Yesterday our walk at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx yielded the following highlights: EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 2 seen just before the trail off the Parade Grounds that leads to the foot bridge along the golf course. In this same area, we had an unexpected *FIELD SPARROW*, which unfortunately took off rather quickly due to foot traffic; the bird was last seen heading up into Vault Hill accompanied by an American Tree Sparrow.
At the foot bridge near the golf course, we had 4 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS and this area remains reliable to see them. Also 4 REDWING BLACKBIRDS also put in an appearance, the most we have seen this winter in that area. WINTER WRENS, 2 reluctant birds, one near the foot bridge and another on the inner path along the Putnam Trail. HORNED LARKS 9, on the Parade Grounds. KILLDEERS 2, on the Parade Grounds as well. Later on at Orchard Beach Pelham Bay Park , Andria and I had 2 flocks of COMMON GOLDENEYES 47 and 9 respectively; both rafts seen off of Twin Island as well as 23 PURPLE SANDPIPERS flying around as the tide came in. These were also viewed off of Twin Island looking out towards Execution Rocks Lighthouse. Finally, walking along the Putnam Trail yesterday at Van Cortlandt Park, was a very poignant moment for me as I thought of the trees and habitat loss that will take place if and when the Putnam Trail, is paved over with asphalt. Areas along the path that I learned about and became familiar with, that hosted nesting *Blue Gray Gnatcatchers*, *Rose-breasted Grosbeaks *, *Red-bellied Woodpeckers*, *Yellow Warblers*, *Orchard Orioles* and *Baltimore Orioles* to name a few will all be lost. We are indeed a SELFISH species!! If you are interested and want to voice your opinion against the paving of the trail, you may visit and sign the petition at http://www.savetheputnamtrail.com/petition/ Good and Responsible Birding! Andrew Baksh Queens, NY www.birdingdude.blogspot.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
