The last hours of summer sort of produced a mini last hurrah, on the southern lake shore , though not anywhere near the action intensity last week there , nevertheless provided gratifying moments , as warblers put on a show namely at the extreme ends of the lake east and western "fronts". But first ,a significant mention of a juvenile CONNECTICUT WARBLER, a rare bird for anywhere due to its reclusive nature and low numbers, appeared within the woods of the western Ravine slopes, seen very well by Eric Slayton.
ON my part, "after hours" from work , when i noticed all day was very quiet for birds, perked up along the southern lake shore between 3:40 and 5 :15 pm . PALM warblers with more numerous Redstarts and Parulas following a close second were prominent, especially around a dead Ailanthus tree , with two Yellow-rumped Warblers. Meanwhile on the other end, at the West Island cove peninsula, more warbler activity blossomed despite a previously seen PEREGRINE FALCON there observed by Rob Jett; among the special birds was a male WILSONS WARBLER ( at one point flying quite close to me, chasing insects at eye level) and quality looks at a BROWN THRASHER on the ground very close to me as well. I tallied 10 warbler species since leaving the rink towards home.
Other day hilights occurred near the Ravine. ON the back shore of the Upper Pool Island, who can be impressed in seeing a seven drake WOOD DUCK flock? Also two more were seen on Prospect Lake this morning. And last, while looking for the Connecticut Warbler, i stumbled upon a very surprised juvenile RED-TAILED HAWK with its chipmunk prey. It tried to lift off , quite irritated i guess before flying over the Ambergill Pool.
First full day of fall tomorrow and better things to come ...
"Kingsboider"
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 9/22/09
Number of species: 38
Canada Goose X lake
Mute Swan 4 --3 at boathouse
Wood Duck 9--2 lake;7 upper pool
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 1 west of three sisters
Double-crested Cormorant 1 lake
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3 duck island
Red-tailed Hawk 1 juv ravine
Peregrine Falcon 1 f/o three sisters
Spotted Sandpiper 2 south lakeshore
Laughing Gull 21 f/o lake
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 perched on willow south lakeshore by three sisters
Downy Woodpecker 2 south lakeshore
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1 south lakeshore
Blue Jay 1
American Robin 25 south lakeshore
Gray Catbird 1 south lakeshore
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 12 f/o west island
Northern Parula 6 south lakeshore
Yellow Warbler 3 south lakeshore
Magnolia Warbler 4 south lakeshore
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 south lakeshore
Palm Warbler 7 south lakeshore, most nearer Duck Island
Blackpoll Warbler 1 west island cove
Black-and-white Warbler 4 south lakeshore
American Redstart 23 south lakeshore
Northern Waterthrush 3 south lakeshore
Common Yellowthroat 4 south lakeshore
Wilson's Warbler 1 male west island cove
Northern Cardinal X
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 imm male west island cove
Red-winged Blackbird 2 west island
Common Grackle 1 west island cove
House Sparrow 9
Location: Prospect Park Ravine west
Observation date: 9/22/09
Notes: juvenile hatch-year
Number of species: 1
Connecticut Warbler 1
