| Current
report - Thursday May 29, 2008
- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species
accounts for many of these birds
Curlew Sandpiper +
White-winged Dove +
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher ++
+ (Details requested by New
Jersey Birds Records Committee)
++ (Details requested by Pennsylvania
Ornthological Records Committee)
+++ (Details requested by Delaware
Records Committee)
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Sooty Shearwater
American Bittern
Least Bittern
Tricolored Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-heron
Common Merganser
Mississippi Kite
Broad-winged Hawk
Merlin
Northern Bobwhite
Virginia Rail
Common Moorhen
Sandhill Crane
Black-bellied Plover
American Golden-plover
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Whimbrel
Red Knot
White-rumped Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Dunlin
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Phalarope
Parasitic Jaeger
Bonaparte's Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Glaucous Gull
Black Tern
Black-billed Cuckoo
Barred Owl
Short-eared Owl
Common Nighthawk
Whip-poor-will
Red-headed Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Brewster's Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Summer Tanager
Clay-colored Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak
Dickcissel
Bobolink
Purple Finch
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. This week,
we highlight reports of CURLEW SANDPIPERS in New Jersey’s Atlantic
and Cumberland Counties; WHITE-WINGED DOVE in Cape May County, NJ and
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER in Berks County, PA.
For New Jersey:
Cape
May County:
Highlights from Belleplain State Forest included
HOODED WARBLERS, GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH and SUMMER TANAGERS. Warblers seen
at Higbee Beach WMA this week included CANADA, BLACKBURNIAN and WILSON’S
WARBLER. Two OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS were at Higbee on May 24, and another
was there the day before. On May 23, a singing ALDER FLYCATCHER and late
BLUE-HEADED VIREO were at Higbee, and a KENTUCKY WARBLER sang from the
Morning Flight dike. Hidden Valley Ranch had an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER
and a pair of courting BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS on May 24. That day The Nature
Conservancy’s Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge had BLACK TERN, CLIFF
and BANK SWALLOWS. Seven BLACK TERNS were there on May 23, and a LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL was at the refuge on May 26. The Rea Farm had a BAY-BREASTED
WARBLER on May 24. On May 23, MISSISSIPPI KITES were seen from Goshen,
from the Cape May Point State Park hawk watch platform and from Seagrove
Ave. A WILSON’S PHALAROPE was at the West Cape May impoundments
on May 22.
Two SOOTY SHEARWATERS worked the rips off Cape
May Point on May 28. A PARASITIC JAEGER was off Cape May Point on May
24 while 10 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were on the beach in South Cape
May. Two BONAPARTE’S GULLS were at Sunset Beach on May 23. Three
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen bayside from 37th St in Avalon,
and RED KNOTS and PIPING PLOVERS were Oceanside off 50th Street. Jake’s
Landing had SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS. At least 1500 RED KNOTS and
55 WHIMBREL were seen from Norbury’s Landing on May 24. From May
25-27, a WHITE-WINGED DOVE was at John Heuges’s backyard at 14 South
8th St in Del Haven.
Cumberland
County:
Heislerville WMA had CURLEW SANDPIPERS through May 27, with a high count
of 4 CURLEW SANDPIPERS on May 24. On May 22, Heislerville had 160 BLACK
SKIMMERS. Bevan WMA had 13 SUMMER TANAGERS, YELLOW-THROATED VIREOS and
BLUE GROSBEAKS. WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS were at Bivalve this week. On
May 26, Hansey Creek Rd had a SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW, WHIP-POOR-WILLS
and a possible SHORT-EARED OWL. On May 25, Bear Swamp near Dividing Creek
had GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES
Atlantic
County:
On May 24, Edwin B Forsythe NWR’s Brigantine Division hosted AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVERS, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, RED KNOT, WHIMBREL and BLUE GROSBEAKS.
The highlight for that day was a CURLEW SANDPIPER at Brigantine’s
west drive just past the osprey nest. An immature GLAUCOUS GULL has been
at Brigantine through May 27. On May 26, WHIP-POOR-WILLS called around
Estell Manor and Dorothy.
Monmouth
County:
On May 24, Allaire State Park had HOODED, CANADA and 2 MOURNING WARBLERS.
On May 23, Sandy Hook had CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER
and 6 WILSON’S WARBLERS. On May 29, a NORTHERN BOBWHITE was at Poricy
Park in Middletown.
Burlington
County:
The Hawkins Rd area had HOODED, KENTUCKY and PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS.
Gloucester
County:
On May 25, the National Park dredge spoils had BLUE GROSBEAK, NASHVILLE
and BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS. Reports from Glassboro Woods WMA included WORM-EATING
and PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. On May 23, the Purelands Recreation Area just
south of the Commodore Barry Bridge had a LEAST BITTERN and BANK SWALLOWS.
Mercer
County:
CANADA WARBLER was noted at Princeton Institute Woods on May 26.
Somerset
County:
An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was at Bull’s Island State Park on May
24. On May 23, Schermann-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary had an OLIVE-SIDED
FLYCATCHER near the headquarters driveway.
Warren County:
Highlights from Old Mine Rd included WORM-EATING and HOODED WARBLERS.
CERULEAN WARBLERS sang from Van Campens.
For Delaware:
New
Castle County:
On May 24, White Clay Creek State Park had an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER at
the footbridge near Wedgewood Rd, MOURNING and BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. On
May 23, four MOURNING WARBLERS were between the lower barrier and Wedgewood
Rd at White Clay Creek; 13 additional species of warbler were noted that
day including WILSON’S WARBLER. Burrow’s Run Preserve had
an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and BOBOLINKS on May 25. On May 22, Ashland
Nature Center had CANADA WARBLER and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. On May 28,
a PURPLE FINCH was still visiting Ashland’s feeders, and Ashland
had YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER and GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES as well. That
day, a MOURNING WARBLER and GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH were at Alapocas Woods
Park. The Mill Creek area had YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER and GRAY-CHEEKED
THRUSH as well.
Kent
County:
Hundreds of RED KNOTS were at Port Mahon on May 26. Highlights from Bombay
Hook NWR included dozens of AMERICAN AVOCETS, BLACK-NECKED STILT, NORTHERN
BOBWHITES and PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS. A MERLIN flew by the path to the
Raymond Pool tower at Bombay Hook on May 23. Two male GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS
sang from private property adjacent to the Blackbird Creek Reserve of
the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR).
Sussex
County:
Good numbers of RED KNOTS were at the DuPont Nature Center’s Mispillion
Harbor on May 26, and spawning horseshoe crabs were in evidence. That
day, Slaughter Beach also provided an excellent spectacle of shorebirds
and horseshoe crabs. On May 22, James Farm near the Bethany Beach/Ocean
View area had HOODED and KENTUCKY WARBLER.
Highlights from Prime Hook NWR included GRAY-CHEEKED
THRUSH, BLUE GROSBEAKS, PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS and YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.
On May 24, a HORNED GREBE and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER were at the Broadkill
Rd impoundment, and an AMERICAN BITTERN was at the Boardwalk Trail. That
day, a VIRGINIA RAIL called from the end of the dike trail as well. A
TRICOLORED HERON was at Fowler Beach on May 22. Johnson’s Branch
south of Abbott’s Mill Nature Center had PILEATED WOODPECKER, PROTHONOTARY
WARBLER, BLUE GROSBEAK and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW on May 28.
Two DICKCISSELS sang from Hunting Quarter Rd south of
Harrington through May 28. To reach this spot, take Williamsontown Rd
to Hunting Quarter Rd, turn south and proceed to the first lone pine tree
in the wheat fields. One DICKCISSEL has been singing from the west side
of the road near the pine tree, and the other sang from a wire running
from the first ranch house south of the pine. GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS were
also in the area. West of Seaford, near an organic cattle farm, one DICKCISSEL
was seen from Woodpecker Rd, east of Woodland Ferry Rd at the entrance
to The Woodpecker Farm. The most recent report of that DICKCISSEL was
on May 27. That day, 15-20 GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS sang from the north end
of a pasture on Woodland Ferry Rd.
For Pennsylvania:
Philadelphia
County:
A BARRED OWL called from the Wissahickon Creek south of the Rex Ave bridge
near Roxborough on May 23. A YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was at the pipeline
cut at John Heinz NWR at Tinicum on May 24.
Delaware
County:
Ridley Creek State Park had a male CERULEAN WARBLER singing downstream
from the Gradyville Rd bridge May 22-26. On May 24, Ridley Creek had an
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, PURPLE FINCH and 19 species of warbler including
TENNESSEE and BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. MOURNING and CANADA WARBLERS were
at Ridley Creek May 22-25; both were noted from the Bridle Path on May
25. Highlights from Ridley Creek earlier in the report week included YELLOW-BELLIED
FLYCATCHER, TENNESSEE and WILSON’S WARBLER.
Chester
County:
A SANDHILL CRANE flew over the Myrick Conservation Center property in
West Chester on May 22.
Montgomery
County:
On May 25, the Unami Creek Valley had 18 species of warbler including
TENNESSEE, BLACKBURNIAN, WORM-EATING and CANADA WARBLERS. An OLIVE-SIDED
FLYCATCHER was at Rolling Hill Park through May 22, favoring a bare limb
behind two stone buildings across from the parking area.
Bucks
County:
Highlights from Peace Valley Park included COMMON NIGHTHAWK, OLIVE-SIDED
FLYCATCHER, YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, BANK SWALLOW,
LINCOLN’S SPARROW, KENTUCKY and MOURNING WARBLERS. On May 27-28,
a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was at the Chapman Rd Bridge at Peace Valley. On
May 24, the Churchville Nature Center had a PHILADELPHIA VIREO, and a
COMMON LOON was at the South Reservoir. A CLIFF SWALLOW was at Churchville’s
Elm Ave area on May 22. On May 24, the Woodbourne Rd causeway area at
Core Creek Park had 4 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS. Tyler State Park had a CANADA
WARBLER on May 23, and sightings from the previous day included GRAY-CHEEKED
THRUSH and MOURNING, KENTUCKY and BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS. On May 22, Washington
Crossing State Park had 2 COMMON MERGANSERS and 5 MERGANSER ducklings.
That evening, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve had COMMON NIGHTHAWK,
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, WILSON’S and CANADA WARBLERS. Over the weekend,
Ringing Rocks Family Campground in Upper Black Eddy had WORM-EATING WARBLER.
Northampton
County:
Highlights from Green Pond this week included 9 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS,
DUNLIN, SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS. A BREWSTER’S
WARBLER was at Jacobsburg State Park that day. Jacobsburg had KENTUCKY
and HOODED WARBLER on May 27 and BAY-BREASTED and CANADA WARBLERS on May
28. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS called from Jacobsburg and Bear Swamp. Lake Minsi
had a TENNESSEE WARBLER on May 24. That day the Martin’s Creek fireschool
had YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. The Koch Property had a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO
and an immature BROAD-WINGED HAWK on May 23. On May 23, the detention
ponds at Gremar Rd, Lower Nazareth Twp had a COMMON MOORHEN, WILSON’S
PHALAROPE, 5 DUNLIN and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS. A CLIFF SWALLOW was at Gremar
Rd this week as well. A CERULEAN WARBLER sang from the base of Smith Gap,
and 3 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS were at the Bethlehem Boat Club. A COMMON
MERGANSER was on the Delaware River with ducklings. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER
was noted at the Kittatinny Ridge, and the Katellen area had OLIVE-SIDED
and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS.
Lehigh
County:
On May 26, highlights from the Leaser Lake area included a WORM-EATING
and some HOODED WARBLERS singing near Leaser Rd, GRASSHOPPER SPARROW at
Blue Mountain House Rd and RED-HEADED WOODPECKER at Kunkles Mill Rd. A
CLIFF SWALLOW colony was found in a barn at Loch Valley Rd, and an ALDER
FLYCATCHER was at Valley Rd.
Schuylkill
County:
The Landingville area had a territorial PROTHONOTARY WARBLER through May
24. A COMMON NIGHTHAWK flew over SGL-227 on May 22.
Berks
County:
On May 24, a farm pond in Shartlesville had 12 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 3
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, DUNLIN and PECTORAL SANDPIPER. A SCISSOR-TAILED
FLYCATCHER flew across Hawk Mountain Rd on May 23.
Lancaster
County:
On May 23, a LINCOLN’S SPARROW was found
at the powerline cut just south of Spring Hill Acres.
Lebanon
County:
On May 24, the Indiantown Gap Area had 10 WHIP-POOR-WILLS, BLACK-BILLED
CUCKOO and YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.
*** ANNOUNCEMENTS ***
ATTENTION WOOD SANDPIPER FANS: Liz Gordon has set up
an online guest book for any and all who went down to Broadkill Rd to
see the Wood Sandpiper. The guest book will provide data for a University
of Delaware Shorebird Economic study. Please visit the site below and
fill out the short survey found there.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pOQP66H7Lzj3lRWCnkl2Tw
On June 6-8, Win
Shafer will lead a weekend-long DVOC field trip to Camp Susquehannock
in NE Pennsylvania. The trip will carpool out to Camp Susquehannock on
Friday then spend the weekend exploring the area. Target species include
breeding Bobolinks, Winter Wrens, Magnolia and Blackburnian Warblers and
possibly Grasshopper Sparrows. Please contact Win Shafer if you plan on
attending. Additional information along with contact information for the
trip leader are on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org
The next meeting of the DVOC is on June 5 at 7:30pm
at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, when Frank
Windfelder will present “My Philly Big Year in 2007.”
In lieu of an Ornithological Study, the club will present the Big Day/May
Run reports. Details are on the website, and guests are always welcome.
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
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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