October 31st Prospect

A most active locale didn't involve spooks--fortunately--but the horse bridle trail above the Boathouse. Sparrows fed on the trail and numerous American Robins in a fruit laden Hawthorn Tree which should be checked often in case something rare might swing by , hopefully. While casing out the area, Eastern Towhee and 12 Cedar Waxwings appeared, the Waxwings landing in the Hackberry tree adjacent to the Hawthorne..So, its a great fall spot to bird for your information.

*

While there,a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK soared over the East Wood Arch, as crows harassed it. It was one of several raptor species seen today ( but no "male gray ghost " aka Harrier ..shucks), most notable was three Red-Tailed Hawks just soaring and flying around all morning above the southern slope of Lookout Hill which also saw a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK along with at least 15 Crows (that's a sinister omen for today's spooky holiday...eeeeekkk!). It must be those raptors were enjoying the Halloween festival taking place below on Lookout Hill, site of many park workers dressed up in ghoulish costumes entertaining all the patrons brave enough to see those spooks.

ON the lake, it was mostly calm with many Shovelers (I counted 212) and 97 Ruddy Ducks but among them was a lone juvenile drake RING-NECKED DUCK.

Good trick and treating......


"Kingsboider"


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/31/09
Number of species: 43

Canada Goose 125
Mute Swan 9 lake
American Black Duck 5 west island section
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) X
Mallard 175 ...about 80 in Lullwater
Northern Shoveler 212 lake
Ring-necked Duck 1 lake
Ruddy Duck 97 lake
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Great Blue Heron 1 in Three Sisters Islands
Black-crowned Night-Heron 2 --one three sisters; 1 duck island
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 f/o lookout hill
Cooper's Hawk 2 f/o boathouse; f/o west island
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 boathouse east wood arch f/o
Red-tailed Hawk 3 f/o south lookout hill/well drive
American Coot 12 lake
Spotted Sandpiper 1 peninsula shore
Laughing Gull 1 f/o peninsula
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 3 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher 1 three sisters islands
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 boathouse
Downy Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 1 boathouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 terrace bridge
Hermit Thrush 2 boathouse;south lakeside
American Robin 50 boathouse
Gray Catbird 1 boathouse
Northern Mockingbird 1 boathouse
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 12 boathouse
Eastern Towhee 1 boathouse
Chipping Sparrow 35 boathouse
Song Sparrow 5 peninsula sumacs
Swamp Sparrow 3 2 southlake west; 1boathouse
White-throated Sparrow 15 --6 south lakeside; 9 boathouse
Dark-eyed Junco 1 peninsula sumacs
Northern Cardinal 3 boathouse
Red-winged Blackbird 1 boathouse
Common Grackle 2 west island
House Sparrow X

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

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

Oct 30th Prospect

An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was seen inside the Quaker Cemetery northwest corner. When approached by a park worker, it did the "wiggle" walk and promptly flew over the chain link fence on the "wilder" side or outside the cemetery onto the slope facing the ballfields.

On the ballfields, 7 SAVANNAH SPARROWS; in the Wildflower Meadow, 2 SWAMP Sparrow plus a few SONG Sparrow; in the Upper Pool, "only" 3 WOOD DUCK seen on the island.Otherwise, pretty inactive on this gorgeous fall day.

Happy Haunting!

"Kingsboider"

Blackbird migration evident with several

Blackbird migration evident with several small flocks, mostly grackles over 9th street entrance

Prospect 10/29th: NORTHERN GOSHAWK updates; lake ducks +3 reports

A morning sighting, NORTHERN GOSHAWK flew into Lookout Hilll, not relocated per Tom Stephenson and Adam Welz. It was seen again later over the Long Meadow chased by crows, in the direction of the Nethermead , seen by Rob Bate per his 12:05 text message .

"Kingsboider note": Goshawk is a juvenile. When Rob Bate saw the Goshawk after watching a kettle of few American Kestrel and an accipiter over the Long Meadow, the crows broke off their chase of a MERLIN to chase the Goshawk just prior noon.

Also of note reported by Adam Welz: 4 RING-NECKED DUCK , drake HOODED MERGANSER ,3 PIED-BILLED GREBES on Prospect Lake, PEREGRINE FALCON flyover at north end of Long Meadow

"Kingsboider note": After checking office records, Northern Goshawk is first of this species of the 2009 year calendar for Prospect.

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

From Tom Stepehenson , birding with Adam Welz:

Hi Peter,

Here's what I saw today as far as I can remember...Not many passerines...but a couple of good raptors.

I believe Adam had an Eastern Phoebe as well...

best regards,
Tom


Pied-billed Grebe 3

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Canada Goose

Mute Swan

Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Ring-necked Duck 4 on main lake

Hooded Merganser male on lake

Ruddy Duck over 200

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 over lookout

Northern Goshawk flying towards lookout, later relocated by Rob Bate

Red-tailed Hawk

Merlin 2

Peregrine Falcon 1 over long meadow on north side going south

American Coot

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at least 3

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Blue Jay

American Crow

Black-capped Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 base of lookout

White-breasted Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5

Hermit Thrush at least 10

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler 2

Chipping Sparrow at least 30

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From Rob Bate:

Peter,
Here's my list from today. Six raptors including all three accipiters!
2 Kestrels were dogfighting over Long Meadow with a juvenile Coopers Hawk for almost 5 minutes.


Observation date: 10/29/09
Notes: Accipiter Hat-trick
Number of species: 45

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck X
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ring-necked Duck X
Hooded Merganser X
Ruddy Duck X
Pied-billed Grebe X
Great Blue Heron X
Sharp-shinned Hawk X
Cooper's Hawk X
Northern Goshawk X
Red-tailed Hawk X
American Kestrel X
Merlin X
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Downy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Carolina Wren X
Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
Hermit Thrush X
American Robin X
European Starling X
Common Yellowthroat X
Chipping Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
House Sparrow X

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

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From Peter:

very brief look at lake from southeast corner after work

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/29/09
Number of species: 15

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 5 duck island
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 75 duck island
Ruddy Duck X
Pied-billed Grebe 3 lake west side
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 duck island
American Coot 3
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 rink
Song Sparrow 7 south lakeside
White-throated Sparrow 1 south lakeside
Northern Cardinal 2 wellhouse

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

October 28th sightings Prospect

Photograph of Oct 26th Rusty Blackbird by lake shore near Rink from Rob Bate:

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

Quite a soaker out there! Nevetheless , a report today from Alex Wilson:


Begin forwarded message:

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 10/28/09
> Number of species: 38
>
> Canada Goose 100
> Mute Swan 9
> Wood Duck 2
> American Black Duck 7
> Mallard 100
> Northern Shoveler 150
> Ring-necked Duck 1 (Female, Lake.)
> Ruddy Duck 60
> Pied-billed Grebe 4
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 3
> Northern Harrier 1 (Juvenile, over Quaker Hill.)
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
> American Coot 10
> Ring-billed Gull 75
> Herring Gull 15
> Great Black-backed Gull 2
> Rock Pigeon 15
> Mourning Dove 3
> Belted Kingfisher 2
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 2
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5
> Eastern Phoebe 1
> Blue Jay 3
> American Crow 6
> Black-capped Chickadee 5
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> Hermit Thrush 3
> American Robin 15
> European Starling 50
> Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1
> Savannah Sparrow 1
> Song Sparrow 2
> Swamp Sparrow 2
> White-throated Sparrow 25
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3
> Northern Cardinal 10

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

October 27th

Rain keeps the birder indoors !

ON a shortened workday, while on an errand around 5 ish, parked in the Key Food's lot on Prospect Ave and 11th, I watched through my car windshield 23 BRANTS fly over. I guess they didn't take the express lane (over 15 items) . ;)>

October 26th, Prospect

From Rob Bate:

Rusty Blackbird spotted on the lake wall just south of the skating rink.

(Rob's picture sent to me.."Kingsboider")

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

From Peter:

Observations seen from afield and post work. Pretty quiet day though I wasn't able to visit the "hot zones" of previous days.

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/26/09
Number of species: 30

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 7 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X lake ( no counting today)
Ruddy Duck X lake
Black-crowned Night-Heron 4 immatures Duck Island back shore
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 f/o peninsula sumacs
Red-tailed Hawk 1 f/o peninsula sumacs
American Coot 6 lake
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 1 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 1 breeze hill
American Crow 7 f/o maryland monument
Winter Wren 3-- rink cove;midwood;peninsula sumacs
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2-- rink cove; peninsula sumacs
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 peninsula
Hermit Thrush 15 various locales
American Robin X wellhouse
Common Yellowthroat 1 peninsula sumacs
Song Sparrow 12--9 peninsula sumacs;3 penisula
Swamp Sparrow 3 --1 south lullwater in cattails; 2 peninsula
White-throated Sparrow X south lakeside
Dark-eyed Junco 3 south lakeside
Northern Cardinal 5 wellhouse
House Sparrow X

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

October 25th, the day after

Before today's hilights, an epilogue to yesterday's spectacular sparrow day. I spoke with John Ascher this morning and he mentioned that he saw LINCOLN's SPARROW yesterday at Breeze Hill. This make the total number of sparrow species seen on October 24th fourteen (14), among the best if not tops for sparrow diversity in Prospect's illuminated history. Bravo to all everyone who teamed up on the sparrow "whirlwind" that plopped all the good stuff here.

Hilights of today are: refound VESPER SPARROW & CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, LINCOLN SPARROW,WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, 26 WOOD DUCKS ,MARSH WREN,GREATER SCAUP,SCARLET TANAGER (late), ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK(late),INDIGO BUNTING (late) ;

Total number species sparrows today-- 12


Brief notes on the rarities or quality birds

--Vesper Sparrow still seen inside the ballfields snow fence enclosure, moving from the south field to the west side in patchy brown grass sections (Multiple observers)

--Clay-colored Sparrow , first spottted by Shane Blodgett, hung around a tall smartweed plant just behind the tall shrub closest to the west fence around the Wildflower meadow, The sparrow is a little skittish, and uses the cover of the grasses to linger, offering glimpses. ( also Multiple observers).White-crowned Sparrow and Indigo Bunting also was present here.

--Lincoln Sparrow seen at the "Sparrowbowl" (Steve Nanz, Jerry Layton, mult observers)

--Marsh Wren reported from the previous location on the south shore of the Lake i presume bewteen Duck Island and the East Grove cove,opposite the Peninsula "thumb". (obs Rob Bate)

--Greater Scaup drake on the lake near the West Island shelter (P.Dorosh)

--26 Wood Ducks on the Upper Pool Island, as usual


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

From Rafael Campos:

Date: 25 October 2009


Place Prospect Park, Brooklyn; NYC


Observer: Rafael Campos R


An early morning start (~7:30 am) to look for the sparrows sps that "rained" yesterday. The only one, considered rare, was the Vesper. But other sparrows sps were present around the fenced area in the Long Meadow/ballfields: Field, Chipping, Savannah, Song, White-crowned, Swamp.


A visit to the Lake area did no give any rare sparrows, but behind the Well House, 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.Back to the Long Meadow, and the surprise was 1 Indigo Bunting. At the upper pool, ~10 Wood Ducks.And to end my walk, around 11 am, just before Grand Army Plaza, 1 Scarlet Tanager flew across and landed.


The list:

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe (1, Lake)
Red-tailed Hawk (2 flew over Long Meadow)
American Coot
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker (1, Well House)
Northern Flicker (1, Nethermead)
Eastern Phoebe (~4, fenced area, Long Meadow)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Red-breasted Nuthatch (2, Lookout Hill)
Winter Wren (1)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird (1, Well House)
European Starling
Palm Warbler (~5)
Scarlet Tanager (1)
Eastern Towhee (1, Well House)
Chipping Sparrow (abundant)
Field Sparrow (1)
Vesper Sparrow (1)
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow (1)
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting (1)
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird (2)
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

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

My birding today was going to be brief, to take a break from my long day yesterday. Well, I spent a little too much time at the special sparrow spots in Prospect when I intended to take it easy and visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for special events there.

But the lure of those terrific sparrows pulled me in and I figured some folks would be around looking , so why not try to help some get whatever remained.Fortunately both Vesper and Clay-colored lingered and quite a number of observers were certainly glad to see these species. Vesper was very cooperative when I arrived at the ballfields, very close and sort of tame before flying back toward the fence enclosure's middle. Clay -Colored was a little tougher, being shy and offering glimpses but nevertheless, most if not all the birders saw it, with Shane's help.

When I first entered the park, I saw the Greater Scaup still hanging around in the lake. Well, he is outnumbered by greater numbers of Ruddy Duck --now 61-- and still dominant numbers of Northern Shoveler.Good thing he isn't too close to the Wood Ducks, their 26 (at least) company too numerous for little Upper Pool; there's no space .

On Lookout Hill's meadows, very good numbers of White-throated Sparrows and Hermit Thrushes use the brush very well for coverage. I know there got to be good stuff in there in that thick brush, but whatever it is, it won't come out .Too bad.

Fall colors is certainly providing a wonderful backdrop to the birding.So if you have time, enjoy the spectacle--both leaves and birds this week.

--Peter

List

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/25/09
Number of species: 41

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 5 lake
Wood Duck 26 Upper Pool Island
American Black Duck 2 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 235 lake
Greater Scaup 1 sw corner lake
Ruddy Duck 61 lake
Pied-billed Grebe 2 lake
Great Blue Heron 1 upper pool
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 f/o wildflower meadow (Mult Obs); f/o nethermead
Cooper's Hawk 1 f/o
American Coot 4 lake
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher 1 Lily Pool
Downy Woodpecker 2 wildflower meadow;
Eastern Phoebe 4 ballfields
Winter Wren 1 wildflower meadow (John Ascher, PDorosh)
Marsh Wren 1 reported by Rob Bate; south lakeshore
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Hermit Thrush X common , many lookout hill meadows
American Robin 15 BBG
Gray Catbird 3--1 wildflower meadow
European Starling X

Eastern Towhee 1 heard by Steve Nanz Sparrowbowl
Chipping Sparrow 125 south nethermead lawn
Clay-colored Sparrow 1 wildflower meadow ; S.Blodgett, Pdorosh, Mult Observers
Field Sparrow 1 Peninsula Meadow, next to young dogwood
Vesper Sparrow 1 Ballfields, S.Nanz, J.Layton,J.Ascher,P.Dorosh,Mult Observers
Savannah Sparrow X Ballfields
Song Sparrow X
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 Steve Nanz, J.Layton Sparrowbowl
Swamp Sparrow 4 - 2 wildflower meadow ; Mult Observers; 2 Peninsula
White-throated Sparrow X mostly Lookout Hill meadows
White-crowned Sparrow 1 wildflower meadow ; S.Blodgett, Pdorosh, Mult Observers
Dark-eyed Junco X

Northern Cardinal 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1 ballfields
House Sparrow X

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

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW re-found in Wildflower

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW re-found in Wildflower meadow adj Upper pool. per Shane & M.obs

VESPER SPARROW seen well and

VESPER SPARROW seen well and close inside ballfields fence enclosure south side nearest 2nd base

October 24th "A most incredible day, a day to remember for the ages"

I will post my own account on this most astounding day , the "Day of the Sparrow". But for now, read Rob Jett's account below who was present with me and Mary Eyster in seeing all the very rare (4) sparrow species while others got at least three of these special birds. It is a historic day in Prospect because never have I heard nor witnessed getting two Ammodramus genus sparrows on a single day plus two other very rare sparrows after getting an extralimital sparrow seen 3 days ago ( Lark) in a single spot --the ball fields--or very close to the "hot zone".

So, the highlights of this historic day in Prospect Park are:

VESPER SPARROW,NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, SHARP-TAILED SPARROW(SALTMARSH), MARSH WREN, GREATER SCAUP, 13 species sparrows condensed under 4 acres territory combining the ball fields snow fence enclosure/wildflower meadow, & "Sparrowbowl";

Rob Jett's posting to NYSBIRDS listserve:


Today Prospect Park held, what can only
be described as, an outrageous assortment
of sparrows. It wasn't just the unusual
diversity, but also the relatively small area
in which they were located. As mentioned in
previous posts regarding a recent Lark
Sparrow, a section of the Long Meadow
near the baseball fields has
been fenced off for reseeding. It is roughly
a rectangular area 100 yards by 80 yards.
Adjacent to that is a very small wildflower
meadow. Large numbers of mostly Chipping,
Savannah and Song Sparrow have been feeding
in the fenced area. When flushed they'd mostly
move to the wildflower meadow or a pair of large
Linden Trees at the edge of the field. At the
wildflower meadow there have also been many
Swamp, White-throated and one or two White-crowned
Sparrows. About 200-300 yards to the north
on the Long Meadow is a small area that the regulars
call the "Sparrow Bowl". So, keep in mind that very
restricted area of Prospect Park where a group of us
spent a few hours today...

Peter Dorosh texted me at around 10am that there
was a Vesper Sparrow near the baseball field.
I rode over on my bike and got there fast. It
didn't take long to find the bird, which ultimately
flew to the opposite side of the field (of course).
I found it again, but put down my bins so I could
pull up my hood as it began to rain. Naturally, the
bird vanished. As Peter, Mary Eyster and I scanned
the grass field I stumbled on a Nelson's Sparrow
(a. n. subvirgatus)! Peter called Steve Nanz to see
if he could come over and take a photo. Steve got
there quickly and stopped briefly at the wildflower
meadow across the sidewalk from us. He promptly
spotted a Clay-colored Sparrow. There was a birding
group from the Audubon Nature Center passing by,
so a lot of folks got to see it. The rain then started
coming down so I left to get some lunch. As I was eating
lunch Mary called saying that she and Peter found a
Saltmarsh Sparrow at the Sparrow Bowl. I hopped
back on my bike, got to the Sparrow Bowl where
Peter and Mary point out the sparrow casually
eating smartweed at the edge of the grass.
Very weird. In all, we tallied 13 species of sparrow
in Prospect Park. In keeping with the marsh theme
(I suppose), there was also a Marsh Wren at the edge
of Prospect Lake which I tracked down just prior to a
deluge which sent me home for good.

Good birding,

Rob

FYI - As of the late afternoon the Vesper Sparrow
was still present on the field and the Clay-colored
was seen briefly at the wildflower meadow. The
Nelson's and Saltmarsh were not relocated.

**********

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/24/09
Number of species: 51

Brant 6
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck X
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ruddy Duck X
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 3
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker X
Eastern Phoebe X
American Crow X
Tufted Titmouse X
Marsh Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet X
Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
Hermit Thrush X
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Palm Warbler X
Palm Warbler (Western) 1
Common Yellowthroat X
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow X
Clay-colored Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 12
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow 1
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
Indigo Bunting 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X


Keir randall reported MARSH WREN south side of the lake, between duck and three sister islands and drake GREATER SCAUP on the Lake near the West Island shelter.

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

This was a day birders dream about, to see the most of quality, with the least mileage to walk. I understand walking is great exercise, but heck ,once in awhile, its great to see terrific--I mean rare stuff--in a smallest possible region; in today's case, less than 5 acres !

It will be a day I will always remember, a day I almost didn't go to Prospect due to an achy tired body from so much intense planting this week but Mary Eyster hastily suggested birdng Prospect this morning and I thought,its bad weather, good stuff are waiting to be found; let me make Marty proud ("Bad weather brings in the best birds"). Boy, I didn't think it was going to be that ridiculous type of day,where when one rarity was found, other folks come in and they found rarities too! Its the beauty of serendipity , team effort,and technology, culminating in the joy of finding things by happenstance,with skill and most importantly in this era --cell phone text messaging technology. On the latter, I found out that I sent out at least 25 text messages ! No wonder why my cell battery died so quickly.

Getting to the point about today's spectacular day: the hottest piece of turf now in Brooklyn is the Prospect north ballfields. Postseason playoff baseball and Yankee tickets may be hot tickets around town, but Prospect's north ballfields snow fence enclosure is even hotter to step in. Today , 13 species sparrows were recorded either in that ballfield pot of gold spot, or the adjoining wildlfower meadow, or 250 yards north at the "Sparrowbowl". And all this after seeing the Lark Sparrow graced that hot zone just days ago (5 rare sparrows in less than a week? Come on! ).Well, "Larky" sure got the "ball" rolling !

It was an incredible stretch of fortune in which me, Mary and Rob Jett experienced, us three lucky recipients of the four rare sparrows, with others bought on by my text message blasts, seeing or finding at least some of the other rare sparrows.To put it succinctly: I texted everyone the VESPER SPARROW, Rob comes , refinds the Vesper, but finds also the grass hugging NELSONS SHARP-TAILED SPARROW along with Mary who spotted it as well before; Steve Nanz comes too, finds the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW in the Wildflower Meadow which multiple observers enjoyed; after everyone departed, Mary spotted another orangy face bird in the Sparrowbowl, which she suggested in checking out before a lunch break; I thought little of it until I saw her "orangy"- faced bird moments later, a SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW right out in the open !.. We called Rob back from his home. He , along with us two, watched the day's 2nd ammodramus sparrow feeding on low pink smartweed. A funny moment occurred with this last sighting. While Mary was calling Rob about the Saltmarsh ST Sparrow with my phone, the phone kept ringing during the conversation and I looked at the text , interrupting the phone conversation. It was a text message from a friend that morning who saw some of the rare sparrows as well -- perfectly timed-- saying, "What? No more rarities"?

We just had to laugh...it was that kind of day, which we all will remember always as "The Day of the Sparrow" .

Always Good Boiding ! (especially in Prospect Park ;)> )

---Peter

Observers, Peter Dorosh, Mary Eyster, Rob Jett, Rob and Tracy Bate, Janet Schumacher, Multiple observers

List


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/24/09
Notes: Nelson sharp-tailed sparrow subspecies subgivatus
Number of species: 45

Brant 6 flyover ballfields
Canada Goose 125 lake
Mute Swan 4 lake
Mallard X lake
Northern Shoveler X lake
Greater Scaup 1 drake , first seen by Keir Randall, southwest Lake
Ruddy Duck 30 lake
Pied-billed Grebe 2 lake
Great Blue Heron 1 flyover ballfields
Red-tailed Hawk 1 flyover ballfields
American Kestrel 1 flyover PPW Ave
American Coot 3 lake
Spotted Sandpiper 1 lake west shore
Ring-billed Gull 3 lake
Herring Gull 6 flyover ballfields
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Monk Parakeet 3 f/o Sparrowbowl, Mary Eyster
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 south ballfields
Northern Flicker 1 Tennis house
Eastern Phoebe 8 ballfields snow fence enclosure
American Crow 4 f/o ballfields
Brown Creeper 1 south ballfields woods
Golden-crowned Kinglet 20 ballfields perimeter
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10 ballfields perimeter
Hermit Thrush 3
European Starling X
Eastern Towhee 1 sparrowbowl, male
Chipping Sparrow 40 ballfields snow fence enclosure
Clay-colored Sparrow 1 Wildflower meadow, spotted by Steve Nanz ; M.Obs
Field Sparrow 2 ballfields snow fence enclosure;sparrowbowl
Vesper Sparrow 1 ballfields snow fence enclosure; M.obs
Savannah Sparrow 25 various, mostly ballfields
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow 1 ballfields snow fence enclosure;P.Dorosh, M ,Eyster,R. Jett,Rob and Tracy Bate
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow 1 Sparrowbowl at fence apex , behind and in front of bent down wire fence; also in dead burdock patch;obs P.Dorosh, M ,Eyster,R. Jett
Song Sparrow 8
Swamp Sparrow 2 Wildflower Meadow
White-throated Sparrow X
White-crowned Sparrow 2 Wildflower Meadow
Dark-eyed Junco 7 sparrowbowl
Northern Cardinal 1
Indigo Bunting 1 Wildflower Meadow; spotted by Steve Nanz; M.Obs
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 ballfields
American Goldfinch 4 ballfields
House Sparrow X

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



Todays rare species closest to image searched online

Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow

https://www.abcbirds.org/images/saltmarsh_sparrow_jett.jpg

Nelson Sharp-tailed (Subgivatus)

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=nelsoni+subvirgatus&FORM=BIFD#focal=22bb5d5eb47c5c710a6a537e6bcd3be7&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philjeffrey.net%2FNelsonShrpTailedSparrow2s.jpg

http://www.jeaniron.ca/Trips/JamesBay2009/nelsonsban5658.jpg

Clay-colored Sparrow

http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/photos/clay_colored_sparrow_1.jpg

Vesper Sparrow

http://www.sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/photos/vesper_sparrow_4.jpg

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Marsh wren south lakeside opp

Marsh wren south lakeside opp peninsula thumb per Keir Sharptailed Sparrow below fence break middle .feeding n low pink smartweed

SALT-MARSH SHARPTAILED SPARROW in "Sparrowbowl"

SALT-MARSH SHARPTAILED SPARROW in "Sparrowbowl" weedy edging,vale between mansions.

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW in wildflower meadow

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW in wildflower meadow adjacent to Upper Pool.multiple observers

NELSONS SHARPTAILED SPARROW inside ballfields

NELSONS SHARPTAILED SPARROW inside ballfields snow fence

VESPER SPARROW inside ballfields fence.ballfield

VESPER SPARROW inside ballfields fence.ballfield fence enclosure showing life again with sparrows inc CHIPPING,FIELD,SAVANNAH

Oct 22nd, "and just like that, they disappeared"

Prospect Park

Warm temperatures bought on by southerly winds in fall usually is a birding "zapper". I guess the birds know that, feel the urge to move on when the mercury rises; or maybe they all went to the beach. Today was that sort of day, quit the workday,put on sunblock, and head for the shores.

Birding was very obviously much , much slower, and it was evident everywhere I went . This morning ,even what was hot the past week, was too inactive, when Lark Sparrow, Meadowlark, and Bluebird dominated the ball fields stage. Only two SAVANNAH SPARROWS held their ground inside that now famous fence, hunkered down as two COOPERS HAWKS flew over as Russ and Valerie watched alongside me. And the contractors hired to regrade the baseball diamonds , their noisy machines in the backdrop maybe a reason "Larky"moved on to quieter pastures. But I really hope it stuck around. Lark Sparrows most times are one day wonders but we had our bird for four days. That's an eternity.

A continuing highlight though comes with the WOOD DUCK. 27 of them huddled close on the Upper Pool island and back channel. Its quite a scene to see their gorgeous colors reflecting off the waters with impending fall foliage backdrop.

Rain is coming;and so, that means more good birds, maybe something rare ( OK...so i can get over-optimistic) in bad weather...

Peter


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/22/09
Number of species: 22

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck 27 Upper pool island
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X lake
Pied-billed Grebe 1 south lullwater
Cooper's Hawk 2 f/o ballfields
American Coot 2 duck island
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1 nethermead
American Crow 3 ballfields
Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
Hermit Thrush 2
Gray Catbird 3 --2 lily pool
Savannah Sparrow 2 ballfields
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X ravine
Northern Cardinal X
Common Grackle 3 f/o rink

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

October 21st report Prospect

from Tom Stephenson:

Hi Peter.

Here's a list of the birds I found yesterday in a couple hours wandering through part of the park.
Not many warblers, but a lot of kinglets!

Best regards,
Tom

Canada Goose

Mute Swan

Mallard

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Cooper's Hawk One chasing squirrel around a tree in midwood

Red-tailed Hawk

Merlin One making passes at flickers, at least 6 times

American Coot

Ring-billed Gull

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker 20+

Eastern Phoebe 25+

Blue-headed Vireo 2

Blue Jay

American Crow

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper 2+

Carolina Wren

Winter Wren 2

Golden-crowned Kinglet 40+

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 40+

Hermit Thrush 30+

American Robin

Gray Catbird

Brown Thrasher 1 above the Vale

European Starling

Magnolia Warbler 2

Black-throated Blue Warbler 10+

Yellow-rumped Warbler 10

Palm Warbler 15+

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow 20+

Savannah Sparrow 8+

Song Sparrow 15+

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 near Nellie’s Lawn

Swamp Sparrow 4

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco 6

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Oct 21st Prospect quick notes

These are secondhand reports I received

--Lark Sparrow still present according to Ann lazarus , seen at ballfields fence area at 11 am

--earlier, Eastern Meadowlark also inside fence at baseball fields per Gayle Lovell

Bird activity quite diminished in regards to sparrows, likely due to warmer weather and calm nights for flying the coop .Still some sparrows around, and plenty of kinlglets.I didnt see anything unusual but will post a list of stuff seen,the "usual suspects" later ....

--Kingsboider

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

From Judy Rabi

(Posting on ebirds at yahoo groups listerve)

Anne Lazarus and I were lucky enough to see the lovely Lark Sparrow that continues to hang around Prospect Park. Its in a large fenced in area in the Long Meadow. It took awhile to find it, but once we did, it was quite cooperative even flying onto the surrounding fences. Also in this fenced in area were many Eastern Phoebes, Savannah Sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Palm Warblers.

Kingsboider note: The Lark Sparrow was seen at the ballfields fenced enclosure as usual.


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

From Mike Zablocky:

DATE: October 21, 2009
REPORTED BY: Michael Zablocky
SITE: Prospect Park

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Common Grackle
House Sparrow

34 species seen

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From Peter

Observation date: 10/21/09

X Canada Goose
X Mute Swan --lake
X Mallard
X Northern Shoveler --lake
1 Pied-billed Grebe --south lullwater
1 Black-crowned Night-Heron --duck island
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 American Coot
X Herring Gull
X Rock Pigeon
X Mourning Dove
9 Eastern Phoebe --ballfields
X Ruby-crowned Kinglet
X Hermit Thrush
X American Robin
X European Starling
X Song Sparrow
X White-throated Sparrow
1 Northern Cardinal breeze hill
13 Red-winged Blackbird west island cove
4 Common Grackle --f/o rink
3 Brown-headed Cowbird --ballfields
X House Sparrow

Total species reported: 23

October 20th: Wood Ducks a record ;3 Prospect & 2 BBG reports

Hilights today: Lark Sparrow continues on ballfields, Orange-crowned Warbler , Eastern Bluebird, Peregrine Falcons on BBG tower ,Red-shouldered Hawk,late Baltimore Oriole


****************************************************
Rob Jett's 10/18 report of 29 WOOD DUCKS at Upper Pool set a new Prospect Park high. The previous high total was 2 records tied at 18 on:

11/27/2001 Lullwater Observer: Paul Keim

&

9/25/2000 Upper Pool Observers: Rob Jett and Jonathan Rosenthal

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

From Orrin Tilevitz:

Brooklyn Botanic garden

Many palm warblers, eastern phoebes, and hermit thrushes. Also:

Golden crowned kinglet (many, feeding on the grass)
Ruby-crowned kinglet
Common yellowthroat
Yellow-rumped warbler
Blue-headed vireo
Song sparrow
Junco
White-throated sparrow
Fox sparrow (Japanese pond)
Northern mockingbird
northern cardinal
Red-bellied woodpecker
Red-breasted nuthatch (high in trees, Japanese pond)
Gray-cheeked thrush
American robin

*******************
From Russ Aldertone:

Peter,

Went for the second day in a row to look
for the Lark Sparrow with no luck. I did
see an EASTERN BLUEBIRD in the fenced in
area. I was also overrun by Juncos and
Chipping Sparrows on the walk between the
10th Ave entrance and Bartel-Pritchard entrance.

Russ

Date: Tue, Oct 20, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 10/20/09

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/20/09
Notes: ball fields & sparrow bowl
Number of species: 28

Canada Goose 10
Mallard 10
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Herring Gull 3
Rock Pigeon 1
Mourning Dove 1
Eastern Phoebe 20
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 5
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Winter Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 25
Eastern Bluebird 1
Swainson's Thrush 1
Hermit Thrush 5
European Starling 3
Cedar Waxwing 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Palm Warbler 5
Chipping Sparrow 50
Savannah Sparrow 10
Song Sparrow 10
Swamp Sparrow 20
White-throated Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 50
Northern Cardinal 1
House Sparrow 10

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

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From Peter:

Hilight during my busy day was a COOPER'S HAWK that flew down and along our moving work vehicle ( Toro) before swooping across in front of us towards the backwoods of Lily Pool. A nice moment!

Some action behind thr Rink between latter and the cove ,sparrows hilighted by a FIELD SPARROW. PIED-BILLED GREBE (of 3) offshore at that spot with 7 COOTS.

Action less in numbers as observed from afield but nevertheless still full of delights. Warmer days coming , so eager for that.

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/20/09
Number of species: 30

Canada Goose 125
Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X ( no counting today ;)> )
Pied-billed Grebe 3 south lullwater ; then 2 seen by Duck Island
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3 immatures early am , 7 am Duck Island
Cooper's Hawk 1 south Midwood
Red-tailed Hawk 1 f/o
American Coot 7 south lullwater
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 9 south lullwater shores breeze hill side
Eastern Phoebe 5
American Crow 10 f/o nethermead
Winter Wren 1 behind rink
Golden-crowned Kinglet X
Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5 south shores
Common Yellowthroat 1-- Peninsula sumacs
Field Sparrow 1 behind rink
Savannah Sparrow 1 behind rink
Song Sparrow 12 behind rink
Swamp Sparrow 3 behind rink
White-throated Sparrow 8 south lullwater
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern Cardinal 2
House Sparrow X

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

##############

From Janet Schumacher:

TWO Peregrine Falcons perched on the radio tower at Empire and
Washington Avenues this evening at 6 pm.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From Alex Wilson:

(excerpt posting from ebirds yahoogroup listserve)

Good birding continues in Prospect Park, with
the LARK SPARROW present for the third day
in a row. I saw it in the fenced area of the
Long Meadow just below the 9th Street divide
early and late, joined at dusk by Rob Jett along
with Shane Blodgett who came in to add one
more to a 14 sparrow day around town. Overall
volume was perhaps down a bit from the rainy
weekend as more birds move on in the fair
weather, but diversity was good, including
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, a late
Baltimore Oriole, Red-shouldered Hawk and
7 wood warblers.

Good birding,
Alex Wilson
Brooklyn, NY

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/20/09
Number of species: 69

Canada Goose 175
Mute Swan 6
Wood Duck 25
American Black Duck 3
Mallard 200
Northern Shoveler 400
Ruddy Duck 15
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (Juvenile, flyover seen from Lullwater.)
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Merlin 3
American Coot 10
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 60
Herring Gull 35
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 40
Mourning Dove 25
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 40
Eastern Phoebe 30
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 15
American Crow 10
Black-capped Chickadee 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 2
House Wren 1
Winter Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 50
Eastern Bluebird 2 (2 at once on the Long Meadow fences early, only one seemed to hang around.)
Hermit Thrush 50
American Robin 75
Gray Catbird 5
European Starling 150
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
(Upper Lullwater near the cove, in the little point area across from the rustic shelter, photographed.)
Northern Parula 1 (Sparrow Bowl.)
Magnolia Warbler 1 (Dull female, Lookout Hill.)
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 (Lullwater, with Orange-crowned.)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 100
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 25
Common Yellowthroat 10
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 15
Field Sparrow 2
Lark Sparrow 1 (Seen at 8:30AM and 5:30PM in the fenced area just north of the Long Meadow ball fields.)
Savannah Sparrow 10
Song Sparrow 50
Swamp Sparrow 30
White-throated Sparrow 100
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 20
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Baltimore Oriole 1 (Female, Lookout summit meadow.)
American Goldfinch 15
House Sparrow 30

October 19th, Lark Sparrow Prospect /GWC records + Prospect reports + video

Lark Sparrow: (8th Prospect record)

I researched records on this rare visitor.The last sighting for Prospect was Sept 26 to 28th in 1999.. I remembered that bird quite well, first reported on Center Drive in front of the cemetery gate, but hung around mostly in Butterfly Meadow.

Here are the rest of the Prospect records + one Greenwood cemetery record last year (Steve Nanz leading the Brooklyn Bird Club)

Lark Sparrow Greenwood Cemetary 5/4/08 1
Lark Sparrow Butterfly Meadow 9/28/99 1
Lark Sparrow Butterfly Meadow 9/27/99 1
Lark Sparrow Lookout Hill 9/26/99 1
Lark Sparrow 10/15/60 1
Lark Sparrow 5/2/59 1
Lark Sparrow 9/21/54 2 birds
Lark Sparrow 10/4/53 1
Lark Sparrow 10/3/53 1
Lark Sparrow 9/8/53 1
Lark Sparrow 9/7/53 1
Lark Sparrow 9/23/52 1
Lark Sparrow 9/22/52 1
Lark Sparrow 9/21/52 1
Lark Sparrow 9/20/52 1
Lark Sparrow 9/19/52 1
Lark Sparrow 5/3/47 1

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

Hilights today: continuing LARK SPARROW, EASTERN MEADOWLARK,3 EASTERN BLUEBIRD,MARSH WREN, 26 WOOD DUCKS, good sparrow acitivity inc WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW

TEXT MESSAGE REPORTS:

Ann Lazarus reported Eastern Meadowlark on the ballfields at 11:30

Tom Kerr reported 3 Eastern Bluebirds on the ballfield

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From Rob Jett:

Kingsboider note: See Rob's video shot of Bluebird and see what flies next to it ! (at the bottom of this report, last entry)



Here's my latest Prospect report.


Begin forwarded message:

> Date: October 19, 2009 5:29:59 PM EDT

> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 10/19/09

>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 10/19/09
> Number of species: 39
>
> Wood Duck 23
> Mallard X
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> Merlin 1
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Red-bellied Woodpecker X
> Downy Woodpecker X
> Northern Flicker X
> Eastern Phoebe X
> Blue-headed Vireo 1
> Blue Jay 4
> American Crow 7
> Tufted Titmouse 2
> White-breasted Nuthatch 2
> Golden-crowned Kinglet X
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
> Eastern Bluebird 1
> Hermit Thrush X
> American Robin X
> Gray Catbird X
> Brown Thrasher 1
> European Starling X
> Yellow-rumped Warbler X
> Black-throated Green Warbler 1
> Palm Warbler X
> Chipping Sparrow X
> Lark Sparrow 1 middle of snow fence enclosure at ballfields
> Savannah Sparrow X
> Song Sparrow X
> Swamp Sparrow X
> White-throated Sparrow X
> White-crowned Sparrow 1
> Dark-eyed Junco X
> Northern Cardinal X
> Brown-headed Cowbird 3
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From Matthew Wills:


Hi, Peter. These are the birds I saw in the Midwood and Long Meadow today:


Mallard

Wood duck

Merlin

Red-tailed hawk

Mourning dove

Eastern phoebe

Northern flicker

Blue-headed vireo

American crow

Black-capped chickadee

White-breasted nuthatch

Brown creeper

Carolina wren

Ruby-crowned kinglet

Golden-crowned kinglet

Eastern bluebird

Hermit thrush

Blue jay

American robin

Gray catbird

European starling

Black-throated blue warbler

Yellow-rumped warbler

Palm warbler

Chipping sparrow

Common yellowthroat

White-throated sparrow

Lark sparrow --Ballfields snow fence enclosure

Song sparrow

Swamp sparrow

Dark-eyed junco

Northern cardinal

Brown-headed cowbird


Matthew

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

A baseball diamond is known to have a "Hot Corner" which is the third base spot where hard hit balls are smashed to the defensive player. By the same allegory, the north end of the Prospect's ballfields is sort of a "Hot Corner" with reports of LARK SPARROW, EASTERN MEADOWLARK, and quality EASTERN BLUEBIRD which we don't always get in Prospect. I got to see the continuing Lark Sparrow at 3:45 this afternoon in the middle part so its good to know its sticking around and multiple observers are seeing the rare sparrow. Bluebird still flies from different steel poles inside the snow fence enclosure.

Sparrows are a dominant presence in the park, Song Sparrow a prominent species with WHITE-CROWNED and LINCOLN SPARROWS as supporting quality birds.

Most surprising was what I had for lunch today: not what I ate , but rather what I saw. On the Peninsula shore line, the crumbling cobblestone wall near the southeast corner of the meadow, i saw a small brownish bird dart in and out of the wall breaks. I patiently waited and watched some more for further details. Eventually I saw well enough of the bird, a wren that stuck close to water: a MARSH WREN. It appeared to be a young adult. Its about the the second or third I have seen Marsh Wren in Prospect career wise , oftentimes heard by other birders.

Speaking of water, two species of ducks are showing off their numbers. At the Upper Pool, along the back shore towards the island, I counted 26 WOOD DUCKS, which i think is quite high after Rob's 29 yesterday. I have to check the records. And NORTHERN SHOVELER--what can i say about them right now.I estimated with a best thorough count of 415 birds, taking up all the space in the lake.

Fall is truly delightful, ya know?

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/19/09
Number of species: 43

Canada Goose X lake
Mute Swan 4 lake
Wood Duck 26 Upper Pool, near/on island
American Black Duck 3 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 415 lake
Ruddy Duck 17
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3 Duck Island
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2--f/o garage;perched Peninsula meadow edge
Red-tailed Hawk 2 f/o garage
Merlin 1 f/o rink, then seen perched at Nethermead snag
Peregrine Falcon 1 on BBG tower
American Coot 3 lake
Herring Gull 9 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Northern Flicker 12---9 peninsula meadow
Eastern Phoebe 24---12 ballfields, on various fences, rest elsewhere
Blue-headed Vireo 1 Peninsula sumacs
Blue Jay 1 west drive
Winter Wren 1 LP 249
Marsh Wren 1 Peninsula lakeshore , se corner meadow , near giant Ginkgo tree
Golden-crowned Kinglet 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15
Eastern Bluebird 1 ballfields
Hermit Thrush 5
American Robin X
European Starling X
Nashville Warbler 1 Maryland Monument fire hydrant
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Palm Warbler 7 mostly ballfields
Common Yellowthroat 4 peninsula sumacs
Chipping Sparrow 30 mostly ballfields
Lark Sparrow 1 ballfields,inside snow fence enclosure
Savannah Sparrow 8 ballfields
Song Sparrow 60 everywhere
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 Maryland Monument
Swamp Sparrow 9--5 LP 249
White-throated Sparrow 25
White-crowned Sparrow 1 juvenile LP 249
Dark-eyed Junco 5 ballfields
Northern Cardinal 2


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


Video shot by Rob Jett

(Bluebird's friend is the Lark Sparrow ! )

EASTERN MEADOWLARK, 3 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS

EASTERN MEADOWLARK, 3 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS & LARK SPARROW still seen on Ballfields per Ann Lazarus & Tom Kerr respectively

EASTERN MEADOWLARK. & EASTERN BLUEBIRDS

EASTERN MEADOWLARK. & EASTERN BLUEBIRDS seen on Ballfields per Ann Lazarus & Tom Kerr respectively

MARSH WREN on Peninsula lakeshore

MARSH WREN on Peninsula lakeshore rock wall near southeast corner meadow bet wire fence n phragmites end,look4 ginkgo tree

Lark sparrow in middle of

Lark sparrow in middle of snow fence ballfields enclosure per Rob Bate

October 18th Prospect: "look what the cold wind blew in..."

Hilights: LARK SPARROW, numerous sparrows especially Chipping, EASTERN BLUEBIRD,WOOD DUCK "festival"

Rob Jett texted me late this morning about the Eastern Bluebird in the northeast corner of the ball fields, near the wildflower meadow section. And that was all I thought I was going to get on this blustery cold day with dreary overtones.Little did I realized I was in for a bigger surprise.

I parked my car along Prospect Park West Avenue and headed straight for the ball fields from 9th street. I had no problem finding the gorgeous looking EASTERN BLUEBIRD, perched on a steel pole ( called a rebar) that was holding up mesh fencing. What was cool was seeing numerous CHIPPING SPARROWS passing under and thru the fencing with the Bluebird above, looking down at the little guys all around it. From my snow fence spot, i could see many "chippies", some juncos, Savannah and songs , all inside the large snow fence enclosure erected to protect the reseeded fields. I get a posting from Rob after I texted him on my bluebird sighting he'll meet me here. So,with time on my side, i worked my way towards the south side of the enclosure.In time , Rob appears in the distance and both of us were looking at all the sparrows moving about hastily. Then , right in front of me , i see my prize bird.

About 25 feet away, i spotted a Savannah Sparrow perched atop the fence;but it wasn't this bird that intrigued me,it was the next one near it on the fence. Its striking face and throat and larger size comparative to the Savannah sent red flags thru my brain and eyes widening as the sparrow dropped to the ground , exposing its roundish tipped tail with white retrices, got me all excited.Wow ! A LARK SPARROW! Immediately I looked to Rob in the distance and gestured vigorously ,"pointing" to the spot I sort of sign languaged I got a "good bird" ;Rob knew I had something good if i do somersaults ;)> but where was I pointing to ?? So I wound up text messaging him "Lark Sparrow".I lost sight of the bird as it flew in deeper in the enclosure with the spooked "chippie" flock. Dang, I wanted to show him.

About 20 minutes later, after a complete loop of the enclosure, I got my prize again. In the west corner of the enclosure, near ball field #3 (second base), the good sparrow was hunkered down in a lawn depression, feeding on stunted smart weed or clover i presumed. It took Rob --who was farther away from me--several minutes to see thru the fence and then my spot where we both saw stunning looks of a bright non breeding Lark Sparrow. In time, at least four more folks--getting my text messages-- got to see a cooperative bird that used the interior mesh fencing like "camouflaged netting" as Merlin and Sharp-shinned Hawk buzzed overhead. I hope it sticks around for more viewing.

Whenever days like today with its dreary , cold elements happen and great birds are seen, i remembered my deceased friend Marty Sohmer, the legendary birder of Brooklyn who often reminded us with wise sayings like "Bad weather brings out the best birds". You know what? I bet Marty is up there smiling now....

I'll let you know about the Prospect records for Lark Sparrow tomorrow afternoon .In the meantime, get thee out there and bird the meadows, lawns and sparrow spots..You are bound to find something good... if so, let me know.....

Peter

Observers: Peter Dorosh, Rob Jett


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/17/09
Number of species: 21

Wood Duck 22 Upper Pool behind island, hard to see some behind
Mallard X Upper Pool
Great Blue Heron 1 f/o ballfields
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 f/o ballfields
Red-tailed Hawk 2 f/o ballfields
Merlin 1 flyover ballfields
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 2 ballfields
Northern Flicker 2 ballfields
Eastern Phoebe 4--2 nellies lawn;2 ballfields
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4 long meadow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 long meadow
Eastern Bluebird 1 ballfields snow fence enclosure
European Starling X
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 2
Chipping Sparrow 300 --est 160 Nellies lawn, 140 ballfields
Lark Sparrow 1 ballfields snow fence enclosure
Savannah Sparrow 12 ballfields snow fence enclosure
Song Sparrow 14 --5 ballfields snow fence enclosure. 11 Payne hill
Dark-eyed Junco 15 ballfields snow fence enclosure
House Sparrow X

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

PS>Rob Jett recorded 10 species sparrows today: Lark, White-crowned, White-throated, Swamp, Chipping, Field, Song, Savannah, Dark-eyed Junco, Eastern Towhee

Also, the total Wood Duck number at Upper Pool is 29



Lark Sparrow profile: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lark_Sparrow/id


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

From Orrin:

Also, in case nobody else reported, a pied-billed grebe on the lake, a brown creeper next to the lake, and a palm warbler on the Ft. Hamilton Pkwy overpass

LARK SPARROW refound seen at

LARK SPARROW refound seen at ballfields within snow fence enclosure corner nearest ballfield number 3 westside

LARK SPARROW seen at ballfields

LARK SPARROW seen at ballfields adacent to Upper pool,perched on snoe fence ,flew inside fence enclosure

Eastern Bluebird perching on steelpoles

Eastern Bluebird perching on steelpoles inside large snow fence enclosure on ballfields, many Chipping sparrows,

Good bird activity in prospect

Good bird activity in prospect per rob jett...mosttly meadows, lawns, forest edges.

Eastern Bluebird on baseball fields

Eastern Bluebird on baseball fields nearwildflower meadow per Rob jett

October 17th, Prospect (3 REPORTS)

Hilights: RUSTY BLACKBIRD, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW,good sparrow numnbers, high numbers for WOOD DUCK,NORTHERN SHOVELER, WINTER WREN, kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers; 8 species warbler

From Rob Jett:

A few highlights from today's Prospect Park list:

- Eastern Bluebird on the snow fencing at the baseball
field. It also flew into the Falkill Wildflower Meadow.
- 25 Wood Ducks on the Upper Pool! Also seen by
Michelle Dreger's Audubon group.
- Northern Shovelers on lake up to 343!
- 2 Rusty Blackbirds; 1 on West Island the second
at Three Sister's Island.
- 8 Black-crowned Night-Herons on the back of Duck Island.
- 7 species of warbler; an 8th (Black-throated Green)
was seen by Michelle's group.



Here's my latest Prospect report.

> Date: October 17, 2009 3:29:29 PM EDT
>
> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 10/17/09
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 10/17/09
> Number of species: 52
>
> Canada Goose 165
> Mute Swan 7
> Wood Duck 25
> American Black Duck X
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 343
> Ruddy Duck 45
> Pied-billed Grebe 3
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 8
> Osprey 1
> Cooper's Hawk 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> Merlin 1
> American Coot 4
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove 12
> Belted Kingfisher 1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
> Northern Flicker 40
> Eastern Phoebe 30
> Blue-headed Vireo 2
> American Crow 3
> Black-capped Chickadee 2
> Tufted Titmouse 2
> White-breasted Nuthatch 3
> Winter Wren 2
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 60
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 40
> Eastern Bluebird 1
> Hermit Thrush 25
> American Robin X
> Gray Catbird 4
> European Starling X
> Northern Parula 1
> Magnolia Warbler 2
> Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
> Yellow-rumped Warbler 75
> Palm Warbler 15
> Blackpoll Warbler 1
> Common Yellowthroat 2
> Chipping Sparrow 20
> Song Sparrow 30
> Swamp Sparrow 12
> White-throated Sparrow 40
> White-crowned Sparrow 2
> Dark-eyed Junco 3
> Northern Cardinal X
> Rusty Blackbird 2
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From Janet Schumacher:

I mainly birded east side of Midwood, thru Vale,
across Sparrow Bowl and quick walk up Lookout,
plus a walk through Brooklyn Botanic Garden late
in day.

Wood Duck 8 (Upper Pool)
American Black Duck 1
Mallard X
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Merlin 1 (Vale)
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 12
Eastern Phoebe 10
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Winter Wren 14 (3 in BBG)
Golden-crowned Kinglet 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 30
Hermit Thrush 35
American Robin X
European Starling X
Northern Parula 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Palm Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 4
Eastern Towhee 2 (BBG)
Chipping Sparrow 50 (One flock south end Nellie's Meadow, other NE
ball fields by dog beach)
Song Sparrow 16
Swamp Sparrow 18
White-throated Sparrow 350
White-crowned Sparrow 2 (Rose Garden & Lookout)
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 2
Northern Cardinal 9
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow X

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

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From Tom Stephenson:

Hi Peter.

Here's a list of what I saw with Adam (Welz) yesterday. He probably has better numbers.

4 Winter Wren, many kinglets, lots of Chipping Sparrows along with one Lincoln's, one White-crowned

Best regards,
Tom

Canada Goose

Mallard

Sharp-shinned Hawk one on lookout

Cooper's Hawk one near terrace bridge

Ring-billed Gull

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at least 6

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker one in lower midwood

Northern Flicker

Eastern Phoebe at least 10

Blue Jay

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Winter Wren at least 4

Golden-crowned Kinglet at least 6

Ruby-crowned Kinglet at least 10

Hermit Thrush at least 10

American Robin

Gray Catbird

European Starling

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Palm Warbler at least 8

Common Yellowthroat

Scarlet Tanager female Nellie’s Lawn area (late)

Eastern Towhee at least 6

Chipping Sparrow at least 50

Song Sparrow at least 10

Lincoln's Sparrow one Nellie’s lawn area

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow one at edge of Nellie’s lawn

Dark-eyed Junco two

Northern Cardinal

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

October 16th Prospect (3 reports)," in the lull"

From Rob Jett:

In addition to the good number and diversity of sparrows around the park, I had a few interesting observations:

- I flushed a Wilson's Snipe from the edge of the lake while on the peninsula.
- A single American Pipit was flying over the Long Meadow then dropped down near the baseball fields.
- A juvenile Cooper's Hawk was chasing a flock of 10 American Crows on the Long Meadow (not sure why, crows bigger and outnumbered her).
- There were 10 Wood Ducks on the Upper Pond
- Northern Shoveler flock on Prospect Lake has swelled to over 200 birds.

Good birding,

Rob

FYI - The eBirds database shows Prospect Park at 192 species this year, so far

Location: Prospect Park

Observation date: 10/16/09

Number of species: 51


Canada Goose 150

Wood Duck 10

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler 240

Ruddy Duck 25

Pied-billed Grebe 3

Great Blue Heron 1

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1

Cooper's Hawk 1

Red-tailed Hawk 1

Merlin 1

American Coot 3

Spotted Sandpiper 1

Wilson's Snipe 1

Herring Gull (American) 1

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove 12

Belted Kingfisher 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2

Downy Woodpecker 1

Hairy Woodpecker 1

Northern Flicker 25

Eastern Phoebe 30

American Crow 10

Black-capped Chickadee 2

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 2

Brown Creeper 3

Winter Wren 2

Golden-crowned Kinglet 45

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 30

Hermit Thrush 15

American Robin X

Gray Catbird 3

European Starling X

American Pipit 1

Yellow-rumped Warbler 30

Palm Warbler 4

Eastern Towhee 4

Chipping Sparrow 50

Field Sparrow 1

Savannah Sparrow 13

Song Sparrow 35

Swamp Sparrow 20

White-throated Sparrow 200

White-crowned Sparrow 1

Dark-eyed Junco 6

Northern Cardinal 5

American Goldfinch 12

House Sparrow X


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

=====================

I knew it was going to be active today ( and seeing Rob Jett's report, it was) , particularly in some spots in Prospect. But too busy planting 126 plants on Lookout Hill ,plus a meeting with a reporter from scienceline.org at lunchtime prevented me from enjoying the fruits of fall sparrows and other good things. But i was able to get some good quality time after work from 3:45 on along the south lakeshore where birds were showing themselves well.

As soon as I rounded the shore opposite Duck Island , Yellow-rumped Warblers and Eastern Phoebes were prominent. The "rumps" took delight using the stone wall that makes up the shore a jumping platform, to get at the stunted smartweed seeds that i guess harbored insects, while the Phoebes took more to the air, all over the place, using Duck Island perches. A nonchalant BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON watched sleepily from its poison ivy abode.
But further on was the real action, a sparrowfest. Around the bend that i mentioned recently was a weedy spot --marked by three Gray Birches --that held quite a number of sparrows. Numerous SONG , with a decent number of SWAMP, took a backseat to a LINCOLN's i observed with pleasure. Palm Warblers, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, White-throated Sparrows accompanied the sparrow bunch.

More nice sightings with PINE WARBLER on Three Sister Islands, late LAUGHING GULL offshore on the lake, and three SPOTTED SANDPIPERS , two at West Island, and one previously on the main shore near Duck Island makes up a pretty productive 1 hr and a half birding when i couldn't get out earlier. Oh, throw in all those Shoverlers and three PIED -BILLED GREBES for good measure. Between the storms can be terrific birding...

--Peter


All south lakeshore

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/16/09
Number of species: 30

Canada Goose X lake
Mute Swan 2 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 210 lake
Ruddy Duck 7 lake
Pied-billed Grebe 3 lake
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3--1 duck isl;2 three sisters
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 mainland opp Duck Island, perched then flew into Duck Island
Red-tailed Hawk 1 perched on snag West Island
American Coot 3 lake
Spotted Sandpiper 3 --2 west isl; 1 mainland opp Duck
Laughing Gull 1 lake (late)
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 1 west island cove, pecking Japanese knotweed
Eastern Phoebe 8 along south shore
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 near west island
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7 along south shore
Hermit Thrush 3 along south shore
Gray Catbird 1 west island cove
Yellow-rumped Warbler 35 along south shore
Pine Warbler 1 three sisters
Palm Warbler 6 along south shore
Song Sparrow 22 weedy site southeast shoreline
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 weedy site southeast shoreline
Swamp Sparrow 11 -- 9 weedy site southeast shoreline; 2 west island area
White-throated Sparrow 12 --3 se lakeshore; 9 west island woods
House Sparrow X

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

From Orrin:

Highlights included white-crowned sparrow and at least 6 wood ducks, mostly drakes, on the upper pool, and a red-winged blackbird incongruously singing, a harbinger of--what?--at West Island cove. Other sightings included a lifetime supply of hermit thrushes, phoebes, and ruby-crowned kinglets, some of whom acting like brown creepers, feeding on lampposts and otherwise acting disoriented, flickers, yellow-rumped warblers acting like phoebes over the lake, and two probable spotted sandpipers.

Oct 15th sightings

From Orrin Tilevitz:

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Active this morning around Japanese pond and water lily pools.

Mallard
Northern flicker
Red-breasted nuthatch
Ruby-crowned kinglet (many)
Golden-crowned kinglet
Northern parula (1)
Yellow-rumped warler
Hermit thrush
American robin
Eastern phoebe
Swamp sparrow
White-crowned sparrow (1)
White-throated sparrow (everywhere)
Mourning dove
Northern cardinal
Bluejay
European starling

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

From Janet Schumacher:

Around 5:30 pm today, there was a large
flock of Chipping Sparrows at northeast
corner of the ball fields, on the ground
and perching on the snow fencing in the
cold rain. I didn't have my bins so I
didn't see what else might have been there.

October 14th, One of the better sparrow days this autumn season; Alex's report

HILIGHTS today: EASTERN MEADOWLARK; WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWs,LINCOLN SPARROW, FIELD SPARROW, increased number of sparrow species; appearance of "winter type species" ; Shoverlers and Ruddies.


I say today was one of improvement taking into account the sparrow numbers. Hopefully it will build up for those tardy sparrows in Prospect (no disrespect to Greenwood Cemetery that I heard was enjoying the limelight :)> )

I received text message reports before lunch from Mary Eyster of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, FIELD SPARROW, LINCOLN SPARROW in the general area ranging from the Tennis House to the Picinic House, and as my lunch hour approached, I was itching to get out there and bird these fave birds. Though not able to capitalize on Mary's good finds, it was nevetheless delightful seeing some sparrow action ,primarily at the "Sparrowbowl" Mary birded and midafternoon ,the Lamppost #249 among the good spots.

Numerous SONG sparrows followed by a respectable number of CHIPPING complemented the lesser number of other sparrow species. At the Sparrowbowl, I was treated to a buzz of a very low swift fly-by hunting MERLIN about 15 feet away , to my amazement , just a great moment for seeing my fave raptor. A pair of EASTERN TOWHEE skulked in the dried burdock, and several Palm warblers with one NORTHERN PARULA and MAGNOLIA followed through. IN the ballfields, Chippies and some SAVANNAH sparrows fed and moved around within the large snow fence enclosure for protection while a pair of BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD paid no mind.

SWAMP SPARROW was sort of a surprise, especially at lamppost #249. I saw at least 12 of these sparrows in tight congregation, a very good number to watch in one spot as more SONG SPARROWS mingle around. There were at least 5 more SWAMPS elsewhere

Meanwhile at the lake, those NORTHERN SHOVELERS are showing some force, now a 225 duck entourage, easily outnumbering 10 RUDDY DUCKS that are starting winter's beginning ( well, its gonna feel cold tomorrow !) residency....

It's looking good but rain hampens the good fun the next few days. For you brave and hardy types, bird anyway ......

Peter


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/14/09
Number of species: 38

Canada Goose 195 lake
Mute Swan 8 lake
American Black Duck 1 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 225 lake
Ruddy Duck 10 lake
Red-tailed Hawk 1 midwood
Merlin 1 sparrowbowl
American Coot 2 lake
Spotted Sandpiper 1 peninsula lake shore
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull 9
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5 breeze hill
Eastern Phoebe 12 ---6 ballfields, on snow fence
American Crow 2 f/os
Brown Creeper 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4 --2 sparrowbowl
Hermit Thrush 5 --3 tennis house
American Robin 3
Gray Catbird 4---3 peninsula sumacs
European Starling X
Northern Parula 1 male ,sparrowbowl
Magnolia Warbler 2 sparrowbowl
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 sparrowbowl
Palm Warbler 11 various; but 7 sparrowbowl
Common Yellowthroat 3--2 peninsula sumacs
Eastern Towhee 2 mixed pair sparrowbowl
Chipping Sparrow 30 --25 ballfields; 2 sparrowbowl;
Savannah Sparrow 5 ballfields
Song Sparrow 45 various, but at least 10 at lp249
Swamp Sparrow 16 -- 12 lamppost 249; 4 peninsula
White-throated Sparrow 20 various
Dark-eyed Junco 2 sparrowbowl; lamppost249
Northern Cardinal 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 ballfields
House Sparrow X

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

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

From Alex Wilson:

Begin forwarded message:

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 10/14/09
> Number of species: 64
>
> Canada Goose 250 (Including flyovers.)
> Mute Swan 7
> Wood Duck 6
> American Black Duck 2
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
> Mallard 100
> Northern Shoveler 175
> Ruddy Duck 10
> Pied-billed Grebe 1
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 2
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 3
> Merlin 1
> American Coot 10
> Spotted Sandpiper 1
> Ring-billed Gull 15
> Herring Gull 15
> Rock Pigeon 40
> Mourning Dove 5
> Belted Kingfisher 2
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 10
> Downy Woodpecker 3
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 25
> Eastern Phoebe 10
> Blue-headed Vireo 8
> Blue Jay 25
> American Crow 30
> Black-capped Chickadee 10
> Tufted Titmouse 5
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 (Calling in pine near west corner
> of park.)
> White-breasted Nuthatch 5
> Carolina Wren 4
> House Wren 2
> Winter Wren 5
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 25
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 100
> Swainson's Thrush 1
> Hermit Thrush 50
> American Robin 100
> Gray Catbird 7
> European Starling 100
> Cedar Waxwing 10
> Northern Parula 3
> Magnolia Warbler 2
> Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 75
> Black-throated Green Warbler 3
> Pine Warbler 5
> Palm Warbler (Yellow) 25
> Common Yellowthroat 15
> Eastern Towhee 10
> Chipping Sparrow 30
> Field Sparrow 1
> Savannah Sparrow 7
> Song Sparrow 50
> Lincoln's Sparrow 2
> Swamp Sparrow 30
> White-throated Sparrow 200
> White-crowned Sparrow 7 (2 adults, 5 juveniles.)
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3
> Northern Cardinal 5
> Red-winged Blackbird 25 (Mostly flyovers.)
> Eastern Meadowlark 1 (Peninsula meadow, 11:30AM.)
> American Goldfinch 10
> House Sparrow 50
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)