Saturday, November 2, 2019

" invasion ' of Blue headed Vireos

For the late date, an invasion of Blue headed Vireos marked the day at Prospect Park and Greenwood Cemetery. Supplement to the Vireo number ,a few late Warblers added fall spice.
From Steve Nanz's library

On today's walk by Ed Crowne leading the BBC two Blue headed Vireos were reported. I also read independent reports of perhaps more in other areas of Prospect. Then from Tom Preston birding in Greenwood, a really good number of four BHVireos in different locations . So there's a late surge and fall mini phenomenon today.

Then late Warblers provided more autumn day spice. Best were these: Northern waterthrush on the BBC Walk; Magnolia warbler in the botanic garden across Flatbush reported by Sean Sime; Northern Parula in Prospect; and an alleged report of Louisiana waterthrush which is very late; Black&white warbler in Quaker Cemetery. These follow yesterday's reports of American Redstart and prized Wilson Warbler at the Wellhouse area.

We are also seeing winter transitory species .Both kinglet species, winter wren,and yellow bellied sapsucker makes field walks interesting.

My time in the park, casually focused on ducks and sparrows. In that spirit, I observed the three BUFFLEHEADS,two Drake's and a hen by Three Sisters island; later on my return trip they were off the Peninsula thumb on the Lake.

For Sparrows at the Sparrowbowl a hunkered down Field Sparrow led the several song,white throated and Chipping. After an untimely disturbance by off leash dogs in early afternoon I left knowing it'll be awhile before those sparrows come back. ( And I wondered why birders go to quieter Greenwood 😕)