Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Good sparrows

On Halloween, nothing scary but two good sparrows provided a treat,excuse the pun.

At Sunset Park ,reported at the park summit, A VESPER SPARROW was seen.

In a more appropriate holiday spot, Greenwood cemetery hostes a CLAY COLORED SPARROW ,fittingly at Janets Meadow by Valley Water.

Halloween wishes to you!πŸŽƒπŸ‘πŸ‘ΎπŸ‘»πŸƒπŸŽ­

--
"No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings." -- William Blake, artist,author

Monday, October 30, 2023

around the nabe

Here are highlights of late:

At Greenwood cemetery Dellwater, an ORANGE CROWNED WARBLER was photographed nicely in the brush there.

Owls Head Park was full of sparrows including a VESPER SPARROW.

And yesterday, a belated report of a MARSH WREN working the fenceline in Sunset Park near the 41st st and 6th Ave entrance.

--
"No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings." -- William Blake, artist,author

Saturday, October 28, 2023

Fwd: Saturday's BBC Green-Wood Cemetery Walk

Led by Valerie Masten in her BBC debut.

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Valerie Masten <valerie.masten@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Oct 28, 2023, 6:05 PM
Subject: Saturday's BBC Green-Wood Cemetery Walk
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc: >


Hi Peter, 

It was an absolutely gorgeous day at Green-Wood, making for a quite enjoyable day though not super birdy. We had an extra large group today, and I'm so appreciative of Ryan Goldberg, Michele T, Radka, Jeremy and the many others that helped manage and spot at the times we became almost 2 groups: front and back. Winds haven't been favorable to blow in the next round of migrants, it seems, but there were some life birds in the group, which included some new birders, and made me happy! Highlights were field sparrows in 2 locations, a Belted Kingfisher, an awkwardly-posing Great Blue Heron, Towhees and a few Purple Finches on Dell. For the smaller group who continued past the 'ending' time, we had Eastern Bluebirds on Morse Monument.  Thank you for believing I could manage this! Birding and leading at the same time is genuinely HARD. Here is the list, and the link to the ebird list; if anyone asks, i'm happy to share:

Canada Goose
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Great Blue Heron (not sure if there is someone to report this to, but a non-BBC person at Sylvan approached the bird dangerously close, even with us yelling to stop; it flew into the big tree across and seemed to be trying to cool off, folding its wings inward and doing gular fluttering - which i just googled BTW)
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Monk Parakeet
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren (we had one calling at Sylvain AND a mockingbird doing a Carolina Wren call at Crescent, which was very cool!)
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Finch
Purple Finch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal


Have a great weekend!
Valerie



Friday, October 27, 2023

Prospects Henslow Sparrow records

Well, the last time a Henslows Sparrow appeared in Prospect Park ,you have to go back 60 years!

October 10th,1963 is the date. A very long time. Kudos to Michelle and Jeremy for their spectacular find.

It's the 7th record.
1963-10-101NYC Bird Report Data
1962-10-251NYC Bird Report Data
1953-10-031NYC Bird Report Data
1953-10-021NYC Bird Report Data
1946-10-191NYC Bird Report Data
1945-05-121NYC Bird Report Data
1940-05-141NYC Bird Report


"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Prospect scores sparrowy Big

The Prospect ballfields of west Long Meadow is in my opinion the best sparrow spot in the park. Those fences do wonders attracting  sparrows and this afternoon it scored big with HENSLOWS SPARROW.

Give credit to Michelle Truong and Jeremy Nadel in possibly finding the first HENSLOWS in Prospect in decades ( I'll check later)

The bird was cooperatively seen along the path between fields 4&5 a short walk from the dog beaxh.. A Vesper Sparrow was also seen in field 5.

Over at Greenwoods Janet's Meadow ( Valley Water) the LARK SPARROW resurfaced if the same one a week ago.

If you wanna chat, that's around too. In Sunset Park along 41st Street between 5th and 6th aves, a YELLOW BREASTED CHAT popped in view in one of the slope shrubs if I recalled the landscape  there.

Indian Summer magic occurred today.

 



"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzurhw 

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Local rarities continue plus a good Sparrow

Our local rarities the past week continues plus a new one at Bush Terminal Park are the highlights today.

Prospects PURPLE GALLINULE continues it week long stay, reported along the Breeze Hill south shoreline near the hairpin path towards the rink by the path bollards.

Over at Greenwood Cemetery, the ASH THROATED FLYCATCHER moved around abit on the Hill of Graves, the ridge stretching west from the East gate at PPwest ave and 20th St.

And lastly regarding rarities, at Bush Terminal Pier Park, a good bird with GRASSHOPPER SPARROW seen at the corner of the ballfield at the west end where  median shrubbery attracted it.

If you like ducks, Prospect Lake hosted a Ringnecked Duck

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Stop raking leaves says pbs

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/to-rake-or-not-to-rake-expert-tips-for-eco-friendly-autumnal-lawn-care?fbclid=IwAR0hS_8ukrzMETUoIJGQeWVi3pj38lKWtWD3H3t0GfkZYxfHHg1RQJXq-80

Fwd: Brooklyn Bridge Park - Migration Morning report

Last Wednesday walk led by Mike.

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Michael Yuan <mjyuan@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Oct 25, 2023, 4:42 PM
Subject: Brooklyn Bridge Park - Migration Morning report
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc: Dennis Hrehowsik <deepseagangster@gmail.com>


Hi Peter-

We had a pleasant final Wednesday Migration Morning of the fall season. Plenty of birds leftover from Tuesday's pulse of migration. 13 attendees and I saw a good variety of sparrows and a not-every day Peregrine Falcon as highlights.

The best nature highlight was a roosting Silver-haired Bat in the Pier 4 uplands area. It unfortunately might not be doing well as it has lingered in the area for a few days. A ranger came by shortly after and the patient is with a rehabber now.

Great to be out in the park this season and look forward to doing these outings again next spring.

Roosting bat pic by me, bat being taken in pic by BBP horticulture team member Pawel Pielusznski.

Mike


>
> Brooklyn Bridge Park, Kings, New York, US
> Oct 25, 2023 7:17 AM - 9:51 AM
> Protocol: Traveling
> 2.211 mile(s)
> Checklist Comments:     Brooklyn Bird Club Wednesday Migration Morning
> 38 species
>
> Canada Goose  1
> Gadwall  4
> Mallard  1
> American Black Duck  7
> Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  8
> Mourning Dove  6
> Laughing Gull  3
> Ring-billed Gull  31
> Herring Gull  7
> Great Black-backed Gull  3
> Double-crested Cormorant  6
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
> Peregrine Falcon  1
> Eastern Phoebe  1
> American Crow  2
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3
> Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
> Carolina Wren  1
> European Starling  8
> Gray Catbird  6
> Northern Mockingbird  3
> Hermit Thrush  4
> American Robin  13
> Cedar Waxwing  1
> House Sparrow  5
> Chipping Sparrow  2
> Field Sparrow  2
> Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  18
> White-throated Sparrow  34
> Savannah Sparrow  1
> Song Sparrow  14
> Swamp Sparrow  3
> Eastern Towhee  1
> Common Grackle  5
> Palm Warbler (Yellow)  1
> Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  40
> Northern Cardinal  4
>
> View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S153039661
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Fw: green-wood today. Woodcocks



"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

- L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables


----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Orrin Tilevitz <tilevitzo@yahoo.com>
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 02:53:16 PM EDT
Subject: green-wood today

I flushed three woodcocks, one at the Morse monument and two others in the flats.  Also at Dell Water/Crescent Water a blue-headed vireo and a field sparrow.

Monday, October 23, 2023

BBC trip to Governor s Island






Led by Ryan Goldberg
A fantastic bird seen SEOW

Ryan's report

Hi Peter,

When I led my first BBC trip to Governors Island, in May 2022, our group found a number of exciting birds, among them a Seaside Sparrow and roosting Eastern Whip-poor-will. Several people from that trip returned for our fall excursion to the island yesterday, October 22. Riding the 7:30 AM ferry over, I joked to them that we'd find something rare again, like a Short-eared Owl.

Birding is funny. Getting to the island before the inevitable crowds (there was a pumpkin picking event that day), we quickly made our way to the meadow south of Fort Jay. Walking single-file on a mown path, trying to identify fast-moving sparrows, a Short-eared Owl flushed out of the grasses in front of me! My heart skipped a beat; I'm sure everyone else felt the same. We watched the owl land somewhere farther on in the meadow. About 15 minutes later, walking a lower path, it flushed again, this time into the lowest branch of an oak tree behind Nolan Park. From a safe remove we watched it flex its wings, look around with its yellow eyes, and hop along the branch. It was a life bird for a good many in the group -- one of whom was birding for the very first time.

Here is our eBird checklist from the day: https://ebird.org/checklist/S152872864. We had 19 participants: a great turnout.

The winds were strong out of the west, close to 20mph by mid-day, so that kept a lot of birds down. We saw 39 species in all, though of course the shortie was the major highlight. We also saw two pipits fly out of those grasses and witnessed a good variety of other raptors. Over the Hills at the south end of the island, we watched a Red-tailed Hawk at eye level kite into a 20mph headwind; the hawk would pull in its wings and then flex them out, and we watched it make these little adjustments to continue hovering mid-air in the same spot. It was a sight to behold. 

There are photos in the checklist, and I'm attaching a few from Barbara Schelkle (of the shortie perched and the red-tail kiting) and Marisa Hernandez (of the shortie in flight). 

Ryan


"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Ashy in Greenwood Cemetery

Today's highlight is Ash throated Flycatcher in greenwood and possibly two birds exist.

Given the distance ,it's likely two birds were seen. The first is by Battle Hill, specifically along Border Ave just east of Garland Ave. A later report had this bird at Garland and Hemlock Ave.

A second bird was reported at Crescent water area. Given the distance from the first bird about the same time reported it's probably two Ash-throateds.

Adding to the Flycatcher s report, Eastern Bluebirds were found at the Morse crypt.

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Noteworthy rarities

Prospects PURPLE GALLINULE continues it's week long presence at the same location as usual.In Greenwood Cemetery, an ASH THROATED FLYCATCHER is reported there.

The Gallinule stays near the hairpin path at the bottom of Breeze Hill , in hhabitat in front of the tiny island. I heard from a friend who mentioned that Charles T took a photo of the gallinule almost caught by a Cooper's Hawk, surviving its near attempt.

Meanwhile over at the cemetery, an Ash throated Flycatcher appeared near Battle Hill at the "hawkwatch" I presumed is the Kiamie crypt. Whatever the reported vague location, there is an ash throated there.

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Purple Gallinule hangs around

Today just after lunch I sort of got lucky. After away since Saturday on a Berkshires leaf peeping vacation, a Purple Gallinule rewarded me with its overextended stay.

Having run into Ryan Mandlebaum after my lunch hour at Southwest Nethermead, he mentioned he had just seen the Gallinule in  very good proximity. I figured even though I wasn't high on getting it,I figured what the heck. Upon arrival, two birders were already looking at it;so did I and boy was it close! Feeding like a grackle or better described a rusty blackbird, it was flipping leaves in the underbrush. In any sense, it cooperated very well.

For the location if anyone still seeks it, the shore line habitat at the bottom of Breeze Hill hairpin path towards the metal bollards but before it is the spot.Otherwise it might move in the direction of the Terrace bridge.Though, methinks it'll stick around here where I observed it.



"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Fwd: Thursday Walk



"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Tom Stephenson <12toms@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Oct 19, 2023, 3:13 PM
Subject: Thursday Walk
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc: Marisa Hernandez <shishi47@gmail.com>, Dennis Hrehowsik <DeepSeaGangster@gmail.com>, Roberta Manian <roberta.manian@gmail.com>, Bob Curtis <bobolink@nyct.net>, Jeremy Nadel <jeremynadel@gmail.com>, Valerie Masten <valerie.masten@gmail.com>


Hi Peter,
A beautiful day, clearly late in the migration season (i.e. not very birdy...), for our last  Thursday walk. 
Highlights were the Purple Gallinule, Winter Wren, lots of Golden-crowned Kinglets, many low, Broad-winged Hawk, Orange-crowned Warbler and more.

Here's the list. On to Winter!

Best regards,
Tom


Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Herring Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Palm Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
American Redstart
Common Yellowthroat
Scarlet Tanager
Eastern Towhee
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Common Grackle
House Finch
House Sparrow
Purple Gallinule

Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) purp Gallinue

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 2:19 PM on Thu, Oct 19, 2023:
Prospect juv Purple Gallinule out in open by Breeze Hill shore line hairpin turn before bollards
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/1715070104512164091?t=BxfXkXGK6zqd3s6uLlAMvw&s=03)

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Prospect Purp Gallinue

Our continuing bird stays along Breeze Hills south shoreline, lately seen near the hairpin turn of the path that goes up to Breeze Hill. This spot is by the small island.



"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

A mega rarity plus two

Prospects PURPLE GALLINULE continues it's stay while a bittern shows up and a continuing Dickcissel stays put in Greenwood Cemetery.

The Gallinule cooperatively stuck to the south shore of Breeze Hill reportedly a few feet from the path.

Meanwhile at southwest  Prospect Lakes West Island, an American Bittern flushed out of the phragmites there within the Hammerhead cove, towards the phragmites adjacent to the rustic shelter .

The Greenwood Dickcissel continues at Janet's Wildflower meadow as of today ,present for several days now.

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Fwd: Brooklyn Bird Club Scavenger Hunt Results



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michael Yuan <mjyuan@gmail.com>
Date: Monday, October 16, 2023
Subject: Brooklyn Bird Club Scavenger Hunt Results
To:


Thank you all for being part of the 1st ever Brooklyn Bird Club Bird Scavenger Hunt! What a terrific day! Hope you had as much doing it as I had planning it.
I appreciate everyone's flexibility for doing the hunt on Sunday instead of on a wet Saturday. Great to see some of you out there at Green-Wood, and great to hear teams scoured Prospect Park and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge too.
I'm sure you want to know about the results, so I'll get to it.
Ten teams pursued 75 goals, which provided a potential 1900+ points per team.
Congratulations to Fuggedabirdit (Amanda Bielskas, Tara Craig, Heidi Ng, Michael Silber) for topping the table! They found 61, or 90% of the goals, for a total of 1,354 points. Considering all the orange and blue-colored birds really paid off! They win their choice of t-shirt from Bird Collective. Nice job!
2nd place goes to Count Gracula (Valerie Masten, Jeremy Nader, Radio Osickova, Crystal Thiele, Michele Truong), who completed 56 goals, totaling 1,088 points. Way to find the lifers and county birds! Enjoy your choice of Brooklyn Bird Club apparel!
Despite a valiant effort (Nice Connecticut Warbler find!) from I Know What You Did Last Summer Tanager (Erin Chapman, Emily Edmonds-Langham, Jim McNamee, Paul Sweet), they finished in 3rd, just 27 points short of Count Gracula, with 1,061 points from 54 goals completed. If only news about the Prospect Park Purple Gallinule came out in the morning!
Thanks to all for celebrating World Migratory Bird Day (just one day late) in style! Thank you to Tom S and Jer Thorp for your input and feedback on the goals, and thanks to Tina, Angie, and Janet for coordinating and donating prizes from Bird Collective and the Brooklyn Bird Club shop. 
Hope to see you in the hunt next year!
-Mike
</mail/u/0/s/?view=att&th=18b3a8044e239aec&attid=0.1.1&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1>
Goals:
Goal #GoalPoints
1Watch a bird chasing after food from a perch7
2Watch a bird feeding on main trunk of tree4
3See a bird missing some of its tail18
4See a bird tapping on a tree7
5See a bird feeding on the ground 6
6Get pooped on (by a bird)100
7Observe a bird in or interacting with a puddle16
8Observe a bird preening itself18
9Observe a bird with mud on its legs or bill16
10Observe a bird standing on one leg20
11See a perched accipiter5
12See a soaring buteo11
13See a soaring falco13
14Watch a bird carrying something8
15Watch a bird taking a bath22
16Watch birds mob a predator36
17See 4 or more species in a single tree28
18A non-birder asks you about what you're seeing30
19A person asks you if you've "seen the eagles"55
20Show a non-birder a bird and tell them a fact about it32
21Observe birds from a parking lot15
22Encounter another birding group or scavenger hunt team12
23Find a bird nest (empty ok)8
24See a bird perched or standing on a man-made object7
25See a bird whose name is metioned in a song32
26See a bird through a window15
27See a bird name in writing (not in a book or on a device)14
28See a bird with orange on it (earn points per species)4
29See a bird with blue on it (earn points per species)3
30See a bird with green on it (earn points per species)2
31See a bird with yellow on it (earn points per species)1
32Encounter a flock of the same species, totaling 10 or more13
33Encounter a flock of the same species, totaling 200 or more59
34Encounter a mixed flock of 4 or more species30
35See over 40 species on the day15
36See over 80 species on the day35
37See 1 exotic, non-native species not yet considered established in New York27
38See or hear 4 duck species40
39See 1 rail species30
40See or hear 6 shorebird species45
41See or hear 5 gull species50
42See 3 tern species25
43See 3 heron/egret species20
44See/hear 3 corvid species18
45See both kinglet species15
46See/hear 3 mimid species22
47See 3 catharus thrushes25
48See 5 emberizidae species27
49See or hear 5 setophaga warbler species40
50See a non-setophaga warbler12
51Hear a flying bird calling and identify it to species3
52Find a feather6
53Identify a feather15
54Identify a bird by song/call4
55Identify the bird's song or call that a mockingbird is mimicking11
56See a banded bird and read the code35
57Hear a bird named for what it does (earn points per species)9
58See a bird named for what it sounds like (earn points per species)8
59See a female duck7
60See a nocturnal bird35
61Bird in a birding location/hotspot you've never birded before (for anyone in the group)20
62See a bird that is flagged as rare in eBird18
63See a number of birds on one eBird checklist that is flagged for count11
64Submit 5 or more eBird checklists for the day20
65See a County bird (a bird a team member has never seen in the county they're currently in). Max 68
66See a first of season (FOS) bird, for anyone in the group. Max 64
67See a life bird, a bird a team member has never seen before, for anyone in the group. Max 612
68See the ABA Bird of the Year or last five years15
69See a bird that typically spends its winter in South America13
70See a bird that typically spends its winter in Central America/Mexico/Caribbean12
71Find a vagrant or out of range bird that isn't typically seen in NYC in October90
72Based on reports or info from other birders, see a vagrant/out of range rare bird30
73See the eagles! See a Bald Eagle20
74See the New York state bird75
75Take a picture or video of your team. Share with the Brooklyn Bird Club 40


--
"No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings." -- William Blake, artist,author

Monday, October 16, 2023

Latest news Gallinule and rare sparrows

Per latest reports (from Massachusetts abide), the PURPLE GALLINULE continues but seen around Prospects smallish Teacup Island next to Music Island in line with the Lincoln statue).

The Dickcissel over at Greenwood Cemetery still resides in Janet's Meadow at Valley Water' while a Grasshopper Sparrow hangs still by the East Gate at 20th Street.

At Battle Hill still in Greenwood,an immature Redheaded Woodpecker was seen .

🍁

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Fwd: Great news about making NYC safer for birds



"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Michael Yuan <mjyuan@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Oct 16, 2023, 1:35 PM
Subject: Great news about making NYC safer for birds
To:


Dear bird-loving friends,

I wanted to share this great news about important steps that a notorious bird-killing building is finally taking. For years, Circa Central Park, an apartment building on the NW corner of Central Park, has been responsible for thousands of bird collisions. Thanks to the help of volunteers and the science-driven efforts of NYC Audubon, the building is nearly completed installation of bird-deterring film in the area where most of the collisions have been occurring.

Thank you for your support for this year's Fall Roost, and I look forward to seeing you there next Monday. For those of you who are still undecided, it's not too late to purchase a ticket for what's sure to be a great event.

If the Roost isn't for you, please consider donating. Every little bit helps to make changes like those at the Circa building, and protect the birds we love.

Thank you,
Mike

On Thu, Sep 28, 2023 at 5:45 PM Michael Yuan <mjyuan@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear friends and bird lovers,

As you may know, I serve on the board of directors of NYC Audubon, which works to protect birds and their habitat across the city and share the joy of birds with all New Yorkers. I hope you'll join Nicky and me at NYC Audubon's 2023 Fall Roost fundraiser, which will be held in Brooklyn for the 1st time at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.

The event is a perfect opportunity to support our work and come see what we're all about. We'll be honoring 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge for their commitment to sustainability and reducing bird collisions, and my colleague Jeff Kimball, director of The Central Park Effect, for his dedication to conservation and leadership of NYC Audubon. It's sure to be a terrific party, with cocktails, food, live music, and all sorts of birdy fun. 

Details are included in the attached, and you can also learn more and purchase a ticket online at https://nycaudubon.org/support-birds/support-birds-in-nyc/the-fall-roost-2023

If attending the fundraiser is not for you, please consider donating to NYC Audubon, which will help advance its mission to foster engagement with birds and nature, protect the city's wildlife, and advocate for improving the quality of life for both birds and people. 

I hope to see you there! 

Thanks,
Mike

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Potential Cackling goose on Prospect Lake today



"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Potential Purple Gallinule in Prospect Peninsula.

Reported by Terry, south of the pink beach on the Peninsula s. North shore. Appeared to be a juvenile.


"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Greenwood cemetery hotspots

I'm up in Massachusetts leaf peeping a favorable pastime for me but here's the latest on greenwood.

Yesterday Janet's Wildflower meadow ( Valley Water' north)  " exploded"  witha variety of rarities. Here are the good stuff: Dickcissel, 5 Eastern Meadowlarks, Blue Grosbeak and Clay colored sparrow. It's pretty hot there; then again who should be surprised with all the native bird food there.

And there's more.Nearer to 20th Street East gate on the Hill of graves a Vesper sparrow was discovered. Even better two Grasshopper Sparrows are in that vicinity at the section east area.

On Prospects Lookout Hill,the Butterfly Meadow hosted a late Connecticut Warbler.

That's my abbreviated report.

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Saturday, October 14, 2023

PP Dickcissel

Reported yesterday at ballfield #2 in western long meadow Prospect.



"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Fwd: Thursday Walk

Tom leading 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Tom Stephenson <12toms@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Oct 12, 2023 at 2:29 PM
Subject: Thursday Walk
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc: >


Hi Peter,

A beautiful Fall day, with great weather. Unfortunately most of the birds seem to have decided that they'd rather be in the tropics....so they missed a great time in the park.

Although all was very quiet, we did have some highlights including a fairly cooperative Winter Wren, a striking Blue-headed Vireo, a brilliant male Black-throated Blue Warbler, a few raptors, Swainson's, Hermit and Gray-cheeked Thrush, and a peaceful Green-winged Teal near that crazy white-tufted Wood Duck.
All in all 53 species including a few warblers.

Here's the list.
Best regards,
Tom


Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Ruddy Duck
Osprey
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Common Yellowthroat
Scarlet Tanager
Eastern Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
House Sparrow


--
" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

The latest at GWC

 Cooperatively, the Western Kingbird continues it's stay with the Lark Sparrow doing as well in Greenwood Cemetery.

The Kingbird stays loyal to the location it chose from the weekend.Look for it at Sycamore Ave by Bud Path area above the Chapel.

With a Lark Sparrow another pursuit, it decided as well sticking around. Look for this bird at Janet's Meadow along Magnolia Ave at Valley Water' s northwest shore.

Meanwhile over at Prospect Park, in an area recently names the Ghost forest, a Hooded Warbler was reported. It ventured along the path between the Flatbush Ave entrances just south of the Rose garden.

Thank You for Signing: McCormick Place: Keep the Lights Out | Audubon Community Petitions

https://works.audubon.org/petition/94376/thank-you

This building on the western shore of lake Michigan us a massive killer. Do sign as birds don't recognize birders or state lines  

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Western King bird gwc

Greenwoos Cemetery's Western King bird was still present this morning, at the same locationn behind up the slope from the Chapel

This is Sycamore Ave at Bud Path in that general area. The bird patches high in an oak tree.

--
"No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings." -- William Blake, artist,author

Conservation tidbit: helping fall/ winter birds



"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Monday, October 9, 2023

Western Kingbird at Greenwood

This is the time of year birders start looking for western vagrants; this morning they were treated to two such birds.

The top prize is a Western  Kingbird first reported Sunday. still persisted at the same location at the top of Sycamore Ave before Central Ave. This spot overlooks the back of the landmark Chapel. The Kingbird was best seen from the Bud or Strawberry Paths.

It was at this very same spot a surprising Lark Sparrow was discovered. So a double luck situation. The bird eventually flew off and settled into Janet's Meadow ,scoring another prize for that location, continuing a string of I believe three rarities this young fall. ( Janet's Meadow sits on Valley Waters northwest shore).

Adding another uncommon but expected fall rarity, an Orange crowned Warbler surfaced at Sylvan Water southeast ridge. Likely according to the report ,on the hillside facing the pond.

🐦

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Fwd: 10.7.23 BBC Prospect walk

Leader Dennis

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Dennis Hrehowsik <deepseagangster@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Oct 8, 2023, 9:57 AM
Subject: 10.7.23
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>, Roberta <roberta.manian@gmail.com>, Tom Stephenson <12toms@gmail.com>


Hey Peter,

Ten birders met on yet another rainy Saturday where highlights were marsh wren 8 green wing teal and 10 warbler species with 48 sp total. Hoping for some dry fall weather next week.

Best,

D

48 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  5
Wood Duck  8
Northern Shoveler  3
Mallard  15
American Black Duck  10
Green-winged Teal  8     A small raft of female type teal near three sisters
Ruddy Duck  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  8
Mourning Dove  7
American Coot  2
Laughing Gull  1
Ring-billed Gull  2
Herring Gull  5
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Blue Heron  1
Green Heron  1
Accipiter sp.  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  3
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  3
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  8
American Crow  3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  6
Marsh Wren  1
Carolina Wren  1
wren sp.  1
European Starling  15
Gray Catbird  5
Northern Mockingbird  1
American Robin  75
House Sparrow  100
White-throated Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  3
Common Grackle  5
Northern Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  5
Northern Parula  3
Yellow Warbler  1     On three sisters
Blackpoll Warbler  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  2
Black-throated Green Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  10

Dennis W Hrehowsik
President Brooklyn Bird Club

Friday, October 6, 2023

Raptor event Audubon

https://nycaudubon.org/events-birding/programs-and-events/festivals?fbclid=IwAR1vlZeR-3qB_PfY0opUCklOySwQvZtlS2YJIFziye0sGrvrli2EfeYvesE

Out of greenwood

Reports yesterday mentioned the presence of Great Cormorant and Clay colored sparrow both good birds though the former is exceedingly rare in the cemetery.

The sighting of Great Cormorant is unheard of in the cemetery, reportedly seen on the middle island of Sylvan Water before flying off .

Upland there's a Clay colored sparrow mingling with a chipping sparrow flock and juncos at Southwood and Locust Avenues.

October is an interesting time around here..



"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" --Lao Tzu

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Fwd: Thursday Walk

Led by Tom

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Tom Stephenson <12toms@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Oct 5, 2023 at 3:14 PM
Subject: Thursday Walk
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc: Dennis Hrehowsik <DeepSeaGangster@gmail.com>, Roberta Manian <roberta.manian@gmail.com>


Hi Peter,
Good seeing you in the park on a beautiful (if not very birdy....) day.

We were, eventually, able to pull out 53 species...but birds were very few and far between. The highlights were Merlin, providing some great views, perching and flying and catching a dragonfly; and 3 Green-winged Teal and 2 Gadwall...
As for warblers....mostly parulas.....and Golden-crowned Kinglets  (almost warblers....)

Here's the list.

Best regards,
Tom

Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Black Duck
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Ruddy Duck
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
Herring Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Common Yellowthroat
Scarlet Tanager
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Common Grackle
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow


--
" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

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