Sunday, October 31, 2010

October 31st Halloween Day in Prospect





Today's Highlights: Yellow-breasted Chat still at Binnen Falls below the falls (R.Bate, also E.Harold) ; Monk Parakeet



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

From Tom Stephenson:


Hi Peter,


Well, nothing scary in the park today with Adam and Stanley...not much species diversity in the areas we checked out. Unfortunately wedding photo shoot in chat area, so didn't see anything there.


Best birds probably Merlin, 2 Winter Wrens and Monk Parakeet flyover. Nice Pied-billed Grebe, young bird, feeding very close in Pool area.


Here's the list.


Best regards,


Tom






Pied-billed Grebe


Double-crested Cormorant


Great Blue Heron


Canada Goose


Mallard


Northern Shoveler


Ruddy Duck


Cooper's Hawk


Red-tailed Hawk


Merlin


Ring-billed Gull


Herring Gull


Rock Dove


Mourning Dove


Monk Parakeet


Red-bellied Woodpecker


Downy Woodpecker


Hairy Woodpecker


Eastern Phoebe


Blue-headed Vireo


Blue Jay


Black-capped Chickadee


White-breasted Nuthatch


Winter Wren


Golden-crowned Kinglet


Ruby-crowned Kinglet


Hermit Thrush


American Robin


European Starling


Yellow-rumped Warbler


Eastern Towhee


Chipping Sparrow


Song Sparrow


White-throated Sparrow


Dark-eyed Junco


Northern Cardinal


American Goldfinch


House Sparrow

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

From Rusty Harold

Location: Prospect Park



Observation date: 10/31/10


Number of species: 28






Canada Goose X


Mute Swan X


American Black Duck 1


Mallard X


Northern Shoveler X


Ruddy Duck X


Double-crested Cormorant 3


American Coot 4


Ring-billed Gull X


Herring Gull X


Great Black-backed Gull X


Rock Pigeon X


Red-bellied Woodpecker X


Eastern Phoebe X


Black-capped Chickadee X


White-breasted Nuthatch X


Carolina Wren X


Golden-crowned Kinglet 1


Hermit Thrush X


American Robin X


Gray Catbird 1


Yellow-rumped Warbler 1


Yellow-breasted Chat 1 Binnen Falls


Chipping Sparrow 2


Song Sparrow X


White-throated Sparrow X


Dark-eyed Junco X


House Sparrow X






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




Elliotte Rusty Harold

 

Saturday, October 30, 2010

October 30th Prospect : Yellow-breasted Chat, Eastern Bluebirds, Fox Sparrow returns; another BE and more "timberdoodles"

Ed Crowne emailed me that he saw a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT at the Binnen Falls, the brushy area just north of the Boathouse. Also , as usually seen around this time, EASTERN BLUEBIRDs observed by Elyse Taylor at the Lower Pool, (Long Meadow side) before flying off to the "Sparrowbowl" vale near the Tennis House.

During my walks --actually two today , one early am, then later during the Halloween festivities ( Darn NOISY!)--I was "Treated" to a terrific raptor show at the Long Meadow in front of the Sparrowbowl. A MERLIN swooshed thru the Sparrowbowl , harassing all the poor sparrows, and I thought that was the last of the Merlin. But about 10 minutes later, I spotted a COOPERS HAWK  coming  over the trees by the Tennis House when all of a sudden the MERLIN reappeared and attacked the larger Coopers all the way to the Lower Pool. Gawrsh, I love Merlins! Before that, a NORTHERN HARRIER was much smarter, staying higher up over the Picnic House, the Harrier doing soaring circles till it disappeared into the blue sky.

Earlier, I spotted a FOX SPARROW, likely the first of the fall season, on the woods path behind the Upper Pool. In the neighboring Lower Pool, 9 WOOD DUCKS furtively stayed out of sight on the back embankment, a smart move given today's crowds; however, I saw them again in a flyover over the Terrace Bridge. I guess the colors were great for sightseeing  ( or trick and treat?).

Latest : I received a note from Vinnie Falci that a PP Audubon walk led by Vinnie and his wife Eni, witnessed a Bald Eagle , another one for Prospect Park this fall, the 5th since three weeks ago. Its been a terrific fall for these "baldies"

Meanwhile, Rob Bate and his wife Tracy spotted more AMERICAN WOODCOCK, 6 exact , but across the way inside Grennwood Cemetery. The nickname for Woodcocks by the the way , is "timberdoodle" , for their crazy antics and flight thru wooded areas. If you dont believe me, you can look it up right here

http://www.timberdoodle.org/biology

--Kingsboider

******************************
date = 2010/10/30


site = Prospect Park

observers = Ed Crowne

Yellow-breasted Chat-- Binnen Falls, 11am

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Elyse:

Hi Peter,


I just saw 2 Eastern Bluebirds in the tree near the dog
beach, lower pool.They flew toward the sparrow bowl,
and landed in a few trees on their way, so I got a good look
at them. As I was amazed , a sharp-shinned hawk flew
right over me. Then I saw it flying again, with a bird in it's
mouth.

Elyse Taylor

******************************
Peter's List

Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 10/30/10

Number of species: 40

Brant 18 high  f/o due southeast Lake early am

Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X Lake

Wood Duck 9 Lower Pool, later Terrace Br

American Black Duck 2 West Isl

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler X Lake

Ruddy Duck 167 Lake

Pied-billed Grebe 2 Lake

Double-crested Cormorant 5 Lake

Great Blue Heron 1 Upper Pool

Northern Harrier 1 F/O Picnic House , female/Imm

Cooper's Hawk 1 F/O Long Meadow

Merlin 1 F/O Sparrowbowl

American Coot X

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Northern Flicker 1 Bartel entrance

Eastern Phoebe 2--Sparrowbowl

Blue-headed Vireo 1 Lower Pool

Winter Wren 1 Sparrowbowl

Golden-crowned Kinglet 2

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 14

Hermit Thrush 11

American Robin 3

European Starling X

Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 ballfields

Eastern Towhee 2--Sparrowbowl ( male) ; horse trail above Boathouse ( female)

Chipping Sparrow 4 Ballfields

Field Sparrow 2 --Sparrowbowl, LP 249

Savannah Sparrow 7 Ballfields

Fox Sparrow (Red) 1 Upper Pool back path

Song Sparrow 35

Swamp Sparrow 5

White-throated Sparrow X

Dark-eyed Junco 90 ballfields fence enclosure

Northern Cardinal 1

House Sparrow X



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

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

From Vinnie Falci:

Peter:


Today Eni and I led the beginners bird walk at 12:00. We saw a mature Bald Eagle soaring over well house road. First time I ever saw an eagle in Brooklyn.

Vinnie

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

From Rob Bate:

Greenwood Cemetery report

Tracy and I birded Greenwood Cemetery today and saw 6 Woodcocks.  We had great looks at one we caught walking between gravestones and another later circled very close to us and gave really good looks.  The rest were birds we spooked who just took off away from us.  Also tons of Juncos and lots of Chipping Sparrows.  Also many raptors migrating overhead, Sharpies, Red Tails, Peregrines.  Also 1 Bluebird.

********************************
From Kathy Toomey:

Prospect

I also saw a Fox Sparrow today.  Mine was on a path behind the Carousel

Friday, October 29, 2010

October 29th Prospect : Ultra rarity BLACK VULTURE ; BBP report

Kingsboider Note: this posting is one of three for today October 29th. Scroll down for the other postings

Now the Highlites : Exceptional and ultra rare BLACK VULTURE in a late afternoon flyover Breeze Hill (PDorosh), BALD EAGLES ( SNanz,then PDorosh with help of text message fast track); AMERICAN WOODCOCK (RBate, LZirlin), late PHILADELPHIA VIREO (RBate).Very good sparrow movements.

From reports generated today, from the likes of it, it was a very good day,particularly on and near Breeze Hill . Late afternoon provided the best drama with the Bald Eagles spotting ( see previous posting) over the Terrace Bridge which connects to Breeze Hill;  and a very surprising BLACK VULTURE seen in a low flyover over the Breeze Hill meadow at 4:20 pm. The Vulture is recorded fewer than 10 times in Prospect''s history though in recent years have been increasing in frequency.For a fall sighting though,its likely even rarer given this vulture's still southern domain ( but numbers are increasing into the northeast for the past decade). Records search for Black Vulture is pending on Monday. Of course, Breeze Hill twice revealed American Woodcock. In addition, the very late PHILADELPHIA VIREO reappeared in the Wellhouse Peppercorn tree, about 120 paces from Breeze Hill ( wink wink).


Sparrows are still prevalent, and this time of year may be a good opportunity for birders to get out there and look for the ultra rare one , maybe a sparrow , maybe even a western rarity..It seems like a blossom of rarities , in species and late birds so far..lets keep the ball rolling.

It's good crisp weather for birding, so try for it.  ( and bird early because the Halloween Park weekend event will be noisy with ghoul music from Lookout Hill and lots of scary kids too....; )  )

Peter's list:

Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 10/29/10

Number of species: 37



Canada Goose 85-- 45 lake,40 higher f/o

Mute Swan 3 lake

Wood Duck 1 drake south lullwater near terrace br

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler X lake

Ring-necked Duck 2 hen/drake immatures within Ruddy Ducks flock Lake

Ruddy Duck 55 lake

Pied-billed Grebe 2-1 south lullwater, 1 lake

Double-crested Cormorant 7 lake, 4 at Three sisters

Great Blue Heron 1 south lullwater cattails

Black Vulture 1 low flyover Breeze Hill; 4:20 pm

Bald Eagle 2 immatures, low soar over Terrace Bridge, thanks to Steve for heads up texts from afar

Cooper's Hawk 1 Nethermead

Red-tailed Hawk 3 together soaring Lullwater/Nethermead south

American Coot 22

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Black-capped Chickadee 2 Maryland Monument

Winter Wren 1 Maryland Monument hydrant

Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 wellhouse , in peppercorn tree

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15 various locations


Hermit Thrush 8 various locations

American Robin 1

Gray Catbird 1 Wellhouse

European Starling X

Yellow-rumped Warbler 1

Chipping Sparrow 1 Maryland Monument

Field Sparrow 1 Rink

Song Sparrow 45 various locations

Swamp Sparrow 4

White-throated Sparrow X common ,but hard to gauge numbers

Dark-eyed Junco 4 Terrace Br

Northern Cardinal 2 wellhouse

American Goldfinch 2 Butterfly Meadow

House Sparrow X


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


_________________________________

From Mike Yuan:

Birded Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1 for the 1st time this afternoon.

Highlights were :

Blue Headed Vireo bathing in one of the pools,
Field Sparrow.
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 6
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7
Common Yellowthroat 1
Chipping Sparrow 2
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 4
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 8
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 20
House Sparrow 2-
Mike

Good communication, fast texting and what do you get ? 2 BALD EAGLES !

I was coming back to the rink after a hard day's work ( mostly preparing the Lookout Hill for this weekend's Halloween event), when I get a cellphone text from Steve Nanz, whose fast fingers with his IPhone might help me  ---with not much hope I had--to see one "dark large bird" wherever I was in Prospect. From the rink parking lot given where the coordinates of the large dark bird was communicated to me from Steve, I didn't think the bird might come my way. Well, with patience, I see not one moments later, but two large dark birds! Low flyovers over the Maryland Monument/Terrace Bridge, I could easily see two immature BALD EAGLES flying in and then soaring circles. They eventually flew towards the Nethermead /Quaker Ridge.

Well, like they always say: Good communication yields good results.To get an idea of the short yet successful result, follow the cellphone dialogue between Steve and me ; and note the time line of the messages below. (8 minutes span).. Lucky chain of moments......

Steve Nanz (10/29 2:38 pm): Large dark bird approaching park
 
Steve Nanz (10/29 2:38 pm): Coming up ocean ave

Steve Nanz (10/29 2:39 pm): Should be over park now
 
Steve Nanz (10/29 2:40 pm): Headin toward cemetery

Me (10/29 2:41 pm): I'm n the rink parking lot

Me (10/29 2:46 pm): I got them!  two imm  BE OVER MARYLAND MONUMENT  THX

** BE is code for Bald Eagle

Kingsboider note:  don't forget to check today's 10/29 reports , scroll down.

October 29th Prospect : American Woodcock and good fall stuff ( oh its gotta be a Northwest Wind)

A run in with Rob Bate up on Butterfly Meadow yielded information of an AMERICAN WOODCOCK in the bird feeder area ( note: no feeders up till November end) , the bird flying away .So a heads up in the Breeze Hill /Lullwater to watch for this quirky bird in the woods or on the slopes.

A quick look around and my observation is many sparrows, presumably White-throated Sparrows and Junco .Butterfly Meadow is good for today's northwest wind flight.There is potential for something good if you get out there. Perhaps also increase in winter species would be noted. ( but its a busy day for me working).

More later,

Latest: Rob Bate reports that PHILADELPHIA VIREO has returned to the Wellhouse Szechuan Peppercorn tree out front. 12:30 text 

--Kingsboider

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

From Rob Bate:

Flushed a Woodcock as you noted on Breeze Hill.  Lots of sparrows in most locations, mostly Song.
The Wellhouse served up the lingering Philadelphia Vireo, Baltimore Oriole, and Black-throated Blue (the one I tried to turn into a Philly Vireo. ) Also, Larry flushed the Woodcock later along the Lullwater below Breeze Hill.

Observation date:     10/29/10
Number of species:     49

Canada Goose     X
Mute Swan     X
Wood Duck     X
Mallard     X
Northern Shoveler     X
Ruddy Duck     X
Pied-billed Grebe     X
Double-crested Cormorant     8
Great Blue Heron     X
Cooper's Hawk     X
Red-tailed Hawk     X
Merlin     X
American Coot     X
American Woodcock     X  Breeze Hill where feeders ( nyet up yet) are
Ring-billed Gull     X
Herring Gull     X
Rock Pigeon     X
Mourning Dove     X
Red-bellied Woodpecker     X
Downy Woodpecker     X
Northern Flicker     X
Eastern Phoebe     X
Philadelphia Vireo     X
Blue Jay     X
American Crow     X
Black-capped Chickadee     X
Brown Creeper     X
Carolina Wren     X
Winter Wren     X
Golden-crowned Kinglet     X
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     X
Hermit Thrush     X
American Robin     X
Gray Catbird     X
European Starling     X
Black-throated Blue Warbler     X
Yellow-rumped Warbler     X
Common Yellowthroat     X
Chipping Sparrow     X
Field Sparrow     X
Savannah Sparrow     X
Song Sparrow     X
Swamp Sparrow     X
White-throated Sparrow     X
Dark-eyed Junco     X
Northern Cardinal     X
Red-winged Blackbird     X
Baltimore Oriole     X
American Goldfinch     X
House Sparrow     X


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

From Larry:

Hi Peter,
I ran into Rob Bate today and he told he thought he'd seen a woodcock by Breeze Hill. Looks like he did--climbing up the southern side of the hill to get around the construction by the rink, I flushed one that zipped away, wings whistling!  This was about noon. 

Other birds of note: Blackpoll Warbler by Three Sisters and there's an American Wigeon on the upper pool. Lots of common sparrows.
Larry
http://birdsandwords-larryz.blogspot.com/


Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 10/29/10

Location:    Prospect Park
Observation date:    10/29/10
Number of species:    41

Canada Goose    70
Mute Swan    7
American Wigeon    1    Drake, Upper Pool
American Black Duck    2    Lake
Mallard    50
Northern Shoveler    35
Ruddy Duck    55
Pied-billed Grebe    3    One on Lullwater, 2 on lake
Double-crested Cormorant    7
Great Blue Heron    3    Two on south Lullwater, one on Duck Island.
Red-tailed Hawk    2    Lake & ballfields
American Coot    15
American Woodcock    1    Flushed on southern side of Breeze Hill
Ring-billed Gull    50
Herring Gull    10
Rock Pigeon    30
Mourning Dove    16
Downy Woodpecker    1
Hairy Woodpecker    2
Northern Flicker    10
Eastern Phoebe    1    Boathouse
Blue Jay    5
American Crow    30
Black-capped Chickadee    8
Tufted Titmouse    2
White-breasted Nuthatch    2
House Wren    1    Lullwater Trail
Golden-crowned Kinglet    4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet    9
Hermit Thrush    16
American Robin    10
Gray Catbird    1    Near Wellhouse
European Starling    50
Yellow-rumped Warbler    8
Blackpoll Warbler    1    By Three Sisters
Song Sparrow    60
White-throated Sparrow    100
Dark-eyed Junco    200
Northern Cardinal    5
American Goldfinch    2
House Sparrow    25

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

Thursday, October 28, 2010

October 28th Prospect's excellent rarity : AMERICAN BITTERN ; BBP report

One of the year's really good birds for Prospect, an AMERICAN BITTERN flew low over the lake and landed somewhere in phragmites on the west side of the Peninsula "thumb" mid morning. Rob Bate was fortunate to see the Bittern fly right in front of him near the shore by the Wellhouse, very close to him before the large heron veered off to the right. However, a further search proved unsuccessful but its likely and possibly in any of the phragmites patches along the north shore of the Lake (Peninsula side).

Today's sighting represents the 18th record ,and continuing the good streak of 6 straight years ( since 2005) of a Prospect sighting for American Bittern , a rare species for here given its rarity, its secretiveness and hidden abilities in marsh habitats.The last sighting was last year's May 2009 bird in the Peninsula tip and Duck Island area.

--Kingsboider

********************************
From Rob Bate:

Prospect Park

Besides the American Bittern, other birds of note were a Blackpoll Warbler and our continuing Baltimore Oriole.I saw no Robins today.

From Rob's posting summation to NYS LISTSERVE

Subject: American Bittern - Prospect Park



From: Robert Bate
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 17:22:06 -0400



Today while moping about the waning of fall migration by
the lake's edge in Brooklyn's Prospect Park I looked up to
see a large heron-like bird flying across the water. At first I
thought Green Heron, a common enough bird in this urban park,
because of the chest streaking. However the bird was huge,at
least for a Green Heron. The dark band along the back of it's wing
identified it as an American Bittern. It flew around the lake and
headed straight for my position but it may have been startled to
see a human in Prospect Park and quickly reversed course
disappearing around a bend of the shoreline.

Word went out and Rob Jett and Peter Dorosh
joined me in an attempt to relocate the bird, unfortunately to no avail.


Rob Bate


Brooklyn, NYC


Observation date: 10/28/10

Number of species: 45



Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X

Wood Duck X

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler X

Ruddy Duck X

Pied-billed Grebe X

Double-crested Cormorant X

American Bittern X

Great Blue Heron X

Cooper's Hawk X

Red-tailed Hawk X

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Belted Kingfisher X

Red-bellied Woodpecker X

Northern Flicker X

Eastern Phoebe X

Blue Jay X

American Crow X

Black-capped Chickadee X

Tufted Titmouse X

White-breasted Nuthatch X

Brown Creeper X

Carolina Wren X

Golden-crowned Kinglet X

Ruby-crowned Kinglet X

Hermit Thrush X

Gray Catbird X

European Starling X

Yellow-rumped Warbler X

Blackpoll Warbler X

Common Yellowthroat X

Chipping Sparrow X

Field Sparrow X

Song Sparrow X

Swamp Sparrow X

White-throated Sparrow X

Dark-eyed Junco X

Northern Cardinal X

Baltimore Oriole X Wellhouse

American Goldfinch X

House Sparrow X

********************************
Peter's list:
Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 10/28/10

Number of species: 27



Canada Goose X

Mute Swan 7 lake

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler X lake

Ruddy Duck 135 west sector lake

Pied-billed Grebe 2--one lullwater, 1 lake

Double-crested Cormorant 8 perched or near 3 Sisters Islands

Great Blue Heron 1 lake

American Coot 7 lake

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Black-capped Chickadee 1 maryland monument

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2

Hermit Thrush 1 peninsula

European Starling X

Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 south lakeside

Blackpoll Warbler 1 south lakeside behind 3 Sisters Islands

Chipping Sparrow 20 peninsula meadow

Song Sparrow X

Swamp Sparrow 1 rink

Dark-eyed Junco X

Northern Cardinal X

Red-winged Blackbird X f/o south lullwater

Common Grackle 17 Peninsula

House Sparrow X



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



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

From Larry Zirlin:

Brooklyn Bridge Park

It was only a matter of time before a Peregrine Falcon
added itself to the Pier 1 roster. One flew in off the East
River in just about the same "flyway" as the Kestrel I saw
last week, then flew into and perched in a tree on the
Promenade.

Other new species for the park: A Northern Flicker
was briefly faked out by the wood telephone poles that are
used as light stanchions in the park (I assume the poles are
treated to make them impervious to insects), and
2 Black-capped Chickadees were on the hilly part of the
park.

List for the day:

Number of species: 17

Canada Goose 3 Flyover

American Black Duck 4

Mallard 5

Double-crested Cormorant 9

Peregrine Falcon 1 Flyover then into the Heights

Ring-billed Gull 5

Herring Gull 1

Rock Pigeon 4

Northern Flicker 1

Black-capped Chickadee 2

Northern Mockingbird 1

Yellow-rumped Warbler 2

Palm Warbler 3

Song Sparrow 6

White-throated Sparrow 9

Dark-eyed Junco 3

House Sparrow 40

Larry

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

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Prospect October 27th--- The Philadelphia Vireo rise again....

A week ago Tuesday, October 19th, Heidi Cleven took photos of a bird that after much debate and verification led to the consensus of  PHILADELPHIA VIREO , seen by the water fountain opposite Maryland Monument. ( you can see the photos I posted a day ago here..scroll down). Hoping it stuck around, we got our wish: its still around.

This afternoon, as I left work at the rink, Rob Bate texted me that he has the bird.. So, of course, I changed course from a south lake walk and turned around towards the Wellhouse. Here's my report to Ebird at Yahoo groups:

A unseasonably late bright adult and an interesting plumage PHILADELPHIA VIREO was seen foraging this mid afternoon ( 3:30-4 pm) in the Szechuan Peppercorn trees to the left of the Wellhouse ( on Well Drive along the north shore of Prospect Lake), the main mid sized Peppercorn at the beginning of the walkway off Well Drive to the Wellhouse, where Rob Bate spotted it , who then texted me after work. I found the vireo again in a smaller Peppercorn tree in front of three portable johns farther left of the Wellhouse. First seen on Oct 19th near the Maryland Monument by Heidi Cleven, who sent photos which we had verified the identity with several local birders and Shai Mitra **, apparently the vireo has hung around and now resides in the brushy area between the Wellhouse and the giant Ginkgo Trees.

** Shai is a NYS Avian Records Committee reviewer

photo of Szechuan Peppercorn tree---> http://transitionculture.org/wp-content/uploads/ARTpepper.jpg

Look for tight clusters of abundant small red berry fruit within small leaves..For such an ornamental invasive ( which it agressively is) , unfortunately, the birds love eating it and spread its growth..... :(

Also , along with the vireo, a late female ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK in --well... you guess it--the Peppercorn tree. :(


---Kingsboider


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

From Rob Bate:

On an otherwise uneventful trip birding around the lake I came across an unmistakable (I presume) Philadelphia Vireo in the Seczhuan Peppercorn tree by the Wellhouse. Luckily you were able to verify the bird, it is probably the same bird Heidi Clevens saw a week ago. Later in the same tree was a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak. I like late fall birding!


Also on the lake I saw 2 groups of 25+ DC Cormorants over near 3 sisters.


Observation date: 10/27/10

Number of species: 29


Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler X

Ruddy Duck X

Double-crested Cormorant 50

Great Blue Heron X

Cooper's Hawk X

American Coot X

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Philadelphia Vireo X

Tufted Titmouse X

Ruby-crowned Kinglet X

Hermit Thrush X

American Robin X

Gray Catbird X

European Starling X

Yellow-rumped Warbler X

Chipping Sparrow X

Song Sparrow X

Swamp Sparrow X

White-throated Sparrow X

Dark-eyed Junco X

Northern Cardinal X

Rose-breasted Grosbeak X

House Sparrow X

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

Peter's List:

Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 10/27/10

Number of species: 26



Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler X lake

Ruddy Duck X

Double-crested Cormorant 7 Lake

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 f/o Rink

American Coot X

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Great Black-backed Gull 1 lake

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Philadelphia Vireo 1 wellhouse, feeding in Szechuan Peppercorn trees

Tufted Titmouse 2 well drive

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 wellhouse

Hermit Thrush 1 wellhouse

Gray Catbird 1 LP249

European Starling X

Chipping Sparrow 1 rink

Song Sparrow X

Swamp Sparrow 2 LP 249

Dark-eyed Junco X

Northern Cardinal 3 wellhouse

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 wellhouse

House Sparrow X



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

PHILADELPHIA VIREO seen in Seczhuan

PHILADELPHIA VIREO seen in Seczhuan Peppercorn trees between Wellhouse & portables

A good website reference on Prospect Park migration timeline

Curious about the Northern Waterthush I saw yesterday , even though I felt there was a later record(s), I went into the office records. I found out the latest Prospect record for NWTH is Nov 15, 1961 ( a long way to go go for the current NWTH) .Between now and then, there are a few records as well. Nevertheless, the NWTH is a late bird.

To get a general idea about migration time frames and time lines, here is a website link below that --at one time was a daily reporting blog --that when it ceased I started this blog for the Prospect area.

It is good reference especially as to why certain bird species would be good finds now after they usually are gone .

http://www.nycbirdreport.com/sites/2/highlights.html


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

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

October 26th Prospect

With Horned Grebe an official "One Day Wonder", today was marked by a few late season birds. In that order, specifically, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH & LAUGHING GULL.

No sign of the Horned Grebe throughout the day, unfortunately; I guess there were no "overnight accommodations" or maybe it was just plain too noisy ( well it was near the rink this morning). However, with fresh approach view to out of season birds, a few late ones: a Baltimore Oriole spotted on the elm slope to the right of the Wellhouse; the continuing ( I thought was gone) Northern Waterthrush in the "Willow Cove" behind the west 3 Sister Islands, which I saw the NOWT pop up to chase a Yellow-rumped (Yo good bird!) Warbler, and one Laughing Gull among the usual gulls on the lake western sector. So, even though they are common species in migration or summer, to see these birds now is noteworthy. Let's hope the trend continues abit into late fall, with the hope as well for something really weird ( oh..that's Halloween coming, right ?)

Also , it was interesting watching a Black-throated Blue Warbler feed out of Sapsucker holes , as the female followed the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker right above it, pecking away on an elm tree on the right slope of Wellhouse. At this time, as insects wane in numbers, insectivores like warblers have to find ways to survive, and this sap hunting is one way to keep up those energy levels and body fat..But, for a warm day, I bet that sap must be quite soothing....I guess.

--Kingsboider

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

Peter's List:

Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 10/26/10

Number of species: 35


Canada Goose 84 lake

Mute Swan 6 lake

American Black Duck 2 west island

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler X

Hooded Merganser 1 drake lake

Ruddy Duck X lake

Pied-billed Grebe 3 south lullwater

Double-crested Cormorant 5 lake

Great Blue Heron 2-- south lullwater cattails; west island

Cooper's Hawk 1 momentarily perched at rink  , preying on sparrows

Red-tailed Hawk 1 juv perched behind 3 Sisters Islands

Merlin 2 reported by Mary Eyster near ballfields

American Coot 12 lake

Laughing Gull 1 lake

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Belted Kingfisher 1 perched Duck Island

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 wellhouse

Hairy Woodpecker 1 wellhouse

Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 West Isl horse trail

Hermit Thrush 1 south lakeside

Gray Catbird 1 wellhouse

European Starling X

Yellow-rumped Warbler 1Willow Cove by 3 Sisters islands

Northern Waterthrush 1 south lakeside, in Willow Cove by 3 Sisters islands

Common Yellowthroat 1 Rink

Black-throated Blue Warbler 1  Wellhouse, feeding on fresh sap

Song Sparrow X Rink

White-throated Sparrow 1 West Isl horse trail

Dark-eyed Junco X

Northern Cardinal 2 wellhouse

Common Grackle 1 f/o rink

House Sparrow X

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


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

From Rob Bate:


Observation date: 10/26/10

Number of species: 39

Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler X

Hooded Merganser X

Ruddy Duck X

Double-crested Cormorant X

Great Blue Heron X

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker X

Downy Woodpecker X

Hairy Woodpecker X

Northern Flicker X

Blue-headed Vireo X

Black-capped Chickadee X

Tufted Titmouse X

White-breasted Nuthatch X

Brown Creeper X

Carolina Wren X

Golden-crowned Kinglet X

Ruby-crowned Kinglet X

Hermit Thrush X

American Robin X

Gray Catbird X

Black-throated Blue Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler X

Eastern Towhee X

Field Sparrow X

Song Sparrow X

Swamp Sparrow X

White-throated Sparrow X

Dark-eyed Junco X

Northern Cardinal X

Baltimore Oriole X

American Goldfinch X

House Sparrow X

Horned Grebe Prospect Records

I checked the records and was astounded to learn that last night's Horned Grebe (HOGR) was only the NINTH record for Prospect.. The last time HOGR appeared on Prospect Lake was a bird that hung out 3/14/2001-3/27/2001 ( obviously more than 4 years ago I thought..time flies).There was a previous bird a few weeks before that 3/2- 3/4 2001.

Here are the rest of the records from the past years seen:

1939--5 days in early March

1943
1952 ( 2 birds ,1 in April, 1 in November)
1963
1999
2001 ( 2 birds)

Pretty exciting stuff,even for "common" species.

--Kingsboider

Monday, October 25, 2010

Prospect October 25 -Peninsula/Monument rarities and even Horned Grebe !

Two rare,  quality birds were reported not far from each other today, likely about 250 feet apart, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER seen about 1:35 along the Lullwater side of the Peninsula by Rob Jett and AMERICAN PIPIT early this morning reported by Ed Crowne. This is the typical time for such species and an interesting time as well . So with the vibrant fall tree colors, its a great time to be out there looking...

[ Latest posting]

As I left the rink, I took a quick look at the lake thru the chain link construction fence and saw something quite unusual with several PIED-BILLED GREBES. So I sort of scampered to the shore line in front of the War Memorial before the unusual bird disappeared in the Peninsula cove. I was quite surprised what I saw: a winter-plumage HORNED GREBE. For this early date and for this locale , an inland area like Prospect Lake, Horned Grebe is a very good sighting .Its commonly seen offshore of Brooklyn and Queens in the colder months but Prospect ? It has been several years I think the last time a Horned Grebe was seen on the lake..I saw it last settled in the middle between the peninsula thumb tip , the peninsula end ( gazebo) and Duck Island. It was seen pretty close to the mainland, the south lake shore by Duck Island. ( 4:15)

While delightfully surprised seeing the Horned Grebe, there are also about 7 Pied-billed Grebes from the south lullwater to the tip of the Peninsula"thumb", at least. And later, I found a drake HOODED MERGANSER just west of the Three Sisters Islands, pretty snuggled in, asleep.

Like I said before--this is a pretty interesting good time to go birding...

internet photo of Horned Grebe (winter plmg) --->  http://tinyurl.com/2gx8bkc

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

From Ed Crowne:

date = 2010/10/25
site = Prospect Park
observers = Ed Crowne

American Pipit --This morning, triangle between Maryland Monument & 
                                    Terrace Bridge

*********************************
From John Ascher :

Prospect Oct 24 report


Hi Peter,

On Sun Oct 24th Chaoyan and I saw 5 Ring-necked Ducks (female plumage) on
the Lake in the PM (not in AM) and also saw a Palm Warbler and two Common
Yellowthroat. We heard about a Vesper Sparrow near the Rink but did not
see it ourselves.

John

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

Peter's List:
(Incidental sghtings, meaning I wasn't really birding....)

Location: Prospect Park



Observation date: 10/25/10


Number of species: 26


Canada Goose 100  conservative estimate Lake


Mute Swan 6 LakeAmerican Black Duck 1 Lake

Mallard X


Northern Shoveler estimated 130 Lake


Hooded Merganser 1 drake @ Three Sisters Islands


Ruddy Duck 110 Lake

Pied-billed Grebe (PBGR)  7 general area of Duck Island


Horned Grebe 1 Duck Island north side/Peninsula;late afternoon, with 5 PBGR, later Ruddy Duck


Double-crested Cormorant 2 Lake


American Coot 12  Lullwater 8 ; 4 Three sisters


Ring-billed Gull X


Herring Gull (American) X


Great Black-backed Gull 2


Rock Pigeon X


Mourning Dove X


Belted Kingfisher 1 perched Duck Island


Hermit Thrush 1 south lakeshore


American Robin X


European Starling X


Cedar Waxwing 4 f/o Propsite


Yellow-rumped Warbler 2  ( seen but obviously more flying around)


Song Sparrow X


Dark-eyed Junco X  decent flock Propsite


Red-winged Blackbird 2 Propsite


House Sparrow X



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

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

Brooklyn Bridge Park 10/25

Add Chipping Sparrow and Red-winged Blackbird to the list of birds that have



found their way to Pier 1 of Brooklyn Bridge Park. The RWBB was an immature


bird, I'm almost certain a male, feeding on the south lawn with Yellow-rumped


Warblers. As it was in every other place I've birded the last few days,


Yellow-rumps were numerous. 8 is a conservative count.


full list for today:


Canada Goose 2


American Black Duck 4


Mallard 4


Double-crested Cormorant 3


Ring-billed Gull 2


European Starling 18


Yellow-rumped Warbler 8


Chipping Sparrow 1


Song Sparrow 6


Red-winged Blackbird 1 On southern lawn


American Goldfinch 2


House Sparrow 15


Larry Zirlin


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









Sunday, October 24, 2010

APB on a mystery vireo seen Oct 19th (Prospect)



Last week, I posted a note about a "Philadelphia Vireo" seen south of the Terrace Bridge along Well Drive. (click on the photos for larger images).

However, after further analysis and discussion among top birders here at Prospect and Tom Burke, there is uncertainty about the true identity of the species. Though it looks most  likely Philadelphia Vireo, there is speculation that it could be a western Warbling Vireo or even rarer as suggested a Bell's Vireo. The photos I am attaching might have color distortion , but nevertheless is excellent documentation for further discussion. What I like is if anyone is in the area  and sees this colorful bird ( for this time of the year ), let me know asap at my text message cellphone.

here is the location  as given me by Heidi Clevens who observed the bird and asked my help in trying identifying it which I passed along as well to expert birders here.

"The exact location was by the water fountain. There is a water fountain for people and dogs and its the bushes and the tree right behind it right where the path turns down to Lullwater. There is a tree there (the one I sent you the photo of with the Northern Parula in it that is full of holes made by a sapsucker) and the mystery bird was in that tree and then in the bushes in front of the tree."

[ This is the water fountain across the drive from the Maryland Monument ]

Though seen 5 days ago, it's very possible the vireo is in the Peninsula sumacs area... Hopefully....
and thanks to Heidi Clevens for this fun debate amongst ourselves what the heck it is......

--Kingsboider

VESPER Sparrows reported at PP and GWC 10/24; quality birds at GWC (see italic highlighted)

VESPER SPARROWS are today's highlites. See the posts below. ( I am in Philadelphia now, will detail later or other posts)

---VESPER and White-crowned Sparrows at Labella Point by rink 11:45 AM per Rusty Harold

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

From Matthew Wills :

Hey, Peter,

Got my Vesper Sparrow, only it was in ,Green-Wood [Cemetery] this afternoon.  My highlights were the vesper, juvenile white-crowned sparrow, and blue-headed vireo gleaning from the trees like it was summertime.  (Ran into Rob Jett, who saw several things I hadn't, so coverage for the day should be good.)

Green-Wood Cemetery, October 24. 
 
DC-Cormorant (flyover)
Canada Goose
Mallard
Merlin
Peregrine (Bishop Ford HS antenna/tower)
Red-tailed hawk
Osprey
Mourning dove
Monk parakeet
Yellow-bellied sapsucker
Red-bellied woodpecker
Northern flicker
Eastern phoebe
Blue-headed vireo
Blue jay
American crow
BC chickadee
Brown creeper
Tufted titmouse
White-breasted nuthatch
Red-breasted nuthatch
Hermit thrush
American robin
Northern mockingbird
European starling
Palm warbler
Yellow-rumped warbler
Northern cardinal
Eastern towhee
Chipping sparrow
Vesper sparrow
Song sparrow
White-throated sparrow
White-crowned sparrow (juv.)
Dark-eyed junco


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

From Kathy Toomey :

Saturday report PP

date = 2010/10/23


site = Prospect Park

observers = Kathy Toomey and Emily Goldstein

Pied-billed Grebe two, upper pool

Great Cormorant

Northern Shoveler

Canada Goose

Ruddy Duck

Mallard

Red-tailed Hawk

Ring-billed Gull

Mourning Dove

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Phoebe

Blue-headed Vireo

American Crow

Blue Jay

Black-capped Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Carolina Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Hermit Thrush

Gray Catbird

Northern Mockingbird

American Redstart

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Swamp Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Field Sparrow 2, at lamp post 249

Eastern Towhee

Northern Cardinal

Purple Finch 3 females, 1 male at the midwood horsetrail puddle

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

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

From Rob Jett:
location: Greenwood Cemetery


> Observation date: 10/24/10

> Number of species: 55

>

> Canada Goose 25

> Wood Duck 2

> Mallard X

> Common Loon 1

> Double-crested Cormorant 1

> Osprey 1

> Sharp-shinned Hawk 6

> Cooper's Hawk 2

> Broad-winged Hawk 1

> Red-tailed Hawk 5

> American Kestrel 2

> American Woodcock 8

> Herring Gull (American) X

> Rock Pigeon X

> Mourning Dove X

> Monk Parakeet X

> Great Horned Owl 1

> Red-bellied Woodpecker 4

> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1

> Downy Woodpecker 1

> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) X

> Eastern Phoebe 6

> Blue-headed Vireo 1

> Blue Jay X

> American Crow X

> Black-capped Chickadee 3

> Tufted Titmouse 2

> Red-breasted Nuthatch 2

> White-breasted Nuthatch 5

> Golden-crowned Kinglet 30

> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20

> Eastern Bluebird 2

> Hermit Thrush 50

> American Robin X

> Northern Mockingbird 6

> European Starling X

> Yellow-rumped Warbler 60

> Palm Warbler 20

> Palm Warbler (Western) 2

> Blackpoll Warbler 1

> Common Yellowthroat 1

> Eastern Towhee 1

> Chipping Sparrow 200

> Field Sparrow 3

> Vesper Sparrow 1

> Savannah Sparrow 1

> Song Sparrow 6

> Swamp Sparrow 1

> White-throated Sparrow 75

> White-crowned Sparrow 5

> Dark-eyed Junco 300

> Northern Cardinal 1

> Purple Finch 3

> American Goldfinch X

> House Sparrow X

>

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



Friday, October 22, 2010

Prospect October 22nd: one new rarity, another sticks around; BBG-GWC reports

An EASTERN MEADOWLARK (P.Dorosh) was sighted when it flushed and landed quickly unto the lawn very early this morning next to the Rink fence facing the water, or more specifically right under the "Labella Point " green sign, . But apparently it didn't stick around long after, perhaps spooked by a park worker making too much noise with a nearby dumpster cover, despite the lawn area not encroached.

Other highlights are a good variety of sparrows , especially a continuing VESPER SPARROW  (M.Eyster, G.Shrank) at the ball fields fence enclosure along with small numbers of Juncos, Savannah Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow . List will be forthcoming.

Also, WOOD DUCK is quite present and enchanting as they hide out or showcase their plumage; today ,two different groups totaling 15 were seen, one at the Upper Pool island, the other in the Lullwater, in front of the north cove. A species worth watching under brisk conditions.

This brisk chilly day is a harbinger of winter coming, so be on the lookout for species usually triggered by cold fronts, especially far northern raptors and very high birds ( like Snow Geese) .In other words, look up often.

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

From Larry:

Hi Peter,
Still a few warblers around. Didn’t find the meadowlark though.


 Location:     Prospect Park
Observation date:     10/22/10
Number of species:     39

Canada Goose     40
Mute Swan     6
Wood Duck     1     Drake on Upper Pool
American Black Duck     2     West Island
Mallard     45
Northern Shoveler     60
Ruddy Duck     50
Great Blue Heron     1     Upper Pool
Black-crowned Night-Heron     1     Flew from West Island to phragmites across the lake
Red-tailed Hawk     3     Hovering over ball field fence
Merlin     1
American Coot     9
Ring-billed Gull     21
Herring Gull     1
Rock Pigeon     30
Mourning Dove     3
Northern Flicker     1
White-eyed Vireo     1
Blue Jay     6
American Crow     3
White-breasted Nuthatch     4
House Wren     1     Rocky Pass
Golden-crowned Kinglet     9
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     4
Hermit Thrush     6
American Robin     8
Gray Catbird     1
Northern Parula     1
Black-throated Blue Warbler     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler     3
Common Yellowthroat     1
Chipping Sparrow     60
Savannah Sparrow     1
Song Sparrow     12
White-throated Sparrow     80
Dark-eyed Junco     60
Northern Cardinal     4
American Goldfinch     2
House Sparrow     75

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

**********************************
From Orrin:

Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 10/22

More birds today, primarily sparrows.

Mallard duck
Cooper's hawk (juv)
Mourning dove
Red-bellied woodpecker
Yellow-bellied sapsucker
American crow
Black-capped chickadee
Brown creeper
Hermit thrush
American robin
Ruby-crowned kinglet
European starling
Yellow-rumped warbler
Palm warbler (many)
Red-winged blackbird (flock over, north end)
House sparrow
Dark-eyed junco
Chipping sparrow (several)
Field sparrow
White-crowned sparrow (juv.; several)
White-throated sparrow
Song sparrow


************************************
Peters List Prospect

Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 10/22/10

Number of species: 42



Canada Goose 90 Lake


Mute Swan 6 Lullwater

Wood Duck 15--6 Upper Pool island; 9 Lullwater cove

American Black Duck 2 Lake

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler 85 Lake

Ruddy Duck 73 Lake

Pied-billed Grebe 2 Lake

Great Blue Heron 2--1 upper pool isl;1 lake shore

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 f/o ballfields

Cooper's Hawk 1 f/o PPSW Ave

Red-tailed Hawk 2-- one perched above Terrace Br; one f/o Lullwater

Merlin 1 well drive/Mary Monument, swiped at perched RT Hawk
American Coot 14 south lullwater

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Hairy Woodpecker 1 midwood

Golden-crowned Kinglet 1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15

Hermit Thrush 9

American Robin X

Gray Catbird 2 rink

Northern Mockingbird 1 Boathouse

European Starling X

Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 "sparrowbowl"

Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Ballfields

Palm Warbler 2 Ballfields

Common Yellowthroat 2 south lullwater

Eastern Towhee 1 above Cleft Ridge span, male

Chipping Sparrow X Ballfields

Vesper Sparrow 1 Ballfields fence enclosure 1:15 ( also Bob Oneill)

Savannah Sparrow 8 Ballfields

Song Sparrow 45  common in various spots but Peninsula sumacs had 15, Breeze Hill 10

Swamp Sparrow 3

White-throated Sparrow X

White-crowned Sparrow 2--1 peninsula sumacs, 1 "I forget where"

Dark-eyed Junco X common

Northern Cardinal 3

Eastern Meadowlark 1 Rink

House Sparrow X



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


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

From Rob Jett:

Greenwood Cemetery

Location: Greenwood Cemetery

Observation date: 10/22/10

Number of species: 40


> Sharp-shinned Hawk 5

> Cooper's Hawk 2

> Red-tailed Hawk 2

> American Kestrel 2

> Merlin 1

> Herring Gull (American) X

> Rock Pigeon X

> Mourning Dove X

> Great Horned Owl 1

> Red-bellied Woodpecker 2

> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1

> Northern Flicker 5

> Eastern Phoebe 2

> Blue Jay 5

> American Crow X

> Black-capped Chickadee 4

> Tufted Titmouse 1

> Red-breasted Nuthatch 2

> White-breasted Nuthatch 1

> Golden-crowned Kinglet 25

> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 12

> Swainson's Thrush 1

> Hermit Thrush 23

> Wood Thrush 2

> Northern Mockingbird 2

> European Starling X

> Cedar Waxwing 6

> Yellow-rumped Warbler 40

> Palm Warbler 21

> Palm Warbler (Western) 1

> Eastern Towhee 2

> Chipping Sparrow 150

> Savannah Sparrow 5

> Song Sparrow 2

> White-throated Sparrow 50

> Dark-eyed Junco 300

> Northern Cardinal 1

> Purple Finch 2

> American Goldfinch 12

> House Sparrow X

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

VESPER SPARROW still at ballfields

VESPER SPARROW still at ballfields fence enclsure per Mary

EASTERN MEADOWLAWK on Rink lawn

EASTERN MEADOWLAWK on Rink lawn b/w fence n water .under labella pt sign

Thursday, October 21, 2010

October 21st reports

Highlights :

--VESPER SPARROW @ Ballfields fence enclosure,among few birds left (Rob Bate)

--SNOW GOOSE still present , in Lullwater.

--Lincoln Sparrow , south rink construction fence

--Wood Duck flock at Upper Pool island



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

From Anne-Katrin



Observation at 7:00AM this morning

Snow Goose perched on fallen tree first trail south of viewing platform
Lullwater behaving like a Snowy Egret fishing with 8 Mallards alongside.

Anne-Katrin


From Orrin:
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
BBG 10-21-10
Mallard duck
Ring-billed gull (flyover)
Coopers hawk (juv.; it has been hanging around BBG for several days)
Mourning dove
Red-bellied woodpecker
Yellow-bellied sapsucker
Downy woodpecker
Eastern phoebe
Carolina wren
Northern mockingbird
American robin
Hermit thrush
Golden-crowned kinglet
Ruby-crowned kinglet
European starling
Palm warbler
Northern cardinal;
House sparrow
White-crowned sparrow (several juv.)
White-throated sparrow
Song Sparrow


________________________________________

From Matthew Wills:

Peter,

After I saw you I returned to the fenced area of the ballfields. Missed the Vespers again, but it turned out to be a raptor afternoon: three red-tails seen in the distance over the northern end of the Long Meadow; a kestrel made a pass over the fenced-in area, flushing the numerous juncos and chipping sparrows; soon after the birds returned to grazing, a merlin made three passes, once banking away within ten feet of me. As I left the park at B-P Circle, a red-tail carried off a pigeon it had taken besides the road. 

Good birding.
M


___________________________________________

Peter's list:

Location: Prospect Park



Observation date: 10/21/10

Number of species: 30



Canada Goose 50 lake

Mute Swan 6 lake

Wood Duck 11 Upper Pool island;7 drakes, 4 hen

American Black Duck 2 west isl

Mallard 44 Upper Pool isl

Northern Shoveler X lake

Ruddy Duck 36 lake

Great Blue Heron 1 lake north shore

American Coot 11 lake

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull (American) X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4

Northern Mockingbird 1 Boathouse

European Starling X

Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 south rink construction fence

Palm Warbler (Yellow) 3 south rink construction fence

Common Yellowthroat 2 inside rink

Chipping Sparrow 15 Ballfields

Song Sparrow 10

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 south rink construction fence

Swamp Sparrow 2 south rink construction fence

White-throated Sparrow 2

White-crowned Sparrow 1 Midwood, juv

Dark-eyed Junco 45  Ballfields

Northern Cardinal 1 rink

House Sparrow X



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