A Bicknell’s Thrush has been delighting Central Park birders with frequent songs and great looks up in the North Woods. Usually found in the mountains, most folks find this bird after hiking up a New England trail. So having one singing loudly, which allows one to distinguish it from the more common, and very similar Gray-cheeked Thrush has been wonderful.
A Chuck-will’s-widow’s was found this morning in Central Park’s North Woods. It’s an odd looking, nocturnal bird that’s tough to find even with the help of Blue Jays. Kudos to those who found it.
An infrequent visitor to Central Park was found this morning on The Pool, an American Bittern.
Today was one of those magical birding day, where a rarity brings out the best NYC birders who then find everything around them that would normally be missed.
Two days ago, a Slaty-backed Gull was seen one the reservoir but misidentified as a Lesser Black-backed Gull. Once the error was realized, many birders came to Central Park to see a bird usually only found in Asia but occasionally in Alaska.
But as happens when a rare bird appears, having over a hundred birders including many experts looking for a rarity, less rare birds are also found.
Today, many of us had eight species of gull:
Thank you to all of the experts today who helped those of us who are “gull challenged” to have a great experience. 2-2-22 will have a special meaning for many of us.
Here are pictures of the Slaty-backed Gull:
And photographs of the Iceland Gulls
The female Long-tailed Duck continues to be seen on the Reservoir in the large raft of Ruddy Ducks. Depending on the light, she can be easy or hard to find. Late in the day, finding her sometimes feels like playing “Where’s Waldo”.
At least one flock of Cedar Waxwings have been in Central Park this week. They’re such wonderful birds. They have been seen in the fruit trees on either side of the West Drive, in the 70’s through the 90’s.
