Birds of Inwood

Cover image: Great Blue Heron. Inwood Hill Park. August 22, 2023.

Continuing monthly sightings of birds in Inwood and Northern Manhattan.

In August, look for early fall migrants.

The park regulars typically include the Northern Mockingbird, Blue Jay, American Robin, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow, Eastern Kingbird, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, and Wood Thrush.

Regular woodpeckers include the Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, and Northern Flicker.

In the water, look for the Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Canada Geese, Double-crested Cormorant, and Mallards. Many juveniles are present as well. The Ospreys continue perching on the light towers of the football stadium from time to time. Shorebirds such as the Spotted Sandpiper begin to appear.

In the forest and in Isham Park, look for Red-tailed Hawks.

Sightings: August 22, 2023 –

Sightings: August 13 – 21, 2023

Sequence: A Great Egret and an Osprey at Muscota Marsh on August 12, 2023

On the morning of August 12, 2023 at high tide, a Great Egret was perched in a tree above Muscota Marsh. An Osprey arrived and circled above. The Great Egret flew to a tree on the south side of the marsh, and the Osprey landed in a tree next to where the Great Egret had originally perched.

Sightings: August 1 – 12, 2023

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