Monday, February 28, 2011

February 28th Prospect : slow early spring signs

Say goodby February, March up next and the month of early spring migrants...a little bit of optimism there. And signs of it from Rob's report with CEWA and AMTS, 13 reported ! ( not a day for Triskaidekaphobes)

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

From Rob Bate:

Peter -


FOS Cedar Waxwings (CEWA), plus Wood Duck was feeding with the Canada Geese in the Peninsula Meadow.

Observation date: 2/28/11

Canada Goose 90

Mute Swan 4

Wood Duck 1

Mallard 131

Northern Shoveler 68

Ruddy Duck 9

American Coot 4

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Downy Woodpecker 3

Hairy Woodpecker 1

Black-capped Chickadee 3

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

Carolina Wren 1

American Robin 8

European Starling 7

Cedar Waxwing 10

American Tree Sparrow 13  (AMTS)

Fox Sparrow 1

Song Sparrow 1

White-throated Sparrow 1

Northern Cardinal 6

Red-winged Blackbird 8

Brown-headed Cowbird 1

Feeders

6 Mourning Dove

1 Red-bellied Woodpecker

3 Downey Woodpecker

1 Hairy Woodpecker

7 Black-capped Chickadee

4 White-breasted Nuthatch

2 Fox Sparrow

1 Song Sparrow

5 White-throated Sparrow

1 Dark-eyed Junco

4 Northern Cardinal

8 Red-winged Blackbird

5 House Finch

8 American Goldfinch

BBC walk Feb 27th "Winter Pines of our local area"

A gorgeous day for a walk focusing on those trees that keep their green throughout winter. For the walk, a tour of Prospect and Greenwood's pine trees and other conifers and surrounding perimeters yields 40 species for a 5+ mile walk. And in between ,a stop at the Oak Leaf Tavern on Fort Hamilton Parkway made it a nice fulfilling respite before Greenwood Cemetery.

9 participants
leading : Peter

Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 2/27/11

Number of species: 35



Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X

Wood Duck 1

American Black Duck X

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler X

Ruddy Duck 4

Sharp-shinned Hawk 2

Red-tailed Hawk X

American Coot X

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2

Downy Woodpecker X

Hairy Woodpecker 1

Blue Jay 2

Black-capped Chickadee X

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1

White-breasted Nuthatch X

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1

American Robin X

Northern Mockingbird X

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 X

House Sparrow X

Location: Green-Wood Cemetery


Observation date: 2/27/11

Number of species: 15


Hooded Merganser 2

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1

Red-tailed Hawk 1

Merlin 1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1

Black-capped Chickadee X

White-breasted Nuthatch X

American Robin X

Northern Mockingbird X

European Starling X

Cedar Waxwing X

Fox Sparrow (Red) 1

Song Sparrow X

White-throated Sparrow X

Northern Cardinal X



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

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Prospect February 26th

Wood Duck returned..wondering where he spent his winter ?

From Kathy Toomey:

date = 2011/02/26


site = Prospect Park

observers = Kathy Toomey

Northern Shoveler

Canada Goose

Wood Duck 1, in open water on Prospect Lake

Ruddy Duck

Mute Swan

Mallard

Red-tailed Hawk

American Coot

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Rock Pigeon

Mourning Dove

Downy Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Blue Jay

Tufted Titmouse

Black-capped Chickadee

White-breasted Nuthatch

European Starling

White-throated Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

House Finch

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Friday, February 25, 2011

4 Sparrow Marsh bird records cross check with NYSDEC Special Concern Species list

Please click onto this link below regarding 4 Sparrow Marsh (Kings County) birds that are listed as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern (in color highlights) if it helps anyone submitting comments to the NYC Economic Development Corporation by Monday the 28th regarding their habitat destructive proposal to develop the upland area with Retail box stores and 400 + car parking lot.


http://tinyurl.com/BlogXC4sparrow

It also helps to contact the NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation region 2 director Suzanne Mattei. If you need her email address, contact me offline.

The issue : http://tinyurl.com/4sparrow



Peter

BBC

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Prospect February 22nd

From Kathy Toomey

date = 2011/02/22


site = Prospect Park

observers = Kathy Toomey and Emily Goldstein

Northern Shoveler

American Black Duck

Canada Goose

Hooded Merganser

Ruddy Duck

Mute Swan

Mallard

Red-tailed Hawk

American Coot

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Rock Pigeon

Mourning Dove

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Blue Jay

Tufted Titmouse

Black-capped Chickadee

White-breasted Nuthatch

American Robin

European Starling

White-throated Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Pine Siskin 7, at the feeders

House Finch

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Monday, February 21, 2011

Prospect February 21st : Common Redpoll continues

 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

NY Times links to winter birding

Included in this Feb 18th NY Times article is Michele Dreger who leads the 1st Sunday BBC Prospect walks from the Prospect Park Audubon Center and Saturday weekly noon walks from the center as well.

http://tinyurl.com/4oha6ng

slide show

http://tinyurl.com/67s6sk5

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Prospect Feb 20th : Common Redpoll,1st yr Killdeer; COHA photo

Highlight : COMMON REDPOLL feeding on path breeze hill to lullwater  (Rob Jett reprted ); KILLDEER seen on the Baseball fields, west end of Long Meadow ( Gayle and Xandra)

Listserve posting:

Subject: CORE in Brooklyn


From: Rob Jett
Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2011 17:25:01 -0500

X-Message-Number: 4



This morning, while standing at the edge of Prospect Lake at around

9am, Heydi Lopes and I had a flyover Common Redpoll. About an hour

later we observed a single bird feeding on the ground near Breeze

Hill. This winter someone has been putting mixed bird seed on the

walkway that leads from Breeze Hill (near the Terrace Bridge) towards

the skating rink. This is the path on the opposite side of the road

from the bird feeders. Anyway, the redpoll was feeding at these little

piles of seeds along with Black-capped Chickadee, White-throated

Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, American

Goldfinch and House Sparrow. Seen by several birders, it was still

present when we returned to the spot at 2:45pm, although it flew off

about 5 minutes late and was not relocated. FYI - There are still a

few Pine Siskins showing up at the thistle feeders on Breeze Hill.

This morning there were three.



One other interesting sighting in Prospect Park today was of 3

Merlins. The birds were unexpectedly perched in the same tree and only

a few feet from each other. I didn't realize Merlin was a flocking

species ;-) The tree is a favored spot for Merlins on Center Drive at

the edge of the Nethermead Meadow, easily located by the large area of

wash on the roadway below.


Good birding,

Rob

The City Birder Weblog

http://citybirder.blogspot.com/

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

On the Baseball Fields west Long Meadow end midmorning, year's first ( and very early) Killdeer spotted by Gayle and Xandra



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



COOPER'S HAWK (COHA) THREE STRAIGHT MORNINGS -Prospect Park Lake -


Photo credit: Michael Castellano


Sunday, February 20th 11:00AM

Third straight morning this beautiful Cooper's Hawk spotted southern lakeside.

Photo submitted by Anne-Katrin Titze

The day the Wind ruled Prospect February 19th



Here are some photos taken on this high and gusty wind day in Prospect, where trees were heard cracking. Photos were taken by Marguerite McGeelac



Did the wind blow this fence out there ? ( or nutty  people did ?)

Baby Raccoons snuggled in.

Juvenile RT Hawk near Terrace Bridge


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

GBBC list today Prospect

Thank you for entering your observation in this year's Great Backyard Bird Count. Below is a report summarizing the bird checklist you submitted.


Here is the information you gave for this observation.


Record ID: S7652263

Email: prosbird@aol.com

Email: 11218, Brooklyn, Kings County, NY

Observation Date : FEB 19, 2011

Start Time: 12:00 PM

Total Birding Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Party Size: 1

Skill: excellent

Weather: excellent

Snow Depth: Less than 2 in (5.1 cm)

Habitat(s):

deciduous woods

urban

freshwater

Number of Species: 25

All Reported: yes

Checklist:

Canada Goose - 93

Mute Swan - 6

American Black Duck - 7

Mallard - 248

Northern Shoveler - 19

Ruddy Duck - 4

Red-tailed Hawk - 2

American Coot - 10

Ring-billed Gull - 165

Mourning Dove - 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1

Downy Woodpecker - 4

Black-capped Chickadee - 9

White-breasted Nuthatch - 1

American Robin - 27

American Tree Sparrow - 8

Fox Sparrow (Red) - 2

Song Sparrow - 2

White-throated Sparrow - 33

Dark-eyed Junco - 4

Northern Cardinal - 9

Red-winged Blackbird - 14

House Finch - 8

American Goldfinch - 14

Comments----------------------------------------

High winds gusts 40 + mph

-------------------------------------------------

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Four Sparrow Marsh Update and your urgent help.

I attended the Public Scope meeting this past Thursday 2/17 and listened in esp my peers and colleagues Susan Elbin, NYCAS Conservation director;  Ida Sanoff, chair of the Natural Resources Protective Assoc; Don Riepe , Jamaica Baykeeper,etc.

 But the real power is written comments due February 28th . For expedient action, check out the NYC Audubon website ( I get their mailing) and click on Take Action .The recipient of letters is Douglas Rice of NYSEDC . ( Mr Rice has an email address).. I will have to submit a letter on behalf of the Brooklyn Bird Club this weekend. As for a comment format letter, I hope to write a sample for my conservation blog for folks to copy and paste. Otherwise , even a short version citing runoff, pollution, and the coastal over development leads to Jamaica Bay's habitats slow death ( which 4 Sparrow is part of the whole watershed)

It is urgent folks write to save this wonderful  unique rare 67 acre marsh. Read up more about 4 sparrow on NYC Audubon's website esp BBC long time member Ron Bourque's analysis on the location. here's the link below

  click on   ---->    http://tinyurl.com/4k89u2f

also present at the scope meeting 2/17 , Councilman Lew Fidler, State Senator Carl Kruger, and CB18 Community Board District 18 Manager Dorothy Turano came out against the poorly planned project so they should be copied. The open space green habitat is enticing cause there is no need to demolish building(s) to create development ( more $$ expense)  and cheaper to develop in an already over satuated developed area ( Kings Plaza mall already there)

http://council.nyc.gov/d46/html/members/home.shtml   NYC Councilman Lew Fidler

http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/carl-kruger  State Senator Carl Kruger



Neighborhood  CB 18


Canarsie, Bergen Beach, Mill Basin, Flatlands, Marine Park, Georgetown, and Mill Island CB Address:

Brooklyn Community Board 18

5715 Avenue H, # 1D

Brooklyn, NY 11234

Phone: 718.241.0422

Fax: 718.531.3199

Email: bkbrd18@optonline.net


Chair: Mr. Saul Needle

District Manager: Ms. Dorothy Turano

Board Meeting: Third Wednesday, 8:00pm

Cabinet Meeting: Per agenda

Pct:

63

69 Pct Phone:

718.258.4411

718.257.6211

Friday, February 18, 2011

Brooklyn Bridge Park and Prospect reports

From Larry Zirlin:

Pier One--Ruddy Ducks


Posted by: "Larry Zirlin"

Thu Feb 17, 2011

Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier One has 8 Ruddy Ducks floating around just off the

pilings today. Lots of Gadwalls, black ducks and 1 Bufflehead were there too.



Brant numbers seem to be increasing--I counted 59 today on the big lawn. I don't

think the BBP Conservancy is going to be so thrilled with these avian visitors

once they discover all the fertilizer they're leaving behind. So if you go, sit

on the benches, not the lawns.

Still waiting for passerines to make more than a token appearance there this

year.

2 lists:

Brooklyn Bridge Park--between Piers 3 & 4

Number of species: 6

Gadwall 4

American Black Duck 3

Bufflehead 2

Double-crested Cormorant 1

Great Black-backed Gull 1

Mourning Dove 1



Pier OneNumber of species: 9

Brant 59

Gadwall 12

American Black Duck 7

Bufflehead 1

Ruddy Duck 8

Double-crested Cormorant 1

Ring-billed Gull 15

Herring Gull 2

House Sparrow 4

Larry Zirlin

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

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

From Larry:

Hi Peter,



Best bird was last bird I saw--Ruby-crowned Kinglet in the Rose Garden.

Prospect Park

Observation date: 2/18/11

Number of species: 32


Canada Goose 153

Mute Swan 6

American Black Duck 4

Mallard 165

Northern Shoveler 77

Ruddy Duck 1

Red-tailed Hawk 4

American Coot 5

Ring-billed Gull 200

Herring Gull 100

Great Black-backed Gull 2

Rock Pigeon 1

Mourning Dove 8

Red-bellied Woodpecker 2

Downy Woodpecker 2

Blue Jay 18

Black-capped Chickadee 21

White-breasted Nuthatch 2

Carolina Wren 1 Near Wellhouse

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Rose Garden

American Robin 9 In sumac near peninsula

Northern Mockingbird 1 Behind Boathouse

European Starling 13

Song Sparrow 2 One behind Boathouse, one in Vale

White-throated Sparrow 10

Dark-eyed Junco 8 Vale

Northern Cardinal 20

Red-winged Blackbird 1 Lake shore

Common Grackle 4 Boathouse

House Finch 4 Breeze Hill

American Goldfinch 6 Five on Breeze Hill, one bathing in ice puddle on lake

House Sparrow 30


Feeders

Observation date: 2/18/11

Number of species: 16

Mourning Dove 3

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Downy Woodpecker 3

Hairy Woodpecker 1

Blue Jay 5

Black-capped Chickadee 6

Tufted Titmouse 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 2

White-throated Sparrow 3

Dark-eyed Junco 1

Northern Cardinal 5

Red-winged Blackbird 1

House Finch 1

Pine Siskin 2

American Goldfinch 5

House Sparrow 2


Larry

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

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

From Rob Jett:

Location: Prospect Park--Prospect Lake


Observation date: 2/18/11

Number of species: 1

Ring-necked Duck 2 In small opening in ice on Prospect Lake. Seen while out cycling in Prospect Park.

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

From Adam Welz:

Location: Prospect Park--Feeders


Observation date: 2/18/11

Notes: One White-throated Sparrow injured - seemed to have broken

leg. Squirrels back at feeders.

Number of species: 9



Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 4

Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 1

Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 3

White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 2

Fox Sparrow (Red) - Passerella iliaca iliaca/zaboria 2

White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis 2

Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 4

Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 2

House Finch - Carpodacus mexicanus 1

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Prospect February 17th report

Hilights : bathing birds, Turkey Vulture and other raptors.

From Alex Wilson:



> Location: Prospect Park

> Observation date: 2/17/11

> Number of species: 42


> Canada Goose 75

> Mute Swan 6

> American Black Duck 5

> Mallard 100

> Northern Shoveler 100

> Ruddy Duck 1

> Turkey Vulture 1 (Low flyover, Rose Garden.)

> Cooper's Hawk 1 (Adult, Lookout Hill.)

> Red-tailed Hawk 4

> Merlin 1 (Long Meadow.)

> Peregrine Falcon 2 (On signal tower by BBG.)

> American Coot 10

> Ring-billed Gull 150

> Herring Gull (American) 10

> Great Black-backed Gull 1

> Rock Pigeon 25

> Mourning Dove 25

> Red-bellied Woodpecker 5

> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 4

> Downy Woodpecker 8

> Hairy Woodpecker 2

> Blue Jay 10

> American Crow 2

> Black-capped Chickadee 25

> Tufted Titmouse 4

> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 (Vale.)

> White-breasted Nuthatch 7

> Carolina Wren 2

> American Robin 8

> European Starling 45

> American Tree Sparrow 9 (1 bathing along lower Lullwater; 8

> at Lamppost 249.)

> Fox Sparrow (Red) 4

> Song Sparrow 7

> White-throated Sparrow 50

> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 10

> Northern Cardinal 20

> Red-winged Blackbird 20

> Common Grackle 5

> House Finch 10

> Pine Siskin 3 (Bathing in ice puddles along edge of lower

> Lullwater below Breeze Hill.)

> American Goldfinch 15

> House Sparrow 20

GBBC starts tomorrow;Prospect brief

Reminder Don't Forget

Great Backyard Count over 4 days
Friday, February 18, 2011  to February 21,2011

Count everything you see wherever you are.

enter data into www.birdcount.org

for more into , go to my previous blog link

http://peters-prospect-bird-sightings.blogspot.com/2011/02/great-backyard-count-next-week-218.html

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

From Peter

Location: Prospect Park--Feeders


Observation date: 2/17/11

Number of species: 8


Downy Woodpecker 2

Black-capped Chickadee 5

White-throated Sparrow 11

Dark-eyed Junco 1

Northern Cardinal 3

House Finch 3

Pine Siskin 1 on the ground

House Sparrow 1



Location: Prospect Park Lake


Observation date: 2/17/11

Number of species: 8



Canada Goose 133

Mute Swan 5

American Black Duck 4

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler 191  (rebound went up)

Ruddy Duck 1

American Coot 7

Ring-billed Gull X



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

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

4 Sparrow Marsh scoping meeting reminder Thursday 7 pm KingsPlaza; Prospect report

At the sake of redundancy due to several cancellations from inclement weather, this is a reminder on the meeting at the Kings Plaza Community Room Thursday eve at 7 pm.

see the link

http://tinyurl.com/4f98bl4

for more info, email me at Prosbird@aol.com

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

From Eddie Davis

Enjoyed a brief walk this afternoon in the park down some slippery paths. A few patches of birds hiding here and there, with the best surprise being my first Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the year. Starlings are showing off their new yellow bills, so spring must be right around the corner....


Eddie

2/16/11 Prospect Park

Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Red-tailed Hawk

Great Black-backed Gull

Rock Pigeon

Mourning Dove

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (feeders)

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

American Crow

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch (feeders)

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Lookout - lower path - above Wellhouse)

American Robin

European Starling

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

House Sparrow

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

American Woodcock on the return --BBG Feb 15th

Rob Bate reports this note from today in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden:

I saw an American Woodcock grazing on the slope under the pines just south of the Japanese Gardens around 2:15 this afternoon.

A revolutionary new bird Identification book ?

A much talk about newly published book by a legendary birder from Cape May ( whom I happened to have met once , at Florida 's Joe Overstreet Road , site of Whooping Cranes and Snail Kites), a very courteous person and birder, Richard Crossley has written a book that vastly aids the identification of birding.  Check out this website link to know more

http://www.crossleybooks.com/

Monday, February 14, 2011

BBG Visions of Nature, members blogs

I went to the BB Garden yesterday and saw this exhibition in the basement of the Conservancy. It's expression of nature which includes birds...

http://www.bbg.org/discover/gallery/visions_of_nature_2011/

******

...and speaking of art and nature , one of my birding friends is an artist and birder.Check out his new website at the bottom of the side menu "members blogs" for  John Lloyd.

--Kingsboider

Sunday, February 13, 2011

February 13th Prospect ;BBG

From Rusty :

Prospect Park today February 13, 2011:



x Canada Goose

x Mute Swan

x American Black Duck

x Mallard

x Northern Shoveler

1 Ruddy Duck

2 Red-tailed Hawk

x American Coot

x Ring-billed Gull

x Herring Gull

x Rock Pigeon

x Mourning Dove

1 Red-bellied Woodpecker

2 Downy Woodpecker

1 Hairy Woodpecker

x Blue Jay

x Black-capped Chickadee

x Tufted Titmouse

1 Red-breasted Nuthatch

1 White-breasted Nuthatch

x European Starling

x White-throated Sparrow

x Northern Cardinal

x House Finch

x American Goldfinch

x House Sparrow


Elliotte Rusty Harold

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

From Peter

An adult COOPERS HAWK seen flying across the lawn near the forsythia grove south end of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Later , soaring Red-tailed Hawk over the Museum.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

February 12th Prospect reports

From Larry:

The feeders were hopping!


Prospect Park

Number of species: 18

Canada Goose 40

Mute Swan 6

Mallard 205

Northern Shoveler 12

Red-tailed Hawk 1 LP 249

American Coot 10

Ring-billed Gull 300

Herring Gull 10

Rock Pigeon 25

Mourning Dove 5

Red-bellied Woodpecker 2

Blue Jay 10

Black-capped Chickadee 3

Tufted Titmouse 1 Terrace Bridge

American Tree Sparrow 1 Boathouse Pond

White-throated Sparrow 5

Northern Cardinal 4

House Sparrow 11

**

Prospect Park--Feeders

Number of species: 14

Mourning Dove 3

Downy Woodpecker 1

Black-capped Chickadee 5

Tufted Titmouse 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

European Starling 1

Fox Sparrow 4

White-throated Sparrow 20

Dark-eyed Junco 5

Northern Cardinal 6

Red-winged Blackbird 15

House Finch 6

Pine Siskin 5

American Goldfinch 15

Larry

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

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

From Eni Falci:

Hi Peter-


Both feeding areas - the one at [---- ] and the Vale were active yesterday. The Vale had the red breasted nuthatch and lots of titmice and chickadees. Even the redbellied woodpecker and the downy came for peanut bits. The Red tailed Hawk came and perched in the Tulip tree mid afternoon. What is doing with the nest?

Michelle's walk at noon saw the birds already reported but in addition we had a hairy woodpecker and male YB sapsucker on the Lullwater before the rustic arbor and on the way back a long not seen Brown Creeper at the Lullwater side of the upper Wellhouse Road.

Eni

Thursday, February 10, 2011

February 10th Prospect

Of note today were the feeder's reddish birds, namely 11 close knit Northern Cardinals after I refilled the feeders for the holiday weekend. The middle feeder was adorned with 4 Cardinals and 4 House Finches, so that was an enjoyable sight to see on a tough day for birding.February isn't terrific for birding as most birds disperse for survival sake. Except of cause at the feeders..

I am aware that the Vale of Cashmere is a hotbed for winter birds, at the north end pool where Nancy Tim spreads some seed on the pillars. Check it out if you live over in that direction if the long trek towards the main feeders is a chore.

And winter's reliable raptor, the Red-tailed Hawk was spotted high up in a tree overlooking the Well Drive, lazily enjoying the sun and chillin out  I presumed. Rob Jett mentioned to me this afternon he saw a Red-Tailed right above the feeders ! That must be a wonderful sight!  And he mentioned as well a female MERLIN hanging out over Center Drive.  A few meaningful things to see in this hard winter means alot..Oh, the cold snap breaks abit with temps in the low 40's this weekend..Enjoy....


Location: Prospect Park--Feeders


Observation date: 2/10/11

Number of species: 10



Downy Woodpecker 1

Black-capped Chickadee X

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

Fox Sparrow (Red) 1

Song Sparrow 2

White-throated Sparrow 22

Northern Cardinal 11

Red-winged Blackbird 8

House Finch 4

American Goldfinch 8

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

ALL LAKE west shore xcept noted.
 
Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 2/10/11

Number of species: 11



Canada Goose 94

Mute Swan 3

American Black Duck 2

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler 32

Ruddy Duck 1

Red-tailed Hawk 1 Well Dr

American Coot 4

Ring-billed Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Black-capped Chickadee 4 LP 249

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

Prospect Feb 10th : Canada Goose band # H9Z4

Note from Adam Welz:

Hi All

Had some more fun yesterday at the tiny open patch of water left on
Prospect Lake with two banded Canada Goose. One had a numbered collar
(white text on orange background) H9Z4 and a federal metal band, which
I did not attempt to decipher. The second had no neck collar, only a
metal federal leg band, which I managed to decipher by taking a series
of photos from different angles as it walked around me: 1048 - 75724.

I reported the collar and the leg band via the banding lab website
(http://www.reportband.gov/). In my experience, reporting only neck
collar details can be a little disappointing, as this data is not held
directly by the national banding lab but by individual researchers,
and they don't always report back to the public, so you don't get to
find out where 'your' bird was banded. But most of the metal band
numbers are held in a national database, and by reporting them online
you can get an instant report back; it turns out my second bird was
banded in Quebec, Canada, on 07/10/2009 -- a real 
Canadian Canada Goose.


I'd like to encourage Prospect birders to report bands, even of common
species, because it's a great way to make a real contribution to
science and gives you something to do on a slow birding day like
yesterday. It's a bit of a challenge to get enough pics of a goose leg
to figure out a whole band number, but definitely do-able. As an
ex-bander I know that every little datapoint counts, because it's so
hard to get them. Even repeat re-sightings of collared geese are
useful, as it tells us how long animals use particular habitats etc.,
so if H9Z4 hangs around, report it.

Cheers

Adam

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The Great Backyard Count Next week 2/18 start end 2/21

This is just a heads up  . I received this email today .Anyone can participate including anyone visiting the Prospect feeders and beyond the rest of the park  and lake sightings..I'll remind everyone later next week as well of this very fun midwinter event.  ( click on http://www.birdcount.org/)

--kingsboider


Great Backyard Bird Count Asks for Your Help

Count Birds February 18-21

January 8, 2011—The 14th annual Great Backyard Bird Count is coming up February 18–21, 2011. People of all ages and skill levels are needed to count birds in their yards, neighborhoods, or other locations across the United States and Canada. Simply tally birds for at least 15 minutes on any day of the count, then go to www.birdcount.org and enter the highest number of each species seen at any one time.

Coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Bird Studies Canada, the count provides an instantaneous snapshot of birdlife across the continent for all to see. Anyone can watch as the tallies come in at www.birdcount.org. Organizers hope to receive more than 100,000 checklists during the event, with tallies of more than 600 bird species in all.

Last year’s participants reported more than 1.8 million American Robins, as well as rarities such as the first Red-billed Tropicbird in the count’s history.

“Whether people observe birds in backyards, parks, or wilderness areas, the Great Backyard Bird Count is an opportunity to share their results at http://www.birdcount.org/ ,” said Judy Braus, Audubon’s vice president of Education and Centers. “It’s fun and rewarding for people of all ages and skill levels--and it gets people outside!”

“When thousands of people all tell us what they’re seeing, we can detect changes in birds’ numbers and locations from year to year,” said Dr. Janis Dickinson, director of Citizen Science at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

“While this is the depths of winter in most of Canada and only the hardiest birds brave the cold, understanding of trends in the distribution and abundance at this time of year is important as well,” said Dr. George Finney, president of Bird Studies Canada.

Data from the Great Backyard Bird Count can provide an early signal of changes in bird populations. Past counts showed a drop in reports of American Crows after outbreaks of West Nile virus in 2003, a finding consistent with studies showing crow populations declined by 50–75% in some states. Maps from the count have also captured the paths of migrating Sandhill Cranes and recorded the dramatic spread Eurasian Collared-Doves. Introduced to the Bahamas in the 1970s, the species was reported in just 8 states during the 1999 GBBC. A decade later, it was reported in 39 states and Canadian provinces.

“I have joined the Great Backyard Bird Count for the past three years and am really looking forward to doing it again,” said participant Kathy Bucher of Exira, Iowa. “I really enjoy nature and bird watching. My mother and I share updates on the birds we see. It’s a fun hobby to share with a loved one!”

For more information, including bird-ID tips, instructions, and past results, visit www.birdcount.org. The count also includes a photo contest and a prize drawing for participants who enter their bird checklists online.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is made possible in part by sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited.

Editors: Visit the GBBC News Room for high-resolution images and your state’s top-10 lists from the 2010 count. Please also inquire about possible interviews with local participants.

Contacts:

• Miyoko Chu, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, (607) 254-2451 (Eastern Standard Time), mcc37@cornell.edu
• Delta Willis, Audubon, (212) 979-3197 (Eastern Standard Time), dwillis@audubon.org

• Dick Cannings, Bird Studies Canada, (250) 493-3393 (Pacific Standard Time), dcannings@birdscanada.org

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit membership institution interpreting and conserving the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. Visit the Cornell Lab’s website at www.birds.cornell.edu.

Now in its second century, Audubon connects people with birds, nature and the environment that supports us all. Our national network of community-based nature centers, chapters, scientific, education, and advocacy programs engages millions of people from all walks of life in conservation action to protect and restore the natural world. www.audubon.org

Bird Studies Canada administers regional, national, and international research and monitoring programs that advance the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of wild birds and their habitats. We are Canada's national body for bird conservation and science, and we are a non-governmental charitable organization. www.birdscanada.org

National Audubon Society

225 Varick Street

New York, NY 10014

Call: (212) 979-3000


Cornell Lab of Ornithology

159 Sapsucker Woods Road

Ithaca, NY 14850

Call toll-free (800) 843-2473

Bird Studies Canada

Box 160

Port Rowan, ON N0E 1M0 Canada

Call: (888) 448-2473 or (519) 586-3531

Correction on Prospect 2010 year list

Another review of my office bird records revealed I missed ( I ain't perfect ;)>  ) Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.
So the actual number of species seen in 2010 Prospect is 194.. Two other species recorded into Cornell ebirds as "accepted" but I don't recognized as "wild " were Budgerigar and Chukar , both escape exotics.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Prospect February 8th "A Crowded Duck Puddle"

 A mere 100 by 45 feet of open water  is all that remains of the totally frozen Prospect Lake, along the west shore, yet  passing along from the park drive, I was pretty impressed to see an array of unexpected duck species in a "Duck Puddle"

 After work, I proceed most times along the drive with the hard packed snow and ice making walking a negotiable task.When the lake came into view, it was sparse with birds. So I figured nothing around at this time in the late mid afternoon, until I saw a white crest in the "duck puddle". To my surprise, there was a drake HOODED MERGANSER, accompanied by a hen. That's not all: a drake RING-NECKED DUCK too! Forced into the only remaining open water , these ducks had no choice to reside in probably the only open freshwater spot in all of Brooklyn.Further investigating also produced RUDDY DUCK along with a complement of NORTHERN SHOVELERS, Coots, Canada Geese, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK filled out the usual list. So, 6 species of duck in such a small area is mighty impressive on a late chilled February day  , I say.
Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 2/8/11

Number of species: 8

Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X

American Black Duck 2

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler 35

Ring-necked Duck 1

Hooded Merganser 2

Ruddy Duck 1

Monday, February 7, 2011

Prospect Year 2010 summary

After finally catching up with the backlog of numerous bird reports received from Prospect birders into the office bird records database , the 2010 year tally for species is done. Note the species alphabetically is the first sighting for 2010 (flagged on the database as "FOY") , location (if specifically denoted by observer) , and date followed by the # individuals. Some sightings on the latter may show a number 1+ ( used for common species). Note there is a discrepancy with EBIRD number, which is not a reliable tool that does not filter suspect or dubious sightings.

Overall, the total was 193 species. A little down from the average 196.It depends on the rarity good year or so so year but there were quite a number of very good birds in 2010 ( I noted in red or purple for high quality -RARE- and lesser quality, ambiguously).


Species     ----       Location   --------Date--- # seen

Acadian Flycatcher Vale/Rose Garden 5/16/10 1

Alder Flycatcher Prospect Park 9/21/10 1

American Bittern Prospect Lake 10/28/10 1

American Black Duck Prospect Lake 1/1/10 2

American Coot Prospect Lake 1/1/10 1+

American Crow Zoo/perimeter 1/1/10 ~4

American Goldfinch Breeze Hill 1/1/10 4

American Kestrel Parade Grounds 1/12/10 1

American Pipit Prospect Park 1/1/10 1

American Redstart Prospect Park 4/29/10 1

American Robin Breeze Hill 1/1/10 1

American Tree Sparrow Vale/Rose Garden 3/3/10 1

American Wigeon West Island 3/1/10 3

American Woodcock Lullwater 1/9/10 1

Bald Eagle Picnic/Tennis House 4/21/10 1

Baltimore Oriole Prospect Park 4/30/10 ~2

Bank Swallow Prospect Lake 4/29/10 1

Barn Swallow Prospect Park 4/13/10 2

Bay-breasted Warbler Quaker Cemetery 5/6/10 1

Belted Kingfisher Lily Pond (formerly Pagoda) 4/1/10 1

Bicknell's Thrush Lullwater 5/12/10 1

Black Skimmer Prospect Lake 6/30/10 3

Black Vulture Prospect Lake 2/7/10 1

Black-and-white Warbler Upper Pool 4/7/10 1

Black-billed Cuckoo Lullwater 5/15/10 1

Black-capped Chickadee Boathouse 1/1/10 1

Black-crowned Night-Heron Duck Island 3/24/10 1

Black-throated Blue Warbler Vale/Rose Garden 4/24/10 1

Black-throated Green Warbler Battle Pass 4/29/10 1

Blackburnian Warbler Ricks place 5/1/10 2

Blackpoll Warbler Prospect Park 5/1/10 2

Blue Grosbeak Vale/Rose Garden 8/27/10 1

Blue Jay Prospect Park 1/1/10 1

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Prospect Park 4/6/10 1+

Blue-headed Vireo Lookout Hill 4/11/10 1

Blue-winged Teal Prospect Lake 4/6/10 3

Blue-winged Warbler Prospect Park 4/30/10 ~8

Bobolink Peninsula 4/27/10 4

Brant Prospect Lake 2/19/10 82

Broad-winged Hawk Prospect Lake 4/19/10 1

Brown Creeper Peninsula 1/1/10 2

Brown Thrasher Vale/Rose Garden 4/18/10 1

Brown-headed Cowbird Prospect Park 3/10/10 2

Bufflehead Prospect Lake 1/5/10 1

Canada Goose Prospect Lake 1/1/10 1+

Canada Warbler Prospect Park 5/9/10 1

Cape May Warbler Nethermead Bridge 5/9/10 1

Carolina Wren Prospect Park 1/1/10 1

Cedar Waxwing Binnen Waters 1/27/10 8

Cerulean Warbler Quaker Cemetery 4/30/10 1

Chestnut-sided Warbler Prospect Park 5/1/10 1+

Chimney Swift Prospect Park 4/22/10 1+

Chipping Sparrow Vale/Rose Garden 3/21/10 1

Clay-colored Sparrow Baseball field 10/5/10 1

Cliff Swallow Prospect Lake 5/9/10 1

Common Grackle Prospect Park 1/2/10 1

Common Loon Rink 4/8/10 1

Common Merganser Prospect Lake 2/10/10 1

Common Nighthawk Prospect Park 5/14/10 1

Common Tern Prospect Lake 5/8/10 4

Common Yellowthroat Peninsula 4/26/10 1

Connecticut Warbler Lookout Hill 9/10/10 1

Cooper's Hawk Boathouse 1/1/10 1

Dark-eyed Junco Breeze Hill 1/1/10 ~7

Double-crested Cormorant Prospect Lake 3/2/10 1

Downy Woodpecker Breeze Hill 1/1/10 1

Eastern Bluebird Prospect Park 5/8/10 1

Eastern Kingbird Peninsula 4/30/10 2

Eastern Meadowlark Rink 10/22/10 1

Eastern Phoebe Lullwater 3/10/10 1

Eastern Towhee Nethermead Bridge 1/1/10 1

Eastern Wood-Pewee Prospect Park 5/6/10 1

European Starling Prospect Park 1/1/10 1+

Field Sparrow Vale/Rose Garden 3/21/10 1

Fish Crow Long Meadow 3/10/10 2

Forster's Tern Prospect Lake 6/30/10 1

Fox Sparrow Nethermead Bridge 1/1/10 1

Gadwall Boathouse 1/6/10 1

Glossy Ibis Prospect Park 9/26/10 7

Golden-crowned Kinglet Prospect Park 1/1/10 5

Gray Catbird Prospect Park 4/17/10 2

Gray-cheeked Thrush Lily Pond (formerly Pagoda) 5/8/10 1

Great Black-backed Gull Prospect Lake 1/1/10 1+

Great Blue Heron Nethermead 1/1/10 1

Great Cormorant Prospect Lake 9/20/10 1

Great Crested Flycatcher Vale/Rose Garden 4/30/10 1

Great Egret Duck Island 3/21/10 1

Great Horned Owl Baseball field 11/26/10 1

Green Heron Prospect Lake 4/30/10 1

Green-winged Teal Prospect Lake 2/3/10 1

Hairy Woodpecker Prospect Park 1/1/10 1

Hermit Thrush Ravine 1/1/10 1

Herring Gull Prospect Lake 1/1/10 1+

Hooded Merganser Prospect Lake 1/20/10 1

Hooded Warbler Prospect Park 4/21/10 1

Horned Grebe Duck Island 10/25/10 1

House Finch Breeze Hill 1/1/10 6

House Sparrow Prospect Park 1/1/10 1+

House Wren Prospect Park 4/21/10 1

Indigo Bunting Prospect Park 5/1/10 1

Kentucky Warbler Vale/Rose Garden 5/22/10 1

Laughing Gull Prospect Lake 4/10/10 3

Least Flycatcher Upper Pool 5/2/10 1

Least Sandpiper Duck Island 5/17/10 2

Least Tern South Lakeside 6/30/10 1

Lesser Black-backed Gull Prospect Lake 2/5/10 1

Lincoln's Sparrow Vale/Rose Garden 5/15/10 1

Little Blue Heron Lookout Hill 5/2/10 1

Louisiana Waterthrush Ravine 4/1/10 1

Magnolia Warbler Ravine 5/1/10 1

Mallard Boathouse 1/1/10 95

Merlin Nethermead Bridge 1/4/10 1

Monk Parakeet Prospect Park 1/9/10 3

Mourning Dove Boathouse 1/1/10 1+

Mourning Warbler Vale/Rose Garden 5/14/10 1

Mute Swan Prospect Lake 1/1/10 1+

Nashville Warbler Ricks place 4/28/10 1

Northern Cardinal Prospect Park 1/1/10 1+

Northern Flicker Prospect Park 2/21/10 1+

Northern Goshawk Lookout Hill 1/11/10 1

Northern Harrier Nethermead 5/1/10 1

Northern Mockingbird Boathouse 1/1/10 1

Northern Parula Payne Hill 4/29/10 1

Northern Pintail Prospect Lake 9/15/10 2

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Prospect Park 4/13/10 3

Northern Saw-whet Owl Ravine 1/6/10 1

Northern Shoveler Prospect Lake 1/1/10 1+

Northern Waterthrush South Lakeside 4/24/10 1

Olive-sided Flycatcher Prospect Park 5/14/10 1+

Orange-crowned Warbler Lullwater 2/22/10 1

Orchard Oriole Ravine 4/29/10 1

Osprey Lullwater 3/28/10 1

Ovenbird Prospect Park 4/29/10 1

Palm Warbler Boathouse 4/2/10 1

Peregrine Falcon Botanical Gardens 1/1/10 1

Philadelphia Vireo Pools 8/29/10 1

Pied-billed Grebe Prospect Lake 3/24/10 1

Pine Siskin Feeders Breeze hill 1/3/10 1

Pine Warbler Peninsula 1/15/10 1

Prairie Warbler Lookout Hill 4/30/10 1

Prothonotary Warbler Prospect Park 5/4/10 1

Purple Finch Peninsula 5/1/10 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker Prospect Park 1/1/10 2

Red-breasted Nuthatch Boathouse 1/1/10 1

Red-eyed Vireo Ravine 5/1/10 1

Red-shouldered Hawk Prospect Park 1/9/10 1

Red-tailed Hawk Boathouse 1/1/10 1

Red-winged Blackbird Boathouse 1/1/10 1

Ring-billed Gull Prospect Lake 1/1/10 1+

Ring-necked Duck Prospect Lake 3/2/10 2

Ring-necked Pheasant Upper Pool 12/3/10 1

Rock Dove Prospect Park 1/1/10 1+

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Lullwater 4/28/10 1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Peninsula 1/1/10 1

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Prospect Park 5/1/10 1

Ruddy Duck Prospect Lake 1/6/10 1

Rusty Blackbird Nethermead Bridge 1/1/10 1

Savannah Sparrow Rink 4/4/10 1

Scarlet Tanager Prospect Park 4/30/10 1

Sharp-shinned Hawk Ravine 1/14/10 1

Snow Goose Prospect Lake 10/12/10 1

Solitary Sandpiper Prospect Lake 5/1/10 1+

Song Sparrow Prospect Park 1/1/10 1

Sora Prospect Lake 9/14/10 1

Spotted Sandpiper South Lakeside 4/27/10 1

Summer Tanager Lookout Hill 5/2/10 1

Swainson's Thrush Payne Hill 5/3/10 1

Swamp Sparrow West Island 1/1/10 1

Tennessee Warbler Prospect Park 5/1/10 1

Tree Swallow Boathouse 3/17/10 1

Tufted Titmouse Peninsula 1/1/10 1

Turkey Vulture Grand Army Plaza 3/2/10 10

Veery Quaker Cemetery 4/30/10 1

Vesper Sparrow Prospect Park 10/19/10 1+

Warbling Vireo Ricks place 4/28/10 1

Whip-poor-will Prospect Park 5/4/10 1

White-breasted Nuthatch Peninsula 1/1/10 3

White-crowned Sparrow Battle Pass 5/1/10 1

White-eyed Vireo Tennis House Kettle 4/30/10 1

White-throated Sparrow Prospect Park 1/1/10 1+

Willow Flycatcher Peninsula 5/14/10 1

Wilson's Warbler Peninsula 5/10/10 1

Winter Wren Prospect Park 1/11/10 1

Wood Duck Boathouse 1/1/10 1

Wood Thrush Payne Hill 4/29/10 1

Worm-eating Warbler Prospect Park 4/30/10 ~2

Yellow Warbler South Lakeside 4/26/10 1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Breeze Hill 1/1/10 1

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Ravine 5/2/10 1

Yellow-breasted Chat Prospect Park 8/26/10 1

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Lullwater 8/27/10 1

Yellow-rumped Warbler Lily Pond (formerly Pagoda) 3/4/10 1

Yellow-throated Vireo South Lakeside 4/30/10 1

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Prospect February 6th "Super Sunday"

Before you get misled on the "super" part, its just the football term for the holiday . I spent a few hours in the Red Hook area since I had to get some more suet at Lowes's for the feeders and some shopping as well at IKEA, but I saw some nice birds , namely raptors.But since I'm in a hurry to get to Steve Nanz's party ( Big Packers fan !) for the 6 oclock game, I will submit a report later on Red Hook sightings.. 

For now, here's is Tom Preston's prospect report. Enjoy the super game ..
Peter - today's sightings.


Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 2/6/11

Date: 2/6/11 2:49:26 PM

From: do-not-reply@ebird.org


Location: Prospect Park

Observation date: 2/6/11

Number of species: 32



Canada Goose X

Mute Swan 2

American Black Duck 1

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler X

Ruddy Duck 1

Red-tailed Hawk 2

American Coot X

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove 2

Red-bellied Woodpecker 3

Downy Woodpecker 3

Hairy Woodpecker 1

Blue Jay X

Black-capped Chickadee X

Tufted Titmouse 2

White-breasted Nuthatch 4

American Robin 3

Northern Mockingbird 1

European Starling X

Fox Sparrow 1

Song Sparrow 3

Swamp Sparrow 1

White-throated Sparrow X

Northern Cardinal 4

Red-winged Blackbird 20

Common Grackle 1

House Finch 5

American Goldfinch 10

House Sparrow X


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

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Prospect February 5th

Conditions weren't great for some birding today, my eagerness to get out and not be snowbound or should I say bad weather  called me out to check the park for a potential good bird. Not so with all the dismal look of drizzle and a still totally frozen lake diminishes any good birding.Nevertheless, it was good to be out.

There was a winter sports festival called "Winter jam" taking place on the nethermead where folks tried out snowboarding on a makeshift ramp, snowshoeing and XC skiing. The good part was the snow was groomed flat by a ski grooming truck which makes its ideal for me to XC ski and practice for the coming week. I need to work on freestyle and braking ....

Warmer weather the next two days  in the low 40's; hope for some snow melt and watch your step.

List

Location: Prospect Park--Feeders


Observation date: 2/5/11

Number of species: 6



Downy Woodpecker 2

Black-capped Chickadee 6

Tufted Titmouse 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

Northern Cardinal 2

American Goldfinch 2

Location: Prospect Park


Observation date: 2/5/11

Number of species: 14


 Lake


Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X

American Black Duck 5

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler X

Ruddy Duck 1

American Coot 9

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull (American) X

Rock Pigeon X

Fox Sparrow (Red) 1  edge

Song Sparrow 1 edge

White-throated Sparrow 4 edge

Northern Cardinal 1



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

Friday, February 4, 2011

Prospect February 4th

First a Thank you to Heidi Clevens for her donation of 40 lbs of black sunflower seed received today..The birds are really eating up the seed  but worth the enjoyment to many who come to see these winter species. So, I am much appreciated to all for donations , cash or actual seed for the birds.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Today's report

From Rob Bate:

I heard a RWBB singing his "Cong-a-ree" today and the House Finches were singing too. It won't be long now.


Also, 5 Siskins today.

28 Species

Canada Goose X

Mute Swan X

Mallard X

Red-tailed Hawk X

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Great Black-backed Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker X

Downy Woodpecker X

Hairy Woodpecker X

Blue Jay X

American Crow X

Black-capped Chickadee X

White-breasted Nuthatch X

American Robin 5

European Starling X

Fox Sparrow 4

Song Sparrow 3

White-throated Sparrow X

Dark-eyed Junco X

Northern Cardinal X

Red-winged Blackbird 10

House Finch X

Pine Siskin 5

American Goldfinch X

House Sparrow X

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

From Anne-Katrin


February 4th, Friday, 7:00AM


Brant spotted walking on the ice of the lake.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

BBC Saturday 2/5 trip North Brooklyn CANCELED

 Message from Peter D (leader)

This Saturday's walking trip thru the North Brooklyn waterfront is CANCELED due to bad weather and unsafe walking conditions . There will be slick wet walking from rain upon ice patches and risk of injury for anyone coming.


Sorry for cancellation but safety is an utmost concern.
this is latest forecast ( now 80% precipitation)

Saturday: Snow likely before 10am, then rain. High near 37. East wind 7 to 13 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday's 2/5 BBC walk North Shore Brooklyn update

This Saturday's walk led by Peter D is in jeopardy due to inclement weather forecast..So stay posted to this blog or the Brooklyn Bird Club website trips page for news of cancellation or not.

The NWS forecast called for

Saturday: Snow likely before 9am, then rain and snow likely between 9am and noon, then rain, snow, and sleet likely after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 40. East wind between 6 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

-Kingsboider

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

A lecture on the Gowanus Canal

This blog was set up as well to announce events in the North Brooklyn sector. The Gowanus Canal is a very interesting  place, a messy situation with the terrible water quality that deters birds from settling in but on occasions I hear of a Common Loon, seals, of course swans , etc..But its habitat.

Here is the email I got from the Museum of the City of NY ..U get a discount if you mention Brooklyn Bird Club member..

--Kingsboider

**

Subject: Invitation: Superfund-Gowanus Canal Program/Museum of the City of New York


Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 19:10:51 -0500

From: "Tom Reynolds"

To: info@brooklynbirdclub.org,


I wanted to be sure you knew about a program on the Superfund designations at Gowanus Canal and Newtown Creek, among other locations, at the Museum of the City of New York that might be of great interest to everyone at the Brooklyn Bird Club. I’m including the detailed program description below.

We would like to extend our member’s discount to your members and other constituents, and I hope you might be able to pass this invitation on to them. We would also like to invite you and any interested staff and board to attend as our guests.

Please let me know if you have any questions at all,

Best,

-Tom Reynolds

Tuesday, February 8 at 6:30 PM


NYC Superfund: Toxic Solution or Toxic Label?

What will the recent Superfund designations of Newtown Creek in Queens and the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn mean for community residents and the rest of the city? How will they affect the plans of real estate developers interested in revitalizing these post-industrial zones? What is the fate of the natural environments themselves?

Roderick M. Hills, Jr., the William T. Comfort III Professor of Law at New York University moderates a panel discussion including Alan Bell, principal and co-founder of Hudson Companies; Walter Mugdan, Superfund Division Director at the EPA; Kathleen Schmid, Director of the Newtown Creek Alliance, and Carter H. Strickland, Jr., Deputy Commissioner for Sustainability, New York City Department of Environmental Protection will discuss the perils and possibilities of cleaning up New York City's environmental problems. Co-sponsored by the Newtown Creek Alliance and presented as part of the Museum's Urban Forum series, New York Neighborhoods—Preservation and Development.


Reservations required: 917-492-3395 or programs@mcny.org

$6 Museum members; $12 non-members; $8 seniors and students


$6 when you mention the Brooklyn Bird Club


Museum of the City of New York

1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street

New York, NY 10029

http://www.mcny.org/

4 Sparrow Marsh Feb 3rd meeting POSTPONED

I received word that the 4 Sparrow EDC Public Scoping meeting at Kings Plaza community room for tomorrow nite Thursday Feb 3rd has been POSTPONED to February 17th


The info below appeared on EDC's website as well as in today's NY Post:

"The scoping session for the Four Sparrows Retail Center which was scheduled for January 11, 2011 has been rescheduled to February 17, 2011 at 7 pm. The scoping session will be held at the Kings Plaza Community Room. The comment period will remain open until February 28, 2011."

see the NYCEDC website and red note at the bottom of the link page regarding the date change


http://tinyurl.com/4f98bl4

Peter ,Pres

BBC

Feb 2nd Happy Groundhog Day !

And spring right around the corner........









"This day in History"

February 2: General Interest


1887 : First Groundhog Day

On this day in 1887, Groundhog Day, featuring a rodent meteorologist, is celebrated for the first time at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. According to tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its hole on this day and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather; no shadow means an early spring.

Groundhog Day has its roots in the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas Day, when clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. The candles represented how long and cold the winter would be. Germans expanded on this concept by selecting an animal--the hedgehog--as a means of predicting weather. Once they came to America, German settlers in Pennsylvania continued the tradition, although they switched from hedgehogs to groundhogs, which were plentiful in the Keystone State.

Groundhogs, also called woodchucks and whose scientific name is Marmota monax, typically weigh 12 to 15 pounds and live six to eight years. They eat vegetables and fruits, whistle when they're frightened or looking for a mate and can climb trees and swim. They go into hibernation in the late fall; during this time, their body temperatures drop significantly, their heartbeats slow from 80 to five beats per minute and they can lose 30 percent of their body fat. In February, male groundhogs emerge from their burrows to look for a mate (not to predict the weather) before going underground again. They come out of hibernation for good in March.

In 1887, a newspaper editor belonging to a group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney called the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club declared that Phil, the Punxsutawney groundhog, was America's only true weather-forecasting groundhog. The line of groundhogs that have since been known as Phil might be America's most famous groundhogs, but other towns across North America now have their own weather-predicting rodents, from Birmingham Bill to Staten Island Chuck to Shubenacadie Sam in Canada.

In 1993, the movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray popularized the usage of "groundhog day" to mean something that is repeated over and over. Today, tens of thousands of people converge on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney each February 2 to witness Phil's prediction. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club hosts a three-day celebration featuring entertainment and activities.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

New Prospect Park administrator Emily Lloyd

Today Ms.Lloyd starts her tenure as PP Alliance administrator. Note her message on the link below ( click on)

http://www.prospectpark.org/about/alliance/greetings_emily_lloyd?preview=1&psid=0&ph=7018

We wish her the best of luck.

--Kingsboider