Rhwp around battle hill area

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1)
- Reported Feb 16, 2025 by Anonymous eBirder
- 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/checklist/S213911523
- Comments: "Close-up views in tree in cemetery, full red head."

Winter is not a season, it's a celebration.

--Anamika Mishra





   

SWAINSON hawk and Common mergansers

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) (1)
- Reported Feb 16, 2025 08:00 by Corey Finger
- Sims Municipal Recycling (restricted access), Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6624882,-74.0090782&ll=40.6624882,-74.0090782
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S213733426
- Comments: "Continuing: perched on peak of recycling building. Distantly and poorly digiscoped."

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (2)
- Reported Feb 16, 2025 12:32 by A S
- 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/checklist/S213833618
- Comments: "2 males spotted earlier by Peter D. In sylvan lake."

Winter is not a season, it's a celebration.

--Anamika Mishra





   

Post from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds)Sylvan water COME Two

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) posted at 11:48 AM on Sun, Feb 16, 2025:
Two drake Common mergansers Sylvan water greenwood Cemetery
(https://x.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/1891167745925874111?s=03)

Winter is not a season, it's a celebration.

--Anamika Mishra





   

**SWAINSON HAWK returns to Sims facility

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) (1)
- Reported Feb 15, 2025 13:04 by MCHL ____
- 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/checklist/S213615657
- Comments: "!!!Spotted at a great distance, perched on the metal structure at Sim's recycling facility. Hunched hawk, sitting at more of an incline than the expected red-tail posture. Viewed from multiple locations, before heading to Sims for closer views. 3rd year returning bird!"

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) (1)
- Reported Feb 15, 2025 16:25 by chel sea
- Sims Municipal Recycling (restricted access), Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6624882,-74.0090782&ll=40.6624882,-74.0090782
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S213615544
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Medium large buteo shape with dark distinct bib, dark back/upper parts, extra hunched posture. Hopefully catching some juicy rats free from rodenticide. Thanks to Ryan for the digiscope photo, scope views & good company! And big shoutout to MCHL for finding this bird AGAIN and getting the word out!"

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) (1)
- Reported Feb 15, 2025 15:40 by KZ F
- Sims Municipal Recycling (restricted access), Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6624882,-74.0090782&ll=40.6624882,-74.0090782
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S213611974
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "**returning bird to this location, here for (part of) its third winter; found each time by the great Michael Silber from inside Greenwood Cemetery. Now sporting stunning adult plumage, with a bright white nose-bridge and a well-defined dark bib. Characteristic long, lance-like primaries projecting beyond the tail, giving this bird a falcon-like silhouette. Perched on its former haunt at the top of the Sims Recycling building, looking equal parts majestic and incongruous in the heavy snow. Very nice to reunite with this old friend, which was a life bird for me when I first saw this individual on Staten Island in January 2023 and became the first Brooklyn record when it was relocated this side of the Hudson by Michael. Almost unprecedented in the northeast as an overwinterer, and even more unusual for an adult, which led me to believe this individual and the adult Swainson’s hawk wintering in Ipswich Massachusetts are one in same, but the Ipswich bird continues today. Seen from the entrance to the Sims substation at 29th street and Second Ave. Do not go through the second gate, by the Fresh Direct crossdock. Snowy photos"

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) (1)
- Reported Feb 15, 2025 14:41 by MCHL ____
- Sims Municipal Recycling (restricted access), Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6624882,-74.0090782&ll=40.6624882,-74.0090782
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S213616221
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "!!!3rd year returning! While birding in green-wood cemetery I spotted a perched raptor with a distinct hunched posture on the sloped metal roof of Sims. I went to Sims for a closer look. Strong brown bib, hunched/angled posture, and very long wings. Welcome back!"

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1)
- Reported Feb 15, 2025 13:04 by MCHL ____
- 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/checklist/S213615657
- Comments: "Continuing. Seen on battle hill today."

Winter is not a season, it's a celebration.

--Anamika Mishra





   

Rhwp at Hemlock and battle aves area

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1)
- Reported Feb 15, 2025 08:51 by Angela Panetta
- 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/checklist/S213500999
- Comments: "Continuing"

Winter is not a season, it's a celebration.

--Anamika Mishra





   

Sunday BBC Walk cancelled

Due to Sunday's rain forecast, the Brooklyn bird club GBBC walk led by Tina A.is CANCELLED.

--
Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

— Robert Frost

Great backyard bird count starts today till Monday

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02aKz25CuGgXi39i9z9TBvoc94raGAXLrbR3znyDX2oAv1naMFvFpD1GHMhGjj1Uckl&id=100044402080542&sfnsn=mo

www.birdcount.org

Winter is not a season, it's a celebration.

--Anamika Mishra





   

March 14, 2025 Total Lunar Eclipse in New York, New York, USA

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/usa/new-york?iso=20250314

Begins 11:57 pm ,peak red 2:58 am in the morning.

Fingers crossed for clear skies ( and you' re a night owl !👀😄)

Hays obit, tern conservationist

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/science/helen-hays-dead.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1EAjlLEPO6C8zSYoBVLu2zzArUlLbmDmkLL2GRwcKstnLfiOULbdFQwzA_aem_YYhwUGNISceH995ndrw-uw

Winter is not a season, it's a celebration.

--Anamika Mishra





   

GWC Suzuki chklist

note Black vulture and continuing long stay Red headed Woodpecker

https://ebird.org/checklist/S212816715

--

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Tree sparrow

Just a note , from yesterday afternoon after i refiled the Prospect feeders, the American Tree Sparrow returned thanks to Kathy T 's alert while 4 of us visited the feeders. It spent its time on the ground.

--

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

very rare gull at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus) (1)
- Reported Feb 09, 2025 17:28 by Doug Gochfeld
- Brooklyn Bridge Park, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6996104,-73.9973745&ll=40.6996104,-73.9973745
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S212712120
- Comments: "**very rare. Apparent Short-billed Gull, but perhaps cannot definitively rule out Common Gull. Adult floating in the marina amidst Ring-billed Gulls for a few minutes from 17:35-17:42 or so, before I lost track of it. Small yellowish (light was failing) bill with some dark smudging towards the tip, smudgy streaking on the nape, neck, and head, giving a heavily cowled appearance. Apparently dark eye, but difficult to discern given light and distance. Mantle color significantly darker gray than the surrounding RBGUs, with a very broad white tertial crescent. Short-billed seems most likely based on extensively smudgy head pattern, apparently small bill (though there is overlap with Common), and darkness of mantle. It lines up well with the individual recently seen in Central Park (which has been identified as Short-billed via primary pattern), but with these views, there's no way to be sure of that. Low quality photos, and some digiscoped video."

--

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Mars,moon and the twins

Castor and Pollux of Gemini with Mars and moon tonight

Winter is not a season, it's a celebration.

--Anamika Mishra





   

Gwc rhwp update

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1)
- Reported Feb 08, 2025 13:30 by Paul Cohen
- 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/checklist/S212527453
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Near intersection of "battle" and "Hemlock " Avenue.  Red color becoming more vivid daily.  Photos included."

Winter is not a season, it's a celebration.

--Anamika Mishra





   

Reported ducks in Prospect lake

Reading recent reports, 2 Common Mergansers,2 ring-necked ducks, 6 hooded mergansers,and a single wood duck indicates spring migration ( or late winter) is in flux.

🦆

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

eBird Checklist - 7 Feb 2025 - Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn - 38 species (+1 other taxa)

https://ebird.org/checklist/S212341632

Note continuing big 3 redhead wp,balt Oriole and Chipping Sparrow.

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

eBird Checklist - 7 Feb 2025 - Prospect Park - 41 species. Wickman chklist

https://ebird.org/checklist/S212293780

Note Common Merganser s

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

Fwd: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert

Note two common mergansers in nearby locations.

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <ebird-alert@birds.cornell.edu>
Date: Thu, Feb 6, 2025, 5:31 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Kings County Rare Bird Alert <hourly>
To: <prosbird@gmail.com>

*** Species Summary:

- Common Merganser (North American) (1 report)
- Common Merganser (1 report)
- Red-headed Woodpecker (1 report)
- Chipping Sparrow (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.

eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully

Common Merganser (North American) (Mergus merganser americanus) (1)
- Reported Feb 06, 2025 15:21 by KZ F
- 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/checklist/S212226523
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "*hen with scaup and bufflehead off the north end, distant photos"

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (2)
- Reported Feb 06, 2025 14:53 by MCHL ____
- 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/checklist/S212228171
- Comments: "Pair of males flying over crescent water. Circled briefly, flying roughly west to east. Images acquired. Female absent or hidden when I visited Sylvan."

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1)
- Reported Feb 06, 2025 14:53 by MCHL ____
- 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/checklist/S212228171
- Comments: "Continuing. Chattering."

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) (3)
- Reported Feb 06, 2025 14:53 by MCHL ____
- 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/checklist/S212228171
- Comments: "Highest single count. Continuing."

***********

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

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

eBird Alerts provide recent reports of regionally or seasonally rare species (Rarities Alerts) or species you have not yet observed (Needs Alerts) in your region of interest; both Accepted and Unreviewed observations are included. Some reports may be from private property or inaccessible to the general public. It is the responsibility of every eBirder to be aware of and respectful of access restrictions. For more information, see our Terms of Use: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/terms-of-use/

Fwd: Join the Great Backyard Bird Count!

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: National Audubon Society <audubonconnect@audubon.org>
Date: Thu, Feb 6, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Subject: Join the Great Backyard Bird Count!
To: Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>

It takes only 15 minutes to make a difference.

                                                               

Trouble viewing this e-mail? Try our web version.

Make 15 minutes matter for birds!

Join the worldwide celebration of the 28th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) from Friday, February 14, through Monday, February 17, 2025. Bird and nature lovers everywhere, of all skill levels and all abilities, unite in the effort to tally as many global bird species as possible over these four days. Participating is easy, fun to do alone or with others, and can be done anywhere. Count birds from your backyard, local park, or wherever you spot them—it's that simple! Find a group count near you with our community map, or get out and count on your own or with friends. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just getting started, your observations make a difference. Combined with other bird counts, GBBC results help create a clearer picture of how birds are faring across the globe—whether individual species are declining, increasing, or holding steady in the face of habitat loss, climate change, and other threats. Every bird you count contributes to vital conservation research!

Get Involved

Ready to learn more? Join us for a live webinar event where we'll have experts from Audubon, Birds Canada, and the Cornell Lab share tips and tricks for participating. You'll also learn exciting ways to engage young bird enthusiasts in the weekend bird bonanza from experienced California educators. Choose from two convenient sessions: Thursday, February 6 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT Wednesday, February 12 at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT

Register for the Webinar

Northern Cardinals and Dark-eyed Juncos. Photo: Michele Black/Great Backyard Bird Count

CONNECT WITH US

National Audubon Society 225 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014 USA (844) 428-3826 | audubon.org © 2025 National Audubon Society, Inc. Update your email preferences or unsubscribe

--

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

PP eagle flyover

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) (1)
- Reported Feb 05, 2025 08:24 by Forrest Wickman
- 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/checklist/S212097249
- Comments: "Flagged for date. Flyover. Photos."

--

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

GWC reports

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 05, 2025 09:36 by Sean Sime
- 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/checklist/S212082371
- Comments: "Female. Photos"

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 05, 2025 11:14 by Sean Krepski
- Green-Wood Cemetery--Sylvan Water, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6537472,-73.9986235&ll=40.6537472,-73.9986235
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S212079914
- Comments: "Continuing female common merganser. Sleek duck with reddish brown head and long thin orange bill."

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1)
- Reported Feb 05, 2025 09:36 by Sean Sime
- 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/checklist/S212082371
- Comments: "Very vocal with constant rattle calls in usual location. Large white wing patches and red head coming in nicely. Audio/photos"

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) (1)
- Reported Feb 05, 2025 09:36 by Sean Sime
- 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/checklist/S212082371
- Comments: "Remaining overwintering bird at Dell feeders/Bee hives. Photos/video"

***********

--

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Tuesday's COME

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 04, 2025 10:12 by Richard Fleming
- Green-Wood Cemetery--Sylvan Water, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6537472,-73.9986235&ll=40.6537472,-73.9986235
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S211959638
- Comments: "White-chinned hen continues. Photos WBA"

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

a great winter book

I redusted this version from my bin and I highly recommend reading it if you want to mature as a birder naturalist.Get an understanding about the birds and mammals we love and what they go thru to survive in winter.

https://www.amazon.com/Winter-World-Ingenuity-Animal-Survival/dp/0061129070/ref=asc_df_0061129070?mcid=72ef60b6807f3dde9b3123e1638b50ff&hvocijid=5406407466772934997-0061129070-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5406407466772934997&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004351&hvtargid=pla-2281435176618&psc=1

--

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Come

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 03, 2025 22:23 by M Weinstein
- Green-Wood Cemetery--Sylvan Water, Kings, New York
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=40.6537472,-73.9986235&ll=40.6537472,-73.9986235
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S211906542
- Comments: "Very clearly seen."

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

Prospect GoldenEye records

The 3 common Golden yesterday represents a new high for prospect park. It's the ninth record historically.

This species was last seen in mid December 2023

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

Feb 2 surprising two Common Goldeneye on prospect lake

 Lily Shih,A devoted prospect photographer who takes photos of birds yet isn't an experienced birder nor connected to discord,took these close photos yesterday. I flipped when she showed them to me today at the feeders.

Just had to smile and shake my head when she didn't realized she took photos of rare Common Goldeneyes for prospect. Both are hens.

It turns out after a check of the prospect checklist there were actually 3 hens , reported by Howard Walfish

Check his report

ebird.org/checklist/S211705976

Feb 2 two common Golden eye on prospect lake

Lily Shih, a devoted prospect photographer who takes pictures of birds yet isn't a Experienced birder nor connected showed me these pics today at the feeders.. I flipped.
she didn't realized she took close photos of a rarity for prospect lake.

Both birds are hens.

GWC COME continues

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 03, 2025 11:50 by Angela Panetta
- 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/checklist/S211845074
- Comments: "Hen continuing at sylvan water"

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 03, 2025 10:45 by Matthew Wills
- 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/checklist/S211850728
- Comments: "Female. Heavier bill, sharp white chin patch, & definitive cut off transition between rusty head and white. Pictures to come."

--

" Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot,the only home we've ever known"

                                                                            --Carl Sagan

Shadows across the landscape

Mr groundhog in Pennsylvania
I believed saw his shadow signaling a late spring. For late Birds of winter that doesn't help.With consistency, the usual still hang around.

Shadows at Greenwood Cemetery include those belonging to Red headed Woodpecker, Chipping Sparrow and Baltimore Oriole. Battle hill around Hemlock ave is the woodpeckers domain ; both Chipping Sparrow and Baltimore Oriole remain at Dellwater at the feeders and beehives respectively. One shadow cast by the hen Common Merganser  upon Sylvan water left by
ate morning when I arrived. But I see see companions pair drake Bufflehead and hen Hooded Merganser there.

Meanwhile Prospect offers its own shadows. The American Tree Sparrow now hangs out with Muncie by the dog beach ,behind the wood fence of the ballfield.On the Lake 13 Brant revisited touching down near Three Sisters Islands. There was a report of some seen yesterday on the ball fields ,with canada geese.

Happy groundhogs are doing their jobs right as pronosticators

--
Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

— Robert Frost

Happy Grounhog Day!

 

Happy Groundhogs Day!

February 2nd
Groundhog Day, celebrated on February 2nd each year, is a day of hope and optimism. It serves as a reminder that spring will eventually come, no matter how long winter seems to last. The tradition involves checking whether Punxsutawney Phil, the Pennsylvanian groundhog, can see his shadow. If he does, North America can expect six more weeks of winter

Brant on lake

 I have seen Brant hundreds of times a common winter species on our salt water coast,but it's very cool to see them on prospect lake.

Passing thru the park on an errand at 9th street, I happened by the lake to look for the early reported common merganser. That I didn't see but while checking out the canada geese, I realized that a small flock was smaller sized  ,floating birds that with my small bins I recognized were Brant . I counted 11 but my friend Rusty happened along and correctly counted 13. So it's an unusual occurrence to see Brant touch down as they are recorded most times as flyovers.

But unusual is the word today as Forrest reported a Killdeer near Parkside and Ocean Ave park entrance lawn and that's quite unusual along with the Brant.

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

eBird Checklist - 1 Feb 2025 - Prospect Park - 46 species Wickman chklist

https://ebird.org/checklist/S211538506

Note cackling Goose,  common merganser, ring neck duck and unusual location for uncommon killdeer 

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

Redhead sticks around and redder head

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (1)
- Reported Feb 01, 2025 11:00 by Mitchell Baker
- 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/checklist/S211517184
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Juvenile, Continuing, Hemlock near Battle"

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost






   

Rare COME IN GWC

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 01, 2025 12:13 by Peter Paul
- 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/checklist/S211524585
- Comments: "Very rare here :) Continuing on Sylvan. Large silver merganser with reddish head and white chin."

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) (1)
- Reported Feb 01, 2025 11:02 by MCHL ____
- 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/checklist/S211523993
- Comments: "Great find by Angela. Sitting on Sylvan. Cavorting with comparatively pint-sized hooded mergansers. Bright red-orange head, white under bill, gray back."

"
The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued."

"Dust of Snow",-Robert Frost