The White Pelican and Other Early May Birds at Governors Island

 

American White Pelican in New York harbor

 

The day started out fairly bright but by afternoon it was cloudy, and a very chilly wind was blowing across Governors Island. I was there for the first bird walk of the season with Annie Barry from NYC Audubon (soon to be renamed NYC Bird Alliance). 

We saw quite a few expected migrants and summer residents, but the star of the day for me was an American White Pelican flying around in the harbor.  There was something funny about its bill, which I thought at first might be a fish in its mouth, especially since it was being chased by gulls. Then I realized it was a weird fin-like growth on its bill that I later read pops up during breeding season.   

   White pelican flying over Ellis Island 

I think of pelicans as southern, tropical, coastal birds, but learned that there are a few that winter in the Chesapeake Bay and they might move up the east coast on their way to their breeding grounds - which are mostly inland, on lakes out west in the US and in Canada (Saskatchewan and Alberta). 

White pelican being chased by a gull

On the scheduled Governors Island walk, the first thing Annie Barry showed us was the Red-tailed Hawks’ nest on a fire escape. She said there were chicks inside but they were not easily visible.   

Mother Red-tailed Hawk guarding the nest

Red-tailed Hawks often nest on Governors Island, though when I have seen them before they were higher up, on a tower.  

 

The Red-tailed Hawk mother gave us a warning look

Along the waterfront, Common Terns were back in their usual spot on the pier farthest out on the Brooklyn side. No nests yet, but they seemed to be doing some courting-related posturing. 

Common Tern striking a pose

Males will offer a fish to females to see if they are interested. The size of the fish seems to be a determining factor in her acceptance. 

Fish gifts are part of the Common Terns' courtship 

             Some Canada Geese bombed onto the pier, startling a Double-crested Cormorant.

            

           Brants flew overhead. 

And a baby duck was swiftly carried along in the current, all alone. There were adult Mallards and American Black Ducks nearby but none paying attention to the duckling. Welcome to New York.

 

 

Red-winged Blackbirds seemed to be thinking about mating. The females look more like big sparrows - it is the males that have the dramatic red and yellow patches on their wings.

Male Red-winged Blackbird

Female Red-winged Blackbird      

    

                          

The Killdeer are large plovers that are early breeders. They make shallow nests on the ground around Governors Island.  

It will be interesting to see what other types of birds show up in New York harbor over the summer and fall. 

NYC Audubon has a space in one of the houses out there (405B on Colonels Row) and will offer regular guided walks there on Saturday afternoons at 2pm, along with other events and art exhibitions.