Van Courtlandt Bird Walk Report...

Some of our regulars - note the runners in the background

Our walk began with a quick scan of the parade ground and we were rewarded with the sight of 3 Killdeers that were scurrying around in the midst of some 600 + Canada Geese. Last week, we did not pick up the Killdeers, so it was nice to get them out of the way early before the ground got active. We then, worked our way to the restoration area behind the Van Cortlandt House Museum, were we had Ruby-throated Hummingbird, though they were not in the same numbers we had last week, we ended up with 3 in total for the walk. Our best bird for that spot was a juvenile White-crowned Sparrow. It was one that we were very proud of since we later learned from Urban Park Ranger Deli, that they had not recorded any WCS on their walks ever at Van Courtlandt. We would find another White-crowned Sparrow, near the golf course along Vault Hill.

Green Heron and Wood Ducks in the same frame.

We did take a peek in at Tibbets brook along the golf course and had Green Heron along with several Wood Ducks. We also had one Solitary Sandpiper and a few other birds in that area including 2 Great Blue Herons and crippling looks at a Carolina Wren. Later on at Vault Hill, we hit a nice little pocket of activity that nabbed us our second White-crowned Sparrow and several warblers. We continued over Vault hill and made our way to the stables all the while birding. Unfortunately, it was once again quite busy with several cross country races that made birding quite challenging along the trails as we kept on having to dodge runners. Eventually, we ended up taking the cross country trail near the stables and worked our way back to the Van Courtlandt Nature Center. Below is a list of the birds seen on the walk.

1. Canada Goose
2. Mallard
3. Great Blue Heron
4. Green Heron
5. Osprey
6. Cooper's Hawk
7. Killdeer
8. Solitary Sandpiper
9. Mourning Dove
10. Chimney Swift
11. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
12. Belted Kingfisher
13. Red-bellied Woodpecker
14. Downy Woodpecker
15. Hairy Woodpecker
16. Northern Flicker
17. Eastern Phoebe
18. American Crow
19. Black-capped Chickadee
20. Tufted Titmouse
21. Red-breasted Nuthatch
22. White-breasted Nuthatch
23. Carolina Wren
24. House Wren
25. American Robin
26. Gray Catbird
27. Northern Mockingbird
28. European Starling
29. Northern Parula
30. Black-throated Blue Warbler
31. Black-throated Green Warbler
32. Blackpoll Warbler
33. Black-and-white Warbler
34. Northern Waterthrush
35. Common Yellowthroat
36. Song Sparrow
37. White-crowned Sparrow
38. Northern Cardinal
39. Red-winged Blackbird
40. Common Grackle
41. House Finch
42. American Goldfinch
43. House Sparrow

Tags: Birding, Van Courtlandt Park Bird Walk

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