| Current
report - Thursday April 10, 2008
- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species
accounts for many of these birds
Cinnamon Teal X Blue-winged Teal ++
Black-headed Gull ++
Loggerhead Shrike +++
Western Tanager (NY)
Painted Bunting (MD)
Bullock's Oriole (CT)
+ (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
Great Cormorant
Little Blue Heron
Cattle Egret
Yellow-crowned Night-heron
Greater White-fronted Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
Common Teal (Eurasian Green-winged Teal)
Canvasback
Redhead
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Merlin
Ruffed Grouse
Wild Turkey
Piping Plover
Black-necked Stilt
Western Willet
Ruff
Wilson's Snipe
American Woodcock
Little Gull
Black-headed Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Nelson's Gull (Glaucous X Herring Hybrid)
Caspian Tern
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Red-headed Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Purple Martin
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
Yellow-throated Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Vesper Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Rusty Blackbird
Purple Finch
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
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 10,
2008 we highlight reports of LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in New Castle Co, DE; COMMON
TEAL in Salem Co, NJ; EURASIAN WIGEON in Monmouth Co, NJ; BLACK-HEADED
GULL in Hudson Co, NJ and BLACK-HEADED and LITTLE GULL in Perry &
Dauphin Counties, PA. Remember to check out our website for additional
content and information:
For New Jersey:
Cape
May County:
A YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was at Lily Lake on Apr 7. Hundreds of NORTHERN
GANNETS were off Cape May this weekend, and 32 RED-THROATED LOONS were
seen from Sunset Beach on Sunday. An early INDIGO BUNTING was at Higbee
Beach WMA on Apr 7. Birds noted at Belleplain State Forest this week included
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH and RED-SHOULDERED HAWK.
Cumberland
County:
A RUFF was with DUNLIN and yellowlegs at Heislerville WMA on Apr 6-7,
and 2 RUFFS were there Apr 7-8. They have been seen from the dike road
near the spillway that flows into the cove; the RUFFS have been on the
cove side of the road. Twelve CANVASBACKS and a WESTERN WILLET were also
in the area.
Monmouth
County:
A EURASIAN WIGEON was on a small pond north of the intersection of Navesink
Ave & Hartshorne Rd in Rumson on Apr 9. On Apr 4, Sandy Hook had a
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER off D-Lot, 4 HORNED GREBES at Horseshoe Cove and 3
PIPING PLOVERS at North Beach. A WHITE-EYED VIREO and LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL were seen from Sandy Hook’s hawk watch platform on Apr 7.
Burlington
County:
A NELSON’S GULL (Glaucous X Herring Gull Hybrid) and 2 LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULLS were at Florence on Apr 8.
Salem
County:
A female RUFF (also known as a Reeve) was seen from the Sunset Rd bridge
at Mannington Marsh near high tide on Apr 5-6. Pedricktown Marsh had a
COMMON TEAL (aka Eurasian Green-winged Teal) on Apr 4. An EASTERN KINGBIRD
was reported from private property in Salem County on Apr 3.
Gloucester
County:
Six HORNED GREBES and 6 LONG-TAILED DUCKS were on the Delaware River,
seen from the end of Floodgate Rd on Apr 4. That day, 105 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS
were tallied between Gibbstown and Pedricktown.
Middlesex
County:
A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at South Amboy on Apr 8. On Apr 10, a CASPIAN
TERN was at Dallenbach Park in East Brunswick.
NJ Extralimitals:
A BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen at the Bayonne waterfront in Hudson County
Apr 6-7. The gull flushed from the flats to the right of the first long
green bridge on Apr 6 and was in the same vicinity the next day. On Apr
3, six COMMON REDPOLLS visited a feeder in Ringwood, Passaic County.
For Delaware:
New
Castle County:
A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was at the Grass Dale Center of Fort DuPont State
Park Apr 5-7. The SHRIKE perched on a bluebird box and Russian Olives
in a recently cut field at the extreme SW corner of the park. It was also
found in the brush and tall trees in that area. On Apr 4, three NORTHERN
GANNETS were near Pea Patch Island across from Fort DuPont. Hoopes Reservoir
had a COMMON LOON Apr 3-5, HORNED GREBE on Apr 3 and a BONAPARTE’S
GULL on Apr 5. Middle Run Natural Area had an AMERICAN WOODCOCK on Apr
3. On Apr 7, thirty-five CATTLE EGRETS were at Grey Fox Farm on Dutch
Neck Rd just past the Thousand Acre Marsh. On the previous day, that same
location had 25 CATTLE EGRETS. A pair of SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS was in the
midst of nest construction at Ashland Nature Center. On Apr 8, a PALM
WARBLER and PINE WARBLERS were found near Thompson’s Bridge at Brandywine
Creek State Park.
Kent
County:
A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was at Woodland Beach WA on Apr 7. WILD
TURKEYS were in a field north of the St Jones River on the east side of
Route 13. A BLACK-NECKED STILT was in the tidal water across from Bear
Swamp at Bombay Hook NWR on Apr 6. HORNED LARKS performed their display
flights from a field along Port Mahon Rd that day. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL was at Kitts Hummock on Apr 4.
Sussex
County:
Over 500 NORTHERN GANNETS were seen from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry on Apr
5. The Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch had migrating MERLINS Apr 4-5, and 20
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were near the Hawk Watch on Apr 3. Prime Hook
NWR had 75 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS near the headquarters area on Apr 3. That
day, a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, PILEATED WOODPECKER and YELLOW-THROATED
WARBLER were at Deep Branch Rd. A young HORNED LARK and its attendant
parent were noted at the Osprey Landing development off Oyster Rocks Rd
on Apr 6. A feeder in Red Mill Pond attracted a PINE SISKIN and 2 PURPLE
FINCHES on Apr 9, and a pair of PINE SISKINS flew through Lewes on Apr
5.
For Pennsylvania:
Philadelphia
County:
A LITTLE BLUE HERON was at John Heinz NWR at Tinicum on Apr 5, spending
most of its time in the section near the visitor center. A NORTHERN SAW-WHET
OWL was also found at Tinicum that day. On Apr 3, sightings from the refuge
included young GREAT HORNED OWLS, an EASTERN BLUEBIRD and PINE WARBLERS.
RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were noted at the refuge through Apr 7.
Delaware
County:
A MERLIN and 2 COMMON LOONS flew past the Rose Tree Park Hawk Watch in
Media on Apr 5, and two more COMMON LOONS flew by on Apr 8.
Chester
County:
Embreeville Marsh had 8 WILSON’S SNIPES on Apr 5. On Apr 8, LOUISIANA
WATERTHRUSHES sang from Shamona Creek in Uwchlan Twp and from the East
Branch of Brandywine Creek near the Struble Trail. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
was at Hibernia County Park on Apr 8. The WOODPECKER was in tall trees
between Pavilion 1 and its nearest parking lot. The area can be accessed
from the road that leads to the old dam; a PILEATED WOODPECKER was also
seen there.
Montgomery
County:
On Apr 5, Green Lane Reservoir had a COMMON LOON at the Hill Rd area and
a pair of COMMON GOLDENEYE at the Walt Rd area.
Bucks
County:
Highlights from Peace Valley Park included 4 COMMON LOONS, 4 REDHEADS,
3 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, MERLIN, HERMIT THRUSH and 4 PINE WARBLERS on
Apr 5. A HORNED GREBE was seen at Peace Valley through Apr 5. A high count
of 25 WILSON’S SNIPES were at the park on Apr 3. On Apr 5, Silver
Lake Park had RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, and Churchville Nature Center had a PALM
WARBLER. Tyler State Park had an AMERICAN WOODCOCK on Apr 6. Bowman’s
Hill Wildflower Preserve had 3 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS and RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCH on Apr 8.
Northampton
County:
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSHES sang from Lower Creek Rd and Echo Lake on Apr
7 and from Upper Slateford Creek on Apr 5. A RED-THROATED LOON and PILEATED
WOODPECKER were in the Lake Minsi area on April 5. Lake Minsi had 14 COMMON
LOONS on Apr 5 but only nine on Apr 7. AMERICAN WOODCOCKS were at Lake
Minsi and Bear Swamp Park on Apr 6. Bear Swamp also had a PILEATED WOODPECKER
that day. On Apr 6, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was at Gravel Hill Rd, and GREAT
CORMORANTS were at Martins Creek Quarry. Meanwhile, PURPLE FINCHES sang
in Portland. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at Green Pond through Apr
7, with a high count of 150 LESSER BLACK-BACKED and 2 ICELAND GULLS on
that day. On Apr 6, a HORNED GREBE was at Nazareth Quarry, and a VESPER
SPARROW was at Graver’s Hill Rd. Six COMMON REDPOLLS were at a Danielsville
feeder that day, and a COMMON RAVEN was at Little Gap.
Lehigh
County:
On Apr 5, three PILEATED WOODPECKERS called from Bake Oven Knob Rd. That
day, Leaser Lake had a HORNED GREBE and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, and a COMMON
LOON was there on Apr 6.
Schuylkill
County:
Up to 17 PINE SISKINS were at Sweet Arrow Lake through Apr 8. Through
Apr 6, as many as 40 COMMON REDPOLLS visited feeders in McAdoo.
Berks
County:
On Apr 6, SGL-110 had 46 FOX SPARROWS by the railroad before the upper
field. A RUFFED GROUSE, PILEATED WOODPECKER, 5 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES
and PURPLE MARTIN were also noted at SGL-110 that day.
Lancaster
County:
On Apr 5 & 7, a SURF SCOTER was near Stop 3 at Middle Creek WMA. Two
COMMON LOONS, WILD TURKEY, 2 BARRED OWLS and a PINE WARBLER were reported
from Octoraro Lake on Apr 9.
Lebanon
County:
Memorial Lake State Park had 6 BONAPARTE’S GULLS on Apr 4 and AMERICAN
WOODCOCKS on Apr 3.
PA Extralimitals:
Up to 3 BLACK-HEADED GULLS flew along the Susquehanna River between Fort
Hunter, Dauphin County and Marysville, Perry County; they were seen through
Apr 9. Up to 3 LITTLE GULLS were also in the area through Apr 5. Over
50 COMMON REDPOLLS were in Linglestown, Dauphin County on Apr 7. TRUMPETER
SWAN 069 returned to Tidioute, Warren County on Apr 7. Sixteen EVENING
GROSBEAKS were at a feeder in Penns Valley, Centre County on Apr 4. Another
EVENING GROSBEAK appeared at a feeder in Marienville, Forest County on
Apr 6. The hybrid CINNAMON TEAL X BLUE-WINGED TEAL was still on Lake Canonsburg,
Washington County through Apr 7.
EXTRALIMITAL
MARYLAND:
On Apr 6, a PAINTED BUNTING was seen at two locations in Anne Arundel
County: a private residence in Annapolis and a feeder in Arnold.
NEW YORK:
A WESTERN TANAGER was near the Winterdale Arch in Central Park through
Apr 9.
CONNECTICUT:
A BULLOCK’S ORIOLE frequented a feeder at 60 Orchard St, Canaan,
Litchfield County through Apr 4.
*** 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 Apr 17 at
7:30pm at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, when Frank
Windfelder and Yoav Chudnoff will present “Bigtime Birding in Bulgaria.”
Patty Thompson will present an Ornithological Study entitled “Changes
in Spring Arrival Dates for Three Bird Species in Lower Merion from 1997-2007.”
The meeting after that will be on May 1, featuring a program by Bill Fintel.
Details are on the website, and guests are always welcome.
See Life Paulagics is running a pelagic trip out of
Cape May, NJ on Apr 13, hoping to take advantage of the schools of baitfish
that attract high counts of Northern Gannets and Gulls. These, 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.
|