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RBA: Birdline Delaware, February 22nd, 2013

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Razorbill at the Indian River Inlet. Photo by Chuck Fullmer.

Whew, better late than never:

Here is the weekly RBA compiled by Andy Ednie that includes photos of birds mentioned. Thanks for all of the photo contributions! Click on links throughout the post to see the original postings to DE Birds, eBird Checklists, and other various links. If you would like to have your photos of birds mentioned below added, feel free to email them to timschreckengost AT gmail DOT com.

RBA
* Delaware
* Statewide
* February 22, 2013
* DEST1302.22

Hotline: Birdline Delaware
Date: February 22, 2013
Number: 302-658-2747
To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE)
Compiler: Andy Ednie (ednieap@verizon.net)
Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
Transcriber: Andy Ednie (ednieap@verizon.net)

For Friday, February 22nd, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The 2013 Delaware state annual list increased to 179 species this week.

The Birdline received an amazing report this week of an adult DOVEKIE found flopping around in the median strip of Route 1 in Bethany Beach on Tuesday. That bird was probably blown in by the strong storms Monday night. The bird, thought to be a Bufflehead at the time, was put a shoebox and brought into Tri-State Bird Rescue in good health and will probably be released.

RAZORBILLS were seen at Indian River Inlet, as many as four were reported this week. Also seen there have been an immature drake COMMON EIDER, a large raft of LONG-TAILED DUCKS, and all three species of SCOTER: WHITE-WINGED, BLACK, and SURF SCOTER. A peak count of 7 GREAT CORMORANT was reported from the jetty tower. GREATER SCAUP were also seen in the inlet. Both RUDDY TURNSTONE and PURPLE SANDPIPER were reported on the rocks. A flock of 50 SNOW BUNTINGS continues to be seen at the south inlet campground.

Long-tailed Duck at the Indian River Inlet. Photo by Chuck Fullmer.

An EARED GREBE was seen again this week at Indian River Inlet. That bird is been seen from the Burton’s Island Causeway in North Marina to the large pond along Route 1 known as Bottom Hills Drain. HORNED GREBES have also been seen in this area along with GREATER SCAUP. A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON was also reported.

Horned Grebe at the Indian River Inlet. Photo by Chuck Fullmer.

An adult winter plumage BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen at the Wolfe Point Sewage Treatment Plant near Midway above Rehoboth Beach. That bird was in with about 10 BONAPARTE’S GULL. Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach had over 500 CANVASBACKS, along with RING-NECKED DUCK and 12 RUDDY DUCK. Large flocks of landbirds have been seen feeding in the holly berries at the north end of Silver Lake, including CEDAR WAXWING and a GRAY CATBIRD.

A RED CROSSBILL was seen on Saturday at Indian River Inlet. That bird flew into the pine trees by the jetty parking lot. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were reported in numerous places in New Castle County, 3 females were seen coming to a bird bath along Franklin Street in downtown Wilmington. Four birds, 1 male and 3 female, were reported in Tallyville at the intersection of Orchard and McDaniel Drive. A female was seen feeding on Sweetgum balls nearby at Prospect Drive and Wellesley Ave. Another WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL was reported in Newark at Fairhill School Road (also known as Nine Foot Road) in White Clay Creek State Park.

White-winged Crossbills in Wilmington. Photo by Sally O’ Byrne.

The ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD continues to be seen in Newark, assisted by heat lamps during freezing weather. The hummingbird is at Diane and Steve Freebery’s house at 257 Delaplane Ave., in Middle Run Manor off Kirkwood Highway. Birders are welcome to come see this bird, walk down the driveway and sit on the back porch for the best viewing.

Some other birds seen in Newark included FOX SPARROWS and HERMIT THRUSH also along Fairhill School Road. Two MUTE SWANS were seen at the pond on DuPont property at along Pleasant Hill Road. Four RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS and a BARRED OWL were found at Middle Run Natural Area.  A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was reported at Academy Hill in South Newark. PILEATED WOODPECKER was reported at the Judge Morris Estate off Poly Drummond Rd. Newark Reservoir had RING-NECKED DUCK, 2 LESSER SCAUP, 18 COMMON MERGANSERS and a flyover BALD EAGLE.

The previous reported REDHEADS at Hoope’s Reservoir were not seen this week. Other birds there included COMMON GOLDENEYE, 2 GREATER SCAUP, and COMMON LOON. There was still has a nice variety of waterfowl including COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER, numerous PIED-BILLED GREBES, AMERICAN COOT, BUFFLEHEAD, plus RING-NECKED and RUDDY DUCK. At nearby Walnut Ridge, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE and PINE SISKIN were reported.

AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS were reported coming to the White’s feeder near Yorklyn and at the feeders in Brandywine Creek State Park. Also reported in the park this week was a male NORTHERN HARRIER and PILEATED WOODPECKER. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS reported coming to a bird feeder in Deerhurst. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen at Woodland Park near Price’s Corner again this week.

Even though it’s February there has been some first signs of spring. PINE WARBLER, a species not previously reported this year, with seen coming to feeders at Little Falls Village near the intersection of Route 48 and Centerville Rd. near Price’s Corner and also downstate at Blair’s Pond near Milford. PINE SISKINS were also seen there. WOOD DUCKS were reported in numerous places this week. Two were seen along the Brandywine Creek at the swinging bridge in downtown Wilmington. LESSER SCAUP and RING-NECKED DUCK were seen there. A WOOD DUCK was seen at Pike Creek Golf Course near Newark, along with GREATER and LESSER SCAUP. Downstate, WOOD DUCK was seen at Hangman’s Creek near Odessa and at Gordon’s Pond in Cape Henlopen State Park. Seems like spring migration is just around the corner.

Some other birds at Gordon’s Pond included 40 GADWALL and a GRAY CATBIRD among the numerous landbirds there. CHIPPING and FOX SPARROW were seen at the Seaside Nature Center at Cape Henlopen State Park. A feeder in Dewey Beach had the nuthatch trifecta with its first BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH of the year. That feeder has been hosting 2 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH along with 8 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH all year. A feeder in Georgetown reported 5 PURPLE FINCH with 6 PINE SISKINS, along with RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and EASTERN BLUEBIRDS.

In Western Sussex County, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and BROWN CREEPER were reported near Reliance. A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was seen in Seaford. AMERICAN WOODCOCK continue be reported at Woodlawn near the Nanticoke River.

A EURASIAN WIGEON was seen at Assawoman Wildlife Area near Fenwick Island, but they were not reported at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge this week. Some birds reported at Prime Hook included LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and 3 LESSER YELLOWLEGS along the Prime Hook Beach Road, 37 WILD TURKEYS and GREAT EGRET were seen at the refuge visitor center area. A ROSS’S GOOSE was seen with about 500 SNOW GEESE along the Fowler’s Beach Road. Three AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS were also reported at Fowler’s Beach.

Another EURASIAN WIGEON was reported at Big Stone Beach in Milford Neck Wildlife Area. Also seen there was a BLACK-HEADED GULL with BONAPARTE’S GULL. Large flocks of waterfowl there included 40 GADWALL, 100 AMERICAN WIGEON, and HOODED MERGANSER. A flock of 81 AMERICAN AVOCETS were reported at Logan Lane Tract near Kitts Hummock, along with 20 GREATER YELLOWLEGS. The field across from the Handicapped Fishing hole had approximately 100 EASTERN MEADOWLARK.

A EURASIAN WIGEON was also reported at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna. Other waterfowl seen included LESSER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, TUNDRA SWAN, and RUDDY DUCK. AMERICAN AVOCET and BLACK-NECKED STILT were reported at Raymond Pool along with LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON was reported along with EASTERN SCREECH OWL in a wood duck box. AMERICAN KESTREL and HORNED LARK were seen along the entrance road to the refuge. Landbirds seen included EASTERN PHOEBE, WHITE-CROWNED and FOX SPARROW, EASTERN MEADOWLARK, and RUSTY BLACKBIRD.

There were 3 SHORT-EARED OWLS at Pickering Beach. Those birds were seen starting to hunt after 5 PM. LESSER SCAUP were reported in the pond behind the Target store in Dover. 15 COMMON MERGANSERS were reported at Garrison Lake near Cheswold. PINE SISKIN was also reported coming to a feeder near Cheswold. GREATER SCAUP were seen on the Delaware Bay at Port Mahon. And there were 6 REDHEADS at Taylor’s Gut in Woodland Beach Wildlife Area this week.

RED-THROATED LOON and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were seen at Augustine Beach. A MARSH WREN was reported at Stave’s Landing Road near Odessa. Two HORNED GREBES were reported at Thousand Acre Marsh, along with a large numbers of NORTHERN PINTAIL and AMERICAN COOT. No PEREGRINE FALCONS were found at the Reedy Point Bridge, construction there has closed off their nest site.

There were still 5 BRANT in Battery Park in New Castle. Also reported there was 4 GREAT CORMORANT with several DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS. GREATER SCAUP were seen along the river. NORTHERN HARRIER, 2 BALD EAGLES and GRAY CATBIRD were seen at Gambacorta Marsh. There was also a huge flock of 12,000 FISH CROW flying across the River to Killohook National Wildlife Refuge.

Many thanks to those people that helped put together the Birdline this week including, Diane Freebery, Sally O’Byrne, Mike Smith, Andy Urquhart, Kar DGeiso, Andi Martin, Bob Ringler, Andy Dunn, Nancy Goggin, Jean Block, Beverly Corelle, Doug Gill, Howard Eskin, David Apgar, Amy White, John Hoyt, Chuck Brandt, David Fees, Bill Stewart, Lynn Smith, Sue Gruver, Derek Stoner, Tim Schreckengost, Alan Kneidel, Chris and Karen Bennett, Lauren Morgans, Matt Sarver, and Frank Rohrbacher. Please call your reports to me at 302-792-9591 or email to ednieap@verizon.net. Until next time, good
birding!!!

-end transcript

And for good measure, here is a video from Kim Steininger of Pine Siskins visiting her yard. Enjoy!

RBA: Birdline Delaware, November 30th, 2012

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Bald Eagle feeding on a deer carcass along Rt. 82 at the Delaware/Pennsylvania State Line on 30 November 2012. Photo by Derek Stoner.

Here is the weekly RBA compiled by Andy Ednie that includes photos of birds mentioned. Thanks for all of the photo contributions! Click on links throughout the post to see the original postings to DE Birds, eBird Checklists, and other various links. If you would like to have your photos of birds mentioned below added, feel free to email them to timschreckengost AT gmail DOT com.

RBA
* Delaware
* Statewide
* November 30, 2012
* DEST1211.30

Hotline: Birdline Delaware
Date: November 30, 2012
Number: 302-658-2747
To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE)
Compiler: Andy Ednie (ednieap@verizon.net)
Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
Transcriber: Andy Ednie (ednieap@verizon.net)

For Friday, November 30th, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The 2012 Delaware state annual list remains at 328 species.

This week another “SELASPHORUS” HUMMINGBIRD was found in northern Delaware. This bird is reported from an undisclosed location near Prices Corner. This will be the 7th SELASPHORUS found in the state this year! The previous reported HUMMINGBIRD coming to a feeder in Lincoln, Sussex County was banded on the 25th and determined to be RUFOUS. The reported ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD in Newark continues to be seen this week. That bird is at Diane and Steve Freebery’s house at 257 Delaplane Ave., in Middle Run Manor off Kirkwood Highway. Birders are welcome to come see this bird, walk down the driveway and sit on the back porch for the best viewing. There are two feeders, and
the hummer often sits in the vines and rose bushes on the trellis next to the steps.

First state record of Anna’s Hummingbird in Newark on 30 November 2012. Photo by Joshua Emm.

CROSSBILLS continue to be seen at either end of the state. Five WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were found at Breck’s Lane off Route 52 near Greenville. RED CROSSBILLS were reported flying over Ashland Nature Center. RED CROSSBILLS have almost been a daily occurrence at Cape Henlopen State Park. Five birds, a male and 4 females were found at the amphitheater in the campground on Friday. Flocks of 7 to 30 were seen flying over the hawk watch. Nine WHITE-WINGED and 7 RED CROSSBILLS were seen at the hawk watch today.

Five White-winged Crossbills at Brecks Lane near Hagley Museum on 29 November 2012. Photo by Derek Stoner.

A COMMON REDPOLL was reported at Bear Swamp in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna, although further details are not available. Three SNOW BUNTINGS were seen at the Sheerness Dike on Sunday. There have been 2 AMERICAN BITTERNS seen at the edge of Sheerness Pool, just north of the Daly pullout. Five BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were seen at Bear Swamp’s Night Heron Island. There still good amount of shorebirds at Raymond Pool, including 500 AMERICAN AVOCET, plus a single BLACK-NECKED STILT, and 7 to 8 MARBLED GODWITS. Also seen were DUNLIN, YELLOWLEGS and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. Waterfowl seen included a single LESSER SCAUP at Bear Swamp, plus RUDDY DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, TUNDRA SWAN, and PIED-BILLED GREBE

A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen at dusk at Port Mahon this week from the fishing pier looking back over the marsh. Five SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS were found at the parking lot at the far north end of the Port Mahon Road. Another SNOW BUNTING was found along the road past the tower at Little Creek Wildlife Management Area. Also seen that was BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON and over 300 AMERICAN COOTS.

More AMERICAN AVOCETS, 86 total, were seen at the Logan Lane Tract of the Ted Harvey Wildlife Area, at the South Impoundment. Also seen was a flyover of 40 LONG-TAILED DUCKS. A LESSER SCAUP was seen at the North Pond. Five AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS were seen at Mispillion Inlet, from the DuPont Nature Center. Also seen there were a female COMMON GOLDENEYE and BLACK SCOTER.

A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was seen along the entrance road to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge at the sharp 90° turn in the road where there was a lot of sparrows including an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. FOX SPARROW and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET were reported at the headquarters area. HOODED MERGANSER, TUNDRA SWAN, and 55 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were at the bridge on Cods Road, along with the River Otter. Eight BLACK SKIMMERS continue to be seen at Fowler’s Beach, along with BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and WESTERN SANDPIPER. A flock of 18 GREAT EGRETS were also seen going into roost there.

Yellow-breasted Chat at Prime Hook NWR on 29 November 2012. Photo by Chuck Fullmer.

Fox Sparrow at Prime Hook NWR on 29 November 2012. Photo by Chuck Fullmer.

Seven CANVASBACK and six RUDDY DUCKS were seen at Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach. The previous reported RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen with two young at Canal Pointe. There were 20 BUFFLEHEAD and 6 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS seen at Bald Eagle Creek. There continues to be a COMMON EIDER at the North Jetty of Indian River Inlet. Also seen were COMMON LOON, NORTHERN GANNET, and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. There was also two RUDDY TURNSTONES seen on the jetty.

Juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker at Canal Pointe in Rehoboth on 23 November 2012. Photo by Alissa Kegelman. More photos can be seen here on her SkyDrive.

A PINE SISKIN was seen feeding in a Sweetgum tree at Bellevue State Park today. Also seen was RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and WINTER WREN. A good number of raptors were seen including MERLIN, RED-SHOULDERED, and RED-TAILED HAWK.

A late OSPREY was at Brandywine Creek State Park on Saturday. CHIPPING SPARROW was also found along with HERMIT THRUSH. A GREAT HORNED OWL was found perched in a tree near the Freshwater Marsh Preserve. Also reported was EASTERN SCREECH OWL and PILEATED WOODPECKER.

Hoopes’ Reservoir is teaming with waterfowl right now. Over 400 RING-NECKED DUCKS were found at Hillside Mill Cove. 60 HOODED MERGANSERS were reported at Carpenter Cove from the Route 82 causeway. Also seen was PIED-BILLED GREBE, a single drake WOOD DUCK, and BALD EAGLE (eBird Checklist). Two YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS were found nearby Valley Garden Park.

A CHIPPING SPARROW is still coming to a feeder  in Pike Creek this last week. HERMIT THRUSH, WINTER WREN and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET were reported at Ashland nature center. Several PURPLE FINCHES were reported coming to a feeder near Georgetown in Sussex Co.

GOLDEN EAGLES were seen at both hawk watches this past week as those programs come to a close. A single GOLDEN EAGLE, plus 2 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were seen flying over Ashland Hawk Watch on Monday. Four migratory KILLDEERS were also seen flying over this week.

A juvenile NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen at the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch on Friday. GOLDEN EAGLES were seen at the hawk watch yesterday and on Monday. 17 BALD EAGLES were also seen at the latter date. Cape Henlopen also had late OSPREYS on Monday and Tuesday. Other birds reported there included a NORTHERN ROUGH WINGED SWALLOW, PINE WARBLER, several PINE SISKIN, and over 75 SNOW BUNTINGS at the point.

Many thanks to those people that helped put together the Birdline this week including, Diane and Steve Freebery, Hank Davis, Joshua Emm, Tim Schreckengost, Amy O’Neil, Chris and Karen Bennett, Anthony Gonzon, Kar DeGeiso, Bill Stewart, Ian Stewart, Alissa Kegelman, Derek Stoner, Joe Sebastiani, Lynn Smith, Kyle Horton, Chuck Fulmer and Ken Bass. Also, special thanks to our two hawk-counters, Tonya Mommone and Jennifer Ottinger for their excellent work. Please call your reports to me at 302-792-9591 or email to ednieap@verizon.net. Until next time, good birding!!!

-end transcript

American Tree Sparrow at Prime Hook NWR on 29 November 2012. Photo by Chuck Fullmer.

Status of Winter Finch Irruptions in the Northeast–November 2012

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Mid-October Winter Finch Update can be read here.

There are a number of winter finches that are predicted to irrupt into the northeast this fall and winter due to poor cone and seed crops. I will go through the status of each winter finch in the northeast thus far. I also included Snowy Owl in this post as they are an interesting irruptive species that may make a decent push into the northeast this winter.. Click on each map to see the sightings for the entire country and Canada. These sightings are from August through November 2012.

Pine Grosbeak

Pine Grosbeaks appear to be making solid push into the northeast over the last few weeks with six individuals being reported as far south as Amherst, Massachusetts. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the winter plays out for this species to see how far south they will venture. As far as Delaware goes, there is only one accepted record for the state.

Pine Grosbeak at Park River NWR in Newburyport, Massachusetts on 17 November 2012, Photo by Ryan Schain

Pine Grosbeak sightings in the northeast from August to November 2012.

Purple Finch

Purple Finches are being seen throughout much of the east in high concentrations and as far south as Mobile County, Alabama where one individual was reported on 11 November 2012.

Purple Finch in Camden-Wyoming, Delaware, Photo by Brian McCaffrey

Purple Finch sightings in the northeast from November to October 2012.

Red Crossbill

Red Crossills are making a nice movement south with birds being reported in the east as far south as Bartow County, Georgia where four individuals were reported on 18 November 2012. Reports of as many as 100 individuals have been reported from Cape Henlopen Hawkwatch in Delaware. If possible, take a recording of birds calling or singing and send them to Matt Young at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (may6 AT cornell DOT edu).

Matt wrote a nice piece on eBird discussing each Type of Red Crossbill and included spectrograms and audio files of flight calls for each type.

*North American Red Crossbill Types: Status and Flight Call Identification

Red Crossbill on 17 November 2012, Photo by Chuck Fullmer

Red Crossbill sightings in the northeast from August to November 2012.

White-winged Crossbill

White-winged Crossbills are making a strong push into the northeast this fall, more specifically over the last several weeks. Nate and I had several flocks a few weeks ago in Clearfield County, PA (Check out our post on Clearfield County Crossbills!). Reports are coming in from the southern limit of Virginia Beach, VA with one individual reported on 18 November 2012.

White-winged Crossbill in State College, PA, Photo by Alex Lamoreaux

White-winged Crossbill sightings in the northeast from August to November 2012.

Common Redpoll

Highest concentrations of Common Redpolls are being reported around the Great Lakes, but they appear to be dispersing southward with some intensity. Birds are being reported in North Carolina with one individual on 18 November 2012 in Orange County.

Common Redpoll at Erie NWR in Crawford County, PA on 11 November 2012, Photo by Shawn Collins

Common Redpoll sightings in the northeast from November to October 2012.

Hoary Redpoll

There are a few scattered reports of Hoary Redpolls mixed in with feeding flocks of Common Redpolls. The furthest south report comes from Cumberland County, Maine, where one individual was reported on 11 November 2012.

Hoary Redpoll sightings in the northeast from August to November 2012.

Pine Siskin

Pine Siskins are being reported all over the east with highest concentrations coming along the coast, but also good numbers are being reported inland. Siskins are being reported in Florida and south Texas. Four individuals were reported in Orange County, Florida on 20 November 2012 and one being reported during the RGV Birding Festival in Cameron County, Texas on 8 November 2012.

Pine Siskins in Camden-Wyoming, Delaware, Photo by Brian McCaffrey

Pine Siskin sightings in the northeast from August to November 2012.

Evening Grosbeak

Evening Grosbeaks, the ABA Bird of the Year, continues to put on a show in the northeast. Birds are showing up into central North Carolina with one individual reported in Catawba County on 16 November 2012. There have been plenty of grosbeak sightings and I was fortunate to see a few in Indiana County, PA at the beginning of November (Check out Evening Grosbeaks visit the Higbee’s Yard!)

Evening Grosbeak in Indiana County, PA on 1 November 2012

Evening Grosbeak sightings in the northeast from August to November 2012.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Nuthatches, the story of the newly revived I and the Bird. Red-breasted Nuthatches are making an impressive push south with many birds being reported along the Gulf Coast. Birds are being reported in St. Petersberg, Florida and South Padre Island in Texas.

Red-breasted Nuthatch at Presque Isle State Park on 29 August 2012, Photo by Shawn Collins

Red-breasted Nuthatch sightings in the northeast from August to November 2012.

Bohemian Waxwing

Scattered reports of Bohemian Waxwings are coming from much of the northeast and Great Lakes regions, with highest concentrations in northern Vermont. Birds are being observed as far south as Massachusetts, where one individual was reported on 26 October 2012 in Barnstable County. Mike McDowell had one in his Wisconsin backyard on 16 November 2012. Keep sifting through the large flocks of Cedar Waxwings!

Bohemian Waxwing in Dane County, Wisconsin on 16 November 2012, Photo by Mike McDowell

Bohemian Waxwing sightings in the northeast from August to November 2012.

Snowy Owl

I know this isn’t a winter finch, but it is still “irruptive.” There are a few scattered Snowy Owl reports in the northeast thus far, but they may stage a push of variable size over the next few weeks. One bird was found in Pennsylvania and was taken to a rehabilitation center for treatment. Will we see a repeat of last year? Only time will tell!

Snowy Owl sightings in the northeast from August to November 2012.

Check out Ron Pittaway’s Winter Finch Forecast for more details and make sure to report all sightings to eBird so you can add to these cool maps!

*All maps created in eBird*

Clearfield County Crossbills

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This morning Tim and I decided to meet up and do some birding in Clearfield County before he heads back to Delaware. The brisk morning started out well with a Black Bear walking up to my car while I waited for Tim at the DuBois Reservoir. The first bird of the day was a Ring-necked Pheasant that flew over at dawn. On the water we found lots of Ring-necked Ducks and Lesser Scaup but not much else. We decided to head to S.B. Elliott State Park in hope of finding some winter finches. At the entrance to the park there are many Norway Spruces, Tamarack, and White Birch Trees, an ideal area for finches. We wandered around the reclaimed meadow looking up at the conifers in hope of spotting something good. Lots of Red-breasted Nuthatches but not much else. Eventually we made our way back to the car and as we were about to pack it up we spotted 7 White-winged Crossbills in a tamarack next to a Marcellus Shale gas compressor station.

White-winged Crossbill (male)

Soon these birds flew off so Tim and I decided to give Parker Dam S.P. a try. Well the feeders were empty and after about 30 minutes we returned to S.B. Elliott.We set up shop in the same area and soon enough 3 White-winged Crossbills showed up and fed on Norway Spruce cones for about 30 minutes. A surprisingly large flock of 85 Rusty Blackbirds passed over head as we took video of the crossbills. As we got in the car another 10 White-winged Crossbills showed up but didn’t stick around long.

All in all we had a great day of birding and got some decent videos and pictures. Check them out!

The video was shot by Nate and Tim. Nate was using an iPhone 4s handheld and Tim was using a Samsung Stratosphere and PhoneSkope Universal Adapter.