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19 Jun Re: SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013 [Dave DeReamus ] 18 Jun Hyjacked contact list [Dan Altif ] 18 Jun Re: Hummingbird curiosity [Dave Kruel ] 18 Jun Audubon IBA destruction [Thyra Sperry ] 18 Jun Re: Bluebird Nesting Question ["j. d. newman" ] 18 Jun Lebanon County, Railroad bed to Yellow Springs [Tim Becker ] 18 Jun FW: Dan Altif [Dan Altif ] 18 Jun Chat in Cumberland Co [lockermanS&G ] 17 Jun Re: John Wasilowsky [John Wasilowsky ] 18 Jun Re: Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer) [Wayne Laubscher ] 17 Jun Route 462 bridge falcon fledging, Lancaster County [Mike Epler ] 17 Jun Wood Duck Levittown Bucks County [Linda Rowan ] 17 Jun "The Flycatchers" A Photographic Exploration In Progress" [Mike & Laura Jackson ] 17 Jun Bluebird Nesting Question [Kelli S Fizzano ] 17 Jun Re: Hummingbird curiosity [Anne Bekker ] 17 Jun Lehigh County: Common Merganser(juvenile), Yellow-breasted Chat-Walking Purchase Park 6/17 [Edward Sinkler ] 17 Jun Re: Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer) [Kathy ] 17 Jun Allegheny, GAP, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Least Weasel, and more [Philip OBrien ] 17 Jun A. Coot - Allegheny Co. [Mark Vass ] 17 Jun Purple Martin pair @ Crooked Creek and Alder Flycatcher @ Pollka Hollow Road (Armstrong County) [Marge Van Tassel ] 17 Jun Birds of Prey, Allegheny Co. [Jim Hausman ] 17 Jun Franklin County Black Tern [Bill Oyler ] 17 Jun Re: Bluebird box question (UPDATE) [Jenny McClintock ] 17 Jun Re: SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013 [Dave Kruel ] 17 Jun Re: Bluebird Nesting question [Jenny McClintock ] 17 Jun Bluebird Nesting question [Kelli Daggett ] 17 Jun Re: Bluebird box question [Herbert Flavell ] 17 Jun Re: Bluebird box question [Jenny McClintock ] 17 Jun Re: Bluebird box question [Gerald Kruth ] 17 Jun Re: Bluebird box question [Jenny McClintock ] 17 Jun Game Lands 226 near Millville, Columbia County ["Gross, Douglas" ] 17 Jun Ricketts Glen SP Trip - Ganoga View / Beaver Dam Trails 6/15 ["Gross, Douglas" ] 17 Jun Bluebird box question [Jenny McClintock ] 17 Jun Re: Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer) ["Kate St.John" ] 17 Jun Re: Hummingbird curiositlhw. W wle [Edmund Kiernan Richards ] 17 Jun Re: Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer) [Ian Gardner ] 17 Jun "The Flycatchers" A Photographic Exploration In Progress" [Jim Flowers ] 17 Jun Re: Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer) [Gerald Kruth ] 17 Jun Re: Hummingbird curiosity [Herbert Flavell ] 17 Jun Re: Hummingbird curiosity [Ian Gardner ] 17 Jun Re: Hummingbird curiosity [rick ] 17 Jun Re: Hummingbird curiosity [DAVID KOCH ] 17 Jun Re: Hummingbird curiosity [Herbert Flavell ] 17 Jun Re: Hummingbird curiosity [Gerald Kruth ] 17 Jun Local Red Tail Hawk Nest [NIck Guirate ] 17 Jun Hummingbird curiosity [Kathy ] 17 Jun Re: cicadas and cuckoos [Laurie Goodrich ] 17 Jun Lehigh County: Immature Bald Eagle(6/14), Yellow-breasted Chat, Eastern Phoebe(6/16)-Walking Purchase Park [Edward Sinkler ] 17 Jun Re: SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013 [Dave DeReamus ] 16 Jun Re: PABIRDS Digest - 14 Jun 2013 to 15 Jun 2013 (#2013-167) [Doug Gross ] 16 Jun Re: cicadas and cuckoos [Kerry A Grim ] 16 Jun Allegheny - Peregrines [Ryan Tomazin ] 16 Jun cicadas and cuckoos [Rudolph Keller ] 16 Jun Moraine State Park - Butler Co. [Mark Vass ] 16 Jun Franklin Co Black Tern [Bill Oyler ] 16 Jun Conowingo Dam, MD [Heather Jacoby ] 16 Jun Re: PABIRDS Digest - 13 Jun 2013 to 14 Jun 2013 (#2013-166) [Lynne Jeffries ] 16 Jun White-rumped Sandpiper, Monroe County [michael schall ] 16 Jun Erie County bird sightings [Jerry McWilliams ] 16 Jun Re: SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013 [Dave Kruel ] 16 Jun Bucks County Birders Program for Tuesday June 25th, 2013 [LeRoy Tabb ] 16 Jun Photo of Coopers Hawk with prey [Jim Borden ] 16 Jun Coopers hawk Lynn Pa [Jim Borden ] 16 Jun Lackawanna State Forest June 15 2013 [Jim Borden ] 16 Jun Ospreys, Brunner Island/York Haven, York County [Dave Kerr ] 15 Jun SGL 76 Franklin "Atlas Update" [andy wilson ] 15 Jun White-rumped Sandpipers; Monroe County [Corey Husic ] 15 Jun Horned Larks - Allegheny Co. [Mark Vass ] 15 Jun Fayette County-Quebec Run Wild Area [cdest ] 15 Jun Fayette County--Ohiopyle State Park [Michael Fialkovich ] 16 Jun SGL 217 - Lehigh County ["Hopkins,Jeffrey A." ] 15 Jun Interesting day [Herbert Flavell ] 15 Jun Franklin County Black Tern [Bill Oyler ] 15 Jun Koch property, Northampton County [DAVID KOCH ] 15 Jun Gouldsboro State Park, Monroe County [Adam Smith ] 15 Jun Surf Scoter, Lancaster County [Bob Schutsky ] 15 Jun SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013 [Kerry Grim ] Subject: Re: SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013 From: Dave DeReamus <becard AT RCN.COM> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:32:42 -0400 Ha! Knowing the future COULD be a good thing, although the way things are going in the country and the world, maybe it's better that I don't. I'm positive that there are many birders on this list that could answer your question a lot better than I can, but your question is so broad-based that it's tough to even attempt to answer. With the time I have, I'll take a quick stab at a tiny portion of it. Speaking realistically, unless you can buy up the land like the Nature Conservancy does or convince the landowner to preserve it, you are at pretty much powerless to do anything about it. As I'm sure you know, there are cases where habitat change or loss has actually benefited some species. The reclaimed strip mines are an example where what seemed like a terrible thing ended up being beneficial to certain species. And then there are those that are able to adapt to habitat changes. Back in the 70's and 80's during my hawkwatching years, Merlins were one of the rarest raptor migrants passing Hawk Mountain and the ratio of Sharp-shinned Hawks to Cooper's Hawks was about 20 to 1. Since then, the Cooper's Hawk has been able to adapt to populated areas and is doing well. The last two atlases glaringly shows this. Counts of migrating Merlins have really increased and have recently been found nesting in the state. And I never thought that, in my lifetime, I would be able to see nesting Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles, AND Ospreys here in my own county. On the downside, it's the ones that can't adapt that get into trouble when their habitat is lost. Development has eaten up much of the farmland here and many of the field species (Bobolink, and Vesper, Savannah, and Grasshopper Sparrow) struggle to find nesting areas. I know you constantly mention about deforestation. Here, in the east-central section of the state, and especially the southeast corner, the few sections of woods that are left are basically restricted to unbuildable areas or already-preserved areas such as parks and Game Lands. But it appears to me that the northern half of the state still contains a large portion of its forest, so I really don't know how much of a squeeze is being put on the forest birds. In short, I see it as somewhat of a two-way street. Although things seem dire for some species, there are some positives out there, too. No one wants something to go extinct, but it's inevitable. Ask the dinosaurs about what climate change did to them. Good birding, Dave DeReamus Palmer Township, PA becard -at- rcn.com Blog: http://becard.blogspot.com/ PicasaWeb Photo Albums: http://picasaweb.google.com/becard57 Eastern PA Birding: http://users.rcn.com/becard/home.html ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Kruel" To: Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 5:35 PM Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013 Dave, I believe you read a little more into my post than I intended, or I wrote my post poorly. It is not birders keeping lists, but publishing of lists, is one thing I dont think is too important. Dave.....I know there is no way for you to know for certain, but with what you know now, do you feel confident about the future for our birds in PA ? ...or what are your thoughts on this? Dave Kruel Pottsville Schuylkill County Subject: Hyjacked contact list From: Dan Altif <swiftwaterbirds AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:30:54 -0700 Please delete previous email with FW:Dan Altif as subject. Someone hyjacked my contact list. Dan Altif Subject: Re: Hummingbird curiosity From: Dave Kruel <dkruel300 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:55:38 -0400 I didnt see if this was mentioned before, but the 'taste test' might increase a hummingbird frequency, and in turn, human observation at a feeder. Possibly, if solution tastes bad to hummers, they may stay away more. Not until it tastes good again do they return regularly. Just thinking this could be a possibility for them not being seen as much when solution has gone bad. I am not up on smell ability of hummingbirds though, and I dont know if/how their sense of taste is correlated to their ability to smell. Dave Kruel Pottsville Schuylkill County On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:46:51 -0700, Anne Bekker wrote: >The original poster asks "Are they watching me?"  I've suspected that yes, they are!  I just cleaned and refilled our feeder and they were on it as soon as my back was turned.  This always seems to be the case, whether we're away for 2 days or 2 weeks (and the feeder comes inside when we're gone, as we don't want to risk leaving out spoiled sugar water).  I fill it and there they are.  (Incidentally, they seem to be ignoring the Monarda, which they've always liked and which popped 5 days ago, and continuing to favor the feeder.) We have at least 4 different female-type plumaged hummies and 2 males (one of whom dive-bombs male cardinals), which is a lot for us for mid-June.  Is it possible that we're seeing fledglings already?  Everything else is so "late" this year... On Hummingbirds and seeing red:  2 weeks ago we were hiking near Delaware Water Gap--I with a grey backpack with a bit of red trim and red zipper pulls.  At one point, pausing to search out a Cerulean Warbler, I heard the loud buzz of wings just behind my head (and froze).  It was a Hummingbird was working over every bit of red trim at my back--seen by my husband, never by me. Anne Bekker Philadelphia ________________________________ From: Ian Gardner To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:36 PM Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer) Yes, the sense of smell in birds does vary.  Vultures are renowned for their olfactory sense.  In Pennsylvania, we have two vulture species.  And interestingly only the Turkey Vulture has a useful sense of smell.  Black Vultures on the other hand have much better sight than smell, even following TVs around to scavenge from the scavengers.  Helps separate the niches in the community I guess. Turkey Vultures have also been used to find leaks in natural gas pipelines. The chemical added to natural gas, ethyl mercaptan, to is also associated with rotting flesh.  The vultures can be seen kettling around the leaks, which helps the engineers fix the leaks.  I'm not sure if they added that chemical for that reason, but it seems plausible to me.       -Ian Gardner On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 2:06 PM, Gerald Kruth wrote: > One of the beauties of this list is it allows for the distribution of ideas >  and observations. > > I appreciate all the posts on this (and many) topics.  When Herb said > birds have a great sense of smell, I recalled reading somewhere vultures > differ > from most other birds because they have a great sense of smell. > > I don't know if he is correct or not, but the fact that he took the time to >  venture thoughts and then gets other individuals involved to set the > record  straight (or not), is the real value, I believe > > Thanks to all of you who contribute. > > jk > Pgh > > > > > In a message dated 6/17/2013 12:43:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > davilene AT VERIZON.NET writes: > > Sorry,  Herb, but your statement about hummingbirds having a great sense of > smell  is incorrect. They, like almost all other birds, have little or no > sense of  smell. More than likely the hummer Kathy's referring to was in > the > area  all along and, for whatever reason, just decided to go to the feeder. > Or  else it had visited the feeder before and she just didn't see it. At > this time  of the year their primary food is arthropods, or small insects. > But > we are  fast coming upon the time when young are out of the nest or > recently > fledged  and hanging now they will become more visible. Also, now more > natural flower  sources are available. > > > Arlene Koch > Easton,  PA > Northampton  County > davilene AT verizon.net > > > ________________________________ > From:  Herbert Flavell > To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 3:04 PM > Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird  curiosity > > > While I am not a Hummingbird,nature has provided  them with excellent > eyesight and sense of smell. That's why they can find  flowers buried in > high > weeds. The fresher the Hummingbird food the stronger it  smells. Much like > steak and eggs cooking on the stove. Then the longer it sits  on the table > the > less it smells. But a hummer unlike a human follows their  nose and zips to > the new source of food. Then again maybe I'm like a Hummer I  zip to the > food > source. Then force of habit takes over. It then keeps  returning. Most > birds and insects have excellent smellers. How do you think an  ant that’s > 1/100 > inch long will find that same Hummingbird food hanging 8 ft  above them. > Then the first there will lead hundreds of their friends to the  new food > source. Here on my farm the Touch Me Not flowers grow lower than hay >  grass yet > find a TMN and you will find a Hummer. > Herb Flavell, Gods Knob,  Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County > www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm > > -----Original Message----- From:  Gerald Kruth > Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:50 AM > To:  PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird  curiosity > > Kathy's question is a good one.  If anyone has a  plausible  explanation, > please reply to the List.  I'm sure there  are others besides  me > interested as > well. > > thank  you, > > Jerry Kruth > Pittsburgh > > > In a message dated 6/17/2013  8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > pabirder AT PTD.NET writes: > > I  wonder  how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in  the > feeder.  I  hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week  due to all the > rain > and hadn't  seen any hummers for a couple of weeks  before that.  Yesterday > I > filled  it and this morning there was a  Hummer on the feeder. This is not > the first  time I have experienced  this.  Are they watching me? > Kathy  Stagl > Emmaus, PA > Subject: Audubon IBA destruction From: Thyra Sperry <PennaHikers AT AOL.COM> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:26:03 -0400 http://www.change.org/petitions/corbett-administration-prevent-drilling-by-a nadarko-in-loyalsock-state-forest If you want to save an Audubon IBA area in the Loyalsock State Forest. Now is the time before gas fracking/drilling at Rock Run and other areas destroy the breeding grounds of many precious birds. We need to speak out for the birds and against the fragmentation and industrialization of fracking/ gas drilling on public lands Check out the web site and the petition. Thanks, Thyra Sperry Loyalsock Coalition Subject: Re: Bluebird Nesting Question From: "j. d. newman" <jdnewman AT ROCKETMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:53:09 -0700 One resource that I have found helpful is the North American Bluebird Society.� They have some useful fact sheets, including managing house sparrows. The link is http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/Fact/bluebirdfacts.htm.� I maintain a bluebird/tree swallow 'trail' on more than 100 acres, and found that the most important thing to do was to move the nestboxes away from buildings.� Usually, house sparrows will stick close to structures for their nesting. Male house sparrows can be destructive to bluebirds, pecking both young and adults to death.� They are not protected, so� may be killed, if that is the only recourse to protecting the bluebirds. John Newman ________________________________ From: Kelli S Fizzano To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 9:05 PM Subject: [PABIRDS] Bluebird Nesting Question Thank you everyone for your responses.� I will need to consider the best approach even if it requires destroying the sparrows. I refuse to give up on the bluebirds. They are a delight to watch. Kelli Fizzano Skippack, PA Subject: Lebanon County, Railroad bed to Yellow Springs From: Tim Becker <tjbecker81 AT AOL.COM> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:48:44 -0400 I took a hike along the railroad bed very early this morning from Cold Springs to Yellow Springs, about a 2 mile hike. Going over Second Mountain before daylight a Whip-poor-will was singing at the top of Cold Springs Rd. My main goal was to explore the large beaver swamp at Yellow Springs in hopes of finding an Alder Flycatcher somewhere in my home county. Well, I didn't hear any, but the swamp was awesome. An impenetrable place full eight-foot high alders and blueberry bushes, with many clumps of royal fern. The swamp is bordered by thick hemlocks. Birds heard and seen along the way were the typical breeders you might expect for the time and place. Hermit Thrushes, Acadian Flycatchers, Ovenbirds, Hooded Warblers, and a Louisiana Waterthrush. Also Black-and-white Warblers and Redstarts. The Railroad bed was loaded with Red Efts. Also met an eighty year-old couple who were riding their bikes in four miles to their favorite trout spot. My feet were sore, and I was pretty tired, so this made me feel like a wuss. Tim Becker Grantville Lebanon County Subject: FW: Dan Altif From: Dan Altif <swiftwaterbirds AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:16:01 -0700 oweu http://www.nicoschaefer.com/kcbkqg/RNDCHR,3,15%/ahzqjqacg/ithoagzzhdbtpwv/lxmajeowgvsnerz.htm pki Subject: Chat in Cumberland Co From: lockermanS&G <lockerman AT PAONLINE.COM> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:37:34 -0400 Yesterday, a friend of mine caught a bird that had flown into his carpenter's shop yesterday in the Newville area of Cumberland Co. It turned out to be a yellow-breasted chat. I have not seen one of them in years. Beautiful bird. Sandy Lockerman Harrisburg, Dauphin Co. Subject: Re: John Wasilowsky From: John Wasilowsky <gottobmee AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:08:12 -0700 http://forum.simtron.com/glst/piecd/vcpya/kcian/kxlha/klzcm/ugsij.htm Best regards, John Wasilowsky Subject: Re: Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer) From: Wayne Laubscher <wnlaubscher AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 03:20:57 +0000 Many years ago, I was told by a high school chemistry teacher that ethyl mercaptan was added to natural gas so that humans could detect leaking gas.  But yes,o bviously, TV's being able to detect it is an added benefit at times. Wayne Laubscher Lock Haven Clinton Co. wnlaubscher AT comcast.net "Owl be back" ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ian Gardner" To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:36:11 PM Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer) Yes, the sense of smell in birds does vary.  Vultures are renowned for their olfactory sense.  In Pennsylvania, we have two vulture species.  And interestingly only the Turkey Vulture has a useful sense of smell.  Black Vultures on the other hand have much better sight than smell, even following TVs around to scavenge from the scavengers.  Helps separate the niches in the community I guess. Turkey Vultures have also been used to find leaks in natural gas pipelines.  The chemical added to natural gas, ethyl mercaptan, to is also associated with rotting flesh.  The vultures can be seen kettling around the leaks, which helps the engineers fix the leaks.  I'm not sure if they added that chemical for that reason, but it seems plausible to me.        -Ian Gardner Subject: Route 462 bridge falcon fledging, Lancaster County From: Mike Epler <jmepler AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:48:49 -0400 This morning at 11:40 one of the two young falcons took her first flight. She didn't fly for very long and didn't travel far, but she was out over the river and returned safely to the bridge. Both birds were very active today, making short flights inside the structure of the bridge. The next couple days should be very interesting. http://www.flickr.com/photos/76205797 AT N03/9070893107/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/76205797 AT N03/9070825729/ Mike Epler Middletown, PA Subject: Wood Duck Levittown Bucks County From: Linda Rowan <lrowan1 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:27:12 -0400 The last two nights we have seen a female Wood Duck with 8 babies on the creek behind our house in the Dogwood section of Levittown. Linda Rowan Subject: "The Flycatchers" A Photographic Exploration In Progress" From: Mike & Laura Jackson <mljackson2 AT EMBARQMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:45:37 -0400 Hi Jim, Your photos are wonderful! I really enjoyed your blog article on flycatchers and noted that the yellow-bellied flycatcher is still on your list. There are two very vocal yellow-bellied flycatchers at Hicks Run Wildlife Viewing Area in Elk State Forest, Elk County. http://www.visitpa.com/pa-bird-wildlife-watching/hicks-run-viewing-area Mike and I were there yesterday and today (June 15, 16). We walked the short trail to the blind and saw and heard the birds on our right. Watch the pines to your left, also, as there are brown creepers building a nest under a big piece of loose bark on a tree not far from the trail. We watched the adults carrying nesting material both days and saw other brown creepers carrying food. We did see some elk, but the highlight of both visits were the yellow-bellied flycatchers and the brown creepers. Laura Jackson Everett, PA Begin forwarded message: > From: Jim Flowers > Subject: [PABIRDS] "The Flycatchers" A Photographic Exploration In Progress" > Date: June 17, 2013 2:20:50 PM EDT > To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > Reply-To: Jim Flowers > > Hi Folks > > I just completed a "Labor of Love" with my new Blog article called "The > Flycatchers" A Photographic Exploration In Progress". I began on this long > before the Shenk's Ferry Article and finally published it this morning. It > contains information and images from both Texas and the Mid-Atlantic States > so there is something for everyone. I sincerely hope you enjoy my efforts. > > http://birdsandblooms.me/2013/06/17/the-flycatchers-a-photographic-exploration-in-progress-2 > > Jim > > > > -- > *Jim Flowers* > Arts N Images > Birds and Blooms Blog > Wildlife South > NANPA, NAPP, National Geographic Society (Retired) Subject: Bluebird Nesting Question From: Kelli S Fizzano <ksdaggett AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:05:44 -0400 Thank you everyone for your responses. I will need to consider the best approach even if it requires destroying the sparrows. I refuse to give up on the bluebirds. They are a delight to watch. Kelli Fizzano Skippack, PA Subject: Re: Hummingbird curiosity From: Anne Bekker <anne_bekker AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:46:51 -0700 The original poster asks "Are they watching me?"  I've suspected that yes, they are!  I just cleaned and refilled our feeder and they were on it as soon as my back was turned.  This always seems to be the case, whether we're away for 2 days or 2 weeks (and the feeder comes inside when we're gone, as we don't want to risk leaving out spoiled sugar water).  I fill it and there they are.  (Incidentally, they seem to be ignoring the Monarda, which they've always liked and which popped 5 days ago, and continuing to favor the feeder.) We have at least 4 different female-type plumaged hummies and 2 males (one of whom dive-bombs male cardinals), which is a lot for us for mid-June.  Is it possible that we're seeing fledglings already?  Everything else is so "late" this year... On Hummingbirds and seeing red:  2 weeks ago we were hiking near Delaware Water Gap--I with a grey backpack with a bit of red trim and red zipper pulls.  At one point, pausing to search out a Cerulean Warbler, I heard the loud buzz of wings just behind my head (and froze).  It was a Hummingbird was working over every bit of red trim at my back--seen by my husband, never by me. Anne Bekker Philadelphia ________________________________ From: Ian Gardner To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:36 PM Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer) Yes, the sense of smell in birds does vary.  Vultures are renowned for their olfactory sense.  In Pennsylvania, we have two vulture species.  And interestingly only the Turkey Vulture has a useful sense of smell.  Black Vultures on the other hand have much better sight than smell, even following TVs around to scavenge from the scavengers.  Helps separate the niches in the community I guess. Turkey Vultures have also been used to find leaks in natural gas pipelines. The chemical added to natural gas, ethyl mercaptan, to is also associated with rotting flesh.  The vultures can be seen kettling around the leaks, which helps the engineers fix the leaks.  I'm not sure if they added that chemical for that reason, but it seems plausible to me.       -Ian Gardner On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 2:06 PM, Gerald Kruth wrote: > One of the beauties of this list is it allows for the distribution of ideas >  and observations. > > I appreciate all the posts on this (and many) topics.  When Herb said > birds have a great sense of smell, I recalled reading somewhere vultures > differ > from most other birds because they have a great sense of smell. > > I don't know if he is correct or not, but the fact that he took the time to >  venture thoughts and then gets other individuals involved to set the > record  straight (or not), is the real value, I believe > > Thanks to all of you who contribute. > > jk > Pgh > > > > > In a message dated 6/17/2013 12:43:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > davilene AT VERIZON.NET writes: > > Sorry,  Herb, but your statement about hummingbirds having a great sense of > smell  is incorrect. They, like almost all other birds, have little or no > sense of  smell. More than likely the hummer Kathy's referring to was in > the > area  all along and, for whatever reason, just decided to go to the feeder. > Or  else it had visited the feeder before and she just didn't see it. At > this time  of the year their primary food is arthropods, or small insects. > But > we are  fast coming upon the time when young are out of the nest or > recently > fledged  and hanging now they will become more visible. Also, now more > natural flower  sources are available. > > > Arlene Koch > Easton,  PA > Northampton  County > davilene AT verizon.net > > > ________________________________ > From:  Herbert Flavell > To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 3:04 PM > Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird  curiosity > > > While I am not a Hummingbird,nature has provided  them with excellent > eyesight and sense of smell. That's why they can find  flowers buried in > high > weeds. The fresher the Hummingbird food the stronger it  smells. Much like > steak and eggs cooking on the stove. Then the longer it sits  on the table > the > less it smells. But a hummer unlike a human follows their  nose and zips to > the new source of food. Then again maybe I'm like a Hummer I  zip to the > food > source. Then force of habit takes over. It then keeps  returning. Most > birds and insects have excellent smellers. How do you think an  ant that’s > 1/100 > inch long will find that same Hummingbird food hanging 8 ft  above them. > Then the first there will lead hundreds of their friends to the  new food > source. Here on my farm the Touch Me Not flowers grow lower than hay >  grass yet > find a TMN and you will find a Hummer. > Herb Flavell, Gods Knob,  Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County > www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm > > -----Original Message----- From:  Gerald Kruth > Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:50 AM > To:  PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird  curiosity > > Kathy's question is a good one.  If anyone has a  plausible  explanation, > please reply to the List.  I'm sure there  are others besides  me > interested as > well. > > thank  you, > > Jerry Kruth > Pittsburgh > > > In a message dated 6/17/2013  8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > pabirder AT PTD.NET writes: > > I  wonder  how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in  the > feeder.  I  hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week  due to all the > rain > and hadn't  seen any hummers for a couple of weeks  before that.  Yesterday > I > filled  it and this morning there was a  Hummer on the feeder. This is not > the first  time I have experienced  this.  Are they watching me? > Kathy  Stagl > Emmaus, PA > Subject: Lehigh County: Common Merganser(juvenile), Yellow-breasted Chat-Walking Purchase Park 6/17 From: Edward Sinkler <slhsbioguy AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:41:36 -0400 PA Birders, A rare two days in a row bird watching was a nice pleasant walk through the park. Activity was a little slow to begin, but I ended the day with 49 species. There was a juvenile Common Merganser resting with a group of Mallards that I observed actively diving later on I the walk. The merg was woking a swift riffle zone with apparent ease. The Yellow-breasted Chat was singing in the same tree that I found it in yesterday and I was able to see it without pishing. It sang for some time in the same tree and then moved a little further back into the brush of the bottomland. Besides the juvenile Merganser, I found a juvenile Red-belly Woodpecker in its nest hole. I was surrounded by Northern Rough-winged Swallows near the end of my walk as they were fly catching. They were very close and it was a pleasure to watch how effortlessly they maneuver. I am going to see if I can pull off the nearly unheard of three days in a row. The complete list follows. Happy Birding, Ed Sinkler Fountain Hill Lehigh County Walking Purchase Park, Salisbury, Lehigh, US-PA Jun 17, 2013 7:30 AM - 10:55 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.16 mile(s) Comments: 68-77�F, 5-10-5% cloud cover. River still running high, less silt. 49 species Mallard 30 Common Merganser 1 Juvenile bird actively diving for food. Double-crested Cormorant 2 Both birds sunning themselves in a tree on an island in the middle of the river. Great Blue Heron 1 Turkey Vulture 3 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Killdeer 1 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Mourning Dove 17 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 Chimney Swift 9 Red-bellied Woodpecker 9 Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 4 Eastern Wood-Pewee 2 Eastern Kingbird 1 Warbling Vireo 5 Red-eyed Vireo 2 Blue Jay 5 American Crow 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6 Tree Swallow 2 Bank Swallow 9 Barn Swallow 3 Black-capped Chickadee 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 House Wren 2 Carolina Wren 1 Wood Thrush 7 American Robin 37 Gray Catbird 55 Spread throughout the walk. Northern Mockingbird 1 Cedar Waxwing 15 Common Yellowthroat 1 American Redstart 4 Yellow Warbler 28 Yellow-breasted Chat 1 Eastern Towhee 2 Song Sparrow 14 Northern Cardinal 13 Indigo Bunting 1 Red-winged Blackbird 10 Common Grackle 1 Brown-headed Cowbird 11 Orchard Oriole 4 Baltimore Oriole 9 House Finch 1 American Goldfinch 7 Subject: Re: Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer) From: Kathy <pabirder AT PTD.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:32:57 -0400 Thanks everyone for your input-certainly created a lively discussion. I'm sure at some point science will figure out whether hummingbirds can detect odors and whether it impacts their behavior. For now I will enjoy them whenever they show up. Kathy Stagl Subject: Allegheny, GAP, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Least Weasel, and more From: Philip OBrien <obrien_philip AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:53:11 -0700 While on a casual ride on the GAP late Sunday after the rain stopped, noted a surprising amount of activity on, over, and around the trail. First highlight (in chronological order) - a bright male Baltimore Oriole was flying low alongside me, and then a bright Least Weasel, my second weasel species recorded in the county, traversed the wet trail in front of me, possibly tracking prey. Along the way, heard or saw numerous residents, including: Yellow-throated Warbler American Redstart Hooded Warbler Common Yellowthroat Indigo Bunting Wood Thrush White-eyed Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Yellow-breasted Chat Field Sparrow Cedar Waxwings (my first good look at a flock this year, including one with reddish terminal feathers, presumably diet related) House Wren Carolina Wren Pileated Woodpecker� - foraging on a snag next to the trail Rose-breasted Grosbeak Scarlet Tanager Second highlight - passing through a rich area that hosts four species of breeding flycatchers, and due to what had to be a combination of divine intervention, favorable stop over habitat and weather patterns, I encountered a fifth species - an adult Olive-sided Flycatcher uncharacteristically low on an open branch over the trail.� Directly in my path, the migrant was watching me regally like it was on territory before retreating to the tree tops.� Unlike the smaller Yellow-bellied I saw earlier in the season, none of the other flycatchers nearby were messing with it.� Based on my research, this may be a late date for Allegheny County, and was absolutely unexpected on my end. The third highlight was a pair of Orchard Oriole and Louisiana Waterthrush families foraging along the trail at discrete locations.� Both families appeared to be cowbird free.� In fact, I only noted a single cowbird on my entire ride.� Maybe the weasels have expanded their diet beyond rodents.� The waterthrush family was foraging in the muddy puddles on the side of the trail and in the heavy machinery tracks and ruts on the trail - providing unbelievable views. Sincerely, Philip O'Brien Subject: A. Coot - Allegheny Co. From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:31:46 -0700 I stopped at River Rd.,McKees Rocks this afternoon on my way home from work � a A. Coot is still present here on the Ohio River at the marina � � Mark Vass Beaver Co. Subject: Purple Martin pair @ Crooked Creek and Alder Flycatcher @ Pollka Hollow Road (Armstrong County) From: Marge Van Tassel <marvant AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:25:39 -0500 1 male (subadult) and 1 female Purple Martin hanging around the house near park office past few days and I saw them both early this a.m. 17 Cedar Waxwings (all over the peninsula plus few other areas as well, but could have been a few from the beach road 2 Wood Thrush 4 Killdeer 2 Indigo Buntings 1 Orchard Oriole 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers 2 Yellow Warblers plus Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows, E. Bluebirds, many REVs, etc. 1 Alder Flycather heard first then it flew up to a tree from brush near the beginning of Polka Hollow Road (few pictures) and def. sang right song/call 3 Ovenbirds 4 Wood Thrush 2 Acadian Flycatchers 1 Scarlet Tanager 1 E. Wood PeWee 3 Am. Crows chasing 1 Red-shoulder hawk above the trees Marge Van Tassel Armstrong County Subject: Birds of Prey, Allegheny Co. From: Jim Hausman <englishhaus AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:55:21 -0400 Hello All, This afternoon, I saw something special while reading near my living room window which looks out over a valley in Jefferson Hills. A circling hawk far out over the valley caught my eye and when I got my bins, it was a Broad-winged Hawk. In the same binocular view though more distant still were a Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk and a Cooper's Hawk. Some Chimney Swifts were harassing the Red-tailed Hawk before it flew off. It was cool to see several different birds of prey in one field-of-view. I'm looking forward to going for the first time to Hawk Mountain this fall where I'm sure better views await. Cheers, Jim Hausman Jefferson Hills Allegheny Co. Sent from my iPad Subject: Franklin County Black Tern From: Bill Oyler <oylerbill AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:34:04 -0400 The Black Tern continues for the fourth evening at Kriner Road retention ponds. Bill Oyler Sent from my iPhone Subject: Re: Bluebird box question (UPDATE) From: Jenny McClintock <jennymcclintock AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:23:25 -0400 And now ... the rest of the story ... (as Paul Harvey used to say!) Thanks to all the help and great info from this list, I did the nest change about 15 minutes ago. With my husband's help, we prepared a temporary home (shoe box with nesting materials), fashioned a replacement nest of dried grass, filled a bucket with 10% bleach and donned rubber gloves. We first plugged the hole with duct tape. Then opened the box to remove the babies. There were 2 living babies, 1 male and 1 female. They look to be about 14 days old (based on nest box photos I found online). There was also 1 dead male baby. I don't think he has been dead more than 2-3 days, since we observed 3 live ones last time we checked the box. After scooping out the dead body and all the nesting materials, we decided not to do the bleach wash. I didn't see an fly larvae and the body hadn't decayed enough to leave and residue (ick!), and we felt that we didn't want to risk the resulting drying time. The only mess appeared to be fecal matter and I wiped away what I could. Then we put the new nest in and replaced the 2 remaining babies. The male flapped his wings a bit but didn't seem ready to fly. The female just cowered, so I hope she is ok. The Momma watched us the entire time from our neighbor's roof. After we closed the box and made sure the babies were settled, we went inside to observe. The flies seemed to all but disappear with the dead body. Momma flew up to the nest within minutes looked inside, then went off to get a juicy worm and deposited it into a gaping baby mouth! So I guess we have success for now (fingers crossed). By the way, another pair of bluebirds has been hanging around the nest for about a week .I am pretty sure it is a different male because he is much brighter than the Papa and neither of the new birds feed the babies. They do courting dances together and seem to be waiting to move in when the little ones are gone. Momma tolerates them and they don't seem to bother the babies. I have seen the male perch at the nest box once and look in, but flew right off. I wonder if he killed the baby? ... or if it just died because Momma could supply enough food for 3 babies? I guess I will never know. Anyway, despite the awful smell and the flies up my nose (yuck), I feel like I have at least given the little ones a chance now! Jenny McClintock Gettysburg ----- Original Message ----- From: To: "Jenny McClintock" ; Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 4:34 PM Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Bluebird box question >I and I know others would be interested to know what you find Jenny. When >cleaning my feeders I have found dead as well as live mice. Once while >cleaning our Wood Duck nest my son scooped out a sleeping Possum. Another >time we cleaned it to find 4 un-hatched eggs. Maybe the male Bluebird died >in the box. I hope not. > Herb Flavell, Gods Knob,Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County. > www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm > > -----Original Message----- > From: Jenny McClintock > Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 4:16 PM > To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Bluebird box question > > Thank you Jerry. I have been told by several people that I should remove > the babies to a shoebox or other covered container, then do a nest change > (remove current nest and other matter, then replace with dried grass/pine > needles). Then put the babies back in the box (plug hole for a little > while until they are calm). > > I was advised to use rubber gloves. > > Jenny > ----- Original Message ----- > From: GKruth AT aol.com > To: jennymcclintock AT COMCAST.NET ; PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 4:09 PM > Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Bluebird box question > > > Jenny, > > I usually respond online to such queries, musing that others may also be > curious or interested. > > I will first disclaim to be any kind of expert, but have dealt w numerous > nestbox issues over the past twenty-nine years, so here goes: > > First -- do you really think there is something dead in the box? > Approach carefully and check this out again. > > If you wish to proceed, you might get yourself a pair of thin latex > gloves to protect yourself. A dust mask like you can purchase at Home > Depot or Lowe's for not a lot of money (under $5, I'd imagine), will also > protect you if you really think you need these things. SAVE THESE ITEMS > FOR LATER USE. > > Then carefully open the box again. The babies should tolerate your > interference as they have little exposure to humans. Carefully lift them, > using a flat piece of cardboard about the width of the box bottom, so that > you can slide this under their butts. Then, with a spatula, or flat piece > of wood, search around for any cadaver or excessive fecal matter, etc.. > If you find something, scoop it out w your tool along w any debris, and > close the box, and you should be done. > > This is what I would do. > > If you get a flood of protests and alternatives from other readers, I > welcome the input from anyone w specific training or real first-hand > experience. Otherwise, you can endlessly conjecture and accomplish zilch, > so use your own common sense, and best wishes, > > Jerry Kruth > Pittsburgh > > > > > In a message dated 6/17/2013 2:56:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > jennymcclintock AT COMCAST.NET writes: > Hello all, > > I need some advice regarding my backyard bluebird box. In short, there > are flies buzzing the box and a smell of death. When I opened the box, > there appear to be 3 living babies who look like they are days from > fledging (getting feather color). But I don't see a dead body, it may be > under the living babies. I don't feel like I can disturb the nest without > causing these babies to fledge too soon. I am just not equipped to handle > this situation and do not know what to do. Also, I should note that the > male parent has not been present for about a week, and the female has been > caring for the babies by herself. > > I would greatly appreciate some email help from an experienced bluebird > nest monitor. If anyone can help, please respond to me directly and I will > give further details. > > Thanks so much! > > Jenny McClintock > Gettysburg. Subject: Re: SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013 From: Dave Kruel <dkruel300 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:35:47 -0400 Dave, I believe you read a little more into my post than I intended, or I wrote my post poorly. Just so you know, I keep lists and I know what birds that I've seen, and what birds that I'd like to see, etc. It is fun to know what it out there that we have yet to see, etc. I have encouraged kids to keep lists of the birds they have seen. Anyhow, the topic of keeping lists was not a point I was tyring to address. Concerning my post.....I thought Kerry made a good point regarding summer birding, and I agree with that.....and I was also using that to tie into something else. Regarding people who keep lists, I bet most birders do, and I know lots of birders that keep lists who do a ton more for conservation, education, etc than I do, or ever will do. It is not birders keeping lists, but publishing of lists, is one thing I dont think is too important. But, that too wasnt what I really meant to say in my post. I do believe again, that our current system (of all things combined) really will not work for alot of species for sufficient forestland/open space. I'm sure too, that all birders and most Pennsylvanians, and most Americans are for saving land. The item I dont see discussed much is.....will what we are doing be successful. I know that I dont have a solution. However, I think keeping the issue up there and discussed will improve the odds of better success. And I honestly don't know what alot of others think.....I dont see alot of print about it. I dont know if many birders do think things will be 'ok' or not ok for many of our species down the road. I really do not see/hear much about it....in the specific terms of 'success' or 'how much open space will be left'. Even though the atlas was a wonderful endeavor, just a few years later with Marcellus Shale drilling, I believe that many bird populations may be negatively affected in ways that we didnt see during the Atlas. I do believe an emphasis on "what's left" (or what will be left in time) can be a good motivator....and I believe it doesnt get much discussion. because I dont see it in print too much, and I dont personally hear people talk about it much. (I am not saying that there is no print at all on this). Dave.....I know there is no way for you to know for certain, but with what you know now, do you feel confident about the future for our birds in PA ? ...or what are your thoughts on this? Dave Kruel Pottsville Schuylkill County On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 03:24:32 -0400, Dave DeReamus wrote: >Dave, > >OK, after reading the same repetitive criticism post after post after post, >I'm just gonna come out and say this as bluntly as possible. I would assume >that everyone on this list is all in favor of preserving land and studying >our resident and breeding birds and applauds your strong interest and >enthusiasm. However, I'd really appreciate it if you would PLEASE make your >posts without continuing to belittle those of us who occasionally go to see >rare birds that happen to show up in our state. By now, I'm sure it's all >drummed into our heads that so-called 'listers' are bad, but I really don't >think that helps your cause. > >By the way, I was out Sunday checking on a hummingbird nest that I found a >few weeks ago. Yes, it was JUST a Ruby-throated, but I was still excited to >see it nonetheless. And I wasn't looking for a rarity during those two >Breeding Bird Atlases that I volunteered for either, but I still had a good >time doing it, especially while keeping the 'lists' of what I found. > >Thanks in advance for your cooperation, >Dave DeReamus >Palmer Township, PA >becard -at- rcn.com >Blog: http://becard.blogspot.com/ >PicasaWeb Photo Albums: http://picasaweb.google.com/becard57 >Eastern PA Birding: http://users.rcn.com/becard/home.html > > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Dave Kruel" >To: >Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2013 12:39 PM >Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013 > > >Well put Kerry. There is much great stuff going on right now to be found by >birders with our nesting birds. Summer nesting activity is fun to observe >and provides much more important information as to what is going on than >lots of records on one ‘good’ bird. Even vagrants might be “boring nesters” >somewhere ….so if a vagrant’s habitat disappears, no more of that vagrant >showing up in PA. > >Dave Kruel >Pottsville >Schuylkill Co. Subject: Re: Bluebird Nesting question From: Jenny McClintock <jennymcclintock AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:13:04 -0400 I found that my sparrow/bluebird problem disappeared when my neighbor put up Martin house. She didn't attract any Purple Martins ... but the house gave the sparrows plenty of places to nest! So they left my bluebirds alone. I realize that this is not a solution ... just an observation. I wish I had a real solution for you! I would love to hear what others say. Jenny ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kelli Daggett" To: Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 5:02 PM Subject: [PABIRDS] Bluebird Nesting question > Hello everyone, > > I have had the pleasure of the same Bluebird pair (or at least I think the > same) successfully nest in bluebird boxes in my backyard for 3 seasons. > This year would have been the 4th season. > > What's different about this season is the house sparrows moved in and took > 2 of the 3 nest boxes. Day after day, I would clean the boxes out that the > sparrows attempted to nest in-to no avail. I finally gave up-let them nest > hoping the bluebirds would claim the third and same next box they have for > the past three years monitoring it carefully. > > Last week I started seeing the house sparrow perched on top of the box the > bluebirds made their nest in (the sparrow boxes nestlings fledged shortly > before that). To my dismay and sadness, it appears the house sparrow took > over the bluebird box as I have not seen the bluebirds in over a week and > the next box has alot more nesting material place inside it. I have since > cleaned them all out and plugged them up. > > How can I encourage the bluebirds to come back and nest without the threat > of the house sparrows taking over their box again? > > I am open to all recommendations. Thank you in advance to all. I am a > novice birder and want to learn as much as I can about preserving > non-invasive bird species. > > Thanks everyone! Subject: Bluebird Nesting question From: Kelli Daggett <ksdaggett AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:02:09 -0400 Hello everyone, I have had the pleasure of the same Bluebird pair (or at least I think the same) successfully nest in bluebird boxes in my backyard for 3 seasons. This year would have been the 4th season. What's different about this season is the house sparrows moved in and took 2 of the 3 nest boxes. Day after day, I would clean the boxes out that the sparrows attempted to nest in-to no avail. I finally gave up-let them nest hoping the bluebirds would claim the third and same next box they have for the past three years monitoring it carefully. Last week I started seeing the house sparrow perched on top of the box the bluebirds made their nest in (the sparrow boxes nestlings fledged shortly before that). To my dismay and sadness, it appears the house sparrow took over the bluebird box as I have not seen the bluebirds in over a week and the next box has alot more nesting material place inside it. I have since cleaned them all out and plugged them up. How can I encourage the bluebirds to come back and nest without the threat of the house sparrows taking over their box again? I am open to all recommendations. Thank you in advance to all. I am a novice birder and want to learn as much as I can about preserving non-invasive bird species. Thanks everyone! Subject: Re: Bluebird box question From: Herbert Flavell <herb1013 AT EPIX.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:34:17 -0400 I and I know others would be interested to know what you find Jenny. When cleaning my feeders I have found dead as well as live mice. Once while cleaning our Wood Duck nest my son scooped out a sleeping Possum. Another time we cleaned it to find 4 un-hatched eggs. Maybe the male Bluebird died in the box. I hope not. Herb Flavell, Gods Knob,Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County. www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm -----Original Message----- From: Jenny McClintock Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 4:16 PM To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Bluebird box question Thank you Jerry. I have been told by several people that I should remove the babies to a shoebox or other covered container, then do a nest change (remove current nest and other matter, then replace with dried grass/pine needles). Then put the babies back in the box (plug hole for a little while until they are calm). I was advised to use rubber gloves. Jenny ----- Original Message ----- From: GKruth AT aol.com To: jennymcclintock AT COMCAST.NET ; PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 4:09 PM Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Bluebird box question Jenny, I usually respond online to such queries, musing that others may also be curious or interested. I will first disclaim to be any kind of expert, but have dealt w numerous nestbox issues over the past twenty-nine years, so here goes: First -- do you really think there is something dead in the box? Approach carefully and check this out again. If you wish to proceed, you might get yourself a pair of thin latex gloves to protect yourself. A dust mask like you can purchase at Home Depot or Lowe's for not a lot of money (under $5, I'd imagine), will also protect you if you really think you need these things. SAVE THESE ITEMS FOR LATER USE. Then carefully open the box again. The babies should tolerate your interference as they have little exposure to humans. Carefully lift them, using a flat piece of cardboard about the width of the box bottom, so that you can slide this under their butts. Then, with a spatula, or flat piece of wood, search around for any cadaver or excessive fecal matter, etc.. If you find something, scoop it out w your tool along w any debris, and close the box, and you should be done. This is what I would do. If you get a flood of protests and alternatives from other readers, I welcome the input from anyone w specific training or real first-hand experience. Otherwise, you can endlessly conjecture and accomplish zilch, so use your own common sense, and best wishes, Jerry Kruth Pittsburgh In a message dated 6/17/2013 2:56:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, jennymcclintock AT COMCAST.NET writes: Hello all, I need some advice regarding my backyard bluebird box. In short, there are flies buzzing the box and a smell of death. When I opened the box, there appear to be 3 living babies who look like they are days from fledging (getting feather color). But I don't see a dead body, it may be under the living babies. I don't feel like I can disturb the nest without causing these babies to fledge too soon. I am just not equipped to handle this situation and do not know what to do. Also, I should note that the male parent has not been present for about a week, and the female has been caring for the babies by herself. I would greatly appreciate some email help from an experienced bluebird nest monitor. If anyone can help, please respond to me directly and I will give further details. Thanks so much! Jenny McClintock Gettysburg. Subject: Re: Bluebird box question From: Jenny McClintock <jennymcclintock AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:16:32 -0400 Thank you Jerry. I have been told by several people that I should remove the babies to a shoebox or other covered container, then do a nest change (remove current nest and other matter, then replace with dried grass/pine needles). Then put the babies back in the box (plug hole for a little while until they are calm). I was advised to use rubber gloves. Jenny ----- Original Message ----- From: GKruth AT aol.com To: jennymcclintock AT COMCAST.NET ; PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 4:09 PM Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Bluebird box question Jenny, I usually respond online to such queries, musing that others may also be curious or interested. I will first disclaim to be any kind of expert, but have dealt w numerous nestbox issues over the past twenty-nine years, so here goes: First -- do you really think there is something dead in the box? Approach carefully and check this out again. If you wish to proceed, you might get yourself a pair of thin latex gloves to protect yourself. A dust mask like you can purchase at Home Depot or Lowe's for not a lot of money (under $5, I'd imagine), will also protect you if you really think you need these things. SAVE THESE ITEMS FOR LATER USE. Then carefully open the box again. The babies should tolerate your interference as they have little exposure to humans. Carefully lift them, using a flat piece of cardboard about the width of the box bottom, so that you can slide this under their butts. Then, with a spatula, or flat piece of wood, search around for any cadaver or excessive fecal matter, etc.. If you find something, scoop it out w your tool along w any debris, and close the box, and you should be done. This is what I would do. If you get a flood of protests and alternatives from other readers, I welcome the input from anyone w specific training or real first-hand experience. Otherwise, you can endlessly conjecture and accomplish zilch, so use your own common sense, and best wishes, Jerry Kruth Pittsburgh In a message dated 6/17/2013 2:56:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, jennymcclintock AT COMCAST.NET writes: Hello all, I need some advice regarding my backyard bluebird box. In short, there are flies buzzing the box and a smell of death. When I opened the box, there appear to be 3 living babies who look like they are days from fledging (getting feather color). But I don't see a dead body, it may be under the living babies. I don't feel like I can disturb the nest without causing these babies to fledge too soon. I am just not equipped to handle this situation and do not know what to do. Also, I should note that the male parent has not been present for about a week, and the female has been caring for the babies by herself. I would greatly appreciate some email help from an experienced bluebird nest monitor. If anyone can help, please respond to me directly and I will give further details. Thanks so much! Jenny McClintock Gettysburg. Subject: Re: Bluebird box question From: Gerald Kruth <GKruth AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:09:07 -0400 Jenny, I usually respond online to such queries, musing that others may also be curious or interested. I will first disclaim to be any kind of expert, but have dealt w numerous nestbox issues over the past twenty-nine years, so here goes: First -- do you really think there is something dead in the box? Approach carefully and check this out again. If you wish to proceed, you might get yourself a pair of thin latex gloves to protect yourself. A dust mask like you can purchase at Home Depot or Lowe's for not a lot of money (under $5, I'd imagine), will also protect you if you really think you need these things. SAVE THESE ITEMS FOR LATER USE. Then carefully open the box again. The babies should tolerate your interference as they have little exposure to humans. Carefully lift them, using a flat piece of cardboard about the width of the box bottom, so that you can slide this under their butts. Then, with a spatula, or flat piece of wood, search around for any cadaver or excessive fecal matter, etc.. If you find something, scoop it out w your tool along w any debris, and close the box, and you should be done. This is what I would do. If you get a flood of protests and alternatives from other readers, I welcome the input from anyone w specific training or real first-hand experience. Otherwise, you can endlessly conjecture and accomplish zilch, so use your own common sense, and best wishes, Jerry Kruth Pittsburgh In a message dated 6/17/2013 2:56:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, jennymcclintock AT COMCAST.NET writes: Hello all, I need some advice regarding my backyard bluebird box. In short, there are flies buzzing the box and a smell of death. When I opened the box, there appear to be 3 living babies who look like they are days from fledging (getting feather color). But I don't see a dead body, it may be under the living babies. I don't feel like I can disturb the nest without causing these babies to fledge too soon. I am just not equipped to handle this situation and do not know what to do. Also, I should note that the male parent has not been present for about a week, and the female has been caring for the babies by herself. I would greatly appreciate some email help from an experienced bluebird nest monitor. If anyone can help, please respond to me directly and I will give further details. Thanks so much! Jenny McClintock Gettysburg. Subject: Re: Bluebird box question From: Jenny McClintock <jennymcclintock AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:06:29 -0400 Thanks to all who responded. I now know what I have to do ... I just hope I am up to the task and can save these little blues! Jenny ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jenny McClintock" To: Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:56 PM Subject: [PABIRDS] Bluebird box question Hello all, I need some advice regarding my backyard bluebird box. In short, there are flies buzzing the box and a smell of death. When I opened the box, there appear to be 3 living babies who look like they are days from fledging (getting feather color). But I don't see a dead body, it may be under the living babies. I don't feel like I can disturb the nest without causing these babies to fledge too soon. I am just not equipped to handle this situation and do not know what to do. Also, I should note that the male parent has not been present for about a week, and the female has been caring for the babies by herself. I would greatly appreciate some email help from an experienced bluebird nest monitor. If anyone can help, please respond to me directly and I will give further details. Thanks so much! Jenny McClintock Gettysburg. Subject: Game Lands 226 near Millville, Columbia County From: "Gross, Douglas" <dogross AT PA.GOV> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:15:16 -0400 Here is a trip yesterday to a really nice place in northern Columbia County. Game Lands 226 - Millville, Columbia, US-PA Jun 16, 2013 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM Protocol: Traveling 3.0 mile(s) Comments: Spruce Run area and some food plots 57 species Red-tailed Hawk 2 Mourning Dove 8 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Downy Woodpecker 4 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 6 Pileated Woodpecker 2 Eastern Wood-Pewee 7 Acadian Flycatcher 7 Great Crested Flycatcher 6 Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Blue-headed Vireo 7 Red-eyed Vireo 40 Blue Jay 7 American Crow 6 Fish Crow 2 Barn Swallow 2 Black-capped Chickadee 4 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 House Wren 1 Carolina Wren 2 Hermit Thrush 1 Wood Thrush 19 American Robin 15 Gray Catbird 15 Northern Mockingbird 1 Brown Thrasher 2 Ovenbird 19 Worm-eating Warbler 2 Louisiana Waterthrush 4 Feeding young along Spruce Run. Black-and-white Warbler 4 Common Yellowthroat 16 Hooded Warbler 25 American Redstart 3 Magnolia Warbler 2 Blackburnian Warbler 2 Yellow Warbler 2 Chestnut-sided Warbler 5 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 - Along Spruce Run road. Black-throated Green Warbler 5 Eastern Towhee 22 Chipping Sparrow 2 Field Sparrow 8 Song Sparrow 13 Dark-eyed Junco 1 Scarlet Tanager 17 Northern Cardinal 17 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 8 Indigo Bunting 15 Red-winged Blackbird 6 Common Grackle 18 Many fledglings. Brown-headed Cowbird 5 Orchard Oriole 1 Baltimore Oriole 4 House Sparrow 2 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14438584 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/pa) Doug Douglas A. Gross PA Game Commission Wildlife Biologist Endangered and Non-game Bird Section Supervisor 106 Winters Road, Orangeville, PA 17859 570-458-4109; dogross AT pa.gov PA eBird: http://ebird.org/content/pa Please note the change in e-mail address domain. Subject: Ricketts Glen SP Trip - Ganoga View / Beaver Dam Trails 6/15 From: "Gross, Douglas" <dogross AT PA.GOV> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:10:22 -0400 All: Re: Yesterday's post. I apologize for lack of a Subject line in yesterday's note about trip to Ricketts Glen SP, 6/15. Ricketts Glen SP--Ganoga View / Beaver Dam Trails, Luzerne, US-PA Jun 15, 2013 9:25 AM - 10:50 AM Protocol: Traveling 4.0 mile(s) I won't repeat the list, but here is link: View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14438389 Great time to go out birding! I invite others to visit Ricketts Glen and nearby locations and make more discoveries. Doug Gross Columbia county Douglas A. Gross PA Game Commission Wildlife Biologist Endangered and Non-game Bird Section Supervisor 106 Winters Road, Orangeville, PA 17859 570-458-4109; dogross AT pa.gov PA eBird: http://ebird.org/content/pa Please note the change in e-mail address domain. Subject: Bluebird box question From: Jenny McClintock <jennymcclintock AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:56:38 -0400 Hello all, I need some advice regarding my backyard bluebird box. In short, there are flies buzzing the box and a smell of death. When I opened the box, there appear to be 3 living babies who look like they are days from fledging (getting feather color). But I don't see a dead body, it may be under the living babies. I don't feel like I can disturb the nest without causing these babies to fledge too soon. I am just not equipped to handle this situation and do not know what to do. Also, I should note that the male parent has not been present for about a week, and the female has been caring for the babies by herself. I would greatly appreciate some email help from an experienced bluebird nest monitor. If anyone can help, please respond to me directly and I will give further details. Thanks so much! Jenny McClintock Gettysburg. Subject: Re: Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer) From: "Kate St.John" <kstjohn001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:54:34 -0700 Don't discount birds' ability to smell.� Studies have shown that gray catbirds use their sense of smell to guide them on migration. http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2013/03/27/sniffing-their-way-north/ � Kate St. John, Pittsburgh� Visit my bird and nature blog at www.wqed.org/birdblog/ Subject: Re: Hummingbird curiositlhw. W wle From: Edmund Kiernan Richards <penn_artist AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:51:07 -0700 Before Anqsmlusdroidqppleas s .io p Sent from Yahoo! Mpail on Androidlqplwwlwaawq, .lvhhvvluvvluvululbvluvvluvululb nN Lbnvg .,oN.v Up O B A lPl Gli .jll . Up Ll lPen Lln l Subject: Re: Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer) From: Ian Gardner <gardnie07 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:36:11 -0400 Yes, the sense of smell in birds does vary. Vultures are renowned for their olfactory sense. In Pennsylvania, we have two vulture species. And interestingly only the Turkey Vulture has a useful sense of smell. Black Vultures on the other hand have much better sight than smell, even following TVs around to scavenge from the scavengers. Helps separate the niches in the community I guess. Turkey Vultures have also been used to find leaks in natural gas pipelines. The chemical added to natural gas, ethyl mercaptan, to is also associated with rotting flesh. The vultures can be seen kettling around the leaks, which helps the engineers fix the leaks. I'm not sure if they added that chemical for that reason, but it seems plausible to me. -Ian Gardner On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 2:06 PM, Gerald Kruth wrote: > One of the beauties of this list is it allows for the distribution of ideas > and observations. > > I appreciate all the posts on this (and many) topics. When Herb said > birds have a great sense of smell, I recalled reading somewhere vultures > differ > from most other birds because they have a great sense of smell. > > I don't know if he is correct or not, but the fact that he took the time to > venture thoughts and then gets other individuals involved to set the > record straight (or not), is the real value, I believe > > Thanks to all of you who contribute. > > jk > Pgh > > > > > In a message dated 6/17/2013 12:43:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > davilene AT VERIZON.NET writes: > > Sorry, Herb, but your statement about hummingbirds having a great sense of > smell is incorrect. They, like almost all other birds, have little or no > sense of smell. More than likely the hummer Kathy's referring to was in > the > area all along and, for whatever reason, just decided to go to the feeder. > Or else it had visited the feeder before and she just didn't see it. At > this time of the year their primary food is arthropods, or small insects. > But > we are fast coming upon the time when young are out of the nest or > recently > fledged and hanging now they will become more visible. Also, now more > natural flower sources are available. > > > Arlene Koch > Easton, PA > Northampton County > davilene AT verizon.net > > > ________________________________ > From: Herbert Flavell > To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 3:04 PM > Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity > > > While I am not a Hummingbird,nature has provided them with excellent > eyesight and sense of smell. That's why they can find flowers buried in > high > weeds. The fresher the Hummingbird food the stronger it smells. Much like > steak and eggs cooking on the stove. Then the longer it sits on the table > the > less it smells. But a hummer unlike a human follows their nose and zips to > the new source of food. Then again maybe I'm like a Hummer I zip to the > food > source. Then force of habit takes over. It then keeps returning. Most > birds and insects have excellent smellers. How do you think an ant that�s > 1/100 > inch long will find that same Hummingbird food hanging 8 ft above them. > Then the first there will lead hundreds of their friends to the new food > source. Here on my farm the Touch Me Not flowers grow lower than hay > grass yet > find a TMN and you will find a Hummer. > Herb Flavell, Gods Knob, Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County > www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm > > -----Original Message----- From: Gerald Kruth > Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:50 AM > To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity > > Kathy's question is a good one. If anyone has a plausible explanation, > please reply to the List. I'm sure there are others besides me > interested as > well. > > thank you, > > Jerry Kruth > Pittsburgh > > > In a message dated 6/17/2013 8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > pabirder AT PTD.NET writes: > > I wonder how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the > feeder. I hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the > rain > and hadn't seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that. Yesterday > I > filled it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not > the first time I have experienced this. Are they watching me? > Kathy Stagl > Emmaus, PA > Subject: "The Flycatchers" A Photographic Exploration In Progress" From: Jim Flowers <artsnimages AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:20:50 -0400 Hi Folks I just completed a "Labor of Love" with my new Blog article called "The Flycatchers" A Photographic Exploration In Progress". I began on this long before the Shenk's Ferry Article and finally published it this morning. It contains information and images from both Texas and the Mid-Atlantic States so there is something for everyone. I sincerely hope you enjoy my efforts. http://birdsandblooms.me/2013/06/17/the-flycatchers-a-photographic-exploration-in-progress-2 Jim -- *Jim Flowers* Arts N Images Birds and Blooms Blog Wildlife South NANPA, NAPP, National Geographic Society (Retired) Subject: Re: Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer) From: Gerald Kruth <GKruth AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:06:27 -0400 One of the beauties of this list is it allows for the distribution of ideas and observations. I appreciate all the posts on this (and many) topics. When Herb said birds have a great sense of smell, I recalled reading somewhere vultures differ from most other birds because they have a great sense of smell. I don't know if he is correct or not, but the fact that he took the time to venture thoughts and then gets other individuals involved to set the record straight (or not), is the real value, I believe Thanks to all of you who contribute. jk Pgh In a message dated 6/17/2013 12:43:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, davilene AT VERIZON.NET writes: Sorry, Herb, but your statement about hummingbirds having a great sense of smell is incorrect. They, like almost all other birds, have little or no sense of smell. More than likely the hummer Kathy's referring to was in the area all along and, for whatever reason, just decided to go to the feeder. Or else it had visited the feeder before and she just didn't see it. At this time of the year their primary food is arthropods, or small insects. But we are fast coming upon the time when young are out of the nest or recently fledged and hanging now they will become more visible. Also, now more natural flower sources are available. Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net ________________________________ From: Herbert Flavell To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 3:04 PM Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity While I am not a Hummingbird,nature has provided them with excellent eyesight and sense of smell. That's why they can find flowers buried in high weeds. The fresher the Hummingbird food the stronger it smells. Much like steak and eggs cooking on the stove. Then the longer it sits on the table the less it smells. But a hummer unlike a human follows their nose and zips to the new source of food. Then again maybe I'm like a Hummer I zip to the food source. Then force of habit takes over. It then keeps returning. Most birds and insects have excellent smellers. How do you think an ant that’s 1/100 inch long will find that same Hummingbird food hanging 8 ft above them. Then the first there will lead hundreds of their friends to the new food source. Here on my farm the Touch Me Not flowers grow lower than hay grass yet find a TMN and you will find a Hummer. Herb Flavell, Gods Knob, Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm -----Original Message----- From: Gerald Kruth Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:50 AM To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity Kathy's question is a good one. If anyone has a plausible explanation, please reply to the List. I'm sure there are others besides me interested as well. thank you, Jerry Kruth Pittsburgh In a message dated 6/17/2013 8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, pabirder AT PTD.NET writes: I wonder how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the feeder. I hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the rain and hadn't seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that. Yesterday I filled it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not the first time I have experienced this. Are they watching me? Kathy Stagl Emmaus, PA Subject: Re: Hummingbird curiosity From: Herbert Flavell <herb1013 AT EPIX.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:08:50 -0400 Everything that lives and breaths through their nose has a sense of smell. Some say no for birds but just as many say yes. http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Birds/Summer/Can-Birds-Smell-or-Taste/ I mentioned the ant in my email. Without smell how would it know that that red thing hanging 8 ft above his/ her head was food. I don’t think fish smell because they breath through gills and catch food with excellent eyesight. Makes me wonder how my snapping turtle knows that I'm there feeding my fish and comes to feed on the cat food that sinks to the bottom while I take its picture. Does it smell the food as it sinks or just hear the splash and associate the splash with me feeding the fish. The world wants to know. Herb Flavell, Gods Knob, Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County, www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm -----Original Message----- From: rick Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 12:52 PM To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity I don't have an answer but I have a cabin near Romney W.Va. and have similar experiences. We can be gone for weeks and the feeders are empty when we arrive. In a matter of hours after cleaning and filling the feeders birds are there. There are no flowers around as the cabin is in the woods so I really wonder if they don't have some sort of sense of smell. Rick Dickson Greencastle -----Original Message----- From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania [mailto:PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of Gerald Kruth Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:51 AM To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity Kathy's question is a good one. If anyone has a plausible explanation, please reply to the List. I'm sure there are others besides me interested as well. thank you, Jerry Kruth Pittsburgh In a message dated 6/17/2013 8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, pabirder AT PTD.NET writes: I wonder how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the feeder. I hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the rain and hadn't seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that. Yesterday I filled it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not the first time I have experienced this. Are they watching me? Kathy Stagl Emmaus, PA Subject: Re: Hummingbird curiosity From: Ian Gardner <gardnie07 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:07:19 -0400 I've always understood that hummingbirds were attracted to the color red. Here is a blog post with a link to an article discussing how hummingbirds are attracted to the type of nectar, not the flower color. The color red is apparently a way to camouflage the flowers from bees so the nectar remains for hummingbirds, the target pollinators. http://blog.arrowheadalpines.com/2010/06/why-hummingbirds-like-red-flowes-hint.html I would assume the flower/feeder shape and bright color are signals for the hummingbirds and they taste test the nectar/sugar water to determine whether they should drink from it or not. This leads one to believe that hummingbirds have a great memory and can remember which flower/feeder has good nectar or not. I'm sure they infrequently visit those empty feeders/flowers to remind themselves, which would explain why hummingbirds aren't seen when feeders are empty. I hope this helps the discussion. It taught me a few things. -Ian Gardner On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 12:52 PM, rick wrote: > I don't have an answer but I have a cabin near Romney W.Va. and have > similar > experiences. We can be gone for weeks and the feeders are empty when we > arrive. In a matter of hours after cleaning and filling the feeders birds > are there. There are no flowers around as the cabin is in the woods so I > really wonder if they don't have some sort of sense of smell. > > Rick Dickson > Greencastle > > -----Original Message----- > From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania > [mailto:PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of Gerald Kruth > Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:51 AM > To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity > > Kathy's question is a good one. If anyone has a plausible explanation, > please reply to the List. I'm sure there are others besides me interested > as > well. > > thank you, > > Jerry Kruth > Pittsburgh > > > In a message dated 6/17/2013 8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > pabirder AT PTD.NET writes: > > I wonder how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the > feeder. I hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the > rain > and hadn't seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that. Yesterday > I > > filled it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not > the first time I have experienced this. Are they watching me? > Kathy Stagl > Emmaus, PA > Subject: Re: Hummingbird curiosity From: rick <dicksons AT ZOOMLYNX.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:52:44 -0400 I don't have an answer but I have a cabin near Romney W.Va. and have similar experiences. We can be gone for weeks and the feeders are empty when we arrive. In a matter of hours after cleaning and filling the feeders birds are there. There are no flowers around as the cabin is in the woods so I really wonder if they don't have some sort of sense of smell. Rick Dickson Greencastle -----Original Message----- From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania [mailto:PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of Gerald Kruth Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:51 AM To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity Kathy's question is a good one. If anyone has a plausible explanation, please reply to the List. I'm sure there are others besides me interested as well. thank you, Jerry Kruth Pittsburgh In a message dated 6/17/2013 8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, pabirder AT PTD.NET writes: I wonder how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the feeder. I hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the rain and hadn't seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that. Yesterday I filled it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not the first time I have experienced this. Are they watching me? Kathy Stagl Emmaus, PA Subject: Re: Hummingbird curiosity From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:43:14 -0700 Sorry, Herb, but your statement about hummingbirds having a great sense of smell is incorrect. They, like almost all other birds, have little or no sense of smell. More than likely the hummer Kathy's referring to was in the area all along and, for whatever reason, just decided to go to the feeder. Or else it had visited the feeder before and she just didn't see it. At this time of the year their primary food is arthropods, or small insects. But we are fast coming upon the time when young are out of the nest or recently fledged and hanging now they will become more visible. Also, now more natural flower sources are available.   Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net ________________________________ From: Herbert Flavell To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 3:04 PM Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity While I am not a Hummingbird,nature has provided them with excellent eyesight and sense of smell. That's why they can find flowers buried in high weeds. The fresher the Hummingbird food the stronger it smells. Much like steak and eggs cooking on the stove. Then the longer it sits on the table the less it smells. But a hummer unlike a human follows their nose and zips to the new source of food. Then again maybe I'm like a Hummer I zip to the food source. Then force of habit takes over. It then keeps returning. Most birds and insects have excellent smellers. How do you think an ant that’s 1/100 inch long will find that same Hummingbird food hanging 8 ft above them. Then the first there will lead hundreds of their friends to the new food source. Here on my farm the Touch Me Not flowers grow lower than hay grass yet find a TMN and you will find a Hummer. Herb Flavell, Gods Knob, Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm -----Original Message----- From: Gerald Kruth Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:50 AM To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity Kathy's question is a good one.  If anyone has a plausible  explanation, please reply to the List.  I'm sure there are others besides  me interested as well. thank you, Jerry Kruth Pittsburgh In a message dated 6/17/2013 8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, pabirder AT PTD.NET writes: I wonder  how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the feeder.  I  hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the rain and hadn't  seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that.  Yesterday I filled  it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not the first  time I have experienced this.  Are they watching me? Kathy  Stagl Emmaus, PA Subject: Re: Hummingbird curiosity From: Herbert Flavell <herb1013 AT EPIX.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:04:22 -0400 While I am not a Hummingbird,nature has provided them with excellent eyesight and sense of smell. That's why they can find flowers buried in high weeds. The fresher the Hummingbird food the stronger it smells. Much like steak and eggs cooking on the stove. Then the longer it sits on the table the less it smells. But a hummer unlike a human follows their nose and zips to the new source of food. Then again maybe I'm like a Hummer I zip to the food source. Then force of habit takes over. It then keeps returning. Most birds and insects have excellent smellers. How do you think an ant that’s 1/100 inch long will find that same Hummingbird food hanging 8 ft above them. Then the first there will lead hundreds of their friends to the new food source. Here on my farm the Touch Me Not flowers grow lower than hay grass yet find a TMN and you will find a Hummer. Herb Flavell, Gods Knob, Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm -----Original Message----- From: Gerald Kruth Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:50 AM To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity Kathy's question is a good one. If anyone has a plausible explanation, please reply to the List. I'm sure there are others besides me interested as well. thank you, Jerry Kruth Pittsburgh In a message dated 6/17/2013 8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, pabirder AT PTD.NET writes: I wonder how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the feeder. I hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the rain and hadn't seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that. Yesterday I filled it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not the first time I have experienced this. Are they watching me? Kathy Stagl Emmaus, PA Subject: Re: Hummingbird curiosity From: Gerald Kruth <GKruth AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:50:47 -0400 Kathy's question is a good one. If anyone has a plausible explanation, please reply to the List. I'm sure there are others besides me interested as well. thank you, Jerry Kruth Pittsburgh In a message dated 6/17/2013 8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, pabirder AT PTD.NET writes: I wonder how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the feeder. I hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the rain and hadn't seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that. Yesterday I filled it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not the first time I have experienced this. Are they watching me? Kathy Stagl Emmaus, PA Subject: Local Red Tail Hawk Nest From: NIck Guirate <paramaniac10 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:23:53 -0700 A few months ago I posted about a Red Tail Hawk nest that I observed being constructed atop a local electrical wire transmission tower. Due to its location, I have been unable to get any good looks at the chick or chicks that were on the nest. Occasionally, I would see a tiny head pop up, but never really anything interesting to see. This past week changed that, and on Saturday evening, I was able to capture the juvenile standing on the nest and stretching his wings! And when I went past yesterday, Sunday, I got to see the juvenile soaring around the nest with an adult very close by. Sadly, I didnt have my camera to take pics of his first flight, however, I did get a few of him stretching his wings. The pics can be found by clicking on the link in my signature line. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the photos Nick Guirate Philly PA Sent via Carrier Pigeon Please Check Out My Photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_paramaniac/ Subject: Hummingbird curiosity From: Kathy <pabirder AT PTD.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:50:02 -0400 I wonder how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the feeder. I hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the rain and hadn't seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that. Yesterday I filled it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not the first time I have experienced this. Are they watching me? Kathy Stagl Emmaus, PA Subject: Re: cicadas and cuckoos From: Laurie Goodrich <goodrich AT HAWKMTN.ORG> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:50:08 -0400 Hi Rudy and others, At Hawk Mountain, Berks/Sch. Counties, we have also upswing in YB Cuckoos but there is an outbreak of oak caterpillars that could be driving it more than cicadas. We have both caterpillars and the cicadas in good numbers. If you have not heard or seen the 17 yr cicadas Hawk Mt is one place you can experience it! -----Original Message----- From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania [mailto:PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of Rudolph Keller Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2013 9:03 PM To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: [PABIRDS] cicadas and cuckoos This morning Dean Kendall and I did our Breeding Bird Survey route that starts in Schuylkill Co. (Owl Creek Rd.) and ends in Carbon Co. near Bowmanstown. From a perspective of 40 years on this route, the only thing that stood out was a notable increase in the number of Yellow-billed Cuckoos I detected. I thought this might be due to the availability of periodical cicadas, many of which we heard on many stops. Has anyone else noticed such a correlation? I remember another even larger uptick in numbers of both species of cuckoo on this route during a major gypsy moth defoliation episode a few decades ago. Rudy Keller Boyertown, PA Berks County Subject: Lehigh County: Immature Bald Eagle(6/14), Yellow-breasted Chat, Eastern Phoebe(6/16)-Walking Purchase Park From: Edward Sinkler <slhsbioguy AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:59:48 -0400 PA Birders, I was out Friday and Sunday at Walking Purchase Park and had two good walks. Friday held a soaring immature Bald Eagle and 39 other species and Sunday held a singing Yellow-breasted Chat and Eastern Phoebes. Friday's walk was quiet and I was wondering if I would see 40 species, but a run of raptors along the railroad line helped get me to 40. The immature Bald Eagle was soaring from Allentown towards Bethlehem along the little ridge. It found a thermal and was joined by a Sharp-shinned Hawk. It rode the thermal and then peeled off towards Bethlhem. Yesterday, Sunday, I had a little more activity anding with 46 species. I found the Chat in the bottomland near the pumphouse. It provided an identification challenge, as each part of the song lead me to different birds. There have been Yellow-billed Cuckoos in the area this year, so I started there and then I heard a crow type call in the middle and the third part threw me completely. I was then thinking Mockingbird, but knew that was not correct. I was able to pish the bird into view and it did not disappoint as it went through the entire repertoire three or four times before turning it back on me and moving into the brush. I was surprised to see not one, but two Eastern Phoebes in the park. I usually only see them during migration and was quite surprised by see them. I am heading out this morning to see what other wonders I can find. The complete lists follow. Happy Birding, Ed SInkler Fountain Hill Lehigh County Walking Purchase Park, Salisbury, Lehigh, US-PA Jun 14, 2013 8:45 AM - 11:50 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.16 mile(s) Comments: 56-66�F, 100-60-95-40% cloud cover. River running high due to heavy rain. 40 species Mallard 16 Turkey Vulture 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Cooper's Hawk 1 Bald Eagle 1 Flying from Allentown towards Bethlehem over the railroad tracks. Red-tailed Hawk 3 Killdeer 1 Rock Pigeon 3 Mourning Dove 6 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 Chimney Swift 20 Red-bellied Woodpecker 4 Downy Woodpecker 2 Eastern Wood-Pewee 3 Eastern Kingbird 1 Yellow-throated Vireo 2 Adult feeding nestling. Warbling Vireo 7 Red-eyed Vireo 1 Blue Jay 3 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3 Tree Swallow 6 Bank Swallow 17 Barn Swallow 7 Black-capped Chickadee 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 Carolina Wren 5 Wood Thrush 6 American Robin 26 Gray Catbird 48 European Starling 2 Common Yellowthroat 4 American Redstart 9 Yellow Warbler 19 Song Sparrow 10 Northern Cardinal 10 Indigo Bunting 1 Red-winged Blackbird 7 Brown-headed Cowbird 19 Baltimore Oriole 4 American Goldfinch 5 Walking Purchase Park, Salisbury, Lehigh, US-PA Jun 16, 2013 7:40 AM - 10:50 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.16 mile(s) Comments: 62-72�F, 100-60-95% Cloud cover. River still running high, but lower than Friday by about six inches to a foot. 46 species Mallard 13 Wild Turkey 1 Double-crested Cormorant 1 Great Blue Heron 1 Turkey Vulture 1 Red-tailed Hawk 3 Spotted Sandpiper 2 Rock Pigeon 2 Mourning Dove 13 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 Chimney Swift 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 10 Female feeding nestling. Downy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 2 Eastern Wood-Pewee 3 Eastern Phoebe 2 Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Warbling Vireo 6 Red-eyed Vireo 3 Fledgling begging for food. Blue Jay 5 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 Tree Swallow 1 Bank Swallow 4 Barn Swallow 11 Black-capped Chickadee 3 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 House Wren 2 Carolina Wren 1 Wood Thrush 7 American Robin 39 Gray Catbird 66 Very active and spread throughout the walk. Northern Mockingbird 1 Cedar Waxwing 6 Common Yellowthroat 3 American Redstart 6 Yellow Warbler 28 Yellow-breasted Chat 1 Song Sparrow 16 Northern Cardinal 7 Indigo Bunting 1 Red-winged Blackbird 10 Common Grackle 3 Brown-headed Cowbird 9 Baltimore Oriole 3 American Goldfinch 3 Subject: Re: SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013 From: Dave DeReamus <becard AT RCN.COM> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 03:24:32 -0400 Dave, OK, after reading the same repetitive criticism post after post after post, I'm just gonna come out and say this as bluntly as possible. I would assume that everyone on this list is all in favor of preserving land and studying our resident and breeding birds and applauds your strong interest and enthusiasm. However, I'd really appreciate it if you would PLEASE make your posts without continuing to belittle those of us who occasionally go to see rare birds that happen to show up in our state. By now, I'm sure it's all drummed into our heads that so-called 'listers' are bad, but I really don't think that helps your cause. By the way, I was out Sunday checking on a hummingbird nest that I found a few weeks ago. Yes, it was JUST a Ruby-throated, but I was still excited to see it nonetheless. And I wasn't looking for a rarity during those two Breeding Bird Atlases that I volunteered for either, but I still had a good time doing it, especially while keeping the 'lists' of what I found. Thanks in advance for your cooperation, Dave DeReamus Palmer Township, PA becard -at- rcn.com Blog: http://becard.blogspot.com/ PicasaWeb Photo Albums: http://picasaweb.google.com/becard57 Eastern PA Birding: http://users.rcn.com/becard/home.html ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Kruel" To: Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2013 12:39 PM Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013 Well put Kerry. There is much great stuff going on right now to be found by birders with our nesting birds. Summer nesting activity is fun to observe and provides much more important information as to what is going on than lots of records on one ‘good’ bird. Even vagrants might be “boring nesters” somewhere ….so if a vagrant’s habitat disappears, no more of that vagrant showing up in PA. Dave Kruel Pottsville Schuylkill Co. Subject: Re: PABIRDS Digest - 14 Jun 2013 to 15 Jun 2013 (#2013-167) From: Doug Gross <dagross144 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 20:16:18 -0700 Hi All, A quick walk along a trail on Saturday morning: � Ricketts Glen SP--Ganoga View / Beaver Dam Trails, Luzerne, US-PA Jun 15, 2013 9:25 AM - 10:50 AM Protocol: Traveling 4.0 mile(s) Comments:� � Very wet trail after recent rains. 36 species Mourning Dove� 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker� 4 Downy Woodpecker� 1 Hairy Woodpecker� 1 Pileated Woodpecker� 2 Alder Flycatcher� 1 Blue-headed Vireo� 5 Red-eyed Vireo� 26� � Very common bird in forest of Ricketts Glen State Park. Blue Jay� 5 American Crow� 1 Common Raven� 2 Black-capped Chickadee� 2 Winter Wren� 2 Veery� 5 Hermit Thrush� 4 American Robin� 3 Gray Catbird� 2 Ovenbird� 16 Black-and-white Warbler� 5 Nashville Warbler� 1 Common Yellowthroat� 10 Hooded Warbler� 1 American Redstart� 4 Magnolia Warbler� 5 Blackburnian Warbler� 8 Chestnut-sided Warbler� 10 Black-throated Blue Warbler� 12� � Common breeding bird of higher elevation forests of Ricketts Glen SP especially with conifers Black-throated Green Warbler� 26 Eastern Towhee� 16 Chipping Sparrow� 1 White-throated Sparrow� 2 Dark-eyed Junco� 9 Scarlet Tanager� 2 Brown-headed Cowbird� 2 Purple Finch� 1 American Goldfinch� 2 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14438389 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/pa) Doug Gross Columbia county Subject: Re: cicadas and cuckoos From: Kerry A Grim <mountainbirder AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:58:59 -0400 I have run across numerous ares with many, many cicadas in the Kittatinny Ridge (Berks/Schuylkill Co.) over the past few weeks. Surely, the next person will have a totally different experience than I have. I find cuckoo numbers to be at least modernately lower than during other years. I heard perhaps 6 or 8 cuckoos recently, and none were near any areas that were overwhelmed by cicadas. In other words, I found no coloration at all. One heavily "infested" area I walked under a tree where a crow was reluctant to leave which is quite unusual, but I certainly can't assume the crow was there because of the cicadas. I visited a clear-cut yesterday which had low vegetation with trees and shrubs an average of 6 feet tall. I was in the thick of the cicadas and found the normal number of bird species there. I would think Tanagers would dine on them as well (and maybe they do), especially after seeing a tanager go after hummingbird. Kerry Grim Berks Co. Subject: Allegheny - Peregrines From: Ryan Tomazin <wvwarblers AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:17:47 -0400 Hi All (and Kate!), While spending time with friends at my first visit to the Pgh Arts Festival in 20 years of living here, I saw THREE Peregrines chasing each other around the top of the PPG tower from Point State Park. They were going into stoops and everything! Sweet!Also had Yellow Warbler and Warbling Vireo at the Point. Haven't been down there in ages.Ryan Tomazin | Bridgeville, PA Subject: cicadas and cuckoos From: Rudolph Keller <rckeller AT DEJAZZD.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:03:23 -0400 This morning Dean Kendall and I did our Breeding Bird Survey route that starts in Schuylkill Co. (Owl Creek Rd.) and ends in Carbon Co. near Bowmanstown. From a perspective of 40 years on this route, the only thing that stood out was a notable increase in the number of Yellow-billed Cuckoos I detected. I thought this might be due to the availability of periodical cicadas, many of which we heard on many stops. Has anyone else noticed such a correlation? I remember another even larger uptick in numbers of both species of cuckoo on this route during a major gypsy moth defoliation episode a few decades ago. Rudy Keller Boyertown, PA Berks County Subject: Moraine State Park - Butler Co. From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:58:08 -0700 This afternoon I was at Moraine State Park and�did a check of the lake on the north and south shores and the waterfowl observation area�and had these sightings � � 11 Great Blue Heron 12 Wood Duck 1 Hooded Merganser 2 Ruddy Duck 6 Osprey(birds seen on the lake..not at nests) 1 Bald Eagle 1 Ring-billed Gull � � Mark Vass Beaver Co. Subject: Franklin Co Black Tern From: Bill Oyler <oylerbill AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 20:52:50 -0400 For the third evening in a row at Kriner Road retention ponds at south edge of Chambersburg. Bill Oyler Subject: Conowingo Dam, MD From: Heather Jacoby <greybeh AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:00:53 -0400 I'm sorry this is outside of PA. I'm just hoping someone can help my mom ID this bird. She thinks it's a golden eagle and I think it's more likely an immature bald eagle. This picture was taken last month at Conowingo Dam in Maryland. http://www.flickr.com/photos/59978854 AT N00/9060648823/lightbox/ Thanks in advance for helping us with an ID. I wish I had been present to get a look at the size of the bird. -- Heather Jacoby greybeh AT gmail.com Pittsburgh, PA Allegheny County Subject: Re: PABIRDS Digest - 13 Jun 2013 to 14 Jun 2013 (#2013-166) From: Lynne Jeffries <jeffries11 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:27:38 -0400 Sent from my iPad On Jun 15, 2013, at 12:00 AM, PABIRDS automatic digest system wrote: > There are 10 messages totaling 278 lines in this issue. > > Topics of the day: > > 1. Eastern PA Birdline: 6/14/2013 > 2. Lesser Scaup in Clinton County > 3. Lancaster-York Counties, Rt. 462 Peregrine fledgling Update (& video) > 4. Common Loon, Northampton County > 5. Peregrine mortality, Pittsburgh > 6. Chester County Snow Geese??? (2) > 7. Common Mergansers > 8. Franklin Co - Black Tern > 9. Presque Isle State Park - Erie Co. > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 03:15:01 -0400 > From: Dave DeReamus > Subject: Eastern PA Birdline: 6/14/2013 > > - RBA > * Pennsylvania > * Lehigh / Northampton Counties and Vicinity > * June 14, 2013 > * PAEA1306.14 > > - Birds mentioned > > PROTHONOTARY WARBLER > > - Transcript > > Hotline: Eastern PA Birdline > Date: June 14th at 3:00 AM > To Report by E-Mail: Send to becard AT rcn.com with "Birdline" in subject > heading. > Compiler: Dave DeReamus > My reporting area includes all of Lehigh and Northampton Counties with the > northern edge of the area reaching Beltzville State Park and the southern > edge reaching Peace Valley Park in Bucks County. Updates are typically done > every Friday, more often when necessary. > > You can visit the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society Website at > http://www.lehigh.edu/lvas. > > You can visit my 'Eastern PA Birding' Website for photos and information at > http://users.rcn.com/becard/home.html. > > Directions to many of the sites in this report can be found in the area's > birding guidebook, "Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity". > > NOW FOR THE BIRDS! > > Sightings from the BETHLEHEM area, Northampton County included: > Peregrine Falcons - up to 5 seen this past week. > > Sightings from LEASER LAKE, Lehigh County included: > Acadian Flycatcher - 1 on 6/9 (along Fort Everett Road). > Also Cliff Swallow, and Hooded, Cerulean, and Worm-eating Warbler. > > Sightings from PEACE VALLEY PARK, Bucks County included: > PROTHONOTARY WARBLER - continuing this week. > Also Snow Goose, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Bald > Eagle, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Purple Martin. > > - End transcript > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:33:17 -0400 > From: "Brauning, Daniel" > Subject: Lesser Scaup in Clinton County > > While conducting a Breeding Bird Survey route in Clinton County on June 11, I observed a pair of Lesser Scaup on Fishing Creek downstream of Mill Hall, just above the Rt 150 bridge. Wayne Laubscher searched subsequently (Wed?), but couldn't find them. This was definitely a male and female, feeding in the small stream. Strange habitat, and I'm not suggesting a nesting pair, but they stuck close together. > > Daniel Brauning > Lycoming County > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:37:33 -0400 > From: Meredith_Lombard > Subject: Lancaster-York Counties, Rt. 462 Peregrine fledgling Update (& video) > > Thursday evening, both young peregrines were seen walking the middle section of the 6th arch from the Wrightsville shoreline. They would stop on occasion and then seemed to respond to the wind gusts by flapping. Fortunately, the wind gusts were mild, not the previously forecasted “derecho” type winds expected for this area. This “flapping age” is when they are most vulnerable and can be swept off the bridge by a strong gust. > > If you are able to watch the activity from the shoreline and see a bird fall into the river, Jim Cox of Chiques Rock Outfitters (717-475-6196) has graciously offered to take phone messages of peregrines in peril and will do his best to rescue the bird. Of course, you are welcome to kayak/boat this area to rescue the young should they end up in the water. > > I posted a short video of yesterday’s peregrine activities: > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/caritas_nature/9037777095/ > > Good birding, > > > Meredith Lombard > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:23:53 -0400 > From: Dustin Welch > Subject: Common Loon, Northampton County > > 06/14/2013 > > E. Allen Twp. > Bath, Northampton County > > Not rare to see COMMON LOONS lingering around on lakes this time of year but I was caught off guard pulling into my driveway and seeing a breeding plumage COMMON LOON flying low over the corn field in front of the house. > > Also up to 16 SNOW GEESE continue in the area of Blossom Hill Rd, Lower Nazareth Twp., Northampton County. All but 3 are adults. This is the largest group I've seen this late in the year. > > Bird on, > Dustin Welch > Bath, Northampton County > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:10:41 -0700 > From: "Kate St.John" > Subject: Peregrine mortality, Pittsburgh > > This year I was hoping that Pitt's lone peregrine fledgling would beat the 60% to 66% mortality odds but this morning he was found dead on Forbes Ave near the art museum. > More information here: http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2013/06/14/sad-news-pitts-only-fledgling-is-dead/ > > One of the four Downtown peregrine fledglings was found dead a week ago. They fledged a week ahead of Pitt. > > > Musings on peregrine mortality, written after last year's Pitt peregrine death, are here: > > http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2012/06/29/musings-on-peregrine-mortality/ > > Kate St. John, Pittsburgh > > Visit my bird and nature blog at www.wqed.org/birdblog/ > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:35:00 -0400 > From: Jen Harned > Subject: Chester County Snow Geese??? > > I was out running errands when I was surprised to see the local Canada geese still have three snow geese in their flock. Is this unusual for June?? They were around all winter. > > Location is Guthriesville, off Guthriesville Road on Timber Pass. Timber Pass meets Guthriesville Road twice- if you go in the second entrance there is a nice-sized pond on the left, just before the townhouses. > > Jen Harned > Chester County > > Sent from my iPhone > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:52:09 -0400 > From: Ed Gowarty > Subject: Common Mergansers > > Could anyone tell me how far south in Pennsylvania are Common Mergansers know to breed? > > Ed Gowarty > Naturphocus AT gmail.com > Somerset Co. Pa > Sent from my iPad > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:09:32 -0400 > From: Bill Oyler > Subject: Franklin Co - Black Tern > > About 30 minutes ago I watched a Black Tern feeding over the Kriner Road > retention ponds at the south end of Chambersburg. I was on the way to p/u > pizza and only observed it for a couple minutes ... breeding plumage. > > Bill Oyler > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:20:43 -0400 > From: Katrina Knight > Subject: Re: Chester County Snow Geese??? > > At 02:35 PM 6/14/2013 Jen Harned wrote: >> I was out running errands when I was surprised to see the local >> Canada geese still have three snow geese in their flock. Is >> this unusual for June?? They were around all winter. > > Snow Geese that are injured during hunting season will stick > around if they aren't capable of making their normal migration. > I saw a group of about 7 of them at Middle Creek WMA today. > > -- > Katrina Knight > kknight AT fastmail.fm > Reading, PA, USA > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:15:14 -0700 > From: Mark Vass > Subject: Presque Isle State Park - Erie Co. > > I was at Presque Isle State Park this afternoon to early evening > > I stopped at the following locations and had these sightings > > > Head of Presque Isle Bay > > 2 LEAST BITTERN > 12 Great Blue Heron > 2 Green Heron > 1 Trumpeter Swan > 5 Wood Duck > 2 BLUE-WINGED TEAL(drakes) > 1 Lesser Scaup > 2 Bufflehead(pair) > 1 Hooded Merganser > 1 Bald Eagle > > Misery Bay > > 1 Greater Scaup(drake) > 15 Lesser Scaup > 2 Ruddy Duck > > Thompson Bay > > 2 Mute Swan > > Gull Point > > 1 Horned Grebe > 2 GREEN - WINGED TEAL(pair) > 2 Sanderling > 2 Semipalmated Sandpiper > 3 White-rumped Sandpiper > 1 Dunlin > 10 Great Black-backed Gull > 6 Caspian Tern > > > Mark Vass > Beaver Co. > > ------------------------------ > > End of PABIRDS Digest - 13 Jun 2013 to 14 Jun 2013 (#2013-166) > ************************************************************** Subject: White-rumped Sandpiper, Monroe County From: michael schall <mdtjschall AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:32:08 -0700 There was still 1 White-rumped sandpiper in the flooded soybean field at 3pm. It was among 6 killdeer in�the wet area closest to the road. The wet area on Silver Springs Blvd in Kresgeville is just south of Rt 209. Nice find by Corey. � Mike Schall, Bath Subject: Erie County bird sightings From: Jerry McWilliams <jerrymcw AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:30:04 -0400 The following birds of note were reported this week from Presque Isle S.P. unless noted otherwise. Latewaterfowl observed around Presque Isle S.P. to at least June 15 include: Green-wingedTeal, Blue-winged Teal, Greater andLesser scaup, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck. Least Bittern--2; June 15; head of Presque Isle Bay Merlin--1 nesting pair; just reported this week; Edinboro. First confirmed nesting in Erie County. Piping Plover--1 unbanded; June 9 & 10; Gull Point White-rumped Sandpiper--15; June 13; Gull Point 3; June 15; Gull Point Jerry McWilliams Erie, Erie County, Pa. jerrymcw AT aol.com Subject: Re: SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013 From: Dave Kruel <dkruel300 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:39:46 -0400 Well put Kerry. There is much great stuff going on right now to be found by birders with our nesting birds. Summer nesting activity is fun to observe and provides much more important information as to what is going on than lots of records on one ‘good’ bird. Even vagrants might be “boring nesters” somewhere ….so if a vagrant’s habitat disappears, no more of that vagrant showing up in PA. Per the Northwest Natural Resource Group, the U.S. loses 6,000 acres of forestland & open space each day. http://nnrg.org/quizzes/how-many-acres-of-forestland-and-open-space-are-lost-every-day-in-the-us With Pennsylvania covering about 29,000,000 acres and the U.S. losing 6,000 acres per day; we lose a Pennsylvania’s worth of forestland and open space every 13 years. So….this isn’t an issue for people thousands of years in the future, this is an issue for us to deal with now. In other words, the way society functions today is not sustainable for many of our bird species…..this includes the work of groups that do wonderful things on behalf of birds and habitat, as Audubon, Sierra Club, etc. …it isn’t enough. Change has to be made for the better. the simple math says so. Not too many other items are more important to Pennsylvania’s birds as land being saved from development, so they have quality habitat to sustain the survival of their species. Dave Kruel Pottsville Schuylkill Co. On Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:53:46 -0400, Kerry Grim wrote: > I feel sorry for birders who find birding dull, once the spring migration >is over. The "important (for the birds)" time of the year is here...the >nesting season. Some species remain quiet, like nuthatches and >woodpeckers. Cicada numbers were amazing and certainly lowered overall >numbers a bit. One hundred forty-one warblers during the breeding season >keeps my interest. > >Turkey Vulture (11) > >OSPREY(1) > >Red-tailed Hawk (1) > >Mourning Dove (4) > >Yellow-billed Cuckoo (2) > >RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (1) > >Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) > >Downy Woodpecker (3) > >Hairy Woodpecker (6) > >Northern Flicker (3) > >Pileated Woodpecker (2) > >Eastern Wood-Pewee (3) > >Eastern Phoebe (1) > >Great Crested Flycatcher (1) > >Eastern Kingbird (2) > >Red-eyed Vireo (32) > >Blue Jay (10) > >American Crow (1) > >Chickadee species (2) > >Tufted Titmouse (4) > >House Wren (1) > >Veery (3) > >HERMIT THRUSH(1) > >Wood Thrush (11) > >American Robin (1) > >Gray Catbird (45) >Cedar Waxwing (3) > > >Ovenbird (76) > >Black-and-white Warbler (30) > >Common Yellowthroat (36) > >Hooded Warbler (1) > >Chestnut-sided Warbler (6) > >Black-throated Green Warbler (1) >YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (1) > > >Eastern Towhee (42) > >Chipping Sparrow (3) > >Field Sparrow (3) > >Scarlet Tanager (19) > >Northern Cardinal (1) > >Rose-breasted Grosbeak (19) > >Indigo Bunting (17) > >Common Grackle (7) > >Brown-headed Cowbird (10) > >Baltimore Oriole (5) > >American Goldfinch (1) > > >-- >Kerry Grim >Hamburg, Berks Co. Subject: Bucks County Birders Program for Tuesday June 25th, 2013 From: LeRoy Tabb <leroytabb AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:16:02 -0400 Bucks County Birders Program for Tuesday June 25th, 2013 "Not All Who Wander Are Lost" by Kevin Loughlin Program Description: NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST...Join Kevin Loughlin, owner of Wildside Nature Tours, on a photographic journey to some wonderful far away, and not so far away places! Kevin has been enjoying some fun travels to new destinations, as well as some old favorites, and has created many new images to share! Enjoy birds, bears, buffalo and more as you explore many diverse habitats! The presentation will begin at 7:30 PM at the Peace Valley Nature Center. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Bio of the presenter: Kevin Loughlin was raised to appreciate nature while exploring the woodlands of Pennsylvania as a child. At age six, during a family trip through the American West, Kevin became fascinated with photography as well seeing the new and different birds throughout North America. Instilled with a love for travel and seeking new, exciting destinations he felt a desire to share his experiences with others and in 1993 Wildside Nature Tours was founded. Kevin�s photographs and articles have appeared in publications such as WildBird, Audubon and Philadelphia Magazines, as well as the National Geographic web site and many natural history books. Kevin teaches beginning birding and beginning nature photography classes through several adult education venues as well as through seminars and workshops for groups, organizations and schools. Kevin also founded the PA Young Birder�s Club, sharing his love of nature while inspiring kids to get outside. Directions: Meeting location: Peace Valley Nature Center (enter back side door) 170 N. Chapman Rd. (enter from New Galena Road Side - Chapman Road bridge is blocked) Doylestown, PA. Normal meeting length - 1 to 1 1/2 hours. For directions please go to: http://www.peacevalleynaturecenter.org/directions/ For further information please contact:LeRoy Tabbtabbleroy AT gmail.com Subject: Photo of Coopers Hawk with prey From: Jim Borden <jim_mac69 AT BORDENPHOTOGRAPHY.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:27:51 -0400 Looks like the prey was a Northern Flicker First photo in series http://bordenphotography.com/raptors/ Jim Borden Springville Pa Subject: Coopers hawk Lynn Pa From: Jim Borden <jim_mac69 AT BORDENPHOTOGRAPHY.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 10:50:10 -0400 Coopers Hawk killed and ate what appears to be Kestrel in our lawn late yesterday Jim Borden Springville Pa Subject: Lackawanna State Forest June 15 2013 From: Jim Borden <jim_mac69 AT BORDENPHOTOGRAPHY.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 10:47:57 -0400 Bird photography trip to Lackawanna State Forest with friend James Hoyson. Black throated Blue Warblers Black Throated Green Warblers Eastern Towhee Blackburnian Warblers Canada Warblers Scarlet Tanager (2) Magnolia warblers (heard) Veery Black and White Warblers Images at http://bordenphotography.com/june-2013-birding/ Jim Borden Springville PA Subject: Ospreys, Brunner Island/York Haven, York County From: Dave Kerr <dsktc AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 09:50:41 -0400 I spent over five hours yesterday afternoon scoping and photographing the four Osprey nests on Brunner Island and York Haven. (The York Haven nest is actually in Lancaster County.) With the permission of the security staff at PP&L, I got my first good look at the Osprey nest on the top of the mobile crane in the middle of the plant. I suspect there are chicks in this nest. Here is the status of nesting: York Haven - three chicks Brunner Island North - two chicks Brunner Island Central - ? Brunner Island South - ? http://www.osprey-watch.org/users/1078 All four nests are on man-made structures and show how adaptable the Osprey is in choosing a nest site. By the way, the heat rising in the mid-afternoon made it particularly difficult to achieve good focus when I was shooting the BI North and Central nests. Yesterday's photos begin with 1095: http://www.flickr.com/photos/63027303 AT N06/sets/72157633239836836/ Dave Kerr Carlisle Subject: SGL 76 Franklin "Atlas Update" From: andy wilson <amw1328 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:17:35 -0400 This morning I did 29 5-minute point counts at SGL76 in Franklin County. This is part of a project to gather more data on songbird populations in the Kittatinny Ridge IBA (funded by PA Audubon, PA Game Commission and Gettysburg College). Beautiful morning, hiked 13 miles in all. The following is a list of some of the significant songbirds/counts, I didn't count birds seen/heard between points. Almost all are singing birds: Eastern Wood-Pewee 6 Acadian Flycatcher 10 Great Crested Flycatcher 10 Yellow-throated Vireo 6 Red-eyed Vireo 94 WINTER WREN 1 Wood Thrush 20 Ovenbird 75 Worm-eating Warbler 2 Louisiana Waterthrush 1 Black-and-white Warbler 11 Common Yellowthroat 9 Hooded Warbler 8 American Redstart 32 CERULEAN WARBLER 7 BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER 2 Black-throated Green Warbler 6 Prairie Warbler 1 Eastern Towhee 37 Scarlet Tanager 41 Indigo Bunting 31 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4 I observed five species in atlas block 76D22 which were not observed in the atlas: Winter Wren - singing on Timmons Mountain - steep north facing slope - significantly further south/west than any atlas record on the ridge) Prairie Warbler (1 singing male on powerline cut) Blackburnian Warbler (2 singing males) Cerulean Warbler (4 singing males) Rose-breasted Grosbeak the latter was also an addition in atlas block 76D31. I echo Kerry Grim's remarks from earlier - wonderful time of year to be out and about! Cheers Andy Wilson Frederick, MD Subject: White-rumped Sandpipers; Monroe County From: Corey Husic <fitzbew AT PTD.NET> Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:14:36 -0400 Michael David and I found nine White-rumped Sandpipers in some flooded soybean fields along Silver Springs Blvd. near Kresgeville, Monroe County this afternoon. Some other highlights from the afternoon included Hooded and Black-throated Blue Warblers along Hell Hollow Rd. and Yellow-breasted Chat and two Vesper Sparrows in Kunkletown. Corey Husic Subject: Horned Larks - Allegheny Co. From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:55:11 -0700 This evening I stopped at the Imperial Grasslands � I had 9 Horned Larks(4 ad. & 5 juv.) at the main pond and Solar Dr. � also, at the pond was a Belted Kingfisher � � Mark Vass Beaver Co. Subject: Fayette County-Quebec Run Wild Area From: cdest <cdestein AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 22:41:49 -0400 Hello, I hiked just under 11 miles through the Quebec Run Wild Area in Fayette County this AM from 0800-1600. Decent amount of birds still singing, an enjoyable day to be out too. I decided to enjoy the weather and birding today, as I will be moving to Missoula, Montana on July 1st for a permanent position! Highlights include Black-billed Cuckoo Yellow-billed Cuckoo Acadian Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Eastern Wood-Pewee Blue-headed Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Veery-most numerous thrush of the day Wood Thrush Cerulean Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler-the most numerous bird of the day Black-throated Green Warbler Ovenbird Hooded Warbler American Redstart Canada Warbler-had quite a few, but they seem to be easiest all along Telbot Trail Just over the West Virginia line there are some Bobolinks in the farm fields along Skyline Dr. Cory DeStein Allegheny Co. Subject: Fayette County--Ohiopyle State Park From: Michael Fialkovich <mpfial AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 21:52:45 -0400 Hi, I led an outing for the Three Rivers Bird Club (Pittsburgh) to Ohiopyle State Park today. It was a beautiful day to be out and LOADS of people were out when we were leaving the park this afternoon. We also stopped at nearby Deer Lake which isn't a lake right now because the dam was in disrepair and removed. We enjoyed a female Common Merganser with 7 young resting on a boulder in the Youghiogheny River first thing this morning before people crowd into the place. They eventually got in the water and swam right past our group while we were watching the Cliff and Barn Swallows that nest on the RT. 381 bridge. Other highlights included: Black-billed Cuckoo Yellow-billed Cuckoo Acadian Flycatcher Willow Flycatcher - at Deer Lake Yellow-throated Vireo White-eyed Vireo Northern Parula Black-throated Green Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Ovenbird Chestnut-sided Warbler Hooded Warbler American Redstart At a farm field just outside the park we saw at least two Eastern Meadowlarks, at least 4 Bobolinks and a Grasshopper Sparrow. Mike Fialkovich Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Subject: SGL 217 - Lehigh County From: "Hopkins,Jeffrey A." <HOPKINJA AT AIRPRODUCTS.COM> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 01:40:54 +0000 I had what I believe was a daytime sighting of a gray-morph screech owl this morning. I was birding on the trail that runs below the Kittatinny from Reservoir Rd. below Lehigh Furnace Gap towards Bake Oven Knob. I turned around just as it flew across the trail behind me, so I didn't get a good look, but I can't think of anything else that matches. My guess is it was taking advantage of the cicada bonanza. Other birds seen or heard included 6 or 7 hooded warblers, a couple redstarts and black-and-whites, and both cuckoos - three yellow-billed and one black-billed. Also the expected ovenbirds, indigo buntings, towhees, and scarlet tanagers. After that I drove up to Furnace Gap. I had a couple prairies warblers singing at the top, and picked up a worm-eating warbler and a yellow-throated vireo on the drive back down (and more tanagers and ovenbirds). Lastly I found a pair of turkeys with a few young along North Loop Rd. Good birding, Jeff Hopkins Whitehall Subject: Interesting day From: Herbert Flavell <herb1013 AT EPIX.NET> Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 21:05:43 -0400 I had an interesting day today. First was a male Hummingbird looking in the living room window where the Cardinal peeks in. I guess he wanted to see what the Cardinal is looking at. Next I went out to feed the fish and as I passed the Owl box out flew a Kestrel and almost hit me in the head. Then I sat on the bench to feed the Sun Fish, Largemouth Bass and Channel Catfish. I use cat food. Some sinks and some floats. That way it feeds both bottom and surface feeding fish. As I sat watching the fish a Bald Eagle flew over heading north towards the beaver pond at Milk Can Corners. Then as the fish ate the cat food Tillie the Snapping turtle came and started eating cat food with the fish. This is the 2nd time she/he has joined the cat food feeding frenzy. I took 2 videos of her/him and will post them on Face Book. There are also Redwing Blackbirds nesting in almost every Multiflora Rose bush here. Herb Flavell, Gods Knob, Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County. Subject: Franklin County Black Tern From: Bill Oyler <oylerbill AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 20:24:47 -0400 The tern that I saw here at Kriner Rd last eve is still here. Bill Oyler Sent from my iPhone Subject: Koch property, Northampton County From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:18:20 -0700 I have nothing out of the ordinary to report as things normal here for this time in June. The most notable thing that happens every day is that rose-breasted grosbeaks continue to visit the feeders, with 10 being the most I've seen at one time and the norm being 4 or 5.�Sometimes it's all females, sometimes it's all males, but most times it's mixed.�Woodpeckers are constantly at�the suet. Downies already have young with them, and red-bellied's and hairies are�carrying off pieces of suet, presumably for young. Soon both species will also be bringing in their young.�A pair of pileated's occasionally pound away at a snag at the edge of the yard but most of the time I only hear them because the snag's hidden behind some trees. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are becoming more visible and regular, as is also normal for this time of the year. Today there adult males were visiting front yard feeders and constantly hawking insects from a swarm in the front yard. Soon the monarda bed will be blooming and every year that's always the time when I begin to see more regular visits from both sexes and also young.�Other breeding birds of note include willow flycatchers, brown thrashers, eastern bluebirds, white-breasted nuthatches, great-crested flycatchers,�Baltimore and orchard orioles, eastern kingbirds, yellow warblers, common yellowthroats, kestrels, indigo buntings, and� most of the other common expected species.�American goldfinches are moving around in pairs but since the thistles� are just beginning to bloom and haven't as yet gone to seed I doubt any of them are as yet nesting.�A sharp-shinned hawk and Cooper's hawks occasionally strafe the yard and twice recently a kingfisher flew through the yard only about 15 feet in front of me -� can't figure that one out as the creeks are both acres away.�� Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net Subject: Gouldsboro State Park, Monroe County From: Adam Smith <adamsmithud AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:24:23 -0700 I spent this morning birding around Gouldsboro State Park. Highlights included Willow and Alder Flycatchers, 6 woodpecker species,�Nashville, Canada�&�Blackburnian�warblers, and a River Otter. � ebird checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14425366 � Adam Smith Bethlehem Township Northampton County Subject: Surf Scoter, Lancaster County From: Bob Schutsky <info AT BIRDTREKS.COM> Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:07:09 -0400 Dear PABirders, I was on the Conejohela Flats today from 8 AM until 4 PM. Best bird of the day was a first summer female Surf Scoter. It was in the main channel of the Susquehanna between Long Level and Gull Island. Nice surprise for mid-June! The only two migrant shorebirds were a Semipalmated Plover (1) and a Semipalmated Sandpiper (1). I saw a pair of Spotted Sandpipers mating. Bald Eagle count was 11 imm and 4 adults. There were two Ospreys and eight Great Egrets. I heard five Prothonotary Warblers singing. Yellow Warblers and Warbling Vireos were common. Happy Father's Day, BOB BOB SCHUTSKY Web Site: www.birdtreks.com -- BIRD TREKS--Quality Worldwide Birding Tours 216 Spring Lane Peach Bottom, PA USA 17563-4008 VOICE: 717-548-3303 FAX: 717-548-3327 E-MAIL: info AT birdtreks.com Subject: SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013 From: Kerry Grim <mountainbirder AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:53:46 -0400 I feel sorry for birders who find birding dull, once the spring migration is over. The "important (for the birds)" time of the year is here...the nesting season. Some species remain quiet, like nuthatches and woodpeckers. Cicada numbers were amazing and certainly lowered overall numbers a bit. One hundred forty-one warblers during the breeding season keeps my interest. Turkey Vulture (11) OSPREY(1) Red-tailed Hawk (1) Mourning Dove (4) Yellow-billed Cuckoo (2) RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (1) Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Downy Woodpecker (3) Hairy Woodpecker (6) Northern Flicker (3) Pileated Woodpecker (2) Eastern Wood-Pewee (3) Eastern Phoebe (1) Great Crested Flycatcher (1) Eastern Kingbird (2) Red-eyed Vireo (32) Blue Jay (10) American Crow (1) Chickadee species (2) Tufted Titmouse (4) House Wren (1) Veery (3) HERMIT THRUSH(1) Wood Thrush (11) American Robin (1) Gray Catbird (45) Cedar Waxwing (3) Ovenbird (76) Black-and-white Warbler (30) Common Yellowthroat (36) Hooded Warbler (1) Chestnut-sided Warbler (6) Black-throated Green Warbler (1) YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (1) Eastern Towhee (42) Chipping Sparrow (3) Field Sparrow (3) Scarlet Tanager (19) Northern Cardinal (1) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (19) Indigo Bunting (17) Common Grackle (7) Brown-headed Cowbird (10) Baltimore Oriole (5) American Goldfinch (1) -- Kerry Grim Hamburg, Berks Co.