Pine Warbler reported in Central Park

In keeping with the name of the blog, I am happy to share with you a rumor of a warbler. On Sunday, Angus Wilson reported a Pine Warbler on ebird. Marie Winn's blog ran a slightly expanded version of Angus' report: "Around 1:30 this afternoon, I noticed a dull-colored PINE WARBLER feeding appropriately enough in a pine close to the King Jagiello (Poland) Monument in Central Park. It flew south towards the Maintenance Meadow."

That's the same behavior I saw in my first warbler of the year on January 3, a bird I IDed as an extraordinarily dull Yellow-Rumped Warbler. I doubt it's the same bird. Surely somebody would have seen it in between.

Anyway, there you have it. Warbler! Six weeks from now or so, we'll be covered in them. I hope.

First warbler of the year

I decided to see what the storm might have brought in. I had a clever plan--I was going to go into the park from Central PArk West, cross the Ramble, and stop to warm up at the Metropolitan Museum of Art before checking the reservoir. Events intervened; a truck broke down in the Transverse, and I went in from Fifth, past Greywacke Arch.

This turned out lucky. Near the Poland monument at the east end of Turtle Pond, I heard a liquid chip call, and found a warbler, which I think is a very drab Yellow-Rumped.

Later, I saw an American Kestrel eat a Fox Sparrow near Azalea Pond.

I also added Brown-Headed Cowbird, and Song Sparrow to my year list, now at 47 species.