Author: Teri Tynes
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An American Redstart Hits the Sweet Spot on World Migratory Bird Day
The second Saturday in May typically brings many warblers and other spring migratory birds through Inwood, and the 2025 spring iteration of World Migratory Bird Day was no exception. The morning brought a full chorus of bird sounds to accompany a walk in Inwood Hill Park. Actually spotting the birds in the dense spring canopy…
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Scarlet Tanagers: Wear Red to Steal the Show
A breeding male Scarlet Tanager is impossible to miss. In a mature old-growth forest, at the top of the tallest tree, the bird’s brilliant red coloring with contrasting black wings broadcasts its location. A Scarlet Tanager is a memorable sight during spring migration. Spotting a Scarlet Tanager can be elusive. They tend to perch high…
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Swan Lake at the Salt Marsh
Just when you expect to see tiny warblers, a large waterfowl pirouettes into the Salt Marsh of Inwood Hill Park. A Mute Swan, a native to Eurasia, was visiting the main inlet early this week. It was sleeping when I first saw it, a pile of white feathers floating in the water. Then it raised…
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Thrushes and Towhees Go Rummaging, and Other Spring Arrivals
This week I’ve witnessed many birds foraging on the forest floor. While the Hermit Thrushes hop gracefully among the fallen leaves, the Eastern Towhees and the newly arrived Wood Thrush vigorously rummage through the piles of decaying debris on the ground. Many birds do this, but the thrushes and towhees are by nature ground foragers.…
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Meditations on a Great Blue Heron
And more tales of flight from early spring migration Great Blue Heron A Great Blue Heron arrived at the Salt Marsh a couple of days ago, basically on time compared with previous years. In an erratic and unpredictable time characterized by volatility and uncertainty, the heron’s appearance brings a comforting sense of continuity. I do…
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Hooded Mergansers Join the Early Spring Party in Inwood Hill Park
Even among a hundred gulls, dozens of ducks, and a score of geese, a pair of small Hooded Mergansers stood out in the waters of the park on the morning of March 25, 2025. They were festive looking creatures, discernible by their small size and their vigorous wading and diving. The bright white head patch…
Birds of Inwood 