Thursday, 28 April, 2016 -
Central Park, Manhattan, New York City (in the Strawberry Fields area
of the park) -
The SWAINSON'S WARBLER is & has been observed & well-photographed as
well as video'd & audio'd by at least 150 (+) observers so far this
morning at a well-known birding site within Central Park, which is
easily reached from the West 72 Street entrance, and many have found
viewing to be good (with some CAUTION as there is an active roadway
with occasional vehicles & many passers-by) from a point roughly 50-75
yards (meters) east down along the park roadway from the
aforementioned park entrance, looking into low & dense barberry
shrubberies that line the park road there, as well as forming the SW
edge to the Strawberry Fields area. Alternatively (and a safer place
to stand) one may watch & listen - the warbler has been singing thru
10:15 a.m. at intervals of every few minutes to as much as 5+ minutes
between songs) from just within the Strawberry Fields location and
just south-west of the "Imagine" mosaic tile that honors John Lennon
and is found on the pathway into the western entry point to Strawberry
Fields.
This among the most heavily-walked areas (esp. by tourists and
visitors) of the entire Central Park, thus consideration of the
general public is requested - and great care if going onto the roadway
to observe, which many including myself have done - so far. all
present have been very considerate, and many passers-by including a
few in vehicles, have asked what the excitement is all about, & some
of us have been explaining the rarity of the sighting.
The Swainson's Warbler was seen at least briefly earlier in the
morning, out on a more-open perch, singing but has been behaving more
typically of the species over the last 2+ hours, skulking & enjoying
the shaded leaf-litter under the barberry shrubs & adjacent area on
the southern - southwestern edges of the area (Strawberry Fields
area). It may take some patience & perhaps kneeling or even nearly-
lying on ground or paved road to view the bird well, if it does not
come out & sing as it had early in the day.
There have been 150+ observers, likely more, already and some have
come some distance to enjoy the bird.
....................
This may be about the 5th, perhaps 6th record, & is certain to be the
most strongly documented of the records for this park. (the one prior
record of the species in NYC that may have been even more potentially
cooperative and viewable was the occurrence in Forest Park Queens
County NY some years agom which was also stunningly early for that
species in our region (far north of typical range).
good luck, & thanks to all including those who originally spotted &/or
heard this warbler, recognizing it as a special sight.
Tom Fiore
Manhattan
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