Prospect Park Bird Sightings & North Brooklyn Nature News: 2025

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Last day gulls

On this last last of the year,it's all gulls.

Bush Terminal Pier Park hosted both Glaucous and Black headed Gulls, with the latter also visiting Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4.

BATPier 4 had the Lesser black back gill today, continuing at this location.Itd a good time visiting both renown gull spots. A late report also placed this species in Brooklyn bridge park.( See the report below)

Meanwhile the Iceland gull hangs around Prospect Park ,an observer believing it's the Thayer's subspecies, this bird continuing since pre CBC .

A hen Common Merganser also stuck around on the lake,loving the place

Happy New Year!...

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 30, 2025 16:29 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/S291474590
- Comments: "2cy @marina"

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 31, 2025 13:58 by Julian Elman
- 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/S291489407
- Media: 9 Photos
- Comments: "Dark eye, small greenish bill, rounded head, very pink legs. Pale underwing. Appeared only a bit larger than nearby RBGUs. Seen with mchl from hammerhead but eventually lost in flight over the lake. I still need to dig into the finer ID details but the spread wings look consistent with recent photos."

Something to think about for the New year:

What is success?
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch Or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Rare gulls trifecta at Bush Terminal Pier #4 and waste treatments plant

Reports today of Glaucous Gull at Owls Head waste treatments plant , a Black headed Gull there as well but reported flying afterwards towards BATPIER4 plus the gull below.. good stuff if you like gulls...

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 30, 2025 13:06 by Joseph Trezza
- Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.646519,-74.026074&ll=40.646519,-74.026074
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S291232674
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Subadult with dark back, straight black bill, punched-in-the-eye look, dark rump + white uppertail coverts and one donut."

Monday, December 29, 2025

Possible slaty backed gull prospect lake

A strong possibility with an immature seen from the Hammerhead or southwest mainland of prospect lake, up close.

Come flock prosLake

13 Common Mergansers just circled over Prospect Park Lake.l

COME prospect lake

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (2)
- Reported Dec 29, 2025 15:10 by Joseph Trezza
- 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/S291071787
- Comments: "M, f, many observers

Good gulls at prospect lake

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 29, 2025 11:45 by Jeanne Cimorelli
- 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/S291060140
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing adult and possible immature. Photo."

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 29, 2025 11:45 by Jeanne Cimorelli
- 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/S291060140
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing bird with dark eye, small rounded head and small bill. Photos."

Glaucous gull*at BATPier4

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (1)
- Reported Dec 29, 2025 11:16 by Casey Ferio
- Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.646519,-74.026074&ll=40.646519,-74.026074
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S291043145
- Comments: "*continuing second year bird that haunted the army terminal last winter as a juvenile and has now returned. Flew in (from the east?) and landed on the pier at 12:21 as gull numbers started to rise. After a while it was flushed by a car and flew high downriver towards the owls head water treatment plant. I headed south to try and get this species for my all-important bay ridge list (the only list that matters) but failed to relocate it from the bay ridge pier or by looking down into the water treatment plant from the hill at owls head. The only non-first cycle glaucous gull I've ever seen. Photos"

Sunday, December 28, 2025

OCWA in GWC ( unknown specific location) one of 3 reports

Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) (1)
- Reported Dec 28, 2025 07:14 by Susie Dippel
- 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/S290837475
- Comments: "Continuing, feeding at Sapsucker drilled hole, Sapsucker chased the warbler away"

LBBG juvenile on prospect lake

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (2)
- Reported Dec 28, 2025 13:07 by Austin Johnson
- 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/S290874815
- Comments: "one adult with a slate gray back and yellow legs and one juv"

Glaucous Gull continuing at BTPP

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (1)
- Reported Dec 28, 2025 12:16 by Asher Fusco
- Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.646519,-74.026074&ll=40.646519,-74.026074
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S290832861
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing second-cycle individual, initially reported 12/23 by Joshua Malbin. Bulky gull with pink legs, marbled wing pattern, thick bicolor bill, and yellow eye. Loafing with Ring-billed and American Herring gulls, intermittently picking at a corn cob. Photos."

Saturday, December 27, 2025

Come and LBBG on prospect lake , reports

Also note flyover Red shouldered Hawk lake

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (2)
- Reported Dec 27, 2025 12:44 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/S290623280
- Comments: "Image."

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (7)
- Reported Dec 27, 2025 10:15 by Sean Sime
- 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/S290623551
- Comments: "One hen on lake. Flock of 2 Drake and two hen circled lake multiple times then headed SW out of park, then flock of two hen did the same some time later."

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (7)
- Reported Dec 27, 2025 09:26 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/S290626531
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "1, 4, 2. The four flew around and then out to the SW. The one was on the lake maybe the whole time. And then two flew in, out, maybe back in or maybe there were 9 total, and stayed for a bit."

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 27, 2025 12:44 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/S290623280
- Comments: "Image."

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 27, 2025 09:26 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/S290626531
- Media: 3 Photos

BTPP BLACK HEADED GULL *continuing

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) (1)
- Reported Dec 27, 2025 10:34 by Nick Dawson
- 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/S290549899
- Comments: "Continuing. Photos

Friday, December 26, 2025

Orange crowned warbler southern GWC and plus 2

Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) (1)
- Reported Dec 26, 2025 10:27 by Asher Fusco
- 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/S290360947
- Comments: "Quick-but-clear views: foraging eye-level in a Yew on the flats. Pointy-billed warbler with gray head, olive back, and yellow undertail coverts."

Also reported today on prospect lake an uncommon species 6 Brant

And....

BLACK-HEADED GULL at Bush Terminal Pier Park , roosting on the jetty by the Osprey platform

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Local Lesser black backed gulls

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 25, 2025 07:03 by John Huggard
- 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/S290149237
- Comments: "Dark grey back, smudgy eye. Smaller than nearby GBBG. Was not able to get photo. All gulls flew off lake when I was pointing me camera and then I could not find again."

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 25, 2025 07:59 by Yosef Yitzchok Schusterman
- 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/S290173416
- Comments: "Landed after flying from another part of the lake. Smaller than the other Black-backed Gull (Great). Dark gray rather than black or light gray"

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 25, 2025 09:50 by jules w
- Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.646519,-74.026074&ll=40.646519,-74.026074
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S290155917
- Comments: "adult gull, distinctive black wash on back but small; compared to herrings. would be consistent with caseys report yesterday"

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Christmas Greetings

The Kingsboider wishes all a Merry Christmas and festive holiday be yours this day.

May your Happy celebration with family ,friends or birders be meaningful and memorable.

🎄🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

"The reason for the season"

Glaucous Gull flyover GWC 330 PM

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (1)
- Reported Dec 24, 2025 11:20 by MCHL ____
- 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/S290041148
- Comments: "!!! Large all-white/gray gull with bi-colored bill seen fairly low over Linden Ave at the edge of Hill of Graves, flying West towards South Brooklyn Marine Terminal or Brooklyn Army Terminal, perhaps departing from Prospect Park Lake. Reported at Pier 4 Brooklyn Army Terminal by Josh M. yesterday. I assume it's the same individual. Images for review."

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

LBBG @BATP4

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 23, 2025 12:07 by Casey Ferio
- Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.646519,-74.026074&ll=40.646519,-74.026074
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S289867768
- Comments: "*probably the same adult I sometimes see from the bay ridge pier, in basically the same place. Small: dark-backed Larus, particularly heavily marked face on this individual"

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

--Carl Sagan

Monday, December 22, 2025

Rusty Blackbird in Vale cashmere

Rusty. Blackbird in Vale of Cashmere today

Two COME on Prospect Lake

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (2)
- Reported Dec 22, 2025 10:16 by Marleny Rafferty
- 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/S289702020
- Comments: "I spotted this pair on the lake while searching for the Thayer's Gull. Juan Salas was there to help confirm ID, (thank you Juan). A pair of adult female common mergansers. Sharp, clean break of brown head and body. Unfortunately, only got 2 pics before they flew off heading west towards Green-wood Cemetery. Will post my 2 pics."

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Last night Christmas bird count dinner tally

At the prospect park boathouse, a large gathering.

The preliminary count is 130 species from 13 different Kings county circle ..a great count !

“If we had not had a Christmas Bird Count in those early years, we would not have as strong an understanding of long term bird trends. Many of these changes take place gradually.” - Chan Robbins, legendary biologist, retired USFWS employee, and creator of the North American Breeding Bird Survey
Robbins bio:
https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/robbins/index.cfm

Winter Begins

Winter Solstice occured at 9:03 this morning.

Happy Winter !

🐧🌨️☃️❄️🌬️🥶☃️❄️🐧🌨️🌬️

"If we had not had a Christmas Bird Count in those early years, we would not have as strong an understanding of long term bird trends. Many of these changes take place gradually." - Chan Robbins, legendary biologist, retired USFWS employee, and creator of the North American Breeding Bird Survey
Robbins bio:
https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/robbins/index.cfm

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Prospect Baltimore

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) (1)
- Reported Dec 20, 2025 14:13 by Forrest Wickman
- 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/S289444450
- Comments: "Flagged: very late. I went to the lake to look for the Ant's Gull, took 100 photographer's of a rather Thayer's-y gull that threatened to spark a civil war at the count dinner (it may just be the world's most Thayer's-y Herring Gull?), and, while gulling from the west side of the lake, heard a rattle call from overhead. I immediately thought, "oriole?!" and looked up to see this bird, which I suppose is technically a rarer species—Prospect's rarest for the day—even if it's a common breeder here in the summer, and not nearly so rare as that subspecies. It then flew off to the west and out of the park, perhaps never to be seen again. Photos."

Bald eagle ( also seen prospect park just prior)

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) (1)
- Reported Dec 20, 2025 08:20 by Ryan Goldberg
- 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/S289376541
- Comments: "Adult, large raptor with dark wings, white head and white tail, gliding high westbound over the south side of the cemetery at 12:45."

Japanese pond path

Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) (1)
- Reported Dec 20, 2025 10:11 by Tina Alleva
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6680222,-73.96367&ll=40.6680222,-73.96367
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S289357157
- Comments: "Will add pics"

Friday, December 19, 2025

Tomorrow is the 126th CBC

Kings county bird count is conducted on the first Saturday within the December 14th -Jan 5th period .

History and details

https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count

https://nycbirdalliance.org/our-work/conservation/community-science-bird-surveys/audubon-christmas-bird-count

Audubon Christmas Bird Count | Audubon

Tomorrow is the Kings county Count

And the 126th

Audubon Christmas Bird Count | Audubon https://share.google/cC8YXXwtOheBmpl7y

Get out and Boid!

Come lake

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Dec 19, 2025 13:06 by Joseph Trezza
- 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/S289222213
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Female. Photo"

Thayer's continuing

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 19, 2025 13:06 by Joseph Trezza
- 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/S289222213
- Comments: "Cont. photo"

Thayers continues

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 18, 2025 10:36 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/S289123357
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing rarity found a few days ago by Ant. A gull larger than nearby Ring billed gulls and a bit smaller than nearby Herring gulls. First noticed because of its size, rounded head and bill - that was smaller than a Herring gull's bill - with the small red dot on its lower mandible. Richard F and Jeff G both got photos of its wingtips to clinch the ID. Back of camera photos from Jeff."

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

--Carl Sagan

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

Thayer's gull reports

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <ebird-alert@birds.cornell.edu>
Date: Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 12:30 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To: <prosbird@gmail.com>

*** Species Summary:

- Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (3 reports)

---------------------------------------------
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.

eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 17, 2025 08:38 by B F
- 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/S288964952
- Media: 6 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing bird found (refound) by Ant T. earlier this week. Photos. Just a little smaller than a Herring Gull, with darker eye, slimmer bill with small red gonys spot (very modest gonydeal angle), and slightly more pink legs.

Insanely dumb luck, having told myself I didn't feel like scanning through the gulls today in favor of searching for other things, I took a quick break from sparrows to glance at the lake and it was like the fourth bird I looked at. Glad I was able to triangulate with other birders via phone across the lake to get them on it."

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 17, 2025 08:28 by chel sea
- 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/S288975534
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Amazing find by Ant earlier this week on 12/14! Such a difficult ID to make, and hundreds of gulls to comb through. Continuing on lake ice with larger herring and smaller ring-billed nearby.

Very pink legs that stood out even at a distance, via scope. Smudging around eye, mostly yellow bill with red marking on lower mandible (gonys). Low hanging rear compared to nearby gulls.

Big shout out to Ant and those who followed up with observations, and to MCHL for combing through the gulls to help find it on our FBC Winter Solstice Warm Up!

Ant's write up of the bird can be found here, with documentation to support this is probably a returning bird! https://ebird.org/checklist/S288605219"

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 17, 2025 08:28 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/S288975535
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Amazing find by Ant T. earlier this week on 12/14! Such a difficult ID to make, and hundreds of gulls to comb through. Continuing on lake ice with larger herring and smaller ring-billed nearby.

Very pink legs that stood out even at a distance, via scope. Smudging around eye, mostly yellow bill with red marking on lower mandible (gonys). Low hanging rear (?) compared to nearby gulls.

Big shout out to Ant and those who followed up with observations, and to MCHL for combing through the gulls to help find it for the group! Everyone was able to have a look through the scope.

Ant T.'s write up of the bird can be found here https://ebird.org/checklist/S288605219
With documentation to support this is probably a returning bird, based on plumage progression, and first observed by Josh M in 2021 and found subsequently by Ant the last few years."

***********

You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's Kings County Rare Bird Alert

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eBird Alerts provide recent reports of regionally or seasonally rare species (Rarities Alerts) or species you have not yet observed (Needs Alerts) in your region of interest; both Accepted and Unreviewed observations are included. Some reports may be from private property or inaccessible to the general public. It is the responsibility of every eBirder to be aware of and respectful of access restrictions. For more information, see our Terms of Use: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/terms-of-use/

prospect thayers contimnues

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 17, 2025 09:05 by Sameer Ajmani
- 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/S288954743
- Comments: "Continuing on lake. Dark eye, deep pink legs, light grey under wing tip, cute head, thinner bill a little greenish underneath. Thanks to Brian Fox and Forrest Wickman for getting me on the bird. Photos. Lifer!"

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

--Carl Sagan

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Wickman prospect chklist

https://ebird.org/checklist/S288840620

Note lone snow goose lake and tree sparrow. Details in link above

One COME

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Dec 16, 2025 09:34 by Austin Johnson
- 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/S288852041
- Comments: "lone male doing circles above the lake, photos"

Nice flock of Common Mergansers on prospect lake

A rare sight for numbers , record breaker 19 seen by Forrest

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (19) CONFIRMED
- Reported Dec 15, 2025 08:00 by Forrest Wickman
- 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/S288778581
- Media: 7 Photos
- Comments: "Flagged: Somewhat rare in Brooklyn, and indeed this is an all-time high count for the park, per eBird, surpassing the 15 that I had (along with Sameer) in January. I first watched 10 fly east over the lake and away as I was walking to the park. Then, when I reached the lake, there were another nine (all female/immature) all diving on the water. Photos of nearly all of these birds to be added. Will also note that this experience also immediately reminded me of the 30-40 birds I saw flying high west over the lake yesterday, though at that time my camera was in my bag and I didn't feel confident enough to call it, given the terrible visibility in the snowstorm. Still, clearly this species is moving in big numbers with the cold snap and all the water freezing over."

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

--Carl Sagan

Monday, December 15, 2025

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert **THAYER'S gull reports

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <ebird-alert@birds.cornell.edu>
Date: Mon, Dec 15, 2025, 4:23 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To: <prosbird@gmail.com>

*** Species Summary:

- Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (4 reports)

---------------------------------------------
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.

eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 15, 2025 15:00 by Ryan Mandelbaum
- 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/S288747197
- Comments: "medium size gull barely larger than ring billed. no markings on greenish beak, eye darker than adult AHGU. photos and spread wing. thanks ant for finding and austin for getting me on it"

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 15, 2025 14:01 by Ant Tab
- 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/S288745404
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing, and appropriately refound by Case F, my good friend who is partially responsible for the development of my terminal gull obsession. I'm so happy this bird was finally chaseable for others to enjoy!!!"

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 15, 2025 13:42 by Sean Sime
- 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/S288746113
- Media: 1 Video, 3 Photos
- Comments: "Originally found by Ant yesterday and tracked down by Case today. Beautiful adult bird, dark eye, smudgy collar, pale yellow bill. Underside of primaries pale. Black markings on primary tips present from P10-P5. While eyes looked totally dark in life, in photos the left eye isn't completely dark. No close images of the right eye were obtained."

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 15, 2025 13:15 by Linda Ewing
- 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/S288746767
- Comments: "Found yesterday by Ant, who'd been patiently searching for this bird to return (they'd had it last year). Very challenging to ID; I benefited from KZ's knowledge (and scope). Best field marks, for me, were the bright pink legs & feet (deep pink, almost red); dark eye; and pale underwing (seen well just once). More round-headed than herrings. Seen variously on ice, in water, and in flight."

***********

You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's Kings County Rare Bird Alert

Manage your eBird alert subscriptions:
https://ebird.org/alerts

eBird Alerts provide recent reports of regionally or seasonally rare species (Rarities Alerts) or species you have not yet observed (Needs Alerts) in your region of interest; both Accepted and Unreviewed observations are included. Some reports may be from private property or inaccessible to the general public. It is the responsibility of every eBirder to be aware of and respectful of access restrictions. For more information, see our Terms of Use: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/terms-of-use/

Thayer's ( Iceland ) gull continuing prospect lake today

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 15, 2025 12:58 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/S288744215
- Comments: "Amazing find by Ant T. (again) and big thanks to Case F. for refinding and sharing today. Challenging to identify. Medium sized, between herring and ring-billed, round-head, yellow bill, bright pink legs, much lighter underwing than herring.

Sunday, December 14, 2025

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

Thayer gull ** on prospect lake

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <ebird-alert@birds.cornell.edu>
Date: Sun, Dec 14, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To: <prosbird@gmail.com>

*** Species Summary:

- Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (2 reports)

---------------------------------------------
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.

eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 14, 2025 12:39 by Ant Tab
- 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/S288605219
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Reunited with the bestie for the fourth winter in a row 🙂 back of camera photos for now."

Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus glaucoides thayeri) (1)
- Reported Dec 14, 2025 12:39 by Gab C
- 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/S288605221
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Reunited with the bestie for the fourth winter in a row 🙂 back of camera photos for now."

***********

You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's Kings County Rare Bird Alert

Manage your eBird alert subscriptions:
https://ebird.org/alerts

eBird Alerts provide recent reports of regionally or seasonally rare species (Rarities Alerts) or species you have not yet observed (Needs Alerts) in your region of interest; both Accepted and Unreviewed observations are included. Some reports may be from private property or inaccessible to the general public. It is the responsibility of every eBirder to be aware of and respectful of access restrictions. For more information, see our Terms of Use: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/terms-of-use/

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

--Carl Sagan

Friday, December 12, 2025

Flyover gwc bald eagle

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) (1)
- Reported Dec 12, 2025 12:20 by Eliot townsend
- 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/S288310609
- Comments: "Juvenile. Mostly brown, flew over the hill of graves. Brown bird with white parts of head."

A guide to five native plants to feed birds in winter | Homes and Gardens

https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/native-plants-to-feed-birds-in-winter

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

--Carl Sagan

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Bald eagle sit on prospect lake

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) (1)
- Reported Dec 11, 2025 08:09 by Forrest Wickman
- 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/S288137691
- Comments: "Flagged for date, though they've been known to visit the Prospect Park Lake in the winter, especially when the lake is frozen and there are lots of gulls on the ice to terrorize, which is what this one was doing. Adult male, so huge raptor with all white head, all white tail, and dark brown body, first sitting on the ice and then flying off over the N side of the lake when I lost it."

Lincoln at BBP

Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) (1)
- Reported Dec 10, 2025 16:10 by Doug Gochfeld
- 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/S288133282
- Comments: "**rare for the date. One perched up in a tree on the P2 uplands at 16:54, fluffing and drying off, either from the earlier rain, or from taking a bath. Poor but diagnostic digibinned video (and a photo)."

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Brown Pelican incursion

With an invasion of pelicans reported on the south Brooklyn coast the past month, it's impossible to get them up into northern Brooklyn. Of course , you need coastal views .

Today that happened:Gabriel Willow found 10 flyby in NY harbor from his Bush Terminal Park, the pellys flying south . So if you happen to be along shore parkway in Sunset Park towards Bay ridge and Gravesend ,you might luck in...

LBBG annual at BBP 🌉

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Dec 08, 2025 16:27 by Doug Gochfeld
- 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/S288063545
- Comments: "2nd winter bird on the pilings. Apparently the same individual I saw last week when it was to dark to be sure of the species ID. Poor digiscoped photos and video

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Around the nabe

In Prospect park , especially the lake, an adult Bald Eagle perched on the Hammerhead, the southwest corner while a late Laughing Gull sat in the lake.

Over in Brooklyn botanic garden, an uncommon American Tree Sparrow appeared with juncos outside the native flora section, adjoining the Rose Garden.

Flyover eagle

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) (1)
- Reported Dec 09, 2025 09:20 by E Nichols
- 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/S287930582
- Comments: "Giant, white tail"

Late northern waterthrush

Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Dec 09, 2025 08:45 by B F
- 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/S287924532
- Media: 1 Audio
- Comments: "Probably the continuing bird Forrest has been seeing, between Terrace Bridge and the Peninsula. Some audio of the loud metallic chips as it appeared to be scared off by a Coop had attempted snag it, taking off towards the Peninsula sumacs."

Sunday, December 7, 2025

BBC First Sunday walk

Led by Ryan Goldberg

https://ebird.org/checklist/S287692619

Highlight Orange crowned warbler

Bbg yellow warblers

Northern Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva) (1)
- Reported Dec 07, 2025 10:21 by Marleny Rafferty
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6680222,-73.96367&ll=40.6680222,-73.96367
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287696836
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Female. All yellow warbler with plain face, pale legs and pale-edged wing feathers. Seen foraging in plant bed in Shakespeare Garden here: (40.6685683, -73.9623672) *photo to come"

OC warbler on Peninsula point

Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) (1)
- Reported Dec 07, 2025 10:00 by Sam Goodson
- 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/S287686174
- Comments: "In the pines on the peninsula; confirmed by other birders"

Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) (1)
- Reported Dec 07, 2025 09:50 by Ryan Goldberg
- 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/S287692619
- Comments: "Rare but regular overwinterer. Spotted by Taylor and seen up close in a pine at the Peninsula tip: a small pointy-billed warbler with gray head and broken white eye-arcs, blurry olive streaks on pale yellow breast, and brighter yellow undertail coverts. Several people got photos."

Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) (1)
- Reported Dec 07, 2025 08:00 by Forrest Wickman
- 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/S287689231
- Comments: "Flagged for date: Found by Pedro in the phrags along the W side of the lake Judy N of West Island. Was mostly skulking in there, esp after a raptor came through and scared everything, but a warbler that was mostly a cold greenish yellow, with no wing bars, yellow under the tail, a gray head, and an eyeline (not an eyering). Terrible photo available."

https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/robbins/index.cfm

’Tis the Season for the Christmas Bird Count | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

'Tis the Season for the Christmas Bird Count | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service https://share.google/W6siGl4RA2yooai7s

"Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love—that makes life and nature harmonize."

Mary Ann Evans ( pen name George Eliot) 18th c author

Devout( or devour?) Catholics ? 😆

Both Peregrines perched on my Catholic church cross.. looks like a Preying duo . 🙏🤗

It's a regular perch for Peregrines and red tailed hawks..

Pretty cool and happy they picked my church...

Photo taken by Ryan G. from his apartment which looks northwest to the church.

"Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love—that makes life and nature harmonize."

Mary Ann Evans ( pen name George Eliot) 18th c author