When I got to the lake edge, moderate fog conditions were much noted, obscuring intermittently the lake's waterfowl and gulls. My advance to the south lake shore offered better views where Klemens was waiting. About five minutes later, he spotted the bird again, the rare gull sitiing in the middle of the lake , directly in front of Three Sisters Islands no more than 150 feet. We watched the gull which moved /walked around a bit before settling into a sleep ode as drifts of fog went around it, at time dense fog hiding the gull flock. A good one today without me having to run down to Coney Island for the early in the week report of one there at Seagate's Norton Point, a long walk. Here in Prospect, I just have to step out the door.
With heavy rain downpour and foggy conditions persisting throughout the early afternoon, birding became a drag and scarce. Two COMMON GRACKLES did put in an appearance at Butterfly Meadow but that was the best of land birds to put.
But I take a good gull on a bad weather day anytime. Thanks to Klemens.
--KB
List
date = 2014/01/12
site = Prospect Park
observers = Peter D
Northern Shoveler
American Black Duck
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Great Black-backed Gull 3 Lake
Lesser Black-backed Gull adult Prospect Lake, found by/viewed with Klemens Gasser
Ring-billed Gull over 1500
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon see phot in previous post for "proof"
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker feeders
Red-bellied Woodpecker Quaker Ridge
Blue Jay 2 Nethermead north
Hermit Thrush Quaker Cemetery yesterday 1/10
European Starling
White-throated Sparrow 15 nethermead west
Northern Cardinal 3 nethermead
Red-winged Blackbird 1 Feeders
Common Grackle 2 Butterfly meadow west edge
House Finch 8 Feeders
American Goldfinch 10
House Sparrow
Photos of Lesser Black backed Gull taken by Klemens:
Note the dark backed gull (with yellow legs in pic #1) in the photos' center
more photos --> http://www.flickr.com/photos/gasserberlin/11896920326/in/photostream/lightbox/
*********************************
Second report,from early AM,Rafael Campos
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Prospect Park, … Rafael Guillermo Camp os-RamÃrez To you and 5 others - 12:40 pm More Details
3 of 21
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY Jan 11, 2014 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
OBSERVERS : Rafael G Campos R, & Mariana Campos-Chaves Protocol: Traveling 2.0 kilometer(s)
Comments: Most of the open water was frozen, except for a large hole in the lake. A single Hermit Trhush was seen the Peninsula, and a female Eastern Towhee. The feeders were almost empty of birds.
Only 4 sps we saw when we passed by: Mourning Dove, Northern Cardinal, Downy Woodpecker, & House Sparrow. By the way, Mariana is a CostaRican, young birder (±17), who has been birding with me and her Granpa -who is an avid birder- in my home country. First time in NYC.
27 species
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 8
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) 9
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) 4
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) X
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) X
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 4
American Coot (Fulica americana) X
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) X
Herring Gull (American) (Larus argentatus smithsonianus) X
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Domestic type)) X
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 11
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 4
Black-capped
Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 1
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 1
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 10
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) X
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) 1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 2
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 6
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 2
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 3
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) X
Brooklyn is great birding!!!!
