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Limited access and winter/spring programs
Governors Island opens to the public for the 2013 season on Saturday, 25, 2013. See "Plan Your Visit" at left for details. More »
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Phone number change
Due to Hurricane Sandy, our phone service was disrupted. The temporary information number for the park is now via cell phone at 646-241-2670. Other contact information can be found at www.nps.gov/gois/contacts.htm More »
September 2011 Birding Journal with Annie
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Birding Governors Island The August doldrums have struck Governors Island, at least in terms of birds. I scoured the entire Historic District and the accessible areas of south island and didn't see a whole lot. This isn't surprising for this time of year. Some birds, like common terns, barn swallows and chimney swifts, have already left for their winter grounds, while migration from the north has not started in earnest yet. So numbers were low today. The only exception was at the Added Value Farm at Picnic Point. There 34 (give or take) chickens have been in residence for the summer. There are hens and roosters of several breeds, and they are handsome birds. They spend their time at the composting area of the farm, scratching in the dirt and compost piles for insects, thus helping the composting process. I don't include these birds in my count because they are domestic, but they are certainly a welcome addition to the island. My observations for the day: Canada goose 92 Double crested cormorant 15 Black-crowned night heron 2 Mallard 2 (1 female, 1 male) American kestrel 1 unknown Spotted sandpiper 1 Laughing gull 1 Herring gull 70 (60 adult, 3 immature, 7 juvenile) Great black-backed gull 4 Common tern 12 Mourning dove 17 Rock pigeon 3 (2 a; 1 deceased) Northern flicker 1 unknown Crow 2 Barn swallow 1 unknown Robin 11 (7 adult, 4 immature) Mockingbird 5 (3 adult, 2 juvenile) European starling 23 Northern cardinal 3 (1 male, 2 juvenile) Common Grackle 1 House sparrow 31 |
Did You Know?
In 1814, a private stationed on Governors Island would have earned about $8.00 for a month of service to his country.