Date: 9/4/24 9:36 am From: <ceceliahard...> <000001ea2b4afe88-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: PABIRDS Digest - 2 Sep 2024 to 3 Sep 2024 (#2024-221)
I saw at least a dozen chimney swifts hunting insects above the Allegheny River in Aspinwall this morning.
________________________________
From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania <PABIRDS...> on behalf of PABIRDS automatic digest system <LISTSERV...>
Sent: Wednesday, September 4, 2024 12:03 AM
To: <PABIRDS...> <PABIRDS...>
Subject: PABIRDS Digest - 2 Sep 2024 to 3 Sep 2024 (#2024-221)
There are 17 messages totaling 919 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Night sounds Plumstead Twp Bucks Co.
2. Erie County Waterbird count for Sept. 3, 2024
3. Allegheny County - No Chimney Swifts (6)
4. Indiana county
5. Rocky Ridge (03 Sep 2024) 3 Raptors
6. Stone Mt., Pa. (03 Sep 2024) 7 Raptors
7. Second Mountain (03 Sep 2024) 27 Raptors
8. Bake Oven Knob (03 Sep 2024) 27 Raptors
9. Rose Tree Park (03 Sep 2024) 5 Raptors
10. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (03 Sep 2024) 20 Raptors
11. Waggoner's Gap (03 Sep 2024) 117 Raptors
12. Allegheny Front (03 Sep 2024) 55 Raptors
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2024 09:15:29 -0400
From: Lisa Dziuban <dziubanlisa...>
Subject: Night sounds Plumstead Twp Bucks Co.
For the last several weeks I consistently heard an eastern screech owl every evening at dusk. At first I heard it around 8:30, then as the days got darker earlier I heard it at 8:15, 8:00, 7:45, etc. Very predictable! Last night I did not hear it but instead heard a barred owl, around 8 pm, both owls heard coming from the undeveloped land across the street. Also around 1:00 a.m. the wailing of a fox, very close by, woke me up.
Feeders are up and busy with the resident white breasted nuthatches, downy and hairy woodpeckers, family of chickadees, catbird. The swallows are gone and I haven’t seen the towhee in a few days. RT hummingbird seen over the weekend. Dry conditions persist, 48 deg this morning. Glorious day!
Lisa Dziuban
“I stay my haste, I make delays, for what avails this eager pace?
I stand amid the eternal ways, and what is mine shall know my face.”
-John Burroughs,
The Seer Of Slabsides, Dallas Lore Sharp, 1910
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2024 13:55:45 +0000
From: "<jerrymcw...>" <jerrymcw...>
Subject: Erie County Waterbird count for Sept. 3, 2024
Location: Sunset Point, Presque Isle State Park
Date: September 3, 2024
Time: 0650 to 0820 AM
Weather: Clear, SE wind to 10 mph, waves 1’, temp. 49 F
Comments: Very little moving. Waterbirds recorded: Mallard 1Common Merganser 14Killdeer 1Peep 1Double-crested Cormorant 160Common Loon 1 Others moving across or along the lake: Bald Eagle 1Monarch3 (flying across the lake from Canada at sunrise)
Jerry McWilliamsErie, Erie County, Pa.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2024 15:20:48 +0000
From: Ryan Tomazin <wvwarblers...>
Subject: Allegheny County - No Chimney Swifts
All (or the 5 people still using the listserv),
I just stepped outside at 11:10 a.m. for something, and was struck right away by the lack of any Chimney Swifts. Not a one. They never leave here until mid-late September. I've been monitoring all types of life being 3 weeks ahead this year, and I wonder about the swifts leaving 3 weeks early.
Never mind that there were in fact just about no birds at all, at any distance. I heard the quiet lisp of a House Sparrow twice, and that was it. Utter silence. On a beautiful sunny day...
Did anyone else in the state lose their swifts overnight?
Ryan Tomazin
Bridgeville, PA
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2024 16:39:18 +0000
From: Michael Fialkovich <mpfial...>
Subject: Re: Allegheny County - No Chimney Swifts
I usually see swifts until mid-October. Can't say I noticed their disappearance over the weekend. Now I'll have to look. I know I saw them last Saturday.
Mike Fialkovich
Allegheny County
On Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 11:20:52 AM EDT, Ryan Tomazin <wvwarblers...> wrote:
All (or the 5 people still using the listserv),
I just stepped outside at 11:10 a.m. for something, and was struck right away by the lack of any Chimney Swifts. Not a one. They never leave here until mid-late September. I've been monitoring all types of life being 3 weeks ahead this year, and I wonder about the swifts leaving 3 weeks early.
Never mind that there were in fact just about no birds at all, at any distance. I heard the quiet lisp of a House Sparrow twice, and that was it. Utter silence. On a beautiful sunny day...
Did anyone else in the state lose their swifts overnight?
Ryan Tomazin
Bridgeville, PA
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2024 13:03:45 -0400
From: John <rublzrme...>
Subject: Re: Allegheny County - No Chimney Swifts
I was seeing swifts regularly the last few weeks at the mudflats at Boyce Mayview until August 29. On September 1 no swifts. Haven’t seen any the last few days anywhere I birded.
John Flannigan
Allegheny county
Sent from my iPhone
> On Sep 3, 2024, at 12:39 PM, Michael Fialkovich <0000012b4af48ab0-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> I usually see swifts until mid-October. Can't say I noticed their disappearance over the weekend. Now I'll have to look. I know I saw them last Saturday.
>
>
> Mike Fialkovich
> Allegheny County
>
> On Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 11:20:52 AM EDT, Ryan Tomazin <wvwarblers...> wrote:
>
> All (or the 5 people still using the listserv),
>
> I just stepped outside at 11:10 a.m. for something, and was struck right away by the lack of any Chimney Swifts. Not a one. They never leave here until mid-late September. I've been monitoring all types of life being 3 weeks ahead this year, and I wonder about the swifts leaving 3 weeks early.
>
> Never mind that there were in fact just about no birds at all, at any distance. I heard the quiet lisp of a House Sparrow twice, and that was it. Utter silence. On a beautiful sunny day...
>
> Did anyone else in the state lose their swifts overnight?
>
> Ryan Tomazin
> Bridgeville, PA
>
Hi all,
Nice surprise I heard first and saw in the garden. A Lincoln’s Sparrow. Raven called and flew low by house. Saw a few fall warblers I need to ID. Hummers are still here about 1/2 dozen. Saw an adult male yesterday on Labor Day. Several immature Rose-breasted Grosbeaks hanging around the garden. Begging fledglings of cardinals, goldfinches and Carolina Wrens. Birds are coming closer to the house. Male adult here now.
First migrating monarch flying SW yesterday 9/2. Out the front door on the ramp. Another in the garden nectaring and flew up to the willow tree for the night.
Marcy Cunkelman
SW Indiana county, Conemaugh twp, PA.
Sent from my iPhone
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2024 19:01:33 +0000
From: "Grove, Deborah Shuey" <dsg4...>
Subject: Re: Allegheny County - No Chimney Swifts
Well, even if you might think there are only 5 people on the listserv, there are 1535 still listed as subscribers with about 400 set to No Mail with some of those I notice are no longer with us.
Deb
From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania <PABIRDS...> on behalf of Ryan Tomazin <wvwarblers...>
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 11:20 AM
To: pabirds <PABIRDS...>
Subject: [PABIRDS] Allegheny County - No Chimney Swifts
All (or the 5 people still using the listserv),
I just stepped outside at 11:10 a.m. for something, and was struck right away by the lack of any Chimney Swifts. Not a one. They never leave here until mid-late September. I've been monitoring all types of life being 3 weeks ahead this year, and I wonder about the swifts leaving 3 weeks early.
Never mind that there were in fact just about no birds at all, at any distance. I heard the quiet lisp of a House Sparrow twice, and that was it. Utter silence. On a beautiful sunny day...
Did anyone else in the state lose their swifts overnight?
Observation start time: 10:15:00
Observation end time: 13:30:00
Total observation time: 3.25 hours
Official Counter: Jen Barrall
Observers:
Visitors:
4
Weather:
Pleasant, sunny day with minimal cloud cover, light NE breeze with temps in
the high 60s.
Raptor Observations:
Very little activity, even among non-migrating "local" raptors.
Migrants: 1 BWHA that was easily seen; 1 UB and 1 UR that were on the
fringes of visibility with binoculars.
Local Raptors: minimum 7 BAEA (4 adults and 3 immatures--counts represent
the most adults/immatures seen at one time). One Immature (2nd year) BAEA
provided stunning looks as it soared low with TVs between the metal tower
and platform. Two RTHA (1 adult, 1 juv), 1 Coop, numerous TVs and BVs.
Non-raptor Observations:
Poor day for raptor migration, but it was a great day to be at the platform
for migrating warblers--if only I were better at IDing them! Tennessee
Warblers all day long, in the pokeberry and then crossing the ridge into
the trees. Many species at the tree line.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Parks Volunteer (<parks...>)
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2024 17:00:41 -0400
From: Grant Stevenson <stevensongrant03...>
Subject: Re: Allegheny County - No Chimney Swifts
Observing the same swift problem here in the cities of the Lehigh Valley.
There were some earlier. Now none. Maybe too many migrating raptors will be
a possible reason now that the hawkwatches are getting more busy,
especially after a cold front? I'm just guessing. Good observation, though,
as indeed the 32% or 39% or whatever decline continues exponentially
theoretically maybe?? I don't know. Interesting, and scary.
Grant Stevenson
Bethlehem, Lehigh County
On Tue, Sep 3, 2024, 3:01 PM Grove, Deborah Shuey <dsg4...> wrote:
> Well, even if you might think there are only 5 people on the listserv,
> there are 1535 still listed as subscribers with about 400 set to No Mail
> with some of those I notice are no longer with us.
>
> Deb
>
> From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania <PABIRDS...> on
> behalf of Ryan Tomazin <wvwarblers...>
> Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 11:20 AM
> To: pabirds <PABIRDS...>
> Subject: [PABIRDS] Allegheny County - No Chimney Swifts
> All (or the 5 people still using the listserv),
>
> I just stepped outside at 11:10 a.m. for something, and was struck right
> away by the lack of any Chimney Swifts. Not a one. They never leave here
> until mid-late September. I've been monitoring all types of life being 3
> weeks ahead this year, and I wonder about the swifts leaving 3 weeks early.
>
> Never mind that there were in fact just about no birds at all, at any
> distance. I heard the quiet lisp of a House Sparrow twice, and that was it.
> Utter silence. On a beautiful sunny day...
>
> Did anyone else in the state lose their swifts overnight?
>
> Ryan Tomazin
> Bridgeville, PA
>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2024 17:12:28 -0400
From: Russ Ruffing <russruffing...>
Subject: Re: Allegheny County - No Chimney Swifts
I’m sitting on my deck in Maryland right now and there’s at least 300
swifts in view as I scan with my bino to the east.
On Tue, Sep 3, 2024 at 11:20 AM Ryan Tomazin <wvwarblers...> wrote:
> All (or the 5 people still using the listserv),
>
> I just stepped outside at 11:10 a.m. for something, and was struck right
> away by the lack of any Chimney Swifts. Not a one. They never leave here
> until mid-late September. I've been monitoring all types of life being 3
> weeks ahead this year, and I wonder about the swifts leaving 3 weeks early.
>
> Never mind that there were in fact just about no birds at all, at any
> distance. I heard the quiet lisp of a House Sparrow twice, and that was it.
> Utter silence. On a beautiful sunny day...
>
> Did anyone else in the state lose their swifts overnight?
>
> Ryan Tomazin
> Bridgeville, PA
>
Second Mountain
Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 03, 2024
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 05:45:00
Observation end time: 14:00:00
Total observation time: 8.25 hours
Official Counter: Rosemary Spreha
Observers: Larry Coble, Mary Brenner, Sue Dibble
Visitors:
Jarrod and Cassidy, 2 FIG security people, 7 for vista.
Weather:
Temperature ranged from 50 to 73 degrees, 0 to 70% cloud cover. Medium wind
mostly from the north.
Raptor Observations:
Local TV, BV and red-tailed hawks. Ravens. 3 Adult Bald Eagles heading
north not counted, one juvenile Bald Eagle heading east not counted. One
adult and two juvenile Bald Eagles counted.
Non-raptor Observations:
Mixed flocks of warblers seen between 7 and 9. Cormorant heading south.
Predictions:
Sunny high 78.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Frederick Wilcox (<Ftw539...>)
Second Mountain information may be found at:
Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Bake Oven Knob
2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 03, 2024
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Cedar Waxwing (15). Chimney Swift (2). Common Raven (2). Belted Kingfisher
(1), flew low over the North lookout.
Got fantastic eye-level looks at a Blackburnian Warbler, a Chestnut-sided
Warbler, and a Red-eyed Vireo all in the same tree!
Predictions:
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming southeast around
5 mph in the afternoon.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>)
Bake Oven Knob information may be found at:
www.lgnc.org<http://www.lgnc.org>
Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Alan Simon, Bruce Childs
Observers: Alan Simon, Bob Kelly, Chuck Root
Visitors:
Sarah Schneider
Weather:
Mostly sunny with mostly easterly breezes, limited cloud cover
Raptor Observations:
The usual local birds, Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, Cooper's Hawks,
Bald Eagle, Turkey and Black Vultures
Non-raptor Observations:
2 Common Raven
Predictions:
Tomorrow will be another blue sky day, with temperatures reaching the upper
70's with light winds having a Westerly component.
========================================================================
Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>)
Rose Tree Park information may be found at:
www.rtphawkwatch.org<http://www.rtphawkwatch.org>
Waggoner's Gap
40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 03, 2024
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
BV 0 0 0
TV 0 0 0
OS 1 28 67
BE 10 41 99
NH 0 3 6
SS 3 12 25
CH 2 4 12
AG 0 0 0
RS 0 4 10
BW 91 157 493
RT 7 33 119
RL 0 0 0
GE 0 0 0
AK 1 11 22
ML 1 2 2
PG 0 0 3
UA 0 0 2
UB 1 1 3
UF 0 0 0
UE 0 0 0
UR 0 2 5
Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 15:30:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jim Rocco
Observers: Ed Gowarty,Sr, Joe Sabo, Kevin Georg, Mike Wolfe, Nancy Ott,
Paul Fritz
Visitors:
15 visitors including , Paul Frits, Dave Kipp, MIke Wolfe,
Joe Sabo, Nancy Ott, Kevin Georg, Ed Gowarty Sr. Dave Poder
Weather:
Winds from the ESE all day, early morning wonds were strong
up to 22 mph.
Temperaturea went from 12 to 16 C.
Cloud cover 0% to 20%. Mostly clear blue sky which made spotting a
problem.
Vixibillity clear up to 40 km.
Raptor Observations:
55 raptors counted for the day including 10 Bald eagles and
3 Osprey.Adult eagles at:9:48, 10:56, 11:10, 1:16, 1:45,
2:40, 4th year bird at 1:47, Juv. birds at 9:48, 1:50, 2:06
Non-raptor Observations:
4 hummingbirds, cedar waxwings, local turkey vultures,
Blue jays, ravens, black capped cnickadees, hooded warblers
4 monarch butterflies, clouded sulphers, cabbage whites,
tiger and black swallowtails
Predictions:
East winds with temperatures reaching the 70's
========================================================================
Report submitted by Jim Rocco (<jd.jh.rocco...>)
