On Sunday, May 1st, a rather delightful spring morning, members of the MSNH met at Central Park to observe the last remaining free roaming dinosaurs, the birds. Old members met again, some of which have not seen each other since the beginning of the pandemic, while our newly joined members were eager to see more birds than “just” those pigeons we New Yorkers are used to seeing every day.
With our binoculars, we joined Rachael Joakim from the American Museum of Natural History and walked through the ever-lovely Ramble with our heads directed towards the trees where our feathered friends were flitting around. Spring migration! We are especially grateful that Racheal could find the time to lead this wonderful trip as she is close to finishing her Ph.D! We wish her good luck with her defense and all the best for her future!
Rachael Joakim is a 6th year partner Ph.D. student through the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) and the CUNY Graduate Center. She studies the dynamics of wild birds and their microbial symbionts, using samples she collected herself over 4 month-long research expeditions in Indonesia. She is currently identifying avian malaria lineages in order to understand the infection dynamics within a complex endemic host community. In addition to avian research, she organized a birding competition amongst her fellow AMNH employees, which is now in its 5th year. She also participates in many forms of STEM outreach, including an after-school nature class in her neighborhood of Inwood, in the hopes of providing opportunities for young people to explore their interests in science and nature. If you would like to see her latest publication please check out this link.
Dr. Elise Morton (Fairleigh Dickinson University) graciously recorded the observed bird species (we saw a total of 30, see below) and uploaded them to eBird. She also provided us with a list of useful resources for bird identification:
eBird – Become a citizen scientist and report your bird observations! Getting started with eBird including free introductory course (eBird Essentials) offered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. eBird App: For iPhone, For Android
Merlin – Bird Guide for identification: For iPhone, For Android
BirdNET – Identify bird vocalizations: For iPhone, For Android
To view more photos from this event, please visit our gallery. Photo credit goes to Elise Morton and Harald Parzer.
BIRDS OBSERVED
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis): 3
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos): 3
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura): 2
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica): 3
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias): 1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis): 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus): 1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens): 2
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus): 1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus): 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata): 7
Dodo (Raphus cucullatus): 0
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula): 4
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris): 13
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis): 3
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus): 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius): 12