January 1st, a new year begins, holiday greetings..

The Kingsboider wishes you : 

  and the best for prosperous and healthy 2013 !

Prospect December 31st , Last day ending with flourish !

The Prospect 2012 year has been one of the most spectacular in her storied birding history. Why is today any different? It ends with a flourish with rare birds to report, the exceptional quality we all been accustomed to seeing many days of the year , especially from the fall ending to this final day. Whether we reached the magic 200 species mark ( to be determined next month based on inputted paper reports) or not, this year for high quality hits the big bell !

Reports of COMMON REDPOLL (MYuan, DHreshowsik, RCampos,KToomey, EGoldstein), AMERICAN PIPITS,YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT with AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, though latter not rare, adds excitement and worthwhile visiting Prospect Park. A single COMMON REDPOLL was observed at the feeders which also saw the nearby AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS. This afternoon, the feeders were active, a lone BROWN COWBIRD on one of the feeders ( yes, I know its not rare but certainty a new "yard bird !" ). The hyper accompaniment of feeders' winter birds galore makes it symbolic today , an Auld Lang Syne sendoff to 2012.

Nearby , on the Lookout Hill switchback trail, so great this year, the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (MYuan,DHrehowsik) continues, staying loyal to this general region the past week.Not far from there to the east, 3 AMERICAN PIPITS (RJett,m.obs) on the Nethermead ends the day for a great day end species. For me and Mary, 2 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS along Well Drive is enough of a celebration regarding our final birds of 2012.

Happy New Year to all !  
        Here's cheers to a great birdy 2013! 

From Mike Yuan :

Chilly but fruitful walk this morning, with Dennis Hrehowsik.  The Chat appeared a few times west of the Switchback trail at Lookout and at the end of the path above Wellhouse Drive.  The redpoll and pine siskins gave great close looks at the feeders.  Happy New Year!


Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Dec 31, 2012 7:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
30 species

Mallard  7
Ruddy Duck  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  1
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull (American)  4
Rock Pigeon  25
Mourning Dove  13
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Blue Jay  5
Black-capped Chickadee  8
Tufted Titmouse  4
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
European Starling  3
Yellow-breasted Chat  1     Switchback trail/Path above Wellhouse Drive.  Grey/Greenish back, yellow throat and breast.  White spectacles.
American Tree Sparrow  1     Feeders
Fox Sparrow (Red)  1
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  16
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  3
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  3
Common Grackle  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Finch  12
Common Redpoll   Female, at Feeders
Pine Siskin  3     Feeders
American Goldfinch  9
House Sparrow  20

From Rafael :

My last walk around Prospect Park for the year 2012.  Some surprises today.  At the feeders, a lonely Common Redpoll (see attached pxl), 

Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY
Dec 31, 2012 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 kilometer(s)
Observer: Rafael G Campos R
38 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  X
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  X
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  X
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)  X
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  3
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  X
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  1
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  X
Herring Gull (American) (Larus argentatus smithsonianus)  X
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  1
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)  X
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  X
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  2
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  X
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  2
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  X
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  X
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  2
Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  X
Fox Sparrow (Red) (Passerella iliaca iliaca/zaboria)  1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis)  X
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  X
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  4
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  X
Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea)  1     single bird feeding on the ground. Photos taken.
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  X
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  X

Brooklyn is great birding!!

Happy New Year to you all!!!

Common Redpoll at Feeders , photo by Rafael 

  From Kathy Toomey

date = 2012/12/31
site = Prospect Park
observers = Kathy Toomey and Emily Goldstein

Pied-billed Grebe
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead
Canada Goose
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Mute Swan
Mallard
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
American Coot
Great Black-backed Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher      heard
Downy Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren heard
American Robin      1, in Lullwater
Northern Mockingbird
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow      1, on path behind Wellhouse
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird       around 5, at feeders
Common Grackle       1, at feeders
Brown-headed Cowbird      1, at feeders
Pine Siskin       1, at feeders
House Finch
Common Redpoll      1, at feeders
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Lists, MEyster

Prospect Park--Feeders, Kings, US-NY
Dec 31, 2012 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Protocol: Stationary
10 species

Black-capped Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Fox Sparrow  3
White-throated Sparrow  7
Northern Cardinal  3
Red-winged Blackbird  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Finch  X
House Sparrow  X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12429662

Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, US-NY
Dec 31, 2012 4:30 PM - 4:40 PM
Protocol: Stationary
10 species

Canada Goose  325
Mute Swan  X
Mallard  X
Northern Shoveler  X
Hooded Merganser  3
Red-breasted Merganser  1
Ruddy Duck  X
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Cooper's Hawk  1     above Well Dr Picnic tables
Merlin  1     f/o Breeze Hill

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12429761

Red Hook coastal ,Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY
Dec 31, 2012 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
13 species

Brant  15
Canada Goose  6
Gadwall  18 Erie basin
Bufflehead  1
Red-breasted Merganser  1
Red-throated Loon  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1    Erie basin, hovering over pier car pound lot, unusual location
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Rock Pigeon  X
American Kestrel  1     F/o Lowes Store by Gowanus Canal
American Tree Sparrow  1     Ikea Parking lot
House Sparrow  X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12429800

RobJ~FWD: Pipits on nether mead

MikeY~FWD: Common redpoll, tree sparrow at feeders. Chat west of switchback trail near me monument

Prospect Dec 30th

Highlights reported today in Prospect Park --

--EASTERN BLUEBIRD at Boathouse ( Sarah Tilevitz)

-- RED-BREASTED MERGANSER on Lake ( Steve Nanz)

-- GREEN WINGED TEALS at Upper Pool ,

-- 7 AMERICAN TREE SPARROW at several locations ( Keir Randall) **

 -- YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT at Maryland Monument ( Ryan Bass)

 -- European Goldfinch (exotic) in sweet gum ( of course) opposite Quaker Cemetery ( Ed Crown, Jerry Layton) Full details later

From Keir

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY

Dec 30, 2012 9:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Protocol: Traveling

2.0 mile(s)

39 species



Mute Swan 1

American Black Duck 2

Mallard X

Northern Shoveler X

Green-winged Teal 2 Upper Pool

Bufflehead 1 Lullwater by Boathouse

Hooded Merganser 6

Ruddy Duck X

Pied-billed Grebe 4

Red-tailed Hawk 1

American Coot 3

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Great Black-backed Gull 2

Rock Pigeon X

Mourning Dove 12

Belted Kingfisher 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2

Downy Woodpecker 3

Blue Jay X

Black-capped Chickadee 15

Tufted Titmouse 9

White-breasted Nuthatch 3

American Robin 2

European Starling X

Eastern Towhee 1

American Tree Sparrow 7+  1 at GAP, 4+ at Long Meadow wildflower meadow (opposite dog beach), 1 at feeders, 1 Breeze Hill south slope, 2 Maryland Monument meadow.

Fox Sparrow 4

Song Sparrow 3

Swamp Sparrow 1

White-throated Sparrow 25

Dark-eyed Junco 4

Northern Cardinal 8

Red-winged Blackbird 1 Breeze Hill south slope

House Finch 28

Pine Siskin 5

American Goldfinch 9

House Sparrow X

PS.

Updated checklist with photo:



http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12414528

From Ryan Bass

Hi Peter,

YB Chat continues - we located it at the Maryland Monument late this morning. This was the first time I've located this bird in at least 5 attempts. 

Full eBird list, including waterfowl photos here:

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12414580

Happy New Year!

Cheers,

Ryan

From Greenwood Cemetery,report from Orrin Tilevitz

Hilight : RED CROSSBILL,WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLs

This afternoon in Green-Wood Cemetery, the usual winter assortment: a few white-winged crossbills, one cooperative red-winged crossbill, and a pine siskin, in addition to a flock of juncos, a titmouse, chickadees, many goldffinches, mourning doves, a large flock of starlings, a few mallards, and 70 Canada geese.

Red Crossbill , taken by Orrin Tilevitz

Peter's list

Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, US-NY

Dec 30, 2012 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Protocol: Stationary

11 species

Canada Goose  73     42 lake;31 flyover

Mute Swan  9

Mallard  X

Northern Shoveler  195

Red-breasted Merganser  1 drake

Ruddy Duck  55

Pied-billed Grebe  3

Double-crested Cormorant  2

American Coot  11

Ring-billed Gull  X

Herring Gull  X

Prospect brief notes Dec 29th

On a day  shortened and impacted by rainy ( where's the snow as promised ??)  weather, the walk was sort of short as Mary and I  ventured out  to look for redpolls. None seen but two WINTER WRENS ( good for Winter Prospect) were see, one along the East Drive border of the Midwood, and the other above the Vale Cashmere. Also to add in , is CAROLINA WREN in the area above the Boathouse. So, good to know when ( I didn't use Wren) to see good birds for a soso day..well better  saying "lousy").

ON the lake, I didn't check it out too carefully  despite some ice along the shores that gulls were resting on. I was intending to go back and check but the lack of a  waterproof coat sent me seeking shelter earlier than usual .But 6 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTs is notable while a GREAT BLUE HERON kept a lonely sentinel at Three Sisters.
Feeders had the usuals but seed and suet is disappearing quite fast.Nothing to do about it till I get back to work after a week off..

Prospect Park--Feeders, Kings, US-NY
Dec 29, 2012 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Protocol: Stationary
13 species

Mourning Dove  X
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Blue Jay  1
Black-capped Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
White-throated Sparrow  X
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  2
House Finch  11
Pine Siskin  2
American Goldfinch  8
House Sparrow  X

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Dec 29, 2012 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
11 species

Mute Swan  9     lake
Mallard  X
Northern Shoveler  X
Ruddy Duck  X
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Blue Heron  1
Black-capped Chickadee  1
Winter Wren  2
Carolina Wren  1
White-throated Sparrow  45
Northern Cardinal  X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S124113

Observers Peter D Mary E.

GWC triple species photo

Ania Grzesik managed to take this photo of three species together in Greenwood Cemetery yesterday. Here is her note: And attached I have a photo I took in Greenwood Cemetery today (Fri 12/28), where I managed to get white-winged crossbills, a pine siskin, and an amer. goldfinch in one shot. I saw a red xbill earlier, but he obviously didn't get the photo shoot memo. They all seemed to be enjoying this gravestone-turned-birdbath...

. (Click on photo to enlarge)

December 28th postings GWC; PP YBCHAT

Reported in Greenwood Cemetery, a flock of WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS at South wood and Vista Avenues (Orrin Tilevitz);also EASTERN BLUEBIRD on Forest Avenue

Posted on Ebirds Yahoo Listserve Prospect park chat Thu Dec 27, 2012 6:51 am (PST) . Posted by: "zach schwartz-weinstein" zachsw@ At about 9:30 this morning, I saw a chat fly from the fenced-in weedy area across the street from the peninsula north into the trees just west of the terrace bridge, where it perched for about 30 seconds before I lost it. Have not refound. The bird had spectacles, a bright yellow breast and throat. Undertail coverts were whitish.

date = 2012/12/28
site = Prospect Park
observers = Kathy Toomey and Emily Goldstein

White-winged Crossbills         in the Vale, with Isabel Conte
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead
Canada Goose
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Mallard
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren heard
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Yellow-breasted Chat            seen by Edith G. (not us) in woods
between Wellhouse and Maryland Monument
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow          on path above the Wellhouse
Dark-eyed Junco
Eastern Towhee        heard
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird        female, at feeders
Pine Siskin
House Finch
Common Redpoll             in sweetgums near the Dongan Oak monument,
also with Isabel
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow



And last Sunday, I forgot to mention, we saw the European Goldfinch
feeding high up in a sweetgum trees with goldfinches and redpolls

GWCEM: Eastern Bluebrd Forest Ave per Orrin

Orrin~FWD: Rxbills and wwxb gwcemetery. Southwood and vista avenues. Many

Christmas reports

(In wifi tablet format,due to my away for Christmas) From Rafael: Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY Dec 25, 2012 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM Protocol: Traveling 3.0 kilometer(s) Observer: Rafael G. Campos R. 33 species Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) X Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) X Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) X Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) X Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 3 Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) 1 Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) X Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2 Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 2 American Coot (Fulica americana) 4 Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) X Herring Gull (American) (Larus argentatus smithsonianus) X Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) X Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) X Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 3 Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 3 Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) 1 Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) X Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) X Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 5 Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 1 White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 2 Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) 2 American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1 Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 1 European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) X White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) X Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) X House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) X Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) 6 American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) X House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) X Brooklyn is great birding!!!!

From Adam: Walked around the Park more for some exercise than anything else, saw a few birds along the way. Nothing super-special, mostly quiet except for lots of activity near feeders. but Creeper, Bufflehead & Hoodies were nice to see. Merry Christmas! Adam ---------- Forwarded message ----------From: Date: Tue, Dec 25, 2012 at 7:41 PM Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Dec 25, 2012 Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY Dec 25, 2012 2:22 PM - 3:57 PM Protocol: Traveling 2.0 mile(s) Comments: Partly overcast, chilly. Birded Breeze Hill, Feeders, Lullwater, 3 Arches Bridge, Lower Pool, Peninsula, northern shore of Lake. 32 species (+1 other taxa) approx count, accurate + or Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 280 - 10%. Birds flying in and out of area, making complete count difficult Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) X Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) X many American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) (Anas rubripes x platyrhynchos) 1 Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) X 100+, not counted 2 near New Islands, 1 at Pink Beach Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 3 Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 7 between Peninsula & Duck Island Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) X Dozens. Not counted Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1 Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1 American Coot (Fulica americana) 5 dozens, not counted Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) X Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) X many Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 14 Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 2 1 in Binnen Pool/Lullwater area (male), 1 near Peninsula (female). Both calling. Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 1 Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 4 Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) 1 Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) X Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) X many at feeders. Not counted Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) X many at feeders, not counted White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 2 Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) 1 near feeders Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1 European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 1 Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) X seen 3x near feeders, poss same bird, but likely not White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) X Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) X Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 4 many at feeders House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) X Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) 1 feeders American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 5 feeders House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) X 10 - 20 at feeders, more elsewhere View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12368464 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) .<

From EBird list serve Zach Message 1 Greenwood Cemetery crossbills and redpoll Tue Dec 25, 2012 7:15 am (PST) . Posted by: "zach schwartz-weinstein" zachsw@ I'm looking at half a dozen white-winged crossbills and a common redpoll feeding on sweetgums at dell avenue and oak wood avenue, Green-Wood Cemetery. Zach S-W Albany.

Holiday wishes and season's greetings!

TO my readers and all birders , best wishes and a year well deserved with the good birds that came our way....

    Merry Christmas !

                     

Up in the sky Xmas nite conjunction

December 25th evening will see the conjunction of Jupiter next to
the Moon on this rare occasion happening this holy Christian day.

 http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/184335461.html

Prospect Dec23rd Chat and Redpolls, a great combo

If one knew earlier this year that YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT , primarily a migratory spring and fall bird would be seen the same day as winter species COMMON REDPOLL ( and don't forget PINE SISKIN) , people would have thought crazy to see that... Well, today , that happened. Kathy Toomey with Emily Goldstein saw both species in Prospect. So Happy Holidays for these birds.

 The YBCHAT was seen behind the Wellhouse, the latest destination after the first spot over a month ago along Breeze Hill, finally "moving out" to this latest spot.The dense weedy slope is fit for this bird. Later , in the Midwood north section, high in the sweetgum, a COMMON REDPOLL was sighted , Peter Colen observing the bird with Kathy and Emily. 

On the lake, a second RED-BREASTED MERGANSER has joined with the other hen that's been around for longer. 76 RUDDY DUCKS ,175 + NORTHERN SHOVELER , 3 HOODED MERGANSER and hen BUFFLEHEAD are still gracing the waters of Prospect Lake.

 From Kathy 

date = 2012/12/23
site = Prospect Park
observers = Kathy Toomey and Emily Goldstein

Double-crested Cormorant
Northern Shoveler
Canada Goose
Ruddy Duck
Mallard
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Yellow-breasted Chat      behind the Wellhouse, at about 9:15 in the am
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Pine Siskin
House Finch
Common Redpoll      in sweetgums on the path that enters the lower
Midwood, across from zoo  (with Peter Colen)
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Redpoll photo from Peter Colen http://www.petercolenphotography.com/WinterWrens/Cardinal-Sparrows-Finches/20460917_jkpvT7#!i=2287268952&k=T9HNn9G

Redpolls in Lullwater

From Ryan:


Good viewing of Redpolls foraging in a Sweetgum with AMGO and BCCH. Siskins also present. This one tree had nearly (25) active birds in it... Location is along the Lullwater, across from the Breeze Hill side, just up from the stand of pines at Terrace Bridge. Sifting through them, they all appeared to be Common... Full checklist here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12347118 Cheers, Ryan

Pelagic interest inquiry

The following note is from Arie Gilbert , president of Queens County Bird Club, reached at ariegilbert@optonline.net if you are interested and if set number is reached will go forth.

Boat trips run out of Gerritsen Creek, and gone or go into into Jamaica Bay, into NY Harbor, east down the
coast, and south out into the ocean

Greetings fellow birders


Are you interested in doing an inshore Brooklyn+ pelagic?

Tentatively, i would like to schedule it for Thursday Jan 3, so I would

like to gauge interest sooner rather than later.

There be alcids!


tentatively the cost is $75


Arie Gilbert

12/21/2012 @ 1:00:09 PM

December photo birds

From Orrin Tilevitz, Common Redpoll taken Dec 13th at NY Botanical Garden

******************************************************************************

From Chris Elliot's gallery

"Documentation photo"
Greenwood Cemetery Xmas Count Black-throated Blue Warbler by Chris Elliot. The bird is a first for Kings CBC.(Dec 15th)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eliotc/8275853136/in/photostream/

********************************************************************************

From Peter Colen, yesterday’s flight shots in Prospect

Here is the wren taking flight, moving very fast. I noticed you wrote about Winter Wrens for last years Clapper Rail.

http://www.petercolenphotography.com/WinterWrens/Woodpeckers-Brown-Creeper/20569582_3mSXVd#!i=2283464783&k=QnHfmNT


Here is a male White-wing Crossbills in flight as well. It's a beautiful bird.

http://www.petercolenphotography.com/WinterWrens/Cardinal-Sparrows-Finches/20460917_jkpvT7#!i=2283458105&k=gWLM9zn

Prospect Dec 20th Redpolls are ba-a-a-ack

This morning the same Sweetgum tree at the south side of the Nethermead Bridge was revisited by COMMON REDPOLLs , 8 birds reported by Mike Yuan along with Dennis Hrehowsik
and Chris Elliot. It seems sporadic this species visiting that particular tree after a week's absence but worth checking more frequently ( which I did at lunch time but unsuccssfully)

See Mike's report below along with Chris's photo links

Also , while waiting in the truck at my "Propsite"nursery area ( 9th street ) a small flock landed in a locust tree,then flew to the large Sweetgum nearby; turns out they were 6 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS , 4 red males among them.

Sweetgums are IT!
************************

Hi Peter,



Here are a couple photos of today's Redpolls in Prospect, seen with Mike Y and Dennis H:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/eliotc/8291734382/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eliotc/8291734060/


Chris

*******************

Peter-


List from a quick morning walk with Chris and Dennis. Redpolls continued in the sweetgums below the Nethermead Arches when we left them around 8:30am.

-Mike



Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY

Dec 20, 2012 7:15 AM - 9:00 AM

Protocol: Traveling

1.5 mile(s)

Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.1

24 species



Mallard 17

Northern Shoveler 1

Ruddy Duck 9

Red-tailed Hawk 3

Ring-billed Gull 3

Rock Pigeon 3

Mourning Dove 6

Belted Kingfisher 1 Flying from Lullwater to Audubon Center

Downy Woodpecker 3

Blue Jay 8

Black-capped Chickadee 6

Tufted Titmouse 3

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 5

Winter Wren 1

American Robin 1

European Starling 25

White-throated Sparrow 12

Northern Cardinal 2

House Finch 16 Flock of 10 at pools.

Common Redpoll 8 Sweetgums below Nethermead arches. Broad streaks on flanks. Pink wash on the fronts of some (males).

Pine Siskin 4 Feeding in sweetgums with redpolls.

American Goldfinch 4

House Sparrow 15



View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12330250



This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Prospect Dec 19th YB Chat , where were thou ?

Rob Jett reports the elusive YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT on the Terrace Bridge, by the shipping containers; this bird , though sought for 12/15 was a miss on the Prospect Christmas Bird Count (CBC)  despite it being present for a few weeks prior in that general area. Despite that miss, Prospect Park CBC set a new record high with 64 species with a Coopers Hawk , see the photo sent from my team member Arinna Ferrario in the previous post.

From Rob Jett,"

- At around 1:45pm today, Bobbi Manian, Eni Falci and I spotted an adult Red-shouldered Hawk flying low over the Long Meadow ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From Keir Randall

list from this morning:




Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY

Dec 19, 2012 8:15 AM - 9:20 AM

Protocol: Traveling

1.0 mile(s)

Comments: A quick walk from Lily Pond to Nethermead and Breeze Hill

27 species (+1 other taxa)



Canada Goose 92 All flyovers

Mute Swan 1

Mallard 3

Northern Shoveler 8

Ruddy Duck 6

American Coot 3

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Mourning Dove 9

Red-bellied Woodpecker 2

Downy Woodpecker 3

Blue Jay 4

Black-capped Chickadee 4

Tufted Titmouse 5

White-breasted Nuthatch 2

Winter Wren 1

European Starling 15

Eastern Towhee 1

Fox Sparrow 1

Song Sparrow 2

White-throated Sparrow 18

Dark-eyed Junco 4

Northern Cardinal 4

House Finch 13

Pine Siskin 1

American Goldfinch 4

House Sparrow 15

passerine sp. 6 Back of Lily pond as viewed from Binnen Bridge. These "felt" like White-winged Crossbills flying away, to the north, but not seen well/ not heard.

Prospect CBC breakdown, a record

The following is the breakdown list of birds seen on the Prospect segment of the Dec 15th Christmas Bird Count.  A note: due to an oversight, COOPERS HAWK was seen about midday , as reported by Arianna Ferrario with the photo in my previous post, that I thought was part of the original count. It turns out its a new species for the day, making it 64 species seen in Prospect, a record !

NYC Bird Report

date = Dec 15th
site = Prospect Park
observers = Christmas Bird Count

Red Crossbill 1
White-winged Crossbill 42
Common Loon 1 flyover
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Northern Shoveler 282
Bufflehead 2
American Black Duck 2
Canada Goose 72
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Hooded Merganser 4
Ruddy Duck 64
Mute Swan 9
Mallard 109
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
American Kestrel 2
Merlin 1
American Coot 26
Great Black-backed Gull 6
Ring-billed Gull 705
Herring Gull 77
Rock Pigeon 102
Mourning Dove 76
Northern Saw-whet Owl 2 Quaker Cemetery
Belted Kingfisher 2
Downy Woodpecker 18
Hairy Woodpecker 6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 16  RECORD
Red-bellied Woodpecker 17
American Crow 5
Blue Jay 45
Tufted Titmouse 52
Black-capped Chickadee 61
Red-breasted Nuthatch 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 16
Brown Creeper 1
Winter Wren 2
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 46
Eastern Bluebird 3
Hermit Thrush 1
Brown Thrasher 1 BBGarden
Northern Mockingbird 10
European Starling 75
Cedar Waxwing 1
Nashville Warbler 1 BBGarden -Cranford Rose Garden
Swamp Sparrow 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 113
Song Sparrow 13
Fox Sparrow 10
Dark-eyed Junco 25
Eastern Towhee 1
Northern Cardinal 43
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Purple Finch 1
Pine Siskin 5
House Finch 36
Common Redpoll Count Period -6 seen Friday
American Goldfinch 46
House Sparrow 15

Prospect Dec18th

9 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were reported in the Vale of Cashmere by Edith Goren and Julia Weinberger.

Revised Kings CBC; Photo of CBC COHA

Team captain Glen Davis who covered the Marine Park area reported that one of his independent members took a photo of a duck in Gerritsen Creek on Count day that was just received yesterday.Its a juvenile drake Eurasian Wigeon.( I saw the photo and it's affirmed by several folks).This bumps up our overall Kings CBC to 135 species, tying our all time high. ( amazing given circumstances in such a dramatic year end ).

************

Photo of Cooper's Hawk , by Ariana Ferrario, who was on my southern Prospect team.

New warbler guide

This was posted on Facebook..What's special about it? It's written by our own Tom Stephenson with cowriter and photography by Scott Whittle,formerly of Brooklyn. See the link for this highly anticipated ,exciting guide:


.http://press.princeton.edu/titles/9968.html

Prospect DEC 17th, "hoodies"

Along the north shore of Prospect Lake, the waters came alive with a wave of " hoodies" , namely HOODED MERGANSER. First reported by Rob Jett with a number of 16 birds, I visited an hour later and found a total of 21. A delightful sight to see.

* . A surprise while searching for the Hoodies, a single BRANT gliding in the waters close to the west shore, maneuvering around the many NORTHERN SHOVELERS.

* The other day's good sighting continues to be those WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS, 26 birds feeding in the sweet gums above the Ravine's Little Rock Arch bridge, as noted by Rob Jett.

photo link of Northern Saw Whet Owl

On Peter Colen's photo gallery , Northern Sawwhet Owl seen over 1 1/2 weeks ago .
http://www.petercolenphotography.com/WinterWrens/Raptors/20314616_wBVPz6#!i=2265298330&k=KNPMJ4n&lb=1&s=A

The full Kings County Christmas Bird Count list

The following Kings CBC 2012 list is the master list of 134 species seen on the Dec 15th Kings County Xmas count. For brevity the locations for IRR or Rare are not disclosed. Note "IRR"  means Irregular , species seen less 8x the past 10 years (or seen 4-7 x the last decade) ; Rare is 3 or less the same time period. 

Enjoy your holidays and we wish you a fortuitous New Year from the Brooklyn Birding Community.

Regards

Peter Dorosh

Pres., BBC.

Species Name	Total
Snow Goose	8
Brant	11091
Canada Goose	1408
Mute Swan	216
Wood Duck	3
Gadwall	68
American Wigeon	81
American Black Duck	738
Mallard	716
Northern Shoveler	264
Northern Pintail	1
Green-winged Teal	131
Canvasback	2
Greater Scaup	3592
Lesser Scaup	119
Surf Scoter	3
White-winged Scoter	5
Black Scoter	19
Scoter (sp.)	36
Long-tailed Duck	401
Bufflehead	1312
Common Goldeneye	23
Barrow's Goldeneye	1	RARE
Hooded Merganser	46
Red-breasted Merganser	756
Ruddy Duck	150
Ring-necked Pheasant	3
Red-throated Loon	110
Common Loon	76
Pied-billed Grebe	14
Horned Grebe	157
Red-necked Grebe	1
Northern Gannet	135
American White Pelican	1	NEW
Double-crested Cormorant	110
Great Cormorant	69
American Bittern	1	IRR
Great Blue Heron	19
Black-crowned Night-Heron	3
Northern Harrier	15
Sharp-shinned Hawk	8
Cooper's Hawk	15
Red-shouldered Hawk	2	IRR
Red-tailed Hawk	27
Rough-legged Hawk	2	IRR
American Kestrel	10
Merlin	5
Peregrine Falcon	5
Clapper Rail	3	IRR
American Coot	41
Black-bellied Plover	24
Semipalmated Plover	1	RARE
Killdeer	14
American Oystercatcher	1	IRR
Greater Yellowlegs	15
Sanderling	50
Purple Sandpiper	12
Dunlin	112
Wilson's Snipe	6	RARE
American Woodcock	2
Bonaparte's Gull	139
Ring-billed Gull	4641
Herring Gull	7557
Great Black-backed Gull	266
Razorbill	37	IRR
Rock Pigeon	595
Mourning Dove	173
Monk Parakeet	35
Northern Saw-whet Owl	2	IRR
Belted Kingfisher	6
Red-bellied Woodpecker	38
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	25
Downy Woodpecker	68
Hairy Woodpecker	10
Northern Flicker	54
Blue Jay	151
American Crow	109
Fish Crow	2	IRR
Horned Lark	63
Tree Swallow	113	IRR
Cave Swallow	1	NEW
Black-capped Chickadee	245
Tufted Titmouse	128
Red-breasted Nuthatch	25
White-breasted Nuthatch	50
Brown Creeper	3
Carolina Wren	22
Winter Wren	4
Golden-crowned Kinglet	4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	4
Eastern Bluebird	8	RARE
Hermit Thrush	7
American Robin	118
Gray Catbird	7
Northern Mockingbird	116
Brown Thrasher	4	IRR
European Starling	2114
American Pipit	2
Cedar Waxwing	29
Orange-crowned Warbler	1	IRR
Nashville Warbler	1	RARE
Black-throated Blue Warbler	1	NEW
Yellow-rumped Warbler	223
Palm Warbler	4
Blackpoll Warbler	1	RARE
Common Yellowthroat	2	IRR
Eastern Towhee	3
American Tree Sparrow	87
Chipping Sparrow	2
Field Sparrow	2
Savannah Sparrow	30
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	1	RARE
Seaside Sparrow	2	RARE
Fox Sparrow	35
Song Sparrow	321
Swamp Sparrow	46
White-throated Sparrow	387
White-crowned Sparrow	2	IRR
Dark-eyed Junco	143
Lapland Longspur	1	IRR
Snow Bunting	16
Northern Cardinal	212
Red-winged Blackbird	18
Eastern Meadowlark	10
Common Grackle	1
Boat-tailed Grackle	69
Brown-headed Cowbird	100
Purple Finch	2	IRR
House Finch	165
Red Crossbill	2	RARE
White-winged Crossbill	75	RARE
Common Redpoll	2	RARE
Pine Siskin	33	IRR
American Goldfinch	103
House Sparrow	282
Total Species	134

12/15 Kings Xmas count results

The preliminary brief note: 134 species on the Kings county CBC. second highest- the record is 135-an unusual Xmas count despite areas that were impacted by Sandy and habitats lost. Very surprising count.Among best species was an AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. Prospect had 63 species... more details later Top Prospect specis: RED CROSSBILL,WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL,PINE SISKIN, NASHVILLE WARBLER ( Brooklyn botanic Garden in the Rose Garden), two NORTHERN SAWWHET OWLS ( inside private property Quaker Cemetery, by permission only). Record number of YELLOW BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 16. ( likely all those new snags)