One of the spots where Valley Forge Audubon holds regular walks is Welkinweir, a 197-acre preserve in northern Chester County that features wetlands, woods, and meadows, as well as a historic estate. Regular walks are held on Saturday mornings in the spring and fall. On November 12, Rick Keyser lead a walk and found 32 species of birds — and evidence of beavers. Here's his list, as submitted to eBird:
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 4
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 2
Accipiter sp. (Accipiter sp.) 1 Brief view in flight of a slate-backed, long-tailed raptor
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 2
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 15
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) (Colaptes auratus [auratus Group]) 1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 10
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 7
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 8
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 3
White-breasted Nuthatch (Eastern) (Sitta carolinensis carolinensis) 2
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 3
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 4
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 100
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 20
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 3
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) 1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 5
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis) 7
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 3
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 120
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) 1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 3
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
John Heinz NWR is holding a winter bird count for kids!
PA YOUNG BIRDERS AT HEINZ REFUGE invite kids ages 8-16 to join in the 2012 WINTER BIRD COUNT FOR KIDS, Saturday, January 7, 2012, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. All are welcome, from advanced youth birders to kids who just like to get outside and see wildlife.
Inspired by long-running, international Christmas Bird Counts, experienced leaders from PA Young Birders will guide children through discovery, observation and recording of wintering bird species at Heinz Refuge. The program begins with a presentation about the bird we hope to find, followed by getting out into the field with binoculars, recording sightings on checklists, and a tally rally with hot pizza, provided by the Friends of Heinz Refuge.
Last year, kids had a great time amid falling snow and chilly temperatures. They found 42 bird species and enjoyed good looks of a gorgeous Red-shouldered Hawk, nuthatches, kinglets, sparrows, woodpeckers, wild turkeys, blackbirds, mergansers and more!
Meet at the Heinz Refuge Visitors Center. Dress very warmly, and bring binoculars if yo have them (optics will be available to borrow). Reservations are strongly encouraged for school groups, birding clubs or scout groups - contact Debbie Beer, payoungbirders@gmail.com for more details. This event is free.
Inspired by long-running, international Christmas Bird Counts, experienced leaders from PA Young Birders will guide children through discovery, observation and recording of wintering bird species at Heinz Refuge. The program begins with a presentation about the bird we hope to find, followed by getting out into the field with binoculars, recording sightings on checklists, and a tally rally with hot pizza, provided by the Friends of Heinz Refuge.
Last year, kids had a great time amid falling snow and chilly temperatures. They found 42 bird species and enjoyed good looks of a gorgeous Red-shouldered Hawk, nuthatches, kinglets, sparrows, woodpeckers, wild turkeys, blackbirds, mergansers and more!
Meet at the Heinz Refuge Visitors Center. Dress very warmly, and bring binoculars if yo have them (optics will be available to borrow). Reservations are strongly encouraged for school groups, birding clubs or scout groups - contact Debbie Beer, payoungbirders@gmail.com for more details. This event is free.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Field Report: John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, Dec. 11, 2011
On Sunday, December 11, Rob Evans lead a group of five birders who braved the cold weather to see which winter birds were present at John James Audubon's first home in the U.S. 26 species were spotted on a two mile walk, including plenty of juncos, white-throated sparrows, and blue jays. The highlights were a flock of buffleheads and a showy golden-crowned kinglet. The complete list, as submitted to eBird follows:
Canada Goose 28
Mallard 7
Bufflehead 7
Great Blue Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull 7
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 25
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 4
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 11
Dark-eyed Junco 17
Northern Cardinal 6
House Finch 17
American Goldfinch 3
Canada Goose 28
Mallard 7
Bufflehead 7
Great Blue Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull 7
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 25
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 4
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 11
Dark-eyed Junco 17
Northern Cardinal 6
House Finch 17
American Goldfinch 3
Field Report: Black Rock Sanctuary, Dec. 10, 2011
On Saturday, December 10, Vince Smith lead a group on a three mile walk at Black Rock Sanctuary in Phoenixville. 28 species of birds were seen, the list, as submitted to eBird follows:
Canada Goose 62
Wood Duck 5
Mallard 12
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 7
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 23
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 3
Eastern Bluebird 2
American Robin 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 13
Song Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 25
Dark-eyed Junco 8
Northern Cardinal 10
Common Grackle 1
American Goldfinch 11
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Field Report: Black Rock Sanctuary, Nov. 12, 2011
On November 12, Vince Smith lead a three mile walk through Black Rock Sanctuary where 30 species of birds were spotted including Red-shouldered Hawk, Green-winged Teal, and Cedar Waxwing. Here is the complete list, as submitted to eBird:
Canada Goose 38
Mallard 7
Green-winged Teal 5
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Carolina Wren 5
Eastern Bluebird 6
American Robin 45
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 35
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Song Sparrow 7
White-throated Sparrow 20
Dark-eyed Junco 9
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 3
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 3
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Field Report: Exton Park, Oct. 16, 2011
Recently, Valley Forge Audubon started hosting monthly walks (on the third Sunday) at Exton Park in West Whiteland Township. The park site was once the property of the Church Farm School but is now preserved by Chester County. Most of the park is composed of agricultural fields, but the highlight is a large pond and surrounding wetland and meadow that has attracted birds and birders for many years. Once known as Church Farm Pond, this unique site has always been popular because a number of rarities occasionally pop-up. There has been concern that parts of the park may be converted to playing fields, but hopefully our walks, and walks lead by other groups, prove to the community that the park has a particular value as wildlife habitat and can be enjoyed as such.
On October 16, Vince Smith lead a walk there that saw 48 species of birds — an impressive number for October! The complete list, as submitted to eBird by Brian Henderson follows:
On October 16, Vince Smith lead a walk there that saw 48 species of birds — an impressive number for October! The complete list, as submitted to eBird by Brian Henderson follows:
If you are thinking of visiting the park, click on the "location" link below to view it on Google Maps.Canada Goose 410 Many large flocks of geese on the move.
Wood Duck 1
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 18
Ruddy Duck 5
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Bald Eagle 1 Scared up monster flock of geese and crows as it came over.
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1 Possibly two birds. Seen catching and eating a grasshopper.
American Coot 1
Rock Pigeon 8
Mourning Dove 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 250 Huge flock of crows seen at edge of construction area and in the air around. Many stirred into the air when the bald eagle soared through.
Fish Crow 12
Tree Swallow 200 Perched on power line initially. They'd fly off, then come back down with more birds somehow, the flock expanding from 30 birds to 200-ish in a matter of minutes. Seen feeding over fields through the morning.
Carolina Chickadee 5
Carolina Wren 2
Winter Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 14
Cedar Waxwing 22
Palm Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Savannah Sparrow 10
Song Sparrow 19
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 18
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 100
Brown-headed Cowbird 8
House Finch 13
American Goldfinch 2
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Field Report: Valley Forge National Historic Park, Sept. 24 2011
On Saturday, September 24, Valley Forge Audubon Society was honored to help celebrate Public Lands Day at Valley Forge National Historic Park the best way we know how: with a bird and nature walk through the park's meadows and woodlots. National Public Lands Day is a massive nation wide effort that recruits volunteers to enhance and improve our public lands and parks. Despite gray and rainy weather, Valley Forge had a great turn-out with many volunteers offering their time to help improve the park.
The historic significance of Valley Forge needs no further explanation, but the park is also important to the ecology of the region. With 3,500 acres preserved, Valley Forge holds one of the largest areas of connected wildlife habitat in the Philadelphia region. This is especially significant considering the amount of commercial, residential, and industrial development that surrounds the park. In many ways, Valley Forge stands as a wildlife oasis in one of the busiest and most developed sections of suburban Philadelphia. And it is a diverse oasis, containing large sections of deciduous forest, meadows, streams, and a significant section of the Schuylkill River. Over 730 species of plants occur in the park as well as 315 species of animals including 225 species of birds.
27 of those 225 species were spotted on a walk lead by Rob Evans of the Valley Forge Audubon Society. Among the birds seen were several migrants including Black-and-White Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo, as well as raptors including Cooper's and Broad-winged Hawks. Large numbers of American Robins, American Crows, and Blue Jays were a testament to the fact that this is the time of year when birds start to form large flocks. The complete list of birds spotted, as compiled by Brian Henderson and submitted to eBird follows:
Mallard - 3
Cooper's Hawk - 1
The historic significance of Valley Forge needs no further explanation, but the park is also important to the ecology of the region. With 3,500 acres preserved, Valley Forge holds one of the largest areas of connected wildlife habitat in the Philadelphia region. This is especially significant considering the amount of commercial, residential, and industrial development that surrounds the park. In many ways, Valley Forge stands as a wildlife oasis in one of the busiest and most developed sections of suburban Philadelphia. And it is a diverse oasis, containing large sections of deciduous forest, meadows, streams, and a significant section of the Schuylkill River. Over 730 species of plants occur in the park as well as 315 species of animals including 225 species of birds.
27 of those 225 species were spotted on a walk lead by Rob Evans of the Valley Forge Audubon Society. Among the birds seen were several migrants including Black-and-White Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo, as well as raptors including Cooper's and Broad-winged Hawks. Large numbers of American Robins, American Crows, and Blue Jays were a testament to the fact that this is the time of year when birds start to form large flocks. The complete list of birds spotted, as compiled by Brian Henderson and submitted to eBird follows:
Mallard - 3
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Broad-winged Hawk - 2
Mourning Dove - 4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1
Chimney Swift - 4
Belted Kingfisher - 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 4
Downy Woodpecker - 1
Hairy Woodpecker - 1
Northern Flicker - 2
Eastern Phoebe - 3
Blue Jay - 23
American Crow - 19
Carolina Chickadee - 3
White-breasted Nuthatch - 2
Carolina Wren - 2
American Robin - 25
Gray Catbird - 4
European Starling - 11
Cedar Waxwing - 15
Black-and-white Warbler - 2
Magnolia Warbler - 1
Eastern Towhee - 1
Northern Cardinal - 1
Indigo Bunting - 1
American Goldfinch - 5
Of course, this was just a small sampling of what can be seen in Valley Forge Park. It's diverse habitats hold a lot of special interest to the Valley Forge Audubon Society. The meadows are one of the most dependable spots in the area to find the Eastern Meadowlark, a grassland bird in slow decline in our area. The meadows also host migrating insects such as Green Darner Dragonflies and Monarch Butterflies, which feed and breed in the abundant milkweed. The river and streams are an important spot for wintering ducks including American Black Duck, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, and Hooded Merganser, and these riparian areas have been important in the comeback of Mink and Bald Eagle.
The park faces many threats, not only from development, but from invasive species including several kinds of plants as well the Rusty Crayfish, which threatens to wipe out the native crayfish species found in Valley Creek. Another problem is the impact of over-browsing from White-tailed Deer. Volunteer activities such as Public Lands day are an important factor in helping to alleviate these problems. Consider volunteering or supporting the park through the Friends of Valley Forge Park. You can also see for yourself how important these areas are on one of our upcoming walks in our Calendar of Events.
Of course, this was just a small sampling of what can be seen in Valley Forge Park. It's diverse habitats hold a lot of special interest to the Valley Forge Audubon Society. The meadows are one of the most dependable spots in the area to find the Eastern Meadowlark, a grassland bird in slow decline in our area. The meadows also host migrating insects such as Green Darner Dragonflies and Monarch Butterflies, which feed and breed in the abundant milkweed. The river and streams are an important spot for wintering ducks including American Black Duck, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, and Hooded Merganser, and these riparian areas have been important in the comeback of Mink and Bald Eagle.
The park faces many threats, not only from development, but from invasive species including several kinds of plants as well the Rusty Crayfish, which threatens to wipe out the native crayfish species found in Valley Creek. Another problem is the impact of over-browsing from White-tailed Deer. Volunteer activities such as Public Lands day are an important factor in helping to alleviate these problems. Consider volunteering or supporting the park through the Friends of Valley Forge Park. You can also see for yourself how important these areas are on one of our upcoming walks in our Calendar of Events.
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