County,  name of route -  Northeast Adams - Rte #011Date - 1/27/26Observers- Randy Phillips, Phil KeenerSurvey time (minus breaks) : 3 Hrs: 45 Mins  ( Please be as precise as possible on total time)Start/End: 11:00 am/2:45 pmApprox. Miles on route: 57 Avg Temp.- 20FClear/Pt cloudy/Cloudy- Full overcast with occasional attempt by sun to break thruWind – Calm/Light/medium- LightAvg. Inches Snow cover- 8- 10", with a crust on top # Harriers - 4 total: 1M, 1F, 2 Juv # Red-tails- 12Â
 # Kestrels- TOTAL #  (#M/F/ND)- 3 total: 1M, 1F, 1ND # TVs- 63
 # Red-shoulders – 3 total, all adults# Bald Eagles- 4 total, all adults Sharp-shins, Cooper’s, Merlin, Peregrine? - 1 Adult Coopers, 1 Merlin (ND)  COMMENTS? Harrier count highest ever for this route and all in one location (Possum Hollow Rd area). Merlin a first for this route. Red-taileds and Kestrel #s low (not unexpected with weather/snow cover conditions).Rather stunning abundance of Horned Larks at various locations- cumulative rough count was 450+ birds. Dark-eyed junco numbers exceeded that.One Common Raven carrying stick. Will also report results to PSO site.
Phil KeenerAdams County
Date: 1/27/26 9:20 am From: Moses Martin <00000164618c6282-dmarc-request...> Subject: Northern Harrier Columbia Cty
I had a male Northern Harrier swoop low over the field across the road (SGL 226) on my morning walk. There's a YB Sapsucker on the suet feeder right now but the Towhee that has an occasional visitor hasn't been seen since the 12" inches of snow we got Sunday.
Moses MartinMillville, PA
Amid the blustery winter weather we are having, I've seen a few interesting winter birds at our school just east of Cambridge Springs on Rt. 408. Yesterday morning, a beautiful light-morph Rough-legged Hawk floated over the fields. It is one of my favorite winter birds to find locally, and it's striking dark and light markings seem to blend so well with the beautiful snow-covered landscape. Also a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is braving the winter by our bird feeder. He has visited the suet feeder every day for a week now. Enjoy winter birding while it is here!
Date: 1/25/26 11:16 am From: Oscar Miller <aoscarmiller3...> Subject: Re: Recent Passing of Birders
Gene Wilhelm was a teacher and mentor to many and a prolific writer
including many years of writing book reviews and Butler County seasonal
reports for PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS (and much more). His work with Bartramian
Audubon in Butler, Lawrence, Mercer and Venango counties was award-winning.
I can't do justice writing of his accomplishments but some are here in his
obituary:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/butlereagle/name/eugene-gene-wilhelm-obituary?id=60589149
Personally he helped me get started gathering Butler County bird records
from multiple sources and encouraged me to take on the job of compiling for
Butler County.
May he rest in peace. Oscar Miller
On Sun, Jan 25, 2026, 7:22 AM Darwin Evangelista <
<000001f862a9bc86-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Thank you for sharing. Although I never met them, I understand their
> importance in the world of birding.
>
> To all you others who I know or may not know, stay safe and stay healthy.
>
> Blessings,
> Huey Evangelista
> Laureldale, Berks County
>
> > On 01/23/2026 8:21 AM EST Michael Fialkovich <
> <0000012b4af48ab0-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hi Everyone,
> >
> > Just making sure this sad news gets to everyone. Three long time and
> well known Pennsylvania Birders have passed away over the past several
> weeks.
> >
> > Joyce Hoffmann of Allegheny County passed December 22, 2025.
> >
> > Gene Wilhelm from Butler County passed away January 18, 2026.
> >
> > Thomas Clare Nicholls of Crawford County passed away January 20, 2026.
> >
> > May they rest in peace.
> >
> > Mike Fialkovich
> > Pittsburgh Area, Allegheny County
>
Date: 1/25/26 6:42 am From: Jeff Holbrook <birdpany...> Subject: Re: Recent Passing of Birders
Great birders will always be missed. We need more people like these, not less.
I did not know Joyce Hoffmann or Gene Wilhelm directly but always read their posts. They were great resources for their areas. If I remember correctly, Gene always had great reports from the Volant Strips, where he often recorded Short-eared Owls.
I did know "Clare" Nicholls quite well. He was a participant in my first ever Christmas Bird Counts, when I started doing the Linesville CBC back in 1983 and beyond. I birded with him and the Lebermans, Mary, Robert (Bob), and Ron. All great birders who were formative in my early birding adventures. Clare and I were paired up for a few sections in those early years. Thank you for jogging up those great memories.
May they all rest in peace.
Respectfully,
Jeff Holbrook
Corning, NY
> On 01/23/2026 8:21 AM EST Michael Fialkovich <0000012b4af48ab0-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> Just making sure this sad news gets to everyone. Three long time and well known Pennsylvania Birders have passed away over the past several weeks.
>
> Joyce Hoffmann of Allegheny County passed December 22, 2025.
>
> Gene Wilhelm from Butler County passed away January 18, 2026.
>
> Thomas Clare Nicholls of Crawford County passed away January 20, 2026.
>
> May they rest in peace.
>
> Mike Fialkovich
> Pittsburgh Area, Allegheny County
Date: 1/25/26 4:22 am From: Darwin Evangelista <000001f862a9bc86-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Recent Passing of Birders
Thank you for sharing. Although I never met them, I understand their importance in the world of birding.
To all you others who I know or may not know, stay safe and stay healthy.
Blessings, Huey Evangelista Laureldale, Berks County
> On 01/23/2026 8:21 AM EST Michael Fialkovich <0000012b4af48ab0-dmarc-request...> wrote: > > > Hi Everyone, > > Just making sure this sad news gets to everyone. Three long time and well known Pennsylvania Birders have passed away over the past several weeks. > > Joyce Hoffmann of Allegheny County passed December 22, 2025. > > Gene Wilhelm from Butler County passed away January 18, 2026. > > Thomas Clare Nicholls of Crawford County passed away January 20, 2026. > > May they rest in peace. > > Mike Fialkovich > Pittsburgh Area, Allegheny County
Hi all,
I was headed to Indiana 1/23/26 yesterday afternoon about 1:45 pm. Gas company putting in pipes and had to wait on Barkley, just up the road from Swisco Road. Finally got moving and had a TV soaring low over the open fields before I headed down the hill. It’s been a while since I’ve seen one.
Also, Dan had a Mockingbird in the yard in the cherry tree by the driveway. Had one 12/2 eating the chokeberries by the ramp. Still have crabapples and sumac in the yard. Haven’t seen any robins or cedar waxwings.
-4 last night and only to 12 today. Birds were busy feeding all day. Nice to see several Carolina Wrens eating the raw beef suet and bought suet cakes and sunflower chips. I remember when they first showed up many years ago, didn’t survive the cold weather. Not sure where they are roosting, but nice to see and hear them. Hope they make this bitter cold weather the next few weeks. Dan has been keeping the feeders filled.
Stay warm and safe. Maybe something special will show up!!!
Marcy Cunkelman
SW Indiana county, PA
Date: 1/24/26 3:05 pm From: Michael Fialkovich <0000012b4af48ab0-dmarc-request...> Subject: WRS--Allegheny
Hi,
I ran my WRS in Allegheny County on this frigid day before the winter storm hits.
Allegheny,  West Allegheny / 021Date - 1/24/2026Observers- Mike Fialkovich, Mark VanderVenSurvey time (minus breaks) : 1Hrs: 55 Mins  Start/End: 10:44 am / 1:40 pmApprox. Miles on route: 60.6 Avg Temp. 11 degrees FClear/Pt cloudy/Cloudy- Cloudy to Pt CloudyWind – Calm/Light/medium- CalmAvg. Inches Snow cover- less than one inch in some areas, none in others # Red-tails- 6 # Kestrels- TOTAL #  (#M/F/ND)- 2 M # Red-shoulders – 1 Ad
# Bald Eagles- 1 Ad  COMMENTS? Some waterfowl on the Ohio River including Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye.
Nice flock of American Tree Sparrows at Imperial along with a few White-crowned Sparrows.
While drive through Lederach this frigid day I saw a mocking bird perched in a holly bush gleaning berries from it and an adjacent cedar tree.
Lisa Dziuban
“Finally, Brothers and Sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, Whatever is Lovely, whatever is admirable and of good repute, if there is any excellence or anything worthy of praise, Dwell On These Things. -Philippians 4:8
Date: 1/24/26 11:59 am From: Timothy Johnson <tj359...> Subject: WRS 216 Cumberland NEC
Route: WRS 216 - Cumberland NEC Date: 1/24/26 Observers: Tim and Karena Johnson Start Time: 12:52 End Time: 14:07 Survey Time: 1 Hours 15 Minutes Miles: 22 Temperature: 17F Cloud Cover: 60-80% Wind: 5-10 mph Snow Cover: Minimal
Species: Red-tailed Hawk: 13 Black Vulture: 8 Turkey Vulture: 9 Bald Eagle: 2 Kestrel: 1 Unidentified Buteo: 2
Total Raptors Counted: 5 species, 35 birds
Comments: Red-tails were slightly above average while Turkey Vultures were less than half of our normal. All other species are typically hit or miss on this route.
Date: 1/23/26 7:32 am From: CAROL FITZPATRICK <cafitzp...> Subject: Re: Recent Passing of Birders
And in Bucks County, in 2025, we lost Vince DeAntoniius, Nick Zahn, and John Tramontana.
Our collective birding days are forever changed without these people.
Their memories are truly blessings.
Carol Fitzpatrick
________________________________
From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania <PABIRDS...> on behalf of jerry Kruth <00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2026 10:08:05 AM
To: <PABIRDS...> <PABIRDS...>
Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Recent Passing of Birders
I will add my recollections to this "passing of a generation."
Gene Wilhelm was a veritable lexicon of birdsong. When my parents moved to Slippery Rock after retirement in the early '70s, my birder Mum would talk of this guy, and his vast knowledge, especially in song and sound. Later, I was lucky to have done some birdwalks with him as well, and he advised Bartramian Audubon on many topics, especially my preoccupation with nestboxes. The guys ear(s) were absolutely incredible!
Joyce Hoffman was a mainstay of birding Allegheny County, and most of W PA. She was another who loved to share and teach. On a field trip to Presque Isle one autumn, she pointed out our "Life" Gray-cheeked Thrush on Long Pond Trail, to Linda and I (n.b. you always remember your "lifer" don't you?).
To the others we've lost, I'd never met, but those of us who love nature, and birding are bound by that bond.
There was this Scottish guy, John Donne, years ago who opined on such. Maybe you've heard of him? . . . which I feel appropriate here:.
No man is an island, Entire of itself;
Every man is a piece of the continent,A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, As well as if a promontory were:
As well as if a manor of thy friend's Or of thine own were.
Any man's death diminishes me, Because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.
May they all RIP, and find their place where good souls rest. It's our responsibility to keep up their efforts, and share, as they so kindly once did!
Respectfully, with affection.
Jerry Kruth / Linda Goodfellow
Pittsburgh via Costa Rica
On Friday, January 23, 2026 at 09:07:51 AM EST, SCOTT WEIDENSAUL <000001343b2dd726-dmarc-request...> wrote:
Good heavens…add to that longtime bird-bander Doris McGovern’s death in southeastern PA on Dec. 28, and we’re seeing the passing of a generation. They will be missed.
Scott Weidensaul
Milton, NH
(formerly Schuylkill Co.)
> On Jan 23, 2026, at 8:21 AM, Michael Fialkovich <0000012b4af48ab0-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> Just making sure this sad news gets to everyone. Three long time and well known Pennsylvania Birders have passed away over the past several weeks.
>
> Joyce Hoffmann of Allegheny County passed December 22, 2025.
>
> Gene Wilhelm from Butler County passed away January 18, 2026.
>
> Thomas Clare Nicholls of Crawford County passed away January 20, 2026.
>
> May they rest in peace.
>
> Mike Fialkovich
> Pittsburgh Area, Allegheny County
Date: 1/23/26 7:08 am From: jerry Kruth <00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Recent Passing of Birders
I will add my recollections to this "passing of a generation."
Gene Wilhelm was a veritable lexicon of birdsong. When my parents moved to Slippery Rock after retirement in the early '70s, my birder Mum would talk of this guy, and his vast knowledge, especially in song and sound. Later, I was lucky to have done some birdwalks with him as well, and he advised Bartramian Audubon on many topics, especially my preoccupation with nestboxes. The guys ear(s) were absolutely incredible!
Joyce Hoffman was a mainstay of birding Allegheny County, and most of W PA. She was another who loved to share and teach. On a field trip to Presque Isle one autumn, she pointed out our "Life" Gray-cheeked Thrush on Long Pond Trail, to Linda and I (n.b. you always remember your "lifer" don't you?).
To the others we've lost, I'd never met, but those of us who love nature, and birding are bound by that bond.
There was this Scottish guy, John Donne, years ago who opined on such. Maybe you've heard of him? .  .  . which I feel appropriate here:. Â
No man is an island, Entire of itself;
Every man is a piece of the continent,A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, As well as if a promontory were:
As well as if a manor of thy friend's Or of thine own were.
Any man's death diminishes me, Because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.
May they all RIP, and find their place where good souls rest. It's our responsibility to keep up their efforts, and share, as they so kindly once did!
Respectfully, with affection.
Jerry Kruth / Linda Goodfellow
Pittsburgh via Costa Rica
On Friday, January 23, 2026 at 09:07:51 AM EST, SCOTT WEIDENSAUL <000001343b2dd726-dmarc-request...> wrote:
Good heavens…add to that longtime bird-bander Doris McGovern’s death in southeastern PA on Dec. 28, and we’re seeing the passing of a generation. They will be missed.
Scott Weidensaul
Milton, NH
(formerly Schuylkill Co.)
> On Jan 23, 2026, at 8:21 AM, Michael Fialkovich <0000012b4af48ab0-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> Just making sure this sad news gets to everyone. Three long time and well known Pennsylvania Birders have passed away over the past several weeks.
>
> Joyce Hoffmann of Allegheny County passed December 22, 2025.
>
> Gene Wilhelm from Butler County passed away January 18, 2026.
>
> Thomas Clare Nicholls of Crawford County passed away January 20, 2026.
>
> May they rest in peace.
>
> Mike Fialkovich
> Pittsburgh Area, Allegheny County
Date: 1/23/26 6:07 am From: SCOTT WEIDENSAUL <000001343b2dd726-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Recent Passing of Birders
Good heavens…add to that longtime bird-bander Doris McGovern’s death in southeastern PA on Dec. 28, and we’re seeing the passing of a generation. They will be missed.
Scott Weidensaul
Milton, NH
(formerly Schuylkill Co.)
> On Jan 23, 2026, at 8:21 AM, Michael Fialkovich <0000012b4af48ab0-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> Just making sure this sad news gets to everyone. Three long time and well known Pennsylvania Birders have passed away over the past several weeks.
>
> Joyce Hoffmann of Allegheny County passed December 22, 2025.
>
> Gene Wilhelm from Butler County passed away January 18, 2026.
>
> Thomas Clare Nicholls of Crawford County passed away January 20, 2026.
>
> May they rest in peace.
>
> Mike Fialkovich
> Pittsburgh Area, Allegheny County
Date: 1/23/26 6:01 am From: Chris Kubiak <ckubiak...> Subject: Re: Recent Passing of Birders
Thanks for letting us know Mike, and I knew Clare and Gene very well. Sad news and may we always remember their contributions to the world.
On 23.01.2026 08:21, Michael Fialkovich wrote: > Hi Everyone, > > Just making sure this sad news gets to everyone. Three long time and > well known Pennsylvania Birders have passed away over the past several > weeks. > > Joyce Hoffmann of Allegheny County passed December 22, 2025. > > Gene Wilhelm from Butler County passed away January 18, 2026. > > Thomas Clare Nicholls of Crawford County passed away January 20, 2026. > > May they rest in peace. > > Mike Fialkovich > Pittsburgh Area, Allegheny County
Date: 1/23/26 5:39 am From: Karyn Delaney <delaneykaryn...> Subject: Re: Recent Passing of Birders
Thank you, Mike. I enjoyed meeting and birding with Clare on an Audubon trip years ago.
Also, I understand that you lost your mother recently. May I extend my sympathies. It's so hard to lose one's mother.
Blessings, Karyn Delaney
On Fri, Jan 23, 2026, 8:21 AM Michael Fialkovich < <0000012b4af48ab0-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Hi Everyone, > > Just making sure this sad news gets to everyone. Three long time and well > known Pennsylvania Birders have passed away over the past several weeks. > > Joyce Hoffmann of Allegheny County passed December 22, 2025. > > Gene Wilhelm from Butler County passed away January 18, 2026. > > Thomas Clare Nicholls of Crawford County passed away January 20, 2026. > > May they rest in peace. > > Mike Fialkovich > Pittsburgh Area, Allegheny County >
Date: 1/21/26 4:46 pm From: DAVID KOCH <0000012d74227426-dmarc-request...> Subject: More sparrows, Koch property, Northampton County
The extreme cold brought three more sparrow species to the millet/cracked corn we put on the ground at several places in the winter. In additionÂ
to 100 or more juncos, 25 or more white-throats, and around 10 song sparrows today there also were two tree sparrows, one chipping sparrow, and one fox sparrow. Also, at one point a juvenile red-shouldered hawk perched above the feeder area in the front yard and stayed there about half an hour. All the while it was there blue jays kept going after it, occasionally actually hitting its head. But it ignored them. And after several days, including the ones with the snowstorms, the oriole has left.Â
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone Arlene Koch <Davilene...>
Date: 1/17/26 3:45 pm From: DAVID KOCH <0000012d74227426-dmarc-request...> Subject: A few oriole comments, Koch property, Northampton County
I don't intend to comment on this anymore after this, but I'd like to say a few words because it's so weird seeing an oriole in the snow. I first saw it when my husband told me to come look at a bird with yellow on it, and frankly I was hoping to see an evening grosbeak. But I was taken aback to see an oriole, which is actually more orange than yellow, at the peanut butter mixture before it went to a seed feeder. But this is its third day here, and today and yesterday it was in the front, not the back, yard feeding on an oriole feeder I put out in early December just to remind me that spring will indeed come in 3 or 4 months. I never expected to see an oriole eating frozen grape jelly in January. But it's also going to suet cakes, where it really stands out. Guess you just never know. And with the really cold weather that's predicted I have no idea how long it'll stick around.
 Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County <davilene...>
Date: 1/15/26 3:00 pm From: DAVID KOCH <0000012d74227426-dmarc-request...> Subject: Oriole, Koch property, Northampton County
Around noon today my husband called me to quick come look at a bird showing a lot of yellow. It was on the backyard deck post eating the peanut butter/lard mixture I make. It was an oriole, I believe a first fall male Baltimore, but I never got an in depth look at its front so I’m not sure. We had to leave for an appointment so I don’t know how long it was here. But it made my day to see an oriole in the cold weather of January.Â
Date: 1/15/26 8:11 am From: Rob Dickerson <radickerson...> Subject: Request for Photos - Fall
Do you have some great photos of any birds taken in Pennsylvania from August 1, 2025 - November 30, 2025? Or a picture of a notable/significant sighting from that period?
I am currently accepting photo submissions through end of day January 30 to be considered for publication as space permits in the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology (PSO) Fall 2025 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 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!
Contributors: Dave Brooke, Ron Burkert, Michele Carlson, Marc Hanneman, Rain Laurent, Ben McNealy, Kim Springer, Mark Strittmatter, Mark Vass, Mike Weible, Jeanne Whitesell, Michael Williams, Carole Winslow.
Compiler: Amy Taracido
Tuesday, 6 January 2026 through Tuesday, 13 January 2026
**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: BLACK VULTURE continue to be reported.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY:
Through 1/13 near Frick Park, 1 PAINTED BUNTING continued (RB et. al.).
At Duck Hollow on 1/8, 1 ICELAND GULL (BM).
On 1/10 at Emsworth Lock & Dam, 1 possible ICELAND GULL (RL).
ARMSTRONG COUNTY:
Along Green Acres Road on 1/11, 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS (DB).
BEAVER COUNTY:
At the Townsend Dam area on 1/9, 1 SNOW GOOSE (MV).
CLARION COUNTY:
On 1/10 at Maple Glen Farm, 1 WINTER WREN (CW).
CRAWFORD COUNTY:
On 1/10 at Millers Ponds, 1 ROSS'S GOOSE (MH).
FOREST COUNTY:
At Beaver Meadows parking lot on 1/9, 1 RED CROSSBILL (KS).
On 1/11 in Marienville, 80 EVENING GROSBEAKS (reported to DB); on 1/13, 67 EVENING GROSBEAKS (DB).
INDIANA COUNTY:
At State Gamelands #332 on 1/8, 1 ROSS'S GOOSE (MS).
On 1/10 near Punxutawney, 1 flyover GOLDEN EAGLE (MWe).
MERCER COUNTY:
At Shenango Reservoir on 1/13, 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (MWi).
SOMERSET COUNTY:
In Rockwood on 1/10, 1 RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (JW).
WASHINGTON COUNTY:
At Cherry Valley Reservoir on 1/9 and 1/11, 4 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (MV).
WESTMORELAND COUNTY:
On 1/11 in Harrison City, 11 flyover SNOW GEESE (MC).
Contributors: Kerry Bell, David Bennett, Cole Bishop, Dave Brooke, Ron Burkert, Allen Byler, Jeff Cieslak, Sofia D via Ebird, Karyn Delaney, Mike Fialkovich, John Flannigan, Steve Gosser, Marc Hanneman, Amy Henrici, John Keener, Dave Keith, Chris Kubiak, Malcolm Kurtz, Dan McGuire, Ed McKaveney, Ben McNealy, Robert Mulvihill, Elizabeth Nicholson, Joshua Penderville, Mark Vass, Mike Weible, Michael Williams, Carole Winslow, "Jennifer Winter Wren" via Ebird, Kendall Zook.
Compiler: Amy Taracido
Tuesday, 30 December 2025 through Tuesday, 6 January 2026
**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: BLACK VULTURE, GREAT EGRET, FOX SPARROW, PINE SISKIN continue to be reported.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY:
Over an unspecified location on 1/1, SANDHILL CRANES (MF).
On 12/31 near McKnight, 30 flyover SNOW GEESE (SD).
Through 1/6 near Frick Park, 1 PAINTED BUNTING (JP et. al.).
In Creighton on 1/1, 1 SNOW GOOSE (DBe).
Over Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve on 1/1, 20 SANDHILL CRANES (CB).
On 1/1 near Ingomar, 160 flyover SANDHILL CRANES (SG).
In Greenfield on 1/1 and 1/4, 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (BM).
On 1/2 over Aspinwall Riverfront Park, Frick Park, and Duck Hollow, 130+ SANDHILL CRANES (AH, MK, EM).
ARMSTRONG COUNTY:
On 1/4-1/5 along Fox Hollow Road, 1 LAPLAND LONGSPUR (DBr et. al.); also on 1/5, 1 additional LAPLAND LONGSPUR (RB).
BEAVER COUNTY:
In Baden through 1/1, 1 RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (reported to KD).
On 1/3 and 1/5 at Townsend Dam area, 1 SNOW GOOSE (EM, JC).
BUTLER COUNTY:
Over Moraine State Park on 1/1, 80-90 SANDHILL CRANES (CK).
On 1/2 at Graham Park, 6 SNOW GEESE (JWW).
CLARION COUNTY:
Near Curllsville on 1/3 and 1/5, 1 VESPER SPARROW (MWe, CW); also on 1/5, 4 SNOW BUNTINGS, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER (CW).
On 1/6 near Oak Ridge, 1 ROSS'S GOOSE (JK).
CRAWFORD COUNTY:
On 1/1 over an unspecified backyard area, 109 SANDHILL CRANES (reported to KZ).
In Pymatuning on 1/3, 1 BRANT (MV); on 1/4, 2 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS (MH).
ERIE COUNTY:
At Presque Isle this week, sightings included
Outside Union City on 1/1, flyover SANDHILL CRANES (CW).
FAYETTE COUNTY:
On 12/31 over Spring Valley, 17 SANDHILL CRANES (DM).
Along Chearney Road on 1/1, 1 LAPLAND LONGSPUR, HORNED LARKS (KB).
At Greenlick Run Lake on 1/2, 3 LONG-TAILED DUCKS (AB et. al.).
JEFFERSON COUNTY:
Over Brockway on 1/2, 6 SANDHILL CRANES (DK).
MERCER COUNTY:
On 1/2 at the Shenango Wildlife Area Propagation Ponds, 1 SAVANNAH SPARROW (MWi).
WARREN COUNTY:
On 12/31-1/1 at Hillside Acres, 2 EVENING GROSBEAKS (EN).
WASHINGTON COUNTY:
In Avella on 1/4, 1 DARK-EYED JUNCO 'cismontanus' subspecies (RM).
On 1/5 at Cherry Valley Reservoir, 3 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (JF).
Contributors: Luke Beall, Kimberly Berry, Casey Davidson, Patience Fisher, Ron George-Snyder, Michelle Kienholz, Dale M via Ebird, Ben McNealy, Jerry McWilliams, Jackson Medeiros, Ron Mumme, Brett Rodstrom, John Taylor, Conor Tompkins.
Compiler: Amy Taracido
Tuesday, 23 December 2025 through Tuesday, 30 December 2025
**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: COMMON GOLDENEYE, VIRGINIA RAIL continue to be reported.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY:
Near Frick Park on 12/24-12/30, 1 PAINTED BUNTING (PF et. al.).
On 12/27 in Creighton, 1 SNOW GOOSE (CT).
At Homewood Cemetery on 12/27, 1 FISH CROW (MK).
On 12/29 at Schenley Park, 1 SNOW GOOSOE (LB).
In Greenfield on 12/30, 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (BM).
BEAVER COUNTY:
On 12/28 near Nichol Road, 1 EVENING GROSBEAK (CD).
BUTLER COUNTY:
At Lake Oneida on 12/26-12/27, 1 ROSS'S GOOSE (KB et. al.).
CLARION COUNTY:
On 12/25 in Strattanville, 1 EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (RGS).
CRAWFORD COUNTY:
At Meadville Country Club on 12/24, 16 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS (RM).
ERIE COUNTY:
At Presque Isle this week, sightings included 1 CALIFORNIA GULL, 2 ICELAND GULLS (JMe), WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, SURF SCOTERS, CANVASBACKS, RED-THROATED LOON, REDHEADS (JMc), 1 EARED GREBE (12/27) (BR).
INDIANA COUNTY:
On 12/24 and 12/25 at Yellow Creek State Park, 3 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (JT et. al.).
Date: 1/11/26 5:59 am From: Lisa Dziuban <dziubanlisa...> Subject: American robins and red winged blackbird-Plumstead Twp., Bucks
A huge flock of robins has inundated my property this morning. Probably 100’s. I was seeing several in the last days, but today I have an enormous flock. Among them I spotted a red winged blackbird. Sounds like spring.
Lisa Dziuban
“Finally, Brothers and Sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, Whatever is Lovely, whatever is admirable and of good repute, if there is any excellence or anything worthy of praise, Dwell On These Things. -Philippians 4:8
Date: 1/6/26 8:00 am From: Joe Gyekis <gyekis9...> Subject: Bird and Human Pigmentation Webinar
Hi Everyone,
Mark your calendars for what I hope will be a highly interesting webinar about pigmentation in birds and people.
Why are some darker and lighter? Nina Jablonski is an anthropologist and an expert on human skin pigmentation and the connection to the health benefits and health harms of ultraviolet sunlight exposure. Bryce Robinson is an expert on variability in Red-tailed Hawks across their range, including the white bellied subspecies of Texas and the very heavily belly-banded and rusty chested birds of southern Alaska, not to mention the dark morph birds.
Hope you'll join us for this talk.
Joe
The webinar will be held Thursday January 22, 2026 at 7 PM.
Webinar
Nina Jablonski and Bryce Robinson
Birds and People: Pigment Parallels and Perpendiculars
This morning I headed up to Over Rd just over the hill from me outside of Curllsville, where on Saturday Mike Weible had reported a quite unusual find for this time of year, a vesper sparrow. I wasn't very hopeful that it would still be around, and was feeling guilty I hadn't gotten up there sooner. I drove up the gravel road and crested the hilltop, pulled over to the side, and there right in front of me off the edge of the road was a sparrow feeding... a vesper sparrow ! This is a hilltop field with crop fields on both sides, recently cut corn on one side and soybean on the other. It sits right across from Rankin Rd where I regularly see the short-eared owls in winter. I almost couldn't believe my eyes, but got decent views before it flew off to a little weedy hillock at the field edge and I got the scope on it. I can't remember the last time I saw a vesper in the county in any season, so quite surprising to find it lingering here. It's feeding on grain scraps and grass seeds I assume, and fed in the field, on corn and in the road while I was there. There's still several inches of snow on the ground but it seems to be hanging right here for now. It may help that the field was just recently cut and so I imagine there's a lot of grain scrap still laying around. I was up early as usual a couple weeks ago and couldn't figure what the bright lights and noise were on the hilltop across the valley, but it was the owner deciding to cut the corn and soybean crop at 5am in 12 degrees in late December. It doesn't make sense to me but I'm not a farmer. I know crops were still standing on the 20th when I checked this spot for the CBC. I hope the bird sticks around !
Also at this same spot were four snow buntings that took off when I arrived, and just down the road was a male harrier hunting over the fields. I checked for the snipe that Mike had found on Champion Rd but came up empty. Still a good morning for early January, and thanks to Mike for finding this hardy little winter visitor,
Date: 1/5/26 4:55 pm From: Jim Kellam <00000219aa576463-dmarc-request...> Subject: Ornithology Camp for teenagers
The third annual Ornithology Camp at Saint Vincent College will be held June 14-17, 2026. The camp is restricted to students aged 13-18. The camp features four days of hands-on activities that teach students how ornithological research is conducted. They will participate in bird banding, nest monitoring, surveying, radio-tracking, and song identification. There are classroom lessons on nesting behavior, migration, raptor identification, and bird anatomy. The camp director is Dr. Jim Kellam, Professor of Biological Sciences and published expert on woodpeckers, Tree Swallows, Tufted Titmice, and Blue Jays. Enrollment is capped at 12 students to ensure close learning experiences. Tuition is $250, which helps cover the cost of lodging in single-occupancy air-conditioned rooms, food, and supplies. There is a commuting option for $200 for students who do not want to stay overnight. We are thankful that the remaining camp costs are underwritten by a private donor. More information is available at www.svcornithology.wordpress.com, or email <james.kellam...> This is one of only a few ornithology camps in the country that is designed for a teenaged audience. We want these young people to develop a deep love of birds, which will provide them with social, physical, and mental health benefits throughout their lives.
Date: 1/5/26 8:03 am From: Karyn Delaney <delaneykaryn...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - 103 Timber Ridge Drive, Baden, Pennsylvania, US (40.668, -80.154), Nov 9, 2025
Subject: Beaver County - eBird Report - 103 Timber Ridge Drive, Baden, Pennsylvania, US (40.668, -80.154), Nov 9, 2025
Good morning. I am sharing an eBird Report of a Rufous Hummingbird that arrived in Beaver County on November 6, 2025. I photographed the bird and it was identified as a female Rufous Hummingbird by Bob Mulvihill. The homeowners, who requested privacy, kindly kept heaters on 2 feeders to keep the nectar thawed during the cold. I was advised by the homeowners that their last sighting was on January 1 and that "previously frenzied feeding dawn to dusk resulting in considerable increase in girth". Apparently she has moved on. A special thanks to Jennie & Michael Feight for helping this wonderful little bird!
Karyn Delaney
103 Timber Ridge Drive, Baden, Pennsylvania, US (40.668, -80.154), Beaver, Pennsylvania, US Nov 9, 2025 1:22 PM - 1:52 PM Protocol: Stationary 12 species (+1 other taxa)
Mourning Dove 2 Rufous Hummingbird 1 Bird was first seen 3 days prior. Home owners requested privacy. They provided heat lamps to prevent nectar from freezing. Bird photographed and identified by Bob Mulvihill. Bird remained through January 1. It has not been seen since that date. Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 1 Blue Jay 6 Carolina/Black-capped Chickadee 1 Tufted Titmouse 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 American Robin 5 Dark-eyed Junco 3 Song Sparrow 1
Quite interesting as I also had a report yesterday from a friend ( non- birder ) that she saw a large flock of sandhill cranes going over her place outside Union City in Erie Co. That was around 2 in the afternoon, and while she told me it was enormous she estimated 30-40. I expect that it was indeed more than that, as she did send a recording she made and I could clearly hear a fairly large flock calling. I wasn't able to get an estimate how high they were flying but she said they were heading south. She sees them around periodically throughout the year, but I assumed they are moving further south in groups just for feeding with all the heavy snows they have had over the past several weeks, probably at least 5 in total over the past month or so. I only wish I could have heard some here to add to the new year yard list !
Carole Winslow Sligo, Clarion Co.
On Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 7:26 AM Kendall Zook <kendallzook98...> wrote:
> I had an interesting bird report from a friend and neighbor yesterday. He > photographed a large group of Sandhill Cranes flying high overhead > mid-morning. I one picture, he has 109 birds so the flock had at least that > many individuals. Sandhill Cranes are quite common in Crawford by now, but > the local cranes winter here, mostly at Pymatuning. If I remember > correctly, > 200-300 cranes winter in smaller flocks across the Pymatuning area. So I > doubt a flock this large would be local Sandhills. Would these be migrating > Sandhill Cranes from further west, blown east by the storm system passing > through right now? I'd be interested in hearing comments or thoughts. > > Kendall Zook > > Crawford Co. >
Date: 1/2/26 8:07 am From: Chris Kubiak <ckubiak...> Subject: Re: migrating Sandhill Cranes, Crawford Co.
Funny as I had a flock of roughly 80-90 cranes flying due south over
Butler County (Moraine SP) yesterday around 1:30PM. Have to think this
flock may have been the one I observed yesterday.
Chris
On 02.01.2026 09:57, Michael Fialkovich wrote:
> Interesting you mention this because there were two reports of a flock
> flying over Allegheny County yesterday.
>
> It seems we get them flying over in December the past few years. Not
> sure why this time of year.
>
> Mike FialkovichPittsburgh Area, Allegheny County
>
>
>
> On Friday, January 2, 2026 at 07:26:22 AM EST, Kendall Zook
> <kendallzook98...> wrote:
>
> I had an interesting bird report from a friend and neighbor yesterday.
> He
> photographed a large group of Sandhill Cranes flying high overhead
> mid-morning. I one picture, he has 109 birds so the flock had at least
> that
> many individuals. Sandhill Cranes are quite common in Crawford by now,
> but
> the local cranes winter here, mostly at Pymatuning. If I remember
> correctly,
> 200-300 cranes winter in smaller flocks across the Pymatuning area. So
> I
> doubt a flock this large would be local Sandhills. Would these be
> migrating
> Sandhill Cranes from further west, blown east by the storm system
> passing
> through right now? I'd be interested in hearing comments or thoughts.
>
> Kendall Zook
>
> Crawford Co.
Date: 1/2/26 6:57 am From: Michael Fialkovich <0000012b4af48ab0-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: migrating Sandhill Cranes, Crawford Co.
Interesting you mention this because there were two reports of a flock flying over Allegheny County yesterday.
It seems we get them flying over in December the past few years. Not sure why this time of year.
Mike FialkovichPittsburgh Area, Allegheny County
On Friday, January 2, 2026 at 07:26:22 AM EST, Kendall Zook <kendallzook98...> wrote:
I had an interesting bird report from a friend and neighbor yesterday. He
photographed a large group of Sandhill Cranes flying high overhead
mid-morning. I one picture, he has 109 birds so the flock had at least that
many individuals. Sandhill Cranes are quite common in Crawford by now, but
the local cranes winter here, mostly at Pymatuning. If I remember correctly,
200-300 cranes winter in smaller flocks across the Pymatuning area. So I
doubt a flock this large would be local Sandhills. Would these be migrating
Sandhill Cranes from further west, blown east by the storm system passing
through right now? I'd be interested in hearing comments or thoughts.
I had an interesting bird report from a friend and neighbor yesterday. He photographed a large group of Sandhill Cranes flying high overhead mid-morning. I one picture, he has 109 birds so the flock had at least that many individuals. Sandhill Cranes are quite common in Crawford by now, but the local cranes winter here, mostly at Pymatuning. If I remember correctly, 200-300 cranes winter in smaller flocks across the Pymatuning area. So I doubt a flock this large would be local Sandhills. Would these be migrating Sandhill Cranes from further west, blown east by the storm system passing through right now? I'd be interested in hearing comments or thoughts.
Date: 1/1/26 6:04 pm From: DAVID KOCH <0000012d74227426-dmarc-request...> Subject: Koch property. Northampton County
Sparrows recently seen here, in addition to more whitethroats than I care to count, include white-crowned, field, Lincoln’s, Savannah, song, swamp, and hundreds of juncos. The juncos are everywhere. Also, robins are around in big numbers. I have not, however, had any rare northern species except for the occasional purple finch. But today a yellow -bellied sapsucker, an adult male, came in and fed on the peanut butter/lard mixture I put in holes on posts on the deck. Hairy, downy, and red-bellied woodpeckers are common visitors to this mixture, but this is the first time I’ve seen a sapsucker on it.Â
E
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Date: 12/31/25 12:48 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (31 Dec 2025) 4 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 31, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 11 TV 0 11 1644 OS 0 0 149 BE 2 94 895 NH 0 3 156 SS 0 3 2716 CH 0 4 246 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 7 126 BW 0 0 10265 RT 1 89 1381 RL 0 0 0 GE 1 21 231 AK 0 0 165 ML 0 0 60 PG 0 1 62 UA 0 1 43 UB 0 0 37 UF 0 0 6 UE 0 1 4 UR 0 2 65 SK 0 0 1
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Ron Freed
Observers: Brandon Brogle, Dave Grove, Debbie Spinelli, Gene Wagner, Jeff Thompson , Jim Binder, Joe Yoder, Keith Gingrich, Meredith Lombard, Pat Freed, Paul Kosten, Pete Biasucci , Robert McLaughlin, Shorty Lowe
Visitors: Cindy & Craig Dunn, Paul Zeph, Jeff Schmidt
Weather: Mostly cloudy with light west winds
Raptor Observations: First bird RT 10:50 Last bird GE 2:56
Non-raptor Observations: This closes the 2025 season. Thanks to all who helped count, spot and observe the raptors. Read our daily and monthly counts at hawkcount.org and follow our activities at Facebook.com/Waggonersgaphawkwatch ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ronald Freed (<rpfreed4947...>)
