[Morg]

Spent a few hours birding in and around the Ramble over the last 2 days. Surprised to see a Northern Parula in an area just south of belvedere castle around mid day today. Not sure how often they are seen in the park at this time of year but it certainly wasn't on my expected species list!

I'll post pics on this thread when I get back to the UK.

Geoff

[etudiant]

Great find!
Parulas have been reported in Central Park in July on prior occasions, but very rarely. See:
http://nycbirdreport.com/sites/1/birds/0/bird350.html

Not sure whether these are early migrants or juveniles.

[Morg]

Thanks Etudiant, that's really helpful data. Looks like I was right not be expecting it... Just had another look at the photos. It looks like a male as there is a trace of the russet breast band. As for age, I am less sure but the pale tips on the greater coverts are virtually absent - I have no clear shot of the shape of the tail but the look as though they might be reasonably sharply pointed... Maybe a first winter male? Have no way of posting them now but will do in a week or so.

Geoff

[Morg]

As promised here are some pics of the Parula from last month. It has taken a little longer to get round to uploading these shots but I figured that no-one was likely to be particularly desperate to see them!...

Anyway I am a little undecided on aging and sexing this bird but am guessing that it is showing a particularly disheveled post-breeding plumage?...

All the best

Geoff

[etudiant]

Originally Posted by Morg

As promised here are some pics of the Parula from last month. It has taken a little longer to get round to uploading these shots but I figured that no-one was likely to be particularly desperate to see them!...

Anyway I am a little undecided on aging and sexing this bird but am guessing that it is showing a particularly disheveled post-breeding plumage?...

All the best

Geoff

Nice shots! I have trouble enough keeping my binocs on these hyper active mites, so I dare not think of taking pictures.
Agree this bird really does look like an unmade bed. Maybe it had had a bath recently?
They are now starting to be more numerous, as migration is picking up. About 7 warbler species seen thus far in August.