Heidi c says:Unmistakeable bright black throated green warb behind boathouse.

seen again by Doug Gochfeld later . near Cleft Ridge Span area.

Repirts of Western Tanager are NEGATIVE so far.Doug Gochfeld reported flyover SNOW BUNTING @Nethermead, a "VR" species

Fwd: possible Western Tanager today in Prospect Park?

Forwarding from tablet.desktop computer isn't well tonight ( very slow) but see attached WESTERN TANAGER report. I am inclined to say female bright adult WETA but will reserve consensus since this likely is a first timer here...wow... good one.....

The area is from Ken's description is the south path along Breeze hill south flank, where the small pink concrete beach is. look for those black berries.

Click on pics to enlarge

Map ---->  https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zxPoHx468byE.k4-UWQbaPCgY


Note : email received 8:11 tonight..Guess AOL was playing around with the message...

-----Original Message-----
From: kenpearlman@
To: prosbird
Sent: Wed, Nov 20, 2013 3:11 pm
Subject: possible Western Tanager today in Prospect Park?

Hello, Peter - We've not met, but I do follow your Prospect Park Bird  Sightings blog.  

I mostly bird in Central Park but sometimes in Prospect.  This morning around 10:30 am I was walking on the path that runs south from  Terrace Bridge right next to the lake (where you can look across the water  to the bench area on the east side of the Peninsula) and I saw what I first  thought (or assumed) was a female Orchard Oriole, and was able to get a few  not-so-great photos (attached).  Looking at them later, though, I realize  the bird looks much more like a (male) Western Tanager, which I thought  seemed pretty improbable for this area and this time of year.  Yet the  yellow upper wingbar and beak shape and color are consistent with this (and  not with anything else that I could find).  I wondered if you had any  thoughts as to ID.  Thanks.    Ken Pearlman  

Hi flyover 2500+ Common Grackle & some over Prospect Ballfields

adds to today's list/observation

Merlin zipping thru over the ball fields..Juncos still forceful, numbers in the cemetery's southwest corner woods,with fox sparrow; 4Pied billed grebes in the lake middle

date = 2013/11/20
site = Prospect Park
observers = post work,Peter d

Pied billed grebe 4 Lake

Gadwall pair Upper Pool
Red-tailed Hawk flyover ballfields
Merlin flyover ball fields.zippy flight

Fox Sparrow

Snappy and its Junco day

Prospect Park

If you want to see a DARK-EYED JUNCO, today was the day.

A very  good infusion of the "Snowbird" , its old name, DARK-EYED JUNCOs were in a number of places. The cold snap did it. Along the Center Drive, they were in the mugwort and on the Quaker Ridge hillside.But most entertaining  was when I pulled out of the Tennis House, along and on the path towards the Picnic House, juncos were fluttering around, white tail edges aglow in the colorful woods. Quite a beautiful sight.

This junco trend occurred not very after I spotted a large blackbird flight over the "Propsite" our work nursery area, about 500 birds, mostly Grackles. Later the Propsite was overrun by more Juncos, some closing in on me as I inspected our new plants awaiting planting.

There were other birds as well, of notable sense, a male PURPLE FINCH i spotted eating ash seeds in the tree overlooking the bridle trail just as it entered the woods to the east of the southeast corner fence of Quaker Cemetery. Rob Jett reported EASTERN BLUEBIRDS at the north Nethermead, eating poke weed berries. I spotted some GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS  with the Center Drive Juncos.Then a GRAY CATBIRD flew out of a Payne Hill brush spot as I was surveying the plant site in the afternoon. It flew to a Hawthorne tree across the path.

Not alot of variety today , but as we must accept that land bird diversity drops and winter birds take over, learn to appreciate what is out there now, particularly junco madness....

--KB

date = 2013/11/19
site = Prospect Park
observers = Peter D
Pied-billed Grebe Lake
Great Blue Heron Lake peninsula shore
Northern Shoveler est 150 Lake
Canada Goose 
Ruddy Duck est 80 Lake
Mute Swan 
Mallard 
Sharp-shinned Hawk 50% fast fly thru , last sec glimpse- adult bird Payne Hill
American Coot 3 Lake
Ring-billed Gull 
Herring Gull 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Garage south gate
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay Nethermead
Tufted Titmouse Quaker Ridge south 
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 Quaker Ridge south 
American Robin numbers of flyovers
Eastern Bluebird reported by Rob Jett , north nethermead, 6 birds
Hermit Thrush 3
Gray Catbird Payne Hill
European Starling 
White-throated Sparrow 
Song Sparrow 
Dark-eyed Junco large numbers, est 600 spread across all locations
Northern Cardinal 
Red-winged Blackbird likely with grackles
Common Grackle est 500 flyover Propsite
American Goldfinch ~20 , with Ctr drive juncos

Male PURP FINCH eating ash seeds,abov bridle tr east corner quake cem; lots juncos ctr dr

Incidental sightings Prospect

date = 2013/11/18
site = Prospect Park
observers = peter d

Double-crested Cormorant 2 west isl
Great Blue Heron 
Northern Shoveler 190 Lake
Gadwall 4 Upper Pool
American Black Duck lake
Canada Goose 
Ruddy Duck ~90 Lake
Mute Swan 3 lake
Mallard 
American Coot 2 lake
Great Black-backed Gull 1 Lake
Ring-billed Gull 
Herring Gull 
Rock Pigeon 
Mourning Dove 
Red-bellied Woodpecker Upper pool water snag
Hermit Thrush 4
European Starling 
Chipping Sparrow 2 Ballfield 4 snow fence
White-throated Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 2 Hammerhead Peninsula 
Fox Sparrow Hammerhead Peninsula  (south lakeside ) east cove
Dark-eyed Junco ~30 Ballfield 4 snow fence
Northern Cardinal 2
American Goldfinch ballfield 4 
House Sparrow 

Winterize Your Yard for Birds | Audubon Magazine

http://mag.audubon.org/articles/living/winterize-your-yard-birds

Last year's Xmas Count final results

http://birds.audubon.org/summary-113th-christmas-bird-count-2012-2013

Just came out tonight, this posting by National Audubon who sponsors the Christmas Bird Count  brings opportunity to the next one in Brooklyn, On December 14th.



pay attention to this blog for news and details regarding the upcoming Xmas count.
Check www.brooklynbirdclub.org trips page for more info. I will be as usual with Paul Keim doing Prospect Park.By the end of the month be sure if interested contact Mary Eyster,this year,s coordinator for participation.

--kb

Incoming Comet ISON

It wont be spectacular but one can see it thru binoculars  if you are intrigued.  A morning pre- dawn starry sight. Look east , best Nov 17th and 18th clear mornings before sunrise

http://earthsky.org/tonight/years-best-morning-apparition-of-mercury-in-november-2013

Comet ISON will share the same binocular field with the bright star Spica on the mornings of November 17 and 18. Find out Spica's rising time into your sky (given a level horizon) at http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/mrst.php

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/231935931.html

Last night's BBC program lecture

In the largest audience in many years and certainly the best number this year, 36 folks came to hear Katrina Van Grouw speak about her book The Unfeathered Bird. It was a terrific evening program.  I am certain the BBC administration is glad to hear of it and outgoing chair Jerry Layton asked me to send a note of thanks to everyone who came to the program. Keep up the support for BBC!

If you still like to get the book, go to WWW.AMAZON.COM where I got my book.

REMINDER :Tonight is the BBC EVE PROGRAM

November 14th Thursday

Reminder : tonight Nov 14th Thursday is Katrina Van Grouw's eve BBC presentation THE UNFEATHERED BIRD at the Litchfield Villa starting 630 social,7 pm start.see the link.

 Ms.Van Grouw lives in Great Britain

 http://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/meetings.htm

BBC ceremony;Red-tailed hawk diet, Prospect lake, details on today's quality birds

BBC's 5 donor tree ceremony, Butterfly Meadow,photo by J.Zinn

So far, we have seen or heard about Red-tailed hawks going for the birds. Bobbi today reported seeing a Red-tailed Hawk eating a JUNCO. We assumed that rodents and small mammals make up the bulk of a Red tailed diet but this is a myth. I was wondering if the focus on birds being eaten  reported today and yesterday's unconfirmed killed Red-headed Woodpecker ( for you still holding out hope ) that maybe the squirrel population crashed this year in Prospect. On the contrary, I looked up a website on Red tailed Hawk diet : Its a very variable diet

AAlthough they eat mostly mammals, there is a great variety of other animals Red-tailed Hawks will prey upon, including: snakes, turtles, frogs, lizards, salamanders, toads, ducks, bobwhite, crows, woodpeckers, starlings, doves, Red-winged Blackbirds, kingfishers, robins, owls, other birds, crayfish, centipedes, spiders, grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, earthworms, and fish. Red-tailed Hawks will also eat roadkill and other carrion (previously dead, but fairly fresh animals).

So there you have it. Red-taileds are fascinating gluttons of anything. So , don't leave your Cheeseburger lunch unattended on the park bench.

The first winter BONAPARTES GULL was not seen in mid afternoon on Prospect lake as I swung by there. A good bird for the park, very uncommon for this species that migrates thru the continent. On the lake with over 80 NORTHERN SHOVELERS and scattered 65 + RUDDY DUCKS, 6 BUFFLEHEAD on the northwest side, one drake with 5 hen.. PIED-BILLED GREBE out there as well.

After the BBC tree ceremony, members proceed to bird and reported a late AMERICAN REDSTART in back of the Nethermead ( Rob Bate and BBC members)

Tom Stephenson broke off from the ceremony and en route to home, reported 9 PINE SISKINS in the Vale of Cashmere and a lone BLUE HEADED VIREO. The siskins are a bit of a surprise given last years massive irruption. maybe the few are back for the holidays.

Most impressive today were numbers. This morning on my way to work, large flocks of blackbirds crossed over in flight from Quaker Ridge  heading northwest. It was mixed with grackles and redwings.. I estimated over 600 birds flying over.   Equally impressive, Rob Jett reported over 1000 DARK-EYED JUNCOS in Greenwood Cemetery  late afternoon . Wonder if those guys reported one of their own missing ?? :)>

BBgarden report

Orrin 

BBG this morning.  Lots of sparrows:

Great blue heron

Red-tailed hawk

Golden-crowned kinglet

Ruby-crowned kinglet

Song sparrow

white-throated sparrow

Fox sparrow

Swamp sparrow

Chipping sparrow

American robin

Hermit thrush

Swainson's thrush

Northern cardinal

European starling

Blue jay

date = 2013/11/14
site = Prospect Park
observers = Peter

Pied-billed Grebe Lake
Double-crested Cormorant Lake
Great Blue Heron West Isl
Northern Shoveler 80 Lake
Bufflehead 6 Lake
American Black Duck Lake
Canada Goose Lake
Ruddy Duck 65 Lake
Mute Swan Lake
Mallard Lake
American Coot 2Lake
Bonaparte's Gull 1st winter Lake
Ring-billed Gull 
Herring Gull Lake
Rock Pigeon 
Mourning Dove 
Blue-headed Vireo Vale Tom Stephenson
Winter Wren yesterday West Isl cove
American Robin am flyovers Ballfields
Hermit Thrush 7
American Redstart Nethermead , RBate and BBC
Northern Cardinal 9 yesterday West Isl cove
Red-winged Blackbird large flock flyovers early AM Ballfields
Common Grackle large flock flyovers early AM Ballfields
Pine Siskin 9 Vale by Tom Stephenson

From Doug Gochfeld 

excerpt of report for Brooklyn 

I also saw the continuing juv. Bonaparte's Gull on Prospect Park Lake after 4 
PM, which is a very good bird (~1 every 3 years, on average, this being the 
~20th record) for the park.

From Kathy Toomey

Hi Peter,
Isabel and I saw four Fox Sparrows together by the Nethermeade Bridge,
and another one behind the Upper Pool.
Kathy T.

Butterfly Meadow BBC Ceremony; Bonys,Siskins and late Redstart

This is a brief report

This day was a celebration. The Brooklyn Bird Club tree ceremony took place with President Rob Bate presiding and members present along with Prospect Park Alliance officials including just retired NRC director Anne Wong, NRC John Jordan and Public affairs Liaison Eric Landau looking on as Rob cut the ribbon.

This was a good day for some uncommon birds but overshadowed by a RED TAILED HAWK going food crazy as as report  came thru of one taking a Dark Eyed Junco ! A change in diet preference from premier Red-headed Woodpecker to now junk food ?

Rare birds today marking the tree ceremony included PINE SISKIN in the Vale of Cashmere, a late AMERICAN REDSTART in the Nethermead and my Prospect Lake lunchtime report of BONAPARTES GULL (BOGU), a first winter bird. Last time a BONYs ( our nickname ) came in was April 28th, 2011

More later, as I have to leave to take my old senoir cat to the vet.

in the meantime, here are the BONY recs

Bonaparte's Gull  1     4/28/11     Prospect Lake

Bonaparte's Gull  1     11/27/08    Prospect Lake

Bonaparte's Gull  1     2/10/08     Prospect Lake

Bonaparte's Gull  2     4/8/07      Prospect Lake

Bonaparte's Gull  2     3/31/07     Prospect Lake

Bonaparte's Gull  1     4/22/06     South Lakeside

Bonaparte's Gull  ~65   12/1/04     Prospect Lake

Bonaparte's Gull  3     4/27/03     Prospect Lake

Bonaparte's Gull  1     10/17/99    Prospect Lake

Bonaparte's Gull  1     5/21/96     Prospect Lake

Bonaparte's Gull  1     12/9/94     Prospect Lake

Bonaparte's Gull  1     3/4/64      Prospect Park

Bonaparte's Gull  1     5/5/55      Prospect Park

Bonaparte's Gull  1     11/7/54     Prospect Park

Bonaparte's Gull  1     5/27/51     Prospect Park

Bonaparte's Gull  1     4/19/47     Prospect Park

Bonaparte's Gull  1     12/28/46    Prospect Park

Bonaparte's Gull  1     5/5/45      Prospect Park

Bonaparte's Gull  1     4/18/43     Prospect Park

@robsbate: Redstart back of pool at Nethermead m.twitter.com/robsbate

Harassed Gull flew closer to west shore prospect lake.imm or 1st yr BONAPARTES GULL.

Blck dot bhind eye,dark bill.Bonarpartes Gull with certainty prospect lake middle

Possible Bonarpartes gull on lake middle.I need a scope!

Ribbon cutting BBC trees

Late this morning the dedication ceremony of the BBC's trees. See President Rob Bate cut the ribbon. Its just grand !

 

Sent from my MetroPCS 4G Android device

Bbc members at tree ceremony

 

 

Sent from my MetroPCS 4G Android device

From Tom S.: Hi. 9 siskin in vale and bl head vireo lower midwood

"Nature of the beast": end of the lakeside Red-headed Woodpecker ?

Nature is unforgiving sometimes , but that is the state of it. In a world of predator -prey situations, regardless of how rare or plain, or beautiful its prey is, the predator doesn't give a hoot.

I received information from Karen who met a birder visiting from New Jersey who witnessed the very dare deviled maneuver by a RED-TAILED HAWK grabbing something or slamming it in the tall ash  or Linden on the right cove though from the video sent me , you cannot discern the "object" of affection by the hawk  charging in. The birder, Pat,  said he was confident or possibly saw the vocal southwest Lakeside RED-HEADED WOODPECKER plucked or attacked by the hawk.

Below is his account and video. Its pretty amazing , astounding stuff , seeing the power of nature revealing its beastly nature. [Wait till the 15 th second]

Oh well,if true the RHWO was plucked and gone to bird heaven, then we all had hopes if its surely the Red-headed Woodpecker . (by the way, note the 1st RT Hawk on the right in the same tree  , yet inexperienced Woodpecker must have been really fooled)..

All I can say is this --4 things: Red-Tailed Hawks OWN THIS PARK ; 2)There's no joy in Mudville ( I was beginning to call the woodpecker "Casey") ;  3) There is no happy ending in the drama "Beauty and the Beast"  and 4) The pecker should 've kept its little trap shut..maybe it was a cussing pecker and the likewise junior hawk didn't like it (ooouuu, Brooklyn yoot is tough)

From Pat ( from New Jersey)

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-AEfKz_pyJhZGtqUFdrbkhncnM/edit?usp=drive_web

I was able to zoom in more on my phone when I got home but I don't have any good computer software so I'm hoping someone has a better program to view with so we can confirm if the Hawk flew off with the RHWP or not.

Here is what happened:

I started watching the bird at about 2:15 or so, and confirmed it was the same juvenile RHWP that I saw on other NY birders Keir and Kellen's ebird list this weekend on 11.9.12.  A few minutes later another birder, Ben (not sure last name), came by and confirmed the same bird I did and that he had been following it all week.  He moved on, I stayed for another 20-25 minutes watching the bird move between two trees on the peninsula. 

My phone camera wasn't taking any good pics due to no zoom plus the sky was washing out the shots.  Out of nowhere the RHWP started becoming very vocal, a minute or two later a Red-Tailed Hawk landed on a branch to the right of him (seen as the spot on the right in this video).  The RHWP continued to call so I figured I'd use my phone camera to at least tape the call so I could send to my good friend in New Jersey.   I'm not sure if the hawk on the branch distracted the RHWP but after a minute or two out of nowhere another Hawk came in and slammed into the RHWP.  I can't confirm if he flew off with the bird or not,

 RHWP.mp4

I tried to search for the Hawks to no avail, then I ran into Karen.

Let me know if you have any questions and sorry for the cruddy commentary, and although it was super windy should be able to identify the call over that factor.

Cheers,

Patrick

Dont forget this coming Thursday evening 11/14th BBC program

Please show your support for BBC programs. The speaker Katrina Van Grouw is coming all the way from Great Britain and we want to show our Brooklyn Hospitality. (its also the last year program until next spring 2014)


http://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/meetings.htm

Fall colors and nice birds do go well together

If you are contend going out on a beautiful day as I was today, the combinations of fall's colorful leaves and nice birds even if they are common species are worth seeing. From the southwest shore of the Lake, to the Nethermead Bridge, or even the Peninsula, there are scenes worth appreciating the beauty of autumn and its birds.

First, the persistent RED-HEADED WOODPECKER juvenile is flashier today, flying all over the place at the spot called the "Hammerhead peninsula", the eastern point where this bird  is now content to staying put. From tree to tree, it entertained mostly the 5 photographers below  outnumbering the birders.Can you blame them trying their best getting pics of this rare bird for Prospect ?

But that woodpecker isn't the only note for me. There were also 8 species ducks today in Prospect. Placid bluish green water of Prospect Lake reflecting the sunny -partial cloudy sky held a large flock of NORTHERN SHOVELERS and RUDDY DUCKS but hidden among them are 4 hen BUFFLEHEAD. By the Three Sisters Islands, Bob Oneill and I while watching a perched REDTAILED HAWK on the island, 2 drake HOODED MERGANSERs waded by. Adding the GADWALL in Upper Pool and WOOD DUCKS in the Lower Pool willow snag, it was a nice collection for the park.

But most enjoyable were the BLUE JAYS. Remembering my " yoot" (Brooklyn accented ), Blue jays were always a wonderful sight near the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in my backyard ;sometimes my mother would beckoned me quickly to see these great birds. Today, 3 or 4  perched on colorful trees above the Nethermead Bridge, bright yellow Sugar Maple leaves with the blues of the jays  makes it an expressive artistic display. Don't you agree ?

So , as much we want to pursue the rarities, its important we look at the common birds and appreciate the wonderful noise they make and great presence they reveal to us during this fall vibrant season of great hues and colors.

And hat tip to all our soldiers and  veterans (including my dad during the Korean War)

Peter's list

date = 2013/11/11
site = Prospect Park
observers = Peter D

Pied-billed Grebe 1 Lake, maybe same in south Lullwater later
Double-crested Cormorant 2 west isl
Great Blue Heron Pools isthmus
Northern Shoveler easily 85 Lake,3 Upper Pool
Bufflehead 4 hen with in shoveler flock Lake
Gadwall 5 Upper Pool, 3 drke,2 hen
American Black Duck 3 Lake

Wood Duck 6 Lower Pool, 4 drake,2 hen
Hooded Merganser 2 drake at Three Sisters, seen later at shore of westernmost isln
Ruddy Duck easily 80 Lake
Mallard lake


Canada Goose Lake
Mute Swan 5 Lake
Red-tailed Hawk perched western 3 sisters island, likely 2nd                     north Nethermead
American Coot 3 south Lullwater
Ring-billed Gull 
Herring Gull 45 lake
Rock Pigeon 
Mourning Dove 
Downy Woodpecker Nethermead Br
Red-headed Woodpecker "flashy" juvenile southwest Lakeside at                           point of Hammerhead peninsula
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2, 1 Nethermead
Eastern Phoebe Nethermead Br
Blue-headed Vireo reported by Kathy Toomey with Emily Goldstein
Blue Jay 5
Brown Creeper 2 on Ginkgo  , peninsula
Winter Wren Center Dr bridle trail
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
American Robin 
Hermit Thrush 4
White-throated Sparrow 30, West Isl, 15 Peninsula sumacs
Song Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco Peninsula sumacs
Eastern Towhee female West Island shore
House Sparrow 
  





From Peter COlen , photos of RHwoodpecker & birds





http://www.petercolenphotography.com/ProspectParkGreenwoodNov102013/i-zjCV6F3

8 duck species in prospect park;Redheaded woodpecker continues southwest lakeside an hr ago

@robsbate: Rhwp continues just west of 3 sisters on s lakeshore m.twitter.com/robsbate

Remarkable....

The south Lakeside RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues but something remarkable to report.In an unexpected surprise,I saw the bird go in and out of a "nest hole",looking like very new. My thoughts was the bird was practicing making a nest hole for eventual breeding,raising hopes for Prospect historic moment.

 Asking a friend's opinion,the other possibility is the bird made a shelter to overwinter.If either scenario comes true,we have history in the making whichever is the case. Looking forward to a hopeful winter that would be less boring.... let's hope the bird sticks around.

Red headed woodpecker created a nest hole south lakeside prospect

@deepseagangster: red head showing well storing acorns at south side of lake just west of three sisters. m.twitter.com/deepseagangster

Prospect quiet day with the "really " red and the gray

Post sparrow migration can be difficult for birders, with the need for us to adapt to the slower days leading into winter. The flurry action of late August  thru September into October now is replaced by fewer land birds. However, if the patient mind accepts the current tepid state, November can still be exciting. (there's always ducks, you know)

My walk through Prospect was uneventful. Other than the horde of NORTHERN SHOVELER and RUDDY DUCK on Prospect Lake, my best sighting involved a land bird, of the common type we see in the breeding season. Taking a look at the Breeze Hill feeder site to gauge what needs to be prepared for the upcoming feeder season  beginning the end of this month, a GRAY CATBIRD popped out in the vine bramble at the fence or "viewing spot". Unexpected. On the other side of Breeze Hill, my fave falcon showed up,  a MERLIN perched on a tree  invaded by several BLUE JAYS with harassment fervor, their presence finally ticked off the falcon and it chased the jays.. ( Nice!)

All is not lost for the birders going thru what I was experiencing today  "the November doldrums" ( no warblers, few sparrows today)  , as Keir Randall called  in early afternoon a juvenile RED-HEADED WOODPECKER to the digital groupies, this not at the Picnic house but at least a half mile away south, at the Lake south shore ( or Lakeside I call it ) between Three Sisters Island and West Island. But its a different bird as observed by Keir, the second one for the park this fall. I am happy to say  after 5 tries, Klemens finally got his bird when he heard about it. And a terrific photo by him showed specks of red on the bird! ( and not present in the Picnic House bird)

-KB

Red-headed Woodpecker Photos below by Klemens

***********************************************


From Karen O'Hearn

Hey Peter,

 

I know you don't need more photos of the red-head, but I can't resist - I spent a week trying to find him/her!  Thanks to Keir's tweet today, I was finally successful!

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/who-flies-where/10765896945/lightbox/

 

best,

 

Karen

***********************************************

Peter's list

date = 2013/11/10
site = Prospect Park
observers = Peter D
Pied-billed Grebe 2 Lake
Double-crested Cormorant 2 Lake
Great Blue Heron 2 Lake, one perched on west island
Northern Shoveler 77 Lake
Gadwall 5 Upper Pool
American Black Duck 3 West Isl
Canada Goose 55 lake
Wood Duck 6 Lower Pool
Ruddy Duck 85 Lake
Mute Swan 5 Lake
Mallard 
Red-tailed Hawk Wellhouse f/o
Merlin Breeze Hill perch
American Coot yesterday, 22 in Music Isl channel
Great Black-backed Gull 1 Lake
Herring Gull 30 Lake
Rock Pigeon 
Mourning Dove 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Wellhouse
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 4 Breeze Hill, harrassed Merlin
Brown Creeper Nethermead
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3 Butterfly Meadow
American Robin 
Hermit Thrush 9, 7 Peninsula sumacs
Gray Catbird Breeze Hill feeder site
White-throated Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern Cardinal 4 wellhouse drive
Red-winged Blackbird 6 f/o Nethermead
House Sparrow 

@railbabbler: Red-headed Woodpecker imm south lakeside between 3 sisters and west island m.twitter.com/railbabbler

Cold snap equals northwest wind

A strong cold front is pushing thru "Bbbrrrrrr" temperatures meaning potentially winter type species and raptors. So..check the fields and waters and particularly check the sky. Who knows? maybe its eagle day ? Or high up passing Snow geese ? ( see Klemens report today of Bald Eagle).. If I was not working ,I would do a hawk watch at the ball fields # 5 or 6 with a thermos of coffee and watch......but alas..I gotta work....... http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/brooklyn-ny/11210/weather-forecast/334651 --KB

Duck neighborhoods at the Pools

The Pools,the twin ponds fed by Falkill Falls--Upper and Lower each were characterized by unique duck species. In the Lower Pool, 9 WOOD DUCK rested on willow limbs, but some going up upon land. Meanwhile in the neighboring Upper Pool, its a split scenario, 5 each of GADWALL and NORTHERN SHOVELER occupied that water habitat.

Unique,huh ? But for these ponds not garnering much attention for diversity,its exciting to see special circumstances.

So,5 duck species including 2 Ruddy and the usual Mallards, we hope the Ring.necked Ducks dont make the place too crowded.....

And tonight's spectacular skies had me wowed...and forgetting all about those ducks -KB

Prospect Bald Eagle sighting today; Pectoral Sandpiper recs

From Klemens

Dear Peter,

 frustrated after missing the RHWO this morning for the 5^th time (would be a lifer) I started photographing falling leaves until a second year Bald Eagle flew by over Nethermead to brighten my day. Photo attached.

Warm regards,

Klemens


** KB note: looks like a 2nd year bird

Immature Bald Eagle over Prospect Park 11/7, photo taken by Klemens Gasser


*************************************************

Monday's Pectoral Sandpiper sighting seen by Doug Gochfeld was the 5th all time for Prospect.

here's the history

Pectoral Sandpiper      1     10/31/02    Baseball field

Pectoral Sandpiper      1     10/30/02    Nethermead

Pectoral Sandpiper      2     9/24/2001     Pools

Pectoral Sandpiper      1     10/8/99     Duck Island

Pectoral Sandpiper      1     5/10/1958     Prospect Park

 KB Note: On 9/24/2001 the Upper Pool was drained for rock fall reconstruction , hence a mudflat and the best collection ever of shorebirds then