While birding in Prospect Park this morning, Peter Colen and I had an interesting experience.
We had walked up Lookout Hill to the Butterfly Meadow where there seemed to be a bit of activity on and within the assorted sunflowers, buddleia and other wildflowers. In the weeds below an oak tree at the East end of the meadow I spotted a gnatcatcher chasing a mostly yellow bird. It turned out to be a "Lawrence's" Warbler. We walked over to get a closer look, then spotted a Blue-winged Warbler in the oak tree above. The "Lawrence's" Warbler was subsequently chased across the meadow by one of many goldfinches in that area. A moment later the first blue-winged was joined by a second. I decided to circle around to the opposite side of the small meadow to track down the Lawrence's. As we walked the footpath on the North side of this opening on top of Lookout Hill I noticed a small bird feeding down low and just behind the meadow's surrounding fence. I think I may have made an audible noise when I focused in on a Golden-winged Warbler! I haven't seen a golden-winged in Prospect Park in many years. My last Lawrence's Warbler here was probably 15 years ago and, ironically, in this same location. This is the only time in my 20+ years of birding that I've seen Blue-winged Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler and their bastard offspring, Lawrence, together. I'm glad that there was someone else present to share this rare family portrait. Good birding, Rob http://citybirder.blogspot.com @thecitybirder ********** Prospect Park, Kings, US-NY Aug 12, 2013 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM Protocol: Traveling 3.0 mile(s) Comments: Most time was spent around the Butterfly Meadow, but also birded in The Ravine. 36 species (+1 other taxa) Mallard X Red-tailed Hawk 1 Rock Pigeon X Mourning Dove X Chimney Swift X Red-bellied Woodpecker X Northern Flicker X Eastern Phoebe 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Eastern Kingbird X Warbling Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 1 Blue Jay X Barn Swallow 6 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Carolina Wren X Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2 American Robin X Gray Catbird X Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling X Cedar Waxwing X Ovenbird 1 In understory behind the Upper Pool. Northern Waterthrush 1 Blue-winged Warbler 3 2 at Butterfly Meadow, 1 in Ravine behind Upper Pool. Golden-winged Warbler 1 Foraging among dense weeds and wildflowers at Buttefly Meadow. Lawrence's Warbler (hybrid) 1 Feeding at Butterfly Meadow, associating with mixed flock consisting of 2 BWWA, 1 GWWA, 1 BAWW, 2 INBU and several BAOR. Black-and-white Warbler 5 American Redstart 4 Yellow Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal X Indigo Bunting 2 Butterfly Meadow. Red-winged Blackbird X Common Grackle X Baltimore Oriole 6 American Goldfinch X House Sparrow X -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
