Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

Evening Grosbeak

A female Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) making a rare appearance in Prospect Park. It has been around for a few days. This was this morning at 10:30.

The last recorded sighting of this species was a dozen years ago, and before that, 1989.

On the right is another member of the finch family, a Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus), which is more typically finch-sized for our part of the world. Check out the spectacular male Evening Grosbeak.

Without ever leaving Brooklyn, one can build up a very respectable listing of birds seen. Although I do get out of town on occasion, this was the first time I have ever seen this species.

Happy Thanksgiving.

mthew

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4 responses to “Evening Grosbeak”

  1. Gillian

    The grosbeak is such a beautiful bird. I saw my first one within the city of Ottawa recently, too. They are definitely not as common as they used to be, and are now mostly found at feeders in rural wooded areas.

    Reply
    1. mthew

      Yes, according to the records on that link, they used to be rather more regular here, too, with a few seen every winter during the 1960s and previous. This is a big ol’ irruption year, though, so who knows what we’ll see down here at 40°N in the coming monthes. More Canadian birds?

      Reply
      1. Gillian

        We’ve got large flocks of Bohemian Waxwings and Pine Grosbeaks in the area now, so maybe they’ll be next (if you don’t have them already)! Northern Shrikes, Rough-legged Hawks, Snowy Owls and Northern Hawk Owls are on the move now too. Keep your eyes open!

      2. mthew

        Several of those would be stellar in these parts, but we actually usually get a few Snowys along the southern Long Island shoreline and barrier beaches, although I’ve yet to run into one.

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