To the delight of birders today, BARNACLE GOOSE (BAGO) continues to appear, actually moving about and using all shores of Prospect Lake, mainly sticking with the Canada Geese flock.( a smart idea). First report came very early of the rare goose near 3 Sisters Islands, followed by a mid afternoon observation inside the new rink area, on the new lawn, then lastly, on the west shore of the Lake as reported by several birders. Observers reporting: Russ Alderson, Rob Bate, Rusty Harold, and Andy Biederman.
Let me take an opportunity to stress for this ultra rarity to report your sighting to the NEW YORK STATE AVIAN RECORDS COMMITTEE ( NYSARC) who needs to review this Prospect species. Much ado has to do with the bird's provenance or true origins since this species is known to be a captive bird. ( my feeling is that its wild, just my gut ) For this particular BAGO, you should go see it whichever NYSARC decides in the future so that it becomes apart of your lifelist. Even if the decision is not in the bird's favor, it's a handsome bird to watch.
For more on the BAGO species problematic status, go view NYS Birds posting by NYSARC member Angus Wilson:
Look for "Angus Wilson" in link below
http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01
For those wanting to get this Prospect species documented and possibly accepted , please fill out the NYSARC form below, especially those of you who took pics which will show all definitive details and strong facilitation .It will help a great deal whichever way NYSARC decides , the documentation helping greatly in a historical and scientific sense. http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm
Now back to the day's reports Overlooked by the Barnacle Goose, the cooperative VESPER SPARROW likes the Sparrowbowl site, my sighting coming at lunchtime, as the tame like bird came quite close to me on the lawn where I stood quite still. Surrounded by HERMIT THRUSHES, It 's a juvenile and the striking eye ring is quite a field mark. Matthew Wills and Peter Colen also viewed this bird. Sparrows are active in many spots still in lesser numbers though, most notable WHITE-THROATED. Also overlooked, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, reported by Ann Lazarus, in the Lullwater (west side); Add also 5 other warbler species , including NASHVILLE, reported by Rafael.
For photos of VESPER SPARROW and BARNACLE GOOSE, check out Rafael Campos' and Peter Colen's galleries thru these links
Rafael's---> http://ticornis.tumblr.com/
Peter's ---> http://tinyurl.com/ColenVesperSp
*****************************
From Rafael :
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY
Oct 25, 2012 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Observer: Rafael G Campos R
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 kilometer(s)
Comments: The big news for Prospect Park, today, was the Barnacle Goose. I saw it at the Lake, behind the spot called "Three Sisters". Photos taken. Attached.
50 species
Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) 1 A singe bird seen with Canada Geese at Prospect Park Lake. Photos taken. An adult.
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) X
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) X
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 2
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) X
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) X
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) 56
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 1
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 2
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
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) 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) (Colaptes auratus [auratus Group]) 10
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) X
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 16
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 1
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 4
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 2
Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) 2
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 2
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 14
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) X
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) X
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 1
Palm Warbler (Yellow) (Setophaga palmarum hypochrysea) 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) (Setophaga coronata coronata) 5
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) X
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) X
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) 1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) X
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis) X
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 2
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) 1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) X
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) X
Brooklyn is great birding!!!
