A Hurrah last day sendoff....

A jury of Ring-necked Ducks on Prospect Lake, photo by Bobbi Manian

On my last day as President of the Brooklyn Bird Club, Nature decides to send me tokens of last hurrahs from Prospect Park.

During a meeting I was attending at the Picnic House, Greg Olsen sends me a mid morning text of a COMMON RAVEN flying over my office , the Tennis House.

Still at the meeting, Bobbi Manian  sends me a text reporting twelve ( a jury of ? ) RING-NECKED DUCKS, one of my two favorite duck species ( the other being Redheads) seen in Prospect Lake.

Then just prior noontime, Andy Biederman texted me of a grebe species he wasn't sure of (though  he has a picture of) , till I was able to go back to the Tennis House  around 1230 lunch break to pick up an electric cart and get down to the Terrace Bridge to look for the grebe. It turns out to be a HORNED GREBE, seen wading  into the Lullwater, a quite rare species for this park. ( I say for the Prospect records less than a jury number )

And last, pending a records search, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS must have known  I was "retiring". Bobbi reported on the Lake 5 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS!   It must have been a party I missed at  Three Sisters Islands.

For the exotics, Mary Eyster this afternoon reported a Red-faced Goldfinch on Breeze Hill dirt mounds , hanging out with American Goldfinches,  a striking bird she says...  ( from Google search http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/nature/img/species/birds/446x251/goldfinch_k_w_smith.jpg )

So, 3 ( or 5 , or 12, whatever)  hurrahs..hip hip hooray...while I was at a meeting...

--KB  


Addenum :  An early evening  text from Doug Gochfeld during his late afternoon walk gives me another hurrah : AMERICAN WOODCOCK calling from behind the Wellhouse before it flew off; HORNED GREBE continues in the Lullwater , next to the Lullwater (Boathouse ) Bridge, west side.          

A note on the Red Breasted Mergansers : Bobbi's total fell short by 1, the record is 6 seen Feb 23, 1997 seen by Mike Andersen, whom I know by reputation an excellent birder.      (source Cornell's Ebird)                                                                                                        

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

From Bobbi Manian:

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Feb 28, 2013

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Feb 28, 2013 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments:      <br />Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.2
36 species

Canada Goose  150
Mute Swan  12
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  X
Northern Shoveler  18
Ring-necked Duck  12
Bufflehead  2
Hooded Merganser  12
Red-breasted Merganser  5
Ruddy Duck  25
Horned Grebe  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  12
Ring-billed Gull  100
Herring Gull  20
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Rock Pigeon  25
Mourning Dove  7
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  5
Blue Jay  7
American Crow  2
Black-capped Chickadee  8
Tufted Titmouse  5
White-breasted Nuthatch  4
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  23
Northern Mockingbird  1
Song Sparrow  7
White-throated Sparrow  12
Northern Cardinal  22
Red-winged Blackbird  22
House Finch  7
Pine Siskin  8
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  15

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13219143

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

From Peter Colen :
Greenwood Cemetery

An interesting array of ducks at the cemetery. A female Wood Duck, 1 or 2 male Buffleheads, 1 male American Widgeon, 2 pair of Mallards, 1 pair Ruddy Ducks. 1 pair Black Ducks, 1 pair mallard Hybrids.

1 raven that was not interested in being photographed that was at first overlooking Dell Water and seemed to circle around behind me. I never saw it again. 

Best Wishes, Peter

HORNED GREBE under Terrace Br thx to Andy B.

Reports of Raven over Tennis House; Lake 12 Ringneck Ducks & poss grebe sps by Pen thumb

New Brooklyn Bird Club President Rob Bate March 1st



Rob Bate (left) assisting me with feeders setup last November ( photo from Bobbi Manian)

February 28^th, 2013

RE: Brooklyn Bird Club Presidency transition

Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.
                                               ----John F. Kennedy , 35th President of the United States

Dear club members, the birding community, and friends of the Brooklyn Bird Club:

Brooklyn Bird Club presidents come and go, and many there were over the glorious 100 years plus era of this venerated club founded June 5th at 166 St James Place (of Clinton Hill) by Dr Edward Vietor and his wife Kate, several other founders, along with the first BBC president, a youthful Edward Fleisher way back in 1909. Dr Vietor assumed the presidency as successor to Mr. Fleisher in eventual time. And so it goes: the torch passed on to the next president and then to the next president as it has for the past century. We are links in a chain that continues on.Change is an inevitability, an obligation that is necessary and significant for continued growth, new visions, and new ideas. The winds of change made this club prospered well and thrive on perpetually and with integrity.

Since 2000, I have tenured as the club president, most likely the only BBC president you have known if you have been a most recent resident of Brooklyn or to most club members of this small yet dynamic and legendary club. After all these quickly spent years, the toll affecting my creativity and desire becomes more significant. My tenure having bridged the two centuries with my hope the club in continuity sees its then new president in 2099-2100, my tenure needs to come to a close . The early seeds for my decision to step down one day were planted soon after the highly successful and spectacular Centennial year of 2009 and accomplished celebration in middle June of that year. It was then, after having achieved my main objective of seeing through the club's well deserved and spectacular 2009 Centennial festivity, along with my peers delegated to that centennial celebration, until the right person steps forward to succeed me, I  would then step down. The Brooklyn Bird Club Council was informed of my intentions last year in late 2012 and the search was on. In retrospect, I have served the club for over 20 years in some official capacity, previously serving as Treasurer for 8 years before ascending to the Presidency in 2000.

That day has finally come to relinquish my duty -- today,February 28^th  , is my last day . Tomorrow, March 1^st, Rob Bate takes over the Brooklyn Bird Club Presidency with acclamation by the Brooklyn Bird Club council.

In Rob, we have a fine candidate in taking this club forward. Rob enjoys excellent rapport with Brooklyn birders and beyond our borough. Furthermore, he takes an ardent passion in our environment, habitats, and conservation, which was my forte during my tenure ; my personal belief is that club presidents should possess conservation traits and advocacy, these Rob showing strong qualities in. Rob also plays a role in initializing efforts regarding park issues and the overall scope concerning birds and habitats. I offer Rob Bate hearty congratulations, gratitude, and I wish him all the best luck as the new club President. Do take the chance to meet Rob when you can, especially on his Tuesday Spring walks from the Bartel Pritchard park entrance beginning April 16^th if you have yet to meet him. Check the trips page at http://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/trips.htm

There are so many folks for me to thank, the list like a fantastic birding day for numbers on a peaked spring day, perhaps far more, many friends I have met-- many new, many long- time over these fruitful years. Without my many wonderful supporters and positive feedback, I would not have accomplish well my job in guiding this amazing club that I have been involved with as a member for close to 35 years.

As for me, I won’t be like the “old soldier fading into the sunset” that General Douglas MacArthur quoted when he retired; General MacArthur will be wrong regarding me about his quote “fading soldiers”. You will still, as always, see me stomping around on these sacred Brooklyn birding grounds. After all, it would be difficult to take the “Brooklyn” out of this 5th generation native. Instead, I will repeat the quotation that I included in the last Clapper Rail newsletter when I relinquished my editor duties. And it’s a tribute to my fellow deaf personality, music giant and hero Ludwig Von Beethoven for speaking the right frame of mind: “Off with you! You're a happy fellow, for you'll give happiness and joy to many other people. There is nothing better or greater than that! “ 

See you in the field and always good birding,

Peter Dorosh

Brooklyn Bird Club

President Emeritus

Owls article in NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/science/long-cloaked-in-mystery-owls-start-coming-into-full-view.html?_r=0

my Florida vacation

I posted photos of birds and nature plus the bird list if anyone is interested.enjoy.--kb

http://bbcprevioustripreports.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-personal-winter-florida-trip.html

New Osprey Platform at Bush Terminal Park ( under construction)

I advised my friend Bart Chezar, an environmental activist , on the Osprey nest project which we hope will be attractive to ospreys . The location was the key which I made a suggestion.After a long delay with these capital projects, the nesting platform went up finally. Bush Terminal Park is supposed to open late this fall according to the Community District manager I contacted recently.


See Bart's paper, and email message to his network and his attached pictures he took of the sequential installment.

Bart's White paper New York Harbor Osprey Initiative on project

Tue, Feb 19, 2013 3:26 pm

HI Folks,

Yesterday was a good day. After long delays we were able to successfully install an osprey platform at the Bush Terminal Piers Park (BTPP under construction) in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, with the tremendous assistance of Phoenix Marine personnel. We assembled the osprey platform, designed and built by Tomas Daskam, with black locust wood provided by Horizon Wood Products, and attached it to a 20’ pole supplied by AECOM. NYC EDC gave us approval for the installation at the site. The attached pictures tell the story:

- 0915 hrs - View of NY Harbor from site.

- 0922 - Osprey platform structure.

- 0932 - Assembling platform onto pole.

- 0947 - Platform assembled and ready for installation.

- 0986 - Platform being lifted onto site.

-0997 - Platform being placed into pipe housing.

- 0956 - Installation team from Phoenix Marine.

- 1015/1202 - Installed osprey platform.

Osprey begin to migrate through New York Harbor around mid-March. Let’s hope they come and check out this beautiful new home we built for them.

I’ve attached our original write up for the New York Harbor Osprey Initiative. Having completed the work at BTPP we will refocus on the proposed installation for Governors Island.

Check out the following link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nA3LtXnNIto Maybe someday we will be seeing this in New York Harbor.

Special thanks to Tim McKinney and Barbara Jaffess for their help.

Till next time,

Bart Chezar

Tue, Feb 19, 2013 3:26 pm    

1)

Note new park beyond.

Prospect Feb 24th Text messages and 1 report

Yesterday a few text messages was received to me, mainly reporting the following : WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK & MONK PARAKEETS

From Rob Jett, the first two species mentioned was tweeted , both birds seen in Greenwood Cemetery; The Monks were reported by Ryan Bass , the parakeets flying over the Armory on 8th Ave near 14th Street.

You can follow Rob Jett's twitter @ citybirder..since I follow him on twitter, you will need to do the same to get his tweets.Don't forget to put your cell number in your twitter account and turn on the notifications ( look for the little man icon after the user. Others I follow are Ker Randall , Dennis Hrehowsik and Rob Bate, all who only post quality /rare bird sightings.

Also noted, at least 14 HOODED MERGANSERS on the main lake, RING-NECKED DUCK by Three Sisters Islands.

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

From Rafael :


Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY

Feb 24, 2013 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Protocol: Traveling

2.5 kilometer(s)

Observer: Rafael G Campos

36 species



Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) X

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) 10

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) X

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) X

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 1

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 1

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 6

Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) 1

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) X

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 2

American Coot (Fulica americana) X

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) X

Herring Gull (American) (Larus argentatus smithsonianus) X

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) X

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) X

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 1

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 2

Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) 2

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) X

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 9

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 4

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 2

Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) 2

Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) 1

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) X

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) X

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) X

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 4

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 2

House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) X

Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) 4

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) X

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) X





Brooklyn is great birding!!!!

@thecitybirder: Immature Red-shouldered Hawk at Dell Water in Green-Wood Cemetery

@thecitybirder: 14 White-winged Crossbills in Green-wood Cemetery at Meadow Hill

Prospect Lake Feb 23rd Raindrops upon quacks

The Brooklyn Bird Club should sell buttons, Tee Shirts or car stickers that say " I am proud to be a BWB ! " ( that stands for Bad Weather birder). But I don't think such items would sell  since only a few of us  are nutty enough to go out in downpours. But for those who do, the rewards are possible. Bad weather do force down migrants. Just I mention yesterday, migration is in the early stages. 

Such was the case this afternoon in pouring rain when I spotted a scaup in the distance  by the Peninsula thumb from my West Island shelter perch. Of course I had to walk all the way over there to see the head shape. Among 5 RUDDY DUCKS, it was a sleeping drake LESSER SCAUP. Moments later, as I ventured into the thumb , the drake RING-NECKED DUCK swam away from the shore and joined the scaup, a nice comparison of these often confusing species.

Earlier, along the well drive shore , the drake RED-BREASTED MERGANSER eyed me warily. Then while i was on the thumb, a hen RED BREASTED MERGANSER in the strait . Beyond the latter bird, 43 NORTHERN SHOVELERS focused in the Duck Island area, along the phragmites.

But most notable if no one has really noticed , HOODED MERGANSERS are in good force. Between the new islands Music and Teardrop Islands, in the rink cove, 14 of these birds mixed together, swimming along in whatever open water there was with ice a main deterrent in the southern lullwater. Overall, 22 Hoodies was my number. Yesterday, the 24 was a highest historical total after a quick scan of the records. Even Cornell Ebird question my number saying it was "high". Hope this Hoodie invasion will be a new winter phenomenon in winters to come. They are really delightful  exquisite ducks to observe.

Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, US-NY
Feb 23, 2013 2:10 PM - 3:10 PM
Protocol: Stationary
15 species (+1 other taxa)

Mute Swan  7
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  X
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  X
Northern Shoveler  43
Ring-necked Duck  1 drake
Lesser Scaup  1 drake
Bufflehead  1 hen
Hooded Merganser  22     good year for them
Red-breasted Merganser  2  , mix pair
Ruddy Duck  15
American Coot  21
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  4
Black-capped Chickadee  1

9 duck  species

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13165640

PrLake: Less Scaup drke w Ringneck duck drke peninsla thumb. Yes its pouring :-(

Prospect Feb 22nd, early spring signs ?

These days look towards the very early stages of spring migration, even in February. The highest total for HOODED MERGANSER that I know of occurred today; on Prospect Lake I spotted 24 HOODED MERGANSERS which is a delight to see this species, hopefully they will display their courtship with the hens. While watching them, I spotted a drake RING-NECKED DUCK along the Peninsula meadow shore, and two RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS nearby .

At the feeders for a quick look, 8 PINE SISKINS is the major draw; soon they will be heading out, usually by early March.

Top raptor for the day, spotted by Keir : RED-SHOULDERED HAWK , in a soar over Lookout Hill. ( likely one i saw of many in Florida last week  ;)  )

--KB

*********

From Keir Randall:

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY


Feb 22, 2013 9:31 AM - 11:51 AM

Protocol: Traveling

2.0 mile(s)

Comments: Ravine to Long Meadow to Lookout and around lake, didn't check feeders.



<br>Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.2

37 species (+1 other taxa)



Canada Goose 100

Mute Swan 3

American Black Duck 3

Mallard 125

American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1

Northern Shoveler 43

Ring-necked Duck 1 Drake on lake by peninsula meadow

Bufflehead 2

Hooded Merganser 9

Red-breasted Merganser 2

Ruddy Duck 32

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Circling Lookout Hill top meadow then headed south.

Red-tailed Hawk 1

American Coot 19

Ring-billed Gull 450

Herring Gull 5

Rock Pigeon 22

Mourning Dove 15

Red-bellied Woodpecker 3

Downy Woodpecker 3

Blue Jay 13

American Crow 10

Black-capped Chickadee 13

Tufted Titmouse 9

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Center Drive, green containers on Midwood edge

White-breasted Nuthatch 5

Brown Creeper 1

Carolina Wren 2

American Robin 52

European Starling 2

Fox Sparrow (Red) 2

Song Sparrow 2

White-throated Sparrow 26

Northern Cardinal 9

House Finch 1

Pine Siskin 6 Lookout Hill, butterfly meadow, very vocal.

American Goldfinch 11

House Sparrow 22



View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist

Feb 23rd Urban Birder walk and program

From Maria Carrasco , director of the Boathouse Audubon Center

Bird Watching Tour through Prospect Park with “The Urban Birder”



Saturday, February 23rd 2013 at 9 am



New York City Audubon and Prospect Park Audubon Center present an exciting

opportunity for bird-watchers and nature lovers of all skill levels. Join David

Lindo (better known as “The Urban Birder”) on a two hour walk to some of the

best bird watching spots in Prospect Park. Hailing from the UK, David travels

and speaks around the world engaging city dwellers in the wonders of nature.

Presented in conjunction with the New York City Audubon lecture series on

Tuesday, February 19th at 6pm, the tour will give bird enthusiasts of all levels

the opportunity to learn from and speak with this dynamic and experienced

leader. The tour will begin at Grand Army Plaza and end at the Audubon Center

where guests can warm up with hot chocolate and coffee.



Meet at Grand Army Plaza (Flatbush and Eastern Parkway on the park-side) at 9

am. Call (718) 287-3400 ext 303 with any questions. Binoculars will be

provided. We are asking for a $5 donation that will offset the costs of hot

chocolate.





*Also: Lecture Series presented by NYC Audubon: Tuesday, February 19th at 6 pm.

The event will be held at The Arsenal, Central Park, Fifth Avenue at 64th

Street, 3rd Floor Gallery. Free and open to the public.

 ALSO , same info , from

Ajamu Brown & the Prospect Park Audubon Center invited you to


Join me on an urban bird tour with david lindo

Saturday, February 23, 2013

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM


Where:

Prospect Park

Meeting point: on the corner of flatbush ave. and eastern parkway, across from Central Library

Brooklyn NY 11238

From Ajamu Brown

Hope all well. My friend David Lindo will be visiting from the U.K. and I wanted to see if you would be interested in having him speak at one of your meeting while he is in New York from Feb 11th until Feb 28th.I know that he will be speaking at Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca from the Feb 17-19th but otherwise is available. I've listed his information below. If you are interested please let me know.




Hope to hear from you soon.



Best,

Ajamu





David Lindo is known the world over as The Urban Birder. His vibe is all about getting city dwellers wherever they may live to look up and notice nature – even in the most urban of jungles. David is a regular on TV and radio in the UK and abroad, has a flourishing website and blog plus writes for a host of magazines internationally. He has travelled around the globe visiting urban and not so urban spots to spread the word that nature is all around us. He is also a popular speaker and tour leader taking nature lovers around places as diverse as The Shetland and Los Angeles.





Formally the Head of Membership at The British Trust for Ornithology, David is a patron of the Alderney Wildlife Trust, Birding For All (for birders with disabilities), Spitalfields City Farm and is a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Writers.



‘The Urban Birder’ his successful first book was published in August 2011. His next book ‘Look Up!’ a guide to being an urban birder will be out in the spring of 2014.



















The Urban Birder

www.theurbanbirder.com





Look Up!!



Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/urbanbirder

My blog: http://urbanitybirder.blogspot.com/

And FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=621735333



The Urban Birder book is available now. Order at:

http://www.theurbanbirder.com/books/

Feb 21th Reminder BBC PROGRAM 2 nite

Tonite is John Ascher's lecture on wild bees at the Litchfield Villa 630 pm . See the previous post 2/13 below for info. or goto

http://brooklynbirdclub.org/meetings.htm

Prospect 2/18

From Ryan Bass

Hi Peter,

Hope you are enjoying the vacation in sunny Florida.

In Prospect Park today, I had a Turkey Vulture flyover the Prospect Lake in the morning. In the corner of Quaker Cemetery nearest the intersection of Center & West Drives, there were 2 Pine Siskin and 3 White-winged Crossbills (WWCR) feeding with various other birds on fallen sweet gum seeds. An accipiter flew overhead, disrupting the activity, but I relocated the WWCR in a sweet gum on the SE slope of Lookout Hill, best seen from the path that runs parallel to Wellhouse Dr.

Cheers,

Ryan

Prospect perimeter Turkey Vulture

Greetings from Orlando:

text messages from first Orrin Tilevitz and then Rob Jett reports Turkey Vulture seen by Church Ave then a second sighting in Park Slope 6th ave with the text messages moments apart.

In Greenwood Cemetery,a Ring-necked Duck reported by Rob Jett.

Follow Rob Jett's twitter account for good birds while I am away. Keir Randall, Dennis Hrehowsik and Rob Bate are other followers i follow.

-KB

( enjoying great stuff down here in the sunshine state including my first ever Vermilion Flycatcher)

GBBC starts tmorrow

Greetings from Orlando, Florida: The Great Backyard Count starts tomorrow.Don't forget  to count regardless where you are.Have fun!

Gone to Florida ...for several days Thurs-Tues

(and to the Orlando area; No...not Disneyworld )

This is my second trip to the Sunshine State; hopefully some life birds while sidestepping the gators.Besides it's kinda of quiet around here... ; )

My blurryblurry pic from Corkscrew Preserve 2009 Painted Buntings in a cage feeder

BBC' s 2013 first eve program Feb 21st

Birders and readers,

Next Thursday February 21st is the year's first Brooklyn Bird Club evening program, a topic about wild bees , specifically  those in prospect park, presented by AMNH Dr John Ascher. Its a very fascinating field. Dr Ascher regularly bird watches in Prospect.

Thursday, February 21, 6:30 P.M.


Bees of Prospect Park
Presenter: Entomologist John S. Ascher, PhD; Research Scientist and Bee Database Senior Project Manager, Dept. of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History ********************************> http://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/meetings.htm

anybody getting together for GBBC ?

I got an inquiry about whether there is a Brooklyn Bird Club walk in Prospect during the GBBC.Unfortunately, there isn't except Rusty Harolds Photo Long Island trip on the 16th which itself is countable for the count period.

If anyone is thinking of doing awalk in Prospect or even Greenwood Cemetery informally,or would like people along for a group friendship walk, let me know and i can post here.. I myself though will be out of town :)

my email is to the right in the profile section.

peter

Great Backyard Bird Count Feb 15th -18th

Birders,

The 2013 Great Backyard Bird Count is this weekend, Feb 15 - 18. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual 4-day event that engages birdwatchers of all ages in counting birds, to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are.

Click on ---->   http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/

One  simply watch birds at any location for at least 15 minutes, tally the numbers of each species they see, and report their tallies online. You may also count for as long as you like each day of the count.

For the first time this year, the GBBC will be integrated with eBird, a worldwide bird data collection program used for keeping track of your personal bird records and bird lists (http://ebird.org/content/ebird/). Birders have a choice of entering their GBBC data through www.BirdCount.org or www.ebird.org Participants will also be able to upload their counts from the field using the eBird BirdLog app for Apple or Android smartphones.


Please participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, February 15 - 18.

good reading

With so many Ravens flying out there lately :-) , I thought of this book written by the author who wrote the fascinating book " Winter World". I have the latter, but eager in getting the former


.http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Raven-Investigations-Adventures-Wolf-Birds/dp/0061136050/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360630366&sr=1-1&keywords=mind+of+a+raven

The Raven still flies

Chellie Bowman reports Common Raven fly over Church Ave (@ 7th St) heading towards the Cemetery at 12:23

Greenwood Cemetery BBC walk Feb 10th

Today's good spot is Greenwood Cemetery, a winter wonderland which the BBC group saw quite a few good quality birds. Led by Dennis Hrehowsik, whom the Brooklyn Bird Club is appreciative towards, 13 members and guests were treated to a great walk. Read Dennis' post below. Pics will be posted later in the BBC Field trips blog ( side menu)

**
Peter,


Thirteen birders braved temperatures in the teens this morning to meet at the main gate of Greenwood Cemetery for a Tour of the Winter Pines. After a slow start to the chilly morning birders were rewarded with a grand display of winter finches on the sweetgum trees at Southwood and Grove avenues. Species included two male white wing crossbills, a lone female common redpoll, half a dozen pine siskin, several American and one european goldfinch. While we were taking in this spectacle we heard a low croaking sound and a few minutes later saw a Common Raven in flight chasing a redtailed hawk just above the hilltops to the north. The bird perched and sat and nothing more for a few minutes above redtail in the same tree giving us a good sense of its immense size. We then went for coffee after which we headed to prospect park to survey the lake and check feeders. Our seven hour walk through the winter wonderlands of Brooklyn yielded 47 species. thanks to everyone for a great day!

see you in the field,

dennis


Sightings:

Canada Goose  

Mute Swan  

Mallard  

Northern Shoveler  

Hooded Merganser  

Red-breasted Merganser  

Ruddy Duck  

Sharp-shinned Hawk  

Red-tailed Hawk  

Turkey Vulture       

American Coot  

Ring-billed Gull  

Herring Gull  

Great Black-backed Gull 

Rock Pigeon  

Mourning Dove  

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  

Red-bellied Woodpecker  

Downy Woodpecker  

Monk Parakeet  

Blue Jay  

Common Raven

Black-capped Chickadee 

Tufted Titmouse  

Red-breasted Nuthatch  

White-breasted Nuthatch  

Brown Creeper 

Carolina Wren  

Hermit Thrush

American Robin  

Northern Mockingbird  

European Starling  

Eastern Towhee  

American Tree Sparrow 

Fox Sparrow  

Song Sparrow  

White-throated Sparrow  

Dark-eyed Junco 

Northern Cardinal  

Red-winged Blackbird  

House Finch  

White-winged Crossbill  

Common Redpoll 

Pine Siskin     

American Goldfinch  

European Goldfinch       

House Sparrow 

**************************************************************************************** Photo below of White-winged Cross bill in GWC late morning Taken by Orrin Tilevitz

Common redpol, ww x bill and eruro goldfinch. Grove and southwood gwc. Raven at catacombs Per dennis *** Also at grove and south wood avenues,WWXbills continue per orrin

Winter Raven Feb 9th

Prospect's snow starved winter ended, coming into fruition for real with the first good snow of the season, a delight to the 1000's of people attracted to the modest snowfall compared to what Connecticut got, and along with the massed crowds, one COMMON RAVEN that actually perched !

Janice Arakaki sent in a photo above of the Raven spotted by her 8:49 am, in the Peninsula ; Mary and I spotted a raven in the distance along Flatbush ave just south of Parkside Ave. Interesting to know that this species still hangs around in these parts. It would be a good idea to look for radio towers or rooftop structures in the near future for any sort of nests if species decides to settle in .

The feeders as expected was a hotbed with snow cover forcing groundfeeders towards the feeders. We saw likely 13 species there in order my best recollection: white throated sparrow,song sparrow,house sparrow,,cardinal, blu jay,house finch,goldfinch,chickadee, titmouse, pine siskin, redwing blackbird,red bellied woodpecker,fox sparrow, etc Near here on approach to the feeders, we had a low flying COOPERS HAWK and a REDTAILED Hawk Joined in so make that 15 species, even though the latter two are way too big to prey on the feeders.Good winter action to enjoy while kids sled down the Maryland Monument slope ( heck, they been waiting a long time! Photo below taken by Peter, Long Meadow scene of winter revelers, from atop the ENDALE ARCH

The lake open in the middle hosts the Red breatsed Merganser with some Hooded Mergansers. With only 7 x mag bins, we were just too lazy in scanning the gulls.

American Oystercatcher Survey Vols needed

From NYSBIRDS listserve:

Subject: Request for help American Oystercatchers in NYC


From: Susan Elbin

Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2013 16:14:20 -0500

X-Message-Number: 5



Attention Shorebirders!



If anyone is going to be at Jones Beach, Point Look-Out, or the beaches of

Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways, we need your help.



As part of an American Oystercatcher project, we are working with Shiloh

Schulte (Manomet Center for Conservation Science). He has been flying

over beaches of New York City, looking for roosting birds. He would appreciate some help

with ground-truthing. The sites mentioned above are the places Shiloh flew

over those sites on February 5, 2013. If anyone can get to those sites

today � or within the next 7 days, within 2 hours on either side of high

tide � please let me know.





The information needed:



Your Name



Location



Time of Day



Weather (temperature, precipitation)



Time of High Tide



Number of birds seen. (REMEMBER: Zero is an important number!)



Any additional observations (banded birds, etc)



Number of people in your group



Amount of time spent at the site


Thank you for your help on this important � and fun!! � project.

Susan Elbin

selbin@nycaudubon.org

--

Susan B. Elbin, Ph.D.

Director of Conservation and Science

Blizzard storm watch

A blizzard watch has been issued for Brooklyn and Long Island starting Friday morning into Saturday. SSaying close to a foot of snow here. Be careful out there.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/new-york-ny/10007/weather-forecast/349727

Tweets

From the Citybirder's Twitter, Ravens and White-winged Crossbills reported in Greenwood Cemetery 2/3. See

http://citybirder.blogspot.com/   ( Side bar)

Pouch Camp Staten Island Greenbelt update

Birders, for your information if you wish to see the conservation of habitats  ( regardless where since birds  migrate across boundaries) see this link from my conservation blog

http://bbcnewsboard.blogspot.com/2013/02/pouch-camp-greenbelt-staten-island.html

--KB

R.I.P.

I received word that Starr Saphir passed away today. See this blog http://starrtrips.wordpress.com/blog/ for more about this legendary birder from NYC. We at Brooklyn Bird Club express our condolences to Starr's daughters Shawna and Lara and the family.


NYTIMES OBIT
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/nyregion/starr-saphir-bird-watching-guide-in-central-park-dies-at-73.html?smid=tw-nytimesobituary&seid=auto&_r=0

Snow goose in boathouse pond by ramp

Starr Saphir update

Birding celebrity and prominent birder Starr Saphir is in grave condition under palliative care  in a hospice in the Bronx after a decade long valiant battle with cancer . For many people , Starr was a legend, particularly in Central Park where she led weekday walks into the Ramble besides many trips throughout the region.

 If you wish to send a courteous sympathetic note, please send an email soon to Starr's email address

 cerulean18@nyc.rr.com

 The family would very much like correspondences remembering Starr

 You can see Starr's blog below about her.

 http://starrtrips.wordpress.com/blog/

Lake offerings Feb 3 rd

Some pockets of open water along the northwest shore held nice ducks and a goose to rave about. Along and on the shore , a Snow goose.

Joining that goose, Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Hooded Mergansers, 3 Bufflehead
A good day for Ravens ...erg..thats the team from baltimore..we root for birds...

-KB

Save Putnam trail in the Bronx

Conservation Concerns us all since migrating birds know no boundaries and need habitats evrywhere. this post from nysbirds listserve should grab our attention: ************************************** From Andrew Baksh. First, thank you to those of you who contacted me off line and expressed an interest in signing the petition on saving the *Putnam Trail in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx*. If you had an issue getting to the petition page, please try this link http://www.savetheputnamtrail....http://tinyurl.com/SPTbronx

Twitter clarification; Prospect report

Just a note to clear up any confusion regarding my BBC Kings alerts  ( see side bar-->)

if you follow twitter @ Prosbird you most likely will not get mobile cell alerts since my cell number now is under the twitter@BBCKingsbirds file due to problem with prosbird twitter account.BBCKingsbirds is the main account which prosbird follows

If you send a tweet or text message to 40404 with the command FOLLOW BBCKingsbirds on your cell message (SMS) , you should get the rare bird alerts.

Otherwise, thru the web Twitter, most who follow twitter @Prosbird will have to request  following BBCKingsbirds. Try the cell  phone tweet first.

-KB

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

From Rafael:

Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY
Feb 1, 2013 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Observer: Rafael G Campos R
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 kilometer(s)
33 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  X
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  X
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  X
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)  X
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  1     female, Lullwater
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)  3     1 female, 2 males; Lullwater
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  X
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  2     flyovers: Lookout Hill
American Coot (Fulica americana)  X
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     male, seen perched near the Audubon's House
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)  1     female
Merlin (Falco columbarius)  1     Flyover Lookout Hill
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  X
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  3
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  5
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  X
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  X
Fox Sparrow (Red) (Passerella iliaca iliaca/zaboria)  2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  2
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis)  4
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  5
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  2
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  X
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  8
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  X
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  X

Brooklyn is great birding!!!!

Feb 2nd GH Day

Check out this spring harbinger--------------------------------------http://www.jamaicabayosprey.org/2013/01/home-to-jamaica-bay-in-6-weeks.html

Twitter change

With the changeover of a new phone and new carrier plan, somehow the cell number on my twitter account got lost. It turns out that the original account twitter@BBCKingsbirds didn't have the number but twitter @prosbird which followed the former.. Anyway , a long story short, BBCkingsbirds now gets the mobile tweets.

Since Prosbird and BBCkingsbirds follow each other, there should not be any change in you getting my tweets except that it will read BBCKIngsbirds as the sender. KB

Common raven overhead church ave e 5th per orrin