The best bird for today was seen on Prospect Lake, uncommon LESSER SCAUP. I received a late aftenoon call from Doug Gochfeld who spotted the hen near West Island. I got out after 5 pm with my scope and eventually saw the female Lesser, in the area of West Island , but more away from the island, a sleeping bird. I saw it well from the rustic shelter.With my scope, you can see the head "hesitation", or notch in the head shape that distinguishes Lesser from the round heads of Greater Scaup.
On the lake as well, more nice stuff. 6 Hooded Mergansers in the middle of the lake had to compete with a pair of WOOD DUCKS. I should tell the Wood Ducks they are hanging out in the wrong area, that they should check out the new nest box at Upper Pool.
With several good reports form the Lake lately, its good to check this location more now since March is more waterbird month with spring passages...
List
Location: Prospect Park--Prospect Lake
Observation date: 3/17/11
Number of species: 19
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 4
Wood Duck 2
American Black Duck 4
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 80
Lesser Scaup 1 West Island
Hooded Merganser 6
Ruddy Duck X
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
American Coot 4
Ring-billed Gull X
European Starling X
Fox Sparrow (Red) 1 phrag edges with Songs
Song Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 2
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)
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From Doug Gochfeld
Also had 2 Monk Parakeets fly over just inside the Park @ the 9th street entrance, and had a Tree Swallow, and 9+ Cedar Waxwings around the park. Not sure if these are already being seen regularly in the Park yet. If not they will be tomorrow.
