Date: 1/14/25 10:43 am From: Meg Kolodick <000000dc3b46d747-dmarc-request...> Subject: Our yard, Seneca, Venango Co.
We have posted sightings all year, but I want to address the birds that regularly visit here, spring and/or fall, in Seneca, Venango Co., that failed to show up at all at our yard in 2024: Indigo bunting, Hermit thrush, White-crowned sparrow, Blue-winged warbler, Mourning warbler. They were probably seen in the county, but we always had these birds at one point. Not this year. Does anyone else have notable non-sightings? Meg/Nick Kolodick
This is the 7th year for our Northwest Route, which is all north of Rt. 22, west of Rt. 66 and brushes the Allegheny River in the northwest corner of the County.
We had a late start as we waited out the morning snow flurries, which was followed by mostly blue skies. It was very nice to see two adult Bald Eagles at the Lower Burrell Township nest that is near the Allegheny River. Not a bad result today as our total of 21 raptors was right on the average for this Route.
County: Westmoreland
Name of route - Kuehl Northwest / PSO map number: 655
Date - January 13, 2025
Observers - Tom & Janet Kuehl
Survey time (minus breaks) : Hrs: 3 Mins: 53
Start/End: 11:30am / 3:33pm (10 minutes on breaks)
Approx. Miles on route: 56.3
Avg Temp.- 35F
Clear/Pt cloudy/Cloudy- (Mostly) Clear
Wind - Calm/Light/medium- Medium
Avg. Inches Snow cover- 6"
# Red-tails- 17
# Kestrels- TOTAL 1 (#M=1)-
# TVs- 2
# Red-shoulders - 1 Adult
# Bald Eagles- 2 Ad = 2
COMMENTS?
Our best non-raptor bird was a Hermit Thrush that was eating Privet berries. We also saw Eastern Bluebirds and Northern Mockingbirds.
Date: 1/12/25 2:57 pm From: Tom Kuehl <tjk.kuehl...> Subject: Westmoreland County WRS - Kuehl Crabtree Route - 30 Raptors including Merlin and Northern Harrier
Greg and All,
This is the 14th year for our Crabtree Westmoreland County Route (PSO #652). The route is located south of Rt. 22 and east of Rt. 66 and west of Chestnut Ridge - starts in Delmont, winds through the farmlands around Crabtree and extends east to the Indiana County border near Blairsville.
Low Total and Red-tailed Hawk numbers, however excellent variety today with 6 raptors species without sightings of any Turkey or Black Vultures. We tallied 30 Raptors today so quite a bit lower than the 13-year average of 39, and we recorded 23 Red-tailed Hawks; the high-count for this species was 54 in 2016 and the low was 14 in 2014.
County - Westmoreland
Route- Crabtree / PSO map number 652
Date - January 12, 2025
Obs.- Tom and Janet Kuehl, and Mark McConaughy
Survey time (subtract breaks) : Hours: 5 Minutes- 0
Start/End time: 10:00am / 3:20pm 20 minutes on 2 breaks
Miles on route: 78.9
Avg Temp.- 28F
Percent Cloud Cover - 95%
Wind - Calm/Light/Modest (cancel on strong) - Calm
Inches Snow cover- 6"
# Harriers (age/sex if poss.)- 1 Adult Male Average = .58
# Red-tails- 23 Average = 31
# Kestrels- 3 (#M= 2/ND=1) Average = 4.33
# Red-shoulders - 1 Adult Surprisingly, just the second one on this route
# Cooper's - 1 Adult Average = 1.5
# Merlin - 1 This is the 3rd Merlin for this route.
COMMENTS?
The Merlin was perched in a distant tree, so ID confirmed by photo and scope look.
A nice collection of good sightings including 4 Hooded Mergansers on Loyalhanna Creek, Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Mockingbirds, 15 Horned Larks, one Tree Sparrow, 3 White-crowned Sparrows and 6 Eastern Meadowlarks. Thanks to Mark for entering most of the observations in eBird to record species in blocks for the Third Pennsylvania Birding Atlas.
Tom Kuehl
Westmoreland County Compiler
Tom and Janet Kuehl
Southwest Regional Coordinators and Westmoreland County Coordinators
Last evening we stopped by Miller Ponds to watch and photograph the Short-eared Owls. Two swans flew over. I assumed they were Tundra Swans until they started calling, the honking bugle of Trumpeter Swans.
Date: 1/12/25 9:29 am From: Donna Collett <dcollett57...> Subject: Turkey Vultures Beaver County
Two, Turkey Vultures were cruising over Buchanon Tree Farm on Route 18 , Beaver Cty. Back a bit further a beautiful Red shouldered Hawk was sitting on old pole across from Church. Continuing north a Coyote crossed right in front of me . Raccoon Creek SP Lake frozen but saw two Kingfisher by dam . Lots of Juncos and Jay's.
Date: 1/12/25 8:46 am From: jerry Kruth <00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...> Subject: Nestbox building opportunity -- Pittsburgh
Hello Everybody, and Happy New Year!
The "dead" of winter is the optimum time to be building nestboxes for our feathered friends. If you've wanted to get it done, but lack the tools, or the experience, or just haven't done it yet, well, now's the time of year to "just do it."
I've built a few boxes myself over the years and am willing to help!
If you live near the Pittsburgh area, and have the boards, and need them cut and milled to the right size, and the entrance hole drilled out, etc.,bring them to me! I'll cut them to the right size, then help you screw them together (better than nails), and prepare them for mounting outside!
After decades of "dumpster diving" for wood sheeting boards, at 75, I'm not climbing into dumpsters much these days to retrieve boards. But you can! That's where I have been able to obtain my "raw materials," for building. But if you live in any urban area, you'll always see a dumpster somewhere, and those long, wide boards with paint and nails that often get discarded are just perfect for"recycle/reuse/" In all the hundreds of boxes I've built, I've never bought a board --always got them dumpster diving (it did help once, that a lumber supply house gave me a pallet full of warped sheeting boards, that were perfect when cut into 9" and 15" pieces), So you can ask at the local lumber yard if they have any warped or split sheeting boards and will they give/sell at a discount?
Maybe next weekend, January 18-19, or the one after, Jan 25-26, I might hold a little gathering in my own cellar in the East End of Pittsburgh, if anyone is interested? Bring your boards, we'll cut them for you. They should be 3/4" thick (called 1"), and either of 4" MINIMUM width, and up to 6 1/2" width. If the boards are wider, no worries, we'll mill them down for you, but they shouldn't be the 1 1/2" width; they are bulky and heavy, but possible. If used board have nails in them, we'll pull and clean. Paint? No problem! We'll sort that out too! I'll have screws, nails, and tools. If you have your own cordless drill that would be helpful; I have only one.
If you want a screech owl (or kestrel) box, you should have boards 9 1/4" wide, and also some 11 1/4" wide, as the optimum. We can work with a smaller width possibly, depending on what you have and what you want.
I've often been active with the local Audubon chapters, both with Bartramian (Slippery Rock), and ASWP (Pgh) Chapters. If either would like such an activity, I'm happy to help, so anyone interested, send me a note, and we'll see how things shake out!
Date: 1/11/25 4:49 am From: Mary Phalan <ma.phalan1...> Subject: Re: The Day We Took President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Birdwatching
I'm particularly tickled that he came to my childhood stomping grounds:
Alan Seeger. I loved that place and still do.
On Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 6:47 AM Georgia Shalek <gshalek...> wrote:
> What a wonderful experience, and how interested and nimble they were.
> They represent everything we would hope to have in our leaders.
>
> On Fri, Jan 10, 2025, 12:39 PM Grove, Deborah Shuey <dsg4...> wrote:
>
> > Some people wanted to know more about the details of our morning with the
> > Carters. I just sent an article to our local newspaper . Of course the
> > paper will have a photo that I cannot attach through this listserve.
> >
> > The Day We Took President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Birdwatching
> > By Deb Grove
> >
> > On Memorial Day 2005 we took the Carters birdwatching at Alan Seeger and
> > Bear Meadows Natural Areas in Rothrock State Forest in Huntingdon and
> > Centre counties. How did it happen? I read an article by President
> Carter,
> > “The Remarkable Rio Grande Valley”, in the September/October 2004 issue
> > Bird Watcher’s Digest.
> > I knew that he and Rosalynn had been coming to the Harpster farm near
> > Spruce Creek for many years for fishing and relaxation. In fact, Harpster
> > met Carter in 1978 when a member of the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club
> > invited him to come and fish. I decided that they needed to see some
> > Huntingdon County birds. So I stuck my neck out and sent him a letter.
> > In the letter to the Carters I mentioned that he was very close to great
> > birding in Huntingdon county and that we had 23 species of breeding
> > warblers. Then I forgot about it. So I was really surprised when I got a
> > call from the Carter Center telling me that the Carters were
> interested! A
> > decision was made to come on Memorial Day May 30, 2005.
> > In preparation I can’t remember the details of us being checked out but I
> > do remember the scouting trip with the Secret Service agent to Alan
> Seeger
> > Natural Area and other sites that we would be visiting. We arrived at the
> > area and walked the trail through the rhododendrons and beyond on the
> spur
> > to Detweiler Run valley.
> > On the way we talked about what we would be doing and he was really
> > surprised when he found that his phone did not work deep in Rothrock
> > Forest. One more thing to work out.
> > After he dropped me off, he told me he had to go to each hospital in the
> > area which included Mount Nittany in State College, Lewistown Hospital,
> and
> > Blair in Huntingdon.
> > Before the date we would be getting together, I scouted Alan Seeger
> > Natural Area, a site nearby where Northern Goshawks had nested, and Bear
> > Meadows Natural Area. In particular, I was looking for Canada Warblers,
> > Black-throated Blue Warblers, Black-throated Green Warblers, Louisiana
> > Waterthrush, Blackburnian Warblers, and Hooded Warblers among others. Of
> > course, I had birded in the area many times so I was fairly confident of
> > finding some of these species.
> > The morning came and my husband Greg, son Lewis and I drove to the
> > Harpster farm, arriving about 5:30 am. And there he and Rosalynn were!
> Off
> > we went back over Tussey mountain, the fourth and last in line following
> > big black SUVs. We went to Alan Seeger Natural Area not far from our home
> > at McAlevys Fort. No one was out to see the little convoy.
> > At Alan Seeger we were introduced to the Carters and went off down the
> > trail. The main bridge was broken from floods and with some of the boards
> > missing. A Secret Service agent offered to help the Carters, Rosalynn at
> 77
> > years and the President at 80, but they declined assistance. The Secret
> > Service agent who had driven me to check out the area had said that she
> was
> > the better at fishing and could scramble up and down the banks of a
> creek.
> > So far, no sounds from the expected Canada Warblers, usually at the
> > beginning of the trail.
> > It was about 46 degrees, very cold for a Memorial Day, and likely the
> > reason for the lack of bird activity. The cold stayed with us along the
> > rest of the trail with few of the expected birds moving or singing.
> > Our visitors did enjoy the Rhododendron tunnel and the old hemlocks
> lining
> > the trail. (When we moved to McAlevys Fort in 1985, there was still a
> 1000
> > year old tree standing and another close by on the ground, now long
> gone).
> > We finally emerged on Standing Stone Road with depressingly few birds in
> a
> > place and an area where there should have been much activity and bird
> song.
> > President Carter spent a lot of time talking to Lewis about what he did,
> > including his degree in Nuclear Engineering, and telling him about some
> of
> > his own experiences. He mentioned his book “An Outdoor Journal:
> Adventures
> > and Reflections” and said he would send Lewis one. And one arrived not
> long
> > afterward.
> > We crossed the road to the spur to Detweiler, hoping to find one of the
> > Hooded Warblers usually in that area. Nothing. We did see someone coming
> > down the trail towards us and it turned out it was one of the Secret
> > Service men who had circled around to check out the area. Then one of the
> > others motioned to Greg and pointed whispering… Yes it was a Dark-eyed
> > Junco! Finally a bird!
> > Then we went on up to Bear Meadows where we finally found a Hooded
> > Warbler, a new bird (a “life-bird”) for them and Rosalynn was happy.
> There
> > was also a colorful drake Wood Duck on a limb of a dead tree with a hole
> > behind it. President Carter regretted not bringing his camera and
> remarked
> > about what a beautiful bird it was.
> > At one point a van drove past, the only vehicle we would see, and if
> > the driver had looked to his left, he would have seen Carter with his
> > famous grin standing less than a yard away. Rosalynn then declared that
> she
> > was really cold (in fact, she appeared to be shivering!) and wanted to go
> > back to the farm and sit in front of a fireplace and warm up. I wanted a
> > photo of us, but how do you ask? Then President Carter said How about a
> > picture? Of course!
> > So ended our Birding Trip with the Carters. Up until then, I had been
> > calm about the whole experience but after they left, I suddenly felt
> > butterflies. We left the area and went to the Waffle Shop in State
> College
> > to warm up and talk over what had just happened.
> > Few of us get a chance to spend time with our heroes but when we do, the
> > experience soars high in our memory.
> > A special thanks to my husband Greg Grove for helping me remember the
> > details of our morning and edit this story.
> >
>
Date: 1/11/25 3:47 am From: Georgia Shalek <gshalek...> Subject: Re: The Day We Took President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Birdwatching
What a wonderful experience, and how interested and nimble they were.
They represent everything we would hope to have in our leaders.
On Fri, Jan 10, 2025, 12:39 PM Grove, Deborah Shuey <dsg4...> wrote:
> Some people wanted to know more about the details of our morning with the
> Carters. I just sent an article to our local newspaper . Of course the
> paper will have a photo that I cannot attach through this listserve.
>
> The Day We Took President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Birdwatching
> By Deb Grove
>
> On Memorial Day 2005 we took the Carters birdwatching at Alan Seeger and
> Bear Meadows Natural Areas in Rothrock State Forest in Huntingdon and
> Centre counties. How did it happen? I read an article by President Carter,
> “The Remarkable Rio Grande Valley”, in the September/October 2004 issue
> Bird Watcher’s Digest.
> I knew that he and Rosalynn had been coming to the Harpster farm near
> Spruce Creek for many years for fishing and relaxation. In fact, Harpster
> met Carter in 1978 when a member of the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club
> invited him to come and fish. I decided that they needed to see some
> Huntingdon County birds. So I stuck my neck out and sent him a letter.
> In the letter to the Carters I mentioned that he was very close to great
> birding in Huntingdon county and that we had 23 species of breeding
> warblers. Then I forgot about it. So I was really surprised when I got a
> call from the Carter Center telling me that the Carters were interested! A
> decision was made to come on Memorial Day May 30, 2005.
> In preparation I can’t remember the details of us being checked out but I
> do remember the scouting trip with the Secret Service agent to Alan Seeger
> Natural Area and other sites that we would be visiting. We arrived at the
> area and walked the trail through the rhododendrons and beyond on the spur
> to Detweiler Run valley.
> On the way we talked about what we would be doing and he was really
> surprised when he found that his phone did not work deep in Rothrock
> Forest. One more thing to work out.
> After he dropped me off, he told me he had to go to each hospital in the
> area which included Mount Nittany in State College, Lewistown Hospital, and
> Blair in Huntingdon.
> Before the date we would be getting together, I scouted Alan Seeger
> Natural Area, a site nearby where Northern Goshawks had nested, and Bear
> Meadows Natural Area. In particular, I was looking for Canada Warblers,
> Black-throated Blue Warblers, Black-throated Green Warblers, Louisiana
> Waterthrush, Blackburnian Warblers, and Hooded Warblers among others. Of
> course, I had birded in the area many times so I was fairly confident of
> finding some of these species.
> The morning came and my husband Greg, son Lewis and I drove to the
> Harpster farm, arriving about 5:30 am. And there he and Rosalynn were! Off
> we went back over Tussey mountain, the fourth and last in line following
> big black SUVs. We went to Alan Seeger Natural Area not far from our home
> at McAlevys Fort. No one was out to see the little convoy.
> At Alan Seeger we were introduced to the Carters and went off down the
> trail. The main bridge was broken from floods and with some of the boards
> missing. A Secret Service agent offered to help the Carters, Rosalynn at 77
> years and the President at 80, but they declined assistance. The Secret
> Service agent who had driven me to check out the area had said that she was
> the better at fishing and could scramble up and down the banks of a creek.
> So far, no sounds from the expected Canada Warblers, usually at the
> beginning of the trail.
> It was about 46 degrees, very cold for a Memorial Day, and likely the
> reason for the lack of bird activity. The cold stayed with us along the
> rest of the trail with few of the expected birds moving or singing.
> Our visitors did enjoy the Rhododendron tunnel and the old hemlocks lining
> the trail. (When we moved to McAlevys Fort in 1985, there was still a 1000
> year old tree standing and another close by on the ground, now long gone).
> We finally emerged on Standing Stone Road with depressingly few birds in a
> place and an area where there should have been much activity and bird song.
> President Carter spent a lot of time talking to Lewis about what he did,
> including his degree in Nuclear Engineering, and telling him about some of
> his own experiences. He mentioned his book “An Outdoor Journal: Adventures
> and Reflections” and said he would send Lewis one. And one arrived not long
> afterward.
> We crossed the road to the spur to Detweiler, hoping to find one of the
> Hooded Warblers usually in that area. Nothing. We did see someone coming
> down the trail towards us and it turned out it was one of the Secret
> Service men who had circled around to check out the area. Then one of the
> others motioned to Greg and pointed whispering… Yes it was a Dark-eyed
> Junco! Finally a bird!
> Then we went on up to Bear Meadows where we finally found a Hooded
> Warbler, a new bird (a “life-bird”) for them and Rosalynn was happy. There
> was also a colorful drake Wood Duck on a limb of a dead tree with a hole
> behind it. President Carter regretted not bringing his camera and remarked
> about what a beautiful bird it was.
> At one point a van drove past, the only vehicle we would see, and if
> the driver had looked to his left, he would have seen Carter with his
> famous grin standing less than a yard away. Rosalynn then declared that she
> was really cold (in fact, she appeared to be shivering!) and wanted to go
> back to the farm and sit in front of a fireplace and warm up. I wanted a
> photo of us, but how do you ask? Then President Carter said How about a
> picture? Of course!
> So ended our Birding Trip with the Carters. Up until then, I had been
> calm about the whole experience but after they left, I suddenly felt
> butterflies. We left the area and went to the Waffle Shop in State College
> to warm up and talk over what had just happened.
> Few of us get a chance to spend time with our heroes but when we do, the
> experience soars high in our memory.
> A special thanks to my husband Greg Grove for helping me remember the
> details of our morning and edit this story.
>
Finally! Have had 2 suet blocks out each day with snow cover. a morning visit and an afternoon one No Northern Flicker as yet, another sp that only seems to come with snow on the ground
Contributors: Mark Behr, Kimberly Berry, John Campbell, Jason Chapman, Richard Chirichiello, Debra Darney, Karyn Delaney, Mary Elsenheimer, John Garrett, Eric Hall, Lisa Kaufman, Michelle Kienholz, Arlene Koch, Glenn Koppel, Yianni Laskaris, Sean Lauer, Chris Lituma, Dan McGuire, Jerry McWilliams, Steve Northrop, Hannah Nossan, Joe Saxfield, Karin & Scott Sinnott, Jerry Stanley, Mark Vass, Robert Walczak, Michael Williams, Carole Winslow.
Compiler: Amy Taracido
Tuesday, 3 December 2024 through Tuesday, 17 December 2024 (two weeks)
**This report is distributed by e-mail only. Compiler is not responsible for errors on websites who reproduce/reprint these reports. If you would like to receive western PA RBAs, contact AMYTARACIDO@ YAHOO.COM
Transcript-
NOTE: TUNDRA SWAN, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GADWALL, SURF/BLACK SCOTER continue to be reported.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY:
At Wingfield Pines on 12/4, 1 MARSH WREN (via Ebird).
On 12/10 in North Versailles, 14 BLACK VULTURES; on 12/11, 48 BLACK VULTURES; on 12/12, 12 BLACK VULTURES (EH); on 12/13, 22 BLACK VULTURES (via Ebird); on 12/14, 36 BLACK VULTURES (KSJ); on 12/15, 16 BLACK VULTURES (SN); on 12/17, 2 BLACK VULTURES (JCh).
At Moody Road pond on 12/12-12/15, 1 ROSS'S GOOSE (MV et. al.).
On 12/14 at Hartwood Acres, 1 LINCOLN'S SPARROW (MK).
At Duck Hollow on 12/16, 1 MARSH WREN (LK).
BEAVER COUNTY:
In Monaca on 12/14 and 12/15, 1 BRANT (MV et. al.).
BUTLER COUNTY:
On 12/3-12/4, 12/6-12/8, 12/11, 12/15, and 12/17 at Lake Oneida, 16 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (KB); on 12/14, 3 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (ME).
At Thorn Reservoir on 12/4, 1 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (DD); on 12/12, 16 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (KB).
On 12/10 at Moraine State Park, 2 PURPLE FINCHES (KD).
During the Butler Christmas Bird Count on 12/14, sightings included CANVASBACKS, REDHEADS, 4 PURPLE FINCHES, 2 EVENING GROSBEAKS (RW), 4 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 2 additional PURPLE FINCHES, 3 SHORT-EARED OWLS, 1 WINTER WREN (GK).
CLARION COUNTY:
On 12/4 in Rimersburg, 1 SHORT-EARED OWL, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER (CW).
During the Clarion Christmas Bird Count on 12/14, sightings included 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 7 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 4 SHORT-EARED OWLS (CW).
CRAWFORD COUNTY:
At Erie National Wildlife Refuge on 12/11, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (YL).
On 12/15 in Pymatuning, RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS (MW et. al.).
ERIE COUNTY:
This week at Presque Isle State Park, sightings included 1 BRANT (12/7) (HN), 1 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (JCa), 230 COMMON GOLDENEYE, 18,500+ SCAUP SP., WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, RED-THROATED LOON, REDHEADS, LONG-TAILED DUCKS, 3 PURPLE SANDPIPERS (12/15), 1 TRUMPETER SWAN (12/14), 1 COMMON RAVEN (12/16) (JM), 1 BLACK VULTURE (KS).
On 12/8 and 12/11-12/12, 12/14, and 12/16 at Fairview Business Park, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (JG, JM, MB, RB et. al.).
FAYETTE COUNTY:
At New Meadow Run on 12/12, 1 BLACK VULTURE (DM).
FAYETTE/GREENE COUNTY:
On 12/14 and 12/16 in Point Marion, 1 ROSS'S GOOSE (CL et. al.).
JEFFERSON COUNTY:
On 12/14 near Sigel, 1 SNOWY OWL (SL).
MERCER COUNTY:
In Sharpsville on 12/9, 1 SNOW GOOSE (MW).
On 12/12 at Shenango Reservoir, 2 TRUMPETER SWANS; on 12/13, 1 SNOW GOOSE (MW).
SOMERSET COUNTY:
In Acosta from 12/3-12/9, 1 ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD (AK et. al.).
VENANGO COUNTY:
On 12/7 at Kahle Lake, 3 HORNED LARKS, 1 AMERICAN PIPIT, and others; on 12/11, 2 REDHEADS, 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (JSt).
WESTMORELAND COUNTY:
At Donegal Lake on 12/4, 1 SNOW GOOSE; on 12/9, 1 RED PHALAROPE (EH).
On 12/6 at Conemaugh River Lake, 1 SNOW GOOSE (EH).
At Latrobe Reservoir on 12/7, 2 SNOW GEESE (JSa).
On 12/10 at Saint Vincent College, 2 SNOW GEESE; on 12/12, 2 CACKLING GEESE; on 12/13, 3 CACKLING GEESE (RC).
Date: 1/10/25 9:39 am From: Grove, Deborah Shuey <dsg4...> Subject: The Day We Took President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Birdwatching
Some people wanted to know more about the details of our morning with the Carters. I just sent an article to our local newspaper . Of course the paper will have a photo that I cannot attach through this listserve.
The Day We Took President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Birdwatching
By Deb Grove
On Memorial Day 2005 we took the Carters birdwatching at Alan Seeger and Bear Meadows Natural Areas in Rothrock State Forest in Huntingdon and Centre counties. How did it happen? I read an article by President Carter, The Remarkable Rio Grande Valley, in the September/October 2004 issue Bird Watchers Digest.
I knew that he and Rosalynn had been coming to the Harpster farm near Spruce Creek for many years for fishing and relaxation. In fact, Harpster met Carter in 1978 when a member of the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club invited him to come and fish. I decided that they needed to see some Huntingdon County birds. So I stuck my neck out and sent him a letter.
In the letter to the Carters I mentioned that he was very close to great birding in Huntingdon county and that we had 23 species of breeding warblers. Then I forgot about it. So I was really surprised when I got a call from the Carter Center telling me that the Carters were interested! A decision was made to come on Memorial Day May 30, 2005.
In preparation I cant remember the details of us being checked out but I do remember the scouting trip with the Secret Service agent to Alan Seeger Natural Area and other sites that we would be visiting. We arrived at the area and walked the trail through the rhododendrons and beyond on the spur to Detweiler Run valley.
On the way we talked about what we would be doing and he was really surprised when he found that his phone did not work deep in Rothrock Forest. One more thing to work out.
After he dropped me off, he told me he had to go to each hospital in the area which included Mount Nittany in State College, Lewistown Hospital, and Blair in Huntingdon.
Before the date we would be getting together, I scouted Alan Seeger Natural Area, a site nearby where Northern Goshawks had nested, and Bear Meadows Natural Area. In particular, I was looking for Canada Warblers, Black-throated Blue Warblers, Black-throated Green Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, Blackburnian Warblers, and Hooded Warblers among others. Of course, I had birded in the area many times so I was fairly confident of finding some of these species.
The morning came and my husband Greg, son Lewis and I drove to the Harpster farm, arriving about 5:30 am. And there he and Rosalynn were! Off we went back over Tussey mountain, the fourth and last in line following big black SUVs. We went to Alan Seeger Natural Area not far from our home at McAlevys Fort. No one was out to see the little convoy.
At Alan Seeger we were introduced to the Carters and went off down the trail. The main bridge was broken from floods and with some of the boards missing. A Secret Service agent offered to help the Carters, Rosalynn at 77 years and the President at 80, but they declined assistance. The Secret Service agent who had driven me to check out the area had said that she was the better at fishing and could scramble up and down the banks of a creek.
So far, no sounds from the expected Canada Warblers, usually at the beginning of the trail.
It was about 46 degrees, very cold for a Memorial Day, and likely the reason for the lack of bird activity. The cold stayed with us along the rest of the trail with few of the expected birds moving or singing.
Our visitors did enjoy the Rhododendron tunnel and the old hemlocks lining the trail. (When we moved to McAlevys Fort in 1985, there was still a 1000 year old tree standing and another close by on the ground, now long gone).
We finally emerged on Standing Stone Road with depressingly few birds in a place and an area where there should have been much activity and bird song. President Carter spent a lot of time talking to Lewis about what he did, including his degree in Nuclear Engineering, and telling him about some of his own experiences. He mentioned his book An Outdoor Journal: Adventures and Reflections and said he would send Lewis one. And one arrived not long afterward.
We crossed the road to the spur to Detweiler, hoping to find one of the Hooded Warblers usually in that area. Nothing. We did see someone coming down the trail towards us and it turned out it was one of the Secret Service men who had circled around to check out the area. Then one of the others motioned to Greg and pointed whispering Yes it was a Dark-eyed Junco! Finally a bird!
Then we went on up to Bear Meadows where we finally found a Hooded Warbler, a new bird (a life-bird) for them and Rosalynn was happy. There was also a colorful drake Wood Duck on a limb of a dead tree with a hole behind it. President Carter regretted not bringing his camera and remarked about what a beautiful bird it was.
At one point a van drove past, the only vehicle we would see, and if the driver had looked to his left, he would have seen Carter with his famous grin standing less than a yard away. Rosalynn then declared that she was really cold (in fact, she appeared to be shivering!) and wanted to go back to the farm and sit in front of a fireplace and warm up. I wanted a photo of us, but how do you ask? Then President Carter said How about a picture? Of course!
So ended our Birding Trip with the Carters. Up until then, I had been calm about the whole experience but after they left, I suddenly felt butterflies. We left the area and went to the Waffle Shop in State College to warm up and talk over what had just happened.
Few of us get a chance to spend time with our heroes but when we do, the experience soars high in our memory.
A special thanks to my husband Greg Grove for helping me remember the details of our morning and edit this story.
Date: 1/9/25 4:32 am From: Rob Dickerson <radickerson...> Subject: Call for Photos
Do you have some great photos of any birds taken in Pennsylvania from August 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024? Or a picture of a notable/significant sighting from that period?
I am currently accepting photo submissions through end of day January 24 to be considered for publication as space permits in the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology (PSO) Fall 2024 issue of Pennsylvania Birds.
**Important Note** Images submitted must be high-res and are preferred to be horizontal shots. Submitted images must be able to be cropped to 1050px x 700px with a resolution of 300 px/in for horizontal images. If space allows high-quality vertical portrait shots may be used, but they take up the space of 2 photos in the layout used by the journal. Vertical photos submitted must be able to be cropped to 1050px x 1313px at 300 px/in.
Some further instructions... If your submission does not follow the instructions below or contain the info requested below, it will not be processed!
- Submissions for consideration **must** be taken during the above date range and emailed to <radickerson...>, please make mention of the word Fall in the subject line to simplify processing.
- Please do not submit me dozens of images for consideration, please do some initial limiting/judging of selections on your end that reflect the best of your work. However, if you have 15 different images of truly notable sightings in the state from this period, I'll gladly accept them for consideration!
- VERY important! For each image attached to the e-mail, you must include a description in the body of the e-mail for that image. Best format to follow: Species Name - Location, County, DD Month. Sentence about significance if known/applicable. (Photographer Name) Example: Antillean Nighthawk - Presque Isle SP, Erie, 12 June. This bird represented a first state record and was observed through 1 July. (John Doe)
- Please also submit your photos for consideration in full resolution or as close to full resolution as possible as these will be printed. Your photo also may be considered for a cover shot and a 250KB image just won't work for that! I need to be able to crop your photo to fit the space as it permits in the journal and a precropped / low-resolution image is problematic for that. It's safe to say that if you're sending me an image under a megabyte in size, it isn't going to be the resolution I need to work with. I also need room to crop the image to the specs used for the newsletter (exact specs posted above) and an extremely tight crop may not allow me to do that.
- Photos selected for printing in the issue will be credited to the photographer, please DO NOT submit watermarked/signatured images or they will not be considered. The image should be clean of any add-ons.
Thanks for considering submitting your photos for consideration for our statewide ornithology journal!
While getting ready to fill the feeders around 4pm, I noticed a large dark bird at one of them. I got my binoculars and was quite surprised to find a Grackle at the feeder. It was there for about 3 minutes before moving up into the trees.
Stay warm! Karyn Delaney
Subject: Beaver County eBird Report - Economy Borough, Jan 8, 2025 To: <delaneykaryn...>
Economy Borough Yard Birds, Beaver, Pennsylvania, US Jan 8, 2025 4:01 PM - 4:44 PM Protocol: Stationary Checklist Comments: 6 White-tailed Deer 11 species
Wild Turkey 10 Mourning Dove 16 Downy Woodpecker 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Carolina Wren 1 American Goldfinch 30 Dark-eyed Junco 21 White-throated Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 1 Common Grackle 1 Was at the feeder for a short time. Northern Cardinal 6
Date: 1/8/25 11:42 am From: Carole Winslow <cjwinslow94...> Subject: Clarion Co- Short-eared owls for the yard list
For many years, I have watched the fields right around my farm for short-eared owls, my own reclaimed strip field and the one across the road from my house. Despite all of the hours and days of watching, I have never seen them nearby to add to my yard list. But that changed Monday night. Don was up at the strip field hunting before dark, and at 5:32 pm he called me to say he was sure there was an owl hunting below him in the field, it had just appeared and flew around briefly before flying across the road. He has been out with me many times to watch for them and so I had no question that he was seeing one. I grabbed the bins from the kitchen and ran out onto the porch on the slim chance I could look down across the driveway and see them if they crossed over. Just like that, my dream was finally realized.. there they were, not one but two owls, flying about together over the snowy field. I watched them for several minutes as it got darker, and they moved off out of sight. I couldn't believe they were actually there. It's not that it's that unusual, as I watch them regularly just several miles away on Rankin Rd, but after so many years, I had given up seeing them here. Last night, I went out around the same time, and sure enough, there was one again flying about through the falling snow in the fading light. Both these fields were stripped in the 70's, but the one they were in has been mowed periodically for horses and such, so it's not totally overgrown. Our own field we mowed at least a third of this year for the first time in years, and so I believe that's what attracted them possibly. But I also suspect it is a good year for them based on the numbers I have seen, and so they may be spreading out more around here to make use of more habitat. Either way, a thrill for me to finally have them here. Tonight, I plan to get out earlier and walk down the road to hopefully see them more clearly.
I don’t have any unusual birds to report except for tree sparrows and several purple finches that are here daily. But bird activity is really high at feeders and millet on the ground. Chickadees are almost constant, with most of them looking like black-capped’s. I’m mostly posting to reiterate what Jerry said about water. My three heated bird baths are being used all the time by every species currently present. One flat one on the ground is especially busy. That’s all.
Sent from my iPhone
Date: 1/6/25 10:30 am From: jerry Kruth <00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Golden Eagle update from Centre Co, CBC data review
Nick,
Thanks for the interesting post, and the great job you do! I, for one, had o idea of the"wave" of GE that move through PA.
HNY!
Jerry Kruth
Pgh
On Monday, January 6, 2025 at 01:07:18 PM EST, Nick Bolgiano <nickbolgiano...> wrote:
For a 5th fall season, I and others watched for Golden Eagles on Bald Eagle
Mt just north of State College when winds were from W or NW. Bald Eagle Mt
is the northernmost ridge in the Ridge & Valley. We counted 303 Golden
Eagles during Oct 24-Dec 22, the 4th season with 300+.
When winds were from the S or SE, I watched from the nearby Allegheny Front
(AF-Sandy Ridge site) for Golden Eagles and counted 162. Total = 465 for
both sites.
The Allegheny Front-Bald Eagle Mt corridor acts like a half-pipe and the
GEs readily switch sides when the wind switches to favor the other side. It
is a very unique and efficient migration system that the eagles have
figured out. So proof of a floor of 465, but I believe that combined with
Allegheny Front HW data, the floor this year was 500+. I suspect that at
least 500-600 use this corridor nearly every fall and more on high
migration years. I'm preparing an article about this corridor, one of the
Golden Eagle's high volume fall corridors in the East.
Also, if you are a CBC site compiler and receive an email from me about
your count, I am doing the data review for PA this year. Bill Boyle of NJ
previously did this for over three decades. Bill is still covering NJ but
passed along the PA duties. I will try to help you avoid any errors.
Date: 1/6/25 10:07 am From: Nick Bolgiano <nickbolgiano...> Subject: Golden Eagle update from Centre Co, CBC data review
For a 5th fall season, I and others watched for Golden Eagles on Bald Eagle Mt just north of State College when winds were from W or NW. Bald Eagle Mt is the northernmost ridge in the Ridge & Valley. We counted 303 Golden Eagles during Oct 24-Dec 22, the 4th season with 300+.
When winds were from the S or SE, I watched from the nearby Allegheny Front (AF-Sandy Ridge site) for Golden Eagles and counted 162. Total = 465 for both sites.
The Allegheny Front-Bald Eagle Mt corridor acts like a half-pipe and the GEs readily switch sides when the wind switches to favor the other side. It is a very unique and efficient migration system that the eagles have figured out. So proof of a floor of 465, but I believe that combined with Allegheny Front HW data, the floor this year was 500+. I suspect that at least 500-600 use this corridor nearly every fall and more on high migration years. I'm preparing an article about this corridor, one of the Golden Eagle's high volume fall corridors in the East.
Also, if you are a CBC site compiler and receive an email from me about your count, I am doing the data review for PA this year. Bill Boyle of NJ previously did this for over three decades. Bill is still covering NJ but passed along the PA duties. I will try to help you avoid any errors.
Date: 1/5/25 8:41 am From: K Springer <springer0707...> Subject: Bald Eagles, Mercer County
There are currently 16 bald eagles just at the Chestnut Run Swim Beach area of Shenango Lake right now. This should make for a good eagle fest next weekend.
Date: 1/5/25 7:59 am From: jerry Kruth <00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...> Subject: Red phase screech owl in box
Linda and I went for a walk the other day,and I strayed down to the marsh to check a couple of my boxes. Nothing in the small nestbox but the usual pile of cattail fuzz for a mouse nest (sigh). I leave them alone for winter -- everything needs a warm place to sleep!
I opened the duck box next to it, and who looks over at me but a beautiful red phase screech owl. Foolishly, the door slipped from my fingers and slammed, creating a disturbance. I heard the little critter scramble inside, and I did not want to disturb it further, so I didn't re-open the box for another look.
Nestboxes make a difference. If you want to DO something for our birds, do nestboxes. More on that soon.
Happy New Year, and remember -- birds need water this time of year too. A heater for your birdbath would have been a nice Christmas present, but there's still time!
My 2c
Jerry Kruth
Pgh
Date: 1/3/25 6:12 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for January 3, 2025
Location: Sunset Point, PresqueIsle State Park
Date: January 3, 2025
Time: 0745 to 0815 AM
Weather: Cloudy. Snow showers, WNW wind to 5 mph, waves2’, temp. 28 F.
Comments: Snow fall was so heavy visibility was limitedto the breakwaters and no further offshore, so I ended the watch after 30minutes. This is my last day of the waterbirdcount for the season.
Waterbirds recorded:
Mallard 13
Greater Scaup 13Common Goldeneye 12Red-breasted Merganser 77
Jerry McWilliamsErie, Erie County, <Pa.jerrymcw...>
Observation start time: 14:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 2 hours
Compiler: Bracken Brown
Counters:
Visitors: 10
Weather: Overcast in the afternoon with snow flurries. West wind 10-20mph
Raptor Observations: Decent afternoon flight of bald eagle
Non-raptor Observations: Common raven ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Date: 1/2/25 10:41 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for January 2, 2025
Location: Sunset Point, PresqueIsle State Park
Date: January 2, 2025
Time: 0740 to 0910 AM
Weather: Cloudy. Snow squalls, W wind to 30 mph, waves4’ to 5’, temp. 32 F.
Comments: Off and on squalls that were very intense attimes with visibility down to less than 100 feet, but there were occasionalperiods when it stopped allowing me to make a quick scan of the lake before thenext snow event began. There was a burstof activity during the first 30 minutes almost entirely of Greater Scaup andRed-breasted Merganser.
Waterbirds recorded:
Canvasback 4Redhead 2Greater Scaup 420White-winged Scoter 5Long-tailed Duck 2Common Goldeneye 4Common Merganser 3Red-breasted Merganser 357
Jerry McWilliamsErie, Eerie County, <Pa.jerrymcw...>
Observation start time: 11:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 4.75 hours
Compiler: Bracken Brown
Counters:
Visitors: 36
Weather: Overcast with bands of rain/snow. Sustained west winds 15-30mph
Raptor Observations: Great looks at both eagle species and young peregrine falcon stooped on owl decoy
Non-raptor Observations: 28 common raven and flocks of canada geese ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Date: 12/31/24 2:34 pm From: Michael Fialkovich <0000012b4af48ab0-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Allegheny County vultures
I'm sure Randy and others remember in years past, Turkey Vultures were nearly unheard of in Western PA in winter. That has changed over the decades.
They were not even common in summer in the Pittsburgh area like they are now. You would see them driving north on I79 in summer once you were north of Allegheny County.
And Black Vulture was EXTREMELY rare away from the southeastern part of Pennsylvania anytime of year.
Mike Fialkovich
Pittsburgh Area
Allegheny County
On Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 12:01:55 PM EST, Randy Stringer <0000014328ddae02-dmarc-request...> wrote:
Dear Birders.
The calendar says mid winter but some vultures are ignoring the bulletin. Yesterday I watched a kettle of 26 Turkey Vultures navigate the hills of East McKeesport.
Just sayin'
Randy StringerGrove City, PA
Observation start time: 10:15:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 2.75 hours
Official Counter: Bob Stewart
Observers: Ed Gowarty,Sr
Visitors: 3.(1 adult with 2 children)
This is the last day of the fall count. The watch will be closed until some time in February.
We thank everyone who participated in the count.
Weather: 100% cloud cover. Winds out of the SE consistently steady about 20 mph/ Visibility 40 km.
Rain at 12:30 PM. Watch ended at 1 PM.
Raptor Observations: 3 raptors. 1 GE- 10:45 AM Adult 2 BE- 11:40 AM Adult; 11:56 Sub-Ad
Non-raptor Observations: An unkindness of ravens= 12 2 Blue Jays. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Robert Stewart (<bob...>)
Date: 12/31/24 12:37 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (31 Dec 2024) 12 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 31, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 4 57 963 OS 0 0 154 BE 3 50 795 NH 0 0 148 SS 2 4 4334 CH 1 4 399 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 2 46 1883 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 17 154 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Date: 12/31/24 10:43 am From: Ryan Tomazin <wvwarblers...> Subject: Re: Allegheny County vultures
Wheeling, WV, just down the road, has had sometimes massive winter roosts of mainly TUVUs for over 25 years. Black vultures have been sprinkled in that whole time. Only a matter of time before the vultures stuck around in larger numbers around the 'Burgh.
Happy new year, all,
Ryan Tomazin
Burnsville, MN (where some people said they had a TUVU a week or so ago...must have been behind the Snowy Owl...)
________________________________
From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania <PABIRDS...> on behalf of Marcy Cunkelman <plant4nature...>
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2024 1:08 PM
To: <PABIRDS...> <PABIRDS...>
Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Allegheny County vultures
Thought I possibly saw about a dozen Black vultures right over the park and ride lot off of 286 Holiday park by ramp to parkway today 12/31. Also 1 TV just past parkway and Churchill split. (Up to 4 TV on 12/29 same area) We have been there traveling to Presbyterian in Pittsburgh from Indiana co.
Marcy Cunkelman, Clarksburg, Indiana co.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Dec 31, 2024, at 12:14 PM, Christopher T <christurbert...> wrote:
>
> They're likely the same ones that have been hanging out at St John's
> cemetery in North Versailles off Crooked Run Rd along with 20ish Black
> Vultures. They've been reported on eBird for the past few weeks. I've never
> seen that many vultures in the same location.
>
>> On Tue, Dec 31, 2024 at 12:01 PM Randy Stringer <
>> <0000014328ddae02-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Birders.
>> The calendar says mid winter but some vultures are ignoring the bulletin.
>> Yesterday I watched a kettle of 26 Turkey Vultures navigate the hills of
>> East McKeesport.
>> Just sayin'
>> Randy StringerGrove City, PA
>>
>>
>> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
>>
Date: 12/31/24 10:08 am From: Marcy Cunkelman <plant4nature...> Subject: Re: Allegheny County vultures
Thought I possibly saw about a dozen Black vultures right over the park and ride lot off of 286 Holiday park by ramp to parkway today 12/31. Also 1 TV just past parkway and Churchill split. (Up to 4 TV on 12/29 same area) We have been there traveling to Presbyterian in Pittsburgh from Indiana co.
Marcy Cunkelman, Clarksburg, Indiana co.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Dec 31, 2024, at 12:14 PM, Christopher T <christurbert...> wrote:
>
> They're likely the same ones that have been hanging out at St John's
> cemetery in North Versailles off Crooked Run Rd along with 20ish Black
> Vultures. They've been reported on eBird for the past few weeks. I've never
> seen that many vultures in the same location.
>
>> On Tue, Dec 31, 2024 at 12:01 PM Randy Stringer <
>> <0000014328ddae02-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Birders.
>> The calendar says mid winter but some vultures are ignoring the bulletin.
>> Yesterday I watched a kettle of 26 Turkey Vultures navigate the hills of
>> East McKeesport.
>> Just sayin'
>> Randy StringerGrove City, PA
>>
>>
>> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
>>
Date: 12/31/24 9:14 am From: Christopher T <christurbert...> Subject: Re: Allegheny County vultures
They're likely the same ones that have been hanging out at St John's
cemetery in North Versailles off Crooked Run Rd along with 20ish Black
Vultures. They've been reported on eBird for the past few weeks. I've never
seen that many vultures in the same location.
On Tue, Dec 31, 2024 at 12:01 PM Randy Stringer <
<0000014328ddae02-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Dear Birders.
> The calendar says mid winter but some vultures are ignoring the bulletin.
> Yesterday I watched a kettle of 26 Turkey Vultures navigate the hills of
> East McKeesport.
> Just sayin'
> Randy StringerGrove City, PA
>
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
>
Date: 12/31/24 9:01 am From: Randy Stringer <0000014328ddae02-dmarc-request...> Subject: Allegheny County vultures
Dear Birders. The calendar says mid winter but some vultures are ignoring the bulletin. Yesterday I watched a kettle of 26 Turkey Vultures navigate the hills of East McKeesport. Just sayin' Randy StringerGrove City, PA
Date: 12/31/24 5:16 am From: Lisa Dziuban <dziubanlisa...> Subject: Black vultures - New Britain Twp., Bucks Co.
I observed a committee of 15+ black vultures on the roof at one of the buildings in the Town Center shopping center along rt 202 in New Britain on Friday, 12/27/24. Very mild day, temps in the 60’s.
Lisa Dziuban
Date: 12/30/24 12:30 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (30 Dec 2024) 9 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 30, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 1 53 959 OS 0 0 154 BE 7 47 792 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 3 398 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 1 44 1881 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 17 154 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Date: 12/28/24 2:18 pm From: Cathy Wood <00000200dbab60fd-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: PABIRDS Digest - 26 Dec 2024 to 27 Dec 2024 (#2024-336)
Hello, Please remove me from the distribution list. Thank you.
-----Original Message-----
From: PABIRDS <LISTSERV...>
To: PABIRDS <PABIRDS...>
Date: Saturday, 28 December 2024 12:00 AM EST
Subject: PABIRDS Digest - 26 Dec 2024 to 27 Dec 2024 (#2024-336)
There are 3 messages totaling 106 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Erie County waterbird count for December 27. 2024
2. Kahle Lake Venango Co. 12/26
3. Waggoner's Gap (27 Dec 2024) 3 Raptors
Jerry McWilliamsErie, Erie County, <Pa.jerrymcw...>
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 27 Dec 2024 15:27:15 +0000
From: Meg Kolodick <meg_kolodick...>
Subject: Kahle Lake Venango Co. 12/26
The lake was still frozen so no waterfowl were seen, but around the lake we saw no less than 6 Red-tailed hawks flying or perching in trees and on a post in various fields, as well as one Bald eagle. 2 more Red-tailed hawks were spotted in trees in Seneca.
Meg/Nick Kolodick
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:15:26 +0000
From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports...>
Subject: Waggoner's Gap (27 Dec 2024) 3 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap
40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 27, 2024
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
BV 0 0 3
TV 0 52 958
OS 0 0 154
BE 2 40 785
NH 0 0 148
SS 0 2 4332
CH 0 3 398
AG 0 0 4
RS 0 2 208
BW 0 0 9384
RT 0 43 1880
RL 0 1 1
GE 1 17 154
AK 0 0 179
ML 0 0 80
PG 0 1 40
UA 0 0 13
UB 0 0 11
UF 0 0 5
UE 0 0 0
UR 0 2 38
Date: 12/27/24 1:15 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (27 Dec 2024) 3 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 27, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 0 52 958 OS 0 0 154 BE 2 40 785 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 3 398 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 0 43 1880 RL 0 1 1 GE 1 17 154 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Date: 12/27/24 7:27 am From: Meg Kolodick <000000dc3b46d747-dmarc-request...> Subject: Kahle Lake Venango Co. 12/26
The lake was still frozen so no waterfowl were seen, but around the lake we saw no less than 6 Red-tailed hawks flying or perching in trees and on a post in various fields, as well as one Bald eagle. 2 more Red-tailed hawks were spotted in trees in Seneca. Meg/Nick Kolodick
Observation start time: 11:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Dave Poder
Observers: Adam Katrancha, Bob Stewart, Ed Gowarty,Sr, Greg Gdula, Jim Rocco
Visitors: Chuck and Alice from Kentucky
Weather: Mostly sunny, SE winds 8-12mph, visibility 3-7km with valley fog and haze, temp -1.6C to 1.1C
Raptor Observations: GE ad @ 12:50, BE ad @ 2:26 and 2:27 4 RT
2 TVs flying N up the valley!
Non-raptor Observations: BC Chickadees, WB nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, Crows, Ravens, Blue jays
Predictions: Partly to mostly cloudy, morning fog, SE winds, high temp near 3C ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Poder (<avions...>)
Date: 12/26/24 11:36 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (26 Dec 2024) Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 26, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 0 52 958 OS 0 0 154 BE 0 38 783 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 3 398 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 0 43 1880 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 16 153 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Date: 12/26/24 7:42 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for December 26, 2024
Location: Sunset Point, Presque Isle State Park
Date: December 26, 2024
Time: 0735 to 0935 AM
Weather: Mostly cloudy, ESE to 5 mph, waves 1’ , temp. 33 F.
Comments: Ducks hunters boating around thelake had the scaup stirred up, so I had large flocks flying west. Other than a few Red-breasted Mergansers,there was little else moving. PurpleSandpipers continue to be seen flying past or on the jetties. Russ States assisted with the count.
Date: 12/25/24 11:36 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (25 Dec 2024) 1 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 25, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 0 52 958 OS 0 0 154 BE 1 38 783 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 3 398 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 0 43 1880 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 16 153 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Date: 12/25/24 7:06 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for December 25, 2024
Location: Sunset Point, Presque Isle State Park
Date: December 25, 2024
Time: 0740 to 0910 AM
Weather: Cloudy, light wind, waves less than 1’ , temp. 33 F.
Comments: Very little happening with mostbirds observed being local ones. Highlight was a Purple Sandpiper flying in from the east and landing onthe north side of the breakwater. RogerDonn stopped for a visit.
Date: 12/24/24 12:52 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (24 Dec 2024) Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 24, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 0 52 958 OS 0 0 154 BE 0 37 782 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 3 398 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 0 43 1880 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 16 153 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Observation start time: 11:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: Nancy Ott
Observers: Bob Stewart, Dave Poder, Ed Gowarty,Sr, Sandy Cline
Visitors: Dave Poder, Ed Gowarty Sr, Sand Cline, Bob Stewart.
Weather: SE winds partly cloudy to mostly cloud cover. Temps teens.
Raptor Observations: Sub ad-GE 12:20, Ad GE 1:12, 3:15, 3:21, 3:30. BE Ad 3:59. all looks were good naked eye. 2 migrating RT.
Non-raptor Observations: Red bellied wp, juncos, chickadees, nuthatches, tufted titmouse, blue jays, ravens.
Predictions: W winds , Temps in low 30's, precip in am and cloudy. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Nancy Ott (<ednancy.ott...>)
Date: 12/23/24 12:49 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (23 Dec 2024) 9 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 23, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 1 52 958 OS 0 0 154 BE 4 37 782 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 1 3 398 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 3 43 1880 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 16 153 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Dave Grove, Ron Freed
Observers: Gene Wagner, Pat Freed, Pete Biasucci , Shorty Lowe
Visitors: Mike and Nathaniel Jumper. 8
Weather: Mostly sunny with light SE wind.
Raptor Observations: First bird BE 10:58 Last bird CH 2:50
Non-raptor Observations: Hermit thrush joined the regulars at the feeder - purple finches, titmice, chickadees, juncos, white-throated sparrows, white-breasted nuthatches, Carolina wren, cardinal, bluebirds CEWA 34 ======================================================================== Report submitted by dave grove (<waggap...>)
Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Erika Bowman
Observers:
Visitors: None
Weather: Snow squalls early, clearing late morning. Breezy, variable at times with mostly WNW winds.
Raptor Observations: Adult GE 12:52. Local Red-tailed appearing 3 times. West traveling Juvenile Bald Eagle.
Non-raptor Observations: 250+ Canada Geese and 7 Tundra Swans flying over. Red-bellied WP, Downy WP, Blue Jay, A Crow, C Raven, BC Chickadee, T Titmouse, WB Nuthatch, DE Junco, N Cardinal
Predictions: Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. High around 30F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Erika Bowman (<dizzechick...>)
Date: 12/22/24 3:05 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (22 Dec 2024) 2 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 22, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 0 51 957 OS 0 0 154 BE 1 33 778 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 2 397 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 0 40 1877 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 16 153 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 1 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Date: 12/22/24 8:28 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for December 22, 2024
Location: Sunset Point, Presque Isle State Park
Date: December 22, 2024
Time: 0735 to 1005 AM
Weather: Mostly cloudy, ENE wind to 10 mph, waves 1’, temp. 19 F.
Comments: Very little activity over or on thewater. Four Calidris slipped past thewatch, that were probably Purple Sandpipers, since there have been a numberpresent, and no Dunlin have been reported for at least a couple of weeks. Doug Massey visited for a while and BrianBerchtold stopped for a brief visit.
Date: 12/21/24 12:55 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (21 Dec 2024) 41 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 21, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 29 51 957 OS 0 0 154 BE 5 32 777 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 2 397 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 4 40 1877 RL 0 1 1 GE 3 16 153 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 0 39 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Dave Grove, Ron Freed
Observers: Debbie Spinelli, Gene Wagner, Jeff Thompson, Pete Biasucci , Robert McLaughlin, Ron Freed, Shorty Lowe
Visitors: Jeff Schmidt 8
Weather: Mix of sun and clouds, winds NW 10-15 sustained, gusts to 30.
Raptor Observations: First bird BE 8:15 Last bird GE 2:32
Non-raptor Observations: CAGO 210 PUFI 12 ======================================================================== Report submitted by dave grove (<waggap...>)
Date: 12/21/24 7:12 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for December 21, 2024
Location: Sunset Point, Presque Isle State Park
Date: December 21, 2024
Time: 0735 to 0905 AM
Weather: Mostly cloudy, N wind to 12 mph, waves 2’ to 3’, temp. 25 F.
Comments: Very little activity over or on thewater. Highlight was yet another PurpleSandpiper that flew in from the east and landed and started searching for food onthe breakwater. Brian Berchtold stopped fora brief visit.
Waterbirds recorded: Greater Scaup 30Lesser Scaup 1Scaup species 86White-winged Scoter 29Surf/Black scoter 3Common Goldeneye 9Common Merganser 7Red-breasted Merganser 240PURPLE SANDPIPER 1 Other bird moving along the lake: BaldEagle 1
Jerry McWilliamsErie, Erie County, <Pa.jerrymcw...>
Date: 12/20/24 7:16 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for December 20, 2024
Location: Sunset Point, Presque Isle State Park
Date: December 20, 2024
Time: 0740 to 0840 AM
Weather: Cloudy, snow showers, NE wind to 5 mph, waves 1’, temp. 32 F.
Comments: Low visibility because of snowprevented me from seeing birds beyond the breakwaters where most waterfowl havebeen this season. The few birds birdsobserved were along the breakwaters. Highlightwas a couple of westbound Purple Sandpipers.
Waterbirds recorded: Mallard 4Greater Scaup 31Lesser Scaup 1Common Goldeneye 4Common Merganser 2Red-breasted Merganser 14Horned Grebe 1PURPLESANDPIPER 2
Jerry McWilliamsErie, Erie County, <Pa.jerrymcw...>
Date: 12/19/24 7:32 pm From: Brian J. Miller <brianjosephmiller...> Subject: Upcoming Presque Isle Audubon Program
*Title: *“The Sport of Falconry as a Tool in Conservation”
*Date/Time/Location: *01/17/2025, 7pm in TREC 112
This program will cover an introduction to the sport of falconry and its
history, as well as how it is used for both large scale and local
conservation efforts.
*Speaker: *Madison Story has worked around birds since 2014, and currently
works as a Wildlife Rehabilitation Assistant at Tamarack Wildlife Center.
She attended undergrad at West Liberty University in their ZooScience &
Applied Conservation program. She has been an active member of the falconry
community since early 2020, and is now a licensed falconer. She will be
joined by her sponsoring falconer and their birds for this presentation.
Contributors: Kimberly Berry, Karen Blumen, Jeff Brinker, Kraig Cawley, Richard Chirichiello, Natalie Donofrio, Adrian Fenton, Jennifer Ferrick, Mike Fialkovich, John Flannigan, Ross Gallardy, John Garrett, Madison Glinski, Steve Gosser, Ron Graham, Marc Hanneman, Margaret and Roger Higbee, Ripley Kindervater, Yianni Laskaris, Mark McConaughy, Dan McGuire, Jerry McWilliams, Doug Massey, David Medler, Brian Miller, Thomas Nicolls, Jesse Perfett, Joseph Pumford, Lenore Raffle, E. J. Regula, Matthew StClair, Kate St. John, Shannon Skalos, Mike Smith, Donald Snyder, Jerry Stanley, Randy Stringer, Joao Tavares, Gregory Tomb, Mark Vass, Jeremy Vetock, Carole Winslow, Kaley Wulfs.
Compiler: Amy Taracido
Tuesday, 19 November 2024 through Tuesday, 3 December 2024 (two weeks)
**This report is distributed by e-mail only. Compiler is not responsible for errors on websites who reproduce/reprint these reports. If you would like to receive western PA RBAs, contact AMYTARACIDO@ YAHOO.COM
Transcript-
NOTE: TUNDRA SWAN, NORTHERN PINTAIL, BLACK SCOTER, SURF SCOTER, CANVASBACK, GREAT EGRET, PINE SISKIN continue to be reported.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY:
At Wingfield Pines on 11/21, 11/23, and 11/25, 1 MARSH WREN (JF, Corvus via Ebird, JPe).
On 11/24 along King Road, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (JPu).
At Imperial Grasslands on 11/28, 11/30, and 12/1, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (MV, DMe, AF).
On 11/29-11/30 at North Park, 1 ROSS'S GOOSE (SG, MV).
BEAVER COUNTY:
In Baden on 11/30, 1 RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (LR).
BUTLER COUNTY:
At Lake Oneida on 11/22, 1 FRANKLIN'S GULL; on 11/27 and 11/29-12/3, 16 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (KBe et. al., RGr); also on 12/1, 1 CALIFORNIA GULL (KBe).
On 11/26 at Moraine State Park, 1 CACKLING GOOSE (KSJ).
CLARION COUNTY:
At Kahle Lake on 11/25, 2 BONAPARTE'S GULLS (CW).
Along Rankin Road on 11/26, 7+ SHORT-EARED OWLS (CW).
On 11/27 in Sligo, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER; on 12/3, 1 PURPLE FINCH (CW); on 12/2 in the Sligo area, 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER (CW).
Along Hill Road on 12/2, 1 PEREGRINE FALCON (CW).
On 12/2 near Curllsville, 1 PEREGRINE FALCON, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER (CW).
CRAWFORD COUNTY:
On 11/22 at Erie National Wildlife Refuge, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (YL).
Along Tower Road on 11/27, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (TN).
On 11/30 in Guys Mills, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (YL).
At Pymatuning on 12/1, 1 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (MHa).
ERIE COUNTY:
This week at Presque Isle State Park, sightings included WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, RED-THROATED LOON, 1 HARLEQUIN DUCK (11/22 and 11/29), REDHEADS, LONG-TAILED DUCKS (JM), 2 BRANT (RK), 1 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (11/23) (JG), 1 SNOWY OWL (11/24-11/29) (BM, MG, JV, MStC, KW, RGa), RED-NECKED GREBE, PEREGRINE FALCON (JM), SNOW BUNTING (KC).
On 11/20 at West Branch French Creek Conservation Area, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (RK).
At Fairview Business Park on 11/23, 11/24, and 11/27-11/28, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (DMa, JT, DS, JF).
FAYETTE COUNTY:
Over Greenlick Run Lake on 11/23, 20 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS; on 11/24, 60 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS (MF), 6 additional AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS (MSm).
On 11/24 at Hutchinson Park, 1 RED-THROATED LOON (ER).
At Spring Valley on 11/27, 1 RED-THROATED LOON (DMc).
INDIANA COUNTY:
On 11/23 at Yellow Creek State Park, 1 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (MHi); on 11/24, 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (GT).
At South Boat Launch on 11/24, 19-23 RED-NECKED GREBES (HR).
MERCER COUNTY:
At Mallard Lake on 11/24-11/26 and 11/28, 1 SNOW GOOSE (JB).
On 12/3 at Lake Latonka, 2 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, 1 MERLIN (RS).
SOMERSET COUNTY:
Near Seven Springs on 11/29, 1 RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (KBl).
VENANGO COUNTY:
At Kahle Lake on 11/24, 1 RED-THROATED LOON (reported to MV).
On 11/28 in Buttermilk Hill, 1 PURPLE FINCH and others (JS).
WARREN COUNTY:
At State Gamelands #291 on 11/29, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (SS).
WESTMORELAND COUNTY:
On 11/30 in New Derry/Ethel Springs Lake, 6 SNOW GEESE, 1 ROSS'S GOOSE, 1 CACKLING GOOSE (RC); on 12/1 and 12/3, 6 SNOW GEESE, 1 ROSS'S GOOSE (TK et. al., ND); also on 12/1, 1 CACKLING GOOSE (MStC).
At Beaver Run Reservoir on 12/1, 1 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (MM).
Date: 12/19/24 12:36 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (19 Dec 2024) 10 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 19, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 1 22 928 OS 0 0 154 BE 3 27 772 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 2 397 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 5 36 1873 RL 0 1 1 GE 1 13 150 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 0 39 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Dave Grove, Ron Freed
Observers: Dave Grove, Gary LaBelle, Gene Wagner, Pat Freed, Pete Biasucci , Shorty Lowe
Visitors: 2
Weather: Overcast then mostly cloudy with moderate NW wind.
Raptor Observations: First bird TV 9:05 Last bird RT 12:38
Non-raptor Observations: TUSW 67 CAGO 266 ======================================================================== Report submitted by dave grove (<waggap...>)
The Huntingdon CBC was held December 15, 2024 with 24 participants in the field. Lois and Walter Braun set up the circle in 1984 with the center at Donation PA and a radius of 7.5 miles. Greg Grove, as a participant this year, has participated 36 years.
The day started at 26 degrees on Stone Creek Ridge with fog and warmed up to 33. Snow started for me in the eastern part of the circle about noon. The ice pellets were hitting the ground and car so hard that I couldnt hear Brown Creepers in the usual spot. Counters reported 71 party hours, equal to the 15 year average. There were 6445 individual birds below the average of 6954 and above the 41 year of 6169.
One new species, a Lincolns Sparrow, was reported by Bill Chambers, bringing total cumulative species to 125. He spent 10 minutes observing the bird and provided a good description.
Even with the weather, participants efforts produced some new records.
Red-shouldered Hawks and Bald Eagles were up to 16. Both have been increasing with 41 year averages of 2.5 and 4.5 and 15 year of 6 and 8. There were 15 American Pipits which have only been found 3 times before, twice as a single individual and in 2008, 10. Julian Avery found 14 and the McLaughlins, 1, in areas west of the center.
A thrilling find for the gang of Margaret Brittingham, Kevin Brant, Justin Nichol, and Angelena Minardi were three Red Crossbills, gray, yellow and red individuals. These were on Penn State forest property at Oak Lane. Previous finds were 1 in 1988 and 1 last year. Wayne Laubscher gave a talk at the State College Bird Club meeting on Wednesday and presented a lot of data of how they are populating the state in recent years and nesting. So be on the lookout! If you can, use your phone to make a recording that will help ID which of the 12 types it may be.
Purple Finch set a huge new record. Although we have had 40 to 50 gorging themselves at our feeders the last two years, we only had 29 that day but reports around the circle brought the count to 102! The last records were 39 in 1984, the first year of the count, and in 2020, with numbers steadily building in the last 15 years. Two groups that I found were on Toner Creek Road gobbling berries near the creek.
Eight Coopers Hawks were found this year that tied with 2022 and 2023. Pedro Miranda and father Dennis found a Northern Saw-whet Owl that has only been reported once before in 2013. Jon Kauffman added 2 American Barn Owls but other owls, Great Horned, Barred and Screech were low.
Although I had 4 Red-headed Woodpeckers at the swamp near Mierley Wetlands last year, they were absent this year. However, Pedro and Dennis found 3 at the usual local spots at SGL 322.
Black Vultures were not a record species but 80 was still second to the 138 record in 2017. Thanks to Chuck Yohn for tabulating 60 in Huntingdon and the Cold Spring area. Other species close to the records were the Corvids: Blue Jay at 399 compared to 405 in 2017, American Crow with 350 which is one half of 698 in 1997 but close to the 15 year average of 377 and finally Common Raven with 69 vs 77 of 2022. Common Raven numbers finally moved above 25 in 2011.
A big miss were Yellow-rumped Warblers. Waterfowl continue to be low. I watched two Bald Eagles flying above the Standing Stone Creek near Crossing Creek Road and later one sitting in a tree at the creek on Toner Camp Road about at a tenth of a mile from where I saw the 2 flying and no waterfowl this year. Some icing on ponds and the creek probably contributed to the low count as well.
A big thank you to many faithful counters and the new ones that helped this year!
Canada Goose
21
Gadwall
1
Mallard
14
American Black Duck
2
Hooded Merganser
1
Common Merganser
4
Wild Turkey
23
Rock Pigeon
467
Mourning Dove
209
Killdeer
15
Ring-billed Gull
99
Great Blue Heron
3
Black Vulture
80
Turkey Vulture
10
Northern Harrier
3
Sharp-shinned Hawk
4
Cooper's Hawk
8
Bald Eagle
16
Red-shouldered Hawk
16
Red-tailed Hawk
40
Barn Owl
2
Eastern Screech-Owl
4
Great Horned Owl
2
Barred Owl
2
Northern Saw-whet Owl
1
Belted Kingfisher
4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
25
Red-headed Woodpecker
3
Red-bellied Woodpecker
89
Downy Woodpecker
94
Hairy Woodpecker
23
Pileated Woodpecker
27
Northern Flicker
33
American Kestrel
24
Blue Jay
399
American Crow
350
Common Raven
69
Black-capped Chickadee
208
Tufted Titmouse
211
Horned Lark
4
Golden-crowned Kinglet
96
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
6
Red-breasted Nuthatch
33
White-breasted Nuthatch
162
Brown Creeper
10
Winter Wren
6
Carolina Wren
80
European Starling
1445
Northern Mockingbird
10
Eastern Bluebird
118
Hermit Thrush
47
American Robin
53
Cedar Waxwing
129
House Sparrow
59
American Pipit
15
House Finch
84
Purple Finch
102
Red Crossbill
3
American Goldfinch
272
Field Sparrow
6
American Tree Sparrow
45
Dark-eyed Junco
1150
White-crowned Sparrow
11
White-throated Sparrow
887
Song Sparrow
133
Lincoln's Sparrow
1
Swamp Sparrow
2
Eastern Towhee
2
Red-winged Blackbird
2
Northern Cardinal
163
Date: 12/19/24 9:22 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for December 19, 2024
Location: Sunset Point, Presque Isle State Park
Date: December 19, 2024
Time: 0730 to 1000 AM
Weather: Cloudy, N wind to 12 mph, waves 2’, temp. 34 F.
Comments: Much the same as yesterday, thoughthere were more Red-breasted Mergansers moving west. Highlight was a loose group of Purple Sandpipersthat flew west past the watch just outside the breakwaters.
Waterbirds recorded: Canada goose 80 (one distant flock flying in from Canada)Mallard 4Redhead 45Greater Scaup 61Lesser Scaup 2Scaup species 600Surf Scoter 5White-winged Scoter 170 Surf/Black scoter 4Common Goldeneye 14Common Merganser 2Red-breasted Merganser 500Horned Grebe 1PURPLE SANDPIPER 5Common Loon 1 Other birds moving over the lake: BaldEagle 3
Jerry McWilliamsErie, Erie County, <Pa.jerrymcw...>
Date: 12/18/24 10:17 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for December 18, 2024
Location: Sunset Point, Presque Isle State Park
Date: December 18, 2024
Time: 0730 to 0900 AM
Weather: Cloudy, calm wind and calm lake, temp. 37 F.
Comments: Birds were not very active thismorning with just a few scaup moving west. Most of everything else was resting on the water.
Waterbirds recorded: Tundra Swan 7Mallard 4Greater Scaup 37Lesser Scaup 2Scaup species 1030Surf Scoter 1White-winged Scoter 180 (Most in one flock on the water)Long-tailed Duck 1Bufflehead 1Common Goldeneye 4Red-breasted Merganser 78HornedGrebe 1
Jerry McWilliamsErie, Erie County, <Pa.jerrymcw...>
Date: 12/18/24 10:04 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (18 Dec 2024) 2 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 18, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 2 21 927 OS 0 0 154 BE 0 24 769 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 2 397 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 0 31 1868 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 12 149 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 0 39 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Jim Rocco
Observers: Greg Gdula
Visitors: Greg Gdula
Weather: Beautiful day on the mountain, would have been better if we had some birds. WNW winds, average temperature 6 degrees C. Cloud cover went from 75% down to 10%. Visibility was clear up to 40km.
Raptor Observations: ! REd tail. went back then as we were leaving decided to go through.
Non-raptor Observations: ruby crowned kinglet, juncos, black capped chicadees, crows
Predictions: Temperatures in the thirty's to low 40's 70 % chance of rain ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Rocco (<jd.jh.rocco...>)
Date: 12/17/24 12:35 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (17 Dec 2024) Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 17, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 0 19 925 OS 0 0 154 BE 0 24 769 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 2 397 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 0 31 1868 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 12 149 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 0 39 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
On Saturday the Clarion CBC was held and Don and I covered our section here at the farm and around our local area of the circle. For the first time in what seems like years it was a true cold winter day but clear and beautiful, mostly calm, with no snow left on the ground and clear roads. It was 15 to start in the morning, but at a pasture area nearby where I had found snipe before, there were still some open areas with water remaining unfrozen. To my delight, we found 4 different birds right out in the open and I was able to get some pretty good photos. Nearby was a cold looking killdeer hunkered down in the pasture. During the day we found a light rough-legged hawk, and when I saw another one later in the day, it was close enough that I suspected the same bird and so only counted once. We also had an incredible total of 7 northern harriers. There were two short-eared owls on Rankin in the morning and 2 at the Curllsville strips in the evening. Three of the 7 harriers were at the Curllsville strips with the owls in the evening.
Overall, we had 43 species and that was better than the mid 30's we usually end up with. Misses were mockingbirds, Cooper's, creepers, geese, turkey or horned larks to name a few. It was a beautiful day to be out in Clarion County !
Comments: White-winged Scoter numbers felldrastically from the last several days. Roger Donn and Brian Berchtold stoppedfor a visit.
Waterbirds recorded: Mallard 37American Black Duck 1Northern Pintail 2Canvasback 30Redhead 15Greater Scaup 100Lesser Scaup 40Scaup species 700Surf Scoter 4White-winged Scoter 32Long-tailed Duck 1Bufflehead 1Common Goldeneye 33Red-breasted Merganser 117Horned Grebe 1CommonLoon 1
Jerry McWilliamsErie, Erie County, <Pa.jerrymcw...>
Date: 12/16/24 2:54 pm From: Grant Stevenson <stevensongrant03...> Subject: AI answer to Mike's broken beak question?
Hi PABIRDERS,
I thought I'd try AI, ie the Google Gemini app, in a neuvo way to answer Mike's question. AI can be tricky in that a lot do not trust it, including me sometimes. It can't be cited in scholarship because it takes information from multiple websites, and doesn't cite those. Using it in academia is blatent plagerism and is cause for expulsion. I passed this by Deb first, so at least this time it is OK.
So, for this purpose I thought it would be interesting, and I'd rather not contact my experts so close to the holiday. So here goes nothing,
Gemini:
There are several causes of broken bills in birds, both in the wild and in captivity. Here are some of the most common: Trauma: * Accidents: Collisions with windows, walls, or other objects, falls, or being hit by cars can cause beak fractures.
* Attacks from other animals: Birds may get into fights with other birds or be attacked by predators, leading to beak injuries.
Health conditions: * Nutritional deficiencies: Lack of essential vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin A and calcium, can weaken the beak and make it more prone to breakage. * Infections: Bacterial, fungal, or viral infections can affect the beak's structure and lead to fractures. * Metabolic diseases: Conditions like hypovitaminosis A can cause beak deformities and make it more fragile. * Tumors: Abnormal growths on the beak can weaken it and increase the risk of breakage. Other factors: * Genetic abnormalities: Some birds are born with beak deformities that make them more susceptible to breakage.
End, Gemini.
I removed the big swath of information relevant to pet birds, a negative to using AI. Thank you, Deb, for pointing that out.
Me: I seem to remember in Audubon magazine an article about bill DEFORMATIES as opposed to breakages being caused by dioxin, a toxin.
That, unfortunately, this is the best I can do, which is a sad thing in itself. We want to embrace tech, but not be controlled by it. I'm trying to be helpful. Maybe I'm not. hope I'm not starting anything out of control. In the Living Bird, the new Cornell director discussed new possible positive ways to use AI in birding, but for listserves wasn't one of them. How do members feel about it, and should or shouldn't I use it again, and in what circumstances? Any AI policy is up to the list owners ultimatelyof course.
Date: 12/16/24 8:41 am From: Grant Stevenson <stevensongrant03...> Subject: Re: Leucistic House Finch Allegheny County
Sometimes, rarely, when a bird hits a window and doesn't succumb, feathers
on the top are occasionally dislodged and grow back leucistic,
ornithologist Susan Smith, Emerita of Mount Holyoke College, once told me
when I discovered a chickadee with such an ornament. If an entire head of
contour feathers goes, and I've seen a Blue Jay and a crow repeatably hit a
window causing this, or the acid from rancid suet dissolves a head of
feathers maybe, if they can grow back, maybe they can all grow back white,
too. I don't know for sure and am speculating. Perhaps someone who's seen
more birds than I or a bander or professional ornithologist could shed some
light on this interesting phenomenon.
Grant Stevenson
Bethlehem, Lehigh County
On Mon, Dec 16, 2024, 11:24 AM Dean Newhouse <dean.newhouse...>
wrote:
> Was surprised yesterday to have a striking leucistic House Finch at the
> feeder yesterday. Pure white forehead, face and throat. Looked like a
> Phantom of the Opera mask.
>
> Pictures posted on eBird checklist:
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S205513504 >
> Dean Newhouse
> South Fayette Township, near Bridgeville in Allegheny County
>
Date: 12/16/24 8:24 am From: Dean Newhouse <dean.newhouse...> Subject: Leucistic House Finch Allegheny County
Was surprised yesterday to have a striking leucistic House Finch at the feeder yesterday. Pure white forehead, face and throat. Looked like a Phantom of the Opera mask.
Date: 12/16/24 8:06 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for December 16, 2024
Location: Sunset Point, Presque Isle State Park
Date: December 16, 2024
Time: 0730 to 0930 AM
Weather: Variably cloudy, wind SSE to 20 mph, temp. 37 to 42 F, lake calm onshore.
Comments: There was very little organized movement with birds flying in alldirections and a bit of hop-skipping around. White-winged Scoters were still in unusually high numbers, and it is arare occasion to see more scoters than Red-breasted Mergansers. Highlight was a first-for-the-count CommonRaven that flew past the car at 7:45 croaking away heading east towards beach11.
Waterbirds recorded: Mallard 1American Black Duck 3Greater Scaup 5Lesser Scaup 14Scaup species 950Surf Scoter 6White-winged Scoter 275 (likely same birds as yesterday)Black Scoter 2Surf/Black scoter 5Long-tailed Duck 2Common Goldeneye 7Hooded Merganser 2Common Merganser 1Red-breasted Merganser 70Horned Grebe 5Common Loon 11 Other bird moving along the lake: COMMONRAVEN 1
Jerry McWilliamsErie, Erie County, <Pa.jerrymcw...>
Date: 12/16/24 6:32 am From: Michael Fialkovich <0000012b4af48ab0-dmarc-request...> Subject: Birds with Broken Bills
Hi,
From reading rare bird posts on Discord and GroupMe and looking at photos of two rarities in eBird, one thing I noticed were broken bills. All showed a broken upper mandible.
There was a Western Kingbird in Northampton County in October with a broken upper mandible. Just recently, I saw close photos of the MacGillivray's Warbler in Lancaster County with a broken upper mandible and a Savannah Sparrow was photographed here in Allegheny County this fall that also had a broken upper mandible.
I mentioned this on the Lancaster Discord chat (where the MacGillivray's Warbler is located) and one reply mentioned possible window strikes. I don't think we will ever know but it's notable that all had the same injury and two of the three are western vagrants.
Amazingly, observers saw the kingbird feeding but I am sure it would be difficult to catch insects and preen with that damage. The kingbird did look disheveled.
Date: 12/16/24 6:19 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (15 Dec 2024) 2 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 15, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Fred Wilcox
Observers: Andy Francis, Chip Templin, Ed Chubb, Jay George, Joe Meloney, Kurt & Sally Kraus, Larry Coble
Visitors: IGMR Police vehicle
9 for observing migrating raptors
Weather: Heavy clouds, cold, a light southerly breeze. Visibility was fair
Raptor Observations: 1 Bald Eagle and 1 Golden Eagle observed and counted. 2 additional Bald Eagles observed but not counted
This ends the 2024 season for this site. A very big thanks to the counters, observers, and guests who made 2024 a very successful and enjoyable year.
See you in 2025 “On the Mountain”
Non-raptor Observations: fewer than normal birds on the feeders
Predictions: N/A ======================================================================== Report submitted by Frederick Wilcox (<Ftw539...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Date: 12/16/24 6:01 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (16 Dec 2024) 2 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 16, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Fred Wilcox
Observers: Andy Francis, Chip Templin, Ed Chubb, Jay George, Joe Meloney, Kurt & Sally Kraus, Larry Coble
Visitors: IGMR Police vehicle
9 observing migrating raptors
Weather: Heavy clouds, cold, with a light southerly breeze. Visibility fair
Raptor Observations: One Bald Eagle and one Golden Eagle observed and counted Two Bald Eagles observed but not counted
This ends the count for the 2024 season. A very big thanks to the counters, observers, and visitors who helped make the 2024 season a very successful and enjoyable season. See you in 2025 “On the Mountain”
Non-raptor Observations: lighter than normal birds on the feeders
Predictions: N/A ======================================================================== Report submitted by Frederick Wilcox (<Ftw539...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Compiler: Scott Morrison
Counters: Sean Grace
Visitors: 24
Weather: Overcast and cold with E and SE winds 8-12 mph
Raptor Observations: a 4th year bald eagle was the last bird of the official count
Non-raptor Observations: snow goose, Canada goose, great-black backed gull, common raven, dark-eyed junco, Am goldfinch ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Date: 12/15/24 9:31 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for December 15, 2024
Location: Sunset Point, Presque Isle State Park
Date: December 15, 2024
Time: 0730 to 1030 AM
Weather: Cloudy, wind SSE to 20 mph, temp. 33 F, lake calm onshore.
Comments: A few scaup were on the water, but there was also some westward movementof over 3000 birds. Good numbers ofWhite-winged Scoters were milling about, but there were many on the water welloffshore that were too far to count and ID to species. Small numbers of other waterfowl moving botheast and west. Highlight was threePurple Sandpipers that made a brief appearance on the west end of the breakwaterthen disappeared on the north side of the breakwater and out of view. Brian Berchtold, John Campbell, and a ladystopped for a brief visit.
Waterbirds recorded: Mallard 1American Black Duck 15Greater Scaup 210Lesser Scaup 80Scaup species 3850Surf Scoter 16White-winged Scoter 285Black Scoter 4Surf/Black scoter 3Long-tailed Duck 7Common Goldeneye 3Red-breasted Merganser 145Ruddy Duck 1Horned Grebe 6PURPLE SANDPIPER 3Red-throated Loon 1Common Loon 10Loon species 3 Other bird moving along the lake: BaldEagle 1
Jerry McWilliamsErie, Erie County, <Pa.jerrymcw...>
