Date: 4/14/24 3:14 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Chester County Hawk Watch & Migration Count at Chambers Lake (13 Apr 2024) 4 Raptors
Chester County Hawk Watch & Migration Count at Chambers Lake Wagontown, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 13, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Raptor Observations: ----“Raptors” seen but deemed not to be migrating: 1-Bald Eagle, and numerous Black (7) and Turkey Vultures (18). <BR><BR> ----Bald Eagle ages: 1 yr.-_; 2 yr.-_; 3 yr.-_; 4 yr.-_; 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> Once at Chambers Lake, I noticed even less waterfowl. The winds, coming off the lake, were ridiculous today – steady at 25 mph+. I couldn’t set up outside and was relegated to the van again. The weather this year has been excruciating to conduct a watch. A fisherman parked and walked over to me huddled in the van, resulting in this: Fisherman: “May I ask what you are looking at?” Me: “Birds.” Fisherman: “Birds?!?!” He seemed so very amazed, incredulous, and confused that anyone would do such a thing ANYONE! Are we birders somehow not obnoxiously evident enough to show people we exist?? I must redouble my efforts. Until 3pm, not a single raptor was seen to migrate in this. I felt migration, especially hawk migration, was passing by me barely being noticed this year. Three Ospreys, all together, finally broke the ice today. A fourth came by later. All this Osprey presence soon drew the attention of an adult Bald Eagle. [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, Great Blue Herons, Pied-billed Grebe, Purple Martins, Rough-winged Swallows, Field Sparrows, and Towhees <BR><BR> ----OTHER WILDLIFE NOTED: Butterflies (0). Dragonflies (0). Reptiles & Amphibians (2): Spring Peeper, American Toad. Mammals (3): 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 – 6,821, Miles – 2.91, Floors – 23 <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: 43; this season: 94 <BR><BR> NEW SPECIES ADDED TODAY TO THIS YEAR’S “WATCH SPECIES LIST (0):” nothing. <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 to be pretty good with increasing SW 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.