AS autumn gets "older", I start to look at certain places of interest.That is, focus on Water,Weeds, and Wide open sky. In clearer terms, the lake, weedy habitats, and what's flying up there.
First the Lake: BUFFLEHEADS have increased their numbers with 5 now floating on Prospect Lake currents, three drakes and 2 hens. So did the RING-NECKED DUCK numbers; six individuals stayed mostly on the western side while the Buffies stayed more east. It looks like 4 drakes and two hen regarding the Ring-neckeds.
Regarding the weeds, I went back to the sumacs in the hope of finding yesterday's Orange-crowned warbler but it was quiet there. But a weedy spot on the east side of Long Meadow that was dormant all fall came alive with SONG SPARROWS and White-Throated so I'll be re-checking this locale the next day or so.
Finally, in the sky. The best thing about today concerned 4 raptor species: two falcons, a buteo and an adult accipiter. While talking with Rob Bate near the Wildflower Meadow, as we admired a perched MERLIN high above the Tennis House, we suddenly noted its abrupt springing to chase something.Sure enough,a large accipiter flew around the large American Elm grove (on the knoll overlooking Upper Pool) before i noted it perched between the Pools. It turned out to be a likely female adult COOPERS HAWK, with its blue gray back and dark cap notable field marks. About that time, a moderate flock of blackbirds flew over us, Red-wingeds, my best estimate 35 birds, quickly gone as soon as we both saw them. Later , on my lunch break, a real cool look at a low -flying PEREGRINE FALCON that swooped down for a look see over the lawn and Peninsula sumacs. I guess now why the sumacs were quiet today, too much Perry buzzing.
And an interesting observation concerning the AMERICAN CROW. As you know in recent years, the crow population plummeted in Prospect, most likely victims of West Nile. This morning ,I saw perhaps the largest group I've seen in the park in quite awhile, about 55 crows harassing a Red-Tailed Hawk on top northern Lookout Hill. We need a little more noise around these parts. Good to see them --hopefully-- bouncing back.
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 11/2/09
Number of species: 32
Canada Goose 112 on Peninsula Meadow
Mute Swan 3 lake
American Black Duck 3 --2 west island; 1 binnen run
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 225 lake
Ring-necked Duck 6 - 4 drake, 2 hen lake
Bufflehead 5 - 3 drake, 2 hen lake
Ruddy Duck 60 lake
Pied-billed Grebe 1 lake
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3 duck island
Cooper's Hawk 1 Pools
Red-tailed Hawk 1 Lookout Hill
Merlin 1 Tennis House, eventually chased Coopers Hawk
Peregrine Falcon 1 Peninsula meadow
American Coot 8 lake
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 1 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
American Crow 55 lookout hill
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 quaker ridge
Hermit Thrush 4
American Robin X
European Starling X
Song Sparrow 8 east Long Meadow
White-throated Sparrow 4 east Long meadow
Dark-eyed Junco 40 9th Street Propagation area
Northern Cardinal 2 west island
Red-winged Blackbird 35 f/o flock Wildflower Meadow , also obs Rob Bate
American Goldfinch 4 Wildlfower meadow
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Nov 1st Prospect: Warblers (3!) and ducks
Hilights: Orange-crowned Warbler @ Peninsula sumacs;Nashville Warbler,Solitary Sandpiper, Rusty Blackbird, Lake duck diversity.
From Rob Jett:
Date: November 1, 2009 5:20:31 PM EST
> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 11/1/09
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 11/1/09
> Number of species: 48
>
> Canada Goose 35
> Mute Swan 8
> Wood Duck 3
> American Black Duck 2
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 275
> Ring-necked Duck 1
> Bufflehead 4
> Ruddy Duck 20
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 2
> Red-tailed Hawk 3
> American Coot 8
> Laughing Gull 1
> Ring-billed Gull X
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove 14
> Belted Kingfisher 1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 1
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Northern Flicker 4
> Blue Jay 4
> American Crow 3
> White-breasted Nuthatch 3
> Brown Creeper 1
> Winter Wren 2
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
> Hermit Thrush 4
> American Robin X
> Gray Catbird 1
> European Starling X
> Cedar Waxwing 14
> Nashville Warbler 1 behind Lily Pool
> Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
> Chipping Sparrow X
> Field Sparrow 1 south Lakeside
> Song Sparrow 20
> Swamp Sparrow 2
> White-throated Sparrow 75
> Dark-eyed Junco 75
> Northern Cardinal X
> Rusty Blackbird 1 west shore Prospect Lake
> American Goldfinch 15
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)
******************
The crisp cool day beckoned me to try birding for a few hours in Prospect; Rob's texting about lake diversity added more motivation as I set out in mid afternoon.
Sure enough, there were seven duck species within the lake boundary. Out in the middle,there were 2 drake WOOD DUCKS (later a hen), 4 BUFFLEHEADS (1 drake,3 hen), a juvenile drake RING-NECKED DUCK hung over from yesterday, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK on Three Sisters, along with the numerous Ruddies and Northern Shoveler, their number recorded by Rob this time around ( fortunately for me ).Oh I should throw in the late LAUGHING GULL spotted initially by Rob. Rob by the way was a lucky witness to a RUSTY BLACKBIRD,last observed landing by phragmites near the West Island shelter.
But surprisingly ,warblers of November captivated the day. Besides Rob's Yellow-rumped Warbler and our fortune seeing a bright NASHVILLE WARBLER behind the chain link fence along the horse trail behind Lily Pool, my own sighting in late afternoon of an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER made the birding day much more enjoyable. I spotted movement at the edge of mugwort in the Peninsula sumacs left side, and waited patiently as the rare warbler popped in view and stayed exposed for quite awhile,picking away at mugwort seed stalks. It was quite colorful even though its considered a drab bird which I disagree totally..It's how closely one sees it from light angles and minutely.
The fall colors and setting sun enhanced the landscape. It's even better when I saw SOLITARY SANDPIPER resting on the black plastic on the shores of south Lullwater, viewed from the Peninsula's "Pink Beach". And even more prettier watching a GREAT BLUE HERON next to it , walking in front of the young cattail patch growing out of dead phragmite stalks.
Its November now.With sparrows past peak, it's time to look for western vagrants? I'm game.
Peter
List
adding to Rob's list
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER-peninsula sumacs,mugwort
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 4 sumacs
SOLITARY SANDPIPER---resting on black plastic south lullwater
Gray Catbird--sumacs
Pied-billed grebe-1 south lullwater;2 lake
Song Sparrow- 7 sumacs
Wood Duck - 3 lake
From Rob Jett:
Date: November 1, 2009 5:20:31 PM EST
> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 11/1/09
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 11/1/09
> Number of species: 48
>
> Canada Goose 35
> Mute Swan 8
> Wood Duck 3
> American Black Duck 2
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 275
> Ring-necked Duck 1
> Bufflehead 4
> Ruddy Duck 20
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 2
> Red-tailed Hawk 3
> American Coot 8
> Laughing Gull 1
> Ring-billed Gull X
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove 14
> Belted Kingfisher 1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 1
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Northern Flicker 4
> Blue Jay 4
> American Crow 3
> White-breasted Nuthatch 3
> Brown Creeper 1
> Winter Wren 2
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
> Hermit Thrush 4
> American Robin X
> Gray Catbird 1
> European Starling X
> Cedar Waxwing 14
> Nashville Warbler 1 behind Lily Pool
> Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
> Chipping Sparrow X
> Field Sparrow 1 south Lakeside
> Song Sparrow 20
> Swamp Sparrow 2
> White-throated Sparrow 75
> Dark-eyed Junco 75
> Northern Cardinal X
> Rusty Blackbird 1 west shore Prospect Lake
> American Goldfinch 15
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/)
******************
The crisp cool day beckoned me to try birding for a few hours in Prospect; Rob's texting about lake diversity added more motivation as I set out in mid afternoon.
Sure enough, there were seven duck species within the lake boundary. Out in the middle,there were 2 drake WOOD DUCKS (later a hen), 4 BUFFLEHEADS (1 drake,3 hen), a juvenile drake RING-NECKED DUCK hung over from yesterday, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK on Three Sisters, along with the numerous Ruddies and Northern Shoveler, their number recorded by Rob this time around ( fortunately for me ).Oh I should throw in the late LAUGHING GULL spotted initially by Rob. Rob by the way was a lucky witness to a RUSTY BLACKBIRD,last observed landing by phragmites near the West Island shelter.
But surprisingly ,warblers of November captivated the day. Besides Rob's Yellow-rumped Warbler and our fortune seeing a bright NASHVILLE WARBLER behind the chain link fence along the horse trail behind Lily Pool, my own sighting in late afternoon of an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER made the birding day much more enjoyable. I spotted movement at the edge of mugwort in the Peninsula sumacs left side, and waited patiently as the rare warbler popped in view and stayed exposed for quite awhile,picking away at mugwort seed stalks. It was quite colorful even though its considered a drab bird which I disagree totally..It's how closely one sees it from light angles and minutely.
The fall colors and setting sun enhanced the landscape. It's even better when I saw SOLITARY SANDPIPER resting on the black plastic on the shores of south Lullwater, viewed from the Peninsula's "Pink Beach". And even more prettier watching a GREAT BLUE HERON next to it , walking in front of the young cattail patch growing out of dead phragmite stalks.
Its November now.With sparrows past peak, it's time to look for western vagrants? I'm game.
Peter
List
adding to Rob's list
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER-peninsula sumacs,mugwort
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 4 sumacs
SOLITARY SANDPIPER---resting on black plastic south lullwater
Gray Catbird--sumacs
Pied-billed grebe-1 south lullwater;2 lake
Song Sparrow- 7 sumacs
Wood Duck - 3 lake
Saturday, October 31, 2009
October 31st Prospect
A most active locale didn't involve spooks--fortunately--but the horse bridle trail above the Boathouse. Sparrows fed on the trail and numerous American Robins in a fruit laden Hawthorn Tree which should be checked often in case something rare might swing by , hopefully. While casing out the area, Eastern Towhee and 12 Cedar Waxwings appeared, the Waxwings landing in the Hackberry tree adjacent to the Hawthorne..So, its a great fall spot to bird for your information.*
While there,a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK soared over the East Wood Arch, as crows harassed it. It was one of several raptor species seen today ( but no "male gray ghost " aka Harrier ..shucks), most notable was three Red-Tailed Hawks just soaring and flying around all morning above the southern slope of Lookout Hill which also saw a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK along with at least 15 Crows (that's a sinister omen for today's spooky holiday...eeeeekkk!). It must be those raptors were enjoying the Halloween festival taking place below on Lookout Hill, site of many park workers dressed up in ghoulish costumes entertaining all the patrons brave enough to see those spooks.
ON the lake, it was mostly calm with many Shovelers (I counted 212) and 97 Ruddy Ducks but among them was a lone juvenile drake RING-NECKED DUCK.
Good trick and treating......
"Kingsboider"
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/31/09
Number of species: 43
Canada Goose 125
Mute Swan 9 lake
American Black Duck 5 west island section
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) X
Mallard 175 ...about 80 in Lullwater
Northern Shoveler 212 lake
Ring-necked Duck 1 lake
Ruddy Duck 97 lake
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Great Blue Heron 1 in Three Sisters Islands
Black-crowned Night-Heron 2 --one three sisters; 1 duck island
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 f/o lookout hill
Cooper's Hawk 2 f/o boathouse; f/o west island
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 boathouse east wood arch f/o
Red-tailed Hawk 3 f/o south lookout hill/well drive
American Coot 12 lake
Spotted Sandpiper 1 peninsula shore
Laughing Gull 1 f/o peninsula
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 3 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher 1 three sisters islands
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 boathouse
Downy Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 1 boathouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 terrace bridge
Hermit Thrush 2 boathouse;south lakeside
American Robin 50 boathouse
Gray Catbird 1 boathouse
Northern Mockingbird 1 boathouse
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 12 boathouse
Eastern Towhee 1 boathouse
Chipping Sparrow 35 boathouse
Song Sparrow 5 peninsula sumacs
Swamp Sparrow 3 2 southlake west; 1boathouse
White-throated Sparrow 15 --6 south lakeside; 9 boathouse
Dark-eyed Junco 1 peninsula sumacs
Northern Cardinal 3 boathouse
Red-winged Blackbird 1 boathouse
Common Grackle 2 west island
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
**************************
Friday, October 30, 2009
Oct 30th Prospect
An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was seen inside the Quaker Cemetery northwest corner. When approached by a park worker, it did the "wiggle" walk and promptly flew over the chain link fence on the "wilder" side or outside the cemetery onto the slope facing the ballfields.
On the ballfields, 7 SAVANNAH SPARROWS; in the Wildflower Meadow, 2 SWAMP Sparrow plus a few SONG Sparrow; in the Upper Pool, "only" 3 WOOD DUCK seen on the island.Otherwise, pretty inactive on this gorgeous fall day.
Happy Haunting!
"Kingsboider"
On the ballfields, 7 SAVANNAH SPARROWS; in the Wildflower Meadow, 2 SWAMP Sparrow plus a few SONG Sparrow; in the Upper Pool, "only" 3 WOOD DUCK seen on the island.Otherwise, pretty inactive on this gorgeous fall day.
Happy Haunting!
"Kingsboider"
Blackbird migration evident with several
Blackbird migration evident with several small flocks, mostly grackles over 9th street entrance
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Prospect 10/29th: NORTHERN GOSHAWK updates; lake ducks +3 reports
A morning sighting, NORTHERN GOSHAWK flew into Lookout Hilll, not relocated per Tom Stephenson and Adam Welz. It was seen again later over the Long Meadow chased by crows, in the direction of the Nethermead , seen by Rob Bate per his 12:05 text message .
"Kingsboider note": Goshawk is a juvenile. When Rob Bate saw the Goshawk after watching a kettle of few American Kestrel and an accipiter over the Long Meadow, the crows broke off their chase of a MERLIN to chase the Goshawk just prior noon.
Also of note reported by Adam Welz: 4 RING-NECKED DUCK , drake HOODED MERGANSER ,3 PIED-BILLED GREBES on Prospect Lake, PEREGRINE FALCON flyover at north end of Long Meadow
"Kingsboider note": After checking office records, Northern Goshawk is first of this species of the 2009 year calendar for Prospect.
*******************
From Tom Stepehenson , birding with Adam Welz:
Hi Peter,
Here's what I saw today as far as I can remember...Not many passerines...but a couple of good raptors.
I believe Adam had an Eastern Phoebe as well...
best regards,
Tom
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck 4 on main lake
Hooded Merganser male on lake
Ruddy Duck over 200
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 over lookout
Northern Goshawk flying towards lookout, later relocated by Rob Bate
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin 2
Peregrine Falcon 1 over long meadow on north side going south
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at least 3
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 base of lookout
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Hermit Thrush at least 10
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow at least 30
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Rob Bate:
Peter,
Here's my list from today. Six raptors including all three accipiters!
2 Kestrels were dogfighting over Long Meadow with a juvenile Coopers Hawk for almost 5 minutes.
Observation date: 10/29/09
Notes: Accipiter Hat-trick
Number of species: 45
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck X
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ring-necked Duck X
Hooded Merganser X
Ruddy Duck X
Pied-billed Grebe X
Great Blue Heron X
Sharp-shinned Hawk X
Cooper's Hawk X
Northern Goshawk X
Red-tailed Hawk X
American Kestrel X
Merlin X
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Downy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Carolina Wren X
Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
Hermit Thrush X
American Robin X
European Starling X
Common Yellowthroat X
Chipping Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Peter:
very brief look at lake from southeast corner after work
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/29/09
Number of species: 15
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 5 duck island
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 75 duck island
Ruddy Duck X
Pied-billed Grebe 3 lake west side
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 duck island
American Coot 3
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 rink
Song Sparrow 7 south lakeside
White-throated Sparrow 1 south lakeside
Northern Cardinal 2 wellhouse
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
"Kingsboider note": Goshawk is a juvenile. When Rob Bate saw the Goshawk after watching a kettle of few American Kestrel and an accipiter over the Long Meadow, the crows broke off their chase of a MERLIN to chase the Goshawk just prior noon.
Also of note reported by Adam Welz: 4 RING-NECKED DUCK , drake HOODED MERGANSER ,3 PIED-BILLED GREBES on Prospect Lake, PEREGRINE FALCON flyover at north end of Long Meadow
"Kingsboider note": After checking office records, Northern Goshawk is first of this species of the 2009 year calendar for Prospect.
*******************
From Tom Stepehenson , birding with Adam Welz:
Hi Peter,
Here's what I saw today as far as I can remember...Not many passerines...but a couple of good raptors.
I believe Adam had an Eastern Phoebe as well...
best regards,
Tom
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck 4 on main lake
Hooded Merganser male on lake
Ruddy Duck over 200
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 over lookout
Northern Goshawk flying towards lookout, later relocated by Rob Bate
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin 2
Peregrine Falcon 1 over long meadow on north side going south
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at least 3
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 base of lookout
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Hermit Thrush at least 10
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow at least 30
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Rob Bate:
Peter,
Here's my list from today. Six raptors including all three accipiters!
2 Kestrels were dogfighting over Long Meadow with a juvenile Coopers Hawk for almost 5 minutes.
Observation date: 10/29/09
Notes: Accipiter Hat-trick
Number of species: 45
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck X
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ring-necked Duck X
Hooded Merganser X
Ruddy Duck X
Pied-billed Grebe X
Great Blue Heron X
Sharp-shinned Hawk X
Cooper's Hawk X
Northern Goshawk X
Red-tailed Hawk X
American Kestrel X
Merlin X
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Downy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Carolina Wren X
Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
Hermit Thrush X
American Robin X
European Starling X
Common Yellowthroat X
Chipping Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Peter:
very brief look at lake from southeast corner after work
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/29/09
Number of species: 15
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 5 duck island
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 75 duck island
Ruddy Duck X
Pied-billed Grebe 3 lake west side
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 duck island
American Coot 3
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 rink
Song Sparrow 7 south lakeside
White-throated Sparrow 1 south lakeside
Northern Cardinal 2 wellhouse
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
October 28th sightings Prospect
Photograph of Oct 26th Rusty Blackbird by lake shore near Rink from Rob Bate:
***************************************************************************************************************************************
***************************************************************************************************************************************
Quite a soaker out there! Nevetheless , a report today from Alex Wilson:
Begin forwarded message:
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 10/28/09
> Number of species: 38
>
> Canada Goose 100
> Mute Swan 9
> Wood Duck 2
> American Black Duck 7
> Mallard 100
> Northern Shoveler 150
> Ring-necked Duck 1 (Female, Lake.)
> Ruddy Duck 60
> Pied-billed Grebe 4
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 3
> Northern Harrier 1 (Juvenile, over Quaker Hill.)
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
> American Coot 10
> Ring-billed Gull 75
> Herring Gull 15
> Great Black-backed Gull 2
> Rock Pigeon 15
> Mourning Dove 3
> Belted Kingfisher 2
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 2
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5
> Eastern Phoebe 1
> Blue Jay 3
> American Crow 6
> Black-capped Chickadee 5
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> Hermit Thrush 3
> American Robin 15
> European Starling 50
> Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1
> Savannah Sparrow 1
> Song Sparrow 2
> Swamp Sparrow 2
> White-throated Sparrow 25
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3
> Northern Cardinal 10
Begin forwarded message:
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 10/28/09
> Number of species: 38
>
> Canada Goose 100
> Mute Swan 9
> Wood Duck 2
> American Black Duck 7
> Mallard 100
> Northern Shoveler 150
> Ring-necked Duck 1 (Female, Lake.)
> Ruddy Duck 60
> Pied-billed Grebe 4
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 3
> Northern Harrier 1 (Juvenile, over Quaker Hill.)
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
> American Coot 10
> Ring-billed Gull 75
> Herring Gull 15
> Great Black-backed Gull 2
> Rock Pigeon 15
> Mourning Dove 3
> Belted Kingfisher 2
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 2
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5
> Eastern Phoebe 1
> Blue Jay 3
> American Crow 6
> Black-capped Chickadee 5
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> Hermit Thrush 3
> American Robin 15
> European Starling 50
> Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1
> Savannah Sparrow 1
> Song Sparrow 2
> Swamp Sparrow 2
> White-throated Sparrow 25
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3
> Northern Cardinal 10
*********************
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
October 27th
Rain keeps the birder indoors !
ON a shortened workday, while on an errand around 5 ish, parked in the Key Food's lot on Prospect Ave and 11th, I watched through my car windshield 23 BRANTS fly over. I guess they didn't take the express lane (over 15 items) . ;)>
Monday, October 26, 2009
October 26th, Prospect
From Rob Bate:
Rusty Blackbird spotted on the lake wall just south of the skating rink.
(Rob's picture sent to me.."Kingsboider")
***************
From Peter:
Observations seen from afield and post work. Pretty quiet day though I wasn't able to visit the "hot zones" of previous days.
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/26/09
Number of species: 30
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 7 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X lake ( no counting today)
Ruddy Duck X lake
Black-crowned Night-Heron 4 immatures Duck Island back shore
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 f/o peninsula sumacs
Red-tailed Hawk 1 f/o peninsula sumacs
American Coot 6 lake
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 1 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 1 breeze hill
American Crow 7 f/o maryland monument
Winter Wren 3-- rink cove;midwood;peninsula sumacs
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2-- rink cove; peninsula sumacs
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 peninsula
Hermit Thrush 15 various locales
American Robin X wellhouse
Common Yellowthroat 1 peninsula sumacs
Song Sparrow 12--9 peninsula sumacs;3 penisula
Swamp Sparrow 3 --1 south lullwater in cattails; 2 peninsula
White-throated Sparrow X south lakeside
Dark-eyed Junco 3 south lakeside
Northern Cardinal 5 wellhouse
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Rusty Blackbird spotted on the lake wall just south of the skating rink.
(Rob's picture sent to me.."Kingsboider")
***************
From Peter:
Observations seen from afield and post work. Pretty quiet day though I wasn't able to visit the "hot zones" of previous days.
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/26/09
Number of species: 30
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 7 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X lake ( no counting today)
Ruddy Duck X lake
Black-crowned Night-Heron 4 immatures Duck Island back shore
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 f/o peninsula sumacs
Red-tailed Hawk 1 f/o peninsula sumacs
American Coot 6 lake
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 1 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 1 breeze hill
American Crow 7 f/o maryland monument
Winter Wren 3-- rink cove;midwood;peninsula sumacs
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2-- rink cove; peninsula sumacs
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 peninsula
Hermit Thrush 15 various locales
American Robin X wellhouse
Common Yellowthroat 1 peninsula sumacs
Song Sparrow 12--9 peninsula sumacs;3 penisula
Swamp Sparrow 3 --1 south lullwater in cattails; 2 peninsula
White-throated Sparrow X south lakeside
Dark-eyed Junco 3 south lakeside
Northern Cardinal 5 wellhouse
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
October 25th, the day after
Before today's hilights, an epilogue to yesterday's spectacular sparrow day. I spoke with John Ascher this morning and he mentioned that he saw LINCOLN's SPARROW yesterday at Breeze Hill. This make the total number of sparrow species seen on October 24th fourteen (14), among the best if not tops for sparrow diversity in Prospect's illuminated history. Bravo to all everyone who teamed up on the sparrow "whirlwind" that plopped all the good stuff here.
Hilights of today are: refound VESPER SPARROW & CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, LINCOLN SPARROW,WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, 26 WOOD DUCKS ,MARSH WREN,GREATER SCAUP,SCARLET TANAGER (late), ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK(late),INDIGO BUNTING (late) ;
Total number species sparrows today-- 12
Brief notes on the rarities or quality birds
--Vesper Sparrow still seen inside the ballfields snow fence enclosure, moving from the south field to the west side in patchy brown grass sections (Multiple observers)
--Clay-colored Sparrow , first spottted by Shane Blodgett, hung around a tall smartweed plant just behind the tall shrub closest to the west fence around the Wildflower meadow, The sparrow is a little skittish, and uses the cover of the grasses to linger, offering glimpses. ( also Multiple observers).White-crowned Sparrow and Indigo Bunting also was present here.
--Lincoln Sparrow seen at the "Sparrowbowl" (Steve Nanz, Jerry Layton, mult observers)
--Marsh Wren reported from the previous location on the south shore of the Lake i presume bewteen Duck Island and the East Grove cove,opposite the Peninsula "thumb". (obs Rob Bate)
--Greater Scaup drake on the lake near the West Island shelter (P.Dorosh)
--26 Wood Ducks on the Upper Pool Island, as usual
***********************
From Rafael Campos:
Date: 25 October 2009
Place Prospect Park, Brooklyn; NYC
Observer: Rafael Campos R
An early morning start (~7:30 am) to look for the sparrows sps that "rained" yesterday. The only one, considered rare, was the Vesper. But other sparrows sps were present around the fenced area in the Long Meadow/ballfields: Field, Chipping, Savannah, Song, White-crowned, Swamp.
A visit to the Lake area did no give any rare sparrows, but behind the Well House, 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.Back to the Long Meadow, and the surprise was 1 Indigo Bunting. At the upper pool, ~10 Wood Ducks.And to end my walk, around 11 am, just before Grand Army Plaza, 1 Scarlet Tanager flew across and landed.
The list:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe (1, Lake)
Red-tailed Hawk (2 flew over Long Meadow)
American Coot
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker (1, Well House)
Northern Flicker (1, Nethermead)
Eastern Phoebe (~4, fenced area, Long Meadow)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Red-breasted Nuthatch (2, Lookout Hill)
Winter Wren (1)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird (1, Well House)
European Starling
Palm Warbler (~5)
Scarlet Tanager (1)
Eastern Towhee (1, Well House)
Chipping Sparrow (abundant)
Field Sparrow (1)
Vesper Sparrow (1)
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow (1)
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting (1)
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird (2)
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
******************
My birding today was going to be brief, to take a break from my long day yesterday. Well, I spent a little too much time at the special sparrow spots in Prospect when I intended to take it easy and visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for special events there.
But the lure of those terrific sparrows pulled me in and I figured some folks would be around looking , so why not try to help some get whatever remained.Fortunately both Vesper and Clay-colored lingered and quite a number of observers were certainly glad to see these species. Vesper was very cooperative when I arrived at the ballfields, very close and sort of tame before flying back toward the fence enclosure's middle. Clay -Colored was a little tougher, being shy and offering glimpses but nevertheless, most if not all the birders saw it, with Shane's help.
When I first entered the park, I saw the Greater Scaup still hanging around in the lake. Well, he is outnumbered by greater numbers of Ruddy Duck --now 61-- and still dominant numbers of Northern Shoveler.Good thing he isn't too close to the Wood Ducks, their 26 (at least) company too numerous for little Upper Pool; there's no space .
On Lookout Hill's meadows, very good numbers of White-throated Sparrows and Hermit Thrushes use the brush very well for coverage. I know there got to be good stuff in there in that thick brush, but whatever it is, it won't come out .Too bad.
Fall colors is certainly providing a wonderful backdrop to the birding.So if you have time, enjoy the spectacle--both leaves and birds this week.
--Peter
List
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/25/09
Number of species: 41
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 5 lake
Wood Duck 26 Upper Pool Island
American Black Duck 2 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 235 lake
Greater Scaup 1 sw corner lake
Ruddy Duck 61 lake
Pied-billed Grebe 2 lake
Great Blue Heron 1 upper pool
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 f/o wildflower meadow (Mult Obs); f/o nethermead
Cooper's Hawk 1 f/o
American Coot 4 lake
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher 1 Lily Pool
Downy Woodpecker 2 wildflower meadow;
Eastern Phoebe 4 ballfields
Winter Wren 1 wildflower meadow (John Ascher, PDorosh)
Marsh Wren 1 reported by Rob Bate; south lakeshore
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Hermit Thrush X common , many lookout hill meadows
American Robin 15 BBG
Gray Catbird 3--1 wildflower meadow
European Starling X
Eastern Towhee 1 heard by Steve Nanz Sparrowbowl
Chipping Sparrow 125 south nethermead lawn
Clay-colored Sparrow 1 wildflower meadow ; S.Blodgett, Pdorosh, Mult Observers
Field Sparrow 1 Peninsula Meadow, next to young dogwood
Vesper Sparrow 1 Ballfields, S.Nanz, J.Layton,J.Ascher,P.Dorosh,Mult Observers
Savannah Sparrow X Ballfields
Song Sparrow X
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 Steve Nanz, J.Layton Sparrowbowl
Swamp Sparrow 4 - 2 wildflower meadow ; Mult Observers; 2 Peninsula
White-throated Sparrow X mostly Lookout Hill meadows
White-crowned Sparrow 1 wildflower meadow ; S.Blodgett, Pdorosh, Mult Observers
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1 ballfields
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Hilights of today are: refound VESPER SPARROW & CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, LINCOLN SPARROW,WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, 26 WOOD DUCKS ,MARSH WREN,GREATER SCAUP,SCARLET TANAGER (late), ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK(late),INDIGO BUNTING (late) ;
Total number species sparrows today-- 12
Brief notes on the rarities or quality birds
--Vesper Sparrow still seen inside the ballfields snow fence enclosure, moving from the south field to the west side in patchy brown grass sections (Multiple observers)
--Clay-colored Sparrow , first spottted by Shane Blodgett, hung around a tall smartweed plant just behind the tall shrub closest to the west fence around the Wildflower meadow, The sparrow is a little skittish, and uses the cover of the grasses to linger, offering glimpses. ( also Multiple observers).White-crowned Sparrow and Indigo Bunting also was present here.
--Lincoln Sparrow seen at the "Sparrowbowl" (Steve Nanz, Jerry Layton, mult observers)
--Marsh Wren reported from the previous location on the south shore of the Lake i presume bewteen Duck Island and the East Grove cove,opposite the Peninsula "thumb". (obs Rob Bate)
--Greater Scaup drake on the lake near the West Island shelter (P.Dorosh)
--26 Wood Ducks on the Upper Pool Island, as usual
***********************
From Rafael Campos:
Date: 25 October 2009
Place Prospect Park, Brooklyn; NYC
Observer: Rafael Campos R
An early morning start (~7:30 am) to look for the sparrows sps that "rained" yesterday. The only one, considered rare, was the Vesper. But other sparrows sps were present around the fenced area in the Long Meadow/ballfields: Field, Chipping, Savannah, Song, White-crowned, Swamp.
A visit to the Lake area did no give any rare sparrows, but behind the Well House, 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.Back to the Long Meadow, and the surprise was 1 Indigo Bunting. At the upper pool, ~10 Wood Ducks.And to end my walk, around 11 am, just before Grand Army Plaza, 1 Scarlet Tanager flew across and landed.
The list:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe (1, Lake)
Red-tailed Hawk (2 flew over Long Meadow)
American Coot
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker (1, Well House)
Northern Flicker (1, Nethermead)
Eastern Phoebe (~4, fenced area, Long Meadow)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Red-breasted Nuthatch (2, Lookout Hill)
Winter Wren (1)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird (1, Well House)
European Starling
Palm Warbler (~5)
Scarlet Tanager (1)
Eastern Towhee (1, Well House)
Chipping Sparrow (abundant)
Field Sparrow (1)
Vesper Sparrow (1)
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow (1)
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting (1)
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird (2)
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
******************
My birding today was going to be brief, to take a break from my long day yesterday. Well, I spent a little too much time at the special sparrow spots in Prospect when I intended to take it easy and visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for special events there.
But the lure of those terrific sparrows pulled me in and I figured some folks would be around looking , so why not try to help some get whatever remained.Fortunately both Vesper and Clay-colored lingered and quite a number of observers were certainly glad to see these species. Vesper was very cooperative when I arrived at the ballfields, very close and sort of tame before flying back toward the fence enclosure's middle. Clay -Colored was a little tougher, being shy and offering glimpses but nevertheless, most if not all the birders saw it, with Shane's help.
When I first entered the park, I saw the Greater Scaup still hanging around in the lake. Well, he is outnumbered by greater numbers of Ruddy Duck --now 61-- and still dominant numbers of Northern Shoveler.Good thing he isn't too close to the Wood Ducks, their 26 (at least) company too numerous for little Upper Pool; there's no space .
On Lookout Hill's meadows, very good numbers of White-throated Sparrows and Hermit Thrushes use the brush very well for coverage. I know there got to be good stuff in there in that thick brush, but whatever it is, it won't come out .Too bad.
Fall colors is certainly providing a wonderful backdrop to the birding.So if you have time, enjoy the spectacle--both leaves and birds this week.
--Peter
List
Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 10/25/09
Number of species: 41
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 5 lake
Wood Duck 26 Upper Pool Island
American Black Duck 2 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 235 lake
Greater Scaup 1 sw corner lake
Ruddy Duck 61 lake
Pied-billed Grebe 2 lake
Great Blue Heron 1 upper pool
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 f/o wildflower meadow (Mult Obs); f/o nethermead
Cooper's Hawk 1 f/o
American Coot 4 lake
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher 1 Lily Pool
Downy Woodpecker 2 wildflower meadow;
Eastern Phoebe 4 ballfields
Winter Wren 1 wildflower meadow (John Ascher, PDorosh)
Marsh Wren 1 reported by Rob Bate; south lakeshore
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Hermit Thrush X common , many lookout hill meadows
American Robin 15 BBG
Gray Catbird 3--1 wildflower meadow
European Starling X
Eastern Towhee 1 heard by Steve Nanz Sparrowbowl
Chipping Sparrow 125 south nethermead lawn
Clay-colored Sparrow 1 wildflower meadow ; S.Blodgett, Pdorosh, Mult Observers
Field Sparrow 1 Peninsula Meadow, next to young dogwood
Vesper Sparrow 1 Ballfields, S.Nanz, J.Layton,J.Ascher,P.Dorosh,Mult Observers
Savannah Sparrow X Ballfields
Song Sparrow X
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 Steve Nanz, J.Layton Sparrowbowl
Swamp Sparrow 4 - 2 wildflower meadow ; Mult Observers; 2 Peninsula
White-throated Sparrow X mostly Lookout Hill meadows
White-crowned Sparrow 1 wildflower meadow ; S.Blodgett, Pdorosh, Mult Observers
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1 ballfields
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
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