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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
30, 2007
brought to you from Philadelphia by the Delaware
Valley Ornithological Club and the Academy of Natural Sciences
The next RBA will be issued Thursday September 6th. It will be available on various list serves and on Birdingonthe.Net. It will not be posted in this location until at least Friday evening September 7.
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 30, 2007 * PA, NJ, DE - Birds Mentioned BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETREL (MD)
- Transcript Hotline: Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert Welcome to 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 birding in the Greater Philadelphia Region. For August 30, 2007 we highlight reports of BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETREL, ANHINGA, WHITE IBIS, WESTERN REEF-HERON, ROSEATE SPOONBILL, and SWAINSON'S HAWK. Remember to check out our website for links to site descriptions, photos, and more: http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm EXTRALIMITAL: The WESTERN REEF-HERON that had been sporadically visiting the Brooklyn, NY region was discovered at Staten Island’s Great Kills Park on Aug 24. For New Jersey: At the Edwin B Forsythe NWR at Brigantine in Ocean County, the continuing ROSEATE SPOONBILL was seen in the area of the Gull Pond and gull tower on Aug 24-25 & Aug 27. Two HUDSONIAN GODWITS flew over the south dike on Aug 24, and 40 HUDSONIANS flew from the east pool on Aug 26. A YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD has been found in a blackbird flock Aug 25-28. An AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was seen from the south dike on Aug 27-28. A LARK SPARROW was at the dike’s southeast corner on Aug 26 & the east dike on Aug 28. A BAIRD’S SANDPIPER visited the refuge on Aug 25, and 5 RED KNOTS were found on Aug 24. A WARBLING VIREO, HOODED WARBLER and 80 BLUE-WINGED TEAL were seen on Aug 28. Along with these gems, Brigantine hosted YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, WHITE-RUMPED & STILT SANDPIPERS, MARBLED GODWIT, BLUE GROSBEAK and BLACK TERN. A NELSON’S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW put in an appearance at Cape May County’s Stone Harbor Poin on Aug 23. Hundreds of RED KNOTS were seen there through the week, with a high count of 800 on Aug 25. PIPING PLOVER, ROYAL TERNS, BROWN PELICANS, and GULL-BILLED TERNS are still reliably seen in the area. MARBLED GODWITS were noted Aug 23 & 26. TRICOLORED HERONS and WHIMBRELS were there Aug 23. A MERLIN, BLACK and CASPIAN TERNS and 2 CLIFF SWALLOWS were seen on Aug 26. The Wetland Institute in Stone Harbor hosted 2 LEAST BITTERNS by the dock at the end of the marsh walk on Aug 25. At Cape May Point State Park in Cape May County, a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER was at the Bunker Pond Aug 23-26. BLACK TERNS were at the rips and the lighthouse pond Aug 23-26. There were WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS at the park on Aug 23, a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER on Aug 26, and 8 AMERICAN KESTRELS kettling over the Lighthouse Pond on Aug 27. BOBOLINKS were migrating through all week, and 414 BOBOLINKS were tallied on Aug 27. Elsewhere in Cape May County, Higbee Beach WMA saw some decent landbird migration through the week. Warblers included HOODED and CANADA WARBLERS on Aug 23, WORM-EATING WARBLER on Aug 23 & 26, PRAIRIE WARBLERS on Aug 24-25, PROTHONOTARY and BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS on Aug 26, and a male GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER on Aug 28. A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was seen on Aug 23, and BLUE GROSBEAKS were found on Aug 24. BOBOLINKS migrated through all week with 514 BOBOLINKS noted on Aug 25. That day also saw a BROWN PELICAN at the inlet. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were seen on at Higbee on Aug 26 & 28. The Rea Farm boasted a female DICKCISSEL at the winery fence on Aug 25. Reports from Aug 26 at The Villas WMA included 2 LARK SPARROWS and PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. An extraordinary inland record of WILSON’S STORM-PETREL was reported from Peddie Lake in Hightstown, Mercer County on Aug 23. Salem County’s Featherbed Lane had 150+ CATTLE EGRETS on Aug 24. A BLACK TERN was at Mannington Marsh on Aug 26. Nearby, DeLea Sod Farm had 3 UPLAND and 1 BAIRD’S SANDPIPER on Aug 26. Johnson Sod Farm in Cumberland County hosted low numbers of UPLAND and BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS on Aug 24-26. On Aug 25 & 29, about a large flock of BOBOLINKS and a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER were seen at the farm. An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was found there on Aug 29. On Aug 25 at Lord Stirling Park in Somerset County, an extremely vocal ALDER FLYCATCHER made its presence known. The Aug 26 flight from Warren County’s Raccoon Ridge included 15 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, COMMON RAVENS and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES. A pelagic out of Belmar on Aug 26 found low numbers of seabirds due to cold waters. GREATER, CORY'S, and AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER, WILSON'S STORM-PETREL and RED-NECKED PHALAROPE were found, and high counts included 9 NORTHERN GANNETS and 10 BLACK TERNS. For Delaware: A special overnight pelagic out of Lewes to the Wilmington Canyon on Aug 23-24 also found low numbers of seabirds due to cooler than normal waters, but had major highlights of a photographed BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETREL and an excellent regional count of 8 LEACH'S STORM-PETREL, though these were in MD waters. Other species found included WILSON’S STORM-PETREL and GREATER, CORY'S and AUDUBON'S SHEARWATERS. As often occurs, some landbirds were seen, but a KENTUCKY WARBLER was highly unusual. Bombay Hook NWR in Kent County hosted a CURLEW SANDPIPER at Raymond Pool on Aug 25 & Aug 27-28. A juvenile WHITE IBIS was photographed flying over Raymond Pool on Aug 25. A MARBLED GODWIT was reported from Raymond Pool Aug 25 & 28, and from Shearness Aug 26. A HUDSONIAN GODWIT was noted from Shearness Pool on Aug 27, and that same day 3 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS and a ton of HORNED LARKS foraged in Wick’s Potato Field off Route 9 at the start of the refuge entrance road. A total of 15 SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS were reported from Shearness on Aug 25. CASPIAN TERNS and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS were at Bear Swamp on Aug 25, and a TRICOLORED HERON was at Shearness on Aug 26. Other notable birds reported earlier in the week included CATTLE EGRET; YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON; LEAST BITTERN; SORA; AMERICAN AVOCET; WESTERN; STILT and BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS; LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER; BLACK TERN; COMMON NIGHTHAWK and BLUE GROSBEAK. Elsewhere in Kent County, ROYAL TERN, RED KNOT and BLUE GROSBEAK were reported from Little Creek on Aug 23. On Aug 25, two WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS and a RED KNOT were found at Port Mahon Rd. Ted Harvey WA had PEREGRINE FALCON, AMERICAN AVOCET and LITTLE BLUE HERON on Aug 23, while PECTORAL SANDPIPERS were noted there Aug 25. On Aug 24, a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH plus warblers including 4 CHESTNUT-SIDED and a BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, were noted at Ashland Nature Center. On Aug 27 Ashland hosted SHARP-SHINNED HAWK and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. In New Castle County, 46 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS migrated south through Brandywine Creek State Park on Aug 28. On Aug 27 a survey of Middle Run Natural Area revealed MAGNOLIA and PRAIRIE WARBLERS, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, SCARLET TANAGERS, BLUE GROSBEAKS, PILEATED WOODPECKER and LEAST FLYCATCHER. In Sussex County, Prime Hook NWR hosted a calling SEDGE WREN, BLACK-NECKED STILTS, GULL-BILLED TERN, BLACK TERN and 5 SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS on the north side of Prime Hook Beach Rd on Aug 25. Fowler Beach Rd provided PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and a MARBLED GODWIT that day. In Philadelphia County, John Heinz NWR at Tinicum proved excellent for migrants on Aug 25, despite the lack of any active migration. Notable sightings from a DVOC field trip that day included a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER; NASHVILLE, WORM-EATING, YELLOW and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS; a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, 5 BLACK TERNS, and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. The birding at the Conejohela Flats in Lancaster County was excellent on Aug 24. Notable species that day included, a juvenile WESTERN WILLET, 11 GLOSSY IBIS, an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, 2 SANDERLINGS, 3 WESTERN SANDPIPERS, CASPIAN TERNS, BONAPARTE’S GULLS, LAUGHING GULL, 5 BLACK TERNS, BALD EAGLES and an AMERICAN COOT. On Aug 25, reports from the Flats included a WESTERN WILLET, WHITE-RUMPED and WESTERN SANDPIPERS. Elsewhere in Lancaster County, 16 BALD EAGLES were tallied from the Fisherman’s Park at Muddy Run on Aug 23. There were also 2 BLUE GROSBEAKS on nearby River Rd that day. A RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH was discovered in Elizabethtown on Aug 28. Reports from the Octoraro Reservoir on Aug 26 included 4 LITTLE BLUE HERONS at the second stop on Mount Eden Rd and a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE at Blue Gill Rd. At Montgomery County’s Church Rd Mudflats at Green Lane State Park a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER and a WILSON’S PHALAROPE were present on Aug 23; however, recent reports indicate there are no mud flats at present, only two grassy patches. COMMON NIGHTHAWK migration is in full swing, with 579 NIGHTHAWKS tallied at Haverford College in Montgomery County on Aug 23 and 390 the next evening. More moderate numbers were recorded through the week but 182 NIGHTHAWKS and a BALD EAGLE were observed on Aug 27 and 80 NIGHTHAWKS and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK were seen the next evening. From the fly-ash basin at Martin’s Creek in Northampton County, 6 AMERICAN AVOCETS were reported on Aug 24 along with a STILT SANDPIPER, PEREGRINE FALCON and BOBOLINKS. If you go there, you need to stop at the Guard House and ask permission to enter the property. On Aug 27, a DICKCISSEL was chipping at the powerline cut in Bear Swamp Park in Northampton County and it or another DICKCISSEL was also seen at the Archery Complex before moving to the second powerline cut. That day, the park also hosted BAY-BREASTED, CAPE MAY, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and CERULEAN WARBLERS; YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER; PILEATED WOODPECKER; NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES; RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES and BARRED OWL. Other Northampton County birds included 19 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES seen from the Little Gap Hawk Watch near Danielsville on Aug 27. Reports from the Koch Property included BOBOLINKS, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS and LEAST FLYCATCHER on Aug 26. A YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was seen at the Koch Property on Aug 25, and an AMERICAN BITTERN perched there on Aug 29. From Delaware County’s Rose Tree Park Hawk Watch in Media, BALD EAGLES were seen Aug 24 & 27. Low numbers of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, AMERICAN KESTRELS and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS have been sighted through the week. At Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County, 3 ANHINGAS circled in formation for a fair amount of time at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary on Aug 28. On Aug 25, an immature dark morph SWAINSON’S HAWK was sighted at Hawk Mountain. Low numbers of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS have been counted at Hawk Mountain through the week as well as RED-SHOULDERED and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, MERLIN and BALD EAGLES. Over 100 VEERY flight calls were noted from Boyertown, Berks County on the morning of Aug 29. In Bucks County, Peace Valley Park continued to host BALD EAGLES this week, and the park had CANADA WARBLER, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH on Aug 25. A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was at Churchville Nature Center on Aug 25. *** ANNOUNCEMENTS *** There is a DVOC field trip and bird banding demonstration at East Park Reservoir in Philadelphia scheduled for September 8, which will meet at the reservoir and run from 7:30-9:30am. On September 9, there is a field trip to Johnson Sod Farm in Cumberland County. That trip meets at 7:30 am on Grier’s Lane just east of Route 77. For both trips 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 either trip. Details and directions can be found on the website: http://www.dvoc.org The next meeting of the DVOC is a special day at the Philadelphia Zoo on Saturday, September 8. Details are on the website, and guests are welcome. David La Puma’s excellent Radar Ornithology websites
provide nightly radar images. These can be astonishing, beautiful and
informative. If you’re passionate about migration check out http://www.woodcreeper.com
or http://www.badbirdz.wordpress.com
The Cape May Bird Observatory’s Hawkcount and Morning Flight Projects both officially begin on Saturday Sep 1. More information is available at those projects’ webpages: http://www.birdcapemay.org/hawkwatch/ http://www.birdcapemay.org/morningflight/ A pelagic is scheduled out of Lewes, DE on Saturday, October 20. Last year's trip at this time of year found North America's second Cape Verde Shearwater. For more information, call 215-234-6805 or visit www.paulagics.com. 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