My spark bird saves my day

Working is tough when you can't bird. But for a few moments I happen to be up at Butterfly Meadow, my spark bird the Scarlet Tanager saves my day.

I have heard there was some warbler activity up at butterfly meadow but my problem has been my timing lately. Either I'm five minutes late or I don't catch the bird someone points it out . I missed worm eating, blackburnian and magnolia when I arrived. Dan S tried to get my attention on a few of these birds with two other birders. But I can only sigh. But one of the birders Justin pointed out something just above him and I moved over to looked. Well I'll be : it's a male Scarlet Tanager! My springs I feel is never complete without seeing this spectacular bird.

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson


"Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?"

David Attenborough
100 years old May 4th










   

BBC Birdathon supporting cause

I picked off this message from discord from Brooklyn Bird Club

WITH PERMISSION FROM ADMINS:The Brooklyn Bird Club Birdathon is coming up this Saturday!  This year’s designated beneficiary is The American Bird Conservancy/Atlantic Coast Joint Venture: Saving the SaltMarsh Sparrow from Extinction  We'd love to have you participate!  find out more at givebutter.com/brooklyn-bird-club-2026-spring-birdathon

Salt marshes are very worthy habitats. Please support this wonderful cause 

Kb

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson

The American Bird Conservancy/Atlantic Coast Joint Venture: Saving the Saltmarsh Sparrow from Extinction.

Saltmarsh Sparrow by Ray Hennessy_Shutterstock

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that was founded in 1994 with a mission to conserve wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. One of ABC’s priority areas is the protection of migratory birds – species that can travel thousands of miles seasonally between breeding and nonbreeding grounds. For more than 25 years, ABC has worked closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a wide range of partners to support several Migratory Bird Joint Ventures – multi-organizational partnerships working at the regional level to deliver conservation results for birds, other wildlife, and people.

One of the Joint Ventures with whom we closely partner is the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture (ACJV), a regional partnership that is comprised of 16 state wildlife agencies from Maine to Florida and the territory of Puerto Rico; federal and regional habitat conservation agencies; and other organizations that share a unified conservation vision. The partnership is currently focused on one of the most imperiled habitats in the ACJV region – coastal marshes and the suite of vulnerable birds that depend on them, such as the Saltmarsh Sparrow. The Saltmarsh Sparrow is a tidal marsh songbird and the only bird species endemic to the ACJV; it is found nowhere else on earth.

Saltmarsh Sparrow population declines are severe; more than four out of every five Saltmarsh Sparrows have disappeared since 1998 – an estimated population decline of 87%. This decline is due to historic losses and degradation of salt marsh habitat, as well as accelerated sea level rise across Atlantic Coast salt marshes. High tides and storm surges are increasingly flooding saltmarsh sparrow nests and their high marsh habitat. When nests flood, chicks may drown or eggs may float away. Low reproductive success is the primary reason the saltmarsh sparrow population continues to drop. 

The ACJV is coordinating a multi-agency effort to successfully restore the population of Saltmarsh Sparrows. Their approach is to restore and enhance at least 84,000 acres of existing salt marshes to provide high-quality nesting habitat and to protect adjacent, inland areas to allow marshes to migrate as sea levels rise. If successful, the full suite of tidal marsh specialist birds will benefit as well. The ACJV and our partners have identified priority salt marshes within each state that are good candidates for restoration, enhancement, and/or management. See Image below.

   

Forecast Maps – BirdCast

https://birdcast.org/migration-tools/migration-forecast-maps/


Potential active day tomorrow.. according to bird cast.

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

[eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert another gwc yellow throated warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica) (1)
- Reported May 04, 2026 12:48 by MCHL ____
- Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6523083,-73.9904281&ll=40.6523083,-73.9904281
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S332721261
- Comments: "Treetop creeping warbler with bright yellow throat, streaked flank, and black face markings. Image. (40.6537356, -73.9960826)" 

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

[eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert 2 good ones at owls head park

Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) (1)
- Reported May 04, 2026 14:00 by Casey Ferio
- Owls Head Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6403687,-74.0322153&ll=40.6403687,-74.0322153
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S332695039
- Comments: "*rare spring migrant - unexpected! Popped up here (40.6401267, -74.0322180) in the vicinity of a number of chipping sparrows and a few Savannahs, but didn’t seem to be associating with them closely. Vanished and reappeared a few times as walkers came through and flushed the sparrows. Photos"

Lawrence's Warbler (hybrid) (Vermivora chrysoptera x cyanoptera (F2 backcross)) (1)
- Reported May 04, 2026 14:00 by Casey Ferio
- Owls Head Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6403687,-74.0322153&ll=40.6403687,-74.0322153
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S332695039
- Comments: "**rare in NYC, where the only regularly-occurring phenotype within this controversial and taxonomically vexed little complex seems to be blue-winged. While walking the forest path above the dog run looking for Jeff’s amazing all-white kinglet, I heard a blue-winged warbler song sounding off from a busy area of the canopy. I figured I should get eyes on it for good measure, and immediately saw that it was not a blue-winged warbler, but a Lawrence’s-type hybrid. Cooperative for several minutes before it moved higher into the canopy. I had a blue-winged warbler in this area last week, and a Brewster’s-type hybrid very close by last october - that and this bird comprose the only two hybrid warblers I’ve ever knowingly seen. Can I have a golden-wing here yet? Seen here (40.6408503, -74.0334109)  - please note that the trail back here is heavily eroded and a bit treacherous. Photos and very poor SNR audio"
 

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Wickman PP chklist

https://ebird.org/checklist/S332503456

76 species reported

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

Caspian term over pplake

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) (1)
- Reported May 04, 2026 06:51 by Ant Tab
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S332449977
- Comments: "I have burned literal HOURS of my life over the last week and a half, plus the time I put in the last two years, looking at a whole lot of NOTHING from the north end of the lake, praying for this exact moment… and it was worth every second. Huge tern, thick red bill, black wingtips, westbound over lake at exactly 8:00. Did not circle around at all, as they have apparently done in the past. I was just about to give up on my lake watch before it flew by—thank god I took one final glance. Very very long-awaited patch bird for me 🙂

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

Fwd: Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, May 3rd Walk

Leader Matthew Wills

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Matthew Wills <matthewwills@earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, May 3, 2026, 5:26 PM
Subject: Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, May 3rd Walk
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>

Hey, Peter

Twenty birders joined me this chilly morning for today's Green-Wood Cemetery Walk. No fallout, I think all the birds are in Ohio, but we still found a few.

Matthew

-----Forwarded Message-----
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Sent: May 3, 2026 2:19 PM
To: <matthewwills@earthlink.net>
Subject: eBird Report - Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, May 3, 2026

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, US
May 3, 2026 7:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Brooklyn Bird Club walk.
51 species

Canada Goose X Including two broods on Sylvan Water, about ten goslings all together.
Mallard 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift 8
Laughing Gull X Small flock fly-over
American Herring Gull 1 Fly-over
Double-crested Cormorant 1 Fly-over
Osprey 1 High fly-over
Red-tailed Hawk 2 Minimum number.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 1
Monk Parakeet X
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Eastern Warbling Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 1 IDed by voice
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 10 Low over Valley and Sylvan Waters
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Northern House Wren 1
European Starling X
Gray Catbird 4
Brown Thrasher 1
Northern Mockingbird 8
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin X
House Sparrow X
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 1
Chipping Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 7
Savannah Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 1
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole 3 Minimum of two males and one female
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Common Grackle X
Ovenbird 1
Northern Waterthrush 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
American Redstart 1
Northern Yellow Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S331990553

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

A mixed bag of warblers

Sort of a mixed bagged today in Prospect and Greenwood as most activity happened in the early morning but quieted down quickly in the afternoon.

For starters,Hooded Warbler seems "numerous"with one at Greenwood Cemetery Pierrepont Mausoleum,one West of Valley Water and another in Prospects Ravine.

Perhaps two Worm eating Warblers are reported : one atop Lookout Hill on the south upper slope bordering Butterfly Meadow and maybe another at the northeast Quaker Cemetery perimeter along the trail.

Continuing  with warblers, a Louisiana Waterthush was seen in the Ravine.

Also in the Ravine at the margin were three male Scarlet Tanagers.

Notable in Prospect , a flyover Greater Yellow legs over Prospect Lake and White Eyed Vireo West of the Well house behind the picnic tables bought quality sightings.

And lastly, the Gambles White crowned Sparrow sticks around at Sylvan Water West hedgerows, observed coming to the water edge.

My timing wasn't right in afternoon birding.🤗

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

Look up !!

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) (2)
- Reported May 01, 2026 15:36 by Sean Sime
- 7 Av, New York US-NY 40.66685, -73.98171, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.66685,-73.981709&ll=40.66685,-73.981709
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S330650312
- Comments: "Photos TBA"

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) (2)
- Reported May 01, 2026 13:27 by Ryan Mandelbaum
- Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6523083,-73.9904281&ll=40.6523083,-73.9904281
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S330661349
- Comments: "photos, soaring black birds with white wing patches"

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) (2)
- Reported May 01, 2026 13:27 by Ryan Mandelbaum
- Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6523083,-73.9904281&ll=40.6523083,-73.9904281
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S330661349
- Comments: "together. flappy, high flying accipitrine hawks, small heads and very square looking tails"

Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) (1)
- Reported May 01, 2026 17:49 by Emily Clark
- Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6902052,-73.9650187&ll=40.6902052,-73.9650187
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S330659205
- Comments: "Soaring NE over building next to Pratt. Overall paler than Red-tailed Hawk, with a clean whitish underside and a bold dark belly patch (not a diffuse belly band). Underwings had distinct dark patches near wrist; tail pale with dark band, not rufous. Seen while leaving the campus."

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

Amer Bittern near Binnen bridge

American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) (1)
- Reported May 01, 2026 12:39 by Chris Miller
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S330568861
- Comments: "Large brown heron with long striped neck. Appeared to be foraging on the edge of the pond water before being flushed by an off leash dog. Seen near Binnen Bridge here:
(40.6622681, -73.9664375) *photos to come"

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

Continuing ICGU at BTPP

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported May 01, 2026 11:10 by Nick Dawson
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S330496480
- Comments: "On broken pier. Photo."

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

Maryland monument SUTA

Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) (1)
- Reported May 01, 2026 08:14 by Matt Beck
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S330416603
- Comments: "Very visible bird feeding on bees. Seen by many other birders."

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

Zach's PP chklist

https://ebird.org/checklist/S329918482

Note pine Siskin and Summer Tanager

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

Fwd: Thursday BBC Walk

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson


------ Forwarded message ---------

From: Tom Stephenson <12toms@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 6:19 PM
Subject: Thursday Walk
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc: 

Hi Peter,

It was a cold but very birdy day in the park. And a great group. I co-led with Chris Miller (and another shadow guide), which was really fun. Over all we had 53 species with a few key highlights including Summer Tanager, Cerulean, Worm-eating, Nashville, Prairie and Blue-winged Warblers; and a White-eyed Vireo. 

Migration is ramping up.

Here's the list.

Best regards,

Tom

Double-crested Cormorant

Mute Swan

Wood Duck

Mallard

Osprey

Cooper's Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Herring Gull

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

Chimney Swift

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

White-eyed Vireo

Yellow-throated Vireo (H)

Blue-headed Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Tufted Titmouse

Red-breasted Nuthatch

House Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Hermit Thrush

Wood Thrush

American Robin

Gray Catbird

European Starling

Blue-winged Warbler

Nashville Warbler

Northern Parula

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Cerulean Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Worm-eating Warbler

Ovenbird

Northern Waterthrush

Summer Tanager

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

Baltimore Oriole

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

 

Fwd: Brooklyn Bridge Park Migration Morning 4-29-2026

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Mike Yuan <mjyuan@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 9:24 PM
Subject: Brooklyn Bridge Park Migration Morning 4-29-2026
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>, Dennis Hrehowsik <deepseagangster@gmail.com>
Cc: sjschiffman@gmail.com <sjschiffman@gmail.com>

An all-time high 28 birders enjoyed a lovely sunny morning for our second Migration Morning of the season. The trees around the Long Pond on Pier 1 contained the concentration of birds and kept us anchored to the area for most of our time. Two male BALTIMORE and ORCHARD ORIOLES offered a terrific comparison, with NORTHERN YELLOW WARBLER and PALM WARBLER testing our necks before offering lower and less strenuous views.

In the fly-by and flyover category, We peeked at a COMMON LOON through the trees, shortly followed by an OSPREY, and while at the pilings, a rare for the park BELTED KINGFISHER gave us two passes up and down the river.

A great start to the day and hoping Wednesdays treat us well in May!

Brooklyn Bridge Park, Kings, New York, US
Apr 29, 2026 7:15 AM - 9:33 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.512 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Brooklyn Bird Club Migration Morning walk. Pier 1 to pier 3
43 species (+1 other taxa)

Brant (Pale-bellied)  11
Canada Goose  1
Mallard  4
American Black Duck  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  8
Mourning Dove  6
Laughing Gull  12
Ring-billed Gull  4
American Herring Gull  5
Great Black-backed Gull  3
Common Loon  1     Flyover heading south
Double-crested Cormorant  35
Osprey  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Eastern Warbling Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
Barn Swallow  4
European Starling  2
Gray Catbird  4
Northern Mockingbird  2
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  8
House Sparrow  5
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  3
Chipping Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  28
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  1
Orchard Oriole  2
Baltimore Oriole  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  4
Common Grackle  8
Ovenbird  1
Northern Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  1
Northern Yellow Warbler  2
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  3
new world warbler sp.  1     Blue winged seen by some
Northern Cardinal  3

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S329422244

Bird List - Prospect Park, Kings, New York, United States - eBird Hotspot 97 species today

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L109516/bird-list

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

GWC PUMA

Purple Martin (Progne subis) (1)
- Reported Apr 29, 2026 14:44 by Monica Berger
- Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6523083,-73.9904281&ll=40.6523083,-73.9904281
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S329592317
- Comments: "Large purple and blue swallow, slight notch in tail, clearly not a barn, dark underneath, seen at Sylvan water, took off and did not linger. High flight, swooped down to water and flew up high again"

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

RHWP in GWC

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1)
- Reported Apr 29, 2026 11:18 by MCHL ____
- Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6523083,-73.9904281&ll=40.6523083,-73.9904281
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S329561795
- Comments: "! Bright adult. Large white wing patches, dark back, all red head. Spotted along Oakwood Avenue, flew Northward between trees towards Lark/Central Ave."

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

Whiter glaucous gull at btpp

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (1)
- Reported Apr 29, 2026 07:33 by Nick Dawson
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S329398887
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "On broken pier, looking very white now! Photo."

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

Cerulean warbler update prospect

A late evening report placed yesterday's Cerulean Warbler above the zoo compost yard along the path above the dongan oak eagle monument. Hopefully it'll stay out of the construction zone of the Vale cashmere. If it's still around. 

There's been a variety of warblers reported in this general area there  stretching  towards the north midwood including bluewinged, Nashville etc though high up in that mature tree forest..

Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) (1)
- Reported Apr 28, 2026 17:14 by Z L
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S329166813
- Comments: "Was listening to variations of blue winged warbler fart songs for a while when when I started hearing a new buzzy rhythm that had 4-6 syllables but sounded farther away ending higher pitched than the blue winged somewhere in the zoo. I had noticed a diverse set of warblers were singing south of the fence so I camped out to try to learn the songs better and see if I was picking up something new to me. Just as I was heading out I heard a loud smacky chip call I could only relate to a warbler and I figured probably a redstart. Looked up past a yellow rumped and bam! There was a Cerulean male with a clean white throat, blueish back wings and head, with white coverts, under tail white dipped black, lighter superciulium, bill not too long, and neck band with clean white belly. Missed the chance to take a binoculars shot and didn’t have a camera. It flew off in the direction of the zoo. I theorize with it being slightly colder this afternoon the zoo water/mulch heat mix was a good combo for many of these birds. FOY and State bird! Also was wearing a light blue hoodie so I think it was fate."

***********

--

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

A tree now grows in Brooklyn

My anniversary tree -white oak- basked in sunlight ☀️🌞🥳

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

Fwd: Tuesday walk recap

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ryan Goldberg <ryan.goldberg@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Apr 28, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Subject: Tuesday walk recap
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>

Hi Peter,

Here's our list from today's walk: https://ebird.org/checklist/S329000687.

We observed 52 species, but it was very quiet in the park. We're still waiting on southwest winds. We had good looks at a singing Nashville Warbler on Center Drive by the Quaker Cemetery, one of only seven warbler species on the day. By the time we reached the Midwood, the Cerulean Warbler that had been found there earlier was gone.

One interesting sight was a Red-breasted Nuthatch carrying what appeared to be nesting material on Lookout. I know that's not a coastal breeder and they prefer conifer forests; have they ever bred in the park?

Ryan

--

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Mid wood Cerulean

Reported in north mid wood along the path before or at the fork

 Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) (1)
- Reported Apr 28, 2026 09:42 by Cailyn Hansen
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S328952608
- Comments: "First reported by Peter Nauffts. At seeing the post, I ran across the park to where the pin was. The bird had been vocalizing pretty consistently. I saw a group of birders who had just seen the bird and shortly we saw it fly to another tree. Thanks to Forrest for helping me get eyes on it. White throat and belly with black necklace. Backlit, so hard to see color on it. It stayed in the area visible at points for about 10 min after I arrived. I hung around for about an hour trying to find it again, but only heard it once more. Audio to be attached."

Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) (1)
- Reported Apr 28, 2026 09:40 by Ed Crowne
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S329016171
- Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Found and reported in Midwood of Prospect Park by Peter Nauffts. I heard it sing repeatedly upon arriving. I recorded it on Merlin and subsequently was able to see and photograph it. The Cerulean was part of a small mixed flock moving about in the canopy of a very tall tree. First year male. See photos."

Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) (1)

- Reported Apr 28, 2026 07:00 by Forrest Wickman

- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S328979635

- Media: 6 Photos

- Comments: "Flagged as rare: A scarce migrant, and one that often seems to go undetected, especially due to the fact that it tends to hang out extremely high in trees, plus this is maybe slightly on the early side for this species. In this case it was indeed extremely high in the trees, but blessedly it was both (1) singing regularly (a rising, buzzy song sorta like a Parula or an alt Black-Throated Blue Warbler song, but with three phases rather than two, and with what I think of as a little telltale “chugga, chugga” at the beginning, telling you you’re aboard the train to Cerulean Town) and (2) singing next to a slope, so that from the top of the hill you could see it somewhere closer to eye level. First heard and reported by Peter N earlier, though I didn’t know that at the time, so by the time I showed up in the Midwood and heard it and then saw it, I called out “Cerulean!” to him and others without realizing they had already had it lol. Photos (all bad I suspect, but identifiable), audio.

Location-wise, we had it in this area, in the Midwood just south of the broken steps, though it seemed like it might be moving with a mixed flock that also included a Black-and-White, several Yellow-Rumpeds, a Parula, and a Scarler Tanager, and by the time I left that flock had seemed to move north and we had lost the Cerulean: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bsm1nCad8wpzAFQQ9?g_st=ic"

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

Planting my 25th anniversary tree

That's me throwing dirt on my 25th anniversary White oak gifted me by the Prospect Park Alliance today.

Many thanks to their heartfelt generosity..it was a noble gesture..

It's near the Golden Stairs, looking straight down Center Drive.

One day warblers will fill it up ..

-kb

Photo taken by Ed Crowne

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson


   

U

Giving my speech

Warbler notes

A long day for me so here are quick notes on prospect warblers

A Prothonotary warbler was spotted in area just before the north side of the meadowport arch, along the path towards the Garfield tot lot.

The likely continuing Hooded Warbler was found inside the sumac grove at the Peninsula meadow West fringe.

Continuing with the Peninsula, worm eating warbler remains still on the lake side of the peninsula close to the thumb.

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

White crowned sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Apr 26, 2026 12:42 by MCHL ____
- Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6523083,-73.9904281&ll=40.6523083,-73.9904281
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S328191569
- Comments: "Continuing in hedgerows West of Sylvan Water."

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

A willow patch

I'm of a mindset now at my age , (65 tomorrow!) to slow down and enjoy the birds more patiently-- or simply put stand around and wait; make them come to you. Rushing around and chasing things all the time creates burnout. So why not slow down? It was this afternoon, along the prospect lake South shore one of those spots I like to wait and see 

That spot is a Willow tree that hangs over a small phragmite patch.Its confining and secure for birds there. And it so happens a few did pop up. First,it was a very active Yellow rumped warbler that even if common, I nevertheless enjoyed seeing the bird.. There isn't much around anyway thanks to today's very chilly weather . Then it was a Swamp Sparrow  at the fringes of the phrag marsh,my first for the season.Moments later I spotted a Northern Waterthush to the left and again to the right later. So that was satisfying if even if I was hoping for a Yellow Warbler.

About an hour later, there was ( seen by another birder) a Worm eating warbler on the Peninsula just before the thumb. A photo appeared on the Discord app.

Summer Tanager continues in Owls Head Park. There were reports of Nashville Warbler in Prospect, Hooded Warbler again this morning in the Mid wood, Ovenbirds,and Solitary Sandpiper as well as by the same name Vireo at Greenwoods Dell water ..

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson











   

April 26th Greenwood Cemetery Paul Keim memorial walk

( venue switched due to half marathon in Prospect Park)

Checklist ( courtesy of Xinyi Zhang ) https://ebird.org/checklist/S328168770

Leaders Peter Dorosh and Dennis Hrehowsik

And from Humming-Bird to Eagle, the daily existence of every bird is a remote and bewitching mystery.

~Thomas Wentworth Higginson, "The Life of Birds," Out-door Papers, 1868

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, US
Apr 26, 2026 8:04 AM - 10:47 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.011 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Brooklyn Bird Club Memorial Walk for Paul Keim
34 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  2
Mallard  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  4
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  20
American Herring Gull  5
Great Egret  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker  5
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  8
crow sp.  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Red-breasted Nuthatch  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Northern House Wren  3
European Starling  50
Gray Catbird  5
Northern Mockingbird  3
American Robin  35
House Sparrow  15
Chipping Sparrow  5
Field Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  25
Eastern Towhee  9
Red-winged Blackbird  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Common Grackle  1
Ovenbird  2
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  6
Northern Cardinal  6

Solitary Sandpiper, photo by Xinyi Zhang

In memory ..thank you Paul for your vast contribution to the BBC and the birding community 

[eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert " in the nabe"

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Apr 26, 2026 10:31 by Nick Dawson
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S327942925
- Comments: "Not seen in a little while, but still around, hanging on the broken pier. Photo."

Purple Martin (Progne subis) (2)
- Reported Apr 26, 2026 13:02 by Austin Johnson
- Bed-Sky Watch, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6897474,-73.9426066&ll=40.6897474,-73.9426066
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S327974531
- Comments: "pretty rare here in bedstuy! two purple males darting east overhead , photos avail"

Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) (1)
- Reported Apr 26, 2026 06:26 by Nate L-S
- Owls Head Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6403687,-74.0322153&ll=40.6403687,-74.0322153
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S327964388
- Comments: "Early. All red tanager with light beak" 

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Bird List - Prospect Park, Kings, New York, United States - eBird Hotspot

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L109516/bird-list

Saturday chklist 

Click on date next to species for complete checklist

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Saturday am reports

A flurry of bird reports for this dreary chilly morning but birders went out and saw good stuff. Here's a quick summary.

At Owls Head Park in Bay ridge, a Summer Tanager was a great find. The spot was by a bee colony on the side of the park southwest corner along 68th St. Also in that park during a bird walk, a Worm eating Warbler was observed.

With Worm eating, one was also found in Prospect Park between the Pools ,on the Isthmus.

Continuing with Prospect, a variety of quality birds. At Dog beach , a single Pine Siskin hung out with American Goldfinches.Rusty Blackbird on the south side of Lullwater bridge,Hooded Warbler in the Mid wood , Bluewinged warbler and Purple Finch at northwest Quaker Cemetery offered an antidote to the weather.

And from Humming-Bird to Eagle, the daily existence of every bird is a remote and bewitching mystery.

~Thomas Wentworth Higginson, "The Life of Birds," Out-door Papers, 1868









   

[eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert Summer tanager at owls head

Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) (1)
- Reported Apr 25, 2026 09:45 by Benjamin D
- Owls Head Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6403687,-74.0322153&ll=40.6403687,-74.0322153
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S327097595
- Comments: "Stunning male found by Ryan M this morning. Entirely crimson tanager with a noticeably larger bill than a scarlet tanager. Catching and eating honeybees from a nest in a tree cavity. Thanks Casey for the tip!" 

Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) (1)
- Reported Apr 25, 2026 09:32 by Casey Ferio
- Owls Head Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6403687,-74.0322153&ll=40.6403687,-74.0322153
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S327121948
- Media: 1 Video, 7 Photos
- Comments: "*nice find by Ryan M’s bird walk through this woefully underbirded neighborhood park. Unsurprisingly parked directly above a feral European honeybee colony in a locust tree that I staked out last fall for this species, calling occasionally as it caught, thrashed, and ate bee after bee, laying waste to the invasive bees one-by-one. “Save the bees doesn’t involve honeybees”, I believe I heard the tanager say. Flew off a few times but always reappeared at the honeybee colony, which is in a cavity in a locust tree, here (40.6389101, -74.0321010) nice bird for the bay ridge list, as I’ve called it - “the only list that matters”. Photos and audio

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Bird List - Prospect Park, Kings, New York, United States - eBird Hotspot

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L109516/bird-list

An uptick in migrants this week with 106 species yesterday!

Whippoorwill Reported last thursday....

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Thursday bird summary

Various sightings gleaned from reports I received pointed to some nice birds seen. Besides Tom Stephenson bird walk,these are what I read.

On Lookout hill just past the Switchback trail in the woods below the Butterfly Meadow, the continuing calling Yellow throated warbler was seen.In that same area low down , a Worm eating Warbler appeared as well.

Prospects other good birds have been the continuing Rose Breasted Grosbeak at Upper Pool dog beach; northeast of there a Black throated blue warbler continues for the second day in the same spot .The Hooded Warbler showed up today in the Ambergill in the Ravine.Warbling Vireos on the Peninsula and a Great Crested Flycatcher above the Maryland Monument are noteworthy pursuits.

Meanwhile over at Greenwood Cemetery Dell water, a Solitary Sandpiper was seen on its watery spots.

Iceland Gull at Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4 and Glaucous Gull at Bush Terminal Pier park continued their very long stay today alternating these locations different times 

Even Brooklyn Botanic Garden had its own offering: a Wood Thrush in the Native Flora section. Greenpoints McCarren Park bragged having one too.

And from Humming-Bird to Eagle, the daily existence of every bird is a remote and bewitching mystery.

~Thomas Wentworth Higginson, "The Life of Birds," Out-door Papers, 1868