Current report - Thursday July 31, 2008

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

Little Egret ++
Little Egret +++
Reddish Egret (VA)
White Ibis +
White Ibis +++
White-faced Ibis +++
Yellow Rail +


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

American White Pelican
Brown Pelican
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Cattle Egret
Yellow-crowned Night-heron
Glossy Ibis
Snow Goose
Ring-necked Duck
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Northern Bobwhite
Sandhill Crane
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Whimbrel
Ruddy Turnstone
Western Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Glaucous Gull
Gull-billed Tern
Caspian Tern
Sandwich Tern
Forster's Tern
Least Tern
Black Tern
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Red-headed Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Horned Lark
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Black-throated Green Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Scarlet Tanager
Clay-colored Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper 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 and Lancaster & Chester Counties, PA; WHITE IBIS in Sussex County, DE and Cape May & Atlantic Counties, NJ; WHITE-FACED IBIS in Kent County, DE and YELLOW RAIL in Atlantic County, NJ.

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.

Two RED CROSSBILLS flew from the pines at Cape May Point between the St Peter’s and St Mary’s jetties on July 24. A juvenile WHITE IBIS has been in the Cape May Point area, seen as recently as July 27. The WHITE IBIS has been spotted at both Cape May Point State Park and The Nature Conservancy’s Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge. Two immature YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were at the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge on July 26, and a walk there on July 28 found a BROWN PELICAN and 4 flyby STILT SANDPIPERS. PIPING PLOVERS and up to 14 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were still being seen on the beach. A STILT SANDPIPER was at Cape May Point State Park on July 26. On July 25, birding around Cape May Point provided sightings of BLACK TERN, GULL-BILLED TERN, BROWN PELICAN, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER and a BLACK SCOTER at Sunset Beach’s Concrete Ship. A BLACK SCOTER and a SURFER SCOTER were seen two jetties south of the Ocean Ave jetty on July 26. Highlights from Higbee Beach WMA were an early BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, 5 PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS, YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS, BLUE GROSBEAKS and BOBOLINK.

A SANDWICH TERN performed courtship displays at the tern colony on Champagne Island on July 26, and a young SANDWICH TERN was with a parent there the next day. The young tern’s undeveloped flight feathers indicate that this SANDWICH TERN may have hatched in the area. A SURF SCOTER was at the north end of Avalon, and the marshes in that area had WHIMBREL, WESTERN and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS.

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

A YELLOW RAIL was spotted near the Gull Tower at the Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe NWR on July 24, and heard calling there the next morning. The juvenile WHITE IBIS was seen at Brigantine as recently as July 25. The AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN and GLAUCOUS GULL were reported at Brigantine as recently as July 27. A BLACK TERN was spotted there on July 25. Other notable sightings at Brigantine were WHIMBREL, WHITE-RUMPED and STILT SANDPIPERS.

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

Three GULL-BILLED TERNS were hunting over a cranberry bog south of Chatsworth on July 27.

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

No reports

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

A CATTLE EGRET was at Cooper River Park on July 24.

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.

No reports

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 29, a LEAST TERN was at the end of Floodgates Rd, and a CLIFF SWALLOW and CATTLE EGRET were also in the area.

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

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

On July 27, the Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve had GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS.

For Delaware:

The pair of SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS at Ashland Nature Center raised at least two fledgling hawks this summer. The July 26 bird walk at Brandywine Creek State Park found 2 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS, PRAIRIE WARBLER and YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.

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

The most recent report of the LITTLE EGRET at Bombay Hook NWR came from July 25. The Bombay Hook WHITE-FACED IBIS was seen at Raymond Pool as recently as July 27. Up to 6 WILSON’S PHALAROPES were in Raymond Pool on July 26-27. A RUDDY DUCK was at Raymond Pool on July 27. Other notable sightings from Bombay Hook were NORTHERN BOBWHITES, BLACK-NECKED STILTS, AMERICAN AVOCETS, WESTERN SANDPIPERS, STILT SANDPIPER, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, CASPIAN TERN, BANK SWALLOW, SCARLET TANAGER and BLUE GROSBEAKS. Five SNOW GEESE were at the Tilcon property across from the junction of Route 1 and Route 9. On July 27, Taylor’s Gut had an immature TRICOLORED HERON, CATTLE EGRET and CASPIAN TERN.

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

Up to 15 juvenile WHITE IBIS were at Prime Hook NWR’s Broadkill Rd impoundment on July 27. Fowler Beach had RUDDY TURNSTONE. Cape Henlopen State Park had PIPING PLOVERS.

For Pennsylvania:

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

No reports

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

On July 25, the YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was again at the Brandywine Creek wetland behind Hank’s Place restaurant at Route 1 & Route 100 in Chadds Ford.

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

A possible LITTLE EGRET was initially found on the Lancaster County side of Octoraro Lake, but was seen from along Route 247 at Octoraro Lake early in the morning on July 30. On July 24, Greenlawn Rd had SAVANNAH SPARROWS and 2 GLOSSY IBIS were seen at Somerset Lake. Sadsbury Woods had two fledgling PILEATED WOODPECKERS that day.

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.

The juvenile RING-NECKED DUCK was still at Green Lane Reservoir’s Knight Lake on July 27. A white phase Greater SNOW GOOSE was at Bergey Rd in Hatfield that day.

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

A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER visited a yard in Warminster July 29-30.

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

A SANDHILL CRANE was seen from the Koch Property on July 24, and a BLUE GROSBEAK has been sporadically visiting the yard in the mornings and evenings. A LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was at the flooded fields at Hanoverville Rd through July 31, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER was there on July 31 as well. On July 25, Gremar Rd in Lower Nazareth Twp had 3 juvenile HORNED LARKS and a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.

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.

An AMERICAN AVOCET was at Blue Marsh Lake on July 25. A hen COMMON MERGANSER and her 9 offspring were also there.

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

A LITTLE EGRET was photographed at the Bluegill Rd cove of Octoraro Reservoir on July 29, and was found again in this location through July 30. The possible LITTLE EGRET also was seen on the Chester County side of the reservoir. When looking for this bird, be aware that an immature LITTLE BLUE HERON and Snowy Egrets are also in the area. Shorebirds in the Octoraro area included a SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. A BLACK TERN was at the Conejohela Flats on July 28. The SANDHILL CRANE was still to be found at Avocet Point on the Conejohela Flats through July 26. On July 25, the Flats had 2 CASPIAN TERNS. Other birds at the flats included SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and FORSTER’S TERNS. On July 25, a juvenile YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was preening in a snag below the larger willow at the far end of Alcoa Marsh across from the back parking lot.

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 28. 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:

MARYLAND:
On July 27, there were reports of a WHITE IBIS at Jug Bay seen in Anne Arundel and Prince George Counties, and another at the Patapsco River upstream from Daniels Rd in Howard and Baltimore Counties.

VIRGINIA:
The REDDISH EGRET at the Craney Island landfill in Portsmouth was last reported July 25.

*** 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. The following meeting will be on Sep 4, 2008 at the Silver Lake Nature Center in Bristol, PA. 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