New Year Greetings!

Happy New Year to all my readers and fellow birders. 

      
Good tidings for 2019 !

Tweet From BBC President Dennis:
@deepseagangster: RT @BklynBirdClub: Join us tomorrow morning 9AM at Ocean and Parkside Avenues for the first bird walk of 2019! https://t.co/rhmV3IQ3IU

Auld Lang Syne

by Robert Burns

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give us a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

https://www.farmersalmanac.com/auld-lang-syne-20114?fbclid=IwAR2hCwF_CvTcLTFW8UjryN_JR7lbtKZuW3A6E1Ks1J0bUBOz4GSKtqamzvc

Beyond Range Maps: New eBird Maps Reveal Bird Abundance and Population Trends | All About Birds

New tool from ebird on species searches

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/beyond-range-maps-new-ebird-maps-reveal-bird-abundance-and-population-trends/

Hawks adaptation to urban feeders

https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/environment/that-feeder-in-your-backyard-may-be-feeding-the-birds/article_c8385bda-0f5d-5e70-ba3f-5b1c76476325.html

Solar and Lunar Eclipses in 2019 - Sky & Telescope

Weather permitting, watch Jan 20th into 21st TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE,( First here in USeast since Sept 2015). Details on link

https://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/solar-and-lunar-eclipses-in-2019/

Welcome to Bringing Nature Home - New year's resolution: our perspective towards habitats

http://bringingnaturehome.net/

Has to be more than 9

On the ballfields this soggy afternoon, I "guesstimated" 3500 seagulls -Ringbilleds. That's way too many for a team...😋

There were far more to the right not photo'd

Redtailed Hawk rescued by NYC Bravest

I'm not sure where this rescue from a building occurred but what the heck ? The firemen used a cherry picker in the operation. It's a feel good story of the holidays, Auld Lang Syne a cup of kindness yet.. Along with NYC Firemen,Note Bobby Horvath of WINORR  in the photo. Thanks to Betty Frumpkin for sending

New York City's surprising wealth of native trees | Anthropocene

http://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2018/12/new-york-citys-surprising-wealth-of-native-trees/?fbclid=IwAR19Czn7XGEM2tROGAQeo0o7hBpX5RLCbvve4lmnS-BzXR2W4E5NP5Wb1HI

What Happens When Birds Get Drunk? | Audubon

https://www.audubon.org/news/what-happens-when-birds-get-drunk

Prospect birds today

A return home today from Christmas holiday with family near Philly and a quick check of the checklists revealed some nice birds.

From several checklists, Purple finches along with a single Pine Siskin topped the species list. Also reported for its uncommon presence were Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Northern Flicker,Swamp Sparrow,Yellow bellied Sapsucker,Red breasted Nuthatch, Cooper's and Sharp shinned Hawks. Merlin's also made the circuit. You can see the lists here:

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L109516

Several days left for the last 2018 boids!

Fwd: Hawks' day!

Hear! hear!' screamed the jay from a neighboring tree, where I had heard a tittering for some time, 'winter has a concentrated and nutty kernel, if you know where to look for it.'"

-- Henry David Thoreau

-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Tang <charles.tang@gmail.com>
To: Peter Dorosh <Prosbird@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Dec 27, 2018 12:55 PM
Subject: Hawks' day!

Hi Peter,

2 Merlins, female and male. 2 Cooper's, mature and a youngster. 2 Redtails in PP. 

Charles

Christmas greetings !

Luke 2

[10] And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: [11] For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. [Luke 2:10-11]

A Merry Christmas to you and all the blessings that come on this joyful and festive holiday.

Fwd: eBird Report - Prospect Park--Feeders, Dec 22, 2018

A morning filled with errands meant my late entry into Prospect . I didn't intend to stay long as gusty winds and dark overcast skies stifled the mood.

A check of the lake bore no signs of significant waterfowl. But along the west shore the hen American Wigeon brighten the moment.

With feeders the best hope for an afternoon prize, I headed there. 

I spent close to twenty minutes just observing the wind blown feeders,swaying in circular motion . Initially nothing visited. It takes much Patience as at times the birds come in pulses. Then they came. A total of  fifteen species came. Among them for the quality, SWAMP SPARROW  and a female PURPLE FINCH proved my worthy time. But even the common birds are a joy to watch. A trio of Cardinals for example fought turf at the platform feeder while a female watched from a nearby perch. A RED BELLIED WOODPECKER quickly rushed on and grabbed a morsel before it got pounced.

In all,if you don't appreciate the feeders role by not staying long enough, you'll be missing the whole beauty of it. Enjoy it

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <ebird-checklist@cornell.edu>
Date: Sat, Dec 22, 2018, 6:26 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park--Feeders, Dec 22, 2018
To: <prosbird@gmail.com>

Prospect Park--Feeders, Kings, New York, US
Dec 22, 2018 3:52 PM - 4:12 PM
Protocol: Stationary
15 species

Mourning Dove  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Black-capped Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Purple Finch  1
American Goldfinch  2
Fox Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  1
White-throated Sparrow  5
Swamp Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  4
Northern Cardinal  3
House Sparrow  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50873608

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

Winter solstice 2018: Full moon, meteor shower make it extra special | CNN Travel

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/winter-solstice-wxc/index.html

Winter solstice

Winter starts today at 5:23 this afternoon..

tho from the looks of it with this heavy sobering rain, it doesn't feel like it..

Happy New season!

quiet time, lots of gulls

There have been since the Christmas count scant reports of Prospect birds except for a few minor posts. Its a quiet time due to the holiday season no doubt . But on Prospect Lake, the Gulls don't care:they show up anyway..

A partially frozen lake is enticing for gulls. I saw at least 2500  of them today but without a scope to slow pan scan, I'm at the mercy of my eight power binoculars. Nevertheless I did a scan and see not see anything out of the ordinary that would catch my eye. But with the gulls jammed packed together ,it would be hard to pick out a white winged gull. Work gets in the way, and after filling up the feeders, I took my quick scan of my remaining lunch hour.

A hen BUFFLEHEAD continues to hang out, opting to stick close to the Ruddy ducks. With heavy rain forecasted Friday, its going to be a mostly indoor decision for most birders. But sometimes, you never know what the rain brings down with a good bird. The question is who is brave and hardy enough to bear the soggy rain drops.

Fwd: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Dec 15, 2018

Results of the Prospect Park /Brooklyn Botanic Garden Christmas Bird Count segment

58 species

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <ebird-checklist@cornell.edu>
Date: Wed, Dec 19, 2018 at 3:26 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Dec 15, 2018
To: <prosbird@gmail.com>

Keynote "multiple observers due to high number reported for the bird species

Prospect Park, Kings, New York, US
Dec 15, 2018 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Protocol: Historical
586.0 ac
9.0 mile(s)
Comments:     Brooklyn Kings county Christmas Bird Count
57 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  299
Mute Swan  1
Wood Duck  3     multiple observers
Northern Shoveler  235
American Wigeon  2
Mallard  146
American Black Duck  7
Bufflehead  1
Ruddy Duck  30
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  107
Mourning Dove  59
American Coot  10
Ring-billed Gull  296
Herring Gull  42
Great Black-backed Gull  4
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  5     multiple observers
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  3     multiple observers
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  20     multiple observers
Downy Woodpecker  12
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  3
American Kestrel  2
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Blue Jay  100     multiple observers
American Crow  4
Fish Crow  24     multiple observers
crow/raven sp.  1
Black-capped Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  40     multiple observers
Red-breasted Nuthatch  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  39     multiple observers
Brown Creeper  5     multiple observers
Winter Wren  2
Carolina Wren  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  79     multiple observers
Northern Mockingbird  5
European Starling  182
Cedar Waxwing  4
House Finch  15
Purple Finch  6
American Goldfinch  42
Fox Sparrow  12
Dark-eyed Junco  12
White-throated Sparrow  115
Song Sparrow  17
Swamp Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Rusty Blackbird  1
Northern Cardinal  37     multiple observers
House Sparrow  35

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50804319

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

--

The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness. 
                                 --John Muir

48377153_2430556186986268_7993156754600886272_n.jpg (454×603) from our BBC Christmas past

Thanks to Dan Merhag who posted on the BBC Facebook page this NY Times article from December 1964 about the Brooklyn Christmas bird count. A wonderful read and throwback to our history!

( If anyone has old references ,let us know for our archives.esp the 1960s)

Information contact on the Brooklyn bird club website.

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/48377153_2430556186986268_7993156754600886272_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=5fe3e2b24afc645414318b3f70f04e15&oe=5C9C0847

Dec 15th Kings County 2018 BKXMas - Preliminary numbers

Below is the Christmas Bird Count numbers for Kings County circle. The tally is 121 species. Numbers will be finalized after count period ends Tuesday.

Thanks to Rick Cech for compiling the data,with assistance from Paul Keim

And to all the birders young and old in the field participating in this great event.

We also thank the Prospect Park Alliance for generous use of the majestic Boathouse for the count dinner.

Till next year - Dec 14th, enjoy your holidays and good wishes for the New Year

From: rcech <rcech@nyc.rr.com>
To: 'Peter' <prosbird@aol.com>; celaskowski <celaskowski@yahoo.com>; mjyuan <mjyuan@gmail.com>
Sent: Sun, Dec 16, 2018 08:25 PM
Subject: RE: 2018 BKXMas - Further Information

IRR= irregular 4-7x in last ten years
Rare=<4x in last ten years

2018
	# Seen
Snow Goose	9
Brant	10782
Canada Goose	1938
Mute Swan	89
Wood Duck	4
Northern Shoveler	342
Gadwall	89
American Wigeon	68
Mallard	889
American Black Duck	485
Northern Pintail	9
Green-winged Teal	63
Canvasback	1	IRR
Greater Scaup	728
Lesser Scaup	82
Common Eider	50	IRR
Surf Scoter	98
White-winged Scoter	6
Black Scoter	178
Scoter (sp.)	372
Long-tailed Duck	457
Bufflehead	1135
Common Goldeneye	65
Hooded Merganser	72
Common Merganser	cw	IRR
Red-breasted Merganser	484
Ruddy Duck	302
Ring-necked Pheasant	1
Pied-billed Grebe	4
Horned Grebe	85
Red-necked Grebe	3	IRR
Rock Pigeon	814
Mourning Dove	239
American Coot	18
Black-bellied Plover	7
Killdeer	6
Red Knot	1	RARE
Sanderling	942
Dunlin	74
Purple Sandpiper	6
American Woodcock	3
Greater Yellowlegs	3
Razorbill	1	RARE
Ring-billed Gull	3373
Herring Gull	1208
Iceland Gull	1	RARE
Great Black-backed Gull	191
Red-throated Loon	84
Common Loon	183
Northern Gannet	21
Double-crested Cormorant	82
Great Cormorant	49
Great Blue Heron	33
Green Heron	cw	RARE
Black-crowned Night-Heron	1	IRR
Turkey Vulture	cw	IRR
Northern Harrier	18
Sharp-shinned Hawk	7
Cooper's Hawk	16
Red-tailed Hawk	25
Barn Owl	1	RARE
Great Horned Owl	1	IRR
Snowy Owl	1	IRR
Northern Saw-whet Owl	3	IRR
Belted Kingfisher	7
Red-bellied Woodpecker	61
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	2
Downy Woodpecker	50
Hairy Woodpecker	3
Northern Flicker	101
American Kestrel	13
Merlin	8
Peregrine Falcon	9
Monk Parakeet	5
Eastern Phoebe	3	RARE
Blue Jay	289
American Crow	517
Fish Crow	55	IRR
Common Raven	2	IRR
Horned Lark	25
Tree Swallow	174	IRR
Black-capped Chickadee	34
Tufted Titmouse	101
Red-breasted Nuthatch	30
White-breasted Nuthatch	77
Brown Creeper	6
Winter Wren	4
Marsh Wren	2	RARE
Carolina Wren	33
Golden-crowned Kinglet	1	IRR
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	8
Eastern Bluebird	2	RARE
Hermit Thrush	9
American Robin	187
Gray Catbird	8
Northern Mockingbird	162
European Starling	2549
Cedar Waxwing	4
House Sparrow	261
American Pipit	1
Evening Grosbeak	1	RARE
House Finch	128
Purple Finch	11	IRR
Common Redpoll	3	RARE
Pine Siskin	4	IRR
American Goldfinch	180
Snow Bunting	37
Eastern Towhee	2
American Tree Sparrow	31
Field Sparrow	7
Savannah Sparrow	39
Seaside Sparrow	1	IRR
Fox Sparrow	46
Song Sparrow	271
Swamp Sparrow	23
White-throated Sparrow	402
Dark-eyed Junco	59
Red-winged Blackbird	31
Brown-headed Cowbird	122
Rusty Blackbird	1	IRR
Common Grackle	1
Boat-tailed Grackle	88	IRR
Yellow Warbler	1	RARE
Yellow-rumped Warbler	126
Northern Cardinal	220

Total species: 121

Total Count: 32,568