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9 Mar Aural stuff [Colin Campbell ] 9 Mar erratic flight [Charles Fullmer ] 9 Mar HUGE Scoter raft at the Cape [Judy Montgomery ] 9 Mar Tuesday trip [Maurice Barnhill ] 9 Mar American Woodcocks in Rehoboth Beach [Sharon Lynn ] 9 Mar jinxes [Mary Ann Levan ] 9 Mar Chris Bennett vs. Ruth Draper Jinx [Bob Strahorn ] 9 Mar Waterfowl along Rt 9 [Maryanne Dolan ] 9 Mar Re: DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 8 Mar Re: Best guess id: Lum's Pond, Sandhill Crane pair, overflight [Doug Sutherland ] 8 Mar Red-winged Blackbird Preening Brown-headed Cowbird [Bob Strahorn ] 8 Mar South Indian River Inlet this afternoon [Sharon Lynn ] 8 Mar Re: DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon [Bill Stewart ] 8 Mar Re: Best guess id: Lum's Pond, Sandhill Crane pair, overflight ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 8 Mar Best guess id: Lum's Pond, Sandhill Crane pair, overflight [Chuck Brandt ] 8 Mar Delaware Duck Day, 3/7 [Derek Stoner ] 8 Mar DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon [Bill Stewart ] 8 Mar Laughing Gull [Sharon Lynn ] 7 Mar Shrike out [Charles Fullmer ] 7 Mar Loggerhead Shrike - NO ["Michael C. Moore" ] 7 Mar Southern Finest BBQ and Soul Food! [Mary Ann Levan ] 7 Mar Local Notes [Colin Campbell ] 6 Mar Cancel subscription [Laura Shelton ] 6 Mar Waterfowl in New Castle County [Derek Stoner ] 6 Mar Canada and Snow Geese [AMROE ] 6 Mar Chester Co., Bucktoe Creek Preserve Walks [Joe Sebastiani ] 6 Mar Loggerhead Shrike ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 5 Mar RBA: Birdline Delaware, March 5th, 2010 [Andy Ednie ] 5 Mar Re: Northern Shrike on Bennett's Pier Road, Milford Neck ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 5 Mar Eurasian Wigeon Continues at Ted Harvey [] 5 Mar Northern Shrike on Bennett's Pier Road, Milford Neck [] 4 Mar DOS Chesapeake Farms trip (3/13): scouting report [Derek Stoner ] 4 Mar Re: Exotic Geese [kds ] 4 Mar Eurasian Green-winged Teal ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 4 Mar Sharp-shinned Hawks [joe sebastiani ] 3 Mar Wood Ducks in Wilmington [Derek Stoner ] 3 Mar Pine Siskin [Dennis Brezina ] 3 Mar Delaware Valley RBA, 3 MARCH 2010 [Stephen E Kacir ] 3 Mar final reminder about the Peregrine web cam event ["sally o'byrne" ] 3 Mar Re: FW: [de-birds] Exotic Geese [Bob Strahorn ] 3 Mar Ashland Thursday Walk and recent birds [joe sebastiani ] 3 Mar FW: [de-birds] Exotic Geese [Bob Strahorn ] 3 Mar Exotic Geese [Meta Little ] 3 Mar A Factual Account of Birding in Delaware City ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 3 Mar Large Snow Goose flocks? [Susan Guiteras ] 3 Mar MISTAKE in a previous POST ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 2 Mar Re: Hot Time in the City ["F.Arthur McMorris" ] 2 Mar Re: Hot Time in the City [Dan Haas ] 2 Mar Eurasian Wigeon inter alia [Colin Campbell ] 2 Mar Hot Time in the City [Bill Stewart ] 2 Mar Delaware Waterfowl Roundup - Sunday, March 7 ["Gonzon Anthony T. (DNREC)" ] 2 Mar Spring Hawk Watch Cape Henlopen [Susan Gruver ] 1 Mar Mudbat [Jim White ] 1 Mar Keep your eye on those piping plover legs [Jean Woods ] 1 Mar Julie Hagelin to speak at Thursday's DVOC meeting ["F.Arthur McMorris" ] 1 Mar Survey Details ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 1 Mar att: birders in Lewes [] 1 Mar Red-Breasted Nuthatch [Charles Vaughn ] 1 Mar Kent: A. Bittern, Peregrine, WC Sparrow, etc.. [Rick Cheicante ] 1 Mar COOL Opportunity!! ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 1 Mar No Subject ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 1 Mar Tundra Swans, Sussex County [Marsh Zellhoefer ] 1 Mar Re: Any ideas about this crow behavior? [William Leigh ] 27 Feb Brandywine Birding [Andy Ednie ] 27 Feb Chester Co., Bucktoe Creek Preserve [Joe Sebastiani ] 26 Feb RBA: Birdline Delaware, February 26th, 2010 [Andy Ednie ] 26 Feb GBBC and upcoming Optics Sale [Derek Stoner ] 25 Feb Brandywine Creek Walk [Andy Ednie ] 25 Feb kestrels [Mary Ann Levan ] 25 Feb American Kestrel @ BCSP [Bill Stewart ] 24 Feb Ashland Bird Walk [Joe Sebastiani ] 24 Feb Delaware Valley RBA, 24 FEB 2010 [Stephen E Kacir ] 24 Feb Peregrine Falcon event rescheduled [sally o'byrne ] 24 Feb Peregrine Falcon event rescheduled ["sally o'byrne" ] 24 Feb Re: Any ideas about this crow behavior? ["Bennett Chris (DNREC)" ] 24 Feb RFI - Eared Grebe [Frank Marenghi ] Subject: Aural stuff From: Colin Campbell <delawaretwitcher AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 21:48:24 -0500 Today should have been called a local holiday. They have snow days and storm days, so why not sun days? I was out looking for local Spring stuff, but the only things which really caught my senses were noises. Above the hum of the Valero plant from Dragon Run Park at Delaware City (and tinnitus) was the initial whistling of Wood Ducks, followed by the nasal burping of the numerous Gadwall pairs and the hiccuping then a rising, snoring crescendo of Pickerel Frogs. Colin Campbell. Subject: erratic flight From: Charles Fullmer <cmfullmer AT MCHSI.COM> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 21:06:08 -0500 This evening I had the distinct pleasure of watching my FOY Little Brown Bats cruise the yard in search of fresh food. Not as interesting as Sharon’s Woodcocks, but another harbinger of longer warmer days. This morning the Pileateds, Flickers, and Red Bellies were very busy drumming their snags. Chuck Fullmer Georgetown Subject: HUGE Scoter raft at the Cape From: Judy Montgomery <judithann AT ZOOMINTERNET.NET> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 21:11:46 -0500 Standing AT Cape Henlopen Lighthouse Point overlook today - I witnessed something I had never seen. An enormous raft of scoters that seemed to stretch without end! They were well off shore & hard to see until I used my scope. Thousands and thousands (ten thousand??) surf & black scoters feeding like crazy! A huge number of birds!!!!!! Other good sightings at the Cape on this goreous day - dozen Red-breasted Mergansers in the bay, lots of Brown-headed Nuthatches in Youth Campground, Gannet, scores of Loons. (Hoped for Osprey - has anyone spotted one yet?) Prime Hook was thick with Pintails, Green-winged Teal, Canada Geese, Tundra Swan (130), even a Yellowlegs! The Great-horned Owl was sunning herself from her Osprey platform nest. Wood Frogs and Yellow-rumps were both "chupping" near headquarters. I tried for S-E Owls at Port Mahon - 3 Harriers were hunting, but no owls. Judy Montgomery Subject: Tuesday trip From: Maurice Barnhill <mvb AT UDEL.EDU> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 18:59:56 -0500 Joe Russell and I spent the day along the Bay coast from Gunning-Bedford Park in Delaware City to the Ted Harvey Wildlife Area. Our targets were field birds, which didn't show up much, and waterfowl. The most interesting were the ducks, which were present in large numbers in 1000 Acre, the southern part of Little Creek WA, and the North Pond in Ted Harvey. In particular, we refound the REDHEAD and EURASIAN WIGEON that were found on the DOS Wildfowl Trip, and an additional EURASIAN WIGEON previously reported from Ted Harvey. A lot of Snow Geese were moving northward in the morning, leaving very few on the ground except opposite Shearness Pool in Bombay Hook. A GOLDEN EAGLE flew over Bear Swamp Pool around mid-afternoon. Other interesting species were Mute Swan, 2 at 1000 Acre Marsh Wood Duck, several locations Bald Eagle, 3 Peregrine Falcon, 1 in the central part of Little Creek (distant) Killdeer, 4 at one spot along route 9 Bonaparte's Gull, several at North Pond in Ted Harvey White-crowned Sparrow, 3 at Visitor Center in Bombay Hook Sparrows and Carolina Wren were very low, perhaps because of the heavy snow we had this winter. -- Maurice Barnhill mvb AT udel.edu Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716 Subject: American Woodcocks in Rehoboth Beach From: Sharon Lynn <slynn001 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 18:45:45 -0500 I was very happy to have at least 4 AMERICAN WOODCOCKS calling and displaying in the field by my house off Old Landing Rd tonight, with music by the Spring Peepers. Sharon Lynn Rehoboth Beach Subject: jinxes From: Mary Ann Levan <levanma AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:19:49 -0500 You folks are really funny- sounds like us all last summer we spent trying to figure out just who was jinxing our trips to Citizens Bank Park- my son began to be viewed very darkly by our partial season ticket plan section as he seemed to have the evil touch; our ticket plan lost 12 of the 17 games on the plan, and 3 of the games they won, he didn't attend! Good thing he had left for college before the playoffs! Subject: Chris Bennett vs. Ruth Draper Jinx From: Bob Strahorn <bstrahor AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 08:56:57 -0500 A more recent statistic on Ruth Draper. I was on the DNS waterfowl trip Sunday led by Derek Stoner. We crossed paths with Anthony Gonzon's (delayed) DOS waterfowl trip at Burtons Island. Ruth was with Anthony. So, with a chance to ruin two all day birding field trips, Ruth blessed us with perfect weather - or at least did not invoke the jinx. Since Chris was not on a field trip Sunday that I know of . . . Bob Strahorn Newark, DE -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Bennett Chris (DNREC) Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 8:10 AM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: Re: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Hey Bill, I take no responsibility for the weather for the following reasons. 1. I was not involved in the planning for your trip, nor (and this is important) had I planned a fieldtrip of my own on the same date 2. I was not planning to attend your trip and only became involved to let downstaters know that if they wanted to really enjoy the fieldtrip in its entirety that the Ferry was really not an option 3. I am not convinced that I am the cursed individual - since not all of my trips coincide with inclement weather. The recent Inlet to Inlet trip being a prime example - with weather that I think can only be described as PERFECT! I'm beginning to suspect that Ruth Draper is the rain maker. She has come on every rain-soaked fieldtrip that I've ever led AND she was not on the recent PERFECT weather trip. I would check to see if Ruth was planning on joining your trip before you start blaming ME. Have fun on your trip on Saturday! Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Bill Stewart [mailto:hcf2 AT EARTHLINK.NET] Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 5:55 PM To: Bennett Chris (DNREC) Subject: Re: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Hey Chris, A couple of interesting items and a bit of history is warranted here. As I watched the weather for the upcoming field trip over the past few days, things were looking manageable with temps in the 50's, possible showers but no real threat. Then, Mr. Chris Bennett started to vaguely become involved with the field trip through a post on De-Birds and as I sit here, the latest weather forecast for Saturday is, and I quote......"an explosion of rain as two low's collide on Saturday along the Mid-Atlantic coast"............Thanks Dude! The Bennett curse lives on!!!! I really didn't know it was contagious, but I suspect we might need an antibiotic! I remember a few occasions that we had the opportunity to talk about your time in Stone Harbor and the Wetlands Institute and thought back that I probably ran into you a few times during your employment there. I wondered how fascinating that stint must have been and quite envious. I began my journey with Stone Harbor Point way back in 1968 on a surfing adventure. Back then, the Point provided some great breaks, no crowds in the lineup and a feeling of remoteness. Since that time, it remains one of my most favorite spots on earth. I, too, have watched and marveled at the changes it has endured, from not being a point, to stretching to what seemed like two miles. I visit the Point probably more than my beloved Delaware spots, it has a charm and possession of me all on it's own. One of my favorite times of the year are the days I park at the Point, strap on my backpack loaded with Sibley's and Peterson's, lunch, water, scope and make the trek to the very end and sit in the beach chair to view Champagne Island. Studying the terns, gulls and listening to the chorus of all the activity takes up more than a full day. I'll hesitate on commenting about the rejuvenation of the sanctuary, I am not privy to their mission or vision. One thing I know is that the nightly flights of herons coming and going into that wonderful 21.5 acres will never be like it was in the 1980's and before. Best, Bill On Mar 8, 2010, at 3:55 PM, Bennett Chris (DNREC) wrote: Hey Bill, Unfortunately I won't be able to join you - though I love birding that part of NJ. I worked at the Wetlands Institute for a little over 5 years in the early 90s. I saw the trail work that had been done at the Sanctuary when Anthony and I were there for the Ivory Gull. I hope that they haven't done irreparable damage to the site. I was there when the Sanctuary was abandoned and the City decided that the birds left because the trees were covered with grape, greenbrier and other vines and went in and cleared large areas of understory vegetation. Herons and egrets don't usually respond well to disturbance and trails through the old nesting areas certainly isn't the best way to make the site more inviting to them. The point has really changed as well. When Karen and I lived there the point ended at the southernmost groin and the shoreline actually curved northward and then straight towards the bridge out to Nummy Island. She used to tell me how far it extended when she went there with her family as a kid and it was hard to imagine then. Champaign Island out in the middle of Hereford Inlet was huge and was that was where the skimmers nested then. I'm always amazed by how dynamic the coastal environment is!!! Chris Bennett Natural Resource Management Specialist Environmental Stewardship Program Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation 89 Kings Highway Dover, DE 19901 Phone: (302) 739-9230 Fax: (302) 739-3817 "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Bill Stewart Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 3:24 PM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: Re: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Good afternoon, Thank you to Chris for posting the ferry times, very helpful. With that information shared, I'll mention that we will be adding a new and exciting stop this year at the newly rejuvenated Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. This 21.5 acre sanctuary sits within Stone Harbor town limits and has undergone a tremendous and beneficial rejuvenation since 2007. Along with habitat enhancement, invasive species removal, additional waterflow to the sanctuary, they have added walking trails to access the freshwater pond and meadow, old growth maritime forest and saltwater marsh. This will be the second stop on the field trip and the timing might just be perfect for any ferry riders. Established in 1947, the trails were open to the public for the first time in 2009. If you plan on meeting us at any time or point, just give my cell phone (610 864 0370) a ring. Bill Stewart On Mar 8, 2010, at 11:34 AM, Bennett Chris (DNREC) wrote: Just a note for those planning on taking the ferry from Southern DE to meet Bill's group at Stone Harbor. The earliest ferry leaving Lewes is 9:15 am and it arrives at Cape May at 10:40. It is at least a 25 - 30 minute drive (if you plan on not getting a speeding ticket) from the Cape May terminal to the parking lot at Stone Harbor point - putting you there at 11:10 at the earliest. Might be better to just bite the bullet and leave southern Delaware before the sun comes up and then take the ferry back home after the trip in the afternoon! I can't eat sausage anymore, but if they are half as good as Colin makes them sound - leave a wee bit earlier and stop by Helen's on the way up to the Bridge!! For those that can't get enough of the Ferry I will be leading a field trip for the Sussex Bird Club on Saturday, 20 March on the Ferry to and back from Cape May with hopes of seeing Scoters (there were big flocks of them flying north off of Cape Henlopen yesterday), loons, gannets, gulls and with luck other rare birds as well. I will be posting about this again as we get closer to the 20th. Chris Bennett Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Bill Stewart Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 11:17 AM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Good Morning, I will be leading a field trip to Stone Harbor-Avalon, NJ this coming Saturday, March 13th. We will be meeting, 7:00 am, at the Delaware Swim Club next to Mike's Famous, just before the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Exit at Rt. 9/South-New Castle and the parking lot is on your right just before the traffic signal at the end of the exit. In year's past, we have had some participants from southern Delaware take the Ferry and meet us at Stone Harbor Point AT 9:00 am. Either way, I plan on being in the parking lot of the point (123rd St.) at 9:15 and start birding from there. This is a full day field trip, so pack a lunch and plenty of liquids, we will be back at the swim club around 4:00. Carpooling will be available. If you are planning on attending, please reply to this post so I know who to expect where. My cell number is 610 864 0370 in case you are running late. The two hour ride to the point is very birdy and we will have good looks at a Bald Eagle nest with eagle on eggs, flocks of wild turkey strutting and numerous ponds with waterfowl. In the previous two years, we have had over eighty species combined and great looks at the newly arrived Piping Plovers. This year, the Avalon Seawall holds a male and female Harlequin duck (personally seen yesterday), eiders and other staging waterfowl. Hope you can make it! Good birding, Bill Stewart Subject: Waterfowl along Rt 9 From: Maryanne Dolan <maryanne.dolan AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 08:24:40 -0500 Monday was a great day to be birding in Delaware THOUSAND ACRE MARSH held very large numbers of Norther Pintail and Green-winged Teal, along with smaller numbers of Common Mergansers and Northern Shovelers. I thought I saw several American Widgeons, but I was on the causeway where No Stopping, Standing or Parking signs are located every few feet so didn't have the courage to do more than scan quickly. Still large numbers of snow geese in the fields along Rt 9, as well as in Bombay Hook. BOMBAY HOOK also had very large numbers of Pintails and Green-winged Teal, along with Bufflehead, Common Mergs, Northern Shovelers, and Grebes (Eared, I think, but the two drakes were not yet in full plumage and Grebes always confuse me.) There was a also a nice little flock of Yellow-rumped warblers on the road at the entrance to the Boardwalk Trail. TED HARVEY continued the Pintail and Green-winged Teal saga, along with Common Mergs, Hooded Mergs, and a nice collection of American Widgeon. No sight of the Eurasian widgeon, but all the widgeons were distant making it unlikely I could pinpint a Eurasian. Now I know why the Cecil County Bird Club couldn't find ducks at Eastern Neck NWR. They were all in Delaware! maryanne dolan elkton, md Subject: Re: DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 08:09:53 -0500 Hey Bill, I take no responsibility for the weather for the following reasons. 1. I was not involved in the planning for your trip, nor (and this is important) had I planned a fieldtrip of my own on the same date 2. I was not planning to attend your trip and only became involved to let downstaters know that if they wanted to really enjoy the fieldtrip in its entirety that the Ferry was really not an option 3. I am not convinced that I am the cursed individual - since not all of my trips coincide with inclement weather. The recent Inlet to Inlet trip being a prime example - with weather that I think can only be described as PERFECT! I'm beginning to suspect that Ruth Draper is the rain maker. She has come on every rain-soaked fieldtrip that I've ever led AND she was not on the recent PERFECT weather trip. I would check to see if Ruth was planning on joining your trip before you start blaming ME. Have fun on your trip on Saturday! Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Bill Stewart [mailto:hcf2 AT EARTHLINK.NET] Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 5:55 PM To: Bennett Chris (DNREC) Subject: Re: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Hey Chris, A couple of interesting items and a bit of history is warranted here. As I watched the weather for the upcoming field trip over the past few days, things were looking manageable with temps in the 50's, possible showers but no real threat. Then, Mr. Chris Bennett started to vaguely become involved with the field trip through a post on De-Birds and as I sit here, the latest weather forecast for Saturday is, and I quote......"an explosion of rain as two low's collide on Saturday along the Mid-Atlantic coast"............Thanks Dude! The Bennett curse lives on!!!! I really didn't know it was contagious, but I suspect we might need an antibiotic! I remember a few occasions that we had the opportunity to talk about your time in Stone Harbor and the Wetlands Institute and thought back that I probably ran into you a few times during your employment there. I wondered how fascinating that stint must have been and quite envious. I began my journey with Stone Harbor Point way back in 1968 on a surfing adventure. Back then, the Point provided some great breaks, no crowds in the lineup and a feeling of remoteness. Since that time, it remains one of my most favorite spots on earth. I, too, have watched and marveled at the changes it has endured, from not being a point, to stretching to what seemed like two miles. I visit the Point probably more than my beloved Delaware spots, it has a charm and possession of me all on it's own. One of my favorite times of the year are the days I park at the Point, strap on my backpack loaded with Sibley's and Peterson's, lunch, water, scope and make the trek to the very end and sit in the beach chair to view Champagne Island. Studying the terns, gulls and listening to the chorus of all the activity takes up more than a full day. I'll hesitate on commenting about the rejuvenation of the sanctuary, I am not privy to their mission or vision. One thing I know is that the nightly flights of herons coming and going into that wonderful 21.5 acres will never be like it was in the 1980's and before. Best, Bill On Mar 8, 2010, at 3:55 PM, Bennett Chris (DNREC) wrote: Hey Bill, Unfortunately I won't be able to join you - though I love birding that part of NJ. I worked at the Wetlands Institute for a little over 5 years in the early 90s. I saw the trail work that had been done at the Sanctuary when Anthony and I were there for the Ivory Gull. I hope that they haven't done irreparable damage to the site. I was there when the Sanctuary was abandoned and the City decided that the birds left because the trees were covered with grape, greenbrier and other vines and went in and cleared large areas of understory vegetation. Herons and egrets don't usually respond well to disturbance and trails through the old nesting areas certainly isn't the best way to make the site more inviting to them. The point has really changed as well. When Karen and I lived there the point ended at the southernmost groin and the shoreline actually curved northward and then straight towards the bridge out to Nummy Island. She used to tell me how far it extended when she went there with her family as a kid and it was hard to imagine then. Champaign Island out in the middle of Hereford Inlet was huge and was that was where the skimmers nested then. I'm always amazed by how dynamic the coastal environment is!!! Chris Bennett Natural Resource Management Specialist Environmental Stewardship Program Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation 89 Kings Highway Dover, DE 19901 Phone: (302) 739-9230 Fax: (302) 739-3817 "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Bill Stewart Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 3:24 PM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: Re: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Good afternoon, Thank you to Chris for posting the ferry times, very helpful. With that information shared, I'll mention that we will be adding a new and exciting stop this year at the newly rejuvenated Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. This 21.5 acre sanctuary sits within Stone Harbor town limits and has undergone a tremendous and beneficial rejuvenation since 2007. Along with habitat enhancement, invasive species removal, additional waterflow to the sanctuary, they have added walking trails to access the freshwater pond and meadow, old growth maritime forest and saltwater marsh. This will be the second stop on the field trip and the timing might just be perfect for any ferry riders. Established in 1947, the trails were open to the public for the first time in 2009. If you plan on meeting us at any time or point, just give my cell phone (610 864 0370) a ring. Bill Stewart On Mar 8, 2010, at 11:34 AM, Bennett Chris (DNREC) wrote: Just a note for those planning on taking the ferry from Southern DE to meet Bill's group at Stone Harbor. The earliest ferry leaving Lewes is 9:15 am and it arrives at Cape May at 10:40. It is at least a 25 - 30 minute drive (if you plan on not getting a speeding ticket) from the Cape May terminal to the parking lot at Stone Harbor point - putting you there at 11:10 at the earliest. Might be better to just bite the bullet and leave southern Delaware before the sun comes up and then take the ferry back home after the trip in the afternoon! I can't eat sausage anymore, but if they are half as good as Colin makes them sound - leave a wee bit earlier and stop by Helen's on the way up to the Bridge!! For those that can't get enough of the Ferry I will be leading a field trip for the Sussex Bird Club on Saturday, 20 March on the Ferry to and back from Cape May with hopes of seeing Scoters (there were big flocks of them flying north off of Cape Henlopen yesterday), loons, gannets, gulls and with luck other rare birds as well. I will be posting about this again as we get closer to the 20th. Chris Bennett Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Bill Stewart Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 11:17 AM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Good Morning, I will be leading a field trip to Stone Harbor-Avalon, NJ this coming Saturday, March 13th. We will be meeting, 7:00 am, at the Delaware Swim Club next to Mike's Famous, just before the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Exit at Rt. 9/South-New Castle and the parking lot is on your right just before the traffic signal at the end of the exit. In year's past, we have had some participants from southern Delaware take the Ferry and meet us at Stone Harbor Point AT 9:00 am. Either way, I plan on being in the parking lot of the point (123rd St.) at 9:15 and start birding from there. This is a full day field trip, so pack a lunch and plenty of liquids, we will be back at the swim club around 4:00. Carpooling will be available. If you are planning on attending, please reply to this post so I know who to expect where. My cell number is 610 864 0370 in case you are running late. The two hour ride to the point is very birdy and we will have good looks at a Bald Eagle nest with eagle on eggs, flocks of wild turkey strutting and numerous ponds with waterfowl. In the previous two years, we have had over eighty species combined and great looks at the newly arrived Piping Plovers. This year, the Avalon Seawall holds a male and female Harlequin duck (personally seen yesterday), eiders and other staging waterfowl. Hope you can make it! Good birding, Bill Stewart Subject: Re: Best guess id: Lum's Pond, Sandhill Crane pair, overflight From: Doug Sutherland <djsland AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 17:45:24 -0500 Chuck and Chris - for what its worth, this past Saturday, 3/6, while waiting to lead a Saturday morning Birdwalk, I thought I had Sandhills flying over Trap Pond. It was about 0800, I did not get a visual on them but thought I heard them high overhead. I believe their flight direction was towards the north or northeast. My only exposure to them has been in central Florida, in the winter, but I thought the calls I heard were Sandhills. Doug Sutherland Laurel, De Subject: Red-winged Blackbird Preening Brown-headed Cowbird From: Bob Strahorn <bstrahor AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 16:39:41 -0500 Today on the Bucktoe Preserve bird walk south of Kennett Square, PA we saw some male Brown-headed Cowbirds perched with male and female Red-winged Blackbirds. The recent posting from Sharon Lynn (with references to an article in The Auk by Chris Bennett and Fred Atwood), came to mind. I scanned the mixed flock and found a male Brown-headed Cowbird presenting itself with the head-bowed posture to a female Red-winged Blackbird. I pointed this out to Sally O'Byrne and some others on the walk. After about a minute the female Red-winged Blackbird tentatively preened the cowbird then moved away. The cowbird followed, and presented again. More tentative preening. The moving then presenting and preening happened one more time, then the flock dispersed. Thanks to Sharon for alerting us to this behavior. It is exciting to see what you can observe when you take the time to study some of the more common birds. Bob Strahorn Newark, DE Subject: South Indian River Inlet this afternoon From: Sharon Lynn <slynn001 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 16:04:26 -0500 South Indian River Inlet was full of birds this afternoon. The water was amazingly calm. Highlights were- Approx 300 scoters, black and surf 50 Red throated Loons 30 Common Loons 1 Common Eider 3 Greater Scaup 50 Long Tailed Ducks 1 Bonaparte's Gull 2 Great Cormorants( one wrestled with a fish more than half its size) 15 Purple Sandpipers 1 Harbor Seal at very close range I swung by Silver Lake on the way home, and there were 15 RING NECKED DUCKS in with the hundreds of CANVASBACKS and other expected ducks. Sharon Lynn Rehoboth Beach Subject: Re: DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon From: Bill Stewart <hcf2 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 15:24:02 -0500 Good afternoon, Thank you to Chris for posting the ferry times, very helpful. With that information shared, I'll mention that we will be adding a new and exciting stop this year at the newly rejuvenated Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. This 21.5 acre sanctuary sits within Stone Harbor town limits and has undergone a tremendous and beneficial rejuvenation since 2007. Along with habitat enhancement, invasive species removal, additional waterflow to the sanctuary, they have added walking trails to access the freshwater pond and meadow, old growth maritime forest and saltwater marsh. This will be the second stop on the field trip and the timing might just be perfect for any ferry riders. Established in 1947, the trails were open to the public for the first time in 2009. If you plan on meeting us at any time or point, just give my cell phone (610 864 0370) a ring. Bill Stewart On Mar 8, 2010, at 11:34 AM, Bennett Chris (DNREC) wrote: Just a note for those planning on taking the ferry from Southern DE to meet Bill's group at Stone Harbor. The earliest ferry leaving Lewes is 9:15 am and it arrives at Cape May at 10:40. It is at least a 25 - 30 minute drive (if you plan on not getting a speeding ticket) from the Cape May terminal to the parking lot at Stone Harbor point - putting you there at 11:10 at the earliest. Might be better to just bite the bullet and leave southern Delaware before the sun comes up and then take the ferry back home after the trip in the afternoon! I can't eat sausage anymore, but if they are half as good as Colin makes them sound - leave a wee bit earlier and stop by Helen's on the way up to the Bridge!! For those that can't get enough of the Ferry I will be leading a field trip for the Sussex Bird Club on Saturday, 20 March on the Ferry to and back from Cape May with hopes of seeing Scoters (there were big flocks of them flying north off of Cape Henlopen yesterday), loons, gannets, gulls and with luck other rare birds as well. I will be posting about this again as we get closer to the 20th. Chris Bennett Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Bill Stewart Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 11:17 AM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [de-birds] DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon Good Morning, I will be leading a field trip to Stone Harbor-Avalon, NJ this coming Saturday, March 13th. We will be meeting, 7:00 am, at the Delaware Swim Club next to Mike's Famous, just before the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Exit at Rt. 9/South-New Castle and the parking lot is on your right just before the traffic signal at the end of the exit. In year's past, we have had some participants from southern Delaware take the Ferry and meet us at Stone Harbor Point AT 9:00 am. Either way, I plan on being in the parking lot of the point (123rd St.) at 9:15 and start birding from there. This is a full day field trip, so pack a lunch and plenty of liquids, we will be back at the swim club around 4:00. Carpooling will be available. If you are planning on attending, please reply to this post so I know who to expect where. My cell number is 610 864 0370 in case you are running late. The two hour ride to the point is very birdy and we will have good looks at a Bald Eagle nest with eagle on eggs, flocks of wild turkey strutting and numerous ponds with waterfowl. In the previous two years, we have had over eighty species combined and great looks at the newly arrived Piping Plovers. This year, the Avalon Seawall holds a male and female Harlequin duck (personally seen yesterday), eiders and other staging waterfowl. Hope you can make it! Good birding, Bill Stewart Subject: Re: Best guess id: Lum's Pond, Sandhill Crane pair, overflight From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 13:17:23 -0500 Hey Chuck, While Sandhill Crane is certainly possible at Lums (Anthony Gonzon had two fly over Grassdale at Fort Dupont last spring) and I'm not saying that isn't what you saw this morning - Great Blue Herons do occasionally fly with their necks extended - especially when chasing other Great Blues and when coming in to land - and I've seen then do so over distances up to a hundred yards or so. Chris Bennett Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Chuck Brandt Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 12:59 PM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [de-birds] Best guess id: Lum's Pond, Sandhill Crane pair, overflight A possible pair of Sandhill Cranes were seen over Lums Pond State Park (dog/horse area; not the main park) this morning (roughly 10:30-10:45).  They came in from a poor sun angle so were hard to see clearly.  Based on the wings and trailing legs, I just assumed they were a pair of Great Blue Herons.  A bit later, I noticed they were almost overhead and much better lit.  I gave them another look and noticed then that the necks were extended, not coiled.  My Sibley book mentioned that Great Blue Herons always fly with coiled necks.  With limited alternatives, I am assuming they were Sandhills.  Suggestions for other possibilities are welcome. On a different, unrelated note, the Hop Merchants are out.  Had one land on my leg and try to sun itself.    Subject: Best guess id: Lum's Pond, Sandhill Crane pair, overflight From: Chuck Brandt <cbrandt AT BRANDTBEACH.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 09:58:39 -0800 A possible pair of Sandhill Cranes were seen over Lums Pond State Park (dog/horse area; not the main park) this morning (roughly 10:30-10:45).  They came in from a poor sun angle so were hard to see clearly.  Based on the wings and trailing legs, I just assumed they were a pair of Great Blue Herons.  A bit later, I noticed they were almost overhead and much better lit.  I gave them another look and noticed then that the necks were extended, not coiled.  My Sibley book mentioned that Great Blue Herons always fly with coiled necks.  With limited alternatives, I am assuming they were Sandhills.  Suggestions for other possibilities are welcome. On a different, unrelated note, the Hop Merchants are out.  Had one land on my leg and try to sun itself.    Subject: Delaware Duck Day, 3/7 From: Derek Stoner <derek AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 11:42:07 -0500 The Delaware Nature Society's Delaware Duck Day trip had outstanding success yesterday in our quest to see the variety and spectacle of waterfowl during spring migration. The great warm weather went along well with signs of spring like newly-arrived Killdeer, Tree Swallows, and mating Canvasbacks, Painted Turtles, honeybees, blooming daffodils and crocus made for a memorable day. We enjoyed the excellent light and photography conditions, as our group of nine captured nice images of a wide variety of waterfowl, raptors, and other sights along the journey from Dragon Run down to Indian River Inlet. A full report and photos will be posted later this week on the "Nature of Delaware" blog. Good birding, Derek Stoner Hockessin, DE Subject: DOS Field Trip/Stone Harbor-Avalon From: Bill Stewart <hcf2 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 11:17:12 -0500 Good Morning, I will be leading a field trip to Stone Harbor-Avalon, NJ this coming Saturday, March 13th. We will be meeting, 7:00 am, at the Delaware Swim Club next to Mike's Famous, just before the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Exit at Rt. 9/South-New Castle and the parking lot is on your right just before the traffic signal at the end of the exit. In year's past, we have had some participants from southern Delaware take the Ferry and meet us at Stone Harbor Point AT 9:00 am. Either way, I plan on being in the parking lot of the point (123rd St.) at 9:15 and start birding from there. This is a full day field trip, so pack a lunch and plenty of liquids, we will be back at the swim club around 4:00. Carpooling will be available. If you are planning on attending, please reply to this post so I know who to expect where. My cell number is 610 864 0370 in case you are running late. The two hour ride to the point is very birdy and we will have good looks at a Bald Eagle nest with eagle on eggs, flocks of wild turkey strutting and numerous ponds with waterfowl. In the previous two years, we have had over eighty species combined and great looks at the newly arrived Piping Plovers. This year, the Avalon Seawall holds a male and female Harlequin duck (personally seen yesterday), eiders and other staging waterfowl. Hope you can make it! Good birding, Bill Stewart Subject: Laughing Gull From: Sharon Lynn <slynn001 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 10:56:23 -0500 I had my FOY LAUGHING GULL on the beach near Gordon's Pond this morning. Lovely sunrise! Sharon Lynn Rehoboth Beach Subject: Shrike out From: Charles Fullmer <cmfullmer AT MCHSI.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 20:25:32 -0500 I also started the day along Bennets Pier watching the sun rise under formations of passing Snow geese. A Northern Harrier worked the fields and I was hoping it would flush the Loggerhead from its overnight Motel 6 but to no avail. Michael Moore added a second set of eyes in the search and he hit it right, “ Think we’re a day late?” I decided to call it and head home to work on prepping for the coming Martin season. The backyard offered some consolation with: Pine Warbler YS Flicker RT Hawk Pileated WP Hairy & Downey Red Shouldered Hawk calling Yellow-rumped Warbler Chuck Fullmer Georgetown Subject: Loggerhead Shrike - NO From: "Michael C. Moore" <michael.moore AT ASU.EDU> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 19:01:21 -0500 Greetings, I spend this morning from about 7:15 - 10:00 looking for the Loggerhead Shrike at Bennett's Pier Rd with no luck. There is a great deal of habitat where the bird could still be. If anyone sees it again, I would appreciate a report. Consolation prizes were a nice Red Fox hunting the marsh and 31 Tundra Swans flying north. Several thousand Snow Geese in small flocks of a few hundred birds also passed continuously. Off the beach were only about 20 scaup (probably Greaters) and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers. I heard that the Eurasian Wigeon continues at Ted Harvey and also a third-hand report of a Common (Green-winged) Teal there as well. Mike Moore Newark, DE mcmoore32 AT gmail.com Michael C. Moore Professor Department of Biological Science University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716 Phone: (302)-831-2290 Email: mcmoore AT udel.edu Home Page: <http://www.public.asu.edu/~aomcm/> "If the road to excellence were not so difficult, it would not be travelled by so few" Spinoza Subject: Southern Finest BBQ and Soul Food! From: Mary Ann Levan <levanma AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 18:49:46 -0500 My husband and I and our spaniel drove down to Trap Pond today to walk, enjoy the sun, and birdwatch. On our way home we spotted a BBQ smoker going at a spot on the east side of the road just south of Dover. (The Southern Finest BBQ and Soul Food) We are always on the lookout for authentic BBQ, and ate pulled pork and ribs and raved about them to the staff. I told them I would post this review to the Listserv and the proprietor said that anyone coming in and identifying themself as a birder would get a 10% discount on their food! It's a real start up project and the folks are heartwarming and the food is homemade, cheap, and great. It's just south of the intersection of 13 and 1 (just south of Dover) on the east side of the road. The diner is a converted Hardee's or something with a smoker out front. Mary Ann Levan btw, Trap Pond was pretty quiet and we saw very few birds! got there pretty late in the day, though Subject: Local Notes From: Colin Campbell <delawaretwitcher AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 17:00:29 -0500 This morning, a beautiful adult Red-shouldered Hawk took what appeared to be a 5" snake from the edge of Harry's Pond (Brandywine Town Center) and headed off into the neighbouring trees. First time I've seen a RSHA here. The usual gang of 20 Ring-necked Duck were still there. Three Killdeer cavorted over the Dupont Tioxide plant at Edgemoor this afternoon. Six Great Cormorant, resplendent with white thigh flashes and throat, were on the 'usual' channel marker on the Delaware River at Claymont today (opposite Mt Vernon Dr on Govr Printz Blvd). A NJ birder reported a pair of Blue-winged Teal at Dragon Run Park in Delaware City late afternoon yesterday. Colin Campbell Subject: Cancel subscription From: Laura Shelton <laura3232 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 19:12:58 -0800 Thank you Subject: Waterfowl in New Castle County From: Derek Stoner <derek AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 20:16:00 -0500 While out scouting this afternoon for the waterfowl trip I am leading tomorrow for the Delaware Nature Society, my father and I enjoyed some good waterfowl in the Delaware City/Port Penn Area. Dragon Run Park had six Wood Ducks, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Black Duck, and American Coot. Thousand Acre Marsh looked like it held at least 50 acres of Northern Pintails, spread out in vast flocks totaling at least 3,000 individuals. The handsome males are courting females and engaging in the classic nuptial flights, fluttering about the females and trying to win their favor of companionship. Common Mergansers and Green-winged Teal are also quite numerous on the marsh, under the watchful eye of the male Bald Eagle from the nearby nest. From 4:30 to 4:45pm, a massive skein of 8,000+ Snow Geese flew over, heading northwest towards the friendly refuges of Middle Creek in PA. The Peregrine Falcon pair at Reedy Point Bridge gave an excellent performance, with the male zooming up to the nest box to present the female with a freshly-caught Brown-headed Cowbird(good choice!). The analysis of the prey item came from digital photos, which also revealed that the male is un-banded. Towards dusk, the ponds at Route 100 and 92 held a female Bufflehead. Hoopes Reservoir still plays host to hundreds of Common Mergansers and a few newly-arrived Wood Ducks. We'll see what tomorrow holds...lots of waterfowl for sure and perhaps the season's first Osprey, Piping Plover or Great Egret. Good birding, Derek Stoner Hockessin, DE Subject: Canada and Snow Geese From: AMROE <amroe AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 12:12:17 -0500 At 8:30 am today, several flights of Snow Geese flew over to feed a bit north of my house in Mendenhall. One flight caught up with a flight of Canadas, joined them, and both species continued on together in a single formation. Subject: Chester Co., Bucktoe Creek Preserve Walks From: Joe Sebastiani <bunker17 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 09:19:20 -0500 Larry Lewis will be conducting the free bird walks at the Bucktoe Creek Preserve this Sunday and Monday mornings. Walks begin at 8am and directions can be found at http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/dns_sites.html. This 300-acre property, near Kennett Square, is a private nature reserve with access limited to guided walks. Highlights from the walk on 2/28 are below. If you are interested, I will be leading a Woodcock Walk on the property on Monday evening. See the above website for registration details. Joe Sebastiani, Delaware Nature Society Location: Bucktoe Creek Preserve Observation date: 2/28/10 Notes: Sunday Bird Walk - Larry Lewis Number of species: 38 Canada Goose 12 Black Vulture 7 Turkey Vulture 20 Cooper's Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 4 American Kestrel 1 Merlin 1 Ring-billed Gull 15 Herring Gull 6 Great Black-backed Gull 2 Mourning Dove 4 Red-bellied Woodpecker 6 Downy Woodpecker 4 Hairy Woodpecker 3 Northern Flicker 4 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 10 American Crow 30 Carolina Chickadee 12 Tufted Titmouse 12 White-breasted Nuthatch 6 Carolina Wren 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 Eastern Bluebird 4 American Robin 15 Northern Mockingbird 2 European Starling 5 Eastern Towhee 3 Fox Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 16 White-throated Sparrow 20 Dark-eyed Junco 1 Northern Cardinal 12 Red-winged Blackbird 100 Common Grackle 300 House Finch 5 American Goldfinch 5 House Sparrow 1 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Subject: Loggerhead Shrike From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 08:48:07 -0500 Frank Rhorbacher just called me a few minutes ago to tell me that the Loggerhead Shrike at Bennett's Pier had just popped into view. He (and it sounded like others) have been out there since about 7:30 Chris Bennett Milford, DE Subject: RBA: Birdline Delaware, March 5th, 2010 From: Andy Ednie <ednieap AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 22:12:41 -0500 RBA * Delaware * Statewide * March 5, 2010 * DEST1003.05 *Birds mentioned Snow Goose Cackling Goose Egyptian Goose Tundra Swan Mute Swan Wood Duck Green-winged Teal Eurasian Green-winged Teal Gadwall Northern Shoveler American Wigeon Eurasian Wigeon Canvasback Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Horned Grebe American Bittern Great Blue Heron Bald Eagle Sharp-shinned Hawk Rough-legged Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Peregrine Falcon American Kestrel American Oystercatcher Dunlin American Woodcock Bonaparte's Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Eastern Screech Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Pileated Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Golden-crowned Kinglet Brown Creeper Eastern Bluebird Hermit Thrush Loggerhead Shrike American Pipit Pine Warbler American Tree Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: March 5, 2010 Number: 302-658-2747 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (ednieap AT verizon.net) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland Transcriber: Andy Ednie (ednieap AT verizon.net) For Friday, March 5th, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The 2010 Unofficial Delaware State Year List now stands at 162 species. Today, a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was reported along Bennett's Pier Rd by Chris Bennett (no relation). That bird was seen at the edge of the marsh, west of the ditch before reaching the Delaware Bay. The bird was seen hunting in the scrub pines on the south side of the road. The bird was originally identified as a NORTHERN SHRIKE but later confirmed as a LOGGERHEAD as the bird approached the road. This is the second report of LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE in Delaware in three years. A dozen TUNDRA SWANS were also seen in a field along Bennett's Pier Road. Bennett's Pier is near Milford, just south of Bower's Beach. To reach this location, turn east onto Thompsonville Road off US 113 north of Milford. At the South Bower's Fire Station, bear right onto Bennett Pier. The Spring Thaw is underway! Skeins of SNOW GEESE were seen flying over I-95 at Churchman's Marsh this morning. WOOD DUCKS were seen in several locations in the state this week, including the Port Mahon impoundments of Little Creek Wildlife Area, Dragon Run in Delaware City, the Rt 100 ponds at Winterthur Museum, and in downtown Wilmington, at the Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge. A drake EURASIAN WIGEON was seen found this week at the North Pond in the Logan Tract off the Kitts Hummock Rd. Look through the large raft of AMERICAN WIGEON to find this bird. Other species seen there included WOOD DUCK, RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP, RUDDY DUCK, AMERICAN COOT, and all three MERGANSERS, COMMON, HOODED, and RED-BREASTED. 5 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were also present. A SNOW BUNTING has been present along Cartanza Road, north of Little Creek. 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS were by Boondocks off Lighthouse Rd. near Smyrna. AMERICAN PIPITS continue be seen in a number of areas also. A PINE WARBLER was reported coming to a feeder in Wyoming, Delaware. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK was seen in a warehouse in downtown Dover. AMERICAN BITTERN was seen along the Port Mahon Road. Several large rafts of RUDDY DUCKS were reported in Delaware Bay at Audubon Inlet. A drake "Eurasian" GREEN-WINGED TEAL was seen at Prime Hook NWR off Broadkill Beach Rd. this week. That bird was in the field on the left before the marsh. TUNDRA SWANS and SNOW GEESE were seen in several locations. A CACKLING GOOSE was at Fowler's Beach and 3 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were seen off Sugar Hill and Draper Rd. at Prime Hook. 4 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS were reported at Mispillion Inlet this week. In northern Delaware, 3 EGYPTIAN GEESE were found on the University of Delaware Ag Farm between South College (Rt 896) and Chapel Hill (Rt 72) Rd. These birds were seen from the north end of Ag Hall. Several feeders reported SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS this week. A pair has returned to the pine woods at Ashland Nature Center were they have nested the last two years. Also at Ashland were HERMIT THRUSH and SWAMP SPARROW. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was found at Burrow's Run Nature Preserve. Besides the WOOD DUCKS at the Rt. 100 ponds, there were also a dozen HOODED MERGANSERS, a drake AMERICAN WIGEON, COOT, and RING-NECKED DUCKS. The feeders at Brandywine Creek State Park still have AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS. PILEATED WOODPECKER and EASTERN BLUEBIRD were also reported. 3 adult BALD EAGLES were seen together at the intersection of Rt 82 and Rt 52 last weekend. There has been a flurry of hawk reports in downtown Wilmington, including the pair of PEREGRINE FALCONS on the Brandywine Building. Those birds even made a guest appearance on Channel 6 Action News. A light phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen over Canby Park, which also reported PEREGRINE, RED-TAIL, 2 AMERICAN KESTRELS and 2 BALD EAGLES. The Russell Peterson Wildlife Center also had COMMON MERGANSER and KILLDEER this week. RING-NECKED DUCK, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, GADWALL, and NORTHERN SHOVELER were seen at Dragon Run in Delaware City. 6 MUTE SWANS were seen on the Delaware River during the heron census on Tuesday. The only herons reported were 30 GREAT BLUES going to Pea Patch Island, but COMMON MERGANSER, BALD EAGLE, and a MERLIN were also seen. The BALD EAGLE nest off the Reedy Point Bridge continues to have adults incubating eggs there. A WOODCOCK was also heard calling at Pine Valley Farms near Port Penn this week. 3 CANVASBACKS were seen on the Delaware at Woodland Beach. COMMON and HOODED MERGANSERS were seen at Taylor's Gut and BUFFLEHEAD and SHOVELER were seen at Tony Florio's. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS continue to be seen at the Bombay Hook NWR visitor center feeders. A HORNED GREBE was seen at the refuge this week, along with DUNLIN, TUNDRA SWAN, AMERICAN COOT and RUDDY DUCK. AMERICAN PIPITS were seen at Bear Swamp. An EASTERN SCREECH OWL was at Shearness Pool. At Bay Vista in Rehoboth Beach, the previously reported RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES continues to be seen, now joined by a pair of BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES. EASTERN BLUEBIRDS are seen at nest boxes there. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was also reported. KILLDEER was seen along Bald Eagle Creek there, along with BUFFLEHEAD, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and RUDDY DUCK. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, BROWN CREEPER, and SAVANNAH SPARROWS were also reported. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were also reported in Seaford this week. And now for this week's special feature from WILM News Radio: It may be cold outside, but the days are getting longer and the first signs of Spring Migration are upon us. Waterfowl are staging along the Delaware Bay for their flight to northern breeding grounds. One species to look for during this time of year is the HORNED GREBE. Grebes are diving marsh birds, related to loons. They have long thin bodies with short pointed bills. We see HORNED GREBES usually in their winter plumage; with black body and white neck, and big white cheek marks. In spring, they molt into their alternate breeding plumage, velvety black with golden ear crests that they erect for courtship. They congregate into large rafts at the head of Rehoboth Bay, where you hear their eerie call (SFx Horned Grebe). In migration, you can see HORNED GREBES on any large body of water, creeks or ponds, like Hoopes' Reservoir. You might even see their smaller western cousin, the EARED GREBE, with smaller ear tuffs. In Great Britain, the HORNED GREBE is called the SLAVONIAN GREBE, an exotic name for our common bird. Once common, HORNED GREBE numbers are dwindling. A winter oil spill on the Chesapeake Bay in 1976 killed 20,000 birds, mostly HORNED GREBES and OLDSQUAW. Their population never recovered. Protection of these staging areas is vitally important. Rosalie Edge, founder of Hawk Mountain said, "The time to protect a species is when it is still common". Special thanks this week to a host of observers: Brian McCaffery, Bill Stewart, Kim Steininger, Derek Stoner, Joe Sebastiani, Rick Cheicant, Chris Bennett, Colin Campbell, Bob Strahorn, Mike Smith, Meta Little, Lynn Smith, Jim White, Charles Vaughn, and Jay Young. You can report your sightings or add to the Delaware Year List by calling 302-792-9591 or email ednieap AT verizon.net. Thanks for calling and until next time, good birding! -end transcript Andy Ednie Claymont, Delaware Subject: Re: Northern Shrike on Bennett's Pier Road, Milford Neck From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 21:49:10 -0500 After I talked to Frank I got better closer looks at the bird. The bird had a white breast that appeared to have a faint gray cast from a distance - but up close did not have any markings of any kind. It had a fairly broad black mask that continued above the eye and over the top of the bill. The bill was not overly large and did not have a very pronounced hook. Size was hard to estimate since the bird was alone and for what its worth it appeared fairly chunky. The bird was an adult Loggerhead Shrike and not as I first reported to Frank a Northern Shrike. I watched the bird work an area about the size of a football field - moving around from leafless shrubs (mostly marsh elder) to the surface of the marsh - for just over an hour before it disappeard. I waited for about 20 minutes to see if it would pop back up - but I never saw it again. For anyone trying for this bird tomorrow - it was hanging in a roughly rectangular area bounded by shrubs starting on the south side of Bennett's Pier Road, from the west bank of the ditch that runs under the road to the thick growth of shrubs to the west. Chris Bennett, Milford, DE ________________________________________ From: Delaware Birding [de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of ROHRBAF AT AOL.COM [ROHRBAF AT AOL.COM] Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 1:22 PM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [de-birds] Northern Shrike on Bennett's Pier Road, Milford Neck Chris Bennett just called at 1:15 PM and said he has a Northern Shrike at the end of Bennett's Pier Road about 300 yards before the bay at a ditch under the road. Frank Rohrbacher Wilmington, Delaware Subject: Eurasian Wigeon Continues at Ted Harvey From: ROHRBAF AT AOL.COM Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 13:42:37 EST I went to Ted Harvey this morning to search for the Eurasian Wigeon that Colin reported a couple of days ago. After an hour of searching the north pond in vain, I went to the pond off of the bay road. No luck. I returned to the North Pond, the sun came out and the drake came out and showed off. However, the time waiting for this late riser was well spent. Both ponds I visited were filled with a great variety of waterfowl. Snow Geese, Canada Geese,Wood Duck, Gadwall, Eurasion Wigeon, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Merganser, Ruddy Duck and American Coot. Frank Rohrbacher Wilmington, Delaware Subject: Northern Shrike on Bennett's Pier Road, Milford Neck From: ROHRBAF AT AOL.COM Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 13:22:41 EST Chris Bennett just called at 1:15 PM and said he has a Northern Shrike at the end of Bennett's Pier Road about 300 yards before the bay at a ditch under the road. Frank Rohrbacher Wilmington, Delaware Subject: DOS Chesapeake Farms trip (3/13): scouting report From: Derek Stoner <derekstoner AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 23:32:52 -0500 In preparation for the DOS trip to Chesapeake Farms(Maryland) and Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge this Saturday, I joined Clyde Roberts today in scouting the areas. The focus of the trip is waterfowl and eagles, and we saw plenty of both! Of the total of 17 species of waterfowl, the following are most noteworthy: Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Canvasback,Greater Scaup, and Common Goldeneye. Large rafts of diving ducks are gathered on the rivers, and excellent photo opportunities are likely for a variety of waterfowl. Around seemingly every turn, there would be another eagle sighting. I conservatively counted 22 Bald Eagles, including an adult on nest and juveniles of all three flavors(ages 1, 2, and 3). This trip presents wonderful opportunity to study and learn more about eagle plumages. The big bird that stole the show, though, is a prize of the Eastern Shore in winter: a Golden Eagle. We watched the juvenile Golden cruise over the treetops, circling several times before disappearing Eastern Neck did not have any Tundra Swans(when we were looking) but there were plenty of swans to see at Chesapeake Farms. The next two nights have favorable south winds, so more waterfowl should be moving through the region. The trip meets at Chesapeake Farm headquarters at 8:15am on Saturday. Directions may be found here: http://www.dosbirds.org/chesapeakeFarms The trip will be led by Clyde Roberts and Jim White. Please contact Jim(302-593-9622) if you plan to attend. The trip is a full day,with a half-day option if you choose not to visit Eastern Neck. Good birding, Derek Stoner Hockessin, DE Subject: Re: Exotic Geese From: kds <sny AT BEE.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 20:47:47 -0500 Sorry for late post: the Egyptian Geese were still there this morning. Had never seen one before - they're beautiful! Thanks, Meta and Bob, for the directions. Photo submitted to DOS. Good birding, H&K Snyder www.moonbeampublishing.com Subject: Eurasian Green-winged Teal From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 14:30:41 -0500 Just got a call from a birder named Jeff Climie who wanted me to report that he had a Eurasian Green-winged Teal (Common Teal) in the last field on the left side of Broadkill Beach Road between the Refuge entrance and the impoundments. He also had Lesser Scaup off the beach at the end of Broadkill Beach Road, Wood Ducks along the Boardwalk Trail along with all the expected waterfowl in the impoundments. Chris Bennett Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac Subject: Sharp-shinned Hawks From: joe sebastiani <joe AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 11:44:35 -0500 This morning on the Ashland Bird walk, we had fairly typical birds for this time of year. A few flocks of Snow Geese and some Canadas ware heading north. A very dark Red-tailed Hawk, which has been here for several months was along Red Clay Creek. We walked through the Sharp-shinned Hawk nesting ground from the past three summers. In the last few years, an adult male was present there consistently starting in January. This year, I have not seen one in the nesting area until this morning. Our birding group walked through the quiet woods and at first did not see any activity. After exiting the woods, we paused and quietly looked around. A male Sharp-shinned Hawk flew into a tree from the pine forest, then flew off. A few moments later, a female Sharp-shinned Hawk flew past, following the first bird. Are these the birds that have nested here? It is possible, but they could also be wintering birds from elsewhere. The pine forest where they nest took a hit from the recent winter storms, with several large trees down and lots of limbs felled by heavy snow. The pine plantation looking a lot thinner now, and Sharp-shinned Hawks prefer dense canopy, so we will see if the 4-acre pine forest is still suits their needs for nesting. These birds won't start building a nest until April, but we will keep an eye out to see if the pair sticks around between now and then. Joe Sebastiani Members Program Team Leader Delaware Nature Society P.O. Box 700 Hockessin, DE 19707 (302) 239-2334 ext. 115 fax (302) 239-2473 joe AT delawarenaturesociety.org web: www.delawarenaturesociety.org The Nature of Delaware Blog: www.delawarenaturesociety.org/blog Subject: Wood Ducks in Wilmington From: Derek Stoner <derekstoner AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 22:46:18 -0500 A late afternoon trip to the DuPont Environmental Education Center(DEEC) today was rewarded with looks at a group of four Wood Ducks winging along the Christina River. The birds were headed straight towards downtown Wilmington, where perhaps a sharp-eyed Peregrine Falcon could live up to its nickname of "duck hawk" by snatching one of these migrants. I've seen a Peregrine catch a speedy teal before, so why not a woodie? The ice on the Wilmington Marsh is quickly melting, and the pair behavior of dozens of Canada Geese is a promising sign that nesting will begin soon. It would be no underestimate to say that at least 200,000 blackbirds(mostly Red-winged and Common Grackle) were flying in to roost in the marshes along the Christina-- always a great spectacle. Good birding, Derek Stoner Subject: Pine Siskin From: Dennis Brezina <alumanon AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 21:37:39 -0500 There was a pine siskin at my feeder yesterday... Dennis Brezina Chesapeake City, MD Subject: Delaware Valley RBA, 3 MARCH 2010 From: Stephen E Kacir <rba AT DVOC.ORG> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 12:43:27 -0800 - RBA * PA, NJ, DE * Delaware Valley: Southeast PA, Central/Southern NJ & DE * PADV1003.03 * March 3, 2010 - Birds Mentioned Pacific Loon (NJ)+ (NJ)+ (Details requested by NJBRC) (PA)+ (Details requested by PORC) (DE)+ (Details requested by DERC) Common Loon Horned Grebe Northern Gannet American Bittern Black-crowned Night-heron Snow Goose Cackling Goose Egyptian Goose Tundra Swan Eurasian Wigeon Canvasback Redhead King Eider Common Eider Harlequin Duck White-winged Scoter Common Goldeneye Red-breasted Merganser Rough-legged Hawk Merlin Sandhill Crane Killdeer American Oystercatcher Purple Sandpiper American Woodcock Black-headed Gull Iceland Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Glaucous Gull Razorbill Monk Parakeet Snowy Owl Barred Owl Short-eared Owl Pileated Woodpecker Northern Shrike Shrike Sp. Fish Crow Common Raven Horned Lark Tree Swallow Black-capped Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch Hermit Thrush American Pipit American Tree Sparrow Clay-colored Sparrow Fox Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Lapland Longspur Snow Bunting Dickcissel - Transcript Hotline: Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert Email reports to: rba AT dvoc.org Compiler: Steve Kacir, Delaware Valley Ornithological Club Phone: (215) 240-7547 Voice of the Delaware Valley RBA: Cindy Ahern & Win Shafer URL: http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm Welcome to the March 3, 2010 edition of 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 Region 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 Pacific Loon in Monmouth County, NJ. Remember to check out our website for additional content and information: http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm -------------------------------------------------------------- FOR NEW JERSEY: Cape May County: On Feb 28, one of the BLACK-HEADED GULLS was seen where Racetrack Ave meets Delaware Bay in North Cape May. A BLACK-HEADED GULL was at the end of Miami Ave in the Villas on March 3. On Feb 25, a RAZORBILL was spotted off the pilings at the Coast Guard Base, which can be viewed from Poverty Beach. Other birds seen from Poverty Beach that day included the subadult drake KING EIDER, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and HORNED GREBE. Two drake EURASIAN WIGEONS and a REDHEAD were on the Lighthouse Pond through March 3. On Feb 28, a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen off Ocean Dr. About two thousand SCOTERS were at the mouth of Delaware Bay off Cape May Point. Two WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS flew past Two Mile Beach on March 2. On Feb 28, Avalon had a flyby AMERICAN BITTERN along with HARLEQUIN DUCKS, COMMON EIDERS and PURPLE SANDPIPERS. Cumberland County: A SHRIKE (probably NORTHERN SHRIKE) was seen at the Natural Lands Trust's Peek Preserve on March 3. The SHRIKE was seen near the building right along the Maurice River. On Feb 28, Turkey Point Rd in the Glades Wildlife Refuge had 3 SHORT-EARED OWLS and a PEREGRINE FALCON. A dark morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was at Husted Landing Rd on Feb 28. Atlantic County: Reports from the Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe NWR included TUNDRA SWANS and HERMIT THRUSH. Monmouth County: A PACIFIC LOON was photographed across from Spring Lake on Feb 28. The PACIFIC LOON was associating with COMMON LOONS off Pennsylvania Ave and the Essex Hotel, which is under renovation. Both of these locations are a few blocks north of Wreck Pond. On March 1, the PACIFIC LOON was off Massachusetts Ave/Ocean Ave in Spring Lake, last seen drifting south towards the Essex Hotel. On Feb 27-28, two SANDHILL CRANES were at Osbourne's Mills Pond in Wall Twp. The pond is off Route 524/Allaire Rd west of New Bedford Rd. A GLAUCOUS GULL was on Silver Lake in Belmar on Feb 27. On Feb 28, fifteen WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and 5 COMMON EIDERS were off B Lot at Sandy Hook. That day, Sandy Hook also had SNOW BUNTINGS near the old officer's quarters and over 60 Harbor Seals hauled out opposite the visitor center. On March 2, a GLAUCOUS GULL and an ICELAND GULL were on the beach north of the jetties at Shark River Inlet. That day, two SNOW BUNTINGS were in the vegetation along the southern jetty at Shark River Inlet. On March 3, twelve COMMON EIDERS and NORTHERN GANNETS were seen off Marine Pl in Deal. Mercer County: A drake REDHEAD was on Assunpink Lake on Feb 28. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was at the pole farm in Mercer County Park NW. On March 2, a Coyote was at Mercer County Park NW at Blackwell Rd. Somerset County: On Feb 26, two COMMON RAVENS flew over I-287 just south of the NJ Transit railroad tracks in Basking Ridge. NJ Extralimitals: In Bergen County, the NORTHERN SHRIKE at DeKorte State Park's Disposal Rd was reported as recently as Feb 27. Two MONK PARAKEETS visited a suet feeder in Englewood, Bergen County on Feb 27 & March 3. -------------------------------------------------------------- FOR DELAWARE: New Castle County: Brandywine Creek State Park had PILEATED WOODPECKER and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. On March 1, an AMERICAN WOODCOCK called from private property near Port Penn. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was at Burrows Run Preserve on March 2. Ashland Nature Center had HERMIT THRUSH and SWAMP SPARROWS. South of Newark on Route 896, some EGYPTIAN GEESE were seen near the north end of the University of Delaware Agriculture Building. Kent County: A drake EURASIAN WIGEON was at the North Pond of Ted Harvey WA on March 2. That day, two LAPLAND LONGSPURS were in a field near the Boondocks restaurant on Lighthouse Rd, and AMERICAN PIPITS were found farther west on Lighthouse Rd. Three CANVASBACKS were at Woodland Beach village. A PEREGRINE FALCON was at the intersection of Route 9 and Route 6 on Feb 28. The fields before the entrance to Bombay Hook NWR attracted TUNDRA SWANS. On March 2, Cartanza Rd had a female SNOW BUNTING. On Feb 28, an AMERICAN BITTERN was at Little Creek WA across from Port Mahon Rd. Sussex County: On Feb 28, three LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were in a flooded field near the intersection of Sugar Hill Rd and Draper Rd. That day, the marsh along Fowler Beach Rd had thousands of SNOW GEESE, a CACKLING GOOSE and a PEREGRINE FALCON. Four AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS were at Mispillion Inlet on Feb 28. On Feb 27, a flock of 24 TUNDRA SWANS was at a field on the south side of Concord Rd/Route 20, about a mile west of Route 9. That day, six more TUNDRA SWANS were in a field on the south side of Hardscrabble Rd/Route 20, about a quarter mile west of Governor Stockley Rd. A RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH visited a feeder in Seaford. -------------------------------------------------------------- FOR PENNSYLVANIA: Chester County: The DICKCISSEL at Gail Dillon's home in Cochranville was seen as recently as Feb 27. Contact information for Gail can be found on the Pennsylvania Birding List archives at: http://list.audubon.org/archives/pabirds.html Bucks County: A BARRED OWL was heard near Lake Towhee Park on March 2. The possible BARROW'S GOLDENEYE reported from the Morrisville Levee appears to be a first year hen COMMON GOLDENEYE, and up to 90 COMMON GOLDENEYES continued to be seen from the Morrisville Levee this week. An ICELAND GULL was at Peace Valley Park on Feb 24, and fifty-five LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were at the park that day. The Churchville Nature Center reported LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and FOX SPARROW. On March 2, three TREE SWALLOWS fed on Snow Fleas at Maple Knoll Farms in New Hope. Northampton County: The CLAY-COLORED SPARROW at the Koch property was reported as recently as Feb 26. On Feb 26, five thousand SNOW GEESE flew north over Seemsville. Lehigh County: Three COMMON RAVENS flew over Fountain Hill on Feb 26. On Feb 25, HORNED LARKS in Heidelberg Twp were noted at Bullhead Rd, Sawmill Rd, Handwerk Rd, Bake Oven Rd and Hawk View Rd. That day, Handwerk Rd also had 10 SNOW BUNTINGS. Schuylkill County: Sweet Arrow Lark had PILEATED WOODPECKER, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and FISH CROW. Berks County: Lake Ontelaunee had COMMON GOLDENEYES through Feb 28. That day, farm country east of Robesonia had 1600 SNOW GEESE and 300 HORNED LARKS. Lancaster County: On Feb 28, sightings from the Susquehanna River between Columbia and Washington Boro included 250 TUNDRA SWANS, 185 COMMON GOLDENEYES, a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at Avocet Point and TREE SWALLOWS. That day, a PEREGRINE FALCON was perched at the middle of the Veterans Memorial Bridge, and a BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE was at the Blue Rock Rd boat launch. East of Lancaster, off Greenfield Rd, the main pond at Greenfield Estates had 125 SNOW GEESE. The Heritage Center boat ramp at the end of Blue Rock Rd had 8 TUNDRA SWANS on Feb 27. The interior roads of Middle Creek WMA are still closed due to snow cover as of March 2, and will remain closed this week. Sightings from Middle Creek on March 2 included thousands of SNOW GEESE, 500 TUNDRA SWANS and 2 REDHEADS. Lebanon County: The SANDHILL CRANE at SGL 145 was seen flying north from Lake Duffy on March 2. Carbon County: On March 2, Beltzville State Park had a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 2 CANVASBACKS and 5 COMMON GOLDENEYES. Monroe County: Cherry Valley NWR had a KILLDEER and a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH on Feb 24. Pike County: On Feb 27, the Pocono Environmental Education Center had 2 COMMON RAVENS and 4 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES. PA Extralimitals: The Crawford County SNOWY OWL at the Miller Farm (10734 Shadeland Rd, Springboro) was seen through March 2. The drake HARLEQUIN DUCK was reported from Presque Isle State Park in Erie County through March 2. -------------------------------------------------------------- ANNOUNCEMENTS: On March 13, Chris Walters will lead a DVOC field trip to Barnegat Lighthouse State Park in Ocean County, NJ. This half-day trip is well suited to students and new members, but open to anyone interested in attending. The trip will meet at 9:00AM at the lighthouse parking lot. Please contact Chris if you plan on attending. On March 14, Connie Goldman will lead a DVOC field trip to Middle Creek WMA in Lancaster & Lebanon Counties, PA. The trip will meet at the Middle Creek WMA Visitor's Center on Museum Rd at 1:00PM. Please contact Connie if you plan on attending. Additional information, including past trip reports 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 March 4, 2010, featuring a program by Julie Hagelin, entitled "Tales from a Tangerine-Scented Seabird: Sex, Perfume and Parasites of Crested Auklets." The meeting takes place at The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia at 7:30PM. The meeting after that will take place on March 18. 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 birding events and planned pelagic trips, please email rba AT dvoc.org. This is Steve Kacir, good birding to you all and thanks for calling, surfing and reporting. - End Transcript Steve Kacir rba AT dvoc.org DVOC Rare Bird Alert Committee Chair Academy of Natural Sciences Delaware Valley Ornithological Club Philadelphia PSOC-FACULTY LISTSERV MESSAGE Subject: final reminder about the Peregrine web cam event From: "sally o'byrne" <salobyrne AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 15:33:05 -0500 Tomorrow, March 4, is the rescheduled event celebrating the premiere of the Peregrine Falcon Web cam. This event and the webcam are joint efforts by DOS and the DuPont initiative, Clear Into The Future. It will be at the Wilmington Library from 5:30 to 7:30. A live peregrine falcon will be there as well as Kim Steininger's photo exhibit. If you are planning to attend, but have not yet sent your RSVP, would you please do so to Tim Ireland. Timothy.Ireland AT usa.dupont.com If you would like to see the full pdf invitation, please let me know. This listserv doesn't allow me to include it in this email. Thanks and hope to see you there, Sally O'Byrne PSOC-ALL-TEAM LISTSERV MESSAGE Subject: Re: FW: [de-birds] Exotic Geese From: Bob Strahorn <bstrahor AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 14:03:14 -0500 Meta thought they were probably escapees (although no leg bands). They are native to Africa, but were introduced to Great Britain in the 18th century, and added to the British list in 1971. Since taking the pictures, I did find where there are small feral populations in California and New Jersey, but not the state lists. Bob Strahorn From: Lorraine Fleming [mailto:lorrainelmf AT comcast.net] Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 1:02 PM To: Bob Strahorn Subject: Re: [de-birds] FW: [de-birds] Exotic Geese Hi Bob! Great photo! Do you think they are zoo escapes? Lorraine Subject: Ashland Thursday Walk and recent birds From: joe sebastiani <joe AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 11:57:35 -0500 Join me tomorrow for the free bird walk at Ashland Nature Center in Hockessin. We will meet at 8am in the parking lot and it will be pretty muddy. Recently, we've seen a few noteworthy birds including a Bald Eagle on Monday as well as a few Swamp Sparrows in the marsh (Derek Stoner), a Hermit Thrush yesterday next to the parking lot (me), and an American Woodcock at the nearby Burrows Run Preserve last evening (flushed by Michele Wales). If you need directions to Ashland, they can be found at http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/dns_sites.html. Joe Sebastiani Members Program Team Leader Delaware Nature Society P.O. Box 700 Hockessin, DE 19707 (302) 239-2334 ext. 115 fax (302) 239-2473 joe AT delawarenaturesociety.org web: www.delawarenaturesociety.org The Nature of Delaware Blog: www.delawarenaturesociety.org/blog Subject: FW: [de-birds] Exotic Geese From: Bob Strahorn <bstrahor AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 11:54:20 -0500 Meta called me about the Egyptian Geese. I met here behind the U of D Ag building (between greenhouses and silo behind north end of U of D Ag building (across from Chrysler plant - Rt. 896 south of Newark). I have posted a picture of the geese on the DOS Photo Gallery. Go to the link below and select Egyptian Goose under in the "Bird name" box: http://www.dosbirds.org/photogallery Bob Strahorn Newark, DE -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Meta Little Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 11:38 AM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [de-birds] Exotic Geese This morning Kate from the greenhouse at the University of Delaware called to tell me a pair of Egyptian Geese have been hanging out in the fields near the new wetland area and the cow fields for over a week. Sure enough, they are there today between Worrilow Hall and the silos if anyone is interested. The birds are unbanded. Meta Little Subject: Exotic Geese From: Meta Little <meta368 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 11:38:15 -0500 This morning Kate from the greenhouse at the University of Delaware called to tell me a pair of Egyptian Geese have been hanging out in the fields near the new wetland area and the cow fields for over a week. Sure enough, they are there today between Worrilow Hall and the silos if anyone is interested. The birds are unbanded. Meta Little Subject: A Factual Account of Birding in Delaware City From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 09:33:16 -0500 Bob Strahorn and I conducted the evening heronry survey in Delaware City last night. While it was a bit drizzly for most of the night - it was much warmer than last year. I don't have the numbers for Great Blues (I left the data sheets at home this morning) but we probably didn't count more than 30 in the 2.5 hours we were there. As expected Great Blue Herons were the only long-legged wading bird using the heronry at this early date. We did see a few other birds during the survey however. An adult Bald Eagle- first seen perched in the top of the Bald Cypress at the very north end of the Heronry later (I assume it was the same bird) moved a bit farther north on the island and settled in a small deciduous tree. It was still there when it finally got too dark to see herons flying at 6:16 pm. To add to the raptor list we had 1 Northern Harrier fly across the river to NJ. We also had an immature Red-tailed Hawk and an adult Merlin fly through the park form the north. The Red-tail flew off towards Fort Dupont - the Merlin, which was carrying something in its talons - swooped through the park and landed on top of a power pole in front of Crabby Dicks where we were able to watch it tear into the small bird carcass it had been carrying. We also had 6 Mute Swans swimming around the Island, flyby Mallards, Canada Geese and 1 Common Merganser. We also had Ring-billed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls and Double-crested Cormorants. And finally lots and lots of Crows ( both American and Fish) passed by on their way to roost in New Jersey. I did count a few of the flocks - with groups of 25 - 40 coming over early in the evening and then massive lines - one of which contained more than 300 (I stopped counting at that point) towards sunset. Right around sunset the flow of birds slowed to a trickle - and pretty much ended before we concluded the survey. The next survey will be Tuesday, March 30. Last year we had 4 species of Herons and Egrets. The full moon rising over New Jersey will be an added bonus. Hope you can join us! Chris Bennett Natural Resource Management Specialist Environmental Stewardship Program Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation 89 Kings Highway Dover, DE 19901 Phone: (302) 739-9230 Fax: (302) 739-3817 "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac Subject: Large Snow Goose flocks? From: Susan Guiteras <Susan_Guiteras AT FWS.GOV> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 08:42:51 -0500 Hi everyone! A film maker from the UK contacted the refuge to see if we have large SNGO flocks on the marsh. They are filming a documentary that explores the world through the context of bird migration - sounds fascinating, actually. One last shot they are hoping for would require 50,000 SNGO or so (yet their equipment permits them to film from a higher altitude). I'm not here as early in the morning these days due to child care, but I have not been seeing large flocks on the refuge marshes lately. It's that time of the year where they seem more scattered into smaller flocks, and not using our marsh quite as much. I think he has missed his chance for prime filming in DE. Are there any consistent / predictable large SNGO flocks still around Delmarva these days? You can email me directly if you'd rather - Susan_Guiteras AT fws.gov Thanks! Susan Bombay Hook NWR Subject: MISTAKE in a previous POST From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 08:28:55 -0500 Hey, The post that I sent out Monday about my brief outing Sunday afternoon contained a GLARING mistake that I should have easily picked out and did not. I DID NOT SEE a Curlew Sandpiper. I cut and pasted the list at the end of my post from a Delaware Checklist and Curlew got dragged along for the ride with DUNLIN. I apologize. I'll try to be more careful in the future. Chris Bennett Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac Subject: Re: Hot Time in the City From: "F.Arthur McMorris" <mcmorris AT MAC.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 22:20:06 -0500 Bill and DE Birders, Awesome spectacle! I wish I could have seen it. I work with peregrines, so I can provide a little bit of info. The color bands are not sex specific. We used to use black over red for peregrines in the northeast (for both males and females), but by now we've used up all the alphanumeric combinations, so we're now using black over green, for both sexes. You can't tell the sex of the bird by the color of the band. The spectacle you saw is probably more common than we think, but it often goes undetected. One way for peregrines to send lots of offspring out into the world is to find a great nest site and territory that's unoccupied, move in, and attract a mate. But another way is to find a territory that's already occupied, and challenge the same-sex member of the resident pair. Both males and females will do this. These battles usually don't end until one combatant gives up and flies away, or is killed. The winner then takes over the mate, nest site and territory. The mate just watches the battle without doing anything about it, and then accepts and mates with whoever wins. He/she has the best chance of passing his/her genes on to the next generation by mating with the strongest, most successful bird he/she can; and if that's the challenger and not the original mate, so be it. In the case of the Wilmington birds, it sounds like the intruder won. Peregrines mate for life, but when one member of an established pair dies, the survivor will try to attract a new mate. They usually succeed, but it can take a while. But sometimes one member of a pair is replaced almost instantaneously, and it's probably due to a battle such as you witnessed. If the challenger is the winner, we have a pretty good idea what happened, even if nobody saw the battle. But if the resident bird wins, and nobody saw the battle, nobody would know that anything happened. Nesting season is cranking up now: peregrines are conspicuously defending their territories, choosing their nest sites within the territory (usually the same site used previously), renewing pair bonds (if mated) or searching eagerly for mates (if not), and the hormones are really raging. It's the best time of year to be watching peregrines. Art F. Arthur McMorris Bala-Cynwyd, Montgomery Co., PA On Mar 2, 2010, at 6:41 PM, Bill Stewart wrote: > Good evening, > > Well, the skies over Wilmington and the Brandywine Building have seen quite a bit of action these past two days involving a third peregrine falcon! Greg Inskip reported some aerial battles occurring yesterday, here is part of his message. " I looked up at the top of the 1201 N. Market office building and saw two falcons streaking out of sight, very fast and very high. Another falcon circled into view much lower, close to and about as high (more than 200 feet) as the top of the building. The two other falcons came back in view in a breathtaking chase in three dimensions, diving very fast, one after the other high over the City." > > Trying to figure out this battle within nature and right above our eyes is no easy chore. Let me explain as best as I know. In an effort to distinguish between the falcons observed, both of the Wilmington falcons have black over red bands when the USFWS originally used the same colored bands for both sexes. They still band males with black over red bands but females are now banded with black over green bands. > > This morning at 7:57 AM, on the webcam, we saw a falcon with a green band, indicating an intruding female. At 12:05 the same bird, or another bird with a green band, was back in the nestbox. Around 2:00 a female intruder arriving with prey was seen eating as a male watched. Unfortunately, our original female mate has not been in view. > > To see the events as they happen, log onto http://www.dosbirds.org/wilmfalcons. For the daily blog of the happenings, go to http://www.wilmfalcons.com > > As a quick reminder, the Wilmington Peregrine Falcon Webcam Gala will be this Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Wilmington Library, all are welcome! > > Good birding, > > The Wilmington Peregrine Falcon Webcam Project Team Subject: Re: Hot Time in the City From: Dan Haas <nervousbirds AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 20:00:24 -0500 Bill et all, A similar event happened here in Annapolis back in 2008. The drama unfolded over the skies of our historic city on the Chesapeake. Two females battled it out, while the male followed close behind... all three falcons wildly screaming the entire time. It certainly was spectacular scene to have witnessed that late winter day. In the end, the unbanded tiercel welcomed his new female, a Virginia girl. She hatched on a bridge in the Southern part (VA) of the Bay, and fledged at the New River Gorge hack site. The previous female, MIA ever since that afternoon, was a New Yorker from the Tappan Zee Bridge (sp?). She had only one chick known to have fledged, and even that chick needed to be plucked from the waters below not once, but twice. What ever became of that little girl... who knows? No news as of yet. As for the new VA female, she didn't hatch any chicks last year, let alone move into the nest box that USFWS installed on the bridge. But hopes are high for 2010. I'll look forward to watching the story unfold. Thanks for the post Bill. Best, Dan Haas Annapolis, MD nervousbirds AT gmail.com wahzoh.blogspot.com On Tuesday, March 2, 2010, Bill Stewart wrote: > Good evening, > > Well, the skies over Wilmington and the Brandywine Building have seen quite a bit of action these past two days involving a third peregrine falcon!  Greg Inskip reported some aerial battles occurring yesterday, here is part of his message. " I looked up at the top of the 1201 N. Market office building and saw two falcons streaking out of sight, very fast and very high.   Another falcon circled into view much lower, close to and about as high (more than 200 feet) as the top of the building.  The two other falcons came back in view in a breathtaking chase in three dimensions, diving very fast, one after the other high over the City." > > Trying to figure out this battle within nature and right above our eyes is no easy chore. Let me explain as best as I know.  In an effort to distinguish between the falcons observed, both of the Wilmington falcons have black over red bands when the USFWS originally used the same colored bands for both sexes.  They still band males with black over red bands but females are now banded with black over green bands. > > This morning at 7:57 AM, on the webcam, we saw a falcon with a green band, indicating an intruding female.  At 12:05 the same bird, or another bird with a green band, was back in the nestbox.  Around 2:00 a female intruder arriving with prey was seen eating as a male watched.  Unfortunately, our original female mate has not been in view. > > To see the events as they happen, log onto http://www.dosbirds.org/wilmfalcons.  For the daily blog of the happenings, go to http://www.wilmfalcons.com > > As a quick reminder, the Wilmington Peregrine Falcon Webcam Gala will be this Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Wilmington Library, all are welcome! > > Good birding, > > The Wilmington Peregrine Falcon Webcam Project Team > Subject: Eurasian Wigeon inter alia From: Colin Campbell <delawaretwitcher AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 19:46:12 -0500 This morning I awoke to a familiar pang - the need for a Helen's Sausage and Egg. It's been a long time (over a month) and I was ecstatic reacquainting my taste buds with the peppery wursts. I headed to Woodland Beach WMA via Rt6 and then Lighthouse Road, munching happily, when a massive flock of Snow Geese caused me to stop just short of Boondocks 'restaurant'. What actually had caught my eye was movement in the field much closer to the road and a party of Horned Larks just demanded to be scanned for Mr. You-know-who. And sure enough, two Lapland Longspurs were amidst, one getting nice and black on the upper breast and beautifully chestnut on the nape. A pair of the breeding plumaged HOLAs were indulging in what I assume was springtime foreplay - heads down, tails up and 'bobbing' to each other, but they both looked the same with strongly contrasting facial and upper breast patterns ... aren't females supposed to be visibly duller? Oh, well. Further down the same road, a band of American Pipits cavorted and landed on the sodden corn fields. Taylor's Gut had Hooded and Common Mergansers (which seem to be everywhere in N. Del. at the moment) and Shoveler; Bufflehead were displaying on the pond at Tony Florio's. Woodland Beach village gave three Canvasbacks (two drakes) which was good to see this far north; the old flock at Augustine Beach has long since disappeared, apparently preferring the warm water outflow of the Salem Nuke Plant across the way. After reading some Snow Goose neck bands in another flock on Hawkey Branch Rd, just before a low-flying adult Bald Eagle put the whole flock up into a deafening blizzard, a quick stop at Bombay Hook gave the White-crowned, White-throated, Song and House Sparrows at the Center and a rufous Eastern Screech-Owl poking out of a Wood Duck box at the Sheerness Pool Tower parking lot. The vast majority of Tundra Swans were in the pond at the 'new hunters' place (?)' just outside the entrance gate. Cartanza Road indeed had a single female Snow Bunting as previously reported .... and no other passerine! I guess the adult Bald Eagle and the hunting Harriers were deterrents. My final stop was the North Pond at Ted Harvey where hundreds of ducks fled from near to far before I could even get out of my car. Shouldering the scope along the narrow raised 'walkway' to the best viewing position (care - water levels high, mud, burrowing animals holes, but scope essential) gave, on first scan, the main duck populations of Gadwall, American Wigeon, Hooded Merganser and Ring-necked Duck. Interspersed were Green-winged Teal, Shoveler, Mallard, Black Duck, Pintail and a gorgeous drake Red-breasted Merganser. Seeing so many AMWIs made me repeat the slow scan and, low and behold, a spectacular drake Eurasian Wigeon (none of these iffy female types or hybrids here!). Five Bonaparte's Gulls were a pleasant alternative to the myriads of Ring-bills. Colin Campbell Subject: Hot Time in the City From: Bill Stewart <hcf2 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 18:41:38 -0500 Good evening, Well, the skies over Wilmington and the Brandywine Building have seen quite a bit of action these past two days involving a third peregrine falcon! Greg Inskip reported some aerial battles occurring yesterday, here is part of his message. " I looked up at the top of the 1201 N. Market office building and saw two falcons streaking out of sight, very fast and very high. Another falcon circled into view much lower, close to and about as high (more than 200 feet) as the top of the building. The two other falcons came back in view in a breathtaking chase in three dimensions, diving very fast, one after the other high over the City." Trying to figure out this battle within nature and right above our eyes is no easy chore. Let me explain as best as I know. In an effort to distinguish between the falcons observed, both of the Wilmington falcons have black over red bands when the USFWS originally used the same colored bands for both sexes. They still band males with black over red bands but females are now banded with black over green bands. This morning at 7:57 AM, on the webcam, we saw a falcon with a green band, indicating an intruding female. At 12:05 the same bird, or another bird with a green band, was back in the nestbox. Around 2:00 a female intruder arriving with prey was seen eating as a male watched. Unfortunately, our original female mate has not been in view. To see the events as they happen, log onto http://www.dosbirds.org/wilmfalcons . For the daily blog of the happenings, go to http://www.wilmfalcons.com As a quick reminder, the Wilmington Peregrine Falcon Webcam Gala will be this Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Wilmington Library, all are welcome! Good birding, The Wilmington Peregrine Falcon Webcam Project Team Subject: Delaware Waterfowl Roundup - Sunday, March 7 From: "Gonzon Anthony T. (DNREC)" <Anthony.Gonzon AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 16:08:43 -0500 Greetings all, I will be leading a Delaware Waterfowl Fieldtrip on Sunday, March 7 beginning at 7 am for DOS. We will meet at the Park N' Ride located on Rt. 896 at the intersection of Rt. 896 and Rt. 13 (Boyd's Corner) at 7 am, departing no later than 7:15. I plan to stop for lunch around noon, but feel free to bring your own as food choices may be limited. This is a full-day trip and may last until 3 or 4 pm, but you are welcome to depart the group at any time. This trip will cover Delaware from Bombay Hook to the Delaware Seashore as we search for the common and rare waterfowl that inhabit Delaware. If we are lucky, rarities may include Ross's Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Redhead, and eiders. And who knows what else we may come across as we move through Delaware's coastal habitats! This will be a great opportunity to study the more common species, including flight ID. I will be scouting out some sites on Saturday also. If you are interested in joining me then, please contact me off-list. More information can be found on the DOS website (www.dosbirds.org). Join me for a half day or full day! Hope many of you can make it! Good birding, Ant ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anthony T. Gonzon, Jr. DE Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program DE Division of Fish and Wildlife, DNREC 4876 Hay Point Landing Road Smyrna, DE 19977 Phone: 302-653-2880 ext. 123 Mobile: 302-531-5165 Fax: 302-653-3431 Visit Delaware's Breeding Bird Atlas online: www.fw.delaware.gov/bba Subject: Spring Hawk Watch Cape Henlopen From: Susan Gruver <Srgruver AT AOL.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 12:35:48 EST Hi everyone, I want to extend an invitation to all to come and be really COLD !! If you didn't go for Chris's invite to a "COOL opportunity",,this is for you. Nothing better than hitting that hawk watch platform in March and having winds from the East blast you in the face. We will be starting the Spring count Sunday March 14th and go through May 15th. So, please come join us for an hour or two or all morning. Dreaming of Spring weather, high count Merlin days in late April and maybe if we are lucky a Swallow-tailed Kite again in early May. Hope to see you on the platform Sue and the Hawk Watch team Subject: Mudbat From: Jim White <hylajwhite AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 21:26:09 -0500 This evening, just after sunset I heard a Woodcock (Mudbat) calling "beezp" from a wooded area behind my mother's house inear Port Penn, DE. Maybe the tide has turned and spring is on it's way. ? Jim Subject: Keep your eye on those piping plover legs From: Jean Woods <JWoods AT DELMNH.ORG> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 16:40:24 -0500 Here's some info to help you all think spring by imagining piping plovers on a warm sunny beach at Henlopen. This came from a list-serve to which I belong. Jean Dr. Jean L. Woods Phone: 302-658-9111 x314 Curator of Birds Fax: 302-658-2610 Delaware Museum of Natural History e-mail: jwoods AT delmnh.org 4840 Kennett Pike, P.O. Box 3937 web: www.delmnh.org Wilmington, DE 19807 During Jan-Feb 2010 fifty-seven Piping Plovers were color marked on three islands in The Bahamas. Kindly keep an eye out for these birds during the spring and fall migration and the breeding season. Sightings, including those about which the observer is uncertain (note: there a very few color-banded Piping Plovers in the Atlantic population so one with a black flag is likely from The Bahamas), may be reported per the instructions below. Additional information and pictures of The Bahamas Plovers may be found in the CVWO at First Landing blog of February 24, 2010 by visiting www.cvwo.org . PIPING PLOVERS COLOR-MARKED IN THE BAHAMAS - In an effort to determine where Piping Plovers wintering in The Bahamas are staging during migration, and breeding, 57 birds were uniquely color-marked this winter in The Bahamas for Environment Canada by Sidney Maddock and Peter Doherty, with help from The Bahamas National Trust. Each bird has a black flag (band with a tab sticking out slightly) on the upper left leg, nothing on the upper right, a single color band on one lower leg, and two color bands (which can be the same color on top of each other) on the other lower leg. Colors used included: red, orange, yellow, white, light green, dark green, dark blue, and black. Please report all sightings to CHERI GRATTO-TREVOR, Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research Centre, Environment Canada, 115 Perimeter Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X4 Canada (EM: cheri.gratto-trevor AT ec.gc.ca), noting the color and location of each band on the bird, and location and behaviour of the bird (on nest or brood, foraging at migratory stop-over, etc.), as well as presumed sex of the bird, if possible. Thanks for any assistance! Peter Doherty Virginia Beach, VA leasttern AT hotmail.com Subject: Julie Hagelin to speak at Thursday's DVOC meeting From: "F.Arthur McMorris" <mcmorris AT MAC.COM> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 16:01:48 -0500 The next meeting of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club (DVOC) is this Thursday, March 4, 2010, at 7:30 PM at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, PA. Details at www.dvoc.org. Everyone is invited to attend. Visitors are always welcome. Featured speaker: Julie Hagelin, “Tales from a Tangerine-Scented Seabird: Sex, Perfume and Parasites of Crested Auklets” Those who have been close to a Crested Auklet breeding colony know that these unusual birds smell like freshly-peeled tangerines, but no one has taken this observation as far as Dr. Julie Hagelin, Assistant Professor of Biology at Swarthmore College. Come and hear about these remarkable birds, learn about their social lives, breeding biology and much more, and hear about Julie’s field studies working with the indigenous Yup’ik of St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. Julie will also describe how the auklet work applies to the recovery of another scented avian species-- the critically endangered Kakapo of New Zealand. Art McMorris Bala-Cynwyd, Montgomery County, PA Vice President, DVOC Subject: Survey Details From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 14:54:40 -0500 Just found out that I forgot to include the site where we conduct the survey. All surveys are conducted from the park at the end of Clinton Street in Delaware City. We set up our scopes along the wall at the river's edge in front of the flag pole. Chris Bennett Natural Resource Management Specialist Environmental Stewardship Program Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation 89 Kings Highway Dover, DE 19901 Phone: (302) 739-9230 Fax: (302) 739-3817 "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac Subject: att: birders in Lewes From: Rydgren AT AOL.COM Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 14:15:20 EST This request came to me. Any special recommendations? Ann Rydgren Hockessin, DE Hi, Could you recommend a bird feeder for somebody living in Lewes, Delaware? Thank you! Natalie Charles Maine Subject: Red-Breasted Nuthatch From: Charles Vaughn <charlesvaughn08 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 13:38:35 -0500 We had a Red-Breasted Nuthatch today. There was also one around about 5 days ago that came to our feeder, but it only stayed for 5 minutes, or so. Charles Vaughn Seaford, DE 19973 Subject: Kent: A. Bittern, Peregrine, WC Sparrow, etc.. From: Rick Cheicante <rickcheicante AT CS.COM> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 11:30:21 -0500 Sunday morning (2/28), and I couldn't get a Willey Farms deli trip off my mind. The deli and other great browsing they offer, plus a few bird stops too - what a day (which started at 12:30 at Willey's, then continued southward for some afternoon birding). Coming from the north, a lot of high water was noted so we picked up Rt. 9 via Rt. 6, so as to avoid any potential flooding north of Woodland (turns out there wasn't any when I checked). At the Intersection (Rt. 9/6), a PEREGRINE FALCON was in the large, main tree in what would be the NW quadrant of this intersection. SAVANNAH SPARROWS occupied the grass margin afronting Woodland Beach (that would be the actual beach). Just south/east of the intersection (Rt. 9/6) a spectacular flight of SNOW GEESE against a darkened navy-blue sky (a favorite scene and visual treat). WHITE- CROWNED SPARROWS (8, 1 ad, 7 juv) continued [from past reports] around the HQs/Visitor's Center. BLACK DUCK flushed from the wetland behind the center. Raymond had numerous pairs of NORTHERN PINTAIL and a few GADWALL (headed out after Raymond). TUNDRA SWAN inhabited flood pools in fields leading into Bombay Hook. Cartanza Rd had 6 HORNED LARKS and 2 guys shooting shotguns in the northern corner. Little Creek WMA (access from Port Mahon Rd) had AMERICAN BITTERN and a nice flock of NORTHERN SHOVELER (the lighting here was spectacular and quite dramatic between 4:30 and 5). Port Mahon Rd was in roughed up shape along the coast where two large rafts of RUDDY DUCKS could be found. Waited and searched for SHORT-EARED OWLS, but no luck today. Not bad for about a 5 hour afternoon which started with just wanting a sub. Rick Cheicante Harford County Bel Air, MD Subject: COOL Opportunity!! From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 10:15:47 -0500 Do you like to mix a little masochism with your birding? Love the feel of tears streaming across your cheeks as you peer through a scope into a stiff headwind? Can count birds on fingers and toes that you can no longer feel? Then I have just the birding opportunity for you. Tomorrow evening from 3:56 pm to 6:26 pm I will be counting herons and egrets as they return to roost at the heronry on Pea Patch Island and you are more than welcome to come out and lend a hand. The data collected is part of the annual monitoring of this valuable natural resource. And for those worried that their ID skills of long-legged wading birds in flight might not be quite up to snuff - no worries! Pea Patch in February and early-March is a One Bird Show - All Great Blue Herons. And while we don't see thousands or even hundreds of herons in this first count of the season - you will see thousands of crows, probably a couple Bald Eagles, may be a Peregrine along with ducks and gulls. It's really not going to be all that cold tomorrow - temps in the mid to low 40s and very light north winds. Downright balmy for this time of year. I should be there setting up around 3:45. If you prefer to count birds under more temperate conditions this survey is conducted the last Tuesday of each month (we had to reschedule last week's survey to tomorrow due to weather) between now and August, starting 2 hours before sunset and ending ½ hour after sunset. This year's survey dates are March 23 April 27 May 25 June 29 July 27 August 31 We had a great volunteer response last year and in addition to having a great time we saw some really cool stuff - including 4 or 5 Little Gulls during the April survey. I hope to see you tomorrow evening - but will understand if I don't. Chris Bennett Natural Resource Management Specialist Environmental Stewardship Program Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation 89 Kings Highway Dover, DE 19901 Phone: (302) 739-9230 Fax: (302) 739-3817 "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac Subject: No Subject From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 08:44:29 -0500 I took a couple hours yesterday afternoon to get out of the house and do a little birding. I drove down to Fowlers Beach and back home via Slaughter Beach and Mispillion Inlet. I ended up with 49 total species. Highlights included 3 Adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls in a flooded field with 100s of RBGU, HEGU and GBBG near the intersection of Sugar Hill Rd and Draper Rd. There were thousands of Snow Geese in the marsh along Fowler Beach Road which included 1 Cackling Goose and a "Canada Goose" that was the same size of the Cackling, had a very bold white patch separating the neck from the breast - but - a relatively large Canada Goose type bill. There were 6 Bald Eagles - 1 adult perched on a deer stand and 5 immature birds perched in the trees at the edge of the marsh to the south and west of the bridge over Slaughter Creek. I also had wave after wave of shorebirds - Sanderlings and Dunlin with a few Greater Yellowlegs - pass by. On my way out I found the Peregrine perched in a snag in the middle of the marsh. At Mispillion Inlet I had two more Bald Eagles - one 3.5 - 4 year old bird (white head with dusky terminal band on the tail) and a full adult and 4 American Oystercatchers. The complete list is below. SNOW GOOSE CACKLING GOOSE CANADA GOOSE TUNDRA SWAN GADWALL AMERICAN WIGEON AMERICAN BLACK DUCK MALLARD NORTHERN SHOVELER NORTHERN PINTAIL GREATER SCAUP RED-BREASTED MERGANSER WILD TURKEY RED-THROATED LOON GREAT BLUE HERON BLACK VULTURE TURKEY VULTURE BALD EAGLE NORTHERN HARRIER PEREGRINE FALCON KILLDEER AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER GREATER YELLOWLEGS SANDERLING DUNLIN CURLEW SANDPIPER RING-BILLED GULL HERRING GULL LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL ROCK PIGEON MOURNING DOVE DOWNY WOODPECKER NORTHERN FLICKER AMERICAN CROW FISH CROW CAROLINA CHICKADEE TUFTED TITMOUSE CAROLINA WREN GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET AMERICAN ROBIN NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD EUROPEAN STARLING YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER SONG SPARROW WHITE-THROATED SPARROW DARK-EYED JUNCO NORTHERN CARDINAL RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD Chris Bennett Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac Subject: Tundra Swans, Sussex County From: Marsh Zellhoefer <marshz AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 08:11:38 -0500 While doing some long-distance errands on Saturday (2/27), I saw a flock of about 24 Tundra swans in a farm field on the south side of Concord Road (Route 20) about 1 mile west of Route 9 in Sussex County.? A little further down the road to the east, I saw another flock of 6 in a farm field on the south side of Hardscrabble Road (still Route 20), about 1/4 mile west of Gov. Stockley Road. Marsh Zellhoefer Lewes, DE Subject: Re: Any ideas about this crow behavior? From: William Leigh <leightern AT MSN.COM> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 00:39:27 +0000 If we spoke crow we would know what the heck was going on, but it typically isn't taught in school. I too have been curious about the interactions of these two species. However, I never seen anything quite so interesting as what you described. Usually when I see these species in close proximity the Fish Crows have retreated. William Leigh leightern AT msn.com > Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:19:23 -0500 > From: cazort AT GMAIL.COM > Subject: [de-birds] Any ideas about this crow behavior? > To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU > > Yesterday in Newark, near the bamboo patch on the bike trail along the > railroad tracks, I saw a flock of 50-100 crows, contained both fish > crows and American crows, circling around. The fish crows were making > the "quack" like call that they often use when mobbing, and the > American crows were making loud "caw"s, but none of the crows seemed > to be interacting much with each other...they were just circling > around. The flock circled around for at least 15 minutes, and there > was no sign of anything going on or any reason they were circling. > > Any ideas what this is about? I'm really curious. > > Alex Zorach > Newark, DE Subject: Brandywine Birding From: Andy Ednie <ednieap AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:19:29 -0500 I went out this morning to Brandywine Creek State Park. There were 3 drake Common Mergansers on the creek at Thompson's Bridge. The Rt. 100 ponds at Winterthur had 2 drake and 9 female Hooded Merganser, 1 drake Common Merganser, 1 drake American Wigeon, plus Black Ducks, Mallards and a Coot. Nothing unusual was at Hoopes' Reservoir, but coming back I had 3 adult Bald Eagles circling at tree top level at the intersection of Campbell Rd (Rt 82) and Kennett Pike (Rt 52). One adult landed in the hemlocks beside the road, and was immediately sat upon and copulated with by another adult. All this while waiting for the stop light to change. The park had few birds and even fewer paths. We walked the entrance road. Best birds were Pileated Woodpecker, Sharp-shinned Hawk, and American Tree Sparrow. The last two were at the feeders. I did have a Bluebird by the entrance booth when leaving. Good birding, Andy Andy Ednie Claymont, Delaware Subject: Chester Co., Bucktoe Creek Preserve From: Joe Sebastiani <bunker17 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:43:41 -0500 Attend the free bird walks at the Bucktoe Creek Preserve, near Kennett Square PA this Sunday and Monday. Larry Lewis will lead Sunday and Sally O'Byrne will lead Monday. The walks begin at 8am and coffee and tea are served. Directions can be found at http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/dns_sites.html. Joe Sebastiani, Delaware Nature Society Subject: RBA: Birdline Delaware, February 26th, 2010 From: Andy Ednie <ednieap AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:42:27 -0500 RBA * Delaware * Statewide * February 26, 2010 * DEST1002.26 *Birds mentioned Wood Duck Gadwall Northern Shoveler American Wigeon Canvasback Ring-necked Duck Long-tailed Duck Common Eider Black Scoter Surf Scoter Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Red-breasted Merganser Common Merganser Hooded Merganser Ruddy Duck Common Loon Horned Grebe Black Vulture Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Red-shouldered Hawk Rough-legged Hawk Peregrine Falcon American Kestrel American Coot Black-bellied Plover Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Purple Sandpiper Great Horned Owl Eastern Screech Owl Snowy Owl Belted Kingfisher Pileated Woodpecker Tree Swallow Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Hermit Thrush Brown Thrasher American Pipit American tree Sparrow Fox Sparrow Rusty Blackbird Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: February 26, 2010 Number: 302-658-2747 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (ednieap AT verizon.net) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland Transcriber: Andy Ednie (ednieap AT verizon.net) For a snowy Friday, February 26th, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The 2010 Unofficial Delaware State Year List now stands at 159 species. There was a secondhand report of a SNOWY OWL at St Georges, flying east towards Thousand Acre Marsh. That bird was not re-seen, but several BALD EAGLES including a pair nesting on the south side of the Reedy Point Bridge were observed. A pair of PEREGRINE FALCON was also seen on the underside of the Reedy Point Bridge. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was also reported in the area. A dark phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was reported along the Broadkill Beach Road near the impoundments on Saturday. 2 BROWN THRASHERS were seen by the Prime Hook NWR headquarters. Last week EASTERN PHOEBES were reported. This week 2 TREE SWALLOWS were seen at Gunning Bedford Middle School near Delaware City. A male WOOD DUCK was seen on Red Clay Creek north of Yorklyn. A male AMERICAN KESTREL was seen at the entrance to Brandywine Creek State Park. Just think, spring is just 24 days away! 2 COMMON EIDERS were seen at Indian River Inlet. LONG-TAILED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE, SURF and BLACK SCOTER were also reported. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER was seen on the beach north of the inlet. PURPLE SANDPIPERS, RUDDY TURNSTONES, and SANDERLING were seen on the jetty. 2 AMERICAN PIPITS were seen walking along the entrance road to the north marina. Lots of CANVASBACKS are still being seen at Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach. Also reported were RUDDY DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, NORTHERN SHOVELER, and AMERICAN COOT. HORNED GREBES, COMMON LOONS and flyby LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen along the North Shore at Rehoboth. Bald Eagle Creek near Rehoboth Beach Yacht and Country Club had big numbers of RUDDY DUCKS, BUFFLEHEADS, and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, plus a couple of HOODED MERGANSERS. 15 BACK VULTURES were also reported. Near Milford, COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER, AMERICAN WIGEON, and GADWALL were seen at Abbott's Mill Pond. COMMON and HOODED MERGANSERS were also seen at Cedar Creek Mill Pond. BELTED KINGFISHER was seen at Blair's Pond. The Rt. 100 ponds at Winterthur had a dozen HOODED MERGANSERS, plus AMERICAN WIGEON, and RING-NECKED DUCK. COMMON MERGANSERS and RING-NECKED DUCKS were seen at Winterthur. BROWN THRASHERS, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW and FOX SPARROWS are still coming to several feeders in the area. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES are still being reported coming to feeders at Abbott's Mill Nature Center and at Bay Vista in Rehoboth. RUSTY BLACKBIRD was reported at Pelleport in Greenville. That bird was at the McConnell Horse Farm. At Ashland this week there were NORTHERN HARRIER, BALD EAGLE, SCREECH and GREAT-HORNED OWL reported. Other birds seen included, HERMIT THRUSH, BROWN CREEPER, PILEATED WOODPECKER, COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER, and singing DARK-EYED JUNCOS- the snowbirds are ready for spring! And now for this week's special feature from WILM News Radio. Snowstorms can bring hardship and sorrow to many hearts. But, for stay-at-home birders they can be a boom. There is an exhilaration of discovery, a rush of adrenaline when a new species appears at your personal feeding station. One species associated with snowstorms and feeders in Delaware is the AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. A great misnomer is that this species rarely lives in trees. TREE SPARROWS breed along Hudson Bay across Canada to Alaska. It nests at the edge of the tundra, where there are few trees. It winters throughout the U.S., along wood edges, marsh, and grasslands, not in forests. The AMERICAN TREE SPARROW is brown with a rufous cap, yellow bill, white wing bars and an unstreaked breast with a large central black spot. Only the mid-western LARK SPARROW and southwestern SAGE SPARROW also have those central spots. Don't be tricked though, immature sparrows of several species can also have a central smudge on their breast. The TREE SPARROW'S call (SFx) is a high pitched trill heard mostly in early spring. Don't mistake the AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, a true sparrow, with the EUROPEAN TREE SPARROW, which is actually a Weaver Finch, related to the HOUSE or ENGLISH SPARROW. The only place in North American to see the EUROPEAN TREE SPARROW is near St Louis, where they were introduced. Once considered common in Delaware, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW numbers are declining. As early as the 1980's, Stan Speck lamented "What has befallen the Tree Sparrow?" Numbers went from over a thousand on the Christmas counts in the 1960's to only 31 last year. Is it change in habitat, climate, or less feeders that influenced the decline in this winter visitor? Special thanks this week to Derek Stoner, Joe Sebastiani, Lynn Smith, Bill Stewart, Jason Beale, Chris Bennett, Sally O'Byrne, Matt Sarver, and David Bridge for their reports. The Birdline needs your reports too, or you can add to the 2010 Unofficial Delaware State Year List by calling 302-792-9591 or email ednieap AT verizon.net. Until next week good birding. -end transcript Andy Ednie Claymont, Delaware Subject: GBBC and upcoming Optics Sale From: Derek Stoner <derekstoner AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:58:30 -0500 Greetings on another snowy evening: There's just two more days to report observations to the Great Backyard Bird Count. So far in Delaware, a total of 554 checklists have been turned in, tallying 189,925 individuals of 122 species. If you birded during February 12-15(the weekend after Blizzard #3- remember that one?), and have sightings that you'd like to share for the cause of citizen science, click on over to www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ and report your observations. Due to the snow-smashed month of February keeping many folks indoors and away from retail establishments, you may have some extra dollars burning a hole in your pocket(or an early tax refund coming your way?). In case this is true, you may want to consider checking out the Cape May Bird Observatory's annual Optics Sale on March 13 and 14 at the CMBO Center in Goshen, NJ. Binoculars, scopes, tripods, and other birding gear(both new and used) are available. Visit www.BirdCapeMay.org for more information. I have no commercial interest in CMBO. I'm simply a satisfied customer of this sale, along with many other Delaware birders who have crossed the bay to get great deals on optics. Three years of using brand-new Leicas bought for 50% off retail price has made me a happy promoter of this excellent opportunity to upgrade, trade, or sell your optics. Many times we see questions about purchasing optics brought up on this listserve. This event is a great place to see and try out a full selection of what's out there in the world of optics. Good birding, Derek Stoner Hockessin, DE Subject: Brandywine Creek Walk From: Andy Ednie <ednieap AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:21:32 -0500 The monthly bird walk at Brandywine Creek State Park will be this Saturday, rain or shine! We'll meet at the park nature center at 8:00 am to watch the feeders if the weather prevents outside human activities. We may get to see the male Kestrel posted today by Bill Stewart. Howard Holmquist reports 2 American Tree Sparrows at the feeders if not prey to the local Sharpy. Park fees are not in effect this month, the walk is free. Good birding, Andy Andy Ednie Claymont, Delaware Subject: kestrels From: Mary Ann Levan <levanma AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:26:06 -0500 I drive to the town of Reading, Pa (Berks County) pretty often and 2 weeks ago saw a kestrel on a wire near the town of Honeybrook. I was wondering at the time whether or not kestrels are being reported to a central data site, as I thought they had been in the past. Subject: American Kestrel @ BCSP From: Bill Stewart <hcf2 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:58:13 -0500 Good afternoon, During a quick spin through Brandywine Creek State Park at lunchtime, a male American Kestrel was sitting atop a tree on the right side of the main entrance as you enter. Before I could get a pic, he launched off and flew in the direction of the Nature Center. This is the first kestrel I have seen in the valley since Fall, nor have I heard or read about any sightings. This could be an early arrival, possibly our regular at the park. Besides Eastern Bluebirds, the park was quite bird-quiet today. Good birding, Bill Stewart Subject: Ashland Bird Walk From: Joe Sebastiani <bunker17 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:09:42 -0500 Are you up for a little birding at Ashland Nature Center? Join me tomorrow at 8am for a walk around the property to see what birds we can find before the trails are knee deep in snow again. Directions can be found at http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/dns_sites.html. Joe Sebastiani Delaware Nature Society Subject: Delaware Valley RBA, 24 FEB 2010 From: Stephen E Kacir <rba AT DVOC.ORG> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:55:50 -0800 - RBA * PA, NJ, DE * Delaware Valley: Southeast PA, Central/Southern NJ & DE * PADV1002.24 * February 24, 2010 - Birds Mentioned Eared Grebe (DE)+ Western Grebe (NJ)+ Harlequin Duck (PA)+ -Extralimital- possible Barrow's Goldeneye (PA)+ Spotted Towhee (NJ)+ (NJ)+ (Details requested by NJBRC) (PA)+ (Details requested by PORC) (DE)+ (Details requested by DERC) Horned Grebe Great Egret Greater White-fronted Goose Snow Goose Cackling Goose Tundra Swan Wood Duck Eurasian Wigeon Canvasback Redhead King Eider Common Eider Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Common Goldeneye Rough-legged Hawk Golden Eagle Peregrine Falcon Wild Turkey Sandhill Crane Killdeer American Oystercatcher Marbled Godwit Purple Sandpiper Wilson's Snipe American Woodcock Black-headed Gull Iceland Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Razorbill Snowy Owl Short-eared Owl Eastern Phoebe Northern Shrike Horned Lark Tree Swallow Red-breasted Nuthatch American Pipit Chipping Sparrow Clay-colored Sparrow Lapland Longspur Snow Bunting Pine Siskin - Transcript Hotline: Delaware Valley Rare Bird Alert Email reports to: rba AT dvoc.org Compiler: Steve Kacir, Delaware Valley Ornithological Club Phone: (215) 240-7547 Voice of the Delaware Valley RBA: Cindy Ahern & Win Shafer URL: http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm Welcome to the February 24, 2010 edition of 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 Region 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 EARED GREBE in Sussex County, DE; WESTERN GREBE in Monmouth County, NJ; possible BARROW'S GOLDENEYE in Bucks County, PA and Spotted Towhee in Burlington County, NJ. Remember to check out our website for additional content and information: http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm -------------------------------------------------------------- FOR NEW JERSEY: Cape May County: On Feb 20-21, two BLACK-HEADED GULLS were at the Concrete Ship and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal. One of the BLACK-HEADED GULLS had also been seen at the mouth of Cox Hall Creek on Feb 20-21, and one was at Shore Dr and Cliffside Rd on Feb 21. The most recent report of BLACK-HEADED GULL was from Sunset Beach on Feb 24. An AMERICAN PIPIT was on the jetty at the ferry terminal on Feb 20. On Feb 21, Cape May's two SANDHILL CRANES were in a cornfield south of the St Mary's cemetery Seashore Rd/Broadway and Shunpike Rd. A EURASIAN WIGEON and 2 REDHEADS were on Lighthouse Pond on Feb 21, with the drake REDHEAD seen there through most of the week. An EASTERN PHOEBE was at the Rea Farm on Feb 20. The Villas WMA had 2 WOOD DUCKS on Feb 22. The subadult drake KING EIDER was seen from Poverty Beach on Feb 24. Two MARBLED GODWITS were seen off the bay at Sunray Dr on Feb 21. An AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER and a hen HARLEQUIN DUCK were at the 8th St jetty in Avalon on Feb 22. On Feb 21, the 8th St jetty had HORNED GREBES, 60 COMMON EIDERS, 4 HARLEQUIN DUCKS, a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and 10 PURPLE SANDPIPERS. Over 100 COMMON EIDER and 3 HARLEQUIN DUCKS were reported from the jetty on Feb 20. A SHORT-EARED OWL was spotted at Jake's Landing on Feb 20. A possible SNOWY OWL flew over the Garden State Parkway near Sea Isle City on Feb 21. Cumberland County: The GOLDEN EAGLE was perched near Fortescue Rd on Feb 21. A SHORT- EARED OWL was seen from the end of Ragged Island Rd on Feb 20. A flock of WOOD DUCKS flew north near Turkey Point on Feb 21. Atlantic County: On Feb 20, three SHORT-EARED OWLS were seen at Mott's Creek. The Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe NWR had TUNDRA SWAN and AMERICAN PIPITS. Ocean County: A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was seen at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park on Feb 19-20. Other sightings from the park included COMMON EIDERS, BLACK SCOTERS, SURF SCOTERS and PURPLE SANDPIPERS. Monmouth County: The WESTERN GREBE continues to be seen around the north shore. On Feb 20, the GREBE was seen at the Philips Ave pier in the morning and off Sandy Hook's C-Lot in the late afternoon. On Feb 22, a RAZORBILL was spotted from Pullman Ave, and Marine Ave in Deal had 150 BLACK SCOTERS, SURF SCOTERS and 6 COMMON EIDERS. Burlington County: The SPOTTED TOWHEE was still being reported from Palmyra Cove Nature Park through Feb 21. Camden County: An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was at a yard in Sickerville through Feb 18. Warren County: A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was seen from Oberly Rd at the Alpha Grasslands on Feb 19. NJ Extralimitals: In Bergen County, the NORTHERN SHRIKE at DeKorte State Park's Disposal Rd was reported as recently as Feb 21. -------------------------------------------------------------- FOR DELAWARE: New Castle County: A possible SNOWY OWL flew over Route 1 at the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal Bridge on Feb 22. The Reedy Point Bridge PEREGRINE FALCONS were at the nest box this week. On Feb 23, two TREE SWALLOWS were seen near Gunning Bedford Middle School at a field west of Clarks Corner Rd. Sussex County: An EARED GREBE was reported at Indian River Inlet on Feb 21. On Feb 22, a dark phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen from Broadkill Rd at Prime Hook NWR. That day, 2 AMERICAN PIPITS were at the grassy strip between the marina basin and Indian River Inlet. -------------------------------------------------------------- FOR PENNSYLVANIA: Chester County: On Feb 16, a NORTHERN SHRIKE feasted on a Song Sparrow at a feeder in Chester Springs. On Feb 18, the HORNED LARK flock off Pleasantview Rd in the Honeybrook section of Chester County had a SNOW BUNTING and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR. That day, a drake CANVASBACK was at Struble Lake. Montgomery County: A PINE SISKIN visited a feeder in Horsham on Feb 20. Bucks County: Two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were reported from Peace Valley Park through Feb 20. Other reports from Peace Valley featured SNOW GOOSE and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and COMMON GOLDENEYES continue to be seen from the Morrisville Levee, with a possible BARROW'S GOLDENEYE reported on Feb 22. An ICELAND GULL was seen from the levee on Feb 22. Churchville Nature Center had LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES. Northampton County: The CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was at the Koch property through Feb 21. On Feb 22, a flock of SNOW BUNTINGS was seen in a field off Seemsville Rd just off Route 329. Lehigh County: A PEREGRINE FALCON has been seen around the PPL building in Allentown on Feb 16-17. HORNED LARKS were reported around Heidelberg and Lynn Townships. These were seen from Bullhead Rd, Handwerk Rd, Harter Rd and Blue Mountain House Rd. Lancaster County: Four AMERICAN PIPITS were seen from Meadow Creek Rd on Feb 18. Middle Creek WMA had 780 TUNDRA SWANS and 3,000 SNOW GEESE. Two drake REDHEADS and a possible CACKLING GOOSE was reported there on Feb 20. Reports of PEREGRINE FALCONS came from the Route 462 bridge and downtown Lancaster near the Marriott Hotel. On Feb 24, the overwintering GREAT EGRET was at Stauffer Run near the junction of Jarvis Rd and Willow Rd, east of Lancaster. A KILLDEER and WILSON'S SNIPE were at the spring off Willow Rd on Feb 20. Lebanon County: A GOLDEN EAGLE was spotted at the Second Mountain Hawk Watch on Feb 21. Other sightings from Second Mountain included KILLDEER, WILD TURKEY and CHIPPING SPARROW. PA Extralimitals: The Crawford County SNOWY OWL at the Miller Farm (10734 Shadeland Rd, Springboro) was seen through Feb 23. The Millers are well known Amish birders and welcome birders to their farm to see the owl. On Feb 20, a drake HARLEQUIN DUCK was discovered at Presque Isle State Park in Erie County, seen there through Feb 23. -------------------------------------------------------------- ANNOUNCEMENTS: On Feb 27, Colin Campbell will lead a DVOC field trip to Delaware City, DE for winter waterfowl. The trip will meet at 8:00AM at Veteran's Park, which is on the Delaware River end of Clinton St in Delaware City. Please contact Colin if you plan on attending. Additional information, including past trip reports and contact information for the trip leader can be found on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org The next meeting of the DVOC is on March 4, 2010, featuring a program by Julie Hagelin, entitled "Tales from a Tangerine-Scented Seabird: Sex, Perfume and Parasites of Crested Auklets." The meeting takes place at The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia at 7:30PM. The meeting after that will take place on March 18. 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 birding events and planned pelagic trips, please email rba AT dvoc.org. This is Steve Kacir, good birding to you all and thanks for calling, surfing and reporting. - End Transcript Steve Kacir rba AT dvoc.org DVOC Rare Bird Alert Committee Chair Academy of Natural Sciences Delaware Valley Ornithological Club Philadelphia Subject: Peregrine Falcon event rescheduled From: sally o'byrne <salobyrne AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:02:48 -0500 Hello all, Due to the uncertainty of the impending storm traveling up the coast tonight and tomorrow, we have decided to RESCHEDULE the Peregrine Falcon event to next Thursday, March 4th - same place, same time, same anticipated fun. Please feel free to pass this change along to anyone who may be interested. Best, Bill Stewart Sally O'Byrne Subject: Peregrine Falcon event rescheduled From: "sally o'byrne" <salobyrne AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:02:48 -0500 Hello all, Due to the uncertainty of the impending storm traveling up the coast tonight and tomorrow, we have decided to RESCHEDULE the Peregrine Falcon event to next Thursday, March 4th - same place, same time, same anticipated fun. Please feel free to pass this change along to anyone who may be interested. Best, Bill Stewart Sally O'Byrne Subject: Re: Any ideas about this crow behavior? From: "Bennett Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:38:58 -0500 Hey Alex, Crows are extremely social birds. Outside of the nesting season, crows typically gather in huge roosts from which they disperse each morning to feed. There is a large crow roost in New Jersey across the river from Delaware City. We see thousands of crows leaving Delaware every evening during our late summer and late winter heron surveys - that stop briefly on Pea Patch and then continue on to NJ. I just started hearing Fish Crows for the first time calling here in Dover this week. Down in this part of the state Fish Crows become relatively silent in late fall and early winter. Around now they start getting vocal again - and the ones I've seen this week were in pairs and small groups. In the next couple weeks here in Dover they will be vocalizing more and investigating last year's nest sites in preparation for nesting which begins with nest building in late March and early April. I think what you were seeing yesterday was the same thing I'm seeing only on a much larger scale. I would bet that the birds you saw yesterday are part of the big NJ roost and were gathering together prior to making the flight out later in the day. The circling and calling behavior is probably a response to hormonal changes brought on by increasing day length and the approach of the upcoming nesting season. Or they could have been responding to some perceived threat. Nothing like hedging your bets!! Chris Bennett Natural Resource Management Specialist Environmental Stewardship Program Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation 89 Kings Highway Dover, DE 19901 Phone: (302) 739-9230 Fax: (302) 739-3817 "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Alex Zorach [mailto:cazort AT gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 11:10 AM To: Bennett Chris (DNREC) Subject: Re: [de-birds] Any ideas about this crow behavior? Hi Chris, It was in the middle of the day, around 1PM. Ben (bentebbens) on the list suggested that this behavior might mean that they've spotted a fox...and I have seen foxes in this area before. Alex On Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 8:08 AM, Bennett Chris (DNREC) wrote: > Hey Alex, > > What time of day was this? > > Chris Bennett > Natural Resource Management Specialist > Environmental Stewardship Program > Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation > 89 Kings Highway > Dover, DE 19901 > Phone: (302) 739-9230 > Fax: (302) 739-3817 > > "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" > > Aldo Leopold   A Sand County Almanac > -----Original Message----- > From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Alex Zorach > Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 6:19 PM > To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU > Subject: [de-birds] Any ideas about this crow behavior? > > Yesterday in Newark, near the bamboo patch on the bike trail along the > railroad tracks, I saw a flock of 50-100 crows, contained both fish > crows and American crows, circling around.  The fish crows were making > the "quack" like call that they often use when mobbing, and the > American crows were making loud "caw"s, but none of the crows seemed > to be interacting much with each other...they were just circling > around.  The flock circled around for at least 15 minutes, and there > was no sign of anything going on or any reason they were circling. > > Any ideas what this is about?  I'm really curious. > > Alex Zorach > Newark, DE > Subject: RFI - Eared Grebe From: Frank Marenghi <frank_marenghi AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:07:33 -0500 I saw on the latest DC-area RBA that there was an Eared Grebe seen at Indian River Inlet on February 21st. Does anyone know about this sighting? I didn't see it on DE birds. I am assumming it is reliable? It is also interesting because a lot of us were there birding that day and didn't see one. Folks in the area might want to keep their eyes out for it. Reply off-list. ~ Frank Marenghi Annapolis, MD (formerly of Dover, DE) _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/