Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Evening Program Tonight

Brookyln Bird Club FIREFLIES

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

AT Grand Army Plaza Main Library  1st floor

Tuesday, June 28th, 7:00 P.M.
The Wondrous World of Fireflies
Presenter: Sarah Lewis
Sara Lewis will present her research on the evolutionary role of the flashing lights of fireflies, which is detailed in her new book: Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies Sara’s talk will be followed by an evening walk in search of fireflies. 

Sara is a professor of Biology at Tufts University and has presented her fascination with fireflies in a popular TED  talk. http://www.ted.com/talks/sara_lewis_the_loves_and_lies_of_fireflies

Monday, June 27, 2016

Minor sightings Prospect

On work rounds this morning, seen

-- Cedar Waxwings on Duck Island

-- WOOD THRUSH at the west end of Boulder Bridge , upper Ravine

Of latest , spotted in the Greenwood Cemetery  or nearby Bush Terminal Park: RED BREASTED NUTHATCH, COMMON RAVEN, & BLACK VULTURE ( birdtrax)

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Sun, Jun 26, 2016 at 2:44 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:


*** Species Summary:

- Black Vulture (1 report)
- Common Raven (1 report)

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

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) (1)
- Reported Jun 26, 2016 10:15 by The Wildlab
- Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6523083,-73.9904281&ll=40.6523083,-73.9904281
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30401312
- Comments: "Flew over low, flapping frequently. Large raptor with short tail, all-black with white flashes on base of primaries."

Common Raven (Corvus corax) (2)
- Reported Jun 26, 2016 10:15 by The Wildlab
- Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6523083,-73.9904281&ll=40.6523083,-73.9904281
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30401312
- Comments: "2 flew from west to east, calling their croaking calls.  Large Corvid with wedge-shaped tail. Have been reported nesting in nearby Sunset Park recently."

***********

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

Manage your eBird alert subscriptions:
http://ebird.org/ebird/alerts

Friday, June 24, 2016

Fwd: Brooklyn Bird Club Meeting Tuesday, June 28

FYI BBC post Facebook



-----Original Message-----
From: membership <membership@brooklynbirdclub.org>
To: membership <membership@brooklynbirdclub.org>
Sent: Fri, Jun 24, 2016 10:15 am
Subject: Brooklyn Bird Club Meeting Tuesday, June 28


Tuesday, June 28th, 7:00 P.M. Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch at Grand Army Plaza

The Wondrous World of Fireflies

Presenter: Sarah Lewis

Sara Lewis will present her research on the evolutionary role of the flashing lights of fireflies, which is detailed in her new book: Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies Sara's talk will be followed by an evening walk in search of fireflies. Please bring a small flashlight!

Sara is a professor of Biology at Tufts University and has presented her fascination with fireflies in a popular TED talk. http://www.ted.com/talks/sara_lewis_the_loves_and_lies_of_fireflies
Silent Sparks

Thursday, June 23, 2016

RBNU


Red-breasted Nuthatch just inside prosectpark at 16th st per Steve Nanz


Monday, June 20, 2016

wood ducks family in Prospect

7 Wood Duck chicks out with mom on Upper Pool in Brooklyn's Prospect Park

Fwd: Ravens again





-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew Wills <matthewwills@earthlink.net>
To: prosbird <prosbird@aol.com>
Sent: Mon, Jun 20, 2016 8:12 am
Subject: Ravens again


This was first definitive sighting of the Ravens since the big day, 6/3. About 7 a.m. this morning, five flying along edge of Sunset Park towards harbor; one vocalizing. One was on top of St. Michael's briefly, others swirling around. They hung out on edge of the same white warehouse building on 39th between 4th and 3rd, then two took off southwards, followed by another, leaving two for a while before they too flew, in same direction.

M

Happy Summer Solstice


June Solstice in New York, New York, USA is on
Monday, June 20, 2016 at 6:34 PM EDT



Saturday, June 18, 2016

Barclays Center green

Who would've thunk it? Barclays Center sports arena putting in a green roof ! Downtown Brooklyn





Sent from my MetroPCS 4G Wireless Phone

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Fwd: Free Summer Solstice Concerts - Tuesday, June 21!

Note empahsis on bird species...at Brooklyn Botanic Garden



-----Original Message-----
From: Brooklyn Botanic Garden <enews@bbg.org>
To: Pdorosh 
Sent: Wed, Jun 15, 2016 5:37 pm
Subject: Free Summer Solstice Concerts - Tuesday, June 21!




View this email with images.






Inside the Bird Chorus
Tuesday, June 21 | Dawn (5 a.m.) and Dusk (8 p.m.)

Join the Garden in marking the summer solstice with two special performances presented as part of Make Music New York, a free, citywide annual music celebration.

Inside the Bird Chorus was conceived by composer-clarinetist David Rothenberg as a dialogue between improvising musicians and native bird species. Performances will take place at dawn and dusk, prime birdsong hours, and naturalist Bradley Klein will be on hand to lead bird walks at 6 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Admission is free. Preregistration is required to attend.
 
This email has been sent to: Pdorosh@aol.com.

Copyright © 2016 BBG
Privacy Policy | Contact BBG
BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN
1000 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225
718-623-7200
bbg.org


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Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Volunteer event

Inline image 1

On Saturday, June 25th we will be clearing the Boathouse/Lullwater area of the watercourse.

We will scan the shoreline for items harmful to wildlife such as improperly discarded fishing line, barbed hooks, lead sinkers, plastic bags, glass, bottles, bottle caps and six-pack rings, string, charcoal and other trash.   

Come Join Us!

WhenSaturday, June 25th
 
Time:   10:00am-12:30pm (please arrive at 9:45am as we gather supplies)

Where: - Meet at the Audubon Center/Boathouse



*VOLUNTEER APPLICATION*-
For those who have not yet completed a volunteer application, you can do it right online!   Children under 14 may join us if they are accompanied by an adult. For volunteers between the ages of 14-17, you must submit a signed parental consent form. This can be found in the link below as well.
 

We are looking for 15 fabulous folks who care about wildlife and want to make a difference!
If you are fabulous (and we know you are) love wildlife and would like to join us, please RSVP to this email :)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WILDforProspectPark Inline image 1

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

He Grabs A Poison Ivy Plant With His Bare Hand, And Reveals A Brilliant Way To Prevent Rashes

http://m.wimp.com/how-to-prevent-poison-ivy-rash/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=video/

evening lakewatch


About this time , I go on a birding break. The migration takes a toll at times on top of work week and also its good to simply take a break from chasing or even put down this bins  for awhile. But for a brief spell, with just the littlest bins I own, the lakewatch is soothing to watch in the early to late evenings at Prospect Lake.

First thing I saw are the Chimney Swifts. They fly fast in a zippy doodah fashion. Some of them come down and splash the water surface, picking away for bugs.In the distance, I also saw a GREAT EGRET on Duck Island. It eventually moved to Three Sisters, then flew out about ten minutes later,over the western trees.


On tonight's very calm lake,the two drake RUDDY DUCKS continue their peaceful presence,not a ripple from their bodies.

One thing I noted in Junes are the numbers of CEDAR WAXWINGS around. I watched about four or five doing their zippy to and fro flights to various tree perches.I just know the species even from that distance from the west shore. Then for the hope of seeing maybe skimmer , none showing up tonight, I headed home, while the moon , the alpha star Antares - Scorpius "eye"--low in the southern sky and Jupiter to the west hung over as the brightest celestial objects in the clear darkening sky.


Sunday, June 12, 2016

Ruddy Duck & Night herons

Last night, two RUDDY DUCK drakes were close to the shore of Prospect Lake. Rare seasonally  for the park, perhaps they are spending summer vacation here.A single bird has been hanging out here for a week I believed:finally some company for the bird.

While enjoying the clouds beyond the lake, some spectacular shapes and sunset illuminated,  I observed two directionless BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERONS flew several circles over the lake. Where were they going? Its anybody' s guess.

Other news has been the typical bird species expected in Prospect.Yesterday a pair of GADWALL at the Boathouse is notable. Check the link above Prospect checklist for the latest species.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Hooded Warbler in Prospect

Still some late stuff coming in

Hooded Warbler reported on Birdtrax by the Honigs

Dunno where tho

Update
Update





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 Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina) (1) -

Reported Jun 07, 2016 10:00 by Bob &/or Maggie Honig - 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=S30122776 - Media: 1 Audio - Comments: "Along the Ravine. Heard only. Heard singing for at least 5 min; recording of 2 songs made after it happened to move closer; then it moved off a bit to the west where I still heard it singing, albeit faint, as I left the site."

Follow up Ravens nesting at Bush Terminal

Gus Keri wrote me the likelihood of Ravens nesting last year. Having observed the family of Ravens on a rooftop, one being fed by the parent . See Gus' photos attached and video if it plays. So, this would be the second straight year of a Raven Nest in Brooklyn. Good history continues....

from Gus


Peter,

I saw one of the birds feeding two other birds. I assumed they are fledgling.
If I knew this was important, I would  have gotten a better video of the feeding process.
But you can still see in the short video that one bird brought something in its mouth and then flew off.
Their behaviors looked to me like a family of two adults and two fledglings.

Gus 

Here are more photos of the Raven's family at Bush Terminal from last year, taken on July 23rd 2015.

Hi Peter,

I read your post about the Ravens today. I don't think it's the first year they have a nest in Brooklyn. Last year, although I didn't see the nest, I believe there ware fledglings that suggest that they have nested near Bush Terminal.

I saw a family of two adults and 2 fledglings on the top of the building near the soccer field, and I could see one of the adults feeding the fledglings.

I recorded this video while the feeding was taking place. An Adult Raven brought food to one of the fledglings and then flew away to bring more food.

Gus

being fed


Video posted later once it downloads ( large)

Monday, June 6, 2016

Fwd: Green-Wood Cemetery




Sent from my MetroPCS 4G Wireless Phone


-------- Original message --------
From: "O. Tilevitz" <tilevlaw@gmail.com>
Date:06/06/2016 5:32 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@aol.com>
Cc:
Subject: Green-Wood Cemetery

Highlights were left-over warblers and an osprey:over the Sylvan Water

Song sparrow
American robin
Northern mockinbird
Red-bellied woodpecker
Common yellowthroat
Eastern kingbird
American redstart
Warbling vireo
Hous sparrow
House wren
Cedar waxwing (many)
Yellow warbler
European starling
Gray catbird
Black crowned night heron (adult and juvenile)
Great egret
Blackpoll warbler
Osprey
Mallard duck
Canada goose
Chimney swift
Mourning dove
Red-winged blackbird
White-breasted nuthatach

warm day observations in Prospect

During my work morning, a few things of note on this warm post migration day.

During a stop at the rink ( Lakeside), I happened to look up and see an  OSPREY flying up and down the southern Lullwater. Very likely I would think maybe the nesting Osprey of Bush Terminak given its proximity.

At Maryland Monument while I took care of invasive maples, a female ORCHARD ORIOLE appeared, a good sign of a breeding bird. We had nesting Orchards in the past here.

Then I ran into Ed Crowne. During the break, Ed mentioned he heard a soft singing MOURNING WARBLER in the MIdwood yesterday.Unfortunately, while waiting for the bird to hopefully appear, two large offleashed dogs disturbed the site and bye bye Mourning.Its critical folks keep dogs leashed in wooded areas as Park rules dictated in the second paragraph of the link

https://www.prospectpark.org/visit-the-park/general-info/rules-and-safety/dog-walking/


Dangerous bus shelters

This is a priority issue. The same situation occurred at Grand Army Plaza 5 years ago ( when 5 Hermit thrushes died at Plaza St /Vanderbilt Ave shelter) and at that time ( as President of the Brooklyn Bird Club) , spurred me into writing to the NYC MTA about it.They referred it to the NYC DOT . The letter I wrote fell on deaf ears.

These shiny glass panels reflect the surrounding greenery fooling birds  into a clear path. Whats needed is ultraviolet taping in zigzag or odd arrangement or even frosted strips to help birds see the danger.

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160603/greenpoint/city-bus-shelter-blamed-for-countless-bird-deaths

Raven nysbirds post

Fri Jun 3, 2016 10:00 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Matthew Wills"
I've just been observing five Common Ravens on a building on 39th St. between 3rd and 4th Avenues in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Fish Crows on the offensive alerted me to their presence and I hustled down from the home office on 6th Ave to confirm what were obviously much larger corvids from 2.5 long avenues away. Spent several minutes observing of trio of youngsters on 10th story building edge. Short coasting flights, lots of hopping around, too.

39th is a truck route, so it's loud, but I did hear some modest vocalizations from these fledglings. Two chimneys and two side-by-side water towers make the roof top of this old industrial pile and its shorter neighbor a virtual avian jungle jim. Parents flew in, presumably after foraging (one at least had something in bill), and out again.

At one point a Kestrel circled over, vocalizing its displeasure at the situation.

I have a mess of photos to sort though, and should get some up on my blog Backyard and Beyond by tomorrow morning.

Keep your eyes, and ears, on the sky,

Matthew



Sent from my MetroPCS 4G Wireless Phone

Fwd: Twa Corbies




Sent from my MetroPCS 4G Wireless Phone


-------- Original message --------
From: Matthew Wills <matthewwills@earthlink.net>
Date:06/03/2016 2:37 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: prosbird@aol.com
Cc:
Subject: Twa Corbies

Hey, Peter, here's a pic of the twa corbies, as the old ballad has it. This trio of youngsters were sticking together on the ledge up there until the parents flew in separately; one with visible food in bill. Lots more pics on the blog https://matthewwills.com

Building is old warehouse at 341 39th, between 3rd and 4th Aves. For sale for $50M if you're interested. It's a right turn from 1st Avenue, and I always see the birds taking go left towards the water, so I don't think the nest is up there. 

M

Friday, June 3, 2016

Kings 1st Raven nesting?

Matthew Wills persistence paid off, finding Raven fledglings in the Bush Terminal area
.Its likely Kings first evident nesting ,a historical event.

There were some observation last year pf a flock in the same area but I'm not sure if those ravens were observed fledglings.

Any way, here is Matthews posting on his blog.

https://matthewwills.com/2016/06/03/raven-family-over-sunset-park/

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Wood ducklings

On my roundabout tour checking Prospect Lake, some ducklings flushed from the shoreline behind Three Sisters Islands, to hastily join their mother hen--7 ducklings in total. And they are WOOD DUCKS.


Apparently the Wood duck pair had a successful brood,a nest perhaps on Three Sisters Islands, either in the Wood Duck box there on the western most lake or in a tree cavity. Whatever the place, nevertheless its terrific to see the family.




Building collapse at Bush Terminal

For anybody birding or visiting even in the slow season, beware of this situation that sounds like the collapse was at the park entrance that may hinder entry to the park.The park entrance is at 43rd street.

http://patch.com/new-york/gowanus/s/fro6o/sunset-park-building-collapse-huge-warehouse-falls-near-waterfront-video?utm_source=article-mostrecent&utm_medium=rss&utm_term=police%20&%20fire&utm_campaign=recirc&utm_content=aol