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Updated on Friday, October 10 at 05:45 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.


Dot-winged Antwren,©Dan Lane

10 Oct Dickcissel, Koch property, Northampton County [DAVID KOCH ]
10 Oct HSR: Rose Tree Park (10 Oct 2008) 29 Raptors ["Hawkcount.org reports" ]
10 Oct Take time to act for endangered species [Scott Weidensaul ]
10 Oct Lawrence Co. [Mark Vass ]
10 Oct Eighty Four, Washington County [Lori DeThomas ]
10 Oct Chester County - New Garden/Kennett Twps [Joe Sebastiani ]
10 Oct Clay-colored Sparrow, Northampton County [Dustin Welch ]
10 Oct Fall Album [Herbert Flavell ]
10 Oct Churchville Report (Bucks Co) - Birds reported Oct 4-10 [William Keim ]
10 Oct Chickadees [Kae Tienstra ]
9 Oct HSR: Tuscarora Summit (08 Oct 2008) 59 Raptors ["Hawkcount.org reports" ]
9 Oct HSR: Tuscarora Summit (09 Oct 2008) 119 Raptors ["Hawkcount.org reports" ]
9 Oct White-crowned Sparrows - Beaver Co. [Mark Vass ]
9 Oct Junco Sighting in Washington [JCConkle ]
9 Oct Chester Co. Birding, LINCOLN'S SPARROWS [Chuck Chalfant ]
9 Oct HSR: Second Mountain (09 Oct 2008) 78 Raptors ["Hawkcount.org reports" ]
9 Oct Chambers Lake, Chester County [Richard Robinson ]
9 Oct HSR: Militia Hill (09 Oct 2008) 29 Raptors ["Hawkcount.org reports" ]
9 Oct HSR: Waggoner's Gap (09 Oct 2008) 368 Raptors ["Hawkcount.org reports" ]
9 Oct Sapsuckers, a Hummer, others, Koch property, Northampton County [DAVID KOCH ]
9 Oct Stone Mt., (09 Oct ) 90 Raptors [Greg Grove ]
9 Oct Am. Bittern, Newberry Twnshp, York County [Jason Miller ]
9 Oct Eastern PA Birdline: 10/9/2008 [Dave DeReamus ]
9 Oct HSR: Rose Tree Park (09 Oct 2008) 22 Raptors ["Hawkcount.org reports" ]
9 Oct Re: Hummer still here - Lancaster County ["Janet H.Austin" ]
9 Oct CORRECTION re: RBA western Pennsylvania, 5 October 2008 [Amy Taracido ]
9 Oct RBA western Pennsylvania, 5 October 2008 [Jarred and Amy Taracido ]
9 Oct Hummer still in philly [Matt Sharp ]
9 Oct Volunteer Opportunity - Quakertown Swamp Important Bird Area [Brian Byrnes ]
8 Oct White-throated Sparrow, Bradford Co. [Trudy Gerlach ]
8 Oct HSR: Second Mountain (08 Oct 2008) 221 Raptors ["Hawkcount.org reports" ]
9 Oct Todd Bird Club outing at Yellow Creek (Indiana Co.) [Marge Van Tassel ]
8 Oct Sweet Arrow Lake, Schuylkill Co. [Denise Donmoyer ]
8 Oct Delaware Valley RBA, 8 OCT 2008 [Stephen Kacir ]
8 Oct HSR: Militia Hill (08 Oct 2008) 6 Raptors ["Hawkcount.org reports" ]
8 Oct Lanco.,Cen.Park, Wed Group, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher [Chuck Chalfant ]
8 Oct HSR: Waggoner's Gap (08 Oct 2008) 182 Raptors ["Hawkcount.org reports" ]
8 Oct Central PA Birdline for 10.9.2008 ["Mark A. McConaughy" ]
8 Oct Western Sandpiper - Crawford Co. [Mark Vass ]
8 Oct Lapland Longspur - Presque Isle(10-7) [Mark Vass ]
8 Oct HSR: Rose Tree Park (08 Oct 2008) 32 Raptors ["Hawkcount.org reports" ]
8 Oct Chimney Swifts, Pittsburgh ["Kate St.John" ]
8 Oct Hummer still here - Lancaster County [Frank Haas ]
8 Oct warbler movement and window kills-Lehigh Co. [Peter Saenger ]
8 Oct Koch property, Northampton County [DAVID KOCH ]
8 Oct Palm Warbler (Western race) - Sewickley Heights Borough Park - Allegheny County [Bob & Mary Ann ]
8 Oct Re: coop, crows, beth., lehigh 10/6 ["Janet H.Austin" ]
8 Oct White-throated Sparrow + other observations, Venango ["Kate St.John" ]
8 Oct Wh. Crowned Spar. - Crawford Co. ["Thomas C. Nicolls" ]
8 Oct Erie County waterbird count [Jerry McWilliams ]
8 Oct White-throated Sparrow, Westmoreland County [Len & Linda Hess ]
8 Oct first white-throated sparrows [JCConkle ]

Subject: Dickcissel, Koch property, Northampton County
From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET>
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:44:51 -0700
I found it around 5 tonight in the same patch where there was a marsh wren over 
the weekend.  

 Arlene Koch
Easton, PA
Northampton County
davilene AT verizon.net
Subject: HSR: Rose Tree Park (10 Oct 2008) 29 Raptors
From: "Hawkcount.org reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG>
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:10:32 -0400
Rose Tree Park
Media, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 10, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Turkey Vulture               8             45             51
Black Vulture                8             16             28
Osprey                       0             50            176
Northern Harrier             0              8             19
Mississippi Kite             0              0              0
Bald Eagle                   1             17             76
Sharp-shinned Hawk           7            281            578
Cooper's Hawk                3             41             95
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0             14             32
Broad-winged Hawk            0             26           4002
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              0
Red-tailed Hawk              1             18             65
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel             1             44            120
Merlin                       0             13             31
Peregrine Falcon             0             12             20
Unknown Vulture              0              0              0
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              1
Unknown Buteo                0              0              5
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              2
Unknown Raptor               0              3             15

Total:                      29            588           5316
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 08:00:00 
Observation end   time: 15:00:00 
Total observation time: 7 hours

Official Counter:        Gary Becker, Jim Lockyer

Observers:        Jim Lockyer, Judy Mayer, Skip Conant

Visitors:
Lew & Judy Norton from Eureka, CA and Lisa Tull, Judy Lockyer


Weather:
Crystal clear blue skies with a dash of high cirrus clouds (25,000 ft) all
day. Light winds (3-11 mph)from the N early switching to the ENE midday and
SE by closing. Temperature 62-75 F.

Raptor Observations:
One adult Bald Eagle at 11:22 EDT.

Non-raptor Observations:
The park Pileated Woodpeckers (male and female) continued to show-off
several times again today.

Predictions:
Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Jim Lockyer (jim AT rtphawkwatch.org)
Rose Tree Park Hawkwatch, Media, PA information may be found at:
www.rtphawkwatch.org

Subject: Take time to act for endangered species
From: Scott Weidensaul <scottweidensaul AT VERIZON.NET>
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:59:44 -0400
  PABIRDers may recall the discussion two months ago regarding the 
administration's proposal to gut critical aspects of the Endangered 
Species Act, largely by vacating the requirement that other federal 
agencies consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before 
approving projects (federal, state or private) that might impact 
listed species.

   This is the end-run around Congress that anti-conservationists have 
long sought. One result of the rule change would be that an agency 
could decide on its own there was no risk to an endangered bird, even 
if it lacked a single staff biologist qualified to make that 
judgement. The consultation rule is one of the most powerful tools 
protecting threatened and endangered species.

   Public comments are being accepted only through Oct. 14. Comments 
cannot be emailed or faxed, but can be made via the web. Go to:


http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&o=0900006480701894 


   ...and click on "Add Comments." Fill out the required fields, write 
your comments, and click "Next Step" at the bottom, then "Submit" on 
the following page.

   If you enjoy seeing bald eagles, peregrine falcons, brown pelicans, 
Florida scrub-jays, piping plovers, or any of the other birds that 
have benefited from ESA protection, this is the very least you can do 
to prevent an appalling proposal from being enacted.

   Scott Weidensaul
   Schuylkill Haven, PA
Subject: Lawrence Co.
From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:34:06 -0700
I did a check of the ponds in New Beaver today
 
I had the following there
 
3Rivers gravel pond
 
1 Ring-necked Duck
 
14 Green-winged Teal
 
185 Canada Geese
 
 
Wampum-New Galillee Rd.
 
1 A. Wigeon
 
1 Green-winged Teal
 
23 Wood Duck
 
45 Mallard
 
1 Solitary Sandpiper
 
2 Green Heron
 
 
Mark Vass
Beaver Co.



Subject: Eighty Four, Washington County
From: Lori DeThomas <loridee AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:36:02 -0400
I got a chance to do a little birding yesterday and work and a yellow-rumped
warbler arrived here.  My boss has me keep track and he prints out photos of
all the birds I see here so everyone has gotten involved and always asks me
to let them see pictures of the birds I see here.  When I started here
people mocked me about my birdwatching.  Now everyone here is paying
attention to and is curious about birds, which is great.

I've been told these have been referred to as "butter butts", everyone
here got a kick out of that.

Lori DeThomas
Eighty Four, Washington County
Subject: Chester County - New Garden/Kennett Twps
From: Joe Sebastiani <bunker17 AT VERIZON.NET>
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:14:00 -0400
A 3 hour walk on private property near Kennett Square, Chester County included 
a large number of birds with 50 species found. Large numbers of sparrows have 
moved in, including lots of White-throats and good numbers of Song and Swamp. A 
single Lincoln's Sparrow was found among them. A few lingering warblers were 
around including Ovenbird and Black-throated Green plus the usual Palms and 
Yellow-rumps. 2 Bobolink in a large field made for a nice walk on a beautiful 
day. Joe Sebastiani 


If you are interested in attending a bird-banding session on this property on 
Saturday, please contact me. 


Full list from the morning is as follows:

Canada Goose     34
Wood Duck     13
Great Blue Heron     1
Black Vulture     3
Turkey Vulture     12
Cooper's Hawk     2
Red-tailed Hawk     2
American Kestrel     3
Mourning Dove     10
Red-bellied Woodpecker     16
Downy Woodpecker     5
Hairy Woodpecker     1
Northern Flicker     9
Eastern Phoebe     5
Blue-headed Vireo     7
Blue Jay     42
American Crow     10
Tree Swallow     9
Carolina Chickadee     17
Tufted Titmouse     18
White-breasted Nuthatch     6
Carolina Wren     11
House Wren     4
Golden-crowned Kinglet     4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     10
Eastern Bluebird     24
American Robin     15
Gray Catbird     7
Northern Mockingbird     8
European Starling     20
Cedar Waxwing     15
Yellow-rumped Warbler     12
Black-throated Green Warbler     1
Palm Warbler     4
Ovenbird     1
Common Yellowthroat     11
Eastern Towhee     18
Chipping Sparrow     38
Field Sparrow     2
Savannah Sparrow     6
Song Sparrow     54
Lincoln's Sparrow     1
Swamp Sparrow     10
White-throated Sparrow     159
Northern Cardinal     33
Bobolink     2
Red-winged Blackbird     3
Common Grackle     1
House Finch     26
American Goldfinch     8

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Subject: Clay-colored Sparrow, Northampton County
From: Dustin Welch <dwelch5951 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:30:01 -0400
10/10/08
East Allen Twp., Bath, Northampton County

This morning while walking around the yard I came across a few Chipping 
Sparrows feeding at the edge of the corn field when I briefly came across a 
very pale backed individual.?Before I could get an ID they retreated further 
back into the corn.?About a half hour later the bird appeared again, this time 
giving me a about 30 seconds of view time, a gorgeous CLAY-COLORED SPARROW.? 
Not only a new yard bird but a life bird as well.?Too many hours I've spent 
amongst the Chipping Sparrows to finally arrive at this moment. I spent the 
next?2 hours waiting for the bird to return, finally showing itself again 
around 11:30 a.m. for about a minute.?Enough time to take some poor photos from 
about 50 feet away. Was wondering if I was ever gonna see one of these guys. 
Always wondered if it would be so obvious to tell the difference from a 
Chipping Sparrow when I saw one, well there is quite a difference between the 
two. 


photos: http://flickr.com/photos/wildpabirds/

Other birds,
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 1
Yellow-rumpeds
Golden-crowned Kinglet

Bird on,
Dustin Welch
Bath, Northampton County
Subject: Fall Album
From: Herbert Flavell <herb1013 AT EPIX.NET>
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:18:19 -0700
	 

You're invited to view my online photos at the Gallery. Enjoy!Hi there are 20 
pictures in my new fall of 2008 album some pictures of the Finches that are 
still here. Other pictures of the fall colors at 1800 feet. And one of a 
BCChickadee eating nyjer seed. First time I have seen one do that.No sign in 
needed. 



You're invited to view these photos online at KODAK Gallery!
Just click on View Photos to get started.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=5ulowdp.6tdv5jrp&x=0&y=6vxm0z&localeid=en_US 

If you'd like to save this album, just sign in, or
if you're new to the Gallery, create a free account. Once you've 
signed in, you'll be able to view this album whenever you want 
and order Kodak prints of your favorite photos.

Enjoy!
Instructions: Click view photos to begin. If you're
an existing member you'll be asked to sign in. If not, you can 
join the Gallery for free.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Register.jsp

Questions? Visit http://help.kodakgallery.com.




------------------------------------------------------------
The KODAK Gallery Customer Service Team
Phone: 800-360-9098 / 512-651-9770 Outside of the US and Canada

------------------------------------------------------------




If you cannot see the links above, copy and paste the
following URL directly into your browser:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=5ulowdp.6tdv5jrp&x=0&y=6vxm0z&localeid=en_US 

Subject: Churchville Report (Bucks Co) - Birds reported Oct 4-10
From: William Keim <keimwj AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:06:06 +0000
Birds reported from Churchville Nature Center in Southampton Oct. 4-10 have 
included the following highlights: 

Wood Duck
American Black Duck
Green-winged Teal
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Merlin
Solitary Sandpiper
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Chimney Swift
Belted Kingfisher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Tree Swallow
House Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
Brown Thrasher
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Redstart
Common Yellowthroat
Eastern Towhee

Meet for the weekly Bird Walk every Saturday at 7 AM in the Nature Center 
parking lot on Churchville Lane. All are welcome! 


Bill Keim
Langhorne, Bucks Co, PA




_________________________________________________________________
See how Windows connects the people, information, and fun that are part of your 
life. 

http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093175mrt/direct/01/
Subject: Chickadees
From: Kae Tienstra <Kae_Tienstra AT KTPUBLICRELATIONS.COM>
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:06:01 -0400
A small flock of black-capped chickadees spent the afternoon in our shady 
front yard taking turns bathing (swimming!) in our ground based birdbath. 
No hummers since the end of September and we miss them. We will keep the 
hummingbird feeders out until after the hard frost in case any stray 
migrants need a drink on their way south. 

Kae Tienstra
KT / PR & Literary Services
1905 Cricklewood Cove
Fogelsville, PA 18051
610-395-6298
www.ktpublicrelations.com
Visit our new blog:
www.newliteraryagents.blogspot.com
Subject: HSR: Tuscarora Summit (08 Oct 2008) 59 Raptors
From: "Hawkcount.org reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 23:10:33 -0400
Tuscarora Summit
Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              2              2
Turkey Vulture              16             25             25
Osprey                       1             12             98
Bald Eagle                   1              4             37
Northern Harrier             0             10             17
Sharp-shinned Hawk          35            145            299
Cooper's Hawk                4             15             28
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              1              8
Broad-winged Hawk            0              0           1540
Red-tailed Hawk              0             10             16
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              4              5
American Kestrel             1              5             21
Merlin                       0              2              3
Peregrine Falcon             0              3              4
Unknown Accipiter            1             14             17
Unknown Buteo                0              0              4
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              3              3
Unknown Raptor               0              4             20

Total:                      59            260           2148
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 08:00:00 
Observation end   time: 14:00:00 
Total observation time: 6 hours

Official Counter:        Dale L. Gearhart

Observers:        Al Nelson, Carl Garner

Weather:


Raptor Observations:


Non-raptor Observations:

========================================================================
Report submitted by Dale L. Gearhart (dgearhart01 AT comcast.net)
Subject: HSR: Tuscarora Summit (09 Oct 2008) 119 Raptors
From: "Hawkcount.org reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 23:10:53 -0400
Tuscarora Summit
Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                2              4              4
Turkey Vulture              34             43             43
Osprey                       0             11             97
Bald Eagle                   3              6             39
Northern Harrier             4             14             21
Sharp-shinned Hawk          52            162            316
Cooper's Hawk                8             19             32
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              1              8
Broad-winged Hawk            0              0           1540
Red-tailed Hawk              8             18             24
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 2              6              7
American Kestrel             2              6             22
Merlin                       0              2              3
Peregrine Falcon             1              4              5
Unknown Accipiter            3             16             19
Unknown Buteo                0              0              4
Unknown Falcon               0              1              1
Unknown Eagle                0              3              3
Unknown Raptor               0              4             20

Total:                     119            320           2208
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 08:00:00 
Observation end   time: 15:00:00 
Total observation time: 7 hours

Official Counter:        Dale L. Gearhart

Observers:        Dale L. Gearhart, Ronda Barnett

Weather:


Raptor Observations:


Non-raptor Observations:

========================================================================
Report submitted by Dale L. Gearhart (dgearhart01 AT comcast.net)
Subject: White-crowned Sparrows - Beaver Co.
From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 18:12:24 -0700
I spent some time at Independence Marsh today looking for sparrows
 
I was surprised to see 2 White-crowned Sparrows(adult & immature)
 
also seen were 2 Lincoln`s
 
several Swamp also
 
there is a lot of habitat here and I only checked out not even half of it
 
also seen was 1 Palm Warbler,1 Common Yellowthroat & 2 E. Phoebes
 
 
at the Ambridge Reservoir there were 4 Solitary Sandpipers
there have been five there so I might have missed one or it left
 
also a Green Heron is still there
 
 
Mark Vass
Beaver Co.



Subject: Junco Sighting in Washington
From: JCConkle <jcconkle AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 21:02:48 -0400
I saw my first Junco of the year, a single male.  He was near the pond at
Washington Park School.

 

Lauren Conkle

Washington
Subject: Chester Co. Birding, LINCOLN'S SPARROWS
From: Chuck Chalfant <chuckchalfant AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 20:38:04 -0400
Greetings,

Stopped at Ramblewood Sewage treatment ponds at mid-day, and had my first RUDDY 
DUCK of the Fall along with 3 Lesser Yellowlegs, 

and 7 Greater Yellowlegs, 1 Killdeer, 2 Green-winged Teal, 2 Great Blue Herons.

Moving right along to Struble Lake, to check out the swampy area north of boat 
ramp to see if any interesting sparrows were there. 


3 Cormorant were on lake and not much else was visible.

In the marsh and brush it was very birdy.

Sparrows were 3 LINCOLN'S, 12 Swamp, 2 Field, 6 Song, 5 White-throated, and 6 
Savannah 


Also saw there, many Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 Indigo Bunting females, House 
Wren, Blue-headed Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 

Common Yellowthroat, Towhee 

 My first HARRIER of the Fall was a beautiful male cruising low over the brushy 
field 


Honeybrook sewage ponds still held 10 Shovelers that have been there for 2 
weeks at least. 


Good birding,   Chuck Chalfant


Happy Trails
Chuck Chalfant
Gap, Penna.
E.Lancaster Co.
chuckchalfant AT comcast.net
Subject: HSR: Second Mountain (09 Oct 2008) 78 Raptors
From: "Hawkcount.org reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 20:10:15 -0400
Second Mountain
Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0             18             18
Turkey Vulture               9             53             53
Osprey                       1             38            120
Bald Eagle                   1              8             69
Northern Harrier             0             11             32
Sharp-shinned Hawk          46            544            843
Cooper's Hawk                5             59            109
Northern Goshawk             2              4             10
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              7             16
Broad-winged Hawk            0              2           2272
Red-tailed Hawk              7             55            214
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 1              4             10
American Kestrel             4             26             78
Merlin                       1             16             23
Peregrine Falcon             1             22             27
Unknown Accipiter            0              6             11
Unknown Buteo                0              0              4
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              2             12

Total:                      78            875           3921
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 07:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 9 hours

Official Counter:        Fred Wilcox

Observers:        Bob Blauch, Brian Weaver, Ellis Blauch, Morris Cox,
                  Sam Black

Visitors:
Mike Heilman


Weather:
A mild day with very little cloud cover and a gentle wind from the
West/Northwest. Temperture range from 59 to 72.

Raptor Observations:
Adult BE at 12:48 over Stoney Creek. Immature GE at 1:13 over site. 

Non-raptor Observations:
73 blue jays, 1 red-bellied woodpecker, 1 flicker.
An invasion of thousands of the brown Asian stick bugs

Predictions:
Plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Dave Schwenk (secondmtn AT juno.com)

Subject: Chambers Lake, Chester County
From: Richard Robinson <birder18 AT VERIZON.NET>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 19:34:26 -0400
Just a few quick notes:

1st white-crowned sparrow this morning, with increasing numbers of 
swamp. Osprey seen thru the 7th. A (the?) mandarin duck re-appeared on 
the 8th. Ruddy duck first seen 10/5.

Rick Robinson
Chester County 
Subject: HSR: Militia Hill (09 Oct 2008) 29 Raptors
From: "Hawkcount.org reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 20:10:55 -0400
Militia Hill
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture               0              0              0
Osprey                       1             51            213
Bald Eagle                   0              8             59
Northern Harrier             1              8             30
Sharp-shinned Hawk           8            189            458
Cooper's Hawk                0             21             49
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          1              2              3
Broad-winged Hawk            6             20           8500
Red-tailed Hawk              2             14             24
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel             8             57            174
Merlin                       2              5              7
Peregrine Falcon             0             11             17
Unknown Accipiter            0              2              5
Unknown Buteo                0              5              8
Unknown Falcon               0              0              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0             20             36

Total:                      29            413           9584
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 08:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 8 hours

Official Counter:        Andrew Fayer

Observers:        Bert Filemyr, Hank Ballerstedt

Weather:


Raptor Observations:


Non-raptor Observations:

========================================================================
Report submitted by Andrew Fayer (AndyFayer AT aol.com)

Subject: HSR: Waggoner's Gap (09 Oct 2008) 368 Raptors
From: "Hawkcount.org reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 20:10:59 -0400
Waggoner's Gap
40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
BV                          12             26             26
TV                          60            338            338
OS                           5             65            341
BE                           1             30            211
NH                           4             25             61
SS                         243           1923           3104
CH                          20            164            365
NG                           0              0              1
RS                           3             13             20
BW                           0              2           7205
RT                           8             57            176
RL                           0              0              0
GE                           1              2              5
AK                           1             47            240
ML                           7             36             66
PG                           2             23             36
UA                           1              7             17
UB                           0              2             15
UF                           0              0              3
UE                           0              0              3
UR                           0              8             42

Total:                     368           2768          12275
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 06:30:00 
Observation end   time: 17:00:00 
Total observation time: 10.5 hours

Official Counter:        Dave Grove, Ron Freed

Observers:        Craig Houston, Dave Grove, Don Orris, Joe Lavella,
                  Ron Freed

Visitors:
Kim Mihalek, Glenda Heiser, Holly, Garrison and Ben Smith, Dennis Small -
4.


Weather:
Sunny with thick valley haze, winds light and W.

Raptor Observations:
BE Ad 11:36
GE Ad 10:20
PG Juv 4:12
PG Ad  4:26

Non-raptor Observations:
Monarchs - 22
========================================================================
Report submitted by dave grove (waggap AT comcast.net)
Waggoner's Gap Hawkwatch information may be found at:
www.waggap.com

Subject: Sapsuckers, a Hummer, others, Koch property, Northampton County
From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 15:59:28 -0700
I spent an hour on the deck, from 4 to 5 this afternoon, and saw the following 
species. Three yellow-bellied sapsuckers suddenly appeared; two worked the 
branches of the white birch trees and the other hawked insects from the almost 
bare branches of a walnut tree. Overhead chimney swifts were moving through in 
small but steady numbers. At times they mixed in with flocks of robins. 
Yellow-rumped warblers were numerous, as were ruby-crowned kinglets. A 
flycatcher (ID unknown, probably a phoebe) flew over but I didn't get a good 
look at it. The ruby-throated hummingbird was not seen from the deck. Around 
noon it popped up from a pokeberry/honeysuckle/silky dogwood tangle in the 
front yard, fed on insects for a while, visited a few flowers, and then 
disappeared. Good birding.  



Arlene Koch
Easton, PA
Northampton County
davilene AT verizon.net
Subject: Stone Mt., (09 Oct ) 90 Raptors
From: Greg Grove <gwg2 AT PSU.EDU>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 18:24:55 -0400
Stone Mt., Pa.
Allensville, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
BV                          10             45             45
TV                           4              4              4
OS                           1             26             79
BE                           0              6             38
NH                           0             11             17
SS                          42            146            255
CH                          10             30             60
NG                           0              0              1
RS                           0              7             11
BW                           0              1           1894
RT                          17             51             79
RL                           0              0              0
GE                           0              0              0
AK                           2             18             32
ML                           1             10             15
PG                           1             15             15
UA                           0              2              4
UB                           0              0              0
UF                           0              0              0
UE                           0              0              0
UR                           2              8             17

Total:                      90            380           2566
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end   time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 6.5 hours

Official Counter:        Trudy Kyler

Observers:        Bob Frederick, Chuck Widmann, Trudy Kyler

Visitors:
Ron Crandall, Jean & Craig Miller of St. College


Weather:
Cloudy skies, giving way to clear blue. Made spotting

very difficult

Raptor Observations:


Non-raptor Observations:

========================================================================
Report submitted by Trudy Kyler (DAVIDKYLER AT PENNSWOODS.NET)
-- 
Gregory W. Grove, Ph.D.
Instructor
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
301 Davey Lab, Penn State
814 865 2231
gwg2 AT psu.edu
Subject: Am. Bittern, Newberry Twnshp, York County
From: Jason Miller <Millerellim AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 18:21:06 EDT
This evening, 10-9-08, had a Bittern land in a willow scrub on the pond. 
There was a Bittern here in the spring. Must be a good stop over point. Also, 
on 

Tuesday, 10-7-08, had numerous Blue-headed Vireos, Yellow-rumped Warblers, 
and Black-throated Green Warblers.  Late last week, not sure of the day Friday 
or Saturday, had a Blackburnian Warbler.
 
Jason Miller
Garriston Road
Newberry Township, York County
millerellim AT aol.com



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Subject: Eastern PA Birdline: 10/9/2008
From: Dave DeReamus <becard AT RCN.COM>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 18:15:21 -0400
- RBA
* Pennsylvania
* Lehigh / Northampton Counties and Vicinity
* October 9, 2008
* PAEA0810.09

- Birds mentioned

MOURNING WARBLER
MARSH WREN
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER
NORTHERN GOSHAWK

- Transcript

Hotline: Eastern PA Birdline
Date: October 9th at 6:00 PM
Phone Number: (610) 252-3455
To Report by Phone: Call (610) 252-3455, press the (*) key and leave your
message.
To Report by E-Mail: Send to becard AT rcn.com with "Birdline" in subject
heading.
Compiler: Dave DeReamus
My reporting area includes all of Lehigh and Northampton Counties with the
northern edge of the area reaching Beltzville State Park and the southern
edge reaching Peace Valley Park in Bucks County.  Updates are typically done
every Thursday, more often when necessary.

You can visit the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society Website at
http://www.lehigh.edu/~bcm0/lvas.html.

You can visit my 'Eastern PA Birding' Website for photos and information at
http://users.rcn.com/becard/home.html.

This is Dave DeReamus, for the Eastern PA Birdline, sponsored by the Lehigh
Valley Audubon Society, recorded on October 9th at 6:00 PM.

The next Audubon program will be held on October 14th at 7:00 PM at the
Macungie Institute Auditorium at 510 E. Main Street in Macungie.  Michael
Godamski will do a program on "Wild Pennsylvania."

Directions to many of the sites in this report can be found in the area's
birding guidebook, "Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity".

NOW FOR THE BIRDS!

Sightings from the KIRKRIDGE area, Northampton County included:
MOURNING WARBLER - 1 on 10/4.
Also Blackburnian Warbler.

Sightings from WILLIAMS TOWNSHIP, Northampton County included:
MARSH WREN - 1 on 10/5.
Also Merlin, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Winter Wren, Nashville, Blackpoll,
and Tennessee Warbler, and Lincoln's, Grasshopper, and White-crowned
Sparrow.

Sightings from the BATH area, Northampton County included:
Cape May Warblers - 2 on 10/3.

Sightings from the KUNKLETOWN area, Monroe County included:
Cape May and Tennessee Warbler.

Sightings from BAKE OVEN KNOB, Lehigh County included:
Bald Eagles - 13 on 10/3; 9 on 10/5
Osprey - 44 on 10/3
Sharp-shinned Hawks - 152 on 10/4 and 10/6; 143 on 10/8
Golden Eagle - 1 on 10/5 and 10/8
Merlins - 6 on 10/5
Peregrine Falcons - 6 on 10/3.
Also Common Raven, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, and Blackpoll and
Cape May Warbler.

Sightings from the JORDAN CREEK PARKWAY, Lehigh County included:
Scarlet Tanager.

Sightings from the ALLENTOWN area, Lehigh County included:
At Trout Creek Park:
MARSH WREN - 1 on 10/7.
Also Hooded and Blackpoll Warbler.
And, at Lehigh Canal Park:
Bald Eagle, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, and Bay-breasted Warbler.

Sightings from PEACE VALLEY PARK, Bucks County included:
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER - 1 on 10/4.
Also Great Egret, Northern Pintail, Bald Eagle, Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser
Black-backed Gull, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Northern Rough-winged Swallow,
Winter Wren, Veery, Swainson's Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, and Lincoln's
Sparrow.

Sightings from MERRILL CREEK RESERVOIR in nearby New Jersey included:
At the Scotts Mountain Hawkwatch:
Bald Eagles - 8 on 10/3; 5 on 10/5 and 10/7
Osprey - 36 on 10/3
NORTHERN GOSHAWK - 1 on 10/4 and 10/7
Golden Eagle - 1 on 10/5 and 10/9
Merlins - 4 on 10/8
Peregrine Falcons - 10 on 10/3; 6 on 10/5.

- End transcript
Subject: HSR: Rose Tree Park (09 Oct 2008) 22 Raptors
From: "Hawkcount.org reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 17:10:26 -0400
Rose Tree Park
Media, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Turkey Vulture               5             37             43
Black Vulture                0              8             20
Osprey                       0             50            176
Northern Harrier             1              8             19
Mississippi Kite             0              0              0
Bald Eagle                   0             16             75
Sharp-shinned Hawk           8            274            571
Cooper's Hawk                4             38             92
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          1             14             32
Broad-winged Hawk            0             26           4002
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              0
Red-tailed Hawk              0             17             64
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel             3             43            119
Merlin                       0             13             31
Peregrine Falcon             0             12             20
Unknown Vulture              0              0              0
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              1
Unknown Buteo                0              0              5
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              2
Unknown Raptor               0              3             15

Total:                      22            559           5287
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 08:00:00 
Observation end   time: 15:00:00 
Total observation time: 7 hours

Official Counter:        Gary Becker, Jim Lockyer

Observers:        Jim Lockyer, Skip Conant

Visitors:
Noel Kelly, Don Nejroni


Weather:
Hazy and overcast in the morning with sun breaking through in the
afternoon. Light (9-12 mph) SW winds all day. Temperature, an unseasonable,
64-76 F.

Raptor Observations:
Not many raptors challenging the headwind on the Piedmont today.

Non-raptor Observations:
Canada Goose [23], The local Pileated Woodpeckers were observed several
times today. Monarch Butterfly [4]

Predictions:
Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Jim Lockyer (jim AT rtphawkwatch.org)
Rose Tree Park Hawkwatch, Media, PA information may be found at:
www.rtphawkwatch.org

Subject: Re: Hummer still here - Lancaster County
From: "Janet H.Austin" <wordyjan AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 16:17:28 -0400
I still have hummers feeding on my fuchsias,here in  
Haverford,Delaware Co.not so far from you.Goldfinches are eating  
coreopsis and one male comes regularly to drink from the ant moat on  
the hummer feeder.No winter birds yet.
On Oct 8, 2008, at 3:00 PM, Frank Haas wrote:

We still have one hummingbird feeding here in eastern Lancaster County.

However, it is feeding mostly on the Salvias and Cuphea and ignoring  
the feeders.

This has been the pattern for the last week or so.

In addition, the goldfinches are feeding heavily on the Coneflowers  
and Mexican Sunflowers.

Frank


Frank & Barb Haas   fbhaas AT ptd.net   Churchtown, PA

         "Wisdom begins with putting the right name to a thing."

I vote.I rule.
-motto for Haverford College non-partisan student group.
Janet H.Austin
Subject: CORRECTION re: RBA western Pennsylvania, 5 October 2008
From: Amy Taracido <meadowlark4 AT VERIZON.NET>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 13:51:59 -0400
CORRECTION to the 5 October 2008 bird alert for western Pennsylvania:

On 10/4 at Pymatuning, 3-4 SANDHILL CRANES were seen, and NOT an Osprey. 
The Sandhill Cranes were reported by Jack Christman.
Subject: RBA western Pennsylvania, 5 October 2008
From: Jarred and Amy Taracido <meadowlark4 AT VERIZON.NET>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 09:02:18 -0500
RBA
*Pennsylvania
*Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania
*PAWE10.05.08

Highlights:
SANDHILL CRANE
SANDERLING
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Erie County)
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO
PHILADELPHIA VIREO
COMMON RAVEN
WINTER WREN
MARSH WREN (Allegheny and Crawford Counties)
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH
CAPE MAY WARBLER
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Allegheny, Erie, and Westmoreland Counties)
PALM WARBLER
PRAIRIE WARBLER
BAY-BREASTED WARBLER
PINE WARBLER
LINCOLN'S SPARROW
SWAMP SPARROW
NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW (Erie County)
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Westmoreland County)
PURPLE FINCH
RUSTY BLACKBIRD

Contributors: Jack Christman, Marcy Cunkelman, Michael Dietrich, Lori 
DeThomas, Mike Fialkovich, Chuck Herrold, Leonard Hess, Paul Hess, 
Marjorie Howard, Jerry McWilliams, Jack and Sue Solomon, Bob VanNewkirk, 
Marjorie VanTassel, Mark Vass, Bill Walbek, Carole Winslow, Dan Yagusic.

Compiler: Amy Taracido

Monday, 29 September 2008 through Sunday, 5 October 2008

***This report is distributed by e-mail only. Compiler is not 
responsible for errors on websites who reproduce/reprint these reports. 
If you would like to receive western PA RBAs, contact 
meadowlark4 AT verizon.net

***"FOS"=first of season

Transcript-

ALLEGHENY COUNTY:

On 9/29 at Sewickley Heights Park, sightings included 2 BLACK-THROATED 
GREEN WARBLERS, 2 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS, 1 HOODED WARBLER, 3 
MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, 1 TENNESSEE WARBLER, 7 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, 1 
BROWN THRASHER, 1 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (MVas with Becky Smith); on 10/1, 
1 LINCOLN'S SPARROW, several WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS (FOS), AMERICAN 
REDSTART, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, 2 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS, HOODED 
WARBLER, 2 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS, 2 SWAINSON'S THRUSHES, WOOD 
THRUSH, 2 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (BV with Karyn 
Delaney); on 10/3, HOODED WARBLER, 3 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, 3 
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS, 3 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS, OVENBIRD, 
3 SWAINSON'T THRUSHES, 2 WOOD THRUSHES, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 2 
EASTERN PHOEBES, 2 RED-EYED VIREOS, LINCOLN'S SPARROW (BV).

At Wagner's Hollow Park on 10/1, 2 INDIGO BUNTINGS, 1 HOODED WARBLER, 1 
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (BV).

On 10/3 in Findlay Township, 1 LINCOLN'S SPARROW, 1 SWAMP SPARROWS, 13 
INDIGO BUNTINGS, 2 EASTERN PHOEBES, 1 GRAY CATBIRD, 1 COMMON 
YELLOWTHROAT, and others (MVas).

At Frick Park on 10/4, sightings included CAPE MAY WARBLER, 
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, 
AMERICAN REDSTART, WINTER WREN, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, INDIGO BUNTING, 
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, EASTERN PHOEBE (reported to JS by SS); also that 
day, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER (CH).

On 10/3 in East Liberty, 1 BLUE-HEADED VIREO, 1 SCARLET TANAGER, 1 
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, 1 PINE WARBLER, 1 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, 
1 COMMON YELLOWTHROAT; on 10/5, 1 SWAINSON'S THRUSH, 1 MARSH WREN, 1 
INDIGO BUNTING, 1 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 2 EASTERN PHOEBES, 1 
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, 1 CAPE MAY WARBLER, 1 PINE WARBLER, 2 NASHVILLE 
WARBLERS, 1 COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, 1 PALM WARBLER, 3 WHITE-THROATED 
SPARROWS (DY).

On 10/5 at Harrison Hills Park, 1 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, 1 GRAY-CHEEKED 
THRUSH, 4 SWAINSON'S THRUSHES, 3 WOOD THRUSHES, 2 GRAY CATBIRDS, 1 
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (FOS) (PH).

In a Pittsburgh backyards on 10/5, 1 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, 1 
BLACKPOLL WARBLER (MF).


BEAVER COUNTY:

On 9/29 at the Ambridge Reservoir, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, 
SCARLET TANAGER, RED-EYED VIREO (BW); on 10/3, 2 BLACK-THROATED GREEN 
WARBLERS, 1 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, 2 TENNESSEE WARBLERS, 1 
NASHVILLE WARBLER, 1 BLACKPOLL WARBLER, 1 CAPE MAY WARBLER, 1 MAGNOLIA 
WARBLER, 12 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, 3 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, 1 SCARLET 
TANAGER, 1 RED-EYED VIREO, 6 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 1 flyover COMMON RAVEN, 1 
flyover NORTHERN HARRIER, 1 GREEN HERON, 5 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS; on 10/4, 
5 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 4 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, 3 YELLOW-BELLIED 
SAPSUCKERS, 1 WHITE-EYED VIREO, 1 INDIGO BUNTING, 7 GRAY CATBIRDS, 1 
WINTER WREN, 2 EASTERN PHOEBES, 49 flyover TURKEY VULTURES, 4 
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS, 2 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS, 1 
BLACKPOLL WARBLER, 1 BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, 1 CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, 1 
PINE WARBLER, 5 NASHVILLE WARBLERS, 2 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, 19 
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (MVas).

At Raccoon Creek State Park on 9/29, WOOD THRUSH, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, 
OVENBIRD, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, EASTERN PHOEBE, 
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (FOS), OSPREY (BW).

In Hopewell Township on 10/5, 2 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS (BW).

On 10/5 along Montgomery Dam Road in Potter Township, 1 GRAY-CHEEKED 
THRUSH, 2 SWAINSON'S THRUSHES, 2 WOOD THRUSHES, 2 INDIGO BUNTINGS, 2 
SCARLET TANAGERS, 6 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, 1 EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE, 2 GRAY 
CATBIRDS, 1 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 3 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS, 2 
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS, 2 BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS, 6 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, 2 
NASHVILLE WARBLERS (MVas with Becky Smith).


BUTLER COUNTY:

At Moraine State Park on 9/29, 2 DARK-EYED JUNCOS (FOS), 3 GREAT EGRETS 
(reported to MVas by Debbie Darney).


CLARION COUNTY:

In Sligo on 10/4, 1 PRAIRIE WARBLER, many BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, 
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS, COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, PALM WARBLER, 
EASTERN PHOEBES, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, SWAMP SPARROWS, WHITE-THROATED 
SPARROWS, EASTERN MEADOWLARKS (CW).


CRAWFORD COUNTY:

In Pymatuning on 10/4, sightings included 3 BALD EAGLES, 10 COMMON 
MERGANSERS, 2 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, large flocks of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, 
1 MARSH WREN, 13 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 5 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 12 NORTHERN 
SHOVELERS, 1 RUDDY DUCK, 50+ TREE SWALLOWS (BV), 1 OSPREY (JC).


ERIE COUNTY:

At Presque Isle State Park on 10/1, 1 GADWALL, 4 AMERICAN WIGEON, 1 
AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, 5 NORTHERN PINTAILS, 2 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 75 LESSER 
SCAUP, 4 COMMON LOONS, 85 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 4 SANDERLINGS, 1 
adult BALD EAGLE, 2 immature PEREGRINE FALCONS, 4 KINGLET SP., 1 
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (at Gull Point), 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (at 
Leo's Landing), 1 NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW (at Leo's Landing); on 
10/2, 7 NORTHERN PINTAILS, 2 LESSER SCAUP, 1 WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, 40 
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 6 SANDERLINGS (JM).


FAYETTE COUNTY:

On 10/5 at Jacobs Creek Dam, 1 GREEN HERON, 7 KILLDEER, 2 PECTORAL 
SANDPIPERS, 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE, 1 AMERICAN COOT (LH).


GREENE COUNTY:

On 10/1 in Waynesburg, 4 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS (MHo).


INDIANA COUNTY:

On 10/1 at Yellow Creek State Park, sightings included SPOTTED 
SANDPIPER, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, 
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, 
CAPE MAY WARBLER, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, TENNESSEE 
WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER (MVan with Margaret Higbee, Lee Carnahan).

Through 10/1 in Clarksburg, EASTERN PHOEBE, BLACK-THROATED GREEN 
WARBLER, RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS, EASTERN TOWHEES, CEDAR WAXWINGS; on 
10/3, ~36 flyover TURKEY VULTURES, 1 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, PURPLE 
FINCHES (MC).


LAWRENCE COUNTY:

On 10/2 in New Beaver at the Three Rivers gravel pond, 1 hen RING-NECKED 
DUCKS, 7 GREEN-WINGED TEA; on 10/5, 1 RING-NECKED DUCK (MVas).

At the Wampum-New Galilee Road marsh on 10/1, 43 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED 
SWALLOWS, 1 BLUE-WINGED TEAL, 1 SOLITARY SANDPIPER; on 10/5, 1 AMERICAN 
WIGEON, 3 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 6 WOOD DUCKS, 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE, 1 GREEN 
HERON, 1 SOLITARY SANDPIPER, 8 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS (MVas).


SOMERSET COUNTY:

At Deer Valley YMCA Camp from 9/28 to 10/3, 14 warbler species including 
CAPE MAY WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, PALM WARBLER, 
also BLUE-HEADED VIREO, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, BALD 
EAGLES, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, HERMIT THRUSH, WOOD DUCK, AMERICAN BLACK 
DUCK (reported to JS by SS).


VENANGO COUNTY:

Near Franklin on 9/29, 5 adult BALD EAGLES (JC).


WASHINGTON COUNTY:

In Coal Center through 10/1, 2+ RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS (AT).

Through 9/30 in Washington, 1 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (LD).

On 10/3 at Greencove wetlands, 1 SANDHILL CRANE (MD).


WESTMORELAND COUNTY:

In Stahlstown through 10/1, 2+ RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS; also on 10/1, 
4 TURKEY VULTURES, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER, 1 EASTERN PHOEBE; on 10/2, 2 
MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, 1 CAPE MAY WARBLER, 4 DARK-EYED JUNCOS; on 10/3, 1 
PHILADELPHIA VIREO, 3 SWAINSON'S THRUSHES, 2 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, 1 
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, 4 EASTERN PHOEBES; on 10/4, 1 RUFFED GROUSE, 1 
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, 1 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 61 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 1 
NORTHERN PARULA, 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, 1 TENNESSEE WARBLER, 1 
NASHVILLE WARBLER, 1 MAGNOLIA WARBLER, 1 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, 1 
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, 3 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS, 1 BLACKPOLL 
WARBLER, 1 BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (LH).

On 10/3 at Donegal Lake, 6 EASTERN PHOEBES; on 10/4, 2 PIED-BILLED 
GREBES, 1 GREEN HERON, 3 GADWALL, 1 SWAMP SPARROW, and others (LH).

At Jacobs Creek Wetlands on 10/5, sightings included 50+ YELLOW-RUMPED 
WARBLERS, 3 CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS, 2 SWAMP SPARROWS, 6 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 1 
NASHVILLE WARBLER, 300+ RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 1 COMMON NIGHTHAWK, 3 
BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, 1 EASTERN PHOEBE, 2 COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, 37 
KILLDEER (LH).

In New Stanton this week, 1 COMMON RAVEN, 1 EASTERN MEADOWLARK (MF).

End transcript-

Amy Taracido
Washington Co., PA

To send in reports:
meadowlark4 AT verizon.net

Thank you to all the contributors.
Subject: Hummer still in philly
From: Matt Sharp <gentrysharp AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 10:00:56 -0400
As of yesterday there was still at least one Ruby-throat in my yard.

It was mainly feeding at the feeder though.

I found the below site interesting on how to tell the sex of non adult males
in fall.

http://www.rubythroat.org/RTHUExternalMain.html

In short:
If there are red gorget feathers it is almost certainly a male  though old
females can
very rarely show a red or dark gorget feather.

If the throat is white you can't really tell the sex unless you can see the
tip of
the 6th primary. Pointed in males, round in females.

Young males may tend to have more heavily gray streaked throats but only
extremes
can be aged based on that feature.

The Howell guide suggests that feather wear may be a clue for aging in ad v
young females
but I have not seen any visible differences in the binocular views in my
yard.

So aging/sexing hummers at the feeders is something of an exercise in
futility but still kinda
of fun.


-- 
Matt Sharp
Phila. PA

"All parts should go together without forcing. You must remember that the
parts you are reassembling were disassembled by you.  Therefore, if you
can"t get them together again, there must be a reason. By all means, do not
use a hammer."
 -- IBM maintenance manual, 1925
Subject: Volunteer Opportunity - Quakertown Swamp Important Bird Area
From: Brian Byrnes <bbyrnes AT AUDUBON.ORG>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 09:57:49 -0400
Dear PA Birders,
You are all invited to join Audubon and our partners as we help to clean up 
and restore a portion of the Quakertown Swamp Important Bird Area in Bucks 
County on October 25th.  Please see the details below and feel free to 
contact me with any questions.
Thanks,
Brian Byrnes
Audubon PA
Important Bird Area Coordinator


Quakertown Swamp Important Bird Area
Clean-Up and Restoration

Volunteers Needed!

When?
Saturday, October 25th, 2008
9 AM to Noon
(Rain Date: Sunday, October 26th, 1-4 PM*)

Where?
1280 Doylestown Pike, Quakertown, PA  18951 

Why? 
The Quakertown Swamp is one of two Audubon Important Bird Areas in Bucks 
County.  Audubon Pennsylvania, Bucks County Audubon Society, Heritage 
Conservancy and Richland Township are partnering to help enhance the site’s 
habitat, starting with this clean-up and restoration project.  Volunteers 
are needed to remove and sort trash and recyclables, as well as to plant 
some new trees and shrubs.    

Please RSVP to Brian Byrnes at bbyrnes AT audubon.org or 610-666-5593 ext. 106 
by October 20th.

All needed supplies will be provided, along with drinks and snacks.

*In the event of rain on Friday or Saturday, please call Brian at the 
number above after 7:30 AM on the 25th; if the event is postponed the 
message will provide details. 
Subject: White-throated Sparrow, Bradford Co.
From: Trudy Gerlach <tgswoods AT EPIX.NET>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 21:49:54 -0400
I believe I recall that someone a while ago posted to the listserve that he was 
interested in hearing when the first migrant White-throated Sparrows were seen? 
Although there are a few summer White-throated Sparrow breeding observations in 
Bradford Co., in the lower elevations I see them only during migration season. 
Today I had the first migrants of the season, near Browntown (south of 
Wyalusing), 

Trudy Gerlach
Bradford Co.
tgswoods AT epix.net
Subject: HSR: Second Mountain (08 Oct 2008) 221 Raptors
From: "Hawkcount.org reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 22:10:23 -0400
Second Mountain
Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                1             18             18
Turkey Vulture              21             44             44
Osprey                       0             37            119
Bald Eagle                   1              7             68
Northern Harrier             4             11             32
Sharp-shinned Hawk         151            498            797
Cooper's Hawk               18             54            104
Northern Goshawk             0              2              8
Red-shouldered Hawk          2              7             16
Broad-winged Hawk            1              2           2272
Red-tailed Hawk              9             48            207
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 2              3              9
American Kestrel             4             22             74
Merlin                       3             15             22
Peregrine Falcon             2             21             26
Unknown Accipiter            2              6             11
Unknown Buteo                0              0              4
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              2             12

Total:                     221            797           3843
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 07:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:30:00 
Total observation time: 9.5 hours

Official Counter:        Dave Schwenk

Observers:        Brian Weaver, Fred Habbeger, Fred Wilcox, Gary Koppenhaver,
                  John Nicholas, Morris Cox, Randy Brenner

Visitors:
Ray Bubb, 2 others


Weather:
Light-moderate south winds under mostly overcast skies. Temps 49-67.

Raptor Observations:
Adult BE  AT  11:37, 2 adult GE  AT  12:01 & 1:58

Non-raptor Observations:
C geese 5, blue jays 39, Red Bel WP 2, flickers 3
========================================================================
Report submitted by Dave Schwenk (secondmtn AT juno.com)

Subject: Todd Bird Club outing at Yellow Creek (Indiana Co.)
From: Marge Van Tassel <marvan70 AT NETZERO.NET>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 00:58:26 GMT
Highlights for Tues., Oct. 7, included:: 22 Pied-billed Grebes
1 Osprey
1 Cooper’s Hawk
2 Red-shouldered Hawks
1 Greater Yellowlegs
1 Lesser Yellowlegs
2 Solitary Sandpipers
2 Spotted Sandpipers
1 Wilson’s Snipe
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
6 Blue-headed Vireos
1 Am. Pipit
1 Black-throated Blue Warbler
12 Yellow-rumped Warblers (conservative count)
1 Blackpoll Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat
Marjorie Van Tassel (Armstrong County)
 
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Subject: Sweet Arrow Lake, Schuylkill Co.
From: Denise Donmoyer <nightowl57 AT VERIZON.NET>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 20:38:59 -0400
Sweet Arrow Lake  - 10/8

Yellow Rumped Warblers
Golden Crowned Kinglets
Downy, Hairy, Red Bellied, and Pileated Woodpeckers
White-throated Sparrows
Screech Owls
Great Horned Owl
Kestrel
Red Tailed Hawk
Bluebirds
Kingfisher 
Spotted Sandpipers
Great Blue Heron 
Green Heron 

Denise Donmoyer
Sweet Arrow Lake
Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co.
nightowl57 AT verizon.net
Subject: Delaware Valley RBA, 8 OCT 2008
From: Stephen Kacir <rba AT DVOC.ORG>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 17:16:11 -0700
- RBA

* PA, NJ, DE
* Delaware Valley: Southeast PA, Central/Southern NJ & DE
* PADV0810.08
* October 8, 2008

- Birds Mentioned

Anhinga ++
Barnacle Goose +
White-cheeked Pintail (WV)
Swallow-tailed Kite +
Mississippi Kite ++
Broad-billed Hummingbird (MA)
Say's Phoebe (MA)
Northern Wheatear +
Le Conte's Sparrow +
     + (Details requested by NJBRC)
     ++ (Details requested by PORC)
     +++ (Details requested by DERC)
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Northern Gannet
Brown Pelican
American Bittern
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-heron
Snow Goose
Cackling Goose
Brant
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Ruddy Duck
Mississippi Kite
Northern Goshawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Golden Eagle
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
American Golden-plover
American Avocet
Western Willet
Whimbrel
Hudsonian Godwit
Marbled Godwit
Western Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper
Ruff
Long-billed Dowitcher
Pomarine Jaeger
Parasitic Jaeger
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Caspian Tern
Forster's Tern
Barn Owl
Common Nighthawk
Red-headed Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Pileated Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Western Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Marsh Wren
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Bicknell's Thrush
Swainson's Thrush
American Pipit
Brewster's Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Connecticut Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Clay-colored Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Dickcissel
Bobolink
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Purple Finch

- Transcript

Hotline: Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert
Email reports to: rba AT dvoc.org
Compilers: Steve Kacir & Win Shafer
            -- Delaware Valley Ornithological Club
Phone: (215) 240-7547
URL: http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm

Welcome to the October 8, 2008 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 a possible ANHINGA in
Lebanon County, PA; BARNACLE GOOSE in Burlington County, NJ;
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE in Cape May County, NJ; MISSISSIPPI KITE in
Berks County, PA and LE CONTE'S SPARROW in Monmouth 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:

A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE flew by the Nature Conservancy's Cape May
Migratory Bird Refuge, Hidden Valley Ranch and the State Park's
hawk watch on Oct 4.  A MISSISSIPPI KITE was noted at the Cape May
Point State Park Hawk Watch through Oct 4, and two were seen at
Hidden Valley Ranch on Oct 3.  Migrating BARN OWLS have been heard
over Cape May lately.  A GOLDEN EAGLE flew past the Cape May Point
State Park Hawk Watch on Oct 7.  Three PARASITIC JAEGERS and 20
BLACK SCOTERS were seen from Cape May Point State Park on Oct 1.  A
LARK SPARROW was at the State Park on Oct 2.  Other highlights from
Cape May Point State Park included TRICOLORED HERON, BRANT,
WHIMBREL, STILT SANDPIPERS, PEREGRINE FALCONS, MERLINS and CAPE MAY
WARBLERS.  On Oct 4, an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was in a tree across
the street from the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge, and a PARASITIC
JAEGER was seen from the beach.  Two PARASITIC JAEGERS and a
probable POMARINE JAEGER hunted the rips off Cape May on Oct 4, and
another PARASITIC JAEGER was reported on Oct 7.  A GRASSHOPPER
SPARROW was on the steps of St Peter's Episcopal Church on Oct 7.
A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was at Hidden Valley on Oct 3, and a
BREWSTER'S WARBLER was there the next day.  A VESPER SPARROW was at
the Rea Farm on Oct 7.  On Oct 3, Higbee Beach WMA had a
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.  On Oct 2, two AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS flew
past the Morning Flight Project at Higbee.  That day a RED-HEADED
WOODPECKER and LINCOLN'S SPARROW were at Higbee's "Tower Field."  A
DICKCISSEL flew by the Morning Flight Project on Oct 4, and 2 more
were seen on Oct 7.  Other highlights from Higbee this week were
BRANT, SURF and BLACK SCOTERS, AMERICAN PIPITS, PHILADELPHIA VIREO,
PURPLE FINCH, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS and warblers including CAPE MAY,
BAY-BREASTED, TENNESSEE, CANADA and BLACKBURNIAN.  The Villas WMA
had an immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKER on Oct 5.  MARBLED GODWITS,
TRICOLORED HERONS and AMERICAN BITTERNS were seen on CMBO Back Bay
Cruises this week.  A HUDSONIAN GODWIT was at the Wetlands
Institute Oct 5-6, and 3 MARBLED GODWITS and WESTERN WILLETS were
there Oct 6.  A WESTERN KINGBIRD was found along the Meadow Trail
of the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary on Oct 1.  Sightings from the
Avalon Sea Watch included RED-THROATED LOON, NORTHERN GANNETS,
TRICOLORED HERONS, PARASITIC JAEGER, AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, BRANT,
an unidentified EIDER, SURF SCOTER, BLACK SCOTER and WHITE-WINGED
SCOTER.

Atlantic County:
On Oct 5, a RUFFED GROUSE crossed the Route 539 in the pinelands.
On Oct 4, a DVOC field trip to the Tuckerton Marshes noted BROWN
PELICANS, SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS and both the nelsoni and
subvirgatus subspecies of NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS. On Oct 5,
Tuckerton had BROWN PELICAN, MERLIN, SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED
SPARROWS and LINCOLN'S SPARROWS.  Later that day, the trip moved to
the Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe NWR, where the
following birds were noted: 2 YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, 5
AMERICAN AVOCETS, 6 STILT SANDPIPERS, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, WHITE-
RUMPED and WESTERN SANDPIPERS.  On Oct 6-7, Brigantine had AMERICAN
AVOCETS and a juvenile RUFF.  A female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was
at Brigantine on Oct 7.

Monmouth County:
A LE CONTE'S SPARROW was on the north side of the road that leads
to Parking Area F at Sandy Hook on Oct 8.  On Oct 3, a CONNECTICUT
WARBLER flushed from brush along the edge of Sandy Hook's North
Pond, and another CONNECTICUT was at Sandy Hook the next day.
Other highlights from Sandy Hook this week were CAPE MAY, WILSON'S
and NASHVILLE WARBLERS.

Burlington County:
A BARNACLE GOOSE was at John F Kennedy Lake in Burlington on Oct 6.

Middlesex County:
A WILSON'S WARBLER was at Plainsboro Preserve on Oct 5.

Mercer County:
A walk at Trenton Marsh turned up NASHVILLE and TENNESSEE WARBLER.

Somerset County:
On Oct 2, Hutcheson Memorial Forest had a BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.  A
LINCOLN'S SPARROW was at Six Mile Run on Oct 5.

Hunterdon County:
On Oct 5, Cold Brook Preserve had a DICKCISSEL, 3 CONNECTICUT
WARBLERS and 5 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS.  Three NASHVILLE WARBLERS and a
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT were at Holland Church WMA on Oct 8.

Warren County:
On Oct 8, the Glenhurst Meadows aka Warren Green Acres had a
LINCOLN'S SPARROW at the parking lot and a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW at
the Cross Trail.  The Scott's Mountain Hawk Watch and Raccoon Ridge
Hawk Watch noted PEREGRINE FALCONS, MERLINS and COMMON RAVENS this
week.  On Oct 4 & 7, single NORTHERN GOSHAWKS flew past Scott's
Mountain, and a GOLDEN EAGLE was seen there on Oct 5.  Bobcats were
seen near Raccoon Ridge on Oct 4.

NJ Extralimitals:
A NORTHERN WHEATEAR was at the stable at Garret Mountain
Reservation, Passaic County on Oct 4.  A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE flew
over Route 637 just past the intersection with Route 206 in
Frankford, Sussex County on Oct 2.
--------------------------------------------------------------
FOR DELAWARE:

New Castle County:
On Oct 1, Ashland Nature Center had a NASHVILLE WARBLER and
SWAINSON'S THRUSH.  A SWAINSON'S THRUSH, PILEATED WOODPECKER and
DARK-EYED JUNCOS were at Ashland on Oct 8.  Other highlights for
Ashland were YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and BLUE-HEADED VIREOS.  The
Ashland Nature Center Hawk Watch had RED-SHOULDERED HAWK and
PEREGRINE FALCONS this week.  A GOLDEN EAGLE flew by the hawk watch
on Oct 4.  Hoopes Reservoir's Hillside Mill Cove at Hoopes
Reservoir had a HORNED GREBE on Oct 4.  Two PIED-BILLED GREBES and
a LINCOLN'S SPARROW were there on Oct 5.

Kent County:
A BROWN PELICAN, MERLIN and WESTERN SANDPIPERS were at Port Mahon
Road on Oct 5.

Sussex County:
The Cape Henlopen State Park Hawk Watch noted COMMON LOONS, BRANT,
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, PEREGRINE FALCONS, MERLINS and WHIMBREL this
week.  A NORTHERN GOSHAWK and 2 DICKCISSELS flew by the hawk watch
on Oct 6.  On Oct 4, Cape Henlopen's Hawk Watch had set a new
record for PEREGRINE FALCONS, with 95 PEREGRINES for the day.  On
Oct 3, the hawk watch noted 10 BLACK SCOTERS and a SURF SCOTER, and
6 BROWN PELICANS flew past on Oct 5.  On Oct 7, SNOW GEESE and
nearly 600 BLACK SCOTERS flew past Cape Henlopen's Hawk Watch.
Thousands of SCOTERS and a PARASITIC JAEGER were seen from the hawk
watch on Oct 8.  On Oct 2, the area around Cape Henlopen's Gordons
Pond had BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES and 10 BOBOLINKS.  A MOURNING
WARBLER was seen at the Gordons Pond parking lot that day.  The
Fowler Beach area of Prime Hook NWR had a HOODED WARBLER and
SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW on Oct 5.  The next day, a GREAT
CRESTED FLYCATCHER was at Prime Hook's Headquarters area.  On Oct
8, Abbott's Mill Nature Center had a PILEATED WOODPECKER.
--------------------------------------------------------------
FOR PENNSYLVANIA:

Philadelphia County:
On Oct 2, a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH was banded at Fairmount Park.

Delaware County:
The Rose Tree Park Hawk Watch had COMMON LOONS, RED-SHOULDERED
HAWKS, MERLINS, PEREGRINE FALCONS and PILEATED WOODPECKERS.


Montgomery County:
An AMERICAN BITTERN was incongruously near the warm season grasses
at the Fort Washington State Park Headquarters Area on Oct 5, while
a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH and NASHVILLE WARBLER were at the park's
Flourtown Day Use Area.  A WILSON'S WARBLER was at Fort Washington
on Oct 3.  This week, the Militia Hill Hawk Watch at Fort
Washington noted COMMON LOONS, COMMON NIGHTHAWK, MERLINS, PEREGRINE
FALCONS and AMERICAN PIPITS.  A SWAINSON'S THRUSH was at Norristown
Farm Park on Oct 2.

Bucks County:
On Oct 2, seven COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were seen over turf farm fields
near the David Library in Washington Crossing.  On Oct 1, a
LINCOLN'S SPARROW was at Tyler State Park in a field at the covered
bridge entrance off Swamp Rd. On Oct 3, a NASHVILLE WARBLER was at
the Spring Garden Mill entrance area of Tyler State Park.  Two
LITTLE BLUE HERONS were at Core Creek Park on Oct 1.  Recent
reports from Churchville Nature Center included MERLIN, RUDDY DUCK
and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL.  The fields near the Newtown exit off
I-95 had 15 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS on Oct 2.  Peace Valley Park
had a CONNECTICUT WARBLER on Oct 5.  Two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS,
MERLIN, 2 SWAINSON'S THRUSHES, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and LINCOLN'S
SPARROW were at Peace Valley on Oct 4.

Northampton County:
The Koch property had NASHVILLE WARBLERS and LINCOLN'S SPARROWS on
Oct 3 & 5.  On Oct 8, the Koch property had MERLINS, GRASSHOPPER
SPARROW, 15 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, NASHVILLE and TENNESSEE WARBLERS.
A MARSH WREN was there on Oct 5.  Two CAPE MAY WARBLERS were in
Bath, East Allen Twp on Oct 3.

Lehigh County:
The Bake Oven Knob Hawk Watch noted RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, PEREGRINE
FALCONS, MERLINS and COMMON RAVENS.  A TENNESSEE WARBLER was there
on Oct 1, and a CAPE MAY WARBLER was seen on Oct 6.

Lancaster County:
On Oct 7, an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, 2 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, 2
CASPIAN TERNS and 5 FORSTER'S TERNS were at the Conejohela Flats.
Lancaster Central Park had NASHVILLE WARBLER on Oct 8.

Berks County:
The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Hawk Watch noted PEREGRINE FALCONS,
MERLINS and PURPLE FINCHES this week, and 2 GOLDEN EAGLES were seen
there on Oct 8.  A SWAINSON'S THRUSH was seen there on Oct 1, and a
NASHVILLE WARBLER was there on Oct 2.  A CACKLING GOOSE was on Blue
Marsh Lake on Oct 4, and HORNED LARKS were in the area on Oct 6.  A
MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen in Leesport on Oct 6.  On Oct 5, SGL-110
had RUFFED GROUSE, COMMON RAVEN, 12 BLUE-HEADED VIREOS, HORNED
LARK, TENNESSEE WARBLER and LINCOLN'S SPARROW.  Nocturnal flight
calls over Boyertown included SWAINSON'S and GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES,
and a probable BICKNELL'S THRUSH called from the ground.

Lebanon County:
This week the Second Mountain Hawk Watch noted COMMON LOONS,
PEREGRINE FALCONS, MERLINS and COMMON RAVENS.  On Oct 3, a probable
ANHINGA circled Second Mountain before soaring south.  On Oct 4, a
KENTUCKY WARBLER was at Second Mountain, and a GOLDEN EAGLE flew
past.  On Oct 5, Second Mountain noted 2 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS and a
HOODED WARBLER.

Carbon County:
On Oct 2, Little Gap had TENNESSEE WARBLER and 2 LINCOLN'S
SPARROWS.

Pike County:
The Pecks Pond area had a RUFFED GROUSE and COMMON RAVEN on Oct 5.
--------------------------------------------------------------
EXTRALIMITAL REPORTS:

NEW YORK:
On Oct 4, a WESTERN KINGBIRD and LARK SPARROW were in the Fort
Tilden area of Queens County.  In Brooklyn, Kings County a LARK
SPARROW was at Greenwood Cemetery on Oct 7, and a LE CONTE'S
SPARROW was at Plum Beach on Oct 8.

MASSACHUSETTS:
On Oct 2, a SAY'S PHOEBE was at the Lot 7 boardwalk on Plum Island,
Essex County.  On Oct 3, the SAY'S PHOEBE had wandered to Sandy
Point State Reservation.  The Cape Cod BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD in
Dennis, Barnstable County was seen as recently as Oct 5.

WEST VIRGINIA:
A WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL that has been at a pond in the Huntfield
subdivision, west of Charles Town, Jefferson County was most
recently reported on Oct 5.
--------------------------------------------------------------
ANNOUNCEMENTS:

On Nov 1 or Nov 2 (exact date to be determined), Frank Windfelder,
Bill Murphy and Chris Walters will lead a DVOC field trip to Bake
Oven Knob in Lehigh County, PA for migrating raptors.  This is a
good time of year for migrating Golden Eagles and Northern
Goshawks.  The trip will meet at the Bake Oven Knob Parking Lot at
8:30AM, and attendees should bring a packed lunch.  Please contact
Frank Windfelder if you plan on attending the field trip.
Additional information, including trip reports from previous trips
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 Thursday Oct 16 at 7:30pm at the
Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, PA.  The main program
of the meeting features a presentation by Rob Fergus entitled
"Urban Bird Ecology and Conservation."  Steve Kacir will present an
Ornithological Study entitled "Giving up the Heavens: Ten
Flightless Birds."  Details are on the website, and guests are
always welcome.

The DVOC Annual Banquet will take place on Thursday November 20.
Please set aside November 20 for the Annual Banquet, which is
always a great time.  Speakers Clay & Pat Sutton will present
"Birds & Birding at Cape May (a Bird Walk Through Time)," and book
signing.  The evening begins with a cash bar at 6PM, and dinner is
served at 7pm.  The cost is $46 per person.  Menu choices, prices,
and more information including the reservation form can be found
on-line at: http://www.dvoc.org/Banquet/Banquet.htm

At 7:30PM on October 17, the Wyncote Audubon Society will meet at
the Plymouth Meeting House located at the intersection of
Germantown and Butler Pikes in Plymouth Meeting, when Connie
Goldman will present "A Rite of Spring - Migrants to Nebraska with
the Sandhill Cranes."  The program is free and open to the public.

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: HSR: Militia Hill (08 Oct 2008) 6 Raptors
From: "Hawkcount.org reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 20:10:05 -0400
Militia Hill
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture               0              0              0
Osprey                       0             50            212
Bald Eagle                   0              8             59
Northern Harrier             1              7             29
Sharp-shinned Hawk           2            181            450
Cooper's Hawk                0             21             49
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              1              2
Broad-winged Hawk            0             14           8494
Red-tailed Hawk              0             12             22
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel             2             49            166
Merlin                       0              3              5
Peregrine Falcon             0             11             17
Unknown Accipiter            0              2              5
Unknown Buteo                0              5              8
Unknown Falcon               0              0              1
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               1             20             36

Total:                       6            384           9555
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 08:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 8 hours

Official Counter:        Andrew Fayer

Observers:        Dick Flavell, Jamie Stewart

Weather:


Raptor Observations:


Non-raptor Observations:

========================================================================
Report submitted by Andrew Fayer (AndyFayer AT aol.com)

Subject: Lanco.,Cen.Park, Wed Group, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
From: Chuck Chalfant <chuckchalfant AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 18:39:15 -0400
Greetings,

October 8, 2008.
Lanco.Cen.Park
Lancaster Pa.
Temp. 38 to 58 deg.F.
Mostly cloudy
Slight breeze midday
Participants, 11
Birding 8:00 to Noon
Total species count-43

Today our group walked a loop that circled "Rockford", home of General Hand of 
the Revolutionary War, which is in Lancaster Central Park. 

It included birding above Rockford in the reclaimed area of the old landfill, 
along City view Drive, and around the Rockford estate itself. 

We then went to the Wildflower Area and birded there for an hour till noon. 
Birding was a little slow, but we managed to see 43 species. 


There was a nice group of Deer under the apple trees when we arrived, including 
an 8 point buck. 


A "probable" Coopers Hawk was one of only two raptors seen. The other was a 
"probable" Great Horned Owl, which we only got a very brief 

look at as it flew low and entered the woods. A nice movement of Chimney swifts 
were usually overhead, a good look at 2 immature Yellow- 

belied Sapsuckers was nice. Phoebe's were plentiful and the only 
Flycatcher,other interesting birds were, an immature White-eyed Vireo, 

House Wren, as well as Carolina Wren, Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, and a surprise 
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher that I don't often find this time of year. 

Eastern Bluebirds were around, and many hundred's of Robins, as well as lots of 
Blue Jays were overhead all morning. Nashville Warbler, 

as well as Black-throated Green Warbler were nice but not many of group saw 
them, and Gary Shirk saw a N.Parula, Chipping Sparrows were 

fairly common, but other Sparrows were not numerous, 1 Savannah, only a couple 
of Song, and a sprinkling of White Throated Sparrows. 

Lots of Gold Finch, including one with a white spot on top of it's head, and 
quite a few House Finch 


Birds of interest. All numbers are just estimates, birds were not actually 
counted. 



Wood Duck----4  near environmental center
Cooper's Hawk----1--probable
Great-horned Owl----1--probable
Chimney Swifts----40
Kingfisher---2
Yellow-belied Sapsucker----2
Red-belied Woodpecker----10
N.Flicker----5
Eastern Phoebe----10
White-eyed Vireo----1--juv.
Blue Jay----50
White-breasted Nuthatch----1
Carolina Wren----4
House Wren----1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet----5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher----1
Eastern Bluebird----8
Amer.Robin----200+
Nashville Warbler----1
N.Parula----1
Black-throated green Warbler----1
Chipping Sparrow----10+
Savannah Sparrow----1
Song Sparrow----5
White-throated Sparrow----10
Com.Grackle----5
House Finch----20+
Am. Goldfinch----50+


Total Species count 43


After birding with the group I headed south for Octoraro Lake, to see if there 
were many shorebirds. 


In no particular order, here are the additional species seen at Octorao.

Blue Gill Road

Gr.Yellowlegs----22
Semi-palm Sandpipers----12
Green-winged Teal----6
Golden-crowned Kinglet----3---first of Fall for me
Ruby-crowned Kinglet----6
White-throated Sparrow----5
Song Sparrow----2
Screech Owl----1
Great-blue Heron----10
Great Egret----4
Red-tailed Hawk----1

These were at the Chesco side of lake
Black ducks----4
Ring-billed Gulls----5
Dbl.Crested Cormorant----5
Killdeer----25

Good birding,   Chuck Chalfant


Happy Trails
Chuck Chalfant
Gap, Penna.
E.Lancaster Co.
chuckchalfant AT comcast.net
Subject: HSR: Waggoner's Gap (08 Oct 2008) 182 Raptors
From: "Hawkcount.org reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 18:10:13 -0400
Waggoner's Gap
40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
BV                           0             14             14
TV                          27            278            278
OS                           1             60            336
BE                           5             29            210
NH                           4             21             57
SS                         107           1680           2861
CH                          20            144            345
NG                           0              0              1
RS                           1             10             17
BW                           0              2           7205
RT                           9             49            168
RL                           0              0              0
GE                           0              1              4
AK                           2             46            239
ML                           2             29             59
PG                           1             21             34
UA                           1              6             16
UB                           0              2             15
UF                           0              0              3
UE                           0              0              3
UR                           2              8             42

Total:                     182           2400          11907
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 07:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 9 hours

Official Counter:        Dave Grove

Observers:        Craig Houston, Deb Gingrich, Joe Lavella, Keith Gingrich

Weather:
Thickening, lowering clouds, moderate S wind

Raptor Observations:
BE Juv 12:08
BE Ad 11:01,3:23(3)
PG A 10:51

Non-raptor Observations:
Monarchs 8.
Blue Jays 197.
========================================================================
Report submitted by dave grove (waggap AT comcast.net)
Waggoner's Gap Hawkwatch information may be found at:
www.waggap.com

Subject: Central PA Birdline for 10.9.2008
From: "Mark A. McConaughy" <TimeTraveler AT MSN.COM>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 18:01:16 -0400
Central PA Birdline
- RBA
* Pennsylvania
* Central Pennsylvania
* October 9, 2008
* PACE08010.09
Bird Highlights
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Centre and Dauphin Cos.)
- Transcript
Hotline: Central Pennsylvania Birdline
Date: October 9, 2008
To Report: TimeTraveler AT msn.com
Compiler: Mark A. McConaughy
Coverage: Central Pennsylvania, Susquehanna River
Drainage System
Transcriber: Mark A. McConaughy

Welcome to Pennsylvania Audubon's and the Patriot-News' Birdline. This 
Birdline covers sightings made primarily during the week prior to 
Thursday, October 9, 2008.

NOTE: Please send to me any reports for the next birdline by early 
Tuesday next week. The birdline will be posted on Tuesday evening 
because I will be out of town at a conference the rest of the week.

BEDFORD/SOMERSET COUNTIES:
Allegheny Front Hawk Watch reported tabulating 24 TURKEY VULTURES, 5 
OSPREY, 4 BALD EAGLES, 13 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 160 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 21 
COOPER'S HAWKS, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 1 BROAD-WINGED HAWK, 92 RED-TAILED 
HAWKS, 6 AMERICAN KESTRELS, 7 MERLINS and 5 PEREGRINE FALCONS between 
October 2 and 7 (TD, TB, RM, MJ, KJ, EH, JR, GF, NF, BSt, EG, JJ, BG, 
DJ).

CENTRE COUNTY:
Scotia Barrens yielded 1 CAPE MAY WARBLER on October 4 (JV).

A PEREGRINE FALCONS, 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, 3 CAPE MAY WARBLERS and 1 
LINCOLN'S SPARROW were seen at Bald Eagle State Park on October 4 (RW).

CUMBERLAND COUNTY:
Waggoner's Gap Hawk Watch reported counting 14 BLACK VULTURES, 253 
TURKEY VULTURES, 57 OSPREY, 24 BALD EAGLES, 16 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 1492 
SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 113 COOPER'S HAWKS, 9 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 2 
BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, 40 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE, 44 AMERICAN 
KESTRELS, 27 MERLINS and 17 PEREGRINE FALCONS between October 2 and 7 
(CH, DG, RF, DO, GW).

Among the birds seen along a 3 mile stretch of the Big Spring on October 
4 were 4 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 1 CAPE MAY WARBLER and 1 RUSTY BLACKBIRD 
(VG).

DAUPHIN COUNTY:
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was observed during a nature walk at Wildwood 
Park in northern Harrisburg on October 5 (CR).

FRANKLIN COUNTY:
Tuscarora Summit Hawk Watch reported counting 2 BLACK VULTURES, 9 TURKEY 
VULTURES, 11 OSPREY, 3 BALD EAGLES, 10 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 110 
SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 11 COOPER'S HAWKS, 1 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, 10 
RED-TAILED HAWKS, 4 GOLDEN EAGLES, 4 AMERICAN KESTRELS, 2 MERLINS and 3 
PEREGRINE FALCONS between October 2 and 7 (DGe).

HUNTINGDON/MIFFLIN COUNTIES:
Stone Mountain Hawk Watch reported counting 35 BLACK VULTURES, 24 
OSPREY, 6 BALD EAGLES, 11 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 96 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 18 
COOPER'S HAWKS, 7 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 1 BROAD-WINGED HAWK, 30 
RED-TAILED HAWKS, 15 AMERICAN KESTRELS, 9 MERLINS and 14 PEREGRINE 
FALCONS between October 2 and 7 (TK, DK, NB, DB, GG).

HUNTINGDON COUNTY:
Shaver's Creek Environmental Center produced 1 MERLIN, RED-BREASTED 
NUTHATCHES and 2 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS on October 4 (GG).

LANCASTER COUNTY:
Conejohela Flats produced 3 immature BALD EAGLES, 2 BLACK-BELLIED 
PLOVERS, 1 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, 3 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 6 LEAST 
SANDPIPERS, 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 2 CASPIAN TERNS and 5 FORSTER'S TERNS 
on October 5 (BS, TA, DSc, EW).

LEBANON COUNTY:
Second Mountain Hawk Watch reported counting 17 BLACK VULTURES, 23 
TURKEY VULTURES, 26 OSPREY, 5 BALD EAGLES, 4 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 307 
SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 35 COOPER'S HAWKS, 5 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 1 
BROAD-WINGED HAWK, 39 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE, 16 AMERICAN 
KESTRELS, 11 MERLINS and 16 PEREGRINE FALCONS between October 2 and 7 
(MC, DS, RB, RP, GL, FW, GK).

SCHUYKILL/BERKS COUNTY:
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary reported counting 11 TURKEY VULTURES, 98 OSPREY, 
18 BALD EAGLES, 10 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 908 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 102 
COOPER'S HAWKS, 2 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 12 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, 34 
RED-TAILED HAWKS, 78 AMERICAN KESTRELS, 22 MERLINS and 29 PEREGRINE 
FALCONS between October 2 and 7 (LG).

Blue Mountain Route 183 Hawk Watch tabulated 5 BLACK VULTURES, 21 TURKEY 
VULTURES, 8 OSPREY, 6 BALD EAGLE, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER, 344 SHARP-SHINNED 
HAWKS, 22 COOPER'S HAWKS, 1 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, 10 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 16 
AMERICAN KESTRELS, 2 MERLINS and 2 PEREGRINE FALCON between October 3 
and 5 (SF).

YORK COUNTY:
One MERLIN was seen at Rocky Ridge Park in the city of York on October 4 
(BH, JH).

Closing Announcements:

If you miss the usual Thursday postings of the Central PA Birdline on 
BIRDEAST and PABIRDS, I will also be posting it on my page web site at:
http://people.delphiforums.com/MCCONAUGHY/currentbl.htm
The address for the home page of the web site is:
http://people.delphiforums.com/MCCONAUGHY/index.html
Also, people can access both the current and older birdlines at:
http://groups.msn.com/CentralPABirdlinebackupfiles/messages.msnw

*PORC = Pennsylvania Ornithological Record Committee. Rare bird 
sightings should be documented with written descriptions and photographs 
whenever possible and sent to PORC for review. Send PORC reports to Nick 
Pulcinella, 613 Howard Road, West Chester, PA 19380.

The following people have contributed to this birdline: Tom Amico (TA), 
Gloria Bickel (GB), Tony Barle (TB), Nick Bolgiano (NB), Randy Brenner 
(RB), Don Bryant (DB), Dick Cleary (DC), Morris Cox (MC), Tom Dick (TD), 
Scott Fisher (SF), Gene Flament (GF), Nancy Flament (NF), Ron Freed 
(RF), Vern Gauthier (VG), Dale Gearhart (DGe), Laurie Goodrich (LG), Bob 
Gorsuch (BG), Ed Gowarty (EG), Dave Grove (DG), Greg Grove (GG), Eric 
Hall (EH), Barry Horton (BH), Jenni Horton (JH), Craig Houston (CH), 
Karen Jackson (KJ), Merle Jackson (MJ), Dean Jobe (DJ), Jack Julian 
(JJ), Gary Koppenhaver (GK), David Kyler (DK), Trudy Kyler (TK), Gayle 
Lawrence (GL), Rosemary McGlynn (RM), Don Orris (DO), Richard Pohner 
(RP), Chris Rebert (CR), Jim Rocco (JR), Bob Schutsky (BS), David 
Schutsky (DSc), Dave Schwenk (DS), Ron Singer (RS), Darrell Smith (DS), 
Bob Stewart (BSt), Joe Verica (JV), Gene Wagner (GW), Fred Wilcox (FW), 
Rick Wiltraut (RW) and Eric Witmer (EW). I apologize if I have 
misspelled their names and I will also refrain from naming that person 
on request.
-End Transcript

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mark A. McConaughy     TimeTraveler AT msn.com
Bushy Run Battlefield
P.O. Box 486
Harrison City, PA 15636-0468 (724) 527-5585 x103
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subject: Western Sandpiper - Crawford Co.
From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 15:00:26 -0700
I was a Pymatuning today
 
at the fish hatchery there are 5 ponds that sit side by side and are to the 
right when entering the parking lot 

 
three of the ponds have been let down
 
There was a WESTERN SANDPIPER in one of the ponds
I had really good looks at this bird
 
other shorebirds here
 
4 Least Sandpiper
3 Greater Yellowlegs
12 Lesser Yellowlegs
 
waterfowl seen at the hatchery
 
5 Common Merganser
11 Gadwall
7 Green-winged Teal
13 Shoveler
 
it started to rain while I was there
 
I stopped at the spillway and there were  good numbers of swallows flying over 
the lake 

I did see 3 Chimney Swifts and watched an adult Bald Eagle flying to a perch on 
Ford Island 

 
I got to Miller`s Ponds and saw some ducks taking off and one of them was the 
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK        

it came back and put down here
 
the rain was picking up and fog was forming so I decided to head home
 
 
Mark Vass
Beaver Co.  



Subject: Lapland Longspur - Presque Isle(10-7)
From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 14:46:00 -0700
I was at Presque Isle yesterday
 
It was windy with strong gusty winds out of the northeast
 
My best bird of the day was a LAPLAND LONGSPUR that I found at Gull Point
the bird was in winter plumage 
 
also seen there were several Palm Warblers and a flock of 33 Mourning Doves
 
no shorebirds were seen there
 
seen on Gull Point Trail was a E. Phoebe and nice was a flock of White-crowned 
Sparrows 

 
there was a small flock of puddle ducks in Thompson Bay that was with Mallards
1 Pintail,2 Green-winged Teal,6 A. Wigeon & 2 Gadwall
 
also there were 8 Pied-billed Grebes and a Greater Yellowlegs
 
I had a Hermit Thrush on Pine Tree Trail
 
I spent some time at Leo`s looking for sharp-tailed sparrow but did not see any
 
I did have 4 Marsh Wrens,a Wilson`s Snipe and a Common Yellowthroat
 
lot of the winter birds were seen while in the park
White-throated Sparrows,Kinglets,Juncos,Yellow-rumps and saw 1 Brown Creeper
 
when I was leaving the park there were 14 Wild Turkeys feeding along the road
 
 
Mark Vass
Beaver Co. 



Subject: HSR: Rose Tree Park (08 Oct 2008) 32 Raptors
From: "Hawkcount.org reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 18:10:40 -0400
Rose Tree Park
Media, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Turkey Vulture              14             32             38
Black Vulture                0              8             20
Osprey                       4             50            176
Northern Harrier             1              7             18
Mississippi Kite             0              0              0
Bald Eagle                   0             16             75
Sharp-shinned Hawk           9            266            563
Cooper's Hawk                1             34             88
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0             13             31
Broad-winged Hawk            1             26           4002
Swainson's Hawk              0              0              0
Red-tailed Hawk              0             17             64
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel             1             40            116
Merlin                       0             13             31
Peregrine Falcon             1             12             20
Unknown Vulture              0              0              0
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              1
Unknown Buteo                0              0              5
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              2
Unknown Raptor               0              3             15

Total:                      32            537           5265
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 07:30:00 
Observation end   time: 15:00:00 
Total observation time: 7.5 hours

Official Counter:        Dave Washabaugh, Holly Merker, Janet Crawford, Jim Lockyer

Observers:        Holly Merker, Jim Lockyer, John D'Amico, Judy Mayer,
                  Kevin Loughlin, Skip Conant

Visitors:
Today we hosted students from Radnor Middle School's 7th grade Watershed
Program. Eight curious and enthusiastic students, along with their
inspiring teacher, Banny Ackerman, joined us today for a raptor migration
workshop. Though the migrant hawks were slow, a resident Red-tailed allowed
the students to take long and satisfying looks while it hunted and flew
from perch to perch.  
A great little snapshot of "a day in the life of a hawk" encouraging the
students enthusiasm for raptors.


Weather:
Southerly (S-SW) winds today, 3-12 mph. High clouds overcasting the sky
much of the day. Sunny, and mild, temps 52-65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Raptor Observations:
As we expected with southerly winds, it was a slow day for raptor migration
over our site. 
A Peregrine was spotted at 12:53 EDT, flying low over the site.
Two adult Bald Eagles were noted in the 3-4 hour (EDT), but were not
counted as they seemed to be foraging in the reservoir nearby. 

Non-raptor Observations:
One Monarch Butterfly.
Five Common Loons, all heading due east. 

Predictions:
Cloudy with rain likely in the morning, then partly sunny in the afternoon.
Highs in the mid 70s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60
percent.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Holly Merker (holly AT rtphawkwatch.org)
Rose Tree Park Hawkwatch, Media, PA information may be found at:
www.rtphawkwatch.org

Subject: Chimney Swifts, Pittsburgh
From: "Kate St.John" <kstjohn001 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 14:17:04 -0700
A small flock of Chimney Swifts just wheeled by over my office in the Oakland 
section of Pittsburgh 


 Kate St. John, Pittsburgh
Visit my blog at: http://www.wqed.org/birdblog
Subject: Hummer still here - Lancaster County
From: Frank Haas <fbhaas AT PTD.NET>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 15:00:15 -0400
We still have one hummingbird feeding here in eastern Lancaster County.

However, it is feeding mostly on the Salvias and Cuphea and ignoring 
the feeders.

This has been the pattern for the last week or so.

In addition, the goldfinches are feeding heavily on the Coneflowers 
and Mexican Sunflowers.

Frank


Frank & Barb Haas   fbhaas AT ptd.net   Churchtown, PA

         "Wisdom begins with putting the right name to a thing."
Subject: warbler movement and window kills-Lehigh Co.
From: Peter Saenger <psaenger AT MUHLENBERG.EDU>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 13:28:04 -0400
The past few days have been very good for migrant warblers in the Lehigh 
County area. Unfortunately it has also been bad for these neotropical 
migrants hitting windows.

Just in the past three days where I walk into our science buildings I have 
found three Blackpoll Warblers, one Cape May Warbler, also the remains of a 
cardinal. Since 8 September I have found a total of 10 window kills and 
this is only between two buildings.

If you find any window kills, please report them to us- follow the links 
from Dr. Klem's web page, to the Acopian Center for Ornithology, then Birds 
and Windows.

www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/biology/faculty/klem.html

Thank you,

Peter G. Saenger
Allentown, Pa
Subject: Koch property, Northampton County
From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 10:25:21 -0700
I budgeted an hour for a walk through the fields midmorning today but birds 
were plentiful and it took me 2 hours. There obviously was a pretty good 
fallout last night. Swamp sparrpws were all over and  white-crowned sparrows 
are now here in small flocks of both adult and immature birds. White-throated 
numbers have picked up dramatically. Lincoln's (at least 15) were in every 
field, as were Savannah's. One grasshopper sparrow, found yesterday by Dustin 
Welch, was a good find as I seldom get them here. Other migrant species of note 
were indigo buntings, ruby-crowned kinglets, a rose-breasted grosbeak, 
and palm, yellow-rumped, Nashville, and Tennessee warblers. Interesting to find 
Tennessee's down in goldenrod fields. Two different merlins coursed through the 
fields at times, temporarily putting the sparrows and other down for a while. 
Yesterday there were still two ruby-throated hummingbirds here. Dustin saw them 
at the big row of cannas. So far 

 today I haven't seen any but it's already October 8, so we'll see. 
 Arlene Koch
Easton, PA
Northampton County
davilene AT verizon.net
Subject: Palm Warbler (Western race) - Sewickley Heights Borough Park - Allegheny County
From: Bob & Mary Ann <van126 AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 12:36:01 -0400
This morning while birding in the park, I found 2 Palm Warblers (Western race) 
actively foraging in the field by the parking lot. The only other warbler I 
observed was a Magnolia. White-throated Sparrows were numerous along the Cabin 
Hollow Trail, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets were common in brushy habitats. A 
Blue-headed Vireo and a Swainson's Thrush were seen in the same Sassafras tree 
on the Butterfly Trail. 


Good birding,
Bob VanNewkirk
Allegheny County
Subject: Re: coop, crows, beth., lehigh 10/6
From: "Janet H.Austin" <wordyjan AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 12:04:16 -0400
Hi Grant,So far no winter birds here yet.
Julie's book is nifty.As an artist,myself,I think her work is  
beautifully done.The text is in her usual winning style.I recommend  
it highly!
I met her husband,many years ago,when he joined a group fo birders  
who enjoyed a chatroom on AOL, sponsored by Birdwatchers'Digest.When  
I went home I ordered something from BWD by phone.I told the order  
taker what a wonderful time we had with Bill Thompson,Jr. on the trip- 
such a great guy etc.The woman I was talking to revealed herself as  
Bill's mother.I was glad I said a lot of good stuff without knowing  
who she was!
Jan Austin
On Oct 6, 2008, at 11:56 AM, Grant Stevenson wrote:

my wintering Coop is back. the crows ignored it while it took up the  
sentinel's position on the street light in my parking lot backyard

Julie Zickefoose has a new book of her essays and paintings called  
LETTERS FROM EDEN. Go to www.juliezickefoose.com.

Grant Stevenson
http://pahawkowl.livejournal.com





I vote.I rule.
-motto for Haverford College non-partisan student group.
Janet H.Austin
Subject: White-throated Sparrow + other observations, Venango
From: "Kate St.John" <kstjohn001 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 08:22:57 -0700
Sorry it took a while for me to send this.
Last Sunday (10/5/08) I hiked the Allegheny River Trail in Venango County. I 
started at the Kennerdell Bridge and attempted to walk to Fisherman's Cove (6 
miles one way) - but that was way too long & the trail beyond Ridge Trail 
junction was too rugged to allow anything more than a slow pace. So I gave up 
after about a mile of the rugged part...and sat down for a while. 


Birds seen/heard in no particular order:   (* on those interesting to me)
Canada Geese on the river
4 or 5 Common Mergansers flying upriver because a boat went by
a kettle of 42 Turkey Vulture circled over Kennerdell just as I arrived in 
mid-morning * 

Red-tailed hawk
Crows
Blue Jays
Great-blue Heron
Pileated Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Belted Kingfisher
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet    *
Golden-crowned Kinglet  *
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Towhee
Gray Catbird
White-throated Sparrow  *
Song Sparrow, singing
Dark-eyed Junco  ... wondering if this is a migrant
Northern Cardinal    feeding young!   *
American Goldfinch

Kate St. John, Pittsburgh
Visit my blog at: http://www.wqed.org/birdblog
Subject: Wh. Crowned Spar. - Crawford Co.
From: "Thomas C. Nicolls" <tcnicolls AT ALLTEL.NET>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 10:52:51 -0400
10-08-08 - I have at least 7 White-crowned Sparrows at my feeder at the moment.

Clare Nicolls
Crawford County - Spring Township
tcnicolls AT alltel.net
Subject: Erie County waterbird count
From: Jerry McWilliams <jerrymcw AT AOL.COM>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 10:44:45 -0400
Waterbird count 

October 8, 2008

Location: Sunset Point at Presque Isle State Park

Time:  7:10 AM to 8:40 AM

Weather: variably cloudy, wind south to 10 mph, temp. 53 F, waves less than a 
foot. 


Comments:   Very little movement, but surprisingly the few ducks seen were 
mostly scoters. 


 

Waterbirds recorded:

 

Canada Goose—2

American Black Duck—1

Lesser Scaup—8

Surf Scoter—2

Surf/Black Scoter—9

Common Loon—9

Sanderling—2

Jerry McWilliams
Erie, Erie County, Pa.
jerrymcw AT aol.com
Subject: White-throated Sparrow, Westmoreland County
From: Len & Linda Hess <lnlhess AT LHTOT.COM>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 09:40:24 -0400
We had our first White-throated Sparrow in the yard yesterday afternoon. I had 
one about 3/4 of a mile down the road last week. 


Linda & Len Hess
Stahlstown
Westmoreland County
Subject: first white-throated sparrows
From: JCConkle <jcconkle AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 09:07:47 -0400
Yesterday, (October 7th), I saw my first WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS in my
neighborhood in Washington.  Other new species I've seen recently include
WINTER WREN, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS (juveniles), RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS,
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, SWAINSON'S THRUSH and BLUE-HEADED VIREO.  Also new
is a MOCKINGBIRD I saw last week.  This is the first sighting I've ever had
of this species in my neighborhood.  I've been looking for this bird ever
since, but haven't been able to get a second sighting.  

 

I'm still seeing EASTERN PHOEBES, CATBIRDS, GREEN-THROATED, BLACKPOLL and
MAGNOLIA WARBLERS and plenty of CEDAR WAXWINGS.  

 

One species I haven't seen at all this fall is NASHVILLE WARBLER.  I saw
lots of them last fall, and a singing one during spring migration this year.
I've also had a decrease in TENNESSEE WARBLER sightings.  On the other hand,
I've had an increase in HOODED, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and WILSON'S WARBLER
sightings.  I've had the pleasure of seeing a number of adult male HOODED
WARBLERS this fall, and they are absolutely the most beautiful warblers I've
ever seen.  MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, as usual, have been the most prevalent
warblers in my neighborhood this fall.  Yesterday I saw a large number of
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and I'm hoping they will stay around long after all
the other warbler species are gone.  

 

Lauren Conkle

Washington