| Current
report - Wednesday August 19, 2009
- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species
accounts for many of these birds
White-faced Storm-petrel (MD)
Roseate Spoonbill (DE)+
Roseate Spoonbill (NJ)+
Mississippi Kite (PA)+
Sabine's Gull (PA)+ (Somerset County,PA)
Monk Parakeet (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)
Cory's Shearwater
Greater Shearwater
Wilson's Storm-petrel
American White Pelican
Brown Pelican
American Bittern
Least Bittern
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Cattle Egret
Snow Goose
Brant
White-winged Scoter
Red-breasted Merganser
Northern Goshawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Wild Turkey
Northern Bobwhite
Common Moorhen
Sandhill Crane
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Upland Sandpiper
Whimbrel
Hudsonian Godwit
Marbled Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Red Knot
Sanderling
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope
Laughing Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Gull-billed Tern
Caspian Tern
Royal Tern
Forster's Tern
Black Tern
Black-billed Cuckoo
Common Nighthawk
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Common Raven
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Golden-winged Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Mourning Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Canada Warbler
Lark Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Blue Grosbeak
Dickcissel
Bobolink
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.
I'm Steve Kacir your guide for birding in the Greater Philadelphia Region.
This week, we highlight reports of ROSEATE SPOONBILLS in Sussex County,
DE & Atlantic County, NJ; MISSISSIPPI KITE in Berks County, PA and
MONK PARAKEET in Kent County, DE. Remember to check out our website for
additional content and information: http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm
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 Aug 17, a LARK SPARROW was found on the trail the
leads from the Bunker Pond to the plover ponds at Cape May Point State
Park. An AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN circled over the state park on Aug 16,
and an ALDER FLYCATCHER was at the park on Aug 17. Other birds reported
from the state park included BROWN PELICAN, GULL-BILLED TERN and PIPING
PLOVER. A COMMON MOORHEN was at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Cape May
Migratory Bird Refuge on Aug 17. Other birds at the refuge included
LEAST BITTERN, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, CASPIAN TERN, BANK SWALLOW
and PRAIRIE WARBLER. On Aug 13, an adult male GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER
was spotted at Higbee Beach WMA at the spur to Signal Hill, near the
end of the third field. A CAPE MAY WARBLER was at Higbee on Aug 17.
Other sightings from Higbee included WORM-EATING WARBLERS, NORTHERN
WATERTHRUSHES, BLUE GROSBEAK and BOBOLINKS. A BLUE GROSBEAK was at the
Rea Farm. A BRANT and WHIMBRELS were at Jarvis Sound on Aug 15. A DICKCISSEL
flew over the Villas WMA on Aug 18. Norbury’s Landing briefly
hosted a BLACK TERN and 2 WHIMBRELS on Aug 16. The Woodcock Trail of
Cape May NWR had BLUE GROSBEAKS and BOBOLINKS. A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
was at Kimbles Beach on Aug 18. On Aug 17, a TRICOLORED HERON was at
Nummy Island.
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.
Approximately 35,000 PURPLE MARTINS were observed
from the Maurice River and the Mauricetown Causeway bridge on Aug 14
& 16.
Atlantic County:
Click
Here for Atlantic County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The ROSEATE SPOONBILL at the Brigantine Division of
Edwin B Forsythe NWR was reported as recently as Aug 18; it has been
favoring the east pool. A BLACK-NECKED STILT and RED KNOT were seen
at the refuge over the weekend. A WILSON’S PHALAROPE was on the
north side of the east pool on Aug 16. RED KNOTS and MARBLED GODWITS
were reported from Brigantine on Aug 13 & 16. Other birds at Brigantine
included AMERICAN BITTERN, LEAST BITTERN, WILD TURKEY, NORTHERN BOBWHITES,
WHIMBRELS, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, WESTERN SANDPIPERS, WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPERS, STILT SANDPIPERS, CLIFF SWALLOW and BLUE GROSBEAK.
Monmouth County:
Click
Here for Monmouth County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Aug 19, two AMERICAN AVOCETS were at the Wreck
Pond.
Burlington County:
Click
Here for Burlington County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Aug 16, Columbus Sod Farm (aka Mercer Sod Farm)
had 2 UPLAND SANDPIPERS and BOBOLINKS.
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 reports
Salem County:
Click
Here for Salem County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was at the Johnson Sod Farm
on Aug 18. On Aug 13, four UPLAND SANDPIPERS and a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER
were seen from Griers Lane at the Johnson Sod Farm. That day, DeLea
Sod Farm had 3 UPLAND SANDPIPERS in the Forest Lane section. Adult and
juvenile COMMON MOORHENS were at Mannington Marsh, and Featherbed Lane
had SNOW GEESE.
Gloucester County:
Click
Here for Gloucester County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports
Hunterdon County:
Click
Here for Hunterdon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A probable MOURNING WARBLER was reported from Spruce
Run Reservoir on Aug 15.
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.
Reports from the Raccoon Ridge Hawk Watch included
BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, COMMON RAVENS and Timber Rattlesnakes.
Somerset County:
Click
Here for Somerset County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve
had GRASSHOPPER SPARROW and PRAIRIE WARBLER.
Morris County:
On Aug 14, two COMMON NIGHTHAWKS flew over Drew University.
Union County:
No Reports
Bergen 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.
Seventeen COMMON NIGHTHAWKS flew over the hawk watch
parking lot at Brandywine Creek State Park on Aug 16. The previous day,
a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was near the Rockland Mills parking lot on the
east side of the creek at Brandywine Creek State Park. A NASHVILLE WARBLER
was at the grapevine and walnut thickets near the Ashland Nature Center’s
butterfly house on Aug 16. On Aug 18, two CLIFF SWALLOWS were still
attending a nest under the northernmost Route 9 bridge over the Appoquinimink
River.
Kent County:
Click
Here for Kent County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Aug 16, a MONK PARAKEET was at the Education Center
at Woodland Beach WA. The PARAKEET was in the parking lot across the
street from the Aquatic Resources Education Center on Aug 18. Four UPLAND
SANDPIPERS were near the irrigation equipment at Cartanza Rd on Aug
16, but at least 8 UPLAND SANDPIPERS were there on Aug 15. Five UPLAND
SANDPIPERS were at Cartanza Rd on Aug 19. Cartanza Rd had 2 UPLAND SANDPIPER
and 2 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS on Aug 18. Wick’s Potato Farm at
Whitehall Neck Rd had 2 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS on Aug 16. On Aug 19,
a potato field north of the Leipsic River along Route 9 had a BAIRD’S
SANDPIPER and a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. Three HUDSONIAN GODWITS and
a CATTLE EGRET were at Bombay Hook NWR on Aug 19. Bombay Hook NWR had
CATTLE EGRET, SNOW GEESE, nearly 300 AMERICAN AVOCETS, BLACK-NECKED
STILTS, WESTERN SANDPIPERS, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, STILT SANDPIPERS
and BLUE GROSBEAKS. A RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was at Silver Lake in Dover
on Aug 15. Fifty-six ROYAL TERNS were at Port Mahon on Aug 18.
Sussex County:
Click
Here for Sussex County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A ROSEATE SPOONBILL has been seen around the Catch
54 restaurant in the town of Fenwick Island as recently as Aug 15, when
it was spotted on private property with an older style farmhouse in
a loblolly. On Aug 13, the SPOONBILL was grazing on a Madison Ave lawn.
To see the SPOONBILL, take Route 54 west from Fenwick Island, cross
over the bridge in half a mile and, just after the Catch 54 restaurant
on the north side of the road, turn right onto Bennett Rd. In 100 yards,
turn right onto Madison Ave and park -- you cannot go straight ahead
as this is private property. Previously, the bird has been seen low
in tidal channels on private property to the north across the grass
from this site. Be patient and be respectful of property owners. An
Aug 16 pelagic trip out of Lewes, DE found GREATER SHEARWATERS, CORY’S
SHEARWATERS and WILSON’S STORM-PETRELS in Delaware waters. Other
sightings from that trip included a WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL & RED-NECKED
PHALAROPE in Maryland waters, Leatherback Sea Turtles, a Hammerhead
Shark, Fin Whales, Minke Whales, Pilot Whales and Risso’s Dolphins.
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
No reports
Chester County:
Click Here
for Chester County Birding Resources including an interactive map with
locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports
Montgomery County:
Click
Here for Montgomery County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No Reports
Over 100 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were spotted from the Militia
Hill Hawk Watch at Fort Washington State Park on Aug 14.
Bucks County:
Click
Here for Bucks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports
Northampton County:
Click
Here for Northampton County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A PINE SISKIN was at a feeder in East Allen Twp on
Aug 18.
Lehigh County:
Click
Here for Lehigh County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A juvenile NORTHERN GOSHAWK flew over the south lookout
at the Bake Oven Knob Hawk Watch on Aug 15. Additional sightings from
Bake Oven Knob included BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and COMMON RAVENS. On Aug
18, Leaser Lake had NORTHERN BOBWHITE, GRASSHOPPER SPARROW and BOBOLINKS.
That day, a BLUE GROSBEAK was at Spring House Rd in Lynn Twp. Lehigh
Gap Wildlife Refuge had DARK-EYED JUNCO, PRAIRIE WARBLER and BLUE GROSBEAKS
on Aug 18.
Schuylkill County:
Click
Here for Schuylkill County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER and LEAST FLYCATCHER were
at the mountaintop Route 183 portion of SGL 110 on Aug 15. Other birds
reported from this area of SGL 110 included BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER and
CANADA WARBLERS. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS flew over McKeansburg.
Berks County:
Click
Here for Berks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No reports
An adult MISSISSIPPI KITE flew past the Hawk Mountain
Sanctuary Hawk Watch on Aug 15. Other birds seen from Hawk Mountain
included BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, MERLINS and PEREGRINE FALCONS.
Lancaster County:
Click
Here for Lancaster County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Aug 18, the Conejohela Flats hosted 2 RUDDY TURNSTONES
at Avocet Point, a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER at Gull Island and 2 SANDERLINGS.
On Aug 19, two or three RUDDY TURNSTONES were still in the area. Other
sightings from the flats included LITTLE BLUE HERON, SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS,
PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, CASPIAN TERNS, FORSTER’S
TERN, LAUGHING GULL and BANK SWALLOWS. A MERLIN was seen from Stop #1
at Middle Creek WMA on Aug 15.
Lebanon County:
Click
Here for Lebanon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The SANDHILL CRANE was at Lake Duffy in SGL 145 on
Aug 14 & Aug 17. On Aug 19, SGL 145 had HOODED WARBLER and WORM-EATING
WARBLER. The Second Mountain Hawk Watch reported RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS,
BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and a MERLIN.
Carbon County:
No reports
Monroe County:
No reports
Pike County:
Sightings from the Delaware River around Milford included
over 500 TREE SWALLOWS and 8 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS.
Wayne County:
No reports
PA Extralimitals:
On Aug 18, a SABINE’S GULL was spotted at Laurel
Hill State Park in Somerset County.
Extralimital Reports
No reports
Announcements
On August 20, Sandra Keller will lead a DVOC field trip
to Stone Harbor Point and Nummy Island. The trip will meet at 9:30AM at
the parking lot for the Wetlands Institute. Please contact Sandra if you
plan on attending. On Aug 30, Steve Kacir will lead a DVOC field trip
to Green Lane Reservoir in Montgomery County, PA. The trip will meet at
the Church Rd parking lot at Green Lane at 7:00AM. If high water levels
persist at Green Lane, this trip will be cancelled. Please contact Steve
by email if you plan on attending. Additional information about these
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 is an informal meeting
at John Heinz NWR at Tinicum on Sep 3 at 7:30pm. The meeting will feature
short presentations by DVOC-sponsored Academy of Natural Sciences intern
Aaron Reichlin as well as Judith Keller and Bert Filemyr. Details are
on the website, and guests are always welcome.
Bob Friederman is requesting all the help he can get
at the Lake Nockamixon Hawk Watch from Sep 13-22 from 9:00AM to 5:00PM.
The hawk watch takes place at the marina parking lot.
See Life Paulagics is running two overnight pelagic
trips out of Lewes, DE one runs Aug 20-21 and the other runs Aug 23-24.
These trips offer great opportunities to search for White-faced Storm-petrel.
More information can be found at http://www.paulagics.com/site/
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