Prospect March 10th

Hilights: year's first EASTERN PHOEBE, a ++ spring sign; Ring-necked Ducks,Wood Ducks (flock) , Hooded Mergansers ;Rusty Blackbird,Eastern Towhee


From Larry Zirlin:

Hi Peter

Drake Ring-necked Duck & Hen & Drake Buffleheads on the Upper Pool.

Larry

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/10/10
Number of species: 37

Canada Goose 110
Mute Swan 7
Wood Duck 1 Boathouse pond
American Black Duck 7
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 2
Mallard 145
Northern Shoveler 6 Lullwater
Ring-necked Duck 1 Drake on Upper Pool
Bufflehead 2 Hen & Drake, Upper Pool
Hooded Merganser 2 Drakes on the lake
Ruddy Duck 26
Great Blue Heron 1 Near West Island
American Coot 10
Ring-billed Gull 50
Herring Gull 20
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Rock Pigeon 20
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Vale Cashmere
Downy Woodpecker 5
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 4
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
American Robin 49
Northern Mockingbird 1 Lullwater Trail
European Starling 32
Song Sparrow 7
White-throated Sparrow 19
Dark-eyed Junco 12
Northern Cardinal 11
Red-winged Blackbird 10 Feeders
Common Grackle 20
House Finch 5 Feeders
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 25

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


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3 Ring-necked Ducks near Three Sisters Island, 2 drake, 1 hen

4 Wood Ducks on Lake 3/9

Common Grackle pretty common around lake perimeter

--Peter
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From Alex Wilson:
Saw my first-of-year EASTERN PHOEBE today
in Prospect, a sure sign that spring migration is on.
A fair number of birds were moving, with increased
numbers of Blackbirds, Juncos and Song Sparrows on
hand, as well as a flyover flock of 16 WOOD DUCKS.
The blackbirds were mostly Red-winged, but at least
2 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen within the
park; Rustys have been present in Prospect for most
of the winter but these singing males were probably migrants.

Good birding,
Alex Wilson
Brooklyn

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/10/10
Number of species: 51

Canada Goose 175
Mute Swan 6
Wood Duck 17 (16 in early flyover flock, circled several
times but did not appear to land; 1 continues around Boathouse/upper
Lullwater.)
American Black Duck 6
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
Mallard 200
Northern Shoveler 15
Ring-necked Duck 4 (1 Upper Pool; 3 Lake.)
Bufflehead 2 (Pair, Upper Pool.)
Hooded Merganser 2 (Pair, Lake.)
Ruddy Duck 90
Great Blue Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Merlin 1 (Back and forth over Long Meadow/Quaker Ridge.)
Peregrine Falcon 1 (On BBG tower.)
American Coot 10
Ring-billed Gull 100
Herring Gull (American) 20
Great Black-backed Gull 4
Rock Pigeon 30
Mourning Dove 20
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
Downy Woodpecker 8
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1 (Heard calling, then seen along Lullwater
above Terrace Bridge.)
Blue Jay 20
American Crow 20
Fish Crow 2 (North end flyover.)
Black-capped Chickadee 10
Tufted Titmouse 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 (Nethermead/Lullwater edge.)
White-breasted Nuthatch 6
Carolina Wren 2
Hermit Thrush 1 (Labella cove.)
American Robin 150
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 400
Eastern Towhee 2 (Pair near Boathouse.)
Fox Sparrow (Red) 5
Song Sparrow 25
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 75
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 50
Northern Cardinal 25
Red-winged Blackbird 250 (Mostly in early flyover flocks, but
present throughout the park.)
Rusty Blackbird 2 (Males, Vale and Lower Pool, both sang.)
Common Grackle 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 10
American Goldfinch 8
House Sparrow 30


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Report from First Sunday Walk from the Boathouse

Michele Dreger and Eddie Davis leading

It was the first gorgeous weekend of the year. 30 of us met at the boathouse and walked for 2 hours. D. Eddie Davis lead the group to the pools, up Lookout, through the peninsula and ended at the bird feeders. We were on a mission to find the American Tree sparrow which I had seen the day before. But no luck at that. There was a bufflehead and a ring-necked duck at the pool. Valerie and Chris saw a hawk at the butterfly meadow while they lagged behind the group. The gulls ruled the lake and at one point all 6 swans were in the same place.

Looking forward the the first Sunday in April. There will be a walk, unfortunately it will be Easter Sunday, April 4th. I don't expect as large of a group, but I do expect more birds.

Spring is here!!!

Below is Eddie's list. He didn't see the hawk.

From: D. Edward Davis
Subject: 3/7 walk

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/7/10
Number of species: 29

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 6
Wood Duck 1
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 2
Ring-necked Duck 1
Bufflehead 1
Ruddy Duck X
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull 3
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 2
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
White-throated Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle 5
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow X

Prospect March 8th

RING-Necked Ducks flock increased to eleven (11) now on lake per Mary

Kingsboider note: Late afternoon, the Ring-necked Duck flock went up to 12. A report of the drake (M.Eyster) still at Upper Pool makes it 13 cause the 12th lake RNDU was a 2 nd hen with the 10 drakes .

Also seen, Grackles increasing, Red-tailed Hawk aobve Nellies Lawn. 81 Ruddy Ducks

37 Brant seen this morning on the parade Ground lawn.

early morning sightings March 8th Prospect

~37 Brant feeding on Parade Ground middle field ( near main entrance)

7 Ring-necked Ducks on the lake ( center); 6 drake, 1 hen


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Prospect planting note + March 7th observations

This spring promises to be a very heavy planting period for the Prospect Park crews , particularly with the new Lakeside Rink capital project about to happen.

I received word that extensive help will be needed to plant 10's of thousands of plants ( bulk are wildflowers) including trees and shrubs to be planted in the initial stages of the new rink grounds after ground preparation ( decompaction and soil drop) in April into May. Volunteers will be needed. I mentioned to the supervisor that volunteers can come from the birding community ranks. Therefore, when I receive word of planting dates, refer to this blog for updates and news bulletins, the call for volunteers.This is a good opportunity to prove our birdwatchers standing as habitat conservationists.

Furthermore, there still is the date I have to set -likely April 24th or May 22nd for the BIRDATHON PLANTING , from last years monies raised thu the 2009 Birdathon commemorating the Brooklyn Bird Club Centennial. It depends on when those plants come in from the shipper. Again, this blog will provide information when the date is confirmed.

Thanks

Peter

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Today's bird list


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/7/10
Number of species: 30

Brant 2 f/o West Island
Canada Goose 80 lake
Mute Swan 6 lake
American Black Duck 8 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 5 phragmite edge west lake
Ring-necked Duck 1 drake Upper Pool
Bufflehead 2 pair Upper Pool
Ruddy Duck 73 lake
Red-tailed Hawk 2 --1 lake f/o; 1 Upper Pool f/o
Peregrine Falcon 1 perched on BBG tower
American Coot 2 lake
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 LP 249
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 3 LP 249
American Crow 2 southwest woods
American Robin X mostly BBG
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
Song Sparrow 4 3 at LP 249
Swamp Sparrow 1 West Island benches
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal 1 Upper pool
Red-winged Blackbird 40 f/o Quaker Ridge
Common Grackle 20 around southwest woods
House Sparrow X

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

Prospect March 6th

From Rusty Harold:


1 Canada Goose
2 Mute Swan
3 American Black Duck
4 Mallard
5 Northern Shoveler
6 Ruddy Duck
7 American Coot
8 Ring-billed Gull
9 Herring Gull
10 Rock Pigeon
11 Mourning Dove
12 Red-bellied Woodpecker
13 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
14 Downy Woodpecker
15 Blue Jay
16 Black-capped Chickadee
17 Tufted Titmouse
18 White-breasted Nuthatch
19 American Robin
20 European Starling
21 White-throated Sparrow
22 Dark-eyed Junco
23 Northern Cardinal
24 Red-winged Blackbird
25 Common Grackle
26 House Finch
27 American Goldfinch
28 House Sparrow

--
Elliotte Rusty Harold

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From Rafael Campos:

With a nice day ahead, I left the house around
7 am to make a quick run around PP. I saw one
Red-tailed Hawk carrying a stick towards its nest
in the neighborhood of Nelly's lawn.The Midwoods
were empty, and the Wood Duck male is still hanging
around with Mallards & Canada Geese near the Boat House.
To my surprise, around 8 am, no birds at the feeders
of Breezy Hill, except for 1 Dark-eyed Junco.

The lake had more open water than my last visit 2 weeks ago.
There a large flock of RBGUs , the most common sight.
But a nice pair of Hooded Merganser were seen briefly
near 3 Sisters Island. Going back home, a quick stop at
the Upper Pool gave nice views of 1 drake Ring-necked Duck
+ 1 pair of Buffleheads.Near the grounds of the Zoo, a large
flock of Common Grackle was seen foraging.

OBSERVER: Rafael Campos R.
DATE: 06 March 2010
THE BIRDS:
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck (1 male)
Mallard
Northern Shoveler (1 male, lake)
Ring-necked Duck (1 male,Upper Pool)
Bufflehead (1 pair Upper Pool)
Hooded Merganser (1 pair)
Great Blue Heron (1, edge of the Peninsula)
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse (1)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (1)
Brown Creeper (1)
American Robin
European Starling
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
American Goldfinch (1)
House Sparrow
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Brooklyn is good birding: Rafa Campos R

Prospect March 5th

Hilights : Common Merganser drake on lake near Duck Island, Ring-necked Duck Upper Pool, rosy looking weekend coming, 50 degree temperatures predicted ( well, it's been long time since...)

From Rob Jett:

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park , 3/5/10

>
> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 3/5/10
> Notes: Also birded with Matthew Wills for about 1 hour.
Ring-necked Duck seen on Upper Pool.
> Number of species: 41
>
> Mute Swan 5
> Wood Duck 1
> American Black Duck 4
> Mallard X
> Northern Shoveler 4
> Ring-necked Duck 1
> Hooded Merganser 2
> Common Merganser 2
> Ruddy Duck 74
> Double-crested Cormorant 1
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> American Coot 12
> Ring-billed Gull X
> Herring Gull (American) X
> Great Black-backed Gull 5
> Rock Pigeon X
> Mourning Dove X
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 3
> Blue Jay X
> Black-capped Chickadee X
> Tufted Titmouse X
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
> White-breasted Nuthatch 3
> Carolina Wren 1
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
> American Robin X
> European Starling X
> Cedar Waxwing 3
> Fox Sparrow 4
> Song Sparrow X
> White-throated Sparrow X
> Dark-eyed Junco X
> Northern Cardinal X
> Red-winged Blackbird X
> Common Grackle X
> House Finch 10
> American Goldfinch 4
> House Sparrow X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)


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From Matthew Wills:

Peter, hello!


Before I ran into Rob J. today, I saw a swamp sparrow at the southern end of Lake, near West Island, and then later another at the phragmite-ridden cove (where the mute swans often nest) north of Wollman [rink].


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Peter's list

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/5/10
Number of species: 31

Mute Swan X
American Black Duck 4 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 4 Duck island
Hooded Merganser 1 drake Duck island
Common Merganser 1 drake Duck island
Ruddy Duck X lake
Double-crested Cormorant 1 lake
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull (American) X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 feeders
Downy Woodpecker 2 feeders
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 3 feeders
American Robin 20 rink cove
Northern Mockingbird 1 lamppost 249
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 2 rink cove
Song Sparrow 1 west shore
Swamp Sparrow 1 west shore lake
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 5 feeders
Common Grackle 1 west island area
House Finch 8 feeders
American Goldfinch 1 feeders
House Sparrow X

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

Prospect March 4th Prospect

Brief sightings:

Red-tailed Hawks building their nest.

~16 Common Grackles flyover Rink.

2 Ring-necked Ducks still present adjacent to Peninsula thumb phragmites.

Peter
list


Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/4/10
Number of species: 32

Canada Goose 85 lake
Mute Swan 6 lake
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 4 lake
Ring-necked Duck 2 drake along peninsula lakeshore
Ruddy Duck 35 lake
Double-crested Cormorant 1 lake
Great Blue Heron 1 Duck island
Red-tailed Hawk 2 Nellies Lawn
American Coot X lake
Ring-billed Gull X lake
Herring Gull (American) X lake
Great Black-backed Gull 3 lake
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker 1 feeders
Black-capped Chickadee 2 feeders
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 feeders
Brown Creeper 1 limb above feeders
American Robin 34 breeze hill
Northern Mockingbird 1 rink
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 reported by Elyse Taylor @boathouse -FOY
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 12 propsite
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 5 feeders
Common Grackle 16 f/o's rink
House Finch 6 feeders
American Goldfinch 2 feeders
House Sparrow X

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

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From Elyse:

Hi Peter,
When I was looking for the wood duck today at the bridge near the lilly pond, I saw a bird land in a nearby tree.
It was a Yellow-rumped Warbler, my first warbler this season. It looked so bright!
Then I heard a red bellied woodpecker, and saw it climbing up a tree. Then a little bird flew right near me. It was a carolina wren, and I got a good look at it.A titmouse flew right near the wren. I didn't see the wood duck, but I was happy.
happy birding,
Elyse

Prospect March 3rd

Hilights: first Ring-necked Ducks of the year,Common Merganser, Eastern Towhee, American Tree Sparrow , Golden-crowned Kinglet (FOY)

From Larry Zirlin:

2 drake Ring-necked Ducks were on the lake about noon, peninsula side.

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/3/10
Number of species: 36

Canada Goose 105
Mute Swan 7 Two on Lullwater, five on lake
American Black Duck 6
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
Mallard 160
Northern Shoveler 4
Ring-necked Duck 2 Peninsula side of lake
Hooded Merganser 3 Peninsula side of lake
Ruddy Duck 42
Double-crested Cormorant 1 Standing on west lake shore
American Coot 14
Ring-billed Gull 160
Herring Gull 27
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 25
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 3
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 1 Feeders
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
American Robin 22
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 7
Fox Sparrow 1 Lullwater trail
Swamp Sparrow 1 West lake shore
White-throated Sparrow 16
Dark-eyed Junco 19
Northern Cardinal 11
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 1
House Finch 6 Feeders
American Goldfinch 1 Feeders
House Sparrow 6

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

Larry Zirlin


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From Alex Wilson:

> Location: Prospect Park
> Observation date: 3/3/10
> Number of species: 47
>
> Canada Goose 150
> Mute Swan 7
> American Black Duck 10
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
> Mallard 150
> Northern Shoveler 5
> Ring-necked Duck 2 (Drakes on Lake.)
> Hooded Merganser 3 (2 drakes, 1 hen, Lake.)
> Common Merganser 2 (Flyover drakes, seen from Boathouse area.)
> Ruddy Duck 56
> Double-crested Cormorant 1
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (Ravine flyby.)
> Red-tailed Hawk 5 (Including pair working on nest at
> Nellie's Lawn.)
> American Coot 15
> Ring-billed Gull 450 (100 on Long Meadow.)
> Herring Gull (American) 50
> Great Black-backed Gull 2
> Rock Pigeon 50
> Mourning Dove 35
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
> Downy Woodpecker 6
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Blue Jay 15
> American Crow 8
> Black-capped Chickadee 6
> Tufted Titmouse 5
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 (Breeze Hill feeders.)
> White-breasted Nuthatch 5
> Carolina Wren 3
> Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 (Ravine, above arches.)
> American Robin 100
> Northern Mockingbird 2
> European Starling 300
> Eastern Towhee 2 (Male & female on Boathouse slope.)
> American Tree Sparrow 2 (Lower Lullwater trail; Vale.)
> Fox Sparrow (Red) 5
> Song Sparrow 7
> Swamp Sparrow 1
> White-throated Sparrow 100
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 15
> Northern Cardinal 30
> Red-winged Blackbird 15
> Common Grackle 30
> House Finch 10
> American Goldfinch 5
> House Sparrow 30

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Kingsboider note: Ring-necked Ducks were adjacent to the phragmites of the Peninsula thumb as of 4pm

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From Rafael:
5:00:56 P.M. Eastern Standard Time from home near Flatbush Ave/Grand Army

Just few minutes ago, I noticed some unusual movements outside the window of our place. I stepped out, and to my surprise, perched, one Cooper`s Hawk. The bird took off as soon as I tried to take its photo.This is bird # 86 for our backyard list.Brooklyn is good birding: Rafa Campos R

March 2nd Prospect Park /edge Greenwood Cemetery/BBG reports

On the way to the train, I spotted from Prospect Ave two Red-tailed Hawks flying to and perching upon the Bishop Ford High School radio tower. Peter

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From Mike Corzine:

Prospect Park

Note Turkey Vultures

Hey Peter!
The usual suspects + There was a Hooded Merganser (Drake) on the lake this morning- 10:45ish, seen from Wellhouse Dr., near the call box. Also a Double Crested Cormorant, with a fish catch. 10 Turkey Vultures, kiting high above Grand Army Plaza- turned into dots (high in the sky), then disappeared heading East.
Best,
Michael

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From Orrin:
Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Cedar waxwing (several)
Red-bellied woodpecker
European Starling
Northern Cardinal
American Robin (many)
Mourning Dove

Prospect March 1st

Hilights: Lake visitors COMMON MERGANSER drake, 3 American Wigeons

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This morning,American Wigeon near the Lake's west shore reported by Rob Bate.

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From Peter

note : midafternoon report

Location: Prospect Park
Observation date: 3/1/10
Number of species: 17

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
American Wigeon 3 near West Island
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Hooded Merganser 3 Three Sisters Islands
Common Merganser 1 drake Three Sisters Islands, also towards West Island
Ruddy Duck 35 lake
Cooper's Hawk 1 f/o Wellhouse
Red-tailed Hawk 1 immature , Lake; several time f/o
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
White-throated Sparrow X

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