Compilation of birds seen since Hurricane Sandy

It has been a while since I have had the opportunity to post. Hurricane Sandy really wreaked havoc on so many of the lovely trees in Brooklyn as well as homes and habitat. Most of my students went without water, heat and electricity for a couple of weeks, some lost everything.

To take the edge off these heavy matters I have explored Prospect Park and Green-wood Cemetery more frequently. The gas shortage immediately after Sandy also helped to convince me to stay closer to home for birding.

There have been so many great birds to see. The winter finches in their bright colors have been plentiful. It took me a month to finally see some Crossbills. They have taken to frequenting Sweetgum trees rather than their usual conifer trees. Chickadees, Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, Redpolls (which I haven't seen yet) and even both types of Nuthatches seem to love the seeds of the Sweetgums also. Most of the time when I've been lucky enough to see Crossbills the sky has been too gray and they've been feeding high up in the tops of the trees. Instead of Warbler neck I've had a couple cases of Crossbill neck. Today I got to see them against clear blue skies and the trees where I watched them were not as tall.

So here is a compilation of the birds I've enjoyed watching over the last two months. Hope you enjoy seeing them as well.

Winter Wren (life bird)

American Kestrel

Merlin (life bird)

Two male Hairy Woodpeckers

Female Evening Grosbeak

Red -breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatch

Red Crossbill (life bird)

Male White-winged Crossbill (lifebird)

I hope you get to see some of these birds while they are around this winter. Happy Birding and Happy New Year.