First , news on the VARIED THRUSH; It was first seen 930 by a traveler from France, by the original first site Nethermead Arches, on the back slope whence it flew over to the Upper /Lower Pools side. Later around 130, Michele Dreger's Audubon walk group were seen watching the ultra rarity , thanks to Paul Otto's sharp vision and a text I received bought us near. The VARIED was resting on a dead log near the back shore of the Ambergill Pool ( in the Ravine). It appears this bird likes this area in the afternoon, the most reliable time to try for this bird. Keir Randall for example spotted it 325 pm and watched it in good time. See his report below and links he attached.
The Lake continues to produce the three Merganser species, with still present twin COMMON MERGANSERS hens, with the RED-BREASTED, 5 on the lake, 2 in the Lullwater, making this number of 7 birds a new record for Prospect ( we just knew it was gonna happen sooner or later); HORNED GREBE sticks around with its nearby freshwater cousin, the PIED-BILLED, & 2 hen RING-NECKED DUCK for best birds there.There is still a nice number of HOODED MERGANSERS around and the WOOD DUCK off the peninsula tip , towards the rink side ( RCampos)
Joshua Malbin reported 2 COMMON REDPOLLs in the Vale of Cashmere, which of late been the spot for this winter species.
Sparrows are on the move, AMERICAN TREE seen at the Lullwater cove ( TPreston), SWAMP, FOX with the usual, i believed 6 species seen today.
Snow flurries even made a CAROLINA WREN look great, singing its heart out from a low oak perch on Lookout Hill's summit.
Over at Greenwood Cemetery, thanks to a text from Tom Preston, we found the EASTERN MEADOWLARK atop perched on a cedar at the Hill of Graves located from the reference point Linden and Grove Avenues. But up farther the slope, I found a fantastic sighting for city limits a WOODCHUCK (, the mammal , in wariness of my presence, a fully grown adult specimen), the largest I ever seen around. A good catch there...
Under flurries, good things do happen and with plenty of "holiday " postcard looks.
-KB
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My lists:
Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Mar 16, 2013 9:00 AM - 1:35 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
Comments: snow flurries
32 species
Gadwall 2
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler 3 Upper Pool
Bufflehead 1 lullwater
Hooded Merganser 2 lullwater
Red-breasted Merganser 2 lullwater
Red-tailed Hawk 1 Lullwater br
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 4
Eastern Phoebe 2 ravine pool
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 2 Lookout Hill summit
American Robin 200 on lawns , in woods
Varied Thrush 1 Ambergill Pool, mult obs, present since 3/14
European Starling X
Fox Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 30
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern Cardinal 10
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle 9 Southwest woods
White-winged Crossbill 10 Butterfly Meadow, some on ground, more in sweetgum along south edge of road from Butterfly, towards switchback trail
Pine Siskin 2 Butterfly meadow
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13418897
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, US-NY
Mar 16, 2013 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Protocol: Stationary
17 species
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 6
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ring-necked Duck 2
Hooded Merganser 7
Common Merganser 2 present a few days
Red-breasted Merganser 5
Ruddy Duck 65
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Horned Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 1
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13418949
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Prospect Park--Feeders, Kings, US-NY
Mar 16, 2013 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Protocol: Stationary
9 species
Mourning Dove X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
White-throated Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 11
House Finch X
Pine Siskin 12 present species all winter, returning birds
American Goldfinch 3
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13419004
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
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Keir Randall report:
> Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:56:43 -0400
> From: do-not-reply@ebird.org
>
> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Mar 16, 2013
>
> Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
> Mar 16, 2013 1:20 PM - 4:00 PM
> Protocol: Traveling
> 2.0 mile(s)
> Comments: South lake side, Breze Hill, Ravine to Vale
> 38 species
>
> Canada Goose 22
> Mute Swan 9
> Wood Duck 4
> Mallard 18
> Northern Shoveler 16
> Ring-necked Duck 3 All hens, Lullwater
> Bufflehead 1
> Hooded Merganser 9
> Common Merganser 1 Hen off 3 Sisters
> Red-breasted Merganser 4 3 on lake, 4 on Lullwater - probably 7
> Ruddy Duck 27
> Horned Grebe 1 Off 3 Sisters
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 1
> Ring-billed Gull 85
> Herring Gull 9
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 3
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Merlin 1
> Black-capped Chickadee 12
> Tufted Titmouse 6
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> American Robin 80
> Varied Thrush 1 Continues in the Ambergill, in the leaf litter on south side of stream, 50ft or so back. Watched from around 3.25 to 4pm and was still there when I left (no other birders!) Very active, picking through leaves with bill and also kicking up debris with feet. Occasionally "froze" on ground as if waiting out danger. Every 10 minutes or so it would fly up to a perch a few feet off the ground before returning to forage.
>
> href="
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22689183@N00/8563521722/"; title="Varied Thrush, Prospect Park 3.16.13 by keir randall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8383/8563521722_c796166d98.jpg"; alt="Varied Thrush, Prospect Park 3.16.13" />
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22689183@N00/8563521722/
> Northern Mockingbird 1
> European Starling 25
> American Tree Sparrow 1
> Fox Sparrow (Red) 2
> Song Sparrow 2
> White-throated Sparrow 24
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 4
> Northern Cardinal 8
> Red-winged Blackbird 18
> House Finch 2
> Pine Siskin 13 All at feeders at one time
> American Goldfinch 3
> House Sparrow 25
>
> View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13418740
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
I think I just missed you at Greenwood! Feel free to post pics of you want.
best
K
> Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:56:04 -0400
> From: do-not-reply@ebird.org
> Subject: eBird Report - Green-Wood Cemetery, Mar 16, 2013
>
> Green-Wood Cemetery, Kings, US-NY
> Mar 16, 2013 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM
> Protocol: Traveling
> 1.0 mile(s)
> Comments: Hill of Graves and The Flats only
> 24 species
>
> Red-tailed Hawk 1
> Rock Pigeon 4
> Mourning Dove 1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 2
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
> Monk Parakeet 8
> Blue Jay 18
> American Crow 1
> Black-capped Chickadee 9
> Tufted Titmouse 2
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> American Robin 55
> Northern Mockingbird 1
> European Starling 20
> Song Sparrow 1
> White-throated Sparrow 18
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 7
> Northern Cardinal 7
> Eastern Meadowlark 1 Hill of Graves at Linden & Grove - refound singing from the top of a tree, then seen foraging on grass. Thanks to Tom Preston today and previous finders.
> href
="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22689183@N00/8562413235/"; title="Eastern Meadowlark, Greenwood Cemetary 3.16.13 by keir randall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8390/8562413235_77a649a25d.jpg"; alt="Eastern Meadowlark, Greenwood Cemetary 3.16.13" />> From: do-not-reply@ebird.org
> Subject: eBird Report - Green-Wood Cemetery, Mar 16, 2013
>
> Green-Wood Cemetery, Kings, US-NY
> Mar 16, 2013 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM
> Protocol: Traveling
> 1.0 mile(s)
> Comments: Hill of Graves and The Flats only
> 24 species
>
> Red-tailed Hawk 1
> Rock Pigeon 4
> Mourning Dove 1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 2
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
> Monk Parakeet 8
> Blue Jay 18
> American Crow 1
> Black-capped Chickadee 9
> Tufted Titmouse 2
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> American Robin 55
> Northern Mockingbird 1
> European Starling 20
> Song Sparrow 1
> White-throated Sparrow 18
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 7
> Northern Cardinal 7
> Eastern Meadowlark 1 Hill of Graves at Linden & Grove - refound singing from the top of a tree, then seen foraging on grass. Thanks to Tom Preston today and previous finders.
> href
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22689183@N00/8562413235/
> Common Grackle 4
> American Goldfinch 1
> House Sparrow 15
>
> View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13417927
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
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Tom Preston's
Missed 1 in original report (RIng-necked Duck)
On Sat, Mar 16, 2013 at 5:01 PM, <do-not-reply@ebird.org> wrote:
Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Mar 16, 2013 6:45 AM - 10:59 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
50 species
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Wood Duck 1
Gadwall 2
American Black Duck 1
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ring-necked Duck 5
Bufflehead 3
Hooded Merganser 6 Lake. May have been more. Later pairs seen on Upper Pool and by Boat House
Common Merganser 2 Flew around peninsula tip around 7:30, alighted there near Hooded and RB Mergs
Red-breasted Merganser 2
Ruddy Duck X
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Horned Grebe 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 9
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 9
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Merlin 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay X
American Crow 3
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 5
Carolina Wren 4
American Robin X
European Starling X
American Tree Sparrow 2 Lullwater Cove
Fox Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 6
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 30
Dark-eyed Junco 7
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 2
White-winged Crossbill 5 Butterfly Meadow. Great views
Pine Siskin 5 Up to 12. 5 at feeders, 5 at Butterflw Meadow, 2 along Lullwater
American Goldfinch 11
House Sparrow X
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13415876
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
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Rafael Campos :
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY
Mar 16, 2013 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Mar 16, 2013 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
OBSERVER: Rafael G Campos
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 kilometer(s)
40 species
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 kilometer(s)
40 species
COMMENT: The Varied Thrush is still around PP. I missed it around 9:30 am±, when was spotted, briefly, by another birder near the Nethermead Arches Bridge. Later was relocated in the most usual spot: the Ambergill pool, after 1:30 pm±. I missed it again!!!.
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) X
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) X
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 1 Male, Lake
Gadwall (Anas strepera) 2 Upper Pool
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) X
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) X
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 3
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 8
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) 7
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) X
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 Shore of Peninsula
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 2
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 3
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) X
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) X
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) X
Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) 2
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) X
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) X
American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea) 1
Fox Sparrow (Red) (Passerella iliaca iliaca/zaboria) 1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) X
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis) 7
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) X
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) X
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 6
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 6
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) 6
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 4
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) X
Brooklyn is great birding!!!!