Saturday, February 10, 2018

Tweet from Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn)

Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) tweeted at 9:29 AM on Sat, Feb 10, 2018:
Prospect lake Horned Grebe remains along Peninsula south shore by wood bench #birdbk via @BBCKingsbirds
(https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/962332819568644096?s=03)

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Tweet from Kathleen Toomey (@KingsKathy)

Kathleen Toomey (@KingsKathy) tweeted at 9:48 AM on Sat, Feb 10, 2018:
Black-headed Gull Prospect Lake west side out from Ladder 15
(https://twitter.com/KingsKathy/status/962337599611424769?s=03)

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Friday, February 9, 2018

Presidential Prospect Walk Saturday

Meet 9 am at the Pergola (Ocean and Parkside Avenues entrance) with new BBC President leading,Dennis Hrehowsik,

http://brooklynbirdclub.org/events/category/field-trips/list/

location   http://brooklynbirdclub.org/information-registration/

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

Well traveled Ravens,from bbg to pp.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Feb 9, 2018 1:10 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:
Cc:

*** Species Summary:

- Common Raven (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 https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Common Raven (Corvus corax) (2)
- Reported Feb 09, 2018 09:47 by Christopher Eliot
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6680222,-73.96367&ll=40.6680222,-73.96367
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42616882
- Comments: "Pair flying over, first about 50m ahead of the other and calling low, guttural. Expected field marks seen on both — long wedge tail, distinct primaries, red-tailed hawk size-impression. Flying northeast from Prospect Park over BBG and then museum. Too slow getting out my mic."

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Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

Been awhile since I posted the Raven tho frequently reported
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Feb 9, 2018 12:11 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:
Cc:

*** Species Summary:

- Common Raven (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 https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Common Raven (Corvus corax) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Feb 09, 2018 09:30 by Linda Ewing
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6602841,-73.9689534&ll=40.6602841,-73.9689534
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42615120
- Comments: "Flyover, croaking loudly and persistently. Got only a quick look from an awkward angle (can just say it was large), but voice was unmistakable. "

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Thursday, February 8, 2018

Black headed Gull returns

The BLACK HEADED GULL makes a return trip to Prospect Lake.

This mid-morning around 10:50, Ryan Goldberg re-found the rare gull on frozen Prospect Lake just south of the Wellhouse phragmites. Later Rob Bate lucked in , observing a sleeping Black Headed just west of the main flock in the western sector of the lake. So , search the gull flock when its an iced over lake. You may luck in .( ppssst. a scope helps)




Bird Band certificate received

On one of the Canada Goose from earlier this week

Banding Data
Band Number 1158-14921 x3a9 Banded 07/04/2016

FEMALE

Species CANADA GOOSE
Age of Bird HATCHED IN 2015 OR EARLIER
Location NEAR VARENNES, QUÉBEC, CANADA

Encounter Data
Location 0.5 mi W of FLATBUSH, KINGS COUNTY, Encountered 02/06/2018

Tweet from Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn)

Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) tweeted at 11:35 AM on Thu, Feb 08, 2018:
#birdbk  prospectlake https://t.co/f2qpTA1nO1 via @BBCKingsbirds
(https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/961639660731715585?s=03)

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Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds)

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 11:02 AM on Thu, Feb 08, 2018:
Per Ryan Hey Peter I popped into the park for a little bit. The black headed gull is back just south of the Wellhouse phrags. #birdbk
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/961631357335166976?s=03)

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Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Dreary walk home

The rain was dreadful,cold and bone chilling as I walked home from work. I did have an objective opting to walk thru the pools section instead around the ballfields.

I don't if ever mention Mallards in my posts since it's a common species. But when I see 108 of them close knit feeding on the super soaked ballfields,it's an eye opening. Mixed in with Canada geese ,a couple of  Black Ducks and a smattering of Ring billed gulls,they all looked happy in the downpour.

Making haste through the rain,it was those Horned Grebes on my mind. From my wet perch at the peninsula wood bench,I searched vainly the lake while trying to hold my bag and bins upright. No luck. So I searched the large gull flock. Having no scope makes Gulling harder. A drop of my bins and lo and behold there are the two HORNED GREBES coming out of the phragmites edge on my right; they came quite close to me, paying no mind, perhaps rain and hunger distracting them.
Ok,I got them,now let me get the heck out of this dreadful rain!

But there was one more nice bird as I approached Well Drive junction.The WOOD DUCK Drake didn't get my attention immediately,but I spotted it on the narrow lawn strip. It flushed and flew over the short metal fence to join the shovelers.

Hump wednesday revelation

Well, I didn't hear of any camels or Hump backed whales on Prospect Lake, but two HORNED GREBES will do. In this bad weather phenomenon, that the hope for with rare species that are forced down to wait out storms becomes the pursuit.

Daisy Paul was the beneficiary (among a few) of the double sighting of the HORNED GREBES.;both birds hung off the lake side of the Peninsula shoreline. Daisy posted the checklist with the photos

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42565470

A good sighting for what usually is a coastal salt water bird

A WOOD DUCK, flagged as unseasonable for the park was spotted by Richard Payne. See his checklist https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42547383

A dreary day but for some bad weather birders, well rewarded for the effort.

Snow day humor

Tweet from Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn)

Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) tweeted at 11:43 AM on Wed, Feb 07, 2018:
2 Horned Grebe still present Prospect Lake, from peninsula lawn. Good park bird! Lots of gulls present - still looking through. #birdbk via @daisypaulbirds
(https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/961279177176571905?s=03)

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

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

From yesterday
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Feb 6, 2018 11:34 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:
Cc:

*** Species Summary:

- Black-headed Gull (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 https://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) (1)
- Reported Feb 06, 2018 13:05 by karen o'hearn
- Prospect Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6602841,-73.9689534&ll=40.6602841,-73.9689534
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S42554788
- Media: 2 Photos

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Tweet from Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn)

Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) tweeted at 9:14 AM on Wed, Feb 07, 2018:
Adult black-headed gull, Bush Terminal; on rocks w RBGUs. #birdbk via @lke313
(https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/961241830758199298?s=03)

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Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Fwd: BBP harbor seal

a terrific sighting especially for a park like BBrP !
 
--KB
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Yuan <mjyuan@gmail.com>
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@aol.com>
Sent: Tue, Feb 6, 2018 8:09 pm
Subject: BBP harbor seal

Hi Peter-

Pics of the hauled-out Harbor Seal along Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park this afternoon.

Good for the park, a Red-throated Loon and continuing Common Goldeneye were also in the area.

Mike









Why winter Prospect lake makes the park better





One asset that for Prospect Park makes it a good spot compared to other city parks is its freshwater lake. With 60 acres and a couple of islands to its fame, winter birds of rarity do get attracted to the lake. Today another good bird makes the list for this winter season , found by Karen O'Hearn.

Around 1:20, Karen sends out a tweet reporting BLACK-HEADED GULL. Having not seen this bird personally in awhile, I responded quickly and got there as Karen stuck around. We didn't find it right away ;but as she headed home, I found the bird about 250 feet from the western shoreline , next to a Ring billed Gull.It was an immature.  The Gull though disappeared about 15 minutes later making my hasty pursuit fortuitous. Thanks to Karen. There hasn't been any reports after despite Rob Bate searching.

Earlier, staying on point about the Lake's attractiveness for winter birds, the RED THROATED LOON stayed at least another  day. Spotting it from the rink shore, I took off for the Peninsula for a better closer look. Just at the thumb tip, the loon looked like it was stuck to the ice. I thought maybe help was need. But along came 4 NYC Urban Park Rangers after I left , they got close enough to the Loon for it to escape its icy grip.

The lake is on a roll. Will Wednesday bring anything new? A camel perhaps ? or "Hump" backed Whale?


https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-headed_Gull/overview

kb note  Red breasted Merganser drake continues on the lake,here at least a week


Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds)

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 1:32 PM on Tue, Feb 06, 2018:
Black headed gull sitting on ice 250 feet from Westetn shore prospect lake .thx Karen o! #birdbk
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/960944306830929926?s=03)

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Two more CAGO with neck collar bands

Along the south lake shore, two CANADA GEESE with orange neck collar bands were seen.

"y3t4  AND "x3a9"

Both are reported on my lunch hour.   https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/


Red throated loon

In Prospect lake right at tip of Peninsula thumb 11:30. I saw it across from rink and got over to the peninsula.It was suspected stuck in ice but after 4 urban park rangers i told approached it,it freed itself. Good news.

Tweet from Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn)

Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) tweeted at 11:48 AM on Tue, Feb 06, 2018:
Prospect Lake Red throated loon at tip of Peninsula thumb inside small ice opening #birdbk via @BBCKingsbirds
(https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/960918182193135617?s=03)

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Monday, February 5, 2018

The City Birder: Green-Wood Cemetery Birder Forum

Bird Trax

You might have noticed to the left the blank screen of the ebird Birdtrax. Apparently there is a problem with the gadget. I tried resetting but it appears the problem is over there.or them..

So, just have to wait awhile..

Loon "hot roll"



In a space of 18 hours, Prospect achieved both loon species for the year. Hence the saying: "when it rains it pours"

This morning, Linda Ewing found a RED THROATED LOON between the Peninsula tip and Duck Island. Responding to her 10:04 tweet, I found the diving bird in the same area, drifting abit towards the Peninsula cove about 15 minutes later.

The previous night, 437 pm to be exact, Russ found the COMMON LOON on the Lake. Throw in a HORNED GREBE and we have a remarkable hot roll of sightings for seabirds in such a brief time.


Update A 3:35 tweet from Bobbi Manian places the Red throated Loon near West Island where a Wood Duck also appeared.


Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds)

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 10:21 AM on Mon, Feb 05, 2018:
Even got two coworkers to see it with crappy bins. Rt loon diving bt duck isl& peninsula cove prospectlake #birdbk
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/960533876048322561?s=03)

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

Tweet from Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) red throated loon pp lake

Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) tweeted at 10:04 AM on Mon, Feb 05, 2018:
Red-throated loon, prospect lake btwn Peninsula tip & duck island. #birdbk via @lke313
(https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/960529642707972098?s=03)

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

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Fwd: [Brooklyn-Bridge-Park-Bird-Walks] Bird List & Photos from today!



Sent from AOL Mobile Mail


-----Original Message-----
From: Heather Wolf <Brooklyn-Bridge-Park-Bird-Walks-announce@meetup.com>
To: Brooklyn-Bridge-Park-Bird-Walks-announce <Brooklyn-Bridge-Park-Bird-Walks-announce@meetup.com>
Sent: Sun, Feb 4, 2018 04:11 PM
Subject: [Brooklyn-Bridge-Park-Bird-Walks] Bird List & Photos from today!


Thanks to all who joined the walk this morning!

I posted a few photos from the walk here.

We spotted 19 bird species, and one coyote cardboard cutout (goose deterrent) that had duped me earlier in the morning.

Highlights included Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, and the star of the show...a juvenile male Common Goldeneye! Happy to hear this was a "lifer" for many of you. Full bird list below.

See you next time!
~Heather
brooklynbridgebirds.com

Join my newsletter here.
Twitter: @heatherwolf
Instagram: @brooklynbridgebirds
Email: hwbirds@gmail.com
Get my  book Birding at the Bridge here.

------------------------------------
BIRD LIST
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday Feb. 4, 2018
View list on eBird.org
------------------------------------

  1. Brant (Branta bernicla)
  2. Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
  3. Gadwall (Mareca strepera)
  4. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
  5. American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)
  6. Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)
  7. Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)
  8. Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)
  9. Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)
  10. Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)
  11. Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
  12. Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)
  13. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon))
  14. American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
  15. Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
  16. White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
  17. Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
  18. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
  19. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

 

 

 

 





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Fwd: eBird Report - Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Feb 4, 2018

My timing was off. As I went into Prospect around 315 ,I thought I was satisfied spotting a pair of AMERICAN WIGEON, the continuing Drake RED BREASTED MERGANSER, a perched Double crested Cormorant making my drizzy start worthwhile. It turns out much credit to Russ spotting good birds on the Lake.

Russ had both COMMON LOON and a HORNED GREBE around 430 ! I can't remember in any recent memory both these species on the same day same time. So kudos to Russ and always think positive even when it's a gloomy looking rainy day: that's when you might get a rarity.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-checklist@cornell.edu>
Date: Feb 4, 2018 5:27 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Feb 4, 2018
To: <prosbird@gmail.com>
Cc:

Prospect Park--Prospect Lake, Kings, New York, US
Feb 4, 2018 3:15 PM - 3:35 PM
Protocol: Stationary
11 species

Canada Goose  9
Mute Swan  6
Northern Shoveler  35
American Wigeon  2
Mallard  X
American Black Duck  2
Red-breasted Merganser  1
Ruddy Duck  3
Double-crested Cormorant  1     Perched 3 sisters isl
American Coot  5
Ring-billed Gull  30

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S42498089

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

Tweet from Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn)

Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) tweeted at 4:37 PM on Sun, Feb 04, 2018:
Common Loon and Horned Grebe on Prospect Park lake right now. #birdbk via @aldertone
(https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/960266135060049931?s=03)

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

The Passion and Peril of Birding - The New York Times

Saturday, February 3, 2018

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

Brown Thrasher,a good one for winter
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Feb 3, 2018 1:04 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:
Cc:

*** Species Summary:

- Brown Thrasher (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 https://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35645
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) (1)
- Reported Feb 03, 2018 10:19 by Danielle Gustafson
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6680222,-73.96367&ll=40.6680222,-73.96367
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S42457125
- Comments: "Well seen feeding in leaf litter.  Photo by B Klein coming."

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Friday, February 2, 2018

The groundhog ( the puxatawney one,not Staten island) wuz right: it's winter

The afternoon hard charging cold wind harassed my walk home from work. Yet even with the lack of birds,there are moments to enjoy on this Groundhog day.

Among the large horde of Canada Geese on the ballfields,one stood out. Not anything rare,but a banded Canada. It had a yellow neck band designated "H064". I'll enter it soon.

After filling  two of the feeders,6 NORTHERN CARDINALS appeared, winter's iconic birds I enjoy seeing.

Kathy Toomey mentioned seeing the Drake RED BREASTED MERGANSER on Prospect lake. After departing her at the feeders,I went to look. It turns out the Drake has a companion,a hen Red breasted. The pair was seen off the Peninsula thumb. Moments later both flew to the west section. An enjoyable sight to see but the cold high wind egged me on homeward.

Some hardy American Robins passed through along Well Drive,winter no problem for those nine birds.

I bet the PA. Groundhog was all cozy and warm in its burrow with the fireplace going. Maybe its even watching Bill Murray. After its prediction of six more weeks winter, why not?


Wave Hill Garden art event

Gabriel Willow, NYC's own great naturalist and birder ( who leads walks) , and one of the nicest guys around, is having a show exhibiting his artwork at Wave Hill. Go for it!

https://www.wavehill.org/events/meet-artists-mike-childs-and-gabriel-willow/


Facebook post  https://www.facebook.com/events/160630894570457/

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY! Yep 6 more...

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Fwd: green-wood today


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Orrin Tilevitz <tilevitzo@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, Feb 1, 2018 at 2:37 PM
Subject: green-wood today
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>


Coopers Hawk and red-tail at Sylvan Water; 1 small flock house finches; a few chipping sparrows; 3 or 4 fox sparrows (surely the same ones I've been seeing); 3 small flocks of juncos; a few chipping sparrows' a sapsucker, a downy, and a few red-bellied woodpeckers; and one white-breasted nuthatch (heard only).  Also, 2 mallards and 4 mallard decoys.

Yesterday I saw a Carolina wren.