Thursday, September 5, 2013

Thursday BBC walk, including "GOS" and Chat

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was reported by the cove near the Audubon Center ( not sure where this is, perhaps on the area west of the Lullwater bridge , asking for more details) on the Thursday BBC walk.

14 species warblers, nothing spectacular was seen in the Rose Garden area which was the hottest spot this morning according to Kathy Toomey who went on the Thursday BBC walk. BROWN THRASHER on the switchback trail by Maryland Monument.

More later,

--KB

Sky watch this week , always a beautiful sight with the crescent moon in the eve sky

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/Crescent-Moon-and-Venus-Put-on-a-Show-222505621.html

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Today's most astounding sighting isn't the Chat but a NORTHERN GOSHAWK seen on Tom Stephenson's Thursday BBC walk, a quite rare bird that flew out of the Midwood. With yesterday's strong cold front and strong winds, its not surprising to see this , the largest Accipitae take wing southward , and to much of the Brooklyn birders delight, pass through Prospect Park.

The YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT  location has been verified as I thought so, the open space to the left of the west end of the Lullwater Bridge ( Boathouse area) if you walk west over the bridge. Its the fenced off area which should be good for fall birds as with today's Chat.

5 flycatcher species, MERLIN and 16 species warblers adds richness to the day's list

An internationally diversified BBC group today including Swedish, Syrian and Tiawanese birders along with the Brooklynites were treated well to great birds today.Just the right day for great birding and a chance to come back again to Kings County.  Three cheers.

From Tom Stephenson :

Hi Peter,
Today we had a great group of about 20 birders including representatives from at least 3 countries: Sweden, Syria and Taiwan...and a fairly birdy park.

We had 63 species include 16 species of warblers and 5 species of flycatchers.
Highlights were
Adult Northern Goshawk that flew out from lower Midwood;
Merlin
Yellow-breasted Chat in new plantings between cove and boathouse;
One sturdy wildflower with 4 species of warblers: Prairie, Blue-winged,  Common Yellowthroat and Magnolia.
Here's the list.

Best regards,
Tom

Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Green Heron
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Osprey
Northern Goshawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Veery
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Blue-winged Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Canada Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Northern Cardinal
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow