| Current
report - Thursday April 3, 2008
- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species
accounts for many of these birds
Western Grebe (NY)
Cinnamon Teal X Blue-winged Teal ++
Prairie Falcon +
Western Tanager (NY)
Oregon Junco ++
Brewer's Blackbird +++
Bullock's
Oriole (CT)
Scott's Oriole (NY)
Hoary Redpoll
++
+ (Details requested by New
Jersey Birds Records Committee)
++ (Details requested by Pennsylvania
Ornthological Records Committee)
+++ (Details requested by Delaware
Records Committee)
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Glossy Ibis
Greater White-fronted Goose
Tundra Swan
Canvasback
Redhead
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Red-breasted Merganser
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Northern Goshawk
Rough-legged Hawk
American Kestrel
Merlin
Wild Turkey
American Golden-plover
Piping Plover
American Avocet
Pectoral Sandpiper
Purple Sandpiper
Wilson's Snipe
American Woodcock
Little Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Short-eared Owl
Red-headed Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Pipit
Nashville Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Yellow-breasted Chat
Fox Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Indigo Bunting
Rusty Blackbird
Purple Finch
Common Redpoll
Evening Grosbeak
Hotline: Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert
Email reports to:
Compilers: Steve Kacir and
Tony Croasdale - Delaware
Valley Ornithological Club
Phone: (215) 240-7547
URL: http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm
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 April 3,
2008 we highlight reports of PRAIRIE FALCON in Salem County, NJ; BREWER’S
BLACKBIRDS in Sussex County, DE; LITTLE GULLS in Hunterdon Couny, NJ and
Dauphin County, PA and EVENING GROSBEAKS in Monmouth County, NJ.
For New Jersey:
Cape
May County:
A NASHVILLE WARBLER was at the Yellow Trail of Cape
May Point State Park on March 27. A GLOSSY IBIS flew over the park
on March 29, and 15-20 PINE WARBLERS were there the next day. Nearly 2000
NORTHERN GANNETS were seen from Sunset Beach on March 29. Five PIPING
PLOVERS, calling AMERICAN WOODCOCKS and a Western PALM WARBLER were at
The
Nature Conservancy Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge (The Meadows) on
March 28. On March 31, sightings from the refuge included a PIPING PLOVER
and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. Hundreds of RED-THROATED LOONS were seen from
Cape May Island on March 31. Two Mile Landing had a TRICOLORED HERON and
2 LITTLE BLUE HERONS on Apr 1. On March 28, Belleplain State Forest had
numerous YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS, and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSHES were at
the bridge on Sunset Rd and the bridge at Cedar Bridge Rd.
Cumberland
County:
Bevan WMA had YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS on March 29.
Atlantic
County:
Edwin B Forsythe NWR
at Brigantine
had a SHORT-EARED OWL at the NE corner over the weekend and 6 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS
just past the bridge at the end of the loop on March 30. On Apr 2, a GLOSSY
IBIS was at the NW Pool.
Ocean
County:
Barnegat
Lighthouse State Park
had PURPLE SANDPIPER and HARLEQUIN DUCKS on March 30.
Monmouth
County:
Four EVENING GROSBEAKS were at the mulberry tree parking area near the
dam at Assunpink WMA through March 30. A TUNDRA SWAN was at Sandy
Hook on March 27. A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 89 AMERICAN KESTRELS, a MERLIN,
5 GLOSSY IBIS and around 25 EASTERN PHOEBES were seen from the Sandy Hook
Migration Watch on March 28. An adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen there
March 28-29, and an AMERICAN PIPIT was heard on March 30. On Apr 1, an
ICELAND GULL and PIPING PLOVER were on the beach at Sandy Hook, and the
next day there were 15 PIPING PLOVERS. The past week brought record-breaking
numbers of NORTHERN GANNETS just offshore.
Salem
County:
A probable PRAIRIE FALCON was seen from Freas Rd on March 29. On March
30, the Featherbed Lane Snow Goose flock contained a ROSS’S GOOSE.
That day Mannington Marsh had 4 GLOSSY IBIS, and the marsh’s Sunset
Rd area had PECTORAL SANDPIPER and 110 WILSON’S SNIPES. Apple Blossom
Farm had 20-30 juvenile WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS on March 30.
Gloucester
County:
Two AMERICAN WOODCOCKS called from the Pedricktown Marsh area on March
27. The High Hill Rd Marsh had 40 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS on March 31. Three
COMMON LOONS, 2 HORNED GREBES and 45 BONAPARTE’S GULLS were at Floodgates
that day. Glassboro
Woods had 13 PURPLE FINCHES on March 28.
Middlesex
County:
Two RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS and 20 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were in a patch of
flooded dead wood 600 yards northwest of Omar Ave and Blair Rd in Avenel
on March 29. South Amboy had 2 ICELAND GULLS on Apr 1.
Mercer
County:
Four SHORT-EARED OWLS were at the Pole Farm at Mercer County Park Northwest
on March 30.
Hunterdon
County:
Spruce
Run State Park hosted 3 LITTLE GULLS on Apr 1, 2 HORNED GREBES
on March 28 and a COMMON LOON on March 31. Round Valley Reservoir had
a HORNED GREBE and 2 COMMON LOONS on March 31.
NJ Extralimitals:
In Morris County, a small flock of COMMON REDPOLLS has been visiting a
feeder in Landing, and a feeder in Flanders had a REDPOLL on Apr 1.
For Delaware:
New
Castle County:
GREAT CORMORANTS were still on the Delaware River in Claymont, seen opposite
Mount Vernon Dr on Governor Printz Blvd on March 28. PINE WARBLERS sang
from Hoopes
Reservoir
on March 29. A LITTLE BLUE HERON was at Cedar Swamp WA on March 30. A
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was found along Hopkins Bridge Rd at White
Clay Creek State Park on Apr 2. That day, an AMERICAN PIPIT and PALM
WARBLER were at Middle Run Natural Area.
Kent
County:
A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was found in a flock of Canada Geese seen
from the road to the Florio house at Woodland Beach WA on March 30 &
Apr 1. Ted
Harvey Wildlife Area had a PECTORAL SANDPIPER at the south impoundment
on March 28. On March 28, five GLOSSY IBIS flew over Kitts
Hummock on March 28, and 75 NORTHERN GANNETS were offshore. On March
30, Bombay Hook NWR had an AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER on the flats opposite Shearness Pool, 4 PINE WARBLERS on
the road to Finis Pool, and over 20 WILSON’S SNIPES on the road
from Bear Swamp towards the refuge exit. Other recent sightings from Bombay
Hook included SURF SCOTER, MERLIN and LINCOLN’S SPARROW. Many WILSON’S
SNIPES were along Route 9 near Bombay Hook. WILD TURKEYS were in a field
along Route 1 between Little Heaven and St Jones on March 25 and Apr 1.
On Apr 1, at least 320 AMERICAN AVOCETS were seen at the large marsh pond
before the little wooden bridge on Big Stone Beach Rd at Milford Neck
WA. PINE WARBLERS were singing nearly everywhere at Milford Neck that
day.
Sussex
County:
Three probable BREWER’S BLACKBIRDS were at Prime
Hook NWR on March 28. On March 27, the Cape
Henlopen State Park Hawk Watch observed COMMON LOONS, NORTHERN GANNETS,
SURF SCOTERS and 6 GLOSSY IBIS. A BALD EAGLE, 2 MERLINS and 32 AMERICAN
KESTRELS flew by the next day. Cape Henlopen State Park hosted hundred
of NORTHERN GANNETS, 7 PIPING PLOVERS and 7 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS
on March 28. The Indian
River Inlet had a TRICOLORED HERON between the causeway berm and Burton’s
Island and 6 HORNED GREBES in the marina basin on Apr 2. Rehoboth’s
Silver Lake had 28 CANVASBACKS that day.
For Pennsylvania:
Philadelphia
County:
On March 27, a PINE WARBLER was at Wissahickon Creek near Kitchen’s
Lane Bridge in Philadelphia. Two NORTHERN HARRIERS migrated over Morris
Arboretum the next day. An OSPREY flew over Carpenter's
Woods on March 29.
Delaware
County:
The Rose Tree Park
Hawk Watch noted a NORTHERN GOSHAWK on March 28 and a RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCH on March 30. A drake COMMON GOLDENEYE was on the Delaware River
across from Governor Printz Park over the weekend.
Chester
County:
Marsh
Creek State Park had a COMMON LOON on March 30.
Montgomery
County:
On March 29, Green
Lane Park had a WILSON’S SNIPE at the Church Rd area, an OSPREY
at the Walt Rd area and a COMMON LOON at the Hill Rd area. Two NORTHERN
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS were at Knight’s Lake that day, and BALD EAGLES
were noted from Knights Rd, Walt Rd and Knight’s Lake. A LOUISIANA
WATERTHRUSH and PURPLE FINCHES were noted near Evansburg
State Park on Apr 2.
Bucks
County:
Peace
Valley Park
had 2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS on March 27, and daily reports of COMMON LOON,
HORNED GREBE and BALD EAGLE through March 29. Twelve WILSON’S SNIPES
and an ICELAND GULL were at the park on March 29. Nockamixon
State Park had 21 COMMON LOONS, 170 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and
3 ICELAND GULLS on March 27, and a COMMON LOON and 15 LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULLS were there on March 30. A flock of 90 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS was seen
in the area of Tohickon Creek and Licking Run on April 1. The YELLOW-BREASTED
CHAT at Churchville
Nature Center's (see
also) Kelly Tract was still there on March 30, and Churchville hosted
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS this week. Tyler
State Park had an early INDIGO BUNTING on March 28. On March 29, an
ICELAND GULL and many LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at Franklin’s
Cove, and two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at Falls
Township Community Park. Warminster
Community Park had HORNED LARKS on March 31. GREAT CORMORANTS were
seen from Torresdale Manor on Apr 2.
Northampton
County:
Green Pond had LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS through Apr 1, with a high count
of 332 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS on March 27. Lower numbers were noted
through March 30. ICELAND GULLS were at Green Pond March 27-30. Lake Minsi
had 35 COMMON LOONS on March 28. On Apr 2, 19 COMMON LOONS, RED-THROATED
LOON and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER were on Lake Minsi. Two CANVASBACKS were
at the Albert Rd Ponds. A LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was at Slateford Creek
on Apr 2.
Lehigh
County:
A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was in the Emmaus area on Apr 2.
Schuylkill
County:
A PINE WARBLER was at Sweet Arrow Lake on March 30. The feeders in McAdoo
still had up to 40 COMMON REDPOLLS through March 30.
Berks
County:
On March 27, Lake
Ontelaunee had COMMON LOONS, HORNED GREBES and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS
through Apr 1, with a REDHEAD seen March 29-30. Nearly 90 DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANTS were on Lake Ontelaunee on March 30. On Apr 1, a drake WHITE-WINGED
SCOTER and hen CANVASBACK were on the lake. The grasslands of northern
Berks had HORNED LARKS and a RUSTY BLACKBIRD on March 28. Two COMMON RAVENS,
PILEATED WOODPECKERS, 5 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 5 PINE WARBLERS and probably
50 FOX SPARROWS were seen at SGL 110 on March 29. The French Creek State
Park area had WILD TURKEYS near Red Corner Rd on March 28, and a HORNED
GREBE was on Hopewell Lake on Apr 2. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK flew past Hawk
Mountain Sanctuary on Apr 2.
Lancaster
County:
Middle
Creek WMA still hosted SHORT-EARED OWLS through March 28.
Lebanon
County:
Memorial
Lake State Park had 6 REDHEADS, 2 CANVASBACKS and 4 HORNED GREBES
on March 29. Levitz Park had a PILEATED WOODPECKER that day.
PA Extralimitals:
On March 27, the HOARY REDPOLL returned to Herbert Flavell’s feeders
at Milk Can Corners in Susquehanna County. An OREGON JUNCO appeared at
feeders in Fairhope, Somerset County on March 29. On March 29, a LITTLE
GULL was seen over the Susquehanna River across from Marysville, Dauphin
County. A hybrid CINNAMON TEAL X BLUE-WINGED TEAL was on Lake Canonsburg
in Washington County March 31-Apr 1.
EXTRALIMITAL
NEW YORK:
The Manhattan SCOTT’S ORIOLE was seen at Tompkins Square Park, New
York County March 31-Apr 1. A WESTERN TANAGER was near the Winterdale
Arch in Central Park through Apr 3. A WESTERN GREBE was seen from Staten
Island, Richmond County through March 30. The GREBE has been seen from
the Mt Loretto area, Wolfe’s Pond Park, the Lemon Creek Bridge,
Lemon Creek Park and the Lemon Creek Pier. This may be the same grebe
that had been seen at Sandy Hook.
CONNECTICUT:
A BULLOCK’S ORIOLE has been frequenting a feeder at 60 Orchard St,
Canaan, Litchfield County through Apr 3.
*** ANNOUNCEMENTS ***
On Apr 13, Denis
Brennan will lead a DVOC field trip to John Heinz NWR at Tinicum in
Philadelphia County, PA. The trip will meet at 8:00AM at The Cusano Environmental
Education Center at 8601 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia. Target species
include early spring migrants, Bald Eagle, Great Horned Owl, Fox Sparrow
and Rusty Blackbird. Please contact Dennis Brennan if you plan on attending.
A link to the refuge website, contact information for the trip leader
and additional information are available on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org
The next meeting of the DVOC is on Thursday April 3
at 7:30pm at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, when David
Errol Pattemore will present “On the Brink: Conservation of Endemic
New Zealand Birds.” Colin Campbell will present an Ornithological
Study entitled “New North American Birds - Expert Predictions and
Actuality.” The meeting after that will be on April 17, featuring
a program by Frank Windfelder and Yoav Chudnoff. Details are on the website,
and guests are always welcome.
See Life Paulagics is running a pelagic trip out
of Lewes, DE on April 5 and another out of Cape May, NJ on April 13. These
trips hope to take advantage of the schools of baitfish that attract high
counts of Northern Gannets and Gulls, which, in turn, could attract the
attention of Great Skua. Additional target birds include Northern Fulmar,
Common Murre, Razorbill, Red Phalarope, Sooty Shearwater and Jaegers.
For more information, call 215-234-6805 or visit them on the web at http://www.paulagics.com
Spring Migration is underway. For a bird’s eye
view of the phenomenon and some birding forecasts, check out David La
Puma’s Woodcreeper.com website at http://www.woodcreeper.com
Or read his forecasts at http://birdcapemay.org/bfma
The second Delaware Breeding Bird Atlas kicks off this
year. Please consider taking part in this massive citizen science project
to study the map the distribution of birds breeding in Delaware and compare
the data with that gathered by the first Delaware Breeding Bird Atlas
from 20 years ago. For more information contact the BBA Coordinator, Anthony
Gonzon at [email protected] or (302)-653-2880.
More information is available at: http://www.fw.delaware.gov/BBA
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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