In the wintry world of snow that blanketed Prospect Park today, there were arresting moments, connective to winter's aura, of birds this snowy day. The park was a winter wonderland, several times the sun peeked thru the overcast sky, illuminating the scenery with gleaming atmopherics of bright snow and grayer hues.
One of those symbolic winter birds I was referring to is the Northern Cardinal. Bright red against white snow backgrounds provides striking contrast.Evident at the feeders,eleven Cardinals raided the feeders, battling out or even in peaceful times sharing the energy nutritous black oil sunflower seed with other birds. Since I snowshoed in from work, I really felt at home within winter elements,watching those many handsome cardinals along with the frenzy of bird activity.Earlier, when I ran into Mary Eyster, we were watching even more cardinals--at least 14-- feeding upon seed someone threw on the plowed path near the boathouse; and lo and behold, a Rusty Blackbird was among them.
Waterfowl is the other winter treat. On my way in to work after 7 am, thru the deep snow on my trusty snowshoes, I stopped at Three Sister Islands. Canada Geese resting from winter's fury in the back and the strait, had at least an inch of snow on their backs; it must be a heavy back burden. And right after observing the geese, a drake Bufflehead appeared in the strait,after a long absence; two Hooded Mergansers were present on my first viewing; later in the afternoon, I saw three, a hen joining in. In the morning, one Common Merganser I barely saw thru heavy snowflakes, near the west shore, increased to two in the afternoon. They flew off right after I spotted them. When I took my eyes off to look for other birds, I saw two Common Mergansers at the north shore of Three Sisters. I assume they snuck back in , maybe Three Sisters has a secret back passageway? Whatever, the iconic islands is safe harbor for waterfowl, particularly when winter is roaring. Oh, I didn't forget the Wood Duck; he was on the ice at the Boathouse pond, looking weary already of winter. :)>
Peter
One of those symbolic winter birds I was referring to is the Northern Cardinal. Bright red against white snow backgrounds provides striking contrast.Evident at the feeders,eleven Cardinals raided the feeders, battling out or even in peaceful times sharing the energy nutritous black oil sunflower seed with other birds. Since I snowshoed in from work, I really felt at home within winter elements,watching those many handsome cardinals along with the frenzy of bird activity.Earlier, when I ran into Mary Eyster, we were watching even more cardinals--at least 14-- feeding upon seed someone threw on the plowed path near the boathouse; and lo and behold, a Rusty Blackbird was among them.
Waterfowl is the other winter treat. On my way in to work after 7 am, thru the deep snow on my trusty snowshoes, I stopped at Three Sister Islands. Canada Geese resting from winter's fury in the back and the strait, had at least an inch of snow on their backs; it must be a heavy back burden. And right after observing the geese, a drake Bufflehead appeared in the strait,after a long absence; two Hooded Mergansers were present on my first viewing; later in the afternoon, I saw three, a hen joining in. In the morning, one Common Merganser I barely saw thru heavy snowflakes, near the west shore, increased to two in the afternoon. They flew off right after I spotted them. When I took my eyes off to look for other birds, I saw two Common Mergansers at the north shore of Three Sisters. I assume they snuck back in , maybe Three Sisters has a secret back passageway? Whatever, the iconic islands is safe harbor for waterfowl, particularly when winter is roaring. Oh, I didn't forget the Wood Duck; he was on the ice at the Boathouse pond, looking weary already of winter. :)>
Peter
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Cardinal/id
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 2/26/10
Number of species: 33
Canada Goose 225 lake
Mute Swan 6 lake
Wood Duck 1 drake boathouse
American Black Duck 4 lake
Mallard 165 lake
Bufflehead 1 drake Three Sister Islands
Hooded Merganser 3 2drake ,1 hen Three Sister Islands
Common Merganser 2 drakes Three Sister Islands
Ruddy Duck X lake
Ring-billed Gull X lake
Herring Gull X lake
Great Black-backed Gull 1 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 feeders
Downy Woodpecker 2 feeders
Blue Jay 1 feeders
Black-capped Chickadee 1 feeders
Tufted Titmouse 1 feeders
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
American Robin X
European Starling X
Fox Sparrow (Red) 1 feeders
Song Sparrow 1 feeders
Swamp Sparrow 1 Lake western shore, phragmites
White-throated Sparrow 34 feeders
Dark-eyed Junco 12 feeders
Northern Cardinal 25--11 feeders;14 boathouse path
Red-winged Blackbird 2 feeders
Rusty Blackbird 1 boathouse path
House Finch 6 feeders
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 2/26/10
Number of species: 33
Canada Goose 225 lake
Mute Swan 6 lake
Wood Duck 1 drake boathouse
American Black Duck 4 lake
Mallard 165 lake
Bufflehead 1 drake Three Sister Islands
Hooded Merganser 3 2drake ,1 hen Three Sister Islands
Common Merganser 2 drakes Three Sister Islands
Ruddy Duck X lake
Ring-billed Gull X lake
Herring Gull X lake
Great Black-backed Gull 1 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 feeders
Downy Woodpecker 2 feeders
Blue Jay 1 feeders
Black-capped Chickadee 1 feeders
Tufted Titmouse 1 feeders
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
American Robin X
European Starling X
Fox Sparrow (Red) 1 feeders
Song Sparrow 1 feeders
Swamp Sparrow 1 Lake western shore, phragmites
White-throated Sparrow 34 feeders
Dark-eyed Junco 12 feeders
Northern Cardinal 25--11 feeders;14 boathouse path
Red-winged Blackbird 2 feeders
Rusty Blackbird 1 boathouse path
House Finch 6 feeders
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
