Date: 4/20/24 3:42 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Chester County Hawk Watch & Migration Count at Chambers Lake (19 Apr 2024) 4 Raptors
Chester County Hawk Watch & Migration Count at Chambers Lake Wagontown, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 19, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Larry Lewis (Early Bird Nature Tours)
Observers: Bill Burkert, Mike Fowles
Visitors: CHESTER COUNTY HAWK WATCH & MIGRATION COUNT AT CHAMBERS LAKE <BR><BR> Visitors (3): Mike Fowles, Bill Burkert <BR><BR> Thanks everyone, for coming to beautiful Chambers Lake! <BR><BR>
Raptor Observations: ----“Raptors” seen but deemed not to be migrating: 1-Bald Eagle, 4-Red-tailed Hawk, and numerous Black (10) and Turkey Vultures (45). <BR><BR> ----Bald Eagle ages: 1 yr.-_; 2 yr.-_; 3 yr.-_; 4 yr.-_; adult-1 <BR><BR>
Non-raptor Observations: TODAY’S Bird Blog: [PLEASE NOTE: I send out a large weekly “blog/newsletter” detailing much more than these small daily recaps. This newsletter from EBNT, has our upcoming schedule and the County year bird list, etc. If you aren’t receiving it and would like to, kindly email me <earlybirdtours...> to be added. <BR><BR> Once at Chambers Lake, and with a working computer, I found conditions to be as miserable as yesterday. As we sat there, a Mink sauntered right out in front of us, carrying a squirrel [see picture]. Photography, as we’ve already asserted, is not Bill’s strong suit… he missed getting a picture. He left the lens cap on [see picture]! At 2pm, a Turkey called. No, not Bill – he was there – one with feathers, an actual Turkey. Bill brought his fly pole with him. Bill had his pole in his hand which prevented him from using his fly rod. Anyway, he fished [his term for what he did, not mine] for a couple of hours. Where we had witnessed them pulling fish out by the handful, Bill caught nary a fish – not even a nibble [see picture of Bill not catching fish]. He did catch a rock and 2 trees, though. So, he has that going for him… which is nice. He said he grabbed the wrong fly which leaves me wondering how he had his pole in his hand. If Bill tells you something other than this, it’s a fish story. I, as always, maintain journalistic integrity by keeping it real – it’s my strong suit. Have you considered that fishing may not be your strong suit, my friend? I haven’t the words for what happened next. Seriously, I can’t write it down. It began with Bill asking 2 female kayakers approaching him the seemingly innocuous question “Are you twins?” Their response elicited a jaw-dropping, shocked “Huh??” from our “fisherman.” Sadly, I won’t be able to write the social faux pas which followed, here, as it actually occurred – it will not fit in our PC world. My words wouldn’t do it justice, anyway. Fortunately Bill did this in front of a trusted, valued friend and, as always, with only his best interest as a priority. My lips are sealed. Besides, what happens with EBNT stays with EBNT! You know me. I couldn’t wait to get to my keyboard… Actually, it’s more a performance art impersonation, anyway. Ask me when you see me for a performance… Bill, you’re the gift that keeps giving, buddy! Thanks for being my friend…. You left me in tears. Rain came again, forcing an end to today’s entertainment. [Additional highlights listed below] <BR><BR> ---- Thanks to Frank Haas and his gracious generosity and support over the years, in his name and in the memory of his wife, Barbara. <BR><BR> ----ADDITIONAL BIRD HIGHLIGHTS: <BR><BR> Bufflehead. Ring-necked Ducks, Wood Ducks, Pied-billed Grebe, Cormorants, Wild Turkey, Spotted Sandpiper, Great Blue Herons, Kingfisher, Purple Martins, Rough-winged Swallows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Gnatcatchers, Brown Thrasher, Field Sparrows, Swamp Sparrow, Towhees, Palm Warblers, and Yellow-rumped Warblers <BR><BR> ----OTHER WILDLIFE NOTED: Butterflies (3): Cabbage White, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Clouded Sulphur. Dragonflies (0). Reptiles & Amphibians (2): Spring Peeper, American Toad. Mammals (6): Eastern Gray Squirrel, White-tailed Deer, Woodchuck, Eastern Chipmunk, Red Squirrel, Mink. <BR><BR> ----EBNT’s “Walk with Nature” ™ Program Daily Tally with our Fitbits: This is a stationary watch, but if I stay stationary too long, I might tend to “bulk up.” Besides, I am ever so fortunate to be walking unaided, at all! Therefore, I keep moving (if you’ve been here, then you know that I pace endlessly….) - my Fitbit thanks me and its part of my “Walk with Nature” program. So, below are MY results at the watch for the day. Your totals could all be zero, if you choose to sit and relax. You are certainly welcome to take it easy….I simply choose not to, affording me a panoramic view of our entire sky and a bit of exercise. So come join our “Walk with Nature!” ™ Anyway, just for fun, here are my numbers at the site for today (join me, if you wish): Steps – 6,224, Miles – 2.65, Floors – 7 <BR><BR> ----“SEASON’S BIRD SPECIES LIST” – we are not just a Hawk Watch but conduct a migration tally from the site. The complete species list will be in our weekly email blog sent to those requesting it. Our tally board, on site, will feature an approximation (very rough, best “guestimate,” – searching for Hawks must remain our primary focus) for totals of each species seen for “The Watch” year. The overall list for the season from the watch will be part of the large weekly “blog,” if you’ve signed up for that at <earlybirdtours...> <BR><BR> TOTAL SPECIES – Identified from watch site: today: 55; this season: 101 <BR><BR> NEW SPECIES ADDED TODAY TO THIS YEAR’S “WATCH SPECIES LIST (1):” Wild Turkey. <BR><BR> Contact: Larry Lewis ------- Early Bird Nature Tours(EBNT)---"Exciting & Fun Adventures in Nature"---63 S. Park Ave., Coatesville, PA 19320---484-340-SORA (7672)--Business Cell---email: <earlybirdtours...> "Group Birding - The Economical, Fun and Environmentally Friendly Way to Bird!"
Predictions: Tomorrow’s flight looks to continue winding down under a cloudy sky and increasing west winds. <BR><BR> . The Chester County Hawk Watch and Migration Count is sponsored, in large part, by Frank Haas and in the memory of Barbara Haas. Membership in EBNT is requested. Please contact us at <earlybirdtours...> with questions or comments.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Larry Lewis (<earlybirdtours...>)
Site Description: The platform just left of the only boat ramp for Chambers Lake in the main parking lot, overlooking the lake to the north.
Directions to site: We set up in the main parking lot for the lake, on the platform just left of the only boat ramp. The Hawk Watch at Chambers Lake (as part of the Chester County Hawk Watch) operates daily, March 1 thru April 30 from 9am - 3 pm (unless counter is away leading a tour elsewhere). In fall the season is Sept. 1 thru Nov. 30,each day 9am-3pm. Please contact Larry at 484-340-7672 to confirm counter is present. This count welcomes all visitors to this fine habitat. When there are no hawks present, many birds still are. The lake holds numerous waterfowl species and the variable shoreline can produce incredible shorebirds.
Directions to hawk watch: From the Rt. 30 By-pass take the Rt. 82 exit north. Turn left at the first light(Rt. 340) and go 1.3 miles to Wagontown Rd. Turn Rt. on Wagontown Rd. and continue on this winding road for 1.8 miles (you will pass the Hibernia Park entrance on your right, the Chambers Lake parking lot, and Chambers Lake on your right). Pull off the road to the left and park safely at the end of the lake to visit the hawk watch. You will see us sitting on the dike near the road at the end of the lake.
