Current report - Thursday July 24, 2008

- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species accounts for many of these birds

Tricolored Heron ++
Little Egret +++
Reddish Egret (VA)
White Ibis +
White Ibis ++
White-faced Ibis +
White-faced Ibis +++
Eurasian Collared-dove ++


+ (Details requested by New Jersey Birds Records Committee)
++ (Details requested by Pennsylvania Ornthological Records Committee)
+++ (Details requested by Delaware Records Committee)

Cory's Shearwater
Northern Gannet
American White Pelican
Brown Pelican
Least Bittern
Tricolored Heron
Cattle Egret
Black-crowned Night-heron
Yellow-crowned Night-heron
Ring-necked Duck
Common Eider
Red-shouldered Hawk
Northern Bobwhite
Virginia Rail
Common Moorhen
Sandhill Crane
Piping Plover
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Whimbrel
Ruddy Turnstone
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper
Ruff
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Phalarope
Parasitic Jaeger
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Glaucous Gull
Gull-billed Tern
Sandwich Tern
Roseate Tern
Forster's Tern
Black Tern
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Barred Owl
Red-headed Woodpecker
Willow Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow
American Pipit
Pine Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Clay-colored Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak
Bobolink
Red Crossbill

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 LITTLE EGRET in Kent County, DE; WHITE IBIS in Lancaster County, PA and Atlantic County, NJ; WHITE-FACED IBIS in Kent County, DE and Atlantic & Cape May Counties, NJ; EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE in Lancaster County, PA and TRICOLORED HERON in Philadelphia County, PA

For New Jersey:

Cape May County:
Click Here for Cape May County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

On July 21, a juvenile WHITE IBIS flew south along the dune near the plover ponds at Cape May Point State Park, and a RUFF flew past the plover ponds earlier on. That same day, a WHITE-FACED IBIS was seen flying south at The Nature Conservancy’s Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge. The refuge had 15 STILT SANDPIPERS and 3 BOBOLINKS on July 21, and a SANDWICH TERN was on the middle island at the refuge on July 17. A YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was there on July 22. Offshore from the refuge on July 17 were CORY’S SHEARWATER, NORTHERN GANNET, PARASITIC JAEGER, and a flock of 80 WHIMBREL. Higbee Beach WMA had WORM-EATING and PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS. Other notable species around Cape May Point included BROWN PELICANS, PIPING PLOVERS including a chick, WHIMBRELS, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, GULL-BILLED TERN, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, BLUE GROSBEAK, CLIFF and BANK SWALLOWS.

Two RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were seen at the edge of Cape May NWR on July 22, at the end of 12th St in Del Haven; RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS have been seen in that general area with some regularity. Jake’s Landing had SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS. On July 20, the Stone Harbor area had an immature male COMMON EIDER north of the free bridge to Nummy’s Island. Other birds in the area included TRICOLORED HERON, YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON and WHIMBREL.

Atlantic County:
Click Here for Atlantic County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

The AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, GLAUCOUS GULL and juvenile WHITE IBIS were all seen at the Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe NWR as recently as July 19. A BLACK TERN, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER and WHITE-FACED IBIS were at the refuge on July 17. Other birds at Brigantine included TRICOLORED HERON, CATTLE EGRET, VIRGINIA RAIL, WHIMBREL, STILT SANDPIPER, WESTERN SANDPIPERS, GULL-BILLED TERN and BLUE GROSBEAK. On July 23, a RED CROSSBILL was in spruce trees lining the north end of the country club that is immediately east of Shore Rd in northern Linwood.

Cumberland County:
Click Here for Cumberland County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

No reports

Ocean County:
Click Here for Ocean County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

No reports

Monmouth County:
Click Here for Monmouth County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

PIPING PLOVERS and a ROSEATE TERN were reported from the end of Fisherman’s Trail at Sandy Hook on July 23. A LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was at the Sandy Hook Salt Ponds and RUDDY TURNSTONES were at Spermaceti Cove.

Burlington County:
Click Here for Burlington County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

On July 20, Palmyra Cove Nature Park had a BLACK TERN, a FORSTER'S TERN, 2 STILT SANDPIPERS, 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO and 2 BANK SWALLOWS.

Salem County:
Click Here for Salem County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

No reports

Gloucester County:
Click Here for Gloucester County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

Click Here for information on DVOC member Sandra Keller's Gloucester County Big Year.

On July 21 at the Route 130 access for Pedricktown Marsh, a LEAST BITTERN was in the phragmites and a BLACK TERN flew by.

Hunterdon County:
Click Here for Hunterdon County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

No reports

Mercer County:
Click Here for Mercer County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

No reports

Warren County:
Click Here for Warren County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

No reports

For Delaware:

No reports

Kent County:
Click Here for Kent County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

The Bombay Hook NWR LITTLE EGRET put in an appearance near the road at the Daly Overlook at Shearness Pool on July 18 & 20, and was at Raymond Pool on July 19 & 21. A WHITE-FACED IBIS and 4 WILSON’S PHALAROPES were at Raymond Pool at Bombay Hook on July 19. Other shorebirds at the refuge included AMERICAN AVOCETS, BLACK-NECKED STILTS, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, STILT SANDPIPERS, PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and WESTERN SANDPIPERS. A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was on the road to Finis Pool, while Finis Pool has had a COMMON MOORHEN, BARRED OWLS and YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS. An AMERICAN PIPIT was near the intersection of Route 9 and Whitehall Neck Rd. Other sightings from Bombay Hook included NORTHERN BOBWHITE, TRICOLORED HERON, YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, BLUE GROSBEAKS, BANK and CLIFF SWALLOWS. Ted Harvey WA had RUDDY TURNSTONES and WESTERN SANDPIPERS on the bayside on July 19. That day, WESTERN SANDPIPERS were also seen from Port Mahon Rd, and a LEAST TERN was there on July 21.

Sussex County:
Click Here for Sussex County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

At Prime Hook NWR, shorebirds at Prime Hook Beach Rd included BLACK-NECKED STILTS with downy chicks on July 21. That day the Fowler Beach area had RUDDY TURNSTONES and YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS. Other birds in the Prime Hook area included WESTERN SANDPIPERS and BLUE GROSBEAK. On July 21, seven WHIMBRELS flew past the ocean beach at Dewey. That day, single BROWN PELICANS were seen on the bayside just south of Dewey, and near the Rusty Rudder. On July 23, the Blair’s Pond section of the Milford Millponds Nature Preserve had a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, and a SUMMER TANAGER called from the entrance to the Pope Trail off Abbotts Pond Rd.

For Pennsylvania:

Philadelphia County:
Click Here for Philadelphia County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

On July 22, a juvenile TRICOLORED HERON was near the outflow area of the impoundment at John Heinz NWR at Tinicum, later flying to the old heronry island in the middle of the impoundment.

Delaware County:
Click Here for Delaware County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

On July 22, a YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was found in the marsh behind Hank’s Place restaurant at Route 1 & Route 100, where it was seen again on July 23.

Chester County:
Click Here for Chester County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

The YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON mentioned in the Delaware County section was first seen just north of the Delaware/Chester County line at a wetland off Route 100 on July 22. Around 15 GLOSSY IBIS continue to frequent Somerset Lake.

Montgomery County:
Click Here for Montgomery County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

Click Here for information on DVOC member Steve Kacir's Montgomery County Big Year.

Near Limerick Center, a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was seen near Club House Rd on July 20. A WHITE-EYED VIREO was found along the creek at SGL 234’s State Game Farm that day. On July 19, four BANK SWALLOWS were at the Church Rd area of Green Lane Reservoir. Green Lane’s Knight Lake had a juvenile RING-NECKED DUCK that day. Two male SCARLET TANAGERS defended their territories at White’s Mill Preservation Area on July 19.

Bucks County:
Click Here for Bucks County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

Churchville Nature Center had a PINE WARBLER on July 19. The Elm Ave area of Churchville had CLIFF and BANK SWALLOWS on July 17. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS have been frequenting the island near the Chapman Rd bridge at Peace Valley Park. On July 22, LaSalle Pond near Newtown had 12 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS and a pair of BOBOLINKS. Two WHITE-EYED VIREOS and 200 LEAST SANDPIPERS were at Core Creek Park on July 21.

Northampton County:
Click Here for Northampton County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS have been visiting feeders at the Koch property.

Lehigh County:
Click Here for Lehigh County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

No reports

Schuykill County:
Click Here for Schuykill County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

No reports

Berks County:
Click Here for Berks County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

No reports

Lancaster County:
Click Here for Lancaster County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

Through July 22, a juvenile WHITE IBIS has been frequenting the area of a pair of ponds near Stop #1 of the Middle Creek WMA driving tour. The SANDHILL CRANE at the Conejohela Flats was still near the bird blind at Avocet Point through July 20. Other birds at the flats included FORSTER’S TERN, CLIFF and BANK SWALLOWS. On July 20, a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was at a parking lot for SGL-136 near the intersection of Puseyville Rd and Street Rd.

Lebanon County:
Click Here for Lebanon County Birding Resources including an interactive map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.

No reports

PA Extralimitals:

The Juniata County CLAY-COLORED SPARROW at Amos Renno’s Farm south of Van Wert was seen as recently as July 21. Details can be found on the PABirds Listserve: http://list.audubon.org/archives/pabirds.html or at http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/PENN.html

 

EXTRALIMITAL REPORTS:

VIRGINIA:
On July 22, a REDDISH EGRET was near the administration buildings at the southwest corner of the Craney Island landfill in Portsmouth, VA. On July 23, the REDDISH EGRET was reported from the southwest corner of Craney Island, before flying to a dock a quarter mile upriver from that location. Also that day, it was seen between the south and middle impoundments.

*** ANNOUNCEMENTS ***

On August 9, Steve Kacir will lead a DVOC field trip to Green Lane Reservoir for migrating shorebirds. The trip will meet at the Church Road Parking Lot at 7:00AM. Please contact Steve Kacir if you plan on attending. Contact information, directions and more information about the field trip are on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org

The next meeting of the DVOC is Thursday August 7 at 7:30pm at Palmyra Cove Nature Park in Palmyra, NJ. This informal meeting will feature short presentations including Elizabeth Rosenthal, the author of "Birdwatcher: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson" who will speak about her book and have copies available for sale and signing. Vincent Nichnadowicz will present “Banding Penguins in Patagonia,” and Frank Windfelder will present “Hidden Places of Palmyra.” Also, one or more DVOC sponsored summer interns at the Academy of Natural Sciences will report on the internship experience. Details are on the website, and guests are always welcome.

See Life Paulagics is running a number of pelagic trips out of ports in the Delaware Valley. A pelagic out of Lewes, DE is scheduled for Aug 16, and an overnight trip out of Lewes is scheduled for Aug 21. A pelagic out of Belmar, NJ is scheduled for Aug 24. . For more information, call 215-234-6805 or visit See Life Paulagics on the web at 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.

On this page....

• Submission Guidelines
• What is the "Delaware Valley"?

Links

• Daily Field Checklist (A handy pocket list for your daily adventures. Available to everyone courtesy of the DVOC)
• Delaware Valley Birding Checklist (A major publication covering status and distribution of Delaware Valley birds. Available to everyone courtesy of the DVOC)

General Guidelines for Submission

- Rarities
- Good concentrations (e.g. 8 sp. of shorebirds at Green Lane)
- High numbers (e.g. 2,000 Common Mergansers at Peace Valley)
- Early/late occurrences (1st Indigo Bunting, lingering Phoebe)
- Unusual breeders
- BRIEF report on out of area mega rarities(e.g. Red-footed Falcon or even a stint in MA)
- Announcements (DVOC meetings and field trips, Academy events, CBC dates and pelagics!)

 

 

 

 

 

What is the Delaware Valley?

The Delaware Valley is the name given to the region that lays on either side of the Delaware River, centered on Philadelphia. This consists of southeastern Pennsylvania, central and southern New Jersey and the state of Delaware.
The following counties fall within our boundaries.
(Click on a county name for information specific to the county)

In Pennsylvania;
Berks County
Bucks County
Chester County
Delaware County
Lancaster County
Lebanon County
Lehigh County
Montgomery County
Northampton County
Philadelphia County
Schuykill County

In New Jersey;
Atlantic County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Gloucester County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Ocean County
Salem County
Somerset County
Warren County

In Delaware;
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County