Thursday, May 19 - N.Y. County, & Manhattan, & Central Park: notes on Painted-Bunting[s], Bicknell’s Thrushes, Summer Tanager, and other sightings of the day (and historically, for P.-B.) + some further notes.
Red-breasted Nuthatches… were again seen, oh and 1 'female-plumaged' PAINTED Bunting at “The Pool” - (what!-when!!) Anyhow something-or-other took the little-green-bunting away from its’ bath (at the waterfall that feeds the Pool) after having been in that area a bit. And the bird *may* well stay - as ones of that species have occ. done in past, at that park, and *in-particular,* in late May... even *to June*. And that does add the small correction (to a mis-impression) that a found-in-May/1993 Central Park DUO of Painted Buntings only stayed a *few* days - those on the scene (of which I was one, amongst many observers) had both the brighter male and a 2nd bird of same species, for that late-spring in the same area, Locust Grove, at that time, into June. The discovery however (of those 2) was made in late May, in 1993. The 'first-finding' of those 2 birds is in-itself quite the tale of … (which will not be detailed here!) Happily in that occurrence, a great many observers were able to get in and see the species, with some also observing 2-at-a-time. - - - The May 19th 2022 sighting of a ‘P.B.' is nice to have in photo-documentation; it'd also be nice if the full name of the 1st (*and any other*) observer[s] of such a special disovery were noted to this list, and elsewhere, and not merely a “twitter-handle” (of a poss.-finder or equal-observer), even if that particular app. is how some 'ride' thru 2022. A great many observers are using bird-alerts that are open to those who follow some very easy and basic requests on practices for their bird-notifications, here in N.Y. County and worldwide, and which include alternatives to the above-noted ‘app’. (the most-obvious of all of these is: eBird.org!) Searches by 'the Pool' and north-end area of Central Park on Friday 5/20, which **will be happening**, can include any areas of that part of the park & not only the western half. Not-too-many New York-based folks are likely to know-well the songs or calls of this Bunting species, & it will be best, even near-imperative, to get eyes (and your 'other lenses') on this, should it be re-found. (If it is, this time-around, few rotary-dial phones are going to be rung!) This sighting must also give some that old feeling of-the-finale of a season - yet, it won’t be… many more birds, and still a few more ’new’ species (for at least this year) will be discovered as May pushes on, and birders also do. --- [A very-gentle hint and note: in seeing what might be uncommon (or rare) songbirds, in particular, sometimes ‘odd’ coloration, when noted and-or photographed fairly well, can be a strong clue, and this esp. so when the color green is seen, in smaller birds if found in the northeastern parts of North America - that is, when the overall coloration of a bird appears to be quite green, it can clue-in that this may be an unusual, unexpected species. In somewhat the same vein, but applicable (much) more in winter-season, such as out on C.B.C.’s or other winter-period surveys in colder climes, there’s an old-old phrase among birders - “if it’s (very) yellow, get views, make notes, and take pictures if possible” because the (overall or ‘primary') color yellow in *winter *birds can be a clue to some unexpected or even rare species, for the season or possibly for the area. (and of course taking into account the well-known species such as goldfinches and other finches of winter,& etc.) - It can also be added that a female-plumaged Painted Bunting could, esp. from some distance, or if obscured, in poor lighting, & etc. be potentially thought to be a female-plumaged Scarlet Tanager, or some other smallish songbird of 'not-quite-right' coloration, however, a tanager of any types that occur (ever) in the northeast, would be rather larger (over an inch longer) and with a lengthier/‘sharper' bill (both relative to body and in actual length, as well as a diifferent shape to the bill & in most-apperances a rather different shape or ‘giss’ if one will (g.i.s.s. = general impression, size-shape - often done with other letters in such an acronymic way). The genus Passerina (a small group of southwest U.S. to neotropical-wintering (or resident for a couple) ‘buntings’ - American species, that include a number of other U.S.-breeding species as well as a couple of gorgeous buntings - in the same genera - of the North American nation with vastly more species than the 48 contiguous United States - that’d be Mexico… those 2 additional only-Mexican-resident Passerina are in southwest (Pacific side) states there, and are endemic, in those locations. The other Passerina can also have tough-to-ID females (and juveniles &/or young birds) in some cases and places - including if-when any very rare ones show in the east-to-northeast (thinking in particular of Lazuli). Our own (NY state) most-familar breeder is Indigo Bunting, along with scarcer and more local or regionally-rare Blue Grosbeak, that oversized honking-bill member of the genus. (All of the other Passerina species are rather delicate in relative size and stature). The more easterly-breeding taxon (or 'sub-species ) of Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris ciris) may be near-threatened, as they have suffered from habitat-loss and other afflictions; the more westerly taxon of the Painted-B. seems to be holding its’ own in a lot of that territory. It may not be possible to know which (of the 2) sub-specific taxa was seen in this latest record for N.Y. County, and/or for other older sightings. - Slightly simplistic but the idea is that bright and unexpected-for-time/place colors may clue us in to odd, unusual, or even rare species at times. Most birders do get to have a feel for this, even instinctually, some of course more-so than others. And we also are fortunate to have many observers who work with their ears as much as by-eye, which field-craft is a very fine way of learning much more in many regards in bird-observing. … in this particular sighting, the idea of a mostly-green small (song)bird is, to remember as much as possible in the peak of migration-excitement now, that the “wearin’ ‘o’ the green is unusual here, and can help give a jumpstart to any alerts to be put forth. There will be 'no harm nor foul' in alerting, as an example “just saw a small mostly-green bird, at “X” - since in some locations, a few nearby birders may come along to aid in the search for same. (I myself might however be ‘startled' to see a species of bird I don’t quickly recognize *as one I’d expect in Manhattan* or generally, in the northeast!)] . . In the meanwhile (also at Central Park!) for late-day Thursday sights and sounds, a **BICKNELL'S Thrush** was in the same area (of the Pool, a bit north) and *sound-recorded* by several birders. There were a few other potential-candidates for this thrush species in Manhattan on Thursday, and it is *possible* some had observers hearing vocalizations, to help with ID including others reported as Bicknell’s with at least photos from Central Park, late-Thursday 5/19). Additionals in other county locations as this & Gray-cheeked are certainly both on the move recently. In addition, a fair number of ongoing thrushes of “Gray-cheeked” types -by appearances only- have been found, those (of whichever precise taxon) in many locations including Randall’s Island, Governors Island, and at least a dozen of the parks and green-spaces of the county all on 5/19. And there have in addition been some of those which have given song, enough - for some observers-listeners - to be identified as nominate Gray-cheeked Thrush. (As well as most all of the other migrant thrushes plus Wood, which attempt nesting in low numbers generally in N.Y. County - with a rather few Hermit Thrush still lingering, and some Veery, and the most-numerous by far of these Catharus [genus], the now-common migrant Swainson’s Thrush, a fair no. also giving some song at times, esp. in and just-after some early-Thurs. rains… as well as at other times in particular locations. The Wood Thrushes, of course may be vocal around some nest-sites, at times. Please do nothing to disturb any part of their breeding-cycle; a species-of-concern which has declined ‘globally’ and in its potential breeding in this county as well as other areas in N.Y. City. Staying with Central Park’s n.-w. sector, a (getting-redder) SUMMER Tanager was again seen in the area near the Pool, perhaps (or likely) same individual that has been in that n.-w. section of Central Park for at least some days with many, many observers - that sighting also as-of last-light of May 19th & with a number of Pool-and-vicinity watchers. On Thursday overall, many also have been having nice views as well as hearing calls of Yellow-bellied, and other Empidonax [genus] Flycatchers, some in various parts of N.Y. County, including those seen and heard by many in Central Park, to Thursday. And see below** for a 5/17 sighting of SummerTan. for Randall’s. And for some who stayed in to observe birds as Thursday was going to dusk, a small no. of Common Nighthawks came thru and over the n. end of Central Park, where previous sightings also had occured. It’s also possible that some of that species are / have been roosting in that area and in other parks, greenspaces, etc. since they started to show in our area. It’ll be good to learn whether any sightings of these go on to the month that’s coming-up around here. It is a much-declined species over much of the former & current known ranges (both in summer and winter) - this may be in great part due to favored food (prey items) being much more scarce, an affliction also contributing to declines and concerns for the Caprimulgidae and associates of all of the planet. And otherwise in Central Park on May 19, 2022, a popular, ongoing sighting of the past several days, a male Mourning Warbler (by & near Belvedere Castle and up-top of the nearby Shakespeare Garden etc.) has been viewed by now by many hundreds of watchers over these recent days (incl. on Thursday from the 7 A.M. start-off of J. DiConstanzo’s group bird-walk (not-for-profit, of course), and to as late as 1/2 hour before dark same day, for 12+ hrs. of ongoing sightings for that individual bird) - and this one of the more-observed of the species thus far this year in the county… while others of that species have been showing in multiple locations, including a number of them in Central Park’s length & breadth, as well as around the county. And the 24 additional species of American Warblers for Central Park on 5/19 (many also seen in lots of locations all around the county on the day as well) included high-multiples of some species, with Blackpoll Warblers pushing for queendom, but not-quite there just yet. Let us see what Sat.-&-Sunday’s double-daze -of serious heat- might bring in and on-wards for more migration. A few of the warbler spp. seen by Thursday in Central Park & some all-around the county included a few now rather scarce, such as Blue-winged, Hooded, and Worm-eating Warblers… however all of those, and varied other warbler spp. might still be found in days to come in the county, on the passages that are certain in this present weather. - - - An excellent (5/19) report of a rather-scarce (but local breeder in N.Y. City and parts of the wider region) BOAT-TAILED Grackle was offered from a keen observer on **Randall’s Island, a perfectly good area to anticipate that species showing & - to be sought in that as well as some other areas of N.Y. County, esp. should there be more than a singleton noted in any observations! This species has turned up in various locations in the county over the years, occ. in this month of May, and also in other seasons. (The overall range of this species of grackle has expanded a bit north, if slowly, over many many years in the northeast, mostly-noted from coastal & near-coastal areas along the 'Atlantic lowlands’ for our area in NY to southern New England. It has also been considered ‘casual’ which means quite-rarely-found, in northern New England.) On noting this find of a 'Boat-tail' for Randall’s Island for 5/19, there was a **photographed SUMMER Tanager again seen (perhaps same individual first-reported there by A. Drogin, on an earlier date) at Randall’s Island on Tuesday, 5/17 (C. Quinn, with excellent photo added into the eBird & Macaulay Library archives). A modest and mostly-expected batch of wader-spp. were seen in N.Y. County in various areas on Thursday, including at least-a-few Least, as well as Solitary, and - (more of, in some places many-more of, rain-affected on passage) Spotted Sandpipers, as well as ongoing and (some) breeding Killdeer. A couple of “late-ish” dates (for passerine migrants) to mention include a few recent reports for Ruby-crowned Kinglet (although modestly-likely some further sightings may come thru) from Central Park to at least May 17th, and from “the Battery” at least to May 18th. There have been some Purple Finch reports to go along with the Red-breasted Nuthatches still on the move in N.Y. County, these to at least May 18th, & for that nuthatch species into Thurs. 5/19. There have been some nice ongoing sparrow-sightings, in particular for Lincoln’s Sparrow, & still a few White-crowned and Swamp Sparrows as well as a number of (not really late) Savannah Sparrows (& which might be watched in some sites in case of any pairing-off noticed!) as well as goodly numbers of lingering White-throated Sparrow - although a majority of the last have moved-out by now (that, the most-numerous by far of our overwintering sparrow species). We also have had some Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and that is a species that can, and has nest[ed] in this county, more than a few times and some years in various less-birded sites. There were still plenty of Brant in a few areas of the county to Thursday and the species can be detected into June in some years, although likely to be rather scarce by that month here - again all are presumed Atlantic Brant, as is expected unless documentation is offered for any other form (of which at least one, “Black Brant” is occ. recorded in N.Y. City, but more so in rather colder times of the year here). - - There are some fine sightings, by a fine observer, for Governors Island on Thursday, & I will perhaps make a note (if not a long one…) on a few of those good mid-day sightings and the excellent notes on all of them, in some future report. That location is a good one, for N.Y. County it is one of the most-intriguing locations, and can be interesting at all seasons as well - thankfully, now open all-year and with extended hours - so that much more observing there is possible for all to enjoy. The use of a scope (and camera) are each suggested for the fullest picture of all that may be found on and from that island in a part of the N.Y. Harbor. That location may well still have the highest potential for new species (possibly sharing that with Randall’s Island) for the county, as well as ones that could be ’new’ to that location’s known records, of all sites in N.Y. County. If there were 100+ birders there all-day, every-day in May (as is easily surpassed on every day in this month of each year, in famed Central Park)… we just don’t quite know what might be found for that island in the harbor with so much additional coverage… -- Anyhow, has been a while since *Passerina ciris* came (and was photo-documented) to Central Park - a rare, but not-as-rare-as-one-may-believe in NY state (or NYC) ‘vagrant', with multiple older records from that city and a few (more) from Manhattan, & for varying seasons. [Of the **May-’til-June 1993** duo of Painted B's, I came back from a visit to Slide Mtn. (Catskill’s High Peak) then, to happily see both the brilliant male, and the less-gaudy 2nd bird, which (both) stayed a while and esp., happily, beyond just that long holiday-weekend. They were mainly in the area now often called “Locust Grove” to the west of the Great Lawn in Central Park, and were seen by - for those oh-so-ancient years when some tender-eared birders, now active were -not yet birding- & many folks, after one word-of-mouth ‘alert’ went around… ah those pre-digital-deviced days, even rotary-dial phones… egad. And, going back to times-of-old (when even I was not on this earth yet) - there’s an historical (Painted Bunting) Central Park record for (much of) Sept./1927. Any over-96-year-olds recall that one? (seriously! - never-know)… [N.B. the 1993 record from Central Park is not one I am “pulling up” via eBird, and is in my own memory-bank, as well as in journals and film-photo albums & more, from that year and those times. Further, there are a number of records of the species which *may not be listed* in eBird’s historical database, and some (only?) in rather old journals - not mine! - and perhaps in the other literature on file in museums, org’s. & etc.] Many memories of so many great birders come forth, in thinking on some of those sightings of 'before-2000'. - - - One good Tern deserves another - good birding-on in May to all, Tom Fiore manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
