Prospect Dec 20th Redpolls are ba-a-a-ack

This morning the same Sweetgum tree at the south side of the Nethermead Bridge was revisited by COMMON REDPOLLs , 8 birds reported by Mike Yuan along with Dennis Hrehowsik
and Chris Elliot. It seems sporadic this species visiting that particular tree after a week's absence but worth checking more frequently ( which I did at lunch time but unsuccssfully)

See Mike's report below along with Chris's photo links

Also , while waiting in the truck at my "Propsite"nursery area ( 9th street ) a small flock landed in a locust tree,then flew to the large Sweetgum nearby; turns out they were 6 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS , 4 red males among them.

Sweetgums are IT!
************************

Hi Peter,



Here are a couple photos of today's Redpolls in Prospect, seen with Mike Y and Dennis H:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/eliotc/8291734382/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eliotc/8291734060/


Chris

*******************

Peter-


List from a quick morning walk with Chris and Dennis. Redpolls continued in the sweetgums below the Nethermead Arches when we left them around 8:30am.

-Mike



Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY

Dec 20, 2012 7:15 AM - 9:00 AM

Protocol: Traveling

1.5 mile(s)

Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.1

24 species



Mallard 17

Northern Shoveler 1

Ruddy Duck 9

Red-tailed Hawk 3

Ring-billed Gull 3

Rock Pigeon 3

Mourning Dove 6

Belted Kingfisher 1 Flying from Lullwater to Audubon Center

Downy Woodpecker 3

Blue Jay 8

Black-capped Chickadee 6

Tufted Titmouse 3

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 5

Winter Wren 1

American Robin 1

European Starling 25

White-throated Sparrow 12

Northern Cardinal 2

House Finch 16 Flock of 10 at pools.

Common Redpoll 8 Sweetgums below Nethermead arches. Broad streaks on flanks. Pink wash on the fronts of some (males).

Pine Siskin 4 Feeding in sweetgums with redpolls.

American Goldfinch 4

House Sparrow 15



View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12330250



This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Prospect Dec 19th YB Chat , where were thou ?

Rob Jett reports the elusive YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT on the Terrace Bridge, by the shipping containers; this bird , though sought for 12/15 was a miss on the Prospect Christmas Bird Count (CBC)  despite it being present for a few weeks prior in that general area. Despite that miss, Prospect Park CBC set a new record high with 64 species with a Coopers Hawk , see the photo sent from my team member Arinna Ferrario in the previous post.

From Rob Jett,"

- At around 1:45pm today, Bobbi Manian, Eni Falci and I spotted an adult Red-shouldered Hawk flying low over the Long Meadow ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From Keir Randall

list from this morning:




Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY

Dec 19, 2012 8:15 AM - 9:20 AM

Protocol: Traveling

1.0 mile(s)

Comments: A quick walk from Lily Pond to Nethermead and Breeze Hill

27 species (+1 other taxa)



Canada Goose 92 All flyovers

Mute Swan 1

Mallard 3

Northern Shoveler 8

Ruddy Duck 6

American Coot 3

Ring-billed Gull X

Herring Gull X

Mourning Dove 9

Red-bellied Woodpecker 2

Downy Woodpecker 3

Blue Jay 4

Black-capped Chickadee 4

Tufted Titmouse 5

White-breasted Nuthatch 2

Winter Wren 1

European Starling 15

Eastern Towhee 1

Fox Sparrow 1

Song Sparrow 2

White-throated Sparrow 18

Dark-eyed Junco 4

Northern Cardinal 4

House Finch 13

Pine Siskin 1

American Goldfinch 4

House Sparrow 15

passerine sp. 6 Back of Lily pond as viewed from Binnen Bridge. These "felt" like White-winged Crossbills flying away, to the north, but not seen well/ not heard.

Prospect CBC breakdown, a record

The following is the breakdown list of birds seen on the Prospect segment of the Dec 15th Christmas Bird Count.  A note: due to an oversight, COOPERS HAWK was seen about midday , as reported by Arianna Ferrario with the photo in my previous post, that I thought was part of the original count. It turns out its a new species for the day, making it 64 species seen in Prospect, a record !

NYC Bird Report

date = Dec 15th
site = Prospect Park
observers = Christmas Bird Count

Red Crossbill 1
White-winged Crossbill 42
Common Loon 1 flyover
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Northern Shoveler 282
Bufflehead 2
American Black Duck 2
Canada Goose 72
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Hooded Merganser 4
Ruddy Duck 64
Mute Swan 9
Mallard 109
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
American Kestrel 2
Merlin 1
American Coot 26
Great Black-backed Gull 6
Ring-billed Gull 705
Herring Gull 77
Rock Pigeon 102
Mourning Dove 76
Northern Saw-whet Owl 2 Quaker Cemetery
Belted Kingfisher 2
Downy Woodpecker 18
Hairy Woodpecker 6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 16  RECORD
Red-bellied Woodpecker 17
American Crow 5
Blue Jay 45
Tufted Titmouse 52
Black-capped Chickadee 61
Red-breasted Nuthatch 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 16
Brown Creeper 1
Winter Wren 2
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 46
Eastern Bluebird 3
Hermit Thrush 1
Brown Thrasher 1 BBGarden
Northern Mockingbird 10
European Starling 75
Cedar Waxwing 1
Nashville Warbler 1 BBGarden -Cranford Rose Garden
Swamp Sparrow 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 113
Song Sparrow 13
Fox Sparrow 10
Dark-eyed Junco 25
Eastern Towhee 1
Northern Cardinal 43
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Purple Finch 1
Pine Siskin 5
House Finch 36
Common Redpoll Count Period -6 seen Friday
American Goldfinch 46
House Sparrow 15

Prospect Dec18th

9 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were reported in the Vale of Cashmere by Edith Goren and Julia Weinberger.

Revised Kings CBC; Photo of CBC COHA

Team captain Glen Davis who covered the Marine Park area reported that one of his independent members took a photo of a duck in Gerritsen Creek on Count day that was just received yesterday.Its a juvenile drake Eurasian Wigeon.( I saw the photo and it's affirmed by several folks).This bumps up our overall Kings CBC to 135 species, tying our all time high. ( amazing given circumstances in such a dramatic year end ).

************

Photo of Cooper's Hawk , by Ariana Ferrario, who was on my southern Prospect team.

New warbler guide

This was posted on Facebook..What's special about it? It's written by our own Tom Stephenson with cowriter and photography by Scott Whittle,formerly of Brooklyn. See the link for this highly anticipated ,exciting guide:


.http://press.princeton.edu/titles/9968.html

Prospect DEC 17th, "hoodies"

Along the north shore of Prospect Lake, the waters came alive with a wave of " hoodies" , namely HOODED MERGANSER. First reported by Rob Jett with a number of 16 birds, I visited an hour later and found a total of 21. A delightful sight to see.

* . A surprise while searching for the Hoodies, a single BRANT gliding in the waters close to the west shore, maneuvering around the many NORTHERN SHOVELERS.

* The other day's good sighting continues to be those WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS, 26 birds feeding in the sweet gums above the Ravine's Little Rock Arch bridge, as noted by Rob Jett.

photo link of Northern Saw Whet Owl

On Peter Colen's photo gallery , Northern Sawwhet Owl seen over 1 1/2 weeks ago .
http://www.petercolenphotography.com/WinterWrens/Raptors/20314616_wBVPz6#!i=2265298330&k=KNPMJ4n&lb=1&s=A

The full Kings County Christmas Bird Count list

The following Kings CBC 2012 list is the master list of 134 species seen on the Dec 15th Kings County Xmas count. For brevity the locations for IRR or Rare are not disclosed. Note "IRR"  means Irregular , species seen less 8x the past 10 years (or seen 4-7 x the last decade) ; Rare is 3 or less the same time period. 

Enjoy your holidays and we wish you a fortuitous New Year from the Brooklyn Birding Community.

Regards

Peter Dorosh

Pres., BBC.

Species Name	Total
Snow Goose	8
Brant	11091
Canada Goose	1408
Mute Swan	216
Wood Duck	3
Gadwall	68
American Wigeon	81
American Black Duck	738
Mallard	716
Northern Shoveler	264
Northern Pintail	1
Green-winged Teal	131
Canvasback	2
Greater Scaup	3592
Lesser Scaup	119
Surf Scoter	3
White-winged Scoter	5
Black Scoter	19
Scoter (sp.)	36
Long-tailed Duck	401
Bufflehead	1312
Common Goldeneye	23
Barrow's Goldeneye	1	RARE
Hooded Merganser	46
Red-breasted Merganser	756
Ruddy Duck	150
Ring-necked Pheasant	3
Red-throated Loon	110
Common Loon	76
Pied-billed Grebe	14
Horned Grebe	157
Red-necked Grebe	1
Northern Gannet	135
American White Pelican	1	NEW
Double-crested Cormorant	110
Great Cormorant	69
American Bittern	1	IRR
Great Blue Heron	19
Black-crowned Night-Heron	3
Northern Harrier	15
Sharp-shinned Hawk	8
Cooper's Hawk	15
Red-shouldered Hawk	2	IRR
Red-tailed Hawk	27
Rough-legged Hawk	2	IRR
American Kestrel	10
Merlin	5
Peregrine Falcon	5
Clapper Rail	3	IRR
American Coot	41
Black-bellied Plover	24
Semipalmated Plover	1	RARE
Killdeer	14
American Oystercatcher	1	IRR
Greater Yellowlegs	15
Sanderling	50
Purple Sandpiper	12
Dunlin	112
Wilson's Snipe	6	RARE
American Woodcock	2
Bonaparte's Gull	139
Ring-billed Gull	4641
Herring Gull	7557
Great Black-backed Gull	266
Razorbill	37	IRR
Rock Pigeon	595
Mourning Dove	173
Monk Parakeet	35
Northern Saw-whet Owl	2	IRR
Belted Kingfisher	6
Red-bellied Woodpecker	38
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	25
Downy Woodpecker	68
Hairy Woodpecker	10
Northern Flicker	54
Blue Jay	151
American Crow	109
Fish Crow	2	IRR
Horned Lark	63
Tree Swallow	113	IRR
Cave Swallow	1	NEW
Black-capped Chickadee	245
Tufted Titmouse	128
Red-breasted Nuthatch	25
White-breasted Nuthatch	50
Brown Creeper	3
Carolina Wren	22
Winter Wren	4
Golden-crowned Kinglet	4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	4
Eastern Bluebird	8	RARE
Hermit Thrush	7
American Robin	118
Gray Catbird	7
Northern Mockingbird	116
Brown Thrasher	4	IRR
European Starling	2114
American Pipit	2
Cedar Waxwing	29
Orange-crowned Warbler	1	IRR
Nashville Warbler	1	RARE
Black-throated Blue Warbler	1	NEW
Yellow-rumped Warbler	223
Palm Warbler	4
Blackpoll Warbler	1	RARE
Common Yellowthroat	2	IRR
Eastern Towhee	3
American Tree Sparrow	87
Chipping Sparrow	2
Field Sparrow	2
Savannah Sparrow	30
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	1	RARE
Seaside Sparrow	2	RARE
Fox Sparrow	35
Song Sparrow	321
Swamp Sparrow	46
White-throated Sparrow	387
White-crowned Sparrow	2	IRR
Dark-eyed Junco	143
Lapland Longspur	1	IRR
Snow Bunting	16
Northern Cardinal	212
Red-winged Blackbird	18
Eastern Meadowlark	10
Common Grackle	1
Boat-tailed Grackle	69
Brown-headed Cowbird	100
Purple Finch	2	IRR
House Finch	165
Red Crossbill	2	RARE
White-winged Crossbill	75	RARE
Common Redpoll	2	RARE
Pine Siskin	33	IRR
American Goldfinch	103
House Sparrow	282
Total Species	134

12/15 Kings Xmas count results

The preliminary brief note: 134 species on the Kings county CBC. second highest- the record is 135-an unusual Xmas count despite areas that were impacted by Sandy and habitats lost. Very surprising count.Among best species was an AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. Prospect had 63 species... more details later Top Prospect specis: RED CROSSBILL,WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL,PINE SISKIN, NASHVILLE WARBLER ( Brooklyn botanic Garden in the Rose Garden), two NORTHERN SAWWHET OWLS ( inside private property Quaker Cemetery, by permission only). Record number of YELLOW BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 16. ( likely all those new snags)

Today is...the 113th Christmas Bird Count

http://conservation.audubon.org/programs/christmas-bird-count******************** For Kings County

Prospect list from Keir Randall

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY Dec 14, 2012 7:55 AM - 9:20 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.5 mile(s) 25 species (+1 other taxa) Canada Goose 18 Mallard 4 Ruddy Duck 2 Herring Gull 2 Rock Pigeon 5 Mourning Dove 12 Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Blue Jay 6 Black-capped Chickadee 5 Tufted Titmouse 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 American Robin 1 European Starling 10 Fox Sparrow 1 Swamp Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 8 Northern Cardinal 3 House Finch 7 ----------------COMMON REDPOLL 6 8.50am. With AMGOs and BCCHs feeding in a sweetgum beside Binnen Water, just below Nethermead Arches. 1+ male and 5+ females, very active. Some called as they flew in but otherwise seemed silent. Watched for c. 20 minutes and still there when I left.---------------------- COMMON/HOARY REDPOLL1 Feeding in a sweetgum beside Binnen Water, just below Nethermead Arches. A female type. In marked comparison to other Redpolls present it seemed barely streaked from below. Too high and flighty to pick up any other id marks. Pine Siskin 2 American Goldfinch 14 House Sparrow 8 A

Prospect COMMON REDPOLLS !

Keir~FWD: @railbabbler: Common Redpolls with goldfinches at binnen water sweet gums below nethermead arches

Geminids tonight

If you are a night owl, the very productive Geminids meteor showers is tonight. With the new moon, the shooting stars can be visible even in our polluted skies . But its cold out there!  click on belows link

http://meteorshowersonline.com/geminids.html

Dec 12th GWC,PP & BBG reports inc NAWA

From Orrin:



Green-Wood Cemetery this morning

Belted kingfisher

Ring-necked duck (1)

Wood duck (1 brcceeding male)

Northern shoveler

Mallard duck

Canada goose

Red-tailed hawk

Tufted titmouse

Red-breasted nuthatch (3)

White-breasted nuthatch

Black-capped chickadee

American goldfinch

Dark-eyed junco

Downy woodpecker

Red-bellied woodpecker

Northern mockingbird

Northern cardinal (many)

Mourning dove

European starling


************************

From Matthew Wills:
Prospect Park

Hey Peter,

Neither Chat nor Crossbills this morning on short walk. but three E. Bluebirds, two bright males and much more subdued female, by Wellhouse.

Matthew

*************** from Doug Gochfeld birding BBGarden A NASHVILLE WARBLER on the slope to the promenade north of the Cranford Rose Garden

Prospect Dec 11th: Both Xbills continues

From Rob Jett


Peter,


There wasn't anything unusual to report in Prospect Park this afternoon. While

speaking with a new birder named Ben near the Binnen Water a nice sized flock of

WWCRs flew into a tree above the water. They cautiously made their way down to

the edge of the stream to drink & bathe. Nearby a pair of Winter Wrens thought

it was Spring and sang from the edge of the water. December Winter finches and a

Spring serenade made for a very strange juxtaposition.


Good birding,

Rob


http://citybirder.blogspot.com

**********


Location: Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY

Date: Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Species: 44 species



Northern Shoveler (322, Prospect Lake.)

Ruddy Duck

Double-crested Cormorant (1.)

Red-tailed Hawk (1.)

American Coot

Belted Kingfisher (1.)

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1.)

Merlin (1.)

Red-breasted Nuthatch (1.)

White-breasted Nuthatch (4.)

Winter Wren (3; 2 individuals were heard singing at stream near Nethermead

Arches!)

Carolina Wren (2.)

Eastern Bluebird (3, On grass at Peninsula Meadow.)

Chipping Sparrow (2, Peninsula Meadow with bluebirds.)

Fox Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow (1.)

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Finch (1, at Breeze Hill feeders.)

Red Crossbill (2, flew over Peninsula Meadow.)

White-winged Crossbill (25, coming down to bath at Binnen Water.)

Pine Siskin



Other common species seen (or heard):

Canada Goose, Mute Swan (9.), American Black Duck, Mallard, Ring-billed Gull,

Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy

Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker (2.), Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted

Titmouse, American Robin, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal,

Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow

*******

From Orrin

Dec 11th

BBGarden this morning. Search for crossbills was in vain. But I did see a brown thrasher, 2 red-tailed hawks circling overhead, and the same unusually large number of cardinals and titmice I've been seeing for at least the last month in Green-Wood. Also, one robin, a few chickadees, a few white-throated sparrows, and two mockingbirds.

Prospect Dec 11th, the red ones

Rob Jett reported crossbills just around one pm, two flyover RED CROSSBILLS peninsula meadow.

On the lake, present are RED BREASTED MERGANSER hen, 2 BUFFLEHEAD hen, 5 HOODED MERGANSERS hanging along Duck Island back shoreline.Of course,all those NORTHERN SHOVELERS which i will count this Saturday on the xmas count.

Canada Geese numbered a high 307 today,a peak for geese into winter.

-KB

MoMA bird art gallery

From Stanley Greenberg:

http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/1331
Hi - Thought you both might be interested in a small exhibition at MoMA of bird photographs by Eliot Porter. It's a selection chosen by another artist, so Porter's name is somewhat hidden, but they are worth seeing. Some are as early as the 1940s, and many are dye transfer prints. ************************* http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/1331 ************** Best, Stanley www.stanleygreenberg.org buttonagreement.blogspot.com

Dec 10th, Prospect ;greetings, Chat resufaces

Kingsboider wishes Happy Chanukah to my readers of this blog. 

****

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT resurfaced at the same usual location of Breeze Hill but today along the trail next to the feeders, reported by Noreen McAuliffe. See her note:

Hi, Peter,

If anyone didn't get to see the Yellow-Breasted Chat last week, one's still around Breeze Hill--this afternoon it was feeding on berries right near the hillside path that's next to the feeders, and popped out onto the path itself.   A male Eastern Towhee was also being very conspicuous on the ground in front of the feeder fence.  And Pine Siskin at the feeder.  On the way out West Drive I saw a Red Bat, which seemed appropriate in the fog.  

Take care,
Noreen

****

KB note: 

Speaking of RED BAT, I saw 5 on my walk home from the Tennis House, three hunting at Maryland Monument. One Red Bat at southwest Nethermead came really close to me as I watched it, freaking me out a little bit... :) 

BBC trip photo gallery

From the BBC trip yesterday

( click on the photos to enlarge)

http://bbcprevioustripreports.blogspot.com/2012/12/december-9th-long-island-state-parks.html

Prospect Dec 9th A WWXbill frenzy

While I was out on Long Island leading the club, Prospect experienced a frenzy of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS. In the largest number in over three decades, Keir's report came forth of an estimated 65 plus crossbill flow through Prospect woods, from various locations. Whether the Vale of Cashmere, Payne Hill, or Falkill Falls, it was a good day for birders treated to this rare species presence now in this full irruptive winter finch season. ( Even my group had both Xbill species at Hecksher State Park this morning, report on my trips blog tomorrow with pics).

*****************************

From Ryan

Just up from the dog beach, by Fallkill Falls, things were quite busy. I got positive ID on at least (8) White-winged crossbills, but there could have been as many as (20) given the frenetic activity. AMGO & BCCH were mixed in. A Winter Wren and Brown Creeper were nearby. The birds foraged in several trees (preferring the Sweetgums between Upper/Lower Pools). Notably, a few were on the ground within just a few feet of the path, making for very close views - a major plus as the lighting (when looking up) was very poor on this dreary day. After several minutes the mixed flock erupted and headed toward the Ravine/Midwood, where I could not relocate them.

Cheers,

Ryan

********************************

From Keir:

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Dec 9, 2012 9:09 AM - 11:36 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s) 

Comments: <br />Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.1 

29 species

Canada Goose 5 

Mallard 9 

Northern Shoveler 18 

Ruddy Duck 3 

Cooper's Hawk 1 

American Coot 6 

Rock Pigeon 21 

Mourning Dove 6 

Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 

Downy Woodpecker 2 

Hairy Woodpecker 1 

Blue Jay 10 

American Crow 1 

Black-capped Chickadee 11 

Tufted Titmouse 9 

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 

Winter Wren 1 

Carolina Wren 2 

American Robin 1 

European Starling 1 

White-throated Sparrow 23 

Dark-eyed Junco 6 

Northern Cardinal 6

Purple Finch 1 

House Finch 38 Roosting in one tree on Breeze Hill meadow 

White-winged Crossbill 45 --21 in vale then 45+ in sweet gums btwn Rick's place and Battle Pass West broken steps (many flying in from the south) P. Colen also obs. Probably more than 65 in park. 

Pine Siskin 2 

American Goldfinch 12 

House Sparrow 20

*****************************

From Adam Welz:

From:  <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Sun, Dec 9, 2012 at 12:52 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Dec 9, 2012



Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Dec 9, 2012 9:35 AM - 11:55 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 kilometer(s)
Comments:     Overcast, slightly rainy, cool.
37 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  X
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  X
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)  1
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  X
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)  X     Well over a hundred
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  2     near New Islands
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)  8     1 female near Duck
Island, group of 2 males & 5 females in center of Lake
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus merganser)  1    
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  X     many
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)  1
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)  1     adult plumage, very large
individual, seen perched on Peninsula & flying towards Breeze Hill
American Coot (Fulica americana)  8
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  X     many
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  X     many, adults and juveniles
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  6     very high count for me
for this location
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  35     approx count
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  3
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  6
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  X     many at feeders
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  X     many at feeders
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  3
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)  1     Lullwater near Rustic Arbor
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)  3     Peninsula lawn. Feeding in
open with Hermit Thrush.
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)  1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  2
Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)  3
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  X     many
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  X
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  14     feeders
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  5     feeders
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  5     feeders
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  X

View this checklist online at
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12254754

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Prospect Dec 8th Common Redpoll presence;WWXbills

Reported today is  another good species in what has become a great winter year , COMMON REDPOLL, heard but not seen yet something birders should look out for in Prospect if the species stick around [Hint : Check those sweetgums and birches] . See the list report from Keir Randall:

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Dec 8, 2012 1:15 PM - 4:47 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.1
38 species

Canada Goose 3
Mute Swan 7
American Black Duck 3
Mallard 24
Northern Shoveler 112
Hooded Merganser 9
Ruddy Duck 14
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 3
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Mourning Dove 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 4
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Blue Jay 6
Black-capped Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 1
Eastern Bluebird 3-- 2 males and a female, Peninsula meadow
American Robin 16
European Starling 30
Cedar Waxwing 2
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 29
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Purple Finch 1
House Finch 15
Common Redpoll 1 First heard around 1.30pm above Breeze Hill feeders by P. Colen and Cindy ? We all then heard one, probably 2, Redpolls 4 or 5 times (a loud "chip, trill") over a 20 minute period but could not see them.
Pine Siskin 4
American Goldfinch 1

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Reported by Rafael on Ebirds

08 December 2012

A very gray and damp day for an early morning walk around PP.  But by 9 am I was
in the Vale, and to my big surprise, a large flock, of ~20 indvs, of
White-winged Crossbills, feeding in a Sweetgum tree.

The rest of my walk was quite slow, and the only great spot of activity were the
feeders.  The usual suspects, and the Pine Siskins still around but their
numbers are quite low ( I counted ~4).

A Belted Kingfisher was see around the lake, and also 1 Bufflehead.

No signs of the Chat, at least til 12 noon.

Brooklyn is great birding: Rafael Campos R

Prospect Dec 6th quick notes

Too busy to report yesterday , but passing this on:

--On the Nethermead 1 pm, Bobbi Manian and Eni Falci saw a lone AMERICAN PIPIT

-- along the lower lullwater path , base of Breeze Hill, NASHVILLE WARBLER seen by Elyse Taylor

Hurricane Sandy volunteer opportunity

from Bob Gochfeld:


Hurricane Sandy Recovery: Staten Island Bluebelt Clean-Up Volunteer Day Hosted by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection ******* Date: Saturday, December 8 th Time: 9:30AM – 3:00PM Meeting Location: Turtle Loop, located at Jefferson Avenue and Father Capodanno Boulevard (along the Midland Beach Boardwalk) Event Description: Volunteers will help to remove debris along the Staten Island Blue Belt wetland areas in the Midland and South Beach areas. *************** Details: Volunteers should plan to arrive at the meeting location by 9:30AM for a welcome introduction and group assignments. There is a small parking lot on site, and street parking is also available. Groups will depart to designated clean-up sites at 10:00AM. We will have vans to shuttle volunteers from the meeting location to designated clean-up sites. Please wear work boots and dress appropriately for cold weather. Vest and gloves will be provided. There are portable toilets and a water fountain at the meeting location. No food will be provided so please plan accordingly. No children under 16 please. ************** We are also planning a similar volunteer activity in Jamaica Bay; details for this event will be distributed in the near future.

12/6 Thursday eve BBC program Discovering Cuba

The Brooklyn Bird Club evening program at Prospect Park's Litchfield Villa at 5th St and Prospect Park West Ave  is 

"Discovering Cuba"

Presenter: Elliotte Rusty Harold
Thursday, December 6th, 6:30 P.M.

(Rescheduled date from Nov 3rd )

Synopsis: Cuba is the largest, best preserved, and perhaps least well-known island in the Caribbean, at least to U.S. birders. Native avifauna include over 300 species including Thursday, December 6th, 6:30 P.M.

 details and directions http://brooklynbirdclub.org/meetings.htm

Birding ethics , particularly with owls

I read a posting on NYSBirds listserve regarding birding ethics and behavior protocols particularly when it comes to roosting owls. Below is the post from Cornell's Ornithology Christopher Tessaglia -Hymes ; on the sidebar --> under ABA Code an additional 2nd link from Ebird I added to supplement the ABA rules.  Its very important we follow the best and honorable way. Thanks..--KB


**
Subject: OWLS and Ethical Birding

From: Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes

Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2012

I am sending out this message as a reminder about ethical birding, especially as it pertains to owls during this winter season.

Although the content of this message is on owls, this message may apply to almost any unusual species.

In the past, birders have witnessed other birders and bird photographers acting in a way that does not conform to the American Bird Association's (ABA) Principles of Birding Ethics.

Several of these behaviors have included, but not been limited to:

- Getting too close to a resting owl or causing a disruption that forces an owl to flush from its resting location. This causes wasted expenditure of much-needed energy

- Using powerful flash photography. This may disrupt the normal activity of an owl (sleeping, foraging, etc.)

- Releasing unnatural food resources (cage mice) into the environment. This may cause an owl to associate humans with an unnatural food source which may also contain unknown chemicals or antibiotics


- Loud talking, pishing or squeaking to attract the attention of an owl. This may further disrupt the normal activity of an owl


The discovery of owls or other rare birds may cause larger-than-normal numbers of people to gather near a rare or unusual bird. This may lead to undue stress to an already stressed bird.

In an effort to help minimize the negative impacts that we, as birders, may have upon recently discovered owls, please refrain from openly disclosing the exact location of any owl on the NYSbirds-L eList. Please keep any postings that mention owl sightings, as general as possible.

As Listowner of the NYSbirds-L eList, I have little control over how people behave around these birds; however, I do have control over who is subscribed to this eList.

If, while observing an unusual or rare bird, anyone witnesses birder behavior which severely contradicts the ABA Principles of Birding Ethics, please document this unethical behavior and find out the name of the individual or individuals in question. If it is clear and blatant harassment of a bird, please document this. Report this unethical or illegal behavior to me and report this to the appropriate Office representing your region at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. If this person is a subscriber of the NYSbirds-L eList, their subscription status will be brought into question by me.


Please note, I cannot prevent someone who has documented unethical birding behavior from posting that information to YouTube or any public forums outside of NYSbirds-L. If this is documented and publicized, your reputation may be at stake. Bear in mind that it is *not* okay to openly lambast specific violators on the NYSbirds-L eList. Please read the NYSbirds-L eList rules at this link: http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES

*It is in your own best interest to read, understand, and follow the Principles of Birding Ethics!*

Thank you and do not hesitate to contact me off List with your questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Chris T-H


Chris Tessaglia-Hymes

Listowner, NYSbirds-L

Ithaca, New York

cth4 AT cornell.edu

NYSbirds-L

Archives

Jett version GWC birding map

For folks  intimidated by the confusing vastness of Greenwood Cemetery, Rob Jett took the liberty and effort to create from the cemetery's detail map , an improvised birding map  showing shaded areas with location names, much like my google prospect map with its names and monikers...  (note , see the link to the sidebar ---> "maps")
See Rob's post below to NYS Birding listserve

Subject: Green-Wood Cemetery Birding Map Date: Mon Dec 3 2012 10:36 am From: citybirder

In an attempt to make navigating Green-Wood Cemetery a little bit easier, I modified the existing official map which is available on the cemetery's website here: http://www.green-wood.com/map-... http://www.green-wood.com/map-of-green-wood-cemetery Using a pair of 1855 and 1901 maps, which shows the names of the various landforms, i.e. ridges, hills and valleys, I overlaid these landmarks on the current map. My reasoning was that most birders haven't a clue what the names of the roads and paths are in places like Central Park and Prospect Park, but they do know the geographic labels. The file is very large (6279×7316 pixels) so if you have access to a large format printer, it should look very good. Download the full-sized map here: http://tinyurl.com/bskxy7q I hope to add more birding specific hotspot labels in future versions. Good birding, Rob

Prospect Dec 3rd & 4th

The color red dominated Monday's sightings with COMMON REDPOLL & RED CROSSBILLS to emphasize, and if you like bats, RED BATs seen over the past several days in migration. Doug Gochfeld reported the above rarities yesterday and a few observers with the bats [ The report was delayed due to my hard drive computer  going thru a critical de-junking session, as my old machine  was on the verge of crashing with no memory left thanks to years of automatic saved web page browsing]. 
Both Breeze Hill and the Vale Cashmere were the best sites for these winter avian species.  A nice number for PINE SISKIN though for the day.

This was a note I received from Doug :

"Two interesting things from Prospect Park yesterday, in addition to the Red Crossbills and Redpolls:

1) Eastern Red Bats were everywhere during the day (Up to 7 well before dusk)

2) The Starlings near the Binnen Bridge are already imitating Red Crossbill flight calls! "

Going into today, nothing of great note except from Adam's observation , lake species including continuing BUFFLEHEAD & HOODED MERGANSERS.

Doug's report

Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Dec 3, 2012 1:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)

43 species

Canada Goose  25
Mute Swan  9
Mallard  50
Northern Shoveler  140
Ruddy Duck  45
Pied-billed Grebe  4
Double-crested Cormorant  1
American Coot  12
Ring-billed Gull  200
Herring Gull  30
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon  5
Mourning Dove  6
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
Downy Woodpecker  8
Hairy Woodpecker  2     Female in Ravine, Male on Breeze Hill.
Peregrine Falcon  2
Blue Jay  18
Black-capped Chickadee  38
Tufted Titmouse  22
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  9
Brown Creeper  2
Winter Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Hermit Thrush  2
American Robin  6     Including two in fruiting tree (Crabapple?) at NE corner 
of park between GAP and the Long Meadow.
European Starling  45
Cedar Waxwing  38
Eastern Towhee  1     Breeze Hill.
Fox Sparrow (Red)  2
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  120
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  1     Vale
Northern Cardinal  16
House Finch  18
Red Crossbill  20     Single heard only flyover near Vale, then a flock of heard 
only birds flying over near the Binnen Bridge that sounded somewhere in the 
neighborhood of 20 individuals. Also in the Binnen area were European Starlings 
doing their own imitation of Red Crossbill flight calls.
Common Redpoll  2     Breeze Hill. Flew into trees above my head. Only one seen 
(with one flight photo obtained), although at least two were vocalizing.
Pine Siskin  18     More than had been around. Two groups of more than 7 
individuals
American Goldfinch  2
House Sparrow  10

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12217023

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

**********************

Adam's report:

Hi Peter

Got into the park before sunset for a quick look around. Nothing too
spectacular. Bufflehead, Hoodies prob. the most interesting things.

A


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:  <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Tue, Dec 4, 2012 at 7:04 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Dec 4, 2012



Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY
Dec 4, 2012 3:50 PM - 4:40 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 kilometer(s)
Comments:     slightly overcast, warm, still. Surveyed Breeze Hill,
feeders, Peninsula and lakeshore near Peninsula.
27 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  220     count accurate + or - 10
birds. Large flock landed on Lake just prior to sunset.
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  2
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  40     count approximate
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)  X     hundreds. Not counted accurately.
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  2     near New Islands
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)  2     near Duck Island.
Seemed to be displaying to each other.
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  X     many. Not counted.
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)  1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  1
American Coot (Fulica americana)  8
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  X     many. Not counted.
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  X     many. Not counted.
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)  X
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  X
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  15
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  5
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
wren sp. (Troglodytidae sp.)  1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  1
Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)  1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  X     many. Two
communal roosts found.
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  X
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  2
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  3
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  X

View this checklist online at
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12224562

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

YELLOW BREASTED CHAT continues as usual

The south slope of Breeze Hill continues to reveal the terrific presence of YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, coming out at times for birders looking for it..Again along that sinking path or 'HAIRPIN" path what I would call it henceforth is the spot to go,usually halfway down.

observers today were Rob Jett,Rob Bate and Bobbi Manian.

. Photo below by Bobbi Manian

Dec 2 nd WWXbills, Chat continues

In two text messages received from Dennis Hrehowsik, 6 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen feeding in sweet gums in the ravine just south of boulder bridge; also the CHAT continues same spot, seen feeding on berries 345 pm.

and some clarification on the earlier reports:  Anne Murray originally found the CHAT this morning and the NASHVILLE WARBLER was seen  in the CHAT area. :-)

Prospect December 2nd Chat Chat Chat..

The story continues to be the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT loyal to the Breeze Hill southern slope along the sunken road.Look for it on either side in the brushy sections which if seen sticks out very bright in the drab brush. Also reported is NASHVILLE WARBLER adding good cheer for warblers this morning , the late season bird seen from Monica's report at the switchback trail I presume which would be by the Maryland monument.

Prospect brief notes Dec 1st

On this first day of December under gray overcast and cold day, much of the park seemed quiet except for a few bright spots.

After a vain search for the Chat not seen all morning, the bird surfaced shortly after noontime, as Mike Elliot phished for the Eastern Towhee that been hanging out on the middle southern slope of Breeze Hill.Instead of towhee, what popped up was the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.

4 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS came down to a water filled path pothole by the southwestern Nethermead pine grove,just before the road forks.Earlier female was seen at the Maryland Monument.

The lake, dominated by NORTHERN SHOVELERs, continues to make things intersting with the hen RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, BUFFLEHEADS & 5 HOODED MERGANSERS.

Feeders have the usual suspects,active it is ,but PINE SISKINS adds delight especially with the bright bird hanging out.
There was a report from Cindy of WWXbills feeding in the Sweet gums by Nethermead bridge
more later,

-KB *****Addendum: See Keir's report of WHITE-WINGED XBILLS at the Nethermead bridges at noon time. *************** From Keir Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY Dec 1, 2012 9:50 AM - 12:20 PM Protocol: Traveling 2.0 mile(s) 39 species Mute Swan 5 American Black Duck 3 Mallard X Northern Shoveler X Hooded Merganser 3 Red-breasted Merganser 1 Ruddy Duck X Pied-billed Grebe 1 Double-crested Cormorant 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Ring-billed Gull X Herring Gull X Rock Pigeon X Mourning Dove 8 Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2 Downy Woodpecker 4 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Merlin 1 Blue Jay 8 Black-capped Chickadee 12 Tufted Titmouse 6 White-breasted Nuthatch 3 Carolina Wren 3 American Robin 25 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling X Eastern Towhee 1 Fox Sparrow 3 Song Sparrow 2 Swamp Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 25 Northern Cardinal 6 House Finch 13 White-winged Crossbill 8 In sweetgums and bathing in Binnen Water downstream from Netherdale Arches, 12pm. At least 4 males and probably more than 8 total. Pine Siskin 2 American Goldfinch 12 House Sparrow 18

MikeE~FWD: Was phishing for Towhee, which I saw earlier and YB Chat popped up. About halway up hill.[breeze]