Rare Swarm of Brooklyn Birders today, watching the Hooded Warbler on the path left side, photo taken by Heidi Clevens
(Click on the photo to enlarge)
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There are exceptional days that draw upon perfect timing, discovery , luck and rich opportunities. Today in Prospect was a model of such exceptionalism, centering on timely termite hatch outs on the south Lookout Hill midpath above the Wellhouse where termites were part of a chain reaction that enthralled and entertained Brooklyn birders, brought in by word of mouth , my cell phone and the beauty of "tweets".
It all started with the HOODED WARBLER. After my 6:15 am sighting of a gorgeous BAY-BREASTED WARBLER near the lamppost #249 picnic tables, some time later, Phil Pane heard the unique call of the HOODED WARBLER, below the Maryland Monument on its adjoining slope. Obligated to leading a beginners walk from the Audubon Center,I left the calling unseen bird in the faithful eyes of Phil , Ed Crowne and Bill Jeffrey. While leading the Audubon group,I received a text message from Rob Jett that the HOODED moved up the southern slope. When I arrived with my group, termite hatch outs were occurring, most notable from a large decomposing tree trunk on the roadside. And from thereon, an avian mayhem.
A very good flurry of birds seized on the bugfest opportunity, swarming in for the rich pickings. CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, HOODED WARBLER ( which at one point came to the edge of the road from its dense abode), BAY-BREASTED, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, and various other species I forget were drawn in. Even the Swallows and swifts knew a good opportunity when they saw one, a number of over 50 in a low swarm, that included even a NORTHERN ROUGH -WINGED snatching the termites in midair.
By now, with at least 35 birders watching on, a crowd I haven't personally seen in Prospect since my 1995 Painted Bunting sighting--thanks to my twitter tweets and cell phone alerts-- Tam Le Minh, an excellent birder among the many here saw the bonanza prize, CERULEAN WARBLER, appeared briefly in a cherry tree above, then it promptly disappeared. It was seen by only two birders. I had a feeling the rare bird moved towards the switchback trail near the Maryland Monument, where Rob Bate and I went to. I left Rob to check back with the crowd, and not 10 minutes later, a call and shout from Rob Bate, and a mad crowd dash..It was pretty amusing to watch.
What commenced was front center seats for birders to an amazing display by the ground loving CERULEAN. From branch, to fallen timbers, to low saplings, the CERULEAN put on an Oscar winning performance. It has been a long time since I saw one on the ground, all because of termite explosion, and other birds seeking the moment to gouged up and fatten up when the opportunity occurred, offering its audience of birders a day they wont forget.
It's been a long day. I 'm beat. But from the reports I received, the warbler master list total species is 27 . Browse through the various lists and reports from the birders. I think you would agree, migration in Prospect does have its stupendous days....
---a "tired" Kingsboider
PS. If anyone has great photos of either the Hooded or Cerulean, send them to me , where I hope to create a posting page gallery. The credit will be noted. And from the warbler list below, if I am missing any, holler.( too many birds to look at )
May 8th Warbler master species list:
date = May 8th
site = Prospect Park
observers = Multiple observers
27 species
Prairie Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
American Redstart
Black-and-white Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Ovenbird
Canada Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Cape May Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Pine Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Lousiana Waterthrush
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From Rafael:
08 May 2011
Site: Prospect Park
Observer (s): Rafael Campos R + 20± bird watchers
A Cerulean Warbler made the waves, and the day for many of us. It was seen first, on a small cherry tree. Seconds later, the bird was gone. Minutes later, the name "Cerulean", pronounced in high decibels, made everyone sprint like marathon runners.
And finally we most magnificent and amazing views of this endangered sps of warbler. It was foraging ground level, and no more than 3-4 meters from the entire group. Also it was heard calling (thanks E. Crowne) while eating.
Location: It was found in the vicinity of the MD monument, same area were yesterday we saw the swarm of termites.
Other worth seeing warblers in the same spot, were: Bay-breasted, Cape May (2-3 inds.), Chestnut-sided, & Hooded.
Brooklyn is GREAT BIRDING!!!!: Rafa Campos R.
Second posting to Ebirds Yahoo Groups:
08 May 2011
Time: 0730-1130 hrs
Observer: Rafael Campos R.
In these Spring days, special this week, first thing I heard is my cell phone with TexMes from PD about the birds around PP. Today was not the exception, and around 6:30 am, came the first. All right, finish that cup of coffee, and rush to the park.
Today was not a exception about the number of birds recorded at PP during this Spring migration (see Brooklyn Bird Club blog!!), and eventually, we will find that PP is one of the greatest places to good birding in Metro NY.
Warblers: I saw 16 sps of warblers today. The "top of the pops" was a Cerulean seen so close, and on the ground, and everyone who was there could not believe what they were seeing. Others: Hooded, BT Green, BT Blue, Parula, Yellowthroat, Northern Waterthrush, Redstart, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Canada, Bay-breasted, Black-and-white, Ovenbird, Myrtle, Cape May. Most of the sps were seen around the "swarm" of termites, near the MD monument.
Other notable around this area was one Least Flycatcher.
Some other sps worth mention seen today were: Scarlet Tanager (photos), Turkey Vulture, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, Wood Thrush. And one late Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Brooklyn is great birding!!!: Rafa Campos R
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From Tom Preston:
----- Original Message -----
From: do-not-reply@ebird.org
Date: Sunday, May 8, 2011 2:53 pm
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 5/8/11
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 5/8/11
> Number of species: 64
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan X
> Mallard X
> Spotted Sandpiper 1 - below Boathouse Bridge
> Laughing Gull X
> Herring Gull X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Chimney Swift X
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
> Downy Woodpecker 1
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Northern Flicker 1
> Great Crested Flycatcher 1 - Lookout East
> Eastern Kingbird 2
> White-eyed Vireo 1 - Payne Hill; probably the same one as yesterday
> Warbling Vireo 4
> Red-eyed Vireo 1
> Blue Jay X
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
> Barn Swallow X
> Black-capped Chickadee 2
> Tufted Titmouse 2
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 - Lookout
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> Carolina Wren 1
> House Wren X
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
> Veery 4
> Wood Thrush 1
> American Robin X
> Gray Catbird X
> Northern Mockingbird 1
> European Starling X
> Blue-winged Warbler 1 - Nr Boathouse bridge
> Tennessee Warbler 3 - Across from zoo, Payne Hill, above ravine
> Nashville Warbler 3
> Northern Parula X
> Yellow Warbler X
> Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
> Magnolia Warbler X
> Cape May Warbler 5 - 4 Lookout; 1 Midwood
> Black-throated Blue Warbler X
> Yellow-rumped Warbler X
> Black-throated Green Warbler X
> Prairie Warbler 2 - singing nr Boathouse bridge, bathing at Esdale bridge
> Bay-breasted Warbler 1 - top of Lookout
> Blackpoll Warbler 2 - Lullwater Cove, Midwood
> Black-and-white Warbler 4
> American Redstart 6
> Ovenbird 4
> Northern Waterthrush 5
> Common Yellowthroat 2
> Hooded Warbler 1 - Lookout East
> Chipping Sparrow 1
> White-throated Sparrow 5
> Scarlet Tanager 2
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> Common Grackle 1
> Brown-headed Cowbird X
> Baltimore Oriole 5
> American Goldfinch X
> House Sparrow X
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
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From Adam :
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 5/8/11
Notes: Excellent day for warblers. Bright, sunny. Lake & most
other water bodies not thoroughly surveyed. Although many of these
birds were seen with other birders, this list represents only the
birds positively identified by me.
Number of species: 72
Canada Goose - Branta canadensis X
Mute Swan - Cygnus olor 3
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos X
Ruddy Duck - Oxyura jamaicensis 3 Prospect Lake
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura 1 overflying
Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis 3
Spotted Sandpiper - Actitis macularius 1
Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis 3
Rock Pigeon - Columba livia X
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 8
Chimney Swift - Chaetura pelagica 30
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus 4
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 5
Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus 2
Great Crested Flycatcher - Myiarchus crinitus 1
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus 4
Blue-headed Vireo - Vireo solitarius 3
Warbling Vireo - Vireo gilvus 2
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx serripennis 1
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor 3
Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica 10
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 4
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 1
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 2
Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus 2
House Wren - Troglodytes aedon 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea 3 nesting
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Regulus calendula 1 late, Lookout Hill
Veery - Catharus fuscescens 1
Wood Thrush - Hylocichla mustelina 1
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 50
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis 25
European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris 2
Blue-winged Warbler - Vermivora cyanoptera 1
Tennessee Warbler - Oreothlypis peregrina 1
Nashville Warbler - Oreothlypis ruficapilla 2
Northern Parula - Parula americana 35 very common today
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 3
Chestnut-sided Warbler - Dendroica pensylvanica 3
Magnolia Warbler - Dendroica magnolia 5
Cape May Warbler - Dendroica tigrina 13 unbelievably common
today! Many across Park, but particularly on Lookout Hill. All birds
counted here seen, probably more judging by calls.
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler - Dendroica coronata 20 numbers dropping
from previous days
Black-throated Green Warbler - Dendroica virens 5
Blackburnian Warbler - Dendroica fusca 1 Lookout
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor 1
Bay-breasted Warbler - Dendroica castanea 2 Lookout
Blackpoll Warbler - Dendroica striata 3
Cerulean Warbler - Dendroica cerulea 1 My lifer! Seen by many
birders on Lookout Hill.
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 4
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla 10
Worm-eating Warbler - Helmitheros vermivorum 2 Vale & Lookout
Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla 8
Northern Waterthrush - Parkesia noveboracensis 3
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas 6
Hooded Warbler - Wilsonia citrina 1 Lookout
Canada Warbler - Wilsonia canadensis 1 Lookout, bright male
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina 2
Field Sparrow - Spizella pusilla 1 Vale
Lincoln's Sparrow - Melospiza lincolnii 1 Lookout
White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis 6
Scarlet Tanager - Piranga olivacea 2
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 8
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - Pheucticus ludovicianus 4
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea 1 bright male Lookout
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 3
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula 3
Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater 2
Baltimore Oriole - Icterus galbula 6
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis X
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
*************************************
From Keir:
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 5/8/11
Number of species: 61
Canada Goose X
Mallard X
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3
Least Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
Warbling Vireo 3
Blue Jay X
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Barn Swallow X
Black-capped Chickadee 1
House Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1 (Aralia Grove)
European Starling X
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Tennessee Warbler 1 (Lincoln Playground)
Northern Parula X
Chestnut-sided Warbler 3
Magnolia Warbler X
Cape May Warbler 3+
Black-throated Blue Warbler X
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) X
Black-throated Green Warbler 3
Pine Warbler 1
Bay-breasted Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Cerulean Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 3
American Redstart X
Ovenbird 3
Northern Waterthrush 2
Common Yellowthroat X
Hooded Warbler 1
Canada Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1 (Lookout summit)
White-throated Sparrow X
White-crowned Sparrow 1 (Sullivan Hill, nr E. Drive)
Scarlet Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal X
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
=
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From Terence Baker:
Prospect Park, Brooklyn: Sunday, May 8, 2011
Terence Baker
66 species total
warblers
American redstart (male and female)
Bay-breasted warbler (on Lookout Hill, two paths above Wellhouse)
Black-and-white warbler
Black-throated blue warbler (male and female)
Black-throated green warbler (male and female)
Blue-winged warbler (near Lullewater Bridge)
Cape May warbler (saw four; one birder say five and heard eight)
Chestnut-sided warbler
Common yellowthroat
Hooded warbler (west of Wellhouse; for 15 minutes or so in full view on path)
Louisiana waterthrush (Lower Pool)
Magnolia warbler
Nashville warbler
Northern parula (male and female)
Northern waterthrush (five)
Ovenbird
Pine warbler (Quaker Cemetery)
Tennessee warbler (Quaker Cemetery)
Worm-eating warbler (immediately south of Quaker Cemetery and, later, west side of Lookout Hill; probably same bird)
Yellow warbler
Yellow-rumped warbler
(I did not see, but others did—Blackpoll, Blackburnian, Wilson’s, Cerulean, Prairie and Canada, so there was at least 27 species of warblers seen in Prospect Park today.)
Other notable species
Black-capped chickadee
Blue-grey gnatcatcher
Eastern kingbird
Great-crested flycatcher
Green heron
Hermit thrush (immediately south of Quaker Cemetery)
House wren
Indigo bunting (male)
Northern flicker
Northern oriole
Northern rough-winged swallow
Peregrine falcon (flying over Lullwater)
Pine siskin (Peninsula)
White-breasted nuthatch
Red-eyed vireo
Red-tailed hawk
Rose-breasted grosbeck
Scarlet tanager
Spotted sandpiper (Lullwater)
Veery
Wood thrush
*********************************
Peter's list:
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 5/8/11
Notes: termites hatch out attracted Cerulean , Hooded Warblers plus other species
Number of species: 60
Canada Goose X
Turkey Vulture 1 f/o Lookout Hill
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1 Lullwater
Laughing Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2 Lookout Hill
Warbling Vireo 6
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 south Lookout midpath
Barn Swallow 30
Black-capped Chickadee 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 south Lookout midpath; nesting
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
Nashville Warbler 1 Lookout Hill
Northern Parula 30
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 south Lookout midpath
Magnolia Warbler 4
Cape May Warbler 2 south Lookout midpath
Black-throated Blue Warbler 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Black-throated Green Warbler 3
Blackburnian Warbler 1 Maryland Monument
Bay-breasted Warbler 1 at LP 249
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Cerulean Warbler 1 south Lookout midpath
Black-and-white Warbler 3
American Redstart 2
Worm-eating Warbler 1 Lookout Hill summit
Ovenbird 2
Northern Waterthrush 2
Common Yellowthroat 4
Hooded Warbler 1 south Lookout midpath
Wilson's Warbler 1 south Lookout midpath
Chipping Sparrow 1 Lookout Hill south
White-throated Sparrow X
Scarlet Tanager 2 Ravine
Northern Cardinal 6
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 9
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Orchard Oriole 3--2 lower Lullwater, one Esdale Br
Baltimore Oriole 7
Purple Finch 1 at LP 249
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Greenwood cemetery reports:
From Orrin:
Green-wood Cemetery this morning:
Mallard duck
Canada goose
Red-tailed hawk
Monk parakeet
Mourning dove
Belted kingfisher
Red-bellied woodpecker
Hairy woodpecker
Blue jay
Tufted titmouse
House wren
Carolina wren
Ruby-crowned kinglet
Gray catbird
Northern mockingbird
American robin
Veery
Warbling vireo
Black-throated green warbler
American redtstart
Yellow warbler
Blackpoll warbler
Northern parula
Black and white warbler
Black-throated blue warbler
Chestnut-sided warbler
Common yellowthroat
Northern waterthrush
Yellow-rumped warbler
Canada warbler
Brown-headed cowbird
Common grackle
European starling
Baltimore oriole
House sparrow
Northern cardinal
House finch
American goldfinch
Rufous-sided towhee
White-throated sparrow
Song sparrow
Chipping sparrow
From Janet Schumacher
After our satisfying Owl's Head great looks at a Bobolink and a Black-
bill cuckoo, I spent a little time in Green-Wood Cemetery.
Notable in G-W: Hooded warbler by Crescent water along with kingfisher
and close up of breeding plumage Spotted Sandpiper. Near northern side
of Border Drive: adult male White crowned sparrow. Tanagers,
orioles, and dogwoods and azaleas in full bloom.
