First , I scanned the lake as count period still is in effect till tomorrow, and found the Prospect CBC COMMON MERGANSERS threesome of 2 drakes, 1 hen still present on the Lake. First seen near the Peninsula thumb, they moved closer to Three Sisters Islands when I went over to the south Lake shore. While I was at the "Hammerhead Peninsula" the southwest corner of the lake with the two small coves by West Island, a finch flock flew in over my head.They landed in the mature Ash tree, moved around abit whereas the flock perched long enough for me to discern against the contrasting sky PINE SISKINS, 22 birds I hastily counted before they flew off towards West Island. Check your Sweet gum trees ( or even Ash) spots in Prospect as you may see the roving flock.
And just after noon on my lunch hour, I ran into Russ Alderson at the Maryland Monument. He has the very cooperative CLAY COLORED SPARROW on the slope lawn. I didn't see the rare sparrow while I was conversing with Russ but when we departed, I found the sparrow along the road going towards the Nethermead. It was about 100 feet east past the information Kiosk down by that lawn triangle; Or at the east point of that triangle. The CLAY COLORED SPARROW was with some CHIPPING and WHITE THROATED SPARROWS. So this bird is expanding its perimeter not counting its traveling to the Quaker Cemetery or the Peninsula Meadow if you don't see it at the Maryland.
Russ Alderson's report
Nice to see you today. Glad you refound the clay fella.
Begin forwarded message:
From: ebird-checklist@cornell.edu
Date: December 22, 2014 at 2:05:44 PM EST
To:
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Dec 22, 2014
Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Dec 22, 2014 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Penn. in search of CC Sparrow.
33 species
Canada Goose 12
Mallard 12
Northern Shoveler 50
Bufflehead 1
Hooded Merganser 1
Common Merganser 3 Lake. 2M 1F
Ruddy Duck 2
American Coot 4
Ring-billed Gull X
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) X
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 6
Black-capped Chickadee 12
Tufted Titmouse 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 20
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 100
Clay-colored Sparrow 1 Continuing. Brush near Md. Monument.
Fox Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 24
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Heard once
House Finch 10
American Goldfinch 10
House Sparrow X
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20988581
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)