Release of Rockefeller the owl in video plus charity fundraiser for Ravens beard.
Feeder checklist. -----_-------- -------> https://ebird.org/checklist/S76690388
When I was a child living in the Wallabout neighborhood of Brooklyn, my mother would come fetch me whenever she heard the Blue Jay in our backyard. You may not think its a big deal, but for me it was a big thing ,living in the shadows of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway.
I would run to the window and watch our bright blue crested friend. It was noisy,yes,but it had charisma. We didn't get any variety of birds at all.So my Blue Jays was compelling theater.
Fast forward five decades and here I am,mesmerized again by three rambunctious Blue Jays duking it out at the platform feeder. One would come trying to claim monopoly this feeder. A second jay flies in and an agresssive display of outstretched wing and feathers means turf war. But peace ensued and I was treated to a sight of three Blue Jays together on the platform feeder. But threes a crowd and one has to go! You just got to love the Blue jay because they enliven the scene.
Over the course of the day after three Feeder visits,you see other things and get rewarded. Seven Purple Finches for example; all females but hey that's cool.And on my last visit I see a reddish brown bird and was greatly surprised to see a Carolina Wren.It hopped to different feeders wondering what to eat. I was wondering that myself.
Patience is a virtue. And a reminder that birds are-- especially at full feeders -- the gifts that keep on coming.
Happy Thanksgiving All. 🦃
I posted this cause I knew Kevin Brooks, one of those old time birders I was acquainted with for so many springs going back many years, at least my late 20's.When spring migration peaked, there was a core group of birding aficionados --before birding became super popular today--who enjoyed the Prospect warblers, our bread and butter family of spring icons. Lookout Hill's Butterfly Meadow often was our meeting ground.Before cellphones,texts,super fast bird alerts and the internet,we were the old timers of a different time not so long ago. Kevin was part of Prospect of a bygone era.
I found out in an email tonight from Kevin's wife who wanted to donate his birding observation logs ( yes, paper logs before the rise of Ebird) Kevin kept personally. Of course I'll take them cause its the right thing to do, to continue some legacy for Kevin if I find any Prospect records i can input into Ebird.
Kevin passed away from the dreaded Covid19 last April while traveling out west.
Kevin, I and several other old time birders are going to miss ya.. RIP
💔🐦
When you have birded for 45 years, getting a new county Kings boid ( Brooklyn accented mind you) is news. My hope for the Greenwood cemetery Western Tanager dwelled on the vagrant sticking around.
After early morning Catholic services, it was easy for me to drive down Fort Hamilton Parkway a few blocks from my church to the south entrance. Leaving my mother and older sister in the car, I hurried to the Yerkes crypt where the bird hung out in a sap rich yew tree. Fortunately my friend Charles Tang was already there and he pointed where it was. I succeeded getting a five second glimpse and then hurry back to my car for breakfast and shopping. I have a network of friends and birders to help me out! 😊
Charles asked me if I was going for the Ash throated Fly catcher. I said I didn't care for the fly catcher,I just wanted the tanager A few nearby birders chuckled at my comment. However I did go for that fly catcher in mid afternoon.That was a chase through the slopes south of Crescent Water; specifically Summit and Dale Avenues to the beginning of Cypress avenue, from various trees to alighting upon grave stones,the bird was a cooperative beauty. I have to thank a few Birders whom I watched and figured they were on the bird. Turns out my keen observing paid off dividends.
I returned to the Yerkes Crypt and saw again the Western Tanager,for good measure and enjoyed a great looking bird. Hope it makes it,getting the urge to fly south. Its been here long enough.
After a week's wait,patience and luck was on my side.
Ryan G today escorted a couple-- Serafim and Sierra-in Prospect who requested a birding tour as an anniversary celebration. They were rewarded at the feeders and boy did they get quite a gift!
I happened to be there when they arrived after I checked the feeders. First thing they got was the continuing RUSTY BLACK BIRD I pointed out to them. After I left returning to work, Ryan got them PURPLE FINCHES. You think that would be the terrific gift. But something even better happens.
With his back turned Ryan hears a whistling noise,created by wing beats. Sierra points to a bird on the ground ten feet away and lo and behold its an AMERICAN WOODCOCK!
Talk about terrific luck and perfect timing for a memorable wedding anniversary gift!
And thanks to Serafim nd Sierra for their $40 gift for seed
Both the Western Tanager and Ash throated Flycatcher continue their presence in Greenwood cemetery today.
The Yerkle or Yerkes crypt is the Western Tanager's abode, in the Yew tree the bird favors. Look for it in that general area by Cypress and Vine Avenue intersection.
The other prize Ash throated was reported at Crescent Water. A tweet from Dennis pinpointed the ASH THROATD at the Wyeth grave/ crypt. The tweet came at 246 pm. I presumed its moving around towards Dellwater as well.
Good luck !