Fall Migrants on the Wind at Fort TildenBirding Dude

Fall Migrants on the Wind at Fort Tilden

Today, I went to Fort Tilden on a Fall Migrants walk that was being led by Ron Bourque.  Ron is a well known birder/naturalist and I always enjoy his walks as he is very knowledgeable.  I got to Fort Tilden around 9:15 a.m. and met Ron who had just arrived.  After getting our gear together, we chatted a bit while waiting for other birders who slowly but surely began arriving.

While Ron greeted the new arrivals, I scanned the field in front of us, which had a flock of Brandts (a small dark goose with a white necklace).  In the flock of Brandts were a number of first yearling's, which could be identified by the white stripes on their back.  All around me I could hear the calls of Yellow-rumped Warblers and there were American Crows and Starlings sharing the field with the Brandts.

Once Ron felt we had everyone who by this time would have shown up, the group started to head north along the roadway towards the parking lot across from the Fort Tilden Entrance.   As we got midway past the field, I noticed on my left from the corner of my eyes about three birds that were heading in towards us.   I quickly got my binoculars up and tracked them into the field…I could barely hold my excitement.   The three arrivals were Eastern Meadlowlarks a very cool sight indeed and a nice way to start our walk!   The group gathered around and Ron put the birds into his scope and we all had good looks; after we had our fill, we continued heading north across the road into the parking lot.   There we observed Double-crested Cormorants, Laughing Gulls, Starlings and House Sparrows.   On the way out we stopped to look at a flock of Starlings and found brown headed cowbirds in their midst…for some in the group, it was their first time seeing these birds and so Ron put them in the scope.   As we were nearing the end of the parking lot to head back into Fort Tilden, I saw movement on the ground and called out a Palm Warbler; this bird decided to put on a show for us by hoping on the gate and displaying its bobbing tail behavior…everyone got very good looks.

Once we were back at Fort Tilden, we started to head for the community gardens, but stopped a few houses away as we observed more starlings on the ground.   One of our group members spotted a female red-wing blackbird in the flock.   The flock took off and right next to where they were foraging we noticed a few Eastern Phoebes in a tree.  We counted about four of them, then we saw more action in the form of Palm Warblers, Kinglets and a lone BlueJay flying overhead.   We continued towards the community gardens and it was here we saw our first Savannah Sparrow of the day and a Brown Creeper.   While we were observing the sparrows, one of our group member, I think Steve was his name, spotted our first accipiter of the day, it was a Sharp Shinned Hawk on a fence…Ron put the bird in his scope and the group had good looks.   It was interesting observing the Hawk; she was also bird watching just like we were, only without binoculars and with the intent of having a meal.

After we spent some time observing the Hawk, we continued onto the path that would take us to the Hawk Watch Platform.   Along the way the group got really nice looks at a Swamp Sparrow, as it fed on the seeds from Lambs Quarters (Chenopodium album).   We also saw a number of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Northern Flickers and a Peregrine Falcon.   When we got to the hawk watch platform, we saw a Northern Parula…possibly a migrant straggler.   Then, most of us took the stairs and headed to the Hawk Watch Platform.   For some, it was their first time visiting the platform and they loved the breath taking view that the platform had to offer.   While there, Ron scanned the water for possible Scoters or Gannets, but there was no action.   We left the platform and headed out to the beach, where the group got good looks at Sanderlings.   After walking the beach for a bit, we began our walk back to the parking lot where we had initially met; on the way we got really good looks at a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and saw our first Tufted Titmouse. We got back to the parking lot around 12:30, where many in the group expressed their thanks to Ron and satisfaction on a great walk.   Tomorrow, I will be working as an assistant with Don Riepe on the Hawk Watch at Fort Tilden…so check back later for a report.
Here is a list of the birds sighted.