Afternoon report Prospect

Overcast , bleak looking clouds with very light precipitation didn't deter the spirits as RED NECKED GREBE continues on Prospect Lake. My third day sighting before I arrived home, places the grebe to the east of Three Sisters Islands (4 pm). A report from Kathy mentioned many observers thru the day so that's good news as this rarity cooperated by staying.

The other noteworthy hi lights not mentioned in my noontime report regards WOOD DUCKS (WODU) and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. 17 WODU I counted that were visible among the water shoreline snags after I left work.Kathy mentioned 18 so I was close enough.Just a gorgeous spectacle with this brilliant looking duck. Of the RUSTY, I spotted one high in an elm in front of the Binnen Pool gate. Kathy mentioned three seen by the Osage Orange tree with the middle bar.

By the way,with the Upper Pool wood ducks, 3 RING NECKED DUCKS was a surprise to see having not seen this many on the pond all winter (then again,they would have skated on this frozen pond).

Another spectacle to mention was a blackbird flock feeding on the southern Nethermead. It included GRACKLES, RED WINGED BB, and two BROWN COWBIRDS. Also STARLINGS ..so 5 black bird species within the Nethermead boundary would be the correct tally ?  That doesn't happen to often .....

In Kathy,s report note some early spring migrants, BROWN THRASHER,TOWHEE for good sightings.

And a last note: I found out that Shane Blodgett reported PINE WARBLER yesterday in Greenwood Cemetery. So,it won't be long before Prospect sees one soon enough. ( I had about 8 of them in Florida)

Countdown to Spring as I post : 19 hours ,ticking away...........

From Kathy Toomey:

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY Mar 19, 2014 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Protocol: Traveling 2.0 mile(s) 42 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose 59
Mute Swan 4
Wood Duck 18

American Black Duck 1
Mallard 73
 American Black Duck x
Mallard (hybrid) 1
Northern Shoveler 10
 Ring-necked Duck 4

Hooded Merganser 5
Common Merganser 4

Red-breasted Merganser 3
 Ruddy Duck 23 Red-necked Grebe 1

Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Coot 15
Ring-billed Gull 200
Herring Gull 5 Probably more Herrings mixed in with the Ring-billeds
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 2 Eastern Phoebe 1

Blue Jay 12
Black-capped Chickadee 4
 Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 2
American Robin 40
Brown Thrasher 1

Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling X
Eastern Towhee 1
 American Tree Sparrow 2
 Fox Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 18
 White-throated Sparrow 29
Dark-eyed Junco 19
 Northern Cardinal 8
 Red-winged Blackbird 30
Rusty Blackbird 3

Common Grackle 40
House Finch 4
American Goldfinch 20
House Sparrow X