Some more spring changes

American Elm (Ulmus americana)

(Photo credit - Rob J)

Shane and I spent yesterday morning birding in Prospect Park. It seems like we still have a couple of weeks before the migration really gets moving, however there were some nice changes to report.

Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)

More Mourning Cloaks have recently appeared
(Photo credit - Rob J)

The number of migrating phoebes in the park has dropped considerably and been replaced by Chipping Sparrows. There were two fairly large flocks feeding on the grass at the edge of both Payne Hill and Breeze Hill. Many of the overwintering White-throated Sparrows seem to have returned to the north. Other migrating sparrows observed today were Eastern Towhee, Savannah Sparrow and Field Sparrow.

Hairy Woodpecker nest

I found this nest on Payne Hill
(Photo credit - Rob J)

I saw my first Osprey of the season flying low above the Lullwater. He was calling as he flew above me. I followed in my bins as he plunged into the water in front of the skating rink and came out with an unidentified fish.

Japanese Magnolia (Magnolia spp.)

(Photo credit - Rob J)

Two Ring-necked Ducks remain on the Upper Pool and, on the main lake, a male Common Merganser has dropped by.

There were several Pine Warblers in the park and I counted my first Palm Warblers of the season. Yellow-rumped Warblers have yet to invade the park and we only observed one near the Nethermead Arches. Another first of the season for me was a Louisiana Waterthrush following the edge of the stream in the Ravine. Sometimes difficult to visually separate from the Northern Waterthrush, this bird obligingly sang for me making identification unmistakable.

I’m looking forward to the next sustained south winds.

Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) male flowers

(Photo credit - Rob J)

- - - - -

Prospect Park, 4/7/2005
-
Pied-billed Grebe (Prospect Lake.)
Double-crested Cormorant (Prospect Lake.)
Great Blue Heron (Upper Pool.)
Great Egret (2, Prospect Lake.)
Wood Duck (Lullwater.)
Northern Shoveler (1, Upper Pool. 2, Prospect Lake.)
Ring-necked Duck (2, Upper Pool.)
Common Merganser (Male, Prospect Lake.)
Ruddy Duck (~40, Prospect Lake.)
Osprey (Flying over Lullwater, caught fish near rink.)
Red-tailed Hawk (1 adult, 1 juvenile.)
Merlin (Peninsula.)
American Coot (Several, Prospect Lake.)
Ring-billed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Belted Kingfisher (Upper Pool.)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2, Lookout Hill. 1, Breeze Hill.)
Hairy Woodpecker (2, nest near Rick's Place.)
Northern Flicker (Fairly common.)
Eastern Phoebe (~6.)
White-breasted Nuthatch (Breeze Hill.)
Brown Creeper (North Zoo Woods.)
Winter Wren (Ravine.)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (~12, Ravine.)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2; Breeze Hill, Rick's Place.)
Hermit Thrush (20-30.)
Cedar Waxwing (5, Breeze Hill.)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (1, Ravine.)
Pine Warbler (4; Litchfield Villa, Sparrow Bowl, Butterfly Meadow, Rick's Pl.)
Palm Warbler (3, Sparrow Bowl. 1, Payne Hill. 2, Breeze Hill.)
Louisiana Waterthrush (Ravine.)
Eastern Towhee (2; Rick's Place, Breeze Hill.)
Chipping Sparrow (2 fairly large flocks; Payne Hill & Breeze Hill.)
Field Sparrow (Payne Hill.)
Savannah Sparrow (Grassy rise next to lamppost J249.)
Fox Sparrow (Several; Ravine & Lullwater.)
Swamp Sparrow (3; Ravine, Peninsula, Lullwater.)
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird (Several.)
American Goldfinch (Fairly common.)

Other resident species seen (or heard):
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, American Black Duck (3.), Mallard, Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker (3 or 4.), Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee (2, Breeze Hill.), Tufted Titmouse (Lullwater.), American Robin (Abundant.), European Starling, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow

Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)

This is the same tree that I photographed two days ago
(Photo credit - Rob J)