RBA
* Pennsylvania
* Philadelphia
* May 5, 2006
* PAPH0605.05
* Birds mentioned:
ANHINGA (pa), Double-crested Cormorant, American
Bittern, WHITE-FACED IBIS (nj), Glossy Ibis
Wood Duck, Surf Scoter, Ruddy Duck
Osprey, SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (nj), Bald Eagle,
Broad-winged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon
Ring-necked Pheasant, Wild Turkey, King Rail
Piping Plover, WILSON'S PLOVER (nj), Marbled
Godwit, Whimbrel, Greater Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper,
Spotted Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper, Red Knot
(feature), Least Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe
Gull-billed Tern, Forster's Tern (pa), Caspian Tern
Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-headed Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird, WESTERN KINGBIRD (md), Great Crested Flycatcher,
Least Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee
Vireos: White-eyed, Blue-headed, Red-eyed, Warbling
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Barn Swallow
Wood Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Veery, Gray Catbird
Warblers: Black-and-white, Prothonotary,
Worm-eating, SWAINSON'S (nj), Blue-winged,
Northern Parula, Yellow, Nashville, Magnolia,
Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green,
Chestnut-sided, Yellow-throated, Yellow-rumped, Prairie, Palm, Pine, Hooded,
Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Louisiana Waterthrush,
Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Yellow-breasted Chat
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, White-throated Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Purple Finch
*Butterflies mentioned:
Zebra Swallowtail, Pipevine Swallowtail, Black
Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail,
Cabbage White, West Virginia White, Falcate
Orangetip, Clouded Sulphur, Gray Hairstreak, Spring Azure,
Red Admiral, Meadow Fritillary, Pearl Crescent,
Question Mark, Eastern Comma, Mourning Cloak,
Red-spotted Purple, Silver-spotted Skipper,
Juvenal's Duskywing, Wild Indigo Duskywing
pelagic birding trip announcement
Philadelphia Birdline
Date: May 5, 2006
Number: 215/567-BIRD
To Report: Armas Hill, 302/529-1876 (VOICE)
302/529-1085 (FAX)
Compiler: Armas Hill
Coverage: Delaware Valley, and southern New Jersey
Transcriber: Risė Hill
For Friday, May 5th, this is the Philadelphia
Birdline, from the Academy of Natural Sciences in
Philadelphia, and supported by a number of bird
clubs and individuals. I'm Armas Hill, again, glad to be with you.
As we're now into May, there's been a lot of bird
activity the last few days. Let's begin:
Yesterday, May 4th, for a short while in the
morning (until 9:50am), there was a female
ANHINGA in Chester County PA at the Church Farm
Pond in Exton. The bird was photographed. When it flew away, it headed north.
An OSPREY has also been at that pond. Also noted
there on May 4th were numerous YELLOW WARBLERS and a PALM WARBLER.
In Southwest Philadelphia, lots of birds lately
at Tinicum, or the John Heinz Refuge. Yesterday,
May 4th, in the afternoon, 3 birders saw 16
species of WARBLERS: BLUE-WINGED, PARULA,
CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA, YELLOW-RUMPED,
BLACK-AND-WHITE, BLACK-THROATED BLUE,
BLACK-THROATED GREEN, PRAIRIE, PALM, YELLOW,
WORM-EATING, OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH,
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, and AMERICAN REDSTART.
Other birds lately at Tinicum have included:
AMERICAN BITTERN, WOOD DUCK, RUDDY DUCK, OSPREY,
BALD EAGLE, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, PEREGRINE FALCON,
RING-NECKED PHEASANT, WILD TURKEY, GREATER
YELLOWLEGS, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, SPOTTED
SANDPIPER, FORSTER'S TERN, GREAT HORNED OWL, and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.
In the city of Philadelphia, nice birds have been
found routinely at a place called the Biopond at
the University of Pennysylvania.
At that location the morning of May 4th: WOOD
THRUSH, VEERY, OVENBIRD (multiple birds, seen &
heard), AMERICAN REDSTART, and WORM-EATING and
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS. Also a number of CATBIRDS.
Today, May 5th, these birds were there in the area of the Biopond:
WARBLERS: BLACK-AND-WHITE (3+), YELLOW (4+),
CHESTNUT-SIDED (2+), BLACK-THROATED BLUE (1),
OVENBIRD (a few), MAGNOLIA (1+), BLACK-THROATED
GREEN (3+), YELLOW-THROATED (1), HOODED (1),
YELLOW-RUMPED (1+), BLUE-WINGED (1), AMERICAN REDSTART (2).
Also: LEAST FLYCATCHER (1), CATBIRD (many),
SCARLET TANAGER (1), ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (1),
BALTIMORE ORIOLE (1), and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (still 5).
In Center City Philadelphia, on Friday, April
28th, at the park by 5th Street just above Market
St., birds included: WOOD THRUSH, CATBIRD, and
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW on the ground. Overhead, a
BARN SWALLOW flew over Arch St. Nearby, a
RED-TAILED HAWK, or two, can often be seen
perched on the weathervane at Independence Hall.
Reports have been received from a few people
relating to birds recently at Carpenter's Woods in Northwest Philadelphia.
From back on April 17th when PALM and
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were reported until today,
May 5th, when YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were
plentiful this morning, there have been birds.
Between April 29th and today, there have been
THRUSHES (HERMIT, WOOD, SWAINSON'S, and VEERY),
both BLUE-HEADED and RED-EYED VIREOS, PURPLE
FINCH, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, and both BARRED and
EASTERN SCREECH-OWLS are nesting. Among the
WARBLERS, this morning PARULA, and BLACK-THROATED
GREENS and BLUES were in good numbers, also:
MAGNOLIA, CHESTNUT-SIDED, and BLUE-WINGED, in
addition to REDSTARTS and OVENBIRDS. NASHVILLE
WARBLER has been seen recently. Also in the mix
today, and in recent days: SCARLET TANAGER and BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
In Bucks County PA, birds at Peace Valley, north
of Doylestown, this past week, have included:
LEAST SANDPIPER, RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD,
EASTERN KINGBIRD, WHITE-EYED, YELLOW-THROATED,
and WARBLING VIREOS, BLUE-WINGED, YELLOW, and
PRAIRIE WARBLERS (these 3 have arrived to breed),
and BALTIMORE and ORCHARD ORIOLES. Back on April
23rd, there were 5 OSPREY at Lake Galena at the same time.
At the Tyler State Park, west of Newtown,
yesterday morning, May 4th, 63 species of birds
were found including: YELLOW-THROATED VIREO,
WARBLING VIREO, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, NASHVILLE
WARBLER, 6 other WARBLERS, SCARLET TANAGER,
INDIGO BUNTING, and BALTIMORE ORIOLE. A nice mix, a nice morning.
This morning, May 5th, 9 species of WARBLERS were
seen in Bucks County along the Neshaminy Creek in
Warwick Township. Among them was a
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, near the creek by
Almshouse Road. Other WARBLERS were: PARULA,
BLACK-THROATED GREEN & BLACK-THROATED BLUE, PALM,
BLUE-WINGED, OVENBIRD, and YELLOWTHROAT. The most
common of the WARBLERS there today was the YELLOW-RUMPED.
Birds this morning in nearby Rushland included:
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE, GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER,
KINGBIRD, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, MAGNOLIA
WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, INDIGO BUNTING,
SCARLET TANAGER, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, and both
BALTIMORE and ORCHARD ORIOLES. Over 20 BALTIMORE
ORIOLES were observed, with a number of them
being first-year males. In all, 16 species of
WARBLERS were tallied in Rushland this morning.
In New Jersey, a WILSON'S PLOVER has continued in
Cape May County on the bayshore. It's been seen
at least through May 1st (after being re-found on
April 29th), in the vicinity of Norbury's
Landing, north of the Villas. At good time to
look seems to be as the tide falls and the first
mudflats appear. The bird has been missed at low
tide. The WILSON'S PLOVER has also been seen on a
sandbar island just north of Norbury's Landing, a
place where, by the way, GULL-BILLED TERN is seen.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS was seen on May 1st & 2nd in
Cape May County, at the Beaver Swamp Wildlife
Management Area near Goshen. It was seen for
about 5 minutes around 5:45pm, with about 150
GLOSSY IBIS. A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was also in the area, singing.
On May 1st, a few lingering SURF SCOTERS and a
PEREGRINE were at Cook's Beach, along the Delaware Bay, in Cape May County.
Yesterday, May 4th, after dark in the area of
Cape May, an UPLAND SANDPIPER was heard in flight
around 11pm, and a KING RAIL was heard calling
from Jake's Landing Road about midnight.
At Cape May NJ, a while back:
A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE was reported over the beanery on April 20th.
A SWAINSON'S WARBLER was heard singing at
Higbee's Beach on April 27th, in the area of the
northeast corner of the second field.
In the area of Stone Harbor Point and Nummy's
Island, there were 13 species of SHOREBIRDS on
April 25th, including PIPING PLOVER and some RED
KNOTS. More than 200 WHIMBREL were in the area.
On April 29th, 15 MARBLED GODWITS were observed in the area.
Birds at Brigantine Refuge this past week have
included GULL-BILLED and CASPIAN TERNS, and over 150 WHIMBREL on April 28th.
Along the Delaware River at Palmyra, New Jersey,
on May 3rd, there were 14 species of WARBLERS,
including BLACK-THROATED BLUE, WORM-EATING, and HOODED.
In Burlington County NJ, more birds recently have
been heard than seen in the area of Bear Swamp
(or the Red Lion Preserve) by Hawkins Road.
On April 29th, WARBLERS were:
20-plus OVENBIRDS were heard, 1 was seen.
10-plus BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS heard, 3 seen.
10 BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS heard, 1 seen.
10 PINE WARBLERS heard.
3 HOODED WARBLERS heard, 1 seen.
3 WORM-EATING WARBLERS, only heard.
2 LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSHES heard, 1 seen very nicely.
1 PROTHONOTRY WARBLER, heard only.
Other birds included: 10 WHITE-EYED VIREOS heard,
and BALTIMORE ORIOLE and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH both seen.
Today, May 5th, in the morning:
5 PROTHONOTARYS heard, 1 seen. Numbers of
OVENBIRDS and WHITE-EYED VIREOS were heard.
At the powerlines:
6 PRAIRIE WARBLERS heard, 1 seen.
5 BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS heard, 2 seen.
and 1 YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was seen and heard.
Elsewhere in Burlington County NJ, birds seen
along the Rancocas Nature Center trails on May
3rd included: PALM and PRAIRIE WARBLERS, and SCARLET TANAGERS.
At the Glassboro Woods in southern New Jersey
lately, WORM-EATING and HOODED WARBLERS, and
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH have been seen.
Here, now, are some miscellaneous reports received from throughout the region:
A male INDIGO BUNTING, that visited a feeder for
about 15 minutes on May 2nd, in Green Hills,
Berks County PA, was not only a "first" for the observer, but a thrill.
In a yard in Wynnewood, Montgomery County PA,
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS appeared a feeders on
Tuesday, April 25th, a week earlier than last year.
On April 28th in that yard, a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was at suet.
In northern Montgomey County, a RED-HEADED
WOODPECKER has been at White's Mill, where on
April 25th other birds included: YELLOW-THROATED
and WARBLING VIREOS, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, and
BLUE-WINGED WARBLER. White's Mill is in Salford
Township, south of the Unami Creek IBA (Important Bird Area).
In Chester County PA, on May 1st, at Exton Park,
a SNIPE was flushed. EASTERN KINGBIRD and YELLOW WARBLERS were also here.
Birds noted recently at Hibernia Park in Chester
County have included: PILEATED WOODPECKER,
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH.
In Delaware County, the Rose Tree Hawk Watch for
the spring ended on April 30th. In all, more than
2500 RAPTORS were counted, 2,501. That 1 that put
the total over the top was a SWALLOW-TAILED KITE.
Others included: 1,519 BROAD-WINGS, 158 OSPREY,
213 SHARP-SHINS, 67 COOPER'S, and 85 BALD EAGLES.
Also in Delaware County, an adult BALD EAGLE made
an impression on April 25th, as it flew quite low
across the "Blue Route", that's I-476, by exit 5.
In southern Lancaster County PA, at the following
places, the following birds were seen on Saturday, April 28th:
At the Kelly's Run Recreation Area, there were
BLUE-WINGED WARBLER and NORTHERN PARULA, both singing.
At the Pinnacle Overlook, along the Susquehanna
River, BALD EAGLES, WOOD DUCKS, and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS flew by.
At a stop by the Pequea Creek, there was YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.
The Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve had not only
wildflowers, but also: SCARLET TANAGER, GREAT
CRESTED FLYCATCHER, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, PILEATED
WOODPECKER, and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH.
Here's an interesting note regarding a particular
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH in northern New Jersey, in
the area of the Delaware Water Gap. He's returned
to his breeding territory again. He's been banded
for years. Now, he's at least 12 years of age;
he's the oldest known LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH. The
previous longevity record, determined by banding,
was about 8 and a half years.
Some BUTTERFLIES noted lately have included:
These along the Susquehanna River in Lancaster
County on April 28th: FALCATE ORANGETIP (at the
Pinnacle), and ZEBRA SWALLOWTAILS (plentiful
where there were native pawpaw trees). Also:
TIGER SWALLOWTAILS, RED ADMIRALS, MEADOW
FRITILLARIES, and SILVER-SPOTTED SKIPPERS. A
ZEBRA SWALLOWTAIL was also noted further south
along the Sisquehanna, below the Conowingo Dam in
Maryland, back on April 16th.
In Chester County PA, on April 30th, over 30
FALCATE ORANGETIPS were seen at the Nottingham
County Park. The next day, May 1st, 8 were seen.
A TIGER SWALLOWTAIL was noted in Chester County,
back on April 16th, in Downingtown.
This past week, in western Pennsylvania, the
following butterflies were seen during a morning
walk in Allegheny County (at a place called Enlow Fork):
PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL, BLACK SWALLOWTAIL, EASTERN
TIGER SWALLOWTAIL, SPICEBUSH SWALLOWTAIL, CABBAGE
WHITE, WEST VIRGINIA WHITE, FALCATE ORANGETIP,
CLOUDED SULPHUR, GRAY HAIRSTREAK, SPRING AZURE,
MEADOW FRITILLARY, PEARL CRESCENT, QUESTION MARK,
EASTERN COMMA, MOURNING CLOAK, RED-SPOTTED
PURPLE, SILVER-SPOTTED SKIPPER, JUVENAL'S
DUSKYWING, and WILD INDIGO DUSKYWING.
An extralimital bird report from Maryland: a
WESTERN KINGBIRD was seen (again) at Fort McHenry
in Baltimore. It was seen on April 26th in trees
near the visitor's center. It was also seen the previous day, on April 24th.
Back in our region, RED KNOTS have been seen
recently in New Jersey from the Great Bay Boulevard near Tuckerton.
* Pennsylvania
* Philadelphia
* May 5, 2006
* PAPH0605.05
* Birds mentioned:
ANHINGA (pa), Double-crested Cormorant, American
Bittern, WHITE-FACED IBIS (nj), Glossy Ibis
Wood Duck, Surf Scoter, Ruddy Duck
Osprey, SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (nj), Bald Eagle,
Broad-winged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon
Ring-necked Pheasant, Wild Turkey, King Rail
Piping Plover, WILSON'S PLOVER (nj), Marbled
Godwit, Whimbrel, Greater Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper,
Spotted Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper, Red Knot
(feature), Least Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe
Gull-billed Tern, Forster's Tern (pa), Caspian Tern
Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-headed Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird, WESTERN KINGBIRD (md), Great Crested Flycatcher,
Least Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee
Vireos: White-eyed, Blue-headed, Red-eyed, Warbling
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Barn Swallow
Wood Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Veery, Gray Catbird
Warblers: Black-and-white, Prothonotary,
Worm-eating, SWAINSON'S (nj), Blue-winged,
Northern Parula, Yellow, Nashville, Magnolia,
Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green,
Chestnut-sided, Yellow-throated, Yellow-rumped, Prairie, Palm, Pine, Hooded,
Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Louisiana Waterthrush,
Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Yellow-breasted Chat
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, White-throated Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Purple Finch
*Butterflies mentioned:
Zebra Swallowtail, Pipevine Swallowtail, Black
Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail,
Cabbage White, West Virginia White, Falcate
Orangetip, Clouded Sulphur, Gray Hairstreak, Spring Azure,
Red Admiral, Meadow Fritillary, Pearl Crescent,
Question Mark, Eastern Comma, Mourning Cloak,
Red-spotted Purple, Silver-spotted Skipper,
Juvenal's Duskywing, Wild Indigo Duskywing
pelagic birding trip announcement
Philadelphia Birdline
Date: May 5, 2006
Number: 215/567-BIRD
To Report: Armas Hill, 302/529-1876 (VOICE)
302/529-1085 (FAX)
Compiler: Armas Hill
Coverage: Delaware Valley, and southern New Jersey
Transcriber: Risė Hill
For Friday, May 5th, this is the Philadelphia
Birdline, from the Academy of Natural Sciences in
Philadelphia, and supported by a number of bird
clubs and individuals. I'm Armas Hill, again, glad to be with you.
As we're now into May, there's been a lot of bird
activity the last few days. Let's begin:
Yesterday, May 4th, for a short while in the
morning (until 9:50am), there was a female
ANHINGA in Chester County PA at the Church Farm
Pond in Exton. The bird was photographed. When it flew away, it headed north.
An OSPREY has also been at that pond. Also noted
there on May 4th were numerous YELLOW WARBLERS and a PALM WARBLER.
In Southwest Philadelphia, lots of birds lately
at Tinicum, or the John Heinz Refuge. Yesterday,
May 4th, in the afternoon, 3 birders saw 16
species of WARBLERS: BLUE-WINGED, PARULA,
CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA, YELLOW-RUMPED,
BLACK-AND-WHITE, BLACK-THROATED BLUE,
BLACK-THROATED GREEN, PRAIRIE, PALM, YELLOW,
WORM-EATING, OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH,
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, and AMERICAN REDSTART.
Other birds lately at Tinicum have included:
AMERICAN BITTERN, WOOD DUCK, RUDDY DUCK, OSPREY,
BALD EAGLE, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, PEREGRINE FALCON,
RING-NECKED PHEASANT, WILD TURKEY, GREATER
YELLOWLEGS, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, SPOTTED
SANDPIPER, FORSTER'S TERN, GREAT HORNED OWL, and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.
In the city of Philadelphia, nice birds have been
found routinely at a place called the Biopond at
the University of Pennysylvania.
At that location the morning of May 4th: WOOD
THRUSH, VEERY, OVENBIRD (multiple birds, seen &
heard), AMERICAN REDSTART, and WORM-EATING and
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS. Also a number of CATBIRDS.
Today, May 5th, these birds were there in the area of the Biopond:
WARBLERS: BLACK-AND-WHITE (3+), YELLOW (4+),
CHESTNUT-SIDED (2+), BLACK-THROATED BLUE (1),
OVENBIRD (a few), MAGNOLIA (1+), BLACK-THROATED
GREEN (3+), YELLOW-THROATED (1), HOODED (1),
YELLOW-RUMPED (1+), BLUE-WINGED (1), AMERICAN REDSTART (2).
Also: LEAST FLYCATCHER (1), CATBIRD (many),
SCARLET TANAGER (1), ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (1),
BALTIMORE ORIOLE (1), and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (still 5).
In Center City Philadelphia, on Friday, April
28th, at the park by 5th Street just above Market
St., birds included: WOOD THRUSH, CATBIRD, and
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW on the ground. Overhead, a
BARN SWALLOW flew over Arch St. Nearby, a
RED-TAILED HAWK, or two, can often be seen
perched on the weathervane at Independence Hall.
Reports have been received from a few people
relating to birds recently at Carpenter's Woods in Northwest Philadelphia.
From back on April 17th when PALM and
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were reported until today,
May 5th, when YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were
plentiful this morning, there have been birds.
Between April 29th and today, there have been
THRUSHES (HERMIT, WOOD, SWAINSON'S, and VEERY),
both BLUE-HEADED and RED-EYED VIREOS, PURPLE
FINCH, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, and both BARRED and
EASTERN SCREECH-OWLS are nesting. Among the
WARBLERS, this morning PARULA, and BLACK-THROATED
GREENS and BLUES were in good numbers, also:
MAGNOLIA, CHESTNUT-SIDED, and BLUE-WINGED, in
addition to REDSTARTS and OVENBIRDS. NASHVILLE
WARBLER has been seen recently. Also in the mix
today, and in recent days: SCARLET TANAGER and BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
In Bucks County PA, birds at Peace Valley, north
of Doylestown, this past week, have included:
LEAST SANDPIPER, RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD,
EASTERN KINGBIRD, WHITE-EYED, YELLOW-THROATED,
and WARBLING VIREOS, BLUE-WINGED, YELLOW, and
PRAIRIE WARBLERS (these 3 have arrived to breed),
and BALTIMORE and ORCHARD ORIOLES. Back on April
23rd, there were 5 OSPREY at Lake Galena at the same time.
At the Tyler State Park, west of Newtown,
yesterday morning, May 4th, 63 species of birds
were found including: YELLOW-THROATED VIREO,
WARBLING VIREO, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, NASHVILLE
WARBLER, 6 other WARBLERS, SCARLET TANAGER,
INDIGO BUNTING, and BALTIMORE ORIOLE. A nice mix, a nice morning.
This morning, May 5th, 9 species of WARBLERS were
seen in Bucks County along the Neshaminy Creek in
Warwick Township. Among them was a
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, near the creek by
Almshouse Road. Other WARBLERS were: PARULA,
BLACK-THROATED GREEN & BLACK-THROATED BLUE, PALM,
BLUE-WINGED, OVENBIRD, and YELLOWTHROAT. The most
common of the WARBLERS there today was the YELLOW-RUMPED.
Birds this morning in nearby Rushland included:
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE, GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER,
KINGBIRD, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, MAGNOLIA
WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, INDIGO BUNTING,
SCARLET TANAGER, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, and both
BALTIMORE and ORCHARD ORIOLES. Over 20 BALTIMORE
ORIOLES were observed, with a number of them
being first-year males. In all, 16 species of
WARBLERS were tallied in Rushland this morning.
In New Jersey, a WILSON'S PLOVER has continued in
Cape May County on the bayshore. It's been seen
at least through May 1st (after being re-found on
April 29th), in the vicinity of Norbury's
Landing, north of the Villas. At good time to
look seems to be as the tide falls and the first
mudflats appear. The bird has been missed at low
tide. The WILSON'S PLOVER has also been seen on a
sandbar island just north of Norbury's Landing, a
place where, by the way, GULL-BILLED TERN is seen.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS was seen on May 1st & 2nd in
Cape May County, at the Beaver Swamp Wildlife
Management Area near Goshen. It was seen for
about 5 minutes around 5:45pm, with about 150
GLOSSY IBIS. A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was also in the area, singing.
On May 1st, a few lingering SURF SCOTERS and a
PEREGRINE were at Cook's Beach, along the Delaware Bay, in Cape May County.
Yesterday, May 4th, after dark in the area of
Cape May, an UPLAND SANDPIPER was heard in flight
around 11pm, and a KING RAIL was heard calling
from Jake's Landing Road about midnight.
At Cape May NJ, a while back:
A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE was reported over the beanery on April 20th.
A SWAINSON'S WARBLER was heard singing at
Higbee's Beach on April 27th, in the area of the
northeast corner of the second field.
In the area of Stone Harbor Point and Nummy's
Island, there were 13 species of SHOREBIRDS on
April 25th, including PIPING PLOVER and some RED
KNOTS. More than 200 WHIMBREL were in the area.
On April 29th, 15 MARBLED GODWITS were observed in the area.
Birds at Brigantine Refuge this past week have
included GULL-BILLED and CASPIAN TERNS, and over 150 WHIMBREL on April 28th.
Along the Delaware River at Palmyra, New Jersey,
on May 3rd, there were 14 species of WARBLERS,
including BLACK-THROATED BLUE, WORM-EATING, and HOODED.
In Burlington County NJ, more birds recently have
been heard than seen in the area of Bear Swamp
(or the Red Lion Preserve) by Hawkins Road.
On April 29th, WARBLERS were:
20-plus OVENBIRDS were heard, 1 was seen.
10-plus BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS heard, 3 seen.
10 BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS heard, 1 seen.
10 PINE WARBLERS heard.
3 HOODED WARBLERS heard, 1 seen.
3 WORM-EATING WARBLERS, only heard.
2 LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSHES heard, 1 seen very nicely.
1 PROTHONOTRY WARBLER, heard only.
Other birds included: 10 WHITE-EYED VIREOS heard,
and BALTIMORE ORIOLE and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH both seen.
Today, May 5th, in the morning:
5 PROTHONOTARYS heard, 1 seen. Numbers of
OVENBIRDS and WHITE-EYED VIREOS were heard.
At the powerlines:
6 PRAIRIE WARBLERS heard, 1 seen.
5 BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS heard, 2 seen.
and 1 YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was seen and heard.
Elsewhere in Burlington County NJ, birds seen
along the Rancocas Nature Center trails on May
3rd included: PALM and PRAIRIE WARBLERS, and SCARLET TANAGERS.
At the Glassboro Woods in southern New Jersey
lately, WORM-EATING and HOODED WARBLERS, and
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH have been seen.
Here, now, are some miscellaneous reports received from throughout the region:
A male INDIGO BUNTING, that visited a feeder for
about 15 minutes on May 2nd, in Green Hills,
Berks County PA, was not only a "first" for the observer, but a thrill.
In a yard in Wynnewood, Montgomery County PA,
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS appeared a feeders on
Tuesday, April 25th, a week earlier than last year.
On April 28th in that yard, a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was at suet.
In northern Montgomey County, a RED-HEADED
WOODPECKER has been at White's Mill, where on
April 25th other birds included: YELLOW-THROATED
and WARBLING VIREOS, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, and
BLUE-WINGED WARBLER. White's Mill is in Salford
Township, south of the Unami Creek IBA (Important Bird Area).
In Chester County PA, on May 1st, at Exton Park,
a SNIPE was flushed. EASTERN KINGBIRD and YELLOW WARBLERS were also here.
Birds noted recently at Hibernia Park in Chester
County have included: PILEATED WOODPECKER,
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH.
In Delaware County, the Rose Tree Hawk Watch for
the spring ended on April 30th. In all, more than
2500 RAPTORS were counted, 2,501. That 1 that put
the total over the top was a SWALLOW-TAILED KITE.
Others included: 1,519 BROAD-WINGS, 158 OSPREY,
213 SHARP-SHINS, 67 COOPER'S, and 85 BALD EAGLES.
Also in Delaware County, an adult BALD EAGLE made
an impression on April 25th, as it flew quite low
across the "Blue Route", that's I-476, by exit 5.
In southern Lancaster County PA, at the following
places, the following birds were seen on Saturday, April 28th:
At the Kelly's Run Recreation Area, there were
BLUE-WINGED WARBLER and NORTHERN PARULA, both singing.
At the Pinnacle Overlook, along the Susquehanna
River, BALD EAGLES, WOOD DUCKS, and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS flew by.
At a stop by the Pequea Creek, there was YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.
The Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve had not only
wildflowers, but also: SCARLET TANAGER, GREAT
CRESTED FLYCATCHER, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, PILEATED
WOODPECKER, and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH.
Here's an interesting note regarding a particular
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH in northern New Jersey, in
the area of the Delaware Water Gap. He's returned
to his breeding territory again. He's been banded
for years. Now, he's at least 12 years of age;
he's the oldest known LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH. The
previous longevity record, determined by banding,
was about 8 and a half years.
Some BUTTERFLIES noted lately have included:
These along the Susquehanna River in Lancaster
County on April 28th: FALCATE ORANGETIP (at the
Pinnacle), and ZEBRA SWALLOWTAILS (plentiful
where there were native pawpaw trees). Also:
TIGER SWALLOWTAILS, RED ADMIRALS, MEADOW
FRITILLARIES, and SILVER-SPOTTED SKIPPERS. A
ZEBRA SWALLOWTAIL was also noted further south
along the Sisquehanna, below the Conowingo Dam in
Maryland, back on April 16th.
In Chester County PA, on April 30th, over 30
FALCATE ORANGETIPS were seen at the Nottingham
County Park. The next day, May 1st, 8 were seen.
A TIGER SWALLOWTAIL was noted in Chester County,
back on April 16th, in Downingtown.
This past week, in western Pennsylvania, the
following butterflies were seen during a morning
walk in Allegheny County (at a place called Enlow Fork):
PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL, BLACK SWALLOWTAIL, EASTERN
TIGER SWALLOWTAIL, SPICEBUSH SWALLOWTAIL, CABBAGE
WHITE, WEST VIRGINIA WHITE, FALCATE ORANGETIP,
CLOUDED SULPHUR, GRAY HAIRSTREAK, SPRING AZURE,
MEADOW FRITILLARY, PEARL CRESCENT, QUESTION MARK,
EASTERN COMMA, MOURNING CLOAK, RED-SPOTTED
PURPLE, SILVER-SPOTTED SKIPPER, JUVENAL'S
DUSKYWING, and WILD INDIGO DUSKYWING.
An extralimital bird report from Maryland: a
WESTERN KINGBIRD was seen (again) at Fort McHenry
in Baltimore. It was seen on April 26th in trees
near the visitor's center. It was also seen the previous day, on April 24th.
Back in our region, RED KNOTS have been seen
recently in New Jersey from the Great Bay Boulevard near Tuckerton.