November 25th BBG and Prospect

Today's  bird of the day--excuse the White-winged Crossbills for the moment-- is NASHVILLE WARBLER (NAWA). Spotted first by Doug Gochfeld, the NAWA was seen in brush outside the north end of the Rose Garden in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden; the bright yellow warbler was re found again in the upper slope brush in the same area in early afternoon by me and MaryE, perhaps the NAWA responding to my "phishing",  it flew up to a crape myrtle over the narrow stairs and took off for the giant Holly tree on the promenade (with benches) at the west end. It was very quick moving and stealthy, not affording much views as it fed low inside that holly tree. This species is known as a late fall warbler so it is not surprising its this species.

Reports from Prospect tell another story with the WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS. Apparently , after a few days in the Vale Cashmere sweetgum, some splintered off and bathe and drank  in the Ambergill Creek , on the south side of the Esdale Bridge as reported by Mike Elliot.I am told the Xbills were at eye level offering excellent views.

The feeders are pretty active, with the usual host of winter species but enhanced by resident PINE SISKINs. One astute observer brought up the possibility one Pine Siskin with very bright yellow in its primaries might be a green -morphed Pine Siskin .  See the following link about this occurrence . I'll keep you posted on this possibility..Photos are welcomed,  sent to me.

http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/green-morph-pine-siskin.html

But new to the feeders 2012-2013 is RUSTY BLACKBIRD ( as reported by Mike Elliot)

Other noted observation : Pair of Eastern Bluebirds and 6 Cedar Waxwings seen by upper pool (portion closest to ravine), feeding on berries . AMERICAN TREE SPARROW is a good bird to see , coming in as a typically late sparrow species


A note from Rafael:

25 November 2012

I did a small walk around PP, aimed to find again the White-winged Crossbills.  The place of choice was the Vale where yesterday I saw them.

Beside the crew who was working cutting trees, no luck with the WWCRs (~9:30 am).  Worth mentioning was 1 American Tree Sparrow quite active feeding with the company of Chickadees and White-throated Sparrows.

The feeders at Breezy Hill had a decent activity with House Finches, Pine Siskins (~4), Downy Woodpecker, Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, White-throated Sparrows, Mourning Doves, American Goldfinches, Blue Jays.

The lake had a lot of gulls -Herring & Ring-billed-, Northern Shovelers, Ruddy Ducks.

I stopped again at the Vale ~11:30 am, an again no luck with the WWCRs.  But I saw 1 Hermit Thrush.

Brooklyn is great birding: Rafa Campos R


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KB Note : don't forget today Cyber Monday  you can get the Empire Pass for $40.00 ..I got mine already ..its $40.00

here's a list for just Long Island parks that require Car lot admission fee in 2013

http://www.nysparks.com/regions/long-island/default.aspx


See the previous post for details below