Birds of Washington Square Park

Image: Red-tailed Hawk, photo by and used with permission of Hubert J. Steed (link)

WSP Eco Projects received a NYC Parks Research Permit to complete a wildlife survey of the park. A continuous line transect method was chosen with the help of NYC Audubon. Wearing my WSP Eco Projects hat, I have completed the transect twice with invaluable assistance from a local resident and birder.

Image: American Robin, photo by and used with permission of Hubert J. Steed (link)

The dates of our observation were August 31 and September 15. We recorded the following species:

American redstart
American robin
Blue jay*
Common yellowthroat*
European starling
House sparrow
Mourning dove
Northern flicker*
Ovenbird*
Red-tailed hawk
Rock dove (pigeon)
Squirrel

Image: Blue Jay, photo by and used with permission of Hubert J. Steed (link)

Image: Common Yellowthroat (male), photo by and used with permission of Hubert J. Steed (link)

The starred (*) species were first observed on September 15. Also on the 15th, we sighted one monarch butterfly. We may have seen a Connecticut warbler as well. Later that day, I spotted a downy woodpecker. Tent caterpillars were observed on August 31 but only remnants of the tents remained during the second walk; we did not see any caterpillars.

Image: European Starling, photo by and used with permission of Hubert J. Steed (link)

To see the transect, the location and abundance of the birds (and squirrels) in the park, please visit the WSP Wildlife Survey 2016 map.

Image: House Sparrow (male), photo by and used with permission of Hubert J. Steed (link)

Image: Mourning Dove, photo by and used with permission of Hubert J. Steed (link)

The photography used in this post is used with permission of Hubert J. Steed. Check out Mr. Steed's birds photo gallery at PBase.

We will be conducting continuous line transect surveys through the end of the year. Would you like to volunteer for the survey? We need experienced birders to conduct the surveys and to lead bird ID walks. Please email me at wspecoprojects @gmail.com with your specific interest. Thank you.

P.S. We have not sighted any Norway rats in the park though we have observed signs of their presence, specifically burrow holes.