From Keir:
hi Peter
Bird of the day was.. an enormous Virginia Opposum by the path from GAP to the Rose Garden!
best
K
Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Oct 20, 2012 7:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
44 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 2
Mute Swan 4
Wood Duck 1
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 22
Ruddy Duck 12
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 40
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 2
Herring Gull 2
gull sp. 1
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 15
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 8
Black-capped Chickadee 12
Tufted Titmouse 9
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Carolina Wren 2
Hermit Thrush 7
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 1
European Starling 12
Common Yellowthroat 1
Palm Warbler 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 70 50+ Peninsula lawn
Fox Sparrow 1 continues on path to peninsula thumb
Song Sparrow 10
Swamp Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 50
White-crowned Sparrow 2-- 2+ Immatures, Peninsula meadow, Maryland Monument steps & Lookout, switchback trail
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 40
Purple Finch 4 including 1 male, Long Meadow opposite Vale
American Goldfinch 12
House Sparrow 30
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From Rob Jett , on BICKNELL'S THRUSH account and map
This morning Heydi and I were birding in Green-Wood Cemetery and came across a Bicknell's Thrush. We were walking down a steep path on Ocean Hill towards the "Catacombs". There's a stand of conifers at that spot. A few Hermit Thrushes were in the area, but a gray-cheeked-type thrush was on the path beneath the pines. The bird had very noticeable rufous-colored tail feathers and primaries. It did not pump its tail. It quickly spooked and hopped over the hillside, out of sight before either of us could take any photos. We decided to play a Bicknell's call. The bird responded immediately, coming back over the hill and perching briefly on a pile of broken branches to the left of the path. The bird assumed an alert posture, stretching its head out. As we continued to play the call it came closer and closer, eventually flying into a multiflora rose shrub a few yards away. When we stopped playing the call it dropped down out of sight. Heydi suggested playing Gray-cheeked Thrush calls. We played it for about a minute but the bird didn't react. We switched back to Bicknell's Thrush and the bird immediately emerged from the shrubs and walked out onto the path in front of us.
Here are some photos:
http://tinyurl.com/9xtl2tr
The bird was on Vine Path, which ascends Ocean Hill from in front of the Catacombs at Grove Ave. Here are the coordinates:
40°39'6.72"N
73°59'15.28"W
And a map:
Note: Click on map to enlarge
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From William Earp, visiting from Britain
10/19 report
This morning I can report a Belted Kingfisher, pair of Am Wigeon and 13 Northern Shoveler at the lake. Flock of Sparrows on the Peninsula lawn, nothing unusual that I could see. Another group in the wildflower meadow by the Upper Pond included a Field Sparrow. Had good close view allowing me to check off all the field characters described in Sibley. 2 Eastern Phoebes there too, and at least one more at the Peninsula. But most birds were lying low because of the wet.
Keep up the good work!
Best wishes, and thanks again,
William