| Current
report - Wednesday December 16, 2009
- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species
accounts for many of these birds
Western Grebe (NJ)+
American White Pelican (NJ)+
Barnacle Goose (NJ)+
Sandhill Crane (DE)+
Ivory Gull (NJ)+
Allen's Hummingbird (PA)+
Spotted Towhee (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
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Northern Gannet
Great Cormorant
Greater White-fronted Goose
Cackling Goose
Tundra Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
Canvasback
Redhead
Common Eider
White-winged Scoter
Common Goldeneye
Northern Goshawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Golden Eagle
Sandhill Crane
American Woodcock
Parasitic Jaeger
Bonaparte's Gull
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Black Skimmer
Monk Parakeet
Snowy Owl
Red-headed Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Shrike
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Pipit
Orange-crowned Warbler
American Redstart
Ipswich Sparrow
Snow Bunting
Rusty Blackbird
Baltimore Oriole
Purple Finch
Common Redpoll
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; AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS in Atlantic County, NJ; BARNACLE GOOSE in
Hunterdon County, NJ; IVORY GULL in Cape May County, NJ; ALLEN’S
HUMMINGBIRD in Lancaster County, PA and SPOTTED TOWHEE in Burlington 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 IVORY GULL was at the outer wall of the Bree-Zee-Lee
Yacht Basin on Dec 11, and it was last seen on Dec 13. Up to five EURASIAN
WIGEONS and a REDHEAD were at Lighthouse Pond in Cape May Point State
Park through Dec 15. On Dec 15, thirty-six SNOW BUNTINGS were on the
beach opposite the plover ponds, and a single SNOW BUNTING was reported
from the St Mary’s jetty and the hawk watch dune crossover. That
day, an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was the aluminum bridge at the park’s
Yellow Trail. A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was near the Cape May Point State Park
Hawk Watch on Dec 12. At least 3 River Otters were at Lily Lake on Dec
15. A CACKLING GOOSE was at the pond near the intersection of Stimpson
Ln and Shunpike Rd on Dec 14-16. Another CACKLING GOOSE was at the Rea
Farm. Four COMMON EIDERS were at the Concrete Ship on Dec 10, and up
to 20 COMMON EIDERS were there through Dec 16. A Harbor Seal was on
the Concrete Ship on Dec 14. An IPSWICH SPARROW was at South Beach on
Dec 9. Nine BLACK SKIMMERS were still at the beach near the 2nd Ave
jetty on Dec 9, and BONAPARTE’S GULLS were seen there on Dec 15.
A HORNED GREBE was on Sunset Lake in Wildwood. Two COMMON REDPOLLS flew
north over Reed’s Beach on Dec 15. On Dec 14, Reed’s Beach
had COMMON GOLDENEYES and an IPSWICH SPARROW. On Dec 16, Stone Harbor
had COMMON EIDER, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and PURPLE SANDPIPERS. The Avalon
Sea Watch reported COMMON EIDERS through Dec 16 and a PARASITIC JAEGER
on Dec 10. A very late AMERICAN REDSTART was at Avalon on Dec 15. Other
reports from Avalon featured RED-THROATED LOONS, HORNED GREBES, NORTHERN
GANNETS, GREAT CORMORANT, WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, COMMON GOLDENEYES, BONAPARTE’S
GULLS and PURPLE SANDPIPERS.
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 Dec 10, seven AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, a EURASIAN
WIGEON and a REDHEAD were seen from the north dike of the Brigantine
Division of Edwin B Forsythe NWR. Other sightings from Brigantine included
HORNED GREBES and TUNDRA SWANS.
Monmouth County:
Click
Here for Monmouth County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Dec 12, thirteen COMMON EIDERS were on bayside
cove, just south of the Sandy Hook Bird Observatory. Eight WHITE-WINGED
SCOTERS have been at the cove, seen from Sandy Hook’s C Lot through
Dec 12. An ICELAND GULL was on the cove off C Lot on Dec 12. That day,
an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was at the North Pond, and 45 SNOW BUNTINGS
were at the dunes around the north 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.
The SPOTTED TOWHEE at Palmyra Cove Nature Park was
reported through Dec 9. The SPOTTED TOWHEE has been seen near the intersection
of the Red-winged Blackbird Trail and Saw-whet Trail, often seen in
or around the Big Pit or the Little Pit in that area.
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.
COMMON EIDERS were at Barnegat Inlet on Dec
11.
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.
Eighty TUNDRA SWANS roosted at the Floodgates area
at low tide on Dec 12. That day, RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were at Floodgates
and Mannington Marsh.
Hunterdon County:
Click
Here for Hunterdon County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The Califon BARNACLE GOOSE was with a flock of Canada
Geese in a corn stubble field near the intersection of County Rd 512
and Young Dr, 1.5miles east of Califon. On Dec 12, a BONAPARTE’S
GULL was at the Beach Area of Spruce Run Reservoir, while 15 SNOW BUNTINGS
were at the main boat launch area.
Middlesex County:
The WESTERN GREBE and 2 RED-NECKED GREBES were on
Raritan Bay on Dec 12.
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.
No reports
Somerset County:
Click
Here for Somerset County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Three SANDHILL CRANES flew over Weston Canal
Rd in Franklin Twp on Dec 15. On Dec 16, the three CRANES were in a cornfield
on the west side of Randolph Rd, just north of the intersection of Randolph
Rd and Pierce St. The CRANES have also been seen at the intersection of
Mettlers Rd and Weston Rd.
Morris County:
On Dec 13, a NORTHERN SHRIKE was at Great Swamp NWR,
seen from the heronry overlook at Pleasant Plains Rd.
Union County:
No reports
Bergen County:
No reports
NJ Extralimitals:
A SNOWY OWL was seen at the first parking lot on the
right with the boat launch at Liberty State Park in Hudson County on
Dec 12. This appears to be the same SNOWY OWL that was seen on Nov 21,
2009. On Dec 11-16, a NORTHERN SHRIKE was at Disposal Rd, north of the
northern end of Saw Mill Creek Trail at DeKorte State Park, Bergen County.
Two MONK PARAKEETS visited a suet feeder in Englewood, Bergen County
on Dec 12.
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 Dec 14, four SANDHILL CRANES were spotted flying
toward Hockessin from the Mount Cuba Center.
Kent County:
Click
Here for Kent County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at Kitts Hummock
on Dec 16.
Sussex County:
Click
Here for Sussex County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports
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
No reports
Bucks County:
Click
Here for Bucks County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Recent reports from Churchville Nature Center included
CACKLING GOOSE, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, PILEATED WOODPECKER and RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCHES. Twelve RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were at Durham Twp on Dec 13. Nine
CACKLING GEESE were at the Chapman Rd bridge of Peace Valley Park on
Dec 12. That day, AMERICAN PIPITS were at the Sailor’s Point farm
field. BONAPARTE’S GULLS were at Peace Valley on Dec 11-12. Peace
Valley had 22 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS on Dec 11. On Dec 15, a drake
CANVASBACK was on the pond behind the Kohl’s Department Store
near Five Mile Woods in Yardley. On Dec 13, eight HORNED LARKS were
at the vacant business park lot outside the entrance to Warminster Community
Park. A PILEATED WOODPECKER was at the Garden of Reflection in Lower
Makefield Memorial Park on Dec 14.
Northampton County:
Click
Here for Northampton County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Dec 13, an OREGON JUNCO was at a feeder on private
property at the base of Kirkridge, south of National Park Drive and
west of boundary of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
A COMMON GOLDENEYE was on the Delaware River near the Tekening Hiking
Trails at Martins Creek. The Koch property had PURPLE FINCHES.
Lehigh County:
Click
Here for Lehigh County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Dec 16, a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was on Dorney
Pond. On Dec 14, a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen at a farm on Kunkels
Mill Rd off PA-863.
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 RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was behind Bowers off Bastian
Rd on Dec 12. On Dec 14, Blue Marsh National Recreation Area had a BONAPARTE’S
GULL and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. A REDHEAD was on Blue Marsh Lake
on Dec 12. A flock of HORNED LARKS with SNOW BUNTINGS was at Marion
Twp on Dec 13. The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Hawk Watch reported NORTHERN
GOSHAWKS on Dec 10 & Dec 12 and GOLDEN EAGLES on Dec 10-12 &
Dec 14. Other sightings from Hawk Mountain included RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS
and COMMON RAVENS.
Lancaster County:
Click
Here for Lancaster County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
An ALLEN’S HUMMINBIRD was banded in Leola on
Dec 12. This is the first record of ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD in PA.
The ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD first appeared in September and was still
visiting feeders through Dec 16. Homeowner, Debra Raudenbush, welcomes
birders to see her visiting hummingbird, the street address is: 106
Battens Circle. Do not knock or ring the bell, simply observer the porch
feeder from behind the conifers by the white fence. Please be respectful
of local homeowners if you visit this bird. The township police are
aware of the situation, and ask that birders park only in the visitors'
parking area opposite Debra's home, which has room for eight cars. Alternatively,
visiting birders can park with the flow of traffic on the south side
of Butter Lane between Concord and Batten. Do not park in any spaces
in front of townhouse units, and do not block any spaces. Violators
will be ticketed. More guidelines and local restrictions on parking
and avoiding contact with neighbors’ property can be found on
the Pennsylvania Birding List archives at http://list.audubon.org/archives/pabirds.html
A map of the area and restrictions can be found on Rob Fergus’s
blog at: http://birdchaser.blogspot.com/
Please be extremely courteous to homeowners when visiting this hummingbird.
On Dec 11, the Washington Boro Water Treatment Plant had flocks of AMERICAN
PIPITS.
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 Dec 14. A light phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen from
School Rd in Merion Twp on Dec 12. The Second Mountain Hawk Watch reported
a NORTHERN GOSHAWK on Dec 12 and 25 SNOW BUNTINGS on Dec 16. Other birds
seen at Second Mountain included RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, PILEATED WOODPECKERS
and COMMON RAVENS. On Dec 11, an AMERICAN WOODCOCK was at SGL 145.
Carbon County:
No reports
Monroe County:
No reports
Pike County:
No reports
Wayne County:
No reports
PA Extralimitals:
A NORTHERN SHRIKE was near the park office at Bald
Eagle State Park on Dec 12.
Extralimital Reports
No reports
Announcements
The next meeting of the DVOC is on Dec 17, featuring
“A Montgomery County Big Year” by Stephen Kacir. Details are
on the website, and guests are always welcome. The 120th Annual DVOC Members
Meeting takes place on Jan 7, 2010, which will include club elections and
an overview of regional Christmas Bird Counts. More details are available
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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