My mother lives in New York City less than a mile from the westside of Central Park. It is no coincidence that I plan my trip to visit her during the height of warbler migration.

Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensisRed-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis
New York City, Sep 2022 Last year it worked out perfectly, and I saw many species. This year I was a little off in my timing. Warblers come in waves, but I guess I hit a trough. Between visits with family and friends, I only got out one evening into Central Park with a New York Audubon group. The group was very impressed with a Red-tailed Hawk. They speculated about whether this was the famous New York City "Pale Male". It was getting dark and it was a slow day. Because it was late, the rats were starting to come out. They are not as cute as the squirrels. It is hard to photograph the birds as they hide in dense foliage or high in the trees. Add dusk and it is nearly impossible. Also, I didn't bring my long lens and sometimes only had my cell phone.

Little IslandLittle Island
New York City, Sep 2022 I walked with a friend from the old Penn Station at 34th Street down the High Line to Little Island at 14th Street. The High Line is a lovely urban park built on an old elevated train track. It features greenery and sculptures along the walk. The architecture of some of the buildings is also like sculpture. I saw a Black-throated Green Warbler on the High Line near the Hudson Rail Yard. Little Island is relatively new. It is a small island constructed on pillars off 14thStreet in the Hudson River and connects with a bridge. I saw a Northern Mockingbird there. We finished with a quick visit to Chelsea Market, a major indoor food marketplace on 15th Street in the old Meat Packing District.

While my timing on the birds was off, it did seem to be the peak of Spotted Lanternfly season. I'm sure East Coast people are very familiar with them, a highly invasive insect from Asia that destroys agriculture crops. They aren't actually flies, but bugs. They are about an inch long, and I think they have a rather pretty pattern in black and white and pink.

Spotted Lanternfly - Lycorma delicatulaSpotted Lanternfly - Lycorma delicatula
New York City, Sep 2022 Apparently there has been a major public service campaign in the city to stomp on them. I guess more people like wine (one of the crops they destroy is grapes) more than insects. I saw crushed bodies everywhere (that's of insects, you have to be specific in NY). New Yorkers have a reputation for being fast walkers going places with purpose. I saw people walk down the street, swerve abruptly, and stamp with zeal. Some seemed to have a civic minded purpose, some had the attention of gamers, and some had a fascinated cringe. I could not stomp them. I understand the reason, but I felt bad for the little creatures. I wonder what the longer-term impact will be to the population. I'm sure everyone hopes it helps control the pest, but what will the unmeasurable impact be to the human psyche. Will people be more likely to kill all insects? Will children delight in killing small creatures? Or will people become more understanding and fascinated by nature and our interconnection with them?

If you see a young well-dressed person carrying a briefcase, but appearing to relive the childhood fun of playing hopscotch, they are probably killing lanternflies.

 Click on the link to see more photos: https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/nyc-2022