Friday, March 22, 2013

Prospect March 22nd Finally!

It was a long wait but finally worth it.Finally, after a drought winter ( well technically it is past winter but it still feels it) with this species, I get a COMMON REDPOLL ( CORE)-- not one ,but two.

 My good fortune with CORE occurred the old fashioned way , not thru digital, wifi or text messages, but by meeting Rafael in the field who mentioned to me that Maureen (last name?) found a CORE on the ground at the south end of the Vale of Cashmere. So , both of us went there on my lunch hour.We were not successful then but later mid afternoon,when I decided to try again my luck, I ran into Peter Colen ; while Peter C was on the phone, I spotted 5 birds high up in an elm tree near the water fountain on the west slope of the south Vale Cashmere. It was a CORE with 4 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES. A few minutes later , a second CORE joined in, and I was glad my winter jinx was over after many reports I received over the past season.After 15 minutes viewing , the flock took off for the north end.

The Vale was quite active, especially with seed on the stone pedestals at the Vale's north end, a flurry of titmice, chickadees, jays and other usual birds. YELLOW BELLIED SAPSUCKER continues to feed on the Cedar of Lebanon conifer in the pool center.

The season's first RUSTY BLACKBIRD (RUBB) was reported by Keir , seen at the Lily Pool back platform, which by the way , the front rail is broken , so caution there. Me and Rafael failed to find the RUBB but certainly another time for this species.

Continuing the winter theme, Steve Nanz reported WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS still present at Butterfly Meadow, with PINE SISKINS.

Over at Greenwood Cemetery, Rob Bate reported AMERICAN WOODCOCK by Sylvan Water, a great birding spot. Sylvan Waters is easily found on the GWC maps.

I haven't the chance to check the lake, but Keir's report suffices.

Another note, yesterday , I spotted 9 RING- NECKED DUCK on the lake along the Peninsula shore ( slipped by to mention)

Addenum :  RUSTY BLACKBIRD  seen on the Switchback Trail ( south Lookout Hill slope by Maryland Monument ) per Dennis this early eve.

COMMON REDPOLLS continue in Vale , seen in tree center of pools, then flew up to tree at north corner ( with high blue ribbons on it) per Mike Elliot

-KB

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Peter's list


Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Mar 22, 2013
Protocol: Incidental
8 species

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1     Vale cashmere
Blue Jay  2
Black-capped Chickadee  6     Vale
Tufted Titmouse  4     Vale
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
American Robin  X
Common Redpoll  2     Vale cashmere
American Goldfinch  5     Vale

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13481067



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Keir;s list

Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:29:13 -0400
> From: do-not-reply@ebird.org

> Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Mar 22, 2013

> Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
> Mar 22, 2013 8:50 AM - 11:25 AM
> Protocol: Traveling
> 2.0 mile(s)
> Comments: South lakeside, Peninsula, Lookout, Quaker ridge, ravine to Boathouse. Didn't check feeders.
> 41 species

> Canada Goose 8
> Mute Swan 5
> Wood Duck 3
> Mallard 22
> Northern Shoveler 11
> Ring-necked Duck 2 Pair on Lullwater near Terrace Bridge
> Bufflehead 3
> Hooded Merganser 3
> Common Merganser 2-- 2 hens continue on the middle of lake.

> http://www.flickr.com/photos/22689183@N00/8579577081/"; title="Common Merganser, Prospect Park 3.22.13 by keir randall, on Flickr">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8245/8579577081_c354a62469.jpg"
; alt="Common Merganser, Prospect Park 3.22.13" />
> Red-breasted Merganser 4
> Ruddy Duck 52
> Pied-billed Grebe 2
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 1
> American Coot 14
> Ring-billed Gull 115
> Herring Gull 14
> Rock Pigeon 5
> Mourning Dove 8
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
> Downy Woodpecker 3
> Eastern Phoebe 4
> Blue Jay 8
> Black-capped Chickadee 9
> Tufted Titmouse 2
> White-breasted Nuthatch 1
> Carolina Wren 1
> American Robin 210
> European Starling 25
> Song Sparrow 6
> Swamp Sparrow 1
> White-throated Sparrow 18
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 1
> Northern Cardinal 8
> Red-winged Blackbird 18
> Rusty Blackbird 1 Binnen Lily pool, on mud near back platform.

> http://www.flickr.com/photos/22689183@N00/8579576887/"; title="Rusty Blackbird, Prospect Park 3.22.13 by keir randall, on Flickr">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8579576887_533ac78160.jpg"; alt="Rusty Blackbird, Prospect Park 3.22.13" />
> Common Grackle 35
> House Finch 3
> American Goldfinch 5
> House Sparrow 15

> View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13479145

> This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)