Date: 6/12/26 5:42 pm From: Andrew Ednie <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, June 12th, 2026
RBA * Delaware * Statewide * June 12, 2026 * DEST 26.06.12
*Birds mentioned BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLNG DUCK Mute Swan Green-winged Teal Ring-necked Duck Black Scoter Northern Bobwhite Wild Turkey Black-billed Cuckoo Eastern Whip-poor-will Chuck-Will’s-Widow Common Nighthawk Virginia Rail Sora King Rail Common Gallinule American Coot Sandhill Crane American Oystercatcher Black-necked Stilt American Avocet Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Piping Plover Spotted Sandpiper Short-billed Dowitcher Ruddy Turnstone Red Knot Dunlin White-rumped Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper GULL-BILLED TERN Least Tern Common Tern ROSEATE TERN Sandwich Tern Caspian Tern Royal Tern Black Skimmer Bonaparte’s Gull Common Loon Wilson’s Storm-Petrel Northern Gannet Brown Pelican Least Bittern Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-Crowned Night Heron Tricolored Heron Western Cattle Egret Glossy Ibis White Ibis Northern Harrier Barn Owl Barred Owl Red-headed Woodpecker American Kestrel Peregrine Falcon Willow Flycatcher Alder Flycatcher Eastern Warbling Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Bank Swallow Cliff Swallow Brown-headed Nuthatch Grasshopper Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Salt Marsh Sparrow Seaside Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Bobolink Eastern Meadowlark Louisiana Waterthrush Worm-eating Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Kentucky Warbler Black and white Warbler Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler Northern Yellow Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Summer Tanager Dickcissel
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: June 12, 2026 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
For Friday, June 12th this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science in Greenville. The Birdline is sponsored by the Delaware Ornithological Society (DOS). Statements made on the Birdline do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors. This is Andy Ednie, glad to be with you. The unofficial Delaware Annual List increased to 308 species this week.
New this week was ROSEATE and SANDWICH TERNS, along with LEAST, COMMON, ROYAL TERNS and BLACK SKIMMER at Cape Henlopen State Park. There were also lingering COMMON LOON, NORTHERN GANNET, and BLACK SCOTER. Shorebirds at Cape Henlopen Point included AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, PIPING and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, RED KNOT, RUDDY TURNSTONE, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, DUNLIN and BONAPARTE’S GULL. WILD TURKEY was seen at the hawk watch. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, NORTHERN HARRIER, TRICOLORED HERON and WHITE IBIS were reported at Gordon’s Pond. SALT MARSH SPARROW was seen in the marsh behind the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. A drake RING-NECKED DUCK was found in a retention pond behind the Monroe Ave Ponds off Freeman’s Highway. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON was reported at Canary Creek near the University of Delaware’s Marine School. WILSON’S STORM-PETREL was reported from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER were seen at Mispillion Inlet from the duPont Nature Center. BROWN PELICAN, plus LEAST, CASPIAN and ROYAL TERNS were seen on the Back Beach. A high count of 7 SALT MARSH and 40 SEASIDE SPARROWS were reported at the Marvel Salt Marsh Preserve. Another high count was 15 PIPING PLOVERS at Fowlers Beach in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge by observers that had permission due to restricted access. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW continues to be seen along the Dike Trail at Prime Hook. BLACK-NECKED STILT and WHITE IBIS were reported in Broadkill Marsh. WILLOW FLYCATCHER and YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER were found along Oyster Rocks Road.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were seen at Peninsula Golf Course on Long Neck, Great Cypress Swamp, and Assawoman Canal Trail in Bethany Beach. KING RAIL was also reported from the Great Cypress Swamp. A lingering MAGNOLIA WARBLER was found in Holts Landing State Park. BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER was found at Trap Pond State Park. KENTUCKY WARBLER was reported in Redden State Forest. Goatsuckers reported included COMMON NIGHTHAWK at Cape Henlopen, CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW at Assawoman, and EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL at Broadkill Beach.
BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH continues along the Big Stone Beach Road in Milford neck Wildlife Area. BANK SWALLOWS were seen at Pioneer Dredge Ponds south of Dover. The main Tract at Little Creek Wildlife Area had a slew of marsh birds, including VIRGINIA RAIL, SORA, COMMON GALLINULE, AMERICAN COOT, and PIED-BILLED GREBE. A lingering PECTORAL SANDPIPER was reported, along with Black SKIMMER, CASPIAN and GULL-BILLED TERN. AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK SKIMMER and CASPIAN TERNS were seen at the Mahon Impoundment in Little Creek. A BROWN PELICAN was seen at Port Mahon. BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS were reported at Radly Road retention pond behind Garrison Lake south of Smyrna. SUMMER TANAGER, WORN-EATING and KENTUCKY WARBLER were found at the Norman Wilder Wildlife Area near Felton.
GULL-BILLED, CASPIAN and LEAST TERNS plus BLACK SKIMMER were reported at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Some lingering shorebirds included AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-NECKED STILT, BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, DUNLIN and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. Waterbirds included MUTE SWAN. GREEN-WINGED TEAL, SANDHILL CRANE, LEAST BITTERN, WESTERN CATTLE EGRET, GLOSSY IBIS, plus YELLOW-CROWNED and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. A late WILSON’S WARBLER was reported from the Raymond Tower Trail. ALDER FLYCATCHER was reported by the Parson Point Trail, PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was found near Finis Pool, and a CLIFF SWALLOW was seen flying over Shearness Pool. BARN and BARRED OWLS were reported in the evening at the refuge.
COMMON GALLINULE, TRICOLORED HERON and SANDHILL CRANE were seen at the Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area. LEAST BITTERN was found at Thousand Acre Marsh. SEASIDE SPARROWS continue at the end of Stave’s Land Road near Odessa. SUMMER TANAGER, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO and WORM-EATING WARBLER were reported at the Naudain Tract in Blackbird State Forest. A KENTUCKY WARBLER was reported at the Oak Hill Tract in Blackbird. As many as 5 DICKCISSELS have been reported at the Charles Price Park in Middletown, along with BOBOLINK, EASTERN MEADOWLARK, SAVANNAH and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. An AMERICAN KESTREL was seen nearby at Levels Road. NORTHERN BOBWHITE continues at Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area.
In northern Delaware, LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continues in White Clay Creek State Park. BARRED OWL was photographed at William Redd Park in Newark. Eastern Warbling Vireo and Northern Yellow Warbler were found at Ashland Nature Center. NORTHERN PARULA was found at Brandywine Creek State Park and at First State National Historical Park near Smith’s Bridge. WARBLING and YELLOW-THROATED VIREOS were also reported at the latter location.
Project Fledgling Watch is now underway! The PEREGRINE FALCONS are raising three chicks at the nest box on the Brandywine Building in downtown Wilmington. The chicks, named Pink, Green and Yellow have left the nest and so far, there has been three rescues with the young returned to the roof of the Brandywine Building. One chick, Green disappeared for 24-fours but reappeared today. You can watch the nest box activity on the DOS Falcon cam found at: www.dosbirds.org/citizen-science/falcon-watch.
Thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Alex Ewing, Cole Tiemann, Susan Russo, Kelly White, Jonathan Nikkila, Judith Picciotto, Koal Law, Wayne Longbottom, Vivian Gray, Randy Fisher, Laura Wolf, Sam VanHorne, Finn Ward, Sam VanHorne, Ed Patten, David Thomas, Rod Murray, Chris Rankin, Carter Chambers, Jim Austin-Cole, Carolyn Holland, Mary Braun, Sue Gruver, Rob Blye, Richard Julian, Alice Mohrman, Greg Gough, Debbie Blair, John Carter, Chris and Karen Bennett, Frank Rohrbacher, Hank Davis, Jim White, Ryleigh Sweet, Kim Steininger, Judy Montgomery, John and Andy Dunn, Wendy Cesario, Joe Francis, Bruce Peterjohn, and Joe Swertinski. Special thanks to Joe Tricarico for list distribution to DOS members. Birdline needs your sightings. Please call your reports into 302-463-0113 or email <ednieap...> Until next week, this is Andy Ednie wishing you good birding!
Date: 6/5/26 4:35 pm From: Andrew Ednie <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, June 5th, 2026
RBA * Delaware * Statewide * June 5, 2026 * DEST 26.06.05
*Birds mentioned BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLNG DUCK Green-winged Teal Black Scoter Surf Scoter Common Merganser Wild Turkey Eastern Whip-poor-will Chuck-Will’s-Widow Common Nighthawk King Rail Common Gallinule Sandhill Crane American Oystercatcher Black-necked Stilt American Avocet Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Piping Plover Spotted Sandpiper Short-billed Dowitcher Ruddy Turnstone Red Knot Dunlin Sanderling White-rumped Sandpiper WILSON’S PHALAROPE Least Tern Common Tern Caspian Tern Royal Tern Black Skimmer Bonaparte’s Gull Iceland Gull Common Loon Wilson’s Storm-Petrel Brown Pelican Least Bittern Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-Crowned Night Heron Tricolored Heron Western Cattle Egret Little Blue Heron Glossy Ibis White Ibis Northern Harrier Red-headed Woodpecker Peregrine Falcon Willow Flycatcher Alder Flycatcher Warbling Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Cliff Swallow Brown-headed Nuthatch Grasshopper Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Salt Marsh Sparrow Nelson’s Sparrow Seaside Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Bobolink Eastern Meadowlark Louisiana Waterthrush Worm-eating Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Kentucky Warbler MOURNING WARBLER American Redstart Black and white Warbler Northern Parula Northern Yellow Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Summer Tanager Dickcissel
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: June 5, 2026 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
For Friday, June 5th this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science in Greenville. The Birdline is sponsored by the Delaware Ornithological Society (DOS). Statements made on the Birdline do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors. This is Andy Ednie, glad to be with you. The unofficial Delaware Annual List remained at 308 species this week.
The last gasp of spring migration moved through on Monday with a MOURNING WARBLER reported at the Hopkins Nature Center in White Clay Creek State Park, along with NORTHERN PARULA, AMERICAN REDSTART and NORTHERN YELLOW WARBLER. BOBOLINKS are still on territory at Smith’s Mill Road aerodrome field. WILD TURKEY was photographed at Carpenter Recreational Area. SPOTTED SANDPIPER and WARBLING VIREO were found at Carousel Farms County Park. KENTUCKY and PROTHONOTARY WARBLER continues to sing on territory at Brandywine Creek State Park. A LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was reported at Winterthur Museum and Gardens. A drake COMMON MERGANSER was photographed at Brandywine Park in Wilmington. A female COMMON MERGANSER with 6 young was seen on the Red Clay Creek at Auburn Valley State Park.
Shorebirds are still on the move. A flight of 1000 RED KNOT with many other sandpipers were seen dropping onto the tarmac at Wilmington Airport on Monday evening. Three WILSON’S PHALAROPE were found at Thousand Acre Marsh at the south end of the Reedy Point Bridge, along with DUNLIN, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. LEAST BITTERN, GLOSSY IBIS, LITTLE BLUE HERON, SANDHILL CRANE and PEREGRINE FALCON were also reported. An ALDER FLYCATCHER was reported singing at the Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area. LEAST BITTERN and COMMON GALLINULE were found at the Port Penn Tract.
CLIFF SWALLOWS continue at the Appoquinmink Creek Bridge and Flemming Landing Bridge along Route 9. SEASIDE SPARROW, LEAST BITTERN, and WILLOW FLYCATCHER were reported at Stave’s Landing. Multiple singing DICKCISSELS continues at Charles Price Park in Middletown this week along with EASTERN MEADOWLARK, SAVANNAH and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. SUMMER TANAGER, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, and PROTHONOTARY WARBLER were reported at the Naudain Tract in Blackbird State Forest.
A lingering NELSON’S SPARROW was reported singing at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Shorebirds at the refuge included BLACK-NECKED STILT, AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, WILLET, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, DUNLIN, and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. BLACK SKIMMER, LEAST and CASPIAN TERNS were seen on Leatherbury Flats. GREEN-WINGED TEAL, SANDHILL CRANE, LEAST BITTERN, TRICOLORED HERON, and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were found in the refuge. Late warblers at the refuge included REDSTART, BLACKPOLL, and a WILSON’S WARBLER along with YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS continue to be seen near Lake Como in Smyrna. NORTHERN HARRIER, SEASIDE, and SALTMARSH SPARROWS were found at Port Mahon. BLACK SCOTER was seen at Bennett’s Pier. BROWN CREEPER was found at Killen’s Pond State Park. SUMMER TANAGER, WORM-EATING and KENTUCKY WARBLER were found at the Norman Wilder Wildlife Area west of Felton.
There were high counts of 800 RUDDY TURNSTONES and 35 RED KNOTS at Mispillion Harbor from the duPont Nature Center this week, along with AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, BLACK-NECKED STILT, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and SANDERLING. A flock of BLACK SKIMMER and LEAST TERNs were seen on the Back Beach. An immature SURF SCOTER was seen on the beach at Evans Ave in Slaughters Beach. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON continues to be seen at the Marvel Salt Marsh Preserve. A lingering WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was photographed along the Dike Trail in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, plus BLACK SKIMMER and LEAST TERN were seen on the mudflats. BLACK-NECKED STILT, AMERICAN AVOCET, SPOTTED and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER were seen at Oyster Rocks Road, along with SALT MARSH SPARROW.
An immature ICELAND GULL was seen at Cape Henlopen Point on Monday, along with AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, PIPING PLOVER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, RED KNOT, SANDERLING and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. BLACK SKIMMER, LEAST, COMMON and ROYAL TERNS were seen on the bayside beach at Cape Henlopen State Park. BLACK SCOTER, COMMON LOON and BROWN PELICAN were seen offshore. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH was seen at the Seaside Nature Center and WORM-EATING WARBLER was found at the Biden Center. A WILSON’S PHALAROPE was photographed at Gordon’s Pond, along with BLACK-NECKED STILT, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, and BONAPARTE’S GULL. WESTERN CATTLE EGRET, GLOSSY and WHITE IBIS were seen flying over the pond. ALDER FLYCATCHER was found today along the North Gordon’s Pond Trail. WILSON’S STORM-PETREL was seen from the Cape May – Lewes ferry.
TRICOLORED HERON and WHITE IBIS were seen at Burton’s Island in Delaware Seashore State Park. A KING RAIL continues to be found at Assawoman Wildlife Area. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was reported along the Big Stone Beach Road in Milford Neck Wildlife Area. Another pair of RED-HEADS are visiting a feeder on Angola Neck near Rehoboth Beach to take suet to feed young nearby. In total, there were 5 reports of RED-HEADED WOODPECKER in lower Delaware this week, from Harbison, Bethany Beach and Assawoman. Either this species is expanding in the state, or there’s more people out there looking for them. BLACK AND WHITE, WORM-EATING and KENTUCKY WARBLERS were reported at Redden State Forest.
COMMON NIGTHHAWKS were seen at Cape Henlopen. An EASTERN WHIPPOORWILL continues to be heard at Broadkill Beach. CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW were found at Cape Henlopen and Bethany Beach.
The PEREGRINE FALCONS continue to raise three chicks at the nest box on the Brandywine Building in downtown Wilmington. You can watch the nest box activity on the DOS Falcon cam found at: www.dosbirds.org/citizen-science/falcon-watch/, Fledgling Watch should begin from mid-June into July. Sign up now to help the babies!
Thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Brooke Cherry, Finn Ward, Gary Griffith, Tracee Fugate, Jeff Katem, Rachel Barham, Walt Blackwell, Steve Cottrell, Nate Hughes, Keely Milbourne, Chris Machulski, Frank Lenik, Sam VanHorne, Ed Patten, David Thomas, Martin Selzer, Lynn Jackson, Kassy Mattingly, Jean-Marie Gauthier, Rod Murray, Chris Rankin, Carolyn Holland, Mary Braun, Sue Gruver, Rob Blye, Richard Julian, Alice Mohrman, Wil Martens, John Cater, Bodo Stern, Andrew Albright, Terri Cuthriell, Guy Grisham, Chris and Karen Bennett, Aaron Coolman, Melissa Lafferty, Kris Benarcik, Frank Rohrbacher, Jim White, Kim Stieninger, Judy Montgomery, Paul Beckman, John and Andy Dunn, Wendy Cesario, Joe Francis, Ian Stewart, Mike Moore, Bruce Peterjohn, and Joe Swertinski. Special thanks to Joe Tricarico for list distribution to DOS members. Birdline needs your sightings. Please call your reports into 302-463-0113 or email <ednieap...> Until next wee! k, this is Andy Ednie wishing you good birding!
Date: 5/29/26 4:50 pm From: Andrew Ednie <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, May 29th, 2026
RBA * Delaware * Statewide * May 29, 2026 * DEST 26.05.29
*Birds mentioned BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLNG DUCK Brant Snow Goose Ring-necked Duck Common Merganser Hooded Merganser Ruddy Duck Wild Turkey Northern Bobwhite Eastern Whip-poor-will Chuck-Will’s-Widow Common Nighthawk Black-billed Cuckoo Virginia Rail Sora King Rail Clapper Rail Common Gallinule Sandhill Crane American Oystercatcher Black-necked Stilt American Avocet Black-bellied Plover American Golden Plover Semipalmated Plover Piping Plover Hudsonian Whimbrel Short-billed Dowitcher Wilson’s Snipe Ruddy Turnstone Red Knot Least Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper RED-NECKED PHALAROPE Black Tern Least Tern Common Tern Caspian Tern Royal Tern Black Skimmer LITTLE GULL SOOTY SHEARWATER Wilson’s Storm-Petrel Brown Pelican WOOD STORK Least Bittern American Bittern Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-Crowned Night Heron Tricolored Heron Western Cattle Egret Little Blue Heron Glossy Ibis White Ibis MISSISSIPPI KITE Red-headed Woodpecker Peregrine Falcon Olive-sided Flycatcher Willow Flycatcher Alder Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Blue-headed Vireo Common Raven Cliff Swallow Brown-headed Nuthatch Grasshopper Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Salt Marsh Sparrow Nelson’s Sparrow Seaside Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Eastern Meadowlark Northern Waterthrush Worm-eating Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Kentucky Warbler Hooded Warbler Cape May Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Canada Warbler Dickcissel
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: May 29, 2026 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
For Friday, May 29th this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science in Greenville. The Birdline is sponsored by the Delaware Ornithological Society (DOS). Statements made on the Birdline do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors. This is Andy Ednie, glad to be with you. The unofficial Delaware Annual List increased to 308 species this week.
The highlight of the week was a WOOD STORK found Sunday at the Augustine Creek Causeway off Route 9 south of Port Penn. This cooperative bird continued to be seen until Thursday, but may still be in the area. Parking here is a premium, please park at the fisherman’s area by the spillway to avoid road congestion. Some other species found along the causeway were KING RAIL, SANDHILL CRANE, and LEAST BITTERN
Another new species seen this week was WILSON’S STORM-PETREL off Herring Point in Cape Henlopen State Park. Also seen at Cape Henlopen this week was a MISSISSIPPI KITE yesterday from the hawkwatch. An immature LITTLE GULL was seen during the storm on Saturday, at Cape Henlopen Point along with PIPING PLOVER, AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, and WHIMBREL. BLACK SKIMMER, LEAST, COMMON, and ROYAL TERNS were seen on the bayside beach. Late landbirds included an ALDER FLYCATCHER at the Salt Marsh Spur Nature Trail and OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER on Thursday. A lingering NELSON’S SPARROW plus BLACK-NECKED STILT, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, GLOSSY and WHITE IBIS were seen at Gordon’s Pond SOOTY SHEARWATER and WILSON’S STORM-PETREL along with BRANT and BROWN PELICAN were seen at the outer breakwater off Lewes.
There were high counts of 600 RED KNOT, 2000 RUDDY TURNSTONES, and 500 SANDERLINGS (some in bright red plumage) at Mispillion Inlet from the duPont Nature Center this week. A breeding plumage PURPLE SANDPIPER was photographed on Saturday and a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was photographed on Sunday. AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, BLACK-NECKED STILT, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, WILLET and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER were also seen. BLACK SKIMMER, LEAST, and ROYAL TERNS were seen across the creek on the Back Beach. Adult YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were seen at the Marvel Salt Marsh along with SEASIDE and SALT MARSH SPARROWS.
There were still some late spring migrants seen with 23 species of warbler reported. Highlights included WORM-EATING, PROTHONOTARY, HOODED, KENTUCKY, CAPE MAY, CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA, BLACKBURNIAN. BAY-BREASTED, BLACKPOLL, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and GREEN, WILSON’S and CANADA. The only HOODED WARBLER was reported at Cape Henlopen. A male BLACK-THROATED BLUE was seen today in Milton. BLACK-THROATED GREEN was seen at both Brandywine Creek State Park and First State National Historical Park today. A BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER was seen in Greenville. NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA, CANADA and WILSON’S WARBLERS sere seen at multiple sites.
In northern Delaware, another MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen at Wedgewood Troad in White Clay Creek State Park. COMMON RAVEN and SPOTTED SANDPIPER were at the University of Delaware Star Campus. A lingering WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was seen at Redds Park in Newark. A RUDDY DUCK was at Newark Reservoir. COMMON MERGANSER was seen at Brandywine Park in Wilmington. An ALDER FLYCATCHER was reported in Greenville. LEAST FLYCATCHER and BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO were found at Ashland Nature Center. Evening shorebirds seen flying over Ashland this weekend included HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL, RUDDY TURNSTONE and RED KNOT
RING-NECKED DUCK and HOODED MERGANSER were seen on Dragon Run from Cox Neck Road in Delaware City. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, GLOSSY IBIS, WESTERN CATTLE EGRET, and LITTLE BLUE HERON were seen from Veteran’s Park in Delaware City. An AMERICAN BITTERN was found at Pea Patch Island. A pair of RED-NECKED PHALAROPES were reported at Thousand Acre Marsh along Reddy Point Road along with BLACK-NECKED STILTS, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, and SORA. A PEREGRINE FALCON was photographed under the Reedy Point Bridge. CLAPPER RAILS were reported in tidal areas at Thousand Acre and Port Penn. COMMON GALLINULE and LEAST BITTERN were reported at the Port Penn impoundments.
CLIFF SWALLOWS continue at the Appoquinmink Creek Bridge and Flemming Landing Bridge along Route 9. SEASIDE SPARROW and WILLOW FLYCATCHER were reported at Stave’s Landing. Multiple singing DICKCISSELS continues at Charles Price Park in Middletown this week along with EASTERN MEADOWLARK, SAVANNAH and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. NORTHERN BOBWHITE and WILD TURKEY continue to be reported at Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area.
Breeding plumage BLACK-BELLIED and AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS were last seen in the field off Raymond Neck Road on Monday. A SNOW GOOSE was reported from Shearness Tower in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Shorebirds at the refuge included BLACK-NECKED STILT, AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-BELLIED, SEMIPALMATED, and AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, WHIMBREL, WILLET, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, plus SPOTTED, SOLITARY, LEAST, and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. BLACK SKIMMER, LEAST and CASPIAN TERNS were seen on Leatherbury Flats. SANDHILL CRANE, LEAST BITTERN, TRICOLORED HERON, plus YELLOW-CROWNED and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were found in the refuge. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER and LEAST FLYCATCHER were also reported.
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS continue to be seen at Wheatley’s Pond in Clayton off Route 300. A BLACK TERN was found on Wednesday at the Mahon Impoundments at Little Creek Wildlife Area, along with CASPIAN TERN and 174 BLACK SKIMMERS. BLACK-NECKED STILTS, AMERICAN AVOCET and LEAST BITTERN were also found at the impoundment. NORTHERN HARRIER was seen at Port Mahon and Bower’s Beach. TRICOLORED HERON was seen at this latter location. HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL and SALTMARSH SPARROW were seen at Bennett’s Pier. PECTORAL SANDPIPER was found at the Big Stone Beach Road along with BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH.
A lingering BLUE-HEADED VIREO was reported at the Dike Trail in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, LEAST TERN, BLACK SKIMMER and WHITE IBIS were also reported. BLACK-NECKED STILT and a lingering WILSON’S SNIPE was reported at Oyster Rocks Road. TRICOLORED HERON was found at Burton’s Island in Delaware Seashore State Park. BROWN PELICAN was seen at Indian River Inlet. KING RAIL and RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was also reported at Assawoman Wildlife Area. VESPER SPARROW was photographed along Hummingbird and Holly Tree Road near Ellendale.
COMMON NIGTHHAWKS were seen at Delaware City and Prime Hook headquarters plus their usual residence at Cape Henlopen. An EASTERN WHIPPOORWILL continues to be heard at Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area. Bombay Hook, Big Stone Beach and Fowlers Beach. CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW were found at Assawoman, Georgetown, and Milford neck Wildlife Area..
The PEREGRINE FALCONS continue to raise three chicks at the nest box on the Brandywine Building in downtown Wilmington. You can watch the nest box activity on the DOS Falcon cam found at: www.dosbirds.org/citizen-science/falcon-watch/, Fledgling Watch should begin from mid-June into July. Sign up now to help the babies!
Thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Wil Krohn., Meredith Lewis, Walt Blackwell, Steve Contrell, David Chernack, Lynn Kohler, Quintin Durden, Chris Machulski, Frank Lenik, Sam VanHorne, Amy O’Neil, Lindsey Morris, Ed Patten, David Thomas, Phil Misseldine, Ellie McDonald, Sheri Mcconville, Virginia Carter, Austin Johnson, Nancy Goggin, Randy Fisher, Mike Rosengarten, Bert Filemyr, Martin Selzer, Lynn Jackson, Jason Horn, Matt Felperin, Davey Wright, Jean-Marie Gauthier, Judith Picciotto, Rod Murray, Chris Rankin, Kent Raymond, Carolyn Holland, Mary Braun, Sue Gruver, Rob Blye, Richard Julian, Alice Mohrman, Steve McInnis, Chris and Karen Bennett, Rachel Yurchisin, Kevin Bronson Melissa Lafferty, Kris Benarcik, Frank Rohrbacher, Jim White, John and Andy Dunn, Wendy Cesario, Joe Francis, Mike Moore, Bruce Peterjohn, and Joe Swertinski. Special thanks to Joe Tricarico for list distribution to DOS members. Birdline needs your sightings. Please c! all your reports into 302-463-0113 or email <ednieap...> Until next week, this is Andy Ednie wishing you good birding!
Date: 5/22/26 4:25 pm From: Andrew Ednie <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, May 22nd, 2026
RBA * Delaware * Statewide * May 22, 2026 * DEST 26.05.22
*Birds mentioned BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLNG DUCK Brant Snow Goose GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Blue-winged Teal Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Surf Scoter Black Scoter WHITE-WINGED SCOTER Common Merganser Wild Turkey Northern Bobwhite Eastern Whip-poor-will Chuck-Will’s-Widow Common Nighthawk Black-billed Cuckoo Virginia Rail Sora King Rail Common Gallinule Sandhill Crane American Oystercatcher Black-necked Stilt American Avocet Black-bellied Plover American Golden Plover Semipalmated Plover Piping Plover Hudsonian Godwit Marbled Godwit Long-billed dowitcher Short-billed Dowitcher Wilson’s Snipe Ruddy Turnstone Red Knot Least Sandpiper Western Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper RED-NECKED PHALAROPE Wilson’s Phalarope Least Tern Common Tern Caspian Tern Royal Tern Black Skimmer Bonaparte’s Gull Common Loon SOOTY SHEARWATER Brown Pelican Least Bittern Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-Crowned Night Heron Tricolored Heron Western Cattle Egret Little Blue Heron Glossy Ibis White Ibis MISSISSIPPI KITE Broad-winged Hawk Red-headed Woodpecker Merlin Peregrine Falcon Willow Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Blue-headed Vireo Common Raven Cliff Swallow Brown-headed Nuthatch Gray-cheeked Thrush Swainson’s Thrush EVENING GROSBEAK Grasshopper Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Salt Marsh Sparrow Seaside Sparrow LINCOLN’S SPARROW White-crowned Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Bobolink Eastern Meadowlark Northern Waterthrush Worm-eating Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Kentucky Warbler Hooded Warbler Blue-winged Warbler Nashville Warbler Tennessee Warbler Cape May Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Palm Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Canada Warbler Dickcissel
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: May 22, 2026 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
For Friday, May 22nd this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science in Greenville. The Birdline is sponsored by the Delaware Ornithological Society (DOS). Statements made on the Birdline do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors. This is Andy Ednie, glad to be with you. The unofficial Delaware Annual List increased to 305 species this week.
The only new species seen this week were 3 SOOTY SHEARWATERS off Herring Point in Cape Henlopen State Park today. With a wet Memorial Day Holiday approaching, watching the ocean might be your only beach recreation. Also seen at Cape Henlopen this week was a very late occurring female EVENING GROSBEAK on Sunday, along with WILD TURKEY, BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH, plus WORM-EATING, BAY-BREASTED, MAGNOLIA, and CANDA WARBLER. A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen Monday from the Hawkwatch and COMMON LOON, BROWN PELICAN and BLACK SCOTERS were seen offshore. PIPING PLOVER, AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, and BRANT were seen at Cape Henlopen Point. BLACK SKIMMER, LEAST, COMMON, and ROYAL TERNS were seen on the bayside beach. A late MERLIN was seen at Gordon’s Pond, along with a lingering MARBLED GODWIT. A single WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was photographed at the outer breakwater off Lewes.
There were high counts of 5000 RED KNOT and 10000 RUDDY TURNSTONES, from the Osprey Beach at Mispillion Inlet from the duPont Nature Center this week. AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, BLACK-NECKED STILT, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, and WILLET were also seen. BLACK SKIMMER, LEAST, CASPIAN and ROYAL TERNS were seen across the creek on the Back Beach. An adult YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON was seen at the Marvel Salt Marsh along with SEASIDE and SALT MARSH SPARROWS.
Spring migration has started to wane with 24 species of warbler reported. Highlights included WORM-EATING, PROTHONOTARY, HOODED, KENTUCKY, BLUE-WINGED, NASHVILLE, TENNSSEE, CAPE MAY, CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA, BLACKBURNIAN. BAY-BREASTED, BLACKPOLL, WILSON’S and CANADA. HOODED WARBLER was reported at Creek Road in White Clay Creek State Park, Tybout’s Tract in Blackbird State Forest, Greer’s Pond near Port Penn, and Berrytown Road near Norman Wilder Wildlife Area. A single BLUE-WINGED WARBLER was reported this week at Thompson’s Station Road in White Clay Creek, possibly on breeding territory.
The breeding plumage HUDSONIAN GODWIT was last seen in the field off Raymond Neck Road on Monday. A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE along with SNOW GOOSE was reported from Shearness Tower in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Breeding plumaged WILSON’S and RED-NECKED PHALAROPE were seen at Shearness Pool. Other shorebirds included BLACK-NECKED STILT, AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-BELLIED, SEMIPALMATED, and AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, RUDDDY TURNSTONE, RED KNOT, WILLET, LONG-BILLED and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, WILSON’S SNIPE, plus SPOTTED, SOLITARY, WESTERN, LEAST, WHITE-RUMPED, STILT, and PECTORAL SANDPIPER. Some more birds from Bombay Hook were SANDHILL CRANE, VIRGINIA RAIL and NORTHERN BOBWHITE. Migrant landbirds included YELLOW-BILLED and BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, WILLOW FLYCATCHER, SUMMER TANAGER, and RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. BOBOLINKS were seen along Whitehall Neck Road.
In northern Delaware, a MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen over Valley Garden Park off Route 82 on Wednesday. A lingering BLUE-HEADED VIREO was seen in Greenville across from the Hagley Museum today. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues to be found at Brandywine Creek State Park. Female COMMON MERGANSERS were seen at Brandywine Creek and at First State National Historical Park. SUMMER TANAGER was found at Brandywine Creek State Parks. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was reported at White Clay Creek and Brandywine Creek State Parks.
A LINCOLN’S SPARROW was seen on Saturday at Hopkins Bridge Nature Center in White Clay Creek State Park. WILD TURKEY was reported along Hopkins Bridge Road. A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was photographed in a yard near Newark. A lingering WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was found at Auburn Valley State Park. SWAINSON’S THRUSH were singing in Hockessin and GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH along with BROAD-WINGED HAWK were found at Mt. Cuba Wildflower Preserve. COMMON LOON was seen along the Delaware River at Gambacorta Marsh.
RING-NECKED DUCK was seen on Dragon Run from Cox Neck Road in Delaware City. YELLOW-CROWNED and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, GLOSSY IBIS, WESTERN CATTLE EGRET, and LITTLE BLUE HERON were seen at Pea Patch Island. SORA was reported at Thousand Acre Marsh, along with BLUE-WINGED TEAL, and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. LESSER SCAUP and LEAST BITTERN were found at Greer’s Pond off Dutch Neck Road near Port Penn. SANDHILL CRANE and COMMON GALLINULE were reported at Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area. CLIFF SWALLOWS and a KING RAIL were seen at the Appoquinmink Creek Bridge along Route 9. LEAST FLYCATCHER was reported at Joy Run near Summit Bridge. A singing DICKCISSEL continues at Charles Price Park in Middletown this week along with EASTERN MEADOWLARK, SAVANNAH and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS continue to be seen at Wheatley’s Pond in Clayton off Route 300. CLIFF SWALLOWS were also seen at the Leipsic River Bridge. Some late lingering waterfowl at Port Mahon included SURF SCOTER, BUFFLEHEAD and BONAPARTE’S GULL. BLACK SCOTER was reported at Pickering Beach. SUMMER TANAGER was found at the Logan Tract in the Ted Harvey Conservation Area.
RUDDY DUCK, PIPING PLOVER, and AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER were seen at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. VIRGINIA RAIL, LEAST BITTERN, and a late WILSON’S SNIPE were reported along the Dike Trail. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was found at Turkle’s Pond. PECTORAL SANDPIPER and WILLOW FLYCATCHER were seen along Oyster Rocks Road
COMMON NIGTHHAWKS were seen in northern migration near Newark, and at Greer’s Pond and Thousand Arce Marsh besides their usual residence at Cape Henlopen EASTERN WHIPPOORWILL were reported at Bombay Hook, Big Stone Beach and Fowlers Beach. CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW were found at Assawoman, Georgetown, The University of Delaware Marine School in Lewes, Big Stone Beach and as far north as Bennett’s Pier.
The PEREGRINE FALCONS continue to raise three chicks at the nest box on the Brandywine Building in downtown Wilmington. You can watch the nest box activity on the DOS Falcon cam found at: www.dosbirds.org/citizen-science/falcon-watch/, Fledgling Watch should begin from mid-June into July. Sign up now to help the babies!
Thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Bill Boyle, Sergio Salvino, Lana Glass, Ian Stewart, Clay Chianese, Gabe Kestlinger, Tracy Perez, Anna Champgne, Munene Kermer, Andrew Brehdel, Andrew Albright, Judith Picciotto, Jeff Smith, Joanne Howll, Chris Machulski, Gary Griffith, Evan Jarman, Sheryl Johnson, Phil Misseldine, Jeff Shenot, Randy Vickers, Shannon Molda, Megan Kasprzak, Jean-Marie Gauthier, Bodo Stern, Rod Murray, Chris Rankin, Kent Raymond, Ed Wrzniewski, Carolyn Holland, Mary Braun, Sue Gruver, Debbie Blair, Rob Blye, Richard Clifton, Richard Julian, Alice Mohrman, Steve McInnis Nancy Cunningham, Chris and Karen Bennett, Autumn Heil, Melissa Lafferty, Kris Benarcik, Frank Rohrbacher, Jim White, John and Andy Dunn, Wendy Caserio, Joe Sebastiani, Joe Francis, Mike Moore, Bruce Peterjohn, and Joe Swertinski. Special thanks to Joe Tricarico for list distribution to DOS members. Birdline needs your sightings. Please call your reports into ! 302-463-0113 or email <ednieap...> Until next week, this is Andy Ednie wishing you good birding!
