PP eagle flyover

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) (1)
- Reported Feb 05, 2025 08:24 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/S212097249
- Comments: "Flagged for date. Flyover. Photos."

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

GWC reports

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 05, 2025 09:36 by Sean Sime
- 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/S212082371
- Comments: "Female. Photos"

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 05, 2025 11:14 by Sean Krepski
- Green-Wood Cemetery--Sylvan Water, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6537472,-73.9986235&ll=40.6537472,-73.9986235
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S212079914
- Comments: "Continuing female common merganser. Sleek duck with reddish brown head and long thin orange bill."

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1)
- Reported Feb 05, 2025 09:36 by Sean Sime
- 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/S212082371
- Comments: "Very vocal with constant rattle calls in usual location. Large white wing patches and red head coming in nicely. Audio/photos"

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) (1)
- Reported Feb 05, 2025 09:36 by Sean Sime
- 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/S212082371
- Comments: "Remaining overwintering bird at Dell feeders/Bee hives. Photos/video"

***********

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Tuesday's COME

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 04, 2025 10:12 by Richard Fleming
- Green-Wood Cemetery--Sylvan Water, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6537472,-73.9986235&ll=40.6537472,-73.9986235
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S211959638
- Comments: "White-chinned hen continues. Photos WBA"

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

a great winter book

I redusted this version from my bin and I highly recommend reading it if you want to mature as a birder naturalist.Get an understanding about the birds and mammals we love and what they go thru to survive in winter.

https://www.amazon.com/Winter-World-Ingenuity-Animal-Survival/dp/0061129070/ref=asc_df_0061129070?mcid=72ef60b6807f3dde9b3123e1638b50ff&hvocijid=5406407466772934997-0061129070-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5406407466772934997&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004351&hvtargid=pla-2281435176618&psc=1

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Come

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 03, 2025 22:23 by M Weinstein
- Green-Wood Cemetery--Sylvan Water, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6537472,-73.9986235&ll=40.6537472,-73.9986235
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S211906542
- Comments: "Very clearly seen."

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

Prospect GoldenEye records

The 3 common Golden yesterday represents a new high for prospect park. It's the ninth record historically.

This species was last seen in mid December 2023

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

Feb 2 surprising two Common Goldeneye on prospect lake

 Lily Shih,A devoted prospect photographer who takes photos of birds yet isn't an experienced birder nor connected to discord,took these close photos yesterday. I flipped when she showed them to me today at the feeders.

Just had to smile and shake my head when she didn't realized she took photos of rare Common Goldeneyes for prospect. Both are hens.

It turns out after a check of the prospect checklist there were actually 3 hens , reported by Howard Walfish

Check his report

ebird.org/checklist/S211705976

Feb 2 two common Golden eye on prospect lake

Lily Shih, a devoted prospect photographer who takes pictures of birds yet isn't a Experienced birder nor connected showed me these pics today at the feeders.. I flipped.
she didn't realized she took close photos of a rarity for prospect lake.

Both birds are hens.

GWC COME continues

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 03, 2025 11:50 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/S211845074
- Comments: "Hen continuing at sylvan water"

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 03, 2025 10:45 by Matthew Wills
- 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/S211850728
- Comments: "Female. Heavier bill, sharp white chin patch, & definitive cut off transition between rusty head and white. Pictures to come."

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Shadows across the landscape

Mr groundhog in Pennsylvania
I believed saw his shadow signaling a late spring. For late Birds of winter that doesn't help.With consistency, the usual still hang around.

Shadows at Greenwood Cemetery include those belonging to Red headed Woodpecker, Chipping Sparrow and Baltimore Oriole. Battle hill around Hemlock ave is the woodpeckers domain ; both Chipping Sparrow and Baltimore Oriole remain at Dellwater at the feeders and beehives respectively. One shadow cast by the hen Common Merganser  upon Sylvan water left by
ate morning when I arrived. But I see see companions pair drake Bufflehead and hen Hooded Merganser there.

Meanwhile Prospect offers its own shadows. The American Tree Sparrow now hangs out with Muncie by the dog beach ,behind the wood fence of the ballfield.On the Lake 13 Brant revisited touching down near Three Sisters Islands. There was a report of some seen yesterday on the ball fields ,with canada geese.

Happy groundhogs are doing their jobs right as pronosticators

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

— Robert Frost

Happy Grounhog Day!

 

Happy Groundhogs Day!

February 2nd
Groundhog Day, celebrated on February 2nd each year, is a day of hope and optimism. It serves as a reminder that spring will eventually come, no matter how long winter seems to last. The tradition involves checking whether Punxsutawney Phil, the Pennsylvanian groundhog, can see his shadow. If he does, North America can expect six more weeks of winter

Brant on lake

 I have seen Brant hundreds of times a common winter species on our salt water coast,but it's very cool to see them on prospect lake.

Passing thru the park on an errand at 9th street, I happened by the lake to look for the early reported common merganser. That I didn't see but while checking out the canada geese, I realized that a small flock was smaller sized  ,floating birds that with my small bins I recognized were Brant . I counted 11 but my friend Rusty happened along and correctly counted 13. So it's an unusual occurrence to see Brant touch down as they are recorded most times as flyovers.

But unusual is the word today as Forrest reported a Killdeer near Parkside and Ocean Ave park entrance lawn and that's quite unusual along with the Brant.

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

eBird Checklist - 1 Feb 2025 - Prospect Park - 46 species Wickman chklist

https://ebird.org/checklist/S211538506

Note cackling Goose,  common merganser, ring neck duck and unusual location for uncommon killdeer 

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

Redhead sticks around and redder head

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1)
- Reported Feb 01, 2025 11:00 by Mitchell Baker
- 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/S211517184
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Juvenile, Continuing, Hemlock near Battle"

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

Rare COME IN GWC

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 01, 2025 12:13 by Peter Paul
- 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/S211524585
- Comments: "Very rare here :) Continuing on Sylvan. Large silver merganser with reddish head and white chin."

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 01, 2025 11:02 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/S211523993
- Comments: "Great find by Angela. Sitting on Sylvan. Cavorting with comparatively pint-sized hooded mergansers. Bright red-orange head, white under bill, gray back."

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

February celestial events

A Cool looking sparrow

One of the handsomest sparrows around is the American Tree sparrow. With its yellow mani of and overall gray buffy ovetones,and red cap, its a rare opportunity to see one here locally.

Reported yesterday on Discord, one tree sparrow was reported at the Prospect park feeders.

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

— Robert Frost

BBP Glaucous Gull additional detailsb

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (1)
- Reported Jan 29, 2025 17:03 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/S211210133
- Comments: "*very rare. Perhaps the first park record. Juvenile at the marina. Smallish GLGU, a bit smaller than the GBBGs, but towering over the surrounding RBGUs when it was perched on the docks. Milky/cappucino aspect with pale wingtips, smallish eye, and extensively pink-based bill with black tip (pink/black border not exactly vertical, but pretty close). First seen at 17:30, sitting on the water, where it looked mostly like a Glaucous Gull, except that it looked a bit rounder-headed, and seemed comparable in size to the RBGUs it was floating near, leading to initial confusion on the ID. Once it perched on the end of one of the long docks, in the company of the three common species of winter gull that occur here, that confusion vanished, as it was clearly a Glaucous. Digiscoped

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

Matthews GWC chklist

https://ebird.org/checklist/S211267645

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

rare gulls at Bklyn Br Park

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (1)
- Reported Jan 29, 2025 16:47 by R M
- 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/S211186260
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "DG spotted this on the marina docks and was scoping it as we arrived. Dark juvenile mixed in with herrings and great-black backed gulls. Large and  latte-colored, with pale wing tips, bicolored pink/black bill, beady eye and low sloping head."

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (2)
- Reported Jan 29, 2025 16:47 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/S211186140
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Usual adult at pier 1 pilings, and a second adult at marina"

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Gwc Dellwater

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 28, 2025 13:00 by Matthew Wills
- 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/S211101878
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Eating Western Honey Bees at the hives."

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

eBird Checklist - 28 Jan 2025 - Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn - 32 species (+1 other taxa)

https://ebird.org/checklist/S211054442

Note the three good birds redheaded wp,chipping Sparrow and balt Oriole

Rhwp is on hemlock Ave west of Battle Ave

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

Feb 1st triple conjunction

Post sunset west low sky moon between Venus and saturn

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

Pine warbler continuing at Prospect feeders

Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) (1)
- Reported Jan 26, 2025 12:25 by David Stavish
- 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/S210809913
- Comments: "at feeders"

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

BBP LBBGull

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1)
- Reported Jan 25, 2025 15:59 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/S210731534
- Comments: "The long-wintering adult appeared between 16:25 and 16:34. Wasn't there during a scan from the outer end of P1 around 16:25, but was present as I was heading south along the waterfront at 16:34."

Quick visit GWC dellwater

During a drive thru with family Saturday afternoon in greenwood Cemetery, I decided to make A quick stop at the dellwater to see some special birds. I got two of them.

Even if common in due season, the sight of two out of season birds in wintertime is a thing. First was two chipping sparrows at the second feeder, enjoying seed with a bunch of cardinals and some gold finches with nut hatch,chickadee and juncos. I figured the oriole was by the behives and I guessed right.

Seeing another birder already there, I took immediate looks at the beehives and there's a single Baltimore Oriole- likely a female on the ground, as it scour the ground. I said to myself " ok,cool winter bird and im happy". It was my first attempt of these long staying birds.

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

— Robert Frost

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

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L109516/bird-list?yr=curM

Prospect

Lbbg

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jan 21, 2025 16:38 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/S210213626
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Usual roost-fly."

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

COME continues PP

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (5)
- Reported Jan 21, 2025 08:29 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/S210192878
- Comments: "Flagged as rare. Three on the lake (two females, one male), and then I photographed a group of five horribly backlit flyovers. So really probably eight but I'll keep it at five in case of duplicates. Photos."

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

latest Prospects

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (3)
- Reported Jan 21, 2025 08:36 by Tom Preston
- 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/S210157848
- Comments: "One Drake. Two ducks. Continuing"

Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) (1)
- Reported Jan 21, 2025 08:36 by Tom Preston
- 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/S210157848
- Comments: "Continuing at feeders"

--

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

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

eBird Checklist - 20 Jan 2025 - Prospect Park - 41 species

https://ebird.org/checklist/S210077681

Note common mergansers 5 and pine warbler

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

Come continues pplake

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (2)
- Reported Jan 20, 2025 11:29 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/S210064001
- Comments: "Middle of lake"

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

A record breaker and quality sunday

The bird of the day is obviously Common Merganser. According to a source ,this species set the high count historically for prospect park besting the previous count of nine.

This morning Sameer spotted 15 Common mergansers in open water of a mostly frozen lake. Photos he took verified the number . When I finally got around after morning services and errands, I saw three-two hens and a Drake and that's enough for me adoring this beautiful duck. Nearby at Three Sisters islands a pair of wood ducks and a hen Hooded Merganser added some beauty as well.

Other scarce reports centered on the feeders and overhead. The Pine warbler continues to visit the feeders ,joined by a female purple finch. Another birder watched a flyover juvenile Bald Eagle.

If you're interested in Greenwood Cemetery birds, go to the Dellwater feeders . There you're find the continuing two Baltimore Orioles and Chipping Sparrow. Meanwhile the now more redder Redheaded Woodpeckers sticks to its abode at Hemlock Ave west of Battle Avenue in the  3 or 4th tree on the south edge of the road. That's its cavity roost.

Stay warm! And enjoy the snow ! 🎿❄️☃️

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

COME recordbreaker on prospect lake!

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (15)
- Reported Jan 19, 2025 07:38 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/S209878196
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Large flock flew in to lake. Photos. Estimate 20 total. Got 13 simultaneously in photos. Forrest Wickman later counted 15

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost