| Current
report - Wednesday November 11, 2009
- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species
accounts for many of these birds
Yellow-billed Loon (NY)
Great White Heron (DE)+
Pink-footed Goose (NY)
Barnacle Goose (NY)
Swainson's Hawk (NJ)+
Black-throated Gray Warbler (MD)
Painted Bunting (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
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Northern Fulmar
Cory's Shearwater
Greater Shearwater
Manx Shearwater
Audubon's Shearwater
Brown Pelican
Great Cormorant
American Bittern
Cattle Egret
Snow Goose
Ross's Goose
Cackling Goose
Brant
Tundra Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
King Eider
Common Eider
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Red-breasted Merganser
Northern Goshawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Golden Eagle
Ruffed Grouse
Virginia Rail
Sandhill Crane
Western Willet
Spotted Sandpiper
Hudsonian Godwit
Purple Sandpiper
Pomarine Jaeger
Parasitic Jaeger
Black-headed Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Razorbill
Short-eared Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Red-headed Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Western Kingbird
Northern Shrike
Common Raven
Bank Swallow
Cave Swallow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Ipswich Sparrow
Nelson's Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Seaside Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting
Rusty Blackbird
Baltimore Oriole
Purple Finch
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 GREAT WHITE HERON in Sussex County,
DE; SWAINSON’S HAWK in Cape May County, NJ and PAINTED BUNTING in
Monmouth 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.
A SWAINSON’S HAWK was reported from the Cape
May Point State Park Hawk Watch, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Cape May
Migratory Bird Refuge and the Rea Farm on Nov 8. That SWAINSON’S
HAWK was seen around the vineyards at the Rea Farm Nov 7-10. The apparent
female EURASIAN WIGEON was on Lighthouse Pond at Cape May Point State
Park on Nov 6-7. A HUDSONIAN GODWIT and 2 CAVE SWALLOWS flew past the
hawk watch platform on Nov 5-6. Another CAVE SWALLOW was seen there
on Nov 10. On Nov 6, three COMMON EIDERS were seen from the hawk watch
platform. A PARASITIC JAEGER and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER were seen by the
Cape May Point State Park Hawk Watch on Nov 5. The Cape May Point State
Park Hawk Watch reported NORTHERN GOSHAWKS on Nov 6 & Nov 8, GOLDEN
EAGLES on Nov 6-7 and BROAD-WINGED HAWKS on Nov 6-7. A PARASITIC JAEGER
was seen from Cape May Point State Park on Nov 11. Other sightings from
the state park included AMERICAN BITTERN, BONAPARTE’S GULLS, BANK
SWALLOW and PURPLE FINCHES. A VIRGINIA RAIL and NORTHERN GOSHAWK were
at TNC Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge on Nov 9, and three River Otters
were there on Nov 8.
A first winter drake KING EIDER was at the pilings
near Poverty Beach on Nov 9-10, and SNOW BUNTINGS were there on Nov
10. COMMON EIDERS have been frequently reported off Cape May Point,
with over 29 COMMON EIDERS between St Mary’s and St Peter’s
jetties on Nov 7 and 31 COMMON EIDERS almost in the surf off the St
Mary’s jetty on Nov 5. Eighteen COMMON EIDERS were off the St
Peter’s jetty on Nov 9. Two PURPLE SANDPIPERS and 26 COMMON EIDERS
were around the jetties at Cape May Point on Nov 11. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS
were near the St Mary’s jetty on Nov 7. Six PARASITIC JAEGERS
were at the rips off Cape May on Nov 10. Two Mile Landing along Ocean
Dr had NELSON’S SPARROW, SALTMARSH SPARROW and SEASIDE SPARROW
on Nov 7.
A VIRGINIA RAIL was at the Rea Farm on Nov 9. A GOLDEN
EAGLE was reportedly over the Rea Farm on Nov 6. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER
and NASHVILLE WARBLERS were at the first field of the Rea Farm on Nov
7. The Rea Farm had RUSTY BLACKBIRD and PINE SISKINS on Nov 10. That
day a flock of 40 AMERICAN PIPITS were on a field at Stevens St. Eight
NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS were banded at Cape May on Nov 6, and a GOLDEN
EAGLE and 2 TUNDRA SWANS flew over Cape Island on Nov 7. A PINE SISKIN
was at Higbee Beach WMA on Nov 6. Other reports from Higbee mentioned
RUSTY BLACKBIRDS. On Nov 8, a WESTERN KINGBIRD was at the northeast
corner of the field east of the parking area along Wilson Ave at the
Cape Island Preserve. A flock of BALTIMORE ORIOLES was in Seaville on
Nov 9. The WESTERN KINGBIRD at the Villas WMA was by the red barn off
the east path on Nov 8.
The Avalon Sea Watch reported COMMON EIDERS on Nov
5-7 & Nov 9-10, KING EIDER on Nov 6, HARLEQUIN DUCK on Nov 6 and
PARASITIC JAEGER on Nov 5, 8 & 10. Other sightings from the Avalon
Sea Watch included RED-THROATED LOONS, BROWN PELICAN, GREAT CORMORANTS,
HORNED GREBES, all three species of SCOTER (including over 22,000 SCOTERS
on Nov 6), LONG-TAILED DUCKS, PURPLE SANDPIPERS, BONAPARTE’S GULLS
and SNOW BUNTINGS. The Nov 8 pelagic trip for the Waterbird Society
found a PARASITIC JAEGER off of Avalon and a Fin Whale 12 miles off
Cape May.
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.
No reports
Atlantic County:
Click
Here for Atlantic County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Nov 5, four CORY’S SHEARWATERS, 65 GREATER
SHEARWATERS, 11 MANX SHEARWATERS, an AUDUBON’S SHEARWATER, a NORTHERN
FULMAR, 6 RAZORBILLS, 3 POMARINE JAEGERS, a PARASITIC JAEGER, 2 Leatherback
Sea Turtles and a Loggerhead Sea Turtle were seen from offshore waters
about 25 miles southeast of Atlantic City. An AMERICAN BITTERN was at
the Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe NWR.
Monmouth County:
Click
Here for Monmouth County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Nov 9-11, a female PAINTED BUNTING was near the
bird feeder behind the environmental center at Huber Woods Park in Locust.
On Nov 7-8, a hen KING EIDER was with COMMON EIDERS at the end of Sandy
Hook’s Fisherman’s Trail, and more COMMON EIDERS were off
C Lot. On Nov 8, WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were at both those locations,
and 2 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at the end of Fisherman’s
Trail. That day, a KING EIDER fed in the surf off the North Beach Pavilion,
and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR was between Gunnison and North Beach Pavilion.
Eight WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were off C Lot on Nov 8, while a LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL and a BALTIMORE ORIOLE were at Spermaceti Cove. Two NELSON’S
SPARROWS were at Horseshoe Cove on Nov 8. An IPSWICH SPARROW was at
the False Hook at Sandy Hook on Nov 4.
Burlington County:
Click
Here for Burlington County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A SPOTTED SANDPIPER was spotted from the Riverton
Yacht Club at the Delaware River.
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.
On Nov 10, four hen KING EIDERS, COMMON EIDERS
and HARLEQUIN DUCKS were near the lighthouse at Barnegat Lighthouse State
Park. On Nov 10, the Barnegat flock of 209 COMMON EIDERS was joined by
ten more, for a total of 219 COMMON EIDERS. On Nov 8, Barnegat Lighthouse
State Park had COMMON EIDER, PURPLE SANDPIPER and SNOW BUNTING. On Nov
9, a sea watch from Barnegat Inlet noted 250 RED-THROATED LOONS, 8 WHITE-WINGED
SCOTERS, 36 BONAPARTE’S GULLS, an ICELAND GULL, 2 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES,
5 PARASITIC JAEGERS, a possible POMARINE JAEGER and 8 SNOW BUNTINGS. That
day, a flock of sea ducks over the submerged 8th St jetty held 210 COMMON
EIDERS, 2 HARLEQUIN DUCKS, 20 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and a RED-NECKED GREBE.
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 cove at the National Park dredge spoils had a
BLACK SCOTER and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on Nov 10. A RUSTY BLACKBIRD
was at the Pedricktown Causeway that day. Riverfront Park in Gibbstown
had 3 AMERICAN PIPITS on Nov 10 and a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER on Nov
10-11.
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.
No reports
Warren County:
Click
Here for Warren County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A BLACK-HEADED GULL was at the Merrill Creek Reservoir
on Nov 5 & Nov 9. On Nov 6, the Raccoon Ridge Hawk Watch reported
4 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS and 5 GOLDEN EAGLES. Other sightings from Raccoon
Ridge included COMMON LOONS, COMMON RAVENS, SNOW BUNTING and Black Bears.
A GOLDEN EAGLE flew past the Scott’s Mountain Hawk Watch on Nov
7. On Nov 8, a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and RED-NECKED GREBE were spotted
from Scott’s Mountain. On Nov 9, Scott’s Mountain reported
a BLACK-HEADED GULL and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.
Somerset County:
Click
Here for Somerset County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports
Morris County:
On Nov 9, the Troy Meadows had 2 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS,
a COMMON RAVEN and RUSTY BLACKBIRDS.
Union County:
On Nov 6, six CACKLING GEESE were on the grass next
to the boathouse and the pond at Warinanco Park.
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.
The Ashland Nature Center Hawk Watch reported GOLDEN
EAGLES on Nov 6 & Nov 8 and a NORTHERN GOSHAWK on Nov 10. Other
sightings from Ashland included PILEATED WOODPECKERS and a Red Bat.
Kent County:
Click
Here for Kent County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A ROSS’S GOOSE was at Bombay Hook NWR on Nov
7. That day, a flock of 53 TUNDRA SWANS were at the southern end of
Shearness Pool at Bombay Hook, while five CATTLE EGRETS hunted in the
flooded grasses at Shearness. Over 10,000 SNOW GEESE were on the water
at the Leatherberry Flats opposite Shearness, and two ROSS’S GEESE
were opposite Shearness on Nov 10. On Nov 7, the field on the south
side of Shearness had AMERICAN PIPITS. PURPLE FINCHES were spotted in
Felton.
Sussex County:
Click
Here for Sussex County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The Bethany Beach GREAT WHITE HERON (Great Blue Heron
subspecies) was reported as recently as Nov 7. To reach the spot where
the GREAT WHITE HERON was discovered, head south on DE Route 1 past
Indian River Inlet until the first traffic light after the inlet. Turn
right onto Fred Hudson Rd at the light, and then drive nearly to the
end of the road where it meets Cedar Neck Rd at a T-intersection. About
0.1 miles before the intersection, there is a pond on the right side
of the road (north of the road) just before the entrance to the Bethany
Lakes development. On Nov 10, a WESTERN WILLET
was at Quillen’s Point on Cedar Neck. Two COMMON EIDERS, PURPLE
SANDPIPERS and GREAT CORMORANTS were at Indian River Inlet on Nov 7.
On Nov 7, a BLACK-HEADED GULL was at Gordon’s
Pond in Cape Henlopen State Park. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK and GOLDEN EAGLE
flew past the Cape Henlopen State Park Hawk Watch on Nov 6 along with
COMMON EIDER and HORNED GREBE. On Nov 5, the Cape Henlopen State Park
Hawk Watch reported 89 LONG-TAILED DUCKS and a PARASITIC JAEGER. A WHITE-WINGED
SCOTER flew over the hawk watch platform on Nov 9. A very late unidentified
Contopus Sp FLYCATCHER was seen at Cape Henlopen State Park on Nov 10.
Other sightings from Cape Henlopen State Park included PURPLE FINCHES.
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was at the headquarters area of Prime Hook NWR on
Nov 10. PILEATED WOODPECKERS were at Redden State Forest.
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 Nov 7, a GOLDEN EAGLE flew over Awbury Arboretum
in Germantown.
Delaware County:
Click Here
for Delaware County Birding Resources including an interactive map with
locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No reports
A GOLDEN EAGLE flew past the Rose Tree Park Hawk Watch
on Nov 5. Other sightings from Rose Tree Park included COMMON LOON and
PURPLE FINCHES.
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
An unidentified SCOTER, AMERICAN PIPITS and PURPLE
FINCHES were at Green Lane Reservoir.
Bucks County:
Click
Here for Bucks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Two CACKLING GEESE were at Peace Valley Park on Nov
7. Other sightings from Peace Valley included LINCOLN’S SPARROW
and PILEATED WOODPECKER. Thirteen LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at
Shady Brook Farm off Route 332 (Newtown Bypass) on Nov 8. Churchville
Nature Center had RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES.
Northampton County:
Click
Here for Northampton County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Two BRANT were at a pond off Driftwood Rd on Nov 11.
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was at the Koch property through Nov 5. An adult
male RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was still on private property in Palmer
Twp through Nov 10.
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 NORTHERN GOSHAWK
on Nov 5 and GOLDEN EAGLES on Nov 6 & Nov 8-9. Other sightings from
Bake Oven Knob included COMMON LOONS, COMMON RAVENS and RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCH.
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
A PINE SISKIN was at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary on Nov
5. Hawk Mountain reported NORTHERN GOSHAWK on Nov 6 & Nov 10 and
GOLDEN EAGLES on Nov 6-7 & Nov 9-10, with 7 GOLDEN EAGLES on Nov
6. A SHORT-EARED OWL and RED-HEADED WOODPECKER were seen from Hawk Mountain
on Nov 7. Other sightings from Hawk Mountain included COMMON LOONS,
SNOW GEESE and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES. On Nov 6, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK,
GOLDEN EAGLE and COMMON RAVENS were at SGL 110. A RUFFED GROUSE flushed
from food plot 5 at SGL 110 on Nov 8. Other sightings from SGL 110 included
PURPLE FINCHES. The RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD at Harold Lebo’s feeder
was reported as recently as Nov 5. On Nov 11, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were
at Blue Marsh National Recreation Area.
Lancaster County:
Click
Here for Lancaster County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Nov 11, flocks of AMERICAN PIPITS were on fields
along School Lane off Route 897 in Salisbury Twp.
Lebanon County:
Click
Here for Lebanon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The SANDHILL CRANE at Lake Duffy in SGL 145 was reported
as recently as Nov 10. Three BROAD-WINGED HAWKS flew past the Second
Mountain Hawk Watch on Nov 5. Second Mountain reported GOLDEN EAGLES
on Nov 4-8 & Nov 10 and NORTHERN GOSHAWKS on Nov 4, Nov 6-7 &
Nov 10. Other sightings from Second Mountain included COMMON LOONS and
COMMON RAVENS. On Nov 6, two GOLDEN EAGLES were spotted from Goldmine
Rd on top of Stoney Mountain.
Carbon County:
No reports
Monroe County:
No reports
Pike County:
No reports
Wayne County:
No reports
PA Extralimitals:
On Nov 8, a NORTHERN SHRIKE was behind the visitor
center at Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County.
Extralimital Reports
MARYLAND:
On Nov 5, a BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER was at Little Bennett Regional
Park in Montgomery County.
NEW YORK:
On Nov 7, a YELLOW-BILLED LOON was spotted from the closed restaurant
at Montauk Point State Park in Suffolk County. A PINK-FOOTED GOOSE and
BARNACLE GOOSE were at Kings Park High School in Suffolk County on Nov
11. The PINK-FOOTED GOOSE and BARNACLE GOOSE had previously been seen
at athletic fields in Sunken Meadows State Park, Suffolk County through
Nov 9.
Announcements
The next meeting of the DVOC will be the DVOC Annual
Banquet, which 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.”
Reservations are due by Monday, Nov 16. Additional information and a downloadable
reservation form can be found on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org/Banquet/Banquet.htm
On Nov 14, Debbie Beer will lead a DVOC Field
Trip to Okehocking Preserve in Chester County, PA. The trip will focus
on sparrows, raptors and finches. The trip will meet at the main parking
lot on Route 3 (West Chester Pike) at 8:00AM. More information about this
and other DVOC field trips can be found on the DVOC website:
http://www.dvoc.org/
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