Today Feb 29th. Prospect reports

Today is Leap Day...

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Yesterday , Orrin reported WOOD DUCK and HOODED MERGANSER on the Japanese Pond in the BB Garden. Hooded Merg is a irregular species at the BBG, whereas Wood Duck is more regular.

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From Alex Wilson:

Begin forwarded message:

> Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
> Feb 29, 2012
> 44 species (+1 other taxa)
>
> Canada Goose  100
> Mute Swan  9
> Wood Duck  3     (Flyover group, Nethermead, 7:30 am.)
> American Black Duck  3
> American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  1
> Mallard  60
> Northern Shoveler  4
> Hooded Merganser  4
> Ruddy Duck  50
> Pied-billed Grebe  2
> Double-crested Cormorant  1
> Red-tailed Hawk  1
> Merlin  1     (Long Meadow.)
> Peregrine Falcon  1
> American Coot  35
> Ring-billed Gull  80
> Herring Gull  20
> Great Black-backed Gull  3
> Rock Pigeon  10
> Mourning Dove  8
> Red-bellied Woodpecker  6
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
> Downy Woodpecker  6
> Hairy Woodpecker  1
> Blue Jay  15
> American Crow  1
> Black-capped Chickadee  6
> Tufted Titmouse  1
> White-breasted Nuthatch  4
> Carolina Wren  3
> Winter Wren  2
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
> Hermit Thrush  2
> American Robin  25
> Northern Mockingbird  1
> European Starling  50
> Fox Sparrow  1
> Song Sparrow  3
> White-throated Sparrow  50
> Dark-eyed Junco  4
> Northern Cardinal  15
> Red-winged Blackbird  20
> Common Grackle  100     (Flocks feeding and moving around Lookout, 
> Peninsula, West Island.)
> House Finch  4
> House Sparrow  5

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From Rafael:

Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY
Feb 29, 2012 10:15 AM
Protocol: Incidental
30 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  X
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  X
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  X
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)  2
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)  2
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  X
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)  2
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  2
American Coot (Fulica americana)  X
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  X
Herring Gull (American) (Larus argentatus smithsonianus)  X
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)  X
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  X
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  4
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  X
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  2
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  X
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  X
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  2
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis)  5
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  X
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  6
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  1
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)  X
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  X

Brooklyn is great birding: Rafa Campos R.

Rob Jett fee bird walks around Brooklyn

If spring birding is in your serious plans , with maximun effort to cherish and enjoy the short migration season, Rob Jett has informed me that he will start a new venture this spring . Check out his blog and posting on fee based walks and day trips with this long time birder and Brooklyn expert, as Rob leads this spring around Brooklyn.

http://citybirder.blogspot.com/2012/02/city-birder-brooklyn-tours.html

Noted Brooklyn birdwatcher, amateur naturalist and blogger Rob Jett (aka "The City Birder) is pleased to announce a series of new local birding/nature tours.

Beginning March 1st, there will be two weekday trips to Prospect Park. More trips to other Brooklyn locations will be added as we get closer to Spring bird migration. Check this tours page for regular updates.

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Prospect Park City Birder Tours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:30am to 10:30am

Meet in front of the Stranahan Statue at the northeast corner of Prospect Park's Grand Army Plaza entrance.

$8. Pre-registration not necessary. If you have any questions, email me here.
No dogs, please.

Check out "The City Birder", New York City's longest running birding blog, for urban nature information, photos and stories from around Brooklyn and the five boroughs.

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Conservation : A letter from AMNH ; Great Gull Island fundraiser

http://www.greatgullisland.org/  (clickable)

Dear BBC members and Brooklyn birding friend:

I received a personal letter from Helen Hays , Ornithologist for American Museum of Natural History and Chairman of the Great Gull Island Project. She is initializing a fundraising campaign . The letter below explains the purpose. Although I have never been to Great Gull, it is a fantastic place as mentioned from various sources. Hopefully, I can get there soon perhaps if I am around arrange donors to car pool in July..we'll see then.. If you would like to contribute --even if in small amounts,to this wonderful cause, mention that you are a Brooklyn Bird Cub member or in support of the BBC. Cumulatively, we can add it up !

The AMNH was a grand place to see birds in their exhibit displays as I recalled in my early youth (well still is) . In addition, with approval from the Brooklyn Bird Club council, we can add to the funds for a new Observation Blind .  Thanks,  Peter  ( I gave $50.00 already for a start so only 450.00 to go.)

P. S> This may become a Birdathon IBMD ( http://www.birdday.org/) fundraising drive for the BBC to adopt , the Birdathon done annually in May, this year the 20th IMBD anniversary falling on May 12th. So, either now or later..... also, I invited Ms Hays to present an eve program for us, likely in early Fall.. stay tune for the spring newsletter  in April and our website calendar on this proposal..

**

Helen Hays letter to me:

Mr Peter Dorosh

President

Brooklyn Bird Club

Dear Peter:

Spring migration is nearing and avian visitors of all colors, sizes, and sounds will appear shortly. Flocks of terns will arrive to nest on Great Gull Island at the eastern end of Long Island Sound. We need your help in welcoming them.

Great Gull Island, a 17- acre island owned by the American Museum of Natural History ,is a research station where we have worked for 44 summers.Over 9,500 pairs of Common Terns, probably the largest colony of this species in the world, nest there as do over 1,300 pairs of the endangered Roseate Tern, the largest nesting concentration of this species in the hemisphere.

Observation blinds there were built between 1980 and 1984 need to be rebuilt and I would love to start replacing them this spring. The blinds are important for monitoring the colony, behavioral; studies as well as photographing different sections of the island. The wood for each blind cost about $500.00 . In recognition of a donation of $500.00 or more from your organization or from an individual , a naming plague will be affixed to a respective blind.It would be wonderful if the Brooklyn Bird Club or an interested individual could sponsor blind, but it would also help , if this is not possible , if a contribution of any size could be made toward the blind rebuilding project.

We will have a day trip to Great Gull Island for donors to the rebuilding project to see the progress made with the blinds, meet the researchers and see the terns, their chicks and young.

Please visit our website www.greatgullisland.org , for more information about Great Gull Island Project. Also, please feel free to call me if you have specific questions about making a  donation. In the meantime, I have included a return envelope for your Convenience and hope the Brooklyn Bird Club will become a part of the Great Gull Island Project's donor family. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely

Helen Hays

Chairman, Great Gull Island Project

212-769-5794

hays@amnh.org

For donor information,  send checks written out to "Great Gull Island Project-AMNH" and if you wish on the memo line Brooklyn Bird Club member

Helen Hays

Ornithology-AMNH

Central Park West at 79th Street

New York, NY 10024

Prospect February 27th

From Bobbi Manian:

Hi Peter,

Here is today's list.  I did not go by the Lake.  Most notable for me was more Red-Bellied Woodpeckers than Downy WPs.

Best,

Bobbi

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "do-not-reply@ebird.org" <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 2:33 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Feb 27, 2012

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Feb 27, 2012 10:45 AM - 1:15 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
17 species

Ring-billed Gull  3
Rock Pigeon  X
Mourning Dove  11
Red-bellied Woodpecker  6
Downy Woodpecker  3
Blue Jay  6
Black-capped Chickadee  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  4
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  13
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  6
Red-winged Blackbird  3
Common Grackle  2
House Finch  14
House Sparrow  6

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

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

From Adam Welz:

fast walk around the park late yesterday threw up very few birds -- but some are clearly getting into a breeding mood...

A

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Mon, Feb 27, 2012 at 3:08 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Feb 26, 2012

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Feb 26, 2012 4:55 PM - 5:55 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments:     clear, warm
19 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  X     inc two neck-collared birds NA03 and F9C7
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  X
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)  1
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) (Anas rubripes x platyrhynchos)  1
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  X
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)  10     approx count
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  X
Accipiter sp. (Accipiter sp.)  1
American Coot (Fulica americana)  X
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  X
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  X
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  4
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  X
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  X
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  X
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  X     in full song
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  X
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  X     many birds in full breeding plumage, full song, staking out breeding territories?
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  X

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

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Peter's note:

Cooper's hawk hanging out by Terrace Bridge.

Prospect BLACK VULTURE Feb 25th

IN a bit of a surprise,  BLACK VULTURE was reported on this very windy day. First seen by Dennis Hrehowsik  low over the Midwood forest, the vulture was seen again over the Ball fields; also reporting this bird, John Ascher , the latest sighting over Lookout Hill .
List from John

Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, US-NY
Feb 25, 2012 5:00 PM
Protocol: Incidental
10 species

Canada Goose  X
Mute Swan  X
Mallard  X
Ruddy Duck  X
Pied-billed Grebe  3
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Black Vulture  1     flying over Lake and then Prospect Hill at 5 PM
American Coot  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Red-winged Blackbird  X

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

check the eve sky this weekend

Conjunction of Jupiter, Venus and crescent moon ... can't beat that celetial combo wonder..

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/23/venus-jupiter-moon-align_n_1296600.html

( and if ya brave enough , Prospect's ballfields near Bartel Sq is a good place to view)

New Long Island rarity Alert system

Doug Gochfeld of Brooklyn set up a Text Message ( SMS) rare bird alert system thru cell phones.

I am told that some of my blog readers may see yesterdays previous posting as truncated or messed up.

IN that case, follow this link

https://sites.google.com/site/birdingnewyork/text-alerts

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Prospect Feb 23rd, some early signs of spring

As I mentioned in my last post , the word "transition" exhibited subtle signs today, with expressed movements of spring in the air..Never mind the warm, yet windy weather, but birds. Usually, although we are not keen to waterbirds, focusing on songbirds, spring migration takes hold first with the waterbirds, namely geese  and ducks.

This morning, two bird species were spotted as i was  riding along in the work truck. Going along Well drive, 5 geese flew over the lake western sector, with very short necks that alerted me to overflying BRANTs. A short while later, along the path  beyond the Maryland Monument where my crew was working dragging out old brush, I again spotted overflying birds, two ducks that I "bin" quickly, WOOD DUCKs a mixed pair making headway somewhere.

Later, after work , I re found the Wood Ducks , claiming the water spot under the boughs at 3 Sisters islands occupied by yesterdays Ring necked Duck and Hoodies Mergansers.  In a pretty impressive showing again for winter I think ( what? the 4 or 5th time so far?) , a mixed pair of LESSER SCAUP stayed close to the Well Drive shoreline, close enough to see the head shape which wasn't very prominent but the sun rays helped, allowing me to see the drake's purplish head sheen.


Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, US-NY
Feb 23, 2012
Protocol: Incidental
12 species

Brant  5
Canada Goose  225
Mute Swan  5
Wood Duck  2     mix pair shore of 3 Sisters after Nethermead f/o
American Black Duck  X
Mallard  X
Northern Shoveler  15
Lesser Scaup  2     mix pair
Ruddy Duck  45
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Prospect Park--Feeders, Kings, US-NY
Feb 23, 2012 4:00 PM - 4:10 PM
Protocol: Stationary
9 species

Mourning Dove  8
Downy Woodpecker  1
Blue Jay  2
Black-capped Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  6
House Finch  11

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

Prospect February 22nd

These last days of winter is obviously a transition time and its quiet in Prospect. With a few weeks left of winter, we await the early spring migrants. For now , the usual species of the lake will suffice for seeing. There, a lone RING-NECKED DUCK drake along with the pair of HOODED MERGANSERS under the boughs at Three Sisters Islands offers the best interest.

By March 21st, the feeders will come down; so enjoy the next few weeks here.

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Feb 22, 2012 3:30 PM
Protocol: Incidental
18 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  247
Mute Swan  7
American Black Duck  3
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  X
Mallard  X
Northern Shoveler  17
Ring-necked Duck  1
Hooded Merganser  2
Ruddy Duck  21
Pied-billed Grebe  2
American Coot  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon  X
Mourning Dove  X
Carolina Wren  2
Northern Cardinal  1

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

February 21st Prospect

From Larry Zirlin:

Hi Peter,

 

I was in the city today, so I took a walk for a couple hours in the park.  Good to be back for a little bit. Nothing exceptional, but I did see two of the Hoodies over by 3 Sisters. 

 

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

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Feb 21, 2012 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
18 species

Canada Goose  100
Mute Swan  6
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  100
Northern Shoveler  10
Hooded Merganser  2
Ruddy Duck  27
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  35
Ring-billed Gull  200
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon  25
Blue Jay  3
Black-capped Chickadee  3
Red-winged Blackbird  1
House Sparrow  10

Feeders, Kings, US-NY
Feb 21, 2012 1:53 PM - 2:09 PM
Protocol: Stationary
7 species

Mourning Dove  7
Downy Woodpecker  2
Black-capped Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
White-throated Sparrow  1
House Finch  10

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