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)