Week 49: Green-Wood Cemetery

Week 49 saw several days of gusting winds, which likely reduced perceived bird activity. Birds were around, but were foraging, hidden from view, in more protected areas. Tuesday through Sunday the wind gusts ranged from 23mph to 30mph, finally settling down by Monday the 9th.

The most noteworthy day was Saturday the 7th. Perhaps triggered by a sudden drop in temperatures and freezing lakes north of New York City, there were unexpectedly thousands of Canada Geese in the skies over Brooklyn for most of the day. Even my wife noticed and texted me on her walk to the gym. Canada Geese (and other waterfowl) typically migrate south earlier in the season, so this was an unusual late-season burst of activity. Among the Canada Geese passing by was a rare Barnacle Goose spotted by a couple of friends. After the one day event a Greater White-fronted Goose was encountered in adjacent Prospect Park on Prospect Lake, probably part of that exodus. This is a first record of the rare waterfowl species in the park.

Canada Geese streaming south

Greater White-fronted Goose - Prospect Park

I was pleasantly surprised to stumble on a couple of American Woodcocks. Most will migrate farther south than Brooklyn in the fall, but it's not too unusual to find a few overwintering throughout the borough, especially during mild winters. I always enjoy seeing this oddball shorebird.

American Woodcock

An Eastern Phoebe is lingering around the ridge at Dell Water. Cemetery workers have been piling a huge amount of leaves here, which I assume creates a rich habitat for insects ... this flycatcher's favorite meal. It wouldn't be unprecedented for a phoebe to overwinter here, just very unusual.

Eastern Phoebe at Dell Water

Scarce at Green-Wood Cemetery, but fairly common in winter at Prospect Lake is the American Coot. Last week one appeared at Sylvan Water and has been feeding and resting in near isolation. I have no theory as to why this normally gregarious species has chosen to foresake his flock, but here he remains, 1 mile away from several dozen of his kind.

American Coot on Sylvan Water

Of the kinglet species, usually the Golden-crowned is the more hardy and seen in small numbers through the winter months. Last week, however, I did spot a single Ruby-crowned Kinglet still hanging around. He appeared to be finding plenty of insects within a pair of rhododendron trees.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Of the fruiting plants, American Holly, as well as, many of the yew trees are brimming with food for the birds. The sweetgum balls are ripening and sprinkling their tiny seeds on the ground for the sparrows. Finches, titmouse, chickadees and blackbirds acrobatically scarf down the seeds directly from the source. Monk Parakeets have discovered tender buds on the Kwanzan cherry trees to munch on.

American Holly

Yew berries

American Goldfinch eating sweetgum seeds

Monk Parakeet eating cherry buds

Finally, another rare sighting over the cemetery last week was of a Black Vulture. Turkey Vultures are more common and can now be observed nearly any month of the year. Black Vultures are more common south of New York City, but I believe they may now be nesting on Staten Island. There are likely several resident indivuals in the area.

Black Vulture over Hill of Graves