Mourning in Greenwood Cemetery

Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) (1)
- Reported Jun 01, 2026 09:52 by Chris Miller
- Green-Wood Cemetery--Sylvan Water, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6537472,-73.9986235&ll=40.6537472,-73.9986235
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S350943839
- Comments: "Drab warbler with yellow belly, blue-gray head and olive back.(40.6535380, -73.9997887)
 *photos to come"

--Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) (1)
- Reported Jun 01, 2026 13:21 by Christopher Engel
- 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/S350987838
- Comments: "By sylvan. Photo"

Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) (1)
- Reported Jun 01, 2026 13:20 by Casey Ferio
- 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/S351002016
- Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "*continuing at Sylvan water, seen at almost every part of the yew tunnel area - warbler with an olive back, bright yellow underparts to vent, and a rich blue-gray hood bolstered by a crescent-shaped bib. Nice views and almost got a great photo up close but someone jumped right in front of me at the last second, leaving me with a nice blurry hat photo. Lesson learned: don’t call out the bird, just look at it quietly. Doc photos"

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Local good flycatchers

Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) (1)
- Reported May 31, 2026 09:20 by Catherine Quayle
- 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/S350329377
- Comments: "Long and tall, with distinct vest, large bill, crested look to head. Perched in a stately, upright fashion at very top of a tree. Did not vocalize."

Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) (1)
- Reported May 31, 2026 07:55 by Z .
- 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/S350310745
- Media: 1 Audio
- Comments: "being very vocal up behind Niblo - across from winter walk. audio"

Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) (1)
- Reported May 31, 2026 10:09 by Caty Gordon
- 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/S350294031
- Comments: "White/yellow bellow with gray wings and two white wing bars. Slight Mohawk."

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats










   

Yep, it's gotta be a Virginia rail!

Found on the oddest places...

Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) (1)
- Reported May 30, 2026 09:41 by Andrew Parietti
- 217 Dekalb Ave, New York US-NY 40.68965, -73.97080, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.689648,-73.970795&ll=40.689648,-73.970795
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S349851494
- Comments: "Spotted outside my stoop in Fort Greene in Brooklyn. Hid behind my trashcan when I spotted it."

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats










   

MIKI still keeps coming....

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 31, 2026 07:00 by matt bourke
- 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/S350214007
- Comments: "3rd time in as many days , I got a clear look  . seen from cedar dell over the tree line flying towards prospect park at 8am  . prominent dark eye patch , long pointed wings ."

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats










   

PUMA over Prospect

Purple Martin (Progne subis) (1)
- Reported May 30, 2026 07:53 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/S349599886
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Big ol’ swallow. Photos

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats










   

The last days of May

As the  month wounds down, there's a hope for a few good ones. Face it-- it's depressing for some birders seeing migration at its end . Today, there are a few stragglers that still catch the eye ( or worth hearing).

.

And one such spot for good birds happened to be Greenwood Cemetery's Dell water. Two great birds including one really good one appeared : Grasshopper Sparrow.The Sparrow was cooperative feeding at the parking spot edges of the south end of Dell water.Its a really cool handsome bird to behold. The other good bird was a female Mourning Warbler inside the Dell water area, seen first in shrubs at the northwest end but encroaching the south end as time went by.

Flyovers are interesting if you count a Greater Yellow legs Sandpiper over the Battle Hill hawk watch site.

Meanwhile over at Prospect, Flycatchers continue to intrigue. At the Well Drive 3Shipcontainers, an Olive Sided Flycatcher perched on the usual dead snag above while an Acadian FC called loudly from the slope above the 3 Ship towards the Switchback trail .

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats










   

[eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert Gwc cliff swallow

Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) (1)
- Reported May 29, 2026 14:25 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/S349024995
- Comments: "Rare but my second is as many days. Small square tailed swallow flying westbound over the greenwood hawk watch hill. backlit but seen well - dark with pale forehead." 

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

summer tanager at Upper Pool

Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) (1)
- Reported May 29, 2026 06:57 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/S348815705
- Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Flagged as rare/late: Singing over and over in the trees just north/west of the dog beach, and I eventually got eyes on it. Presumably the same bird John H reported earlier. Photos. Audio also available."

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Huggard Prospect checklist

https://ebird.org/checklist/S348739871

note Olive sided and Acadian Flycatchers ,summer tanager

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Inland is the Caspian...

There was a great book I read decades ago, now out of print called " The Complete Birder" that offer tips on quick identification as well as shortcuts or  common sense for the birder. It was written by Jack Connor.

To show relevancy of that book, one chapter focused on identifying the Caspian Tern . As the author said " Inland is the Caspian Sea and so is the Caspian Tern which strongly prefers freshwater bodies.

Today two Caspian Terns visited Prospect Lake multiple times . From reports I read, they patrolled the lake for quite some time. They even took potshots at an osprey, no doubt showings it " turf muscle".

You can't missed this bird: it's a beefy big tern with a thick red bill. Lucky for birders seeing this rare but occasional visitor to Prospect lake.

The other top news today was the Mississippi Kite spotted by Michelle on the Brooklyn Bird Club walk this morning high above the ballfields at West end Long Meadow. ( I tried my luck at the ballfields or Golden Hill but sadly no dice with snake eyes) .Sometimes you have to be plain lucky. The checklist as well as photos are in the previous posts below 

Last , quite a number of nice Flycatchers are around. Best were the Olive sided and Acadian , both seen or heard at the south border of the Midwood. And a Yellow bellied adds spice, one heard calling at the south shoreline of Prospect Lake, today's hotzone! 

A last interesting sight regards flyover Glossy Ibis over Prospect Lake as well as an eagle in the same general area 

Look up! 🙄

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats










   

Today's Prospect Mississippi Kite photo

Seen on BBC walk, click on Rusty Harold's link chklist

https://ebird.org/checklist/S348431618

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 28, 2026 07:25 by Denise Byrd
- 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/S348482541
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Great spot by Michele! First summer bird flying SE high over ballfields. *photos to come"










   

Fwd: Thursday BBC Spring Migration Walk 5/28/26

Led by Chris Miller

Highlight was a mega Mississippi Kite over the ballfields, an exceptional sighting and culmination of the Thursday walks.

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats










   

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Chris Miller <cmnyc79@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, May 28, 2026, 4:57 PM
Subject: Thursday Spring Migration Walk 5/28/26
To: prosbird@gmail.com <Prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc: Tom Stephenson <12toms@gmail.com>, Dennis Hrehowsik <deepseagangster@gmail.com>

Hi Peter,

We had a great walk with beautiful weather and a wonderful group of people today. 

Our big highlight spotted by Michele was a Mississippi Kite soaring high above the 

ballfields. Other highlights included 7 warbler species, Scarlet Tanager, Orchard Oriole 

and quite a variety of birds on nests. 

Here's the list:

Canada Goose 
Mute Swan 
Wood Duck 
Mallard 
Rock Pigeon 
Mourning Dove 
Chimney Swift 

Spotted Sandpiper 

Laughing Gull 

Black-crowned Night Heron 
Green Heron 
Great Blue Heron 
Osprey 
Cooper's Hawk 
Mississippi Kite 
Red-tailed Hawk 
Red-bellied Woodpecker 
Downy Woodpecker 
Eastern Wood-Pewee 
Great Crested Flycatcher 
Eastern Kingbird 
Eastern Warbling Vireo 
Red-eyed Vireo 
Blue Jay 
Barn Swallow 
Northern House Wren
European Starling 
Gray Catbird 
Swainson's Thrush 
Wood Thrush 
American Robin 
Cedar Waxwing 
House Sparrow 
Song Sparrow 
Orchard Oriole 
Baltimore Oriole 
Red-winged Blackbird 
Brown-headed Cowbird 
Common Grackle 
Ovenbird 
Common Yellowthroat 
American Redstart 
Northern Parula 
Magnolia Warbler 
Northern Yellow Warbler 
Canada Warbler 
Scarlet Tanager 
Northern Cardinal

https://ebird.org/checklist/print?subID=S348423241

Best,

Chris Miller

Flycatchers galore in Prospect

Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) (1)
- Reported May 28, 2026 07:19 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/S348281355
- Comments: "First seen from behind high up in a dead tree on a far snag in the Midwood. White patches on the side of the rump visible as it fluffed around. After about a minute, while still perched, it turned around, and I saw the beautiful vest it was sporting. Medium grey sides with a white middle from throat to low on the belly.

Likely the bird Forrest reported earlier."

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris) (1)
- Reported May 28, 2026 08:50 by Xiaolin Fang
- Calvert Vaux Park (Dreier-Offerman Park), Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.5848762,-73.9945752&ll=40.5848762,-73.9945752
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S348278165
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Probable Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Small Empidonax with olive upperparts, bright yellowish underparts, distinct pale eyering, and strong wingbars. Lower mandible appeared orange. Compared against Acadian and Least Flycatcher; overall coloration and structure favored Yellow-bellied. Merlin Sound ID also detected Yellow-bellied Flycatcher in the area."

Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) (1)
- Reported May 28, 2026 07:27 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/S348287226
- Comments: "Heard and seen well. Alerted by its harsh "pweek" call, and quickly got on it, empid with a big beak and sloping forehead. kind of like what if a herring gill was an empid. Eventually gave a full-throated "pwee-tseet!" song."

Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) (1)
- Reported May 28, 2026 07:19 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/S348281355
- Comments: "In the Midwood. Heard the explosive "pweek!" twice and the rising song "peet-ZHA" once. Maybe got a glimpse of it as it was quarrelling with another bird (perhaps the Olive-sided I saw later nearby). (Maybe have bad phone audio).

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats










   

Mississippi Kite for the BBC.

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 28, 2026 07:47 by Leslie Mireille
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6670686,-73.9707141&ll=40.6670686,-73.9707141
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S348282293
- Comments: "Seen by MOB on BBC walk. ID by Tom Stephenson & photos taken by Chris and others"

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 28, 2026 07:38 by Susan Axelrod
- Prospect Park, New York US-NY 40.67233, -73.96904, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.672333,-73.969042&ll=40.672333,-73.969042
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S348288905
- Comments: "Seen repeatedly flying over Prospect Park"

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats










   

Caspian Tern prospect lake

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) (2)
- Reported May 28, 2026 07:19 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/S348281355
- Comments: "Unknowingly was standing feet away from Brian facing the wrong direction (looking for Forrest's Yellow-bellied Cuckoo, which I did get later) when he spotted the terns. The discord ping immediately had me spun around to scan.

A beast of a tern with a long wingspan and large, thick, very saturated orange/red bill.

Occasionally giving their scream-like sounds.

2 of them harassing the 2 Ospreys and also hunting themselves.

Graceful, almost elegant, wing beats."

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) (2)
- Reported May 28, 2026 06:04 by B F
- 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/S348287027
- Media: 1 Photo, 1 Audio
- Comments: "Photos.  Heard the report of a Cliff Swallow at GWC (we're overdue for one at Prospect) and began scanning the lake and immediately picked up a Herring Gull-sized bird with a huge bright red bill.  Amazingly, they stuck around for about 10-15 minutes, making a lot of noise and scrapping with the gulls and an Osprey."

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats










   

Mega White Ibis** Bush Terminal Park

A flock of 50 passed thru Staten Island and landed on Hoffman Island yesterday afternoon ..remnants or maybe other White Ibises came thru, reported thru other areas in KIngs Floyd Bennett and PLumb Beach today..Three in our local area this morning..Look Up! , maybe it's an invasion. This species has been expanding northward. KB

White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) (3)
- Reported May 27, 2026 05:55 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/S347847545
- Comments: "Flyover — insane! Would not have seen it if there hadn’t been a rave in the woods, making (ear) birding there very challenging … Unsurprisingly, a new bird for the patch!"

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Lookout Hill Red breasted Nuthatch

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) (1)
- Reported May 27, 2026 12:05 by Nathaniel Howard
- 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/S347811354
- Comments: "Fully reddish-brown breast and eye stripe distinguished this from its white counterpart.  Typical nuthatch behavior otherwise."

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) (1)
- Reported May 27, 2026 11:59 by jorb f
- 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/S347814036
- Comments: "had distinctive black streak going through eye. was buffy//beige underneath. hanging out in an oak tree,  at the lookout hill. classic nuthatch hanging upside down acrobatics."

interesting its still hanging around or maybe breeding

***********

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

[eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris) (1)
- Reported May 26, 2026 11:45 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/S347376045
- Comments: "Strikingly yellow front, like a female scarlet tanager, dark long wings with bold wing bars. Images for review."

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) (1)
- Reported May 26, 2026 07:30 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S347376852
- Comments: "Late.  Possibly breeding in the park?  Female type.  Didn't see male or any carrying of 

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Fwd: Tuesday walk recap

Last spring bbc tuesday walk

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ryan Goldberg <ryan.goldberg@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, May 26, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Subject: Tuesday walk recap
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>

Hi Peter,

The last Tuesday walk of the season was not without excitement. We watched the male Wood Thrush of the Butterfly Meadow nest sing for a long time, we spent a long while watching the male Indigo Bunting sing from the pin oaks around there, and then, toward the end of the walk, we came across a Hairy Woodpecker nest in the woods and watched as the dad fed an enormous grub to two very hungry chicks. That was a magical moment. Other highlights included an Olive-sided Flycatcher on some snags near the Wellhouse, a Cooper's Hawk eating some small mammal near its Lookout Hill nest, and a pair of Northern Rough-winged Swallows on the Upper Pool.

Here is our list from today: https://ebird.org/checklist/S347342289.

It's been a wonderful season. I feel lucky to spend these mornings with people who are so full of curiosity and excitement for the birds here. Thank you to Angie and Megan for co-leading this season, as well all the experienced regulars who shared their knowledge. We finished the season with lunch at Double Windsor on Prospect Park West, which may well become a tradition.

Ryan

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Abrams chklist prospect

--https://ebird.org/checklist/S346886487

Note rare Philadelphia  vireo and notable red breasted nuthatch

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Blue Grosbeak BBP

Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) (1)
- Reported May 26, 2026 08:10 by Catherine Quayle
- Brooklyn Bridge Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6996104,-73.9973745&ll=40.6996104,-73.9973745
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S347124722
- Comments: "Heard call first, then saw high about the long pond. Beefy bird, royal blue with red wing bar. Couldn't get a good look at the bill in the light before it took off, but overall plumage unmistakable for indigo bunting."

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

details yesterdays MIKI Windsor Terrace

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 25, 2026 16:40 by chel sea
- Hello MODO, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6598028,-73.9808692&ll=40.6598028,-73.9808692
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S346823181
- Comments: "Incredible timing and looks! We were on the roof facing west at 5:05pm when a raptor glided straight at us, and Michael immediately yelled “KITE KITE”. The bird circled directly above us for a bit, made some wider loops, then gained altitude and moved southward. Long wings, elegant buoyant flight, more so than a falcon, with tail tucked in a rectangular shape, then fanned once it gained altitude. Could make out overall grey, unpatterned plumage and dark eye/lores. Missing a secondary feather on the left wing. Photos to be added."

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Memorial Day bird sightings

The best weather day of the washout holiday weekend revealed some really good birds even though it didn't sound like a very active Bird date. Nevertheless here were some reports.

On Lookout Hill South slope above the 3 shipping containers, the continuing Mourning Warbler revealed itself on the mid slope path. Hopefully it'll stick around for me tomorrow. Warblers appeared scant as migration wounds down but an interesting sighting like Blackburnian Warbler at Butterfly Meadow makes a day.

Over at Greenwood Cemetery, a surprising Eastern Bluebird at the Hill of Graves makes one wonder if it's breeding there. Keep an eye on it .

Mississippi Kites continues to make news. This afternoon , a high bird appeared over the Windsor Terrace neighborhood before entering Greenwood Cemetery airspace , over the Hill of Graves.

And last, in early evening at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1 ferry dock, an immature Glaucous Gull flew over.

🕊️

"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 8th










   

American littoral society

Floyd Bennett Field North 40 Shoreline Cleanup


Saturday, May 30

9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Floyd Bennett Field



This large-scale shoreline cleanup will focus on the North 40 waterfront area at Floyd Bennett Field, a beloved fishing, birding and hiking locale.



Volunteers will remove large debris, trash, and floating materials that threaten shoreline health, wildlife habitat, and public access.

"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 8th










   

Cleanup event by American Littoral Society

 

Floyd Bennett Field North 40 Shoreline Cleanup

Saturday, May 30

9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Floyd Bennett Field

This large-scale shoreline cleanup will focus on the North 40 waterfront area at Floyd Bennett Field, a beloved fishing, birding and hiking locale.

Volunteers will remove large debris, trash, and floating materials that threaten shoreline health, wildlife habitat, and public access.

Shoreline Cleanup at Plumb Beach

Saturday, June 6

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Plumb Beach

Join Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy for a cleanup at Plumb Beach in honor of World Ocean Day.

Gloves, bags, and tools will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and bring their own water and sunscreen.

eBird Checklist - 23 May 2026 - Prospect Park - 60 species Huggard chklist

https://ebird.org/checklist/S344882962

Note Mourning warbler and Red breasted nuthatch ( possible breeder)

Mourning warbler reported an hour later on Lookout Hill South low slope behind the three green shipping containers after originally in trees across well drive

"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 8th










   

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

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

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

MIKI continues yesterday

Also reported morning above lookout hill prospect..

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 22, 2026 13:10 by Gabriel Willow
- 475 41st Apt, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.650361,-74.005257&ll=40.650361,-74.005257
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S344083381
- Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Northbound over Gowanus or perhaps Downtown Brooklyn (hard to tell from my vantage point on my roof in Sunset Park). There has been a remarkable influx of this species in recent days, and I've had a somewhat frustrating vigil from my roof, sometimes seeing reports of birds southbound or northbound from Greenwood, which must have flown nearly directly over my apartment (I can see the entire southern edge of Greenwood from my roof). Finally I spotted one, much more distant than I would have liked, circling to the north. It had dark, pointed wings, a long fan-shaped tail, and apparent pale head. I couldn't determine plumage/ age at this distance. Buoyant flight, appeared to be carrying something (a dragonfly perhaps?) in its talons that it occasionally ducked down to nibble on. Disappeared in the heat shimmer towards Manhattan."

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 22, 2026 13:27 by E R
- PS 321 William Penn School, New York US-NY 40.67131, -73.97843, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.671312,-73.978426&ll=40.671312,-73.978426
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S344070503
- Comments: "quick flyby fairly high up before it was behind a building west of 7th. Pointy wings, flying in a stoop like a nighthawk or falcon, mottled grayish with fanned out long tail. Scrambled for camera and it would not grab the bird before it was out of view. Shape very recognizable from earlier this week. One reported earlier today by Forrest over lookout and later on by Doug from GWC"


Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported May 22, 2026 17:01 by Maddy P
- 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/S344172224
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Different from all the other black specks seen today. Biggest indicators: gray in a way that was more obvious irl than grainy photos indicate, short separate outermost primary that Forrest helpfully mentioned to me yesterday, absence of dark mustache that would indicate peregrine falcon. BOC photos tba in short term, location over ballfields and will flesh out description later. Checklist not indicative of effort to see this bird, these guys are really hours of staring at the sky and dumb luck."

"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 8th










   

GWC blue Grosbeak ocean hill

Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) (1)
- Reported May 22, 2026 08:25 by Z .
- 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/S344041808
- Comments: "Maturing male low in tulip tree across the road and uphill from the inner end of ocean hill. Nearish catacombs. Not there long enough for a photo, however. Some blue on head, dynamic rusty and brown shoulder/wing, colored overall like soft light through tiffany stained glass, chunky gros-beak."

"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 8th










   

MIKI continues on our area

After originally spotted 244 in GWC south, kite drifted South over Kensington and Ditmas Park neighborhoods.

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 21, 2026 13:48 by Richard Fleming
- 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/S343585570
- Comments: "Adult. Still rare-ish but now an annual and indisputably increasing climate-change opportunist with a well-established late May window of movement. Unique-in-our-region battleship-gray raptor with chalky-white crown and face, both features seen well for a good fifteen to twenty seconds, long enough to switch from binoculars to camera, realize some setting or condition was incorrect and the camera wouldn't focus, and then switch back to binoculars and still have time to savor the observation of the bird before it swung out of view to the east. I noted also structure that to my eye often recalls a mid-sized more bouyant gull, until the long and sharp-corned tail causes a double-take and the realization that you are seeing a kit

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 21, 2026 14:48 by chel sea
- Hello MODO, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6598028,-73.9808692&ll=40.6598028,-73.9808692
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S343549773
- Comments: "Thank you Richard F. for the alert, which prompted us to quickly scramble out of the window onto roof to see a falcon-like bird drifting south-ish over Kensington/Ditmas Park area. Fanned tail, elongated wings. Unfortunately no photos, just brief views before it went out of sight. Sighting & timing align with Richard’s alert, and Zach and Jeff’s subsequent sightings in the area."

"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 8th










   

Fwd: Thursday Spring Migration Walk 5/21/26

Leader Chris Miller

Thursday BBC walk

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Chris Miller <cmnyc79@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, May 21, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Subject: Thursday Spring Migration Walk 5/21/26
To: prosbird@gmail.com <Prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc: Tom Stephenson <12toms@gmail.com>, Dennis Hrehowsik <deepseagangster@gmail.com>

Hi Peter,
Despite the dreary weather we had a good turnout with more than 50 people today.
Highlights included Canada Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Scarlet
Tanager and several Gray-cheeked Thrushes. We had 42 species total.

Here's the list:

Mute Swan
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Great Blue Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Barn Swallow
Northern House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Common Grackle
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal

https://ebird.org/checklist/S343428689

Best,
Chris Miller

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Photos of MIKI afternoon PP

 Click on chklist

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 15:59 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/S343051383
- Media: 7 Photos
- Comments: "WOW! Hard work does pay off. Says the birder who only started pursuing this bird more aggressively in NY in the last 2 years because I get to see them in Texas nearly every April. I raced to the park again today after several midday reports of MIKI, Ant’s earlier report, and learning about the hot weather phenomenon associated with their appearance. Bolstered by the camaraderie of expert birders and Tripper who was eager to see this bird in the park, I waited for 2 hours and then this bird with slender wings and ever so slightly fanned tail started towards us over the northern end of the pools and flapped in a pattern I only intuit from what a Kite feels like with triplet-quintuplet flaps and then soar. Its head shaped felt more compact than any buteo and easy to compare with the recently soaring red tail pair. The kite lasted about 5 seconds in our view and headed north bound over the long meadow and over Prospect West. Terrible bin photos. Tripper was there with a camera and great to share this NY State Lifer with!"

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 16:25 by Peter Paul
- 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/S343096419
- Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "*Rare, but it was a very good kite day. Walked from the Q to long meadow to find DOGO, SESI, MAEP, ZALU. The former three left after a bit, but Zach and I stayed. After a while he spotted a low raptor coming towards us, and it was a MIKI! White body, black tail with white bands, dark around eye, shorter outer primaries. My 250th Prospect bird!"

North Midwood Kentucky warbler

 Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa) (1)

- Reported May 20, 2026 09:18 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S342856386
- Comments: "Singing loudly and frequently in the Midwood when I first arrived, as though it were in a battle for vocal supremacy w the House Wren: “tchurrY tchurrY tchurrY.” Singing eventually became more sporadic, then stopped. Cellphone audio  obtained, will try to upload, but am technologically challenged."

Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 06:32 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/S342835011
- Comments: "Flagged: rare, and an overshoot, though something like the fourth in Brooklyn this year. Was walking from the Boulder Bridge down to the Dongan Oak to listen for the Acadian when I heard this bird singing. I recorded it a few times and even had it perch up in a tree for what felt like a minute or two, singing again. Photos and audio. https://maps.app.goo.gl/EQnZCURgCmqQXcj28?g_st=ic"

Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 09:20 by E R
- 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/S342947295
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Bright yellow all the way under belly and tail, with black mask and yellow spectacles.
Reported by Forrest earlier, around boulder bridge. Singing in midwood- first heard it from broken down stairs area, infrequently or just very distantly at first, and tracked it all around the midwood, intermittently focusing on it and getting distracted by other good birds. At times I was convinced there had to be two, given how often I was hearing it in such widely spaced apart spots, and there very well could have been two, but I wasn’t confident enough. Finally got really good looks towards the south end of midwood before center drive. Saw it walking in the understory, pop up and make a few short flights, eventually up into a tree where it preened and sang for a full minute, not flushing even with someone walked by with a (leashed) dog, phew!! Fun bird. And a song I’m now very familiar with after listening to it at all distances for several hours this spring! Hope to have some good audio this time."

***********

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Eastern Meadowlark of GWC

Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 07:44 by Adam Subel
- 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/S342843635
- Comments: "Flew into wildflower meadow, clear white patches on outer tail feathers. Shape felt appropriate for a meadowlark, roughly starling size, and was definitely not a sandpiper, which was my other thought given the tail markings. No photos unfortunately and I could not refind"

"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 8th










   

Fwd: Migration Morning at Brooklyn Bridge Park 5-20-2026

"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


"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 8th










   

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Mike Yuan <mjyuan@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, May 20, 2026, 6:18 PM
Subject: Migration Morning at Brooklyn Bridge Park 5-20-2026
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc: Dennis Hrehowsik <deepseagangster@gmail.com>

Peter-

We had a lovely final spring outing of the season at Brooklyn Bridge Park, getting in a few hours before it heated up.

18 of us started at the mature locust trees under the Brooklyn Bridge, where a few BLACKPOLL WARBLERS and COMMON YELLOWTHROATS fed. On Pier 1, we heard unseen SWAINSON'S THRUSHES before finally getting good looks at a pair on the ground in the Vale.

On the condo path between Piers 1 and 2, we got more looks at ground birds on the path - OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, and a saw a a CANADA WARBLER above us.

On Pier 3, we welcomed our summer residents - COMMON TERNS, and chanced upon a continuing late DARK-EYED JUNCO.

Great to bird with a dedicated group this season, and look forward to regrouping in September!

39 Species:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S343042713

-Mike