Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The Pennsylvania Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, November 20 at 03:11 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Cuckoo Shrike,©Jan Wilczur

20 Nov Two more hummers in pix on pahummers [Robert Protz ] 20 Nov Re: Ruffed Grouse Stats [John Dunn ] 20 Nov Black Scoter - Allegheny Co. [Mark Vass ] 20 Nov Erie County waterbird count for Nov. 20, 2009 [Jerry McWilliams ] 20 Nov Lebanon Co. Possible Ash-throated Flycatcher SGL 145 [Randy Miller ] 20 Nov Allegheny Co, Dashields: f Black Scoter [Dave Wilton ] 20 Nov Re: Pokeberry in Bird Diets [Marcy Cunkelman ] 20 Nov Churchville Report (Bucks Co) - Birds sighted Nov 14-20 [William Keim ] 20 Nov Re: What eats Pokeberry? ["Wiltraut, Richard E" ] 20 Nov Re: Pokeberry in Bird Diets [DAVID KOCH ] 20 Nov Pokeberry in Bird Diets ["Gross, Douglas" ] 20 Nov Re: What eats Pokeberry? ["VANFLEET, Kim" ] 20 Nov West Chester Bird Club [Sandra Moser ] 20 Nov Re: Black-headed Gull clariification [DAVID KOCH ] 20 Nov Re: What eats pokeberries? [Kerry Grim ] 20 Nov bird plumage study announcement ["Carmen T. Santasania" ] 20 Nov Re: What eats Pokeberry? [Dean Kendall ] 19 Nov HSR: Rose Tree Park (19 Nov 2009) Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 19 Nov Dunlin - Pymatuning State Park - Crawford County [Bob & Mary Ann ] 19 Nov Black-headed Gull clariification ["Wiltraut, Richard E" ] 19 Nov Black-headed gull(s?), Northampton County [DAVID KOCH ] 19 Nov Lebanon Co SGL 145 [Randy Miller ] 19 Nov Re: What eats Pokeberry? [Scott Weidensaul ] 19 Nov Re: What eats Pokeberry? [DAVID KOCH ] 19 Nov Re: What eats Pokeberry? [Scott Weidensaul ] 19 Nov Re: What eats Pokeberry? [DAVID KOCH ] 19 Nov Re: What eats Pokeberry? [Marcy Cunkelman ] 19 Nov Re: What eats Pokeberry? [Dave Kruel ] 19 Nov What eats Pokeberry? [Kerry Grim ] 19 Nov Blue Marsh, Berks County [Joan Silagy ] 19 Nov Fox Sparrow--Berks County [Holly Hartshorne ] 19 Nov HSR: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (19 Nov 2009) Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 19 Nov Snyder county - waterfowl [Chad kauffman ] 19 Nov Erie County waterbird count for Nov. 19, 2009 [Jerry McWilliams ] 19 Nov ROUGHLEGS anyone? [Laurie Goodrich ] 19 Nov New Rufous Hummer Pix on pahummers [Robert Protz ] 19 Nov Lycoiming Co.-Short Eared owls and Peregrine Falcon [Dave Ferry ] 19 Nov Ruffed Grouse stats for SGL 110 [Kerry Grim ] 18 Nov Lanco., Black Scoter, White-wing Scoter [Chuck Chalfant ] 18 Nov Re: Online Site Guide update [Kathy Clark ] 18 Nov Lancaster Co. Octoraro, Wed.Birding Group, Fox Sparrows [Chuck Chalfant ] 18 Nov Interesting link---Really cool! [Kathy Clark ] 18 Nov SGL 110 Story Creek, Berks County [Kerry Grim ] 18 Nov HSR: Rose Tree Park (18 Nov 2009) 11 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 18 Nov HSR: Waggoner's Gap (18 Nov 2009) 19 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 18 Nov HSR: Bake Oven Knob (18 Nov 2009) 14 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 18 Nov Central PA Birdline for 11.19.2009 [Mark Mcconaughy ] 18 Nov Crooked Creek Lake & Robb's Fording Rd.@CC (Armstrong County) [Marjorie Van Tassel ] 18 Nov HSR: Second Mountain (18 Nov 2009) 24 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 18 Nov Black-headed Gull, Northampton County ["Wiltraut, Richard E" ] 18 Nov HSR: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (18 Nov 2009) 10 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 18 Nov RBA western Pennsylvania, 16 November 2009 [Amy Taracido ] 18 Nov Upadte on black-headed gull, Northampton County [DAVID KOCH ] 18 Nov Cedar Waxwings, Pittsburgh ["Kate St.John" ] 18 Nov Black-headed gull, Northampton County [DAVID KOCH ] 18 Nov Merlins expanding, West Virginia ["Wiltraut, Richard E" ] 18 Nov Online Site Guide update [Frank Haas ] 18 Nov Iceland gull, Northampton County [DAVID KOCH ] 18 Nov Live Owl Program - Friday - NSP Junior Bird Club (Luzerne County) ["NR, Hickory Run Env. Ed." ] 18 Nov Chambers Lake, Chester County: Long-tailed Duck [Rick Robinson ] 18 Nov Re: SE Owls and natural gas drilling in Susquehanna County [Dave Kruel ] 17 Nov HSR: Rose Tree Park (17 Nov 2009) 7 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 17 Nov SE Owls and natural gas drilling in Susquehanna County ["JSkinner AT epix.net" ] 17 Nov HSR: Bake Oven Knob (17 Nov 2009) 16 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 17 Nov HSR: Second Mountain (17 Nov 2009) 11 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 17 Nov HSR: Tuscarora Summit (17 Nov 2009) 4 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 17 Nov HSR: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (17 Nov 2009) 18 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 17 Nov HSR: Waggoner's Gap (17 Nov 2009) 39 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 17 Nov Fwd: Save the Dates for the Next Great Backyard Bird Count [Chad Kauffman ] 17 Nov Northern Shrike and Brant, still present--Lawrence and Crawford Counties [Lukas Musher ] 17 Nov Iceland Gull, Northampton County ["Wiltraut, Richard E" ] 17 Nov Volant strips, SGL 284--Lawrence Co. 11/16 [Craig Holt ] 16 Nov HSR: Bake Oven Knob (16 Nov 2009) 28 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 16 Nov HSR: Tuscarora Summit (16 Nov 2009) 33 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 16 Nov HSR: Rose Tree Park (16 Nov 2009) 24 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 16 Nov Northern Goshawk, Montgomery County [Dave Warren ] Subject: Two more hummers in pix on pahummers From: Robert Protz <robertprotz AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:11:34 -0800 11/20/09   Dear PABirders,   Another update on pahummers:   I now have a pic of the immature female Rufous in East Earl Twp. - Lancaster Co. and also pix of another immature female Rufous banded by Nick Pulcinella in Avondale -- Chester Co.   Enjoy again.   Rob Protz Brackenridge - Allegheny Co. http://pahummers.tripod.com Subject: Re: Ruffed Grouse Stats From: John Dunn <johdunn AT STATE.PA.US> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:13:40 -0500 The PGC monitors ruffed grouse populations through flushing surveys provided by cooperating hunters and through brood surveys conducted by PGC foresters and surveyors during their routine activities in the forest. In 2009 observations of both broods and grouse were down compared to 2008 and below the long-term average. Spring and early summer weather was not conducive to good juvenile survival and this is reflected in the brood surveys. We are forecasting below average recruitment for grouse in 2009. In contrast, the fall 2008 flushing rates were up 14% from 2007 and the highest since 2001 and equal to the long-term average of 1.42 bird per hour. The flushing rates in the SE Region (includes SGL 110) were also up 12% from the previous year. John Dunn PGC Wildlife Biologist Subject: Black Scoter - Allegheny Co. From: Mark Vass <mvas1200 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:11:42 -0800 This morning I stopped at Dashields Dam,Ohio River and present there was a female Black Scoter The bird was close to the shore right along the road   I returned this afternoon and the bird was still there   This is only the second Black Scoter I have seen in Allegheny Co.     Mark Vass Beaver Co. Subject: Erie County waterbird count for Nov. 20, 2009 From: Jerry McWilliams <jerrymcw AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:34:07 -0500 November 20, 2009 Location: Sunset Point at Presque Isle State Park Time: 7:10 AM to 10:10 AM Weather: Cloudy, wind W to 10 mph, temp. 40 F with moderate rain showers. Onshore waves about three feet. Comments: The flight was light today. Despite the wind direction, most of the ducks were moving east. Loons were flying in all directions. Waterbirds recorded: Tundra Swan—9 American Black Duck—3 Mallard—7 Canvasback—3 Lesser Scaup—4 Unidentified scaup—12 White-winged Scoter—1 Long-tailed Duck—2 Bufflehead—2 Common Goldeneye—1 Red-breasted Merganser—842 Red-throated Loon—8 Common Loon—28 Unidentified loon—3 Horned Grebe—1 Double-crested Cormorant—1 Jerry McWilliams Erie, Erie County, Pa. jerrymcw AT aol.com Subject: Lebanon Co. Possible Ash-throated Flycatcher SGL 145 From: Randy Miller <birder AT DEJAZZD.COM> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:54:06 -0500 From 8:15 to 10:30 a faded Myiarchus flycatcher was along Gen Biddle Road . Bob Snyder was able to photograph this bird at close range. The call was heard by Mandy Pennypacker and was not the wheep of the Great-crested Flycatcher. From Rt. 72 north take Pinch Road west for about 2 miles into Lebanon Co. marked by sighs. You will pass a power cut and go uphill for 1/4 mile to the first parking lot on the left, park here. There is a gate with a road and the bird was seen about 100 to 300 yards beyond the gate. This bird my have been there last week but nobody was able to get a good look. Sid Hostetter was leading a walk here. Where orange. It was with Juncos. Randy C. Miller Manheim Lancaster Co. Subject: Allegheny Co, Dashields: f Black Scoter From: Dave Wilton <dw_wilton AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:52 -0800 MVass reports a female BLACK SCOTER at Dashields L&D Dave Wilton, A'gheny Co. Subject: Re: Pokeberry in Bird Diets From: Marcy Cunkelman <plant4nature AT DISHMAIL.NET> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:53:32 -0500 The pokeberry is a perennial here too and when I was trimming it back to the ground, there were leaves sprouting with this unusual warm Nov. weather...the roots can be bigger than your fist and if it's been there for a while, even bigger.....It takes more than a shovel to lift it out once it's established...that is why when I find seedlings in my flower beds or where I don't want it, I get them out...some of the stocks I cut back were hollow, but were up to at least 3 inches round...had to cut 3 or 4 times to get thru...It's a plant I leave in hedge rows ...if you do want to get it out, keep trimming back so it doesn't grow and digging deep for the sometimes 2-3 foot tap root...wet ground is the easiest... By the way, I have had grouse and turkey eat this right near the house...funny how the critters find them...I think the deer may munch on the leaves too..haven't seen any purple deer poop any where... This is one of my favorite berry plants(free) along with the common milkweed... Marcy Cunkelman Conemaugh Twp. Clarksburg, PA Indiana Co. plant4nature AT dishmail.net On Nov 20, 2009, at 9:46 AM, DAVID KOCH wrote: > Wanna argue? Pokeweed's a perennial incredibly hard to remov > Hi Doug. > > Wanna argue? Pokeweed's a perennial incredibly hard to remove from > the soil once it's established. Its roots can be inches thick. > Thanks for the book info. That's one I don't have. > > Arlene Koch > Easton, PA > Northampton County > davilene AT verizon.net > > > > > ________________________________ > From: "Gross, Douglas" > To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > Sent: Fri, November 20, 2009 9:24:37 AM > Subject: [PABIRDS] Pokeberry in Bird Diets > > To answer Kerry Grim's question, pokeberry is eaten by many bird > species. A good source of info on this kind of question is the > book: American Wildlife & Plants: A Guide to Wildlife Food Habits > by Martin, Zim, & Nelson, published by Dover. > In my own experience, the following birds eat pokeberry: Gray > Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Bluebird, American > Robin, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, European Starling, > Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few. > I think that upland gamebirds also eat it: grouse, turkey, pheasant. > When I've banded birds in the late summer, I've learned that you > need to hold a catbird with its derriere pointed away from you or > your shirt will be decorated with pokeberry-colored "juice." > Projectile purple goo! I've learned firsthand how effective > pokeberry juice can serve as a dye. You never get that stain out > completely. > Pokeberry is an annual plant and it is distributed principally by > birds through their digestive system. > > Douglas A. Gross > PA Game Commission Wildlife Biologist > Endangered Bird Specialist & PA eBird Coordinator > 144 Winters Road, Orangeville, PA 17859 > 570-458-4109; dogross AT state.pa.us > Subject: Churchville Report (Bucks Co) - Birds sighted Nov 14-20 From: William Keim <keimwj AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:55:05 +0000 Birds reported from Churchville Nature Center in Southampton for the week of Nov 14-20 included these highlights: Mute Swan Wood Duck Common Merganser Ruddy Duck Pied-billed Grebe Doulbe-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Cooper's Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Lesser Black-backed Gull Red-breasted Nuthatch Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Dark-eyed Junco All are welcome for the weekly Bird Walk. Meet every Saturday at 7 AM in the Nature Center parking lot on Churchville Lane. Bill Keim Langhorne, Bucks Co, PA KeimWJ AT hotmail.com _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: It works the way you want. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009v2 Subject: Re: What eats Pokeberry? From: "Wiltraut, Richard E" <rwiltraut AT STATE.PA.US> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:26:15 -0500 Kerry, Years ago my mom's freezer would be packed with frozen bags of pokeberries that I collected in the fall to put out on our feeders during the winter, mainly for mockingbirds. If I recall correctly I've seen Tennessee Warblers in the fall stained by this fruit. One of Audubon's prints shows a Worm-eating Warbler (then called Worm-Eating Swamp-Warbler) stalking a spider on a pokeberry. From what I understand Native Americans used to paint their horses with dye made from this plant. We have lots of it here at Jacobsburg and in turn a very large population of catbirds. It's one of my favorite native plants. Add poison ivy, Virginia Creeper, flowering dogwood, Washington hawthorn, staghorn sumac, highbush cranberry, red cedar, black gum, mountain ash, winterberry holly, greenbrier, etc etc, to that list, basically any native that attracts birds... Rick Rick Wiltraut Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center 835 Jacobsburg Road Wind Gap, PA 18091 rwiltraut AT state.pa.us (610) 746-2810 Fax: (610) 746-2804 Subject: Re: Pokeberry in Bird Diets From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:46:46 -0800 Wanna argue? Pokeweed's a perennial incredibly hard to remov Hi Doug. Wanna argue? Pokeweed's a perennial incredibly hard to remove from the soil once it's established. Its roots can be inches thick.  Thanks for the book info. That's one I don't have.   Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net ________________________________ From: "Gross, Douglas" To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Fri, November 20, 2009 9:24:37 AM Subject: [PABIRDS] Pokeberry in Bird Diets To answer Kerry Grim's question, pokeberry is eaten by many bird species.  A good source of info on this kind of question is the book: American Wildlife & Plants: A Guide to Wildlife Food Habits by Martin, Zim, & Nelson, published by Dover. In my own experience, the following birds eat pokeberry: Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, European Starling, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few. I think that upland gamebirds also eat it: grouse, turkey, pheasant. When I've banded birds in the late summer, I've learned that you need to hold a catbird with its derriere pointed away from you or your shirt will be decorated with pokeberry-colored "juice."  Projectile purple goo! I've learned firsthand how effective pokeberry juice can serve as a dye.  You never get that stain out completely. Pokeberry is an annual plant and it is distributed principally by birds through their digestive system.  Douglas A. Gross PA Game Commission Wildlife Biologist Endangered Bird Specialist & PA eBird Coordinator 144 Winters Road, Orangeville, PA 17859 570-458-4109; dogross AT state.pa.us Subject: Pokeberry in Bird Diets From: "Gross, Douglas" <dogross AT STATE.PA.US> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:24:37 -0500 To answer Kerry Grim's question, pokeberry is eaten by many bird species. A good source of info on this kind of question is the book: American Wildlife & Plants: A Guide to Wildlife Food Habits by Martin, Zim, & Nelson, published by Dover. In my own experience, the following birds eat pokeberry: Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, European Starling, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few. I think that upland gamebirds also eat it: grouse, turkey, pheasant. When I've banded birds in the late summer, I've learned that you need to hold a catbird with its derriere pointed away from you or your shirt will be decorated with pokeberry-colored "juice." Projectile purple goo! I've learned firsthand how effective pokeberry juice can serve as a dye. You never get that stain out completely. Pokeberry is an annual plant and it is distributed principally by birds through their digestive system. Douglas A. Gross PA Game Commission Wildlife Biologist Endangered Bird Specialist & PA eBird Coordinator 144 Winters Road, Orangeville, PA 17859 570-458-4109; dogross AT state.pa.us Subject: Re: What eats Pokeberry? From: "VANFLEET, Kim" <kvanfleet AT AUDUBON.ORG> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:50:51 -0500 Hi folks, One more animal to add to the list of pokeweed eaters is the Allegheny Woodrat one of several critters found in and around talus habitat on our state ridgetops . If pokeweed grows near woodrat activity areas it's usually found in their food caches. I realize its not a feathered PA resident but since it is state endangered I thought you'd be interested in that tidbit of information. Kim Kim Van Fleet Important Bird Area Coordinator Audubon Pennsylvania 100 Wildwood Way Harrisburg PA 17110 717-213-6880 ext. 3 kvanfleet AT audubon.org ________________________________________ From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania [PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of Scott Weidensaul [scottweidensaul AT VERIZON.NET] Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 6:28 PM To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] What eats Pokeberry? I suspect the invasive that was being mistaken for pokeweed was Japanese knotweed, which looks somewhat similar, although knotweed doesn't develop berries. Scott Weidensaul Schuylkill Haven, PA >Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is native to eastern North Amer Dave, Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is native to eastern North America but has spread all over the south and down into Texas. Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net ________________________________ From: Dave Kruel To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Thu, November 19, 2009 5:50:51 PM Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] What eats Pokeberry? Interesting topic Kerry. I dont have an answer, but I remember being on a group walk sometime, where someone pointed out that a plant that most folks thought was pokeberry.....actually was not pokeberry. It was an invasive. I'm curious....is pokeberry native to PA, and are there invasive plants that look like it? If there even is such an invasive...is it more common than real pokeberry ? On berry plants in general, someone mentioned to me way back, that they saw numerous Black-throated Blue Warblers feeding on the berries of Devil's Walkingstick in fall. I once saw a Blue-headed Vireo eat a sassafras berry in the fall. Dave Kruel Pottsville Subject: West Chester Bird Club From: Sandra Moser <sandymoser AT MAC.COM> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:35:44 -0500 The West Chester Bird Club will host a trip to the Conowingo Dam on Sunday, November 22. Please contact trip leader John McNamara (610-383-0979, jmckayak AT comcast.net) for details. We will be looking for Eagles and waterfowl. Visit the Club's web site for program and future trip information - - http://martinp1.tripod.com/wcbchome.htm. Subject: Re: Black-headed Gull clariification From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:10:03 -0800 Apologies. I was afraid I got the ages backward. In any case, I Rick, Apologies. I was afraid I got the ages backward. In any case, I guess the important thing is that there are two black-headed gulls in this area. I hope some other birders get to see one. Jason also had 20+ lesser black-backed gulls yesterday afternoon among the thousands going over.    Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net ________________________________ From: "Wiltraut, Richard E" To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Thu, November 19, 2009 7:14:53 PM Subject: [PABIRDS] Black-headed Gull clariification The bird I saw yesterday was a young bird.  The pictures that were sent to me of the Black-headed Gull at Merrill Creek look like a winter adult.  There must be two birds. Rick Rick Wiltraut Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center 835 Jacobsburg Road Wind Gap, PA 18091 rwiltraut AT state.pa.us (610) 746-2810 Fax: (610) 746-2804 Subject: Re: What eats pokeberries? From: Kerry Grim <grim04 AT ENTER.NET> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:36:02 -0500 Thanks everyone who responded to this online and privately. Too many private response to thank individually. It seems just about any bird will feast on them although whether they do or not may be influenced by other fruit or seeds locally available. I did place about a quart of the berries on the ground yesterday, wondering if the local opossum would feed on them. But, a skunk was right them for at least an hourlast night. When I checked this morning, none of the berries were eaten. Obviously the skunk fed on birds seeds alongside the berries. Kerry Grim Subject: bird plumage study announcement From: "Carmen T. Santasania" <ctsantasania AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:25:29 +0000 All, I received this request from Jonathan. Please email him if you are able to help with his study. Thanks, Carmen T. Santasania listowner, PABIRDS ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "Jonathan Drury" To: ctsantasania AT comcast.net Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 8:02:47 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: bird plumage study announcement Dear Carmen, Can you post the following message to the PABIRDS listserv?  I am a graduate student at UCLA looking for volunteers to participate in a survey for a study on geographical variation in plumage charactersitics. Thank you, Jonathan Drury Here is the message: I am conducting a study of geographical variation in bird plumage charactersitics, and I am looking for volunteers to take a survey.  Participants will rate the brightness and complexity of bird plumage for various images.   If you are able to volunteer to take this survey, please e-mail me at  druryj AT ucla.edu , and I will send you an e-mail with the URL to the survey and more information. Thank you in advance, Jonathan P. Drury Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology University of California, Los Angeles druryj AT ucla.edu Subject: Re: What eats Pokeberry? From: Dean Kendall <deankendall48 AT EPIX.NET> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:37:19 -0500 I leave Pokeweed grow around the yard too, wherever they like - they're beautiful plants - and can add Vireos and Sapsucker to the list of species fond of the berries, altho Catbird has to be the champion Poke berry fresser here, and then Robins, the Fall flocks of which clean up whatever berries the many resident Catbirds didn't get to before heading South. Starlings too, like some in a flock a week or so ago that came to the birdbath to bathe - a dozen at a time, what fun to watch! - and then lingered to feed on dried-up remnant Poke berries. Dean Kendall near Leesport, Berks Co -----Original Message----- From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania [mailto:PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of DAVID KOCH Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 6:02 PM To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] What eats Pokeberry? I have a lot of pokeberries in the yard and many are visible Kerry, I have a lot of pokeberries in the yard and many are visible from different windows. Thus I've seen a lot of species feeding on the berries through the years. Yes, birds like robins will usually go to crabapples first but, at least here, they and many other species consume the pokeberries: downy, hairy, and red-bellied woodpeckers, house and purple finches (today as a matter of fact), Baltimore oriole, catbirds, northern mockingbirds, white-throated, white-crowned, field, and song sparrows, tufted titmice, chickadee sp., eastern bluebirds, American goldfinches (although I'm not sure if they're eating the berries or picking insects out of the stems), red-winged blackbirds, and I'm sure I missed some.  As an aside, in the spring some people eat pokeberry shoots when the plants first break ground although I've never done this nor do I intend to or want anyone to say I told them to do so. The shoots, like all other parts of the plant, are poisonous but apparently if you boil the cooking water three times, throwing it away after each cooking, the young shoots are apparently quite palatable and believed by some to have medicinal qualities. Whether or not that's true is debatable. In the south this dish is known as "polk salat" and until recently was even commercially canned and sold. The song "Polk Salat Annie" is written about this plant.     Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net ________________________________ From: Kerry Grim To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Thu, November 19, 2009 5:34:50 PM Subject: [PABIRDS] What eats Pokeberry? I hesitate to remove any pokeberry each summer in this residential neighborhood, thinking Catbirds will eat it. But I am not sure they do and of course they are long gone now. Perhaps the food is more palatable in winter or early spring. Today I removed a lot of the pokeberry stalks which were really out of hand. I saved most of the berries....put some in a feeder, put some on the ground where an opossum has been feeding and placed a bunch of stalks with the berries, on a low feeder with the hope that robins may feed on it. Now that mid-November is here, Robin and waxwing numbers have been increasing daily and they prefer Washington Hawthorne and viburnum berries and should be well into winter, or throughout winter. We have a Sargent's Crabapple tree which produced a ton of berry-sized fruit, but this is not a popular food in our yard. As far as I recall, nothing has eaten pokeberry here previously, except maybe for Mockingbirds. So my question is...has anyone noticed what birds if any feed on pokeberry and when? Please post to the list as I think it could make for an interesting thread. Kerry Grim Subject: HSR: Rose Tree Park (19 Nov 2009) Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:11:50 -0400 Rose Tree Park Media, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 19, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 0 42 154 Black Vulture 0 7 12 Osprey 0 3 158 Northern Harrier 0 10 48 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 18 172 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 75 924 Cooper's Hawk 0 16 140 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 93 166 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 4514 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Red-tailed Hawk 0 138 279 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 2 2 American Kestrel 0 0 139 Merlin 0 3 22 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 14 Unknown Vulture 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 3 Unknown Buteo 0 2 8 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 1 23 Total: 0 412 6782 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Dave Eberly, Jim McVoy Observers: Skip Conant Weather: Cloudy, with ENE-NE winds at 6-10 mph. Temperature 53-56F. Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: ======================================================================== Report submitted by Janet Crawford (janet AT rtphawkwatch.org) Rose Tree Park Hawkwatch, Media, PA information may be found at: www.rtphawkwatch.org Subject: Dunlin - Pymatuning State Park - Crawford County From: Bob & Mary Ann <van126 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:07:17 -0500 I spent most of the day birding various locations in the Pymatuning area. There was a flock of 18 Dunlin on the Ohio side of the causeway foraging in very shallow water near a mud flat. Bonaparte's Gulls are in very large numbers at the Spillway and on both sides of the causeway. Hundreds of Hooded Mergansers were swimming in the Hartstown Propagation pond. There were about 50 Gadwall at the fish hatchery, and a large raft of Common Mergansers were discovered on the propagation side of the spillway. Other waterfowl species found were Northern Shovelers, Mallards, and Ruddy Ducks. Bald Eagle sightings were common - 13 in all, nine adults. The Brant that has been observed by various observers over the last two weeks is still present at Fireman's Beach at Conneaut Lake. On my way home I stopped at the Volant Strips. Three Northern Harriers were hunting the fields. Good birding, Bob VanNewkirk Allegheny County Subject: Black-headed Gull clariification From: "Wiltraut, Richard E" <rwiltraut AT STATE.PA.US> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:14:53 -0500 The bird I saw yesterday was a young bird. The pictures that were sent to me of the Black-headed Gull at Merrill Creek look like a winter adult. There must be two birds. Rick Rick Wiltraut Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center 835 Jacobsburg Road Wind Gap, PA 18091 rwiltraut AT state.pa.us (610) 746-2810 Fax: (610) 746-2804 Subject: Black-headed gull(s?), Northampton County From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:01:21 -0800 I hope Dave De Reamus's computer is fixed soon because he can explain all this better than I can. But apparently, based on the photos of the black-headed gull Dave found at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers yesterday, it's a different bird than the one that's being seen periodically at Merrill Creek Reservoir. Rick Wiltraut also said the same thing about the bird he saw as compared to photos  of the one at Merrill Creek. Jason Horn was down at the river this afternoon and at 3:37 he saw a black-headed gull fly by with thousands of other gulls. He saw a young bird. Rick and Dave had a winter adult. (I'm sure if I'm wrong they'll correct me.) The bird being reported at Merrill Creek is a young bird. In mid to late afternoon at this spot huge flocks of gulls come out of the west and fly east over the river going somewhere into Jersey, probably Merrill Creek but some are probably also going down to Spruce Run and other lakes. Jason was on the south side of the river at the lock, looking across the river to the park previously discussed. If you get off Rt 78 at the Easton exit, which is the last one before you cross into New Jersey, go left, and follow that road and Rt 611 signs down to the bottom of the hill at Rt 611, just as you come out from under the railroad overpass, go right and the lock and a parking area are just down the hill on the left.   Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net Subject: Lebanon Co SGL 145 From: Randy Miller <birder AT DEJAZZD.COM> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:32:51 -0500 The Sandhill Crane was there this afternoon feeding on plant roots. One Fox Sparrow was there too. Randy C. Miller Manheim Lancaster Co. Subject: Re: What eats Pokeberry? From: Scott Weidensaul <scottweidensaul AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:28:39 -0500 I suspect the invasive that was being mistaken for pokeweed was Japanese knotweed, which looks somewhat similar, although knotweed doesn't develop berries. Scott Weidensaul Schuylkill Haven, PA >Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is native to eastern North Amer Dave, Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is native to eastern North America but has spread all over the south and down into Texas. Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net ________________________________ From: Dave Kruel To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Thu, November 19, 2009 5:50:51 PM Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] What eats Pokeberry? Interesting topic Kerry. I dont have an answer, but I remember being on a group walk sometime, where someone pointed out that a plant that most folks thought was pokeberry.....actually was not pokeberry. It was an invasive. I'm curious....is pokeberry native to PA, and are there invasive plants that look like it? If there even is such an invasive...is it more common than real pokeberry ? On berry plants in general, someone mentioned to me way back, that they saw numerous Black-throated Blue Warblers feeding on the berries of Devil's Walkingstick in fall. I once saw a Blue-headed Vireo eat a sassafras berry in the fall. Dave Kruel Pottsville Subject: Re: What eats Pokeberry? From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:09:24 -0800 Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is native to eastern North Amer Dave, Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is native to eastern North America but has spread all over the south and down into Texas.   Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net ________________________________ From: Dave Kruel To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Thu, November 19, 2009 5:50:51 PM Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] What eats Pokeberry? Interesting topic Kerry.  I dont have an answer, but I remember being on a group walk sometime, where someone pointed out that a plant that most folks thought was pokeberry.....actually was not pokeberry.  It was an invasive. I'm curious....is pokeberry native to PA, and are there invasive plants that look like it? If there even is such an invasive...is it more common than real pokeberry ? On berry plants in general, someone mentioned to me way back, that they saw numerous Black-throated Blue Warblers feeding on the berries of Devil's Walkingstick in fall.  I once saw a Blue-headed Vireo eat a sassafras berry in the fall. Dave Kruel Pottsville On Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:34:50 -0500, Kerry Grim wrote: >I hesitate to remove any pokeberry each summer in this residential >neighborhood, thinking Catbirds will eat it. But I am not sure they do a nd >of course they are long gone now. Perhaps the food is more palatable in >winter or early spring. > >Today I removed a lot of the pokeberry stalks which were really out of hand. >I saved most of the berries....put some in a feeder, put some on the ground >where an opossum has been feeding and placed a bunch of stalks with the >berries, on a low feeder with the hope that robins may feed on it. > >Now that mid-November is here, Robin and waxwing numbers have been >increasing daily and they prefer Washington Hawthorne and viburnum berri es >and should be well into winter, or throughout winter. We have a Sargent' s >Crabapple tree which produced a ton of berry-sized fruit, but this is no t a >popular food in our yard. > >As far as I recall, nothing has eaten pokeberry here previously, except >maybe for Mockingbirds. > >So my question is...has anyone noticed what birds if any feed on pokeber ry >and when? Please post to the list as I think it could make for an >interesting thread. > >Kerry Grim Subject: Re: What eats Pokeberry? From: Scott Weidensaul <scottweidensaul AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:06:08 -0500 Kerry, Although poke is a really tough weed in my gardens, I let it go in the meadows and elsewhere because all the fruit-eating birds like it - catbirds, thrushes, tanagers, robins, etc. By this point, though, the dried up berries don't seem to have much appeal - the birds seem to like them when they're fresh. Catbirds are the pokeweed kings, though - banders call them Purple Poop Machines in the fall, because the droppings are almost universally purple. Scott Weidensaul Schuylkill Haven, PA >I hesitate to remove any pokeberry each summer in this residential >neighborhood, thinking Catbirds will eat it. But I am not sure they do and >of course they are long gone now. Perhaps the food is more palatable in >winter or early spring. > >Today I removed a lot of the pokeberry stalks which were really out of hand. >I saved most of the berries....put some in a feeder, put some on the ground >where an opossum has been feeding and placed a bunch of stalks with the >berries, on a low feeder with the hope that robins may feed on it. > >Now that mid-November is here, Robin and waxwing numbers have been >increasing daily and they prefer Washington Hawthorne and viburnum berries >and should be well into winter, or throughout winter. We have a Sargent's >Crabapple tree which produced a ton of berry-sized fruit, but this is not a >popular food in our yard. > >As far as I recall, nothing has eaten pokeberry here previously, except >maybe for Mockingbirds. > >So my question is...has anyone noticed what birds if any feed on pokeberry >and when? Please post to the list as I think it could make for an >interesting thread. > >Kerry Grim Subject: Re: What eats Pokeberry? From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:02:21 -0800 I have a lot of pokeberries in the yard and many are visible Kerry, I have a lot of pokeberries in the yard and many are visible from different windows. Thus I've seen a lot of species feeding on the berries through the years. Yes, birds like robins will usually go to crabapples first but, at least here, they and many other species consume the pokeberries: downy, hairy, and red-bellied woodpeckers, house and purple finches (today as a matter of fact), Baltimore oriole, catbirds, northern mockingbirds, white-throated, white-crowned, field, and song sparrows, tufted titmice, chickadee sp., eastern bluebirds, American goldfinches (although I'm not sure if they're eating the berries or picking insects out of the stems), red-winged blackbirds, and I'm sure I missed some.  As an aside, in the spring some people eat pokeberry shoots when the plants first break ground although I've never done this nor do I intend to or want anyone to say I told them to do so. The shoots, like all other parts of the plant, are poisonous but apparently if you boil the cooking water three times, throwing it away after each cooking, the young shoots are apparently quite palatable and believed by some to have medicinal qualities. Whether or not that's true is debatable. In the south this dish is known as "polk salat" and until recently was even commercially canned and sold. The song "Polk Salat Annie" is written about this plant.     Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net ________________________________ From: Kerry Grim To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Thu, November 19, 2009 5:34:50 PM Subject: [PABIRDS] What eats Pokeberry? I hesitate to remove any pokeberry each summer in this residential neighborhood, thinking Catbirds will eat it. But I am not sure they do and of course they are long gone now. Perhaps the food is more palatable in winter or early spring. Today I removed a lot of the pokeberry stalks which were really out of hand. I saved most of the berries....put some in a feeder, put some on the ground where an opossum has been feeding and placed a bunch of stalks with the berries, on a low feeder with the hope that robins may feed on it. Now that mid-November is here, Robin and waxwing numbers have been increasing daily and they prefer Washington Hawthorne and viburnum berries and should be well into winter, or throughout winter. We have a Sargent's Crabapple tree which produced a ton of berry-sized fruit, but this is not a popular food in our yard. As far as I recall, nothing has eaten pokeberry here previously, except maybe for Mockingbirds. So my question is...has anyone noticed what birds if any feed on pokeberry and when? Please post to the list as I think it could make for an interesting thread. Kerry Grim Subject: Re: What eats Pokeberry? From: Marcy Cunkelman <plant4nature AT DISHMAIL.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:50:19 -0500 Hi Kerry, Any bird will eat pokeberries, that loves fruit...even cardinals I have seen eating them...starlings, catbirds, robins, cedar waxwings and bluebirds and thrushes have cleaned my pokeberry "trees" (over 8 feet tall). I just cut mine back in the last week since they are done with berries...I am really surprised you still have some, but wasn't Bob S. feeding an oriole with his pokeberries last year? I know we had nothing here when he posted that last year....my Sargents and other crabs will be eaten when the fruit gets softer...the deer ate as far as they could reach..all the black gum berries are gone....last to go will be the barberries(I didn't plant) in March when the flocks of robins gobble them up...unless we have a wintering Mocker here who will guard the berries, esp by the deck and ramp areas...hope it leaves the car mirrors alone if it does show up.. Another draw to the pokeberries must be the tiny bugs, since I have seen many insect eating birds(warblers esp yellow-rumped) checking out the stems...don't think they are eating the fruit, but they could have been nibbling at them... Marcy Cunkelman Conemaugh Twp. Clarksburg, PA Indiana Co. plant4nature AT dishmail.net On Nov 19, 2009, at 5:34 PM, Kerry Grim wrote: > > > So my question is...has anyone noticed what birds if any feed on > pokeberry > and when? Please post to the list as I think it could make for an > interesting thread. > > Kerry Grim Subject: Re: What eats Pokeberry? From: Dave Kruel <accip AT INFIONLINE.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:50:51 -0500 Interesting topic Kerry. I dont have an answer, but I remember being on a group walk sometime, where someone pointed out that a plant that most folks thought was pokeberry.....actually was not pokeberry. It was an invasive. I'm curious....is pokeberry native to PA, and are there invasive plants that look like it? If there even is such an invasive...is it more common than real pokeberry? On berry plants in general, someone mentioned to me way back, that they saw numerous Black-throated Blue Warblers feeding on the berries of Devil's Walkingstick in fall. I once saw a Blue-headed Vireo eat a sassafras berry in the fall. Dave Kruel Pottsville On Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:34:50 -0500, Kerry Grim wrote: >I hesitate to remove any pokeberry each summer in this residential >neighborhood, thinking Catbirds will eat it. But I am not sure they do and >of course they are long gone now. Perhaps the food is more palatable in >winter or early spring. > >Today I removed a lot of the pokeberry stalks which were really out of hand. >I saved most of the berries....put some in a feeder, put some on the ground >where an opossum has been feeding and placed a bunch of stalks with the >berries, on a low feeder with the hope that robins may feed on it. > >Now that mid-November is here, Robin and waxwing numbers have been >increasing daily and they prefer Washington Hawthorne and viburnum berries >and should be well into winter, or throughout winter. We have a Sargent's >Crabapple tree which produced a ton of berry-sized fruit, but this is not a >popular food in our yard. > >As far as I recall, nothing has eaten pokeberry here previously, except >maybe for Mockingbirds. > >So my question is...has anyone noticed what birds if any feed on pokeberry >and when? Please post to the list as I think it could make for an >interesting thread. > >Kerry Grim Subject: What eats Pokeberry? From: Kerry Grim <grim04 AT ENTER.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:34:50 -0500 I hesitate to remove any pokeberry each summer in this residential neighborhood, thinking Catbirds will eat it. But I am not sure they do and of course they are long gone now. Perhaps the food is more palatable in winter or early spring. Today I removed a lot of the pokeberry stalks which were really out of hand. I saved most of the berries....put some in a feeder, put some on the ground where an opossum has been feeding and placed a bunch of stalks with the berries, on a low feeder with the hope that robins may feed on it. Now that mid-November is here, Robin and waxwing numbers have been increasing daily and they prefer Washington Hawthorne and viburnum berries and should be well into winter, or throughout winter. We have a Sargent's Crabapple tree which produced a ton of berry-sized fruit, but this is not a popular food in our yard. As far as I recall, nothing has eaten pokeberry here previously, except maybe for Mockingbirds. So my question is...has anyone noticed what birds if any feed on pokeberry and when? Please post to the list as I think it could make for an interesting thread. Kerry Grim Subject: Blue Marsh, Berks County From: Joan Silagy <jsilagy AT EPIX.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:53:46 -0500 I saw the Merlin not once today, but twice. The second time she was eating a bird. I tried to find the feathers after she left but none were to be found. I suspect she had herself another bluebird as they seem to be one of her favorite snacks. At my home in Bern Twp, a beautiful adult, probable female Cooper's hawk staked out my feeders today. Even the squirrels took cover. Joan Silagy and Sidney Leesport, PA Subject: Fox Sparrow--Berks County From: Holly Hartshorne <gonebirding AT DEJAZZD.COM> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:30:55 -0500 Spotted a Fox Sparrow this foggy morning among the birds in the yard. Holly Hartshorne Morgantown--Berks Co. Subject: HSR: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (19 Nov 2009) Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:11:07 -0400 Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Kempton, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 19, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 61 81 Turkey Vulture 0 55 382 Unknown Vulture 0 0 0 Mississippi Kite 0 0 1 Osprey 0 2 455 Bald Eagle 0 9 187 Northern Harrier 0 33 142 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 54 4291 Cooper's Hawk 0 21 601 Northern Goshawk 0 10 20 Unknown Accipiter 0 7 28 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 78 136 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 6440 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 804 1569 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 17 35 Golden Eagle 0 35 65 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 2 461 Merlin 0 2 160 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 68 Unknown Falcon 0 0 13 Unknown Raptor 0 2 35 Total: 0 1193 15170 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Compiler: Laurie Goodrich Counters: David Barber Weather: Dense fog with visibility less than 30 m, heavy drizzle and rain in the afternoon, SE winds 10-15 mph Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (goodrich AT hawkmtn.org) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/ Subject: Snyder county - waterfowl From: Chad kauffman <chadkauffman AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:16:55 -0500 On faylor lake, 2 Bufflehead, male Longtailed duck, and a Ringnecked duck just appeared. Joined by aden troyer and chuck berthoud today. Chad kauffman Mifflintown, pa Subject: Erie County waterbird count for Nov. 19, 2009 From: Jerry McWilliams <jerrymcw AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:13:02 -0500 November 19, 2009 Location: Sunset Point at Presque Isle State Park Time: 7:10 AM to 9:10 AM Weather: Cloudy, wind SW to 15 mph, temp. 50 F with occasional light rain showers. Onshore waves about a foot. Comments: Movement was relatively light, though Red-breasted Mergansers passed the point in decent numbers for about 30 minutes between 8:15 and 8:45 AM. All mergansers and most of the other ducks were moving west. Common Loons were flying in all directions, mainly well offshore, while Red-throated Loons were flying close, just offshore, in a westerly direction. Waterbirds recorded: Mallard—4 Canvasback—1 Lesser Scaup—3 Surf Scoter—1 White-winged Scoter—2 Bufflehead—6 Common Goldeneye—5 Red-breasted merganser—1280 Red-throated Loon—7 Common Loon—77 Jerry McWilliams Erie, Erie County, Pa. jerrymcw AT aol.com Subject: ROUGHLEGS anyone? From: Laurie Goodrich <goodrich AT HAWKMTN.ORG> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:11:03 -0500 If anyone has seen rough-legged hawks in east-central Pennsylvania recently...please let me know. we have some visitors who would enjoy seeing one. Closer to Berks/Schuylkill the better for us! thank you. pls reply to me directly. _______________ Laurie Goodrich Senior Monitoring Biologist Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association 570-943-3411 x 106 fax: 570-943-2284 goodrich AT hawkmtn.org web: www.hawkmountain.org Celebrating 75 years of raptor conservation, 1934-2009. Subject: New Rufous Hummer Pix on pahummers From: Robert Protz <robertprotz AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:58:10 -0800 11/19/09   Dear PABirders,   For those who might be interested, I have received and posted pix of 2 Rufous hummers in the past few days.   There are pix of an immature female Rufous in Ephrata (Lancaster Co.) and pix of an immature male Rufous in Pottstown (Montgomery Co.), both of which are now gone from site.   Enjoy!   Rob Protz Allegheny Co. http://pahummers.tripod.com Subject: Lycoiming Co.-Short Eared owls and Peregrine Falcon From: Dave Ferry <lycohawk AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:49:29 -0500 PABirders, Short-eared owls have returned to their traditional wintering grounds on Mill Hill Rd. in Lycoming Co. Yesterday I found 1 owl to the north side of Mill Hill Rd. approx. 200 yards up from where Mill Hill Rd. meets Daugherty's Run Rd. This area is north and west of Williamsport. There are usually several owls here and I've seen as many as 6-7 at a time in past years. If you go, I recommend getting there around 4:30PM and watch for northern harriers and other field birds that make this area unique for our area. Also, the peregrine falcons that have used the Genetti Hotel in downtown Williamsport for at least the past 13 years during the non-nesting months have not returned this year. If anyone on the list has seen the birds over the past month let me know. It's worth noting though, that peregrines are still nesting in our region on cliffs along the river. Thanks, Dave Ferry Williamsport Subject: Ruffed Grouse stats for SGL 110 From: Kerry Grim <grim04 AT ENTER.NET> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:35:24 -0500 Numerous birders have questioned me because of their desire to see Ruffed Grouse. I've been finding and reporting them on SGL 110 in Berks and Schuylkill County in my reports. I am always at a loss as to where to send people to see them. They can be anywhere and it is a lot of luck finding them. More walking increases your chances of finding them. This winter/spring I felt Ruffed Grouse were definitely on the upswing. But this fall, numbers were disappointing. I birded the Route 183 area 17 times this fall...far more than other years. Each walk was 5 miles each. This is not necessarily the best habitat on SGL 110 for them and the goal was documenting all birds. Not just a grouse search. It is probably pointless to speculate as to what happened this year with the grouse. But, I can't help to wonder about the abundant rainfall (31.4" at my home east of game lands May through August), but I guess a lot hunters may attribute that to coyotes or maybe hawks (for which I would very much disagree). There is never a one answer solution with the exception of the word HABITAT) I did not check the PGC website and they may have better insight with grouse numbers, predation, etc. At any rate, my statistics (just restricted to this portion of SGL 110) are as follows: ==== 17 walks August 15 - November 15 (61 hours, 41 minutes) Number of grouse seen or heard: 6 I birded other areas of the game lands but did not do the stats for those areas. This translates to ONE GROUSE PER 10.2 HOURS OF WALKING or ONE GROUSE PER 14.2 MILES OF WALKING. That is pretty dismal! ==== The year total for all areas of SGL 110 is 30 grouse (some could be repeat sightings), seen on 20 dates. Three dates each had 3 grouse...all between January 4 and May 9). I would like to thank the Pennsylvania Game Commission. There is now a tremendous amount of very dense edge cuttings and I assume it will be just a matter of time that grouse numbers will rise. If grouse numbers will come back, no doubt it will be because of these edge cutting and other various types of logging done on the game lands. Kerry Grim Subject: Lanco., Black Scoter, White-wing Scoter From: Chuck Chalfant <chuckchalfant AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:44:41 -0500 Greetings, After the Octoraro birding trip this morning, I headed down to Peach Bottom on the Susquehanna river to look for Black Scoter, not much at Peach Bottom, headed for Wissler's Run, not too exciting there, but above at the Pumped Storage Reservoir at Muddy Run, there were 4 Scoter looking birds way out on the water, and they were all tucked in and, I had to wait them out until they unfolded a little, and picked their heads up. Two of them were WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS. A pair, both adults, 1 male, 1 hen. Two other Scoters who were in the vicinity turned out to be 2 Adult Male BLACK SCOTERS. First of the year for me. As you cross the power reservoir causeway on River Road going south. They were quite a distance out on the water near the first 45 mph. signs. Good birding, Chuck Happy Trails Chuck Chalfant Gap, Penna. E.Lancaster Co. chuckchalfant AT comcast.net Subject: Re: Online Site Guide update From: Kathy Clark <KCBSP AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:41:45 EST Frank and all, This is a great site!! Good Job. I'm enjoying going through it and all the directions etc are there. Kathy Clark, New Cumberland, PA In a message dated 11/18/2009 1:28:07 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, fbhaas AT PTD.NET writes: I just added another 8 sites to the PSO Online Site Guide. 330 sites and counting... http://www.pabirds.org/SiteGuide/PAStatePage.php Keep them coming! Frank Frank & Barb Haas fbhaas AT ptd.net Churchtown, PA "Wisdom begins with putting the right name to a thing." Subject: Lancaster Co. Octoraro, Wed.Birding Group, Fox Sparrows From: Chuck Chalfant <chuckchalfant AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:17:55 -0500 Greetings, Nov. 18, 2009. Octoraro Lake Area S.Lancaster Co., Pa. 38--55-deg.F. Sunny Birding 8:00-Noon Participants--11 Total Species Count--44 Our group enjoyed a beautiful mild Fall morning of birding and saw some interesting, birds and critters. Jim Smith identified some butterflies and other insects for us including, Painted Lady, Coma. and many red dragonfly looking critters that Jim Identified as: "Yellow-legged Meadowhawks" Sympetrum vicinum. These are one of the latest to breed in the northeast, breeding well into December under favorable conditions. Conditions must have been very favorable today, most of them were flying around attached to another one. Thanks Jim for the info. We came upon three horse riders who actually knew who we were, that's scary ! One lady was riding a mule who loved eating the Osage Orange Fruits ! Thanks for introducing yourself Holly, hope to see you again. Talking about critters we all took a few ticks home with us from our walk. But this report is supposed to be about birds, right. Interesting was a Great Egret, that remains on the backwater at Blue-gill Road. Also of note were the number of Bald Eagles seen today, probably 8 or more. A high-flying migrating Harrier was over Mt.Eden Road. A single immature Bonaparte's Gull was among the many Ring-billed Gulls, at Spruce Grove. A cooperative Winter Wren was seen by all, as was a single Golden-crowned Kinglet. A more than cooperative Hermit Thrush was a welcome sight. A Gray Catbird was in the same thicket with the Thrush. Swamp Sparrows were seen and heard several times but were a little shy of being looked at. But the star of the day were the small "flock" of FOX SPARROWS. Our high count was a conservative 14 all in the same location, there could have easily been half that many more, but hard to count them as they slipped in and out of thick brush. I think everyone was enthused about seeing this many Fox Sparrows. The Bird List: 44 Not much counting all numbers are simply estimates--- Canada Geese----50 Am.Black Duck----20 Mallard----300----seen before 8:00 am. Bufflehead----8-----seen before 8:00 am. Pied-billed Grebe----1 Db.Cres.Cormorant----4 Great Blue Heron----12 GREAT EGRET----1--late Black Vulture----5 Turkey Vulture----15 Bald Eagle----8 No.Harrier----1 Sharp-shin Hawk----1 Red-tailed Hawk----1 Bonaparte's Gull----1--immature Ring-billed Gull----130 Herring Gull----1 Belted Kingfisher----4 Red-bellied Woodpecker----5 Downy Woodpecker----1 Hairy Woodpecker----1 No.Flicker----3 Blue Jay----8 Am.Crow----5 Carolina Chickadee----10 Tufted Titmouse----8 White-breasted Nuthatch----3 Carolina Wren----5 WINTER WREN----1 Golden-crowned Kinglet----3 Eastern Bluebird----3 HERMIT THRUSH----1 American Robin----50 Gray Catbird----1 No.Mockingbird----3 Euro. Starling----20 Cedar Waxwing----12 Eastern Towhee----4 FOX SPARROW----14+ Song Sparrows----15 Swamp Sparrow----5 White-thro.Sparrow----30 Dark-eyed Junco----5 No.Cardinal----3 Good birding, Chuck Chalfant Happy Trails Chuck Chalfant Gap, Penna. E.Lancaster Co. chuckchalfant AT comcast.net Subject: Interesting link---Really cool! From: Kathy Clark <KCBSP AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:06:01 EST _http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091111-bird-feathers-sing-v ideo.html_ (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091111-bird-feathers-sing-video.html) Kathy Clark New Cumberland, PA Subject: SGL 110 Story Creek, Berks County From: Kerry Grim <grim04 AT ENTER.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:02:57 -0500 November 18-visited the Stony Creek portion of State Game Lands 110 during the morning. Time EST: 8:59 (11:08) A.M. Sky: clear (clear) Temperature °F: 45 (50) Wind MPH: NE 4-7 (NE 8-12) Ground: dry The list and number of birds is surprisingly similar to my Route 183 count three days ago. However that walk in on the mountaintop, is a round trip of 5 miles. This area is near the river and the walk through the different areas is likely less than a mile. The list included 28 species identified- Common Loon (1) Red-shouldered Hawk (1) immature, apparent migrant Mourning Dove (2) [only recorded three times previously during November] Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) Downy Woodpecker (1) Northern Flicker (2) Blue Jay (2) American Crow (3) Horned Lark (1) Chickadee species (5) Tufted Titmouse (5) Red-breasted Nuthatch (1) White-breasted Nuthatch (2) Brown Creeper (1) Carolina Wren (1) Golden-crowned Kinglet (1) Eastern Bluebird (3) Hermit Thrush (3) American Robin (11) Cedar Waxwing (10) Eastern Towhee (1) Fox Sparrow (9) Song Sparrow (6) White-throated Sparrow (21) Dark-eyed Junco (38) Northern Cardinal (2) Purple Finch (1) American Goldfinch (1) Seen within Schuylkill County, not on game lands- Hairy Woodpecker (2) Red-breasted Nuthatch (2) Purple Finch (1) Kerry Grim Subject: HSR: Rose Tree Park (18 Nov 2009) 11 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:11:41 -0400 Rose Tree Park Media, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 18, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 0 42 154 Black Vulture 0 7 12 Osprey 0 3 158 Northern Harrier 0 10 48 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 18 172 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 75 924 Cooper's Hawk 2 16 140 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 93 166 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 4514 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Red-tailed Hawk 3 138 279 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 1 2 2 American Kestrel 0 0 139 Merlin 1 3 22 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 14 Unknown Vulture 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 3 Unknown Buteo 0 2 8 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 1 23 Total: 11 412 6782 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Holly Merker, Janet Crawford Observers: Holly Merker, Janet Crawford, Skip Conant Visitors: Noel Kelly Weather: Sunny, turning partly cloudy, with ENE-NE winds at 8-10 mph. Temperature 49-58F. Raptor Observations: 1 immature Golden Eagle at 1433 Non-raptor Observations: ======================================================================== Report submitted by Janet Crawford (janet AT rtphawkwatch.org) Rose Tree Park Hawkwatch, Media, PA information may be found at: www.rtphawkwatch.org Subject: HSR: Waggoner's Gap (18 Nov 2009) 19 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:11:10 -0400 Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 18, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 17 50 TV 0 307 1391 OS 0 1 442 BE 1 23 355 NH 0 73 193 SS 0 102 7183 CH 0 29 851 NG 1 24 42 RS 2 141 240 BW 0 0 5866 RT 11 1999 3214 RL 0 3 3 GE 3 93 142 AK 0 1 313 ML 0 2 104 PG 0 1 51 UA 0 6 31 UB 1 8 14 UF 0 0 3 UE 0 0 2 UR 0 8 72 Total: 19 2838 20562 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter: Keith Gingrich Observers: Craig Houston, Joe Lavella, Keith Gingrich, Mary Wohler Visitors: Don Mason; 2 Weather: Raptor Observations: Subadult GE - 10:50 Adult GE - 9:36; 11:40 Juv BE - 11:45 Non-raptor Observations: First bird - adult GE - 9:36 Last bird - RT - 3:00 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Deb Gingrich (gingrich AT pa.net) Waggoner's Gap Hawkwatch information may be found at: www.waggap.com Subject: HSR: Bake Oven Knob (18 Nov 2009) 14 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:11:01 -0400 Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 18, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 6 53 277 Turkey Vulture 7 197 945 Osprey 0 0 420 Bald Eagle 0 5 177 Northern Harrier 0 21 97 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 59 2724 Cooper's Hawk 0 11 364 Northern Goshawk 1 12 20 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 33 74 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 3953 Red-tailed Hawk 0 521 1199 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 14 37 American Kestrel 0 0 196 Merlin 0 0 91 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 62 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 28 264 Mississippi Kite 0 0 2 Total: 14 955 10902 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Steve Ritt Observers: Weather: Visibility: 10 Mi, T: 40-47ÂşF, Wind: ESE 8-26 MPH with a lull ~ 13:00, Cloud Cover: 30-5-65% Raptor Observations: NG: 9:40I - only countable migrant raptor for the day. RT: See notes below. BE: 15:39A, 15:39A - both flying east. Non-raptor Observations: I was incredibly frustrated with myself all morning, as I was repeatedly spotting RTs off to the east, but couldn't figure out their flight paths, and I was losing them. Eventually, I realized that these were the same three RTs that were hanging around all day. Two adults spent a good portion of the afternoon perched in a white pine above the rock quarry, and one juvenile did the same in an oak (?) tree that is 1/2 way down from the slope of "1". That tree may have an old nest in it. C Raven: 4 C Loon: 1 Predictions: Thursday: Rain likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 56. East wind between 6 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bob Hoopes (rehoopes AT hotmail.com) Bake Oven Knob Hawkwatch, Pa. information may be found at: www.lgnc.org Subject: Central PA Birdline for 11.19.2009 From: Mark Mcconaughy <timetraveler50 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:37:37 +0000 - RBA * Pennsylvania * Central Pennsylvania * November 19, 2009 * PACE0911.19 Bird Highlights CACKLING GOOSE (Lancaster Co.) AMERICAN BITTERN (York Co.) SANDHILL CRANE (Lebanon Co.) - Transcript Hotline:    Central Pennsylvania Birdline November 19, 2009 To Report: TimeTraveler50 AT comcast.net Compiler:   Mark A. McConaughy Coverage:   Central Pennsylvania, Susquehanna River            Drainage System Transcriber: Mark A. McConaughy   Welcome to Pennsylvania Audubon's and the Patriot-News' Birdline. This Birdline covers sightings made primarily during the week prior to Thursday, November 19, 2009.   ADAMS COUNTY: A pair of BALD EAGLES was observed at an unidentified location in the county on November 16 (BM).   BEDFORD/SOMERSET COUNTIES: Allegheny Front Hawk Watch reported counting 6 TURKEY VULTURES, 4 BALD EAGLES, 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 6 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 3 COOPER'S HAWKS, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 4 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 89 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 67 GOLDEN EAGLES, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL and 1 PEREGRINE FALCON between November 12 and 18 (GF, NF, BSt, JR, TD, EH, BG, TBa, RMc).   CENTRE COUNTY: A possible SHORT-EARED OWL was observed flying over the Jackson/Mid-state trail near Jo Hayes Vista on November 14 (LR).   Two immature BALD EAGLES were seen at Bald Eagle State Park on November 15 (NBu).   A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was observed on November 18 along Penn's Creek (MM).   CUMBERLAND COUNTY: Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch counted 1 BLACK VULTURES, 71 TURKEY VULTURES, 5 BALD EAGLES, 3 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 13 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 6 COOPER’S HAWKS, 7 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 32 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 330 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS and 12 GOLDEN EAGLES between November 12 and 17 (RF, DG, CH, GW).   FRANKLIN COUNTY: Tuscarora Summit Hawk Watch reported counting 3 BLACK VULTURES, 22 TURKEY VULTURES, 5 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 2 COOPER’S HAWKS, 4 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 18 RED-TAILED HAWKS and 1 GOLDEN EAGLES between November 13 and 17 (DGe).   HUNTINGDON/MIFFLIN COUNTIES: Stone Mountain Hawk Watch reported tabulating 5 BLACK VULTURES, 8 TURKEY VULTURES, 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 2 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 30 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK and 11 GOLDEN EAGLES between November 12 and 16 (DB, GG, DWe, JB, TK, NBo).   LANCASTER COUNTY: There was 1 BALD EAGLE at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area on November 12 (AH).   There were 2 RED-THROATED LOONS and 4 BALD EAGLES along the Susquehanna River near Washington Boro on November 14 (CC).   Six BALD EAGLES were seen around the Susquehanna River from Wissler Run on November 14 (CC).   The quarry at Quarryville yielded 1 CACKLING GOOSE on November 14 (CC).   LEBANON COUNTY: Second Mountain Hawk Watch counted 14 BLACK VULTURES, 35 TURKEY VULTURES, 4 BALD EAGLES, 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 6 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 3 COOPER'S HAWKS, 9 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 53 RED-TAILED HAWKS and 2 GOLDEN EAGLES between November 12 and 18 (DS, RB, MC, JC, SC, RP, FW).     The SANDHILL CRANE continues to be seen at Lake Duffy in State Game Lands 145 through November 16 (RM).   MIFFLIN COUNTY: Jacks Mountain Hawk Watch reported counting 1 NORTHERN HARRIERS, COOPER’S HAWKS, 20 RED-TAILED HAWKS and 2 GOLDEN EAGLES, between November 12 and 18 (LW, RS, GB, DSm).   SCHUYKILL COUNTY: The Blue Mountain Route 183 Hawk Watch counted 3 BLACK VULTURES, 3 TURKEY VULTURES, 1 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 18 RED-TAILED HAWKS and 1 GOLDEN EAGLE, on November 15 (SF, JHoo).   SCHUYKILL/BERKS COUNTIES: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary reported tabulating 13 BLACK VULTURES, 26 TURKEY VULTURES, 4 BALD EAGLES, 15 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 20 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 9 COOPER’S HAWKS, 5 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 38 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 437 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 17 GOLDEN EAGLES and 1 AMERICAN KESTREL between November 12 and 18 (LG).   SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY: SHORT-EARED OWLS were seen on November 17 in fields near Springville (JSk).   YORK COUNTY: A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was observed on November 14 near the Environmental Center at Pinchot State Park (BHo, JHo).   There was an AMERICAN BITTERN on the bank of a drained pond on the west corner of the Hawk Lake Site (the site of the future Memorial Hospital) on November 16 (LC).   CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS: If you miss the usual Thursday postings of the Central PA Birdline on BIRDEAST and PABIRDS, I will also be posting it on my page web site at: http://people.delphiforums.com/MCCONAUGHY/currentbl.htm   *PORC = Pennsylvania Ornithological Record Committee. Rare bird sightings should be documented with written descriptions and photographs whenever possible and sent to PORC for review.   Send PORC reports to Nick Pulcinella, 613 Howard Road, West Chester, PA 19380.   The following people have contributed to this birdline: Dan Altif (DA), Tom Amico (TA), Tony Barle (TBa), Val Barnes (VB), Gloria Bickel (GB), Diane Bierly (DBi), Jerry Book (JBo), Rob Blye (RBl), Nick Bolgiano (NB), Devin Bosler (DBo), Jen Brackbill (JBr), Gerry Brigman (GBri), Randy Brenner (RB), Don Bryant (DB), Nan Butkovich (NBu), Lou Carpenter (LC), Chuck Chalfant (CC), Dick Cleary (DC), John Cooper (JC), Sue Cooper (SC), Morris Cox (MC), Tom Dick (TD), Jim Dunn (JD), Edwin Escalet (EE), Dave Ferry (DF), Pam Fisher (PF), Scott Fisher (SF), Gene Flament (GF), Nancy Flament (NF), Ron Freed (RF), Jeff Fridman (JF), Vern Gauthier (VG), Dale Gearhart (DGe), Trudy Gerlach (TG), Laurie Goodrich (LG), Bob Gorsuch (BG), Chet Gottfried (CG), Doug Gross (DGr), Dave Grove (DG), Greg Grove (GG), Eric Hall (EH), Dave Hawk (DH), Molly Heath (MH), Jonathan Heller (JHe), Mark Henry (MHe), Jordan Hillsley (JH), Ken Hillsley (KH), Jeff Hook (JHoo), Barry Horton (BHo), Jennifer Horton (JHo), Sid Hostetter (SH), Craig Houston (CH), Anne Hurst (AH), Thomas Johnson (TJ), Chad Kauffman (CK), Bob Keener (BK), Phil Keener (PK), Nick Kerlin (NK), Ramsay Koury (RK), Trudy Kyler (TK), Alex Lamoreaux (AL), Wayne Laubscher (WL), Tim Lenz (TL), Scott Lewis (SL), Matt Loyko (ML), Andrew Markel (AM), Melissa May (MM), Rosemary McGlynn (RMc), Linda McKinne (LM), Kate Miller (KM), Randy Miller (RM), Bob Moul (BM), Bill Oyler (BO), Richard Pohner (RP), Larry Ramsey (LR), Tom Raub (TR), Joan Renninger (JRe), Dan Richards (DR), Kevin Ripka (KR), Peter Robinson (PR), Jim Rocco (JR), Laura Russo (LR), Matt Sabatine (MS), Jeff Schaffer (JS), Lauri Shaffer (LS), Art Schiavo (AS), Bob Schutsky (BS), Dave Schwenk (DS), Ron Singer (RS), Jerry Skinner (JSk), Darrell Smith (DSm), Tom Smith (TSm), Dan Snell (DSn), Bob Snyder (BSn), Thyra Sperry (TS), Bob Stewart (BSt), Rob Stone (RSt), Aden Troyer (AT), Larry Usselman (LU),   Joe Verica (JV), Jeff Vinosky (JVi), Gene Wagner (GW), Tom Watkins (TW), Brian Weaver (BW), Drew Weber (DW), Scott Weidensaul (SW), Dustin Welch (DWel), Doug Wentzel (DWe), Linda Whitesel (LW), Chuck Widmann (CW), Fred Wilcox (FW), Pat Williams (PW), Richard Williams (RW), Rick Wiltraut (RWi), Eric Witmer (EW), David Yeany (DY), and Sally Zaino (SZ). I apologize if I have misspelled their names and I will also refrain from naming that person on request. -End Transcript   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mark A. McConaughy              TimeTraveler50 AT comcast.net Bushy Run Battlefield P.O. Box 486      Harrison City, PA 15636-0468           (724) 527-5585 x103 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Subject: Crooked Creek Lake & Robb's Fording Rd.@CC (Armstrong County) From: Marjorie Van Tassel <marvant AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:36:17 -0500 2 Bald Eagles (immature) flying around over the lake, woods, and outflow 9 Dark-eyed Juncos 1 Song Sparrow 1 Chipping Sparrow 8+ Eastern Bluebirds 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Common Raven At the Outflow: 15 Blue-winged Teal 1 Belted Kingfisher 2 Mallards 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker End of Robb's Fording Road: 43 Common Mergansers (nice "parade") 1 Red-tail Hawk Marge Van Tassel Armstrong County Subject: HSR: Second Mountain (18 Nov 2009) 24 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:11:35 -0400 Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 18, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 2 127 216 Turkey Vulture 8 112 277 Osprey 0 0 179 Bald Eagle 1 8 96 Northern Harrier 0 22 106 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 48 1756 Cooper's Hawk 0 15 218 Northern Goshawk 0 9 20 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 71 120 Broad-winged Hawk 0 3 4386 Red-tailed Hawk 10 426 743 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 20 43 American Kestrel 0 0 85 Merlin 0 2 31 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 28 Unknown Accipiter 0 3 17 Unknown Buteo 0 5 15 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 22 Total: 24 874 8358 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Dave Schwenk Observers: Ellis Blauch, Randy Brenner, Sam Black Visitors: 6 Weather: Light south winds under partly cloudy skies, cool with temps 44-53. Raptor Observations: Adult bald eagle AT 2:45 distant over Blue Mtn. trv SW Non-raptor Observations: 5 N Ravens First time observation of war training session close in the valley below,-- a simulated ambush of "terrorists" on two armored vehicles, live firing, smoke bombs, etc. Predictions: Rain ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Schwenk (secondmtn AT juno.com) Subject: Black-headed Gull, Northampton County From: "Wiltraut, Richard E" <rwiltraut AT STATE.PA.US> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:52:20 -0500 After I got a call from Dave DeReamus I went down to the Forks of the Delaware to look for the Black-headed Gull. One of the 1st winter Iceland Gulls was there but no Black-headed. After about 10 minutes the Black-headed Gull appeared out of nowhere and landed on the rocks to preen. What's odd is that this bird appears to be in 1st-winter plumage with an orange-pink bill and legs, brown wing markings, less black on the primaries underneath, and black tail band. The photographs I've seen of the Merrill Creek bird look more like a winter adult. About 3:00 p.m. it got up and flew around real close, gained altitude and circled over the free bridge for several minutes before continuing east, probably towards Merrill Creek. Nice job Dave on being diligent and finding perhaps another Black-headed Gull. Rick Rick Wiltraut Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center 835 Jacobsburg Road Wind Gap, PA 18091 rwiltraut AT state.pa.us (610) 746-2810 Fax: (610) 746-2804 Subject: HSR: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (18 Nov 2009) 10 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:11:24 -0400 Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Kempton, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 18, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 61 81 Turkey Vulture 1 55 382 Unknown Vulture 0 0 0 Mississippi Kite 0 0 1 Osprey 0 2 455 Bald Eagle 0 9 187 Northern Harrier 0 33 142 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 54 4291 Cooper's Hawk 0 21 601 Northern Goshawk 0 10 20 Unknown Accipiter 0 7 28 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 78 136 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 6440 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 8 804 1569 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 17 35 Golden Eagle 0 35 65 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 2 461 Merlin 0 2 160 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 68 Unknown Falcon 0 0 13 Unknown Raptor 0 2 35 Total: 10 1193 15170 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.75 hours Compiler: Laurie Goodrich Counters: Rudy Keller, Sue Schmoyer Weather: Hazy morning, clear in afternoon; SE wind 1-7 mph, 3-9 deg C Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: 48 American Crow, 3 Eastern Bluebirds, 1 Pine Siskin ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (goodrich AT hawkmtn.org) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/ Subject: RBA western Pennsylvania, 16 November 2009 From: Amy Taracido <meadowlark4 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:08:26 -0500 RBA *Pennsylvania *Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania *PAWE11.16.09 Highlights: TRUMPETER SWAN (Lawrence County) TUNDRA SWAN BRANT (Crawford County) SNOW GOOSE (both phases) (Crawford County) BLACK SCOTER (Erie County) COMMON GOLDENEYE ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK BONAPARTE'S GULL SHORT-EARED OWL NORTHERN SHRIKE (Lawrence County) COMMON RAVEN AMERICAN PIPIT FOX SPARROW AMERICAN TREE SPARROW Contributors: John Boback, Marcy Cunkelman, Karyn Delaney, Irene & Bernie Frey, Randi & Sarah Gerrish, Amy Henrici, Craig Holt, Scott Kinzey, Flo McGuire, Richard Nugent, Lee Ann Reiners, Steve Sanford, Fred Schroyer, Jack and Sue Solomon, Steve Tirone, Marjorie Van Tassel, Mark Vass, Dave Wilton, Dan Yagusic. Compiler: Amy Taracido Monday, 9 November 2009 through Monday, 16 November 2009 ***This report is distributed by e-mail only. Compiler is not responsible for errors on websites who reproduce/reprint these reports. If you would like to receive western PA RBAs, contact meadowlark4 AT verizon.net Transcript- ALLEGHENY COUNTY: Over a Plum backyard on 11/10, TUNDRA SWANS (AH). On 11/12 at North Park, 1 RUFFED GROUSE (RN). On 11/13 at Knob Hill Park, sightings included 10 DARK-EYED JUNCOS (KD). In a Hampton Township neighborhood on 11/14, pair of GREAT HORNED OWLS (RN). BUTLER COUNTY: On 11/11 at Moraine State Park, sightings included 6 SNOW BUNTINGS, 3 TUNDRA SWANS, 1 OSPREY, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELER, RING-NECKED DUCK, AMERICAN WIGEON, GADWALL, PIED-BILLED GREBE (JS); on 11/16, ~12 BONAPARTE'S GULLS (ST), 65-70 TUNDRA SWANS, GADWALL, RING-NECKED DUCKS, 165+ RUDDY DUCKS, 165+ AMERICAN COOTS (SK). CRAWFORD COUNTY: From last week: on 11/5 at Miller's Ponds, 1 adult BLUE-PHASE SNOW GOOSE (IF). On 11/10 at Conneaut Lake, 1 BRANT (SS); the BRANT continued through 11/12 and 11/13 (MVan); on 11/14, 1 BRANT, 1 COMMON LOON (MVas); on 11/15, 1 BRANT continued (DW), as well as on 11/16 (DY, LAR). In Pymatuning on 11/14, 1 GREATER YELLOWLEGS (MVas); on 11/16, 2 SNOW GEESE, 4 BLUE-WINGED TEAL, 6 AMERICAN WIGEON, 16 TUNDRA SWANS, 1 GADWALL, ~450 COMMON MERGANSERS, ~35 HOODED MERGANSERS, 6 RUDDY DUCKS, 11 BUFFLEHEADS, 6 BALD EAGLES, 800+ BONAPARTE'S GULLS (DY). ERIE COUNTY: At Edinboro Lake on 11/10, 1 BLACK SCOTER, 4 COMMON GOLDENEYES, AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS (SS); on 11/12-11/13, sightings included BLACK SCOTER, SCAUP SP., BUFFLEHEAD, RUDDY DUCKS, PIED-BILLED GREBES, GOLDENEYE SP. (MVan); on 11/14, hen BLACK SCOTER, 19 LESSER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD, 3 COMMON GOLDENEYES, 2 RUDDY DUCKS, 18 PIED-BILLED GREBES (MVas); on 11/15, 1 hen BLACK SCOTER continued (DW), as well as on 11/16 (LAR). On 11/12-11/13 at Presque Isle, AMERICAN COOTS and others (MVan). FAYETTE COUNTY: On 11/13 at Greenlick Run Lake, 2 PIED-BILLED GREBES (SG). FOREST COUNTY: In Tionesta on 11/16, 1 FOX SPARROW (FM). GREENE COUNTY: In Waynesburg on 11/15, 2 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS (FS). INDIANA COUNTY: On 11/10 in Clarksburg, 1 FOX SPARROW, 29 flyover TUNDRA SWANS (MC). LAWRENCE COUNTY: On 11/13 at the Three Rivers gravel pond, 2 adult TRUMPETER SWANS, 1 GREEN- WINGED TEAL, 170 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 3 LESSER SCAUP, 2 BUFFLEHEADS, 1 PIED- BILLED GREBE, 1 WILSON'S SNIPE, 21 KILLDEER (MVas). At the Wampum-New Galilee Road marsh on 11/13, 19 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 1 AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, 1 WILSON'S SNIPE (MVas). On 11/16 in Plain Grove Township, sightings included 28 flyover TUNDRA SWANS, 9 SANDHILL CRANES, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (near Black Swamp), 1 ROUGH- LEGGED HAWK, several HORNED LARKS (DY). In the Volant Strips area on 11/16, sightings included PIED-BILLED GREBE, 3 RING-NECKED PHEASANTS, 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS, AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, DARK- EYED JUNCO (CH). MERCER COUNTY: On 11/14 at Shenango Reservoir, 128 HOODED MERGANSERS, 23 COMMON MERGANSERS, 11 BUFFLEHEADS, 2 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 13 KILLDEER, numerous BONAPARTE'S GULLS (MVas). WASHINGTON COUNTY: On 11/13 at Meadowcroft Museum, 1 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK; on 11/14 over Meadowcroft Museum, 2 COMMON RAVENS (JB). At the grassland along Donaldson Road in Robinson Township on 11/15, 6 SHORT-EARED OWLS, 7 NORTHERN HARRIERS (MVas). WESTMORELAND COUNTY: On 11/13 at Acme Dam, 2 adult and 1 juvenile TUNDRA SWAN (SG). At Donegal Lake on 11/13, 1 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 2 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, 30 KILLDEER, 18 AMERICAN PIPITS (SG). At Trout Run/Latrobe Reservoir on 11/13, 1 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 28 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, 1 drake COMMON GOLDENEYE, 1 hen BUFFLEHEAD, 12 KILLDEER (SG). End transcript- Amy Taracido Washington Co., PA To send in reports: meadowlark4 AT verizon.net Thank you to all the contributors. Subject: Upadte on black-headed gull, Northampton County From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:46:38 -0800 Posting once again for Dave De Reamus, whose computer is being worked on: At 2:35 the black-headed full took off from the river and headed toward Merrill Creek Reservoir above Phillipsburg, NJ, with a lot of other gulls. This is almost certainly the same bird that's being seen off and on over there. Large numbers of gulls move back and forth across the river daily, with many of them going to eat at either the Chrin landfill along Rt 78 or the Bethlehem landfill further inland in the mornings. They begin moving out  or around come midday or later. The river is a natural stopping point along the way coming and going. Exactly where this gull spends most of it daylight hours I can't say. It would only be conjecture on my part.     Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net Subject: Cedar Waxwings, Pittsburgh From: "Kate St.John" <kstjohn001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:40:59 -0800 Saw a flock of 35 Cedar Waxwings in Oakland plus Goldfinches feeding on sweet gum seeds in Schenley Park. Quiet otherwise. Kate St.John, Pittsburgh, www.wqed.org/birdblog Subject: Black-headed gull, Northampton County From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:22:08 -0800 Dave De Reamus called at 2 this afternoon, Wednesday, November 18. After spending many hours at the confluence of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers in Easton, he has just found the black-headed gull among about 400 other gulls there, including two Iceland's. The viewing area in the small park overlooks the jointure of the two rivers. Normally you can drive right into it from Larry Holmes Drive but that road is being worked on so you need to park somewhere on 3rd Street or wherever you can find parking close by. A McDonald's is nearby and so is a large parking lot in a motel across the street.  From Rt 78 East, get off at the last exit in PA right before the toll booths, go left, following that road until it goes down a big hill, under a railroad overpass, and across the river. The McDonald's is on your left; the park is a on the right, about 3 blocks' walking distance away. From Rt 22 East, get off at the Third Street exit in Easton, go left on Bushkill Drive, follow it (paralleling Rt 22) until it right turns. Pass the free bridge and the park is on the left. Coming this way you're going to have to drive around a few blocks since Larry Holmes Drive is being worked on but walking distance from that area to the park isn't far.   Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net Subject: Merlins expanding, West Virginia From: "Wiltraut, Richard E" <rwiltraut AT STATE.PA.US> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:51:35 -0500 Over the past 3 summers Merlins have successfully raised young at Promised Land State Park in Pike County. As of last year, this site was the southernmost confirmed breeding site of the species in eastern North America. However, I was recently informed that this past summer Merlins with fledglings were observed in Canaan Valley, West Virginia, a beautiful boreal area with a average elevation of 3,200 feet. You can read about this beautiful place here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canaan_Valley#Wetlands_and_boreal_plants Good birding, Rick Rick Wiltraut Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center 835 Jacobsburg Road Wind Gap, PA 18091 rwiltraut AT state.pa.us (610) 746-2810 Fax: (610) 746-2804 Subject: Online Site Guide update From: Frank Haas <fbhaas AT PTD.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:27:49 -0500 I just added another 8 sites to the PSO Online Site Guide. 330 sites and counting... http://www.pabirds.org/SiteGuide/PAStatePage.php Keep them coming! Frank Frank & Barb Haas fbhaas AT ptd.net Churchtown, PA "Wisdom begins with putting the right name to a thing." Subject: Iceland gull, Northampton County From: DAVID KOCH <davilene AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:58:55 -0800 The Iceland gull was at the confluence of Posting for Dave De Reamus: The Iceland gull was at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers off of Larry Holmes Drive in Easton as of late this morning, Wednesday, November 18. As stated yesterday, work is being done on Larry Homes Drive so it's best to park at McDonald's on 3rd Street or the motel across from it and walk the few blocks east to the triangular small park the overlooks the rivers.   Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County davilene AT verizon.net Subject: Live Owl Program - Friday - NSP Junior Bird Club (Luzerne County) From: "NR, Hickory Run Env. Ed." <ra-nrsphickenved AT STATE.PA.US> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:32:37 -0500 Owls: Hunters of the Night Friday, November 20, 2009 at 7 PM Nescopeck State Park’s Musto Environmental Education Center FREE with donation, Open to ALL ages Learn about some of nature’s best adapted predators – OWLS. Get an up-close look at live owls brought by the Carbon County Environmental Education Center’s naturalist. This program is sponsored by the Nescopeck State Park Junior Bird Club. Members are asking for donations of the following items from CCEEC’s wish list as program “admission:” baby blankets, pillow cases, hot water bottles, hand warmers, small stuffed toys, baby food in jars, IAMS kitten and puppy chow, apples, carrots, spinach, nuts, acorns, rolled gauze, antibiotic ointment, scrub brushes, plastic shoe boxes, sheepskin, welding gloves, masking tape or duct tape. Children are invited to arrive a few minutes early to make an owl craft. Space is limited. Registration is required; please call (570) 403-2006. New members ages 9+ are welcome to join the Nescopeck State Park Junior Bird Club at this event. A one time fee of $5 is charged per member. Please call the number above for more information and to register as a new member. Megan Taylor Environmental Education Specialist Hickory Run State Park Complex Subject: Chambers Lake, Chester County: Long-tailed Duck From: Rick Robinson <birder18 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:03:21 -0500 A winter plumage male was with a lone bufflehead this morning. Between 20-30 killdeer are using the exposed dike; two shorebirds have been observed during the past week, usually when the flock takes flight, a probable white-rump and another peep. Influx of fox sparrows the last two nights; tree sparrows not "in" yet, although an early single was observed on 11/4. Rick Robinson Chester County Subject: Re: SE Owls and natural gas drilling in Susquehanna County From: Dave Kruel <accip AT INFIONLINE.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:31:39 -0500 That's a great question Jerry. I don't have an answer, but my guess would be 'no', as the authorities would probably say it isn't affecting their breeding, and they can go somewhere else. But, I think you gave me energy by posting that I'll write to my congressmen and ask them about the SE Owls & drilling anyway. I think it would be hard not to think that energy extraction & production on so many levels has a harsh impact on birds and other animals. We seem these days to only hear the words "energy demand" (and not "energy need") put together...and rarely is it discussed, how much of that 'demand' is necessary and how much is excess & waste. There sould be a great difference in the quantity between our energy demand and our energy need. I remember in past decades at least we heard about energy conservation somewhat. Today, it seems like we are interchanging 'energy demand' with 'energy need' and ideas of major energy conservation aren't given much press. Dave Kruel Pottsville On Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:20:15 -0500, JSkinner AT epix.net wrote: >This evening I found that Short-eared Owls had returned to their traditional >wintering site in rural Springville, Susquehanna County. The owls don't >nest in the area as the fields are in hay production. > > > >As you may know, this area is in the heart of intense drilling for natural >gas. While there are currently no wells in proximity, such activities are >only perhaps a mile or two away. It is certainly just a matter of time >before gas activity moves in this direction. > > > >Because it seems that drillers like open areas (no trees to clear), these >agricultural lands may be a target. > > > >Short-eared Owls have endangered status in PA. Does this confer them any >protection from the disturbance of heavy truck traffic, blinding lights, >noise, machinery, etc. that are only some of the impacts of drilling? > > > >Jerry Skinner > >Susquehanna County >========================================================================= Subject: HSR: Rose Tree Park (17 Nov 2009) 7 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:11:17 -0400 Rose Tree Park Media, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 17, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 4 42 154 Black Vulture 0 7 12 Osprey 0 3 158 Northern Harrier 0 10 48 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 18 172 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 73 922 Cooper's Hawk 1 14 138 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 91 164 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 4514 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Red-tailed Hawk 2 135 276 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 1 1 American Kestrel 0 0 139 Merlin 0 2 21 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 14 Unknown Vulture 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 3 Unknown Buteo 0 2 8 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 1 23 Total: 7 401 6771 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: George Wrangham, Jim McVoy Observers: Scott Tuttle, Skip Conant Visitors: Chas Macarelli Weather: Mostly sunny, with NE-NNE-ENE winds at 7-13 mph. Temperature 50-57F. Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: ======================================================================== Report submitted by Janet Crawford (janet AT rtphawkwatch.org) Rose Tree Park Hawkwatch, Media, PA information may be found at: www.rtphawkwatch.org Subject: SE Owls and natural gas drilling in Susquehanna County From: "JSkinner AT epix.net" <jskinner@EPIX.NET> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:20:15 -0500 This evening I found that Short-eared Owls had returned to their traditional wintering site in rural Springville, Susquehanna County. The owls don't nest in the area as the fields are in hay production. As you may know, this area is in the heart of intense drilling for natural gas. While there are currently no wells in proximity, such activities are only perhaps a mile or two away. It is certainly just a matter of time before gas activity moves in this direction. Because it seems that drillers like open areas (no trees to clear), these agricultural lands may be a target. Short-eared Owls have endangered status in PA. Does this confer them any protection from the disturbance of heavy truck traffic, blinding lights, noise, machinery, etc. that are only some of the impacts of drilling? Jerry Skinner Susquehanna County Subject: HSR: Bake Oven Knob (17 Nov 2009) 16 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:11:59 -0400 Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 17, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 3 47 271 Turkey Vulture 5 190 938 Osprey 0 0 420 Bald Eagle 0 5 177 Northern Harrier 0 21 97 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 59 2724 Cooper's Hawk 1 11 364 Northern Goshawk 0 11 19 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 33 74 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 3953 Red-tailed Hawk 4 521 1199 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 14 37 American Kestrel 0 0 196 Merlin 0 0 91 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 62 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 2 28 264 Mississippi Kite 0 0 2 Total: 16 941 10888 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Steve Ritt Observers: Matt Loyko Weather: Visibility: 20 Mi, T: 39-48ÂşF, Wind: NW switching to SE 2-10 MPH, Cloud Cover: 100-80-90% Raptor Observations: RT: "resident" (?) adult flew east, perched in tree with two C Ravens, Ravens flew off TV: juvenile with broken left wing Non-raptor Observations: C Raven: 2 C Goose: 75 C Loon: 1 Predictions: Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. East wind between 3 and 6 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bob Hoopes (rehoopes AT hotmail.com) Bake Oven Knob Hawkwatch, Pa. information may be found at: www.lgnc.org Subject: HSR: Second Mountain (17 Nov 2009) 11 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:11:42 -0400 Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 17, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 4 125 214 Turkey Vulture 0 104 269 Osprey 0 0 179 Bald Eagle 0 7 95 Northern Harrier 1 22 106 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 47 1755 Cooper's Hawk 0 15 218 Northern Goshawk 0 9 20 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 69 118 Broad-winged Hawk 0 3 4386 Red-tailed Hawk 1 416 733 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 20 43 American Kestrel 0 0 85 Merlin 0 2 31 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 28 Unknown Accipiter 0 3 17 Unknown Buteo 1 5 15 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 22 Total: 11 850 8334 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Morris Cox Observers: Fred Habbeger, Randy Miller Visitors: Sam Black, Ellis Blouch, John Nicholas, Mr.& Mrs. Heeter Weather: 100% overcast throughout the day with light winds from NNE to N. Temps ranged from 7-11C (44-52). Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: C. Grackle, Junco, R/B Woodpecker, (91)C. Geese, (37)Loons & (1)Raven. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Schwenk (secondmtn AT juno.com) Subject: HSR: Tuscarora Summit (17 Nov 2009) 4 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:11:44 -0400 Tuscarora Summit Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 17, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 4 4 Turkey Vulture 0 178 470 Osprey 0 1 72 Bald Eagle 0 6 52 Northern Harrier 0 15 61 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 28 1128 Cooper's Hawk 1 8 110 Northern Goshawk 0 1 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 21 36 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 1721 Red-tailed Hawk 2 356 501 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 26 45 American Kestrel 0 1 41 Merlin 0 1 11 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 14 Unknown Accipiter 0 3 17 Unknown Buteo 0 0 8 Unknown Falcon 0 0 8 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 4 24 Total: 4 654 4328 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours Official Counter: Dale L. Gearhart Observers: Alex Lamoreaux, Dale L. Gearhart Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dale L. Gearhart (dgearhart01 AT comcast.net) Subject: HSR: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (17 Nov 2009) 18 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:11:57 -0400 Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Kempton, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 17, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 61 81 Turkey Vulture 0 54 381 Unknown Vulture 0 0 0 Mississippi Kite 0 0 1 Osprey 0 2 455 Bald Eagle 0 9 187 Northern Harrier 0 33 142 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 53 4290 Cooper's Hawk 0 21 601 Northern Goshawk 0 10 20 Unknown Accipiter 0 7 28 Red-shouldered Hawk 5 78 136 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 6440 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 10 796 1561 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 17 35 Golden Eagle 1 35 65 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 2 461 Merlin 0 2 160 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 68 Unknown Falcon 0 0 13 Unknown Raptor 0 2 35 Total: 18 1183 15160 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.75 hours Compiler: Laurie Goodrich Counters: Jason Deeter, Rob Feldman Weather: Overcast all day, light wind NE , 4-14 deg C Raptor Observations: At least two Goldens sat down on ridge without heading past Non-raptor Observations: 219 Canada Geese, 41 American Crow, 100 Common Grackle ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (goodrich AT hawkmtn.org) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/ Subject: HSR: Waggoner's Gap (17 Nov 2009) 39 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:11:52 -0400 Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 17, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 17 50 TV 29 307 1391 OS 0 1 442 BE 0 22 354 NH 1 73 193 SS 1 102 7183 CH 0 29 851 NG 0 23 41 RS 3 139 238 BW 0 0 5866 RT 3 1988 3203 RL 0 3 3 GE 1 90 139 AK 0 1 313 ML 0 2 104 PG 0 1 51 UA 1 6 31 UB 0 7 13 UF 0 0 3 UE 0 0 2 UR 0 8 72 Total: 39 2819 20543 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter: Dave Grove, Ron Freed Observers: Dave Grove, Deb Gingrich, Joe Lavella, Keith Gingrich, Ron Freed Visitors: Dan Ombalski,Deb Ealer 8 Weather: Overcast with moderate N winds in the morning, diminishing in the afternoon. Raptor Observations: GE Juv 10:25 First Bird GE 10:25 Last bird -RT 2:49 Non-raptor Observations: Loons - 35 ======================================================================== Report submitted by dave grove (waggap AT comcast.net) Waggoner's Gap Hawkwatch information may be found at: www.waggap.com Subject: Fwd: Save the Dates for the Next Great Backyard Bird Count From: Chad Kauffman <chadkauffman AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:13:06 -0500 >From: "Cornell Lab of Ornithology" >Subject: Save the Dates for the Next Great Backyard Bird Count >To: "chadkauffman AT earthlink.net" >X-Originating-IP: [132.236.201.71] >Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:12:08 -0500 >X-ELNK-Received-Info: spv=0; >X-ELNK-AV: 0 >X-ELNK-Info: sbv=0; sbrc=.0; sbf=0b; sbw=000; > >If you can't see a formatted message and photo, >view the >web >version. > > >[] > > > > >[] > > >November 4, 2009 Dear Great Backyard Bird Count Participant, >Save the Dates: GBBC is Coming! The next >Great >Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) takes place Friday, >February 12 through Monday, February 15, 2010. >The >National >Audubon Society and the >Cornell >Lab of Ornithology are calling on everyone to >“Count for Fun, Count for the Future!” >During last year’s count, participants turned >in more than 93,600 checklists online, creating >the continent's largest instantaneous snapshot >of bird populations ever recorded. We hope >you’ll join us again and help spread the word, >since the success of the count depends on people >tallying birds from as many locations as >possible across the continent. Spread the Word >Each year, we rely on you to spread the word >about the GBBC. One way we do this is through >our volunteer ambassador program. Volunteer >ambassadors do a variety of things, including >hanging up GBBC fliers, giving presentations in >their community, and even talking to their local >media. For more ideas on how to promote the >GBBC, fill out the >online >ambassador sign-up form and specify the kinds of >activities you’d like to do. You can also get >involved by simply forwarding this email to >friends and family, encouraging them to participate! >[] >Birds to Help Looking to help the birds in your >area? Visit >Audubon >at Home’s Birds to Help website for some tips. >Tips are organized according to setting—urban, >suburban, or rural.Project FeederWatch Season >Begins Soon The 2009-10 season of Project >FeederWatch begins November 14, though you can >sign up at any time. FeederWatchers keep track >of their birds through the winter and report >their tallies each week. This helps scientists >track changes in winter bird populations from >year to year. To learn more and to sign up, >visit >the >Project FeederWatch website. New participants >receive a kit with a handbook, a >bird-identification poster, calendar, and >instruction booklet. There is a $15 fee ($12 for >Lab members) to help cover the costs of >materials and participant support. If you live >in Canada, please visit our partner, >Bird >Studies Canada, or call (888) 448-2473. Thank >you for all you do to help the birds! Janis >Dickinson, Director of Citizen Science, Cornell Lab of Ornithology > >Tom Bancroft, Vice-President for Science, National Audubon Society > >Images by 2009 GBBC participants: Great Blue >Heron by Lynne Marsho; Blue Jay by Katya Porter. > >The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit >membership institution interpreting and >conserving the earth’s biological diversity >through research, education, and citizen science >focused on birds. Visit the Cornell Lab’s >website at >www.birds.cornell.edu.Audubon >is dedicated to protecting birds and other >wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Our >national network of community-based nature >centers and chapters, scientific and educational >programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas >sustaining important bird populations, engage >millions of people of all ages and backgrounds >in conservation. >www.audubon.org > > >Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods >Rd, Ithaca NY 14850 Call toll-free: (800) >843-BIRD >(2473)Privacy >Policy >| >Unsubscribe > >National Audubon Society 225 Varick Street, New >York, NY 10014 Call: (212) 979-3000 >[] > ############################ ### www.juniatacounty.com ###### #####Get a free quote now###### ############################ Subject: Northern Shrike and Brant, still present--Lawrence and Crawford Counties From: Lukas Musher <musherluke AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:48:39 -0500 I decided to chase the Northern Shrike found by Dan Yagusic yesterday since I still needed the bird for PA. Early in the morning, I couldn't locate the bird so I decided to head up to Crawford County and get some stuff since I was already most of the way there. On the way back I checked for the shrike again and found it. It flew up to the top of a tree along the pond, and sat for a little bit. I tried to get around to the other side of the pond, but when I got there the bird was gone. I couldn't relocate it after. Here are other sightings. Sandhill Crane--3 flying by at Black Swamp Crawford County: Brant--still present at Conneaut Lake Miller's Ponds: Gadwall--several Hooded Merganser--1 male American Black Duck Green-winged Teal--6 Horned Lark--4 Flyover, and 10-15 flying from the Parking along the main road Spillway: Bonaparte's Gull--hundreds Common Merganser Fish Hatchery: American Black Duck Northern Shovelor--15-20 Gadwall--25-30 Hooded Merganser--10 Common Merganser--15 Luke Musher Subject: Iceland Gull, Northampton County From: "Wiltraut, Richard E" <rwiltraut AT STATE.PA.US> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:39:46 -0500 Dave DeReamus just called and asked me to post that he was down looking for the Black-headed Gull at the Forks of the Delaware in Easton and found a 1st winter Iceland Gull. No sign of Black-headed. Larry Holmes Drive is under construction so you need to park elsewhere, perhaps at the McDonald's on 3rd Street. Rick Rick Wiltraut Environmental Education Specialist Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center 835 Jacobsburg Road Wind Gap, PA 18091 rwiltraut AT state.pa.us (610) 746-2810 Fax: (610) 746-2804 Subject: Volant strips, SGL 284--Lawrence Co. 11/16 From: Craig Holt <hud929godwit AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:06:42 -0800 I birded in NE Lawrence Co. from 3:00 PM till dark yesterday.  I searched the Volant strips, some of the adjacent SGL 284, and surrounding ag fields.  I didn't find a rough-legged hawk or short-eared owl, but did come up with: wood duck, pied-billed grebe, great blue heron, 3 ring-necked pheasants (including a pair), 2 n. harriers, Cooper's hawk, red-tailed hawk, Am. kestrel, golden-crowned kinglet, e. bluebird, Am. tree sparrows, and dark-eyed junco.  Craig Holt, Lowellville, OH Subject: HSR: Bake Oven Knob (16 Nov 2009) 28 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:11:05 -0400 Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 16, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 4 44 268 Turkey Vulture 3 185 933 Osprey 0 0 420 Bald Eagle 1 5 177 Northern Harrier 1 21 97 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 59 2724 Cooper's Hawk 0 10 363 Northern Goshawk 0 11 19 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 32 73 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 3953 Red-tailed Hawk 18 517 1195 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 14 37 American Kestrel 0 0 196 Merlin 0 0 91 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 62 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 1 26 262 Mississippi Kite 0 0 2 Total: 28 925 10872 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Steve Ritt Observers: Fritz Brock Weather: Visibility: 20 Mi, T: 41-48ÂşF, Wind: NW to N 20-34 MPH with a 12 MPH lull ~ 13:00, Cloud Cover: 20-80% Raptor Observations: BE: 14:26I ML: harassed owl decoy, then flew east BE: 12:43A flew east, was harassed by UR (probably the ML) RT: "resident" (?) harassed owl decoy, perched 100' E of North Lookout Non-raptor Observations: C Loon: 7 C Raven: 2 Killdeer: 1 C Goose: 140 Unknown Gull: 5 Predictions: Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 52. Northeast wind between 3 and 6 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bob Hoopes (rehoopes AT hotmail.com) Bake Oven Knob Hawkwatch, Pa. information may be found at: www.lgnc.org Subject: HSR: Tuscarora Summit (16 Nov 2009) 33 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:11:09 -0400 Tuscarora Summit Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 16, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 3 4 4 Turkey Vulture 19 178 470 Osprey 0 1 72 Bald Eagle 0 6 52 Northern Harrier 0 15 61 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 27 1127 Cooper's Hawk 0 7 109 Northern Goshawk 0 1 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 21 36 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 1721 Red-tailed Hawk 9 354 499 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 26 45 American Kestrel 0 1 41 Merlin 0 1 11 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 14 Unknown Accipiter 0 3 17 Unknown Buteo 0 0 8 Unknown Falcon 0 0 8 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 4 24 Total: 33 650 4324 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours Official Counter: Dale L. Gearhart Observers: Dale L. Gearhart, David Cooney Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dale L. Gearhart (dgearhart01 AT comcast.net) Subject: HSR: Rose Tree Park (16 Nov 2009) 24 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:11:41 -0400 Rose Tree Park Media, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 16, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 1 38 150 Black Vulture 0 7 12 Osprey 0 3 158 Northern Harrier 0 10 48 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 18 172 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 73 922 Cooper's Hawk 1 13 137 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 4 91 164 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 4514 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Red-tailed Hawk 14 133 274 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 1 1 American Kestrel 0 0 139 Merlin 0 2 21 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 14 Unknown Vulture 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 3 Unknown Buteo 1 2 8 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 1 23 Total: 24 394 6764 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Bill Cranny, Janet Crawford Observers: Al Guarente, Bill Roache, Bob Kelly, Charles Smith, Skip Conant Weather: Partly cloudy with NNW-N winds at 9-16 mph. Temperature 57-60F. Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: 13 Common Loons 1 Double-crested Cormorant 1 Hairy Woodpecker ======================================================================== Report submitted by Janet Crawford (janet AT rtphawkwatch.org) Rose Tree Park Hawkwatch, Media, PA information may be found at: www.rtphawkwatch.org Subject: Northern Goshawk, Montgomery County From: Dave Warren <dswarren801 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:15:14 -0500 Hi all, I had a nice young Northern Goshawk flying from tree to tree above me while I was running, behind my house in Schwenksville. Surprised the heck out of me! Good birding, Jimmy Warren, Montgomery County, PA