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6 Nov HSR: Rose Tree Park (06 Nov 2009) 34 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 6 Nov Stone Mt. (06 Nov) 57 Raptors [Gregory Grove ] 6 Nov Re: Crows - Allegheny County [Rich Tourville ] 6 Nov hawks Lebanon/Dauphin county [Brian Weaver ] 6 Nov SGL 110 Berks Co. [Kerry Grim ] 6 Nov Waterfowl - Lawrence Co. [Mark Vass ] 6 Nov Grebes - Allegheny Co. [Mark Vass ] 6 Nov Purple Finch; Allegheny County [Richard Nugent ] 6 Nov HSR: Waggoner's Gap (06 Nov 2009) 251 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 6 Nov HSR: Bake Oven Knob (06 Nov 2009) 85 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 6 Nov HSR: Bake Oven Knob (06 Nov 2009) 84 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 6 Nov Bald Eagles, Roxbury, PA [Rachael Shapiro ] 6 Nov Re: Crows - Allegheny County [DAVID KOCH ] 6 Nov HSR: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (06 Nov 2009) 175 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 6 Nov HSR: Second Mountain (06 Nov 2009) 30 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 6 Nov Re: Crows - Allegheny County ... are in Pittsburgh! ["Kate St.John" ] 6 Nov Great Horned Owl sounds, Washington Co. [Amy Taracido ] 6 Nov Re: Crows - Allegheny County [Ryan Tomazin ] 6 Nov Owl Program Nov. 20 - NSP Junior Bird Club (Luzerne County) ["NR, Hickory Run Env. Ed." ] 6 Nov Re: Crows - Allegheny County [Paul Johnston ] 6 Nov Churchville Report (Bucks Co) - Birds sighted 10/31 - 11/6 [William Keim ] 6 Nov Brants-York County [Bob Moul ] 6 Nov Mountain Lakes- Westmoreland and Fayette Co [walter and dana shaffer ] 6 Nov West Chester Bird Club [Sandra Moser ] 6 Nov Crows - Allegheny County [Rich Tourville ] 6 Nov Eastern PA Birdline: 11/6/2009 [Dave DeReamus ] 6 Nov Eastern PA Birdline: 11/5/2009 [Dave DeReamus ] 6 Nov Lebanon Co . Late from 5 Nov. Sandhill Crane [Randy Miller ] 6 Nov HSR: Bake Oven Knob (05 Nov 2009) 27 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 5 Nov Fwd: [PABIRDS] RFI on a Group of Five Southbound Sandhill Cranes [Marcia Makadon ] 5 Nov HSR: Rose Tree Park (05 Nov 2009) 62 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 5 Nov RFI on a Group of Five Southbound Sandhill Cranes [Fred ] 5 Nov HSR: Bake Oven Knob (05 Nov 2009) 25 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 5 Nov Yard Birds, Strange but True - Sharon, Mercer Co [Steve Sanford ] 5 Nov Oriole, vultures, Koch property, Northampton County [DAVID KOCH ] 5 Nov Blue Marsh & Bern Twp, Berks County [Joan Silagy ] 5 Nov Death of our favorite Bird Watcher [CARL JURIS ] 5 Nov HSR: Waggoner's Gap (05 Nov 2009) 17 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 5 Nov HSR: Second Mountain (05 Nov 2009) 37 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 5 Nov HSR: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (05 Nov 2009) 27 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 5 Nov rufous hummer [Harold Lebo ] 5 Nov Fox Sparrow, Horned Lark (Ind. Co.) [Marcy Cunkelman ] 5 Nov Allegheny Co./Baltimore Oriole [Dan Yagusic ] 5 Nov RBA western Pennsylvania, 2 November 2009 [Amy Taracido ] 5 Nov Westtown Lake - West Chester, PA - Chester County [Douglas Kraemer ] 5 Nov Link for Face book "I Love Hawk Watch" [Rachael Shapiro ] 5 Nov Black-throated Gray Warbler in MD same bird? [Vern Gauthier ] 4 Nov Delaware Valley RBA, 4 NOV 2009 [Stephen Kacir ] 4 Nov Peace Valley Sat. Bird Walk Time Change [August Mirabella ] 4 Nov HSR: Rose Tree Park (04 Nov 2009) 71 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 4 Nov Moraine SP Waterfowl, Butler Co. [Lukas Musher ] 4 Nov PA tick update and reporting information -- not just a warm weather problem [Mary Jane ] 4 Nov HSR: Bake Oven Knob (04 Nov 2009) 32 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 4 Nov Blue Marsh, Berks County [Joan Silagy ] 4 Nov HSR: Waggoner's Gap (04 Nov 2009) 591 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 4 Nov HSR: Second Mountain (04 Nov 2009) 118 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 4 Nov Sandhill Cranes & Kestrels in Lawrence County [Marjorie Van Tassel ] 4 Nov Central PA Birdline for 11.5.2009 [Mark Mcconaughy ] 4 Nov HSR: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (04 Nov 2009) 92 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 4 Nov Lanco.Cen.Park, Wed. birding, Loons in migration [Chuck Chalfant ] 4 Nov Late White-eyed Vireo in Indiana County [Margaret Higbee ] 4 Nov Sweet Arrow Lake, Schuylkill Co. [Denise Donmoyer ] 4 Nov Long-tailed Ducks - Beltzville State Park [Rob Bergstresser ] 4 Nov OT looking for birding tours in Cozumel [Donna Foyle ] 4 Nov HSR: Bake Oven Knob (31 Oct 2009) 20 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 4 Nov York County Brant [Peter Robinson ] 4 Nov Early Bird Special Nov 7 @ Ntl Aviary, Pittsburgh [Laura Ellis ] 4 Nov Horned Larks yesterday, Bradford Co [Trudy Gerlach ] 4 Nov Rufous hummingbird, Montgomery Co. [Scott Weidensaul ] 4 Nov very interesting! [TIMOTHY DOYLE SCHRECKENGOST JR ] 4 Nov Long-tailed Duck- Luzerne Co. [Kevin Ripka ] 4 Nov 2 Red-necked Grebe- Luzerne Co. [Kevin Ripka ] 4 Nov Hawk Watch Facebook Group [Rachael Shapiro ] 3 Nov [Fwd: Stone Mt., (03 Nov) 138 Raptors] [Gregory Grove ] 4 Nov HSR: Rose Tree Park (03 Nov 2009) 23 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 3 Nov Bufflehead, Washington Co. [Daniel Williams ] Subject: HSR: Rose Tree Park (06 Nov 2009) 34 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 22:11:55 -0400 Rose Tree Park Media, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 06, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 5 32 144 Black Vulture 0 2 7 Osprey 0 2 157 Northern Harrier 1 7 45 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 1 12 166 Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 59 908 Cooper's Hawk 0 12 136 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 4 75 148 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 4514 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Red-tailed Hawk 17 113 254 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 1 1 American Kestrel 0 0 139 Merlin 0 0 19 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 14 Unknown Vulture 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 3 Unknown Buteo 0 0 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 22 Total: 34 317 6687 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: George Wrangham, Janet Crawford Observers: Bill Roache, Bob Kelly, Gary Becker, Janet Crawford, Judy Mayer Weather: Mostly sunny with NNW-N winds at 10-25 MPH. Temperature 43-49F. Raptor Observations: 1 Adult Bald Eagle at 1300 Non-raptor Observations: 1 Common Loon ======================================================================== Report submitted by Janet Crawford (janet AT rtphawkwatch.org) Rose Tree Park Hawkwatch, Media, PA information may be found at: www.rtphawkwatch.org Subject: Stone Mt. (06 Nov) 57 Raptors From: Gregory Grove <gwg2 AT PSU.EDU> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 20:15:32 -0500 Stone Mt., Pa. Allensville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 06, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 4 14 TV 3 22 316 OS 0 1 79 BE 3 8 62 NH 3 16 36 SS 4 19 728 CH 1 3 161 NG 0 0 10 RS 2 10 35 BW 0 0 2873 RT 37 182 387 RL 0 0 0 GE 4 36 58 AK 0 0 83 ML 0 1 32 PG 0 0 28 UA 0 0 1 UB 0 1 1 UF 0 0 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 0 23 Total: 57 303 4928 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours Official Counter: Nick Bolgiano Observers: Bob Frederick, Chuck Widmann, Doug Wentzel, Mark McLaughlin, Nick Bolgiano Visitors: Randy Flament Weather: 4-10 mph NW wind, sky mostly clear, temp about 40F Raptor Observations: GE: 1003A, 1116A, another adult in 11-12 hr, 1345J BE: 855A, 945A, 1045A Non-raptor Observations: 9 loons ======================================================================== Report submitted by Nick Bolgiano (nbolgiano AT pennswoods.net) Subject: Re: Crows - Allegheny County From: Rich Tourville <richwiz34 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:04:20 -0500 Yesterday was the first time that I had seen that many crows in the city of Pittsburgh. I'm used to seeing larger numbers in flights over my house. I didn't see any crows in that area today but the Red Tailed hawks were buzzing around during the afternoon. Rich Tourville Allegheny County On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 6:01 PM, DAVID KOCH wrote: > Here in Northampton County we've had, at times, winter crow roosts > numbering more than 20,000. These days, because roost sites change, numbers > are running 6000-7000. Before dawn each day now hundreds and > sometimes more begin flying southeast through our valley from the roost near > Bethlehem and then they begin going back mid-afternoon. Guess here we're > just used to it. I personally am so used to them that I hardly notice them > anymore. > > Arlene Koch > Easton, PA > Northampton County > davilene AT verizon.net > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Ryan Tomazin > To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > Sent: Fri, November 6, 2009 2:46:12 PM > Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Crows - Allegheny County > > Aahhhhh, lightweights... crows are starting to mass in the thousands in > Wheeling WV/Bridgeport Ohio. Last year's CBC, we had 45,000+ ;) > > Ryan TomazinBridgeville, PA > _________________________________________________________________ > Windows 7: Unclutter your desktop. > > http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9690331&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009 > -- “Say what you mean and mean what you say.” General George S. Patton Any job that requires your 24/7 attention should be ignored unless it pays you $80 million, or thereabouts. For the rest of us, however, spare time and vacations are too precious to be spent responding to text messages from the office. – Kim duToit A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five. -- Groucho Marx I GoodSearch for The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Raise money for your favorite charity or school just by searching the Internet or shopping online with GoodSearch - www.goodsearch.com - powered by Yahoo! Subject: hawks Lebanon/Dauphin county From: Brian Weaver <sbweaver AT HUGHES.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:41:01 -0500 I was on Goldmine Rd.on top of Stoney Mnt today from 11:00-1:00.I counted 22 redtails and 2 adult golden eagles. Brian Weaver GreenPoint,Lebanon co. Subject: SGL 110 Berks Co. From: Kerry Grim <grim04 AT ENTER.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:30:32 -0500 Friday 6—visited the Auburn Lookout during the morning. Time EST: 7:34 A.M. [8:21 A.M.-1:43 P.M. on the lookout] (2:25) P.M. Sky: partly cloudy [partly cloudy)] (clear) Temperature °F: [34 (38)] Wind MPH: [NW 13-18 (N 13-18)]; peak of 25-23 for the hour 10:00-11:00 A.M. Ground: dry, frozen raindrops with scattered frost at places Coverage: Auburn Lookout Road parking lot, to Auburn Lookout and back. A little disappointing regarding the lack of Golden Eagles. 5 hours, 22 minutes was about all I could tolerate from this brutal hawk watching spot. Five Black Vultures flew over the lookout, the last trailing. The first four continued on but the fifth turned around and flew to the east-northeast until out of sight. Common Ravens put on a nice snow and were seen or heard from various areas. One of them flew low overhead from my back, circled, turned and possibly was curious of me as he was as close as 40 feet, close enough to see his gray feet! Birds at the lookout: Black Vulture (5) Turkey Vulture (4) moved directly south, ignoring the ridge Bald Eagle (2) immature at 9:07 A.M. and an adult at 10:55 A.M. Sharp-shinned Hawk (2) Northern Goshawk (1) immature Red-tailed Hawk (22) Golden Eagle (1) at 9:00 A.M. Unidentified raptor (2) American Crow (49) Common Raven (2) Red-winged Blackbird (30) one flock- all males Common Grackle (6) American Goldfinch (1) Birds other than at the lookout: Turkey Vulture (1) Merlin (1) Downy Woodpecker (1) Pileated Woodpecker (1) excellent look, flying through the forest American Crow (10) Common Raven (2) Chickadee species (4) Tufted Titmouse (3) White-breasted Nuthatch (1) Golden-crowned Kinglet (1) European Starling (2) Fox Sparrow (1) White-throated Sparrow (1) Dark-eyed Junco (34) Northern Cardinal (2) American Goldfinch (1) Kerry Grim Subject: Waterfowl - Lawrence Co. From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:27:52 -0800 I went to New Beaver this afternoon and checked the Three Rivers gravel pond and had the following birds there     1 Bufflehead 3 Green-winged Teal 3 Lesser Scaup 86 Ring-necked Duck 1 Pied-billed Grebe     Mark Vass Beaver Co. Subject: Grebes - Allegheny Co. From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:23:52 -0800 I stopped on both sides of Brunot`s Island,Ohio River earlier today   There was a Horned Grebe at Woods Run   There were 2 Pied-billed Grebes at McKees Rocks     Mark Vass Beaver Co. Subject: Purple Finch; Allegheny County From: Richard Nugent <rmnugent AT EXCITE.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:19:32 -0500 Today we had a female Purple Finch at our feeders in Hampton Township. Best Regards ..... Richard Nugent Hampton Township, Allegheny County ------------------------------------------------------------ Earn your MBA from Regis University, 100% online. Free info packs! Regis University MBA http://tagline.excite.com/c?cp=XO1NeCn7H4W9JZ1VLbxO7wAAKZSiSvxOSKEYFtA9wJD2GWNZAAQAAAAFAAAAAJSc0D8AAAMlAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAiHkAAAAAA= Subject: HSR: Waggoner's Gap (06 Nov 2009) 251 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:11:50 -0400 Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 06, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 3 11 44 TV 21 194 1278 OS 0 1 442 BE 2 15 347 NH 9 48 168 SS 17 78 7159 CH 6 18 840 NG 4 12 30 RS 15 66 165 BW 0 0 5866 RT 159 1225 2440 RL 0 0 0 GE 9 49 98 AK 1 1 313 ML 0 2 104 PG 0 0 50 UA 2 5 30 UB 0 6 12 UF 0 0 3 UE 0 0 2 UR 3 7 71 Total: 251 1738 19462 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:30:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 10.5 hours Official Counter: Dave Grove, Ron Freed Observers: Carl Laughlin, Charlie Albin, Craig Houston, Dan Eberly, Dave Grove, Deb Gingrich, Don Orris, Jerry Stanley, Joan Renninger, Joe Lavella, Keith Gingrich, Nancy Baker, Pat Freed, Robert McLaughlin, Ron Freed Visitors: Diane McLaughlin, Marie Markey, Drew Weber, Kirk and Lois Moulton, William Leigh, Aden Troyer, Paul Shanahan - 11 Weather: Morning partly cloudy with sustained NW winds, then clear skies and inconsistent N winds in the afternooon. Raptor Observations: BE Juv 9:10 BE Ad 12:37 GE Juv 6:32, 3:55 GE Sub 7:50, 9:12, 10:25 GE Ad 12:20, 12:35, 2:25 (2) First bird - GE 6:32 Last bird - NH 4:30 Non-raptor Observations: Loons - 6 ======================================================================== Report submitted by dave grove (waggap AT comcast.net) Waggoner's Gap Hawkwatch information may be found at: www.waggap.com Subject: HSR: Bake Oven Knob (06 Nov 2009) 85 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:11:27 -0400 Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 06, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 1 14 238 Turkey Vulture 2 41 789 Osprey 0 0 422 Bald Eagle 0 4 176 Northern Harrier 0 12 88 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 50 2716 Cooper's Hawk 0 9 364 Northern Goshawk 0 7 14 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 19 60 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 3953 Red-tailed Hawk 71 318 996 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 4 12 35 American Kestrel 0 0 196 Merlin 0 0 93 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 62 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 1 21 257 Mississippi Kite 0 0 2 Total: 85 508 10461 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours Official Counter: Steve Ritt Observers: Fritz Brock, Steven Hawk Visitors: Mike, Amy, Bruce Rabenold, Al Grout, Paul Weather: Visibility: 20 Mi, T: 34-38ºF, Wind: WNW 25-35 MPH then NNW 14-28 MPH, Cloud Cover: 20-90-20% Raptor Observations: GE: 10:23A, 11:05I, 15:06U, 15:33U Non-raptor Observations: DC Cormorant: 5 C Loon: 2 C Raven: 3 Herring Gull: 2 Winter Wren: 1 Predictions: Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 8 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bob Hoopes (rehoopes AT hotmail.com) Bake Oven Knob Hawkwatch, Pa. information may be found at: www.lgnc.org Subject: HSR: Bake Oven Knob (06 Nov 2009) 84 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:11:52 -0400 Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 06, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 1 14 238 Turkey Vulture 2 41 789 Osprey 0 0 422 Bald Eagle 0 4 176 Northern Harrier 0 12 88 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 50 2716 Cooper's Hawk 0 9 364 Northern Goshawk 0 7 14 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 18 59 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 3953 Red-tailed Hawk 71 318 996 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 4 12 35 American Kestrel 0 0 196 Merlin 0 0 93 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 62 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 1 21 257 Mississippi Kite 0 0 2 Total: 84 507 10460 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours Official Counter: Steve Ritt Observers: Fritz Brock, Steven Hawk Visitors: Mike, Amy, Bruce Rabenold, Al Grout, Paul Weather: Visibility: 20 Mi, T: 34-38ºF, Wind: WNW 25-35 MPH then NNW 14-28 MPH, Cloud Cover: 20-90-20% Raptor Observations: GE: 10:23A, 11:05I, 15:06U, 15:33U Non-raptor Observations: DC Cormorant: 5 C Loon: 2 C Raven: 3 Herring Gull: 2 Winter Wren: 1 Predictions: Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 8 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bob Hoopes (rehoopes AT hotmail.com) Bake Oven Knob Hawkwatch, Pa. information may be found at: www.lgnc.org Subject: Bald Eagles, Roxbury, PA From: Rachael Shapiro <rshapiro AT AWOUS.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:05:54 -0500 Hello PA Birds, Late, late afternoon walk blessed by seeing two adult Bald Eagles circling over the South Side Letterkenny Army Reservoir, Roxbury, PA. Migrating? Or will they Winter-over? Facebook Group : I Love Hawk Watch: now at 37 members and we have posted ~ 40 photos! Glide In, Hang Out, Rachael -- ATTENTION: NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: rshapiro AT awous.com Rachael Shapiro, President A Woman of Uncommon Scents, Inc. P.O. Box 103 Roxbury, PA 17251 1-800-377-3685 1-800-ESSENTL Subject: Re: Crows - Allegheny County From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:01:45 -0800 Here in Northampton County we've had, at times, winter crow roosts numbering more than 20,000. These days, because roost sites change, numbers are running 6000-7000. Before dawn each day now hundreds and sometimes more begin flying southeast through our valley from the roost near Bethlehem and then they begin going back mid-afternoon. Guess here we're just used to it. I personally am so used to them that I hardly notice them anymore.      Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net ________________________________ From: Ryan Tomazin To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Fri, November 6, 2009 2:46:12 PM Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Crows - Allegheny County Aahhhhh, lightweights... crows are starting to mass in the thousands in Wheeling WV/Bridgeport Ohio. Last year's CBC, we had 45,000+  ;) Ryan TomazinBridgeville, PA                         _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: Unclutter your desktop. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9690331&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009 Subject: HSR: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (06 Nov 2009) 175 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:11:14 -0400 Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Kempton, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 06, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 7 27 Turkey Vulture 0 28 355 Unknown Vulture 0 0 0 Mississippi Kite 0 0 1 Osprey 0 2 455 Bald Eagle 0 3 181 Northern Harrier 2 19 128 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 36 4273 Cooper's Hawk 1 13 593 Northern Goshawk 1 6 16 Unknown Accipiter 1 4 25 Red-shouldered Hawk 5 41 99 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 6440 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 153 484 1249 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 2 13 31 Golden Eagle 7 23 53 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 1 460 Merlin 0 2 160 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 68 Unknown Falcon 0 0 13 Unknown Raptor 1 1 34 Total: 175 684 14661 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:45:00 Total observation time: 9.75 hours Compiler: Laurie Goodrich Counters: Bob Kurtz, Jeremy Scheivert Weather: Mostly cloudy skies, Northwest wind 8-12mph gusting to 20mph in the morning. Less wind as the day progressed. Raptor Observations: Redtails began the day slope soaring along the ridge on the northside but as the day progressed they were much higher and more scattered. Non-raptor Observations: 38 Common Loons counted today. Flock of Snow Geese. Predictions: Mild temperatures and very little wind suggest you will see birds from both South and North Lookout tomorrow. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (goodrich AT hawkmtn.org) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/ Subject: HSR: Second Mountain (06 Nov 2009) 30 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:11:51 -0400 Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 06, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 91 180 Turkey Vulture 0 38 203 Osprey 0 0 179 Bald Eagle 1 2 90 Northern Harrier 0 12 96 Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 37 1745 Cooper's Hawk 1 10 213 Northern Goshawk 2 5 16 Red-shouldered Hawk 3 43 92 Broad-winged Hawk 0 3 4386 Red-tailed Hawk 12 292 609 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 3 13 36 American Kestrel 0 0 85 Merlin 0 1 30 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 27 Unknown Accipiter 2 3 17 Unknown Buteo 2 2 12 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 22 Total: 30 554 8038 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Randy Brenner Observers: Jay George, Morris Cox, Sam Black, Tom McKinne Weather: A partly cloudy day in the morning with clear skies in the afternoon. Temperatures ranged from 35-45 and the winds were strong from the NNW. Raptor Observations: Adult GE 11:20,1:23(2) Juv NG 9:14 Adult NG 9:50 Adult BE 12:38 1st 8:30 RT last 3:48 RT Non-raptor Observations: 3 c. ravens 3 c. loons ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Schwenk (secondmtn AT juno.com) Subject: Re: Crows - Allegheny County ... are in Pittsburgh! From: "Kate St.John" <kstjohn001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 13:22:44 -0800 The crows were fantastic last evening in Oakland. There were about 500 north of Fifth Ave at 4:15pm. They were on a roof somewhere near Ascension Church when they all popped off at once and cruised around between Clyde St and Devonshire. That was only the start of their evening. I don't know where the roost is right now but I know they'll move it as the winter progresses. I love the flock phenomenon & like to write about them. If you haven't seen these two blog entries - with crow poems - you might like to check them out. This week: A crow version of "When You're a Jet" from West Side Story --> http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/11/03/south-side-story/ In Jan 2008: A crow poem that begins: Crows... Hunch in the trees to gossip... --> http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/01/15/crows/ Or see the whole crow category at --> http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/category/crows/ OK, so I'm addicted. Kate St. John, Pittsburgh Visit my bird & nature blog at www.wqed.org/birdblog Subject: Great Horned Owl sounds, Washington Co. From: Amy Taracido <meadowlark4 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 16:11:14 -0500 Two nights ago my daughter was having a difficult night, so at one point around 2:30am I was lying in my bed awake, and I heard this sound I'd never heard before...it sounded like a human voice saying "hey, hey" similar to a very very distant dog bark, but clear and smooth, and right behind our house. It would repeat every few seconds. Then a few minutes after several sets of that, I heard the typical hooting of a Great Horned Owl, that was clearly the same thing that was making the previous sounds. Very interesting. I listened to all the sounds at owlpages.com and it is most similar to the last half of the "emphatic hoot" recording for the Great Horned Owl "more sounds" page. Amy Taracido se Washington Co., PA Subject: Re: Crows - Allegheny County From: Ryan Tomazin <wvwarblers AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:46:12 -0500 Aahhhhh, lightweights... crows are starting to mass in the thousands in Wheeling WV/Bridgeport Ohio. Last year's CBC, we had 45,000+ ;) Ryan TomazinBridgeville, PA _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: Unclutter your desktop. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9690331&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009 Subject: Owl Program Nov. 20 - NSP Junior Bird Club (Luzerne County) From: "NR, Hickory Run Env. Ed." <ra-nrsphickenved AT STATE.PA.US> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:41:13 -0500 Owls: Hunters of the Night Friday, November 20, 2009 at 7 PM Nescopeck State Park's Musto Environmental Education Center Learn about some of nature's best adapted predators - OWLS. Get an up-close look at live owls brought by the Carbon County Environmental Education Center's naturalist. This program is sponsored by the Nescopeck State Park Junior Bird Club. Members are asking for donations of the following items from CCEEC's wish list as program "admission:" baby blankets, pillow cases, hot water bottles, hand warmers, small stuffed toys, baby food in jars, IAMS kitten and puppy chow, apples, carrots, spinach, nuts, acorns, rolled gauze, antibiotic ointment, scrub brushes, plastic shoe boxes, sheepskin, welding gloves, masking tape or duct tape. Children are invited to arrive a few minutes early to make an owl craft. Space is limited. Registration is required; please call (570) 403-2006. New members ages 9+ are welcome to join the Nescopeck State Park Junior Bird Club at this event. A one time fee of $5 is charged per member. Please call the number above for more information and to register as a new member. Megan Taylor Environmental Education Specialist Hickory Run State Park Complex Subject: Re: Crows - Allegheny County From: Paul Johnston <pauljohnston777 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:21:59 -0500 Yes, your estimate is plausible. Riding my bike home from CMU through Schenley Park has been a bit like Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds." --Paul > Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 08:09:27 -0500 > From: richwiz34 AT GMAIL.COM > Subject: [PABIRDS] Crows - Allegheny County > To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > > Last night near dusk, I was walking to my truck parked along Flagstaff Hi= > ll > in Schenley Park when I saw the crows. I couldn't get an accurate count b= > ut > I would have to say there was over 100 on the grass of the hill, close to= > > another 75 in the trees surrounding the hill and at least 50 in the air = > > above the hill. > > Those on the ground were jumping about, those in the trees could only be = > > seen if they were silhouetted against the sky and not hidden by the > shadows; that plus the lack of binoculars is what made the counting > difficult for me. I would say that a count of 225 is conservative. > > Rich Tourville > Allegheny County _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ Subject: Churchville Report (Bucks Co) - Birds sighted 10/31 - 11/6 From: William Keim <keimwj AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 17:03:02 +0000 Hightlights from several reports from Churchville Nature Center in Southampton for the week of 10/31 - 11/6: Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Mute Swan Wood Duck Green-winged Teal American Black Duck Bufflehead Ruddy Duck Osprey Cooper's Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Lesser Black-backed Gull Eastern Screech-Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Tree Swallow Red-breasted Nuthatch Winter Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet Cedar Waxwing Palm Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Chipping Sparrow All are invited to join the weekly Bird Walk at Churchville Nature Center. Meet at the Nature Center parking lot on Churchville Lane every Saturday at 7 AM. Bill Keim Langhorne, Bucks Co, PA KeimWJ AT hotmail.com _________________________________________________________________ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MFESRP&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1 Subject: Brants-York County From: Bob Moul <yelowlegs AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 11:50:46 -0500 The two Brants present at Long Arm Reservoir yesterday were joined by a third today. There were also 10 Bufflehead on the lake. Thanks to Dan Richards for spotting the Brant and getting the word out to others. Good Birding, Bob -- Bob Moul (Yelowlegs AT Comcast.net) Adams County, PA USA "PROTECTING NATURE THROUGH EDUCATION" Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840 http://bob.moul.oiseaux.net/index.en.html Subject: Mountain Lakes- Westmoreland and Fayette Co From: walter and dana shaffer <wdshaffer AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:54:34 -0500 Hi, Yesterday, I made a short trip around some of the moutain lakes in Fayette and Westmoreland in search of late shorebirds. The only shorebird I found was Killdeer. Greenlick Run Lake had 40 Tundra Swans and 2 Mute Swans and 60 to 70 Canada Geese. Acme Lake and Indian Creek Res had nothing. Donegal Lake had 3 Buffleheads, several Green-winged Teal, Black Duck and a few Mallards. This lake has been lowered for some time and has had great shorebird habitat but few shorebirds. Regards, Walt Shaffer Allegh. Co Pittsburgh, Pa Subject: West Chester Bird Club From: Sandra Moser <sandymoser AT MAC.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 09:09:58 -0500 The West Chester Bird Club will host a trip to Welkinweir in Chester County on Saturday, November 7th. Contact Trip Leader for details: Richard Wolf (610-933-6414, randewolf AT verizon.net) Subject: Crows - Allegheny County From: Rich Tourville <richwiz34 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 08:09:27 -0500 Last night near dusk, I was walking to my truck parked along Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park when I saw the crows. I couldn't get an accurate count but I would have to say there was over 100 on the grass of the hill, close to another 75 in the trees surrounding the hill and at least 50 in the air above the hill. Those on the ground were jumping about, those in the trees could only be seen if they were silhouetted against the sky and not hidden by the shadows; that plus the lack of binoculars is what made the counting difficult for me. I would say that a count of 225 is conservative. Rich Tourville Allegheny County Subject: Eastern PA Birdline: 11/6/2009 From: Dave DeReamus <becard AT RCN.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 04:42:57 -0500 - RBA * Pennsylvania * Lehigh / Northampton Counties and Vicinity * November 6, 2009 * PAEA0911.06 - Birds mentioned BRANT NORTHERN GOSHAWK ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK SNOW BUNTING LONG-TAILED DUCK AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER BLACK-HEADED GULL SANDHILL CRANE - Transcript Hotline: Eastern PA Birdline Date: November 6th at 4:00 AM Phone Number: (610) 252-3455 To Report by Phone: Call (610) 252-3455, press the (*) key and leave your message. To Report by E-Mail: Send to becard AT rcn.com with "Birdline" in subject heading. Compiler: Dave DeReamus My reporting area includes all of Lehigh and Northampton Counties with the northern edge of the area reaching Beltzville State Park and the southern edge reaching Peace Valley Park in Bucks County. Updates are typically done every Thursday, more often when necessary. You can visit the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society Website at http://www.lehigh.edu/lvas. You can visit my 'Eastern PA Birding' Website for photos and information at http://users.rcn.com/becard/home.html. This is Dave DeReamus, for the Eastern PA Birdline, sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society, recorded on November 6th at 4:00 AM. The next Audubon meeting will be held on November 10th at 7:00 PM at the Whitehall Township Public Library on Mechanicsville Road in Whitehall. Dan Brauning will do a program on "The History & Recovery of Raptors in PA." Directions to many of the sites in this report can be found in the area's birding guidebook, "Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity". NOW FOR THE BIRDS! Sightings from PALMER TOWNSHIP, Northampton County included: Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 to at least 10/30 (at a private feeder). Sightings from WILLIAMS TOWNSHIP, Northampton County included: Baltimore Oriole - 1 to at least 11/5. Also Eastern Phoebe. Sightings from the BATH area, Northampton County included: BRANT - 3 on 10/29 and 11/4 (along Driftwood Road). Sightings from LITTLE GAP, Northampton County included: Bald Eagles - 2 on 10/31 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS - 2 on 11/1; 1 on 11/3 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK - 1 on 11/3 Golden Eagles - 3 on 11/1 Peregrine Falcon - 1 on 11/5 Merlins - 2 on 11/1 SNOW BUNTINGS - 3 on 11/3. Also Winter Wren. Sightings from BELTZVILLE STATE PARK, Carbon County included: LONG-TAILED DUCKS - 7 on 11/4. Sightings from BAKE OVEN KNOB, Lehigh County included: Bald Eagles - 2 on 10/29; 4 on 11/1 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS - 4 on 11/1; 1 on 11/4 and 11/5 Red-tailed Hawks - 155 on 11/1 Golden Eagles - 3 on 10/29; 4 on 11/1; 2 on 11/2 and 11/3 Peregrine Falcon - 1 on 11/1 Merlins - 2 on 10/30. Also Common Raven. Sightings from LEASER LAKE, Lehigh County included: Wilson's Snipe. Sightings from the FOGELSVILLE area, Lehigh County included: AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS - 18 on 10/29 (near Route 100 and Schantz Road). Sightings from MERRILL CREEK RESERVOIR in nearby New Jersey included: At the Scotts Mountain Hawkwatch: LONG-TAILED DUCKS - 17 on 11/4 BLACK-HEADED GULL - 1 on 11/4 SANDHILL CRANES - 5 on 10/30 Bald Eagles - 2 on 10/29, 10/30, and 11/4 NORTHERN GOSHAWK - 1 on 11/2, 11/3, and 11/4 Red-shouldered Hawks - 20 on 10/29 and 10/30 Red-tailed Hawks - 102 on 10/30 Golden Eagles - 2 on 10/29; 1 on 11/2 Merlins - 2 on 10/29 and 11/3. - End transcript Subject: Eastern PA Birdline: 11/5/2009 From: Dave DeReamus <becard AT RCN.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 04:30:07 -0500 - RBA * Pennsylvania * Lehigh / Northampton Counties and Vicinity * November 5, 2009 * PAEA0911.05 - Birds mentioned BRANT NORTHERN GOSHAWK ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK SNOW BUNTING LONG-TAILED DUCK AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER BLACK-HEADED GULL SANDHILL CRANE - Transcript Hotline: Eastern PA Birdline Date: November 5th at 4:00 AM Phone Number: (610) 252-3455 To Report by Phone: Call (610) 252-3455, press the (*) key and leave your message. To Report by E-Mail: Send to becard AT rcn.com with "Birdline" in subject heading. Compiler: Dave DeReamus My reporting area includes all of Lehigh and Northampton Counties with the northern edge of the area reaching Beltzville State Park and the southern edge reaching Peace Valley Park in Bucks County. Updates are typically done every Thursday, more often when necessary. You can visit the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society Website at http://www.lehigh.edu/lvas. You can visit my 'Eastern PA Birding' Website for photos and information at http://users.rcn.com/becard/home.html. This is Dave DeReamus, for the Eastern PA Birdline, sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society, recorded on November 5th at 4:00 AM. The next Audubon meeting will be held on November 10th at 7:00 PM at the Whitehall Township Public Library on Mechanicsville Road in Whitehall. Dan Brauning will do a program on "The History & Recovery of Raptors in PA." Directions to many of the sites in this report can be found in the area's birding guidebook, "Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity". NOW FOR THE BIRDS! Sightings from PALMER TOWNSHIP, Northampton County included: Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 to at least 10/30 (at a private feeder). Sightings from WILLIAMS TOWNSHIP, Northampton County included: Baltimore Oriole - 1 to at least 11/5. Also Eastern Phoebe. Sightings from the BATH area, Northampton County included: BRANT - 3 on 10/29 and 11/4 (along Driftwood Road). Sightings from LITTLE GAP, Northampton County included: Bald Eagles - 2 on 10/31 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS - 2 on 11/1; 1 on 11/3 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK - 1 on 11/3 Golden Eagles - 3 on 11/1 Peregrine Falcon - 1 on 11/5 Merlins - 2 on 11/1 SNOW BUNTINGS - 3 on 11/3. Also Winter Wren. Sightings from BELTZVILLE STATE PARK, Carbon County included: LONG-TAILED DUCKS - 7 on 11/4. Sightings from BAKE OVEN KNOB, Lehigh County included: Bald Eagles - 2 on 10/29; 4 on 11/1 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS - 4 on 11/1; 1 on 11/4 and 11/5 Red-tailed Hawks - 155 on 11/1 Golden Eagles - 3 on 10/29; 4 on 11/1; 2 on 11/2 and 11/3 Peregrine Falcon - 1 on 11/1 Merlins - 2 on 10/30. Also Common Raven. Sightings from LEASER LAKE, Lehigh County included: Wilson's Snipe. Sightings from the FOGELSVILLE area, Lehigh County included: AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS - 18 on 10/29 (near Route 100 and Schantz Road). Sightings from MERRILL CREEK RESERVOIR in nearby New Jersey included: At the Scotts Mountain Hawkwatch: LONG-TAILED DUCKS - 17 on 11/4 BLACK-HEADED GULL - 1 on 11/4 SANDHILL CRANES - 5 on 10/30 Bald Eagles - 2 on 10/29, 10/30, and 11/4 NORTHERN GOSHAWK - 1 on 11/2, 11/3, and 11/4 Red-shouldered Hawks - 20 on 10/29 and 10/30 Red-tailed Hawks - 102 on 10/30 Golden Eagles - 2 on 10/29; 1 on 11/2 Merlins - 2 on 10/29 and 11/3. - End transcript Subject: Lebanon Co . Late from 5 Nov. Sandhill Crane From: Randy Miller <birder AT DEJAZZD.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 04:24:00 -0500 The Sandhill Crane is still at Lake Duffy feeding on small prey. Sorry for the late post. Randy C. Miller Manheim Lancaster Co. Subject: HSR: Bake Oven Knob (05 Nov 2009) 27 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:11:48 -0400 Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 05, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 3 13 237 Turkey Vulture 6 39 787 Osprey 0 0 422 Bald Eagle 0 4 176 Northern Harrier 2 12 88 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 45 2711 Cooper's Hawk 0 9 364 Northern Goshawk 1 7 14 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 18 59 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 3953 Red-tailed Hawk 9 247 925 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 8 31 American Kestrel 0 0 196 Merlin 0 0 93 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 62 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 3 20 256 Mississippi Kite 0 0 2 Total: 27 423 10376 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:15:00 Total observation time: 6.75 hours Official Counter: Steve Ritt Observers: Weather: Visibility: 3-10 Mi, T: 36-45ºF, Wind: WNW 4-16 MPH, Cloud Cover: 35-100% Rain started AT 14:45. Raptor Observations: Adult RT gave classic territorial displays all morning (soaring, screaming, harassing others w/ talon drop, undulating flight), attacked owl decoy AT 13:00 (screaming, talons dropped), then flew down-ridge (W), never to be seen again. Non-raptor Observations: C Raven: 3 Predictions: Friday: Sunny, with a high near 45. North wind between 11 and 16 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bob Hoopes (rehoopes AT hotmail.com) Bake Oven Knob Hawkwatch, Pa. information may be found at: www.lgnc.org Subject: Fwd: [PABIRDS] RFI on a Group of Five Southbound Sandhill Cranes From: Marcia Makadon <MMakadon AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 22:37:48 EST Will someone reply to this request from BIRDCHAT. Marcia Makadon Philadelphia, PA ____________________________________ From: fred AT CETUSSOFT.COM Reply-to: fred AT cetussoft.com To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: 11/5/2009 9:49:07 P.M. Eastern Standard Time Subj: [PABIRDS] RFI on a Group of Five Southbound Sandhill Cranes Hello. This may be an unusual request (a "long shot"), but here goes... I am hoping that someone might have recently seen (and maybe even photographed) a particular group of five sandhill cranes (one having an obvious notch in the left wing - please see photo info below) that was heading southbound from Wareham Massachusetts to Florida (or thereabouts). Here's the story: There is a group of five sandhill cranes that recently left Wareham Massachusetts (just across Buzzards Bay from Cape Cod) on their way to Florida (I would assume). These birds have spent part of each year for the last several years on the cranberry bogs and ponds of Wareham MA, and they have been actively watched by MA birders (especially since sandhill cranes are pretty rare birds "up here" in Massachusetts). On October 29th, the last day the cranes were seen in Wareham, a group of five cranes were spotted flying from MA into RI, and later that day there was a report from a hawk watch in Greenwich CT recording a tight formation of five cranes heading towards the NYC area. Then, on October 30th, there were two northwestern NJ reports, of a group of five cranes seen both lifting off the ground at Merrill Creek NJ and of a group of five in the air at a hawk watch at Scott's Mountain NJ. And, on November 3rd, a group of five cranes were heard and then seen overhead at Woodstock GA heading southward (and a bit unusual because that was somewhat earlier than the usual migration of sandhill cranes coming from Hiwassee TN through that area). Of course, the big question is, ARE THEY THE SAME FIVE CRANES? While certainly not completely definitive, a comparison of a photo taken of the birds in flight at the Scott's Mountain NJ hawk watch on 10/30 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrd_photos/4063137832/sizes/l/ ) and my photos from Wareham MA of "our" cranes flying at sunset on 10/26 ( http://fredw.smugmug.com/Animals/WarehamCraneberryCranes-102609/10104828_2y3 Tr/1/693923477_HJvqD/Large http://fredw.smugmug.com/Animals/WarehamCraneberryCranes-102609/10104828_2y3 Tr/1/693925004_AH4v3/Large ), shows one of the five cranes in each case having what could seem to be the same notch in the left wing. (The notch is quite obvious in a photo, but may not be so obvious to an observer's eyes.) What is most intriguing, I think, is that the cranes may be taking a somewhat inland route, along the Appalachians, rather than a more coastal route. (But, of course, who knows what is a "normal" path for quite uncommon northeastern sandhill cranes migrating to and from Florida or thereabouts?) So, I have been trying to ask those on the flyways to Florida, where the cranes might be heading for the winter season, if anyone happened to see (and maybe even photographed) a distinctive group of five sandhill cranes going over. The group may very possibly have gone through the eastern PA area, a few days ago (on October 30th or November 1st, perhaps), having come from northwestern NJ on October 30th, on their way towards northern GA. So, might there be any reports? Yes, I know that this sounds like a "wild crane chase", but who knows... Thanks for listening. Fred (Frederick Wasti) Marshfield Massachusetts ("craneberry country") Subject: HSR: Rose Tree Park (05 Nov 2009) 62 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 23:11:10 -0400 Rose Tree Park Media, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 05, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 17 27 139 Black Vulture 2 2 7 Osprey 0 2 157 Northern Harrier 2 6 44 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 6 11 165 Sharp-shinned Hawk 8 53 902 Cooper's Hawk 2 12 136 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 6 71 144 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 4514 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Red-tailed Hawk 18 96 237 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 1 2 2 American Kestrel 0 0 139 Merlin 0 0 19 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 14 Unknown Vulture 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 3 Unknown Buteo 0 0 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 22 Total: 62 284 6654 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Al Guarente, Jim McVoy Observers: Al Guarente, Bob Kelly, Jud Freidman Weather: Partly cloudy, with W-NW-WNW winds at 0-22 MPH. Temperature 48-56F. Raptor Observations: 1 2nd year Bald Eagle at 1359 5 adult Bald Eagles at 0925, 0950, 1135, 1221, 1231 1 Golden Eagle 2 Northern Harriers, including one Grey Ghost Non-raptor Observations: 1 Purple Finch 33 Canada Geese ======================================================================== Report submitted by Janet Crawford (janet AT rtphawkwatch.org) Rose Tree Park Hawkwatch, Media, PA information may be found at: www.rtphawkwatch.org Subject: RFI on a Group of Five Southbound Sandhill Cranes From: Fred <fred AT CETUSSOFT.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 21:38:42 -0500 Hello. This may be an unusual request (a "long shot"), but here goes... I am hoping that someone might have recently seen (and maybe even photographed) a particular group of five sandhill cranes (one having an obvious notch in the left wing - please see photo info below) that was heading southbound from Wareham Massachusetts to Florida (or thereabouts). Here's the story: There is a group of five sandhill cranes that recently left Wareham Massachusetts (just across Buzzards Bay from Cape Cod) on their way to Florida (I would assume). These birds have spent part of each year for the last several years on the cranberry bogs and ponds of Wareham MA, and they have been actively watched by MA birders (especially since sandhill cranes are pretty rare birds "up here" in Massachusetts). On October 29th, the last day the cranes were seen in Wareham, a group of five cranes were spotted flying from MA into RI, and later that day there was a report from a hawk watch in Greenwich CT recording a tight formation of five cranes heading towards the NYC area. Then, on October 30th, there were two northwestern NJ reports, of a group of five cranes seen both lifting off the ground at Merrill Creek NJ and of a group of five in the air at a hawk watch at Scott's Mountain NJ. And, on November 3rd, a group of five cranes were heard and then seen overhead at Woodstock GA heading southward (and a bit unusual because that was somewhat earlier than the usual migration of sandhill cranes coming from Hiwassee TN through that area). Of course, the big question is, ARE THEY THE SAME FIVE CRANES? While certainly not completely definitive, a comparison of a photo taken of the birds in flight at the Scott's Mountain NJ hawk watch on 10/30 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrd_photos/4063137832/sizes/l/ ) and my photos from Wareham MA of "our" cranes flying at sunset on 10/26 ( http://fredw.smugmug.com/Animals/WarehamCraneberryCranes-102609/10104828_2y3Tr/1/693923477_HJvqD/Large http://fredw.smugmug.com/Animals/WarehamCraneberryCranes-102609/10104828_2y3Tr/1/693925004_AH4v3/Large ), shows one of the five cranes in each case having what could seem to be the same notch in the left wing. (The notch is quite obvious in a photo, but may not be so obvious to an observer's eyes.) What is most intriguing, I think, is that the cranes may be taking a somewhat inland route, along the Appalachians, rather than a more coastal route. (But, of course, who knows what is a "normal" path for quite uncommon northeastern sandhill cranes migrating to and from Florida or thereabouts?) So, I have been trying to ask those on the flyways to Florida, where the cranes might be heading for the winter season, if anyone happened to see (and maybe even photographed) a distinctive group of five sandhill cranes going over. The group may very possibly have gone through the eastern PA area, a few days ago (on October 30th or November 1st, perhaps), having come from northwestern NJ on October 30th, on their way towards northern GA. So, might there be any reports? Yes, I know that this sounds like a "wild crane chase", but who knows... Thanks for listening. Fred (Frederick Wasti) Marshfield Massachusetts ("craneberry country") Subject: HSR: Bake Oven Knob (05 Nov 2009) 25 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 20:11:37 -0400 Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 05, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 3 13 237 Turkey Vulture 6 39 787 Osprey 0 0 422 Bald Eagle 0 4 176 Northern Harrier 0 10 86 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 45 2711 Cooper's Hawk 0 9 364 Northern Goshawk 1 7 14 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 18 59 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 3953 Red-tailed Hawk 9 247 925 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 8 31 American Kestrel 0 0 196 Merlin 0 0 93 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 62 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 3 20 256 Mississippi Kite 0 0 2 Total: 25 421 10374 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:15:00 Total observation time: 6.75 hours Official Counter: Steve Ritt Observers: Weather: Visibility: 3-10 Mi, T: 36-45ºF, Wind: WNW 4-16 MPH, Cloud Cover: 35-100% Rain started AT 14:45. Raptor Observations: Adult RT gave classic territorial displays all morning (soaring, screaming, harassing others w/ talon drop, undulating flight), attacked owl decoy AT 13:00 (screaming, talons dropped), then flew down-ridge (W), never to be seen again. Non-raptor Observations: C Raven: 3 Predictions: Friday: Sunny, with a high near 45. North wind between 11 and 16 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bob Hoopes (rehoopes AT hotmail.com) Bake Oven Knob Hawkwatch, Pa. information may be found at: www.lgnc.org Subject: Yard Birds, Strange but True - Sharon, Mercer Co From: Steve Sanford <bwredbird AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 19:28:18 -0500 1) Wow! I saw a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW in my yard in Sharon this morning! Why, you might ask, is this special? Well, somehow, it's the first White-throated Sparrow I've seen in my yard since moving here from central Maryland last March 27. Although my yard is lacking big trees and much brush, it's hardly a concrete desert. It has two dogwoods and some shrubs and it's in a fairly typical suburban neighborhood of small houses with big trees in some yards. (Ironically, I HAVE already seen a White-crowned Sparrow here once.) 2) On October 30, with Halloween approaching, I heard unfamiliar loud scold notes in the backyard. Then I saw a black cat that was the object of the scolding. Then I saw the bird -- a WINTER WREN perched on a branch. It was so intent on the black cat that it let me get close enough to ID clearly it without binoculars. At least that's more like a good yard bird! Now, come next spring, if only I could see a Catbird here! Really! I haven't seen one in my yard or from my yard yet. Really. Steve Sanford Sharon PA bwredbird^at^verizon^dot^net Subject: Oriole, vultures, Koch property, Northampton County From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 15:32:55 -0800 An oriole that looks like an immature male Baltimore to me is still here - 5 days and counting. It's eating sunflower seeds and pokeberries, causing its bill to be purple or pink at times. I've visually dissected this bird many times to be sure it's not a more unusual species but it just looks like a Baltimore to me.  A kettle of 200 turkey vultures passed overhead late this afternoon right before rain and a front moved in. Fox sparrows have joined other sparrow species in the yard and fields.   Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net Subject: Blue Marsh & Bern Twp, Berks County From: Joan Silagy <jsilagy AT EPIX.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 18:15:49 -0500 The Merlin was seen again today at the beach area at Blue Marsh. What a cooperative little bird. Later this afternoon I was taking a walk in my TWP when I saw a raptor fly overhead and thought, wow, that's a huge hawk. It was an immature Goshawk and it gave me great looks. What a large, bulky accipter they are. Yesterday I found the feathers from a crow and it included all the feathers, down to the tiny downy ones and I thought, wow, the work of a large accipter and when I saw the Goshawk today it was only about a mile away from where I had seen the crow feathers. Some years we are fortunate to have a Goshawk spend a winter with us. I guess when they find the happy hunting grounds of an endless supply of gulls, they find it worthwhile to spend the winter here. An interesting bird, indeed, and I feel fortunate to have seen it off the ridge and hope it decides to spend the winter in the area. At my home in Bern Twp, today, I saw several Purple Finch, Brown Creeper and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Joan Silagy and Sidney Leesport, PA Subject: Death of our favorite Bird Watcher From: CARL JURIS <hbgbrdrs AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 14:27:06 -0800 To all who knew Grace Randolph,   Grace passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2009,  in Sykesville, MD.  Grace was our mentor and took us (and I am sure their were many others) under her wing at a very early stage in our bird watching life.  She knew most birds by sight and sound, and would take us on field trips to find birds for our Life List.  About 5 years ago, her health began to fail and she moved to Maryland to be closer to her children.    Friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD on Friday, November 6, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.  There will also be a memorial service at Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church, 10123 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD on November 14, at 3 p.m.   Her family requests that memorial contributions be made to Appalachian Audubon Society, P.O. Box 15123, Harrisburg, PA 17105-5123.     Carl & Nancy Juris Dauphin County Harrisburg, PA Subject: HSR: Waggoner's Gap (05 Nov 2009) 17 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:11:38 -0400 Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 05, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 8 41 TV 0 173 1257 OS 0 1 442 BE 0 13 345 NH 4 39 159 SS 3 61 7142 CH 0 12 834 NG 1 8 26 RS 0 51 150 BW 0 0 5866 RT 8 1066 2281 RL 0 0 0 GE 1 40 89 AK 0 0 312 ML 0 2 104 PG 0 0 50 UA 0 3 28 UB 0 6 12 UF 0 0 3 UE 0 0 2 UR 0 4 68 Total: 17 1487 19211 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:30:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter: Dave Grove, Ron Freed Observers: Dave Grove, Jerry Stanley, Joe Lavella, Keith Gingrich, Nancy Baker, Robert McLaughlin, Ron Freed Visitors: Marie Markey, Randy Brenner, Diane Mc Laughlin,Bob Wallis and Matt Jeffery (Audubon), Elisa Peresbarbosa (Pronatura Veracruz) Weather: Overcast skies with light SW winds in the morning, then showers developed at 11 am and continued into the afternoon. Raptor Observations: GE Sub 10:30 First bird - NH 8:12 Last bird - SS 2:15 Non-raptor Observations: Loons 8 YB Sapsucker, Belted Kingfisher ======================================================================== Report submitted by dave grove (waggap AT comcast.net) Waggoner's Gap Hawkwatch information may be found at: www.waggap.com Subject: HSR: Second Mountain (05 Nov 2009) 37 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:11:09 -0400 Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 05, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 11 91 180 Turkey Vulture 3 38 203 Osprey 0 0 179 Bald Eagle 1 1 89 Northern Harrier 1 12 96 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 33 1741 Cooper's Hawk 0 9 212 Northern Goshawk 0 3 14 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 40 89 Broad-winged Hawk 3 3 4386 Red-tailed Hawk 11 280 597 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 3 10 33 American Kestrel 0 0 85 Merlin 0 1 30 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 27 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 15 Unknown Buteo 0 0 10 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 22 Total: 37 524 8008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Fred Wilcox Observers: Visitors: none Weather: A mostly cloudy day with cool temperatures and light winds which shifted from the south to the west as the day progressed. Light sprinkles throughout the day. Temperatures from 32 to 46. Count terminated at 3:00 pm when a heavier rain crossed the area. Raptor Observations: Adult GE at 10:50, Adult GE AT 12:17, Im GE AT 1:05, Sub-adult BE AT 1:10. One GE crossed area being pestered by a raven. First bird, RS at 8:15 3 late season broad wings in a kettle Non-raptor Observations: ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Schwenk (secondmtn AT juno.com) Subject: HSR: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (05 Nov 2009) 27 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 16:11:01 -0400 Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Kempton, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 05, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 7 27 Turkey Vulture 1 28 355 Unknown Vulture 0 0 0 Mississippi Kite 0 0 1 Osprey 0 2 455 Bald Eagle 0 3 181 Northern Harrier 3 17 126 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 34 4271 Cooper's Hawk 0 12 592 Northern Goshawk 0 5 15 Unknown Accipiter 0 3 24 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 36 94 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 6440 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 21 331 1096 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 11 29 Golden Eagle 0 16 46 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 1 460 Merlin 0 2 160 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 68 Unknown Falcon 0 0 13 Unknown Raptor 0 0 33 Total: 27 509 14486 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:45:00 Observation end time: 15:15:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours Compiler: Laurie Goodrich Counters: David Barber Weather: Sunny and hazy in the morning, overcast in afternoon with light rain after 3:00, W and NW winds 1-7 mph Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: First pine siskin of the fall; over 1,000 red-winged blackbirds, common grackles, cowbirds and starlings. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (goodrich AT hawkmtn.org) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/ Subject: rufous hummer From: Harold Lebo <hhlebo AT DEJAZZD.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 15:57:59 -0500 Rufous hummer still here and feeding at hummer feeder every 20-30 minutes plus flycatching gants as of 11-05-09 in Berks County,Pa Harold Lebo Subject: Fox Sparrow, Horned Lark (Ind. Co.) From: Marcy Cunkelman <plant4nature AT DISHMAIL.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 13:38:21 -0500 Hi All, What a weird day...overcast, sunny, and now it looks like it's ready to snow with dark clouds coming from the North... Had my first sighting of a Fox Sparrow today, but thought I heard it singing last week in the woods...very rusty looking... Flocks of Juncos and White-throated sparrows are growing and last week had my first White-crowned which we don't get too often. Yesterday I had several Horned Larks calling over the house....they harvested the fields near us. Also had a lone Turkey Vulture fly by about 4:00...Seems like this is getting late, but I had 3 the other day when the sun was shining along with 3 Red-tailed Hawks flying together taking in the sun soaring above the house...all which I think are still locals... Many Ruby crowned Kinglets thru out the yard, and there are still some flocks of Cedar Waxwings, Robins and Starlings (along with Flickers, Red-bellied,Downy and Hairy WP) eating the last of the blackgum berries. Many Yellow-rumped warblers...no poison ivy berries in the yard, but I bet they were eating the BGBerries, too. Now the sun is out....brought out my pineapple sage and still have a few flowers blooming, so the buffet is open for the Rufous... Marcy Cunkelman Conemaugh Twp. Clarksburg, PA Indiana Co. plant4nature AT dishmail.net Subject: Allegheny Co./Baltimore Oriole From: Dan Yagusic <dyagusic AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:14:44 -0800 I took a lunchtime jaunt to Riverview Cemetery Park (Penn Hills) on Lincoln Rd. one hill/valley upriver from my workplace to search the skies for Hawks/Eagles. There is quite a commanding view from there looking North/Northeast. What I encountered was a feeding flock on the eastern (upriver) border of the Cemetery.....and that flock contained N.Flicker-1 Am. Robins- ~80 Eastern Bluebirds-2 Cedar Waxwings- ~70 Brown Creeper-1 E.Towhee-1 Yellow rump-1 D.E.Junco's-several Wht thr. Sp- ~25 BALTIMORE ORIOLE-1 I never got more than a couple of quick looks so it was impossible to determine adult/1st yr bird, but this bird would sing non-stop for 5 minutes at a crack, then shut-up for a few minutes. Did this 3 times while I was there. He was in the tops of some tall oaks, which still carry a majority of their leaves on the branches, making viewing virtually impossible.......sadly then, lunchtime was over and I had to get back to "work".......I estimated approximately 250 birds in this one small grape vine filled area........ and the "nornal" critters song sp chic titmouse Blue jays Nuthatch Goldfinch House Finch Cardinals   Dan Yagusic Cell (412) 613-1534 N40.500 W-079.948   Subject: RBA western Pennsylvania, 2 November 2009 From: Amy Taracido <meadowlark4 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:58:09 -0500 RBA *Pennsylvania *Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania *PAWE11.02.09 Highlights: HORNED GREBE TUNDRA SWAN BRANT (Butler and Erie Counties) GADWALL NORTHERN SHOVELER CANVASBACK BONAPARTE'S GULL AMERICAN PIPIT "YELLOW" PALM WARBLER (Allegheny County) FOX SPARROW RUSTY BLACKBIRD Contributors: John Boback, Jack Christman, Karyn Delaney, Sarah Gerrish, Amy Henrici, Margaret Higbee, Ray Hoffman, Craig Holt, Pat Hutcheson, Thomas Moeller, Lukas Musher, Kate St. John, Steve Sanford, Marge Van Tassel, Mark Vass, Dan Williams. Compiler: Amy Taracido Monday, 26 October 2009 through Monday, 2 November 2009 ***This report is distributed by e-mail only. Compiler is not responsible for errors on websites who reproduce/reprint these reports. If you would like to receive western PA RBAs, contact meadowlark4 AT verizon.net Transcript- ALLEGHENY COUNTY: On 10/27 at Boyce-Mayview Park, sightings included WINTER WREN, "YELLOW" PALM WARBLER, 2 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, BLUE-HEADED VIREO (DW). At Knob Hill Park on 10/27, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, 9 DARK-EYED JUNCOS (KD). At North Park on 10/30, 2 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 2 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 32 KILLDEER, 1 AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, 5 GREEN-WINGED TEAL; on 11/1, 2 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, 1 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 59 KILLDEER, 1 AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, 2 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 8 TURKEY VULTURES (MVas). On the night of 11/1 over Pittsburgh, flock of TUNDRA SWANS (KSJ). On 11/1 over Plum, flock of TUNDRA SWANS (AH and Pat McShea). On 11/1 near the Highland Park Bridge, 3 hen BUFFLEHEADS, 1 drake BUFFLEHEAD (TM). ARMSTRONG COUNTY: On 11/2 at Crooked Creek Lake, sightings included 4 BUFFLEHEADS, 1 adult BALD EAGLE (MVan). BEAVER COUNTY: On 10/30 at Independence Marsh, 8 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 81 KILLDEER, 1 GREEN- WINGED TEAL; on 11/1, 2 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 3 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, 1 GREEN-WINGED TEAL (MVas). At the Big Beaver Wetlands on 10/30, 2 GREATER YELLOWLEGS (MVas). On 11/1 at the Ambridge Reservoir, 1 TUNDRA SWAN, 2 BUFFLEHEADS, 6 GADWALL, 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE (MVas). BUTLER COUNTY: On 10/29 at Moraine State Park, highlights included 1 BRANT (reported to RH by Tom Maher), 1 COMMON LOON, OSPREY, 25 GADWALL, 1 AMERICAN WIGEON, 6 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 4 PIED-BILLED GREBES, 3 AMERICAN COOTS, ~75 RUDDY DUCKS, 1 LESSER SCAUP (SS); on 10/31, 1 OSPREY, 2 adult BALD EAGLES, 5 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 13 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 102 RUDDY DUCKS, 8 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 21 WOOD DUCKS, 1 COMMON LOON, 15 PIED-BILLED GREBES, 97 AMERICAN COOTS, 3 TREE SWALLOWS, and others (MVas); on 11/1, 10+ PIED- BILLED GREBES, 2 HORNED GREBES, 1 RING-NECKED DUCK, 1 BUFFLEHEAD, 110+ RUDDY DUCKS, 100+ AMERICAN COOTS (LM with the Pitt Birding Club). CRAWFORD COUNTY: In Pymatuning on 10/27, 1 OSPREY (JC); on 10/28, sightings included TUNDRA SWAN, 9 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, 225 COMMON MERGANSERS, COMMON LOON, 75 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 3 BALD EAGLES, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, BONAPARTE'S GULL (CH). At Millers Ponds on 10/31, 6 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 12 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, 1 CANVASBACK, 4 HOODED MERGANSERS, 3+ BALD EAGLES (JB). ERIE COUNTY: At Presque Isle State Park on 10/31, 2 BRANT (JB). FAYETTE COUNTY: At Greenlick Run Lake on 10/30, 4 TUNDRA SWANS, 1 COMMON LOON (SG). At Donegal Lake on 10/30, 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 11 DUNLIN, 30 KILLDEER, 10 AMERICAN PIPITS (SG with Dick Byers, Linda & Leonard Hess, and Randi Gerrish). On 10/30 at Trout Run Reservoir the highlight was 13 GREEN-WINGED TEAL (SG). INDIANA COUNTY: On 10/27 at Yellow Creek State Park, highlights included 6 BLUE-WINGED TEAL, 2 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 3 LESSER SCAUP, 26 PIED-BILLED GREBES, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER, 256 AMERICAN COOTS, 4 FOX SPARROWS, 19 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, 1 EASTERN MEADOWLARK, 25 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, 3 PURPLE FINCHES (MH with Mary Jane Alexander and Jane Lanz). LAWRENCE COUNTY: On 10/30 in New Beaver, at the Three Rivers gravel pond, 78 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 1 RUDDY DUCK, 4 HOODED MERGANSERS, 4 PIED-BILLED GREBES, 6 AMERICAN COOTS, 91 KILLDEER, and at the Wampum-New Galilee Road marsh that day, 29 GREEN-WINGED TEAL (MVas). In Plain Grove on 10/31, 6 SANDHILL CRANES were seen along Bonnani Road (MVas). WASHINGTON COUNTY: This week at Meadowcroft Museum, 1 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (JB). On 11/1 in East Finley Township, 3 PURPLE FINCHES, 1 EASTERN PHOEBE (PH). In Morris Township on 11/1, 3 male RING-NECKED PHEASANTS (PH). On 11/2 at Canonsburg Lake, a mixed flock of blackbirds contained 10 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (MVas). WESTMORELAND COUNTY: On 10/28 at Beaver Run Reservoir, 2 PIED-BILLED GREBES, 2 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 1 PLOVER SP. (MVan). End transcript- Amy Taracido Washington Co., PA To send in reports: meadowlark4 AT verizon.net Thank you to all the contributors. Subject: Westtown Lake - West Chester, PA - Chester County From: Douglas Kraemer <douglas.kraemer AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:40:57 -0500 Highlights include: 2 female Bufflehead 5 Ruby-crowned Kinglets (one of the males giving great views of his red crest :) 3 White-throated Sparrows 8 Mallards (6 male, 2 female) 70+ Canada Geese (on the lake and flying over in groups) Several flyovers of American Crows Subject: Link for Face book "I Love Hawk Watch" From: Rachael Shapiro <rshapiro AT AWOUS.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:14:25 -0500 Hello PA Birds, Here is the link for the new Facebook Group: I Love Hawk Watch. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=171605151251&ref=ts We are now at 13 members...some members are site coordinators... And have towards 40 photos .... Most of which show the birds in flight! Very, very helpful!!!! .... And more fun than a guide book¹s black silhouettes! Join us on the platform, Rachael -- ATTENTION: NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: rshapiro AT awous.com Rachael Shapiro, President A Woman of Uncommon Scents, Inc. P.O. Box 103 Roxbury, PA 17251 1-800-377-3685 1-800-ESSENTL Subject: Black-throated Gray Warbler in MD same bird? From: Vern Gauthier <pabirder AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:43:09 -0500 Greetings, I was sent an e-mail yesterday by PA Birder Mike OBrien telling me that a Black-throated Gray Warbler (BTYW) was seen in Little Bennett Regional Park in Montgomery Cty, MD. I e-mailed John Stup who posted the find of his BTYW on the MD Birds Listserve and found out his bird was also an adult male. The intersting part is that where he found the bird is 100 miles or so due south of this area. What are the odds that it is the same BTYW? Vern Gauthier Newville Subject: Delaware Valley RBA, 4 NOV 2009 From: Stephen Kacir <rba AT DVOC.ORG> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:28:22 -0800 - RBA * PA, NJ, DE * Delaware Valley: Southeast PA, Central/Southern NJ & DE * PADV0911.04 * November 11, 2009 - Birds Mentioned Pacific Loon (NJ)+ Great White Heron (DE)+ Ash-throated Flycatcher (NJ)+ Western Kingbird (DE)+ (NJ)+ (Details requested by NJBRC) (PA)+ (Details requested by PORC) (DE)+ (Details requested by DERC) Red-throated Loon Common Loon Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe Brown Pelican Great Cormorant American Bittern Tricolored Heron Yellow-crowned Night-heron Cackling Goose Brant Tundra Swan Eurasian Wigeon King Eider Common Eider Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Common Goldeneye Northern Goshawk Golden Eagle Peregrine Falcon Northern Bobwhite Virginia Rail Common Moorhen Sandhill Crane American Golden-plover American Avocet Spotted Sandpiper Marbled Godwit Red Knot Western Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Long-billed Dowitcher Parasitic Jaeger Black-headed Gull Iceland Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Forster's Tern Black Skimmer Common Nighthawk Ruby-throated Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Red-headed Woodpecker Western Kingbird Northern Shrike White-eyed Vireo Common Raven Cliff Swallow Cave Swallow Black-capped Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch Marsh Wren American Pipit Orange-crowned Warbler Magnolia Warbler Prairie Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Scarlet Tanager Clay-colored Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Lark Sparrow Seaside Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow Lapland Longspur Snow Bunting Indigo Bunting Dickcissel Yellow-headed Blackbird Rusty Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Purple Finch - 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 Nov 4, 2009 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 Cape May County, NJ; GREAT WHITE HERON & WESTERN KINGBIRD in Sussex County, DE and ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS in Cape May and Monmouth Counties, 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: Six COMMON EIDERS were spotted from the St Peter's Jetty on Oct 28. Twenty COMMON EIDERS were at the jetty off the end of Whilldin Ave. The flock of COMMON EIDERS off Cape May Point grew to 22 EIDERS on Nov 3, seen from jetties around Cape May Point State Park to Coral Ave. On Nov 4, the COMMON EIDER flock had dropped to 9 EIDERS seen from the St Mary's and St Peter's jetties. On Nov 2, a CAVE SWALLOW was spotted from the hawk watch platform at Cape May Point State Park. A DICKCISSEL was seen from the platform on Nov 4. The Cape May Point State Park Hawk Watch spotted GOLDEN EAGLES on Oct 29 & Nov 2-4, and a NORTHERN GOSHAWK made the count on Nov 4. The park's Lighthouse Pond had two subadult EURASIAN WIGEONS on Oct 31- Nov 3, and one was still there on Nov 4. A juvenile COMMON MOORHEN was at Lighthouse Pond on Nov 3. A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was at the south side of the Bunker Pond on Oct 30-31. Other birds seen at the hawk watch platform and elsewhere in the state park included AMERICAN BITTERN, CLIFF SWALLOW, PRAIRIE WARBLER and PURPLE FINCHES. A River Otter was on Lily Lake on Nov 3. A BLACK SCOTER was on the East Pool at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge on Nov 2. That day, a MARSH WREN was heard at the refuge, and PARASITIC JAEGERS were seen offshore of the refuge. Two VIRGINIA RAILS called from the refuge on Nov 1. Other sightings from the TNC Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge included AMERICAN PIPITS, SEASIDE SPARROW, RUSTY BLACKBIRD and PURPLE FINCHES. A YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD flew over the Morning Flight Project at the Higbee Beach WMA dike on Oct 29. That day, the Morning Flight also noted WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, RED-THROATED LOON and 15 WHITE- RUMPED SANDPIPERS. On Oct 30, a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER and 27 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS were at the Higbee dike. Other reports from Higbee mentioned AMERICAN PIPITS, INDIGO BUNTING and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. On Nov 1, a VESPER SPARROW was in the pumpkin patch at the Rea Farm. A MAGNOLIA WARBLER was at the Rea Farm on Oct 29. A WESTERN KINGBIRD was at Hidden Valley Ranch on Oct 29-31. A WESTERN KINGBIRD was at the Villas WMA on Oct 31. Three COMMON EIDERS were flying over Delaware Bay offshore from the Villas on Nov 3. A possible NORTHERN SHRIKE was reported from the bayshore near the Villas on Oct 30. On Nov 4, a SANDHILL CRANE was heard then spotted in the salt hay farm across Dennis Creek from the parking lot at Jake's Landing. On Nov 4, an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER was reportedly near the southern base of the toll bridge at the south end of Nummy Island on the west side of the road. On Oct 29, Stone Harbor Point had RED KNOTS and MARBLED GODWITS. On Nov 3, PURPLE SANDPIPERS were spotted on the jetty in front of the Avalon Sea Watch. A PACIFIC LOON and RED-NECKED GREBE flew by the Avalon Sea Watch on Nov 2. The Sea Watch reported a KING EIDER on Oct 31, COMMON EIDERS on Oct 28-Nov 4 and PARASITIC JAEGERS on Oct 28-Nov 1 & Nov 4. Other sightings from the Avalon Sea Watch included RED-THROATED LOONS, BROWN PELICANS, HORNED GREBE, WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, RED KNOT, PURPLE SANDPIPERS and BONAPARTE'S GULLS. Two COMMON EIDERS were off Sea Isle City on Oct 29. That day, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were at Whale Beach. Cumberland County: An AMERICAN PIPIT was on the dike at Maple Ave on Nov 2. A juvenile YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was at the Husted's Landing Marina on Oct 31. Atlantic County: A TRICOLORED HERON and AMERICAN AVOCET were at the Brigantine Division of Edwin B Forsythe NWR on Oct 28. On Nov 1, fifteen BLACK SKIMMERS were at Malibu Beach WMA. Monmouth County: On Oct 29, the ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER was near the bench on the east side of Marlu Lake at Thompson Park in Lincroft. The ASH- THROATED FLYCATCHER was past Marlu Lake at the back side of a trail that loops through brushy habitat at the park on Oct 30. On Nov 1, an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was at Thompson Park in Lincroft. On Nov 3, a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was near the maintenance building at the east end of Randolph St on Sandy Hook. That day, two COMMON EIDERS were on the cove north of C Lot, and Sandy Hook's north pond had a COMMON MOORHEN Oct 31-Nov 2. A LARK SPARROW was at the south end of K Lot on Nov 1. That day, a first-year ICELAND GULL was on the beach at B Lot, and a SNOW BUNTING was on the beach at F Lot that day. On Nov 4, two COMMON EIDERS, a drake WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and a hen HARLEQUIN DUCK were seen off C Lot, and six more COMMON EIDERS were at the end of Fisherman's Trail. Six SNOW BUNTINGS were at the False Hook on Nov 1, and a juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN- PLOVER was there Oct 31-Nov 1. A LAPLAND LONGSPUR and 2 SNOW BUNTINGS were at Sandy Hook on Oct 31. Other birds at Sandy Hook included RED-THROATED LOONS, AMERICAN PIPITS, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and RUSTY BLACKBIRDS. Burlington County: On Nov 4, a drake and hen WHITE-WINGED SCOTER were seen on the Delaware River from the Riverton Yacht Club. Gloucester County: A NORTHERN BOBWHITE called near High Hill Rd on Nov 3. On Nov 3, three GREAT CORMORANTS were on the orange channel marker, seen from the National Park dredge spoils area. Camden County: On Nov 2, five SURF SCOTERS were on Penbryn Pond in Berlin. Somerset County: Two to four RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were at Colonial Park in Franklin Twp on Nov 3. Hunterdon County: On Oct 28, a DICKCISSEL was at Cold Brook Reserve. Warren County: Five SANDHILL CRANES were at the field near the Upper Beers Farm at Merrill Creek Reservoir on Oct 30, seen from the Scott's Mountain Hawk Watch that day as well. The Scott's Mountain Hawk Watch reported GOLDEN EAGLES on Oct 29 & Nov 2 and NORTHERN GOSHAWK on Nov 2-3. The Raccoon Ridge Hawk Watch reported NORTHERN GOSHAWK on Nov 1 & 3 and GOLDEN EAGLES on Nov 1-3. Other sightings from Raccoon Ridge included COMMON LOONS, COMMON RAVENS, AMERICAN PIPITS, SNOW BUNTINGS and Black Bear. Spruce Run Reservoir had a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER on Nov 2, and a SNOW BUNTING was at Spruce Run on Oct 31. Union County: Six CACKLING GEESE were at Warinanco Park on Nov 4. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was at Lenape Park on Nov 4. -------------------------------------------------------------- FOR DELAWARE: New Castle County: The Ashland Nature Center Hawk Watch reported GOLDEN EAGLES on Oct 29-30 and NORTHERN GOSHAWK on Nov 2 and two NORTHERN GOSHAWKS on Nov 4. A BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE was near the hawk watch hill at Ashland on Oct 29. Other birds at Ashland included COMMON LOONS, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, BALTIMORE ORIOLE and PURPLE FINCHES. On Oct 31, two CATTLE EGRETS and nearly 100 AMERICAN PIPITS were at the Middletown Auto Park. Two CATTLE EGRETS were seen from Route 9 near Taylors Bridge. Kent County: A SANDHILL CRANE flew over fields in the southwest section of Bombay Hook NWR on Nov 2. On Oct 29, Bombay Hook had AMERICAN AVOCETS on the mudflats opposite the north end of Shearness Pool. Other birds at Bombay Hook included WESTERN SANDPIPERS and PEREGRINE FALCON. Sussex County: A GREAT WHITE HERON (Great Blue Heron subspecies) was at Bethany Beach on Nov 1-3. To reach the spot where the GREAT WHITE HERON was discovered, head south on DE Route 1 past Indian River Inlet until the first traffic light after the inlet. Turn right onto Fred Hudson Rd at the light, and then drive nearly to the end of the road where it meets Cedar Neck Rd at a T-intersection. About 0.1 miles before the intersection, there is a pond on the right side of the road (north of the road) just before the entrance to the Bethany Lakes development. On Nov 2, a WESTERN KINGBIRD perched on power lines just east of the parking lot at the main battery of Fort Miles in Cape Henlopen State Park. A HARLEQUIN DUCK and 2 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS flew past the Cape Henlopen State Park Hawk Watch on Oct 29. Seven COMMON EIDERS flew by the hawk watch on Oct 30, and PURPLE SANDPIPERS were seen from the hawk watch on Nov 2. A GOLDEN EAGLE flew past the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch on Nov 3. Six WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS passed by the radar tower area of Cape Henlopen State Park on Nov 4. That day, a BALTIMORE ORIOLE was spotted from the road between the hawk watch platform and the radar tower. A BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE was near the parking lot for the bathhouse at Cape Henlopen on Nov 2. Other sightings from Cape Henlopen included COMMON NIGHTHAWK, RED- BREASTED NUTHATCHES, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS and PURPLE FINCHES. A SCARLET TANAGER was at the Abbott's Mill Nature Center on Nov 3. -------------------------------------------------------------- FOR PENNSYLVANIA: Delaware County: The Rose Tree Park Hawk Watch reported a GOLDEN EAGLE on Nov 1. Other sightings from Rose Tree Park included COMMON LOONS and PURPLE FINCH. Chester County: On Oct 29, a SANDHILL CRANE was on the far bank of the main pond at Kurtz Fish Ponds. On Nov 3, two COMMON GOLDENEYES were on Chambers Lake in Hibernia County Park. That day, Hibernia Park also had a SPOTTED SANDPIPER, WHITE-EYED VIREO, LINCOLN'S SPARROW and PURPLE FINCHES. On Nov 2, Bucktoe Creek Preserve had all seven species of woodpecker one might expect to find in the region, including RED- HEADED WOODPECKER. Montgomery County: An immature male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD was feeding on Salvias on private property in Pottstown on Nov 3. The homeowner, Kathy, is willing to receive visiting birders, and those interested in seeing the RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD should contact her by email at bella_trix AT comcast.net On Nov 3, a BRANT was feeding at the side of Royersford Rd in Royersford. Bucks County: Churchville Nature Center had LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS on Oct 31 and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH on Oct 29. Northampton County: A male RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was still visiting feeders on private property in Palmer Twp, Easton through Oct 30. A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was at the Koch property through Nov 2. Lehigh County: Eighteen AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were in a field at the intersection of Schantz Rd and Route 100 on Oct 29. The Bake Oven Knob Hawk Watch reported NORTHERN GOSHAWKS on Nov 1 & Nov 3-4 and GOLDEN EAGLES on Oct 29-30 & Nov 1-3. On Nov 1, ten TUNDRA SWANS and 18 BRANT passed by Bake Oven Knob. Other sightings from Bake Oven Knob included COMMON LOONS, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, COMMON RAVENS and PURPLE FINCHES. Three BRANT were on a retention pond in Bath on Oct 29. Schuylkill County: The Schuylkill/Berks County line area of SGL 110 had 7 COMMON RAVENS on Oct 30. Berks County: Two SURF SCOTERS and several WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were on Blue Marsh Lake at Blue Marsh National Recreation Area on Nov 4. The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Hawk Watch reported GOLDEN EAGLES on Oct 30 & Nov 1-4, with seven GOLDEN EAGLES tallied on Nov 1. Hawk Mountain reported NORTHERN GOSHAWKS on Nov 1-2 & Nov 4. Other sightings from Hawk Mountain included COMMON LOONS, AMERICAN PIPIT and PURPLE FINCHES. The RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD visiting Harold Lebo's yard was still present as of Oct 30. A COMMON RAVEN was at Lake Ontelaunee on Oct 29, and a BLACK SCOTER was there on Nov 1. Sixty BRANT and a COMMON RAVEN were seen from SGL 110 on Nov 3. Lancaster County: A GREAT CORMORANT was spotted from the small boat ramp at Peach Bottom. A BRANT was at Avocet Point at the Conejohela Flats on Oct 31. Other sightings from the flats noted BONAPARTE'S GULLS and an American Mink. Two BLACKPOLL WARBLERS were at the grounds of the Lancaster Area Sewer Authority on Oct 31. Ten FORSTER'S TERNS were on Conowingo Pond on Oct 29. On Oct 31, as GOLDEN EAGLE was at the dam at Middle Creek WMA, and three COMMON RAVENS were at Middle Creek that day. On Nov 4, Lancaster County Central Park had flyby COMMON LOONS and PURPLE FINCHES. Lebanon County: The SANDHILL CRANE at Lake Duffy in SGL 145 was reported as recently as Oct 30. Other birds in the area included RUSTY BLACKBIRD and PURPLE FINCHES. The Second Mountain Hawk Watch reported GOLDEN EAGLES on Oct 30-Nov 2 & Nov 4 and NORTHERN GOSHAWK on Nov 1-2 & Nov 4. Other sightings from Second Mountain included COMMON LOONS and COMMON RAVENS. Carbon County: On Nov 4, seven LONG-TAILED DUCKS were on the lake off of the Pine Run Boat Launch at Beltzville State Park. -------------------------------------------------------------- ANNOUNCEMENTS: On Nov 14, Debbie Beer will lead a DVOC Field Trip to Okehocking Preserve in Chester County, PA. The trip will focus on sparrows, raptors and finches. The trip will meet at the main parking lot on Route 3 (West Chester Pike) at 8:00AM. More information about this and other DVOC field trips can be found on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org/ The next meeting of the DVOC will be on Nov 5 at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia at 7:30PM. The meeting will feature a program by Jeff Holt and Bert Filemyr entitled "The Composite Prints of Audubon's Birds of America - The Rarest of the Rare." Details are on the website, and guests are always welcome. The meeting after that will be the DVOC Annual Banquet on Nov 19. The DVOC Annual Banquet will take place on Nov 19, 2009 at the Sheet Metal Workers' Hall in Philadelphia, when Rick Wright will present "The Most Beautiful of the Whole Beautiful Lot: Wood Warblers of the American Southwest." Reservations are due on Nov 16. Additional information and a downloadable reservation form can be found on the DVOC website: http://www.dvoc.org/Banquet/Banquet.htm 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: Peace Valley Sat. Bird Walk Time Change From: August Mirabella <augustmirabella AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 23:09:27 -0500 A reminder that the Sat. morning bird walk is now 8AM - 10 AM until further notice. August Mirabella North Wales, PA Subject: HSR: Rose Tree Park (04 Nov 2009) 71 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 23:11:02 -0400 Rose Tree Park Media, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 04, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 0 10 122 Black Vulture 0 0 5 Osprey 1 2 157 Northern Harrier 3 4 42 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 3 5 159 Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 45 894 Cooper's Hawk 4 10 134 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 13 65 138 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 4514 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Red-tailed Hawk 34 78 219 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 1 1 American Kestrel 0 0 139 Merlin 0 0 19 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 14 Unknown Vulture 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 1 1 3 Unknown Buteo 0 0 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 22 Total: 71 222 6592 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Holly Merker, Janet Crawford Observers: Bill Roache, Holly Merker, Janet Crawford, Judy Mayer, Skip Conant Visitors: Dan Efroymson Weather: Starting sunny, then becoming mostly cloudy, with mostly calm winds. Temperature 45-52F. Raptor Observations: 1 2nd year Bald Eagle 2 Adult Bald Eagles Non-raptor Observations: 16 Common Loons 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler ======================================================================== Report submitted by Janet Crawford (janet AT rtphawkwatch.org) Rose Tree Park Hawkwatch, Media, PA information may be found at: www.rtphawkwatch.org Subject: Moraine SP Waterfowl, Butler Co. From: Lukas Musher <musherluke AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 19:42:58 -0500 Ryan Ford and I took a brief trip to Lake Arthur today to see if anything new was around. There wasn't too much activity, but species of interest included: At the South Shore: 8 Bufflehead ~150 Ruddy Duck 6 Pied-billed Grebe ~150 American Coot 5-10 American Tree Sparrow At the Waterfowl observation area: 1 Wood Duck 13 Gadwall 1 American Black Duck 20+ Ring-necked Duck 7 Hooded Merganser At the North Shore boat launch: 6 Bufflehead 3 Common Merganser (flyover) Lukas Musher Subject: PA tick update and reporting information -- not just a warm weather problem From: Mary Jane <grosbeaker AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 19:22:34 -0500 Hello PA Birders: Please read the following information which updates tick disease transmission in PA and reporting instructions for ticks attached to humans and/or pets. This information is provided by the Monroe County Vector Control county office in Stroudsburg. Mary Jane Seipler, Murrysville, Westmoreland County If birders want to send us ticks for identification and evaluation, it would just be ticks that were attached to them or their pets. Place tick in a Ziploc baggie and a regular envelope and send to MCVC, 38 North 7th St., Stroudsburg, PA 18360 They should include the name of the patient, a daytime phone number, the doctors FAX number, and the county where the tick was acquired. Our telephone number is 570-420-3525. The deer ticks are increasing in quantity and distribution in Pennsylvania. There are several "hotspots," including the Southeast corner, the Northeast corner, Elk County, and the Northwest corner. They have been collected in almost every county, so no one is without risk here. We do not know the prevalence rates in other areas, but Steve Jacobs of PSU, Jan Humphreys (retired) of Indian University of PA and Richard Dryden of Washington-Jefferson College have done research on PA ticks -- you might see what you can get from them about your specific areas. We are probably the only county agency doing this work, and it is only because of East Stroudsburg University and their DNA lab that we are able to do it. Good sites for info on Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are www.cdc.gov; www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases; o www.Lyme.org; http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/jkl/lymedisease.htm The other pathogens we have found here in Monroe are Bartonella, Babesia, Anaplasma (formerly HGE) in deer ticks and Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia in American dog ticks. The dog ticks have disappeared for the season but the deer ticks will be questing all winter so precautions must be taken. We used to tell people that if the temperature dipped below 250 F or if there was snow on the ground, the ticks wouldn't be questing. This past winter, people brought us fully engorged ticks from their pets during times when the temperature was 150 F and there was snow cover. So be careful out there!!o Jacquelyn A. Hakim, Director Monroe County Vector/Litter Control 38 North 7th Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360 570-420-3525 570-517-3874 (fax) Subject: HSR: Bake Oven Knob (04 Nov 2009) 32 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 19:11:24 -0400 Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 04, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 3 10 234 Turkey Vulture 11 33 781 Osprey 0 0 422 Bald Eagle 0 4 176 Northern Harrier 0 10 86 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 42 2708 Cooper's Hawk 1 9 364 Northern Goshawk 1 6 13 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 18 59 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 3953 Red-tailed Hawk 13 238 916 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 8 31 American Kestrel 0 0 196 Merlin 0 0 93 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 62 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 1 17 253 Mississippi Kite 0 0 2 Total: 32 396 10349 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours Official Counter: Steve Ritt Observers: Fritz Brock Weather: Visibility: 20 Mi, T: 33-44ºF, Wind: WNW then WSW 1-14 MPH, Cloud Cover: 5-100% Raptor Observations: BE: flying east 15:48A Non-raptor Observations: C Raven: 2 C Goose: 80 DC Cormorant: 9 Predictions: Thursday: Showers likely, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Calm wind becoming west between 4 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bob Hoopes (rehoopes AT hotmail.com) Bake Oven Knob Hawkwatch, Pa. information may be found at: www.lgnc.org Subject: Blue Marsh, Berks County From: Joan Silagy <jsilagy AT EPIX.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:10:24 -0500 Katrina Knight and I spent about an hour at Blue Marsh Lake this afternoon and it was a very productive trip, especially considering the short about of time we spent there. Seen were the following: Buffleheads, 25-30 White-winged Scoters, several Surf Scoters, 2 Green Winged-teal, about 10 Ruddy Ducks, about 15 Merlin, 1 Cooper's Hawk,1 Red-tailed Hawks,several Ring-billed Gulls, Many, the wintering flock is building up. At my home in Bern Twp., the first Brown Creeper of the season and also the return of my wintering American Crows. Last winter I had three crows that came to my driveway and one of them was missing the front half of it's right foot and it's back. I'm assuming that the other two crows with it are the same ones from last year since corvid families often remain together. Joan Silagy, Katrina Knight and Sidney Subject: HSR: Waggoner's Gap (04 Nov 2009) 591 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:11:13 -0400 Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 04, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 8 41 TV 20 173 1257 OS 0 1 442 BE 3 13 345 NH 11 35 155 SS 6 58 7139 CH 1 12 834 NG 4 7 25 RS 13 51 150 BW 0 0 5866 RT 526 1058 2273 RL 0 0 0 GE 4 39 88 AK 0 0 312 ML 0 2 104 PG 0 0 50 UA 1 3 28 UB 1 6 12 UF 0 0 3 UE 0 0 2 UR 1 4 68 Total: 591 1470 19194 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:45:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 9.75 hours Official Counter: Dave Grove, Keith Gingrich Observers: Carl Rojahn, Craig Houston, Jerry Stanley, Joe Lavella, Keith Gingrich, Nancy Baker, Robert McLaughlin Visitors: Jim Meyers,Andy Smith(Cromwell Valley Hawkwatch)Chris Pugliese(Rose Tree Park),Mary Wohler,Marie Markey - 3 Weather: Thickening clouds with a light SSE wind Raptor Observations: BE Juv 11:05 BE Ad 10:26,2:50 GE Juv 8:52 GE Sub 10:38,10:28 GE Ad 11:21 First bird NH 6:51 Last bird NH 4:10 RT with white upperwings,back & tail Non-raptor Observations: Loons 16 ======================================================================== Report submitted by dave grove (waggap AT comcast.net) Waggoner's Gap Hawkwatch information may be found at: www.waggap.com Subject: HSR: Second Mountain (04 Nov 2009) 118 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:11:18 -0400 Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 04, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 12 80 169 Turkey Vulture 7 35 200 Osprey 0 0 179 Bald Eagle 0 0 88 Northern Harrier 2 11 95 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 31 1739 Cooper's Hawk 1 9 212 Northern Goshawk 1 3 14 Red-shouldered Hawk 8 38 87 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 4383 Red-tailed Hawk 79 269 586 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 1 7 30 American Kestrel 0 0 85 Merlin 0 1 30 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 27 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 15 Unknown Buteo 0 0 10 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 2 2 22 Total: 118 487 7971 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 8.5 hours Official Counter: Dave Schwenk Observers: Brian Weaver, Fred Habbeger Visitors: Bill Heeter Weather: Light and variable winds becoming moderate southwesterly by mid Am, mostly cloudy & chilly with temps 38-52. Raptor Observations: adult golden eagle AT 1:16. 1st bird = RT 9:52, last,= RT 3:56. Non-raptor Observations: 25 Loons, 12 N ravens, 110 cormorants, 100+ C geese ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Schwenk (secondmtn AT juno.com) Subject: Sandhill Cranes & Kestrels in Lawrence County From: Marjorie Van Tassel <marvant AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 17:41:19 -0500 3 Sandhill Cranes seen from Bonanni Road best and standing on hay bales for a while (nice "pose") 6+ American Kestrels on wires (3 on Nelson Rd. near the State Game Lands) and 1 on Black Rd. and 2 others on other roads close by 1 Northern Harrier also flying over field across from the SGL 2 Red-tail Hawks also in vicinity of Black Swamp and SGL area 2 gorgeous Pheasants at intersection of Old Ash Rd. and McConahy Road 1 Great Blue Heron on pond off McConahy Rd. & Martin Rd. Marge Van Tassel Subject: Central PA Birdline for 11.5.2009 From: Mark Mcconaughy <timetraveler50 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 22:26:37 +0000 Central PA Birdline - RBA * Pennsylvania * Central Pennsylvania * PACE0911.05 Bird Highlights GREAT CORMORANT (Lancaster Co.) SANDHILL CRANE (Lebanon Co.) Hotline: Central Pennsylvania Birdline Date: November 5, 2009 To Report: TimeTraveler50 AT comcast.net Compiler: Mark A. McConaughy Coverage: Central Pennsylvania, Susquehanna River Drainage System Transcriber: Mark A. McConaughy   Welcome to Pennsylvania Audubon's and the Patriot-News' Birdline. This Birdline covers sightings made primarily during the week prior to Thursday, November 5, 2009.   BEDFORD/SOMERSET COUNTIES: Allegheny Front Hawk Watch reported counting 92 TURKEY VULTURES, OSPREY, 2 BALD EAGLES, 5 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 10 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 7 COOPER'S HAWKS, 2 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 17 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 318 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 19 GOLDEN EAGLES, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL, MERLINS and PEREGRINE FALCON between October 29 and November 2 (GF, NF, BSt, JR, TD, EH, BG, TBa, RMc).   BRADFORD COUNTY: An immature BALD EAGLE was seen west of Athens on November 3 (TG).   CENTRE COUNTY: There were 2 BRANT and 2 adult BALD EAGLES at Bald Eagle State Park between October 30 and November 1 (BSn, NBu).   An adult BALD EAGLE was observed on November 1 perched in a tree along Whitehall Road about 0.5 miles past the old Fairbrook Church (GBri).   Jo Hayes Vista reported seeing 2 GOLDEN EAGLES on November 3 (CG).   A few RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were in a mixed flock of blackbirds at Scotia Pond on November 4 (GG).   An adult BALD EAGLE was circling Colyer Lake on November 4 (MH).   CLINTON COUNTY: A solitary BRANT was seen on October 29 in the Susquehanna River along the dike in Lock Haven (JS).   CUMBERLAND COUNTY: Waggoner's Gap Hawk Watch counted 8 BLACK VULTURES, 233 TURKEY VULTURES, 1 OSPREY, 12 BALD EAGLES, 24 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 64 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 16 COOPER'S HAWKS, 3 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 38 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 626 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 39 GOLDEN EAGLES, 3 MERLINS and 2 PEREGRINE FALCONS between October 29 and November 3 (RF, DG, CH, GW).   FRANKLIN COUNTY: Tuscarora Summit Hawk Watch reported counting 68 TURKEY VULTURES, 3 BALD EAGLES, 4 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 12 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 4 COOPER'S HAWKS, 6 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 67 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 4 GOLDEN EAGLES and 1 MERLIN between October 29 and November 2 (DGe).   A STILT SANDPIPER continues to be seen at the Kriner Road Ponds through at least October 31 (BK). There also were 2 LESSER YELLOWLEGS present on October 31 (BK).   HUNTINGDON/MIFFLIN COUNTIES: Stone Mountain Hawk Watch reported tabulating 4 BLACK VULTURES, 19 TURKEY VULTURES, 1 OSPREY, 3 BALD EAGLES, 12 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 9 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 2 COOPER'S HAWKS, 7 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 130 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 29 GOLDEN EAGLES and 1 MERLIN between October 29 and November 3 (DB, GG, DWe, JB, TK, NBo).   LANCASTER COUNTY: Conejohela Flats produced 1 BRANT, 2 immature BALD EAGLES, 3 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, 7 GREATER YELLOWLEGS and 2 BONAPARTE'S GULL between October 29 and 31 (BS, DBo, CC, JBo).   There were 2 immature and 6 adult BALD EAGLES and 10 FORSTER'S TERNS in the Susquehanna River near Peach Bottom Village on October 29 (BS). A GREAT CORMORANT was observed flying along the Susquehanna River near Peach Bottom on November 3 (CC).   An immature GOLDEN EAGLE was seen at Middle Creek Wildlife Propagation Area on October 31 (BHo, JHo).   LEBANON COUNTY: Second Mountain Hawk Watch counted 90 BLACK VULTURES, 74 TURKEY VULTURES, 6 BALD EAGLES, 14 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 47 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 9 COOPER'S HAWKS, 2 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 31 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 219 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 10 GOLDEN EAGLES and 2 MERLINS between October 29 and November 3 (DS, RB, MC, JC, SC, RP, FW).   The SANDHILL CRANE continues to be seen at Lake Duffy in State Game Lands 145 through at least October 30 (SH, RM). A single RUSTY BLACKBIRD was also seen in that area on October 30 (SH, RM).   LUZERNE COUNTY: There were 6 BRANT feeding on the PPL's Susquehanna Riverlands baseball field on October 31 (JF).   Seven SURF SCOTERS were found at Harvey's Lake on November 2 (KR). There was 1 RED-NECKED GREBE present on November 3 and two were found on November 4 (KR)   MIFFLIN COUNTY: Jacks Mountain Hawk Watch reported counting 24 TURKEY VULTURES, 2 BALD EAGLES, 3 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 9 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 3 COOPER'S HAWKS, 61 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 4 GOLDEN EAGLES, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL and 1 MERLIN between October 29 and November 3 (LW, RS, GB, DSm).   SCHUYKILL COUNTY: The Blue Mountain Route 183 Hawk Watch counted 12 BLACK VULTURES, 16 TURKEY VULTURES, 1 BALD EAGLE, 5 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 20 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 9 COOPER'S HAWKS, 2 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 94 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 2 GOLDEN EAGLES, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL and 1 MERLIN between October 31 and November 1 (SF, JHoo).   SCHUYKILL/BERKS COUNTIES: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary reported tabulating 7 BLACK VULTURES, 63 TURKEY VULTURES, 2 OSPREY, 5 BALD EAGLES, 16 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 47 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 18 COOPER'S HAWKS, 5 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 37 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 340 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 19 GOLDEN EAGLES, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL, 3 MERLINS and 2 PEREGRINE FALCONS between October 29 and November 4 (LG).   SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY: A MERLIN was observed on October 30 sitting on a utility pole in the area of the traditional rail swamp at Noble Farm in Springville Township (JSk).   A flock of 39 BLACK SCOTERS were at the Schooley Pond near Springville on November 2 (JSk).   YORK COUNTY: Two BRANT were found at Long Arm Reservoir on November 4 (DR, PR, DC). Closing Announcements:   If you miss the usual Thursday postings of the Central PA Birdline on BIRDEAST and PABIRDS, I will also be posting it on my page web site at: http://people.delphiforums.com/MCCONAUGHY/currentbl.htm *PORC = Pennsylvania Ornithological Record Committee. Rare bird sightings should be documented with written descriptions and photographs whenever possible and sent to PORC for review. Send PORC reports to Nick Pulcinella, 613 Howard Road, West Chester, PA 19380. The following people have contributed to this birdline: Dan Altif (DA), Tom Amico (TA), Tony Barle (TBa), Val Barnes (VB), Gloria Bickel (GB), Diane Bierly (DBi), Jerry Book (JBo), Rob Blye (RBl), Nick Bolgiano (NB), Devin Bosler (DBo), Jen Brackbill (JBr), Gerry Brigman (GBri), Randy Brenner (RB), Don Bryant (DB), Nan Butkovich (NBu), Lou Carpenter (LC), Chuck Chalfant (CC), Dick Cleary (DC), John Cooper (JC), Sue Cooper (SC), Morris Cox (MC), Tom Dick (TD), Jim Dunn (JD), Edwin Escalet (EE), Pam Fisher (PF), Scott Fisher (SF), Gene Flament (GF), Nancy Flament (NF), Ron Freed (RF), Jeff Fridman (JF), Vern Gauthier (VG), Dale Gearhart (DGe), Trudy Gerlach (TG), Laurie Goodrich (LG), Bob Gorsuch (BG), Chet Gottfried (CG), Doug Gross (DGr), Dave Grove (DG), Greg Grove (GG), Eric Hall (EH), Dave Hawk (DH), Molly Heath (MH), Jonathan Heller (JHe), Mark Henry (MHe), Jordan Hillsley (JH), Ken Hillsley (KH), Jeff Hook (JHoo), Barry Horton (BHo), Jennifer Horton (JHo), Sid Hostetter (SH), Craig Houston (CH), Thomas Johnson (TJ), Chad Kauffman (CK), Bob Keener (BK), Phil Keener (PK), Nick Kerlin (NK), Ramsay Koury (RK), Trudy Kyler (TK), Alex Lamoreaux (AL), Wayne Laubscher (WL), Tim Lenz (TL), Scott Lewis (SL), Matt Loyko (ML), Andrew Markel (AM), Rosemary McGlynn (RMc), Linda McKinne (LM), Kate Miller (KM), Randy Miller (RM), Bill Oyler (BO), Richard Pohner (RP), Larry Ramsey (LR), Tom Raub (TR), Joan Renninger (JRe), Dan Richards (DR), Kevin Ripka (KR), Peter Robinson (PR), Jim Rocco (JR), Matt Sabatine (MS), Jeff Schaffer (JS), Lauri Shaffer (LS), Art Schiavo (AS), Bob Schutsky (BS), Dave Schwenk (DS), Ron Singer (RS), Jerry Skinner (JSk), Darrell Smith (DSm), Tom Smith (TSm), Dan Snell (DSn), Bob Snyder (BSn), Thyra Sperry (TS), Bob Stewart (BSt), Rob Stone (RSt), Aden Troyer (AT), Larry Usselman (LU), Joe Verica (JV), Jeff Vinosky (JVi), Gene Wagner (GW), Tom Watkins (TW), Drew Weber (DW), Scott Weidensaul (SW), Dustin Welch (DWel), Doug Wentzel (DWe), Linda Whitesel (LW), Chuck Widmann (CW), Fred Wilcox (FW), Pat Williams (PW), Richard Williams (RW), Rick Wiltraut (RWi), Eric Witmer (EW), David Yeany (DY), and Sally Zaino (SZ). I apologize if I have misspelled their names and I will also refrain from naming that person on request. -End Transcript   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mark A. McConaughy    TimeTraveler50 AT comcast.net Bushy Run Battlefield    P.O. Box 486 Harrison City, PA 15636-0468 (724) 527-5585 x103 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Subject: HSR: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (04 Nov 2009) 92 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:11:30 -0400 Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Kempton, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 04, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 7 7 27 Turkey Vulture 9 27 354 Unknown Vulture 0 0 0 Mississippi Kite 0 0 1 Osprey 0 2 455 Bald Eagle 0 3 181 Northern Harrier 2 14 123 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 32 4269 Cooper's Hawk 3 12 592 Northern Goshawk 0 5 15 Unknown Accipiter 2 3 24 Red-shouldered Hawk 11 36 94 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 6440 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 44 310 1075 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 11 11 29 Golden Eagle 1 16 46 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 1 460 Merlin 0 2 160 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 68 Unknown Falcon 0 0 13 Unknown Raptor 0 0 33 Total: 92 482 14459 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Compiler: Laurie Goodrich Counters: Laurie Goodrich Visitors: quiet day Weather: partly cloudy to overcast, light N to VAR winds, 4-7 C, clouds thicken by midafternoon Raptor Observations: one Golden Eagle very high 1205 pm, unaged NO goshawk dives in forest in front of LO, not counted Most raptors were beyond naked eye or barely naked eye distance today Non-raptor Observations: Lots of blackbirds and grackles moving-- 999 RWBB, 639 Co. Grackle, 539 unid. blackbirds; 751 Canada Geese, 7 common loon, 7 E. bluebirds ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (goodrich AT hawkmtn.org) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/ Subject: Lanco.Cen.Park, Wed. birding, Loons in migration From: Chuck Chalfant <chuckchalfant AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:53:03 -0500 Greetings, Nov. 4, 2009. Lanco.Cen.Park. Lancaster Pa. Temp. 33-53 Clear to partly cloudy Calm to slight breeze Time 8:00- Noon Participants--14 Species--44 This morning 14 of us took a walk around Lancaster County's Central Park, which is just south of Lancaster's City Limits. One of our first frosty mornings, just a beautiful Fall day for a walk, we found most of the birds in groups. Towards the end of the walk we came down along the Conestoga back toward the cars and our sharp-eyed hawk- watcher, fresh off of Second Mountain, Linda McKinne, started picking up these dots in the sky and we saw many migrating hawks coming through, most interesting were the 3 groups of high-flying Loons flying over. We just stayed there standing in the meadow staring at the sky for quite a while, there was a nice migration coming through for a while there. Then a Pileated Woodpecker gave us a real close flyover, always a real treat to see this species up close. In the Passerine Dept., we had knockout looks at a pair of Golden-crowned Kinglets, The male had it's crown erected and in full display, usually described as orange in the center, this was as close to bright red as I have ever seen. This could be well seen (naked eye) as the bird flew by several times slightly below us. And in the binoculars it was real eye-candy !! We all had great close looks at a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers, makes you wonder how we could ever mistake a Hairy for a Downy. Bob Schutsky always told us, "if you have any doubts about which it is, it's a Downy". More good advice from Bob. While watching the Hawks fly through, spotted a real high flying Swallow, maybe late Rough-wing ? A male Purple Finch Male and a Brown Creeper were good first of Fall birds for group. And Pam found us a pair of (Eastern Yellow). Palm Warblers. Took a WAG (wild a-- guess),at the numbers, no attempt to count. Just to get a feel for the amounts of birds. Canada Geese----maybe a 100 residents Mallard----20 "Common Loon"----15 migrating over Black Vulture----2 Turkey Vulture----6 Bald Eagle----2-- adults migrating Sharp-shinned Hawk----1 Cooper's Hawk----1--migrating Red-shouldered Hawk----1--migrating Red-tailed Hawk----14--most migrating Killdeer----17--flew over in a group Rock Pigeon----15 Mourning Dove----2 Belted Kingfisher----1 Red-bellied Woodpecker----4 Downy Woodpecker----5 Hairy Woodpecker----2--great looks at a pair No.Flicker----2 Pileated Woodpecker----1--real close flyover Blue Jay----12 Amer. Crow----20 Fish Crow----5 Unidentified Swallow !! Carolina Chickadee----15 Tufted Titmouse----6 White-bres.Nuthatch----3 Brown Creeper----1 Carolina Wren----10 Golden-crowned Kinglet----2 Eastern Bluebird----6 Amer. Robin----1 Euro. Starling----10 Cedar Waxwing----15 Palm Warbler----2--yellow eastern Eastern Towhee----1 Chipping Sparrow----1 Song Sparrow----12 White-throated Sparrow----15 Dark-eyed Junco----7 No.Cardinal----6 Purple Finch----1--male House Finch----1 Amer. Goldfinch----25 House Sparrow----3 A fabulous Fall morning to be out and about in Lancaster Co. Good birding, Chuck Chalfant Happy Trails Chuck Chalfant Gap, Penna. E.Lancaster Co. chuckchalfant AT comcast.net Subject: Late White-eyed Vireo in Indiana County From: Margaret Higbee <bcoriole AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:50:08 -0500 This afternoon a White-eyed Vireo was foraging in our burning bush and Norway spruce in the backyard. Also present was a Fox Sparrow under one of the bird feeders. A migrating N. Harrier flew over, too. Margaret Higbee Indiana, PA bcoriole AT windstream.net Subject: Sweet Arrow Lake, Schuylkill Co. From: Denise Donmoyer <nightowl57 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:42:46 -0500 Sweet Arrow Lake 11/4 Bufflehead Ducks Hooded Merganser Golden-crowned Kinglets Juncos Red-bellied Woodpecker Denise Donmoyer Sweet Arrow Lake Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co. nightowl57 AT verizon.net Subject: Long-tailed Ducks - Beltzville State Park From: Rob Bergstresser <robear1 AT PTD.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:33:32 -0500 I had some great looks at a small flock of 7 LONG-TAILED DUCKS at Beltzville State Park (Carbon County) around noon today. They were swimming together near the middle of the lake off of Pine Run Boat Launch. Also, 1 Common Loon also at the boat launch. Rob Bergstresser -- Rob Bergstresser Avian Specialist Carbon County Environmental Ed. Center http://www.carboneec.org Subject: OT looking for birding tours in Cozumel From: Donna Foyle <djdfoyle AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:02:31 -0500 Is anyone aware of 1/2 day or full day bird tours in Cozumel? I will not have a rental car and wanted to do a few hours of birding. Most of the ecotours concentrate on other subjects or are week long tours that stop at Cozumel. Birdingpal.org lists birders from Yucatan but I didn't see any on Cozumel. Thank you. Donna Foyle Subject: HSR: Bake Oven Knob (31 Oct 2009) 20 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:11:05 -0400 Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 31, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 3 82 224 Turkey Vulture 9 351 748 Osprey 0 85 422 Bald Eagle 0 52 172 Northern Harrier 1 47 76 Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 2030 2666 Cooper's Hawk 0 287 355 Northern Goshawk 0 6 7 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 31 41 Broad-winged Hawk 0 5 3953 Red-tailed Hawk 3 526 678 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 22 23 American Kestrel 0 103 196 Merlin 0 48 93 Peregrine Falcon 0 37 61 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 107 236 Mississippi Kite 0 0 2 Total: 20 3819 9953 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours Official Counter: Rick Morrissey Observers: Gareth Williams, Steve Ritt, Ted Beltz Visitors: Tony Romano and family, Patrick Mack, Scratch Weather: 56-61F, Wind 5-20 SSW, Overcast Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: Two immature Bald Eagles flying up-ridge ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bob Hoopes (rehoopes AT hotmail.com) Bake Oven Knob Hawkwatch, Pa. information may be found at: www.lgnc.org Subject: York County Brant From: Peter Robinson <pabirder AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:23:49 +0000 3:20 pm At about 1pm today Dan Richards found two Brant at Long Arm Reservoir, south of Hanover. Dick Cleary and I got there to see them. Initially they were by themselves, but when I left at 2:15 pm they were in with a group of Canada Geese on top of the dam. Peter Robinson The More You Look Hanover, York County, PA The More You See _________________________________________________________________ Find the right PC with Windows 7 and Windows Live. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/pc-scout/laptop-set-criteria.aspx?cbid=wl&filt=200,2400,10,19,1,3,1,7,50,650,2,12,0,1000&cat=1,2,3,4,5,6&brands=5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16&addf=4,5,9&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen2:112009 Subject: Early Bird Special Nov 7 @ Ntl Aviary, Pittsburgh From: Laura Ellis <laura.ellis AT AVIARY.ORG> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:13:01 -0500 National Aviary News Contact: Laura Ellis, 412.559.3519 Early Bird Special Saturday, November 7th 8:30 a.m. Spend an early morning with over 600 exotic and endangered birds. Join National Aviary trainers for a continental breakfast, during which you'll enjoy live bird presentations. Talk with the staff, learn fascinating facts and take photos. Following breakfast, go behind the scenes to the National Aviary's kitchen where you'll find out what the birds are eating that morning. Then it's on to hand-feed the birds in the free-flight exhibit rooms. The morning concludes with a colorful encounter in the Lories & Friends exhibit. All guests will be given nectar cups to share with the National Aviary's rainbow lorikeets. $18 adults, $15 children; Member discounts available ($15 adults, $12 children). Reservations are required. 412-323-7235 ext 209. National Aviary 700 Arch Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212 www.aviary.org 412.323.7235 ### Subject: Horned Larks yesterday, Bradford Co From: Trudy Gerlach <tgswoods AT EPIX.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:22:47 -0500 Had a report today from Marty Borko and John and Marilyn Palmer that they had seen a flock of Horned Larks, and an immature Bald Eagle, west of Athens yesterday.Trudy Gerlach Bradford Co. tgswoods AT epix.net Subject: Rufous hummingbird, Montgomery Co. From: Scott Weidensaul <scottweidensaul AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:03:07 -0400 Yesterday I tried to band a Selasphorus hummingbird at a yard in Pottstown, and while I failed to get the bird, it fed at such close range when I first arrived that we could clearly see that it was an immature male rufous hummingbird, just getting the first rusty feathers in its back that would eliminate Allen's. The homeowner, Kathy, is willing to have birders stop by if they email in advance (which is why I'm not giving a full name or address). Contact her at bella_trix AT comcast.net. The bird is not using a feeder, but foraging at a number of salvias Kathy has planted in her riotously fertile backyard vegetable garden. I was fortunate to have my colleague Fred Dietrich along - Fred's a hummingbird bander in Tallahassee, FL, up here for some saw-whet owl banding, but I dragged him all over three counties chasing hummingbirds as well. Scott Weidensaul Schuylkill Haven, PA Subject: very interesting! From: TIMOTHY DOYLE SCHRECKENGOST JR <tds5090 AT PSU.EDU> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 10:47:43 -0500 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016093927.htm Here is a link about Eleonora's Falcon migration. Some new discoveries! Subject: Long-tailed Duck- Luzerne Co. From: Kevin Ripka <pabirds AT NEPABIRDPROJECT.ORG> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 09:44:58 -0500 Just got a call that a Long-tailed Duck has joined in up at Harvey's Lake. Wish it was there this morning. Or maybe I just missed it. But I wasn't the only one at the lake so it would make 2 of us that missed it. Photo of the Red-necked Grebe is up at shorebirds.nepabirdproject.org. You can see it's in shaggy breeding plumage. yours, Kevin Ripka www.nepabirdproject.org Subject: 2 Red-necked Grebe- Luzerne Co. From: Kevin Ripka <pabirds AT NEPABIRDPROJECT.ORG> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 08:46:42 -0500 Today a second RED-NECKED GREBE joined in on the fun at Harvey's Lake. The most interesting thing about this bird is that it's pretty much in breeding plumage. Sibley lists it as only in breeding plumage thru August. And, although I have limited experience with RN Grebes, I've only ever seen in non-breeding plumage. THe birds are hanging out in the middle but I got some distant photos. I'll post them up on my site later. Harvey's Lake: RED-NECKED GREBE- 2 Pied-billed Grebe- 3 Hooded Merganser- 1 Bufflehead- 9 Ring-necked Duck- 7 Herring Gull- 2 American Coot- 15 Sordoni Pond: Bufflehead- 22 yours, Kevin Ripka www.nepabirdproject.org Subject: Hawk Watch Facebook Group From: Rachael Shapiro <rshapiro AT AWOUS.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 08:37:54 -0500 Hello PA-Birds, There is a new Facebook Group: I Love Hawk Watch and Raptors Love Me. Glide in and hang out. Post photos, videos, and share stories. See you there! ( Just use the search button to find the group). Rachael -- ATTENTION: NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: rshapiro AT awous.com Rachael Shapiro, President A Woman of Uncommon Scents, Inc. P.O. Box 103 Roxbury, PA 17251 1-800-377-3685 1-800-ESSENTL Subject: [Fwd: Stone Mt., (03 Nov) 138 Raptors] From: Gregory Grove <gwg2 AT PSU.EDU> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 23:39:31 -0500 Stone Mt., Pa. Allensville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 03, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 4 4 14 TV 10 19 313 OS 1 1 79 BE 2 3 57 NH 9 12 32 SS 5 9 718 CH 2 2 160 NG 0 0 10 RS 5 7 32 BW 0 0 2873 RT 77 130 335 RL 0 0 0 GE 22 29 51 AK 0 0 83 ML 1 1 32 PG 0 0 28 UA 0 0 1 UB 0 1 1 UF 0 0 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 0 23 Total: 138 218 4843 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Don Bryant Observers: Greg Grove Weather: Strong westerly winds and mixed clouds and sun--blustery and cool for early November Raptor Observations: Adult GE: 9:55 (with something white on right wing?); 10:40; 11:50; 12:18; 12:58; 1:18; 1:20; 2:32; 2:40; 3:12; 3:28; 3:48; 4:01; 4:10; 4:50 Juvenile GE: 1:19; 1:58; 2:30 Unknown Age GE: 3:20 (2); 4:04; 4:06 Juvenile BE: 12:42; 4:26 Non-raptor Observations: 25 common loons; 21 tundra swans ======================================================================== Report submitted by Don Bryant (dab14 AT psu.edu) Subject: HSR: Rose Tree Park (03 Nov 2009) 23 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:11:38 -0400 Rose Tree Park Media, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 03, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 6 10 122 Black Vulture 0 0 5 Osprey 1 1 156 Northern Harrier 0 1 39 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 2 156 Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 33 882 Cooper's Hawk 0 6 130 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 3 52 125 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 4514 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Red-tailed Hawk 7 44 185 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 1 1 American Kestrel 0 0 139 Merlin 0 0 19 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 14 Unknown Vulture 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 2 Unknown Buteo 0 0 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 22 Total: 23 151 6521 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: George Wrangham, Jim McVoy Observers: Bob Kelly, John D'Amico, Skip Conant Weather: Partly cloudy, with WSW-SW-W winds at 7-15 MPH. Temperature 50-62F. Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: Predictions: Sunny in the morning, then becoming partly sunny. Widespread frost in the morning. Highs in the lower 50s. Northwest winds around 5 mph, becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Janet Crawford (janet AT rtphawkwatch.org) Rose Tree Park Hawkwatch, Media, PA information may be found at: www.rtphawkwatch.org Subject: Bufflehead, Washington Co. From: Daniel Williams <blackburnian2000 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 19:11:19 -0800 2 male Bufflehead at Peters Lake (Number Two Reservoir on Google maps) at around 5 pm today. Dan Williams, Allegheny Co.