Date: 4/11/24 4:25 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Chester County Hawk Watch & Migration Count at Chambers Lake (10 Apr 2024) 20 Raptors
Chester County Hawk Watch & Migration Count at Chambers Lake Wagontown, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 10, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Raptor Observations: ----“Raptors” seen but deemed not to be migrating: 2-Bald Eagle, 3-Red-shouldered Hawk, 4-Red-tailed Hawk, and numerous Black (5) and Turkey Vultures (68). <BR><BR> ----Bald Eagle ages: 1 yr.-_; 2 yr.-2; 3 yr.-_; 4 yr.-_; adult-3 <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> Morning field brew just wasn’t the same on my trip. It was good to have a familiar java warming my hands. It was also good to be back on my post at Chambers Lake. I saw some “old friends” but expect many new ones with Broad-winged Hawk migration underway. First, I walked my mom’s 2-mile loop – the children’s pond along forge trail. I hoped for several early migrants – Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wood Thrush, Louisiana Waterthrush, Blue-headed Vireo, and Prairie Warbler – but got only Louisiana Waterthrush [my FOY] when its vibrant, distinct song rang over Birch Run near where it runs into the Brandywine. This species loves fast moving, rocky creeks, especially those with decent sized tributaries, like Birch Run. As I walked along the Brandywine, I came across an adult Bald Eagle soaking in what morning sun there was from a perch overlooking the creek. I couldn’t help but think of that stunning blonde at a party, checking herself in a mirror. Fantastic to look at – I could all day – but at some point you have to deal with her and those great looks become but a distant memory. Other birds seen on my morning constitutional included Great Blue Heron, Kingfisher, Phoebe, Swamp Sparrows, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Towhee. Back at the lake… Red-eared Sliders were suddenly evident, out basking on exposed rocks. American Toads were heard calling, too. An occasional Pickerel Frog chimed in. A few Deer grazed in Rand’s meadow. My first Broad-winged Hawk [my FOY] way seen at 11:15, appearing suddenly, and low, over Rand’s Woods while watching 4 Common Ravens interplaying. I heard my first Blue-gray Gnatcatcher [my FOY] here, not on my walk. Palm Warblers [my FOY] quickly followed. Later in the day, a few breaks in the clouds brought a few patches of blue, resulting in thermals and a tiny uptick in hawk movement, among them, a few more Broad-wings. I stayed late to drink it all in. It was a rather birdy day. On the people watching front… ZZ Top was back fishing again in front of this “Sharp Dressed Man.” [Google it] [See picture]. [Additional highlights listed below] <BR><BR> ---- Thanks to Frank Haas and his gracious generosity and support over the years, in his name and in the memory of his wife, Barbara. <BR><BR> ----ADDITIONAL BIRD HIGHLIGHTS: <BR><BR> Bufflehead, Wood Ducks, Ring-necked Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Herons, Cormorants, Kingfishers, Common Loon, Ravens, Killdeer, Phoebes, Rough-winged Swallows, Purple Martins, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Palm Warblers, Phoebes, Swamp Sparrow, Towhees, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Field Sparrows <BR><BR> ----OTHER WILDLIFE NOTED: Butterflies (1): Cabbage White. Dragonflies (0). Reptiles & Amphibians (4): Red-eared Slider, Spring Peeper, Pickerel Frog, American Toad. Mammals (4): Eastern Cottontail, Eastern Gray Squirrel, White-tailed Deer, Eastern Chipmunk. <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 – 12,588, Miles – 5.37, Floors – 16 <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: 60; this season: 91 <BR><BR> NEW SPECIES ADDED TODAY TO THIS YEAR’S “WATCH SPECIES LIST (4):” Killdeer, Broad-winged Hawk, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Palm Warbler. <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...> "Group Birding - The Economical, Fun and Environmentally Friendly Way to Bird!"
Predictions: Tomorrow’s flight looks ok in morning but rain in afternoon <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.
