Prospect Park Esdale Bridge closed down

For your information to birders:

The Esdale Bridge , the north entrance to the Ravine from Long Meadow will be closed indefinitely for construction. ( replacement ) likely for 6 months...

🌉

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Reports today

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (1)
- Reported Mar 21, 2026 18:51 by Matthew Miller
- North 5th Street Pier and Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.7201139,-73.9643432&ll=40.7201139,-73.9643432
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S311667250
- Comments: "The famous visiting trumpeter swan"

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (1)
- Reported Mar 21, 2026 18:43 by Caroline Corwin
- North 5th Street Pier and Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.7201139,-73.9643432&ll=40.7201139,-73.9643432
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S311667793
- Comments: "Continuing at the ferry launch"

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (1)
- Reported Mar 15, 2026 15:28 by Cece Shen
- North 5th Street Pier and Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.7201139,-73.9643432&ll=40.7201139,-73.9643432
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S311659757
- Comments: "Vagrant"

Gadwall (Common) (Mareca strepera strepera) (14)
- Reported Mar 21, 2026 17:54 by Ethan Kang
- Brooklyn Bridge Park--Pier 1, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.7021612,-73.996524&ll=40.7021612,-73.996524
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S311657003
- Comments: "Including one perched!"



Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (2)
- Reported Mar 21, 2026 16:31 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/S311650469
- Comments: "Continuing pair of males"

Common Merganser (North American) (Mergus merganser americanus) (2)
- Reported Mar 21, 2026 18:27 by Terra Dock
- Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6553787,-73.9686421&ll=40.6553787,-73.9686421
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S311661401
- Comments: "2 males"

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (7)
- Reported Mar 21, 2026 15:47 by Joseph Trezza
- Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6553787,-73.9686421&ll=40.6553787,-73.9686421
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S311650666
- Comments: "Continuing 6 drakes and 1 female on the lake."

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (1)
- Reported Mar 21, 2026 15:22 by Kathleen Toomey
- 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/S311670890
- Comments: "Photo and details, later"

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Mar 21, 2026 15:22 by Kathleen Toomey
- 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/S311670890
- Comments: "Photo and details later"

White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) (1)
- Reported Mar 21, 2026 14:05 by Kathleen Toomey
- 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/S311668910
- Comments: "Continuing.  Photo"

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) (1)
- Reported Mar 21, 2026 14:52 by Terra Dock
- 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/S311657023
- Comments: "3 light streaks down head separated by brown bars. Foraging at bottom of tree by bushes"

Common Grackle (Florida/Purple) (Quiscalus quiscula quiscula/stonei) (1)
- Reported Mar 21, 2026 17:54 by Ethan Kang
- Brooklyn Bridge Park--Pier 1, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.7021612,-73.996524&ll=40.7021612,-73.996524
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S311657003

Common Grackle (Bronzed) (Quiscalus quiscula versicolor) (1)
- Reported Mar 21, 2026 17:54 by Ethan Kang
- Brooklyn Bridge Park--Pier 1, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.7021612,-73.996524&ll=40.7021612,-73.996524
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S311657003

***********

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--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Results of Spring BBC walk Prospect Park March 21

Leader Linda Ewing

"Lines Written in Early Spring" (excerpt)

I heard a thousand interwoven notes of birdsong while I lay in a grove, where I was enjoying the kind of mood in which happy thoughts remind you of sad ones.

Nature connected my soul to all the beautiful creatures around me—and I felt terribly sad to think about what humanity has done to itself.

poet William Wordsworth

for full poem , see link below:

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring













   

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Linda Ewing <>
Date: Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 2:51 PM
Subject: Great walk this morning!
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>

We had around 20-25 people join the walk, saw 42 species, and had a lot of fun. The participants were a good mix of old hands (I especially appreciated Rusty's keen eyes) and relative newcomers; several birds were lifers for some, and the osprey (ospreys? seen twice, but most likely the same bird) were FOY for most of us.

Thanks for the opportunity to lead! The list is posted on eBird here:

eBird Checklist - 21 Mar 2026 - Prospect Park - 42 species ebird.org

Let me know if you'd like me to share it with you.

Linda 

Sent from my iPhone

What to expect now going forward

"Lines Written in Early Spring" (excerpt)

I heard a thousand interwoven notes of birdsong while I lay in a grove, where I was enjoying the kind of mood in which happy thoughts remind you of sad ones.

Nature connected my soul to all the beautiful creatures around me—and I felt terribly sad to think about what humanity has done to itself.

poet William Wordsworth

for full poem , see link below:

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring













   

eBird Checklist - 20 Mar 2026 - Prospect Park - 44 species (+1 other taxa) wickman chklist

https://ebird.org/checklist/S310970328

Note common mergs 

"Lines Written in Early Spring" (excerpt)

I heard a thousand interwoven notes of birdsong while I lay in a grove, where I was enjoying the kind of mood in which happy thoughts remind you of sad ones.

Nature connected my soul to all the beautiful creatures around me—and I felt terribly sad to think about what humanity has done to itself.

poet William Wordsworth

for full poem , see link below:

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring













   

Spring iceland

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Mar 20, 2026 07:57 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/S310951775
- Comments: "Again on the broken pier. Photos."

"Lines Written in Early Spring" (excerpt)

I heard a thousand interwoven notes of birdsong while I lay in a grove, where I was enjoying the kind of mood in which happy thoughts remind you of sad ones.

Nature connected my soul to all the beautiful creatures around me—and I felt terribly sad to think about what humanity has done to itself.

poet William Wordsworth

for full poem , see link below:

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring













   

the day we are looking for : Spring starts today at 1046 am

🪻🌸🐝🌳🐦🐣🐦‍⬛🦚

When Is the First Day of Spring 2026?

In 2026, the equinox happens on March 20 at 10:46 A.M. EDT. This falls on a Friday and is the astronomical beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere.

Happy Spring!

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

[eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Gambels wasp Sylvan hedges gwc

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) (1)
- Reported Mar 19, 2026 14:09 by Joe Weisbord
- 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/S310800950
- Comments: "Gambel's found by MCHL_ large sparrow w clean breast and elongated neck; brown head stripes beginning to molt to black. Subspecies ID based on yellow/orange bill and pale lores (Thx Terry and Kathy who were on it when I arrived)"

White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) (1)
- Reported Mar 19, 2026 09:00 by David S-
- 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/S310808373
- Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Found by Michael on Tuesday. Loosely associating with WTSP's , sparrow with white head stripe, plain grey breast, pale lores and yellow bill. pics" 

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

GWC White crowned sparrow ( Gambles)

White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) (1)
- Reported Mar 19, 2026 09:23 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/S310711063
- Comments: "Continuing in hedgerows West of Sylvan Water. Better photos in yesterday's checklist."

"Lines Written in Early Spring" (excerpt)

I heard a thousand interwoven notes of birdsong while I lay in a grove, where I was enjoying the kind of mood in which happy thoughts remind you of sad ones.

Nature connected my soul to all the beautiful creatures around me—and I felt terribly sad to think about what humanity has done to itself.

poet William Wordsworth

for full poem , see link below:

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring













   

Also still around

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (6)
- Reported Mar 19, 2026 08:19 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/S310624484
- Comments: "Continuing all together on the center of the lake. All males width all white sides. Photos available."

"Lines Written in Early Spring" (excerpt)

I heard a thousand interwoven notes of birdsong while I lay in a grove, where I was enjoying the kind of mood in which happy thoughts remind you of sad ones.

Nature connected my soul to all the beautiful creatures around me—and I felt terribly sad to think about what humanity has done to itself.

poet William Wordsworth

for full poem , see link below:

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring













   

Still atound

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (1)
- Reported Mar 19, 2026 09:41 by Mary Ann Zovko
- North 5th Street Pier and Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.7201139,-73.9643432&ll=40.7201139,-73.9643432
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S310623988
- Comments: "With Mute Swan near pier. Continuing"

"Lines Written in Early Spring" (excerpt)

I heard a thousand interwoven notes of birdsong while I lay in a grove, where I was enjoying the kind of mood in which happy thoughts remind you of sad ones.

Nature connected my soul to all the beautiful creatures around me—and I felt terribly sad to think about what humanity has done to itself.

poet William Wordsworth

for full poem , see link below:

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring













   

Icgu btpp

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Mar 19, 2026 08:09 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/S310595607
- Comments: "One of the individuals that's been around. Photos."

"Lines Written in Early Spring" (excerpt)

I heard a thousand interwoven notes of birdsong while I lay in a grove, where I was enjoying the kind of mood in which happy thoughts remind you of sad ones.

Nature connected my soul to all the beautiful creatures around me—and I felt terribly sad to think about what humanity has done to itself.

poet William Wordsworth

for full poem , see link below:

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring













   

Greenwood White crowned sparrow a Gambles subpecies

White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) (1)
- Reported Mar 18, 2026 15:13 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/S310436197
- Media: 12 Photos
- Comments: "**rare(?) - status of this subspecies in the east unclear, but perhaps over-represented among wintering birds. Found yesterday by Michael, a bit earlier than eastern leucophrys white-crowned sparrows come through, which makes sense for a vagrant. I went back and forth on this bird based on yesterday's photos; it is a molting SY bird and as expected its facial feathers are a bit scruffy, which gave some ambiguity to the loral pattern, but in person it looked pretty classic for gambelli. The ocular stripe does not appear to continue through the eye, and notably both sides seem to match, which is helpful for ruling out intermediates/intergrades. The bill looks very small and appears to be taking on a schoolbus-yellow color, unlike the deep purplish-red of leucophrys; in addition the pale parts of the face and head are kind of an ashen-gray and the facial striping is a bit sparse. Rather stunning as an individual with its multicolored molty crown pattern and bright rufousy wing coverts. A few prior Brooklyn records exist for this subspecies including one earlier this year, but like all subspecies vagrants, detection rate is probably very low. In fact, in the wake of the january 2026 record (found by Richard Fleming and Jeff Gramm) I pulled up photos of white-crowned sparrow on ebird, sorted for Brooklyn, then sorted for the winter months, and immediately "found" a december bird from a few years ago in prospect park that was seen by a good number of people and rather well-photographed, but had escaped identification. This bird was frequenting the hedgerows immediately north/northwest of Sylvan water. Photos"

White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) (1)
- Reported Mar 18, 2026 13:00 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/S310423435
- Comments: "Continuing in the hedgerows West of Sylvan Water. More images to be added."

"Lines Written in Early Spring" (excerpt)

I heard a thousand interwoven notes of birdsong while I lay in a grove, where I was enjoying the kind of mood in which happy thoughts remind you of sad ones.

Nature connected my soul to all the beautiful creatures around me—and I felt terribly sad to think about what humanity has done to itself.

poet William Wordsworth

for full poem , see link below:

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring













   

GWC White crowned sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) (1)
- Reported Mar 18, 2026 15:21 by chel sea
- 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/S310416398
- Comments: "Continuing, found 3/17 by Michael. Photos TBA, potential Gambel's subspecies."

"Lines Written in Early Spring" (excerpt)

I heard a thousand interwoven notes of birdsong while I lay in a grove, where I was enjoying the kind of mood in which happy thoughts remind you of sad ones.

Nature connected my soul to all the beautiful creatures around me—and I felt terribly sad to think about what humanity has done to itself.

poet William Wordsworth

for full poem , see link below:

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring













   

Vale cashmere closure and restoration press conference

https://gothamist.com/news/prospect-parks-secluded-vale-of-cashmere-getting-long-awaited-upgrade

https://edc.nyc/press-release/nycedc-nyc-parks-prospect-park-alliance-break-ground-vale-restoration-prospect-park

https://www.bkreader.com/non-profit-community/major-renovation-starts-at-brooklyns-prospect-park-12015668#google_vignette

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Continuing trumpeter

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (1)
- Reported Mar 17, 2026 11:41 by Austen McNulty
- Domino Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.7138267,-73.9684078&ll=40.7138267,-73.9684078
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S310049877
- Comments: "Photo"

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (1)
- Reported Mar 17, 2026 12:12 by Kenny B
- North 5th Street Pier and Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.7201139,-73.9643432&ll=40.7201139,-73.9643432
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S310049799
- Comments: "Continues

"Lines Written in Early Spring" (excerpt)

I heard a thousand interwoven notes of birdsong while I lay in a grove, where I was enjoying the kind of mood in which happy thoughts remind you of sad ones.

Nature connected my soul to all the beautiful creatures around me—and I felt terribly sad to think about what humanity has done to itself.

poet William Wordsworth

for full poem , see link below:

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring













   

Come pplake

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (7)
- Reported Mar 17, 2026 08:25 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/S310037769
- Comments: "Same composition as the other day: 6M, 1F in a loose group on the lake."

"Lines Written in Early Spring" (excerpt)

I heard a thousand interwoven notes of birdsong while I lay in a grove, where I was enjoying the kind of mood in which happy thoughts remind you of sad ones.

Nature connected my soul to all the beautiful creatures around me—and I felt terribly sad to think about what humanity has done to itself.

poet William Wordsworth

for full poem , see link below:

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring













   

COME pplake

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (8)
- Reported Mar 16, 2026 14:50 by Ben Wright
- 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/S309844608
- Comments: "Continuing, sleeping near 3 sisters"

"Lines Written in Early Spring" (excerpt)

I heard a thousand interwoven notes of birdsong while I lay in a grove, where I was enjoying the kind of mood in which happy thoughts remind you of sad ones.

Nature connected my soul to all the beautiful creatures around me—and I felt terribly sad to think about what humanity has done to itself.

poet William Wordsworth

for full poem , see link below:

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring













   

Sundays hilights

While we are in transition with birds moving in and out, several hilights made Sunday interesting.

On Prospect Lake, a drake Red breasted merganser joined the 7 Common Mergansers still here .Yesterday's Wilson Snipe though went missing ( cause it was in a hurry) despite a prolonged search.

Over Greenwood Cemetery, 3 Bald Eagles were on the move. Meanwhile on the ground , 5 Hooded Mergansers remained on Crescent Water with few Buffleheads on Sylvan Water Otherwise other water stuff left.

In Red Hook, an Iceland Gull occupied a jetty off the Waterfront Museum.

And as it goes for the umpteenth time ,the Trumpeter Swan is long residing at Williamsburgh North 5th Street Pier near the ferry dock.

"Lines Written in Early Spring" Summary

I heard a thousand interwoven notes of birdsong while I lay in a grove, where I was enjoying the kind of mood in which happy thoughts remind you of sad ones.

Nature connected my soul to all the beautiful creatures around me—and I felt terribly sad to think about what humanity has done to itself.

poet William Wordsworth

for full poem , see link below:

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring













   

Prospect wilsons snipe

Reported at the west shore yesterday in the phragmites patch between the west island and the wooden gazebo shelter ..sweet gum trees overlook this spot.

Nearest park entrance is greenwood ave.

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

First pine warblers of the season

It's early but those beautiful warblers are coming

Greenwood Cemetery is the site of two Pine Warblers this morning reported by Louie Wong. There'll be more but he reported his observation along with at least two golden crowned Kinglets at  40.652537,-73.989811 Dell Ave South of Central Ave.

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson














   

Bird-Watcher Captures First-Ever Recorded Sighting Of Gorgeous Swan In New York - The Dodo

https://www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/bird-watcher-captures-first-ever-recorded-sighting-of-gorgeous-swan-in-new-york

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson














   

PP Black vulture

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) (1)
- Reported Mar 13, 2026 12:50 by Jeff G
- 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/S308816325
- Media: 1 Video
- Comments: "Did not have camera. Short tailed, flappy vulture with silver wingtips. Flying with a TV. Took a cell phone video that I'll post."

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson














   

Prospect gets the merg hat trick

I read Forrests prospect checklist and he scored the hat trick with his sighting of Red breasted mergansers joining common and hooded.

That's a rarity for all three on the same pond !

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson














   

Iceland gull

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Mar 12, 2026 07:38 by Tom Preston
- Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.646519,-74.026074&ll=40.646519,-74.026074
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S308481277
- Comments: "Continuing, photos, but where was yer big brother?"

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson














   

Continuing...

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (1)
- Reported Mar 12, 2026 12:29 by Alexis Clements
- North 5th Street Pier and Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.7201139,-73.9643432&ll=40.7201139,-73.9643432
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S308549301
- Comments: "Continuing bird, all-black beak, sheltering in a little sandy cove with a mute swan"

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson














   

Birding and aging

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2516604-birdwatching-may-reshape-the-brain-and-build-its-buffer-against-ageing/?fbclid=IwdGRzaAQgECdjbGNrBCAP1GV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHjoPkGJp9gm7IJb2axUMpo62kcEncrqxbe73CBdaKoVuo5XBn-6R0dD_I31d_aem__iGh4fMkX-aEZmlJwlwZyA&sfnsn=mo

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson














   

Terrific time for duck passage

A work day's end was fruitful witnessing the passage of ducks upon our waters. In Prospect that has plenty of water, that means ducks galore 

A first stop at the Upper Pool now 25% ice free revealed a pair of Wood Ducks that came out from the shore and went back in .

Then after the long walk through the Nethermead I came upon partially iced Prospect Lake  about 65% open ,had nice stuff 

First it was 4 Ring necked Ducks followed by 5 Hooded Mergansers. Very nice to see were the Courtship rituals performed by the Hoodies, the drakes throwing back their heads. There were even clashes by the drakes for the affection of the hens .

Then our long standing species residents of Prospect winter , the Common Mergansers looked gorgeous in the light. First I saw 3, but later coming out of three sisters Islands, 4 more common mergansers sailed out;in the mix ,6 drakes and a lone hen complemented the numerous Northern Shovelers hanging close to 3 Sisters. Two Black Ducks on the ice edge added more diversity.

Not bad for my walk home from work 

https://ebird.org/checklist/S308403837

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson














   

Reports for March 11

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (1)
- Reported Mar 11, 2026 11:25 by Ryan Goldberg
- North 5th Street Pier and Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.7201139,-73.9643432&ll=40.7201139,-73.9643432
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S308290595
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing, close to the pier with its Mute Swan companion."

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (7)
- Reported Mar 11, 2026 08:20 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/S308305392
- Comments: "Continuing presence on the lake; this time saw 6 drakes, 1 hen, actively diving in the center instead of tucked in by 3 Sisters. Also saw a drake in flight, but not counting it, as it may have settled & been counted w the others."

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (8)
- Reported Mar 11, 2026 07:59 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/S308292420
- Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing "iconic" species of Prospect Park. Today seven males and one female. Photos."

Great Egret (Ardea alba) (1)
- Reported Mar 11, 2026 07:59 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/S308292420
- Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Flagged for date: Early, and I think the first in the county this year, though I've been wondering when these guys would show up. Morning flyover, and weirdly headed southwest out of the park, rather than north. (Gregory, you're going the wrong way!) Photos."


Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Mar 11, 2026 17:40 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/S308390244
- Comments: "Photos."

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson














   

Rusty

Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) (1)
- Reported Mar 08, 2026 11:00 by matt bourke
- 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/S308116843
- Comments: "in the vale, seen by others. looked like a male - pointed bill and a pale yellow eye"

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson














   

Where does the name Timberdoodle come from ?

If you are wondering about the American Woodcock other nickname here it is:

The American Woodcock is nicknamed "timberdoodle" due to its habitat in young forests/woodlands ("timber") and its, at times, silly or ditsy, rocking, "doodle"-like movement while searching for food. The term originated in the mid-19th century, with one of the first recorded uses appearing in an 1839

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson














   

Wills chklist

https://ebird.org/checklist/S307961391

Note both Glaucous and Iceland Gulls 

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson














   

COME stick around

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (4)
- Reported Mar 10, 2026 07:53 by Connor Krist
- Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6553787,-73.9686421&ll=40.6553787,-73.9686421
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S307924768
- Comments: "Distinct white side and black top with gray tail and orange beak"

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson














   

Continuing Trumpeter

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (1)
- Reported Mar 10, 2026 08:28 by Greg Thornberg
- North 5th Street Pier and Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.7201139,-73.9643432&ll=40.7201139,-73.9643432
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S307919362
- Media: 1 Video, 2 Photos
- Comments: "YES! Continuing. Large swan with thick all black bill. Along shore of N5 Pier with Mute Swan and CAGO."

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (1)
- Reported Mar 10, 2026 08:01 by Caroline Quinn
- North 5th Street Pier and Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.7201139,-73.9643432&ll=40.7201139,-73.9643432
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S307905830
- Comments: "Continuing, preening on the sand in the inlet by the North Williamsburg ferry pier with its Mute Swan partner in crime. Not even a crappy cell phone pic this morning as was running so late to catch my ferry but you know the drill by now - big all white swan with an entirely black sloping bill and black facial skin with straight borders."

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson














   

Cackling goose report Prospect lake

Putting it out there ..

Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) (2)
- Reported Mar 10, 2026 07:53 by Connor Krist
- Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6553787,-73.9686421&ll=40.6553787,-73.9686421
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S307924768
- Comments: "Size, neck length, mixed with Canada geese"

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!"

-- Thomas Wentworth Higginson