I thought this info might be of interest to some.
I searched through my Prospect Park records for dates of lingering
Ovenbirds and found the following. The previous winter sighting was on
17 January 2007 (Alex Wilson; Vale/Rose Garden). Prior to that was an
individual that actually overwintered in Brooklyn. First discovered by
Steve Nanz and myself 13 December 1997 (Lookout Hill near Maryland
Monument), the bird was observed throughout most of December. It was
then re-discovered on 2 February 1998 (Ron Ellard, Tom Fiore) on
Lookout Hill near the Wellhouse, associating with a White-eyed Vireo
that also overwintered that year. What I assume was the same bird was
reported again on Lookout Hill 25 March 1998 (Ron Ellard). The next
dates for that year begin on 23 April, but could easily have been
early Spring arrivals. I'm not sure if the winter of 1997-98 had been
extremely mild or not. Either way, that Ovenbird was very lucky to
have dodged the usual collection of falcons, accipiters and Red-tailed
Hawks that hang around in the winter. Note that the above dates were
not included in Bull's Birds of New York State. Besides the fact that
I never thought it important enough to report, back then we didn't
have all the instant birding communications such as discussion forums,
online checklists, cellphones, text messaging, twittering, etc., that
now exists. God, how did we ever manage?! ;-)
Good birding,
Rob
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