May 9th Birdathon Appeal

Dear readers and birders:

I thought I take this opportunity to advertise to you about the upcoming International Bird Migratory Day on May 9th. AS you all know, this is an event that raises monies for conservation causes, to protect our bird species and the habitats they live in , pass thru , or winter.

The Brooklyn Bird Club has in the past 6 years put together a team for various causes; some causes we have supported were "Save The Cerulean Warbler", "The Boreal Bird Initiative " and last year's Calverton Grassland or Environmental Park at Calverton to stave off intended development of the Grumman Airport for grassland bird species in which we raised $3800.00.

This year, we will be doing something very special. In commemoration of the Brooklyn Bird Club's 100th year this June 5th, we will be supporting the Prospect Park Alliance to restore bird habitat at a site in northern Prospect Park, the first and headquarters home of the Club. The objective is to raise monies for buying plants from pledges raised on May 9th based on the # bird species seen by the club's team or ( more teams) of birds seen within the Brooklyn borough.All monies will be steered towards plants bought by the Natural Resources Department of which i am employed and will be supervising the project. Brooklyn Bird Club members and donors will be the main volunteers planting those plants in the fall, dates to be determined . ( keep tuned to the calendar on http://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/ )

I am hoping ,despite in this not so good economy, you will be able to contribute a donation to support the Brooklyn Bird Club birdathon team. You can contact me at Prosbird@aol.com if you are interested in pledging or asking for more information. I will be keeping you apprised of the latest developments in the coming days. See field trips on the Brooklyn Bird club website for more info on the event. If you are interested by the way in forming your own team, please let me know and I 'll see if other folks like to join up for fun, whether you are a skilled birder, intermediate or a beginner.

The Birdathon is only 4 weeks away! I hope you would be helping create a new birding rich habitat site in Prospect Park.

Here is a link on more about the birdathon http://birdday.org/

Good birding

Peter

4/10 Report this Good Friday:Bluebirds

From Rob Bate

Two Eastern Bluebirds were reported south of the rink and current ongoing circus in the lot, i presume in the lawn area north of Duck Island or along there. One drab, one Bright bird.

April 9th reports

From Doug Gochfeld:

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 4/9/09




Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/9/09
Notes: Winds started off from the NW but were coming strongly out of the SW
when I left. Clear sky, sunny.
Number of species: 59

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 3
Wood Duck 1 Upper Pool
Gadwall 2 flyovers, Peninsula (headed towards lake)
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 32 Lake
Ruddy Duck 106 Lake
Pied-billed Grebe 2 Lake
Double-crested Cormorant 8 3 Lake, 5 flyovers (possible migrants)
Lullwater
Great Egret 2 1 lake, 1 flyby Lullwater
Black-crowned Night-Heron 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Immature, Nethermead
Cooper's Hawk 1 Immature, Nethermead, appeared to be migrating
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Coot 17 Lake
Laughing Gull 1 Heard, Terrace Bridge
Ring-billed Gull 11
Herring Gull 21
Great Black-backed Gull 1 Adult, Lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 22
Belted Kingfisher 1 Lullwater
Red-bellied Woodpecker 8
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2 Midwood, Vale
Downy Woodpecker 8
Hairy Woodpecker 1 South Midwood
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 72 Probably more. All over.
Eastern Phoebe 22 Concentrated in the Lullwater.
Blue Jay 18
Fish Crow 1
crow sp. 1
Tree Swallow 3 1 Lullwater, 2 Nethermead, all appeared to be migrating
Black-capped Chickadee 10
Tufted Titmouse 1 Lullwater
White-breasted Nuthatch 3 1 @ Breeze Hill Feeders, 2 in South Midwood
Brown Creeper 1 Lower Pool
Carolina Wren 2 Lookout Hill
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Terrace Bridge
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2 Lullwater Cove, Lower Pool
Hermit Thrush 9 Scattered between Midwood and Pools, also 1 at Lullwater
Cove
American Robin 360 Tons, kept a running tally that probably fell a bit
short of the actual number.
European Starling X
Northern Parula 1 Female, Terrace Bridge
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3 1 Lookout Hill, 2+ Pools
Pine Warbler 14 Pools
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 1 Upper Pool
Louisiana Waterthrush 1 Lower Pool
Song Sparrow 7
Swamp Sparrow 6 Mostly on Peninsula, 1 at Lily Pond
White-throated Sparrow 42
Northern Cardinal 26
Red-winged Blackbird 12
Common Grackle 40
Purple Finch 3 Vale
Pine Siskin 1 Midwood. Heard repetitively over 15 minutes, but never
seen. Near 4 Goldfinches.
American Goldfinch 12
House Sparrow X

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

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From Rafael Campos
alos observers: Gil, Scott,Doug

SITE: Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY
DATE: 09 April 2009
OBSERVERS: Rafael Campos (main), with a help from Peter Dorosh, Doug Gochfeld, Gilberth Schkrank, & Scott Whittle (+his dog Monkey)

With the info that new arrivals are getting at PP, specially warblers, I went early and joined forces with those mentioned above.
The usual route was Grand Army Plaza, Vale of Cashemere, Rick's Place, Ravine, Pools, Lily Pond, Lullwater, Peninsula, Lake, and Long Meadow.
The Vale was quite empty, except for American Robins, but Nelly's Lawn was cover practically by Robins & No. Flickers (+ Starlings). Two Chipping Sparrows were among them.
At Rick's Place, beside Am Goldfinches taking a bath, a lonely Fox Sparrow was recorded. At the Boulder Bridge, 1 Dark-eyed Junco.
The Ravine was quite empty, except for 2-3 Golden-crowned Kinglets. But the best spot was the pools, where a flock, moslty Pine Warblers, 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers, & 1 Palm Warbler were the best. Later we came back, and found 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Another was spotted by Lilly Pond.
Along the Lullwater, several Eastern Phoebes, + 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers, and 1 Great Egret.
Peninsula was quite quiet, except for the noisy Common Grackles.
At the Lake, 1 Pied-billed Grebe, and the regular 3 sps of Gulls: Ring-billed, Herring & Great Black-backed.
Back to the pools, and about 4-5 Hermit Thrushes.
Reported early by Doug: Northern Parula & Louisiana Waterthrush, missed both.
The list:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck: 1 pair at the pools
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe (1)
Great Egret : 1, Lullwater
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon'
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1)
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker: 1 female, pools
Northern Flicker: everywhere
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow: heard only
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch: 2, pools
Brown Creeper: 1, pools
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: 2, pools & Lilly Pond
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European (Common) Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Eastern Towhee; 1 male, Breezy Hill
Chipping Sparrow; 2, Nelly's Lawn
Fox Sparrow: 1, Rick's Place
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco: 1
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird: 1 male
Purple Finch; 5, Vale
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From Rob Jett

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 4/9/09
>
>
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 4/9/09
> Number of species: 39
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan X
> Mallard X
> Great Egret 2
> Red-tailed Hawk X
> American Coot X
> Ring-billed Gull X
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Red-bellied Woodpecker X
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker X
> Downy Woodpecker X
> Northern Flicker X
> Eastern Phoebe X
> Blue Jay X
> American Crow X
> Black-capped Chickadee X
> Tufted Titmouse X
> White-breasted Nuthatch X
> Brown Creeper X
> Golden-crowned Kinglet X
> Hermit Thrush X
> American Robin X
> European Starling X
> Northern Parula 1
> Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
> Pine Warbler 12
> Louisiana Waterthrush 1
> Chipping Sparrow X
> Song Sparrow X
> Swamp Sparrow X
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco X
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> Common Grackle X
> American Goldfinch X
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

4/8 early report Pine warblers + a Louie

Between the "Pools" at (and inside ) the back fence, about 8-10 Pine warblers are on the ground. The flock moved around, going also to the Esdale Bridge area , along the creek. But basically, the main hangout is at the area between the Upper and Lower Pools. On this very chilly, gray day, a wonderful warbler delight! Also, seeing a Blue Gray Gnatcatcher at eye level at Esdale Bridge was pretty cool to see.
I received a report from Alex Wilson regarding a Louisiana Waterthrush at the same spot aka Pine Warbler hangout. Alex also relayed to me a perched Turkey Vulture at the Peninsula tip/cove.Numerous Flickers are on the Nethermead , 46 on my count, more along the east Long Meadow.


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/8/09
Number of species: 39

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 2 west island
Wood Duck 1 drake lower pool
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 35 lake
Ruddy Duck 75 lake
Double-crested Cormorant 2 one lake;one upper pool
Great Blue Heron 1 duck isl
Great Egret 2 three sisters ;lake
Black-crowned Night-Heron 6 duck island
Red-tailed Hawk 1 long meadow
American Coot 7 lake
Laughing Gull 3 lake
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher 1 lake
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 59 ; 46 on nethermead lawn; 13 east long meadow
Eastern Phoebe 2 pools
Blue Jay 1
Tree Swallow 7 lake
Black-capped Chickadee 1 esdale br
Brown Creeper 1 Pools isthmus back fence
Winter Wren 1 Mary eyster saw at Nethermead Arches
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 lower pool
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 UpperPool island , then at Esdale br
Hermit Thrush 3 ravine
American Robin X common
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 lower pool
Pine Warbler 9 Pools isthmus ,on ground, then along ambergill creek to esdale br
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
House Sparrow X
Chipping Sparrow- ~20 Ballfelds east edges seen by Mary Eyster

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

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Janet Schumacher:

Drab Pine warbler on ground in S end of pools in Vale,
Two pairs of Purple finches feeding on SE slope Vale
Dozens of Northern flickers
Eastern phoebes here and there
Chipping sparrows in BBG

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

From Alex Wilson:

There was a good showing of migrants in Prospect today, and maybe due
to the chill and the brisk breeze (even a few flakes of snow) many
were foraging low down, making for good viewing. Highlights included
first of the year LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, maybe as many as 3
individuals (2 sightings along the Ravine side of the Pools appeared
to have slightly different plumage, but it might have been a matter
of fluffed-up feathers; another was at the Vale later, and one was
seen again from the Long Meadow side of the Pools in the PM.) Another
surprise was two TURKEY VULTURES perched on the Peninsula: while
occasional flyovers are expected, this was the first time I’ve seen
them touch down in the park. Several other seasonal migrants are now
showing up in increasing numbers.
Good birding,
Alex Wilson
Brooklyn

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/8/09
Number of species: 66

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck 1 (Drake, Lower Pool, PM.)
American Black Duck X
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Hooded Merganser 1 (Hen, Lake.)
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant X
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Black-crowned Night-Heron 15
Turkey Vulture 2 (1 was perched above the Peninsula cove
11:00AM; at 2:00PM from the south side of the Lake 2 could be seen in
the same spot. Unusual to see on perch as opposed to flyovers.)
Osprey 1 (Took a fish from the Lake on its fifth dive.)
Red-tailed Hawk X
Merlin 2 (3 or 4 sightings.)
American Coot X
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher 2 (1 or 2, Upper Lullwater; Lake.)
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 5
Downy Woodpecker X
Hairy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 50 (Common migrant.)
Eastern Phoebe 25
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Fish Crow 2 (Flyover, Lake.)
Tree Swallow 6
Barn Swallow 2
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 (Upper Lullwater trail.)
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Brown Creeper 5
Carolina Wren X
Golden-crowned Kinglet 15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Hermit Thrush 3
American Robin X
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 8
Pine Warbler 13 (Including some females.)
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 2 (South side of Lake, singing a bit.)
Louisiana Waterthrush 2 (1 or 2, Pools; another at the Vale.)
Eastern Towhee 1
Fox Sparrow (Red) 4
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow 5
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
Purple Finch 2 (Vale, singing.)
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Mike Corzine:


Hey Peter! Pine Warblers (I counted at least 2) and aWaterthrush species were still near the Lower Pool at about 4:30pm. All seen from the back fence where the gate is. 2 Phoebes on Upper Pool.
Also a Waterthrush in the Vale Garden pool -about 3:30. Not sure which type, as it wasn't as yellowed underneath as the one I saw at the pools. Also Brown Creeper and Purple Finch in the trees. Red-Tail f/o -Grand Army Plaza.
Best,
Michael

4/7 reports

From Rob Bate:

Peter

In the Lullwater were up to 8 Pine Warblers, a Palm Warbler, 2 Ruby Crowned Kinglets as well as a number of Phoebes. It's on!

Rob Bate

**************************
from Kingsboider:


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 4/7/09
Number of species: 31

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 2
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 25 lake
Ruddy Duck 85 lake
Pied-billed Grebe 1 lake
Double-crested Cormorant 3 west island
Great Egret 2 lake
Black-crowned Night-Heron 9 ; 4 duck island, 5 three sisters
Red-tailed Hawk 1 lake
Merlin 1 Quaker Ridge
American Coot 4 lullwater
Laughing Gull 1 lake
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Belted Kingfisher 1 three sisters
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2
Eastern Phoebe 2 Lullwater
Tree Swallow 6 lake
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 Lullwater
Hermit Thrush 1 Lullwater cove
American Robin X
European Starling X
Pine Warbler 2 ; 1 lullwater north cove; south lakeside
Chipping Sparrow 1 boathouse
White-throated Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Common Grackle 6
House Sparrow X

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

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

From Rob Jett:

>> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 4/7/09
>
>
>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 4/7/09
> Number of species: 50
>
> Canada Goose X
> Mute Swan X
> Wood Duck 1
> American Black Duck X
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) X
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 30
> Ruddy Duck X
> Pied-billed Grebe 2
> Double-crested Cormorant 4
> Great Blue Heron 2
> Great Egret 4
> Black-crowned Night-Heron 10
> Red-tailed Hawk 4
> Laughing Gull 2
> Ring-billed Gull X
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Belted Kingfisher 1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker X
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
> Downy Woodpecker X
> Northern Flicker X
> Eastern Phoebe 20
> Blue Jay X
> American Crow 3
> Black-capped Chickadee X
> Tufted Titmouse X
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 20
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
> Hermit Thrush 1
> American Robin X
> European Starling X
> Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
> Pine Warbler 6
> Chipping Sparrow 8
> Song Sparrow X
> Swamp Sparrow 2
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco X
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> Common Grackle X
> Brown-headed Cowbird 1
> Purple Finch 1
> House Finch X
> American Goldfinch X
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

4/5 reports; a warm day, lots of birders around !

SITE: Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY
DATE: 05 April 2009
OBSERVER: Rafael Campos
************************************************************************************
Great morning to go birding at PP. Nice temperatures, and a good number of sps arriving to the park. My best of the day, was 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, seen by the Maryland Monument. Early, we had 1 Merlin (Gayle & Xandra) flying overhead around Lookout Hill.
Two unknown, and quite dark underparts, Buteo sps flew over the lake. My tentative ID was Rough-legged Hawk, but do not count on that one.
A lonely Tree Swallow was seen flying over Lookout Hill. Early reports from Xandra & Gail of Pine Warblers around Lookout Hill, but I missed the sps.
At Rick's Place, about 3 Golden-crowned Kinglets were the most exciting.
The following is the list of the birds recorded:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan (2, Upper Pool)
Wood Duck (1 male, lower pool)
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck (1 male, upper pool)
Ruddy Duck
Great Blue Heron (1 fly over)
Great Egret (3, Lake)
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo sps (2)
American Kestrel (seen by Xandra & Gayle, Lookout Hill)
Merlin
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe (1, Lily Pond)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren (heard, behind WellHouse)
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1, Maryland Monument)
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Pine Warbler (recorded by Xandra & Gayle)
Fox Sparrow (1, Breezy Hill)
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco (1)
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird 91 flew over Maryland Monument)
House Finc (1 male)
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow


*****************************
From Eddie:
Here's the list for today's BBC walk in Prospect Park:
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
American Black Duck
Mallard
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
American Coot
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

***********************************
From Michelle Dreger:
we had an osprey fly over us while we were still standing outside the center talking. On the way home, I saw the loon in the canal again.

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

From Juan Salas:

Three more species from Prospect Park Lake this afternoon.D.C. Cormorant Greater Black-Back Gull and one solitary Laughing Gull, the first of the year for me.

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

Peter:

3 wood Ducks flew in unto the lake
105 Ruddy Ducks
20 Shovelers
21 Coots
Kestrel f/o Mary Monument
Great Blue Heron f/o Terrace Bridge
2 Great Egrets Lake
Barn Swallow -Lake
dc cormorant Lake
RT Hawk - Mary Monument

*******************************
Michelle Dregers followup to Eddie's report:


38 Birdwatchers met at 8am, Sunday, April 5th for the Audubon Center, Sunday Bird Walk. The free tour leaves the Boathouse the first Sunday of every month.

Heidi and Eddie, members of the Brooklyn Bird Club, led this month's walk, which featured the first wave of migration. The morning warmed up and the jackets came off. We had only taken the short walk over the Terrace Bridge when the birds started coming into view. The tour ended at the bird feeder about 10am, not before we counted 30 different types of birds. Heidi and Eddie kept walking for another hour with a small group, and found 5 more.

The April walk was great for the beginners to learn about the migratory birds as they pass through Brooklyn. Those with some knowledge found the day filled with great sightings.

Thanks to everyone that joined us.

Next month we meet on Sunday, May 3rd. By then, the migration will really be heated up. Practice using your binoculars because the birds will be spectacular.

Michele

More spring harbinger 4/4 report

I received a text from Sandy Paci on Rob Jett's Linnaean Society Prospect Walk that they saw a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in the Vale of Cashmere. Among our earliest spring migratory species, a blue-gray is certainly a delight to see.

Rob Jett's Linnaean Society Prospect walk

Date: April 4, 2009 12:53:41 PM EDT>
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 4/4/09>>>>
Location: Prospect Park>
Observation date: 4/4/09>
Notes: Linnaean Society field trip.>
Number of species: 48>>

Canada Goose X>
Mute Swan 4>
Wood Duck 1>
American Black Duck X>
Mallard X>
Northern Shoveler X>
Ring-necked Duck 2>
Ruddy Duck X>
Pied-billed Grebe 1>
Great Blue Heron 2>
Great Egret 2>
Red-tailed Hawk 4>
American Coot X>
Ring-billed Gull X>
Herring Gull (American) X>
Rock Pigeon X>
Mourning Dove X>
Red-bellied Woodpecker X>
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker X>
Downy Woodpecker X>
Northern Flicker X>
Eastern Phoebe 5>
American Crow X>
Fish Crow X>
Black-capped Chickadee X>
Tufted Titmouse X>
Red-breasted Nuthatch X>
Brown Creeper 3>
Carolina Wren 3>
Golden-crowned Kinglet 12>
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4> (first of yr)
American Robin X>
European Starling X>
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3>
Pine Warbler 4>
Eastern Towhee 2>
Chipping Sparrow 2>
Fox Sparrow 3>
Song Sparrow X>
White-throated Sparrow X>
Dark-eyed Junco X>
Northern Cardinal X>
Red-winged Blackbird X>
Common Grackle X>
Brown-headed Cowbird X>
House Finch X>
American Goldfinch X>
House Sparrow X

********************
From Rafael:

Date: 04 April 2009
Site: Prospect Park
Observer: Rafael Campos
While I was around 8:30 am at the Farmer's market, Grand Army Plaza, a flock of about ~10 Fish Crows flew over. ID by their vocalizations.
Happy birding: Rafa Campos

Laughing gulls are back 4/2

Rob Jett just texted me that Laughing Gull is present on Prospect Lake. Even though a common species,the first of year seen Laughing Gull to many of us represents a wonderful harbinger of Spring...

Peter

April 1st Bald Eagle flyover + Alex's report

Rob Bate reported a high flyover 1st year BALD EAGLE above Lookout Hill around 3 pm.The eagle was heading in a generally southern direction.Rob also mentioned that about 12 Eastern Phoebes were present in both the Brooklyn Botanic Garden & Prospect ( 4 in Lullwater).

*****************************
From Alex Wilson:

Location: Prospect Park>
Observation date: 4/1/09>
Number of species: 52>>

Canada Goose X>
Mute Swan X>
Wood Duck 2 (Pair, Lower Pool.)>
American Black Duck X>
Mallard X>
Northern Shoveler X>
Ring-necked Duck 2 (Pair, Lower Pool.)>
Ruddy Duck X>
Double-crested Cormorant 3>
Great Blue Heron 1>
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1>
Osprey 1 (Taking a fish from the Lake, then passing > eastward. FoS.)>
Red-tailed Hawk X>
Merlin 1 (1 or 2, Nethermead; Lake/Peninsula.)> American Coot X>
Laughing Gull 4 (On and over Lake.)>
Ring-billed Gull X>
Herring Gull X>
Great Black-backed Gull X>
Rock Pigeon X>
Mourning Dove X>
Red-bellied Woodpecker X>
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1>
Downy Woodpecker X>
Hairy Woodpecker X>
Eastern Phoebe 12>
Blue Jay X>
American Crow X>
Tree Swallow 2 (Over Lake, FoS.)>
Barn Swallow 1 (Over Lake, FoS.)>
Black-capped Chickadee X>
Tufted Titmouse X>
White-breasted Nuthatch X>
Carolina Wren X>
American Robin X>
Northern Mockingbird X>
European Starling X>
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1 (Upper Lullwater.)>
Pine Warbler 3 (2, Lower Pool back gate; 1 or 2 Upper > Lullwater.)>
Eastern Towhee 1 (Terrace Bridge.)>
Fox Sparrow (Red) 7>
Song Sparrow X (Fairly common migrant.)>
Swamp Sparrow 3>
White-throated Sparrow X>
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) X>
Northern Cardinal X>
Red-winged Blackbird X>
Common Grackle X>
Purple Finch 3 (Singing below Nethermead Arches; at least 2 > at Vale.)>
House Finch X>
American Goldfinch X>
House Sparrow X

March 31st "brief observations"

It was a busy day planting the ravine slope and some on Lookout Hill but these birding sightings i quickly saw while in the field

5 Ring-necked Duck in Lower Pool ( 3 drake, 2hen) with drake Wood Duck

Back shore of Duck Island,on fallen snags
5 Black-crowned night herons
Great Egret
3 Great Blue Heron plus one in treetops -4 total

Hairy Woodpecker - Lookout Hill above steps from Mary Monument

Lake: 100+ Ruddy, ~25 N.Shoveler, 2 Coots.
2 Red-tailed Hawk over West Island
Grackles common.

Cool sight: 3 descending Great Blue Herons upon duck island, flying over Lullwater .