Finally…the Central Park Ramble!
New York, NY
Saturday 27 May 2023
72 °F
TUESDAY, MAY 9:
Still catching up on posts! Today, I headed to the Central Park Ramble for the first time this year — freshman-year Henry would call me crazy for waiting till this long, but honestly these days I prefer the North Woods/ravine area of Central Park (same # of birds, fewer [though increasing] birders).
My two targets today were Summer Tanager, Brewster’s Warbler (a backcross hybrid Golden-winged X Blue-winged), and just a generally-reported influx of passerine migrants into the park overnight.
Well, I was not disappointed as the birds were absolutely out in force. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET:
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER:
NORTHERN PARULA:
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH:
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER:
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT:
HERMIT THRUSH:
OVENBIRD:
Then, I heard the “bee-bzz-bzz” of a Vermivora-genus warbler in Tupelo Meadow, and as the Brewster’s was the only Vermivora reported yet today, I was pretty sure I had the target bird. Soon, I tracked him down and located this beautiful (yet tough-to-photograph) Brewster’s Warblers in the trees, AND was able to get dozens of other eager birders on this uncommon hybrid! Super cool!
Then, a wonderful Manhattan birder named Mary Beth alerted me to the fact that the Summer Tanager was refound by Warbler Rock so I scooted over and instantaneously located this beautiful, full adult male SUMMER TANAGER singing his heart out! Another day of two-for-two target birds!
WOOD THRUSH:
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER:
Well, the SCARLET TANAGER was not about to let a “drab” Summer outshine its crimson brilliance, so my FOY male fluttered down to eye level and perched on a branch just ten feet away, for just enough time for two perfect shots. What an absolute stunner!
And a HERMIT THRUSH to round out the morning!
Solid. Did I mention I am obsessed with the month of May?! Bird-of-the-day to the Summer Tanager with runner-up to the Brewster’s Warbler and I just have to give an honorable mention to the showstopper male Scarlet, as well.
Happy birding,
Henry
World Life List: 1150 Species
wonderful photos; great to see the tanagers!!!
by Mary McCutchan