Brooklyn Bird Club eve program 9/3

This coming Thursday Scott Whittle will be the Brooklyn Bird Club's eve program presenter , 6:30 arrival .Program starts at 7 PM. It should be an enjoyable evening. The Villa is located inside prospect park's entrance at Prospect Park West Avenue and 5th Street. Nearest train is the F line at 7th avenue.


Thursday, September 3rd, 6:30 P.M.
"A New York State Big Year"
with Scott Whittle
Come hear about Scott's 2008 New York State Big Year, in which he tallied a record 350 species 365 adventure-filled days.
6:30 PM at the Litchfield Villa

August 31st Prospect Park .... a very good day (4 reports)

AS expected, the ball dropped. Last night's northwest winds delivered what I hoped for...a warbler convoy. My early arrival on a day I took off from work in Prospect at 6:30 am was full of anticipation. By the time 9 am rolled along, 14 species warblers were recorded. By day's end, 18 were seen by a small group of 5 birders that hung around till noon, the last of us finally leaving Prospect by 3pm. It was worth the long tiring duration watching birds all day long.

The best spot sort of characterized a mini beehive, the habitat recently restored within the curved path leading up Lookout Hill from the cemetery side. At least 10 species warblers did their thing here, catching insects on the fly among abundant wildflowers. Flycatchers also made silent noise , the best empidonax , a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER in that locale , with Least and traill's type empidonaxes.

Most prominent of the warblers, AMERICAN REDSTART put on a show, many seen throughout the woods, followed by BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER doing about the same tree limb behavior as the Redstarts. Its a rough estimate regarding Redstarts but they were all over the place..Quality birds included WORM-EATING WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (f), BLUE-WINGED,PRAIRIE,BLACK-THROATED GREEN and more enjoyable sightings.

Most gratifying was the BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO seen perched on a snag on the Peninsula, most of us fortunate to see this bird sit for awhile before flying off. And good for Prospect, lastly, I found a hen BLUE-WINGED TEAL in the southern confines of Prospect Lake.

Hopefully many more days to come, especially for a weekend.....

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 8/31/09
Number of species: 59

Observers: Peter Dorosh, Mary Eyster, Rob Bate, Scott Whittle, Tom Stephenson, Adam Welz)

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 1
Blue-winged Teal 1 hen south lake
Green Heron 1 duck island
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1 Midwood, calling
Sharp-shinned Hawk (obs Scott Whittle); southwest woods
Merlin 1 rink/duck island
Herring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Monk Parakeet X peninsula
Black-billed Cuckoo 1 peninsula adj "pink concrete beach"
Chimney Swift X
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 3
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1 north lookout
Least Flycatcher 4
Empidonax sp. X
Eastern Kingbird 1
Warbling Vireo 1 binnen pool
Red-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 1
Barn Swallow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 north lookout
Carolina Wren 1
House Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Veery 6
American Robin X
Gray Catbird 7
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing X
Blue-winged Warbler 3 lullwater;2 lookout
Nashville Warbler 1 north lookout
Northern Parula 2
Yellow Warbler 2 peninsula
Chestnut-sided Warbler 7
Magnolia Warbler 4
Black-throated Blue Warbler 5
Black-throated Green Warbler 5
Blackburnian Warbler 1 lookout hill;female
Prairie Warbler 1 peninsula
Black-and-white Warbler 25
American Redstart 60 abundant
Worm-eating Warbler 1 wellhouse
Ovenbird 3
Northern Waterthrush 4
Common Yellowthroat 8
Wilson's Warbler 1 wellhouse
Canada Warbler 6
Eastern Towhee 1
Northern Cardinal X
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
Baltimore Oriole 2
American Goldfinch 20
House Sparrow X

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

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

From Eddie Davis , late afternoon sightings (3 pm on)


Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 4
Mallard X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 (Lookout Hill)
Veery 2 (Peninsula, Lullwater Cove)
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
Yellow Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler 3
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 10
American Redstart 40
Northern Waterthrush 1 (Maryland Monument area
Common Yellowthroat 2
Wilson's Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 (Binnen Bridge)
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow X


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

Peter's Evening watch 6:30-8 pm

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 8/31/09
Number of species: 10

Canada Goose X
Mallard X
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3 --2 lake, one f/o quaker ridge
Merlin 1 perched over an hour on snag adj 3 arches bridge
Laughing Gull 4
Mourning Dove X
Common Nighthawk 2 over woods north Nethermead--1st appeared 7:30 pm
Chimney Swift 90 over woods surrounding 3 arches
European Starling X
Baltimore Oriole 5 f/o nethermead

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

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

From Kathy:

Hi Peter -
This afternoon I saw in Prospect Park ...

ruby-throated hummingbird
eastern pewee
great crested flycatcher
veery
house wren
blue-gray gnatcatcher
chestnut-sided warbler
black-and-white warbler
american redstart
northern waterthrush
common yellowthroat
wilson's warbler
canada warbler
magnolia warbler
black-throated green warbler
yellow warbler
warbling vireo
song sparrow

Kathy Toomey

18 species warblers , blackbilled

as of 1 pm, 18 species warblers in the park , blackbilled cuckoo on peninsula

14 species warblers tallied so

14 species warblers tallied so far, most at lookout hill northwest base

High warbler activity base lookout

High warbler activity base lookout facing cemetery. Inside curve path

Flurry of warbler activity n

Flurry of warbler activity n prospect. 5 warbler species at golden stairs

August 30th, Prospect Park..the ball starts to roll...

This morning's Brooklyn Bird Club walk got off to a slow but decent start before some good stuff appeared mid morning.

Before the likely north winds predicted this eve/ overnight,some birds took an early leave and provided some satisfactory moments for the group. At the south Midwood between the bridle path and Elephant Hill rising path, a WORM-EATING WARBLER delighted the group as the bird flew from surrounding hanging dead leaves for food. Along with it , a CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER followed it . BLUE-WINGED WARBLER below on the slope there as well as Butterfly Meadow plus an adult male BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER on Lookout Hill's upper meadow joined in for 12 species warblers seen totally. GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, EASTERN PEWEE, LEAST FLYCATCHER formed a flycatcher group along with a secondhand report of YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER reported by Scott Whittle by the Boulder Bridge. After I left the group,I received a text message from friends they saw 2 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS on Lookout Hill .

List

Brooklyn Bird club walk; Leader Peter Dorosh

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 8/30/09
Number of species: 43

Mallard X
Double-crested Cormorant 1 f/o Vale
Red-tailed Hawk 1 Nellie's lawn ;in Elizabeth's Tulip
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 Lookout Hill
Chimney Swift X
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 south midwood, in jewelweed
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1 elephant hill/midwood
Northern Flicker 1 elephant hill
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 midwood
Least Flycatcher 1 midwood
Empidonax sp. X
Great Crested Flycatcher 1 lookout hill
Warbling Vireo 2 butterfly meadow
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Black-capped Chickadee 1
House Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 elephant hill
American Robin X
Gray Catbird 2
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 22 vale
Blue-winged Warbler 2 south midwood;butterfly meadow
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2 elephant hill;lookout hill
Magnolia Warbler 2 vale; north zoo
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 north midwood
Blackburnian Warbler 1 ad male; lookout hill upper meadow
Black-and-white Warbler 4
American Redstart 6
Worm-eating Warbler 1 elephant hill
Ovenbird 2 north zoo; north midwood
Northern Waterthrush 1 vale
Common Yellowthroat 1 vale
Canada Warbler 1 north midwood
Song Sparrow 1 vale
Northern Cardinal 3
Common Grackle X
Baltimore Oriole 6 vale mostly
American Goldfinch 5 butterfly meadow
House Sparrow X

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

Latest wind alert: Northwest winds overnite...good day for monday birding

http://www.wunderground.com./cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?hourly=1&query=11218&yday=242&weekday=Monday

*********************
From Janet and Alan:

During the evening a Peregrine flew low over the lake.

12 species warblers tallied this

12 species warblers tallied this morning. Southwest midwood n lookout hilltop best locales

August 29th Prospect Park

Hilights include WORM-EATING WARBLER, evening COMMON NIGHTHAWKS (8 sightings)

From Keir Randall

hi Peter
Despite the persistent rain, a good morning in PP, mostly around Lookout Hill. Highlights included Worm-Eating Warbler, Veery and a probable Yellow-bellied Flycatcher):

Canada Goose
Mallard
Great Blue Heron
Laughing Gull
Spotted Sandpiper (Peninsular)
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Great-Crested Flycatcher (Breeze Hill)
probable Yellow Bellied-Flycatcher (low and active, bottom slope of Lookout near Quaker Cemetery gates)
Empidonax sp. (probably Least Flycatcher, Lookout)
Red-eyed Vireo
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Blue Jay
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Sumac)
Veery (Peninsular "Thumb")
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Black-and-white Warbler (10+)
American Redstart (15+ incl a few adult males)
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Lookout)
Worm-Eating Warbler (Lookout lower slope nr Quaker Cem)
Canada Warbler (Sumac)
Blue-Winged Warbler (Lookout)
Northern Waterthrush (6+)
Common Yellowthroat (imm Male, Lookout)
Song Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
House Sparrow

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

During an evening Brooklyn Bird Club picnic on the rise south of the Tennis House, we spotted 8 sightings of COMMON NIGHTHAWK between 6 and 8 pm. Likely 2-4 birds, nevetheless, some sightings were low enough to see the white wing patches under overcast skies. MOst times the birds flew over the Pools towards the Quaker Ridge from the Tennis HOuse spot and along that forest line.

List: (Tennis House sit)

Common Nighthawk-- 2-4 birds flyover Tennis house
Chimney Swift- many
Tree Swallow-10+
Barn Swallows- 10+
Great Blue Heron - 2 flyover
Common Grackles
American Robin
Brown-headed Cowbird female
Starlings
Red-Tailed Hawk-adult perched on TV roof antennae opp 9th street entrance
Monk Parakeets- flyover 9th street , calling
American Goldfinches

RED BAT flying around in front of us.

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

Kingsboider note:

Sunday eve (north winds) would be a very good opportunity to watch the sky for Common Nighthawks. Station your self at the tennis house south slope/rise and watch the sky over the Upper and Lower Pools perimeter. Another great spot i found productive is the Nethermead, station yourself at the south end of the meadow by the middle lawn triangle and watch the tree lines and above. Best time is after 6 pm- 8 pm

Video of the flight

http://www.ilbirds.com/index.php?topic=25363.msg30993

4 common nighthawks so far

4 common nighthawks so far over meadow by tennis house

COMMON NIGHTHAWK seen flying over

COMMON NIGHTHAWK seen flying over Upper Pool continuing along Quaker ridge west to long meadow

Northwest wind alert

Sunnday nite into Monday a NORTHWEST WIND is predicted, most favoraved by bird migrants east of the midwest.

here's the weather link


http://www.wunderground.com./cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?hourly=1&query=11218&yday=242&weekday=Monday


and here's why birds love northwest winds ( see figure 11)

http://www.birdcapemay.org/forecast_primer.shtml

I'm back and here is a report received in my absence

8/26 report from Scott

At about 9:30am yesterday (Tuesday) in Prospect Park
in Brooklyn I had a Summer Tanager in blotchy
red/orange plumage, I'd guess probably a 1st year
male (it was fairly bright). It was on the southeastern
branch of the Penninsula towards the tip, feeding in the
mid to high canopy along with a lot of starlings, robins,
and a few warblers (yellow, magnolia, black and white).
Other birds in the park included Carolina Wren, Warbling
and Red-Eyed Vireo...light activity, but definitely feels
like migration.

Scott Whittle
www.yearofthebird.com

COMMON NIGHTHAWK flying above lookout

COMMON NIGHTHAWK flying above lookout hill upper meadow per scott

Prospect Park 25 Aug 09

Birded the penninsula and lookout this morning.  Some light activity including Yellow, B&W, Magnolia warblers plus American Redstart, warbling and red-eyed vireos.  The standout was a summer tanager in yellow/red mottled molt on the south side of the penninsula at about 10am. 

Scott Whittle
www.yearofthebird.com

Philadelphia vireo reported near maryland

Philadelphia Vireo reported near maryland monument this morn. sparse Warbler action observed from lp249 along south lookout.Observer Mary Eyster

other birds reported along south Lookout /Well Drive

Black-throated Blue warbler
Common Yellow Throat
American Redstart
Blue-winged Warbler
Black and White Warbler

Taking a break

This blog will be taking a short hiatus since I'll be away for a few days.Postings with the exception of rare bird text messages ( direct by cell phone) will be delayed until Friday late eve or Saturday the latest.

Note: Northwest winds predicted overnite /Monday morning.

Good birding,

Kingsboider


*********************
This morning 8/24 7-8 am

YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER-- rising path south face Lookout Hill to Butterfly Meadow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher- Maryland Monument
American Redstart- "" "" "" , also upper meadow Lookout
Black and White Warbler-- "" "" ""
Red-eyed Vireo-- Center Drive/horse trail
Cedar Waxwing -- "" "" ""
Catbird
American Robins
Baltimore Oriole--3 Lookout
Barn Swallow-multiple flyovers Lookout
Chimney Swift "" "" ""

Cooper's Hawk--flying across Lake 8/23 late pm

August 22 Prospect Park

From Rob Jett:


Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 8/22/09
>
>
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 8/22/09
> Number of species: 46
>
> Canada Goose 100
> Mute Swan 6
> Wood Duck 5
> American Black Duck 7
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 3
> Mallard 35
> Double-crested Cormorant 3
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Green Heron 4
> Red-tailed Hawk 1
> Spotted Sandpiper 2
> Laughing Gull 2
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove 6
> Chimney Swift 3
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
> Downy Woodpecker 1
> Great Crested Flycatcher 1
> Eastern Kingbird 3
> Warbling Vireo 4
> Blue Jay 6
> Barn Swallow 24
> Black-capped Chickadee 2
> Tufted Titmouse 4
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> Carolina Wren 2
> House Wren 4
> American Robin 50
> Gray Catbird 12
> Northern Mockingbird 2
> European Starling X
> Cedar Waxwing 20
> Yellow Warbler 3
> Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
> Black-and-white Warbler 2
> American Redstart 3
> Northern Waterthrush 4
> Canada Warbler 3
> Song Sparrow 2
> Northern Cardinal 12
> Red-winged Blackbird 20
> Common Grackle 3
> Brown-headed Cowbird 15
> American Goldfinch 10
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Wind alert

A slow moving cold front is in progress, northwest winds behind it Saturday nite into Sunday morning . This is favorable for landbird migration. But use discretion...some storms are bound to pop up Saturday thru Sunday. There should be at least a decent influx of migrating birds....hopefully (wink)

http://www.wunderground.com./cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?hourly=1&query=11218&yday=234&weekday=Sunday

August 20 Prospect Park

Hilight is YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO calling from the oak tree in front of the Wellhouse.

From Rob Jett:

> Date: August 20, 2009 3:54:59 PM EDT
> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 8/20/09
>
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 8/20/09
> Number of species: 37
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan 6
> American Black Duck X
> Mallard X
> Green Heron 3
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> Spotted Sandpiper 1
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove 2
> Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
> Downy Woodpecker 3
> Warbling Vireo 1
> Blue Jay 3
> Barn Swallow 12
> Black-capped Chickadee 1
> Tufted Titmouse 2
> Carolina Wren 3
> House Wren 6
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
> American Robin 125
> Gray Catbird 20
> Northern Mockingbird 1
> European Starling X
> Cedar Waxwing 18
> Yellow Warbler 1
> Black-and-white Warbler 1
> American Redstart 4
> Northern Waterthrush 3
> Canada Warbler 1
> Song Sparrow 3
> Northern Cardinal 12
> Red-winged Blackbird 8
> Common Grackle 10
> Baltimore Oriole 2
> American Goldfinch 8
> House Sparrow 5
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

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

From Peter:

Three juvenile SPOTTTED SANDPIPERS on the south shore, bewteen Three Sister Islands and the eastern culdesac cove. At times, one would chase the other two.

August 19 Prospect Park

Highlights include continuing PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, Merlin ,Osprey, 8 warbler species

Posting from Alex Wilson:

A first year PROTHONOTARY WARBLER continued
at Prospect Park’s Lily Pond on Wednesday 8/19.
Seen briefly from the Binnen Bridge, but best views
were from the viewing platform on the east side of
the pond, from which it was seen in the morning along
the opposite edge of the pond, an area difficult to view
from other vantages. On a second visit in the early
afternoon the bird appeared at closer range, just to
the left of the platform. It was mostly working within
the first layer of foliage without exposing itself for
extended periods; this habit, along with the presence
of similarly plumaged Blue-winged and Yellow
Warblers in the same area
made it somewhat challenging to pick out.

Overall activity was low, with few migrants on hand.
The only other notable bird was a MERLIN on a familiar
perch above the Nethermead. These are not typically
around in summer, but I had a sighting in the same spot
on 7/29, and last year one was seen regularly throughout
the summer. This may be a single returning bird
(and I’ve seen nothing to indicate breeding) but
Peter Dorosh mentioned that he’d seen one at Coney Island
in July, so perhaps more are finding their way to our
region during this season.

Good birding,
Alex Wilson
Brooklyn, NY


Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 8/19/09
> Number of species: 57
>
> Canada Goose 150
> Mute Swan 9
> Wood Duck 4 (Upper Pool, 3 male, 1 female.)
> American Black Duck 1
> Mallard 100
> Double-crested Cormorant 1
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Green Heron 3
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 2
> Osprey 1 (Long Meadow, PM high flyover, west to east, > carrying a fish.)
> Red-tailed Hawk 1
> American Kestrel 1 (Male, Peninsula.)
> Merlin 1 (Perched above Nethermead, same spot where seen > 7/29/09.)
> Spotted Sandpiper 3
> Herring Gull 5
> Rock Pigeon 50
> Mourning Dove 30
> Chimney Swift 15
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
> Downy Woodpecker 10
> Hairy Woodpecker 2
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 4
> Empidonax sp. 1
> Eastern Kingbird 8
> Warbling Vireo 3
> Blue Jay 5
> American Crow 3
> Barn Swallow 20
> Black-capped Chickadee 6
> Tufted Titmouse 1
> White-breasted Nuthatch 2
> Carolina Wren 2
> House Wren 5
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 (Pestering Merlin, Nethermead.)
> American Robin 100
> Gray Catbird 25
> Northern Mockingbird 3
> European Starling 200
> Cedar Waxwing 15
> Blue-winged Warbler 3
> Yellow Warbler 6
> Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
> Black-and-white Warbler 2
> American Redstart 1
> Prothonotary Warbler 1 (1st fall male, Lily Pond.)
> Northern Waterthrush 5
> Canada Warbler 2
> Song Sparrow 3
> Northern Cardinal 15
> Red-winged Blackbird 10
> Common Grackle 15
> Brown-headed Cowbird 1
> Baltimore Oriole 10
> House Finch 5
> American Goldfinch 6
> House Sparrow 50


--
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http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES

Temporary archive:
http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/
--

Astounding sighting Aug 17th Prospect

I received a 5:11 call from Rob Jett who witnessed a flock of 500 + "Peep" Calidris sandpipers flying over in a tight formation near the 9th Street entrance. Regardless of the true identity, nevetheless for Prospect records, this represents one of the largest numbers ( pending record search) flying over Prospect airspace.

I went out afterwards to check the lawns and the lake shores but there were too many people out there for these skittish birds.

But...a terrific observation for sure. Good birding.

"Kingsboider"

Other sightings late afternoon

Three sisters islands: Green Heron, BC Night Heron, DC Cormorant,Laughing Gull
Peninsula: Eastern Kingbird
Lake: Canada Geese( 250+) , Mallards
airspace: Chimney Swifts ( est 50+ seen)

Aug 16th Prospect Park : too hot to bird

Without much favorable wind to take heed to, the birding was very slow.Yet, a long and slow walk around the Butterfly Meadow revealed several warblers or vireos for enjoyment and numerous Baltimore Orioles devouring the area's cherries. 3 Yellow Warblers plus a ruffled Magnolia Warbler with Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos provided interest. When the next good wind hits, we certainly will see more numbers.I'll watch then.

List
Observers: Peter Dorosh and Scott Whittle
Locations: Butterfly Meadow and perimeter

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 8/16/09
Number of species: 12

Warbling Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 1
House Wren 1
American Robin 50
Gray Catbird 2
Yellow Warbler 3
Magnolia Warbler 1
American Redstart 1
Canada Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Baltimore Oriole 20
American Goldfinch 8

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

More nature notes: ~8 Tiger Swallowtails and 2 Black Swallowtails feeding on the Budleia Bushes, soutwest end of Butterfly Meadow

August 15th Prothonotary Warbler secondhand report

I received word through connections that the Prothonotary Warbler was seen at the back part of the Lily Pond, on the same side as the wooden viewing platform, seen around 12:30. The observer who reported it is unknown at this time.

August 15th Prospect Park

The highlight today on this typical warm summer day was an early BROAD-WINGED HAWK seen soaring over the Butterfly Meadow. Spotted by Scott Whittle, both of us watched the raptor over Lookout Hill. After deliberating using a blown up photo and the field guide, it turned out to be a late juvenile.We obviously could see the black border along the wing edges that widen at the pointy wingtips.In addition, the push forward wings and more smooth line wing profile,particularly at the trailing edge marks the species. Also, the tail showed more definitive banding.

typical of such birds would be seen on this link

http://www.birdcapemay.org/blog/uploaded_images/bwha_12-21-07_4228-765151.jpg

Other observations beside Scott and Peter, Keir Randall reported BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (f) on the big hill and CHEST-NUT SIDED WARBLERS in the Midwood. BLUE-WINGED WARBLER continues its streak , seen at Butterfly Meadow, along with WARBLING VIREO , COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER at the same spot.

List (observers: Scott Whittle, Peter Dorosh, Keir Randall)

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 8/15/09
Number of species: 23

Green Heron 1 ( Lily Pond; Scott)
Broad-winged Hawk 1 (Lookout Hill; Scott and Peter)
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 (Lily Pond; Scott and Randall)
Downy Woodpecker X
Warbling Vireo 1 (Butterfly Meadow; Scott and Peter)
Barn Swallow 9 (Lily Pool)
Black-capped Chickadee 1 (Butterfly Meadow; Scott and Peter)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1(Butterfly Meadow; Scott and Peter)
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 3(Nethermead , f/o; Scott and Peter)
Blue-winged Warbler 1 (Butterfly Meadow; Peter)
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2 (Midwood; Keir)
Blackburnian Warbler 1 (Butterfly Meadow; Keir)
Black-and-white Warbler 1 (Lookout ; Scott and Peter)
Common Yellowthroat 1(Butterfly Meadow; Peter)
Northern Cardinal 1
Common Grackle 1
American Goldfinch 6 (Butterfly Meadow)
House Sparrow X

August 14th Prospect Park rarity

Late this morning Scott Whittle sighted a rare --particularly for a fall migration date -- PROTHONOTARY WARBLER at the south end of the Lily Pool , adjacent to the Binnen Bridge.I was fortunate also to see the bird after a short disappearance.The warbler reappeared on the right shore, in a young Tulip tree before moving further away above purplish pickleweed aquatics. Here is Scott's posting to ebirds listserve:

"At 10:10 this morning I found a first year prothonotary warbler on the lily pond in prospect park, Brooklyn. The lily pond is just north of the boathouse, and the bird was just north of the wooden bridge above the waterfall (binnen falls). The bird was feeding along the edge of the pond. I saw it for about five minutes and then lost track of it. Good luck if you go."

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

More warblers and stuff were reported today:

Peter reports warblers Blue-winged, Canada, Yellow, Black and White on the Upper Pool island,Louisiana Waterthrush between the Pools.

Wada (NYC birder) reported Blackburnian warbler (female) adjacent to the Wildflower meadow at Upper pool, with Bluewinged ,Canada

Also On the Upper Pool island, a Warbling Vireo was sighted

Scott and Peter spotted a Coopers Hawk taking off from the Lily Pool meadow , carrying prey.

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

Today's Prothonotary Warbler was only the 7th fall record cause this species is mainly a southern species that overshoots its breeding range in springs. So, for fall record, a bird took the wrong turn or is a product of a rare northern nesting.

here are the single records:

9/8/96 Pagoda Swamp ( before restoration into Lily Pool) observers PD, RJ

8/20/97 Peninsula AB,JZ,PD,RJ

8/23/97 3 Sister Islands RJ

9/8/99 Lookout Hill RE

9/11/99 Upper Lullwater JC,PD, RJ,SN

9/12/99 Terrace Bridge MZ


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

A short period West wind Sunday morning..sometimes triggers minor landbird movement...

1st year PROTHONARY WARBLER seen

1st year PROTHONOTARY WARBLER seen from Binnen bridge at Lily pond. look right side above pickleweed

May 9th , 2009 birdathon final dollar tally

I am very pleased to announce that the final total raised in
support of the Prospect Park Restoration site at the Vale
of Cashmere amounted to 67 separate gifts for a total of
$3,969.39. This broke our previous year's total of $3800.00

Sorry for the delay in announcing it but pledges were still
coming in which I received final confirmation a day ago
from the Prospect Park Alliance gifts manager.

Donors contributed towards the restoration of an area
that is weed infested and shaded with invasive Norway
and Sycamore Maples. These will be removed based on
an assessment with the Prospect Park Natural
Resources staff and planting appropriate types of high
wildlife valued native plants in celebration of the Brooklyn
Bird Club Centennial this year. The birth of the club had its
beginnings with the first two presidents meeting near this
site in fall 1908.

Two teams participated birding only the borough of
Brooklyn. 125 bird species were seen.The list is accessed
from the Prospect Park sightings blog side menu "BBC Past
field trips" (see www.brooklynbirdclub.org)

Peter
Brooklyn Bird Club

August 12th Prospect Park

From Rob Jett:

Location: Prospect Park

Observation date: 8/12/09

Number of species: 39


Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X

Wood Duck 2

American Black Duck X

American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) X

Mallard X

Ruddy Duck 1

Great Blue Heron 1

Green Heron 1

Black-crowned Night-Heron 2

Red-tailed Hawk 1

Spotted Sandpiper 1

Laughing Gull 1

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull (American) X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove 3

Chimney Swift 1

Eastern Kingbird 6

American Crow 2

Barn Swallow 5

Tufted Titmouse 1

Carolina Wren 1

House Wren 1

American Robin X

Gray Catbird X

European Starling X

Black-and-white Warbler 3

American Redstart 4

Ovenbird 1

Northern Waterthrush 3

Canada Warbler 1

Song Sparrow 2

Swamp Sparrow 1

Northern Cardinal X

Red-winged Blackbird X

Common Grackle X

Baltimore Oriole 6

House Sparrow X

August 12th Prospect Park

Hilight: 9 species warblers

From Alex Wilson:

Begin forwarded message:

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 8/12/09
> Number of species: 58
>
> Canada Goose 150
> Mute Swan 9
> Wood Duck 4 (Pools, 3 male, 1 female.)
> Mallard 100
> Double-crested Cormorant 1
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Green Heron 5
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 2
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> Spotted Sandpiper 3
> Laughing Gull 1
> Herring Gull 5
> Great Black-backed Gull 1
> Rock Pigeon 70
> Mourning Dove 25
> Chimney Swift 50
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 (Binnen Bridge.)
> Downy Woodpecker 4
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 10
> Willow Flycatcher 1
> Least Flycatcher 1
> Empidonax sp. 1
> Eastern Kingbird 10
> Warbling Vireo 4
> Red-eyed Vireo 1
> Blue Jay 6
> American Crow 5
> Tree Swallow 1
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
> Barn Swallow 7
> Black-capped Chickadee 3
> Tufted Titmouse 4
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> Carolina Wren 5
> House Wren 5
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
> American Robin 100
> Gray Catbird 30
> European Starling 300
> Cedar Waxwing 75
> Blue-winged Warbler 3
> Yellow Warbler 4
> Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
> Black-and-white Warbler 4
> American Redstart 10
> Worm-eating Warbler 1 (Working dead leaf clusters at top of
> stairs, Lookout path from MD Monument.)
> Ovenbird 1
> Northern Waterthrush 5
> Canada Warbler 1
> Song Sparrow 5
> Northern Cardinal 15
> Red-winged Blackbird 20
> Common Grackle 12
> Brown-headed Cowbird 1
> Baltimore Oriole 8
> American Goldfinch 10
> House Sparrow 50

August 9th Prospect report: early warblers show

Such a delight this morning when for this early fall songbird migration date i tallied 9 species warblers on Lookout Hill, in and around the Butterfly meadow.

It started at Arleen's pine grove when I spotted a Canada Warbler, which led to sightings of Blue-winged,Yellow, and American Redstart Warblers. Later I followed the flock to the sun - splashed northwest corner of the meadow where two trees-Box-elder and Elm --was an active site at the road edge.There I watched a road hugging Prairie Warbler below and the reappearance of the Blue-winged.House Wren,Least Flycatcher, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher filled in the rest of the bird diversity at this hot corner.

Post Butterfly meadow, along the hillside road towards the Maryland Monument, a low enough Tennessee Warbler appeared while Louisiana Waterthrush and Ovenbird together walked the path.

This minimal onrush stemmed i think from a northern-west wind yesterday ( i have to check the weather report) when this wind benefits birders as birds ride this most favorable fall wind.Hopefully i will alert all whenever this weather report occurs in the fall migration future...

Dog days ( when the star Sirius --the "dog star" nipping Orion's heels-- breaks the eastern celestial horizon) are here and so are the warblers...

list

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 8/8/09
Number of species: 34

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 8 (Lullwater; 5 juv)
Mallard X
Ruddy Duck 1 (Lake;male)
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 2
Least Flycatcher 1 (Butterfly meadow)
Eastern Kingbird 2 (west side Nethermead Bridge;also obs E Taylor)
Warbling Vireo 1 (west side Nethermead Bridge;also obs E Taylor)
Red-eyed Vireo 1 (west side Nethermead Bridge;also obs E Taylor)

Blue Jay 1 (Binnen Water)
Barn Swallow 18 (Lullwater bridge)
Tufted Titmouse 1 (Lookout HIll high meadow)
House Wren 1 (Butterfly meadow)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 (Butterfly meadow)
American Robin 75
Gray Catbird 3
European Starling X
Blue-winged Warbler 1 (Butterfly meadow;male)
Tennessee Warbler 1 ( Lookout path from meadow to Maryland Monument)
Yellow Warbler 1 (Butterfly meadow)
Prairie Warbler 1 (Butterfly meadow;male)
Black-and-white Warbler 3 (Butterfly meadow)
American Redstart 2 (Butterfly meadow)
Ovenbird 1 (Butterfly meadow)
Louisiana Waterthrush 1 ( Lookout path from meadow to Maryland Monument)
Canada Warbler 2 (Butterfly meadow)
Northern Cardinal 3
Common Grackle 2
American Goldfinch X (Butterfly meadow;feeding on sunflowers)
House Sparrow X

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


(Kingsboider post note: the wind direction on August 7th was west /northwest.)
Wind:
Wind Speed 5 mph (WNW)
Max Wind Speed 15 mph
Max Gust Speed 23 mph

source: Wunderground weather website. See side menue for link )
************************

Date: 08 August 2009
Observers: Rafael Campos, Laura Gomez-Zeledon
Around 9:30 am, we heard this unusual bird call, and for seconds RC though it was the kestrels who every day use the church tower to perch. But the sounds where more close, and we looked into the oak tree in the backyard, and there, perched for a very short period of time was 1 male Belted Kingfisher!!!
What a nice surprise for our backyard, and it is our 1st seen in Park Place.
Brooklyn is good birding: Rafa Campos R.

Tenneesee, louisiana WT & Ovenbird

Tenneesee, louisiana WT & Ovenbird warblers along path from butterffly mead towards maryland monument

Active slope edge Northwest corner

Active slope edge Northwest corner butterfly meadow : add prairie warbler n bg gnatcatcher to prev posting warblers

arleens grove-butterfly meadow; warblers- bluewing

arleens grove-butterfly meadow; warblers- bluewing,canada,amer red,blckwhite,yellow

August 7th PP,BBG and GWC reports

Prospect Park

During my brief lunch hour (12-1 pm), acting upon information that some warblers were being seen in the Binnen waters area ( from birder Wada), I stumbled upon a special moment: a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO sunbathing itself on the ground ! With wings spead out, i was able to see the redddish primaries and the bird panting as it sat for at least ten minutes among American Robins near the horse trail behind the Lily Pool back platform. Its likely the first time in my long birding career that I saw a Yellow-billed Cuckoo on the ground like that. I waited a long time for that ;)>

Also present was an American Redstart.

list : Binnen Water-Yellow-billed Cuckoo, American redstart,Catbird, 2 Eastern Kingbird,Common Grackle ,Cedar Waxwing

Peter

(Kingsboider note: Rob Bate and his wife Tracy saw the YB Cuckoo less an hour later by the viewing back platform )

************************
From Wada:

Black-and white Warbler- Midwood
Northern Waterthrush, Yellow Warbler,American Redstart-Binnen Water

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

From Orrin Tilevitz
Brooklyn Botanic Garden report

This morning, 2 redstarts, 1 black-throated green warbler. Also, tree swallow, red-bellied woodpecker, downy woodpecker, great white egret, 2 calling red-tailed hawks. Yesterday: 1 hummingbird, a few chipping sparrows and a few song sparrows, all in addition to the usual suspects.

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

From Mike Zablocky
Greenwood Cemetery report:


Hi Peter,

I haven't birded Greenwood since the spring. Since this morning was so
nice, I decided to drop in. Here's the list:


Snow Goose
Canada Goose
Mallard
Great Egret
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Monk Parakeet (under siege at the arch)
Chimney Swift
Northern Flicker
Eastern Kingbird
American Crow
Barn Swallow
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Black-and-white Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Baltimore Oriole
House Finch
House Sparrow



Michael S. Zablocky
Brooklyn, NY


(Kingsboider note: Snow Goose has been a resident at GWC for awhile.....not a migrant. The grounds are quite peaceful to its liking :)> ..5 species warbler seen today by birders;6 yesterday... fall songbird migration ignites........)

YB Cuckoo sunning on ground

YB Cuckoo sunning on ground with robins : bet horse path n lily pool back platform.near bridle path n chain link corner

August 6th Prospect Park

from Alex Wilson:


Hilights: Least Sandpiper, Northern Waterthushes ,Canada Warbler

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 8/6/09
> Number of species: 51
>
> Canada Goose 100
> Mute Swan 9
> Wood Duck 1 (Upper Pool.)
> American Black Duck 1
> Mallard 100
> Ruddy Duck 1 (Sleeping on Lake.)
> Double-crested Cormorant 1
> Great Blue Heron 2
> Great Egret 2 (Flyovers.)
> Green Heron 8 (Four locations, mostly juveniles around the
> Lake.)
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 3
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> Spotted Sandpiper 2
> Least Sandpiper 4 (Flying from Three Sisters toward west
> side of Lake, flight calls.)
> Laughing Gull 1
> Herring Gull (American) 5
> Rock Pigeon 60
> Mourning Dove 30
> Chimney Swift 20
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
> Downy Woodpecker 3
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 4
> Eastern Kingbird 8
> Warbling Vireo 3
> Red-eyed Vireo 1
> Blue Jay 5
> American Crow 1
> Barn Swallow 10
> Black-capped Chickadee 5
> Tufted Titmouse 2
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> Carolina Wren 4
> House Wren 6
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 (Nethermead Arches.)
> American Robin 70
> Gray Catbird 30
> European Starling 200
> Cedar Waxwing 20
> Yellow Warbler 3
> Black-and-white Warbler 3
> American Redstart 5 (One adult male, the rest female/
> immature type plumage.)
> Northern Waterthrush 8
> Common Yellowthroat 1 (First fall male.)
> Canada Warbler 3
> Song Sparrow 4
> Northern Cardinal 12
> Red-winged Blackbird 30
> Common Grackle 15
> Baltimore Oriole 3
> American Goldfinch 6
> House Sparrow 50
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

brief Prospect report 8/4

From Eni Falci:

On the larger of the pools (Upper) , there are two Wood Ducks. Juvenile males I believe.

Also a water thrush at the upper pool last evening but too dark to see which kind and we had 2 female black and white warblers at look out hill on Saturday. The Sunday walk got rained out.
Eni

August 2nd evening Prospect Park

6pm - pre-dusk:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 8/2/09
Number of species: 16


All Prospect Lake ( unless noted)

Canada Goose 35
American Black Duck 3
Mallard 40
Ruddy Duck 1 (drake)
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Egret 1 (three Sisters)
Black-crowned Night-Heron 7 ( 4 juvenile Three Sister Islands + ad)
Spotted Sandpiper 2 ( flew around Three Sisters)
Chimney Swift 5 (well drive, flyover)
American Crow 3 (Maryland Monument, flyover)
Barn Swallow 1 (Breeze Hill,flyover)
American Robin 11 (3 LP 249, 8 Quaker Ridge
Cedar Waxwing 2 (Wellhouse, Flyover)
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Boat-tailed Grackle 2 (LP 249)
House Sparrow X

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

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

For the record regarding Alex Wilson's July 29th report:

Least Sandpiper first seen since 7/21/07 ( 8 birds seen on Peninsula point ; A. Wilson , same day, some flyover flocks )

Prairie Warbler only 2nd July record; other July record was 7/2/1976 Prairie warbler seen by Olney Raymond

Greenwood Cemetery report Aug 1st

Hi All

Just got back from my first walk around Greenwood -- had a SolitarySandpiper at Sylvan Pond and a single Snow Goose loosely associatedwith the Canadas on the big pond near the main entrance.

Adam Welz (visiting from South Africa)