| Current
report - Wednesday March 4, 2009
- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species
accounts for many of these birds
Pacific Loon (NJ)+
Eared Grebe (NJ)+
Western Grebe (NJ)+
Black-bellied Whistling-duck (DE)+
Black Brant (NJ)+
Barnacle Goose (NJ)+
Barrow's Goldeneye (NJ)+
Eurasian Collared-dove (Extralimital) (NJ)+
Common Raven (DE)+
Bohemian Waxwing (NJ)+
Clay-colored Sparrow (DE)+
Lark Sparrow (DE)+
Le Conte's Sparrow (PA)+
(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-necked Grebe
American Bittern
Ross's Goose
Cackling Goose
Tundra Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
Common X Green-winged Teal
Common Teal (Eurasian Green-winged Teal)
Canvasback
Canvasback X Redhead
Redhead
King Eider
Common Eider
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Common Goldeneye
Northern Goshawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Golden Eagle
Merlin
Northern Bobwhite
Purple Sandpiper
American Woodcock
Black-headed Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Snowy Owl
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
Red-headed Woodpecker
Northern Shrike
Eastern Phoebe
Common Raven
Brown-headed Nuthatch
American Pipit
Orange-crowned Warbler
Ipswich Sparrow
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting
Dickcissel
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
White-winged Crossbill
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
Purple Finch
Evening Grosbeak
Hotline: Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert
Email reports to:
Compiler: Steve Kacir, Delaware
Valley Ornithological Club
Phone: (215) 240-7547
Voice of the Delaware Valley RBA: Cindy Ahern and Win Shafer
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 PACIFIC LOON, EARED
GREBE, WESTERN GREBE, BARROW’S GOLDENEYE and BOHEMIAN WAXWING in
Monmouth County, NJ; EARED GREBE in Hunterdon County, NJ; BLACK-BELLIED
WHISTLING-DUCK in Sussex County, DE; BLACK BRANT in Middlesex County,
NJ; BARNACLE GOOSE in Union County, NJ; COMMON RAVEN in New Castle County,
DE; CLAY-COLORED SPARROW in Sussex County, DE; LARK SPARROW in Kent County,
DE and LE CONTE’S SPARROW in Delaware County, PA.
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.
The Stone Harbor Point SNOWY OWL was seen through
Feb 28, when it flew from a roof at 105th St to the parking lot. The
8th St jetty in Avalon had a hen KING EIDER on Feb 26 & 28 and hen
COMMON EIDER on Feb 28. A COMMON EIDER was seen near the Concrete Ship
off Sunset Beach on Feb 26. At least one of the BLACK-HEADED GULLS was
still being seen near the Concrete Ship and between Cape May Point State
Park and the St Mary’s jetty through Feb 28. On Feb 25, a Harbor
Seal and RED-NECKED GREBE were spotted from Sunset Beach. The SCOTER
flock off Cape May had as many as 6500 BLACK SCOTERS and 500 SURF SCOTERS
this week. The Nature Conservancy’s Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge
had an AMERICAN BITTERN on Feb 25. That day, AMERICAN PIPITS were at
fields at the Rea Farm. A dark morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was at Jake’s
Landing on Feb 26. A possible COMMON TEAL X GREEN-WINGED TEAL hybrid
and 54 TUNDRA SWANS were at Tuckahoe WMA on Feb 28. The Corbin City
area had 3 SHORT-EARED OWLS on Feb 28.
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.
Six SHORT-EARED OWLS were seen from Husted Landing
on Feb 28.
Atlantic County:
Click
Here for Atlantic County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Seventeen REDHEADS were at the Brigantine Division
of Edwin B Forsythe NWR on Feb 28. On Mar 1, a SHORT-EARED OWL flew
along the first leg of Brigantine’s auto loop. At least one WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILL was spotted at the entrance to Brigantine on Mar 1.
Monmouth County:
Click
Here for Monmouth County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
An EARED GREBE was spotted at the mouth of Matawan
Creek at Keyport Harbor on Mar 1. The GREBE was seen near the fishing
pier behind the post office at 95 W Front St. The PACIFIC LOON was still
being seen in the Deal and Allenhurst area through Feb 28, reportedly
off Garfield Rd in Long Branch on Feb 26. That day, the WESTERN GREBE
was observed off Pullman Ave in Elberon. The Sandy Hook BOHEMIAN WAXWING
was reported through Feb 28. The BOHEMIAN WAXWING has been seen at the
south end of Gunnison Lot and in the back areas of campsites #2 &
#3 at the scout camp, where the WAXWING was seen feeding on Asiatic
bittersweet berries. Two hen BARROW’S GOLDENEYES were at Sandy
Hook’s Horseshoe Cove, with reports of one or both hens through
Feb 28. A small flock of SNOW BUNTINGS was at the Sandy Hook salt ponds
on Feb 28. The COMMON TEAL (aka Eurasian Green-winged Teal) was still
at Lake Takanassee, seen from the third and fourth ponds west of Ocean
Ave. The most recent COMMON TEAL report came from Mar 1. The drake EURASIAN
WIGEON was seen at Belmar’s Silver Lake through Feb 28. A drake
REDHEAD was still on Lake Como through Feb 28. Five REDHEADS were at
the mouth of a creek that leads along Locust Point Rd in Middletown
on Mar 3. On Feb 28, four large unidentified ALCIDS were spotted from
Clem Conover Blvd in Deal.
Burlington County:
Click
Here for Burlington County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No report.
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.
This week, sightings from Barnegat Lighthouse State
Park included RED-NECKED GREBE, HARLEQUIN DUCKS, WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS,
PURPLE SANDPIPERS and IPSWICH SPARROW.
Salem County:
Click
Here for Salem County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Two LAPLAND LONGSPURS were at the Delea Sod Farm at
the north corner of Route 40 and Pointers-Auburn Rd.
Gloucester County:
Click
Here for Gloucester County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Cobblestone Lake had a COMMON GOLDENEYE on Mar 1.
Hunterdon County:
Click
Here for Hunterdon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The EARED GREBE at Round Valley Reservoir was seen
from the main boat launch area on Mar 4, and is beginning to molt into
breeding plumage. The boat launch area of Spruce Run State Park had
68 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and 4 ICELAND GULLS on Feb 25. PINE SISKINS
came to feeders in Califon.
Middlesex County:
A BLACK BRANT was at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park on
Mar 1. Sixty PINE SISKINS came to feeders in East Brunswick. An AMERICAN
WOODCOCK and PINE SISKINS were on the Rutgers University New Brunswick
Campus on Feb 27. The Cook Campus of Rutgers had a CACKLING GOOSE along
College Farm Rd on Feb 26, and an AMERICAN WOODCOCK has been displaying
there as well. Johnson Park had a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and an ICELAND
GULL on Feb 27-28. Spring Lake Park in South Plainfield had 2 ICELAND
GULLS on Feb 27
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 report.
Somerset County:
Click
Here for Somerset County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports.
Morris County:
The Great Swamp NWR RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen
from Pleasant Plains Rd through Mar 1. That day, a RUSTY BLACKBIRD was
seen near New Vernon Rd.
Union County:
A BARNACLE GOOSE and CACKLING GEESE were at Warinanco
Park in Linden through Feb 27.
NJ Extralimitals:
The probable CANVASBACK X REDHEAD hybrid was still
at DeKorte State Park, Hudson County through Mar 2. A possible EURASIAN
COLLARED-DOVE was seen near the park on Feb 27. On Mar 3, six WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILLS were at Ringwood Manor in Passaic County. On March 4, six
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were at New Jersey Audubon’s Lorrimer
Sanctuary in Franklin Lakes, Bergen County. As many as 16 CROSSBILLS
were seen there late last week.
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.
A female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD came to a feeder
at the Wrangle Hill Estates in Bear. A COMMON RAVEN flew over Claymont
on Feb 28. On Feb 28, AMERICAN PIPITS, LAPLAND LONGSPURS and nearly
100 SNOW BUNTINGS were at the Auto Park near the Home Depot in Middletown.
Recent reports from Ashland Nature Center included hundreds of PINE
SISKINS, PURPLE FINCH and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was
heard near the intersection of Thompsons Bridge Rd and Rocky Run Rd.
Gunning Bedford Marsh had TUNDRA SWANS on Feb 25.
Kent County:
Click
Here for Kent County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A flock of 36 EVENING GROSBEAKS was eating grit on
the side of Route 13 just south of Camden, about three miles north of
the intersection of Route 13 and Highway 14. On Mar 1, a LARK SPARROW
was at Smyrna Municipal Park, and a COMMON REDPOLL was near Providence
Dr. Nearly 400 TUNDRA SWANS were reported from a field on Raymond Neck
Rd on Mar 1. On Feb 27, a blue phase ROSS’S GOOSE was reported
just outside of Bombay Hook NWR. SNOW BUNTINGS were seen from Whitehall
Neck Rd on Feb 28. That day at Bombay Hook, a white phase ROSS’S
GOOSE was in a field near Raymond Pool, and 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were
east of the Boardwalk Trail. A BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH was reported from
Bear Swamp on Feb 28. Other sightings from Bombay Hook included NORTHERN
BOBWHITE, AMERICAN PIPITS, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK and PURPLE FINCH. Milford
Neck WA had AMERICAN PIPITS on Feb 26.
Sussex County:
Click
Here for Sussex County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Feb 28, a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was spotted from
Deep Branch Rd, east of where the north end of Deep Branch Rd connects
with Route 1. The BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK was seen at Silver Lake
as recently as Feb 26. Several hundred CANVASBACKS were still on Silver
Lake. An EASTERN PHOEBE was seen from Old Landing Rd in Rehoboth.
Photo by Bert Filemyr
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.
No reports.
Delaware County:
Click Here
for Delaware County Birding Resources including an interactive map with
locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No reports
The LE CONTE’S SPARROW was still being seen well at the Darlington
Tract near Wawa, with reports as recent as Feb 28. To get to the Darlington
Tract from the intersection of Route 1 and Route 452, go south on Route
1 for about 2 miles, and turn right onto Darlington Rd. Continue down
Darlington Rd for a quarter mile to the bridge over the creek and park
in the parking area just past the bridge. Head north on the trail from
the parking area and follow that trail until it goes under a railroad
bridge. At that point, the trail turns right and a there is a little
opening in the weeds on the left. At that site, walk the field edge
farthest from the road to look for the LE CONTE’S SPARROW, though
the bird has also been seen near the road.
Chester County:
Click Here
for Chester County Birding Resources including an interactive map with
locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The NORTHERN SHRIKE was still being seen
south of Warwick Park. The bird was on private property, but can be
viewed from the road. To reach the site, take County Park Rd south from
its intersection with Route 23 in Warwick. Follow County Park Rd until
it ends at a T-intersection with a yield sign, then turn right and follow
that road for 1.1 miles to a large stone barn with a thicket just to
the right of the barn. Previous reports have noted the SHRIKE’S
preference for perching on briars and a large sycamore in this area.
On Mar 4, ten WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and PINE SISKINS were seen at
Wedgewood Pond in Thorndale. On Feb 28, a flock of 40 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS,
an AMERICAN WOODCOCK and a RUSTY BLACKBIRD were at Bucktoe Creek Preserve
in Kennett Twp. A juvenile GOLDEN EAGLE was spotted from Lamborntown
Rd in the Doe Run area, and SHORT-EARED OWLS have been seen in that
area. The landfill off Route 926 in Doe Run has attracted LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULLS and an ICELAND GULL. Two COMMON REDPOLLS were at Kurtz Lake on
Mar 4. That day, birds around Struble Lake included a RED-NECKED GREBE,
LONG-EARED OWLS and TUNDRA SWANS. The Coatesville Reservoir had 3 RED-NECKED
GREBES, TUNDRA SWANS and a CACKLING GOOSE on Mar 4. A lark flock at
Homestead Rd had 2 SNOW BUNTINGS and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR that day. Recent
reports from Chambers Lake included RUSTY BLACKBIRDS and TUNDRA SWANS.
PINE SISKINS were reported from West Goshen. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER
is still visiting feeders in West Chester.
Montgomery County:
Click
Here for Montgomery County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No Reports
On Mar 3, a SNOWY OWL was seen on the balcony
of an apartment at the Green Hill Apartment complex on City Ave in Wynnewood.
On Mar 3, a LONG-TAILED DUCK was on the Schuylkill River off Pottstown’s
Riverfront Park. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen in Pottstown on Mar
3. PINE SISKINS came to feeders in Norristown and Huntingdon Valley.
Bucks County:
Click
Here for Bucks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Seven WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS fed on hemlock cones
at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve on Mar 1. On Feb 28, 3 WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILLS were at the top of the Norway spruces on the solar window
side of the nature center at Peace Valley Park, and elsewhere in the
park there were 110 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, an ICELAND GULL and a
MERLIN. PINE SISKINS continued to be found at Peace Valley this week.
On Feb 27, three REDHEADS were near the shore of the Delaware River
near the intersection of Afton Ave and Delaware Ave in Yardley. On Mar
1, an ICELAND GULL was in a gull flock at the parking lot for Lake Caroline
at Oxford Valley Park in Fairless Hills. Reports from Churchville Nature
Center this week included LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and PINE SISKINS.
A PINE SISKIN was at the Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield Memorial
Park.
Northampton County:
Click
Here for Northampton County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Highlights from the Feb 28 Bushkill Watershed Bird
Count included a ROSS’S GOOSE at Jacobsburg Environmental Education
Center (EEC), a REDHEAD at Gravers Arboretum, an AMERICAN WOODCOCK at
Jacobsburg EEC and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS at three locations: Jacobsburg
EEC, Gravers Arboretum and Merwath Rd. Jacobsburg EEC had PINE SISKINS
on Mar 1. That day, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were noted at Bushkill Reserve
and in firs off Broad Rd. Forty to fifty WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were
in trees along the entrance road for the Valley View Restaurant in Upper
Mount Bethel on Mar 1. On Feb 26, the line of spruces along Eastern
Shore Dr had 30 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS. That day, Echo Lake had a CACKLING
GOOSE and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS. An immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 3 COMMON
REDPOLLS and 65 PINE SISKINS were seen from National Park Dr on Feb
26. Lake Minsi had an ICELAND GULL, 2 BONAPARTE’S GULLS on Feb
26. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at Lake Minsi on Feb 26 & Mar
1. An ICELAND GULL and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at the flooded
fields at Green Pond Feb 28-Mar 1. On Mar 1, a drake REDHEAD was at
Green Pond, and a pair of REDHEADS was on Seiple’s Farm Pond.
Two COMMON RAVENS fed on a deer carcass in Nazareth on Mar 1.
Lehigh County:
Click
Here for Lehigh County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Mar 3, a lark flock off Harter Rd in Heidelberg
Twp also held 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS and 2 SNOW BUNTINGS. Walking Purchase
Park had a RUSTY BLACKBIRD on Mar 1.
Schuylkill County:
Click
Here for Schuylkill County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Sweet Arrow Lake had over 100 PINE SISKINS on Feb
27 & Mar 1, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS on Mar 1 and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS
on Feb 28.
Berks County:
Click
Here for Berks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No reports
At Lake Ontelaunee, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were in
Norway spruces by the cement bridge on West Shore Dr on Mar 1. Two GREATER
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were at Lake Ontelaunee on Mar 3. Other reports
from Lake Ontelaunee this week included TUNDRA SWANS, CACKLING GOOSE,
COMMON GOLDENEYES and 2 COMMON RAVENS. French Creek State Park had 13
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and a juvenile GOLDEN EAGLE on Mar 1. Recent
reports from Blue Marsh National Recreation Area included a MERLIN and
TUNDRA SWANS. Two hundred PINE SISKINS were at feeders in Bern Twp.
Lancaster County:
Click
Here for Lancaster County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The drake EURASIAN WIGEON was at the Mt Eden Rd area
of Octoraro Lake through Mar 4. Several hundred PINE SISKINS were at
feeders in Churchtown. Middle Creek WMA had TUNDRA SWANS, 2 ROSS’S
GEESE and a SHORT-EARED OWL On Mar 1. On Mar 1, waterfowl on the Susquehanna
River from Wrightsville to Long Level included 4 RED-NECKED GREBES,
2 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, 80 COMMON GOLDENEYES and a BONAPARTE’S
GULL. On Mar 3, seven RED-NECKED GREBES were on the Susquehanna River:
one under the Route 462 Bridge, 4 below the Lemon St access, one off
Boathouse Rd, and on below the Lock #2 boat ramp. That day, there were
1,900 TUNDRA SWANS and 118 COMMON GOLDENEYES were on the river. A RED-NECKED
GREBE was seen near Holtwood Dam on Mar 4. Tom Amico has extended an
invitation for birders interested in seeing his visiting DICKCISSEL
to visit his property at 1023 Penny Rd in Holtwood, PA 17532. Tom asks
that interested birders come up the driveway and park behind his camper
to view the feeders and nearby spruce tree that the DICKCISSEL has favored.
The DICKCISSEL was reported as recently as Mar 3. Thanks go out to Tom
for his generosity and hospitality.
Lebanon County:
Click
Here for Lebanon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports.
Carbon County:
No report.
Monroe County:
No reports.
Pike County:
No reports.
Wayne County:
No reports
PA Extralimitals:
No reports.
Extralimital Reports
No reports
Announcements
On March 15, Chris Walters will lead a DVOC field
trip to Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. This trip is geared toward new
members and students, though all are welcome to attend. The trip will
meet at the lighthouse parking lot at 9:00AM. Attendees should dress
warmly. Target species include King and Common Eiders, Harlequin Duck,
Purple Sandpiper, Ipswich Sparrow, Snow Bunting and Lapland Longspur.
Please contact Chris if you plan on attending. More information including
previous years’ trip reports and contact information for the trip
leader are on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org
The next meeting of the DVOC is on March 5 at
7:30pm at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, when Jeff
Gordon will present “Kingfishers and their Allies.” The
meeting after that will be on March 19, featuring a program by Kevin
Karlson. Details are on the website, and guests are always welcome.
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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