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18 Mar Middle Run: Phoebes, Tree Swallows, and courting Cooper's [Derek Stoner ] 18 Mar HSR: Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (18 Mar 2010) 2 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 18 Mar Re: Fwd: [PABIRDS] TUFTED DUCK in Chester County [Dan Haas ] 18 Mar FW: [MDOSPREY] Tufted Duck still present late afternoon (3/17) [Frank Marenghi ] 18 Mar Fwd: [PABIRDS] TUFTED DUCK in Chester County [Bill Stewart ] 18 Mar Abbott's Mill this morning [Jason Beale ] 17 Mar HSR: Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (17 Mar 2010) 4 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 17 Mar Wilmington Peregrine Falcon Update ["Gonzon Anthony T. (DNREC)" ] 17 Mar Birding on Tuesday the 16th [Meta Little ] 17 Mar Leucistic Turkey [Charles Fullmer ] 17 Mar Delaware Valley RBA, 17 MARCH 2010 [Stephen E Kacir ] 17 Mar Ashland bird walk [joe sebastiani ] 16 Mar Duck and cover [Charles Fullmer ] 16 Mar BHNWR Bird Sightings:2/27-3/12/2010 [Frank Rawling ] 16 Mar Fwd: HSR: Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (16 Mar 2010) 4 Raptors [Susan Gruver ] 16 Mar HSR: Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (16 Mar 2010) 4 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 16 Mar Wilmington Falcon Cam -- Drama in the Air [Andrew Homsey ] 15 Mar Win Shafer to speak at Thursday's DVOC meeting ["F.Arthur McMorris" ] 15 Mar Osprey in Dover ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 15 Mar Re: Falcon Cam - A Battle in the Box ["Steininger, Kim" ] 15 Mar Re: Falcon Cam - A Battle in the Box [Bill Stewart ] 15 Mar Re: Falcon Cam - A Battle in the Box ["Lovelace Glen (DelDOT)" ] 15 Mar Falcon Cam - A Battle in the Box ["Gonzon Anthony T. (DNREC)" ] 14 Mar Formatting Problems [Matthew Sarver ] 14 Mar OT: Sally O'byrne to Speak on Wilmington Waterfront History [Matthew Sarver ] 14 Mar DOS Meeting Wed 3/17: Birding Colombia's Northern Andes [Matthew Sarver ] 14 Mar DOS Meeting Wed 3/17: Birding Colombia's Northern Andes [Matthew Sarver ] 15 Mar DOS Peregrine Webcam Site [Andrew Homsey ] 14 Mar ADMIN: virus infected computers [James Tyler Bell ] 14 Mar No Subject [Bill Stewart ] 14 Mar No Subject [Maurice Barnhill ] 14 Mar B Hook Bobwhite [Rodney Murray ] 13 Mar Re: Mystery Sonagram #1 [Andrew Albright ] 13 Mar No Subject [Maurice Barnhill ] 13 Mar No Subject [Jim Lenhard ] 13 Mar RBA: Birdline Delaware, March 12th, 2010 [Andy Ednie ] 13 Mar Chester Co., Bucktoe Creek Preserve [Joe Sebastiani ] 12 Mar Eastern Red Bat... [bentebbens ] 12 Mar CANCELLED: DOS Field trip to Stone Harbor [Bill Stewart ] 11 Mar GREG [Colin Campbell ] 11 Mar Ashland Bird Walk: Woodpeckers and Waterfowl [Derek Stoner ] 11 Mar Osprey report [Susan Gruver ] 11 Mar Copy of Sibley found at Fowler's Beach [] 10 Mar Mystery Sonagram #1 [Andrew Albright ] 10 Mar Egyptian Geese and Winterthur [John Barczewski ] 10 Mar Ashland Bird Walk, 3/11 [Derek Stoner ] 10 Mar Delaware Valley RBA, 10 MARCH 2010 [Stephen E Kacir ] 10 Mar Abbott's Mill - Woodcocks [Jason Beale ] 10 Mar Exodus: Movement of the the Geese(a) [Derek Stoner ] 9 Mar Aural stuff [Colin Campbell ] 9 Mar erratic flight [Charles Fullmer ] 9 Mar HUGE Scoter raft at the Cape [Judy Montgomery ] 9 Mar Tuesday trip [Maurice Barnhill ] 9 Mar American Woodcocks in Rehoboth Beach [Sharon Lynn ] 9 Mar jinxes [Mary Ann Levan ] 9 Mar Chris Bennett vs. Ruth Draper Jinx [Bob Strahorn ] 9 Mar Waterfowl along Rt 9 [Maryanne Dolan ] 9 Mar Re: DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 8 Mar Re: Best guess id: Lum's Pond, Sandhill Crane pair, overflight [Doug Sutherland ] 8 Mar Red-winged Blackbird Preening Brown-headed Cowbird [Bob Strahorn ] 8 Mar South Indian River Inlet this afternoon [Sharon Lynn ] 8 Mar Re: DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon [Bill Stewart ] 8 Mar Re: Best guess id: Lum's Pond, Sandhill Crane pair, overflight ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 8 Mar Best guess id: Lum's Pond, Sandhill Crane pair, overflight [Chuck Brandt ] 8 Mar Delaware Duck Day, 3/7 [Derek Stoner ] 8 Mar DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon [Bill Stewart ] 8 Mar Laughing Gull [Sharon Lynn ] 7 Mar Shrike out [Charles Fullmer ] 7 Mar Loggerhead Shrike - NO ["Michael C. Moore" ] 7 Mar Southern Finest BBQ and Soul Food! [Mary Ann Levan ] 7 Mar Local Notes [Colin Campbell ] 6 Mar Cancel subscription [Laura Shelton ] 6 Mar Waterfowl in New Castle County [Derek Stoner ] 6 Mar Canada and Snow Geese [AMROE ] 6 Mar Chester Co., Bucktoe Creek Preserve Walks [Joe Sebastiani ] 6 Mar Loggerhead Shrike ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] Subject: Middle Run: Phoebes, Tree Swallows, and courting Cooper's From: Derek Stoner <derek AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:59:11 -0500 At Middle Run Natural Area(north of Newark) this morning, I enjoyed the sights and sounds of a couple Eastern Phoebes, several Tree Swallows, an Eastern Bluebird investigating a nestbox, and an Eastern Meadowlark. Wood Ducks, Great Blue Herons, and Mallards flew along the creek valley, while later in the afternoon, a pair of Cooper's Hawk performed their rollicking courtship display, with the smaller male showing off his best aerial maneuvers to his female consort. A good observation for the Breeding Bird Atlas. Looks like fantastic weather for Saturday's Middle Run Tree Planting. Can we believe 70 degrees in March? - Derek Stoner Hockessin, DE Subject: HSR: Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (18 Mar 2010) 2 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:03:13 -0400 Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch Lewes, Delaware, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 18, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 1 3 3 Bald Eagle 0 0 0 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 5 5 Cooper's Hawk 0 2 2 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 2 10 10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours Official Counter: Susan Gruver Observers: Lorraine Logan, Lynn Smith Visitors: 11 WELCOME HOME KATHY !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Weather: Sunny, temp 12-17c,wind W/shifted to East, force 1-2,clcv 25%,visb 20-18-20, baro 29.79,hum 43% Raptor Observations: Osprey was moving high with no pause to fish,,going North Non-raptor Observations: kettle of 45 BV's and TV's and 2 red-tailed Hawks, just having a grand time soaring around and going no where.Yellow-rumped warbler,tree swallows,Phoebe,Fish Crow,Horned Grebe, Common Loon, and Scoters galore!!! That huge raft of Scoters was still there,,low ball guessing 4000-5000. Mix of Black and Surf Scoters Predictions: More Sun, high 58, wind 6mph NNW ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (srgruver AT aol.com) Subject: Re: Fwd: [PABIRDS] TUFTED DUCK in Chester County From: Dan Haas <nervousbirds AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:23:48 -0400 Bill et all, Or, if you'd prefer... A male TUFTED DUCK is showing quite well on Kent Island, (MD) just behind the Holiday Inn Express. The views are superb in the afternoon, as the bird is lit and the cove often has very smooth water. Decisions, decisions! -Dan Haas Annapolis, MD nervousbirds AT gmail.com On Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 3:05 PM, Bill Stewart wrote: > FYI-not too far away for the northern DE birders. > > Bill Stewart > > Begin forwarded message: > > From: Bob Schutsky > Date: March 18, 2010 2:57:19 PM EDT > To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > Subject: [PABIRDS] TUFTED DUCK in Chester County > Reply-To: info AT birdtreks.com > > Dear PABirders, > > At about noon today Holly Merker found a female TUFTED DUCK in northern > Chester County.  Here are the dirctions: > > From the PA turnpike take route 100 north through the town of Eagle. Pass > Park Road (which would take you to Marsh Creek, but don't go there).  In > about 0.5 miles turn right on Fellowship Road from route 100.  At this > intersection there is a traffic light, a Lexus dealership, and a large > Catholic Church.  In less than 0.5 miles, look for a large circular gravel > parking lot on the left side of Fellowship Road.  Park there.  You are > overlooking some sewage ponds.  The female Tufted Duck has been on the > closest pond to the gravel lot. > > She has a well-developed tuft that is usually visible. > > These directions were given to me over the phone by Chuck Chalfant. They may > need to be refined later today, but I think that they will get you there. > > Good luck, > BOB SCHUTSKY > > Brand New Web Site: www.birdtreks.com > -- > BIRD TREKS--Quality Worldwide Birding Tours > 216 Spring Lane > Peach Bottom, PA USA 17563-4008 > VOICE: 717-548-3303     FAX: 717-548-3327 > E-MAIL: info AT birdtreks.com > Subject: FW: [MDOSPREY] Tufted Duck still present late afternoon (3/17) From: Frank Marenghi <frank_marenghi AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:19:33 -0400 There is a male Tufted Duck in Queen Anne's County, MD, which may be even a shorter ride for some folks. Nice Bird! Cheers, Frank > Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:25:05 -0400 > From: glaucousgull AT VERIZON.NET > Subject: [MDOSPREY] Tufted Duck still present late afternoon (3/17) > To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM > > I and several other birders saw the Tufted Duck at around 4:30 pm at the previously described location behind the Holiday Inn Express at Kent Narrows. We watched the bird as it swam with a small group of scaup. The bird was feeding pretty actively, moved around quite a bit (with the scaup) and dived frequently. We watched the bird for 45 minutes or so before it flew out of the small cove and out of sight (although it didn't seem to be going far). The Tufted Duck was a great sight in the late afternoon sunlight and we saw the tuft flop around as it moved its head from side to side. Also present were a few Black Ducks, Mallards, 1 Osprey, a Gray Catbird, and a singing House Finch. > > Since I still had some daylight left, I went to the other side of the island and put my kayak into the water in the cove south of US 50. I went out into the more open part of the bay and than headed over to the marshy area on the west side of the bay. More scaup and Bufflehead were present, as well as a noisy flock of Canada Geese. Several Double-crested Cormorants flew overhead, as well as an immature Bald Eagle. The water was smooth as glass and reflecting the bright blue sky. But, the highlight was 2 Surf Scoters further out on the bay and 1 Short-eared Owl which I saw hunting over the marsh at around 6:30. I watched the bird hunt over the marsh and than saw it dive into the vegetation, but despite looking and kayaking in the area for awhile, was unable to locate the bird again. > > Thank you to everyone who has posted updates on the Tufted Duck the last few days. It was a very cooperative bird and a great way to end the day. > > Fred Shaffer > Crofton, MD _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/210850553/direct/01/ Subject: Fwd: [PABIRDS] TUFTED DUCK in Chester County From: Bill Stewart <hcf2 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:05:01 -0400 FYI-not too far away for the northern DE birders. Bill Stewart Begin forwarded message: From: Bob Schutsky Date: March 18, 2010 2:57:19 PM EDT To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: [PABIRDS] TUFTED DUCK in Chester County Reply-To: info AT birdtreks.com Dear PABirders, At about noon today Holly Merker found a female TUFTED DUCK in northern Chester County. Here are the dirctions: From the PA turnpike take route 100 north through the town of Eagle. Pass Park Road (which would take you to Marsh Creek, but don't go there). In about 0.5 miles turn right on Fellowship Road from route 100. At this intersection there is a traffic light, a Lexus dealership, and a large Catholic Church. In less than 0.5 miles, look for a large circular gravel parking lot on the left side of Fellowship Road. Park there. You are overlooking some sewage ponds. The female Tufted Duck has been on the closest pond to the gravel lot. She has a well-developed tuft that is usually visible. These directions were given to me over the phone by Chuck Chalfant. They may need to be refined later today, but I think that they will get you there. Good luck, BOB SCHUTSKY Brand New Web Site: www.birdtreks.com -- BIRD TREKS--Quality Worldwide Birding Tours 216 Spring Lane Peach Bottom, PA USA 17563-4008 VOICE: 717-548-3303 FAX: 717-548-3327 E-MAIL: info AT birdtreks.com Subject: Abbott's Mill this morning From: Jason Beale <jaybirdbeale AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:32:31 -0400 We enjoyed one of those walks this morning that just captures the excitement of early spring. We started at Abbott's and then rolled a 1/2 mile down the road to the Pope Trail at the Blair's Pond section of the Milford Millponds Nature Preserve. Highlights included: WOOD DUCK - vocal flyovers at both sites RING-NECKED DUCKS - both sites SNOW GOOSE - resident individual on Blair's. Has been hanging with the local CAGOs for over a year. Hot tip for monthly listers needing a summer Snow. PILEATED WOODPECKERS - pairs at both sites and vocal HAIRY WOODPECKER - Blair's BELTED KINGFISHER - Abbott's COOPER'S HAWKS - 2 involved in light chasing, talon tangling, appeared to be same size so best guess was a territorial dispute as they separated and headed into two different directions TREE SWALLOW - Chuck Fullmer gets the prize for FOY at Abbott's GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET - singing song (rising notes with chatter at end) BROWN CREEPER - Blair's RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH - Blair's EASTERN PHOEBE - both sites HERMIT THRUSHES - feeding on holly berries and doing "whiny" call YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS - numerous at Blair's PINE WARBLER - FOY year and singing. Been looking forward to this Lots of activity by Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Titmice, and Chickadees. Chuck Fullmer has installed a series of 3 Martin houses on the Morton Farm. Also had Beaver, Muskrat, Red-bellied Cooters, and Spring Peepers. There will be no walk next thursday, but we'll be back on April 1 (no joke). Jason Beale Abbott's Mill Nature Center Milford, DE Subject: HSR: Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (17 Mar 2010) 4 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:03:55 -0400 Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch Lewes, Delaware, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 17, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 2 2 Bald Eagle 0 0 0 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 4 4 Cooper's Hawk 2 2 2 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 4 8 8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 13:30:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours Official Counter: Susan Gruver Observers: Lynn Smith Visitors: 9...more visitors than Raptors Weather: Sunny, temp 11-13c,clcv none,visb 18, wind WNW shifting to East force 1-2 Raptor Observations: 2 Osprey, 1 adult Eagle and 1 Red-tailed Hawk---all going the wrong way, Non-raptor Observations: kettle of 31 BV's and TV's most of which were there all day, back and forth, tree swallows,chickadees, brown-headed nuthatches,yellow-rumped warbler, several surf Scoter in close, and that huge raft of Scoter(sp) still way out on the water( min. guess at least 1000) Predictions: Sunny, high 59, wind 4-6 from S/SW ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (srgruver AT aol.com) Subject: Wilmington Peregrine Falcon Update From: "Gonzon Anthony T. (DNREC)" <Anthony.Gonzon AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:22:06 -0400 Greetings all, Hopefully everyone has had an opportunity to check out the action at the Peregrine Falcon nest box in Wilmington via the Wilmington Peregrine Falcon Webcam Project. The last few days have been very enlightening and I would like to share a brief summary regarding our falcons. Throughout the past few months, and well back into Summer 2009, reports of "intruders" have been recorded. It seems as if nature is currently working itself out and it is all unfolding right in front of us. Friday, March 12, 2010 - I received a report of a dead falcon on the roof of a building adjacent to the Brandywine Building in Wilmington. The caller was able to provide the colors and letter/number combination from the color band on the bird. After contacting Craig Koppie with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the bird was identified as a juvenile male, one of the 2009 offspring that was banded by Craig in May 2009. Craig noted that the young were fledging early and how the juvenile made it to the other building is unknown. The cause of this mortality is also unknown, but it appeared as if the juvenile had been deceased for some time. Monday, March 15, 2010, morning - I received a call from Bill Stewart, urgently suggesting I check out the action on the webcam. From approximately 9:17 AM until 10:15 AM, two male falcons were observed in a dispute within the nest box. One male, based on known characters, was identified as the resident male. The two birds fought throughout the entire time. At times, they would stand facing each other, nearly breast to breast, with wings outspread - called the Upright Display. At other times, one of the males would lunge and pin the second on its back, all while grappling with their talons. Although we could not hear it, you could visualize the vocalizations of the birds during their periods of physical grappling and posturing. This dispute was likely over the territory and the female was not observed in the box during the dispute. According to Craig Koppie, we should expect this conflict to resolve itself within the next 2-3 days, if it has not already. Monday, March 15, 2010, afternoon - I received a call from DE Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement regarding a dead falcon located at the Carvel Building, several blocks away from the Brandywine Building. Again, after recording the leg band information, I called Craig Koppie to see if we could identify this bird. Sadly, this falcon had been our resident female. Judging from the state of decay, she had been deceased for some time and we can say it was not a very recent mortality. The female, originally banded in New York, had been present for several years in Wilmington. It is not clear how she died, but hopefully Craig will be able to shed some light on that after he examines her. As you can see, life in the world of a falcon can be full of drama. At this time we know that we have three Peregrines in Wilmington - 2 males and one female. In the very near future, we can expect one of the males to pair with the new resident female and begin nesting. The falcons are still returning to the box - I observed the larger female and one of the males at 11:00 AM on Tuesday. Both were exhibiting the Vertical Head Low Bow - a nest ledge display where the falcons stand upright with their heads oriented below the neckline. This is a typical pair bond display and I am eagerly anticipating their next steps! Stay tuned as the drama unfolds high in the skies over Wilmington! Anthony ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anthony T. Gonzon, Jr. DE Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program DE Division of Fish and Wildlife, DNREC 4876 Hay Point Landing Road Smyrna, DE 19977 Phone: 302-653-2880 ext. 123 Mobile: 302-531-5165 Fax: 302-653-3431 Visit Delaware's Breeding Bird Atlas online: www.fw.delaware.gov/bba Subject: Birding on Tuesday the 16th From: Meta Little <meta368 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:54:15 -0400 No luck finding any duck rarities at Ted Harvey. We did see about 200 American Wigeon, 20+ Hooded Mergansers, 24 Common Mergansers, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, American Coot, Bonapartes Gull, and a possible Black-headed Gull. To the right of the parking lot near the dike walk to the beach some 150 American Avocets sat, looking exhausted. At Cartanza's, two Horned Larks and one lone Snow Bunting showed off. One pond was loaded with Green-wing Teal with one Northern Pintail hiding among them. Five Savannah Sparrow were in the ditches. Bombay Hook had 3 Tree Swallows and 3 Black-crowned Night Heron (1 adult, 2 imma.) Someone else saw 5. There are still Tundra Swans and at Shearness some 12,000 Snow Geese are still present in the distance. Again one lone Northern Pintail. Meta Little and Shirley Tingley Subject: Leucistic Turkey From: Charles Fullmer <cmfullmer AT MCHSI.COM> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:04:41 -0400 Oyster Rocks Rd (above Lewes) this morning were a large group of Turkeys strolling across the field to the North before the marsh. In the group was a leucistic hen. Can be seen: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allseasonshooter/ Chuck Fullmer Georgetown Subject: Delaware Valley RBA, 17 MARCH 2010 From: Stephen E Kacir <rba AT DVOC.ORG> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:44:10 -0700 - RBA * PA, NJ, DE * Delaware Valley: Southeast PA, Central/Southern NJ & DE * PADV1003.17 * March 17, 2010 - Birds Mentioned Eared Grebe (NJ)+ Harlequin Duck (PA)+ -Extralimital- Black-headed Gull (PA)+ -Extralimital- (NJ)+ (Details requested by NJBRC) (PA)+ (Details requested by PORC) (DE)+ (Details requested by DERC) Red-throated Loon Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe Northern Gannet Little Blue Heron Cattle Egret Egyptian Goose Snow Goose Ross's Goose Lesser Canada Goose Cackling Goose Tundra Swan Eurasian Wigeon Canvasback Redhead Common Eider Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Common Goldeneye Red-breasted Merganser Osprey Peregrine Falcon Wild Turkey Northern Bobwhite Sandhill Crane Piping Plover American Oystercatcher American Woodcock Little Gull Black-headed Gull Bonaparte's Gull Iceland Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Razorbill Barred Owl Pileated Woodpecker Northern Shrike Purple Martin Red-breasted Nuthatch Blue-gray Gnatcatcher American Pipit Clay-colored Sparrow Rusty Blackbird Purple Finch - Transcript Hotline: Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert Email reports to: rba AT dvoc.org Compiler: Steve Kacir, Delaware Valley Ornithological Club Phone: (215) 240-7547 Voice of the Delaware Valley RBA: Mike Lyman & Cindy Ahern URL: http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm Welcome to the March 17, 2010 edition of the Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert, a service provided by the joint efforts of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club (DVOC), covering the Delaware Valley Region of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I'm Steve Kacir your guide for birding in the Greater Philadelphia Region. This week, we highlight reports of EARED GREBE in Cape May County, NJ. Remember to check out our website for additional content and information: http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm -------------------------------------------------------------- FOR NEW JERSEY: Cape May County: An EARED GREBE was at the south end of Nummy Island on March 15-17. The EARED GREBE was seen at such locations as the channel on the east side of the island, near Champagne Island, in the company of HORNED GREBES at the north base of the toll bridge and between the ocean and the north side of the toll bridge. Up to three different BLACK-HEADED GULLS have been seen around Cape May, with the most recent sighting from March 11. Other locations where the BLACK- HEADED GULLS have been seen included The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge, the mouth of Cox Hall Creek, Norbury's Landing and "Miami Beach," which is the beach at the end of Miami Ave in the Villas. On March 10, Norbury's Landing also had a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and 2 HORNED GREBES. A COMMON EIDER was seen off Cape May Point on March 11, and two COMMON EIDERS were off the Whilldin Ave and Coral Ave jetties on March 16. On March 14, ten HORNED GREBES, 3 NORTHERN GANNETS, 5 COMMON EIDERS and a possible RAZORBILL were reported from a round trip on the Cape May- Lewes Ferry. On March 14, the pair of SANDHILL CRANES flew over the fields at New England Rd and Bayshore Rd. A PIPING PLOVER was at TNC Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge on March 14. The two EURASIAN WIGEONS were still on Lighthouse Pond at Cape May Point State Park through March 16. The six TUNDRA SWANS were on the park's Bunker Pond through March 16. On March 14, sixty RED- THROATED LOONS were reported around the Concrete Ship at Sunset Beach. A hen HARLEQUIN DUCK was there on March 13, and good numbers of BONAPARTE'S GULLS were at the Concrete Ship on March 16. On March 16, a CATTLE EGRET was at the intersection of Seashore Rd and Academy Rd in Cold Spring. On March 17, a LITTLE BLUE HERON was in a flooded vineyard, seen from Stevens St. A hen COMMON GOLDENEYE was at Beaver Swamp WMA on March 10-16. PURPLE MARTINS were back in Cape May on March 16. Cumberland County: On March 14, single hen COMMON GOLDENEYES were reported from Heislerville WMA and Turkey Point. Atlantic County: The Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe NWR had TUNDRA SWANS. Monmouth County: The first spring PIPING PLOVER for Sandy Hook was at B Lot on March 14. Other reports from Sandy Hook included HORNED GREBES and AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS. Salem County: Two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were in a field in Pennsville on March 15. Morris County: In Rockaway, the EURASIAN WIGEON was on Mount Hope Lake through March 15. NJ Extralimitals: The NORTHERN SHRIKE at DeKorte Park's Disposal Rd was reported as recently as March 12. -------------------------------------------------------------- FOR DELAWARE: New Castle County: Two EGYPTIAN GEESE were seen at the University of Delaware Campus, near the Agriculture Hall on March 10. A PILEATED WOODPECKER was at the Winterthur Museum and Country Estate. Kent County: Bombay Hook NWR had TUNDRA SWANS, WILD TURKEY, NORTHERN BOBWHITES, BARRED OWL, AMERICAN WOODCOCKS, AMERICAN PIPIT and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. Sussex County: On March 14, WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were spotted in Delaware waters from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. The Cape Henlopen State Park Hawk Watch reported SURF SCOTERS and 1000 Scoters 200-300 yards offshore. -------------------------------------------------------------- FOR PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia County: On March 16, John Heinz NWR at Tinicum had an OSPREY and 2 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS. Chester County: Struble Lake had 12 TUNDRA SWANS on March 10. That day, a CANVASBACK was at the Kurtz Fish Farm. On March 14, Bucktoe Creek Preserve had a flyby LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. Montgomery County: A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER appeared in Schwenksville on March 11. Bucks County: Reports from Peace Valley Park mentioned LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, AMERICAN WOODCOCK and PILEATED WOODPECKER. The William Tennent High School soccer fields had a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and an adult ICELAND GULL on March 14. Northampton County: The CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was seen at the Koch property on March 14. On March 13, a ROSS'S GOOSE and 2 LESSER CANADA GEESE were with a flock of 2,000 SNOW GEESE at Hecktown Rd. Schuylkill County: Sweet Arrow Lake had TUNDRA SWAN and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Berks County: At Lake Ontelaunee 35,000 SNOW GEESE slowed traffic on March 11, and 3 CACKLING GEESE were there as well. A yard in Dryville had displaying AMERICAN WOODCOCKS and 2 PURPLE FINCHES at the feeders. On March 15, a PEREGRINE FALCON was at the Berks County Courthouse in Reading. Lancaster County: On March 14, a LITTLE GULL and 120 BONAPARTE'S GULLS flew up the Susquehanna River at Peach Bottom, while two drake BLACK SCOTERS were loafing downstream. A basic-plumaged LITTLE GULL foraged with hundreds of BONAPARTE'S GULLS at "The Rocks" across from Blue Lane (just south of Columbia) on March 13, where 30 COMMON GOLDENEYES were also to be found. On March 14, some river-watching from Blue Lane and the Lemon St river access in Wrightsville afforded sightings of a basic-plumaged LITTLE GULL with migrant BONAPARTE'S GULLS. On March 16, a basic-plumaged LITTLE GULL fed with a flock of 330 BONAPARTE'S GULLS off the Blue Lane river access, and other birds in the area that day included TUNDRA SWAN, LONG-TAILED DUCK, COMMON GOLDENEYE and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS. High counts from Middle Creek WMA were 120,000 SNOW GEESE on March 10 and 2,300 TUNDRA SWANS on March 10. Middle Creek had a RED-NECKED GREBE on March 16, ROSS'S GEESE on March 10-11 & March 16, a CACKLING GOOSE on March 10, a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER on March 16 and displaying AMERICAN WOODCOCKS on March 14. On March 15, a ROSS'S GOOSE and a CACKLING GOOSE were with SNOW GEESE and Canada Geese at Woods Edge Park, off S Centreville Rd east of Mountville. A PURPLE FINCH visited a feeder in Gap on March 14-15. Lebanon County: The SANDHILL CRANE at SGL 145 near Lake Duffy was seen as recently as March 16. Carbon County: On March 10, Beltzville State Park had 2 REDHEADS and AMERICAN WOODCOCK. PA Extralimitals: On March 14-16, a BLACK-HEADED GULL was spotted from the boat launch in Marysville, Dauphin County. The drake HARLEQUIN DUCK was reported from Presque Isle State Park in Erie County through March 15. That day, twenty-two SANDHILL CRANES were in a field along Old Ash Rd at Plain Grove in Lawrence County. -------------------------------------------------------------- ANNOUNCEMENTS: On March 27, Tony Croasdale will lead a DVOC field trip to Franklin Parker Preserve in Burlington County, NJ. The trip will meet at 9:00AM at the Chatsworth Firehouse at the corner of Route 563 and Route 532. Please contact Tony if you plan on attending. On March 28, Frank Windfelder will lead a DVOC field trip to Southwest NJ, including Pedricktown and Mannington Marsh. Information on the meeting times and places for this trip can be found on-line at the DVOC website. Please contact Frank if you plan on attending. Additional information, including past trip reports and contact information for the trip leaders can be found on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org The next meeting of the DVOC is on March 18, 2010, featuring a program by Win Shafer, entitled "Birds of the Appalachian Trail." The meeting takes place at The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia at 7:30PM. The meeting after that will take place on April 1. More details are available on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org The Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert is a weekly report on birding in the Delaware Valley Region including Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. To report birds or significant birding events and planned pelagic trips, please email rba AT dvoc.org. This is Steve Kacir, good birding to you all and thanks for calling, surfing and reporting. - End Transcript Steve Kacir rba AT dvoc.org DVOC Rare Bird Alert Committee Chair Academy of Natural Sciences Delaware Valley Ornithological Club Philadelphia Subject: Ashland bird walk From: joe sebastiani <joe AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:27:23 -0500 Join me tomorrow morning on the free Thursday bird walk at Ashland Nature Center. We begin in the parking lot at 8am. Yesterday Tree Swallows arrived, and I saw a Merlin streak over the parking lot. Directions can be found at http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/dns_sites.html. Joe Sebastiani Members Program Team Leader Delaware Nature Society P.O. Box 700 Hockessin, DE 19707 (302) 239-2334 ext. 115 fax (302) 239-2473 joe AT delawarenaturesociety.org web: www.delawarenaturesociety.org The Nature of Delaware Blog: www.delawarenaturesociety.org/blog Subject: Duck and cover From: Charles Fullmer <cmfullmer AT MCHSI.COM> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:42:01 -0400 9:00AM this morning the sky was screaming with the sound of Red-shouldered Hawks. 2 were diving into the forest across the street and another pair were soaring higher overhead. Then one passed low over my Martin pole eyeballing the decoys I had attached to the spreaders. All moving North. Several Bluebird couples were stationed on the houses along the BB trail at Sussex Central HS as well as one pair on mine. This evening a Great horned Owl was calling in the back woods. Chuck Fullmer Georgetown Subject: BHNWR Bird Sightings:2/27-3/12/2010 From: Frank Rawling <frawling AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:55:48 -0400 Hello all: Here are the bird sightings from the sightings board at Bombay Hook NWR for the period 2/27-3/12. Great Blue Heron Tundra Swan Northern Pintail Northern Shoveler Gadwall American Wigeon Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Ruddy Duck Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Peregrine Falcon Wild Turkey Killdeer Eastern Screech-Owl Barred Owl Eastern Phoebe Ruby-crowned Kinglet Eastern Bluebird American Pipit Cedar Waxwing Rusty Blackbird Cheers and Good Birding! Frank Rawling Friends of Bombay Hook Subject: Fwd: HSR: Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (16 Mar 2010) 4 Raptors From: Susan Gruver <Srgruver AT AOL.COM> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:05:14 EDT Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch Lewes, Delaware, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 16, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 2 2 2 Bald Eagle 0 0 0 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 2 2 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 4 4 4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter: Susan Gruver Observers: Dennis Foley, Lynn Smith Visitors: 3 Weather: Blue skies and sunshine in the pm. temp 7-10c,clcv 100-25%,visb 18-20, wind N,NNW, force 1-2 Finally a lovely day to get our Hawk Watch started Raptor Observations: both Osprey that I counted I watched moving North until they were out of sight Non-raptor Observations: TV and BV's soaring about all day, resident Juv. Red-tailed Hawk, several Osprey fishing and then headed back inland, 1 Great Egret,surf Scoters, and about 200-300 yards off shore at least 1000 Scoter (Sp) sitting on the water, several Tree Swallows Predictions: SUNNY !!! 56 degrees, wind NW 4-6 MPH ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (srgruver AT aol.com) Subject: HSR: Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (16 Mar 2010) 4 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:03:00 -0400 Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch Lewes, Delaware, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 16, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 2 2 2 Bald Eagle 0 0 0 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 2 2 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 4 4 4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter: Susan Gruver Observers: Dennis Foley, Lynn Smith Visitors: 3 Weather: Blue skies and sunshine in the pm. temp 7-10c,clcv 100-25%,visb 18-20, wind N,NNW, force 1-2 Finally a lovely day to get our Hawk Watch started Raptor Observations: both Osprey that I counted I watched moving North until they were out of sight Non-raptor Observations: TV and BV's soaring about all day, resident Juv. Red-tailed Hawk, several Osprey fishing and then headed back inland, 1 Great Egret,surf Scoters, and about 200-300 yards off shore at least 1000 Scoter (Sp) sitting on the water, several Tree Swallows Predictions: SUNNY !!! 56 degrees, wind NW 4-6 MPH ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (srgruver AT aol.com) Subject: Wilmington Falcon Cam -- Drama in the Air From: Andrew Homsey <homsey AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:56:32 +0000 Hi Folks, If you are interested in seeing images from this morning's "drama in the air" (the struggle in the nestbox between two falcons), there are some captured images on the DOS site: www.DOSBirds.org/image/tid/7 These are taken 5 minutes apart over the course of one hour, starting at about 9:15 AM today. If anyone has a better Cable News-friendly tagline, feel free to share ;-). Andrew Homsey Subject: Win Shafer to speak at Thursday's DVOC meeting From: "F.Arthur McMorris" <mcmorris AT MAC.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:35:38 -0400 The next meeting of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club (DVOC) is this Thursday, March 18, 2010, at 7:30 PM at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, PA. Details at www.dvoc.org . Everyone is invited to attend. Visitors are always welcome. Featured speaker: Win Shafer, “Birds of the Appalachian Trail” DVOC member Win Shafer and his son Blake (AKA Birdman and Li’l Wayne) spent 4 1/2 months in 2009 through-hiking the entire 2175 miles of the Appalachian Trail from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin, Maine. Being in the mountains and woods in many different life zones during spring migration afforded incomparable opportunities for bird observation. Win will give a travelogue of his unique adventure and birding experience. Also: Bert Filemyr -"In the Field: Bonaparte’s Gulls and Black-headed Gulls" Art McMorris Bala-Cynwyd, Montgomery County, PA Vice President, DVOC Subject: Osprey in Dover From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:22:26 -0400 On a lunchtime walk here in Dover this afternoon I had my FOY Osprey flying south along the St. Jones River near the DNREC office. Chris Bennett Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac Subject: Re: Falcon Cam - A Battle in the Box From: "Steininger, Kim" <KSteininger AT MNAT.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:32:47 -0400 We think it was our male and an intruder male. -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Lovelace Glen (DelDOT) Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 10:20 AM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: Re: [de-birds] Falcon Cam - A Battle in the Box So was that the resident pair or did it involve a third falcon? -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Gonzon Anthony T. (DNREC) Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 10:08 AM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [de-birds] Falcon Cam - A Battle in the Box All, Bill Stewart called to tell me there is a battle occurring right now in the Wilmington Falcon Cam nest box! He sent an email to de-birds earlier, but I did not receive it and it didn't show up on www.birdingonthe.net, so assuming it didn't go out, I am reporting for Bill! Check out the action at http://www.dosbirds.org/wilmfalcons From: Bill Stewart > Date: March 15, 2010 9:35:40 AM EDT To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: Falconcam is live-battle in box A quick note that the webcam is up and a huge battle is occurring in the box between two falcons. More later, Bill Stewart ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anthony T. Gonzon, Jr. DE Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program DE Division of Fish and Wildlife, DNREC 4876 Hay Point Landing Road Smyrna, DE 19977 Phone: 302-653-2880 ext. 123 Mobile: 302-531-5165 Fax: 302-653-3431 Visit Delaware's Breeding Bird Atlas online: www.fw.delaware.gov/bba This message, including any accompanying documents or attachments, may contain information that is confidential or that is privileged. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please note that the dissemination, distribution, use or copying of this message or any of the accompanying documents or attachments is strictly prohibited. If you believe that you may have received this message in error, please contact me at (302) 658-9200 or by return e-mail. Subject: Re: Falcon Cam - A Battle in the Box From: Bill Stewart <hcf2 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:33:53 -0400 Glen, To the best of our (Craig Koppie USFWS, Anthony Gonzon and Kim Steininger) abilities, at least one falcon was identified as an intruder. We are going to review the archives and try to identify the bands. More details will follow. Bill Stewart On Mar 15, 2010, at 10:19 AM, Lovelace Glen (DelDOT) wrote: So was that the resident pair or did it involve a third falcon? -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Gonzon Anthony T. (DNREC) Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 10:08 AM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [de-birds] Falcon Cam - A Battle in the Box All, Bill Stewart called to tell me there is a battle occurring right now in the Wilmington Falcon Cam nest box! He sent an email to de-birds earlier, but I did not receive it and it didn't show up on www.birdingonthe.net , so assuming it didn't go out, I am reporting for Bill! Check out the action at http://www.dosbirds.org/wilmfalcons From: Bill Stewart > Date: March 15, 2010 9:35:40 AM EDT To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: Falconcam is live-battle in box A quick note that the webcam is up and a huge battle is occurring in the box between two falcons. More later, Bill Stewart ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anthony T. Gonzon, Jr. DE Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program DE Division of Fish and Wildlife, DNREC 4876 Hay Point Landing Road Smyrna, DE 19977 Phone: 302-653-2880 ext. 123 Mobile: 302-531-5165 Fax: 302-653-3431 Visit Delaware's Breeding Bird Atlas online: www.fw.delaware.gov/bba Subject: Re: Falcon Cam - A Battle in the Box From: "Lovelace Glen (DelDOT)" <Glen.Lovelace AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:19:35 -0400 So was that the resident pair or did it involve a third falcon? -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Gonzon Anthony T. (DNREC) Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 10:08 AM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [de-birds] Falcon Cam - A Battle in the Box All, Bill Stewart called to tell me there is a battle occurring right now in the Wilmington Falcon Cam nest box! He sent an email to de-birds earlier, but I did not receive it and it didn't show up on www.birdingonthe.net, so assuming it didn't go out, I am reporting for Bill! Check out the action at http://www.dosbirds.org/wilmfalcons From: Bill Stewart > Date: March 15, 2010 9:35:40 AM EDT To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: Falconcam is live-battle in box A quick note that the webcam is up and a huge battle is occurring in the box between two falcons. More later, Bill Stewart ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anthony T. Gonzon, Jr. DE Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program DE Division of Fish and Wildlife, DNREC 4876 Hay Point Landing Road Smyrna, DE 19977 Phone: 302-653-2880 ext. 123 Mobile: 302-531-5165 Fax: 302-653-3431 Visit Delaware's Breeding Bird Atlas online: www.fw.delaware.gov/bba Subject: Falcon Cam - A Battle in the Box From: "Gonzon Anthony T. (DNREC)" <Anthony.Gonzon AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:08:03 -0400 All, Bill Stewart called to tell me there is a battle occurring right now in the Wilmington Falcon Cam nest box! He sent an email to de-birds earlier, but I did not receive it and it didn't show up on www.birdingonthe.net, so assuming it didn't go out, I am reporting for Bill! Check out the action at http://www.dosbirds.org/wilmfalcons From: Bill Stewart > Date: March 15, 2010 9:35:40 AM EDT To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: Falconcam is live-battle in box A quick note that the webcam is up and a huge battle is occurring in the box between two falcons. More later, Bill Stewart ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anthony T. Gonzon, Jr. DE Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program DE Division of Fish and Wildlife, DNREC 4876 Hay Point Landing Road Smyrna, DE 19977 Phone: 302-653-2880 ext. 123 Mobile: 302-531-5165 Fax: 302-653-3431 Visit Delaware's Breeding Bird Atlas online: www.fw.delaware.gov/bba Subject: Formatting Problems From: Matthew Sarver <ammodram AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:00:18 -0700 All - I apologize for the formatting problems and broken links in my previous emails. For some reason, the de-birds listserv does not play nice with my messages sent from Yahoo mail. The same emails sent to the DOS Members list do not have the same problems. If anyone has a solution to this problem, please let me know. In the meantime, if you would like more information on Sally's Tuesday lecture, or on Wednesday's DOS meeting, please email me off-list, and I will forward you a clean copy of the email. Good birding, Matt Matt Sarver New Castle, DE Subject: OT: Sally O'byrne to Speak on Wilmington Waterfront History From: Matthew Sarver <ammodram AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:52:30 -0700 This isn't a bird topic, but I thought some of you may Hi All - This isn't a bird topic, but I thought some of you may be interested in this upcoming talk by our own Sally O'Byrne on the history of the Wilmington Waterfront. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, and can be purchased from the following link: http://events. constantcontact. com/register/ event?oeidk= a07e2qopn3w9c601 e40&oseq=a021adfr57he0j. Proceeds benefit the education programs of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. Best, Matt Matt Sarver New Castle, DE The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation Presents 2010 Lecture Series: “Keeping Delaware ’s History Alive” ChaseCenteron the Riverfront Dravo Auditorium Wilmington, DE 6:00-8:30pm Wilmington , Delaware , February 19, 2010 – The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, in keeping with its educational mission to enrich the lives of students of all ages, announces its Lecture Series for 2010, entitled “Keeping Delaware’s History Alive.” March 16, 2010 Tuesday evening, 6:00-8:30 pm Click here for Tickets “Wilmington’s Waterfront,” Sally O’Byrne, co-author of Images of America: Wilmington’s Waterfront and Wilmington ’s celebrated naturalist and conservationist. Since the KalmarNyckel’s arrival at “the Rocks” in March, 1638, bringing Peter Minuit and the first permanent European settlers to the Delaware Valley , “ Wilmington ’s Waterfront” has shaped the city’s history and explains its location. Sited at the confluence of the Christina and Brandywine Rivers , Wilmington ’s place in our history and lives has been no accident. Peter Minuit knew what he was doing in 1638 when he chose “the Rocks” as the site for Fort Christina on what is today’s 7th Street Peninsula . “Sally O’Byrne knows what she’s doing, too,” comments Samuel Heed, Director of Education for the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. “Sally is an exquisite tour guide, and she has invited us all for an unforgettable excursion along the history of ‘ Wilmington ’s Waterfront’.” Co-author with Priscilla Thompson of the best-selling book by the same name, “Sally O’Byrne will take us through the images of the two rivers that have been the city’s lifeblood since the arrival of the first Swedish settlers,” Heed said. It’s a story that ebbs and flows like the tide of the Christina, and, like the Brandywine’s timeless power, it’s one that cascades with the people and industries that have called Wilmington home.” The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is delighted to present Sally O’Byrne for a pictorial tour d’horizon of Wilmington’s waterfront, where she will engage her audience with a vast collection of photographs and lithographs, helping us rediscover the shipbuilding companies, railroad car manufacturers, steamboat excursions, America’s Cup winners, parks and bridge dedications, and all the landmarks and activities that are of part of Wilmington’s waterfront past. A lifelong Delawarean, Sally has lived in the City of Wilmington since 1977, when she and her husband Terry were awarded an urban homesteading house in the Cool Springs Neighborhood. After earning a Masters in Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania , Sally became interested in urban issues, becoming President of Cityside, Inc., an organization dedicated to living in the city. Her interest in the rivers of the city go back to that time, when, in 1979, Cityside was awarded a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation under their Maritime Preservation funds, to do an inventory of waterfront properties. Still living in downtown Wilmington , Sally has also pursued her lifelong interest in natural history as a teacher and naturalist for the Delaware Nature Society. She coordinated the 2000 avian survey for the Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge and is presently President of the Delmarva Ornithological Society. Sally is also a board member of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the Delaware Nature Society, and Christina Conservancy. Subject: DOS Meeting Wed 3/17: Birding Colombia's Northern Andes From: Matthew Sarver <ammodram AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:41:27 -0700 Please join the Delmarva Ornithological Society for our Greetings all, Please join the Delmarva Ornithological Society for our monthly meeting this Wednesday (2/17) at Ashland Nature Centernear Hockessin, DE. The meeting will begin at7:00 PM with a social half-hour, followed by Society business at 7:30. Our main program will begin at approximately 8:15. Speakers: Matt Sarver & Lauren Morgens Topic:Birding Colombia's Northern Andes DOS Vice President Matt Sarver and his fiancče Lauren Morgens will recount their recent birding trip to Colombia in the company of Delaware hawk-counters Forrest Rowland and Cyrus Moqtaderi. The group flew into Medellín, the former home of the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar, and spent two weeks roaming the Andes in search of rare Colombian endemics. In cooperation with Fundación ProAves, and armed with notebooks, binoculars, cameras, and sound recording gear, the group visited several bird preserves and traveled into a few areas never before explored by modern ornithologists. Join us for an evening of adventures in the Andes! I hope to see all of you there so we can share what we've learned about bird conservation and birding in this beautiful country! Matt Sarver Vice President and Program Chair Delmarva Ornithological Society Google Location for Ashland Nature Center: http://maps. google.com/ maps?oe=utf- 8&client=firefox- a&ie=UTF8&q=Ashland+Nature+ Center+Lodge&fb=1&gl=us&hq=ashland+nature+ center&hnear=Wilmington, +DE&cid=568523258684526 8662&ei=cnh1S9iZG4qXtge1 pMWhCg&ved=0CCAQnwIwBA&z=16&iwloc=A Subject: DOS Meeting Wed 3/17: Birding Colombia's Northern Andes From: Matthew Sarver <ammodram AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:41:27 -0700 (PDT) Greetings all, Please join the Delmarva Ornithological Society for our monthly meeting this Wednesday (2/17) at Ashland Nature Centernear Hockessin, DE. The meeting will begin at7:00 PM with a social half-hour, followed by Society business at 7:30. Our main program will begin at approximately 8:15. Speakers: Matt Sarver & Lauren Morgens Topic:Birding Colombia's Northern Andes DOS Vice President Matt Sarver and his fiancče Lauren Morgens will recount their recent birding trip to Colombia in the company of Delaware hawk-counters Forrest Rowland and Cyrus Moqtaderi. The group flew into Medellín, the former home of the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar, and spent two weeks roaming the Andes in search of rare Colombian endemics. In cooperation with Fundación ProAves, and armed with notebooks, binoculars, cameras, and sound recording gear, the group visited several bird preserves and traveled into a few areas never before explored by modern ornithologists. Join us for an evening of adventures in the Andes! I hope to see all of you there so we can share what we've learned about bird conservation and birding in this beautiful country! Matt Sarver Vice President and Program Chair Delmarva Ornithological Society Google Location for Ashland Nature Center: http://maps. google.com/ maps?oe=utf- 8&client=firefox- a&ie=UTF8&q=Ashland+Nature+ Center+Lodge&fb=1&gl=us&hq=ashland+nature+ center&hnear=Wilmington, +DE&cid=568523258684526 8662&ei=cnh1S9iZG4qXtge1 pMWhCg&ved=0CCAQnwIwBA&z=16&iwloc=A Subject: DOS Peregrine Webcam Site From: Andrew Homsey <homsey AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:19:20 +0000 Hi all, It has been reported that a user who tried to access the DOS Wilmington Peregrine Falcon Webcam was alerted by his browser that the site installs viruses and/or trojans, and he subsequently found an infection on his computer. However, we find it very unlikely, given the nature and text of the message received, that the Webcam page itself is the culprit. We have investigated the page on a clean and patched computer, and have so far found no problems. It is possible that the user's computer was already compromised, and that the nature of the compromise is to falsely report (presumably nonexistent) dangers. We have taken the Falcon Webcam temporarily off-line out of caution, until the true nature of this issue has been determined. We will work with the hosts of the camera and the DOS site to ensure the page and the site's integrity. If you have received similar warnings about the site or any of its pages, please contact me right away. Thank you, Andrew Homsey DOS Website Manager Subject: ADMIN: virus infected computers From: James Tyler Bell <jtylerbell AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:15:05 -0700 DE-Birders: Jim Lenhard's computer was/is afflicted with a virus that sent out spam which apparently points you to web site that will dump a virus on an unprotected computer thus spreading the infection. I set his subscription to review status which means that when he posts, it has to be reviewed by the listowner, me. I'm not singling him out, this is the SOP for this type of event. After a while, if there is no persistent issue with a subscriber who has such an affliction, their account will be set back to normal status. They still receive emails from the list so they won't be missing anything. Sadly, this is an unfortunate byproduct of people with evil on their minds and nothing better to do with their computer skills. Tyler Bell DE-Birds Listowner ----- Original Message ---- From: Maurice Barnhill To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Sent: Sun, March 14, 2010 6:44:32 PM Subject: [de-birds] Maurice Barnhill wrote: > Jim Lenhard wrote: >> [url] >>  > Be careful with this reference.  Firefox 3.6 reports that it is a site that installs viruses and trojan horses. > Jim Lenhard has written me that the message was sent by a virus his machine picked up on the web, and he was unaware that it had even been sent.  He asked me to pass along the following message "Tyler just deactivated me - it appears that I have been infected with a high tech virus. Ironically, I think I got infected at the DOS peregrine cam site. I got a note saying the site was infected when I entered, and immediately signed off, but I guess it was too late. I hope I didn't further the spread, or inconvenience anyone." I hope that he will shortly have his machine cleaned out and be active on DE-birds again. If you did go to the site he mentioned, you should probably do a careful virus check.  This is apparently one of the type that gets installed on your machine without any action on your part, other than visiting the site in the first place. -- Maurice Barnhill mvb AT udel.edu  Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716 Subject: No Subject From: Bill Stewart <hcf2 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:00:56 -0400 To all, I am sure Andrew Homsey, DOS webmaster, will research any connection of the virus and link to the falcon webcam site. I will be in contact with EarthCam first thing tomorrow morning and relay their results. This is the first I have heard of ANY such problem with visiting the DOS website. I would like more information from Jim Lenhard and the note he received regarding the virus. Bill Stewart Wilmington Peregrine Falcon Webcam Project Coordinator On Mar 14, 2010, at 6:44 PM, Maurice Barnhill wrote: Maurice Barnhill wrote: > Jim Lenhard wrote: >> [url] >> > Be careful with this reference. Firefox 3.6 reports that it is a > site that installs viruses and trojan horses. > Jim Lenhard has written me that the message was sent by a virus his machine picked up on the web, and he was unaware that it had even been sent. He asked me to pass along the following message "Tyler just deactivated me - it appears that I have been infected with a high tech virus. Ironically, I think I got infected at the DOS peregrine cam site. I got a note saying the site was infected when I entered, and immediately signed off, but I guess it was too late. I hope I didn't further the spread, or inconvenience anyone." I hope that he will shortly have his machine cleaned out and be active on DE-birds again. If you did go to the site he mentioned, you should probably do a careful virus check. This is apparently one of the type that gets installed on your machine without any action on your part, other than visiting the site in the first place. -- Maurice Barnhill mvb AT udel.edu Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716 Subject: No Subject From: Maurice Barnhill <mvb AT udel.edu> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:44:32 -0400 Maurice Barnhill wrote: > Jim Lenhard wrote: >> [url] >> > Be careful with this reference. Firefox 3.6 reports that it is a site > that installs viruses and trojan horses. > Jim Lenhard has written me that the message was sent by a virus his machine picked up on the web, and he was unaware that it had even been sent. He asked me to pass along the following message "Tyler just deactivated me - it appears that I have been infected with a high tech virus. Ironically, I think I got infected at the DOS peregrine cam site. I got a note saying the site was infected when I entered, and immediately signed off, but I guess it was too late. I hope I didn't further the spread, or inconvenience anyone." I hope that he will shortly have his machine cleaned out and be active on DE-birds again. If you did go to the site he mentioned, you should probably do a careful virus check. This is apparently one of the type that gets installed on your machine without any action on your part, other than visiting the site in the first place. -- Maurice Barnhill mvb AT udel.edu Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716 Subject: B Hook Bobwhite From: Rodney Murray <rodmurray_1999 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:45:10 -0700 Got to the ag field before Raymond Pool to hear the peenting and serenading of at least 3 Am Woodcocks from 6:30 to 7 AM.  Neat.  Also heard a GH Owl hooting above the din of the Snow Geese, Robins, peepers, etc. In the flooded fields before the Allee House and the pool beyond the turnoff to Finis were many G Yellowlegs, Dunlin, 4 H Mergansers, 4 Wood Ducks, and 4 Ring-necked Ducks along with a host of other waterfowl.  (Also at least 60 Ring-neckeds in Taylor's Gut).  But the highlight of the morning was watching 16 Northern Bobwhite running all over the road just after the corn crib...most I have ever seen in one spot in DE.   Also on the bay side of Shearness, I lost count after seeing 30 homeless muskrats, some of which were ridiculously close to the road. I guess the other rodents were searching out dry diggings, too, as I saw a Harrier snatch one and a Greater Black-backed Gull actually fly off with one still kicking in its beak.  Never saw a gull catch a mouse before.   Interesting day.   Rodney Murray, Middletown Subject: Re: Mystery Sonagram #1 From: Andrew Albright <albrigh_1999 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:53:31 -0800 Nobody got the right answer! Maybe this is too hard. Here is the audio file from which I made the sonagram: http://soundcloud.com/user3781125/mystery1 If after listening to the audio, you still can't get it, here are two more clues: 1) the second part of the call has the same quality as many of this species calls/songs. 2) If you don't recognize a bird call/song, then this species is always a good guess. I put a link to the answer on the blog: http://trash-birder.blogspot.com/2010/03/mystery-sonogram-1.html Andrew Albright Lafayette Hill, PA albrigh_1999 AT yahoo.com --- On Wed, 3/10/10, Andrew Albright wrote: > From: Andrew Albright > Subject: Mystery Sonagram #1 > To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG, DE-Birds AT princeton.edu, naturerecordists AT yahoogroups.com > Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 10:40 PM > I'm not sure if this will be of > interest to anyone, but I put together a mystery sonogram > from a recording I made in Philadelphia on March 1st.  > It took me a while to figure out that these two sounds were > from the same bird. > > Spring is in the air, and many species are starting to > set-up their territories. > > http://trash-birder.blogspot.com/2010/03/mystery-sonogram-1.html > > I can post the actual audio clip in a few days. > > Andrew Albright > Lafayette Hill, PA > albrigh_1999 AT yahoo.com > > > > >       > Subject: No Subject From: Maurice Barnhill <mvb AT udel.edu> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:00:34 -0500 Jim Lenhard wrote: > [url] > Be careful with this reference. Firefox 3.6 reports that it is a site that installs viruses and trojan horses. -- Maurice Barnhill mvb AT udel.edu Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716 Subject: No Subject From: Jim Lenhard <dmdcde AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:44:37 -0500 http://florex.by.ru/HkQcCwkGlL.htm Subject: RBA: Birdline Delaware, March 12th, 2010 From: Andy Ednie <ednieap AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:58:41 -0500 RBA * Delaware * Statewide * March 12, 2010 * DEST1003.12 *Birds mentioned Snow Goose Brant Canada Goose Egyptian Goose Tundra Swan Wood Duck Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Gadwall American Wigeon Eurasian Wigeon Canvasback Redhead Lesser Scaup Ring-necked Duck Long-tailed Duck Common Eider Black Scoter Surf Scoter Common Goldeneye Red-breasted Merganser Common Merganser Hooded Merganser Ruddy Duck Common Loon Red-throated Loon Pied-billed Grebe Northern Gannet Great Cormorant Great Egret Black Vulture Bald Eagle Osprey Peregrine Falcon American Avocet Greater Yellowlegs Purple Sandpiper American Woodcock Bonaparte's Gull Laughing Gull Glaucous Gull Great Horned Owl Barred Owl Pileated Woodpecker Eastern Phoebe Tree Swallow Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Hermit Thrush Brown Thrasher American Pipit Fox Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: March 12, 2010 Number: 302-658-2747 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (ednieap AT verizon.net) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland Transcriber: Andy Ednie (ednieap AT verizon.net) For Friday, March 12th, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The 2010 Unofficial Delaware State Year List now stands at 167 species. The drake EURASIAN WIGEON at the North Pond in the Logan Tract off the Kitts Hummock Rd. continues to be seen this week. There were also 12 AMERICAN AVOCETS seen flying over the pond on Sunday. Other species seen there included WOOD DUCK, RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP, RUDDY DUCK, AMERICAN COOT, and all three MERGANSERS, COMMON, HOODED, and RED-BREASTED. 20+ BONAPARTE'S GULLS were also present. Another EURASIAN WIGEON was also found at the Pickering Beach side of Little Creek WMA this week. That bird was on the west side of the dike 2 drake REDHEADS were also seen at the west pool, along with LESSER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, 20+ HOODED MERGANSERS, RUDDY DUCK and 300-400 AMERICAN WIGEON. You can access Pickering Beach by parking along the road and walking in. 30+ BONAPARTE'S GULLS were flying off Kitts Hummock. Other birds reported round Kitts included 6 BLACK VULTURES, BALD EAGLE, RING-NECKED DUCK, TUNDRA SWAN, all three species of MERGANSERS, and AMERICAN PIPIT. Signs of spring included a GREAT EGRET seen flying over I-95 at Churchman's Marsh this yesterday. The same day, another was seen at Prime Hook. OSPREYS have returned to the Delaware beaches, with a pair occupying the nest at Bay Vista. The first LAUGHING GULL of the season was reported Gordon's Pond. A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen flying over bear swamp at Bombay Hook NWR near Smyrna on Tuesday. HORNED GREBE continues to be reported intermittently at the refuge. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS continue to be seen at the feeders there. BLUE-WINGED TEAL was reported at Greer's Pond at Thousand Acre Marsh. WOOD DUCK, GADWALL, NORTHERN PINTAIL, and AMERICAN WIGEON were also seen at Thousand Acre Marsh. PEREGRINE FALCON and BALD EAGLE were also reported. One COMMON EIDER still remains at Indian River Inlet. 3 GREATER SCAUP and a couple of BRANT were among the LONG-TAILED DUCKS at the inlet. Large numbers of RED-THROATED and COMMON LOONS were present, plus 2 GREAT CORMORANTS. 15 PURPLE SANDPIPERS were seen on the jetty. PIED-BILLED GREBE and COMMON GOLDENEYE were seen from the Burton's Island causeway. 15 RING-NECKED DUCKS were among the CANVASBACK on Silver Lake this week. FOX SPARROW and HERMIT THRUSH were reported at Thompson's Island. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and EASTERN TOWHEE are still coming to a feeder at Bay Vista. A huge flock of SCOTERS were seen off Cape Henlopen State Park this week, only SURF and BLACK SCOTER were reported. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was seen on the bay side of the point, NORTHERN GANNETS and LOONS were seen offshore. A dozen BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES were seen in the Youth Camp area behind the Seaside Nature Center. A GLAUCOUS GULL was reported at Fowler's Beach at Prime Hook NWR. 5 GREATER YELLOWLEGS were reported along the Prime Hook Beach Rd. A GREAT HORNED OWL nesting on an Osprey platform can be seen along the Broadkill Beach Rd. EASTERN PHOEBE and BROWN THRASHER were seen at the Prime hook headquarters. TUNDRA SWAN and TREE SWALLOW were also reported. EGYPTIAN GEESE continue to be seen at the University of Delaware Ag farm in Newark. You can see these birds from the backside of Ag Hall off Rt. 896 (South College Ave.). AMERICAN WOODCOCK were peenting at several locations this week. Reports include Old Landing near Rehoboth Beach, Georgetown, and at Abbott's Mill near Milford. A half dozen courting males were heard this week behind the Aquatic Center off Rt. 9 near Woodland Beach. The safe date for calling WOODCOCKS is after March 20th for the Breeding Bird Atlas. A BARRED OWL was reported calling in the evening at Ashland Nature Center this week. There was also a flyover BALD EAGLE. SNOW and CANADA GEESE have been going overhead at Ashland. PILEATED WOODPECKER has also been reported. PILEATED WOODPECKER was also reported at Winterthur Museum. And now for this week's special feature from 1450 WILM News Radio. Every St. Paddy's Day brings the first harbingers of spring to Delaware, as the EASTERN PHOEBE arrives back on its nesting territory. Along creeks and streams, near bridges under which they nest, comes their call, "Dear me, Phoebe", which means that springtime is just around the corner. The PHOEBE belongs to the family of tyrant flycatchers found only in the New World. This is one of the largest, most diverse, family of birds in the world. Mostly tropical, there are over 400 different species and growing. The group includes the KINGBIRDS, PEWEES, CRESTED, and EMPIDOMAX FLYCATCHERS. Many birds in this group look similar, having to find a mate by song. In most species song is learned, but recent studies show that in flycatcher's, song is inherited. A PHOEBE will sit on a snag over a stream, pumping its tail downward. They have a dark gray back, black head that looks like a cap with a small crest, and white belly. What differentiates the PHOEBE from other flycatchers is the lack of an eye ring or wing bars. One of the first banding experiments done in the New World was documented on the EASTERN PHOEBE. Audubon, from his childhood home in Mill Grove: Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania just north of Valley Forge, tied yarn to the legs of the local PHOEBES. That way, each spring he was able to demonstrate that the same birds came back to nest in the rocky crags on his property over the Perkiomen Creek. And now, just as in Audubon's time, Phoebes are returning to their nest sites. Special hanks this week to Lynn Smith, Sharon Lynn, Anthony Gonzon, Maurice Barnhill, Jim white, Andrew Bogush, Derek Stoner, Judy Montgomery, Brian McCaffery, and Colin Campbell for their reports. You can report your sightings or add to the Delaware Year List by calling 302-792-9591 or email ednieap AT verizon.net. Thanks for calling and until next time, good birding! -end transcript Andy Ednie Claymont, Delaware Subject: Chester Co., Bucktoe Creek Preserve From: Joe Sebastiani <bunker17 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:59:38 -0500 Attend the free bird walks at Bucktoe Creek Preserve near Kennett Square, PA this Sunday and Monday at 8am. On Sunday, Holly Merker will lead the walk, and on Monday, Sally O'Byrne will lead. Directions can be found at http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/dns_sites.html. If this program is cancelled because of weather on Sunday, a message will appear at http://bucktoecreekpreserve.org/. We saw two fly-by Woodcocks on our walk last Monday evening the 8th, but they didn't display, so we will return for another try this Monday evening the 15th. If you are interested in attending, please email me off-list. Joe Sebastiani, Delaware Nature Society Subject: Eastern Red Bat... From: bentebbens <bentebbens AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:11:44 -0500 Saw what mom has probably correctly identified as an Eastern Red Bat swooping and diving around our back yard earlier in the week. I'd never seen a bat that looked like that, almost a yellow sunshiny head. So cool, lots of "no see um's" around as warmer weather moved in. A few shots uploaded onto flickr if you'd like to see it. Kind regards, Ben Tebbens of Lincoln, De. http://www.flickr.com/photos/21183284 AT N05/4428144214/ Subject: CANCELLED: DOS Field trip to Stone Harbor From: Bill Stewart <hcf2 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:34:21 -0500 Good rainy morning, As much as I do not want to do it, I have decided to cancel the DOS Stone Harbor/Avalon field trip that is scheduled for tomorrow. The National Weather Service has issued Flood Warnings, High Wind Advisory (45 mph or more) and Hazardous Weather Outlook for Saturday the 13th! In light of that impending explosion of several low pressure systems, birding would be close to impossible. I have included the latest report from NOAA pertaining to the storms. Guess we will just have to wait until next year. Bill Stewart PERIODS OF RAIN FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CREATE FLOODING ON STREAMS, RIVERS AND IN AREAS OF POOR DRAINAGE. EVENT TOTAL PRECIPITATION ESTIMATES ARE 2 TO 4 INCHES WITH SOME LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS. THE HEAVIEST RAIN SHOULD OCCUR ON THE CALENDAR DAY ON SATURDAY. IN ADDITION, AT LEAST MINOR TIDAL FLOODING MAY OCCUR OVER THE WEEKEND ALONG WITH SOME STRONG ONSHORE WINDS AND BEACH EROSION. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 1 PM EST SATURDAY. A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM FORMING OFF THE SOUTH CAROLINA COAST WILL INTENSIFY AS IT SLOWLY DRIFTS NORTH TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY. MEANWHILE A HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL BUILD INTO THE CANADIAN MARITIMES. BOTH WILL COMBINE TO INCREASE THE EAST TO NORTHEAST WINDS ACROSS THE REGION LATE TONIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY AFTERNOON. PEAK WIND GUSTS SHOULD AVERAGE AROUND 45 MPH. THE COMBINATION OF THE STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR WEAK TREES, TREE LIMBS AND WIRES TO BE KNOCKED DOWN. SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES SHOULD OCCUR Subject: GREG From: Colin Campbell <delawaretwitcher AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:36:37 -0500 A Great Egret was at Fowler Beach Road today. Ducks in the ascendancy, geese in the descendancy (along with the rain). Colin Campbell. Subject: Ashland Bird Walk: Woodpeckers and Waterfowl From: Derek Stoner <derek AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:31:50 -0500 The morning walk at Ashland had a distinct flavor of waterfowl and woodpeckers. Migrant flocks of Canada and Snow Geese filtered overhead throughout the morning, while a quartet of Wood Ducks put on a show on the creek as they perched and preened on logs. Territorial battles and displays among the Downy and Hairy tribes indicated that the woodpecker nesting season is upon us. A Red-bellied Woodpecker battling a European Starling for a nest cavity was an all-too-common reminder of the starling's competition with native bird species. On cherry and sassafras trees we examined the recent and extensive excavations of Pileated Woodpeckers. A chattering pair of Belted Kingfishers flew upstream, followed shortly by another pair of kingfishers. The waterfront real estate market is very hot right now! At Middle Run Natural Area later in the morning, I observed the following: a crow(probably an American) carrying nesting material, a Killdeer calling loudly, and a Yellow-rumped Warbler fly-catching gnats from a red maple. No phoebes, swallows or Palm Warblers- yet. Good birding, Derek Stoner Hockessin, DE Subject: Osprey report From: Susan Gruver <Srgruver AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:44:20 EST Hi all, Lynn Smith just called(12:30pm) me, she is at Bay Vista Island, Rehoboth and she has two Osprey sitting on the platform. Oh boy, a real great harbinger of Spring. Sue Gruver Subject: Copy of Sibley found at Fowler's Beach From: fintel AT CE.NET Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:08:44 -0500 A well used copy of Sibley was found by a friend on Monday, March 1, 2010 at Fowler's Beach, Prime Hook Refuge. To retrieve it, please contact me off-line. Sally Fintel Lewes, DE Subject: Mystery Sonagram #1 From: Andrew Albright <albrigh_1999 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:40:02 -0800 I'm not sure if this will be of interest to anyone, but I put together a mystery sonogram from a recording I made in Philadelphia on March 1st. It took me a while to figure out that these two sounds were from the same bird. Spring is in the air, and many species are starting to set-up their territories. http://trash-birder.blogspot.com/2010/03/mystery-sonogram-1.html I can post the actual audio clip in a few days. Andrew Albright Lafayette Hill, PA albrigh_1999 AT yahoo.com Subject: Egyptian Geese and Winterthur From: John Barczewski <cosmo123 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:40:29 -0500 Two Egyptian Geese are still hanging around the U of D Ag Hall Campus. I found them in the cow pasture today. Though they flock with Canada Geese, they seem to walk to their own beat, straying from the group. Beautiful birds. Yesterday, I walked the grounds of Winterthur and watched their resident Pileated WP. Winterthur is open to the public again and the March Bank is glowing in yellow and white with aconites and snow drops. Purples and pinks should be popping soon. More beauty. Subject: Ashland Bird Walk, 3/11 From: Derek Stoner <derek AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:40:21 -0500 Tomorrow morning I will lead the weekly bird walk at the Ashland Nature Center in Hockessin. We will meet at 8:00am in the parking lot. Directions to the nature center may be found at: http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/dns_sites.html Birds seen today include Golden-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Towhee, and Wood Ducks. There is lots of singing going on and the woodpeckers are checking out their nest cavities. Good birding, Derek Stoner Hockessin, DE Subject: Delaware Valley RBA, 10 MARCH 2010 From: Stephen E Kacir <rba AT DVOC.ORG> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:32:50 -0800 - RBA * PA, NJ, DE * Delaware Valley: Southeast PA, Central/Southern NJ & DE * PADV1003.10 * March 10, 2010 - Birds Mentioned Western Grebe (NJ)+ Common Teal (Eurasian Green-winged Teal) (DE)+ Gyrfalcon (PA)+ -Extralimital- Loggerhead Shrike (DE)+ (NJ)+ (Details requested by NJBRC) (PA)+ (Details requested by PORC) (DE)+ (Details requested by DERC) Red-throated Loon Common Loon Horned Grebe Northern Gannet Great Cormorant Black-crowned Night-heron Greater White-fronted Goose Snow Goose Ross's Goose X Snow Goose Ross's Goose Cackling Goose Tundra Swan Wood Duck Eurasian Wigeon Blue-winged Teal Northern Pintail Canvasback Redhead King Eider Common Eider Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Common Goldeneye Common Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Red-shouldered Hawk Rough-legged Hawk Golden Eagle Peregrine Falcon Ring-necked Pheasant Sandhill Crane Purple Sandpiper American Woodcock Laughing Gull Black-headed Gull Bonaparte's Gull Iceland Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Forster's Tern Razorbill Snowy Owl Barred Owl Short-eared Owl Pileated Woodpecker Northern Shrike Fish Crow Common Raven Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch American Pipit Nashville Warbler Clay-colored Sparrow Ipswich Sparrow Lapland Longspur Snow Bunting Rusty Blackbird Purple Finch - Transcript Hotline: Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert Email reports to: rba AT dvoc.org Compiler: Steve Kacir, Delaware Valley Ornithological Club Phone: (215) 240-7547 Voice of the Delaware Valley RBA: Mike Lyman URL: http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm Welcome to the March 10, 2010 edition of the Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert, a service provided by the joint efforts of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club (DVOC), covering the Delaware Valley Region of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I'm Steve Kacir your guide for birding in the Greater Philadelphia Region. This week, we highlight reports of WESTERN GREBE in Monmouth County, NJ; COMMON TEALS (EURASIAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL) in Kent and Sussex Counties, DE and LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Sussex County, DE. Remember to check out our website for additional content and information: http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm -------------------------------------------------------------- FOR NEW JERSEY: Cape May County: The immature drake KING EIDER was spotted from Poverty Beach through March 7. A drake COMMON EIDER was seen at the St Mary's jetty on March 6-7. At Cape May Point State Park, the drake REDHEAD and 2 drake EURASIAN WIGEONS were on Lighthouse Pond through March 6, and the six TUNDRA SWANS were on the Bunker Pond through March 6 as well. A LAUGHING GULL in NJ waters was spotted from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry on March 8. That day, a dozen FORSTER'S TERNS were on the flats off the Villas, and 170 BONAPARTE'S GULLS fed at a tidal pool. The BLACK-HEADED GULL was south of the terns and BONAPARTE'S GULLS that day. The BLACK-HEADED GULL spent some time off Elwood Ave in North Cape May on March 6. Later it was seen with BONAPARTE'S GULLS following a returning ferry at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal. A BLACK-HEADED GULL was at the northern bayshore of the Villas on March 8. A BRANT was the pond at The Villas WMA on March 6. Miami Beach at the Villas had FORSTER'S TERNS and 2 LAUGHING GULLS on March 9. On March 6, AMERICAN WOODCOCKS displayed at Kimbles Beach Rd and at The Nature Conservancy Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge. On March 8, a Harbor Seal was on the beach near the Convention Center in Cape May. Beaver Swamp had a hen COMMON GOLDENEYE on March 9. Cumberland County: On March 7, a juvenile GOLDEN EAGLE and AMERICAN PIPITS were at Turkey Point in the Glades Wildlife Refuge. That day, a dark morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK over Money Island was seen from Newport Landing Rd that day. AMERICAN WOODCOCKS displayed at Turkey Point. On March 5, fifty CANVASBACKS were on Delaware Bay off Bays Point. Atlantic County: Three IPSWICH SPARROWS were reported from the Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe NWR on March 7. Ocean County: Barnegat Lighthouse State Park had COMMON EIDERS through March 7, and a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was there on March 5. Other reports from Barnegat Inlet included RED-THROATED LOON, GREAT CORMORANTS, BLACK SCOTERS, SURF SCOTERS, HARLEQUIN DUCKS and PURPLE SANDPIPERS. Huddy Park in Toms River had 8 CANVASBACKS. AMERICAN WOODCOCKS displayed at Manahawkin WMA. Monmouth County: On March 9, the North Shore WESTERN GREBE was spotted off Marine Place in Deal. The WESTERN GREBE was just north of Shark River Inlet on March 6, and COMMON EIDERS were at the North Shore that day. On March 9, a RAZORBILL and 5 COMMON EIDERS were reported off Marine Ave. Recent reports from Sandy Hook included HORNED GREBES, BARRED OWL, BLACK SCOTERS, SURF SCOTERS, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and Harbor Seals. On March 5, the drake REDHEAD, a COMMON GOLDENEYE and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER were seen from the boat launch at Assunpink WMA. A RING-NECKED PHEASANT was at Assunpink on March 7. Burlington County: On March 5, two GREAT CORMORANTS at the Delaware River were spotted from Palmyra Cove Nature Park. The waterfront at Florence had 9 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and an ICELAND GULL, with the best birding taking place at the exposed mud flats north of the turnpike bridge. Gloucester County: On March 5, the Pedricktown Marsh causeway, which is still closed to vehicles, had 1350 NORTHERN PINTAILS. Middlesex County: On March 2, two SNOW BUNTINGS were at the Raritan Bay Waterfront Park in South Amboy. Mercer County: An AMERICAN WOODCOCKS displayed in Princeton and Hamilton. Hunterdon County: On March 6, Spruce Run State Park had 24 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS. That day, a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH was at Round Valley Reservoir. Three PURPLE FINCHES visited a feeder in Kingwood Twp. Warren County: On March 4, Oberly Rd at the Alpha Grasslands had 10 SNOW BUNTINGS and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR. On March 9, Merrill Creek Reservoir had over 100,000 SNOW GEESE, a REDHEAD, a LONG-TAILED DUCK and COMMON GOLDENEYES. Morris County: A drake EURASIAN WIGEON was at Mount Hope Lake in Rockaway Twp on March 9-10. The old Hanover Airport had RUSTY BLACKBIRDS on March 6. NJ Extralimitals: The NORTHERN SHRIKE at DeKorte Park's Disposal Rd was reported as recently as March 6. -------------------------------------------------------------- FOR DELAWARE: New Castle County: Returning WOOD DUCKS were reported from the DuPont Environmental Education Center and Dragon Run Park. A BLUE-WINGED TEAL was at Dragon Run Park on March 7. South of Newark on Route 896, some EGYPTIAN GEESE were seen near the north end of the University of Delaware Agriculture Building. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK caught a snake at Harry's Pond in the Brandywine Town Center. On March 6, nearly 3,000 NORTHERN PINTAILS were at the Thousand Acre Marsh, and the PEREGRINE FALCONS nesting under the Reedy Point Bridge snacked on a cowbird. GREAT CORMORANTS were at the channel marker on the Delaware River at Claymont. Kent County: A drake EURASIAN WIGEON was at the North Pond of Ted Harvey WA through March 9. A third hand report mentioned COMMON TEAL (EURASIAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL) at the North Pond on March 7. Several BONAPARTE'S GULLS were at the North Pond of Ted Harvey on March 9. On March 9, a GOLDEN EAGLE flew over Bear Swamp at Bombay Hook NWR. A PEREGRINE FALCON was spotted at Little Creek WA on March 9. Sussex County: On March 5-6, a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was at the end of Bennett's Pier Rd in Milford Neck. On March 7, thirty-one TUNDRA SWANS flew over this area. On March 4, a COMMON TEAL (EURASIAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL) was at the last field on the north side of Broadkill Rd between the impoundments and Prime Hook NWR's Refuge Entrance Rd. On March 9, Prime Hook had 130 TUNDRA SWANS. On March 8, Indian River Inlet had 50 RED-THROATED LOONS, 30 COMMON LOONS, GREAT CORMORANTS, BLACK SCOTERS, SURF SCOTERS, a COMMON EIDER, a BONAPARTE'S GULL, 15 PURPLE SANDPIPERS and a Harbor Seal. Hundreds of CANVASBACKS were on Silver Lake in Rehoboth, and AMERICAN WOODCOCKS displayed at Rehoboth Beach. Thousands of SURF SCOTERS and BLACK SCOTERS rafted off the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse Point overlook at Cape Henlopen State Park on March 9. That day, BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES were at Cape Henlopen's Youth Campground, and NORTHERN GANNETS were seen from the park. A LAUGHING GULL was on the beach near Gordon's Pond on March 8. On March 9, three AMERICAN WOODCOCKS displayed at Lee Meadow behind the nature center at Abbott's Mill Nature Center. -------------------------------------------------------------- FOR PENNSYLVANIA: Chester County: On March 8-9, Chambers Lake had six GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. Other birds at Chambers Lake included TUNDRA SWANS, CACKLING GOOSE, COMMON GOLDENEYES and WOOD DUCKS. A CACKLING GOOSE was at Chambers Lake on March 9. On March 9, Westtown Lake had a drake REDHEAD and WOOD DUCKS. Montgomery County: On March 6, two COMMON RAVENS soared over the quarry on Route 309 near the 309 Cinema. On March 6, four LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and a FISH CROW were at the Church Rd area of Green Lane Reservoir. Five WOOD DUCKS were on Knight Lake that day. PURPLE FINCHES visited feeders in Green Lane. Bucks County: A COMMON RAVEN flew over Route 663 near the PA Turnpike Interchange on March 6. On March 3, two COMMON GOLDENEYES, an ICELAND GULL and a PEREGRINE FALCON were spotted from the Morrisville Levee. Peace Valley Park's Lake Galena has had as many as 584 COMMON MERGANSERS through March 6. Peace Valley's high count for LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS was 63 gulls on March 2. A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was at Silver Lake Park on March 7. Churchville Nature Center reported LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. Northampton County: The CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was at the Koch property through March 7. A GREAT CORMORANT was at the Martins Creek Quarry on March 7. On March 9, Lake Minsi had 8 BONAPARTE'S GULLS and 45 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS. Bear Swamp had AMERICAN WOODCOCK and PILEATED WOODPECKERS. AMERICAN WOODCOCKS have been displaying in Plainfield Twp. Lehigh County: On March 3, a PEREGRINE FALCON was at the 8th St bridge in Allentown. On March 7, a PEREGRINE FALCON was spotted from the Prairie Warbler Trail at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. On March 8, three LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at Dorney Pond in Allentown. Schuylkill County: Sweet Arrow Lake had PILEATED WOODPECKER, FISH CROW and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Berks County: On March 10, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was on a pole in Northern Heidelberg Twp. A CACKLING GOOSE was at Lake Ontelaunee on March 6. On March 8, Ontelaunee had 2 REDHEADS, 4 CANVASBACKS and 4 COMMON GOLDENEYES. A ROSS'S GOOSE and a CACKLING GOOSE were at Lake Ontelaunee on March 9. The high count for SNOW GEESE at Lake Ontelaunee was 12,000 geese on March 9. Blue Marsh National Recreation Area had 8 TUNDRA SWANS on March 10. Lancaster County: The wildlife drive at Middle Creek WMA is open, and the waterfowl numbers are building. A possible blue morph ROSS'S GOOSE was at Middle Creek on March 5 & 9. A probable ROSS'S GOOSE X SNOW GOOSE hybrid was at Middle Creek on March 5-6. Two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and 3 drake REDHEADS were there on March 6. On March 5, Middle Creek had 2 CACKLING GEESE. The March 9 high counts from Middle Creek were 100,000 SNOW GEESE and around 2,000 TUNDRA SWANS. Two SHORT-EARED OWLS were seen from Stop #3 on the tour loop on March 6-7. Other sightings from Middle Creek included WOOD DUCKS, AMERICAN WOODCOCKS, FISH CROW and AMERICAN PIPIT. The Greenfield Estates pond attracted a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and 8 CACKLING GEESE on March 7. That day, the NASHVILLE WARBLER was at the LASA Susquehanna Water Pollution Control Plant in Washington Boro. Reports from the Conejohela Flats mentioned TUNDRA SWANS and WOOD DUCKS. On March 9, a flight of 2,500 TUNDRA SWANS flew over Columbia. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK visited a yard in Holtwood on March 8. Lebanon County: The SANDHILL CRANE at Lake Duffy in SGL 145 was seen as recently as March 9. That day, SGL 145 also had thousands of SNOW GEESE, a ROSS'S GOOSE and AMERICAN WOODCOCKS. Memorial Lake State Park had COMMON GOLDENEYE on March 7. On March 8, Memorial Lake had 58 TUNDRA SWANS. That day, Mount Pleasant Rd had an AMERICAN PIPIT. Carbon County: On March 7-9, a NORTHERN SHRIKE was in a hedgerow across from Pohopoco Dr and Beltzville Dr at Beltzville State Park. Other reports from Beltzville included CANVASBACKS, RING-NECKED PHEASANT and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. PA Extralimitals: On March 3, a GYRFALCON was reported from Butler County at Route 173 north of Slippery Rock. The Crawford County SNOWY OWL at the Miller Farm (10734 Shadeland Rd, Springboro) was last reported on March 6 and not seen since. A SNOWY OWL was reported from the Johnstown Campus of the University of Pittsburgh on March 7. The drake HARLEQUIN DUCK was reported from Presque Isle State Park in Erie County through March 7. -------------------------------------------------------------- ANNOUNCEMENTS: On March 13, Chris Walters will lead a DVOC field trip to Barnegat Lighthouse State Park in Ocean County, NJ. This half-day trip is well suited to students and new members, but open to anyone interested in attending. The trip will meet at 9:00AM at the lighthouse parking lot. Please contact Chris if you plan on attending. On March 14, Connie Goldman will lead a DVOC field trip to Middle Creek WMA in Lancaster & Lebanon Counties, PA. The trip will meet at the Middle Creek WMA Visitor's Center on Museum Rd at 1:00PM. Please contact Connie if you plan on attending. Additional information, including past trip reports and contact information for the trip leaders can be found on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org The next meeting of the DVOC is on March 18, 2010, featuring a program by Win Shafer, entitled "Birds of the Appalachian Trail." The meeting takes place at The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia at 7:30PM. The meeting after that will take place on April 1. More details are available on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org The Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert is a weekly report on birding in the Delaware Valley Region including Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. To report birds or significant birding events and planned pelagic trips, please email rba AT dvoc.org. This is Steve Kacir, good birding to you all and thanks for calling, surfing and reporting. - End Transcript Steve Kacir rba AT dvoc.org DVOC Rare Bird Alert Committee Chair Academy of Natural Sciences Delaware Valley Ornithological Club Philadelphia Subject: Abbott's Mill - Woodcocks From: Jason Beale <jaybirdbeale AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:34:03 -0500 Hello, 3 Woodcocks were displaying in the Lee Meadow (behind the Nature Center, off of Griffith Drive) from 6:10-6:45 last night. There were a nice mix of behaviors, including the "grunt" call and some intense flight chases. Abbott's Pond is drawn down about a foot due for planned repair of the road which has now collapsed in a section. There is no access to the center from the Rt. 36 side (east), though access is still available from the west (Lindale, Griffith's, etc.) Tomorrow's walk will have a delayed start, 8:45 instead of 8:00am. We're about due for some Pine Warbler singing and Carl Swanson of Milford showed me some Pileated and Red-bellied Woodpecker nests that he and his wife, Helen, have found, so should be a good opportunity to see some breeding behavior. Good birding, Jason Beale Abbot's Mill Nature Center Milford, DE Subject: Exodus: Movement of the the Geese(a) From: Derek Stoner <derekstoner AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:55:38 -0500 Just had to appropriate that Bob Marley tune for a headline. The bottom is dropping out of the Snow Goose stock market here, as the mad rush to trade winter digs for spring breeding grounds is compelling the hordes of white geese to cash in their corn chips and head for the sparse grasses of the Arctic tundra. The past three mornings I've watched flocks of a few thousand Snow Geese flying northwest over Hockessin in their classic undulating motion that gives them the apt nickname of "Wavies." Even at night, you can hear the barks and grunts of snowies trickling down from on high. Since many of these geese are headed to their staging area at Middle Creek in northern Lancaster County, it should be interesting to see what the peak goose count is this weekend. As of yesterday, the Snow Goose estimate at Middle Creek stands at 90,000+. Rain or not, it is going to be another great weekend of waterfowl watching in the region. - Derek Stoner Hockessin, DE Subject: Aural stuff From: Colin Campbell <delawaretwitcher AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 21:48:24 -0500 Today should have been called a local holiday. They have snow days and storm days, so why not sun days? I was out looking for local Spring stuff, but the only things which really caught my senses were noises. Above the hum of the Valero plant from Dragon Run Park at Delaware City (and tinnitus) was the initial whistling of Wood Ducks, followed by the nasal burping of the numerous Gadwall pairs and the hiccuping then a rising, snoring crescendo of Pickerel Frogs. Colin Campbell. Subject: erratic flight From: Charles Fullmer <cmfullmer AT MCHSI.COM> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 21:06:08 -0500 This evening I had the distinct pleasure of watching my FOY Little Brown Bats cruise the yard in search of fresh food. Not as interesting as Sharon’s Woodcocks, but another harbinger of longer warmer days. This morning the Pileateds, Flickers, and Red Bellies were very busy drumming their snags. Chuck Fullmer Georgetown Subject: HUGE Scoter raft at the Cape From: Judy Montgomery <judithann AT ZOOMINTERNET.NET> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 21:11:46 -0500 Standing AT Cape Henlopen Lighthouse Point overlook today - I witnessed something I had never seen. An enormous raft of scoters that seemed to stretch without end! They were well off shore & hard to see until I used my scope. Thousands and thousands (ten thousand??) surf & black scoters feeding like crazy! A huge number of birds!!!!!! Other good sightings at the Cape on this goreous day - dozen Red-breasted Mergansers in the bay, lots of Brown-headed Nuthatches in Youth Campground, Gannet, scores of Loons. (Hoped for Osprey - has anyone spotted one yet?) Prime Hook was thick with Pintails, Green-winged Teal, Canada Geese, Tundra Swan (130), even a Yellowlegs! The Great-horned Owl was sunning herself from her Osprey platform nest. Wood Frogs and Yellow-rumps were both "chupping" near headquarters. I tried for S-E Owls at Port Mahon - 3 Harriers were hunting, but no owls. Judy Montgomery Subject: Tuesday trip From: Maurice Barnhill <mvb AT UDEL.EDU> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 18:59:56 -0500 Joe Russell and I spent the day along the Bay coast from Gunning-Bedford Park in Delaware City to the Ted Harvey Wildlife Area. Our targets were field birds, which didn't show up much, and waterfowl. The most interesting were the ducks, which were present in large numbers in 1000 Acre, the southern part of Little Creek WA, and the North Pond in Ted Harvey. In particular, we refound the REDHEAD and EURASIAN WIGEON that were found on the DOS Wildfowl Trip, and an additional EURASIAN WIGEON previously reported from Ted Harvey. A lot of Snow Geese were moving northward in the morning, leaving very few on the ground except opposite Shearness Pool in Bombay Hook. A GOLDEN EAGLE flew over Bear Swamp Pool around mid-afternoon. Other interesting species were Mute Swan, 2 at 1000 Acre Marsh Wood Duck, several locations Bald Eagle, 3 Peregrine Falcon, 1 in the central part of Little Creek (distant) Killdeer, 4 at one spot along route 9 Bonaparte's Gull, several at North Pond in Ted Harvey White-crowned Sparrow, 3 at Visitor Center in Bombay Hook Sparrows and Carolina Wren were very low, perhaps because of the heavy snow we had this winter. -- Maurice Barnhill mvb AT udel.edu Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716 Subject: American Woodcocks in Rehoboth Beach From: Sharon Lynn <slynn001 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 18:45:45 -0500 I was very happy to have at least 4 AMERICAN WOODCOCKS calling and displaying in the field by my house off Old Landing Rd tonight, with music by the Spring Peepers. Sharon Lynn Rehoboth Beach Subject: jinxes From: Mary Ann Levan <levanma AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:19:49 -0500 You folks are really funny- sounds like us all last summer we spent trying to figure out just who was jinxing our trips to Citizens Bank Park- my son began to be viewed very darkly by our partial season ticket plan section as he seemed to have the evil touch; our ticket plan lost 12 of the 17 games on the plan, and 3 of the games they won, he didn't attend! Good thing he had left for college before the playoffs! Subject: Chris Bennett vs. Ruth Draper Jinx From: Bob Strahorn <bstrahor AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 08:56:57 -0500 A more recent statistic on Ruth Draper. I was on the DNS waterfowl trip Sunday led by Derek Stoner. We crossed paths with Anthony Gonzon's (delayed) DOS waterfowl trip at Burtons Island. Ruth was with Anthony. So, with a chance to ruin two all day birding field trips, Ruth blessed us with perfect weather - or at least did not invoke the jinx. Since Chris was not on a field trip Sunday that I know of . . . Bob Strahorn Newark, DE -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Bennett Chris (DNREC) Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 8:10 AM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: Re: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Hey Bill, I take no responsibility for the weather for the following reasons. 1. I was not involved in the planning for your trip, nor (and this is important) had I planned a fieldtrip of my own on the same date 2. I was not planning to attend your trip and only became involved to let downstaters know that if they wanted to really enjoy the fieldtrip in its entirety that the Ferry was really not an option 3. I am not convinced that I am the cursed individual - since not all of my trips coincide with inclement weather. The recent Inlet to Inlet trip being a prime example - with weather that I think can only be described as PERFECT! I'm beginning to suspect that Ruth Draper is the rain maker. She has come on every rain-soaked fieldtrip that I've ever led AND she was not on the recent PERFECT weather trip. I would check to see if Ruth was planning on joining your trip before you start blaming ME. Have fun on your trip on Saturday! Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Bill Stewart [mailto:hcf2 AT EARTHLINK.NET] Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 5:55 PM To: Bennett Chris (DNREC) Subject: Re: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Hey Chris, A couple of interesting items and a bit of history is warranted here. As I watched the weather for the upcoming field trip over the past few days, things were looking manageable with temps in the 50's, possible showers but no real threat. Then, Mr. Chris Bennett started to vaguely become involved with the field trip through a post on De-Birds and as I sit here, the latest weather forecast for Saturday is, and I quote......"an explosion of rain as two low's collide on Saturday along the Mid-Atlantic coast"............Thanks Dude! The Bennett curse lives on!!!! I really didn't know it was contagious, but I suspect we might need an antibiotic! I remember a few occasions that we had the opportunity to talk about your time in Stone Harbor and the Wetlands Institute and thought back that I probably ran into you a few times during your employment there. I wondered how fascinating that stint must have been and quite envious. I began my journey with Stone Harbor Point way back in 1968 on a surfing adventure. Back then, the Point provided some great breaks, no crowds in the lineup and a feeling of remoteness. Since that time, it remains one of my most favorite spots on earth. I, too, have watched and marveled at the changes it has endured, from not being a point, to stretching to what seemed like two miles. I visit the Point probably more than my beloved Delaware spots, it has a charm and possession of me all on it's own. One of my favorite times of the year are the days I park at the Point, strap on my backpack loaded with Sibley's and Peterson's, lunch, water, scope and make the trek to the very end and sit in the beach chair to view Champagne Island. Studying the terns, gulls and listening to the chorus of all the activity takes up more than a full day. I'll hesitate on commenting about the rejuvenation of the sanctuary, I am not privy to their mission or vision. One thing I know is that the nightly flights of herons coming and going into that wonderful 21.5 acres will never be like it was in the 1980's and before. Best, Bill On Mar 8, 2010, at 3:55 PM, Bennett Chris (DNREC) wrote: Hey Bill, Unfortunately I won't be able to join you - though I love birding that part of NJ. I worked at the Wetlands Institute for a little over 5 years in the early 90s. I saw the trail work that had been done at the Sanctuary when Anthony and I were there for the Ivory Gull. I hope that they haven't done irreparable damage to the site. I was there when the Sanctuary was abandoned and the City decided that the birds left because the trees were covered with grape, greenbrier and other vines and went in and cleared large areas of understory vegetation. Herons and egrets don't usually respond well to disturbance and trails through the old nesting areas certainly isn't the best way to make the site more inviting to them. The point has really changed as well. When Karen and I lived there the point ended at the southernmost groin and the shoreline actually curved northward and then straight towards the bridge out to Nummy Island. She used to tell me how far it extended when she went there with her family as a kid and it was hard to imagine then. Champaign Island out in the middle of Hereford Inlet was huge and was that was where the skimmers nested then. I'm always amazed by how dynamic the coastal environment is!!! Chris Bennett Natural Resource Management Specialist Environmental Stewardship Program Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation 89 Kings Highway Dover, DE 19901 Phone: (302) 739-9230 Fax: (302) 739-3817 "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Bill Stewart Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 3:24 PM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: Re: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Good afternoon, Thank you to Chris for posting the ferry times, very helpful. With that information shared, I'll mention that we will be adding a new and exciting stop this year at the newly rejuvenated Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. This 21.5 acre sanctuary sits within Stone Harbor town limits and has undergone a tremendous and beneficial rejuvenation since 2007. Along with habitat enhancement, invasive species removal, additional waterflow to the sanctuary, they have added walking trails to access the freshwater pond and meadow, old growth maritime forest and saltwater marsh. This will be the second stop on the field trip and the timing might just be perfect for any ferry riders. Established in 1947, the trails were open to the public for the first time in 2009. If you plan on meeting us at any time or point, just give my cell phone (610 864 0370) a ring. Bill Stewart On Mar 8, 2010, at 11:34 AM, Bennett Chris (DNREC) wrote: Just a note for those planning on taking the ferry from Southern DE to meet Bill's group at Stone Harbor. The earliest ferry leaving Lewes is 9:15 am and it arrives at Cape May at 10:40. It is at least a 25 - 30 minute drive (if you plan on not getting a speeding ticket) from the Cape May terminal to the parking lot at Stone Harbor point - putting you there at 11:10 at the earliest. Might be better to just bite the bullet and leave southern Delaware before the sun comes up and then take the ferry back home after the trip in the afternoon! I can't eat sausage anymore, but if they are half as good as Colin makes them sound - leave a wee bit earlier and stop by Helen's on the way up to the Bridge!! For those that can't get enough of the Ferry I will be leading a field trip for the Sussex Bird Club on Saturday, 20 March on the Ferry to and back from Cape May with hopes of seeing Scoters (there were big flocks of them flying north off of Cape Henlopen yesterday), loons, gannets, gulls and with luck other rare birds as well. I will be posting about this again as we get closer to the 20th. Chris Bennett Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Bill Stewart Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 11:17 AM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Good Morning, I will be leading a field trip to Stone Harbor-Avalon, NJ this coming Saturday, March 13th. We will be meeting, 7:00 am, at the Delaware Swim Club next to Mike's Famous, just before the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Exit at Rt. 9/South-New Castle and the parking lot is on your right just before the traffic signal at the end of the exit. In year's past, we have had some participants from southern Delaware take the Ferry and meet us at Stone Harbor Point AT 9:00 am. Either way, I plan on being in the parking lot of the point (123rd St.) at 9:15 and start birding from there. This is a full day field trip, so pack a lunch and plenty of liquids, we will be back at the swim club around 4:00. Carpooling will be available. If you are planning on attending, please reply to this post so I know who to expect where. My cell number is 610 864 0370 in case you are running late. The two hour ride to the point is very birdy and we will have good looks at a Bald Eagle nest with eagle on eggs, flocks of wild turkey strutting and numerous ponds with waterfowl. In the previous two years, we have had over eighty species combined and great looks at the newly arrived Piping Plovers. This year, the Avalon Seawall holds a male and female Harlequin duck (personally seen yesterday), eiders and other staging waterfowl. Hope you can make it! Good birding, Bill Stewart Subject: Waterfowl along Rt 9 From: Maryanne Dolan <maryanne.dolan AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 08:24:40 -0500 Monday was a great day to be birding in Delaware THOUSAND ACRE MARSH held very large numbers of Norther Pintail and Green-winged Teal, along with smaller numbers of Common Mergansers and Northern Shovelers. I thought I saw several American Widgeons, but I was on the causeway where No Stopping, Standing or Parking signs are located every few feet so didn't have the courage to do more than scan quickly. Still large numbers of snow geese in the fields along Rt 9, as well as in Bombay Hook. BOMBAY HOOK also had very large numbers of Pintails and Green-winged Teal, along with Bufflehead, Common Mergs, Northern Shovelers, and Grebes (Eared, I think, but the two drakes were not yet in full plumage and Grebes always confuse me.) There was a also a nice little flock of Yellow-rumped warblers on the road at the entrance to the Boardwalk Trail. TED HARVEY continued the Pintail and Green-winged Teal saga, along with Common Mergs, Hooded Mergs, and a nice collection of American Widgeon. No sight of the Eurasian widgeon, but all the widgeons were distant making it unlikely I could pinpint a Eurasian. Now I know why the Cecil County Bird Club couldn't find ducks at Eastern Neck NWR. They were all in Delaware! maryanne dolan elkton, md Subject: Re: DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 08:09:53 -0500 Hey Bill, I take no responsibility for the weather for the following reasons. 1. I was not involved in the planning for your trip, nor (and this is important) had I planned a fieldtrip of my own on the same date 2. I was not planning to attend your trip and only became involved to let downstaters know that if they wanted to really enjoy the fieldtrip in its entirety that the Ferry was really not an option 3. I am not convinced that I am the cursed individual - since not all of my trips coincide with inclement weather. The recent Inlet to Inlet trip being a prime example - with weather that I think can only be described as PERFECT! I'm beginning to suspect that Ruth Draper is the rain maker. She has come on every rain-soaked fieldtrip that I've ever led AND she was not on the recent PERFECT weather trip. I would check to see if Ruth was planning on joining your trip before you start blaming ME. Have fun on your trip on Saturday! Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Bill Stewart [mailto:hcf2 AT EARTHLINK.NET] Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 5:55 PM To: Bennett Chris (DNREC) Subject: Re: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Hey Chris, A couple of interesting items and a bit of history is warranted here. As I watched the weather for the upcoming field trip over the past few days, things were looking manageable with temps in the 50's, possible showers but no real threat. Then, Mr. Chris Bennett started to vaguely become involved with the field trip through a post on De-Birds and as I sit here, the latest weather forecast for Saturday is, and I quote......"an explosion of rain as two low's collide on Saturday along the Mid-Atlantic coast"............Thanks Dude! The Bennett curse lives on!!!! I really didn't know it was contagious, but I suspect we might need an antibiotic! I remember a few occasions that we had the opportunity to talk about your time in Stone Harbor and the Wetlands Institute and thought back that I probably ran into you a few times during your employment there. I wondered how fascinating that stint must have been and quite envious. I began my journey with Stone Harbor Point way back in 1968 on a surfing adventure. Back then, the Point provided some great breaks, no crowds in the lineup and a feeling of remoteness. Since that time, it remains one of my most favorite spots on earth. I, too, have watched and marveled at the changes it has endured, from not being a point, to stretching to what seemed like two miles. I visit the Point probably more than my beloved Delaware spots, it has a charm and possession of me all on it's own. One of my favorite times of the year are the days I park at the Point, strap on my backpack loaded with Sibley's and Peterson's, lunch, water, scope and make the trek to the very end and sit in the beach chair to view Champagne Island. Studying the terns, gulls and listening to the chorus of all the activity takes up more than a full day. I'll hesitate on commenting about the rejuvenation of the sanctuary, I am not privy to their mission or vision. One thing I know is that the nightly flights of herons coming and going into that wonderful 21.5 acres will never be like it was in the 1980's and before. Best, Bill On Mar 8, 2010, at 3:55 PM, Bennett Chris (DNREC) wrote: Hey Bill, Unfortunately I won't be able to join you - though I love birding that part of NJ. I worked at the Wetlands Institute for a little over 5 years in the early 90s. I saw the trail work that had been done at the Sanctuary when Anthony and I were there for the Ivory Gull. I hope that they haven't done irreparable damage to the site. I was there when the Sanctuary was abandoned and the City decided that the birds left because the trees were covered with grape, greenbrier and other vines and went in and cleared large areas of understory vegetation. Herons and egrets don't usually respond well to disturbance and trails through the old nesting areas certainly isn't the best way to make the site more inviting to them. The point has really changed as well. When Karen and I lived there the point ended at the southernmost groin and the shoreline actually curved northward and then straight towards the bridge out to Nummy Island. She used to tell me how far it extended when she went there with her family as a kid and it was hard to imagine then. Champaign Island out in the middle of Hereford Inlet was huge and was that was where the skimmers nested then. I'm always amazed by how dynamic the coastal environment is!!! Chris Bennett Natural Resource Management Specialist Environmental Stewardship Program Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation 89 Kings Highway Dover, DE 19901 Phone: (302) 739-9230 Fax: (302) 739-3817 "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Bill Stewart Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 3:24 PM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: Re: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Good afternoon, Thank you to Chris for posting the ferry times, very helpful. With that information shared, I'll mention that we will be adding a new and exciting stop this year at the newly rejuvenated Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. This 21.5 acre sanctuary sits within Stone Harbor town limits and has undergone a tremendous and beneficial rejuvenation since 2007. Along with habitat enhancement, invasive species removal, additional waterflow to the sanctuary, they have added walking trails to access the freshwater pond and meadow, old growth maritime forest and saltwater marsh. This will be the second stop on the field trip and the timing might just be perfect for any ferry riders. Established in 1947, the trails were open to the public for the first time in 2009. If you plan on meeting us at any time or point, just give my cell phone (610 864 0370) a ring. Bill Stewart On Mar 8, 2010, at 11:34 AM, Bennett Chris (DNREC) wrote: Just a note for those planning on taking the ferry from Southern DE to meet Bill's group at Stone Harbor. The earliest ferry leaving Lewes is 9:15 am and it arrives at Cape May at 10:40. It is at least a 25 - 30 minute drive (if you plan on not getting a speeding ticket) from the Cape May terminal to the parking lot at Stone Harbor point - putting you there at 11:10 at the earliest. Might be better to just bite the bullet and leave southern Delaware before the sun comes up and then take the ferry back home after the trip in the afternoon! I can't eat sausage anymore, but if they are half as good as Colin makes them sound - leave a wee bit earlier and stop by Helen's on the way up to the Bridge!! For those that can't get enough of the Ferry I will be leading a field trip for the Sussex Bird Club on Saturday, 20 March on the Ferry to and back from Cape May with hopes of seeing Scoters (there were big flocks of them flying north off of Cape Henlopen yesterday), loons, gannets, gulls and with luck other rare birds as well. I will be posting about this again as we get closer to the 20th. Chris Bennett Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Bill Stewart Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 11:17 AM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Good Morning, I will be leading a field trip to Stone Harbor-Avalon, NJ this coming Saturday, March 13th. We will be meeting, 7:00 am, at the Delaware Swim Club next to Mike's Famous, just before the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Exit at Rt. 9/South-New Castle and the parking lot is on your right just before the traffic signal at the end of the exit. In year's past, we have had some participants from southern Delaware take the Ferry and meet us at Stone Harbor Point AT 9:00 am. Either way, I plan on being in the parking lot of the point (123rd St.) at 9:15 and start birding from there. This is a full day field trip, so pack a lunch and plenty of liquids, we will be back at the swim club around 4:00. Carpooling will be available. If you are planning on attending, please reply to this post so I know who to expect where. My cell number is 610 864 0370 in case you are running late. The two hour ride to the point is very birdy and we will have good looks at a Bald Eagle nest with eagle on eggs, flocks of wild turkey strutting and numerous ponds with waterfowl. In the previous two years, we have had over eighty species combined and great looks at the newly arrived Piping Plovers. This year, the Avalon Seawall holds a male and female Harlequin duck (personally seen yesterday), eiders and other staging waterfowl. Hope you can make it! Good birding, Bill Stewart Subject: Re: Best guess id: Lum's Pond, Sandhill Crane pair, overflight From: Doug Sutherland <djsland AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 17:45:24 -0500 Chuck and Chris - for what its worth, this past Saturday, 3/6, while waiting to lead a Saturday morning Birdwalk, I thought I had Sandhills flying over Trap Pond. It was about 0800, I did not get a visual on them but thought I heard them high overhead. I believe their flight direction was towards the north or northeast. My only exposure to them has been in central Florida, in the winter, but I thought the calls I heard were Sandhills. Doug Sutherland Laurel, De Subject: Red-winged Blackbird Preening Brown-headed Cowbird From: Bob Strahorn <bstrahor AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 16:39:41 -0500 Today on the Bucktoe Preserve bird walk south of Kennett Square, PA we saw some male Brown-headed Cowbirds perched with male and female Red-winged Blackbirds. The recent posting from Sharon Lynn (with references to an article in The Auk by Chris Bennett and Fred Atwood), came to mind. I scanned the mixed flock and found a male Brown-headed Cowbird presenting itself with the head-bowed posture to a female Red-winged Blackbird. I pointed this out to Sally O'Byrne and some others on the walk. After about a minute the female Red-winged Blackbird tentatively preened the cowbird then moved away. The cowbird followed, and presented again. More tentative preening. The moving then presenting and preening happened one more time, then the flock dispersed. Thanks to Sharon for alerting us to this behavior. It is exciting to see what you can observe when you take the time to study some of the more common birds. Bob Strahorn Newark, DE Subject: South Indian River Inlet this afternoon From: Sharon Lynn <slynn001 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 16:04:26 -0500 South Indian River Inlet was full of birds this afternoon. The water was amazingly calm. Highlights were- Approx 300 scoters, black and surf 50 Red throated Loons 30 Common Loons 1 Common Eider 3 Greater Scaup 50 Long Tailed Ducks 1 Bonaparte's Gull 2 Great Cormorants( one wrestled with a fish more than half its size) 15 Purple Sandpipers 1 Harbor Seal at very close range I swung by Silver Lake on the way home, and there were 15 RING NECKED DUCKS in with the hundreds of CANVASBACKS and other expected ducks. Sharon Lynn Rehoboth Beach Subject: Re: DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon From: Bill Stewart <hcf2 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 15:24:02 -0500 Good afternoon, Thank you to Chris for posting the ferry times, very helpful. With that information shared, I'll mention that we will be adding a new and exciting stop this year at the newly rejuvenated Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. This 21.5 acre sanctuary sits within Stone Harbor town limits and has undergone a tremendous and beneficial rejuvenation since 2007. Along with habitat enhancement, invasive species removal, additional waterflow to the sanctuary, they have added walking trails to access the freshwater pond and meadow, old growth maritime forest and saltwater marsh. This will be the second stop on the field trip and the timing might just be perfect for any ferry riders. Established in 1947, the trails were open to the public for the first time in 2009. If you plan on meeting us at any time or point, just give my cell phone (610 864 0370) a ring. Bill Stewart On Mar 8, 2010, at 11:34 AM, Bennett Chris (DNREC) wrote: Just a note for those planning on taking the ferry from Southern DE to meet Bill's group at Stone Harbor. The earliest ferry leaving Lewes is 9:15 am and it arrives at Cape May at 10:40. It is at least a 25 - 30 minute drive (if you plan on not getting a speeding ticket) from the Cape May terminal to the parking lot at Stone Harbor point - putting you there at 11:10 at the earliest. Might be better to just bite the bullet and leave southern Delaware before the sun comes up and then take the ferry back home after the trip in the afternoon! I can't eat sausage anymore, but if they are half as good as Colin makes them sound - leave a wee bit earlier and stop by Helen's on the way up to the Bridge!! For those that can't get enough of the Ferry I will be leading a field trip for the Sussex Bird Club on Saturday, 20 March on the Ferry to and back from Cape May with hopes of seeing Scoters (there were big flocks of them flying north off of Cape Henlopen yesterday), loons, gannets, gulls and with luck other rare birds as well. I will be posting about this again as we get closer to the 20th. Chris Bennett Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Bill Stewart Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 11:17 AM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Good Morning, I will be leading a field trip to Stone Harbor-Avalon, NJ this coming Saturday, March 13th. We will be meeting, 7:00 am, at the Delaware Swim Club next to Mike's Famous, just before the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Exit at Rt. 9/South-New Castle and the parking lot is on your right just before the traffic signal at the end of the exit. In year's past, we have had some participants from southern Delaware take the Ferry and meet us at Stone Harbor Point AT 9:00 am. Either way, I plan on being in the parking lot of the point (123rd St.) at 9:15 and start birding from there. This is a full day field trip, so pack a lunch and plenty of liquids, we will be back at the swim club around 4:00. Carpooling will be available. If you are planning on attending, please reply to this post so I know who to expect where. My cell number is 610 864 0370 in case you are running late. The two hour ride to the point is very birdy and we will have good looks at a Bald Eagle nest with eagle on eggs, flocks of wild turkey strutting and numerous ponds with waterfowl. In the previous two years, we have had over eighty species combined and great looks at the newly arrived Piping Plovers. This year, the Avalon Seawall holds a male and female Harlequin duck (personally seen yesterday), eiders and other staging waterfowl. Hope you can make it! Good birding, Bill Stewart Subject: Re: Best guess id: Lum's Pond, Sandhill Crane pair, overflight From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 13:17:23 -0500 Hey Chuck, While Sandhill Crane is certainly possible at Lums (Anthony Gonzon had two fly over Grassdale at Fort Dupont last spring) and I'm not saying that isn't what you saw this morning - Great Blue Herons do occasionally fly with their necks extended - especially when chasing other Great Blues and when coming in to land - and I've seen then do so over distances up to a hundred yards or so. Chris Bennett Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Chuck Brandt Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 12:59 PM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [de-birds] Best guess id: Lum's Pond, Sandhill Crane pair, overflight A possible pair of Sandhill Cranes were seen over Lums Pond State Park (dog/horse area; not the main park) this morning (roughly 10:30-10:45).  They came in from a poor sun angle so were hard to see clearly.  Based on the wings and trailing legs, I just assumed they were a pair of Great Blue Herons.  A bit later, I noticed they were almost overhead and much better lit.  I gave them another look and noticed then that the necks were extended, not coiled.  My Sibley book mentioned that Great Blue Herons always fly with coiled necks.  With limited alternatives, I am assuming they were Sandhills.  Suggestions for other possibilities are welcome. On a different, unrelated note, the Hop Merchants are out.  Had one land on my leg and try to sun itself.    Subject: Best guess id: Lum's Pond, Sandhill Crane pair, overflight From: Chuck Brandt <cbrandt AT BRANDTBEACH.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 09:58:39 -0800 A possible pair of Sandhill Cranes were seen over Lums Pond State Park (dog/horse area; not the main park) this morning (roughly 10:30-10:45).  They came in from a poor sun angle so were hard to see clearly.  Based on the wings and trailing legs, I just assumed they were a pair of Great Blue Herons.  A bit later, I noticed they were almost overhead and much better lit.  I gave them another look and noticed then that the necks were extended, not coiled.  My Sibley book mentioned that Great Blue Herons always fly with coiled necks.  With limited alternatives, I am assuming they were Sandhills.  Suggestions for other possibilities are welcome. On a different, unrelated note, the Hop Merchants are out.  Had one land on my leg and try to sun itself.    Subject: Delaware Duck Day, 3/7 From: Derek Stoner <derek AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 11:42:07 -0500 The Delaware Nature Society's Delaware Duck Day trip had outstanding success yesterday in our quest to see the variety and spectacle of waterfowl during spring migration. The great warm weather went along well with signs of spring like newly-arrived Killdeer, Tree Swallows, and mating Canvasbacks, Painted Turtles, honeybees, blooming daffodils and crocus made for a memorable day. We enjoyed the excellent light and photography conditions, as our group of nine captured nice images of a wide variety of waterfowl, raptors, and other sights along the journey from Dragon Run down to Indian River Inlet. A full report and photos will be posted later this week on the "Nature of Delaware" blog. Good birding, Derek Stoner Hockessin, DE Subject: DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon From: Bill Stewart <hcf2 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 11:17:12 -0500 Good Morning, I will be leading a field trip to Stone Harbor-Avalon, NJ this coming Saturday, March 13th. We will be meeting, 7:00 am, at the Delaware Swim Club next to Mike's Famous, just before the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Exit at Rt. 9/South-New Castle and the parking lot is on your right just before the traffic signal at the end of the exit. In year's past, we have had some participants from southern Delaware take the Ferry and meet us at Stone Harbor Point AT 9:00 am. Either way, I plan on being in the parking lot of the point (123rd St.) at 9:15 and start birding from there. This is a full day field trip, so pack a lunch and plenty of liquids, we will be back at the swim club around 4:00. Carpooling will be available. If you are planning on attending, please reply to this post so I know who to expect where. My cell number is 610 864 0370 in case you are running late. The two hour ride to the point is very birdy and we will have good looks at a Bald Eagle nest with eagle on eggs, flocks of wild turkey strutting and numerous ponds with waterfowl. In the previous two years, we have had over eighty species combined and great looks at the newly arrived Piping Plovers. This year, the Avalon Seawall holds a male and female Harlequin duck (personally seen yesterday), eiders and other staging waterfowl. Hope you can make it! Good birding, Bill Stewart Subject: Laughing Gull From: Sharon Lynn <slynn001 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 10:56:23 -0500 I had my FOY LAUGHING GULL on the beach near Gordon's Pond this morning. Lovely sunrise! Sharon Lynn Rehoboth Beach Subject: Shrike out From: Charles Fullmer <cmfullmer AT MCHSI.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 20:25:32 -0500 I also started the day along Bennets Pier watching the sun rise under formations of passing Snow geese. A Northern Harrier worked the fields and I was hoping it would flush the Loggerhead from its overnight Motel 6 but to no avail. Michael Moore added a second set of eyes in the search and he hit it right, “ Think we’re a day late?” I decided to call it and head home to work on prepping for the coming Martin season. The backyard offered some consolation with: Pine Warbler YS Flicker RT Hawk Pileated WP Hairy & Downey Red Shouldered Hawk calling Yellow-rumped Warbler Chuck Fullmer Georgetown Subject: Loggerhead Shrike - NO From: "Michael C. Moore" <michael.moore AT ASU.EDU> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 19:01:21 -0500 Greetings, I spend this morning from about 7:15 - 10:00 looking for the Loggerhead Shrike at Bennett's Pier Rd with no luck. There is a great deal of habitat where the bird could still be. If anyone sees it again, I would appreciate a report. Consolation prizes were a nice Red Fox hunting the marsh and 31 Tundra Swans flying north. Several thousand Snow Geese in small flocks of a few hundred birds also passed continuously. Off the beach were only about 20 scaup (probably Greaters) and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers. I heard that the Eurasian Wigeon continues at Ted Harvey and also a third-hand report of a Common (Green-winged) Teal there as well. Mike Moore Newark, DE mcmoore32 AT gmail.com Michael C. Moore Professor Department of Biological Science University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716 Phone: (302)-831-2290 Email: mcmoore AT udel.edu Home Page: <http://www.public.asu.edu/~aomcm/> "If the road to excellence were not so difficult, it would not be travelled by so few" Spinoza Subject: Southern Finest BBQ and Soul Food! From: Mary Ann Levan <levanma AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 18:49:46 -0500 My husband and I and our spaniel drove down to Trap Pond today to walk, enjoy the sun, and birdwatch. On our way home we spotted a BBQ smoker going at a spot on the east side of the road just south of Dover. (The Southern Finest BBQ and Soul Food) We are always on the lookout for authentic BBQ, and ate pulled pork and ribs and raved about them to the staff. I told them I would post this review to the Listserv and the proprietor said that anyone coming in and identifying themself as a birder would get a 10% discount on their food! It's a real start up project and the folks are heartwarming and the food is homemade, cheap, and great. It's just south of the intersection of 13 and 1 (just south of Dover) on the east side of the road. The diner is a converted Hardee's or something with a smoker out front. Mary Ann Levan btw, Trap Pond was pretty quiet and we saw very few birds! got there pretty late in the day, though Subject: Local Notes From: Colin Campbell <delawaretwitcher AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 17:00:29 -0500 This morning, a beautiful adult Red-shouldered Hawk took what appeared to be a 5" snake from the edge of Harry's Pond (Brandywine Town Center) and headed off into the neighbouring trees. First time I've seen a RSHA here. The usual gang of 20 Ring-necked Duck were still there. Three Killdeer cavorted over the Dupont Tioxide plant at Edgemoor this afternoon. Six Great Cormorant, resplendent with white thigh flashes and throat, were on the 'usual' channel marker on the Delaware River at Claymont today (opposite Mt Vernon Dr on Govr Printz Blvd). A NJ birder reported a pair of Blue-winged Teal at Dragon Run Park in Delaware City late afternoon yesterday. Colin Campbell Subject: Cancel subscription From: Laura Shelton <laura3232 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 19:12:58 -0800 Thank you Subject: Waterfowl in New Castle County From: Derek Stoner <derek AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 20:16:00 -0500 While out scouting this afternoon for the waterfowl trip I am leading tomorrow for the Delaware Nature Society, my father and I enjoyed some good waterfowl in the Delaware City/Port Penn Area. Dragon Run Park had six Wood Ducks, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Black Duck, and American Coot. Thousand Acre Marsh looked like it held at least 50 acres of Northern Pintails, spread out in vast flocks totaling at least 3,000 individuals. The handsome males are courting females and engaging in the classic nuptial flights, fluttering about the females and trying to win their favor of companionship. Common Mergansers and Green-winged Teal are also quite numerous on the marsh, under the watchful eye of the male Bald Eagle from the nearby nest. From 4:30 to 4:45pm, a massive skein of 8,000+ Snow Geese flew over, heading northwest towards the friendly refuges of Middle Creek in PA. The Peregrine Falcon pair at Reedy Point Bridge gave an excellent performance, with the male zooming up to the nest box to present the female with a freshly-caught Brown-headed Cowbird(good choice!). The analysis of the prey item came from digital photos, which also revealed that the male is un-banded. Towards dusk, the ponds at Route 100 and 92 held a female Bufflehead. Hoopes Reservoir still plays host to hundreds of Common Mergansers and a few newly-arrived Wood Ducks. We'll see what tomorrow holds...lots of waterfowl for sure and perhaps the season's first Osprey, Piping Plover or Great Egret. Good birding, Derek Stoner Hockessin, DE Subject: Canada and Snow Geese From: AMROE <amroe AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 12:12:17 -0500 At 8:30 am today, several flights of Snow Geese flew over to feed a bit north of my house in Mendenhall. One flight caught up with a flight of Canadas, joined them, and both species continued on together in a single formation. Subject: Chester Co., Bucktoe Creek Preserve Walks From: Joe Sebastiani <bunker17 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 09:19:20 -0500 Larry Lewis will be conducting the free bird walks at the Bucktoe Creek Preserve this Sunday and Monday mornings. Walks begin at 8am and directions can be found at http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/dns_sites.html. This 300-acre property, near Kennett Square, is a private nature reserve with access limited to guided walks. Highlights from the walk on 2/28 are below. If you are interested, I will be leading a Woodcock Walk on the property on Monday evening. See the above website for registration details. Joe Sebastiani, Delaware Nature Society Location: Bucktoe Creek Preserve Observation date: 2/28/10 Notes: Sunday Bird Walk - Larry Lewis Number of species: 38 Canada Goose 12 Black Vulture 7 Turkey Vulture 20 Cooper's Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 4 American Kestrel 1 Merlin 1 Ring-billed Gull 15 Herring Gull 6 Great Black-backed Gull 2 Mourning Dove 4 Red-bellied Woodpecker 6 Downy Woodpecker 4 Hairy Woodpecker 3 Northern Flicker 4 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 10 American Crow 30 Carolina Chickadee 12 Tufted Titmouse 12 White-breasted Nuthatch 6 Carolina Wren 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 Eastern Bluebird 4 American Robin 15 Northern Mockingbird 2 European Starling 5 Eastern Towhee 3 Fox Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 16 White-throated Sparrow 20 Dark-eyed Junco 1 Northern Cardinal 12 Red-winged Blackbird 100 Common Grackle 300 House Finch 5 American Goldfinch 5 House Sparrow 1 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Subject: Loggerhead Shrike From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 08:48:07 -0500 Frank Rhorbacher just called me a few minutes ago to tell me that the Loggerhead Shrike at Bennett's Pier had just popped into view. He (and it sounded like others) have been out there since about 7:30 Chris Bennett Milford, DE