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)
