Monday, March 25, 2019

Saturday, March 23, 2019

Friday, March 22, 2019

Fwd: The Garden's Fight for Sunlight



No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. 

--Hal Borland






-----Original Message-----
From: Brooklyn Botanic Garden <enews@bbg.org>
To: prosbird <prosbird@aol.com>
Sent: Fri, Mar 22, 2019 04:04 PM
Subject: The Garden's Fight for Sunlight


Help protect the Garden's plant collections
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View this email with images.


Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Thank you for joining Brooklyn Botanic Garden's fight for sunlight.
Last week, representatives from Brooklyn Botanic Garden testified at a public scoping meeting about the negative, lasting impact that a proposed real estate complex at 960 Franklin Avenue would have on the Garden's plant collections.
 
The Garden opposes the proposed zoning changes that would allow massive, 39-story buildings close enough to cast a shadow on our site.

 
BBG president Scot Medbury also recently spoke to the Wall Street Journal and NY1. He explained why access to sunlight is essential for our greenhouses and nurseries where plants are grown for the our entire 52-acre green space. The shadow would also fall on the Garden's conservatories that display plant collections and rare species from around the globe.
 
More ways to help:

1. Spread the word.
Encourage others to sign the petition to city officials to oppose this rezoning at bbg.org/no-rezone.

2. Speak out.
Share your support on social media, using the hashtags #brooklynbotanicgarden, #bbgnorezone, and #fightforsunlight and using the tag @BrooklynBotanic

Thank you again for standing with the Garden. Stay tuned for updates via email, as well as the Garden's Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Take Action
 
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Dangers of rodenticides



Feeders update

Today was the LAST REFILL.

as seed is consumed , each empty feeder will be taken down, hopefully done by next Monday...

till November

KB

Osage Orange Party and three hens

Related imageRaindrops kept the park quiet so as I went along my workday appreciating the quiet, until a little "party" under the Osage Orange tree struck my fancy.

The Nethermead Osage Orange with the double iron bars offered the best hi light today as the storm didn't create much bird action. I happened to drive by just seeing Starlings walking and pecking the ground under the iconic tree. But as a personal habit, its always good to check over a flock. As I looked thru my bins, what escaped my naked eye, I saw thru my bins a RED BELLIED WOODPECKER feeding with three BLUE JAYS and AMERICAN ROBINS; then a BROWN COWBIRD walked by accompanied by at least 7 RED WINGED BLACKBIRDS. And for bonus, one of the male Redwings puffed up its red epaulets, in full glory. I guess the Osage Orange party is in full swing.

ON the lake, its the story of three hen COMMON MERGANSERS. In the early dismal light, I spotted in the distance in the lake middle the three hens. I go over to the Peninsula to get a closer look, only to see they moved over towards the western section more to the southern shore.Then I head back to the western shore where I was previously only to  then see them at the Peninsula shoreline near the thumb's front by Phragmites.. I guess they were avoiding me.  Later an hour or so ,I saw them in the lake middle again.

Winds are forecasted to blow hard tonight into tomorrow. That's potential for perhaps more stuff to blow in , as lot as you can brave the breezes.


PS there was a report from yesterday the Common Redpoll visited the Greenwood Cemetery feeders at Dellwater. Today someone was there but didnt see the bird.Its hit or miss time.

Prospect Park | eBird Hotspots | eBird

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L109516

The weekly prospect checklist every Friday henceforth here. This feature saves me time summarizing bird sightings of the more common species. What we are looking for are migration trends and particular species within their window or timeframe. For example, Pine Siskins,winter wren,brown creeper,etc this week. click on the link and Scroll through .

For a particular bird,click on the
date to see the birder's checklist. 

KB

Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) Common mergs

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 8:20 AM on Fri, Mar 22, 2019:
3 hen COMMON MERGANSER S diving middle to Western prospect lake
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/1109067371191459840?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Bush Terminal BHGULL

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) (1)
- Reported Mar 19, 2019 15:25 by Gus Keri
- 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: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S54023320
- Media: 2 Photos

Greenwood pines

In the cemetery,Orrin says 3 pine warblers at Alcove Path.

TONIGHT BBC eve program 7 pm

Last meeting at the Grand Army Plaza Library before it heads to the Zoo.

open the link for details of lecture topic and directions below

http://brooklynbirdclub.org/events/category/meetings/list/

Monday, March 18, 2019

Brooklyn Bird Club evening programs NEW location

For next month and thereafter for the time being, the Brooklyn Bird Club evening programs will now be at the Prospect Park Zoo. Formerly the Grand Army Plaza Library used to host the speaker programs and meetings.

The next program is April 23rd

see the link for the map  https://www.google.com/maps/place/Prospect+Park+Zoo/@40.6653747,-73.9676025,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c25b04fbd2689d:0x711f086144b92aa4!8m2!3d40.6653747!4d-73.9654138?hl=en

source : http://brooklynbirdclub.org/events/category/meetings/list/

Mass public Transportattion : B41 Bus, Subway lines B and Q  and Shuttle S to Prospect Park Station

GWC Redpoll sticks around

 Common Redpoll (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 Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) (1)
- Reported Mar 18, 2019 11:12 by Laura Weir
- Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6523083,-73.9904281&ll=40.6523083,-73.9904281
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53981152
- Comments: "Good look at eye level. Raspberry cap, pink wash on breast. Second long look at feeder."

***********

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Manage your eBird alert subscriptions:
https://ebird.org/alerts

Wood ducks

4 Wood ducks in Lullwater Cove Prospect

Crocuses a'blooming

In Prospect Vale cashmere entrance

Sunday, March 17, 2019

Happy St Patrick's day in Greenwood

It's a celebratory day in Greenwood Cemetery with the green not only in the name but also the green paths that led me to finding tremendous luck for target birds. I missed yesterday those targets but succeeded today. Go figure.

First target bird was the Common Redpoll. Yesterday I searche high ,low,and wide for this bird with a near miss. Then late yesterday it was reported in a new location the Dellwater including a feeder visit afte spending days in Southwood Ave areas. Then this morning from another tweet , it stayed put but characterized as tough to see despite calling

After my morning services and family breakfast,I decided to try my 1/8 Irish luck. It worked! As soon as I drove to Crescents water,I got out and bumped into Karen O and Janet Z who told me the Redpoll was visiting the uphill thistle feeder. I made my way up there where several birders had their bins up.
 I did likewise quickly. The first bird I saw was the COMMON REDPOLL. Too easy after yesterday's hard luck.

Look for the thistle feeder along the uphill Dell Path where it starts from the pond right side from Crescent Ave. This Redpoll also visited a thistle feeder at the water edge in case you need it

After that lucky find,the woodcock was my next nemesis bird.After several stops I have seen them in the past,I struck out on all of them. I did to my delight enjoyed my favorite warbler,two PINE WARBLERS on the ground at Central and Oakleaf Ave. Their greenish backs qualified them for this St Patrick's day.

Then as a last chance before I decided to head home I tried my woodcock luck at the Wistaria Path near the Prospect Park West Ave entrance.

Walking thru the shadows cast by Laurel or rhododendron shrubs I looked towards the Wistaria where a person walked along and suddenly I saw a woodcock whizzed towards me! It quickly landed just 6 feet from me behind a grave. It turned sort of obscenely ,fanned it tail at me,flashed its booty and took off over the grave stone! I wished I had the foresight of videotaping that but it all happened less than five seconds. I watched the timberdoodle fly away towards the reknown Civic Virtue statue. I followed but decided I've seen enough. It was a dirty boid anyway. 😄

A great day, with my Irish eyes now smiling.  ☘💚

PS Eastern Bluebird reported at Hillside Path ( Preston), Red shouldered hawk flyover (O'Hearn), Rusty Blackbird along Dellwater shore

Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) GWC woodcock

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 3:22 PM on Sun, Mar 17, 2019:
Woodcock success! Passerby flushed one from Wistaria path ,landed in front of me b4 hightailing towards Civic Virtue statue. Greenwood Cem
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/1107361509385166849?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) gwc pinevwarbs

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 2:33 PM on Sun, Mar 17, 2019:
Two Pine WARBLERS on ground in greenwood cemtery. Central n oakleaf avenues intersection
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/1107349138063138817?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Tweet from Marc Brawer (@satchmo0802) gwc redpoll

Marc Brawer (@satchmo0802) tweeted at 9:50 AM on Sun, Mar 17, 2019:
Pine Warbler in Prospect Park Lullwater - singing just south of Lullwater Bridge
(https://twitter.com/satchmo0802/status/1107278033348714496?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Tweet from Marc Brawer (@satchmo0802). PP PINE WARBLER

Marc Brawer (@satchmo0802) tweeted at 9:50 AM on Sun, Mar 17, 2019:
Pine Warbler in Prospect Park Lullwater - singing just south of Lullwater Bridge
(https://twitter.com/satchmo0802/status/1107278033348714496?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Saturday, March 16, 2019

Fwd: Brooklyn Bridge Park Bird Walks list: "Bird List & Photos from Today"



No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. 

--Hal Borland






-----Original Message-----
From: Heather Wolf (Meetup) <Brooklyn-Bridge-Park-Bird-Walks-announce@meetup.com>
To: Brooklyn-Bridge-Park-Bird-Walks-announce <Brooklyn-Bridge-Park-Bird-Walks-announce@meetup.com>
Sent: Sat, Mar 16, 2019 09:59 PM
Subject: Brooklyn Bridge Park Bird Walks list: "Bird List & Photos from Today"


Meetup
Heather Wolf (Organizer) sent a message to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Bird Walks mailing list
Bird List & Photos from Today

Thanks to everyone who joined the bird walk today and braved the waterfront winds!
Highlights included a gorgeous Northern Flicker, Common Grackles claiming nesting locations at the Pier 2 sports courts, and of course, Buffleheads!

Our bird list from today is below.

I added photos of our Northern Flicker and White-throated Sparrow here:
https://www.meetup.com/Brooklyn-Bridge-Park-Bird-Walks/photos/29794812/

Some of you wanted to follow my Instagram with some Colombia photos (and more to come as I have time to go through them!):
https://www.instagram.com/realheatherwolf/

And be sure to get my book "Birding at the Bridge" for your nature-loving Brooklyn friends so they know what birds to look for this spring!
https://www.amazon.com/Birding-Bridge-Search-Brooklyn-Waterfront/dp/1615193138

See you for another walk as more birds arrive!

~Heather

----------------------------------
BIRD LIST
Brooklyn Bridge Park
3-16-19
View list on eBird here
----------------------------------
Brant
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Bufflehead
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Herring Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Northern FlickerBlue Jay
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Common Grackle
House Sparrow

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Greenwood is the spot

The sign says it all in enjoying the outdoors ( yes even in a cemetery).

Today several of us birders noted this midsized Snapping Turtle, likely just laid eggs above the Dellwater.

A late report regarding the Common REDPOLL places it at the Dellwater, up in the tree deep in and at one of the thistle feeders mid-afternoon. It's moving around.


Greenwood Saturday uncooperative Redpoll



Greenwood  Cemetery was beseiged by blustery winds which have impacted today's Redpoll bahavior. Other birds and new arrivals there made up for my and other birders' initial miss.

The COMMON REDPOLL put in its first early morning appearance at the Southwood and Union Ave intersection where sweetgum seeds densely covered the slope there. But when it was spotted by a few birders in the ten group, it quickly and skittishly flew up into a Linden tree and thereafter pulled a disappearing act. It wasn't until 1230 when I ran into Dennis that he and others saw it briefly,on a fly away emitting its call note near Southwood and Grove avenues.

At that point during my revisit, my growling stomach out decided further search for the winter finch despite 20 minutes more waiting. At least like the Redpoll following the sweetgum food trail,my lunch stop at the Fort Hamilton Burger King is a matter of required need.

I was happy though seeing my first seasonal PINE WARBLER. Thanks to Mike Y, the very bright male was feeding on the ground next to the Monarda path at Southwood. There were other reports in the cemetery so they are coming in.

As is the case when you have numerous birders packed in a spot,here are other species reported: Cooper's Hawk;Killdeer( near 25th entrance); Eastern Towhee; Eastern Phoebe; Rusty Blackbird at Dell water ( secondhand report); American Woodcock flushed somewhere near Battle Hill in the Northeast cemetery section.

There will be another day for Redpoll hunting.



Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds)

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 8:49 AM on Sat, Mar 16, 2019:
GWCem Pine warbler on Grand adj Monarda Path at Southwood Ave thx Mike Y
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/1106900368112472064?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Friday, March 15, 2019

GWC Lesser Scaup

According to Ebird Cornell, today's 7 Lesser Scaup was the first historically for Greenwood.

Nice....

Greenwood continuing hot week

The hot iron stays hot as Greenwood Cemetery continues its good birding week.

First the COMMON REDPOLL stays put though it's moving slowly each day more southerly in the sacred place. Jen Kepler spotted it with the usual American Goldfinches flock at Southwood and Lawn Avenues. Please bird,stay tomorrow!

Speaking of Lawn Avenue, the years first PINE WARBLER was reported. This was Richard Payne's find.If not the same bird,a second report Pine warbler surfaced at Union and Southwood avenues

Then quite unusual,maybe a first for Greenwood ,LESSER SCAUP duck was a very good find. Daisy Paul reported 7 of these ducks in Valley water ,the first pond by the chapel. I have to check the records later.

Prospect will have her day as her neighborly greenspace gets the spotlight. But Prospect did offer two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS in the Vale of Cashmere according to Charles Tang.

Spring is slowly showing her signs.

Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) Rusty blackbird s

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 3:24 PM on Fri, Mar 15, 2019:
2 Rusty Blackbirds at the Vale cashmere per Charles  t.
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/1106637261855252487?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Tweet from Richard Payne (@ricardocpayne) 1st Pine Warbler greenwood cem

Richard Payne (@ricardocpayne) tweeted at 0:31 PM on Fri, Mar 15, 2019:
Foy pine warbler at GWC, lawn ave
(https://twitter.com/ricardocpayne/status/1106593857494491137?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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

Thursday, March 14, 2019

summary of todays hilights

The Greenwood Cemetery Redpoll stays put.

 A single COMMON REDPOLL continues its prominence in the south side of Greenwood Cemetery, staying within the area of Dell and Oakwood Avenues as reported by Ryan Goldberg. Its continues to hang out with the 60 plus American Goldfinch flock, feeding on sweetgum seeds. A later report from Ryan Mandlebaum places the Redpoll 100 feet south of the Dell  Oakwood Intersection. Hopefully it will stick around till Saturday despite multiple observers of recent days.

AMERICAN WOODCOCK  is the other highlight in Greenwood Cemetery. Although I dont have exact location details, the timberdoodles are bound to be flushed as 4 birds were reported this morning by Orrin Tilevitz.

Although my busy job keeps me from getting to see the Redpoll ( as the cemetery closes at 5 pm), I was happy to see "duckversity" in Prospect Lake. Near or within the western section of Prospect Lake, 5 RINGNECKED DUCKS  are by West Island. A further scan revealed a pair of BUFFLEHEADS and WOOD DUCKS, the continuing RED BREASTED MERGANSER, Black Duck, Shoverlers , Ruddy and the usual Mallard. I guess I found 8 or 9 species.


Prospect Feeders update: the homestretch

The feeders' season is nearing its end.

Today the last 40 lb bag and 4 suet were bought today and after the last contents is finished, the feeders will draw down until month's end . Definitely not beyond April 1st if not before.

Enjoy the the homestretch..




Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert REDPOLL CONTINUES

However a noon report from Ryan Mandlebaum says the flock goldfinches Inc REDPOLL moved 100 feet south of Dell/ Oakwood Avenues

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <ebird-alert@cornell.edu>
Date: Thu, Mar 14, 2019, 12:32 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To:


*** Species Summary:

- Common Redpoll (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 Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) (1)
- Reported Mar 14, 2019 09:05 by Ryan Goldberg
- Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6523083,-73.9904281&ll=40.6523083,-73.9904281
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S53808642
- Comments: "Continuing, originally found by Shane B. Feeding on ground at intersection of Oakwood and Dell among 60-70 AMGOs. Very streaky finch with pink-red cap and pinkish chest, yellow bill, black around face and black line behind the eye."

***********

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