Northern Harriers flying over the landfill were certainly the highlight of this walk. Actually, we started out on the northern side of the park. We cut in on trail alongside the bicycle path over the City Island Bridge on the west side. The new weather front brought us a nice array of migrating songbirds.
As soon as the sun warmed the trees, the insects became active and the birds followed suit. Among the migratory birds were White Throated Sparrows, flocks of Cedar Waxwings, a Blackpoll Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Black and White Warbler, a Red Breasted Nuthatch and an American Redstart.
After we felt we had seen most of the birds in this area we decided to check out the landfill area for Northern Harriers.I had been there a few days earlier and had seen seven or eight forming a small kettle. While on the southern end of the park there were also several Phoebes, more White Throated Sparrows, a few Empidonax Flycatchers , an Osprey or two and a Red Tailed Hawk. There were a few Harriers patroling the landfill and we watched for a while as they dove in pursuit of small rodents. Osprey and Red- tailed Hawks were also seen.
Three and a half hours had passed quickly and it was after 11:00 when we decided to go home. It was an exciting day. Later on, after lunch, I returned with my wife Jane and we saw a few additional species.
An easy ID for the Northern Harrier is the white band on the rump, only seen from above, behind the wings.
Species Account
Downy Woodpecker
Red Bellied Woodpecker
Yellow Shafted Flicker
American Redstart
Cedar Waxwing
Common Yellowthroat
Red Eyed Vireo
Blackpoll Warbler
Double Crested Cormorant
American Robin
Black-capped Chickadee
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Mourning Dove
Phoebe
Red Breasted Nuthatch
Catbird
Red Tailed Hawk
White Throated Sparrow
Empidonax Flycatcher
Northern Harrier
Osprey
Other species seen after lunch:
Belted Kingfisher
Eastern Kingbird
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Where To See the Harriers
Park your car in the lot near the running track. Walk the paved path along the edge of the treeline until you see the dog run. Turn right at the dog run and continue walking. While you're there, be sure to bird the field and trees. Take the path toward the water. When you get to the concrete path on the shoreline, walk toward the landfill. Scan the landfill closely as the Harriers fly low. Email me if you need more explicit directions
