Here's a bird I never saw in the Bronx. It's much larger than a warbler but still classified as one. This Yellow-breasted Chat I photographed in lower Manhattan It was in a church graveyard where it had been reported by other birders. I'm hoping to get one for the Bronx.
All photos and text by Jack Rothman. All rights reserved. No photo may be copied or duplicated without written permission.Copyright 2023
Updated 10/1/23
City Island Birds
Since 2007
Welcome to City Island Birds. My name is Jack Rothman. I created this website and birding club because this area of New York City is little known and underutilized by birdwatchers and other nature lovers. Pelham Bay Park, with its woods and wetlands is a critical stopover and nesting area to many migratory species.
Birding News
City Island Birds was created in 2007 to bring birders, and would be birders, to the park. Everyone has always been and always will be welcome. Our walks are always inclusive, friendly, non-competitive, fun and free. We all love to see great birds, but without each other, it's never as enjoyable.
Saul's Science Watch
My birding buddy Saul has been writing wonderful science articles for the Hudson River Audubon Society. You can link for years of wonderful insights and information. Just scroll to the bottom of the page for a complete list of the articles.
Jack's talk , "Pelham Bay Park"
On March 14, 2023, I did a Zoom talk for the Saw Mill River Audubon. If you would like to view it, it is available on YouTube, Just link here.
Watch a City Island Birds birdwalk here,
and another walk here.
A pandemic interview about birding here.
Five Quick Beginning Birding Suggestions
1. Go out with a group or an experienced leader. You'll learn how to use binoculars, find birds, meet interesting and friendly people.
2. Wear appropriate clothes. Weather is always a little more extreme in open spaces. Don't wear your brand new $200 running shoes. It can be muddy.
3. Most leaders have binoculars to lend if you don't have your own. Opera glasses are pretty useless for birding. If you want to buy a pair, email me and I will make suggestions depending on your budget.
4. Bring a snack and water. Most walks are a few hours. You'll see that birding is not fast walking. Expect to be moving slowly.
5. Get a portable field guide to bring with you when you bird alone. Use it at home too. Look for the Peterson or Sibley guide.
Two male Bobolink in the southern zone of the park. These two birds are in breeding plumage but soon will lose their color. Compare these birds to the female to the right.
A fairly early migrant, a female Bobolink in late August. This bird still has her breeding plumage but it will be gone soon.
I photographed this bird in Turtle Cove. I never saw another there, but they can be found in the southern zone of the park and also in Ferry Point Park in the Bronx.
A Blackpoll Warbler in fall non-breeding plumage. This looks like a hatch year bird. Many warblers look very different in the fall and can be tricky to identify.
This is a breeding Canada Warbler. A hatch year bird looks almost the same in the fall but its "necklace" is faded.
A Black-throated Green Warbler in October. This warrbler looks much the same in the fall as in the spring.
This is a relatively old photo of an American Goldfinch in October, taken in Turtle Cove. This bird has lost its breeding plumage and it's bright yellow is gone.
A Yellow-rumped Warbler, affectionately known as a "butter butt or "butter bum." This bird changes drastically from its breeding plimage and is one of the last migrants to come through here. There are two two populations, one is Audubon's warbler. The other is this one, a Myrtle Warbler.
The Fall Migration is On!
NYC Audubon Bird Tour with Jack
Saturday, October 14th @ 9:00am
Meet in the Orchard Beach Parking Lot
Park close to the beach on the northeast corner, the left side.
Registration not required. There is no fee.
Occasionally Pine Siskins appear in our park. These seed eaters flocked at Turtle Cove a year or so ago. There were at least a dozen This group came through in October, but as soon as we get a chill in the air they may be around.
