Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Prospect March 13th Lucky day for return of the VATH




VARIED THRUSH, photo credit Rafael Campos
Ultra rarity today on the 13th combined with this winter's major theme and returning signs of spring. The good word no doubt is the reappearance of VARIED THRUSH (VATH). Along with this grand sighting, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, so entertaining all winter , soon gives way though to budding vernal signs with the approaching new  season's first  EASTERN PHOEBE.

Rafael Campos found the VARIED THRUSH at the Ambergill Pool, in the Ravine. Later,  about 30 minutes, I ventured over there and found the celebre thrush on a dead log  next to a boulder  hidden by dead tree brush, along the back shore of the Ambergill Pool. This is the pool where birders watch birds bathing in the creek that empties into , from the Esdale Bridge, just east from the Picnic House. However in later afternoon, it was not relocated. Again , my guess is that this bird explores the whole ridge, going up slope and out of sight, maybe in its strange environment , its skulking more....

With the WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, this winter finch species was spotted on Lookout Hill , by Keir Randall. These birds are  certainly heading back north , as migration urges incite them. It was fun watching these birds all winter, a good number of times I observed them .

Reports of spring are also taking hold. EASTERN PHOEBE was reported to me by Matthew Wills, in the the Payne Hill section; Ricks place (Bobbi M) ; later in the Ravine. Spring is coming.

Keir reported an interesting DARK-EYED JUNCO , of the subspecies White-winged potential..See his report description.

Other stuff to mention, GADWALL in the Upper Pool (Mike Elliot) , PINE SISKINS and the season's first butterfly , an emergent MOURNING CLOAK, usually the first butterfly to emerge . Spring equinox just around the corner.


Over in Greenwood Cemetery, EASTERN BLUEBIRD was tweeted to me by Rob Jett.That's news as well for spring delights.



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Rafael Campos report


Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY
Mar 13, 2013 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Observer: Rafael G Campos

Comments:     The Varied Thrush was relocated in the area called Ambergill, between Esdale & Rock Arch Bridges. Photos taken.  Seen them at: ticornis.tumblr.com
40 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  X
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  9
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  X
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)  X
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)  1
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  3
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)  7
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  37
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
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  2
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  1
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)  2
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  X
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  X
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  X
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  2
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  X
Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius)  1     Same individual reported this past weekend, relocated at Ambergill Photos taken.
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  X
American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea)  1
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)  5
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  5
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  X
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  2
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  1
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  10     A large flock, about 10 individuals, feeding on dry gum tree fruits, Quaker Hill
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  X

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Keir Randall's report :

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Mar 13, 2013 7:00 AM - 9:35 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Vale, Midwood, Lookout, lake and Breeze Hill
40 species (+2 other taxa) 
Canada Goose 13 
Mute Swan 3

Gadwall 2 
Mallard 17 
Northern Shoveler 18

Bufflehead 1

Hooded Merganser 2 
Red-breasted Merganser 2

Ruddy Duck 32 
Red-tailed Hawk 1 
American Coot 4 
Ring-billed Gull 4

Herring Gull 12 
Mourning Dove 5

Red-bellied Woodpecker 4

Downy Woodpecker 4 
Hairy Woodpecker 1 
Blue Jay 11 
American Crow 1

Black-capped Chickadee 7 
Tufted Titmouse 6 
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 
Carolina Wren 2 
American Robin 65 
European Starling 35 
American Tree Sparrow 2

Fox Sparrow (Red) 2 
Song Sparrow 7 
Swamp Sparrow 2 
White-throated Sparrow 14 
Dark-eyed Junco 1 Battle Pass west, near top of broken steps. Crisp white wing bars, throat not seen well - presumably Slate-colored variant plumage with white wing bars rather than "White-winged" subspecies. 
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 9 
Northern Cardinal 8 
Red-winged Blackbird 18 
Common Grackle 7 
Brown-headed Cowbird 1

House Finch 5 
White-winged Crossbill 5 Lookout Hill at south end of Butterfly Meadow/ bottom of slope to top meadow. 2 adult males and I think 1 subadult male with females. Possibly 6 birds.

Pine Siskin 12 8 on path between Boulder Bridge and Rick's place (feeding on fallen sweetgum), 1 on Lookout Hill and 3 at feeders. 
American Goldfinch 5 
House Sparrow 25 
passerine sp. 1 Flyover with tight flock of Red-winged Blackbirds over Long Meadow at dog beach.

Eastern Phoebe, photo credit Rafael Campos