A quick search of the office records revealed that today's PIED-BILLED GREBE is the first ever July sighting of this species in Prospect Park. [ Hard to believe that....hmmm... lucky me]
--KB
Monday, July 15, 2013
Prospect Lake morning sightings
During a work relevant waterfowl check along the lake shores and perimeter, a very productive birding list , surprisingly the list topped by a rare PIED BILLED GREBE.
In the middle of the lake just after spotting a LEAST TERN on the red ball buoy, the striking outline of a PIED -BILLED GREBE was seen, which very rarely is seen midsummer here. Where this bird comes from is undetermined. It could be an early migrant or a "floater" , an unattached male or female that didn't succeed pairing or perhaps its been lost all this time. Interesting to speculate.
Along with the regular LEAST TERN hunting over the lake , a FORSTER'S TERN flew by. This followed previously an observed GREEN HERON on a small limb in the cove just west of 3 Sisters Islands, on the "Hammerhead" Peninsula.
The last interesting sighting concerns WOOD DUCKS , 5 birds in the Duck Island channel. Rob Bate mentioned 4 are fledglings so we could say there was a successful breeding record , likely Duck Island the host for the nest as there are some wood duck boxes maybe well hidden...
Its hot out there, but in the cool mornings , there are good sightings to behold.
In the middle of the lake just after spotting a LEAST TERN on the red ball buoy, the striking outline of a PIED -BILLED GREBE was seen, which very rarely is seen midsummer here. Where this bird comes from is undetermined. It could be an early migrant or a "floater" , an unattached male or female that didn't succeed pairing or perhaps its been lost all this time. Interesting to speculate.
Along with the regular LEAST TERN hunting over the lake , a FORSTER'S TERN flew by. This followed previously an observed GREEN HERON on a small limb in the cove just west of 3 Sisters Islands, on the "Hammerhead" Peninsula.
The last interesting sighting concerns WOOD DUCKS , 5 birds in the Duck Island channel. Rob Bate mentioned 4 are fledglings so we could say there was a successful breeding record , likely Duck Island the host for the nest as there are some wood duck boxes maybe well hidden...
Its hot out there, but in the cool mornings , there are good sightings to behold.
Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, US-NY
Jul 15, 2013
Protocol: Incidental
16 species (+2 other taxa)
Mute Swan 10
Wood Duck 5
American Black Duck X
Mallard X
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) X
American Black Duck/Mallard X
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Green Heron 2 ( other in Lullwater)
Laughing Gull 2
Least Tern 1
Forster's Tern 1
Rock Pigeon X
Chimney Swift X
Barn Swallow 2
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle 3
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14648956
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Sunday, July 14, 2013
The Warbler Guide
http://www.thewarblerguide.com/
I received my guide early this week and from a quick browse see it as an impressive tome.Its light enough to carry around.This is a highly acclaimed guide written by our Brooklyn Bird Club celebre Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle formerly of Brooklyn, now in Cape May.
Whether you have other guides on your shelf,do add this one !
see the various reviews.
http://tinyurl.com/q8hpjd4
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Late Eve Black Skimmer
A brief visit by a single BLACK SKIMMER at 841 pm this evening along the west shore of Prospect Lake (thereby,a flythru); I almost missed seeing it after sitting awhile by the shore,got up to sit on a wet bench and promptly saw the bright profile of the bird going towards West Island. Getting back to the shore, I watched the skimmer circle back and head over and out over Well Drive. such a graceful looking bird.
Adding to my sightings ,a Black crowned Night Heron and a Brown Bat taking sips from the lake surface, same spot.
--KB
Least terns Prospect Lake
LEAST TERNs equals 4 now prospect lake 3 flying
Addendum : high total was 5 last count before my departing
Friday, July 12, 2013
Rob Bate's report
Resident and probable breeders I've seen lately include Yellow Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Baltimore Oriole ,Orchard Oriole ,House Wren, Downy Woodpecker ,Green Heron, Wood Ducks (Duck Island) ,Mallards ,and of course the regulars like Robins.
Prospect bits and pieces..( and beetle bug)
Rob Bate mentioned to me sightings this morning of WARBLING VIREO, WHITE-EYED VIREO, YELLOW WARBLER, BALTIMORE ORIOLE & ORCHARD ORIOLE.
Larry Zirlin was in town from New Jersey and reported two LEAST TERNS over Prospect Lake.
On the complete nature side, Stanley Greenberg sent me a photo of an intriguing large insect called Stag Beetle that I originally searched on Steve's website
http://www.stevenanz.com/Main_Directory/Plants_Animals/Invertebrates/Insects/Coleoptera/Scarabaeoidea/index.htm
Steve chimed in later and sent this post:
Hi Stanley,
here's Stanley's cell phone photo below
Larry Zirlin was in town from New Jersey and reported two LEAST TERNS over Prospect Lake.
On the complete nature side, Stanley Greenberg sent me a photo of an intriguing large insect called Stag Beetle that I originally searched on Steve's website
http://www.stevenanz.com/Main_Directory/Plants_Animals/Invertebrates/Insects/Coleoptera/Scarabaeoidea/index.htm
Steve chimed in later and sent this post:
Hi Stanley,
Looks like a male Lucanus capreolus (Reddish-brown Stag Beetle) which I have seen in Prospect Park and is on the page Peter referenced. I'm pretty sure I can see enough detail on the mandibles to eliminate other members of the genus and I am not aware of any other genus with members that are similar. More info at: http://bugguide.net/node/view/3107
Steve
Steve
here's Stanley's cell phone photo below
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Prospect Lake eve watch
This quiet humid evening yielded two sightings of note.Within Three Sisters,an adult GREEN HERON stalking from branches.The second sighting wasn't totally confirmed given the distance.
From the west shore,I spotted some small ducks by Three Sisters.Getting over there,they of course disappeared. Then what I superstitiously expected, found them on the far side of Duck Island,heading for Music Island .Based on their small size, the profile and now molting plumage,I would have to say with 70% certainty they were Wood Ducks. Given the lateness of the evening ,I had no desire to chase them and look from Duck Island's Summerhouse with its crowd.
Fire flies in full luminescent regalia tonight..
-KB
From the west shore,I spotted some small ducks by Three Sisters.Getting over there,they of course disappeared. Then what I superstitiously expected, found them on the far side of Duck Island,heading for Music Island .Based on their small size, the profile and now molting plumage,I would have to say with 70% certainty they were Wood Ducks. Given the lateness of the evening ,I had no desire to chase them and look from Duck Island's Summerhouse with its crowd.
Fire flies in full luminescent regalia tonight..
-KB
Things to do over the summer ...
Bat Lecture and walk, led by Gabriel Willow :
Tuesday, July 30: Gowanus Bat Walk, Location: Gowanus Studio Space (166 7th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215)
http://www.gowanuscanalconservancy.org/ee/index.php/gcc_projects/gcc_project?id=142
On Face book https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gowanus-Canal-Conservancy/127301437173?ref=nf
Tuesday, July 30: Gowanus Bat Walk, Location: Gowanus Studio Space (166 7th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215)
http://www.gowanuscanalconservancy.org/ee/index.php/gcc_projects/gcc_project?id=142
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
A little night music, flyover fanfare
This evening ,the New York Philharmonic held their annual parks concert in Prospect. During AntonÃn Dvořák Cello
Concerto,2nd movement, i caught sight of 5 BLACK SKIMMERS flying over , heading towards Bartel Pritchard Square.
Also a RED TAILED HAWK seen flying unto a perch; some Brown Bats later in the darkness ( I covered my neck)
Peregrine Falcon photos
Taken somewhere in downtown Brooklyn , these photos were sent me by "marjimsam " with this message :
Hi,
Hi,
My husband and I have enjoyed watching Peregrine falcons soar through the air of Downtown Brooklyn for years. Last night we had an unexpected visitor on the balcony of our 29th floor apartment.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
July 9th heat wave birds
Isabel Conte out for a birding walk found the fledgling GREEN HERON on a water snag adjacent to the Lullwater Bridge..I was able to see also the heron,with its scalloped plumage on its back.
In addition , Isabel found a GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER nest on the south lullwater side near the feeders site. Look for ,by the shore the fishing discard line canister ,at that trail before the trail up the slope to the feeders; look for a thin broken off tree.
That's all for today,too hot to bird.Stay cool.
-KB
In addition , Isabel found a GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER nest on the south lullwater side near the feeders site. Look for ,by the shore the fishing discard line canister ,at that trail before the trail up the slope to the feeders; look for a thin broken off tree.
That's all for today,too hot to bird.Stay cool.
-KB
Monday, July 8, 2013
July 7th Hot for the cuckoo
July 7th Prospect
The First Sunday Walk from the
Boathouse,led by Paul Keim,
has its highlight with a YELLOW-BILLED
CUCKOO reported on
the Peninsula base by the asphalt road vicinity. Neal Frumkin mentioned this observation to me today with
details it may be a young bird as its under tail plumage wasn't fully
developed. This is an interesting development to look carefully for this
species at this spot no record I believe of breeding YBCU here. Also mentioned was GREEN
HERON fledglings
at the woods trail on the west side of the Lull water Bridge.
I ventured
out for casual walks , even a sitting in the late eve and best was at 417 pm, a
single LEAST TERN patrolling and feeding in the usual southwest
section of the Lake. GREAT
BLUE HERON like clockwork ,
flew in and roosted in Three Sister Islands. The RUDDY DUCK hen is sticking around, a rare species for this
time of the year here.
It slow
summer days and humidity at its worst, even for cuckoos.
--KB
Peter’s list below
Prospect
Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, US-NY
Jul 7, 2013
Protocol: Incidental
14 species (+1 other taxa)
Mute Swan 6
Mallard X
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
Ruddy Duck 1 present for two weeks
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Laughing Gull 1
Herring Gull 3
Least Tern 1
Chimney Swift X
Barn Swallow X
American Robin 1
European Starling X
Common Grackle 4
House Sparrow X
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14598337
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Jul 7, 2013
Protocol: Incidental
14 species (+1 other taxa)
Mute Swan 6
Mallard X
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
Ruddy Duck 1 present for two weeks
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Laughing Gull 1
Herring Gull 3
Least Tern 1
Chimney Swift X
Barn Swallow X
American Robin 1
European Starling X
Common Grackle 4
House Sparrow X
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14598337
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Sunday, July 7, 2013
July 6th prospect is hot !
Before thinking its hot with birds,its on the contrary,its hot out there!
An evening late viewing of the lake revealed little : Great Blue Heron coming in for roost on 3 Sisters islands, passing Barn swallows and Chimney Swifts and the still attached lake resident female RUDDY DUCK. Park Circle horse trail a blazed with fireflies, a summer phenomenon.
An evening late viewing of the lake revealed little : Great Blue Heron coming in for roost on 3 Sisters islands, passing Barn swallows and Chimney Swifts and the still attached lake resident female RUDDY DUCK. Park Circle horse trail a blazed with fireflies, a summer phenomenon.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
First Sunday Walk
from Michele Dreger:
The First Sunday of July Early Morning Bird Walk will be led by Paul Keim. Meet at the Boathouse at 8 am on Sunday July 7. The August walk will take place on August 4. Phil Malek and Max Stein will be there to facilitate the walk. The September walk is on first day of September. Paul will lead that also. Sincerest thanks to each of them. Enjoy your summer! Michele Neal Vinnie Eni
The First Sunday of July Early Morning Bird Walk will be led by Paul Keim. Meet at the Boathouse at 8 am on Sunday July 7. The August walk will take place on August 4. Phil Malek and Max Stein will be there to facilitate the walk. The September walk is on first day of September. Paul will lead that also. Sincerest thanks to each of them. Enjoy your summer! Michele Neal Vinnie Eni
Green Heron
Yesterday, the GREEN HERON family was observed at the presumably Lullwater Bridge area or near the Audubon Center, an adult with 4 fledglings .It was at the water edge from what i gather ,reported by Rob Bates twitter tweet
Thursday, July 4, 2013
The terns go " fourth"
On this Fourth of July, single LEAST and FORSTER's TERNs were spotted over Prospect Lake.The former worked awhile the south side of the lake while I spotted the latter passing over by Well Drive.
A crowded park which shorten my stay nevertheless, best looks of a female YELLOW WARBLER by the Peninsula pink beach and offshore by there GREEN HERON flyby.
Hope you all had a safe and enjoyable July 4th.
**
Addenum: Adam Welz reported 2 LEAST TERNS PLake and RUDDY DUCK which has been hangong out these past few weeks in the Lake
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
New Duck Stamp now on sale
The best conservation funding program in history, this year's stamp of the Common Goldeneye is a collector's item and free pass to Federal wildlife refuges that charge fee entries.
https://store.usps.com/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?productId=S_334904
This is a single pressure-sensitive (PSA) Common Goldeneye 2013-2014 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamp. The 2013-2014 Federal Duck Stamp features a common goldeneye painted by wildlife artist Robert Steiner of San Francisco. Last fall, a panel of five judges chose Steiner's art to grace the stamp from among 192 paintings at the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, held at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. Steiner, whose painting of a Barrow's goldeneye appeared on the 1998-1999 Federal Duck Stamp, has also created numerous state duck stamps. Since 1934, Federal Duck Stamp sales have raised more than $800 million to acquire and protect more than 6 million acres of wetlands habitat on hundreds of national wildlife refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories. A current Federal Duck Stamp is also good for free admission to any refuge that charges an entry fee. More than 560 refuges offer unparalleled outdoor recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, bird watching and photography. Made in the USA. SKUs featured on this page: 334904 +±+++++++++++++++++http://www.birds.cornell.edu/roundrobin/2013/06/28/eight-great-reasons-to-love-the-new-migratory-bird-stamp/?utm_source=Cornell+Lab+eNews&utm_campaign=8e7bd0a81e-Cornell_Lab_eNews_2013_7_03&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_47588b5758-8e7bd0a81e-278038549
https://store.usps.com/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?productId=S_334904
This is a single pressure-sensitive (PSA) Common Goldeneye 2013-2014 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamp. The 2013-2014 Federal Duck Stamp features a common goldeneye painted by wildlife artist Robert Steiner of San Francisco. Last fall, a panel of five judges chose Steiner's art to grace the stamp from among 192 paintings at the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, held at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. Steiner, whose painting of a Barrow's goldeneye appeared on the 1998-1999 Federal Duck Stamp, has also created numerous state duck stamps. Since 1934, Federal Duck Stamp sales have raised more than $800 million to acquire and protect more than 6 million acres of wetlands habitat on hundreds of national wildlife refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories. A current Federal Duck Stamp is also good for free admission to any refuge that charges an entry fee. More than 560 refuges offer unparalleled outdoor recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, bird watching and photography. Made in the USA. SKUs featured on this page: 334904 +±+++++++++++++++++http://www.birds.cornell.edu/roundrobin/2013/06/28/eight-great-reasons-to-love-the-new-migratory-bird-stamp/?utm_source=Cornell+Lab+eNews&utm_campaign=8e7bd0a81e-Cornell_Lab_eNews_2013_7_03&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_47588b5758-8e7bd0a81e-278038549
Afternoon Lullwater south 7/3; Skimmer facts
A lone FORSTER's TERN was seen patrolling the waters in the same area as yesterdays Black Skimmer visitation, the latter species not seen today.GREEN HERON flew under the tern.
-KB
***********************
If anyone is curious what Black Skimmers eat:
source :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Skimmer
-KB
***********************
If anyone is curious what Black Skimmers eat:
source :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Skimmer
Feeding habits[edit]
Skimmers have a light graceful flight, with steady beats of their long wings. They feed usually in large flocks, flying low over the water surface with the lower mandible skimming the water (in order of importance) for small fish, insects, crustaceans and molluscs[4] caught by touch by day or especially at night.
They spend much time loafing gregariously on sandbars in the rivers, coasts and lagoons they frequent.
GWC , PP reports
From Orrin July 2nd
Highlight of this morning's Green-Wood Cemetery walk were 8 Canada Geese on the Sylvan Water, the remnant of the 10 geese that were there last week before (not) being chased away by two nasty eagles.
Other birds:
Chipping sparrow
House finch
American robin
Northern mockingbird
European starling
Monk parakeet
Barn swallow
Northern flicker
House wren
Warbling vireo
Northern cardinal
Eastern wood pewee
Black-capped chickadee
Red-bellied woodpecker
House sparrow
Great egret
Black-crowned night heron
Common grackle
Baltimore oriole
Carolina wren
Cedar waxwing
Red-bellied woodpecker
Northern rough-winged swallow
No hawks in evidence, injured or otherwise.
Highlight of this morning's Green-Wood Cemetery walk were 8 Canada Geese on the Sylvan Water, the remnant of the 10 geese that were there last week before (not) being chased away by two nasty eagles.
Other birds:
Chipping sparrow
House finch
American robin
Northern mockingbird
European starling
Monk parakeet
Barn swallow
Northern flicker
House wren
Warbling vireo
Northern cardinal
Eastern wood pewee
Black-capped chickadee
Red-bellied woodpecker
House sparrow
Great egret
Black-crowned night heron
Common grackle
Baltimore oriole
Carolina wren
Cedar waxwing
Red-bellied woodpecker
Northern rough-winged swallow
No hawks in evidence, injured or otherwise.
********************************
Peter, evening watch July 1st
Prospect Lake
Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, US-NY
Jul 1, 2013 6:45 PM - 7:30 PM
Protocol: Stationary
12 species (+2 other taxa)
Mute Swan 4
Mallard X
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) X
dabbling duck sp. X
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Laughing Gull 2
Herring Gull X
Chimney Swift X
Peregrine Falcon 1 perched atop BBG fire tower
Eastern Kingbird 2
Barn Swallow 3
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Common Grackle 5
House Sparrow X
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14561547
Prospect Park-, Kings, US-NY
Jul 2, 2013 9:30 AM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments: lullwater south, feeding
2 species
Green Heron 1
Black Skimmer 3
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14561549
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Geese roundup this morning
this mesage was forwarded to me if anybody wishes to keep tabs on the geese issue.
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f30b9b8b6b96841f3dcf76c40&id=a0395707d9&e=d4b2e1bcad
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f30b9b8b6b96841f3dcf76c40&id=a0395707d9&e=d4b2e1bcad
PBS " American Eagle"
Channel 13 PBS is showing Nature: American Eagle Wednesday at 8 pm.Clips looks spectacular.
Summer's delightful appearance of Black Skimmers July 2nd
For the past week or so, I was hoping to see Black Skimmer during my evening watches of Prospect Lake. It "turns" ( oh that too , terns last night at Three Sisters ,reported by Dennis Hrehowsik , species undetermined) out that my timing was wrong !..
This morning while checking on fence that has been a frequent target by fishermen at the Peninsula , I spotted a lone BLACK SKIMMER working along the south Lullwater south of the Terrace Bridge. When I got to the "pink " beach, it was instead "triplets" ! Three BLACK SKIMMERS graceful flight and all, a sight to see, finally here in the early summer days of Prospect. Its likely this species will come back again now that they have discovered good feeding here at Prospect.Enjoy the spectacle if it is so.
Observers Peter D, Karen O'Hearn, Rob Bate
video cell phone shot by me :
Photos from Karen O'Hearn
This morning while checking on fence that has been a frequent target by fishermen at the Peninsula , I spotted a lone BLACK SKIMMER working along the south Lullwater south of the Terrace Bridge. When I got to the "pink " beach, it was instead "triplets" ! Three BLACK SKIMMERS graceful flight and all, a sight to see, finally here in the early summer days of Prospect. Its likely this species will come back again now that they have discovered good feeding here at Prospect.Enjoy the spectacle if it is so.
Observers Peter D, Karen O'Hearn, Rob Bate
video cell phone shot by me :
Photos from Karen O'Hearn
Monday, July 1, 2013
Injured Red tailed hawk in GWC
From Rob Jett :
I'm writing you folks because you are some of the regular birders in Green-Wood Cemetery. I just received word that one of the adult red-tails in GWC appears to have a seriously injured leg (possibly broken). Please keep an eye out for him or her if you are in the cemetery.
If you spot it, and it is in distress (and rescuable) please contact either Sean Casey Rescue: (718) 436-5163 or Bobby & Cathy Horvath: (516) 293-0587
Unfortunately I am away and won't be of any help this week. Please forward this to anyone else who might bird in the cemetery. Thanks, Rob
I'm writing you folks because you are some of the regular birders in Green-Wood Cemetery. I just received word that one of the adult red-tails in GWC appears to have a seriously injured leg (possibly broken). Please keep an eye out for him or her if you are in the cemetery.
If you spot it, and it is in distress (and rescuable) please contact either Sean Casey Rescue: (718) 436-5163 or Bobby & Cathy Horvath: (516) 293-0587
Unfortunately I am away and won't be of any help this week. Please forward this to anyone else who might bird in the cemetery. Thanks, Rob
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