The yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens), the largest warbler to come our way, is a frequent visitor to Central Park, but one that has eluded me for some time — until 2016. We had a chat hanging out at Sparrow Rock in Central Park for several days, and more recently a chat has spent 16-plus days at the cemetery at Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan. Since then, I’ve been privileged to see more chats, always a delight. The most recent chat stayed several days at Verizon Plaza (near Bryant Park) in October-November 2021.
Yellow-breasted chat, Verizon Plaza, October 28, 2021
Yellow-breasted chat at Trinity Church cemetery, Nov. 18, 2016
Yellow-breasted chat, Tupelo Meadow, the Ramble, Central Park, May 9, 2020
The photos in this slideshow were taken in May 2020 in Central Park.
I am not a great warbler photographer. These birds flit and fly so fast that I and my camera cannot keep up. But occasionally I get lucky and the little yellow birdies reward my video and photographic efforts. Such was the case on Nov. 1, when I saw the yellow birdie at Sparrow Rock, and then on Nov. 18, when I was so fortunate to have the chat pose for me at Trinity Church. So, as is my wont, I made a video! The music is by Henry Purcell, arranged for recorders, and performed by Papalin.
These warblers made a stop in Manhattan on their way to Central America. I am so grateful I got a chance to see them! All the photos are of the Trinity Church chat, Nov. 18, 2016.
