This early morning,Doug Gochfeld reported the Gos on the slope behind the monument. That was the only report I received until I decided to go to the Brooklyn Botanic garden to try for yesterday's snipe. Naturally I passed through Terrace Bridge where I found a group of birders looking up. Perched high in a dead Austrian Pine at the bridge's east end was the standout GOSHAWK.Its looking pretty darn good.I also received information that it was spotted flying across Long Meadow; so it's traveling.
On a different subject,only one Woodcock report today I heard.Michelle Dreger said one was inside the Arleen's Pines enclosure,the memorial Grove at Butterfly meadow north end on Lookout Hill.It's all leaves and exposed ground there not hard packed snow much to the woodcocks detriment.
The Lake was good.A RED BREASTED MERGANSER drake returned.The Merg had friends as well with 4 RINGNECKED DUCKS,3HOODED MERGANSERS,11Northern shovelers,2 Pied Billed Grebe and the same tardy 2 SNOW GEESE.
Those feeders are simply overwhelmed by birds! 22 RED WINGED BLACKBIRDS joined by 2 GRACKLE,3 FOX SPARROWS,and more accelerates consumption of the seed stock ; I had just filled them this past Thursday! Birds ,the clock is ticking as feeders will come down by month end or earlier.
Oh,that snipe was nowhere to be found in the BBG.Kristin Costello had the snipe yesterday afternoon at the japanese garden.But as least mentioned compared to Prospect and Greenwood,it's nice to see the Garden get a little attention.