Sunday, June 30, 2013

Tern for the better 6/30 Prospect Lake

A late report tonight from Keir Randall  (observing with Rob Bate) confirms the presence of terns in the vicinity of Prospect Lake

Two species terns were reported, LEAST and FORSTER'S , despite the absence of the earlier reported big tern , but nevertheless great to see terns visiting the park.


Keir's report

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Jun 30, 2013 4:20 PM - 5:50 PM
Protocol: 

Traveling
0.4 mile(s) 
Comments: South Lakeside only
22 species (+1 other taxa)



Mute Swan 4 
Wood Duck 5
Mallard 8 
Great Egret 1

Green Heron 1 
Laughing Gull 5 
Herring Gull 2

Great Black-backed Gull 1 
Least Tern 2 Adults actively diving, Prospect Lake. Rob Bate also obs.

Forster's Tern 1 Adult, Prospect Lake 
Sterna sp. 1 Probably another Forster's 
Rock Pigeon 6 
Mourning Dove 4 
Chimney Swift 1 
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 
Eastern Kingbird 1 
Warbling Vireo 1

Barn Swallow 2 
American Robin 2 
European Starling 1 
Cedar Waxwing 6 
Common Grackle 4 
House Sparrow 3 
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14541991

Weekend reports

During this lull between the migration seasons, few things occur (and of course what we call post migration syndrome), and hence the dearth of birding reports. This weekend though , a few keen observations to report.

Christopher Holden emailed me that a RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was seen nesting in last year's site , on the margin of the southwest Rose Garden. Christopher took photos of the bird, including a You Tube video.Also terrific to report were three GREEN HERON fledglings, likely a second brood in the Lullwater vicinity.

access both visuals thru these links

https://www.facebook.com/BrooklynBirdClub

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUIOsWUetOY

Perhaps a very interesting report happened today. On a flyover, a large tern was spotted with two smaller terns over Prospect Lake, sighted by  Rob Bate. From a distance, it appeared to be a probable and very rare ROYAL TERN based on the lack of black on the underwing tips (that a Caspian tern has). The smaller terns were undetermined , impossible to tell from the distance but useful to gauge the species sizes. Its best to keep your eyes open for overhead birds as sometimes a Caspian was reported years ago in the late June early July period

 Last, Dale Dyer reported YELLOW WARBLER on the peninsula leading to suspicions that this species nesting here but never confirmed , with no fledglings ever reported. This observation of this species ranged over a number of years. Send me evidence if anybody ever finds the truth.

--KB

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Epilogue BBC 2013 Birdathon

One of the great things in being a Brooklyn Bird Club member is being involved in great and noble projects. This past May 's birdathon raised funding for replacement trees at Lookout Hill's Butterfly Meadow, mainly 3 Pin oaks destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

In resolving the open vacuum up there and absence of crucial bird favored trees, President Rob Bate and birdathon coordinator Bobbi Manian did a terrific job organizing the teams effort and supporting a wonderful cause.  Become a member and help support BBC and conservation in Brooklyn.

http://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/join.htm


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

Memo from President Rob Bate to the BBC membership and birdathon supporters

Thank you one and all! 

BBC Logo

Dear friends and members of the Brooklyn Bird Club,

The final results are in for the Birdathon fundraising effort on behalf of the Lookout Hill Tree Project to replace Pin Oaks and other habitat destroyed by last year’s Superstorm Sandy. Together, all the teams and independent donors raised $8,563.50! This is a fantastic result and will allow us to fully restore the Pin Oaks lost around the Butterfly Meadow on Lookout Hill during the storm. Our original target was considerably more modest, so thank you everyone for your generosity.

There will be three Pin Oaks planted near the perimeter of the meadow. These trees will be what are called mature trees; not full grown in the sense of being anything like the old trees that fell, but are as large as is practically possible to transport and plant - 25 feet tall with a large root ball. The trees are fully guaranteed for five years and will be replaced at no additional cost if any of them should fail for any reason. Additionally, two smaller understory trees will be planted at the edge of the meadow and will most likely be Pagoda (or Alternate Leaf) Dogwoods.

Additionally the Natural Resources Department has offered our club an opportunity to participate in the continued maintenance of the Butterfly Meadow to help with the control of Mugwort and other invasive species so as to allow the native plant species a chance to flourish. The Brooklyn Bird Club is continuing a tradition of caring for the habitat in and around Butterfly Meadow. Former president, John Yrizarry, was largely responsible for the establishment of that area as a meadow about 20 years ago, and the BBC raised money during Peter Dorosh’s tenure to plant a few of the White Pine trees at the north end of the meadow that make up Arleen’s Grove, dedicated to the memory of Arleen O’Brien beloved naturalist for Prospect Park’s Audubon Center.

The tree planting will take place in the fall, evidently the best time of year for trees of this type. We’d like to arrange a little ceremony up at Butterfly Meadow once the trees are in the ground and all will be invited once we know the time.

Thanks once again and congratulations to all,

Robert Bate
President – Brooklyn Bird Club

Bobbi Manian
Birdathon Coordinator



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

Review species list

http://prospectsightings.blogspot.com/2013/05/brooklyn-birdathon-imbd-day-results.html

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Central Park Bioblitz

From Susan Elbin of NYCAS:

Greetings!

NYC Audubon has been asked to help with a 2013 Central Park BioBlitz, and we are looking for volunteers to help. The Blitz is  a joint effort of CUNY's Macaulay Honors College and the Central Park Conservancy, which will take place from 3 pm on Monday, August 26 to 1 pm on August 27. The BioBlitz is is an opportunity to not only catalogue as many species of flora and fauna as possible in the park, but also to educate the public about the importance of the biodiversity that exists right here in our city. We need birders to cover Central Park in 3 hour shifts over the 24 hour event. Each participant will be asked to take out a small group of CUNY students and educate them about birding and the importance of the birds in NYC.

If you are interested, can help, or have suggestions of people who may be interested, please email Kaitlyn and me for more details. It should be a fun event - and a good opportunity to inspire new birders.

thanks so much.

good birding!
Susan

Susan B. Elbin, Ph.D.
Director of Conservation and Science
New York City Audubon
71 West 23rd St.
New York, NY 10010
direct line: 646-434-0421
cell phone: 973-216-1941 
www.nycaudubon.org

Board Chair, Ornithological Council http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/

President-Elect, Waterbird Society http://www.waterbirds.org/

Monday, June 24, 2013

Prospect Theater: The Seagull: June 25 - 30




A thespian event Anton Chekhov's THE SEAGULL  at the Prospect Lakeside center starting June 25th

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Supermoon Sunday

see the link as the moon appears larger Sunday eve.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/Supermoon-June2013-212330751.html

( sure birding is slow here so looking at other things)

Summer Solstice;GWC & PP reports

Today Summer begins. Solstice occurred 1:04am this morning.

Northern Hemisphere’s longest day, highest sun of the year


From Orrin:

A summer solstice walk this morning featured not one but two eagles, one with a broken wing, imported by GWC management to scare away the cemetery's 10-strong Canada geese herd.  (Picture attached.)  The healthy one was being dragged around the lake by a worker holding a string, while another worker held the second eagle and made eagle noises.  At one point the eagle on a string dove into the water and had to be fished, er, eagled, out.  (What do you expect from a Brooklyn cemetery that also as a great blue tit, or whatever?)  The geese kept busy swimming around, although it seemed not too happily.

Otherwise best "nonbird" was a groundhog crawling around on top of a mausoleum, of all places.  Other birds: 

Monk parakeet
Northern mockingbird
House wren
European starling
Eastern wood pewee
American robin
House finch
Chipping sparrow
House sparrow
Cedar waxwing
Northern cardinal
Barn swallow
Black-crowned night heron
Mourning dove
Red-bellied woodpecker

Common grackle    


**********************************
6/20 eve report
From Keir:

hi Peter

A late walk last night - Ruddy Duck was a little odd...


Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Jun 20, 2013 6:50 PM - 8:20 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
19 species

Mute Swan 6
Mallard 7
Ruddy Duck 1 In the middle of the lake.
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 1
Chimney Swift 3
Peregrine Falcon 1
Warbling Vireo 2
Barn Swallow 5
House Wren 2
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 4
European Starling 3
Yellow Warbler 2 (Peninsula Meadow)
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Common Grackle 5
House Sparrow 2

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14466361

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Prospect nests

You may not necessarily find the obscure nests but you likely will find the species in the general area.Or more simply , know what are breeders here.

Copy and past the coordinates into Google Maps..

From Steve N,

Google the following GPS coordinates:

40.672292,-73.969349 - Waxwing nest
40.661473,-73.966823 - Warbling Vireo nest - This is a second nest in a sweetgum about half way between the bridge and the pagoda.
40.660675,-73.96503 - Eastern Kingbird nest
40.661516,-73.966532 - Baltimore Oriole nest - This is a second nest as well.
40.662565,-73.976972 - Eastern Kingbird nest - not sure which tree but it should not be hard to find.
40.662451,-73.976784 - Chipping Sparrows - The birds are around but I have not found the nest however they nest in that area every year. I found a nest last year at 40.661354,-73.978208
40.662343,-73.969064 - Orchard Oriole pair per Rusty. Not sure if they are nesting
40.654844,-73.97268 - The Service Berry trees around the Vanderbilt play ground was full or waxwings last week. The berries are probably gone but the I'll bet the waxwings are nesting close by.

Good Luck,

Steve

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

2nd Conservation Bklyn/Queens alert

This is another battle we here at BBClub been involved with in the past 6/7 years, the proposed idea of creating ballfields inside the now native forest reservoir ( decommissioned in 1960's ) when 6 decrepit ball fields above were being ignored ( the gist of it ) for restoration.

for more on the past  history of that fight and details about Ridgewood Rez see the link --->

http://ridgewoodreservoir.blogspot.com/


the latest regarding new hearings ( another round ???) 

http://queensledger.com/bookmark/22923178



Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Greenwood Cemetery June 18th

From Orrin Tilevitz:

Green-Wood Cemetery this morning.  Highlight was a great crested flycatcher seemingly looking for a place to nest near the Dell Water.

Song sparrow
Monk parakeet
American robin
Chipping sparrow
Cedar waxwing
House sparrow
Chimney swift
Barn swallow
Blue jay
Red-bellied woodpecker
House wren
Gray catbird
Great crested flycatcher
Great egret (2)
Black crowned night heron
European starling
Northern cardinal
Canada goose
Warbling vireo

Prospect Upper Pool June 17th

A WOOD DUCK seen flying away from the small island..

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON near the weir before being flushed during my park inspections

--KB

Monday, June 17, 2013

Bad news regarding Four Sparrow Marsh

Bad news despite years of fighting..
From Rob Jett

-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Jett Sent: Mon, Jun 17, 2013 3:22 pm
Subject: Four Sparrow Marsh being developed

A few years ago the Department of Parks & Recreation wanted to give away several acres of Four Sparrow Marsh to developers for the creation of a mall - more specifically, an auto mall. The project was stopped when it was discovered that there was significant graft and corruption involved in this illegal seizure of public park land. See this link:

http://awalkintheparknyc.blogspot.com/search?q=Four+Sparrow+Marsh






Last week I noticed that there are now bulldozers and other heavy construction vehicles working at Four Sparrow Marsh. Today I learned that Councilman Lew Fidler (District 46, D) has SOLD this "Forever Wild" property for use as an auto mall. They began work as quickly as possible, probably to avoid any public outcry. If there is any doubt that this is parkland, see this link to 31 NYC government documents related to Four Sparrow Marsh:


As soon as I get more information I will let you know what you can do to try to stop this project.

Pass the word around.

Rob

info about 4 sparrow 


from a meeting  in 2011


Prospect Park June 16th ' 2nd GRHEron nest ?



From Chris Holden

Hi Peter,

This morning I saw the usual suspects for this time of year in the park.  In addition, the Yellow Warbler continues on the Peninsula meadow, an Ovenbird was somewhere in the Midwood, and a White-Throated Sparrow was near Rick's Place.  Gadwalls and Wood Ducks on the Lullwater.

Didn't see any activity at the Googa Mooga Green Heron nest.  But very nearby on a tree on the shore of the Lullwater just north of the Cove I saw a Green Heron both building and sitting on a nest, with another heron standing nearby.  Perhaps it relocated and is nesting again, or is this an old nest?

  

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Jun 16, 2013 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments:    
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.3
32 species

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  1
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)  3
Gadwall (Anas strepera)  2
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  2
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)  2
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)  5
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  5
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  2
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  1
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)  6
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  1
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  6
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  4
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  80
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  5
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  15
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)  1     Heard in Midwood around 10 am.
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  1     Midwood.
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  5
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  5
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  20
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  2
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  16

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Prospect June 15

Not may birds but the Peninsula had a price a very late Blackpoll as well as song sparrow, cedar waxwings, red winged blackbird, grackles and a black crowned night heron and adult green heron flyover. Eni & Vinnie A

Friday, June 14, 2013

Rescued Green Heron fledgling photos

Today is Flag Day



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


Here are photos of the heron that was rescued by Landscape Management Office ( Natural Resources) Martin Woess of the PP Alliance ; it was found wandering on the lawn near the nest  , with fishing line on its leg.








Thursday, June 13, 2013

Good news Prospect Bird year 2012


The previous total of 195 based on the office records has been revised UPWARD. Paper entries received via email has to be correlated to the ebird cornell database that I finally got to today. Doing this cross checking my office database records with Ebird found that 5 omissions were caught, including 2 that were mine !  ( Clay Colored Sparrow was one I forgot to include)

The new total is 200 bird species for Prospect Park of 2012, a very rare milestone !  Thanks to all and this concludes the terrific year for the record books.

--KB



LIST

Acadian Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
American Black Duck
American Coot
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Kestrel
American Pipit
American Redstart
American Robin
American Tree Sparrow
American Wigeon
American Woodcock
Bald Eagle
Baltimore Oriole
Bank Swallow
Barn Swallow
Barnacle Goose
Bay-breasted Warbler
Belted Kingfisher
Black Skimmer
Black Vulture
Black-and-white Warbler
Black-billed Cuckoo
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Blue Grosbeak
Blue Jay
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue-winged Teal
Blue-winged Warbler
Bobolink
Brant
Broad-winged Hawk
Brown Creeper
Brown Thrasher
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bufflehead
Canada Goose
Canada Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Carolina Wren
Cedar Waxwing
Cerulean Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chimney Swift
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Common Grackle
Common Loon
Common Merganser
Common Nighthawk
Common Raven
Common Redpoll
Common Snipe
Common Tern
Common Yellowthroat
Connecticut Warbler
Cooper's Hawk
Dark-eyed Junco
Double-crested Cormorant
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Towhee
Eastern Wood-Pewee
European Starling
Evening Grosbeak
Field Sparrow
Fish Crow
Forster's Tern
Fox Sparrow
Gadwall
Glossy Ibis
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Golden-winged Warbler
Grasshopper Sparrow
Gray Catbird
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Blue Heron
Great Crested Flycatcher
Great Egret
Great Horned Owl
Green Heron
Green-winged Teal
Hairy Woodpecker
Hermit Thrush
Herring Gull
Hooded Merganser
Hooded Warbler
Horned Grebe
House Finch
House Sparrow
House Wren
Indigo Bunting
Kentucky Warbler
Killdeer
Laughing Gull
Least Flycatcher
Least Sandpiper
Least Tern
Lesser Scaup
Lincoln's Sparrow
Louisiana Waterthrush
Magnolia Warbler
Mallard
Marsh Wren
Merlin
Monk Parakeet
Mourning Dove
Mourning Warbler
Mute Swan
Nashville Warbler
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Northern Flicker
Northern Harrier
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Parula
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Shoveler
Northern Waterthrush
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Orange-crowned Warbler
Orchard Oriole
Osprey
Ovenbird
Palm Warbler
Peregrine Falcon
Philadelphia Vireo
Pied-billed Grebe
Pine Siskin
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-breasted Merganser
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-eyed Vireo
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird
Ring-billed Gull
Ring-necked Duck
Rock Dove
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruddy Duck
Rusty Blackbird
Savannah Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Snow Goose
Solitary Sandpiper
Song Sparrow
Spotted Sandpiper
Summer Tanager
Swainson's Thrush
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swamp Sparrow
Tennessee Warbler
Tree Swallow
Tufted Titmouse
Turkey Vulture
Upland Sandpiper
Veery
Vesper Sparrow
Warbling Vireo
Western Kingbird
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-crowned Sparrow
White-eyed Vireo
White-throated Sparrow
White-winged Crossbill
Willow Flycatcher
Wilson's Warbler
Winter Wren
Wood Duck
Wood Thrush
Worm-eating Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Vireo
Yellow-throated Warbler


From Ebirds Rehabilitators fundraising ( NYC)

Wed Jun 12, 2013 7:53 pm (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rochelle" rochelleleethomas

The Wild Bird Fund will hold a special film screening of A Birders Guide to Everything on June 27, 2013. This event is co-sponsored and hosted by the Colonial Dames of America.

A Birder's Guide to Everything, starring Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley, premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival and won second place in the prestigious Audience Award Competition. It is a coming-of-age story about a high school student and his fellow birding enthusiasts who embark on a quest to find the extinct Labrador duck. Birder's also examines the universal themes of overcoming grief, first love, and friendship. Filled with quick-witted birding quips, this film is sure to delight birders and non-birders alike.

Refreshments will be served in the Colonial Dames of America's picturesque gardens at 6:00pm. The film will begin at 7:00 pm, and at the conclusion of the screening, the film's director, Rob Meyer, will hold a question-and-answer session. The evening will conclude with wine and dessert.

For tickets visit:
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5353149414

All proceeds from this event will go directly to the Wild Bird Fund. By attending this event, you will participate in a memorable evening and support our ongoing work to save New York City's wildlife.

If you have any questions about this event, please e-mail: events@wildbirdfund.org

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Green Heron fledgling distress

It is an unfortunate consequence whenever fishing line is a culprit given the carelessness and callous indifference of fishermen nowadays simply don't care about the environment.

This afternoon , one of the fledglings was found  wandering on the lawn beneath the nest, fishing line around its leg. Fortunately my coworker happened to be driving by and saw the distressed chick just in time. Jumping out , Landscape Mgt Office Martin Barrett rescued the bird and promptly cut off the line. The bird is ok and was set free by the shore near the cove.So thanks to Martin.

It is up to us whenever we see discarded fishing line to collect it and throw it out in side a bag into a trash can. Since there is nonexistent enforcement, we birders have to do the job of collecting the fishing lines on the ground or in tree limbs...carry nail clippers

See my side menu Bird Rehabbers in case you need help if you cant grab a distressed bird or call the Landscape Mgt Office  if the incident is weekdays between 730 am -3 pm at 718-287-8450

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

BBG Native flora expanded section opens tomorrow

( considered best area for migratory birds in BBG..note a Virginia Rail seen here this past late April) -------->http://www.bbg.org/discover/native_flora_garden_expansion

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Prospect June 9th "Warbler wave" ... ;)>

Rafael :

Peter:  The big surprise was one Blackpoll Warbler, male seen singing near the Vale, around 8:30 am.  Later I found an American Redstart in the Midwood, and the usual Yellow Warbler at the Peninsula.  Otherwise, Prospect Park was very calm, at least bird wise.

Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY
Jun 9, 2013 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Observer: Rafael G Campos
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 kilometer(s)
28 species

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  5
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  2
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)  1
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)  X
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  4
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)  X
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  2
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  2
Warbling Vireo (Eastern) (Vireo gilvus gilvus)  2
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  1
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  2
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  X
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  5
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  X
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  5
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  1     singing, Midwood
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  1     Peninsula
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  1     male, singing near the the Vale.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  10
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  3
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  5
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  5
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  X

Brooklyn is great birding!!!!

NYS Birders Conference Nov 1st-3rd

The first downstate NYS birders conference....to register ,

go to

http://nybirdersconference.wordpress.com/

Saturday, June 8, 2013

amount of rain yesterday

5.48 inches fell in Park Slope...good for the meadow mallards in Prospect Park

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Reminder Tonight BBC Eve program

Tonight is the Brooklyn Bird Club evening program

http://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/meetings.htm

Thursday, June 6th, 6:30 P.M.

The Birds of Central Park

Presenter: Deb Allen

Deb is a widely published bird photographer, whose photos have appeared in Bird Watcher's DigestBirdWatchingBirds and Blooms,National Wildlife, and The New York Times. She is also the author of a children's book Let's Investigate Puffins. She is currently at work on a field guide to the birds of Central Park.
You can see her work at www.agpix.com/deballen

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Seen on the BBG tower today

A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen perched on the Fire Dept tower at the south end of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Since today was the BBC's 104th ( got that right), its fitting. ( check out our logo)


Green Heron fledgling photo and amazing video

The photo of the Prospect Park Green Heron chick was taken by Tomek Kapetko, taken Tuesday (6/4)

Here's a note from Tomek including a video he recorded .

Hi Peter, I have seen the green heron babies, they are good, I recorded a video, here is a link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BvX28dxX3Y&feature=em-upload_owner

Green Heron fledgling, by Tomek Kapetko

BBC Founding Day June 5th

Today the Brooklyn Bird Club is 104 years old. "Founding Day " occurring on June 5th. Below is an excerpt  from the 2009 's Centennial Year:

On this day, June 5th, 100 years ago, the Brooklyn Bird Club was born.
Five original founders, led by Doctor Edward W. Vietor met at the Vietor residence at 166 St James Place in the northern Brooklyn section of Clinton Hill, and created the first club charter. Along with Kate Vietor, Edward Fleischer, Lewis Bowdish, Ms.Charles Hartwell and Dr. Vietor, the founders elected Edward Fleischer as their first President in 1909 of the then called “The Bird Lovers’ Club of Brooklyn”.

Here is an account written by Edward Fleischer from the 1915 Bird-Lore Vol. XVII magazine. (Bird Lore”, a now defunct bi-monthly birding magazine “devoted to the study and protection of birds” appeared in the early part of the 20th century (1899) .  A major media communiqué for the early Audubon societies, Bird Lore covered birding issues much like those appearing in today’s Audubon magazine. Bird Lore’s founder and chief editor was Frank Chapman, famous for starting the Christmas Bird Census and as curator from 1908-1942 of the ornithological division of the American Museum of Natural History.)

Reports of State Societies and Bird Clubs”
Bird-Lover’s Club of Brooklyn- This Club was organized June 5th, 1909. For several years before, a small but earnest group of bird-students had ridden their hobby in Prospect Park .They did not know one another, but the field-glasses carried were “open sesame“ to acquaintanceship, and in an informal way notes and records were exchanged at the chance meetings. Finally the Club was formally launched at the home of Dr E.W Vietor .Dr and Mrs.Vietor, Mrs. Charles S. Hartwell, L.F. Bowdish, and the writer, were the charter members. The Club now numbers forty-two. For awhile it met monthly at the homes of the several members until a permanent meeting-place was found at the Children’s Museum.

  The work of the members has necessarily been limited largely in Prospect Park, where, however, surprising results have been obtained, and about 160 species of birds have been identified. From the beginning the Club had furnished the Central Museum and other institutions with a monthly record of the Prospect Park birds. More recently the Club has undertaken the education of the public in birds and their protection. In this connection, and with the cooperation of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, a lecture by Charles H Rogers was delivered in the Academy of Music. For the spring of 1916 the Club has planned a Bird Exhibit, the first of its kind in New York City. It is to be held in the Central Museum, Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn during the Easter week of 1916 and the week following, and will, it is hoped, cover the subject of birds, their study, value, protection, and attraction, in all its phases—EDWARD FLEISCHER, Secretary

Monday, June 3, 2013

Jamaica Bay Task Force Meeting Announcement

Prospect Green Heron baby news

I swung by the Green Heron nest that was of great interest to birders this spring and part of a controversy for its very close proximity to the Googa Mooga stage.

Looking up, I see a baby chick -- about 8 inches long already --moving around in its nest. And it stole a look down at me (COOL)....so, for names, Googa sounds about right ...
( if two, then other is Mooga) :)

( I hope it can hear though ...)

--KB

addendum :  emails from Keir and Rob B confirms 2 Green herons fledglings. thereby, Mooga is present,

Inline image 1 Rob's photo with 2nd bird obscured partly by leaf

Prospect June 3rd

From Rafael :

Peter:  I think officially, the Spring migration is finished.  Among the migrants, only 1 Swainson's Thrush. No signs of the MOWA, or other warblers, except for a COYE, male singing in the Butterfly Meadow. I presume this sps nest in PP.

Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, US-NY
Jun 2, 2013 7:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Observer: Rafael G Campos R
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 kilometer(s)
28 species

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  3
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  2
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)  1
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)  X
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  3
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)  X
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  2
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  3
Warbling Vireo (Eastern) (Vireo gilvus gilvus)  5
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  3
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  1
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  3
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  1
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  2
Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus)  1     Ravine
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  X
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  2
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  X
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  5
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1     male, singing at the Butterfly Meadow
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  1
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  5
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  1     female
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  X

Brooklyn is great birding!!!!

Breeding season sightings

The end of migration except for the few , sporadic sightings is the new season, as breeding birds drift into our focus. Two reports via Twitter tweets named the raptors in this post's headlines, single RED-TAILED HAWKS fledglings and AMERICAN KESTREL making news.

About the RED-TAILED HAWKS, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Greenwood Cemetery  are the breeding grounds, Prospect park skipped all together, maybe quiet solitude the parents objective.See Rob Jett's blog Citybirder for his update, the link on my blog side menu at the bottom.

Chellie mentioned in her report young AMERICAN KESTRELS in Red Hook neighborhood, atop the Stop 1 supermarket along Van Brunt Ave.

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Prospect weekend reports

Joshua:


Observer: Joshua Malbin
2013-06-01 11:32
Prospect Park
Protocol: Traveling
2 Miles
208 Minutes
Observers: 1
All birds reported? Yes
    X    Mute Swan     
    X    Mallard     
    2    Green Heron     
    1    Red-tailed Hawk     
    4    Laughing Gull     
    X    Rock Pigeon     
    X    Mourning Dove     
    2    Chimney Swift     
    4    Red-bellied Woodpecker     
    3    Downy Woodpecker     
    1    Eastern Kingbird     
    2    White-eyed Vireo     
    12    Warbling Vireo     
    2    Red-eyed Vireo     
    3    Blue Jay     
    X    Barn Swallow     
    1    Black-capped Chickadee     
    3    Tufted Titmouse     
    10    House Wren     
    1    Carolina Wren     
    1    Swainson's Thrush     
    X    American Robin     
    X    Gray Catbird     
    X    European Starling     
    5    Cedar Waxwing     
    1    Ovenbird     
    1    Yellow Warbler     
    1    Eastern Towhee     
    1    Chipping Sparrow     
    X    Northern Cardinal     
    X    Red-winged Blackbird     
    X    Common Grackle     
    5    Baltimore Oriole     
    X    House Sparrow       
This report was created and sent using BirdsEye BirdLog (http://birdseyebirding.com/)

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Adam :

From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Sun, Jun 2, 2013 at 11:50 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Jun 2, 2013



Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Jun 2, 2013 7:20 AM - 10:55 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments:     Sunny, light breeze. Started at Vale, down through Midwood, Lullwater, Peninsula, Lookout, Quaker Ridge, Ravine. Possible Bank Swallow seen over Lake.
40 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  X     heard overflying
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  2
Gadwall (Anas strepera)  1     New Islands
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  6
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)  1     1 adult seen flying, at least 1 nestling on nest
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  1
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)  X
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  7
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)  5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  3
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  2
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  2
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)  3
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  5
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  1
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  3
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  3
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)  1
Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus)  1
Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  20     approx count
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  8
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  X
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  4
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  6
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  1
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  9
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  2
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  2
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  6

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14314362

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