Category: Other Birds

Other Birds

Virginia Rail

A Virginia Rail, which may be the same bird that was released into the park earlier this month by a rehabber, was out in the open on Sunday in the stream between Balcony Bridge and Triplets Bridge.

The reeds where the bird had been hiding, were removed last week as part of the renovations of the Lake
102807vrb
102807vrc
102807vrd
102807vre
102807vrf
102807vrg
102807vrh
102807vri
Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey, Other Birds, Other Red-tailed Hawks

Pelham Bay Park Landfill

Sunday, I spent mid-day in Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx.  It’s at the end of the 6 Subway Line, which is an easy but long ride from Manhattan. Long Island Sound basically ends at the park, which makes it a perfect magnet for birds migrating from New England.

Once a year, the Urban Park Rangers lead a hawk watching tour of the landfill which is normally closed to visitors.  This year’s tour ended up being a perfect day for hawk watching.  The weather was nice, and the wind was steady and from a northwesterly direction.  We ended up having hawks in view the entire time we were on the landfill, which is highly unusual.  Needless to say, I had a great time.

The view from the top of the Landfill.

The landfill is a large hill.  It is the highest point in the area giving us a great view, plus it creates updrafts for the hawks and falcons.

We ended up seeing many Red-tailed Hawks (seven were in the air at once), American Kestrels (at least four), Northern Harriers (at least two), Osprey (two, not photographed) and one possible Sharp-shinned hawk.

Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawks
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk and aircraft.
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk hovering.
There were at least two American Kestrel pairs on the landfill.  Two were seen on the barb-wire cages that surround the methane gas vents.  Needless to say the fences have large signs saying “No Smoking”.
American Kestrel
American Kestrel Hovering.
American Kestrel Hovering.
American Kestrel Hovering.
American Kestrel Hovering.
Immature North Harrier
My guess is that this is an accipiter.  Based on the size, it is was likely to be a Sharp-shinned Hawk but this is only a guess.
Reverse view of the same unidentified hawk.
As we were leaving the landfill I commented how nice it would be if a hawk landed on the Bronx Victory Memorial.  A few minutes later my wish came true!
101407pbp21
101407pbp22
101407pbp23
101407pbp24
101407pbp25
As we returned to the Ranger Station, a juvenile Red-tailed hawk landed on a tree 15 feet from the station.
I was able to follow it for about an hour.  It hunted along the edge of the highway, in a playground, and on top of a stadium light.  The hunting attempts weren’t successful, but I think the young hawk was practicing rather than giving it the full effort.
101407pbp28
101407pbp29
A scratch
It moved from tree to tree making a hunting attempt each time.
101407pbp32
Here it is in a bush after trying for a mouse in a playground.
It then went after the Monk Parakeets of Pelham Bay Park, which use the stadium lights of the running track.
The Monk Parakeets were safely one stadium light tower away from the hawk.  But they sure made a racket.
The hawk takes a few looks, moves around a bit and then flies away.
Circling to gain height.
And within minutes is gone from view.

I returned to Manhattan with a detour into Central Park, where I found…

… Lola on the Beresford…
…and Pale Male was in a new spot near his regular roosting tree.
Other Birds

Fall Central Park Birds

Sunday birding was fairly quiet in Central Park, but if you looked hard enough you could find some fun species.

Immature White-crowned Sparrow
Immature White-crowned Sparrow
Immature White-crowned Sparrow
Immature White-crowned Sparrow
Immature White-crowned Sparrow
Northern Flicker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Winter Wren
Winter Wren