| Current
report - Wednesday April 22, 2009
- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species
accounts for many of these birds
Western Grebe (NJ)+
White-faced Ibis (DE)+
Black-bellied Whistling-duck (DE)+
Yellow Rail (NJ)+
Harris's Sparrow (NJ)+
Harris's Sparrow (PA)+
Brewer's Blackbird (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)
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Northern Gannet
Brown Pelican
Great Cormorant
American Bittern
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Cattle Egret
Yellow-crowned Night-heron
Tundra Swan
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Red-breasted Merganser
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Golden Eagle
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Ruffed Grouse
Wild Turkey
Northern Bobwhite
King Rail
Virginia Rail
Sora
Common Moorhen
Sandhill Crane
American Golden-plover
Piping Plover
American Oystercatcher
Black-necked Stilt
Western Willet
Whimbrel
Purple Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
American Woodcock
Black-headed Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Caspian Tern
Common Tern
Forster's Tern
Barn Owl
Barred Owl
Short-eared Owl
Chuck-will's-widow
Whip-poor-will
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Common Raven
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Swainson's Thrush
American Pipit
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Kentucky Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Vesper Sparrow
Ipswich Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Purple Finch
White-winged Crossbill
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
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 WESTERN GREBE in
Monmouth and Middlesex Counties, NJ; WHITE-FACED IBIS and BLACK-BELLIED
WHISTLING-DUCK in Sussex County, DE; YELLOW RAILS in Cumberland County,
NJ; HARRIS’S SPARROW in Hunterdon County, NJ; HARRIS’S SPARROW
and BREWER’S BLACKBIRD in Lancaster 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.
On Apr 19, two COMMON REDPOLLS were feeding at the
base of a Japanese black pine located just past a small park on 4th
St and Wesley Ave in Ocean City. Each plover pond at Cape May Point
State Park had a PIPING PLOVER on Apr 19. A CATTLE EGRET was at the
park’s Lighthouse Pond on Apr 22. Other birds at the state park
included MERLINS, INDIGO BUNTING and PINE SISKIN. The Nature Conservancy’s
Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge had 5 PIPING PLOVERS on Apr 20. Higbee
Beach WMA had PRAIRIE WARBLER and RUSTY BLACKBIRDS. The Wildwood Coast
Guard Beach had over 11 PIPING PLOVERS, PURPLE SANDPIPERS and COMMON
TERNS on Apr 17. A WHIMBREL was spotted from a Cape May Bird Observatory
“Cruisin’ for Loons and Waterfowl Cruise” on Apr 18.
A GREAT CORMORANT was on Nummy Island on Apr 18. Highlights from the
Villas WMA included LITTLE BLUE HERON and BLUE-HEADED VIREO. Sightings
from Belleplain State Forest included BROAD-WINGED HAWK, INDIGO BUNTING,
PRAIRIE WARBLER and WORM-EATING WARBLER. Beaver Swamp WMA had BANK SWALLOW,
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER and PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. On Apr 18, Jake’s
Landing had a SHORT-EARED OWL and a WHIP-POOR-WILL. The Cape May Bird
Observatory Goshen Center for Research and Education had a ROSE-BREASTED
GROSBEAK on Apr 22.
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.
The YELLOW RAILS have returned to Turkey Point at
The Natural Land Trust’s Glades Wildlife Refuge this year. On
Apr 18, two or three YELLOW RAILS were heard along Turkey Point Rd at
3:00AM: one or two YELLOW RAILS were about 0.7 miles from the intersection
of Maple Ave and Turkey Point Rd near an old overgrown road, another
was near the bridge at the end of the road. That same day at 10:30pm,
a YELLOW RAIL called from the site near the overgrown road, and later
another was heard just west of the first pull-off on the right side
of the road. Other highlights from Turkey Point included WHIP-POOR-WILL,
AMERICAN WOODCOCK and VIRGINIA RAILS. Two BLACK-HEADED GULLS were in
a flock of BONAPARTE’S GULLS at East Point Lighthouse on Apr 15.
On Apr 18, a SANDHILL CRANE was heard from the shorebird impoundment
at Heislerville WMA, and a YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was there on Apr
16. Other highlights from Heislerville this week included BONAPARTE’S
GULLS, AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER and WESTERN WILLET.
Atlantic County:
Click
Here for Atlantic County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Apr 19, SORA and VIRGINIA RAILS called from Scott’s
Landing. On Apr 17, a KENTUCKY WARBLER was near the last bridge of the
auto loop at the Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe NWR. A SHORT-EARED
OWL was at the refuge that day, and other highlights from Brigantine
included COMMON TERN, CASPIAN TERNS and IPSWICH SPARROW.
Monmouth County:
Click
Here for Monmouth County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A WESTERN GREBE and ICELAND GULL were spotted from
Fisherman’s Trail at Sandy Hook on Apr 19. Two AMERICAN BITTERNS
were at the edge of the North Pond at Sandy Hook that day. On Apr 17,
a HOODED WARBLER was spotted on the path that leads into the woods before
the hawk watch. Other birds reported from Sandy Hook included GREAT
CORMORANT, SURF SCOTERS and PIPING PLOVERS, PEREGRINE FALCONS, MERLINS
and BROAD-WINGED HAWKS. A YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was at Natco Lake
on Apr 20, seen about 100 yards east of the bridge on the north side
of the lake.
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.
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park had 2 RED-NECKED GREBES,
LONG-TAILED DUCKS and 5 HARLEQUIN DUCKS on Apr 19.
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.
Highlights from Glassboro Woods WMA included PRAIRIE
WARBLER, 2 PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS and PINE SISKINS. On Apr 19, Riverwinds
had a flyby MERLIN, WILD TURKEY and BLUE-HEADED VIREO, and a HORNED
GREBE was on the Delaware River at the National Park dredge spoils.
Hunterdon County:
Click
Here for Hunterdon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A HARRIS’S SPARROW appeared on private property
on Apr 20
Middlesex County:
On Apr 18, a WESTERN GREBE was seen from the Raritan
Bay Waterfront Park in South Amboy. On Apr 20, there were 120 BONAPARTE’S
GULLS at South Amboy. On Apr 19, an AMERICAN BITTERN and SORA called
from Great Swamp NWR’s Pleasant Plains Rd. A VESPER SPARROW spent
some time at the parking lot area of the Friends of the Great Swamp
Center on Pleasant Plains Rd at Great Swamp NWR on Apr 17.
Mercer County:
Click
Here for Mercer County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A HOODED WARBLER was near the Princeton Institute
Woods on Apr 19.
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.
Scherman-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary still had good
numbers of PINE SISKINS. An AMERICAN BITTERN was at Stahl WMA in Bedminster
on Apr 17.
Morris County:
No reports
Union County:
No reports
NJ Extralimitals:
No reports
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 pair of CLIFF SWALLOWS was back at the Route 9 bridge
nesting colony at Augustine WA. On Apr 18, White Clay Creek State Park
saw an outstanding BROAD-WINGED HAWK migration event, with 51 BROAD-WINGED
HAWKS tallied in an hour. A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was spotted at the
Wedgewood Rd parking lot on Apr 18. On Apr 17, a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER
was between the White Clay Creek nature center and the old railroad
bridge abutments south of Chambers Rock. Other highlights from White
Clay Creek State Park included RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, BARRED OWL, PILEATED
WOODPECKER, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO and a River Otter. On Apr 18, several
COMMON MOORHENS were heard from the marsh at Dragon Run Park, and CASPIAN
TERNS were at the marsh.
There were calling SORA, KING RAIL and VIRGINIA
RAIL at the Thousand Acre Marsh. Over 100 CATTLE EGRETS were seen from
Dutch Neck Rd on Apr 18. The riverfront trail at New Castle had a singing
RUSTY BLACKBIRD and BONAPARTE’S GULLS over the Delaware River.
A BARN OWL called from Old New Castle the evening of Apr 21. On Apr
18, Lums Pond State Park had LITTLE BLUE HERON, CATTLE EGRET and PRAIRIE
WARBLER. A flock of 20 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were in the North Wilmington
area on Apr 18. On Apr 21, a flock of 20 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS was
on Norway spruces at the corner of Orchard Dr and Nichols Ave in McDaniel
Heights. Six NORTHERN BOBWHITES flushed from Deakynville Rd at Cedar
Swamp WA on Apr 21.
Kent County:
Click
Here for Kent County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Apr 18, three AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were located
just outside of Bombay Hook NWR, and another was seen from the dikes.
That day, the refuge had a TUNDRA SWAN and 2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS at
Shearness Pool and a River Otter was at Bear Swamp. Other highlights
from Bombay Hook included COMMON TERN and CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW.
Sussex County:
Click
Here for Sussex County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Apr 18-19, a WHITE-FACED IBIS was with an ibis
flock in a wet field behind a farmhouse with a silo at Prime Hook Rd,
just a short distance before Cods Rd. On Apr 20, Prime Hook NWR had
6 BLACK-NECKED STILTS at the Broadkill Rd impoundments, and there were
5 more STILTS at Fowler Beach Rd. On Apr 18, Prime Hook NWR had PROTHONOTARY
WARBLER and YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER. On Apr 20, 50 AMERICAN PIPITS were
in a field just before the woods at Deep Branch Rd. The Cape Henlopen
State Park Hawk Watch noted 49 MERLINS on Apr 21. Other highlights from
the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch included NORTHERN GANNETS, MERLINS and
PRAIRIE WARBLER. A BROWN PELICAN flew past lighthouse at Cape Henlopen
on Apr 19, and another was seen on Apr 21. Cape Henlopen State Park
had PIPING PLOVERS on the beach. On Apr 20, birds at Cape Henlopen included
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH and CASPIAN TERN as well
as PIPING PLOVERS. On Apr 19, Cape Henlopen had a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
by the fishing pier and an INDIGO BUNTING at the nature center feeders.
The BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK can still be
found at Silver Lake in Rehoboth. A WHIMBREL was at the DuPont Nature
Center on Apr 18. On Apr 20, Milford Neck WA had KENTUCKY WARBLER and
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. Delaware Seashore State Park had NORTHERN
GANNETS, 2 TRICOLORED HERONS, LITTLE BLUE HERON and COMMON TERN. A migrant
fallout at Thompson’s Island on Apr 19 included 3 BLUE-HEADED
VIREOS and 8 PRAIRIE WARBLERS. Highlights from Trap Pond State Park
included PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS and PURPLE FINCHES. On Apr 18, the Chapels
Branch area of Nanticoke WA had a SWAINSON’S THRUSH.
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.
On Apr 16-17, a LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was near the
small boardwalk at John Heinz NWR at Tinicum. On Apr 18, Tinicum had
a flyby COMMON LOON and BLUE-HEADED VIREO. Other highlights from the
refuge included RUSTY BLACKBIRDS and nesting COOPER’S HAWKS. Taylor
Refuge has nesting RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS.
Delaware County:
Click Here
for Delaware County Birding Resources including an interactive map with
locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No reports
No reports
Chester County:
Click Here
for Chester County Birding Resources including an interactive map with
locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Apr 17, an AMERICAN BITTERN and RUSTY
BLACKBIRDS were seen on private property at Great Marsh. Hibernia Park
had HOODED WARBLERS on Apr 22. Struble Lake had a FORSTER’S TERN
on Apr 17. Bucktoe Creek Preserve had a RUSTY BLACKBIRD.
Montgomery County:
Click
Here for Montgomery County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No Reports
Briar Bush Nature Center still has PINE SISKINS.
Bucks County:
Click
Here for Bucks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Apr 19, a GOLDEN EAGLE, PILEATED WOODPECKERS and
a COMMON RAVEN were spotted from Haycock Mountain in SGL 157. A COMMON
LOON was on Lake Galena at Peace Valley Park Apr 15-17. An AMERICAN
BITTERN flushed from the park’s Swamp Trail on Apr 18. Other highlights
from Peace Valley included BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, MERLIN, WILD TURKEY,
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, PILEATED WOODPECKERS, PINE SISKINS and PURPLE
FINCHES. Highlights from Churchville Nature Center included BLUE-HEADED
VIREO, SWAINSON’S THRUSH and PINE SISKINS. PINE SISKINS came to
feeders at Neshaminy High School, and PINE SISKINS were at Bowman’s
Hill Wildflower Preserve on Apr 18.
Northampton County:
Click
Here for Northampton County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Five or six WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and PINE SISKINS
were at the Monocacy Nature Center. The CROSSBILLS were near the parking
lot on Illicks Mill Rd in Bethlehem. A singing YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER
was heard along the Lehigh River between the Bethlehem Boat Club and
Route 33, and another was at the Bethlehem Boat Club near the Route
33 bridge. A TUNDRA SWAN was at Green Pond on Apr 18. The Jordan Creek
Parkway area at Whitehall had PINE SISKINS on Apr 16. On Apr 21, Gremar
Rd had a BONAPARTE’S GULL.
Lehigh County:
Click
Here for Lehigh County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A dark morph BROAD-WINGED HAWK flew over Franco Field
near Allentown on Apr 22. Through Apr 20, at least 3 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS
and 15 PINE SISKINS were at Grandview Cemetery. Grandview is off Cedar
Crest Blvd in Allentown. Three WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen in
Whitehall Twp on Apr 15. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were also noted from
Trexler Nature Preserve. Three RUFFED GROUSE were seen from the Appalachian
Trail at Bake Oven Knob on Apr 18.
Schuylkill County:
Click
Here for Schuylkill County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
SGL 110, which is also in Berks County, has had regular
RUFFED GROUSE sightings. Sweet Arrow Lake had PURPLE FINCHES and PINE
SISKINS this week.
Berks County:
Click
Here for Berks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No reports
On Apr 17, an AMERICAN BITTERN was spotted from the
railroad off Peters Rd at Lake Ontelaunee. Other sightings from Lake
Ontelaunee included HORNED GREBES, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, BONAPARTE’S
GULLS, COMMON RAVEN, PINE SISKINS and 20 CLIFF SWALLOWS at the nest
colony near the dam. Blue Marsh National Recreation Area had 4 COMMON
LOONS on Apr 20, and the next day there were 4 BONAPARTE’S GULLS,
a COMMON TERN and a COMMON LOON. A field in Oley Valley had 110 AMERICAN
PIPITS on Apr 18. Birds seen Apr 18-19 at SGL 110 included 6 COMMON
LOONS, BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, RUFFED GROUSE, 52 PURPLE FINCHES and 15 PINE
SISKINS. A yard in Leesport had 2 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS on Apr 22.
Lancaster County:
Click
Here for Lancaster County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The thick fencerow downstream from the bridge that
crosses the East Branch of Octoraro Creek, near Steelville continued
to host a HARRIS’S SPARROW through Apr 22 and a YELLOW-HEADED
BLACKBIRD through Apr 21. The birds have been seen at a horse farm that
is private property at 467 Creek Rd, Christiana, PA 17509. All viewing
at this site must be done from the road, and please be considerate of
local motorists and landowners. The HARRIS’S SPARROW has been
associating with a large flock of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS in that area.
Near the HARRIS’S SPARROW site, a VESPER SPARROW was found in
a field down the hill and across the road from the white barn on Apr
18. On Apr 20 & 22, a male BREWER’S BLACKBIRD appeared at
Bob and Nancy Schutsky’s feeders at 216 Spring Lane in Peach Bottom,
and they have invited birders to come to their property to see the bird.
They request those interested in seeing the bird not call ahead or knock
at their door, but drive past the house and park on the right just past
the blue canoe. Best viewing is from their deck, and more extensive
details can be found on The Pennsylvania Birding List. A flock of 10-20
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and PINE SISKINS were in spruces off Route 441
near Marietta on Apr 18. Safe Harbor had 5 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS
and a PINE SISKIN on Apr 21. That day, a CASPIAN TERN and BONAPARTE’S
GULLS were found at Peters Creek. A CASPIAN TERN was at Speedwell Forge
Lake on Apr 18. That day, a CASPIAN TERN was spotted at Middle Creek
WMA as well. Octoraro Lake had AMERICAN BITTERN and WILD TURKEY.
Lebanon County:
Click
Here for Lebanon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Apr 19, the Second Mountain Hawk Watch noted 84
BROAD-WINGED HAWKS. Other sightings from Second Mountain included COMMON
LOONS, MERLINS, WILD TURKEY and COMMON RAVEN. The area around Mt Gretna
and SGL 145 had BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE and PINE SISKINS. Two AMERICAN
BITTERNS were at Memorial Lake State Park on Apr 16. On Apr 17, SGL
80 had a WILD TURKEY and PINE SISKINS.
Carbon County:
On Apr 18-19, Lehigh Gap Nature Center, which is also
in Lehigh County, had COMMON LOONS, BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and PINE SISKINS.
Monroe County:
No reports
Pike County:
Recent reports from Promised Land State Park included
MERLIN and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.
Wayne County:
No reports
PA Extralimitals:
No reports.
Extralimital Reports
No reports
Announcements
On April 25, Steve Kacir will lead a DVOC photography
field trip to Bombay Hook NWR. The field trip will focus on photographing
breeding birds and migrants and other wildlife at the refuge. The trip
will meet at the refuge headquarters parking lot at 7:30am, and will
be a full day trip with a break for lunch. Anyone who wishes to attend,
but is not focused on photography is also welcome. If you plan on attending,
please contact Steve and let him know if you will be digiscoping or
shooting with a more traditional setup and provide some information
about your camera and lens. More information on this field trip including
contact information for the trip leader can be found on the DVOC website:
http://www.dvoc.org
The next meeting of the DVOC is on May 7 at
7:30pm at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, when Chris
Lotz will present "Birding the Southern Third of Africa from Cape
Town to Victoria Falls and Namibia." The meeting after that will
be on May 21 at the Academy. Details are on the website; guests and
nonmembers 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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