The best bird this day continues to be RUSTY BLACKBIRD (RUBB) , seen along the water edge by the chain link fence on the path ( now blocked at the concert grove edge) leading from the rink to the Terrace Bridge, as I was informed by Larry in the field about RUBB . Gray Catbird follows with flourish second best.
The lake has frozen but thinly for the first time this season. All the ducks, mostly Northern Shovelers, my "guesstimate" about 220 birds are cornered by the west shore in the only open patch that included 3 Pied-billed Grebes. Many gulls out there on the ice, nothing unusual except the usual three regular occurring species.But its worth checking every day just in case since this is peaking gull migration time. One Christmas count week "spectacular gull sighting" was a Glaucous Gull , fortunately seen on the count day many years ago, spotted as a flyover by famous Brooklyn legend Marty Sohmer ( and I was fortunate to be with him that day).
The feeders are holding up, with the usual complement of winter birds, especially the loyal RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, one of my faves. Its all flux and go. Lets hope for something great this winter at those feeders. They have been refilled today and squirrels seemed to note my added measures to deter them.You can see when you go there.
A last note for winter impacted birding activity.There was some activity under the triple sweetgum trees between the rustic shelter and West Island . Under neath , American Goldfinches, a FOX SPARROW , Swamp Sparrow ( + 2 more at the West Island benches), with BC Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse, fed in that area. So, a heads up to check these sweetgums, great trees right now for birds ( Historical note Common Redpolls on a Xmas Count as well, december sighting)
Enjoy the weekend,
--Kingsboider
Location: Prospect Park feeders
Observation date: 12/10/10
Number of species: 18
4 Mourning Dove
1 Downy Woodpecker
5 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Red-breasted Nuthatch
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
3 White-throated Sparrow
2 Dark-eyed Junco
6 House Finch
Total species reported: 8
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Prospect Park (general)
232 Canada Goose Lake
5 Mute Swan west shore
X American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)
65 Mallard Lake
220 Northern Shoveler Lake
5 Ruddy Duck Lake
3 Pied-billed Grebe Lake
23 American Coot Lake west shore
X Ring-billed Gull
X Herring Gull (American)
5 Great Black-backed Gull
X Rock Pigeon
X Mourning Dove
1 Black-capped Chickadee West Island rustic shelter
1 Tufted Titmouse West Island rustic shelter
X European Starling
1 Fox Sparrow (Red) West Island rustic shelter
3 Swamp Sparrow West Island shore
7 American Goldfinch West Island rustic shelter
Total species reported: 18
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From Larry:
Rusty Blackbird continues between rink construction and Terrace Bridge. Late catbird in the construction site.
Larry
http://birdsandwords-larryz.blogspot.com/
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 12/10/10
Number of species: 36
Canada Goose 12
Mute Swan 5
Mallard 50
Northern Shoveler 150
Ruddy Duck 5
Pied-billed Grebe 1 Lake
Great Blue Heron 1 Peninsula
Red-tailed Hawk 1 Boathouse
American Coot 31
Ring-billed Gull 400
Herring Gull 100
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 30
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 4
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 12
American Crow 10
Black-capped Chickadee 15
Tufted Titmouse 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Hermit Thrush 1 Lullwater Trail
Gray Catbird 1 In Rink construction site
European Starling 200
Fox Sparrow 1 Beneath feeders
White-throated Sparrow 30
Dark-eyed Junco 10
Northern Cardinal 19
Red-winged Blackbird 2 Feeders
Rusty Blackbird 1 Lullwater trail between Rink construction & Terrace Bridge
House Finch 9
American Goldfinch 10
House Sparrow 15
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
