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Birds and nature in Manhattan. bigmanhattanyear.com
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Killdeer have begun showing up on Governors Island, where some will stay to breed.

This handsome Green-winged Teal male visited Central Park's Turtle Pond. ❤️

Astoria the Wild Turkey examines the Roosevelt Island Subway's new menu item. 🦃 ❤️

The blast of wind and cold that began Saturday night had Astoria the Wild Turkey needing more water again. Her friends generously poured for her, and she made it through a challenging time. 🦃 ❤️ 💦

Astoria the Wild Turkey passes by the Starbucks on Roosevelt Island. 🦃 ❤️

The warmer weather has Astoria the Wild Turkey foraging more actively and exploring more of her territory on Roosevelt Island. 🦃 ❤️ ☀️

Astoria the Wild Turkey shows her fluffed-up, high-volume look at the library shelter on Roosevelt Island. 🦃 ❤️

Astoria (aka Rosie) the Wild Turkey loves *unsalted*, dry-roasted peanuts, a healthful food that packs a lot of energy and that has helped her get through the winter, when available food is scarce on Roosevelt Island. 🔊 🦃 ❤️ 🥜

Astoria the Wild Turkey poses for her closeup on Main Street, Roosevelt Island. She seems to enjoy walking this street in the evening, where residents often greet her and take photos, even though foraging opportunities are sparse. 🦃 ❤️

In recent days the Long-eared Owls that first appeared in Central Park in late January have not been seen. They may still be present and hidden. It was a privilege to have these rare and beautiful owls in view for weeks. 🦉 ❤️

Astoria the Wild Turkey fluffs up by the Roosevelt Island library to stay warm. She has shown her toughness by getting through an unusually cold winter on her own, no flock, with daily food and water from her human friends. 🦃 ❤️

People love Nisi Kitchen for fine dining. Astoria the Wild Turkey loves it for offering shelter from a brisk northwest wind—on Roosevelt Island's Main Street. 🦃 ❤️

Strong winds and extreme cold have greatly increased Astoria the Wild Turkey's need for food and water. If you see her, pour out a puddle of water for her. That's how she likes it, on the ground, not in a container, and she will appreciate it. 🦃 ❤️ 💦

Astoria the Wild Turkey gracefully flies up to her roosting tree on Roosevelt Island, then to a higher branch. 🦃 ❤️ ⚖️

Astoria the Wild Turkey walks and forages in Saturday's falling snow on Roosevelt Island. 🦃 ❤️ ❄️

It was a thrill to see these two Common Dolphins on the Upper East Side, swimming the East River near 97th Street. They were in the area from Friday until Sunday afternoon. 🐬 🐬

Astoria the Wild Turkey shows her colors while resting by the library on Roosevelt Island. 🦃 ❤️ 📚

A Common Goldeneye, despite the name a rarity on Manhattan waters, particularly close to shore as this male was off of Governors Island. These small diving ducks prefer the coasts and large rivers.

Astoria the Wild Turkey walks a Roosevelt Island lawn. She is fine with the snow, which she eats to get water. 🦃 ❤️ ❄️

Central Park's Belvedere Castle after the snow. ❄️

A Merlin watches for prey from a flagpole top high above Central Park.

Astoria the Wild Turkey needs water every day, so we pour for her many times whenever we see her. She appreciates that, as Roosevelt Island has no freshwater ponds or streams. 🦃 ❤️ 💦

"Astoria, you are cleared for takeoff!" Well after sunset, Roosevelt Island's Wild Turkey flies up to her favorite tree where she can enjoy a safe and restful night. 🦃 ❤️ 💤

One of Central Park's visiting Long-eared Owls. 🦉 ❤️ 👀

A Snow Goose enjoys the grazing opportunities provided by the ballfields of Central Park. 🪿 ❤️

This Green-winged Teal, one of Central Park's most handsome ducks, has spent the winter with his mate at the Pool. Check out his color and intricate patterns.

On warmer days Astoria the Wild Turkey ranges widely, foraging in a variety of lawns and gardens on Roosevelt Island. 🦃 ❤️

One of the Long-eared Owls seen in Central Park last week. 🦉 ❤️

"The Year of Flaco" exhibition at @NYHistory opens February 7. It will feature photography of ours and of our contributors, and will be a great way to celebrate the two-year anniversary of Flaco's freedom. www.westsiderag.com/2025/02/01/f...

Astoria the Wild Turkey sees her friends on the public lawn, figures out a way to reach them, and hurries over. We're delighted to see her, too—Wednesday on Roosevelt Island. 🦃 ❤️

January's extreme cold had benefits for birders: it drove more unusual waterfowl south into our area, and it iced the Central Park Reservoir, making it more attractive as a resting place and bringing birds into closer view, like this rare Black-headed Gull.

Iceland Gulls are rare but annual on the Central Park Reservoir and nearly always immature birds. This was our first-ever adult there in fifteen years of birding, seen on January 19.