Bird Notes: Our bird walks slow down a bit for the first two or three weeks of the New Year - just Sunday mornings at the Boathouse in Central Park. The next owl walk will be on the Sunday night before Martin Luther King Jr. Day - that would be Sunday evening, 19 January at Inwood Hill Park in upper Manhattan (probably starting about 5:30pm).
In honor of Deborah Allen making the great find of an Iceland Gull on the Reservoir in Central Park on Sunday morning 29 December, we present some of her photos of this gull taken through the years. If we can find another Iceland Gull this winter, we will devote a Newsletter issue to it, and send all the NYC historical articles we have found through the years...but this Newsletter is about Christmas Bird Counts, so:
In this week's Historical Notes we present the results of the Christmas Bird Counts from Staten Island, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut from 100 years ago. Note the Boreal Chickadee found on Staten Island that December - it was called the Brown-headed Chickadee back then (see photo below). There also seems to have been a small finch irruption that winter - several locations reported Crossbills for example. Otherwise, numbers of birds (and species) seen then is less than what these same locations find in 2019-20!
Iceland Gull in flight by Deborah Allen at the Lake, Central Park, February 12, 2013
Thayer's Gull form of the Iceland Gull, northern Minnesota (Duluth) on 15 January 2019
Good! The Bird Walks for Early January:
All Walks @ $10/person
All walks in Central Park except the Owl Walk on the night of 19 January.
Sunday, 5 January 2020 at 9:30am - Boathouse Cafe; 74th street/ East Drive
Sunday, 12 January 2020 at 9:30am - Boathouse Cafe; 74th street/ East Drive
Sunday, 19 January 2020 at 9:30am - Boathouse Cafe; 74th street/ East Drive
Sunday evening, 19 January - 5:30pm (Eastern Screech-owls) INWOOD HILL PARK in Upper Manhattan - Meet at Indian Road Cafe at 600 West 218th street @ Indian Road New York, NY 10034. For Directions: https://tinyurl.com/qnfodb6
The Indian Road Cafe is a wonderful small restaurant with nice, clean bathrooms for all to use. The Cafe/park is easy to reach via subway / #1 Train to 215th street / or car: if driving allow 30 min. to find a parking spot.
Dress Warm; bring binoculars; we will have plenty of light...$10 for owls and fun
Any questions? Call us (718-828-8262/home) or email us rdcny@earthlink.net
First-winter Iceland Gull (far right) by Deborah Allen at the Reservoir in Central Park on 29 December 2019
The fine print: Our walks on weekends meet at 9:30am at the Boathouse Restaurant (approx. 74th street and the East Drive) through early January 2020. Please note: the Boathouse is not one of the buildings that surround the nearby Model Boat Pond - people make this mistake all the time!
Please note that on SATURDAYS we may meet at other locations than Central Park. For example, on 21 December (Saturday) we will be at NYBG in the Bronx...so keep an eye on the Saturday schedule: we might also have no Saturday walks on some weekends in December-January.
Our home phone is 718-828-8262...and Deborah's cell is: 347-703-5554. Email is (rdcny@earthlink.net). If you are lost and trying to get to the bird walk, call Deborah's cell phone...but remember on weekends there will be 2-3 other people calling who are also lost - please be patient. If in doubt about whether a walk will take place or not the morning of the walk: check the main landing page of this web site as well as the "Schedule" page - if the walk is cancelled, information will be posted there by 6am the day of the walk, and usually by 11pm the night before. If still confused and as a last resort, call us at home - if no one answers it means we left for the bird walk. We end all our Central Park walks (except Fridays) at the Boathouse at about noon; you can get a cup of coffee and a muffin there (around $6 total). Walks last about 3 hrs (less if hot or rainy), and you can leave at anytime - we won't be offended. If you need directions/help to your next destination, just ask someone on the walk - we are a helpful group.
First-winter Iceland Gull (center) by Deborah Allen at the Reservoir in Central Park on 29 December 2019
Here is what we saw last week (brief highlights)
Wednesday, 25 December (Boathouse Restaurant at 9:30am and then an Owl Walk at 4:30pm at Inwood Hill Park, northern Manhattan) - this is winter, and unlike 2018 in late December, there is not an abundance of finches or overwintering owls for us to find in Central Park, or NYC. Today in Central Park, we featured four Eastern Towhees (these should be well south of us right now) and a pair of Carolina Wrens (ditto). But there are no American Goldfinches or Black-capped Chickadees in Central Park - we must be having a mild winter.
That evening we ventured up to Inwood Hill Park and after finding a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers (probably nest here) at dusk, we waited for dusk and the owl walk. The good news is that we had an amazing time with one adult female Eastern Screech-owl who gave us good looks from just a few feet away, and below eye-level. I hope each of you reading this takes the opportunity to come to a screech-owl (Inwood) walk: we have had 100% success at finding them in 2019 at this location...and watching them close-up for many minutes at a time.
Hooded Merganser female at Pelham Bay Park, Bronx in December 2018 (note the light colored/golden lower mandible)
Sunday, 29 December (Boathouse Restaurant at 9:30am and then an Owl Walk at 5:00pm at Inwood Hill Park, northern Manhattan) - Deborah easily came up with the best bird of the day, and the best one of December 2019: a first-winter Iceland Gull (see multiple photos above of this Iceland Gull as well as a February 2013 Iceland Gull in Central Park). She found the bird about 8am, but by the time we marched the group to the Reservoir at 10am or so, the Iceland Gull was surrounded by Herring Gulls and others, impossible to see well. Which goes to show just how diligently Deborah scanned the "boring" gulls of the Reservoir at 8am to find that needle in a haystack. Throw in a Winter Wren at Shakespeare Garden and you have the highlight birds of the day (it is winter!).
Late Sunday afternoon we ventured up to Inwood Hill Park in upper Manhattan to look for Eastern Screech-owls: we found two adults...and despite playing cat and mouse with them for an hour, we had really really (really) great looks at one (probably a female) as it perched in front of us just 10 feet away, below eye-level. As I keep saying to the group, we need dark-dark in order for the owls to feel secure enough to give us good looks, and not bolt away as we approach them.
Wednesday, 1 January 2020 (Boathouse Restaurant at 9:30am and then an Owl Walk at 4:30pm at Inwood Hill Park, northern Manhattan) - well...it is January and the nadir of bird life in Central Park. We managed a few good birds including a Chipping Sparrow (at 8am); three Eastern Towhees and two Hooded Mergansers. Mostly we did not die from the cold: winds were 10-24mph from the west, and although the sun occasionally showed itself, it warmed us not...
Success again at the owl walk at night at Inwood. We had to try a bit harder than usual, but we ended up 10 feet from one Eastern Screech-owl for 15 minutes...and then went home with the owl sitting on the same branch where we found it.
Hooded Merganser male at Pelham Bay Park, Bronx in December 2018
HISTORICAL NOTEs
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS 1919
Staten Island, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut
New York City (from Battery via St. George to and at Grant City and Moravian Cemetery, Staten Island). Dec. 27 [1919]; 11.20 a.m. to 4.20 p.m. Cloudy (foggy on water); ground mostly snow-covered; wind southwest, light; temp. 35 at 3.30 p.m. Five miles by boat, 5 miles by railroad, chiefly in the Cemetery on foot. Black-backed Gull, 1 adult; Herring Gull, 145; Bonaparte's Gull, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 2; American Crow, 8; Starling, 8; Red Crossbill, flock of 13; Goldfinch, 1; Tree Sparrow, 1; Junco, flock of 4; Song Sparrow, 1; Fox Sparrow, 1; Cardinal, 1 pair; Myrtle Warbler, flock of 3; Black-cap Chickadee, flock of 6; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1; Hermit Thrush, 1; Robin, 2; Bluebird, 1 male. Total, 20 species; about 205 individuals.
Charles H. Rogers.
Moravian Cemetery, Staten Island, N.Y. Dec. 21 [1919]; 10.30a.m. to 4p.m. Clear; wind light; temp. 20f to 25f. Five miles on foot; ferry across Upper Bay. Herring Gull, 29; Bonaparte's Gull, 1; Long-eared Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, 4; Starling, 4; Red Crossbill, 26 (one flock); Redpoll, 2; White-throated Sparrow, 1; Tree Sparrow, 16; Junco, 1;White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 1; Black-capped Chickadee, 300+; Brown-capped Chickadee [Boreal Chickadeee], 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1. Total, 17 species, 396+ individuals. Bonaparte's Gull observed through field-glasses at 30 feet. The Crossbills were very tame. The Brown-capped [Boreal] Chickadee was also very tame, and together with the Tufted Tit, approached to within 6 feet of me.
Ralph Friedmann.
![Boreal [Brown-capped] Chickadee at Sax-Zim Bog, Minnesota on 15 January 2019](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d6bfaf_90109b1bfc2b4e3493d3ca87246178df~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_719,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/d6bfaf_90109b1bfc2b4e3493d3ca87246178df~mv2.jpg)
Boreal [Brown-capped] Chickadee at Sax-Zim Bog, Minnesota on 15 January 2019
Sands Point, Long Island, N.Y. Dec. 28 [1919]; 8.30a.m. to 5.10p.m. (no observations between 1.30 and 3p.m.). Clear in forenoon, cloudy in afternoon; ground partly snow-covered; wind southwest, moderately strong; temp.40f. Eight miles on foot. Observers together. Herring Gull, 300; Mallard, 1; Red-shouldered(?) Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Screech Owl, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Flicker, 1; Crow, 60; Starling, 120; Meadow-lark, 7; Goldfinch, 1; Pine Siskin, 5; Tree Sparrow, 12; Slate-colored Junco, 4; Song Sparrow, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 4; Black-capped Chickadee, 3; Hermit Thrush, 1; Total, 18 species, about 528 individuals. The Mallard was flying over creek, turned when near us. Could easily see large duck with white underwings, grey back, green head and white ring around neck. Dec.27 [1919]. Kingfisher, 1; White-throated Sparrow, 4; Robin, 1.
Louise B. Laidlaw, Laidlaw Williams.
St. James, Long Island, N.Y. Dec. 22 [1919]; 10a.m. to 4p.m. Overcast in morning, clearing in afternoon; several inches of thawing snow on ground; wind northeast and brisk in forenoon, none in afternoon; temp. 34f at start, 40f at end. Herring Gull, 100; Black Duck, 50; American Golden-eye, 15; Old-squaw, 2; White-winged Scoter, 25; Kingfisher, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Flicker, heard; Blue Jay, 1; Crow, 50; Starling, 20; Tree Sparrow, 25; Junco, 35; Song Sparrow, 8; Myrtle Warbler, 12; (Wood Thrush or Hermit Thrush), 1; Robin, 2. Total, 17 species, 349 individuals. A covey of Bob-white observed, but not counted, some days ago by another person.
James W. Lane, Jr.
Hempstead, Long Island, N.Y. Dec. 25 [1919]; 9a.m. to 4p.m. Clear; about 6in. drifted snow; wind northwest; temp, about 30. Bob-white, 1; Cooper's Hawk, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Long-eared(?) Owl, 1; Horned Lark, 57; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 221; Starling, 110-flock; Cowbird, 37 (one flock); Red Crossbill, 12; Goldfinch, 12; Pine Siskin, 1; White-throated Sparrow, 1; Tree Sparrow, 12; Slate-colored Junco, 156; Song Sparrow, 7; Brown Creeper, 2; [Black-capped] Chickadee, 6. Total, 18species, 640 individuals. The Cowbirds, Red Crossbills and Goldfinches were all in one flock, feeding on weed-stalks that projected above the snow. Was able several times to approach quite close and note the bronze heads of the male Cowbirds. Females and immatures made up about half of this group. Also had an opportunity to closely observe the Crossbills and positively identify. The Cooper's Hawk kept in the vicinity of the flock and often would scare them up and then strike among them. Dec. 21, saw a Northern Shrike and a flock of 8 Pine Siskins at Valley Stream.
Theodore G. Roehner.
Long Beach, Nassau Co., Long Island, N.Y. Dec. 21 [1919]; 10a.m. to 4.10p.m. Mostly cloudy; ground mostly snow-covered; wind northeast, moderate; temp. 29f at 2p.m. Eleven miles on foot. Observers together. Horned Grebe, 2; Black-backed Gull, 8;Herring Gull, 250; Red-breasted Merganser, 15; Black Duck, several hundred; Scaup sp., 200; Golden-eye, several; Old-squaw, 18; White-winged Scoter, 25; Surf Scoter, 25; Canada Goose, flock of 10; Marsh Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel], 2; Horned Lark, 75; Crow several; Starling, 30; Snow Bunting, flock of 250; Lapland Longspur, 2; Ipswich Sparrow, 11; Savannah Sparrow, 3 (well seen in company with Ipswich); Song Sparrow, 4. Total, 21 species, about 1,500 individuals.
W. L. Sclater, E. R. P. Janvrix, D. P. Gilmore, C. H. Rogers.
Long Beach, Long Island, N.Y. Dec. 27 [1919]. An overcast moderating day, with thick haze offshore; a low broken swell on the ocean and quiet surf; much remaining shallow snow; wind southwest, light; temp. 33f to 38f. Horned Grebe, 30 or more, largest group 5; Black-backed Gull, many adult and immature; Herring Gull, thousands; Ring-billed Gull, 1; Red-breasted Merganser, a pair; Black Duck, many in "rafts" offshore, mostly far out, few on the wing; Greater Scaup, 2; Lesser Scaup(?) a flock of small-appearing birds from the meadow creeks were doubtless this; Old-squaw, common, largest group 12; White-winged Scoter, flocks of 12, 6 and 3; Marsh Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel], 1; Horned Lark, 3 together and 1; Prairie Horned Lark(?) 2 together, determination not quite satisfactory; Crow, common; Starling, flock of about 200, and a few in the town; Pine Siskin, flock of 6, and 1; Snow Bunting, flock of perhaps more than 1,000; Lapland Longspur, 1 with the preceding; Ipswich Sparrow, 2; Tree Sparrow, small flock; Song Sparrow, 7; Myrtle Warbler, locally numerous in tracts of bayberry. Total 21species+2(?), several thousand individuals.
E. P. Bicknell.
Massapequa, Long Island, N.Y. (and vicinity). Dec.27 [1919]; 10.30a.m. to 8p.m. Cloudy; wind southwest, light; temp. 30f to 35f. Black-backed Gull, 2; Herring Gull, 500+; American Merganser, 2; Black Duck, 250+; Scaup Duck, 400+ (doubtless the Greater Scaup as that species only was killed there on Dec.29); Canada Goose, 150+; Great Blue Heron, 1;Black-crowned Night Heron,1; Marsh Hawk,1; Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel], 2; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay,12; American Crow,20; Fish Crow, 15; Starling, 14; Meadowlark, 17; American Goldfinch, 8; Pine Siskin, 5; Tree Sparrow, 8; Slate-colored Junco, 16; Song Sparrow, 9; Myrtle Warbler, 23; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, 19. Total, 25species, 1,480+ individuals. On Dec.29 [1919], 2 Flickers were observed. Large numbers of Black Duck, Canada Geese, Herring Gulls, and unidentified ducks were observed on Great South Bay, about 400 to 500 yards offshore.
Alex. B. Klots, Clement P. Cobb.
Mastic, Long Island, N.Y. Dec.28 [1919]; all day. Clear; patches of snow and bare ground; wind northwest, moderate; temp. 30f sunrise, 38f sunset. About a 2-mile radius from farm buildings, garden and orchard, including deciduous and pitch pine woods, brushy pastures, bordering salt marshes and bay (frozen, with strip of open water along shore), open heads of fresh-water creeks. Observers together. Black-backed Gull, 10; Herring Gull, 40; American [Common] Merganser, 25; Black Duck, no; Golden-eye Duck, 25; White-winged Scoter, 1; Great Blue Heron, 4 (separate); Wilson's Snipe, 1; Bob-white, 7 (tracks of several other covies); Red-tail Hawk, 2; Bald Eagle, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 1 [American Kestrel]; [Great] Horned Owl, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 1; Blue Jay, 20; American Crow, 35; Starling, no; Meadowlark, 10; Cowbird, 1; Goldfinch, 10; Pine Siskin, 1; Tree Sparrow, 15; Junco, 4; Song Sparrow, 5; Myrtle Warbler, 180; White-breasted Nuthatch, 6; Chickadee, 15. Total, 28 species, 645 individuals. Wilson's Snipe put up from wooded brushy head of creek with characteristic note; Cowbird perched in tree-top with Starlings, comparative size, details of shape, and diagnostic flight noted.
C.F., W.F. and J.T. Nichols.
East Marion, Long Island, N.Y. Dec. 20 [1919]; 9.30a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Sunny in forenoon, cloudy in afternoon; ground partly covered with light snow; wind southwest, light; temp 26f at start, 33f at return. About 4 miles on foot, along bay shore and woods roads. Horned Grebe, 3; Black-backed Gull, 1; Herring Gull, 50; Scaup, 200+; American Golden-eye, 12; Old-squaw, 5; White-winged Scoter, 1; distant raft of ducks composed largely of Surf Scoters, 50; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Horned Lark, 17; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 80+; Redpoll, 18 (some of flock at times almost within reaching distance, and all markings visible both with and without field glasses); American Goldfinch, 8; Tree Sparrow, 3; Slate-colored Junco, 9; Song Sparrow, 16; Myrtle Warbler, 30; Black-capped Chickadee, 5. Total, 19 species, about 511individuals. Two White-winged Crossbills were seen Dec. 3 and 4.
Mabel R. Wiggins.
Orient, Long Island, N.Y. Dec. 28 [1919]; 6a.m. to dark. Clear; ground mostly bare, pond and swamps mostly frozen; wind west, light to fresh; temp. 27f to 35f. Holboell's [Red-necked] Grebe, 1; Horned Grebe, 24; Loon, 30; Great Black-backed Gull, 1; Herring Gull, 350; American [Common] Merganser, 2; Red-breasted Merganser, 150; Mallard, 7(6males); Black Duck, 70; Greater Scaup Duck, 300; Golden-eyed Duck, 11; Bufflehead, 100; Old-squaw, 250; White-winged Scoter, 1,000; Surf Scoter, 25; Canada Goose, 1(associating with a flock of Gulls); King Rail, 1; Virginia Rail, 1 (4 others taken within a week); Wilson's Snipe, 1; Marsh Hawk, 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Cooper's Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; [Eastern] Screech Owl, 1; Kingfisher, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 4; Horned Lark, 400; Crow, 100; Starling, 150; Meadowlark, 5 (one singing); Goldfinch, 10; Pine Siskin, 35; Snow Bunting, 300; Tree Sparrow, 60; Junco, 30; Song Sparrow, 75; Fox Sparrow, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 65; Catbird, 1; Chickadee, 38; Robin, 150 (one flock). Total, 43species; 3,760 individuals. Both Red- and White-winged Crossbills and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet have been recorded within a few days.
Roy Latham.
Greenport, Long Island, N.Y. (across Gardiner's Bay to Gardiner's Island and return). Dec. 21 [1919]; 8a.m. to 3.30p.m. Overcast at start; snowing from 8.30a.m. to 1.30p.m., then partially clearing; ground snow-covered, marshes and ponds mostly frozen; wind northeast, light; temp. 28f to 20f. Observers together. Horned Grebe, 8; Loon, 4; Great Black-backed Gull, 4; Herring Gull, 25; American Merganser, 22; Red-breasted Merganser, 25; Mallard, 1; Black Duck,100; Baldpate (American Wigeon], 23; Golden-eye, 50 Old-squaw, 200; White-winged Scoter, 400; Surf Scoter, 250; Canada Goose,70; Brant, 3 Great Blue Heron, 1; Black-crowned Night Heron, 2 (excellent view); Pheasant, 10 Marsh Hawk, 1; Hawk (Red-tail or Rough-leg), 1; Short-eared Owl, 1; Downy Wood-pecker, 1; Flicker, 3; Blue Jay, 1; Crow, 10; Starling, 50; Meadowlark, 2; Tree Sparrow, 12; Song Sparrow, 10; Tree Swallow, 1 (an anomalous sight in a winter snow-storm; bird well seen, the green in the back made out even through the snow and bad light); Myrtle Warbler, 10; Chickadee, 3. Total, 32 species; 1,304 individuals. The snowstorm responsible for the few land birds noted, and the recent cold wave for the comparative scarcity of birds in general. Hawks, once remarkably abundant in winter, are now systematically trapped and shot.
Lord William Percy, Ludlow Griscom.
![American Kestrel [Sparrowhawk] at Pelham Bay Park, Bronx in December 2018](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d6bfaf_8bc9d984e6344e1db367cf6500742896~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1273,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/d6bfaf_8bc9d984e6344e1db367cf6500742896~mv2.jpg)
American Kestrel [Sparrowhawk], Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, Dec. 2018
Hackettstown, N. J. Dec. 27 [1919]; 7.30 to 9.30 a.m., 12.30 to 2.30 p.m. Partly cloudy; ground mostly covered with about 3 inches of snow; wind south, light; temp. 30f. A fraction of the time at home about feeding station but most of the time on foot between Waterloo and Hackettstown. Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel] (?), 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Flicker (?), 1; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 19; Starling, 19; Purple Finch, 7; Goldfinch, 54; Tree Sparrow, 15; Junco, 4; Song Sparrow, 1; Nuthatch (probably White-breasted), 1; Chickadee, 4. Total, 13 species; about 129 individuals.
Mary Pierson Allen.
Englewood Region, N. J. (Overpeck Creek and Phelps Estate). Dec. 26 [1919]; 11 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Cloudy; 2 in. snow; wind south; temp. 28f. Observers together. Black-backed Gull, 1; Herring Gull, 50; Marsh Hawk, 1; Sharp-shinned (?) Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Rough-legged Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Barred Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Flicker, 1; Blue Jay, 7; Crow, 12; Starling, 13; Meadowlark, 2; Goldfinch, 20; Pine Siskin, 12; White-throated Sparrow, 2; Tree Sparrow, 2; Slate-colored Junco, 22; Song Sparrow, 14; Swamp Sparrow, 1; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 7; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2. Total, 26 species; 186 individuals.
Walden Pell 2d., S. Morris Pell.
Hawthorne, Glen Rock and Ridgewood, N. J. Dec. 25 [1919]; 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Clear; 2 in. snow; wind southwest, brisk; temp. 28f at start, 36f at return. Nine miles afoot. Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Horned Lark, 2; Blue Jay, 5; American Crow, 17; Starling, 78; Purple Finch, 1; Goldfinch, 5; Pine Siskin, 8; White-throated Sparrow, 3; Tree Sparrow, 10; Junco, 4; Song Sparrow, 6; Cedar Waxwing, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Black-capped Chickadee, 7; Bluebird, 3. Total, 17 species; 157 individuals.
Louis S. Kohler.
Newark, N. J. Dec. 25 [1919]; 9 to 10.30 a.m., 3 to 4p.m. Clear; 2 in. snow; temp. 18f to 22f. Along edge and in northern section of Branch Brook Park, Second River—distance about 5 miles. Auto ride to South Orange, where the Grackles were found in a house where they had evidently accompanied Santa Claus down the chimney. Downy Woodpecker, 1; Crow, 1; Starling, 7; Purple Grackle, 2; White-throated Sparrow, 13; Tree Sparrow, 2; Junco, 6; Song Sparrow, 2; Brown Creeper, 2; Chickadee, 7. Total, 10species; 43 individuals. It may be of interest that a Long-eared Owl sat on a tree in our back yard in residential section of Newark all day Dec. 19 [1919]. It was very tame and permitted a positive identification. Also the following late lingerers in Branch Brook Park: Robin, Dec. 20; Hermit Thrush, Dec. 15.
R. F. Haulenbeek
South Orange, N.J. Dec. 26 [1919]; 10a.m. to 1.30p.m. Cloudy; 2 in. snow on ground; wind, moderate; temp. 15f to 20f. Along crest of South Mountain Reservation to Washington Rock, returning to South Orange along base of Mountain. Distance about 7 miles. Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Blue Jay, 20; Starling, 2; Tree Sparrow, 20; Junco, 18; Song Sparrow, 5; Cardinal, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 8; Chickadee, 12; also a large Hawk not positively identified, but probably a Red-tailed Hawk. Total, 10 species; 92 individuals.
Robert Wolfe, Graham Roskein.
Morristown, N. J. Dec. 28 [1919]; 8 to 11 a.m., 1.30 to 5.15 p.m. Fair; 1 in. snow on ground, with some bare places; wind northwest, light, gradually rising; temp. 29f to 35f. Burnham Park, Sherman Hill, Lake Road, Speedwell Park, along D. L. & W. and Erie tracks to disposal beds. Ruffed Grouse, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel], 1; Kingfisher, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Blue Jay, 32; Crow, 42; Starling, 25; Pine Grosbeak, 2 (observed only in flight, and identified chiefly by note; I think there can be no doubt of the correctness of the record); Purple Finch, 5; Red Crossbill, 7; Goldfinch, 6; Pine Siskin, 5; White-throated Sparrow, 1; Tree Sparrow, 48; Field Sparrow, 1; Junco, 63; Song Sparrow, 9; Cardinal, 1; Brown Creeper, 9; White-breasted Nuthatch, 17; Chickadee, 51; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 3. Total, 24 species, 338 individuals. On Dec. 24, crossing the Hackensack Meadows on a P.R.R. train, at noon, I saw 7 Swallows (undoubtedly White-bellied [Tree Swallows]) on the telegraph wires.
R. C. Caskey.
Westfield, N. J. (to Second Watching Mountain and back). Dec. 25 [1919]; 8.15 a.m. to 3.20 p.m. Clear; 2 in. fresh fallen snow; wind west, moderate; temp. 19f at start, 22f at return. About 12 miles on foot. Red-shouldered (?) Hawk, 1; Ring-neck Pheasant, 4; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 3; Crow, 7; Starling, 3; American Goldfinch, 1; Tree Sparrow, 18; Junco, about 20; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 11. Total, 13 species, 66 individuals.
Frank Allatt.
Plainfield, N. J. (to Ash Swamp and back). Dec. 28 [1919]; 8.30 a.m. to 5.45 p.m. Clear; ground mostly lightly covered with snow; little wind; temp. 30° at start. Ring-necked Pheasant, 4 (flock); Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel], 1; Barred Owl, found fresh roost and probably glimpsed Owl as it flew; Hairy Woodpecker, 3;Downy Woodpecker, 9; Flicker, 1; Blue Jay, 12; American Crow, 50; Starling, 25; Grackle (or Rusty Blackbird ?), 1; White-winged Crossbill, 1; Goldfinch, 7; Pine Siskin, 12; Vesper Sparrow, 1; White-throated Sparrow, 8; Tree Sparrow, 70; Field Sparrow, 3 (flock); Junco, 40; Song Sparrow, 17; Swamp Sparrow, 1; Cardinal, 5; Myrtle Warbler, 12; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 9; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 3; Black-capped Chickadee, 12. Total, 29 species; 314 individuals.
W. DeW. Miller.
New Brunswick, N. J. Dec. 27 [1919]; 8.50 a.m. to 1.40 p.m. Cloudy; 1 in. snow; wind, west, very light; temp. 32f to 41f. Cooper's Hawk, 2; Red-tailed Hawk, 3; Hairy Woodpecker, 4; Downy Woodpecker, 7; Blue Jay, 9; American Crow, 49; Fish Crow, 19; Starling, 147; Purple Finch, 8; Goldfinch, n; White-throated Sparrow, 1; Tree Sparrow, 2; Junco, 88; Song Sparrow, 13; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 17; Black-capped Chickadee, 26; Carolina Chickadee, 8. Total, 19 species; 418 individuals. Robins, Myrtle Warblers and Horned Larks were seen recently.
Stuart T. Danforth.
Millstone, N. J. (to Weston Mill along river, cross country to East Millstone, alongriver to Blackwells Mills, cross country to Millstone). Dec. 23 [1919]; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Clear,light clouds toward night; light snow remaining from previous week of snow and zeroweather; wind west, very light; temp. 8a.m. 20f to 6 p.m. 40f. Fifteen miles on foot; area 85 square miles, approximately. Mallard Duck, 21; Ring-necked Pheasant, 12; Mourning Dove, 20 (flock); Marsh Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk. 2; Barn Owl, 1; Screech Owl, 2; Northern Downy Woodpecker, 13; Northern Flicker, 2; Horned Lark, 60 (flock); Blue Jay, 24; American Crow, 5,000 (est.); Starling, 60; Purple Grackle, 1; American Goldfinch, 8; White-throated Sparrow, 4; Tree Sparrow, 200; Slate-colored Junco, 1 10; Song Sparrow, 16; Cardinal, 5; Northern Shrike, 1; Brown Creeper, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch, 6; Tufted Titmouse, 24; Black-capped Chickadee, 30; Robin, 2. Total, 26 species; 5,630 individuals, approximately.
N. C. Wyckoff.
Atlantic City, N. J. (to Brigantine Island and back). Dec. 20 [1919]; 11a.m. to 4 p.m. Clear; patches of snow; wind south, strong, but lighter in the afternoon; temp. 30f at start, 42 at return. About 5 miles on foot, the rest of the time birds observed from gunning skiff. Went up the island along the seashore, and returned along the meadow and inland creek shore. Observers together. Horned Grebe, 1; Great Black-backed Gull, 10; Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gull, 200; Red-breasted Merganser, 10; Black Duck, 2; Old-squaw, 5; White-winged Scoter and Surf Scoter, 30; Marsh Hawk, 2; Horned Lark, 12; Tree Sparrow, 20; Myrtle Warbler, 10. Total, 13 species; about 300 individuals.
Franklin P. and Howell E. Cook.
Mount Holly, N. J. Dec. 28 [1919]; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cloudy, ground partly covered with
snow; temp. 28f at start, 38f at return. Seven miles on foot. Observers together most of time. Turkey Vulture, 3; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel], 3; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 7; Blue Jay, 13; Crow (roost), 10,000 (est.); Starling, 25;
Goldfinch, 8; Pine Siskin, 35 (flock); White-throated Sparrow, 20; Tree Sparrow, 13; Field Sparrow, 2; Junco, 40; Song Sparrow, 14 (one singing); Cardinal, 5; Catbird, 1 (saw, and heard calls several times not 15 feet away); Brown Creeper, 5; White-breasted Nuthatch, 6; Tufted Titmouse, 11; Carolina Chickadee, 10; Hermit Thrush, 1. Total, 22 species; 10,224 individuals.
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, D. W. Pumyea.
Moorestown, N. J. (valleys of the Delaware, Rancocas, Pensauken and Coopers Creeks). Dec. 25 [1919]; 6.35 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Clear to partly cloudy; 2 in. snow; wind northwest, fresh; temp. 22 at start. About 45 miles in auto and afoot. Three separate groups. Herring Gull, 5; Merganser (sp. ?) 4; Mourning Dove, 11; Turkey Vulture, 4; Marsh Hawk, 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 4; Red-shouldered (?) Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel], 5; Long-eared Owl, 1; Kingfisher, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1; Phoebe, 1; Horned Lark, 62; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 608; Starling, 114; Rusty Blackbird, 8; Meadowlark, 59; Purple Finch, 9; Goldfinch, 10; White-throated Sparrow, 14; Tree Sparrow, 8; Junco, 166; Song Sparrow, 42; Cardinal, 22; Myrtle Warbler, 1; Winter Wren, 2; Carolina Wren, 2; Brown Creeper, 5; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 7; Black-capped Chickadee, 9; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2. Total, 36 species (1 uncertain); 1,203 individuals. Crossbill (sp. ?) seen on the 20th, 23d and 24th.
M. Albert Linton, Anna A. Mickle, Samuel N. Rhoads, Alice C. Darnell, Alice M., Ellen C, and
John D. Carter, George H. Hallett, Jr., Wm. Bacon Evans.
Camden, N. J. (and vicinity). Dec. 28 [1919]; 8a.m. to 4 p.m. Cloudy; ground partly snow-covered; wind southwest, light; temp. 30f to 40f. Herring Gull, 40; Black-crowned Night Heron, 1; English Pheasant, 2; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel], 5; Barn Owl, 2 (one dead); Long-eared Owl, 3; [Eastern] Screech Owl, 1; Blue Jay, 5; Crow, 200; Starling, 75; Meadowlark, 5; Goldfinch, 1; White-throated Sparrow, 25; Tree Sparrow, 30; Junco, 40; Song Sparrow, 20; Cardinal, 10; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1; Hermit Thrush, 1. Total, 21 species; 470 individuals.
Julian K. Potter.
Delaware River in Pennsylvania, opposite Trenton, N. J. Dec. 25 [1919]; 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Clear; 2 in. snow; wind northwest, brisk; temp. 25f. Downy Woodpecker, 3; Crow, 2; Siskin, 15; White-throat, 2; Tree Sparrow, 12; Song Sparrow, 5; Cardinal, 2; Winter Wren, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 2; Chickadee, 6. Total, 10 species, 50 individuals
W. L. Dix.
Cooper's Hawk in December 2018 at Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx
Connecticut CBC 1919
South Windsor, Conn. Dec. 25 [1919]; 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Clear all day; an inch of snowfell previous night; wind northwest, light; temp. 25f to 29f. About 15-mile tramp; several miles beside Connecticut River, north of Hartford; in the meadowland and marshes parallel to it; then in the woodland on the higher ground. Observers together. Herring Gull, 4; Merganser, 16; Black Duck, 1; Ring-neck Pheasant, 2 (pair); Goshawk, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel]; 1; [Eastern] Screech Owl, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 4; Downy Woodpecker, 16 (unusually plentiful); Flicker, 1; Prairie Horned Lark, 60+ (two flocks); Blue Jay, 3; Crow, 150+ ; Starling, 100+ ; Meadowlark, 4; Purple Finch, 7; Goldfinch, 100+ ; Tree Sparrow, 200+ ; Song Sparrow, 20-f; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 6; Chickadee, 150+. Total, 23 species; 851+ individuals. Great Horned Owl (pair), Barred Owl, Golden-eye Duck, Northern Shrike, and Pileated Woodpecker seen within last few days, but could not find today.
C. W. Vibert, Geo. T. Griswold.
Hartford, Conn. Dec. 25 [1919]; 9.30 a.m. to 12 m. Clear; ground snow-covered; wind west,strong; temp. 26f. Ruffed Grouse, 1; Barred Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 16; Crow, 22; Starling, 24; Redpoll, 16; Goldfinch, 18; Slate-colored Junco, 28; White-breasted Nuthatch, 5; Chickadee, 34; Robin, 1. Total, 13 species,; 171 individuals.
Clifford M. Case.
Hartford, Conn, (from Hartford north along the Connecticut River as far as the Farmington River). Dec. 25 [1919]. Clear; ice in river; temp, between 30f and 28f. Herring Gull, 2; American [Common] Merganser, 50; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel], 3; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 2; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, n; Starling, 200; Purple Finch, 4; Redpoll, 15; Goldfinch, 50; Pine Siskin, 15; White-throated Sparrow, 4; Tree Sparrow, 14; Junco, 15; Song Sparrow, 5; Brown Creeper, 9; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Black-capped Chickadee, 9; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2. Total, 22 species; 421 individuals.
Albert Pinkus.
West Hartford, Conn. Dec. 28 [1919]; 7am to 11a.m., 1pm to 5 p.m. Clear to partly cloudy; light snow on ground; wind northwest, still to moderate; temp. 32f at start, 30f at return. Twelve miles on foot, Observers together. Hungarian Partridge, 10 (two coveys); Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel], 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 8; Blue Jay, 10; Crow, 2,400; Starling, 235; Redpoll, 10; Goldfinch, 20; Tree Sparrow, 6; Junco, 75; Song Sparrow, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 8; Black-capped Chickadee, 17. Total, 14 species; about 2,766 individuals. Dec. 21, observed on bank of Connecticut River, in East Hartford, two Swamp Sparrows; was within less than ten feet of them. They were roosting under upturned tree roots.
Paul H. and Edwin H. Hunger
Bristol, Conn. (Northwest section, included by Farmington, Jerome and Burlington Avenues). Dec. 25 [1919]; 8 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Clear; 3 in. fresh snow; wind northwest, brisk; temp. 18f at start, 23f at return. Ten miles on foot. Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 5; Crow, 8; Starling, 580 in flock; Tree Sparrow, 67; Junco, 13; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 4. Total, 9 species; 682 individuals.
Frank Bruen, Elbert E. Smith.
Madison, Conn. Dec. 27 [1919]; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cloudy; 2 in. snow; wind variable, light;
temp. 36 at start, 38f at return. Herring Gull, 2; Black Duck, 18; Bob-white, 9; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Horned Lark, 35; Blue Jay, 3; Crow, 19; Starling, 130; Meadowlark, 30; Goldfinch, 17; Pine Siskin, 70; Tree Sparrow, 13; Junco, 8; Song Sparrow, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, 7. Total, 18 species; 370 individuals.
Franklin Farrel III, George E. Woodbine.
New London, Conn. Dec. 26 [1919]; 7.30 a.m. to 3.45 p.m. Clear; 2 in. snow; almost no
wind at first, later light southwest; temp. 16 at start. Fifteen-mile walk. Herring Gull, 165; Ring-billed Gull, 6; Black Duck, 3; Scaup sp. 30; Golden-eye, 17; Bufflehead, 5; Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel], 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Flicker, 2; Blue Jay, 38; Meadowlark, 3; Crow, 13; Goldfinch, 7; Pine Siskin, 100; Junco, 15; Song Sparrow, 1; Tree Sparrow, 17; Myrtle Warbler, 5; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 8; Chickadee, 36. Total, 23 species; 491 individuals. Saw 11 Evening Grosbeaks Dec. 24.
Frances Miner Gravks.
New Haven, Conn. Dec. 28 [1919]; time, 4.5 hours; Hamden and North Haven, traveling southeast, a.m. New Haven Harbor, p.m. Clear; remnants of light snowfall from the 24th on ground; wind west, light; temp, about 35f. Herring Gull, 1,000; Black Duck, 1; Golden-eye, 150; Ruffed Grouse, 2; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 1; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, 4; Red-winged Blackbird, 25; Meadowlark, 1; Grackle, 75; Goldfinch, 75; Pine Siskin, 20; White-throated Sparrow, 5; Tree Sparrow, 16; Junco, 6; Song Sparrow, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 30; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 50. Total, 21 species ; about 1,500 individuals. (All larger numbers are approximate.) The Flicker, Red-winged Blackbird, and Grackle were observed at close range, under very favorable circumstances.
Richard Eckles Harrison, John Barlow Derby.
Birdcraft Sanctuary to Fairfield Beach, Conn. Dec. 25 [1919]; sunrise to sunset. Fair; 3 in. snow on ground; wind northwest, strong; temp. 22f. Herring Gull, 90; Red-breasted Merganser, 3; Black Duck, 3; Greater Scaup, 30; Golden-eye, 20; Bufflehead. 4; Old Squaw, 25; White-winged Scoter, 35; Black-crowned Night Heron, 6; Pheasant, 9; Sparrow Hawk [American Kestrel], 2; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Flicker, 1; Blue Jay, 5; Crow, 7; Starling, 35; Purple Finch, 3; Goldfinch, 12; White-throated Sparrow, 6; Tree Sparrow, 11; Junco, 15; Song Sparrow, 5; Myrtle Warbler, 7; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 4. Total, 26 species; 345 individuals.
Frank Norak. (Warden, Birdcraft Sanctuary.)
Norwalk, Conn. Dec. 26 [1919]; 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., 2.45 to 4.40 p.m. Partly cloudy to cloudy; 2” in. snow; wind west, light; temp. 20f at start, 34f at return. Herring Gull, 26; American Merganser, 3; Red-breasted Merganser, 2; Black Duck, 2; Scaup Duck, 5; Golden-eye, 2; Bufflehead, 13; White winged Scoter, 10; Surf Scoter, 4; Marsh Hawk, 1; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Cooper's Hawk, 1; Red tailed Hawk, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, 2 ; Downy Woodpecker, 9; Horned Lark, 3; Blue Jaw 22; Crow, 27; Starling, 52; Rusty Blackbird, 6; Purple Finch, 4; Tree Sparrow, 24; Junco, 6; Song Sparrow, 15; Swamp Sparrow, 1; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chickadee, 22. Total, 29 species; 288 individuals. The Swamp Sparrow and Rusty Blackbirds were both examined through ordinary opera glasses, both in good light, the Swamp Sparrow from 12 feet, and the Blackbirds, feeding on the ground in an open field, from 50 feet. Pine Siskins were observed Dec. 24, and Evening Grosbeaks have been reported from this locality since Dec. 20. One was seen by Mrs. W. K. Harrington this morning, but I reached the place too late to include it in my list.
Aretas A. Saunders
Deborah Allen and Robert DeCandido PhD
Follow our Bird Sightings on Twitter: @DAllenNYC and/or @BirdingBobNYC
\
Eurasian Wigeon in December 2018