Van Courtlandt Bird Walk Report 3-19-2011...

Common Redpoll at Van Courtlandt Park Bronx NY

We continue to pickup some nice birds on our Van Courtlandt Bird Walk. Last Saturday, our group met for our bird walk, at our usual spot, the Nature Center across from the parade grounds at Van Courtlandt Park. I had gotten to the park very early to do a little scouting and my early vigil near the fields picked up 2 goodies, which I managed to get most of our group on, once they arrived. A first time for the walk, Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) and an American Pipit (Anthus rubescens). Both birds, did not stick around for long and those of us who got on the birds felt very lucky that we were able to get good looks.

Instead of the VC lake trail, I changed up the routine to take us into the North Woods in search of possible early migrants. While we did have much luck in the woods, we enjoyed the walk. On our way back to the nature center, I steered the group towards the meadows near Vault Hill to look for Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis). Reports of migrating Bluebirds being reported had my hopes up and the move paid off thanks to Ranger Deli. Deli, who was out and about birding in the Meadows near Vault Hill had spotted an Eastern Bluebird just before we arrived to the location. Deli, re-found the bird and we all got good looks of the Bluebird, which was another new bird for our walk. A complete list of the species seen, is provided below.

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis
American Black Duck - Anas rubripes
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos
Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis
Rock Pigeon - Columba livia
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura
Monk Parakeet - Myiopsitta monachus
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis
Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus
Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis
American Robin - Turdus migratorius
European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris
American Pipit - Anthus rubescens
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia
White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis
Dark-eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus
Rusty Blackbird - Euphagus carolinus
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula
Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater
Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

Tags: Common Redpoll, American Pipit, Van Courtlandt Park Bird Walk