Prospect Sights

     Took some time on Saturday to visit my favorite park, Prospect. And while nothing out of the ordinary was there, I loved seeing the usual faces in all my favorite spaces. I walked the Vale to the Ravine, then across the Neathermead to the feeders, and finishing up down around the lake.

On my way to the vale, the compost piles were warm and steaming in the 30 degree cold. Which means a good feeding opportunity for overwintering insects, berries and other yummy organic matter that have made it into the mix of discarded shrubs, trees, and other random plant parts.

This American goldfinch was also cashing in on the compost piles, finding some delicious seeds in the mix, while its counterparts were way up high in a towering sweet gum tree.

While walking through the vale, caught a big shadow. It came from a big bird.
A great blue heron probably shifting from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and coming over to Prospect for a change in scenery, or food, or something completely different.

In the vale, someone set out safflower and sunflower seeds on the columns around the small pond that forms. Cardinals, woodpeckers (downy and red-bellied) were happy with this offering. Also caught a fox sparrow in the area, which I love seeing.

A powerful beak for seed crushing. I hear the bites from these birds are the worst, according to banders.

This guy was so attached to this feeding post, he even allowed me to pass with barely a flinch!

Down at the lake, I caught a rusty blackbird, foraging in the shadows. I love these birds. I think they are so beautiful. And a sad story, a common bird that is in sharp decline, because of our many effects on the environment especially where they breed. Learn more at the Cornell Lab or Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/rusty-blackbirds-are-rising-from-obscurity-but-falling-in-number/

Finishing up at the lake with some hilarious little ruddy ducks. Small in statue, big in their personality- as most little birds are. This one came flying/running across the water, landed, did some flapping and bobbing display, and then a few other flew over and did the same. I suppose they needed to make a statement.

Next week is the Christmas Bird Count for Kings County. I am excited to join a new team, close to our new Brooklyn home. Excited to bird Floyd Bennett Field from a bright and early (before) sunrise to sunset!