Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Vacationing PP Coot

American Coot (Fulica americana) (2)
- Reported Jun 30, 2020 08:00 by Jeremy Burnworth
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S70985052
- Comments: "Continuing pair on lake"
 

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) GOTEin GWC 450 pm

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 4:52 PM on Sun, Jun 28, 2020:
Forster's tern continues,diving at Greenwood Cemetery Crescent Water while I drove family thru.
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/1277344104398172160?s=03)

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

local floaters

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) (2)
- Reported Jun 28, 2020 06:34 by Heather Wolf
- Brooklyn Bridge Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6996104,-73.9973745&ll=40.6996104,-73.9973745
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S70908620
- Comments: "Continuing."

Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) (1)
- Reported Jun 28, 2020 07:03 by Tom Preston
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S70908735
- Media: 1 Audio
- Comments: "Audio to upload"

Saturday, June 27, 2020

Tweet from Charles Tang (@charlesbrooklyn) great blue fishing

Charles Tang (@charlesbrooklyn) tweeted at 7:27 PM on Thu, Jun 25, 2020:
Great Blue Heron fishing in the upper pool, Prospect Park. https://t.co/vf9rDCPGP9
(https://twitter.com/charlesbrooklyn/status/1276295893717827594?s=03)

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

New duck stamp

On sale now good for wildlife refuges you visit requiring entry fees you can bypass if you place the stamp on your dashboard.

The stamp features Black bellied Whistling Ducks in a beautiful way

But more importantly you contribute to duck and bird conservation, over one billion dollars raised since 1936. The first stamp I believed was drawn by  Ding Darling who has a refuge named after him in Sanibel Island Florida.

Photo

https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/news/conservation/next-duck-stamp-to-feature-black-bellied-whistling-duck/






Brooklyn bridge park floaters

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) (2)
- Reported Jun 27, 2020 08:07 by Heather Wolf
- Brooklyn Bridge Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6996104,-73.9973745&ll=40.6996104,-73.9973745
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S70873613
- Comments: "Continuing, Pier 3, only saw one of the pair. And now another (would be 3rd), tan-striped, at Pier 1 Dark Forest."

Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) (1)
- Reported Jun 27, 2020 08:07 by Heather Wolf
- Brooklyn Bridge Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6996104,-73.9973745&ll=40.6996104,-73.9973745
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S70873613
- Comments: "Pier 1 Magical Knoll, will post photo later." 

Friday, June 26, 2020

Fwd: July 5th Prospect Park Cleanup Brooklyn Bird Club




-----Original Message-----
From: membership <membership@brooklynbirdclub.org>
To: membership@brooklynbirdclub.org <membership@brooklynbirdclub.org>
Sent: Fri, Jun 26, 2020 3:32 pm
Subject: July 5th Prospect Park Cleanup

Dear Member,

Our June 14th cleanup was such a success we're doing it again! Sunday July 5th, 9AM with meeting locations at the Well house and Grand Army Plaza. (Please see attached flyer.)

To those of you who attended last time thank you for your service and I hope to see you again on the 5th. A special thanks to all of you who have continued to maintain your patch and tag the BBC on social media. The Park has taken notice and I hope your stewardship will give us more say in decisions that shape conservation issues in Prospect moving forward. For those that couldn't make the 14th I hope to see you next week.

We will provide hand sanitizer, garbage bags, gloves and first come first serve grabbers. If you borrowed a grabber please remember to bring it with you. And don't forget your mask!

A big BBC thank you to Ann Murray who will be donating work gloves to our effort.

Be well, be safe and we hope to see you on the 5th!

Yours,
Dennis W Hrehowsik
President, Brooklyn Bird Club

https://www.ace-eco.org

https://www.ace-eco.org/ 


If we live birds,them we have to be focused on conserving them...

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Fwd: Celebrate National Pollinator Week!






-----Original Message-----
From: Brooklyn Bridge Park <info@brooklynbridgepark.org>
To: prosbird <prosbird@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, Jun 24, 2020 12:30 PM
Subject: Celebrate National Pollinator Week!


44efff7b-bf74-4b8f-be64-02be37085aca.jpg

Celebrate National Pollinator Week!

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Photo by Alexa Steedman
Pollinator's are a valuable part of the Park's ecosystem and essential for our gardens to thrive. Without them, we wouldn't have the colorful mosaic of flowers and plants that make Brooklyn Bridge Park so special.

In honor of National Pollinator Week, the Conservancy's Environmental Education Center has provided a handful of resources for you to celebrate at home, or when safely socially distancing in the Park. Explore our roundup of educational crafts, activities, and literature below.

The Conservancy's programming is reliant on private support. Given the new realities of COVID-19 and social distancing, gifts to the Conservancy's programming matter more than ever, and you can give by clicking here.
 

ACTIVITIES & RESOURCES

add7a54b-9e0d-450a-8f25-6f9704dad746.jpg
Photo by @itsmejamey
BLOG

What's the Buzz About Pollinator's?

New to the subject of pollination? Read our latest blog post and get to know the fundamentals of this essential reproductive process. 
add7a54b-9e0d-450a-8f25-6f9704dad746.jpg
Photo by Ian Douglass
EDUCATION & ENVIRONMENT

Help us Record Pollinators in Brooklyn Bridge Park!

Citizen Science is crucial to understanding species range and population density for many local pollinators. Join iNaturalist and snap a photo of a pollinator when you're in the Park! Your photo could be used for populations surveys like the Empire State Native Pollinator Survey or NYBG EcoFlora Project. And remember to follow the Park's iNaturalist profile. 
add7a54b-9e0d-450a-8f25-6f9704dad746.jpg
Photo by Conservancy
EDUCATION & ENVIRONMENT

Interactive Park Pollination Map

From the comfort of your home, explore Brooklyn Bridge Park flora and fauna! With photos, videos, and fun facts embedded in an interactive pollination map, there is something for all ages to discover and learn. Click here to access.
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Photo by Conservancy
ARTS & CRAFTS

Build a Bee Craft

Brooklyn Bridge Park is home to many plants and flowers that depend on bees to help them reproduce. Celebrate the importance of these amazing pollinators by building your own paper towel or toilet paper bee!
add7a54b-9e0d-450a-8f25-6f9704dad746.jpg
Photo by Conservancy
ARTS & CRAFTS

Flower Part Craft

Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower (stamens) to the female part of the flower (pistils) for fertilization and the production of seeds. Learn the basic parts of a flower by creating your own
add7a54b-9e0d-450a-8f25-6f9704dad746.jpg
Photo by Honeybee Conservancy
FROM OUR PARTNERS 

Honeybee Conservancy Educational Resources

From our friends at the Honeybee Conservancy — check out their Abuzz Guide, a fun, educational magazine for kids to learn about the lives of bees and urban beekeeping. You can also check out other STEAM resources and lesson plans on their Education page.

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DONATION

Your tax-deductible donation makes the park more fun for everyone.
DONATE

MORE WAYS TO
GET INVOLVED

Pitch in and help keep Brooklyn Bridge Park vibrant, beautiful, and growing.
GET INVOLVED
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Brooklyn, NY 11201
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e2bc2a4b-604a-4751-b40f-f8b3d8cda133.jpg    ab088d38-0c7b-4be0-ad17-17e79448d3cf.jpg    6ccd18e5-f6c1-422b-aca4-a21608ba765c.jpg

Tweet from Semolina2 (@Semolina2). Coopers Hawk fledgling

Semolina2 (@Semolina2) tweeted at 10:46 PM on Tue, Jun 23, 2020:
Young Cooper's hawks in Brooklyn https://t.co/5Zza0ayyut
(https://twitter.com/Semolina2/status/1275621330940055555?s=03)

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

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Tweet from Charles Tang -PP nesting Barn Swallows

Charles Tang (@charlesbrooklyn) tweeted at 0:22 PM on Tue, Jun 23, 2020:
Barn swallows nest at Prospect Park. There are 4 little ones in the nest. They will be fledging soon! It's really difficult to take photos of this one. There is not much light there. Capture One pro did a great job of opening up the details and clean up the noise. https://t.co/5aOwxOl2zZ
(https://twitter.com/charlesbrooklyn/status/1275464311679434754?s=03)

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

Unusual presence in brooklyn

A pair breeding in Kings?  Would be grand ..

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) (2)
- Reported Jun 23, 2020 06:02 by Jeremy Thorp
- Brooklyn Bridge Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6996104,-73.9973745&ll=40.6996104,-73.9973745
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S70731781
- Comments: "Male and female, clearly seen. Male singing." 

Sunday, June 21, 2020

GWC Hooded merg sticks around

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) (1)
- Reported Jun 21, 2020 08:15 by Tara Craig
- Green-Wood Cemetery, New York US-NY (40.6491,-73.9873), Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.64906,-73.987287&ll=40.64906,-73.987287
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S70681034
- Comments: "Observed at Crescent Water; uniformly dark brown with a small crest"
Show quoted text 

Acadian FC PP

Tom Stephenson heard the Acadian Flycatchers today in the north Midwood near Rick's place border.  

It's likely breeding ad it did call for very long per Tom

Breeding WTSP in BK Br Pk ??

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) (2)
- Reported Jun 20, 2020 08:16 by Heather Wolf
- Brooklyn Bridge Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6996104,-73.9973745&ll=40.6996104,-73.9973745
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S70629895
- Comments: "Continuing." 

Hoodie in GWC

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) (1)
- Reported Jun 20, 2020 07:55 by Christopher Engel
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S70629570
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "At Crescent Water" 

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Foresters term at Greenwood

A tern sterna species was visiting Greenwood cemetery's Crescent Water the past two days. Second hand reports only came today after a photo was finally obtained revealing the species to be a Forsters Tern.

This species is most likely seen at  inland ponds despite  the fact Brooklyn's freshwater spots are quite near saltwaters to attract  Common Tern.

It might be a good time to watch prospect lake

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Are Fireflies Disappearing? - Farmers’ Almanac

https://www.farmersalmanac.com/are-fireflies-disappearing-35646 


Part of the reason is rampant pesticide spraying for mosquitoes whether private or public service ( West Nile i.e.)

Monday, June 15, 2020

Garden For Wildlife - Episode 7: Nature’s Best Hope with Dr. Doug Tallamy




https://youtu.be/iDRGryX1uVI


Saving birds requires saving the insects that host on NATIVE plants evolved over eons...90% of NA songbirds are insect eaters.A Must see video..Plant Native  and weed the ornamentals and non natives..don't buy nursery stuff that pushes colorful non native plants..


PS  Insects are declining worldwide due to native plant loss and pesticides and fertilizers and rampant spraying of yards for mosquitoes ( not necessary , there are better ways like larvicide.. and dragonfly garden habitat you can design or bat houses)

Sunday, June 14, 2020

Awesome BBC litter event

Today's Brooklyn Bird Club event reported by Stanley Greenberg

A terrific impressive effort! Congrats and thanks!


45 volunteers
87 hours of work
55 large bags of trash collected

We covered:

Peninsula
Lookout Hill
Nethermead
Center Drive
Wellhouse Drive Lake shore
West Lake shore
South Lake shore
Vanderbilt Playground Area
Lullwater west shore
GAP entrance, east and west
path to Vale
Vale of Cashmere
Rose Garden
Zoo perimeter
Upper Midwood
Lower Midwood
Boulder Bridge
Ravine
West Berms form GAP to picnic House

GAP team gave out one grabber to keep for later, also three people promised to be out on a regular basis. Most said they’d be back for the July cleanup.
We had lots of thank-yous from passersby, including Parks’ sanitation staff.

Thanks to everyone who helped organize, and all the trash pickers!

Stanley

Late Blackpool warbler

Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) (1)
- Reported Jun 14, 2020 08:24 by Brad Luckhardt
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S70426145
- Comments: "Singing on peninsula. Photos. Recording."

Acadian setting up prospect shop

Two different Acadian Flycatchers were reported in different parts of Prospect Saturday.Its a sure bet they are breeding birds as the species has done it before.

Ryan M reported the first one by 3 Sisters Islands area. Shortly after Tom S said one was in the Midwood on Rick's Place Eastern edge. The latter Rick's Place was a past nesting record.

For your benefit,know the call of this high canopy species https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Acadian_Flycatcher/sounds

June 10th prospect

Its safe to say at least 34 species bred in Prospect... for the date

but since June 7th ( the second week,)  49 species reported.

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L109516

PP Black Skimners

My friend Dan Smith passed me as I say on my customary stoop sit this evening and mentioned he saw two Black Skimmers fly over yesterday over Prospect Lake.

The species is not rare for the park but less common of years past. I used to see them dusk during this time.

So heads up!

Awesome news ! Bald Eagles nesting in JBay

From Facebook

Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers

Getting reports we have our first meeting Bald Eagles in Jamaica Bay!

"Floater" Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) (1)
- Reported Jun 07, 2020 19:59 by Daniel Smith
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S70185610
- Comments: "Small light brown, lighter undersides,  diving duck, white streak on face, dark cap with short spiky tail."

The Milkweed Life Cycle,

Help the Monarch Butterfly! Plant more milkweed ( it's native not a weed,just got named inappropriately cause it grew in farm crops and farmers weeded it out )

https://seed-balls.com/life-cycle-of-milkweed 

Nature Notes: The importance of oak trees | Travel And Outdoors | fredericknewspost.com

Oak trees can host up to 580 insect species ( mostly caterpillars) birds eat and bring to their nests. A keystone plant. ( Over 80 oak species nationwide I recalled).  Read Doug Tallamy s books. -kb


https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/lifestyle/travel_and_outdoors/nature-notes-the-importance-of-oak-trees/article_20e2e6a4-e18b-516a-97e7-dfe5584499e2.html 

Friday, June 5, 2020

BBC birthday

Today was the founding of the Brooklyn Bird Club.

111th Birthday,.🎂🎉🦉

Thursday, June 4, 2020

Acadian FC

Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) (1)
- Reported Jun 04, 2020 09:26 by Isabel Conte
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S70053720
- Comments: "Saw flycatcher with wingbars, thin eyering and large bill, heard distinct "pizza" call. Near well house." 

MOWA continues in PP

Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) (1)
- Reported Jun 04, 2020 09:26 by Isabel Conte
- 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: https://ebird.org/checklist/S70053720
- Comments: "Heard loud "cherry cherry cherry chew" song while on butterfly meadow. Unable to see bird. (No one playing call seen)" 

Brooklyn Bridge Park Mourning Warbler

- Mourning Warbler (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 https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated
Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) (1)
- Reported Jun 04, 2020 06:01 by Jeremy Thorp
- Brooklyn Bridge Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6996104,-73.9973745&ll=40.6996104,-73.9973745
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S70037955
- Comments: "Got a very good look. Grey hood, yellow body. Female or immature male."

Message from Sean Sime regarding multiple personal GPS markers on Ebird

Let's keep it simple and post sightings using locations "Prospect Park" or " ProspectLake." Keeps record searches easy and manageable

-KB

The message:

Please excuse the non-sighting (and lengthy) post, but this is an important bit of housekeeping. In the latest update of the eBird mobile app, when a user creates a checklist the first possible location to choose from is a GPS point and not the nearest hotspot. This is confusing because the GPS choice now also lists the name of the location and not just the coordinates-making it seem like a hotspot. There has been a massive uptick in personal location records in May and this is counterproductive for eBird data output. A quick dive by Shane turned up 54 personal locations for Black-throated Blue Warbler in Prospect Park alone this May as an example. These are records that will not be represented when searching the park hotspot for status and distribution, arrival/departure dates, trends, etc... These checklists are also inaccurate in so much as they imply the checklist effort is from that GPS point, when most are birding effort throughout the entire park (Prospect in this instance, but applicable in any area). This runs afoul of checklist protocol and could potentially result in checklists being removed from output.
Please choose hotspots when birding in areas where it is a choice. Choosing the hotspot that fully encompasses your birding route is best.  A hotspot option in the app will always be preceded by an orange icon with a flame in the middle. A blue marker is a personal location. Let's all make an effort to keep Brooklyn and Queens data clean and accessible with this small fix. If you have friends who are just starting out using the app please share this information with them before habits are set. If you have not been using hotspots or would like to merge your personal locations with a hotspot there is very helpful information and instruction here:

https://support.ebird.org/en/support/solutions/articles/48000850891-choosing-and-managing-locations-in-ebird#anchorMoveLocation