In the southwest pines of the Nethermead, what I thought might have been something really good, the adult
COOPERS HAWK silently perched half way up the pine. It had me fooled for another species and also had me working hard to get decent looks through the pine boughs.It was so stilled.
The Upper Pool continues to harbor
GADWALL, but previously a reported two doubled to four.On the lake, no sign of the previously reported Red breasted Merganser but it's possible it went into south Lullwater where I didn't go. I was too puckered after today..
Of note if one is looking for scarcity was a single
CHIPPING SPARROW on Breeze Hill. To the right of the feeders upper slope trail , along the lawn in front of lamppost m150 ( if i remembered correctly) was the lonesome "Chippie".
Earlier, as I was watching Rob Bate fix the feeders , on that same slope trail head , I happened to flush a female
PURPLE FINCH.Rob mentioned
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, I forget where. So, lets hope for these birds to stick around not only thru the CBC count but thru most of winter.
Just one other note I forgot to mention from the other day. While checking out an area along the horse trail just on the south side of the Nethermead, several sparrows popped out along the slope , among them a male
EASTERN TOWHEE. This is a nice bird for winter seasons.
Prospect isn't known as a spectacular winter location that usually is reserved for coastal areas, but we do get those nice birds to mitigate winters gloom. ( A premise that I never find winter ever so dreary as I am winter's advocate; its the most beautiful and serene of seasons , better than summer for me). Later , a photo of me in the Daily News many years ago, about the Xmas count. Soon.
--KB
Addendum : Karen got back to me with more details about the phoebe. She mentioned tail wagging among some field marks, therefore,an
EASTERN PHOEBE. Again, good bird right now for its tardiness..stick around fellas !
date = 2013/12/05
site = Prospect Park
observers = PeterD
Pied-billed Grebe 2 Lake
Double-crested Cormorant Lake
Great Blue Heron Lake shore Peninsula, didn't even budge
Northern Shoveler many Lake
Gadwall 4 Upper Pool
Canada Goose Lake 63
Ruddy Duck numerous Lake
Mute Swan 7 Duck Island
Mallard
Cooper's Hawk perched in pine southwest Nethermead
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot 3 Lake
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker feeders
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet reported by Rob Bate
Hermit Thrush Peninsula sumacs
Chipping Sparrow Breeze Hill east of feeders
White-throated Sparrow several
Eastern Towhee male seen Monday horse trail south of Nethermead Bridge
Northern Cardinal 2
Purple Finch east of feeders top trail, female
House Sparrow
