Friday, April 11, 2014

Recap Prospect Friday

Things are starting to heat up a bit with an utterly surprising rarity seen in the southwest Park section and a traveling WORM-EATING WARBLER plus a few spring migrants presenting themselves well.

First, the surprising rarity. 3 female BOAT-TAILED GRACKLES were reported by birding aficionado Doug Gochfeld in the southwest area of Prospect lake or near there before they were seen flying westward. This is the first appearance for this typically salt marsh species in 2 decades at least  as I recalled, since I saw one then.Avery good sighting...

The WORM-EATING WARBLER is moving fast and traveling a distance in the short time its been here. Since yesterday's late afternoon sighting at the Quaker Cemetery, it was spotted again ( assuming the same bird), in the Lullwater mid morning ( per RBate tweet); later as I went looking for it at lunchtime, I ran into photographer John Lee who said it was below the Terrace Bridge along the bald cypress loop trail before it took off  for the Peninsula.This was about 1030 am.

LOUISIANA WATER THRUSH was reported in a few locations, but the best look was at Binnen Falls, when at lunchtime I spotted this beauty atop the falls, then along side the slopes and boulders. Very yellowy sides and a great supercilium...

Reports of BLUE-HEADED VIREO and BLUE GRAY CATCHER were seen. The former reported at Lookout Hill (Bobbi Manian ) facing the cemetery and then again , my sighting  high in a roadside red maple below the bird feeders site.In the same area along the path below the feeders site, two BLUE -GRAY GNATCATCHERS as usual their disposition, moved quickly and jerky among the tree limbs ( JLee, SBlodgett , Myself)

This weekend looks good despite early morning Saturday showers but if you want to enjoy spring birds, now is the time to enjoy them.

--KB