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Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert
Last updated
Thursday, December 20, 2007 1:04 PM
Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert - Thursday December
13, 2007
brought to you from Philadelphia by the Delaware
Valley Ornithological Club and the Academy of Natural Sciences
The phone number to report sightings or hear the current RBA is 215-240-7547. You may leave your sightings after the recording or hit the one (1) key at any time to skip the recording and leave a message. The Hotline will be updated every Thursday afternoon and a weekend wrap-up update will be recorded every Monday morning. The Hotline will also be updated in the event any especially important rarities appear in the Delaware Valley Region such as Ivory Gull, Long-billed Murrelet, Red-footed Falcon, etc.
This spoken word version of the hotline is an abbreviated version of what's available here. Our current announcer for the RBA is Tony Croasdale, though, there will doubtlessly be others who contribute in this respect. Please call in and enjoy the Hotline, and feel free to call that number to report rarities.
Submit reports to
or 215-240-7547
(Submission guidelines)
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| Current report - December 13, 2007
- Birds Mentioned Pink-footed
Goose (NY) Red-throated Loon 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 December 13, 2007 we highlight reports of Pink-footed Goose, Black Brant, Barnacle Geese, Barrow's Goldeneye, Red Phalarope, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Western Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Townsend's Solitaire, Bohemian Waxwing, Painted Bunting and Bullock's Oriole. Extralimital: New York Connecticut Virginia For New Jersey: In Cape May County, the BARNACLE GOOSE was on Lily Lake through December 9. On December 6, LONG-EARED OWLS were found along the boardwalk at Cape May Point State Park, and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was also at the park. That day, an Ipswich SAVANNAH SPARROW and 6 AMERICAN PIPITS were near the Plover Ponds while 38 SNOW BUNTINGS were at the point, and the State Park had SNOW BUNTINGS and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR on December 8. A COMMON EIDER was at the St Mary's Jetty on December 6, and reports from Cape May Point on December 12 included COMMON EIDER, 7 PURPLE SANDPIPERS and NORTHERN GANNETS. A RED CROSSBILL made an appearance at the Coast Guard Base, unfortunately the location is not accessible to civilians. Jake's Landing had SHORT-EARED OWLS on December 6 and 9. An immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK visited the Cape May Bird Observatory's Center for Research and Education in Goshen on December 10. The Avalon Sea Watch reported single RED-NECKED GREBES on December 7 and 8, and other Sea Watch notables this week included COMMON EIDERS, WHITE- WINGED SCOTERS and RAZORBILL. The ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER north of West Cape May was reported again on December 8 in a field well north of its original location near Wilson Ave. As you head north out of West Cape May village on Broadway, which becomes Seashore Rd, look for Wilson Ave on the right. Wilson Ave is a block long and runs into a dead end. Park there and continue a few feet farther east, where the end of Wilson crosses a dirt road. There is a pedestrian gate, a railroad track and then the Nature Conservancy property "Cape Island Creek." The bird was at the back of the field toward the marsh just south of the large grove of cedars near the railroad tracks. A map with this location is available at the "View from the Cape" webpage on http://www.birdcapemay.org In Atlantic County, Edwin B Forsythe NWR at Brigantine hosted over 40 FOX SPARROWS on December 7. A leucistic RUSTY BLACKBIRD was near Lily Lake on Great Creek Rd just outside the entrance to the refuge on December 9. On December 7, Leed's Point had a SHORT-EARED OWL and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and Mott's Creek had 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS. A PAINTED BUNTING was at Ocean County's Island Beach State Park through December 10, though it was not seen on December 12. The BUNTING was frequenting the feeders at the Aeolium, which is the park's nature center. On December 9, Barnegat Inlet had PURPLE SANDPIPERS, 2 COMMON EIDERS and a HARLEQUIN DUCK. Barnegat Lighthouse State Park had dozens of COMMON EIDERS, HARLEQUIN DUCKS, PURPLE SANDPIPERS and RED-THROATED LOONS this week. Though the road through Manahawkin WMA is worse than ever, 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS were located there on December 10. Turning to Monmouth County, the Sandy Hook TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE and lingering GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER were still at the Scout Camp area through December 11, with both birds frequenting the vicinity of the rusty barn and the fenced in maintenance yard. On December 11, a WESTERN KINGBIRD was also seen from nearby Randolph Rd while COMMON REDPOLLS were heard overhead. Please respect the NPS Residents that live in this area, and try to move quickly past their properties if searching the maintenance yard for these rarities. COMMON EIDERS and AMERICAN PIPITS were seen at the false hook at North Beach, and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was near Spermaceti Cove. A possible BELL'S VIREO was discovered in the old fields lining the path to Kingman/Mills Batteries at Sandy Hook on December 8, and other birds of note that day included an AMERICAN BITTERN at Horseshoe Cove, an ORANGE- CROWNED WARBLER near the Sandy Hook Visitor Center and over 40 SNOW BUNTINGS at Gunnison Beach. On December 9, Sandy Hook had a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW at the median north of the parking lot at South Maintenance, a COMMON REDPOLL at the false hook and 110 SNOW BUNTINGS flying over the dunes. The view from the Spermaceti Cove Visitor Center provided a hen KING EIDER and 4 COMMON EIDERS. The COMMON GOLDENEYE flock at Battery Kingman increased in size through the week, yet no Barrow's Goldeneye had been reported with them. The Thompson Park SANDHILL CRANE was seen from the road to Marlu Lake on December 9-10. Birders hunting at a farm in Hunterdon County reported 2 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, 5 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, 5 EVENING GROSBEAKS and 5 COMMON REDPOLLS. A REDHEAD was at the South Branch of the Raritan in Califon on December 8. A LESSER BLACK- BACKED GULL was at the intersection of Oberly Rd and CR 635, and SNOW BUNTINGS were seen from Oberly Rd near Alpha, Warren County on December 9. For Delaware: In New Castle County, the Ashland Nature Center feeders attracted BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES and PURPLE FINCHES. On the evening of December 7 an AMERICAN WOODCOCK flushed from the roadside at Alacopas Woods and a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL called from Sharpless Rd on the north side of Ashland Nature Center. An adult GOLDEN EAGLE flew over Ashland before moving off over Red Clay Reservation on December 9, when the Newark Reservoir had a drake COMMON GOLDENEYE and 3 SNOW BUNTINGS. On December 12, Abbotts Mill Nature Center had a PALM WARBLER at the edge of Abbott's Pond, and other sightings included BALD EAGLES, FOX SPARROWS, PURPLE FINCHES and a PILEATED WOODPECKER. Reports from Kent County included a sighting of 2 hen COMMON GOLDENEYES at Taylor's Gut at Woodland Beach WMA on December 6. On December 9, a trip to Port Mahon provided a SHORT-EARED OWL, and a SEASIDE SPARROW calling near The Nature Conservancy's sign. Prime Hook NWR in Sussex County had 35 WILSON'S SNIPES, WINTER WREN and AMERICAN PIPIT at Fowler Beach on December 6. A ROUGH- LEGGED HAWK was at Fowler Beach on December 9. Cape Henlopen State Park highlights from December 6 included a calling CROSSBILL, 15-20 EIDERS, HORNED GREBE, LONG-TAILED DUCKS, NORTHERN GANNET, BLACK SCOTERS and RED-THROATED LOONS. On December 7, Cape Henlopen 2 AMERICAN AVOCETS at Gordon's Pond, PURPLE FINCHES at the nature center feeders, a BLUE-HEADED VIREO and a PINE WARBLER. Indian River Inlet had BONAPARTE'S GULLS, LONG-TAILED DUCKS, GREAT CORMORANT and a possible female COMMON EIDER on December 6. Highlights from the inlet on December 7 included over 150 RED- THROATED LOONS, LONG-TAILED DUCKS, hundreds of NORTHERN GANNETS, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, PURPLE SANDPIPERS, BLACK and SURF SCOTERS. The south bay side of the inlet had a SEASIDE SPARROW and the far side of the campground had a SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW and CLAPPER RAIL. On December 9, a BLACK BRANT was found with 250 BRANT at the pond-like inlet of the bay south of the bridge and close to the road on the western side. On December 8, a pelagic out of Lewes, DE that
patrolled DE and MD waters had 153 NORTHERN GANNETS, a RED-THROATED LOON,
7 NORTHERN FULMARS, a MANX SHEARWATER, a GREATER SHEARWATER, 356 DOVEKIES,
55 ATLANTIC PUFFINS, a RAZORBILL, a LITTLE GULL, 9 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES,
a POMARINE JAEGER, 7 RED PHALAROPES and a sea-going AMERICAN COOT. John Heinz NWR at Tinicum in Philadelphia County had an EASTERN PHOEBE and 10 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS on December 6. A NORTHERN PARULA has been seen at the refuge on the dike road past the observation tower, and other sightings from Tinicum this week included MERLIN, BALD EAGLE and RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS. The NORTHERN SHRIKE at Delaware County's Darlington Tract was most recently reported on December 12, when it was at the lower field along the south side of Darlington Rd and opposite the house on the hill. To reach the Darlington Tract from Route 1 and Route 452, take Route 1 South and turn right onto Darlington Rd. Go about a quarter of a mile and cross a small bridge that spans Chester Creek; then park on the right in a small parking area. Walk a third of a mile on Darlington Rd going to the right as you leave the parking area. Walk until you see the next driveway on the left (Rooster Tail Farm) and just before the driveway there is a trail on the left that heads uphill. Follow the trail for about 100 yards until the trail splits. Take the left fork and follow another 100 yards to a row of trees at the top of the hill, which is the spot the SHRIKE has been frequenting. An immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK was last reported at the Darlington Tract on December 9, when it was near the crest of the hill on the North side of Darlington Rd. Ridley Creek State Park had 2 BLUE-HEADED VIREOS, AMERICAN PIPITS and PURPLE FINCHES on December 11. In Bucks County, Churchville Nature Center (see also) reported 150+ COMMON MERGANSERS recently as well as LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and PURPLE FINCHES. Peace Valley Park had CANVASBACKS on December 7, and the next day a BONAPARTE'S GULL, CACKLING GOOSE and 2 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were found. Other highlights from Peace Valley included continuing PURPLE FINCHES, BALD EAGLES and COMMON LOON, and high counts of 650 COMMON MERGANSERS and 108 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS. On December 9, a NORTHERN SHRIKE was discovered at Nockamixon State Parkk in the area of Mink Rd; be aware that this area is open to hunting Monday through Saturday. Other birds at Nockamixon that day included COMMON REDPOLLS, PINE SISKINS and two SURF SCOTERS. On December 5, 14 COMMON GOLDENEYES were on the Delaware River near the Morrisville Levee. An EVENING GROSBEAK was seen in Warwick Twp on December 7. Shady Brook Farm at the intersection of Stony Hill Rd and Route 332 had HORNED LARKS and AMERICAN PIPITS in the pumpkin patch. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at Core Creek Park this week. On December 10, an EASTERN PHOEBE was at Riverfront Park in Pottstown, Montgomery County. In Chester County, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was near Chambers Lake at Hibernia County Park on December 12. Graver's Hill in Northampton County had 8 EVENING GROSBEAKS on December 7 and over 600 HORNED LARKS, 6 SNOW BUNTINGS and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR the next day. A first winter ICELAND GULL and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE were at PPL Martin's Creek on December 8. Lebanon County's Second Mountain Hawk Watch reported COMMON RAVENS this week. Three GOLDEN EAGLES were spotted there on December 6, and a PILEATED WOODPECKER made an appearance the next day. The Second Mountain Hawk Watch had 2 GOLDEN EAGLES and a PINE SISKIN on December 8; 4-5 SNOW BUNTINGS flew past on December 12. A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was on Dorney Pond in Lehigh County through December 12, and an EASTERN PHOEBE was at the Allentown Wastewater Treatment Plant that day. On December 8, Smith Lane had SNOW BUNTINGS and HORNED LARKS. Middle Creek WMA in Lancaster County boasted 50 TUNDRA SWANS on December 12. The feeders at Blue Marsh Lake Park in Berks County had PURPLE FINCHES, and a MERLIN and COMMON LOON were noted on December 7. The same day, a GOLDEN EAGLE was seen from Pearl Rd in Jefferson Twp. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary had a NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 2 ROUGH- LEGGED HAWKS, 4 GOLDEN EAGLES, 3 COMMON REDPOLLS and 40 SNOW BUNTINGS on December 6, and 4 COMMON REDPOLLS and COMMON RAVENS were seen the next day. Hawk Mountain had 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS and 9 RED CROSSBILLS on December 8 and 2 RED CROSSBILLS on December 9. On December 12, Hawk Mountain witnessed 80 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in 3 flocks and 3 GOLDEN EAGLES. An extralimital BOHEMIAN WAXWING was found at SGL 63 just outside of Knox, Clarion County on December 9-10. More details can be found on the Pennsylvania Birding List. Closer to the Delaware Valley, a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was seen again on December 11 near the intersection of Pumping Station Rd and Cunningham Rd, outside of Gettysburg in Adams County. The extralimital male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE at David
Troyer's feeders in Juniata County was most recently reported on December
13. To reach the property from Route 22/322, take the Mifflintown/ McAlisterville
Exit for Route 35. Head north into the small village of Oakland Mills
and turn left onto Oakland Rd. You will see signs for the Lost Creek Shoe
Shop, which is the Troyers' business. Once on Oakland Rd go less than
a mile and pull into the Shoe Shop parking lot on the left. Across the
road will be two driveways, and the one on the left belongs to David Troyer.
DO NOT PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY, as you will likely spook the bird. Walk
up the driveway, and the feeders will be on the far left. The Troyers
request that you stay as far to the right of the house and driveway as
possible, walk back around the house and look from the other side of the
house. The Troyers have kindly given permission for Sunday visits, but
please respect their privacy if they do not come out of the house. The
Troyers also request that visitors sign their sign- in book. You can stop
in the shoe store for updates. *** ANNOUNCEMENTS *** The next meeting of the DVOC is on Thursday December 20 at 7:30pm at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, when Mike Freiberg of Nikon Sport Optics will likely present information related to his studies of a Manakin species in Brazil. The Ornithological Study will feature Adrian Binns's "Separating Hooded and Altamira Orioles in the Rio Grande Valley." Details are on the website, and guests are welcome. Paul Guris will lead the Hudson Shelf Valley CBC on Jan 4, 2008. The field trip is presented by the DVOC and See Life Paulagics, and will sail out of Belmar, NJ at 8:00am to explore the underwater trench called the Hudson Shelf Valley that extends from near shore all the way to the Hudson Canyon. The trip returns to port around 4:00pm. Target species include Razorbill, Common Murre, Dovekie, Atlantic Puffin, Black-legged Kittiwake, Iceland Gull and Northern Gannet. The trip will cost $90 with an optional $5 CBC Fee. Additional information is available at the DVOC website http://www.dvoc.org and the See Life Paulagics website http://www.paulagics.com or call 215-234-6805. ‘Tis the season for Christmas Bird Counts. Consider joining a count and contributing to this massive citizen scientist project. A list of the Christmas Bird Counts in the Delaware Valley with contact information for the counts’ compilers is available at http://www.dvoc.org/ChristmasCounts/2007Counts.htm The Delmarva Ornithological Society (DOS) is asking birders to post winter American Kestrel sightings in the state of Delaware. This marks the club’s second year of mapping winter sightings from November 15 to Mar 15. Last year nearly 150 reports were mapped. Please use the web site www.dosbirds.org and the user-friendly map tool to locate and document your sightings. In Pennsylvania, Scott Weidensaul would like to be immediately contacted about potential vagrant hummingbirds at feeders this fall, so that these birds can be trapped, identified and banded. Scott can be reached at [email protected] or (570) 739-2874. Remember to leave your hummingbird feeders up for these late arrivals. A hybrid LESSER BLACK-BACKED X HERRING GULL hatched and was banded this past summer at Appledore Island in Maine. The bird has a large white-on-green “N02” band on the left leg, and a silver ring on the right. If you see this bird, please contact Bill Etter or email us at and we will forward the sightings to the interested parties. For photos of this gull, visit http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v230/billetter/Apple/ 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