Date: 12/6/19 6:09 pm From: Andy Ednie, Claymont, DE. <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, December 6th, 2019
RBA
* Delaware
* Statewide
* December 6, 2019
* DEST 1912.06
*Birds mentioned
Brant
Snow Goose
Ross’s Goose
Cackling Goose
Tundra Swan
Mute Swan
TRUMPETER SWAN
Gadwall
American Wigeon
EURASIAN WIGEON
Green-winged Teal
Canvasback
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
COMMON EIDER
Black Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Surf Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Northern Bobwhite
Common Nighthawk
Virginia Rail
American Coot
American Avocet
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Marbled Godwit
HUDSONIAN GODWIT
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Dunlin
Least Sandpiper
Purple Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Common Loon
Red-throated Loon
American Bittern
Great Egret
Black-crowned Night Heron
Osprey
Bald Eagle
NORTHERN GOSHAWK
Red-shouldered Hawk
Golden Eagle
Barred Owl
Short-eared Owl
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Marsh Wren
Gray Catbird
American Pipit
Snow Bunting
Chipping Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sparrow
LARK SPARROW
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Eastern Meadowlark
Rusty Blackbird
Baltimore Oriole
Orange-crowned Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
PAINTED BUNTING
Dickcissel
Hotline: Birdline Delaware
Date: December 6, 2019
To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE)
Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>)
Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern
New Jersey, Maryland
For Friday, December 6th, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The unofficial Delaware Annual list increased to 326 species.
A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was reported along the Fowlers Beach in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge on Monday flying across the marsh. 15 SNOW BUNTINGS were seen along the beach. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, and TREE SWALLOW were seen at the edge of the woods. Four SHORT-EARED OWLS, GREAT HORNED OWL, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, and an AMERICAN BITTERN were seen flying over the marsh. Waterfowl reported included TUNDRA SWAN, flyover ROSS’S GOOSE, HOODED MERGANSER, and RUDDY DUCK. Shorebirds reported included a flock of over 300 AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, DUNLIN, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, and GREATER YELLOWLEGS. MERLIN and PEREGRINE was seen hunting in the area. A pair of SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS were found near refuge headquarters along the Observation Point Trail along with LESSER SCAUP. AMERICAN KESTREL was seen along 13 Curves Rd.
A female HARLEQUIN DUCK continues to be seen intermittently at Herring Point in Cape Henlopen State Park along with BLACK and SURF SCOTER, RED-THROATED LOON, NORTHERN GANNET, SANDERLING, and a peak count of 17 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH, TREE SWALLOW, CHIPPING and FOX SPARROW were found by the Seaside Nature Center. A female PAINTED BUNTING was seen Thanksgiving Day at the hawk watch in Cape Henlopen State Park. That bird was not re-seen. COMMON EIDER, NORTHERN GANNET, and GREAT CORMORANT were seen from the Cape May – Lewes Ferry today.
A pair of COMMON EIDERS were seen at Indian River Inlet along with all three species of SCOTER: SURF, BLACK, and WHITE-WINGED, plus LONG-TAILED DUCK, 200 BUFFLEHEAD, GREAT CORMORANT, GANNET, and both COMMON and RED-THROATED LOON. Shorebirds seen included SANDERLING, RUDDY TURNSTONE, and multiple PURPLE SANDPIPER. A SALTMARSH SPARROW was found in the marsh at edge behind the south campground. Another PURPLE SANDPIPER was reported at New Road in Delaware Seashore State Park.
The previous reported EURASIAN WIGEON continues to be seen by the observation tower at Assawoman Wildlife Area along with GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, HOODED MERGANSER, AND AMERICAN COOT. VIRGINIA RAILS were calling along the pond’s edge. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH was reported in the pine woods. The previous reported BALTIMORE ORIOLES were seen at Oceanview near Bethany Beach and in Georgetown. PINE WARBLER and WOOD DUCK were reported at Harbeson. CANVASBACK, HOODED MERGANSER, and RUDDY DUCK continue to be seen on Silver Lake in downtown Rehoboth Beach.
Last Saturday, a TRUMPETER SWAN was reported calling at Raymond Pool. So far, there have been no other reports of this distinctive call among the other TUNDRA SWANS. Another female PAINTED BUNTING was photographed on Friday and Saturday at the Raymond Tower Trail in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna. A SNOW BUNTING was seen on the Shearness Dike on Tuesday, a LARK SPARROW was seen near the turn to Bear Swamp, and a LINCOLN’S SPARROW was seen behind refuge headquarters. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and several FOX SPARROWS were found just outside the refuge along Whitehall Neck Road on Saturday. Nine species of shorebirds are still being seen at Bombay Hook including MARBLED and HUDSONIAN GODWIT, AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. Waterfowl reported included TUNDRA SWAN, CACKLING GOOSE, WOOD DUCK, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, HOODED and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, plus the first COMMON GOLDENEYE of the season. PEREGRINE and MERLIN were seen hunting inside the refuge on AMERICAN KESTREL was on the wire along Whitehall neck Road.
A late COMMON NIGHTHAWK was seen flying over at the Reedy Point Bridge near Delaware city on Thursday. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and GRAY CATBIRD were found at Dragon Run Marsh. GADWALL, LESSER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK and AMERICAN COOT were seen on Dragon Run. A COMMON GALLINULE was reported at the Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area. NORTHERN BOBWHITE and a late CATBIRD were seen in the woods. MUTE SWAN, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, WOOD DUCK, and 300 AMERICAN COOTS were seen on Thousand Acre Marsh. Six GREAT EGRETS were seen at the Port Penn impoundments. A BARRED OWL was calling in the evening at the backside of Augustine Creek off Pole Tavern Road. CACKLING GOOSE, LEAST SANDPIPER, and KILLDEER were seen by the pond in Charles E. Price Park in Middletown
In Newark, a PURPLE FINCH was coming to a feeder near Christiana Manor. MUTE SWAN was seen on the pond on Pleasant Hill Road in White Clay Creek State Park. COMMON SNIPE and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER were found at Gambacorta Marsh in New Castle. A pair of SANDHILL CRANES were seen flying over Ashland Nature Center on Saturday. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH reported at Ashland on Monday. A yellow PALM WARBLER was seen along with AMERICAN PIPIT, EASTERN PHOEBE, RUSTY BLACKBIRD, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, plus CHIPPING and FOX SPARROW.
15 CANVASBACKS were seen Friday on Hoopes’s Reservoir. Other waterfowl reported included RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED and COMMON MERGANSER. PILEATED WOODPECKER and BALD EAGLE were seen flying over the water. A COMMON RAVEN eating a deer carcass along Route 82 near the reservoir. RING-NECKED DUCK and HOODED MERGANSER at Harry’s Pond at the Brandywine Town Center off Concord Pike
An AMERICAN BITTERN and SHORT-EARED OWL were seen at Port Mahon along with PEREGRINE FALCON and BOAT-TAILED GRACKLES. MARSH WREN, PIED-BILLED GREBE, and RUDDY DUCK were seen at the main tract in Little Creek Wildlife Area. A flock of 33 CANVASBACK were seen on the Delaware Bay off Pickering Beach on Black Friday along with AMERICAN WIGEON, LESSER and GREATER SCAUP, SURF SCOTER, BUFFLEHEAD, RUDDY DUCK, and RED BREASTED MERGANSER. An EASTERN MEADOWLARK was reported along the Pickering Beach Road.
A female DICKCISSEL was photographed today in a yard near Milford. AMERICAN PIPIT, PALM WARBLER, and a flyover ROSS’S GOOSE was reported and Frederica along Johnny Cake Landing Road. GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, RING-NECKED DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, PIED-BILLED GREBE, and WOOD DUCK were seen at Tubbs Mill Pond near Milford. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was reported in Bowers Beach. LESSER SCAUP, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, SURF and BLACK SCOTER, were seen at Big Stone Beach. A group of 14 FOX SPARROWS were seen along the Big Stone Beach Road.
Two GOLDEN EAGLES were seen at the Cape Henlopen Hawk watch on Thanksgiving Day. Totals for the year were impressive 1800 OSPREY, 162 BALD EAGLE, 352 AMERICAN KESTREL, 221 MERLIN, and 114 PEREGRINE FALCONS. Ashland Nature Center had 18 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS flyover on Saturday along with RING-NECKED DUCK, COMMON MERGANSER, and COMMON LOON. A CACKLING GOOSE was seen flying over on Black Friday. Totals at Ashland included 218 OSPREY 791 BALD EAGLE 253 AMERICAN KESTREL and 8 GOLDEN EAGLE but only 600+ BROAD-WINGS this year. Special thanks to our hawk watchers, Jen Ottinger at Cape Henlopen and Dave Brown at Ashland Nature Center for another great year!.
Thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Harry Tiebout, Gina Sheridan, Earl Blansfield, Armas Hill, Jac Cottrell, Mike Gardner, Nancy Cunningham, Judy Montgomery, Kathy Shearer, John Janowski, Randy Vickers, Jim Lenhard, Gina Sheridan, Jerald and Aaron Reb, Kris Benarcik, Kathie O’Neil, Gary Griffith, Joe Sebastiani, Mike Moore, John Skibicki, Chris and Karen Bennett, Anthony Gonzon, Dave Kech, Megan Kasprzak, Alice Mohrman, Rich Julian, Joel Martin, Dave Fees, Bob Edelen, Wayne Longbottom, Ellen Jacobson, Sue Gruver, Sharon Lynn, Lynn Smith, Ann Dinkel, Pamela King, Ian Stewart, Scott Northey, Amy and Jim White, Ryan Crane, Joe Swertinski and Joe Russell. Birdline needs your sightings. Please call your reports into 302-792-9591 or email <ednieap...> Until next week, this is Andy Ednie wishing you good birding!
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Eric Blomquist, Jordan Terrell, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue, Jordan and Eric for assisting with the count today! Thank you to all the volunteers that gave their time and support to the hawk watch this season! 14 visitors
Weather: Cloudy, temp 4-6C, light N,NNW wind 5mph, vis 20km
Raptor Observations: A nice flight of Turkey Vultures with a large group seen coming over from NJ, 4 Bald Eagles, one Sharp-shinned Hawk and one Red-tailed Hawk.
Non-raptor Observations: Common Merganser, Snow Goose (30,000), Great Blue Heron (5), Lesser Black-backed Gull, Swamp Sparrow, Fox Sparrow (3).
Predictions: The end of another successful season! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Dennis Davis, Jim Lewis, Joe Swertinski, Kim Steininger, Kris Benarcik
Visitors: 15
Weather: High layer of clouds that varied in thickness throughout the day. Light northwesterly winds.
Raptor Observations: Good conditions to end the season. Moderate vulture migration. 11 sharpies and 5 Coops. Decent Buteo flight with 18 red-shoulders and 25 red-tails. One harrier. No falcons. Last bird of the season was a Cooper's hawk.
Non-raptor Observations: 180 snow geese, 23 ring-necked ducks, 1 common merganser, 2 SANDHILL CRANES, 15 common loons, 2 common ravens, yellow-rumped warbler.
Predictions: Today was the last day of the season. Thank you to all of the volunteers and visitors who helped make this season a success. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Ann Dinkel, Art Zdancewic, Donna Hoyt, John Hoyt, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue, Ann, Art, Gina, Zach, John and Donna for helping with the count today! Thanks Anthony, Chris and Karen for stopping by the hawk watch this afternoon! 17 visitors
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, temp 4-6C, N,NNW,NNE wind 10-15mph, vis 23km
Raptor Observations: Relatively slow after the good flight we had yesterday. Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures moving through, 7 Bald Eagles, a Harrier and a few Red-tailed Hawks.
Non-raptor Observations: Bufflehead, Gannet, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Rusty Blackbird, Winter Wren. The Painted Bunting was not seen at all today.
Predictions: Cloudy, high 44F, N to NW wind 5mph. Last day of hawk watch for this season. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Carol Spease, George Harrison, Joe Russell, Judy Scarff, Lisa Smith, Mark Scarff
Visitors: 35
Weather: Mix of sun and clouds. Moderate NNW winds.
Raptor Observations: Fewer vultures than recently. Fewer bald eagles with only 5 migrants. Red-tails were steady throughout the day with a total of 32. One harrier in the morning.
Non-raptor Observations: 200 snow geese, 1 Cackling goose, 2 common ravens, 10,000+ common grackles in the morning.
Predictions: Saturday: Final day of season. Partly cloudy then cloudy. High 7C. Winds NNW at 10-15km/h. Expect light to moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue for assisting with the count today, and thanks to Zach Baer for stopping by and confirming the Bunting sighting! 7 visitors
Weather: Clear turning partly cloudy in the afternoon, temp 7-11C, strong, gusty winds WNW 16-24mph gusting to 40mph, vis 23km
Raptor Observations: The strong westerly winds brought a great eagle flight with 2 Golden Eagles in the morning and 16 Bald Eagles. A good Turkey Vulture and Black Vulture flight, several Sharp-shinned Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks.
Non-raptor Observations: PAINTED BUNTING (immature male or female) foraging with the Juncos on the path at the bottom of the stairs (a first for the hawk watch)! Common Goldeneye, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush.
Predictions: Sunny, high 44F, NW wind 15mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 06:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Kim Steininger, Kris Benarcik
Visitors: 10
Weather: Periods of sun and clouds. Strong northwesterly winds all day.
Raptor Observations: The flight began before sunrise with vultures. The early vultures cleared out then had a steady trickle of vultures all day. Good flight of bald eagles and red-tails. Moderate Accipiter numbers for this time of year. One harrier and two merlins. Few vultures lingering at sunset.
Non-raptor Observations: 375 snow geese, 850 Canada geese, common raven.
Predictions: Friday: Intervals of clouds and sun. High 7C. Winds NNW at 15-25km/h. Expect moderate to good migration.
Saturday: Last day of season. Mix of sun and clouds then cloudy. High 7C. Winds NNW at 10-15km/h. Expect light to moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 11/27/19 5:57 pm From: Andy Ednie, Claymont, DE. <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, November 27th, 2019
RBA * Delaware * Statewide * November 27, 2019 * DEST 1911. 27
*Birds mentioned Brant Snow Goose Ross’s Goose Cackling Goose Tundra Swan Mute Swan Northern Pintail Gadwall American Wigeon EURASIAN WIGEON Green-winged Teal Redhead Canvasback Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup COMMON EIDER Black Scoter White-winged Scoter Surf Scoter Long-tailed Duck Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Pied-billed Grebe Virginia Rail American Coot Common Gallinule American Avocet Black-bellied Plover HUDSONIAN GODWIT Marbled Godwit Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Dunlin Purple Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Long-billed Dowitcher Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs American Woodcock Common Tern Forster’s Tern Royal Tern Black Skimmer Bonaparte’s Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Common Loon Red-throated Loon Brown Pelican Black-crowned Night Heron Osprey Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK Golden Eagle Barred Owl Short-eared Owl Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon Eastern Phoebe Common Raven Tree Swallow Brown-headed Nuthatch Marsh Wren Brown Thrasher Gray Catbird American Pipit Cedar Waxwing Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Savannah “Ipswich” Sparrow American Tree Sparrow Fox Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Eastern Meadowlark Rusty Blackbird YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD Baltimore Oriole Orange-crowned Warbler Pine Warbler Palm Warbler Common Yellowthroat
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: November 27, 2019 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
For the Thanksgiving weekend on Wednesday, November 27th, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The unofficial Delaware Annual list remains at 325 species.
Winter birds have arrived with SNOW BUNTING, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, and SHORT-EARED OWL reported at Fowlers Beach in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Milton. An “IPSWICH” SAVANNAH SPARROW was picked out among the flock of SAVANNAH SPARROW along the dunes. Seen on the beach were BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. Offshore were SURF SCOTER, HOODED, and RED BREASTED MERGANSER. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was found in the woodlot at the edge of the marsh along with GRAY CATBIRD, BROWN THRASHER and TREE SWALLOW. An OSPREY was seen flying over Fowlers Beach on Saturday. FOX SPARROW and RUSTY BLACKBIRD were found along Cods Road at the intersection of Prime Hook Beach Road. And AMERICAN KESTREL was seen along the entrance road to Prime Hook headquarters. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER were seen from the Observation Point Trail. Two CACKLING GEESE, HOODED MERGANSER and a BARRED OWL were reported from Turkle’s Pond.
A EURASIAN WIGEON was found at the observation tower in Assawoman Wildlife Area with over 200 AMERICAN WIGEON, GADWALL, and PIED-BILLED GREBE. Four BLUE-WINGED TEAL, HOODED MERGANSER, and AMERICAN COOT were seen from the observation tower last week. VIRGINIA RAILS were calling from the marsh. RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP, and BUFFLEHEAD were seen at Mulberry Landing.
Late BROWN PELICANS were seen at Indian River Inlet along with LAUGHING GULL and LEAST SANDPIPER. PURPLE SANDPIPER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, and DUNLIN were seen on the jetty. BRANT, LONG-TAILED DUCK, BLACK, SURF, and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER were seen at the ocean. Other birds reported included GREAT CORMORANT, COMMON and RED-THROATED LOON, plus LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL.
You never know what might come in off the ocean. Yesterday 2 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were seen at the at Cape Henlopen State Park. A pair of COMMON EIDERS, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, AND HORNED GREBE have also been seen flying past. Terns reported include two late COMMON TERNS with FORSTER’S and ROYAL TERNS. BRANT and SURF SCOTER were seen at Cape Henlopen point. A CHIPPING SPARROW was found at Herring Point. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH and TREE SWALLOW were reported at the Seaside Nature Center and across the field 24 WILD TURKEYS were counted in the athletic grounds. GREAT CORMORANT, 5 WHITE WINGED SCOTER, 1000 SURF and 400 BLACK SCOTERS were reported from the Cape May Lewes ferry along with 6 TREE SWALLOWS.
A raft of 48 CANVASBACK, plus 2 WOOD DUCK and one LESSER SCAUP were found Monday on Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach. A pair of male BALTIMORE ORIOLES are coming to a feeder on Anderson Street in Georgetown. A flock of 107 WOOD DUCK were counted at a private pond in Harbison. PALM WARBLER was reported in Gumboro. LEAST SANDPIPER and greater yellowlegs with 9 KILLDEER were found at the sandpits at Gravel Hill.
The first ROSS’S GOOSE of the season was seen flying over with 6000 SNOW GEESE at the main tower in Little Creek Wildlife Area. Even more surprising was a BLACK SKIMMER with FORSTER’S TERN seen from the observation tower last Friday. Waterfowl reported included WOOD DUCK, NORTHERN SHOVELER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSER, RUDDY DUCK, and AMERICAN COOT. A late EASTERN PHOEBE was reported along the entrance road and RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen feeding in the sweetgum trees. A flock of 20 WILD TURKEY were seen along the Pickering Beach Road. Waterfowl reported included AMERICAN WIGEON, LESSER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, SURF SCOTER, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, and RUDDY DUCK. MARSH WREN and FOX SPARROW were found along the road edge.
MARBLED and a Late HUDSONIAN GODWIT continue to be seen at Raymond Pool in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna along with a peak count of 382 AMERICAN AVOCET. Other shorebirds reported included BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, DUNLIN, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, and both GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was seen standing in the road just past the observation tower parking lot at Bear Swamp. Waterfowl reported included REDHEAD, CANVASBACK and LESSER SCAUP opposite Shearness Pool on Saturday morning. TUNDRA and MUTE SWAN, BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSER, RUDDY DUCK, and PIED-BILLED GREBE. MARSH WREN, EASTERN PHOEBE, FOX PLUS CHIPPING SPARROW were seen in the refuge. EASTERN MEADOWLARK was seen along Whitehall neck Road.
A YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was reported along Route 9 south of Muddy Branch below Leipsic. Three SHORT-EARED OWLS were seen at dusk on Friday from the fishing pier at Port Mahon. Four YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS and FOX SPARROW were found at Silver Lake Park in Dover, RUDDY DUCK was sitting on the water. A RING-NECKED PHEASANT was seen walking along Route 30 west of Kenton near Everett’s Corner.
A pair of SNOW BUNTINGS were seen last Thursday at Augustine Beach south of Port Penn. A late COMMON GALLINULE with AMERICAN COOT were seen Saturday at the Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area . Late land birds included GRAY CATBIRD and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. Waterfowl reported included GADWALL, PINTAIL, and PIED-BILLED GREBE. Another ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was found on the east side of Grier’s Pond along Dutch Neck Road. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was coming to a feeder along Bayview Road near Boyd’s Corner.
The first AMERICAN TREE SPARROW of the season was found at First State National Historic Park off Ramsey Road near Talleyville. Also reported was YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, FOX, CHIPPING, and FIELD SPARROW along with COMMON RAVEN. FOX SPARROW, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, and COMMON RAVEN reported at Ashland Nature Center. A flock of 6 AMERICAN PIPIT were seen last week at Coverdale Farm near Ashland. COMMON RAVEN was also reported at Brandywine Creek State Park. WHITE-CROWNED and FOX SPARROW reported at Winterthur Museum along with RAVEN. NORTHERN HARRIER and EASTERN MEADOWLARK were seen over the fields. BARRED OWL was reported near Yorklyn.
Four CACKLING GEESE were seen among the CANADA GEESE on Harry’s Pond at the Brandywine Town Center along with RINGNECKED DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, AMERICAN COOT, and BELTED KINGFISHER. HOODED MERGANSER, RING-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, and RUDDY DUCK were seen at Hoopes Reservoir. A pair of GREEN-WINGED TEAL and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER were seen at Hillside Mill Cove. WOOD DUCK was reported at the pond in Bellevue State Park along with flyover MERLIN and PEREGRINE FALCON. EASTERN PHOEBE, GRAY CATBIRD, BROWN THRASHER, CHIPPING and FOX SPARROW were also reported. RED SHOULDERED HAWK was reported at the Guild Hall in Arden. A flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS were coming to a crabapple tree in Claymont.
The hawk watch season is drawing to a close. Highlights this week was the first ROUGH LEGGED HAWK of the season at Cape Henlopen State Park on Thursday. A pair of GOLDEN EAGLES was seen at Ashland Nature Ctr., Hawk watch on Sunday and Monday. A peak count of 85 BALD EAGLES, 125 RED-TAILS, plus RED-SHOULDERED HAWK and MERLIN were reported at Ashland this week. Land birds seen included daily COMMON RAVEN plus CEDAR WAXWING and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. A late OSPREY was seen at Cape Henlopen Hawk watch last Saturday. NORTHERN GANNETS are being seen offshore. PINE WARBLER was found at the parking lot yesterday.
Thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Jerald Reb, Kris Benarcik, Carolyn Holland, Dean Coffin, Colin Campbell, Mike Rosengarten, Bert Filemyr, Rod Murray, Jessica Shannon, Joy Peters, Armas Hill, Logan Kahle, Barbara Conway, Thomas Donohue, Nancy Cunningham, Kevin Bronson, Kathie O’Neil, Gary Griffith, Joe Sebastiani, Mike Moore, John Skibicki, Chris and Karen Bennett, Anthony Gonzon, Curt Davis, Megan Kasprzak, Alice Mohrman, Rich Julian, Joel Martin, Dave Fees, Bob Edelen, Wayne Longbottom, Ellen Jacobson, Sue Gruver, Sharon Lynn, Lynn Smith, Ann Dinkel, Pamela King, Ian Stewart, Scott Northey, Amy and Jim White, Joe Swertinski and Joe Russell. Special thanks to our hawk watchers, Jen Ottinger at Cape Henlopen and Dave Brown at Ashland Nature Center. Birdline needs your sightings. Please call your reports into 302-792-9591 or email <ednieap...> Until next week, this is Andy Ednie wishing you Happy Thanksgiving and good birding!
Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Bruce Peterjohn, Paul Kane, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue, Bruce and Paul for spending some time on the platform with me today!
Weather: Delayed start due to rain, overcast, temp 12-15C, S,SSW wind 10-15mph, vis 15km
Raptor Observations: A few Vultures came through and that was all.
Non-raptor Observations: Brown Pelican, Red-throated Loon, Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Predictions: Partly sunny, high 51F, gusty with W,WNW wind 25-35mph gusting to 45mph. There will be turkey... ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:45:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Joe Swertinski
Visitors: 15
Weather: Overcast with southerly winds that began light and became strong by the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Light migration in the morning then strong vulture, bald eagle, and red-tail migration as the winds increased. New single day black vulture record with a big midday push including 93 in the 1pm hour.
Non-raptor Observations: 11 common mergansers, 2 common ravens, eastern towhee.
Predictions: Thursday: Partly cloudy with strong winds. High 10C. Winds NW at 30-50km/h with occasional gusts over 65km/h. Expect moderate to good migration.
Friday: Some clouds then mainly sunny. High 8C. Winds NNW at 15-25km/h. Expect moderate to good migration.
Saturday: Last day of count. Mix of sun and clouds then cloudy. High 6C. Winds NNW at 10-15km/h. Expect light to moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Predictions: Wednesday: Morning showers then partial clearing. High 15C. Winds S at 15-30km/h. Chance of rain 50%. Expect light to moderate migration.
Thursday: Windy with clear skies. High 10C. Winds NW at 30-50km/h, occasionally gusting over 65km/h. Hard to predict. Winds might be too strong for the little raptors but vultures and eagles might be moving.
Friday: Some clouds then mainly sunny. High 8C. Winds NNW at 15-25km/h. Expect moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Susan Gruver
Observers: Ann Dinkel
Visitors: thank you to Ann. 8 visitors
Weather: big,bright sky all day. No clouds. temp 10-12c., wind WSW/SW/S at 2-4., visb 20k
Raptor Observations: Many of the Turkey Vultures were coming in at the point, going into a kettle and then moving SW, few B. Eagles
Non-raptor Observations: Pine Warbler, Song Sparrows, Snow Geese
Predictions: sunshine and some clouds, high 62, wind SSW 5-10 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Date: 11/25/19 4:27 am From: Richard Julian <rwjulian66...> Subject: Re: [de-birds] Baltimore Orioles in Georgetown
No, they are both Baltimore Orioles. At the suet again this morning.
Young is very orange, most likely a male.
Richard Julian
> On Nov 25, 2019, at 4:42 AM, bentebbens <bentebbens...> wrote:
>
> That's so cool 😀 Thanks for sharing, Ben Tebbens.
>
>
>
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Richard Julian <rwjulian66...>
> Date: 11/24/19 4:18 PM (GMT-05:00)
> To: <de-birds...>
> Subject: [de-birds] Baltimore Orioles in Georgetown
>
> We now have two (2) Baltimore Orioles at our suet feeder in Georgetown - an adult male and a immature.
> They have been visiting off and on for the last couple of days.
>
> Submitted by Richard Julian
>
> List archives: https://lists.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=DE-BIRDS > List help: <DE-BIRDS-request...>
Date: 11/24/19 1:19 pm From: Richard Julian <rwjulian66...> Subject: [de-birds] Baltimore Orioles in Georgetown
We now have two (2) Baltimore Orioles at our suet feeder in Georgetown - an adult male and a immature. They have been visiting off and on for the last couple of days.
Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 11:30:00 Total observation time: 2 hours
Official Counter: Susan Gruver
Observers: Ann Dinkel
Visitors: thank you to Ann for enduring the cold and wind. 2 visitors
Weather: temp. 8, wind west, clcv 30-90%. count suspended early because of cold,wind and lack of migration
Raptor Observations: few vultures, 1 Red-Tailed Hawk, one Harrier
Non-raptor Observations: 79 Gannets
Predictions: sunny, high 57, wind SW 5-10 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Ann Dinkel, Kevin Bronson, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue, Ann, and Kevin for helping with the count today! 25 visitors
Weather: Cloudy to overcast, temp 5-7C, light NE,NNE winds turning SSE in the afternoon, vis 23km
Raptor Observations: Mostly Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures, one late season Osprey, three Bald Eagles, a couple of Harriers, several Sharp-shinned Hawks, one Red-tailed Hawk.
Non-raptor Observations: Snow Goose (30,000), Bufflehead, Great Blue Heron, Field Sparrow.
Predictions: Chance for rain in the morning, high 49F, W wind 15-25mph
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Carol Spease
Visitors: 15 from Lancaster County Bird Club
Weather: Mostly cloudy in the morning with light wind. Midday rain that paused the count for 2.5 hours. After the rain passed it was cloudy with clear sky to north and strong northwest winds.
Raptor Observations: Strong afternoon vulture migration. One harrier. Two merlins.
Non-raptor Observations: 2 common ravens, 500+ cedar waxwings.
Predictions: Saturday: Mix of sun and clouds in the morning then cloudy with light rain. High 9C. Winds SW at 10-15km/h. Expect light to moderate migration. Count might not be held if no one is available to be counter.
Sunday: Morning rain then partly cloudy. High 9C. Winds NW at 15-30km/h. Expect moderate migration after the rain passes.
Monday: Partly cloudy. High 10C. Winds WSW at 10-15km/h. Expect light migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 3.5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Susan Gruver, Vincent Gambal
Visitors: Thanks to Sue and Vince for helping with the count this morning! 2 visitors from Idaho.
Weather: Overcast and rain in the afternoon, temp 11-13C, gusty WSW,W wind 10-15mph, vis 15km. Count ended early due to rain.
Raptor Observations: Several Turkey Vultures moving through before the rain, three immature Bald Eagles, a couple of Sharp-shinned Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks, one Kestrel. Ended count at 12:00.
Non-raptor Observations: Brant, Red-breasted Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Bluebird flocks (25).
Predictions: Cloudy and a chance for rain in the afternoon, high 47F, SW wind 10-15mph ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Date: 11/22/19 8:48 am From: Ian Stewart <istew...> Subject: [de-birds] Bird banding at Abbott's Mill tomorrow
Hi all,
Tomorrow morning the Delaware Nature Society is running a free public bird banding program at Abbott's Mill Nature Center in Milford. We will be banding songbirds from about 8 - 11 am so drop by and see some birds up close!
Abbott's Mill is a beautiful location with some great birding trails to explore plus a gorgeous scenic pond. The address is 15411 Abbott's Pond Rd, Milford DE 19963. The program is free with no need to register though donations are welcome.
Date: 11/22/19 5:37 am From: Pat <pvaldata1...> Subject: [de-birds] Ferry birds
I was on the Cape May Lewes Ferry on Tuesday and Thursday. On both days there were gannets, loons, and scoters visible, but the numbers of birds were higher on Thursday. At one point we passed by a flock of several hundred Black Scoters, and I saw one small flock of Surf Scoters. Both Common and Red-throated Loons were diving and flying.The Avalon Sea Watch had a big movement of Red-throated Loons on Tuesday morning (before I got there, darn it), so they should be in DE-MD now.Pat ValdataCrisfield, MDSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Bob Pratt, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue and Bob for helping with the count today! 8 visitors
Weather: Clear turning cloudy in the late afternoon, temp 6-10C, NNW,N wind 2-10mph, vis 18km
Raptor Observations: Mostly Turkey Vultures and a fair number of Black Vultures, 9 Bald Eagles, a good number of Red-tailed Hawks and our first Rough-legged Hawk of the season.
Non-raptor Observations: Green-winged Teal (22), Greater Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Great Blue Heron (3), Field Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (24).
Predictions: A 50% chance for showers, high 57F, SW wind 10-15mph ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Predictions: Friday: Cloudy. Periods of rain early. High 11C. Winds W at 15-30km/h. Expect light to moderate migration.
Saturday: Partly cloudy then increasing clouds with showers. High 9C. Winds SW at 10-15km/h. Expect light to moderate migration.
Sunday: Rain showers early then sun later. High 9C. Winds NW at 15-30km/h. Expect moderate migration after the rain passes. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
It was a little nippy at Winterthur today but we saw some great birds including vultures, hawks, and one lone Bald Eagle enjoying the wind. Highlights of the day included a Common Raven, Yellow-shafted Flicker, and for me FOS (first of season) White Throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos.
Next month the walk will be on December 18, Wed, 9:00–11:00 am - starting in Visitor Parking Lot
Our field trip leader was naturalist and birder Jessica Shahan did a great job.
Predictions: Thursday: Sunny early then cloudy. High 12C. Winds W at 10-15km/h. Expect moderate to good migration.
Friday: Showers then cloudy. High 13C. Winds W at 25-40km/h. Expect light to moderate migration.
Saturday: Partly cloudy then cloudy with showers. High 8C. Winds SW at 10-15km/h. Expect light migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Bill Upton, John Long, Kevin Bronson, Nicole Schwarz, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue, Bill, Kevin, Nicole, and John Long for assisting with the count today! 4 visitors
Weather: Overcast with a few periods of partly cloudy skies, temp 8-10C, NNW,NW wind 5-15mph, vis 20km
Raptor Observations: A good flight of Black and Turkey Vultures, four Bald Eagles, a few Sharp-shinned Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, and Red-tailed Hawks, one Kestrel.
Non-raptor Observations: Large flocks of Snow Geese (10,000), Common Merganser, Bufflehead, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Gannet (115), large numbers of Robins (900), Rusty Blackbird, American Pipit.
Predictions: Sunny, high 51F, NW wind 10-15mph
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Rob Schroeder, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue, Rob, Julie, and Bill for helping with the count today! 5 visitors
Weather: Overcast and fog through most of the day, temp 7-11C, light WNW,NNW,N winds 5mph, low visibility 5-10km, low clouds except for an hour when it cleared in the late morning, then it clouded up again.
Raptor Observations: A few Turkey Vultures, three Bald Eagles, a Harrier, a couple of Sharp-shinned Hawks, one Cooper's Hawk, three Red-tailed Hawks and a Merlin.
Non-raptor Observations: A nice day of sea watch and Robins were everywhere! Snow Goose (7,000), Brant, Red-throated Loon (205), Common Tern, Horned Grebe, Common Eider (2), White-winged Scoter, Bonaparte's Gull (40), Lesser Black-backed Gull, American Robin (1,150), Eastern Meadowlark.
Predictions: Cloudy, high 50F, NW wind 15-25mph.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Date: 11/19/19 4:18 pm From: Richard Julian <rwjulian66...> Subject: [de-birds] Tuesday 19Nov2019 Bird Walk at Cape Henlopen State Park Results
Final Tuesday Fall Bird Walk at Cape Henlopen State Park
Birded by the Nature Center Feeders, Herring Point and the Gordons Pond trail from Herring Point to the north side of the pond.
37 total species seen or heard on the foggy morning.
American Robins and Yellow-rump warblers everywhere.
Good looks at more than one Hermit Thrush.
Snow Geese arrived at Cape in the afternoon after the bird walk.
Nature Center Area
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher (entrance to CHSP)
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Finch
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Herring Point to Gordons Pond
Canada Goose (heard in fog, did not see)
Northern Shoveler
American Black Duck
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Bufflehead
Mourning Dove
Sanderling
Greater Yellowlegs (heard)
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Loon sp.
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher (heard)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Finch
Dark-eyed Junco
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Thank you to all who have attend these weekly walks!
Predictions: Wednesday: Mix of sun and clouds. High 10C. Winds NNW at 15-30km/h. Expect moderate migration.
Thursday: Mainly sunny but a few afternoon clouds. High 11C. Winds WNW at 10-15km/h. Expect moderate migration.
Friday: Clouds with showers in the afternoon. High 15C. Winds W at 15-30km/h. Expect light migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 11/19/19 9:11 am From: David and Joy Peters <Trogon1000...> Subject: [de-birds] Bombay Hook this Morning
We just returned from a good morning of birding at Bombay Hook. Here are some of the highlights:
* We were greeted by about 50 tundra swans feeding in the field across from the entry road.
* Then we had 30 (or more) eastern meadowlarks in the fields along the entry road.
* At least 20 cedar waxwings were feeding in the tops of the trees along the boardwalk trail ( a species thats becoming harder to find!)
* 8 to 10 hooded mergansers were swimming about in Shearness Pool.
* An American woodcock, with its beautiful rusty underparts, was standing in the middle of the wildlife road just past the little bridge by Bear Swamp trail.
* And the snow geese were amazing thousands of them across from Shearness Pool as we headed home!
Date: 11/18/19 4:13 pm From: Holly Merker <hcybelle...> Subject: [de-birds] DOS Meeting: Tribute to Bill Stewart
Hello,
As Anthony Gonzon noted, we'll be doing a tribute to Bill Stewart prior to our regularly scheduled DOS Members Meeting on Wednesday, November 20th.
I'm seeking photos of Bill you may have which we could include in our slideshow that we'll be showing. If you have any, and you're willing to share, please send them to me at this email address.
Predictions: Tuesday: Mix of sun and clouds then cloudy. High 12C. Winds W at 10-15km/h. Expect light to moderate migration.
Wednesday: Mix of sun and clouds. High 10C. Winds NW at 15-30km/h. Expect moderate to good migration.
Thursday: Partly to mostly cloudy. High 11C. Winds WNW at 10-15km/h. Expect moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 2 hours
Official Counter: Susan Gruver
Observers: Ann Dinkel
Visitors: thank you Ann for enduring the miserable weather with me.
Weather: Delayed start to the count because of showers. Count ended early due to cold, wind, lack of migration and more showers.
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations: hundreds of robins
Predictions: partly cloudy, high 55, winds light and variable ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Date: 11/18/19 8:11 am From: Amy White <amywwhite...> Subject: Re: [de-birds] DOS Monthly Meeting -Wed. Nov 20 - The Bats of Delaware with Holly Niederriter
6:30 meeting time this Wednesday. Great!!! I am very glad there will be a pre-meeting opportunity to remember Bill. I look forward to hearing stories from others -- I know many wanted to share on Friday but did not have the time. -Amy White
> On November 18, 2019 at 9:53 AM Anthony Gonzon <000006c8652c0e76-dmarc-request...> wrote: > > > Greetings folks, > Please join DOS for our monthly meeting this Wednesday at the Ashland Nature Center. > **UPDATE** Note that this meeting will begin at 6:30 PM as we remember DOS's own Bill Stewart. Please consider joining us at Ashland Nature Center as we share stories and fond memories of Bill. > The regular meeting will begin at 7:30 with DOS business followed by our guest speaker. > Every night at dusk throughout the summer, as most of the birds have settled in, another flying vertebrate takes to the skies across Delaware!This month we welcome state biologist Holly Niederriter as our featured guest speaker as we learn more about these little mammals with wings. Holly will cover the species of bats in Delaware and basic life history, diseases most people associate with bats, the importance of bats as well as threats to them, especially White-nose Syndrome (past, present and future). Holly will also share information from our state bat projects including results and future plans for monitoring and protecting bats in Delaware and beyond. > > Holly is currently the Non-game Mammal Biologist for the Species Conservation and Research Program in the Division of Fish and Wildlife. She started working for the division in 2002 and has worked with a wide range of species including amphibians and reptiles (most notably bog turtles, diamond-backed terrapins and herp disease issues), beach-nesting birds, osprey and Delmarva fox squirrels. Her primary responsibilities now focus on bats and Delmarva fox squirrels but a mammal atlas is on the horizon. > > Meetings are free and open to the public so bring a friend or two! > Details at https://www.dosbirds.org/event/november-dos-meeting-the-bats-of-delaware/ > Anthony Gonzon > > List archives: https://lists.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=DE-BIRDS > List help: <DE-BIRDS-request...>
Date: 11/18/19 6:54 am From: Anthony Gonzon <000006c8652c0e76-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] DOS Monthly Meeting -Wed. Nov 20 - The Bats of Delaware with Holly Niederriter
Greetings folks,
Please join DOS for our monthly meeting this Wednesday at the Ashland Nature Center.
**UPDATE** Note that this meeting will begin at 6:30 PM as we remember DOS's own Bill Stewart. Please consider joining us at Ashland Nature Center as we share stories and fond memories of Bill.
The regular meeting will begin at 7:30 with DOS business followed by our guest speaker.
Every night at dusk throughout the summer, as most of the birds have settled in, another flying vertebrate takes to the skies across Delaware!This month we welcome state biologist Holly Niederriter as our featured guest speaker as we learn more about these little mammals with wings. Holly will cover the species of bats in Delaware and basic life history, diseases most people associate with bats, the importance of bats as well as threats to them, especially White-nose Syndrome (past, present and future). Holly will also share information from our state bat projects including results and future plans for monitoring and protecting bats in Delaware and beyond.
Holly is currently the Non-game Mammal Biologist for the Species Conservation and Research Program in the Division of Fish and Wildlife. She started working for the division in 2002 and has worked with a wide range of species including amphibians and reptiles (most notably bog turtles, diamond-backed terrapins and herp disease issues), beach-nesting birds, osprey and Delmarva fox squirrels. Her primary responsibilities now focus on bats and Delmarva fox squirrels but a mammal atlas is on the horizon.
Date: 11/17/19 5:07 pm From: Andy Ednie, Claymont, DE. <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] Reservoir Waterfowl
Waterfowl are back at Hoopes' Reservoir, a big flock for Ring-neck's along the Rt. 82 causeway and most of the Hoodies were in Carpenter's Cove. The sapsuckers put on a show together right over the road at Hillside Mill Cove. Here's today's list:
Sighting a Baltimore Oriole (male) at our suet today (Sunday Nov. 17) in Georgetown, DE.
Also sighted a Semi-palmated Plover on the bay side of the Point at Cape Henlopen State Park on Friday, Nov. 15.
Birded the south end of Gordons Pond on Sat. Nov. 16. Usual sightings of Black Ducks, Buffleheads, Great Blue Heron, Chipping Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Eastern Bluebirds, Yellow-rumped Warblers and a few Greater Black-backed gulls.
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers:
Visitors: 3
Weather: Overcast with light northeasterly winds.
Raptor Observations: A trickle of vultures most of the day plus two large late day mixed groups (150+ and 50+). Decent Buteo movement with 12 red-shoulders and 43 red-tails, including one 'northern'. Two merlins.
Non-raptor Observations: Great black-backed gull, 4 common ravens.
Predictions: Monday: Overcast with showers. High 6C. Winds N at 10-15km/h. Expect light to moderate migration.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 12C. Winds WNW at 10-15km/h. Expect moderate to good migration.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 10C. Winds NW at 15-25km/h. Expect moderate to good migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Predictions: cloudy with occasional showers, 50% chance of rain, high 46, wind NNW 10-20 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks Sue for helping with the count! 5 visitors
Weather: Cool and gale force winds, cloudy, temp 6-7C, ENE wind turning E in the afternoon 21-28mph gusting to 35mph, vis 20km.
Raptor Observations: A few birds coming in south of the Great Dune. Several Turkey Vultures, two Bald Eagles, a Harrier and Sharp-shinned Hawk and one Red-tailed Hawk.
Non-raptor Observations: A good flight of Gannets (158), Great Blue Heron (4), Horned Grebe.
Predictions: Rain likely after 10am, cloudy, high 52F, NE wind 25-30mph. Very similar to today with some rain.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Eric Hartshaw
Visitors: 7
Weather: Clear skies with moderate northeasterly winds.
Raptor Observations: Good flight of both vulture species. Decent Buteo numbers with 16 red-shoulders and 48 red-tails. 15 bald eagles and 3 harriers. Accipiter numbers were moderate for this time of the season with 7 sharpies and 6 Coops. No falcons.
Non-raptor Observations: Double-crested cormorant, common raven, 3 rusty blackbirds, 8,500 common grackles, yellow-rumped warbler.
Predictions: Sunday: Mostly cloudy. High 5C. Winds NNE at 15-25km/h. Overall similar to today but with more cloud. Expect moderate to good migration.
Monday: Cloudy with occasional showers. High 7C. Winds NNW at 10-15km/h. Expect light to moderate migration.
Tuesday: Intervals of clouds and sun. High 11C. Winds WNW at 10-15km/h. Expect moderate to good migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 11/16/19 6:50 am From: Andy Ednie, Claymont, DE. <000006be14ba5998-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, November 15th, 2019
*Birds mentioned Brant Snow Goose Cackling Goose Tundra Swan Mute Swan Northern Pintail Gadwall American Wigeon Green-winged Teal Redhead Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Black Scoter White-winged Scoter Surf Scoter Long-tailed Duck Bufflehead Common Merganser Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Pied-billed Grebe Yellow-billed Cuckoo Virginia Rail American Coot Common Gallinule American Avocet Black-bellied Plover HUDSONIAN GODWIT Marbled Godwit Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Dunlin Purple Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Western Sandpiper Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson’s Snipe Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs American Woodcock Parasitic Jaeger Royal Tern Bonaparte’s Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Common Loon Red-throated Loon Brown Pelican American Bittern Snowy Egret Black-crowned Night Heron Osprey Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Red-shouldered Hawk GOLDEN EAGLE Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Peregrine falcon ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER Eastern Phoebe Blue-headed Vireo Common Raven Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Marsh Wren SEDGE WREN Gray Catbird Hermit Thrush American Pipit Purple Finch Savannah Sparrow NELSON’S SPARROW Fox Sparrow Yellow-breasted Chat Eastern Meadowlark Rusty Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orange-crowned Warbler Pine Warbler Palm Warbler Common Yellowthroat
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: November 15, 2019 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
For Friday, November 15th, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The unofficial Delaware Annual list increased to 325 species.
New this week was an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER found on Veterans Day at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Milton. Originally identified as a GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, the bird was identified by photographs later in the week demonstrating late Gray throat with white expressed and small thin bill. This bird was found along the Boardwalk Trail near Prime Hook Headquarters, but search efforts yesterday were unsuccessful. There been several sightings of ash throated flycatcher on the East Coast this week including Staten Island, New York, Plum Island near Newberry, Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine.
Some other late lingering migrants included BALTIMORE ORIOLE and YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT at the Cape Henlopen State Park Hawk watch. BLUE-HEADED VIREOS were seen at Savage’s Ditch in Delaware Seashore State Park, Harbison, and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna. PALM WARBLER was reported at bay Forest in Bethany Beach and Curtis Mill Park in Newark. PINE WARBLERS were seen at Harbison and Cape Henlopen. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER continues to be seen at Coverdale Farms near Ashland Nature Center. A BARN SWALLOW with several TREE SWALLOWS was found at the Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area near Port Penn. This is the time a year to find some unusual rarities in the area including GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE in Philadelphia, ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD coming to a feeder near Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania and a pair of PAINTED BUNTING at the Perryville city dock in Cecil County, Maryland.
VIRGINIA RAIL, MARSH and SEDGE WREN continue be found at Cape Henlopen State Park along the Walking Dunes Trail. Several SALTMARSH and a NELSON’S SPARROW were found there this weekend, along with CATBIRD, RED-BREASTED, and BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and BROWN PELICAN were seen from Herring Point. WHITE-WINGED, SURF and BLACK SCOTER were seen flying from the Cape May-Lewes ferry, along with RED-THROATED and COMMON LOON. A PARASITIC JAEGER was seen flying from the ferry in Delaware waters along with BONAPARTE’S GULL and ROYAL TERN.
LONG-TAILED DUCK, SURF, WHITE -WINGED and BLACK SCOTER, RED -THROATED AND COMMON LOON, and NORTHERN GANNET were seen at Indian River Inlet. RUDDY TURNSTONE and 2 PURPLE SANDPIPERS were found on the jetty. SANDERLING were seen running along the beach. BRANT continues to be seen at Cedar Neck from James Farm Eco-Preserve.
SURF SCOTER, RED-THROATED LOON, and lots of SAVANNAH SPARROWS were seen at Fowlers Beach in Prime Hook. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was seen flying over along the entrance road to prime Hook headquarters. GREAT HORNED OWLS were heard calling at Prime Hook. RED BREASTED MERGANSER and-SURF SCOTERS were seen at Mispillion Inlet from the Dupont Nature Center.
SEDGE and MARSH WREN were found at Pickering Beach along with VIRGINIA RAIL and WILSON SNIPE. Waterfowl reported flying over included HOODED MERGANSER and NORTHERN PINTAIL. GADWALL, HOODED MERGANSER, RUDDY DUCK, PIED-BILLED GREBE and AMERICAN COOT were found at the Logan Tract in Ted Harvey Conservation Area near Kitts Hummock. COOTS and GADWALL were seen from the new observation tower at the Central Road in Little Creek Wildlife Area. BROWN HEADED NUTHATCH and MARSH WREN were found along Milford Neck Wildlife Area. There was a raft of 144 SURF SCOTER, RUDDY DUCK, AMERICAN WIGEON, and 3 RED-THROATED LOONS along with NORTHERN GANNET seen from Big Stone Beach.
A CACKLING GOOSE was seen on Sunday at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. The first REDHEAD of the season was seen opposite Shearness Pool. Other waterfowl included SNOW GOOSE, TUNDRA and MUTE SWAN, BUFFLEHEAD, RUDDY DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, and PIED-BILLED GREBE. A HUDSONIAN GODWIT was reported at the refuge on Saturday along with MARBLED GODWIT, AMERICAN AVOCET, DUNLIN, LEAST and WESTERN SANDPIPER, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, both YELLOWLEGS and WILSON SNIPE. LESSER BLACK -BACK and LAUGHING GULL were seen at Leatherberry Flats. AMERICAN BITTERN was seen Monday, along with BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON and SNOWY EGRET. Land birds reported included FOX SPARROW.
Three COMMON GALLINULES along with AMERICAN COOT, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSER, and RUDDY DUCK were seen at the Ashton Tract. PEREGRINE FALCON and a late COMMON YELLOWTHROAT were seen at Reedy Point Bridge. GREEN-WINGED TEAL was seen at Greer’s Pond.
The first PURPLE FINCH of the season was a female photographed at Winterthur Museum yesterday. COMMON RAVENS were reported this week at First State National Historic Park and near Newark. RUSTY BLACKBIRD and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER were found at Newark Reservoir. A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was heard calling near Marshallton. HERMIT THRUSH was found at Mount Cuba Wildflower Conservatory.
COMMON and HOODED MERGANSERS were seen flying over Ashland Nature Center. Five COMMON AND 2 HOODED MERGANSERS were found at Harry’s Pond at the Brandywine Towncenter along with RING-NECKED DUCK, AMERICAN COOT and an EASTERN PHOEBE. RING-NECKED DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, and RUDDY DUCK were found at Hoopes’s Reservoir along with GRAY CATBIRD.
The Ashland Nature Ctr., Hawk Watch reported GOLDEN EAGLES this week on Saturday and Monday. A late OSPREY was seen today. There was a total of 62 BALD EAGLES AND 20 NORTHERN HARRIERS reported at the hawk watch this week. On Wednesday, 39 RED SHOULDERED and-38 RED-TAILED HAWKS were seen moving through. COMMON RAVENS continue be reported daily. Other land birds included AMERICAN PIPIT, RUSTY BLACKBIRD, and FOX SPARROW.
Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch had GOLDEN EAGLES reported on Wednesday and Thursday. There was a big flight of waterfowl at the hawk watch today including LESSER SCAUP, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, TUNDRA SWAN, SNOW GOOSE, along with 213 RED-THROATED LOON, over 1000 BLACK, 340 SURF and a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. BROWN PELICANS and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL are still being reported from the beach. Land birds seen included AMERICAN PIPIT, EASTERN PHOEBE, and EASTERN MEADOWLARK.
Sad news this week was the passing of Bill Stewart former president of the Delaware Ornithological Society and activities coordinator for the American Birding Association. Bill was instrumental in developing Delaware Bird-athon, Lights-out Wilmington, Peregrine Watch, Camp Avocet, and the Autumn Common Nighthawk Migration Spectacular from the Grenogue Water Tower. He helped in preserving over 2000 acres of wild space throughout the state. The Birdline sends of condolences to his friend Kim and the rest of the Stewart family. Bill will be greatly missed by us all.
Thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Joan Clayburgh, Kris Benarcik, Kurt Schwartz, Lewis Ware, Andrea Martin, Joe Francis, Sheila Smith, Sean McCandless, Nancy Hedgespeth, Nancy Cunningham, Kevin Bronson, Kathie O’Neil, Gary Griffith, Joe Sebastiani, Mike Moore, John Skibicki, Chris and Karen Bennett, Anthony Gonzon, Curt Davis, Megan Kasprzak, John Janowski, Alice Mohrman, Rich Julian, Joel Martin, Dave Fees, Bob Edelen, Wayne Longbottom, Ellen Jacobson, Sue Gruver, Sharon Lynn, Lynn Smith, Ian Stewart, Scott Northey Amy and Jim White, Pete Ziegler Ryan Crane, Joe Swertinski and Joe Russell. Special thanks to our hawk watchers, Jen Ottinger at Cape Henlopen and Dave Brown at Ashland Nature Center. Birdline needs your sightings. Please call your reports into 302-792-9591 or email <ednieap...> Until next week, this is Andy Ednie wishing you good birding!
Date: 11/16/19 5:39 am From: Anthony Gonzon <000006c8652c0e76-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] DOS Sea Watch today
Greetings,
For anyone planning to come out to the sea watch today, we are moving to the north side of Indian River Inlet. We plan to stay there until 12 unless condions worsen. Winds are currently out of the NNE at 20+ mph, so be prepared.
Predictions: Saturday: Sunny and colder. High 4C. Winds NE at 15-30km/h. Expect moderate to good migration.
Sunday: Overcast. High 5C. Winds NNE at 15-30km/h. Expect moderate migration.
Monday: Morning showers then cloudy. High 7C. Winds NNW at 15-25km/h. Expect moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Donna Hoyt, Evie Von Boeckman, John Hoyt, Kevin Bronson, Rob Schroeder, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue, Kevin, Rob, Evie, John and Donna for helping with the count today! 6 visitors
Weather: Overcast, cool with temp 6-10C, light NNW,N wind 5mph, vis 18km
Raptor Observations: Very few migrants seen, a few Turkey Vultures, one Bald Eagle, a Harrier, one Sharp-shinned Hawk, a few Cooper's Hawks, and a Merlin.
Predictions: Gale force winds, cloudy, high 45F, NE wind 25-30mph gusting to 45mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Daniel Noznisky
Visitors: 9
Weather: Mostly cloudy with light southerly winds.
Raptor Observations: Good flight of vultures in the morning. Decent Buteo migration with 17 red-shoulders and 21 red-tails. One peregrine falcon in the late-morning. Flight slowed in the afternoon.
Predictions: Friday: Partly cloudy. High 11C. Winds NW at 10-15km/h. Expect good migration.
Saturday: Intervals of cloud and sun. Colder. High 4C. Winds NE at 15-30km/h. Expect good migration.
Sunday: Cloudy. High 5C. Winds NNE at 15-30km/h. Expect moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.75 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Sharon Lynn, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue and Sharon for helping with the count and sea watch! 5 visitors
Weather: Overcast and cool, temp 5-9C, very light SW,S winds increasing late in the afternoon, vis 18km
Raptor Observations: Good Turkey Vulture flight with a couple of groups coming over from Cape May, one immature Bald Eagle, a Golden Eagle, a couple of Harriers and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Flight ended in the late afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations: Very active this morning! Yellow-breasted Chat (late) perched in the parking lot for a nice close look, American Pipit, Robins and Bluebirds moving through, Eastern Phoebe, Red-breasted Merganser, Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal, Forster's Tern, Bonaparte's Gull (94).
Predictions: Chance for rain in the morning, cloudy, high 51F, N,NW wind 10mph
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Date: 11/14/19 3:35 am From: Richard Julian <rwjulian66...> Subject: [de-birds] Delayed Report of Tuesday Nov. 12 Cape Henlopen Bird Tour
Cape Henlopen State Park, Nov 12, 2019
Conducted a driving on/off bird tour, stopping at the Nature Center, The Point, Family Campground, Fort Miles and Herring Point. Mixed flock of kinglets, chickadees and nuthatches in the campground. Most of the other sightings at the Nature Center or the Point.
25 species
Surf Scoter Black Scoter scoter sp. Herring Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Great Black-backed Gull Red-throated Loon Northern Gannet Double-crested Cormorant Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Bald Eagle Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Brown-headed Nuthatch Eastern Bluebird American Robin House Finch Chipping Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Kevin Bronson, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue and Kevin for enduring the cold to help with the count! 4 visitors
Weather: Partly cloudy turning clear, cold with temp -1 to 2C, gusty N, NNW wind 15mph decreasing to 7mph in the afternoon, vis 20km
Raptor Observations: Migrants coming in far to the south, mostly Turkey Vultures, seven Bald Eagle, one Golden Eagle, a few Harriers, Sharp-shinned Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks.
Predictions: Sunny, high 50F, S wind 10mph ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Dan Walker, Joe Swertinski
Visitors: 8
Weather: Clear skies with moderate northwest winds. Cold with temperatures starting below freezing.
Raptor Observations: Moderate vulture migration continues. 5 northern harriers (3 adult males, 2 adult females), light Accipiter migration, good Buteo migration with 39 red-shoulders and 38 red-tails, only falcons were 2 merlins.
Non-raptor Observations: 30 snow geese, 2,500 Canada geese, 50 ring-billed gulls, 1 herring gull, 6 common loons, common raven, American pipit, 10 rusty blackbirds, Samaritan's Purse DC-8 (one of only 8 of this model still flying).
Predictions: Thursday: Cloudy early then some sun. High 8C. Winds S at 10-15km/h. Expect light to moderate migration.
Friday: Intervals of clouds and sun. High 11C. Winds NW at 10-15km/h. Expect good migration.
Saturday: Sunny. High 4C. Winds NE at 15-30km/h. Expect moderate to good migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 11/13/19 6:09 am From: Pat <pvaldata1...> Subject: Re: [de-birds] The Loss of a True Legend in Delaware's Birding Community
This is very sad news. My condolences go to all the Delaware birders who knew him. PatPat ValdataCrisfield, MDSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message --------From: Holly Merker <hcybelle...> Date: 11/12/19 5:07 PM (GMT-05:00) To: <de-birds...> Subject: [de-birds] The Loss of a True Legend in Delaware's Birding Community Delaware Birding Community,With great sadness I'm writing to let you know that we've lost one of thegreatest forces in the Delaware birding community today. Bill Stewart, atrue bird hero. Bill passed away today surrounded by his family, and hisbeloved Kim, while wrapped in tremendous love.Bill's drive and fire in the effort towards bird conservation, locally, andglobally, was unparalleled. His incredible determination to make thingshappen, get things done, all in the name of birds and birding, was likenone other. While bird conservation, through land conservation andeducation, was foremost for Bill, he prioritized connecting the nextgeneration of birders to conservation, and led by example.There's no doubt he will be missed by so many of us, as he's left hisincredible mark on our community. But, what he'd want us to do is goforward, make things happen, get things done for the good of birds andconservation. But most of all, cherish every moment with birds and friends,be empowered by the spectacles of migration, go do what your heart inspiresyou to do.A Celebration of Life is being planned at the Ashland Nature Center inHockessin, Delaware, for this Friday, November 15th, 1pm-3pm.Holly MerkerRed Knot Outfitters-- *Holly Cybelle Merker**Downingtown, PA**610-733-4392 mobile**<HCybelle...> <HCybelle...>*List archives: https://lists.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=DE-BIRDSList help: <DE-BIRDS-request...>
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers:
Visitors: None
Weather: Morning rain delayed the start of the count until 8:30. Sprinkled continued off and on for a few hours and turned into snow flurries as the temperature fell. The sky slowly began to clear in the final hours. Cold with temperatures falling throughout the day to near freezing. Strong northwesterly winds.
Raptor Observations: Some migrating vultures but also many vultures lingering around local roosts. A few bald eagles hanging around but also 6 migrants. Four northern harriers. Light flow of red-tails throughout the day for a total of 14.
Non-raptor Observations: 3,000+ Canada geese, 6 common loons, 2 herring gulls, 20 ring-billed gulls, common raven, Turkish presidential 747.
Predictions: Wednesday: Mainly sunny. High 3C. Winds NNW at 15-30km/h. Expect good migration but difficult viewing conditions due to a combination of cold, wind, and blue skies.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. High 8C. Winds S at 10-15km/h. Expect light to moderate migration.
Friday: Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 11C. Winds NW at 10-15km/h. Expect moderate to good migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 11/12/19 2:08 pm From: Holly Merker <hcybelle...> Subject: [de-birds] The Loss of a True Legend in Delaware's Birding Community
Delaware Birding Community,
With great sadness I'm writing to let you know that we've lost one of the greatest forces in the Delaware birding community today. Bill Stewart, a true bird hero. Bill passed away today surrounded by his family, and his beloved Kim, while wrapped in tremendous love.
Bill's drive and fire in the effort towards bird conservation, locally, and globally, was unparalleled. His incredible determination to make things happen, get things done, all in the name of birds and birding, was like none other. While bird conservation, through land conservation and education, was foremost for Bill, he prioritized connecting the next generation of birders to conservation, and led by example.
There's no doubt he will be missed by so many of us, as he's left his incredible mark on our community. But, what he'd want us to do is go forward, make things happen, get things done for the good of birds and conservation. But most of all, cherish every moment with birds and friends, be empowered by the spectacles of migration, go do what your heart inspires you to do.
A Celebration of Life is being planned at the Ashland Nature Center in Hockessin, Delaware, for this Friday, November 15th, 1pm-3pm.
Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 10:00:00 Total observation time: 1.25 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks Sue for making the effort to stand in the rain for an hour with me.
No visitors
Weather: Overcast and rain in the morning, then turning to snow in the afternoon, temp 10-12C, gusty WNW wind 15mph, vis 10km, only an hour of observation before the rain.
Raptor Observations: No raptors, limited observations in the early morning.
Non-raptor Observations: Common Loon, Royal Tern
Predictions: Sunny and very Cold! High 36F, NW wind 10-15mph
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Curt Davis, Sally O'Byrne
Observers: Christopher Rowe, Curt Davis, David Brown, Sue McLaughlin
Visitors: 25
Weather: Partly cloudy with light southerly winds. Warm.
Raptor Observations: Yesterday's golden eagle returned in the early morning and perched above sledding hill. When the thermals built mid-morning it circled with vultures then streamed off.
Good vulture flight, especially in the afternoon when the wind picked up a little bit.
Only two bald eagles.
Non-raptor Observations: 2 snow geese, 3 ring-billed gulls, belted kingfisher, 2 common ravens, a few butterflies (buckeye) and one unidentified dragonfly.
Predictions: Tuesday: Cloudy with rain and snow in the morning then cloudy in the afternoon. Morning high of 11C dropping to 0C. Winds NW at 15-30km/h. Hard to predict but I would expect only light migration despite the favorable winds.
Wednesday: Mainly sunny. Cold. High 3C. Winds NW at 15-25km/h. Expect moderate to good migration.
Thursday: Overcast. High 8C. Winds S at 10-15km/h. Expect light migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Raptor Observations: a very painfully slow day. Only a few TV's and B. Eagles
Non-raptor Observations: the highlight was a very handsome,male Baltimore Oriole which landed very close to the platform. 3=Brown Pelicans,
Predictions: 100% chance of all day rain. High 54 dropping to 40c. WNW 10-20. Mostly likely there will be no count. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Bob Rufe, Joe Swertinski
Observers: Angie Barbato, Bob Rufe, David Brown, George Harrison, Joe Francis, Joe Swertinski, Lisa Smith
Visitors: 30
Weather: Cloudy in the morning clearing in the afternoon. Light southwesterly winds.
Raptor Observations: Steady vulture flight. Small numbers of other migrants. Late-day immature golden eagle that was seen as few times as it soared, glided, and wandered around.
Predictions: Monday: Clouds and sun. High 17C. Winds SSW at 10-15km/h. Light to moderate migration but should be a pleasant day.
Tuesday: Rain and snow in the morning then overcast. Much colder. Temp falling from 8C to 0C. Winds NW at 15-30km/h. Difficult to predict but could be some movement after the front passes through.
Wednesday: Sunny. High 2C. Winds NNW at 15-25km/h. Expect moderate to good migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Bruce Peterjohn, Susan Gruver
Observers: Ann Dinkel, Bruce Peterjohn
Visitors: thank you to Bruce, Ann, Chuck,Emily and Geoff. 22 visitors
Weather: temp.8-15c, wind SSW/SW at 8-13mph, clcv 40/30/60%, visb 20k,
Raptor Observations: nice flight of Turkey Vultures coming in from the North and continuing S/W. 6 Bald Eagles,8 Red-Tailed Hawks
Non-raptor Observations: 17 Brown Pelicans in a line going South, 2 others,Meadowlark, R. and G. Kinglets, 137 Robins
Predictions: partly cloudy, high 66, wind SSW 5-10 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Bob Pratt, Kevin Bronson, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue, Bob, Kevin and Dawnel for assisting with the count today! 17 visitors
Weather: Sunny and cool, clear to partly cloudy skies, temp 6-7C, very light NNE,NE winds turning E,SE in the afternoon, vis 23km
Raptor Observations: Mostly Turkey Vultures moving through, 8 Bald Eagles, several Sharp-shinned Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks, one Merlin.
Non-raptor Observations: Finally seeing the large groups of Scoters moving: Surf Scoter (340), Black Scoter (460). Black Duck, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Red-throated Loon, DC Cormorant (1,030).
Predictions: Sunny and warmer, high 58F, SW wind 10-15mph
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Andrew Grunwald, Anthony Gonzon, Carol Ralph, Chris Bennett, David Beattie, Joe Swertinski, Nina DiPinto, Steve Grunwald, Walt Blackwell
Visitors: 30, including many from an overnight cub scout group.
Weather: Mostly sunny with a high thin cloudy layer that varied throughout the day. Light southerly winds. Cold.
Raptor Observations: Moderate vulture flight. Good Buteo flight with 53 red-shoulders and 59 red-tails. 5 harriers. 16 bald eagles with 11 of those in the 1pm hour. Immature golden eagle above the ridge to the west in the early morning.
Non-raptor Observations: New species for season: Hooded merganser (2), common merganser, fox sparrow.
Predictions: Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 13C. Winds SW at 10-15km/h. Expect moderate migration.
Monday: Mix of sun and clouds. High 16C. Winds light and variable. Expect moderate migration.
Tuesday: Rain and snow becoming partly cloudy. Colder. High of 9C in the morning dropping to freezing. Winds NW at 15-30km/h. Expect light to moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Predictions: Saturday: Intervals of clouds and sun. High 6C. Winds SSE at 10-15km/h. Expect moderate migration.
Sunday: A few clouds then mostly sunny. High 13C. Winds SW at 10-15km/h. Expect moderate migration.
Monday: Intervals of clouds and sun. High 16C. Winds S at 10-15km/h. Expect light to moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
*Birds mentioned Brant Snow Goose Tundra Swan Mute Swan Wood Duck Blue-winged Teal Gadwall American Wigeon Green-winged Teal Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Common Eider HARLEQUIN DUCK Black Scoter White-winged Scoter Surf Scoter Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe EARED GREBE Virginia Rail American Coot Sandhill Crane American Oystercatcher American Avocet Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover HUDSONIAN GODWIT Marbled Godwit Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Dunlin Stilt Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Western Sandpiper Short-billed Dowitcher Wilson’s Snipe Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs American Woodcock Parasitic Jaeger Caspian Tern Royal Tern Bonaparte’s Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Common Loon Great Cormorant Brown Pelican Tricolored Heron Osprey Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Red-shouldered Hawk Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon TROPICAL KINGBIRD Common Raven Tree Swallow Brown-headed Nuthatch Marsh Wren SEDGE WREN American pipit Seaside Sparrow NELSON’S SPARROW Fox Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Yellow-breasted Chat Eastern Meadowlark Rusty Blackbird Black-throated Blue Warbler Palm Warbler Common Yellowthroat
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: November 8, 2019 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
For Friday, November 8th, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The unofficial Delaware Annual list increased to 324 species.
New this week was an EARED GREBE photographed on the ocean at Tower Road south of Dewey Beach in Delaware Seashore State Park on Sunday. Unfortunately, this bird was not re-found. TRICOLORED HERON was seen at Burtons Island at the North Marina at Indian River Inlet. PARASITIC JAEGER, BROWN PELICAN, GREAT CORMORANT, ROYAL TERN, and COMMON LOON were seen offshore from Indian River Inlet jetty. The first PURPLE SANDPIPER of the season along with RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, and DUNLIN were seen on the rocks. A big flight of sea ducks on Tuesday included 11 WHITE-WINGED, 400 SURF and 86 BLACK SCOTERS. MUTE SWAN, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, RUDDY DUCK, PIED-BILLED GREBE, and AMERICAN COOT were seen at Assawoman Wildlife Area near Fenwick Island. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH was seen at Bay Forest in Bethany Beach. A flock of over 200 BRANT were seen on White’s Creek along Cedar Neck from James Farm Eco-Preserve.
It was a spectacular week at Cape Henlopen State Park. A TROPICAL KINGBIRD was photographed on Saturday at the hawk watch platform. This is the third record and best documented with photographs for the state. A pair of COMMON EIDERS were seen flying by the hawk watch on Monday. GREAT SHEARWATER was seen on Tuesday sitting on the ocean. A female HARLEQUIN DUCK was seen off the jetty at Herring Point. Two SEDGE WRENS were found at the Walking Dunes Trail along with BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. There were also several sightings of PARASITIC JAEGER, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, BRANT, and BROWN PELICAN. PARASITIC JAEGER and a GREAT SHEARWATER was also seen from the Cape May-Lewes ferry along with ROYAL TERN, NORTHERN GANNET plus BONAPARTE’S and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. Waterfowl included BRANT, BUFFLEHEAD, GREATER SCAUP, SURF and BLACK SCOTER.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was reported at Herring Creek Trail on Angola Neck. HOODED MERGANSER, HORNED GREBE COMMON LOON and GREAT EGRET were seen at the Angola Neck Preserve at the end of Camp Arrowhead Road.
A late AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER along with BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, SANDERLING, and DUNLIN were at Mispillion Inlet seen from the Dupont Nature Center. Waterfowl seen included SURF SCOTER, RUDDY DUCK, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL. NELSON’S SPARROW and EASTERN MEADOWLARK were seen in the saltmarsh. COMMON LOON, AMERICAN WIGEON, and SURF SCOTER were seen at Big Stone Beach. VIRGINIA RAIL and SEASIDE SPARROW were found in the saltmarsh. Six BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES were reported in the woodlands along Big Stone Beach Road.
Three STILT SANDPIPERS were seen with lesser yellowlegs at the west side of the main pond in Little Creek wildlife management area. Waterfowl reported included WOOD DUCK, 344 RUDDY DUCK, COMMON LOON, and AMERICAN COOT. A big flock of waterfowl were seen off of Pickering Beach, east of Dover including 105 BUFFLEHEAD, LESSER SCAUP, SURF SCOTER, RUDDY DUCK, COMMON LOON and AMERICAN COOT. 13 NORTHERN GANNETS were seen flying over Delaware Bay along with BONAPARTE’S and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. VIRGINIA RAIL, MARSH WREN, and EASTERN MEADOWLARK were found in Pickering Beach marsh. Six MARSH WRENS were found at St. Jones Preserve along the Kitts Hummock Road.
There was a peak count of 12 MARBLED and a SINGLE HUDSONIAN GODWIT at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna along with 400 AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, DUNLIN, WESTERN, PECTORAL, and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, and both LESSER and GREATER YELLOWLEGS. The first TUNDRA SWANS of the season were seen at Shearness Pool along with MUTE SWAN, SNOW GOOSE, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, BUFFLEHEAD, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, RUDDY DUCK, PIED-BILLED GREBE, and AMERICAN COOT. There was a late CASPIAN TERN seen flying over Shearness Pool. Land birds reported included LINCOLN’S SPARROW, TREE SWALLOW, PALM WARBLER, and EASTERN MEADOWLARKS along Whitehall Neck Road.
A flock of 55 TUNDRA SWAN were seen flying over the Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area near Port Penn on Sunday. MUTE SWANS were seen on Thousand Acre Marsh along with WOOD DUCK, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, RING-NECKED DUCK, RUDDY DUCK, AMERICAN COOT, and PIED-BILLED GREBE. Land birds seen included YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW and TREE SWALLOW. A SANDHILL CRANE was reported at the Port Penn impoundments.
A late YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was found at Pea Patch Island near Fort Delaware. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was flushed on Saturday along the Dyke at Canal Pond near Delaware city. MUTE SWAN and PIED-BILLED GREBE were seen on the pond, TREE SWALLOWS were seen flying overhead. A flock of over 300 SNOW GEESE were seen at Gambacorta Marsh near New Castle along with Bufflehead. A COMMON YELLOWTHROAT was seen in the marsh.
COMMON RAVEN was reported at Townsend Hall at the University of Delaware ag farm on Tuesday. KILLDEER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS were seen at Newark Reservoir along with flyover TREE SWALLOWS. SNOW GOOSE and TUNDRA SWANS were seen flying over Ashland Nature Center this week along with BONAPARTE’S GULL and COMMON LOON. Land birds reported included PALM WARBLER and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. The first FOX SPARROW the season was seen at Hoopes Reservoir along Hillside Mill Road. An adult male BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen Saturday in Brandywine Hundred along Grubb Road. Four RING-NECKED DUCKS and AMERICAN COOT were seen on Harry’s pond in the Brandywine Town Center.
All three species of falcon: PEREGRINE, MERLIN, and AMERICAN KESTREL were seen at the Ashland Nature Ctr., Hawk watch today along with 26 BALD EAGLES. A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen yesterday along with two GOLDEN EAGLES on both Saturday and Sunday late in the afternoon. The last OSPREY was reported on Monday. Land birds reported included COMMON RAVENS seen daily and the first AMERICAN PIPITS of the season. Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch had 19 BALD EAGLE plus 2 GOLDEN EAGLE and 4 NORTHERN HARRIERS today. Only 9 OSPREYS were seen all week.
Thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Nancy Hedgespeth, Ann Dinkel, Tom Roth, Ted Wilson, Kevin Bronson, Kathie O’Neil, John Taylor, Gary Griffith, Joe Sebastiani, Jac Cottrell, Mike Moore, John Skibicki, Phil Thompson, Chris and Karen Bennett, Anthony Gonzon, Curt Davis, Gerry Teig, Megan Kasprzak, Alice Mohrman, Rich Julian, Joel Martin, Dave Fees, Sally Fintel, Bob Edelen, Wayne Longbottom, Ellen Jacobson, Alissa Kegelman, Sue Gruver, Sharon Lynn, Lynn Smith, Ian Stewart, Kitt Heckscher, Judy Montgomery, Kim Steininger, Bill Stewart, Scott Northey, Amy and Jim White, Jen Driscoll Katie Bird, Ryan Crane, Joe Swertinski and Joe Russell. Special thanks to our hawk watchers, Jen Ottinger at Cape Henlopen and Dave Brown at Ashland Nature Center. Birdline needs your sightings. Please call your reports into 302-792-9591 or email <ednieap...> Until next week, this is Andy Ednie wishing you good birding!
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Bob Pratt, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue and Bob for enduring the cold to help with the count today! 14 visitors
Weather: Cold and windy, partly cloudy, temp 4-6C, gusty N wind 12-17mph gusting to 20mph, vis 23km
Raptor Observations: A good flight with most migrants far to the south, Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures moving through, 19 Bald Eagles, several Harriers, a good flight of Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Golden Eagles, and a few Merlin.
Predictions: Sunny, high 47F, NE wind 5-10mph turning SE in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Art Zdancewic, Nicole Schwarz, Rich Downs, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue, Art, Nicole, Rich and Bill for helping with the count! 3 visitors
Weather: Overcast, temp 11-16C, SSW,SW,WSW wind 5-10mph, vis 20km
Raptor Observations: A small push of Turkey Vultures in the morning, one late Osprey, 3 Bald Eagles, a couple of Harriers, Cooper's Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks.
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Kris Benarcik
Visitors: 3
Weather: Cloudy with occasional sun. Light southwesterly winds.
Raptor Observations: Strong vulture migration. 15 red-shoulders and 45 red-tails. Immature golden eagle in the morning. One late-day male harrier.
Broke 10,000 migrants for the season.
Non-raptor Observations: Common raven, 500+ cedar waxwings, 8 American pipits, rusty blackbird.
Predictions: Friday: Mainly sunny. High 6C. Winds NNW at 15-30km/h. Expect good migration but tough conditions (very cold and windy with blue skies).
Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 6C. Winds S at 10-15km/h. Expect moderate to good migration.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 13C. Winds SSW at 10-15km/h. Expect moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
