Monday, December 31, 2018

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



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/

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


Thursday, December 27, 2018

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

Monday, December 24, 2018

Christmas greetings !

[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.









Saturday, December 22, 2018

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

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!


Image result for free clip art winter scenes

Thursday, December 20, 2018

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.



Wednesday, December 19, 2018

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

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

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

Sunday, December 16, 2018

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