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









   

Fwd: Thursday's BBC walk

Leader Tom Stephenson

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









   

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Tom Stephenson <12toms@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 4:06 PM
Subject: Thursday's walk
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc: 

Hi Peter,

It was a nice crisp day, eventually warming up, and surprisingly birdy. We had 58 species, highlights including Hooded Warbler in the Ravine, Worm-eating on Lookout, White-eyed Vireo in the Lullwater, and a good mix of other birds hiding amidst the yellow-rumps.

Here's the list.

Best regards,

Tom

Double-crested Cormorant

Canada Goose

Mute Swan

Wood Duck

Mallard

Osprey

Cooper's Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Laughing Gull

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

Chimney Swift

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

White-eyed Vireo

Blue-headed Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Blue Jay

Barn Swallow

Tufted Titmouse

Red-breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Carolina Wren

House Wren

Winter Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Gray Catbird

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Yellow Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Pine Warbler

Palm Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Worm-eating Warbler

Ovenbird

Louisiana Waterthrush

Hooded Warbler

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

eBird Checklist - 23 Apr 2026 - Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4 - 13 species. Zach Rudolph chklist

https://ebird.org/checklist/S325894848


Note both white winged gull species 

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









   

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

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

81 species wednesday

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Scant reports

A cold snap will slow birds down. So, not much to report today. There was one highlight though to entice interested birders.

The Yellow throated Warblers continues its presence from yesterday.Zach L reported it calling in the North woods of Lookout Hill, along the curve ascending path from Center Drive. Just before the curve ,the bird was spotted.

Otherwise if you are keen on seeing Louisiana Waterthrush, head down to the Ambergill Creek by Esdale Bridge ;or for Rose Breasted Grosbeak reported over Dog Beach at Upper Pool.

Outside Prospect, the long continuing Glaucous Gull of Bush Terminal Pier Park seen on the broken Pier is worthy pursuing.This gull is also visiting the Brooklyn army terminal Pier 4 

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









   

Happy Earth Day ! 🌎🌍🌳🌲🐦

Do what we can to conserve and save our only home  planet

Here's a wonderfully written excerpt from Carl Sagan's book Pale Blue Dot , a fellow native Brooklynite!

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A Pale Blue Dot

The following excerpt from Carl Sagan's book Pale Blue Dot was inspired by an image taken, at Sagan's suggestion, by Voyager 1 on 14 February 1990. As the spacecraft was departing our planetary neighborhood for the fringes of the solar system, it turned it around for one last look at its home planet.

Voyager 1 was about 6.4 billion kilometers (4 billion miles) away, and approximately 32 degrees above the ecliptic plane, when it captured this portrait of our world. Caught in the center of scattered light rays (a result of taking the picture so close to the Sun), Earth appears as a tiny point of light, a crescent only 0.12 pixel in size.

The Pale Blue Dot of Earth "That's here. That's Home. That's us."Image: NASA / JPL

Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there--on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.

The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds.

Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.

The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.

It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.

— Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot, 1994

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Fwd: Tuesday walk recap

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ryan Goldberg <ryan.goldberg@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Apr 21, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Subject: Tuesday walk recap
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>

Hi Peter,

It was chilly on the walk today, but that was preferable to last week's heatwave, and the first bird we found upon entering the park was a Yellow-throated Warbler, singing in a pine across from the Vanderbilt Playground. That was the highlight of the day, and a life bird for a bunch of folks. Other warblers included two Northern Yellows, a Louisiana Waterthrush on the south side of the lake, a Northern by the Lower Pool, and dozens of Yellow-rumps. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were also all over the park. A Rusty Blackbird was also on the Ambergill--that was one of the last birds of the morning. Thankfully it was sunny all morning, and the birds were singing.

We found 53 species. Here's our list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S325121424.

Thanks to the other Tuesday leaders, Angie Co and Megan Thornton. As attendance continues to grow--we had around 40 people--everyone benefits from having multiple experienced guides.

Ryan

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

BTPP Dawson Checklist

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (1)
- Reported Apr 21, 2026 07:49 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/S325044336
- Comments: "On broken pier. Photo."

Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) (1)
- Reported Apr 21, 2026 07:49 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/S325044336
- Comments: "Continuing early arrival. Photos."

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Birdwatching for years not only changes what you see, but it could also be reshaping your brain in ways that surprise neuroscientists

https://www.ecoticias.com/en/birdwatching-for-years-not-only-changes-what-you-see-but-it-could-also-be-reshaping-your-brain-in-ways-that-surprise-neuroscientists/31006/

Hence why birding is good for you.....

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Two top warblers

Today the continuing top warblers Prothonotary and Hooded put in their appearances still giving great looks and excellent opportunities for birders still on the prowl for these birds.

West Island and Three Sisters Islands to the east remain the Prothonotary domain. Besides West Island , the Prothonotary Warbler had been visiting Three Sisters Islands as well, mostly to the westernmost island . It pays to scour the shoreline between the Islands 

Meanwhile after a day absence ,the Hooded Warbler remains on Lookout Hill, appearing on the central southern slope above the Well Drive three shipping containers.Spotted just past 230, it traveled downward from the middle path ..

Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina) (1)
- Reported Apr 20, 2026 14:00 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/S324892163
- Comments: "Male, not singing but very active & visible. Bright yellow face/underside with black hood, olive back, white tail edges when fanned. First seen from Wellhouse path on lower slope of Lookout, close to green containers; later moved up the hillside.

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









   

Todays gems

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (1)
- Reported Apr 20, 2026 12:57 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/S324740263
- Comments: "On broken pier. Photo."

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Apr 20, 2026 12:57 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/S324740263
- Comments: "On broken pier. Photo."

White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) (1)
- Reported Apr 20, 2026 07:29 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/S324756451
- Comments: "Continuing in hedgerows West of Sylvan Water."

Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) (1)
- Reported Apr 20, 2026 10:52 by Birgitta RUBIN
- 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/S324737968
- Comments: "Seen with many others at West Island"

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Prothonotary warbler West island

Prothonotary warbler continuing at West Island in the southwest corner of prospect lake as of 11:20 am.

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









   

From The Raptor Trust on rescued eagle ,update

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

KB note:From my AI search

Copper in dead birds commonly originates from environmental contamination, primarily through ingesting or landing in highly acidic, metal-laden water, such as in open-pit mines. Other sources include consuming contaminated food sources near industrial sites or agricultural runoff, or, in farming cases, ingesting copper sulfate-disinfected bedding. 

Key Sources of Copper Toxicity

• Open-Pit Mine Waters: Abandoned mine pits (e.g., the Berkeley Pit in Montana) become filled with acidic water that leaches copper and other heavy metals from the rock, causing severe internal burns to birds that land there.
• Industrial Pollution & Runoff: Aquatic birds can accumulate high levels of copper and other metals from contaminated mud and plants near industrial sites, according to research from the National Audubon Society.
• Agricultural Chemicals: Copper sulfate is sometimes used to disinfect bedding for poultry, leading to acute poisoning if ingested by birds, as noted in studies on PubMed Central.
• Industrial Tailings Ponds: These ponds contain high levels of sulfuric acid and metallic waste, which, when leaked, create fatal environmental hazards for wildlife. 

Key Takeaways

• Ingestion: The primary route of poisoning is through consuming tainted water or food.
• Symptoms: Copper poisoning often causes severe erosion of the gizzard lining and intestinal damage.
• Fatal Concentrations: In some cases, dead birds have had copper concentrations in their livers over seven times higher than

   

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

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

Weekend tally is 86 species.

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Glaucous BTPP ,SCTA GWC

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (1)
- Reported Apr 19, 2026 13:10 by Chris Pacetti
- 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/S324264465
- Comments: "Continuing at broken pier"

Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) (1)
- Reported Apr 19, 2026 10:38 by Radka Osickova
- 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/S324290665
- Comments: "On the path towards crescent. Bright orange or red with black wings. Beautiful bird."

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