Namely, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER reported on Breeze Hill was the best report, still present after a long spell, seen first by Urban Park Ranger Tony Prastaro, then Adam Welz, and later Bobbi Manian and Denns H near the Breeze Hill feeders.
During my brief walk early afternoon before heading out for a friend's wedding, I caught sight of a pair of GADWALL on west side of the Lake. Near also the feeders, Kathy Toomey spotted a Ruby-crowned Kinglet along the road next to wood beam barriers while Bob O'Neill and I watched as well.Its an uncommon winter species.
BUT...the MOST IMPRESSIVE day's sighting? While I , Kathy and Bob ended our walk at the top of the East Wood Arch before heading back towards Breeze Hill, Kathy alerted both of us to a flock of blackbirds in the trees above the Arch , adjacent to the Lily Pool.They were COMMON GRACKLES. When they took off, I estimated the size to be at least 300! Its no doubt a roving flock, looking for food wherever they can find it.
It was IM-PRESS-SIVE!
From Bobbi Manian:
Hi Peter,
how are you? it was a good weekend; as you already know, Dennis found the Canvasback yesterday at JBWR which was a huge treat for me. Today, we saw the OCW on Breeze Hill just past the feeders (i was still looking for my elusive wren, not far from where i saw you on Wed). Here are some photos, in case you are still looking for markings. I can send you more detailed origs of any, if it helps w/ the investigation.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2629476455327.2125305.1207827614&type=1&l=3c5bf95aa3
Best,
Bobbi
From Adam:
Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Jan 15, 2012 2:20 PM - 4:10 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 kilometer(s)
Comments: clear, v cold, not very windy. Surveyed from Lincoln Road entrance down to southern part of Lake, inc. Peninsula.
30 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) X
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) X
Gadwall (Anas strepera) 2 female possibly (?) a Mallard hybrid -- some white in tail, head profile not very "Gadwall-y"
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) 2
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) (Anas rubripes x platyrhynchos) 1
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) X
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 10
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 1 near Peninsula
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) X
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 7 a very high count, again. A group of 3 near Peninsula, another 3 near West Island, and a single
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 2
American Coot (Fulica americana) 18
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) X
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 8
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1 Peninsula
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 4
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 2
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 2
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) X
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 1 near feeders. Maybe the same bird that was around earlier this winter. Quite bright.
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 2
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) X
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 2
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 1 feeders
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) 35 feeders
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
