In June, I heard from Todd Olson that a couple of Downy Woodpeckers had made a nest in a London Plane tree on the edge of the Labyrinth in The Battery. By the time I saw it, both parents were busy feeding the babies, though it was hard to tell how many were in there because only one head could first through the hole at once. These woodpeckers are year-round residents in most of the US, but it seemed surprising that they would raise a family in such a busy spot.
On May 27, Todd Olson from the Wildlife Conservation Society joined me in leading a
bird and banner walk at The Battery. There are 18 banners with photos of birds hanging from lampposts on a trail through the park, selected from my book 'A Birds' Guide to The Battery and New York Harbor'.
One of the banners - the Red-tailed Hawk - appeared in the final episode of the HBO series Succession. It was a winter scene, so there were no leaves on the trees and the Seaglass Carousel was visible across the lawn.
Gray Catbirds are year-round residents of New York City, and sometimes nest in bushes in The Battery. They mostly eat insects and berries. Possibly feeding worms to babies...
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Gray Catbird |
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This American Robin also got into the worm pile.
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On the May 17 walk with Gabriel Willow, we saw a Swainson's Thrush and a Red-eyed Vireo - just passing through The Battery.
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On the May 10 bird walk with Gabriel Willow we mostly looked for migrating warblers.
Black-and-White Warbler |
Black-throated Green Warbler |
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Female Common Yellowthroat |
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Northern Parula |
Gabriel also noticed an Eastern Red Bat hanging at eye level in a low tree just outside the entrance to the Labyrinth. Probably migrating and just stopping to rest for that day.
What a treat.
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Eastern Red Bat |
During the May 3 bird walk at The Battery with Gabriel Willow, we saw an American Robin sitting on a nest fairly high up in a tree in the central woodland area.
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Eastern Towhees have also sometimes nested in The Battery, in a bushy area at the northern part of the Labyrinth. That area seemed less bushy this year, providing less cover for any possible nests.
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Female Eastern Towhee Ovenbirds are migratory warblers that pass through New York City in late April to early May, coming north to breed in forested areas of the Northeast. You usually see them foraging on the ground, mostly for insects.
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