Proposed new Brooklyn Botanic Garden visitors center:A potential window collision bird deathtrap?

I got this email thru my subscription Brooklyn Papers.One of the links which i am attaching here, is about the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's proposed new visitor's center...Yep...it's all glass from the sketch i see ( they said the design won a green award...wondering if birds were thought of as one of the criteria) .

I cant tell how high the building will be or whatever but its going to be 22,000 square feet ( so it says).That's not good for a birding spot that potentially could see bird collisions.

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/32/29/32_29_jk_botanic.html

if you can't open the link, go to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's website which i think is http://www.bbg.org/ ( or google it)

I will be sending an inquiry to them asking for more details on the glass structure and composite of that glass.

For more information about the dangers of reflective glass upon birds, see Project Safe flight or American Bird Conservancy site:


http://www.abcbirds.org/conservationissues/threats/buildings.html

http://www.nycaudubon.org/NYCASBirdWatch/TabDefault.asphttp://

http://www.nycaudubon.org/projects/safeflight/

July 29th Prospect Park

From Alex Wilson:

Hilights include Prairie Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Least Sandpiper (likely first of year,pending), Spotted Sandpiper, Merlin

Begin forwarded message:

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 7/29/09
> Number of species: 45
>
> Canada Goose 150
> Mute Swan 10
> Mallard 100
> Double-crested Cormorant 3
> Great Egret 1 (Flyover.)
> Green Heron 5
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 5
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> Merlin 1 (Mobbed on perch above Nethermead.
One hung around last summer; not aware of
sightings this season.)
> Spotted Sandpiper 1
> Least Sandpiper 1 (Flying around the tip of the Peninsula.)
> Laughing Gull 7
> Herring Gull 4
> Rock Pigeon 50
> Mourning Dove 15
> Chimney Swift 30
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
> Downy Woodpecker 5
> Hairy Woodpecker 2
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5
> Eastern Kingbird 9
> Warbling Vireo 5
> Blue Jay 3
> American Crow 2
> Tree Swallow 9
> Barn Swallow 12
> Black-capped Chickadee 5
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> Carolina Wren 3
> House Wren 8 (Including one bringing food
to young in nest hole.)
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3 (At least 3 together along upper
> Lullwater.)
> American Robin 50
> Gray Catbird 20
> European Starling 200
> Cedar Waxwing 50 (Including juveniles.)
> Yellow Warbler 2 (Upper Lullwater; Threes Sisters Islands.)
> Prairie Warbler 1 (Northwest slope of Lookout from
> Butterfly Meadow.)
> Song Sparrow 5
> Northern Cardinal 10
> Red-winged Blackbird 15
> Common Grackle 8
> Brown-headed Cowbird 5
> Baltimore Oriole 3
> American Goldfinch 3
> House Sparrow 40

July 26th sightings

Brooklyn Bird Club walk


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 7/26/09
Number of species: 31

Canada Goose 150 lake
Mute Swan 1
Mallard X
Double-crested Cormorant 1 lake
Black-crowned Night-Heron 2, lullwater cove, duck island
Red-tailed Hawk 1 south Nethermead
Laughing Gull 2
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift 20 , GAP and overhead
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 north midwood
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1 Sullivan Hill south
Eastern Phoebe 1 juvenile below Binnen Bridge/falls
Eastern Kingbird 1 mobbing RT hawk south nethermead
Warbling Vireo 1 peninsula near sumacs
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 lake
Barn Swallow 15 mostly lake, few Lily pool
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 fledgling/juvenile Boulder Bridge
Carolina Wren 1 sullivan hill
House Wren 2--wellhouse, lullwater cove
American Robin X
Gray Catbird 4
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 25--vale/rose garden(6), Sullivan Hill
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 2
House Sparrow X

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

Ibis evening flyover 7/24

Doug Gochfeld reports an Ibis species flyover last night . Likely a Glossy since they are mostly prominent in the northeast , he accounted here:

"a dark Ibis flying from the Southwest directly over the Long Meadow. It looked to be losing altitude as it neared the Pools, and then it seemed to stay in the same vicinity, where I assume it was soaring. I eventually lost sight of it, and it may have continued flying. However due to the lateness of the sighting there's a good chance it set down in Prospect. The Pools and Lullwater/Lily Pond would seem like good places to check tomorrow."

BBC field trip reminder

Sunday, July 26th, Celebrate the BBC Centennial in Prospect Park series

Meet 8 am at Grand Army Plaza's park entrance.

Leader: Peter Dorosh

Focus: Celebrating the Brooklyn Bird Club's founding in Prospect Park, commemorating the initial 1908 meeting of Edward Fleisher, eventual first President; and inspirational founder Edward Vietor "in a meadow" near the Vale of Cashmere. Each month, a morning walk will venerate the early life of the club, its first's birders, and its 1909 charter. These walks will honor all the club members and guests birding in Prospect Park since the first years and throughout our history.

Prospect Park yearly total records

I did some research on the yearly species records from 1999 to 2008. Just to see what our yearly average was and totals for each year.Much of the success and effort is based on luck for rarities and birders skill whenever Prospect comes close to that magic milestone of 200 seen in one year.In the last ten years, only 2005 achieved that 200 milestone. By the way, the average of the past ten years is 196, still hovering around the usual ..Not bad. Below's list shows the year followed by the total bird species for that year. "Kingsboider"

1999-194

2000-195

2001-193

2002-198

2003-196

2004- 198

2005- 202 (highest, ten year period)

2006-197

2007-198

2008- 189 (lowest)

Short-billed Dowitcher Prospect records

AS mentioned in yesterday's posting, the Short-billed Dowitcher seen by Duck Island shelter represents only the third such record for Prospect Park.

Other SBDOW dates were 5/11/1951 (Source: Carleton, 1958 &1967) and

7/7/1996 location: Peninsula

Short-billed Dowitcher Prospect rarity 7/21

Rob Jett called me on a species , common to mudflats and salt marshes ( like Jamaica Bay),almost never seen in Prospect Park (records to be searched tomorrow):SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER. And I hurried out the house cause you simply dont get those things in a park with no mudflats. With its sewing machine feeding motion, Rob and I enjoyed the shorebird's presence as it moved along the mainland shore between the Duck Island Shelter and the "log circle". As it flew away several times and back, you could make out quite clearly the white back wedge indicative of this species in flight. Certainly a very cool thing to get in Prospect.I hope more shorebird stuff come more often. Kudos to Rob for happening upon it.

species profile

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/short-billed_dowitcher/id

List from Rob:


Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 7/21/09

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 7/21/09
Notes: Dowitcher seen at edge of Prospect Lake
behind Duck Island.

Observers: Peter Dorosh, Doug Gochfeld, Rob Jett.
> Number of species: 38
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan X
> American Black Duck X
> Mallard X
> Double-crested Cormorant X
> Green Heron 1
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 4
> Short-billed Dowitcher 1
> Laughing Gull 7
> Ring-billed Gull 1
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Chimney Swift X
> Red-bellied Woodpecker X
> Downy Woodpecker X
> Eastern Kingbird X
> Warbling Vireo X
> Red-eyed Vireo X
> Blue Jay X
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
> Bank Swallow 1
> Barn Swallow X
> Black-capped Chickadee X
> Tufted Titmouse X
> House Wren X
> American Robin X
> Gray Catbird X
> European Starling X
> Cedar Waxwing X
> Chipping Sparrow X
> Song Sparrow 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/)


Rob's posting and video to the Listserve

I had an interesting sighting in Prospect Park this afternoon. While cycling around Prospect Lake I startled a Short-billed Dowitcher that was feeding at a section of shoreline where the stone coping has been broken away. I realize that a dowitcher isn't all that rare at this time of year, especially around the expected habitats, such as the ponds at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. However, I found myself doing a double-take as I hopped off my bike to get a closer look. In all honestly, my first thought was "snipe", not "dowitcher", but only because I was in Prospect Park. I called Peter Dorosh and Doug Gochfeld as I figured they would want to check out the second recorded Prospect Park dowitcher sighting. For anyone interested in seeing photos and a video of this not-very-rare rarity, I've uploaded them here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/citybirder/DowitcherInProspectPark?feat=directlink
Good (shore)birding,
Rob

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

Peter's list late afternoon during SB Dowitcher watch:


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 7/21/09
Number of species: 17

Mute Swan 3
Mallard X
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Green Heron 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 2
Short-billed Dowitcher 1
Laughing Gull 5
Herring Gull (American) X
Chimney Swift 10
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 12
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 2
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle 1
House Sparrow X

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

Dowitcher species reported by duck

Dowitcher species reported by duck island shelter by Rob jett

7/15 th sightings

From Alex Wilson:


Begin forwarded message:

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 7/15/09
> Number of species: 46
>
> Canada Goose 200
> Mute Swan 7
> Wood Duck 2 (Upper Pool.)
> American Black Duck 1
> Mallard 35
> Double-crested Cormorant 2
> Great Egret 2
> Green Heron 5
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 3
> American Kestrel 1 (West side of Lake.)
> Peregrine Falcon 1 (On signal tower at east corner of park.)
> Spotted Sandpiper 1 (Lower Lullwater.)
> Laughing Gull 3
> Herring Gull 73 (Mostly on Long Meadow early AM.)
> Rock Pigeon 50
> Mourning Dove 15
> Chimney Swift 25
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
> Downy Woodpecker 9
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5 (Including one juvenile.)
> Eastern Kingbird 10 (Including family group at south Long
> Meadow.)
> Warbling Vireo 15 (At least four family groups with young
> being fed, plus singing birds throughout.)
> Red-eyed Vireo 1
> Blue Jay 3
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5 (Lake.)
> Barn Swallow 20
> Black-capped Chickadee 5
> Tufted Titmouse 5
> Carolina Wren 3
> House Wren 12
> Wood Thrush 2 (Chasing and calling in Midwood, not singing.)
> American Robin 60
> Gray Catbird 20
> European Starling 150
> Cedar Waxwing 30
> Yellow Warbler 1 (In treetops, south Long Meadow, early AM.)
> Chipping Sparrow 3 (At least two singing, one juvenile
> seen, south Long Meadow.)
> Song Sparrow 4
> Northern Cardinal 12
> Indigo Bunting 1 (Singing male, Lookout butterfly meadow.)
> Red-winged Blackbird 30
> Common Grackle 20
> Orchard Oriole 1 (Adult male, upper Lullwater.)
> Baltimore Oriole 6
> American Goldfinch 1
> House Sparrow 100

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

A note from Sara Josehans, who is conducting a breeding bird survey in Prospect. A Wood Thrush nest was found in the Midwood.

Indigo bunting sub adult singing

Indigo bunting sub adult singing in Oak opposite pine grove @butterfly meadow. Likely fledgling ? Date of observation is early for a migrating bird

more info on this species http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/MigratoryBirds/Featured_Birds/default.cfm?bird=Indigo_Bunting

Kestrel freedom in Prospect

Rob Jett sent me a notice about American Kestrels being released on Prospect Park's Nethermead section.

check out his wonderful posting on his City Birder blog

http://citybirder.blogspot.com/2009/07/kestrels-in-prospect-park.html

Possible Indigo Bunting nesting on Lookout Hill

I received a note from David Perry regarding Indigo Buntings at the Butterfly Meadow ( lower meadow ) on top of Lookout Hill. Observations should be done to watch and see if a family of this species is seen. keep me posted at Prosbird@aol.com


From David: " I've been checking out a pair of Indigo Buntings on Lookout and I'm 80% sure that they are nesting on the lower meadow. I took the club and Paul Keim over there on Sunday an apparently this is a historical event. He wanted me to let you know so you don't mow the meadow or anything while the buntings are nesting. Definitely check them out if you're in the area.best,David"

here is more data: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Indigo_Bunting/lifehistory

7/8 : sightings of past days

Photo:

7/7 Green Heron fledgling seen by David Chorlian in the north Lullwater

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

Peter sightings:

7/9: DC Cormorant (lullwater), RT Hawk ( Nethermead),Great Blue Heron ( Peninsula point), Eastern Kingbird ( f/o garage)

7/8: Turkey Vulture ( f/o 9th street propagation area)

7/7 sightings

From Alex Wilson:

Begin forwarded message:

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 7/5/09
> Number of species: 51
>
> Canada Goose 200
> Mute Swan 9
> Wood Duck 4 (Upper Pool.)
> Mallard 30
> Ring-necked Duck 1 (Unusual summering drake continues at
> Upper Pool, PM.)
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Great Egret 1 (Flyover.)
> Green Heron 2
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 5
> Osprey 1 (Flyover, Upper Pool, PM.)
> American Kestrel 1
> Peregrine Falcon 1 (On signal tower at east corner of park.)
> Herring Gull 60
> Rock Pigeon 50
> Mourning Dove 15
> Chimney Swift 10
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 (Female/juvenile type, Lookout
> path above Wellhouse.)
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 5
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 4
> Eastern Wood-Pewee 2 (Singing in Midwood and on Lookout Hill.)
> Eastern Phoebe 1 (Below Binnen falls.)
> Great Crested Flycatcher 2 (Lullwater; Ravine.)
> Eastern Kingbird 8 (Including one bringing food to nest.)
> Warbling Vireo 6
> Red-eyed Vireo 3
> Blue Jay 2
> American Crow 2
> Barn Swallow 20
> Black-capped Chickadee 4
> Tufted Titmouse 7 (Including fledglings.)
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> Carolina Wren 2
> House Wren 7
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3 (3 or 4 in family group on Lookout
> path above Wellhouse; young being fed.)
> Wood Thrush 4 (Heard from Quaker Hill and Midwood.)
> American Robin 50
> Gray Catbird 20
> European Starling 100
> Cedar Waxwing 30
> Common Yellowthroat 1 (Singing male at Lily Pond viewing
> platform.)
> Chipping Sparrow 1 (South Long Meadow.)
> Song Sparrow 4
> Northern Cardinal 15
> Indigo Bunting 1 (2nd summer male, singing and moving
> around upper levels of Lookout Hill.)
> Red-winged Blackbird 30
> Common Grackle 20
> Brown-headed Cowbird 1 (Juvenile, no apparent "parent" noted.)
> Baltimore Oriole 3
> American Goldfinch 3
> House Sparrow 50
**************************

From Steve Nanz:

Yellow-Billed Cuckoo - called from Lookout Hill , then flew to Penninsula. Common Yellow Throat at Binnen waters.

Yellow-Billed Cuckoo - called from

Yellow-Billed Cuckoo - called from Lookout , then flew to Penninsula. Common Yellow Throat at Binnen waters. Per Steve Nanz

July 1st sightings

From Rob Jett:

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 7/1/09
>
>
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 7/1/09
> Number of species: 31
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mallard X
> Ring-necked Duck 1
> Green Heron 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 5
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Chimney Swift X
> Red-bellied Woodpecker X
> Downy Woodpecker X
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Eastern Kingbird X
> Warbling Vireo X
> Red-eyed Vireo X
> Blue Jay X
> Barn Swallow X
> Black-capped Chickadee X
> House Wren X
> Wood Thrush 1
> American Robin X
> Gray Catbird X
> European Starling X
> Cedar Waxwing X
> Chipping Sparrow X
> Song Sparrow X
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> Common Grackle X
> Brown-headed Cowbird X
> Baltimore Oriole X
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

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

Peter reports seeing:

the pair of Red-tailed Hawks perched in Oak within Sullivan Hill basin.