| Current
report - Wednesday May 13, 2009
- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species
accounts for many of these birds
White-faced Ibis (NJ)+
Black-bellied Whistling-duck (DE)+
Swallow-tailed Kite (NJ)+
Swallow-tailed Kite (DE)+
Curlew Sandpiper (NJ)+
(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
Red-necked Grebe
Northern Gannet
American Bittern
Least Bittern
Tricolored Heron
Cattle Egret
Yellow-crowned Night-heron
Glossy Ibis
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Common Goldeneye
Mississippi Kite
Ruffed Grouse
Northern Bobwhite
King Rail
Virginia Rail
Sora
Common Moorhen
Sandhill Crane
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Whimbrel
Marbled Godwit
Red Knot
Sanderling
Purple Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Parasitic Jaeger
Bonaparte's Gull
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Glaucous Gull
Caspian Tern
Roseate Tern
Arctic Tern
Black Tern
Black-billed Cuckoo
Barn Owl
Barred Owl
Common Nighthawk
Chuck-will's-widow
Whip-poor-will
Red-headed Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Common Raven
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Sedge Wren
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson's Thrush
American Pipit
Brewster's Warbler
Lawrence's Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Summer Tanager
Vesper Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Blue Grosbeak
Dickcissel
Bobolink
Purple Finch
White-winged Crossbill
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 WHITE-FACED IBIS
and SWALLOW-TAILED KITES in Cape May County, NJ; BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK
and SWALLOW-TAILED KITE in Sussex County, DE and CURLEW SANDPIPERS in
Cumberland County, NJ.
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 May 12, a SWALLOW-TAILED KITE flew over Green Creek.
That day, at least 2 MISSISSIPPI KITES were seen at the Cape May Point
State Park Hawk Watch, but three of them were in Cape May on May 10.
A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE was seen from Stevens St and from Seagrove Ave
on May 7. Three SWALLOW-TAILED KITES were over The Nature Conservancy’s
(TNC) Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge on May 11. The BLACK-NECKED STILT
was still at the plover pond between the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge
and the state park through May 10. A COMMON MOORHEN was near the beach
end of the east path of the refuge on May 7. The refuge’s gull
island attracted ROSEATE TERN and ARCTIC TERN on May 9. Other birds
at the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge included TRICOLORED HERON, LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL and PIPING PLOVERS. A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE was at the
Rea Farm on May 8. Two MISSISSIPPI KITES were over the Rea Farm and
Stevens St on May 10, and another MISSISSIPPI KITE was there on May
9. Other birds at the Rea Farm included CATTLE EGRETS and BLUE GROSBEAK.
Highlights from Higbee included ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, CAPE MAY WARBLER,
BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, CERULEAN WARBLER and SUMMER TANAGER. The Hidden
Valley parking lot had a BLUE GROSBEAK. A NORTHERN BOBWHITE called from
New England Rd west of Hidden Valley on May 8. On May 10, a MISSISSIPPI
KITE was seen over the fields at the north end of Bayshore Rd. The last
field on the left side of Bayshore Rd as you head towards New England
Rd had GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, DICKCISSEL and BOBOLINKS on May 12. On May
7, a PURPLE SANDPIPER was at the Concrete Ship, seen from Alexander
Ave. A PARASITIC JAEGER was seen off Sunset Beach.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS was at Beaver Swamp WMA on
May 7, and NORTHERN BOBWHITE and PROTHONOTARY WARBLER were reported
there this week. A STILT SANDPIPER and 8 WHIMBRELS were in the marsh
opposite the Coast Guard ponds along Ocean Dr on May 7. Some RED KNOTS
were seen from Two Mile Landing that day. A MARBLED GODWIT on Thorofare
Island was seen from Two Mile Landing on May 10. RED KNOTS and 20 SURF
SCOTERS were at Reeds Beach on May 7. Other birds around Reeds Beach
included BARN OWL and CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOWS. Cooks Beach had RED
KNOTS on May 7, and CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOWS called from Cooks Beach
Rd. Jake’s Landing had calling SORA and VIRGINIA RAILS on May
9. SUMMER TANAGERS were reported from Belleplain State Forest. On May
7, Nummy Island had over 50 WHIMBRELS and 75 RED KNOTS.
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.
On May 10-12, a male CURLEW SANDPIPER was at Heislerville
WMA, and a probable female CURLEW SANDPIPER was there May 10. Heislerville
had a hen BLACK SCOTER on May 10, AMERICAN AVOCET on May 12, RED KNOTS
on May 8 & 11 and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS on May 8 & 10. The
Commercial Township Wetlands Restoration Site at Bivalve had a STILT
SANDPIPER on May 12. On May 8, VIRGINIA RAILS called from Turkey Point.
A NORTHERN BOBWHITE was at James Moore Rd.
Atlantic County:
Click
Here for Atlantic County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A MISSISSIPPI KITE was at the Brigantine Division
of Edwin B Forsythe NWR on May 9; NORTHERN BOBWHITES were at the refuge
as well. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was at Estell Manor Park on May 9.
Monmouth County:
Click
Here for Monmouth County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Two MISSISSIPPI KITES were at Sandy Hook on May 9.
That day, a RED-NECKED GREBE was at Spermaceti Cove, and the north pond
had a COMMON MOORHEN, and a LEAST BITTERN was at the North Pond on May
9 & 12. On May 9, a TRICOLORED HERON flew over C-Lot, and the tidal
cut east of Fisherman’s Trail had 2-3 ICELAND GULLS and a GLAUCOUS
GULL. Four CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOWS were at Gunnison Lot on May 9.
Other birds at Sandy Hook included TRICOLORED HERON, SORA, BARRED OWL,
COMMON NIGHTHAWK, WHIP-POOR-WILL, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, LINCOLN’S
SPARROW, SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW and PINE SISKIN.
Burlington County:
Click
Here for Burlington County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Palmyra Cove Nature Park had a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO
on May 9, LEAST BITTERNS on May 9-12 and LINCOLN’S SPARROW on
May 12. Brightview Farm had BOBOLINKS and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS. On May
9, Hawkin Rd had WHIP-POOR-WILL and COMMON NIGHTHAWK.
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.
No report
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.
On May 8, the National Park dredge spoils had a BAY-BREASTED
WARBLER. This week, Glassboro Woods WMA had 6 pairs of KENTUCKY WARBLER,
VIRGINIA RAIL and PINE SISKIN.
Hunterdon County:
Click
Here for Hunterdon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports
Middlesex County:
No reports
Mercer County:
Click
Here for Mercer County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A SANDHILL CRANE flew over Rogers Wildlife Refuge
on May 12. Other birds in the refuge and Princeton Institute Woods included
AMERICAN BITTERN, CAPE MAY WARBLER and BAY-BREASTED WARBLER.
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.
The Jacques Lane section of Six Mile Run had a WILSON’S
WARBLER on May 8. PINE SISKINS were at Scherman-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary.
Morris County:
The LAWRENCE’S WARBLER at the Elizabeth Kay
Center in Chester was present through May 11.
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 BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was at Ashland Nature Center
on May 7. Highlights from White Clay Creek State Park this week included
SWAINSON’S THRUSH and CANADA WARBLERS. On May 7, a KENTUCKY WARBLER
sang from Iron Hill Park in Newark. This week, Army Creek Woods had
NASHVILLE WARBLER and PRAIRIE WARBLER. Lums Pond State Park had NASHVILLE
WARBLER, SUMMER TANAGER and BLUE GROSBEAK on May 7. Brandywine Creek
State Park had SWAINSON’S THRUSH and CANADA WARBLER. On May 11,
a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was reported from Industrial Drive by the Westown
Pumping Station. A CAPE MAY WARBLER sang from New Castle’s Glebe
Cemetery on May 9, and another was at the Twin Lakes Brewery in Greenville
on May 12. Twenty-one CASPIAN TERNS were at Gambacorta Marsh on May
9. The Grassdale area of Fort DuPont State Park had 2 NORTHERN BOBWHITES.
The Thousand Acre Marsh hosted SORA, VIRGINIA RAIL and KING RAIL, and
Grier’s Pond had LEAST BITTERN. On May 10, two GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS
were at the Meadows Tract of Blackbird State Forest; they were in the
field just west of the entrance. BOBOLINKS were in an agricultural field
off Route 896 in Newark. A possible ALDER FLYCATCHER was heard at Alapocas
Woods Park.
Kent County:
Click
Here for Kent County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Highlights from Bombay Hook NWR included RED KNOT,
STILT SANDPIPER, YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, KENTUCKY WARBLER and PROTHONOTARY
WARBLER. On May 13, Norman G Wilder WA had SWAINSON’S THRUSH and
KENTUCKY WARBLER.
Sussex County:
Click
Here for Sussex County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK was still at Silver
Lake in Rehoboth through May 9. The Cape Henlopen State Park Hawk Watch
noted at least one, possibly two SWALLOW-TAILED KITES on May 9. Other
sightings from Cape Henlopen included NORTHERN GANNETS, PIPING PLOVERS
and BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES. Lewes Beach had SURF SCOTER, BLACK SCOTER
and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. RED KNOTS were at Mispillion Harbor, and BOBOLINKS
were back at the fields along Ramsey Rd. Redden State Forest had RED-HEADED
WOODPECKER, PROTHONOTARY WARBLER and SUMMER TANAGER. Prime Hook NWR
had NORTHERN BOBWHITES, CASPIAN TERNS, PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, WILSON’S
WARBLER and BLUE GROSBEAKS. On May 12, Milford Neck had SEDGE WREN,
CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW, WHIP-POOR-WILL and COMMON NIGHTHAWK at the
little bridge over Greco Canal. Other birds at Milford Neck included
KENTUCKY WARBLER, PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT and BLUE
GROSBEAK. That night a KING RAIL called from Swan Creek Marsh along
New Wharf Rd in Milford.
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 first summer BLUE GROSBEAK and CANADA WARBLER were
at Blue Hill Park on May 8. That day, Carpenter’s Woods had 2
NASHVILLE WARBLERS, 2 BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS and CANADA WARBLER.
Delaware County:
Click Here
for Delaware County Birding Resources including an interactive map with
locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No reports
Two BARRED OWLS called from the multi-use trail at
Ridley Creek State Park on May 10. On May 11, a CAPE MAY WARBLER was
at Tagalong Run on the entrance road to Colonial Plantation in Ridley
Creek. The bridal trail had CANADA WARBLERS and WILSON’S WARBLERS
that day, and a CLIFF SWALLOW was at the horse stable.
Chester County:
Click Here
for Chester County Birding Resources including an interactive map with
locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On May 10, Marsh Creek State Park had
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, CANADA WARBLER and YELLOW-BREASTED
CHAT.
Montgomery County:
Click
Here for Montgomery County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No Reports
Norristown’s Elmwood Park had a BAY-BREASTED
WARBLER on May 8. A BLUE GROSBEAK was reportedly at Norristown Farm
Park on May 6.
Bucks County:
Click
Here for Bucks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A CATTLE EGRET was at Franklin’s Cove and a
baseball field behind the Tullytown police station on May 9. That day,
a RED-THROATED LOON was on Lake Galena at Peace Valley Park. Other sightings
from Peace Valley included BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS, COMMON NIGHTHAWK, BANK
SWALLOW and YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. Recent sightings from the Churchville
Nature Center included BANK SWALLOW, SWAINSON’S THRUSH, NASHVILLE
WARBLER and BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. Lots 4 & 5 outside Warminster
Community Park had 2 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS and 10 BOBOLINKS on May 7.
Northampton County:
Click
Here for Northampton County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On May 6, a BREWSTER’S WARBLER was at Jacobsburg
State Park, and the park had BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS on May 8, 9 &
11. A LINCOLN’S SPARROW was there on May 11. The next day, another
LINCOLN’S SPARROW was by the bird blind, and a YELLOW-BELLIED
FLYCATCHER was at the park. Other reports from Jacobsburg included KENTUCKY
WARBLER and YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. A WHIP-POOR-WILL was at Little Gap
on May 9. That day, a VIRGINIA RAIL was at School Rd near Bangor High
School. On May 9, National Park Dr had BAY-BREASTED WARBLER and TENNESSEE
WARBLER. Bear Swamp had SWAINSON’S THRUSHES and BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER
that day. A fledgling PINE SISKIN was fed by its parents at feeders
on private property north of Bath.
Lehigh County:
Click
Here for Lehigh County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A LINCOLN’S SPARROW was spotted at the Whitehall
Parkway on May 8. On May 7, VESPER SPARROWS were reported from Saegersville
Rd, Jones Rd, Bake Oven Rd, Blue Mountain House Rd and Scheirers Rd.
A CAPE MAY WARBLER was at Leaser Lake on May 8, and 2 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS
were seen there May 5-8. Other Leaser Lake birds included CLIFF SWALLOW,
TENNESSEE WARBLER and BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW and
BOBOLINKS were at Blue Mountain House Rd on May 8. On May 7, two SEMIPALMATED
PLOVERS were seen from Schantz Rd in Fogelsville. PINE SISKINS were
at Trexlertown Pines on May 7.
Schuylkill County:
Click
Here for Schuylkill County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Sightings from Sweet Arrow Lake this week included
PURPLE FINCHES and PINE SISKINS. On May 9, an AMERICAN PIPIT was at
Flat Hill Rd in Washington Twp. That day the Tumbling Run Watershed
had BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, TENNESSEE WARBLERS, BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS,
CERULEAN WARBLER and BOBOLINKS.
Berks County:
Click
Here for Berks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No reports
The WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS at the Peters Creek area
of Lake Ontelaunee were seen as recently as May 6. On May 7, the Lake
Ontelaunee area had COMMON LOON, BLACK TERN and PROTHONOTARY WARBLER.
On May 10, the lake had BONAPARTE’S GULLS and a FORSTER’S
TERN. The CLIFF SWALLOW colonies at Lake Ontelaunee had at least 20
swallows this week. Blue Marsh National Recreation Area had YELLOW-BREASTED
CHAT and CLIFF SWALLOWS. On May 9, SGL 110 Stony Creek had RUFFED GROUSE
and BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. The Monocacy Hill Conservation Area had SWAINSON’S
THRUSHES, CERULEAN WARBLER and CANADA WARBLERS. Fifty BOBOLINKS were
at Limekiln Rd in the Oley Valley. Seven BOBOLINKS were at the Douglass
Twp grasslands. Three BARRED OWLS called from French Creek State Park.
Lancaster County:
Click
Here for Lancaster County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On May 7, a DICKCISSEL was a half-mile past tour stop
#3 at Middle Creek WMA. A GLOSSY IBIS was at Woods Edge Pond off Centerville
Rd on May 7. An AMERICAN AVOCET was at the Conejohela Flats on May 10,
spending much of its time at Avocet Point. The AVOCET was visible from
the Blue Rock Rd boat access south of Washington Boro. Other birds at
the Conejohela Flats this week included COMMON GOLDENEYE, BONAPARTE’S
GULLS, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS. Conestoga Pines
Park had YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER on May 9.
Lebanon County:
Click
Here for Lebanon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On May 11, a SANDERLING was at North Mount Pleasant
Pond. On May 9, SGL 80 had KENTUCKY WARBLER just off the stone road
headed east, and a CERULEAN WARBLER was near Monroe Creek.
Carbon County:
On May 10, two GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS were found at
the Hatchery Rd power line cut in Penn Forest Twp. On May 8, birds at
the Penn Forest and Wild Creek Reservoirs area included WHIP-POOR-WILLS,
BARRED OWL, GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES, BOBOLINK and PINE SISKIN.
Monroe County:
No reports
Pike County:
Over the weekend, the Pocono Environmental Education
Center had BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, COMMON RAVEN, CERULEAN WARBLER, WILSON’S
WARBLER, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL and PINE SISKIN.
Wayne County:
No reports
PA Extralimitals:
No reports.
Extralimital Reports
No reports
Announcements
On May 17, Art
McMorris will lead a DVOC field trip to Ridley Creek State Park, Delaware
County, PA. The trip will meet at 6:30AM at the Ridley Creek bridge on
Gradyville Rd. On May 17, Erica
Brendel will lead a joint DVOC and Friends of Carpenter’s Woods
field trip to Carpenter’s Woods in Philadelphia. The trip will meet
at 6:30AM at the bus stop at Sedgwick St and Wayne Ave in Mount Airy.
On May 24, Bill and Naomi
Murphy will lead a field trip to the Pocono Mountains, Delaware Water
Gap, Layton and Alpha. Please contact Bill and Naomi Murphy for more information.
Trip reports from previous years’ field trips and contact information
for the leaders can be found on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org
The next meeting of the DVOC is on May 21 at 7:30pm
at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, when Bert
Filemyr will present "The Apostrophes - Stories Behind Birds
Named in Honor of People". The meeting after that will be on June
4 at the Academy. Details are on the website; guests and nonmembers are
always welcome.
At 7:30PM on May 15, the Wyncote Audubon Society will
meet at the Plymouth Meeting House located at the
intersection of Germantown and Butler Pikes in Plymouth Meeting, when
Doug Wechsler will present "Salt Marshes." The program is free
and open to the public. Martin Selzer will lead a Wyncote Audubon field
trip to Hawkin Rd and Brightview Farm in NJ on May 16. The trip meets
at Hawkin Rd at 7:00AM. Bring lunch and wellies, and call Martin at 215
233-9090 if you plan on attending.
There will be no Delaware Valley RBA for the week
of May 17. We will resume a normal schedule for the week of May 24.
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.
|
Click Here for Jack
Siler's eBird Rarities Map