Friday, January 29, 2010

Prospect January 29th

Notable hilight : AMERICAN PIPIT inside Ball fields snow fence enclosure, west side ; hen Hooded Merganser has another suitor

From Peter:

I finally got to see the American Pipit , feeding along the ground at the west end of the snow fence enclosure that takes a sizable section of the southeast corner of the ball fields. Another notable sighting on this particularly bone chilling day, was the sight of another drake Hooded Merganser with the hen on the Lake.One of the males had its head crest wide open.Showing off I guess. Something to note with nothing much to cheer about when very cold temperatures hampers birding.

list


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/29/10
Number of species: 25

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 6 lake
Wood Duck 1 drake boathouse pond
American Black Duck X lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 7 lake
Hooded Merganser 3 lake; 2 drake, 1 hen
Ruddy Duck X feeders
Great Blue Heron 1 Upper Pool middle isthmus shore
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Black-capped Chickadee 3 feeders
American Robin X
European Starling X
American Pipit 1 ballfields
Song Sparrow 1 feeders
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X feeders
House Finch 6 feeders
American Goldfinch 4 feeders
House Sparrow X

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

Unusual earthly tide event

Forgive me for this off topic ( since it wont affect prospect but north brooklyn coast for sure):

Tomorrow morning at approximately 7:52 AM is the PROXIGEAN SPRING TIDE. Its a quite rare high tide when regional high tide coincides with the closest approach new moon . So..if you go to a marsh area, or even coastal shoreline, you will see unusually higher tide than usual.It might be most observed in a marsh area when bird dwellers are forced out of the sea grasses/reeds... (marine park, Plumb Beach, any of the Brooklyn inlets,etc)

here's more info on PST explanation: http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/moontides/
Thanks to Mary E for the info

Saturday 01/30/10 1:18AM Full Moon
Saturday 01/30/10 1:27AM -1.09 feet Low Tide
Saturday 01/30/10 7:07AM Sunrise
Saturday 01/30/10 7:11AM Moonset
Saturday 01/30/10 7:52AM 6.71 feet High Tide
Saturday 01/30/10 2:12PM -1.3 feet Low Tide


-Kingsboider

Thursday, January 28, 2010

January 28th Prospect

From Larry:

There was a Bufflehead on the Upper Pool which is about half open water.
Finally found the pipit in the enclosure.

Good birding

Larry Zirlin

Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 2:21 PM

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 1/28/10


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/28/10
Number of species: 31

Canada Goose 130
Mute Swan 8
Wood Duck 1 Boathouse Pond.
American Black Duck 17
Mallard 347 Upper Pool, Boathouse Pond, Lullwater, Lake.
Northern Shoveler 8
Bufflehead 1 Upper Pool
Ruddy Duck 46
Great Blue Heron 1 Back of Upper Pool
American Coot 18
Ring-billed Gull 200
Herring Gull 1
Mourning Dove 20
Downy Woodpecker 7
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
American Robin 25
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 1
American Pipit 1 Enclosure near ball fields
Song Sparrow 1 On Lullwater trail
White-throated Sparrow 35
Dark-eyed Junco 15
Northern Cardinal 26
Red-winged Blackbird 4 Feeders
House Finch 7 Feeders
American Goldfinch 9 --5 by lake, including the one in full breeding
plumage, 4 by feeders.
House Sparrow 8

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

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

From Peter:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/28/10
Number of species: 19

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 6 lake
Wood Duck 1 drake boathouse pond
American Black Duck 14-2 Upper Pool, rest Lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 7 lake
Bufflehead 1 drake Upper Pool
Ruddy Duck 51 lake
Great Blue Heron 2--Upper Pool ;Three Sisters Islands
Red-tailed Hawk 1 f/o 9th St Bandshell
American Coot 12 Duck Island
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
American Robin 50 Center Drive Quaker ridge south
European Starling X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) X

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

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Prospect 1/27

From Matthew Wills:

Peter,

Greetings. I had two Merlins in the same tree in the Nethermead this morning. Center Drive and Quaker Hill footpath.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Alex Wilson:

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 1/27/10
> Number of species: 50
>
> Canada Goose 150
> Mute Swan 8
> Wood Duck 1 (Drake, Upper Pool.)
> American Black Duck 8
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
> Mallard 200
> Northern Shoveler 8
> Bufflehead 1 (Drake, Lake.)
> Hooded Merganser 2 (Pair, Lake.)
> Ruddy Duck 60
> Great Blue Heron 3
> Red-tailed Hawk 4 (Including one at Ravine nest.)
> Merlin 1 (1 or 2, Long Meadow; Nethermead.)
> Peregrine Falcon 1 (On signal tower.)
> American Coot 15
> Ring-billed Gull 400
> Herring Gull (American) 10
> Great Black-backed Gull 1
> Rock Pigeon 50
> Mourning Dove 40
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 10
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Blue Jay 10
> American Crow 2
> Black-capped Chickadee 12
> Tufted Titmouse 5
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 (Feeders.)
> White-breasted Nuthatch 8
> Brown Creeper 1
> Carolina Wren 3
> Winter Wren 1 (Midwood.)
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
> Hermit Thrush 1 (Terrace Bridge, SW.)
> American Robin 25
> Northern Mockingbird 3
> European Starling 100
> American Pipit 1 (Long Meadow, fenced area near ball
> fields, PM.)
> Cedar Waxwing 8 (Bennen Water.)
> Eastern Towhee 2 (Male & female, behind Boat House.)
> Fox Sparrow (Red) 2
> Song Sparrow 5
> Swamp Sparrow 1
> White-throated Sparrow 100
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 10
> Northern Cardinal 40
> Red-winged Blackbird 6
> House Finch 15
> American Goldfinch 15
> House Sparrow 25


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Paul Cook, new Brooklyn resident from the United Kingdom (Britain)

American Pipit 1 (fenced off area near ball fields, 10:50 -11:15 at least)

Red- Tailed Hawk (1 adult carrying Feral Pigeon prey ,SE over Vale of Cashmere)

Hermit Thrush 1 (peninsula)

Fox Sparrow 2

Hairy Woodpecker 1 (lullwater)

American Robin (flock of 50+ Nethermead)

A reminder , Mark your calendars

The upcoming Great Backyard Count in two weeks. Anyone can participate for counting birds in Prospect, BBG or Greenwood Cemetery.

See info below from a mailing I received from Cornell.


http://www.audubon.org/gbbc/


Join the Great Backyard Bird Count
February 12-15


January 26, 2010—Bird watchers coast to coast are invited to take part in the 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, Friday, February 12, through Monday, February 15, 2010. Participants in the free event will join tens of thousands of volunteers counting birds in their own backyards, local parks or wildlife refuges.

Each checklist submitted by these "citizen scientists" helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology , the National Audubon Society, and Bird Studies Canada learn more about how the birds are doing—and how to protect them. Last year, participants turned in more than 93,600 checklists online, creating the continent's largest instantaneous snapshot of bird populations ever recorded.

“Taking part in the Great Backyard Bird Count is a great way to get outside with family and friends, have fun, and help birds—all at the same time," said Audubon Education Vice President, Judy Braus. "Even if you can identify a few species you can provide important information that enables scientists to learn more about how the environment is changing and how that affects our conservation priorities.”

Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from novice bird watchers to experts. Participants count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the event and report their sightings online at www.birdcount.org. One 2009 participant said, “Thank you for the opportunity to participate in citizen science. I have had my eyes opened to a whole new interest and I love it!”

“The GBBC is a perfect first step toward the sort of intensive monitoring needed to discover how birds are responding to environmental change,” said Janis Dickinson, Director of Citizen Science at the Cornell Lab. “Winter is such a vulnerable period for birds, so winter bird distributions are likely to be very sensitive to change. There is only one way—citizen science—to gather data on private lands where people live and the GBBC has been doing this across the continent for many years. GBBC has enormous potential both as an early warning system and in capturing and engaging people in more intensive sampling of birds across the landscape.”

Monday, January 25, 2010

Discussion line on mystery duck on Prospect Lake

Posted to the NYS Birds Listserve by Alex Wilson reply today (1/25)to Rob Jett's original inquiry:

Regarding the odd shoveler-type duck in Prospect Park,
this bird (I assume the same) was first noted on
12/24/09 and reported on Peter Dorosh’s Prospect
sightings blog:

http://peters-prospect-bird-sightings.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-eve-day-prospect-and-garden.html

Some photos I took are posted at:

http://www.digitalmediatree.com/arboretum/shoveler/

My photos show the bird next to a female Northern
Shoveler; though male by plumage it is barely as
large as the female shoveler, and the bill appears
smaller. From what I see online the Australasian
Shoveler is at least as big as Northern, with
equally extreme bill proportions. Australasian also
appears to have a more gray-tinged head and darker
markings on the breast,whereas the Prospect bird has
a strongly green head. Based on these factors I tend
to think it’s a Northern Shoveler X Blue-winged Teal
hybrid, but I’d be interested in more knowledgeable opinions.

Good birding,
Alex Wilson
Brooklyn, NY


Rob Jett's original posting:

Prospect Park's lake is notorious for hosting
some very strange hybrid waterfowl, so I wasn't too
surprised to find an odd-looking shoveler in the park.
What was first perceived to be a Northern Shoveler x Blue-
winged Teal hybrid, I'm now pretty certain is actually
an Australasian > Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis). I have
some photos and a short video on my blog here:
>
http://citybirder.blogspot.com/2010/01/strange-waterfowl.html
>
> Just wondering:
- How common are Australasian Shovelers in zoos
or private collections?
- Have Australasian Shovelers ever been recorded
outside of New Zealand or Australia?
- What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen
swallow?
>
> Good birding,
>
> Rob

Sunday, January 24, 2010

January 24th Prospect

From Larry Zirlin:

Two towhees on the hill behind the Boathouse.

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 1/24/10

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/24/10
Number of species: 32

Canada Goose 80
Mute Swan 8
Wood Duck 1
American Black Duck 13
Mallard 125
Hooded Merganser 1 Three Sisters
Ruddy Duck 18
American Coot 17
Ring-billed Gull 1000
Herring Gull 16
Great Black-backed Gull 6
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 13
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 7
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 2 On lake ice
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
European Starling 50
Eastern Towhee 2 Hill behind Boathouse, both females
Song Sparrow 1 on lake ice, SW corner
White-throated Sparrow 15
Dark-eyed Junco 12
Northern Cardinal 11
Red-winged Blackbird 4 Feeders
House Finch 4
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 2

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

Saturday, January 23, 2010

January 23rd Prospect

From Rob Bate :

Notable today were Hermit Thrush, American Pipit and Eastern Towhee. Could not locate
the Rusty Blackbirds
.
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/23/10
Number of species: 28

Canada Goose X
Mallard X
Ring-billed Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Downy Woodpecker X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Brown Creeper X
Carolina Wren X
Winter Wren X

Hermit Thrush X
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird X
European Starling X
American Pipit X
Eastern Towhee
X

Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

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


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

From Rob Jett :

Here's my latest Prospect report.


Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 1/23/10
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 1/23/10
> Number of species: 40
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan 4
> Wood Duck 1
> American Black Duck 12
> Mallard 150
> Northern Shoveler 4
> Hooded Merganser 1
> Ruddy Duck 12
> Great Blue Heron 2
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> Merlin 1
> American Coot 10
> Ring-billed Gull 1500
> Herring Gull 100
> Great Black-backed Gull 4
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove 15
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 2
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Blue Jay X
> American Crow 4
> Black-capped Chickadee 7
> Tufted Titmouse 2
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
> White-breasted Nuthatch 2
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
> American Robin 2
> Northern Mockingbird 1
> European Starling X
> American Pipit 1
> Song Sparrow 2
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco X
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird 3
> House Finch 7
> American Goldfinch 6
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Friday, January 22, 2010

January 22 Prospect; exotic waterfowl lake sighting

From Larry :


Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 12:26 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 1/22/10

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/22/10
Number of species: 33

Canada Goose 125
Mute Swan 7
Wood Duck 1 Boathouse Pond
American Black Duck 6 One on Boathouse Pond, balance on lake.
Mallard 290
Ruddy Duck 15
Cooper's Hawk 1 Hanging out near the feeders
Red-tailed Hawk 2 Circling over Nethermead
American Coot 9
Ring-billed Gull 300
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 17
Mourning Dove 12 Binnen Bridge
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 One near Boathouse, one Breeze Hill
Downy Woodpecker 5 Boathouse and feeders
Hairy Woodpecker 1 Breeze Hill
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 3 On lake ice
Black-capped Chickadee 3 Feeders and near Wellhouse
Tufted Titmouse 4 Binnen Bridge & feeders
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 4 Feeders and near Boathouse
Brown Creeper 2 Boathouse and Breeze Hill
Carolina Wren 1 Binnen Bridge
American Robin 2 Nethermead
Northern Mockingbird 1 Behind Boathouse
White-throated Sparrow 31
Dark-eyed Junco 7 Feeders
Northern Cardinal 11
House Finch 4 Feeders
American Goldfinch 2 Feeders
House Sparrow 6

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

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

1/21 reports

American Pipit 1 seen on ballfields, inside fence enclosure (observer Mary Eyster)

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

From Peter (after work)

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/21/10
Number of species: 18

all waterfowl seen in Lake

Canada Goose 225
Mute Swan 6
American Black Duck 8
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ruddy Duck 32
Great Blue Heron 1 Duck Island
Red-tailed Hawk 1 somewhere in park
American Coot 7
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
American Crow 61 on Lake, pretty large group (rebounding from west nile?)
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X

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

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

From Mike Zablocky:

most of the passerines seen at the feeders:

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
American Black Duck
Mallard
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
European Starling
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

27 species


Michael S. Zablocky
Brooklyn, NY

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

Prospect Park's lake is notorious for
hosting some very strange hybrid
waterfowl, so I wasn't too surprised
to find an odd-looking shoveler
in the park. What was first perceived
to be a Northern Shoveler x Blue-
winged Teal hybrid, I'm now pretty
certain is actually an Australasian
Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis). I have
some photos and a short video on my
blog here:

http://citybirder.blogspot.com/2010/01/strange-waterfowl.html

Just wondering:

- How common are Australasian Shovelers in zoos or private collections?
- Have Australasian Shovelers ever been recorded outside of New
Zealand or Australia?
- What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

Good birding,

Rob

Thursday, January 21, 2010

2009 Prospect Year totals

Here is the 2009 final total for the bird species seen in Prospect Park :

197 species

If taking into account Brooklyn Botanic Garden and GreenWood Cemetery, two different species not seen in Prospect 2009 culminates into 199 (White-winged Crossbill and Great Horned Owl , respectively). If also adding Screech Owl seen Oct 18th in the Boerum Hill section, North Brooklyn tallied 200 species ( ok , I am stretching it, but Brooklyn does have it all.)

Good Boiding

--Kingsboider

The species list for Prospect Park is below, seen in chronoloical order.


Canada Goose Prospect Lake
Mute Swan Prospect Lake
American Black Duck Prospect Lake
Mallard Prospect Lake
Northern Shoveler Prospect Lake
Ruddy Duck Prospect Lake
Northern Harrier Midwood
Sharp-shinned Hawk Prospect Park
Cooper's Hawk Prospect Park
Red-tailed Hawk Prospect Park
Merlin Prospect Park
American Coot Prospect Lake
Ring-billed Gull Prospect Park
Herring Gull Prospect Park
Great Black-backed Gull Prospect Lake
Rock Dove Prospect Park
Mourning Dove Prospect Park
Red-bellied Woodpecker Prospect Park
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Prospect Park
Downy Woodpecker Prospect Park
Hairy Woodpecker Prospect Park
Northern Flicker Prospect Park
Blue Jay Prospect Park
American Crow Prospect Park
Black-capped Chickadee Prospect Park
Tufted Titmouse Prospect Park
Red-breasted Nuthatch Prospect Park
White-breasted Nuthatch Prospect Park
Brown Creeper Lookout Hill
Carolina Wren Prospect Park
Winter Wren Prospect Park
Hermit Thrush Prospect Park
American Robin Prospect Park
European Starling Prospect Park
Northern Mockingbird Prospect Park
Fox Sparrow Prospect Park
Song Sparrow Prospect Park
White-throated Sparrow Prospect Park
Dark-eyed Junco Prospect Park
Northern Cardinal Prospect Park
Red-winged Blackbird Prospect Park
House Finch Prospect Park
Pine Siskin Midwood
American Goldfinch Prospect Park
House Sparrow Prospect Park
Pied-billed Grebe Prospect Lake
Great Blue Heron Prospect Lake
Brant Prospect Lake
Lesser Black-backed Gull Prospect Lake
Golden-crowned Kinglet Prospect Park
Eastern Towhee Lookout Hill
Swamp Sparrow Prospect Park
Purple Finch Prospect Park
Bufflehead Prospect Lake
Gray Catbird Breeze Hill
Baltimore Oriole Bartel Pritchard square entrance
Common Merganser Prospect Lake
Peregrine Falcon Prospect Park
Cedar Waxwing Prospect Park
American Tree Sparrow Terrace Bridge
Lesser Scaup Three Sisters Islands
Common Grackle West Island
Wood Duck Three Sisters Islands
Ring-necked Duck Prospect Lake
Hooded Merganser Prospect Lake
Red-breasted Merganser Prospect Lake
Turkey Vulture Prospect Park
Double-crested Cormorant Prospect Lake
Northern Pintail Prospect Lake
Brown-headed Cowbird Breeze Hill
Snow Goose Greenwood Cemetary
American Wigeon Greenwood Cemetary
Monk Parakeet Greenwood Cemetary
American Woodcock Lookout Hill
Yellow-rumped Warbler Lily Pond (formerly Pagoda)
Belted Kingfisher Prospect Lake
Eastern Phoebe Prospect Park
Fish Crow Prospect Park
Rusty Blackbird Lullwater
Great Egret Prospect Park
Gadwall Peninsula
Black-crowned Night-Heron Duck Island
Barn Swallow Prospect Lake
Osprey Prospect Lake
Bald Eagle Lookout Hill
Laughing Gull Prospect Lake
Tree Swallow Prospect Lake
Pine Warbler Lullwater
American Kestrel Lookout Hill
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Lookout Hill
Palm Warbler Prospect Park
Chipping Sparrow Prospect Park
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Prospect Park
Louisiana Waterthrush Vale/Rose Garden
Northern Waterthrush Vale/Rose Garden
Eastern Bluebird Rink
Northern Parula Prospect Park
Blue-headed Vireo Midwood
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Upper Pool
Common Loon Lullwater
Black-throated Green Warbler Nethermead
Field Sparrow Lullwater
Savannah Sparrow Prospect Park
American Bittern Prospect Park
Green Heron Binnen Waters
Black-and-white Warbler Pagoda Swamp
Wilson's Warbler Midwood
Veery Binnen Waters
Virginia Rail Boathouse
Brown Thrasher Prospect Park
Snowy Egret Upper Pool
Solitary Sandpiper Prospect Lake
Chimney Swift Prospect Lake
Yellow Warbler Peninsula
Yellow-throated Warbler Lookout Hill
Black Vulture Lullwater
Broad-winged Hawk Botanical Gardens
Wood Thrush Ravine
Ovenbird Upper Pool
Prothonotary Warbler Duck Island
Eastern Kingbird Vale/Rose Garden
White-eyed Vireo Midwood
Yellow-throated Vireo Bartel Pritchard square entrance
Warbling Vireo Prospect Park
House Wren Prospect Park
Swainson's Thrush Vale/Rose Garden
Blue-winged Warbler Prospect Park
Townsend's Warbler Prospect Park
Prairie Warbler Prospect Park
Blackpoll Warbler Prospect Park
Worm-eating Warbler Midwood
Common Yellowthroat Terrace Bridge
Hooded Warbler Prospect Park
Scarlet Tanager Prospect Park
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Prospect Park
Orchard Oriole Vale/Rose Garden
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Vale/Rose Garden
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Prospect Park
Red-eyed Vireo Lookout Hill
Nashville Warbler Prospect Park
Chestnut-sided Warbler Prospect Park
Cerulean Warbler Ravine
Indigo Bunting Prospect Park
Blackburnian Warbler Pools
Kentucky Warbler Lower Pool
Magnolia Warbler South Lakeside
Cape May Warbler Prospect Park
Black-throated Blue Warbler Prospect Park
Spotted Sandpiper Prospect Lake
Black-billed Cuckoo Lily Pond (formerly Pagoda)
Great Crested Flycatcher Lookout Hill
White-crowned Sparrow Lily Pond (formerly Pagoda)
Blue Grosbeak Botanical Gardens
Red-headed Woodpecker Prospect Park
Orange-crowned Warbler North woods
American Redstart Prospect Park
Canada Warbler Midwood
Caspian Tern Prospect Lake
Gray-cheeked Thrush Prospect Park
Golden-winged Warbler Zoo/perimeter
Lincoln's Sparrow Prospect Park
Least Flycatcher Vale/Rose Garden
Bay-breasted Warbler Nethermead Bridge
Red-shouldered Hawk Lookout Hill
Eastern Wood-Pewee Upper Pool
Bank Swallow Vale/Rose Garden
Summer Tanager Ricks place
Acadian Flycatcher Vale/Rose Garden
Philadelphia Vireo Vale/Rose Garden
Olive-sided Flycatcher Lookout Hill
Common Nighthawk Quaker Hill
Black Skimmer Prospect Lake
Mourning Warbler Prospect Park
Common Tern Long Meadow
Willow Flycatcher Vale/Rose Garden
Tennessee Warbler Lookout Hill
Alder Flycatcher Peninsula
Forster's Tern Prospect Lake
Short-billed Dowitcher Prospect Lake
Glossy Ibis Long Meadow
Least Sandpiper Peninsula
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Lookout Hill
Blue-winged Teal South Lakeside
Connecticut Warbler Ravine
Green-winged Teal Lullwater
Eastern Meadowlark Peninsula
Common Snipe Prospect Park
American Pipit Prospect Park
Lark Sparrow Baseball field
Marsh Wren Peninsula
Greater Scaup Prospect Lake
Clay-colored Sparrow Prospect Park
Vesper Sparrow Baseball field
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow Prospect Park
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Prospect Park
Northern Goshawk Prospect Park
Northern Saw-whet Owl Prospect Park


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

Kingsboider note: I check Cornell's Ebird database to find out the total for Kings County in 2009.It says the total was 285 .But some species are non specific (listed as genera) , or hybrids. So 9 aren't true identifications , that makes it 276. So, the Prospect Park region ( and her green neighbors) accounted for about 72 % of the total species for Kings County..Pretty impressive !

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

January 20th Prospect

Notable hilights: 3 American Pipits, Rusty Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Peregrine Falcon, Hooded Merganser ( drake) , Wood Duck

from Alex Wilson

Begin forwarded message:

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 1/20/10
> Number of species: 43
>
> Canada Goose 200
> Mute Swan 8
> Wood Duck 1 (Drake, Boathouse pool.)
> American Black Duck 12
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 2
> Mallard 150
> Northern Shoveler 15
> Ruddy Duck 40
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> Peregrine Falcon 1 (On signal tower.)
> American Coot 15
> Ring-billed Gull 800
> Herring Gull (American) 35
> Great Black-backed Gull 4
> Rock Pigeon 25
> Mourning Dove 20
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 8
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
> Downy Woodpecker 10
> Hairy Woodpecker 2
> Blue Jay 10
> American Crow 4
> Black-capped Chickadee 10
> Tufted Titmouse 4
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 (2 together, west side of
> Lullwater; later one near feeders on east side.)
> White-breasted Nuthatch 8
> Carolina Wren 1
> American Robin 35
> Northern Mockingbird 3
> European Starling 75
> American Pipit 3 (Long Meadow fenced area by ball fields,
> PM, one bathing in puddle.)
> Eastern Towhee 1 (Male, behind boathouse.)
> Fox Sparrow (Red) 4
> Song Sparrow 1
> Swamp Sparrow 1
> White-throated Sparrow 80
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 10
> Northern Cardinal 25
> Red-winged Blackbird 1
> Rusty Blackbird 1 (Female, flew into treetop near feeders,
> then to ground further down slope.)
> House Finch 5
> American Goldfinch 4
> House Sparrow 20

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Peter:

Brief look at the lake after work.

Hooded Merganser drake along the Peninsula shore of the Lake (late afternoon); Shovelers, Ruddy Ducks, abundant Canada Geese ( est 350)

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

January 19th Prospect

From Larry Zirlin:

Hi Peter,
Only found one of the Rusty Blackbirds. Wasn't able to locate the pipit

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


Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 3:25 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 1/19/10


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/19/10
Number of species: 31

Canada Goose 300
Mute Swan 7
Wood Duck 1
American Black Duck 11
Mallard 200
Northern Shoveler 22 One on Boathouse Pond, balance on lake.
Ruddy Duck 15
American Coot 16
Ring-billed Gull 600
Herring Gull 11
Great Black-backed Gull 7
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 20 Feeders and behind Boathouse
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 2 Feeders and behind Boathouse.
Tufted Titmouse 2 Feeders and lake
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 4 Feeders, behind Boathouse, Nethermead
arches.
American Robin 19 Behind Boathouse
Northern Mockingbird 2 One behind Boathouse, one Breeze Hill
European Starling 40
White-throated Sparrow 35 Feeders, behind Boathouse, along
watercourse
Dark-eyed Junco 3 Feeders
Northern Cardinal 15
Rusty Blackbird 1 Behind Boathouse
House Finch 3 Feeders
American Goldfinch 4 Three at Feeders, one behind Boathouse
House Sparrow 6

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

Monday, January 18, 2010

January 18th Prospect reports; 1/16 Red Hook waterfowl count

From Rob Bate:

American Pipit still lingers in fenced in area
(at the Ballfields), Long Meadow near dog beach.
Also Rusty Blackbird was seen off horse trail
behind Audubon center.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Rusty Harold:

Prospect Park

1. Canada Goose
2. Mute Swan
3. American Black Duck
4. Mallard
5. Northern Shoveler
6. Bufflehead
7. Ruddy Duck
8. American Coot
9. Ring-billed Gull
10. Herring Gull
11. Great Black-backed Gull
12. Rock Pigeon
13. Mourning Dove
14. Cooper's Hawk (Botanical Gardens)
15. Red-bellied Woodpecker
16. Downy Woodpecker
17. Blue Jay
18. American Crow
19. Black-capped Chickadee
20. Tufted Titmouse
21. White-breasted Nuthatch
22. Carolina Wren
23. Hermit Thrush
24. American Robin
25. European Starling
26. White-throated Sparrow
27. Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)
28. Northern Cardinal


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Red Hook (North Brooklyn) 1/16 waterfowl count

observers: Peter Dorosh, Mary Eyster

posting sent to ebirdsnyc@yahoogroups bird listserve

During the first day of the waterfowl count week, a LESSER BLACKED-BACKED GULL was discovered on the brick debris /rubble field (with heavy construction equipment) on the north side of IKEA superstore. While resting with the Ring-billed Gull flock, a PEREGRINE FALCON swooped in and flushed all the gulls, and after the dispersal, the Peregrine perched on a tall wooden electric/telephone pole at the end of that rubble field opposite Beard Street; the falcon perched on the pole for a good 1/2 hour. The Lesser Blacked-backed Gull fled to a wood piling in the water under a dilapidated metal wharf structure, but eventually rejoined the Ring-billed gull flock on a severed dilapidated pier closer to Ikea. It's likely the same bird seen there from last winter.

Peter
Brooklyn Bird Club

Location: Red Hook coastal ,Brooklyn
Observation date: 1/16/10
Number of species: 21

Brant 205
Canada Goose 68
American Wigeon 4
American Black Duck 55
Mallard 15
Bufflehead 33
Red-breasted Merganser 18
Ruddy Duck 1
Double-crested Cormorant 11
Great Cormorant 7
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 8
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling X
House Sparrow X

Sunday, January 17, 2010

January 17th Prospect ; Waterfowl count

From Rafael:


Date: 17 January 2010
Place: Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY
Observer: Rafael Campos R.
My last day in Park Slope, before I move South looking for warmer climates (aka Costa Rica). My early morning walk was totally different from the one I did yesterday. Gray skies, cold, and the bird activity was almost close to nothing. Most of the water is still frozen at the lake, and the large concentrations of birds are in few spots where the water is unfrozen (gulls + waterfowl).
The feeders at Breezy Hill had few bird species, perhaps the best there was 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch. And still the lonely Great Blue Heron, looking quite cold in the pools.
No raptors at all, nor even the pipit.
Here is the list of the birds recorded today:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
Great Blue Heron (1, lower pool)
America Coot (±3, Lake)
Ring-billed Gull
(American) Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock (Common) Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow (2, Lake)
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch (1, feeders)
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
European (Common) Starling
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird (±8)
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Larry Zirlin

Observers: Anne-Katrin Titze, Larry Zirlin

Prospect portion of Brooklyn Waterfowl Count.

Time: 8:45 to 10:15 1/17/10



Canada Goose 235

Mute Swan 8

Wood Duck 1

American Black Duck 10

American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1

Mallard 312

Northern Shoveler 13

Bufflehead 1

Ruddy Duck 18

American Coot 13

One Canada Goose had a yellow neckband of NA08.

Other ducks we can’t count: 1 Cayuga Duck, 1 “chocolate duck” hybrid, 11 caramel colored ducks, that look like domestic/mallard crosses.


Larry

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Janaury 16th Prospect

Notable species : American Pipit ,Rusty Blackbird

From Rafael Campos

Date: 16 January 2010
Place: Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY
Observer: Rafael Campos R.
A nice day to go to PP, but the bird activity was very low. Nothing unusual, the feeders at Breezy Hill were almost birdless, the lake mostly frozen, with good numbers of gulls, especially Ring-billed.
Later, while walking around the frozen pools, I saw 1 Great Blue Heron, and the best, the American Pipit, a single individual inside the fenced area near the ball fields in the Long Meadow.

The species recorded:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
Great Blue Heron (1, upper pool)
Red-tailed Hawk (2, flying over Nethermead)
Ring-billed Gull
(American) Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren (1, behind Well House)
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird (1)
European (Common) Starling
American (Buff-bellied) Pipit (1, fenced area near the ball fields)
Fox Sparrow (3, behind Well House)
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Mike Yuan:


hi peter- my sightings from green-wood and prospect park today. all waters at green-wood were completely frozen today.

Location: Green-wood Cemetery
Observation date: 1/16/10
Number of species: 20

Canada Goose 48
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Ring-billed Gull 20
Rock Pigeon 2
Monk Parakeet 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
American Robin 5
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 4
Fox Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 6
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 30
Northern Cardinal 2
House Sparrow 2
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/16/10
Number of species: 30

Canada Goose 200
Mute Swan 6
Wood Duck 1
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 100
Northern Shoveler 40
Bufflehead 1
Ruddy Duck 16
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Coot 7
Ring-billed Gull 600
Herring Gull (American) 20
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 50
Mourning Dove 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
American Crow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
American Robin 6
European Starling 5
White-throated Sparrow 10
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 6
Northern Cardinal 5
Rusty Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 1
House Finch 7
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 20

Lesser Black-backed Gull @ IKEA

Lesser Black-backed Gull @ IKEA north crushed brick debris rublbe lot with heavy equipment ; also perch Peregrine

American pipit @ fenced area,

American pipit @ fenced area, long meadow per rafael

Friday, January 15, 2010

January 15th Prospect

From Tom Kerr and Tony Prastaro :

PINE WARBLER in the pine grove at the Peninsula point ( shleter); also flyover Peregrine Falcon at Peninsula

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

From Larry Zirlin:


Sent: Friday, January 15, 2010 3:06 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 1/15/10


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/15/10
Number of species: 32

Canada Goose 204
Mute Swan 6
Wood Duck 1 Boathouse Pond
American Black Duck 6
Mallard 245 Boathouse Pond: 49, balance on Lake
Northern Shoveler 36
Ruddy Duck 11
Red-tailed Hawk 1 Peninsula
American Coot 16
Ring-billed Gull 700
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 22 Feeders
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Lily Pond
Downy Woodpecker 7 Feeders, Lily Pond
Hairy Woodpecker 1 Breeze Hill
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 27 In peninsula trees and on the ice on the lake
Black-capped Chickadee 3 Feeders and near Lily Pond
Tufted Titmouse 4 One @ Feeders, 2 near Lily Pond, 1 near Nethermead
bridge.
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 3 Feeder, Lily Pond, Nethermead Bridge
Brown Creeper 1 Breeze Hill
European Starling 25
White-throated Sparrow 50
Dark-eyed Junco 5 Feeders
Northern Cardinal 10
Red-winged Blackbird 1 Female at Feeders
Rusty Blackbird 2 Near bridge by Lily Pond
House Finch 3 Feeders
American Goldfinch 7 One of the males in full breeding plumage!

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

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

From Rob Jett:

> Date: January 15, 2010 5:46:49 PM EST

> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 1/15/10
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 1/15/10
> Number of species: 43
>
> Canada Goose 200
> Mute Swan 5
> Wood Duck 1
> American Black Duck 8
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 30
> Ruddy Duck 5
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Cooper's Hawk 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> American Coot 8
> American Woodcock 2 North Lullwater by black plastic
> Ring-billed Gull 3000
> Herring Gull 100
> Great Black-backed Gull 5
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
> Downy Woodpecker 3
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> American Crow X
> Black-capped Chickadee X
> Tufted Titmouse X
> Red-breasted Nuthatch X
> White-breasted Nuthatch X
> Brown Creeper 1
> Carolina Wren 3
> Winter Wren 1
> Hermit Thrush 1
> American Robin X
> Northern Mockingbird 1
> European Starling X
> Eastern Towhee 1
> Fox Sparrow 2
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco X
> Northern Cardinal 15
> Red-winged Blackbird 4
> Rusty Blackbird 2
> House Finch 3
> American Goldfinch 12
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Latest gos watch . Goshawk

Latest gos watch . Goshawk moving alot..ravine...feeders now peninsula

Goshawk in prospect's ravine near

Goshawk in prospect's ravine near little rock arch per mary e

Goshawk in ravine near little

Goshawk in ravine near little rock arch per mary e.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

January 14th Prospect : Goshawk & Opposum; Ambergill Accipitae "hat-trick"












(click on pics for zoom in)



It must be my lucky day. I happened to finish park inspections I do every two weeks when I noticed movement on the Ambergill creek water , thru the Esdale Bridge framework. So I stopped the golf cart I was driving, walked slowly and carefully towards the bridge railing. Its a big bird down there , bathing .Thinking it was just a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, to my great surprise ,as the big raptor turned, I saw all the spotting on the upper breast and immediately knew I saw my second sighting of the juvenile NORTHERN GOSHAWK in the past 2 days.

The Gos bathed in that spot --just below the bridge--for a good ten minutes, hopping several times upon the boulder in the creek, and back in.Eventually, it flew off to a nearby limb, then another limb above the Ambergill Pool, before it took off towards the Boulder Bridge and Ricks Place.This was 2:50 to 3 pm. One of my most exciting winter moments.

Then after telling my coworkers and showing them the pictures I took ( not great but good enough), I left for home. On the way when I customarily check the lake, I noticed on the ground movement near a big tree. It was an Opposum ! And an adult too, scavenging for whatever it saw. A terrific afternoon of birding and wildlife seeing...Prospect has it all! :)>

---Kingsboider

PS. I am wondering if the Opposum is sniffing a cigar..can't tell.....what do you think?

List:
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/14/10
Number of species: 29

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 6 lake
Wood Duck 1 boathouse pond, drake
American Black Duck 5 lake
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 90 lake
Ruddy Duck 8 lake
Northern Goshawk 1 juvenile Ambergill creek ( Ravine)
Peregrine Falcon 1 perched on BBGarden radio tower
American Coot 8 lake
Ring-billed Gull 1600 lake
Herring Gull (American) X
Great Black-backed Gull 6 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 2 feeders
American Crow 32 on lake ice
Black-capped Chickadee 3 feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 2 feeders
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling X
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Common Grackle 1 feeders
House Finch X feeders
American Goldfinch 2 feeders
House Sparrow X

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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kingsboider note: Cooper's Hawk is missing from the list; I saw an adult perched in a tree adjacent to the Lullwater Bridge , near the Boathouse.Thanks to Jonathan Wells of the Audubon Center ,who was watching it.
*******************************
From Rob Bate:
Half an hour before your text about the Northern Goshawk, I was in the Ravine ready to scope our little guy when an adult Cooper's [Hawk] flew into the tree right above Rock Arch Bridge. He was all wet and spent a good 20 minutes preening and drying before flying away to another close tree. Another hawk, seemingly much smaller, had replaced the Cooper's Hawk on the same branch. I thought it must be a Merlin by its size and overall brown mottled appearance, but as it dried , it kept getting bigger and when it flew it was definitely an accipiter. It's tail was cut straight across making it a Sharpie [Sharp-shinned Hawk] . That makes it 3 accipiters bathing in the Ambergill.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

January 13th Prospect reports

Noted species: Rusty Blackbird, Eastern Towhee


From Rob Jett:
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 1/13/10
> Number of species: 31
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan X
> Wood Duck 1
> American Black Duck X
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 30
> Ruddy Duck 5
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Ring-billed Gull X
> Herring Gull X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 2
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Blue Jay X
> American Crow 30
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
> White-breasted Nuthatch 2
> Carolina Wren 1
> European Starling X
> Song Sparrow X
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco X
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> Common Grackle X
> House Finch X
> American Goldfinch 5
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

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

From Alex Wilson:

Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 1/13/10
> Number of species: 44
>
> Canada Goose 250
> Mute Swan 6
> Wood Duck 1 (Drake, boathouse pool.)
> American Black Duck 10
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 2
> Mallard 150
> Northern Shoveler 35
> Ruddy Duck 9
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Cooper's Hawk 1 (Calling near Bartell-Pritchard gate.)
> Red-tailed Hawk 4
> American Coot 11
> Ring-billed Gull 1200
> Herring Gull (American) 30
> Great Black-backed Gull 5
> Rock Pigeon 50
> Mourning Dove 35
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 8
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
> Downy Woodpecker 8
> Blue Jay 15
> American Crow 8
> Black-capped Chickadee 7
> Tufted Titmouse 8
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 (Lullwater trail west.)
> White-breasted Nuthatch 7
> Carolina Wren 2
> Winter Wren 1 (Between Binnen/Center Drive.)
> American Robin 15
> Northern Mockingbird 2
> European Starling 75
> Eastern Towhee 3 (Male, 2 females.)
> Fox Sparrow (Red) 4
> Song Sparrow 2
> Swamp Sparrow 3
> White-throated Sparrow 100
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 15
> Northern Cardinal 20
> Red-winged Blackbird 10
> Rusty Blackbird 2 (Male and female below Binnen Fall;
> probably same pair seen later on bridle path behind Boathouse.)
> Common Grackle 2
> House Finch 15
> American Goldfinch 15
> House Sparrow 25

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

Seen: Adult Red-tailed Hawk perched in Elizabeth's Tulip Tree , north edge of Nellie's lawn.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

January 12th: Gull wing tags + Prospect briefings




Kingsboider: A short time ago , I mentioned that I sent in information to the US Geological Survey Patuxent Bird Lab on 3 Ring-billed gulls that had orange pink circular wing tags, seen on Prospect Lake ( they were banded). I received the mailings a couple days ago. It turns out two of the three Ring-billeds are from Red Sox Nation (baseball fans take note) :)>


Two of the birds #343 and #318 are from Worcester County,Massachusetts. The third i have not received any info but likely the same region as the other two.

here are the full details for each bird:

Band # 0994-06449 2 343

banded 11/18/2009

hatched in 2008 or earlier sex unknown


Location banded : Upper Blackstone waste treatment plant,Worcester, Worcester County, Mass (47 miles west from Fenway Park, Boston ) coordinates lat 42.21556 long -71.78806



^^^^^^



band # 0994-03425 318



banded 11/04/2009



hatched in 2008 or earlier sex unknown



location banded: Northborough, Worcester County, Mass -coordinates 42.28444; long -71.65556

(39 miles west of Boston's Fenway Park)




Both birds Banded by :Dr Tom French ,State of Masachusetts-Nongame Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Route 135 Westborough, MA 01581 3337

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

Peter's Prospect report 1/12/10


Canada Goose 330--180 Parade Grounds, 150 Lake
Mute Swan 7 lake
American Black Duck 5 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 90 lake
Bufflehead 1 drake lake
Ruddy Duck 8 lake
Cooper's Hawk 1 adult perched in Bald Cypress next to Peninsula sumacs
Red-tailed Hawk 2--f/o Lake
American Kestrel 1 Parkside Ave (Parade Grounds), reported by Rob Bate
American Coot 6 lake
Ring-billed Gull 1300 lake
Herring Gull 40 lake
Great Black-backed Gull 3 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 62--30 feeders; 32 Maryland Monument
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1 feeders
American Crow 117--37 on Lake side; ~80 f/o Rink Lot
Black-capped Chickadee 1 Terrace Br
American Robin 2 Maryland Monument
Northern Mockingbird 1 Maryland Monument
European Starling 45 lakeside
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 8 West Island
Red-winged Blackbird 1 feeders
Common Grackle 1 feeders; reported by Rob bate
American Goldfinch 2 feeders

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)
*************************
Kingsboider note #2 : regarding yesterday' s posting on the feathers I found on the ground, Rob Bate suggested they were from GREAT BLUE HERON..It makes the most sense given the length and coloration of the feathers. How it perished is anybody's guess. Anybody a fan of the "X-Files"?

Monday, January 11, 2010

interesting find today


While driving through Ricks Place/Payne Hill, I saw some scattered gray feathers , including this group still attached next to the road.One feather was in a tree low branch. Obviously there was a kill and I am wondering if these feathers were from an adult Coopers. The longest feathers were at least under a foot long as pictured here. I couldn't find a carcass, likely carried off by the hunter or a scavenger. It takes a big raptor to kill something large as this victim..Hmmm, it 's more like a red-tailed or even a Gos.. click on the picture for larger zoom.
any comment, email me.
(pic taken with my cell phone)


--Kingsboider

January 11th Prospect

Hilight today : NORTHERN GOSHAWK juvenile @ lamppost 249 by stairs,sitting on a stump by a beech tree. Prospect Park. The large raptor was first spotted by Mary Eyster who alerted me to its presence.After a first try and no luck, a subsequent 2nd swingby a half hour later led to the perched bird which eventually flew down to the low stairs. It landed on a cut tree stump where it sat on before flushed by a passerby. Mid-morning sightings. Lamppost #249 is located at the southwest corner of Lookout Hill , adjoining the lawn next to Well Drive.

--Kingsboider


Kingsboider note: I did an online internet search and saw this photo that is a best resemblance to the "Gos" seen today. A pretty impressive yet beautiful bird....

http://tinyurl.com/yb8merj

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

From Larry :


Hi Peter,
After seeing your report, I went to the park around 1:30,'
but no luck on the goshawk. Didn't really expect to see it.
Highlight bird today was Winter Wren along Rocky Pass.

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/11/10
Number of species: 28

Canada Goose 215
Mute Swan 5
Wood Duck 1 Boathouse Pond
Mallard 85
Northern Shoveler 95
Bufflehead 1 Lake
Ruddy Duck 2 Lake
American Coot 6
Ring-billed Gull 700
Herring Gull 5
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Rock Pigeon 25
Mourning Dove 10 Feeders
Downy Woodpecker 6 Three at feeders
American Crow 3 Two on the ice on the lake
Black-capped Chickadee 1 Feeders
Tufted Titmouse 1 Feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 2 One at the feeders
Winter Wren 1 Along Rocky Pass
American Robin 3
European Starling 37 In tree near Boathouse
White-throated Sparrow 15 Feeders
Dark-eyed Junco 8 Feeders
Northern Cardinal 6 One at feeders, 4 along Rocky Pass
Red-winged Blackbird 2 Feeders
Common Grackle 1 Feeders
House Finch 1 Feeders
American Goldfinch 1 Feeders

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

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

Rob Bate reported Merlin and Red-tailed Hawk several times during the Gos search.

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

From Peter:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/11/10
Number of species: 32

Canada Goose 125 lawns near lake
Mute Swan 7 lake
American Black Duck 3 lake
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) X
Mallard 170 lake
Northern Shoveler 80 lake
Bufflehead 1 drake lake
Ruddy Duck 5 lake
Cooper's Hawk 1 f/o Rink
Northern Goshawk 1 --lp 249, juvenile
Red-tailed Hawk 1 Breeze Hill , perched adult
American Coot 7 lake
Ring-billed Gull 1400 lake
Herring Gull (American) X
Great Black-backed Gull 5 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 1 feeders
Blue Jay 1 LP 249
American Crow 42 on the Lake ice
Black-capped Chickadee 2-1 feeders;1 LP 249
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 1 Lookout
European Starling X
Fox Sparrow (Red) 4--3 Lookout ; 1 feeders
White-throated Sparrow X feeders
Dark-eyed Junco X feeders
Northern Cardinal X feeders
Red-winged Blackbird 1 feeders
Common Grackle 1 feeders
House Sparrow X

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

Sunday, January 10, 2010

January 9th and 10th Prospect American Woodcock + 4 reports

Hilights/notables: American Woodcock, Rusty Blackbird ,Eastern Towhee, 4 species woodpeckers, Chipping Sparrow,American Pipit


From Joe Canale:

Peter,

I was in Prospect Park yesterday afternoon--this was Saturday. And I twice flushed an American Woodcock along the northside of the Lullwater where the plastic tarp meets the phragmites not far from the rink.

--JoeSent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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

From Keir Randall:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/10/10, 1-3pm
Number of species: 30

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 2
American Black Duck 2
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker X
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling X
Fox Sparrow (Red) 2 (1 feeders, 1 Wellhouse)
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) X
Northern Cardinal X
Rusty Blackbird 2 (between Maryland Monument and Terrace Bridge)
Common Grackle 2
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

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

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

From Rob Jett:

> Date: January 10, 2010 4:46:25 PM EST

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 1/10/10
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/10/10
Number of species: 38
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan 3
> Wood Duck 1
> American Black Duck X
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 5
> Ruddy Duck 5
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> Ring-billed Gull 1500
> Herring Gull X
> Great Black-backed Gull 2
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove 35
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
> Downy Woodpecker 2
> Blue Jay X
> American Crow 40
> Black-capped Chickadee 3
> Tufted Titmouse 4
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 3
> White-breasted Nuthatch 3
> Brown Creeper 1
> Carolina Wren 1
> American Robin X
> Northern Mockingbird 1
> European Starling X
> Eastern Towhee 2
> Fox Sparrow 4
> Song Sparrow X
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco X
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> Common Grackle 1
> House Finch 2
> American Goldfinch 4
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

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

From Rob Jett

venue: Greenwood Cemetery

> Date: January 10, 2010 4:42:06 PM EST
> Subject: eBird Report - Greenwood Cemetery , 1/10/10
>
> Location: Greenwood Cemetery
> Observation date: 1/10/10
> Number of species: 25
>
> Canada Goose 200
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> Ring-billed Gull X
> Herring Gull X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 2
> Blue Jay 4
> American Crow X
> Black-capped Chickadee 2
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
> White-breasted Nuthatch 2
> American Robin X
> Northern Mockingbird 2
> European Starling X
> Chipping Sparrow 1
> Fox Sparrow 12
> Song Sparrow 3
> White-throated Sparrow 35
> Dark-eyed Junco 15
> Northern Cardinal X
> American Goldfinch X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

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

From Ben Cacace :

Date: Sunday, 10 January 2010 (11:40a-5:00p)
Location: Prospect Park
Observers: Eve Levine, Ben Cacace
Reported by: Ben Cacace

This is the first time I've birded Prospect Park so I haven't translated the
abundance checklist <> to
my reporting spreadsheet. This will be remedied.

The Prospect Park checklist has Rusty Blackbird as 'very rare' for winter
and American Pipit seen only a few times since 1960. The pipit was just
north of where Rob Jett spotted one on 1-Jan-2010. The bird today was
perched for on a fence south of the Tennis House in an enclosed area. It
finally flew west.

A pair of Rusty Blackbirds (male & female) were spotted on the east edge of
the Nethermead calling to each other from separate trees. Soon after they
dropped to the grass to feed.

At least 3 adult Red-tailed Hawks were spotted at one time with many other
sightings throughout the day including 1 feeding just west of Long Meadow
with another Red-tailed Hawk perched quietly nearby.

Weather for 10-Jan for Park Slope (11:40a-5:00p) <>:
- Conditions: clear to partly cloudy near sunset
- Temperature: 25.1 to 31.2 F (-4 to 0 C)
- Wind direction: W - WNW
- Wind speed: 4 - 8 mph (gusts to 13 mph)

** Total species - 28 **

'Very Rare' not seen every season [1 spp]:
- American Pipit - 1 on Long Meadow S of the Tennis House

'Scarce' seen in habitat, but not daily [1 spp]:
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1 heard

'Uncommon' seen in small numbers; 1-3 per day in habitat [4 spp]:
- American Coot - 10+ on the lake
- Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3+
- American Robin - 1
- Swamp Sparrow - 1 along the S edge of the lake

'Fairly Common' usually seen; 3-12 per day in habitat [6 spp]:
- Northern Shoveler - 12+ on the lake
- Red-tailed Hawk - At least 3 adults
- Downy Woodpecker - Several (~10+)
- Black-capped Chickadee - 1
- Northern Cardinal - 15+ incl. 9 in one small tree
- Rusty Blackbird - 2 (male & female) on E edge of Nethermead

'Common' seen easily; more than 12 per day in habitat [16 spp]:
- Canada Goose - ~150+ on the lake
- Mute Swan - ~6+ on the lake
- American Black Duck - ~2+ on the lake
- Mallard - ~100+ on the lake
- Bufflehead - 1 male on the lake
- Ruddy Duck - 4 on the lake incl. 2 female & 2 male
- Ring-billed Gull - Majority of the 1000+ on the lake
- Herring Gull - Several (~10+)
- Great Black-backed Gull - Several (~5+)
- Rock Pigeon - 24+
- Mourning Dove - 1
- Blue Jay - Several (3+)
- American Crow - 1 seen & calling
- European Starling - ~100+
- Song Sparrow - 2+
- White-throated Sparrow - ~12+

Abundance categories from 'The New York City Audubon Society Guide to
Finding Birds in the Metropolitan Area' published 2001. Abundance season is
'Winter', December - February, and applies to all of New York City.

Taxonomic order:

- Canada Goose - ~150+ on the lake
- Mute Swan - ~6+ on the lake
- American Black Duck - ~2+ on the lake
- Mallard - ~100+ on the lake
- Northern Shoveler - 12+ on the lake
- Bufflehead - 1 male on the lake
- Ruddy Duck - 4 on the lake incl. 2 female & 2 male

- Red-tailed Hawk - At least 3 adults

- American Coot - 10+ on the lake

- Ring-billed Gull - Majority of the 1000+ on the lake
- Herring Gull - Several (~10+)
- Great Black-backed Gull - Several (~5+)

- Rock Pigeon - 24+
- Mourning Dove - 1

- Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3+
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1 heard
- Downy Woodpecker - Several (~10+)

- Blue Jay - Several (3+)
- American Crow - 1 seen & calling

- Black-capped Chickadee - 1

- American Robin - 1

- European Starling - ~100+

- American Pipit - 1 on Long Meadow S of the Tennis House

- Song Sparrow - 2+

- Swamp Sparrow - 1 along the S edge of the lake
- White-throated Sparrow - ~12+

- Northern Cardinal - 15+ incl. 9 in one small tree

- Rusty Blackbird - 2 (male & female) on E edge of Nethermead

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

Saturday, January 9, 2010

January 9th Prospect + BBC note

Before park hilights, a Brooklyn Bird Club note. The BBC's first ever digital Clapper Rail newsletter was emailed this morning.If you are a club member, but did not received the adobe acrobat file, please email me at Prosbird@aol.com. Also, add the following email address into your internet address book to counter spam controls on future newsletter mailings . Thanks

address : clapper_rail@brooklynbirdclub.org


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


Hilights today are: American Tree Sparrow (under the feeders); Rusty Blackbird ( hydrant near Maryland Monument), 1 of 3 blackbird species near or at the feeders,Monk Parakeets

From Peter:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/9/10
Number of species: 32

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 7 lake
American Black Duck 4 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X lake
Bufflehead 1 drake lake
Ruddy Duck 3 lake
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Terrace br to feeders
Red-tailed Hawk 1 f/o Terrace Bridge and Lake later
American Coot 5 lake
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X lake
Mourning Dove 12 feeders
Downy Woodpecker 2 feeders
American Crow 45 chasing Red-tailed Hawk over lake
Black-capped Chickadee 3 feeders
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 2 feeders
American Robin X
European Starling X
American Tree Sparrow 1 feeders, then flew near hydrant below Maryland Monument
Fox Sparrow (Red) 1 feeders
White-throated Sparrow X feeders
Dark-eyed Junco X feeders
Northern Cardinal X feeders
Red-winged Blackbird 6 feeders
Rusty Blackbird 1 hydrant below Maryland Monument; foraging on ground
Common Grackle 1 feeders
House Finch 1 feeders
American Goldfinch 1 feeders
House Sparrow 1

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

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

> Date: January 9, 2010 1:38:13 PM EST
> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 1/9/10

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 1/9/10
> Number of species: 38
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan 4
> American Black Duck 6
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) X
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 30
> Bufflehead 1
> Ruddy Duck 5
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> American Coot X
> Ring-billed Gull 700
> Herring Gull 35
> Great Black-backed Gull 4
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove 40
> Monk Parakeet 3
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
> Downy Woodpecker 3
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Blue Jay 3
> American Crow 1
> Black-capped Chickadee 5
> Tufted Titmouse 3
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
> White-breasted Nuthatch 2
> American Robin X
> European Starling X
> Fox Sparrow 4
> Song Sparrow 1
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco 15
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird 5
> Rusty Blackbird 2
> Common Grackle 2
> House Finch 2
> American Goldfinch 8
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Rusty Harold:


X Canada Goose
6 Mute Swan
X Mallard
X Northern Shoveler
1 Bufflehead
4 Ruddy Duck
2 Red-tailed Hawk
X American Coot
X Ring-billed Gull
1 Herring Gull
2 Great Black-backed Gull
X Rock Pigeon
X Mourning Dove
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
X Downy Woodpecker
1 American Crow
X Black-capped Chickadee
X Tufted Titmouse
1 Red-breasted Nuthatch
X White-breasted Nuthatch
X American Robin
X European Starling
X White-throated Sparrow
X Northern Cardinal
2 Red-winged Blackbird
3 American Goldfinch

Friday, January 8, 2010

January 8th Prospect

For the "new in the department " first of year AMERCAN WIDGEON, three birds very close to the Lake's west shore. Two drake, one hen, sleeping on the ice with the Mallards and Shovelers. 6 species duck just on the lake, about 5 acres open water.

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/8/10
Number of species: 18

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 7 lake
American Wigeon 3 --2 drake, 1 hen lake by west shore
American Black Duck 6 lake
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 2
Mallard 145 lake
Northern Shoveler 95 lake
Bufflehead 1 drake lake
Ruddy Duck 6 near lake south shore
Red-tailed Hawk 1 f/o nethermead
American Coot 6 lake
Ring-billed Gull 650 lake
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 2 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
American Robin 8 f/o garage
European Starling X
Northern Cardinal X

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

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Jan 17th Waterfowl Count include Prospect/GWC


On Sunday , January 17th, the waterfowl count commences. I have to cover , along with my usual census taker, Paul Keim ,our usual haunt on the western Rockaway to Dead Horse Bay.

I am in need of help counting waterfowl at Prospect Lake and ( if open from ice) the Pools in addition to Greenwood Cemetery ( or seperate teams if more answered my call) . Waterways may all be iced over except sections of Prospect Lake.So the job may be very simple and easy. If one or two of you can do these areas, let me know at prosbird@aol.com

I can give instructions and what is eligible for counting.

here's the BBC website info

Sunday, January 17th, Region 10 (Brooklyn /Queens) Waterfowl Count

Registrar: Peter Dorosh, Email Prosbird@aol.com or Ron Bourque email ron.jean1@verizon.net

Focus: Tallying waterfowl, ducks, seabird numbers for the NY State Ornithological Association and NYS Dept of Conservation in an all day excursion in locales west of the Marine Park bridge.

Thanks

January 7th Prospect

From Larry Zirlin:


Hi Peter.

Finally got back to the park today. The feeders seemed moderately busy for the 15 or 20 minutes I was there.


Prospect Park

Observation date: 1/7/10

Number of species: 30



Canada Goose 25

Mute Swan 5

American Black Duck 10

Mallard 125

Northern Shoveler 50

Ruddy Duck 4

Red-tailed Hawk 1

American Coot 6

Ring-billed Gull 1000

Herring Gull 10

Great Black-backed Gull 4

Rock Pigeon 15

Mourning Dove 2

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1

Downy Woodpecker 2

Blue Jay 3

American Crow 1

Black-capped Chickadee 4

Tufted Titmouse 2

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 2

American Robin 3

Northern Mockingbird 2

European Starling 35

Song Sparrow 1

White-throated Sparrow 8

Northern Cardinal 5

American Goldfinch 5

House Sparrow 2

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

January 6th Prospect

From Peter:

Very brief looks at Lake after work:

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/6/10
Number of species: 15

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 5
Wood Duck 1 drake at boathouse pond reported by Mary Eyster
Gadwall 1 drake at boathouse pond reported by Mary Eyster
American Black Duck 3
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 65
Bufflehead 1 drake
Ruddy Duck 1
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X

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

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

From Rob Jett:

> Date: January 6, 2010 5:51:25 PM EST
> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 1/6/10
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 1/6/10
> Number of species: 33
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan 5
> Wood Duck 1
> Gadwall 1
> American Black Duck 3
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 100
> Red-tailed Hawk 1
> Merlin 1
> American Coot X
> Ring-billed Gull X
> Herring Gull X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove 5
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 2
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Black-capped Chickadee 3
> Tufted Titmouse 1
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> American Robin X
> Northern Mockingbird 2
> European Starling X
> Eastern Towhee 2
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco 12
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird 7
> Common Grackle 2
> American Goldfinch 2
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

January 5th Prospect

Hilight : At least one Pine Siskin in a Sweetgum tree adjacent to Nethermead Arches , on the north side , before birds there were scattered by a Merlin (seen also yesterday , same locale) per Mary Eyster.


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

Quiet day, sparse sightings marked this day. The lake showed little in way of birds, mostly small masses of gulls.Tomorrow is another day...

--Kingsboider


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/5/10
Number of species: 29

Canada Goose 250-200 parade grounds;rest south lakeside
Mute Swan 6 lake
American Black Duck 3 lake
Mallard 150 lake
Northern Shoveler 19 lake
Bufflehead 1 drake lake
Cooper's Hawk 1 (seen by Mary Eyster)
Red-tailed Hawk 1 f/o lake
Merlin 1 Nethermead arches, one point chased Coopers hawk , (obs Mary Eyster)
American Coot 7 lake
Ring-billed Gull X lake
Herring Gull X lake
Great Black-backed Gull 1 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 2 feeders
Black-capped Chickadee 2 feeders
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 2 feeders
American Robin X
European Starling X
Song Sparrow 1 west island
Swamp Sparrow 1 west shore lake
White-throated Sparrow 35 --15 west island ; 20 quaker cemetery
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal 2 well dr
Red-winged Blackbird 1 west island
Pine Siskin 1 seen by Mary Eyster ; at Nethermead Arches
House Sparrow X

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

Monday, January 4, 2010

January 4th Prospect

Highlight prior to noon was a PEREGRINE FALCON preying upon Ring-billed Gulls near the ice surface at Prospect Lake near the West Island shelter. The falcon kept doing circuits above the flock that was scattering and dispersing , individual birds trying hard to avoid being caught. It was amazing to watch. I am not sure I saw an unlucky gull caught since I had to move on .

Also of note was good feeder bird diversity, fourteen species birds at the feeders , all or most appearing about the same time . A pretty active scene. ( of course , it helps to refill the feeders )

Peter

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/4/10
Number of species: 29

Canada Goose X lake
Mute Swan 6 lake
Mallard X lake
Northern Shoveler 6 lake
Merlin 1 seen by Mary Eyster at Nethermead Arches,; bird was hunkered down in the tree.
Peregrine Falcon 1 lake; preying low upon RB Gull flock
American Coot 7 lake
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 2 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2--1 feeders; 1 wellhouse
Downy Woodpecker 4 feeders
Black-capped Chickadee 3 feeders
Tufted Titmouse 1 feeders
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 2 feeders
American Robin X
European Starling X
Fox Sparrow (Red) 2 feeders
Swamp Sparrow 1 west shore lake
White-throated Sparrow 15 feeders
Dark-eyed Junco 8 feeders
Northern Cardinal X feeders
Red-winged Blackbird 2 feeders
Common Grackle 1 feeders
House Finch 11 feeders
American Goldfinch 7 feeders

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

Sunday, January 3, 2010

January 3rd Prospect




It was really cold and blustery out there.

Despite bone chilling temperatures, it was quite delightful watching the swirling snowflakes upon the lake ice, little whirlpools of action that confronted a small tight flock of wind battered Ring-billed Gulls, the blustery blown snowflakes escaping through the little spaces among the gulls' bodies. There was some open water but little diversity regarding waterfowl. But I didn't care, I simply wanted to get out and enjoy the wintry season .

Looking up as I walked along Well Drive, I could see the blurry sun , trying to peek through the fog like thin cloud cover and wind blown light falling snow.I remembered a favorite art exhibit years ago held at the Brooklyn Museum, called Impressionism: Effects of Snow;the scene of the fading yet noticeable disk like sun reminded me of several paintings with that effect. I think Monet did that alot and also Camille Passarro, two winter highly experienced painters.

Oh, before getting away from the main topic, birds were pretty hunkered down, except at the feeders , whose seeds are disappearing fast. With those hungry birds trying to survive, battling the extreme cold that saps their metabolism drastically, I have to get them refilled asap.

Stay warm.

--Kingsboider

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/3/10
Number of species: 30

Canada Goose 180 lake
Mute Swan 6 lake
Wood Duck 1 drake boathouse pond
American Black Duck 3 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 24 lake
Bufflehead 1 drake lake
American Coot 7 lake
Ring-billed Gull 180 lake
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon 30
Mourning Dove 11 feeders
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 f/o well dr
Downy Woodpecker 2 feeders
Blue Jay 3 lookout hill east slope
American Crow 17 f/o lake
Black-capped Chickadee 2 f/o lake feeders
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 2--1 feeders;1 lullwater
Hermit Thrush 1 under terrace br
American Robin 14 lullwater bridge
European Starling X
Song Sparrow 5 --3 peninsula sumacs, 2 feeders
Swamp Sparrow 1 west shore lake near west island shelter
White-throated Sparrow 45 --35 wellhouse;rest feeders
Dark-eyed Junco 4 feeders
Northern Cardinal 8---5 feeders;3 wellhouse
Red-winged Blackbird 2-1 feeders; 1 west island shelter
House Finch 7 feeders
American Goldfinch 9 feeders

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


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

From Rusty Harold:

Observation type: Traveling Count
Observation date: 1/2/10 Distance covered: 2.0 mile(s)
Start time: 8:50 AM Area covered: N/A
Duration: 2 hour(s) 15 minute(s) Elevation: N/A


55 Canada Goose
5 Mute Swan
3 American Black Duck
190 Mallard
2 American Coot
200 Ring-billed Gull
40 Rock Pigeon
20 Mourning Dove
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
6 Downy Woodpecker
2 Blue Jay
4 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Tufted Titmouse
2 White-breasted Nuthatch
2 Hermit Thrush
4 American Robin
40 White-throated Sparrow
12 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)
8 Northern Cardinal
5 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Common Grackle
2 House Finch
5 American Goldfinch



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

From Peter :
1/2 report

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 1/2/10
Number of species: 23

Canada Goose 55
Mute Swan 5
American Black Duck 3
Mallard 190
American Coot 2
Ring-billed Gull 200
Rock Pigeon 40
Mourning Dove 20
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 6
Blue Jay 2
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 4
White-throated Sparrow 40
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 12
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 1
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 5

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