| Current
report - Wednesday November 5, 2008
- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species
accounts for many of these birds
Eared Grebe (PA)+
Cave Swallow (NJ)+
Townsend's Solitaire (NJ)+
Western Tanager (NJ)+
Harris's Sparrow (DE)+
(NJ)+ (Details requested
by New Jersey
Birds Records Committee)
(PA)+ (Details requested by Pennsylvania
Ornthological Records Committee)
(DE)+ (Details requested by Delaware
Records Committee)
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Northern Gannet
Brown Pelican
Great Cormorant
Cattle Egret
Ross's Goose
Cackling Goose
Brant
Tundra Swan
King Eider
Common Eider
White-winged Scoter
Northern Goshawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Golden Eagle
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Ruffed Grouse
Common Moorhen
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
American Oystercatcher
American Avocet
Marbled Godwit
Western Sandpiper
Purple Sandpiper
Dunlin
Long-billed Dowitcher
American Woodcock
Parasitic Jaeger
Bonaparte's Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Snowy Owl
Short-eared Owl
Pileated Woodpecker
Western Kingbird
Northern Shrike
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Tree Swallow
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Sedge Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Pipit
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Vesper Sparrow
Ipswich Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting
Dickcissel
Bobolink
Rusty Blackbird
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
Hotline: Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert
Email reports to:
Compilers: Steve Kacir and Cinndy Ahern - 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.
This week, we highlight reports of EARED GREBES in
Lancaster County, PA; CAVE SWALLOWS and WESTERN TANAGER in Cape May County,
NJ and HARRIS’S SPARROW in New Castle County, DE.
For New Jersey: Click
Here for the New Jersey Birding List
Cape May County:
Click
Here for Cape May County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Nov 3, a CAVE SWALLOW was seen with TREE SWALLOWS
on the beach at Cape May. On Nov 3, a CAVE SWALLOW and SNOW BUNTING
were seen at the Cape May Convention Center. A SEDGE WREN was at the
south end of the first field at Higbee Beach WMA Nov 2-4, and a WESTERN
TANAGER was at the second West field at Higbee on Nov 1. On Oct 31,
the Rea Farm had AMERICAN PIPITS, a DICKCISSEL, PURPLE FINCHES and 10
species of warbler including 10 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, 2 ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLERS, 2 NASHVILLE WARBLERS, 2 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS, BLACK-THROATED
GREEN WARBLER and a NORTHERN PARULA. On Nov 1, the Rea Farm had a DICKCISSEL,
2 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS and 3 NASHVILLE WARBLERS. The Cape May Point
State Park Hawk Watch noted PEREGRINE FALCONS, MERLINS, BONAPARTE’S
GULLS and AMERICAN PIPITS. GOLDEN EAGLES flew past the hawk watch on
Oct 30-31, and a NORTHERN GOSHAWK flew past on Nov 1 & Nov 4. BROAD-WINGED
HAWKS were spotted from the state park on Oct 30 & Nov 3. The beach
at the Nature Conservancy’s Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge had
4 SNOW BUNTINGS on Nov 3, and AMERICAN PIPITS, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, PURPLE
FINCHES and PINE SISKINS were at the refuge that day. A COMMON EIDER
was at Poverty Beach on Nov 3. Nummy Island had 309 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS
and a MARBLED GODWIT on Oct 29, and a COMMON EIDER was in Great Channel
north of the free bridge that day. Sea Isle City had PURPLE SANDPIPERS
and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS on Oct 30. Highlights from the Avalon Sea Watch
included RED-THROATED LOONS, HORNED GREBES, NORTHERN GANNETS, GREAT
CORMORANTS, BROWN PELICANS, WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, COMMON EIDERS, BONAPARTE’S
GULLS and PARASITIC JAEGERS. A KING EIDER flew past the Sea Watch on
Nov 2, and an AMERICAN WOODCOCK, a LAPLAND LONGSPUR and 4 PINE SISKINS
flew by on Nov 1. The Sea Watch noted a RED-NECKED GREBE on Oct 31.
Click
here for Karl and Judy Lukens's website where there are pictures
of various interesting birds that have been seen in Cape May County
and in New Jersey.
Cumberland County:
Click
Here for Cumberland County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports
Atlantic County:
Click
Here for Atlantic County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe NWR had
a SNOW BUNTING on Nov 3. A leucistic BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER was near the
end of Brigantine’s auto tour on Nov 1, and other notable sightings
from Brigantine that day included BONAPARTE’S GULL and BOBOLINK.
A WESTERN KINGBIRD was just behind the restrooms at Brigantine Oct 31-Nov
1. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were also reported from Brigantine this week.
A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was at Great Bay Blvd on Nov 1, and a
MERLIN was there on Oct 31.
Monmouth County:
Click
Here for Monmouth County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A WESTERN KINGBIRD was near the USCG housing at Sandy
Hook on Nov 2. A DICKCISSEL was at behind the restrooms just east of
the Sandy Hook Bird Observatory on Oct 31, while the north pond/hawk
watch area had a COMMON MOORHEN, an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and NORTHERN
GOSHAWK. Other Sandy Hook highlights from Oct 31 included AMERICAN PIPIT,
LINCOLN’S SPARROW, FOX SPARROWS and RUSTY BLACKBIRDS.
Burlington County:
Click
Here for Burlington 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.
No reports
Ocean County:
Click
Here for Ocean County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Nov 1, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park had RED-THROATED
LOONS, NORTHERN GANNETS, GREAT CORMORANTS, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, PURPLE
SANDPIPER, BONAPARTE’S GULLS and IPSWICH SPARROW.
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.
No reports
Hunterdon County:
Click
Here for Hunterdon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A LINCOLN’S SPARROW was at the Holland Church
WMA on Oct 30.
Middlesex County:
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.
The Raccoon Ridge Hawk Watch noted SNOW BUNTINGS on
Oct 30 & Nov 1-2. Seven GOLDEN EAGLES flew past Raccoon Ridge on
Nov 1, and GOLDEN EAGLES were noted on Oct 29-30 & Nov 4 as well.
NORTHERN GOSHAWKS were spotted from Raccoon Ridge on Oct 30 & Nov
2. Seventy-five PINE SISKINS were tallied at Raccoon Ridge on Oct 30,
and SISKINS were also seen Oct 29 & Nov 4. Also seen at Raccoon
Ridge this week were PEREGRINE FALCONS, MERLINS, COMMON RAVENS and PURPLE
FINCHES. The Warren Green Acres aka Glenhurst Meadows had RUSTY BLACKBIRDS
and VESPER SPARROW on Nov 1-2, and on Nov 1 there was an ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLER and FOX SPARROW. The Scott’s Mountain Hawk Watch observed
a leucistic RED-TAILED HAWK on Nov 2. GOLDEN EAGLES flew past Scott’s
Mountain on Oct 29, Nov 1-2 & Nov 4. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK flew past
on Nov 1 & Nov 4. Other highlights from Scott’s Mountain included
COMMON RAVENS and PINE SISKINS.
Somerset County:
Click
Here for Somerset County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary had a FOX
SPARROW on Nov 2, PURLE FINCHES on Nov 1-2, and PINE SISKINS were there
on Nov 1.
Morris County:
No reports
Union County:
A CACKLING GOOSE was at Rahway River Park on Nov 3-4.
NJ Extralimitals:
On Nov 1, a TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE was at Sunrise
Mountain in Sussex County.
For Delaware: Click
Here for the Delaware Birding List
New Castle County
Click
Here for New Castle County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The adult HARRIS’S SPARROW was at Brandywine
Creek State Park through Nov 4. To get to where the HARRIS’S SPARROW
was seen, go to the main park entrance off Adams Dam Road. Just past
the entrance booth, the road makes a sharp left and a long driveway
goes up the hill to a farmhouse. The HARRIS’S SPARROW has been
seen in the brush before the sharp left on the opposite side of the
road from the farmhouse.
A SWAINSON’S THRUSH was at Ashland Nature
Preserve on Oct 29, and PINE SISKINS were seen on the Oct 30 birdwalk.
PURPLE FINCHES were reported from Ashland Oct 30-31 & Nov 3. The
Ashland Nature Center Hawk Watch noted a NORTHERN GOSHAWK, PEREGRINE
FALCON and 2 PINE SISKINS on Nov 2. AMERICAN PIPITS were in a cow pasture
at Granogue on Nov 1, and a soybean field near the Brandywine River
had LINCOLN’S SPARROW and VESPER SPARROW.
Kent County:
Click
Here for Kent County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Oct 29, a MARBLED GODWIT and 6-7 TUNDRA SWANS were
at Raymond Pool in Bombay Hook NWR. A MARBLED GODWIT was at Bombay Hook
on Nov 4; about 200 AMERICAN AVOCETS and 2 CACKLING GEESE were at Raymond
Pool that day.
Sussex County:
Click
Here for Sussex County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Oct 30, the Cape Henlopen State Park Hawk Watch
noted a NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 2 BONAPARTE’S GULLS, 5 PURPLE SANDPIPERS,
a PILEATED WOODPECKER and 7 CATTLE EGRETS. A birdwalk at Cape Henlopen
that day noted RED-THROATED LOON, BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES, a LINCOLN’S
SPARROW and PINE SISKINS. On Oct 31, the hawk watch noted a RED-NECKED
GREBE, AMERICAN PIPITS, DICKCISSEL, FOX SPARROW and PURPLE FINCH. Other
highlights from Cape Henlopen included MERLINS and PEREGRINE FALCONS.
WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were seen from the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch Oct
31-Nov 1. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER sang near the hawk watch platform
on Nov 1, and the hawk watch noted a BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER that
day. About 5,000 SCOTERS flew past Cape Henlopen on Nov 2. On Nov 3,
BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES were seen from the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch.
For Pennsylvania: Click
Here for the Pennsylvania Birding List
Philadelphia County:
Click
Here for Philadelphia County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A DICKCISSEL was found at Benjamin Rush
State Park on Oct 31, and was seen there as recently as Nov 2. The DICKCISSEL
has been seen in a weedy patch across from a manure pile that can be
reached by turning left onto a dirt road just before the woods begin
at the end of the Community Gardens. A VESPER SPARROW was at Benjamin
Rush on Nov 2 & Nov 3.
Delaware County:
Click Here
for Delaware County Birding Resources including an interactive map with
locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No reports
The Rose Tree Park Hawk Watch witnessed a SHORT-EARED
OWL being harassed by a crow on Nov 1. On Nov 3, eleven PINE SISKINS were
seen at Rose Tree Park. COMMON LOONS also flew past Rose Tree Park this
week.
Chester County:
Click Here
for Chester County Birding Resources including an interactive map with
locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A ROSS’S GOOSE was at the Coatesville
Reservoir on Oct 30 & Nov 4. A CACKLING GOOSE was also there on
Nov 4. Bucktoe Creek Preserve had a RUSTY BLACKBIRD and PURPLE FINCHES
on Nov 3. A FOX SPARROW was at Hibernia Park on Nov 1.
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.
On Oct 31, Norristown Farm Park had a CACKLING GOOSE
on the farm pond and a VESPER SPARROW in an adjacent field. On Nov 2,
the Farm Park had HORNED LARKS and AMERICAN PIPITS. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL was at the Church Rd area of Green Lane Reservoir on Oct 31. The
Militia Hill Hawk Watch at Fort Washington State Park noted a GOLDEN
EAGLE on Oct 30. On Oct 30, a BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER was at the
Wissahickon Watershed area of the Morris Arboretum, and a GOLDEN EAGLE
was spotted at the hawk watch.
Bucks County:
Click
Here for Bucks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A GAMBEL’S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was at the
Sailor’s Point thickets of Peace Valley Park Oct 30-Nov 1. Peace
Valley had MERLINS on Oct 30 & Nov 1. Other sightings from Peace
Valley included LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and PURPLE FINCHES. On Oct
31, six PINE SISKINS were between the fishing pier and the marina at
Nockamixon State Park, and a SNOW BUNTING was at the Tohickon Boat Access
along the rock-lined lake edge. A MERLIN was at the fishing pier that
day as well. Silver Lake Park had PURPLE FINCHES on Nov 1. Churchville
Nature Center reported LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS.
Northampton County:
Click
Here for Northampton County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Twenty-five PINE SISKINS were seen near the Silver
Creek Golf Course in Lower Saucon Twp on Nov 3. On Nov 2, the Koch Property
had LINCOLN’S SPARROWS.
Lehigh County:
Click
Here for Lehigh County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Nov 3, a MARSH WREN found its way inside the Giant
Food Store on McArthur Rd. Bake Oven Knob counted 7 GOLDEN EAGLES on
Oct 29 and 4 GOLDEN EAGLES on Oct 30 & Nov 2. Twelve GOLDEN EAGLES
made the count on Nov 1. In all, GOLDEN EAGLES were noted from Bake
Oven Knob Oct 29-Nov 2. On Nov 2, three NORTHERN GOSHAWKS flew past
the hawk watch. On Oct 29, eighty BRANT and 2 CACKLING GEESE flew past
Bake Oven Knob. Hundreds of PINE SISKINS were reported there Oct 29-31
& Nov 3-4, with a high count of 321 on Oct 29. An albino RED-TAILED
HAWK flew past Bake Oven Knob on Oct 31. SNOW BUNTING was reported from
Bake Oven Knob on Oct 30-31 & Nov 2. Other sightings from Bake Oven
Knob this week included PEREGRINE FALCON, MERLINS, COMMON RAVENS and
PURPLE FINCHES.
Schuykill County:
Click
Here for Schuykill County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Sweet Arrow Lake had PINE SISKINS on Nov 2
Berks County:
Click
Here for Berks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No reports
On Nov 2, SGL-110 had a RUFFED GROUSE, 14 FOX
SPARROWS, 7 PURPLE FINCHES and 66 PINE SISKINS. Lake Ontelaunee had PURPLE
FINCHES on Nov 2. On Nov 4, about 20 AMERICAN PIPITS were seen around
some compost piles at the intersection of Short Lane and Oakhaven Rd near
Fleetwood. PINE SISKINS flew past Hawk Mountain Sanctuary through Nov
3, with a high count of 738 PINE SISKINS on Nov 1. On Oct 30, Hawk Mountain
noted a NORTHERN GOSHAWK. Seven SNOW BUNTINGS were seen from Hawk Mountain
on Oct 30, and two were noted on Nov 4. Four GOLDEN EAGLES flew past Hawk
Mountain on Oct 30 & Nov 1, and 3 GOLDEN EAGLES were counted on Nov
2. Other sightings from Hawk Mountain included COMMON LOONS, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS
and PURPLE FINCHES.
Lancaster County:
Click
Here for Lancaster County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Nov 2, a SNOWY OWL was found just east of Strasburg
on Bishop Rd, just a half mile south of the Strasburg Railroad. The
2 EARED GREBES were still at the Conejohela Flats, seen near the western
portion of South Spit on Oct 31. That day, the flats had BONAPARTE’S
GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 6 DUNLIN, 3 WESTERN SANDPIPERS, 415
AMERICAN COOT, 3 AMERICAN PIPITS and 2 SNOW BUNTINGS.
Lebanon County:
Click
Here for Lebanon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
GOLDEN EAGLES flew past the Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Oct 29-30 & Nov 1-4, with a high count of 13 GOLDEN EAGLES on Nov
2. On Nov 3, the Second Mountain Hawk Watch noted a RUFFED GROUSE and
over 100 PINE SISKINS. On Nov 2, Second Mountain hawk watchers observed
2 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS. On Oct 30, twenty-five PINE SISKINS were counted
there. Three SNOW BUNTINGS were seen from Second Mountain on Nov 1.
Other sightings from Second Mountain included COMMON LOONS and COMMON
RAVENS.
Carbon County:
On Nov 2, Beltzville State Park had an immature NORTHERN
SHRIKE and SNOW BUNTING at the dam breast. A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen nearby
that day.
Monroe County:
No reports
Pike County:
No reports
Wayne County:
A SHRIKE was on a power line near Poyntelle
on Nov 3.
PA Extralimitals:
No reports
Extralimital Reports
No reports
Announcements
On Nov 22, Sandra Keller will lead a DVOC field trip
to the Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe NWR in Atlantic County,
NJ. If conditions are better on Sunday, the trip will be rescheduled
for Nov 23. This trip is geared towards beginning birders and will focus
on waterfowl and sparrows, but last year a Cave Swallow made an appearance
on the field trip. The trip will meet at the parking lot near the restrooms
at 11:30AM, and attendees should plan to bring a packed lunch. Please
contact Sandra Keller if you plan on attending the field trip. Additional
information, including trip reports from previous trips and contact
information for the trip leaders can be found on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org
The next meeting of the DVOC will take place at 7:30pm
on Thursday Nov 6 at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia,
PA. The main program of the meeting features a presentation by Adrian
Binns entitled "Watching East Africa’s Unique Wildlife.”
Details are on the website, and guests are always welcome.
The DVOC Annual Banquet will take place on Thursday
November 20.
Please set aside November 20 for the Annual Banquet, which is always
a great time. Speakers Clay & Pat Sutton will present "Birds
& Birding at Cape May (a Bird Walk Through Time)," and book
signing. The evening begins with a cash bar at 6PM, and dinner is served
at 7pm. The cost is $46 per person. Menu choices, prices, and more information
including the reservation form can be found on-line at: http://www.dvoc.org/Banquet/Banquet.htm
At 7:30PM on Nov 21, the Wyncote Audubon Society will
meet at the Plymouth Meeting House located at the intersection of Germantown
and Butler Pikes in Plymouth Meeting, when Cliff Hence will present
"Birding Spain and England." The program is free and open
to the public. Jeff Gordon will present "The Delaware Birding Trail:
a Birder's View of the First State" at the Wyncote Audubon Annual
Dinner on Sunday Dec 7. For more information and registration contact
Marlene Morano at 215-342-7996 or email Jane Henderson at: [email protected]
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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