Audubon trip in Prospect Park

Common Violet

(Photo credit - Rob J)

I decided to take a break from all those “boring” birds like Swainson’s, Yellow-throated and Prothonotary Warbler to lead a trip for NYCAS in Prospect Park. The weather was perfect to spend the day outdoors but less than ideal for a new push of migrant songbirds. We still had a fairly nice sized day list and one new year bird for myself, as well as, others in the group.

Some overwintering species are still present such as Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, American Coot, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper and White-throated Sparrow. I was hoping to locate a sapsucker but I guess they’ve moved north. A Common Merganser remains on the lake but the last of the Ring-necked Ducks has departed.

Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)

(Photo credit - Rob J)

A singing Winter Wren at the Vale of Cashmere was the first time that I’ve heard one in Brooklyn. I’ve heard their explosive songs on their breeding grounds but never when they’re passing through Prospect Park.

The young male Red-tailed Hawk that’s been hanging around the recently available adult female was spotted near Battle Pass. He had a freshly killed chipmunk in his talons. Mice and rats don’t bother me but the chipmunk “cuteness factor” kept me from watching him eat breakfast.

Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

Sunning outside his burrow on the Peninsula
(Photo credit - Rob J)

Most of the warbler sighting were in the southern section of the park from the Lullwater to the Peninsula woods. A Northern Parula that’s been observed for a week remains within the vicinity of the back of the Music Pagoda. Several Pine Warblers were observed along the Lullwater and Peninsula, as well as, a smaller number of Palm Warblers.

A lone Chimney Swift flying back and forth above the lake was a first sighting for me this season.

Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)

(Photo credit - Rob J)

-Click here for more info on Lesser Celandine-

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Prospect Park, 4/16/2005
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Pied-billed Grebe (Prospect Lake.)
Double-crested Cormorant (Prospect Lake.)
Great Egret (Prospect Lake and Lullwater.)
Northern Shoveler (~4, Prospect Lake.)
Common Merganser (Prospect Lake.)
Ruddy Duck (~15-20, Prospect Lake.)
Red-tailed Hawk (1, juvenile. 1, adult.)
American Kestrel (Above Stranahan Statue.)
American Coot
Laughing Gull (2, Prospect Lake.)
Ring-billed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Chimney Swift (1, flying over Prospect Lake.)
Northern Flicker (Common.)
Tree Swallow (~4-6, Prospect Lake, one pair copulated briefly.)
Barn Swallow (~4-6, Prospect Lake.)
White-breasted Nuthatch (Lily Pond.)
Brown Creeper (Near East Wood Arch.)
Winter Wren (Vale of Cashmere.)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Ravine.)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Several.)
Northern Parula (Behind Music Pagoda.)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Breeze Hill.)
Pine Warbler (~6-8, between Lullwater & Peninsula.)
Palm Warbler (4 or 5, between Lullwater & Peninsula.)
Chipping Sparrow (In conifer next to Nature Center.)
Swamp Sparrow (Peninsula.)
White-throated Sparrow
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch (4 near G.A.P., one pair copulating.)
American Goldfinch (Several.)

Other resident species seen (or heard):
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker (1, in nest cavity.), Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, American Robin, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow

Azalea buds

(Photo credit - Rob J)