| Current
report - Wednesday February 17, 2010
- Birds Mentioned
Click Here for species
accounts for many of these birds
Barrow's Goldeneye (NJ)+
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)
Horned Grebe
Great Cormorant
Black-crowned Night-heron
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Ross's Goose
Cackling Goose
Tundra Swan
Redhead
Common Eider
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Osprey
Rough-legged Hawk
Golden Eagle
Peregrine Falcon
Wild Turkey
Northern Bobwhite
Virginia Rail
Sandhill Crane
Killdeer
Purple Sandpiper
Wilson's Snipe
American Woodcock
Black-headed Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Black-legged Kittiwake
Razorbill
Snowy Owl
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Red-headed Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Northern Shrike
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Pipit
Yellow-breasted Chat
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Ipswich Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting
Dickcissel
Rusty Blackbird
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 BARROW’S GOLDENEYES
in Monmouth County, NJ 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.
A BLACK-HEADED GULL was with BONAPARTE’S GULLS
at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal on Feb 13-15. The BLACK-HEADED
GULL was also seen from the beach accessed by David Douglass Memorial
Park, which is adjacent to the ferry terminal. The GULL favored an area
of beach near the ferry terminal’s lower parking lot, and was
seen as recently as Feb 15. Other birds in the area included PURPLE
SANDPIPER, AMERICAN PIPIT and IPSWICH SPARROW. The BLACK-HEADED GULL
was also seen on the beach near Whittler Ave that day. On Feb 16, a
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was spotted four miles offshore, seen from the
Cape May-Lewes Ferry. On Feb 14, TUNDRA SWANS were on the Cape May Canal.
A southbound RAZORBILL was spotted from Sunset Blvd on Feb 14. The two
SANDHILL CRANES were reported from Elmira St over the weekend; they
have also been seen with some regularity near the Assembly of God Church
on Broadway/Seashore Rd. The drake REDHEAD was on Lily Lake on Feb 13
and on the Lighthouse Pond at Cape May Point State Park on Feb 14. Other
reports from Cape May Point State Park mentioned sightings of AMERICAN
WOODCOCK and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES. A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was
at The Nature Conservancy Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge on Feb 15.
Two BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were at an unfrozen stream on the road
to Two Mile Beach on Feb 13. The Rea Farm continued to host RUSTY BLACKBIRDS.
On Feb 15, the 8th St jetty in Avalon hosted 3 HARLEQUIN DUCKS and COMMON
EIDERS. On Feb 13, thirty-five COMMON EIDERS were at the 8th St jetty,
and a SNOW BUNTING was on the Avalon side of the Townsend’s Inlet
Bridge. That day, 6 HORNED GREBES were on Sunset Lake. On Feb 15, Stone
Harbor had a PURPLE SANDPIPER. That day, seven NORTHERN BOBWHITES were
at Stipson Island Rd in Woodbine. On Feb 10, a SHORT-EARED OWL was on
a post in a salt marsh along Route 47, south of Goshen. An OSPREY was
spotted just north of Goshen on Feb 16.
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 PEREGRINE FALCON was at East Point Rd on Feb 15.
Over the weekend, the Turkey Point Rd area boasted a GOLDEN EAGLE, two
flyby LONG-EARED OWLS and a calling VIRGINIA RAIL. The East Point area
had AMERICAN WOODCOCKS. A flock of 14 WILD TURKEYS were seen in a field
south of Dividing Creek off CR-553 on Feb 12.
Atlantic County:
Click
Here for Atlantic County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
No reports
Monmouth County:
Click
Here for Monmouth County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The two hen BARROW’S GOLDENEYES were near Battery
Kingman on Sandy Hook’s Horseshoe Cove, reported through Feb 15.
On Feb 14, Sandy Hook hosted at least 65 Harbor Seals. Other sightings
around Sandy Hook included WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and SNOW BUNTINGS. On
Feb 15, 200 BLACK SCOTERS, 9 SURF SCOTERS and 3 COMMON EIDERS were seen
from the end of Philips Ave near the Conover Pavilion. That day, two
Harbor Seals were at the Shark River marina. A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
was reported from a feeder in Little Silver.
Burlington County:
Click
Here for Burlington County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The SPOTTED TOWHEE was still at Palmyra Cove Nature
Park through Feb 13, and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was there that day.
Camden County:
Click
Here for Camden County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
An AMERICAN WOODCOCK flushed from a yard in Sickerville
on Feb 15.
Ocean County:
Click
Here for Ocean County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Reports from Barnegat Lighthouse State Park featured sightings of HARLEQUIN
DUCKS, COMMON EIDERS, PURPLE SANDPIPERS, IPSWICH SPARROWS and SNOW BUNTINGS.
A DICKCISSEL visited a feeder in Little Egg Harbor on Feb 16.
Salem County:
Click
Here for Salem County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
A CACKLING GOOSE was in a field off Whig Lane on Feb
14. That day, a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was in a field just north
of Mannington Marsh, seen from Pointers-Swedesboro Rd. An AMERICAN PIPIT
was spotted from County Home Rd on Feb 14.
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.
No reports
Middlesex County:
On Feb 12, AMERICAN PIPITS were at a farm in East
Brunswick.
Mercer County:
Click
Here for Mercer County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Feb 15, a SNOW BUNTING was in a flock of 300 HORNED
LARKS at CR-630 near Assunpink WMA.
Warren County:
Click
Here for Warren County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Reports from Oberly Rd and the Alpha Grasslands included
sightings of ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, PEREGRINE FALCON, SHORT-EARED OWL,
HORNED LARKS, LAPLAND LONGSPUR and SNOW BUNTING. Merrill Creek Reservoir
had COMMON GOLDENEYES. On Feb 16, six RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were at
the Glenhurst Meadows, also known as Warren Green Acres.
Somerset County:
Click
Here for Somerset County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Through Feb 14, the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was still
near the Ridge High Varsity Field Complex on South Maple Ave in Basking
Ridge.
Morris County:
No reports
Union County:
No reports
Bergen County:
No reports
NJ Extralimitals:
In Bergen County, the NORTHERN SHRIKE at DeKorte State
Park’s Disposal Rd was reported as recently as Feb 15. The SHRIKE
was spotted behind the retention ponds on Feb 14, and seen from the
Saw Mill Creek Trail and Disposal Rd on Feb 15.
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.
Ashland Nature Center had PILEATED WOODPECKER and
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. A WILSON’S SNIPE was at the Port Penn
area on Feb 15.
Kent County:
Click
Here for Kent County Birding Resources including an interactive map
with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
Two ROSS’S GEESE were seen with SNOW GEESE near
Little Creek on Feb 15. A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was on private property in
Felton on Feb 15. Over 100 HORNED LARKS were at Bombay Hook NWR. On
Feb 13, the fields along the entrance road to Bombay Hook had a SNOW
BUNTING and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR with the HORNED LARKS.
.
Sussex County:
Click
Here for Sussex County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Feb 11, a ROSS’S GOOSE flew over New Wharf
Rd in Milford, and an IPSWICH SPARROW was seen at the side of the road.
On Feb 15, Haven Lake had 3 HORNED GREBES and 8 COMMON GOLDENEYES. That
day, Indian River Inlet had GREAT CORMORANTS, 2 COMMON EIDERS, SURF
SCOTERS, BLACK SCOTERS and PURPLE SANDPIPERS. An EASTERN PHOEBE was
at the Abbott’s Mill Nature Center on Feb 16.
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.
On Feb 13, two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were at
the overlook opposite Old Limekiln Rd on the north side of Lake Galena
in Peace Valley Park. Other sightings from Peace Valley included SNOW
GEESE, CACKLING GEESE and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS. A CACKLING GOOSE
and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were at Core Creek Park on Feb 12. Mud
Island had GREAT CORMORANT and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on Feb 13.
Northampton County:
Click
Here for Northampton County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
The CLAY-COLORED SPARROW and CHIPPING SPARROWS visited
the deck feeder at the Koch property on Feb 14. Please contact Arlene
Koch for permission to bird her property if you would like to see the
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. On Feb 15, Arrowhead Rd and Locust Rd in East
Allen Twp harbored over 800 HORNED LARKS along with 4 SNOW BUNTINGS
and 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS. A roadside VESPER SPARROW was reported on Feb
16.
Lehigh County:
Click
Here for Lehigh County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
On Feb 12, a SNOW BUNTING was in a flock of 200 HORNED
LARKS at Hawk View Rd, Heidelberg Twp. On Feb 15, a field off Handwerk
Rd in Heidelberg Twp had 300 HORNED LARKS, 3 SNOW BUNTINGS and 2 LAPLAND
LONGSPURS. That day, the fields along Hawk View Rd and Church Rd held
6 SNOW BUNTINGS, and a SNOW BUNTING was seen at Neffs-Laurys Rd near
Echo Rd in North Whitehall Twp. On Feb 14, three SNOW BUNTINGS and 500
HORNED LARKS were seen from Hawk View Rd near Mantz Rd. That day, Church
Rd uphill from Harter Rd had a LAPLAND LONGSPUR with 100 HORNED LARKS,
while Furnace Rd had over 600 HORNED LARKS. On Feb 13, jut below Bake
Oven Knob at the intersection of Bake Oven Rd and Church Rd had a 2
LAPLAND LONGSPURS and a SNOW BUNTING. A possible NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL
flew across Swamp Rd just outside Leaser Lake Park on Feb 14. Lake Muhlenberg
had LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on Feb 13-15. Dorney Pond had LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULLS on Feb 15.
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.
Over 400 COMMON MERGANSERS were at Blue Marsh National
Recreation Area on Feb 13. A PEREGRINE FALCON was at Blue Marsh on Feb
14
Lancaster County:
Click
Here for Lancaster County Birding Resources including an interactive
map with locations, satellite views, driving directions, etc.
At least 4 WILSON’S SNIPES and a KILLDEER were
at a stream off Willow Rd between Forry Rd and Colonial Village Lane
near Greenfield. Nearly 100 HORNED LARKS were seen near the intersection
of Clay School Rd and Durlach Rd on Feb 15. A partially albino DARK-EYED
JUNCO visited a feeder in Churchtown.
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 Feb 15.
Carbon County:
No reports
Monroe County:
On Feb 13, Cherry Valley NWR had a GOLDEN EAGLE and
5 HORNED LARKS. A PILEATED WOODPECKER and an AMERICAN PIPIT were in
the Kunkletown area on Feb 14.
Pike County:
Over the weekend, the Pocono Environmental Education
Center had COMMON RAVENS, PILEATED WOODPECKERS, PURPLE FINCHES and a
PINE SISKIN.
Wayne County:
No reports
PA Extralimitals:
The Crawford County SNOWY OWL at the Miller Farm (10734
Shadeland Rd, Springboro) was seen through Feb 16. The Millers are well
known Amish birders and welcome birders to their farm to see the owl.
Extralimital Reports
No reports
Announcements
On Feb 20, Steve Kacir will lead a DVOC photography
field trip to Barnegat Lighthouse State Park in Ocean County, NJ. This
half-day field trip will focus on photographing Barnegat’s gulls,
waterfowl and other wintering species. In case of hazardous conditions
including high winds or foul weather, this trip will be cancelled. The
trip will meet at the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park parking lot at 8:00AM
sharp. After 8:00AM, look for Steve and participating photographers on
the jetty. Please make every effort to contact Steve if you plan on attending.
Also on Feb 20, Martin Selzer will lead a joint DVOC/Wyncote Audubon field
trip to Indian River Inlet followed by various Delaware birding hotspots
on the way north from the inlet. The trip meets at the parking lot on
the north side of Indian River Inlet at 9:00AM. Martin’s trip will
focus on waterfowl, gulls, seabirds and other late winter species. Additional
information about these trips including trip reports from past years 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 on Feb 18, 2010, featuring
a program by Doug Gross, entitled “Recovery of Endangered Birds
in Pennsylvania: the Birds, the Process, and New Challenges”.”
The meeting takes place at The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia
at 7:30PM. The meeting after that will take place on March 4. More details
are available on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org
See Life Paulagics is running a pelagic trip out of
Lewes, DE on Feb 27 and a trip out of Belmar, NJ on Feb 28. Target birds
include such winter seabirds as Northern Fulmar, Razorbill, Common Murre,
Thick-billed Murre, Dovekie, Atlantic Puffin, Red Phalarope, Pomarine
Jaeger, Great Skua and Black-legged Kittiwake. For more information, call
215-234-6805 or visit them on the web at http://www.paulagics.com
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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