Manhattan, New York, May 2012

This was a 4 day stopover on the way home from Costa Rica and following quite a bit of birding (300+new species), this was meant to be city sights, shopping, good food, shows etc.  Well as it was my first time to the Americas even in the city everything was new.  A chance lap of Bryant Park saw me stumble upon an urban twitch for a Kentucky Warbler; a mega site record.  I didn’t get to see it but in trying I saw a Prothonotory which is rarer for the site, and other birds included Eastern Towhee, Common Grackle, American Robin, Scarlet Tanager, Chipping and White-throated Sparrows, Ovenbird, Palm, Black and White Warblers, Wood and Hermit Thrushes, a Peregrine, Grey Catbird, Dark-eyed Junco, Common Yellowthroat and Blue-headed Vireo.  Along the western coastal footway and Highline I added a few Brent Goose, Herring Gull, GBBG, Mourning Dove, Barn Swallow and more Catbirds.

After doing the city stuff, we had a quick stroll in the southern part of Central Park and headed to the Ramble and around the lake on our last morning.  Here I added Rufous-Tailed Hawk, Northern Cardinal, Veery, Hermits, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Magnolia and Black-throated Green Warbler. There were plenty American Robins, Common Grackle, Blue Jay and singles of Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers.  All in all, I want to go back:- right now to do some proper States birding!

 Wood Thrush and Grey Catbird- Bryant Park

 A crowd you just have to join!

Palm Warbler on the Lawn-Bryant Park

 Migratori Turds- lots on the Baseball court-Central Park

 lone Veery and lots of Grackle

 

 Hermit Thrush and Black and White Warbler

 Downy Woodpecker