March 30th : "Woody" came to town,

Timberdoodle..Yep , thats the moniker often applied to the American Woodcock.Its a funny name, and i wondered why. I mean , if you look at the bird and the way it behaves when spotted, you can't hold back the inner amusement . This morning, while picking up new plants for our planting site on Lookout Hill, a chunky bird flew behind my back , spotted by my coworker. .It landed among the leaf clutter along the chain link fence of our nursery area -the Propagation site- near the 9th Street entrance. I watched with amusement as the Woodcock sauntered along slowly with its odd gait , then it sat down, camouflaged so well among the leaves. Really cool to see.

This is also a day of the Ring-Necked Duck, besides 7 seen by Mary Eyster at the Lower Pool,I found 11 more on Prospect Lake, along the western shore. 5 drakes and 6 hen seemed tame enough to hug the shore even though they have wild dispositions. To cap off a nice day, early spring's omen is the return of swallows, especially when one is Barn Swallow, one bird i caught sight of flying over the Lake during my lunch hour. On the way back to my office, two adult Black- crowned night herons stood motionless above the back shore of Duck Island, while the Great Blue Heron near them didn't care about being in the open,apparently.

American Woodcock -9th Street Propsite west fence
Barn Swallow- flyover- Lake
Ring-necked Duck - 11 Lake, 7 Lower Pool ( M.Eyster) total 18
Ruddy Duck - easily 60 Lake
Northern Shoveler- easily 40 Lake
Black Duck
Coots- 6 Lake
DC Cormorant- 1 West Island
Mallards
Herring Gull- easily 45 Lake
Ring-billed Gull
Mute Swan - 2 Lake
Canada Goose- 120 Lake
Grackles Rink Cove (12)and feeders ( 6)
Red-winged Blackbird- feeders ( 15)
Downy WP -feeders
American Goldfinch-feeders
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow- feeders
Dark Eyed Junco Propsite
House Finch- feeders
BC Chickadee- feeders
Cardinal
Red-tailed Hawk -Lake( took a swipe at Ruddy Ducks which ducked underwater)
Great Egret- Lullwater near rink
Great Blue Heron - Duck Island
Black-crowned Night Heron- 2 back shore duck island

March 29th sightings : 4 reports

From Mike Corzine:

Hey Peter! I was out for a short walk today. Of note were two Double- crested Cormorants on the lake. One on the buoy, the other swimming. A Great Egret flew over and landed on the Parade ground side of the lake. The Peninsula held several Grackles & R.W. Blackbirds and on my way out, a singing Goldfinch in breeding colors. All 4pm-ish. Also, as I write this, 7:30 pm, a Mockingbird has started, yet again, singing his car alarm tune in the courtyard outside my window...
Best,Michael

*******************************
From Rusty Harold (2 reports . 3/29, 3/28)

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/29/09
Number of species: 33

Canada Goose X
Wood Duck 1
Mallard X
Ring-necked Duck 6
Great Egret 2
Red-tailed Hawk X
gull sp. X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Downy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) X
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown Creeper 2
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin X
European Starling X
Eastern Towhee 1
Fox Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/28/09
Number of species: 28

Canada Goose X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ruddy Duck X
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Downy Woodpecker X
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
American Robin X
European Starling X
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)

*********************************
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/29/09
Number of species: 28
Note: with Rob Jett

Canada Goose 75 lake
Mute Swan 1
Gadwall 1 drake sitting on peninsula shore
American Black Duck 1 west isl
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 30 mostly on Duck Island shore
Ruddy Duck 55 lake
Double-crested Cormorant 1 west island
Great Blue Heron 1 perched on Three Sister Island
Great Egret 1 flyby peninsula shore ( Rob saw two others elsewhere)
Cooper's Hawk 1 flyover Peninsula
American Coot 1 Three sisters
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull (American) X
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1 Peninsula
Blue Jay 2
Tufted Titmouse 2 Peninsula
American Robin X
European Starling X
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle 3

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org

March 27th sightings

From Rafael:

Site: Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY
Date: 27 March 2009

Observer: Rafael Campos

Nice day for a walk thru PP. The best bird for the day was 1 Turkey Vulture seen catching a thermal over Long Meadow, and later heading NW.Nothing else new around PP, at least til 1 pm. But I saw 2 Eastern Phoebes, & 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers.The following is the list of the birds recorded:

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck (3 m, 1 f: Pools)
Ruddy Duck
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk (1)
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1 m)
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren (heard only)
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Fox Sparrow (1)
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco (3)
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle (1 seen carrying nesting material: Peninsula)American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

************************************
From Alex Wilson:

Location: Prospect Park>
Observation date: 3/27/09>
Number of species: 48>>

Canada Goose X>
Mute Swan X>
Wood Duck 1 (Drake, Lower Pool.)>
American Black Duck X>
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 2>
Mallard X>
Northern Shoveler X>
Ring-necked Duck 7 (4, Pools; 3, Lake.)>
Ruddy Duck X>
Pied-billed Grebe 1>
Double-crested Cormorant 1>
Red-tailed Hawk X>
Merlin 2 (1 or 2: perched and preening, Nethermead; lower >
Lullwater flyover.)>
Peregrine Falcon 1 (On signal tower at east corner of park/ > BBG.)>
American Coot X>
Ring-billed Gull X>
Herring Gull X>
Rock Pigeon X>
Mourning Dove X>
Belted Kingfisher 1 (Lake.)>
Red-bellied Woodpecker X>
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2>
Downy Woodpecker X>
Hairy Woodpecker X>
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1>
Eastern Phoebe 4>
Blue Jay X>
American Crow X>
Black-capped Chickadee X>
Tufted Titmouse X>
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 (1 or 2: Lookout pines; near feeders.)>
White-breasted Nuthatch X> Brown Creeper 1>
Carolina Wren X>
American Robin X>
European Starling X>
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 (Lullwater above Terrace Bridge.)>
Eastern Towhee 2 (Feeders; Lookout.)>
Song Sparrow X>
Swamp Sparrow 4 (A couple were singing.)>
White-throated Sparrow X>
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) X>
Northern Cardinal X>
Red-winged Blackbird X>
Common Grackle X>
House Finch X>
American Goldfinch X>
House Sparrow X

**************************
From Peter:

Three Wood Ducks on the Lake, 2 drake, one hen. (PM)

March 24th sightings inc Snow Goose

Observer :peter


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/24/09
Number of species: 32

Snow Goose 1 on peninsula lake shore, but flew away towards Greenwood Cemetery 4 pm
Canada Goose 120 mostly on peninsula meadow
Mute Swan 1 lake
Wood Duck 1 Lower pool drake
American Black Duck 2 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 90 lake
Ring-necked Duck 8 -- 7 lower pool, 5 drakes, 2 hen; 1 drake upper pool
Ruddy Duck 80 lake
Pied-billed Grebe 1 lake
Great Blue Heron 1 duck island
Red-tailed Hawk 2 f/o lake
American Coot X lullwater
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee 1 feeder
Tufted Titmouse 1 feeder
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeder
American Robin X
European Starling X
Song Sparrow 2 peninsula
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 13 duck island
Common Grackle X
House Sparrow X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Request for Volunteers Breeding Bird Surveys in Prospect

Dear birders,

I received this request for volunteers from Sara , who will be conducting Breeding Bird Surveys in Prospect Park this spring. Please contact her directly if you are interested on helping and for more details

Peter


Subj:Volunteers
Date: 3/24/2009 6:06:53 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
From: slj2111@columbia.edu

Peter-I was wondering if you could help me find volunteers for my project? I would need volunteers to help nest search mon-sat 6am to 3:30pm (not necessarily all days, could be single day/week). the study would run from May 10th through August 10th. I also need volunteers to assist with point counts (must know Northeastern bird calls and identify Northeastern birds) and spot-mapping (same). Must be able/willing to meet me at the first site, transportation between sites (three sites per day) I can provide. Oh yes, and must bring their own set of binoculars! I only have one pair.

-Sara

March 23rd sightings

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/23/09
Number of species: 28

Canada Goose X
American Black Duck 2
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 85
Bufflehead 2 drake, hen Lake
Hooded Merganser 4 2 drake,2 hen Lake
Common Merganser 2drake and hen Three sisters
Ruddy Duck 65
Red-tailed Hawk 1 perched LP249
American Coot 18
Ring-billed Gull XHerring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 2
Black-capped Chickadee 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
American Robin 45
European Starling X
White-throated Sparrow 20
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle 5
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

March 22nd sightings

From Janet Schumacher:

I had a nice male pine warbler on sidewalk, north end of Vale 7:50 am this morning.

**************************

From Rafael:

Site: Prospect Park, Brooklyn; Kings Co.,
Date: 21 March 2009
Observer: Rafael Campos

Nice morning to have a walk at PP. The usual route, from Grand Army Plaza, Vale, Rick's Place, Lily Pond, Nethermead, Lake, Peninsula, Breezy Hill feeders, Boat House, Pools, Long Meadow, & home.The surprise for me, was my 1st of year Eastern Phoebe, around the lower pool. Also there, 2 females & 3 males RNDUs.A good number of Golden-crowned Kinglets were seen in different locations around PP.The most numerous sps was the AMRO.The following are the birds recorded:

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck (1 m, lower pool)
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck (2 f, 3 m: upper pool)
Pied-billed Grebe (1)
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull(American)
Herring Gull
Rock PigeonMourning Dove
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Vale & peninsula)
Downy Woodpecker
Easter Phoebe (1,lower pool)
Blue Jay
American Crow (3 flyover GAP)
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch (1, feeders)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (several)
American Robin (numerous)
Northern Mockingbird (3, GAP)
European (Common) Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler (3)
Fox Sparrow (2)
Song Sparrow (abundant)
White-throated Sparrow (abundant)
Dark-eyed Junco (2)
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird (mostly around the feeders)
Common Grackle (Peninsula)
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

*******************************

Frrom Orrin:

3/21

A couple of house finches and a red-breasted nuthatch at the feeders, and a swamp sparrow across from LP 249 (Lamppost #249 southwest corner Lookout Hill)

March 21st A common Loon in a very odd place

photo credit Janet Schumacher

Forgive me for reporting a location not within this blog's requirements. However, i feel the need to report it given the history and need to restore habitats in Brooklyn. ( its near enough to Prospect :)> )

I received this note from club member and First Sunday Audubon Center walk leader regular Michele Dreger:

I was walking home from the park on Saturday afternoon and spotted the best bird of the day one block from my house. A Common Loon in non breeding plumage. It was viewed from the 3rd Street Bridge but I got much better looks from the foot of 2nd Street and the canal.

My neighbors told me it has been here all week.

The Gowanus Canal come in from Buttermilk Channel thru the Red Hook / Carroll Gardens general area. It has been a focus of industrial pollution run amok .I have heard of efforts of cleaning and upgrading the water quality in recent years.I am not sure.
Anyway, nice to hear of this report.

March 20 sightings : the first day of weird spring beginning

Who would have thought of snow on the first spring day??

This spring date officially marks the 100th spring season of the Brooklyn Bird Club, founded on June 5th,1909. Hope you can celebrate with us.Check out our website http://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/ for the many celebratory field walks.

ThoughI wasnt able to bird much today, i was able to see an Eastern Phoebe on Center Drive, 4 Ringnecked Ducks on the Lake with Northern Shovelers, many Ruddy Ducks and a few Redtail Hawks ( south Lakeside and Boulder Bridge with Rob Jett)

***************************************

From Rob Jett

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 3/20/09>>>>
Location: Prospect Park>
Observation date: 3/20/09>

Number of species: 31>>

Canada Goose X>
Wood Duck 1>
American Black Duck X>
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1>
Mallard X>
Ring-necked Duck 2>
Red-tailed Hawk 3>
Ring-billed Gull X>
Herring Gull X>
Rock Pigeon X>
Mourning Dove X>
Red-bellied Woodpecker X>
Downy Woodpecker X>
Northern Flicker X>
Eastern Phoebe 6>
Blue Jay X>
Tufted Titmouse X>
White-breasted Nuthatch X>
Brown Creeper 1>
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1>
American Robin 200>
European Starling X>
Fox Sparrow 1>
Song Sparrow X>
White-throated Sparrow X>
Dark-eyed Junco X>
Northern Cardinal X>
Red-winged Blackbird X>
Common Grackle X>
American Goldfinch X>
House Sparrow X>>
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

March 18th report

From Alex Wilson:


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/18/09
Number of species: 47


Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck 2 (Drakes, Lower Pool; Lake.)
American Black Duck X
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 2
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ring-necked Duck 3 (Drakes, Pools.)
Red-breasted Merganser 1 (Drake continues, upper Lullwater.)
Ruddy Duck X
Pied-billed Grebe 1Great Blue Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk X
Merlin 1 (Breeze Hill flyby.)
Peregrine Falcon 1 (On signal tower at east corner of park/BBG.)
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker X
Hairy Woodpecker X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Brown Creeper 1
American Robin X
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2 (1-3 along upper Lullwater.)
Eastern Towhee 2 (Males at Breeze Hill feeders & Lookout aboveWellhouse, slight differences in plumage.)
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Rusty Blackbird 2 (Flew up into treetops along upper Lullwater.)
Common Grackle X
Purple Finch 2 (Heard singing above Terrace Bridge; female-type atVale.)
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

Correction on March 29 Prospect BBC walk

For some of you who are members receiving the Brooklyn Bird Club newsletter:

The Brooklyn Bird Club field trip to Prospect Park on March 29th (8 am Bartel Pritchard Square park entrance) listed incorrectly in the most recent winter issue newsletter "Fort Hamilton Parkway" the nearest F train line stop. It should have said Prospect Park/ 15th Street train stop .The information has been corrected on the club website.

Peter

March 17th Sightings

From Russ:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/17/09
Notes: center drive > binnen water > upper/lower pools
Number of species: 18

Canada Goose XWood Duck 1
Mallard X
Ring-necked Duck 1
Bufflehead 2
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse 2
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

*************************

From Orrin:

yellow-rumped warblers near the Lullwater
1 pine siskin at the feeders
1 northern mockingbird, BBG

************************
From Peter

Red-Breasted Merganser drake , Ruddy Duck ( ~90), Northern Shovelers (~35 ) ,Bufflehead drake-Lake

March 16th sightings

From Russ Aldertone:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/16/09
Notes: Belted Kingfisher at Duck Island, 2 Towhees at Breezy Hill feeders.
Number of species: 28

Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler X

Ruddy Duck 50

American Coot X

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Belted Kingfisher 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1

Downy Woodpecker 5

Hairy Woodpecker 1Blue Jay X

American Crow X

White-breasted Nuthatch 2

American Robin X

European Starling X

Eastern Towhee 2

Fox Sparrow 1

White-throated Sparrow X

Northern Cardinal X

Red-winged Blackbird X

Common Grackle X

American Goldfinch 1

House Sparrow X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)

********************************
From Rafael :

Date: 16 March 2009
Observer: Rafael Campos

With overcast skies, and a little cold, a morning visit to PP was not in my agenda. But the spirit of Spring around the corner, it was worth the hike.Among the sps that I did not see during my last visit, was 1 Belted Kingfisher, seen flying up the Lullwater, and later heard around Music Pagoda. Also present was 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, and 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet.The Ring-necked Ducks & Buffleheads are easily seen around the Upper Pool.

The following is the list of the birds recorded:

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

March 15th sightings

From Rob Jett:

Location: Prospect Park>
Observation date: 3/15/09>
Number of species: 50>>

Canada Goose X>
Mute Swan X>
Wood Duck 2> drakes on Lower Pool
American Black Duck X>
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) X>
Mallard X>
Northern Shoveler X>
Ring-necked Duck 3> drakes on Lower Pool
Bufflehead 2> one drake Upper Pool
Common Merganser 1> drake resting on Duck Island
Red-breasted Merganser 1> Lullwater
Ruddy Duck X>
Pied-billed Grebe 1>
Double-crested Cormorant 1>
Great Blue Heron 1>
Red-tailed Hawk 3>
American Coot X>
Ring-billed Gull X>
Herring Gull (American) X>
Rock Pigeon X>
Mourning Dove X>
Red-bellied Woodpecker X>
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1>
Downy Woodpecker X>
Hairy Woodpecker 1>
Eastern Phoebe 1>
Blue Jay X>
American Crow X>
Fish Crow 3>
Black-capped Chickadee X>
Tufted Titmouse X>
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2>
White-breasted Nuthatch 3>
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1>
American Robin X>
European Starling X>
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2>
Eastern Towhee 1> feeders
Song Sparrow X>
Swamp Sparrow 1>
White-throated Sparrow X>
Dark-eyed Junco X>
Northern Cardinal X>
Red-winged Blackbird X>
Common Grackle X>
Brown-headed Cowbird 1>
Purple Finch 6> at least 3 ( 2 males) in Vale Cashmere,feeding on seed on stone pillars
House Finch X>
American Goldfinch X>
House Sparrow X>>
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

PP sightings 3/13/09 ; 2 reports

From Scott Whittle


Walked from the duck feeding area on the lake to the feeders, then around the Lullwater and back in a loop. Highlights includes FOS Eastern Phoebe (for me) and Yellow Rumped Warbler, both on the Lullwater. 1 Common Merganser was on the lake, and 1 Red Breasted Merganser continues in the Lullwater. No Juncos, fewer Coots. Things are changing (they always are...) and spring is coming!

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/13/09
Number of species: 38

Canada Goose 40
Mute Swan 2
American Black Duck 3
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 2
Mallard 50
Northern Shoveler X
Common Merganser 1
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Ruddy Duck 40
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 8
Ring-billed Gull 230
Herring Gull 7
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 20
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 5
Eastern Phoebe 1
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Brown Creeper 1
American Robin 7
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1
Eastern Towhee 2
Fox Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 25
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 45
Common Grackle 2
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow X

****************************

From Peter

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/13/09
Number of species: 38

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 1
American Black Duck 3
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 125 lake
Ring-necked Duck 4 drakes Upper Pool
Common Merganser 1 drake Lake
Ruddy Duck 115 Lake
Pied-billed Grebe 1 lake
Double-crested Cormorant 2 1 west island,1 lake
Great Blue Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2 near Terrace Bridge
American Coot 3
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 feeders
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow X
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 2 feeders
American Robin 35 ballfields
European Starling X
Fox Sparrow (Red) 1 feeders
Song Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco 1Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 4
House Finch X
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

postings

From Rob Bate:

Yellow-rump warblers along the Lullwater today.

******************************

from Rob Jett 3/12

Yesterday, at around 5:30pm, I spotted my first Eastern Phoebe of the season in Prospect. It was hawking for insects in the woods between the Upper and Lower Pools.Rob

3/12 complete report

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 3/12/09>>>>
Location: Prospect Park>
Observation date: 3/12/09>
Number of species: 26>>

Canada Goose X>
Wood Duck 1>
Mallard X>
Ring-necked Duck 2>
Great Blue Heron 1>
Red-tailed Hawk 2>
Ring-billed Gull X>
Herring Gull (American) X>
Rock Pigeon X>
Mourning Dove X>
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1>
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1>
Downy Woodpecker 2>
Hairy Woodpecker 1>
Eastern Phoebe 1>
Blue Jay X>
Black-capped Chickadee X>
Tufted Titmouse X>
White-breasted Nuthatch X>
American Robin X>
European Starling X>
Song Sparrow X>
White-throated Sparrow X>
Northern Cardinal X>
Red-winged Blackbird X>
House Sparrow X>>
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)

********************************

3/13

Scott Whittle reports Eastern Phoebe and Yellow-Rumped Warblers in the Lullwater just now 5:30 pm

*******************************

3/11 posting from Rob Jett on GWC WWXbill

Yesterday I almost stepped on a White-winged Crossbill in Green-Wood Cemetery. I ended up sitting down on the ground and shooting this video with my Canon point & shoot (don't mind the shaky cam, it's an effect):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVDGFT3ggto
Gives new meaning to, there's so many of them that they are "fallin' out of the trees". According to Joe Borker, it was a first for Green-Wood, which I find hard to believe given that there are so many good conifers.
Rob

PP Sightings Visiting Birder

I just got another email from visiting birder Steve, who saw the winter wren again this morning:

"It was in the scrub on the north side of the creek, between the Music Grove Bridge and the Music Pagoda."

He also reported yesterday on the lake:

1 Belted Kingfisher (female)
2 Brant
1 Double-crested Cormorant
2 Ring-necked Ducks (males)
1 Wood Duck
2 Pied-billed Grebes
1 Red-tailed Hawk

 Thanks for the reports!

Visting Birder Sightings

A visiting birder from England contacted me today with two notable Prospect Park Sightings...March 8th he had 15 Brant, and today, March 9, he had a Winter Wren near the bridge next to the Audobon Center. 
Good luck if you go!

Scott Whittle
www.yearfofthebird.com

Quacker Quest Report

I led the 2009 Quacker Quest in Kings County today.  Six of us birded Prospect Park, Gravesend Bay, Drier Offerman, Marine Park, Floyd Bennet Field, and finally Jamaica Bay.  We had a total of 71 species...highlights were 2 Purple Finches, 2 Green Winged Teal, 8 Wood Ducks and a Merlin at Prospect Park, 9 Purple Sandpipers, a Great Cormorant and 2 Red-Necked Grebes at Gravesends Bay, a Redhead and 3 Greater Yellowlegs at Marine Park, and a single Northern Pintail at Jamaica Bay.  We missed the Barrows and Ross's at Jamaica, and the Killdeer I'd seen yesterday at Drier, but we enjoyed the great weather and the great birding in Brooklyn!

Species List:

 Snow Goose     X
Brant     X
Canada Goose     X
Mute Swan     X
Wood Duck     8
Gadwall     X
American Wigeon     X
American Black Duck     X
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)     X
Mallard     X
Northern Shoveler     X
Northern Pintail     1
Green-winged Teal (American)     16
Redhead     1
Ring-necked Duck     8
Greater Scaup     400
Lesser Scaup     30
Bufflehead     X
Common Goldeneye     25
Hooded Merganser     X
Red-breasted Merganser     X
Ruddy Duck     X
Red-throated Loon     X
Common Loon     X
Pied-billed Grebe     2
Horned Grebe     X
Red-necked Grebe     2
Double-crested Cormorant     X
Great Cormorant     3
Great Blue Heron     X
Northern Harrier     X
Cooper's Hawk     X
Red-tailed Hawk     X
Merlin     X
American Coot     X
Greater Yellowlegs     3
Purple Sandpiper     9
Ring-billed Gull     X
Herring Gull     X
Great Black-backed Gull     X
Rock Pigeon     X
Mourning Dove     X
Red-bellied Woodpecker     X
Downy Woodpecker     X
Northern Flicker     X
Blue Jay     X
American Crow     X
crow sp.     X
Black-capped Chickadee     X
Tufted Titmouse     X
Red-breasted Nuthatch     X
White-breasted Nuthatch     X
Brown Creeper     X
Carolina Wren     X
American Robin     X
Northern Mockingbird     X
European Starling     X
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     X
Eastern Towhee     2
Fox Sparrow     X
Song Sparrow     X
Swamp Sparrow     X
White-throated Sparrow     X
Dark-eyed Junco     X
Northern Cardinal     X
Red-winged Blackbird     X
Common Grackle     X
Boat-tailed Grackle     X
Brown-headed Cowbird     X
Purple Finch     X
House Finch     X
American Goldfinch     X
House Sparrow     X

saturday sightings 3/7

from alex wilson:

Begin forwarded message: >
Location: Prospect Park >
Observation date: 3/7/09 >
Number of species: 48 > >

Canada Goose X >
Mute Swan X >
Wood Duck 10 (At least 10, several flyover sightings, with > 4 briefly on the Upper Pool. Groups of 8 and 2 seen in quick > succession; maybe as many as 18 all told.) >


American Black Duck X >
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1 > Mallard X >
Northern Shoveler X >
Ring-necked Duck 8 (3 drakes, Upper Pool; 2 drakes, Lake; > hen & 2 drakes upper Lullwater pool.) >
Bufflehead 1 >
Hooded Merganser 5 (Pair, upper Lullwater; hen with 2 > drakes, one displaying, Lake.) >
Red-breasted Merganser 1 (Continues, upper Lullwater.) >
Ruddy Duck X > Great Blue Heron 1 >
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (Immature, Maryland Monument flyby.) >
Red-tailed Hawk X >
Peregrine Falcon 1 (On signal tower at east corner of park/> BBG.) >

American Coot X >
Ring-billed Gull X >
Herring Gull X > Great Black-backed Gull X >
Rock Pigeon X >
Mourning Dove X >
Red-bellied Woodpecker X >
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3 >
Downy Woodpecker X >
Hairy Woodpecker X >
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3 >
Blue Jay X >
Black-capped Chickadee X >
Tufted Titmouse X >
White-breasted Nuthatch X >
Carolina Wren X >
American Robin X >
Northern Mockingbird X > European Starling X >
Eastern Towhee 1 (Male, on
path above Terrace Bridge, east > side.) >
Fox Sparrow (Red) X (Singing near cemetery; a dead bird > near the feeders.) >
Song Sparrow X >
Swamp Sparrow 1 >
White-throated Sparrow X >
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) X (Including a couple > singing.) >
Northern Cardinal X >
Red-winged Blackbird X >
Common Grackle X >
Purple Finch 3 (2 males, 1 female, Breeze Hill feeders.) >
House Finch X >
American Goldfinch X >
House Sparrow X

******************************
From Rafael Campos


07 March 2009:With a nice warm morning, the walk thru PP was spectacular. Most of the snow has melted, and the spirit of Spring is around the corner.Several flocks of Common Grackles flew over the park, and the feeders were quite active, with at least 1 Fox Sparrow, lots of WT Sparrows, but not E Towhee (saw the male yesterday).A large flock of Red-winged Blackbirds were perched near the Terrace Bridge, and the big surprise was to see 2 females Brown-headed Cowbirds among them.Here is the list for today:

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
American Black Duck (upper pool)
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck (lake, upper pool, & lullwater)
Hooded Merganser (lullwater & lake)
Ruddy Duck
Great Blue Heron (1 upper pool)
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1 catching a thermal over Lookout Hill)
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull(American)
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird (2 female, terrace bridge)
Purple Finch (1 pair, feeders)
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow


Brooklyn is good birding: Rafa Campos R

Note addendum :Rafael also reported 4 Monk Parakeets on 7th and Park Place today

*****************************************
From Rob Bate:
On Saturday- Golden-crowned Kinglet by bridge just upstream of the music pagoda. Pine Siskin at the feeders.

Taking a sunny vacation in sunshine

Birders and readers ,

I will be away starting tonight till next Thursday, birding for my first time in Florida. Hopefully, I will try to post any Brooklyn reports from my birding friends computer down south.

Scott W. has access to this blog, so anything really rare, text me at my cell 347-622-3559 and I'll forward to him. ( otherwise, post to Phil Jeffrey's Ebirds Yahoo Groups if you are a registered user)

Cheers,

Peter

March 5th sightings inc LBBG and AMWO

LBBG = Lesser Black-backed Gull
AMWO-= American Woodcock

From the NYS Listerve, Debra Amos report Brooklyn Botanic Garden

I walked this afternoon around 2 o'clock through the western part of the conifer collection (across the Bluebell field, at the pond). Suddenly a woodcock flew up out of the ivy covered ground. It landed a few yard on the ground again and walked about. I had the privilege to study all the features of this beautiful bird in the perfect sunlight with it's cooperation to sit still from time to time. It's a great find here in the garden. I hope it will be here for a while.
Debora Amos

(Kingboiders note: I believe this area for the AMWO is 1/2 way between the Cherry Esplanade and Daffodil Hill. the Japanese Garden is above this slope )

*******************************

Rob Jett Texted messaged me this afternoon of a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on Prospect Lake. I was fortunate to see the gull thru Rob's scope since it was tough picking out the gull with bins and at that distance ( with bright sunlight from the side and with therare gull obscured partially by other common gulls. Nevertheless, it was visible at times. A Red tailed Hawk flew over and flushed all the gulls, losing us the opportunity to see the gull much longer.

********************************

From Rob Bate:
(Prospect)

Saw a Yellow-rumped warbler by the pool above the music pagoda. I haven't seen any mentions in the park this season. Also saw a female Cardinal singing, don't know how rare that is.Hope all's well.Rob

PP sightings 3/3/09 Scott Whittle

Cold today, with some freezing over on the lake. Gull numbers were down, and the ice forced the ruddy ducks and a single bufflehead into close proximity with the mallards in the duck feeding area. Feeders were active with 3 purple finches (1 female and 2 males) and a Red Breasted Nuthatch visiting regularly. Haven't seen the pine siskin here in a few days, despite extensive time at the feeders (another birder did report that it was there earlier yesterday). There has been a sharpie lurking there. Also had a FOY woodcock on the side of lookout hill between lamppost 249 and wellhouse.

Canada Goose 150
Mute Swan 2
American Black Duck 2
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ring-necked Duck 4
Bufflehead 1
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Ruddy Duck X
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Coot 12
American Woodcock 1
Ring-billed Gull 300
Herring Gull 9
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 35
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 5
Blue Jay 6
Black-capped Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 12
Eastern Towhee 1
Fox Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 40
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal 10
Red-winged Blackbird 12
Purple Finch 3
House Finch 8
American Goldfinch 15
House Sparrow 15

**********************************

Peter's brief 3/4 sightings:

This morning while driving by Nellies Lawn, a pretty sight seeing two adult Red-tailed Hawks perched in Elizabeth's Tulip, at the north edge marking the Vale of Cashmere entry. One park crew stopped their truck to take photos. It was a great shot both hawks only 5 feet apart on a dead limb.

ON the lake, the continuing drake Red-breasted Merganser made the best of it in the mostly frozen lake, in the open water between the Peninsula thumb and southern lake mainland .The usual suspects of ruddies, 45 shovelers near the rink, several Black duck, about 14 Coots with many gulls ( ring billed, some Herring and one Greater Black-backed)

March 3rd

Spotted perched in a tree above the Center Drive at the path coming down from Falkill Falls: Merlin..Center Drive- lots of activity mostly Cardinals , White throated and Fox (2) sparrows feeding along roadside.

Peter

March 2nd sightings (+ Feb 28th reports)

From Peter:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/2/09
Number of species: 28


Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
American Black Duck 3
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 35 Duck islands
Ring-necked Duck 2 drake upper pool
Bufflehead 1 Duck Island
Common Merganser 3 drakes Lake
Ruddy Duck 60 scattered Lake
American Coot 7 Lake
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker X feeders
Black-capped Chickadee X feeders
European Starling X
Eastern Towhee 1 male feeders
Fox Sparrow (Red) 2 feeders
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 20 + feeders
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3 Center Dr
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 5 Feeders
House Finch X feeders
American Goldfinch 6 feeders
Cooopers Hawk Flew in and perched in Duck Island
Great Blue Heron first Duck isl ,then Peninsula shore

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

******************************
From Rob Jett:

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 2/28/09>>>>
Location: Prospect Park>
Observation date: 2/28/09>
Number of species: 20>>

Red-tailed Hawk 2>
Merlin 1>
Ring-billed Gull X>
Herring Gull X>
Rock Pigeon X>
Mourning Dove 20>
Red-bellied Woodpecker X>
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1>
Downy Woodpecker 1>
Hairy Woodpecker 1>
Blue Jay X>
Black-capped Chickadee X>
Tufted Titmouse X>
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1>
White-breasted Nuthatch X>
American Robin X>
European Starling X>
Song Sparrow X>
White-throated Sparrow X>
Northern Cardinal X>>

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)

*****************************
Greenwood Cemetery ; Peter,Mary and Donna

Location: Greenwood Cemetery
Observation date: 2/28/09
Number of species: 19

Snow Goose 3
Canada Goose 55
American Wigeon 2
American Black Duck 1
Mallard X
Ring-necked Duck 1
Bufflehead 2
Ruddy Duck X
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Monk Parakeet
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee XTufted Titmouse X
European Starling X
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)

***************************

From Ben Bohen:

Just wanted to report that on Saturday 2/28 there was a flock of Brants on the lake (Prospect).

March 1st sightings; before the roar

I didn't have much time birding today but i was able to view with admiration the resident Peregrine Falcon's kingly abode. I had to meet with Paul, Heidi , and Rick to discuss issues on better protocols on the Xmas count for next time. While meeting in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden basement cafe, Paul saw thru the window the Peregrine Falcon perched at its frequent perch atop the radio signal tower adjacent to the garden's library. After our meeting finished, i went out to see if the falcon was there and I didn't see it. But after a short tour of the garden, i happened to see it just before I exited the garden, on a different perch! it was on the rooftop of the Ebberts Field housing complex, where the old Brooklyn Dodger stadium use to be.I figure that all along: the falcon "bleeds blue!"

Heidi reported that the Binnen Bridge area or Lily Pool was quite active today with lots of Robins,3 Hairy Woodpeckers..One particular small tree held 5 Blue Jays ( a nice sighting)

The snow comes........................

Peter

*********************************

From Eve reporting for Paul Keim's First Sunday 10 am walk (monthly) from the Audubon Center:

Hi Heidi, Michele & Peter-

Paul led the walk this morning .Vin & I reconstructed the list.

Cooper's hawk
Sharp-Shinned hawk (flyover lookout hill)
Red tailed hawk mature and 2 immature
Merlin (male center drive at top of Nethermead)
Red breasted merganser - lullwater male
Bufflehead ducks males upper pool 3+
Shovelers 10+ lake
Ring-necked Duck 4 lullwater & upper pool
Ruddy Ducks 10+ lake
Coots 10+ lullwater
Mallards
Canadian Geese
Mute Swans 2
Gulls- at lake
Herring
Ringbilled
Great Black backed
Pidgeons
House sparrow
Starlings
Robins Binnen bridge 10+
Feeder:
Rock Doves 10+
Red bellied woodpecker 1
Downy woodpecker 2
Eastern Towhee male 1
Fox sparrow 1
White throated sparrow 5+
Purple finch m/f
Goldfinch 10+
Chickadee 5+
Junco 3
White breasted nuthatch 1
Cardinal male & female 3
Blue Jays
Red winged Black birds 5+ m/f
Tufted titmouse 3
Carolina wren (heard only)

Yesterday on Michele's Saturday walk we also had
3 Pine Siskin at the feeders
1 Flicker Nelly's lawn