McGolrick Bird Club Issue 001
Bird migration is heating up at McGolrick!
Exhibit A: The Rose-breasted Grosbeak
AKA The cut-throat bird , these pretty dudes are right now flying to the northern US and Canada from wintering ranges spanning southern Mexico to Colombia. NBD, right? They stop along the way to refuel. First spotted during April 29th’s bird walk — 2 MALES HAVE BEEN IN OUR MCGOLRICK PARK. And if we’re lucky they’ll hang around.
Check the flowering trees across from, and just north of, the Park Church Co-op. They're chomping flowers and occasionally singing. They're not tiny, so you might try to glimpse ‘em with your naked eyes.
Learn more about the Rose-breasted Grosbeak here.
Exhibit B: Ovenbird
These little orange-mohawk'd blobs mostly bob around on the ground, like chickens. But don’t make fun: like many migrants, they’re flying incredible distances, at night no less, in order to reach breeding grounds. And they’re blessing our sweet park with their pit stops.
Ovenbirds have recently been found in the bed across from the WW1 statue, and below the bushes north of that bed. They're small, but noticeable to the naked eye when close.
Learn more about Ovenbirds here. And be careful not to confuse them with our ever-present House Sparrows, nor the larger, non-mohawk’d Hermit Thrush—which has recently been enjoying the same spots.
Exhibit C: Gray Catbirds
Though not necessarily long-distance migrants, as catbirds can be found in NYC year round, McGolrick’s FOS (first of season) birds were also spotted on April 29th’s walk.
To find them, check the same beds as the Ovenbirds. Catbirds are sleek, long-tailed birds that flash burnt orange bottoms if the light hits right. They do meow like cats, hence the name—though we haven't heard any of that in the park yet. Like the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, catbirds are big enough to notice with the naked eye. Just make sure YOU’RE NOT DOOMSCROLLING YOUR PHONE when you go looking for ‘em.
Learn meow about this bird here.
Let’s get zen and be punk and go birding together—and see what other birds show up!
Meet at Russell/Driggs this Saturday at 9AM.
And don’t forget to:
