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."

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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.

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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


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