10/9, Central Park North

Male Northern Cardinal and Female Blue Grosbeak (?)

Monday late afternoon I made another pass through the north end of Central Park similar to those of Saturday and Sunday. After the usual meander past the Pool and checking out the ducks, I made my way via the Loch path over to the Wildflower Meadow.

I'd barely reached the meadow and started taking pix of the monarchs flitting about before encountering a couple birders looking for the blue grosbeak. I indicated the shady spot where I'd seen it the day previously, but that spot was quiet at the moment. I wandered off to the partially sunlit part of the meadow to see what might be over there. More butterflies.

Returning to the shady spot, I found the birders watching two birds, one they said was a female bunting and the other a female cardinal, although the latter was not in a particularly good spot to watch. A couple other birders appeared and there was a small bit of flying about amongst the birds. The female cardinal disappeared but a male moved into the same area.

Above are the two birds that were in view at about 5:40. The left is obviously a male northern cardinal, but the one at right? This would seem to be the same bird that the birders had said was the female bunting. However, it looks like the blue grosbeak pointed out to me on Sunday. Further, some on-line material indicates that female indigo buntings and blue grosbeaks can be difficult to tell apart, and that one should check the size of the beak. This bird does seem to have the larger beak of, ahem, a gros-beak.

Departure just before 6:00. No hawks seen in the north end of Central Park, nor along 110th Street or in a quick pass through Morningside Park.