2023 Favorite Bird Sightings - Part 2

Continuing with some of my favorite bird observations from 2023, I have to mention what is probably the most unusual sighting I had this year, a Black-Chinned Hummingbird:

This amazing find was thanks to a staff member on Randall's Island who posted a video to social media several weeks ago, setting off huge excitement in the local birding community. This little guy belongs in the southwest, but inexplicably made its way here and, to date, is still in the same area on Randall's Island. As it's now winter and all the flowers have gone, people have put a feeder out for it and it continues to survive.

Earlier in the fall, I saw this Ruby-Throated Hummingbird in Central Park. At the time, I thought this was pretty special, but then the Black-Chinned came along and stole the show, LOL. Both are amazing little creatures.

On a trip to New Orleans last spring, I saw my first Mississippi Kite. In fact, I saw a lot of them, and even caught some mating on video, which I have yet to process and post.

Ruby-Crowned Kinglets are one of my favorite migratory birds, and I usually see more of them in the fall.

Governors Island serves as a nesting ground for Herring Gulls and this is one of the chicks from last spring. I love their little fuzzy spotted heads.

It's always exciting to see Northern Harriers. They are not as common in NYC as other raptors, but they can reliably be found around Jamaica Bay.

As usual, Ospreys know how to make my day.

This last summer saw a nesting pair of Ospreys along the East River. I've never seen them nest so close to Manhattan, so I hope this is a trend. This particular nest (below) was pretty difficult to observe and I'm not sure if they were successful or not.

The Ash-Throated Flycatcher has been one of my "nemesis birds" for a while, and this was the year I was finally able to photograph one. This individual was very cooperative in Owls Head Park in Brooklyn.

Not a rarity, but this Downy Woodpecker was perched very low to the ground, where I don't often see them.

Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers are challenging (for me) to photograph as they move quickly and are often high up in trees. I usually hear them more often than I see them, but this one paused briefly in a short bush as it hunted for insects.

This Great Blue Heron seemed to really be enjoying itself out at Jamaica Bay on a sunny day. It kept dancing around, putting on a show.

I made a special trip to Staten Island just to see the local Wild Turkey flock. I first encountered them in 2021, and immediately fell in love.

Look how beautiful!

I used to visit Zelda, the wild turkey who lived in Battery Park for many years. When she passed away in 2014 (and got a write-up in the New York Times), I was heartbroken. Seeing this flock living their best lives makes me really happy.

2023 Favorite Bird Sightings - Part 1

I've had a great birding year, logging 243 species observed, with a couple of weeks left in the year to raise that total. My tally for last year was 198 species, so visiting a couple of different regions this last year helped add several more species to my life list.

Below are a few favorites seen in 2023. I have so many favorites, so this post will be Part 1.

Red-Shouldered Hawk in a strange pose squished under a branch:

Another Red-Shouldered Hawk soaring:

Ospreys always make my top favorite lists as they can be so engaging, making eye contact as they pass overhead.

Snowy Egret hot-stepping in shallow water:

This Anhinga caught a fish and gulped it down in three swift moves:

In the photo above, you can see the tip of the Anhinga's lower bill poking through the fish. The bird then adroitly moves the fish into position so it can be swallowed.

Down the hatch!

I can't resist taking photos of Brown Pelicans - they make it so easy by flying low and slow.

I think I've seen more Little Blue Herons this last year than ever before. This is a good thing.

Conversely, I didn't see as many Green Herons this year, so each observation is special.

I sought out and found Pileated Woodpeckers, but they weren't that easy to photograph. The ones I encountered stayed hidden in the trees, or out of the sun. This one cooperated for a split second to show its face as it bored into the trunk of a tree.

I had many encounters with Tricolored Herons, mostly in Florida.

I saw my first Magnificent Frigatebird in Florida in 2019, and managed to get a single photo. A few weeks ago, I returned and saw many, many more, which was very exciting. A few even came close enough to get better photos. My next goal is to see them engaging in their notorious bullying behavior. The ones shown here were all calm and peaceful at the time.

Male:

Immature male:

Juvenile:

Besides watching the Tompkins Square hawks, I saw many other Red-Tailed Hawks, but never got around to posting any photos. This one is one of a resident pair I observed in Connecticut and it's being mobbed by a pesky Blue Jay.

Cooper's Hawk perched along Jamaica Avenue in Brooklyn:

This one might be the same hawk, seen in the same area but on a different day:

More faves to come...

Quick Tompkins Square hawk status update

It's been a while since I've posted a Tompkins Square hawk update, but there's not been much activity to note. It's a mostly quiet time of year leading up to nesting season which usually starts in January. Below are a few photos of resident hawks, Christo and Amelia, taken at various times.

Christo enjoying some sun in his favorite locust tree:

Christo on the cross of St Brigid's church:

Christo scoping out his turf:

Christo with a snack:

Christo prepping a rat for dinner:

Christo collecting sticks in the park:

Amelia:

Amelia in the locust tree:

Amelia and Christo watching over the neighborhood from their favorite spot on the tower of Most Holy Redeemer church:

If you're waiting for the traffic light outside Key Food on Avenue A, be sure to look up at the church as the hawks may be gazing down at you.