Monday At The Pond

Jeannette Holmes writes on her blog [http://jeanettesanimals.blogspot.com] via  eBirdsNYC:

I took my new camera out to the pond on 59th on Monday [1/7] for some nice easy spots to get started, and compare it with my old camera. I was expecting basically mallards, but on my way saw a kestrel and then a juvenile black-crowned night heron. I thought all of the night herons were gone for the winter, but maybe this guy is trying to stick it out........

immature Black-crowned Night Heron - The Pond - 1/7/13

                                       Wood Duck - The Pond - 1/7/13

PS The Pond is the body of water at the southeast corner of Central Park -- i.e. 59th Street and 5th Avenue.

Not prime, just odd!

Donna Caesar of Philadelphia, Pa. has sent in an important correction:

Hi Marie

Happy New Year to yourself as well!

Was wondering about the prime number thing-  2013 isn't prime- Divided by at least 3, 671, 11, 183 - It is odd, has no repeating numbers and maybe some other unusual features, but not prime.

Hopes for blessings & peace in the coming year- prime or no!

Sincerely

Donna Caesar

Philadelphia. PA

PS from Marie:

Thanks, Donna! I have a distinct feeling that this is not the first time I've made this mistake.

Today's Birds

Reported by Ardith Bondi

Northern Flicker
Photo by LLOYD SPITALNIK --- 2008


Other observers: Alice Deutsch, Sally Weiner, Susan Schulz 

Most of the water birds were observed on the Reservoir.

Common Loon (southern portion of Reservoir)
Double-crested Cormorant (1 flyover - Reservoir)
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Red-tailed Hawk - several
American Coot
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker (near the Upper Lobe)
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch (very common bird today)
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird (fem)
Common Grackle
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow