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
