We wandered around the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens earlier today. Going there had the advantage of not having to worry about finding a parking space when we got home--all the snow on the streets just makes it more difficult--and it was one of the few places we could think of where the paths would be relatively clear. We didn't see a lot of birds but they were all entertaining. Robins, White-throated Sparrows, cardinals and starlings all foraging on the few patches of grass that had been exposed on the hillsides. I know starlings are considered a nuisance bird and that they don't "belong" in North America (some doofus in the 19th century thought it would be a good idea to have every bird mentioned in Shakespeare released in Central Park; most didn't make it, but the starlings thrived and their population exploded all across the continent) but if you really just look at them, they're are very pretty birds with their speckles and iridescent feathers.
It was good to see pristine, untrampled snow. Here is Shari doing her best Vanna White. Well Herb, you seem to have won...an acre of virgin snow. Congratulations!
The list for the day, GBBC counts first:
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Number of species: 11
Red-tailed Hawk 1/1
Rock Pigeon 3/3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1/1
Blue Jay 1/1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1/2
American Robin 10/30
Northern Mockingbird 1/1
European Starling 62/200
White-throated Sparrow 5/35
Northern Cardinal 3/9
House Sparrow 1/1
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