Van Courtlandt Bird Walk Report 6-11-2011...

Despite the overcast and sometimes light drizzle conditions, we had our Saturday morning walk at Van Courtlandt Park Bronx NY. With migration over save for lingering or late arrivals, it was a quiet morning of birding. The cool conditions made for a pleasant walk and we enjoyed looks at nesting Orchard and Baltimore Orioles. Killdeers (Charadrius vociferus), an Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) and a Red-tail Hawk, were all seen on or near the parade grounds. Our highlights were nesting Green Heron (3 juveniles) seen in a nest up on Vault Hill and very active Northern Rough Winged Swallows (Stelgidopteryx serripennis),over the Van Courtlandt Lake.

Total Species Seen: 36
Canada Goose - Branta canadensis
Wood Duck - Aix sponsa
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos
Double-crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus
Black-crowned Night-Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax
Green Heron - Butorides virescens
Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus
Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis
Herring Gull - Larus argentatus
Rock Pigeon - Columba livia
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura
Chimney Swift - Chaetura pelagica
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens
Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus
Willow Flycatcher - Empidonax traillii
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor
Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis
American Robin - Turdus migratorius
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos
European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula
Orchard Oriole - Icterus spurius
Baltimore Oriole - Icterus galbula
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

Tags: Van Courtlandt Bird Walk