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Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert
Last updated
Thursday, November 8, 2007 7:19 AM
Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert - Thursday August
2, 2007
brought to you from Philadelphia by the Delaware
Valley Ornithological Club and the Academy of Natural Sciences
Presently this RBA is only available on the web. It will also be available via phone when some technical issues are worked out.
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Current report - August 2, 2007 - RBA * PA, NJ, DE - Birds Mentioned Western Reef-heron (not reported) + (Details requested by NJBRC) Common Loon Hotline: Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert This is 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 Regions of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I'm Steve Kacir, your guide for all things birding. For Thursday August 2, 2007 we highlight reports of ROSEATE SPOONBILL, WHITE-FACED IBIS and WILSON’S PHALAROPES plus seasonal and local reports of interest. Please note that the URL for the website has changed, and remember to check out the website for additional content and information: http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm The WESTERN REEF-HERON that had frequented the area of Calvert Vaux Park in Brooklyn, NY has not been seen since July 25 despite the concerted efforts of birders to relocate the bird. Additional details about the REEF-HERON can be found on Metro Birding Briefs: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/btblue/
The ROSEATE SPOONBILL at Brigantine (Edwin B Forsythe NWR) was last seen on August 1st at 4:15pm feeding at the Gull Pond. On July 30, it was seen from the North Dike at dusk and from the Gull Tower at 3:30pm. On July 29 it was seen north of the North Dike opposite the West Pool in the evening and at the Gull Pond at 8:30AM. Click Here to see recent pictures of this bird on Karl and Judy Lukens's website. Brigantine has hosted thousands of shorebirds this week. STILT SANDPIPERS were seen from July 27-31 with a high count of 52 on the 30th. Likewise WESTERN SANDPIPERS and low numbers of LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS have been reported all week. WHIMBRELS were noted through July 30. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS and CASPIAN TERNS were seen July 27 & 30. A BLACK TERN was sighted July 27 and another sighting was made on the 29th from the Gull Pond where a LEAST BITTERN was found as well. BLUE-WINGED TEAL were seen on July 26 & 30. Other notable birds on July 30 included a female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, CATTLE EGRETS, BANK SWALLOWS, BLUE GROSBEAKS and a MARBLED GODWIT that was in the South Pool near the Turtle Cove Tower. On August 1, a ROYAL TERN was reported from the refuge. A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was near the gravel drive to the Experimental Pond, and 35 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS were noted on July 26. Shorebirds from the North Brigantine Natural Area at the northern tip of Brigantine Island included 600 RED KNOTS, WHIMBREL, PIPING PLOVER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, CASPIAN TERNS and BROWN PELICAN on July 30. By August 1st, though, all the RED KNOTS had vacated the area, but RUDDY TURNSTONES, 13 PIPING PLOVERS and a BROWN PELICAN were reported that day. At Champagne Island, the breeding colony was caring for its many nestling and fledgling ROYAL TERNS, BLACK SKIMMERS and COMMON TERNS. RED KNOTS and PIPING PLOVERS were noted on the island on July 27. Two SANDWICH TERNS frequented the island July 30-31. Almost 400 RED KNOTS were there July 30, but only 35 were present the next day. A juvenile LEAST TERN, a dozen PIPING PLOVERS, BROWN PELICANS, 2 SANDWICH TERNS, 35 RUDDY TURNSTONES and about 400 SANDERLINGS were found on the island July 31. On July 30, a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH flew from the Bayberries at Stone Harbor Point, while an oiled second summer NORTHERN GANNET sat on the beach. Three MARBLED GODWITS, 345 RED KNOTS and a COMMON LOON were found on July 29. Birds of note for July 28 included RED KNOTS, BROWN PELICANS, WHIMBREL and a juvenile ROYAL TERN. On July 28, BROWN PELICANS, LITTLE BLUE HERONS, TRICOLORED HERON, MARBLED GODWIT, WESTERN WILLETS, WHIMBREL and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER were found at Stone Harbor. On July 26, a TRICOLORED HERON, 15 BROWN PELICANS, 15 WESTERN WILLETS and NORTHERN GANNETS were reported from the Point. In breeding bird news, the last Stone Harbor PIPING PLOVER eggs have hatched. Cape May State Park’s Bunker Pond hosted STILT SANDPIPERS July 29 to Aug 1, with a high count of 15 bird on July 31. On July 29, a BLACK TERN, GULL-BILLED TERNS, and a juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS were noted at the Bunker Pond, and WESTERN SANDPIPER, BROWN PELICAN, LITTLE BLUE HERON, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT and BLUE GROSBEAK were noted elsewhere at the park. On August 1, the park hosted BLUE GROSBEAK and 4 BOBOLINKS. A walk through the South Cape May Meadows (TNC Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge) on July 30 discovered a PEREGRINE FALCON, a juvenile LEAST SANDPIPER, BROWN PELICAN, WESTERN SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, ROYAL TERN and 2 PIPING PLOVERS. The resident NORTHERN BOBWHITE was still at the meadows this week. At Higbee Beach on July 31 southbound migration was evident, with highlights including 9 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS, a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, 6 AMERICAN REDSTARTS, a LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH and 6 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES. On August 1 Higbee’s Beach had even more southbound migration in the form of 36 YELLOW WARBLERS, 2 WORM-EATING WARBLERS, 8 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS, 2 BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS, 9 AMERICAN REDSTARTS AND 7 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES. On August 2 at the Beanery (Rea Farm), 2 BLUE GROSBEAKS and 3 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS were tallied, and 2 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES foraged along the wet woods through which the railroad tracks run. SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS were found at Jake’s Landing on July 28 & 31. An immature BALD EAGLE was reported from Manasquan Reservoir July 28. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK was sighted in Marlton, Burlington County on Aug 1. On July 28 SUMMER TANAGER was noted at Glassboro
Woods and another at Bear Swamp in Cumberland County near Dividing
Creek. At the Johnson Sod Farm, a RUDDY TURNSTONE, LEAST SANDPIPERS and BANK SWALLOWS were reported on July 29. The AMERICAN BITTERN and GLOSSY IBISES seen at Assiscong Marsh were still present on July 27. At the Christie Hoffman Farm Park on July 30, a PILEATED WOODPECKER flew overhead, and a family of COOPER’S HAWKS was at the tree line.
On July 29 a female FRIGATEBIRD Sp. was sighted from the Cape May/Lewes Ferry nearer to Lewes than Cape May. The bird followed the ferry for five minutes. A LITTLE BLUE HERON was at the Lewes Breakwater on July 27. A juvenile BROWN PELICAN flew past the Lewes Beach on July 29, heading towards Cape Henlopen. From the waters on the bayside of the point on August 1, a pair of birders noted ROYAL TERNS, BROWN PELICANS, RUDDY TURNSTONES, as well as a female BLACK SCOTER halfway to the tip of the Cape. The July 28 Brandywine Creek SP bird walk turned up BLUE GROSBEAK, PRAIRIE WARBLER, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, NORTHERN PARULA, SCARLET TANAGER, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, SPOTTED SANDPIPER and SOLITARY SANDPIPERS. At Bombay Hook on July 26 and 28th, at Raymond Pool a non-breeding adult WHITE-FACED IBIS was noted, probably the same one seen July 23. A LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was found on July 26, and their numbers have increased through at least July 29 when there were over a dozen at Raymond Pool at high tide. Many of those DOWITCHERS were still in breeding plumage. Similarly, there were reports of single WILSON’S PHALAROPES from Raymond Pool July 26 & 28, two on the 27th and at least 1 female and 4 males on July 29. Good numbers of STILT SANDPIPERS, BLACK-NECKED STILTS and AMERICAN AVOCETS and lesser numbers of WESTERN SANDPIPERS were noted July 26-29. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was reported from Shearness and a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was heard from the trailhead for Parson’s Point on July 26. CASPIAN TERNS, SCARLET TANAGER were also noted on the refuge that day. A BONAPARTE’S GULL was found at Raymond pool July 27 while other sightings at the refuge that day included GREEN-WINGED TEAL, TRICOLORED HERON and BOBOLINKS. BLUE GROSBEAKS, YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS, NORTHERN BOBWHITES and both BLACK-CROWNED and YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS have been seen regularly through the early part of the week. Taylor’s Gut at Woodland Beach WA boasted 2 WILSON’S PHALAROPES, 5 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, PEREGRINE FALCON, WESTERN SANDPIPERS, LITTLE BLUE HERON, AMERICAN AVOCETS and BLACK-NECKED STILTS on July 27 along with a River Otter. A CASPIAN TERN was reported there on JULY 29, and a BLACK TERN was noted July 26. On July 26, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER and a small RAIL Sp. were noted at the north pond of Ted Harvey WA while a pair of BOBOLINKS were there on July 29. On the bayside, RUDDY TURNSTONES made appearances at Ted Harvey and Port Mahon on July 26. ROYAL TERN was also seen at Port Mahon that day. Birds at Port Mahon on July 27 included 2 breeding plumaged RED KNOTS, SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS and RUDDY TURNSTONES. An early WILSON’S SNIPE was noted from Prime Hook Beach Rd on July 27. At Oyster Rocks Rd WHIP-POOR-WILL were calling on July 28. The South Impoundment at Fowler Beach Rd at Prime Hook NWR held a GULL-BILLED TERN and TRICOLORED HERON on July 29. PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and a NORTHERN HARRIER were found at the mudflats along the north side of Prime Hook Rd on the same day. Other Prime Hook birds last weekend included NORTHERN BOBWHITES at the Headquarters area and 5 BLACK-NECKED STILTS flying over the impoundment along Broadkill Beach Rd. On July 29, the marsh along Lighthouse Rd at Mispillion Harbor hosted SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS, while the harbor itself held RUDDY TURNSTONES and AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS. A shorebird survey at Slaughter Beach on August 1st revealed a few hundred RUDDY TURNSTONES, an AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, a juvenile BONAPARTE’S GULL and a BROWN PELICAN. On July 30, a BROWN PELICAN flew over Rehobeth Bay at Delaware Seashore State Park. Reports from a kayaking trip to Little Assawoman Bay included PIPING PLOVER, ROYAL TERNS and BROWN PELICANS in the marsh halfway down the east side of the bay. On Seal Island, there were ROYAL TERNS and 50+ SANDERLINGS as well as hundreds of peeps. A flock of 6 WHIMBREL was noted from the bay as well. For Pennsylvania: On July 28 thousands of shorebirds were noted at Tinicum (John Heinz NWR) with a total of 12 species being seen, including a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER as well as BANK SWALLOW, BALD EAGLE and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON. On July 27 a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH was heard at Glen Foerd along the Delaware river. At Peace Valley Park in Bucks County, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, WHITE-EYED VIREO, BLUE-WINGED WARBLER, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and a family of GREEN HERON have been reported regularly. A FORSTER’S TERN was noted there on July 27 and two SPOTTED SANDPIPERS were found on July 28. Elsewhere in Bucks County, Warminster Community Park hosted a BELTED KINGFISHER on July 30, a bird not often seen at that locality. At Hidden Lake in Newtown, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER was found on July 31, and 2 juvenile LITTLE BLUE HERONS were noted at Washington Crossing Historic Park that day. The LITTLE BLUE HERONS were on the island in front of the Visitor Center. On July 28, 4 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS were tallied at Churchville Nature Center. On Aug 1 at Washington Crossing Historic Park 2 juvenile LITTLE BLUE HERONS were still at the island near the visitor center. Four COMMON MERGANSERS seen from the Morrisville Levee on Aug 2. On July 28, nine species of shorebird were tallied at the Conejohela Flats in Lancaster County, including 3 SANDERLINGS and 5 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. Other birds noted that day included the continuing drake LESSER SCAUP, 2 BALD EAGLES and a PIED-BILLED GREBE. On July 31 sightings included LESSER SCAUP, BALD EAGLE, FORSTER’S TERN and an AMERICAN AVOCET, but shorebird numbers were down with only seven species noted. At Middle Creek WMA a BALD EAGLE was seen feeding near the roadside, and a BARN OWL was observed at 7:30am at the window ledge of the Bat House near the Bluebird Trail. *** ANNOUNCEMENTS *** There is a DVOC field trip to Brigantine (Edwin B Forsythe NWR) scheduled for August 18, which will meet at the refuge headquarters at 8:00 am. There is no field trip fee, and members and non-members are welcome to attend. Please contact the trip leader if you plan on attending. Details can be found on the website: http://www.dvoc.org The next meeting of the DVOC is tonight August 2, 2007. An informal meeting, it will be held at Palmyra Cove Nature Center at 7:30pm, and Sarah Thorp will present "The Delaware River Trail Project in Philadelphia.” Details are on the website, and guests are welcome. See Life Paulagics will be running pelagic trips in the Delaware Valley region in the next few months. Scheduled trips include an overnight trip out of Lewes, DE on Aug 23-24; a trip Aug 11 out of Lewes, DE; a trip out of Belmar, NJ on Aug 26; and a Sep 16 trip out of Freeport, NY. Details can be found on their website. The Delmarva Ornithological Society is conducting research to study the American Kestrel in Delaware, estimating population size, identifying reasons for their decline, and developing strategies to stabilize the population or reversing the decline. Please report all summer kestrel sightings in DE to the DOS website: http://www.dosbirds.org/kestrel/submit_sighting.php 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
upcoming birding events and planned pelagic trips, please email
. This is Steve Kacir, good
birding to you all and thanks for calling, surfing and reporting. |
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DVOC Rare Bird Alert Committee
Steve Kacir - Chair
Tony Croasdale
Bert Filemyr
Paul Guris
Rob Hynson
Mike Lyman
Nate Rice