
Blue-headed Vireo - 2 (Harlem Meer (Tom Cowieson), Lily Ponds)
Red-eyed Vireo - 1 at the Loch (Claire Buyens)
Blue Jay - 3 or 4
American Crow - 3
Gray Catbird - 3
Northern Mockingbird - 5
Swainson's Thrush - 1 at the Pool (Claire Buyens)
American Robin - around 2 dozen
American Goldfinch - 3 near Davis Center (Dasha)
White-crowned Sparrow - 1 Maintenance Field
Savannah Sparrow - 2 near Plant Nursery (Caren Jahre)
Song Sparrow - 1 Compost
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1 Maintenance Field
Swamp Sparrow - 3
Brown-headed Cowbird - 4
Common Grackle - 2 Plant Nursery
Ovenbird - 1 North Woods
Northern Waterthrush - 3
Black-and-white Warbler - 3
Common Yellowthroat - 4
American Redstart - 11
Cape May Warbler - 1 Laupot Bridge
Northern Parula - 8
Magnolia Warbler - 1 Harlem Meer (Paul Curtis)
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1 Tupelo Field
Blackpoll Warbler - 1 Grassy Knoll
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 5
Palm Warbler - 5
Pine Warbler - 1 Green Bench (Paul Curtis)
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Green Bench
Scarlet Tanager - 1 male at the Pool (Marta Torres)
Northern Cardinal - 4 or 5
Date: 9/24/26 12:15 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Thu., Sept. 24, 2026: Cape May and Other Wood Warblers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Central Park, NYC
Thursday, September 24, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights on a cool and breezy morning: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brown Thrasher, Cape May and Other Wood Warblers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Canada Goose - 11
Mallard - 14
Mourning Dove - 20-25
Chimney Swift - 8-10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 3
American Herring Gull - 3 flyovers
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 or 4
Downy Woodpecker - 2 or 3
Northern Flicker - 6-9
Red-eyed Vireo - 3
Blue Jay - 8-10
American Crow - 4 or 5 heard (Bob-early)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 Maintenance Field
Gray Catbird - 8-10
Brown Thrasher - 5 or 6
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 1 Maintenance Field
Swainson's Thrush - 5 or 6
American Robin - 25-30
House Finch - 3
White-throated Sparrow - 3
Song Sparrow - Tupelo Field
Ovenbird - 1 Shakespeare Garden
Black-and-white Warbler - 3 or 4
Common Yellowthroat - 5 or 6
American Redstart - 10-12
Cape May Warbler - 2 Azalea Pond
Northern Parula - 6
Magnolia Warbler - 2 or 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 3 or 4
Northern Cardinal - 3 or 4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 7
Date: 9/24/26 9:01 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - to Thurs., 9/24 - Summer Tanagers, 22+ Warbler spp., etc.
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
into Thursday, September 24 -
A female-plumaged Summer Tanager was ongoing to Thursday around the Hallett Sanctuary area in the parks southeast corner - this individual had been lingering in that area for some time by now.
Veery was found in the Ramble section of the park on Thursday during a guided bird walk led for the nonprofit institution, the American Museum of Natural History. Other related thrushes also found on Thursday included Gray-cheeked Thrush - and others with that appearance not designated to species, and Swainsons, Hermit, and Wood Thrushes. Golden-crowned Kinglet is new to this season here, and besides Central Park at least a few were turning up elsewhere in the county by Thursday. Ruby-crowned Kinglets are the more-numerous as is typical for this early-autumn period here.
At least 22 species of migratory warblers were ongoing at Central Park, with some species still in double-digit numbers over all of the park. In waterfowl, Ruddy Duck, Green-winged Teals, and American Wigeon all continue in the park, as do multiple Wood Ducks, N. Shovelers, and Gadwall along with other usual waterfowl of the park. Laughing Gulls continue to show, especially at the C.P. reservoir, in numbers.
Overall for Thursday morning alone over 85 species of birds were being found, with more a possibility on the day. Many other parks and greenspaces all around Manhattan had migrant birds into Thursday, as well as more generally around all of the county. More reports may be forthcomingâ¦
Thanks to many observers and photographers for sightings, alerts, and reports.
Date: 9/22/26 6:04 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Tues, 9/22 - Grasshopper Sparrow, ongoing Sum. Tanager & CT Warbler, etc.
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Randalls, Roosevelt, Governors, and Manhattan islands and the adjacent waters and sky -
Tuesday, September 22 -
At least one photographed Grasshopper Sparrow was found - A. Drogin - at the defunct driving range section of Randalls Island on Tuesday, with other observers also able to see and photograph. There may have been a 2nd individual of that species in the area. Many other migrants were also seen on Randalls, and the Yellow-crowned Night Herons were still around, at this most-reliable site for the latter in this county.
A female Summer Tanager was still at Central Park, in the area near Hallet Sanctuary in the parks southeast corner. A Connecticut Warbler was seen in the Ramble of Central Park by a not-for-profit birding group, as well as by additional independent observers, this bird perhaps a lingering individual there.
At least 5 vireo species were present in Central Park, including photographed Philadelphia and Yellow-throated Vireo. Many other migrant species were still being seen in Central Park, and at many, many other locations around the county. An American Wigeon has lingered in Central Park, as some more waterfowl movements occur around the county. Green-winged Teal also were ongoing at Central Park.
Other migrant birds hanging in thru Tuesday included Great Crested Flycatcher, Veery, and multiple Indigo Buntings, Scarlet Tanagers, and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks as well as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in some places with appropriate nectar sources.
Migrant birds continue to be seen in good diversity in the larger and many smaller parks as well as many other greenspaces, including various gardens, churchyards open to the public, plazas and still other places around the county.
Thanks to many observers and photographers for sightings, alerts, and reports.
Date: 9/21/26 3:59 pm From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - Mon., 9/21 - 21+ Warbler spp
LCentral Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Monday, September 21 -
As found by independent observers and photographers and by those with or in support of not-for-profit organizations and institutions offering regular guided bird walks which support conservation, education, sound science, and natural diversity, including many guided walks in Central Park and in many other locations around the county and N.Y. City, those in Central Park on Monday found at least 21 species of migratory warblers, that tally not including the report of a Connecticut Warbler in the Ramble area. In lower Manhattan a Canada Warbler, very slightly late for that species, was additionally noted.
Sparrows found in Central Park again on Monday included Lincolns, Savannah, Swamp, Chipping, Field, many-multiple White-throated and the nearly year-round Song Sparrows. Indigo Buntings were also still being found. Among the multiple flycatcher species were slightly-late now Great Crested Flycatcher as well as some Empidonax-genus flycatchers, including Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Olive-sided Flycatcher was also reported Monday. At least 4 species of vireos were found on Monday, with Eastern Warbling Vireo getting slightly-late, while Red-eyed Vireo is still moderately common and Blue-headed Vireos might still increase. White-eyed Vireo is a species that has, very rarely, even wintered in N.Y. City, and is an annual breeder in this city.
Also in Central Park, another report was made of Summer Tanager, in a month which has featured multiple confirmed sightings for the county. More than ninety species of wild, free-flying birds were found on Monday 9-21 for Central Park alone, by birders and photographers out all thru the day and in all sectors of that park, rather than only one section and for only a limited time period.
Thanks to many observers and photographers for sightings, alerts, and reports.
Date: 9/21/26 3:13 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Mon. Sept. 21, 2026: Raptors, Cape May, Bay-breasted, and Chestnut-sided Warblers
Central Park NYC
Monday, September 21, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Osprey, Cooper's Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Great Crested Flycatcher, Brown Thrasher (9), Wood Thrush (8-10), Cape May, Bay-breasted, Chestnut-sided and Other Wood Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak. In addition: Patricia Essler reported a Scarlet Tanager at Tupelo Field, and Andrew Rubenfeld reported a Winter Wren at the Gill Overlook.
Mallard - 3
Chimney Swift - 8-10
American Herring Gull - 1 flyover
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 1 adult flying low over the Lake
Osprey - 1 flyover
Cooper's Hawk - 1 adult Azalea Pond (Bob-early)
Broad-winged Hawk - 1 flyover adult
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 or 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 2 (Strawberry Fields, Evodia Field (Karen Evans))
Downy Woodpecker - 1 male Gill Source
Northern Flicker - 8-10
Great Crested Flycatcher - 1 Gill Overlook (Iron Railing)
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 6-8
Red-eyed Vireo - 1 Strawberry Fields
Blue Jay - 8-10
American Crow - 2 or 3 heard
Northern House Wren - 1 Gill Overlook
Gray Catbird - 12-15
Brown Thrasher - 9
Swainson's Thrush - 4 or 5
Wood Thrush - 8-10
American Robin - 20-15
Song Sparrow - 1 south end of Lake (Bob-early)
Ovenbird - 3
Northern Waterthrush - 1 Evodia Field (Karen Evans, Dan Stevenson)
Black-and-white Warbler - 3 or 4
Common Yellowthroat - 4 or 5
American Redstart - 12-14
Cape May Warbler - 2 (Gill Overlook, east of Azalea Pond)
Northern Parula 3 or 4
Magnolia Warbler - 2 or 3
Bay-breasted Warbler - 1 Strawberry Fields
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1 Gill Overlook
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 4 or 5
Northern Cardinal - 4 or 5
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 3
Date: 9/21/26 4:44 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Sunday, 9/20 - migrants, incl. Sum. Tanager, Dickcissel, etc.
N.Y. County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Randalls, Governors, and Roosevelt Islands and the adjacent waters and sky -
thru Sunday, September 20th -
At Randalls Island among many other species, a Summer Tanager showed, one among the higher-than-expected fall sightings of this species already documented in this county. A Dickcissel showed at Inwood Hill Park in n. Manhattan, that also a species turning up in higher than the usual lower number anticipated this early in the season of southbound migrations in this county.
Over the county, at least 20 species of warblers were found on Sunday with at least 19 of those twenty species seen at Central Park by observers unruffled by forecasts of real rain - of which there was some, while much of Sunday was mild, humid, rather overcast, and still featured over 100 species of birds in the county. Birds such as Veery, Great
Crested Flycatcher, and others typically of slightly earlier peak-departure timing were still being found in the county. Other areas of the county also featured many migrants again after very active migrations on prior days.
Thanks to rainy-day observers and photographers for Sunday sightings, alerts, and reports of many migrants.
Date: 9/20/26 10:20 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - Sat., 9/19 - great migration diversity
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Governors, Randalls, Roosevelt and Manhattan islands and the adjacent waters and sky -
Saturday, September 19 -
Nearly 120 species of birds showed at Central Park in Manhattan on Saturday, with numbers of new arrivals and reinforcements of some species which were already present there. However, the county overall featured a much broader variety of migrants and plenty to be seen on all 4 of the major islands of the county. There was a quite good morning-flight in all sectors of the county, and also a strong flight during the night from Friday into Saturday, with of course far more birds that carried on, moving farther south, and passing over the local area in the night.
An E. Whip-poor-will at Central Park was seen well by many - including by multiple observers walking independently, and with photos taken by some. In the category of caprimulgids, more Common Nighthawks were also seen, a few during full daylight.
Connecticut Warblers have been noted from multiple locations, with one on Governors Island well-photographed on Saturday. Various other sightings are so far this year not as well-documented, some even when noted by experienced observers.
Red-headed Woodpeckers were found in at least 2 locations on Saturday, both being adult birds, one at Randalls Island, and another at Central Park, the latter just-possibly a lingering bird, although the species has been moving in fair numbers around the wider region.
Dickcissel has been doing nicely in terms of appearances in this county - and around the wider region - recently, and another sighting of a vocal bird of this species came from Governors Island on Saturday, where many migrants were seen by large numbers of observers in yet another of the multiple not-for-profit guided bird walks occurring almost daily now in this county, with supporting institutions and organizations which lead on such areas as outreach in conservation and education, sound science, and strong support for natural diversity, and happily with more and more young people from many backgrounds coming to enjoy our birds and all of nature.
The Saturday Dickcissel at Central Park in Manhattan was seen and heard by fewer observers but also is fully confirmed and, it might still be lingering in that park, as with the other individual seen at Governors. Bobolinks have continued passing thru with some going thru Manhattan including Central Park, on Saturday and in many other county locations, in modest numbers.
A Rusty Blackbird in basic -ie winter- plumage was seen and well-photographed at Central Park on Saturday, the first of the season. A Pine Siskin is a confirmed sighting from Governors Island on Saturday, and a small flight of Purple Finch occurred thru at least far west Manhattan. Red-breasted Nuthatches were again detected from some locations, including in Central and many other parks in Manhattan. Some of the latter seemed to be new arrivals.
The movement of Scarlet Tanagers on Saturday morning was exceptional, and that movement was also noted from tens of miles out of Manhattan if not much farther, with more than 50 Scarlets in and over Central Park alone on Saturday, and vastly more - well into triple-digits for all of the county - on the day. It might be a good time to be checking for any potential vagrant Tanagers that could be around, beyond the uncommon Summer Tanagers of which we have had low multiples recently.
Vireos have continued to include all six of the annually occurring species with this seasons good showing by Philadelphia Vireo continuing with multiples of that species. All of the other five vireo species were still present at Central Park to Saturday. For flycatchers, a fairly good diversity was still being seen around the county, but some species are now showing diminished numbers, as more E. Phoebes come in.
We are in that phase of the year where there are still Great Crested Flycatchers pushing through but, any Myiarchus-genus flycatcher seen in coming weeks or months ought to be scrutinized and if possible, closely photographed or video-audio recorded so as to check details in the case of potential rarer vagrant species. This also would be best for sightings of Empidonax-genus flycatchers noted in the coming weeks or months, and even for any flycatcher that looks not-quite like an expected local, such as Eastern Phoebe of which we can sometimes see lingerers to early winter, or later in some years.
We also are in that time of year for paying some attention to Hummingbird details as the weather and season changes. For now, all sightings here have been of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and that species can be ongoing for some weeks or longer, but that species is less and likely as the year goes along. By November, a vagrant species of hummingbird, with some variety of species as possibilities, becomes as-likely, if any hummingbird is found in the northeast, and the vagrant rather than the Ruby-throated is actually the more-likely by the final six weeks of the year in late Nov. or December. Photos, videos, very close observations will all be very helpful.
Waterfowl and waterbirds turning up on Saturday also included some Common Loons, including a couple overflying Manhattan and Central and Riverside Parks, and a
also over Randalls Island on Saturday. A Ruddy Duck was a new arrival at Central Park, where American Wigeon also continued, and another Am. Wigeon was found at Randalls Island. The Yellow-crowned Night Heron still is best sought in this county at Randalls, and we shall see how late into this year that species persists.
A nice movement of N. Pintails was observed going past Central Park in morning flight, while Green-winged Teal were noted, and many N. Shovelers, as well as some Wood Ducks continuing at Central Park and elsewhere, along with all the usual summering-over-all waterfowl of the county. Laughing Gulls are still moderately common, as expected for now, and a rather few Common Terns were still around mainly from the N.Y. Harbor area or the south end of the Hudson river. Double-created Cormorants have been moving by the many-hundreds and some groups flying over were into the 80-plus range per group. Vast numbers of N. Flickers were moving thru, not especially unusual for this time of year, in any case numbers just for Manhattan only were likely up to quadruple digits in morning hours on Saturday. Within that cohort, other woodpecker species were likely to be much less obvious even if on the move such as the less widely understood and lesser movements in some seasons, of Red-bellied Woodpecker and other species of woodpecker.
Thanks to many hundreds of observers on Saturday from all around the county, for sightings, alerts, and reports, many with photos or video-audio included.
Date: 9/19/26 4:10 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Sat. Sept. 19, 2026: E. Whip-poor-will, White-eyed Vireo, 14 Wood Warbler Species
Central Park NYC
Saturday, September 19, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: E. Whip-poor-will, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, White-eyed Vireo, 14 Wood Warbler Species including Hooded Warbler. In addition, Andrew Rubenfeld reported a Connecticut Warbler.
Canada Goose - 12
Mallard - 15
Mourning Dove - 15-20
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 4
Eastern Whip-poor-will - 1 gray-morph near Gill Overlook
Chimney Swift - 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 4-6
American Herring Gull - 2 or 3 flyovers
Cooper's Hawk - 2 (1 adult, 1 immature) Ramble
Barred Owl - continuing since last Saturday
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 4 or 5
Downy Woodpecker - 1 Shakespeare Garden
Northern Flicker - 25-30
Great Crested Flycatcher - 1 Maintenance Field
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 8-10
Least Flycatcher - 1 south side Turtle Pond (Annie Plum)
White-eyed Vireo - 1 Strawberry Fields (Caren Jahre)
Red-eyed Vireo - 3 or 4
Blue Jay - 8-10
American Crow - 3 or 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1 south side Turtle Pond
Northern House Wren - 2 or 3
Gray Catbird - 15-20
Brown Thrasher - 8-10
Veery - 3 or 4
Wood Thrush - 3
American Robin - 25-20
Common Grackle - 80-100
Ovenbird - 2 or 3
Black-and-white Warbler - 3 or 4
Common Yellowthroat - 5 or 6
Hooded Warbler - 1 female Maintenance Field (Scott Brevda)
American Redstart - 8-10
Cape May Warbler - 2 Shakespeare Garden
Northern Parula - 3 or 4
Magnolia Warbler - 6 or 7
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1 south side Turtle Pond (Annie Plum)
Blackpoll Warbler - 1 Azalea Pond
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 5 or 6
Palm Warbler - 2 (Sparrow Rock (Edmund Berry), Pinetum (Deb))
Pine Warbler - 4 or 5
Black-throated Green Warbler - 3 (John Bitetti, Edmund Berry)
Scarlet Tanager - 3
Northern Cardinal - 5 or 6
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 7
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, September
18, 2026 at 11:00 pm. The highlights of todayâs tape are WHITE IBIS,
WESTERN KINGBIRD, SEDGE WREN, EARED GREBE, AMERICAN AVOCET, RED-NECKED
PHALAROPE, HUDSONIAN GODWIT, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, LARK and
CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER,
SUMMER TANAGER, BLUE GROSBEAK, DICKCISSEL and more.
A continuing immature WHITE IBIS out in Orient at Brownâs Point Marsh
at least to Saturday was joined locally Thursday by a large incursion
of virtually all immature birds, commencing with 23 seen flying out
from the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge early Thursday
morning; shortly thereafter an estimated 20 or more were viewed
feeding with egrets and herons in the tidal marshes at Oakwood Beach
on Staten Island just north of Great Hills Park, these ultimately
flying off to the southwest, and around noon a group of 4 immatures
was spotted at Gilgo, also soon moving on. And there could be more to
come.
A WESTERN KINGBIRD appeared on Governors Island Saturday, and a SEDGE
WREN was heard and occasionally seen near the pollinator garden at
Caumsett State Park Saturday to Monday, with another also noted again
Tuesday on private property in Manhasset.
The EARED GREBE lingering on the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife
Refuge was still present Tuesday, while on the East Pond, where the
water level remains much higher than appropriate for the fall
shorebird season, nonetheless, the north end especially has attracted
an AMERICAN AVOCET, present Sunday through today, a couple of
HUDSONIAN GODWITS, one continuing through Thursday at least, up to
five WILSON'S PHALAROPES, with 2 present today, other shorebirds such
as LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER and WESTERN SANDPIPER, and along the edges
multiple SORAS and VIRGINIA RAIL.
0ther shorebirds featured scattered AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, which on
Sunday included 14 at Nickerson Beach, 25 on a sod field in Miller
Place that also had a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, 7 off Mill Lane in
Mattituck and 1 on Jerome Reservoir in the Bronx again, with 2 at
Jones Beach West End Monday, while other BUFF- BREASTEDS featured 3 at
Breezy Point Tuesday, 1 Friday, and 1 at Fort Tilden Sunday.
Two RED-NECKED PHALAROPES dropped down on the Hudson River off
Piermont Pier today, and another was on the ocean off Hither Hills
Wednesday.
The summering GLAUCOUS GULL was at Coney Island Beach last weekend,
and 3 BLACK TERNS were photographed cruising over Prospect Park Lake
in the rain last Sunday.
A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was in Green-Wood Cemetery last weekend and at
the Salt Marsh Nature Center at Marine Park today.
LARK SPARROWS included 2 on Governors Island Sunday, 1 in Green-Wood
Cemetery Monday, and 1 at the Fire Island hawk watch Monday and
Thursday, and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were noted in Prospect Park
Tuesday and Friday and at Floyd Bennett Field Thursday.
YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS were reported from Governors Island and Fire
Island Sunday, Planting Fields Arboretum in Brookville Wednesday and
Arshamomaque Preserve in Greenport today, and a good variety of
WARBLERS included a GOLDEN-WINGED in Prospect Park today, plus a few
CONNECTICUT, MOURNING and HOODED.
A SUMMER TANAGER was in Central Parkâs north end Saturday and in
Tompkins Square Park today, and BLUE GROSBEAKS were found on Governors
Island Tuesday to Thursday, and Wednesday at Fort Totten Park in
Queens and at Planting Fields.
Single DICKCISSELS were noted in Central, Prospect and Kissena Parks
and at Breezy Point.
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: 9/19/26 12:11 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - Fri., 9/18
Manhattan, N.Y. City - Friday, September 18th -
A female-plumaged Summer Tanager was well-photographed - Z. Nyugen - at Tompkins Square Park in lower-east Manhattan on Friday.
American Woodcock was a new addition - A. Evans - to birds of the southbound sseason for the county, and also new for Canal Park in lower west Manhattan, found on Friday.
Common Nighthawks continue to move across Manhattan as seen from multiple locations. Broad-winged Hawks overflew Manhattan, including over Central Park, in what was by-far the strongest overall flight of that species thru the local as well as wider region on Friday, for this season so far.
At least 18 species of migratory warblers were present in Central Park on Friday, Sept. 18th. Among the many species seen was Mourning Warbler. Over 80 species of wild, free-flying birds were seen just in that park on Friday, with far more for all of Manhattan and N.Y. County.
Date: 9/18/26 12:03 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC - Thurs., 9/17 - 21+ Warbler spp., etc.
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City -
Thursday, September 17th -
A minimum of 21 species of migratory warblers were found in Central Park on Thursday, seen by many observers throughout all of that park and over all hours of the day, rather than from one limited area or in a very limited space of time. Not included in the tally of 21 species, there was at least one report of a Connecticut Warbler, a species that is fully expected at this period in southbound migration, and-but ideally should receive review and confirmation. Other migrants that were ongoing at Central on Thursday included Veery, Gray-cheeked, Wood, and multiple Swainsons Thrushes, and still-early Hermit Thrush. A Marsh Wren reported on Sept. 16 at Central Park is a confirmed sighting. Blue-headed Vireo had begun to be found in somewhat greater numbers. Green-winged Teal is ongoing at The Pool in the parks n-w quadrant. Many other migrant species were ongoing, including numbers of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, multiple Yellow-billed Cuckoos, and the Barred Owl by now observed by far more than ten thousand people, not all self-described as -birders-.
. . . . .
A Blue Grosbeak in female-like plumage was again noted at Governors Island in N.Y. County, just south of Manhattan island, on 9-17. There was a report of Blue Grosbeak from Central Park which will need reviewing.
. . . .
Monarch butterflies which are now migrating thru on their way to wintering areas mainly in south-central Mexico were found in great numbers around Central Park on Thursday. Many more might be moving along on Friday, Saturday and in any coming days with northerly winds.
Date: 9/17/26 2:26 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC - to 9/16 - various arrivals and other migrants
2 Blue Grosbeaks were reported, and confirmed, from Governors Island just south of Manhattan - and each a part of N.Y. County - on Wednesday, Sept. 16th.
. . . .
Manhattan, N.Y. City - to Wednesday, September 16th -
A Virginia Rail was confirmed from a sighting in the vicinity of Columbus Park in lower east Manhattan, late-day on Tues., 9-15. A Dark-eyed Junco at Central Park was likely the first sighting of the season there, or for the county, also on 9-15, and showing at Central Park by Wed., 9-16 was Field Sparrow. Additional Ruby-crowned Kinglets have been appearing around Manhattan, and were in the low-multiple at Central Park.
A minimum of 21 warbler species were found at Central Park on Wednesday, by many many observers and photographers thru all of that park and observing at all hours of the day. Thrushes still included Veery, and Gray-cheeked Thrush - and such types, as well as multiple Wood and particularly Swainsons Thrushes, with a very few well-documented Hermit Thrush, all these in other places in Manhattan and the county, besides those in Central Park to Wednesday, 9-16.
For Central Park alone, more than 140 species of wild, free-flying birds have shown so far this month, all as found by both independent observers and those leading or in support of not-for-profit guided bird walks in that park, and with many walks also being offered in migration and other seasons all around the NYC area, by multiple non-profit organizations and institutions. For all of New York County, more than 160 species of birds were so far recorded and confirmed in September. Many more species are likely to be found, as this month continues along.
Thanks to hundreds of observers and photographers for sightings, alerts, and reports for many locations in Manhattan and in the rest of N.Y. County.
Date: 9/16/26 2:37 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - to 9/15 - Blue Grosbeak & many other migrants
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan, Governors, Randalls, and Roosevelt islands and the adjacent waters and sky -
thru Tuesday, September 15th -
A Blue Grosbeak in female-like plumage was lingering on at Governors Island thru Tuesday, and some Bobolinks were also still being found there, as were many other migrants. A report came on Monday, 9-14 from the general vicinity of Governors Island and-or the ferry dock area at the south tip of Manhattan for a Pied-billed Grebe, with no further details. Governors has been receiving many migrants this month, and while some of course have moved on, some are, or could still be, lingering on that island. At least 24 species of warblers have occurred there so far this month and some additions to the list of warblers are still very possible.
Going back to the night of Sept. 11 and into the early morning dark hours of Sept. 12, the team of keen observers at the 9-11 memorial Tribute in Light who monitor and record migrants coming into the powerful light beams on just that one night found many warblers, as is typical with strong migrations here seen in most years on or around those dates. Among the many warblers that could be identified, including from photos taken during that night this year, Golden-winged and Connecticut Warblers were each noted, along with a wide diversity of other species. It is certainly possible that other Connecticut Warblers have passed thru this county in their often-skulking way, as stopovers in potentially any place in this county. That species has in past years in fall migration turned up in gardens, churchyards open to the public, various other small greenspaces, and of course in parks large and small and various other kinds of locations in the county.
At Central Park, an American Wigeon as well as Green-winged Teal were continuing thru Tuesday. Double-digit numbers of N. Shovelers also remain in Central and may increase further fairly soon. Also seen again in that park on Tuesday, Philadelphia Vireo which is having a fairly good fall by numbers of well-documented observations in this county.
Some shorebirds persist including Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers in multiple locations including at Central Park, while elsewhere are lowered numbers of Least, and far fewer of Semipalmated Sandpipers. Killdeer also continue in locations where they are regular.
Common Tern, diminished in numbers by now, were still being found off lower Manhattan at the Hudson River Piers as well as around N.Y. Harbor including being noted from Governors Island but less-frequently than in the earlier part of this month. At Randalls Island Yellow-crowned Night Heron was still to be seen to Tuesday. Black-crowned Night Herons are far more widespread in this county. Green Herons are ongoing for now in multiple locations, and both Snowy and Great Egrets were also still being seen.
Very modest signals of the approach of a change in season, some additional Brown Creepers have been turning up this week, and some White-throated Sparrows, in very modest numbers may be turning up in areas where none were as little as one week prior, and to some extent the same is so for Lincolns Sparrows, while Red-breasted Nuthatches - not really indicative of the season, however - are becoming more widely-noticed in the county, and in some locations such as Central Park, are seen daily by some among the hundreds and hundreds of weekly observers in that park.
Thanks to many hundreds of observers and photographers out and about thru this county at varied times and many locations, for so many sightings, alerts, and reports.
Date: 9/15/26 5:40 pm From: marciaaabrahams at aol.com (via NYSBIRDS-L list) <NYSBIRDS-L...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Do not miss Ian Resnick's "Patagonia, the south Atlantic Islands, and Antarctica" presentation at tomorrow night's Queens County Bird Club meeting!
Queens County Bird Club Monthly Meeting
Date:Â Wednesday, September 16, 2026Time:Â 7:30 PM to 9:30 PMÂ Place:Â Alley Pond Environmental Center, 229-10 Northern Blvd, Douglaston, NYÂ 11362
Ian Resnick presents "Patagonia, the south Atlantic Islands, and Antarctica"
Last October into November, Ian Resnick went on a Field Guides trip to Patagonia, the south Atlantic islands, and Antarctica. The trip, which usually leaves from and returns to Ushuaia, instead left from Puerto Madryn in Patagonia. This allowed for an extra day of birding in Patagonia, mostly in an area where Ian had been a couple of years earlier on an Earthwatch expedition. Ian will share his experience via his photos, videos, and also a slide show provided by Oceanwide Expeditions, which runs the ship used on the trip.
Doors will open at 7:00 PM and the presentation will begin at 7:30 PM. Please be prompt and ring the bell when at the front door when you arrive.
Marcia AbrahamsVP/Programs CoordinatorQueens County Bird Clubhttps://qcbirdclub.org/Email:Â <MarciaAAbrahams...>
Date: 9/15/26 12:34 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - 9/14 - incl. new Central Park arrivals, and more
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Manhattan featuring Central Park, Governors, Randalls, and Roosevelt islands and adjacent waters and sky -
Monday, September 14 -
A brightly-plumaged Dickcissel was photographed - K. Lagunas Sanchez - in Central Parks north sector on Monday, while at The Pool in that area of that park, an American Wigeon was seen and photographed by many, along with lingering Green-winged Teal.
Yet another Philadelphia Vireo was seen and photographed at Central Park on Monday, all sightings of that species this fall by either independent observers and photographers or by those involved in or leading recent not-for-profit guided bird walks. A minimum of 22 migratory warbler species were seen in Central Park on Monday with a majority of the boreal-breeding species still represented - as with most any day of birds seen at Central, observers have been out from first-light thru dusk, and in all areas of that park, not just in one limited area or for a short portion of a day. A high majority of warblers found on Monday were in the multiple and some well into double-digits for Central Park alone, with of course far more sightings from locations all around the entire county.
Common Nighthawks continue to pass on their migrations, with sightings from Central Park and also several other locations again on Monday, as have been seen for some days especially from Manhattan. Many, but not all sightings of these are in late day to dusk hours at the varied locations, including the multiple areas seen within Central Park.
Veery and Wood Thrush and Gray-cheeked-type Thrushes were all still being found in the county, and all plus multiple Swainsons Thrushes again found at Central Park into Monday. At least 5 species of vireos were present at Central Park thru Monday. Many other parks and greenspaces have also held a wide variety of migrants, thru Monday.
On Sunday, 9-13 at Governors Island, a Dickcissel was seen and photographed, with rather more drab plumage than the individual found the next day many miles to the north in Central Park. Also found at Governors Island on Sunday was a Yellow-breasted Chat, that possibly a lingering individual there. And, as noted by 2 of the multiple observers of Lark Sparrow at Governors Island on 9-13, there seem to have actually been 2 Lark Sparrows in proximity there at one point, although more of the observers discerned one of that species. The Western Kingbird which was seen and well photographed at Governors on Sat., 9-12 seems to have been a one-day-wonder, not all that unusual of that species when they turn up in the region - although of course there also can be individuals that linger for days. Common Terns have dwindled in the county as this month continues, but are still being seen by some observers, mainly watching in the N.Y. Harbor now, and including from Governors Island.
Many more migrants are being found with a very small fraction of some reports needing confirmations for less common birds. Species noted above are all confirmed sightings, many including photos as well as good textual detail.
Thanks to hundreds of independent observers and photographers and those leading or affiliated with not-for-profit guided bird walks in this county, many of which are taking place each week in multiple locations as the migrations continue, for sightings, alerts, and reports.
Date: 9/14/26 5:14 pm From: Deborah Allen <dallenyc...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park NYC, Mon. Sept. 14, 2026: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, and Other Warblers
Central Park NYC
Monday, September 14, 2026
OBS: Robert DeCandido, PhD, Deborah Allen, m.ob.
Highlights: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Barred Owl, Yellow-belied Sapsucker, Cedar Waxwing, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Brown Thrasher, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, and Other Warblers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Canada Goose - 18
Mallard - 28
Mourning Dove - 10-15
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 7 (not a typo)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 4
Barred Owl - continuing
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 or 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 3
Downy Woodpecker - 2 or 3
Northern Flicker - 12-15
Great Crested Flycatcher - 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 3
Warbling Vireo - 1 heard (Karen Evans)
Red-eyed Vireo - 3
Blue Jay - 8-10
Cedar Waxwing - 6-8 Captain's Bench (Deb)
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1 heard
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1 Strawberry Fields (Dan Stevenson)
House Wren - 1 Strawberry Fields (Karen Evans)
Gray Catbird - 8-10
Brown Thrasher - 5 or 6
Swainson's Thrush - 8-10
American Robin - 20-15
White-throated Sparrow - 1 Ramble
Common Grackle - 4 or 5
Ovenbird - 1 Strawberry Fields
Northern Waterthrush - 1 Bow Bridge
Black-and-white Warbler - 5 or 6
Common Yellowthroat - 1 female Strawberry Fields
American Redstart - 15-18
Northern Parula - 6-8
Bay-breasted Warbler - 1 Azalea Pond (Caren Jahre)
Blackpoll Warbler - 1 Strawberry Fields
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1 male Bow Bridge
Canada Warbler - 1 Azalea Pond (Dan Stevenson)
Northern Cardinal - 5 or 6
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 8-10
Date: 9/14/26 12:59 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC - 9/13 - Lark Sparrow, other migrants, rarity-reports, etc.
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Governors, Randalls, Roosevelt, and Manhattan islands and the adjacent skies and waters -
Sunday, September 13th -
A Lark Sparrow was found, sometimes associating with house sparrows, on Governors Island, on Sunday, with multiple observers by days end. One report suggesting that the W. Kingbird was seen on Sunday was a data-entry error in that the date was meant to be for Sat., 9-12, and there were apparently no sightings of the rare kingbird from Sunday - the same date-entry error also occurred for a Blue Grosbeak not reported for Sunday, only Sat., 9-12. - - No one was observing any migrant birds on Governors Island at after-midnight of 9-13, that report was meant to be for Saturday during daylight. - -
A report of Clapper Rail from Governors Island late Sunday would constitute a rare species for this county, apparently heard in very late day near the Lima pier at the west-sw edge of the island. Also noted on Governors early on Sunday, was a larger than average Killdeer movement, over 50 individuals there, as well as a small assortment of other shorebirds, none new to the season here. Other locations in the county seemed not to produce much of a shorebird-drop, and overall it was not easy to discern that some birds did get put down from the rains that started small at sunrise, only later growing in intensity but not really a storm as such, and an extremely slow moving trailing front of drier cooler air that was still partly as far west as eastern Ohio and western PA late in the day Sundayâ¦
An adult Dickcissel was reported on Sunday, with some details, from Rockefeller Park which -in Manhattan- is a short way southwest of the western terminus of Chambers Street in lower Manhattan. In scattered locations in the county, perhaps most of all in the southern parts of it, were pockets of migrants and somewhat notable in some of the pockets of birds were Blackpoll Warblers in the multiple, although far from any major fallout of that species. In many areas such as Central Park and some other parks, it seemed that some birds were simply lingering from the prior day or days. Up to 19 species of migratory warblers were found at Central Park, with a variety of other typical migrants also ongoing.
One correction for the 2 Red-headed Woodpeckers seen by multiple observers, one very well photographed, at Central Park on Saturday, 9-12 is that one of the two was in adult plumage, and may have flown towards the northern half of that park, whereas the other individual was a first-fall plumaged bird lacking the full red hood of the adult. Either, or both of these woodpeckers might be lingering in that park.
On Sat., 9-12 one species was noted having perhaps just arrived to the county and in Central Park, Brown Creeper. A Wild Turkey persists at the southern tip of Manhattan, and in multiple locations of the county this month and in recent days have been Monk Parakeets, which are an extant non-native but long established breeding species in the NYC region, and for some areas, a bit beyond also.
Date: 9/13/26 3:34 am From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] N.Y. County, NYC 9/12 - addendum + additional species
New York County -in N.Y. City- including Governors, Randalls, Roosevelt, and Manhattan islands and adjacent waters and skies -
thru Saturday, September 12th -
Firstly, thanks to L. Beausoleil for the find of a Western Kingbird, seen later by others and which remained on Governors Island in N.Y. County for the day Sat., 9-12, although it moved a bit out of the Hills sector later on, for some time. Photos of this bird were obtained. As already noted to this list, a Blue Grosbeak was lingering on as well at Governors, and some of the many other migrants seen there included Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-breasted Nuthatch, multiple Bobolinks, and a good diversity of migrant warblers and various additional migrants.
Although not available to birders to go seeking, a LEAST Bittern was one of the notable species identified in part thru photos, from the Sept. 11 Tribute in Light migration-watch during night-time, at the 9-11 memorial in lower Manhattan. Many thousands of migrant birds were noted for those who were observing in that night there - observers participating are highly experienced with active migration watches, even when the watch is an unusual one and is only carried out at that location when the brilliant Tribute lights are switched on for the occasion of remembrance and memorial to those who were lost in 2001.
For Manhattan, since a huge number of birders chose Central Park as their location for at least part of the day, and some observers started at first-light, others staying thru at least dusk, many species were found there - in all sectors of that park, by many hundreds of total observers out at all varied hours.
Two Red-headed Woodpeckers at Central Park were noted by several groups of observers - it is possible either of those birds might linger in the park, and it could be that if lingering, the southern half of the park will be the likelier sector in which they lmay be re-found. In first-fall plumage, lacking a brilliant full red hood, that species is not always as conspicuous as might be thought. Knowing or learning the vocalizations and listening intently may help in finding the species.
Of other birds seen on Saturday, 9-12 at Central Park, a minimum of 26 species of migratory warblers were found on the day, with some species being numerous. One example were American Redstarts, of which, in addition to many seen in or passing thru in morning flight, this species was also noted from a multitude of Manhattan street locations and some very small patches of greenery as well as in many more parks and typical greenspaces in the county, such as gardens, plazas, courtyards and others.
For more of a sense of the species seen just within Central Park in the past 2 days, a list is provided below of a majority of the species found, for Sept. 11-12, in that one park.

Canada Goose
Wood Duck - multiple.
Northern Shoveler - additional arrivals in past week.
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Mallard x American Black Duck hybrid
Green-winged Teal - ongoing at The Pool in the parks n-w sector.
feral Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - multiple.
Black-billed Cuckoo
Common Nighthawk
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - many.
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Snowy Egret
Green Heron - multiple, and from multiple sites thru Manhattan and N.Y. County.
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Coopers Hawk
Bald Eagle
Broad-winged Hawk - this species has been migrating in 4-digit numbers thru the greater northeast and into at least PA hawkwatch locations, and some are being seen in or over Central Park and elsewhere around the county, including at Roosevelt Island.
Red-tailed Hawk
Barred Owl - accompanied by recent swarms of humans with optical equipmentâ¦.
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-headed Woodpecker - 2, as noted from Sept. 12, perhaps only moving thru in the morning, as is also typical of this species, however some certainly do choose to linger.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern -Yellow-shafted- Flicker - increased over past week.
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, Alder-Willow Flycatcher or Traills Flycatcher, and Least Flycatcher May all have occurred, but for some of these at this time of year, it is safe to make an ID as Emoidonax-genus, esp if a bird is non-vocal.
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird - already scarcer than one week earlier.
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo - still fairly common.
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - recent arrivals, not many yet.
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch - this species has been moving thru for some weeks already.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - multiple.
Northern House Wren
Winter Wren - first reliable report for late this past week.
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush - those being found appear to be these, with some heard calling and not rarer-overall Bicknells.
Swainsons Thrush - near common.
Hermit Thrush - scarce so far, and early, but at least several had already arrived.
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow - this species breeds in low numbers in Central Park, and around N.Y. County more generally, the big autumn arrivals are not yet here.
White-throated Sparrow - not nearly the big autumn arrivals yet.
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincolns Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Bobolink - on morning passage, however elsewhere in the county, some have lingered.
Baltimore Oriole - multiple.
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
-
Ovenbird - multiple.
Worm-eating Warbler - this was seen to at least Sept. 11th.
Northern Waterthrush - multiple.
Blue-winged Warbler - multiple.
Black-and-white Warbler - multiple.
Tennessee Warbler - multiple.
- - - some Orange-crowned Warbler reports have come in, still needing confirmations.
Nashville Warbler - multiple.
Mourning Warbler - multiple, but not many.
Common Yellowthroat - many.
Hooded Warbler - multiple, but not many.
American Redstart - most numerous easily spotted warbler of past two days.
Cape May Warbler - multiple.
Northern Parula - multiple, with some increases.
Magnolia Warbler - multiple.
Bay-breasted Warbler - multiple.
Blackburnian Warbler - multiple, but not very many.
Northern Yellow Warbler - multiple.
Chestnut-sided Warbler - multiple.
Blackpoll Warbler - multiple.
Black-throated Blue Warbler - multiple
Palm Warbler - of both the Yellow and Western forms. In the multiple of each form.
Pine Warbler - multiple.
Yellow-rumped -Myrtle- Warbler - multiple, but not that many⦠yet.
Prairie Warbler - multiple.
Black-throated Green Warbler - multiple.
Canada Warbler - multiple.
Wilson's Warbler - multiple, but not very many.
-
Summer Tanager - ongoing female, with more observers and photos taken on Sept. 12.
Scarlet Tanager - multiple.
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - multiple.
Indigo Bunting
and almost certainly some additional migrants beyond the listing here.
Thanks to many many observers and photographers for finds, alerts, and reports of so many birds, all thru N.Y. County.
