More songbirds arrive

American Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Photographed in the Ravine
(Photo credit - Rob J)

I didn't get into the park until fairly late (by birding standards, anyway) but still had a few nice highlights to report. There didn't seem to be overwhelming numbers of any particular species, warbler or otherwise. Yellow-rumped Warbler abundance even seemed a little lower since my last visit to the park.

Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens)

(Photo credit - Steve Nanz)

I was walking in the Ravine with friends towards an area where Shane had seen a Hooded Warbler early in the morning. My cellphone rang and it was Shane. Apparently, a woman name Gayle spotted a pair of Cerulean Warblers (Dendroica cerulea) near the Boulder Bridge. She gave the info to Peter, who was working nearby at Rick's Place. He has a wireless e-mail device and sent in a report. Shane arrived at home, read the e-mail and, knowing that I was in the park, called me. Ironically, Peter was only a couple of hundred yards away. Change of plans...we forgot about the hooded and Mike, Elyse, Doug, Elizabeth and I turned around and headed towards the Boulder Bridge. We had only been there a couple of minutes when I heard the Cerulean singing and located it in an oak tree at the edge of the Midwood. About 30 minutes later, while in the Midwood, Elizabeth pointed out a Cerulean Warbler foraging low in some shrubs a few yards away. Whether this was a second cerulean is uncertain but we were very happy to be able to watch a bird that normally causes neck strain to observe.

-Click to view Cerulean Warbler photos-

The Midwood held a small mixed flock of warblers which included Nashville Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Pine Warbler (seen on my way out of the park), Palm Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler and American Redstart. We only heard a Blue-winged Warbler here, as well as, on Center Drive but I finally managed to see one in an oak near the Nethermead Arches. Next to the Yellow-rumped Warblers the only other warbler of any abundance were Black-and-white Warblers.

Black Jetbead (Rhodotypos scandens)

(Photo credit - Rob J)


American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)

(Photo credit - Steve Nanz)

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Prospect Park, 5/2/2005
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Double-crested Cormorant (Flyover.)
Red-tailed Hawk (2 adults.)
Ring-billed Gull
Chimney Swift
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Quaker Ridge near Ravine.)
Northern Flicker
Eastern Kingbird (Binnen Waters.)
Blue-headed Vireo (2.)
House Wren (Near Nethermead Arches.)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Several.)
Hermit Thrush (3 or 4.)
Wood Thrush (Singing in woods next to Litchfield Villa.)
Gray Catbird (4.)
Blue-winged Warbler (Center Drive near Nethermead Arches.)
Nashville Warbler (Midwood.)
Northern Parula (Midwood.)
Yellow Warbler (Midwood.)
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Ravine.)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Common.)
Black-throated Green Warbler (Midwood.)
Pine Warbler (Midwood.)
Palm Warbler (Midwood.)
Cerulean Warbler (1, possibly 2. Midwood.)
Black-and-white Warbler (Fairly common.)
American Redstart (Midwood.)
Ovenbird (Next to Quaker Cemetery.)
Northern Waterthrush (Midwood.)
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow (Small flock on Nethermead Meadow.)
White-throated Sparrow (Common.)
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole (Singing at Sparrow Bowl.)

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

Lady's Thumb (Polygonum persicaria)

(Photo credit - Rob J)