After a sidetracked stop for 8 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS feeding high in a Sweetgum overlooking the Ambergill Falls, I made 'casual' haste towards the Breeze Hill Chat spot, reported in an earlier text from Rob Bate. Taking the sinking road that bisects Breeze Hill's southern slope, I ran into Mike Ellliot, who mentioned he was surprised to see this very bright yellow bird popping out as he rounded the hairpin path turn going up the road. It was the Chat. After several moments conversation, we parted and not 10 seconds later, I looked down the left slope what I thought was a very yellow "leaf"; Instead , after looking at this leaf, lo and behold on a multiflora rosebush, the CHAT! I called back Mike but we didn't see it again. Below is a link to a google map I created if it helps since this YBChat seems to be sticking around in the heavy cold affected brush for a week now...My advice : Any bright yellow, look for a moving "leaf " ( wink)
Click on the below link.
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=216559983552863855367.0004cf6d778fced494daa&msa=0&ll=40.658943,-73.966269&spn=0.002625,0.004136
Getting to the White-winged Crossbills, they were originally spotted just before 3 pm by Heidi Clevens,the Xbills in a Sweetgum tree closer to the Esdale Bridge; and some came down to the creek for drink offering fantastic views for Heidi. For a species that thrives on conifers pine cone seeds, in Prospect , WWXbills have adapted and pursued Sweetgum seeds ( must be hard for them ) . Nature knows best especially with Prospect's dearth of pine cones , many pine trees with cones having come down from very strong storms of the past five years ( and that includes the Sandy one).
--KB
Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY Nov 26, 2012 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM Protocol: Traveling 1.5 mile(s) 21 species Mute Swan X Mallard X Northern Shoveler 175 Ring-necked Duck 1 drake Ruddy Duck X Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Nethermead Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Breeze Hill Downy Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay X Black-capped Chickadee 5 Tufted Titmouse 5 Nethermead Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 3 arches American Robin X European Starling X Yellow-breasted Chat 1 full view Breeze Hill south slope Fox Sparrow 1 Ravine Song Sparrow X White-throated Sparrow X Northern Cardinal X White-winged Crossbill 8 feeding on sweetgum seeds, Ravine; present all week American Goldfinch X View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12167807
