#inwood-hill-park — Public Fediverse posts

#MemorialDay remembrance

Inwood #nyc #inwoodhillpark

#MemorialDay remembrance

Inwood #nyc #inwoodhillpark

Birds on the Forest Floor: Ovenbird and Veery

During spring migration season in an old-growth forest like Inwood Hill Park, be sure to look for birds wandering along the park paths or in the dense foliage near the ground. While we are often straining our necks looking for warblers and other small songbirds in the high canopy, some warblers like the Ovenbird or a thrush like the Veery may sometimes be found near our feet. 

The forest floor contains a diverse concoction of tree debris, rotting leaves, and shade-loving plants, an environment beneficial for insects. Over the past week or so, I have seen some Ovenbirds and Veeries without even trying. I saw both this morning in the low branches of the highest ridge.

The Ovenbird, named for the covered oven-shaped nest it builds low to the ground, is a New World warbler and the only member of the genus Seiurus. It eats insects and thrives in a mixed forest environment such as in Inwood Hill Park.

The Ovenbird is distinguished by bold spots and stripes on its chest, and an orange and black striped crown. The crown is sometimes hard to see, but occasionally it will raise it. The bird will look at you with big eyes. Listen for its tea-cher song.

The Veery is a thrush that winters in Brazil and visits us in the springtime. This pretty reddish-brown bird with a pale chest may be seen slowly walking along forest paths looking for insects and fruit. Like the Ovenbird, the Veery will build nests close to the ground.

Since my last report on April 22, I’ve seen Baltimore Orioles, Gray Catbirds, Turkey Vultures, more Palm Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Northern Flickers, Tree Swallows, and more. I’ve only caught glimpses of other warblers, but many of them are just arriving this week.

I had a lifer on April 24 – a Brown Thrasher. This fairly large bird, a member of the same family that includes catbirds and mockingbirds, caught me by surprise one morning up on the ridge. It was in the bushes, apparently its favorite place. It can also sing like the mockingbird and be just as aggressive defending its nest. It’s an intense-looking bird, and I gave it plenty of distance.

World Migratory Bird Day 2026 takes place Saturday, May 9. The theme is “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter.”

Cover: Ovenbird in Inwood Hill Park. May 2, 2026. More sightings on the May 2026 Sightings page.

Recent posts

• Birds on the Forest Floor: Ovenbird and Veery
• A Flurry of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Northern Flickers Flickering, and a Great Egret Returns
• The Kinglets of the Forest, with More Stories and Tech-Related Mishaps in the Age of Digital Birding
• Northern Mockingbird – The Bossiest Singer in the Park
• An Early Spring Preview of the Birds of Inwood 

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Birds on the Forest Floor: Ovenbird and Veery

During spring migration season in an old-growth forest like Inwood Hill Park, be sure to look for birds wandering along the park paths or in the dense foliage near the ground. While we are often straining our necks looking for warblers and other small songbirds in the high canopy, some warblers like the Ovenbird or a thrush like the Veery may sometimes be found near our feet. 

The forest floor contains a diverse concoction of tree debris, rotting leaves, and shade-loving plants, an environment beneficial for insects. Over the past week or so, I have seen some Ovenbirds and Veeries without even trying. I saw both this morning in the low branches of the highest ridge.

The Ovenbird, named for the covered oven-shaped nest it builds low to the ground, is a New World warbler and the only member of the genus Seiurus. It eats insects and thrives in a mixed forest environment such as in Inwood Hill Park.

The Ovenbird is distinguished by bold spots and stripes on its chest, and an orange and black striped crown. The crown is sometimes hard to see, but occasionally it will raise it. The bird will look at you with big eyes. Listen for its tea-cher song.

The Veery is a thrush that winters in Brazil and visits us in the springtime. This pretty reddish-brown bird with a pale chest may be seen slowly walking along forest paths looking for insects and fruit. Like the Ovenbird, the Veery will build nests close to the ground.

Since my last report on April 22, I’ve seen Baltimore Orioles, Gray Catbirds, Turkey Vultures, more Palm Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Northern Flickers, Tree Swallows, and more. I’ve only caught glimpses of other warblers, but many of them are just arriving this week.

I had a lifer on April 24 – a Brown Thrasher. This fairly large bird, a member of the same family that includes catbirds and mockingbirds, caught me by surprise one morning up on the ridge. It was in the bushes, apparently its favorite place. It can also sing like the mockingbird and be just as aggressive defending its nest. It’s an intense-looking bird, and I gave it plenty of distance.

World Migratory Bird Day 2026 takes place Saturday, May 9. The theme is “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter.”

Cover: Ovenbird in Inwood Hill Park. May 2, 2026. More sightings on the May 2026 Sightings page.

Recent posts

• Birds on the Forest Floor: Ovenbird and Veery
• A Flurry of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Northern Flickers Flickering, and a Great Egret Returns
• The Kinglets of the Forest, with More Stories and Tech-Related Mishaps in the Age of Digital Birding
• Northern Mockingbird – The Bossiest Singer in the Park
• An Early Spring Preview of the Birds of Inwood 

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The Kinglets of the Forest, with More Stories and Tech-Related Mishaps in the Age of Digital Birding

So tiny and fast. They were kinglets, and I saw both kinds this week in the forested areas of Inwood Hill Park.

Kinglets are either golden-crowned or ruby-crowned, fast-moving, and constantly in search of insects. They may be distinguished by the color of their crowns and the coloring around the eyes. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet features a more prominent white eye ring, while the Golden-crowned one looks like it’s wearing eyeliner and mascara.

Kinglets are considered medium or short-distance migrants here in the East, spending their breeding season in Canada and northern states and flying short distances south during the winter. They spend most of their time in the forest canopy looking for insects, but here in the parks, I’ve spotted both kinds at lower elevations near the marsh. 

I must say I am proud of my pictures of the Golden-crowned Kinglet. When captured frozen in time like this, the little bird looks so dignified and regal. 

One afternoon after work, I was sitting on my couch with my laptop and learning more about these kinglets on the Cornell All About Birds website. My cat was resting on my lap. When I played the sound of the Golden-crowned Kinglet, my cat suddenly bit into the lower right corner of the display screen. As I write, the bottom of my screen is covered in horizontal lines. I must now make an appointment with the Genius Bar at my local Apple Store to get it fixed. Don’t let this be you.

Moving on, I recently saw a White-breasted Nuthatch and a Brown Creeper on adjacent trees. While the nuthatch crawled from top to bottom on its tree, the Brown Creeper was moving in the opposite direction. I’ve seen a Winter Wren down by the upper entrance to the Clove, and several Palm Warblers.

Overall, spring migration is picking up speed with more arrivals. I’ve been spending time with Hermit Thrushes scattered here and there, and I observed a sporty Blue-gray Gnatcatcher dashing through short trees near the W. 207th street steps.

Our park regulars, including multiple sparrows, American Robins, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, and the woodpeckers, are busy preparing nests. 

Speaking of woodpeckers, I saw a Pileated Woodpecker on Saturday morning (April 11, 2026) at Whaleback. Yes. If you don’t know this distinctive feature of the park, Whaleback is an outcropping of rock, shaped like the back of a whale, at the southern entrance to the Clove. The Pileated flew onto the side of a tree directly in front of me, just next to the whale. I was amazed. In my excitement, I had accidentally moved vital settings on my camera. I couldn’t take a clear picture. To my chagrin, I have posted evidence of this rare woodpecker, in its blurry glory, on the April Sightings page. A Red-tailed Hawk showed up and chased the Pileated away. They flew to Fort Tryon Park, if you are looking for them.

Another tech mishap in the age of digital birdwatching. My plan for the upcoming months is to document more with paper and pencil.  

As they say on Threads, any mention of a cat must include a picture of the cat. This is known as a “cat tax.” Tax is filed here below. 

Cover: Golden-crowned Kinglet. April 7, 2026. 8:51 a.m.

Recent posts

• The Kinglets of the Forest, with More Stories and Tech-Related Mishaps in the Age of Digital Birding
• Northern Mockingbird – The Bossiest Singer in the Park
• An Early Spring Preview of the Birds of Inwood 
• The Snowiest of Snows, and a Bald Eagle Appears
• Blizzard Warning: A Great Blue Heron Hunkers Down, and Other Stories of the Birds of Inwood in a Cold and Snowy Month 

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The Kinglets of the Forest, with More Stories and Tech-Related Mishaps in the Age of Digital Birding

So tiny and fast. They were kinglets, and I saw both kinds this week in the forested areas of Inwood Hill Park.

Kinglets are either golden-crowned or ruby-crowned, fast-moving, and constantly in search of insects. They may be distinguished by the color of their crowns and the coloring around the eyes. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet features a more prominent white eye ring, while the Golden-crowned one looks like it’s wearing eyeliner and mascara.

Kinglets are considered medium or short-distance migrants here in the East, spending their breeding season in Canada and northern states and flying short distances south during the winter. They spend most of their time in the forest canopy looking for insects, but here in the parks, I’ve spotted both kinds at lower elevations near the marsh. 

I must say I am proud of my pictures of the Golden-crowned Kinglet. When captured frozen in time like this, the little bird looks so dignified and regal. 

One afternoon after work, I was sitting on my couch with my laptop and learning more about these kinglets on the Cornell All About Birds website. My cat was resting on my lap. When I played the sound of the Golden-crowned Kinglet, my cat suddenly bit into the lower right corner of the display screen. As I write, the bottom of my screen is covered in horizontal lines. I must now make an appointment with the Genius Bar at my local Apple Store to get it fixed. Don’t let this be you.

Moving on, I recently saw a White-breasted Nuthatch and a Brown Creeper on adjacent trees. While the nuthatch crawled from top to bottom on its tree, the Brown Creeper was moving in the opposite direction. I’ve seen a Winter Wren down by the upper entrance to the Clove, and several Palm Warblers.

Overall, spring migration is picking up speed with more arrivals. I’ve been spending time with Hermit Thrushes scattered here and there, and I observed a sporty Blue-gray Gnatcatcher dashing through short trees near the W. 207th street steps.

Our park regulars, including multiple sparrows, American Robins, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, and the woodpeckers, are busy preparing nests. 

Speaking of woodpeckers, I saw a Pileated Woodpecker on Saturday morning (April 11, 2026) at Whaleback. Yes. If you don’t know this distinctive feature of the park, Whaleback is an outcropping of rock, shaped like the back of a whale, at the southern entrance to the Clove. The Pileated flew onto the side of a tree directly in front of me, just next to the whale. I was amazed. In my excitement, I had accidentally moved vital settings on my camera. I couldn’t take a clear picture. To my chagrin, I have posted evidence of this rare woodpecker, in its blurry glory, on the April Sightings page. A Red-tailed Hawk showed up and chased the Pileated away. They flew to Fort Tryon Park, if you are looking for them.

Another tech mishap in the age of digital birdwatching. My plan for the upcoming months is to document more with paper and pencil.  

As they say on Threads, any mention of a cat must include a picture of the cat. This is known as a “cat tax.” Tax is filed here below. 

Cover: Golden-crowned Kinglet. April 7, 2026. 8:51 a.m.

Recent posts

• The Kinglets of the Forest, with More Stories and Tech-Related Mishaps in the Age of Digital Birding
• Northern Mockingbird – The Bossiest Singer in the Park
• An Early Spring Preview of the Birds of Inwood 
• The Snowiest of Snows, and a Bald Eagle Appears
• Blizzard Warning: A Great Blue Heron Hunkers Down, and Other Stories of the Birds of Inwood in a Cold and Snowy Month 

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I feel that I should, every so often, post *something* that will help counteract the impression that I am a bot, churning out nothing but Mamdani posts.
So here is an abandoned trampoline, which seems to have weathered a rainstorm or two, leaning against a tree in #InwoodHillPark...through which I am now walking.
#ProofOfLife

I feel that I should, every so often, post *something* that will help counteract the impression that I am a bot, churning out othing but Mamdani posts.
So here is an abandoned trampoline, which seems to have weathered a rainstorm or two, leaning against a tree in #InwoodHillPark...through which I am now walking.
#ProofOfLife

Again? I hope the entire community is ready to mobilize for the #environment
https://abc7ny.com/post/nyc-tri-state-wildfires-fire-crews-battle-brush-inwood-hill-park/15558781/ #inwoodpark #inwoodhillpark #inwood #Climate #climatechange

#fire hit my #nyc neighborhood today.
🔥 😭
I was walking in #InwoodHillPark this morning. #drought #ClimateChange

#fire hit my #nyc neighborhood today.
🔥 😭
I was walking in #InwoodHillPark this morning. #drought #ClimateChange

#SilentSunday #DogsOfMastodon

#nyc

#InwoodHillPark

#HarlemRiver

#SilentSunday #DogsOfMastodon

#nyc

#InwoodHillPark

#HarlemRiver

#HikeTheHeights

Uptown #manhattan #nyc annual celebration of #NationalTrailsDay and #HighbridgePark

Join a hike… everyone is welcome.

I will be at the Sally Fisher walk at the #InwoodHillPark flagpole at 9.30a to honor my late friend who got our trails designated as well as restoring large swaths of the park with native flora.

https://www.hiketheheights.org/Potluck

#HikeTheHeights

Uptown #manhattan #nyc annual celebration of #NationalTrailsDay and #HighbridgePark

Join a hike… everyone is welcome.

I will be at the Sally Fisher walk at the #InwoodHillPark flagpole at 9.30a to honor my late friend who got our trails designated as well as restoring large swaths of the park with native flora.

https://www.hiketheheights.org/Potluck

Egret in #InwoodHillPark , #UpperManhattan, earlier today.

Catch-and-eat (...wait for it)

Getting my workout in this misty morning. The gym looks out over the beautiful #InwoodHillPark #manhattan #NYC and #HarlemRiver and the tidal #MuscotaMarsh #SilentSunday

I think I may live in one of the loveliest locations in nyc.

Getting my workout in this misty morning. The gym looks out over the beautiful #InwoodHillPark #manhattan #NYC and #HarlemRiver and the tidal #MuscotaMarsh #SilentSunday

I think I may live in one of the loveliest locations in nyc.

#InwoodHillPark #UpperManhattan
Just now.

Ascending a hill in #InwoodHillPark I encountered a chalked sentiment to which I am increasingly prone

#PhilosophyOfOldAge
#AlterKackerLife

Saw a #BaldEagle #Birds fishing this morning in #InwoodHillPark #Manhattan #NYC I really need a better camera than what my smart phone offers. Pretty amazing to watch. Hoping some #NYCBirders will post some better shots.

Saw a #BaldEagle #Birds fishing this morning in #InwoodHillPark #Manhattan #NYC I really need a better camera than what my smart phone offers. Pretty amazing to watch. Hoping some #NYCBirders will post some better shots.

Temperatures are in the mid-60s and there's a nice breeze so @bevsolow and I have taken Pancake, our son's dog who is visiting from Harlem, for a walk in #InwoodHillPark , #UpperManhattan

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: My lovely wife, wearing khaki shorts, a dark blue tee shirt, a scarf and a knapsack, holding a pitbull/shar-pei mutt on a leash, in the promenade that serves as one of the park's entrances

Black Squirrels

https://friendica.communitarium.org/display/c317ee66-1364-ce86-2f5d-d5c927583711

Gray Catbird (and probably Song Sparrow)
observed with the BirdNET app
2023-07-09 10:22:23
#InwoodHillPark #UpperManhattan #NewYork

@40.875:-73.921

Wood Thrush observed with the BirdNET app
2023-07-09 09:48:37 in #InwoodHillPark #UpperManhattan #NewYork

Since I don't have earphones I can't listen to the recording without confusing the birds. I *think* this audio records what might be called a parliament of birds.

Are new #invasives like #SpottedLanternFly worse in #nyc this year?
Yesterday in #VanCortlandtPark they were all over the place. Today in #InwoodHillPark there were even more. Like 1000’s.

I paused under the Henry Hudson Parkway to swat a few 100. Felt pointless. Some helpful guy said to me “you’re the third person I seen stopped to swat those things”. Geez.

Are new #invasives like #SpottedLanternFly worse in #nyc this year?
Yesterday in #VanCortlandtPark they were all over the place. Today in #InwoodHillPark there were even more. Like 1000’s.

I paused under the Henry Hudson Parkway to swat a few 100. Felt pointless. Some helpful guy said to me “you’re the third person I seen stopped to swat those things”. Geez.

BirdNET Observation
Wood Thrush (and possibly a Downy Woodpecker)
2023-07-06 09:42:32
#UpperManhattan #InwoodHillPark #NewYork

@40.873:-73.924

Wood Thrush
observed with the BirdNET app
2023-05-26 15:53:29 in
#InwoodHillPark #UpperManhattan #NewYork

Warbling Vireo and
American Robin
observed with the BirdNET app
2023-05-16 10:45:24
@in #InwoodHillPark #UpperManhattan #NewYork

I'm not sure whether the Blue Heron is even discernible, standing in the shallow water of the salt marsh, in this picture taken in #InwoodHillPark #UpperManhattan, #NewYork

#InwoodHillPark #UpperManhattan
Bare, ruined choirs?

Photo shoot season has returned to #InwoodHillPark #UpperManhattan

From this morning's walk in #InwoodHillPark, at the northernmost tip of #Manhattan.
#UpperManhattan

https://pixelfed.asorrybowl.blog/p/baslow/524989813260636164