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Birding Soldier

 Picture by Birding Babylon
Since early 2004, an unnamed soldier deployed in Iraq began writing his nature observations particularly about his favorite subject: birds. How interesting it's been to read his love of nature juxtaposed to the realities of war. When I clicked his site a few nights ago, I was surprised to learn that he had left Iraq and is presently in a desert camp in Kuwait. I gleaned from the comments section that Kuwait is a transition zone between the Middle East and the journey home. When he expects to be back in the states is unclear, but he has humorously lamented his "pathetic Kuwaiti list of 5 species." I will miss his pages, but I am happy he is on his way home. Interested? Log onto his site: www.birdingbabylon.com.

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New Species Declared: Cackling Goose

Good news. The American Ornithologist's Union (AOU) split the Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) into a separate species from its former subspecies status under Canada Goose (Branta canadensis). This means that if you've seen this species before, or see it in the future, you may add it to your life list. The AOU decided on this split based on molecular structures as well as morphological, ecological, and behavioral considerations. To read detailed accounts about the split, go to David Sibley's site: www.sibleyguides.com, or Angus Wilson's site: www.oceanwanderers.com. Whether taxonomy is "your thing," keep your eyes sharp for this cutie. The anatomical differences are striking.

Canada and Cackling Goose, Point Lookout, NY, January 2005, by Janet Zinn

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Dazzling Ducks
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY,
Sunday, January 2, 2005

 Mallard by Mike Reshitnyk

"Dazzling Ducks" was the theme for this day's bird walk. Perhaps it should have been "Heavenly Hawks." Sure, we saw ducks in brilliant breeding plumage like this handsome male Mallard, but the hawk flights were spectacular. Then again, I'm getting ahead of myself here.

 

First, we headed towards the feeders on Breeze Hill that are filled every winter by Peter Dorosh, President of the Brooklyn Bird Club. As we approached, we flushed a number of birds that returned when we stood beneath the cover of an Eastern White Pine. Mourning Doves fed on the ground while all the charmers, White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, and Tufted Titmice took turns plucking seeds from a feeder.

Satisfied with this little flurry of activity, we made our way towards Terrace Bridge where we had learned from park regular, Jim Meek, that there was a hawk, but which species? Terrace Bridge is a prime spot for raptors. They camouflage themselves on the edge of woods to spy on smaller, unsuspecting birds. Twenty sets of eyes scoured the trees. Finally, I detected a slender figure near the trunk of a tree. You'd think it was the first time I saw an accipiter the way I yelled.

"Yes, son of a gun. Yes, we have it. Hiding nine o'clock in that tree."

Sharp-shinned Hawk by Steve Messick

All eyes turned to where I pointed. On cue, the Sharp-shinned Hawk rose and circled leisurely above us. The group literally gasped with wonder.

The adult Sharpie circled a few times, baring its underwings and long tail before flying into a Cypress Tree. From its perch, we got more good looks. The Sharpie took flight again, flew over the Lullwater, disappeared in the distance, and returned to a barely visible perch. Well, that was exciting, especially for park newcomers, John Thieroff and Jill Unferth. Being regular Central Park birders, they were ecstatic to discover that Prospect Park had such fascinating species.

The happy group circled down to the Lullwater, where we found Song and White-throated Sparrows, Tufted Titmice, Blue Jays, a chinking Northern Cardinal and a few American Goldfinches calling "Po-ta-to Chip, Po-ta-to Chip" overhead. Finally, we arrived at the lake. Newcomers juggled the field marks of Northern Shovelers and Mallards, while advanced birders scanned the water hoping for something unusual. There were small rafts of sleeping Ruddy Ducks, a lone Bufflehead, and scores of bright white Ring-billed Gulls circling above the lake.

The celebrity duck of the day skulked its way along the far edge of the Phragmites, barely visible. John LePore spotted it first but couldn't quite make it out as it slipped halfway behind a log. I recognized its telltale rump and happily announced: "Wood Duck!"

Wood Duck, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY, by Steve Nanz

The handsome or gaudy drake -- depending on your viewpoint -- swam forward in the company of sleeping Mallards, Northern Shovelers, and an American Coot that busily munched its toes. The Wood Duck splashed its wings and threw its head back repeatedly, spraying droplets into the early morning sun. National Geographic couldn't have caught a finer moment. What fun and what fantastic views for the group, a third of which claimed it as a life bird!

As we headed round the lake, another accipiter flew overhead. It flew low, bearing determinedly across the sky with its large, flattened crown jutting well beyond its wings. "Cooper's," I called. Another birder, who happens to be my husband, disagreed. A few flashed uneasy looks until they saw me laugh. That's when I explained how distinguishing Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks can be a problem or a great source of amusement. In the book, Hawks In Flight (Dunne, Sibley and Sutton 1998), it is written:

"Distinquishing one accipiter from another is not easy. It is, in fact, one of the most difficult identification problems facing hawk watchers. Even veteran observers do not always agree. Arguments about identification of accipiters may well account for more broken friendships and more failed marriages between hawk watchers than all other causes combined."

Tongue-n-cheek? You decide, depending on your sense of humor, of course.

Well, regardless of the accipiter's identity (grin), many newcomers said they never expected such incredible wildlife in the middle of Brooklyn. Nor did they expect to see adult and juvenile Red-tailed Hawks circling overhead at the close of our walk. Yes, hawks, a fitting end for duck walk.

Sunday Morning Birders with Leader, Arleen O'Brien (bottom left)
January 2, 2005 by John LePore

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 Birders Under Pine by John LePore  

 
Species Seen During Sunday Morning Bird Walk
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY
Sunday, January 2, 2005

 

 
 

~ Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, American Black Duck, Northern Shoveler, Wood Duck, Ruddy Duck, Bufflehead
~ Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk
~ American Coot
~ Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull
~ Mourning Dove, Rock Pigeon
~ Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker
~ Blue Jay, American Crow
~ Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse
~ Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch
~ American Robin, Hermit Thrush
~ European Starling
~ Northern Cardinal
~ White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco
~ American Goldfinch
~ House Sparrow

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Brooklyn's Christmas Bird Count
Part of National Audubon Society's 105th Christmas Bird Count
Brooklyn, New York
December 18, 2004

 "Fishing Near the Pier", Brooklyn, NY, by Ted Levin
Brooklyn has more than starlings and pigeons. The final species list for Brooklyn's Christmas Bird Count totalled 129 species amongst 29,998 individual birds. See the exact number for each species and other information at: National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count.

Please note that in July 2003, the American Ornithologists Union (AOU) reordered the taxonomic listing of birds based on genetic, immunological, and morphological indicators. This means that the North American list starts with the family of geese, swans, and ducks (Anseriformes) followed by quail, pheasants, grouse and relatives (Galliformes). Loons (Gaviiformes) are next when they used to be first in our field guides. Yes, our books are outdated. Some people joke that it's a book publishing conspiracy.

Before we get to the list, a special thanks goes to Heidi Steiner, Treasurer of the Brooklyn Bird Club, who did a fantastic job organizing this large effort, from gathering data and forms for compilers, organizing teams, supplying directions, and hosting the potluck dinner along with Mary Eyster at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. Thumbs Up!

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TOTAL: 129 species amongst 29,998 individual birds

~ Snow Goose, Brant, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon*, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Common Eider, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Ruddy Duck
~ Ring-necked Pheasant
~ Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe (Threatened New York State species), Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe
~ Northern Gannet
~ Great Coromorant
~ Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night- Heron, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
~ Northern Harrier, Sharp-Shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, American Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon
~ American Coot
~ Black-bellied Plover and Killdeer
~ Greater Yellowlegs, Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, American Woodcock
~ Bonaparte's Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous Gull, Great Black-backed Gull
~ Razorbill
~ Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove
~ Monk Parakeet
~ Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl
~ Belted Kingfisher
~ Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker
~ Ash-throated Flycatcher**
~ Blue Jay, American Crow, Fish Crow
~ Horned Lark
~ Tree Swallow
~ Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse
~ Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch
~ Brown Creeper
~ Carolina Wren, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren
~ Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet
~ Hermit Thrush, American Robin
~ Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher
~ Cedar Waxwing
~ European Starling
~ Cedar Waxwing
~ Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat
~ Northern Cardinal
~ Eastern Towhee, American Tree Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Snow Bunting
~ Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Rusty Blackbird, Boat-tailed Grackle, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird
~ Purple Finch, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin
~ House Sparrow

*   Accidental Species - Eurasian
** Vagrant Species - Western

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The Following 73 Counters Participated in Brooklyn's Christmas Bird Count:

Alan Baratz, Monica Berger, Shane Blodgett, Abie Borker, Joe Borker, Jean Bourque, Ronald Bourque, Rick Cech, Jason Conradt, John Criscitiello, Edward Crowne, Dale Dancis, Donald Davis, Peter Dorosh, Dale Dyer, Donna Eis, Mark Eis, Phoebe Eis, Mary Eyster, Joe Giunta, Emily Goldstein, Edith Goren, Bob Gotchfeld, Doug Gotchfeld, Stanley Greenberg, Yelena Greenberg, Dennis Guiney, Marge Hanover, Elliotte Harold, Valerie Heldt, Carolyn Huges, Rob Jett, Paul Keim, Jeffrey Kimball, Ann Lazarus, John LePore, Bob Machover, Pat Mazza, Chuck McAlexander, Betsy McCully, Terry Meyers, Karlo Mirth, Fritz Mueller, Stephen Nadler, Steve Nanz, Arleen O’Brien, Patti O’Kane, Suzanne Ortiz, Emily Peyton, Dorothy Poole, Christine Pratt-Scanlon, Kellie Quinones, Richard Rabkin, Don Recklies, Chris Rubin, Veronica Santo, Doug Schoppert, Gil Schrank, Janet Schumaker, Susan Scioli, Mark Shahon, Sean Sime, Heidi Steiner, Paul Sweet, Lenore Swenson, Nancy Tim, Jen Usher, Andrew Vallely, Louise Voccoli, Steve Walter, Marisa Wohl, Mike Zablocky and Janet Zinn.

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Literature Cited

Dunne, P., Sibley, D., and Sutton, C. 1998. Hawks In Flight. Houghton Mifflin, NY.

"I rejoice that there are owls."
Henry Thoreau

 

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