Prospect negative on WETA, but "VR" and a late warbler makes it a good day nevertheless

The search for the Western Tanager (WETA) proved negative today.Despite a diligent search by a number of birders, no luck.This is the third such 1st time western species appearance in Prospect Park in 2013. I believed continental plate shift moved Prospect westward a few degrees longitude, hence why these birds all of a sudden showing up here ... ;)>

However, thru sort of a "Patagonia effect" with more eyes looking , Doug Gochfeld turned up a very rare (VR)  SNOW BUNTING flyover. See the records below as this is only the fourth such sighting in park history.

Furthermore, Heidi Clevens in her search for the rare tanager, found a late BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER by the boathouse, near the Cleft Ridge Span area as I gathered. This is a late bird, just short of the extreme Prospect record 11/24/2006 (obs Mary Eyster) .

Even with the disappointment over the tanager, but the hope its still around and not a "one day wonder", other unexpected rare sightings still makes its an exciting time in "Rarity November"

Records check

Snow Bunting      1     11/21/2013    Breeze Hill

Snow Bunting      2     1/13/2001     Three Sisters  Islands

Snow Bunting      1     11/3/1946     Prospect Park

Snow Bunting      1     2/22/1914     Prospect Park

List from Doug Gochfeld:

Location

Prospect Park, Kings County, New York, US ( Map )

Date and Effort

Thu Nov 21, 2013 8:30 AM

Protocol:

Traveling

Party Size:

1

Duration:

4 hour(s), 45 minute(s)

Distance:

3.0 mile(s)

Observers:

Doug Gochfeld

Species

51 species total

65	Canada Goose
10	Mute Swan
6	Gadwall Upper Pool. Age & Sex Juvenile Immature Adult Age Unknown Male 3 Female 3 Sex Unknown
85	Mallard
187	Northern Shoveler
71	Ruddy Duck
2	Pied-billed Grebe
2	Double-crested Cormorant
2	Great Blue Heron
3	Cooper's Hawk
4	Red-tailed Hawk
18	American Coot
90	Ring-billed Gull
225	Herring Gull
6	Great Black-backed Gull
5	Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
23	Mourning Dove
16	Red-bellied Woodpecker
1	Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
5	Downy Woodpecker
2	Hairy Woodpecker
1	American Kestrel
1	Merlin
1	Peregrine Falcon
1	Blue-headed Vireo *Getting late. Foraging on island between Breeze Hill and Lakeside. Photos.
55	Blue Jay
2	Black-capped Chickadee
10	Tufted Titmouse
3	White-breasted Nuthatch
2	Winter Wren
6	Carolina Wren
14	Hermit Thrush
115	American Robin
4	Northern Mockingbird
45	European Starling
1	American Pipit Calling flyover at Peninsula. Heard only.
1	Snow Bunting **Very rare in Prospect Park. Flyby at the Nethermead, headed towards Long Meadow/Pools. I tried to take diagnostic photos, but both were out of focus. Made rattle call once, after I noticed it. Brief but good view.
1	Chipping Sparrow
6	Fox Sparrow (Red)
12	Song Sparrow
1	Swamp Sparrow On island between Breeze Hill and Lakeside. Calling often, seen once.
50	White-throated Sparrow
11	Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)
28	Northern Cardinal
4	Red-winged Blackbird
1	Common Grackle Silent flyover. Age & Sex Juvenile Immature Adult Age Unknown Male 1 Female Sex Unknown
1	Brown-headed Cowbird Feeding on concrete path behind Boathouse in the morning. Age & Sex Juvenile Immature Adult Age Unknown Male 1 Female Sex Unknown
12	House Finch
4	Purple Finch
52	American Goldfinch
95	House Sparrow