A seasonal first

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens ) at nest cavity

(Photo credit - Rob J)

I can finally say without hesitation that the spring warbler migration has begun: I just had my first Philip Paine sighting of the season. Phil is well known around Brooklyn and Staten Island birding circles for his wealth of knowledge of North American Wood-Warblers. If you need to know anything about warblers Phil is the person to ask. He is also excellent at locating said birds. The only thing that could be construed as slightly eccentric is that he is only interested in warblers. If you encounter him in the field and he asks what birds you’ve seen that day, don’t even mention sparrows, hawks or waterfowl. If it’s not a warbler, it’s not a bird. By closely monitoring bird reports in southern states he knows exactly when to go out looking for warblers. He is the only birder that I know who disappears once the migration is over. If you happen to see him on the last day of the fall migration he’ll shake your hand and say, “See you next year”. I once ran into him on the subway during the summer and didn’t recognize him. He no longer had the glazed eyes and hyperactive demeanor of a crazed birder on a mission.

Fallen cherry petals on Goutweed

(Photo credit - Rob J)

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Prospect Park, 4/28/2005
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Ring-billed Gull
Northern Flicker
Blue-headed Vireo (Payne Hill.)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Midwood.)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Several.)
Hermit Thrush (1, Payne Hill.)
Wood Thrush (Midwood.)
Northern Parula (Midwood.)
Yellow Warbler (Midwood.)
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Ravine.)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Abundant.)
Pine Warbler (2, Payne Hill & Midwood.)
Prairie Warbler (2, GAP entrance to park.)
Palm Warbler (Several.)
Black-and-white Warbler (2.)
American Redstart (Adult male, Midwood.)
Ovenbird (Ravine.)
Eastern Towhee
White-throated Sparrow
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird

Other resident species seen (or heard):
Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, American Robin, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow