Fyi Prospect park health alert

Tweet from Paige Linden Brams (@Remmibird)

Paige Linden Brams (@Remmibird) tweeted at 10:19 AM on Fri, Oct 19, 2018:
Tons of birds at Owls Head Park. Good raptor flight too.
(https://twitter.com/Remmibird/status/1053289560900280322?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Tweet from Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn)

Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) tweeted at 9:21 AM on Fri, Oct 19, 2018:
2 Semipalmated Sandpipers working rocky ledge, west side of Prospect Park Lake. #birdbk via @lke313
(https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/1053274958762262528?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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GWC White crowned s

Birding locals Mary E and Janet S reported a terrific number of TENQHITW CROWNED SPARROWS Yesterday in Greenwood cemetery. This species was among ten sparrow species there.

No surprise as Greenwoods quiet inviting open spaces is the way to go.

what the cold brisk wind brings in

Today was a story of two locations -one permanent and other temporary that emphasized Prospect's day. When an October good wind blows, its a good sign there will be good birds and rarity to observe.

Lets start with the permanent location first. "Sparrowbowl "as locals birders affectionately characterized is a glacial kettle in the terminal moraine situated between the Tennis and Picnic Houses. Its a lowland area that provides windbreak for birds and now richly endowed with native plantings that yield abundant food ,thanks to the Natural Resources Crew efforts planting them.. This morning saw good action , not the big numbers I was looking for, but satisfactory enough  to keep me intrigued.

On a morning survey just before setting down mulch on young new trees, I noted birds on the left rise of the Sparrowbowl. Revealing themselves from the flowers were PURPLE FINCH, WHITE CROWNED SPARROW, several CHIPPING SPARROW, decent number of SONGS, a WHITE THROATED SPARROW, and later SWAMP SPARROW.

On my lunch hour I again birded the Sparrowbowl. Eni and Vinnie Falci came along and we found BLUE HEADED VIREO  and an intriguing bright yellow warbler  sneakily moving thru the birches. After 5 minutes we were able to get on this bird and I was able to identify the fleeting warbler as a WILSONS. Goldfinches and a male COMMON YELLOWTHROAT WARBLER alighted on the now dried up Goldenrod buds.

Now to the other hotspot the temporary site. After hearing from Eni they had a DICKCISSEL at the reseeded fenced off site on the east Long Meadow, I went here late in the day to investigate, after work. The grass within the one acre enclosure was pretty high making it a tough unlikelihood finding small birds. All around though NORTHERN FLICKERS went about. AS I walked along the mesh fence line, out pops an EASTERN MEADOWLARK ! It made several circular fly around above the enclosure before flying away towards the Picnic House. A return though to the spot found the Meadowlark still attracted tot he protective area. For the next whole hour as more birders came by the Meadowlark kept flying up , even landing on the short grass lawn closer to the woods edge. Its a great bird for the park, rare for me as human and dog disturbance oftentimes spook these birds away from the lawns.

Other nice birds in or near the enclosure were found as well. A LINCOLN SPARROW came out from the woods edge underneath Japanese Knotweed saved me a trip back to the Sparrowbowl after Linda Ewing reported one there. SAVANNAH SPARROW on the mesh fence as John my buddy and I watched it. In the next field to the west, a smaller enclosure held several PALM WARBLERS feeding on the tilled dirt lawn. A few were Westerns.

But here's a good story. On the latter small enclosure earlier in the day, I walked very slowly hoping to flush a hidden sparrow  . Along the fence line where unmowed grass would hide such birds, a chunky looking pale bird hopped up into the low section of the fence and hopped down to the other side. Thinking from its Jizz it may be a Dickcissel, I peeked over to get a better look and wham ! a COOPERS HAWK shot over my left shoulder and took a shot at that bird, chasing it out of that enclosure, The poor bird furiously fled for its life , maneuvering crazily with the hawk in tow, flying under and right of the Linden Tree. At that point I couldn't see where that bird went , but the COOPERS shot upwards after that chase towards the larger enclosure.I never did find the Dickcissel but a Coopers Hawk in action is a treat to cherish! Life on the edge for these small guys.

On a last note, the Lake saw some new visitors. Karen O reported 6 RING NECKED DUCKS . When I swung by later, I re found the Ringneckeds including two drakes; they were keeping company though with a drake HOODED MERGANSER a great bird to enjoy, and two AMERICAN WIGEONS.

I believed today the sparrow count topped 9 species. Besides what was mentioned earlier in my report: a FOX SPARROW  by the Tennis House woods; FIELD SPARROW in the east Long Meadow enclosure made today a diverse day absent the big numbers.

A last note. The Sparrowbowl is a great spot to bird,but avoid birding it between 8 and 10 am. The reason is its impacted severely by multiple dogs , bought in by dog sitters who use the locale as a playground. Constant barking and frequent Poo defecation while the sitters aren't looking makes it not worth the time here. After ten am into 1 pm. the birds come alive.

Nevertheless it was a great wind today.

Fwd: Green-Wood today

Janet's list

Sent from AOL Mobile Mail


-----Original Message-----
From: Janet Schumacher <janets33@optonline.net>
To: Peter <prosbird@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Oct 18, 2018 04:13 PM
Subject: Green-Wood today


https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49276581

Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds). EAME

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 3:48 PM on Thu, Oct 18, 2018:
Meadowlark returned to east Long meadow reseeded fenced spot prospect. 500 ft southeast from Picnic House
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/1053010045879881728?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Tweet from Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn)

Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) tweeted at 3:49 PM on Thu, Oct 18, 2018:
Prospect Park SparrowBowl: Wilson's Warbler and White-crowned Sparrow still here, joined by Black-throated Green Warbler. Lincoln's Sparrow and Indigo Bunting, too #birdbk via @lke313
(https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/1053010122585399301?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Tweet from Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn)

Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) tweeted at 1:52 PM on Thu, Oct 18, 2018:
Ring-necked Ducks on Prospect Park Lake -- at least one drake and likely five hens reported. American
Wigeon continues.
(https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/1052980867633700866?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds)

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 2:22 PM on Thu, Oct 18, 2018:
Eastern meadowlark in previous reported DICKCISSEL spot 1st field west of Nellie's lawn, east. Long meadow. Might have had DICKCISSEL but Cooper's hawk chased it 😕
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/1052988304747110400?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds)

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 0:58 PM on Thu, Oct 18, 2018:
Sparrowbowl lunch. Wilson's warbler blue head Vireo comm yellowthroat 5 species sparrow,with Eni & Vinnie. Prospect
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/1052967247440941058?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds)

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 1:00 PM on Thu, Oct 18, 2018:
Eni & Vinnie reported  male bright DICKCISSEL field west of Nellie's lawn ,where a reseeding spot fence is noon. Prospect
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/1052967544158650373?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Tweet from Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) WCSP

Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) tweeted at 8:52 AM on Thu, Oct 18, 2018:
Yesterday, White-crowned Sparrow near the Well House at Prospect Park. Lincoln Sparrow at Lookout Hill. #birdbk via @charlesbrooklyn https://t.co/71frxZ3Tgi
(https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/1052905372787326977?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Tweet from Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) LISP

Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) tweeted at 9:03 AM on Thu, Oct 18, 2018:
Lincoln's Sparrow at Lookout Hill, Prospect Park. #birdbk via @charlesbrooklyn https://t.co/I3JZ5POZj5
(https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/1052908071327031297?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Tweet from Heidi (@heidicleven)

Heidi (@heidicleven) tweeted at 5:13 PM on Wed, Oct 17, 2018:
Part I: Yellow-billed cuckoo eating a mantis this afternoon. Vale of Cashmere, Prospect Park. https://t.co/5fDTPz69nE
(https://twitter.com/heidicleven/status/1052668853560516612?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Where to see fall foliage in New York City - Curbed NY

Note Prospect Park 

https://ny.curbed.com/2018/10/16/17983472/nyc-fall-foliage-where-to-watch

Tweet from Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn)

Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) tweeted at 3:35 PM on Wed, Oct 17, 2018:
Lincoln's, Field, and White-crowned Sparrows, and Purple Finch on east shore of Sylvan Water at Green-Wood Cemetery via Gus Keri
(https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/1052644236624101376?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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an almost Indian summer day

On a quite gorgeous day , I read besides my own little lunchtime tour, a motley assortment of bird reports not only in Prospect Park but a little known spot called Bushwick Inlet Park.

My lunch hour was productive--sort of. With sparrow numbers still lacking, a few good sightings sufficed. Running into Sean Sime in the "Sparrowbowl" the low area between the Tennis and Picnic Houses, Sean pointed out a great looking Nashville Warbler feeding in a flower laden Goldenrod. Sean was looking for a wren reported by Will Pollard that might have been a rarity. Suffice to say, no such bird appeared except a cooperative House Wren. After saying good bye to Sean, I stuck around and was treated to a collective gathering. On a weld wire fence within 4 foot range, simultaneously, 3 Eastern Phoebes overlooked below in the fence a Chipping sparrow,a Song Sparrow, a White throated Sparrow-all single birds but two Savannahs. Not much number wise but its cool to look at that momentous collection.

As the heat built up, I left the Sparrowbowl to walk along the mugwort border on the Tennis House's south fence. And there what I initially thought was a Field Sparrow, tuned out to be a juvenile White-crowned Sparrow, staying close to the Mugwort but well seen. Both species look very similar but my closer approach enable me to identified it as White Crowned.

Other good birds were reported in Prospect Park. Charles Tang had himself a good day . In early am, in the Butterfly Meadow, he showed me a photo that after a few moments I identified it as a Lincolns Sparrow. It was deep inside the meadow though. Later at 226 pm, he texted me seeing a Black billed Cuckoo in the Vale of Cashmere north end. Charles had mentioned that kinglet numbers were pouring through. Since Monday's massed migration of Golden crowned, they Rubies followed thru with lesser numbers. A quantity resided in the Butterfly Meadow.

Continuing more reports in Prospect included an aerial  show. Russ reported seeing three Red tailed Hawks chasing late Chimney Swifts above the Upper Pool. That's  chasing small prey in my opinion unless the hawks needed some fun.

Tom Coughlin reported very birdy areas in Prospect. A Yellow billed Cuckoo by the Wellhouse; Black throated Green warbler in the Vale Cashmere and possible Canada Warbler by the Carousel.The hen Bufflehead continues in the Lake.

Last, in what we birders call their Patch of woods, Bushwick Inlet Park shone with decent numbers. Prominent were numbers of Yellow Rumped Warblers, Yellow bellied Sapsucker, Magnolia Warbler Red bellied Woodpecker ,goldfinches and shorebirds not identified. The strip sits along a former industrial spot  but bearing enough green to attract migrating birds needing a place to stay.

Where are the sparrows?

Mid October is a time I expect those sparrow numbers. Whenever I do my lunch or post work walk through  Sparrowbowl, South Tennis House and baseball fields,I always find myself numbers. Not so this fall.

Today I found only one Song Sparrow after work. Maybe everything is hiding so well from me. Nevertheless, when there are numbers,I always catch seeing something. Perhaps Wednesday nights cold front will change our luck providing a Thursday northwest winds sparrow express.

The lake is back to "normal". Yesterday's celebrity scoter decided one day here was enough. Instead I did find four Wood Ducks lingering by 3 Sisters Islands. Yesterday the woodies were in the Upper Pool where a Great Blue Heron had The island to itself.The hen BUFFLEHEAD hung with the Ruddy Duck flock. Transitions occur through the season and thereby provide anticipations of something good each day.

Sean Sime GWC repi

Dark morph Broad-winged Hawk topped off an alternate side Hawk Watch at Battle Hill in GWC. Adult Bald Eagle and modest numbers of accipiters. All scope birds

Tweet from Paige Linden Brams (@Remmibird)

Paige Linden Brams (@Remmibird) tweeted at 9:38 AM on Tue, Oct 16, 2018:
Palm party at GWC. And a red breasted nuthatch just landed on my arm. That was a first.
(https://twitter.com/Remmibird/status/1052191999493857280?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Yesterdays checklist with WWSC photo

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49221444

Ybcu

Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) (1)
- Reported Oct 15, 2018 14:12 by Richard Payne

- 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/S49218455
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Late bird, on Duck Island."

On the lake

Photos of hen BUFFLEHEAD with today's rarity star WHITE WINGED SCOTER.Taken by Charles Tang

Tweet from Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) video WWSC

Brooklyn Bird Alert (@BirdBrklyn) tweeted at 6:11 PM on Mon, Oct 15, 2018:
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER on Prospect Park Lake, the first recorded there since 1964, by finder Gus Keri https://t.co/MV1sJ49NrL
(https://twitter.com/BirdBrklyn/status/1051958674938322945?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Fwd: BBC Meeting Tuesday, October 23rd

Sent from AOL Mobile Mail


-----Original Message-----
From: membership <membership@brooklynbirdclub.org>
To: membership <membership@brooklynbirdclub.org>
Sent: Mon, Oct 15, 2018 04:31 PM
Subject: BBC Meeting Tuesday, October 23rd

Bobby Horvath presents WINORR: Wildlife in Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation

Tuesday Oct 23rd @ 7PM

BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY, CENTRAL BRANCH AT GRAND ARMY PLAZA

Wildlife in Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation (WINORR) is a non-profit, volunteer organization serving New York City, Nassau, and Western Suffolk Counties. They provide professional care for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. WINORR rescues and cares for wild animals received through the Department of Environmental Conservation, local police, animal hospitals, humane societies, animal control, as well as the general public. The state and federal governments license us to provide this service. In addition to rehabilitation, WINORR also provides information and education for the community.

WINORR was the beneficiary of this year's Brooklyn Bird Club World Migratory Bird Day birdathon.

The founder of WINNOR, wildlife rehabilitator Bobby Horvath, will discuss the daily trials and tribulations in rehabilitating wild birds and the hardships that threaten the lives of the animals brought in to the care of WINORR.

http://brooklynbirdclub.org/event/bobby-horvath-presents-wildlife-in-need-of-rescue-and-rehabilitation/

Tweet from The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds)

The Kingsboider (@BBCKingsbirds) tweeted at 4:20 PM on Mon, Oct 15, 2018:
White winged scoter still prsnt with ruddies,joined now by hen bufflehead. 200 ft east of west island shelter
(https://twitter.com/BBCKingsbirds/status/1051930776449806337?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Egmail%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3)

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Mondays scoter gift

The big find on this dreary Monday turned out to be a waylaid WHITE -WINGED SCOTER on Prospect Lake. Its very unusual to find a sea duck on a freshwater lake ,but there it was in the southwest section by West Island.

First found by Gus Keri, it was initially thought to be a Surf Scoter.This can be understandable confusion --even I have trouble at times- when its a female or young male. When I responded to the scene , finding the scoter gliding away from the West Island Rustic Shelter shoreline, I saw a white sliver along the wing edge. Later, as it settled within the Ruddy Duck flock,my coworker Howard saw the scoter preened itself exposing its wing, confirming the bird to be a WHITE WINGED SCOTER. Later, Janet Zinn got a photo she posted on Facebook New York Birders group showing the full wing spread and its white speculum.    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10215544329193401&set=a.1132065233882&type=3&theater

The scoter continued in the southwest confines of the later close to West Island.

This is the first sighting of a White winged since 1964 when that bird spent over 2  months from September to November. A fantastic find by Gus Keri!

On Further analysis , if you focus on the facial field marks, is the position of the white. On a white winged, the white spot is an oval shaped spot above the upper  edge of the bill. ON a Surf, its a vertical sliver behind the back edge of the bill.

heres' a good primer http://www.sibleyguides.com/2011/02/identifying-scoters-by-shape/

Below is the records for Prospect White winged scoter, Todays bird is the 3rd PP record.

Prospect ParkKings, US-NY

↪EXPLORE HOTSPOT

DATE	#	OBSERVER
1964-11-09	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-11-08	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-11-07	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-11-06	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-11-05	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-11-04	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-11-03	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-11-02	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-11-01	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-31	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-30	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-29	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-28	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-27	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-26	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-25	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-24	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-23	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-22	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-21	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-20	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-19	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-18	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-17	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-16	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-15	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-14	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-13	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-12	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-11	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-10	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-09	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-08	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-07	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-06	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-05	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-04	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-03	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-02	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-10-01	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-30	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-29	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-28	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-27	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-26	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-25	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-24	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-23	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-22	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-21	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-20	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-19	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-18	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-17	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-16	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1964-09-15	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist
1956-03-17	1	NYC Bird Report Data	Checklist