Rob Jett''s tweet, and Matthew Wills and later myself found the Bush Terminal Park resident COMMON RAVEN pair doing something that likely has never happen in Kings that I know of: nesting behavior. They were observed picking up sticks. Battered by those strong cold winds,I watched the raven pair fly along the pedestrian path and descended; one went towards the salt marsh where it picked thru the jute covering,pulling and tugging at the covering. The other raven landed on the concrete pier,picking up a stick and then dropping it,likely dissatisfied with it. Both eventually flew away towards the warehouses north . This restricted area north of Bush Terminal Park could be the nest potential locale. Birders hope so as it might be the first ever historic nesting of RAVEN in Kings County.
Overshadowed by those Ravens were a number of rarities and a first of season. In Prospect Park,the COMMON REDPOLL lingers on at Lamppost 249 or Well Drive picnic tables. The lake continues to host 4 COMMON MERGANSERs joined by a season first drake HOODED MERGANSER displaying at the west shore.In Greenwood Cemetery,2 AMERICAN WOODCOCK were near the Warrior Path Mulberry Ave intersection (J.Kepler). And my chilling visit where my hands almost froze, within the concrete jetty impoundments,the GLAUCOUS GULL seen on the jetty divide and the RED NECKED GREBE in the west impoundment was spotted diving out of windy harm.
In the south cove, 41 LESSER SCAUP mingled with numerous BUFFLEHEADS.Farther away on the docks, 3 GREAT CORMORANTS perched, their classic white hankerchiefs prominently displayed.A last rarity or i should say uncommon note is a immature BALD EAGLE at Bush Terminal park,scattering the gulls of course, the great raptor heading north according to Matthew.
Yes..spring is slowly coming but winter refuses to let go...