Central Park: April 27th/28th

Saturday was slow going with low numbers but a significant uptick in diversity compared to Thursday, the larger volume day.  Notable were first-of-year (for me) Black-throated Green Warbler and an Eastern Kingbird and an especially elusive Hooded Warbler that I finally caught up with at the Tupelo. In contrast to Thursday there were actually some thrushes around, all Hermits.  Nevertheless the going was relatively slow and I managed only 8 warbler species.  A roosting Red Bat was pointed out to me - the first time I've actually seen one roosting in the park although we sometimes encounter daytime bats (perhaps sick ones).

Sunday held the promise of better winds, and migration had a bit more volume but it didn't quite constitute a "good" day.  Highlights were new American Redstart, new Chestnut-sided Warbler, a Worm-eating Warbler and a Great Crested Flycatcher.  Notable by its absence was Kentucky Warbler - seen in Prospect Park and should be pretty much the perfect time for one.   Numbers were up but it manifested as much as more Black-and-whites or Ruby-crowned Kinglets and I netted only one more warbler species on the Sunday than the Saturday.

Saturday:

Gadwall
Chimney Swift
Northern Flicker
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Brown Creeper
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
Gray Catbird
Northern Parula
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Palm Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Hooded Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow

Sunday:

Chimney Swift

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Great Crested Flycatcher

Blue-headed Vireo

Warbling Vireo (heard)

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Hermit Thrush

Wood Thrush (heard)

Gray Catbird

Northern Parula

Yellow Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

American Redstart

Worm-eating Warbler

Ovenbird

Eastern Towhee

Swamp Sparrow

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Central Park May 1st and 2nd

Although April 30th was probably the most numerous day (I was at work), May 1st and 2nd in the park were good migration days and signalled a rapid switch from early to mid spring migrants. The species mix was different on the two days, with many Black-throated Greens on Sat and none on Sun. Best birds on Saturday were multiple Hooded Warblers, Worm-eating Warbler and Yellow-throated Vireo amongst a lot of new-for-year birds. On Sunday an early Bay-breasted Warbler (last year I had one on Apr 26th), Blackburnian Warbler, a few Blackpolls, and a Prairie Warbler. There were multiple termite hatch-outs at before 10am in the Ramble on Sunday under very humid conditions. 19 warbler species aggregated over two days with others (Cape May and Cerulean) at least reported.

May 1st:

White-eyed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Gray Catbird
Blue-winged Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Palm Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Worm-eating Warbler
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Waterthrush
Hooded Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

May 2nd:

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Scarlet Tanager
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole

Central Park, April 28th

Most interesting bird was actually viewed from the NJ Transit train
headed into the city at Secaucus, where a Common Raven was soaring
above the rock outcrop at Laurel Hill Park.

Hooded Warbler and Worm-eating Warblers were the best birds for the day after that.
Possibly more than one Worm-eating, but there was just one very active male Hooded that rarely fed at ground level. A "late"
bird was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. New birds for the year for me
included Eastern Kingbird (nr Bow Bridge), Veery, Yellow Warbler
(several) and American Redstart. Slightly odd that I've seen Redstart
and Bay-breasted before Black-throated Green (which I only heard
today). 18 or 19 warbler species is, however, not a bad total for late
April. The Juncos appear to have left but the White-throated Sparrows are still numerous.

Despite hearing Chimney Swifts I didn't see any until I was working in the yard at home in the evening.

Double-crested Cormorant (flock migrating overhead)
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo (heard only)
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Blue-winged Warbler (a few)
Nashville Warbler (several, widespread)
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (abundant)
Black-throated Green Warbler (heard)
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler (probable heard)
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart (Tanner's Spring)
Worm-eating Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush (Gill)
Louisiana Waterthrush (Oven)
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow