Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Feb 13, 2017 3:10 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:
Cc:

*** Species Summary:

- Common Merganser (1 report)
- Rusty Blackbird (1 report)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <hourly> Kings County Rare Bird Alert.The report below shows observations of rare birds in Kings County.  View or unsubscribe to this alert at http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 13, 2017 12:42 by Shane Blodgett
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6602841,-73.9689534&ll=40.6602841,-73.9689534
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34347521
- Comments: "Black head strong line of demarcation from white breast and body-body white mantle black-long thin bill-actually feeding diving and staying under for long periods-photos"

Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) (1)
- Reported Feb 13, 2017 12:42 by Shane Blodgett
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6602841,-73.9689534&ll=40.6602841,-73.9689534
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34347521
- Comments: "Continuing bird at feeders"

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Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Feb 13, 2017 2:11 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:
Cc:

*** Species Summary:

- Baltimore Oriole (1 report)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <hourly> Kings County Rare Bird Alert.The report below shows observations of rare birds in Kings County.  View or unsubscribe to this alert at http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) (1)
- Reported Feb 13, 2017 11:48 by Sean Sime
- Newkirk Ave, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6329425,-73.9693165&ll=40.6329425,-73.9693165
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34346563
- Media: 1 Photo

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Next Tuesday the 21st

BBC evening program.

https://m.facebook.com/events/250755178713181?view=permalink&id=250755188713180

Or

http://brooklynbirdclub.org/meetings.htm

a windy day

As a winter enthusiast and recreationist, days that are gusty and very windy àre not my favorite. You have to deal with windchills,blown off hats, toppled over scopes , creaking branches that might fall on you..on the other hand,though you get the blown in birds. A case in point : COMMON MERGANSER.

I had to get more cough drops for my cold. So a wayward course though Prospect Lake west shore wouldn't hurt.From the early looks at the lake,it was pretty barren .The high wind drove the ducks towards the windbreak northwestern shores. The best birds I found was a single drake RING NECKED DUCK and the three HOODED MERGANSERS near the Well house. Not finding much else , I shot for the feeders.

Wildly swinging feeders I found, swaying under that wind.A single BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEE held on for dear life on a feeder as the wind howled and branches shook hard. Nothing else dare to come out. So seeing this dull yet nervous situation lest a limb fall on me, i headed out for the drugstore.

It was while at Walgreen's on Prospect Ave, I get Shane's tweet of the Common Merganser. Figures. The wind was generous after I left the park. Since I was nearby, I will go for it.Parked at the West shore rescue ladder,I had a hard time finding the merganser on the glare impacted water surface. And I thought to myself the bird took off,my luck with a touch down and go bird. But with more patience and lucky scanning, I see a white body bird dive: I got Shane' s bird. I spent time watching it dive constantly in front of Three Sisters Islands off about 200 feet. But lucky me,just beyond it, the Drake RED BREASTED MERGANSER appeared. And knowing I've seen the Hoodeds, I quickly looked to the Peninsula shore to record all three merganser species. I scored a merg hat trick ! ( that's a hockey term - 3 goals in a game)

It's pays to be lucky and willing to battle the elements.

Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds)

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 1:24 PM on Mon, Feb 13, 2017:
Comm Merganser diving 200 ft north side eastern Three sisters islands.all 3 merg species present now Prospect Lake
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/831207493787336704?s=03)

Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download?s=13

Tweet from Shane Blodgett (@Aplomadokestrel)

Shane Blodgett (@Aplomadokestrel) tweeted at 0:54 PM on Mon, Feb 13, 2017:
Drake Common Merganser Prosoect Lake
(https://twitter.com/Aplomadokestrel/status/831199982971715584?s=03)

Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download?s=13

RUBB

Rusty Blackbird continues at prospect feeders per Sean Sime

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Feb 11, 2017 6:28 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:
Cc:

*** Species Summary:

- Iceland Gull (1 report)
- Rusty Blackbird (2 reports)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <hourly> Kings County Rare Bird Alert.The report below shows observations of rare birds in Kings County.  View or unsubscribe to this alert at http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Feb 11, 2017 09:15 by Michael Yuan
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6602841,-73.9689534&ll=40.6602841,-73.9689534
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34305480
- Comments: "1st winter on lake by Wellhouse phrags.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/88884477@N00/32002287274/in/dateposted-public/" title="Iceland Gull"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/356/32002287274_a66399dc71_c.jpg" alt="Iceland Gull" /></a>"

Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) (1)
- Reported Feb 11, 2017 16:40 by Russ Alderson
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6602841,-73.9689534&ll=40.6602841,-73.9689534
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34304607
- Comments: "Feeders. Seen by others. "

Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) (1)
- Reported Feb 11, 2017 09:15 by Michael Yuan
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6602841,-73.9689534&ll=40.6602841,-73.9689534
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34305480
- Comments: "By feeders.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/88884477@N00/32691780532/in/dateposted-public/" title="Rusty blackbird with House Sparrow"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2140/32691780532_0696f89ab2_c.jpg" alt="Rusty blackbird with House Sparrow" /></a>"

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Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Feb 11, 2017 5:27 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:
Cc:

*** Species Summary:

- Iceland Gull (1 report)
- Rusty Blackbird (1 report)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <hourly> Kings County Rare Bird Alert.The report below shows observations of rare birds in Kings County.  View or unsubscribe to this alert at http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Feb 11, 2017 13:35 by Linda Ewing
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6602841,-73.9689534&ll=40.6602841,-73.9689534
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34303007
- Comments: "On lake. Approx. size of herring gull, mottled pale brown, edges of wings completely white. Seen earlier by other observers."

Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) (1)
- Reported Feb 11, 2017 13:35 by Linda Ewing
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6602841,-73.9689534&ll=40.6602841,-73.9689534
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34303007
- Comments: "Beneath feeders, with red-winged blackbirds. Yellow/white eye, mostly black w some rusty mottling on back. Seen with other observers."

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Birding by snowshoes

My belated report this morning tells of yesterday's hilights.Beset by a weeklong cold attacking my throat with sore throat and cough, nevertheless I thought it was motivation to try birding by snowshoes.

My first objective was Prospect Lake.And from the "hammerhead peninsula,it was easy pickings finding 3 RINGNECKED DUCKS,all Drakes nestled on the outer cove of West Island.Its always a delight for me seeing this species as it epitomizes Prospect winters.The rest of the lake looked the usual until I traipsed with my trusty snowshoes towards Duck Island.

Duck Island lived up to its name! As I watched,out sailed from the island phragmites,in procession the Drake BUFFLEHEAD,3 HOODED MERGANSERS,and a Drake RED BREASTED MERGANSER. How nice to see that?

The second objective as I shuffled my snowshoes through the rink bridle trail for the feeders,it took me about 20 minutes.I had to take off the shoes to avoid damaging the metal teeth on the now plowed paths at concert Grove.(It's tough for skiers or snowshoers getting unbroken pace with all paths and roads plowed immediately 🤐)

Finally ,my arrival at the feeders after traipsing with shoes back on. Expectantly,the RUSTY BLACKBIRD appeared immediately. It's vastly outnumbered by 18 Redwinged Blackbirds,but they weren't territorial with the guest star.A handsome looking bird the RUSTY had speckles of brownish rust on its back on its mostly black plumage; and that yellow eye! Dale Dyer was watching and he mentions seeing AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. We both searched among the ground foragers of White throated spparows and House Sparrows until I finally found it; its quite unusual to see Tree Sparrow  in interior Brooklyn,a more reliable visitor on the coast. About 5 minutes after this sighting,I get a tweet notification on my phone: Kathy Toomey has the ICELAND GULL on the ice edge by the Wellhouse.

As fast I went from the feeders over slippery ice and crushed snow, it was initially in vain.When I got to the spot,the whole gull flock took off. [ I cussed under my breath]. But thanks to Kathy,she refound the Iceland Gull out on the lake,a whitish standout for a sizable gull among Ringbilleds and fewer Herrings. It helps having good eyes. But not content in seeing a distant bird I played a hunch,went off for more birding along east Lookout Hill.

Arriving back at Wellhouse drive 20 minutes later,I find  a young teenager throwing snowballs at the gull flock. [ I muttered my negative adjective].Of course I'm going to say something but that was moot as the insensitive kid walked away.Hope rises!

And my hunch paid off! Sitting on the ice edge in line with the Well Drive shipping containers was the great looking ICELAND GULL. It's well seen and I took my opportunity to view it as long as I can,the closest I've seen this bird despite many reports.Theres a saying " good  things come to those who wait".

Birding by snowshoeing,a great excercise and good winter fun,not to say great birds along the way.

feeders my list

https://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34311820

Iceland

ICELAND GULL back at ice edge OPP Well Dr shipping containers Prospect lake

Prospect feeders now

Continuing RUSTY BLACKBIRD foraging ground with American Tree Sparrow. ( Thx Dale Dyer)

Quick notes

Reported this morning Prospect:


--3 Ringneck duck on lake
--Iceland gull on ice by Wellhouse
--Rusty blackbird at feeders

eBird Checklist – Prospect Park, New York – Fri Feb 10, 2017 – 1 species Hermit Thrush

https://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34294677

Save Ridgewood Reservoir: Support Letter for Reservoir Listing

http://ridgewoodreservoir.blogspot.com/2017/02/support-letter-for-reservoir-listing.html?m=1

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Fri, Feb 10, 2017 at 3:37 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:


*** Species Summary:

- Rusty Blackbird (1 report)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <hourly> Kings County Rare Bird Alert.The report below shows observations of rare birds in Kings County.  View or unsubscribe to this alert at http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) (1)
- Reported Feb 10, 2017 11:17 by Tim Graves
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6602841,-73.9689534&ll=40.6602841,-73.9689534
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34280200
- Comments: "Eating seeds beneath feeders.  Brownish head and nape. Smudgy streaks on belly. Light-colored eye."

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Bird tracks

Seen around the Prospect feeders. Finally got to refilling those feeders.

Death of an owl tree

The European type spruce in the ravine was a casualty of yesterday s wet snow storm.A tall spruce that captured the heavy wet snow on its wide branches simply toppled from the top heavy weight.

About 5 years ago Great Horned owls roosted in this spruce when they nested in the park in the first and only time.

Oh TOO BAD!


Epilogue : The tree was a NORWAY SPRUCE. Arborists who cut the tree ( as it fell across the path) said it was between 90 to 115 years old, far beyond its lifespan of 100 years old regaing the latter estimate.. So... it was time...

Species profile : https://www.norwayspruce.com/

Canvasback -NO

It appears yesterdays snow driven down Canvasback is todays Snow fairy. Despites a quick scan of the lake, I found no sighting of the duck.

Feb Snow moon tonite

The CANVASBACK was to the left distant ,near the wellhouse

look what the snow brought down

 If you recall the last line from my last post sure enough a good one descended upon Prospect Lake.Thanks to Dennis' very late afternoon tweet, I and Sean Sime benefited from the sighting.

The bird was a drake CANVASBACK. It' s rare to see,i guess once every several years here. When I spotted it was sleeping with three active HOODED MERGANSERS wading around it at the first phragmites East of the Well house. I presumed it was here all day but I was too busy cleaning the snow off the Tennis bubble. A terrific sighting under the snow moon rising.

update: I guess I was wrong..the last canvasback on the lake was feb 7 last year; it was a recurring species since 2013 with a time gap from 2007

prospect lake late afternoon

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/email?subID=S34252390

With sun splashed Prospect Lake before the snow storm comes, several duck species plus the persistent SNOW geese took advantage of the great spring like weather.

With the lake main islands holding a particular quality duck species, the rest of the lake held the RUDDY and NORTHERN SHOVELERs. Each of the islands harbored their own species : West island with the AMERICAN WIGEONS; Three sisters with the lingering Drake RING NECKED DUCK; and Duck island with the diving pair BUFFLEHEADS. Theres now a pair of Drake RED BREASTED MERGANSERS, minus the hen,this pair well traveled all around the lake.

Also observed the Snow Geese sailing from the northwest section wading toward the Three Sisters.Out in the lake middle, another pair this being the PIED BILLED GREBE.With setting sun illumination, the grebes necks looked tawny reddish.

Let's see what the snow may bring in.

Three sisters island ducks

Seen on front of the islands,a mixed pair BUFFLEHEADS & one Drake RING NECKED DUCK


Closer to me at West shore 3AMERICAN WIGEON. NORTHERN SHOVELER , AMERICAN BLACK & Ruddy on my late afternoon walk.

Also from a Facebook post  Red breasted Mergansers, Pied Billed Grebes (2) earlier

ICELAND Gulll reportyed by Tom Preston  ( see birdtrax <<<------- )

February's Deep Penumbral Lunar Eclipse - Sky & Telescope

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/feb-10th-penumbral-lunar-eclipse/

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Feb 5, 2017 12:28 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:
Cc:

*** Species Summary:

- Spotted Sandpiper (1 report)
- Iceland Gull (2 reports)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <hourly> Kings County Rare Bird Alert.The report below shows observations of rare birds in Kings County.  View or unsubscribe to this alert at http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) (1)
- Reported Feb 05, 2017 08:58 by Tom Preston
- Bush Terminal Piers Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6541609,-74.0204451&ll=40.6541609,-74.0204451
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34172627
- Comments: "Continuing, first found in December. Seen from the pier / jetty, o ths shore to the North. Shorebird with stiff-winged flight, bobbing behaviour after landing."

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Feb 05, 2017 08:58 by Tom Preston
- Bush Terminal Piers Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6541609,-74.0204451&ll=40.6541609,-74.0204451
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34172627
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing. A darker backed bird than the one I saw at Prospect an hour or so before, though not obvious from the photo. I tried to get closer - to the S end of the park - for a better photo but the bird had departed by then"

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Feb 05, 2017 06:47 by Tom Preston
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6602841,-73.9689534&ll=40.6602841,-73.9689534
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34172465
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing.. Just one, up to 3 have been seen recently. I did see a different bird at Bush Terminal later"

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Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Feb 4, 2017 1:35 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:
Cc:

*** Species Summary:

- Purple Finch (1 report)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <hourly> Kings County Rare Bird Alert.The report below shows observations of rare birds in Kings County.  View or unsubscribe to this alert at http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)
- Reported Feb 04, 2017 12:32 by Betsy Andrews
- Prospect Park--Feeders, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6580479,-73.9676857&ll=40.6580479,-73.9676857
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34149314
- Comments: "Known species; Multiple observers"

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Photo bird workshop

https://www.facebook.com/events/1852642808345450/?ti=as

See also Brooklyn Bird club calendar website

http://brooklynbirdclub.org/meetings.htm

Prospect Lake

The Snow geese pair was seen on the south lake shore by Duck Island.

A single Ring-necked Duck drake seen at the east side of Three Sisters Islands.

Photo of West Pond mitigation

From Don Riepe, Jamaica Baykeeper  showing  the JB Refuge West Pond Breach finally closed after 5 years

Fwd: Prospect First Sunday in February Bird Walk - February 5 ay 10am

From: michele dreger <msdreger@yahoo.com>

Subject: First Sunday in February Bird Walk - February 5 ay 10am

  The first Sunday in February is going to be cold.  Bring your binoculars and dress warm. 

We meet at the Boathouse at 10 am.

See you there!

Michele

also note BBG walk by Brad Klein Feb 5th

http://www.bbg.org/visit/event/winter_nature_walks_with_brad_klein_2017

Groundhog Day

Happy Groundhog Day! ... Will spring come sooner?

Some info on the day's background ( in astronomcal sense)

http://earthsky.org/human-world/everything-you-need-to-know-about-groundhog-day

UPDATE BULLETIN!

https://weather.com/news/weather/news/groundhog-day-did-punxsutawney-phil-see-his-shadow

Iceland gull photod

Prospect lake Iceland's,photos taken by Gus Keri

Sent from AOL Mobile Mail


-----Original Message-----
From: Gus Keri <guskeri@aol.com>
To: prosbird <prosbird@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, Feb 1, 2017 07:05 PM
Subject: Hi Peter

Here are three photos of the Iceland Gull at Prospect park today.

Gus

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Feb 1, 2017 3:56 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:
Cc:

*** Species Summary:

- Iceland Gull (1 report)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <hourly> Kings County Rare Bird Alert.The report below shows observations of rare birds in Kings County.  View or unsubscribe to this alert at http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (2)
- Reported Feb 01, 2017 08:10 by karen o'hearn
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6602841,-73.9689534&ll=40.6602841,-73.9689534
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34093500
- Comments: "appeared to be the same two from yesterday and the day before:  both juvenile; one larger, black-billed bright individual, and one smaller, darker, bi-color-billed individual.  pic of larger one only"

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Iceland Gulls yes

Two seen on Prospect Lake west from that shore around 830 as usual the trend. Reported to me by Steve Nanz.