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14 Mar Woodcocks in Allegheny County [Scott Kinzey ] 14 Mar eBird Report - Beaver County, Economy Borough, 3/14/10 [Karyn Delaney ] 14 Mar OT (Florida Red-bellied Woodpecker with lizard) [Ann Pettigrew ] 14 Mar Fox Sparrow report, Schuylkill County - 3/13/10 [Dave Kruel ] 14 Mar Woodcock in Mckean Co. ["John, Lisa, Danny and Bailey Fedak" ] 14 Mar Re: Woodcocks - ?duck-like calls, Schuylkill County ["Kate St.John" ] 14 Mar Shenango Lake, Mercer County ["Kate St.John" ] 14 Mar Sweet Arrow Lake, Schuylkill Co. [Denise Donmoyer ] 14 Mar Birds, frogs and mink at Independence Marsh, Beaver County ["Kate St.John" ] 14 Mar Re: Woodcocks - ?duck-like calls, Schuylkill County ["Kate St.John" ] 14 Mar Franklin Co Waterfowl [Bill Oyler ] 14 Mar Glendale Lake Birding?-Cambria County [Cory DeStein ] 14 Mar Woococks - ?duck-like calls, Schuylkill County [Dave Kruel ] 14 Mar LITTLE GULL, Lower Susquehanna, Lancaster County [Bob Schutsky ] 14 Mar Black-headed Gull - Dauphin Co. [Ramsay Koury ] 14 Mar Lake Pymatuning & Shenango Lake (Crawford & Mercer Counties) [Steve Sanford ] 14 Mar Woodcock [MICHAEL JOSHUA DREIBELBIS ] 14 Mar Fish Crows in Indiana Co. [Margaret Higbee ] 14 Mar Ross's Goose at Lake Arthur, Butler County [Amy Henrici ] 14 Mar Red-necked Grebe & Merlin - Mercer Co. [Mark Vass ] 14 Mar N. Shrike - Allegheny Co. [Mark Vass ] 14 Mar Erie County bird sightings [Jerry McWilliams ] 14 Mar White-crowned Sparrows, Northampton County ["Robert E. Hoopes" ] 14 Mar Eastern Phoebe & Lesser Black-backed Gull, Bucktoe, Chester Co. [Holly Merker ] 14 Mar LBB Gull at Shenango ["Kate St.John" ] 14 Mar Bonaparte's and Little Gulls (2), Lancaster Co. ["J. Eric and Robin M. Witmer" ] 14 Mar Pitt Peregrines; 03/14/2010; Allegheny County [Richard Nugent ] 14 Mar West Chester Bird Club program [Sandra Moser ] 14 Mar If anyone's still interested, clay-colored sparrow, Koch property, Northampton County [DAVID KOCH ] 14 Mar Woodcocks love rain/Franklin [Bob Keener ] 14 Mar Sweet Arrow Lake, Schuylkill Co. [Denise Donmoyer ] 13 Mar Re: Mystery Sonagram #1 [Andrew Albright ] 13 Mar Woods Edge, Centerville, Rd. Lancaster Co. Coots, Shoveler [Meredith Lombard ] 13 Mar Rusty Blackbirds & Waterfowl - Beaver Co. [Mark Vass ] 13 Mar Bald Eagles - Lycoming County [Steve Pinkerton ] 13 Mar Bald Eagles - Lycoming County [Steve Pinkerton ] 13 Mar Foxie in Wayne Co [Sandra Ward Povse ] 13 Mar Peace Valley Park IBA-Bucks Co. (3/7-3/13) [August Mirabella ] 13 Mar Harlequin Duck today in Erie County [Jerry McWilliams ] 13 Mar Armstrong County Killdeer, etc. [Marjorie Van Tassel ] 13 Mar Little Gull - Susquehanna R., Columbia (Lancaster Co.) [Justin Bosler ] 13 Mar 22 Cranes + Ducks - Lawrence Co. [Mark Vass ] 13 Mar OT - Optics? ["Scott Brown, Ph.D." ] 13 Mar Cumberland County Waterfowl [Vern Gauthier ] 13 Mar Rusty Blackbirds in Indiana Co. [Margaret Higbee ] 13 Mar Ross's Goose, Northampton County [Dustin Welch ] 13 Mar Shenango River Lake, Mercer County [Kim & Jeff Brinker ] 13 Mar Chester Co., Bucktoe Creek Preserve [Joe Sebastiani ] 13 Mar Pine Warbler and Am. Woodcock in Indiana Co. [Margaret Higbee ] 12 Mar Waxwings (orange variant) - Centre County [Joseph Verica ] 12 Mar Clarion Co- first woodcocks [Carole Winslow ] 12 Mar Cumberland County Waterfowl [Vern Gauthier ] 12 Mar Shenango Lake March 10 & 12 - Mercer CO [Steve Sanford ] 12 Mar Franklin County Birds This Week [Bill Oyler ] 12 Mar Churchville Report (Bucks Co) - Bird Sightings Mar 6-12 [William Keim ] 12 Mar Hawkwatch at Presque isle for March 12, 2010 [Jerry McWilliams ] 12 Mar OT - ?Hotels near Springfield, CO [Dave Kruel ] 12 Mar Osprey, Berks County [Joan Silagy ] 12 Mar Climate change - Powdermill birds on the BBC [Andy Wilson ] 12 Mar Stops in Westmoreland and Washington Counties [Steve Gosser ] 12 Mar Spring arrivals Montgomery Co [Cindy Ahern ] 12 Mar First peregrine egg at Univ of Pittsburgh! ["Kate St.John" ] 12 Mar Late post :Lebanon Co Middle Creek WMA Tree Swallows [Randy Miller ] 12 Mar Eastern PA Birdline: 3/12/2010 [Dave DeReamus ] 11 Mar Wildwood Park, Dauphin Co-Egrets return [Lockerman ] 11 Mar Berks fox sp., ross' at MC [Rudolph Keller ] 11 Mar Beltzville State Park, Carbon County [Matt loyko ] 11 Mar Northampton County sightings [Adam Sabatine ] 11 Mar E. Phoebe - Washington Co. [Mark Vass ] 11 Mar HSR: Tussey Mountain (11 Mar 2010) 70 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 11 Mar Re: Anyone have information on Johnstown Snowy Owl? [Thomas and Sheri Roberts ] 11 Mar Re previous post on FOY Woodcock, Bradford Co [Trudy Gerlach ] 11 Mar Washington co/ hermit thrush and others [Shawn Collins ] 11 Mar Clay-colored, others, Koch property, Northampton County [DAVID KOCH ] 11 Mar Correction on ArmstrongCo. post re: robins and red-winged blackbirds [Marjorie Van Tassel ] 11 Mar Lawrence Co. Birds [Mark Vass ] 11 Mar First Woodcock, Bradford Co [Trudy Gerlach ] Subject: Woodcocks in Allegheny County From: Scott Kinzey <blackburnian AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:50:20 -0700 Every March there are woodcocks next to my parking lot at work. They started
peenting and their courtship flights about 10 days ago. The location is Thorn
Hill Industrial Park in Warrendale.
Going to Shenango Lake this morning. The make-up of gulls reminded me of the
birds at Pymatuning in March a few years ago. No surprise that a Lesser
Black-backed was found. Next up for Pymatuning or Shenango is a Little Gull.
Scott Kinzey
Allegheny County
Subject: eBird Report - Beaver County, Economy Borough, 3/14/10From: Karyn Delaney <kdelaney17 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:08:54 -0400 Location: Beaver County, Economy Borough Observation date: 3/14/10 Notes: First of year Number of species: 1 Common Grackle 8 Karyn Delaney This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)Subject: OT (Florida Red-bellied Woodpecker with lizard) From: Ann Pettigrew <rook185 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:53:29 -0400 Please excuse the off topic subject but we saw something in Florida last week that I had never seen before. While visiting Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary we watched a red-bellied woodpecker grab a Brown Anole Lizard. Unfortunately, we could not tell if he ate it or just grabbed if for some reason. I have never seen red-bellies eat anything but insects, seed and suet so I was really surprised to see this. Does anyone know if this is common with woodpeckers in areas where lizards are present? Thanks, Ann Ann C. Pettigrew, V.M.D. York, PA rook185 AT comcast.net www.pbase.com/rook185 Every seed is awakened and so is all animal life. It is through this mysterious power that we too have our being and we therefore yield to our animal neighbours the same right as ourselves, to inhabit this land. Quote by SITTING BULLSubject: Fox Sparrow report, Schuylkill County - 3/13/10 From: Dave Kruel <accip AT INFIONLINE.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:42:39 -0400 Hi All, On Saturday, a Fox Sparrow was at the feeders of Dan & Sandy Schwartz, at Summit Station in southern Schuylkill County. This is the first Fox Sparrow for the season that I'm aware of for us locally. Dave Kruel PottsvilleSubject: Woodcock in Mckean Co. From: "John, Lisa, Danny and Bailey Fedak" <jlfedak AT ATLANTICBB.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:03:07 -0400 Had a woodcock penting from my lower yard, in the city of Bradford, tonight. No flight display though. John Fedak Bradford McKean CountySubject: Re: Woodcocks - ?duck-like calls, Schuylkill County From: "Kate St.John" <kstjohn001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:53:51 -0700 ooops. Now I re-read Dave Kruel's post & see there were no wood frogs nearby. Yoy. The thought of mud, muddled my brain.Subject: Shenango Lake, Mercer County From: "Kate St.John" <kstjohn001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:41:34 -0700 I did see Dave & Debbie Darney briefly at Shenango today but I saw fewer species of waterfowl than they did and no merlin, no red-necked grebe. I attribute my "miss" to the heart-stopping moment I had on the Golden Run access road in my nearly-new car (less than 4,000 miles on it). In the 20-foot stretch of muck just before the paved road-to-nowhere I thought my car was going to sink in the quagmire. I made it through by scraping the underside of the car but the thought of having to drive back over that mud to get out soured my time at Golden Run. I left before checking all the hotspots, just to rid myself of the lurking fear of mud. To make up for it I went to the west side of Rt 18 near the PGC propagation area. There was still ice on the lake over there & the gulls were standing around on it. That's where I saw the Lesser Black-backed Gull with some Herring Gulls and a bunch of Ring-billed Gulls. The gulls were especially noisy. So were the Canada Geese who were very nervous that I was there. Ducks seen, including my brief stop at Golden Run: Black Duck, Canvasback, Gadwall, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Ring-necked Duck, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Wood Duck, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser Also saw a lot of Great-blue Herons and several Bald Eagles, one on a nest. Killdeer & Bluebirds are back and another solo American Tree Sparrow with the Song Sparrows just as at Independence Marsh. On the drive home on Rt 60 I noticed a Heron rookery north of New Castle. Look west at the sycamores just south of Mitchell Road. It is distant but the herons are so large I could see them standing on the nests. Kate St. John, Pittsburgh Visit my bird & nature blog at www.wqed.org/birdblogSubject: Sweet Arrow Lake, Schuylkill Co. From: Denise Donmoyer <nightowl57 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:15:40 -0400 Sweet Arrow Lake 3/14 Ring-necked Ducks Common Mergansers Kingfisher Bluebirds Fish Crow Hairy Woodpecker Denise Donmoyer Sweet Arrow Lake Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co. nightowl57 AT verizon.netSubject: Birds, frogs and mink at Independence Marsh, Beaver County From: "Kate St.John" <kstjohn001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:10:08 -0700 I stopped by Independence Marsh on my way to Shenango Lake today. I saw a lot of interesting things though nothing totally unusual. The lake was as high as Raccoon Creek and the creek was moving fast. It's a wonder the creek didn't break through the lake wall & swamp it. 9 Ring-necked Ducks, a pair of Common Mergansers, 5 Hood Mergansers and 1 Blue-winged Teal were on the lakes; some of flew away shortly after I saw them. Two family groups of American Crows spent at least a half hour harassing something I could not see from my vantage point in the valley. They were so worked up I wondered if it was a raptor.. maybe an owl. Also: many Song Sparrows, one Am. Tree Sparrow, a pair of Northern Mockingbirds, a pair of Eastern Bluebirds, Common Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds and way too many House Sparrows for the bluebird boxes :( In the marsh I heard Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs. Yes, the wood frogs sound like ducks but this time I actually saw them pursuing each other and mating - proving they weren't ducks at all. Mammals stole the show. I saw a fox squirrel, two very thin groundhogs and a mink. The mink swam across the pond and then waddled at the watery border of the pond & land. I'm sure the flood in Raccoon Creek had made him temporarily homeless. Kate St. John, Pittsburgh Visit my bird & nature blog at www.wqed.org/birdblogSubject: Re: Woodcocks - ?duck-like calls, Schuylkill County From: "Kate St.John" <kstjohn001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:41:39 -0700 David, that quacking you heard was probably wood frogs. They sound AMAZINGLY like ducks. They fooled me - only briefly this time - at Independence Marsh, Beaver County today. Kate St. John, Pittsburgh Visit my bird & nature blog at www.wqed.org/birdblogSubject: Franklin Co Waterfowl From: Bill Oyler <oylerbill AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:40:36 -0400 Sorry for the day late post ... have been away from home (not birding) for most of weekend. Birded for a couple hours Saturday morning before other activities took over: Bender's Sandy Mt Road pond ... 14 Hooded Mergansers Bender's main pond ... 4 Hooded Mergansers, 1 Common Merganser, 2 American Widgeon, and also 8 Horned Larks and 10 American Pipits along the farm lane to this pond. Keefer Road farm pond ... 4 American Widgeon Bill Oyler ChambersburgSubject: Glendale Lake Birding?-Cambria County From: Cory DeStein <cdestein AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:18:50 -0400 Hi all, Has anyone been to Glendale Lake in Prince Gallitizin State Park yet this year? I enjoy going there but wanted to see how frozen it still is and how much action is going on before I make the 2 hr trip! thanks! Cory DeStein Allegheny Co.Subject: Woococks - ?duck-like calls, Schuylkill County From: Dave Kruel <accip AT INFIONLINE.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:24:00 -0400 Hi All, This eve we were pleasantly surprised to hear a good eight(maybe more) woodcocks peenting and displaying just a short walk from the house in a brushy area. For both Nancy & I, we had never been at a spot with so much woodcock action going on....multiple birds on the ground and in the air at any given time. Also, new for us, was a duck-like(mallard) sound they'd make, when they did a drawn out version of their normal peent. ...and no wood frogs around to confuse We just heard these drawn out calls a few times. A wonderful experience. Dave Kruel PottsvilleSubject: LITTLE GULL, Lower Susquehanna, Lancaster County From: Bob Schutsky <info AT BIRDTREKS.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:18:56 -0400 Dear PABirders, This evening between 6 and 7 PM I scanned the Susquehanna River in front of my house in Peach Bottom. Gulls migrating upriver included the following: LITTLE GULL, 1 winter adult Bonaparte's Gull, 120 Ring-billed Gull, 850 Herring Gull, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 adult Two male Black Scoters were floating downriver toward the PA-MD border. This was excellent entertainment while I was bar-be-quing. Sincerely, BOB SCHUTSKY Brand New Web Site: www.birdtreks.com -- BIRD TREKS--Quality Worldwide Birding Tours 216 Spring Lane Peach Bottom, PA USA 17563-4008 VOICE: 717-548-3303 FAX: 717-548-3327 E-MAIL: info AT birdtreks.comSubject: Black-headed Gull - Dauphin Co. From: Ramsay Koury <rkoury123 AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:09:16 -0400 Hi Everyone, Late this afternoon Chad Kauffman, Andy Markel, Mike Weible and I observed a Black-headed Gull from the boat launch in Marysville (the upstream boat launch). The bird is in almost full breeding plumage, having an almost full hood. There is a little white on its forehead. Interestingly, last year on March 15th a Black-headed Gull in almost this exact plumage was observed at this location. There was at least one adult Lesser Black-backed Gull there as well, along with only 2 or 3 Bonaparte's Gulls and at least 1500 Ring-billed Gulls. All of the Bonies were in winter plumage. Good birding, Ramsay Koury Camp HillSubject: Lake Pymatuning & Shenango Lake (Crawford & Mercer Counties) From: Steve Sanford <bwredbird AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:00:31 -0400 While I was not seeing the various wonderful birds others were seeing almost in my backyard (Shenango Lake) I went up to Lake Pymatuning and saw not-too-much. Most of the ice was still there but there was a little open water across from the spillway and a good bit behind the fish hatchery. My main species were Gadwall - 1 Northern Pintail - 1* Redhead - 6* Bufflehead - 1* Hooded Merganser - 8 Common Merganser - 6* Red-breasted Merganser - 11* Great Blue Heron - 1 Bald Eagle - 2 Cedar Waxwing - 25 *Interestingly the water across from the spillway included most of the species on the list, marked with "*". On the way home I did stop at Shenango Lake on both sides of Rt 18. Main sightings were Hooded Merganser - 36 Common Merganser - 40 I managed to miss the Lesser Black-backed Gull even though I scanned through the gulls on the ice looking for darker-backed gulls. Of course I didn't know about the LBBG until I got home. And I didn't go into Golden Run because I was nervous about the mud. So I missed a lot there too. Can't wait to see what else I missed! :-( BUT, maybe I saw something the others didn't: I went down the extension of Winner Road which I never tried before because I think it previously was blocked right at the entry (??). At any rate you can now go in a little way and park, and walk down to the water. I didn't really add much there, but on the way out I heard something like a laid-back Chachalaca. What could it be? Turkey? Pheasant? So I walked into a field and finally found it perched on a branch: CHUKAR - 1 "Exotic" yes, but definitely my most fun bird of the day. ;-) Incidentally, that area looks like it would be great for Woodcocks. Steve Sanford Sharon PA bwredbird^at^verizon^dot^netSubject: Woodcock From: MICHAEL JOSHUA DREIBELBIS <mjd5243 AT PSU.EDU> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:50:41 -0400 This evening an American Woodcock could be heard in a forest patch near several farm fields behind my place. I live along route 550 in Stormstown. This is the first time I have heard them there, although my father says he has seen them around previous years. Also, Killdeer, RW Blackbirds and Common Grackles visited early this past week for the 1st time this spring. Mike DreibelbisSubject: Fish Crows in Indiana Co. From: Margaret Higbee <bcoriole AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:12:58 -0400 This afternoon around 4:00 Roger and I found at least 7 Fish Crows at Trinity United Methodist Church at the intersection of Fourth and Church Streets in Indiana. This is very near the same area where Tom and Jan Kuehl found them on the CBC 12/26. Margaret Higbee Indiana, PA bcoriole AT windstream.netSubject: Ross's Goose at Lake Arthur, Butler County From: Amy Henrici <achenrici AT MSN.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:23:55 -0400 We had a bad case of cabin fever and to cure it, headed up to Lake Arthur. The lake is still mostly frozen, with patches of open water in some of the shallow bays and leads of open water along the shoreline. We walked out to the spillway, hoping for open water there. There wasn't much, but there was a Ross's Goose standing on the ice with about 10 Canada Geese. The geese were close to the opposite shore and began walking towards us. They stopped and then flew off, giving us a good view of the Ross's Goose black wing tips. The Ross's Goose was dwarfed by the Canada Geese. Other birds seen were a Bald Eagle, two Wood Ducks, and a male Bufflehead. Amy Henrici Pat McSheaSubject: Red-necked Grebe & Merlin - Mercer Co. From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:05:07 -0700 Dave & Debbie Darney birded the Shenango Reservoir earlier today in the area of Golden Run they had 13 species of waterfowl that included a RED-NECKED GREBE also seen was a MERLIN Mark Vass Beaver Co.Subject: N. Shrike - Allegheny Co. From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:58:29 -0700 I stopped at the Imperial Grasslands earlier today There was a N. SHRIKE perched on top of a shrub seen from the toy airport looking in the direction of the landfill This is most likely the same bird that was being reported from here early this winter among other birds seen here were a pair of Black Ducks,Bluebirds,Kestrel and my first of the year E. Meadowlark Mark Vass Beaver Co.Subject: Erie County bird sightings From: Jerry McWilliams <jerrymcw AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:39:32 -0400 The only bird of note this week was the adult male Harlequin Duck. It went unreported all week until yesterday and again this morning and afternoon (March 14) where it was seen with Common Goldeneye in the bay between the east entrance of Long Pond Trail and the east pier. Jerry McWilliams Erie, erie County, Pa. jerrymcw AT aol.comSubject: White-crowned Sparrows, Northampton County From: "Robert E. Hoopes" <hoopes AT PTD.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:57:41 -0400 Sunday afternoon there were two male White-crowned Sparrows along Kohl's Road near the intersection with Cherryville Road, north of Northampton, Northampton County. Also had first Killdeer of the season by my home in Schnecksville, Lehigh County. Bob Hoopes Schnecksville, Lehigh CountySubject: Eastern Phoebe & Lesser Black-backed Gull, Bucktoe, Chester Co. From: Holly Merker <HCybelle AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:55:18 EDT This morning, during the Sunday birdwalk at the Bucktoe Creek Preserve, Mike Gardner, Pamela Fisher and I had our first of the year Eastern Phoebe foraging near the Bucktoe Creek. Additionally, another highlight was an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull which flew over us as it followed a group of Herring Gulls. We were also delighted to hear both Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs on the preserve this morning. Cheers and good birding~ Holly Merker Holly Cybelle Merker Downingtown, PA Chester County HCybelle AT aol.comSubject: LBB Gull at Shenango From: "Kate St.John" <kstjohn001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:41:20 -0700 Most of the gulls are west of the Rt 18 bridge, standing on the ice. Saw no Bonapartes. Just ring-billed, herring and one adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (!) More news when I get home to type it. Shenango is good today! KStJSubject: Bonaparte's and Little Gulls (2), Lancaster Co. From: "J. Eric and Robin M. Witmer" <hawkowl AT PTD.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:13:29 -0400 PA Birders, I checked the Susquehanna River from Columbia and Wrightsville this morning for the previously reported Bonaparte's and Little Gull yesterday by the Boslers. The Bonaparte's Gull Migration upriver has begun. The area can be viewed from Lemon Street river access in Wrightsville and from Blue Lane just below Columbia ( Be careful at RR tracks you are considered trespassing by Norfolk Southern ) There was at least 200+ Bonies in the area, I had multiple observations of a basic plumage Little Gull. Twice I had two birds together. At Wrightsville,the two Peregrines were sitting near the Route 462 bridge. Good Birding, Eric Witmer (Ephrata)Subject: Pitt Peregrines; 03/14/2010; Allegheny County From: Richard Nugent <rmnugent AT EXCITE.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:48:18 -0400 Inspired by Kate's recent post I drove down to Pitt this morning. Sunday
morning is a good time to visit the Cathedral of Learning since traffic is
light, parking is free and easy to find and almost no one is around. At first I
saw nothing except Rock Pigeons, House Sparrows and Northern Cardinals. From
Schenley Plaza I notice a lump near the top of the building that did not look
like it belonged there. Unfortunately it did not look much like a bird either.
Then the lump woke up and did the "flappy" territorial flight and then landed
on a railing near the top where a second Peregrine joined it. It was nice to
see them even when they were 40 stories up.
Best Regards ...... Richard Nugent
Hampton Township, Allegheny County
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Subject: West Chester Bird Club programFrom: Sandra Moser <sandymoser AT MAC.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:48:42 -0400 Monday, March 15 the WCBC program will be Kingfishers and their Allies, presented by Mr. Jeff Gordon, writer, tour leader and Field Editor for Bird Watcher's Digest. The West Chester Bird Club invites anyone interested in birds to attend the program at the High Street Meeting House, 415 North High Street, West Chester, PA. Meetings begin at 7:30 P.M. Programs are FREE and open to the public. West Chester Bird Club web site - http://martinp1.tripod.com/ wcbchome.htm. Sandy Moser, Chester CountySubject: If anyone's still interested, clay-colored sparrow, Koch property, Northampton County From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:24:57 -0700 I continue to post about this bird because I still have people asking about it. It's still here as of 9:00 am Sunday. Yesterday it was regular all day at the backyard feeders except during the heaviest of the afternoon rain. 1375 Raubsville Road, Easton, 18042. Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.netSubject: Woodcocks love rain/Franklin From: Bob Keener <keenerb99 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:22:12 -0700 At 6:45 this a.m. the American woodcocks were peenting from Hi All, At 6:45 this a.m. the American woodcocks were peenting from one end of Heisey Rd Orchard to the other end. I imagine with the ground so saturated, the worms must be plentiful and nothing like "let's have a party!" Bob Keener 5207 Heisey Rd Shippensburg, PA 17257 717-532-9723Subject: Sweet Arrow Lake, Schuylkill Co. From: Denise Donmoyer <nightowl57 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:45:44 -0500 Sweet Arrow Lake 3/12 & 13 Killdeer Kingfisher Ring-billed Gulls Tundra Swan Red-breasted Nuthatch Hairy Woodpecker Fish Crow Denise Donmoyer Sweet Arrow Lake Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co. nightowl57 AT verizon.netSubject: Re: Mystery Sonagram #1 From: Andrew Albright <albrigh_1999 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:53:31 -0800 Nobody got the right answer! Maybe this is too hard. Here is the audio file from which I made the sonagram: http://soundcloud.com/user3781125/mystery1 If after listening to the audio, you still can't get it, here are two more clues: 1) the second part of the call has the same quality as many of this species calls/songs. 2) If you don't recognize a bird call/song, then this species is always a good guess. I put a link to the answer on the blog: http://trash-birder.blogspot.com/2010/03/mystery-sonogram-1.html Andrew Albright Lafayette Hill, PA albrigh_1999 AT yahoo.com --- On Wed, 3/10/10, Andrew AlbrightSubject: Woods Edge, Centerville, Rd. Lancaster Co. Coots, Shoveler From: Meredith Lombard <ctsnature AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:18:40 -0500 Greetings All, A quick stop on a rainy afternoon at Wood's Edge revealed: A small flock of Ring-necked Ducks 2 American Coots 1 male No. Shoveler 2 Am. Wigeon A handful of Canada Geese and mallards. 3 RW Blackbirds singing from tree limbs or sign posts. Last year's cattails have been cut down. Many ring-billed gulls were foraging in the farm field across from the ponds. Meredith LombardSubject: Rusty Blackbirds & Waterfowl - Beaver Co. From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:52:06 -0800 I stopped at Independence Marsh late this afternoon The ponds are ice free and I had the following here 4 Common Merganser(uncommon at this location) 10 Hooded Merganser 13 Ring-necked Duck 6 Wood Duck also in Independence Twp. on Park Rd. I found 3 Rusty Blackbirds feeding with robins in a flooded corn stubble field Mark Vass Beaver Co.Subject: Bald Eagles - Lycoming County From: Steve Pinkerton <stevepinkerton AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:15:43 -0500 Sorry I hit the send button to soon.. last two photos below. http://home.comcast.net/~stevepinkerton/pwpimages/DSC_0069.JPG http://home.comcast.net/~stevepinkerton/pwpimages/DSC_0091.JPGSubject: Bald Eagles - Lycoming County From: Steve Pinkerton <stevepinkerton AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:12:20 -0500 Judi and I spent some time at Rosevalley Lake today in search of Bald Eagles and ended up finding 4 of them at the lake.. We also looked for the Peregrine falcon that has been seen on top of the Gennetti Hotel but we struck out http://home.comcast.net/~stevepinkerton/pwpimages/DSC_0001%20%282%29.JPG http://home.comcast.net/~stevepinkerton/pwpimages/DSC_0006.JPGSubject: Foxie in Wayne Co From: Sandra Ward Povse <povses AT MARYU.MARYWOOD.EDU> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:03:17 -0500 Very surprised to look out and see a fox sparrow scratching around early this afternoon-- just one, but a welcome sight throughout the afternoon despite serious rain and piles of snow. Honesdale, Wayne CO -- Sandra Ward Povse | Director, Art Galleries Marywood University | povses AT marywood.edu 2300 Adams Avenue | Scranton, PA 18509-1598 v: 570.348.6278 | f: 570.340.6023 www.marywood.edu/galleriesSubject: Peace Valley Park IBA-Bucks Co. (3/7-3/13) From: August Mirabella <augustmirabella AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:36:46 -0500 Waterfowl variety increased but numbers were small. Highlights include: American Wigeon-high report 4 3/9 Black Duck-high report 10 3/9 Mallard - high report 97 3/9 1 N. Shoveler-first report 3/11 N. Pintail 3/10 Green-winged Teal-first reported 3/9, high report 6 3/11 1 Ring-necked Duck 3/9 Hooded Merganser - high report 6 3/10 Common Merganser - high count 830 3/9; probably more today Ruddy Duck - first report 3/10; high report 5 3/11 Bald Eagle-resident adult was again seen tolerating an imm. bird Killdeer-first report 3/8 American Woodcock - first report 3/7 Lesser Black-backed Gull-high report 37 3/9 Also, Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed Gulls Belted Kingfisher 3/10 Pileated Woodpecker 3/10 Tree Swallow 3/13 Golden-crowned & Ruby-crowned Kinglets 3/10 Fox Sparrow 3/10 Also, Great Blue Heron, Black Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Fish Crow,Swamp Sparrow, E. Bluebird, Yellow-rumped Warbler,Amer. Goldfinch As usual, the above is a compilation of reports from visiting birders. Thanks to all who share their sightings. All are welcome to the Sat. Morning Bird Walk 8 AM to 10 AM that meets at the nature center parking lot. There is no fee. August Mirabella North Wales, PASubject: Harlequin Duck today in Erie County From: Jerry McWilliams <jerrymcw AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:07:24 -0500 I located the adult male Harlequin Duck in Presque Isle Bay off the east end of Long Pond this morning following a week without being reported. It was still among Common Goldeneye, which it constantly chased, at the edge of the ice. Jerry McWilliams Erie, Erie County, Pa. jerrymcw AT aol.comSubject: Armstrong County Killdeer, etc. From: Marjorie Van Tassel <marvant AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:40:04 -0500 Very windy, cool morning, rain began around 10:30 at Crooked Creek 2 Killdeer 2 Bald Eagles (immatures on ice playing in water, one pounced on orange floater 13 Common Mergansers 2 Tree Sparrows, Eastern Bluebirds, etc. Armstrong & Indiana county 2 Killdeer at West Lebanon displaying loudly when I pulled over to take picture and 1 Turkey Vulture flying overhead 4 Killdeer in field in Elders Ridge and 1 American Kestrel on wire watching these killdeer intently(?)' Marge Van Tassel Armstrong CountySubject: Little Gull - Susquehanna R., Columbia (Lancaster Co.) From: Justin Bosler <justin.bosler AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:37:14 -0500 PABIRDS,
Between 1:00 and 1:30 PM, Devin Bosler and I observed at least 1 basic
adult LITTLE GULL foraging with about 150-200 first-of-spring BONAPARTE'S
GULLS at "The Rocks" across from Blue Ln., just S of Columbia. Otherwise,
there were few gulls to be had. Also of interest were 6 GREATER SCAUP (4
males, 2 females) actively diving in the rapids alongside 60 Buffleheads and
nearly 30 Common Goldeneyes. As you can imagine, viewing conditions were
pretty miserable. Regardless, I was surprised at the overall lack of
waterfowl for mid-March.
Still waiting for the first cormorant of spring....
Good birding,
Justin
--
Justin Bosler
Lancaster, PA
Subject: 22 Cranes + Ducks - Lawrence Co.From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:00:27 -0800 This morning I went to Plain Grove and had these sightings In the field along Old Ash Rd. there were 22 Sandhill Cranes and a gray ghost N. Harrier and a Turkey Vulture I had the following ducks at Black Swamp 33 N. Pintail 12 Green-winged Teal 4 A. Black Duck 12 Gadwall 6 A. Wigeon 32 Mallard 83 Ring-necked Duck on McConahy Rd. the one pond was open and here there were 4 Gadwall and 32 Ring-necked Ducks the large gravel pond on this road was still iced over Mark Vass Beaver Co.Subject: OT - Optics? From: "Scott Brown, Ph.D." <scobrown AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:52:19 -0500 Hello all -- I live near Beaver, PA (30 min from Pittsburgh). Anybody know of any good optics stores in the area??? I am specifically looking for a mid-priced scope, so if you have any ideas or if you have a scope you're looking to sell, please email me! Best wishes, Scott scobrown AT gmail.comSubject: Cumberland County Waterfowl From: Vern Gauthier <pabirder AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:00:03 -0500 Went out this morning for a bit in western Cumberland County. Out in a field near Hidden Pond in Huntsdale was a large flock of CANADA GEESE. Besides the numerous MALLARDS, I was able to find 5 AMERICAN WIGEON,3 GREEN-WINGED TEAL,and 2 BLACK DUCKS mixed in. There were 2 HOODED MERGANSERS in the pond. I went out to Mudlevel Road and though there is a lot of water, there were no birds. Vern Gauthier NewvilleSubject: Rusty Blackbirds in Indiana Co. From: Margaret Higbee <bcoriole AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:08:10 -0500 Yellow Creek Lake is still frozen with only a few small patches of open water. This morning on Lee Carnahan's rainy walk at Yellow Creek we had the following: 3 Canada Geese 12 Am. Black Ducks 6 Mallards 1 Ring-necked Duck - flying over 3 Ring-billed Gulls 1 Killdeer 14 Rusty Blackbirds Observers: Lee Carnahan, Roger & Margaret Higbee Margaret Higbee Indiana, PA bcoriole AT windstream.netSubject: Ross's Goose, Northampton County From: Dustin Welch <dwelch5951 AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:38:01 -0500 3/13/10 Hecktown Rd., Bethlehem Twp., Northampton County A nice flock of over 2000 Snow Geese along Hecktown Rd held an adult ROSS'S GOOSE. Also amongst the flock were over 30 Blue Snow Geese and 2 Lesser Canada Geese (much smaller than the Snows but lacking any characteristics of Cackling Goose). Only 1 collared Snow Goose, ME41, adult female banded August 2004 on Bylot Island, Nunavut, Canada. Photos of the Ross's Goose: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildpabirds/ Bird on, Dustin Welch Bath, Northampton CountySubject: Shenango River Lake, Mercer County From: Kim & Jeff Brinker <jkbrink2 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:35:23 -0500 I spent a damp hour at Shenango Lake earlier this morning before the rains blew in. There was a very strong wind blowing, which might account for the lower numbers than those reported by others earlier in the week. ring-necked duck- 97 bufflehead- 12 red-breasted merganser- 8 hooded merganser- 15 common merganser- 4 American coot- 3 The Beaver Pond had several hundred ducks present before an immature bald eagle came spiraling in. The ducks were circling in to land when the eagle glided in again, and they quickly fled. American wigeon- c.15-20 green-winged teal- 6+ Northern pintail- 33 mallard- 3 (plus dozens of others, moving too quickly through and over the trees to ID) Jeff Brinker Mercer, Mercer Co.Subject: Chester Co., Bucktoe Creek Preserve From: Joe Sebastiani <bunker17 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:59:38 -0500 Attend the free bird walks at Bucktoe Creek Preserve near Kennett Square, PA this Sunday and Monday at 8am. On Sunday, Holly Merker will lead the walk, and on Monday, Sally O'Byrne will lead. Directions can be found at http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/dns_sites.html. If this program is cancelled because of weather on Sunday, a message will appear at http://bucktoecreekpreserve.org/. We saw two fly-by Woodcocks on our walk last Monday evening the 8th, but they didn't display, so we will return for another try this Monday evening the 15th. If you are interested in attending, please email me off-list. Joe Sebastiani, Delaware Nature SocietySubject: Pine Warbler and Am. Woodcock in Indiana Co. From: Margaret Higbee <bcoriole AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:14:14 -0500 This morning a Pine Warbler was singing in our backyard near Shelocta for the first time this year. Mary Assenat had several woodcocks calling at Creekside this evening. Margaret Higbee Indiana, PA bcoriole AT windstream.netSubject: Waxwings (orange variant) - Centre County From: Joseph Verica <joeverica AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:04:07 -0800 I saw a large flock (~120 birds) of Cedar Waxwings in a group of Callery Pear trees across the street from my house in State College. At least two of the Waxwings were orange-tail variants (orange tipped rectrices). Take care Joe Verica ***** I do what's in my heart, if it works out, then great, if not at least I know I haven't wasted my time. -John HartfordSubject: Clarion Co- first woodcocks From: Carole Winslow <cjnal AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:45:16 -0500 Spring greetings, After a long, cold and snowy winter the sounds of spring are very welcome here this past week. The first of the week we heard fair numbers of tundra swans low over the house at night, and just the last 3-4 days finally the sounds of red-winged blackbirds in the yard and trees. Yesterday was the first killdeer calling in the valley and tonight, finally the welcome peent of the woodcocks, heard in their usual spot where I find them first in spring every year. It's only been in the last 3 days that the ground has even been relatively open, so all the arrivals are late for my usual dates other than the woodcock, which shows in my records usually around the 13th, had an early date 2 years ago of the 8th. A strange looking bird making strange sounds, so why is it so wonderful to hear every year ??I guess just because of what it symbolizes, spring and the changing world outside. I have watched for snipe the past several days but have not found them in their usual spot in Curllsville, I fear that since the field has not been used as pasture anymore that the grass is too high in places and it has changed too much for use, we'll see. It's now been ten years since I first started watching them there. I guess I better print up my spring migration form to start getting filled up for PSO.. Enjoy the spring, Carole Winslow Sligo, Clarion Co.Subject: Cumberland County Waterfowl From: Vern Gauthier <pabirder AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:45:30 -0500 I went out for awhile this afternoon to see if I could find any migrating waterfowl in western Cumberland County. Not much, but did find the following: Lesser Scaup 1 (female AT Laughlin Mill Pond) Ring-necked Duck 11 ( AT pond on Creek Road) Hooded Merganser 6 ( AT Hidden Pond Huntsdale) Vern Gauthier NewvilleSubject: Shenango Lake March 10 & 12 - Mercer CO From: Steve Sanford <bwredbird AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:26:35 -0500 I checked out Shenango Lake Wednesday Mar 10, and this morning (Mar 12). Mar 10th was definitely best. I saw the following, mostly from the Golden Run area: Horned Grebe - 1 Canada Goose Tundra Swan - ~100 Wood Duck - 5 Gadwall - 5 American Wigeon - 10 Mallard Ring-necked Duck - 200 Bufflehead - 10 Hooded Merganser - 5 Common Merganser - ~500 Red-breasted Merganser - 3 Ruddy Duck - 10 Tree Sparrow - 5 east end Golden Run The Tundra Swans were at Golden Run but then flew off to the west end of the lake, viewable (from a mile or more away) at the end of the dirt road extension of West Lake Rd west of Rt 846. Today, Mar 12, the numbers and variety were down but I did add: Northern Pintail - 1 Green-winged Teal -10 Both of these were at the beaver pond viewed from the road. Common Mergansers were still in the hundreds, and I saw more Hooded Mergansers and American Wigeon than on Mar 10. No Tundra Swans. Unfortunately I managed to miss any Canvasbacks, Redheads, or Goldeneye, but 15 species total on my two visits was quite satisfying. Steve Sanford Sharon PA bwredbird^at^verizon^dot^netSubject: Franklin County Birds This Week From: Bill Oyler <oylerbill AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:02:04 -0500 I stopped at Caledonia SP office parking lot on the way home from work W-Th-F: Wednesday ... 5 Fox Sparrows, 1 Field Sparrow, 1 Brown Creeper Thursday ... 1 Fox Sparrow Friday ... 1 Fox Sparrow I visited Bender's main pond this evening: 1 Gadwall 2 Lesser Scaup 8 Hooded Mergansers 11 Ring-Necked Ducks 1 Cooper's Hawk Bill Oyler ChambersburgSubject: Churchville Report (Bucks Co) - Bird Sightings Mar 6-12 From: William Keim <keimwj AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:50:20 +0000 Birds reported from Churchville Nature Center in Southampton for the week of Mar 6-12 included these highlights: Snow Goose Mute Swan American Black Duck Green-winged Teal Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Ruddy Duck Great Blue Heron Sharp-shinned Hawk Lesser Black-backed Gull Brown Creeper Red-breasted Nuthatch Golden-crowned Kinglet Cedar Waxwing Yellow-rumped Warbler Rusty Blackbird All are welcome to join the weekly Bird Walk. Meet every Saturday at 7 AM at the Nature Center parking lot on Churchville Lane. Bill Keim Langhorne, Bucks Co, PA KeimWJ AT hotmail.com _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:032010_1Subject: Hawkwatch at Presque isle for March 12, 2010 From: Jerry McWilliams <jerrymcw AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:13:05 -0500 Presque Isle Erie, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 12, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 75 91 91 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 0 0 Northern Harrier 1 1 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 4 4 Cooper's Hawk 8 11 11 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 6 9 9 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 26 47 47 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 1 2 2 Merlin 0 1 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 1 1 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 119 167 167 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter: Jerry McWilliams Observers: Jerry McWilliams Visitors: Larry Rosche with a group from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Katie Andersen, and Mark Lethaby. Weather: Variably cloudy with two levels of cloud cover. There was a good steady SSE wind throughout the day. Raptor Observations: It was supposed to rain today, so it was surprising to have lots of sun and some good south winds which brought in more raptors than predicted. Birds were scattered and rarely passed the watch in bunches. The flight was fairly steady throughout the time period. Non-raptor Observations: Hundreds of European Starlings flew past as well as many Grackles. Non-raptor related birds recorded: Canada Goose--62, Killdeer--28, American Crow--46, Eastern Bluebird--6, American Robin--54, Red-winged Blackbird--200, Common Grackle--600+ Predictions: If the rain holds off and the wind direction does not switch to the north there may be a flight ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jerry McWilliams (jerrymcw AT aol.com) information may be found at: http://www.presqueisle.org/audubon/ Jerry McWilliams Erie, Erie County, Pa. jerrymcw AT aol.comSubject: OT - ?Hotels near Springfield, CO From: Dave Kruel <accip AT INFIONLINE.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:19:35 -0500 Hi All, I was wondering if anyone is familiar with lodging info in Springfield, CO or nearby? This would be by the Comanche National Grassland in Baca County, or near Picture Canyon, etc. Would greatly appreciate any info on this. Thanks much. Dave Kruel PottsvilleSubject: Osprey, Berks County From: Joan Silagy <jsilagy AT EPIX.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:59:17 -0500 While driving on route 422 west, connecting onto route 222 north this morning I had and Osprey circling over the Schuykill River. At Blue Marsh early this AM I had 13 Hooded Mergansers, 10 which were males that were busy courting and fighting over the 3 females. Also had 14 Common Mergansers. Joan Silagy Leesport, PASubject: Climate change - Powdermill birds on the BBC From: Andy Wilson <amw328 AT PSU.EDU> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:21:26 -0500 One of the top news items on the BBC News home page this morning is a report on a paper by Dr Josh Van Buskirk of the University of Zurich and PA's own Bob Mulvihill and Bob Leberman! "Songbirds in the US are getting smaller, and climate change is suspected as the cause. A study of almost half a million birds, belonging to over 100 species, shows that many are gradually becoming lighter and growing shorter wings. This shrinkage has occurred within just half a century, with the birds thought to be evolving into a smaller size in response to warmer temperatures. " Hopefully the link below, works. Otherwise, it's easy to find on the BBC web site. http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8560000/8560694.stm Four nice photos of Bob M's too. Well done Bob and Bob! Andy WilsonSubject: Stops in Westmoreland and Washington Counties From: Steve Gosser <smgosser AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:45:28 -0500 I stopped at several locations yesterday. In Westmoreland Co. I first stopped at Beaver Run Reservoir which was still frozen over. I then stopped at Loyalhanna Lake which had a good bit of open water now. I found Northern Pintails, Wood Ducks, Common Mergansers, Hooded Mergansers and Ring Billed Gulls. Then in the afternoon I visited by friend Cris Hamilton in Houston in Washington Co. In her backyard we spotted a Yellow Rumped Warbler. We then drove over to Taylorstown and at Greencove wetlands, the pond was still mostly iced over but had Wood Ducks, Killdeer and Red Winged Blackbirds. Along nearby Taylorstown Ridge Rd. we saw lots of Eastern Meadowlarks, Bluebirds, Red Winged Blackbirds, Killdeer and an American Kestrel. We then headed over to Washington Cemetery where we found one Merlin still present. Through out the area we also spotted numerous Turkey Vultures. Steve Gosser New Kensington, PA smgosser AT verizon.net ------------------ Birding Photo Site - http://home.comcast.net/~sgosserSubject: Spring arrivals Montgomery Co From: Cindy Ahern <songbird5212 AT MSN.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:07:24 -0500 I thought I heard a Killdeer yesterday afternoon from my house, and later confirmed the return of the Killdeer at our high school baseball field (Lower Moreland High School) where they breed every year. American Robin breeders are back and a male has claimed the feeding station where I put mealworms and fruit as his territory, chasing away the Song and White-throated Sparrows that have been feeding on the ground under the station. I'm a little late reporting the Ichterids, but numbers of Common Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Brown-headed Cowbirds seem to increase daily. I'm also seeing larger numbers of Corvids, with a dozen or more Blue Jays (I had 2 all winter at the feeders), and double the number on American Crows, but no Fish Crows. I see up to 40 American Goldfinches daily, raiding my nyjer feeders at an expensive rate! Northern Flickers are calling, and my wintering Hairy Woodpecker is still around but no longer visiting the suet. A pair of Red-tailed Hawks have been very active around my neighborhood and were displaying what my husband calls the "loop-de-loop". They have chased off the Cooper's Hawk that was here all winter. Eastern Screech Owls were calling over the last couple of weeks, although I haven't heard them this week. I still have a small handful of Dark-eyed Juncos and White-throated Sparrows, but a good number of them seemed to have left when the warm front arrived in the area. Nothing else out of the ordinary, will check the township pond later today for ducks. Cindy Ahern Huntingdon Valley, Montgomery Co.Subject: First peregrine egg at Univ of Pittsburgh! From: "Kate St.John" <kstjohn001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:48:46 -0800 The female peregrine falcon at the University of Pittsburgh laid her first egg
last night. This is the earliest Dorothy's ever laid, even earlier than the
female peregrine at Gulf Tower (Tasha2) who is normally one of the earliest
peregrines to lay in the Eastern US. ("Dorothy" was named when she was banded
in Wisconsin in 1999.)
You can see & hear the action on the National Aviary webcams.
Pitt Streaming cam (yes, the angle will be adjusted today so it looks straight
at the egg): http://www.aviary.org/cons/falconcam_cl.php
Pitt Snapshot camera: For a straight-on view:
http://aviary.org/cons/FalconCam/Cathedral_refreshCam.php
Gulf Tower: Tasha2 should lay soon too. She her here:
http://www.aviary.org/cons/falconcam_gt.php
I'll be blogging about the peregrines quite a lot for the next 3 months ... and
getting nothing else done. See the news at http://www.wqed.org/birdblog
Kate St. John, Pittsburgh
Visit my bird & nature blog at www.wqed.org/birdblog
Subject: Late post :Lebanon Co Middle Creek WMA Tree SwallowsFrom: Randy Miller <birder AT DEJAZZD.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:45:49 -0500 Sorry for the late post, this from yesterday 3/11 on the Lebanon Co. side of Middle Creek WMA. Highlights from yesterday At Risser's pond along Chapel Rd. Ring-necked Duck-28 Lesser Scaup-2 males Tree Swallow-1 At Stop #3 there was also 1 Tree Swallow At the pond along Hopeland and Sunnyside Rd. Green-winged Teal- 19 N. Shoveler -1 Ring-necked Duck-26 Lesser Scaup- 2 males Randy C. Miller Manheim Lancaster Co.Subject: Eastern PA Birdline: 3/12/2010 From: Dave DeReamus <becard AT RCN.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:50:08 -0500 - RBA * Pennsylvania * Lehigh / Northampton Counties and Vicinity * March 12, 2010 * PAEA1003.12 - Birds mentioned GREAT CORMORANT CLAY COLORED SPARROW CANVASBACK REDHEAD NORTHERN SHRIKE GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE CACKLING GOOSE - Transcript Hotline: Eastern PA Birdline Date: March 12th at 4:00 AM 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/lvas. 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 March 12th at 4:00 AM. There will be a field trip to Green Lane Reservoir on March 27th. Meet at the Tilghman Square parking lot, near the Red Robin restaurant, just west of Route 309 at 8:30 AM. Trip leader will be Mark Boyd. 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 LAKE MINSI, Northampton County included: Bonaparte's Gulls - 8 on 3/9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 45 on 3/9. Sightings from the MARTINS CREEK QUARRY, Northampton County included: GREAT CORMORANT - 1 on 3/7 (seen by scope from atop Three-Church Hill). Also Bald Eagle. Sightings from WILLIAMS TOWNSHIP, Northampton County included: CLAY COLORED SPARROW - 1 to at least 3/11. Also Red-shouldered Hawk. Sightings from the GREEN POND area, Northampton County included: Tundra Swans - 3 on 3/10. Sightings from the NORTHAMPTON QUARRY, Northampton County included: Bald Eagle. Sightings from BELTZVILLE STATE PARK, Carbon County included: CANVASBACKS - 2 on 3/9 REDHEADS - 2 on 3/10 NORTHERN SHRIKE - 1 from 3/7 to at least 3/9 Ring-necked Pheasant - 1 on 3/9. Also Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Fox Sparrow. Sightings from the LEHIGH GAP NATURE CENTER, Carbon County included: Peregrine Falcon - 1 on 3/7. Sightings from the SLATINGTON area, Lehigh County included: Tree Swallow. Sightings from the ALLENTOWN area, Lehigh County included: At the Dorney Park pond: Lesser Black-backed Gull. Sightings from the HENNINGSVILLE area, Berks County included: Red-shouldered Hawk. Sightings from the QUAKERTOWN area, Bucks County included: Common Raven. Sightings from GREEN LANE RESERVOIR, Montgomery County included: At the Church Road area: Tundra Swans - 5 on 3/11 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE - 2 on 3/10; 1 on 3/11 CACKLING GOOSE - 1 on 3/11 Osprey - 1 on 3/6. Also Northern Harrier and Lesser Black-backed Gull. At the Walt Road area: Snow Geese - 1090 on 3/7 Common Mergansers - 71 on 3/7. Also Northern Pintail, Bald Eagle, and Killdeer. And, in nearby Schwenksville: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1 on 3/11. Sightings from PEACE VALLEY PARK, Bucks County included: Common Mergansers - 584 back on 3/4; more on 3/6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls - 63 back on 3/2. Also Bald Eagle, Merlin, Tree Swallow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Eastern Meadowlark, and Fox Sparrow. American Woodcock were displaying in several areas this past week while Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds infiltrated the region. - End transcriptSubject: Wildwood Park, Dauphin Co-Egrets return From: Lockerman <lockerman AT PAONLINE.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:43:35 -0500 Two egrets returned today to the wetlands of Wildwood Park. For the past 8 years, their arrival date was usually on March 15th so we were delighted to see them today. Sandy Lockerman Harrisburg, Dauphin Co.Subject: Berks fox sp., ross' at MC From: Rudolph Keller <rckeller AT DEJAZZD.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:53:34 -0500 This morning, 3/11, nine Fox Sparrows were scratching among the seeds around my feeders. At L. Ontelaunee, Snow Geese are slowing and sometimes even stopping traffic on busy Rt. 73, as always at this time of year. My peak count for today was 35,000 (125 blue). Among them were 3 Cackling Geese and 2 Greater Scaup close enough to enjoy the green glossed heads. No Ross' at LO, but at Middle Creek I saw two Ross' Geese side by side in a big flock of Snows feeding in a field along Hopeland Rd. and had the pleasure of showing them to a young man who said, "Finally, the mythical Ross'!" Rudy Keller Boyertown, PA Berks CountySubject: Beltzville State Park, Carbon County From: Matt loyko <phillies0810 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:24:23 -0800 Hi all, Went out to see if I could find the Northern Shrike but came up empty. What I did find was a little bit saddening. We walked various fields and checked a lot of the Pine Stands for owls, at one stand I found cryptic feathers on the ground. I walked a little bit and found more, then I found clumps of feathers all the same colors and patterning....a kill zone. I also found an owl pellet meaning the victim was an owl in my opinion. Color of the feathers suggested SEO but they were not plucked but broken off so this bird died of a mammal attack. I have a picture of the feather if anyone wants to possibly correct my ID, contact me and I'll send it to you. List of species seen: 1 Male Harrier American Crow Fish Crow 5 Ring-billed Gulls 9 Hooded Merg 4 Mallards Canada Geese Blue Jay Red-winged Blackbird American Robin Mockingbird (fooled me for the shrike for a second until I scoped it) Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow WT Sparrow Northern Cardinal Take Care, Matt Loyko Lehigh CountySubject: Northampton County sightings From: Adam Sabatine <birdman538 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:26:11 -0500 Hi all, I took a short walk around the south side of Bear Swamp this afternoon. Songbirds were generally quiet and inconspicuous, however I was delighted to witness a very vocal pair of RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS along the powerline cut. Twice, the male (I assume) carried a stick to his mate who was sitting on the utility pole and dropped it towards her. Out at the Portland BALD EAGLE nest, I was present for the "changing of the guard" when the pair decided to swap incubation duties around 430 in the light drizzle. Also along the river here were singing SONG and FIELD SPARROWS, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and four BUFFLEHEAD. During the afternoon I also came across several decent sized flocks of COMMON GRACKLES and AMERICAN ROBINS at various locations, and EASTERN BLUEBIRDS have been singing and feeding on the sumac here in the yard for the past week now. Bird on, Adam Sabatine BangorSubject: E. Phoebe - Washington Co. From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:13:24 -0800 Becky Smith & Shirley Mutz report having a E. Phoebe and a E. Meadowlark today along Donaldson Rd.,Robinson Twp. Mark Vass Beaver Co.Subject: HSR: Tussey Mountain (11 Mar 2010) 70 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:03:18 -0400 Tussey Mountain State College, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 11, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 8 8 Turkey Vulture 1 34 35 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 11 11 Northern Harrier 0 2 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 15 16 Cooper's Hawk 4 10 10 Northern Goshawk 0 2 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 16 31 31 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 22 105 107 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 3 Golden Eagle 14 142 147 American Kestrel 5 9 9 Merlin 0 1 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 1 4 4 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 2 Total: 70 378 388 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter: Jon Kauffman Observers: Bob Fredrick, John Kahly, Jon Kauffman, Nick Bolgiano Visitors: Bob Fredrick, John Kahly, Nick Bolgiano, Dan Spencer, Dave Ryan, Christine Wall, Pratirna Gatehouse, Hetty Seigfried, Melissa May, Tara Sulewski, and Shaver's Creek Environmental Center interns Jordan Aeyama, Elise Hagenberger, Danny Hontz, Beth McMahon, Lisa Scarbrough, Weather: Clear skies throughout the day with a little cloud formation the last two hours. Poor visibility caused by heavy haze in the north/south valley. ~6-9 miles. Winds SE AT 10-15mph. Temps b/w 44 and 65F. Raptor Observations: Buteo and accipiter flight was high and sometimes difficult to observe. RSHA's seen crossing the ridge at times. GOEA's were not as high and flight path was parallel to the ridge on the south side and ridge top. At 1645 a GOEA was observed going NE, then SW, then NE, then SW. GE: 912(Ad), 1019(Ad), 1021(Unk), 1028(Unk), 1153(Ad), 1203(Sub), 1240(Unk), 1259(Unk), 1345(Unk), 1459(Ad), 1615(Unk), 1629(Sub), 1639(Unk), 1641(Ad) Non-raptor Observations: Common Grackle(100), American Robin(28), Killdeer(2), Red-winged Blackbird(60), Eastern Bluebird(6), Canada Geese(129), Brown-headed Cowbird(3), Dark-eyed Junco(2), Ring-billed Gull(19), Gull sp.(3) Mourning cloak (1) Predictions: Rain predicted ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jon Kauffman (jonk10 AT hotmail.com) Tussey Mountain information may be found at: http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~brandesd/tussey/Subject: Re: Anyone have information on Johnstown Snowy Owl? From: Thomas and Sheri Roberts <troberts2459 AT ATLANTICBB.NET> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:18:36 -0500 I called and went searching. Nothing. The Campus Police and the Biology department knew nothing. Tom Roberts Somerset County ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Wicks"Subject: Re previous post on FOY Woodcock, Bradford Co From: Trudy Gerlach <tgswoods AT EPIX.NET> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:18:01 -0500 I forgot to mention the location in Bradford Co...my farm near New Era, also, as I walked I heard 3 Woodcocks peenting. Trudy Gerlach Bradford Co. tgswoods AT epix.netSubject: Washington co/ hermit thrush and others From: Shawn Collins <pghdjshawn AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:35:37 -0500 Amd pond 12 ring necked ducks 6 Canada geese 3 farm geese 1 coot 2 belted kingfishers 1 eastern bluebird Canonsburg lake 40 plus Canada geese 200 plus red wing blackbirds, grackles, starlings settling in to roost 1 hermit thrush...great to see I wonder where he wintered at!! 1 ruddy duck 2 American wigeon 2 hooded merganser 20 mallards 1 wood duck 4 ring neck ducks Hybrid Canada and other goose was here with the canadas 1 great blue heron Heard 1 killdeer Shawn Collins Sent from my iPhoneSubject: Clay-colored, others, Koch property, Northampton County From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:56:58 -0800 With the snow gone from the yard and the recent warm weather the number of birds around the feeders has dropped drastically, as you would expect. I hadn't seen the clay-colored sparrow since Sunday, the 7th, and assumed it was gone. I assumed wrong. At 4 this afternoon it was feeding on white millet below the backyard feeders. Tree sparrow numbers are dropping off. They're usually gone, at least from my property, by the end of March or earlier. Field sparrows are singing in the fields in which the woodcocks display at duskt. Right before the woodcocks begin each night killdeer sound off from down near the creek. Small flocks of American goldfinches molting in yellow feathers are showing up in the yard, using thistle feeders mostly ignored during the winter. Many black vultures have been moving through the valley, along with a few red-shouldered hawks and more redtails. Eastern bluebirds are singing and checking out nest boxes, and every day the yard's full of red-winged blackbirds and common grackles. Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.netSubject: Correction on ArmstrongCo. post re: robins and red-winged blackbirds From: Marjorie Van Tassel <marvant AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:41:13 -0500 I apologize for listing Redwinged Blackbirds as "Red-wings" in the title, won't happen again... Marge Van Tassel Armstrong CountySubject: Lawrence Co. Birds From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:31:36 -0800 I stopped at Edinburg Lake on my return from Shenango The lake was 80% frozen with open water at one end I had the following here 5 Green-winged Teal 2 A. Wigeon 4 N. Pintail 13 Mallard 1 Ruddy Duck 33 Ring-necked Duck 5 Bufflehead 49 Canada Goose 6 Ring-billed Gull 1 Bald Eagle(adult) Mark Vass Beaver Co.Subject: First Woodcock, Bradford Co From: Trudy Gerlach <tgswoods AT EPIX.NET> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:27:10 -0500 Just stepped out my back door and heard that wonderful sound, the first Peent of the year....Woodcocks are back up here in the boondocks! Trudy Gerlach Bradford Co. tgswoods AT epix.net |