Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Upcoming Easter Sunday walk; a request

This holiday weekend, there is one bird walk , the FIRST SUNDAY GROUP which meets at the Prospect BOATHOUSE AUDUBON CENTER.This is usually a two hour walk.

Message from Michele Dreger :

It is going to be beautiful this weekend. Join us for our First Sunday of the month Bird Tour at 8am on Sunday, April 4th.

Sunday is Easter, so I will be with family. Eni and Vinny will be leading the tour.

Bring your binoculars..... Birding will be great. Early migrants and the nesting hawks should put on a great show.

I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Michele


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

From Andy Bernick, who requested my help . See his message below:

I’m looking for anecdotal bird information/records I can find on spring and fall migration through these areas : Calvary/New Calvary Cemetery, McCarren Park, Mcgolrick Park, etc. I’m trying to broadly describe the extent of migration through the Newtown Creek corridor and the surrounding park/cemetery parcels – if there are fallouts in these areas during prime conditions, what species/numbers have people observed, etc.

Andrew J. Bernick, Ph.D.Ecologist/Ornithologist

if you birded or know someone familiar with these Brooklyn/Queens border locales, contact Andy at ABernick@akrf.com

the toll on trees; Prospect March 31st reports inc Orange-crowned Warbler

The latest "northeaster" storm deluge is continuing nature's wrath upon trees which cannot sustain their own weight on weakened, water soaked roots. A few more trees came down in Prospect from the deluge the past two days. But doing some research for the club newsletter, i was dismayed to hear of Greenwood Cemetery's own late winter devastation which was pretty bad. For more details, check out below a news bulletin from GWC.If you can donate, please do.

http://www.green-wood.com/index.php/1/51/194/detail.

Peter
BBC

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

From Larry:
Hi Peter,

Three Ring-necked Ducks on the Upper Pool.

Best
Larry


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/31/10
Number of species: 34

Canada Goose 100
Mute Swan 5
American Black Duck 4
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
Mallard 75
Northern Shoveler 35
Ring-necked Duck 3 Hen & 2 drakes on Upper Pool
Ruddy Duck 30
Pied-billed Grebe 1 Lake
Double-crested Cormorant 1 Lake
Great Egret 1 Lullwater near rink
American Coot 10
Ring-billed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 25
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 6
Tree Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 Rocky Pass
European Starling 200
Cedar Waxwing 6 Vale Cashmere
Song Sparrow 8
Swamp Sparrow 2 Peninsula
White-throated Sparrow 15
Dark-eyed Junco 1 Lullwater trail
Northern Cardinal 10
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Common Grackle 30
American Goldfinch 1 Vale Cashmere
House Sparrow 25

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

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

From Kathy Toomey:

In addition to the birds you have posted so far, I also saw several Eastern Phoebes today and a Hairy Woodpecker.


************************************
From Eddie Davis

Peter-

Finally, a little excitement in the park! I spotted
the Orange-Crowned Warbler in the same place
that it's been seen in the last week, just north
of the Terrace Bridge. Also, my first Osprey of the year,
a Lullwater fly-over.

Eddie



Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/31/10
Number of species: 33

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck 1 - upper pool
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe 1 - lullwater
Osprey 1 - f/o lullwater
Red-tailed Hawk 1 - on nest in ravine (with Rob Jett)
Merlin 1 - long meadow (with Rob Jett)
American Coot
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 - lookout lower path
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1 - lullwater
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Brown Creeper 1 - peninsula
Carolina Wren 1 - lookout lower path
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 - lullwater north of terrace bridge
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 - lullwater north of terrace bridge
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 - lullwater cove
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco 1 - lullwater
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Sparrow

Monday, March 29, 2010

Thursday eve 4/1 BBC Program

This Thursday eve, Sandy Paci presents her program on her travel to the Amazon in South America. The venue is the Litchfield Villa and the time is 6:30 social 1/2 hr , 7 pm start..It should be an entertaining presentation. The Litchfield is located just inside the park at Prospect Park West Ave and 5th Street.Nearest subway is the "F" line to 7th Ave station.Walk south 1 or 2 blocks to the park.

From www.brooklynbirdclub.org ( Calendar Events)

Thursday, April 1st, 6:30 P.M.

The Amazing Amazon: Manakins, Marmosets, Poison Dart Frogs & More

with Sandi Paci
From incredible birds such as Wire-Tailed Manakin, White-Eared Jacamar, Scarlet-Crowned Barbet, White-Tailed Trogon, and Crimson-Crested, Yellow-Tufted and Cream-Colored Woodpeckers, to poison dart frogs, marmosets, monkeys, sloths, reptiles, gorgeous butterflies and gigantic insects, the Amazon basin is truly a birder's and naturalist's dream come true. Join BBC member Sandra Paci on a virtual journey to the upper Tahuayo River region of northeastern Peru and discover the fascinating creatures that call this fragile and unique area home.

6:30 PM at the Litchfield Villa

Sunday, March 28, 2010

March 28th Greenwood Cemetery & Prospect (2)

Hilight : Hunting Osprey above Lullwater

From Larry Zirlin

Greenwood Cemetery

Location: Greenwood Cemetery
Observation date: 3/28/10
Number of species: 21

Canada Goose 6
American Black Duck 2 Hen & drake, Sylvan Water
Mallard 2 Hen & drake, Valley Water
Double-crested Cormorant 4 flyover
Rock Pigeon 6
Mourning Dove 1
Monk Parakeet 20
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 4
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
American Robin 200
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 30
White-throated Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Common Grackle 25
House Finch 3 Near Crescent Water
House Sparrow X

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

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Keir Randall:

Prospect

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/28/10 (12.30-2.30p, light rain)
Number of species: 34

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ruddy Duck X
Pied-billed Grebe 1 (Lake nr. Peninsula)
Osprey 1 (hunting over Lullwater)
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) X
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay X
crow sp. 1
Black-capped Chickadee X
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown Creeper 1 (Lookout Hill)
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Brown-headed Cowbird (3, Nethermead)
Common Grackle X
House Sparrow X

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

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

From Rafael:

Date: 28 March 2010
Observer: Rafael Campos
One week after Spring arrived, no much changes in PP. Some bird sps slowy are increasing their numbers (eg. NOFL, EAPH), others the opposite (eg. WTSP, DEJU). But no drastic changes in species, so far.
To my surprise, I saw 1 of the RTHAs carrying sticks to their nest in the vecinity of Nellie's Lawn. I saw other having breakfast with a Grey Squirrel, by the Ravine. And around the lake, 3 sps herons: Great Blue, Great Egret, & Black-crowned Night-Heron.

Three RNDUs in the Upper pool were a nice surprise.

The birds recorded:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck (2 drakes, 1 hen: Upper pool)
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe (1: lower Lullwater)
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin (1, perched near the ballfields)
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock (Common) Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker (1 f: Ravine)
Northern Flicker (NOFL)
Eastern Phoebe (3)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Golden-crowned Kinglet (2: Vale)
American Robin
European (Common) Starling
Cedar Waxwing (7+: Vale)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (1: mid Lullwater)
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow (1: behind Music Pagoda)
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco (1: by Terrace Bridge)
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
American Goldfinch (1: Vale)
House Sparrow

Friday, March 26, 2010

March 26th Prospect

Hilights: 3 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (K.Randall); 6 Ring-necked Ducks, Pied-billed Grebe


An unseasonably cold day for birding, regression to wintry like conditions ( but fortunately no heavy precipitation) yet today's blustery day didnt't deter a PIED-BILLED GREBE seen along the flattened Phragmite section behind Duck island. The grebe, my first for the year, then went diving inside a pocket within the phragmites.

Off to the northwest, in the northwest cove of the Peninsula Thumb, 5 RING-NECKED DUCKS (3 drakes, 2 hens) in a tight flock glided near a RUDDY DUCK flock, estimated at 70 birds. The persistent Ring-neck Duck drake, at the Upper Pool , was sleeping next to the island.

P.

List: lunch hour

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/26/10
Number of species: 7

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 45 lake
Ring-necked Duck 6---5 lake (3 drake, 2 hen), 1 upper pool(drake)
Ruddy Duck 85 lake
Pied-billed Grebe 1 Duck Island back shoreline

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

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

From Keir Randall:

Location: Prospect Park (8-10am)
Observation date: 3/26/10
Number of species: 24

Great Egret (Lullwater)
Canada Goose X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ring-necked Duck 1 (Upper Pool)
Ruddy Duck X
Ring-billed Gull 1
Herring Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Downy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin X
European Starling X
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow 1 (above L249)
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Rusty Blackbird 3 (Ambergill Pool)
Common Grackle X
House Sparrow X

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

Kingsboider note: Ambergill Pool is in the Ravine, just south of the Esdale Bridge

Thursday, March 25, 2010

March 25th prospect

Hilights: Orange-Crowned Warbler in Lullwater west side 200meters north of Terrace Bridge (K. Randall ); 3 Ring-necked Ducks on Prospect Lake , 1 Upper Pool

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

From Keir Randall:


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/25/10
Number of species: 34

Brant 6 (Lake)
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ring-necked Duck 3 (Lake)
Ruddy Duck X
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2
Eastern Phoebe X
Blue Jay X
American Crow 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 (Lullwater)
Golden-crowned Kinglet X
American Robin X
European Starling X
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 (west Lullwater)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) X
Fox Sparrow (Red) 1
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2


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

From Rafael Campos:

Date: 25 March 2010
Observer: Rafael Campos
As a change, I had a walk today of about 2 & half hrs around PP. Nothing new, but by the time I was around the lake (~11 am), I did not see any sps of gull. Or the Brants that I was told by another birder. Also I missed the OCWA reported by Peter D, later.
But a male Brown-headed Cowbird in the edge of the Nethermead, near the Lullwater, was my FOS for PP.

Here is the list:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck 4 (2 m, 1 f: lake. 1 m: upper pool)
Ruddy Duck
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker (7)
Eastern Phoebe (1)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tufted Titmouse (2)
Carolina Wren (2, Lookout Hill)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (1, Lullwater)
American Robin (1 leucistic, fenced area by the ballfields)
European (Common) Starling
Cedar Waxwing (5, Vale)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (1, Lullwater)
Fox Sparrow (2, Quaker Hill)
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird (1 m: Nethermead)
American Goldfinch (1: Vale)
House Sparrow

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

March 24th Prospect/GWC/BBG reports

Hilights: 2 low flyover BLACK VULTURES over Vale Cashmere and Nellies Lawn with both soaring over the lawn midmorning ( P.Dorosh), also 3 Black Vultures seen over Greenwood Cemetery ( R.Jett) ; FOY Pied -billed Grebe ( M.Wills) ; Turkey Vulture, Black-crowned Night Heron ,Osprey arrivals. [see reports]

********************************
From Matthew Wills:

Hi, Peter,

It was blustery and chill this morning in the park. PB grebe and Great egret were first of the year for me. No other newbies seen.

Pied-billed grebe

Double-crested cormorant

Great egret

Mute swan

Canada goose

Mallard

Northern shoveller

Ruddy duck

Red-tailed hawk

Ring-necked gull

American coot

Ring-billed gull

Rock dove

Mourning dove

Yellow-bellied sapsucker

Downy woodpecker

Red-bellied woodpecker

White-breasted nuthatch

American robin

Northern mockingbird

Blue jay

White-throated sparrow

Song sparrow

Dark-eyed junco

Common grackle

Red-winged blackbird

European starling

Northern cardinal

House sparrow

*********************************
From Larry Zirlin:

Black-crowned Night Heron, Duck Island.

Larry
http://birdsandwords-larryz.blogspot.com/


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/24/10
Number of species: 34

Canada Goose 75
Mute Swan 7
Mallard 50
Northern Shoveler 29
Ring-necked Duck 1 Drake, Upper Pool
Ruddy Duck 99
Great Egret 1 Duck Island
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 Duck Island
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 8
Herring Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 4 Lily Pond
Northern Flicker 3 --2 Nelly's Lawn, 1 Sparrow Bowl
Eastern Phoebe 3 --1 Midwood, 2 Nelly's Lawn
Blue Jay 1
Fish Crow 1 Flyover Lake
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 4 --2 behind Music Pagoda, 2 Vale Cashmere
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin 150
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 100
Cedar Waxwing 6 Vale Cashmere
Song Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 13
Dark-eyed Junco 7 Midwood
Northern Cardinal 17
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Common Grackle 30
American Goldfinch 2 Midwood, Vale Cashmere
House Sparrow 7

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


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

From Rob Jett:

@Greenwood Cemetery

> Location: Greenwood Cemetery
> Observation date: 3/24/10
> Number of species: 33
>
> Great Cormorant 1
> Black Vulture 3
> Turkey Vulture 1
> Osprey 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 4
> American Kestrel 2
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove 8
> Monk Parakeet 20
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
> Downy Woodpecker 2
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Northern Flicker 8
> Eastern Phoebe 4
> Blue Jay X
> American Crow 2
> Tufted Titmouse 2
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
> American Robin X
> Northern Mockingbird 6
> European Starling X
> Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
> Fox Sparrow 2
> Song Sparrow X
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco X
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> House Finch 6
> American Goldfinch 12
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

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

From Peter:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/24/10
Number of species: 24

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X lake
Ring-necked Duck 1 drake Upper Pool
Bufflehead 2 a pair Upper Pool
Ruddy Duck X lake
Double-crested Cormorant 3 lake
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 adult back channel Duck Island shore
Black Vulture 2 low f/o Nellies lawn , then soar, came from NE directio
Turkey Vulture 1 low f/o Duck island 12:30
American Coot 5
Herring Gull 8
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
American Crow 6 f/o vale cashmere
American Robin X
European Starling X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 2
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X west island
Common Grackle 30 west island
House Sparrow X

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


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

From Rob Bate:
@ BBG

Had my FOS Eastern Phoebe along with a Male Eastern Towhee in the natural section of the botanic garden.
In the park, 3 Golden Crowned Kinglets and multiple Flickers.

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

Kingsboider note: * FOS=First of Season , FOY = First of year, f/o =Fly over

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

March 23rd Prospect & BBG briefings

Hilights : Orange-Crowned Warbler (during AM) hanging out with Golden -Crowned Kinglet ( Lullwater) ; (3 pm update) Orange-crowned Warbler seen along south Lullwater path north side Terrace Bridge,feeding in hackberry tree ; also of note , Pine Warbler, Eastern Towhee ( still a little early for this species), Great Egret

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

From Rob Bate:

Orange-crowned Warbler (OCWA) on both sides of Lullwater, moving with a GC Kinglet.
Also 2 Yellow-rumps (warblers) and many Flickers.

Peter Dorosh saw the OCWA 3 PM near the Terrace Bridge ( see hilights at head of this posting)

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

From Keir Randall :

Pine Warbler (bright male, Rick's place)

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

From Orrin Tilevitz:

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

BBG this morning:

1 pair wood ducks on Japanese pond
1 yellow-bellied sapsucker
1 downy woodpecker
several song sparrows
4 Canada geese (unusual for BBG)
Usual complement of white-throated sparrows, bluejays, mallard ducks, orthern cardinals, morning doves, and American robins


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

Peter's list ( 1 hr AM walk)

Prospect

Lake: 43 Northern Shoveler, 85 Ruddy Duck

Lookout west mid-trail: Eastern Phoebe, Brown Creeper

other Common Grackle, Robins, WT Sparrows


Peter's list :

late afternoon Prospect 2-4


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/23/10
Number of species: 18

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 Terrace bridge

Great Egret 1 Lullwater, later Lake northwest corner at phrags
American Coot 6 Lullwater Br
Herring Gull (American) 7
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Lullwater
Downy Woodpecker 1 Lullwater
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2 Lullwater
Blue Jay 2
Carolina Wren 2 together right slope Wellhouse
Eastern Towhee 1 male slope path behind Boathouse
Fox Sparrow (Red) 1 Lullwater
Song Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 1 Lullwater north cove
White-throated Sparrow 25
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 8

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

Monday, March 22, 2010

Brooklyn Bridge park officially opens

I received an email from Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy proclaiming the official opening of Pier One today . Though it may not have much habitat, nevertheless, the new park space gives more coastal access to seeing birds on the East River, best during the late fall into winter months for waterbirds. However, birding is surprising. Even in scant habitats, during migration, you always find something in sparse green spaces. Look at City Hall in lower Manhattan: oftentimes I hear of warblers and even an American Woodcock with little habitat.

From the BBPC email posting:

Pier 1 Opens!
Excellent News! The Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation opened Pier 1 this morning, restoring public access to this portion of the Brooklyn waterfront for the first time in over a century.


Pier 1 is the largest of the park piers, and the only one built on landfill rather than on pile-supported structure. That foundation provides the base for a new topography including a hill at the center of the pier which provides dramatic and sweeping views of the New York Harbor and the Brooklyn Bridge. When complete, Pier 1 will include two large lawns, the Bridge View lawn and the Harbor View lawn, a playground at the northern edge with play equipment for younger children, a waterfront promenade, and a series of tree-lined pathways that provide a varied waterfront experience. The "Granite Prospect" is a set of steps built from granite stones salvaged from the Roosevelt Island Bridge reconstruction and is located along the western edge of the pier. Over 360 trees are planted on Pier 1 and more are on the way! This summer, a salt marsh planted with native plant life will open and a boat ramp for non-motorized watercraft will open.

Check out their website http://www.brooklynbridgeparknyc.org/.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

March 21st Prospect & Greenwood Cemetery reports

Hilights are: three Black Vultures over Lookout Hill and PPSW Ave at 12:20 spotted by Chaoyan per John Ascher (via a text message) ; Pine Warblers ,Yellow-Rumped Warbler ,Chipping Sparrow ( FOY);First of year Great Egrets at Duck Island /along lake edges ;likely AMERICAN WOODCOCK in the southwest woods near Park Circle or Vanderbilt Ave entrances ; Field Sparrow (FOY) in Vale Cashmere, Rusty Blackbird ,Lily Pool viewing platform
**************************************
Kingsboider note:

Chaoyan's sighting of 3 Black Vulture represents the new record for most seen in one sighting or for one date in Prospect. Yesterday 's observation is the 10th BV record for PP, all previously singles,2nd 2010 sighting, the 6th since 2008.

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

From Rafael

Site: Prospect Park
Date: 21 March 2010
Observer: Rafael Campos R

What a difference!! Today was a more active day, with numbers of certain sps increased.
I saw my first warbler for PP, a single YellowRumped Warbler, by the Falkill falls. One Red Tailed Hawk was observed flying with a stick in its beak, perhaps one of the pair nesting around Nelly's Lawn. The vale was very active, specially around the water pools, where I saw goldfinches, 1 Hermit Thrush, 3 waxwings, among other sps.

The lake had the regular 3 sps of gulls, still good numbers of Northern Shovelers & Ruddy Ducks. And the drake Ring-necked Duck is still around the upper pool. A lonely Chipping Sparrow was seeing briefly around the Rose Garden surrounded by a good number of Dark-eyed Jumcos.


The birds recorded today:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck (2 pairs, lake)
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck (1 drake, upper pool)
Ruddy Duck
Great Blue Heron (1 flyover Grand Army Plaza)
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot (lake)
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Grat Black-backed Gull
Rock (Common) Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1 m, Vale)
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker (4)
Eastern Phoebe (3)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse (1)
White-breasted Nuthatch (2, Peninsula)
Carolina Wren (1, carrying nesting material; Midwood)
Hermit Thrush (1, Vale)
American Robin
European (Common) Starling
Cedar Waxwing (Vale)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (1)
Chipping Sparrow (1)
Fox Sparrow (2, Quaker Hill)
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow (1, Vale)
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

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

From Janet Zinn:

Site: Prospect Park
Date: 21 March 2010
Observer: Janet Zinn and Alan Baratz

add to Rafael's list, two Pine Warblers high in the top of a pine
(naturally) on the side of Lookout hill facing Center Drive.

Also, a few Golden-crowned Kinglets.

spring is coming slowly but surely!

Janet Zinn
Brooklyn, NY

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Stanley Greenberg:

One more addition to Rafael's list for today: Brown Creeper, west side of the Lullwater.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Larry Zirlin:

Greenwood Cemetery
Must be spring--3 phoebes @ Greenwood.

Larry

Location: Greenwood Cemetery
Observation date: 3/21/10
Number of species: 24

Double-crested Cormorant 1 flyover
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon 15
Mourning Dove 1
Monk Parakeet 25
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Battle Hill
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
American Crow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown Creeper 1 Sylvan Avenue
American Robin 75
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 60
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Song Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 4
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 10
House Sparrow 10

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

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

Great Egret at Duck Island per Rob Bate

From John Ascher:

Hi Peter,

We had 3 Great Egrets today in phragmites along the Lake and Lullwater.Also we saw the Peregrine at its usual perch above BBG.John


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

Email received from Ronn:

Hello,

I was reading your entry in the prospect park blog and I thought I'd ask you about an interesting sighting I saw today. There is a very narrow wooded strip of land along Prospect Park Southwest. It was between West Drive and the Prospect Park Southwest edge of the park.My girlfriend and I saw what appeared to be an American Woodcock ...... I was wondering if you'd seen this bird as well and what you thought it was. We got a clear look at its head when it was in the leaves and we saw that large eye. Also, we could see the large bill when it took flight and we both saw a buffy flash when it was flying. It seemed to stay along that narrow strip.

Happy birding,Ronn

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

From Joe Canale:

Hey, Peter. I have some additional PP bird species seen yesterday (late afternoon) that others have not reported:

Field Sparrow, feeding on seeds and cracked corn in the Vale

Rusty Blackbird, Binnen Water , seen from the viewing platform off Center Drive

Saturday, March 20, 2010

March 20th Spring Arrives; first of season Prospect reports


Today at 1:32, the earth passes through Spring Equinox when the day equals night .


Happy Spring !

( we welcome it, especially after a late winter deluge of northeasterners)
*************************************************************
Hilight today was a PINE WARBLER in the pines below the north side Terrace Bridge (west Lullwater); first official spring warbler migrant, though it was seen 2 hrs before the equinox ( so I fudge it a little ;)> )
List

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/20/10
Number of species: 32

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck 2 drake f/o Terrace Br
American Black Duck 3 lake
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 44 lake
Ruddy Duck 83 lake
Great Blue Heron 2 f/o LP #249
American Coot 4 lake
Herring Gull (American) X
Great Black-backed Gull 3 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 2 breeze hill
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1 Terrace Br path
Blue Jay 1
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 1 Terrace Br path
Carolina Wren 1 wellhouse, carrying nest material ( spring can't start soon enough) ;later west lullwater pine grove
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 Terrace bridge
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird 1 Wellhouse
European Starling X
Pine Warbler 1 Terrace Br underpath, west lullwater pine grove ;FofS "spring" warbler
Song Sparrow 7
Swamp Sparrow 2 --1 West Island benches, 1 west lullwater pine grove shore
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Common Grackle 12
American Goldfinch 3 formerly feeders site
House Sparrow X

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


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

From Rafael:

SITE: Prospect Park
DATE: 20 March 2010
OBSERVER: Rafael Campos R
With great expectations after several days of nice weather, I went to PP for my weekly walk.No much, but I saw at least 1 Eastern Phoebe, & 1 Northern Flicker. A sign of the upcoming migration?
The RTHA was sitting on its nest in Nelly`s Lawn. No much waterfowl in the lake, and surprise, only 1 sps of gull.

Here is the birds recorded today:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck (1 male, upper pool)
Ruddy Duck
Great Blue Heron (2 flyovers Long Meadow)
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot (4)
American Herring Gull
Rock (Common) Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Norther Flicker (2, Vale)
Eastern Phoebe (1, behind Music Pagoda, singing)
Blue Jay
American Crow (1)
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch (1, Vale)
Carolina Wren (1, behind WellHouse)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (1, Lookout Hill)
Hermit Thrush (1, Vale)
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European (Common) Starling
Fox Sparrow (1, Vale)
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco (6, Vale)
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Brooklyn is good birding!!!


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

From Mike Yuan:

beautiful morning on the 1st day of spring
Canada Goose 30
Mute Swan 5
Mallard 20
Northern Shoveler 25
Ring-necked Duck 1
Ruddy Duck 62
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 5
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 7
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 15
Mourning Dove 7
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 4
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 5
Black-capped Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin 70
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 55
Fox Sparrow (Red) 2
Song Sparrow 5
White-throated Sparrow 28
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 11
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Common Grackle 29
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 12

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

From Rob Jett:

Date: March 20, 2010 8:49:24 PM EDT
> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 3/20/10
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 3/20/10
> Number of species: 35
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan 2
> American Black Duck X
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 12
> Ring-necked Duck 1
> American Coot 5
> Ring-billed Gull X
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Great Black-backed Gull 1
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
> Downy Woodpecker 2
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Northern Flicker 1
> Eastern Phoebe 1
> Blue Jay X
> Black-capped Chickadee X
> Tufted Titmouse X
> White-breasted Nuthatch X
> Carolina Wren 1
> American Robin X
> Northern Mockingbird X
> European Starling X
> Fox Sparrow 2
> Song Sparrow X
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco X
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> Common Grackle X
> House Finch X
> American Goldfinch 3
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Friday, March 19, 2010

March 19th Prospect

From Larry Zirlin:

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 3/19/10

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/19/10
Number of species: 30

Canada Goose 100
Mute Swan 6
Mallard 75
Northern Shoveler 8
Ring-necked Duck 1 Drake Upper Pool
Ruddy Duck 90
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 10
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 112
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 17
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 7
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 2 Peninsula
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Feeders
American Robin 150
European Starling 100
Song Sparrow 17
White-throated Sparrow 6
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 15
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 35
House Finch 1 Feeders
American Goldfinch 1 Feeders
House Sparrow 30

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

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

From Orrin:

Bright male Wood Duck on Japanese pond, some song sparrows

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

Kingsboider note: Feeders are finished for the season.Thanks to all who donated seed this past winter. Till early December.......

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Prospect March 18th inc Orange crowned warbler

Hilight: Orange-crowned warbler west side lullwater above terrace bridge per rob bate

list from Rob Bate

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/18/10
Number of species: 35

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ring-necked Duck X
Ruddy Duck X
Great Blue Heron X
Red-tailed Hawk X
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Downy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Hermit Thrush X
American Robin X
European Starling X
Orange-crowned Warbler X
Fox Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

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

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Prospect reports

Hilights: Brant, Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck, Tree Swallow ( FOY) , Eastern Phoebe ,Peregrine Falcon

From Larry Zirlin:

Hi Peter.
A dozen Brant in the lake.

Best,

LARRY ZIRLIN
http://birdsandwords-larryz.blogspot.com/


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/17/10
Number of species: 34

Brant 12 In the lake
Canada Goose 100
Mute Swan 7
American Black Duck 4
Mallard 100
Northern Shoveler 31
Ring-necked Duck 1 Upper Pool
Ruddy Duck 89
Great Blue Heron 1 Flying across lake
Red-tailed Hawk 3 Two flying over Terrace Bridge, one in tree by
Boathouse
American Coot 10
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 11
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Lullwater Trail
Downy Woodpecker 4
Blue Jay 7
Black-capped Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
American Robin 120
European Starling 220
Song Sparrow 11
White-throated Sparrow 30
Dark-eyed Junco 5 Feeders
Northern Cardinal 15
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 17
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 65

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

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

From Alex Wilson:


Begin forwarded message:

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 3/17/10
> Number of species: 46
>
> Brant 30 (Flew in to Lake 11:15.)
> Canada Goose 150
> Mute Swan 6
> Wood Duck 1 (Drake, Upper Pool.)
> American Black Duck 6
> Mallard 100
> Northern Shoveler 25
> Ring-necked Duck 1 (Drake, Upper Pool.)
> Ruddy Duck 80
> Great Blue Heron 2
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (Juvenile, perched near Boathouse pool.)
> Red-tailed Hawk 3 (At both nest sites, copulating in the
> Ravine.)
> Peregrine Falcon 1 (On BBG tower.)
> American Coot 10
> Ring-billed Gull 15
> Herring Gull (American) 30
> Rock Pigeon 15
> Mourning Dove 15
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
> Downy Woodpecker 8
> Eastern Phoebe 1 (Upper Lullwater trail west.)
> Blue Jay 10
> American Crow 5
> Tree Swallow 1 (Flyover seen from bridle path north of
> Boathouse.)
> Black-capped Chickadee 10
> Tufted Titmouse 4
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 (Together in pines along upper
> Lullwater trail.)
> White-breasted Nuthatch 6
> Carolina Wren 1
> American Robin 100
> Northern Mockingbird 3
> European Starling 100
> Cedar Waxwing 5 (Upper Lullwater.)
> Fox Sparrow (Red) 4
> Song Sparrow 15
> Swamp Sparrow 2 (One was singing from west shore of Lake.)
> White-throated Sparrow 60
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 30
> Northern Cardinal 30
> Red-winged Blackbird 60
> Common Grackle 35
> Brown-headed Cowbird 5
> House Finch 8
> American Goldfinch 10
> House Sparrow 25

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


From Orrin Tilevitz:

BBGarden sightings

Peregrine falcon on usual perch, top of FDNY radio tower.
Junco, one flock, newly arrived in north end
Song sparrow, many singing
White-throated sparrow, many
American robin, many
Blue jay
European starling
Mourning dove
Mallard duck, several in Japanese pond
Canada goose, 1 flock flyover
Northern cardinal, several


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


From Eddie Davis:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/16/10
Number of species: 26

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Black-capped Chickadee (Lookout)
Brown Creeper (Lookout)
Carolina Wren (Lookout)
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing (Terrace Bridge)
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco (Feeders)
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Finch (Terrace Bridge)
American Goldfinch (Feeders)
House Sparrow

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

brief notes from the field March 16th

From Peter

Prospect Lake:

Ring-necked Duck (drake), Northern Shoveler ( 40 +) , Ruddy Duck ( 60 +), Buffflehead ( drake), usual regulars

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

From Matthew Wills :

Greenwood cemetery

Walking in Green-Wood today, I heard and saw a male belted kingfisher at the Crescent Water. A Cooper's hawk was over head and then perched near the 5th Ave gate. A red-tailed hawk sat on the edge of Little Drummer Boy nest.

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

From Anne -Katrin:

Prospect Park

Wood Duck spotted this morning on the Lullwater to the north side of the Terrace Bridge. He was hanging with a pair of swans .10 swans on the watercourse early morning today.

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

From Elyse Taylor:

A warbler was reported at the Lily Pool bridge. ( wood bridge over Binnen Falls, west of the boathouse).From the description of it, it sounds like an Orange-crowned warbler.

--Kingsboider

Monday, March 15, 2010

Storm damage in Prospect Park

Below is a link to the Prospect Park Alliance website that shows tree damage which was pretty significant:

http://www.prospectpark.org/about/press/storm_damage_info?preview=1&psid=0&ph=7018&o5943=

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

Sunday, March 14, 2010

A storm's aftermath Prospect March 14th

I was more curious about the massive storm's impact upon bird species or what might have been pushed down unto the lake. I didn't see anything rare which was my hope, but the lake was quite choppy. Ruddy Ducks and an uptick of Northern Shovelers was all I could observe.

On the Upper Pool , both the pair of Bufflehead and three Wood Duck were holding their own, braving the storm's fury.

More preoccupied about all the tree damage I saw, I say it was very extensive..A very busy week for sure cleaning up the mess. :(

P.

List

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/13/10
Number of species: 22

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X lake
Wood Duck 3 --2 drake , 1 hen Upper Pool
American Black Duck 4 --3 lake;1 Upper Pool
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 43 lake ( # up)
Bufflehead 2 pair Upper Pool
Ruddy Duck ~60 lake
American Coot 3 lake
Herring Gull (American) X
Great Black-backed Gull 1 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 2 feeders
Black-capped Chickadee 1 feeders
Carolina Wren 1 calling near Maryland Monument
American Robin X
European Starling X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 6-2 feeders, 4 west island phrags
Common Grackle 4
House Sparrow X

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

Saturday, March 13, 2010

too much rain....


Obviously, all this hard rain and strong wind puts a real damper on birding.....good for the soil and plants , but bad for the trees...we might see a few down...be careful out there....
--Kingsboider


Friday, March 12, 2010

brief notes + Prospect wet March 12th

A few notes:

---The tentative date for the birdathon planting financed by last year's birdathon will be May 22nd. When the date nears a few weeks before, I will communicate details and request registration of volunteers to determine how much equipment I need to borrow from the Volunteer department (Prospect Park Alliance)

---Today, I restocked the feeders with the last seed from the last bag. The feeders will be drawing down its winter season, hopefully for another two weeks .Suet may last a little beyond that. After that, the feeder season will close. I have no desire to maintain it afterwards beyond winter ; the feeders intent (besides the joy of watching birds) was only to provide for winter stressed birds. With spring approaching, blooms and emergent insects will provide the necessary nourishment.Furthermore, feeders have to be taken down to prevent "addicting" migrating birds which must-- against time-- rush towards their breeding grounds. So enjoy them when you can.

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

Todays sightings:

From Peter:

In this dreary wet weather , an uplifting sight on the Upper Pool provided a good moment. A trifecta of duck species worth watching: Ring-neck Duck, 3 Wood Duck, and Bufflehead. One , two,and three were the numbers starting with the lone Ring-necked in the pond's middle; 2, a pair of Bufflehead , though not together, and 3 Wood Ducks-2 drakes and one hen , hugging the back shore by the submerged tree branch.

Of note also, though not a duck, was a decent sized flock of feeding Brant, tight knit on the ballfield adjacent to Parade Place at the Parade Grounds.

Quiet all around, obviously this large storm system is having a measurable impact upon bird species everywhere. Stay dry and watch some good movies... unless you truly are a bad weather birder. Its worth the effort.

Kingsboider

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/12/10
Number of species: 27

Brant ~ 68 feeding on Parade grounds eastern field
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck 3 -2 drake, 1 hen Upper Pool
American Black Duck 2 West Island
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 17 Upper Pool
Ring-necked Duck 1 drake Upper Pool
Bufflehead 2 pair Upper Pool
Ruddy Duck 70 lake
Great Blue Heron 1
American Coot 4 lake
Ring-billed Gull 450 on the ballfields . wet delicacies ;worms ?
Herring Gull 30
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 2 feeders
Black-capped Chickadee 1 feeders
American Robin X
European Starling X
Song Sparrow 2 feeders
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 3 --2feeders ,
House Finch 2 feeders
American Goldfinch 2 feeders
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Prospect March 11th

From Rafael Campos:


Date: 11 March 2010
Site: Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY
Observer: Rafael Campos
Time: 10:30 am - 1 pm

The big surprise today was that I did not find any
Ring-necked Ducks at the pools, only 1 pair of
Buffleheads, Mallards & Canada Geese. The pair
of Red-tailed Hawks are doing a good progress with
their nest around Nellie's lawn. I saw only 1 of them.
Nothing rare, but the numbers of Song,&
White-throated Sparrows have increased, and so the
American Robins. Just 3 Fox Sparrows, and 1 Hermit
Thrush.

The birds:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck (1 m; upper pool)
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead (1 pair, upper pool)
Ruddy Duck
Great Blue Heron (1)
Red-tailed Hawk
Peregrine Falcon (1, perched, tower)
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker (1 pair)
Blue Jay
American Crow (1, Grand Army Plaza)
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch (2)
Hermit Thrush (1)
American Robin
European (Common) Starling
Fox Sparrow (3)
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
*********************************************

From Peter


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/11/10
Number of species: 20

Wood Duck 1 drake Lower Pool
Mallard X
Bufflehead 2 pair Upper pool
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 3 feeders
Blue Jay 1 lullwater
Black-capped Chickadee 1 feeders
Carolina Wren 1 seen 3/9 feeders area
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 below Terrace Bridge
American Robin X
European Starling X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal 8 feeders area
Red-winged Blackbird 4 feeders
Common Grackle X lake perimeters
House Finch X feeders
American Goldfinch 2 feeders
House Sparrow X

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

Prospect March 10th

Hilights: year's first EASTERN PHOEBE, a ++ spring sign; Ring-necked Ducks,Wood Ducks (flock) , Hooded Mergansers ;Rusty Blackbird,Eastern Towhee


From Larry Zirlin:

Hi Peter

Drake Ring-necked Duck & Hen & Drake Buffleheads on the Upper Pool.

Larry

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/10/10
Number of species: 37

Canada Goose 110
Mute Swan 7
Wood Duck 1 Boathouse pond
American Black Duck 7
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 2
Mallard 145
Northern Shoveler 6 Lullwater
Ring-necked Duck 1 Drake on Upper Pool
Bufflehead 2 Hen & Drake, Upper Pool
Hooded Merganser 2 Drakes on the lake
Ruddy Duck 26
Great Blue Heron 1 Near West Island
American Coot 10
Ring-billed Gull 50
Herring Gull 20
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 20
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Vale Cashmere
Downy Woodpecker 5
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 4
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
American Robin 49
Northern Mockingbird 1 Lullwater Trail
European Starling 32
Song Sparrow 7
White-throated Sparrow 19
Dark-eyed Junco 12
Northern Cardinal 11
Red-winged Blackbird 10 Feeders
Common Grackle 20
House Finch 5 Feeders
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 25

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


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

3 Ring-necked Ducks near Three Sisters Island, 2 drake, 1 hen

4 Wood Ducks on Lake 3/9

Common Grackle pretty common around lake perimeter

--Peter
*****************************

From Alex Wilson:
Saw my first-of-year EASTERN PHOEBE today
in Prospect, a sure sign that spring migration is on.
A fair number of birds were moving, with increased
numbers of Blackbirds, Juncos and Song Sparrows on
hand, as well as a flyover flock of 16 WOOD DUCKS.
The blackbirds were mostly Red-winged, but at least
2 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen within the
park; Rustys have been present in Prospect for most
of the winter but these singing males were probably migrants.

Good birding,
Alex Wilson
Brooklyn

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/10/10
Number of species: 51

Canada Goose 175
Mute Swan 6
Wood Duck 17 (16 in early flyover flock, circled several
times but did not appear to land; 1 continues around Boathouse/upper
Lullwater.)
American Black Duck 6
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
Mallard 200
Northern Shoveler 15
Ring-necked Duck 4 (1 Upper Pool; 3 Lake.)
Bufflehead 2 (Pair, Upper Pool.)
Hooded Merganser 2 (Pair, Lake.)
Ruddy Duck 90
Great Blue Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Merlin 1 (Back and forth over Long Meadow/Quaker Ridge.)
Peregrine Falcon 1 (On BBG tower.)
American Coot 10
Ring-billed Gull 100
Herring Gull (American) 20
Great Black-backed Gull 4
Rock Pigeon 30
Mourning Dove 20
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
Downy Woodpecker 8
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1 (Heard calling, then seen along Lullwater
above Terrace Bridge.)
Blue Jay 20
American Crow 20
Fish Crow 2 (North end flyover.)
Black-capped Chickadee 10
Tufted Titmouse 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 (Nethermead/Lullwater edge.)
White-breasted Nuthatch 6
Carolina Wren 2
Hermit Thrush 1 (Labella cove.)
American Robin 150
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 400
Eastern Towhee 2 (Pair near Boathouse.)
Fox Sparrow (Red) 5
Song Sparrow 25
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 75
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 50
Northern Cardinal 25
Red-winged Blackbird 250 (Mostly in early flyover flocks, but
present throughout the park.)
Rusty Blackbird 2 (Males, Vale and Lower Pool, both sang.)
Common Grackle 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 10
American Goldfinch 8
House Sparrow 30


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

Report from First Sunday Walk from the Boathouse

Michele Dreger and Eddie Davis leading

It was the first gorgeous weekend of the year. 30 of us met at the boathouse and walked for 2 hours. D. Eddie Davis lead the group to the pools, up Lookout, through the peninsula and ended at the bird feeders. We were on a mission to find the American Tree sparrow which I had seen the day before. But no luck at that. There was a bufflehead and a ring-necked duck at the pool. Valerie and Chris saw a hawk at the butterfly meadow while they lagged behind the group. The gulls ruled the lake and at one point all 6 swans were in the same place.

Looking forward the the first Sunday in April. There will be a walk, unfortunately it will be Easter Sunday, April 4th. I don't expect as large of a group, but I do expect more birds.

Spring is here!!!

Below is Eddie's list. He didn't see the hawk.

From: D. Edward Davis
Subject: 3/7 walk

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/7/10
Number of species: 29

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 6
Wood Duck 1
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 2
Ring-necked Duck 1
Bufflehead 1
Ruddy Duck X
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull 3
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 2
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
White-throated Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle 5
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow X

Monday, March 8, 2010

Prospect March 8th

RING-Necked Ducks flock increased to eleven (11) now on lake per Mary

Kingsboider note: Late afternoon, the Ring-necked Duck flock went up to 12. A report of the drake (M.Eyster) still at Upper Pool makes it 13 cause the 12th lake RNDU was a 2 nd hen with the 10 drakes .

Also seen, Grackles increasing, Red-tailed Hawk aobve Nellies Lawn. 81 Ruddy Ducks

37 Brant seen this morning on the parade Ground lawn.

early morning sightings March 8th Prospect

~37 Brant feeding on Parade Ground middle field ( near main entrance)

7 Ring-necked Ducks on the lake ( center); 6 drake, 1 hen


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

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Prospect planting note + March 7th observations


This spring promises to be a very heavy planting period for the Prospect Park crews , particularly with the new Lakeside Rink capital project about to happen.

I received word that extensive help will be needed to plant 10's of thousands of plants ( bulk are wildflowers) including trees and shrubs to be planted in the initial stages of the new rink grounds after ground preparation ( decompaction and soil drop) in April into May. Volunteers will be needed. I mentioned to the supervisor that volunteers can come from the birding community ranks. Therefore, when I receive word of planting dates, refer to this blog for updates and news bulletins, the call for volunteers.This is a good opportunity to prove our birdwatchers standing as habitat conservationists.

Furthermore, there still is the date I have to set -likely April 24th or May 22nd for the BIRDATHON PLANTING , from last years monies raised thu the 2009 Birdathon commemorating the Brooklyn Bird Club Centennial. It depends on when those plants come in from the shipper. Again, this blog will provide information when the date is confirmed.

Thanks

Peter

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Today's bird list


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/7/10
Number of species: 30

Brant 2 f/o West Island
Canada Goose 80 lake
Mute Swan 6 lake
American Black Duck 8 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 5 phragmite edge west lake
Ring-necked Duck 1 drake Upper Pool
Bufflehead 2 pair Upper Pool
Ruddy Duck 73 lake
Red-tailed Hawk 2 --1 lake f/o; 1 Upper Pool f/o
Peregrine Falcon 1 perched on BBG tower
American Coot 2 lake
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 LP 249
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 3 LP 249
American Crow 2 southwest woods
American Robin X mostly BBG
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
Song Sparrow 4 3 at LP 249
Swamp Sparrow 1 West Island benches
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal 1 Upper pool
Red-winged Blackbird 40 f/o Quaker Ridge
Common Grackle 20 around southwest woods
House Sparrow X

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

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Prospect March 6th

From Rusty Harold:


1 Canada Goose
2 Mute Swan
3 American Black Duck
4 Mallard
5 Northern Shoveler
6 Ruddy Duck
7 American Coot
8 Ring-billed Gull
9 Herring Gull
10 Rock Pigeon
11 Mourning Dove
12 Red-bellied Woodpecker
13 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
14 Downy Woodpecker
15 Blue Jay
16 Black-capped Chickadee
17 Tufted Titmouse
18 White-breasted Nuthatch
19 American Robin
20 European Starling
21 White-throated Sparrow
22 Dark-eyed Junco
23 Northern Cardinal
24 Red-winged Blackbird
25 Common Grackle
26 House Finch
27 American Goldfinch
28 House Sparrow

--
Elliotte Rusty Harold

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From Rafael Campos:

With a nice day ahead, I left the house around
7 am to make a quick run around PP. I saw one
Red-tailed Hawk carrying a stick towards its nest
in the neighborhood of Nelly's lawn.The Midwoods
were empty, and the Wood Duck male is still hanging
around with Mallards & Canada Geese near the Boat House.
To my surprise, around 8 am, no birds at the feeders
of Breezy Hill, except for 1 Dark-eyed Junco.

The lake had more open water than my last visit 2 weeks ago.
There a large flock of RBGUs , the most common sight.
But a nice pair of Hooded Merganser were seen briefly
near 3 Sisters Island. Going back home, a quick stop at
the Upper Pool gave nice views of 1 drake Ring-necked Duck
+ 1 pair of Buffleheads.Near the grounds of the Zoo, a large
flock of Common Grackle was seen foraging.

OBSERVER: Rafael Campos R.
DATE: 06 March 2010
THE BIRDS:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck (1 male)
Mallard
Northern Shoveler (1 male, lake)
Ring-necked Duck (1 male,Upper Pool)
Bufflehead (1 pair Upper Pool)
Hooded Merganser (1 pair)
Great Blue Heron (1, edge of the Peninsula)
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse (1)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (1)
Brown Creeper (1)
American Robin
European Starling
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
American Goldfinch (1)
House Sparrow
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Brooklyn is good birding: Rafa Campos R

Friday, March 5, 2010

Prospect March 5th

Hilights : Common Merganser drake on lake near Duck Island, Ring-necked Duck Upper Pool, rosy looking weekend coming, 50 degree temperatures predicted ( well, it's been long time since...)

From Rob Jett:

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 3/5/10

>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 3/5/10
> Notes: Also birded with Matthew Wills for about 1 hour.
Ring-necked Duck seen on Upper Pool.
> Number of species: 41
>
> Mute Swan 5
> Wood Duck 1
> American Black Duck 4
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 4
> Ring-necked Duck 1
> Hooded Merganser 2
> Common Merganser 2
> Ruddy Duck 74
> Double-crested Cormorant 1
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> American Coot 12
> Ring-billed Gull X
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Great Black-backed Gull 5
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 3
> Blue Jay X
> Black-capped Chickadee X
> Tufted Titmouse X
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
> White-breasted Nuthatch 3
> Carolina Wren 1
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
> American Robin X
> European Starling X
> Cedar Waxwing 3
> Fox Sparrow 4
> Song Sparrow X
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco X
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> Common Grackle X
> House Finch 10
> American Goldfinch 4
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)


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From Matthew Wills:

Peter, hello!


Before I ran into Rob J. today, I saw a swamp sparrow at the southern end of Lake, near West Island, and then later another at the phragmite-ridden cove (where the mute swans often nest) north of Wollman [rink].


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Peter's list

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/5/10
Number of species: 31

Mute Swan X
American Black Duck 4 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 4 Duck island
Hooded Merganser 1 drake Duck island
Common Merganser 1 drake Duck island
Ruddy Duck X lake
Double-crested Cormorant 1 lake
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 feeders
Downy Woodpecker 2 feeders
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 3 feeders
American Robin 20 rink cove
Northern Mockingbird 1 lamppost 249
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 2 rink cove
Song Sparrow 1 west shore
Swamp Sparrow 1 west shore lake
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 5 feeders
Common Grackle 1 west island area
House Finch 8 feeders
American Goldfinch 1 feeders
House Sparrow X

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

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Prospect March 4th Prospect

Brief sightings:

Red-tailed Hawks building their nest.

~16 Common Grackles flyover Rink.

2 Ring-necked Ducks still present adjacent to Peninsula thumb phragmites.

Peter
list


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/4/10
Number of species: 32

Canada Goose 85 lake
Mute Swan 6 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 4 lake
Ring-necked Duck 2 drake along peninsula lakeshore
Ruddy Duck 35 lake
Double-crested Cormorant 1 lake
Great Blue Heron 1 Duck island
Red-tailed Hawk 2 Nellies Lawn
American Coot X lake
Ring-billed Gull X lake
Herring Gull (American) X lake
Great Black-backed Gull 3 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 1 feeders
Black-capped Chickadee 2 feeders
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
Brown Creeper 1 limb above feeders
American Robin 34 breeze hill
Northern Mockingbird 1 rink
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 reported by Elyse Taylor @boathouse -FOY
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 12 propsite
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 5 feeders
Common Grackle 16 f/o's rink
House Finch 6 feeders
American Goldfinch 2 feeders
House Sparrow X

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

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From Elyse:

Hi Peter,
When I was looking for the wood duck today at the bridge near the lilly pond, I saw a bird land in a nearby tree.
It was a Yellow-rumped Warbler, my first warbler this season. It looked so bright!
Then I heard a red bellied woodpecker, and saw it climbing up a tree. Then a little bird flew right near me. It was a carolina wren, and I got a good look at it.A titmouse flew right near the wren. I didn't see the wood duck, but I was happy.
happy birding,
Elyse

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Prospect March 3rd

Hilights: first Ring-necked Ducks of the year,Common Merganser, Eastern Towhee, American Tree Sparrow , Golden-crowned Kinglet (FOY)

From Larry Zirlin:

2 drake Ring-necked Ducks were on the lake about noon, peninsula side.

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/3/10
Number of species: 36

Canada Goose 105
Mute Swan 7 Two on Lullwater, five on lake
American Black Duck 6
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
Mallard 160
Northern Shoveler 4
Ring-necked Duck 2 Peninsula side of lake
Hooded Merganser 3 Peninsula side of lake
Ruddy Duck 42
Double-crested Cormorant 1 Standing on west lake shore
American Coot 14
Ring-billed Gull 160
Herring Gull 27
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 25
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 3
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 1 Feeders
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
American Robin 22
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 7
Fox Sparrow 1 Lullwater trail
Swamp Sparrow 1 West lake shore
White-throated Sparrow 16
Dark-eyed Junco 19
Northern Cardinal 11
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 1
House Finch 6 Feeders
American Goldfinch 1 Feeders
House Sparrow 6

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

Larry Zirlin


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From Alex Wilson:

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 3/3/10
> Number of species: 47
>
> Canada Goose 150
> Mute Swan 7
> American Black Duck 10
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
> Mallard 150
> Northern Shoveler 5
> Ring-necked Duck 2 (Drakes on Lake.)
> Hooded Merganser 3 (2 drakes, 1 hen, Lake.)
> Common Merganser 2 (Flyover drakes, seen from Boathouse area.)
> Ruddy Duck 56
> Double-crested Cormorant 1
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (Ravine flyby.)
> Red-tailed Hawk 5 (Including pair working on nest at
> Nellie's Lawn.)
> American Coot 15
> Ring-billed Gull 450 (100 on Long Meadow.)
> Herring Gull (American) 50
> Great Black-backed Gull 2
> Rock Pigeon 50
> Mourning Dove 35
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
> Downy Woodpecker 6
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Blue Jay 15
> American Crow 8
> Black-capped Chickadee 6
> Tufted Titmouse 5
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 (Breeze Hill feeders.)
> White-breasted Nuthatch 5
> Carolina Wren 3
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 (Ravine, above arches.)
> American Robin 100
> Northern Mockingbird 2
> European Starling 300
> Eastern Towhee 2 (Male & female on Boathouse slope.)
> American Tree Sparrow 2 (Lower Lullwater trail; Vale.)
> Fox Sparrow (Red) 5
> Song Sparrow 7
> Swamp Sparrow 1
> White-throated Sparrow 100
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 15
> Northern Cardinal 30
> Red-winged Blackbird 15
> Common Grackle 30
> House Finch 10
> American Goldfinch 5
> House Sparrow 30

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Kingsboider note: Ring-necked Ducks were adjacent to the phragmites of the Peninsula thumb as of 4pm

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From Rafael:
5:00:56 P.M. Eastern Standard Time from home near Flatbush Ave/Grand Army

Just few minutes ago, I noticed some unusual movements outside the window of our place. I stepped out, and to my surprise, perched, one Cooper`s Hawk. The bird took off as soon as I tried to take its photo.This is bird # 86 for our backyard list.Brooklyn is good birding: Rafa Campos R

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

March 2nd Prospect Park /edge Greenwood Cemetery/BBG reports

On the way to the train, I spotted from Prospect Ave two Red-tailed Hawks flying to and perching upon the Bishop Ford High School radio tower. Peter

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From Mike Corzine:

Prospect Park

Note Turkey Vultures

Hey Peter!
The usual suspects + There was a Hooded Merganser (Drake) on the lake this morning- 10:45ish, seen from Wellhouse Dr., near the call box. Also a Double Crested Cormorant, with a fish catch. 10 Turkey Vultures, kiting high above Grand Army Plaza- turned into dots (high in the sky), then disappeared heading East.
Best,
Michael

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From Orrin:
Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Cedar waxwing (several)
Red-bellied woodpecker
European Starling
Northern Cardinal
American Robin (many)
Mourning Dove

Monday, March 1, 2010

Prospect March 1st

Hilights: Lake visitors COMMON MERGANSER drake, 3 American Wigeons

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This morning,American Wigeon near the Lake's west shore reported by Rob Bate.

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From Peter

note : midafternoon report

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/1/10
Number of species: 17

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
American Wigeon 3 near West Island
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Hooded Merganser 3 Three Sisters Islands
Common Merganser 1 drake Three Sisters Islands, also towards West Island
Ruddy Duck 35 lake
Cooper's Hawk 1 f/o Wellhouse
Red-tailed Hawk 1 immature , Lake; several time f/o
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
White-throated Sparrow X

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