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