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
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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
