| Current
report - Wednesday November 11, 2009
- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species
accounts for many of these birds
Western Grebe (NJ)+
Swainson's Hawk (NJ)+
Black-headed Gull (PA)+
Ash-throated Flycatcher (DE)+
possible Ash-throated Flycatcher (PA)+
Oregon Junco (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
Great Cormorant
American Bittern
Cackling Goose
Brant
Tundra Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
Common Eider
Harlequin Duck
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Northern Goshawk
Golden Eagle
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Northern Bobwhite
King Rail
Virginia Rail
Sora
Sandhill Crane
American Avocet
Willet
Marbled Godwit
Western Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Purple Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Parasitic Jaeger
Bonaparte's Gull
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Black-legged Kittiwake
Black Skimmer
Rufous Hummingbird
Red-headed Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Cave Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
American Pipit
Yellow-breasted Chat
Clay-colored Sparrow
Ipswich Sparrow
Nelson's Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Snow Bunting
Dickcissel
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.
This week, we highlight reports of WESTERN GREBE in Middlesex County,
NJ; SWAINSON’S HAWK in Cape May County, NJ; BLACK-HEADED GULL in
Northampton County, PA; ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER in Sussex County, DE and
OREGON JUNCO in Somerset 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.
The juvenile SWAINSON’S HAWK was still at the
Rea Farm on Nov 15, as was the VIRGINIA RAIL near the entrance. The
SWAINSON’S HAWK was seen from both Bayshore Rd and Stevens St
that day, and it was seen from the Cape May Point State Park Hawk Watch
on Nov 16-18 & Nov 20. A DICKCISSEL and NORTHERN GOSHAWK were at
the Rea Farm on Nov 15. Forty AMERICAN PIPITS were at the Rea Farm on
Nov 13. On Nov 15, Higbee Beach WMA had a PINE SISKIN and PURPLE FINCHES.
Five BALTIMORE ORIOLES were at the Hidden Valley Extension on Nov 15.
Two NORTHERN BOBWHITES were at Hidden Valley on Nov 15.
The COMMON EIDER show in Cape May County continued
this week with over 30 COMMON EIDERS reported from the St Mary’s
jetty on Nov 12. Then counts of COMMON EIDERS off Cape May built to
80 on Nov 14 and 184 EIDERS on Nov 15. Good locations to look for these
EIDERS included Cape May Point State Park, Poverty Beach, Two-mile Beach,
the Avalon Sea Watch, Coral Ave, Nummy Island, the St Mary’s jetty
and the Whilldin Ave jetty. On Nov 15, there were 140 COMMON EIDERS
near the St Mary’s jetty alone, and, on Nov 13, the St Peter’s
jetty had 80 COMMON EIDERS, 3 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, PURPLE SANDPIPERS,
a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and 2 flyby SNOW BUNTINGS on Nov 13. Five HARLEQUIN
DUCKS were at the Coast Guard jetty and Poverty Beach on Nov 15-19,
possibly the same birds spotted from the Coral Ave jetty on Nov 14.
A DICKCISSEL flew past the St Peter’s jetty on Nov 15. Eighty
COMMON EIDERS were off Coral Ave on Nov 16.
CAVE SWALLOWS were spotted at the Cape May Point State
Park Hawk Watch on Nov 15 & 18-20, with an estimated 6-10 CAVE SWALLOWS
on Nov 18. The hawk watch reported PARASITIC JAEGERS and a COMMON EIDER
on Nov 11. On Nov 15, a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW and DICKCISSEL were behind
the museum at the state park. Three EURASIAN WIGEONS were on Lighthouse
Pond at Cape May Point State Park through Nov 19. A COMMON GOLDENEYE
has been seen on the park’s Bunker Pond. A SORA crossed the boardwalk
at Cape May Point State Park on Nov 16. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK headed east
from the park on Nov 18. On Nov 16, a morning vigil from Cape May Point
noted two migrating DICKCISSELS along with PURPLE FINCHES and PINE SISKINS.
Other sightings from the state park included AMERICAN BITTERN and AMERICAN
PIPITS. On Nov 15-16, one or two NELSON’S SPARROWS of the subvirgatus
subspecies were at the east path of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Cape
May Migratory Bird Refuge. A NELSON’S SPARROW of the nelsoni subspecies
was at the refuge on Nov 16. That day, a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was also
at the refuge, and three LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were on the gull island.
On Nov 12 & 16, VIRGINIA RAILS called from the Cape May Migratory
Bird Refuge, and a KING RAIL called from the refuge on Nov 16. An AMERICAN
AVOCET was there on Nov 19. Thirteen AMERICAN BITTERNS flew from the
refuge at sunset on Nov 15, and a DICKCISSEL was heard from the refuge
that day. Other sightings from the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge included
AMERICAN PIPITS, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS and PURPLE FINCHES.
Three COMMON EIDERS flew past Cook’s Beach on Nov 15. A SALTMARSH
SPARROW was at Jake’s Landing on Nov 19. Jake’s Landing
had AMERICAN BITTERNS on Nov 18-19. Fourteen MARBLED GODWITS and a LONG-BILLED
DOWITCHER were on the mudflats at the free bridge for Nummy Island on
Nov 15. Other sightings from Nummy Island included a probable NORTHERN
GOSHAWK and WILLETS. A BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was spotted from the Avalon
Sea Watch on Nov 16, and a PARASITIC JAEGER flew by the sea watch on
Nov 20. The Avalon Sea Watch reported COMMON EIDERS on Nov 11-12 &
Nov 14-20. The sea watch reported LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS on Nov 12
& 19. Other sightings from the Avalon Sea Watch included RED-THROATED
LOONS, WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and BONAPARTE’S GULL.
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.
A COMMON EIDER was at East Point on Nov 15-16. A LONG-TAILED
DUCK was at Heislerville WMA on Nov 12, and 3 COMMON GOLDENEYES were
there on Nov 15. A GOLDEN EAGLE flew over Bridgeton on Nov 15. That
day, SANDHILL CRANES called from the marshes at Husted’s Landing
Rd. A BALTIMORE ORIOLE and PURPLE FINCHES were at Hansey Creek Rd on
Nov 16.
Atlantic County:
Click
Here for Atlantic County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Nov 16, the Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe
NWR had 3 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS. Twenty LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS and
a dozen WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS were there on Nov 15. Other sightings
from Brigantine included HORNED GREBES, TUNDRA SWANS, WESTERN SANDPIPERS,
SALTMARSH SPARROWS and IPSWICH SPARROWS. Malibu Beach WMA had 4 lingering
juvenile BLACK SKIMMERS on Nov 18.
Monmouth County:
Click
Here for Monmouth County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Nov 17, COMMON EIDERS were at the end of Fisherman’s
Trail at Sandy Hook.
Burlington County:
Click
Here for Burlington County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Riverfront Park had RUSTY BLACKBIRD and TUNDRA SWAN
on Nov 16.
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 14, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park had
200-250 COMMON EIDERS and 5 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS. On Nov 16, Barnegat
Lighthouse had over 200 COMMON EIDERS. Other sightings from Barnegat included
HARLEQUIN DUCKS, PURPLE SANDPIPERS, BONAPARTE’S GULLS, WESTERN SANDPIPERS
and IPSWICH SPARROWS. Manahawkin WMA had an AMERICAN BITTERN that day.
Island Beach State Park had two flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS and 2 southbound
CAVE SWALLOWS on Nov 20.
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.
A RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was seen from the National
Park dredge spoils on Nov 17.
Hunterdon County:
Click
Here for Hunterdon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports
Middlesex County:
On Nov 15-17, a WESTERN GREBE on Raritan Bay was seen
from Raritan Bay Waterfront Park in South Amboy. There were RED-THROATED
LOONS on Raritan Bay off Cliffwood Beach Park.
Mercer County:
Click
Here for Mercer County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Two PINE SISKINS visited a feeder near Princeton on
Nov 16.
Warren County:
Click
Here for Warren County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The BLACK-HEADED GULL returned to the Merrill Creek
Reservoir on Nov 15, and other birds at Merrill Creek that day included
RED-THROATED LOON, COMMON LOONS, RED-NECKED GREBE and CACKLING GOOSE.
The Scott’s Mountain Hawk Watch reported a GOLDEN EAGLE on Nov
15 & Nov 17-18. The Raccoon Ridge Hawk Watch reported COMMON RAVENS,
SNOW BUNTINGS and Black Bears. The Warren Green Acres (aka Glenhurst
Meadows) had 8 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS on Nov 18.
Somerset County:
Click
Here for Somerset County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Nov 18, an OREGON JUNCO was reported from
north side of the Delaware and Raritan Canal, between Route 27 in Kingston
and Route 518 in Rocky Hill. On Nov 15, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK flew over the
Raritan River near Demott Lane in Somerset. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was at
Hutcheson Memorial Forest on Nov 17.
Morris County:
No reports
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.
GOLDEN EAGLES flew past the Ashland Nature Center
Hawk Watch on Nov 14 & 17. Other sightings from Ashland included
MERLIN, PEREGRINE FALCON and PILEATED WOODPECKER.
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.
An ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER was at the Dike Trail at
Prime Hook NWR Nov 14-16. The ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER was behind the
bench donated by “Goldstein” on Nov 16, and in the woods
behind the headquarters building near the trailer on Nov 14. A YELLOW-BREASTED
CHAT was at Prime Hook on Nov 16.
BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES visited the nature center’s
feeders at Cape Henlopen State Park. On Nov 15, twenty-four SNOW BUNTINGS
were in the dunes at the tip of the point. The Cape Henlopen State Park
Hawk Watch reported SNOW BUNTINGS on Nov 16-17. Other sightings from
Cape Henlopen included BONAPARTE’S GULL and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES.
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.
The Philadelphia Naval Yard had GREAT CORMORANTS on
Nov 19.
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 by the Rose Tree Park Hawk Watch
on Nov 18.
Chester County:
Click Here
for Chester County Birding Resources including an interactive map with
locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Nov 12, two RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS
were on Chambers Lake at Hibernia County Park. A LONG-TAILED DUCK was
on Chambers Lake on Nov 18.
Montgomery County:
Click
Here for Montgomery County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.No Reports
Green Lane Reservoir had two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS
on Nov 15. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was in Schwenksville on Nov 16.
Bucks County:
Click
Here for Bucks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The Churchville Nature Center had LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULLS on Nov 14. Other reports from Churchville included RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCHES and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES. Core Creek Park had LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULLS on Nov 11 & 14. On Nov 14, eighteen GREAT CORMORANTS were
seen from Riverview Crossing at Radcliffe St in Bristol. A PILEATED
WOODPECKER was at Bradford Dam on Nov 16. HORNED LARKS and AMERICAN
PIPITS were at Maple Knoll Farms on Nov 20.
Northampton County:
Click
Here for Northampton County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Nov 18, a BLACK-HEADED GULL and 2 ICELAND GULLS
were at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers at The Forks
of the Delaware and Riverside Park near Easton. Twenty LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULLS were there on Nov 19, and an ICELAND GULL was there on Nov 17.
Lehigh County:
Click
Here for Lehigh County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD was banded near Zionsville on
Nov 16. NORTHERN GOSHAWKS flew past the Bake Oven Knob Hawk Watch on
Nov 11-13 & Nov 18, and Bake Oven Knob reported GOLDEN EAGLE on
Nov 12. Other reports from Bake Oven Knob included sightings of COMMON
LOON and COMMON RAVENS.
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 Nov 16, Blue Marsh National Recreation Area had
a BRANT and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. A BRANT and 2 RED-THROATED LOONS were on
Blue Marsh Lake on Nov 14. That day, two RED-THROATED LOONS were also
on Lake Ontelaunee. GOLDEN EAGLES flew past the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Hawk Watch on Nov 11-13, Nov 17 & Nov 20. Three NORTHERN GOSHAWKS
flew past Hawk Mountain on Nov 11. On Nov 18, a PINE SISKIN flew past
the Hawk Mountain Hawk Watch. Other reports from Hawk Mountain mentioned
COMMON LOONS and COMMON RAVENS. The Story Creek area of SGL 110 had
a COMMON LOON and PURPLE FINCH on Nov 18.
Lancaster County:
Click
Here for Lancaster County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Nov 14, the Conejohela Flats had 6 COMMON LOONS,
2 RED-THROATED LOONS, 6 HORNED GREBES and 27 TUNDRA SWANS. Thirteen
TUNDRA SWANS flew past Peach Bottom that day. On Nov 18, the Pumped
Storage Reservoir at Muddy Run had 2 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and 2 BLACK
SCOTERS. A CACKLING GOOSE was at the Quarryville quarry on Nov 14.
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 19. The Second Mountain Hawk Watch spotted NORTHERN
GOSHAWKS on Nov 11 and GOLDEN EAGLES on Nov 11, 16 & 20. Other reports
from the Second Mountain Hawk Watch included COMMON LOONS and COMMON
RAVENS. A faded Myiarchus flycatcher sp, possibly an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER
was spotted at SGL 145 on Nov 20. To reach the area where the bird was
seen, take Route 72, and then head west on Pinch Rd for 2 miles. Go
past a power-line cut and up a hill to the first parking area on the
left, and park there. The flycatcher was seen 100-300 yards down the
road that is blocked by a gate at this location. There is hunting in
the area, so wear blaze orange.
Carbon County:
No reports
Monroe County:
No reports
Pike County:
No reports
Wayne County:
A LONG-TAILED DUCK and 2 COMMON LOONS were on Lake
Wallenpaupack on Nov 14.
PA Extralimitals:
No reports
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
On Nov 27, Bob Horton will lead a DVOC field trip
to the Raccoon Ridge Hawk Watch. The trip will meet at AMC’s Mohigan
Lodge near Blairstown, NJ at 8:30AM before hiking along the Appalachian
Trail for two miles to reach Raccoon Ridge. Target species include Golden
Eagles, Northern Goshawks and other late migrants. On Nov 28, Sandra Keller
will lead a DVOC field trip to the Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe
NWR. The trip will meet at the refuge parking lot at 11:30AM. Target species
include raptors, waterfowl, sparrows and Short-eared Owls. Sandra’s
field trip is weather dependent with a rain date of Nov 29. Please contact
the trip leader if you plan on attending either trip. Additional information
about these trips along with contact information for the trip leaders can
be found on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org
The next meeting of the DVOC is on Dec 3 at 7:30pm
at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, when DVOC Vice President
Frank Windfelder and Howard Eskin will emcee the Annual DVOC Photo Contest.
Howard Eskin will also present an Ornithological Study entitled “A
Fly Fisherman’s Observations About Some Diving Ducks.” The
meeting after that will be on Dec 17, featuring “A Montgomery County
Big Year” by Stephen Kacir. Details are on the website, and guests
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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