Sunday, December 8, 2013

Field Report: John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, Dec. 7, 2013

On Saturday, December 7, Vince Smith led a group on a bird walk at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove that saw 37 species. Highlights included Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, and Lesser Black-backed Gull. While Lesser Black-backed Gulls are common winter visitors to the larger bodies of water in Bucks County, such as Lake Galena in Peace Valley Park, it's much rarer to see them in Montgomery County, especially away from a large lake or similar body of water. The complete list of birds, as submitted to eBird, follows:

Canada Goose 330
Mallard 10
Common Merganser 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 6
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 6
Peregrine Falcon 1
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 4
Carolina Wren 6
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 4
American Robin 11
European Starling 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2
Field Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 15
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 10
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 16
Northern Cardinal 4
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 1

Monday, November 25, 2013

Field Report: John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, Nov. 16, 2013

On Saturday, November 16, the people attending our Winter Bird ID Course were given the chance to test their new skills on a bird walk on the grounds of the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove. 25 species were spotted, including such winter birds as Brown Creeper, Fox Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, and Dark-eyed Junco. Walk leader Vince Smith's complete list, as submitted to eBird, follows:

Canada Goose 10
Mallard 5
Great Blue Heron 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 8
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 3
Eastern Bluebird 4
American Robin 35
European Starling 8
Cedar Waxwing 12
Fox Sparrow (Red) 1
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 25
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 9
Northern Cardinal 3
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 6

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Field Report: Black Rock Sanctuary, Nov. 9, 2013

On Saturday, November 9, Vince Smith led a group of birders on a walk at Black Rock Sanctuary in Phoenixville that saw 31 species. Among the highlights were a number of winter visitors, including Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, and Fox Sparrow. The complete list, as submitted to eBird, follows:

Canada Goose 65
Mallard 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 8
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 6
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 23
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3
Eastern Towhee 1
Fox Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 13
White-throated Sparrow 25
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 2
Northern Cardinal 8
American Goldfinch 5

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Field Report: Welkinweir, November 9, 2013

On Saturday, November 9, Rick Keyser lead a group on a bird walk at Welkinweir in Pottstown, PA. 37 species were seen, highlights being American Black Duck, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Fox Sparrow. Rick's complete list, as submitted to eBird, follows:

Wood Duck  8    Mixed gender flock fly over
American Black Duck  5    Swimming on Rodebaugh pond
Mallard  5    Swimming on Rodebaugh pond
Black Vulture  1    Soaring
Turkey Vulture  2    Soaring
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1    Immature spooking many of the AMROs and CEDWs, saw well while perched and while soaring
Bald Eagle  1    Adult fly by just over the canopy !
Red-tailed Hawk  1    Adult soaring
Mourning Dove  10    Conservative estimate
Red-bellied Woodpecker  5    Vocal
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1    Heard, but did not see
Downy Woodpecker  4    Heard whinny
Hairy Woodpecker  1    Saw female, 'PEEK!'
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2    Vocal
Blue Jay  6    Conservative estimate - vocal
American Crow  3    Conservative estimate - vocal
Carolina Chickadee  6    Conservative estimate - calling
Tufted Titmouse  3    Calling
White-breasted Nuthatch  3    Heard calling
Brown Creeper  1    Heard calling
Carolina Wren  8
Golden-crowned Kinglet  12    Conservative estimate - calling seemingly in every direction, sometimes more than four seen at one time
Eastern Bluebird  4    Calling
American Robin  10    Conservative estimate - calling
European Starling  24
Cedar Waxwing  30    Conservative estimate - vocal
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  5
Eastern Towhee  1    Heard calling, possibly two birds counter-calling
Field Sparrow  3
Fox Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  9    Calling; began to sing as day warmed!
White-throated Sparrow  40    Conservative estimate - singing, calling
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  20    Conservative estimate - calling, some singing !
Northern Cardinal  3    Calling
Red-winged Blackbird  30    Conservative estimate - fly over flock calling, saw red wings
Common Grackle  150    Conservative estimate - fly over flock calling with long tails
American Goldfinch  1    Heard calling


Other wildlife sightings included Clouded Sulphur and Eastern Chipmunk and evidence of Beaver activity at Rodebaugh Pond.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Field Report: Stroud Preserve, October 19, 2013

On Saturday, October 19, Rick Keyser lead what was probably Valley Forge Audubon's first bird walk at Stroud Preserve, an impressive Natural Lands Trust preserve of over 500 acres near West Chester. 47 species of birds were spotted; highlights included Merlin, Swainson's Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Lincoln's Sparrow, and White-crowned Sparrow. This impressive count is a testament to Stroud Preserve's position as part of the Laurels, King Ranch, Stroud Important Bird Area. It's also a testament to the importance of the work of the Natural Lands Trust, who have preserved over 21,000 acres of land in our region. The complete list, as submitted to eBird, follows:

Canada Goose  200    Conservative estimate - vocal flocks
Mallard  2                 M/F pair flying over E. Brandywine Creek
Great Blue Heron  1    Flying
Turkey Vulture  2    Soaring
Accipiter sp.  1
Bald Eagle  1         Adult flying above E. Brandywine Creek
Red-shouldered Hawk  1    Heard calling repeately
Red-tailed Hawk  2    Adult soaring
Killdeer  1             Heard sustained vocalizations
Mourning Dove  18
Red-bellied Woodpecker  8    Conservative estimate - vocal
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  3    Vocal, a pair
Downy Woodpecker  5    Vocal
Hairy Woodpecker  2    Saw, but not well, vocal
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3    Vocal
Merlin  1    Fly-by
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue Jay  20             Conservative estimate
American Crow  20    Conservative estimate
Tree Swallow  10    Conservative estimate
Carolina Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  4    Calling; singing !
Brown Creeper  1    Heard sing once !
Winter Wren  1    Heard calling repeatedly, but would not show
Carolina Wren  6    Conservative estimate - singing, calling
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  3    Calling
Eastern Bluebird  10    Conservative estimate - calling
Swainson's Thrush  1    Feeding on wild grapes in tree crown
Hermit Thrush  1         Feeding on wild grapes in tree crown
Catharus sp.  1             Feeding on wild grapes in tree crown
American Robin  30    Conservative estimate - calling; singing !
Gray Catbird  1         Calling
Northern Mockingbird  4    Calling; singing
European Starling  2    Pair perched in tree crown
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  10    Conservative estimate - calling
Eastern Towhee  4    Counter-calling
Field Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  20    Conservative estimate:  counter-singing, calling
Lincoln's Sparrow  1    Saw the bird call its soft chip-note, fine breast streaks and flank streaks, all with buffy wash underneath them.
Swamp Sparrow  5    Conservative estimate - calling
White-throated Sparrow  30    Conservative estimate - singing, calling
White-crowned Sparrow  2    An adult, and an immature seen well (thanks Jane)
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  3    Saw and heard "Kew" calls
Northern Cardinal  6    Conservative estimate - calling
Red-winged Blackbird  75    Conservative estimate - calling; counter-singing !
House Finch  5         Calling
American Goldfinch  30    Conservative estimate - calling


The group also heard one call that could have been a Palm Warbler, and another trill that could have been a Pine Warbler, Junco, or Swamp Sparrow. Other wildlife spotted included Clouded Sulphur and Monarch Butteflies, Spring Peeper, Eastern Chipmunk, and Gray Squirrel.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Bird Walk with Friends of Exton Park-October 20, 2013

By Debbie Beer
I was delighted to bird Exton Park for my first time ever, on Sunday October 20, 2013.  I substituted for Bird Walk leader Sue Lucas, who provided me with great information about trails and expected species.  It was a crisp, chilly morning when our group of 5 people met in the parking lot and set out to explore Exton Park, public spaces managed by both Chester County and Whiteland Township.

The trail led us through dense thicket, filled with sparrows, yellow-rumped warblers and a few cardinals. The nearby fields and sky overhead was alive with hundreds of Canada Geese constantly circling, landing, and taking off again.  It was difficult to count the numbers, not knowing which ones were newly arriving, or just switching locations.  The pond hosted Mallards, a female Hooded Merganser and a pair of Green-winged Teal.  We found an Eastern Phoebe, Belted Kingfisher and several Great Blue Herons in the picturesque wetlands.

The park is a mecca for sparrows this time of year, and we were delighted to find a White-crowned Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, and several Swamp Sparrows amongst myriad Song and White-throated Sparrows.  I got a quick look at an ammodramus sparrow, likely the Nelson's that had been reported twice earlier in the week.  I'd like to get better looks to rule out other similar species.

We ended a wonderful walk with 39 species + 1 sparrow species.  The Friends of Exton Park invite everyone to their regularly-scheduled Thursday morning bird walks, which meet at 8:30 am in the parking lot.  Special thanks to Carol Kuniholm who co-led the walk with me, and is spearheading excellent efforts with Friends of Exton Park!


Below is bird list submitted to eBird:
Canada Goose 400
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 19
Green-winged Teal 2
Hooded Merganser 1
Great Blue Heron 3
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 4
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 25 (Many circling overhead. High count of 25 at one time mobbing a Red-tailed Hawk).
Tree Swallow 15
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 4
American Robin 25
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 12
Cedar Waxwing 3
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Song Sparrow 18
Lincoln's Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 20
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Sparrow species. 1 (Ammodramus species seen very briefly. Face showed orange crescent around gray cheek. Seen in same location as Nelson's previously-reported twice this week, on Thursday 10/17 and Saturday or Sunday)
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 15
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 5

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Field Report: John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, October 12, 2013

On Saturday, October 12, Vince Smith lead a bird walk at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove that saw 39 species. Now that we are reaching the heart of autumn, our neo-tropical migrants are being replaced by our "winter" birds. The only warblers spotted were Pine, Palm, and Yellow-rumped; while appearances were made by both kinglets, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and a group of Hermit Thrushes. The complete list, as submitted to eBird, follows:

Canada Goose  85
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Turkey Vulture  7
Sharp-shinned Hawk  3
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Mourning Dove  1
Chimney Swift  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  3
Downy Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  4
Pileated Woodpecker  2
Eastern Phoebe  3
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  13
American Crow  50
Carolina Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  4
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  3
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  4
Eastern Bluebird  7
Hermit Thrush  4     All birds found together feeding on Wild Grape.
American Robin  7
Cedar Waxwing  30
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  4
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  25
Eastern Towhee  1
Chipping Sparrow  20
Song Sparrow  7
Swamp Sparrow  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Common Grackle  3
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  2

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Field Report: Welkinweir, Sept. 14, 2013

On Saturday, September 14, Rick Keyser lead a group of five people around Lake Rodenbaugh at Welkinweir that saw 40 species of birds. Plenty of fall migrants, including Yellow-throated Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Magnolia Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, and Black-throated Green Warbler made an appearance. The complete list, as submitted to eBird follows:

Great Blue Heron  1    Seen briefly in flight
Green Heron  1    Seen flying
Black Vulture  1    Soaring
Turkey Vulture  8    Soaring
Cooper's Hawk  1    Soaring (probably immature)
Red-tailed Hawk  2    Adults - one kiting very high; another in low flight mobbed by AMCRs.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1    Not an adult male
Belted Kingfisher  1    Male fly-by, vocal
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3    Vocal
Downy Woodpecker  4    Heard whinny
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2    Vocal
Eastern Wood-Pewee  3    Singing; seen fly-catching
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's Flycatcher)  1
Eastern Phoebe  7    Calling
White-eyed Vireo  2    Singing!
Yellow-throated Vireo  1    Singing!
Red-eyed Vireo  5    Calling
Blue Jay  15    Conservative estimate - vocal
American Crow  3    Vocal, mobbing an adult RTHA in flight
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  8    Conservative estimate
Tree Swallow  2    Pair
Carolina Chickadee  8    Conservative estimate - calling
Tufted Titmouse  6    Calling; singing
White-breasted Nuthatch  4    Heard calling
House Wren  3    Calling
Carolina Wren  4    Calling; singing
American Robin  3    Calling
Gray Catbird  20    Conservative estimate - calling
Brown Thrasher  2    Calling
Cedar Waxwing  12    Foraging flock
Common Yellowthroat  4    Calling; singing
American Redstart  1
Northern Parula  2    Weak singing!
Magnolia Warbler  2
Bay-breasted Warbler  2    Both with bay wash on sides - one brighter than the other
Black-throated Green Warbler  2    One without any black underneath; another with extensive black throat
Eastern Towhee  2    Heard calling
Northern Cardinal  4    Heard calling
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  4    Conservative estimate - immature male (saw red in axillars), adult female, etc.
Indigo Bunting  1    Saw calling
American Goldfinch  5    M/f pair

Field Report: Black Rock Sanctuary, Sept. 14, 2013

On Saturday September 14, Vincent Smith lead a bird walk at Black Rock Sanctuary in Phoenixville that saw 43 species. Fall migration was in full effect, with eight different kinds of warblers making a showing, including an adult Cape May Warbler feeding a juvenile. Other migrants included Yellow-throated Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The complete list, as submitted to eBird follows:
Wood Duck  7
Mallard  4
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  10
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Rock Pigeon  3
Mourning Dove  3
Chimney Swift  3
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
Eastern Wood-Pewee  3
Yellow-throated Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  12
American Crow  15
Tree Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  10
Tufted Titmouse  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  3
American Robin  17
Gray Catbird  14
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  4
Cedar Waxwing  8
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
Cape May Warbler  2     Adult feeding juvenile
Northern Parula  1
Magnolia Warbler  4
Blackburnian Warbler  2
Black-throated Green Warbler  4
Wilson's Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  1
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  7
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1
Red-winged Blackbird  100
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  5

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Joint Friends of Heinz Refuge-VFAS Bird Walk at Heinz Refuge

Friends of Heinz Refuge teamed with Valley Forge Audubon Society to host a guided bird walk September 7, 2013 at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Philadelphia. More than 30 people came out to explore this urban oasis, one of the best birding hotspots in the area, with 300+ resident and migratory bird species recorded on the Refuge.

Encompassing nearly 1,000 acres of varied habitats, Heinz Refuge protects the largest freshwater tidal marsh in the state, and was designated an Audubon Important Bird Area (IBA) in 1996. The main water impoundment served as focal point for our bird walk, showcasing several Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons and crouching Green Herons. Several dozen Double-crested Cormorants swam together in the deeper end, diving repeatedly after fish they were stirring. Numerous Wood Ducks huddled in shadows under trees along the waters’ edge. Belted Kingfisher and Northern Rough-winged Swallows were added to our list.

We walked slowly down the Dike Road, checking trees and shrubs for warblers, vireos and flycatchers that are migrating through Heinz Refuge. Besides the ubiquitous catbirds and robins, we found pockets of activity highlighting Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos, Common Yellowthroat, Black-throated Green and Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Great-crested Flycatcher. A Red-tailed Hawk circled fairly low overhead, banking for us to see his/her red tail in the sun!

We enjoyed a good show of terns at the Refuge Observation Tower. Forster’s Terns ranged back and forth hunting for fish, one of them plunge-diving in front of us to come up quickly with a fish. A single Caspian Tern passed by several times, providing good comparison to the much-smaller Forster’s Terns.



Thanks to Debbie Beer and Lynn Roman for leading the group, and everyone who participated in this joint Friends of Heinz Refuge and Valley Forge Audubon Society bird walk. We had a great morning together, finding 39 bird species. Click on link for eBirdchecklist. Bird list below:

Canada Goose 38
Wood Duck 25
Mallard 3
Double-crested Cormorant 35
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 5
Green Heron 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull 8
Caspian Tern 1
Forster's Tern 5
Mourning Dove 2
Chimney Swift 3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Warbling Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 2
crow sp. 1 (likely American, but it didn’t call to confirm)
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 25
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
American Robin 6
Gray Catbird 8
European Starling 5
Common Yellowthroat 1
American Redstart 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 2
American Goldfinch 3

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Field Report: John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, August 24, 2013

On August 24, Vince Smith led a bird walk at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove that saw 35 species, including 3 soaring Bald Eagles. The complete list, as submitted to eBird, follows:
Canada Goose  36
Wood Duck  1
Mallard  6
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  1
Green Heron  1
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  5
Bald Eagle  3
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  3
Fish Crow  1
Barn Swallow  4
Carolina Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  3
Carolina Wren  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  4
Cedar Waxwing  8
Black-and-white Warbler  1
American Redstart  2
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  3
Baltimore Oriole  4
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  10

Field Report: Bombay Hook NWR, July 27, 2013

66 birds were observed on a field trip to Bombay Hook, NWR in Kent, DE in July. The complete list, as submitted to eBird follows:
Canada Goose  21
Wood Duck  2
American Black Duck  15
Mallard  4
Double-crested Cormorant  10
Great Blue Heron  6
Great Egret  5
Snowy Egret  8
Green Heron  2
Black-crowned Night-Heron  4
Turkey Vulture  8
Osprey  1
Bald Eagle  3
Red-tailed Hawk (Eastern)  1
Clapper Rail  3
Black-bellied Plover  1
Semipalmated Plover  5
Black-necked Stilt  4
American Avocet  5
Spotted Sandpiper  2
Greater Yellowlegs  25
Lesser Yellowlegs  11
Semipalmated Sandpiper  35
Stilt Sandpiper  2
Short-billed Dowitcher  5
Laughing Gull  6
Ring-billed Gull  3
Herring Gull (American)  2
Great Black-backed Gull  5
Forster's Tern  6
Mourning Dove  2
Chimney Swift  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  4
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Acadian Flycatcher  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Eastern Kingbird  4
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  3
Fish Crow  3
Purple Martin  38
Tree Swallow  8
Bank Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  10
Marsh Wren (Eastern)  5
Carolina Wren  2
Eastern Bluebird  2
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  6
Northern Mockingbird  4
Cedar Waxwing  2
Common Yellowthroat  8
Yellow Warbler  2
Eastern Towhee  5
Field Sparrow  1
Seaside Sparrow  3
Northern Cardinal  6
Blue Grosbeak  8
Indigo Bunting  6
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  9
House Finch  7
American Goldfinch  7
House Sparrow  4

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Field Report: Norristown Farm Park, August 25, 2013

On Sunday August 25,  Brian Henderson led a group of 11 people on a bird walk at Norristown Farm Park. A total of 54 species were observed including some shorebirds, warblers, and other migrants. The complete list, as submitted to eBird, follows:

Canada Goose 2
Wood Duck 3
Mallard 3
Green Heron 5
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 1
shorebird sp. 1 Possible Spotted Sandpiper, seen looping around the pond a couple of times, but never offering a good enough view to confirm anything. Larger than Peep-sized, prominent stripe on upper wings.
Rock Pigeon 22
Mourning Dove 53
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 7
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 3
Least Flycatcher 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
flycatcher sp. 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 3
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 7
House Wren 5
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
American Robin 14
Gray Catbird 19
Northern Mockingbird 3
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling 35
Cedar Waxwing 1
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 2
American Redstart 2
Yellow Warbler 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 12
Northern Cardinal 11
Indigo Bunting 7
Bobolink 4
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 70
Orchard Oriole 2
Baltimore Oriole 2
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 1

A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was also spotted before the walk started.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Field Report: Exton Park, July 21, 2013

Exton Park, formerly known as Church Farm Pond, has become one of our most popular walk sites. The third Sunday of every month, we hold a bird walk there, exploring the meadows and wetlands of this West Whiteland township park. On our July walk, Brian Henderson lead a group that saw 38 species. The complete list, as submitted to eBird follows:

Canada Goose - several heard
Wood Duck 1
Mallard 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon 4
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3
Willow Flycatcher 16 (a confirmed breeder that is very abundant at the park)
Eastern Kingbird 1
Warbling Vireo 3
American Crow 2
Tree Swallow 20
Bank Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 8
Carolina Chickadee 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 3
Carolina Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 14
European Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 1
Common Yellowthroat 5
Yellow Warbler 2
Song Sparrow 6
Northern Cardinal 3
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch 4

Shortly before the walk started, Brian did some scouting ahead and located a Little Blue Heron and a Solitary Sandpiper. So it pays to get out early!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Field Report: John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, July 13, 2013

On July 13, 2013, Vincent Smith lead a bird walk at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove that saw 44 species. The complete list, as submitted to eBird, follows:

Canada Goose  26
Wood Duck  6
Double-crested Cormorant  8
Great Blue Heron  1
Black Vulture  3
Turkey Vulture  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Ring-billed Gull  3
Mourning Dove  2
Chimney Swift  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  2
Pileated Woodpecker  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
Eastern Kingbird  3
Red-eyed Vireo  4
Blue Jay  5
Fish Crow  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  3Tufted Titmouse  2
House Wren  5
Carolina Wren  3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2
Eastern Bluebird  3
Wood Thrush  4
American Robin  5
Gray Catbird  7
Common Yellowthroat  1
Eastern Towhee  1
Chipping Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  1
Scarlet Tanager  4
Northern Cardinal  4
Indigo Bunting  4
Common Grackle  1
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  5

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Field Report: Eva R. Meng Bird Sanctuary and Wildlife Preserve, June 22, 2013

Once a year we do a bird walk through our own Meng Sanctuary in late June to determine which birds are breeding there. This year we reported 27 species, including good numbers of Pileated Woodpecker, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, and Scarlet Tanager. The complete list, as submitted to eBird follows:

Turkey Vulture  10
Cooper's Hawk  1
Mourning Dove  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  11
Downy Woodpecker  7
Hairy Woodpecker  8
Northern Flicker  4
Pileated Woodpecker  5
Eastern Wood-Pewee  6
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Red-eyed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  13
American Crow  7
Carolina Chickadee  19
Tufted Titmouse  13
White-breasted Nuthatch  16
House Wren  2
Carolina Wren  3
Wood Thrush  15
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  12
Ovenbird  12
Eastern Towhee  3
Scarlet Tanager  6
Northern Cardinal  7
Red-winged Blackbird  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  5

Meng Sanctuary is an important link in the Stone Hill Greenway, an area of preserved contiguous forest in Limerick and Lower Frederick, Montgomery County. As the county becomes more and more developed, these contiguous woodlands play an increasingly important role for area breeding birds such as Eastern Wood-Peewee, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, and Scarlet Tanager. However, the presence of edge species, such as Brown-headed Cowbird, show the need for more preservation of large wooded areas.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Field Report: Evansburg State Park, June 7, 2013

On Saturday, June 7, Brian Henderson lead 7 people on a bird walk at Evansburg State Park. The remnants of Tropical Storm Andrea had passed through the night before but the group persevered through the mud and puddles to spot 53 bird species. The highlight of the walk was a Yellow-breasted Chat by the Lesher Road powerline cut. The complete list, as submitted to eBird follows:

Great Blue Heron  3
Turkey Vulture  1
Buteo sp.  1 (Brief silhouetted look only. Red-tailed, more than likely.)
Mourning Dove  10
Great Horned Owl  2 (Two fledges observed flying across a field. Still had white heads, though the rest of them looked "adult".)
Chimney Swift  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  9
Downy Woodpecker  5
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Pileated Woodpecker  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  2
Acadian Flycatcher  4 (Well-spaced along the creek. Most heard singing. Several seen well.)
Eastern Phoebe  4 (Family group observed together.)
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  4 (two pairs)
White-eyed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  5
Blue Jay  8
American Crow  2
crow sp.  3 (2 flyby's, one heard that was probably a juvenile American Crow)
Tree Swallow  2
Carolina Chickadee  11
Tufted Titmouse  4
White-breasted Nuthatch  3
House Wren  8
Carolina Wren  7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
Eastern Bluebird  2
Wood Thrush  7
American Robin  13
Gray Catbird  17
Northern Mockingbird  1
Brown Thrasher  1
European Starling  4
Cedar Waxwing  17
Ovenbird  7
Common Yellowthroat  5
Prairie Warbler  3 (One visited the same concealed location twice. Each time, baby birds called.)
Yellow-breasted Chat  1 (Rare breeder (these days) in Montco. Singing its distinctively strange song in a more overgrown portion of the Lesher Rd powerline cut. Seen by all group members. Chunky bird, far bigger than a Common Yellowthroat, with bright yellow throat/breast, olive back, white belly, white stripe over eye, long tail and thick, un-warbler-y bill. Good habitat.)
Eastern Towhee  9
Chipping Sparrow  2
Field Sparrow  13
Song Sparrow  3
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  14
Indigo Bunting  4
Red-winged Blackbird  2
Common Grackle  9
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Orchard Oriole  1
Baltimore Oriole  5
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  2
passerine sp.  3

The walk leader would like to ask that anyone seeking out the Yellow-breasted Chat to please NOT play recordings. Chats are rare breeders in Montgomery County and we would hate to have a potential breeder driven away by mistaking a recorded call for the call of a bird marking its territory.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Field Report: Welkinweir, May 18, 2013

On Saturday, May 18, walk leader Rick Keyser spotted 51 species and one unidentified flycatcher. Despite the gray weather, some notable birds were spotted, including Alder Flycatcher and Blue-winged Warbler. The complete list, as submitted to eBird follows:

Canada Goose   2    Vocal swimming pair on Rodebaugh pond
Great Blue Heron   2    Perched and flying about large pond
Black Vulture   1    At carrion in a field across the road, with TUVUs
Turkey Vulture   3    Soaring
Red-tailed Hawk   1    Soaring adult
Spotted Sandpiper   1    Seen flying over the large pond
Mourning Dove   2    Singing
Yellow-billed Cuckoo   1    Heard well
Ruby-throated Hummingbird   3
Belted Kingfisher   1
Red-bellied Woodpecker   3
Downy Woodpecker   1    Heard whinny
Northern Flicker   2
Pileated Woodpecker   1    Heard drumming; saw a vocal male shortly after group left
Alder Flycatcher   1    Heard well singing repeatedly
Empidonax sp.   1    Heard calling.  Believe it was a Least Flycatcher.
Eastern Phoebe   1
Great Crested Flycatcher   2    Vocal, saw one briefly
Eastern Kingbird   1    Seen perched, vocal
White-eyed Vireo   1    Heard singing repeatedly
Red-eyed Vireo   5    Counter-singing, saw one singing on perch (backlit)
Blue Jay   20    Conservative estimate - moving in flocks of up to 10
American Crow   6    A vocal group probably mobbing a distant raptor
Tree Swallow   6    In nestboxes, vocal
Barn Swallow   2    Vocal
Carolina Chickadee   5    Calling; singing
Tufted Titmouse   3    Singing
House Wren   8    Singing
Carolina Wren   3    Singing
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher   5    Heard calling
Eastern Bluebird   3    M/f pair seen
Veery   2    Seen calling; singing
Wood Thrush   4    Heard counter-singing
Gray Catbird   20    Conservative estimate - calling; singing
Cedar Waxwing   5
Ovenbird   6    Saw pair in woods; counter-singing
Louisiana Waterthrush   2    Singing;  along the small stream seen well an agitated pair calling and carrying food in bill
Blue-winged Warbler   3    Saw pair very well; singing
Common Yellowthroat   2    Saw one male well, singing; calling
Magnolia Warbler   1    Singing; saw after group left
Yellow Warbler   1    Heard singing
Eastern Towhee   4    Singing
Chipping Sparrow   2    Singing
Song Sparrow   5    Singing
Scarlet Tanager   2    M/f pair seen briefly
Northern Cardinal   5    Saw m/f pair; singing; calling
Indigo Bunting   1    Saw male perched, not singing
Red-winged Blackbird   6    Calling; counter-singing
Common Grackle   1    Short tail (female COGR, or possibly a RUBL ?)
Brown-headed Cowbird   3    Singing; calling
Baltimore Oriole   3    Heard singing
American Goldfinch   5    Singing; calling

In addition to the birds, the group also observed bullfrogs and a gray tree-frog.