December 12th Prospect

As holidays approach, the focus looks toward the upcoming Christmas Bird Count. The anticipation and the participation look towards a great day and whatever quality birds will be around for this Saturday's count.

Winter birds of the common variety and the usual species looks promising (see Rob Bate's report) , with the lake not looking up to a promising potential with the absence of Northern Shoveler and Ring-necked Duck Brooklyn birders have enjoyed in the past. But there is always hope.

A quick look at the Lake while working the southern area revealed 3 HOODED MERGANSERS, a distant PIED-BILLED GREBE  and 206 Canada Geese that flew in.

WOOD DUCK reported by Rob at the Boathouse is a good bird for the Xmas count, most years a "save" bird for the count, meaning the only location to report a single species to save the day's overall list..So, at least maybe Prospect Park has something up her sleeve after all.

From Rob Bate:

It was nice to be in the park again, seems very wintery, few birds outside of lake activity.


36 species

Canada Goose 10

Mute Swan 7

Wood Duck 1 With begging ducks at Audubon center

Mallard 20

Ruddy Duck 9

Pied-billed Grebe 1

Red-tailed Hawk 3

Peregrine Falcon 1 On police radio tower

American Coot 3

Ring-billed Gull 40

Herring Gull 10

Great Black-backed Gull 2

Mourning Dove 25

Red-bellied Woodpecker 3

Downy Woodpecker 3

Hairy Woodpecker 1

Blue Jay 7

American Crow 2

Black-capped Chickadee 1

Tufted Titmouse 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 3

Brown Creeper 1

Carolina Wren 1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1

American Robin 2

Gray Catbird 1

European Starling 5

Fox Sparrow 1

Song Sparrow 2

White-throated Sparrow 8

Dark-eyed Junco 2

Northern Cardinal 6

House Finch 2

American Goldfinch 3

House Sparrow 5

Plus House Finches, Goldfinches, WBNHs, Downy WP, Chickadees and WT Sparrows at the feeders.

Peter's list:

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY--LAKE


Dec 12, 2011

Protocol: Incidental

14 species (+1 other taxa)



Canada Goose 206

Mute Swan 9

American Black Duck 1

American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1

Mallard X

Hooded Merganser 3

Ruddy Duck 15

Pied-billed Grebe 1

Double-crested Cormorant 1

American Coot 10

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove X

White-throated Sparrow X south lakeside



This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Prospect December 11th

Two reports

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From Rafael Campos:

Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY
Dec 11, 2011 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 kilometer(s)
33 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) X
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) X
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) X
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 6
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) 8
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 1
American Coot (Fulica americana) X
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) X
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) X
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) X
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) X
Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 3
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) X
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) X
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 3
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 2
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 2
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 2
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) X
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) X
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) X
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) X
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 4
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) X
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) X
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) X

Brooklyn is good birding!!!!


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From Keir Randall:

> Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 15:29:53 -0500
> From: do-not-reply@ebird.org

> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Dec 11, 2011
>
> Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
> Dec 11, 2011 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
> Protocol: Traveling
> 4.0 mile(s)
> 33 species
>
> Canada Goose 12
> Mute Swan 6
> Mallard 15
> Northern Shoveler 8
> Ruddy Duck 10
> Pied-billed Grebe 3
> Double-crested Cormorant 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> Ring-billed Gull 250
> Herring Gull 6
> Rock Pigeon 20
> Mourning Dove 8
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
> Hairy Woodpecker 1 Vale
> Blue Jay 10
> American Crow 1
> Black-capped Chickadee 4
> Tufted Titmouse 4
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> American Robin 6
> European Starling 2
> Cedar Waxwing 1 Carousel
> Fox Sparrow 1 Lily Pond
> Song Sparrow 3
> White-throated Sparrow 35
> Dark-eyed Junco 6
> Northern Cardinal 4
> Common Grackle 5
> House Finch 3
> American Goldfinch 8
> House Sparrow 40
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

=

Prospect December 10th: stick around fella

In a promising sign for next Saturday's 112th Christmas Bird Census, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER appeared late this morning at the Lamppost 249 location, aka the picnic tables Well Drive area; The rare warbler was seen along the fence, working thru the mugwort/blackberry brambles before a group of birders ( from the Audubon center) and myself. [So, stick around fella for next Saturday] Also seen yesterday mid morning at this "hot" spot was Brown Thrasher and Carolina Wren, LP #249 is appearing to be the best spot thus far in this low activity passerine of late season.

Speaking of LP 249, earlier, Anne Murray ( who alerted me to the good birds at LP 249) spotted an adult COOPER's HAWK perched nicely in a big Cherry tree, basking in the sun which i was able to enjoy as well. Later at the feeders, an immature COOPER's HAWK comes flying in and perched, ruffling its feathers abit and looking for prey before taking off thru the woods. The feeders has for some reason not attracted any numbers  ( i have yet to refill them since 11/24) , the strange phenomenon of fewer birds around except the occasional drat squirrel that must have pogo sticks on its legs as it raided one of the mesh feeders.

The lake isn't looking productive for the upcoming count , only 6 NORTHERN SHOVELERS and 3 or 4 PIED-BILLED GREBES to boot. In past years, I think the decade at least , 100's of Shovelers would be on Prospect Lake now. Looks like that trend has ended. I guess this species stripped the underwater plant life clean or maybe the new Lakeside rink construction might be a factor. There's is no certainty why...I guess nothing lasts forever...But then its a another day on December 17th.  We'll see.

--Kingsboider

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Peter's list
Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY


Dec 10, 2011 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Protocol: Traveling

3.5 mile(s)

24 species (+1 other taxa)



Canada Goose 7 lake

Mute Swan 8 lake

American Black Duck 3 lake

American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler 6 lake

Ruddy Duck 2 lake

Pied-billed Grebe 3 lake

Double-crested Cormorant 1 at 3 sisters

Great Blue Heron 1 Pools isthmus

Cooper's Hawk 2-Adult LP 249;immature Feeders  also obs Anne Murray

Red-tailed Hawk 1

American Kestrel 1 yesterday f/o Litchfiled Villa

American Coot 21

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Rock Pigeon X

Hairy Woodpecker 4 rept by Eni Falci, Michele Dreger  Audubon walk group

Hermit Thrush 1 rept by Anne Murray at feeders

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 LP 249 Well dr picnic tables

White-throated Sparrow 3

Northern Cardinal 5 West Isl sweetgums

House Finch 8 West Isln sweetgums

American Goldfinch 2  ( Lily Pool ; also Obs Anne Murray)
House Sparrow X



This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

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From Rafael:

Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY

Dec 10, 2011 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Protocol: Traveling

2.0 kilometer(s)

29 species



Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) X

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) X

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 4

Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 2

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 1

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1

Merlin (Falco columbarius) 1

American Coot (Fulica americana) X

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) X

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) X

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) X

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) X

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 2

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) X

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 3

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 1

Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) 1

Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) 2

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) X

Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) 1

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) X

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) X

Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 1

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) X

House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) 2

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) X


Brooklyn is good birding!!!

Prospect Park December 8th

Below's post from Larry Zirlin is his last for Prospect for awhile, since he is moving to central New Jersey. We hope he visits much often. Bye Larry !  (and good luck)

You know what the sign on the Belt Parkway says:

From Larry Zirlin:

Hi Peter,


Last walk around the park for a while.

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY

Dec 8, 2011 12:00 PM - 3:10 PM

Protocol: Traveling

3.0 mile(s)

20 species



Canada Goose 18

Mute Swan 9

Wood Duck 1

American Black Duck 2

Mallard 46

Northern Shoveler 1

Ruddy Duck 11

Pied-billed Grebe 1

Double-crested Cormorant 1

Great Blue Heron 1

American Coot 13

Ring-billed Gull 125

Herring Gull 3

Rock Pigeon 20

Mourning Dove 6

Red-bellied Woodpecker 2

Blue Jay 5

Rusty Blackbird 1--Peninsula near Lullwater terminus

House Sparrow 2


Prospect Park--Feeders, Kings, US-NY

Dec 8, 2011 12:25 PM - 12:45 PM

Protocol: Stationary

8 species



Downy Woodpecker 3

Black-capped Chickadee 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 2

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1

Yellow-rumped Warbler 1

White-throated Sparrow 1

American Goldfinch 1

House Sparrow 1



 See ya!

Larry

http://birdsandwords-larryz.blogspot.com/

RUSTY BLACKBIRD n penisula near lullwater terminus per larry

Interesting article about acorns/ecology

I picked up on this NY Times story about the oaks acorn "crash" this year ( after 2010's bumper crop) and its effect for wildlife and birds.

Very interesting read.  KB.

http://tinyurl.com/NYtimesAcornsstory

First Sunday bird walk hilight

A female BALTIMORE ORIOLE was reported from Michele's Dreger's walk ( from the Boathouse). Below is a photo taken by Richard Wright  and more pics on his gallery http:vainglory.com/vgallery

( click on Richard's photo to enlarge)

Oriole was seen on the Northwestern side of the lake behind the picnic tables. (Lamppost #249)

From Michele Dreger:

About 40 birders met at the Audubon Center at 10am on Sunday December 4.
Eni, Vinny and I took the group to the Vale via the Midwood. It was a beautiful sunny day and the birds cooperated.
After the walk, a few of us wandered over to the feeders, where we saw the 2nd Oriole of the day.
Then the last of the straggling birders walked to the lamppost 249 where they saw an orange crowned warbler and the 3rd Oriole of the day!
3 orioles in December? Hard to believe but true!!

Remember the First Sunday in January is New Year's Day. The walk is scheduled for 10am.

Here is the list:

Sharp-shinned hawk
Blue jay
Robin
Ring billed gull
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
Mallard
Coot
Downy
Black-capped Chickadee
White-throated sparrow
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red bellied woodpecker
Mourning dove
Baltimore Oriole
White throated Nuthatch
Song sparrow
Red tailed hawk
Titmouse
Carolina wren heard
Brown creeper
Wood duck
Orange crowned warbler


=

Prospect December 2nd

Hilight is first ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER seen by Mary Eyster at the Breeze Hill dirt mounds. Secondly, RING-NECKED DUCK ,an adult male on Prospect Lake per Adam.

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From Adam:

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY


Dec 2, 2011 11:40 AM - 1:30 PM

Protocol: Traveling

2.0 mile(s)

Comments: coolish, still day. Notables: Ring-necked Duck, Winter Wren, NO Canada Goose seen on Prospect Lake (!)

28 species

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) X

American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) 2

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) X

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 1 very clean, bright-looking male in breeding plumage

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) X

Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 2

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 3

American Coot (Fulica americana) X

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) X

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) X

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 1

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) X

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 2

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 5

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 4

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 2

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 1

Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) 1 my FoS. Looked like a juv.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 3

Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) 1

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 4

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) X

Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 4

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 5

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) X

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Upcoming first Sunday Audubon bird walk (from the Boathouse)

Message from Michele Dreger ( leading)

We meet at the Audubon Center at 10am on Sunday, Dec 4. Please bring your own binoculars as the center does not open until noon.


We will be on the lookout for Pine Siskin's - Orange Crowned Warbler - Nashville Warbler


And the feeders are up - so we will be stopping there.


We have been nominated to host a CUNY journalism group while they film a piece on Birders. They will be visiting our tours on both Saturday at Noon and Sunday at 10am. They would like to see what it is like to belong to a bird group and interview some of the participants.


ALSO....Check out the Friday Weekend Section in the NY Times on Dec 2. You may see that there is a story that includes our park.

Photos of OCWA

Peter Colen took these photos of Orange-crowned Warbler near the Audubon Boathouse the weekend before Thanksgiving. (click on photo to enlarge)

http://www.petercolenphotography.com/