Another proposed city Brooklyn park in the making; PP reports inc OCWA

It looks like the northwest coast of Brooklyn is getting a big makeover regarding empty lots and commercial properties becoming "Green"  ( and that's great!). With this whole area just devoid of green spaces, the trend is changing. From Brooklyn Bridge Park/Empire Ferry State park to this proposed new park and Bush Terminal Pier Park  farther west at 45th street area, things are looking rosy. Though it only is supposed to be 2 acres, sometimes that is enough to provide habitat for migrating birds ( Look at NYC 's City Hall, where occasionally this crowded spot get Woodcocks or Bryant Park where Chat was the word...). Lets hope there is funding to bring  Columbia Street park proposition to fruition. ( and there are great restaurants on that street --Alma, a BBQ Ribs spot. On my last North Shorewalk  there a year ago, we stopped in Alma for lunch..great Mexican food !  Here's the story from the NY Post ( click on the links)..--KB

http://tinyurl.com/ColumbiaStpark


Park drawing rendering:

http://www.nypost.com/rw/nypost/2012/01/20/media/Panorama%20View.pdf

From Rafael:
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY
Jan 26, 2012 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 kilometer(s)
32 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) X
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) X
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) X
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) X
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 4
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) X
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 2
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
American Coot (Fulica americana) X
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) X
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) X
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) X
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) X
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 4
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) X
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 1
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 4
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 3
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1 Heard only.
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) X
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) X
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 10
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 1
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) X
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) X


Brooklyn is great birding!!!: Rafa Campos R.

From Alex Wilson:


Begin forwarded message:

> Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
> Jan 26, 2012
> 41 species (+1 other taxa)
>
> Canada Goose  200
> Mute Swan  8
> American Black Duck  3
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  2
> Mallard  90
> Northern Shoveler  40
> Ring-necked Duck  8     (Lake, males with 1 hen.)
> Ruddy Duck  20
> Pied-billed Grebe  2
> Great Blue Heron  1
> Red-tailed Hawk  3
> American Coot  30
> Ring-billed Gull  150
> Herring Gull  20
> Great Black-backed Gull  2
> Rock Pigeon  30
> Mourning Dove  30
> Red-bellied Woodpecker  5
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  4
> Downy Woodpecker  8
> Hairy Woodpecker  3
> Blue Jay  15
> American Crow  15
> Black-capped Chickadee  4
> White-breasted Nuthatch  3
> Carolina Wren  2
> Winter Wren  1
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
> Hermit Thrush  2
> American Robin  7
> European Starling  75
> Orange-crowned Warbler  1     (Seen in two spots, foraging on 
> ground near SW corner of Lullwater Bridge at 9:00 AM, then flew 
> across Lullwater.  At 11:30 on Breeze Hill with similar flock; 
> assumed to be the same bird, though it's not unlikely that more 
> than one individual has been involved in the string of sightings 
> since last fall.)
> Fox Sparrow  2
> Song Sparrow  12
> White-throated Sparrow  50
> Dark-eyed Junco  25
> Northern Cardinal  25
> Red-winged Blackbird  8
> Common Grackle  2
> House Finch  40
> American Goldfinch  10
> House Sparrow  20