Kings county CBC PRELIMINARY TOTAL

From Kings County compiler Rick Cech

Total species reported was 119 species

Brooklyn XMas Count Flash Tally - 2016
Species	Count
Snow Goose	68
Brant	11377
Canada Goose	1855
Mute Swan	102
Wood Duck	5	IRR
Gadwall	112
Eurasian Wigeon	cw	IRR
American Wigeon	26
American Black Duck	618
Mallard	663
Northern Shoveler	499
Northern Pintail	1
Green-winged Teal	105
Ring-necked Duck	cw	IRR
Greater Scaup	1457
Lesser Scaup	97
Common Eider	5	IRR
Surf Scoter	2
White-winged Scoter	128
Black Scoter	729
Scoter (sp.)	7225
Long-tailed Duck	117
Bufflehead	1071
Common Goldeneye	1
Hooded Merganser	60
Red-breasted Merganser	812
Ruddy Duck	601
Ring-necked Pheasant	7
Red-throated Loon	64
Common Loon	41
Pied-billed Grebe	5
Horned Grebe	76
Northern Gannet	203
Double-crested Cormorant	77
Great Cormorant	40
Great Blue Heron	14
Black-crowned Night-Heron	1
Turkey Vulture	cw	RARE
Northern Harrier	21
Sharp-shinned Hawk	2
Cooper's Hawk	16
Red-tailed Hawk	23
American Coot	48
American Oystercatcher	4	RARE
Black-bellied Plover	45
Killdeer	22
Ruddy Turnstone	2	IRR
Sanderling	74
Dunlin	47
Purple Sandpiper	12
American Woodcock	4
Spotted Sandpiper	1	NEW FOR COUNT
Greater Yellowlegs	6
Bonaparte's Gull	cw
Laughing Gull	5	RARE
Ring-billed Gull	5263
Herring Gull	1022
Great Black-backed Gull	111
Rock Pigeon	967
Mourning Dove	342
Great Horned Owl	2	IRR
Snowy Owl	1	IRR
Northern Saw-whet Owl	2	RARE
Belted Kingfisher	3
Red-headed Woodpecker	1	RARE
Red-bellied Woodpecker	27
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	15
Downy Woodpecker	58
Hairy Woodpecker	1
Northern Flicker	37
American Kestrel	6
Merlin	3
Peregrine Falcon	7
Monk Parakeet	11
Eastern Phoebe	1	RARE
Blue Jay	57
American Crow	39
Fish Crow	15	IRR
Common Raven	2	RARE
Horned Lark	91
Tree Swallow	22	IRR
Black-capped Chickadee	126
Tufted Titmouse	41
Red-breasted Nuthatch	4
White-breasted Nuthatch	33
Brown Creeper	3
Winter Wren	1
Carolina Wren	19
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	7
Hermit Thrush	5
American Robin	189
Gray Catbird	5
Brown Thrasher	3

the count plus one

The day after the Xmas count was uneventful except for a few Snow Geese.Very likely quiet because everyone was too exhausted!

Mike Yuan tweeted the report of the SNOW GEESE. Three were seen inside the ballfields enclosed section of Western Long Meadow. They were not count week birds because 24 were seen yesterday on count day.

One of my party birders yesterday notified me that yesterday's Northern Saw-whet owl is today's absentee. It was not seen in that spot.It might be roosting in a different tree; or it simply moved on.In any case,we really lucked in as a count day bird.

Christmas count Prospect

The miserable weather of snow,sleet then cold rain tested the mettle of my South Prospect team.But we all hung tough despte wet fog up binoculars, soaked clothes, very wet gloves, ,glasses and anything else susceptible to ugly precipitation.But I couldn't be prouder of the group that hung in and found some good birds.

Not to make too much  hay of it, my team did really well despite the tough conditions. And thanks to some sharp eyes in the group ,including myself. Sean Zimmer found COMMON YELLOWTHROAT in Three Sisters Island cove; also Sean's find was WINTER WREN ( only bird in count) atop Lookout Hill). Matt Beck was among the split off team finding flyover SNOW GEESE ,two dozen over the Lake, a wonderful observatioñ of bright white in the heavy overcast skies. Karen O' hearn finding the lone RINGNECKED DUCK I somehow missed.But I found the highlight just before lunchtime at the zoo.

In a hurry to get out of the rainy misery, we what was left of us, stopped at a spot for an owl check. Raindrops a sure hindrance, I scanned the tree and after several binocular sweeps, saw an interesting ball that I thought was a paper wasp nest. Taking my very fogged up scope that I wiped the optics with a napkin ,a closer look revealed the ball to be an owl. A pudgy squat owl. After studying the turned away owl, looking carefully at its back,the consensus was NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL.The find was the great reward for getting out in miserable weather to do a job,and the group immensely delighted forgetting the crappy weather impact on their pysche.

Please note as a rule,I don't post owl locations ever on this blog.My concern is the Owls welfare given the stress they are going through in harsh winters and migration.The same for any emails I receive I will ignore.If I happen to be in Prospect birding,I likely will be generous and judicious who I tell.Its unfortunate but sometime bad owl etiquette and behavior is observed.I expect the same from other birders.

Finally a word of appreciation for my group: Sean,Alexis Clements for her great help writing down all the sightings with rain soaked pages,Matt,Karen, Kathy, Ryan,Angie,Adam, Lexi,& Louis. The group's good spirits and upbeat attitude makes a world of difference and my job easier and fulfilling.

I will post later the preliminary count tally tonight.

Xmas count brief notes

I'm pretty beat, but here are a few numbers before I get more details from the compiler

Total Kings count was 120 species

Prospect had 53 species with save birds Winter wren, eastern towhee from bbgarden, ring-necked duck, common yellow throat I can remember.

A valiant effort today with the horrible miserable weather.

Time to sleep

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Dec 17, 2016 4:29 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:
Cc:

*** Species Summary:

- Spotted Sandpiper (2 reports)
- Common Raven (2 reports)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <hourly> Kings County Rare Bird Alert.The report below shows observations of rare birds in Kings County.  View or unsubscribe to this alert at http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) (1)
- Reported Dec 17, 2016 14:12 by kristin costello
- 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: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S33060506
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Pics "

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) (1)
- Reported Dec 17, 2016 14:12 by Dennis Hrehowsik
- 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: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S33060507
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Pics "

Common Raven (Corvus corax) (1)
- Reported Dec 17, 2016 13:18 by Dennis Hrehowsik
- Brooklyn Army Terminal--Pier 4, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.646519,-74.026074&ll=40.646519,-74.026074
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S33060498
- Comments: "Heard and seen. Croaky wedge "

Common Raven (Corvus corax) (1)
- Reported Dec 17, 2016 13:18 by kristin costello
- Brooklyn Army Terminal--Pier 4, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.646519,-74.026074&ll=40.646519,-74.026074
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S33060497
- Comments: "Heard and seen. Croaky wedge "

***********

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The day before the Christmas Count in Prospect

The Christmas Bird Count is an awesome tradition , one that defies competition as it is an event that is conservation focused ,not some sort of frivolous competition against other count circles. This count is for the birds, a tradition that has continued for 117 years. So , with anticipation this fun event for Kings County starts tomorrow with some promise.

Started in 1909 by  Dr Chapman, an ornithologist to protest the Christmas Day "side hunts", the traditional event has really come a long way. When the horrible side hunts occurred, the bird populations became decimated by overeager hunters looking to get the most birds shot and killed for the big prize or inglorious reputation. So in protest that garnered much publicity Dr Chapman organized with a number of his friends in NYC Central Park ( as well as other cities) to look at birds instead as a counting tally and it rallied the conservation movement henceforth.

Here;s more about the CBC initial beginnings. http://www.audubon.org/history-christmas-bird-count

IN Prospect Park , one of 9 locations counted within the 15 mile circle , there's some promise. An adult very white SNOW GOOSE continues to feed with CANADA GEESE on field 5 in the southern section of the Ball fields at western Long Meadow. Although likely found anyway in Jamaica bay Refuge, a Snow Goose is a great bird for Prospect. 5 WOOD DUCKS also continue in the Upper Pool south of the Tennis House, its potential as the only sighting in the whole count circle a likelihood , called a "Saved Bird" meaning it saved the count for a usually seen species. On Prospect Lake, which I didn't have much time surveying, there are 5 HOODED MERGANSERS  along the Peninsula shoreline; sometimes the excited drakes would open their beautiful white crests to impress the hens.

Another interesting note as I drove along Center Drive for a common species now considered uncommon  was RED WINGED BLACKBIRD. A flock of at least 25 birds in a feeding frenzy was eating sweet gum seeds on the ground ,seeds that fell from the big tree at the hard curve just past the cemetery. I thought that was significant for its number.Sometimes, if looked carefully there may be something pretty good among them.

Hopefully there will be surprises tomorrow.That's the fun part: something unusual, or rare ( like last year's Painted Bunting), or even something unseasonal , a late bird or straggler (like last Mondays Common Yellowthroat). In any case, enjoy yourselves if you are participating in this wonderful tradition that everyone is a significant contributor of the best conservation story around.

eBird Checklist – Prospect Park, New York – Thu Dec 15, 2016 – 7 species

https://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/email?subID=S33033951

Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds)

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 4:17 PM on Thu, Dec 15, 2016:
Potential Kings save bird:5 Wood DUCK back shore Upper Pool seen from dog beach
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/809507767924854784?s=03)

Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download?s=13

SNOW

Adult white SNOW GOOSE with CAGO ballfield 7 southwest corner Prospect long Mead west ballfields

interesting emphasis on Prospect evegreens

From their latest newsletter , the Prospect Park Alliance emphasis on evergreeens

https://www.prospectpark.org/news-events/news/restoring-prospect-parks-evergreen-trees/

Fwd: Fw: GWC Birds Today (and yesterday) for xmas bird count

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Orrin Tilevitz" <tilevitzo@yahoo.com>
Date: Dec 15, 2016 12:04 AM
Subject: Fw: GWC Birds Today (and yesterday) for xmas bird count
To: "Peter Dorosh" <prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc:

Merlin (picture)

Coopers Hawk juv (?) (picture)

Northern flicker 2 (picture)

Fox sparrow 5

Cedar waxwing 7

Black-capped chickadee x

Tufted timouse x

Mourning dove 2

White-throated sparrow x

Dark-eyed junco x

Canada goose 30

Mallard duck 2

White-breasted nuthatch x

Red-bellied woodpecker 5

Blue jay x

Gull sp. 3

House finch

American goldfinch

Red-tailed hawk 3

Downy woodpecker

American crow 2

 

Fwd: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Dec 14, 2016

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Kathleen Toomey" <kathleentoomey@gmail.com>
Date: Dec 14, 2016 9:43 PM
Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Dec 14, 2016
To: <Prosbird@aol.com>
Cc:

From: ebird-checklist@cornell.edu
Date: December 14, 2016 at 9:20:33 PM EST
To: Kathleentoomey

Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park, Dec 14, 2016

Prospect Park, Kings, New York, US
Dec 14, 2016 11:20 AM - 3:20 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments:     Around the Lake
36 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose  60
Mute Swan  5
American Wigeon  1
American Black Duck  3
Mallard  50
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)  2
Northern Shoveler  200
Ring-necked Duck  1
Hooded Merganser  2
Ruddy Duck  50
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
American Coot  17
Ring-billed Gull  250
Herring Gull  13
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  16
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
diurnal raptor sp.  1
Blue Jay  2
Fish Crow  4
Black-capped Chickadee  10
Tufted Titmouse  4
White-breasted Nuthatch  3
American Robin  5
Northern Mockingbird  1
Common Yellowthroat  1     On LeFrak roof, warbler with brownish head and back, yellow throat and undertail coverts, pic taken by Karen O
Fox Sparrow  7
White-throated Sparrow  20
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  40
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  5
House Sparrow  40

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S33023262

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

Yellow throated warbler report

Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) (1)
- Reported Dec 14, 2016 11:11 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: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S33016810
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Feeding on a piece of bread @ lefrak tooftop"
Show quoted text

Xmas bird count week

It begins today thru Tuesday around Saturday's Kings count day.

If you birded Prospect inthis period except count day,please send me your checklist or forward the Ebird checklist to my email.
Thanks

-KB

A prospect warbler ?

Phil Hoff relayed to me a potential warbler sighting good for this time of year (since these insectivores should really be gone by now), at Boulder Bridge east. It was seen low on the north boulder edge at the east corner. Just a heads up for anybody wishing to investigate.

I went over to the spot about an hour later after my work assignment and found nothing there.But if its hanging out there, who knows.Perhaps Ricks Place is a good spot to check or in the upland area along the bridle trail.

Phil thought it resembled closely a Chest nut sided. But given the plumage changes this late in the year, it could be something else. Whatever...

KB

Gwc

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) (5)
- Reported Dec 11, 2016 09:15 by Michael Yuan
- 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: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S32970971
- Comments: "Continuing flock, seen at once with in large yew at Garland and Border Avenues. Unmarked throats and limited dark eye lines. Multiple observers present. "

Fwd: today's birds from GWC

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Orrin Tilevitz" <tilevitzo@yahoo.com>
Date: Dec 11, 2016 10:35 PM
Subject: today's birds from GWC
To: "Peter Dorosh" <prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc:

merlin and red-bellied woodpecker

also, two courting red-tailed hawks and a large long-tailed accipter

late juvenile Snow Goose

Taken early morn at Prospect Lake, photographed by Marc Brawer

frigid cold walk

A frigid cold walk for a Brooklyn Bird Club Prospect Walk turned out to be a short one for the very small group. Frosty numbers was the norm as bird activity was very low.

The best site in Prospect is as expected the feeders.Everywhere was kaput. Not even any hawks.I guess it was that cold and numbing for our fingers. Those feeders are a lifesaver. The best highlight turned out to be blackbirds. There was an active flock of 16 RED WINGED BLACKBIRDS ,some attacking the suet with determination the rest spread out on the ground below. There was also a lone FOX SPARROW vastly outnumbered.

For Prospect winters,the Lake produces the most interest. Unknown to me till later of another find by Marc Brawer,two Canada Geese with orange neck bands got our attention. The band codes Y3T4 & X 3A9 seen by Duck Island,was reported later to the Bird Banding lab at Patuxent wildlife research center; I will let you know later those geese origins. we also spotted a hen AMERICAN WIGEON by West Island with the the usual ducks.

I got an email later with an attached photo from Marc.shot from across the Lake;Marc photographed a juvenile SNOW GOOSE quite early, not seen later. It could be around but this frigid day chased us indoors.The photo will show up later.

In a positive light its good the count is next Saturday.Today was a freezing dud, with better hopes for better and definitely more active birds.

Tweet from Rob Jett (@thecitybirder)

Rob Jett (@thecitybirder) tweeted at 1:06 PM on Sun, Dec 11, 2016:
Five Baltimore Orioles in Green-Wood Cemetery near Hawkwatch Hill
(https://twitter.com/thecitybirder/status/808010179472216064?s=03)

Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download?s=13

Rare nabe sighting. 😋

Penguin seen around my corner,next to the wine store.hope it sticks around for next Saturday's Xmas bird count so I can count it.

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Dec 9, 2016 8:39 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:
Cc:

*** Species Summary:

- Turkey Vulture (1 report)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <hourly> Kings County Rare Bird Alert.The report below shows observations of rare birds in Kings County.  View or unsubscribe to this alert at http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) (1)
- Reported Dec 09, 2016 15:00 by Robert Hinz
- 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: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S32939152
- Comments: "large, black bird soaring with wings in a shallow 'V' while we were driving on Prospect Park Southwest"

***********

You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's Kings County Rare Bird Alert

Manage your eBird alert subscriptions:
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Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Dec 9, 2016 10:45 AM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:
Cc:

*** Species Summary:

- Orange-crowned Warbler (1 report)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <hourly> Kings County Rare Bird Alert.The report below shows observations of rare birds in Kings County.  View or unsubscribe to this alert at http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) (1)
- Reported Dec 09, 2016 07:50 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: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S32931661
- Comments: "by shipping containers that are near well house.  clearly seen"

***********

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Lake hoodies

One happy Drake with 6hens seen gliding from Peninsula point to West island

Keri report prospect

From Gus Keri.
Photos from today's walk at Prospect park:
European Goldfinch, Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck (female at the Cove), Pied-billed Grebe, Fox Sparrow and White-footed Field Mouse.

The euro goldfinches feed in the sweetgum trees just south of the West island rustic shelter,3 sweetgums

Kathy reptd American tree sparrow still at lefrak rink green roof north upper round section Dec 3rd

3 Sisters Hoodies

Three drake HOODED MERGANSERS added some spice to the dreary morning, occupying their little niche at Three Sisters Islands. I guess one island for each. The trio kept mostly to the shore facing north, alighting at one time on a branch sticking out of the water in the strait.

Some other news. Gus Keri reported the continuing RINGNECKED DUCK also at THree Sisters, but along the western island.  And I expected, a single FOX SPARROW at the feeders according to Gus. When I went , I didnt see that sparrow but there are plenty of House Sparrows.. ( Ok guys go easy eating the seed this winter)

transitions

With the slow days upon us as winter bears down upon us ,its a transitional period.Its time to become more accepting for the few birds that makes our days.

With Karen running into me by chance at West Island benches, we looked out towards the Prospect Lake. Far out a single PIED BILLED GREBE inhabits the lake center. It wisely avoided the crowds of NORTHERN Shovelers all clumped up doing their vortex wonders. A single AMERICAN BLACK DUCK took heed as well staying close to Three Sisters Islands. We next decided to check out the feeders.

There wasn't much activity at the feeders. A few birds - Titmouse,White Breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker -- were present. Before that we ran into Rafael Campos who mentioned seeing several FOX SPARROWS by the Rustic Arbor; those birds will eventually discover the feeders in due time so I wasn't worried. But a thought did arise to head for the rink Green roof and trust discovering the Tree
Sparrow.

At the Rink greenroof we ran into Kathy Toomey.Sure enough Kathy had the Tree Sparrow. We pursued our target seen in the round habitat section at the upper plaza on the north side of the green roof.No luck finding it as Kathy left us. But success on our side finally when Karen spotted the Tree Sparrow perched in a service berry shrub on the the south side of the big smokestack in the center of the roof.Despite shrub branches in the way ,obscuring that good sparrow,I nevertheless got good looks.

Proceeding as chilly air began arriving after a dropping low sun, Karen and I went around the south Lake side.Many Canada Geese sailed into view off the Peninsula Thumb.A number of them were small but not definitive for the Cacklings;its my presumption given the high variability of Canada Geese that they were Lesser subspecies : however those are more central USA species.I have to inquire an expert of the Lesser species whether they are encroaching more easterly.

That question aside ,there is no doubt about a single Drake HOODED MERGANSER in the Lake center near the Peninsula meadow. It's got its crest down meaning no ladies to impress.

I read on Facebook that Miriam Molnar reported a Drake WOOD DUCK and the continuing  BALTIMORE ORIOLE at Greenwood Cemetery. I presumed the late latter bird is by Battle Hill monument to the east. I hope they stick around for the Christmas count as both would be single save birds.

from Miriam Molnar

Taken yesterday at Greenwood cemetery early afternoon by Miriam of Red shouldered Hawk juv &
Bald Eagle

winters early bite

Yesterdays stiff cold north wind was an early reminder of oncoming winter's bite,yet provided impetus to a few raptors making headway south.When I nearly completed my walk thru Prospect, that cold wind really tested my temperament.

A great sighting that comes along with any hard wind would be BALD EAGLE. And the beneficiary of such a sighting is Matthew Wills. He spotted the adult eagle over Greenwood Cemetery's Northwest section,specifically 35th St and 5 th Ave in the early afternoon. Imagine he mentioned to me if I had that eagle as my window "yard" bird?

Speaking of Greenwood Cemetery, another good species was reported.From Joshua's tweet following up Rob Jetts tweet, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK ( RSHA ) put in its appearance,harassed by a MERLIN. And not just one RSHA but likely a few along with more reported in southern Brooklyn locations. I know of an adult mentioned initially by Rob ; later a photo of a juvenile flyover was posted on Facebook Brooklyn Urban birders by Miriam Molnar birding Greenwood.

As for me no special raptors to report except for a highlight PURPLE FINCH. This time though instead of the bright male at the feeders Friday, a female subbed in at the feeders.Perhaps she got a text message there was good food around from him? And it appeared at the end of my conversation with birders Simon and Leia,before I called them back.It's a nice highlight mixed in with the nuthatch,titmice ,a chickadee,white throated sparrow and woodpeckers, the usual and expectant winter crowd visiting those feeders in the months ahead. That scenery would be most enjoyable without the gusty bone chilling winds though.

American Tree Sparrow seen Dec 1st

From Kasper Hendriks, visiting from the Netherlands

Today I saw an American tree sparrow at LeFrac rink roof.

Then I noted on your website it was already reported yesterday.

Attached a photo nonetheless.

Cheers!

Kasper 

Yellow Warbler (Prospect )

Bobbi Manian reported a YELLOW WARBLER behind the picnic tables I presume is  the area at Lamppost 249 or Well Drive. An early afternoon sighting.

Prospect Feeders 1st guest

Perhaps its a good omen that the first bird I saw feeding on the new season's Prospect feeders was a male PURPLE FINCH.With the bright morning sun all over it, that finch's raspberry color really shone ! Me and my coworker shared my binoculars and enjoyed the bird for several minutes on the right sunflower feeder before we hit the workday.

I added a Thistle feeder to the array of feeders this morning,

Other birds also joined in. Most notable, an active WHITE BREASTED NUTHATCH and a TUFTED TITMOUSE fed along with the Purple Finch.On the nearby Locust tree, a DOWNY WOODPECKER made too much noise , telegraphing it presence.

Here's to the new feeder season; may it be a great one....

https://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S32820658

The feeders are up

As the winter tradition continues, The Prospect feeders are now up. The location isn't revealed on this blog..ask around where...

Thanks to Chris Laskowski for the initial $20 donation for the first batch seed.