The Kingsboider wishes all
May 2023 be a year of new prospects, prosperity,good health,hope,and momentous highlights!
Saturday, December 31, 2022
Friday iceland
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Dec 30, 2022 11:29 by Nate L-S
- 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/S124935056
- Comments: "Observed while preening on the ice. Larger than RBGU but smaller than nearby HEGU. Overall mostly white with faint grey along the back. White head, dark eye, dainty yellow bill with dark tip. Pink legs."
- Reported Dec 30, 2022 11:29 by Nate L-S
- 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/S124935056
- Comments: "Observed while preening on the ice. Larger than RBGU but smaller than nearby HEGU. Overall mostly white with faint grey along the back. White head, dark eye, dainty yellow bill with dark tip. Pink legs."
Friday, December 30, 2022
The Winter Season
"Wisdom comes with winters."
— Oscar Wilde
"In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy."
– William Blake
Waterfowl count Help wanted
The NYS waterfowl count takes place next month on Jan 14th to Jan 22nd. The club has one count area walk on Monday the 16th in Prospect Park ( check our field trips page). A friend Tom P would like expert waterfowl help / company ( up to 3 birders) for his section area along Lower NYC harbor/ Gravesend bay - from Owls head park to Coney island Creek on Sunday the 15th. The requirements: you must drive ( your car), have a scope, be in for the long day making birding stops, be winter hardy and have good knowledge identifying waterfowl ( ducks,grebes,swans, geese,coots) .If interested,please email me at prosbird@gmail.com or prosbird@aol.com. and I'll put you in touch with Tom. Happy New Year! 🦆🎉
Thursday, December 29, 2022
BBP waterthrush (& the importance of leaf litter.)
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) (1)
- Reported Dec 29, 2022 10:50 by MI YU
- 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/S124853654
- Media: 10 Photos
- Comments: "Very late and continuing from 11/12/22. Spotted in the unswept (thank you bbp!) leaf litter under the benches along the hedge-lined walkway into pier 6. Finding food- a wood louse (potato bug) and another invertebrate. Chipping constantly. Flew over to Flower field to chip some more."
- Reported Dec 29, 2022 10:50 by MI YU
- 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/S124853654
- Media: 10 Photos
- Comments: "Very late and continuing from 11/12/22. Spotted in the unswept (thank you bbp!) leaf litter under the benches along the hedge-lined walkway into pier 6. Finding food- a wood louse (potato bug) and another invertebrate. Chipping constantly. Flew over to Flower field to chip some more."
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
continuing rarity in Prospect park and Bush Terminal park
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Dec 28, 2022 10:19 by Peter Paul
- 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/S124780230
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Looked like the same second winter bird from yesterday. Photos."
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (3)
- Reported Dec 28, 2022 12:34 by Marcella Durand
- Bush Terminal Piers Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6541609,-74.0204451&ll=40.6541609,-74.0204451
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S124778281
- Comments: "Mixed in with other gulls. Will submit sound files."
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 28, 2022 10:19 by Peter Paul
- 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/S124780230
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Sub adult - small, dark-backed gull, white eye, long wings."
-- - Reported Dec 28, 2022 10:19 by Peter Paul
- 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/S124780230
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Looked like the same second winter bird from yesterday. Photos."
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (3)
- Reported Dec 28, 2022 12:34 by Marcella Durand
- Bush Terminal Piers Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6541609,-74.0204451&ll=40.6541609,-74.0204451
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S124778281
- Comments: "Mixed in with other gulls. Will submit sound files."
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 28, 2022 10:19 by Peter Paul
- 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/S124780230
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Sub adult - small, dark-backed gull, white eye, long wings."
" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"
--Carl Sagan
its a good time for rare gulls right now...
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (2)
- Reported Dec 27, 2022 16:25 by Doug Gochfeld- Brooklyn Bridge Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
- Comments: "*Uncommon but regular in winter here. Subadult in marina (digiscoped video) - the first time this individual was detected here this winter. Long-continuing adult
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Dec 27, 2022 11:51 by Doug Gochfeld
- Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
- Comments: "*Continuing from earlier in day when found by Tripper Paul. Present through the entirety of my vigil."
- Reported Dec 27, 2022 11:51 by Doug Gochfeld
- Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
- Comments: "*Continuing from earlier in day when found by Tripper Paul. Present through the entirety of my vigil."
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Rare gulls prospect lake Tripper reports
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) (1)
- Reported Dec 27, 2022 09:45 by Peter Paul
- 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/S124720297
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "First winter bird - small gull with red legs, red bill, white outer primaries seen in flight as well as dark underwing."
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Dec 27, 2022 09:45 by Peter Paul
- 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/S124720297
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Second winter bird with all white primaries, some adult mantle coming in on the upper back, and a dark bill, but darkest at tip. Moved around but spent most time in one of the open water bodies."
Herring x Lesser Black-backed Gull (hybrid) (Larus argentatus x fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 27, 2022 09:45 by Peter Paul
- 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/S124720297
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "My first view of this bird was mostly obscured, but I could see enough that it had a decidedly darker mantle than the nearby HERGs. Eventually it stood up and took its head out. The color never quite clicked for LBBG, and the structure seems a bit off. I never actually saw the birds legs, but photos show the reflection of them, and they appear to be pink. The pink legs, in between mantle shade, and odd structure seem to add up to this hybrid pair."
Show quoted text
- Reported Dec 27, 2022 09:45 by Peter Paul
- 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/S124720297
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "First winter bird - small gull with red legs, red bill, white outer primaries seen in flight as well as dark underwing."
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Dec 27, 2022 09:45 by Peter Paul
- 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/S124720297
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Second winter bird with all white primaries, some adult mantle coming in on the upper back, and a dark bill, but darkest at tip. Moved around but spent most time in one of the open water bodies."
Herring x Lesser Black-backed Gull (hybrid) (Larus argentatus x fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 27, 2022 09:45 by Peter Paul
- 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/S124720297
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "My first view of this bird was mostly obscured, but I could see enough that it had a decidedly darker mantle than the nearby HERGs. Eventually it stood up and took its head out. The color never quite clicked for LBBG, and the structure seems a bit off. I never actually saw the birds legs, but photos show the reflection of them, and they appear to be pink. The pink legs, in between mantle shade, and odd structure seem to add up to this hybrid pair."
Show quoted text
Iceland gull prospect lake Smith chklist
https://ebird.org/atlasny/checklist/S124701634
Reported earlier by Tripper Paul who also found simultaneously a Black headed gull on frozen Lake
Monday, December 26, 2022
Iceland gull on Prospect lake
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Dec 26, 2022 11:15 by MCHL ____
- 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/S124637985
- Comments: "Reported by Josh M. Sean S. showed me in his scope.
- Reported Dec 26, 2022 11:15 by MCHL ____
- 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/S124637985
- Comments: "Reported by Josh M. Sean S. showed me in his scope.
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) (1)
- Reported Dec 26, 2022 10:30 by Sean Sime- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF
- Comments: "1st winter
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Tweet from Nicole Peyrafitte (@peyrafitte) yb sapsuckers video
Nicole Peyrafitte (@peyrafitte) tweeted at 0:31 PM on Sun, Dec 25, 2022:
Merry Xmas from Owl's Head Park with the lovely Yellow-bellied Sapsucker who was already there yesterday. @BirdBrklyn #bayridge https://t.co/PwC2IkGwkt
(https://twitter.com/peyrafitte/status/1607066428053622789?s=03)
Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download?s=13
Merry Xmas from Owl's Head Park with the lovely Yellow-bellied Sapsucker who was already there yesterday. @BirdBrklyn #bayridge https://t.co/PwC2IkGwkt
(https://twitter.com/peyrafitte/status/1607066428053622789?s=03)
Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download?s=13
Saturday, December 24, 2022
Christmas greetings
The Kingsboider wishes all a Merry Christmas and the blessings of the holiday with family, friends and fellow birders.
Peace, good will, and joy to you!
PPLake COME
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (2)
- Reported Dec 24, 2022 12:05 by R M
- 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/S124549847
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "big saw billed ducks with smooth dark green heads and white bodies"
- Reported Dec 24, 2022 12:05 by R M
- 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/S124549847
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "big saw billed ducks with smooth dark green heads and white bodies"
Bush teminal park rare gull
Its that time of the year for special gulls.
Joshua Malbin found today a Black headed Gull at Bush Terminal pier park jetty rocks .
The gift of birds
On likely the coldest Christmas Eve day in nyc, its the little gifts that count. A holiday season puts things in perspective especially for a birder. Frigid conditions rendered bird life inactive as I can attest all morning in Prospect park . With frozen toes to think about, I shortened my stay but seeing later Ryan Mandlebaums tweet of a pair of drake Common Mergansers, I needed to gift myself.
And so, I set out 315 to go see them,hopefully they stuck around. Arriving at West Island benches, I scanned Prospect Lake and found the distant rare ducks in the lake middle.Desiring a closer look but not much, my new spot from the rustic shelter improved the view as I watched admiringly the rare handsome large Common mergansers. Battling cold seeping thru my double layered gloves, I stuck out long as I could. I needed to enjoy them as what one does with a new gift.
All birds are gifts. To deeply appreciate them regardless the species means to do the best of our ability to preserve them for generations to come. They provide us with enjoyment, wonders, happiness,distraction from life and oneness with nature. So we need to return the gift of saving them and habitats.
As I turned to head home ,noting the fading light,the frigid cold getting to me- a battle hardened winter birder- I was met with surprise a large flock of Common Grackles feeding in a frenzy on the ground. I estimated about 350 of them as I followed them to the lawn Oval by Vanderbilt playground. Quite a sight given the tough challenging circumstances.
But at the lucky moment, thats the gift of birds. 🌲🎁🐦
Merry Christmas everyone.
-kb
Friday, December 23, 2022
LBBG on prospect lake
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 23, 2022 12:11 by Kathleen Toomey
- 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/S124481479
- Comments: "Smaller than nearby Herring Gulls, much darker backed than Herring and Ring-billeds, almost as dark as nearby Great Black-backed Gulls. Long winged appearance, seeming longer winged and more slender than Great Black-backed Gulls. Unfortunately, no camera to take photos"
- Reported Dec 23, 2022 12:11 by Kathleen Toomey
- 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/S124481479
- Comments: "Smaller than nearby Herring Gulls, much darker backed than Herring and Ring-billeds, almost as dark as nearby Great Black-backed Gulls. Long winged appearance, seeming longer winged and more slender than Great Black-backed Gulls. Unfortunately, no camera to take photos"
A N.Oriole in Windsor terrace
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) (1)
- Reported Dec 22, 2022 14:00 by Karen Cook
- Sherman Street, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6529615,-73.9742845&ll=40.6529615,-73.9742845
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S124467365
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "https://support.ebird.org/support/solutions/articles/48000825713?_gl=1*73176v*_ga*NTA5NjAzMTA2LjE2NzE4MDkyMTI.*_ga_QR4NVXZ8BM*MTY3MTgwOTIxMi4xLjEuMTY3MTgwOTUwNy42MC4wLjA.&_ga=2.16765750.1014921988.1671809213-509603106.1671809212"
- Reported Dec 22, 2022 14:00 by Karen Cook
- Sherman Street, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6529615,-73.9742845&ll=40.6529615,-73.9742845
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S124467365
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "https://support.ebird.org/support/solutions/articles/48000825713?_gl=1*73176v*_ga*NTA5NjAzMTA2LjE2NzE4MDkyMTI.*_ga_QR4NVXZ8BM*MTY3MTgwOTIxMi4xLjEuMTY3MTgwOTUwNy42MC4wLjA.&_ga=2.16765750.1014921988.1671809213-509603106.1671809212"
Final tally Kings County Christmas Bird Count
Thanks to Mike Yuan, our CBC compiler, please find attached the Kings CBC held Saturday December 17th.
We unexpectedly achieved 133 species, one of of highest ever for our CBC, short of the record 137.
Top bird was first ever for Brooklyn Townsends Warbler still at Fort Greene Park.
Prospect park ( including BBGarden) topped off with 50 species with the top bird a perched Red shouldered hawk in the Rose Garden
Happy Holidays all !
"The real voyage of discovery lies, not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." --Proust.
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Yuan <
To: Peter Dorosh <Prosbird@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Dec 22, 2022 9:38 pm
Subject: bk cbc list
From: Michael Yuan <
To: Peter Dorosh <Prosbird@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Dec 22, 2022 9:38 pm
Subject: bk cbc list
Brooklyn Xmas Count Annual Report: 2022
Total
Species Seen
Snow Goose 1350
Brant 15565
Canada Goose 3667
Mute Swan 81
Wood Duck 4
Northern Shoveler 246
Gadwall 241
Eurasian Wigeon 1 IRR
American Wigeon 277
Mallard 480
American Black Duck 808
Northern Pintail 14
Green-winged Teal 191
Greater Scaup 1000
Lesser Scaup 134
Surf Scoter 8
White-winged Scoter 11
Black Scoter 57
Scoter (sp.) 170
Long-tailed Duck 265
Bufflehead 855
Common Goldeneye 22
Hooded Merganser 71
Common Merganser 4 IRR
Red-breasted Merganser 781
Ruddy Duck 922
Pied-billed Grebe 7
Horned Grebe 64
Red-necked Grebe 2 IRR
Rock Pigeon 2067
Mourning Dove 724
American Coot 152
American Oystercatcher 1 IRR
Black-bellied Plover 7
Killdeer 8
Ruddy Turnstone 2 IRR
Sanderling 457
Dunlin 232
Purple Sandpiper 23
Western Sandpiper 1 RARE
Long-billed Dowitcher 3 RARE
American Woodcock 6
Wilson's Snipe 1 IRR
Spotted Sandpiper cw RARE
Greater Yellowlegs 18
Dovekie 1 RARE
Razorbill 115 RARE
Bonaparte's Gull 521 IRR
Black-headed Gull cw RARE
Laughing Gull 8 IRR
Ring-billed Gull 7713
Herring Gull 2121
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 RARE
Great Black-backed Gull 286
Red-throated Loon 260
Common Loon 506
Northern Gannet 137
Great Cormorant 48
Double-crested Cormorant 134
Great Blue Heron 27
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 IRR
Black Vulture cw RARE
Turkey Vulture 2 RARE
Bald Eagle 5 RARE
Northern Harrier 13
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 32
Red-shouldered Hawk 4 IRR
Red-tailed Hawk 44
Barn Owl 1 IRR
Great Horned Owl cw
Northern Saw-whet Owl 2 IRR
Belted Kingfisher 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 62
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 25
Downy Woodpecker 79
Hairy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 36
American Kestrel 29
Merlin 5
Peregrine Falcon 8
Monk Parakeet 7
Eastern Phoebe 1 IRR
Blue Jay 286
American Crow 132
Fish Crow 541
Common Raven 9
Horned Lark 52
Black-capped Chickadee 216
Tufted Titmouse 284
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 11
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
Cedar Waxwing 46
Red-breasted Nuthatch 14 IRR
White-breasted Nuthatch 58
Brown Creeper 2
Carolina Wren 60
Winter Wren 5
Gray Catbird 17
Brown Thrasher 2 IRR
Northern Mockingbird 129
European Starling 2232
Hermit Thrush 6
American Robin 169
House Sparrow 807
American Pipit 5
House Finch 175
Purple Finch 7 IRR
Red Crossbill 4 RARE
European Goldfinch cw RARE
American Goldfinch 164
Snow Bunting 112
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 5
Fox Sparrow 31
American Tree Sparrow 9
Dark-eyed Junco 255
White-throated Sparrow 641
Seaside Sparrow 1 RARE
Savannah Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 249
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 RARE
Swamp Sparrow 21
Eastern Towhee 9
Eastern Meadowlark 1 IRR
Baltimore Oriole cw IRR
Red-winged Blackbird 29
Brown-headed Cowbird 287
Common Grackle 350
Boat-tailed Grackle 475 IRR
Ovenbird cw RARE
Northern Waterthrush cw RARE
Black-and-white Warbler 1 RARE
Orange-crowned Warbler 9
Nashville Warbler 2 IRR
Common Yellowthroat 3 IRR
Northern Parula 1 RARE
Black-throated Blue Warbler cw RARE
Palm Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 340
Townsend's Warbler 1 RARE
Wilson's Warbler 1 RARE
Northern Cardinal 207
Species Count: 133
Number Seen: 51,567
NOTE: "cw" = Count Week only