Field Report: Great Backyard Bird Count at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, Feb. 16, 2014

Last weekend concluded another Great Backyard Bird Count. This citizen science project sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Audubon Society has been a huge success -- at the time of this post, 139,298 checklists were submitted, 4,082 species were observed, and 17,248,978 individual birds were counted. (Participants have until the end of February to submit data, so those numbers may increase.) All of this data helps scientists gain an accurate picture of bird populations before those birds start to migrate.

Valley Forge Audubon Society did its part to contribute with a bird count at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove. Vincent Smith and two other participants braved frigid temperatures, snow and ice to record 219 individual birds of 28 bird species. Highlights included Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, and American Tree Sparrow. The complete list follows:

Canada Goose 70
Ring-necked Duck 1
Hooded Merganser 5
Common Merganser 6
Ring-billed Gull 4
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 4
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
American Robin 4
European Starling 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1
American Tree Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 8
White-throated Sparrow 30
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 15
Northern Cardinal 10
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 8
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 1

You can learn more about the Great Backyard Bird Count at gbbc.birdcount.org

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

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

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

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.

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.

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