Van Cortlandt Bird Walk Report 10-20-2012...

The Van Cortlandt faithful gathered at our usual meeting place, which is near the ranger station across from the parade grounds.  The conditions were foggy, so it presented a good opportunity to scan the fields for any birds that might have put down to feed and rest.  I did spot a few American Pipits on the field, but unfortunately activities in the form of cross country runners put them up before the group was able to get them in the scope.  Nevertheless, we did manage a few Savannah Sparrows and counted the Canada Geese while searching for anything outside the norm in the flock.

Orange-crowned Warbler

Instead of birding the lake, I took the group to the restoration meadow, an area behind the Van Cortlandt Museum/Mansion.  That move paid dividends and we were able to get really fine looks at several birds, including Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata), Lincoln Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii), Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) and several Swamp Sparrows (Melospiza georgiana) who put on quite a show.

Swamp Sparrow

Despite the paltry showing of birds, our group had a good time walking around the lake and picking up whatever birds that were around. We ended our walk back at the parade grounds where we picked up several Savannah Sparrows and Ring-billed Gulls to end our walk.  Here is our complete species list of the 41 birds seen.

Swamp Sparrow

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata)
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii)
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Tags: Orange-crowned Warbler, Lincoln Sparrow, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx