A morning spent in Central Park from Belvedere Castle moving north turned up a modest flight as far as diversity was concerned. In Central perhaps the most noteworthy thing was the nearly overwhelming numbers of Juncos, nearly constantly streaming over the Castle in the early morning. Among their ranks I picked out 1 CHIPPING SPARROW and an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. Other noteworthy birds moving over the castle included BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (semi-late), 2 AMERICAN PIPITS and at least 40 PINE SISKINS. THroughout the park, siskins were easily found wherever sweetgum trees were present, and my conservative count for the park today was 50. An EASTERN BLUEBIRD also made a brief appearence, alighting on the large tree to the west of the castle. On the bodies of water, the reservoir held about 400 RUDDY DUCKS, 5 HOODED MERGANSERS, 80 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 3 PIED -BILLED GREBES, 12 GADWALL and 6 BLACK DUCKS along with the usual gull species, canada goose and mallard. On the meer, there were more RUDDY DUCKS, and the continuing pair of male LESSER SCAUP. The primary birds of note not already mentioned seen in the north end were FOX SPARROW on the great hill and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK flying over the pool. Aside from the Shoulder, there was no evidence of raptor migration to my eye, despite constantly looking up. In Riverside Park, Junco numbers were also high, and near the 96th St. Tennis Courts there was a flock fo 10 PINE SISKINS feeding in the sweetgums. The highlight of the day was a first cycle ICELAND GULL that flew due south over the park at about 63rd st. Though seen only briefly, it's paleness was distinct, completely lacking black in the wingtips, and some of the brownish edging to the body and wing feathers was visible as well. Unfortuntely I could not relocate it. Good Birding, Jacob Drucker --
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