Prospect July 31st early warblers

From Elyse:

Hi Peter,

At the Nethermead arches I saw a female redstart &
 a beautiful prairie warbler.There were also cedar waxwings
and a vireo in the same place.

In the lullwater I saw a green heron in a tree and in the same tree
was a yellow warbler and 6 tree swallows just sitting there.
A black crowned night heron was in the waterway.

What fun!

Love your Iceland pics! Reminds me of my Iceland trip.

good birding,

Elyse

My Iceland photos

Here is a gallery of my best ( its been a long long time since I picked up a camera) bird shots in Iceland July 15th to July 22nd as Mary Eyster and I were enjoying many spectacles there --birds, scenery, landscape, culture, and food....The landscape photos ..well it will take me awhile to go thru and select the best for editing... for now, enjoy my bird pics.

http://tinyurl.com/IcelandJuly2012



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The future of Gateway National park and Jamaica Bay

With the partnership signing between the U.S. Department of Interior and NYC Department of Parks last week, a General Management Plan was revealed to the public by the US Parks Service which is critical read for the future of the gateway Parks system ( which included Floyd Bennett Field, Great Kills in Staten island, Plumb beach, etc).

Here is the General Management Plan.

http://www.nps.gov/gate/parkmgmt/gmp-2012.htm

Wildlife will not have a say or real representation if we don't speak up.  Attached is more news from NYC Audubon and the petition I urge all to sign ( we need 10,000) so pass it on !

Here's the link

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=ebcd0e90cbdb6abacf3049acc&id=bb02a5d768

or directly to the petition if you know about the issue.Please sign it. Thanks

http://www.change.org/petitions/national-park-service-gateway-national-recreation-area-prioritize-wildlife-when-updating-the-general-management-plan-2

By the way, Next Saturday Aug 4th ( and Friday  August 10th ) there is an open session  or the public comment period  to be held at Riis Beach , just east of the restrooms, i believe held in a white tent,   from 11 am to 3pm. I should be able to attend .

Its vital and important we speak up for our wildlife and birds  and not see the preserves become commercialized or overrun with too much public impacts.

I have to read the plan first of course but I am told "Alternative C" is the most favored by nature activists.

Peter

Petition | National Park Service, Gateway National Recreation Area: Prioritize wildlife when updating the General Management Plan | Change.org

http://www.change.org/petitions/national-park-service-gateway-national-recreation-area-prioritize-wildlife-when-updating-the-general-management-plan-2

Visiting birder from California;a NY Times article

I received an email from a Californian birder who will be in town this Saturday till August 6th. I can lead a day on either weekend to JBWR and those coastal areas but if anybody is willing to lead on a weekday  for the local area like Prospect Park, let me know since this is just a favor request if this helps whom i am waiting reply.Thanks

Peter
Prosbird@aol.com


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

Sent to me from Dan Horgan

Yesterday's NY Times article on migration

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/26/will-climate-change-trip-up-punctual-songbirds/


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

Some brief notes Prospect 7/27

During a tool load at the garage area( 9th St) , a flyover tern Sterna species this morning, either Common or Forster's too fast for binocular views.

Anne Murray reports 5 Northern Waterthrushes in the lake perimeter area.

Prospect July 25th; including Terns and sandpipers

Today, reports of LEAST TERN, FORSTER TERN and other Sterna species, besides LEAST  ,SPOTTED and SOLITARY SANDPIPERS brings forth the best July day to date, particularly for initial southern migration

Reports from Adam and Alex:

****

 From Adam Welz:

Hi Peter

Had a chance to walk around the Lullwater/Peninsula

/Lookout Hill/Upper Pool area this morn (first chance

 in ages). Huge numbers of American Thrush, many juvs. 

2 noisy Solitary Sandpiper flying around the new
islands near the ice rink. 3 Orchard Oriole on Breeze Hill. 

A group of 3 Great Crested Flycatcher on Lookout. Could 

not find the White-eyed Vireos that others have seen near

 the Maryland Monument but thought I heard one singing

 once (not sure). 1 Ring-billed Gull flyover (hello
winter?)

It might be the dull heart of summer, but there are still some 

birds around!

Cheers

Adam


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:  <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Wed, Jul 25, 2012 at 12:43 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Jul 25, 2012

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Jul 25, 2012 8:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 kilometer(s)
Comments:     sunny, cool, great weather
37 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  18
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  5
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  X
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)  3
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)  1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  1
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria)  2
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)  4
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  1
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)  X
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  12
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)  X
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  2
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  3
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  3
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)  1
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  6
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  1
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  100     minimum estimate.
Extremely abundant.
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  10
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  100     minimum estimate. One
large flock and several scattered individuals.
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  X     numerous. Inc juvs.
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  2     near known nest site Peninsula lawn
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  3
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  5
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  4
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  1
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius)  3
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

From Alex Wilson:

Begin forwarded message:

> Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
> Jul 25, 2012
> 53 species (+1 other taxa)
>
> Canada Goose  16
> Mute Swan  10
> Wood Duck  1
> American Black Duck  1
> Mallard  60
> Double-crested Cormorant  2
> Great Blue Heron  2
> Great Egret  1
> Green Heron  4
> Black-crowned Night-Heron  4
> Red-tailed Hawk  2
> Spotted Sandpiper  3
> Least Sandpiper  9     (Circling around the Lake, then departed  
> westward, 8AM; a larger flock seen later from a distance likely the  
> same, but too far to know.)
> Laughing Gull  15
> Ring-billed Gull  5
> Herring Gull  2
> Least Tern  1     (Flyover, Lake, 7:45AM.)
> Forster's Tern  1     (Flyover, Lake, 7:30AM.)
> Sterna sp.  3     (Distant flyover group, Long Meadow, 6:15AM.)
> Rock Pigeon  30
> Mourning Dove  25
> Chimney Swift  100     (Swarms high over Lake and Long Meadow.)
> Belted Kingfisher  1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
> Downy Woodpecker  5
> Hairy Woodpecker  2
> Northern Flicker  3
> Eastern Kingbird  10     (Families.)
> White-eyed Vireo  4     (Family near Maryland Monument, at least  
> two fledglings being fed while male was singing.)
> Warbling Vireo  10     (Families.)
> Blue Jay  5
> Tree Swallow  2
> Barn Swallow  25
> Black-capped Chickadee  3
> Tufted Titmouse  1
> Carolina Wren  3
> House Wren  5
> American Robin  75
> Gray Catbird  15
> Northern Mockingbird  4
> European Starling  200
> Cedar Waxwing  75     (Several flocks, flyovers and feeding in  
> park, including young.)
> Northern Waterthrush  3
> Yellow Warbler  5
> Chipping Sparrow  3     (1 juvenile.)
> Song Sparrow  5
> Swamp Sparrow  1     (Peninsula.)
> Northern Cardinal  20
> Red-winged Blackbird  35
> Common Grackle  15
> Orchard Oriole  3
> Baltimore Oriole  2
> American Goldfinch  2
> House Sparrow  20

---

a NY Times article Great Gull Island

The following NY Times article profiles Helen Hays who runs the Great Gull Island tern station. The Brooklyn Bird Club supported Great Gull in last May's Birdathon ; in September ( I think the 20th ) ,Ms.Hays will be our guest program evening presenter .

click on

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/22/nyregion/helen-hays-revives-great-gull-islands-tern-population.html?_r=1

******

Back from Iceland..prospect report

Just back but in recovery mode from whirlwind pace , 1400 + kilometer driving and jet lag..lots of pics [ 660+] that i have to go thru.. at least close to 10 life birds including Mary's and i first Ptarmigan, Long-tailed Jaeger ; Parasitic Jaegers ( or Arctic Skua there) preying upon Arctic Tern chicks in fields,abundant Puffins, kittiwakes and fulmars on sea cliffs, etc..will post a list later..spectacular country but scary road system including a fog shrouded high mountain pass with only 20 feet visibility and 3+ cliff wall high dirt gravel 2 way 16 ft wide drives (heading for famous Latrabjarg  Bird cliffs ) with no road shoulder barriers as most of the high roads were missing esp at curves..YIKES! We survived .)


Courtesy of Mary's online search effort, she found this You Tube video of segments of the difficult no shoulder drive to Latrabjarg Point Bird cliffs ( check out that far off person standing at the edge.... ( i still shudder)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDYkAuhein8&feature=related
***********************

Only one local report in my Brooklyn absence

From Rafael

Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY
Jul 22, 2012 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 kilometer(s)
Comments: Rare sighting of juvenile (?) Black-throated Green Warbler, at the Vale of Cashmere; ±10:15 am.
29 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) X
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) 5
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) X
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 1 Lower Lullwater.
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1 Perched, near Nelly's Lawn
Herring Gull (American) (Larus argentatus smithsonianus) 3 Flyovers, Nethermead.
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) X
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) X
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 1 Lower Lullwater.
Warbling Vireo (Eastern) (Vireo gilvus gilvus) 2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) X
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) X
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 2
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) X
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) X
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) X
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 2
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 1 seen at the Vale of Cashmere
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) X
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 2
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) X
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) X

Brooklyn is great birding!!!

On vacation

Gone to Iceland.....

Summery music and sounds of birds

The Mostly Mozart festival at Lincoln Center Avery Fisher Hall  is presenting a few bird theme programs if harmonious music and summer events is your thing.

They are:

Aug 10th -11th  , 8 PM   Bartok's Birdsong

Aug 11th  1 PM Film "Winged Migration"  ( Walter Reade Theater) $15

Aug 12th , 330-430 pm,  Panel Discussion "The Music of Birds"  Free

Aug 3rd  thru Sept 9th , " The Murder of Crows"  sound play environment  (Park Ave Armory) $12, $10

For mor details , go to www.MostlyMozart.org 

Invasive water weed appearance Prospect waters

A segment appeared in today's Brooklyn Courier Daily, about the water surface weed that completely covers the smaller ponds and along the edges of Prospect Lake. The reddish culprit is Azolla Caroliniana , with along the usual duckweed has shielded the ponds' under surface ( not good for fish nor plants needing sunlight).

Here's the story

http://www.brooklyndaily.com/stories/2012/28/dtg_lakeslime_2012_07_13_bk.html

Here's the fact file
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azolla_caroliniana

Possible LETE on Lake 7/13

Anne Murray reported a highly likely LEAST TERN over Prospect Lake early this morning.The report of a small tern should be followed up in case it's habitual visits.
--KB

Eve lakewatch Prospect 7/8

8:15_8:45
Green Heron flying across to West Island
Wood Duck West Island
Barn Swallows
Red-winged Blackbird
Mallards
Mute Swans

Very Rare Prospect "winged" Insect

Steve Nanz, insect aficionado in Kings, reports a prized find in Prospect yesterday 7/7.

Here is his comments and his photo attached.

"Found this moth in Prospect Park this morning. It is only
the second Sesiidae sp. that I have ever seen before.
(Saw my first in PA back in 2007.) I think this one is
Synanthedon pyri but can't rule out Carmenta ithacae."                                                                   

For the starry eyed.

Summer is known for the Milky Way and starry skies. Tune into tonight's  97/8) "Point of View" PBS channel 13 program at 10:30 pm about our dwindling urban skies impacted by light pollution  (by the way some of those constellations are birds..Pegasus for one :)   )


--KB

GWC report 7/3

From Orrin:

 

Early this morning I walked in the main entrance, from the Valley Water to the Sylvan Water, and the out the service entrance.  Here is what I saw:

Barn swallow

Song sparrow

Chipping sparrow

American robin

Monk parakeet

Northern cardinal

Great egret

Green heron (2)

Baltimore oriole (several juveniles)

Red-winged blackbird

House sparrow

Northern mockingbird

Mourning dove

European starling

Cedar waxwing

Great blue heron

Chimney swif

Prospect Green Heron fledgings

Photos from Bobbi Manian of latest update...