| Current
report - Wednesday October 7, 2009
- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species
accounts for many of these birds
Roseate Spoonbill (NJ)+
Red Phalarope (PA)+
White-winged Dove (NJ)+
Common Ground-dove (NJ)+
Northern Wheatear (PA)+
Western Tanager -extralimital- (NJ)+
Lark 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
Eared Grebe
Northern Gannet
Brown Pelican
American Bittern
Tricolored Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-heron
Cackling Goose
Brant
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Common Eider
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Northern Goshawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Golden Eagle
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Sora
Common Moorhen
Sandhill Crane
American Golden-plover
Piping Plover
Western Willet
Marbled Godwit
Red Knot
Western Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Dunlin
Stilt Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Parasitic Jaeger
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Eastern Screech-owl
Common Nighthawk
Chimney Swift
Red-headed Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Pileated Woodpecker
Western Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Common Raven
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Marsh Wren
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Bicknell's Thrush
Swainson's Thrush
American Pipit
Golden-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Connecticut Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Clay-colored Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Nelson's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Blue Grosbeak
Dickcissel
Bobolink
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Purple Finch
White-winged Crossbill
Yellow-crowned Bishop
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 SPOONBILL in Atlantic County,
NJ; RED PHALAROPE in Lancaster County, PA; WHITE-WINGED DOVE and COMMON
GROUND-DOVE in Cape May County, NJ; NORTHERN WHEATEAR in Bucks County,
PA and LARK SPARROW in Sussex 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.
A COMMON GROUND-DOVE was photographed at Nummy Island
on Oct 6. A WHITE-WINGED DOVE was spotted from the St Peter’s
jetty on Oct 2, previously reported from private property along Bayshore
Rd. On Oct 1, a WESTERN KINGBIRD was spotted north of the canal from
the bike path running from Sandman Ave and Route 9 to Cold Spring.
On Sep 30-Oct 1 & Oct 4-6, Higbee Beach WMA had
CAPE MAY WARBLERS and CONNECTICUT WARBLERS, and BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS
were there on Sep 30-Oct 1 & Oct 4-5. A CACKLING GOOSE flew by the
Higbee dike on Oct 5. The Morning Flight Project noted WILSON’S
WARBLER on Sep 30 & Oct 4 and DICKCISSEL on Oct 4. A BICKNELL’S
THRUSH called from the Higbee dike on Oct 1. Other highlights from the
dike that day included a PARASITIC JAEGER, 3 GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES,
4 CONNECTICUT WARBLERS and a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
was seen from the tower field at Higbee on Oct 2. Other birds at Higbee
included BLACK SCOTER, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH,
TENNESSEE WARBLERS, NASHVILLE WARBLERS, LINCOLN’S SPARROW and
RUSTY BLACKBIRD. On Oct 1, a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was near the parking
lot across from the fire control tower along Sunset Blvd at the old
Magnesite Plant. A HOODED WARBLER was at the Red Trail of Cape May Point
State Park on Oct 1. A PHILADELPHIA VIREO was near the intersection
of the state park’s Red Trail and the Yellow Trail on Oct 3, and
another was seen at the park’s trails on Oct 4. A PARASITIC JAEGER
flew by Cape May Point State Park on Oct 7. A pair of CAPE MAY WARBLERS
were near the Cape May Point State Park Hawk Watch platform on Sep 30,
and a COMMON MOORHEN was seen from the platform. That day, a RED-HEADED
WOODPECKER and 2 DICKCISSELS flew over the Hawk Watch. An AMERICAN BITTERN
and DICKCISSEL were seen from the platform on Oct 1. On Oct 4, a uniquely
patterned partial albino OSPREY flew past the hawk watch, and a COMMON
MOORHEN and CLAY-COLORED SPARROW were spotted from the platform. Another
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was seen from the platform on Oct 6. Other sightings
from the Hawk Watch included SURF SCOTERS, BLACK SCOTERS, BROAD-WINGED
HAWKS, RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, MERLINS, PEREGRINE FALCONS, STILT SANDPIPER,
BANK SWALLOWS, CLIFF SWALLOWS, AMERICAN PIPIT and BLUE GROSBEAK. The
Northwood Center of the Cape May Bird Observatory had a GOLDEN-WINGED
WARBLER on Oct 1-2.
On Oct 3, multiple SORA and an AMERICAN BITTERN
were at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge.
Flight calls heard from Norbury’s Landing on Oct 2 included BICKNELL’S
THRUSH and GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. PARASITIC JAEGERS were seen off Reed’s
Beach on Oct 4. PARASITIC JAEGERS flew past the Avalon Sea Watch on
Oct 2-4, and 4 PARASITIC JAEGERS were tallied there on Oct 4. The Sea
Watch reported a CACKLING GOOSE on Oct 5. The Avalon Sea Watch also
reported RED-THROATED LOONS, TRICOLORED HERONS, BRANT, SURF SCOTERS,
BLACK SCOTERS, NORTHERN GANNETS, BROWN PELICANS, WESTERN WILLET and
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. On Oct 5, Townsend’s Inlet had 5 MARBLED
GODWITS. The bayside end of 37th St had 3 juvenile YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS
on Oct 5. On Oct 4-5, 11-12 MARBLED GODWITS were reported from Nummy
Island. On Oct 4, Nummy Island also had 60 WESTERN WILLETS and 420 RED
KNOTS. A COMMON EIDER was in the intra-coastal waterway on Oct 5, visible
from land by looking northwest from the toll bridge at Nummy Island.
On Oct 5, a RED KNOT was on the beach near the parking area at Stone
Harbor Point, and a BROWN PELICAN was on Champagne Island. Stone Harbor
Point had WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, WESTERN SANDPIPERS and 6 PIPING PLOVERS
on Oct 4.
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.
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and a LINCOLN’S SPARROW
were at East Point Rd on Oct 5.
Atlantic County:
Click
Here for Atlantic County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The ROSEATE SPOONBILL and a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD
were spotted at the Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe NWR on Oct
3. Other sightings from Brigantine included WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and
STILT SANDPIPERS.
Monmouth County:
Click
Here for Monmouth County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Oct 4, a WESTERN KINGBIRD hunted from telephone
lines next to the Halyburton Memorial, along the bike path between L
lot and the scout camp lot at Sandy Hook on Oct 4. That day, 2 CAPE
MAY WARBLERS were spotted from the bike path behind the garden at Sandy
Hook, and a juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was at the False Hook. An
escaped YELLOW-CROWNED BISHOP was on Plum Island at Sandy Hook on Oct
4. Four NELSON’S SPARROWS were at Sandy Hook’s Plum Island
on Oct 6. Other sightings from Sandy Hook featured COMMON LOON, MERLINS,
NASHVILLE WARBLER and LINCOLN’S SPARROWS.
Burlington County:
Click
Here for Burlington County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Five LINCOLN’S SPARROWS were at the Rancocas
Nature Center on Oct 2.
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.
No reports
Gloucester County:
Click
Here for Gloucester County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The National Park dredge spoils had a LINCOLN’S
SPARROW on Oct 5-6. On Oct 5, two CONNECTICUT WARBLERS were at National
Park, seen at the lower track of the south dike, 30yds from the southwest
corner. On Sep 30, the dredge spoils had attracted a YELLOW-BREASTED
CHAT and CAPE MAY WARBLER. On Oct 4, two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were
at the National Park dredge spoils, and another was at Riverwinds. The
Wheelabrator Wildlife Refuge had a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH on Oct 6.
Hunterdon County:
Click
Here for Hunterdon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports
Middlesex County:
A DARK-EYED JUNCO was at Milltown on Sep 26.
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 reported 239 SHARP-SHINNED
HAWKS on Oct 5. This week, Raccoon Ridge also reported BROAD-WINGED
HAWKS, MERLINS, PEREGRINE FALCONS, COMMON RAVENS, Black Bear and a North
American Porcupine. The Scott’s Mountain Hawk Watch spotted a
NORTHERN GOSHAWK on Oct 1, and a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was in a dead
tree behind the hawk watch on Oct 4. Other highlights from Scott’s
Mountain included RED-THROATED LOONS, COMMON LOONS, RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS,
BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, MERLINS, PEREGRINE FALCONS and COMMON RAVEN. LINCOLN’S
SPARROWS were at the Warren Green Acres (aka Glenhurst Meadows) on Oct
6.
Somerset County:
Click
Here for Somerset County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Oct 3, LINCOLN’S SPARROWS were at
the northwest edge of Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve. Other sightings
from Negri-Nepote included RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES and NASHVILLE WARBLERS.
Morris County:
On Oct 6, a LINCOLN’S SPARROW was at the sparrow
fields off Old Boontown Rd in Tourne County Park.
Union County:
No Reports
Bergen County:
No reports
NJ Extralimitals:
On Oct 5, a WESTERN TANAGER was opposite the first
parking area after the boat ramp lot, in the tree line alongside the
Daily News building at Liberty State Park in Hudson County. That day,
a LARK SPARROW was at the top end of the meadow behind the IC building
at Liberty State Park. On Oct 6, the WESTERN TANAGER was spotted on
the Interpretive Trail south of the Interpretive Center. That day the
bird was in an area of thick deciduous cover near a small structure
on the right side of the path as one walks south. On Oct 3-4, a LARK
SPARROW was at Great Piece Meadows in Fairfield, Essex 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.
On Oct 1, a CAPE MAY WARBLER was spotted between Wedgewood
Rd bridge and Hopkins Bridge Rd at White Clay Creek State Park. On Oct
6, White Clay Creek had PHILADELPHIA VIREO, GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, SWAINSON’S
THRUSH, all just north of the pumping station. This week, White Clay
Creek also had MERLIN, PILEATED WOODPECKER, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER,
PILEATED WOODPECKER and SWAINSON’S THRUSH. The Ashland Nature
Center Hawk Watch reported RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, BROAD-WINGED HAWKS,
MERLIN, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, SWAINSON’S THRUSH and WILSON’S
WARBLER. On Oct 2, Brandywine Creek State Park had a YELLOW-BREASTED
CHAT, LINCOLN’S SPARROWS and a possible juvenile DICKCISSEL. A
flock of 110-115 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS flew over Middle Run Natural Area
in Newark on Oct 4. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and NASHVILLE WARBLERS
were at Lums Pond State Park on Oct 6; they were seen at the campground
on a trail running west from the entrance booth to a cornfield.
Kent County:
Click
Here for Kent County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports
Sussex County:
Click
Here for Sussex County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Oct 4, a LARK SPARROW was at the trail between
Battery 519 and the top of the dune at Fort Miles in Cape Henlopen State
Park, and BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES were also reported in that area. A
PHILADELPHIA VIREO was at the Cape Henlopen State Park Nature Center
on Sep 30, and another was at the park on Oct 1. That day, a CAPE MAY
WARBLER was near the campground at the beginning of the Walking Dune
Trail. A juvenile RED-HEADED WOODPECKER made an appearance at the Cape
Henlopen State Park Hawk Watch platform on Sep 30. An AMERICAN BITTERN
flew past the platform on Oct 1. A CANADA WARBLER, WILSON’S WARBLER,
3 CAPE MAY WARBLERS and a BAY-BREASTED WARBLER were at the hawk watch
platform on Oct 1. On Oct 6, the hawk watch reported 2 AMERICAN PIPITS
and a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. Other highlights from the Cape Henlopen Hawk
Watch included COMMON LOONS, BROWN PELICANS, SURF SCOTERS, RED-SHOULDERED
HAWKS, BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, MERLINS and PEREGRINE FALCONS. Other birds
at Cape Henlopen State Park included SWAINSON’S THRUSHES, TENNESSEE
WARBLER and NASHVILLE WARBLERS. A PEREGRINE FALCON was at Fowler Beach
Rd on Sep 30. Ten WESTERN WILLETS were at Mispillion Harbor on Oct 4.
On Oct 5, the Oak Grove area had 2 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS, 2 CAPE MAY
WARBLERS, NASHVILLE WARBLER and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.
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.
Two DICKCISSELS were at the community gardens at Benjamin
Rush State Park on Oct 6. Benjamin Rush State Park also had LINCOLN’S
SPARROWS and BOBOLINKS. Over 200 CHIMNEY SWIFTS were over the 5200 block
of Germantown Ave on Oct 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 reported RED-SHOULDERED
HAWKS, BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and PEREGRINE FALCONS.
Chester County:
Click Here
for Chester County Birding Resources including an interactive map with
locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE flew over
a hawk watch in Caln Twp on Oct 7. Three CACKLING GEESE were at the
Ramblewood Waste Water Treatment Pond on Oct 4. Hibernia County Park
and Chambers Lake had a PEREGRINE FALCON, MERLIN and SWAINSON’S
THRUSH. A LINCOLN’S SPARROW and NASHVILLE WARBLER were at Hibernia
on Oct 6. A PEREGRINE FALCON and RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were over Downingtown
on Oct 1.
Montgomery County:
Click
Here for Montgomery County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No Reports
The Militia Hill Hawk Watch at Fort Washington State
Park reported 2 COMMON RAVENS on Oct 4. This week, Militia Hill also
noted BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, MERLIN, and PEREGRINE
FALCONS. A COMMON NIGHTHAWK flew over Meadowbrook on Oct 6.
Bucks County:
Click
Here for Bucks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A NORTHERN WHEATEAR was seen at Lake Caroline in Fairless
Hills on Oct 4. The WHEATEAR was at a path accessible from the back
right corner of the Oxford Valley Pool parking lot. The WHEATEAR spent
most of its time between two wooden bridges that can be found if one
follows the path past a wooded area then past a small wooden bridge
and to the left around the lake where a mowed field on the right is
between the two bridges. Unfortunately, the WHEATEAR has not been seen
again. The Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield Memorial Park had
SWAINSON’S THRUSH, NASHVILLE WARBLER and LINCOLN’S SPARROW
on Oct 1. The Churchville Nature Center had 2 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES
on Oct 3.
Northampton County:
Click
Here for Northampton County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The Koch property had MERLINS, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS
and LINCOLN’S SPARROWS.
Lehigh County:
Click
Here for Lehigh County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The Bake Oven Knob Hawk Watch reported EASTERN SCREECH-OWL,
BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, MERLINS, PEREGRINE FALCONS
and COMMON RAVENS. PEREGRINE FALCONS were spotted in Allentown.
Schuylkill County:
Click
Here for Schuylkill County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports
Berks County:
Click
Here for Berks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No reports
On Oct 1, migrants at the North Lookout of Hawk Mountain
Sanctuary included BLUE-HEADED VIREOS, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, TENNESSEE
WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER and WILSON’S WARBLER. The Hawk Mountain
Sanctuary Hawk Watch spotted GOLDEN EAGLES on Oct 2-3. Other sightings
from Hawk Mountain included BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS,
MERLINS, PEREGRINE FALCONS, COMMON RAVENS, TENNESSEE WARBLERS and NASHVILLE
WARBLERS. A RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH appeared at a feeder in Leesport on
Oct 6.
Lancaster County:
Click
Here for Lancaster County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Oct 2, a RED PHALAROPE flew past the Conejohela
Flats. That day, a NELSON’S SPARROW flushed from a stand of sedges
at the downstream end of Avocet Point before landing on a nearby duck
blind. A DUNLIN and LINCOLN’S SPARROWS were also at the flats
that day. On Oct 3, the flats had 2 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS and 2 MARSH
WRENS. Other sightings from the Conejohela Flats included MERLIN, PEREGRINE
FALCON and AMERICAN PIPITS.
Lebanon County:
Click
Here for Lebanon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Oct 3-5, an EARED GREBE was at a pond a mile north
of Route 322 on North Mount Pleasant Rd, and 100 AMERICAN PIPITS were
seen in the area on Oct 5. On Sep 30 & Oct 3, the SANDHILL CRANE
was spotted at Lake Duffy in SGL 145. On Sep 30, two NORTHERN GOSHAWKS
flew past the Second Mountain Hawk Watch, and a WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL
was seen there on Oct 6. Other sightings from Second Mountain included
BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, MERLINS, PEREGRINE FALCONS,
COMMON RAVENS and Red Bat.
Carbon County:
No reports
Monroe County:
Birds in the Kunkletown area included YELLOW-BELLIED
SAPSUCKER and PURPLE FINCH.
Pike County:
No reports
Wayne County:
No reports
PA Extralimitals:
No reports
Extralimital Reports
No reports
Announcements
On Oct 10, Frank Windfelder will lead a DVOC Field Trip
to the Tuckerton Marshes in NJ for Saltmarsh and Nelson’s Sparrows.
The trip will meet at the end of Seven Bridges Rd (aka Great Bay Blvd)
at 7:30AM sharp. On Oct 11, Steve Kacir will lead a DVOC Photography Field
Trip to Norristown Farm Park in PA. The trip will focus on fall migrants.
This trip will meet at 7:00AM at the main visitor parking lot across from
the Milk House and Dairy Barn. More information about these trips can
be found on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org/
The next meeting of the DVOC will be on Oct 15 at the
Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia at 7:30PM. The meeting will
feature a program by Rob Fergus entitled “Birds of the Ancient and
Modern Maya.” Details are on the website, and guests are always
welcome.
Intermittent closures of Cape May Point State Park and
TNC Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge in Cape May have been reported. These
closures are to accommodate Phragmites control operations. When heading
to Cape May, either or both locations may be closed.
The DVOC Annual Banquet will take place on Nov
19, 2009 at the Sheet Metal Workers’ Hall in Philadelphia, when
Rick Wright will present “The Most Beautiful of the Whole Beautiful
Lot: Wood Warblers of the American Southwest.” Additional information
and a downloadable reservation form can be found on the DVOC website:
http://www.dvoc.org/Banquet/Banquet.htm
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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Siler's eBird Rarities Map