Sept 29th Prospect Lake; Greenwood Cemetery report

Before it will get heavy when the "real event" -tropical storm Nicole dumps on us, I took a quick stroll to Prospect Lake.

A mix of water species settling in , unawares of the coming drench,  a single AMERICAN COOT --likely the first of the fall season-- glided by 5 RUDDY DUCKs and 4 NORTHERN SHOVELERs. Off farther, Double -crested Cormorant.

Yesterday , I received a report from Mary E of 19 WOOD DUCK at the Upper Pool, some in the water, or on shore but a number of them in the trees or the fallen snag. Anywhere near 20 is very impressive.

And inside the "propsite" nursery/maintenance area, 3 CHIPPING SPARROWS.

It looks like Saturday will be a good birding day when all the wet stuff is out of here completely

Just one note. Sometimes these powerful tropical storms push in pelagic species to inland areas, so it pays to check out freshwater lakes and ponds, including Prospect Lake the next morning (or if you are the gritty type, even during the storm) for anything special. It's a million shot chance, but you never know. In the 1940's the lake did have a Dovekie......

Stay dry.

--Kingsboider

list--all Lake sightings

Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 9/29/10

Number of species: 7


Mute Swan 7

American Black Duck 1

Mallard 15

Northern Shoveler 4

Ruddy Duck 5

Double-crested Cormorant 2

American Coot 1



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

Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 9/28/10

Number of species: 3



Wood Duck 19 Upper Pool reported by Mary Eyster

Blue Jay 1

Chipping Sparrow 3 Propsite

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

From Rob Jett:
> Subject: eBird Report - Greenwood Cemetery , 9/29/10


> Location: Greenwood Cemetery

> Observation date: 9/29/10

> Number of species: 38


> Canada Goose X

> Great Egret 1

> Cooper's Hawk 1

> Red-tailed Hawk 1

> Rock Pigeon X

> Mourning Dove X

> Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1

> Red-bellied Woodpecker 3

> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2

> Downy Woodpecker 1

> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 40

> Eastern Phoebe 5

> Red-eyed Vireo 2

> Blue Jay X

> Black-capped Chickadee X

> Red-breasted Nuthatch 6

> White-breasted Nuthatch 4

> House Wren 1

> Golden-crowned Kinglet 8

> Swainson's Thrush 1

> American Robin X

> Gray Catbird X

> Northern Mockingbird X

> European Starling X

> Northern Parula 5

> Black-throated Blue Warbler 3

> Yellow-rumped Warbler 6

> Black-throated Green Warbler 1

> Pine Warbler 3

> Palm Warbler 12

> Black-and-white Warbler 1

> Chipping Sparrow 10

> Song Sparrow 2

> Swamp Sparrow 2

> White-throated Sparrow 12

> Scarlet Tanager 1

> Northern Cardinal X

> House Sparrow X

>

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

BBC Thursday morning Walk CANCELED

Due to forecast of heavy rain and gusty winds, under difficult conditions, the Brooklyn Bird Club walk from Bartel Pritchard at 7 am is CANCELED.

Please pass along word to anyone without internet. Thanks

Bad Weather and strong wind

Tropical Storm 16 ( or Nicole if it hits the speed category) is slated to hit our area Thursday , worsening towards the evening. But Friday , Northwest winds predicted later in the day though it shifts in the morning ( but I think the overcast and rain  event will affect migration so late Friday and early morn Saturday better chances for birds). You can't tell with these winds and the timing, but just a heads up with this good fall wind in case you take the initiative.  Kingsboider

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/


Tonight


Cloudy...rain...mainly after midnight. Rain may be heavy at times after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.

Thursday

Rain. Rain may be heavy at times. Windy and humid with highs in the mid 70s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 40 mph...increasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain near 100 percent.


 Kingsboider note: There is a very good possibility that the 7-10 Thursday Morning Walk starting at Bartel Pritchard park entrance, will be cancelled. But Peter will be there  ( to see if anybody brave enough appears) to judge weather conditions at the time and decide go or no. Predicted gusty winds and heavy rain is a hazard to deal with , esp after last week's tree shaking storm event .STAY TUNED for later message tonight.

Sept 28th BBGarden : Lark Sparrow report

Orrin Tilevitz reports LARK SPARROW along the south side of the Japanese Pond of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.Possibly this was the bird that was around the rink area a few days ago [reported by Rob Bate] , crossing over to the Garden. Please update me if seen it again.

---Kingsboider

 BBG this morning.

Mallard
Mourning Dove
Common flicker
Red-bellied woodpecker
Great crested fly catcher
Eastern wood pewee
Blue jay
Brown thrasher
Carolina wren
American robin
Northern parula
Prairie warler
Wilson's warbler
Common yellowthroat
European starling
House finch
White-throated sparrow

Lark sparrow

House sparrow

Rainy and very wet Prospect Sept 27th

Of course one wouldn't expect to see much when it's pouring. Its best to stay indoors and watch a good film particularly on a Monday. Unfortunately, work was the main assignment of the day for me,working with USDA Forestry crews called up from the south ,cleaning up the worst tree damage area along the Endale Arch road. But I did see a light moment involving kinglets under stormy skies.

After chipping tree brush from storm damaged trees , as I backed up the truck, several GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS flew up from within one dense fallen limb, from dead leaves likely hosting insects ; all the kinglets first clambered up the tree trunk , subsequently flying higher up into the tree.I thought that funny.

After work , a little walk for seeing anything new. At the rink cove, 3 SWAMP SPARROWS flew into the phragmite edge, as they were spooked from my intrusion upon the shoreline;there was another Swamp sparrow inside the rink.NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH along the rink cove, shielded from raindrops. About the last few things to report on this wet day, after the Swamp Sparrows: SCARLET TANAGER on Breeze Hill , BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER in the elms across from the Peninsula sumac grove; Osprey and Swifts flyovers; and soaking wet socks for me I cant wait to take off.....

I am sure after the storm passes , good stuff will come by [maybe Wednesday].We'll be on the "drier" lookout...

list

Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 9/27/10

Number of species: 22


Mute Swan 3

Mallard X

Double-crested Cormorant 1 lake

Osprey 1 f/o LP 249

Mourning Dove X

Chimney Swift 4 f/o Lookout hill

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2- 1 rink

Red-eyed Vireo 1 breeze hill

Blue Jay 1 f/o breeze hill

Golden-crowned Kinglet 5- 4 north Long Meadow 9/11 grove

American Robin X

Gray Catbird 4 breeze hill

European Starling X

Black-throated Green Warbler 1 well drive by wellhouse

American Redstart 1 "propsite"

Northern Waterthrush 1 rink cove

Common Yellowthroat 1 rink

Song Sparrow 3--2 rink cove, one wellhouse

White-throated Sparrow 3 wellhouse

Scarlet Tanager 1 Breeze Hill, female

Northern Cardinal 1

House Sparrow X

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

______________________________________
From Rob Bate:

I went out late again.  Only 3 Northern Waterthrushes on S Shore but the Butterfly Meadow was hopping, 3 Black &White Warblers on one twig.  Mostly the usual suspects but I did have a nonbreeding female Indigo Bunting up in the meadow.

____________________________________

From Rob Jett:

Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 9/27/10

Number of species: 44



Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X

Wood Duck 17 Upper Pool.

American Black Duck X

Mallard X

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1

Red-tailed Hawk 1

Merlin 1

American Coot 1

Herring Gull (American) X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Chimney Swift X

Belted Kingfisher 1 Upper Pool.

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Hairy Woodpecker 2

Northern Flicker X

Eastern Phoebe 8

Red-eyed Vireo 1

Blue Jay X

American Crow 5

Black-capped Chickadee 2

Brown Creeper 1 Next to Tennis House.

House Wren 1

Golden-crowned Kinglet 30

Swainson's Thrush 2

American Robin X

Gray Catbird X

European Starling X

Northern Parula 3


Magnolia Warbler 2


Black-throated Green Warbler 1


Black-and-white Warbler 1


American Redstart 2


Ovenbird 1


Northern Waterthrush 1


Common Yellowthroat 1

Song Sparrow 1

Swamp Sparrow 3

White-throated Sparrow 3 Next to 3rd Street Playground.

Northern Cardinal X

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1

Common Grackle 1

House Sparrow X



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

Prospect Sept 26th including Glossy Ibis f/o;south P.lake report

From Tom Stephenson:

I was able to get into Prospect Park for a bit, hoping for new birds on the NW winds. Definitely changes from Thursday.
Most notable were the first Dark-eyed Juncos I've seen this year. Also a late group of 7 Glossy Ibis were flying south over the park 8am or so.

The winds seemed to have flushed out many birds including lots of the robins and a lot of the diversity. In it's place were a number of frantic flocks of Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a few warblers and Red-eyed Vireos and Peewees and Phoebes.
These flocks kept showing up, starting in the Vale and then eventually on the Peninsula. Didn't have time to get to the South end, which might have been good.
Over time, we did finally have (Janet and Stanley and myself) 14 species of warblers

Here's the list.

Best regards,
Tom

Great Blue Heron
Glossy Ibis  7
Canada Goose
Mallard
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Herring Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Traill's type Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Palm Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Common Yellowthroat
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
House Sparrow

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

From Rob Bate:

Peter - I went out late to the south shore to see if anything piled up there. It was busy right by 3 sisters Islands but sparse elsewhere. I did get 12 warbler species in 1 1/2 hours plus a RB Grosbeak and both kinglets. Earlier Tracy and I were at the BBG and picked up a few good birds. The Native Species Garden is closed till they clean up storm damage. - Rob



Number of species: 41

Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X

Mallard X

Great Blue Heron X

Black-crowned Night-Heron X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Belted Kingfisher X

Red-bellied Woodpecker X

Downy Woodpecker BBG

Eastern Phoebe X

Red-eyed Vireo X

Black-capped Chickadee X

Brown Creeper BBG

Golden-crowned Kinglet X

Ruby-crowned Kinglet X

Gray-cheeked Thrush BBG

Swainson's Thrush X

American Robin X

Gray Catbird X

Northern Mockingbird X

European Starling X

Northern Parula X


Chestnut-sided Warbler X


Magnolia Warbler X


Black-throated Blue Warbler X


Yellow-rumped Warbler X


Black-throated Green Warbler X


Pine Warbler X


Blackpoll Warbler X


Black-and-white Warbler X


American Redstart X


Northern Waterthrush X


Common Yellowthroat X

White-throated Sparrow X

Scarlet Tanager BBG

Rose-breasted Grosbeak X

Red-winged Blackbird X

Common Grackle X

House Finch BBG

House Sparrow X

Floyd Bennett Grasslands Conservation urgency

I post occasionally on this blog critical issues regarding Brooklyn habitats under threat .  Follow this link for the latest:

http://bbcnewsboard.blogspot.com/2010/09/floyd-bennett-grasslands-in-jeopardy-of.html

--Kingsboider

North Brooklyn hot for birding or what ? Governors Island and Brooklyn Bridge Park birding.

I saw this on an email I get from Governors Island Alliance if you are interested in going there ( its a great place for water views as well as the city skyline even if you don't see any birds. ) Check out this posting I excerpted on birding:

This weekend on Governors Island  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governors_Island,_New_York_City

Saturday

National Public Lands Day Program: Fall Bird Census on Governors Island -With Volunteer In Park Annie Barry, a public volunteer service program


10:30-12:30: Meet at the top of the hill at Soisson's Dock


Join Annie on a search for warblers, kinglets, thrushes, vireos and other migrating birds as they pass through New York Harbor. We’ll also count summer lingerers and year-round residents. Your participation will help the National Park Service gather census data on the birds of Governors Island. Please bring your own binoculars. Meet at the top of the hill at Soission's Dock at 10:30.

The ferry runs from the Coast Guard building next to the Staten Island Ferry or Pier 6 From Atlantic Ave

Manhattan Ferries



Free ferries run between Manhattan and Governors Island on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Manhattan ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building (10 South Street) in Lower Manhattan.


Brooklyn Ferries


Free ferries run between Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Governors Island on Saturdays and Sundays. The ferry ride is a quick three minutes, so ferry service runs continuously. Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 6 is located at the foot of Atlantic Avenue.


 for more info  , go to

http://www.governorsislandalliance.org/

212-253-2727
governorsisland@rpa.org 

 ( by the way, Governors Island should be Brooklyn's ,cause its on our side :)>  AND it has a great name for the strait between Brooklyn and the Island : BUTTERMILK CHANNEL  )

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

From Ebird Yahoo Groups listserve  ( about Brooklyn Bridge Park)
brooklynbridgepark.org

Larry Zirlin posting:

If Bryant Park seems an unlikely place to find a lot of
warblers then this new park, still under construction, is even
more surprising.


On Pier 1 the planners have created a salt marsh planted
with a variety of water loving plants, while the small hills have
 at least a hundred trees along with bushes and flowers. I
was skeptical that these planting would attracted many birds.
However, in 2 visits this week, one in the morning and one in
the late afternoon I found:

Northern Parula

Yellow Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Palm Warbler

Northern Waterthrush

Common Yellowthroat


As well as:


Ruby-crowned Kinglet (at least 6 yesterday)

Eastern Phoebe

American Goldfinch

along with mockingbirds, starlings, robins, Mourning Doves,
and House Sparrows.

It also looks like it will be a great place for ducks, geese, gulls, &
possibly grebes in the winter. In the late spring there were Brant,
Gadwall,black ducks, Canada Geese. Gulls abound and there are
always a few cormorants.

A geographic quirk: Apparently the borderline of New York
County extends to the shoreline of Brooklyn in this area of East
River, so technically,this is New York County-at least that's how
eBirds placed it when I marked it on the map. An easy way for
 Brooklynites to pad their New York County lists!

In the mornings there are many people around-I found 7 Palm
Warblers on one of the lawns. Human activity picks up
throughout the day and after work it is pretty busy, but the salt
marsh had a lot of warblers and kinglets flitting about.


Larry Zirlin

Brooklyn, NY


birdsandwords-larryz.blogspot.com/>

Sept 23rd Prospect inc possible LARK SPARROW @ Rink or Breeze Hill

Possible LARK SPARROW @ Rink /Breeze hill 130 pm (Rob Bate)

Bird was seen perched near the rink , flew up towards Breeze Hill


Kingsboider note:  I searched the area after work which proved unsuccessful but it was hot then. The Breeze Hill lawn and perimeter is a terrific spot to look.There are large dirt mounds infested with thick weeds so that's a good spot for good birds especially sparrows in the coming weeks. IN one of the mounds this afternoon, 3 Magnolia Warblers, RC Kinglet, Black-throated Blue Warbler female , House Wren  --all on one mound , along the drive on the south edge of the Breeze Hill meadow. Good Luck, keep me posted.

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

Results of Brooklyn Bird Club Thursday walk

Leading : Tom Stephenson


Hi Peter,

We had another good group today of about 16-17 people. It took some time, once again, but we finally squeezed out some good species including 20 species of warblers (including Blackburnian that Adam had on his walk out), Willow Flycatcher, 2 Yellow-billed Cuckoos, and more.

Here's the list.

Best regards,
Tom

Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
American Coot
Spotted Sandpiper
Laughing Gull
Herring Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Chimney Swift
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee

Willow Flycatcher

Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing

Tennessee Warbler

Northern Parula

Yellow Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler (Adam on his walk out)

Pine Warbler

Palm Warbler

Bay-breasted Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

American Redstart

Ovenbird

Northern Waterthrush

Common Yellowthroat

Wilson's Warbler

Canada Warbler

Scarlet Tanager
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Sparrow

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


From Larry Zirlin:


Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 9/23/10


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 9/23/10
Number of species: 35

Canada Goose 65
Mute Swan 7
Wood Duck 4 Upper Pool
Mallard 50
Northern Shoveler 4 South Lullwater
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon 40
Mourning Dove 11
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 4
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 Vale
Eastern Phoebe 1 Vale
Red-eyed Vireo 1 Peninsula
Blue Jay 9
Black-capped Chickadee 1 Lookout Hill
Carolina Wren 2 Lookout Hill, both very vocal.
Veery 1 Behind Boathouse
American Robin 23
Gray Catbird 25
European Starling 2

Northern Parula 2 South shore of lake

Magnolia Warbler 3

Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 South shore of Lake

Palm Warbler 2

Black-and-white Warbler 2 South shore of Lake

American Redstart 2

Northern Waterthrush 5 South shore of lake

Common Yellowthroat 7

Eastern Towhee 2 M&F. Lookout Hill
Song Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 5
Northern Cardinal 10
House Sparrow 70

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

Sept 22 Greenwood Cemetery report

From Rob Jett:

Location:     Greenwood Cemetery

Observation date:     9/22/10

Number of species:     34

Canada Goose     6

Sharp-shinned Hawk     2

Cooper's Hawk     1

Red-tailed Hawk     2

Herring Gull (American)     X

Rock Pigeon     X

Mourning Dove     X

Monk Parakeet     30

Yellow-billed Cuckoo     1     Found recently deceased individual in

front of Niblo mausoleum.

Chimney Swift     X

Ruby-throated Hummingbird     1

Red-bellied Woodpecker     1

Downy Woodpecker     1

Northern Flicker     75

Eastern Wood-Pewee     1

Eastern Phoebe     1

Blue Jay     X

Black-capped Chickadee     X

Red-breasted Nuthatch     1

Golden-crowned Kinglet     6

Swainson's Thrush     2

American Robin     X

Northern Mockingbird     X

European Starling     X

Black-throated Blue Warbler     1

Palm Warbler     8

Black-and-white Warbler     1

Common Yellowthroat     2

Song Sparrow     X

Scarlet Tanager     1

Northern Cardinal     X

Baltimore Oriole     1

American Goldfinch     X

House Sparrow     X

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

=

PP Google map

I cleaned up the Prospect Park Google map
 ( on the side menu ------>  )
alphabetizing all the locales ( I bet this was driving u crazy trying to find the place.).. and writing more description. I just never got around to it till tonight..But its good and easier to go.

--Kingsboider

Prospect Sept 22 "Ambergill Waterhole"

On this first day of fall, ( well ..late tonight),it appears quiet. I didn't see much around but one particular spot I was glad I used a pickax to dig a water channel into a previously dry area marked by a Gray Dogwood shrub ( yes, it needed water!), that now has become a favorite bathing spot for birds. Its just on the south side of the Ravine Esdale Bridge, where the creek runs away from. I called it the "Ambergill waterhole" .So keep this name spot in mind . Perhaps I will denote it on the Google park map I created ( see side menu)

At about 10:30 am, I watched the spot for a few minutes and wound up seeing  9 species birds. Most notable ?  Two Palm Warblers --species I mostly see on the lawns and open areas, were instead bathing at that creek spot along with two Parulas using the dogwood as a perching springboard. Soon a few other species joined in.Check the list below. So, if its hot out or slow, its worth checking the Ambie waterhole..I guarantee no Elephants will drop by unless they break out of the zoo in the Bronx..

One more note. For anyone who recalled that spectacular sparrow period ( + one brave pipit and some larks) inside the ballfield fence off area in 2009, there is a new ballfield fence off enclosure area though a little smaller.This time, go to the northWEST corner of the ballfields. ( last year it was the EAST corner). Keep your fingers crossed for good fall meadow stuff...

Ambergill creek waterhole list - 10:30 am

Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 9/22/10

Number of species: 9



Red-eyed Vireo 1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1

American Robin 1

Northern Parula 2

Magnolia Warbler 1

Palm Warbler (Yellow) 2

American Redstart 1

Ovenbird 1

Northern Waterthrush 1

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

Ambergill "waterhole" ravine esdale br

Ambergill "waterhole" ravine esdale br active with 9 specis inc 2 palm warblers

Fall is today & here's what's new....

Dear readers and birders:

When you opened my blog, you probably noticed something very different...Oh you noticed?  Yes, I changed the design or template more like it. After seeing the same thing every day, I felt I needed a change, to keep my brain invigorated. Also, in change with the season, I think this new format is in tune with Autumn reflections...(and the reading is easier..i hope! and one more thing...U have to like the flying birds up there in the right upper corner...)

Happy Autumnal equinox!

From skyandtelescope.com for Wednesday, Sept. 22

Autumn begins in the Northern Hemisphere, and spring in the Southern Hemisphere, at 11:09 p.m. EDT. This equinox marks when the Sun crosses the equator heading south for the year. Day and night (if you include twilight as night) are about equally long

By the way, for anyone curious about how my group fared on the Cape May trip last weekend, here's the link to the list:

http://bbcprevioustripreports.blogspot.com/

Prospect Park Sept 21st; Mother Nature's fury and birds

Good bird movement evidently seen at 3 sisters islands , the beginning of Grand Army Plaza's path towards the Vale  (that path officially is blocked due to dangerous tree fall conditions), and the Rose Garden. I was able to count collectively 13 species warblers at the mentioned locales. More reports later for sure but I must attend tonight's hearing on Floyd Bennett's future so have to hurry..

But the news of the day as I surveyed the storm damage from last Thursday's violent wake left me in total awe. I have not ever seen extensive tree destruction within a confined small local area, in this case the path along the Flatbush berm from the Endale Arch to the Vale of Cashmere Rose Garden. Mother Nature's fury is something not to reckon with. Be careful not to enter this dangerous area, as some trees are compromised besides the ones already down. It will be a long while before its all cleared up.

Peter's list:

Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 9/21/10

Number of species: 43



Canada Goose 42

Wood Duck 7 --2 Upper pool, 5 Lower pool

American Wigeon 2 yesterday on Lake

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler 6 yesterday on Lake

Pied-billed Grebe 1  yesterday on Lake

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 f/o Nethermead

Spotted Sandpiper 1 south lakeside

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1

Belted Kingfisher 1 upper pool

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 11--9 Rose garden lawn

Eastern Wood-Pewee 1

Eastern Phoebe 2

Red-eyed Vireo 2

House Wren 4

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 yesterday Wellhouse

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2-- 1 Lower pool arum leaves

Swainson's Thrush 2

American Robin X

Gray Catbird 1

European Starling X

Northern Parula 5


Yellow Warbler 2 at 3 sisters


Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 Eastport Arch


Magnolia Warbler 14--common


Black-throated Blue Warbler 4-2 Rose garden


Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 @ 3 Sisters


Palm Warbler (Yellow) 1 Long Meadow


Blackpoll Warbler 2 @ 3 Sisters


Black-and-white Warbler 5


American Redstart 3


Ovenbird 3


Northern Waterthrush 2


Common Yellowthroat 7--4 north Midwood

Song Sparrow 1 south lakeside

White-throated Sparrow 5  vale cashmere

Scarlet Tanager 2--1 Vale, 2nd@3 arches

Northern Cardinal 4

Red-winged Blackbird 2

Common Grackle 4

House Sparrow X

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

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

From Tom Stephenson:

Hi Peter,




Very nice day in the park, with many birds piled up at the South end and scattered activity in other areas. Had a chance to get out with Rob Bate, Keir, with Adam Welz joining towards the end.



Highlights: 18 species of warblers including Bay-breasted and Cape May, Yellow-bellied and Alder (called) Flycatchers, Y-b Cuckoo, 5 species of raptor, some harbingers like Winter Wren, G-c Kinglet, Brown Creeper, etc.



Here's the list.



Best regards,

Tom



Double-crested Cormorant

Green Heron

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Canada Goose

Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Cooper's Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

American Kestrel

Peregrine Falcon

Spotted Sandpiper

Ring-billed Gull

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Chimney Swift

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Alder Flycatcher (vocalized)

Eastern Phoebe

Blue-headed Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

Black-capped Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

House Wren

Winter Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Brown Creeper



Swainson's Thrush

American Robin

Gray Catbird

Northern Mockingbird

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Northern Parula


Yellow Warbler


Chestnut-sided Warbler


Magnolia Warbler


Cape May Warbler


Black-throated Blue Warbler


Yellow-rumped Warbler


Black-throated Green Warbler


Pine Warbler


Palm Warbler


Bay-breasted Warbler


Blackpoll Warbler


Black-and-white Warbler


American Redstart


Ovenbird


Northern Waterthrush


Common Yellowthroat


Canada Warbler

Scarlet Tanager

Song Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

A really cool website to check out : Birds of Brooklyn

A really cool website I and several other prominent birders assisted Jenna the artist mastermind of the website link I am providing may be a of great interest to you if you happen to be in the area where Jenna's audio project of birdsong has been set up. It's a sobering reminder of Brooklyn 's past natural richness now mostly gone yet a hopeful future towards conservation of our remaining habitats so critical to our birds. Check out this website!

http://birdsofbrooklyn.org/




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early reports Sept 19th Prospect;full lists

--Rob Bate reports Yellow-billed Cuckoo over the south (west?) stairs of Lookout Hill

--Keir Randall reports Philadelphia Vireo at the Peninsula tip + 10 species warblers  from the Peninsula meadow inward to tip in a 12:09 text message; arrival of kinglets

later report 15 + warbler species

____________________________________________


Rob Bate list:

Observation date: 9/20/10


Number of species: 42 - 12 warblers - no Waterthrush!



Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X

Mallard X

Green-winged Teal X

Great Cormorant X

Great Blue Heron X

Red-tailed Hawk X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Yellow-billed Cuckoo X

Ruby-throated Hummingbird X

Red-bellied Woodpecker X

Downy Woodpecker X

Northern Flicker X

Eastern Wood-Pewee X

Eastern Phoebe X

Red-eyed Vireo X

Blue Jay X

Carolina Wren X

Swainson's Thrush X

American Robin X

Gray Catbird X

European Starling X

Cedar Waxwing X

Northern Parula X


Yellow Warbler X


Chestnut-sided Warbler X


Magnolia Warbler X


Black-throated Blue Warbler X


Pine Warbler X


Palm Warbler X


Blackpoll Warbler X


Black-and-white Warbler X


American Redstart X


Common Yellowthroat X


Wilson's Warbler X

Song Sparrow X

Scarlet Tanager X

Northern Cardinal X

Red-winged Blackbird X

Common Grackle X

House Sparrow X

_________________________________________

From Keir:

15 Warbler sp seen just in Peninsula area + close


look @ Philly Vireo. Obvious influx of Kinglets, YRWA and PAWAs etc



Location: Prospect Park

Observation date: 9/20/10, 9am-1p

Number of species: 50



Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X

Mallard X

Double-crested Cormorant 1

Green Heron 1

Red-tailed Hawk 1

Spotted Sandpiper 1

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2

Downy Woodpecker 1

Hairy Woodpecker 1

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 10 (8 together, Lookout)

Empidonax sp. 1 (probable Acadian, Nellie's Lawn)

Eastern Phoebe 1

Eastern Kingbird 1

Philadelphia Vireo 1 (close views, Pnsla "hand" tip)

Red-eyed Vireo X

Blue Jay X

Black-capped Chickadee X

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

Carolina Wren 1

House Wren 2

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1

Golden-crowned Kinglet 3+ (pines @ Pnsla tip)

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 (Vale, Lookout)

Swainson's Thrush 1

American Robin X

Gray Catbird X

Northern Mockingbird 1

European Starling X

Cedar Waxwing 7

Northern Parula 4


Chestnut-sided Warbler 4


Magnolia Warbler 6


Black-throated Blue Warbler 5


Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 4+


Black-throated Green Warbler 2 (Lookout)


Pine Warbler 2+ (Pnsla)


Prairie Warbler 1 (bright adult, Pnsla meadow)


Palm Warbler 4+ (Nellie's lawn, Pnsla meadow)


Bay-breasted Warbler 2+ (2 adult males, Vale & Pnsla meadow)


Blackpoll Warbler 2+


Black-and-white Warbler 4


American Redstart 3


Ovenbird 3


Northern Waterthrush 1 (Pnsla)


Common Yellowthroat 5

Northern Cardinal X

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 (Lily Pond)

House Sparrow X

Reports received while I was away.....

Well, I 'm back from Cape May and certainly need a day or so to unwind from rising so early and grinding all day birding travels  which Cape May is worth seeing all ..sometime soon, I'll post a list link. WE achieved 127 species with about 50 hours birding ( 10 am Friday to noon Sunday)

So I hear a tornado touched down in Prospect. You know, I have a moniker for excellent warbler flurry in a single spot    ( like a lone tree) when its numbers and exceptional diversity of warblers where I call it a "twister". I rather see that than the scary weather kind..heard a number of trees down on the northeast side..have to check that out sometime....

for now, here are reports i received while I was away (including another Yellow-breasted Chat)..... but for now, need to rest up...

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From Rafael:

DATE: 18 September 2010


OBSERVER: Rafael Campos R.

TIME: 8-11:30 am


With a nice day ahead, it was worth to go birding around PP.But the damage made by that terrible storm this past Thursday, was a kind of a walk full of obstacles. Most of the damage I saw was between GAP and the the path next to Flatbush Ave., til the area around the Rose Garden. Some big trees were knocked down in the edges of the Long Meadow. The rest of the park looked untouched by those fierce winds.

With 11 sps of warblers, the walk was great, but activity was patchy, in little pockets, like Vale, and near by the Quaker hill. Peninsula was quiet, so Lookout Hill. Midwood, Rick's Place, birdless, almost.


The birds:



Canada Goose



Mute Swan



Wood Duck (upper pool, 8+)



Mallard



Double-crested Cormorant (1, Lake)



Green Heron (1, lower Lullwater)



Black-crowned Night-Heron (1)



Red-tailed Hawk (1)



Spotted Sandpiper (2)



Rock (Common) PIgeon



Mourning Dove



Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1, Vale)



Belted Kingfisher (1, Lullwater; 1 Lake)



Red-bellied Woodpecker



Northern Flicker (2)



Eastern Wood Pewee



Red-eyed Vireo



Blue Jay



Black-capped Chickadee



Red-breasted Nuthatch (2)



Carolina Wren (1, Peninsula)



Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1)



Swainson's Thrush (2)



American Robin



Gray Catbird



Brown Thrasher (1, Battle Pass)



European (Common) Starling



Northern Parula



Yellow Warbler (1)



Chestnut-sided Warbler (1)



Magnolia Warbler (2)



Black-throated Blue Warbler (1 male)



Black-throated Green Warbler (1)



Blackpoll Warbler (1)



Black-and-white Warbler (2)



American Redstart



Ovenbird (1)



Common Yellowthroat



Wilson's Warbler (1)



Scarlet Tanager (2, Vale)



Northern Cardinal



House Finch (1 female)



American Goldfinch



House Sparrow


Brooklyn is good birding!!!

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From Keir:

Rose Garden best spot both days.


Location: Prospect Park

Observation date: 9/19/10, noon-2.30p

Number of species: 23



Mallard X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Chimney Swift X

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) X

Eastern Phoebe 1

Red-eyed Vireo X

Black-capped Chickadee X

White-breasted Nuthatch X

Carolina Wren 1

House Wren 1

American Robin X (incl 1 leucistic, Maryland Mon.)

Gray Catbird X

European Starling X

Northern Parula X

Black-throated Green Warbler 1

Black-and-white Warbler 1

Common Yellowthroat 1

Yellow-breasted Chat 1 (Vale, 2p)

Song Sparrow 1

Northern Cardinal X

American Goldfinch 1

House Sparrow X


Location: Prospect Park

Observation date: 9/18/10, 8am-noon

Number of species: 36



Wood Duck 6

Mallard X

Red-tailed Hawk 1

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2

Eastern Wood-Pewee 1

Empidonax sp. 1

Blue-headed Vireo 1

Warbling Vireo 1

Red-eyed Vireo X

Blue Jay X

Black-capped Chickadee 2

Swainson's Thrush 1

American Robin X

Gray Catbird X

European Starling X

Northern Parula 3

Chestnut-sided Warbler 1

Magnolia Warbler 2

Cape May Warbler 1 (on grass, Rose Gdn)

Black-throated Blue Warbler 3

Black-throated Green Warbler 1

Black-and-white Warbler 3

American Redstart 2

Ovenbird 2

Northern Waterthrush 2

Common Yellowthroat 3

Wilson's Warbler 1 (Rose Gdn)

Chipping Sparrow 1

Scarlet Tanager 1 (Rose Gdn)

Northern Cardinal X

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2 (Rose Gdn)

Baltimore Oriole 2

House Sparrow X



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



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

From: Michael Yuan

Date: Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 9:22 PM

Subject: Prospect 9/19

Scattered patches of birds throughout the day.
Yellow-Breasted Chat found in the brush between the
Vale and the Rose Garden.

Canada Goose 25

Mute Swan 4

Mallard 18

Black-crowned Night-Heron 1

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1

Red-tailed Hawk 2

Rock Pigeon 15

Mourning Dove 10

Common Nighthawk 1

Chimney Swift 7

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2

Belted Kingfisher 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Downy Woodpecker 1

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2

Eastern Wood-Pewee 2

Empidonax sp. 1

Red-eyed Vireo 8

Blue Jay 2

Black-capped Chickadee 1

Red-breasted Nuthatch 2

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

Carolina Wren 1

American Robin 8

Gray Catbird 15

Northern Mockingbird 1

European Starling 20

Cedar Waxwing 4

Northern Parula 2

Yellow Warbler 1

Chestnut-sided Warbler 1

Magnolia Warbler 4

Black-throated Green Warbler 3

Pine Warbler 1

Black-and-white Warbler 2

American Redstart 9

Common Yellowthroat 1

Canada Warbler 1

Yellow-breasted Chat 1

Northern Cardinal 12

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2

House Sparrow 25

Keir Randall (9/19 2:06 pm):

Keir Randall (9/19 2:06 pm): Yb chat refound vale pool

per mike yuan Yellowbreasted chat

per mike yuan
Yellowbreasted chat @vale

Gone to "birding heaven" ( down here and when the good wind is with us); Brooklyn Museum event

This weekend I will be away birding famed Cape May ( http://birdcapemay.org/ ), sort of an Utopian fall birding spot at the bottom of New Jersey. I am leading my club group starting very early tomorrow..so hang in there till I get back for posting full reports ( but I can still send the rare sighting to the "news board "--what this blog really is all along and me "field reporter"-- if I get text message(s) from back home)...Enjoy your weekend and the good birds......on the wind.

In the meantime, check out below my synopsis about the program note on a nature art exhibition coming up at the Brooklyn Museum...

---Kingsboider

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

For the first time in a very long long time, the Brooklyn Bird Club is collaborating in an essential relevant role with the Brooklyn Museum on a birding event tied in with a prominent artist's nature exhibition. In the very early (and founding )days of the club, meetings were once held at the Brooklyn Museum, once known as the Brooklyn Institute of Science before the name changed over 100 years ago ( well, the club is 101 years old now).

ON October 17th, a nature emphasized art exhibition of works by Fred Tommaselli will open with a gallery tour followed by an afternoon bird walk led by former BBC president Paul Keim ( who is by the way,a great bird artist affiliated with the Brooklyn Watercolor Society). Do take this great opportunity to see Fred Tommaselli's work and attend the bird walk as well. If you are a birder going on this walk, bring an extra pair of binoculars to share for newcomer folks who are interested in nature and birds. We are to be ambassadors for the birds, sharing our passion with others journeying into that world of birds and nature.

For the walk, you need to register , so click on the link below and reserve your spot. Middle October is a terrific time for birds, especially with hawks flying overhead and perched in the trees.

Here is the museum program note for the event  ( click also on the blue italics which are links for more info)

http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/calendar/event/3486

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

Prospect 16th Prospect; BWHAWK , Results of BBC walk

Today's photo of Ruby -throated Hummingbird by Sarah Tilevitz, in Brooklyn Botanic Garden

 
This morning while I was in the garage complex ,a BROAD-WINGED HAWK flew into a tree and perched momentarily above the fence near the 9th Street entrance. It flew to another tree and shortly thereafter took off over the park garage due east.. Then a second Broad-winged Hawk flew over and soared for a bit above the east portico of the bandshell. Time was 8:00 am.  Peter.

Kingsboider note: Broad- winged hawk peak migration is about now into the next two weeks. see http://www.hmana.org/ or http://hawkmountain.org/  for more about hawks and their passage details.


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

Results of Thursday Brooklyn Bird Club walk
Leading : Tom Stephenson ( reporting list)

Hi Peter,

We had a good group today of about 30 mostly very patient people. After spending 45 very slow going minutes in the Vale, Nellie's lawn and Midwood, I was afraid that most of our species diversity was going to be in the duck area.....

But finally, when we hit the bottom of Lookout, things began to pick up. We finally ended up with Philadelphia Vireo, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and 15 species of warblers including an amazingly colored and cooperative Bay-breasted.

Here's the list.

Best regards,

Tom

Double-crested Cormorant

Green Heron

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Turkey Vulture

Canada Goose

Mute Swan

Wood Duck

Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Green-winged Teal

Osprey

Sharp-shinned Hawk  One flying around the top of lookout

Red-tailed Hawk

American Kestrel

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

Chimney Swift

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher In Peninsula area close to pink beach

Willow Flycatcher

Philadelphia Vireo On Lookout, butterfly meadow

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Tree Swallow

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

House Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Veery

Swainson's Thrush

American Robin

Gray Catbird

Black Catbird

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Nashville Warbler

Northern Parula

Yellow Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Pine Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Bay-breasted Warbler  wow!!

Blackpoll Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

American Redstart

Ovenbird

Northern Waterthrush

Common Yellowthroat

Song Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Common Grackle

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

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From Tom Fiore, birding with Edith Katsnelson:


Hi Peter,




Sorry to get this to you so late in the evening. Tom Stephenson did a super job leading a large group, with some good assistance from Rob Bate as well. We had a great couple of flurries the longest and richest of which had to be up Lookout Hill, well after the start at maybe even 8:45 or 9, and after. Then after the walk disbanded I continued on with one other participant, a very sharp young birder visiting us from Israel, & staying in the bird-filled borough of Brooklyn while here in NYC, Edith Katsnelson - we covered the Lullwater south side and had a few more birds there, and then worked our way around the entire Lake shore, with very good activity after 2 thru 5 p.m. at the south side Lake shore, & roughly opposite from the Parade Ground area (all at lake shore trees & shores) - the birds had definitely begun collecting there & that was where we picked up most "new" numbers and any additional species for our day list in PP. To add our later sightings to what was found by Tom S. and his good group, I made a list of only what we saw after 1 p,.m. beginning with south side Lullwater path and then to south side Lake shore.


Thursday 9/16 (all after 1 p.m. below with one exception; Wilson's W.)




Green Heron (2, S.side Lake)


Wood Duck (minimum 9, Lake 3 Sisters area roost)


American Black Duck (4 - 2 Lullwater and at least 2 Lake 3 Sisters area)


Green-winged Teal (hen, bridge by Boathouse - as seen by all of group)


Osprey (3 additional fly-overs, p.m.)


Spotted Sandpiper (1 Lake shore 3 sisters area)


Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1 additional, later)


Belted Kingfisher (1 female at Lake shore, south)


Eastern Wood-Pewee (4 additional, later p.m.)


Least Flycatcher (1, Binnen Water area)


Eastern Phoebe (1, Lake shore south side)


Red-eyed Vireo (8+ additional lake shore s. side)


Tree Swallow (12+, late day Lake fly-bys)


Black-capped Chickadee (4 additionals, Lake s. side)


Red-breasted Nuthatch (several additionals seen, p.m.)


Ruby-crowned Kinglet (several additionals, p.m.)


Swainson's Thrush (1 additional, Lullwater south side slopes)




I see at least 20 species [warblers], & at least 15 of those in Tom Stephenson's walk.


Northern Parula (6+ additional including 4 in one view, Lake s. side, p.m.)


Yellow Warbler (3-4 at Lake shore S. side, all were 1st-year birds)


Chestnut-sided Warbler (4+ additionals, p.m.)


Magnolia Warbler (6+ additionals , p.m.)


Black-throated Blue Warbler (female, Lullwater south slope, p.m.)


Myrtle [Yellow-rumped] Warbler (1)


Black-throated Green Warbler (3+ additionals, p.m.)


Pine Warbler (2 additionals, Lake south shore area)


Prairie Warbler (1 very bright, additional to the a.m. imm. bird w/group)


Palm Warbler (1 "western" race, Lake south shore 3 sisters area, p.m.)


Blackpoll Warbler (2 additional together, Lake south shore 3 sisters.p.m.)


Black-and-white Warbler (5+ additionals, p.m.)


American Redstart (15+ additionals, mostly lake south side areas, p.m.)


Ovenbird (2 additionals, p.m.)


Northern Waterthrush (3 seen simultaneously, lake s. side/shore, p.m.)


Common Yellowthroat (8+ additionals including 2 locations w/ 3 at once)


Wilson's Warbler (1, apparently TF only sighting, Peninsula, mid-day)


Canada Warbler (1, Edith Katsnelson ID at 6:55 a.m., W. of Vale 'entry')


this last also seen by TF after EK made ID.




Red-winged Blackbird (5+, lake shore s. side)


Common Grackle (20+, lake shore south side)


Brown-headed Cowbird (1 female)


I suppose some birds may have crossed the lake but there was also a


good mix, including the additional species we were able to find in p.m.!


Nice day - crazy heavy t-storm after 5 p.m.- end of birding!! - Super job


by Tom Stephenson in the morning & at mid-day on BBC Thursday walk.


Best,


Tom Fiore