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Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert
Last updated
Thursday, November 8, 2007 7:19 AM
Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert - Thursday September
13, 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 - September 13, 2007 * PA, NJ, DE - Birds Mentioned WHITE IBIS +
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 September 13, 2007 we highlight reports of WHITE
IBIS, ROSEATE SPOONBILL, PARASITIC JAEGER, WILSON’S PHALAROPE, RED-NECKED
PHALAROPE, CONNECTICUT WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER and extralimital WESTERN
KINGBIRD and LARK BUNTING. Remember to check out our website for additional
content and information: EXTRALIMITAL: Continuing our Western Invasion theme for this fall, a LARK BUNTING was discovered on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake near Syracuse, NY on Sep 9, and a WESTERN KINGBIRD has been seen on Staten Island Sep 6-11. For New Jersey: On Sep 12, LARK BUNTING was found on a private site in Ocean County; unfortunately no public access will be allowed. (Click Here to see pictures of this bird) At Cape May Point State Park in Cape May County, an immature WHITE IBIS flew by the Hawk Watch Platform on Sep 10. Seven BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were present Sep 6, and a flock of 21 buffies was at the dunes Sep 8. A first winter WILSON’S PHALAROPE was seen from the Hawk Watch Platform on Sep 11. BLACK TERN; STILT and 3 BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS were at the bunker pond Sep 8. CLIFF SWALLOW, WHIMBRELS and STILT SANDPIPERS were noted from the Platform Sep 12. A DICKCISSEL was seen from the Hawk Watch Sep 6 & 12, and a third was with a flock of BLUE GROSBEAKS on Sep 8. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen from the Platform on Sep 6. BALD EAGLES and MERLINS made the Hawk Watch count through the week. The count for Sep 10 included 99 AMERICAN KESTRELS, and the Sep 12 count had 168 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS and 103 AMERICAN KESTRELS. PEREGRINE FALCON made the count on Sep 9 & 12, and BROAD-WINGED HAWKS were seen Sep 10 & 12. On Sep 10, a BROWN PELICAN flew past the Second Ave Jetty, and a WHIMBREL flew south along the shore. There were 10 BLACK TERNS off Sunset Beach on Sep 6. On Sep 12, the Morning Flight Project at Higbee Beach WMA witnessed a major migration event. The counters noted, an immature PARASITIC JAEGER, a DICKCISSEL, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS and 16 species of warbler, including 1054 AMERICAN REDSTARTS, 41 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES, 67 NORTHERN PARULAS, 70 BLACK-THROATED BLUE, 12 CAPE MAY, 4 CONNECTICUT, BLACKBURNIAN, BLACKPOLL, NASHVILLE and WILSON’S WARBLERS. TENNESSEE WARBLERS were noted from the dike through the week. On Sep 6, a SANDWICH TERN was heard calling from the bayshore, and CAPE MAY WARBLER made the morning count. For Sep 10, highlights included MOURNING WARBLER and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. The Rea Farm hosted a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER on Sep 8. Hidden Valley Ranch had a CONNECTICUT WARBLER on Sep 12. A BLACK TERN and TRICOLORED HERON were at Reed’s Beach on Sep 8, and a juvenile SURF SCOTER was at Norbury’s Landing on Sep 10. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were on the beach at The Nature Conservancy Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge (The Meadows) on Sep 8 & 10. SANDWICH and BLACK TERNS were found on Sep 7 & 10. A Sep 7 evening walk found BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, and another on Sep 12 tallied 62 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS. SORAS were seen at the north channel on Sep 11. On Sep 6, Stone Harbor Point hosted a BROWN PELICAN; ~350 WESTERN SANDPIPERS; 4 juvenile RED KNOTS; CASPIAN, GULL-BILLED and BLACK TERNS. Nummy’s Island had 7 MARBLED GODWITS, 1 EASTERN and 58 WESTERN WILLETS Sep 6; and YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS and MARBLED GODWITS were there on Sep 10. On Sep 9-11, the ROSEATE SPOONBILL was in the Gull Pond area of Atlantic County’s Edwin B Forsythe NWR at Brigantine. Early morning, late afternoon/early evening have been the best times to find the SPOONBILL. An AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, 3 AMERICAN AVOCETS, BLACK TERNS, SORAS and a WILSON’S PHALAROPE were noted through the week, and a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was there on Sep 8. COMMON MOORHENS were seen Sep 8-9. BLACK TERNS were at the refuge Sep 9-10. On Sep 8, over 200 BLUE-WINGED TEAL were at the refuge, and a SEDGE WREN was at the NE corner of the loop. AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS and BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were seen Sep 8-9. On Sep 10, Brigantine’s birds included 2 GULL-BILLED TERNS, 12 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS and SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS. There were 21 shorebird species found that day including DUNLINS, RED KNOTS, WHIMBREL, 3 HUDSONIAN GODWITS and BAIRD’S SANDPIPER. Sightings of LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, CASPIAN TERN, WESTERN and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS have been regular. STILT SANDPIPERS were seen Sep 11-12, and MERLINS were noted Sep 10-12. On Sep 12, nearly 8000 TREE SWALLOWS were staging at the refuge. A BROWN PELICAN and a massive heron congregation were seen from Great Bay Blvd at Tuckerton on Sep 9, including 410 GREAT EGRETS, 215 SNOWY EGRETS and a TRICOLORED HERON. Estimates of grasspiper numbers at Cumberland County’s Johnson Sod Farm on Sep 9 were 35 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS, 19 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, 20 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 5 BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS and an UPLAND SANDPIPER. Other birds seen that day included PEREGRINE FALCON, BOBOLINKS, HORNED LARKS and CLIFF SWALLOWS. BAIRD’S and BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were seen Sep 10. In nearby Salem County, the CATTLE EGRET is king, with 150 noted from Compromise Rd and 60 more at Featherbed Lane on Sep 9. On Sep 6, White’s Bog in Burlington County provided excellent views of COMMON NIGHTHAWKS. Palmyra Cove Nature Park hosted RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, BLACKBURNIAN and MAGNOLIA WARBLERS on Sep 9, and there were WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, BROAD-WINGED HAWK and YELLOW-THROATED VIREO on Sep 12. A WILSON’S WARBLER was at the Rancocas Nature Center on Sep 12. At Sandy Hook in Monmouth County, Raccoon Alley had 1 CONNECTICUT and 2 MOURNING WARBLERS on Sep 12, while BAIRD’S and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS were at the Salt Ponds. The same day, a WILSON’S WARBLER was at the beginning of the walk to the Locust Grove, and a NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen in the Boy Scout Camp area. Also noted on Sep 12 were MERLIN; PEREGRINE FALCON; BROAD-WINGED HAWK; RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH; ROYAL TERNS; BLACK-THROATED BLUE, BLACK-THROATED GREEN and PALM WARBLERS. Two BLACK TERNS were sighted from the main boat launch & parking area at Assunpink WMA on Sep 11. On Sep 8, a SANDWICH tern was feeding in a large mixed flock including ROYAL TERNS off Point Pleasant. In Warren
County, Raccoon
Ridge had AMERICAN KESTREL, BROAD-WINGED and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS.
COMMON RAVENS were seen Sep 7 & 12, and 12 BALD EAGLES were tallied
on Sep 12. For Delaware: In New Castle County, the Ashland Nature Center’s Hawk Watch counts included BALD EAGLES, BROAD-WINGED; RED-SHOULDERED and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS; AMERICAN KESTREL and MERLIN. The Hawk Watch counted 35 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, 9 BALD EAGLES and 24 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS on Sep 12. That same day, Ashland’s migrants included YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, MAGNOLIA and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS, BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and BALD EAGLES, and 4 EASTERN SCREECH-OWLS were heard calling. On Sep 7 at the Middle Run Natural Area, a morning survey found NASHVILLE, BLUE-WINGED, MAGNOLIA and PRAIRIE WARBLERS, and a few BOBOLINK flocks flew over as well. Three Empidonax flycatchers were at White Clay Creek State Park on Sep 12: LEAST, ACADIAN and WILLOW FLYCATCHERS. Reports from the area of Prime
Hook NWR in Sussex
County included 14 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS and an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER
south of Broadkill Beach Rd on Sep 8. The Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch on
Sep 12 had BALD EAGLES, AMERICAN KESTRELS, MERLINS and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS. In Philadelphia County, a male MOURNING WARBLER was discovered at Hoult Rd behind the visitor center near a small pumping station at John Heinz NWR at Tinicum on Sep 9. In Montgomery County, the Church Road Mudflats at Green Lane State Parkcontinued to attract migrating shorebirds. BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS, often 2-3 birds, were there Sep 6-10, and BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were noted Sep 6-9. AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS were seen Sep 6 & 8-9. On Sep 9, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER was found, and on Sep 10 there were 3 juvenile STILT SANDPIPERS. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER was seen Sep 7, and the next day a WESTERN SANDPIPER was present. MERLINS were in the area Sep 6 & 9. BALD EAGLES have been reliable at the Church Rd area through the week. Three CASPIAN TERNS were found there on Sep 9, and 12 NORTHERN SHOVELERS were seen Sep 6. Reports from Bucks County’s Peace Valley Park through Sep 8 included BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, VEERY, COMMON NIGHTHAWKS, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, BALD EAGLES and BROAD-WINGED HAWKS. WILD TURKEYS have been regular at the fields around Sailor’s Point. On Sep 8, there was a LESSER SCAUP at the Sailor’s Point boat ramp, and other species noted at the park included BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO and AMERICAN WOODCOCK. Birders walking from Lambertville, NJ to New Hope, PA noted over 100 migrating COMMON NIGHTHAWKS and lesser numbers of CHIMNEY SWIFTS from the footbridge on Sep 8. Silver Lake Park had SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, BLUE-WINGED and MAGNOLIA WARBLERS on Sep 8. A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was seen at the Churchville Nature Center on Sep 8, and an adult female MOURNING WARBLER was found at Churchville’s Elm Ave on Sep 12. On Sep 7, Core Creek Park had reports of BALD EAGLE and PECTORAL SANDPIPER. On Sep 11, Bradford Dam in Warrington had 7 species of shorebird including 20 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, and 24 adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were seen from the Morrisville Levee. On Sep 7, a small migrant flock of SCARLET TANAGERS and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS along with BAY-BREASTED and BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS foraged at the Koch property in Northampton County. At Kirkridge, near the Monroe County border, notable sightings included BALD EAGLE; MERLIN; PILEATED WOODPECKER; YELLOW-THROATED VIREO; COMMON RAVEN; RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH; CHESTNUT-SIDED, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS. In Delaware County, Rose Tree Park Hawk Watch noted a COMMON NIGHTHAWK on Sep 6. The week’s count included BALD EAGLES, SHARP-SHINNED and BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and AMERICAN KESTRELS, and 3 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS on Sep 12. A hike at Lancaster County’s Money Rocks County Park revealed a calling NORTHERN BOBWHITE. On Sep 10 the Susquehanna River at Bainbridge hosted 6 BALD EAGLES, 3 CASPIAN TERNS, PECTORAL and SOLITARY SANDPIPER. On Sep 10, birds at the Conejohela Flats included BLACK TERN, 12+ CASPIAN TERNS, AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. Birds at Pumping Station Rd on Sep 12 included BROAD-WINGED HAWK, VEERY, SCARLET TANAGER, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. In Berks
County, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary’s
hawk counts included BALD EAGLES, BROAD-WINGED and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS,
MERLINS and AMERICAN KESTRELS. Over 900 TREE SWALLOWS were counted on
Sep 6 at Hawk Mountain, and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were there on Sep
7. Twenty-three BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS were tallied at Hawk Mountain
on Sep 8, and on Sep 12 the count included 190 BROAD-WINGED and 2 RED-SHOULDERED
HAWKS. *** ANNOUNCEMENTS *** Denis Brennan will lead a DVOC field trip to John Heinz NWR at Tinicumin Philadelphia on Sep 16, which will meet at the Cusano Environmental Education Center at 8:00am. 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 and directions can be found on the website: http://www.dvoc.org The next meeting of the DVOC will be at 7:30pm on Sep 20 at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Pete Bacinski will present “Montana: The Last Best Place.” Details are on the website, and guests are welcome. The The Nature Conservancy Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge (The Meadows) will likely be closed for phragmites spraying beginning Sep 17 for 2 or more days. The back section of Bombay Hook NWR, including Finis and Bear Swamp, will be closed on Sep 14 until noon for archery. Silver Lake Nature Center in Bucks County, PA is holding its third annual “Wild About Birds” event on Sep 15, which will have live birds, bird art and children's activities. Jane Kirkland, author of the Take a Walk Series of books will sign books, give a talk, and lead a bird walk. More information can be found at their website: http://www.silverlakenaturecenter.org/default.html On September 15th, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tincum will be hosting the "Cradle of Birding--Wildlife and Conservation Festival", a free event that has a whole slew of activities for all ages. The festival will have many bird/ wildlife related activities like: bird walks, live birds of prey, bird banding, birding workshops, and lectures etc. The keynote speakers will be Pat and Clay Sutton who have recently released the excellent book, Birds and Birding at Cape May. There will also be many birding related vendors ad exhibitors. The festival starts at 7am Pat and Clay will speak at 3pm. http://www.fws.gov/northeast/heinz/ A pelagic is scheduled out of Lewes, DE for Saturday October 20. Last year's trip at that time of year found North America's second Cape Verde Shearwater. For more information, call 215-234-6805 or visit http://www.paulagics.com On Sep 15, Wyncote Audubon will have a Morning Bird Walk for migrant songbirds at Fort Washington State Park, which will meet at the Militia Hill Hawk Watch platform at 8AM, followed by coffee and snacks at the Hawk Watch at 10AM. 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 http://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