Wednesday, July 31, 2013

FofFall BWWARB

Rob Bate reported a female BLACK&WHITE WARBLER by Ambergill Falls (midafternoon), the first fall sighting for the species.

Just a note regarding Plumb Beach by Sheepshead Bay. Some tweets came about of Piping Plover ( 3 seen) today. Be aware that PB is officially closed (see signs ) by the US Army Corp engineers. A birder there was told to leave and future encroachers may be subjected to arrest or fined. There is an erosion project till end of the year. see the story

http://www.brooklyndaily.com/stories/2013/14/bn_plumbbeachtoclose_2013_04_05_bk.html

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

new seawatch bird flight book

Thanks to a Facebook post from Chellie Bowman,there is a new book to be released in mid September,by Ken Behrens and Cameron Cox on identifying seabirds in flight over water.. check out the link below

http://www.amazon.com/Peterson-Reference-Guide-Seawatching-Waterbirds/dp/0547237391/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375218875&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=karl+behrens+seawatching

...and by the way,just got the book on Prospect Park by David Colley mentioned on the Brooklyn Bird Club webpage Facebook. For the second time as many books in the last month, my name is in the acknowledgements..( the other is the Warbler Guide)..so a nice honor and thanks to the authors...wonder whats the next book going to be.. :

Waterthrush afoot

Intent on finding a water thrush during my short lunch hour,I succeeded. When I stood at the back gate of the Lower Pool, a quick low flyby confirmed my suspicion that a WT flew by. From the other side of a downed timber in the water, the bird came towards me over that log and it turned out to be correctly a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. A personal fall first warb for the season,and I'm on my way to a hopeful great birding fall.

On the Upper Pool , 6 WOOD DUCKS are around, 2 out ion the water feeding on duckweed ( of course) and 4 sort of hidden on the back shores of the island.

good birding ...-KB

North waterthrush bac gate Lower Pool prospect.early bird

Prospect July 29th

From Bobbi Manian:

( Note NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH and continuing AMERICAN REDSTART)

Hi Peter,

Rob and I were chatting today along the west side of the lullwater (area you recently fenced and planted) and we were looking at a young (fuzzy) Green Heron that had just flown in, when Rob realized there is a nest there (exactly same place as last year). I don't recall seeing it around GoogaMooga time, when the other nest was found. but it's there now and we saw at least one adult and one juvenile. See pic.

Also of note I had a Northern Waterthrush and American Redstart along the mud on the back side of the Upper Pool.

Best,

Bobbi

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "do-not-reply@ebird.org" <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
To:
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 5:50 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Jul 29, 2013

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Jul 29, 2013 11:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: <br />Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.2
27 species

Mute Swan 3
Wood Duck 7
Mallard X
Green Heron 5
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Chimney Swift 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Barn Swallow 6
Black-capped Chickadee 2
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 6
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 17
Northern Waterthrush 1
American Redstart 1
Yellow Warbler 8
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 3
Baltimore Oriole 2
House Sparrow 30

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14811672

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

photo by Bobbi Manian

1 Attached Images

Monday, July 29, 2013

Prospect July 28th report

AMERICAN REDSTART is in the news , reported by Dennis, seen on the Peninsula. Though not a local breeder, fall migration is in progress, though in very early stage for warblers. --KB

From Dennis Hrehowsik:

Saw a redstart on peninisula yeaterday.

D

Begin forwarded message:

From: do-not-reply@ebird.org
Date: July 28, 2013 4:52:19 PM EDT

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Jul 28, 2013

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Jul 28, 2013 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
34 species

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 3
Wood Duck 2
Mallard 5
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Ring-billed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 3
Chimney Swift 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Blue Jay 2
Tree Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 10
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 3
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin 25
Gray Catbird 5
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 5
American Redstart 1
Yellow Warbler 5
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14804081

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

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Prospect

Observer: Joshua Malbin 2013-07-27 18:21 Prospect Park Protocol: Traveling 1 Miles 110 Minutes Observers: 1 All birds reported? Yes 2 Canada Goose X Mute Swan X Mallard 1 Ruddy Duck 2 Double-crested Cormorant 3 Green Heron 1 Spotted Sandpiper 2 Laughing Gull 1 Larus sp. 1 Forster's Tern 2 Mourning Dove 15 Chimney Swift 1 Belted Kingfisher 3 Downy Woodpecker 2 Eastern Wood-Pewee 4 Eastern Kingbird 1 American Crow 9 Barn Swallow 1 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Carolina Wren X American Robin X Gray Catbird 3 Cedar Waxwing 1 Song Sparrow X Northern Cardinal X Red-winged Blackbird 2 Common Grackle X House Sparrow This report was created and sent using BirdsEye BirdLog (http://birdseyebirding.com/)

Friday, July 26, 2013

Ravine LOWA

Dennis Hrehowsik reported LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH along the Ravine Stream.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

NYC Bird report

Before Ebird and this blog which by the way came into being when NYC Bird report stopped, this reporting tool was the thing.Now even when its no longer active,nevertheless NYC bird report is a great tool to research the bird migration timetables,when certain species come thru our area. For example, Louisiana waterthrushes start likely about July 20th. This info is based on archived reports submitted by birders over the 5 year period.and there are different areas to research.

after clicking on the locale, click on any species to view the actual dates a species been seen.

below is the link and i have it as a side menu link

http://www.nycbirdreport.com/

Early signs of fall migration+ the regulars in Prospect

KB note: all entries regarding bird reports is noted by the date above( automatically by blogger ) unless its from another day, then noted in the post title. Saves my redundancy.

The signs of fall migration is revealing itself whether we anticipate it or not looking forward to it.( I mean wasn't spring just yesterday ?) In any case, its coming . Reports of LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH on the Lake south shore and SPOTTED SANDPIPER on the Peninsula shore are early observations today .

Bobbi Manian reported ( or technically speaking, tweeted ) the LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH around noon, on the lake shore just east of Three Sisters Island. The first of Prospect's fall season,this is the typical earlier waterthrush of the two species seen . The first Northerns comes in August. ( and sometimes harder to distinguish with immature birds)

After seeing the Duck Island sightings, I found a SPOTTED SANDPIPER flushed from the Peninsula Meadow shoreline, heading towards Three Sisters. Regulars ( for this summer only) of LEAST TERNs ( 2 seen) , LAUGHING GULLS, and and flyover GREAT BLUE HERON were lake observations. On Duck Island, a delight to see 2 GREEN HERONS, 3 WOOD DUCKS under the willow tree, and an unexpected BELTED KINGFISHER , all seen from the Peninsula point.

2 Least terns lake,Spotted sandpiper flushed frm peninsula mead shore

Duck island: Kingfisher,Great Blue heron,wood ducks,Cedar waxwings,2 Green herons seen frm peninsula point

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

New book about Prospect Park coming out

An alert from the Brooklyn Bird Club facebook webpage, the new book to be released July 30th about Prospect Park by the husband and wife team ,Colleys.

( I was on a walk with the authors about 3 years ago with my supervisors)

-KB

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1616891181/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_7mc8rb1XFGHSP

Conservation topic

From the American Bird Conservancy:

The State of Birds on Private Lands report issued:

http://www.stateofthebirds.org/

Prospect 7/23 report

From Joshua Malbin:

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Joshua Malbin"
Date: Jul 23, 2013 7:54 PM
Subject: BirdsEye-Prospect Park-2013-7-23
To: "Joshua Malbin"

Observer: Joshua Malbin
2013-07-23 18:35
Prospect Park
Protocol: Traveling
1 Miles
79 Minutes
Observers: 1
All birds reported? Yes
X Mute Swan
5 Wood Duck
X Mallard
1 Green Heron
X Rock Pigeon
4 Chimney Swift
3 Eastern Kingbird
1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow
1 Barn Swallow
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Wood Thrush
X American Robin
X Gray Catbird
X European Starling
1 Yellow Warbler
1 Song Sparrow
X Northern Cardinal
X Red-winged Blackbird
1 Common Grackle
X House Sparrow

This report was created and sent using BirdsEye BirdLog (http://birdse

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Upcoming events; Prospect report

This note from Renee was received thru the BBC website. Of note is speaker Paul Sweet, who birds Prospect and is a nearby resident.Paul is the Bird skins manager at the American Museum of Natural History.

From: Storiale, Renee <Renee.Storiale@metmuseum.org>
To: info <info@brooklynbirdclub.org>
Sent: Fri, Jul 19, 2013 1:33 pm
Subject: Friday Evening Gallery Event--Birds in the Art of Japan

Hi There!

My name is Renee Storiale and I work in the education department at the Metropolitan Museum. I wanted to reach out to you because we are doing a unique bird-related event next week that I think some of your members may be interested in. As part of the event, we will actually have AMNH ornithologist Paul Sweet talking about the birds in the galleries, plus lots of other fun activities to correspond to our exhibition Birds in the Art of Japan.

Details are below – Please feel free to forward to any of your contacts or distribution lists, post online, etc… And let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Renee

Renee Storiale

Adult Gallery Education Intern

212.650.2756

www.metmuseum.org

Flock to the Met for a fun Friday evening!

Is this email not displaying correctly?
View it in your browser.

Friday Evening Gallery Event

Design your own evening as you choose among short, interactive experiences in the exhibition Birds in the Art of Japan, and encounter a spectacular array of real and fanciful birds along the way.

Friday, July 26, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

This program is free with Museum admission and open to everyone.

Meets in Gallery 225, The Sackler Wing Galleries, 2^nd floor
Start your evening early with a curator-led tour of the exhibition at 6:30 in Gallery 225.

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

The second event regards cleanup efforts of Prospect Lake:

PLEASE JOIN US!

Hello Friends,

Members of WILD for Prospect Park- http://www.wildforprospectpark.com/ will be venturing out to do a Lakeside Cleanup and Visitor Outreach on Sunday, July 28th from 2:00pm-4:00pm

Our focus for this event will be on the OceanAve/Parkside Ave side of the lake.

We will scan and clean the banks of the watercourse for harmful debris such as plastic, fishing line and hooks and other trash.

We will also reach out and speak to visitors about the effects of feeding waterfowl and how they can become better stewards of the park's wildlife.

When: Sunday, July 28th

Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm (Please arrive a few minutes early as we will be distributing supplies)

Where: Meet at the Rustic Shelter located inside the park by the lake near the Parkside and Ocean Ave entrance

http://www.prospectpark.org/visit/places/rustic-shelters.

Please feel free to share this email!

See you then!

~WILD for Prospect Park Steering Committee

http://www.wildforprospectpark.com/

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

This morning , 3 LEAST TERNS patrolled the Lake, a delightful sight to see this species continually visiting the lake, diving the surface for prey. Its been a good summer just with this species.

Along the south Midwood east -west woods trail ( with railing ) in the center is WOOD THRUSH country. I spotted the bird flying across as I traveled thru.

--KB

2 Least terns prospect lake; Wood thrush south Midwood trail

Monday, July 22, 2013

Article about prospect walking tour; early am briefer bird report

The following is about a walking tour in prospect, something to interest you since much of it are good birding trails:

http://www.bkmag.com/BrooklynAbridged/archives/2013/07/17/the-perfect-prospect-park-walking-tour?showFullText=true

Of interest this morning while I was making my rounds, two immature male /female type YELLOW WARBLERS (YEWA) were seen together in the heavy vine growth to the right of the Breeze Hill feeders site, at the top slope trail head. Makes me suspect if these are fledglings ? Did Prospect have a successful YEWA nest ? ( some YEWA are known early migrants--yes in July-- but I strongly think these are "our" guys.

Over at the lake, "sandwiched" in the timeline between GREEN HERON (GRHE) sightings, a flying GREAT EGRET went towards Three Sisters, at the initial GRHE sighting , then after the egret sighting, two more GRHE flying south, low above the lake surface along the west shore.Place is loaded with GRHE... ;)

--KB

Prospect July 21 report

From Keir Randall:

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Jul 21, 2013 2:50 PM - 4:35 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
17 species (+1 other taxa)

Mute Swan 1
Mallard 4
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Laughing Gull 1
Least Tern 1 Adult off of Three Sisters
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 2
Eastern Kingbird 3
Warbling Vireo 2
swallow sp. 1
Black-capped Chickadee 1
House Wren 2
American Robin 7
Gray Catbird 1
European Starling X
Northern Cardinal 3
Orchard Oriole 1 Lullwater West cove platform. A female and perhaps a second bird too - breeders?
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14701997

Friday, July 19, 2013

Lakewatch timeline

Prospect Lake evening

8:52 BLACK SKIMMER flyby close to west shore near gazebo

8:53 2 BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERONS flyover south shore,towards West Island

8:58-9 pm 2 BLACK SKIMMERs feeding

(got dark by then) but no nightscope needed :)>

JBWR

Shorebirds are building up or already present with so far Avocet last week and today's Ruff. But post Sandy the East Pond saw some landscape changes especially at the south end. See Andrew Baksh's blog post to what got altered.Be careful there but shorebird galore is best locally at JBWR for the next 6 weeks..

http://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2013/07/jamaica-bay-shorebird-report-7-11-13.html

Hottest day this year and crazy birds

On a brutally hot day with the heat index hitting the range of 100-105 degrees, I am amazed that some birds deal with the torrid heat. [ and for me darn hard to work in it outside]

One can commiserate when one sees a COMMON GRACKLE running along the path at Vanderbilt Street park entrance, with its beak wide open. Go to the playground spray pump, grackle !

At their nest near the Lullwater Bridge, I finally spotted this year the second nest the three fledgling GREEN HERONS , perched on the oak limbs, one running along one limb; David Chortaiy mentioned to me this morning their presence , four he reported in recent days there. It must be soothing for the youngsters though to be over the water .

And a last report, first I've seen in summer , in fact years since I seen this breeding species though they have nested in the park on and off, a panting WOOD THRUSH I spotted from my vehicle; the thrush was in the woods edge adjacent to the woods trail ( with railing ) by the east asphalt path. Wood thrushes have bred in past years in the Midwood and as well around the north zoo slope ( Now the compost dump)

Stay cool, cool relief coming tomorrow afternoon with predicted storms induced by the cold front.

By the way, does anybody have Jack Frost's cell phone number ? I like to make a call...

--KB

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Jul 19, 2013
Protocol: Incidental
3 species

Green Heron  4     3 fledglings, nest
Wood Thrush  1
Common Grackle  1

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14686223

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

Panting Wood Thrush south Midwood @ east asphalt path junc woods rail trail

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Lakewatch

Just 5 minutes after my arrival, at 823 pm, a single BLACK SKIMMER enters around the West Island area.For about 7 minutes,it glided along the lake surface,flying over the hen RUDDY DUCK, but as it turned the corner near Well Drive, flown over by GREEN HERON; quite a moment to watch..This is the parks 4th Skimmer sighting assuming no one else has seen this species this summer.

-KB

823 pm Black skimmer prospect lake

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Lake evewatch

8 pm-9pm

RUDDY DUCK
Green Heron flying low across lake
Great Blue Heron flyover, eventually landed somewhere south Lulllwater
Barn Swallows,RWBB,mallard, s
Amer Black Duck,

Least Terns continue

Rob Bate reported this afternoon two LEAST TERNS by Music Island, the larger of the two new islands by the rink.

This frequency of Least Terns is the most active since the summer of 2003 with 9 records. 2010 had 4 records; We hit at least 8 recs this summer so far....( top of my head)

GREEN HERON in south Lullwater peninsula shore (PDorosh)

--KB

EAB flyer

From my previous post about the Emerald Ash Borer and reporting it , I was able to get the link of the flyer ( from adobe acrobat which I couldn't post ) from the coordinator of the Maps Invasives program. the link is below

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1ygrduHhjvvRWFKY0hOTGJrSms/edit

(source : http://imapinvasives.org/links#id_guide )

Green Heron photos

Neal Frumpkin's photos , taken last week of Green Herons, young near the Lullwater Bridge

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Emerald Ash Borer menace bearing down on us

This devastating pest is a menace to our native ash trees. In past years, the pest has been encroaching eastward , last reported as far now as the Catskills. If you have a concern , we birders can be of help. Here below is an email I received plus a link attachment for the survey

www.NYimapinvasives.org

Subject: Woodpecker damage survey for EAB with iMap

Here is information if you would like to sign up to monitor woodpecker damage 
that the birds do when feeding on Emeral Ash Borer.  Most of our ash is on 
western Long Island and New York City. 

Steve
 
Steve Young
Coordinator, Long Island Invasive Species Management Area (LIISMA) Chief 
Botanist NY Natural Heritage Program
625 Broadway, 5th Floor
Albany, NY 12233-4757

518-402-8951
518-402-8925 FAX
smyoung@gw.dec.state.ny.us
websites: www.nynhp.org
               www.liisma.org

The New York Natural Heritage Program is a partnership between the New York 
State Department of Environmental Conservation and the State University of New 
York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

For more information on EAB and ash tree identification, go to: www.NYIS.info

http://imapinvasives.org/nyimi/report_invasives/

all birders: Report woodpecker damage due to Emerald Ash Borer
www.NYimapinvasives.org

Questions? Contact:imapinvasives@nynhp.org

Supported by the New York State Environmental Protection Fundthrough a contract with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
iMapInvasives is the NYS Invasive Species Database. Become trained to report invasive species and the signs of emerald ash borer:
1.
Request a Login at www.NYimapinvasives.org
2.
Take the online iMapObservation training
3.
Tell us to add you to the "Woodpecker Project"
4.
Look for signs of woodpecker damage on ash trees
•
See other page for descriptions
5.
Take photos of the damage, bark, and crown
6.
Log into iMapto submit your observation for expert revie

Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers eat EAB larvae and leave distinctive marks on ash trees. Here are some tips to spot woodpecker damage due to EAB:
Woodpecker damage and EAB
Report sightings to iMapInvasivesIf you see woodpecker damage on an ash tree,include these 3 photos in your report:
1.
Close up of the woodpecker damage
2.
Crown of the tree
3.
Overview of the bark/trunk (to help with tree ID)
Hairy woodpecker. Bugwood.org
•
Is the wood pecker damage on an ash tree?
•
Are there freshpatches of bark that have been flaked off with a shallow holein the middle?
•
Are the woodpecksrandomly dispersed or in large patches on the tree?
EAB woodpecker foragingMark Whitmore, Cornell University

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a small green invasive beetle. EAB larvae live under the bark of ash trees and eat the transportivetissue inside the tree, cutting off the flow of water and nutrients and killing the tree.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Prospect July Pied Billed Grebe

A quick search of the office records revealed that today's PIED-BILLED GREBE is the first ever July sighting of this species in Prospect Park. [ Hard to believe that....hmmm... lucky me]

--KB

Prospect Lake morning sightings

During a work relevant waterfowl check along the lake shores and perimeter, a very productive birding list , surprisingly the list topped by a rare PIED BILLED GREBE.

In the middle of the lake just after spotting a LEAST TERN on the red ball buoy, the striking outline of a PIED -BILLED GREBE was seen, which very rarely is seen midsummer here. Where this bird comes from is undetermined. It could be an early migrant or a "floater" , an unattached male or female that didn't succeed pairing or perhaps its been lost all this time. Interesting to speculate.

Along with the regular LEAST TERN hunting over the lake , a FORSTER'S TERN flew by. This followed previously an observed GREEN HERON on a small limb in the cove just west of 3 Sisters Islands, on the "Hammerhead" Peninsula.

The last interesting sighting concerns WOOD DUCKS , 5 birds in the Duck Island channel. Rob Bate mentioned 4 are fledglings so we could say there was a successful breeding record , likely Duck Island the host for the nest as there are some wood duck boxes maybe well hidden...

Its hot out there, but in the cool mornings , there are good sightings to behold.

Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, US-NY
Jul 15, 2013
Protocol: Incidental
16 species (+2 other taxa)

Mute Swan  10
Wood Duck  5
American Black Duck  X
Mallard  X
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  X
American Black Duck/Mallard  X
Pied-billed Grebe  1     
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Green Heron  2 ( other in Lullwater)
Laughing Gull  2
Least Tern  1
Forster's Tern  1
Rock Pigeon  X
Chimney Swift  X
Barn Swallow  2
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  3

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14648956

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

5 Wood ducks Duck isl back channel

Prospect lake: Least tern hunting,flyby Forsters tern, unexpect Pied bill Grebe

Sunday, July 14, 2013

The Warbler Guide

http://www.thewarblerguide.com/

I received my guide early this week and from a quick browse see it as an impressive tome.Its light enough to carry around.This is a highly acclaimed guide written by our Brooklyn Bird Club celebre Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle formerly of Brooklyn, now in Cape May.

Whether you have other guides on your shelf,do add this one !

see the various reviews.

http://tinyurl.com/q8hpjd4

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Late Eve Black Skimmer

A brief visit by a single BLACK SKIMMER at 841 pm this evening along the west shore of Prospect Lake (thereby,a flythru); I almost missed seeing it after sitting awhile by the shore,got up to sit on a wet bench and promptly saw the bright profile of the bird going towards West Island. Getting back to the shore, I watched the skimmer circle back and head over and out over Well Drive. such a graceful looking bird. Adding to my sightings ,a Black crowned Night Heron and a Brown Bat taking sips from the lake surface, same spot. --KB

Least terns Prospect Lake

LEAST TERNs equals 4 now prospect lake 3 flying Addendum : high total was 5 last count before my departing

2 Least terns sitting on Prospect lake middle red boat anchor bouy

Friday, July 12, 2013

Rob Bate's report

Resident and probable breeders I've seen lately include Yellow Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Baltimore Oriole ,Orchard Oriole ,House Wren, Downy Woodpecker ,Green Heron, Wood Ducks (Duck Island) ,Mallards ,and of course the regulars like Robins.

Prospect bits and pieces..( and beetle bug)

Rob Bate mentioned to me sightings this morning of WARBLING VIREO, WHITE-EYED VIREO, YELLOW WARBLER, BALTIMORE ORIOLE & ORCHARD ORIOLE.

Larry Zirlin was in town from New Jersey and reported two LEAST TERNS over Prospect Lake.

On the complete nature side, Stanley Greenberg sent me a photo of an intriguing large insect called Stag Beetle that I originally searched on Steve's website

http://www.stevenanz.com/Main_Directory/Plants_Animals/Invertebrates/Insects/Coleoptera/Scarabaeoidea/index.htm

Steve chimed in later and sent this post:

Hi Stanley,

Looks like a male Lucanus capreolus (Reddish-brown Stag Beetle) which I have seen in Prospect Park and is on the page Peter referenced. I'm pretty sure I can see enough detail on the mandibles to eliminate other members of the genus and I am not aware of any other genus with members that are similar. More info at: http://bugguide.net/node/view/3107

Steve

here's Stanley's cell phone photo below

Ridgewood Reservoir update

http://bbcnewsboard.blogspot.com/2013/07/ridgewood-resevoir-update.html

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Prospect Lake eve watch

This quiet humid evening yielded two sightings of note.Within Three Sisters,an adult GREEN HERON stalking from branches.The second sighting wasn't totally confirmed given the distance.

From the west shore,I spotted some small ducks by Three Sisters.Getting over there,they of course disappeared. Then what I superstitiously expected, found them on the far side of Duck Island,heading for Music Island .Based on their small size, the profile and now molting plumage,I would have to say with 70% certainty they were Wood Ducks. Given the lateness of the evening ,I had no desire to chase them and look from Duck Island's Summerhouse with its crowd.

Fire flies in full luminescent regalia tonight..

-KB

Things to do over the summer ...

Bat Lecture and walk, led by Gabriel Willow :

Tuesday, July 30: Gowanus Bat Walk, Location: Gowanus Studio Space (166 7th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215)

http://www.gowanuscanalconservancy.org/ee/index.php/gcc_projects/gcc_project?id=142

On Face book https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gowanus-Canal-Conservancy/127301437173?ref=nf

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

A little night music, flyover fanfare

This evening ,the New York Philharmonic held their annual parks concert in Prospect. During Antonín Dvořák Cello Concerto,2nd movement, i caught sight of 5 BLACK SKIMMERS flying over , heading towards Bartel Pritchard Square. Also a RED TAILED HAWK seen flying unto a perch; some Brown Bats later in the darkness ( I covered my neck)

During Dvorchak's 2nd movement cello concerto ny phil park eve concert 5 BLACK SKIMMER flyover ballfield

Peregrine Falcon photos

Taken somewhere in downtown Brooklyn , these photos were sent me by "marjimsam " with this message :

Hi,

My husband and I have enjoyed watching Peregrine falcons soar through the air of Downtown Brooklyn for years. Last night we had an unexpected visitor on the balcony of our 29th floor apartment.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

July 9th heat wave birds

Isabel Conte out for a birding walk found the fledgling GREEN HERON on a water snag adjacent to the Lullwater Bridge..I was able to see also the heron,with its scalloped plumage on its back.

In addition , Isabel found a GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER nest on the south lullwater side near the feeders site. Look for ,by the shore the fishing discard line canister ,at that trail before the trail up the slope to the feeders; look for a thin broken off tree.

That's all for today,too hot to bird.Stay cool.

-KB

Monday, July 8, 2013

July 7th Hot for the cuckoo

July 7^{th Prospect}

The First Sunday Walk from the Boathouse,led by Paul Keim, has its highlight with a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO reported on the Peninsula base by the asphalt road vicinity. Neal Frumkin mentioned this observation to me today with details it may be a young bird as its under tail plumage wasn't fully developed. This is an interesting development to look carefully for this species at this spot no record I believe of breeding YBCU here. Also mentioned was GREEN HERON fledglings at the woods trail on the west side of the Lull water Bridge.

I ventured out for casual walks , even a sitting in the late eve and best was at 417 pm, a single LEAST TERN patrolling and feeding in the usual southwest section of the Lake. GREAT BLUE HERON like clockwork , flew in and roosted in Three Sister Islands. The RUDDY DUCK hen is sticking around, a rare species for this time of the year here.

It slow summer days and humidity at its worst, even for cuckoos.

--KB

Peter’s list below

Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, US-NY
Jul 7, 2013
Protocol: Incidental
14 species (+1 other taxa)
Mute Swan 6
Mallard X
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
Ruddy Duck 1 present for two weeks
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Laughing Gull 1
Herring Gull 3
Least Tern 1
Chimney Swift X
Barn Swallow X
American Robin 1
European Starling X
Common Grackle 4
House Sparrow X
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14598337 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Sunday, July 7, 2013

July 6th prospect is hot !

Before thinking its hot with birds,its on the contrary,its hot out there!
An evening late viewing of the lake revealed little : Great Blue Heron coming in for roost on 3 Sisters islands, passing Barn swallows and Chimney Swifts and the still attached lake resident female RUDDY DUCK. Park Circle horse trail a blazed with fireflies, a summer phenomenon.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

First Sunday Walk

from Michele Dreger:

The First Sunday of July Early Morning Bird Walk will be led by Paul Keim. Meet at the Boathouse at 8 am on Sunday July 7. The August walk will take place on August 4. Phil Malek and Max Stein will be there to facilitate the walk. The September walk is on first day of September. Paul will lead that also. Sincerest thanks to each of them. Enjoy your summer! Michele Neal Vinnie Eni

Green Heron

Yesterday, the GREEN HERON family was observed at the presumably Lullwater Bridge area or near the Audubon Center, an adult with 4 fledglings .It was at the water edge from what i gather ,reported by Rob Bates twitter tweet

Thursday, July 4, 2013

The terns go " fourth"

On this Fourth of July, single LEAST and FORSTER's TERNs were spotted over Prospect Lake.The
former worked awhile the south side of the lake while I spotted the latter passing over by Well Drive.

A crowded park which shorten my stay nevertheless, best looks of a female YELLOW WARBLER by the Peninsula pink beach and offshore by there GREEN HERON flyby.

Hope you all had a safe and enjoyable July 4th.

**

Addenum: Adam Welz reported 2 LEAST TERNS PLake and RUDDY DUCK which has been hangong out these past few weeks in the Lake

Forster's tern passed thru Prospect Lake

1Least Tern working southwest sect prospect lake

Conservation groups to join in JamBay

http://www.littoralsociety.org/index.php/component/content/article/17-special-places/jamaica-bay/10-jamaica-bay

http://www.meetup.com/American-Littoral-Society-Northeast-Chapter/

http://jamaicabayecowatchers.org/

NY Times article today JamBay poaching

Conservation news alert

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/04/nyregion/poachers-are-elusive-catch-in-city-waters.html?_r=0

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

New Duck Stamp now on sale

The best conservation funding program in history, this year's stamp of the Common Goldeneye is a collector's item and free pass to Federal wildlife refuges that charge fee entries.

https://store.usps.com/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?productId=S_334904

This is a single pressure-sensitive (PSA) Common Goldeneye 2013-2014 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamp. The 2013-2014 Federal Duck Stamp features a common goldeneye painted by wildlife artist Robert Steiner of San Francisco. Last fall, a panel of five judges chose Steiner's art to grace the stamp from among 192 paintings at the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, held at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. Steiner, whose painting of a Barrow's goldeneye appeared on the 1998-1999 Federal Duck Stamp, has also created numerous state duck stamps. Since 1934, Federal Duck Stamp sales have raised more than $800 million to acquire and protect more than 6 million acres of wetlands habitat on hundreds of national wildlife refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories. A current Federal Duck Stamp is also good for free admission to any refuge that charges an entry fee. More than 560 refuges offer unparalleled outdoor recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, bird watching and photography. Made in the USA. SKUs featured on this page: 334904 +±+++++++++++++++++http://www.birds.cornell.edu/roundrobin/2013/06/28/eight-great-reasons-to-love-the-new-migratory-bird-stamp/?utm_source=Cornell+Lab+eNews&utm_campaign=8e7bd0a81e-Cornell_Lab_eNews_2013_7_03&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_47588b5758-8e7bd0a81e-278038549

Afternoon Lullwater south 7/3; Skimmer facts

A lone FORSTER's TERN was seen patrolling the waters in the same area as yesterdays Black Skimmer visitation, the latter species not seen today.GREEN HERON flew under the tern.

-KB

***********************
If anyone is curious what Black Skimmers eat:

source :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Skimmer

Feeding habits[edit]

Skimmers have a light graceful flight, with steady beats of their long wings. They feed usually in large flocks, flying low over the water surface with the lower mandible skimming the water (in order of importance) for small fish, insects, crustaceans and molluscs^[4] caught by touch by day or especially at night.

They spend much time loafing gregariously on sandbars in the rivers, coasts and lagoons they frequent.

GWC , PP reports

From Orrin July 2nd

Highlight of this morning's Green-Wood Cemetery walk were 8 Canada Geese on the Sylvan Water, the remnant of the 10 geese that were there last week before (not) being chased away by two nasty eagles.

Other birds:

Chipping sparrow
House finch
American robin
Northern mockingbird
European starling
Monk parakeet
Barn swallow
Northern flicker
House wren
Warbling vireo
Northern cardinal
Eastern wood pewee
Black-capped chickadee
Red-bellied woodpecker
House sparrow
Great egret
Black-crowned night heron
Common grackle
Baltimore oriole
Carolina wren
Cedar waxwing
Red-bellied woodpecker
Northern rough-winged swallow

No hawks in evidence, injured or otherwise.

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

Peter, evening watch July 1st

Prospect Lake

Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, US-NY
Jul 1, 2013 6:45 PM - 7:30 PM
Protocol: Stationary
12 species (+2 other taxa)

Mute Swan  4
Mallard  X
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  X
dabbling duck sp.  X
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Laughing Gull  2
Herring Gull  X
Chimney Swift  X
Peregrine Falcon  1     perched atop BBG fire tower
Eastern Kingbird  2
Barn Swallow  3
Red-winged Blackbird  3
Common Grackle  5
House Sparrow  X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14561547

Prospect Park-, Kings, US-NY
Jul 2, 2013 9:30 AM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments:     lullwater south, feeding
2 species

Green Heron  1
Black Skimmer  3

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14561549

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

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Geese roundup this morning

this mesage was forwarded to me if anybody wishes to keep tabs on the geese issue.

http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f30b9b8b6b96841f3dcf76c40&id=a0395707d9&e=d4b2e1bcad

PBS " American Eagle"

Channel 13 PBS is showing Nature: American Eagle Wednesday at 8 pm.Clips looks spectacular.

Summer's delightful appearance of Black Skimmers July 2nd

For the past week or so, I was hoping to see Black Skimmer during my evening watches of Prospect Lake. It "turns" ( oh that too , terns last night at Three Sisters ,reported by Dennis Hrehowsik , species undetermined) out that my timing was wrong !..

This morning while checking on fence that has been a frequent target by fishermen at the Peninsula , I spotted a lone BLACK SKIMMER working along the south Lullwater south of the Terrace Bridge. When I got to the "pink " beach, it was instead "triplets" ! Three BLACK SKIMMERS graceful flight and all, a sight to see, finally here in the early summer days of Prospect. Its likely this species will come back again now that they have discovered good feeding here at Prospect.Enjoy the spectacle if it is so.

Observers Peter D, Karen O'Hearn, Rob Bate

video cell phone shot by me :

Photos from Karen O'Hearn

Actually make that 3 Black skimmers.seen well frm pink peninsula beach

Pros park: Rare BLACK SKIMMER working Lullwater bet Terr br & rink area

Monday, July 1, 2013

Injured Red tailed hawk in GWC

From Rob Jett :

I'm writing you folks because you are some of the regular birders in Green-Wood Cemetery. I just received word that one of the adult red-tails in GWC appears to have a seriously injured leg (possibly broken). Please keep an eye out for him or her if you are in the cemetery.

If you spot it, and it is in distress (and rescuable) please contact either Sean Casey Rescue: (718) 436-5163 or Bobby & Cathy Horvath: (516) 293-0587

Unfortunately I am away and won't be of any help this week. Please forward this to anyone else who might bird in the cemetery. Thanks, Rob