The BLUE GROSBEAK continues on Lookout Hill according to Keir Randall. This morning it was seen on the slope between the Summit and Butterfly Meadows. That spot is lush with flowers & newly planted trees.
I only had time birding after work. Not expecting much, nevertheless I had hope. Straight on for the grosbeak spot, which I didn't see the rarity grosbeak, yet a wonderful sighting anyway for a warbler. Among the snakeroot flowers, a really handsome male WILSON's WARBLER is visiting a number of the flowers,the Wilson's great looking cap astounding ( with no team logo though) .With it, as well, is cool looking COMMON YELLOWTHROAT doing the same, though I think it has different taste going instead among the weeds. A EASTERN WOOD PEWEE perched on the uprooted tree, close and providing great views.
Since I heard the Peninsula was good the other day, I decided going there. From the tip , I see the BELTED KINGFISHER, a great bird to see, perched on low water branch at Duck Island; its not flying but actually jumping off into the water for its hunt. It did this several times, then flew a few feet for a splash.
But high above, I could see the distinctive profile of an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, perched atop one of the Duck Island snags.
Continuing on, the other terrific bird revealed itself on the "thumb", in the upper reaches of one of the cherries, CAPE MAY WARBLER. Bright yellow breast with deeply marked streaks, I got 15 seconds quality time watching it in that heavy foliage.
On the way out, the back of the Peninsula Meadow, a single EASTERN PHOEBE was busy catching flies. I think this is my first fall bird, obviously a horde of them coming ?
For a slow day, quiet all around, and particularly my end of the day tour, I'll take whatever.
The Brooklyn Bird Club went out this morning , led by Ed C. I wondered how they all fared? list anyone ?
date = 2013/09/20
site = Prospect Park
observers = Peter D
Double-crested Cormorant Lake Black-crowned Night-Heron Juv Duck Island Great Egret Rink shoreline Great Blue Heron f/o 9/18 Northern Shoveler at least 2 Three Sisters Islands Canada Goose Mute Swan 5 south Lake Mallard Herring Gull Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Chimney Swift flyovers Belted Kingfisher first Duck Island, flew to 3 Sisters Downy Woodpecker Peninsula sumacs Northern Flicker 2 Empid Flycatcher Traills Eastern Phoebe Peninsula back meadow Olive-sided Flycatcher distant view perched atop Duck Island snag. Eastern Wood-Pewee Lookout Meadows middle slope House Wren American Robin Veery Switchback trail Gray Catbird 2 European Starling American Redstart 4 Black-and-white Warbler 3 Ovenbird Peninsula shore Cape May Warbler Peninsula thumb Magnolia Warbler Peninsula meadow Wilson's Warbler gorgeous male, Lookout Meadows middle slope , feeding on snakeroot Indigo Bunting juvenile Well Drive slope by dirt mounds American Goldfinch 10 Butterfly Meadow House Sparrow 20 Peninsula meadow
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From Ed Crowne leading BBC walk
Hi, PeterFrom about 7:20 to noon we tallied 50 species by my count, including 14 species of warblers. Sadly, no Blue Grosbeak for us. Perhaps the peregrine soaring over Lookout had something to do with it.Bobbi headed for Lookout after noon with a few of our participants, so maybe they saw the B. Grosbeak and others to be added.Best regards,Ed
