🐦It's a good time to be a Brooklyn birder these days when rarities abound. It's a matter of being in the right place,at the right time and looking in the right direction. To summarize rather than forward all the Ebird reports some with photos,I'll undertake that task now.
In a stunning display representing the largest number ever seen in Kings County, a flock of 7 Harlequin Ducks flew by the Van Brunt Pier in Red Hook. Just down from the Food Bazaar, several birders flipped out seeing the clownish ducks while searching for the Shortbilled Gull (that's a split Mew Gull taxa). After those birders tweeting it the same westward moving flock were spotted off BAT Pier 4 minutes later. There's speculation the ducks flew by or from Governor's Island. Nevertheless it's very rare to see this species here and for that record number.Likely they will wound up at Jones Beach.
As mentioned before the Short-billed Gull bought in the birders to underbirded industrial Red Hook. And the mega gull provided cooperative looks mid-afternoon for birder proximity in a parking lot at the west end of Sullivan Street. (There's a previous post with an Ebird report with photos.) Earlier,the Shortbilled was found distant north of BAT ( or Brooklyn Army terminal) pier 4 on the open water.
Sticking with rare gulls,the overshadowed Black-headed Gull needs some limelight. Veterans Pier at the end of 65th street found this gull resting here.
If you seek more earthly birds,I got that information for you . Ash-throated Flycatcher continues its residence at Owls Head Park. This morning it was found at the hilltop overlooking the Belt Parkway. Generally though it moves around downslope; after all it's not a very big park for this typically active bird.
Head for Prospects feeders where you can still view Dickcissel and Pine Warbler. Multiple reports are submitted so there's a good chance of seeing the birds as seed and suet remain..
And finally go to the Vale of Cashmere where you might spot Rusty Blackbird.
Who the heck knows what else is out there ? Put in the time and hope to get lucky.
