Cedar Waxwing along the Manchester Gateway Trail, New York State

On the evening of arrival at Manchester and on our return from Niagara Falls the following day, Mrs T and I took a stroll along the nearby Manchester Gateway Trail. The well-maintained path runs alongside a small river in the Finger Lakes region, and on both visits we encountered several Cedar Waxwing, a species that I dipped on in Central Park. Song Sparrow and Tufted Titmouse were additional species that I had expected to connect with in Central Park. Although only a total of fifteen species were recorded, eight were additions to the ‘Trip List’, three of which were ‘lifers’.

Cedar Waxwing, Manchester Gateway Trail – 1 Aug 24

Osprey, Manchester Gateway Trail – 1 Aug 24

Eastern Wood-pewee, Manchester Gateway Trail – 1 Aug 24

Broad-winged Hawk, Manchester Gateway Trail – 1 Aug 24

Northern Flicker, Manchester Gateway Trail – 1 Aug 24

Song Sparrow, Manchester Gateway Trail – 2 Aug 24

Eastern Bluebird, Manchester Gateway Trail – 2 Aug 24

Patch list as follows (‘lifers’ in bold text):

Wednesday 31 Jul 24

• Belted Kingfisher (1)
• Broad-winged Hawk (1)
• Cedar Waxwing (3; 3) & 1/8 (4; 1)
• Common Grackle
• Eastern Wood-pewee (2)
• Northern Flicker (1)
• Song Sparrow (1)

Thursday 1 Aug 24

• American Crow
• American Robin
• Cedar Waxwing (4; 1)
• Eastern Bluebird (1)
• Great Blue Heron (1)
• Mourning Dove
• Northern Flicker (1)
• Osprey (1)
• Ring-billed Gull
• Song Sparrow (1; 2)
• Tufted Titmouse (2)

Tufted Titmouse, Manchester Gateway Trail – 2 Aug 24

Belted Kingfisher, Manchester Gateway Trail – 1 Aug 24

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) GeoSci (Open)

Black-capped Chickadee and Hairy Woodpecker at Niagara State Park

 

The primary objective of the 3-day road trip was to visit Niagara Falls and tick off another item from our ‘Bucket List’. Consequently, we were up early on 1 Aug 24 to drive the remaining distance from Manchester and ensure we arrived there before the crowds. It was a very enjoyable day and the boat trip on ‘The Maid of the Mist’ was well worth the money. The visit also added a few more species to the Trip List, that included Hairy Woodpecker that I had dipped on in Central Park. Both the Hairy Woodpecker and Black-capped Chickadee were ‘lifers’. I also had far better views of Baltimore Oriole with a pair of birds feeding in a tree, oblivious to the pedestrians walking past nearby. I also had what I believe to be a female Scarlet Tanager (see image below) during a full loop of Goat Island (that included Three Sisters Islands).

Black-capped Chickadee, Niagara State Park, Goat Island – 1 Aug 24

Hairy Woodpecker, Niagara State Park, Goat Island – 1 Aug 24

Baltimore Oriole (male), Niagara State Park, Goat Island – 1 Aug 24

 

Baltimore Oriole (female), Niagara State Park, Goat Island – 1 Aug 24

 

Presumed Scarlet Tanager (female), Niagara State Park, Goat Island – 1 Aug 24

 

Great Crested Flycatcher, Niagara State Park, Goat Island – 1 Aug 24

Spotted Sandpiper, Niagara State Park, Goat Island – 1 Aug 24

A total of 21 species were seen that included an additional 2 ‘lifers’ (bold text).

·        American Herring Gull

·        American Robin

·        American Yellow Warbler

·        Baltimore Oriole (pair)

·        Barn Swallow

·        Black-capped Chickadee (2 singles)

·        Canada Goose

·        Chimney Swift

·        Double-crested Cormorant

·        Great Crested Flycatcher (1)

·        Great White Egret (1 – Three Sisters Islands)

·        Hairy Woodpecker (2)

·        House Sparrow

·        Mallard

·        Northern Cardinal (pair + 2 juveniles)

·        Red-eyed Vireo (3)

·        Red-winged Blackbird (40+)

·        Ring-billed Gull

·        Scarlet Tanager (female)

·        Spotted Sandpiper (1 – Three Sisters Islands)

·        Starling

Niagara Falls (Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls) – 1 Aug 24

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) GeoSci (Open)

Juvenile Bald Eagle at the Interstate 80 Delaware Water Gap Observation Point, USA

After enjoying the delights of New York City, Mrs T and I picked up a hire car and relocated to Manchester (South of Rochester) within striking distance of the Niagara Falls. The very pleasant six-hour drive took us through the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania before we returned to New York State. As we travelled westbound along the I-80 we saw signs for the Delaware Water Gap Observation point and decided to check it out. Unfortunately, the view from the almost deserted car park at the top of a windy access road was obscured by trees. Neither could we see any signs or obvious well-trodden paths indicating the way to an observation point. However, several raptors were soaring overhead, and as I got my camera out of the boot a large raptor circled much lower over the car park before it disappeared out of view behind the trees. The record images clearly showed that it was an eagle, and at our motel I later confirmed that it was in fact a juvenile Bald Eagle – ‘a lifer’.

Bald Eagle (immature) – 31 Jul 24

Bald Eagle (immature) – 31 Jul 24

Giving up on the observation point we rejoined the I-80 and we soon found ourselves driving beside a narrow fast-flowing Delaware River that forms the boundary between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The river and surrounding scenery looked stunning even from the car and it was a shame we dipped on seeing the spectacle from the observation point.

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) GeoSci (Open)

Queen Victoria Birding: New Zealand Seabird Selection

 A few images of the seabirds as we travelled from Auckland to Wellington and then onto to Christchurch.

Buller's Shearwater, NZ Waters, 26 Feb 2024

Buller's Shearwater, NZ Waters, 26 Feb 2024

White-capped Albatross, NZ Waters, 26 Feb 2024

Buller's Albatross, NZ Waters, 26 Feb 2024

Grey-faced Petrel, NZ Waters, 26 Feb 2024

Grey-faced Petrel, NZ Waters, 26 Feb 2024

Southern Royal Albatross, NZ Waters, 26 Feb 2024

Steve C

Birding in New York City: Central Park (25-31 Jul 24)

In July Mrs T and I flew to New York where we spent six nights in the ‘Big Apple’. Central Park was inevitably a must visit location in addition to the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Broadway show, etc. The most productive visit was on the Sunday when we participated in the ‘Birding Bob’ morning birdwatching walk that concentrated within the wooded ‘Rambles’ area of the park. Bob was abroad so the walk was led by Sharon. Although it was only the very start of the autumn migration period a few migrant species (American Yellow Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo and Scarlet Tanager) were observed. Surprisingly we dipped on Carolina Wren despite the occasional use of an audio lure; however, I had previously connected with the species in Charleston, South Carolina with fellow Amigo Steve whilst serving on HMS PROTECTOR during a maintenance period.

 

Scarlet Tanager (female), Central Park – 28 Jul 24

Northern Cardinal (male), Central Park – 26 Jul 24

Eastern Kingbird, Central Park – 28 Jul 24

For me, the smartest bird was the Black and White Warbler, the first self-found, that looked stunning even within the shaded understorey of the woodland.

Blue Jay, Central Park – 28 Jul 24

Great Blue Heron – 28 Jul 24

Wood Thrush - 28 Jul 24

The four visits resulted in a total species list of 35 that included 15 lifers (bold text).

·        American Herring Gull

·       American Redstart (male and female)

·        American Robin

·        American Yellow Warbler (2 singles)

·        Baltimore Oriole (several)

·        Barn Swallow

·        Black-and-White Warbler (2 singles)

·        Blue Jay

·        Canada Goose

·        Chimney Swift

·        Common Grackle

·        Double-crested Cormorant

·        Downy Woodpecker (2)

·        Eastern Kingbird (1)

·        Feral Pigeon

·        Great Blue Heron

·        Great White Egret

·        Grey Catbird

·        House Finch

·        House Sparrow (everywhere)

·        Laughing Gull

·        Mallard

·        Mourning Dove

·        Northern Cardinal

·        Northern Flicker (1)

·        Northern Parula (1)

·        Northern Waterthrush (1)

·        Red-bellied Woodpecker (2)

·        Red-eyed Vireo – several

·        Red-tailed Hawk (2 singles)

·        Red-winged Blackbird

·        Scarlet Tanager (female)

·        Snowy Egret

·        Starling

·        Wood Thrush (1)

 

Central Park – 25 Jul 24

Good birding,

 Tony T   BSc (Hons) GeoSci (Open)