In recent years, New York City has experienced an increase in the presence of once-rare bird species, much to the delight of local bird-watchers. However, this excitement is overshadowed by the awareness of the potential causes behind these changes, including warming ocean temperatures, melting snowpacks, and wildfires.
Heather Wolf, a birder and application programmer with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, acknowledges that this heightened bird activity raises awareness about climate change and encourages more people to engage in conservation efforts.
Marshall Iliff, the project leader for Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird project, also notes that birders have observed a decline in the number of birds migrating through the city. The wildfires in Canada forced many birds, particularly warblers, to leave earlier than expected during their southward migration in mid-August. This raises concerns about the ability of birds to adapt to changing environments caused by drying forests and increasing fires. In fact, certain bird species that were once commonly seen in Central Park during spring migration could become incredibly rare occurrences in the future.
The Cornell E-Bird alert service allows individuals to stay updated on rare bird sightings in the area. Some of the recent rare bird species spotted in New York include the Brown Booby and the Brown Pelican.
The Brown Booby, typically found in the Caribbean, has become increasingly visible along the East Coast, including New York. Warming ocean temperatures have allowed this warm-water species to venture farther north than before. It has even been sighted in inland areas, which puzzles birders as it is predominantly a saltwater bird. Heather Wolf recommends searching for Brown Boobies around New York Harbor or the Hudson River area, suggesting that taking the NYC Ferry provides opportunities to see these birds that may not be visible while walking in parks.
It remains uncertain whether the Brown Booby will become a regular sighting in the North.
Similar to the Brown Booby, the Brown Pelican has expanded its range northward due to warming ocean temperatures. Over the past decade, it has become a common sight off western Long Island beaches. By carefully observing the ocean, people have an excellent chance of spotting this large seabird. Marshall Iliff suggests that the Brown Pelican may start nesting in New York within the next decade, potentially leading to territorial disputes with existing bird species. However, seabirds typically exhibit tolerance towards one another.
The White Ibis, a coastal marsh bird commonly found in Florida, Texas, and South America, has gradually migrated northward in recent years. Cape May in New Jersey has become a nesting site for this species from May to early July. Observing open spaces like salt marshes in August and September increases the chances of spotting these once-rare birds in the New York area.
Arctic geese, such as Pink-footed Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese, typically nest in the high Arctic. However, as snowpacks melt, their nesting areas expand, leading to population growth. These geese have started to appear regularly in the Northeast and the New York City area, with sightings in Central Park and Van Cortlandt Park. According to Marshall Iliff, bird-watchers eagerly anticipate the arrival of the Pink-footed Goose in Central Park in the coming years. These Arctic geese are usually seen traveling with flocks of Canada Geese, making it important to diligently search large groups of geese for their presence.
Overall, the increased presence of previously rare bird species in New York City provides a unique opportunity for bird-watchers to witness these remarkable changes unfolding in response to environmental shifts.
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