In wooded areas NORTHERN CARDINALS are strutting their stuff in small flocks, most notably at West Island mainland, a flock of 9 mingling with WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. Along the west slope of Quaker Cemetery , just outside the fence, Cardinals there were joined by a different species of sparrow, the FOX SPARROW, 4 individuals trying their best clawing away the leaf clutter. and kicking up the snow cover.
But out on the lawn nearby, at the west edges of the Ballfields near the new construction fence gate, 5 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were under the oak there, pecking away on exposed ground . I haven't seen this species here at this locale before but with snow an issue for hungry birds, any exposed ground becomes game.
Water isn't a problem as long its not frozen. In Prospect Lake, 6 HOODED MERGANSERS are relishing the open water by Three Sisters, 3 pairs hanging out there. A nice sighting in the Upper Pool , though , behind the island , were 4 drake WOOD DUCK.
So for the day impacted by a snowstorm, the snowflakes are falling upon some nice quality birds.
--KB
date = 2014/01/21
site = Prospect Park
observers = Peter D
Northern Shoveler at least 45 Lake
American Black Duck
Canada Goose 161
Wood Duck 4 drake Upper Pool island
Hooded Merganser 6, 3 pairs Three Sisters Islands
Ruddy Duck 2 Lake
Mute Swan 7
Mallard
American Coot 3 Lake
Ring-billed Gull 500 lake
Herring Gull lake
White-throated Sparrow 12 West Island
Fox Sparrow 4 West Quaker Cemetery
Dark-eyed Junco 5 Ballfields west
Northern Cardinal 9 West Island, 7 Quaker Cemetery wwest
Red-winged Blackbird 2 feeders
Rusty Blackbird 5 west Ballfields
House Finch 15 feeders
American Goldfinch 3 feeders
House Sparrow 20 + feeders