Friday, April 30, 2010

April 30th Prospect "the breakthrough" Multiple reports

Finally, they came. After weeks of chilly , sometimes cold weather, created a barrier to anxious migrants, the breakout happened today. Early this morning at dawn, Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen taking to the skies in droves, a sure sign of good things to come this day. White-throated Sparrows dominated the ground, many hundred's if likely 1000's passing through overhead ( who knows how many?) , an abundant species of woodlands. Reports of CERULEAN, WORM-EATING, NASHVILLE, PRAIRIE & BLUE-WINGED made up some of the quality warblers pursued by birders today. At least 18 species warblers were counted. This weekend is your best chance of seeing these birds with southwest winds making its rich mark. If you can , get out there. Cause only three weeks more will we see this magnificent wave of warblers and other migrants continue its spectacle in our parks.

--Kingsboider :)>
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From Keir Randall:

Vast # of birds meant I didn't make it further than Sparrow Bowl/ Ravine...

Some notables:

White-eyed Vireo (Tennis House)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Worm-Eating Warbler (eye level, Ambergill path)
Northern Parula (many)
B&W Warbler (several)
Northern Waterthrush (Ambergill)
Ovenbird (stream behind Pagoda)
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Veery (99%, quick glimpse, Tennis House)
Hermit Thrush (many)
Savannah Sparrow (Sparrow Bowl)
White-throated Sparrow (many hundreds)
Baltimore Oriole (Male, Sparrow Bowl)

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From Doug Gochfeld:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/30/10

Notes: Ran into several other birders.
There was an impressive morning
flight with loads of Warblers (mostly Yellow-rumpeds)

pouring up the drive to the SW of Lookout and continuing
north, as well as entering the park from the
south and flying over the lake. It was quite a sight.

Number of species: 82


Brant X
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 2
Wood Duck 5
Mallard X
Ruddy Duck 5
Common Loon 4
Double-crested Cormorant 14 Including flock of 13 migrating high.
Great Blue Heron 1 Overhead migrant.
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Merlin 1 Top of Lookout, w/ prey
Spotted Sandpiper 4
shorebird sp. 3
Laughing Gull 2
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 15
Chimney Swift 20
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Blue-headed Vireo 15
Warbling Vireo 1
Blue Jay X
American Crow 2
Tree Swallow 8
Barn Swallow 8
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 1
House Wren 15
Winter Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 16
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Veery 2 Quaker Cemetery, Midwood
Hermit Thrush 120
Wood Thrush 1 Heard, Midwood
American Robin 100
Gray Catbird 12
European Starling X
Blue-winged Warbler 7
Nashville Warbler 3
Northern Parula 10
Yellow Warbler 8
Black-throated Blue Warbler 12
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 541
Black-throated Green Warbler 17
Pine Warbler 4
Palm Warbler 15
Palm Warbler (Western) 3
Cerulean Warbler 1 Heard singing incessantly ~7:45 AM-8:00 AM, Quaker
Cemetery.
Black-and-white Warbler 20
American Redstart 2
Worm-eating Warbler 2 Ravine, Lookout
Ovenbird 6
Northern Waterthrush 18
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 1 Heard, near Nethermead Arches
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 8
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 10
White-throated Sparrow 275
Northern Cardinal 25
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

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

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From Rob Jett:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/30/10
Number of species: 66

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck 5
Mallard X
Great Blue Heron 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Herring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker X
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue-headed Vireo 20
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Barn Swallow 12
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 1
House Wren 10
Winter Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Hermit Thrush 30
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin X
Gray Catbird 5
European Starling X
Blue-winged Warbler 3
Nashville Warbler 2
Northern Parula 8
Yellow Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 12
Yellow-rumped Warbler 150
Black-throated Green Warbler 10
Pine Warbler 3
Palm Warbler 12
Black-and-white Warbler 20
American Redstart 6
Worm-eating Warbler 1
Ovenbird 4
Northern Waterthrush 8
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 1

Eastern Towhee 3
Chipping Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow 7
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
Baltimore Oriole 2
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

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


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From Matthew Wills:

The joint was jumping this morning with hermit thrush and white-throats. Highlights: 2 male rose-breasted grosbeaks (south side Lake), one great crested flycatcher (Vale), first cat birds, and warblers: worm eating, blue-winged, yellow, ovenbird, northern parula, northern waterthrush, black-throated green, American redstart, black and white, yellow-rumped, palm.
M


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From Rafael Campos:


What a day!!! An amazing mid morning, full of birds, and being warblers the special ones: 11 species recorded in Prospect Park.


Other sps seen worth of mention are: 1 Veery (Fallkills), 5 m+1 f Wood Ducks (upper pool), Blue-headed Vireo, 1-2 Chimney Swifts (I just saw 2 flying over the backyard), 1 Savannah Sparrow.


The list:


Canada Goose


Wood Duck


Mallard


Double-crested Cormorant


Green Heron (1, upper pool)


Red-tailed Hawk


Spotted Sandpiper (1, Peninsula)


(American) Herring Gull


Rock Pigeon


Mourning Dove


Chimney Swift (flyovers Vale)


Red-bellied Woodpecker


Downy Woodpecker


Blue-headed Vireo


Blue Jay


Barn Swallow (2)


Tufted Titmouse (1, Quaker Hill)


Carolina Wren


House Wren (Rick's Place)


Ruby-crowned Kinglet


Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1, Lily pond)


Veery (1)


Hermit Thrush


American Robin


Gray Catbird (2)


European Starling


Blue-winged Warbler (1, Peninsula)


Northern Parula


(American) Yellow Warbler


Yellow-rumped Warbler


Black-throated Green Warbler


Palm Warbler (4)


Black-and-white Warbler


American Redstart (2 males)


Ovenbird (3)


Northern Waterthrush (4)


Louisiana Waterthrush (1)



Eastern Towhee (1 male)


Chipping Sparrow (2)


Savannah Sparrow (1)


Song Sparrow


Swamp Sparrow


White-throated Sparrow


Northern Cardinal


Red-winged Blackbird


Common Grackle


Baltimore Oriole (1 male, upper pool)


American Goldfinch (1)


House Sparrow


Brooklyn is great birding: Rafael Campos R

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From Tom Stephenson:



Hi Peter.

As you know...many new arrivals in the park.

Here's my list. I has 17 species of warblers, but didn't make it to some sections so missed a few species that you can get from Ed Crowneand Doug G, et al.

Let's see what tomorrow brings!

Best regards,
Tom

Great Blue Heron 3 flying over mid day

Great Egret

Canada Goose

Mallard

Osprey early AM fly over near Vale

Spotted Sandpiper

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

Chimney Swift

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Kingbird two birds near peninsula meadow

Blue-headed Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Blue Jay

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

House Wren many new arrivals, maybe 5-10

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Veery one calling near Quaker Cemetery

Hermit Thrush many new arrivals

Wood Thrush maybe 4 or 5

American Robin

Gray Catbird many new arrivals

European Starling

Blue-winged Warbler at least 8 birds

Nashville Warbler at least 3

Northern Parula many

Yellow Warbler at least 5

Black-throated Blue Warbler many

Yellow-rumped Warbler many

Black-throated Green Warbler at least 10

Pine Warbler 4 near ravine

Prairie Warbler one singing lookout

Palm Warbler at least 5

Black-and-white Warbler many

American Redstart at least 6

Worm-eating Warbler at least 2

Ovenbird many

Northern Waterthrush at least 6

Louisiana Waterthrush one near binnen bridge

Common Yellowthroat one singing near peninsula meadow


Eastern Towhee many

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow many new arrivals; at least 10

White-throated Sparrow many

Northern Cardinal

Rose-breasted Grosbeak at least 5 males and 2-3 females

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

Baltimore Oriole at least 2

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

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Larry Zirlin:


Location: Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Observation date: 4/30/10
Number of species: 21

Mallard 11
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 1
Chimney Swift 1
Hermit Thrush 9
American Robin 25
Gray Catbird 1
European Starling 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 1
Ovenbird 1
Louisiana Waterthrush 2
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 20
Northern Cardinal 3
Common Grackle 1
House Sparrow 20

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


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From Rob Jett:

2nd report


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/30/10
Number of species: 48

Wood Duck 2
Mallard X
Great Blue Heron 1
Green Heron 1
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker X
Eastern Kingbird 1
Blue-headed Vireo 5
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee X
House Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
Hermit Thrush 10
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin X
Gray Catbird 2
European Starling X
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Northern Parula 3
Yellow Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Black-throated Green Warbler 4
Prairie Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 4
Black-and-white Warbler 5
American Redstart 2
Ovenbird 2
Northern Waterthrush 4
Common Yellowthroat 1
Scarlet Tanager
1
Chipping Sparrow X
Savannah Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Baltimore Oriole 2
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

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

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Upcoming BBC walks this weekend


Saturday May 1st, Prospect Park

Meet 7 am at Grand Army Plaza entrance (Stranahan Statue)

Trip Leader: Tom Stephenson

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Sunday May 2nd, Greenwood Cemetery

Meet 8 AM at the 5th Ave and 25th Street main entrance

Trip Leader: Paul Keim

Note: nearest subway is the "R" line, 25th Street, and walk south one block

Back to list

Worm-eating warbler @ Ambergill per

Worm-eating warbler @ Ambergill per Keir

Cerulean Warbler @ Quaker ridge

Cerulean Warbler @ Quaker ridge + good flight. see PP BLOG 4 details

Prairie, blue-winged warblers , Yellow-throated

Prairie, blue-winged warblers , Yellow-throated Vireo reported south lakeside

Very good flight this morn

Very good flight this morn in prospect according to birders..quite active..vale cashmere good spot

Early observation of major push

Early observation of major push Yellow-rumped Warblers & White-throated Sparrows

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Prospect April 29th Good warbler action , first signs of new species + diversity

Early consensus is that Warblers and some other migratory species are ON THE MOVE! Initial reports , from Tom Stephenson's Thursday walk , yielded decent beginning action -some new species-in the Ricks Place/Payne Hill section ( which is the ridge line). The overall total , noting diversity was 13 species warblers ( many heard) and 71 species including an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER seen at the Terrace Bridge south side , along the road towards the Peninsula. Wood Thrush also noted.See Eddie Davis ' earlier report, from Tom's walk (Tom's list of later species now posted) ; in addition, Nashville Warbler (M.Eyster ) seen at Ricks Place along with two waterthrush species there so Ricks Place is today's hotspot. Also of note was an adult male ORCHARD ORIOLE seen in the Sweetgum tree on the north side of the Nethermead Bridge ( 3 arches) (Peter) ; Prospect Lake "swallowfest " continues including a single BANK SWALLOW feeding upon Prospect Lake laden with many Barn Swallows midafternoon (Peter)

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From Eddie Davis on results of Tom Stephenson's BBC walk

( by the way, Tom is giving the Warbler song workshop talk tonight at the Villa,see the previous posting on this blog below)

From Eddie Davis:

Good migratory movement and a nice list for only a few hours in the park. Most of the warblers/migrants were in the Payne Hill / Rick's Place area.

Location: Prospect Park (7am-9:30am - with Tom Stephenson's BBC walk)
Observation date: 4/29/10
Number of species: 36

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant (fly-over)
Turkey Vulture (fly-over)
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue-headed Vireo 1 - payne hill
Blue Jay
Fish Crow (fly-over)
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 - payne hill
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush 1 - payne hill
American Robin
European Starling
Northern Parula 1 - payne hill
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 - payne hill
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler 2 - payne hill / dongan monument
Palm Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler 2 - payne hill
Northern Waterthrush 1 - vale
Louisiana Waterthrush 1 - dongan monument
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow 1 - vale
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Sparrow

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Tom's list from BBC walk:

Hi Peter,

Another good group, 20+ people with lots of good birders. It looks like the migrants are starting to arrive...braving the N winds.
Sat and Sun should be really good as the winds shift to the SW...

12 species of warblers, dressed up and singing....

Best regards,
Tom

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Turkey Vulture

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Osprey

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Laughing Gull

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

Chimney Swift

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Phoebe

Blue-headed Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Tree Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Barn Swallow

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

House Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Hermit Thrush

Wood Thrush

American Robin

Gray Catbird

Northern Mockingbird

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Orange-crowned Warbler

Northern Parula

Yellow Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Palm Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

American Redstart

Ovenbird

Northern Waterthrush

Louisiana Waterthrush

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

Orchard Oriole

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow


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Peter's list

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/29/10
Number of species: 26

Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Ruddy Duck 2 lake
Double-crested Cormorant 1 lake
Osprey 1 perched on West Island snag
Merlin 1 flew bet Three Sisters Islands
Laughing Gull 12 f/o's southwest woods
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift X f/o's
Blue Jay 1 Cleft Ridge span
Tree Swallow X lake
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3 Lullwater
Bank Swallow 1 Lake
Barn Swallow 35 Lake
House Wren 1 Wellhouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin X
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Palm Warbler X Lullwater
Song Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird X
Orchard Oriole 1 Ravine/Rocky Pass
House Sparrow X

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

BBC presentation reminder

A reminder note here about tonight's (4/29) Warbler Song Identification Workshop given by Tom Stephenson at the Litchfield Villa Conference Room at 7 pm. ( 6:30 social). The Villa is located inside the park at 5th St and Prospect Park West Ave. Nearest public transportation is the F train to 7th Ave, walk south 1 or 2 blocks to the park, turn left. More details on the Brooklyn Bird Club website.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Wednesday, April 28, 2010

weather prediction in coming days

Here's a 2 1/2 minute video ( if u have adobe flash player & better if you have speakers) of the predicted end of week southern warm front. This type of front is advantageous for spring migrants riding the wave. Looking good for birds this weekend ??

keep your fingers crossed......

http://www.accuweather.com/video/58063217001/big-warm-up-for-east.asp


---Kingsboider

April 28th Prospect

Hilights: arrival of Warbling Vireo & Rose-breasted Grosbeak; continuing presence of both species waterthrushes. Continuing Lake Swallow "fest" + Spotted Sandpiper + Common Loon f/o at the Lake ; 7 Wood Duck ;2 Wren species , 7 species sparrows

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From Tom Stephenson:


Hi Peter,

Had a chance to duck into the park....
Slow but things starting to feel like they're moving a bit...flickers, more yellowrumps, white-throated sparrows maybe new

3 Northern Waterthrush
1 Louisiana Waterthrush
Osprey
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher
Warbler Vireo (seems early)

Full list below of the few sections I covered

Best regards,
Tom

Great Egret

Canada Goose

Mute Swan

Mallard

Osprey

Red-tailed Hawk

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Laughing Gull

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Blue-headed Vireo

Warbling Vireo seems early 1 near Rick's place, singing

Blue Jay

Tree Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Barn Swallow

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

House Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Northern Waterthrush 3 one in vale, two lullwater

Louisiana Waterthrush 1 binnen bridge area

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow singing in vale

White-throated Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow


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Peter's List

After work -3:30 south lakeshore

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/28/10
Number of species: 28

Mute Swan 2
Mallard 3
Double-crested Cormorant 3-3 sisters islands
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
American Coot 1 -3 sisters islands
Spotted Sandpiper 1 on shore behind 3 sisters islands
Laughing Gull 2 lake
Ring-billed Gull 1 on boat
Herring Gull 9 lake
Great Black-backed Gull 1 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Northern Flicker 1 west is
American Crow 2 f/o rink
Tree Swallow 7 lake
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 peninsula cove -"thumb tip"
Barn Swallow ~20 lake
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 path next to west island phhragmite cove
American Robin 7
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Swamp Sparrow 1 west island phhragmite cove
White-throated Sparrow 2 west is
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
House Sparrow X

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

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From Alex Wilson:

Begin forwarded message:

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 4/28/10
> Notes: NW winds, 15-25 mph.
> Number of species: 56
>
> Canada Goose 50
> Mute Swan 4
> Wood Duck 7
> Mallard 30
> Northern Shoveler 2
> Ruddy Duck 4
> Common Loon 1 (Early flyover, NW over Long Meadow.)
> Double-crested Cormorant 50 (Mostly in one big flyover
> flock; a couple on Lake.)
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Great Egret 2
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 2
> Osprey 1 (Perched, West Island.)
> Red-tailed Hawk 3
> American Coot 2
> Spotted Sandpiper 1
> Laughing Gull 5
> Herring Gull (American) 10
> Rock Pigeon 30
> Mourning Dove 15
> Chimney Swift 10
> Belted Kingfisher 1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
> Downy Woodpecker 1
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 15
> Eastern Phoebe 3
> Blue Jay 4
> Tree Swallow 3
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3
> Barn Swallow 25
> Black-capped Chickadee 5
> Carolina Wren 3
> House Wren 2
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
> Hermit Thrush 12
> American Robin 50
> Northern Mockingbird 1
> European Starling 150
> Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 35
> Palm Warbler (Yellow) 6
> Northern Waterthrush 2
> Louisiana Waterthrush 1 (Fallkill/Upper Pool.)
> Eastern Towhee 10
> Chipping Sparrow 7
> Savannah Sparrow 1
> Song Sparrow 5
> Swamp Sparrow 3
> White-throated Sparrow 40
> Northern Cardinal 20
> Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 (Male, above Lullwater cove.)
> Red-winged Blackbird 15
> Common Grackle 20
> Brown-headed Cowbird 8
> House Finch 1
> American Goldfinch 10
> House Sparrow 30

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

April 27th Prospect inc 4 BOBOLINK

Hilight: 4 BOBOLINK (rare) at Peninsula Meadow in Ginkgo tree per Rob Jett (1 pm ) ; noted also Spotted Sandpiper, Louisiana Waterthrush, heighten swallow activity over lake, inc 3 Northern Rough-winged at Upper Pool

From Rob:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/27/10
Notes: Other observer was John Walsh.
Number of species: 51

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Ruddy Duck 3
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 1
Laughing Gull 6
Herring Gull (American) 4
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Downy Woodpecker X
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker X
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue-headed Vireo 4
Blue Jay X
Fish Crow 1
Tree Swallow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 12
Black-capped Chickadee X
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 1
House Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Hermit Thrush 10
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 75
Palm Warbler 5
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Northern Waterthrush 1
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 20
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Bobolink 4 In Ginkgo tree at edge of Peninsula Meadow. One bird was singing.
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

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

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From Eric Addinal:

We saw a Spotted sandpiper on the south shore of the lake (Prospect Park Lake) at 3 pm this afternoon between 3 sister islands and the rustic shelter.

Eric Addinall & Marion Sargeant.

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Peters list 2:30 -5:30

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/27/10
Number of species: 26

Canada Goose X
Wood Duck 1 drake Upper Pool
Mallard X
Ruddy Duck 3
Double-crested Cormorant 1 lake
Red-tailed Hawk 1 f/o ballfields
Herring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
American Crow 1
Tree Swallow 4 lake
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3 Upper Pool
Barn Swallow 22 lake
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird 1 wellhouse
European Starling X
Louisiana Waterthrush 1 Ravine creek
Chipping Sparrow 2-- one wellhouse
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
House Sparrow X

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

Monday, April 26, 2010

An exception to my usual birding report "Outside Brooklyn"

My little apology for this unusual posting here. I found this wallpaper photo from Hubblesite.org

It has to do with an Eagle.

http://hubblesite.org/gallery/wallpaper/pr2005012b/1024_wallpaper/

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Prospect April 26th Rain birding is great ! ;)


Hilights on this wet dreary day include more warbler arrivals; 2 "romancing" CAROLINA WREN INSIDE the Cleft Ridge Span (serious); late sparrow species.


From Ed Crowne:

Hi, Peter. This morning among the still numerous Yellow-rumped Warblers I also saw a Yellow Warbler (southeast Lake edge) and a Common Yellowthroat (Peninsula). Both birds were males. Regards, Ed

***********************************************
Peter's lists:


LUNCH BREAK 12:15-1 pm LULLWATER

The best moment occurred as I entered the Cleft Ridge Span ( near the boathouse) and saw two small silhouette dark profiles of a bird species inside the lightless tunnel. They fluttered a few times and upward towards the ceiling. Wondering what they were, I saw my answer a minute later when they flew out of the tunnel away from me and landed on the low slope at the tunnel edge: two CAROLINA WREN.Its the first time I ever saw a "courtship" inside a tunnel.Too bad there wasn't a miniature gondola boat and some water. ;)>

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/26/10
Number of species: 13

Mallard X
Double-crested Cormorant 1 flyout
Great Blue Heron 1 perched in tree
Great Egret 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 perched on water snag
Rock Pigeon X
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 feeding upon wate surface below Terrace Br
Carolina Wren 2 inside Cleft Ridge Span
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Song Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco --Boathouse, late species
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird X
House Sparrow X

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

The hilight for me in the light rain after work was an unexpected sparrow species. Along the south Lake shore, near the three Birch grove at the east cove (twin Bald Cypresses) , a FOX SPARROW hopped up on the percelainberry entwined young Mulberry Trees. Near here as i searched for the flushed sparrow, a BROWN THRASHER fed along the edge of the willow grove. Offshore, a delight watching CHIMNEY SWIFTS mingle with BARN SWALLOWS flying express low over the lake surface. Later at the West Cove ,a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH flew up from the phragmite infested cove; above on WEST ISLAND, on the dead snag point, a rain drenched MERLIN. Birding in the rain can be terrific !

AFTER WORK 3:45-5 pm SOUTH LAKESIDE

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/26/10
Number of species: 25

Canada Goose 45 Peninsula meadow
Mute Swan 1 lake
Mallard X
Double-crested Cormorant 1 Three Sisters
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 Three Sisters Islands
Merlin 1 West Island snag
American Coot 1 Three sisters
Laughing Gull 6 lake
Herring Gull 17 lake
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Chimney Swift 12 lake, feeding low
Northern Flicker 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 lake
Barn Swallow 9 lake
American Robin X
Brown Thrasher 1 East cove (overshadowed by twin Bald cypresses)
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Northern Waterthrush 1 West Island cove
Savannah Sparrow 1 West Island cove lake shore
Fox Sparrow (Red) 1 lake south lakeside near east cove , Late
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Common Grackle 10
House Sparrow X

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

Sunday, April 25, 2010

BBC eve program presentation April 29th + PP 4/24 & 4/25 reports inc OCWA



This coming Thursday evening, Warbler "maestro" Tom Stephenson presents his Warbler song identification workshop at the Litchfield Villa first floor conference room.

Social starts at 6:30, presentation starts at 7 pm.


The seminar will focus on not only identifying songs but also on understanding sonograms and how they help with learning warbler songs.

for more details and directions , see our Brooklyn Bird Club website


Peter

*************************************************
From Dale Dyer:
Peter - I had the Orange-crowned Warbler (OCWA) again yesterday on the Lullwater, same place (the overlook) [North Lullwater cove platform]
*************************************************
Peter's list

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/25/10
Number of species: 20

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 1
Mallard X
Herring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X
Chimney Swift 1 f/o Lullwater
Northern Flicker 2
Barn Swallow 4 Lake
Tufted Titmouse 1 Upper Pool
Hermit Thrush 1 Upper Pool
American Robin X
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5 north Lookolut HIll
Palm Warbler 1 north Lookolut HIll
Black-and-white Warbler 1 Upper Pool
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 12
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Grackle X
House Sparrow X

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

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

From Orrin:

A 1-hour swing through the southwest portion of Green-Wood this afternoon yielded 3 yellow-rumped warblers, a palm warbler, a blue-headed vireo, chipping sparrows, song sparrows, white-throated sparrows, a mockingbird, a few grackles, and a few hermit thrushes, in addition to the usual robins, starlings, house sparrows, cardinals, and ring-billed gulls

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

Kingsboider note: Although bird migration is a tough thing to explain, basically birds need the tailwinds to propel their flight and further their distance to facilitate or maximize thier efficient body fat metabolism. Hence south winds in spring, north winds in fall for favored flight. Weather systems are factor in how it stops birds in their tracks or divert their plans as well as how good was the weather the night before, one hour after sunset for birds to orient themselves to the setting sun. There aren't any absolute theorems so I don't like predicting.I go out every day anyway ( if i was retired ;)> ) during the peak period.

From the side bar menu ------> "Bird migration forecast" a fellow named Dave in Cape May has a blog that tracks the radar tracking of migration and prognosticates daily migration trends. Good to check the weather and wind direction during the evenings at dusk to supplement his blog called Woodcreeper.

here's the link http://www.woodcreeper.com/

Saturday, April 24, 2010

April 24th Prospect; 3 reports +Gowanus Canal ebird posting

Hilights: arrivals of Black-throated Blue Warbler, Northern Waterthrush for 6 species warbler day inc high # Yellow-rumps (R.Jett);Common Loon,Brown Thrasher, nice # RC Kinglet.

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

From Rob Jett:


Last night's winds were out of the NNW,
so I wasn't expecting to see much change
in the migrant diversity and abundance around Prospect
Park today. I suppose you could say that I wasn't
disappointed. We did, however, manage to see a few
first-of-year species.

As I observed last weekend, the majority of the
morning's bird activity was at the southern end
of the park. Yellow-rumped Warbler
was still the dominant warbler species, followed
by Palm Warbler. A Northern Waterthrush was found
singing at the edge of the lake, not far from Three
Sister's Island. A Louisiana Waterthrush was found late
in the morning at the opposite end of the park, in the Vale
of Cashmere. Our first Black-and-white Warbler of the
season was observed on the Peninsula and a second one
was heard in the Ravine. A Black-throated Blue Warbler
found singing near the Vale of Cashmere was the
park's first of the season. Ruby-crowned Kinglets
were fairly abundant and heard throughout the park.
I'm sure I've underestimated their numbers by a wide margin.

Two other first-of-year species for me were Brown Thrasher
on the south side of Prospect Lake and a small flock of
Chimney Swifts feeding high above the lake.

Except for one lonely Ruddy Duck, all of the overwintering
waterfowl on the lake have departed.

South winds are forecast for tonight, so there is a good
chance that we'll be seeing some new birds in the parks
tomorrow ... provided you don't mind birding in the rain.

Good birding,

Rob


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/24/10
Number of species: 51

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck 1
Mallard X
Ruddy Duck 1
Common Loon 1 Peninsula flyover.
Great Egret 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Laughing Gull 1
Herring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker X
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue-headed Vireo 6
Blue Jay X
Tree Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 1
House Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20
Hermit Thrush 10
American Robin X
Gray Catbird 1
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing X
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 Between Vale of Cashmere & Rose Garden.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 75
Palm Warbler 12
Black-and-white Warbler 2 Peninsula "Thumb" & Ravine.
Northern Waterthrush 1 South side of Prospect Lake.
Louisiana Waterthrush 1 Vale of Cashmere.
Eastern Towhee 3
Chipping Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

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

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

Results of Joe Giunta's Brooklyn Botanic Garden series bird class walk Prospect /BBG, (reported by Trish Duffett)


The first trip of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's
Spring Bird Migration class was led today by Joe Guinta.
An eager group of birders saw the following species in
Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Prospect Park. A
total of 33 species were seen, including 4 warbler
species.

SPECIES SEEN

Mute Swan

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Turkey Vulture

Ring-billed Gull

Mourning Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Chimney Swift

Tree Swallow

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Tufted Titmouse

Blue Jay

European Starling

Blue-headed Vireo

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Palm Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Northern Waterthrush

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

House Sparrow


Species seen - 33

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

From Tom Preston:


> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 4/24/10
> Number of species: 47
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan 1
> Mallard X
> Ruddy Duck 2, lake
> Red-tailed Hawk 1.
> Laughing Gull 1
> Herring Gull 3
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Chimney Swift 3, over lake
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
> Downy Woodpecker 3
> Hairy Woodpecker 2
> Northern Flicker 2
> Eastern Phoebe 1
> Blue-headed Vireo 6
> Blue Jay 2
> Fish Crow 1
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2, lake
> Black-capped Chickadee 4
> Tufted Titmouse 2
> White-breasted Nuthatch 3
> Carolina Wren 2
> House Wren 3, 2 Lookout Hill, 1 Midwood
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20
> Hermit Thrush 10
> American Robin X
> Northern Mockingbird 2
> European Starling X
> Cedar Waxwing 4, Lullwater
> Yellow-rumped Warbler X
> Palm Warbler 5
> Black-and-white Warbler 1, Ravine
> Northern Waterthrush 1, Ravine
> Louisiana Waterthrush 1, Vale
> Eastern Towhee 5
> Chipping Sparrow 7
> Song Sparrow 1
> Swamp Sparrow 2
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird 3
> Common Grackle 8
> Brown-headed Cowbird 4
> House Finch 1
> American Goldfinch 6
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)

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"jphillipobrien2006" reports on Ebirds listserve Gowanus Canal


Between 4th and 5th Aves. including Home Depot Parking Lot
2 american kestrels
1 belted kingfisher, hunting along the canal!
1 great egret
a few crows
a few mourning doves
a few house finches
a few mockingbirds
a few ring billed gulls
a herring gull
a few mallards

highlight was that male kingfisher. Got great looks along Bond St.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

April 22nd EARTH DAY , 40 years today: important notices, RIDGEWOOD RESERVOIR news, PP bird reports





Today is a reflective day for all of us on this 40th Earth Day to take stock of our fragile planet and its inhabitants. Lets think of conservation things to do , however green we make it ( especially for the birds !).


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

May 8th BIRDATHON: a call for donors and pledges.

http://brooklynbirdclub.org/trips.htm#76

Next month, Brooklyn Bird Club select members and interested birders will follow the annual spring migration peak tradition of supporting a conservation cause in counting bird species, celebrating a time honored event. This year, following 2009's highly successful BBC centennial , we will be supporting another local cause: "The Friends of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge" (FJBWR) " . FJBWR is newly founded by Jamaica Bay Baykeeper and American Littoral Society top official Don Riepe in order to address the shortcomings of the Gateway Park Administration towards Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge upkeep of habitats and environmental restoration needs. FJBWR is proposed as a public advocate made up of a coalition of mostly metropolitan based clubs --including the Brooklyn Bird Club (BBC)-- and environmental oriented organizations concerned with JBWR's well-being .

35 years ago, my personal beginning connection to the BBC started at JBWR. It was at the old visitor's center, on a small bulletin board, that I saw a small postcard ; it advertised a Brooklyn Bird Club field trip to High Tor in upstate Nyack, led by Ron Bourque. From there, it was a long journey to where I am now at BBC and Brooklyn birding. I am sure many of you as well feel sentimental connections to JBWR as a wonderful fulfilling haven for birders, an utopia of many great bird sightings.

Lets show unified support for the Friends of JBWR in presenting itself as a formidable force for Gateway Parks officials to listen to.

You can send me pledges at
Prosbird@aol.com. ( more details upon contacting me) .Thanks for your support ,especially in the past Birdathons.


With pleasure, my team member Sandy Paci has written a form letter which I will publish here on the 2010 Birdathon cause.

In the meantime, here are links to the Friends JBWR (see "read all about it" )

http://www.alsnyc.org/

If you are a Facebook member :
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=109422832414916


And a here's a profile on Jamaica Bay Refuge

http://library.fws.gov/pubs5/web_link/text/jb_form.htm


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Sandy's letter :

Dear Potential Sponsor,

Saturday May 8th is International Migratory Bird Day, or, as birder's refer to it: The Birdathon, the largest birdwatching competition worldwide, in which teams of birders compete to tally as many species as possible while raising funds for important conservation causes.

Over the past several years, Brooklyn Bird Club teams have raised money for the Bird Conservation Alliance's Boreal Songbird Initiative, American Bird Conservancy's Cerulean Warbler Preserve in Colombia, the legal fund to save Long Island's Calverton grasslands, and restoration of bird habitat in Prospect Park. Last year, we tallied 125 species and raised over $3,800.00!

For Birdathon 2010, we will support the Friends of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. This is a new coalition of organizations and individuals organized by Jamaica Bay Guardian Don Riepe under the auspices of the American Littoral Society. Thus far there are over 40 members, including the Brooklyn Bird Club, South Shore Audubon, Huntington/Oyster Bay Audubon, Queens County Bird Club, and Jamaica Bay EcoWatchers. Friends of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge will be a strong and active presence in helping to shape future policy at the refuge, pushing for sound wildlife, habitat, and resource management, and providing a voice of opposition to the recreationalists.

Can you even imagine what birding in New York City would be like without Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge? I can't. I hope that you will join us in helping to protect and preserve the Refuge for future generations of wildlife and people by making a pledge today. Pledges can be based on the number of species seen during the event or a fixed amount. All contributions are tax deductible and should be made out to "The American Littoral Society" with "Friends of Jamaica Bay Refuge" on the memo line.

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

More details will follow on this blog in the weeks before the Birdathon event . Prospect Park will be a start for my team's birding task, then its on to Jamaica Bay habitats for the rest of the day as a true focus of this year's theme.


--Peter


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
WE received this note from Brooklyn College on a bioblitz event
of Floyd Bennett for June 11-12th

If you know anybody under the requested skills criteria, pass it on.Thanks.
--Kingsboider


read on:

Brooklyn College is organizing a bioblitz for Gateway National Recreation Area in June (11th-12th, 3:00 PM to 3:00 PM). We are in desperate need for scientists, resource managers and naturalists (amateur or professional) to serve as experts. This entails coming out to Floyd Bennett Field and leading a small team of volunteers into the field to identify as many species as they can in the alloted time. We're covering all taxa (fish, birds, insects, plants, marine inverterbrates, mammals, moths, butterflies, etc.). Can you please forward this request to any lists of contacts you have that may be appropriate?

An informational flyer is attached. Interested people can contact me at bbranco@brooklyn.cuny.edu, or email JBbioblitz@yahoo.com for more information.

Thanks and regards,


Brett F. Branco, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Geology

Associate Director, AREAC



Brooklyn College - CUNY

2900 Bedford Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11210

BBranco@brooklyn.cuny.edu

718-951-5000, ext. 6441



http://userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bbranco

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

New York State Dept of Environmental Conservation is intending to classify Ridgewood Reservoir ( on the Brooklyn /Queens border) as a wetland.

Kingsboider note: Ridgewood Reservoir is a threatened habitat under city park plans. If true RE NYSDEC wetland projection, it would be a triumph for birds and wildlife within that confined habitat with water sources. For more information on the history and issue at large, go to this blog website:

http://ridgewoodreservoir.blogspot.com/


From the Queens Ledger newspaper


http://queensledger.com/bookmark/7168562

State eyeing Ridgewood Reservoir for wetlands protection
by Daniel Bush, Queens Ledger
Apr 22, 2010

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is considering classifying the Ridgewood Reservoir a state-regulated freshwater wetlands, this paper has learned.

The designation would subject the city's planned redevelopment of the reservoir to a state review, and would set the stage for a possible confrontation over the site with the Bloomberg Administration.

The city is planning a $26 million project that would convert part of the three-basin reservoir into a recreation area, despite objections from residents who want the site protected as a natural preserve.

Thomas Panzone, a DEC spokesperson, confirmed the state is eyeing the 160-year-old reservoir, which was decommissioned in 1989 and has reverted back into unkempt parkland.

“DEC is reviewing whether or not the Ridgewood Reservoir should be classified as a state-regulated freshwater wetland,” Panzone said in an email. If that happens any planned changes to the site would be subject to review by the state, and could require a permit under the state's Freshwater Wetland regulations, he said.

The Parks Department was not immediately available for comment.

The full implications of a wetlands designation on the city's plans for the reservoir remain unclear. But someone with knowledge of the negotiations between the city and state said the DEC's interest has complicated the city's efforts to remake the reservoir.

It appears likely the city could proceed easily with its phase one plans - to upgrade lights and fencing around the reservoir and rebuild a pathway between the second and third basins - regardless of any state involvement.

But the thought of complex wetlands regulations has raised concerns inside the Parks Department over its phase two plans to replace part of the third basin with an active recreation area. The work could prove difficult if the site were protected.

The phase two plan is deeply unpopular with local preservationists and Community Board 5, which recommended improving the existing ball fields in adjacent Highland Park instead of building new ones inside the reservoir.

“We'd like to see it be a nature preserve,” said Gary Giordano, CB5's district manager. If the wetlands designation allows for passive recreation on the reservoir's pathways “that's a lot more palatable than any kind of recreation development inside the reservoir,” he said.

Assemblyman Mike Miller said a state-regulated wetlands would provide important protection for wildlife within the reservoir, home to over 100 bird species. “It would curtail some of the changes the parks department wants to make,” Miller said, “but it would protect the basins the community wants protected.”

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

Prospect Park bird report 4/22

results of Tom Stephenson's Thursday Brooklyn Bird Club walk:

Hilight : 2 singing HOODED WARBLERS on Quaker Ridge behind the Upper Pool ( and before Center Drive/Nethermead Arches)

Hi Peter,

Good group again today...maybe 24-25 people.
Not many birds, though...very slow for most of the park.
Highlights were
2 singing male Hooded Warblers near the upper pool
Chimney Swifts, Barn Swallows
Pine Warbler
Blue-headed Vireo
Wood Duck, Belted Kingfisher, etc

Seems like migration is still on hold a bit.
Below is the full list.

Anyway, see you in the park.

Best regards,
Tom

Double-crested Cormorant

Canada Goose

Mute Swan

Wood Duck

Mallard

Ruddy Duck

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

Chimney Swift

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Phoebe

Blue-headed Vireo

Blue Jay

Tree Swallow

Barn Swallow

Black-capped Chickadee

White-breasted Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

House Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Northern Mockingbird

European Starling

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Pine Warbler

Hooded Warbler 2 males

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow


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

From Peter;

BROWN THRASHER at Ricks Place horse trail puddle/ Gray Dogwood shrubs.
Eastern Towhee in the Ravine


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

April 21st Prospect

Hilight: HOODED WARBLER at Boulder Bridge ( R.Jett)
( Kingsboider note: no cell phone with me today ..forgot. & got the 11:51 am text from Rob.. [sigh] )

Reports for today

From Larry Zirlin

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/21/10
Number of species: 23

Canada Goose 100
Mute Swan 3 One on nest by Three Sisters
Mallard 50
Double-crested Cormorant 1 Three Sisters
Great Egret 1 Roosting in tree on Three Sisters
Merlin 1 Chasing sparrow over rink parking lot
American Coot 1 Three Sisters
Herring Gull 6
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 10
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Hermit Thrush 5 Vale Cashmere (4) Lullwater (1)
American Robin 100
European Starling 70
Pine Warbler 1 Midwood
Swamp Sparrow 1 Vale Cashmere
White-throated Sparrow 25
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 50
House Sparrow 30

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

*************************************************
From Rob Jett:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/21/10
Number of species: 42

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Ruddy Duck 10
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Egret 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 5
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Tree Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 2
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
House Wren 1
Winter Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
Hermit Thrush 12
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Palm Warbler 8
Hooded Warbler 1 Boulder Bridge
Eastern Towhee 3
Chipping Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
American Goldfinch 12
House Sparrow X

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

April 20th Prospect :Bald Eagle

Hilight was an adult Bald Eagle flyover in mid afternoon.

From Paul Cook:

Hi Peter,
Just a quick line to tell you about a sighting I had today in the park:

1 Bald Eagle (adult) - high over WNW, over Picnic House at 3.20pm

all the best,

Paul Cook.


Monday, April 19, 2010

Prospect April 19th;Knotweed weeding last ones + bird reports

Tomorrow 4/20 at 1:30 , Eni will coordinate the remaining Japanese knotweed ( not much more to go) removal at the bird planting site at the border of Nellies Lawn and the Vale of Cashmere. Volunteers welcomed.

--Kingsboider

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

Hilights today : Orange-crowned Warbler, Broad-winged Hawk; Swallow activity over Prospect Lake inc Northern Rough-winged

From Doug Gochfeld
Sent: Mon, Apr 19, 2010 1:44 pm
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 4/19/10

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/19/10
Notes: Birded w/ Rob Bate for a bit of the time.
NW Winds, partly cloudy.
Number of species: 48

Canada Goose X
Wood Duck 1
Mallard X
Ruddy Duck 13
Great Egret 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1 S-N Low flyover, Lake
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1 Flyover, Lily Pond
American Coot 1 Lake
Laughing Gull 3 Lake
Ring-billed Gull 2 Immatures, Lake
Herring Gull 4 3 on Lake
Great Black-backed Gull 1 Flyover
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 1 Pools/Nethermead path, getting chased by a Downy
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 10
Blue-headed Vireo 1 Between Pools and the Long Meadow Baseball Fields
Vireo sp. 1 Called twice.
Blue Jay 4
crow sp. X
Tree Swallow 22 Mostly Lake, 2 were Nethermead flybys
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 Lake
Barn Swallow 4 Lake
Black-capped Chickadee X
Golden-crowned Kinglet 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20 Numerous, probably more.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 Midwood (Payne(?) Hill)
Hermit Thrush 11
American Robin 200
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 1 Heard, Midwood
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 Just SW of Nethermead Arches,
between arches and staircase. Apparently this individual
is different than the one that wintered in the Lullwater
(judging by plumage).
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 18
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 6
Louisiana Waterthrush 1 Lullwater towards Terrace Bridge
Eastern Towhee X
Chipping Sparrow 38 Nethermead edge and Peninsula Meadow edges
Savannah Sparrow 1 Peninsula Meadow edge
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 1 Skating Rink
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird X
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow X

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

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

Peter's list ( brief day glances+ 3:45-5 pm)

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/19/10
Number of species: 30

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Ruddy Duck 16 Lake
Double-crested Cormorant 11 high f/o Garage
Herring Gull (American) 6 lake
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 LP 249
Downy Woodpecker 1 Wellhouse
Northern Flicker 2 Wellhouse
American Kestrel -- low fly Nethermead
Blue-headed Vireo 1 Wellhouse
Blue Jay 1 Wellhouse
American Crow 1
Tree Swallow 11 lake
Barn Swallow 4 lake
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2-- 1 Wellhouse
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 Wellhouse
Hermit Thrush 1 NW Quaker Cemetery
American Robin X
European Starling X
Palm Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 45 Nethermead near fame Osage Orange tree
White-throated Sparrow 3 ravine
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Sparrow X

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

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Prospect April 18th BBC walk

Notables: still singing Winter Wren in Vale Cashmere, Louisiana Waterthrush, Field Sparrow, Brown Thrasher; BH Vireo; 5 warbler species ; eve report of large Chipping Sparrow flock feeding on the west field of the Nethermead

Results of the Brooklyn Bird Club walk
Prospect Park
leaders: Steve Nanz, P.Dorosh

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/18/10
Number of species: 44

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Ring-necked Duck 3 -2 drake, 1 hen Three Sisters Islands
Double-crested Cormorant 20 f/o Grand Army Plaza entrance
Great Egret 1 Terrace br
Red-tailed Hawk 2--f/o's one Ravine, one Peninsula/Lake
Peregrine Falcon 1 low fly Sullivan Woods
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher 1 Lullwater
Downy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker X
Eastern Phoebe 1 Lily Pool
Blue-headed Vireo 3--Rose Garden, Midwood
Blue Jay 1 Nethermead Br
American Crow X
Tree Swallow 7 Lake
Barn Swallow 1 Lake
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Vale Cashmere
Winter Wren 3 -singing Vale Cashmere, one north Zoo
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 Rose Garden
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5 --3 Midwood
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X Midwood (heard)
Hermit Thrush 4
American Robin X
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Pine Warbler 2 Midwood
Palm Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler 1 Midwood
Louisiana Waterthrush 1 Lullwater, north side near Terrace Br
Eastern Towhee 1 female north Midwood
Chipping Sparrow 9 -5 Butterfly Meadow Pin oaks, 5 Willow Oak Rose Garden
Field Sparrow 1 between Maryland Monument hydrant and Terrace Br (reported 1st by Dale Dyer)
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
American Goldfinch 10 Ricks Place, some on horse trail below Boulder Br
House Sparrow X

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

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Dale Dyer reports Brown Thrasher at the Maryland Monument

From Matthew Wills:

Hello, Peter

We saw a Brown Thrasher in the Vale today, 3:30pm, on an otherwise quiet pass through the western edge of the park.

Best
Matthew

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From Kathy Toomey:

Peter,

I saw an Osprey flying over the Lake in the middle of the afternoon. I saw it fly off with a fish it caught. Also 5 Laughing Gulls.

Kathy


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Peter's list:

Most notable in the evening walk (6 pm- 7:45) : a large CHIPPING SPARROW flock feeding on the west field of the Nethermead, roughly 110 birds in the grass and on the bare patches.Field Sparrow still present, at the Maryland Monument hydrant spot; sometimes it flew off to the other side of the drive . Swamp Sparrow makes it three sparrow species in eve.

Oh..a RACCOON seen foraging in the Ravine brush...(safer there)

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/18/10
Number of species: 17

Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Ring-necked Duck 3 stillpresnt south lake near 3 Sisters
Ruddy Duck 35 lake
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 north Nethermead
Carolina Wren 1 calling near LP 249
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Upper Pool
American Robin 80
Northern Mockingbird 1 Peninsula sumacs
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Palm Warbler 1 back of Upper Pool
Chipping Sparrow 110 west nethermead
Field Sparrow 1 Maryland Monument fire hydrant spot
Swamp Sparrow 1 peninsula shore phragmites nearest wellhouse
Red-winged Blackbird X
Brown-headed Cowbird 13 west island shelter phragmites

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

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Prospect April 17th

Hilights: Winter Wren singing @ Vale of Cashmere; Common Loon flyovers;Northern Rough-winged Swallow flyovers at Prospect Lake ; Blue-headed Vireo #s up a slight bit; Osprey , American Kestrel ,Peregrine Falcon raptor notables.

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From Rob Jett:


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/17/10
Notes: Linnaean Society field trip.
Number of species: 50

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 3
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Ruddy Duck X
Common Loon 2 Flyovers.
Double-crested Cormorant 30 Flying over Prospect Lake.
Great Blue Heron 1 Flyover.
Great Egret 2 Flyover.
Peregrine Falcon 1 Flying near Empire antenna tower.
Herring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 5
Northern Flicker X
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue-headed Vireo 5
Blue Jay X
Tree Swallow 25
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 7 Flying around Prospect Lake.
Barn Swallow 8
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Carolina Wren 2
Winter Wren 1 Singing at the Vale of Cashmere.
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 25
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Hermit Thrush 10
American Robin X
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler 75
Pine Warbler 3
Palm Warbler 12
Eastern Towhee 8
Chipping Sparrow 4
Swamp Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

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

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From Keir Randall:


Location: Prospect Park 11am-1pm
Observation date: 4/17/10
Number of species: 38

Canada Goose X
Mallard X
Ruddy Duck X
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Osprey 1 (Upper Pool, Lake)
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1 (high over Lily Pond)
American Coot 1
Laughing Gull 1 (on Lake)
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher 1 (Male - Ambergill, Lily Pond, Lullwater)
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) X
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1 (L249, Lookout)
Blue Jay X
Barn Swallow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
Hermit Thrush X
American Robin X
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) X
Palm Warbler (Yellow) X
Eastern Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow X
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
House Sparrow X