[nysbirds-l] Owl's Head, Brooklyn Red-headed Woodpeckers 10/8/13
A good run of Red-headed Woodpeckers continues at Brooklyns Owls Head Park, with at least three seen today. Thats after two September sightings, with an adult on the 11th and a juvenile on the 15th (as well as one spring bird.) Three juveniles were seen at one time, flying back and forth between the overlook terrace grove and the tree line on the north side of the hill, as well as single birds before and after, which are conservatively assumed to represent the same individuals Also of note: at least two Common Ravens in the area; over 100 Double-crested Cormorants migrating; White-crowned Sparrow; Red-breasted Nuthatch; and a full array of Pine Warbler plumages, from bright adult male to drab brown first fall female and various increments in between. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Avocet - NO
I birded Calvert Vaux Park on Sunday Morning (12/11) and did not see the Avocet. I was only on the north side of the creek, but it would likely have been visible from across the water if it were roosting on the beach at Kaiser Park during the early high tide, as had been its habit. Still, its not clear if this is the same bird that was also reported from Jamaica Bay last week, and it could still be around the area. The park was generally quiet, with a single Palm Warbler being the only passerine of note. A single Snow Goose was around, first seen flying in from the north with a small flock of Canada Geese a bit after dawn, and subsequently in the basin and later browsing on the west field. This was the same lesser SNGO seen on the creek last Sunday, as could be told by the extensive amount of black showing on the right wingtip when closed. The bird may have caused some confusion last week as it replaced the Rosss Goose that had been in the same spot on Saturday 12/3. On both days last weekend a single white goose was in the flock near the school on the south side of the creek, and on Sunday with a cursory look from across the creek I assumed it was the Rosss again, but crossing over I got a lesson in birding discipline when I saw that it was the more common species. Both birds were photographed, and the first was clearly a Rosss; as far as I know it has not been seen again in the vicinity since 12/3. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn, NY > Heydi Lopes and I were at Coney Island Creek from approximately 3:30pm to > 4:15pm and did NOT locate the avocet. We ran into two Queens birders who > had also checked from the Calvert Vaux Park side of the creek and were > also unsuccessful. I'm curious if anyone else may have observed the bird > earlier in the day. > > Rob > > The City Birder Weblog > > > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Avocet - NO
I birded Calvert Vaux Park on Sunday Morning (12/11) and did not see the Avocet. I was only on the north side of the creek, but it would likely have been visible from across the water if it were roosting on the beach at Kaiser Park during the early high tide, as had been its habit. Still, its not clear if this is the same bird that was also reported from Jamaica Bay last week, and it could still be around the area. The park was generally quiet, with a single Palm Warbler being the only passerine of note. A single Snow Goose was around, first seen flying in from the north with a small flock of Canada Geese a bit after dawn, and subsequently in the basin and later browsing on the west field. This was the same lesser SNGO seen on the creek last Sunday, as could be told by the extensive amount of black showing on the right wingtip when closed. The bird may have caused some confusion last week as it replaced the Rosss Goose that had been in the same spot on Saturday 12/3. On both days last weekend a single white goose was in the flock near the school on the south side of the creek, and on Sunday with a cursory look from across the creek I assumed it was the Rosss again, but crossing over I got a lesson in birding discipline when I saw that it was the more common species. Both birds were photographed, and the first was clearly a Rosss; as far as I know it has not been seen again in the vicinity since 12/3. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn, NY Heydi Lopes and I were at Coney Island Creek from approximately 3:30pm to 4:15pm and did NOT locate the avocet. We ran into two Queens birders who had also checked from the Calvert Vaux Park side of the creek and were also unsuccessful. I'm curious if anyone else may have observed the bird earlier in the day. Rob The City Birder Weblog -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] SW Brooklyn weekend Clay-colored Spw
There was a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW today (5/16) at Calvert Vaux Park, in the same vicinity as a male BLUE GROSBEAK. The birds were on either side of the channel along the north edge of the park where there’s a crossover to an unkempt field that’s also accessible via Bay 44th St (note that a pair of Indigo Buntings was in the same area.) Other notables included LINCOLN’S SPARROW and singing BOBOLINKS, as well as arriving Willow Flycatchers, hopefully here to nest. On Saturday there was good movement through Owl’s Head Park, with TENNESSE, CAPE MAY and BAY-BREASTED among 14 warbler species and other seasonal songbirds. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn, NY Location:Calvert Vaux Park AKA Dreier-Offerman Park Observation date: 5/16/10 Number of species: 71 Brant 150 Canada Goose 20 Mute Swan 6 American Black Duck 1 Mallard 20 Common Loon 6 (Flyovers.) Double-crested Cormorant 50 Great Egret 3 Snowy Egret 1 Green Heron 2 Black-crowned Night-Heron 2 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2 Semipalmated Plover 26 Killdeer 4 American Oystercatcher 1 Spotted Sandpiper 10 Solitary Sandpiper 1 Least Sandpiper 3 Laughing Gull 30 Ring-billed Gull 50 Herring Gull (American) 25 Great Black-backed Gull 15 Common Tern 6 Rock Pigeon 30 Mourning Dove 10 Monk Parakeet 2 Chimney Swift 10 Belted Kingfisher 1 Willow Flycatcher 3 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Eastern Kingbird 2 Warbling Vireo 5 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 3 Fish Crow 1 Tree Swallow 3 Barn Swallow 25 Carolina Wren 3 American Robin 20 Gray Catbird 15 Northern Mockingbird 1 Brown Thrasher 1 European Starling 75 Northern Parula 4 Yellow Warbler 8 Magnolia Warbler 5 Black-throated Blue Warbler 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3 Blackpoll Warbler 2 Black-and-white Warbler 1 American Redstart 3 Ovenbird 1 Northern Waterthrush 2 Common Yellowthroat 12 Wilson's Warbler 1 Clay-colored Sparrow 1 (Moving back-and-forth across the channel, perching, then back to the north field where seen again later up and down among the weed stalks. Less buffy than fall birds, distinct facial pattern with mustache stripe and clear lores; gray nape contrasting with sandy brown back and rump; pale stripe through crown; clear breast.) Savannah Sparrow 3 Song Sparrow 8 Lincoln's Sparrow 1 Swamp Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 2 Northern Cardinal 5 Blue Grosbeak 1 (Adult male, singing at edge of north field along the channel mouth near the crossing point.) Indigo Bunting 2 (Male and female on either side of the north channel.) Bobolink 7 (At least 4 males and 3 females, scattered; three singing including one in transitional plumage.) Red-winged Blackbird 40 Common Grackle 5 Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Baltimore Oriole 3 American Goldfinch 2 House Sparrow 5 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] SW Brooklyn weekend Clay-colored Spw
There was a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW today (5/16) at Calvert Vaux Park, in the same vicinity as a male BLUE GROSBEAK. The birds were on either side of the channel along the north edge of the park where there’s a crossover to an unkempt field that’s also accessible via Bay 44th St (note that a pair of Indigo Buntings was in the same area.) Other notables included LINCOLN’S SPARROW and singing BOBOLINKS, as well as arriving Willow Flycatchers, hopefully here to nest. On Saturday there was good movement through Owl’s Head Park, with TENNESSE, CAPE MAY and BAY-BREASTED among 14 warbler species and other seasonal songbirds. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn, NY Location:Calvert Vaux Park AKA Dreier-Offerman Park Observation date: 5/16/10 Number of species: 71 Brant 150 Canada Goose 20 Mute Swan 6 American Black Duck 1 Mallard 20 Common Loon 6 (Flyovers.) Double-crested Cormorant 50 Great Egret 3 Snowy Egret 1 Green Heron 2 Black-crowned Night-Heron 2 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2 Semipalmated Plover 26 Killdeer 4 American Oystercatcher 1 Spotted Sandpiper 10 Solitary Sandpiper 1 Least Sandpiper 3 Laughing Gull 30 Ring-billed Gull 50 Herring Gull (American) 25 Great Black-backed Gull 15 Common Tern 6 Rock Pigeon 30 Mourning Dove 10 Monk Parakeet 2 Chimney Swift 10 Belted Kingfisher 1 Willow Flycatcher 3 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Eastern Kingbird 2 Warbling Vireo 5 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 3 Fish Crow 1 Tree Swallow 3 Barn Swallow 25 Carolina Wren 3 American Robin 20 Gray Catbird 15 Northern Mockingbird 1 Brown Thrasher 1 European Starling 75 Northern Parula 4 Yellow Warbler 8 Magnolia Warbler 5 Black-throated Blue Warbler 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3 Blackpoll Warbler 2 Black-and-white Warbler 1 American Redstart 3 Ovenbird 1 Northern Waterthrush 2 Common Yellowthroat 12 Wilson's Warbler 1 Clay-colored Sparrow 1 (Moving back-and-forth across the channel, perching, then back to the north field where seen again later up and down among the weed stalks. Less buffy than fall birds, distinct facial pattern with mustache stripe and clear lores; gray nape contrasting with sandy brown back and rump; pale stripe through crown; clear breast.) Savannah Sparrow 3 Song Sparrow 8 Lincoln's Sparrow 1 Swamp Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 2 Northern Cardinal 5 Blue Grosbeak 1 (Adult male, singing at edge of north field along the channel mouth near the crossing point.) Indigo Bunting 2 (Male and female on either side of the north channel.) Bobolink 7 (At least 4 males and 3 females, scattered; three singing including one in transitional plumage.) Red-winged Blackbird 40 Common Grackle 5 Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Baltimore Oriole 3 American Goldfinch 2 House Sparrow 5 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Upland Sandpiper 5/1/10
An UPLAND SANDPIPER was at Calvert Vaux Park (Coney Island Creek, Brooklyn) this morning, perhaps, though not necessarily, the same bird seen on 4/17. With good movement going on and appropriate habitat a second individual doesn’t seem too unlikely. Today it was joined on the fenced soccer fields by a group of BOBOLINKS before the soccer players arrived around 9:30 AM; once again, I did not relocate the bird. After a rainy visit last week it was good to see many FoS species, including several that have nested at the park in recent years such as Brown Thrasher, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Indigo Bunting. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn, NY Location: Dreier-Offerman Park Observation date: 5/1/10 Number of species: 68 Brant 125 Canada Goose 20 Mute Swan 3 Mallard 15 Bufflehead 1 Red-breasted Merganser 3 Common Loon 2 Double-crested Cormorant 10 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Egret 2 Black-crowned Night-Heron 5 American Kestrel 1 Killdeer 4 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Solitary Sandpiper 2 (With Yellowlegs at puddle near parking lot entry.) Lesser Yellowlegs 2 Upland Sandpiper 1 (On the fenced soccer fields west of the parking lot. Photographed.) Laughing Gull 60 Ring-billed Gull 75 Herring Gull (American) 35 Great Black-backed Gull 25 Common Tern 2 Rock Pigeon 30 Mourning Dove 10 Chimney Swift 4 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 12 Eastern Phoebe 1 Eastern Kingbird 5 White-eyed Vireo 1 Warbling Vireo 3 American Crow 5 Fish Crow 2 crow sp. 5 Tree Swallow 5 Barn Swallow 7 Carolina Wren 2 House Wren 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 American Robin 20 Gray Catbird 10 Northern Mockingbird 2 Brown Thrasher 2 European Starling 100 Nashville Warbler 1 Yellow Warbler 4 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3 Prairie Warbler 1 Black-and-white Warbler 2 Northern Waterthrush 1 Common Yellowthroat 3 Eastern Towhee 1 Chipping Sparrow 3 Field Sparrow 1 Savannah Sparrow 10 Song Sparrow 10 Swamp Sparrow 3 White-throated Sparrow 7 Northern Cardinal 4 Indigo Bunting 1 Bobolink 7 (3 singing along edge of west field; also on fenced soccer fields.) Red-winged Blackbird 25 Common Grackle 4 Brown-headed Cowbird 10 Baltimore Oriole 1 House Finch 5 American Goldfinch 10 House Sparrow 10 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Upland Sandpiper
There was an UPLAND SANDPIPER at Calvert Vaux Park this morning around 9:00 AM, perhaps brought in by the damp and misty weather. It was on the western-most lawn of the main part of the park. Initially alone, except for a few Killdeer, it was joined by a mix of Brant, Ring-billed Gulls and Starlings. These birds eventually flushed (though I’m not sure why) but the Sandpiper just hunkered down. After the flock returned there was a second flush and I lost the bird. I thought it would stand up again but apparently it flew, as further searching by myself and a few intrepid Brooklyn regulars did not recover the bird. A couple of point-and-shoot photos are posted at: http://www.digitalmediatree.com/arboretum/upland/ There weren’t a lot of passerine migrants, but Double-crested Cormorant was on the move in numbers, and Northern Gannet continues over the bay. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn Location: Dreier-Offerman Park Observation date: 4/17/10 Number of species: 53 Brant 100 Canada Goose 20 Mute Swan 3 Gadwall 3 American Black Duck 2 Mallard 15 Green-winged Teal (American) 6 Bufflehead 7 Red-breasted Merganser 5 Ring-necked Pheasant 1 (Heard.) Red-throated Loon 5 Common Loon 1 Northern Gannet 15 Double-crested Cormorant 150 Great Cormorant 1 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Egret 1 Snowy Egret 1 American Kestrel 1 Killdeer 6 Greater Yellowlegs 2 Upland Sandpiper 1 (On west lawn, 9:00AM.) Bonaparte's Gull 1 (1 in breeding plumage on the dilapidated pier in the bay.) Laughing Gull 10 Ring-billed Gull 40 Herring Gull (American) 25 Great Black-backed Gull 10 Rock Pigeon 20 Mourning Dove 1 Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 10 Eastern Phoebe 1 American Crow 7 Fish Crow 1 Tree Swallow 2 Carolina Wren 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 American Robin 20 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 75 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1 Eastern Towhee 3 Field Sparrow 1 Savannah Sparrow 4 Song Sparrow 5 Swamp Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 4 Northern Cardinal 2 Red-winged Blackbird 20 Common Grackle 3 Brown-headed Cowbird 5 House Sparrow 5 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Upland Sandpiper
There was an UPLAND SANDPIPER at Calvert Vaux Park this morning around 9:00 AM, perhaps brought in by the damp and misty weather. It was on the western-most lawn of the main part of the park. Initially alone, except for a few Killdeer, it was joined by a mix of Brant, Ring-billed Gulls and Starlings. These birds eventually flushed (though I’m not sure why) but the Sandpiper just hunkered down. After the flock returned there was a second flush and I lost the bird. I thought it would stand up again but apparently it flew, as further searching by myself and a few intrepid Brooklyn regulars did not recover the bird. A couple of point-and-shoot photos are posted at: http://www.digitalmediatree.com/arboretum/upland/ There weren’t a lot of passerine migrants, but Double-crested Cormorant was on the move in numbers, and Northern Gannet continues over the bay. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn Location: Dreier-Offerman Park Observation date: 4/17/10 Number of species: 53 Brant 100 Canada Goose 20 Mute Swan 3 Gadwall 3 American Black Duck 2 Mallard 15 Green-winged Teal (American) 6 Bufflehead 7 Red-breasted Merganser 5 Ring-necked Pheasant 1 (Heard.) Red-throated Loon 5 Common Loon 1 Northern Gannet 15 Double-crested Cormorant 150 Great Cormorant 1 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Egret 1 Snowy Egret 1 American Kestrel 1 Killdeer 6 Greater Yellowlegs 2 Upland Sandpiper 1 (On west lawn, 9:00AM.) Bonaparte's Gull 1 (1 in breeding plumage on the dilapidated pier in the bay.) Laughing Gull 10 Ring-billed Gull 40 Herring Gull (American) 25 Great Black-backed Gull 10 Rock Pigeon 20 Mourning Dove 1 Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 10 Eastern Phoebe 1 American Crow 7 Fish Crow 1 Tree Swallow 2 Carolina Wren 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 American Robin 20 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 75 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1 Eastern Towhee 3 Field Sparrow 1 Savannah Sparrow 4 Song Sparrow 5 Swamp Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 4 Northern Cardinal 2 Red-winged Blackbird 20 Common Grackle 3 Brown-headed Cowbird 5 House Sparrow 5 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Prospect Park, Brooklyn 3/10/10 Eastern Phoebe
Saw my first-of-year EASTERN PHOEBE today in Prospect, a sure sign that spring migration is on. A fair number of birds were moving, with increased numbers of Blackbirds, Juncos and Song Sparrows on hand, as well as a flyover flock of 16 WOOD DUCKS. The blackbirds were mostly Red-winged, but at least 2 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen within the park; Rustys have been present in Prospect for most of the winter but these singing males were probably migrants. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] South Brooklyn including SI Black Vultures 2/28/10
I birded Calvert Vaux Park this morning, then walked west along Gravesend Bay to the Verrazano Bridge. I did not encounter the Mew Gull that’s been seen intermittently along the bay shoreline since 12/26/09. It may well persist, but gull numbers seemed down overall. This may relate to the weather, but with spring only three weeks away winter patterns are starting to change and a few arrivals have been noted lately, including the BLACK VULTURES that nested at Fort Wadsworth on the Staten Island side of the Verrazano Narrows last year. I only learned about those birds recently and surmised that they might be visible from the Brooklyn side. It’s about a mile across the Narrows to Wadsworth, but with the scope I could clearly see two large black birds perched in a bare tree above the fort. They appeared appropriately small-headed and short-tailed, and after about 15 minutes they took flight, providing definitive views as they soared over the fort, eventually drifting southeast and disappearing behind the bridge. I’m not familiar with the history of this pair (I assume these are the returnees) but I was reminded of my first NYC sighting of the species, which occurred in the same general vicinity over Bath Beach Brooklyn on 3/3/07. That bird did not appear to be migrating and I wonder if there might be any connection with the breeders, but perhaps it’s just reflective of an increased presence around the city and Long Island in the last few years. No real notables otherwise, but land bird activity (and song) was certainly on the increase at Calvert Vaux Park with FoS Savannah Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird and Common Grackle on hand (also Eastern Bluebird last week,) and the nesting pair of Peregrine Falcons together atop the Brooklyn tower of the Verrazano Bridge. Record snowfall aside, spring is surely on the way. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] South Brooklyn including SI Black Vultures 2/28/10
I birded Calvert Vaux Park this morning, then walked west along Gravesend Bay to the Verrazano Bridge. I did not encounter the Mew Gull that’s been seen intermittently along the bay shoreline since 12/26/09. It may well persist, but gull numbers seemed down overall. This may relate to the weather, but with spring only three weeks away winter patterns are starting to change and a few arrivals have been noted lately, including the BLACK VULTURES that nested at Fort Wadsworth on the Staten Island side of the Verrazano Narrows last year. I only learned about those birds recently and surmised that they might be visible from the Brooklyn side. It’s about a mile across the Narrows to Wadsworth, but with the scope I could clearly see two large black birds perched in a bare tree above the fort. They appeared appropriately small-headed and short-tailed, and after about 15 minutes they took flight, providing definitive views as they soared over the fort, eventually drifting southeast and disappearing behind the bridge. I’m not familiar with the history of this pair (I assume these are the returnees) but I was reminded of my first NYC sighting of the species, which occurred in the same general vicinity over Bath Beach Brooklyn on 3/3/07. That bird did not appear to be migrating and I wonder if there might be any connection with the breeders, but perhaps it’s just reflective of an increased presence around the city and Long Island in the last few years. No real notables otherwise, but land bird activity (and song) was certainly on the increase at Calvert Vaux Park with FoS Savannah Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird and Common Grackle on hand (also Eastern Bluebird last week,) and the nesting pair of Peregrine Falcons together atop the Brooklyn tower of the Verrazano Bridge. Record snowfall aside, spring is surely on the way. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re:[nysbirds-l] Odd Prospect Park Shoveler
Regarding the odd shoveler-type duck in Prospect Park, this bird (I assume the same) was first noted on 12/24/09 and reported on Peter Doroshs Prospect sightings blog: http://peters-prospect-bird-sightings.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-eve-day-prospect-and-garden.html Some photos I took are posted at: http://www.digitalmediatree.com/arboretum/shoveler/ My photos show the bird next to a female Northern Shoveler; though male by plumage it is barely as large as the female shoveler, and the bill appears smaller. From what I see online the Australasian Shoveler is at least as big as Northern, with equally extreme bill proportions. Australasian also appears to have a more gray-tinged head and darker markings on the breast, whereas the Prospect bird has a strongly green head. Based on these factors I tend to think its a Northern Shoveler X Blue-winged Teal hybrid, but Id be interested in more knowledgeable opinions. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn, NY > Prospect Park's lake is notorious for hosting some very strange hybrid > waterfowl, so I wasn't too surprised to find an odd-looking shoveler > in the park. What was first perceived to be a Northern Shoveler x Blue- > winged Teal hybrid, I'm now pretty certain is actually an Australasian > Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis). I have some photos and a short video on my > blog here: > > http://citybirder.blogspot.com/2010/01/strange-waterfowl.html > > Just wondering: > > - How common are Australasian Shovelers in zoos or private collections? > - Have Australasian Shovelers ever been recorded outside of New > Zealand or Australia? > - What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow? > > Good birding, > > Rob > > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html > 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re:[nysbirds-l] Odd Prospect Park Shoveler
Regarding the odd shoveler-type duck in Prospect Park, this bird (I assume the same) was first noted on 12/24/09 and reported on Peter Doroshs Prospect sightings blog: http://peters-prospect-bird-sightings.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-eve-day-prospect-and-garden.html Some photos I took are posted at: http://www.digitalmediatree.com/arboretum/shoveler/ My photos show the bird next to a female Northern Shoveler; though male by plumage it is barely as large as the female shoveler, and the bill appears smaller. From what I see online the Australasian Shoveler is at least as big as Northern, with equally extreme bill proportions. Australasian also appears to have a more gray-tinged head and darker markings on the breast, whereas the Prospect bird has a strongly green head. Based on these factors I tend to think its a Northern Shoveler X Blue-winged Teal hybrid, but Id be interested in more knowledgeable opinions. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn, NY Prospect Park's lake is notorious for hosting some very strange hybrid waterfowl, so I wasn't too surprised to find an odd-looking shoveler in the park. What was first perceived to be a Northern Shoveler x Blue- winged Teal hybrid, I'm now pretty certain is actually an Australasian Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis). I have some photos and a short video on my blog here: http://citybirder.blogspot.com/2010/01/strange-waterfowl.html Just wondering: - How common are Australasian Shovelers in zoos or private collections? - Have Australasian Shovelers ever been recorded outside of New Zealand or Australia? - What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow? Good birding, Rob -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Prospect Park 10/20 Lark Sparrow continues
Good birding continues in Prospect Park, with the LARK SPARROW present for the third day in a row. I saw it in the fenced area of the Long Meadow just below the 9th Street divide early and late, joined at dusk by Rob Jett along with Shane Blodgett who came in to add one more to a 14 sparrow day around town. Overall volume was perhaps down a bit from the rainy weekend as more birds move on in the fair weather, but diversity was good, including ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, a late Baltimore Oriole, Red-shouldered Hawk and 7 wood warblers. One noteworthy sighting yesterday at Calvert Vaux Park was a duck that might have gone unidentified as it drifted, tightly tucked, towards Gravesend Bay. Just before it passed out of view it lifted its head and shifted its wing to reveal white patches at the ear and inner wing that proved it to be a White-winged Scoter, a bird that doesn’t often make into the bay. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn, NY Highlights: Location: Prospect Park Observation date: 10/20/09 Number of species: 69 Wood Duck 25 Northern Shoveler 400 Ruddy Duck 15 Pied-billed Grebe 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (Juvenile, flyover seen from Lullwater.) Red-tailed Hawk 3 Merlin 3 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Belted Kingfisher 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 40 Eastern Phoebe 30 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Brown Creeper 1 House Wren 1 Winter Wren 3 Golden-crowned Kinglet 15 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 50 Eastern Bluebird 2 (2 at once on the Long Meadow fences early, only one seemed to hang around.) Hermit Thrush 50 American Robin 75 Gray Catbird 5 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 (Upper Lullwater near the cove, in the little point area across from the rustic shelter, photographed.) Northern Parula 1 (Sparrow Bowl.) Magnolia Warbler 1 (Dull female, Lookout Hill.) Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 (Lullwater, with Orange-crowned.) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 100 Palm Warbler (Yellow) 25 Common Yellowthroat 10 Eastern Towhee 4 Chipping Sparrow 15 Field Sparrow 2 Lark Sparrow 1 (Seen at 8:30AM and 5:30PM in the fenced area just north of the Long Meadow ball fields.) Savannah Sparrow 10 Song Sparrow 50 Swamp Sparrow 30 White-throated Sparrow 100 White-crowned Sparrow 2 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 20 Indigo Bunting 2 Red-winged Blackbird 30 Baltimore Oriole 1 (Female, Lookout summit meadow.) American Goldfinch 15 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Brooklyn birds, 9/15 & 14
Some good birds in advance of the bad weather today at Calvert Vaux Park, or actually in the northern parcel that’s accessed at the foot of Bay 44th Street. As the rain was starting to pick up around 10:30, several birds were congregating in the shelter of the rise just east of the dilapidated pier, among them a first fall BLUE GROSEBEAK as well as two ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS that chased each other through the scrub. Five heron species remain, but the turn toward winter was evident in the increased numbers of waterfowl, especially Brant and ducks including Wood Duck and Northern Pintail. Regarding the construction project, the park remains accessible via the east arm along the Six Diamonds ball fields, while much of the northeast area of the main peninsula has been fenced off, including the upper edge of the boat basin. Only preparatory work seems to have gone on so far, and a contractor there today seemed frustrated that he had not yet been given “the go ahead.” Today’s birds come on the heels of a strong flight observed Wednesday in Prospect Park which included good numbers of sparrows and other seasonal birds, the highlight being an EASTERN MEADOWLARK, a rarity in Prospect and the first I’d seen there in five years of birding the park. Details are posted to Peter Dorosh’s Prospect sightings blog at: http://peters-prospect-bird-sightings.blogspot.com/ Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn, NY Location: Dreier-Offerman Park Observation date: 10/15/09 Number of species: 56 Highlights: Brant 400 Wood Duck 3 Gadwall 8 American Wigeon 8 American Black Duck 25 Northern Pintail 1 (Drake in basin.) Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 2 Snowy Egret 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron 6 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1 Osprey 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Cooper's Hawk 1 American Kestrel 2 Merlin 2 Killdeer 1 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Short-billed Dowitcher 4 (Early flyover group of 3 calling; heard once more later.) Belted Kingfisher 2 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 15 Eastern Phoebe 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10 Hermit Thrush 3 Gray Catbird 2 Orange-crowned Warbler 2 (Together along the sheltered edge of the north field east of the pier.) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 50 Palm Warbler (Western) 1 Palm Warbler (Yellow) 30 Common Yellowthroat 3 Chipping Sparrow 4 Field Sparrow 1 Savannah Sparrow 3 Song Sparrow 20 Swamp Sparrow 20 White-throated Sparrow 35 White-crowned Sparrow 2 (Juveniles.) Blue Grosbeak 1 (First fall, in brush at sheltered corner of north field east of the pier.) -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Calvert Vaux Park, Brooklyn 9/5/09 Clay-colored; Whimbrels
A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW popped up from the scrub on the previously cleared-now overgrown edge of the boat basin at Calvert Vaux Park today around 1 PM. As I tried to track the bird I was distracted by the calls of two WHIMBRELS, flying east up the creek, and disappearing beyond the tree line on the far side of the park. Earlier in the morning they’d been feeding on the west lawn, retreating a couple of times to the water’s edge along the creek’s mouth. These have been around since at least 9/1 when first reported by Rob Jett and represent a new species for the park list, which now numbers over 200 species. Also notable was a good movement of BOBOLINKS, with numerous birds passing overhead as well as through the park's grassy areas. The park is also good for insects, today's butterflies including Viceroy, Variegated Fritillary and numbers of Common Buckeye. Good Birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn Highlights: Location: Calvert Vaux Park, AKA Dreier-Offerman Park Observation date: 9/5/09 Number of species: 57 Red-breasted Merganser 1 (Female roosting along edge of creek mouth.) Great Blue Heron 1 Snowy Egret 2 Green Heron 3 Black-crowned Night-Heron 5 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (1 or 2, seen on east and west edges of park.) Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (Juvenile flyover, harassed by 4 Kestrels.) American Kestrel 5 (Mostly from local family.) Solitary Sandpiper 1 (Flew out from basin early AM.) Whimbrel 2 (Moving between west lawn and edge of creek mouth in the AM; flying east up the creek, across the mouth of the basin and out of sight at 1PM.) Least Sandpiper 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Willow Flycatcher 1 Least Flycatcher 2 Eastern Kingbird 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 Veery 3 Brown Thrasher 1 Yellow Warbler 6 Magnolia Warbler 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 (Female.) Palm Warbler (Yellow) 1 (FoS, early.) American Redstart 15 Northern Waterthrush 2 Common Yellowthroat 4 Clay-colored Sparrow 1 (Flew up from scrub along edge of basin on main peninsula of park; perched briefly in tree giving clear views.) Bobolink 100 (Flocks of 30 and 20 on either side of main peninsula; one larger flyover flock with several other calling flybys and passovers.) -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Temporary archive: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Calvert Vaux Park, Brooklyn 9/5/09 Clay-colored; Whimbrels
A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW popped up from the scrub on the previously cleared-now overgrown edge of the boat basin at Calvert Vaux Park today around 1 PM. As I tried to track the bird I was distracted by the calls of two WHIMBRELS, flying east up the creek, and disappearing beyond the tree line on the far side of the park. Earlier in the morning they’d been feeding on the west lawn, retreating a couple of times to the water’s edge along the creek’s mouth. These have been around since at least 9/1 when first reported by Rob Jett and represent a new species for the park list, which now numbers over 200 species. Also notable was a good movement of BOBOLINKS, with numerous birds passing overhead as well as through the park's grassy areas. The park is also good for insects, today's butterflies including Viceroy, Variegated Fritillary and numbers of Common Buckeye. Good Birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn Highlights: Location: Calvert Vaux Park, AKA Dreier-Offerman Park Observation date: 9/5/09 Number of species: 57 Red-breasted Merganser 1 (Female roosting along edge of creek mouth.) Great Blue Heron 1 Snowy Egret 2 Green Heron 3 Black-crowned Night-Heron 5 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (1 or 2, seen on east and west edges of park.) Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (Juvenile flyover, harassed by 4 Kestrels.) American Kestrel 5 (Mostly from local family.) Solitary Sandpiper 1 (Flew out from basin early AM.) Whimbrel 2 (Moving between west lawn and edge of creek mouth in the AM; flying east up the creek, across the mouth of the basin and out of sight at 1PM.) Least Sandpiper 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Willow Flycatcher 1 Least Flycatcher 2 Eastern Kingbird 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 Veery 3 Brown Thrasher 1 Yellow Warbler 6 Magnolia Warbler 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 (Female.) Palm Warbler (Yellow) 1 (FoS, early.) American Redstart 15 Northern Waterthrush 2 Common Yellowthroat 4 Clay-colored Sparrow 1 (Flew up from scrub along edge of basin on main peninsula of park; perched briefly in tree giving clear views.) Bobolink 100 (Flocks of 30 and 20 on either side of main peninsula; one larger flyover flock with several other calling flybys and passovers.) -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Temporary archive: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Calvert Vaux Park, Brooklyn 9/5/09 Clay-colored; Whimbrels
A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW popped up from the scrub on the previously cleared-now overgrown edge of the boat basin at Calvert Vaux Park today around 1 PM. As I tried to track the bird I was distracted by the calls of two WHIMBRELS, flying east up the creek, and disappearing beyond the tree line on the far side of the park. Earlier in the morning they’d been feeding on the west lawn, retreating a couple of times to the water’s edge along the creek’s mouth. These have been around since at least 9/1 when first reported by Rob Jett and represent a new species for the park list, which now numbers over 200 species. Also notable was a good movement of BOBOLINKS, with numerous birds passing overhead as well as through the park's grassy areas. The park is also good for insects, today's butterflies including Viceroy, Variegated Fritillary and numbers of Common Buckeye. Good Birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn Highlights: Location: Calvert Vaux Park, AKA Dreier-Offerman Park Observation date: 9/5/09 Number of species: 57 Red-breasted Merganser 1 (Female roosting along edge of creek mouth.) Great Blue Heron 1 Snowy Egret 2 Green Heron 3 Black-crowned Night-Heron 5 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (1 or 2, seen on east and west edges of park.) Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (Juvenile flyover, harassed by 4 Kestrels.) American Kestrel 5 (Mostly from local family.) Solitary Sandpiper 1 (Flew out from basin early AM.) Whimbrel 2 (Moving between west lawn and edge of creek mouth in the AM; flying east up the creek, across the mouth of the basin and out of sight at 1PM.) Least Sandpiper 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Willow Flycatcher 1 Least Flycatcher 2 Eastern Kingbird 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 Veery 3 Brown Thrasher 1 Yellow Warbler 6 Magnolia Warbler 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 (Female.) Palm Warbler (Yellow) 1 (FoS, early.) American Redstart 15 Northern Waterthrush 2 Common Yellowthroat 4 Clay-colored Sparrow 1 (Flew up from scrub along edge of basin on main peninsula of park; perched briefly in tree giving clear views.) Bobolink 100 (Flocks of 30 and 20 on either side of main peninsula; one larger flyover flock with several other calling flybys and passovers.) -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Temporary archive: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Prospect Park Brooklyn Prothonotary 8/19
A first year PROTHONOTARY WARBLER continued at Prospect Parks Lily Pond on Wednesday 8/19. Seen briefly from the Binnen Bridge, but best views were from the viewing platform on the east side of the pond, from which it was seen in the morning along the opposite edge of the pond, an area difficult to view from other vantages. On a second visit in the early afternoon the bird appeared at closer range, just to the left of the platform. It was mostly working within the first layer of foliage without exposing itself for extended periods; this habit, along with the presence of similarly plumaged Blue-winged and Yellow Warblers in the same area made it somewhat challenging to pick out. Overall activity was low, with few migrants on hand. The only other notable bird was a MERLIN on a familiar perch above the Nethermead. These are not typically around in summer, but I had a sighting in the same spot on 7/29, and last year one was seen regularly throughout the summer. This may be a single returning bird (and Ive seen nothing to indicate breeding) but Peter Dorosh mentioned that hed seen one at Coney Island in July, so perhaps more are finding their way to our region during this season. Good birding, Alex Wilson Brooklyn, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Temporary archive: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --