Migration in Full Swing in Prospect Park
Migration has kicked into full gear. Over 70 species a day are being seen in local parks. This morning I got to Prospect Park a little before 6:30, and started at the North end. Some days the Vale of Cashmere is empty, but some days it’s packed with birds. Today it was packed. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were practically dripping out of the trees. I was hoping for the Summer Tanager and Orchard Oriole found yesterday, but no such luck. I did see four warblers and several year birds though. This Northern Waterthrush was the first:
This squirrel was risking death:
A couple of Swamp Sparrows were feeding in the muck:
My basic rule for birding the Vale on a busy day is that I don’t leave it until I’ve managed to make two complete circles without spotting any new species. Today that rule meant I spent two and half hours there and pickjed up more than 30 species:
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Canada Goose
- Mallard
- Red-tailed Hawk
- American Kestrel
- Ring-billed Gull
- Rock Pigeon
- Mourning Dove
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Downy Woodpecker
- Northern Flicker
- Blue-headed Vireo
- Blue Jay
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Tufted Titmouse
- House Wren 75%
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet
- Hermit Thrush
- American Robin
- Gray Catbird
- European Starling
- Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Palm Warbler
- Black-and-white Warbler
- Northern Waterthrush
- Eastern Towhee
- Swamp Sparrow
- White-throated Sparrow
- Dark-eyed Junco (Rose Garden)
- Northern Cardinal
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Brown-headed Cowbird
- House Sparrow
Unfortunately since I couldn’t tear myself away from the Vale, I missed some other excellent spots yesterday like Rick’s Place, where a (possibly the) Summer Tanager was seen again, and the pool, where a Prothonotary Warbler showed up, and Lookout Hill, where a Yellow-throated Vireo (a potential life bird) was seen. Maybe tomorrow I’ll start at the other end of the park.
April 25th, 2007 at 3:28 PM
Just came across your blog when searching for posts about birding in San Francisco and found what you’d written several days ago…my husband is very into birds and we’re headed there for the weekend. I will have to pass this website along to him! We were just in New York, as well and checked out Prospect Park.
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:40 PM
im a new birder – where is rick’s place in prospect?
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:20 AM
In the Midwood, at one end of the horse trial. Look for the puddle. There used to be a sign, though it’s sometimes obscured by brush.