Tuesday 19 May 2009 - Birding in New York City - Liberty Island & Stuff - 19/05/2009

Tuesday 19th May 2009

Battery Park, Lower Manhattan

The first bird to be spotted as we came up from the subway this morning was a gorgeous adult Red-tailed Hawk soaring over the Staten Island ferry terminal, a great start to the day.  We then queued up at the pier in order to catch our ferry over to Liberty Island.  Just a couple of summer plumaged Double-crested Cormorants were fishing close offshore and a few Great Black-backed Gulls and American Herring Gulls were milling around the area.

Liberty Island, Hudson Bay

The Statue of Liberty

As we approached Liberty Island a flock of around a dozen Terns were attracted to the wake of the boat.  The flock consisted mainly of Common Terns but as they flew closer I was pleased to see a pair of the scarcer Forster's Terns amongst them.  As the boat neared the docking area the Terns disappeared and in flew the Gulls.  Suddenly we were surrounded on all sides by a hungry mob of Laughing Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, American Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls.  Before checking out the 'Grande Old Lady' we stopped off for a bit of breakfast and a spot of Laridae appreciation.

Above: American Herring Gull (adult summer) - Liberty Island, Hudson Bay, New York - May 2009 

Above: Laughing Gull (adult summer) - Liberty Island, Hudson Bay, New York - May 2009

Above: Ring-billed Gull (1st summer) - Liberty Island, Hudson Bay, New York - May 2009

As well as the Gulls, the usual House Sparrows and European Starlings were present on the island and the first Common Grackles of the trip were seen.  Offshore there were a flock of 18 Pale-bellied Brent Geese (or Brants) feeding around the tideline, a single female Long-tailed Duck (or Oldsquaw as the Yanks used to call 'em) close in and the odd Double-crested Cormorant flying to and fro around the bay.

Ellis Island, Hudson Bay

We then headed the short distance over to the old Ellis Island Immigration Centre.  No additional species were noted here but I did find a piece of 150 year-old graffiti that seems to depict some kind of aviform.  It was scrawled on a cell wall that was used by the poor folk that had been refused entry to the United States.... anyway I reckon it's a summer plumaged Grey Phalarope.... or Red Phalarope as they call 'em over here.

Red Phalarope perhaps?  I already knew that graffiti (or street art) originated in New York City but I'd assumed it all started on the subway trains during the late 60's or early 70's.... this stuff pre-dates it by over a 100 years!

Tuesday 26 May 2009 - Untitled Comment

Friday 29 May 2009 - NYC