December 11th Prospect

Before hilights , first... a Happy Chanukah to any of my readers celebrating tonight.

Hilight today is late OVENBIRD seen walking on the back path behind the Upper Pool adj Quaker Ridge (R.Jett); other hilights are feeders seeing some action after long inactivity "drought" ; Hooded Mergansers, Ring-Necked Ducks, increase in Northern Shovelers (45)

Feeder activity : Downy Woodpecker, 2 Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse

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From Rob Jett:


After some very cold cycling this morning, I did a quick look around Prospect Park for any interesting new arrivals. The strong wind kept most bird activity at a minimum and I mostly observed the expected winter birds, such as sapsuckers, chickadees, nuthatches and assorted waterfowl. One bird that took me completely by surprise was an Ovenbird walking along the pathway next to the Upper Pool. If he felt anything like I did, he was probably dreaming about much warmer places. As late as this date is, I have vague memories of a CBC Ovenbird in Prospect Park. I'll have to check my records.


Good birding,


Rob


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Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 12/11/09
Number of species: 38

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck 2
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 75
Ring-necked Duck 2
Ruddy Duck X
Great Blue Heron 2
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 6
Ring-billed Gull 500
Herring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay X
American Crow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Carolina Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin X
European Starling X
OVENBIRD 1 Found walking along footpath at back of Upper Pool.
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 12
House Sparrow X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)

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From Peter:

After what was perceived to be a quiet lull, it looks like some action is awakening. Not to say there's hot action but a slow trickle of bird movement especially with the feeders, after a week ago they were put up. I heard about Rob's Ovenbird sighting so maybe that's a good omen especially with the upcoming count in a week's time.


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 12/11/09
Number of species: 22

Canada Goose 145
Mute Swan 4
American Black Duck 3
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 45 lake
Hooded Merganser 2 hen lake
Ruddy Duck 20 lake
Pied-billed Grebe 1 west island
Great Blue Heron 1 on Three Sisters
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 immature on Duck Island
American Coot 6 west is
Ring-billed Gull 900 lake
Herring Gull (American) 40 lake
Great Black-backed Gull 1 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 1 feeders
Black-capped Chickadee 1 feeders
Tufted Titmouse 1 feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
Northern Cardinal 3-- 2 feeders;1 west is
House Sparrow 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

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Followup commentary by Rob Jett on Ovenbird
late /extreme dates records :

I thought this info might be of interest to some.

I searched through my Prospect Park records
for dates of lingering Ovenbirds and found the
following.

The previous winter sighting was on
17 January 2007 (Alex Wilson; Vale/Rose Garden).
Prior to that was an individual that actually
overwintered in Brooklyn. First discovered by
Steve Nanz and myself 13 December 1997
(Lookout Hill near Maryland Monument), the bird
was observed throughout most of December.

It was then re-discovered on 2 February 1998
(Ron Ellard, Tom Fiore) on Lookout Hill near the
Wellhouse, associating with a White-eyed Vireo
that also overwintered that year. What I assume
was the same bird was reported again on Lookout Hill
25 March 1998 (Ron Ellard).

The next dates for that year begin on 23 April,
but could easily have been early Spring arrivals.
I'm not sure if the winter of 1997-98 had been extremely
mild or not. Either way, that Ovenbird was very lucky
to have dodged the usual collection of falcons, accipiters
and Red-tailed Hawks that hang around in the winter.

Note that the above dates were not included in Bull's
Birds of New York State. Besides the fact that I never
thought it important enough to report, back then we
didn't have all the instant birding communications such
as discussion forums, online checklists, cellphones, text
messaging, twittering, etc., that now exists.

God, how did we ever manage?! ;-)

Good birding,

Rob

Ovenbird (late) on path behind

Ovenbird (late) on path behind upper pool per Rob Jett

Xmas Count note reminder

Next Saturday the 19th is the Brooklyn Bird Xmas Count...a reminder if you intend to participate as a team member .

We may need more help with the north and west sections of Prospect Park, led by Paul Keim. For this area, call Paul at 718-875-1151.

A new area, (North Brooklyn as this blog covers as well) ,covered once in the past 10 years , not very birdy in terms of diversity but does have lots waterfowl should be covered for the Xmas count ; as i have noted on a BBC winter trip this past February 2009 ,38 species were recorded. I would be interested in anyone wanting to cover the spot between the Columbia Street Pier ( Erie Basin) , northward towards the Brooklyn Heights, including any parks between ( Red Hook Park for example, Fort Greene, IKEA, etc). If you know or are familiar with the north Brooklyn location, let me know and i would like to set up a team (minimum 2 members or more). If are willing to do a 1/2 day , that's fine; if you are willing to not let the low diversity of birds bother you, that's great too.

Please get back to me at Prosbird@aol.com asap.


Peter (covering south Prospect Park)

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Chipping Sparrow along south Horse path at Quaker Cemetery. No birding today,too busy working.

1st Sundays walk results 12/6

From Michele Dreger :
(leading First Sunday walk from the Boathouse;Eni Falci led second walk)


I am coming down with a cold and decided to only do the 8am tour. Eni lead the 10am tour. We saw just about the same things on both tours. The feeders are now full but the birds haven't discovered it yet.

The 8am tour started off really slow. The mallards and the swans were at the boathouse waiting for us. We walked up to the lookout and had a nice time watching an adult red tailed hawk watching us. On the way back, we spotted a coopers hawk while we were looking for the great blue heron on the lullwater.

The first Sunday of January is the 3rd. The winter walk starts at 10am. Hope to see you there.

The 8am list included
Mallard
american coot
wood duck (1)
canada geese
ruddy duck
pied-billed grebe
robin
bluejay
white-throated sparrow
Fox sparrow
downy woodpecker
hairy woodpecker
red-bellied woodpecker
golden crowned kinglet
ruby crowned kinglet
coopers hawk
chickadee
tufted titmice
cardinal
morning dove
shovelers
mockingbird

The 10am walk had a few more. But they did not see the hawks.

Brown creeper Gingko grove
Winter wren at sumacs
carolina wren
Red bellied woodpecker
Hairy woodpecker
Downy woodpeckers numerous
Yellow bellied sapsucker male
Chickadee
White breasted nuthatch
Tufted titmouse
Goldfinches gum tree seed pods
Cardinal females
Northern Mockingbird 1
Robin 1Lamppost
Blue Jay
Mourning Dove
Ruby crowned kinglets 3+
Golden crowned kinglets 3+
White throated sparrows
Fox sparrow 1
House sparrow Dumpsters Audubon
Wood duck lullwater 1 male
Coots 5+
Pied billed Grebe 3-5
Mallards
Canada Goose
Ruddy Ducks
Northern Shovelers
Mute Swans 2 adult
Gulls on lake but sun glare did not do species

December 8th BBG + Prospect

From Orrin:

Location: Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Red-bellied woodpecker
Goldfinches
2 carolina wrens
2 fox sparrows
1 song sparrows
white-throated sparrows
2 northern mockingbirds
American robins
Bluejays

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Upper Pool

Ring-necked Duck

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From Rob Jett:

Begin forwarded message:

> Date: December 8, 2009 5:25:17 PM EST
> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 12/8/09
> >
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 12/8/09
> Number of species: 38
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan X
> American Black Duck X
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) X
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler X
> Ring-necked Duck 1
> Bufflehead 1
> Ruddy Duck X
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Turkey Vulture 2
> Cooper's Hawk 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> American Coot 2
> Ring-billed Gull X
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Great Black-backed Gull X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
> Downy Woodpecker 3
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Blue Jay X
> Black-capped Chickadee X
> Tufted Titmouse X
> White-breasted Nuthatch X
> Brown Creeper 2
> Carolina Wren 2
> American Robin X
> European Starling X
> Fox Sparrow 1
> Song Sparrow X
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco X
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> House Finch X
> American Goldfinch X
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

I am away ....blogster takes a holiday

Dear readers:

The PP blogster run by aka "Kingsboider" takes a holiday as he ventures to Cape May ,New Jersey , beginning this afternoon. I will be back Monday night.

As usual, any entry will be a cell phone posting if i receive any "in the field" reports. Enjoy your weekend and especially enjoy those feeders!

( and do pester the squirrels for me if you can ;)> )

"Kingsboider"

Dec 3rd Prospect ....Feeders up , another season of flying seeds...

I am happy to announce ,as I have done for years past, that the bird feeders are up. For protection of the site , I wont reveal the location since most of you know or alerted others where.If you are new to the birding community and want to know where they are, drop me a line at Prosbird@aol.com

Enjoy the delights of the season, as birds put on their show throughout the winter.

Thanks to Larry Zirlin, Gil Shrank, and Heidi Steiner for their start up $ contributions for the bird seed and suet.

"Kingsboider"

PS. If you happen to see squirrels ( Oh yes, they are pests) raiding the feeders --actual munching that is--watch them and let me know their latest innovative tactic. I tried to make it hard as possible for the pesky critters;or if the feeders need fixing.

December 2nd,Prospect

Hilights:2 Orange-crowned Warbler , American Tree Sparrow ,Blue-headed Vireo ,Baltimore Oriole

From Rob Jett:

> Date: December 2, 2009 3:16:38 PM EST

> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 12/2/09
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 12/2/09
> Number of species: 43
>
> Mute Swan 8
> American Black Duck 6
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 2
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 3
> Ring-necked Duck 1
> Ruddy Duck 100
> Pied-billed Grebe 2
> Great Blue Heron 3
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 Roosting on Duck Island.
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> American Coot 12
> Ring-billed Gull 500
> Herring Gull (American) 30
> Great Black-backed Gull 5
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove 15
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
> Downy Woodpecker 2
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Blue-headed Vireo 1 Feeding in trees above
Butterfly Meadow.
> Blue Jay X
> American Crow X
> Black-capped Chickadee 6
> Tufted Titmouse 7
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
> White-breasted Nuthatch 3
> Brown Creeper 2
> Carolina Wren 2
> Winter Wren 1
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
> American Robin X
> European Starling X
> Orange-crowned Warbler 2 One, seemingly dull,
individual at Butterfly Meadow. Second, bright individual
on Breeze Hill near feeders.
> American Tree Sparrow 2
> Song Sparrow 6
> White-throated Sparrow 100
> Dark-eyed Junco 10
> Northern Cardinal X
> Baltimore Oriole 2 Feeding on sumac berries next
to Terrace Bridge.
> House Finch 1
> American Goldfinch 12
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)

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From Alex Wilson:


Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 12/2/09
> Number of species: 48
>
> Canada Goose 150
> Mute Swan 7
> American Black Duck 6
> Mallard 100
> Northern Shoveler 15
> Ring-necked Duck 1 (Drake, Upper Pool.)
> Ruddy Duck 80
> Great Blue Heron 3
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 2
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (West Island flyover.)
> Red-tailed Hawk 3
> Merlin 1 (Nethermead.)
> Peregrine Falcon 1 (On signal tower at east corner/BBG.)
> American Coot 20
Pied-billed Grebe 2
> Ring-billed Gull 125
> Herring Gull (American) 50
> Rock Pigeon 35
> Mourning Dove 30
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
> Downy Woodpecker 8
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Blue-headed Vireo 1 (Lookout Hill, above way-
meet at south entrance to butterfly meadow. Late date.)
> Blue Jay 15
> American Crow 20
> Black-capped Chickadee 15
> Tufted Titmouse 8
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 (1 or 2 along upper
Lullwater, both sides.)
> White-breasted Nuthatch 5
> Brown Creeper 2
> Carolina Wren 2
> Winter Wren 1 (Vale.)
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 (Upper Lullwater trail.)
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 (Terrace Bridge, NE corner.)
> American Robin 20
> European Starling 60
> Orange-crowned Warbler 1 (Calling above south
entrance to Lookout butterfly meadow.)
> American Tree Sparrow 1 (On path SE of Lookout
butterfly meadow.)
> Fox Sparrow 1 (Heard at lamppost 249.)
> Song Sparrow 10
> White-throated Sparrow 50
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 20
> Northern Cardinal 30
> Red-winged Blackbird 20 (Mostly in Sweetgums.)
> Common Grackle 2 (Flyover.)
> Baltimore Oriole 2 (2 females together at head of
upper path, SE corner of Terrace Bridge.)
> American Goldfinch 35
> House Sparrow 20

PPA announcement on rink +scope/tripod deal for the $$ conscious

I picked this up from my membership email I got from the Prospect Park Alliance on the new rink plans . Most interesting to see in this missive is the "restored environment and green space " (click on the green link for graphic profile) which would be a tremendous upgrade from the current degraded natural spot. If birds like it then, I would be happy.

http://www.prospectpark.org/about/lakeside?preview=1&psid=0&ph=7018

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"Kingsboider"

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I wouldn't post advertise products ever on this blog but its too good to pass up this info. I bought this light scope a few weeks ago and found it pretty good for the money (and my back!) .Its only 99 dollars plus with the tripod only 30 dollars more.So if you are budget conscious, its a good deal. For me, its just perfect for the park.

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http://www.eagleoptics.com/spotting-scopes?query=denali

November 30th Prospect brief view at the lake

Two HOODED MERGANSERS --a mixed pair--flew a circuit of the lake several times, likly very skittish, maybe tourists in for the holidays. Not much to report except a sizable assortment of gulls (looking for the unusual).