Thursday, August 22, 2013

Prospect, stuff before the rains and in the lull

In one of the rarest warblers to find in parks, especially Prospect, a drab female GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was observed by Tom Stephenson's group BBC walk among a decent influx of warblers. The bird was observed at the north end of the Vale of Cashmere from details I obtained.

 In the storm lull , actually my lunch time, when it was cool and rain stopped,I found 6 warbler species inside the brushy slope patch that was newly planted in the spring, adjacent to the dirt track west of Butterfly Meadow. Out popped a BLUE-WINGED (also seen earlier in the meadow), a very cooperative CHESTNUT-SIDED and OVENBIRD WARBLERS. An adult male AMERICAN REDSTART was delightful to look at with a hyperactive female Redstart in and around the meadow. 

 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES are in full force , feeding on Green-headed Coneflower buds  http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=RULA3  or  Cupflower (of aster genera) buds ( http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/cupplantx.htm ) in Butterfly Meadow, their ubiquitous presence a reliable sight now in late summer. Two vireo species, RED-EYED and WARBLING hung around the north path leading from Arleen's Pines.

 Great also to see were two RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS, in tandem feeding on the budleia butterfly bush at the west end of Butterfly Meadow as well as chasing after its alter ego. I also saw this hummer species also at the north end of the Vale of Cashmere while it was raining hopeful to see the Golden winged Warbler;  but GRAY CATBIRDS was relishing the wet weather, always flying from tree to tree above the Vale Pool. What did you guys did with the Golden winged ? scare it away ?   ;(

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 Peter s report

 
date = 2013/08/22
site = Prospect Park
observers = Peter

Mute Swan lake
Mallard Upper Pool 11
Red-tailed Hawk On Long Meadow lawn across from Nellies Lawn; likely with prey
Rock Pigeon 
Mourning Dove 
Chimney Swift 
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3; 2 Butterfly Meadow, tandem; 1 north end Vale Cashmere pool
Downy Woodpecker Butterfly Meadow
Northern Flicker Vale Cashmere
Eastern Kingbird Butterfly Meadow
Warbling Vireo Lookout Hill north path
Red-eyed Vireo Butterfly Meadow
Blue Jay Butterfly Meadow
Barn Swallow 
Black-capped Chickadee Butterfly Meadow
House Wren Butterfly Meadow slope above, tree pit
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Butterfly Meadow
American Robin 
Gray Catbird 5
European Starling 
Cedar Waxwing Butterfly Meadow west slope
Yellow Warbler Butterfly Meadow
American Redstart 3 ;Butterfly Meadow west slope, dirt track ; 2 same spot Nw Pin oak, adult male
Black-and-white Warbler Butterfly Meadow west slope, dirt track 
Ovenbird Butterfly Meadow west slope, dirt track 
Common Yellowthroat Butterfly Meadow west slope, dirt track 
Chestnut-sided Warbler Butterfly Meadow west slope, dirt track 
Blue-winged Warbler Butterfly Meadow west slope, dirt track 
Northern Waterthrush 
Song Sparrow 2 Butterfly Meadow west slope
Northern Cardinal 6; 3 Butterfly Meadow west slope, dirt track 
Red-winged Blackbird Upper Pool meadow
Orchard Oriole seen yesterday afternoon, Binnen Pool
American Goldfinch ~12 Butterfly Meadow, feeding on Cupflower buds
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