Date: 3/18/23 1:46 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Chester County Hawk Watch & Migration Count at Chambers Lake (17 Mar 2023) 8 Raptors
Chester County Hawk Watch & Migration Count at Chambers Lake Wagontown, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 17, 2023 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Larry Lewis (Early Bird Nature Tours)
Observers:
Visitors: CHESTER COUNTY HAWK WATCH & MIGRATION COUNT AT CHAMBERS LAKE <BR><BR> Visitors (7): Bruce Foreacre, Mary Alice Knox, Elaine Deutsch, Liz Lyng, John Alessi, and Eric Hartshaw <BR><BR> Thanks everyone, for coming to beautiful Chambers Lake! <BR><BR>
Raptor Observations: ----“Raptors” seen but deemed not to be migrating: 1-Bald Eagle, 2-Red-shouldered Hawk, 4-Red-tailed Hawk, and numerous Black (12) and Turkey Vultures (33). <BR><BR> ----Bald Eagle ages: 1 yr.-1; 2 yr.-_; 3 yr.-_; 4 yr.-1; adult-1 <BR><BR>
Non-raptor Observations: TODAY’S Bird Blog: [PLEASE NOTE: I send out a large weekly “blog/newsletter” detailing much more than these small daily recaps. This newsletter from EBNT, has our upcoming schedule and the County year bird list, etc. If you aren’t receiving it and would like to, kindly email me <earlybirdtours...> to be added. <BR><BR> The weather this morning was spectacular at Chambers Lake Hawk Watch. After the weather we’ve endured, I can’t believe I said that but it was. Bird activity was strong, too, with even more diversified waterfowl on the lake. There was much activity hereabouts until the weather went south at 1pm with rain forcing me into the van yet again. Drats, it sure was nice while it lasted. I still await my first migrant Osprey, too. [Additional highlights listed below] Old friend and local resident, Bruce Foreacre was out. A real surprise was Mary Alice Knox – 95 year old, Mary Alice Knox! Birders have such amazing spirits and Mary Alice sure has her share. Up until she was nearly 80 she was known to camp alone across the United States and kayak the area lakes. Even now, she spoke of taking it out on the lake; her daughter quickly vetoed the notion. The spirit is willing, but the body lacking. Long live the spirit of Mary Alice! Now, she was complaining about her eyes and being old – the very things I remember her complaining about 40 years ago! Some things never change. Her daughter, Elaine Deutsch was here, as were Liz Lyng, John Alessi, and Eric Hartshaw from northern PA. They were all out enjoying the much better weather of the morning. <BR><BR> ---- Thanks to Frank Haas and his gracious generosity and support in his name and in the memory of his wife, Barbara. <BR><BR> ----ADDITIONAL BIRD HIGHLIGHTS: <BR><BR> Wood Ducks, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Redheads, Ring-necked Ducks, Bufflehead, Hooded Mergansers, Common Mergansers, Ruddy Ducks, Pied-billed Grebes, American Coot, Great Blue Herons, Ring-billed Gulls, American Pipits, Eastern Phoebes, and Kingfishers. <BR><BR> ----OTHER WILDLIFE NOTED: Butterflies (0). Dragonflies (0). Reptiles & Amphibians (0). Mammals (1): Eastern Gray Squirrel. <BR><BR> ----EBNT’s “Walk with Nature” ™ Program Daily Tally with our Fitbits: This is a stationary watch, but if I stay stationary too long, I might tend to “bulk up.” Besides, I am ever so fortunate to be walking unaided, at all! Therefore, I keep moving (if you’ve been here, then you know that I pace endlessly….) - my Fitbit thanks me and its part of my “Walk with Nature” program. So, below are MY results at the watch for the day. Your totals could all be zero, if you choose to sit and relax. You are certainly welcome to take it easy….I simply choose not to, affording me a panoramic view of our entire sky and a bit of exercise. So come join our “Walk with Nature!” ™ Anyway, just for fun, here are my numbers at the site for today (join me, if you wish): Steps – 2,556, Miles – 1.09, Floors – 0 <BR><BR> ----“SEASON’S BIRD SPECIES LIST” – we are not just a Hawk Watch but conduct a migration tally from the site. The complete species list will be in our weekly email blog sent to those requesting it. Our tally board, on site, will feature an approximation (very rough, best “guestimate,” – searching for Hawks must remain our primary focus) for totals of each species seen for “The Watch” year. The overall list for the season from the watch will be part of the large weekly “blog,” if you’ve signed up for that at <earlybirdtours...> <BR><BR> TOTAL SPECIES – Identified from watch site: today: 51; this season: 70 <BR><BR> NEW SPECIES ADDED TODAY TO THIS YEAR’S “WATCH SPECIES LIST (4):” Gadwall, American Coot, American Pipit, and Dark-eyed Junco. <BR><BR> Contact: Larry Lewis ------- Early Bird Nature Tours(EBNT)---"Exciting & Fun Adventures in Nature"---63 S. Park Ave., Coatesville, PA 19320---484-340-SORA (7672)--Business Cell---email: <earlybirdtours...>
Predictions: Tomorrow’s flight looks fairly good but with increasing winds. <BR><BR> . The Chester County Hawk Watch and Migration Count is sponsored, in large part, by Frank Haas and in the memory of Barbara Haas. Membership in EBNT is requested. Please contact us at <earlybirdtours...> with questions or comments.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Larry Lewis (<earlybirdtours...>)
Site Description: The platform just left of the only boat ramp for Chambers Lake in the main parking lot, overlooking the lake to the north.
Directions to site: We set up in the main parking lot for the lake, on the platform just left of the only boat ramp. The Hawk Watch at Chambers Lake (as part of the Chester County Hawk Watch) operates daily, March 1 thru April 30 from 9am - 3 pm (unless counter is away leading a tour elsewhere). In fall the season is Sept. 1 thru Nov. 30,each day 9am-3pm. Please contact Larry at 484-340-7672 to confirm counter is present. This count welcomes all visitors to this fine habitat. When there are no hawks present, many birds still are. The lake holds numerous waterfowl species and the variable shoreline can produce incredible shorebirds.
Directions to hawk watch: From the Rt. 30 By-pass take the Rt. 82 exit north. Turn left at the first light(Rt. 340) and go 1.3 miles to Wagontown Rd. Turn Rt. on Wagontown Rd. and continue on this winding road for 1.8 miles (you will pass the Hibernia Park entrance on your right, the Chambers Lake parking lot, and Chambers Lake on your right). Pull off the road to the left and park safely at the end of the lake to visit the hawk watch. You will see us sitting on the dike near the road at the end of the lake.
