Annual count finds nearly 8,000 birds in Central Park

Central Park has gone to the birds.

More than 57 species and 7,771 birds have been counted in Central Park as part of an annual survey headed by the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
Teams of citizen birdwatchers, guided by park rangers, were assigned to zones within 843 acres of Central Park on Sunday, where they identified and counted every bird they could find. Participants then gathered to share, analyze, and tally their findings. The Christmas Bird Count has been held annually since 1900, parks officials said

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe said it was the highest number of birds counted in the last four years, and the park is currently home to several species that are either uncommon or rare for this time of year, including Rusty Blackbirds. The largest flocks spotted were white-throated sparrows, European starling, and herring gull. Large numbers of mallards ducks, house sparrows, and Canada goose were also spotted.

The results of the bird count will be added to the results of other Audubon Society Christmas Bird Counts that are being held across the nation from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5. The aggregate tallies will help paint a picture of how the continent’s bird populations have changed during the past 100 years.

amNY

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