Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Alex Wilson's report and account of Barnacle Goose

From Alex Wilson , posting to NYSBirds listserve

( original finder of the Barnacle Goose )

Blogger's note: A thumbs up to Alex on his really terrific find. Though not a life bird for me , but certainly my second and  also for sure a lifer for all others who saw the goose today.Many of us are very appreciative. Thank you , Alex !



Subject: Prospect Park Barnacle Goose 10/24/12 Brooklyn

Date: Wed Oct 24 2012 17:26 pm

From: alex AT .......


A BARNACLE GOOSE was on the Lake in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park today.

It was first seen with a group of Canada Geese along the Peninsula

shore at about 10:30 am, not long after a rain shower let up. Being

without a field guide, and unexperienced with the species, I gave a

description to Doug Gochfeld by phone, and he said it sounded good.

Later observed on land, it showed no bands or missing toes; I believe

that recent analysis of vagrant goose occurrence patterns suggests

that most are probably legitimate wild birds. According to subsequent

postings the bird was still present to this evening. A few pictures

are posted at:   http://www.digitalmediatree.com/arboretum/barnacle/


Other birds of note in Prospect included two VESPER SPARROWS among

continued good numbers of sparrows, continued PINE SISKINS, and a

NASHVILLE WARBLER.



Good birding,

Alex Wilson

Brooklyn



Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY

Oct 24, 2012

64 species (+1 other taxa)



Barnacle Goose 1 (On Lake by Peninsula shore with 20 CAGO at

10:30 am after rain shower. Then the flock swam across the lake to

feed on shore near Three Sisters Islands where seen later. Like Brant

with white face, but stockier, with shorter, thick neck. Crisp black

and white with barring on wings/back creating silvery effect. Small,

triangular black bill, with black extending around eyes. Blackish

legs and feet; no bands, hallux intact. Photographed.)

Canada Goose 100

Mute Swan 4

Wood Duck 3

American Black Duck 2

Mallard 80

American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 2

Northern Shoveler 25

Ruddy Duck 20

Pied-billed Grebe 2

Double-crested Cormorant 2

Great Blue Heron 1

Red-tailed Hawk 1

American Coot 6

Ring-billed Gull 5

Herring Gull 20

Rock Pigeon 30

Mourning Dove 15

Belted Kingfisher 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker 4

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2

Downy Woodpecker 5

Hairy Woodpecker 3

Northern Flicker 20

American Kestrel 1

Merlin 1

Peregrine Falcon 1

Eastern Phoebe 5

Blue-headed Vireo 1

Blue Jay 30

American Crow 2

Black-capped Chickadee 5

Tufted Titmouse 8

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 3

Brown Creeper 1

Carolina Wren 4

Golden-crowned Kinglet 15

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15

Hermit Thrush 45 (Abundant; on lawns as well as wooded areas.)

American Robin 75

Gray Catbird 3

Northern Mockingbird 1

European Starling 150

Nashville Warbler 1 (Breeze Hill. Probably male with fairly

bright yellow underneath and into throat; blue-gray hood with

complete eye ring; small and flighty with fine bill.)

Palm Warbler 15

Yellow-rumped Warbler 50

Eastern Towhee 5

Chipping Sparrow 50

Vesper Sparrow 2 (Breeze Hill in am; Long Meadow ball fields in

pm.)

Savannah Sparrow 3

Song Sparrow 15

Swamp Sparrow 8

White-throated Sparrow 100

White-crowned Sparrow 2

Dark-eyed Junco 60

Northern Cardinal 15

Red-winged Blackbird 50

Common Grackle 200 (A few blackbird flocks early and after rain;

mostly grackles.)

Brown-headed Cowbird 15

Purple Finch 1

House Finch 4

Pine Siskin 25 (Flyby flock from Breeze Hill; a few on Lookout.)

American Goldfinch 40

House Sparrow 15

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Peter's note :  During end of my work shift, About 200 COMMON GRACKLES flew over the 9th Street Nursery Propagation area  about 200 pm. This is a month for blackbird flocks flyovers.. Keep looking up ( and at the water too as we know good things there too)