Monday, April 11, 2022

Least BITTERN details today

Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) (1)
- Reported Apr 11, 2022 09:34 by Michele T
- Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6553787,-73.9686421&ll=40.6553787,-73.9686421
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S106792447
- Comments: "Found at 9:57am. The same swamp sparrow wetland habitat it's been seen at. In the phragmites. Across from the wellhouse, the south wrist of the peninsula hand. Very good looks when it appeared. Popped up low and left of the old styrofoam cooler, and walked right, pass the cooler and then hopped near a bright leafy green plant. Most of the good looks was then. When it was still and facing us. You could see the whole thing, sunlight, from beak to tail, through a very tiny opening through the reeds. Dark head and back, phragmites camouflaged front, yellow iris. Then it moved further back into the phraghs for the next 45 minutes. I'd attach a 1 star photo that I took with my phone + binoculars, but it's not worth it, considering all of the photographers around. Very relived to finally see this life bird. I hope everyone else can too."