An Osprey landed on its favorite tree on September 1, part of a continuing yearly tradition. As I noted in a 2023 post, “In recent years, an Osprey or two came to visit at the end of the summer, shortly around Labor Day. In September of 2021, I observed an adult Osprey and a juvenile at the marsh. Last year, I saw one Osprey arrive around Labor Day that stuck around for a few weeks to fish.” This year, the Osprey perched on the tree in the morning and again in the afternoon, as if to make a point.
In 2023 and 2024, I took pictures of an Osprey perched in the tree on September 1, so this year’s landing makes it three years in a row for that exact date. We’ll have more opportunities to see an Osprey this month before its journey to southern climates.
Anyone near the Salt Marsh trail should be able to see an Osprey perched at the top of its bare tree. Many of us who spend time birdwatching in the park refer to the perch as the “Osprey tree,” even though other birds take a liking to the spot. I’ve seen a Bald Eagle there, as well as Red-tailed Hawks, an American Kestrel, many Northern Flickers, and park regulars. The Osprey seems particularly suited for the tree as it can strategically watch the movement of fish in the waters below.
One of the gratifying aspects of maintaining this blog over time is observing these natural cycles.
Cover: Osprey. September 1, 2025. 3:46 p.m.
Notes on Early Fall Migration
On the morning of September 1, I also spotted a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak in a tree near the Salt Marsh, just below the elevated trail that winds up and under the Henry Hudson Bridge. At first glance, I thought it was a sparrow, but it was too large and with too big a beak. I don’t see grosbeaks often, certainly less than Ospreys.
I enjoy watching Carolina Wrens, but they are notoriously shy. At the end of my morning walk on September 2, I heard one vocalize somewhere near a pile of brush on the ground. I patiently waited for it to show itself. The wren emerged, victorious with a prize catch.
Climbing up to the long, high trails of Inwood Hill Park is inescapable during migration seasons. Yet, each time I’ve made the trek to the top, I have been rewarded with sightings of vireos, warblers, and flycatchers.
On Wednesday, September 3, I saw a Black-and-white Warbler near the White Pines (see map on Landscapes page) and a pair of American Redstarts high along the same path. A little later, I enjoyed exceptional views of a lone Eastern Wood-Pewee. As these flycatchers prefer bare branches in order to launch aerial assaults on insects, the bird was not obstructed from view. I also called out “pee-wee” several times, and each time, it would alight briefly as if delighted I knew its name. (Not really, it was catching bugs in flight.) I may have more to say about the Eastern Wood-Pewee in a future post.
While on this same walk, I heard the call of a Red-breasted Nuthatch. I didn’t see it, but this is why birdwatching is always alluring.
September 2025 Sightings page
The September 2025 page is live. The monthly sightings pages provide a good way to keep up with the birds of Inwood between posts. You can also find me @ttynes on Threads and Instagram. You may also contact me by filling out the form on the About page.
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