On Thursday April 1 2021 Doug Gochfeld found an unusual swallow among the Tree Swallow flock over Prospect Lake in the park. He got the word out and along with many other observers over the next two days concluded that the swallow was actually one of the Caribbean Martin complex known as the Snowy Bellied Martins. These include Caribbean Martin, Cuban Martin, Sinaloa Martin and Gray-breasted Martin. The question is, which species is it? This morning, Karen Miller and I traveled to Prospect Park hoping to get a look at the bird. Unfortunately, a last minute emergency kept Renee Davis from joining us. Another friend, Patrick Dechon texted us in route that he had already arrived and gotten to see the bird! We arrived just about 11:30 am and proceeded around the lake. Unfortunately from where we had parked we actually took the long route. If you park on Prospect Park Southwest and enter the gate there, make sure you go to the left around the lake, it is a much shorter distance to the peninsula where the bird has been hanging out. We initially viewed the bird from the area near the skating rink. It flew around the lake several times, ultimately landing in a willow tree on the opposite shore. At that time we, and many others headed there. This is where the distance came in. It is a long walk around the back bay and out to the peninsula, so make sure you take the route I suggested first. It will save you a lot of time later. After the long walk, we arrived just as the bird took off. Though disappointing, the views of the bird in flight were better here too. Following a half hour of foraging among the swallows, the Martin suddenly returned to the willow tree almost right over our heads. Fortunately it was just enough to our left to give great views and photo ops. We saw many old friends there this morning and it was a great experience to see this bird. Thanks to Tom Burke for helping us out with directions etc. At this time, the bird has been photographed extensively and recordings have been made of its calls. The trend is currently leaning toward the bird being a GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN and will be the first confirmed record of the species for North America, if accepted! Oddly enough, of that entire complex in the Caribbean and Central America, Gray-breasted Martin is the only one that is not a lifer for me. I’ve seen them before at Chacchoben Ruins in Costa Maya Mexico. I anxiously await a conclusive ID on this fabulous bird! Congrats to Doug Gochfeld on a great find!
ADDENDUM: no sooner did I finish this post when I found out the bird has been tentatively identified as a GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN!
Bashakill Birder 