RBA
* Delaware
* Statewide
* April 13, 2007
* DEST0704.13
*Birds mentioned
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Common Loon
Pied-Billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Bald Eagle
Osprey
Little x Snowy Egret
Black-crowned Night Heron
Glossy Ibis
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Merlin
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
American Oystercatcher
American Avocet
Red Knot
Sanderling
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher
Caspian Tern
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Pileated Woodpecker
Horned Lark
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Brown Thrasher
Rusty Blackbird
Transcript
Hotline: Birdline Delaware
Date: April 13, 2007
Number: 302/658-2747
To Report: Armas Hill, 302/529-1876 (VOICE)
302/529-1085 (FAX)
Compiler: Andy Ednie (ednieap@fcc.net)
Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern
New Jersey, Maryland
Transcriber: Andy Ednie (ednieap@fcc.net)
For Friday the 13th, this is Birdline Delaware, for April, 2007, from the
Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. Hello. I'm Andy Ednie,
substituting for Armas Hill.
The possible LITTLE EGRET that was found a week ago, at the southeast corner
of Bear Swamp Pool in Bombay Hook NWR near Smyrna, Delaware has not been
seen since last Saturday. That bird, with two long plumes extending from the
back of the neck, is now being considered a hybrid Snowy X Little, or
"Snittle" Egret.
There are two previous records of LITTLE EGRET in the state. The last was
from Shearness Pool in Bombay Hook in July of 1999. There were some obvious
morphological differences that made this identification difficult: The size
between the two species was not obviously apparent during a side by side
comparison, the bill was only slightly longer but not broader, and there was
a yellow line up the back of the legs. Interbreeding of these two species
has been documented on Barbados. I'd like to thank everybody that supplied
comments and pictures of this bird.
Some other birds at Bombay Hook included a breeding plumaged HORNED GREBE,
3-4 PIED-BILLED GREBES, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, the first SHORT-BILLED
DOWITCHERS of the season, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, and BROWN THRASHER.
The first BROAD-WINGED HAWK of the spring was spotted in the Red Clay Creek
Valley at Barley Mill Stables near Mt. Cuba on Wednesday.
CASPIAN TERNS were reported at Thousand Acre Marsh and at the Canal Pond,
across from Dragon Run in Delaware City. A peak count of 11 PIED-BILLED
GREBES was also found on the Canal Pond on Monday with MUTE SWAN and
AMERICAN COOT. BLUE-WINGED TEAL were reported at Grier's Pond. WOOD DUCK,
GLOSSY IBIS and BALD EAGLES were also seen.
A pair of AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER was seen this week at Port Mahon. Also seen
there last weekend were 10 AMERICAN AVOCETS.
Hundreds of AMERICAN AVOCETS, some going into breeding plumage, were
reported today along the north side of Slaughter's Beach. RED KNOTS were
reported there over the weekend, along with DUNLIN, SANDERLING,
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and both YELLOWLEGS. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and GREATER
SCAUP were offshore.
One spot for diving ducks has been the New Castle Co. Sewage treatment plant
near Odessa, that had larger numbers of BUFFLEHEAD, GREATER and LESSER
SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, and RUDDY DUCK this week.
There were 4 COMMON LOONS on Hoopes Reservoir today, three were in breeding
plumaged. PIED-BILLED GREBE, GREATER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, COMMON
MERGANSER and WOOD DUCK were also on the reservoir. 2 CASPIAN TERNS were
also seen there, along with BALD EAGLE, OSPREY, and MERLIN. The large flock
of TREE SWALLOWS also had BARN and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW.
2 COMMON LOONS were on Newark reservoir, along with GREATER SCAUP and
PIED-BILLED GREBE. HORNED LARK continues to be reported along the lip of the
construction.
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, PALM, AND PINE WARBLERS, along with BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHER were reported throughout the state this week. 6 species of
woodpecker including 3 PILEATED and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER were reported
at the white Clay Creek. RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were reported at Trap Pond and
Brandywine Creek State Park
Now for this week's special feature on the Birdline, from WILM News Radio.
You can hear the special feature on Wednesday's at 5:55 and 8:55 am and at
6:55 pm.
(SFx William Tell overture)
Listing is a birding activity that can be informative and competitive. The
Bird Day is one way to see how many different types of birds can be seen in
a 24 hour period. Each passing day, more different species arrive here in
Delaware. Finding late lingering winter residents like ducks and sparrows
can increase that number. The trick is to visit as many different habitats
as possible to build your list.
The ABA, aka the American Birding Association, maintains the rules and code
of ethics for Big Days. You have to stay within a geopolitical boundary,
state, county, or park. The ABA keeps and publishes the records of every
count in North America. In Delaware, the record of 203 species is held by
the late Dave Cutler from Philadelphia. His team also comprised several
Delawareans, Howard Brokaw and Jeff Gordon.
Big Days go by many names, Century runs, May counts, or in England it's
called Bird Racing. Its not just about identification, but also time
management and logistics. The World Series of Birding, sponsored by New
Jersey Audubon Society, brings in birders from around the world to compete
for the Urner-Stone cup. Their highest one day Big Day total in New Jersey
was 231 species.
This year, the Delmarva Ornithological Society (DOS) is sponsoring its first
official Delaware Bird-a-thon. The goal is to collect charitable
contributions to preserve wetland habitat for the endangered Red Knot.
Prizes will be awarded for most species and funds raised. It's a great way
to see birds and help conserve Delaware's birding heritage. You can find out
more by checking the DOS web site at www.dosbirds.org. Birding for
conservation makes cents.
Please call your reports into 302-792-9591 or email me at ednieap@fcc.net.
Until next time, good birding.
-end transcript
* Delaware
* Statewide
* April 13, 2007
* DEST0704.13
*Birds mentioned
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Common Loon
Pied-Billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Bald Eagle
Osprey
Little x Snowy Egret
Black-crowned Night Heron
Glossy Ibis
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Merlin
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
American Oystercatcher
American Avocet
Red Knot
Sanderling
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher
Caspian Tern
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Pileated Woodpecker
Horned Lark
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Brown Thrasher
Rusty Blackbird
Transcript
Hotline: Birdline Delaware
Date: April 13, 2007
Number: 302/658-2747
To Report: Armas Hill, 302/529-1876 (VOICE)
302/529-1085 (FAX)
Compiler: Andy Ednie (ednieap@fcc.net)
Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern
New Jersey, Maryland
Transcriber: Andy Ednie (ednieap@fcc.net)
For Friday the 13th, this is Birdline Delaware, for April, 2007, from the
Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. Hello. I'm Andy Ednie,
substituting for Armas Hill.
The possible LITTLE EGRET that was found a week ago, at the southeast corner
of Bear Swamp Pool in Bombay Hook NWR near Smyrna, Delaware has not been
seen since last Saturday. That bird, with two long plumes extending from the
back of the neck, is now being considered a hybrid Snowy X Little, or
"Snittle" Egret.
There are two previous records of LITTLE EGRET in the state. The last was
from Shearness Pool in Bombay Hook in July of 1999. There were some obvious
morphological differences that made this identification difficult: The size
between the two species was not obviously apparent during a side by side
comparison, the bill was only slightly longer but not broader, and there was
a yellow line up the back of the legs. Interbreeding of these two species
has been documented on Barbados. I'd like to thank everybody that supplied
comments and pictures of this bird.
Some other birds at Bombay Hook included a breeding plumaged HORNED GREBE,
3-4 PIED-BILLED GREBES, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, the first SHORT-BILLED
DOWITCHERS of the season, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, and BROWN THRASHER.
The first BROAD-WINGED HAWK of the spring was spotted in the Red Clay Creek
Valley at Barley Mill Stables near Mt. Cuba on Wednesday.
CASPIAN TERNS were reported at Thousand Acre Marsh and at the Canal Pond,
across from Dragon Run in Delaware City. A peak count of 11 PIED-BILLED
GREBES was also found on the Canal Pond on Monday with MUTE SWAN and
AMERICAN COOT. BLUE-WINGED TEAL were reported at Grier's Pond. WOOD DUCK,
GLOSSY IBIS and BALD EAGLES were also seen.
A pair of AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER was seen this week at Port Mahon. Also seen
there last weekend were 10 AMERICAN AVOCETS.
Hundreds of AMERICAN AVOCETS, some going into breeding plumage, were
reported today along the north side of Slaughter's Beach. RED KNOTS were
reported there over the weekend, along with DUNLIN, SANDERLING,
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and both YELLOWLEGS. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and GREATER
SCAUP were offshore.
One spot for diving ducks has been the New Castle Co. Sewage treatment plant
near Odessa, that had larger numbers of BUFFLEHEAD, GREATER and LESSER
SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, and RUDDY DUCK this week.
There were 4 COMMON LOONS on Hoopes Reservoir today, three were in breeding
plumaged. PIED-BILLED GREBE, GREATER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, COMMON
MERGANSER and WOOD DUCK were also on the reservoir. 2 CASPIAN TERNS were
also seen there, along with BALD EAGLE, OSPREY, and MERLIN. The large flock
of TREE SWALLOWS also had BARN and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW.
2 COMMON LOONS were on Newark reservoir, along with GREATER SCAUP and
PIED-BILLED GREBE. HORNED LARK continues to be reported along the lip of the
construction.
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, PALM, AND PINE WARBLERS, along with BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHER were reported throughout the state this week. 6 species of
woodpecker including 3 PILEATED and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER were reported
at the white Clay Creek. RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were reported at Trap Pond and
Brandywine Creek State Park
Now for this week's special feature on the Birdline, from WILM News Radio.
You can hear the special feature on Wednesday's at 5:55 and 8:55 am and at
6:55 pm.
(SFx William Tell overture)
Listing is a birding activity that can be informative and competitive. The
Bird Day is one way to see how many different types of birds can be seen in
a 24 hour period. Each passing day, more different species arrive here in
Delaware. Finding late lingering winter residents like ducks and sparrows
can increase that number. The trick is to visit as many different habitats
as possible to build your list.
The ABA, aka the American Birding Association, maintains the rules and code
of ethics for Big Days. You have to stay within a geopolitical boundary,
state, county, or park. The ABA keeps and publishes the records of every
count in North America. In Delaware, the record of 203 species is held by
the late Dave Cutler from Philadelphia. His team also comprised several
Delawareans, Howard Brokaw and Jeff Gordon.
Big Days go by many names, Century runs, May counts, or in England it's
called Bird Racing. Its not just about identification, but also time
management and logistics. The World Series of Birding, sponsored by New
Jersey Audubon Society, brings in birders from around the world to compete
for the Urner-Stone cup. Their highest one day Big Day total in New Jersey
was 231 species.
This year, the Delmarva Ornithological Society (DOS) is sponsoring its first
official Delaware Bird-a-thon. The goal is to collect charitable
contributions to preserve wetland habitat for the endangered Red Knot.
Prizes will be awarded for most species and funds raised. It's a great way
to see birds and help conserve Delaware's birding heritage. You can find out
more by checking the DOS web site at www.dosbirds.org. Birding for
conservation makes cents.
Please call your reports into 302-792-9591 or email me at ednieap@fcc.net.
Until next time, good birding.
-end transcript