Central PA Birdline
- RBA
* Pennsylvania
* Central Pennsylvania
* February 22, 2007
* PACE0702.22
Bird Highlights
SANDHILL CRANE (Lancaster Co.)
BARN OWLS (Fulton Co.)
LAPLAND LONGSPURS (Franklin and York Cos.)
SCOTT'S ORIOLE (Cumberland Co. - 1st PA record!)
- Transcript
Hotline: Central Pennsylvania Birdline
Date: February 22, 2007
To Report: TimeTraveler@email.msn.com
Compiler: Mark A. McConaughy
TimeTraveler@email.msn.com
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, February 22, 2007.
ADAMS COUNTY:
A SAVANNAH SPARROW continues to visit the Weible's feeders through at
least February 16 (MW).
CARBON COUNTY:
A light morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen on February 19 at the Lehigh
Gap Wildlife Refuge (DK).
CENTRE COUNTY:
A BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD visited the Widmann's feeders on February 14
(CW).
Birds found around Howard between February 14 and 19 included 1
KILLDEER, 1 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 1 DOWNY WOODPECKER, NORTHERN
CARDINALS, 10 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS, HOUSE FINCHES and AMERICAN
GOLDFINCHES (BS).
A large flock of over 100 WILD TURKEYS was seen north of Unionville
along Rattlesnake Pike on February 15 (DO).
A FOX SPARROW visited a Boalsburg feeder on February 16 (AM).
A flock of over 20 CEDAR WAXWINGS were observed outside the Ferguson
Building on the Penn State campus on February 16 (JV). There were at
least 5 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS near the Chemistry Building on February 20
(JV).
Feeders on Ridge Avenue in State College attracted 2 RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCHES on February 18 (NK).
Bald Eagle State Park yielded 1 BALD EAGLE, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER, 1 TUFTED
TITMOUSE, 8 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS and 6 DARK-EYED JUNCOS between
February 17 and 18 (BS, JL).
Birds found in the Coburn and Penns Creek areas on February 18 included
1 CANADA GOOSE, 30 MALLARDS, 1 HOODED MERGANSER, 3 GREAT BLUE HERONS, 6
RED-TAILED HAWKS, 1 dark morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL, 2
AMERICAN COOTS, 2 BELTED KINGFISHERS, 1 PILEATED WOODPECKER, 6 BLUE
JAYS, 20 AMERICAN CROWS, 6 AMERICAN BLUEBIRDS and 5 NORTHERN CARDINALS
(JL).
A TURKEY VULTURE was observed flying over Scotia Barrens on February 19
(KE).
The Centre Furnace Duck Pond produced MALLARDS, 1 NORTHERN SHOVELER, 1
NORTHERN PINTAIL, 1 GREATER SCAUP, 1 RING-NECKED DUCK and 4 AMERICAN
COOTS on February 20 (MH).
An AMERICAN GOLDFINCH came into feeders at Pleasant Gap on February 20
(JL).
CLINTON COUNTY:
At least 1 and possibly 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were seen on February 15
over fields east of Lock Haven along the Susquehanna River (JSc).
Several HORNED LARKS were observed in the South Avis fields on February
19 (CCH).
A few REDHEADS were seen in Pine Creek and 1 AMERICAN PIPIT was found in
a nearby field on February 19 (CCH).
A PINE SISKIN visited the Hildebrand feeders in Woolrich on February 20
(CCH).
CUMBERLAND COUNTY:
Birds found at Big Spring between February 16 and 21 included 1 TUNDRA
SWAN, 7 AMERICAN WIGEONS, 1 AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, 1 LESSER SCAUP, 1
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 1 COOPER'S HAWK, 5 KILLDEER, 1 LEAST SANDPIPER, 1
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 1 PILEATED WOODPECKER, 1 EASTERN PHOEBE, 3
FISH CROWS, 2 WINTER WRENS, 1 HERMIT THRUSH, 3 AMERICAN PIPITS, 5
YELLOW-RUMPED WARLBERS, 2 SWAMP SPARROWS, 1 COMMON GRACKLE and over 100
RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (VG).
A check along Mud Level Road near Shippensburg on February 19 located 5
KILLDEER, 1 WILSON'S SNIPE, 1 CAROLINA WREN, 1 WINTER WREN, SAVANNAH
SPARROWS, SONG SPARROWS, SWAMP SPARROWS, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and 6
RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (DSi, RSi, CR).
Over 989 HORNED LARKS were seen in western Cumberland County on February
19. The largest flock included 411 HORNED LARKS and 1 LAPLAND LONGSPUR
along Oakville Road (CR).
There were 4 LAPLAND LONGSPURS along Route 233 about a mile south of
I-81 on February 19 (CR).
Two additional LAPLAND LONGSPURS were located on February 19 along
Duncan Road about 0.4 miles south of Mud Level Road (CR).
A group of 36 BLACK VULTURES were seen near Centerville on February 19
(CR).
A pond in the center of Boiling Springs attracted 64 AMERICAN WIGEONS, 3
NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 1 LESSER SCAUP, 1 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 2 AMERICAN
COOTS, 1 KILLDEER, EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 1 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, EUROPEAN
STARLINGS, 2 AMERICAN PIPITS and DARK-EYED JUNCOS on February 19 (CR).
An adult male SCOTT'S ORIOLE was seen in a Mechanicsburg yard from at
least February 19 to February 21 (KA, TJ, NP, FH, BH). This is a first
time record for Pennsylvania. It has been seen visiting feeders and
nearby trees behind 406 Kent Drive and the next house south of that.
These two homeowners have allowed people to walk up beside the house to
view the bird (carport on the adjacent yard provides a good view of the
feeders)(FH). However, visitors are requested to remain in the street
and not go into any other private yard. To get to Kent Drive take Route
15 south from Camp Hill (or the PA Turnpike if you come in that way),
and exit onto 114 (turn left/south at the end of the ramp). Make the
first left onto Kim Acres Drive and follow that past a couple of side
streets to a left onto Kent Drive. It is recommended that visitors
either cruise around the area looking for a conspicuously black and
yellow bird or walk the street. Also, be advised that a second oriole
may be in the area; a neighbor noticed the SCOTT'S ORIOLE with a drabber
bird that overall looked similar several days ago. This may be a
BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
DAUPHIN COUNTY:
A flock of over 30 AMERICAN ROBINS are regularly visiting the Church's
yard in Harrisburg through at least February 16 (JC).
Feeders in Halifax attracted 6 MOURNING DOVES, 1 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER,
2 DOWNY WOODPECKERS, 1 HAIRY WOODPECKER, 2 TUFTED TITMICE, 2
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 2 CAROLINA WRENS, 2 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 4
SONG SPARROWS, 35 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, 50 DARK-EYED JUNCOS, 6 HOUSE
FINCHES and 1 AMERICAN GOLDFINCH on February 18 (TR).
Birds seen along Baddorf Road on February 18 included 1 AMERICAN
KESTREL, 9 HORNED LARKS, 8 SONG SPARROWS, 6 DARK-EYED JUNCOS and 1 SNOW
BUNTING (TR).
On February 18, 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS were seen along Crest Lane flying
over the Milton Hershey fields (DW, PW).
WINTER WRENS were found along Swatara Creek near the Sandbeach Bridge
and along Manada Creek at the Shetland Road Bridge on February 18 (DW,
PW).
A mixed flock of AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 1 SAVANNAH SPARROW, SONG
SPARROWS, WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were
observed on February 18 along Swatara Road in the Hershey IBA #45 (DW,
PW).
Swatara Creek Park in Union Deposit produced 100 CANADA GEESE, MALLARDS,
55 COMMON MERGANSERS, 1 adult BALD EAGLE and 1 KILLDEER on February 19
(DW, PW).
There were 75 MALLARDS and 1 GREEN-WINGED TEAL in the pond behind the
Comfort Inn in Hummelstown on February 19 (DW, PW).
FRANKLIN COUNTY:
Birds found on February 16 along Swamp Fox Road about 1 mile south of
Marion Road included 200 HORNED LARKS, 1 AMERICAN PIPIT and 3 LAPLAND
LONGSPURS (DGe).
A Chambersburg yard attracted 1 YELLOW-RUMPED WARLBER and 1 AMERICAN
TREE SPARROW on February 17 (PS, JS).
A Winter Raptor Survey run on February 17 recorded 1 juvenile BALD
EAGLE, 1 COOPER'S HAWK, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 8 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 1
AMERICAN KESTREL and 1 PEREGRINE FALCON (CL, JL).
A flock of HORNED LARKS and 2 SNOW BUNTINGS were found on February 18
along Grand Point Road between Chambersburg and Scotland (DGe).
There were 4 LAPLAND LONGSPURS along the edge of Fetterhoff Chapel Road
on February 18 (DGe).
FULTON COUNTY:
A pair of BARN OWLS was seen in barn near McConnellsburg on February 18,
and they appear to be a breeding pair (SB).
HUNTINDON COUNTY:
Feeders in McAlevy's Fort attracted 1 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 4 DOWNY
WOODPECKERS and 1 HAIRY WOODPECKER on February 14 (DG).
JUNIATA COUNTY:
Feeders in Oakland Mills attracted AMERICAN ROBINS, 1 BROWN THRASHER,
FOX SPARROW, SWAMP SPARROW and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS between February 17
and 18 (AT, MT).
Four RED-TAILED HAWKS were found between Port Royal and the Ickesburg
pull off on February 19 (CK, AT).
RED-TAILED HAWKS, 1 light morph and 1 dark morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS and
AMERICAN KESTRELS were observed along Cedar Spring Road near Mifflintown
on February 19 (CK).
A check of the area along Metz Road on February 19 located 12 MALLARDS,
1 NORTHERN HARRIER, 8 WILSON'S SNIPE and AMERICAN CROWS (CK).
A NORTHERN HARRIER was observed near Liverpool along Route 235 on
February 19 (CK, AT).
LANCASTER COUNTY:
The Susquehanna River at Wissler Run Park produced 2 SCAUP sp., 2
BUFFLEHEADS, 1 COMMON GOLDENEYE, 6 COMMON MERGANSERS, TURKEY VULTURES, 1
RED-TAILED HAWK, 2 RING-BILLED GULLS, 6 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS 1
RED-NECKED GREBE between February 16 and 17 (DC, JS).
Birds seen along River Road between February 16 and 17 included 6 WILD
TURKEYS, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER and 1 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (DC, JS).
Another RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was found near the Environmental Center near
Holtwood Park on February 16 (DC).
A flock of HORNED LARKS was along Silver Spring Road on February 16
(DC).
Birds seen between February 16 and 19 near Penryn included 1
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 1 COOPER'S HAWK, 1 MERLIN, HORNED LARKS, 1 CAROLINA
WREN, 81 DARK-EYED JUNCOS and 1 SNOW BUNTING (TH).
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area produced SNOW GEESE, CANADA GEESE,
TUNDRA SWANS, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, RING-NECKED PHEASANT, 1 BALD EAGLE, 2
NORTHERN HARRIERS, 1 RED-TAILED HAWK, 1 SANDHILL CRANE, RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKER, BLUE JAY, AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, SONG SPARROW and
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW between February 17 and 19 (AS, HM, DS).
Two separate small flocks of around 20 to 30 HORNED LARKS each were seen
along Drytown Road on February 17 (JS).
An EASTERN SCREECH OWL was seen in a nest box at the Holtwood
Environmental Center on February 17 (JS).
An Elzabethtown yard attracted 1 COOPER'S HAWK, CEDAR WAXWINGS, 1
SAVANNAH SPARROW, SONG SPARROWS and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS between
February 18 and 19 (AB).
A flock of gulls, including 2 adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, were seen
near Wrightsville on the Susquehanna River on February 19 (JH).
The following birds were seen in the Susquehanna River from Accomac Inn
(in York County, river is Lancaster Co.) on February 19; 30 GREATER and
LESSER SCAUP, 1 WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, 14 BUFFLEHEADS, 12 COMMON
GOLDENEYES, 2 HOODED MERGANSERS and COMMON MERGANSERS (JH).
There were 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, 2 KILLDEER, 5 WILSON'S SNIPE, hundreds
of HORNED LARKS, 1 HERMIT THRUSH and 3 AMERICAN PIPITS in the eastern
part of the county on February 19 (FH, BH).
LEBANON COUNTY:
A flock of over 300 HORNED LARKS was found along Crooked Road south of
Fort Indiantown Gap on February 17 (RS).
Memorial Lake in Fort Indiantown Gap produced 5 GADWALLS, 5 REDHEADS, 2
RING-NECKED DUCKS, 1 RUDDY DUCK, 1 HORNED GREBE and 30 AMERICAN COOTS on
February 17 (RS).
MIFFLIN COUNTY:
A late report of a Winter Raptor Survey run on February 11 recorded 2
COOPER'S HAWK, 22 RED-TAILED HAWKS and 9 AMERICAN KESTRELS as well as
COMMON MERGANSER, GREAT BLUE HERON, KILLDEER, over 200 AMERICAN CROWS
and AMERICAN ROBIN (BF, CK).
Coffee Run Road yielded 1 KILLDEER, 1 WILSON'S SNIPE, 1 AMERICAN PIPIT
and many WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS on February 17 (GG, DG).
A manured field along Kanagy Road just off of Route 655 produced 100
HORNED LARKS and 3 SNOW BUNTINGS on February 17 (GG, DG).
A KILLDEER and 2 WILSON'S SNIPE were found along Knepp Road on February
17 (GG, DG).
TIOGA COUNTY:
There is a report of a wintering VIRGINIA RAIL and some RUSTY BLACKBIRDS
that were seen during February (dates not specified) probably at a place
known as The Muck (location also not specified, but is based on the most
likely place for a rail in the area) (BR).
YORK COUNTY:
A field south of the city of York produced 200 HORNED LARKS and 1
LAPLAND LONGSPUR on February 18 (DH).
A flock of over 90 HORNED LARKS were found on February 19 in a manured
field located southeast of East Berlin (CC).
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/CentralPABirdlinebackupfiles/messages.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.
The following people have contributed to this birdline: Karen Atwood
(KA), Sarah Binder (SB), Ann Bodling (AB), Joe Church (JC), Dick Cleary
(DC), Christopher Colby (CC), Kurt Engstrom (KE), Bob Fowles (BF), Vern
Gauthier (VG), Dale Gearhart (DGe), Deborah Grove (DG), Greg Grove (GG),
Barb Haas (BH), Frank Haas (FH), Molly Heath (MH), Dan Heathcote (DH),
Jonathan Heller (JH), Carol and Charles Hildebrand (CCH), Tom Hopson
(TH), Thomas Johnson (TJ), Chad Kauffman (CK), Nick Kerlin (NK), Dan
Kunkle (DK), Jen Lee (JL), Chad Lensbower (CL), Justin Lensbower (JL),
Alan MacEachren (AM), Herb Myers (HM), Dan Ombalski (DO), Nick
Pulcinella (NP), Tom Randall (TR), Bob Ross (BR), Cameron Rutt (CR),
Joyce Schaff (JS), Phil Schaff (PS), Jeff Schaffer (JSc), Deb Siefken
(DSi), Ralph Siefken (RSi). Dave Smart (DS), Andy Smith (AS), Jim Smith
(JS), Bob Snyder (BS), Rosemary Spreha (RS), Aden Troyer (AT), Mary
Troyer (MT), Joe Verica (JV), Mike Weible (MW), Chuck Widmann (CW), Dick
Williams (DW) and Pat Williams (PW). I apologize if I have misspelled
their names and I will also refrain from naming that person on request.
-End Transcript
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mark A. McConaughy TimeTraveler@email.msn.com
Bushy Run Battlefield
P.O. Box 486
Harrison City, PA 15636-0468 (724) 527-5585 x103
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- RBA
* Pennsylvania
* Central Pennsylvania
* February 22, 2007
* PACE0702.22
Bird Highlights
SANDHILL CRANE (Lancaster Co.)
BARN OWLS (Fulton Co.)
LAPLAND LONGSPURS (Franklin and York Cos.)
SCOTT'S ORIOLE (Cumberland Co. - 1st PA record!)
- Transcript
Hotline: Central Pennsylvania Birdline
Date: February 22, 2007
To Report: TimeTraveler@email.msn.com
Compiler: Mark A. McConaughy
TimeTraveler@email.msn.com
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, February 22, 2007.
ADAMS COUNTY:
A SAVANNAH SPARROW continues to visit the Weible's feeders through at
least February 16 (MW).
CARBON COUNTY:
A light morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen on February 19 at the Lehigh
Gap Wildlife Refuge (DK).
CENTRE COUNTY:
A BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD visited the Widmann's feeders on February 14
(CW).
Birds found around Howard between February 14 and 19 included 1
KILLDEER, 1 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 1 DOWNY WOODPECKER, NORTHERN
CARDINALS, 10 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS, HOUSE FINCHES and AMERICAN
GOLDFINCHES (BS).
A large flock of over 100 WILD TURKEYS was seen north of Unionville
along Rattlesnake Pike on February 15 (DO).
A FOX SPARROW visited a Boalsburg feeder on February 16 (AM).
A flock of over 20 CEDAR WAXWINGS were observed outside the Ferguson
Building on the Penn State campus on February 16 (JV). There were at
least 5 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS near the Chemistry Building on February 20
(JV).
Feeders on Ridge Avenue in State College attracted 2 RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCHES on February 18 (NK).
Bald Eagle State Park yielded 1 BALD EAGLE, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER, 1 TUFTED
TITMOUSE, 8 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS and 6 DARK-EYED JUNCOS between
February 17 and 18 (BS, JL).
Birds found in the Coburn and Penns Creek areas on February 18 included
1 CANADA GOOSE, 30 MALLARDS, 1 HOODED MERGANSER, 3 GREAT BLUE HERONS, 6
RED-TAILED HAWKS, 1 dark morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL, 2
AMERICAN COOTS, 2 BELTED KINGFISHERS, 1 PILEATED WOODPECKER, 6 BLUE
JAYS, 20 AMERICAN CROWS, 6 AMERICAN BLUEBIRDS and 5 NORTHERN CARDINALS
(JL).
A TURKEY VULTURE was observed flying over Scotia Barrens on February 19
(KE).
The Centre Furnace Duck Pond produced MALLARDS, 1 NORTHERN SHOVELER, 1
NORTHERN PINTAIL, 1 GREATER SCAUP, 1 RING-NECKED DUCK and 4 AMERICAN
COOTS on February 20 (MH).
An AMERICAN GOLDFINCH came into feeders at Pleasant Gap on February 20
(JL).
CLINTON COUNTY:
At least 1 and possibly 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were seen on February 15
over fields east of Lock Haven along the Susquehanna River (JSc).
Several HORNED LARKS were observed in the South Avis fields on February
19 (CCH).
A few REDHEADS were seen in Pine Creek and 1 AMERICAN PIPIT was found in
a nearby field on February 19 (CCH).
A PINE SISKIN visited the Hildebrand feeders in Woolrich on February 20
(CCH).
CUMBERLAND COUNTY:
Birds found at Big Spring between February 16 and 21 included 1 TUNDRA
SWAN, 7 AMERICAN WIGEONS, 1 AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, 1 LESSER SCAUP, 1
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 1 COOPER'S HAWK, 5 KILLDEER, 1 LEAST SANDPIPER, 1
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 1 PILEATED WOODPECKER, 1 EASTERN PHOEBE, 3
FISH CROWS, 2 WINTER WRENS, 1 HERMIT THRUSH, 3 AMERICAN PIPITS, 5
YELLOW-RUMPED WARLBERS, 2 SWAMP SPARROWS, 1 COMMON GRACKLE and over 100
RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (VG).
A check along Mud Level Road near Shippensburg on February 19 located 5
KILLDEER, 1 WILSON'S SNIPE, 1 CAROLINA WREN, 1 WINTER WREN, SAVANNAH
SPARROWS, SONG SPARROWS, SWAMP SPARROWS, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and 6
RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (DSi, RSi, CR).
Over 989 HORNED LARKS were seen in western Cumberland County on February
19. The largest flock included 411 HORNED LARKS and 1 LAPLAND LONGSPUR
along Oakville Road (CR).
There were 4 LAPLAND LONGSPURS along Route 233 about a mile south of
I-81 on February 19 (CR).
Two additional LAPLAND LONGSPURS were located on February 19 along
Duncan Road about 0.4 miles south of Mud Level Road (CR).
A group of 36 BLACK VULTURES were seen near Centerville on February 19
(CR).
A pond in the center of Boiling Springs attracted 64 AMERICAN WIGEONS, 3
NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 1 LESSER SCAUP, 1 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 2 AMERICAN
COOTS, 1 KILLDEER, EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 1 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, EUROPEAN
STARLINGS, 2 AMERICAN PIPITS and DARK-EYED JUNCOS on February 19 (CR).
An adult male SCOTT'S ORIOLE was seen in a Mechanicsburg yard from at
least February 19 to February 21 (KA, TJ, NP, FH, BH). This is a first
time record for Pennsylvania. It has been seen visiting feeders and
nearby trees behind 406 Kent Drive and the next house south of that.
These two homeowners have allowed people to walk up beside the house to
view the bird (carport on the adjacent yard provides a good view of the
feeders)(FH). However, visitors are requested to remain in the street
and not go into any other private yard. To get to Kent Drive take Route
15 south from Camp Hill (or the PA Turnpike if you come in that way),
and exit onto 114 (turn left/south at the end of the ramp). Make the
first left onto Kim Acres Drive and follow that past a couple of side
streets to a left onto Kent Drive. It is recommended that visitors
either cruise around the area looking for a conspicuously black and
yellow bird or walk the street. Also, be advised that a second oriole
may be in the area; a neighbor noticed the SCOTT'S ORIOLE with a drabber
bird that overall looked similar several days ago. This may be a
BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
DAUPHIN COUNTY:
A flock of over 30 AMERICAN ROBINS are regularly visiting the Church's
yard in Harrisburg through at least February 16 (JC).
Feeders in Halifax attracted 6 MOURNING DOVES, 1 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER,
2 DOWNY WOODPECKERS, 1 HAIRY WOODPECKER, 2 TUFTED TITMICE, 2
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 2 CAROLINA WRENS, 2 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 4
SONG SPARROWS, 35 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, 50 DARK-EYED JUNCOS, 6 HOUSE
FINCHES and 1 AMERICAN GOLDFINCH on February 18 (TR).
Birds seen along Baddorf Road on February 18 included 1 AMERICAN
KESTREL, 9 HORNED LARKS, 8 SONG SPARROWS, 6 DARK-EYED JUNCOS and 1 SNOW
BUNTING (TR).
On February 18, 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS were seen along Crest Lane flying
over the Milton Hershey fields (DW, PW).
WINTER WRENS were found along Swatara Creek near the Sandbeach Bridge
and along Manada Creek at the Shetland Road Bridge on February 18 (DW,
PW).
A mixed flock of AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 1 SAVANNAH SPARROW, SONG
SPARROWS, WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were
observed on February 18 along Swatara Road in the Hershey IBA #45 (DW,
PW).
Swatara Creek Park in Union Deposit produced 100 CANADA GEESE, MALLARDS,
55 COMMON MERGANSERS, 1 adult BALD EAGLE and 1 KILLDEER on February 19
(DW, PW).
There were 75 MALLARDS and 1 GREEN-WINGED TEAL in the pond behind the
Comfort Inn in Hummelstown on February 19 (DW, PW).
FRANKLIN COUNTY:
Birds found on February 16 along Swamp Fox Road about 1 mile south of
Marion Road included 200 HORNED LARKS, 1 AMERICAN PIPIT and 3 LAPLAND
LONGSPURS (DGe).
A Chambersburg yard attracted 1 YELLOW-RUMPED WARLBER and 1 AMERICAN
TREE SPARROW on February 17 (PS, JS).
A Winter Raptor Survey run on February 17 recorded 1 juvenile BALD
EAGLE, 1 COOPER'S HAWK, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 8 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 1
AMERICAN KESTREL and 1 PEREGRINE FALCON (CL, JL).
A flock of HORNED LARKS and 2 SNOW BUNTINGS were found on February 18
along Grand Point Road between Chambersburg and Scotland (DGe).
There were 4 LAPLAND LONGSPURS along the edge of Fetterhoff Chapel Road
on February 18 (DGe).
FULTON COUNTY:
A pair of BARN OWLS was seen in barn near McConnellsburg on February 18,
and they appear to be a breeding pair (SB).
HUNTINDON COUNTY:
Feeders in McAlevy's Fort attracted 1 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 4 DOWNY
WOODPECKERS and 1 HAIRY WOODPECKER on February 14 (DG).
JUNIATA COUNTY:
Feeders in Oakland Mills attracted AMERICAN ROBINS, 1 BROWN THRASHER,
FOX SPARROW, SWAMP SPARROW and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS between February 17
and 18 (AT, MT).
Four RED-TAILED HAWKS were found between Port Royal and the Ickesburg
pull off on February 19 (CK, AT).
RED-TAILED HAWKS, 1 light morph and 1 dark morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS and
AMERICAN KESTRELS were observed along Cedar Spring Road near Mifflintown
on February 19 (CK).
A check of the area along Metz Road on February 19 located 12 MALLARDS,
1 NORTHERN HARRIER, 8 WILSON'S SNIPE and AMERICAN CROWS (CK).
A NORTHERN HARRIER was observed near Liverpool along Route 235 on
February 19 (CK, AT).
LANCASTER COUNTY:
The Susquehanna River at Wissler Run Park produced 2 SCAUP sp., 2
BUFFLEHEADS, 1 COMMON GOLDENEYE, 6 COMMON MERGANSERS, TURKEY VULTURES, 1
RED-TAILED HAWK, 2 RING-BILLED GULLS, 6 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS 1
RED-NECKED GREBE between February 16 and 17 (DC, JS).
Birds seen along River Road between February 16 and 17 included 6 WILD
TURKEYS, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER and 1 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (DC, JS).
Another RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was found near the Environmental Center near
Holtwood Park on February 16 (DC).
A flock of HORNED LARKS was along Silver Spring Road on February 16
(DC).
Birds seen between February 16 and 19 near Penryn included 1
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 1 COOPER'S HAWK, 1 MERLIN, HORNED LARKS, 1 CAROLINA
WREN, 81 DARK-EYED JUNCOS and 1 SNOW BUNTING (TH).
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area produced SNOW GEESE, CANADA GEESE,
TUNDRA SWANS, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, RING-NECKED PHEASANT, 1 BALD EAGLE, 2
NORTHERN HARRIERS, 1 RED-TAILED HAWK, 1 SANDHILL CRANE, RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKER, BLUE JAY, AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, SONG SPARROW and
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW between February 17 and 19 (AS, HM, DS).
Two separate small flocks of around 20 to 30 HORNED LARKS each were seen
along Drytown Road on February 17 (JS).
An EASTERN SCREECH OWL was seen in a nest box at the Holtwood
Environmental Center on February 17 (JS).
An Elzabethtown yard attracted 1 COOPER'S HAWK, CEDAR WAXWINGS, 1
SAVANNAH SPARROW, SONG SPARROWS and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS between
February 18 and 19 (AB).
A flock of gulls, including 2 adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, were seen
near Wrightsville on the Susquehanna River on February 19 (JH).
The following birds were seen in the Susquehanna River from Accomac Inn
(in York County, river is Lancaster Co.) on February 19; 30 GREATER and
LESSER SCAUP, 1 WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, 14 BUFFLEHEADS, 12 COMMON
GOLDENEYES, 2 HOODED MERGANSERS and COMMON MERGANSERS (JH).
There were 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, 2 KILLDEER, 5 WILSON'S SNIPE, hundreds
of HORNED LARKS, 1 HERMIT THRUSH and 3 AMERICAN PIPITS in the eastern
part of the county on February 19 (FH, BH).
LEBANON COUNTY:
A flock of over 300 HORNED LARKS was found along Crooked Road south of
Fort Indiantown Gap on February 17 (RS).
Memorial Lake in Fort Indiantown Gap produced 5 GADWALLS, 5 REDHEADS, 2
RING-NECKED DUCKS, 1 RUDDY DUCK, 1 HORNED GREBE and 30 AMERICAN COOTS on
February 17 (RS).
MIFFLIN COUNTY:
A late report of a Winter Raptor Survey run on February 11 recorded 2
COOPER'S HAWK, 22 RED-TAILED HAWKS and 9 AMERICAN KESTRELS as well as
COMMON MERGANSER, GREAT BLUE HERON, KILLDEER, over 200 AMERICAN CROWS
and AMERICAN ROBIN (BF, CK).
Coffee Run Road yielded 1 KILLDEER, 1 WILSON'S SNIPE, 1 AMERICAN PIPIT
and many WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS on February 17 (GG, DG).
A manured field along Kanagy Road just off of Route 655 produced 100
HORNED LARKS and 3 SNOW BUNTINGS on February 17 (GG, DG).
A KILLDEER and 2 WILSON'S SNIPE were found along Knepp Road on February
17 (GG, DG).
TIOGA COUNTY:
There is a report of a wintering VIRGINIA RAIL and some RUSTY BLACKBIRDS
that were seen during February (dates not specified) probably at a place
known as The Muck (location also not specified, but is based on the most
likely place for a rail in the area) (BR).
YORK COUNTY:
A field south of the city of York produced 200 HORNED LARKS and 1
LAPLAND LONGSPUR on February 18 (DH).
A flock of over 90 HORNED LARKS were found on February 19 in a manured
field located southeast of East Berlin (CC).
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/CentralPABirdlinebackupfiles/messages.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.
The following people have contributed to this birdline: Karen Atwood
(KA), Sarah Binder (SB), Ann Bodling (AB), Joe Church (JC), Dick Cleary
(DC), Christopher Colby (CC), Kurt Engstrom (KE), Bob Fowles (BF), Vern
Gauthier (VG), Dale Gearhart (DGe), Deborah Grove (DG), Greg Grove (GG),
Barb Haas (BH), Frank Haas (FH), Molly Heath (MH), Dan Heathcote (DH),
Jonathan Heller (JH), Carol and Charles Hildebrand (CCH), Tom Hopson
(TH), Thomas Johnson (TJ), Chad Kauffman (CK), Nick Kerlin (NK), Dan
Kunkle (DK), Jen Lee (JL), Chad Lensbower (CL), Justin Lensbower (JL),
Alan MacEachren (AM), Herb Myers (HM), Dan Ombalski (DO), Nick
Pulcinella (NP), Tom Randall (TR), Bob Ross (BR), Cameron Rutt (CR),
Joyce Schaff (JS), Phil Schaff (PS), Jeff Schaffer (JSc), Deb Siefken
(DSi), Ralph Siefken (RSi). Dave Smart (DS), Andy Smith (AS), Jim Smith
(JS), Bob Snyder (BS), Rosemary Spreha (RS), Aden Troyer (AT), Mary
Troyer (MT), Joe Verica (JV), Mike Weible (MW), Chuck Widmann (CW), Dick
Williams (DW) and Pat Williams (PW). I apologize if I have misspelled
their names and I will also refrain from naming that person on request.
-End Transcript
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Mark A. McConaughy TimeTraveler@email.msn.com
Bushy Run Battlefield
P.O. Box 486
Harrison City, PA 15636-0468 (724) 527-5585 x103
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