Week 16 - Green-Wood Cemetery

Changes are coming fast and furious. The most profound changes are happening with the botanics. It is difficult to keep up with, but I'll do my best to summarize here. We're seeing more new migrant bird arrivals, but the biggest changes are yet to come.

The status and abundance of warblers have started to shift. In addition we saw our first Baltimore Oriole and Indigo Bunting over the past week. Pine Warblers have begun dispersing, but Yellow-rumped Warblers and Palm Warbler have dramatically increased in numbers. The first Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula and Black-throated Green Warbler arrived last week, although mostly just single individuals.

Black-and-white Warbler

Northern Parula

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Palm Warbler

Other species of birds have begun showing up, some temporarily, other to look for a mate and nest in the cemetery. Green Herons, one of our smallest wading birds, regularly nests around the ponds. Hopefully they'll be successful this year. American Goldfinches, now in their brilliant spring plumage, can be heard chattering in the tops of the tallest trees. They also nest locally. The first of the House Wrens have also started arriving and looking for a nice hole in a tree in which to raise a family. Shorebirds are also on the move. A pair of Killdeer at Sylvan Water seem to be considering nesting here. A Solitary Sandpiper is also a new arrival, with Spotted Sandpiper and yellowlegs soon to join in. Belted Kingfishers have arrived just in time to take advantage of, not just goldfish fries, but also scores of young bullfrogs.

Green Heron

American Goldfinch

House Wren

Eastern Kingbird

Solitary Sandpiper

Belted Kingfisher and frog

Most of the early blooming cherries and magnolias have dropped their flowers. The kanzan cherries, however, are now in peak bloom. Crabapple and apple flowers have started opening up. Also, one of my favorites, the Eastern Redbud in now in full bloom.

Cherry petals and elm keys

Kanzan cherry

Crabapple

"Morse" Apple

Eastern Redbud

Some other, more subtle, flowering trees observed last week were European Ash, Flowering Dogwood, Norway Maple and Sassafras.

European Ash

Flowering Dogwood

Norway Maple

Sassafras

Tulips are really conspicuous now, but I'll cover that more next time. Two yellow wildflowers I noticed over the past week were Golden Alexander and Tuolumne dog's tooth violet. The Golden Alexanders are the dominant species on the wildflower meadow right now with tiny pansies beginning to emerge.

Tuolumne dog's tooth violet

Golden Alexander

Butterflies have taken flight with a large number of Painted Lady butterflies seen flitting about low to the ground. A much smaller number to Red Admirals have also been around.

Painted Lady

Finally, the Ladybug has many different symbolic associations across several cultures. They all seem to be connected to positive meanings. If true, then I guess it will continue to be a good Spring at Green-Wood Cemetery. Until next week, enjoy a walk in nature.

Ladybug

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for the weekend of April 27 - April 28, 2024:

Bedford Audubon Society

Bird Walk at Lasdon
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 8:00am - 10:00am
Leader: Tait Johansson
Description: In partnership with Westchester County Parks, the Friends of Lasdon Park Arboretum will be hosting Bedford Audubon’s Naturalist, Tait Johansson, as he leads a bird walk through Lasdon’s Public Gardens.
Registration: Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Registration required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713.
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Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory walk is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons. All levels are welcome.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Prospect Park Saturday Spring Migration Walks
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 7:30am
Leader: Dennis Hrehowsik
Description: Walks typically go into early afternoon or later if the birding is great. Bring water, snacks and/or a sandwich if you plan to stay the whole duration–but feel free to leave whenever you want.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Great South Bay Audubon Society

Valley Stream SP & Jones Beach West End
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Vera Capogna, John Gluth
Description: Join us for a wonderful bird walk as we head out to Valley Stream State Park for an early morning adventure.
Registration: info@greatsouthbayaudubon.org
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, April 28, 2024, 6:00am - 7:30am
Description: Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful early morning walking tours to discover the many birds that make Green-Wood their home—at least temporarily. Our April tours will be a feast for the ears and eyes with the trilling song of pine warblers and drumming pronouncements of woodpeckers on newly blossoming trees (including magnolias, maples, quinces, and dogwoods). We’ll discover thousands of songbirds resting before their trip farther north as well as arriving herons and egrets at Green-Wood’s glacial ponds.
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Birding in Peace: Late-Risers Edition (Members Only)
Sunday, April 27, 2024, 10:00am - 11:30am
Description: You may know birding expert Rob Jett from his Birding in Peace tours. You know, the ones that meet at 6 am? Always wanted to go on a birding tour at Green-Wood but not a morning person? This tour is for you! The early birder might “get the worm” but you can birdwatch at any hour. Join Rob and a small group of fellow members to roam the grounds while hearing and seeing the many feathered friends of Green-Wood.
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Hudson River Audubon Society

Early Migration and More Pelham Bay Park
Saturday April 27, 2024, 8:00am
Leader: Jack Rothman
Description: In recent years the southern zone of Pelham Bay Park has become a hotspot for many migratory species. We will look for early arrivals as well as raptors that work the old landfill.
Registration: bochnikm@cs.com
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Linnaean Society of New York

Hillside Woods at Hastings-on-Hudson
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Leader: Julien Amsellem
Description: A new addition to the Linnaean walks, Hillside Woods is a 10-acre hardwood forest located in Hastings-on-Hudson, a small village in southern Westchester County. Conveniently located close to the Hudson River, an important migratory flyway, and elevated above most of its surroundings, Hillside Woods is a great park for birding, especially during migration. It is dominated by mature forest, primarily oaks, beeches, and tulip trees, but it also has three kinds of water features that often draw birds. Around the small ponds, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, and Wood Duck should be expected, while along the streams and marshy areas, both species of waterthrush are possible.
Registration: Nick Dawson — thewriternickdawson@gmail.com
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Spring Migration in Central Park’s North End
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Leader: Ursula Mitra
Description: Central Park is one of the world’s premier birding spots, especially during spring and fall migrations. On a good day we’ll see warblers, sparrows, vireos, and other migrants. On this walk we will explore numerous birding hotspots of Central Park’s North End with long-time birder Ursula Mitra, who knows these areas very well.
Registration: Kristin Ellington — krs10ellington@gmail.com
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Spring Migration for Educators and New Birders in Central Park’s North End
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Leader: Erika Piik & Eric Ozawa
Description: Central Park’s North End is an exciting place to learn how to be a great birder. This walk will be led by Erika Piik and Eric Ozawa, who will teach the essentials of birding, focusing on skills and tips helpful for educators who wish to bring students to the park and new birders looking to dust off their binoculars after a long winter At this time of year, we can expect to see nesting robins, warblers, sparrows, vireos, and other migrants.
Registration: Kristin Ellington — krs10ellington@gmail.com
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New York City Audubon

César Castillo Memorial Birdathon - Forest Park
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: NYC Audubon, the Queens County Bird Club, and Queens College
Description: Join NYC Audubon, the Queens County Bird Club, and Queens College for a Birdathon walk in memory of César Castillo. Forest Park was one of César’s favorite birding spots. Funds from the Birdathon will go towards the NYC Audubon efforts that Cesar cared deeply about: public programming in his home county of Queens, with a focus on connecting underserved communities to nature.
Registration: Registration page
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César Castillo Memorial Birdathon - Jamaica Bay Wildlife
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: NYC Audubon, the Queens County Bird Club, and Queens College
Description: Join NYC Audubon, the Queens County Bird Club, and Queens College for a Birdathon walk in memory of César Castillo. Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge was one of César’s favorite birding spots. Funds from the Birdathon will go towards the NYC Audubon efforts that Cesar cared deeply about: public programming in his home county of Queens, with a focus on connecting underserved communities to nature.
Registration: Registration page
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César Castillo Memorial Birdathon - Kissena Park
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: NYC Audubon, the Queens County Bird Club, and Queens College
Description: Join NYC Audubon, the Queens County Bird Club, and Queens College for a Birdathon walk in memory of César Castillo. Kissena Park was one of César’s favorite birding spots. Funds from the Birdathon will go towards the NYC Audubon efforts that Cesar cared deeply about: public programming in his home county of Queens, with a focus on connecting underserved communities to nature.
Registration: Registration page
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Conference House Park Birding
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 8:00am - 10:00am
Leader: Anthony Ciancimino
Description: Discover a diversity of early spring migrants with longtime birder and Staten Island resident, Anthony Ciancimino. Expect to see a variety of species of songbirds, including warblers such as Pine & Palm, & Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and even some lingering waterfowl on the ponds & beach. Waterfowl can be present in numbers off the beach and ponds as well.
Registration: Registration page
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Accessible Birding in Carl Schurz Park
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Alex Wang
Description: Found in the Upper East Side, Carl Schurz Park is a picturesque green space, with promenades, lawns, and peaceful sitting areas. Located right on the coast of the East River, this park offers beautiful sights and sounds of waterbirds. Warblers, sparrows, raptors, and more also use this park as a stopover during migration.
Registration: Registration page
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Birding at Alley Pond Park
Sunday, April 28, 2024, 9:00am - 11:30am
Leader: Outdoor Afro
Description: Alley Pond Park is an ecological treasure. Containing both fresh and saltwater wetlands, forests, tidal flats, meadows, and glacier-formed landscape, this park supports a vast array of birds. Join NYC Audubon and Outdoor Afro to discover this green space for yourself!
Registration: Registration page
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Bilingual Birding at Schomburg Arts Community Garden
Sunday, April 28, 2024, 10:00am - 11:00am
Leader: Roslyn Rivas and Jennifer Seda
Description: Join Bronx residents and naturalists Roslyn Rivas and Jennifer Seda on a bilingual bird outing at Schomburg Arts Community Garden this spring! We will bird through the garden and towards the Forest Houses Eco-Hub, an urban farm, where the event will conclude.
Registration: Registration page
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North Shore Audubon Society

Hoffman Center JOINT WALK WITH SOUTH SHORE
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: Todd - (303) 877-5513 and Barbara (516) 628-9022
Description: Hoffman Center Nature Preserve, 6000 Northern Blvd, East Norwich, NY 11732
Registration: Limited registration. You must register via email to nsaudubonsociety@gmail.com, and you will receive a confirmation email. If you become unable to attend, please email to allow someone on the waiting list to take your slot.
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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

Conference House Park
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Leader: Ray Matarazzo
Description: Enjoy a springtime birding tour of Staten Island’s southernmost woodland at Ward’s Point. Ray Matarazzo will share bird songs and behaviors used for identifying a gathering of migrating birds which rest and replenish in the trees, shrubs and grasses of Conference House Park. Participants will meet at the Conference House Park Visitors Center at 7455 Hylan Boulevard.
Registration: For more information call Ray Matarazzo at 718-317-7666.
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Ambling through Arden
Sunday, April 28, 2024, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Leader: Don Recklies
Description: We will walk along recently rehabilitated trails in New York City’s largest freshwater wetlands, making a loop clockwise from the parking lot off Arden Avenue (opposite Forest Green). Trails have been improved, but there will be slopes and streams to cross by stepping stones, and if it has rained recently be prepared for mud.
Registration: For more information call Don Recklies at (718) 768-9036 (646-675-5787 on the day of the walk).
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South Shore Audubon Society

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From the Southern State Parkway, travel west to the Belt Parkway. Exit at Cross Bay Boulevard (Exit 17) south. Continue south on Cross Bay Blvd. through Howard Beach and over the North Channel Bridge (also known as the Congressman Joseph P. Addabbo Bridge). The entrance to the refuge parking lot is on the right side of the road, at a traffic light approximately one and a half miles past the bridge.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Urban Park Rangers

Sunday, April 28, 2024
Birding: Shorebirds at Entrance - Beach 44th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
10:00am – 11:30am
Learn more about plovers, terns, oystercatchers and other shorebirds that migrate to Rockaway Beach every year.
Free


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Wild Bird Fund

Walking Tour of Green-Wood Cemetery
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 11:00am
Leader: Andrew Garn
Description: Join Andrew Garn, author and photographer of the book Brooklyn Arcadia: Art, History, and Nature at Majestic Green-Wood, for a Walking Tour of Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn during its glorious spring blossoming.
Registration: Registration Page
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Best of the Fortnight

Here are my favorite photos from the first two weeks of April. All photos were taken in Brooklyn's historic Green-Wood Cemetery. Enjoy!

Female Purple Martin

Chipping Sparrow

Osprey

Palm Warbler

Pine Warbler

Eastern Phoebe

Crabapple

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Callery Pear

Killdeer

Blue-headed Vireo

Crabapple

Saucer Magnolia

Prairie Warbler

Blue Grosbeak

Familiar Silhouette

Week 15 - Green-Wood Cemetery

Over the past week in Green-Wood Cemetery there were lots of changes in the landscape and soundscape. Many more birds are adding to the dawn chorus that actually commences before the sun comes up. Cardinals and robins were the first musicians warming up in the pre-dawn darkness. Adding to the symphony of the last 7 days were phoebe, both ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglet, mockingbird, House Finch, Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird and Common Grackle. As the sun rises higher in the sky Palm, Pine and Yellow-rumped Warbler add to the music.

Some of the newly arriving northbound birds seen this week were Green Heron, Blue-headed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Brown Thrasher, Purple Finch, Louisiana Waterthrush, Prairie Warbler, and Blue Grosbeak. In addition, there was a very noticeable uptick in the number of Palm Warblers, Pine Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Ruby-crowned Kinglet abundance has gone up and the earlier arriving Golden-crowned Kinglets seem to have started moving north. In the airspace above the cemetery many Common Loons and flocks of Double-crested Commorants were seen passing by on their northbound flight path. Killdeer are migrating with several stopping off at Sylvan Water to rest, drink and eat.

Killdeer

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in nearly bloomed crabapple

Blue-headed Vireo

Louisiana Waterthrush

Prairie Warbler

Brown Thrasher

A few other species that arrived the previous week but are now being seen in greater abundance are Great Egret, Hermit Thrush and Savannah Sparrow.

Great Egret

Jailed Hermit Thrush

Savannah Sparrow

An unexpected surprise last week was the arrival of two Blue Grosbeaks. I spotted a non-breeding plumage male during my Saturday tour. A second, brilliant blue male was located on Sunday. Breeding primarily in old fields and forest edges, this species is not particularly rare, just scarce around Brooklyn on migration, especially at this early a date. They are always a welcomed sight.

Blue Grosbeak

Some butterflies are beginning to take flight with Red Admiral and Painted Lady seen recently. Note that the non-native Cabbage White has been seen for several weeks already.

Red Admiral

We've reached the peak of the cherry blossoms, although there are still many species blooming. Many of the magnolias are dropping their flowers, especially the early flowering species, such as the Yulan mangnolia. Some of the crabapples will reach peak bloom within the week.

Crabapple sp.

Cherry Plum

Saucer Magnolia

Norway Maple

Black Willow

Horsechestnut

Phlox sp.