It was just a matter of time.
Prospect Park's first RED CROSSBILL since February 10,1998
made an appearance today at the feeders site, spotted by Keir Randall this
morning at 850 am. With the hordes of crossbills invading the northeast, the local green spaces, especially Greenwood Cemetery and now today in
Prospect was due to get one at the feeders location ( as I commented yesterday) . This morning's Red Crossbill was a male.
Despite only one observer for the crossbill, the responding
crowd hoping to see this species were instead treated to the persistent EVENING
GROSBEAK making from what I gather sporadic appearances to the feeder. PINE SISKINS are immensely enjoying themselves with the thistle and this species figures to hold strong thru the winter , hopefully.
Regarding the feeders, it would not be but for the generosity of
birders supporting the cost of seed. Donations were received today in support
of the "Feeder Fund".A hearty
Thanks to Keir Randall, Isabel Conte, Edith Goren, Bobbi Manian, Simon
and Andy Biederman for their generous donations to the Feeder Fund. Also, Gil
Shrank and Nancy Tim will be buying seed out of state on their return from the
holiday. And thanks to Rob Bate maintaining the feeders.
Below is Keir's report and the historical records for RED
CROSSBILL for Prospect I was quickly able to generate before I left work. Note the largest record number seen on November 23rd, 1963 : 40 ! (there's hope,keep looking)
Postscript
I received Alex Wilson's report tonight which WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL was reported , seen bathing at the Vale of Cashmere.
Today's listing of RED CROSSBILL, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL and EVENING GROSBEAK species represents likely a historic day, likely the first time or at the very least extremely rare for all three winter finches seen the same day in Prospect. Prospect is hot!
Postscript
I received Alex Wilson's report tonight which WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL was reported , seen bathing at the Vale of Cashmere.
Today's listing of RED CROSSBILL, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL and EVENING GROSBEAK species represents likely a historic day, likely the first time or at the very least extremely rare for all three winter finches seen the same day in Prospect. Prospect is hot!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From Keir
After handing over birdseed cash to Rob, the Bird Gods
repaid me immediately!
Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Nov 21, 2012 8:10 AM - 9:25 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
30 species (+1 other taxa)
Mute Swan 1
Mallard 8
Northern Shoveler 30
Ruddy Duck 12
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant
1
Sharp-shinned/Cooper's Hawk
1
American Coot 3
Ring-billed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 1
Mourning Dove 5
Downy Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 4
Black-capped Chickadee
8
Tufted Titmouse 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch
1
White-breasted Nuthatch
1
Carolina Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet
3
European Starling 8
Fox Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow
12
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Purple Finch 1
House Finch 7
Red Crossbill 1 8.50 am. While scanning trees around the
feeders for the EVGR I stumbled upon a Crossbill perched near 2 Pine Siskins.
Crossed bills seen first, then dusky red color, plain dark wings. Not seen on
feeders. Flew off in direction of Lullwater and not refound.
Pine Siskin 8
American Goldfinch 5
Evening Grosbeak
1 9.10am. After a 40 minute
wait at the feeders the continuing female came down to feed.
House Sparrow 15
^^^^
RED CROSSBILL records for Prospect.
Red Crossbill
Wellhouse 1 2/10/98
Last report
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 7 1/11/70
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 7 1/11/70
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 3 12/26/65
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 1 12/26/65
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 3 11/15/65
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 3 11/15/65
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 5 12/29/63
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 1 12/28/63
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 1 12/24/63
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 1 12/18/63
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 1 12/11/63
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 2 12/2/63
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 40 11/23/63 HIGHEST total
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 1 11/12/51
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 1 10/20/43
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 1 4/22/1923
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 1 11/23/1919
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 1 3/16/1914
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 1 4/16/1911
Red Crossbill
Prospect Park 1 3/14/1909-
************
From Alex Wilson:
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Nov 21, 2012
************
From Alex Wilson:
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Nov 21, 2012
Prospect Park, Kings, US-NYNov 21, 201253 species (+1 other taxa)Canada Goose 85Mute Swan 11American Black Duck 2Mallard 60American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 2Northern Shoveler 150Bufflehead 2 (Hens.)Hooded Merganser 2 (Drake & hen.)Ruddy Duck 40Pied-billed Grebe 3Double-crested Cormorant 2Great Blue Heron 4Red-tailed Hawk 2American Coot 15Ring-billed Gull 150Herring Gull 50Great Black-backed Gull 3Rock Pigeon 50Mourning Dove 30Belted Kingfisher 1Red-bellied Woodpecker 6Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1Downy Woodpecker 5Hairy Woodpecker 1Northern Flicker 1American Kestrel 2 (2 males, Vale.)Peregrine Falcon 1Blue Jay 30American Crow 5Black-capped Chickadee 25Tufted Titmouse 20White-breasted Nuthatch 6Carolina Wren 4Golden-crowned Kinglet 1Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1Eastern Bluebird 1 (Music Pagoda, with starlings.)Hermit Thrush 1American Robin 15European Starling 50Yellow-rumped Warbler 4Fox Sparrow 3Song Sparrow 7Swamp Sparrow 1White-throated Sparrow 50Dark-eyed Junco 20Northern Cardinal 20Red-winged Blackbird 7Purple Finch 1House Finch 20White-winged Crossbill 4 (Vale; female preening after bathing in pool, then flew up to top of Sweetgum where male and 2 more females were feeding. Photographed.)Pine Siskin 12American Goldfinch 30Evening Grosbeak 1 (Female continues at feeders. Photographed.)House Sparrow 15
