Yesterday's COMMON REDPOLL stayed overnight, seen this early afternoon by Peter, Monica Berger and Mike, the winter finch feeding on the ground below the feeders, seeking out black oil sunflower seeds; nearby's thistle feeders meanwhile hosted 4 PINE SISKIN, making the feeders the hottest spot in the snow kingdom of Prospect Park.
This has been a dynamic day for the feeders, finally awarded with a terrific bird species not seen often in Prospect . ( but the Siskins made it a terrific winter long delight). Winter finches are among my very favorite, the Redpoll a real highlight.
As one approaches the feeders, it is best not to go in too fast. Look from afar , straight line, preferably 25 feet away, then go in very slowly to avoid spooking the skittish birds.The Redpoll is seen going along the ground almost directly under the middle sunflower feeder.
here's a pic what it looks like http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/common_redpoll/id
Also of note , though not seen later, 3 Hooded Mergansers at the open west shore lake area, very close to the shore.
Today's Great Backyard Count on this last counting day is below
Record ID: S7688210
Locality: 11218, Brooklyn, Kings County, NY
Observation Date: FEB 21, 2011
Start Time: 10:30 AM
Snow Depth: Less than 2 in (5.1 cm)
Total Birding Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Location Type: City or County Park
Party Size: 1
Skill: excellent
Weather: excellent
Habitat(s):
deciduous woods
scrub
urban
freshwater
Number of species: 31
All Reported: yes
Species Count
Canada Goose 178
Mute Swan 6
American Black Duck 9
Mallard 234
Northern Shoveler 65
Hooded Merganser 3 lake
Ruddy Duck 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 10
Ring-billed Gull 138
Herring Gull 16
Rock Pigeon 4
Mourning Dove 5
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 1
Black-capped Chickadee 9
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
American Tree Sparrow 1 south lullwater path below Breeze hill
Fox Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 8
White-throated Sparrow 54
Dark-eyed Junco 7
Northern Cardinal 11
Red-winged Blackbird 38
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 6
Common Redpoll 1 Confirmed
Pine Siskin 4
American Goldfinch 11
House Sparrow 10
Comments:
Redpoll and siskins were seen at feeders
Location: Prospect Park--Feeders
Observation date: 2/21/11
Number of species: 16
Mourning Dove 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Black-capped Chickadee 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Fox Sparrow (Red) 5
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 17
Dark-eyed Junco 4
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 1
House Finch 5
Common Redpoll 1
Pine Siskin 4
American Goldfinch 11
House Sparrow 2
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org
