Today's specialty is RUSTY BLACKBIRD. Typically a November migrant, the bird seen by Keir first was working along the watery edges , flipping over leaves in the Vale Cashmere pool.It was still there in midafternoon when I swung by.
EASTERN BLUEBIRD were found at the "sparrowbowl", two birds spotted by Elyse Taylor.Keir had one as well.
An ORIOLE species was reported at the north end of the Vale Cashmere, likely the same bird from over three weeks ago, persistent in its habits at that locale.It's likely a Baltimore but it would help if a photo of it was attained to ascertain its true identity and not some rarity from elsewhere.Keir reported the oriole.
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From Keir:
hi Peter
Quite a lot of FOS birds for me today and some obvious movement of robins, grackles etc in flyovers. The north end of the Vale pool brought great views of a Rusty Blackbird (skittish but if you kept still it would approach and toss leaves at close range), Purple Finches and high in the trees what presumably is the mystery oriole from 2 weeks ago. This is a note from Paul Sweet who saw the the bird with me the first time:
Hi KeirI looked at some skins the next day and found plenty of Baltimores that looked like the bird. Nothing wrong with a few pics though.Paul
So to be clear, there was nothing other than the late date (and now long staying) which made me wonder that it might not be Baltimore. Hopefully someone will get better views soon.
As fall transitions into winter, a sign of it would be PURPLE FINCHES (Keir), three birds spotted at the Vale as well along with one FOX SPARROW, today's "hot" spot.(2 Fox Sparrows also seen at Villa woods.)
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From Keir
Prospect Park, Kings, US-NYNov 5, 2011 8:45 AM - 1:45 PM
Protocol: Traveling3.0 mile(s)
39 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 20
Mallard 10
Northern Shoveler 15
Ruddy Duck 10
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Ring-billed Gull 50
Herring Gull 20
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay 10
Black-capped Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 1 Long Meadow fenced in area by ballfields, flew to trees nr Sparrowbowl
Hermit Thrush 6
American Robin 40
European Starling 20
Chipping Sparrow 2
Fox Sparrow 1 Vale pool
Song Sparrow 6
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 30
Dark-eyed Junco 10
Northern Cardinal 4
Rusty Blackbird 1 Vale pool
Common Grackle 25
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
oriole sp. 1 Vale pool - female type, probably Baltimore but not seen well enough to rule out Bullock's
Purple Finch 3 Vale pool drinking/bathing, probably 6 birds in total
House Sparrow 30
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From Elyse:
Hi Peter,
Right after I saw you in the park today, I went to the sparrow bowl and immediately
saw 2 bluebirds on the fence and flying into the trees.
Also a yellow rump was there.
Otherwise it was a slow day, just seeing a few hermit thrushes.
Elyse
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From Rafael:
A very slow morning around PP, but some surprises among the 31 sps I tallied
between 8-12 am, 06 Nov 2011.
The nice one was 1 inmature Baltimore Oriole found at the Vale (seen also by
other birders later). Another surprise was 1 Green Heron seen around the lower
Lullwater.
Other sps seen today were: House Finch, Swamp Sparrow, Cooper's Hawk,
Pied-billed Grebe, Northern Shoveler (no Ruddy Ducks today!!!), Tufted Titmouse,
Hermit Thrush.
Brooklyn is good birding!!!: Rafa Campos R.
