Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Mike Gardner, Mike Moore
Observers: Alison Wright, Angie Barbato, David Brown, George Harrison, John Skibicki, Kelly Stringham, Lauren Morgens, Lisa Smith, Mike Moore
Visitors: 17
Weather: Hot and clear with calm winds
Raptor Observations: A small number of migrant raptors. A few dozen broadwings in the morning.
Non-raptor Observations: Few monarchs
Predictions: Hot and clear with light north winds shifting to east. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Susan Gruver
Observers: Art Zdancewic, Kevin Bronson
Visitors: thank you to Kevin and Art. 16 visitors
Weather: HOT !!! big blue sky with only 10% cloud cover. temp 25-30.,visb 20k, light to no wind from the East/NE
Raptor Observations: 45 Osprey, two adult local B.Eagles
Non-raptor Observations: Brown Pelican, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers
Predictions: sunny 74-80, NE wind 19-15 mph ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Carol Ralph, Carol Spease, Frank Rohrbacher, Hannah Greenberg, Joe Francis, Joe Swertinski, Kelley Nunn, Mike Moore, Peter Wilner, Sally O'Byrne
Visitors: 31. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who came out today, especially those who took an active role during the busy morning and helped count the thousands of hawks and to those who stayed with me through the afternoon and helped spot the high birds.
A pair of prescription glasses and a camera were left at the hawk watch. If one of these items is yours please contact me at <davidebrownpa...> with a description.
Weather: Clear and hot with light north winds
Raptor Observations: Shortly after 9am the broad-winged hawks began rising in huge kettles from multiple directions. Between 9-11am we had over 4000 broad-wings plus many kestrels and sharp-shinned hawks. By late morning the kettles stopped and in the afternoon most birds were extremely high. The final broad-winged hawk total was 4577. The total count of migrant raptors was 4733.
Non-raptor Observations: Many monarch butterflies but exact count not kept, a soaring double-crested cormorant
Predictions: Similar weather to today. Clear and hot (high of nearly 90) with light north winds. How many birds are left in the pipeline? The morning could be worthwhile again. By afternoon most birds will likely be very high. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Non-raptor Observations: Common Loon, Black-Bellied Plover, Yellow Warbler,Brown Pelican
Predictions: sunny, 80,wind North at 5 mph, changing to East in the afternoon ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Date: 9/23/17 9:33 am From: John Janowski <jsbirders...> Subject: [de-birds] Bluebird Production
A while back someone posted that they had 3 broods of Bluebirds this season/summer. My Bluebirds (a Fred Jahns box) began nesting in the spring and finally wrapped things up late August. I have no idea how many fledglings they had. I did not want to disturb them. First time this happened in 23 years.
Date: 9/23/17 7:55 am From: Rob Blye <rwblye...> Subject: [de-birds] First of Season White-throated sparrow
While walking early this morning on Camp Arrowhead Rd southeast of John Williams Highway my wife and I found our first of season white-throated sparrow in addition to several warblers and three or more red-headed woodpeckers.
*Rob*
Robert W. Blye 34603 Doe Run Lewes DE 19958-3332 302 945-8618 610 213-2413 mobile
*Birds mentioned Snow Goose Tundra Swan Mute Swan Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Northern Pintail Northern Shoveler Common Loon Pied-billed Grebe WOOD STORK Brown Pelican American Bittern Tricolored Heron Little Blue Heron Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Glossy Ibis WHITE IBIS Osprey Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper’s Hawk Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Virginia Rail American Oystercatcher American Avocet American Golden Plover Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Hudsonian Godwit Marbled Godwit Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Stilt Sandpiper Western Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Short-billed Dowitcher Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson’s Phalarope Spotted Sandpiper Greater Yellowlegs Willet Lesser Yellowlegs Lesser Black-backed Gull Royal Tern Caspian Tern Common Tern Yellow-billed Cuckoo Barred Owl Common Nighthawk Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Least Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo PHILADELPHIA VIREO Red-eyed Vireo Purple Martin Barn Swallow COMMON RAVEN Brown-headed Nuthatch Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Veery Swainson’s Thrush Wood Thrush Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Blue-winged Warbler Black and White Warbler American Redstart Nashville Warbler Tennessee Warbler Northern Parula Cape May Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Magnolia Warbler Prairie Warbler Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Hooded Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Canada Warbler Seaside Sparrow “Sharp-Tailed” Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Scarlet Tanager Summer Tanager Rose-breasted Grosbeak Blue Grosbeak Bobolink Baltimore Oriole
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: September 22, 2017 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
On Friday, September 22nd, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The unofficial Delaware year list remains at 325 species. 23 species of warbler are still being reported in the state.
It was an epic day on Thursday at the Cape Henlopen Hawkwatch with a WOOD STORK flying over in the late morning from Cape May. The Hawkwatch had been relatively quiet early in the week due to Hurricane José offshore, but now the floodgates are open. Raptors seen on Thursday included 11 BALD EAGLES, 129 SHARP-SHINNED and 14 COOPER’S HAWKS, 57 AMERICAN KESTRELS, 24 MERLIN, and 8 PEREGRINE FALCONS. There were 76 OSPREYS, 14 BALD EAGLE, 8 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 77 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 104 AMERICAN KESTRELS, 7 MERLIN, and 3 PEREGRINES on Wednesday.
Other birds seen at Cape Henlopen State Park this week included 3 very early TUNDRA SWANS offshore, along with 5 NORTHERN PINTAILS, COMMON LOON, and BROWN PELICAN. Landbirds seen included an early RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET on Thursday plus YELLOW, PINE, PRAIRIE, and BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES continue to be seen in the park daily. There have been two reports of RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH in southern Delaware from the Cape Henlopen. Multiple sightings of RED -REASTED NUTHATCHES along the Appalachian Mountains south to Tennessee have been reported. SOLITARY SANDPIPER was found on the trail by the marsh, 20 WHITE IBIS, TRICOLORED HERON and “SHARP TAILED” SPARROW were found at Gordon’s Pond. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and CASPIAN TERNS were seen from the Cape May-Lewes ferry.
BROAD-WINGED HAWKS have been seen at the Ashland Nature Center Hawkwatch all week, but the big flight was today with 1822 BROAD-WINGS plus 58 SHARPIES and 106 KESTRELS. Seven BALD EAGLES were seen at Ashland on Saturday. A big flight of Falcons on Tuesday included 54 KESTRELS, 2 PEREGRINES, and a MERLIN. A adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER flew by the Ashland Nature Center Hawkwatch on Wednesday. An early YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was seen on Monday. The previous reported OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was seen today. Warblers reported this week included NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, TENNESSEE, MAGNOLIA, PALM, OVENBIRD, PARULA, and BLACK-THROATED GREEN, plus WARBLING and YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. Late SWALLOWS seen included BARN and PURPLE MARTIN. Other highlights included SWAMP SPARROW, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, VEERY, SWAINSON’S THRUSH, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, and BOBOLINK. COMMON RAVEN has been reported at the Hawkwatch all week. At nearby Oversee Farm off Snuff Mill Road outside of Yorklyn, PALM WARBLER and MERLIN were reported. SOLITARY SANDPIPER was seen on Saturday at the retention pond in Yorklyn village.
A LEAST FLYCATCHER was seen at Middle Run Natural Area near Newark on Tuesday near trail marker 6. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was seen on Thursday. The first WHITE-THROATED SPARROW plus COMMON RAVEN was reported today. Warblers reported included TENNESSEE, BAY-BREASTED, BLACKPOLL, NORTHERN PARULA, MAGNOLIA, CHESTNUT-SIDED, PALM, YELLOW-RUMPED, WILSON’S, plus BLACK-THROATED BLUE and BLACK-THROATED GREEN. BARRED OWL was reported at Middle Run between trail markers 13 and 14.
A PIED-BILLED GREBE was found on Newark Reservoir. The first BROWN CREEPER of the season was found at the University of Delaware ag farm. Warblers seen included CAPE MAY, PARULA, BLACKPOLL, and PALM. SAVANNAH SPARROW was seen in the fields along with PURPLE MARTIN and GREEN HERON.
A PHILADELPHIA VIREO was found on Saturday in Walnut Ridge near Centerville along with PARULA and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, SCARLET TANAGER, and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, PARULA, BAY-BREASTED, CHESTNUT-SIDED, and BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER were seen at Brandywine Creek State Park. NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, NASHVILLE and BLACK-THROATED BLUE were reported at Brandywine Hundred near Grubb Road. A BARRED OWL was calling at the woods in Brandywine Hundred near the intersection of Foulk and Grubb Road.
A late EASTERN KINGBIRD was seen at the Aston Track at Augustine Wildlife Area near Port Penn on Monday along with YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. A RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was found on Wednesday. Warblers reported included CAPE MAY, MAGNOLIA, BLACKBURNIAN, YELLOW, PARULA, CHESTNUT-SIDED, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, and CANADA. LITTLE BLUE HERON continues be seen in the marsh along with LEAST SANDPIPER and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER. Six SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS were seen at Port Penn. A PECTORAL and LEAST SANDPIPER was seen with both GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS in a puddle along Route 13 at Biddle’s Corner below St. George’s Bridge. Three late CATTLE EGRETS were seen at Bayview Farms on Tuesday. CASPIAN TERN has been seen in the parking lot at Augustine Beach.
A late LITTLE BLUE HERON was also seen at the C&D Canal Wildlife Area, west of Summit Bridge along with CASPIAN TERN. A nice flight of warblers there included TENNESSEE, CAPE MAY, BLACKBURNIAN, PARULA, MAGNOLIA, YELLOW, and PRAIRIE. LITTLE BLUE HERON and RED-SHOULDERED HAWK were seen at Lums Pond State Park
COMMON NIGHTHAWKS continue to be seen in migration at Brandywine Hundred, Ashland Nature Center, Middle Run, and over the Pulaski Highway in Bear. NIGHTHAWKS were seen downstate at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Milton, Old Landing near Rehoboth Beach, and Cape Henlopen State Park.
A peak count of 5 HUDSONIAN and 2 MARBLED GODWITS were reported at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna. A WILSON’S PHALAROPE was reported at Sheerness Tower on Sunday. Other shorebirds reported included 90 AMERICAN AVOCET plus STILT, PECTORAL, and WESTERN SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, WILLET, plus SHORT-BILLED and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. Waterfowl seen included MUTE SWAN, NORTHERN SHOVELER, plus BLUE-WINGED and GREEN-WINGED TEAL. A PIED-BILLED GREBE was seen at Bear Swamp, along with LITTLE BLUE and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. Another SAPSUCKER was reported at Bombay Hook on Monday. Landbirds seen included TENNESSEE, YELLOW, and MAGNOLIA WARBLER, a big flock of 120 BOBOLINK, and a BLUE GROSBEAK by the Allee House.
Three AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and 57 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS were reported at Whitehall Neck Crossroads along Route 9, outside of Bombay Hook. An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen from the tower in Little Creek Wildlife Management Area. A GREEN HERON was recorded flying over Frederica from the night flight calls watch station along with VEERY, OVENBIRD, and BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER.
A HOODED WARBLER was reported on Sunday at Milford Neck Wildlife Area along the Big Stone Beach Road. Other warblers reported included BLACKBURNIAN, BLACK AND WHITE, PARULA, MAGNOLIA, YELLOW, CHESTNUT-SIDED, PALM, PINE, and PRAIRIE. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER and BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH continue be found along the woods at the edge of the marsh. CASPIAN and ROYAL TERN were seen at Big Stone Beach. Waterfowl on the marsh included BLUE-WINGED TEAL, SHOVELER, and VIRGINIA RAIL.
Two immature WHITE IBIS were reported at the Observation Point Trail in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge with 6 GLOSSY IBIS. Two SNOW GEESE were seen flying over, the first reported in fall migration. Shorebirds reported at Prime Hook included BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, COMMON and FORSTER’S TERN. SEASIDE SPARROW continues be seen at Fowler’s Beach. Two AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS were found at the DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion Inlet near Slaughter’s Beach along with BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, and ROYAL and CASPIAN TERN. There was also a PEREGRINE FALCON hunting there.
BROWN PELICAN was also reported at Bethany Beach along with SANDERLING. ROYAL, CASPIAN, and COMMON TERNS were seen along the shoreline.
Another flyby RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was reported Thursday at Old Landing near Rehoboth Beach along with BLUE-WINGED WARBLER, BLUE-HEADED and RED-EYED VIREO plus BALTIMORE ORIOLE. Flyover COMMON LOON was seen today. Warblers at Harbeson included CANADA, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, PARULA, and OVENBIRD. SUMMER TANAGER is still being seen in with wood plus SWAINSON’S THRUSH. Four SUMMER TANAGERS were seen at the Nanticoke Wildlife Area along with BLUE GROSBEAK and BOBOLINK. WARBLERS reported included the CAPE MAY, CHESTNUT-SIDED and PARULA.
Thanks to those that contributed this week, including, Mike Smith, Katie Bird, Al Guarante, Eric Pourchat, Joe Haemmerle, Maureen Bonnes, Brian McCaffrery, Ryan Crane, Mike Moore, Mike Bowen, Nancy Cunningham, Curt Davis, Matt Sarver, Sally O’Byrne, Peter Gibb, Chris Bennett, Rob Blye, Bob Edelen, Dave Fees, Jim and Amy White, Jason Wood, Kelly Nunn, Hannah Greenberg, Chris Rowe, Tim Freiday, Jerald and Aaron Reb, Ken Wat, Joe Sebastiani, Megan Kasprzak, Phil Thompson, Ian Stewart, Steve Cottrell, Bill Stewart, Kim Steininger, John Long, Teddy Burke, Lynn Smith, Sue Gruver, Sharon Lynn, Alissa Kegelman, Joe Russell and Joe Swertinski. Special thanks to our hawk counters, Dave Brown at Ashland and Jen Ottinger, at Cape Henlopen Remember, the 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: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Larry Sharp, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue and Larry for assisting with the count. 33 visitors including Ed Sigda, and Mike and Jeanne Fritz.
Weather: Overcast, temp 22-25C, N,NE wind 10mph, vis 18km
Raptor Observations: Another good flight today with Ospreys making up the majority of the flight and migrating late into the afternoon, good numbers of Kestrels and Merlin.
Non-raptor Observations: Common Loon, Black Scoter, Brown Pelican, DC Cormorant (432). Monarch 85
Predictions: Sunny, high 82F, wind N at 10mph
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Carol Ralph, Dirk Robinson, Frank Rohrbacher, Hannah Greenberg, Joe Swertinski, Kelley Nunn, Kim Steininger, Paul Beckman, Sally O'Byrne, Tim Freiday
Visitors: 13
Weather: Mostly cloudy and warm with light northerly winds
Raptor Observations: A moderate stream of migrants throughout the morning but nothing spectacular.
About 1:45pm the floodgates opened and huge kettles of broad-winged hawks were seen at scope distance to the north. The largest group was about 400 birds. The final broad-winged hawk total was 1822.
Around 3pm a steady stream of kestrels began migrating. Between 4-5pm we had more kestrels in a single hour (61) than the previous single day record (56). The new single day record for kestrels is 106.
At the same time we had high numbers of sharp-shinned hawks with a total of 58 for the day. All together we had over 2000 migrant raptors today.
At 5:30pm I watched an adult broad-winged hawk go to roost in the treeline above Sledding Hill.
A merlin with a dragonfly meal perched in a close snag but was not counted as a migrant. A kestrel and a Cooper's hawk also perched nearby but were both harassed by blue jays.
Non-raptor Observations: Well over 200 monarchs (exact count not kept), 30+ common nighthawks, Air France Airbus A380 at 40,000 feet
Predictions: Clear and hot with light to moderate north winds. I can't guarantee it will be another huge day but with the number of raptors that were in the area late day and the decent weather I wouldn't risk missing out. I would recommend the morning because the birds may be high by the afternoon and difficult to spot in clear skies. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 9/22/17 2:43 pm From: Paul Waters <pwaters.kstate...> Subject: [de-birds] Birding and Citizen Science Survey
Hello,
My name is Paul Waters and I am currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Park Management and Conservation at Kansas State. As part of my studies I am doing research on the motivations of birders and their participation in citizen science projects. I would appreciate if you could assist with this research by taking a survey about your personal opinions of birding and citizen science. The results from this survey will inform my research that will enable citizen science project developers to better understand their participants and create or alter projects in order to better serve both birders and the scientific community. Your help is very important to the success of this project. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes.
Date: 9/22/17 10:51 am From: judy montgomery <judym...> Subject: [de-birds] Birders Needed for the Big Sit
Greetings DE-Birders:
The Annual Big Sit Competition will be held on the weekend of Oct. 7 - 8th worldwide,
and the Delaware Nature Society will be hosting two Big Sits! One at Coverdale Farm Preserve, and the other at Middle Run Natural Area.
These events are open to birders of all skill levels! We encourage you (and a friend?) to take part in this unique "birding-meets-tailgating" event. Food, friends, fun.... and this year a festival - all part of our Big Sits!
On October 7th & 8th, the Big Sit will take place at the Coverdale Farm Preserve, as part of the Harvest Moon Festival. Our 17 foot circle will be manned by birders (that's where you fit in), and fair-goers will be encouraged to bird watch for a while. We will scan for birds in the giant oak and fir trees, cornfields, and gardens visible from our circle. We'll also be distributing DNS, DOS and other birding info for interested folks. The Harvest Moon Festival is free for DNS members. If you would like to take a shift at the BIG SIT as an "official" watcher, (am or pm) you will also receive a free pass. We will be birding during festival hours 10am - 5pm.
Please contact Judy Montgomery if you can help either Saturday or Sunday. <judy.montgomery01...><mailto:<judy.montgomery01...> Coverdale Farm Preserve address is 543 Way Rd. Greenville DE. Check our website for more festival fun:
http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/HarvestMoonFestival#.WcVFYrJ97cs
On Sunday Oct 8th, the Middle Run Big Sit will take place. Meet Captain Tim Freiday, at his 17 foot circle by Trail Marker 4 on the birding trail. Tim will be counting between dawn - dusk. Snacks will be available - and we encourage folks to bring binoculars, coffee and a treat! You are welcome to come and go - you're not required to spend the whole day. Contact Tim at Tim Freiday <tim.freiday777...><mailto:<tim.freiday777...> if you plan to participate or need more information. Check our website for information about Middle Run and the Birding Trail: http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/MiddleRunValleyNaturalArea#.WcVHl7J97cs
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Andrew Albright, Susan Gruver, Vincent Gambal
Visitors: Thanks for the excellent assistance from Sue, Vince, and Andrew Albright from the Militia Hill Hawk Watch. 42 visitors
Weather: Partly cloudy in the morning turning clear, temp 24-28C, NNW,N, winds turning E late in the day 5-10mph, vis 20km.
Raptor Observations: Another great flight with raptors coming in low today over the platform and to the south. The cloud cover helped in the morning. Mostly Sharp-shinned Hawks, a good Kestrel and Merlin flight, 11 Bald Eagles, and several Harriers.
Non-raptor Observations: WOOD STORK seen flying across from Cape May at 11:45. Flew in high over the Great Dune (too far for photos), diagnostic views in the scope. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Pintail, Yellow Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Pine Warbler, DC Cormorant (47), and an Eastern Red Bat. Monarch 40
Predictions: Sunny, high 80F, N wind 10-15mph
======================================================================== 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: Dean Goeldner, Dirk Robinson, Ed Rohrbach, Lauren Morgens, Michael Moore
Visitors: 10
Weather: Partly sunny to mostly sunny. Hot with light north winds.
Raptor Observations: Moderate migration of falcons and accipiters but all the raptors were high and hard to detect in the afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations: A few flocks of Canada Geese (about 100 total)
Predictions: Hot and partly cloudy with moderate north winds. Probably another good day for falcons and accipiters. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Dennis Foley, Lynn Smith, Rob Schroeder, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks for all the great help during a busy flight including Sue, Lynn, Rob, Dennis and Bill. 34 visitors
Weather: Partly cloudy, temp 23-27C, wind N,NNW,NNE 7-12mph, vis 18km
Raptor Observations: Great variety today and a good flight of Sharp-shinned Hawks and Kestrels, 8 Harriers, 14 Bald Eagles. The bulk of the flight was coming in far to the south over the Great Dune.
Non-raptor Observations: Early TUNDRA SWAN (3) seen right off the shoreline, they landed on the water for a bit then continued north. Common Nighthawk, Pine Warbler, DC Cormorant (30).
Predictions: Mostly sunny, high 80F, N wind 10mph
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Alison Ellicott, Dirk Robinson, Frank Rohrbacher, Gary Charles, Joe Swertinski, Judy Charles, Kim Steininger, Linda Young, Sally O'Byrne
Visitors: 11
Weather: Cloudy in the morning but clearing throughout the day. Winds were light to moderate from north.
Raptor Observations: A moderate flight of falcons and accipiters in the morning but few migrants in the afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations: Red-headed woodpecker
Predictions: Mostly cloudy with light to moderate north winds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 9/20/17 12:50 pm From: joe sebastiani <joe...> Subject: [de-birds] Flint Woods Bird Walk Tomorrow
Tomorrow, I will be leading the bird walk at Flint Woods Preserve. We will meet at 8am at the entrance which is approximately 350 Twaddell Mill Road, just east of Centreville, DE. There will be a small sign on the road to indicate the entrance. This walk is open to everyone, is free for Delaware Nature Society members, and a $10 donation is requested of non-members. See you tomorrow! Joe
Joe Sebastiani
Ashland Nature Center Manager
Delaware Nature Society
Ashland Nature Center
3511 Barley Mill Road
P.O. Box 700
Hockessin, DE 19707
(302) 239-2334 ext. 115
fax (302)239-2473
<joe...>
Date: 9/20/17 8:43 am From: Christopher Bennett <cpb2564...> Subject: [de-birds] DOS Meeting TONIGHT
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
JOHN JAMES AUDUBON: SEPARATING THE MAN FROM MYTH
Join us at Ashland Nature Center tonight from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm for this
stimulating presentation by Matthew Halley.
The legendary ornithologist John James Audubon (1785–1851) began his
studies of American birds as a teenager, on the banks of the Schuylkill
River near Philadelphia. Our speaker, Matthew Halley, provides a
surprisingly fresh and intimate window into Audubon’s character and story,
filling in critical gaps in our understanding of the genesis of Audubon’s
masterpiece, The Birds of America.
Matthew Halley is an ornithologist and historian who grew up in
Phoenixville, PA, on the opposite bank of the Schuylkill River near
Audubon’s home at Mill Grove. He is a Graduate Research Associate at the
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and editor of the Delaware
Valley Ornithological Club (DVOC) and its journal Cassinia.
ALSO: Are your book shelves starting to overflow? Looking for some new
(to you) reading material? Donations of used bird-related books are now
being accepted for a book sale before the November meeting. Please bring
and drop off your unwanted books at the meeting.
Date: 9/19/17 8:33 pm From: Tim Freiday <tim.freiday777...> Subject: [de-birds] DOS Cape May Trip - Round 2
Hello Everyone,
Due to the popularity of Delmarva Ornithological Society's September Cape May Trip, we will be offering a similar trip in mid-October. This trip will focus on sparrows and other migrant birds traveling in mid-fall. The shear volume of migration through Cape May at this time of year can be astounding. It's really a blast watching hundreds of Northern Flickers flying overhead! Hawk migration is in full swing at this time of year as well, with a good shot at Golden Eagle. Waterfowl begin moving in better numbers this time of year as well, and it is Cape May so you never know what will be around.
The trip will take place on Saturday October 14th, following much the same schedule as the last trip. We will meet at Higbee, and then work Cape May State Park and The Meadows. There will be a pot luck dinner at my Dads house in Del Haven the night before for interested parties. Space is limited, so if you are interested in participating in this trip please e-mail me to let me know. You can also talk to me about it tomorrow at the monthly DOS meeting at Ashland Nature Center in Hockessin DE.
Date: 9/19/17 8:16 pm From: Tim Freiday <tim.freiday777...> Subject: [de-birds] Middle Run Tuesday Walk - 9/19/17
Hello Fellow DE Birders,
We had fun today out at Middle Run, searching for migrant flocks of passerines. There weren’t as many birds around today as there have been the past couple of weeks, on account of a strong migration of birds out of our region and a weaker migration of birds flying in. We did have some success and found that there were some migrant birds around Middle Run this morning. During the 7:00 AM Pre-Walk, we saw a male Wilson’s Warbler near the Pair of Pears in good light. Shortly after that, a group of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were seen at the top a black cherry tree in the nearby hedge, obviously these birds had just arrived to Middle Run this morning.
I met up with the main group at the parking lot at 8:00 AM, and when we started walking over to the cherry tree island we were treated to an early raptor show. I guess the raptors were eager to begin using the favorable winds for migration. We saw a young Cooper’s Hawk, followed by an American Kestrel, and then a Broad-winged Hawk got up from the woods. There were also many Tree Swallows and Chimney Swifts circling around, many were high flying migrants. The pear trees were not very active at this point, but we did pick up Magnolia and American Redstart in the field near Trail Marker 4. Walking around the birding trail was pretty slow bird wise, but we did find a nice patch of bright orange Sulfur Self Fungus just before Trail Marker 10. We came across a large flock of warblers near Trail Marker 12, but they were very high up in thick cover so we had difficulty getting looks at individuals in the flock. We did have a very obliging male Black-throated Green Warbler p! erch low in the open for the group. Complete checklist for the morning walk here:
After the walk, Don Pastorius and I checked the Thrush Spot to try and boost the species count for the day. We did come across 1 Wood Thrush at the spot, and at least 1 Swainson’s Thrush near the Lenape Spur intersection just beyond the bottom of the power lines cut. Checklist for this excursion here:
There were quite a few raptors migrating today, and I conducted a brief impromptu hawk watch around lunch time, which included a Northern Harrier and a couple Bald Eagles. Complete checklist for the watch here:
Join us next week for the Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Middle Run, sponsored by New Castle County Parks and led by Delaware Nature Society Staff! These events are free and open to the public , and birders of all skill levels are encouraged to participate. For those unfamiliar with the Middle Run Birding Trail, follow this link to get to a map of the trail:
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:15:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Carol Spease, Dirk Robinson, Gerry Teig, Joe Sebastiani, Kelley Nunn, Kevin Bronson, Kim Steininger
Visitors: 11
Weather: Strong northeast winds. The day went from cloudy to mostly sunny then back to cloudy.
Raptor Observations: Strong migration of falcons and accipiters
Non-raptor Observations: Common raven
Predictions: Similar conditions to today. Strong northerly winds will continue as Jose passes off the coast. Should be another great day for falcons and accipiters. ======================================================================== 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: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 2.5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue for coming out in the bad weather for a bit. 2 visitors
Weather: Rain and high winds due to effects of Hurricane Jose, limited observations. Overcast, temp 21-22C, NE winds 14mph gusting to 25mph, poor visibility (5 km).
Raptor Observations: Several Osprey passed through and a Kestrel and Peregrine.
Non-raptor Observations: Brown Pelican, Glossy Ibis, very few gulls today.
Predictions: Mostly sunny, high 83F, NW wind 15mph
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Date: 9/19/17 1:07 pm From: Julian, Richard (DNREC) <Richard.Julian...> Subject: [de-birds] Cape Henlopen Sept. 19 Bird walk results
Between bands of morning showers we were able to see a few birds at the Nature Center and up at the Point today, Tuesday, Sept. 19. Results include the following:
Nature Center:
American Redstart Pine Warbler Black and White Warbler Brown-headed Nuthatch Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Eastern Towhee House Finch Carolina Wren Mourning Dove Northern Cardinal Crow (sp) Wild Turkey Sharp-shinned Hawk Osprey Turkey Vulture Great Blue Heron Lesser Yellowlegs
The Point:
Mourning Dove (more) Tree Swallow (more) Osprey (more) Blue Grosbeak Double-crested Cormorant Forster's Tern Caspian Tern Laughing Gull Herring Gull Greater Black-backed Gull Surf Scoter (at breakwater)
Cheers
Richard Julian Interpretive Programs and Nature Center Manager Delaware State Parks  P: 302-645-6852 E: <Richard.julian...>       Â
Observation start time: 07:15:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours
Official Counter: Joe Sebastiani, Sally O'Byrne
Observers: Holly Merker, Jeff Chambers, Jen Ottinger, Kim Steininger, Mike Moore
Visitors: 5
Weather: Winds out of the northeast, overcast in the morning, then partly sunny in the afternoon. Cool to warm.
Raptor Observations: Nice flow of a variety of species, but hardly any Broad-winged Hawks.
Non-raptor Observations:
======================================================================== Report submitted by Joe Sebastiani (<joe...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Susan Gruver
Observers: Ann Dinkel, Kevin Bronson
Visitors: thank you to Kevin and Ann. 8 visitors
Weather: wind E/NE at 5.1-7.1., 100% overcast all day. off and on light drizzle all day, temp. 22, visb 5-10K. hazy/foggy
Raptor Observations: our two local adult B. Eagles sitting side by side on the tower
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions: we will be feeling the effects of the hurricane. 70% chance of rain and North wind 15-20 with gusts up to 30 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Kim Steininger, Michael Moore
Observers: Alison Wright, Andrew Dunn, George Harrison, Joe Francis, John Skibicki, Kim Steininger, Mike Moore, Peter Wilner
Visitors: 10
Weather: Hot, humid, calm.
Raptor Observations: Light mixture of a variety of species most notably Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, and American Kestrel.
Non-raptor Observations:
======================================================================== Report submitted by Joe Sebastiani (<joe...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Susan Gruver
Observers: Ann Dinkel, Brenda Sharp, John Long, Kevin Bronson, Larry Sharp
Visitors: thank you to Kevin,Ann,John,Larry and Brenda, Sydney and George for their help. 18 visitors
Weather: wind-E/ENE at 2.1-7.6., temp 24-27c., visb 20k. clcv 20/40/90/75%
Raptor Observations: Almost all raptors came in near the Point and continued tree line going South/SW. A few Sharp-Shinned hawks moving today.And the Merlins were zooming by tree line.
Non-raptor Observations: Blue Grosbeaks, Brown-Headed Nuthatches, Brown Thrasher
Predictions: mostly cloudy, high 74, 20% chance of a shower, wind NE at 10-15 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Joe Sebastiani, Sally O'Byrne
Observers: Alison Wright, Bill Stewart, Carol Ralph, Frank Rohrbacher, Joe Swertinski, Kim Steininger, Mike Moore, Mike Smith
Visitors: 19
Weather: Hot, calm, partly cloudy.
Raptor Observations: Light movement of a variety of species.
Non-raptor Observations: Olive-sided Flycatcher in the morning on the usual dead-topped tree. In the afternoon, 1 Nighthawk, 6 Greater Yellowlegs, Palm Warbler.
Predictions: Similar to today. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Joe Sebastiani (<joe...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 9/15/17 7:41 pm From: Christopher Bennett <cpb2564...> Subject: [de-birds] DOS Monthly Meeting 9/20/17
Join us at Ashland Nature Center near Hockessin this Wednesday, September
20, 2017 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm for the presentation "John James Audubon:
Separating Man From Myth."
The legendary ornithologist John James Audubon (1785–1851) began his
studies of American birds as a teenager, on the banks of the Schuylkill
River near Philadelphia. Our speaker, Matthew Halley, provides a
surprisingly fresh and intimate window into Audubon’s character and story,
filling in critical gaps in our understanding of the genesis of Audubon’s
masterpiece, The Birds of America.
Matthew Halley is an ornithologist and historian who grew up in
Phoenixville, PA, on the opposite bank of the Schuylkill River near
Audubon’s home at Mill Grove. He is a Graduate Research Associate at the
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and editor of the Delaware
Valley Ornithological Club (DVOC) and its journal Cassinia.
Are your book shelves starting to overflow? Looking for some new (to you)
reading material? Donations of used bird-related books are now being
accepted for a book sale before the November meeting. Please bring and
drop off your unwanted books at the meeting September 20 meeting.
*Birds mentioned Mute Swan Wood Duck Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Gadwall Northern Shoveler Northern Bobwhite Wild Turkey Pied-billed Grebe Brown Pelican Tricolored Heron Little Blue Heron Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-crowned Night Heron Glossy Ibis WHITE IBIS Osprey Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Clapper Rail Virginia Rail American Oystercatcher American Avocet American Golden Plover Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Stilt Sandpiper Western Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson's Phalarope Spotted Sandpiper Greater Yellowlegs Willet Lesser Yellowlegs Lesser Black-backed Gull Black Tern Least Tern Royal Tern Caspian Tern Common Tern Yellow-billed Cuckoo Barred Owl Eastern Whippoorwill Common Nighthawk Red-headed Woodpecker American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Least Flycatcher YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo PHILADELPHIA VIREO COMMON RAVEN Brown-headed Nuthatch Marsh Wren Veery Swainson's Thrush Worm-eating Warbler Northern Waterthrush Blue-winged Warbler GOLDEN WINGED WARBLER Black and White Warbler American Redstart Tennessee Warbler Nashville Warbler CONNECICUT WARBLER Northern Parula Cape May Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Magnolia Warbler Prairie Warbler Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Wilson's Warbler Canada Warbler Seaside Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow Yellow-breasted Chat Summer Tanager Rose-breasted Grosbeak Blue Grosbeak Dickcissel Bobolink Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: September 15, 2017 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
On Friday, September 15th, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The unofficial Delaware year list increased to 325 species with 26 species of WARBLER reported this week.
A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was seen today at Marker 10 along the bird trail at Middle Run Natural Area near Newark off Possum Park Road. A LINCOLN'S SPARROW and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER were seen at Middle Run yesterday. PHILADELPHIA, BLUE-HEADED, and WARBLING VIREO were seen on Monday. A PALM WARBLER was seen on Tuesday plus a WILSON'S WARBLER was reported Wednesday. Other WARBLERS seen included PARULA, BLACKPOLL, BAY-BREASTED, MAGNOLIA, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, CHESTNUT-SIDED, YELLOW, BLACKBURNIAN, PRAIRIE, CANADA, plus BLACK-THROATED BLUE and GREEN. SWAINSON'S THRUSH and VEERY were found in the woodland along with a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO on Tuesday, plus ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and BOBOLINK. There was a flyover immature LITTLE BLUE HERON on Tuesday. Raptors reported included MERLIN, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, and AMERICAN KESTREL.
Two GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS were seen on Saturday from opposite ends of the state. A female GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was seen at the entrance to Ashland Nature Center on Saturday morning, along with MAGNOLIA, CHESTNUT-SIDED, BLUE-WINGED, BAY-BREASTED, BLACKBURNIAN, CAPE MAY, plus BLACK-THROATED BLUE and GREEN. Some other birds at Ashland included a LINCOLN'S SPARROW on Wednesday plus SWAINSON'S THRUSH (banded), ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, and a LEAST FLYCATCHER. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER continues to be seen at Ashland daily. Five species of Vireo were reported including WARBLING, YELLOW-THROATED, plus BLUE-HEADED on Sunday and PHILADELPHIA VIREO on Tuesday.
A male GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was seen in Sussex Co. at the Big Fields site in Nanticoke Wildlife Area, along with WORM-EATING, MAGNOLIA, and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. VEERY and SWAINSON'S THRUSH were reported at Nanticoke along with INDIGO BUNTING, ROSE-BREASTED, and BLUE GROSBEAK plus BOBOLINK. SUMMER TANAGER is still being seen at Nanticoke and Trap Pond State Park near Laurel. Warblers seen at Trap Pond included CHESTNUT-SIDED, PRAIRIE, and MAGNOLIA plus BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. PIED-BILLED GREBE and BELTED KINGFISHER were found on the pond. A YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was reported in Greenwood. RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were found on Angola Neck along with BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH near Herring Creek, along with an immature LITTLE BLUE HERON. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, VEERY, and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER were found at Harbeson. A LEAST FLYCATCHER was reported at Old Landing near Rehoboth Beach along with WILSON'S WARBLER on Thursday plus NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH and TENNESSEE WARBLER.
An immature WHITE IBIS was seen on Sunday at the Boardwalk Trail in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Milton. A BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was seen at Broadkill Marsh on Thursday and a BROWN PELICAN was seen today. Other shorebirds reported included BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, STILT, WHITE-RUMPED, PECTORAL, SEMIPALMATED and SPOTTED SANDPIPER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, plus GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. CLAPPER RAIL was seen along Fowler's Beach Road plus 12 SEASIDE SPARROWS. BLUE-HEADED VIREO was reported at Little Neck Wildlife Area. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen hunting over Broadkill. Two EASTERN WHIPPOORWILLS continue to be calling at dusk on Sunday at Oyster Rock Road. AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SANDERLING and ROYAL TERN were seen at the DuPont Nature Center near Slaughter's Beach today.
Another immature WHITE IBIS was also seen Monday at Gordon's Pond in Cape Henlopen State Park along with WESTERN SANDPIPER with a group of other peep plus LESSER YELLOWLEGS and one WILLET. A peak count of 17 BROWN PELICANS were seen at Cape Henlopen this week. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen at the swimming beach. Warblers reported included PRAIRIE, BLACKPOLL, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, and an early YELLOW-RUMP, along with BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH and ORCHARD ORIOLE. A YELLOW-CROWNED with 6 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON was seen at the Monroe Avenue Ponds.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON and TRICOLORED HERON were seen at Burton's Island in Delaware Seashore State Park near the North Marina at Indian River Inlet. 30 COMMON TERNS plus 25 ROYALS and 8 CASPIAN TERNS were seen feeding at the inlet along with BALD EAGLE and OSPREY. RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, and WILLET were found at the sailing beach south of Dewey. Warblers reported at James Farm Eco-Preserve on Long Neck near Ocean View included BAY-BREASTED, MAGNOLIA, and BLACK-THROATED GREEN. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH was reported at the Bethany Beach Nature Center. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH was also reported at Assawoman Wildlife Area near Fenwick Island along with a calling VIRGINIA RAIL.
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER continues to be seen at Whitehall Neck Road at the entrance to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna. Five HUDSONIAN and 2 MARBLED GODWITS were reported at Bombay Hook along with 2 WILSON'S PHALAROPES at the north end of Raymond Pool. A immature WHITE IBIS was seen at Shearness Pool with GLOSSY IBIS, LITTLE BLUE and GREEN HERON. Other shorebirds seen at Bombay Hook included 75 AMERICAN AVOCETS, BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, DUNLIN, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, plus WHITE-RUMPED and SPOTTED SANDPIPER. Waterfowl reported included MUTE SWAN, NORTHERN SHOVELER, GADWALL, GREEN-WINGED and BLUE-WINGED TEAL. NORTHERN BOBWHITE and WILD TURKEY were seen near the visitor center. CASPIAN, ROYAL, and LEAST TERN were all reported at the refuge, along with the falcon trifecta: AMERICAN KESTREL, MERLIN, and PEREGRINE FALCON all being reported. Bear swamp woods had VEERY, OVENBIRD, and MAGNOLIA WARBLER.
A BARRED OWL was reported in Cheswold. NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was reported at a yard in Camden-Wyoming. NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was also found in Frederica plus PARULA, MAGNOLIA, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, and PALM WARBLER along with SWAINSON'S THRUSH. A DICKCISSEL was seen in Frederica on Monday. A BLACK TERN was again seen this week at Big Stone Beach in Milford Neck Wildlife Area along with VIRGINIA RAIL and YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. WOOD DUCK and BLUE-WINGED TEAL were found in the marsh. Seven BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES were found in the pines along Big Stone Beach Road along with YELLOW-THROATED VIREO plus PARULA, BAY-BREASTED, PINE, PRAIRIE, and BLACK-THROATED BLUE and GREEN WARBLER.
Lots of TENNESSEE and BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS have been reported in northern Delaware this last week! BAY-BREASTED, CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA, and BLACK-THROATED GREEN were seen along Hopkins Bridge in White Clay Creek State Park. BARRED OWL was found at Christine Manor. TENNESSEE and BAY-BREASTED WARBLER plus LEAST FLYCATCHER and YELLOW-THROATED VIREO were found in Brandywine Creek State Park along with VEERY, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. An AMERICAN KESTREL was seen in the trees along the entrance road.
TENNESSEE and NASHVILLE WARBLER plus CAPE MAY, BLACKBURNIAN, BAY-BREASTED, BLACKPOLL, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, and GREEN, CANADA, and SWAINSON'S THRUSH were seen at Walnut Ridge near Centerville. TENNESSEE, MAGNOLIA, BLACKBURNIAN, CHESTNUT-SIDED, YELLOW, plus BLACK-THROATED BLUE and GREEN were seen along Naaman's Creek off Grubb Road. Two PIED-BILLED GREBES were seen at Blue Rocks Pond along with GREEN HERON. WOOD DUCK and BALD EAGLE were seen at Hoope's Reservoir. Landbirds seen there included LEAST FLYCATCHER, BAY-BREASTED, BLACKPOLL, and BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. CASPIAN TERN, MARSH WREN, and BOBOLINK were reported at the Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge in downtown Wilmington.
Three SANDHILL CRANES were found at the Aston Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area near Port Penn along with LITTLE BLUE HERON, MUTE SWAN, and PIED BILLED GREBE. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO and LEAST FLYCATCHER were found in the woods along with BLUE-WINGED, TENNESSEE, MAGNOLIA, BLACKBURNIAN, YELLOW, CHESTNUT-SIDED, PINE, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, and YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. The fields around Aston Tract had over 100 BOBOLINKS. 16 species of warbler were reported at Bay Pointe near Summit Bridge, including BAY-BREASTED, BLACKPOLL, CANADA, CHESTNUT-SIDED, and NORTHERN PARULA, along with CATTLE EGRETS seen flying over.
COMMON NIGHTHAWKS are still being seen over Ashland Nature Center, Middle Run, Claymont, and Hockessin. NIGHTHAWKS were also seen at Cape Henlopen and Gordon's Pond.
Cape Henlopen had a big flight on Sunday with 149 OSPREYS plus 6 BALD EAGLES, with NORTHERN HARRIER, SHARP-SHINNED and COPPER'S HAWK, plus a rare BROAD-WINGED HAWK and the falcon trifecta with 6 KESTRELS, 11 MERLIN, and a PEREGRINE. A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO also visited the hawk platform, landing on the rails. There was a big flight of 334 BROAD-WINGS at Ashland Hawkwatch on Sunday, plus 9 BALD EAGLES and 17 KESTRELS. Ashland recorded the falcon trifecta on Monday and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK on Tuesday. COMMON RAVEN has been seen at Ashland daily. Please join hawk counters Dave Brown at Ashland and Jen Ottinger, at Cape Henlopen.
Thanks to those that contributed this week, including, Mark Johnson, Brian McCaffrery, Ryan Crane, Mike Moore, Mike Bowen, Nancy Cunningham, Mike Rosengarten, Lyn Hughes, Alice Mohrman, Lana Glass, Carolyn D'Amico, Jeff Climie, Sean O'Connor, Curt Davis, Matt Sarver, Lauren Morgans, Sally O'Byrne, John Skibicki, Peter Gibb, Chris Bennett, Rob Blye, Bob Edelen, Dave Fees, Jim and Amy White, Jason Wood, Kelly Nunn, Hannah Greenberg, Chris Rowe, Tim Freiday, Joel Martin, Jerald and Aaron Reb, Ken Wat, Joe Sebastiani, Megan Kasprzak, Phil Thompson, Ian Stewart, Steve Cottrell, Bill Stewart, Kim Steininger, John Long, Teddy Burke, Lynn Smith, Sue Gruver, Sharon Lynn, Alissa Kegelman, Joe Russell and Joe Swertinski. Remember, the 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: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue for assisting with the count today! 21 visitors
Weather: Clear then partly cloudy late in the day, temp 24-26C, very light E,SE winds, poor visibility with haze over the water and south of the platform all day.
Raptor Observations: Turkey Vultures and Osprey passing through along with a few Kestrels, Merlins and Peregrines. One resident adult Bald Eagle.
Non-raptor Observations: Great Egret, Black-bellied Plover, Barn Swallow, Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, DC Cormorant
Predictions: Mostly sunny, temp 78F, E wind 5mph
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Date: 9/15/17 3:58 pm From: Alice Mohrman <alice...> Subject: [de-birds] Bird Sighting on 9/14 at Abbott's Mill, Milford
A quiet Thursday morning beginning, but activity picked up as we walked out to the meadow. We recorded the following species: Northern Flicker Belted Kingfisher Osprey Tree Swallows Robins (50+) Cedar Waxwings Hairy Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpeckers (3) Chipping Sparrow House Finch Carolina Chickadees American Redstart Tufted Titmouse Northern Mockingbird Gray Catbird Turkey Vulture Sharp-shinned Hawk Eastern Bluebird American Crow E. Starlings. Rubby-throated Hummingbird Blue Jays Northern Cardinals Carolina Wren Join us each Thursday: 8:30am at Abbott's Mill, 15411 Abbotts Pond Road, Milford, DE. Eyes to the sky. Alice
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Carol Spease, Dirk Robinson, Jeff Chambers, Sally O'Byrne
Visitors: 5
Weather: Mostly sunny with light and variable winds
Raptor Observations: The number of migrants was low most of the day with only 4 broad-winged hawks. A pair of harriers migrated by within a minute of each other. Non-migrant red-tailed hawks were seen catching dragonflies.
Non-raptor Observations: Common raven on the deer carcass
Predictions: Similar conditions to today. Mostly sunny with light northerly winds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 9/15/17 6:09 am From: Frank Rohrbacher <0000007c6769d2e2-dmarc-request...> Subject: [de-birds] Common Ringed Plover in Gooseberry Spit, MA
Yesterday, John Janowski and I jump into my car at 4:00 AM and drove to Gooseberry Spit to chase a rare bird. It was first reported on NARBA on September 11. We arrived at our destination at 9:30 AM and walked out to the southern tip where we saw the bird immediately with two adult Semipalmated Plovers. Not knowing the age (HY) we initially rejected it out of hand. In discussions with a couple of birders we accepted that this was the bird. John and stayed with bird and at about noon, with the bird only 15 feet away, it spoke to us as only a Common Ringed Plover could. The bird is tidal and seems to spend most of the at the tip of the spit and at noon yesterday started moving northward toward the parking lot on the east side.
I only bring this up because it appears that eBirds does not consider this bird rare. I suspect that the fact that this bird is only an ABA code 2 like the Wood Sandpiper and the Whiskered Auklet is the reason. I am sure that the ABA has great reasons for these numbers but I think that eBirds might want to reassess which rare birds that they report on.
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Dennis Foley, Ed Crawford, John Long, Susan Gruver, Vincent Gambal
Visitors: Thanks to Sue, Vince, Ed, John Long, and Dennis for helping with the count today!! 5 visitors
Weather: Partly cloudy, temp 25-27C, light SW,WSW winds, vis 15km
Raptor Observations: Mostly Osprey, one juvenile Bald Eagle, two Broad-winged Hawks, a Harrier, and a few falcons. One resident adult Bald Eagle made an appearance late in the day.
Non-raptor Observations: Pelican (9), Chimney Swift, DC Cormorant, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo perched near the platform briefly, and a Glossy Ibis flew high overhead at the end of the day.
Predictions: Mostly sunny, high 80F, light variable winds
======================================================================== 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:
Visitors: 7
Weather: Overcast skies in the morning cleared to partly sunny with moderate SW winds.
Raptor Observations: A northern harrier that came up from below eye level was the first migrant of the day. Several migrating merlins were fairly low as well. Surprisingly, no broad-winged hawks were seen.
Non-raptor Observations: Common Raven, Olive-sided Flycatcher
Predictions: Mostly sunny with light westerly winds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 9/13/17 6:04 pm From: sally o'byrne <salobyrne...> Subject: [de-birds] nighthawks over I-95 and swifts in the city
Not Delaware, but driving to the Philly airport just before dusk, I was impressed with the number of Nighthawks in the sky - they were around the Southern end of the Tinicum marsh. At one point there were at least 25 in the sky…….. hard to count when driving, but I had my son inspecting them through the sunroof. The sky seemed full of them for at least a mile of the highway.
On the drive back to Delaware, after dropping off my son at the airport, I noticed them all the way to Chester, though not in the density that I had seen on the drive North.
Since I missed the DOS Granogue Nighthawk extravaganza, this was a pale substitute, but still more Nighthawks than ever seen in one congregation.
As I turned into my driveway, I noticed that the annual gathering of Chimney Swifts had begun. I zipped outside to attempt a FOY count, but only succeeded in seeing the last of the swifts entering the chimney/pipe. Over the coming month, I hope to document more and more swifts in my neighborhood roost…….. usually the peak is around Oct 7th.
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers:
Visitors: 0
Weather: Periods of rain in the morning then foggy and misty in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Only migrant raptor was a Merlin that came directly over me very low. An adult Bald Eagle was seen sitting in a tree.
Non-raptor Observations: Lincoln's Sparrow
Predictions: Cloudy with a chance of rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Light to moderate south winds. Not expecting many migrants. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 9/13/17 12:44 pm From: Tim Freiday <tim.freiday777...> Subject: [de-birds] Middle Run Bird Tuesday Bird Walk - 9/12/17 Results
Hello Fellow DE Birders,
Yesterday’s Tuesday morning bird walk was another excellent birding adventure. 23 observers tallied 56 species in roughly 4 hours of effort. I began the pre-walk with a disclaimer that there may not be many birds around, on account of the past few days of strong migratory conditions. I need to say these disclaimers every walk because we almost immediately came into a flock of birds after that. We walked straight to the pair of girdled Bradford Pears and were treated to a few showy birds in the trees, drying off and flycatching for breakfast. There were Magnolia Warblers, American Redstarts and a male Wilson’s Warbler. There was also a nice looking Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. This must be a good year for YBFL, because there have been a lot at Middle Run this season. We continued birding the area, and had a surpising flyover species when a Little Blue Heron juvenile flew by headed NW. We saw a Nashville Warbler briefly, barely long enough for an ID.
I left the group of pre-walk participants at the Pair of Pears to meet up with the main contingent over at the parking area. While we were signing in, we noticed that a flock of birds was working the edge of the hedge right behind the Pair of Pears. It ended up containing probably the same male Wilson’s Warbler, and some other nice warblers. I have noticed that the mixed flocks that use the Pair of Pears often work the back edge of the hedge right behind the trees after they leave the pears. This was evident last week with the Lawrence’s backcross that showed itself briefly at the back side after it left the trees. By the time I took the main contingent of the walk to the Pair of Pears to meet up with the pre-walk participants, the birds had vacated those trees, presumably to move along the hedge to find more woods.
We worked the top area, and picked up a western race of Palm Warbler, my first of season for Delaware. For the first time in a couple of weeks, American Redstarts were not the most numerous warbler at Middle Run. Magnolia Warblers were the most abundant warbler on yesterday’s walk. These observations point to a shifting composition of migrant passerines. The first half of September is dominated by Redstarts, and the composition shifts to more Magnolia and Black-throated Green Warblers, finishing up with massive amounts of Yellow-rumped Warblers (which happens to be the most numerous passerine species in North America, estimated population of over 100 million individuals). I expect the first of the Yellow-rumps to show up soon.
We went back to the Pair of Pears about 20 minutes after we left them, and they were hopping with activity again when we got back to them. We were treated to an impressive number of Magnolia Warblers and others, and a spectacular pair of Yellow-bellied Flycatchers which put on a show for all to see. Kathy Barrowclough got some nice pictures of these birds, which are embedded in the eBird checklist. After about ten minutes of action, the Pair of Pears quieted again, and we headed a short distance to the Tree of Heaven area. We had some nice looks at Cedar Waxwings, but we were all blown away by the appearance of a stunning red and yellow adult male Scarlet Tanager molting into non-breeding plumage. This bird perched up obligingly, allowing scope views and pictures.
We began to walk around the birding trail, and stopped near Trail Marker 6 to whistle for an Eastern Screech Owl who has been very responsive in this area. In addition to hearing the Screech Owl here, we swept the mimids with Brown Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, and Gray Catbirds seen along with a female type Wilson’s Warbler. We got to the opening just past Trail Marker 6, and stopped here for a little while. I cleared a viewshed here which allows observers to check the Pair of Pears and the Tree of Heaven before heading into the woods. We watched in the scope as the trees blew up with activity once again, with many species including a nice male Black-throated Green Warbler, and a couple of Yellow and Chestnut-sided Warblers. I asked the group to vote whether to head into woods as planned or to go back to the trees to get a closer look at the action. Roughly 75% of the group voted to head back there, so we did.
By the time we got back to the Pair of Pears the activity was all but finished, with just a couple of Redstarts and Magnolia Warblers remaining. This shows an interesting facet of these Bradford Pears; that groups of birds use them together and then leave them together. This means that at one point in the morning they can be full of birds, and then a short time later they could be empty. If you are birding Middle Run, you should check these trees a few times. They get used by migrant passerines off and on from sunrise to about 10 AM. Bring some popcorn or coffee and a bagel to enjoy the show. There is a bench here, and the warbler show is better than any movie if you ask me. For those who don’t know where these trees are, paste these coordinates into Google Maps and you will see them:
39.714622, -75.723769
We left the pears and began to walk the Birding Trail backwards. It was surprisingly slow around the trail, but it was about 10 AM at this point. Many people broke off from the group to head home, and a portion continued around the trail to wrap up at the tally rally by the Pair of Pears again. Although the trees were quiet by this point, we did have a migrating Merlin, and 6 Common Nighthawks flying around. Complete checklist for the official bird walk here:
After the walk, Alison Ellicott, Joe Swartenski and I decided to check the Secret Thrush Spot. This area is off of the Lenape Spur at Middle Run, and is a bit out of the way for the bird walks themselves. It is an area by the creek that has some really nice understory, with many rotting logs as well. Migrating thrushes tend to congregate there. Although it had been pretty lackluster up to this point in the season, yesterday was a nice day there. We had great looks at Wood Thrush, Veery, and Swainson’s Thrush. We also added Canada Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Warbling Vireo by the stream. Complete checklist for this excursion here:
If you would like to check out the thrush spot, follow these directions to get here. From the main parking lot at Middle Run, head down the path with the dirt jumps near to the bottom hill, or follow the power lines cut to the bottom of the hill and make a left. There is a wooden bridge with one railing across the stream, so cross here and then take the left hand fork of the trail. There will be another left turn off the trail shortly thereafter (first one you come to), take that left. Shortly after that the trail forks again, and again take the left fork down the hill to the stream. This is the thrush spot, there are a couple of old benches and an old stair case nearby. Please be respectful and stay on the trail in this area, as there are many sensitive native species of plants in the understory. The coordinates for the thrush spot are here, paste them into Google Maps to see the area on a map:
39.716368, -75.721100
There will be another Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Middle Run next week. These walks are free and open to the public, sponsored by New Castle County Parks and led by Delaware Nature Society Staff. Join us for some excellent birding in one of the premier passerine hotspots in Delaware!
Happy Birding, Tim Freiday Middle Run Project Coordinator
Date: 9/13/17 10:09 am From: joe sebastiani <joe...> Subject: [de-birds] Thursday Bird Walk at Flint Woods
Dear Birders: I will be leading the weekly Thursday bird walk at Flint Woods tomorrow. We will meet at 8am at the entrance on Twaddell Mill Road, east of Route 52 in Centreville. The street address is 350 Twaddell Mill Road, Wilmington if you are using GPS. I will put a sign out at the street. Delaware Nature Society members are free, others we request a $10 donation. I hope to see you tomorrow!
Joe Sebastiani
Ashland Nature Center Manager
Delaware Nature Society
Ashland Nature Center
3511 Barley Mill Road
P.O. Box 700
Hockessin, DE 19707
(302) 239-2334 ext. 115
fax (302)239-2473
<joe...>
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Jodi McLaughlin, Larry Sharp, Rob Schroeder, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue, Howie, Rob, Jodi, Larry, and Dick for helping with the count today! 21 visitors
Weather: Overcast, temp 21-26C, NNE,ENE,E wind 2-6mph, vis 20km
Raptor Observations: Large group of vultures came through mid day, mostly Osprey moving, several Kestrels, Merlin and one Peregrine. One resident Bald Eagle
Non-raptor Observations: Brown Pelican (17), Common Nighthawk (7), Prairie Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler
Predictions: Chance of rain, cloudy, high 78F, S wind 5-10mph
======================================================================== 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: Carol Spease, Erica Miller, John Frink, Lauren Morgens, Sue McLaughlin
Visitors: 6
Weather: Overcast to partly sunny. It took a while for the thermals to build and was late morning by the time even vultures were getting up.
Raptor Observations: Overall a slow day. A kestrel went after the owl right at 9am but few raptors in the morning. We had close looks at a broad-winged hawk and a sharp-shinned hawk.
Non-raptor Observations: Common nighthawk, hundreds of chimney swifts
Predictions: Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and light southerly winds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 9/12/17 10:19 am From: Julian, Richard (DNREC) <Richard.Julian...> Subject: [de-birds] Tuesday 9/12 Cape Henlopen Bird Walk results
We had a large crowd of enthusiastic birds but a relatively slow morning. (Tuesday 9/12)
We explored around the Nature Center and up at The Point.
Many Blue Grosbeaks and Tree Swallows at the Point as well as many Osprey.
Nature Center
Carolina Wrens Carolina Chickadees Brown-headed Nuthatches Tufted Titmouse Eastern Towhee Pine Warbler Red-eyed Vireo Ruby-throated Hummingbirds Northern Cardinals House Finches Mourning Dove Tree Swallows Double-crested Cormorants Turkey Vultures Crow (sp) Bald Eagle (on Fire Control Tower near the Point) Osprey
The Point
Mourning Doves (more) Tree Swallows (more) Osprey (more) Double-crested Cormorants (more) Blue Grosbeaks Northern Mockingbird Caspian Terns Royal Terns Laughing Gulls Herring Gulls Greater Black-backed Gull Brown Pelican
Also observed a young red fox on the bay side beach and dolphins off the breakwater.
Cheers
Richard Julian Interpretive Programs and Nature Center Manager Delaware State Parks  P: 302-645-6852 E: <Richard.julian...>       Â
Date: 9/11/17 7:51 pm From: Tim Freiday <tim.freiday777...> Subject: [de-birds] DOS Cape May Trip Results
Hello Fellow DE Birders,
The DOS Cape May trip this past Saturday was as good as anyone could hope for! The weather was phenomenal, with excellent migration conditions and many birds around. Cape May is well known for it's spectacular fall migration, and Saturday was not a disappointment. Many birds flying over the Cape in the morning after a large fall flight are flying north, in a counter intuitive phenomenon known as redirected morning flight. This is because these birds migrated all night and then found themselves out over the bay or on New Jersey's heavily developed east coast. They don't want to be in those areas so they fly north along the bayshore until they find suitable habitat to spend the day in.
We experienced morning flight during our time at Higbee Beach, where we had about 600 warblers of over 20 species fly past us, some of which alighted in the trees for us to enjoy. We also had a peach of an Olive-sided Flycatcher catching insects in full sun for all to see. The morning flight only lasted until about 8:30 or 9:00 AM, at which point we began walking the fields in the area. Here we came across some more great species like Nashville Warbler and Yellow-throated Vireo. There was a report of a Connecticut Warbler in the center path, so we made our way around the field to try and see it, getting distracted by a flock of empidonax flycatchers on the way. My dad did in fact see a Connecticut Warbler in that group, but in typical Connecticut Warbler fashion it disappeared and was not seen again. However, we were searching for a Golden-winged Warbler which was reported a little further down the center path at Higbee when dad found another Connecticut Warbler walking! around about 20 feet up in a cedar tree, the highest Connecticut Warbler anyone ever had seen. Most of the group managed to see the bird, but it was never completely unobscured. Complete checklist for Higbee here:
We went from Higbee to Cape May State Park for a quick pit stop around 10 AM, which is of course when a lot of raptors get up in the sky. In addition to raptors, we were treated to a nice surprise as well. The group was hanging out and getting ready to head to The Nature Conservancy Meadows down the road, when Parker O'Neill came running back to the group from the hawk watch, and excitedly proclaimed that there were two Wood Storks getting up in a kettle! The whole group grabbed our optics and ran over to the hawk watch as fast as we could. By the time that the group got to the platform the storks were quite distant, but some of the group were able to get on the birds. Complete checklist for the hawkwatch round one here:
We headed to the meadows from the hawk watch, hoping to find some waterbirds. The water levels were a bit high for shorebirds, but we did find some waterfowl. There were some Pied-billed Grebes around, as well as Green- and Blue-winged teal and American Black Duck. Complete checklist from the meadows here:
We then broke for lunch and headed back to Cape May State Park after that, to try and find some daytime warblers and the like. We had to walk quite a ways before we found a patch of birds, but were alerted to the presence of some quality species when Kelley Nunn found a Blackburnian Warbler. This bird was a very cooperative bright male, foraging fairly low and offering extended views for all participants. Then we heard a White-eyed and saw a Red-eyed vireo. Then a Warbling Vireo popped out followed by a Blue-headed Vireo. Hannah Greenberg and Matt Sarver then found a Philadelphia Vireo, which eventually came out to show itself for the group after some extensive pishing. With that, we swept the expected eastern fall vireos, something I had never done up to this point. Complete checklist for Cape May State Park Round 2 here:
This was the last stop of the DOS Cape May trip, and wrapped up one of the best days of birding that I have ever had! There is some talk of another Cape May trip in October for sparrows and hawks, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for more details on that. Until the next time, happy birding!
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Joe Sebastiani, Sally O'Byrne
Observers: David Brown, Ed Rohrbach, Frank Rohrbacher, Laura Miller, Lauren Morgens, Peter Wilner
Visitors: 8
Weather: Sunny with light winds
Raptor Observations: First peregrine falcons of the season. Very low broad-winged hawk total.
Non-raptor Observations: Common nighthawks in the afternoon
Predictions: Mostly sunny with light north winds switching to south in afternoon ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Susan Gruver
Observers: Ann Dinkel, Kevin Bronson, Larry Sharp, Tom Stock
Visitors: thank you to Tom, Ann,Larry and Kevin. 15 visitors
Weather: wind East all day at 4.8- 1.9, temp 21-27c, visb 20k, clcv 20%
Raptor Observations: Most Osprey coming in over the Point. A few more Sharp-shinned Hawks and Kestrels. A large kettle of BV's and TV's popped up briefly and then moved along. They were surrounded by many of our non migrating TV's and BV's.
Non-raptor Observations: Brown Pelican, Prairie Warblers, Cedar Wax Wings
Predictions: partly sunny, mid 70's, 20% chance of PM showers, Wind East 5 mph ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8.75 hours
Official Counter: David Brown, Hannah Greenberg
Observers: Andrew Bogust, Angie Barbato, Carol Ralph, David Brown, George Harrison, Hank Davis, Joe Swertinski, Kelley Nunn, Kim Steininger, Lisa Smith, Matt Sarver, Mike Moore
Visitors: 35
Weather: Mostly sunny with north winds
Raptor Observations: First big push of broad-winged hawks with a total of 334. Also had 5 merlins and 17 kestrels. A non-migrant adult bald eagle with green band.
Non-raptor Observations: Common raven, common nighthawks (including one at 2:20pm), 2 double-crested cormorants, herring gull
Predictions: Partly cloudy with north winds. Could be another big day for broad-winged hawks. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Susan Gruver
Observers: Ann Dinkel, David Fees, Kevin Bronson, Tom Stock
Visitors: a huge thank you for their great help in the count today to David, Tom, Kevin, Ann and Nancy. It was so nice having all the great folks watching the skies with us. 36 visitors
Raptor Observations: many Osprey migrating today. Some streaming by 4,5, and 6's. Nice flight of 11 Merlin, 6 Kestrels
Non-raptor Observations: Common YT warbler, Redstarts,
Predictions: sunny in the 70's wind NE at 5-10 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Date: 9/10/17 10:05 am From: Julian, Richard (DNREC) <Richard.Julian...> Subject: [de-birds] Cape Henlopen SP Tuesday Bird Walks
Cape Henlopen State Park's weekly Tuesday morning bird walks will start back up on September 12.
Please join us at 8am in front of the Nature Center for an 2-hour exploration for birds within the park. Binoculars are available to borrow, so bring a friend.
The walk is free but park entrance fees are in effect.
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Kim Steininger
Visitors: 16, including a few groups with the nature center naturalist
Weather: Clear to mostly sunny. The wind was weak to moderate from the north. Overall a pleasant day.
Raptor Observations: A banded local Bald Eagle. First double-digit kettle of broad-wings
Non-raptor Observations: Pair of common ravens, 32 monarchs
Predictions: Similar weather to today. The north winds will continue with mostly sunny skies. I expect birds to be moving but high again. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
*Birds mentioned Mute Swan Wood Duck Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Northern Pintail Northern Shoveler American Wigeon Black Scoter Northern Bobwhite Wild Turkey Common Loon Pied-billed Grebe Brown Pelican American Bittern Least Bittern Great Egret Snowy Egret Tricolored Heron Little Blue Heron Green Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-crowned Night Heron Glossy Ibis WHITE IBIS Osprey Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Bald Eagle Red-tailed Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Clapper Rail Virginia Rail American Oystercatcher American Avocet American Golden Plover Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Killdeer UPLAND SANDPIPER Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Western Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpiper Least Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER Short-billed Dowitcher Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson's Phalarope Spotted Sandpiper Solitary Sandpiper Greater Yellowlegs Willet Lesser Yellowlegs Lesser Black-backed Gull Black Tern Least Tern Royal Tern Caspian Tern Common Tern Black Skimmer Yellow-billed Cuckoo Eastern Screech Owl Great Horned Owl Barred Owl Eastern Whippoorwill Common Nighthawk Ruby-throated hummingbird Red-headed Woodpecker American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Least Flycatcher YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER Alder Flycatcher Acadian Flycatcher Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo PHILADELPHIA VIREO COMMON RAVEN Northern Rough-winged Swallow Cliff Swallow Brown-headed Nuthatch Veery Swainson's Thrush Ovenbird Worm-eating Warbler Northern Waterthrush Blue-winged Warbler BREWSTER'S WARBLER Black and White Warbler American Redstart Prothonotary Warbler Tennessee Warbler Nashville Warbler Northern Parula Cape May Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Magnolia Warbler Prairie Warbler Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Wilson's Warbler Canada Warbler Seaside Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Summer Tanager Rose-breasted Grosbeak Blue Grosbeak Dickcissel Bobolink Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: September 8, 2017 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
On Friday, September 8th, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The unofficial Delaware year list increased to 324 species this week. 25 species of WARBLER were reported throughout the state this week.
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS made their arrival into the state this week, with the first sighting at Cartanza Road off Route 9, north of the town of Little Creek. Also reported was WESTERN SANDPIPER , BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. An UPLAND SANDPIPER was seen at Cartanza Road on Monday. HORNED LARK, BOBOLINK, and AMERICAN KESTREL were seen along the fields. Another BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was seen nearby along Route 9 at Persimmon Tree Road, north of Cowgill's Corner. That bird was in with a large flock of 60 BLACK-BELLIES that included 3 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER. BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was also photographed at close range at Whitehall Crossroads, the intersection of Whitehall Neck Road and the Smyrna-Leipsic Road, north of Leipsic along Route 9 on Monday. The potato fields along Route 9 had a plethora of shorebirds including, BLACK-BELLIED, SEMIPALMATED and 2 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, with WHITE-RUMPED, PECTORAL, and WESTERN SANDPIPER plus AMERICAN KESTREL and BOBOLINK. Two AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS were also seen further north on Route 9 past the intersection with Raymond Neck Road along with 110 BLACK-BELLIED, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, and KILLDEER.
There was a peak count of 190 AMERICAN AVOCETS at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna along with 3 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and 4 WILSON'S PHALAROPES. Other shorebirds seen included 30 STILT SANDPIPERS with DUNLIN, LEAST, PECTORAL, WHITE-RUMPED, and WESTERN SANDPIPER, plus SHORT-BILLED and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, and both GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen flying into the marsh opposite Raymond Pool on Saturday, LEAST BITTERN was seen there the same day. YELLOW-CROWNED and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS was seen at Bear Swamp along with LITTLE BLUE HERON and GLOSSY IBIS. A ROYAL TERN was seen with CASPIAN and FORSTER'S TERNS at Sheerness Pool. Raptors seen at the refuge this week included MERLIN, PEREGRINE FALCON, and NORTHERN HARRIER, plus BALD EAGLES. Birds around the refuge headquarters included NORTHERN BOBWHITE, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, and a "TRAILL'S -TYPE" FLYCATCHER. SAVANNAH SPARROW is now being seen along the auto-tour Road.
An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER continues to be seen at Ashland Nature Center near Hockessin, seen from the Hawkwatch Hill in the morning and down at the marsh along Red Clay Creek later in the day. LEAST FLYCATCHER was seen on Saturday. Both BLUE-HEADED and WARBLING VIREO along with NASHVILLE, 12 TENNESSEE, 7 BAY-BREASTED, BLACKBURNIAN, YELLOW, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and GREEN, and CANADA WARBLER. PECTORAL, SOLITARY, and LEAST SANDPIPERS continue be seen at Yorklyn Village along with LESSER YELLOWLEGS and GREEN HERON.
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was seen Tuesday at Middle Run Natural Area off Possum Park Road in Newark. Four species of Empidonax flycatcher reported there this week including ALDER on Saturday, plus LEAST and ACADIAN FLYCATCHER. A PHILADELPHIA VIREO was seen at Middle Run today. 20 species of warbler were reported at Middle Run this week including BREWSTER'S WARBLER seen there on Saturday along with BLUE-WINGED, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, CAPE MAY, BAY-BREASTED, BLACKPOLL, CHESTNUT-SIDED, BLACKBURNIAN, PINE, PRAIRIE, plus BLACK-THROATED BLUE and BLACK-THROATED GREEN. NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was seen on Monday and an early PALM WARBLER was seen Thursday. Lots of BALTIMORE ORIOLE, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, and VEERY were reported along the birding trail.
A YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was singing along Thompson Station Road at White Clay Creek State Park. Warblers seen included BLUE-WINGED, CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA and CANADA. MAGNOLIA and CANADA WARBLER were seen at Newark Reservoir. NASHVILLE WARBLER was seen in North Star along with PARULA and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. TENNESSEE and BAY-BREASTED WARBLER were seen at Bay Pointe near Summit Bridge along with a NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW.
WILSON'S and WORM-EATING WARBLER were found at Brandywine Creek State Park along with BLUE-WINGED, TENNESSEE, BLACKBURNIAN, CANADA, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and GREEN. Lots of NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH were found along the creek along with SOLITARY SANDPIPER, GREAT EGRET, and GREEN HERON. Several VEERY and YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO were found in the woods. Another YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was seen in a yard in Brandywine Hundred along Naaman's Creek on Saturday along with NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, TENNESSEE, BLACKBURNIAN, MAGNOLIA, BAY-BREASTED, CHESTNUT-SIDED, and BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was seen at Bellevue State Park and at Northminster today. Two PIED-BILLED GREBES were reported at Blue Rocks Pond near Rock Manor Golf Course.
There was a big flight of 68 COMMON NIGHTHAWK seen at Center Mill Road near Yorklyn on Sunday. Nighthawk migration was also seen this week at Sherwood Park near Wilmington, Brookside near Newark, Governors Square in Bear, and downstate at Delaware City, Brecknock Park in Camden-Wyoming, Frederica, Prime Hook Beach, Midway, and Cape Henlopen State Park.
A flight of 10 SANDHILL CRANES were seen flying over Biddle's Corner along Route 13 near St. George's. SANDHILL CRANE was also seen in Thousand Acre Marsh. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON plus LITTLE BLUE HERON and CATTLE EGRET were seen at Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area. AMERICAN WIGEON was reported there this week along with MUTE SWAN, WOOD DUCK plus BLUE-WINGED and GREEN-WINGED TEAL. An early YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was seen on Saturday. LEAST FLYCATCHER was seen there on Sunday along with CAPE MAY WARBLER, and WARBLING VIREO. Shorebirds reported included WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, and both YELLOWLEGS.
A peak count of 6 PIED BILLED GREBES were found at the South impoundment of Little Creek Wildlife Management Area off the Pickering Beach Road. Other waterfowl seen included NORTHERN SHOVELER and GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Landbirds reported included BOBOLINK and ORCHARD ORIOLE. Five RED-HEADED WOODPECKER and several BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH were seen at Milford Neck Wildlife Area along the Big Stone Beach Road. BLACK TERN was seen flying over the marsh. Four WHITE IBIS were reported at the south end of the marsh on Thursday evening. Large numbers of waders were reported at Big Stone Beach including 159 GREAT and 127 SNOWY EGRETS along with LITTLE BLUE and GREEN HERON. Waterfowl reported included 2 NORTHERN PINTAILS plus BLUE-WINGED TEAL. VIRGINIA RAIL was calling in the marsh. Evening birding produced EASTERN SCREECH OWL, GREAT HORNED OWL, and BARRED OWL plus a late EASTERN WHIPPOORWILL
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER was seen at Mispillion Inlet from the DuPont Nature Center along with SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, SANDERLING, and WILLET. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen along the beach. Terns seen included LEAST, BLACK, and ROYAL TERN. BLACK TERN was also seen on Saturday at Fowler's Beach in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Milton along with LEAST, ROYAL, CASPIAN, and COMMON TERN. RUDDY TURNSTONES, BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and were seen in the marsh. AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was seen along Clifton Rd., west of Route 1 near Jefferson Crossroads, with a big flock of 80 BLACK-BELLIED and 40 SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. 50 BLACK SKIMMERS were seen at Prime Hook Beach Road along with STILT SANDPIPER and 60 AMERICAN AVOCETS. A VESPER SPARROW was seen along the entrance road to Prime Hook Headquarters along with DICKCISSEL, CATTLE EGRET, WILD TURKEY and YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. Two WHIPPOORWILLS were calling at Oyster Rock Road on Thursday evening.
Several SUMMER TANAGERS were again reported this week. Three SUMMER TANAGERS were at Nanticoke Wildlife Area along with NORTHERN PARULA, WORM-EATING, and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. SUMMER TANAGER was again seen at Abbott's Mill Nature Center near Milford. Another SUMMER TANAGER was seen at Georgetown at Redden State Forest along with YELLOW WARBLER. SUMMER TANAGER was seen in Greenwood with YELLOW-THROATED VIREO and WILD TURKEY. A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was reported in Milton.
COMMON LOON was reported at the VFW Hall at Quillen's Point on Cedar Neck near along with COMMON, FORSTER'S, LEAST, and ROYAL TERN. BROWN PELICANS were reported at Indian River Inlet and Burton's island. Six TRICOLORED and 2 YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were seen at Burtons Island along with SPOTTED SANDPIPER, BLACK-BELLIED, and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. A BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER was seen in the woods along with flyover BOBOLINK at Burton's Island. TRICOLORED HERON was also seen at Delaware Seashore State Park along Rehoboth Bay, south of Key Box Road along with 9 BROWN PELICANS, CLAPPER RAIL, and SEASIDE SPARROW. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen at Fenwick island.
BLACK SCOTERS continue to be seen off Cape Henlopen State Park along the breakwater jetty. BROWN PELICAN was seen flying off Cape Henlopen Point along with AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER. Terns at The Point included BLACK, LEAST, COMMON, ROYAL, and CASPIAN TERN. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH was seen in the woods along with PRAIRIE WARBLER. BROWN PELICANS, BLACK TERN and NORTHERN BOBWHITE were reported at Cape Henlopen Hawkwatch.
This was the first week of the official Hawk Watch season at Ashland Nature Center and Cape Henlopen State Park. Twelve BALD EAGLES were seen on Sunday at Cape Henlopen Hawkwatch along with 59 OSPREYS, plus SHARP-SHINNED, COOPER'S, and RED-TAILED HAWK, and PEREGRINE FALCON. A BROAD-WINGED HAWK was seen on Thursday at Cape Henlopen. MERLIN was seen at Cape Henlopen on Monday and Thursday. A late CLIFF SWALLOW was seen at Cape Henlopen Hawkwatch on Tuesday. BROAD WINGED HAWKS have been a daily occurrence at the Ashland Nature Center Hawkwatch. Five BALD EAGLES were seen on Monday, plus SHARP-SHINNED AND COOPER'S HAWK. COMMON RAVEN was seen on several occasions. PECTORAL and LESSER YELLOWLEGS were seen flying over the Hawkwatch possibly from Yorklyn Village on Thursday. Please join hawk counters Dave Brown at Ashland and Jen Ottinger, at Cape Henlopen.
A quick reminder, lots of hummingbirds are still being seen. Peak count was 12 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS near Harbleson. Keep those hummingbird feeders going!
Thanks to those that contributed this week, including, Jeff Climie, Andy McGann, Sean O'Connor, Curt Davis, Kitt Heckscher, Anthony Gonzon, Marie Gardner, Zoe Yost, Matt Sarver, Scott Northey Annette McLellan, Amy O'Neil, Sally O'Byrne, John Skibicki, , Peter Gibb, Chris Bennett, Rob Blye, Bob Edelen, Colin Fluharty, Dave Fees, Jim and Amy White, Jason Wood, Kelly Nunn, Hannah Greenberg, Chris Rowe, Tim Freiday, Joel Martin, Jerald and Aaron Reb, Ken Wat, Derek Stoner, Joe Sebastiani, Megan Kasprzak, Phil Thompson, Ian Stewart, Steve Cottrell, Mike Hudson, Bill Stewart, Kim Steininger, John Long, Teddy Burke, Lynn Smith, Sue Gruver, Sharon Lynn, Alissa Kegelman, Joe Russell and Joe Swertinski. Remember, the 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: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Colin Fluhartz, Dennis Foley, Jordan Terrell, Larry Sharp, Lynn Smith, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to all the great volunteers who helped out today including Sue, Lynn, Dennis, Jordan, Colin, Larry and Bill. 27 visitors
Weather: Clear turning partly cloudy in the afternoon, temp 20-24C, NW,N,NE wind 8-12 then dropping to 5mph late in the day, visibility 25km.
Raptor Observations: Steady flight of Osprey, four Bald Eagles, two Northern Harriers, a couple of Kestrels, and a Red-tailed Hawk.
Non-raptor Observations: Brown Pelican (16), Prairie Warbler, Redstart, Pine Warbler, Green Heron, DC Cormorant (24). Southern Leopard Frogs calling throughout the day.
Predictions: Sunny, high 70F, N wind 10mph ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Carol Spease, Dirk Robinson, Joe Russell, Joe Sebastiani, Kate Fleming, Kelley Nunn
Visitors: 9
Weather: The day started mostly sunny and became mostly cloudy by the late afternoon. A few sprinkles in the afternoon. Winds were from the north and sometimes calm and sometimes moderate.
Raptor Observations: Still no big push of migrants. Many excellent looks at local raptors including 2 adult Bald Eagles that investigated a deer carcass that we put out this morning.
Non-raptor Observations: A common raven getting mobbed by crows.
Predictions: Mostly sunny with moderate north winds. No one seems to be getting large numbers of broad-wings yet but I would expect small numbers of a variety of raptors. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 9/8/17 8:03 am From: Christopher Bennett <cpb2564...> Subject: [de-birds] Big Stone Beach Road Yesterday and this Morning
I took a run out Big Stone Beach Road yesterday after work and this morning before work hoping to find a few migrants. Didn't see much in the way of migrant songbirds other than a few American Redstarts and a young male Baltimore Oriole, but I did have a few nice birds including:
Yesterday: 28 Blue-winged Teal, 3 Northern Shovelers, 2 Northern Pintail, 4 WHITE IBIS (flew across the marsh heading towards the bay south of the marsh near the end of the road), 1 Northern Harrier, 5 Virginia Rails, 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 1 each Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl (all heard only), and a huge surprise, a calling EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL, 1 Brown-headed Nuthatch and 4 American Redstarts
Today: 5 Wood Duck, 18 Blue-winged Teal, 16 Northern Shoveler, 2 Northern Pintail, 1 Northern Harrier, 2 Virginia Rail, 1 BLACK TERN, 6 Woodpecker species including 1 juvenile RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, 2 Empidonax flycatchers (one may have been an Acadian), 3 Brown-Headed Nuthatches, 3 American Redstarts and 1 Baltimore Oriole.
All birds were seen along Big Stone Beach Road between the dirt road on the right approximately 0.4 miles past Scott's Corner Road to the marsh just before the tower at the end of the road.
I will be giving my talk on birding in Bhutan to the Sussex Bird Club this coming Sunday. A few people told me they regretted missing my talk last April for DOS. If you are free and interested, please come. If you come, please park in a far parking lot, since the close spaces are reserved for the residents.
Sunday 2 pm Cadbury’s retirement home, Lewes DE.
A little before 7am I had my FOS (first of season) Rose-breasted Grosbeak squeak-chipping outside my window this morning, then singing a bit. Nice way to start the day.
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Carol Spease, Joe Sebastiani
Visitors: 15 including a family from Scotland
Weather: The morning started off with fog which burned off mid-morning revealing a mostly sunny day. Winds were moderate and variable throughout the day.
Raptor Observations: Only 19 migrants but many birds probably missed due to the height of the flight. A hunting Merlin cruised over me less than 20 feet up.
Non-raptor Observations: Two Olive-sided Flycatchers, a flock of shorebirds consisting of 4 Pectoral Sandpipers and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs.
Predictions: Similar conditions to today. Mostly sunny with westerly winds. I expect the birds to be very high again in the afternoon so better off catching them in the morning. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Paul Kane, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue, Paul and Rob for assisting with the count. 24 visitors
Weather: Mostly cloudy then clearing in the afternoon, temp 18-23C, NW,WNW,W wind 7-14mph increasing through the day, visibility 18-23km
Raptor Observations: Good push of Ospreys through the day, two Bald Eagles, a couple of Cooper's Hawks, our first Broad-winged Hawk for the season, Merlin and a Peregrine.
Non-raptor Observations: Brown Pelican, Ruddy Turnstone, Bobolink, Great Blue Heron, DC Cormorant (10).
Predictions: Sunny, high 75F, W wind 5-10mph
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Date: 9/7/17 11:19 am From: Linda Widdop <linda...> Subject: [de-birds] Maybe off topic - Special Event at DVOC - Bird/Window Collisions: Historical Research and Contemporary Solutions
Hi Delaware Birders - DVOC asked me to promote a free event being held at Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia about window strikes. I think a subject that all of us birders share an interest in. Please join us to hear Dr. Daniel Klem speak on the topic. The event is being cosponsored by DVOC, PA Audubon and other well-known organizations. Details can be found here:
Date: 9/6/17 6:13 pm From: Tim Freiday <tim.freiday777...> Subject: [de-birds] Middle Run Bird Walk 9/5/17 -Results
Hello Fellow DE Birders,
Yesterday was the first Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Middle Run of the season, and we started strong. 58 species were recorded by 16 observers in about 4 hours of birding. We tallied 9 species of warbler, 10 if you include the Lawrence's backcross that was seen by the participants of the pre-walk and some of the participants of the regular walk.
I had to do some research to figure out what this bird was, as it was the first time almost everybody had ever seen one. I find some great information on vermivora hybrids from ABA and Cornell. These hybrids challenge our concept of a species, as the parent species produce fertile offspring.
The Lawrence's warbler is a rare hybrid between Blue-winged and Golden-winged warbler in which the bird inherits recessive genes from both parents. The Brewster's Warbler, which we saw on the BioBlitz, is the dominant hybrid of the two species. Pure hybrids of the two species are F1 or first generation hybrids.
The Lawrence's backcross we saw however is an F2 or second generation hybrid, in which an F1 Lawrence's Warbler bred with a parent species, most likely a Blue-winged Warbler. The Lawrence's backcross differs from the F1 Lawrence's Warbler by lacking the white above and below the dark triangular mark on the eyes is less pronounced. The F2 Lawrence's backcross basically looks like a Blue-winged Warbler with a dark triangular throat patch.
Other highlights on our walk include a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher which was seen well by all in the remains of the tree of heaven. On the identification of Empidonax flycatchers I came across a great piece from the American Birding Association about using structural features to aid in the identification of empids. You can see the notes I put about the empids IDed in the field in the checklist for the morning.
A Tennessee Warbler was seen during the pre-walk but not during the walk itself. We did get nice looks at a Bay-breasted warbler during the walk, and a Yellow-breasted Chat popped up for some of the participants. There were a number of American Redstarts and Magnolia Warblers around, as well as some Wood Thrush and a couple Veery. Complete checklist for the day here:
There will be another Tuesday morning bird walk next week and every week until the end of October. These walks are free and open to the public, sponsored by New Castle County Parks and led by Delaware Nature Society staff. Next week there will be an official pre-walk from 7-8 AM as that is when a lot of the action has been. We will then meet with people at the parking lot for the 8 AM walk which continues until 10-11, depending on how birdy it is. September is the best time to bird in my opinion, so get out as much as possible!
Happy birding, Tim Freiday Middle Run Project Coordinator
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue for helping with the count! 23 visitors
Weather: Partly cloudy turning overcast in the afternoon, temp 24-27C, wind SW through most of the day turning NW in the late afternoon 6-10mph.
Raptor Observations: Mostly Osprey moving through, two Bald Eagles, a Black Vulture and Peregrine Falcon.
Non-raptor Observations: Brown Pelican (16), Lesser Yellowlegs, Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift (23), DC Cormorant (15).
Predictions: Rain early then turning partly cloudy, high 75F, W wind 10mph. Good migration conditions after the rain. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.25 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Joe Russell, Joe Sebastiani, Joe Swertinski
Visitors: 2
Weather: Cool, overcast, and rainy
Raptor Observations: Only migrant was a late-day broad-winged hawk. Also saw a local juvenile Cooper's Hawk and heard a local Red-shouldered Hawk.
Non-raptor Observations: Morning warblers included American Redstart, Magnolia, Black-and-white, Chestnut-sided, and Canada. Olive-sided Flycatcher seen at hawk watch at 8am by Joe Russell and was later seen down at the marsh.
Predictions: Mostly sunny with westerly winds. The next few days look promising overall for migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 9/6/17 11:56 am From: joe sebastiani <joe...> Subject: [de-birds] Thursday Flint Woods Walks
Dear Birders: Starting tomorrow, I will be leading bird walks at the Delaware Nature Society's Flint Woods Preserve each Thursday through October, starting at 8am. Everyone is welcome. Members of Delaware Nature Society are free, and for others, we ask for a $10 donation. The address for Flint Woods is 350 Twaddell Mill Road, Wilmington if you are using google maps. Actually, if you are in Centreville at Route 52 and Twaddell Mill Road, go east on Twaddell Mill about ľ of a mile and look for the sign I will place on the side of the road.
This preserve includes some of the highest quality old-growth forest in New Castle County, a gorgeous large restored meadow, and thickets. This is a special opportunity to explore and bird this wonderful private nature preserve, and I hope to see you in the morning!
Joe Sebastiani
Ashland Nature Center Manager
Delaware Nature Society
Ashland Nature Center
3511 Barley Mill Road
P.O. Box 700
Hockessin, DE 19707
(302) 239-2334 ext. 115
fax (302)239-2473
<joe...>
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: David Beattie, Sally O'Byrne
Visitors: 10
Weather: Mostly sunny with light to moderate SW winds
Raptor Observations: A few scattered migrant raptors throughout the day but overall slow.
Non-raptor Observations: 2 Common Ravens, Olive-sided Flycatcher
Predictions: Scattered thunderstorms and rain ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Paul Kane, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to Sue and Paul for assisting with the count today! 19 visitors
Weather: Clear and hot, temp 25-32C, wind S,SW 7-12mph, visibility 18km, hazy out over the water.
Raptor Observations: A few Osprey moving through, along with a couple of Turkey Vultures, a Cooper's Hawk and Peregrine Falcon. Very little migrating with the south wind. A resident Cooper's Hawk was hunting the dunes.
Non-raptor Observations: Chimney Swift, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow and large flocks of Tree Swallows.
Predictions: 80% chance of showers through the day, high 76F, S wind 10-15mph.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Predictions: Mostly sunny with winds up to 13mph from the SSW. Will probably be similar to today. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Raptor Observations: Most of the Osprey and TV's were coming in high around the Point
Non-raptor Observations: Nashville and Prairie Warbler, Brown- Headed Nuthatches
Predictions: Sunny high 83, wind SW 10-15 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Date: 9/3/17 8:12 pm From: Tim Freiday <tim.freiday777...> Subject: [de-birds] Middle Run BioBlitz 2017 - Results
Hello Fellow DE Birders,
Today’s BioBlitz at Middle Run was very productive, and over 200 different species of organism were recorded. 88 species of birds were recorded in the park, with 7 other avian taxa. Some highlights were 20 species of warbler including a Brewster’s backcross, Nashville, Tennessee, Blackburnian, Cape May, and Black-throated Blue and Green Warblers. We had birds everywhere we looked, and had some great views at some of them. The girdled Bradford Pears continue to provide quality looks at some real quality birds, with Redstarts, Tennessee, Magnolia, Black-and-white, and Chestnut-sided Warblers perching alongside much larger Brown Thrashers and Gray Catbirds. We also had a continuing Alder Flycatcher who pipped only a few times near Tri-State, and Veery were around today. A Common Nighthawk was flying around in the late morning surprisingly. All of the checklists for the day in chronological order are here:
There have been some excellent photos of some of the fall migrant warblers being posted on the Middle Run by the likes of Hank Davis and Derek Stoner. You can check out those pictures by following this link:
Around a 100 insects were identified at least to the family level with the help of UD entomologists Ashley Kennedy and Adam Mitchell. Some highlights from the arthropod realm include Spiny oak slug caterpillar, Hickory Tussock Moth, Locust Borer, Ornate Plant Bug, Cicada Killer, Green Darner and many more. There was a very bright Red Admiral Butterfly which must have just emerged. Participants learned about the food web of arthropods in our area, and got a glimpse of how complex it really is. Middle Run has a healthy mix of arthropods, with many predatory spiders and insects signifying an abundance of herbivorous insects. No wonder the birds like it here so much! It’s also not surprising that there are so many insects given the diversity and abundance of plants at Middle Run. At least 50 different species of plants were identified today, with many beneficial native species. Some are very showy and are flowering right now, like the Evening Primrose. We only found a! handful of reptiles and amphibians today, but there were some high quality ones such as Black Racer, Garter Snake, and American Toad.
Today’s BioBlitz showed how truly special and utterly important Middle Run Valley Park is for the multitude of life that our region supports. From the local birds and insects to the long distance migrants that refuel here, to the people that come and unwind by taking in the natural world Middle Run is a true gem that we should all be grateful for. In appreciating the importance of Middle Run we are shown the importance of conserving natural lands everywhere, and we are called to action to protect our natural world.
Remember that this Tuesday marks the first Tuesday Morning Bird Walk of the fall 2017 season. These walks are free and open to the public, sponsored by New Castle County Parks and led by Delaware Nature Society Staff. Come join us as we appreciate birds and nature!
Happy Birding, Tim Freiday Middle Run Project Coordinator
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Bob Rufe, Mike Gardner
Observers: Angie Barbato, George Harrison, Mike Gardner, Nina DePinto, Sally O'Byrne
Visitors: 21
Weather: The day began overcast with moderate west winds. In the afternoon the sky became partly sunny and the winds calmed.
Raptor Observations: Ten migrating Ospreys and small numbers of other raptors.
Non-raptor Observations: Common nighthawk, bobolink, flocks of common grackles
Predictions: Sunny and warmer with west winds shifting to south and increasing. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Susan Gruver
Observers: Kevin Bronson
Visitors: Big thank you to Kevin for his help today. 34 visitors
Weather: temp. 19-23 c., clcv 100-50%., visb. 15-20k., winds NNW/NW at 4-5. first 2 hours was totally overcast and with a few light rain showers. Sun came at 11 am
Raptor Observations: all the Bald Eagles came in to the South of us over the Great Dune and many were greeted by one of our local adults and he/she chased them on their way. TV's also came in off the water to the south and continued on. Osprey were coming in from all directions.
Non-raptor Observations: 2-Common Night Hawks flew right over our heads. 12 Brown Pelicans. We heard a Bobwhite calling near the platform.
Predictions: Sunny 79 degrees, Sw winds at 5-10 mph ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (<srgruver...>)
Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 1.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers:
Visitors: None
Weather: Rain showers delayed the count until 10:30 (EST). Occasional sprinkles over the next hour and then heavy rain and approaching thunderstorm ended the count at 12:00 (EST). Overall cool with light winds.
Non-raptor Observations: A few purple martins as the rain started.
Predictions: Morning showers transitioning to mostly cloudy. Westerly winds at over 10mph by the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
*Birds mentioned Snow Goose Mute Swan Wood Duck Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Black Scoter Red-breasted Merganser Northern Bobwhite Wild Turkey Pied-billed Grebe Wilson's Storm-Petrel WOOD STORK Brown Pelican Snowy Egret Tricolored Heron Little Blue Heron Green Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-crowned Night Heron WHITE IBIS Osprey Northern Harrier Sharp Shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Clapper Rail American Oystercatcher American Avocet Black-necked Stilt American Golden Plover Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Killdeer Marbled Godwit Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Western Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpiper Least Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Short-billed Dowitcher Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson's Phalarope Spotted Sandpiper Solitary Sandpiper Greater Yellowlegs Willet Lesser Yellowlegs PARASITIC JAEGER Lesser Black-backed Gull Black Tern Gull-billed Tern Least Tern Royal Tern Caspian Tern Common Tern Black Skimmer Common Nighthawk Barred Owl Yellow-billed Cuckoo Ruby-throated Hummingbird Red-headed Woodpecker Peregrine Falcon OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Least Flycatcher Warbling Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo COMMON RAVEN Purple Martin Bank Swallow Brown-headed Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Veery Swainson's Thrush Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Blue-winged Warbler LAWRENCE'S WARBLER Black and White Warbler American Redstart Prothonotary Warbler Nashville Warbler Northern Parula Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Magnolia Warbler Prairie Warbler Pine Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Wilson's Warbler Canada Warbler Grasshopper Sparrow Yellow-breasted Chat Summer Tanager Blue Grosbeak Dickcissel Bobolink Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: September 1, 2017 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
On Friday, September 1st, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The unofficial Delaware year list increased to 323 species this week. AMERICAN REDSTART and BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER were widely reported throughout the state this week.
An amazing sight was 2 WOOD STORKS flying over Lewis Beach on Thursday evening, August 24th. This coincides with a pair of WOOD STORKS seen soaring over Cape May, New Jersey the same week. Several sightings of WOOD STORK have been reported this month along the East Coast, including birds at Sandy Hook, North Jersey and Norfolk, Virginia. There has been extralimital report of WOOD STORK at Point Pelee, Ontario along the north shores of Lake Erie. Unfortunately, the sighting in Delaware appears to be a one-day wonder.
An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was found at the White's yard on Center Mill Road in Yorklyn on Wednesday. WARBLERS reported at Center Mill included female BLACK-THROATED BLUE, BLUE-WINGED, and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. A female LAWRENCE'S WARBLER, which is a back cross hybrid of BLUE-WINGED x GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was found at Ashland Nature Center on Saturday along the Red Clay Creek. Other WARBLERS reported at Ashland this week included NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, BLUE-WINGED, TENNESSEE, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, MAGNOLIA, BLACKBURNIAN, BLACKPOLL, BAY-BREASTED, CHESTNUT-SIDED, and CANADA. Migrants reported included YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, WARBLING VIREO, and VEERY. The water retention pond at Yorklyn Village at the side of the old NVF factory has been a Mecca of shorebirds in northern Delaware. PECTORAL, LEAST, and 6 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS were seen there along with KILLDEER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. There were also 6 GREEN HERONS on the pond.
LEAST FLYCATCHER was seen Thursday at Middle Run Natural Area near Newark off Possum Park Road. NASHVILLE WARBLER was seen at Middle Run on Monday. Other WARBLERS seen included BLUE-WINGED, MAGNOLIA, PRAIRIE, CHESTNUT-SIDED, BLACKPOLL, BLACKBURNIAN, YELLOW, and CANADA. Several YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS were seen at Middle Run along with YELLOW-THROATED VIREO and both BALTIMORE and ORCHARD ORIOLE. NASHVILLE and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER was also seen Sunday at Carousel Park off Limestone Road along with a resident SNOW GOOSE. BLUE-WINGED and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER were seen at Newark Reservoir along with a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH walking along the edge of the reservoir. GREAT EGRET and 2 KINGFISHER'S were also found at the pond.
A WILSON'S WARBLER was found at Brandywine Creek State Park on Saturday. 11 species of warbler were reported at Brandywine Creek including NORTHERN PARULA, MAGNOLIA, YELLOW, CHESTNUT-SIDED, CANADA, and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. GREAT EGRET and SOLITARY SANDPIPER were seen along the creek. Several YELLOW BILLED CUCKOOS and VEERY were found in the woods. BLUE GROSBEAK continues to be found along the entrance road to the nature center. WARBLING VIREO and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH were found at First State National Historic Park at the Woodlawn Tract off Ramsey Road. PIED BILLED GREBE was seen at Blue Ball Pond in Alapocos Run State Park. WILSON'S and PINE WARBLER was found in Brandywine Hundred off Grubb Road along with CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH.
A BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER was reported at Bay Pointe, south of Glasgow. YELLOW BREASTED CHAT and 150 BOBOLINKS were seen at Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area near Port Penn on Saturday. MUTE SWAN, WOOD DUCK, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL were seen on Thousand Acre Marsh along with LITTLE BLUE HERON, SNOWY and GREAT EGRET. Shorebirds at Ashton Tract included SEMIPALMATED PLOVER SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER and both GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS along with CASPIAN TERN. Large numbers of TREE SWALLOWS were seen along with PURPLE MARTIN, BANK and BARN SWALLOW. LESSER YELLOWLEGS, LEAST and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER were seen at the Port Penn Impoundments along Route 9. Three GREATER YELLOWLEGS was seen at Augustine Creek. CASPIAN TERN was seen at Augustine Beach. Further downstate, 31 NORTHERN BOBWHITES were flushed from the field at Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area near Flemings landing.
Three AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS were seen at Raymond Pool in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna, along with 2 MARBLED GODWITS and 4 WILSON'S PHALAROPES. Over 200 AMERICAN AVOCETS were being seen along with a late BLACK-NECKED STILT on Monday. Other shorebirds at Bombay Hook included STILT, PECTORAL, WESTERN, WHITE-RUMPED, SPOTTED, and SOLITARY SANDPIPER plus a peak count of 75 BLACK-BELLIED and 250 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS. GULL-BILLED TERN is still being reported at Sheerness Pool. Waterfowl reported included, MUTE SWAN, GREEN-WINGED, and BLUE-WINGED TEAL. An immature WHITE IBIS continues to be seen at Bear Swamp along with immature YELLOW-CROWNED and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS. A sign of the fall season was a NORTHERN HARRIER hunting over Bombay Hook's marshes. Landbird migrants included SWAINSON'S THRUSH, BOBOLINK, and a MAGNOLIA WARBLER reported along the trail to Raymond Tower. AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was also reported at the potato fields along Whitehall Neck Road at the intersection with Route 9, along with SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and KILLDEER.
A nocturnal flight call station near Frederica reported flyover SWAINSON'S THRUSH and VEERY, along with YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, and BOBOLINK. The most unusual call notes reported was GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. BARRED OWL was heard calling from the nearby Murderkill River.
Two SWAINSON'S THRUSH were also reported along Turkle Pond Road in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Milton along with YELLOW-THROATED and PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. There was also a late SUMMER TANAGER. Three DICKCISSELS, including one male, were seen along the entrance road near headquarters. AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was seen Saturday at Cod's Road along with 200 BLACK-BELLIED and 12 SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. Prime Hook Beach Road continues to have a plethora of shorebirds including BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, PECTORAL, WHITE-RUMPED, and WESTERN SANDPIPER, WILLET, plus both YELLOWLEGS. There is still a flock of 65 BLACK SKIMMER along Prime Hook Road along with, LEAST, CASPIAN, and ROYAL TERN plus LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. PEREGRINE FALCON was seen hunting over the mudflats. The evening flight of waders at Prime Hook on Monday included 10 WHITE IBIS, TRICOLORED and LITTLE BLUE HERON.
There were a number of SUMMER TANAGERS sightings in Sussex County this last week including the McCabe Preserve near Milton, Abbott's Mill near Milford, Harbleson, and Nanticoke Wildlife Area near Laurel. CANADA WARBLER and YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO were also reported at Nanticoke. BLUE-WINGED WARBLER and OVENBIRD were seen at Abbott's Mill. VEERY And WILD TURKEY were seen at Harbeson. PROTHONOTARY and YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER were reported at McCabe Preserve.
Five AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS were reported at Mispillion Inlet this week along with RUDDY TURNSTONE, WILLET, and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. ROYAL TERN and SPOTTED SANDPIPER were seen along the shoreline. YELLOW CROWNED NIGHT HERON and CLAPPER RAIL the marshes near the DuPont Nature Center.
Two PARASITIC JAEGERS were seen offshore at Cape Henlopen State Park on Sunday along with PEREGRINE FALCON. AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, SANDERLING BLACK-BELLIED, and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER were seen at Cape Henlopen Point. BLACK TERN was seen at The Point on Sunday along with COMMON, CASPIAN, and ROYAL TERNS. Four BLACK SCOTERS were seen off the breakwater. The big flock of TREE SWALLOWS at Cape Henlopen included BANK, BARN, and PURPLE MARTIN. Three WHITE IBIS were reported at Gordon's Pond at the north end of Rehoboth Beach along with SANDERLING and GREATER YELLOWLEGS. WILSON'S STORM-PETREL continues to be seen off the Cape May-Lewes ferry with COMMON and ROYAL TERNS. Two TRICOLORED HERONS with SNOWY EGRETS and a BALD EAGLE were seen flying onto the breakwater jetty from the ferry at sunset.
A RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was seen off Quillen's Point in Indian River Bay with BLACK and ROYAL TERN. Four WHITE IBIS were seen at the James Farm Ecological Preserve near Ocean View on Tuesday. Six WILD TURKEYS were seen at James Farm along with PILEATED WOODPECKER, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH AMERICAN REDSTART and ORCHARD ORIOLE. Four RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were seen at Herring Point on Angola Neck. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was also seen at Angola neck Preserve off Camp Arrowhead Road along with BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. A peak count of 85 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS were counted in a yard near the Peterkins branch at Georgetown.
September 1st is the beginning of the official Hawk Watch season at Ashland Nature Center and Cape Henlopen State Park. Please join hawk counters Dave Brown at Ashland and Jen Ottinger, here for her sixth season at Cape Henlopen. Early counts at Ashland included 4 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and 3 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS on Thursday along with BALD EAGLE, SHARP-SHINNED, COOPER'S HAWK and 5 OSPREYS. A pair of COMMON RAVEN were seen flying over Ashland Hawkwatch on Friday. 16 OSPREYS and 5 BALD EAGLES were seen at Cape Henlopen today along with SHARP-SHINNED and COOPER'S HAWK plus PEREGRINE FALCON along with BROWN PELICAN.
There were also 30 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS seen at Ashland on Thursday evening. The peak count of COMMON NIGHTHAWKS was 800 at Granogue along the Brandywine Creek at Smith's bridge on Thursday evening! Common nighthawks were also reported at Brandywine Creek State Park, Coverdale farms, and Middle Run.
Thanks to those that contributed this week, including, Jackie Howard, Rebecca Stevens, Frank Rohrbacher, Ann Reeves, Sean O'Connor, Sally O'Byrne, Chris Rimmer, Debbie Beers, John Skibicki, , Peter Gibb, Chris Bennett, Andy Dunn, Rob Blye, Dave Fees, Jim and Amy White, Jason Wood, Chris Rowe, Tim Freiday, Joel Martin, Jerald and Aaron Reb, Ken Wat, Curt Davis, Dean Coffin, Joe Sebastiani, Megan Kasprzak, Phil Thompson, Ian Stewart, Steve Cottrell, Carolyn D'Amico, Bill Stewart, Kim Steininger, Teddy Burke, Lynn Smith, Sue Gruver, Sharon Lynn, Alissa Kegelman, Colin Flutarty, Joe Russell and Joe Swertinski. Remember, the 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: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Carol Spease, Hank Davis, Joe Russell, Joe Sebastiani, Judy Montgomery, Kim Steininger, Steve Grunwald
Visitors: 9
Weather: The day started cool with moderate north winds. The skies were partly sunny increasing to nearly overcast. The winds calmed throughout the day.
Raptor Observations: We had a nice mix of migrant raptor species for our first official day of the count. The first migrant raptor was a male Northern Harrier that flew directly over us.
A big thanks to Carol Spease who acted as data recorder all day.
Non-raptor Observations: At least 2 Common Ravens, an Olive-sided Flycatcher perched in a bare tree for most of the afternoon, Tennessee Warbler, 14 monarchs
Predictions: Cool with scattered showers and moderate east winds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Ottinger
Observers: Ann Dinkel, Art Zdancewic, Donna Hoyt, John Hoyt, Jordan Terrell, Kate Fleming, Susan Gruver
Visitors: Thanks to the dedicated volunteers that stopped by to help start off the hawk watch season including Sue, Art, Ann, John, Donna, and Bill! 32 visitors
Raptor Observations: Osprey and several Bald Eagles moving through, one Sharp-shinned and a Cooper's Hawk, one Peregrine at the end of the day.
Non-raptor Observations: Brown Pelican, Black-bellied Plover, Common Tern, Forster's Tern, Green Heron, Prairie Warbler and large flocks of Tree Swallows.
Predictions: Rain showers and thunderstorms, 80% chance of rain, high 70F, wind E at 20mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Ottinger (<Jottinger.co...>)
Date: 9/1/17 7:29 am From: Bennett, Chris (DNREC) <Chris.Bennett...> Subject: [de-birds] Last Evening Heronry Survey of 2017
I was joined by eight volunteer counters this past Wednesday, 30 August for the final evening heronry survey of 2017. The survey began at 5:36 pm and ended at 8:06 pm. As is usual for the August survey we only had a few birds in the first 90 minutes (32) and the last 30 minutes (11) of the survey. The vast majority (659) were seen in the fourth half our of the survey with flocks of more than 70 birds heading out to the island together. The bulk of the flight (98%) was composed of Little Blue Heron (353 total) and Cattle Egret (337 total). The final tally did include six species. For the second survey in a row we observed White Ibis (a single immature bird) during the survey. This is the first time in the 15 year history of the survey that we have observed White Ibis in multiple surveys in a single year. We counted 8 birds in July 2015 and a 1 in May 2003. The totals are below in the following format
SPECIES NAME total counted going TO the island/total counted coming FROM the island: Total - AVERAGE* from all previous surveys/MEDIAN* from all previous surveys
*Mean and Median are only given for Little Blue Heron, Cattle Egret and Total. It is fairly common for numbers of all other species to be relatively low in August as they have already started moving south or (more likely) they chose to roost closer to the areas where they forage during the day.
Great Blue Heron 1/0:1
Little Blue Heron 353/0:353 - 252.31/257
Cattle Egret 337/0:337 - 313.62/219
Snowy Egret 6/0:6
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 4/0:4
White Ibis 1/0:1
TOTAL 702/0:702 - 643/515
We had lots of time to observe the other bird species flying around Delaware City in the two hours of the survey when herons, egrets and ibises were pretty sparse. The best non-wading birds of the evening were three Common Nighthawks that flew over Battery Park and the old Delaware City Hotel (Crabby Dicks) heading NORTH. Other birds included Mallard, American Black Duck, Canada Goose, Double-crested Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk (perched in a snag out near Fort Delaware), Cooper's Hawk (an immature bird flew through Battery Park and headed out over the river towards Pea Patch), Caspian and Forster's Tern, Herring, Ring-billed, Great Black-backed and Laughing Gulls, thousands of Crows (voiciferous birds seemed to be mostly Fish with lesser numbers of American) and Barn, Tree and Northern Rough-winged Swallows.
I want to thank all of the volunteers that came out and helped me conduct these surveys this year. I would not be able to continue this survey without their help. The next survey will be conducted on Wednesday February 28, 2018 beginning at 3:54 pm. You are all invited to come out and help. You could be there when we make history and record 3 species in a February survey or surpass the all-time February high count of 136! It's February for crying out loud and can be pretty cold and lonely!!
Chris Bennett
Delaware State Parks
Environmental Stewardship Program Manager
Date: 8/31/17 9:18 pm From: Rebecca Stephens <0000041e50e1df28-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [de-birds] Big Common Nighthawk movement tonight
I think I heard one outside of my store in Gloucester Township, NJ, about 8:05pm. Nearby on Little Gloucester Road there is a large creek and at least 30 acres of woods.
Date: 8/31/17 5:43 pm From: Bill Stewart <bird-del...> Subject: [de-birds] Big Common Nighthawk movement tonight
Good evening,
During tonight's DOS Nighthawk viewing event in the upper Brandywine River Valley, participants were treated to continuous streams of nighthawks migrating southward. Concentrated efforts were made by a few of the group to assess the numbers during the hour and a half push with conservative estimates hovering north of 800 common nighthawks.
With the north/northwest wind continuing, tomorrow morning should be filled with morning migrants and surprises!
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5.75 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Bob Rufe, Carol Spease, Joe Sebastiani, Laura Miller, Nina DePinto, Sally O'Byrne
Visitors: 9
Weather: Warm and mostly sunny. Light winds most of the day picking up from the west midday.
Raptor Observations: Some migratory broad-winged hawks and ospreys. Numerous local red-shouldered hawks and vultures all day
Non-raptor Observations: A common nighthawk in the full sun of the morning was a treat. Also saw multiple Baltimore orioles, eastern kingbirds, bobolinks, and cedar waxwings.
Predictions: Partly cloudy with moderate north winds and slightly cooler. Come join us for the first official day of the count! My name is David Brown from Montoursville, Pennsylvania and I am looking forward to meeting everyone and having a great season as the official counter at Ashland for fall 2017. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
Date: 8/30/17 6:19 am From: Bill Stewart <bird-del...> Subject: [de-birds] ~ REMINDER ~ Celebrate World Shorebirds Day with the ABA & DOS - Shorebird Trip - 9/3 BHNWR
THIS SUNDAY, SEPT 3rd !
You Are Invited!
In celebration of the World Shorebirds Day weeklong events, the American Birding Association and the Delmarva Ornithological Society will be hosting a shorebird field trip at Bombay Hook NWR from 8:30 to 11:30 AM on Sunday, September 3rd. The field trip will be led by a host of leaders from the DOS & ABA and the event is free, refuge daily fees are in effect. Bring your duck stamp for free entrance into the refuge. Need a Duck Stamp? - we have you covered right here > http://aba.org/stamp/ <http://aba.org/stamp/>
Be part of the international network of shorebird scientists, conservationists, and enthusiasts participating in the fourth annual World Shorebirds Day! https://worldshorebirdsday.wordpress.com <https://worldshorebirdsday.wordpress.com/> This event invites us all to celebrate and count shorebirds where we live, and raise awareness about the conservation issues they are facing around the world. Global shorebird counting, species awareness and building ID skills is the overall mission of World Shorebirds Day as well as learning about the habitats that sustain their amazing migration flights. The event is a wonderful opportunity for people of all skill levels to contribute to data on shorebird populations at sites worldwide and broaden their skill set on shorebird identification. With over 1200 sites participating worldwide, plan to be part of the fun while representing Delaware as a globally important shorebird migration region.
Participants should meet in the Nature Center parking lot around 8:15 and bring water and a snack plus bug spray.
Hope to see many of you there to celebrate our shorebirds along on their travels!
Date: 8/29/17 9:09 am From: Tim Freiday <tim.freiday777...> Subject: [de-birds] Middle Run BioBlitz and Tuesday Morning Bird Walks
Hello Fellow DE Birders,
The 2017 BioBlitz at Middle Run is almost here, as this Sunday September 3 is approaching fast! The birding is hot at Middle Run right now, with 14 species of warbler detected there in the past week. There have also been some interesting insects sighted there recently, including 12-spotted Skimmer, Widow Skimmer, and Halloween Pennant dragonflies, along with many Monarchs, Cloudless Sulphur, Tiger and Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies. Many wonderful organisms await our discovery at Middle Run this Sunday! The weather looks as though it may be unsettled, but that won’t stop us from searching for as many life forms as possible. Last year was an incredibly hot day, but it also turned out to be an incredibly hot day for birding. You never know what will happen, and sometimes cool rainy mornings are the best for finding birds actively searching for food to refuel.
We will meet in the main parking lot at Middle Run, and the first bird walk at Middle Run will begin at 6:00 AM running until 7:50 AM. Derek Stoner and I will be leading the birding walks. Then we will reconvene at the parking area to meet new arrivals, and leave for another bird walk at 8:00 AM. We will return to the parking area again at 9:50, and then leave for a walk focused on finding insects and reptiles. We will be aided by graduate students from the University of Delaware Ashley Kennedy and Adam Mitchell, who will use their expertise to identify many more species of insects and plants. The following Tuesday September 5th marks the beginning of the traditional Tuesday Morning Bird Walks at Middle Run, running from 8 AM until 10-11 AM. These events are free and open to the public, sponsored by New Castle County Parks and led by Delaware Nature Society Staff and volunteers. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions you have about the BioBlitz or the Tuesda! y Bird Walks at Middle Run.
Happy Birding, Tim Freiday Middle Run Project Coordinator
*Birds mentioned Mute Swan Blue-winged Teal Black Scoter Surf Scoter Northern Bobwhite Wild Turkey Common Loon Pied-billed Grebe Brown Pelican American Bittern Least Bittern Great Egret Snowy Egret Tricolored Heron Little Blue Heron Green Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-crowned Night Heron WHITE IBIS Glossy Ibis Black Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Cooper's Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Virginia Rail Clapper Rail American Oystercatcher American Avocet Black-necked Stilt Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Marbled Godwit Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Semipalmated Sandpiper Least Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper BAIRD'S SANDPIPER Pectoral Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Short-billed Dowitcher Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson's Phalarope RED-NECKED PHALAROPE Spotted Sandpiper Solitary Sandpiper Greater Yellowlegs Willet Lesser Yellowlegs Lesser Black-backed Gull Least Tern Royal Tern Caspian Tern Common Tern SANDWICH TERN Black Skimmer Common Nighthawk Barn Owl Eastern Screech Owl Great Horned Owl Barred Owl Yellow-billed Cuckoo Ruby-throated Hummingbird Red-headed Woodpecker Peregrine Falcon YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER Least Flycatcher Warbling Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Horned Lark Bank Swallow Brown-headed Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Veery Ovenbird Worm-eating Warbler Black and White Warbler American Redstart Prothonotary Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Prairie Warbler Pine Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler MOURNING WARBLER Hooded Warbler Canada Warbler Seaside Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Rose-breasted Grosbeak Blue Grosbeak Bobolink YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: August 25, 2017 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
On Friday, August 25th, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The unofficial Delaware year list increased to 321 species this week. AMERICAN REDSTART and BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER were widely reported throughout the state this week. Birders traveling to central Delaware should be aware that the Dover Airshow is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, an extra inconvenience to the normal beach traffic jams.
New this week was 2 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES seen offshore of Indian River Inlet on Sunday, along with WILSON'S STORM-PETREL and BLACK TERN. A rarity offshore was a BROWN PELICAN.
WILSON'S PHALAROPE was found yesterday at the north end of Raymond Pool in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna, along with MARBLED GODWIT. Raymond Pool is at perfect water levels right now with an evening high tide. A peak count of 392 AMERICAN AVOCETS were reported with 400 BLACK-BELLIED and 250 SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, DUNLIN, STILT, WHITE-RUMPED, WESTERN, and PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SHORT-BILLED and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, WILLET, plus GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. PEREGRINE FALCONS were seen hunting over the flocks of shorebirds. BLACK TERN was seen today at Raymond Pool. BLACK-NECKED STILT was seen at Shearness Pool. GULL-BILLED TERN was seen Sunday flying over Bear Swamp, along with CASPIAN, FORSTER'S, and a COMMON TERN. AMERICAN BITTERN was seen on the east side of the Raymond dike. A immature WHITE IBIS was photographed with TRICOLORED HERON, GREAT and SNOWY EGRET, LITTLE BLUE HERON, and a peak count of 10 BLACK-CROWNED and 4 YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS at Bear Swamp. Waterfowl reported included 3 MUTE SWANS plus BLUE-WINGED TEAL. WILD TURKEY and NORTHERN BOBWHITE reported along the roadside. BARRED and BARN OWL were found at the refuge. Migrants included BOBOLINK, PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, and SAVANNAH SPARROW.
Two BAIRD'S SANDPIPER were seen at Whitehall Neck Crossroads opposite Wicks Potato Field on Sunday along with SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and LEAST SANDPIPER. A WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER was found there on Wednesday along with BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and PECTORAL SANDPIPER. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, BOBOLINK, BANK SWALLOW, and HORNED LARK were seen along the roadside.
A PIED-BILLED GREBE was seen at Taylor's Gut in Woodland Beach Wildlife Area along Route 9. A BLACK TERN was found at the central tower in Little Creek Wildlife Management Area. Three VIRGINIA RAILS were calling at Pickering Beach Road. ROYAL TERNS and RUDDY TURNSTONES were found along Port Mahon.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues to be found along Big Stone Beach Road in Milford Neck Wildlife Area along with BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was found in the woods. A few warblers at Big Stone Beach included BLACK AND WHITE, YELLOW, AMERICAN REDSTART, and PINE WARBLER.
A rare MOURNING WARBLER was found at the White's yard off Center Mill Road near Yorklyn on Sunday. There was also flyover LAUGHING GULL, a rare species for Delaware's Piedmont. Yorklyn Village had SOLITARY and LEAST SANDPIPER. The first ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK of the season was reported at Ashland Nature Center along with INDIGO BUNTING, WARBLING VIREO and VEERY. Warbler highlights included BLACKBURNIAN, BLUE-WINGED, CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA, CANADA, and OVENBIRD. A young GREAT HORNED OWL and EASTERN SCREECH OWL were found at Ashland in the evening. Several small flights of BROAD-WINGED HAWK have been already reported at Ashland Hawk watch, but the official count starts next week.
A YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was seen at Middle Run Natural Area near Newark on Monday, LEAST FLYCATCHER was seen today. Warbler highlights included a female HOODED, BLACKBURNIAN, an early BAY-BREASTED, CHESTNUT-SIDED, PRAIRIE, and CANADA. BARRED OWL was found along the creek. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS were found in the woods. BOBOLINK have been reported flying over Middle Run. A drake BLUE-WINGED TEAL was seen at Newark Reservoir. GREAT EGRET and LEAST SANDPIPER were seen along the shoreline. An extremely early BLUE-HEADED VIREO was reported today in the neighborhood behind the reservoir.
BLACKBURNIAN, CANADA, BLUE-WINGED, CHESTNUT-SIDED, and PRAIRIE WARBLER were found at Brandywine Creek State Park on Sunday. BOBOLINK was reported in the field along the entrance road by the turn to the Hawkwatch. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was calling in the woods. There was a peak count of 5 EASTERN SCREECH OWLS found on Sunday. Three GREEN HERONS and BELTED KINGFISHER were found at Hoope's Reservoir, but high water has prevented any shorebird sightings.
A BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER along with BLACKBURNIAN, CHESTNUT-SIDED, CANADA, REDSTART, and BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER were seen in Brandywine Hundred along Grubb Road. A PIED-BILLED GREBE continues to be seen at Rock Manor Pond near Alapocos Run State Park.
There were several reports of COMMON NIGHTHAWK this week. A peak count of 27 NIGHTHAWK were reported at the Hawkwatch at Brandywine Creek State Park on Sunday. NIGHTHAWK was also seen at the Hawkwatch at Ashland Nature Center, Middle Run, Coverdale Farms and Savannah Rad in Lewes. COMMON NIGHTHAWK is still being seen at The Point Parking Lot and at Fort Miles in Cape Henlopen State Park.
Two BLACK TERNS were seen at The Point at Cape Henlopen on Saturday. Good numbers of terns were reported at Cape Henlopen this week including LEAST, COMMON, ROYAL, and BLACK SKIMMER, along with BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and SANDERLING. Both WHITE-BREASTED and BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH were found along the nature trails. Warblers reported included REDSTART, PINE, and PRAIRIE WARBLER along with SCARLET TANAGER and BLUE GROSBEAK. BLACK TERN was also reported at Gordon's Pond along with CASPIAN, ROYAL, and LEAST TERN. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, SANDERLING, plus STILT, SPOTTED, and SOLITARY SANDPIPER were found at the pond along with BLUE-WINGED TEAL and LITTLE BLUE HERON.
Pelagic birds from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry included 6 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS. SURF and BLACK SCOTERS were seen along the jetty along with 2 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER and 460 LAUGHING GULLS. A YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON was seen sitting on the breakwater jetty on Tuesday.
A SANDWICH TERN with 120 ROYAL TERNS was found today at King's Grant along Grant Ave., north of Fenwick Island. A COMMON LOON was seen on the ocean at Fenwick Towers. Tubb Cove Marsh off Route 54, west of Fenwick had BLACK-BELLIED and 85 SEMIPALMATED PLOVER along with DUNLIN, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, CASPIAN and ROYAL TERN.
One of the most unusual birds found this week was a female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD photographed in the Rehoboth Marshes at Delaware Seashore State Park. Also seen in Rehoboth Marshes was AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, YELLOW CROWNED NIGHT HERON, 3 TRICOLORED HERONS, and 30 WHITE IBIS. TRICOLORED, GREEN, and LITTLE BLUE HERON were seen at Burtons Island along with 3 YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS. There was a big group of 37 WHITE IBIS photographed at Massey's Landing on Long Neck. Shorebirds at Massey's included TURNSTONE, WILLET, and SPOTTED SANDPIPER.
BROWN PELICANS were seen over Indian River Bay from Long Neck. PELICANS continue to be seen interspersed along the coast from Cape Henlopen south to Bethany Beach. 12 BROWN PELICANS were reported at Indian River Inlet along with SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, TURNSTONE, and SANDERLING. COMMON and ROYAL TERN were seen flying over the inlet and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen on the beach.
Twelve immature WHITE IBIS were seen Thursday at Prime Hook Beach Road along with AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-NECKED STILT, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, STILT, PECTORAL, WHITE-RUMPED and BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. A peak count of 100 BLACK SKIMMERS were found at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Milton along with LEAST, CASPIAN, and ROYAL TERN. A BLACK TERN was seen at Broadkill Marsh along with LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. BLACK-NECKED STILT with SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was also reported. LEAST BITTERN, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, and PEREGRINE FALCON were reported along the Observation Point Trail.
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER with SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, TURNSTONE, and WILLET were seen at Mispillion Inlet from the DuPont Nature Center. ROYAL, CASPIAN, and COMMON TERN were seen at the Inlet. SEASIDE SPARROW and CLAPPER RAIL were found in the marsh.
WORM-EATING WARBLER was found at Abbott's Mill Nature Center west of Milford along with OVENBIRD, BLACK AND WHITE, and REDSTART. Another WORM-EATING WARBLER was found at Harbeson along with PROTHONOTARY and BLACK AND WHITE. 25 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS reported in a yard at Harbeson along with WILD TURKEY and YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was also found at Bethany Beach and Nanticoke Wildlife Area. Other birds at Nanticoke included OVENBIRD, BLUE-WINGED and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER.
Redden State Forest is a place normally known for landbirds but this week a PECTORAL SANDPIPER was found at the intersection of Redden and Deer Forest Road. Other shorebirds seen there due to the heavy rains this summer included 70 SEMIPALMATED PLOVER plus LEAST SANDPIPER and both GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS.
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and GREATER YELLOWLEGS were also reported at the Aston Track in Augustine Wildlife Area near Port Penn. MUTE SWAN was seen on Thousand Acre Marsh. Waders reported included GREAT and SNOWY EGRET, LITTLE BLUE HERON, GLOSSY IBIS, and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. Raptors flying over included BLACK VULTURE, OSPREY, BALD EAGLE, and COOPER'S HAWK. Unusual landbirds seen included VEERY and YELLOW WARBLER. 120 CATTLE EGRETS continue be seen at the Bayview Cattle Farm off Bayview Rd., south of Port Penn. BOBOLINK AND GRASSHOPPER SPARROW were reported at Prices Park near Middletown. GREAT EGRET was found at the pond there.
Thanks to those that contributed this week, including, J.B. Churchill, Elizabeth Porter, Joe Hanfman, Debbie Beer, Jeff Holmes, John Skibicki, John Landers, Kyle Klotz, John Vassallo, Ryan Crane, Peter Gibb, Mike Bowen, Chris Bennett, Rob Blye, Dave Fees, Jim and Amy White, Jason Wood, Chris Rowe, Tim and Don Freiday, Joel Martin, Jerald and Aaron Reb, Ken Wat, Curt Davis, Dean Coffin, Joe Sebastiani, Brian Henderson, Hank Davis, Andy Dunn, Becky Meister, Carolyn D'Amico, Megan Kasprzak, Phil Thompson, Teddy Burke, Lynn Smith, Sue Gruver, Sharon Lynn, Alissa Kegelman, and Joe Swertinski. Remember, the 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!
