Date: 5/16/25 4:56 pm From: Andrew Ednie <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, May 16th, 2025
Delaware * Statewide * May 16, 2025 * DEST 2025.05.16
*Birds mentioned BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK Brant Mute Swan Black Swan Northern Shoveler Lesser Scaup Black Scoter Surf Scoter Common Merganser Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Yellow-billed Cuckoo Black-billed Cuckoo Common Nighthawk Chuck-will’s-widow Eastern Whippoorwill Sora Virginia Rail King Rail Common Gallinule American Coot Sandhill Crane American Oystercatcher Black-necked Stilt American Avocet Black-bellied Plover American Golden Plover PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER Semipalmated Plover Piping Plover Whimbrel Ruddy Turnstone Willet Red Knot Pectoral Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Wilson’s Phalarope RED-NECKED PHALAROPE Black Skimmer Gull-Billed Tern Least Tern Caspian Tern Common Tern ROSEATE TERN Royal Tern Pied-billed Grebe SOOTY SHEARWATER Brown Pelican Northern Gannet Least Bittern Tricolored Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-crowned Night Heron White Ibis MISSISSIPPI KITE Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Barn Owl Barred Owl Northern Harrier Red-headed Woodpecker Peregrine Falcon OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Least Flycatcher Willow Flycatcher Common Raven Bank Swallow Cliff Swallow Brown-headed Nuthatch Sedge Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet Gray-cheeked Thrush Swainson’s Thrush Hermit Thrush Vesper Sparow Saltmarsh Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow LINCOLN’S SPARROW Dark-eyed Junco Bobolink Summer Tanager Tennessee Warbler Nashville Warbler Kentucky Warbler Hooded Warbler Cape May Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Palm Warbler Wilson’s Warbler
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: May 16, 2025 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
For Friday, May 16th, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science in Greenville. The Birdline is the rare bird alert (RBA) for The First State sponsored by the Delaware Ornithological Society. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of our sponsors. The unofficial Delaware State Year List hit the 305 species mark, with 5 new additions. There were 28 species of warbler reported. New migrants this week included GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, plus LEAST and OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER.
The place to be was Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna! A PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER was found with AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER at the marsh side of Bear Swamp on Monday. Unfortunately, this bird went out with the tide and has not been re-found. A female WILSON’S PHALAROPE was found at Bear Swamp on Sunday. On Wednesday, a male and female RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was seen at Bear Swamp. These birds were seen on the impoundment side of the pool. There was an influx of RED-NECKED PHALAROPE into Kent Count, with other sightings at the main tract in Little Creek Wildlife Area and swimming in the surf line at Big Stone Beach in Milford Neck Wildlife area.
There was a big flight of neotropical migrants last weekend. The first OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was reported on Sunday across from Krapf’s from White Clay Creek State Park. LEAST FLYCATCHERS were found at Joy’s Run, Greer’s Pond, Bombay Hook, and in a yard near Dover. WILLOW FLYCATCHERS were found in their usual haunts First State NHP, Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area, Bombay Hook, and Oyster Rocks Road. SWAINSON’S THRUSHES were seen throughout the state. The first GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES were seen along Thompson Station Road in White Clay Creek State Park, plus Ashland Nature Center, Bombay Hook, Cape Henlopen State Park, and Redden State Forest. A late HERMIT THRUSH was seen at Finis Pool in Bombay Hook.
This has been an excellent year for KENTUCKY WARBLER, the previously reported birds continue to be seen at Brandywine Creek State Park and the Tybout’s Tract in Blackbird State Foret. KENTUCKY WARBLERS were additionally seen at Thompson’s Station Road in White Clay Creek, Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Area, Killen’s Pond State Park, and Redden State Forest. HOODED WARBLER was seen at First State NHP, Tybout’s Tract, and Redden State Forest. TENNESSEE WARBLER was seen at First State and Bombay Hook. NASHVILLE WARBLER was reported White Clay Creek, Cedar Swamp and Dover. BLACKBURNIAN, BAY-BREASTED and CAPE MAY WARBLERS were seen in several locations. There are still no reports of the Springtime Big Three: GOLDEN-WINGED, CERULEAN, or MOURNING WARBLERS.
All three goatsuckers, COMMON NIGHTHAWK, CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW, and EASTERN WHIPPOORWILL were reported at Milford Neck Wildlife Area along with SEDGE WREN, SORA, KING and VIRGINIA RAIL. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were also see flying over Lums Pond and First State NHP. CHUCK-WILL’S WIDOW was reported in Dewey Beach. Both COMMON NIGHTHAWK and CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW were both reported from Cape Henlopen State Park.
A SUMMER TANAGER was found today at Newark Reservoir. COMMON RAVEN continues to be seen at the STAR campus south of Newark. BOBOLINKS were found at Smith’s Mill Road and the UD Ag Farm in Newark. Additionally, a BOBOLINK was found in downtown Wilmington, across from P.S. duPont Middle School. Late COMMON MERGANSERS were seen along the Red Clay Creek at Auburn Valley State Park and at the Brandywine Creek in First State NHP. MISSISSIPPI KITE and a late RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET were also seen at First State. An AMERICAN COOT was found at the Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge in Wilmington.
COMMON GALLINULE, PIED-BILLED GREBE and BARRED OWL were heard at midnight at Dragon Run near Delaware City. COMMON GALLINULE was also found at Thousand Acre Marsh along with LEAST BITTERN, STILT SANDPIPER, and CASPIAN TERN. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK was seen flying over Greer’s Pond. SANDHILL CRANES and a RUDDY DUCK were seen from the Augustine Creek causeway. CLIFF SWALLOW continues to be seen at the Route 9 Appoquinmink Bridge where SORA, KING and CLAPPER RAILS were also reported. BOBOLINK and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW were found at Prices Park in Middletown. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues along Saw Mill Road at the Naudain Tract in Blackbird State Forest.
Other Shorebirds found at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge included WHITE-RUMPED and STILT SANDPIPERS along with BLACK-NECKED STILT, AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, WILLET SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, and RUDDY TURNSTONE. BLACK SKIMMERS were seen roosting at Bear Swamp. Waterfowl reported included MUTE and BLACK SWAN, LESSER SCAUP, HOODED MERGANSER, RUDDY DUCK, COMMON GALLINULE, and PIED-BILLED GREBE. Waders seen were LEAST BITTERN, SANDHILL CRANE, and GLOSSY IBIS. BARN OWL was seen near the visitor center. A late DARK-EYED JUNCO was seen Sunday.
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS were seen at Wheatley’s Pond in Clayton off Route 300 out of Smyrna. SURF SCOTER and BARN OWL were found along the Port Mahon Road. TRICOLORED HERON, NORTHERN SHOVELER, and BLACK SKIMMER were seen at the Main Tract in Little Creek Wildlife Area. BANK SWALLOWS were seen at their nest holes at the Turquoise Pool in the Pioneer Dredge Ponds at the Route 9 and 1 intersection south of Dover. SEDGE WREN was heard calling at Pickering Beach Road. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH was found along Big Stone Beach Road in Milford Neck Wildlife Area. A SALTMARSH SPARROW was calling at Bennett’s Pier Road.
RED KNOT was seen at Mispillion Inlet from the Dupont Nature Center, along with AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, BLACK-BELIED PLOVER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, and WILLET. CASPIAN, ROYAL, and LEAST TERNS were seen on the Back Beach at Mispillion. Both YELLOW-CROWNED and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were seen at the Beach Plum Drive Pond at the Marvel Salt Marsh Preserve. SALTMARSH SPARROW was seen from the observation platform at Marvel Drive.
A LINCOLN’S SPARROW was found along Fowlers Beach Road in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. American Golden Plover, RUDDY TURNSTONE and NORTHERN HARRIER were found at the Fowler Beach ag fields. PRECTORAL SANDPIPER, BLACK SKIMMERS and LEAST TERN were also seen along the Dike Trail at Prime Hook. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was seen along Oyster Rocks Road.
The first ROSEATE TERN of the year was seen at Cape Henlopen Point along with BLACK SKIMMER, ROYAL, COMMON, CASPIAN, GULL-BILLED, and LEAST TERN. AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, PIPING PLOVER, WHIMBREL, RUDDY TURNSTONE, and BRANT were seen at the Bayshore Beach. PARASITIC JAEGER, RED-THROATED LOON, BLACK and SURF SCOTER were reported at Herring Point. A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was seen at the edge of the parade grounds across from the Seaside Nature Cetner. RED KNOT and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER were seen at Gordon’s Pond. PURPLE SANDPIPERS and a flyby SOOTY SHEARWATER were seen from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
ROYAL and COMMON TERN plus NORTHERN GANNET and BROWN PELICAN were seen at Indian River Inlet. BRANT and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON were seen at Burton’s Island. 150 WHITE IBIS and TRICOLORED HERON were seen at Key Box Road in Delaware Seashore State Park. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was reported at Angola Neck. Another late DARK-EYED JUNCO was seen at the McCabe Preserve near Milton. VESPER SPARROW was found along E. Redden Road near the intersection with Downs Road near Ellendale.
There are 2 baby PEREGRINE FALCONS in the nest box at the Brandywine Building in downtown Wilmington. Visitor can watch the nest from the falcon cam at the Delawar ornithological Society website, DOSBird.org/Citizen Science.
Thanks to the many people that make the Birdline possible Vince Elia, Scott Stolz, Martha Beebe, Ken Bass, Jim Lenhard, Allan Strong, Eric Molho, Bernie Foy, Ben Filreis, Chris Hinkle, Kitt Heckscher, Warren Brooks, Sean O’Connor, Brian Moyer, Ian Stewart, Judy Montgomery, Kees de Moy, Katie Novak, Kim Steininger, John Skibicki, Jeremy Bird, Jeff Climie, Carter Chambers, Ed Wrzesniewski, Chris and Karen Bennett, Greg Gough, Art Zdancwic, Sue Gruver, Tom Stock, Richard Jullian, Rob and Carol Blye, Diane Kane, Phil Misseldine, Debbie Blair, Randy Fisher, David Carr, David Dowell, Greg Darone, Dan Nozensky, Jen Llewelyn, Andy Jenkins, Carolyn Holland, Mary Braun, Brooke Cherry, Sam VanHorne, Jim and Amy White, Jeff Gordon, Sharon Dounce, Wendy Cesario, Rod Murray, Scott Northey, Melissa Lafferty, Kris Benarcik, Ryleigh Sweet, John and Andy Dunn, Will Krohn, Megan Kasprzak, Declan and Amy O’Neil, Joe Francis, Mike Moore, Bruce Peterjohn, and Joe Swertinski. The Birdline need! s your help. Please call your sightings into 302-792-9591 or email <ednieap...> Until next week, this is Andy Ednie wishing you good birding.
