Before today's observation report, a note about the feeders area. Looking to check on the feeders to see if any were empty for refill, I came upon directly beneath the suet feeder , a pine limb that was placed on top of an vertical ( stood up stump). I don't know what this entailed but possibly any squirrel sympathizers ?
Obviously there was a trespasser that the area is hard to get into. The area beneath the feeders should be clear; Please enjoy from the distance outside the fence as only I and Rob Bate go in to refill the feeders and maintain. If you see anything amiss or strange, please email me at Prosbird@aol.com . Thanks
I like to add more gratefully a note of thanks to Stephen Blacklocks for donating $30.00 for seed. The black oil sunflower goes fast. Of course, you will see why in my trip to the feeders this morning.
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In likely the most memorable feeder activity to date, besides a single RUSTY BLACKBIRD (on the ground below the feeders) for my surprising discovery, the hoards of COMMON GRACKLES frequenting the park of the past week, have discovered the feeders. Likely Friday's lone wandering Grackle passed the word to his buddies and gals and now look what happened ! Today's party fest was about 65 Common Grackles, a number of them on the ground below the seed feeders, with the remaining grackles, including some RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS perched in the surrounding trees and brush piles.
It was a memorable scene , welcomed to see ( as long as it' s not squirrels raiders!) with these blackbirds, 3 different BB species at the feeders must be some kind of record ! :)> The Grackles were skittish though as they were spooked several times to flying up to the trees and then back down again for ground feeding. More Grackles were across Breeze Hill , in the trees , at least 50 more. So, maybe a wonderful week ahead with more birds discovering the feeders as a lifeline with the year's first snow.
As to why maybe besides the grackles ,fast consumed seed, look towards 41 HOUSE FINCHES there every day.They bring the place alive...
Also welcomed, given their very noted absence all fall/early winter, including the Prospect Xmas count, earlier before the blackbird raid, 8 DARK-EYED JUNCOS seen on the ground, these "snowbirds" always a delight to watch alongside the common species that visit the feeders.
Over at the Lake, most of it frozen, 6 RING-NECKED DUCKS-- 5 drakes--make winter more assuring to go out and see these special visitors. It is my impression of winter experience most enjoyable when I see these ducks in Prospect Lake, a very handsome species to watch.
Prospect Park--Feeders, Kings, US-NY
Jan 22, 2012 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: 3 inches snow cover
14 species
Mourning Dove 5
Downy Woodpecker 2
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco 8
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 12
Rusty Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 65
House Finch 41
House Sparrow 1
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Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Jan 22, 2012 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: 3 inches snow cover
21 species
Canada Goose 263 lake
Mute Swan 6 lake
American Black Duck 1 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 11 lake
Ring-necked Duck 6 at 3 sisters isl, or south shore nearby
Ruddy Duck 5 lake
American Coot 14 lake
Ring-billed Gull 850 lake
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 6 Cleft ridge span
Tufted Titmouse 1 west isl
Northern Mockingbird 1 boathouse
European Starling X
Song Sparrow 6 breeze hill
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5 boathouse
House Sparrow X
Common Grackle 50 Breeze Hill
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
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From Adam Welz:
Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Jan 22, 2012 3:00 PM - 4:25 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: cold. Lake well-surveyed, many ducks absent e.g. Shoveler, Ruddy.
24 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) X tens
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) X
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) 3
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) (Anas rubripes x platyrhynchos) 3
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) X
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
American Coot (Fulica americana) 22
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) X hundreds
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) X
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 4
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) X
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1 at feeder
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) X
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) X
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 1 at feeder. Have not seen many this winter at all!
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 4
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) X group at feeder
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 2 at feeder, one with injured leg
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
