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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
20, 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 20, 2007 * PA, NJ, DE - Birds Mentioned Eared Grebe +
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 20, 2007 we highlight reports of WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL, CINNAMON TEAL, SWAINSON’S HAWK, HUDSONIAN GODWIT, SAY’S PHOEBE, WESTERN KINGBIRD, MOURNING WARBLER and CONNECTICUT WARBLER. Remember to check out our website for additional content and information.
EXTRALIMITAL: A SAY’S PHOEBE was discovered at New York’s Westchester Community College in NY on Sep 16. A pelagic trip out of Freeport, NJ explored the waters of the Hudson Canyon, finding a WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL, WILSON’S STORM-PETRELS, 2 LONG-TAILED and PARASITIC JAEGERS, AUDUBON’S and CORY’S SHEARWATERS. RAPTOR MIGRATION: Hawk watches across the region witnessed good movements of raptors this week. Most watches had SHARP-SHINNED and COOPER’s HAWKS, BALD EAGLES, MERLINS and AMERICAN KESTRELS through the week, and these same species and in many cases BROAD-WINGED HAWKS were found at birding hotspots throughout the region through the weekend. Notable high counts included 452 AMERICAN KESTRELS and 158 MERLINS on Sep 13 at Cape May Point State Park’s Hawk Watch in Cape May County, NJ. BROAD-WINGED HAWKS moved through the region in large numbers this week as well. High counts of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS included 3175 on Sep 18 at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County, PA; 1796 on Sep 17 at Raccoon Ridge Hawk Watch in Warren County, NJ; 1041 on Sep 16 at the Rose Tree Hawk Watch in Delaware County, PA; 857 on Sep 17 at Blue Marsh Park’s State Hill Hawk Watch in Berks County, PA; 392 on Sep 15 at Ashland Nature Center’s Hawk Watch in New Castle County, DE; over 200 on Sep 13 at Little Gap Hawk Watch in Northampton County, PA. Lower numbers were recorded at Cape May Point State Park and various BroadwingSEPT Counts throughout PA. RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were seen through the week at Ashland
Nature Center, and other sightings came from Raccoon
Ridge, Rose Tree Park,
http://www.hawkmountain.org/ and Kirkridge in Northampton County, PA.
PEREGRINE FALCONS were fairly regular at Cape May Point, and were also
spotted at Kirkridge, Hawk Mountain, Ashland Nature Center and Cape Henlopen
State Park’s Hawk Watch in Sussex County, DE. COMMON RAVENS were
at Kirkridge on Sep 19, Raccoon Ridge Sep 14-18 and Auburn Lookout in
Berks County, PA on Sep 15. Single GOLDEN EAGLES were spotted at Hawk
Mountain on Sep 13 & 19, Raccoon Ridge on Sep 19 and Core Creek on
Sep 13. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK flew by Raccoon Ridge on Sep 18. Slightly farther
afield, a SWAINSON’S HAWK was sighted this week at the Second Mountain
Hawk Watch in Lebanon County, PA. For New Jersey: The ROSEATE SPOONBILL was reported on Sep 16 & 18 at Atlantic County’s Edwin B Forsythe NWR at Brigantine. An EARED GREBE was at the East Dike Sep 16-19. An AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN and AMERICAN AVOCETS were seen Sep 16-17 (Click Here to see pictures of these birds). CATTLE EGRETS were at the eastern edge of the dike on Sep 16, while a RUDDY DUCK and 2 GULL-BILLED TERNS and a COMMON NIGHTHAWK were near the Gull Tower. On Sep 17, WILSON’S PHALAROPE, SORA, and PHILADELPHIA VIREO were at Brigantine. Sightings from Sep 18 included WESTERN SANDPIPER, WILSON’S SNIPE and CASPIAN TERNS. HUDSONIAN GODWITS were on the refuge: 4 on Sep 17 and 3 on Sep 18. In Cape May County, a LARK SPARROW was discovered on Sep 13 at Stone Harbor Point’s shell driveway, and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, 63 CASPIAN TERNS and WHIMBRELS were also at the Point. On Sep 16, a CAPE MAY WARBLER was in the pines bordering the parking lot, while 50 WESTERN WILLETS were on the flats. MARBLED GODWITS were at the Point Sep 16 & 18. Nummy’s Island had TRICOLORED HERONS on Sep 13 & 16, MARBLED GODWITS on Sep 13, STILT SANDPIPERS on Sep 16 and WHIMBREL and LEAST TERN on Sep 18. PIPING PLOVERS were noted on the beach near 48th St and 109th St. Sightings from the Cape May Point State Park Hawk Watch Platform included PHILADELPHIA VIREO, CONNECTICUT WARBLER and RED-HEADED WOODPECKER on Sep 13; a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW on Sep 15; and a DICKCISSEL on Sep 18. A BLACK TERN roosted on the beach on Sep 15, while STILT SANDPIPERS, CAPE MAY WARBLERS and a PARASITIC JAEGER were noted at the park. A PARASITIC JAEGER and 4 BLACK SCOTERS were seen from St Mary’s Jetty on Sep 16. A HUDSONIAN GODWIT circled over the Plover Pond at The Nature Conservancy Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge (The Meadows) on Sep 18. The Morning Flight Project at Higbee Beach WMA noted UPLAND SANDPIPER, WHIMBREL, PURPLE FINCH, ROSE-BREASTED and BLUE GROSBEAKS on Sep 13. On Sep 16, Higbee birds included COMMON NIGHTHAWK, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, WINTER WREN, PURPLE FINCHES, BLUE GROSBEAKS, WILSON’S WARBLERS, PHILADELPHIA and YELLOW-THROATED VIREOS. On Sep 16 & 18, DICKCISSELS were seen from the dikes. BAY-BREASTED, BLACKPOLL, NASHVILLE and TENNESSEE WARBLERS were seen Sep 13 & 16-17. On Sep 13 & 16 Higbee had BLACKBURNIAN, CAPE MAY, MOURNING and CONNECTICUT WARBLERS, including 8 CONNECTICUTS on Sep 13. An AMERICAN BITTERN flew from the dredge spoils on Sep 19. A BLUE-HEADED VIREO was between Higbee Beach WMA and Hidden Valley Ranch on Sep 16, while PHILADELPHIA VIREO, BLACKPOLL and CANADA WARBLERS were at the Ranch. An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was at the Villas WMA on Sep 16 (Click Here to see this bird on Karl and Judy Lukens's website), and a WESTERN KINGBIRD was at the Rea Farm, presumably the same bird seen earlier at Cape May Point State Park’s Hawk Watch Platform. Reed’s Beach had BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS migrating through on Sep 15. On Sep 16, Monmouth County’s Sandy Hook had MOURNING, CANADA, CONNECTICUT, NASHVILLE, BAY-BREASTED, WILSON’S, CAPE MAY and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS. A COMMON NIGHTHAWK and AMERICAN BITTERN were at Horseshoe Cove, and other highlights included PURPLE FINCHES, SWAINSON’S THRUSH, CLAY-COLORED and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER were seen Sep 16-17, and CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was reported Sep 16-17 & 19. A morning walk at Sandy Hook on Sep 20 revealed BLACKPOLL, BAY-BREASTED, WILSON’S and MAGNOLIA WARBLERS plus PHILADELPHIA VIREO. An immature TRICOLORED HERON, GLOSSY IBISES and a PINE WARBLER were at Cattus Island County Park in Ocean County on Sep 19. On Sep 16, EASTERN SCREECH-OWLS and GREAT HORNED OWLS called at Cumberland County’s Dix WMA, and NASHVILLE & BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS were seen. On Sep 18, Johnson Sod Farm had an UPLAND SANDPIPER at Olivet Rd, and an AMERICAN WOODCOCK was at Bivalve. At dawn on Sep 16, 1500 BOBOLINKS settled into the reeds at Salem County’s Pedricktown Marsh. On Sep 16 migrants at Burlington County’s Palmyra Cove Nature Park (see also) included OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER; ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS; PHILADELPHIA VIREO; SWAINSON’S THRUSH; SORA; TENNESEE, BAY-BREASTED, CAPE MAY, WILSON’S, WORM-EATING and CANADA WARBLERS. A YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was at the park on Sep 15. At least 7 CONNECTICUT WARBLERS were sighted at Palmyra from Sep 14-17. At the Schermann Hoffman Sanctuary in Somerset County, a flock of BLACK-THROATED BLUE and NASHVILLE WARBLERS was noted on Sep 13, and a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH has been seen Sep 19-20. At Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve a BLUE-HEADED VIREO and BLACKPOLL WARBLER were found on Sep 16; a NASHVILLE WARBLER was there on Sep 17. On Sep 15-16, Princeton Institute Woods in Mercer County had ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, HOODED and MAGNOLIA WARBLERS on Sep 16. For Delaware: In New Castle County, a bird walk at Ashland Nature Center discovered LEAST FLYCATCHERS, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, SCARLET TANAGER and a singing PURPLE FINCH. The walk had 18 species of warbler including TENNESSEE, NASHVILLE, CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, BLACKBURNIAN, BAY-BREASTED and BLACKPOLL WARBLERS. On Sep 16, Ashland’s avifauna included YELLOW-BELLIED and LEAST FLYCATCHERS, SCARLET TANAGER, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, GRAY-CHEEKED and SWAINSON’S THRUSHES. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen Sep 16-17. Ashland’s highlights on Sep 18 included BLACK-THROATED BLUE, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA, BLACKPOLL, NASHVILLE, PINE and PALM WARBLERS on Sep 18; a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER flew over the Hawk Watch that day as well. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were noted at Ashland through the week. On Sep 16, Brandywine Creek State Park had 4 species of vireo and 10 species of warbler. Highlights from that day included PURPLE FINCH; PILEATED WOODPECKER; RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH; BLUE-HEADED and PHILADELPHIA VIREO; YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT; TENNESSEE, CHESTNUT-SIDED, BLACKBURNIAN and BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS. A SORA called from the Thousand Acre Marsh on Sep 16. On Sep 15, Kent County’s Ted Harvey Wildlife Area had 2 WILSON’S PHALAROPES and an eclipse plumaged male CINNAMON TEAL in with hundreds of BLUE-WINGED and GREEN-WINGED TEALS at the North Pond. The bird was identifiable by its larger size, overall reddish wash, heavier bill and lack of any hint of a white crescent on the face. On Sep 16, birds at Little Creek WA included BLACK-THROATED BLUE and BLACKPOLL WARBLERS. On Sep 16, Bombay Hook NWR had reports of BLACK TERN, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, WHITE-RUMPED and WESTERN SANDPIPERS. An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER and a singing ALDER FLYCATCHER were observed from Shearness Pool on Sep 16. A HUDSONIAN GODWIT was seen at Bombay Hook Sep 15-16, and an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was on the flats opposite Bear Swamp on Sep 16. A BARN OWL, SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS, GRAY-CHEEKED and SWAINSON’S THRUSHES called along Port Mahon Rd early in the morning on Sep 16.
A bird banding project at the East Park Reservoir in
Philadelphia
County banded a young male CONNECTICUT WARBLER on Sep 13; other notable
birds included RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH; BLACKBURNIAN, CHESTNUT-SIDED, and
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS. On Sep 15, a juvenile RED-NECKED PHALAROPE
was at John Heinz NWR at
Tinicum along with 4 STILT SANDPIPERS, WILD TURKEYS, PHILADELPHIA
VIREO and LITTLE BLUE HERON. SORAS have been observed regularly from the
sedge near Tinicum’s Observation Deck this week, and a VIRGINIA
RAIL and HOODED MERGANSER were at the refuge on Sep 16. Other notable
sightings from Tinicum this week included NORTHERN PARULA, NASHVILLE and
MAGNOLIA WARBLERS. On Sep 19, at Kirkridge on the Northampton County Border, 5 SANDHILL CRANES were seen heading southwest, and a CONNECTICUT and 2-3 BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS were in the area. In Chester County, NORTHERN PARULA; MAGNOLIA, CHESTNUT-SIDED and BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS were seen at the Struble Trail in Downingtown on Sep 13. On Sep 14, Lancaster County’s Conejohela Flats hosted BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, PECTORAL and STILT SANDPIPERS, 32 PIED-BILLED GREBES, LITTLE BLUE HERON, CASPIAN TERN and MARSH WREN. On Sep 17, the flats had 3 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, 8 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 13 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, CASPIAN TERN, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK and BALD EAGLES. A pair of MERLINS was seen from Pumping Station Rd on Sep 15. Middle Creek WMA had SNOW GEESE on Sep 15. SNOW GEESE were also reported at Muddy Run on Sep 19; apparently some individuals are staying through the year at this site despite being able to fly. Other birds from Muddy Run that day included SCARLET TANAGER, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. On Sep 16, SGL110 in Berks County had EASTERN SCREECH-OWL, PURPLE FINCH, CHESTNUT-SIDED and CAPE MAY WARBLERS. A conservative count of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary’s TREE SWALLOWS on Sep 15 came to 3500 swallows.
*** ANNOUNCEMENTS *** Frank Windfelder will lead a DVOC field trip to the Tuckerton Marshes for Sharp-tailed Sparrows on Oct 6. The trip will meet at the end of Seven Bridges Rd at 7:30am sharp. There is no field trip fee, and members and non-members are welcome to attend. Participants should bring high boots or wellies and a packed lunch should they plan to continue on the Edwin B Forsythe NWR at Brigantine for the second half of the trip. Please contact the trip leader if you plan on attending. Details and an analysis of past years’ Sharp-tailed Sparrow trips 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. 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 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