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 |
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
