Thursday, April 30, 2009

April 30th..the rarity express continues to roll in Prospect

(Photo credit :Tom Stephenson ; Todays bird of the day: RHWP)

(Kingsboider note: this report was delayed due to a Brooklyn Bird Club presentation i had to host tonight at the Litchfield Villa)

This last day of April goes out with style, with a report from Nancy Tim's 7 am field walk for the Brooklyn Bird Club. With help from Tom Stephenson, Nancy caught sight of the best non-warbler species, an adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER on lower Quaker Ridge just south of the Lower Pool, more specifically above Rocky Pass, the cut thru the ridge on the road going north from the Nethermead Bridge( sorry for the incorrect info previously on the cell phone report, i was not given the locale cause the landmarks in Prospect can be quite confusing). Additional rarities regarding warblers were two CERULEAN WARBLERS in the Midwood,one bird chased by a HOODED WARBLER! The PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was seen in an unlikely spot, way high in a Oak tree in the Midwood. (Stephenson, Jett)

Other hilights include Rafael's Worm-Eating Warbler in the Ravine, 8 Northern Rough -winged Swallows seen by Rob , the Lake, Indigo Bunting, 5 Orchard Oriole

List from Rafael.
Date: 30 April 2009
Observer: Rafael Campos
Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
**************************************
With the news of 1 Red-headed Woodpecker around PP, I headed there, but no luck with such bird, and others posted early today (eg Cerulean Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler).
Looking for these rares ones, I found 1 Worm-eating Warbler high on an oak tree in the Ravine. Later around Vale, a nice pair of Scarlet Tanagers, and a nice male Black-throated Blue Warbler.
One Warbling Vireo was singing its heart out near the Nethermead Arches Bridge.

The list:
Mallard
Red-tailed Hawk: 1 adult siting on the nest
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Veery: 1 Rick's Place
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing: 3, near Rick's Place
Nashville Warbler: pools
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Pine Warbler: 1, Ravine
Black-and-white Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Scarlet Tanager
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Brooklyn is good birding!!!

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

From Rob Jett:

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 4/30/09
>
>
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 4/30/09
> Number of species: 63
>
> Canada Goose X
> Wood Duck 1
> Mallard X
> Ring-necked Duck 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 3
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Chimney Swift 1
> Belted Kingfisher 1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker X
> Downy Woodpecker X
> Hairy Woodpecker X
> Northern Flicker X
> Blue-headed Vireo X
> Warbling Vireo 4
> Red-eyed Vireo 1
> Blue Jay X
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow 8
> Barn Swallow 4
> Black-capped Chickadee X
> Tufted Titmouse X
> White-breasted Nuthatch X
> Carolina Wren X
> House Wren X
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X
> Veery 2
> Hermit Thrush X
> Wood Thrush 2
> American Robin X
> Gray Catbird X
> European Starling X
> Blue-winged Warbler 1
> Nashville Warbler 6
> Northern Parula X
> Yellow Warbler X
> Black-throated Blue Warbler 2
> Yellow-rumped Warbler X
> Black-throated Green Warbler 3
> Pine Warbler 1
> Prairie Warbler 1
> Palm Warbler X
> Black-and-white Warbler X
> Prothonotary Warbler 1
> Ovenbird 2
> Northern Waterthrush 2
> Common Yellowthroat 2
> Hooded Warbler 1
> Scarlet Tanager 4
> Chipping Sparrow X
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Northern Cardinal X
> Rose-breasted Grosbeak X
> Indigo Bunting 1
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> Common Grackle X
> Brown-headed Cowbird X
> Orchard Oriole 5
> Baltimore Oriole 4
> House Finch X
> American Goldfinch X
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

prothonotary warbler at nethermead br,

prothonotary warbler at nethermead br, cerulean warbler & hooded warb inside midwood per tom s.

red-headed woodpecker,cerulean warbler, hooded war

red-headed woodpecker,cerulean warbler, hooded warbler south side nethermead bridge along binnen water per tom stephenson Peter

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

April 29th..slow but not here in Prospect ;some good stuff are moving thru....

On this slow day, some nice hilights mitigated the slow pace from our Prospect regulars:

Most prominently are the BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW species seen at the Lily Pool by Alex Wilson. Lily Pool empties over the Binne Falls, just northwest of the Boathouse.


Indigo Bunting at the Maryland Monument ( yesterday's carryover) as well as Hooded Warbler for the second day in the Midwood. A possible second Hooded seen behind the Pagoda structure; Either the Midwood Hooded is changing neighborhoods or likes to travel, its likely the same bird.This day sees 4 species thrushes, a first I observed this season ( Tom S), and three Vireo species also recorded. Also of note was at least 14 Barn Swallows in a tight flock near the rink while later two Northern Rough-winged Swallows joined in the later afternoon. This morning, Peter had the luxury of seeing a Common Loon in a circling flyover above the rink..sorry but the circus left town two days ago and the winter Rink is closed for the season. ;)>

Good birding,The Kingsboider

Late Kingsboider Note: Alex Wilson reported 3 Hooded Warblers...so I guess they are all over the place by now.....

Late note email recd at 8:55 pm: an adult male BLUE GROSBEAK was seen in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's native flora section at 1:20 pm ;The bird was seen at the tiny waterfall at the vernal pond, just ahead to the right at the main entrance. The observers are long time garden birding regulars Jane Gill and John Funari.

Please note: the BBG charges $8 fee admission for non senior citizens. Members are free

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

From Eddie Davis:

Here's a list for today. Much less birdy than the past few days, but
cooler and more comfortable instead.

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/29/09
Number of species: 31

Mallard
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush - 1 rick's place
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 2 nethermead arches horse trail
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler - 1 nethermead arches horse trail
Black-and-white Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush - 1 vale
Eastern Towhee
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Baltimore Oriole - 1 trail between vale and zoo
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

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

From Russ Alderson:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/29/09
Notes: Indigo Bunting at MD Monument, Hooded - behind Pagoda,
Veery - Path above Rick's Place, Scarlett Tanager in Vale, Kingbirds - Upper
Pool.
Number of species: 42

Mallard 8
Ring-necked Duck 1
Osprey 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 4
Eastern Kingbird 2
Blue-headed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 1
Tree Swallow 3
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
House Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Veery 1
Hermit Thrush 1
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 100
Gray Catbird 4
European Starling 80
Northern Parula 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 65
Black-and-white Warbler 4
Ovenbird 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Hooded Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
Chipping Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 12
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Baltimore Oriole 4
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 12

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


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

From Rafael Campos:

DATE: 29 April 2009
OBSERVER: Rafael Campos
As usual the route I follows is from Grand Army Plaza, Vale.


At Vale of Cashmere, there was 1 singing Common Yellowthroat, and Northern Waterthrush. Great views of 1 White-eyed Vireo. Lots of YRWAs.


From the Vale, across Nelli's Lawn, 2 Chipping Sparrows, and lots of Starlings & Robins.


Across Rick's Place & Midwood. More YRWAs. Midwood was kind of quiet, but a nice male Hooded Warbler was seen there.


Nethermead, along the Lullwater, Peninsula. More YRWAs; around the Duck Island, 1 Black-crowned Night-heron, and a flyover Belted Kingfisher. Waterfowl was not much, though worth to mention 2 Ruddy Ducks.


Maryland Monument, Lookout Hill, edge of Quaker Cemetery. Just Yellow rumped warblers


The Pools. another Northern Waterthrush,. 2 Palm Warblers, and 1 singing Warbling Vireo. Also singing, was 1 Ovenbird. And before the Long Meadow, on a pool, 1 male Common Yellowthroat, and 5 Baltimore Orioles taking a bath.
THE LIST:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck: 1 m, upper pool
Ruddy Duck
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron: 1, pools
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker: 1 male
Northern Flicker: 1
Eastern Kingbird: 2, hawking insects over the upper pool
White-eyed Vireo: 1
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo: 1
Blue Jay
Barn Swallow: 1 flying over upper pool
White-breasted Nuthatch: 1, Rick's Place
House Wren: Rick's Place & Lullwater
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush: 1 calling, Vale
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (YRWAs)
Palm Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler (Midwood)
Scarlet Tanager: 1 m, Vale
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 f, pools
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird: 1 m, Long Meadow
Baltimore Oriole: mostly males, taking a bath
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow


Brooklyn is good birding!!!


*********************
Peters Report

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/29/09
Number of species: 35

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 2 building 2nd nest
Wood Duck 3 flyover Peninsula point
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 1 lake
Common Loon 2 two early am flyovers Rink
Double-crested Cormorant 1 @Three sisters isl
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Laughing Gull 8
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift 1 duck isl
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Kingbird 1 south Lakeside near Duck Isl
Blue-headed Vireo 1 Well DR or Lamppost 249
Blue Jay 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 Lake in PM
Barn Swallow 14 Lake, mostly numerous b/w Dusk Isl and Peninsula
American Robin X
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) X
Ovenbird 1 West Island path
Northern Waterthrush 1 BBGarden Native flora section; male adult
Eastern Towhee 2 BBGarden
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 1 BBGarden
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Indigo Bunting 1 BBGarden Native flora section; male adult
Red-winged Blackbird 1 west isl
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 south lake
American Goldfinch 6 Lamppost #249
House Sparrow X
Veery 1 Willink

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

From Tom Stephenson

Male Hooded Warbler in Midwood on the side near the pagoda

Quite a few other warblers including Northern Waterthrush, Palm Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Black&White Warbler, Magnolia Warbler , Yellow Warbler , Black-Throated Blue Warbler (seem like a lot in now), Ovenbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Parula Warbler(lots), Common Yellowthroat
Also, Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, late Phoebe, Veery, Wood Thrush, Swainson's Thrush and Hermit Thrush, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-Headed vireos, Blue-gray Gnatchatcher,

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


From Alex Wilson.

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/29/09
Number of species: 79

Canada Goose 40
Mute Swan 4
Wood Duck 2 (Drakes, Upper Pool.)
Mallard 20
Ruddy Duck 5 (A few lingering.)

Ring-necked Duck-Upper Pool
Common Loon 6 (Early flyover groups of 4 & 2.)
Double-crested Cormorant 14 (12 flyover.)
Great Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 3
Black-crowned Night-Heron 5
Red-tailed Hawk 5
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 10
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 30 (20 on Long Meadow early.)
Rock Pigeon 30
Mourning Dove 15
Black-billed Cuckoo 1 (Lily Pond, FoS.)
Chimney Swift 8
Belted Kingfisher 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 6
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 12
Eastern Phoebe 1 (Lily Pond.)
Great Crested Flycatcher 1 (Lookout Hill.)
Blue-headed Vireo 4
Warbling Vireo 8 (Including probable breeders.)
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 4
crow sp. 2
Tree Swallow 4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 8
Black-capped Chickadee 9
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Carolina Wren 2
House Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 8
Veery 1 (Lookout Hill, FoS.)
Hermit Thrush 8
American Robin 100
Gray Catbird 20
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 150
Nashville Warbler 1 (Lily Pond, singing, FoS.)
Northern Parula 25 (Singing throughout.)
Yellow Warbler 8
Magnolia Warbler 1 (Lily Pond, singing, FoS; early date.)
Black-throated Blue Warbler 4 (FoS.)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 100
Black-throated Green Warbler 5
Prairie Warbler 3
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 4
Black-and-white Warbler 12
Ovenbird 6
Northern Waterthrush 5
Common Yellowthroat 2
Hooded Warbler 3 (Heard in Ravine; seen & heard on Midwood slope
and in Peninsula woods.)
Scarlet Tanager 3 (2 males, 1 female.)
Eastern Towhee 10
Chipping Sparrow 10 (Including one singing, perhaps on territory
south of Long Meadow.)
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 75
White-crowned Sparrow 1 (Lily Pond "meadow" FoS.)
Northern Cardinal 15
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 (Female, Ravine, FoS.)
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 25
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
Orchard Oriole 6 (Singing in 3 spots, adult & 1st year males.)
Baltimore Oriole 4
Purple Finch 1 (Singing 1st year male, Center Drive.)
American Goldfinch 7
House Sparrow 20

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

From Jane Gill: ( whom i just gave my email address today when I visited the flora section)

Hi Peter,Shortly after you left the Local Flora Garden at the BBG today, in came John (I'm never sure of his last name). He asked me to say hi back to you. We went to the pond together. He sat in his wheelchair and I stood, looking for birds. There weren't many. We both said how sad that there wasn't more water in the pond to attract more birds. Then about 1:20, John suddenly said, "Jane, there by the waterfall. It's a Blue Grosbeak!" And it was, a beautiful male. It took a bath it the little puddle under the waterfall. We could see its lovely black bill and the rufous on its wings. For about a minute and a half we were transfixed. Then it flew off.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

April 28th :Too HOT to bird!

Usually the third day after a surge is not so great for birding.By the third day, most migrants take advantage of the high pressure system to hurry to their breeding grounds to establish their territories, particularly the male birds. Today wasn't a weather sensible day to bird. It takes work to find stuff as well as tremendous amount of patience.

Nevertheless, there were a few good ones around reported by today's birders that braved the heat. Rob Jett reported his very surprising number of 16 species warblers.Not bad.....

The hi lights of today were: uncommon CAPE MAY WARBLER in the Vale of Cashmere, HOODED WARBLER in central Midwood,WORM EATING WARBLER bathing in the Binnen Water just south of the Nethermead Arches, male INDIGO BUNTING at the foot of the Maryland Monument ; possibly first season MAGNOLIA WARBLER, early BLACKPOLL WARBLER;ORCHARD ORIOLE

Also of note was the first weekday Brooklyn Bird Club walk , a series of walks during the week on tuesdays and thursdays till middle May; today's walk was led by Mary Eyster , who submitted a report attached.

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

From Ed Crowne:

Cape May warbler in the Vale of Cashmere near the water fountain

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

From Rob Jett:

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 4/28/09

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 4/28/09
> Number of species: 67
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan X
> American Black Duck X
> Mallard X
> Ring-necked Duck 1
> Double-crested Cormorant X
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Great Egret 1
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 2
> Turkey Vulture 2
> Red-tailed Hawk 3
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Red-bellied Woodpecker X
> Downy Woodpecker X
> Hairy Woodpecker X
> Northern Flicker X
> Eastern Kingbird 2
> Blue-headed Vireo X
> Warbling Vireo 4
> Blue Jay X
> American Crow X
> Black-capped Chickadee X
> Tufted Titmouse X
> White-breasted Nuthatch X
> Carolina Wren X
> House Wren X
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
> Hermit Thrush X
> Wood Thrush 2
> American Robin X
> Gray Catbird X
> European Starling X
> Blue-winged Warbler 1
> Nashville Warbler 1
> Northern Parula 12
> Yellow Warbler 5
> Cape May Warbler 1
> Black-throated Blue Warbler 2
> Yellow-rumped Warbler X
> Black-throated Green Warbler 2
> Prairie Warbler 2
> Palm Warbler X
> Blackpoll Warbler 1
> Black-and-white Warbler X
> Worm-eating Warbler 1
> Ovenbird 1
> Northern Waterthrush 3
> Common Yellowthroat 1
> Scarlet Tanager 3
> Eastern Towhee X
> Chipping Sparrow X
> Swamp Sparrow 1
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Northern Cardinal X
> Rose-breasted Grosbeak X
> Indigo Bunting 1
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> Common Grackle X
> Brown-headed Cowbird X
> Orchard Oriole 3
> Baltimore Oriole 2
> House Finch X
> American Goldfinch X
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Peter report (6:45-7:30; 12-1 pm; 3:30-5 pm)


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/28/09
Number of species: 42

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck 2 Lake
Mallard X
Ruddy Duck 6 Lake
Double-crested Cormorant 3 Lake
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 Lake
Red-tailed Hawk 3 --2 f/o south lake, one f.o Nellie's Lawn
Laughing Gull 16 Lake
Herring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1 Vale
White Breasted Nuthatch 1 Vale
House Wren 2 Midwood
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Battle Pass
Hermit Thrush 1 South Lake
American Robin X
Gray Catbird 2 Binnen Pool, South Lake
European Starling X
Blue-winged Warbler 1 Binnen Water adj Nethermead Br
Nashville Warbler 1 Vale Cashmere
Magnolia Warbler-male south Lakeside west of Three sister islands
Northern Parula 1 Vale
Yellow-rumped Warbler 7 Vale
Black-and-white Warbler 1 Vale
Northern Waterthrush 1 Vale
Hooded Warbler 1 male central midwood near horse trail
Chipping Sparrow 6 Vale
Swamp Sparrow 2 --one binnen pool
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal 4-2 vale,2 midwood
Indigo Bunting 1 male adult base of Maryland Monument
Red-winged Blackbird 1 Vale
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 --one midwood, 2nd valecashmere
Baltimore Oriole 1 fem vale cashmere
Purple Finch 1 breeze hill lawn,bright male feeding on dandelion
House Sparrow X

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

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

Mary and 11 BBC Trip participants
April 28, 2009

Today was the first walk of the BBC Centennial Spring weekday walks. We left from Bartel Pritchard with 10 birders. Two more caught up along the way. The park wasn't as active today as on Sunday (or at least the southern part wasn't). But several of us added a few new species to our year list. With the shift in the winds and weather, Thursday's Prospect walk, leaving from GAP at 7, could be really good. I apologize for the random order of the list. My usual listing tool has crashed!


Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Mallard
Blue Jay
American Crow
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-tailed Hawk
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
House Wren
Carolina Wren (heard, not seen)
Baltimore Oriole
Orchard Oriole
Monk Parakeet
Northern Mockingbird
Gray Catbird
American Robin
Wood Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Parula
Black and White Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow Warbler (heard, not seen)
Prairie Warbler (heard, not seen)
Common Yellowthroat (heard, not seen)
White-throated Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

worm-eating warbler bathing in binnen

worm-eating warbler bathing in binnen water south side nethermead arches bridge , seen by rob jett

hooded warbler male in midwood

hooded warbler male in midwood near bridle path. look for fallen tree between horse path n nature trail
Peter

Cape may warbler in vale

Cape may warbler in vale of cashmere
Peter

Monday, April 27, 2009

4/27 Rarities continue in Prospect, and Greenwood Cemetery

Hilights of today plus a Saturday report include Prospect Park sightings CERULEAN WARBLER, 2 KENTUCKY WARBLERs, HOODED WARBLER and Greenwood Cemetery BLUE GROSBEAK (saturday ) .

The Cerulean warbler was behind the Pools , at times between the Upper and Lower Pools, often singing , spotted by Shane Blodgett and Doug Gochfeld who reported also the Kentucky warbler behind the Lower Pool; on the latter i gather its on the other side of the path. A second Kentucky Warbler was heard singing in the Midwood by Ed Crowne and Phil Payne.

Some first seaon birds like Eastern Kingbird, and Great Crested Flycatcher are making wave.

A Hooded warbler was reported by Mike Zablocky at Ricks Place.

Here are the lists sent me by today's field observers


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

From Joe Canale:

Hey Peter. Joe Canale here. I thought I should put the word out that I had a male Blue Grosbeak in Greenwood Saturday afternoon. It was perched on a tombstone on a hill above Sylvan Waters doing that tail twitching/displaying thing that they do. Also, the same day there was a Rusty Blackbird along the south shore of SW. Yesterday, Sunday, I had RB Grosbeak and Wood Thrush in the cemetery and a Scarlet Tanager, male, at the Vale in PP as well as a Warbling Vireo feeding low on the Peninsula. Don't think these were reported in other sightings.

Take care and good birding,
Joe

*************************
2 ebird listserve postings

Just got a call from Doug Gochfeld, who is in Prospect Park. There is a singing Cerulean Warbler in the Ravine. It is feeding in the trees behind the Lower Pool and heading north, towards the red-tailed nest. In addition, the Yellow-throated Warbler is still present on Lookout Hill.Good birding,Rob The City Birder Webloghttp://citybirder.blogspot.com

...and if that's not enough, Doug just called to report a Kentucky Warbler is now at the area behind the Lower Pool. That is the fenced area on the east side of the pond.Rob The City Birder Webloghttp://citybirder.blogspot.com

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

From Rafael:

DATE: 27 April 2009
OBSERVERS: Rafael Campos & Hillary Salk

Great late morning, with several nice warblers, like: Blackburnian (by the pools), Hooded (Vale), Common Yellowthroat, Northern Waterthrush.
Missed today Cerulean, Yellow-throated & Kentucky.
No signs of the Townsend's Warbler.
Also seen today Rose-breasted Grosbeak & Veery.

THE LIST:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck: 1 m, upper pool
Double-crested Cormorant: 10 flew over the pools
Great Blue Heron
Solitary Sandpiper: 1, upper pool
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift: 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Kingbird: 2, pools
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch: 2
Brown Creeper: 1, pools
House Wren: 2, Rick's Place
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Veery: 1, Vale
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush: 1, Vale
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler: 2, pools
Prairie Warbler:1,Vale. 1, Lookout Hill
Black-and-white Warbler
Northern Waterthrush: 1, Vale
Common Yellowthroat: 1 f, Vale
Hooded Warbler: 1m, Vale
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow: 1, Nethermead
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 m, Lookout Hill. 1 f, pools
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole: 1 f, pools
Baltimore Oriole: 1 m, Vale
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Brooklyn is good birding!!!


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

From Doug:
Sent: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 2:13 pm
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 4/27/09

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/27/09
Notes: Birded with Ed Crowne and Phil Pane a bit. They had another Kentucky Warbler singing in the Midwood before I ran into them. Rafael Campos had a Blackburnian at the Upper Pool that I just missed (seen before and after I was there). Wind mostly from the East.
Sunny, clear, very warm day.
Number of species: 63

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 4 2 Nests
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 1
Ring-necked Duck 1 Upper Pool
Common Loon 4 Separate flyovers (6:04, 6:18, 6:50, 6:56 AM)
Double-crested Cormorant 48 Loose group of 47 flying over Nethermead. 1
on Lake.
Great Blue Heron 1 Pools
Great Egret 1 Duck Island
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3 --2 Duck Island, 1 Three Sisters
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Laughing Gull 9
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 15
Monk Parakeet 2 Heard from Lookout early (calling from the 16th Street
area). At least 2.
Belted Kingfisher 2 Labella Cove, Lake
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 5
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Eastern Kingbird 1 Pools
Yellow-throated Vireo 2 Ravine, Dongan Oak Woods
Blue-headed Vireo 12
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 2 Ravine, Lookout
Carolina Wren 2
House Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Hermit Thrush 2 Together on Lookout
Wood Thrush 3 Seen at Lower Pool, Heard in Midwood and Quaker Cemetery.
American Robin 100
Gray Catbird 9
European Starling X
Blue-winged Warbler 1 Butterfly Meadow
Nashville Warbler 3 Midwood (2), Vale
Northern Parula 25 Numerous and very vocal
Yellow Warbler 9 Mostly at Pools
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 175
Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Pools
Yellow-throated Warbler 1 South slope of Lookout Hill
Prairie Warbler 2 Quaker Cemetery, Upper Pool. One at Lookout Hill later
was probably the same one from Quaker, otherwise there were 3.
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 1 Pools
Cerulean Warbler 1 Lower Pool/Rocky Pass/Ravine stream. Singing male.
Great looks a couple of times.
Black-and-white Warbler 10
Ovenbird 3 Lookout (1), Ravine (2)
Northern Waterthrush 3 South Side of Lake, Upper Pool, Lower Pool
Kentucky Warbler 1 Male at Lower Pool
Hooded Warbler 1 Singing male in Vale
Eastern Towhee 20
Chipping Sparrow 15 Butterfly Meadow (8), south side of Lake (7)
Field Sparrow 1 South side of Lake (with White-throated Sparrows!) early
morning
Swamp Sparrow 2 Vale, South side of Lake
White-throated Sparrow 150
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 1 South side of Lake with Chipping
Sparrows
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Orchard Oriole 1 Upper Pool
Baltimore Oriole 2 Lookout, Ravine
American Goldfinch 15
House Sparrow X

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

kentucky warbler seen from backgate

kentucky warbler seen from backgate at the lower pool to the right near water exits at weir .this is near the ravine esdale
Peter

hooded warbler & great crested

hooded warbler & great crested flycatcher in vale of cashmere per hillary salk
Peter

Cerulean warbler rocky pass ravine

Cerulean warbler rocky pass ravine
Doug Gochfeld (4/27 8:27 am): Kentucky warbler lower pool
Peter

yellow throated warbler above wellhouse

yellow throated warbler above wellhouse lookout hill south slope , singing incessantly report by doug gochfeld
Peter

April 26th Hilights inc several quality warblers and TOWA

Hilights of Prospect sightings included a brief appearance of TOWNSEND'S WARBELR at the original location of Lookout Hill low path, text message of Prothonotary Warbler at Lower Pool, Hooded Warbler at the middle path on southern Lookout Hill, above the Wellhouse, Wormeating warbler just below the Butterfly meadow on the south slope, Prairie Warbler,BlackBurnian Warbler atop Lookout Hill, Blue-winged and still occurring Yellow-throated Warbler.Also noted Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the Vale Cashmere as well as Least Flycatcher

The TOWNSENDS WARBLER was refound at about 10:15 am when I received the text from Gayle Lovell . Making way from Ricks Place towards the low path of Lookout Hill, opposite Quaker Cemetery' main gate, the warbler disappeared before a group of birders arrived. IT stayed only ten minutes before it took off in a northerly direction.

In Greenwood Cemetery. the Brooklyn Bird Club field walk led by Paul Keim revealed a second Yellow-throated Warbler in town as well as Rusty Blackbird. A list was submitted by Glen Davis, at the end of this dated submission.

Lists:

From Rafael:

Another great day at PP. Today the big news was again the elusive Townsend's Warbler (at least to me). Seen again, and reported by Gayle Lovell & Xandra. Where? Same general area where yesterday was seen first.
Among the good ones today, specially warblers: Nashville, Black-throated Green, Blue-winged, Palm, Black-and-white, Yellow (reported by others: Blackburnian),
The vireos were special, also. My first one, courtesy of Shane B. + Peter, Mary E, was a Yellow-throated by Rick's Place. Later, we saw 1 Red-eyed Vireo, and around the pools, 1 White-eyed. Lots of Blue headed Vireos.
I tried around noon, one more time the general area of Lookout Hill for the TOWA, no luck, time to go back to the nest in Park Slope.

DATE: 26 April 2009
OBSERVERS: Rafael Campos, Gayle & Xandra
THE BIRDS:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck: 1m, upper pool
Ruddy Duck: just 2 seen at the Lake
Double-crested Cormorant: 1 flying over Grand Army Plaza; flock of ±6 flying over lake
Great Blue Heron: 1, lower pool
Green Heron: 1 flying around 5 Sisters; 1 lower pool
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin: 1 flyover Pools
Ring-billed Gull: 1, and the only gull sps by the time were around the lake shore
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift: 1 flyover Lookout Hill
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker: 1 f, Lookout Hill
White-eyed Vireo: 1, pools
Yellow-throated Vireo: 1, Rick's Place
Red-eyed Vireo: 2, Lookout Hill
Blue Jay
Golden-crowned Kinglet: 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: ±8
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Blue-winged Warbler: 1, Vale. 1, Lookout Hill
Nashville Warbler: 1, Lookout Hill
Northern Parula:2
Yellow Warbler: 1, Peninsula
Chestnut-sided Warbler: 1, Lookout Hill
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Palm Warbler: 1, Maryland Monument
Black-and-white Warbler
Ovenbird: 1, Lookout Hill
Northern Waterthrush: 1. lower pool
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow: 3
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird: 1 m, Lookout Hill
Baltimore Oriole: ±6, Vale
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Brooklyn is good birding!!!!

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

From Joshua Malbin:

Spotted the Yellow-throated Warbler on top of Lookout Hill at 1:45 pm today.

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

From Tom Preston:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/26/09
Number of species: 63

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 4
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 1
Ruddy Duck 9
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Downy Woodpecker X
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
White-eyed Vireo 4
Blue-headed Vireo 3
Warbling Vireo 1
Blue Jay X
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 2
House Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 12
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 15
Hermit Thrush 6
American Robin X
Gray Catbird 4
European Starling X
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Northern Parula 2
Yellow Warbler 8
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Black-throated Green Warbler 5
Pine Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 5
Palm Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 4
Worm-eating Warbler 1
Ovenbird 2
Northern Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Hooded Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
Eastern Towhee X
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

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

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

From Trish Duffet:

Hi Peter,

Since I have not seen other reports of it, I want to tell you that I
had the pleasure of seeing a Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the Vale this
morning some time between 11 and noon. It was on the west side of the
Vale in the trees on the hill that goes up toward Long Meadow. I got
very clear looks at the tail, bill, and color. It was a beautiful
bird.

Good birding!

Trish Duffett

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

Observers :Peter Dorosh, Mary Eyster, Bill Jeffrey
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/26/09
Number of species: 46

most sightings on Lookout Hill except noted

Canada Goose X lake
Mallard X lake
Double-crested Cormorant X lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 3
White-eyed Vireo 1
Yellow-throated Vireo 1 ricks place
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Hermit Thrush X
American Robin X
European Starling X
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 2 one also at Lullwater cove
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
Prairie Warbler 1 well drive ( several were heard by Shane Blodgett)
Palm Warbler X
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Ovenbird 1
Northern Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Hooded Warbler 1 ( Shane Blodgett, Kevin Brookls first obs)
Scarlet Tanager 1
Eastern Towhee 1
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Grackle X
Pine Siskin 2
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow X

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

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

From Glen Davis

Brooklyn Birrd Club field walk ,Greenwood Cemetery 4/26


Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you saw/heard? Yes

15 Canada Goose
6 Mallard
3 Double-crested Cormorant
3 Great Egret
2 Red-tailed Hawk
4 Laughing Gull
14 Herring Gull
25 Rock Pigeon
10 Mourning Dove
16 Monk Parakeet
8 Red-bellied Woodpecker
6 Downy Woodpecker
5 Northern Flicker
1 Eastern Kingbird
7 Blue-headed Vireo
1 Warbling Vireo
12 Blue Jay
3 American Crow
1 Tree Swallow
2 Barn Swallow
1 Black-capped Chickadee
2 Tufted Titmouse
4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
6 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
2 Hermit Thrush
40 American Robin
14 Northern Mockingbird
25 European Starling
2 Cedar Waxwing
8 Northern Parula
1 Yellow Warbler
1 Black-throated Blue Warbler
22 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
7 Black-throated Green Warbler
1 Yellow-throated Warbler
1 Pine Warbler
2 Prairie Warbler
10 Palm Warbler
5 Black-and-white Warbler
2 Eastern Towhee
31 Chipping Sparrow
10 White-throated Sparrow
2 Northern Cardinal
1 Rusty Blackbird
15 Common Grackle
6 Brown-headed Cowbird
2 Baltimore Oriole
1 House Finch
1 Pine Siskin
12 American Goldfinch
25 House Sparrow

Total species reported: 51

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Townsend waaarbler on lower lookout

Townsend waaarbler on lower lookout by quaker reported b gayle lovell Peter
Peter

hooded warbler male on middle

hooded warbler male on middle path above wellhouse upslope
Peter

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Latest update TOWNSENDS WARBLER

I read this off the Ebirds listserve.

I was lucky enough to be able to relocate the Townsend's at about 5:45 pm along the south side of the Quaker Cemetery. Watched the bird for about 15 minutes before it disappeared beyond view into the cemetary. I also came across the Yellow-throated Warbler earlier in the afternoon on the south slope of Lookout Hill. ~Nigel BatesHopewell, NJ

4/25 Prospect SUPER Saturday: Ultra -rarity TOWNSENDS WARBLER + recurring southern Warblers;Black Vulture

Possibly the Prospect bird of the year today was a **TOWNSEND'S WARBLER ** seen around 8 am on the lower Lookout Hill path opposite the Quaker Cemetery main gate, the western counterpart of our eastern Black-throated Green Warbler, the Townsend's seen feeding in Box Elders trees , the super rarity possibly Prospect's first record witnessed by a number of birders. I gather that 45 minutes was a generous observation before the bird flew off toward the north face of Lookout Hill.

Photo credit attributed to Doug Gochfeld: Photos/Video of the TOWNSEND'S WARBLER can be found here:http://picasaweb.google.com/fresha2411/2009#

Other recurring southern warbler rarities are as follows (from text Message reporter):

2 Prothonotary Warblers- one still at Duck Island (Rob Bate, et al) , and a second bird at AmberGill Falls
in the Ravine ( Janet Zinn and Alan Baratz)

Yellow-throated Warbler in the vicinity of Lookout Hill's south face above the Well house ( Doug Gochfeld)

Hooded Warbler- south Vale Cashmere (Tom Stephenson)

Black Vulture -late afternoon initially over the Pools ( Rafael Campos ) , then me and my BBC planting volunteer group , a Black Vulture , likely the same bird , within a kettle of 4 Turkey Vultures and 4 Red-Tailed Hawks. In as many of 3 days, two records is an amazing spectacle , the 5th park record.

Because I was leading a trip in Owls Head this morning, the Prospect morning spectacle show belongs to my peers, Super Saturday Prospect regulars to tell their stories below.

In all, 17 warbler species reported from Rob Jett's report

Good..No .. make that GREAT Birding all around !

Kingsboider

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

From Rob Jett:
Date: April 25, 2009 1:41:04 PM EDT
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 4/25/09

from the NYC listserve

I'll keep this brief as Doug Gochfeld is writing up a detailed report that he will be posting shortly.It was an insane day of migrates in Prospect Park. Seth Ausable, Doug Gochfeld, Dave Kauber and I spent several hours in the park together and tallied 17 species of warblers. The highlights were (in order of rarity) Townsend's Warbler (Lookout Hill), Yellow-throated Warbler (Lookout Hill), Prothontary Warbler (Ravine) and Hooded Warbler (Vale of Cashmere). It isn't very often that a Hooded Warbler becomes a minor footnote on a day list. The Townsend's Warbler was seen by 7 people as it foraged primarily within a Boxelder at the edge of Lookout Hill across from the Quaker Cemetery. It was present from 8:00am - 8:30am when it flew higher up the hill. Needless to say, a lot of people were looking for it. Any facts about relocating the bird are unclear to me, but I'm sure we'll hear more from others.Another noteworthy, early warbler, was a Blackpoll Warbler singing on Lookout Hill at 6:15am.Good birding,Rob

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 4/25/09
> Number of species: 74
>
> Brant 5
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan X
> Wood Duck 3
> American Black Duck X
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 1
> Ring-necked Duck 1
> Ruddy Duck 5
> Double-crested Cormorant X
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Great Egret 3
> Green Heron 1
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 6
> Red-tailed Hawk X
> American Kestrel 1
> American Coot X
> Laughing Gull X
> Ring-billed Gull X
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Chimney Swift X
> Belted Kingfisher 1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker X
> Downy Woodpecker X
> Northern Flicker X
> Eastern Phoebe X
> Yellow-throated Vireo 1
> Blue-headed Vireo 12
> Blue Jay X
> American Crow X
> Barn Swallow X
> Black-capped Chickadee X
> Tufted Titmouse X
> White-breasted Nuthatch X
> Carolina Wren X
> House Wren 2
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X
> Hermit Thrush X
> American Robin X
> European Starling X
> Blue-winged Warbler 1
> Northern Parula 2
> Yellow Warbler 6
> Yellow-rumped Warbler X
> Black-throated Green Warbler 4
> Townsend's Warbler 1 Lower Lookout carriage path from Center Drive
> Yellow-throated Warbler 1
> Pine Warbler 1
> Prairie Warbler 1
> Palm Warbler X
> Black-and-white Warbler 3
> Prothonotary Warbler 1
> Ovenbird 2
Blackpoll Warbler
> Northern Waterthrush 1
> Hooded Warbler 1
> Eastern Towhee X
> Chipping Sparrow X
> Field Sparrow 3
> Savannah Sparrow 1
> Song Sparrow X
> Swamp Sparrow X
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco 1
> Northern Cardinal X
> Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> Common Grackle X
> Brown-headed Cowbird X
> Baltimore Oriole 1
> American Goldfinch X
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

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

From Rafael:

DATE: 25 April 2009
SITE: Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings Co.; NY
OBSERVERS: Rafael Campos, Emily Goldstein, Kathy Toomey


With many tex-mess, mentioning a very rare warbler for PP: Townsend's + others, I headed to the park, joining forces with Emily & Kathy at the Vale. Here, the good one was 1 male Hooded Warbler. Also seen by others, 1 male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (I missed it). Orchard Oriole, 1 male.
From here we thru Rick's Place, Ravine & the Pools, looking for a PRWA (no luck!!!), but around the pools, 1 Black Vulture flew over, followed minutes later by 5 Turkey Vultures. 2 Black-throated Green Warblers, and later I saw 1 Prairie Warbler. Also flying over, at least 1-2 Chimney Swifts.
Lookout Hill, no luck with the YTWA & TOWA. Maybe mañana!!!
Exciting afternoon at PP.

Birds recorded:
Canada Goose
Wood Duck: 4 m, pools
Mallard
Black Vulture: 1 flyover pools
Turkey Vulture: ±5, flyovers
Red-tailed Hawk
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift: 1-2 flyover pools
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker: 1 f, Lookout Hill
Northern Flicker
Eastern Kingbird: 1, Vale
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet: 1, Lookout Hill
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Swainson's Thrush: 3-4, Vale
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Brown Thrasher: 1, Vale
European Starling
Northern Parula: heard only
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler: 2 m, pools
Prairie Warbler: 1, pools
Palm Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler: 3
Hooded Warbler: 1 m, Vale
Eastern Towhee
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird: 2 f, Rick's Place
Orchard Oriole: 1 m, Vale
Baltimore Oriole: 1 m, Lookout Hill
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Brooklyn is good birding!!!!

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

From Tom Stephenson:

Hi Peter,

I had to leave the park, so never got to see the Townsend's...however I heard it was back at the base of lookout later in the day.Tomorrow I'm going to see what I can find.
Today a few notables during my hour or so in the park:
Hooded Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Brown Thrasher
Solitary Vireo
other warblers...yellow, prairie, yellow-rumped, Northern parula

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

From Anne Lazarus:

At about 9:15AM Hayde tells Taeko and me that she saw the Prothonatory Warbler fly to the Phragmites on the southwest corner of Duck Island.We leave upon hearing from Rob Jett about the Townsend Warbler at Lookout Hill. I saw it briefly there. At about 11:30 I go back toDuck Island and see the Prothonotary Warbler in the Phragmites at thesouthwest corner of Duck Island.At about 2:45PM Taeko Tsujimoto, Pat Pollack, Lee Fleurshein, WadaIsabel Ponte and I return to Duck Island and see the Prothonotary Warbler in the Phragmites at the southwest corner of the island. We also saw some Turkey vultures, one Black Vulture with them and an Ospry. reported on April 25, by Anne Lazarus


****************************
From Doug Gochfeld:

Sent: Sat, 25 Apr 2009 7:23 pm
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 4/25/09

From Doug's posting on the NY Listerve:

Rob Jett couldn't have summed it up better with the title of his E-Mail. If someone had told me that we would have the type of day list in Prospect Park on April 25th that we did, I would indeed think they were insane.It was difficult to hear anything over the cacophony of American Robins just post-dawn, but shortly afterward a freak fog bank rolled into the park and when it receded about 30 minutes later, revealing the morning sun, things really picked up. The end result of my morning and early afternoon birding expedition was 80 species, including 17 species of Warbler and 3 species of Vireo. I'll spare the narrative here, since the list of highlights itself is long enough in itself. I birded most of the day with Rob Jett, Dave Klauber, and Seth Ausubel, before meeting up with Bob Gochfeld later on in the day. A link to some pretty poor (putting it generously), but okay for documentation photos (Townsend's & Prothonotary Warblers) is below.Highlights (Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY, April 25, 2009):TOWNSEND'S WARBLER ( seen here: http://tinyurl.com/cpscyt ). Spotted and identified by Seth Ausubel (Great call by the way, come to Brooklyn more often if you're gonna keep finding stuff like this) at around 8:00 AM, and stayed in view for 7-8 lucky birders through at least 8:25 AM before moving West and out of our sight. It was also likely present a couple of hundred feet to the SW at around 6:30 AM, which would bode well for it staying in the same general area.PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (Ravine, near Ambergill Falls, also working the stream towards the Lower Pool). The one at Duck Island was also apparently seen a couple of times today, although we didn't see it despite waiting for about 30 minutes.YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Lookout Hill south slope, seen starting at ~7:25 AM and I understand it was cooperative for most of the day)WORM-EATING WARBLER (South Midwood, found by Keir Randall. It was uncharacteristically cooperative despite the fact that we saw it during the heat of the early afternoon)HOODED WARBLER (Singing male, Vale of Cashmere)Blackpoll Warbler (First heard by Rob Jett, singing incessantly early morning at NE Lookout Hill lower path)Prairie Warbler (2 males, singing at Breeze Hill, NE Lookout Hill lower path)Pine Warbler (Male, near 16th Street entrance)Blue-winged Warbler (2, Heard singing from NE Lookout Hill lower path, heard and seen South Slope of Lookout Hill)Common Yellowthroat (2, heard singing from Lamppost 249 area, female seen well at Terrace Bridge)Purple Finch (Singing immature male, Butterfly Meadow on Lookout Hill)Yellow-throated Vireo (Singing near 16th Street entrance, found by Shane Blodgett)White-eyed Vireo (2, NE Lookout Hill lower path early, South Midwood in the afternoon)Orchard Oriole (Male, Lookout Hill)Baltimore Oriole (Male, Lookout Hill)Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Male, Vale of Cashmere)Wood Thrush (NE Lookout Hill lower path early)Green Heron (Peninsula/Labella Cove)House Wren (4-6 on Lookout Hill)Ring-necked Duck (Male, Upper Pool. Getting awfully late)Field Sparrow (5: 3 in and around Lookout Hill, 2 in Chipping Sparrow Flock in Long Meadow near Payne Hill)Savannah Sparrow (1 on Peninsula Meadow)Common Loon (Breeding plumage flyover seen from Lookout Hill)Chimney Swift (2 individuals)Wood Duck (3 males, 2 Upper Pool, 1 Duck Island)Turkey Vulture (4 kettling over Prospect Park Southwest near the Long Meadow, afternoon)Brant (5, flyover flock: Laugh all you want, but a quality bird for Prospect Park)Other Warbler Species not listed above:Northern Parula (2-4), Black-throated Green Warbler (5-6), Palm Warbler (2), Black-and-White Warbler (6+), Ovenbird (2), Yellow Warbler (10+), Yellow-rumped Warbler (150-200?)In addition to the 17 species of Warbler I saw/heard, Seth, Dave, and Rob heard a Northern Waterthrush when I wasn't with them, and others saw a Louisiana Waterthrush at the stream near the Nethermead Arches. 19 species of Warbler on April 25th. Pretty damn good.A word of caution when looking for the Townsend's: There are a couple of Black-throated Green Warblers in the immediate area, so be thorough when making either ID. Hopefully it's re-found tomorrow morning.Photos/Video of the TOWNSEND'S WARBLER can be found here:http://picasaweb.google.com/fresha2411/2009#Good Birding!-Doug Gochfeld. Brooklyn, NY.

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/25/09
Notes: Night of Southwest Winds preceeding, clear at dawn, then extremely
foggy for about 45 minutes, then cleared up to a spectacularly sunny and warm
(80+ degrees) day. Mostly birded with Rob Jett, Dave Klauber, Seth Ausubel.
Also with Bob Gochfeld later in the day and Ed Crowne a couple of times as well.

Number of species: 80

Brant 5 W-E flyovers, Lullwater viewing platform
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 4
Wood Duck 3 Male @ Duck Island, 2 males @ Upper Pool
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 2 Lake
Ruddy Duck 8 Lake
Common Loon 1 Breeding plumage flyover, Lookout Hill
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Egret 3
Green Heron 1 Along the stretch of water between Peninsula and Rink
Black-crowned Night-Heron 6 Duck Island, Peninsula, 3 Sisters.
Turkey Vulture 4 --4 Kettling over Prospect Park Southwest (near Long
Meadow) at 3:00 PM
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Merlin 1 Early flyby, Lullwater.
Laughing Gull 6
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 20
Chimney Swift 2
Belted Kingfisher 1 Lake side of Peninsula
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Heard, Quaker Ridge
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 1 Lookout Hill
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 6
Eastern Phoebe 1 Lullwater
White-eyed Vireo 2 Lookout Hill, South Midwood
Yellow-throated Vireo 1 At 16th St. Entrance
Blue-headed Vireo 16 Probably an underestimate
Blue Jay X
crow sp. 1
Tree Swallow 2 Flyovers: Lullwater, Lookout Hill
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Heard, Lullwater
Carolina Wren 2
House Wren 6 Lookout Hill. 2 pairs, and 2 other individuals
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 8
Hermit Thrush 30
Wood Thrush 1 Lookout Hill
American Robin 85
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
Blue-winged Warbler 2 Lookout Hill
Northern Parula 3 Lookout Hill, Vale, Quaker Cemetery
Yellow Warbler 12 Scattered throughout
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 125
Black-throated Green Warbler 5 Mostly Lookout Hill (2+) and Vale of
Cashmere (2)
Townsend's Warbler 1 Lookout Hill. Seen briefly at 6:30 on slope North
of Maryland Monument, but not well (passed off at the time). Then excellent
looks (thanks to Seth Ausubel's finding and positive identification) on the
Lower North slope of Lookout before it moved to the West and wasn't seen again.
Photos and video obtained.
Yellow-throated Warbler 1 Lookout Hill (south slope). Singing an
interesting Yellow Warbler-like song.
Pine Warbler 1 At 16th St. Entrance
Prairie Warbler 2 Lookout Hill north of Maryland Monument, Breeze Hill.
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 2 Together, very early (Center Drive?).
Blackpoll Warbler 1 Singing incessantly early (6:30 AM) Lookout Hill
north of Maryland Monument
Black-and-white Warbler 6
Prothonotary Warbler 1 Ravine
Worm-eating Warbler 1 Midwood ~2:20 PM (Thanks to Keir Randall)
Ovenbird 2 Peninsula, Vale
Common Yellowthroat 2 Heard singing south slope of Lookout, female seen
from Terrace Bridge
Hooded Warbler 1 Brilliant male in the Vale
Eastern Towhee 25 Very numerous, especially on Lookout Hill.
Chipping Sparrow 16 several spots, including ~12 at Long Meadow north of
Payne Hill
Field Sparrow 5 2 lamppost meadow, 1 Lookout Hill north of Maryland
Monument, 2 Long Meadow north of Payne Hill
Savannah Sparrow 1 Peninsula Meadow very early
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 65
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 1 Long Meadow north of Payne Hill
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 12
Orchard Oriole 1 North slope of Lookout Hill
Baltimore Oriole 1 North slope of Lookout Hill
Purple Finch 1 Butterfly Meadow (singing immature male)
American Goldfinch 10
House Sparrow X

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

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

From Tom Preston:

Peter

Today's list from Jo Ann and I.

- Tom

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/25/09
Number of species: 61

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 2
Wood Duck 3
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 2
Ruddy Duck 9
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 1
American Kestrel 1
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker X
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 3
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue-headed Vireo 3
Warbling Vireo 1
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Fish Crow 1
Tree Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 3
House Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 13
Hermit Thrush 3
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling X
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Northern Parula 2
Yellow Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 18
Black-throated Green Warbler 4
Townsend's Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 3
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Ovenbird 1
Eastern Towhee 7
Chipping Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
Baltimore Oriole 1
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

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

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Observers: Peter Dorosh, Mary Eyster, Bob ONeill, Heidi Steiner, Donna Evans

Location: Prospect Park

Observation date: 4/25/09

Number of species: 6

Wood Duck 2 drake upper pool

Mallard X

Ring-necked Duck 1 drake upper pool

Black Vulture 1 -in kettle over Ravine

Turkey Vulture 4 , a kettle over ravine

Red-tailed Hawk 4, a kettle over ravine

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

Black vulture reported over Pools

Black vulture reported over Pools by rafa campos : also seen by me + 4 over ravine rock arch bridge, with4 Turkey vultures
Peter

prothonotary warbler continues to be

prothonotary warbler continues to be seen at duck island,one of two prospect prothonotaries (other at ravine)
Peter

Prothonotary warbler at ambergil falls

Prothonotary warbler at ambergil falls in ravine or little rock arch bridge per janet zinn
Peter

TOWNSENDS WARBLER ** rob jett

TOWNSENDS WARBLER ** rob jett reports on lower lookout hill path across from quaker cemetery feeding n box elder
Peter

hooded warbler south end of

hooded warbler south end of vale of cashmere per tom stephenson
Peter
Peter

yellow-throated warbler re-sighted on lookout

yellow-throated warbler re-sighted on lookout hill bet wellhouse n butterfly meadow south slope I presume Peter
Peter

Friday, April 24, 2009

Prospect Breeding Birds Census volunteers needed for NYCAS

Dear birders.

This spring , the New York City Audubon Society wants to conduct a breeding bird census of Prospect Park ( last year was Central Park) ; The census period is about May 24th into July.

There is need for birders to cover individual sections of Prospect Park, designated to those of you who come forth and register. There is a workshop . Its an exciting venture especially in the Brooklyn Bird Club's 100th year. I have the file of the draft of the protocols sent me by Susan Elbin, director of Conservation for NYCAS. Please read and register with Kirsten Klipp at kirstenklipp@gmail.com

or contact Susan at selbin@nycaudubon.org regarding question or more details.

Susan B. Elbin, Ph.D.,Director of Conservation
New York City Audubon,71 West 23rd St. Suite 1523
New York, NY 10010
Tel: 212.691.7483
Fax: 212.924.3870
I will be covering an area inside the fence area Quaker Ridge .There is team work involved. Bird song skill is an asset along with observation.
Peter

If you are interested , contact me at Prosbird@aol.com and I will send you the draft of the protocols.

Peter

Black Vulture in Prospect historical records

Yesterday's Black Vulture seen by Gil Shrank, Matthew Wills and Eddie Davis ( from the nethermead), represents the 4th record for Prospect.

Here are the past records:

5/22-5/23 1938 from Geoffrey Carletons 1958, 1967 publication

9/15/2001 Over Lookout Hill-- observers Sean Sime, John Walsh

4/13/2008 Over Prospect Lake, within a Turkey Vulture kettle --observer Steve Nanz

4/23/2009 Lullwater - observers Gil Shrank, Mathhew Wills, Eddie Davis ( on Nethermead)

There was a hypothetical report from 1/7/1999 but no name nor documentation was received so that sighting was unaccepted.

Kingsboider

4/24 Prospect Rarities....Prothonotary Warb, YTWA,uncommon Northern Harrier

This posting sent to Ebirds Listserve:

This morning en route to work at my Wollman Rink office, I stopped by Duck Island 7:00 am to count the Black-crowned Night herons. Then I saw a Yellow Warbler , took a quick look and started walking, keeping my head looking in the island direction.Then I saw it , a bright yellow bird flying from the Island's northeast corner, thru the trees until it landed mid story. I took special notice from that distance ( at least 75 feet away) .It was a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER.

After some quick text messages, some more birders came, two-Rob Bate and Ed Crowne-- also saw the southern warbler, and the bird settled in at the back side or south side of the island ( the channel) , among snags near the phragmite eastern end.Rob Bate had his scope and we both saw the bird well, at one point, a foot above some sun-basking Red Slider turtles. Soon a number of more birders reported the Prothonotary still present at that location up to eleven am Duck Island is near the rink, at the southeast corner of Prospect Lake.There is a rustic shelter where the view was best to the left of it.

Also reported was the YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, reported by Keir Randall, seen above the Well house,but working its way up slope on Lookout Hill's southern slope, towards Butterfly Meadow. It was not relocated. At least we know its still here.So, for me, my persistent habit of counting the night herons on Duck Island hit pay dirt. Good birding,
Peterhttp://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/ "Celebrating our Centennial 1909-2009"

List

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/24/09
Number of species: 45

Mute Swan 3- 2 nest near rink , other West Isl
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 7 lake
Ring-necked Duck 1 drake upper pool
Ruddy Duck 13 lake
Double-crested Cormorant 3 on three sisters islands
Great Blue Heron 1 flyover 11th ave/PPSW ave entrance
Great Egret 1 Duck Island
Black-crowned Night-Heron 9 perched Duck Island
Osprey 1 low flyover Lullwater near rink mid PM
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 nethermead
American Coot 2 three sisters
Laughing Gull 12 lake
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift 1 f/o duck island
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 f/o Vale Cashmere
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1 Vale Cashmere
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1 Vale Cashmere
Blue-headed Vireo 1 on West Island
Blue Jay 4
Tree Swallow 8 Lake
Barn Swallow 2 lake
Black-capped Chickadee 3 - 2 nest between pools; one south lakeside
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Hermit Thrush 15 various locs
American Robin X
European Starling X
Yellow Warbler 1 male Duck Island
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 south lake
Yellow-throated Warbler 1 seen by Keir Randall above Wellhouse , Lookout Hill south slope
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 6 south lakeside
Prothonotary Warbler 1 male on Duck Island at 7 am,various observers ( Peter Dorosh, Rob Bate, Ed Crowne, Mary Eyster, Rob Jett, et al)
Louisiana Waterthrush 1 Lower Pool back gate. along shore
Chipping Sparrow 11 flock adj Terrace Bridge
Swamp Sparrow 4-- 3 south lakeside culdesac by Three sisters;1 Vale
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 7
Common Grackle X
House Sparrow X

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

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

From Doug:

Sent: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 4:46 pm
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 4/24/09

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/24/09
Notes: Ran into many birders but birded mostly with Bob Gochfeld, Rob Jett
and Haydie(sp?). Winds shifted to the SW at around 1 PM or so, at which point
the raptor flight began to pick up.
Number of species: 51

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 4
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 3 Lake
Ruddy Duck 18 Lake
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Turkey Vulture 1 f/o Terrace Bridge
Osprey 4 Flyovers around the Lake all around the same time, with 2
staying and fishing over the Lake
Northern Harrier 2 One migrating seen from Terrace Bridge, one seen later higher up from Duck Island Gazebo.
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Migrating seen from Duck Island Gazebo
Red-tailed Hawk 8
American Kestrel 1 Breeze Hill
American Coot 1 Duck Island
Laughing Gull 10
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 8
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 4
Blue-headed Vireo 4 Lookout, Peninsula
Blue Jay X
Tree Swallow 12
Barn Swallow 4
Black-capped Chickadee 2 Heard only
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 Breeze Hill
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 30
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 10
Hermit Thrush 10
American Robin 75
Brown Thrasher 2 Lookout Hill
European Starling X
Yellow Warbler 1 Duck Island
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 35
Pine Warbler 4 Female south side of Lake, 2 females and a male on the Peninsula.
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 5
Black-and-white Warbler 2 Males: south side of Lake, Peninsula.
Prothonotary Warbler 1 Duck Island. Seen from gazebo. Brilliantly colored bird.
Eastern Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow 7
Field Sparrow 3 Lookout Hill (2), Breeze Hill.
Song Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 4 Peninsula, Duck Island Gazebo
White-throated Sparrow 20
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 2 Females on Breeze Hill
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Heard only
American Goldfinch 2 Heard only
House Sparrow X

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

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From Rob Jett:

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 4/24/09

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 4/24/09
> Number of species: 63
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan X
> American Black Duck X
> Mallard X
> Ruddy Duck X
> Double-crested Cormorant X
> Great Blue Heron 7
> Great Egret 3
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 8
> Turkey Vulture 1
> Osprey 2
> Northern Harrier 2
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 4
> American Kestrel 1
> Merlin 1
> American Coot X
> Laughing Gull X
> Ring-billed Gull X
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Chimney Swift 5
> Red-bellied Woodpecker X
> Downy Woodpecker X
> Hairy Woodpecker X
> Northern Flicker X
> Eastern Phoebe X
> Blue-headed Vireo X
> Blue Jay X
> Tree Swallow X
> Barn Swallow X
> Black-capped Chickadee X
> Tufted Titmouse X
> White-breasted Nuthatch X
> Carolina Wren X
> Golden-crowned Kinglet X
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
> Hermit Thrush X
> American Robin X
> Gray Catbird X
> Brown Thrasher X
> European Starling X
> Yellow Warbler 1
> Yellow-rumped Warbler X
> Pine Warbler 4
> Palm Warbler X
> Black-and-white Warbler 3
> Prothonotary Warbler 1
> Eastern Towhee 1
> Chipping Sparrow X
> Field Sparrow 3
> Song Sparrow X
> Swamp Sparrow 3
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco 1
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> Common Grackle X
> Brown-headed Cowbird X
> American Goldfinch X
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)