Windy Sunday local gems

Sunday with sunny weather still windy kept some birders local. Continuity is the word with a number of birds that seem comfortable here.

In Greenwood Cemetery, a few hilights of continuing species. Long staying Red headed Woodpecker likes it's comfort zone at the Hemlock Ave trees west of Battle Ave. Both Baltimore Oriole and Chipping Sparrow stuck close to the feeders and suet at Dellwater.

Speaking of feeders, the Pine warbler continues there at Prospect. A second Pine Warbler  was reported in a Pine conifer near the Well Dr and west lake drive junction. 

Last good bird to report ? A Cackling Goose on the Lake by the Peninsula, within the Canada Geese flock.

Me? I'm too tired today after yesterday's BBC windstorm trip to pursue these birds.

"Feed the birds in winter; in return, they will feed your soul with the look of gratitude!"

--Mehmet Murat ildan





   

Fwd: BBC New Year's Day Walk 2025

BBC First day walk tally ,led by Karen OHearn

"Feed the birds in winter; in return, they will feed your soul with the look of gratitude!"

--Mehmet Murat ildan





   

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: karenohearn@aol.com <karenohearn@aol.com>
Date: Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 8:07 PM
Subject: BBC New Year's Day Walk 2025
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>

https://ebird.org/checklist/S207478532

Redtailed hawk author passes away

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/nyregion/marie-winn-dead.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR29RUZXn0WHly8Ob8CPORnXqDxPzDTBwjMr_eth0Ofjll8iH1CQuEOWShY_aem_KCtj2YtqPfuHa0GzRl-Hww

"Feed the birds in winter; in return, they will feed your soul with the look of gratitude!"

--Mehmet Murat ildan





   

Waterfowl counter needed

This is a long shot but I'm looking for experienced waterfowl counter for the north Brooklyn section covering the Brooklyn navy yard, Greenpoint and Williamsburg sections. The count is any day between Jan 18-26

Email me at prosbird@gmail.com

"Feed the birds in winter; in return, they will feed your soul with the look of gratitude!"

--Mehmet Murat ildan





   

GLGU back at BAT pier4

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (1)
- Reported Jan 03, 2025 11:46 by Kathleen Toomey
- 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/S207896735
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing at the far end of the pier with a group of loafing gulls.  Large all white gull, with dark tipped pink bill."

"Feed the birds in winter; in return, they will feed your soul with the look of gratitude!"

--Mehmet Murat ildan





   

Prospect feeders

Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) (2)
- Reported Jan 03, 2025 14:03 by Susie Dippel
- 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/S207881035
- Comments: "Continuing"

Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) (1)
- Reported Jan 03, 2025 15:20 by Ryan Treves
- 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/S207877497
- Comments: "At feeders, good looks over multiple visits. Pale yellow underneath, two wingbars, light brown above. No yellow rump."

"Feed the birds in winter; in return, they will feed your soul with the look of gratitude!"

--Mehmet Murat ildan





   

Great birds in the nabe

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Jan 03, 2025 08:05 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/S207820876
- Comments: "Hen with red head and white chin patch, presumably continuing since the other day."

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (1)
- Reported Jan 03, 2025 09:55 by E R
- 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/S207826513
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Returning bird- pink bill with black tip, beautifully patterned plumage"

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Jan 03, 2025 08:05 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/S207820876
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "First-winter bird intermediate in size compared to RBGU/AHGU with relatively slim black bill, rounded head, dusky eye, and dark wings contrasting with lighter underside."

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1)
- Reported Jan 03, 2025 09:25 by Clayton Raithel
- 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/S207820654
- Comments: "Continuing at Hemlock"

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Pine warb

Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) (1)
- Reported Jan 02, 2025 13:24 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/S207745743
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing on the suet at the feeders.  Pale warbler, with broken eye ring, wing bars.   Photo"

"Feed the birds in winter; in return, they will feed your soul with the look of gratitude!"

--Mehmet Murat ildan





   

eBird Checklist - 2 Jan 2025 - Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn - 31 species (+2 other taxa)

https://ebird.org/checklist/S207735701

Note redheaded wp,chipping Sparrow and balt oriole

"Feed the birds in winter; in return, they will feed your soul with the look of gratitude!"

--Mehmet Murat ildan





   

Breezy OCWA

Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) (1)
- Reported Jan 02, 2025 12:39 by Sawyer Smith
- 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/S207726404
- Comments: "Seen at a bird feeder several meters up from the lake"

"Feed the birds in winter; in return, they will feed your soul with the look of gratitude!"

--Mehmet Murat ildan





   

Yesterday's COME

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)
- Reported Jan 01, 2025 08:55 by Radka Osickova
- 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/S207487048
- Media: 1 Photo

"Feed the birds in winter; in return, they will feed your soul with the look of gratitude!"

--Mehmet Murat ildan





   

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

Note Common Merganser on Prospect Lake

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <ebird-alert@birds.cornell.edu>
Date: Thu, Jan 2, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To: <prosbird@gmail.com>

*** Species Summary:

- Common Merganser (1 report)
- Red-headed Woodpecker (1 report)
- Chipping Sparrow (1 report)
- Baltimore Oriole (1 report)

---------------------------------------------
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 our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Jan 01, 2025 08:33 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/S207515975
- Comments: "On lake.  Photo taken by fellow birder"

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1)
- Reported Jan 01, 2025 08:00 by matt bourke
- 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/S207619849
- Comments: "contuning"

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) (1)
- Reported Jan 01, 2025 08:00 by matt bourke
- 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/S207619849
- Comments: "on the ground at the feeders at dell water"

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) (2)
- Reported Jan 01, 2025 08:00 by matt bourke
- 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/S207619849
- Comments: "at the feeders around Dell Water and at Crescent water"

***********

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/

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

New years day in the nabe

A mixed bag of sightings on this first day of the year,but a good start mentally to enjoy life; A good way to love life all over again.

In lieu of reports online here's the summary of the best observations.

In Greenwood Cemetery starting in the Dellwater area, both Chipping Sparrow and Baltimore Oriole showed up. They may be common in migration and breeding season ,but in winter they're worthy chasing. The Chipping was seen at the feeder in Dell whereas both Orioles hung out in brush there.

In Prospect Park,feeder birds is the prize. Pine Warbler and 2 Purple Finches are notables. 

Sticking to Prospect ,an Orange crowned Warbler was spotted sipping slippery elm sap Northwest of Lullwater ( boathouse) Bridge..

Lastly, for a little mentioned place, the Cemetery of the Evergreens host a Red headed Woodpecker, our second bird along with the one in Greenwood Cemetery that has been recently reported .

Happy New Year! 🎉

"Feed the birds in winter; in return, they will feed your soul with the look of gratitude!"

--Mehmet Murat ildan





   

My golden year in 2025

Photo by Steve Nanz

Dear readers

Its hard to fanthom that fifty years birding have finally arrived. From my first spring in 1975 at age 14, A spectacular male Scarlet Tanager became my spark bird in the shadow of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in the Wallabout section of Brooklyn.

I remembered that Scarlet Tanager vividly. My mother - still with us- always fetched me to go to the backyard window to look at the bright bird. Most times it was a noisy Blue Jay. But on this particular mid May day, my eyes were mesmerized by the sight of the tanager on the ground. It was no doubt a divine gift a year after my fathers passing in 1974.

Through a lifetime of 50 years birding, I've met many great people and share and heard great stories,experienced tremendous moments ,primarily through the Brooklyn Bird Club that soon became my godsend, eventually becoming its president in the late 1990s,honored in leading the 2009 centennial celebration.

Time flew fast and we only have this moment. So it is with deep gratitude to all who met me and stopped for a conversation and talk about birds. I'll be grateful at my pace to appreciate all the wonderful moments,done multiple bird counts and countless field trips ,remembering past friends as well as current and new ones. But most of all I'll remember my very special bird my Scarlet Tanager setting me on my life's path.

--
Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

— Robert Frost