- RBA
* Pennsylvania
* Central Pennsylvania
* March 16, 2006
* PACE0603.16
Bird Highlights
ROSS’ GOOSE (Lancaster Co.,)
SANDHILL CRANE (Centre Co.)
American Woodcock
SNOWY OWL (Centre Co.)
Fox Sparrow
- Transcript
Hotline: Central Pennsylvania Birdline
Date: March 16, 2006
To Report: TimeTraveler@email.msn.com
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, March 16, 2006.
ADAMS COUNTY:
A pair of COMMON RAVENS was observed working on a nest in Strawberry Hill Nature
Center on March 8 (BM).
The following birds seen around Gettysburg Battlefield National Military Park last
week; In the Big Round Top area – 6 TUREKY VULTURES, 3 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, 1
DOWNY WOODPECKER, 1 HAIRY WOODPECKER, 1 PILEATED WOODPECKER, 5 BLUE JAYS, 2 TUFTED
TITMICE, 3 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES and 1 NORTHERN CARDINAL (); Devil’s Den – 1
NORTHERN FLICKER, 3 EASTERN PHOEBES and 6 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS; The Peach Orchard – 1
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 3 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL and 1 EASTERN MEADOLARK
(NW).
A RING-NECKED PHEASANT was seen along Route 30 near Kilpatrick Road on March 11 (NW).
BEDFORD/SOMERSET COUNTIES:
Allegheny Front Hawk Watch reported counting 25 TURKEY VULTURES, 4 BALD EAGLES, 10
NORTHERN HARRIERS, 5 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 14 COOPER’S HAWKS, 23 RED-SHOULDERED
HAWKS, 33 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 16 GOLDEN EAGLES and 3 AMERICAN KESTRELS between March 9
and 15 (TD, GF, NF, BSt, DBy, CM, MM, RM).
BLAIR COUNTY:
Birds found at Canoe Creek State Park on March 10 included 100 CANADA GEESE, 4
AMERICAN WIGEON, 70 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 20 BUFFLEHEAD, 3 AMERICAN COOT, 5 RING-BILLED
GULLS, 3 BLUE JAYS, 10 AMERICAN CROWS, 15 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, 1 WHITE-BREASTED
NUTHATCH, 2 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 4 AMERICAN ROBINS, 1 FOX SPARROW, 15 DARK-EYED
JUNCOS, 2 NORTHERN CARDINALS, 3 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 6 COMMON GRACKLES, 3 HOUSE
FINCHES and 5 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES (RB).
BRADFORD COUNTY:
Flyover flocks of CANADA GEESE, 12 TUNDRA SWANS, 1 calling AMERICAN WOODCOCK and 2
FOX SPARROWS were seen or heard from a New Era farm between March 9 and 10 (TG).
A KILLDEER was seen near the Wyalusing High School on March 10 (JSc, HSc).
CAMBRIA COUNTY:
Birds seen at Prince Gallitzin State Park on March 10 included 1 AMERICAN BLACK
DUCK, 46 MALLARDS, 2 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 12 NORTHERN PINTAILS, 9 REDHEADS, 303
RING-NECKED DUCKS, 16 LESSER SCAUP, 2 BUFFLEHEADS, 6 HOODED MERGANSERS, 14 COMMON
MERGANSERS, 4 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 1 RUDDY DUCK, 2 PIED-BILLED GREBES, 1 HORNED
GREBE, 1 adult BALD EAGLE, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL, 1 SORA, 4
AMERICAN COOTS, 22 RING-BILLED GULLS, 10 AMERICAN CROWS, 2 BLACK-CAPPPED CHICKADEES,
5 AMERICAN ROBINS, 1 SONG SPARROW and 2 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS (MHi, GL, RBo).
CENTRE COUNTY:
The SNOWY OWL previously reported from State College was seen through at least March
14 along I-99/RT 220 at Exit 78-A (RF, MH, SLW, DF, MH, JL, JM, BF). An AMERICAN
KESTREL was also seen along I-99 closer to the Centre County Prison on March 8
(SLW). There also were hundreds of gulls [unidentified by the observers, but most
probably were RING-BILLED GULLS] on the Rockview property along Route 220 between
the Benner Pike and Shiloh Road exits (HB, DF).
A Howard yard attracted 75 flyover CANADA GEESE, 1 AMERICAN WOODCOCK, 1 FOX SPARROW,
10 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, COMMON GRACKLES, 1 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD and PINE SISKINS
between March 8 and 12 (BS). Also, a flock of 30 CEDAR WAXWINGS was seen feeding on
crab apples in a tree at the intersection of Spearing Street and Hogan Lane in
Howard on March 8 (BS).
The west end of the Howard Dike yielded 6 CANADA GEESE, 6 KILLDEER, 1 GREATER
YELLOWLEG and 3 RING-BILLED GULLS (BS).
Birds found at Bald Eagle State Park between March 8 and 15 included 150 CANADA
GEESE, 174 TUNDRA SWANS, 4 WOOD DUCKS, 2 GADWALLS, 15 AMERICAN WIGEON, 3 AMERICAN
BLACK DUCKS, 10 MALLARDS, 11 REDHEADS, 10 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 40 LESSER SCAUP, 1
BLACK SCOTER, 3 BUFFLEHEAD, 16 HOODED MERGANSERS, 100 COMMON MERGANSERS, 11
RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 2 PIED-BILLED GREBES, 19 HORNED GREBES, 2 GREAT BLUE
HERONS, 2 BALD EAGLES, many KILLDEER, 600 RING-BILLED GULLS, 5 MOURNING DOVES, 1
DOWNY WOODPECKER, 1 HAIRY WOODPECKER, 1 EASTERN PHOEBE, 8 BLUE JAYS, 6 FISH CROWS,
14 AMERICAN CROWS, 4 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 1 HERMIT THRUSH, 300 AMERICAN ROBINS, 45
EUROPEAN STARLINGS, 300 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 1 EASTERN TOWHEE, AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 6
SONG SPARROWS, 6 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, 1 NORTHERN CARDINAL, 30 COMMON GRACKLES, 7
PURPLE FINCHES, 4 HOUSE FINCHES, 1 AMERICAN GOLDFINCH and HOUSE SPARROWS (MH, BS,
JM).
An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was found in a backyard near Lederer Park on March 9 (KE).
There were 20 CANADA GEESE, 1 TUNDRA SWAN, 4 AMERICAN WIGEONS, 10 MALLARDS, 4
NORTHERN PINTAILS, 4 RING-NECKED DUCKS, HOODED MERGANSERS and at Curtin Wetlands
between March 9 and 12 (MH, BS). There also were 80 RING-BILLED GULLS feeding in a
nearby field on March 9 (MH).
The Widmann yard attracted 1 AMERICAN KESTREL, KILLDEER and EASTERN BLUEBIRDS on
March 9 (CW).
The following birds were seen from a State College yard on March 9; flyover GEESE
sp., 1 PILEATED WOODPECKER, 1 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and 3 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES
(MN).
Tussey Mountain Hawk Watch reported counting 8 BLACK VULTURES, 67 TURKEY VULTURES, 3
BALD EAGLES, 7 NORTHERN HARRIER, 13 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 24 COOPER’S HAWKS, 3
NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 16 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 71 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 3 ROUGH-LEGGED
HAWKS, 54 GOLDEN EAGLES and 5 AMERICAN KESTRELS between March 9 and 15 (GG).
The Allegheny Front [Note: different site from the Bedford/Somerset Co. site] and
Bald Eagle Mountain Hawk Watch sites tabulated 3 BLACK VULTURES, 99 TURKEY VULTURES,
3 BALD EAGLES, 4 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 5 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 6 COOPER’S HAWKS, 6
RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 33 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 20 GOLDEN EAGLES and 4 AMERICAN KESTRELS
between March 9 and 15 (MHa, DO).
AMERICAN KESTRELS have been observed the last several weeks along the road between
Puddintown and Park Avenues (behind the hospital) in State College (JV).
The Centre Furnace Duck Pond yielded CANADA GEESE including 2 smaller geese that
might be CACKLING GEESE, WOOD DUCK, MALLARD, 3 BLUE-WINGED TEAL, RING-NECKED DUCK,
LESSER SCAUP, HORNED GREBE, AMERICAN COOTS, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, SONG SPARROW and
NORTHERN CARDINAL between March 10 and 12 (GGr, JV, NB).
Birds found at Colyer Lake between March 9 and 15 included a small flyover flock of
SNOW GEESE, 80 CANADA GEESE, 245 TUNDRA SWANS, WOOD DUCKS, 7 AMERICAN WIGEON,
MALLARDS, 2 REDHEADS, 11 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 3 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 2 REDHEADS, 11
RING-NECKED DUCKS, 50 LESSER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEADS, 2 COMMON GOLDENEYES, 5 HOODED
MERGANSERS, COMMON MERGANSER, 20 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE, 2
HORNED GREBE, 1 GREAT BLUE HERON, 7 TURKEY VULTURES, 2 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 6 KILLDEER,
RING-BILLED GULLS, BELTED KINGFISHER, PILEATED WOODPECKER, 2 EASTERN PHOEBES,
EASTERN BLUEBIRDS and SONG SPARROWS (GGr, JM, MH, DT, DGri, MN, JM, JV).
BROWN CREEPERS were singing along Treaster Kettle Road on March 14 (JM).
Fields along Wagner and Tusseyville Roads produced a lot of AMERICAN ROBINS on March
9 (GGr).
Eight TUNDRA SWANS, KILLDEER and 1 FOX SPARROW were seen in or from a Boalsburg yard
between March 9 and 13 (JM). AMERICAN WOODCOCK were heard calling near a new
development in Boalsburg on March 11 (JM).
A TREE SWALLOW was observed perched on a telephone wire on March 11 (JM).
Flocks of TUNDRA SWANS were seen flying over Milesburg on March 11 (SD).
Toftrees Pond yielded CANADA GEESE, MALLARDS, 6 RING-NECKED DUCKS and 3 HOODED
MERGANSERS on March 12 (DF).
The Penn State Retention Pond produced MALLARD, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, RING-NECKED DUCK,
DOWNY WOODPECKER, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, AMERICAN ROBIN, SONG SPARROW, RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRD and HOUSE FINCH on March 12 (NB).
Birds seen at Millbrook Marsh on March 12 included MALLARD, GREAT BLUE HERON, ROCK
PIGEON, MOURNING DOVE, BELTED KINGFISHER, DOWNY WOODPECKER, BLUE JAY, AMERICAN CROW,
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, CAROLINA WREN, AMERICAN ROBIN, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD,
EUROPEAN STARLING, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, SONG SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW,
DARK-EYED JUNCO, NORTHERN CARDINAL, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, COMMON GRACKLE, HOUSE
FINCH, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH and HOUSE SPARROW (NB).
A SANDHILL CRANE was observed walking across the off-ramp of the section of I-99
that crosses Route 322 north of Port Matilda on March 13 (DB).
There were 15 WILD TURKEYS on March 13 at Link Run Marsh located off of Route 26
south of the Howard Gap (BS).
There were 6 FOX SPARROWS at a Unionville property on March 15 (DO).
CLEARFIELD COUNTY:
A private fish hatchery yielded WOOD DUCK, MALLARD, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, TURKEY
VULTURE, AMERICAN KESTREL, AMERICAN CROW, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, TUFTED TITMOUSE,
BROWN CREEPER, CAROLINA WREN, AMERICAN ROBIN, CEDAR WAXWING, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW,
SONG SPARROW, DARK-EYED JUNCO, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, 5 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS and COMMON
GRACKLE on March 15 (JM).
CUMBERLAND COUNTY:
A flock of 48 TUNDRA SWANS, 1 BALD EAGLE and EASTERN PHOEBES were seen near Newburg
on March 13 (RR).
An EASTERN PHOEBE was seen in Camp Hill on March 13 (LU).
DAUPHIN COUNTY:
A drake GREEN-WINGED TEAL was seen on March 8 in the pond at Bullfrog Valley Road
just west of the Hershey Medical Center (AS).
Birds seen between March 9 and 13 in the Susquehanna River from the West Fairview
Boat Ramp included CANADA GEESE, 1 TRUMPETER SWAN (#698), 4 WOOD DUCKS, 12 AMERICAN
WIGEON, 20 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 1 HORNED GREBE, 5 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 1 GREAT
EGRET, RING-BILLED GULLS and SONG SPARROWS (HM, RK).
A CHUKAR was seen in Steelton on March 10 and 11 at the corner of Mohn and Front
Streets (JMa). It is likely an escapee, possibly from the Pennsylvania Farm Show.
There were thousands of RING-BILLED GULLS and 1 second year ICELAND GULL in the
Susquehanna River near the Marysville Boat Launch on March 10 (DH).
TREE SWALLOWS were observed flying over the I-83 bridge in Harrisburg on March 10 (DH).
Two AMERICAN WOODCOCK were found along East Park Drive in Swatara Township on March
11 (LU).
Flocks of TUNDRA SWANS, RING-BILLED GULLS, EASTERN PHOEBE, AMERICAN PIPIT and
CHIPPING SPARROW were seen from a Harrisburg yard on March 13 (DH).
At least 6 WOOD DUCKS were seen along Swatara Creek near Hershey on March 13 and
around 300 RING-BILLED GULLS were observed flying over the area (GK).
A RING-NECKED DUCK was at the Hershey Corporate Center Pond on March 13 (GK).
FRANKLIN COUNTY:
At least 2 AMERICAN WOODCOCK were calling from Heisey Road Orchard on the morning of
March 9 and during the evening on March 11 (BK). FOX SPARROWS were also visiting
feeders along Heisey Road on March 11 (BK).
A Chambersburg yard attracted 1 BARRED OWL, 1 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 1 FOX SPARROW
and 9 PURPLE FINCHES between March 8 and 10 (JS, PS).
An EASTERN PHOEBE was singing on March 11 at Strang’s Cemetery on South Mountain (BK).
HUNTINGDON COUNTY:
Birds found on March 12 along a trail in Alan Seeger Natural Area included
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, DOWNY WOODPECKER, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, WHITE-BREASTED
NUTHATCH and BROWN CREEPER (DGr).
A FOX SPARROW and a flock of COMMON GRACKLES visited feeders in McAlevy’s Fort on
March 12 (DGr).
JUNIATA COUNTY:
Feeders in Mifflintown attracted DOWNY WOODPECKER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, 7 AMERICAN
CROWS, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 20 AMEICAN ROBINS, EUROPEAN STARLINGS, AMERICAN TREE
SPARROW, 4 SONG SPARROWS, 4 COMMON GRACKLES, 12 HOUSE FINCHES, 40 AMERICAN
GOLDFINCHES and 12 HOUSE SPARROWS on March 10 (CK).
The following birds were seen or heard near the Lost Creek Shoe Shop in Oakland
Mills between March 8 and 13; BALD EAGLE, WILSON SNIPE, a minimum of 6 AMERICAN
WOODCOCK, 4 EASTERN SCREECH OWLS, EASTERN PHOEBE, FISH CROW, TREE SWALLOW, HERMIT
THRUSH, GRAY CATBIRD, EASTERN TOWHEE, FIELD SPARROW, FOX SPARROW and RUSTY BLACKBIRD
(AT, CK).
The Beaver Pond yielded 6 MALLARDS and 2 RING-NECKED DUCKS on March 13 (CK).
LANCASTER COUNTY:
A Gap yard attracted flyovers of SNOW GEESE, CANADA GEESE, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL,
KILLDEER and 1 FOX SPARROW between March 9 and 10 (CC).
Birds found at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area between March 9 and 12 included
100,000 SNOW GEESE, 4000 CANADA GEESE, MUTE SWAN, 4700 TUNDRA SWANS, 4 WOOD DUCKS,
GADWALL, 50 AMERICAN WIGEON, 25 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, 6 MALLARDS, 10 NORTHERN
SHOVELERS, NORTHERN PINTAIL, 25 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 17 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 2
BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSERS, 24 COMMON MERGANSERS, 3 RUDDY DUCKS, WILD TURKEY, 1
HORNED GREBE, 1 possible EARED GREBE (seen on March 12, needs confirmation), 1 GREAT
BLUE HERON, 3 TURKEY VULTURES, BALD EAGLES, 3 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 2 AMERICAN KESTRELS,
1 AMERICAN COOT, 10 RING-BILLED GULLS, 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS, 5 BLUE JAYS, 5 AMERICAN
CROWS, 5 TREE SWALLOWS, 2 CAROLINA CHICKADEES, 1 TUFTED TITMOUSE, 1 CAROLINA WREN, 4
EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 3 AMERICAN ROBINS, 5 SONG SPARROWS, 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, 1
DARK-EYED JUNCO, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, EASTERN MEADOWLARKS, 2 COMMON GRACKLES and 1
HOUSE SPARROW (DH, AM, DK, PF, HM, SM, JE, HE, CB, JG, KG).
On March 11 there were approximately 150 SNOW GEESE (one with a yellow band with
black lettering that was either JU22 or UU22) in the middle pond at Woods Edge off
South Centerville Road (DT). A ROSS’ GOOSE was seen with a flock of 300 SNOW GEESE
on March 13 (DHe).
Birds seen on March 11 in the Susquehanna River from Long Level included AMERICAN
WIGEONS, NORTHERN PINTAILS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, LESSER SCAUP and 50 BONAPARTE’S GULLS
(JHe).
A BALD EAGLE was seen at Speedwell Forge on March 12 (JE, HE).
An OSPREY was seen perched along the Susquehanna River near Peach Bottom Village on
March 13 (BSc). An EASTERN PHOEBE was seen in Peach Bottom Village on March 13 and
1 EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was present on March 14 (BSc).
A pair of OSPREY was also back at their nest on Piney Island in the Susquehanna
River on March 13 (JSm). BALD EAGLES were also seen at their nests at Norman Rood
Bridge, Holtwood Dam and the tower along McCalls’s Ferry Road in York County on
March 13 (JSm).
A Holtwood home produced an EASTERN PHOEBE and an AMERICAN ROBIN on March 13 (JSm).
Muddy Run Reservoir yielded 150 SNOW GEESE and a few AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS on March
13 (JSm).
Birds found at Pequea Campground and along Pequea Creek to the Susquehanna River on
March 15 included 2 WOOD DUCKS, 4 RED-BRESATED MERGANSERS, 2 BALD EAGLES, 1
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 2 RED-TAILED HAWK, 2 BELTED KINGFISHER, CAROLINA WREN, AMERICAN
ROBIN, FIELD SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, SONG SPARROW and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (CC).
LEBANON COUNTY:
Birds seen at Memorial Lake on March 12 included CANADA GOOSE, GADWALL, AMERICAN
WIGEON, MALLARD, RING-NECKED DUCK, COMMON MERGANSER, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, RUDDY
DUCKS, PIED-BILLED GREBE, AMERICAN COOT, BELTED KINGFISHER, TUFTED TITMOUSE, EASTERN
BLUEBIRD, AMERICAN ROBIN and COMMON GRACKLE (JE, HE).
LYCOMING COUNTY:
Rosevalley Lake yielded SNOW GEESE, CANADA GEESE, AMERICAN WIGEON, AMERICAN BLACK
DUCK, MALLARD, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP,
BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSER, COMMON MERGANSER and 1 nearby NORTHERN HARRIER on
March 9 (SP).
Birds found along Black Forest Trail near Slate Run on March 11 included TURKEY
VULTURE, RED-BREASTED WOODPECKER, DOWNY WOODPECKER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, PILEATED
WOODPECKER, BLUE JAY, AMERICAN CROW, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, TUFTED TITMOUSE,
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (LC).
The following birds were seen at various spots along Route 44 between March 11 and
13; COMMON MERGANSER, RUFFED GROUSE, 1 BALD EAGLE, SONG SPARROW and SWAMP SPARROW
(LC).
An EASTERN PHOEBE was seen in a yard near Ramsey on March 12 (LC).
MCKEAN COUNTY:
A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was heard calling from the Zippo Lighter Company parking lot
on the evening of March 9 (JF).
Birds seen around Bradford on March 13 included 1 SNOW GOOSE, CANADA GEESE, TUNDRA
SWANS, TURKEY VULTURE, 1 AMERICAN WOODCOCK, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 1 RUSTY BLACKBIRD
and COMMON GRACKLES (JF).
MONROE COUNTY:
A Swiftwater yard attracted 1 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 1 BROWN CREEPER, PINE SISKINS and
40 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES on March 11 (DA). There also were 1 EASTERN PHOEBE and 4
BROWN CREEPER elsewhere in Swiftwater on March 11 (DA).
MONTOUR COUNTY:
Birds seen at Lake Chillisquaque between March 7 and 8 included several thousand
SNOW GEESE, 130 TUNDRA SWANS, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, REDHEADS, NORTHERN PINTAILS,
RING-NECKED DUCKS, HOODED MERGANSERS, COMMON MERGANSERS and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS
(CCo, DG).
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLES were seen around the county on March 9 (DG).
SCHUYKILL/BERKS COUNTIES:
Hawk Mountain Hawk Watch reported counting 4 TURKEY VULTURE, 1 OSPREY, 1 BALD EAGLE,
5 RED-TAILED HAWKS and 2 GOLDEN EAGLES On March 11 (LG).
SNYDER COUNTY:
Birds seen around Faylor Lake on March 9 included 4 SNOW GEESE, 500 CANADA GEESE, 75
TUNDRA SWANS, 10 WOOD DUCKS, 9 AMERICAN WIGEON, 1 AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, 6 MALLARDS, 5
REDHEADS, 6 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 4 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 2 HOODED MERGANSERS, 50 COMMON
MERGANSERS, 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE and 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS (MB).
An adult BALD EAGLE was observed at Walker Lake on March 9 (MB).
TIOGA COUNTY:
Birds found at Hammond Lake on March 11 included 47 CANADA GEESE, 2 AMERICAN WIGEON,
2 MALLARDS, 68 COMMON MERGANSERS, 1 GREAT BLUE HERON, 6 TURKEY VULTURES, 8 BALD
EAGLES, 1 RED-TAILED HAWK, 26 RING-BILLED GULLS, 17 HERRING GULLS, 2 MOURNING DOVES,
1 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, 1 DOWNY WOODPECKER, 2 NORTHERN FLICKERS, 1 PILEATED
WOODPECKERS, 8 BLUE JAYS, 4 COMMON RAVENS, 25 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, 1
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 12 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 5 AMERICAN ROBINS, 1 FOX SPARROW, 4
SONG SPARROWS, 12 DARK-EYED JUNCOS, 23 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 8 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS,
19 COMMON GRACKLES and 2 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES (JH).
Cowanesque Lake produced 214 CANADA GEESE, 3 TUNDRA SWANS, 8 MALLARDS, 2
GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 24 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 3 HOODED MERGANSERS, 7 COMMON MERGANSERS,
10 GREAT BLUE HERONS, 1 BALD EAGLE, 1 RED-TAILED HAWK, 3 KILLDEER, 9 RING-BILLED
GULLS, 1 ROCK PIGEON, 2 MOURNING DOVES, 5 BLUE JAYS, 22 AMERICAN CROWS, 6
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, 2 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 4 AMERICAN ROBINS, 26 EUROPEAN
STARLINGS, 2 SONG SPARROWS, 4 AMERICAN CARDINALS, 30 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 7 COMMON
GRACKLES and 12 HOUSE SPARROWS on March 11 (JH).
WAYNE COUNTY:
There were 4 AMERICAN WOODCOCK displaying near Poyntelle on March 12 (TG).
YORK COUNTY:
A Hanover yard attracted 2 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS, 2 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, DOWNY
WOODPECKER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, BROWN CREEPER, 2 CAROLINA WRENS, 3 FOX SPARROWS and
DARK-EYED JUNCOS (BP).
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
The address for the home page of the web site is:
http://people.delphiforums.com/MCCONAUGHY/index.html
Also, people can access both the current and older birdlines at:
http://groups.msn.com/MarkMcConaughyHomePage/messageboard.msnw
*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.
I would like to acknowledge people who have contributed to this report; Dan Altif
(DA), Diane Bierly (DB), Carolyn Blatchley (CB), Rory Bower (RBo), Roy Boyle (RB),
Hillel Brandes (HB), Mike Brown (MB), Nan Butkovich (NB), Dick Byers (DBy), Lisa
Cass (LC), Chuck Chalfant (CC), Clay Corbin (CCo), Steve Dahm (SD), Tom Dick (TD),
Kurt Engstrom (KE), Huey Evangelista (HE), Jane Evangelista (JE), Dave Facey (DF),
John Fedak (JF), Pamela Fisher (PF), Gene Flament (GF), Nancy Flament (NF), Bob
Fowles (BF), Roana Fuller (RF), Trudy Gerlach (TG), Jerry Goodblood (JG), Kathie
Goodblood (KG), Laurie Goodrich (LG), Geoff Gould (GG), Debra Grim (DGri), Doug
Gross (DG), Deborah Grove (DGr), Greg Grove (GGr), Matt Halley (MHa), Molly Heath
(MH), Dan Heathcote (DHe), Jonathan Heller (JHe), Margaret Higbee (MHi), Deuane
Hoffman (DH), Jeff Holbrook (JH), Chad Kauffman (CK), Bob Keener (BK), Ramsay Koury
(RK), George Kurie (GK), Gloria Lamar (GL), Jen Lee (JL), Jenine Marcus (JMa),
Andrew McGann (AM), Rosemary McGlynn (RM), Jeff Michael (JM), Che Mincone (CM),
Marian Mincone (MM), Bob Moul (BM), Herb Myers (HM), Sarah Myers (SM), Mark Niessner
(MN), Dan Ombalski (DO), Steve Pinkerton (SP), Beth Pugliese (BP), Regina Reeder
(RR), Joyce Schaff (JS), Phil Schaff (PS), Art Schiavo (AS), Harry Schulze (HSc),
Jane Schulze (JSc), Bob Schutsky (BSc), Jim Smith (JSm), Bob Snyder (BS), Bob
Stewart (BSt), Bill Tombs (BT), Dan Tooth (DT), Aden Troyer (AT), Larry Usselman
(LU), Joe Verica (JV), Sandy Lynn Welch (SLW),Chuck Widmann (CW) and Ned Wyatt (NW).
I apologize if I have misspelled their names and I will also refrain from naming
that person on request.
I would also like to point out that one of the people who regularly reports to the
hotline is Bob Schutsky, owner of BIRD TREKS Tours. He leads birding tours in other
areas of North and Central America. You can contact him at 717-548-3303 or at his
new web site:
http://www.birdtreks.com
I want to thank Bob for his reports and recommend booking one of his tours if you
want to view local and extraregional birds.
-End Transcript
* Pennsylvania
* Central Pennsylvania
* March 16, 2006
* PACE0603.16
Bird Highlights
ROSS’ GOOSE (Lancaster Co.,)
SANDHILL CRANE (Centre Co.)
American Woodcock
SNOWY OWL (Centre Co.)
Fox Sparrow
- Transcript
Hotline: Central Pennsylvania Birdline
Date: March 16, 2006
To Report: TimeTraveler@email.msn.com
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, March 16, 2006.
ADAMS COUNTY:
A pair of COMMON RAVENS was observed working on a nest in Strawberry Hill Nature
Center on March 8 (BM).
The following birds seen around Gettysburg Battlefield National Military Park last
week; In the Big Round Top area – 6 TUREKY VULTURES, 3 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, 1
DOWNY WOODPECKER, 1 HAIRY WOODPECKER, 1 PILEATED WOODPECKER, 5 BLUE JAYS, 2 TUFTED
TITMICE, 3 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES and 1 NORTHERN CARDINAL (); Devil’s Den – 1
NORTHERN FLICKER, 3 EASTERN PHOEBES and 6 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS; The Peach Orchard – 1
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 3 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL and 1 EASTERN MEADOLARK
(NW).
A RING-NECKED PHEASANT was seen along Route 30 near Kilpatrick Road on March 11 (NW).
BEDFORD/SOMERSET COUNTIES:
Allegheny Front Hawk Watch reported counting 25 TURKEY VULTURES, 4 BALD EAGLES, 10
NORTHERN HARRIERS, 5 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 14 COOPER’S HAWKS, 23 RED-SHOULDERED
HAWKS, 33 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 16 GOLDEN EAGLES and 3 AMERICAN KESTRELS between March 9
and 15 (TD, GF, NF, BSt, DBy, CM, MM, RM).
BLAIR COUNTY:
Birds found at Canoe Creek State Park on March 10 included 100 CANADA GEESE, 4
AMERICAN WIGEON, 70 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 20 BUFFLEHEAD, 3 AMERICAN COOT, 5 RING-BILLED
GULLS, 3 BLUE JAYS, 10 AMERICAN CROWS, 15 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, 1 WHITE-BREASTED
NUTHATCH, 2 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 4 AMERICAN ROBINS, 1 FOX SPARROW, 15 DARK-EYED
JUNCOS, 2 NORTHERN CARDINALS, 3 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 6 COMMON GRACKLES, 3 HOUSE
FINCHES and 5 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES (RB).
BRADFORD COUNTY:
Flyover flocks of CANADA GEESE, 12 TUNDRA SWANS, 1 calling AMERICAN WOODCOCK and 2
FOX SPARROWS were seen or heard from a New Era farm between March 9 and 10 (TG).
A KILLDEER was seen near the Wyalusing High School on March 10 (JSc, HSc).
CAMBRIA COUNTY:
Birds seen at Prince Gallitzin State Park on March 10 included 1 AMERICAN BLACK
DUCK, 46 MALLARDS, 2 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 12 NORTHERN PINTAILS, 9 REDHEADS, 303
RING-NECKED DUCKS, 16 LESSER SCAUP, 2 BUFFLEHEADS, 6 HOODED MERGANSERS, 14 COMMON
MERGANSERS, 4 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 1 RUDDY DUCK, 2 PIED-BILLED GREBES, 1 HORNED
GREBE, 1 adult BALD EAGLE, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL, 1 SORA, 4
AMERICAN COOTS, 22 RING-BILLED GULLS, 10 AMERICAN CROWS, 2 BLACK-CAPPPED CHICKADEES,
5 AMERICAN ROBINS, 1 SONG SPARROW and 2 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS (MHi, GL, RBo).
CENTRE COUNTY:
The SNOWY OWL previously reported from State College was seen through at least March
14 along I-99/RT 220 at Exit 78-A (RF, MH, SLW, DF, MH, JL, JM, BF). An AMERICAN
KESTREL was also seen along I-99 closer to the Centre County Prison on March 8
(SLW). There also were hundreds of gulls [unidentified by the observers, but most
probably were RING-BILLED GULLS] on the Rockview property along Route 220 between
the Benner Pike and Shiloh Road exits (HB, DF).
A Howard yard attracted 75 flyover CANADA GEESE, 1 AMERICAN WOODCOCK, 1 FOX SPARROW,
10 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, COMMON GRACKLES, 1 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD and PINE SISKINS
between March 8 and 12 (BS). Also, a flock of 30 CEDAR WAXWINGS was seen feeding on
crab apples in a tree at the intersection of Spearing Street and Hogan Lane in
Howard on March 8 (BS).
The west end of the Howard Dike yielded 6 CANADA GEESE, 6 KILLDEER, 1 GREATER
YELLOWLEG and 3 RING-BILLED GULLS (BS).
Birds found at Bald Eagle State Park between March 8 and 15 included 150 CANADA
GEESE, 174 TUNDRA SWANS, 4 WOOD DUCKS, 2 GADWALLS, 15 AMERICAN WIGEON, 3 AMERICAN
BLACK DUCKS, 10 MALLARDS, 11 REDHEADS, 10 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 40 LESSER SCAUP, 1
BLACK SCOTER, 3 BUFFLEHEAD, 16 HOODED MERGANSERS, 100 COMMON MERGANSERS, 11
RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 2 PIED-BILLED GREBES, 19 HORNED GREBES, 2 GREAT BLUE
HERONS, 2 BALD EAGLES, many KILLDEER, 600 RING-BILLED GULLS, 5 MOURNING DOVES, 1
DOWNY WOODPECKER, 1 HAIRY WOODPECKER, 1 EASTERN PHOEBE, 8 BLUE JAYS, 6 FISH CROWS,
14 AMERICAN CROWS, 4 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 1 HERMIT THRUSH, 300 AMERICAN ROBINS, 45
EUROPEAN STARLINGS, 300 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 1 EASTERN TOWHEE, AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 6
SONG SPARROWS, 6 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, 1 NORTHERN CARDINAL, 30 COMMON GRACKLES, 7
PURPLE FINCHES, 4 HOUSE FINCHES, 1 AMERICAN GOLDFINCH and HOUSE SPARROWS (MH, BS,
JM).
An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was found in a backyard near Lederer Park on March 9 (KE).
There were 20 CANADA GEESE, 1 TUNDRA SWAN, 4 AMERICAN WIGEONS, 10 MALLARDS, 4
NORTHERN PINTAILS, 4 RING-NECKED DUCKS, HOODED MERGANSERS and at Curtin Wetlands
between March 9 and 12 (MH, BS). There also were 80 RING-BILLED GULLS feeding in a
nearby field on March 9 (MH).
The Widmann yard attracted 1 AMERICAN KESTREL, KILLDEER and EASTERN BLUEBIRDS on
March 9 (CW).
The following birds were seen from a State College yard on March 9; flyover GEESE
sp., 1 PILEATED WOODPECKER, 1 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and 3 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES
(MN).
Tussey Mountain Hawk Watch reported counting 8 BLACK VULTURES, 67 TURKEY VULTURES, 3
BALD EAGLES, 7 NORTHERN HARRIER, 13 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 24 COOPER’S HAWKS, 3
NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 16 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 71 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 3 ROUGH-LEGGED
HAWKS, 54 GOLDEN EAGLES and 5 AMERICAN KESTRELS between March 9 and 15 (GG).
The Allegheny Front [Note: different site from the Bedford/Somerset Co. site] and
Bald Eagle Mountain Hawk Watch sites tabulated 3 BLACK VULTURES, 99 TURKEY VULTURES,
3 BALD EAGLES, 4 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 5 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 6 COOPER’S HAWKS, 6
RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 33 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 20 GOLDEN EAGLES and 4 AMERICAN KESTRELS
between March 9 and 15 (MHa, DO).
AMERICAN KESTRELS have been observed the last several weeks along the road between
Puddintown and Park Avenues (behind the hospital) in State College (JV).
The Centre Furnace Duck Pond yielded CANADA GEESE including 2 smaller geese that
might be CACKLING GEESE, WOOD DUCK, MALLARD, 3 BLUE-WINGED TEAL, RING-NECKED DUCK,
LESSER SCAUP, HORNED GREBE, AMERICAN COOTS, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, SONG SPARROW and
NORTHERN CARDINAL between March 10 and 12 (GGr, JV, NB).
Birds found at Colyer Lake between March 9 and 15 included a small flyover flock of
SNOW GEESE, 80 CANADA GEESE, 245 TUNDRA SWANS, WOOD DUCKS, 7 AMERICAN WIGEON,
MALLARDS, 2 REDHEADS, 11 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 3 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 2 REDHEADS, 11
RING-NECKED DUCKS, 50 LESSER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEADS, 2 COMMON GOLDENEYES, 5 HOODED
MERGANSERS, COMMON MERGANSER, 20 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE, 2
HORNED GREBE, 1 GREAT BLUE HERON, 7 TURKEY VULTURES, 2 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 6 KILLDEER,
RING-BILLED GULLS, BELTED KINGFISHER, PILEATED WOODPECKER, 2 EASTERN PHOEBES,
EASTERN BLUEBIRDS and SONG SPARROWS (GGr, JM, MH, DT, DGri, MN, JM, JV).
BROWN CREEPERS were singing along Treaster Kettle Road on March 14 (JM).
Fields along Wagner and Tusseyville Roads produced a lot of AMERICAN ROBINS on March
9 (GGr).
Eight TUNDRA SWANS, KILLDEER and 1 FOX SPARROW were seen in or from a Boalsburg yard
between March 9 and 13 (JM). AMERICAN WOODCOCK were heard calling near a new
development in Boalsburg on March 11 (JM).
A TREE SWALLOW was observed perched on a telephone wire on March 11 (JM).
Flocks of TUNDRA SWANS were seen flying over Milesburg on March 11 (SD).
Toftrees Pond yielded CANADA GEESE, MALLARDS, 6 RING-NECKED DUCKS and 3 HOODED
MERGANSERS on March 12 (DF).
The Penn State Retention Pond produced MALLARD, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, RING-NECKED DUCK,
DOWNY WOODPECKER, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, AMERICAN ROBIN, SONG SPARROW, RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRD and HOUSE FINCH on March 12 (NB).
Birds seen at Millbrook Marsh on March 12 included MALLARD, GREAT BLUE HERON, ROCK
PIGEON, MOURNING DOVE, BELTED KINGFISHER, DOWNY WOODPECKER, BLUE JAY, AMERICAN CROW,
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, CAROLINA WREN, AMERICAN ROBIN, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD,
EUROPEAN STARLING, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, SONG SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW,
DARK-EYED JUNCO, NORTHERN CARDINAL, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, COMMON GRACKLE, HOUSE
FINCH, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH and HOUSE SPARROW (NB).
A SANDHILL CRANE was observed walking across the off-ramp of the section of I-99
that crosses Route 322 north of Port Matilda on March 13 (DB).
There were 15 WILD TURKEYS on March 13 at Link Run Marsh located off of Route 26
south of the Howard Gap (BS).
There were 6 FOX SPARROWS at a Unionville property on March 15 (DO).
CLEARFIELD COUNTY:
A private fish hatchery yielded WOOD DUCK, MALLARD, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, TURKEY
VULTURE, AMERICAN KESTREL, AMERICAN CROW, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, TUFTED TITMOUSE,
BROWN CREEPER, CAROLINA WREN, AMERICAN ROBIN, CEDAR WAXWING, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW,
SONG SPARROW, DARK-EYED JUNCO, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, 5 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS and COMMON
GRACKLE on March 15 (JM).
CUMBERLAND COUNTY:
A flock of 48 TUNDRA SWANS, 1 BALD EAGLE and EASTERN PHOEBES were seen near Newburg
on March 13 (RR).
An EASTERN PHOEBE was seen in Camp Hill on March 13 (LU).
DAUPHIN COUNTY:
A drake GREEN-WINGED TEAL was seen on March 8 in the pond at Bullfrog Valley Road
just west of the Hershey Medical Center (AS).
Birds seen between March 9 and 13 in the Susquehanna River from the West Fairview
Boat Ramp included CANADA GEESE, 1 TRUMPETER SWAN (#698), 4 WOOD DUCKS, 12 AMERICAN
WIGEON, 20 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 1 HORNED GREBE, 5 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 1 GREAT
EGRET, RING-BILLED GULLS and SONG SPARROWS (HM, RK).
A CHUKAR was seen in Steelton on March 10 and 11 at the corner of Mohn and Front
Streets (JMa). It is likely an escapee, possibly from the Pennsylvania Farm Show.
There were thousands of RING-BILLED GULLS and 1 second year ICELAND GULL in the
Susquehanna River near the Marysville Boat Launch on March 10 (DH).
TREE SWALLOWS were observed flying over the I-83 bridge in Harrisburg on March 10 (DH).
Two AMERICAN WOODCOCK were found along East Park Drive in Swatara Township on March
11 (LU).
Flocks of TUNDRA SWANS, RING-BILLED GULLS, EASTERN PHOEBE, AMERICAN PIPIT and
CHIPPING SPARROW were seen from a Harrisburg yard on March 13 (DH).
At least 6 WOOD DUCKS were seen along Swatara Creek near Hershey on March 13 and
around 300 RING-BILLED GULLS were observed flying over the area (GK).
A RING-NECKED DUCK was at the Hershey Corporate Center Pond on March 13 (GK).
FRANKLIN COUNTY:
At least 2 AMERICAN WOODCOCK were calling from Heisey Road Orchard on the morning of
March 9 and during the evening on March 11 (BK). FOX SPARROWS were also visiting
feeders along Heisey Road on March 11 (BK).
A Chambersburg yard attracted 1 BARRED OWL, 1 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 1 FOX SPARROW
and 9 PURPLE FINCHES between March 8 and 10 (JS, PS).
An EASTERN PHOEBE was singing on March 11 at Strang’s Cemetery on South Mountain (BK).
HUNTINGDON COUNTY:
Birds found on March 12 along a trail in Alan Seeger Natural Area included
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, DOWNY WOODPECKER, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, WHITE-BREASTED
NUTHATCH and BROWN CREEPER (DGr).
A FOX SPARROW and a flock of COMMON GRACKLES visited feeders in McAlevy’s Fort on
March 12 (DGr).
JUNIATA COUNTY:
Feeders in Mifflintown attracted DOWNY WOODPECKER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, 7 AMERICAN
CROWS, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 20 AMEICAN ROBINS, EUROPEAN STARLINGS, AMERICAN TREE
SPARROW, 4 SONG SPARROWS, 4 COMMON GRACKLES, 12 HOUSE FINCHES, 40 AMERICAN
GOLDFINCHES and 12 HOUSE SPARROWS on March 10 (CK).
The following birds were seen or heard near the Lost Creek Shoe Shop in Oakland
Mills between March 8 and 13; BALD EAGLE, WILSON SNIPE, a minimum of 6 AMERICAN
WOODCOCK, 4 EASTERN SCREECH OWLS, EASTERN PHOEBE, FISH CROW, TREE SWALLOW, HERMIT
THRUSH, GRAY CATBIRD, EASTERN TOWHEE, FIELD SPARROW, FOX SPARROW and RUSTY BLACKBIRD
(AT, CK).
The Beaver Pond yielded 6 MALLARDS and 2 RING-NECKED DUCKS on March 13 (CK).
LANCASTER COUNTY:
A Gap yard attracted flyovers of SNOW GEESE, CANADA GEESE, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL,
KILLDEER and 1 FOX SPARROW between March 9 and 10 (CC).
Birds found at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area between March 9 and 12 included
100,000 SNOW GEESE, 4000 CANADA GEESE, MUTE SWAN, 4700 TUNDRA SWANS, 4 WOOD DUCKS,
GADWALL, 50 AMERICAN WIGEON, 25 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, 6 MALLARDS, 10 NORTHERN
SHOVELERS, NORTHERN PINTAIL, 25 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 17 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 2
BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSERS, 24 COMMON MERGANSERS, 3 RUDDY DUCKS, WILD TURKEY, 1
HORNED GREBE, 1 possible EARED GREBE (seen on March 12, needs confirmation), 1 GREAT
BLUE HERON, 3 TURKEY VULTURES, BALD EAGLES, 3 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 2 AMERICAN KESTRELS,
1 AMERICAN COOT, 10 RING-BILLED GULLS, 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS, 5 BLUE JAYS, 5 AMERICAN
CROWS, 5 TREE SWALLOWS, 2 CAROLINA CHICKADEES, 1 TUFTED TITMOUSE, 1 CAROLINA WREN, 4
EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 3 AMERICAN ROBINS, 5 SONG SPARROWS, 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, 1
DARK-EYED JUNCO, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, EASTERN MEADOWLARKS, 2 COMMON GRACKLES and 1
HOUSE SPARROW (DH, AM, DK, PF, HM, SM, JE, HE, CB, JG, KG).
On March 11 there were approximately 150 SNOW GEESE (one with a yellow band with
black lettering that was either JU22 or UU22) in the middle pond at Woods Edge off
South Centerville Road (DT). A ROSS’ GOOSE was seen with a flock of 300 SNOW GEESE
on March 13 (DHe).
Birds seen on March 11 in the Susquehanna River from Long Level included AMERICAN
WIGEONS, NORTHERN PINTAILS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, LESSER SCAUP and 50 BONAPARTE’S GULLS
(JHe).
A BALD EAGLE was seen at Speedwell Forge on March 12 (JE, HE).
An OSPREY was seen perched along the Susquehanna River near Peach Bottom Village on
March 13 (BSc). An EASTERN PHOEBE was seen in Peach Bottom Village on March 13 and
1 EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was present on March 14 (BSc).
A pair of OSPREY was also back at their nest on Piney Island in the Susquehanna
River on March 13 (JSm). BALD EAGLES were also seen at their nests at Norman Rood
Bridge, Holtwood Dam and the tower along McCalls’s Ferry Road in York County on
March 13 (JSm).
A Holtwood home produced an EASTERN PHOEBE and an AMERICAN ROBIN on March 13 (JSm).
Muddy Run Reservoir yielded 150 SNOW GEESE and a few AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS on March
13 (JSm).
Birds found at Pequea Campground and along Pequea Creek to the Susquehanna River on
March 15 included 2 WOOD DUCKS, 4 RED-BRESATED MERGANSERS, 2 BALD EAGLES, 1
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 2 RED-TAILED HAWK, 2 BELTED KINGFISHER, CAROLINA WREN, AMERICAN
ROBIN, FIELD SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, SONG SPARROW and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (CC).
LEBANON COUNTY:
Birds seen at Memorial Lake on March 12 included CANADA GOOSE, GADWALL, AMERICAN
WIGEON, MALLARD, RING-NECKED DUCK, COMMON MERGANSER, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, RUDDY
DUCKS, PIED-BILLED GREBE, AMERICAN COOT, BELTED KINGFISHER, TUFTED TITMOUSE, EASTERN
BLUEBIRD, AMERICAN ROBIN and COMMON GRACKLE (JE, HE).
LYCOMING COUNTY:
Rosevalley Lake yielded SNOW GEESE, CANADA GEESE, AMERICAN WIGEON, AMERICAN BLACK
DUCK, MALLARD, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP,
BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSER, COMMON MERGANSER and 1 nearby NORTHERN HARRIER on
March 9 (SP).
Birds found along Black Forest Trail near Slate Run on March 11 included TURKEY
VULTURE, RED-BREASTED WOODPECKER, DOWNY WOODPECKER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, PILEATED
WOODPECKER, BLUE JAY, AMERICAN CROW, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, TUFTED TITMOUSE,
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (LC).
The following birds were seen at various spots along Route 44 between March 11 and
13; COMMON MERGANSER, RUFFED GROUSE, 1 BALD EAGLE, SONG SPARROW and SWAMP SPARROW
(LC).
An EASTERN PHOEBE was seen in a yard near Ramsey on March 12 (LC).
MCKEAN COUNTY:
A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was heard calling from the Zippo Lighter Company parking lot
on the evening of March 9 (JF).
Birds seen around Bradford on March 13 included 1 SNOW GOOSE, CANADA GEESE, TUNDRA
SWANS, TURKEY VULTURE, 1 AMERICAN WOODCOCK, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 1 RUSTY BLACKBIRD
and COMMON GRACKLES (JF).
MONROE COUNTY:
A Swiftwater yard attracted 1 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 1 BROWN CREEPER, PINE SISKINS and
40 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES on March 11 (DA). There also were 1 EASTERN PHOEBE and 4
BROWN CREEPER elsewhere in Swiftwater on March 11 (DA).
MONTOUR COUNTY:
Birds seen at Lake Chillisquaque between March 7 and 8 included several thousand
SNOW GEESE, 130 TUNDRA SWANS, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, REDHEADS, NORTHERN PINTAILS,
RING-NECKED DUCKS, HOODED MERGANSERS, COMMON MERGANSERS and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS
(CCo, DG).
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLES were seen around the county on March 9 (DG).
SCHUYKILL/BERKS COUNTIES:
Hawk Mountain Hawk Watch reported counting 4 TURKEY VULTURE, 1 OSPREY, 1 BALD EAGLE,
5 RED-TAILED HAWKS and 2 GOLDEN EAGLES On March 11 (LG).
SNYDER COUNTY:
Birds seen around Faylor Lake on March 9 included 4 SNOW GEESE, 500 CANADA GEESE, 75
TUNDRA SWANS, 10 WOOD DUCKS, 9 AMERICAN WIGEON, 1 AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, 6 MALLARDS, 5
REDHEADS, 6 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 4 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 2 HOODED MERGANSERS, 50 COMMON
MERGANSERS, 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE and 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS (MB).
An adult BALD EAGLE was observed at Walker Lake on March 9 (MB).
TIOGA COUNTY:
Birds found at Hammond Lake on March 11 included 47 CANADA GEESE, 2 AMERICAN WIGEON,
2 MALLARDS, 68 COMMON MERGANSERS, 1 GREAT BLUE HERON, 6 TURKEY VULTURES, 8 BALD
EAGLES, 1 RED-TAILED HAWK, 26 RING-BILLED GULLS, 17 HERRING GULLS, 2 MOURNING DOVES,
1 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, 1 DOWNY WOODPECKER, 2 NORTHERN FLICKERS, 1 PILEATED
WOODPECKERS, 8 BLUE JAYS, 4 COMMON RAVENS, 25 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, 1
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 12 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 5 AMERICAN ROBINS, 1 FOX SPARROW, 4
SONG SPARROWS, 12 DARK-EYED JUNCOS, 23 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 8 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS,
19 COMMON GRACKLES and 2 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES (JH).
Cowanesque Lake produced 214 CANADA GEESE, 3 TUNDRA SWANS, 8 MALLARDS, 2
GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 24 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 3 HOODED MERGANSERS, 7 COMMON MERGANSERS,
10 GREAT BLUE HERONS, 1 BALD EAGLE, 1 RED-TAILED HAWK, 3 KILLDEER, 9 RING-BILLED
GULLS, 1 ROCK PIGEON, 2 MOURNING DOVES, 5 BLUE JAYS, 22 AMERICAN CROWS, 6
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, 2 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 4 AMERICAN ROBINS, 26 EUROPEAN
STARLINGS, 2 SONG SPARROWS, 4 AMERICAN CARDINALS, 30 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 7 COMMON
GRACKLES and 12 HOUSE SPARROWS on March 11 (JH).
WAYNE COUNTY:
There were 4 AMERICAN WOODCOCK displaying near Poyntelle on March 12 (TG).
YORK COUNTY:
A Hanover yard attracted 2 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS, 2 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, DOWNY
WOODPECKER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, BROWN CREEPER, 2 CAROLINA WRENS, 3 FOX SPARROWS and
DARK-EYED JUNCOS (BP).
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
The address for the home page of the web site is:
http://people.delphiforums.com/MCCONAUGHY/index.html
Also, people can access both the current and older birdlines at:
http://groups.msn.com/MarkMcConaughyHomePage/messageboard.msnw
*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.
I would like to acknowledge people who have contributed to this report; Dan Altif
(DA), Diane Bierly (DB), Carolyn Blatchley (CB), Rory Bower (RBo), Roy Boyle (RB),
Hillel Brandes (HB), Mike Brown (MB), Nan Butkovich (NB), Dick Byers (DBy), Lisa
Cass (LC), Chuck Chalfant (CC), Clay Corbin (CCo), Steve Dahm (SD), Tom Dick (TD),
Kurt Engstrom (KE), Huey Evangelista (HE), Jane Evangelista (JE), Dave Facey (DF),
John Fedak (JF), Pamela Fisher (PF), Gene Flament (GF), Nancy Flament (NF), Bob
Fowles (BF), Roana Fuller (RF), Trudy Gerlach (TG), Jerry Goodblood (JG), Kathie
Goodblood (KG), Laurie Goodrich (LG), Geoff Gould (GG), Debra Grim (DGri), Doug
Gross (DG), Deborah Grove (DGr), Greg Grove (GGr), Matt Halley (MHa), Molly Heath
(MH), Dan Heathcote (DHe), Jonathan Heller (JHe), Margaret Higbee (MHi), Deuane
Hoffman (DH), Jeff Holbrook (JH), Chad Kauffman (CK), Bob Keener (BK), Ramsay Koury
(RK), George Kurie (GK), Gloria Lamar (GL), Jen Lee (JL), Jenine Marcus (JMa),
Andrew McGann (AM), Rosemary McGlynn (RM), Jeff Michael (JM), Che Mincone (CM),
Marian Mincone (MM), Bob Moul (BM), Herb Myers (HM), Sarah Myers (SM), Mark Niessner
(MN), Dan Ombalski (DO), Steve Pinkerton (SP), Beth Pugliese (BP), Regina Reeder
(RR), Joyce Schaff (JS), Phil Schaff (PS), Art Schiavo (AS), Harry Schulze (HSc),
Jane Schulze (JSc), Bob Schutsky (BSc), Jim Smith (JSm), Bob Snyder (BS), Bob
Stewart (BSt), Bill Tombs (BT), Dan Tooth (DT), Aden Troyer (AT), Larry Usselman
(LU), Joe Verica (JV), Sandy Lynn Welch (SLW),Chuck Widmann (CW) and Ned Wyatt (NW).
I apologize if I have misspelled their names and I will also refrain from naming
that person on request.
I would also like to point out that one of the people who regularly reports to the
hotline is Bob Schutsky, owner of BIRD TREKS Tours. He leads birding tours in other
areas of North and Central America. You can contact him at 717-548-3303 or at his
new web site:
http://www.birdtreks.com
I want to thank Bob for his reports and recommend booking one of his tours if you
want to view local and extraregional birds.
-End Transcript