Date: 2/19/19 9:27 am From: Anthony Gonzon <atgonzon...> Subject: [de-birds] February DOS Meeting Update - CANCELLED
Greetings all,
Due the the inclement weather forecast for tomorrow, the regularly scheduled DOS meeting has been cancelled. Please stay warm and safe!
Anthony Gonzon, PresidentDelaware Ornithological <Societyatgonzon...>
*Birds mentioned Cackling Goose Brant Mute Swan Tundra Swan Wood Duck Northern Shoveler Gadwall American Wigeon Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Canvasback Redhead Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Common Eider Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Wild Turkey Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe Virginia Rail American Coot American Avocet Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Dunlin Wilson’s Snipe Greater Yellowlegs BLACK-HEADED GULL Bonaparte’s Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Red-throated Loon Common Loon Great Cormorant Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Tricolored Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Bald Eagle Eurasian Collard Dove Barred Owl Short-eared Owl SNOWY OWL Red-headed Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon Horned Lark LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE Common Raven Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Winter Wren Eastern Bluebird Hermit Thrush Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Purple Finch COMMON REDPOLL Pine Siskin Snow Bunting CLAY-COLORED SPARROW Fox Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Eastern Meadowlark Rusty Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orange-crowned Warbler PAINTED BUNTING
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: February 15, 2019 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
For Friday, February 15th this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. Happy Presidents’ Day weekend! The Delaware Annual list increased to 174 species.
A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was photographed at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge on Thursday between Prime Hook and Fowlers Beach Road. A SNOWY OWL was seen Sunday morning flying north over Delaware Bay from the observation deck at Fowler’s Beach. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues to be found in the woodlot prior to the marsh on Fowlers Beach Road. 20 SNOW BUNTINGS were reported along the beach, along with AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. AMERICAN KESTREL, GREAT EGRET, and HORNED GREBE were found off Prime Hook Beach Road. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen off Cods Road there was a big flock of 32 AMERICAN AVOCETS at Broadkill Marsh on Wednesday. PILEATED WOODPECKER was reported at Deep Branch Road. PINE SISKIN flew over at Oyster Rock Road.
Another SNOWY OWL, perhaps the same bird was seen Saturday along the dunes at Cape Henlopen point last Saturday. A single SNOW BUNTING was found at Cape Henlopen State Park along the edge of the dune. SURF and BLACK SCOTER, COMMON and RED THROATED LOON, plus RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were seen offshore. SANDERLING and DUNLIN were seen along the beach. FOX SPARROW and all three species of NUTHATCH, WHITE-BREASTED, RED-BREASTED, and BROWN-HEADED were seen coming to the feeders at the Seaside Nature Center.
The previous reported BLACK-HEADED GULL with BONAPARTE’S GULL was seen at Wolfe’s Point Sewage Treatment Plant near Midway. A pair of REDHEADS were seen on Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach along with 700 CANVASBACKS, LESSER SCAUP, HOODED MERGANSER, and RUDDY DUCK. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen on the lake. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were reported at Old Landing near Rehoboth.
COMMON EIDER, LONG-TAILED DUCK, and all three species of SCOTER, WHITE-WINGED, BLACK and SURF were seen at Indian River Inlet. Other waterfowl reported included BRANT, COMMON GOLDENEYE, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, GREAT CORMORANT, both RED-THROATED and COMMON LOON, and HORNED GREBE. RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, and DUNLIN were seen on the jetties. Among the gulls was a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was found at Burtons Island behind the North Marina at Indian River Inlet. TRICOLORED HERON and 8 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were seen from the causeway along with GREATER YELLOWLEGS. Waterfowl reported included LESSER SCAUP, GOLDENEYE, BRANT, HOODED and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.
Assawoman Wildlife Area near Fenwick Island was teeming with waterfowl including over 200 GADWALL plus MUTE SWAN, AMERICAN WIGEON, HOODED MERGANSER, and RUDDY DUCK. A pair of VIRGINIA RAILS were calling from the observation tower area. WILD TURKEY was seen in the fields along the entrance.
A MERLIN was seen west of Roxana along Route 17. EURASIAN COLLARD DOVES continue to be seen on the Main Street in Selbyville. WILD TURKEY was also reported west of Georgetown near Redden State Forest along with WOOD DUCK, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, PINE SISKIN, and FOX SPARROW. PURPLE FINCHES reported in a private yard near Milton and Greenwood.
The previous reported COMMON REDPOLL continues to be seen in northern Wilmington in Brandywine Hundred. This is a private residence and the feeders are not able to be viewed from the roadway which has narrow parking. Unfortunately, viewing this bird is not open to the general public. Also, at these feeders have been PINE SISKIN and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.
The previously reported male PAINTED BUNTING continues at the feeders on Dixie Line Road near Newark. These feeders are found by taking Route 896 to Old Baltimore Pike and turning north just before the Delaware – Maryland state line. Look for the feeders on the porch at the house on the left-hand side of the road. This PAINTED BUNTING is sporadic and this is the feeders infrequently, be prepared to wait.
GRAY CATBIRD, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, CEDAR WAXWING, WINTER WREN, and both RED-BREASTED and WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH were seen at Middle Run Natural Area near Newark. BELTED KINGFISHER was found along the Creekside Trail at Middle Run. A pair of CANVASBACKS were found Wednesday at Newark Reservoir off Paper Mill Road. COMMON MERGANSER and a MERLIN were seen there this week. NORTHERN FLICKER was seen coming to a feeder near Hockessin.
LESSER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, plus COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER were seen on Hoopes Reservoir near Greenville. A COMMON RAVEN was reported today at Harry’s Pond in the Brandywine Town Center. The Raven was sitting on the cell phone tower next to BLACK VULTURE. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and HERMIT THRUSH were seen at Bellevue State Park in Brandywine Hundred.
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW and RUSTY BLACKBIRD were found along the walking trail at Battery Park in New Castle. Waterfowl on the river included LESSER SCAUP, COMMON MERGANSER, and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT along with a pair of BALD EAGLES.
A pair of WOOD DUCK were seen flying over Delaware Route 1 at Blackbird Creek on Sunday. WILD TURKEY was found along the Port Penn Road. A peak count of 5 GREAT EGRETS were found at the Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area. The previous reported CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was found today. The burned fields have been excellent for sparrows including FOX, SAVANNAH, and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. There was a peak count of 16 BALD EAGLES today at Thousand Acre Marsh. Waterfowl seen included 366 COMMON MERGANSER, plus MUTE SWAN, NORTHERN SHOVELER, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, LESSER and GREATER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD, and HOODED MERGANSER.
LONG-TAILED DUCK and LESSER SCAUP were seen at Augustine Beach, along with the regular RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and BUFFLEHEAD. TUNDRA SWAN was seen at Hangman’s Creek at Stave’s Landing Road and Route 9 along with WIGEON, PINTAIL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, RING-NECKED DUCK, and AMERICAN COOT. AMERICAN KESTREL was seen along Stave’s Landing Road. A CACKLING GOOSE was seen at Price Park near Middletown.
WOOD DUCK was also seen at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna. COMMON GOLDENEYE, LESSER SCAUP, and RING-NECKED DUCK were seen on Wednesday. Other waterfowl seen included TUNDRA SWAN, PINTAIL, SHOVELER, WIGEON, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, GADWALL, and RUDDY DUCK. GREATER YELLOWLEGS and WILSON’S SNIPE were found at Bear Swamp. FOX SPARROW and BROWN THRASHER were found along the wood’s edge. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was found on Leatherbury Flats. A flock of 20 HORNED LARKS were seen off of Raymond’s Neck Road.
AMERICAN PIPIT and EASTERN MEADOWLARK were sound off Savannah Road south of Leipsic. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and EASTERN BLUEBIRD were found at Little Creek Wildlife Management Area off Route 9. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON and GREATER YELLOWLEGS were found at the marsh. Waterfowl included over 500 COMMON MERGANSERS on Wednesday plus HOODED MERGANSER, RING-NECKED DUCK, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, AMERICAN WIGEON, 340 GADWALL, TUNDRA SWAN, AMERICAN COOT, and PIED-BILLED GREBE.
A drake REDHEAD was seen on Marshall Pond south of Milford on Old Delaware Route 1, along with RING-NECKED DUCK, GADWALL and PIED-BILLED GREBE. A pair of drake CANVASBACK were seen at Tubbs Mill Pond near Milford along with RING-NECKED DUCK, GOLDENEYE, and HOODED MERGANSER.
A male BALTIMORE ORIOLE was seen coming to a feeder in Camden-Wyoming. The previous reported BARRED OWL continues to be seen at Brecknock Park in Camden-Wyoming. A big flock of over 90 WILD TURKEYS was found in the field west of Dover. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was reported coming to a private yard in Cheswold.
Thanks to all the people that make the Birdline possible, including Dick Plambeck, Ann Dinkel, Gina Sheridan, Mike Bowen, Mike Rosengarten, David Carr, Nancy Cunningham, Chad Fike, Joe Johnson, Carolyn Holland, Bob Strahorn, Chris Bennett, Anthony Gonzon, Curt Davis, Amy White, Andy and John Dunn, Mike Moore, Phil Thompson, Joel Martin, Brian McCaffrey, Ellen Jacobson, Sharon Lynn, Rob Blye, Sue Gruver, Lynn Smith, Alissa Kegelman, John Long, Teddy Burke, Jerald and Aaron Reb, Amy and Kathie O’Neil, Megan Kasprzak, Chris Rowe, Kim Steininger, Bill Stewart, Ryan Crane, Joe Swertinski and Joe Russell. Birdline needs your sightings. Please call your reports into 302-792-9591 or email <ednieap...> Until next week, this is Andy Ednie wishing you good birding!
Date: 2/15/19 2:36 am From: Joe Sebastiani <bunker17...> Subject: [de-birds] GBBC and eBird
Dear Delaware eBirders:
During the period of today through Monday, Cornell's eBird database is hosting bird data for the Great Backyard Bird Count, as they have for many years. Any list you enter into eBird during the GBBC period will automatically be incorporated into the count. We encourage you to "bird up a storm" through this period, anywhere and often, entering your lists into eBird.
There are many people who enter checklists for the GBBC that are not every-day birders or eBird users. To accommodate this and make it easier for people, eBird filters are slimmed down to not include several species that are not actually rare, but might be rare at someone's feeders and in backyards that are confusing. Think Swamp Sparrow or Winter Wren.
If you use eBird, please be patient with the reduced list you will see for the next several days. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Delaware eBird
Joe Sebastiani and Mike Hudson
Date: 2/14/19 1:38 pm From: Christopher Bennett <cpb2564...> Subject: [de-birds] DOS Sea Watch
Hey Everyone,
Come out and join Anthony and Me this Saturday morning on the south side of Indian River Inlet for Seawatch IV. We start the watch at 8 am and if conditions are good and there are birds to count we stay until noon. If we leave early we will post a notice to this site and the Delaware Birding Facebook Page. With the wind forecasted to be blowing out of the NNW we will most likely be setting up the watch in the northernmost dune crossing. The pines there provide a bit of protection from winds coming out of that direction. The forecast is calling for a bit of rain and snow in the morning - but my go-to weather app says there is only a 40-50% chance. Being a glass half-full kinda guy I'm going to interpret that as a great morning to be out watching and counting birds in and around the inlet. There have been tons of Buffleheads and Long-tailed Ducks at the inlet all winter along with all three scoters, Common Eider, Common Goldeneye, scaup and Great Cormorant. We can't promise a great find, like the Common Murre we had during Seawatch III - but with recent colder and snowier weather to our north there is a good chance that we'll see birds that have been pushed in our direction. With luck we might see Red-necked Grebe or maybe a Harlequin Duck.
I hope you can come out and join us. Chris Bennett DOS Vice President/Program Chair Milford, DE
Date: 2/14/19 1:11 pm From: Gina Sheridan <gsherida8502...> Subject: [de-birds] Sussex County American Tree Sparrow & Redhead
Over the course of this week, we saw an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW that was within a mixed sparrow flock in the fenced-in dune section on Fowler Beach. In Milford - Marshall Pond, we had an unexpected REDHEAD that was associating with Ring-necked Ducks, Gadwall, and Pied-billed Grebes.
Date: 2/14/19 1:08 pm From: Gina Sheridan <gsherida8502...> Subject: [de-birds] Over the course of this week, we saw an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW that was within a mixed sparrow flock in the fenced-in dune section on Fowler Beach. In Milford - Marshall Pond, we had an unexpected REDHEAD that was mixed in with Ring-necked Ducks
Date: 2/13/19 1:05 pm From: joe sebastiani <joe...> Subject: Re: [de-birds] Great Backyard Bird Count
Hi everyone, to clarify, the date of the bulleted free bird walks is this Friday only.
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...>
From: joe sebastiani
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2019 3:35 PM
To: <de-birds...>
Subject: Great Backyard Bird Count
Dear Birders, this Friday through Monday is the annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). I encourage you to go birding anywhere during that time period, and enter your sightings in ebird.org. The data will go into the GBBC automatically from there. Let's see how many species can be found in Delaware during the time period.
Delaware Nature Society is running some bird walks associated with the GBBC this Friday and Saturday, February 15&16. Receive a voucher for a free sample bag of bird seed from Wild Birds Unlimited for attending any of the events below. The following are free, and you can just show up:
* Newark Reservoir - 9am - Judy Montgomery
* Brandywine Town Center Movie Theatre (aka Harry's Pond) - 10am - Joe Sebastiani
* Tri-state Bird Rescue and Research (park in the upper lot) - 11am - Judy Montgomery
* BlackRock Inc. (100 Bellevue Parkway, north Wilmington) - noon - Joe Sebastiani and Kathie O'Neil
* Dupont Environmental Education Center (Wilmington Riverfront) - 1pm - Ian Stewart
* Paper Mill Park (Polly Drummond Hill Rd, Newark) - 2pm - Judy Montgomery
* Valley Garden Park - (Rt. 82 Greenville) - 3pm - Jim White
We are also doing a Breakfast and the Birds program at Coverdale Farm Preserve Friday morning at 8:30 which includes a farm-style breakfast, led by Ian Stewart. This program requires registration at www.delnature.org<http://www.delnature.org> for a fee of $15 ($10 for DNS members).
Finally, on Saturday, I am leading a van trip to go birding at Bombay Hook and nearby sites, departing from your choice of either Ashland Nature Center or Abbott's Mill Nature Center. This also requires registration at the above website for a fee of $30 ($20 for DNS members). 8am-4pm.
We hope to see you on one of our GBBC outings!
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...><mailto:<joe...>
Date: 2/13/19 12:34 pm From: joe sebastiani <joe...> Subject: [de-birds] Great Backyard Bird Count
Dear Birders, this Friday through Monday is the annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). I encourage you to go birding anywhere during that time period, and enter your sightings in ebird.org. The data will go into the GBBC automatically from there. Let's see how many species can be found in Delaware during the time period.
Delaware Nature Society is running some bird walks associated with the GBBC this Friday and Saturday, February 15&16. Receive a voucher for a free sample bag of bird seed from Wild Birds Unlimited for attending any of the events below. The following are free, and you can just show up:
* Newark Reservoir - 9am - Judy Montgomery
* Brandywine Town Center Movie Theatre (aka Harry's Pond) - 10am - Joe Sebastiani
* Tri-state Bird Rescue and Research (park in the upper lot) - 11am - Judy Montgomery
* BlackRock Inc. (100 Bellevue Parkway, north Wilmington) - noon - Joe Sebastiani and Kathie O'Neil
* Dupont Environmental Education Center (Wilmington Riverfront) - 1pm - Ian Stewart
* Paper Mill Park (Polly Drummond Hill Rd, Newark) - 2pm - Judy Montgomery
* Valley Garden Park - (Rt. 82 Greenville) - 3pm - Jim White
We are also doing a Breakfast and the Birds program at Coverdale Farm Preserve Friday morning at 8:30 which includes a farm-style breakfast, led by Ian Stewart. This program requires registration at www.delnature.org<http://www.delnature.org> for a fee of $15 ($10 for DNS members).
Finally, on Saturday, I am leading a van trip to go birding at Bombay Hook and nearby sites, departing from your choice of either Ashland Nature Center or Abbott's Mill Nature Center. This also requires registration at the above website for a fee of $30 ($20 for DNS members). 8am-4pm.
We hope to see you on one of our GBBC outings!
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...>
*Birds mentioned Cackling Goose Brant Mute Swan Tundra Swan Northern Shoveler Gadwall American Wigeon Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Canvasback Redhead Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Common Eider Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Wild Turkey Northern Bobwhite Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe American Coot American Avocet Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Dunlin Wilson’s Snipe Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Razorbill BLACK-HEADED GULL Bonaparte’s Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Red-throated Loon Common Loon Northern Gannet Great Cormorant Great Egret Tricolored Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Bald Eagle Eurasian Collard Dove Barred Owl Short-eared Owl Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Pileated Woodpecker American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon Eastern Phoebe Horned Lark Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Brown Creeper Winter Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet Brown Thrasher Purple Finch COMMON REDPOLL Pine Siskin Snow Bunting LAPLAND LONGSPUR Field Sparrow “Ipswich” Savannah Sparrow Fox Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Eastern Meadowlark Rusty Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orange-crowned Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler PAINTED BUNTING
Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: February 8, 2019 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland
For Friday, February 8th this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The Delaware Annual list increased to 173 species.
The previously reported male PAINTED BUNTING that has for the third year in a row appeared at the feeders on Dixie Line Road near Newark continues to be seen. These feeders are found by taking Route 896 to Old Baltimore Pike and turning north just before the Delaware – Maryland state line. Look for the feeders on the porch at the house on the left-hand side of the road. This PAINTED BUNTING is sporadic and this is the feeders infrequently, be prepared to wait.
The previous reported COMMON REDPOLL continues to be seen in northern Wilmington in Brandywine Hundred. This is a private residence and the feeders are not able to be viewed from the roadway which has narrow parking. Unfortunately, viewing this bird is not open to the general public. Also, at these feeders have been PINE SISKIN and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Other birds in the area included AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS at Rock Manor Golf Course, EASTERN PHOEBE and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET were seen at Bellevue State Park, and a BARRED OWL was reported on Tuesday along Neiman’s Creek off Grubb Road.
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER plus PILEATED WOODPECKER and BROWN CREEPER were seen at the pond complex in Middle Run Natural Area near Newark. A WINTER WREN was found at Coverdale Farms near Centerville. Some more feeder birds included a BALTIMORE ORIOLE at a feeder off Milltown Road along with RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. PINE SISKINS were reported at Arden, Yorklyn, Hockessin, Star Road in Newark, and downstate in Smyrna, Bethany Beach, and Gumboro. PURPLE FINCHES were also reported in Yorklyn, Hockessin and Star Road and downstate in Camden-Wyoming and Milton.
Lots of COMMON MERGANSERS are being seen at Hoopes’s Reservoir and Newark Reservoir. COMMON MERGANSERS were seen on the Christiana River at the Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge along with a PEREGRINE FALCON. GREAT CORMORANT was reported on the Delaware River at Fox Point State Park. There was a flock of 216 COMMON MERGANSERS at Lum’s Pond State Park near Summit Bridge, 245 COMMON MERGANSERS were at Augustine Creek south of Port Penn today. A few COMMON MERGANSERS continue to be seen on Silver Lake in Dover.
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was reported at the Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area near Port Penn, along with WINTER WREN, FOX SPARROW, and AMERICAN KESTREL. A pair of GREAT EGRETS were seen on Thousand Acre Marsh. Waterfowl on Thousand Acre Marsh reported at Aston Tract included LESSER SCAUP, COMMON MERGANSER, SHOVELER, GADWALL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, COMMON GOLDENEYE, PIED-BILLED GREBE, and AMERICAN COOT
Seven BRANT were seen flying up the river at Augustine Beach south of Port Penn on Saturday. A MERLIN was seen along the roadway. Waterfowl reported included RED-BREASTED and COMMON MERGANSER, CACKLING GOOSE, TUNDRA SWAN, 85 GADWALL, PINTAIL, GOLDENEYE, BUFFLEHEAD, GREATER SCAUP, and MUTE SWAN on Sunday.
A pair of LAPLAND LONGSPURS with SNOW BUNTINGS, SAVANNAH SPARROW, and 400 HORNED LARKS were seen off of Savannah Road just north of the intersection with Sipple Road south of Leipsic. A flock of 40 AMERICAN PIPITS with HORNED LARK and FIELD SPARROW were seen off Route 6 the Woodland Beach Road just east of the intersection with Route 9. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER continues to be seen at a yard in Cheswold along with YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. The previous reported BARRED OWL can use continues to be seen at Brecknock Park in Camden south of Dover.
Three AMERICAN AVOCETS were seen on Tuesday at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna along with WILSON SNIPE, DUNLIN, plus GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. Waterfowl reported at the refuge included TUNDRA SWAN, NORTHERN SHOVELER, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAIL, RING-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, RUDDY DUCK, plus HOODED and COMMON MERGANSER. A covey of NORTHERN BOBWHITES were seen running along entered the refuge road near the visitor center. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON and GREAT EGRET were seen at Bear Swamp. BARRED OWL was seen along the Finis Pool Road. Land birds reported included EASTERN PHOEBE, SAVANNAH, WHITE-CROWNED, and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, and EASTERN MEADOWLARK.
A CACKLING GOOSE was seen along Route 9 north of Little Creek opposite Cartanza Road. A peak count of 36 BALD EAGLES were seen along the Pickering Beach Road today as the ice begins to melt. A big raft of 80+ CANVASBACKS were seen off of Kitts Hummock along with GREATER SCAUP, SURF SCOTER, COMMON GOLDENEYE, BUFFLEHEAD, and AMERICAN COOT. A single REDHEAD was found on Tub Mill Pond along with RINGNECKED DUCK and GOLDENEYE.
Two RAZORBILLS were seen on Sunday off of the jetty at Indian River Inlet. Large numbers of waterfowl were seen at the jetty this week including a peak count of 350 LONG-TAILED DUCK along with COMMON EIDER, BRANT, LESSER and GREATER SCAUP, COMMON GOLDENEYE, BUFFLEHEAD, HORNED GREBE, and all three SCOTERS including 10 WHITE-WINGED, 40 BLACK and 10 SURF SCOTERS. GREAT CORMORANTS were seen on the jetty tower, NORTHERN GANNET and both RED-THROATED and COMMON LOONS were seen on the ocean. BONAPARTE’S and LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL were seen at the Inlet.
The previous reported TRICOLORED HERON continues to be seen intermittently at the Burtons Island Causeway behind the North Marina at Indian River Inlet. There was also a peak count of 7 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS. Waterfowl reported included COMMON GOLDENEYE, LONG-TAILED DUCK, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, BRANT, both LOONS, and HORNED GREBE.
Over 800 CANVASBACKS continue to be seen at Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach along with HOODED MERGANSER and RUDDY DUCK. Spring Lake off Route 1 above Dewey Beach had a single CANVASBACK plus RING-NECKED and RUDDY DUCK. The previous reported BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen Sunday at Wolfe’s Neck Sewage Treatment Plant at Midway, along with BONAPARTE’S GULL and LESSER SCAUP.
A flock of 17 WILD TURKEYS were seen at Gills Neck Road opposite Cape Henlopen State Park near Lewis. Eight LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were seen at Herring Point in Cape Henlopen. Waterfowl seen offshore included LONG-TAILED DUCK, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, SURF SCOTER, and COMMON LOON. There was also a flyover AMERICAN PIPIT. All three species of NUTHATCH, WHITE-BREASTED, RED-BREASTED and BROWN-HEADED continues to be seen at the feeders by the Seaside Nature Center. GREATER YELLOWLEGS reported at Angola Neck near Rehoboth this week.
RUSTY BLACKBIRD was reported at Old Landing along with both WHITE-BREASTED and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, BROWN THRASHER, and FOX SPARROW. A PINE WARBLER was reported that Red Mill Estates north of Lewis. RED-BREASTED and BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES were reported that Bethany Beach Nature Center. EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES were reported this week in Selbyville along Route 54.
Sixty AMERICAN AVOCETS were seen today at Broadkill Beach Marsh in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Milton. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues to be seen in the woods at the end of the Fowlers Beach Road, along with YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and PILEATED WOODPECKER. SHORT-EARED OWL was seen over the marsh. A flock of 45 SNOW BUNTINGS with HORNED LARK was seen along the beach. Sparrows seen along the dunes at Fowlers Beach included FIELD, AMERICAN TREE, and ‘\”Ipswich” type SAVANNAH SPARROW. MEADOWLARK was seen along the entrance road. Waterfowl reported included TUNDRA SWAN, SURF SCOTER, RING-NECKED DUCK, GREATER SCAUP, GOLDENEYE, and HOODED MERGANSER. GREAT EGRET was seen at Turkle Pond near Prime Hook headquarters.
Thanks to all the people that make the birdline possible, including Mike Bowen, Carolyn Holland, Bob Strahorn, Wayne Longbottom, Gerry Teig, Armas Hill, Chris Bennett, Anthony Gonzon, Patrick Carney, Curt Davis, Jim and Amy White, Caleb Hanson, Andy and John Dunn, Mike Moore, Phil Thompson, Donald Stockley, Joel Martin, Karen Wood, Scott Northey, Barbara Conway, Ellen Jacobson, Sharon Lynn, Rob Blye, Sue Gruver, Lynn Smith Alissa Kegelman, John Long, Teddy Burke, Jerald and Aaron Reb, Amy and Kathie O’Neil, Megan Kasprzak, Rod Murray, Chris Rowe, Gerry Griffith, Kim Steininger, Bill Stewart, Ryan Crane, Joe Swertinski and Joe Russell. Birdline needs your sightings. Please call your reports into 302-792-9591 or email <ednieap...> Until next week, this is Andy Ednie wishing you good birding!
Date: 2/7/19 8:43 pm From: Ian Stewart <istew...> Subject: [de-birds] Bird Photography Event Feb 21st
Hi all,
Bird photographer Laura Densmore will be giving a free presentation at the Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church (an elegant 299-year old church opposite the entrance to Winterthur) on Thursday Feb 21st at 7pm. It is entitled 'A fascination with birds' and includes bird photos from Texas, Florida, Alaska, Arizona, Iceland and Scotland.
DOS will host a ‘pop-up’ (last minute) field trip this coming Sunday to the Veolia Wasterwater plant, which in winter hosts a large number and variety of ducks on its settling ponds. Veolia is on the Delaware River, so there is also good viewing of gulls and other birds on the river and at the nearby landfill. This site is a private industrial utility that is not open to the public. Scopes and good optics are important.
Sunday February 10 8:45 - 11
Meet at the Food Lion parking lot at the old Merchandise Mart on Governor Prince Blvd. at 8:45. We will carpool to the site, and plan to arrive there at 9 am. Limited to 3 cars - 12 people. DOS members only.
Date: 2/5/19 3:05 pm From: Gina Sheridan <gsherida8502...> Subject: [de-birds] Common Redpoll & Orange-crowned Warbler in NCC
At 7:20 AM this morning, Dennis and I saw the continuing Common Redpoll in Wilmington. We had quite satisfying views as it fed with goldfinches and siskins on the feeders. As this bird was my 330th species for Delaware, I was quite elated!.
In quest of more NCC target birds, we dipped on the Rusty Blackbirds in Banning Regional Park, and had to settle with Merlin. At Newark Reservoir, 21 Common Mergs were there to greet us , but neither the Canvasback nor the infamous, bucket-slinging, Waterfowl Disruptor were seen.
Dragon Run held a fairly nice mix of waterfowl, but we had no joy with Canvasback. At noon, we birded the Ashton Tract, and soon held a view of nice male Greater Scaup in the scope (NCC lifer #2 for the day). Even better was finally seeing the Orange-crowned Warbler fly into the shrubbery near the observation platform. It then flew in low and closer to our position that was in full sun. It was last seen flying over the fallen timber and disappearing. I should mention that a work crew was burning the field on the east side of the entrance road, and we never found the flock of Field Sparrows or the Clay-colored Sparrow.
Date: 2/2/19 4:21 pm From: Andy Ednie, Claymont, DE. <ednieap...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, February 1st, 2019
RBA
* Delaware
* Statewide
*February 1, 2019
* DEST1902.01
*Birds mentioned
Ross’s Goose
Cackling Goose
Brant
Mute Swan
Tundra Swan
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Canvasback
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Horned Grebe
American Coot
Common Gallinule
Sandhill Crane
Black-bellied Plover
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Dunlin
Least Sandpiper
Purple Sandpiper
Wilson’s Snipe
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Razorbill
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Bonaparte’s Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Great Cormorant
Great Egret
Tricolored Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Eastern Screech Owl
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Short-eared Owl
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Pileated Woodpecker
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Horned Lark
COMMON RAVEN
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Marsh Wren
SEDGE WREN
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Pipit
Purple Finch
COMMON REDPOLL
Pine Siskin
Snow Bunting
Chipping Sparrow
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
Fox Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Eastern Meadowlark
Rusty Blackbird
Baltimore Oriole
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Pine Warbler
PAINTED BUNTING
Hotline: Birdline Delaware
Date: February 1, 2019
To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE)
Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>)
Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern
New Jersey, Maryland
For Friday, February 1st, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The Delaware Annual list increased to 167 species.
New this week was a sighting of a COMMON REDPOLL at a private residence in Brandywine Hundred off Weldin Road. The REDPOLL was first seen on Thursday and has continued to be seen all day today at the feeders with PINE SISKIN and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Unfortunately, due to parking concerns general admission cannot be allowed.
The previously reported male PAINTED BUNTING continue to be seen at the feeders on Dixie Line Road near Newark. These feeders are found by taking Baltimore Pike and turning north just before the Delaware–Maryland state line. Look for the feeders on the left-hand side of the road. This PAINTED BUNTING is sporadic and this is the feeders infrequently, be prepared to wait.
A pair of RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were photographed by the pond in Banning Park near Newport. A Female “Oregon” DARK-EYED JUNCO was seen at a feeder Hockessin before the snowstorm but has not been seen since. PINE SISKINS have been seen in Hockessin and Yorklyn. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH also seen at the former site. HOODED MERGANSER and PURPLE FINCH were seen at Ashland Nature Center. An EASTERN TOWHEE was visiting a feeder in Canterbury Hills near Hockessin. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and COMMON MERGANSER were seen along the river in Brandywine Creek State Park.
COMMON MERGANSER is also seen at Hoopes’s Reservoir off Route 82 Causeway with RING-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, and RUDDY DUCK. RING-NECKED and RUDDY DUCK plus a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK were seen at Harry’s Pond at the Brandywine Town Center. COMMON MERGANSER is also seen along the Christiana River near Newport in conjunction with the big freeze.
A CACKLING GOOSE was seen flying over at South College in Newark. Three CANVASBACKS were photographed on Newark Reservoir yesterday. Other waterfowl reported included COMMON GOLDENEYE and COMMON MERGANSER. SAPSUCKER and RED-SHOULDERED Hawk found along the wood’s edges.
A pair of COMMON RAVENS were photographed at the old NVF factory in Yorklyn Village on Thursday. Another COMMON RAVEN was found feeding on a deer carcass along Wrangell Hill Road near the refinery north of Delaware City. Waterfowl seen at Dragon Run north of Delaware City included 5 CANVASBACK, LESSER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSER, MUTE SWAN, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL.
A COMMON GALLINULE with AMERICAN COOT was seen on Thousand Acre Marsh along Route 9 south of the Reedy Point Bridge. Other waterfowl seen on Thousand Acre Marsh included NORTHERN SHOVELER, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAIL, and both COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER. Sixteen LONG-TAILED DUCK were seen off the Reedy Point jetty.
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was found along the trail to the Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area yesterday. The previous reported CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was seen again on Sunday, along with CHIPPING and FOX SPARROW. GREAT EGRET and 2 SANDHILL CRANES were seen on the marsh from Ashton Tract. PILEATED WOODPECKER and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH were found in the woods.
COMMON LOON and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT were seen at Augustine Beach south of Port Penn. Waterfowl reported included LONGTAILED DUCK on Saturday plus RING-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, RUDDY DUCK, and both COMMON and RED BREASTED MERGANSER.
ROSS’S GOOSE was seen among SNOW GEESE along Whitehall Neck Road going into Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna. Waterfowl at Bombay Hook included TUNDRA SWAN, GADWALL, PINTAIL, WIGEON, BUFFLEHEAD, RUDDY DUCK, plus COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER. WILSON SNIPE was found at Bear Swamp. OWLS reported included BARRED, GREAT HORNED and EASTERN SCREECH OWL. A MARSH WREN was found along the Boardwalk Trail. AMERICAN KESTREL was found sitting on a bluebird box near Sheerness Pool.
A flock of 300 COMMON MERGANSERS were discovered on Silver Lake in Dover along with a pair of CANVASBACKS and 6 BALD EAGLES. WINTER WREN was seen along the banks of the St. Jones River. Also in Dover, a female BALTIMORE ORIOLE was seen coming to a feeder during the snowstorm.
No SNOWY OWL was seen at Dover Air Force Base this week, but a SHORT-EARED OWL was seen flying along the tarmac, along with a male NORTHERN HARRIER. Also reported were EASTERN MEADOWLARK, AMERICAN PIPIT, and HORNED LARK. SHORT-EARED OWL was also seen at Port Mahon from the boat launch across the creek looking towards Kelly Island.
A ROSS’S GOOSE was seen flying over at Frederica. EASTERN PHOEBE was calling there during the snowstorm. A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was seen with 80 SURF SCOTERS off Big Stone Beach in Milford Neck Wildlife Area, along with LONG-TAILED DUCK, GREATER SCAUP, plus both COMMON and RED THROATED LOON. Waterfowl along the Big Stone Beach Road included GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, PINTAIL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, RING-NECKED DUCK, and HOODED MERGANSER. BROWN-HEADED and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH were found along the road with MARSH WREN, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. A PILEATED WOODPECKER was found along Gobbler Lane in Milford Neck. SEDGE WREN continues to be seen at Bennett’s Pier.
A pair of BLACK-HEADED GULLS with 20 BONAPARTE’S were seen at the Wolfe’s Neck Water Treatment Plant near Midway. Waterfowl on the pond’s included RUDDY DUCK, GREATER, and LESSER SCAUP. WILD TURKEY were seen along Wolfe’s Neck Road. Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach had 600 CANVASBACK, plus HOODED MERGANSER, SHOVELER, BUFFLEHEAD, LESSER SCAUP, and RUDDY DUCK. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL sitting on the pond.
BONAPARTE’S and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were seen at Indian River Inlet. A peak count of 5 RAZORBILL continues to be seen at the jetty. Other waterfowl included BRANT, COMMON EIDER, LONG-TAILED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, HORNED GREBE, GREAT CORMORANT, both LOONS, and all three species of SCOTER, WHITE-WINGED, BLACK, and SURF. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen hunting for BUFFLEHEAD. PURPLE SANDPIPER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, and DUNLIN were seen on the jetty. A TRICOLORED and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON continue to be seen at the Burtons Island Causeway at the North Marina. A LESSER YELLOWLEGS was reported there on Saturday. Waterfowl seen included COMMON GOLDENEYE, HORNED GREBE, and RED-THROATED LOON. Four BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS were seen at James Farm Eco-Preserve on Cedar Neck near Ocean View. Waterfowl seen included BRANT, BLACK SCOTER, GOLDENEYE, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, and HORNED GREBE. A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was found in the woods.
RAZORBILL was also seen off Herring Point at Cape Henlopen State Park. Waterfowl reported included LONG-TAILED DUCK, BRANT, SURF and BLACK SCOTER, HORNED GREBE, and NORTHERN GANNET. A flock of 50 SNOW BUNTINGS were seen off of Cape Henlopen Point. All three species of NUTHATCH, WHITE-BREASTED, RED-BREASTED, and BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH at the Seaside Nature Center feeders. 15 WILD TURKEYS were seen along the Freeman Highway in Lewes heading towards the ferry terminal. A boat trip to the Harbor of Refuge Breakwater for the Delmarva Birding Weekend found 9 RAZORBILL, 3 GREAT CORMORANT, PURPLE SANDPIPER, LONG-TAILED DUCK, and all three species of SCOTER on Saturday.
SNOW BUNTINGS and SHORT-EARED OWL were seen at Fowlers Beach in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Milton. WILSON’S SNIPE and GREATER YELLOWLEGS were seen at the wash flats. Waterfowl reported included TUNDRA SWAN, LONG-TAILED DUCK, GREATER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD, SURF and BLACK SCOTER, plus COMMON LOON. EASTERN PHOEBE and FOX SPARROW were found by the headquarters, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS continue to be seen along Draper Road at the intersection with Sugar Hill Road.
A big flock of 71 PINE SISKINS were reported in Gumboro coming to a feeder. PINE SISKIN and PURPLE FINCH were reported in Georgetown. PURPLE FINCH was also reported in Greenwood. PINE SISKIN and RUSTY BLACKBIRD were found at Old Landing near Rehoboth Beach. PINE WARBLER, PINE SISKIN, and FOX SPARROW were coming to a feeder at Herring Creek on Angola Neck.
PEREGRINE FALCONS continue to be found at the Brandywine Building in downtown Wilmington as nesting duties begin to commence. You can get the latest updates on the Wilmington Falcons Facebook page. A CANVASBACK was on the pond in Cool Springs Park in Wilmington.
Thanks to all the people that make the bird line possible, including Al Guarente, Carolyn Holland, Bob Strahorn, Mark Giomet, Chris Bennett, Anthony Gonzon, Patrick Carney, Curt Davis, Andy and John Dunn, Mike Moore, Ellen Jacobson, Sharon Lynn, Rob Blye, Sue Gruver, Lynn Smith Alissa Kegelman, Sally O’Byrne, Teddy Burke, Jerald and Aaron Reb, Kathie O’Neil, Megan Kasprzak, Rod Murray, Chris Rowe, Armas Hill, Gerry Griffith, Kim Steininger, Bill Stewart, David Sandler, Scott Barnes, Paula King, Peter Gibbs, Bob Rufe, and Joe Russell. Birdline needs your sightings. Please call your reports into 302-792-9591 or email <ednieap...> Until next week, this is Andy Ednie wishing you good birding!
Date: 2/1/19 6:04 pm From: Alice Mohrman <alice...> Subject: [de-birds] Pine Warbler on 2/1/19
Feeder at Abbott's Mill in Milford, DE today 2/1/19 included a beautiful female Pine Warbler at the suet! Mourning Dove Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Tufted Titmouse Carolina Chickadee White-breasted Nuthatch Red-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow American Goldfinch
Date: 2/1/19 1:35 pm From: Carolyn D'Amico <carolyndamico...> Subject: Re: [de-birds] Common Redpoll appearance - Northern New Castle County
Arriving here at the afternoon backyard feeding frenzy here in Landenberg
PA just moments ago was a Pine Warbler! - poor devil is intermittently
fluttering in for a bite of suet, but doesn't seem to be competing too well
with the crowd....
Also foraging are 3 Fox Sparrows - not too unusual for us to see 1 in
weather like this, but 3 is a new yard record!
Purple Finches, Red Breasted Nuthatches & multitudes of the std winter
visitors are working hard - One more tough night to go....
Good backyard birding!
Carolyn DAmico
On Fri, Feb 1, 2019 at 8:48 AM Bill <bird-del...> wrote:
> Good morning DE-Birders,
>
> During the peak of Delaware’s Polar Vortex yesterday, Kim and I had an
> afternoon long visit with a Common Redpoll visiting one of our thistle seed
> feeders. It frequented the same perch on the same feeder until late in the
> afternoon where he bravely arrived all alone to another feeding station.
> The redpoll has returned this morning to a completely different feeding
> area and looking good.
>
> We also noticed an increase in the number of Pine Siskins, (2) Brown
> creepers who are regulars, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a Chipping Sparrow.
>
> Good birding,
>
> Bill Stewart & Kim Steininger
>
> List archives: https://lists.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=DE-BIRDS > List help: <DE-BIRDS-request...>
>
--
If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.
- Henry Ford
Date: 2/1/19 5:47 am From: Bill <bird-del...> Subject: [de-birds] Common Redpoll appearance - Northern New Castle County
Good morning DE-Birders,
During the peak of Delaware’s Polar Vortex yesterday, Kim and I had an afternoon long visit with a Common Redpoll visiting one of our thistle seed feeders. It frequented the same perch on the same feeder until late in the afternoon where he bravely arrived all alone to another feeding station. The redpoll has returned this morning to a completely different feeding area and looking good.
We also noticed an increase in the number of Pine Siskins, (2) Brown creepers who are regulars, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a Chipping Sparrow.
Date: 1/31/19 10:14 am From: Carolyn Holland <csholland84...> Subject: [de-birds] New Castle County Rusty Blackbirds
Thank you Sally O'Byrne for your previous message about the Rusty Blackbirds at Banning Park. This morning Bob Strahorn & I were able to find 2 Rusties which we observed foraging in the shallow stream very close to where the footpath crosses the stream by way of an iron bridge. They did not seem bothered by our presence & we were able to watch them for quite awhile from a distance of only about 25 feet. We also saw a winter wren flitting in & out of the crevices along the stream just a bit downstream from the bridge. All in all a great morning for birding even despite the 14 degree temperature!
Date: 1/31/19 9:06 am From: Patricia Valdata <pvaldata1...> Subject: Re: [de-birds] Feeders in the frigid weather, ChesCo in PA and Sussex in DE
I've also noticed a lot less feeder activity in Crisfield, Maryland (on the Chesapeake Bay side of the Delmarva), than I did in Elkton (almost Pennsylvania). Mostly, the birds down here ignore the suet, so we've taken down the suet feeder. We go through much less birdseed than we did up north, except for the nyjer seed, which the Goldfinches monopolize. We have a flock of about two dozen that squabble over the feeder perches when it's cold. On milder days, we might see only 3-6 on the feeders. We also support a small flock of Juncos and House Finches, a couple of Red-winged Blackbirds and Bluejays, and a single Song Sparrow. I heard a Carolina Chickadee the other day, but rarely see it at the feeders. I haven't seen a Red-breasted Nuthatch or Brown-headed Nuthatch since before Christmas. I haven't had a single Yellow-rumped Warbler this winter, either. Last year we had several.
We have one neighbor across an open field who also feeds the birds. They seem to go back and forth between our two yards.
I worry about the Belted Kingfisher on days like today when the creek is frozen all the way across.
Pat Valdata Crisfield, Somerset County
On Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 10:55 AM Rob Blye <rwblye...> wrote:
> Our efforts at feeding and providing water to the birds finally paid off > today with our first siskin and a fox sparrow that we have seen on and off > all winter. Siskin is eating nyjer with its goldfinch buddies and the fox > sparrow scratches under a tube feeder and got a drink from the flowing > freshwater in our "bird stream". It requires an electric heater to keep > the water moving on days like today but virtually all our yard birds will > visit today for a drink. We have had a pine warbler and hopefully it will > show on the suet today. > > While we were in northern Chester County we had much activity at our > feeders almost every day. Here in southern Delaware the birds only hit the > feeders hard in frigid or rainy weather. I interpret this to indicate that > in Delaware there is less cold stress and more natural food than in PA. Or > perhaps more feeders for the birds to choose from . We were the only family > in a half mile to feed in PA and everyone in our current development has > feeders. > > Trying to stay warm in Lewes. I would be trying even harder if still in PA. > > *Rob* > > Robert W. Blye > 34603 Doe Run > Lewes DE 19958-3332 > 302 945-8618 > 610 213-2413 mobile > > List archives: https://lists.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=DE-BIRDS > List help: <DE-BIRDS-request...> >
Date: 1/28/19 10:24 am From: sally o'byrne <salobyrne...> Subject: [de-birds] New Castle County sightings
This morning there are two unusual sightings to report. The Canvasback is still in the pond across from my house - behind Ursuline Academy in Cool Springs Reservoir Plaza.
Also, there were 4 Rusty Blackbirds at Folley Pond in Banning Park. I spent quite awhile there on Friday and didn’t see any, so they may have just arrived. Usually by late Feb or early March there are 20-40. Banning park is off of Maryland Avenue. The Rusties hang out around the pond - either in the trees by the parking lot or in the wet woods that surround the pond on 2 sides. This morning they flew into the tree at the parking lot by the pond.
Date: 1/25/19 6:26 pm From: Andy Ednie, Claymont, DE. <ednieap...> Subject: [de-birds] RBA: Birdline Delaware, January 25th, 2019
RBA
* Delaware
* Statewide
* January 25, 2019
* DEST1901.25
*Birds mentioned
Ross’s Goose
Cackling Goose
Brant
Mute Swan
Tundra Swan
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Canvasback
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Wild Turkey
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Semipalmated Plover
Ruddy Turnstone
Red Knot
Sanderling
Dunlin
Purple Sandpiper
American Woodcock
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
DOVEKIE
COMMON MURRE
Razorbill
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Bonaparte’s Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
GLAUCOUS GULL
Forester’s Tern
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Great Cormorant
American Bittern
Tricolored Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
SNOWY OWL
Barred Owl
Short-eared Owl
Red-headed Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Pileated Woodpecker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Horned Lark
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
Snow Bunting
Chipping Sparrow
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
Savannah Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Eastern Meadowlark
Rusty Blackbird
Baltimore Oriole
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Pine Warbler
PAINTED BUNTING
Hotline: Birdline Delaware
Date: January 25, 2019
To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE)
Compiler: Andy Ednie (<ednieap...>)
Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern
New Jersey, Maryland
For Friday, January 25th this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The Delaware Annual list increased to 163 species.
The SNOWY OWL found last week along the entrance road to the Air Transit Museum at Dover Air Force Base continues to be seen intermittently. This all white owl was seen out on the tarmac of the base. Unfortunately, this is restricted access area, you’re not allowed to stop, get out of the car, or approached the fence. Cameras and scopes may potentially be confiscated by the base MPs. The best viewing area is from the parking lot and static light display at the Air Transit Museum. A male NORTHERN HARRIER was also seen along the runway.
The previously reported male PAINTED BUNTING returned for the third year in a row to the feeders on Dixie Line Road near Newark. These feeders are found by taking on Baltimore Pike and turning north just before the Delaware – Maryland state line for the feeders on the porch at the house on the left-hand side of the road. This PAINTED BUNTING is sporadic and this is the feeders infrequently, be prepared to wait.
The best hotspot Delaware was Indian River Inlet where a COMMON MURRE was photographed Saturday along the jetty. This is one of the closest observations of COMMON MURRE to the Delaware Coast in many years. The MURRE has been seen intermittently along with other alcids included 5 RAZORBILLS and a pair of flyby DOVEKIE on Tuesday. There is a big flock of DUNLIN on the jetty which included SANDERLING, RUDDY TURNSTONE, PURPLE SANDPIPER, and a single winter plumage to RED KNOT. Larus reported included an immature GLAUCOUS, LESSER BLACK-BACKED and BONAPARTE’S GULL plus FORSTER’S TERNS. Waterfowl reported included BRANT, COMMON EIDER, COMMON GOLDENEYE, a peak count of 75 LONG-TAILED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, plus all three species of SCOTER: WHITE-WINGED, BLACK, and SURF. Both COMMON and RED-THROATED LOON, HORNED GREBE, GREAT CORMORANT and NORTHERN GANNET were seen from the shore. A RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH was found in the pines at South Jetty. A TRICOLORED HERON was photographed on Wednesday at Burtons Island Causeway, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON was found there on Saturday. Waterfowl reported at Burtons Island included 320 BRANT, COMMON GOLDENEYE, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, and LONG-TAILED DUCK.
At least 3 BLACK-HEADED GULLS including two winter plumage adults and an immature with 4 BONAPARTE’S GULLS were seen at the Wolf’s Neck Sewage Treatment Plant at Midway, between Rehoboth Beach in Lewes. Waterfowl seen at the sewage ponds included GADWALL, RING-NECKED DUCK, and LESSER SCAUP. Over 700 CANVASBACKS were counted on Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach along with HOODED MERGANSER, RINGNECKED and RUDDY DUCK. CEDAR WAXWINGS were seen in the trees around the lake. A ROSS’S GOOSE with a flock of SNOW’S was seen flying over Old Landing near Rehoboth Beach.
-
A SEMIPALMATED PLOVER was with DUNLIN at Wharton’s Bluff along Indian River Bay near Millsboro. This still is a big flock of waterfowl at the impoundments at Assawoman Wildlife Area including 300 GADWALL, 200 AMERICAN WIGEON, with HOODED MERGANSER, and RUDDY DUCK. A MERLIN was seen flying through on Wednesday. RED BREASTED NUTHATCH, GRAY CATBIRD, and CHIPPING SPARROW were seen at Bay Forest at Bethany Beach.
There was a brief report of a SNOWY OWL at The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park on Tuesday. RED-BREASTED and BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES continue to be seen at the feeders by the Seaside Nature Center. RUDDY TURNSTONE and SANDERLING were seen at the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch site. HORNED GREBE, SURF and BLACK SCOTER were seen offshore.
A LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER along with the SANDERLING and DUNLIN was seen at Fowlers Beach in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Milton. LESSER and GREATER YELLOWLEGS were seen along Prime Hook Beach Road. SNOW BUNTINGS were seen along the beach at Fowlers. Waterfowl seen included TUNDRA SWAN, NORTHERN PINTAIL, AMERICAN WIGEON, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, SURF and BLACK SCOTER, COMMON and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. A ROSS’S GOOSE was reported with 1000 SNOW GEESE at Draper Road. WHITE CROWNED and SAVANNAH SPARROWS were seen along the Fowlers Beach Road. The RED-HEADED WOODPECKER previous reported at the woodlot at the end of the Fowlers Beach Road continues to be seen. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was reported at Cods Road on Tuesday. WOOD DUCK and AMERICAN KESTREL were reported nearby. A big flock of 24 EASTERN MEADOWLARKS were reported at Little Neck Road. COMMON GOLDENEYE was seen at Oyster Rock Road.
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE continues to come to a feeder in Seaford along with RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. PINE WARBLER was reported coming to a feeder on Angola Neck near Rehoboth Beach. EASTERN PHOEBE, GRAY CATBIRD and PURPLE FINCH were in a yard near Greenwood. WILD TURKEY was reported west of Greenwood.
RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were reported at Bennett’s Pier in Milford Neck Wildlife Area. There was a big flock of 150 HORNED LARK on Cartanza Road near Little Creek. An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen at Port Mahon on Tuesday.
There was a big flock of 44 EASTERN MEADOWLARKS along Whitehall Neck Road near Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Another AMERICAN BITTERN was seen by Bear Swamp in Bombay Hook. Waterfowl reported at the refuge included TUNDRA SWAN, BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, RUDDY DUCK, and LESSER SCAUP. Lots of BALD EAGLES are being reported at the refuge right now as birds are beginning to pair up for nesting. Other raptors seen included RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, PEREGRINE FALCON, and NORTHERN HARRIER.
There was a flyby LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at Newark Reservoir. Waterfowl there included COMMON GOLDENEYE, COMMON MERGANSER, and BUFFLEHEAD. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and HERMIT THRUSH were seen at White Clay Creek State Park. PURPLE FINCH and PILEATED WOODPECKER were seen at Ashland Nature Center. EASTERN PHOEBE, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, and BROWN CREEPER were seen at Bellevue State Park this weekend. PINE SISKIN was seen at a feeder along Weldin Road. RING-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON MERGANSER, and PIED-BILLED GREBE were seen on Hoopes Reservoir. RED BREASTED NUTHATCH and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER were seen by the Hillside Mill Cove.
There was a flyover CACKLING GOOSE at Bay Pointe near Summit Bridge on Wednesday. Waterfowl at Dragon Run in Delaware City included MUTE SWAN, GADWALL, SHOVELER, PINTAIL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, RING-NECKED DUCK, and both GREATER and LESSER SCAUP.
The previous reported CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was again seen at the Ashton Tract in Augustine Wildlife Area along with GRAY CATBIRD, CHIPPING and SAVANNAH SPARROW. SHORT-EARED OWL was seen Wednesday flying over Reedy Marsh opposite Ashton Tract from Route 9 at about 6 PM. COMMON GOLDENEYE and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER were seen at Port Penn impoundments. Four LONG-TAILED DUCKS was seen flying by Augustine Beach going upriver. Other waterfowl reported there included LESSER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, COMMON GOLDENEYE, COMMON MERGANSER, and 7 DUNLINS. A BARRED OWL was calling at Augustine Creek along Pole Tavern Road.
Six GREAT CORMORANTS were seen on the green channel marker on the Delaware River off Claymont from Governor Printz Blvd. One of the cormorants is starting to show the white flank patch. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen at the nest box on the Brandywine building yesterday. Looking forward to another season of watching the nesting of this alpha predator breeding in downtown Wilmington.
Thanks to all the people that make the bird line possible, including Chris Bennett, Anthony Gonzon, Kitt Heckscher, Jeff Climie, Patrick Carney, Curt Davis, Andy and John Dunn, Mike Moore, Scott Northey, Barbara Conway, Matt Sarver, Ellen Jacobson, Rich Clifton, Cory Krampt, Sharon Lynn, Rob Blye, Sue Gruver, Lynn Smith, Alissa Kegelman, John Long, Teddy Burke, Jerald and Aaron Reb, Amy and Kathie O’Neil, Megan Kasprzak, Rod Murray, Chris Rowe, Gerry Griffith, Jessica Shahan, Kim Steininger, Bill Stewart, Colin Campbell, Joe Swertinski and Joe Russell. Birdline needs your sightings. Please call your reports into 302-792-9591 or email <ednieap...> Until next week, this is Andy Ednie wishing you good birding!
Date: 1/24/19 5:32 am From: Andy Ednie, Claymont, DE. <ednieap...> Subject: [de-birds] Brandywine Bird Walk
It's the start of a new season, the first Bird Walk at Brandywine Creek State Park will be this Saturday, January 26th. We'll start at the nature center at 8 am. The walk will take about 2-3 hours. Park entrance is off Adams Dam Road near the intersection with Route 100 & 92. There are NO park entrance fees this month! We'll be check on how the new goat herd is doing controlling invasive plants.
Date: 1/22/19 5:54 am From: Dennis Brezina <dbrezina...> Subject: [de-birds] GOOD MORNING!
GOOD MORNING!
THIS, ONE TIME ONLY
Thank you all for your ever-courteous, cogent sharing, year after year... Living a mile away from Delaware for 25 years has been a joy...
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Charming 1850 two-story, well-maintained-for-quarter-century home; triple-sized, environmental sanctuary yard; house and yard labor-intensive delights; three Maryland "Big Trees;" former mink coop/doll house; Rosalyn Carter Butterfly Trail and butterfly art...
1,000's of daffodils, pollinator friendly and profuse old garden plantings, boxwoods, winter greens and reds.
Active octogenarians moving on; Earth Day birther - lifetime birder; wife Dr. of Psychology - psychodrama/clinical education; reasonably priced property - on market soon.
