Something to look forward to ....

Prospect Park's Ballfields # 6  & 7 are closed off for renovation... The southwest section of the park ballfields should be an interesting autumn spot with the protection it now offers even as construction is in progress. The chain link fence is itself a preferable cover for sparrows and open space birds within ...

Something to look forward to....

governors island article

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/05/16/adriaan-geuzes-governors-island

Wrecked By Superstorm Sandy, Conservationists Work To Restore Migratory Birds' Refuge | WAMC

http://wamc.org/post/wrecked-superstorm-sandy-conservationists-work-restore-migratory-birds-refuge#stream/0

Sent from my MetroPCS 4G Wireless Phone

Fwd: eBird Report - Prospect Park, May 28, 2016

Last BBC spring walk

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dennis Hrehowsik <deepseagangster@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, May 28, 2016 at 10:33 PM
Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Prospect Park, May 28, 2016
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>

Peter,

The final walk of the season saw beautiful weather but low numbers of birds. Fifteen birders obs Willow Flycatcher, female Blackburnian and great crested flycatcher for a total of 42 species. Thanks to everyone for a fun season, see you in the fall.

Dennis


Begin forwarded message:

From: ebird-checklist@cornell.edu
Date: May 28, 2016 at 10:26:20 PM EDT
To: deepseagangster@gmail.com
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, May 28, 2016

Prospect Park, Kings, New York, US
May 28, 2016 7:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
42 species

Canada Goose  2
Mute Swan  4
Mallard  4
Ruddy Duck  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Laughing Gull  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
Mourning Dove  3
Chimney Swift  12
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Willow Flycatcher  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  1
Warbling Vireo  5
Red-eyed Vireo  3
Black-capped Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  2
House Wren  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
American Robin  45
Gray Catbird  5
European Starling  25
Cedar Waxwing  5

 Blackburnian wArbler 1

Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  3
Blackpoll Warbler  4
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  5
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Baltimore Oriole  5
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  12

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29961830

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Tweet from Joshua Malbin (@JoshMalbinBirds)

Joshua Malbin (@JoshMalbinBirds) tweeted at 9:29 AM on Sun, May 29, 2016:
Alder Flycatcher just heard three times clearly on slope of Lookout opposite Quaker
(https://twitter.com/JoshMalbinBirds/status/736912319893131264?s=03)

Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download?s=13

Fwd: June 8th Screening of Saving Jamaica Bay Doc.

-----Original Message-----
From: American Littoral Society <manclarke@gmail.com>
To: prosbird <prosbird@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, May 18, 2016 3:29 pm
Subject: June 8th Screening of Saving Jamaica Bay Doc.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Celebrate World Oceans Day with a Special Screening of Saving Jamaica Bay June 8 marks World Oceans Day -- a global day of ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future. We are incredibly excited to mark this important day with a special screening of Saving Jamaica Bay at the one-and-only New York Aquarium, in partnership with New York City Council Members Mark Treyger and Jimmy Van Bramer, along with New York City Audubon and the American Littoral Society.  The undersea world is the beating heart of Jamaica Bay, and after many years of hard work and advocacy, the bay's waters are cleaner and healthier than they have been in generations. We are looking forward to celebrating this progress with a very special evening at the Aquarium. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for drinks and hors d'oeuvres, you can meet the cast and crew, watch a fantastic film at sunset --- and there will be a sea lion show, too! Your ticket price of $20 will also help support the great work that the New York Aquarium does to protect our natural world.  Get your tickets here The New York Aquarium is located at 602 Surf Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn, just steps away from the F, Q, N and D subway stations. Paid parking will also be available. Click here to view the official trailer! We look forward to celebrating World Oceans Day with you on June 8th!  American Littoral Society  American Littoral Society          littoralsociety.org       Caring for the Coast Since 1961

American Littoral Society | 28 West 9th Rd | | | Broad Channel | | 11693 | 718-474-0896 This email was sent to prosbird@aol.com by manclarke@gmail.com Update Profile/Email Address | Privacy Policy Unsubscribe

[eBird Alert] Kings Rare Bird Alert - prosbird@gmail.com - Gmail

ebird-alert@cornell.edu

10:57 AM (7 hours ago)

to
*** Species Summary:

- Alder Flycatcher (1 report)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <hourly> Kings Rare Bird Alert.The report below shows observations of rare birds in Kings.  View or unsubscribe to this alert at http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum) (1)
- Reported May 26, 2016 09:16 by Isaac Grant
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6602841,-73.9689534&ll=40.6602841,-73.9689534
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29916676
- Comments: "Singing and seen at tip of peninsula. Right near widen structure."

***********

You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's Kings Rare Bird Alert

Photos: A Brooklyn Navy Yard Cemetery Has Become A Park: Gothamist

http://gothamist.com/2016/05/26/brooklyn_navy_yard_cemetery_park.php#photo-7

Red Tailed Hawk chick

News from Matthew Wills

A fledgling RED-TAILED HAWK was observed on the fire escape nest yesterday in the Gowanus Canal neighborhood, a surprise location but great to see this event . The nest building was observed way back in March, first reported by Michele Dreger.

The nest location is kept quiet for obvious reasons....

photo'd by Matthew Wills

Prospect Park in the news, cash help

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/25/nyregion/overhauling-8-parks-new-york-seeks-to-create-more-inviting-spaces.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fnyregion&action=click&contentCollection=nyregion&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=1

why grasslands & open space is disappearing ?

Yet unopened Fresh Kills Park in Staten Island, slated to become one of the largest open space areas in the NY Metro area, but unfortunately if the ill conceived and ecologically deficient folks have their way, some dumb proposals always comes up. Read On

http://ny.curbed.com/2016/3/23/11292554/staten-island-freshkills-world-fair

Paul Keim art gallery show dates May31st-June 28th

On Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/events/1684075515186284/

Reminder Tonight

Broooklyn Bird Club Program 

Birdwatching in New York City and on Long Island

Presenters: Deborah Rivel and Kellye Rosenheim

7 pm.  

see link

 http://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/meetings.htm

@BobbiInBrooklyn: BBC Tuesday walk canceled due to rain. Thanks all for a great spring. See you in The Fall m.twitter.com/BobbiInBrooklyn

Kings Birdathon day total bird species

Thanks to Chris Elliot passing on this info, Kings really had a BIG DAY, 158 species!

http://ebird.org/ebird/subnational2/US-NY-047?yr=BIGDAY_2016a

Fwd: Brooklyn Bird Club Meeting Tuesday, May 24

TUESDAY MAY 24TH BBC MEETING NOTICE

Sent from AOL Mobile Mail


-----Original Message-----
From: membership <membership@brooklynbirdclub.org>
To: membership <membership@brooklynbirdclub.org>
Sent: Sun, May 22, 2016 04:15 PM
Subject: Brooklyn Bird Club Meeting Tuesday, May 24


Dear member,

Please join us for the upcoming meeting on Tuesday, May 24 at the Brooklyn Public Library central branch at Grand Army Plaza.

Tuesday, May 24thth, 7:00 P.M.

Birdwatching in New York City and on Long Island

Presenters: Deborah Rivel and Kellye Rosenheim

Deborah Rivel and Kellye Rosenheim will present their new guide, Birdwatching in New York City and on Long Island. This easy-to-use guide gives seasonal information and precise directions to the best birdwatching locations in NYC and Long Island

Deborah is an avid bird photographer and award winning independent wildlife film producer/director and has traveled to six continents in search of birds. Kellye began birdwatching in Central Park and is currently the Development Director for NYC Audubon.

Hope to see you there!

Brooklyn Bird Club

Fwd: Grosbeak photo

You really think a rose breasted grosbeak is beautiful? Check out the rest of the bird, an astounding display , photographed by Ryan Candee this month.. Simply awesome!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ryan Candee <ryanacandee@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, May 18, 2016 at 6:35 AM
Subject: Grosbeak photo
To: "prosbird@gmail.com" <prosbird@gmail.com>

quiet northwest passage

A few unexpected sightings this morning on an otherwise dead birding day. With very few birds around in Prospect Park,waterbirds in the tern family created a little stir of excitement.

The first  unexpected sighting regarded  the sterna species.The sighting happened as I was at the path edge with great views of the lake, Lookout Hill' s middle path. Hoping to find slope songbirds which was nil, instead I caught sight of two COMMON TERNS flying in a northwest direction. Both birds showed the dark bold underwing tip edges. ; I had an excellent eye level view of the birds.

Then mid morning hours birding with Ryan Candee whose hearing I profited from, two high flying rychops species BLACK SKIMMERS vocalized as they too flew northwesterly. I caught sight of them as I walked to the Peninsula thumb shoreline as the birds flew over Prospect Lake.. I could see the large birds with wide slim long wings ,flying fluidly or with smooth gracefulness, rocking sort of at each downstroke. Typically we get this species at dusk on the lake from the Rockaway colony, but migrants are unusually rare.Its a good thing Ryan was along to hear them calling to verify the sighting.According to Sibley's,of skimmers " ...flight also distinctive: graceful and buoyant,with slow beats of long broad wings, wingbeats mainly above the body..."

Also unexpected, we both saw a WHITE BREASTED NUTHATCH at the Peninsula thumb. I suspect a breeding bird that I hope another birder will confirm. Meanwhile WARBLING VIREOS are present well. We saw some warblers here,namely YELLOW,BLACKPOLL,REDSTART, and MAGNOLIA.

Another species to watch out for is BLUE GRAY GNATCATCHER. Spotted high in tree canopy just west of the Maryland Monument, it has bred in the park a few times, last year at Lullwater cove..

Prospect after a very productive migration sleeps with birds very few and inactive. So, don't suffer any post migration blues ..yet.

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/email?subID=S29813113

They all exited...

The good numbers all exited overnight, an urgent exodus of migrating birds. Today was slow according to observers even as they counted different species warblers . I noted the paucity of birds even as I worked today.

Just a few reports I heard from birders in the park. Rafael Campos , birding extraordinaire, recorded only 8 species warblers. Sandy Paci mentioned a hot pocket in the Peninsula, 11 warblers species, and very likely a overhead Cuckoo species.I also ran into Ryan Goldberg who posted the highest warbler numbers, early this morning on Lookout Hill's low southern slope, along the middle path, 14 species warblers. He found a pair of CAPE MAY WARBLERS at the low switchback trail head . Also seen was BAY BREASTED WARBLER. I found a cooperative CANADA WARBLER in the middle Ravine, a nice specimen.That's about it.

A western PALM WARBLER appears on Birdtrax, observed by Karen OHearn;the same be said of ACADIAN FLYCATCHER seen by Ryan.

For thrushes, two species you expect this late in the season. Both SWAINSONS and GRAY CHEEKED,the latter in the Ravine along the creek.

NO SATURDAY BBC WALK 5/21

From Bbc facebook

There will be no Saturday Spring Series Migration walk tomorrow morning as I will be leading a trip to Doodle Town.

Please join us next week Sat May 28 for the final walk in the series.

If you have been working on your vocalizations you should have no trouble finding a Kentucky. The park is lousy with them 😺

Dennis

the rest of those good birds..

In the euphoria of Kentucky warbler watching, other good birds were woefully neglected to mention.But that's the spellbinding effect the rare warbler has in overshadowing those good quality birds.

First for starters, let's start with HOODED WARBLER. There were actually two  Hooders in Prospect! First a female was reported by Phil Pane, seen at the back gate of garage woods. In the glacial pothole to the left of the exit, the female  was overshadowed by the first Kentucky warbler at West Woods. I went to look for it,still my spring nemesis warbler. Then in late afternoon, the male HOODED WARBLER reappeared in the Ravine,along the creek. Most times I would after work  go through the Ravine;I neglected that chance and missed out.

Speaking of the Ravine, The Hooded warbler founder Kathy Toomey and friends found a SUMMER TANAGER in the same spot,close by at Ambergill.WORM EATING WARBLER again showed up, a hangover from yesterday, again Kathy and friends the lucky birders.

Then there was ACADIAN FLYCATCHER around 1 pm. A singing bird, it was spotted by Dennis H near the Lookout Hill mulch trail, presumably the switchback trail.

By the way, Richard Payne reported yesterday YELLOW BELLIED FLYCATCHER. This boreal species qualifies as rare, a gorgeous little empidonax among my favorites.. The middle to end of May is best peak for flycatchers.

And today I had two GRAY CHEEKED THRUSHES. I am going to call them Gray cheekeds till miraculously my hearing improves...

On birdtrax over there to the left,Isaac Grant reported PHILADELPHIA VIREO.

But so much for Kentucky Warblers having all the glory... 😄

Fwd: Kentucky Warbler from Gus Keri

Sent from AOL Mobile Mail


-----Original Message-----
From: Gus Keri <guskeri@aol.com>
To: prosbird <prosbird@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, May 19, 2016 05:23 PM
Subject: Kentucky Warbler

Hi Peter,

As per your request, I am sending you the video of the first Kentucky Warbler at the West Wood.

Also I am sending two photos of the two Kentucky Warblers (at the West Wood and the Lookout Hill).

Gus

Fwd: Kentucky warbler photos from Peter Colen

Prairie Warbler

Sent from AOL Mobile Mail


-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Colen <peter.colen@gmail.com>
To: prosbird <prosbird@aol.com>
Cc: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>
Sent: Thu, May 19, 2016 06:48 PM
Subject: Kentucky man...

I got quite a few shots of that bird. It just walked within 10 feet towards us. He is singing in one shot. I think I know what he is thinking about.

--

petercolenphotography.com

prospect is an old kentucky home...

A fantastic day for the "bluegrass" as KENTUCKY WARBLER (KEWA) made its pompous spring debut , their overdue arrival in Prospect Park. And to top it off, lighting strikes twice, as two KENTUCKYs showed off themselves , one more true to the skulky nature, but the second bird tame and cooperative beyond expectations. And we have to thank Steve Nanz for both sightings, leading the Brooklyn Bird Club on the last Thursday walk of the spring.

This morning as I was rushing to get to work by 7 am , waking up late, I arrived ,sat down at my work computer, turned on my phone and saw a text message from Steve. It said: "Kentucky warbler 50 yards north of the Picnic House at old snag". There's nothing I could do till 730 when I get out into the field. When the time arrived, I took a ride over there and found several birders at the fence of the West Wood planting restoration area. Talking to Ed Crowne, he mentioned I was better off over with the group by the path. I head over to the path that runs along the west fence and found Steve Nanz's BBC group. They had just seen the KENTUCKY WARBLER quite close perched in a Tulip tree sapling , but it now dropped down into grasses. Then a shout , I turned my head to lip read Ryan Candee to see what he was saying, and I read "Kentucky Warbler perched in the dead low branches of the big limb of the big tree: I looked for the bird , found the dead branches, scanned downward and there's the Kentucky Warbler singing away !  ( I can tell it was singing because I could beak read the beaks moving ). About thirty seconds look, I was satisfied as well as many others given this bird's cooperative gift. 

Awesome !!

But thats not all. A second KENTUCKY WARBLER figured it could do better than the first. Again, the beneficiaries Steve Nanz's BBC group spotting the Kentucky at Lookout Hill's northwest slope trail, a bird attracted to a termite hatch out. This circumstance produced spectacular looks of a tame bird that at times came out unto the mulch dirt trail . Long story short, many observers benefited terrific looks of this KENTUCKY for a long time , quite content for these birders getting a fantastic show as the bird came in and out of the shadows into the light. One of the best looks of the species I've had in my many decades birding Prospect.

One last note. There possibly might be two Kentuckys at the Lookout Hill termite spot; if so , then three of the KEWA species revealed themselves today in Prospect. I asked bird photographer Janet Zinn to send me the photos , maybe some distinguishing features might prove the case.

The Lookout Hill KEWA spot is on the trail just beyond the fork of the woods mid slope dirt trail south from the northwest stairs up from Center Drive near the intersection at West Drive.The second bird lingered along this trail at the lip of the lower slope above the bridle trail.It hung mostly near the fallen logs that had the termite hatch out.

As far as I know, two Kentucky Warblers today made Prospect Park their old Kentucky home.

I hope to get some photos for a gallery later for the blog.

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29778644

Peter

BBC 

2nd kentucky warbler

Lookout hill 2nd kentucky warbler at termte hatchout. Go up nw steps,turn right on mulch midslope trail ,past fork n 150 feet. Rt side at ddead log.tame n cooprative

KENTUCKY WARBLER PROSPECT

Kentucky warbler 50 yds north of picnic house right side of tile path near large snag on long meadow side per steve nanz

Migration tail end

We unfortunately are nearing the end of the peak migration. But there is still stuff to see. Like MOURNING WARBLER, GRAY CHEEKED THRUSHES,BICKNELLS THRUSH and common warblers.

Topping the day is the continuing MOURNING WARBLER. Yesterday's bird was found today by Rafael Campos in the past weekend Least Bittern spot, the "No mans land" between the Rose Garden and the Compost Yard next to the Zoo. The big Willow Oak and Tulip Tree designates the site.

Then comes reports of GRAY CHEEKED THRUSHES of which one may be a BICKNELL'S THRUSH. Long Island Pat Palladino reported 7 GRAY CHEEKEDS in the Park today.

Warblers are found in the right spots. For example, at the Ambergill Bird Pool, a WILSONS & CANADA WARBLER appeared . Along with them , MAGNOLIA-the most common species today--in a number of spots. Rob Bate saw the pair of CAPE MAY WARBLERS in the Kusa Dogwood tree in the center of the Vale Cashmere Pool while the Goats Bleated....Also of note, WORM EATING WARBLER spotted by Linda Ewing at the Ambergill Pool, a good one given the date. NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH  and more MAGNOLIAs in the Peninsula. So the season hasn't ended yet. There's still more birding toward the end of the month but numbers will drop as the shift to breeding grounds commences.

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29758846

posts from nysbirds more details


Subject: Mourning warbler Prospect Park
From: Rob Bate <robsbate@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 11:41:57 -0400
X-Message-Number: 5

Raphael Campos redoing the Mourning Warbler shortly before noon. It is in the same area where the Least Bittern was seen a few days ago south of the Rose Garden in an "Aurelia Grove" behind a transformer "tombstone" near a huge tulip tree and willow Oak. 

Rob Bate 
Brooklyn



Subject: Bicknell's and Hooded Warbler - Prospect Park Peninsula
From: Pat Palladino <dino1277@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 16:00:29 +0000
X-Message-Number: 7

In addition to the Bicknell's Thrush, a female Hooded Warbler was foraging in the Peninsula this morning.

Pat Palladino

Subject: Bicknell's Thrush in Prospect Park
From: Joshua Malbin <joshuamalbin@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 06:48:13 -0400
X-Message-Number: 2

A Bicknell's Thrush found yesterday by Rob Jett was still present and
singing this morning in Prospect Park, on the lefthand paved path of the
peninsula, about halfway between the pink beach and where the paths
converge.