Thursday, May 28, 2026

Fwd: Thursday BBC Spring Migration Walk 5/28/26

Led by Chris Miller

Highlight was a mega Mississippi Kite over the ballfields, an exceptional sighting and culmination of the Thursday walks.

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Chris Miller <cmnyc79@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, May 28, 2026, 4:57 PM
Subject: Thursday Spring Migration Walk 5/28/26
To: prosbird@gmail.com <Prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc: Tom Stephenson <12toms@gmail.com>, Dennis Hrehowsik <deepseagangster@gmail.com>

Hi Peter,

We had a great walk with beautiful weather and a wonderful group of people today.

Our big highlight spotted by Michele was a Mississippi Kite soaring high above the

ballfields. Other highlights included 7 warbler species, Scarlet Tanager, Orchard Oriole

and quite a variety of birds on nests.

Here's the list:

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift

Spotted Sandpiper

Laughing Gull

Black-crowned Night Heron
Green Heron
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Cooper's Hawk
Mississippi Kite
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Barn Swallow
Northern House Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Northern Yellow Warbler
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal

https://ebird.org/checklist/print?subID=S348423241

Best,

Chris Miller

Flycatchers galore in Prospect

Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) (1)
- Reported May 28, 2026 07:19 by Cailyn Hansen
- 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/S348281355
- Comments: "First seen from behind high up in a dead tree on a far snag in the Midwood. White patches on the side of the rump visible as it fluffed around. After about a minute, while still perched, it turned around, and I saw the beautiful vest it was sporting. Medium grey sides with a white middle from throat to low on the belly.

Likely the bird Forrest reported earlier."

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris) (1)
- Reported May 28, 2026 08:50 by Xiaolin Fang
- Calvert Vaux Park (Dreier-Offerman Park), Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.5848762,-73.9945752&ll=40.5848762,-73.9945752
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S348278165
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Probable Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Small Empidonax with olive upperparts, bright yellowish underparts, distinct pale eyering, and strong wingbars. Lower mandible appeared orange. Compared against Acadian and Least Flycatcher; overall coloration and structure favored Yellow-bellied. Merlin Sound ID also detected Yellow-bellied Flycatcher in the area."

Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) (1)
- Reported May 28, 2026 07:27 by Ryan Mandelbaum
- 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/S348287226
- Comments: "Heard and seen well. Alerted by its harsh "pweek" call, and quickly got on it, empid with a big beak and sloping forehead. kind of like what if a herring gill was an empid. Eventually gave a full-throated "pwee-tseet!" song."

Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) (1)
- Reported May 28, 2026 07:19 by Cailyn Hansen
- 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/S348281355
- Comments: "In the Midwood. Heard the explosive "pweek!" twice and the rising song "peet-ZHA" once. Maybe got a glimpse of it as it was quarrelling with another bird (perhaps the Olive-sided I saw later nearby). (Maybe have bad phone audio).

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats

Mississippi Kite for the BBC.

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 28, 2026 07:47 by Leslie Mireille
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6670686,-73.9707141&ll=40.6670686,-73.9707141
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S348282293
- Comments: "Seen by MOB on BBC walk. ID by Tom Stephenson & photos taken by Chris and others"

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 28, 2026 07:38 by Susan Axelrod
- Prospect Park, New York US-NY 40.67233, -73.96904, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.672333,-73.969042&ll=40.672333,-73.969042
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S348288905
- Comments: "Seen repeatedly flying over Prospect Park"

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats

Caspian Tern prospect lake

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) (2)
- Reported May 28, 2026 07:19 by Cailyn Hansen
- 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/S348281355
- Comments: "Unknowingly was standing feet away from Brian facing the wrong direction (looking for Forrest's Yellow-bellied Cuckoo, which I did get later) when he spotted the terns. The discord ping immediately had me spun around to scan.

A beast of a tern with a long wingspan and large, thick, very saturated orange/red bill.

Occasionally giving their scream-like sounds.

2 of them harassing the 2 Ospreys and also hunting themselves.

Graceful, almost elegant, wing beats."

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) (2)
- Reported May 28, 2026 06:04 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/S348287027
- Media: 1 Photo, 1 Audio
- Comments: "Photos. Heard the report of a Cliff Swallow at GWC (we're overdue for one at Prospect) and began scanning the lake and immediately picked up a Herring Gull-sized bird with a huge bright red bill. Amazingly, they stuck around for about 10-15 minutes, making a lot of noise and scrapping with the gulls and an Osprey."

"The poetry of the earth is never dead"

--John Keats

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Mega White Ibis** Bush Terminal Park

A flock of 50 passed thru Staten Island and landed on Hoffman Island yesterday afternoon ..remnants or maybe other White Ibises came thru, reported thru other areas in KIngs Floyd Bennett and PLumb Beach today..Three in our local area this morning..Look Up! , maybe it's an invasion. This species has been expanding northward. KB

White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) (3)
- Reported May 27, 2026 05:55 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/S347847545
- Comments: "Flyover — insane! Would not have seen it if there hadn’t been a rave in the woods, making (ear) birding there very challenging … Unsurprisingly, a new bird for the patch!"

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

--Carl Sagan

Lookout Hill Red breasted Nuthatch

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) (1)
- Reported May 27, 2026 12:05 by Nathaniel Howard
- 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/S347811354
- Comments: "Fully reddish-brown breast and eye stripe distinguished this from its white counterpart. Typical nuthatch behavior otherwise."

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) (1)
- Reported May 27, 2026 11:59 by jorb 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/S347814036
- Comments: "had distinctive black streak going through eye. was buffy//beige underneath. hanging out in an oak tree, at the lookout hill. classic nuthatch hanging upside down acrobatics."

interesting its still hanging around or maybe breeding

***********

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

--Carl Sagan

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

[eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris) (1)
- Reported May 26, 2026 11:45 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/S347376045
- Comments: "Strikingly yellow front, like a female scarlet tanager, dark long wings with bold wing bars. Images for review."

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) (1)
- Reported May 26, 2026 07:30 by karen o'hearn
- 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/S347376852
- Comments: "Late. Possibly breeding in the park? Female type. Didn't see male or any carrying of

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

--Carl Sagan

Fwd: Tuesday walk recap

Last spring bbc tuesday walk

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ryan Goldberg <ryan.goldberg@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, May 26, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Subject: Tuesday walk recap
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>

Hi Peter,

The last Tuesday walk of the season was not without excitement. We watched the male Wood Thrush of the Butterfly Meadow nest sing for a long time, we spent a long while watching the male Indigo Bunting sing from the pin oaks around there, and then, toward the end of the walk, we came across a Hairy Woodpecker nest in the woods and watched as the dad fed an enormous grub to two very hungry chicks. That was a magical moment. Other highlights included an Olive-sided Flycatcher on some snags near the Wellhouse, a Cooper's Hawk eating some small mammal near its Lookout Hill nest, and a pair of Northern Rough-winged Swallows on the Upper Pool.

Here is our list from today: https://ebird.org/checklist/S347342289.

It's been a wonderful season. I feel lucky to spend these mornings with people who are so full of curiosity and excitement for the birds here. Thank you to Angie and Megan for co-leading this season, as well all the experienced regulars who shared their knowledge. We finished the season with lunch at Double Windsor on Prospect Park West, which may well become a tradition.

Ryan

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

--Carl Sagan

Abrams chklist prospect

--https://ebird.org/checklist/S346886487

Note rare Philadelphia vireo and notable red breasted nuthatch

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

--Carl Sagan

Blue Grosbeak BBP

Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) (1)
- Reported May 26, 2026 08:10 by Catherine Quayle
- 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/S347124722
- Comments: "Heard call first, then saw high about the long pond. Beefy bird, royal blue with red wing bar. Couldn't get a good look at the bill in the light before it took off, but overall plumage unmistakable for indigo bunting."

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

--Carl Sagan

details yesterdays MIKI Windsor Terrace

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 25, 2026 16:40 by chel sea
- Hello MODO, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6598028,-73.9808692&ll=40.6598028,-73.9808692
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S346823181
- Comments: "Incredible timing and looks! We were on the roof facing west at 5:05pm when a raptor glided straight at us, and Michael immediately yelled “KITE KITE”. The bird circled directly above us for a bit, made some wider loops, then gained altitude and moved southward. Long wings, elegant buoyant flight, more so than a falcon, with tail tucked in a rectangular shape, then fanned once it gained altitude. Could make out overall grey, unpatterned plumage and dark eye/lores. Missing a secondary feather on the left wing. Photos to be added."

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

--Carl Sagan

Monday, May 25, 2026

Memorial Day bird sightings

The best weather day of the washout holiday weekend revealed some really good birds even though it didn't sound like a very active Bird date. Nevertheless here were some reports.

On Lookout Hill South slope above the 3 shipping containers, the continuing Mourning Warbler revealed itself on the mid slope path. Hopefully it'll stick around for me tomorrow. Warblers appeared scant as migration wounds down but an interesting sighting like Blackburnian Warbler at Butterfly Meadow makes a day.

Over at Greenwood Cemetery, a surprising Eastern Bluebird at the Hill of Graves makes one wonder if it's breeding there. Keep an eye on it .

Mississippi Kites continues to make news. This afternoon , a high bird appeared over the Windsor Terrace neighborhood before entering Greenwood Cemetery airspace , over the Hill of Graves.

And last, in early evening at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1 ferry dock, an immature Glaucous Gull flew over.

🕊️

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring." — Rachel Carson

"Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?"

David Attenborough
100 years old May 8th

Saturday, May 23, 2026

American littoral society

Floyd Bennett Field North 40 Shoreline Cleanup

Saturday, May 30

9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Floyd Bennett Field

This large-scale shoreline cleanup will focus on the North 40 waterfront area at Floyd Bennett Field, a beloved fishing, birding and hiking locale.

Volunteers will remove large debris, trash, and floating materials that threaten shoreline health, wildlife habitat, and public access.

Cleanup event by American Littoral Society

Floyd Bennett Field North 40 Shoreline Cleanup

Saturday, May 30

9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Floyd Bennett Field

This large-scale shoreline cleanup will focus on the North 40 waterfront area at Floyd Bennett Field, a beloved fishing, birding and hiking locale.

Volunteers will remove large debris, trash, and floating materials that threaten shoreline health, wildlife habitat, and public access.

Shoreline Cleanup at Plumb Beach

Saturday, June 6

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Plumb Beach

Join Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy for a cleanup at Plumb Beach in honor of World Ocean Day.

Gloves, bags, and tools will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and bring their own water and sunscreen.

eBird Checklist - 23 May 2026 - Prospect Park - 60 species Huggard chklist

https://ebird.org/checklist/S344882962

Note Mourning warbler and Red breasted nuthatch ( possible breeder)

Mourning warbler reported an hour later on Lookout Hill South low slope behind the three green shipping containers after originally in trees across well drive

Bird List - Prospect Park, Kings, New York, United States - eBird Hotspot week sightings

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L109516/bird-list

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

--Carl Sagan

MIKI continues yesterday

Also reported morning above lookout hill prospect..

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 22, 2026 13:10 by Gabriel Willow
- 475 41st Apt, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.650361,-74.005257&ll=40.650361,-74.005257
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S344083381
- Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Northbound over Gowanus or perhaps Downtown Brooklyn (hard to tell from my vantage point on my roof in Sunset Park). There has been a remarkable influx of this species in recent days, and I've had a somewhat frustrating vigil from my roof, sometimes seeing reports of birds southbound or northbound from Greenwood, which must have flown nearly directly over my apartment (I can see the entire southern edge of Greenwood from my roof). Finally I spotted one, much more distant than I would have liked, circling to the north. It had dark, pointed wings, a long fan-shaped tail, and apparent pale head. I couldn't determine plumage/ age at this distance. Buoyant flight, appeared to be carrying something (a dragonfly perhaps?) in its talons that it occasionally ducked down to nibble on. Disappeared in the heat shimmer towards Manhattan."

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 22, 2026 13:27 by E R
- PS 321 William Penn School, New York US-NY 40.67131, -73.97843, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.671312,-73.978426&ll=40.671312,-73.978426
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S344070503
- Comments: "quick flyby fairly high up before it was behind a building west of 7th. Pointy wings, flying in a stoop like a nighthawk or falcon, mottled grayish with fanned out long tail. Scrambled for camera and it would not grab the bird before it was out of view. Shape very recognizable from earlier this week. One reported earlier today by Forrest over lookout and later on by Doug from GWC"

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported May 22, 2026 17:01 by Maddy P
- 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/S344172224
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Different from all the other black specks seen today. Biggest indicators: gray in a way that was more obvious irl than grainy photos indicate, short separate outermost primary that Forrest helpfully mentioned to me yesterday, absence of dark mustache that would indicate peregrine falcon. BOC photos tba in short term, location over ballfields and will flesh out description later. Checklist not indicative of effort to see this bird, these guys are really hours of staring at the sky and dumb luck."

GWC blue Grosbeak ocean hill

Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) (1)
- Reported May 22, 2026 08:25 by Z .
- 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/S344041808
- Comments: "Maturing male low in tulip tree across the road and uphill from the inner end of ocean hill. Nearish catacombs. Not there long enough for a photo, however. Some blue on head, dynamic rusty and brown shoulder/wing, colored overall like soft light through tiffany stained glass, chunky gros-beak."

Thursday, May 21, 2026

MIKI continues on our area

After originally spotted 244 in GWC south, kite drifted South over Kensington and Ditmas Park neighborhoods.

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 21, 2026 13:48 by Richard Fleming
- 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/S343585570
- Comments: "Adult. Still rare-ish but now an annual and indisputably increasing climate-change opportunist with a well-established late May window of movement. Unique-in-our-region battleship-gray raptor with chalky-white crown and face, both features seen well for a good fifteen to twenty seconds, long enough to switch from binoculars to camera, realize some setting or condition was incorrect and the camera wouldn't focus, and then switch back to binoculars and still have time to savor the observation of the bird before it swung out of view to the east. I noted also structure that to my eye often recalls a mid-sized more bouyant gull, until the long and sharp-corned tail causes a double-take and the realization that you are seeing a kit

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 21, 2026 14:48 by chel sea
- Hello MODO, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6598028,-73.9808692&ll=40.6598028,-73.9808692
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S343549773
- Comments: "Thank you Richard F. for the alert, which prompted us to quickly scramble out of the window onto roof to see a falcon-like bird drifting south-ish over Kensington/Ditmas Park area. Fanned tail, elongated wings. Unfortunately no photos, just brief views before it went out of sight. Sighting & timing align with Richard’s alert, and Zach and Jeff’s subsequent sightings in the area."

Fwd: Thursday Spring Migration Walk 5/21/26

Leader Chris Miller

Thursday BBC walk

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Chris Miller <cmnyc79@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, May 21, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Subject: Thursday Spring Migration Walk 5/21/26
To: prosbird@gmail.com <Prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc: Tom Stephenson <12toms@gmail.com>, Dennis Hrehowsik <deepseagangster@gmail.com>

Hi Peter,
Despite the dreary weather we had a good turnout with more than 50 people today.
Highlights included Canada Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Scarlet
Tanager and several Gray-cheeked Thrushes. We had 42 species total.

Here's the list:

Mute Swan
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Great Blue Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Barn Swallow
Northern House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Common Grackle
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal

https://ebird.org/checklist/S343428689

Best,
Chris Miller

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

--Carl Sagan

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Photos of MIKI afternoon PP

Click on chklist

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 15:59 by Z L
- 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/S343051383
- Media: 7 Photos
- Comments: "WOW! Hard work does pay off. Says the birder who only started pursuing this bird more aggressively in NY in the last 2 years because I get to see them in Texas nearly every April. I raced to the park again today after several midday reports of MIKI, Ant’s earlier report, and learning about the hot weather phenomenon associated with their appearance. Bolstered by the camaraderie of expert birders and Tripper who was eager to see this bird in the park, I waited for 2 hours and then this bird with slender wings and ever so slightly fanned tail started towards us over the northern end of the pools and flapped in a pattern I only intuit from what a Kite feels like with triplet-quintuplet flaps and then soar. Its head shaped felt more compact than any buteo and easy to compare with the recently soaring red tail pair. The kite lasted about 5 seconds in our view and headed north bound over the long meadow and over Prospect West. Terrible bin photos. Tripper was there with a camera and great to share this NY State Lifer with!"

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 16:25 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/S343096419
- Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "*Rare, but it was a very good kite day. Walked from the Q to long meadow to find DOGO, SESI, MAEP, ZALU. The former three left after a bit, but Zach and I stayed. After a while he spotted a low raptor coming towards us, and it was a MIKI! White body, black tail with white bands, dark around eye, shorter outer primaries. My 250th Prospect bird!"

North Midwood Kentucky warbler

Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa) (1)

- Reported May 20, 2026 09:18 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/S342856386
- Comments: "Singing loudly and frequently in the Midwood when I first arrived, as though it were in a battle for vocal supremacy w the House Wren: “tchurrY tchurrY tchurrY.” Singing eventually became more sporadic, then stopped. Cellphone audio obtained, will try to upload, but am technologically challenged."

Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 06:32 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/S342835011
- Comments: "Flagged: rare, and an overshoot, though something like the fourth in Brooklyn this year. Was walking from the Boulder Bridge down to the Dongan Oak to listen for the Acadian when I heard this bird singing. I recorded it a few times and even had it perch up in a tree for what felt like a minute or two, singing again. Photos and audio. https://maps.app.goo.gl/EQnZCURgCmqQXcj28?g_st=ic"

Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 09:20 by E R
- 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/S342947295
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Bright yellow all the way under belly and tail, with black mask and yellow spectacles.
Reported by Forrest earlier, around boulder bridge. Singing in midwood- first heard it from broken down stairs area, infrequently or just very distantly at first, and tracked it all around the midwood, intermittently focusing on it and getting distracted by other good birds. At times I was convinced there had to be two, given how often I was hearing it in such widely spaced apart spots, and there very well could have been two, but I wasn’t confident enough. Finally got really good looks towards the south end of midwood before center drive. Saw it walking in the understory, pop up and make a few short flights, eventually up into a tree where it preened and sang for a full minute, not flushing even with someone walked by with a (leashed) dog, phew!! Fun bird. And a song I’m now very familiar with after listening to it at all distances for several hours this spring! Hope to have some good audio this time."

***********

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Eastern Meadowlark of GWC

Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 07:44 by Adam Subel
- 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/S342843635
- Comments: "Flew into wildflower meadow, clear white patches on outer tail feathers. Shape felt appropriate for a meadowlark, roughly starling size, and was definitely not a sandpiper, which was my other thought given the tail markings. No photos unfortunately and I could not refind"

Fwd: Migration Morning at Brooklyn Bridge Park 5-20-2026

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Mike Yuan <mjyuan@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, May 20, 2026, 6:18 PM
Subject: Migration Morning at Brooklyn Bridge Park 5-20-2026
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc: Dennis Hrehowsik <deepseagangster@gmail.com>

Peter-

We had a lovely final spring outing of the season at Brooklyn Bridge Park, getting in a few hours before it heated up.

18 of us started at the mature locust trees under the Brooklyn Bridge, where a few BLACKPOLL WARBLERS and COMMON YELLOWTHROATS fed. On Pier 1, we heard unseen SWAINSON'S THRUSHES before finally getting good looks at a pair on the ground in the Vale.

On the condo path between Piers 1 and 2, we got more looks at ground birds on the path - OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, and a saw a a CANADA WARBLER above us.

On Pier 3, we welcomed our summer residents - COMMON TERNS, and chanced upon a continuing late DARK-EYED JUNCO.

Great to bird with a dedicated group this season, and look forward to regrouping in September!

39 Species:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S343042713

-Mike

The Mississippi Kite show.

If you were a birder off today, you might have been a lucky one as an irruption of Mississippi Kites invaded Prospect and Greenwood Airspace.

It is presumed that 4 kites were distinguished among the sightings reported today . That's a tremendous number as this species is considered extremely rare in these parts. But due likely to climate change and a hot air southern flow ,these kites ride the wind as overshoots. For birders , that's a great opportunity to add a new patch bird or county bird or even a state bird.

Here is the timeline of reports for Prospect and Greenwood: 8:31 am , a kite flew over Prospect Lake going due northwest; 11:58 am , one kite flew over the sparrow bowl by the Picnic house ,heading southwest; 3:11 pm ,A kite is spotted above the 20th Street entrance at Greenwood Cemetery; 3:12 pm , a kite is observed heading west over the Prospect ballfields; and last, late afternoon at 5:37, a fast moving northerly kite is spotted from over the Pool southwest of the picnic house..

Mind you , all these birds are flying high, some actually descended low enough for great photos . A birder mentioned that Mid May, particularly around the 19th offers optimal opportunities for Mississippi Kites . In any case ,what a day! And very likely more were missed especially the high fliers.

Overshadowed by the kites , a Kentucky Warbler must be miffed he's not the main actor in Prospect. Heard singing a lot, a Kentucky was located just east of the Boulder Bridge, eventually settling in the north Midwood near the broken stairs ( called Tunnel Arch Stairs). It sang infrequently so this is your best bet locating those skulker by voice.

Another quality bird is the Olive sided Flycatcher. Two is confirmed: one at the zoo mulch yard, West of there and a second one over north side Quaker Cemetery, seen from the ballfields.Borh birds perched on snags.

To boast more for Prospects great ability attracting rare birds, how about a Prothonotary warbler seen at the Ambergill Creek South of the closed off Esdale Bridge?

Want me to continue? Try Acadian Flycatcher singing at the base of the Tunnel Arch Stairs, heard first by Dongan Oak monument.

At the Nethermead West donor tree plots , a Lincoln Sparrow popped out .

And last in Midwood central, a Yellow Billed cuckoo was heard and eventually spotted high up on the canopy .

A great day in the park.now here come the storms as I write this.🪁🪁🪁🪁⛈️🌧️🌩️

Prothonotary prosprct

Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 10:43 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/S342953072
- Comments: "Nice find by Paul M! Hanging out over the ambergill water. Long yellow warbler with olive wings and beady black eye. Image."

Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 09:20 by E R
- 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/S342947295
- Comments: "Flagged for date. Pale/less saturated bird at ambergill. Dark black seed-like eye and dark bill on pale yellow body, hint of greenish cap"

MISSISSIPPI KITE ** 🪁 flyover prospect lake .....

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 07:30 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/S342818175
- Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "‘Tis the season! Northbound over lake just before 8:30, initially very distant and high up, but gradually dropped down and picked up speed as it approached the peninsula and headed towards the Nethermead. Immature, with banded tail and splotchy underwings. Overall gray raptor with pointed wings and short P10. Photos."

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 09:20 by E R
- 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/S342947295
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Yay! SW bound over sparrow bowl just before noon- distinctive shape with pointy wings popped out right away, and I watched it glide down out of sight behind the trees to my west. Wasn’t super high up. One day later than my May 19 sighting last year, and not too surprising given the many sightings today regionally, including to our north, and one seen by Ant here this morning over the lake. Interesting that it was headed S with winds from the SW. (Ant’s was northbound) This May 19-22 window has a lot of records!"

Kentucky Warbler prospect mid wood north by tunnel arch stairs today

Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 07:20 by Z L
- 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/S342778573
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Singing galloping song frequently. Bold black facial markings and yellow bright throat and body with olive back. Bin photos and audio."

Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported May 20, 2026 08:37 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/S342867426
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Photos. Funny—wasn’t even looking for it and it sang and popped out right in front of me. Presumably the same bird Forrest found. It was a bit south east of the original pin, closer to broken steps and zoo."

American Bittern GWC flyover

American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) (1)
- Reported May 20, 2026 06:17 by Angela Panetta
- 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/S342733586
- Comments: "Mottled brown plumage; flyover"

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Gochfeld chklist cadman plaza

Note yellow bellied flycatcher and summer tanager

https://ebird.org/checklist/S342492649

Bicknells thrush Prospect dongan oak monument

Reported near the mulch yard

Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) (1)
- Reported May 19, 2026 07:03 by Daisy 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/S342388792
- Comments: "Continuing bird whisper singing behind the steaming pile. Briefly in view standing on a log: dull brown catharus with colorless face. ID based primarily on wiry song, descending notes followed by rising end note."

Another Mississippi Kite ,this one over Greenwood Hill of graves

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 19, 2026 06:50 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/S342461172
- Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "! Brief sighting. Fairly low over hill of graves. Took a few quick photos, went up the hill for a closer look and lost track of it. Gray torpedo-headed raptor with lanky sharp wings and fanned tail. Image

Fwd: Tuesday BBC walk recap

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ryan Goldberg <ryan.goldberg@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, May 19, 2026, 2:29 PM
Subject: Tuesday walk recap
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>

Hi Peter,

Today's walk had an end-of-season feel to it, not surprising with the near record high temps. We stuck to the shaded woods and so did the birds; a few highlights were a mixed flock of warblers including Canada and Tennessee by the Binnen Bridge, bathing Bay-breasted, Baltimore Oriole, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak in the Picnic House creek, and a Gray-cheeked Thrush in the woods south of Litchfield Villa.

Still, it was relatively quiet despite the high overnight migration. Birds must be taking the prolonged spell of SW winds to get to their northern breeding territories. We observed 50 species. Here's our list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S342393231.

Next week is our final walk of the season! Thanks to Angie for co-leading and the many birders who joined today.

Ryan

Tonight's sky after sunset

Mississippi Kite overfly in Bed-Stuy

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) (1)
- Reported May 18, 2026 16:19 by Austin Johnson
- 903–913 Dekalb Ave, New York US-NY 40.69270, -73.94008, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.692697,-73.940084&ll=40.692697,-73.940084
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S342259901
- Media: 1 Video, 3 Photos
- Comments: "rare! long awaited lifer, and tragically close to my apartment but not close enough to warrant adding it to my list. on my way home from the train i noticed two raptors high up, the first bird darted off out of sight quickly and i couldn’t discern much of its silhouette or color, the second bird is this kite. i noticed its pointy wings and long tail, and bouyant flight but assumed peregrine, which is a mainstay species here in bedstuy that i assume nests atop woodhull hospital. only in sight for a few moments before it flew off to the west. only later when i checked my video back was i completely flabbergasted by the shape of this bird and clocked it as a potential kite, after sending to some friends who both agreed and disagreed, and posting on the raptor id fb group do i feel confident in listing to species."