Hilights: LARK SPARROW, numerous sparrows especially Chipping, EASTERN BLUEBIRD,WOOD DUCK "festival"
Rob Jett texted me late this morning about the Eastern Bluebird in the northeast corner of the ball fields, near the wildflower meadow section. And that was all I thought I was going to get on this blustery cold day with dreary overtones.Little did I realized I was in for a bigger surprise.
I parked my car along Prospect Park West Avenue and headed straight for the ball fields from 9th street. I had no problem finding the gorgeous looking EASTERN BLUEBIRD, perched on a steel pole ( called a rebar) that was holding up mesh fencing. What was cool was seeing numerous CHIPPING SPARROWS passing under and thru the fencing with the Bluebird above, looking down at the little guys all around it. From my snow fence spot, i could see many "chippies", some juncos, Savannah and songs , all inside the large snow fence enclosure erected to protect the reseeded fields. I get a posting from Rob after I texted him on my bluebird sighting he'll meet me here. So,with time on my side, i worked my way towards the south side of the enclosure.In time , Rob appears in the distance and both of us were looking at all the sparrows moving about hastily. Then , right in front of me , i see my prize bird.
About 25 feet away, i spotted a Savannah Sparrow perched atop the fence;but it wasn't this bird that intrigued me,it was the next one near it on the fence. Its striking face and throat and larger size comparative to the Savannah sent red flags thru my brain and eyes widening as the sparrow dropped to the ground , exposing its roundish tipped tail with white retrices, got me all excited.Wow ! A LARK SPARROW! Immediately I looked to Rob in the distance and gestured vigorously ,"pointing" to the spot I sort of sign languaged I got a "good bird" ;Rob knew I had something good if i do somersaults ;)> but where was I pointing to ?? So I wound up text messaging him "Lark Sparrow".I lost sight of the bird as it flew in deeper in the enclosure with the spooked "chippie" flock. Dang, I wanted to show him.
About 20 minutes later, after a complete loop of the enclosure, I got my prize again. In the west corner of the enclosure, near ball field #3 (second base), the good sparrow was hunkered down in a lawn depression, feeding on stunted smart weed or clover i presumed. It took Rob --who was farther away from me--several minutes to see thru the fence and then my spot where we both saw stunning looks of a bright non breeding Lark Sparrow. In time, at least four more folks--getting my text messages-- got to see a cooperative bird that used the interior mesh fencing like "camouflaged netting" as Merlin and Sharp-shinned Hawk buzzed overhead. I hope it sticks around for more viewing.
Whenever days like today with its dreary , cold elements happen and great birds are seen, i remembered my deceased friend Marty Sohmer, the legendary birder of Brooklyn who often reminded us with wise sayings like "Bad weather brings out the best birds". You know what? I bet Marty is up there smiling now....
I'll let you know about the Prospect records for Lark Sparrow tomorrow afternoon .In the meantime, get thee out there and bird the meadows, lawns and sparrow spots..You are bound to find something good... if so, let me know.....
Peter
Observers: Peter Dorosh, Rob Jett
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/17/09
Number of species: 21
Wood Duck 22 Upper Pool behind island, hard to see some behind
Mallard X Upper Pool
Great Blue Heron 1 f/o ballfields
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 f/o ballfields
Red-tailed Hawk 2 f/o ballfields
Merlin 1 flyover ballfields
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 2 ballfields
Northern Flicker 2 ballfields
Eastern Phoebe 4--2 nellies lawn;2 ballfields
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4 long meadow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 long meadow
Eastern Bluebird 1 ballfields snow fence enclosure
European Starling X
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 2
Chipping Sparrow 300 --est 160 Nellies lawn, 140 ballfields
Lark Sparrow 1 ballfields snow fence enclosure
Savannah Sparrow 12 ballfields snow fence enclosure
Song Sparrow 14 --5 ballfields snow fence enclosure. 11 Payne hill
Dark-eyed Junco 15 ballfields snow fence enclosure
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)
PS>Rob Jett recorded 10 species sparrows today: Lark, White-crowned, White-throated, Swamp, Chipping, Field, Song, Savannah, Dark-eyed Junco, Eastern Towhee
Also, the total Wood Duck number at Upper Pool is 29
Lark Sparrow profile: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lark_Sparrow/id
*******************
From Orrin:
Also, in case nobody else reported, a pied-billed grebe on the lake, a brown creeper next to the lake, and a palm warbler on the Ft. Hamilton Pkwy overpass
Sunday, October 18, 2009
LARK SPARROW refound seen at
LARK SPARROW refound seen at ballfields within snow fence enclosure corner nearest ballfield number 3 westside
LARK SPARROW seen at ballfields
LARK SPARROW seen at ballfields adacent to Upper pool,perched on snoe fence ,flew inside fence enclosure
Eastern Bluebird perching on steelpoles
Eastern Bluebird perching on steelpoles inside large snow fence enclosure on ballfields, many Chipping sparrows,
Good bird activity in prospect
Good bird activity in prospect per rob jett...mosttly meadows, lawns, forest edges.
Eastern Bluebird on baseball fields
Eastern Bluebird on baseball fields nearwildflower meadow per Rob jett
Saturday, October 17, 2009
October 17th, Prospect (3 REPORTS)
Hilights: RUSTY BLACKBIRD, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW,good sparrow numnbers, high numbers for WOOD DUCK,NORTHERN SHOVELER, WINTER WREN, kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers; 8 species warbler
From Rob Jett:
A few highlights from today's Prospect Park list:
- Eastern Bluebird on the snow fencing at the baseball
field. It also flew into the Falkill Wildflower Meadow.
- 25 Wood Ducks on the Upper Pool! Also seen by
Michelle Dreger's Audubon group.
- Northern Shovelers on lake up to 343!
- 2 Rusty Blackbirds; 1 on West Island the second
at Three Sister's Island.
- 8 Black-crowned Night-Herons on the back of Duck Island.
- 7 species of warbler; an 8th (Black-throated Green)
was seen by Michelle's group.
Here's my latest Prospect report.
> Date: October 17, 2009 3:29:29 PM EDT
>
> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 10/17/09
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 10/17/09
> Number of species: 52
>
> Canada Goose 165
> Mute Swan 7
> Wood Duck 25
> American Black Duck X
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 343
> Ruddy Duck 45
> Pied-billed Grebe 3
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 8
> Osprey 1
> Cooper's Hawk 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> Merlin 1
> American Coot 4
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove 12
> Belted Kingfisher 1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
> Northern Flicker 40
> Eastern Phoebe 30
> Blue-headed Vireo 2
> American Crow 3
> Black-capped Chickadee 2
> Tufted Titmouse 2
> White-breasted Nuthatch 3
> Winter Wren 2
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 60
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 40
> Eastern Bluebird 1
> Hermit Thrush 25
> American Robin X
> Gray Catbird 4
> European Starling X
> Northern Parula 1
> Magnolia Warbler 2
> Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
> Yellow-rumped Warbler 75
> Palm Warbler 15
> Blackpoll Warbler 1
> Common Yellowthroat 2
> Chipping Sparrow 20
> Song Sparrow 30
> Swamp Sparrow 12
> White-throated Sparrow 40
> White-crowned Sparrow 2
> Dark-eyed Junco 3
> Northern Cardinal X
> Rusty Blackbird 2
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Janet Schumacher:
I mainly birded east side of Midwood, thru Vale,
across Sparrow Bowl and quick walk up Lookout,
plus a walk through Brooklyn Botanic Garden late
in day.
Wood Duck 8 (Upper Pool)
American Black Duck 1
Mallard X
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Merlin 1 (Vale)
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 12
Eastern Phoebe 10
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Winter Wren 14 (3 in BBG)
Golden-crowned Kinglet 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 30
Hermit Thrush 35
American Robin X
European Starling X
Northern Parula 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Palm Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 4
Eastern Towhee 2 (BBG)
Chipping Sparrow 50 (One flock south end Nellie's Meadow, other NE
ball fields by dog beach)
Song Sparrow 16
Swamp Sparrow 18
White-throated Sparrow 350
White-crowned Sparrow 2 (Rose Garden & Lookout)
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 2
Northern Cardinal 9
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Tom Stephenson:
Hi Peter.
Here's a list of what I saw with Adam (Welz) yesterday. He probably has better numbers.
4 Winter Wren, many kinglets, lots of Chipping Sparrows along with one Lincoln's, one White-crowned
Best regards,
Tom
Canada Goose
Mallard
Sharp-shinned Hawk one on lookout
Cooper's Hawk one near terrace bridge
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at least 6
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker one in lower midwood
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe at least 10
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren at least 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet at least 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet at least 10
Hermit Thrush at least 10
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Palm Warbler at least 8
Common Yellowthroat
Scarlet Tanager female Nellie’s Lawn area (late)
Eastern Towhee at least 6
Chipping Sparrow at least 50
Song Sparrow at least 10
Lincoln's Sparrow one Nellie’s lawn area
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow one at edge of Nellie’s lawn
Dark-eyed Junco two
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
From Rob Jett:
A few highlights from today's Prospect Park list:
- Eastern Bluebird on the snow fencing at the baseball
field. It also flew into the Falkill Wildflower Meadow.
- 25 Wood Ducks on the Upper Pool! Also seen by
Michelle Dreger's Audubon group.
- Northern Shovelers on lake up to 343!
- 2 Rusty Blackbirds; 1 on West Island the second
at Three Sister's Island.
- 8 Black-crowned Night-Herons on the back of Duck Island.
- 7 species of warbler; an 8th (Black-throated Green)
was seen by Michelle's group.
Here's my latest Prospect report.
> Date: October 17, 2009 3:29:29 PM EDT
>
> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 10/17/09
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 10/17/09
> Number of species: 52
>
> Canada Goose 165
> Mute Swan 7
> Wood Duck 25
> American Black Duck X
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 343
> Ruddy Duck 45
> Pied-billed Grebe 3
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 8
> Osprey 1
> Cooper's Hawk 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> Merlin 1
> American Coot 4
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove 12
> Belted Kingfisher 1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
> Northern Flicker 40
> Eastern Phoebe 30
> Blue-headed Vireo 2
> American Crow 3
> Black-capped Chickadee 2
> Tufted Titmouse 2
> White-breasted Nuthatch 3
> Winter Wren 2
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 60
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 40
> Eastern Bluebird 1
> Hermit Thrush 25
> American Robin X
> Gray Catbird 4
> European Starling X
> Northern Parula 1
> Magnolia Warbler 2
> Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
> Yellow-rumped Warbler 75
> Palm Warbler 15
> Blackpoll Warbler 1
> Common Yellowthroat 2
> Chipping Sparrow 20
> Song Sparrow 30
> Swamp Sparrow 12
> White-throated Sparrow 40
> White-crowned Sparrow 2
> Dark-eyed Junco 3
> Northern Cardinal X
> Rusty Blackbird 2
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Janet Schumacher:
I mainly birded east side of Midwood, thru Vale,
across Sparrow Bowl and quick walk up Lookout,
plus a walk through Brooklyn Botanic Garden late
in day.
Wood Duck 8 (Upper Pool)
American Black Duck 1
Mallard X
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Merlin 1 (Vale)
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 12
Eastern Phoebe 10
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Winter Wren 14 (3 in BBG)
Golden-crowned Kinglet 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 30
Hermit Thrush 35
American Robin X
European Starling X
Northern Parula 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Palm Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 4
Eastern Towhee 2 (BBG)
Chipping Sparrow 50 (One flock south end Nellie's Meadow, other NE
ball fields by dog beach)
Song Sparrow 16
Swamp Sparrow 18
White-throated Sparrow 350
White-crowned Sparrow 2 (Rose Garden & Lookout)
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 2
Northern Cardinal 9
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Tom Stephenson:
Hi Peter.
Here's a list of what I saw with Adam (Welz) yesterday. He probably has better numbers.
4 Winter Wren, many kinglets, lots of Chipping Sparrows along with one Lincoln's, one White-crowned
Best regards,
Tom
Canada Goose
Mallard
Sharp-shinned Hawk one on lookout
Cooper's Hawk one near terrace bridge
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at least 6
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker one in lower midwood
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe at least 10
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren at least 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet at least 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet at least 10
Hermit Thrush at least 10
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Palm Warbler at least 8
Common Yellowthroat
Scarlet Tanager female Nellie’s Lawn area (late)
Eastern Towhee at least 6
Chipping Sparrow at least 50
Song Sparrow at least 10
Lincoln's Sparrow one Nellie’s lawn area
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow one at edge of Nellie’s lawn
Dark-eyed Junco two
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Friday, October 16, 2009
October 16th Prospect (3 reports)," in the lull"
From Rob Jett:
In addition to the good number and diversity of sparrows around the park, I had a few interesting observations:
- I flushed a Wilson's Snipe from the edge of the lake while on the peninsula.
- A single American Pipit was flying over the Long Meadow then dropped down near the baseball fields.
- A juvenile Cooper's Hawk was chasing a flock of 10 American Crows on the Long Meadow (not sure why, crows bigger and outnumbered her).
- There were 10 Wood Ducks on the Upper Pond
- Northern Shoveler flock on Prospect Lake has swelled to over 200 birds.
Good birding,
Rob
FYI - The eBirds database shows Prospect Park at 192 species this year, so far
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/16/09
Number of species: 51
Canada Goose 150
Wood Duck 10
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 240
Ruddy Duck 25
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 1
American Coot 3
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Wilson's Snipe 1
Herring Gull (American) 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 12
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 25
Eastern Phoebe 30
American Crow 10
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 3
Winter Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 45
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 30
Hermit Thrush 15
American Robin X
Gray Catbird 3
European Starling X
American Pipit 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 30
Palm Warbler 4
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 50
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 13
Song Sparrow 35
Swamp Sparrow 20
White-throated Sparrow 200
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 6
Northern Cardinal 5
American Goldfinch 12
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
=====================
I knew it was going to be active today ( and seeing Rob Jett's report, it was) , particularly in some spots in Prospect. But too busy planting 126 plants on Lookout Hill ,plus a meeting with a reporter from scienceline.org at lunchtime prevented me from enjoying the fruits of fall sparrows and other good things. But i was able to get some good quality time after work from 3:45 on along the south lakeshore where birds were showing themselves well.
As soon as I rounded the shore opposite Duck Island , Yellow-rumped Warblers and Eastern Phoebes were prominent. The "rumps" took delight using the stone wall that makes up the shore a jumping platform, to get at the stunted smartweed seeds that i guess harbored insects, while the Phoebes took more to the air, all over the place, using Duck Island perches. A nonchalant BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON watched sleepily from its poison ivy abode.
But further on was the real action, a sparrowfest. Around the bend that i mentioned recently was a weedy spot --marked by three Gray Birches --that held quite a number of sparrows. Numerous SONG , with a decent number of SWAMP, took a backseat to a LINCOLN's i observed with pleasure. Palm Warblers, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, White-throated Sparrows accompanied the sparrow bunch.
More nice sightings with PINE WARBLER on Three Sister Islands, late LAUGHING GULL offshore on the lake, and three SPOTTED SANDPIPERS , two at West Island, and one previously on the main shore near Duck Island makes up a pretty productive 1 hr and a half birding when i couldn't get out earlier. Oh, throw in all those Shoverlers and three PIED -BILLED GREBES for good measure. Between the storms can be terrific birding...
--Peter
All south lakeshore
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/16/09
Number of species: 30
Canada Goose X lake
Mute Swan 2 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 210 lake
Ruddy Duck 7 lake
Pied-billed Grebe 3 lake
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3--1 duck isl;2 three sisters
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 mainland opp Duck Island, perched then flew into Duck Island
Red-tailed Hawk 1 perched on snag West Island
American Coot 3 lake
Spotted Sandpiper 3 --2 west isl; 1 mainland opp Duck
Laughing Gull 1 lake (late)
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 1 west island cove, pecking Japanese knotweed
Eastern Phoebe 8 along south shore
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 near west island
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7 along south shore
Hermit Thrush 3 along south shore
Gray Catbird 1 west island cove
Yellow-rumped Warbler 35 along south shore
Pine Warbler 1 three sisters
Palm Warbler 6 along south shore
Song Sparrow 22 weedy site southeast shoreline
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 weedy site southeast shoreline
Swamp Sparrow 11 -- 9 weedy site southeast shoreline; 2 west island area
White-throated Sparrow 12 --3 se lakeshore; 9 west island woods
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Orrin:
Highlights included white-crowned sparrow and at least 6 wood ducks, mostly drakes, on the upper pool, and a red-winged blackbird incongruously singing, a harbinger of--what?--at West Island cove. Other sightings included a lifetime supply of hermit thrushes, phoebes, and ruby-crowned kinglets, some of whom acting like brown creepers, feeding on lampposts and otherwise acting disoriented, flickers, yellow-rumped warblers acting like phoebes over the lake, and two probable spotted sandpipers.
In addition to the good number and diversity of sparrows around the park, I had a few interesting observations:
- I flushed a Wilson's Snipe from the edge of the lake while on the peninsula.
- A single American Pipit was flying over the Long Meadow then dropped down near the baseball fields.
- A juvenile Cooper's Hawk was chasing a flock of 10 American Crows on the Long Meadow (not sure why, crows bigger and outnumbered her).
- There were 10 Wood Ducks on the Upper Pond
- Northern Shoveler flock on Prospect Lake has swelled to over 200 birds.
Good birding,
Rob
FYI - The eBirds database shows Prospect Park at 192 species this year, so far
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/16/09
Number of species: 51
Canada Goose 150
Wood Duck 10
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 240
Ruddy Duck 25
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Merlin 1
American Coot 3
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Wilson's Snipe 1
Herring Gull (American) 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 12
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 25
Eastern Phoebe 30
American Crow 10
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 3
Winter Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 45
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 30
Hermit Thrush 15
American Robin X
Gray Catbird 3
European Starling X
American Pipit 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 30
Palm Warbler 4
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 50
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 13
Song Sparrow 35
Swamp Sparrow 20
White-throated Sparrow 200
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 6
Northern Cardinal 5
American Goldfinch 12
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
=====================
I knew it was going to be active today ( and seeing Rob Jett's report, it was) , particularly in some spots in Prospect. But too busy planting 126 plants on Lookout Hill ,plus a meeting with a reporter from scienceline.org at lunchtime prevented me from enjoying the fruits of fall sparrows and other good things. But i was able to get some good quality time after work from 3:45 on along the south lakeshore where birds were showing themselves well.
As soon as I rounded the shore opposite Duck Island , Yellow-rumped Warblers and Eastern Phoebes were prominent. The "rumps" took delight using the stone wall that makes up the shore a jumping platform, to get at the stunted smartweed seeds that i guess harbored insects, while the Phoebes took more to the air, all over the place, using Duck Island perches. A nonchalant BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON watched sleepily from its poison ivy abode.
But further on was the real action, a sparrowfest. Around the bend that i mentioned recently was a weedy spot --marked by three Gray Birches --that held quite a number of sparrows. Numerous SONG , with a decent number of SWAMP, took a backseat to a LINCOLN's i observed with pleasure. Palm Warblers, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, White-throated Sparrows accompanied the sparrow bunch.
More nice sightings with PINE WARBLER on Three Sister Islands, late LAUGHING GULL offshore on the lake, and three SPOTTED SANDPIPERS , two at West Island, and one previously on the main shore near Duck Island makes up a pretty productive 1 hr and a half birding when i couldn't get out earlier. Oh, throw in all those Shoverlers and three PIED -BILLED GREBES for good measure. Between the storms can be terrific birding...
--Peter
All south lakeshore
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/16/09
Number of species: 30
Canada Goose X lake
Mute Swan 2 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 210 lake
Ruddy Duck 7 lake
Pied-billed Grebe 3 lake
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3--1 duck isl;2 three sisters
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 mainland opp Duck Island, perched then flew into Duck Island
Red-tailed Hawk 1 perched on snag West Island
American Coot 3 lake
Spotted Sandpiper 3 --2 west isl; 1 mainland opp Duck
Laughing Gull 1 lake (late)
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 1 west island cove, pecking Japanese knotweed
Eastern Phoebe 8 along south shore
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 near west island
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7 along south shore
Hermit Thrush 3 along south shore
Gray Catbird 1 west island cove
Yellow-rumped Warbler 35 along south shore
Pine Warbler 1 three sisters
Palm Warbler 6 along south shore
Song Sparrow 22 weedy site southeast shoreline
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 weedy site southeast shoreline
Swamp Sparrow 11 -- 9 weedy site southeast shoreline; 2 west island area
White-throated Sparrow 12 --3 se lakeshore; 9 west island woods
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Orrin:
Highlights included white-crowned sparrow and at least 6 wood ducks, mostly drakes, on the upper pool, and a red-winged blackbird incongruously singing, a harbinger of--what?--at West Island cove. Other sightings included a lifetime supply of hermit thrushes, phoebes, and ruby-crowned kinglets, some of whom acting like brown creepers, feeding on lampposts and otherwise acting disoriented, flickers, yellow-rumped warblers acting like phoebes over the lake, and two probable spotted sandpipers.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Oct 15th sightings
From Orrin Tilevitz:
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Active this morning around Japanese pond and water lily pools.
Mallard
Northern flicker
Red-breasted nuthatch
Ruby-crowned kinglet (many)
Golden-crowned kinglet
Northern parula (1)
Yellow-rumped warler
Hermit thrush
American robin
Eastern phoebe
Swamp sparrow
White-crowned sparrow (1)
White-throated sparrow (everywhere)
Mourning dove
Northern cardinal
Bluejay
European starling
****************
From Janet Schumacher:
Around 5:30 pm today, there was a large
flock of Chipping Sparrows at northeast
corner of the ball fields, on the ground
and perching on the snow fencing in the
cold rain. I didn't have my bins so I
didn't see what else might have been there.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 14th, One of the better sparrow days this autumn season; Alex's report
HILIGHTS today: EASTERN MEADOWLARK; WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWs,LINCOLN SPARROW, FIELD SPARROW, increased number of sparrow species; appearance of "winter type species" ; Shoverlers and Ruddies.
I say today was one of improvement taking into account the sparrow numbers. Hopefully it will build up for those tardy sparrows in Prospect (no disrespect to Greenwood Cemetery that I heard was enjoying the limelight :)> )
I received text message reports before lunch from Mary Eyster of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, FIELD SPARROW, LINCOLN SPARROW in the general area ranging from the Tennis House to the Picinic House, and as my lunch hour approached, I was itching to get out there and bird these fave birds. Though not able to capitalize on Mary's good finds, it was nevetheless delightful seeing some sparrow action ,primarily at the "Sparrowbowl" Mary birded and midafternoon ,the Lamppost #249 among the good spots.
Numerous SONG sparrows followed by a respectable number of CHIPPING complemented the lesser number of other sparrow species. At the Sparrowbowl, I was treated to a buzz of a very low swift fly-by hunting MERLIN about 15 feet away , to my amazement , just a great moment for seeing my fave raptor. A pair of EASTERN TOWHEE skulked in the dried burdock, and several Palm warblers with one NORTHERN PARULA and MAGNOLIA followed through. IN the ballfields, Chippies and some SAVANNAH sparrows fed and moved around within the large snow fence enclosure for protection while a pair of BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD paid no mind.
SWAMP SPARROW was sort of a surprise, especially at lamppost #249. I saw at least 12 of these sparrows in tight congregation, a very good number to watch in one spot as more SONG SPARROWS mingle around. There were at least 5 more SWAMPS elsewhere
Meanwhile at the lake, those NORTHERN SHOVELERS are showing some force, now a 225 duck entourage, easily outnumbering 10 RUDDY DUCKS that are starting winter's beginning ( well, its gonna feel cold tomorrow !) residency....
It's looking good but rain hampens the good fun the next few days. For you brave and hardy types, bird anyway ......
Peter
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/14/09
Number of species: 38
Canada Goose 195 lake
Mute Swan 8 lake
American Black Duck 1 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 225 lake
Ruddy Duck 10 lake
Red-tailed Hawk 1 midwood
Merlin 1 sparrowbowl
American Coot 2 lake
Spotted Sandpiper 1 peninsula lake shore
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull 9
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5 breeze hill
Eastern Phoebe 12 ---6 ballfields, on snow fence
American Crow 2 f/os
Brown Creeper 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4 --2 sparrowbowl
Hermit Thrush 5 --3 tennis house
American Robin 3
Gray Catbird 4---3 peninsula sumacs
European Starling X
Northern Parula 1 male ,sparrowbowl
Magnolia Warbler 2 sparrowbowl
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 sparrowbowl
Palm Warbler 11 various; but 7 sparrowbowl
Common Yellowthroat 3--2 peninsula sumacs
Eastern Towhee 2 mixed pair sparrowbowl
Chipping Sparrow 30 --25 ballfields; 2 sparrowbowl;
Savannah Sparrow 5 ballfields
Song Sparrow 45 various, but at least 10 at lp249
Swamp Sparrow 16 -- 12 lamppost 249; 4 peninsula
White-throated Sparrow 20 various
Dark-eyed Junco 2 sparrowbowl; lamppost249
Northern Cardinal 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 ballfields
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
*******************
From Alex Wilson:
Begin forwarded message:
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 10/14/09
> Number of species: 64
>
> Canada Goose 250 (Including flyovers.)
> Mute Swan 7
> Wood Duck 6
> American Black Duck 2
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
> Mallard 100
> Northern Shoveler 175
> Ruddy Duck 10
> Pied-billed Grebe 1
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 2
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 3
> Merlin 1
> American Coot 10
> Spotted Sandpiper 1
> Ring-billed Gull 15
> Herring Gull 15
> Rock Pigeon 40
> Mourning Dove 5
> Belted Kingfisher 2
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 10
> Downy Woodpecker 3
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 25
> Eastern Phoebe 10
> Blue-headed Vireo 8
> Blue Jay 25
> American Crow 30
> Black-capped Chickadee 10
> Tufted Titmouse 5
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 (Calling in pine near west corner
> of park.)
> White-breasted Nuthatch 5
> Carolina Wren 4
> House Wren 2
> Winter Wren 5
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 25
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 100
> Swainson's Thrush 1
> Hermit Thrush 50
> American Robin 100
> Gray Catbird 7
> European Starling 100
> Cedar Waxwing 10
> Northern Parula 3
> Magnolia Warbler 2
> Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 75
> Black-throated Green Warbler 3
> Pine Warbler 5
> Palm Warbler (Yellow) 25
> Common Yellowthroat 15
> Eastern Towhee 10
> Chipping Sparrow 30
> Field Sparrow 1
> Savannah Sparrow 7
> Song Sparrow 50
> Lincoln's Sparrow 2
> Swamp Sparrow 30
> White-throated Sparrow 200
> White-crowned Sparrow 7 (2 adults, 5 juveniles.)
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3
> Northern Cardinal 5
> Red-winged Blackbird 25 (Mostly flyovers.)
> Eastern Meadowlark 1 (Peninsula meadow, 11:30AM.)
> American Goldfinch 10
> House Sparrow 50
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
I say today was one of improvement taking into account the sparrow numbers. Hopefully it will build up for those tardy sparrows in Prospect (no disrespect to Greenwood Cemetery that I heard was enjoying the limelight :)> )
I received text message reports before lunch from Mary Eyster of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, FIELD SPARROW, LINCOLN SPARROW in the general area ranging from the Tennis House to the Picinic House, and as my lunch hour approached, I was itching to get out there and bird these fave birds. Though not able to capitalize on Mary's good finds, it was nevetheless delightful seeing some sparrow action ,primarily at the "Sparrowbowl" Mary birded and midafternoon ,the Lamppost #249 among the good spots.
Numerous SONG sparrows followed by a respectable number of CHIPPING complemented the lesser number of other sparrow species. At the Sparrowbowl, I was treated to a buzz of a very low swift fly-by hunting MERLIN about 15 feet away , to my amazement , just a great moment for seeing my fave raptor. A pair of EASTERN TOWHEE skulked in the dried burdock, and several Palm warblers with one NORTHERN PARULA and MAGNOLIA followed through. IN the ballfields, Chippies and some SAVANNAH sparrows fed and moved around within the large snow fence enclosure for protection while a pair of BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD paid no mind.
SWAMP SPARROW was sort of a surprise, especially at lamppost #249. I saw at least 12 of these sparrows in tight congregation, a very good number to watch in one spot as more SONG SPARROWS mingle around. There were at least 5 more SWAMPS elsewhere
Meanwhile at the lake, those NORTHERN SHOVELERS are showing some force, now a 225 duck entourage, easily outnumbering 10 RUDDY DUCKS that are starting winter's beginning ( well, its gonna feel cold tomorrow !) residency....
It's looking good but rain hampens the good fun the next few days. For you brave and hardy types, bird anyway ......
Peter
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/14/09
Number of species: 38
Canada Goose 195 lake
Mute Swan 8 lake
American Black Duck 1 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 225 lake
Ruddy Duck 10 lake
Red-tailed Hawk 1 midwood
Merlin 1 sparrowbowl
American Coot 2 lake
Spotted Sandpiper 1 peninsula lake shore
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull 9
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5 breeze hill
Eastern Phoebe 12 ---6 ballfields, on snow fence
American Crow 2 f/os
Brown Creeper 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4 --2 sparrowbowl
Hermit Thrush 5 --3 tennis house
American Robin 3
Gray Catbird 4---3 peninsula sumacs
European Starling X
Northern Parula 1 male ,sparrowbowl
Magnolia Warbler 2 sparrowbowl
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 sparrowbowl
Palm Warbler 11 various; but 7 sparrowbowl
Common Yellowthroat 3--2 peninsula sumacs
Eastern Towhee 2 mixed pair sparrowbowl
Chipping Sparrow 30 --25 ballfields; 2 sparrowbowl;
Savannah Sparrow 5 ballfields
Song Sparrow 45 various, but at least 10 at lp249
Swamp Sparrow 16 -- 12 lamppost 249; 4 peninsula
White-throated Sparrow 20 various
Dark-eyed Junco 2 sparrowbowl; lamppost249
Northern Cardinal 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 ballfields
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
*******************
From Alex Wilson:
Begin forwarded message:
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 10/14/09
> Number of species: 64
>
> Canada Goose 250 (Including flyovers.)
> Mute Swan 7
> Wood Duck 6
> American Black Duck 2
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
> Mallard 100
> Northern Shoveler 175
> Ruddy Duck 10
> Pied-billed Grebe 1
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 2
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 3
> Merlin 1
> American Coot 10
> Spotted Sandpiper 1
> Ring-billed Gull 15
> Herring Gull 15
> Rock Pigeon 40
> Mourning Dove 5
> Belted Kingfisher 2
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 10
> Downy Woodpecker 3
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 25
> Eastern Phoebe 10
> Blue-headed Vireo 8
> Blue Jay 25
> American Crow 30
> Black-capped Chickadee 10
> Tufted Titmouse 5
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 (Calling in pine near west corner
> of park.)
> White-breasted Nuthatch 5
> Carolina Wren 4
> House Wren 2
> Winter Wren 5
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 25
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 100
> Swainson's Thrush 1
> Hermit Thrush 50
> American Robin 100
> Gray Catbird 7
> European Starling 100
> Cedar Waxwing 10
> Northern Parula 3
> Magnolia Warbler 2
> Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 75
> Black-throated Green Warbler 3
> Pine Warbler 5
> Palm Warbler (Yellow) 25
> Common Yellowthroat 15
> Eastern Towhee 10
> Chipping Sparrow 30
> Field Sparrow 1
> Savannah Sparrow 7
> Song Sparrow 50
> Lincoln's Sparrow 2
> Swamp Sparrow 30
> White-throated Sparrow 200
> White-crowned Sparrow 7 (2 adults, 5 juveniles.)
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3
> Northern Cardinal 5
> Red-winged Blackbird 25 (Mostly flyovers.)
> Eastern Meadowlark 1 (Peninsula meadow, 11:30AM.)
> American Goldfinch 10
> House Sparrow 50
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
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