October 5th "Leaders Choice" Prospect Park

Leader : Sandy Paci

Note from Bobbi Manian

Hi Peter,

we had an awesome time on Sandy's walk today.  Klemens and Kathy, our two expert rail finders attended and Chellie is back visiting for a week from TN and joined as well.

It's likely Sandy or Chellie got better pictures of the Vesper than i did, but here's my best shot.

Sandy sending list under separate cover.

Vesper Sparrow at Sparrowbowl, photo by Bobbi Manian

BBC Walk list ( compiled by Sandy Paci)

We had a very successful walk today in Prospect Park with a group of about ten birders besides myself. We started the day with the contributing Sora at the lake near the Wellhouse shortly after 7am and ended with a first of season Vesper Sparrow at around 2:30pm in the Long Meadow. The birding was a little slow at times but through patience and persistence, and thanks to some skilled eyes and ears, we eventually netted  68 species including 12 warblers. Hope everyone had as much fun as I did!

Special thanks also to our sacrificial birders who left early and did not get the Vesper Sparrow. Those of us who remained appreciate it!

Hope to see everyone again soon,

Sandy Paci

68 species

Canada Goose

Mute Swan

Wood Duck (11 by my count - 3, 5 & 3 in the pools)

Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Ruddy Duck

Pied Billed Grebe

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Green Heron

Double Crested Cormorant

Accipiter sps (probable Sharp Shinned)

Red Tailed Hawk (H)

Anerican Kestrel

SORA (continuing bird)

Spotted Sandpiper

Herring Gull

Ring billed Gull

Rock Pigeon

Mourning Dove

Chimney Swift

Belted Kingfisher

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Wood Peewee

White Eyed Vireo

Red Eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

Black Capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White Breasted Nuthatch (H)

Carolina Wren

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

Golden Crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Swainsons Thrush

Hermit Thrush

Wood Thrush

Gray Catbird

Cedar Waxwing (H)

European Starling

Northern Parula

Magnolia Warbler

Black Throated Blue Warbler

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Black Throated Green Warbler

Palm Warbler

Pine Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Black and White Warbler

American Redstart

Ovenbird

Common Yellowthroat

Scarlet Tanager

Eastern Towhee

VESPER SPARROW (on Long Meadow between Sparrow Bowl and Ravine. Originally spotted near the fenced in, newly seeded area. Then flew to large tree in front of the Picnic House)

Savannah Sparrow 

Swamp Sparrow
Song Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Common Grackle

Red Winged Blackbird

American Goldfinch (H)

House Sparrow