Date: 1/2/26 4:19 pm From: Andrew Ednie <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, January 2nd, 2026
RBA * Delaware * Statewide * January 2, 2026 * DEST 26.01.02
*Birds mentioned BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK Ross’s Goose Brant BARNACLE GOOSE Cackling Goose GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Tundra Swan Mute Swan Gadwall American Wigeon EURASIAN WIGEON Canvasback Redhead Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup HARLEQUIN DUCK Black Scoter Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter COMMON EIDER Long-tailed Duck Common Goldeneye Common Merganser Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Sandhill Crane Black-bellied Plover Ruddy Turnstone Greater Yellowlegs Willet American Woodcock Purple Sandpiper Forester’s Tern Bonaparte’s Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Iceland Gull Glaucous Gull Horned Grebe Great Cormorant Northern Gannet Brown Pelican Black-crowned Night Heron Short-eared Owl Red-headed Woodpecker Eastern Phoebe Blue-headed Vireo Tree Swallow Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Northern House Wren Evening Grosbeak Purple Finch American Tree Sparrow Fox Sparrow Rusty Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orange-crowned Warbler Pine Warbler WESTERN TANAGER PAINTED BUNTING
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: January 2, 2026 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
Welcome to 2026! For Friday, January 2nd 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 is already at 143 species.
Today, a drake REDHEAD was found at Brandywine Creek State Park. This bird was seen on the river north of Thompson’s Bridge hanging out with the MALLARDS. You can see this bird from the Thompson’s Bridge parking lot if you look upriver under the bridge. The previously reported RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continue to be seen at the First State National Historical Park, Brandywine Unit south of Ramsey Road. A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was seen New Years Eve at Harry’s Pond at the Brandywine Town Center, along with RING-NECKED DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, and GADWALL A flock of 25 PURPLE FINCHES were seen visiting the feeders at Ashland Nature Center, An EASTERN PHOEBE was found today at the pump house between Wedgewood and Hopkins Bridge Roads in White Clay Creek State Park. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were reported at Phillips Park in Newark.
Lots of YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS and HERMIT THRUSH are being seen this year and there are good numbers of FOX SPARROWS around, especially downstate. There were five reports of ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS this week, as birds visited feeders throughout the state after the snow. ORANGE-CROWNS were seen in Newport, Port Penn, Milford and two in Lewes. There was a scattering of PINE WARBLERS reported in Sussex Co. but the furthest north was a PINE WARBLER coming to a feeder near Port Penn.
It was a wild goose chase to start the new year. The previously reported BARNACLE GOOSE continues to be seen in the north Smyrna area, off Clark Farm or Massey’s Church Road. ROSS’S, CACKLING, and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED were seen at Charles Price Park in Middletown. A female COMMON GOLDENEYE was seen with COMMON MERGANSERS on Noxontown Pond near Middletown. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was flushed in Blackbird State Forest near Townsend. The flock of BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS were re-found on Wheatley’s Pond off Route 300 in Clayton, along with CACKLING GOOSE and the previously reported escape RINGED TEAL.
The previously reported female PAINTED BUNTING was photographed at Bear Swamp in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge yesterday. This bird was seen just past the parking area to the Bear Swamp tower at the edge of the marsh. A SORA was found at the bridge near the Bear Swamp tower along with AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. Waterfowl reported were CACKLING GOOSE, TUNDRA and MUTE SWAN, plus COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER. Seven SANDHILL CRANES were found along Whitehall Neck Road. A single WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was seen at the Aquatic Center along Route 9 at Woodland Beach.
SHORT-EARED OWLS were reported at Port Mahon and at Dover Air Force Base. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES were seen along the Big Stone Beach Road in Milford Neck Wildlife Area. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER was seen at Bennett’s Pier. GREATER SCAUP, LONG-TAILED DUCK, and RED-THROATED LOON was found at Big Stone Beach. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON was seen at the Marvel Salt Marsh Preserve in north Slaughters Beach.
The previously reported WESTERN TANAGER continues at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. The bird was seen behind the maintenance sheds at the headquarters building along the Black Farm Trail. WOODCOCK was reported at Foord’s Landing. An EASTERN PHOEBE was seen along Prime Hook Beach Road prior to the intersection with Cods Road. WILLET, SNOW BUNTINGS, and SHORT-EARED OWL were found at Fowler’s Beach.
An ICELAND GULL was seen from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. GLAUCOUS GULL along with RUDDY TURNSTONE and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER was seen on the bayshore at Cape Henlopen State Park. SNOW BUNTING, BRANT, BROWN PELICAN and NORTHERN GANNET were seen at Cape Henlopen Point. RED-BREASTED and BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES were seen at the Seaside Nature Center. There was a flock of 130 CANVASBACK on Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach.
HARLEQUIN DUCK with COMMON EIDERS continues to be seen at Indian River Inlet along with BRANT, LONG-TAILED DUCK, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, HORNED GREBE and GREAT CORMORANT. FORSTER’S TERN, BONAPARTE’S and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, RUDDY TURNSTONE and PURPLE SANDPIPER were seen on the jetty. A single TREE SWALLOW was seen at the inlet yesterday. EURASIAN WIGEON with about 500 AMERICAN WIGEON was found at Assawoman Wildlife Area.
A flock of EVENING GROSBEAKS was discovered at Trap Pond State Park. These birds were seen along the Bob Trail about a half mile south of the nature center along the western side of the pond. There is an interpretive sign for “Hidden Forest” in the vicinity where the GROSBEAKS were found. Also seen in that area was BLUE-HEADED VIREO, PURPLE FINCH, and all three species of NUTHATCH, RED-BREASTED, BROWN-HEADED and WHITE-BREASTED. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues to be seen at the Peninsula Nature Center in Millsboro, along with a NORTHERN HOUSE WREN was in a yard nearby. A big flock of RUSTY BLACKBIRDS was seen at Abbott’s Mill Nature Center.
Thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including David Bridge, Chris Rankin, Megan Kasprazak, Glen Lovelace, Terry Villaneauva, Wendy Cesario, Rod Murray, Kent Raymond, Alan Belford, Michael O’Brien, Brian Henderson, Kerry FitzPatrick, Cole Tiamman, Ken Rosenthal, Andrew Albright, Martha Eisenhour, Natalie Cavallieri, Peter DeGennero, Teddy Burke, Martha Frost, Don Holcomb, Ian Teall, Greg Darone, Carolyn Holland, Mary Braun, Rob Blye, Sue Gruver, Greg Gough, Phil Misseldine, Steve McInnis, Richard Julian, Alice Mohrman, Nancy Cunningham, Anthony Gonzon, Chirs and Karen Bennett, Sean O’Conner, Hannah Small, Jim and Amy White, Ryleigh Sweet, Melissa Lafferty, Jean-Marie Gauthier, Alison Ellicott, Walt Blackwell, Andy Jenkins, Frank Rohrbacher, Jennifer Christy, Sheila Smith, Amy and Declan O’Neil, John and Andy Dunn, Joe Francis, Mike Moore, Bruce Peterjohn, and Joe Swertinski. Special thanks to Joe Tricarico for list distribution to DOS members. Bir! dline 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 and Happy New Year!
Date: 1/1/26 10:47 am From: Andrew Ednie <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] First White Clay Creek census tomorrow
The first DOS census of White Clay Creek will be tomorrow, January 2nd. We'll start at 8 am from the Hopkin's Bridge nature center. We'll go over some protocols and review maps for coverage. Looking forward to seeing everybody out in the field.
Good birding, Andy
Date: 12/31/25 7:12 am From: Ian Stewart <istew...> Subject: [de-birds] Screech owl color morphs
Hi everyone,
Screech owls occur in two color morphs (red and gray) and I am interested in which morph is most common in Delaware (and if the most common morph varies across the state). On theory is that red morphs are more common in pine woods as they blend in with the bark of those trees so daytime predators are less likely to find them, while gray morphs are are more common in hardwoods/deciduous trees.
I thought this could be a great community science project given how many Delaware birders report their sightings through eBird. If you use eBird and get lucky enough to see a screech owl, could you please note in the comments whether it was a red or gray morph, and whether it was in a pine tree, deciduous tree, or a nestbox? That way I can later filter all eBird records with screech owl comments (or even photos). I realize there are some complications (the same owl may be seen by several people and in more than one year, and some red morphs may be the rarer brown morph) but I think this would be an interesting first step. If there is enough data I could publish it in the Delaware Ornithologist so everyone gets to find out the results.
If you posted a screech owl sighting to eBird recently and can remember whether it was a red or gray morph it would be great if you could go back and edit the report with that detail!
If you aren't sure of the owl's color or type of tree it is in then there is no need to get closer and risk disturbing the owl, so skip entering comments for these (and adding comments is always totally voluntary anyway). I am just trying to extract even more value from passive eBird sightings, and hope people enjoy contributing extra data on any screech owls they come across.
Date: 12/27/25 8:34 am From: Andrew Ednie <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, December 26th. 2025
RBA * Delaware * Statewide * December 26, 2025 * DEST 25.12.26
*Birds mentioned BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK Ross’s Goose Brant BARNACLE GOOSE Cackling Goose GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Tundra Swan Mute Swan Wood Duck American Wigeon EURASIAN WIGEON Canvasback Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup HARLEQUIN DUCK Black Scoter Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter COMMON EIDER Long-tailed Duck Common Merganser Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Wild Turkey American Coot Sandhill Crane American Oystercatcher American Avocet Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Ruddy Turnstone Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Wilson’s Snipe American Woodcock Dunlin Least Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Forester’s Tern Bonaparte’s Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Iceland Gull Glaucous Gull Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe Great Cormorant Northern Gannet Brown Pelican Black-crowned Night Heron Great Egret Osprey Barred Owl Short-eared Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-headed Woodpecker Merlin Peregrine Falcon Eastern Phoebe Common Raven Horned Lark Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Northern House Wren Marsh Wren American Pipit Purple Finch American Tree Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Fox Sparrow Eastern Meadowlark Rusty Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orange-crowned Warbler Palm Warbler WESTERN TANAGER PAINTED BUMTING
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: December 26, 2025 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, December 26th 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 remains at 339 species this week. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everybody out there. Remember, this is Christmas Count season!
New this week is a WESTERN TANAGER seen at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. This bird was found on Monday along the Black Farm Trail and seen again today. The TANAGER has been very elusive in the area where the trail bends toward the marsh. Also reported was NORTHERN HOUSE WREN and EASTERN PHEOBE by the Prime Hook Headquarters. SEMIPALMATED and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS were seen along the Dike Trail. MARSH WREN, SNOW BUNTINGS, and SHORT-EARED OWL were found at Fowler’s Beach. SURF, BLACK and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were seen offshore on the Delaware Bay at Prime Hook Beach.
A female HARLEQUIN DUCK with COMMON EIDERS continues to be seen at Indian River Inlet along with BRANT, LONG-TAILED DUCK, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, HORNED GREBE and GREAT CORMORANT. A flock of AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS were seen flying past the inlet this week. FORESTER’S TERN, BONAPARTE’S and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, plus PURPLE SANDPIPER were seen on the jetty. BROWN PELICAN and NORTHERN GANNET were seen flying up the coast. A lingering PALM WARBLER was seen at the inlet this week. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON was seen at Burton’s Island in Delaware Seashore State Park. A flock of 130 CANVASBACKS along with HOODED MERGANSER were seen on Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach. An OSPREY was photographed flying over a lake near Millville and a BALTIMORE ORIOLE was reported coming to a feeder in Ocean View.
There was a triple play of WHITE-BREASTED, BROWN-HEADED and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH at Cape Henlopen State Park. SNOW BUNTING, RUDDY TURNSTONE, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, BRANT, and HORNED GREBE were seen at Cape Henlopen Point. LONG-TAILED DUCK and a MERLIN were seen at the hawk watch.
A female PAINTED BUNTING continues at Bear Swamp in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday. This bird was seen just past the parking area to the Bear Swamp tower at the edge of the marsh. Waterfowl reported were CACKLING GOOSE, TUNDRA and MUTE SWAN, LESSER SCAUP, plus COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER. A single COMMON LOON was seen flying over Raymond Pool. Shorebirds seen included AMERICAN AVOCET, GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, DUNLIN, and WILSON’S SNIPE. SANDHILL CRANES were found at Shearness Pool. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW were found along the Auto Tour.
The flock of BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS were re-found on Wheatley’s Pond off Route 300 in Clayton. The previously reported BARNACLE GOOSE was seen with a ROSS’S GOOSE at Massey’s Church Road north of Duck Creek in Smyrna. The previously reported adult drake CINNAMON TEAL has not been re-seen but the drake EURASIAN WIGEON was found off Pickering Beach along with NORTHERN GANNET. Lots of waterfowl are in the Mahon impoundment at Little Creek Wildlife Area including LESSER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER, plus over 1000 AMERICAN COOTS. SHORT-EARED OWLS were seen this week from the Port Mahon Road. BARRED OWL was reported along the Big Stoen Beach Road. RING-NECKED DUCKS were seen on Tub Mill Pond near Milford.
A flock of 17 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were discovered on Canal Pond off Cox Neck Road near Delaware City with MUTE SWAN and PIED-BILLED GREBE. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was found along the dike at Canal Pond. In Delaware City, a MERLIN was seen at the beginning of the Mike Castle Trail, WILD TURKEY was seen in Ft. Dupont. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was flushed along Clark’s-Corner Road and WOOD DUCKS were seen on Dragon Run at the canoe ramp. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen on the St. George’s Bridge. GREAT EGRET was found on at Thousand Acre March from the Shilling Tract. A total of 31 SANDHILL CRANES were seen on the Augustine Creek south of Port Penn. CACKLING GOOSE, EASTERN MEADOWLARK and HORNED LARK were seen Charles Price Park near Middletown.
ICELAND, GLAUCOUS and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL plus a SHORT-EARED OWL were seen at Cherry Island in the Wilmington Landfill on Saturday. Another ICELAND GULL, along with LEAST SANDPIPER and PALM WARBLER was reported at the Veolia Water Treatment Plant. Waterfowl at the water treatment plant included a female COMMON GOLDENEYE, AMERICAN WIGEON, WOOD, RUDDY and RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP and COOT. Unfortunately, these two areas are private access. AMERICAN TREE SPARROW and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER were found along Hay Road in Edgemoor near the bridge over Shellpot Creek. Another ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was seen at Luken’s Industrial Park in New Castle. AMERICAN PIPITS were seen at the New Castle Elementary Schook baseball field. GREAT CORMORANT, LESSER SCAUP, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and RUDDY DUCK were seen at the wharf in Battery Park.
The previously reported RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continue to be seen at the First State Historical Park, Brandywine Unit south of Ramsey Road. RING-NECKED DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, and COMMON RAVEN were found at Harry’s Pond at the Brandywine Town Center. FOX SPARROW was coming to a feeder in Brandywine Hundred. COMMON RAVEN, CHIPPING SPARROW, PURPLE FINCH and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER were seen at Ashland Nature Center. HOODED MERGANSER was seen at Auburn Heights State Park. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was found at Banning Park in Newport. A pair of COMMON MERGANSERS were seen on Newark Reservoir. RUSTY BLACKBIRD was seen at Phillips Park in Newark. BARRED OWL was reported at Christiana Manor. An EASTERN PHOEBE and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH were reported at Hopkins Bridge in White Clay Creek State Park. A third ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was visiting a yard near Glasgow.
Thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Sharon Dounce, Kate Tullis, Phillip Liu, Martha Frost, Don Holcomb, Jonah Schwarz, Ian Teall, Greg Darone, Carolyn Holland, Mary Braun, Rob Blye, Sue Gruver, Greg Gough, Phil Misseldine, Debbie Blair, Nancy Cunningham, Anthony Gonzon, Will Krohn, Jim and Amy White, Sally O’Byrne, Joe Sebastiani, David Thomas, Clay Chianese, Gary Griffith, Frank Lenik, Christian Scheibe, Wayne Longbottom, Ryleigh Sweet, Jessica Shahan, Melissa Lafferty, Jean-Marie Gauthier, Alison Ellicott, Laureen Eick-Benson, Walt Blackwell, Andy Jenkins, Sheila Smith, Amy and Declan O’Neil, John and Andy Dunn, Sam VanHorne, Joe Francis, Andrea Martin, Mike Moore, Bruce Peterjohn, and Joe Swertinski. Special thanks to Joe Tricarico who recently completed his 200th 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: 12/20/25 6:05 pm From: James Tyler Bell <00000085b810a3aa-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [de-birds] Kent County Brown-headed Nuthtach
This is interesting as this is part of the gradual northward march of BHNUs on the Delmarva. If you look at eBird data, this location is one of the more northerly locations in the interior. They seem to be creeping up along the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay baysides but not so much well inland. There is another report of 2 BHNUs nearby at the Taber State Forest hotspot from June 1, 2025. Possibly the same birds?
Nice find!
Tyler Bell
<jtylerbell...>
California, Maryland
On Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 07:12:17 PM EST, Glen Lovelace <birdbrain464...> wrote:
Good evening,
Today while participating in the Denton CBC, I found 2 Brown-headed Nuthatch on Saulsbury Creek Rd in southwestern Kent County. The site (right at the state line) is part of Taber State Forest where a tract has been harvested, but many single pines left behind. Also here were 16 Fox Sparrows.
Date: 12/20/25 4:11 pm From: Glen Lovelace <birdbrain464...> Subject: [de-birds] Kent County Brown-headed Nuthtach
Good evening, Today while participating in the Denton CBC, I found 2 Brown-headed Nuthatch on Saulsbury Creek Rd in southwestern Kent County. The site (right at the state line) is part of Taber State Forest where a tract has been harvested, but many single pines left behind. Also here were 16 Fox Sparrows.
Date: 12/19/25 3:55 pm From: Andrew Ednie <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, December 19th, 2025
RBA * Delaware * Statewide * December 19, 2025 * DEST 25.12.19
*Birds mentioned Ross’s Goose Brant BARNACLE GOOSE Cackling Goose Tundra Swan Mute Swan EURASIAN WIGEON CINNAMON TEAL Canvasback Redhead Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup HARLEQUIN DUCK Black Scoter Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter COMMON EIDER Long-tailed Duck Common Merganser Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser American Coot Sandhill Crane American Avocet Ruddy Turnstone Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Wilson’s Snipe Purple Sandpiper Bonaparte’s Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Iceland Gull Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe Great Cormorant Northern Gannet Brown Pelican GOLDEN EAGLE Bald Eagle Barn Owl Short-eared Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-headed Woodpecker Peregrine Falcon Common Raven Horned Lark Red-breasted Nuthatch Sedge Wren American Pipit Purple Finch Lapland Longspur American Tree Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Fox Sparrow Yellow-breasted Chat Boat-tailed Grackle Orange-crowned Warbler Common Yellowthroat Pine Warbler PAINTED BUMTING
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: December 19, 2025 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, December 19th 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 remains at 339 species this week. The big freeze is on; Delaware received its first measurable snowfall in two years on Sunday.
A female PAINTED BUNTING was found at Bear Swamp in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday. This bird was seen just past the parking area to the Bear Swamp tower at the edge of the marsh. This is probably the same bird that was reported last month. A GOLDEN EAGLE was picked out over the marsh near Raymond Pool with multiple BALD EAGLES and a PEREGRINE FALCON. A pair of ROSS’S GEESE were seen with the huge flock of snow geese returning to Raymond Pool in the evening. Other waterfowl reported were CACKLING GOOSE, TUNDRA and MUTE SWAN, RING-NECKED DUCK, plus COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER. Shorebirds seen included AMERICAN AVOCET, GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, DUNLIN, and WILSON’S SNIPE. SANDHILL CRANES were found at the Finis Pool. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, FOX and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW were found along Parson Point Lane along the backside of Finis Pool.
The previously reported BARNACLE GOOSE was seen sitting on the ice at Duck Creek from Route 13 north of Smyrna. A COMMON YELLOWTHROAT was reported at Woodland Beach. Lots of HORNED LARKS and AMERICAN PIPITS were seen along the roadways during the snowstorm on Sunday, along with LAPLAND LONGSPURS seen at North Little Creek Road and Bergold Road across from the Dover Air Force Base.
The previously reported adult drake CINNAMON TEAL was re-found at the Port Mahon impoundments in Little Creek Wildlife Area on Sunday. This bird was seen at the southwest corner of the impoundment, and later joined by a drake EURASIAN WIGEON. Lots of waterfowl are in the impoundment including GREATER and LESSER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER, plus AMERICAN COOTS. These birds were seen later in the week on the Delaware Bay north of Pickering Beach when the impoundments froze over. There were numerous sightings of SHORT-EARED OWLS this week in Little Creek, from Port Mahon Road and Pickering Beach Road. BARN OWL was found at Port Mahon. A flock of BOAT-TAILED GRACKLES were found at Port Mahon impoundments. WHITE-WINGED, BLACK and SURF SCOTER, COMMON GOLDENEYE, CANVASBACK, REDHEAD and an immature ICELAND GULL were also seen at Pickering Beach.
ROSS’S GOOSE was seen at Cods Road in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. SANDHILL CRANE and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW were seen at Fowlers Beach. AMERICAN AVOCET was seen at Broadkill Marsh. PIED-BILLED GREBE and a SEDGE WREN were found at Oyster Rocks Road. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was coming to feeder near Lewes. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was reported at Angola Neck.
A female HARLEQUIN DUCK with 2 COMMON EIDERS was seen at Indian River Inlet along with BRANT, LONG-TAILED DUCK, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, HORNED GREBE and GREAT CORMORANT. BONAPARTE’S and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were feeding in the inlet. PURPLE SANDPIPER and RUDDY TURNSTONE were seen on the jetty. BROWN PELICAN and NORTHERN GANNET were seen flying up the coast.
The previously reported RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continue to be seen at the First State Historical Park, Brandywine Unit south of Ramsey Road. RING-NECKED DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, FOX SPARROW, and COMMON RAVEN were found at Harry’s Pond at the Brandywine Town Center. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH is coming to a feeder in Greenville. CACKLING GOOSE was reported at Carousel County Park. PURPLE FINCH and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER were seen at Ashland Nature Center and a PINE WARBLER Was seen coming to a feeder in Hockessin. A CHIPPING SPARROW was seen at a feeder in Newark. A pair of TUNDRA SWANS were seen on Newark Reservoir.
Thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Michael Lyman, Leo Custer, Kelly White, Bert Filemyr, Dave Belford, John Skibicki, Bryan Feyock, Jeff Buler, Don Holcomb, Martin Selzer, Lynn Jackson, Armas Hill, Jason Horn, Ed Wrzesnieski, Carolyn Holland, Mary Braun, Rob Blye, Sue Gruver, Greg Gough, Richard Jullian, Phil Misseldine, Debbie Blair, Nancy Cunningham, Anthony and Kyla Gonzon, Kim Steininger, David Brown, Will Krohn, Melissa Lafferty, Jean-Marie Gauthier, Alison Ellicott, Amy and Declan O’Neil, Sam VanHorne, Joe Francis, Andrea Martin, Mike Moore, Bruce Peterjohn, and Joe Swertinski. Special thanks to Joe Tricarico who recently completed his 200th 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: 12/12/25 4:42 pm From: Andrew Ednie <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, December 12th, 2025
RBA * Delaware * Statewide * December 12, 2025 * DEST 25.12.12
*Birds mentioned BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK Ross’s Goose Brant BARNACLE GOOSE Cackling Goose GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Tundra Swan Mute Swan Wood Duck Gadwall EURASIAN WIGEON Ringed Teal (escape) Eurasian “Common” Green-winged Teal Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup HARLEQUIN DUCK Black Scoter Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter COMMON EIDER Long-tailed Duck Common Merganser Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Wild Turkey American Coot Sandhill Crane American Avocet Black-bellied Plover Ruddy Turnstone Lesser Yellowlegs American Woodcock Wilson’s Snipe Long-billed Dowitcher Purple Sandpiper Bonaparte’s Gull Laughing Gull Iceland Gull Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe Great Cormorant Northern Gannet Brown Pelican AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN Great Egret Black-crowned Night Heron Osprey Barred Owl Short-eared Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-headed Woodpecker Peregrine Falcon Eastern Phoebe Common Raven Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Northern House Wren Purple Finch Snow Bunting Chipping Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow Fox Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Eastern Meadowlark Baltimore Oriole Orange-crowned Warbler Tennessee Warbler
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: December 12, 2025 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, December 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 339 species this week.
An adult drake CINNAMON TEAL was found Thursday at the Port Mahon impoundments in Little Creek Wildlife Area. This bird was seen at the boat ramp at the northwest corner of the impoundment, and later joined by a drake EURASIAN WIGEON. Lots of waterfowl are in the impoundment including LESSER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON AND HOODED MERGANSER, plus approximately a thousand AMERICAN COOTS. The waterfowl season is on hold right now until December 17th, so now’s a good time to check out the impoundments. AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were seen in the Port Mahon impoundment last Saturday. ORANGE-CROWNED and PINE WARBLERS were found at the road to the main tower in Little Creek. There were numerous sightings of SHORT-EARED OWLS this week in Little Creek, from Port Mahon Road, the central tower, and Pickering Beach Road.
A previously reported EURASIAN “COMMON” GREEN-WINGED TEAL continues to be seen at Bear Swamp in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Other Waterfowl reported were CACKLING GOOSE, TUNDRA and MUTE SWAN, WOOD and RING-NECKED DUCK, plus COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER. Shorebirds seen included AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, and WILSON’S SNIPE. SANDHILL CRANES and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON were also found at the Bear Swamp. A late lingering EASTERN PHOEBE, plus WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was seen also seen at the refuge visitor’s center. WILD TURKEY and EASTERN MEADOWLARK were seen off Whitehall Neck Road. The previously reported BARNACLE GOOSE was seen on Duck Creek from Route 13 north of Smyrna. A flock of 37 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS continue at Wheatley’s Pond off Route 300 in Clayton along with a banded RINGED TEAL.
EURASIAN “COMMON” GREEN-WINGED TEAL plus ROSS’S, CACKLING, and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE were seen at Cods Road in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. A flock of SNOW BUNTINGS, plus GREAT EGRET, RUDDY TURNSTONE, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and WILSON’S SNIPE were seen at Fowlers Beach. A late ROYAL TERN, off the Dike Trail at Prime Hook headquarters and a female BALTIMORE ORIOLE was seen in the cedars at the trail entrance. AMERICAN BITTERN was found at Oyster Rocks Road. Lots of WOOD DUCKS are being reported in Sussex Co. with this last cold snap, including at Burton Pond in Angola, The Blades in Rehoboth Beach, and Redden State Forest.
BRANT, WHITE-WINGED, SURF and BLACK SCOTER, plus COMMON and RED-THROATED LOONS were seen at Cape Henlopen State Park. SNOW BUNTINGS were reported from Cape Henlopen Point. BROWN-HEADED, and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH was seen at the Seaside Nature Center. A late OSPREY was reported from the Hawk Watch. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, WILSON’S SNIPE and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER were found at Gordon’s Pond. There are several reports of HUMMINGBIRDS in the Lewes area, but as of yet nothing has been verified. Keep those feeders up and warm, and if you see anything please notify the Birdline.
A female HARLEQUIN DUCK with 4 COMMON EIDERS was seen at Indian River Inlet along with BRANT, LONG-TAILED DUCK, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, HORNED GREBE and GREAT CORMORANT. BONAPARTE’S and LAUGHING GULL was feeding in the inlet. PURPLE SANDPIPER and RUDDY TURNSTONE were seen on the jetty. BROWN PELICAN and NORTHERN GANNET were seen flying up the coast. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues to be reported at the Peninsula Golf Course and a NORTHERN HOUSE WREN was seen in a yard near Millsboro.
The previously reported adult and immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continue to be seen at the First State Historical Park, Brandywine Unit south of Ramsey Road. AMERICAN PIPITS were seen in the Ramsey Farm field. There was a flyover CACKLING GOOSE on Thursday. A LINCOLN’S SPARROW was found along Creek Road by the bridge north of Ramsey Road. LESSER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, PIED-BILLED GREBE and COMMON RAVEN were found at Harry’s Pond at the Brandywine Town Center. HOODED MERGANSER and GADWALL were reported at Carousel County Park. PURPLE FINCH and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER were seen at Ashland Nature Center. A CHIPPING SPARROW was seen at a feeder in Newark. BARRED OWL was found at Phillips Park near the Newark Train Station.
An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was found under a cedar tree in Wilmington near Augustine Cut-off. A male BLACK-THRAOTED BLUE WARBLER was found in Alapocos Run State Park by the newly opened Bancroft Bridge. A TENNESSEE WARBLER was found in a yard near Bull Hill in the town of New Castle, along with a HUMMINGBIRD that was not able to be identified. RED-BREASTED and COMMON MERGANSER, RUDDY DUCK, and FOX SPARROW were reported at Battery Park. A PEREGRINE FALCON was reported in downtown Wilmington from the Hercules Building. A late lingering BARN SWALLOW was photographed at the Wilmington Wastewater Treatment Plant off Hay Road. An immature ICELAND GULL was photographed over the Christina River from Mayor Babiarz Park at the end of 7th Street.
And thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Peter Schuyler. Wil Martens, Dan Polite. Chad Wood. Sheila Smith, Cole Tiemann, George Davis, Carter Chambers, Kelly White, Bert Filemyr, Mike Rosengarten, Don Holcomb, Martin Selzer, Armas Hill, Jason Horn, Ed Wrzesnieski, Rod Murray, Carolyn Holland, Rob Blye, Sue Gruver, Greg Gough, Richard Jullian, Phil Misseldine, Ann Dinkel, Debbie Blair, Rob Schroeder, Randy Fisher, Anthony Gonzon, Kim Steininger, David Brown, Will Krohn, Aaron Coolman, Melissa Lafferty, Jean-Marie Gauthier, Alison Ellicott, Amy and Declan O’Neil, Sam VanHorne, Joe Francis, Chris Machulski, Sally O’Byrne, Andrea Martin, Mike Moore, Bruce Peterjohn, and Joe Swertinski. Special thanks to Joe Tricarico who recently completed his 200th 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 birdin! g!
Date: 12/5/25 4:36 pm From: Andrew Ednie <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, December 5th, 2025
RBA * Delaware * Statewide * December 05, 2025 * DEST 25.12.05
*Birds mentioned BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK Brant BARNACLE GOOSE Cackling Goose GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Tundra Swan Mute Swan Wood Duck EURASIAN “COMMON” GREEN-WINGED TEAL Canvasback Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Black Scoter Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter COMMON EIDER Long-tailed Duck Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ring-necked Pheasant American Coot Sandhill Crane American Oystercatcher American Avocet Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Ruddy Turnstone Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs American Woodcock Wilson’s Snipe Long-billed Dowitcher Western Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Bonaparte’s Gull Laughing Gull Iceland Gull Black Skimmer Pied-billed Grebe Great Cormorant Northern Gannet Brown Pelican AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN Black-crowned Night Heron White Ibis Osprey Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK GOLDEN EAGLE American Barn Owl Barred Owl Short-eared Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-headed Woodpecker Eastern Phoebe Common Raven Tree Swallow Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch EVENING GROSBEAK Purple Finch Snow Bunting Fox Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Eastern Meadowlark Baltimore Oriole Orange-crowned Warbler Nashville Warbler
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: December 05, 2025 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, December 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 remains at 338 species this week.
The report of the YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA from the vicinity of 4th and Jackson Street in downtown Wilmington has not been corroborated today. More information is needed, if you know anything about this sighting please give the Birdline a call.
EVENING GROSBEAK was seen at the feeders at Ashland Nature Center feeders, along PURPLE FINCH and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. It seems to be a good winter for finches and sapsuckers this year. The previously reported pair of RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continue to be seen at First State National Historical Park, Brandywine Unit, south of Ramsey Road, RING-NECKED DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, and PIED-BILLED GREBE was found at Harry’s Pond in the Brandywine Town Center. BARRED OWL was reported from Walnut Ridge near Centreville. RAVEN and RUSTY BLACKBIRD were seen at Phillip’s Park in Newark. A RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH was seen in the pines behind the Hopkins Nature Center in White Clay Creek State Park.
A RING-NECKED PHEASANT was seen along Thorntown Road near the Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area. this was probably an escapee from the nearby hunt club. AMERICAN COOT, MUTE SWAN, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and LAUGHING GULL were reported at the Port Penn impoundments. A lingering OSPREY was seen at Lums Pond State Park. An AMERICAN BARN OWL was reported at Bay Pointe near Summit Bridge. AMERICAN WOODCOCK was flushed along the Mike Castle Trail near N. St. George’s. A single immature WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was seen at Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area.
A possible EURASIAN “COMMON” GREEN-WINGED TEAL was seen at Bear Swamp in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge and 3 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were seen at Shearness Pool. Other Waterfowl reported were CACKLING GOOSE, TUNDRA SWAN, and HOODED MERGANSER. Shorebirds seen included AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, WILSON’S SNIPE, GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, plus WESTERN, PECTORAL, and LEAST SANDPIPER. SANDHILL CRANES were also found at the Shearness Pool. A late lingering EASTERN PHOEBE was seen also seen at the refuge
BARNACLE GOOSE and a flock of BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS continue at Wheatley’s Pond off Route 300 in Clayton. A NASHVILLE WARBLER and 3 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were found in the cedar trees at the Aquatic Education Center at Woodland Beach Wildlife Area off Route 9. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was discovered coming to a feeder in North Dover. A pair of AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS along with SURF SCOTER and 162 RED-THROATED LOONS were seen at Bennett’s Pier. The PELICANS were seen sitting on the Brockenbridge Gut sand spit on the north side of the beach.
A light phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK continues along Lighthouse Road at Mispillion Inlet. An immature ICELAND GULL, WHITE IBIS, NORTHERN GANNET, plus GREATER and LESSER SCAUP was reported from the DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS continue to be seen in the cedars near the Marvel Salt Marsh Preserve. A flock of SNOW BUNTINGS, plus GREAT CORMORANT, BROWN PELICAN, SHORT-EARED OWL, and RUDDY TURNSTONE were seen at Fowlers Beach in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Along with the BUNTINGS, an “IPSWICH” SAVANNAH SPARROW was photographed along the beach. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and RUDDY TURNSTONE off the Dike Trail at Prime Hook headquarters. A flock of 2 dozen WOOD DUCKS were seen on Wegaman’s Pond in Milton.
BRANT, WHITE-WINGED, SURF and BLACK SCOTER, NORTHEN GANNET, plus COMMON and RED-THROATED LOONS were seen at Cape Henlopen State Park. A LEAST SANDPIPER and SNOW BUNTINGS were reported along the beach. It was a triple play for NUTHATCHES at the Seaside Nature Center with WHITE-BREASTED, BROWN-HEADED, and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH seen. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, was reported at Gordons Pond, along with WILSON’S SNIPE and PIED-BILLED GREBE.
A female BALTIMORE ORIOLE was found in the trees around Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach. On the pond were CANVASBACK, RING-NECKED DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER and RUDDY DUCK. A pair of COMMON EIDERS continues to be seen at Indian River Inlet with BRANT, LONG-TAILED DUCK, HOODED and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, plus GREAT CORMORANT. A BONAPARTE’S GULL was feeding in the inlet. AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, PURPLE SANDPIPER and RUDDY TURNSTONE were seen on the jetty. TREE SWALLOW and BRANT were seen at Burton’s Island in Delaware Seashore State Park.
The hawk watch season ended last weekend with a pair of GOLDEN EAGLES over Ashland Nature Center Hawk Watch. A season total of 870 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS was the second highest on record There were about 4000 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS seen this year with a total raptor count of 11,600 birds. COMMON RAVENS continue to be seen daily. There were 45 BALD EAGLES at the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch this week. BROWN PELICANS were seen flying along the coast. Thanks to our hawk counters Jen Ottinger and David Brown.
And thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Terry Villaneauva, Keith Steck, Nolan Walker, Ed Patten, Bert Filemyr, Mike Rosengarten, Don Holcomb, David Thomas, Armas Hill, Kevin Bronson, Jason Horn, Ed Wrzesnieski, Rod Murray, Carolyn Holland, Mary Braun, Rob Blye, Sue Gruver, Greg Gough, Richard Jullian, Phil Misseldine, Randy Fisher, Chris and Karen Bennett, Anthony Gonzon, Kim Steininger, David Brown, Will Krohn, Melissa Lafferty, Jean-Marie Gauthier, Alison Ellicott, Amy and Declan O’Neil, Jeff Climie, Kris Benarcik, Scott Northey, Sam VanHorne, Mike Moore, Bruce Peterjohn, and Joe Swertinski. Special thanks to Joe Tricarico who distributes this list 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!
Predictions: Today was the final day of the 2025 season! I appreciate all the volunteers that have contributed to the Henlopen count over the 14 years that I have been at the watch site. Thank you for your time, friendship and dedication to this project!! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Predictions: Today was the last day of the count. Thanks to everyone who made it another great season at the Ashland Hawk Watch! ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Raptor Observations: Several Turkey Vultures, 9 Bald Eagles, a Harrier, a few Sharp-shinned and Red-tailed Hawks, one Cooper's and a Red-shouldered Hawk.
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Carol Spease, Holly Merker, Joe Swertinski, Kim Steininger, Lana Glass, Maddie Martin, Patrick Millar, Sally O'Byrne, Samir Saadeh, Walt Blackwell
Visitors: 35
Weather: Sunny with a few clouds. Moderate northwesterly winds. Chilly with a high around 40F.
Raptor Observations: A decent flight considering the date. The highlight was a subadult GOLDEN EAGLE that started out over the donut came towards us, went out over sledding hill, then soared back overhead! A lot of Bald Eagle activity but only a few seen migrating. Moderate flight of red-shoulders (16) and red-tails (12). Small numbers of Accips. Four harriers including an adult male and juvenile seen flying together as the last migrants of the day.
Non-raptor Observations: 1,000+ Canada Geese, 3 Common Mergansers, 12 American Herring Gulls, 2 Common Ravens, Gray Catbird. https://ebird.org/checklist/S286692931
Predictions: Tomorrow: Last day of the season. Cloudy with occasional light rain. High 43F. Winds SSW at 5-10mph. Chance of rain 70%. Count will likely be shortened. Expect minimal migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 11/28/25 3:42 pm From: Andrew Ednie <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaare, November 28th, 2025
RBA * Delaware * Statewide * November 28, 2025 * DEST 25.11.28
*Birds mentioned BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK Brant Ross’s Goose BARNACLE GOOSE Cackling Goose Tundra Swan Mute Swan Blue-winged Teal Canvasback Redhead Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Black Scoter Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter COMMON EIDER Long-tailed Duck Common Goldeneye Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Virginia Rail Sandhill Crane American Oystercatcher American Avocet Black-bellied Plover American Golden Plover Semipalmated Plover HUDSONIAN GODWIT Ruddy Turnstone Spotted Sandpiper Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs American Woodcock Wilson’s Snipe American Woodcock Long-billed Dowitcher Western Sandpiper Least Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Bonaparte’s Gull Common Tern Royal Tern Black Skimmer Pied-billed Grebe Great Cormorant Northern Gannet Brown Pelican AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN American Bittern Black-crowned Night Heron White Ibis Northern Harrier Bald Eagle Osprey Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK GOLDEN EAGLE Great Horned Owl Barred Owl Short-eared Owl Red-headed Woodpecker YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA White-eyed Vireo Common Raven Horned Lark Tree Swallow Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Marsh Wren American Pipit EVENING GROSBEAK Purple Finch RED CROSSBILL Snow Bunting American Tree Sparrow Fox Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow Eastern Meadowlark Baltimore Oriole Orange-crowned Warbler
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: November 28, 2025 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, November 28th this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History 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. Happy Thanksgiving everybody, this is Andy Ednie, glad to be with you. The unofficial Delaware Annual List remains at 338 species this week.
The previously reported YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA found at the Kalmar Nyckle shipyard last week was last seen on Saturday morning, flying to the southwest but never re-found. The Kalmar Nyckel shipyard is located on E. 7th Street in downtown Wilmington. Special thanks to the Kalmar Nyckel foundation for giving permission to access the area for parking and restrooms.
A ROSS’S GOOSE, plus SNOW and CACKLING GOOSE was found at Harry’s Pond in the Brandywine Town Center. Other waterfowl seen included LESSER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER and PIED-BILLED GREBE. The ROSS’S GOOSE was only seen Monday afternoon. The previously reported pair of RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continue to be seen at First State National Historical Park, Brandywine Unit, along with FOX and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. Another RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was reported at Brandywine Creek State Park, south of Thompson’s Bridge. CACKLING GOOSE was also seen at Ashland Nature Center and Carousel County Park.
A BROWN PELICAN was seen flying up the Delaware River at Bull Hill at the north end of the Town of New Castle, along with a GREAT CORMORANT. A late lingering SPOTTED SANDPIPER was seen along the shoreline there. MUTE SWAN and SANDHILL CRANE were seen at the Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area. HORNED LARK and EASTERN MEADOWLARK were found at Price Park in Middletown. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and COMMON RAVEN were reported from Tybout’s Tract in Blackbird State Forest.
A flock of AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were seen on Raymond Pool in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Shorebirds seen included AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-BELLIED, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, and AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, WILSON’S SNIPE, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, plus WESTERN, PECTORAL, WHITE-RUMPED, and LEAST SANDPIPER. Waterfowl reported were CACKLING GOOSE, TUNDRA SWAN, and HOODED MERGANSER. VIRGINIA RAIL and SANDHILL CRANES were also found at the Shearness Pool. The previously reported WHITE-EYED VIREO continues at the Bear Swamp just past the parking area. LINCOLN’S SPARROW was also reported.
A flock of BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS continue at Wheatley’s Pond off Route 300 in Clayton. These are mostly immatures. The WHISTLING DUCKS were joined by a BARNACLE GOOSE this week. BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS were also seen Providence Creek Academy off Duck Creek Road in Clayton. An EVENING GROSBEAK was heard flying over at Blackiston Wildlife Area, west of Smyrna.
A light phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen along Lighthouse Road at Mispillion Inlet. A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was reported from the DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion. A flock of 14 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were spotted were seen at Fowlers Beach in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, plus SNOW BUNTING, BROWN PELICAN, SHORT-EARED OWL, and RUDDY TURNSTONE. A HUDSONIAN GODWIT was seen with BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and RUDDY TURNSTONE off the Dike Trail at Prime Hook headquarters. AMERICAN AVOCET was seen at Broadkill Marsh. AMERICAN WOODCOCK, BARRED and GREAT HORNED OWL were found this evening at Foord’s Landing in Prime Hook. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen at the McCabe Nature Preserve near Milton.
A RED CROSSBILL was reported in the pines at Gordon’s Pond. EVENING GROSBEAK was heard flying over at the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch. BRANT, COMMON EIDER, REDHEAD, GREATER and LESSER SCAUP, COMMON GOLDENEYE, plus BLACK, SURF and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER were seen offshore at Cape Henlopen State Park. NORTHERN GANNET was seen at Herring Point. BROWN-HEADED and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH were seen at the Seaside Nature Center. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, AMERICAN PIPIT and MARSH WREN were also reported at Gordons Pond. Waterfowl seen included CANVASBACK, TUNDRA SWAN, SNOW GOOSE, and AMERICAN BITTERN
The ROSS’S GOOSE continues to be seen on Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach with HOODED MERGANSER and RUDDY DUCK. A female BALTIMORE ORIOLE was found in the trees around the lake. The male COMMON EIDER continues to be seen at Indian River Inlet with BRANT, LONG-TAILED DUCK, HOODED and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, plus GREAT CORMORANT. There was a big flock of BONAPARTE’S GULLS feeding in the inlet along with BLACK SKIMMER, COMMON and ROYAL TERN. AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, PURPLE SANDPIPER and RUDDY TURNSTONE were seen on the jetty. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON and TREE SWALLOW were seen at Burton’s Island in Delaware Seashore State Park. BLUE-WINGED TEAL was found at Assawoman Wildlife Area near Fenwick Island.
A single GOLDEN EAGLE with 13 RED-TAILED HAWKS were seen at the Ashland Nature Center Hawk Watch today. A total of 70 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS and 17 NORTHERN HARRIERS were seen this week. COMMON RAVENS continue to be seen daily. There were 53 BALD EAGLES and an OSPREY at the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch on Sunday, plus 22 BALD EAGLES seen today. That is a record high of 515 Bald Eagles at Cape Henlopen this season, almost twice as many as previously recorded. WHITE IBIS were seen flying along the coast. Thanks to our hawk counters Jen Ottinger and David Brown.
And thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Ashlyn Thonmas, Baxter Beamer, Nolan Walker, Ed Patten, Angello DelloMargio, Tom Voter, Ian Knapp, Charles Gunter, Armas Hill, Christian Schiebe, Kevin Bronson, Lynn Jackson, Martin Selzer, Jason Horn, Kent Raymond, Ed Wrzesnieski, Rod Murray, Carolyn Holland, Mary Braun, Rob Blye, Sue Gruver, Greg Gough, Richard Jullian, Phil Misseldine, Randy Fisher, Ashley Norton, Chris and Karen Bennett, Anthony Gonzon, Kim Steininger, Wendy Cesario, Will Krohn, Aaron Coolman, Melissa Lafferty, Jean-Marie Gauthier, Alison Ellicott, Amy and Declan O’Neil, Rick Horwitz, Jef Climie, Kris Benarcik, Scott Northey, Sam VanHorne, Ian Stewart, Mike Moore, Bruce Peterjohn, and Joe Swertinski. Special thanks to Joe Tricarico who distributes this list to DOS members. Birdline needs your sightings. Please call your reports into 302-792-9591 or email <ednieap...> Until next week, this is Andy Ednie wishing you good bi! rding!
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Autumn Heil, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue and Autumn for helping with the count in the blustery wind! Thanks to Ann, to Steve McInnis and to Andrew for stopping by! Visitors 18
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, temp 5C, very gusty NW winds 15-26mph gusting to 40mph, visb 23km
Raptor Observations: A decent vulture flight, 13 Bald Eagles, a Harrier, Sharp-shinned, and Red-tailed Hawk.
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Jason Horn, Joe Swertinski, Kim Steininger, Lana Glass, Sally O'Byrne
Visitors: 18
Weather: Cold and windy. Temps reaching the low 40s with strong westerly winds. Clear skies to start became mostly cloudy by the end of the day.
Raptor Observations: A steady flight considering so late in the season. A few dozen Turkey Vultures. Decent Bald Eagle activity with 13 migrating. Thirteen red-tails. Small numbers of other expected species. The highlight was an immature GOLDEN EAGLE with large white patches in the wings and a large white tail base that gave distant views as it migrated over the notch.
Predictions: Tomorrow: Treating this like the last day of the season as Sunday will likely be a washout. Generally sunny. High 42F. Winds NW at 5-10mph. Fairly cold but with the sun and light winds it shouldn't feel too bad. Conditions are good for raptors to be active. Expect light to moderate migration.
Sunday: Last day of the season. A steady rain in the morning then showers continuing in the afternoon. High 43F. Winds SSW at 10-15mph. Count will likely be canceled or significantly shortened. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Bruce Peterjohn, Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Bruce Peterjohn, Heidi McGrue, Nancy Cunningham, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue, Bruce, Heidi, and Nancy for helping with the count! Visitors 16
Weather: Clear turning partly cloudy through the afternoon, much cooler, temp 6-9C, gusty NW,NNW wind 10-12mph, visb 23km
Raptor Observations: A slow start then it picked up in the afternoon after we had some clouds to help spot the high raptors. Both Turkey and Black Vultures moving through and 22 Bald Eagles.
Non-raptor Observations: Lesser Scaup, Forster's Tern, White Ibis, Winter Wren, Am Goldfinch (96), Snow Bunting. One Monarch struggling to beat a path south.
Predictions: Sunny, high 45F, West wind 25mph gusting to 40mph
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Jim Lewis, Kim Steininger, Lana Glass, Martin Karel, Samir Saadeh
Visitors: 25, mostly brief visits from families out for a Thanksgiving hike.
Weather: Mostly sunny becoming mostly cloudy then overcast. Light westerly winds becoming moderate with occasional gusts. Chilly with temps in the low 40s.
Raptor Observations: A decent amount of raptor activity though mostly non-migrants. Turkey Vultures were most numerous with 18. A Sharp-shinned Hawk brought us to 1,000 for the season for that species. Ten red-shoulders and five red-tails. No falcons.
Non-raptor Observations: 150 Canada Geese, 2 American Black Ducks, 4 American Herring Gulls, 1,000+ crows, Horned Lark, 5 Purple Finches. https://ebird.org/checklist/S286382104
Predictions: Friday: Sunny. High 41F. Winds W at 15-25mph. Higher gusts possible. Expect light to moderate migration.
Saturday: Mainly sunny. High 43F. Winds NW at 5-10mph. Likely the last migration day of the season. Expect light to moderate migration.
Sunday: Last day of count. Rain. High 44F. Winds SSW at 10-15mph. Count will likely be canceled or shortened. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 11:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Lana Glass, Marina deLeeuw
Visitors: 14
Weather: Fog delayed the start of the count for several hours. After that mostly cloudy with light southwest winds. Warm with temps reaching the low 60s.
Raptor Observations: Raptor activity picked up once it started to clear up in the afternoon. Fourteen Turkey Vultures migrated plus some large groups (40+) kettling at times. One Bald Eagle. Three harriers and two sharpies. Two red-shoulders and five red-tails.
Non-raptor Observations: 200 Canada Geese, Brown Creeper, 400+ American Robins, 8 Purple Finches, 750 Common Grackles. https://ebird.org/checklist/S286265877
Predictions: Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy becoming partly cloudy. High 43F. Winds W at 15-25mph. Higher gusts possible. Conditions should have raptors flying, though the migration is winding down and the strong winds and cold temps may be a tad uncomfortable. Expect light to moderate migration.
Friday: sunny. High 42F. Winds W at 15-25mph. Higher gusts possible. Expect light to moderate migration.
Saturday: Potentially the last day of the season with Sunday looking rainy. Sunny. High 42F. Winds NW at 5-10mph. Expect light to moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Andrew Albright, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue and Andrew for helping with the count today! Visitor 6
Weather: Morning rain delayed the start of the count a bit. Overcast then partly cloudy in the afternoon, very warm, temp 19C, WSW wind 5mph, fog in the morning with visb 10km then 18km
Raptor Observations: A brief movement of Black and Turkey vultures when the sun came out, one Bald Eagle, a Harrier, a few Sharp-shinned, one Red-tailed.
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Andrew Albright, Donna Hoyt, Greg Gough, Heidi McGrue, Jeff Buler, John Hoyt, Susan Gruver, Tom Stock
Visitors: Thanks to Sue, Heidi, Andrew, Tom, Jeff, Greg, Donna, John, and Maizie for helping with the count! Thanks to Scott for stopping by! Visitors 7
Predictions: Tomorrow: Cloudy in the morning then off and on rain showers. High 63F. Winds SW at 5-10mph. Count may be shortened. Expect minimal to light migration.
Thursday: Intervals of clouds and sun. High 44F. Winds W at 10-20mph. Expect light to moderate migration.
Friday: Sunny with a few afternoon clouds. High 42F. Winds WNW at 15-25mph. Expect light to moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: David Brown, Sally O’Byrne
Observers: Kim Steininger, Lana Glass, Martin Karel, Steve Minner
Visitors: 12
Weather: Some clouds at the start with skies clearing then a thin cirrus layer moving in throughout the afternoon. Light to moderate northwest winds. Temps reaching the low 50s but it felt chilly.
Raptor Observations: Slow in the morning when the spotting was difficult because of the blue skies, then a moderate afternoon flight. Turkey Vultures were most numerous with 37. Red-shoulders had a decent flight with 33. Eleven red-tails and 10 Bald Eagles. Small numbers of Accips and harriers.
Predictions: Tomorrow: Cloudy with rain developing later. High near 55F. Winds S at 5-10mph. Expect light migration. Count may be shortened.
Wednesday: Cloudy with occasional rain showers. High 64F. Winds SW at 10-15mph. Expect minimal migration.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 44F. Winds W at 10-20mph. Expect light to moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Raptor Observations: A few B. Eagles, Harriers, and Sharp-Shinned Hawks
Non-raptor Observations: Evening Grosbeak, Bufflehead, Red-Throated and Common Loons Gannets
Predictions: 70 % chance of rain in the afternoon, high 61, wind SSE 50=-10 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Susan Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Predictions: Tomorrow: Sunny with a few afternoon clouds. High 55F. Winds NE at 10-15mph. Expect moderate migration.
Tuesday: Cloudy with occasional afternoon rain. High 54F. Winds S at 5-10mph. Expect light migration. Count may be shortened.
Wednesday: Cloudy with occasional showers. High 63F. Winds SW at 5-10mph. Expect light migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Raptor Observations: Great flight of Bald Eagles (52), Sharp-Shinned Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks
Non-raptor Observations: White-Winged, Black and Surf Scoters sitting together in front of us, White Ibis, Common Eider, T. Swans
Predictions: sunny, clouds in the afternoon, high 56, wind NW 10-15 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Susan Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Frank Rohrbacher, Ian Teaell, Kim Steininger, Lana Glass, Maddie Martin
Visitors: 15
Weather: Overcast and gloomy for the first few hours. Some midday brightening before becoming gloomy again. Rapid clearing in the final hour. Light northerly winds.
Raptor Observations: A few dozen Turkey Vultures. Twelve RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS brought us past the previous season record of 789 and puts on pace for the first 800+ red-shoulder season ever. Small numbers of other expected migrants including 6 red-tails and 3 harriers.
Non-raptor Observations: CACKLING GOOSE, 70 Canada Geese, 2 Common Ravens, 10 Purple Finches, adult White-crowned Sparrow, 5,000+ Common Grackles. https://ebird.org/checklist/S285657639
Predictions: Tomorrow: Partly cloudy. High 56F. Winds WSW at 10-15mph. A less favorable wind direction but conditions should be enough to get raptors flying. Expect light to moderate migration.
Monday: Partly cloudy. High 56F. Winds NW at 10-15mph. Expect moderate migration.
Tuesday: Cloudy with occasional light rain. High 54F. Winds S at 5-10mph. Expect light migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
RBA * Delaware * Statewide * November 21, 2025 * DEST 25.11.21
*Birds mentioned BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK Brant Ross’s Goose BARNACLE GOOSE Cackling Goose Tundra Swan American Wigeon EURASIAN WIGEON Canvasback Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Black Scoter Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter COMMON EIDER Common Goldeneye Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Sora American Coot Sandhill Crane American Oystercatcher American Avocet Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Marbled Godwit Ruddy Turnstone Willet American Woodcock Wilson’s Snipe American Woodcock Short-billed Dowitcher Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson’s Phalarope Western Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER Stilt Sandpiper Parasitic Jaeger Bonaparte’s Gull Royal Tern Black Skimmer Red-throated Loon Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe Northern Gannet Brown Pelican AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN American Bittern Tricolored Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-crowned Night Heron White Ibis Bald Eagle Osprey Red-shouldered Hawk GOLDEN EAGLE Short-eared Owl Red-headed Woodpecker Merlin Peregrin Falcon YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA White-eyed Vireo Common Raven Northern Rough-winged Swallow Tree Swallow CAVE SWALLOW Barn Swallow Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Marsh Wren Sedge Wren EVENING GROSBEAK Pine Siskin Purple Finch RED CROSSBILL Snow Bunting Chipping Sparrow Seaside Sparrow NELSON’S SPARROW Fox Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Eastern Meadowlark Rusty Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orange-crowned Warbler Common Yellowthroat Palm Warbler Dickcissel
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: November 21, 2025 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, November 21st this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History 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. With one new addition, the unofficial Delaware Annual List increased to 338 species this week.
And what an addition! a YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA was found at the Kalmar Nyckel shipyard on Wednesday and continued to be seen today. Not only is this the first state record and first mid-Atlantic record but the northernmost confirmed sighting. In North America, YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA has only officially been seen in Texas, southern California and southern tip of Florida. The bird was first seen as it flew across the shipyard and landed on the light pole, identified by the white patches in the wings. The Kalmar Nyckel shipyard is located on E. 7th Street in downtown Wilmington. People looking for this site should drive past Trinity Presbyterian Church and Christiana Park, looking for the tall ship on the right. The shipyard has given permission to access the area for parking and restrooms, please be mindful of the equipment and restricted areas. The YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA was also seen directly across the Christiana River at Commerce Street at B&M Meats. It was discovered that! the bird was photographed one day earlier by a truck driver from Ohio picking up Chiquita bananas that posted pictures on the Birds of Prey FaceBook page.
Birding was hopping at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge! The highlight was an immature SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER seen at the north end of Shearness Pool still being seen yesterday. Other shorebirds included AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-BELLIED, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, and AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, WILSON’S PHALAROPE, WILSON’S SNIPE, GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, SHORT-BILLED and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, plus stilt, WESTERN, PECTORAL, WHITE-RUMPED, and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. The previously reported BARNACLE GOOSE was seen at Raymond Pool and then out on Route 9 north of Leipsic on Sunday. Other waterfowl included CACKLING GOOSE, TUNDRA SWAN, and HOODED MERGANSER. SORA and SANDHILL CRANES were also found at the Shearness Pool. Land bird highlights were SEDGE and MARSH WREN, WHITE-CROWNED, FOX, and CHIPPING SPARROW, plus a WHITE-EYED VIREO at the Bear Swamp trailhead.
Birders looking for the CARACARA also found a BALTIMORE ORIOLE along the Christiana River. A trove of swallows at the Wilmington Wastewater treatment plant included BARN, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED and a CAVE SWALLOW seen from Hay Road. At Ashland Nature Center, a female EVENING GROSBEAK continues to be seen intermittently along with FOX and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, RUSTY BLACKBIRD and EASTERN MEADOWLARK. The previously reported pair of RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continue to be seen at First State National Historical Park, Brandywine Unit. The woodpeckers were found along the creek south of Ramsey Road. RING-NECKED DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER and PIED-BILLED GREBE were seen at Harry’s Pond in the Brandywine Town Center.
A flock of 40 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS were seen on Wheatley’s Pond, mostly immatures with brown bills. Best viewing is from the shoulder of Route 300 on the outskirts of Clayton. A drake EURASIAN WIGEON was with AMERICAN WIGEON, LESSER SCAUP and about 400 AMERICAN COOTS at the east side of the Port Mahon impoundments of Little Creek Wildlife Area. There was also a flock of 14 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS continuing at the Port Mahon impoundments, along with COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and another CAVE SWALLOW. AMERICAN BITTERN, SHORT-EARED OWL, and SNOW BUNTING were found at Port Mahon. The previously reported drake COMMON EIDER was last seen at the mouth of the St Jones River at Bower’s Beach on Saturday. HORNED GREBE, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and RED-THROATED LOON were seen this week. BROWN PELICAN, NORTHERN GANNET, and ROYAL TERN were seen at Big Stone Beach. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH was found at Milford Neck Wildlife Area. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH was seen at Killen’s Pond State! Park.
A RED CROSSBILL was reported coming to a feeder in Milford. PINE SISKIN was reported at Abbott’s Mill Nature Ce3nter. NELSON’S SPARROW continue to be seen along Lighthouse Road at Mispillion Inlet. An immature YELLOW-CROWNED continues with BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS at the pond across from the Marvel Salt Marsh Preserve. SNOW BUNTING, AMERICAN BITTERN and SHORT-EARED OWL was also seen at Fowlers Beach in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, along with WHITE IBIS and TREE SWALLOW. A WILLET was among the shorebirds off the Dike Trail at Prime Hook headquarters. WHITE IBIS and AMERICAN PIPIT was found at Oyster Rocks Road.
DICKCISSEL, ORANGE-CROWNED and PALM WARBLERS were seen at The Point parking lot in Cape Henlopen State Park. There was a flyby AMERICAN WOODCOCK at Cape Henlopen Point, plus AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, PARASITIC JAEGER, and SNOW BUNTING. BRANT, COMMON GOLDENEYE, plus BLACK, SURF and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER were seen offshore. PURPLE FINCH, BROWN-HEADED and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH were seen at the Seaside Nature Center. GREAT CORMORANT and BROWN PELICAN were seen from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
The first of the season ROSS’S GOOSE and CANVASBACK were seen on Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach today. COMMON EIDER continues to be seen at Indian River Inlet and BLACK SKIMMER was seen today. There was a big flock of BONAPARTE’S GULLS feeding in the inlet along with ROYAL TERN and BROWN PELICAN. PURPLE SANDPIPER and RUDDY TURNSTONE were seen on the jetty. TRICOLORED HERON and SEASIDE SPARROWS were seen at the marsh by the south campground in Delaware Seashore State Park. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues to be seen at the Peninsula Nature Center and Golf Course near Millsboro.
The was a record high count of 275 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS at the Ashland Nature Center Hawk Watch yesterday. Three single GOLDEN EAGLES were seen this week, for a total of 7 GOLDEN EAGLES this season. COMMON RAVENS continue to be seen daily. Single BALD EAGLES and OSPREYs continue to be seen at the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch, plus MERLIN and PEREGRINE FALCON seen today. Lots of waterfowl is moving down the coast, and WHITE IBIS were seen flying along the coast. Thanks to our hawk counters Jen Ottinger and David Brown.
And thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Jeanette Slopr, Lauren Morgans, Gina Sheridan, Eric Braun, Mimi Mango, Jason Liu, Mike Bowen, Chris Hinkle, Al Guarente, Steve Minner, Armas Hill, Christian Schiebe, Kevin Bronson, Hank Davis, Lynn Jackson, Martin Selzer, Bert Filymer, Mike Rosengarten, Wil Schafer, Matthew Hixson, Kitt Heckscher, Ethan Kang, Lloyd Maier, Sean McCandless, Greg Butcher, Menachem Goldstein, Jim Austin-Cole, Jay Mangel, Ron Furnish, Andrea Martin, Andy Markel, Jason Horn, Kent Raymond, Ed Wrzesnieski, Rod Murray, Carolyn Holland, Mary Braun, Rob Blye, Sue Gruver, Greg Gough, Richard Jullian, Phil Misseldine, Randy Fisher, Ashley Norton, Sussan Russo, Chris and Karen Bennett, Kyla Snowden Kim Steininger, Dave Brown, Wendy Cesario, Will Krohn, Aaron Coolman, Cole Tiemann, Melissa Lafferty, Jean-Marie Gauthier, Alison Ellicott, Amy and Declan O’Neil, Kris Benarcik, Scott Northey, Sam VanHorne, Ian Stewart, Mike Moore, and! Joe Swertinski. Special thanks to Joe Tricarico who distributes this list to DOS members. Birdline needs your sightings. Please call your reports into 302-792-9591 or email <ednieap...> Until next week, this is Andy Ednie wishing you good birding!
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Frank Rohrbacher, Joe Francis, Kim Steininger, Lana Glass, Martin Karel
Visitors: 6
Weather: Overcast with reduced visibility, especially in the morning. Light WSW winds.
Raptor Observations: Raptors took until late morning to become active. Turkey vultures were most numerous with 71. Small numbers of other expected migrants including 4 harriers, 5 red-tails, and 2 red-shoulders. One non-migrating Merlin.
Non-raptor Observations: 25 Canada Geese, 2 Common Ravens, Hermit Thrush, 500+ American Robins, 10 Purple Finches, 20,000 Common Grackles. https://ebird.org/checklist/S285483295
Predictions: Tomorrow: Overnight rain. Rain showers early with some sunshine later. High 53F. Winds N at 5-10mph. Good wind direction, though fairly light. Could be some migration once it starts to clear up. Expect light to moderate migration.
Sunday: Mix of sun and clouds. High 57F. Winds W at 5-10mph. Expect moderate migration.
Monday: Generally sunny with a few afternoon clouds. High 56F. Winds WNW at 5-10mph. Expect moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 11/21/25 5:36 am From: Andrew Ednie <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] First State Bird Survey Rescheduled
I thought it would be a good idea to delay the bird survey until Sunday due to weather. Its suppose to rain Saturday morning until 10 am. Sunday's forecast is for clear sunny day with moderate (5-15 mph) winds. We'll start at the Ramsey Road parking lot on 11/23 at 8 am. Hope to see you there, all are welcome!
Good Birding, Andy
Andrew EdnieClaymont, DE
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Carol Spease, Emerald Lin, Frank Rohrbacher, Holly Merker, Kim Steininger, Lana Glass, Martin Karel, Meghan Donnelly, Sheryl Johnson
Visitors: 12
Weather: Overcast with a little bit of blue sky showing through at times. Light and variable winds, mostly northerly.
Raptor Observations: With overcast skies and not much wind it took a while for the flight to get going. Between 9-11am we had a total of 15 red-shouldered hawks. By late-morning we knew something unusual was happening when we had 52 red-shoulders in an hour. The flight slowed down with only ten in the noon hour before coming back even stronger with 88, 86, and 24 red-shoulders respectively in the final three hours of the count. This brought us to a record total of 275 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS! This was more than twice the previous single day record of 118. It is also an unusually late date for a record flight, with the previous top two days occurring in late October. The flight was high altitude with mostly small groups but some groups as large as twenty! Spotting was greatly aided by the cloud cover.
Quaker Ridge in Connecticut also got off to a very slow start this season for red-shoulders, which usually peak in late-October and early-November, but since November 15th has had a few huge flights including one of 300+. Our two sites are consistently the top two fall hawk watches in the world for Red-shouldered Hawks and are both now only a few red-shoulders away from record seasons.
Other raptor highlights today included 5 Northern Harriers and 28 Red-tailed Hawks.
Non-raptor Observations: 26 Snow Geese, Common Loon, Great Blue Heron, 2 Common Ravens, EVENING GROSBEAK, 10,000 Common Grackles. https://ebird.org/checklist/S285355537
Predictions: Tomorrow: Cloudy. High 56F. Winds SW at 5-10mph. A less favorable wind direction, but fairly light. Could be another decent Red-shouldered Hawk day. Expect light to moderate migration otherwise.
Saturday: Morning showers then partly cloudy. High 54F. Winds NNW at 10-15mph. Decent conditions once it clears up. Expect moderate migration.
Sunday: Sun and a few clouds. High 54F. Winds W at 5-10mph. Expect moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 13:30:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Heidi McGrue, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue and Heidi for helping with the count today! Thanks to Jean for stopping by. Visitors 4
Weather: Overcast, temp 9C, very light N winds turning E in the afternoon, visb 18km
Raptor Observations: A good Turkey Vulture flight, 5 Bald Eagles, 8 Harriers, a few Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks, a couple of Red-shouldered, 18 Red-tailed and a Merlin.
Non-raptor Observations: Am Oystercatcher, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Purple Finch
Predictions: Cloudy, high 58F, light S wind 5mph ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 13:30:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Frank Rohrbacher, Lana Glass, Meghan Donnelly
Visitors: 5
Weather: Count shortened at both ends due to poor weather. Misty rain to start then remaining overcast with reduced visibility. Light northeasterly winds.
Raptor Observations: The only migrants were a Northern Harrier, 2 Cooper's Hawks, and 5 Red-shouldered Hawks. Also seen were a Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, and some Turkey Vultures.
Predictions: Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy. High near 50F. Winds light and variable. Expect Light to moderate migration. If conditions are good enough for lift then red-shoulders could be on the move.
Friday: Overcast. High 56F. Winds SW at 5-10mph. Expect light to moderate migration.
Saturday: Cloudy early then partial clearing. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 51F. Winds NNW at 10-15mph. Expect Moderate to good migration once it clears up. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
