Date: 4/8/26 11:18 am From: Oscar Miller <aoscarmiller3...> Subject: Re: Mercer County Black Vultures
Here in western Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County, directly south of
Butler County, Black Vultures have been seen much more frequently in the
last decade than in Butler County.
Since the turn of the century, in Butler County, Black Vultures were
reported in 2000, 2013, 2021, 2024, 2025 and 2026 with a very noticeable
increase in the last few years but not approaching the frequency of reports
from Allegheny.
On Tue, Apr 7, 2026 at 2:36 PM Amy Taracido <amytaracido...> wrote:
> In southeastern Washington County along the Monongahela River, we've had
> an increasing number of "regulars" of Black Vultures over the past 5 or so
> years. For approximately two years now there's been a regular large flock
> of about 12 or so that stay in our 2-mile area daily.
>
> Amy Taracido
> Coal Center, Washington County, PA
>
> ________________________________
> From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania <PABIRDS...> on
> behalf of Randy Stringer <0000014328ddae02-dmarc-request...>
> Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2026 6:42 PM
> To: <PABIRDS...> <PABIRDS...>
> Subject: [PABIRDS] Mercer County Black Vultures
>
> Greetings, PA Birds List Serve members,
> I am writing to share a particularly noteworthy observation from my home
> in Grove City, which strongly reinforces the compelling trend of Black
> Vulture range expansion within our state.
> This evening, precisely at 6:15 PM, I witnessed an impressive movement of
> raptors directly over my property. Against the backdrop of the setting sun,
> a dynamic kettle formed, comprised of a diverse aerial contingent. Among
> them were three magnificent Bald Eagles, gracefully carving arcs in the
> sky, alongside a substantial gathering of thirty-one Turkey Vultures.
> What truly captivated my attention, however, was a very distinct group of
> five Black Vultures. These five individuals maintained an unusually tight,
> compact formation, their flight style noticeably different from the more
> haphazard, wobbling flight of the Turkey Vultures. Their disciplined
> cohesion made them instantly identifiable and quite prominent within the
> larger kettle.
> For personal context, my last recorded sighting of a Black Vulture in this
> immediate vicinity was back in January 2022. This evening's observation of
> a quintet, flying with such purposeful unity, suggests a significant and
> potentially more established presence in this northern locale.
> This continued northward advancement of Black Vultures is a fascinating
> ecological development, and I encourage fellow birders to remain vigilant
> and share their own sightings, especially from areas where these birds were
> historically less common.
> Best regards,
> Randy StringerGrove City, PA
> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
>
