Date: 1/21/25 11:51 am From: Lisa Dziuban <dziubanlisa...> Subject: Bird song -Plumstead Twp., Bucks Co.
On this frigid snowy January afternoon I heard the tentative call of a white crowned sparrow, a burst of energy from a carolina wren and the summer like song of the song sparrow. Enough to warm the heart.
Lisa Dziuban
I had a fantastic experience today seeing a daytime roosting area that a nearby friend told me about several days ago. He has large hilltop fields that are reclaimed strip mine areas, and he's been seeing owls this winter in large numbers, up to 9 at a time. In some rock piles at the field edges where construction is happening, the owls have been roosting in groups, especially on windy days. He had sent me a picture of 6 of them roosting together.
Today we went up in the early afternoon, in bright daylight, and it was absolutely freezing and pretty breezy. Much to my delight, they were indeed roosting in rocks and a large brush pile, easily visible right out in the afternoon sun ! It was just a magical experience to see these birds, with their golden eyes staring back at me. We never left the car and were able to see from the drive, where we were able to get some great photos. They never moved and seemed relatively tolerant, and there's construction going on not far away but it has apparently not bothered them at all.
Of course I knew they roosted on the ground, and in groups in winter, but I hadn't realized they would use rock piles. But on reading up in Birds of North America, I do see they use gravel pits, quarries and rock piles for roosting areas so I have learned something new. They must use the one site regularly as there was a large collection of pellets in front of the one roosting owl.
Date: 1/20/25 9:15 am From: K Springer <springer0707...> Subject: 168 Redheads - Crawford County
168 Redheads (1 is leucistic) and 4 Hooded Mergansers (Coots, American Black Duck, Scaups, Ruddy, Buffleheads, etc.) at the open water at Conneaut Lake Marina, Ice House Park.
Date: 1/18/25 7:43 pm From: Robin and Daniel Zmoda <robinanddanielz...> Subject: Monroe County WRS #451
About average on Redtails this year, our 22nd. Low of one to high of 16.
Male harrier was unexpected at that location, a small strip mall off 115,
the main N/S portion of the route. Eagles continue to be a presence since
2014. Two adults were seen on a cell tower with what appeared to be a
nest about 5 feet below them. There is nothing noted in the atlas for
that block, so I will need to return to check it out. The kestrel was
only our second and it was found in the same location in 2021. There is
nice habitat in the county, but it could use some nest boxes. An accipiter
is found about every 5 years or so. All in all, a good day
*County, name of route* / Monroe 451
*Date* -1-17-25
*Observers*- Dan Zmoda, Brad Orey
*Survey time* (minus breaks) : 4:15 no breaks
Start/End: 1015-230
*Approx. Miles on route: *76 A little longer than normal due to detour for
road construction
*Avg Temp.-33 *28-38
Pt cloudy with some flurries
*Wind* – Light
*Avg. Inches Snow cover*- 1 inch
# *Harriers* 1 male
# *Red*-*tails*-9
# *Kestrels*- 1 ND
# *Red-shoulders* – 1 ND
# *Bald Eagles*- 3 adults, two of them on possible nest site on cell tower
Lawrence County South WRS #374
Date: 01-18-2025
Observer: Robert Walczak
Start Time: 9:30 A. M. End Time: 2:15P.M.
Survey Time: 4 Hours 45 Minutes
Miles: 83
Start Temperature: 35 Degrees End Temperature: 39 Degrees
Average Temperature: 37 Degrees
Cloudy and light rain most of the day
Wind: Light
Average snow 4-6 inches but melting during the day
Red Tails - 17
Kestrels - Male: 1
Red Shoulders - Adult: 1
Bald Eagles - Adult: 2
Cooper's Hawk - 2
Merlin - Female: 1
Notes: All ponds frozen, most creeks frozen but a few were flowing and rivers were all open and flowing.
Robert Walczak
New Wilmington, PA
Lawrence County
Date: 1/17/25 4:03 pm From: Thomas Kuehl <tjk.kuehl...> Subject: Westmoreland WRS Greensburg-Latrobe 38 Raptors - Northern Harrier and Merlin
Greg and All,
This was the third year for this route that begins at Lynch Field in Greensburg and winds its way east to Latrobe. The area is very good WRS habitat and is within a triangle formed by Rt. 119 from southwest to northeast, Rt. 30 to the south and Loyalhanna Creek to the east. Slow to start and then we did very well on this day that started cloudy and cleared to mostly blue skies. We were certainly delighted to see a Merlin at point-blank range (in a cemetery, of course) and dumbfounded with a Northern Harrier doing a great imitation of a soaring Red-tailed Hawk over the City of Latrobe.
The 39 raptors was a new high and the Northern Harrier and Merlin were new species for the Route today. Past year totals were 27 in 2023 and 30 in 2024.
County: Westmoreland
Name of route - Greensburg-Latrobe / PSO map number: 658
Date January 17, 2025
Observers - Tom & Janet Kuehl + Jim Kellam
Hrs: 3 Mins 24
( Please be as precise as possible on total time)
Start/End: 10:02am / 1:52pm (20 minutes of break time)
Approx. Miles on route: 46.9
Avg Temp.- 32F
Clear/Pt cloudy/Cloudy- Mostly Cloudy, transitioning to Mostly Clear
Wind Calm/Light/medium- Calm
Avg. Inches Snow cover- 6
# Harriers (age/sex if poss.)- 1 ND as very distant
# Red-tails- 31 (A new high after 25 in 2024)
# Kestrels- TOTAL # 4 (#M = 3/F/ND =1 ) (WE had a crazy 9 in 2023)
# Bald Eagles- TOTAL # 1 Ad= 1/Imm.
#Coopers - 1 Adult
#Merlin 1 ND
UA # 1 - A distant bird seen by Janet
** Greg, I will later share photos of the Harrier and Merlin if they can help with Sex/Age ID
COMMENTS?
Nice to see 17 Wild Turkeys in corn stumble, one of the two Common Ravens was very entertaining, several Mockingbirds, several sightings of American Robin and a bit surprised to have just one sighting of Eastern Bluebird.
Date: 1/17/25 10:38 am From: Donna Collett <dcollett57...> Subject: Bald Eagle subadult Beaver County
Approximate 2 1/2 year old subadult Bald Eagle with lots of white mottled plumage did several flyovers a frozen lake at Raccoon Creek SP. It headed north.
Date: 1/17/25 10:32 am From: Donna Collett <dcollett57...> Subject: Re: Fwd: eBird Report - Economy Borough Yard Birds, Jan 16, 2025
Wow. How unusual!
On Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 6:17 PM Karyn Delaney <delaneykaryn...> wrote:
> I noticed a dark bird at one of the feeders this afternoon, and discovered
> a Gray Catbird! It had a faint, black cap and light throat patch. There
> was a frenzy of activity at the feeders and the heated birdbath by a large
> flock (at least 47) of Goldfinches. The 3 Eastern Bluebirds continue to
> feed on the sunflower chips and also use the birdbath frequently. Hope
> everyone is keeping warm!
>
> Karyn Delaney
>
>
> Subject: Beaver County eBird Report - Economy Borough-Jan 16, 2025
>
> Economy Borough Yard Birds, Beaver, Pennsylvania, US
> Jan 16, 2025 11:02 AM - 11:35 AM
> Protocol: Stationary
> 15 species (+1 other taxa)
>
> Wild Turkey 16
> Mourning Dove 6
> Downy Woodpecker 1
> Blue Jay 1
> Carolina/Black-capped Chickadee 1
> Tufted Titmouse 1
> Carolina Wren 1
> European Starling 1
> Gray Catbird 1
> Eastern Bluebird 3 2 Male , 1 female
> House Finch 2
> American Goldfinch 47
> Dark-eyed Junco 12
> White-throated Sparrow 3
> Song Sparrow 1
> Northern Cardinal 5
>
> View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S209502254 >
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (
> https://ebird.org/home)
>
Date: 1/17/25 4:01 am From: Franklin Haas <fhaasbirds...> Subject: PA Birds Winter Editor needed
*Pennsylvania Birds* announces an immediate opening for a volunteer Guest
Editor position for the Winter 2024-2025 issue.
If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity and have a
good grasp of the birds of our state, please consider applying.
You will collaborate with other seasonal editors, copy editors, and the
chief editor, and the bulk of the work--compiling the Summary of the Season
and the Birds of Note--will take place this April and May.
If you’re interested, please send a resume or CV and a brief application
letter to Mark Bonta at <markabonta...>
--
Frank Haas
Wisdom begins with putting the right name to a thing.
Date: 1/16/25 3:57 pm From: DAVID KOCH <0000012d74227426-dmarc-request...> Subject: Koch property, Northampton County
Things here are about the same as they usually are each winter. In fact there seem to be even more juncos around than I remember. The only species not here in the yard each day are white-crowned sparrows. I've had them every year for longer than I can remember but I'm not currently seeing any in spite of the cold and all the millet on the ground. What I do have, though. are 5-10 purple finches daily. Yesterday two I hadn't previously seen showed up. They were obviously purple finches but they were darker and the white lines below their eyes were more tan than white. A sharpie is in the yard or fields daily and every so often a harrier flies through, as do snow geese. The only unusual thing I've been seeing, or at least it's a bit unusual to me, is a tree sparrow in the front yard that keeps going to a suet. cake. It also spends a lot of time in a hanging feeder but not on the ground. Obviously this isn't too strange but it breaks the monotony of looking at a few hundred juncos. j
Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County <davilene...>
I noticed a dark bird at one of the feeders this afternoon, and discovered a Gray Catbird! It had a faint, black cap and light throat patch. There was a frenzy of activity at the feeders and the heated birdbath by a large flock (at least 47) of Goldfinches. The 3 Eastern Bluebirds continue to feed on the sunflower chips and also use the birdbath frequently. Hope everyone is keeping warm!
Karyn Delaney
Subject: Beaver County eBird Report - Economy Borough-Jan 16, 2025
Economy Borough Yard Birds, Beaver, Pennsylvania, US Jan 16, 2025 11:02 AM - 11:35 AM Protocol: Stationary 15 species (+1 other taxa)
Wild Turkey 16 Mourning Dove 6 Downy Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 1 Carolina/Black-capped Chickadee 1 Tufted Titmouse 1 Carolina Wren 1 European Starling 1 Gray Catbird 1 Eastern Bluebird 3 2 Male , 1 female House Finch 2 American Goldfinch 47 Dark-eyed Junco 12 White-throated Sparrow 3 Song Sparrow 1 Northern Cardinal 5
Date: 1/16/25 7:56 am From: SCOTT WEIDENSAUL <000001343b2dd726-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Invitation to Special Gathering
I suspect Sandy’s email got hacked. I wouldn’t open any attachments if you received one from her directly, though none came through on the post I received. (Thank you, PABIRDS, for not posting attachments.)
Scott Weidensaul
Milton NH (formerly Schuylkill Co.)
> On Jan 16, 2025, at 10:33 AM, Pam Holmes <pamholmespa...> wrote:
>
> unable to vie invitation
>
> On Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 10:25 AM Sandy Lockerman <
> <000000b169997ab9-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>>
>> You're Invited
>>
>> Special Invitation From Sandy Lockerman
>>
>>
>> |
>> | |
>> |
>>
>>
>> VIEW INVITATION LETTER
>>
>> You don't need an adobe account to view this invitation
>>
>> RSVP Now! View Invitation
>>
Date: 1/16/25 7:55 am From: Tom Dougherty <tomdoc...> Subject: Re: Invitation to Special Gathering
What invitation??
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 16, 2025, at 10:33, Pam Holmes <pamholmespa...> wrote:
>
> unable to vie invitation
>
>> On Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 10:25 AM Sandy Lockerman <
>> <000000b169997ab9-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> You're Invited
>>
>> Special Invitation From Sandy Lockerman
>>
>>
>> |
>> | |
>> |
>>
>>
>> VIEW INVITATION LETTER
>>
>> You don't need an adobe account to view this invitation
>>
>> RSVP Now! View Invitation
>>
I'm finding similar numbers as previous years as to species and counts (chickadees (2 max at one time) and titmice (3 or 4 max) the exception); typically getting 12-15 species per morning checklist in a suburban lot edging on woods (21 yard species so far in 2025). I was gifted a couple water baths last Christmas and after little use in Sept.-Oct. I now see a number of the species, including a squirrel or two, visiting for drinks. I don't have them on heaters so must thaw and replace each morning.
I noticed a lot of squabbling on the nyger sock by the goldfinches and found another that had a couple too large holes repaired and after I hung it my goldfinch count doubled to as many as 17.
Before, during and just after the snow events I see greatly increased activity. I've had as many as 6 male and 5 female cardinals visible at once. It seems the white-throats and juncos are more prone to higher numbers very early or late in the day.
There have been visits by a sharp-shin and multiple Cooper's hawk. The birds see them more than I do as I'll often observe the downies, especially, plastered tight to a shrub stem not moving for minutes.
Still looking for siskins, red-breasted nuthatches, evening grosbeaks and/or purple finches.
Ron Burkert
Oakmont, Allegheny Co.
> On 01/15/2025 9:57 AM EST jerry Kruth <00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>
> Our small back yard in urban Pittsburgh has normally hosted many winter locals, but this year there seems to be an exceptionally low census, and the feeders are mostly empty.
> The nyger feeders have been practically untouched The peanuts seldom visited, the suet occasionally sees a nuthatch or Downey. WE DID HAVE A RETURN OF THE RED-BELLY, WHICH WE HADN'T SEEN ON THE SUET IN SEVERAL YEARS.Even the black oil sunflower, which is the most popular, has not seen many visitors.
> There are robins buzzing around; more than usual.
>
> Overall -- lowest populations we've ever seen.
> Jerry Kruth
> Pgh
>
>
>
>
> On Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 01:43:33 PM EST, Meg Kolodick <000000dc3b46d747-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> We have posted sightings all year, but I want to address the birds that regularly visit here, spring and/or fall, in Seneca, Venango Co., that failed to show up at all at our yard in 2024: Indigo bunting, Hermit thrush, White-crowned sparrow, Blue-winged warbler, Mourning warbler. They were probably seen in the county, but we always had these birds at one point. Not this year.
> Does anyone else have notable non-sightings?
> Meg/Nick Kolodick
Contributors: David Auth, Jennifer Balsiger, David Bennett, Kimberly Berry, Cole Bishop, Claudia Brzoska, Richard Chirichiello, Thomas Connor, Baily Crable, Sheree Daugherty, Michael David, Adrian Fenton, Ross Gallardy, Andy Georgeson, Rob Hooton, Ripley Kindervater, Fritz Koppschall, John Kramer, Michele Mannella, Daniel Martt, Mark McConaughy, Dan McGuire, Ed McKaveney, Jerry McWilliams, Keegan Newman, Jeff Payne, Joseph Pumford, Theo Rickert, Eric Schill, Joseph Schunemann, Amanda Sloan, Matthew StClair, Conor Tompkins, John Vassallo, Grace Vesho, E. White, Michael Williams, Ken Woolston, Dan Wyrostek.
Compiler: Amy Taracido
Tuesday, 17 December 2024 through Tuesday, 31 December 2024 (two weeks)
**This report is distributed by e-mail only. Compiler is not responsible for errors on websites who reproduce/reprint these reports. If you would like to receive western PA RBAs, contact AMYTARACIDO@ YAHOO.COM
Transcript-
NOTE: TUNDRA SWANS, SURF/BLACK SCOTER, COMMON LOON, PINE SISKIN continue to be reported.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY:
This week in North Versailles, up to 37 BLACK VULTURES had been seen (DMa, JB, MMa, DW, EW, KN, JV et. al.).
In North Park on 12/22, 12/24, 12/27-12/28, and 12/31, 1 ROSS'S GOOSE (EM et. al.).
At Duck Hollow on 12/22, 1 BRANT (CB).
On 12/25 and 12/28-12/30 at Schenley Park, 1 BRANT (AG, DA et. al.).
At Wingfield Pines on 12/25-12/26, 1 MARSH WREN (via Ebird; CT).
At Hampton Community Park on 12/26 and 12/29-12/30, 1 ROSS'S GOOSE (AF et. al.); on 12/28, 1 MERLIN (EM).
On 12/28 in Penn Hills, 1 ICELAND GULL (MD).
At Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve on 12/28, 1 BLACK VULTURE (SD).
ARMSTRONG COUNTY:
On 12/21 in Worthington, 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (MMc).
BEAVER COUNTY:
Near Rochester Road on 12/22, 1 RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (JS).
BUTLER COUNTY:
At Lake Oneida on 12/19, 9 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (TC); on 12/20, 1 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (TR); on 12/21, 12/22, 12,26, and 12/28, 16 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (KB); also on 12/28-12/30, 1 ROSS'S GOOSE (RH, KB).
On 12/24 along Beulah Road, 16 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (KB).
At Moraine State Park on 12/30, 4 TRUMPETER SWANS (anon).
CLARION COUNTY:
In Cook Forest on 12/25, 3 EVENING GROSBEAKS (CB).
On 12/26 in Strattanville, 1 EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (TG).
CRAWFORD COUNTY:
In Pymatuning on 12/27, 1 CACKLING GOOSE (GV).
ERIE COUNTY:
This week at Presque Isle State Park, sightings included WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, LONG-TAILED DUCK, COMMON GOLDENEYES, REDHEADS, PURPLE SANDPIPERS 12/18 (RK) and 12/19-12/31 (JM, JK et. al.), TRUMPETER SWANS (12/18 and 12/24-12/28), 1 EARED GREBE (12/18 and 12/20-12/21) (RK, JM, AF), RED-THROATED LOON (JM).
On 12/17-12/18 at Fairview Business Park, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (BC).
At Dobbins Landing on 12/23, 1 ICELAND GULL (RG).
FAYETTE COUNTY:
Near Meadow Run on 12/25 and 12/29, 2 BLACK VULTURES (DMc, FK).
On 12/26 in Spring Valley, 6 BLACK VULTURES (DMc).
At Deer Lake & vicinity on 12/28-12/31, 1 CACKLING GOOSE (KW et. al.).
Along Braddock Road on 12/28, 5 BLACK VULTURES (KW).
On 12/30 at Redstone Park, 4 BLACK VULTURES (AS).
INDIANA COUNTY:
At Yellow Creek State Park on 12/21 and 12/23, 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (JPu, MS).
JEFFERSON COUNTY:
On 12/22 along Roseville Sigel Road, 1 LAPLAND LONGSPUR, HORNED LARKS (ES).
LAWRENCE COUNTY:
On 12/19 in the Volant grasslands area, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (DB).
In New Wilmington on 12/19, 4 SAVANNAH SPARROWS (DB).
MERCER COUNTY:
On 12/26 in the Shenango Wildlife Area, 1 LINCOLN'S SPARROW (MW).
WASHINGTON COUNTY:
This week in California, BLACK VULTURES (AT).
WESTMORELAND COUNTY:
On 12/26 at Saint Vincent Lake and wetlands, 2 CACKLING GEESE (RC).
Date: 1/15/25 10:01 am From: Anne Annibali <anneanni...> Subject: Re: Our yard, Seneca, Venango Co.
Winter activity and species seem about normal or even a little higher on our wooded property in South Central Lebanon County too. Water bowls and feeders all need constant refills. But except for a few hermit thrushes and pine siskins passing through in early December, they're just the regular yard birds: red-bellied, downy & hairy woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, juncos, house finches, wrens (more than usual and very vocal) and bluebirds, plus occasional blue jays, cardinals and goldfinches.
Wondering if western PA weather is a factor. So far ours has been fairly average some cold and snow but nothing extreme.
Anne Annibali,
Mt. Gretna PA
________________________________
From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania <PABIRDS...> on behalf of H2Ofowl2 <000001f862a9bc86-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2025 10:35 AM
To: <PABIRDS...> <PABIRDS...>
Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Our yard, Seneca, Venango Co.
Here on the eastern side of the state, the feeders have been busy. We have good numbers of white-breasted nuthatch, titmice, and chickadees. The suet feeders are also busy with downy and red-bellied woodpeckers and an occasional hairy. We also have Carolina wrens visiting the suet and black oil sunflower. Blue jays come for the peanuts. (So do the squirrels.) We also have a few cardinals, mourning doves, and the usual winter birds - juncos and white-throated sparrows. Of course, there are a lot of house sparrows and house finches. We also have a pond and waterfall which attracts the birds.
Huey Evangelista
Laureldale, Berks County
>
> On Jan 15, 2025 at 10:08 AM, <jerry Kruth (mailto:<00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...>)> wrote:
>
>
>
> Our small back yard in urban Pittsburgh has normally hosted many winter locals, but this year there seems to be an exceptionally low census, and the feeders are mostly empty. The nyger feeders have been practically untouched The peanuts seldom visited, the suet occasionally sees a nuthatch or Downey. WE DID HAVE A RETURN OF THE RED-BELLY, WHICH WE HADN'T SEEN ON THE SUET IN SEVERAL YEARS.Even the black oil sunflower, which is the most popular, has not seen many visitors. There are robins buzzing around; more than usual. Overall -- lowest populations we've ever seen. Jerry Kruth Pgh On Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 01:43:33 PM EST, Meg Kolodick <000000dc3b46d747-dmarc-request...> wrote: We have posted sightings all year, but I want to address the birds that regularly visit here, spring and/or fall, in Seneca, Venango Co., that failed to show up at all at our yard in 2024: Indigo bunting, Hermit thrush, White-crowned sparrow, Blue-winged warbler, Mourning warbler. The
y were probably seen in the county, but we always had these birds at one point. Not this year. Does anyone else have notable non-sightings? Meg/Nick Kolodick
>
>
Here on the eastern side of the state, the feeders have been busy. We have good numbers of white-breasted nuthatch, titmice, and chickadees. The suet feeders are also busy with downy and red-bellied woodpeckers and an occasional hairy. We also have Carolina wrens visiting the suet and black oil sunflower. Blue jays come for the peanuts. (So do the squirrels.) We also have a few cardinals, mourning doves, and the usual winter birds - juncos and white-throated sparrows. Of course, there are a lot of house sparrows and house finches. We also have a pond and waterfall which attracts the birds.
Huey Evangelista
Laureldale, Berks County
> > On Jan 15, 2025 at 10:08 AM, <jerry Kruth (mailto:<00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...>)> wrote: > > > > Our small back yard in urban Pittsburgh has normally hosted many winter locals, but this year there seems to be an exceptionally low census, and the feeders are mostly empty. The nyger feeders have been practically untouched The peanuts seldom visited, the suet occasionally sees a nuthatch or Downey. WE DID HAVE A RETURN OF THE RED-BELLY, WHICH WE HADN'T SEEN ON THE SUET IN SEVERAL YEARS.Even the black oil sunflower, which is the most popular, has not seen many visitors. There are robins buzzing around; more than usual. Overall -- lowest populations we've ever seen. Jerry Kruth Pgh On Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 01:43:33 PM EST, Meg Kolodick <000000dc3b46d747-dmarc-request...> wrote: We have posted sightings all year, but I want to address the birds that regularly visit here, spring and/or fall, in Seneca, Venango Co., that failed to show up at all at our yard in 2024: Indigo bunting, Hermit thrush, White-crowned sparrow, Blue-winged warbler, Mourning warbler. The y were probably seen in the county, but we always had these birds at one point. Not this year. Does anyone else have notable non-sightings? Meg/Nick Kolodick > >
Date: 1/15/25 6:57 am From: jerry Kruth <00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Our yard, Seneca, Venango Co.
Our small back yard in urban Pittsburgh has normally hosted many winter locals, but this year there seems to be an exceptionally low census, and the feeders are mostly empty.
The nyger feeders have been practically untouched The peanuts seldom visited, the suet occasionally sees a nuthatch or Downey. WE DID HAVE A RETURN OF THE RED-BELLY, WHICH WE HADN'T SEEN ON THE SUET IN SEVERAL YEARS.Even the black oil sunflower, which is the most popular, has not seen many visitors.
There are robins buzzing around; more than usual.
Overall -- lowest populations we've ever seen.
Jerry Kruth
Pgh
On Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 01:43:33 PM EST, Meg Kolodick <000000dc3b46d747-dmarc-request...> wrote:
We have posted sightings all year, but I want to address the birds that regularly visit here, spring and/or fall, in Seneca, Venango Co., that failed to show up at all at our yard in 2024: Indigo bunting, Hermit thrush, White-crowned sparrow, Blue-winged warbler, Mourning warbler. They were probably seen in the county, but we always had these birds at one point. Not this year.
Does anyone else have notable non-sightings?
Meg/Nick Kolodick
Date: 1/14/25 10:43 am From: Meg Kolodick <000000dc3b46d747-dmarc-request...> Subject: Our yard, Seneca, Venango Co.
We have posted sightings all year, but I want to address the birds that regularly visit here, spring and/or fall, in Seneca, Venango Co., that failed to show up at all at our yard in 2024: Indigo bunting, Hermit thrush, White-crowned sparrow, Blue-winged warbler, Mourning warbler. They were probably seen in the county, but we always had these birds at one point. Not this year. Does anyone else have notable non-sightings? Meg/Nick Kolodick
This is the 7th year for our Northwest Route, which is all north of Rt. 22, west of Rt. 66 and brushes the Allegheny River in the northwest corner of the County.
We had a late start as we waited out the morning snow flurries, which was followed by mostly blue skies. It was very nice to see two adult Bald Eagles at the Lower Burrell Township nest that is near the Allegheny River. Not a bad result today as our total of 21 raptors was right on the average for this Route.
County: Westmoreland
Name of route - Kuehl Northwest / PSO map number: 655
Date - January 13, 2025
Observers - Tom & Janet Kuehl
Survey time (minus breaks) : Hrs: 3 Mins: 53
Start/End: 11:30am / 3:33pm (10 minutes on breaks)
Approx. Miles on route: 56.3
Avg Temp.- 35F
Clear/Pt cloudy/Cloudy- (Mostly) Clear
Wind - Calm/Light/medium- Medium
Avg. Inches Snow cover- 6"
# Red-tails- 17
# Kestrels- TOTAL 1 (#M=1)-
# TVs- 2
# Red-shoulders - 1 Adult
# Bald Eagles- 2 Ad = 2
COMMENTS?
Our best non-raptor bird was a Hermit Thrush that was eating Privet berries. We also saw Eastern Bluebirds and Northern Mockingbirds.
Date: 1/12/25 2:57 pm From: Tom Kuehl <tjk.kuehl...> Subject: Westmoreland County WRS - Kuehl Crabtree Route - 30 Raptors including Merlin and Northern Harrier
Greg and All,
This is the 14th year for our Crabtree Westmoreland County Route (PSO #652). The route is located south of Rt. 22 and east of Rt. 66 and west of Chestnut Ridge - starts in Delmont, winds through the farmlands around Crabtree and extends east to the Indiana County border near Blairsville.
Low Total and Red-tailed Hawk numbers, however excellent variety today with 6 raptors species without sightings of any Turkey or Black Vultures. We tallied 30 Raptors today so quite a bit lower than the 13-year average of 39, and we recorded 23 Red-tailed Hawks; the high-count for this species was 54 in 2016 and the low was 14 in 2014.
County - Westmoreland
Route- Crabtree / PSO map number 652
Date - January 12, 2025
Obs.- Tom and Janet Kuehl, and Mark McConaughy
Survey time (subtract breaks) : Hours: 5 Minutes- 0
Start/End time: 10:00am / 3:20pm 20 minutes on 2 breaks
Miles on route: 78.9
Avg Temp.- 28F
Percent Cloud Cover - 95%
Wind - Calm/Light/Modest (cancel on strong) - Calm
Inches Snow cover- 6"
# Harriers (age/sex if poss.)- 1 Adult Male Average = .58
# Red-tails- 23 Average = 31
# Kestrels- 3 (#M= 2/ND=1) Average = 4.33
# Red-shoulders - 1 Adult Surprisingly, just the second one on this route
# Cooper's - 1 Adult Average = 1.5
# Merlin - 1 This is the 3rd Merlin for this route.
COMMENTS?
The Merlin was perched in a distant tree, so ID confirmed by photo and scope look.
A nice collection of good sightings including 4 Hooded Mergansers on Loyalhanna Creek, Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Mockingbirds, 15 Horned Larks, one Tree Sparrow, 3 White-crowned Sparrows and 6 Eastern Meadowlarks. Thanks to Mark for entering most of the observations in eBird to record species in blocks for the Third Pennsylvania Birding Atlas.
Tom Kuehl
Westmoreland County Compiler
Tom and Janet Kuehl
Southwest Regional Coordinators and Westmoreland County Coordinators
Last evening we stopped by Miller Ponds to watch and photograph the Short-eared Owls. Two swans flew over. I assumed they were Tundra Swans until they started calling, the honking bugle of Trumpeter Swans.
Date: 1/12/25 9:29 am From: Donna Collett <dcollett57...> Subject: Turkey Vultures Beaver County
Two, Turkey Vultures were cruising over Buchanon Tree Farm on Route 18 , Beaver Cty. Back a bit further a beautiful Red shouldered Hawk was sitting on old pole across from Church. Continuing north a Coyote crossed right in front of me . Raccoon Creek SP Lake frozen but saw two Kingfisher by dam . Lots of Juncos and Jay's.
Date: 1/12/25 8:46 am From: jerry Kruth <00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...> Subject: Nestbox building opportunity -- Pittsburgh
Hello Everybody, and Happy New Year!
The "dead" of winter is the optimum time to be building nestboxes for our feathered friends. If you've wanted to get it done, but lack the tools, or the experience, or just haven't done it yet, well, now's the time of year to "just do it."
I've built a few boxes myself over the years and am willing to help!
If you live near the Pittsburgh area, and have the boards, and need them cut and milled to the right size, and the entrance hole drilled out, etc.,bring them to me! I'll cut them to the right size, then help you screw them together (better than nails), and prepare them for mounting outside!
After decades of "dumpster diving" for wood sheeting boards, at 75, I'm not climbing into dumpsters much these days to retrieve boards. But you can! That's where I have been able to obtain my "raw materials," for building. But if you live in any urban area, you'll always see a dumpster somewhere, and those long, wide boards with paint and nails that often get discarded are just perfect for"recycle/reuse/" In all the hundreds of boxes I've built, I've never bought a board --always got them dumpster diving (it did help once, that a lumber supply house gave me a pallet full of warped sheeting boards, that were perfect when cut into 9" and 15" pieces), So you can ask at the local lumber yard if they have any warped or split sheeting boards and will they give/sell at a discount?
Maybe next weekend, January 18-19, or the one after, Jan 25-26, I might hold a little gathering in my own cellar in the East End of Pittsburgh, if anyone is interested? Bring your boards, we'll cut them for you. They should be 3/4" thick (called 1"), and either of 4" MINIMUM width, and up to 6 1/2" width. If the boards are wider, no worries, we'll mill them down for you, but they shouldn't be the 1 1/2" width; they are bulky and heavy, but possible. If used board have nails in them, we'll pull and clean. Paint? No problem! We'll sort that out too! I'll have screws, nails, and tools. If you have your own cordless drill that would be helpful; I have only one.
If you want a screech owl (or kestrel) box, you should have boards 9 1/4" wide, and also some 11 1/4" wide, as the optimum. We can work with a smaller width possibly, depending on what you have and what you want.
I've often been active with the local Audubon chapters, both with Bartramian (Slippery Rock), and ASWP (Pgh) Chapters. If either would like such an activity, I'm happy to help, so anyone interested, send me a note, and we'll see how things shake out!
Date: 1/11/25 4:49 am From: Mary Phalan <ma.phalan1...> Subject: Re: The Day We Took President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Birdwatching
I'm particularly tickled that he came to my childhood stomping grounds:
Alan Seeger. I loved that place and still do.
On Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 6:47 AM Georgia Shalek <gshalek...> wrote:
> What a wonderful experience, and how interested and nimble they were.
> They represent everything we would hope to have in our leaders.
>
> On Fri, Jan 10, 2025, 12:39 PM Grove, Deborah Shuey <dsg4...> wrote:
>
> > Some people wanted to know more about the details of our morning with the
> > Carters. I just sent an article to our local newspaper . Of course the
> > paper will have a photo that I cannot attach through this listserve.
> >
> > The Day We Took President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Birdwatching
> > By Deb Grove
> >
> > On Memorial Day 2005 we took the Carters birdwatching at Alan Seeger and
> > Bear Meadows Natural Areas in Rothrock State Forest in Huntingdon and
> > Centre counties. How did it happen? I read an article by President
> Carter,
> > “The Remarkable Rio Grande Valley”, in the September/October 2004 issue
> > Bird Watcher’s Digest.
> > I knew that he and Rosalynn had been coming to the Harpster farm near
> > Spruce Creek for many years for fishing and relaxation. In fact, Harpster
> > met Carter in 1978 when a member of the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club
> > invited him to come and fish. I decided that they needed to see some
> > Huntingdon County birds. So I stuck my neck out and sent him a letter.
> > In the letter to the Carters I mentioned that he was very close to great
> > birding in Huntingdon county and that we had 23 species of breeding
> > warblers. Then I forgot about it. So I was really surprised when I got a
> > call from the Carter Center telling me that the Carters were
> interested! A
> > decision was made to come on Memorial Day May 30, 2005.
> > In preparation I can’t remember the details of us being checked out but I
> > do remember the scouting trip with the Secret Service agent to Alan
> Seeger
> > Natural Area and other sites that we would be visiting. We arrived at the
> > area and walked the trail through the rhododendrons and beyond on the
> spur
> > to Detweiler Run valley.
> > On the way we talked about what we would be doing and he was really
> > surprised when he found that his phone did not work deep in Rothrock
> > Forest. One more thing to work out.
> > After he dropped me off, he told me he had to go to each hospital in the
> > area which included Mount Nittany in State College, Lewistown Hospital,
> and
> > Blair in Huntingdon.
> > Before the date we would be getting together, I scouted Alan Seeger
> > Natural Area, a site nearby where Northern Goshawks had nested, and Bear
> > Meadows Natural Area. In particular, I was looking for Canada Warblers,
> > Black-throated Blue Warblers, Black-throated Green Warblers, Louisiana
> > Waterthrush, Blackburnian Warblers, and Hooded Warblers among others. Of
> > course, I had birded in the area many times so I was fairly confident of
> > finding some of these species.
> > The morning came and my husband Greg, son Lewis and I drove to the
> > Harpster farm, arriving about 5:30 am. And there he and Rosalynn were!
> Off
> > we went back over Tussey mountain, the fourth and last in line following
> > big black SUVs. We went to Alan Seeger Natural Area not far from our home
> > at McAlevys Fort. No one was out to see the little convoy.
> > At Alan Seeger we were introduced to the Carters and went off down the
> > trail. The main bridge was broken from floods and with some of the boards
> > missing. A Secret Service agent offered to help the Carters, Rosalynn at
> 77
> > years and the President at 80, but they declined assistance. The Secret
> > Service agent who had driven me to check out the area had said that she
> was
> > the better at fishing and could scramble up and down the banks of a
> creek.
> > So far, no sounds from the expected Canada Warblers, usually at the
> > beginning of the trail.
> > It was about 46 degrees, very cold for a Memorial Day, and likely the
> > reason for the lack of bird activity. The cold stayed with us along the
> > rest of the trail with few of the expected birds moving or singing.
> > Our visitors did enjoy the Rhododendron tunnel and the old hemlocks
> lining
> > the trail. (When we moved to McAlevys Fort in 1985, there was still a
> 1000
> > year old tree standing and another close by on the ground, now long
> gone).
> > We finally emerged on Standing Stone Road with depressingly few birds in
> a
> > place and an area where there should have been much activity and bird
> song.
> > President Carter spent a lot of time talking to Lewis about what he did,
> > including his degree in Nuclear Engineering, and telling him about some
> of
> > his own experiences. He mentioned his book “An Outdoor Journal:
> Adventures
> > and Reflections” and said he would send Lewis one. And one arrived not
> long
> > afterward.
> > We crossed the road to the spur to Detweiler, hoping to find one of the
> > Hooded Warblers usually in that area. Nothing. We did see someone coming
> > down the trail towards us and it turned out it was one of the Secret
> > Service men who had circled around to check out the area. Then one of the
> > others motioned to Greg and pointed whispering… Yes it was a Dark-eyed
> > Junco! Finally a bird!
> > Then we went on up to Bear Meadows where we finally found a Hooded
> > Warbler, a new bird (a “life-bird”) for them and Rosalynn was happy.
> There
> > was also a colorful drake Wood Duck on a limb of a dead tree with a hole
> > behind it. President Carter regretted not bringing his camera and
> remarked
> > about what a beautiful bird it was.
> > At one point a van drove past, the only vehicle we would see, and if
> > the driver had looked to his left, he would have seen Carter with his
> > famous grin standing less than a yard away. Rosalynn then declared that
> she
> > was really cold (in fact, she appeared to be shivering!) and wanted to go
> > back to the farm and sit in front of a fireplace and warm up. I wanted a
> > photo of us, but how do you ask? Then President Carter said How about a
> > picture? Of course!
> > So ended our Birding Trip with the Carters. Up until then, I had been
> > calm about the whole experience but after they left, I suddenly felt
> > butterflies. We left the area and went to the Waffle Shop in State
> College
> > to warm up and talk over what had just happened.
> > Few of us get a chance to spend time with our heroes but when we do, the
> > experience soars high in our memory.
> > A special thanks to my husband Greg Grove for helping me remember the
> > details of our morning and edit this story.
> >
>
Date: 1/11/25 3:47 am From: Georgia Shalek <gshalek...> Subject: Re: The Day We Took President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Birdwatching
What a wonderful experience, and how interested and nimble they were.
They represent everything we would hope to have in our leaders.
On Fri, Jan 10, 2025, 12:39 PM Grove, Deborah Shuey <dsg4...> wrote:
> Some people wanted to know more about the details of our morning with the
> Carters. I just sent an article to our local newspaper . Of course the
> paper will have a photo that I cannot attach through this listserve.
>
> The Day We Took President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Birdwatching
> By Deb Grove
>
> On Memorial Day 2005 we took the Carters birdwatching at Alan Seeger and
> Bear Meadows Natural Areas in Rothrock State Forest in Huntingdon and
> Centre counties. How did it happen? I read an article by President Carter,
> “The Remarkable Rio Grande Valley”, in the September/October 2004 issue
> Bird Watcher’s Digest.
> I knew that he and Rosalynn had been coming to the Harpster farm near
> Spruce Creek for many years for fishing and relaxation. In fact, Harpster
> met Carter in 1978 when a member of the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club
> invited him to come and fish. I decided that they needed to see some
> Huntingdon County birds. So I stuck my neck out and sent him a letter.
> In the letter to the Carters I mentioned that he was very close to great
> birding in Huntingdon county and that we had 23 species of breeding
> warblers. Then I forgot about it. So I was really surprised when I got a
> call from the Carter Center telling me that the Carters were interested! A
> decision was made to come on Memorial Day May 30, 2005.
> In preparation I can’t remember the details of us being checked out but I
> do remember the scouting trip with the Secret Service agent to Alan Seeger
> Natural Area and other sites that we would be visiting. We arrived at the
> area and walked the trail through the rhododendrons and beyond on the spur
> to Detweiler Run valley.
> On the way we talked about what we would be doing and he was really
> surprised when he found that his phone did not work deep in Rothrock
> Forest. One more thing to work out.
> After he dropped me off, he told me he had to go to each hospital in the
> area which included Mount Nittany in State College, Lewistown Hospital, and
> Blair in Huntingdon.
> Before the date we would be getting together, I scouted Alan Seeger
> Natural Area, a site nearby where Northern Goshawks had nested, and Bear
> Meadows Natural Area. In particular, I was looking for Canada Warblers,
> Black-throated Blue Warblers, Black-throated Green Warblers, Louisiana
> Waterthrush, Blackburnian Warblers, and Hooded Warblers among others. Of
> course, I had birded in the area many times so I was fairly confident of
> finding some of these species.
> The morning came and my husband Greg, son Lewis and I drove to the
> Harpster farm, arriving about 5:30 am. And there he and Rosalynn were! Off
> we went back over Tussey mountain, the fourth and last in line following
> big black SUVs. We went to Alan Seeger Natural Area not far from our home
> at McAlevys Fort. No one was out to see the little convoy.
> At Alan Seeger we were introduced to the Carters and went off down the
> trail. The main bridge was broken from floods and with some of the boards
> missing. A Secret Service agent offered to help the Carters, Rosalynn at 77
> years and the President at 80, but they declined assistance. The Secret
> Service agent who had driven me to check out the area had said that she was
> the better at fishing and could scramble up and down the banks of a creek.
> So far, no sounds from the expected Canada Warblers, usually at the
> beginning of the trail.
> It was about 46 degrees, very cold for a Memorial Day, and likely the
> reason for the lack of bird activity. The cold stayed with us along the
> rest of the trail with few of the expected birds moving or singing.
> Our visitors did enjoy the Rhododendron tunnel and the old hemlocks lining
> the trail. (When we moved to McAlevys Fort in 1985, there was still a 1000
> year old tree standing and another close by on the ground, now long gone).
> We finally emerged on Standing Stone Road with depressingly few birds in a
> place and an area where there should have been much activity and bird song.
> President Carter spent a lot of time talking to Lewis about what he did,
> including his degree in Nuclear Engineering, and telling him about some of
> his own experiences. He mentioned his book “An Outdoor Journal: Adventures
> and Reflections” and said he would send Lewis one. And one arrived not long
> afterward.
> We crossed the road to the spur to Detweiler, hoping to find one of the
> Hooded Warblers usually in that area. Nothing. We did see someone coming
> down the trail towards us and it turned out it was one of the Secret
> Service men who had circled around to check out the area. Then one of the
> others motioned to Greg and pointed whispering… Yes it was a Dark-eyed
> Junco! Finally a bird!
> Then we went on up to Bear Meadows where we finally found a Hooded
> Warbler, a new bird (a “life-bird”) for them and Rosalynn was happy. There
> was also a colorful drake Wood Duck on a limb of a dead tree with a hole
> behind it. President Carter regretted not bringing his camera and remarked
> about what a beautiful bird it was.
> At one point a van drove past, the only vehicle we would see, and if
> the driver had looked to his left, he would have seen Carter with his
> famous grin standing less than a yard away. Rosalynn then declared that she
> was really cold (in fact, she appeared to be shivering!) and wanted to go
> back to the farm and sit in front of a fireplace and warm up. I wanted a
> photo of us, but how do you ask? Then President Carter said How about a
> picture? Of course!
> So ended our Birding Trip with the Carters. Up until then, I had been
> calm about the whole experience but after they left, I suddenly felt
> butterflies. We left the area and went to the Waffle Shop in State College
> to warm up and talk over what had just happened.
> Few of us get a chance to spend time with our heroes but when we do, the
> experience soars high in our memory.
> A special thanks to my husband Greg Grove for helping me remember the
> details of our morning and edit this story.
>
Finally! Have had 2 suet blocks out each day with snow cover. a morning visit and an afternoon one No Northern Flicker as yet, another sp that only seems to come with snow on the ground
Contributors: Mark Behr, Kimberly Berry, John Campbell, Jason Chapman, Richard Chirichiello, Debra Darney, Karyn Delaney, Mary Elsenheimer, John Garrett, Eric Hall, Lisa Kaufman, Michelle Kienholz, Arlene Koch, Glenn Koppel, Yianni Laskaris, Sean Lauer, Chris Lituma, Dan McGuire, Jerry McWilliams, Steve Northrop, Hannah Nossan, Joe Saxfield, Karin & Scott Sinnott, Jerry Stanley, Mark Vass, Robert Walczak, Michael Williams, Carole Winslow.
Compiler: Amy Taracido
Tuesday, 3 December 2024 through Tuesday, 17 December 2024 (two weeks)
**This report is distributed by e-mail only. Compiler is not responsible for errors on websites who reproduce/reprint these reports. If you would like to receive western PA RBAs, contact AMYTARACIDO@ YAHOO.COM
Transcript-
NOTE: TUNDRA SWAN, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GADWALL, SURF/BLACK SCOTER continue to be reported.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY:
At Wingfield Pines on 12/4, 1 MARSH WREN (via Ebird).
On 12/10 in North Versailles, 14 BLACK VULTURES; on 12/11, 48 BLACK VULTURES; on 12/12, 12 BLACK VULTURES (EH); on 12/13, 22 BLACK VULTURES (via Ebird); on 12/14, 36 BLACK VULTURES (KSJ); on 12/15, 16 BLACK VULTURES (SN); on 12/17, 2 BLACK VULTURES (JCh).
At Moody Road pond on 12/12-12/15, 1 ROSS'S GOOSE (MV et. al.).
On 12/14 at Hartwood Acres, 1 LINCOLN'S SPARROW (MK).
At Duck Hollow on 12/16, 1 MARSH WREN (LK).
BEAVER COUNTY:
In Monaca on 12/14 and 12/15, 1 BRANT (MV et. al.).
BUTLER COUNTY:
On 12/3-12/4, 12/6-12/8, 12/11, 12/15, and 12/17 at Lake Oneida, 16 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (KB); on 12/14, 3 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (ME).
At Thorn Reservoir on 12/4, 1 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (DD); on 12/12, 16 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (KB).
On 12/10 at Moraine State Park, 2 PURPLE FINCHES (KD).
During the Butler Christmas Bird Count on 12/14, sightings included CANVASBACKS, REDHEADS, 4 PURPLE FINCHES, 2 EVENING GROSBEAKS (RW), 4 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 2 additional PURPLE FINCHES, 3 SHORT-EARED OWLS, 1 WINTER WREN (GK).
CLARION COUNTY:
On 12/4 in Rimersburg, 1 SHORT-EARED OWL, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER (CW).
During the Clarion Christmas Bird Count on 12/14, sightings included 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 7 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 4 SHORT-EARED OWLS (CW).
CRAWFORD COUNTY:
At Erie National Wildlife Refuge on 12/11, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (YL).
On 12/15 in Pymatuning, RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS (MW et. al.).
ERIE COUNTY:
This week at Presque Isle State Park, sightings included 1 BRANT (12/7) (HN), 1 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (JCa), 230 COMMON GOLDENEYE, 18,500+ SCAUP SP., WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, RED-THROATED LOON, REDHEADS, LONG-TAILED DUCKS, 3 PURPLE SANDPIPERS (12/15), 1 TRUMPETER SWAN (12/14), 1 COMMON RAVEN (12/16) (JM), 1 BLACK VULTURE (KS).
On 12/8 and 12/11-12/12, 12/14, and 12/16 at Fairview Business Park, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE (JG, JM, MB, RB et. al.).
FAYETTE COUNTY:
At New Meadow Run on 12/12, 1 BLACK VULTURE (DM).
FAYETTE/GREENE COUNTY:
On 12/14 and 12/16 in Point Marion, 1 ROSS'S GOOSE (CL et. al.).
JEFFERSON COUNTY:
On 12/14 near Sigel, 1 SNOWY OWL (SL).
MERCER COUNTY:
In Sharpsville on 12/9, 1 SNOW GOOSE (MW).
On 12/12 at Shenango Reservoir, 2 TRUMPETER SWANS; on 12/13, 1 SNOW GOOSE (MW).
SOMERSET COUNTY:
In Acosta from 12/3-12/9, 1 ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD (AK et. al.).
VENANGO COUNTY:
On 12/7 at Kahle Lake, 3 HORNED LARKS, 1 AMERICAN PIPIT, and others; on 12/11, 2 REDHEADS, 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (JSt).
WESTMORELAND COUNTY:
At Donegal Lake on 12/4, 1 SNOW GOOSE; on 12/9, 1 RED PHALAROPE (EH).
On 12/6 at Conemaugh River Lake, 1 SNOW GOOSE (EH).
At Latrobe Reservoir on 12/7, 2 SNOW GEESE (JSa).
On 12/10 at Saint Vincent College, 2 SNOW GEESE; on 12/12, 2 CACKLING GEESE; on 12/13, 3 CACKLING GEESE (RC).
Date: 1/10/25 9:39 am From: Grove, Deborah Shuey <dsg4...> Subject: The Day We Took President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Birdwatching
Some people wanted to know more about the details of our morning with the Carters. I just sent an article to our local newspaper . Of course the paper will have a photo that I cannot attach through this listserve.
The Day We Took President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Birdwatching
By Deb Grove
On Memorial Day 2005 we took the Carters birdwatching at Alan Seeger and Bear Meadows Natural Areas in Rothrock State Forest in Huntingdon and Centre counties. How did it happen? I read an article by President Carter, The Remarkable Rio Grande Valley, in the September/October 2004 issue Bird Watchers Digest.
I knew that he and Rosalynn had been coming to the Harpster farm near Spruce Creek for many years for fishing and relaxation. In fact, Harpster met Carter in 1978 when a member of the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club invited him to come and fish. I decided that they needed to see some Huntingdon County birds. So I stuck my neck out and sent him a letter.
In the letter to the Carters I mentioned that he was very close to great birding in Huntingdon county and that we had 23 species of breeding warblers. Then I forgot about it. So I was really surprised when I got a call from the Carter Center telling me that the Carters were interested! A decision was made to come on Memorial Day May 30, 2005.
In preparation I cant remember the details of us being checked out but I do remember the scouting trip with the Secret Service agent to Alan Seeger Natural Area and other sites that we would be visiting. We arrived at the area and walked the trail through the rhododendrons and beyond on the spur to Detweiler Run valley.
On the way we talked about what we would be doing and he was really surprised when he found that his phone did not work deep in Rothrock Forest. One more thing to work out.
After he dropped me off, he told me he had to go to each hospital in the area which included Mount Nittany in State College, Lewistown Hospital, and Blair in Huntingdon.
Before the date we would be getting together, I scouted Alan Seeger Natural Area, a site nearby where Northern Goshawks had nested, and Bear Meadows Natural Area. In particular, I was looking for Canada Warblers, Black-throated Blue Warblers, Black-throated Green Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, Blackburnian Warblers, and Hooded Warblers among others. Of course, I had birded in the area many times so I was fairly confident of finding some of these species.
The morning came and my husband Greg, son Lewis and I drove to the Harpster farm, arriving about 5:30 am. And there he and Rosalynn were! Off we went back over Tussey mountain, the fourth and last in line following big black SUVs. We went to Alan Seeger Natural Area not far from our home at McAlevys Fort. No one was out to see the little convoy.
At Alan Seeger we were introduced to the Carters and went off down the trail. The main bridge was broken from floods and with some of the boards missing. A Secret Service agent offered to help the Carters, Rosalynn at 77 years and the President at 80, but they declined assistance. The Secret Service agent who had driven me to check out the area had said that she was the better at fishing and could scramble up and down the banks of a creek.
So far, no sounds from the expected Canada Warblers, usually at the beginning of the trail.
It was about 46 degrees, very cold for a Memorial Day, and likely the reason for the lack of bird activity. The cold stayed with us along the rest of the trail with few of the expected birds moving or singing.
Our visitors did enjoy the Rhododendron tunnel and the old hemlocks lining the trail. (When we moved to McAlevys Fort in 1985, there was still a 1000 year old tree standing and another close by on the ground, now long gone).
We finally emerged on Standing Stone Road with depressingly few birds in a place and an area where there should have been much activity and bird song. President Carter spent a lot of time talking to Lewis about what he did, including his degree in Nuclear Engineering, and telling him about some of his own experiences. He mentioned his book An Outdoor Journal: Adventures and Reflections and said he would send Lewis one. And one arrived not long afterward.
We crossed the road to the spur to Detweiler, hoping to find one of the Hooded Warblers usually in that area. Nothing. We did see someone coming down the trail towards us and it turned out it was one of the Secret Service men who had circled around to check out the area. Then one of the others motioned to Greg and pointed whispering Yes it was a Dark-eyed Junco! Finally a bird!
Then we went on up to Bear Meadows where we finally found a Hooded Warbler, a new bird (a life-bird) for them and Rosalynn was happy. There was also a colorful drake Wood Duck on a limb of a dead tree with a hole behind it. President Carter regretted not bringing his camera and remarked about what a beautiful bird it was.
At one point a van drove past, the only vehicle we would see, and if the driver had looked to his left, he would have seen Carter with his famous grin standing less than a yard away. Rosalynn then declared that she was really cold (in fact, she appeared to be shivering!) and wanted to go back to the farm and sit in front of a fireplace and warm up. I wanted a photo of us, but how do you ask? Then President Carter said How about a picture? Of course!
So ended our Birding Trip with the Carters. Up until then, I had been calm about the whole experience but after they left, I suddenly felt butterflies. We left the area and went to the Waffle Shop in State College to warm up and talk over what had just happened.
Few of us get a chance to spend time with our heroes but when we do, the experience soars high in our memory.
A special thanks to my husband Greg Grove for helping me remember the details of our morning and edit this story.
Date: 1/9/25 4:32 am From: Rob Dickerson <radickerson...> Subject: Call for Photos
Do you have some great photos of any birds taken in Pennsylvania from August 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024? Or a picture of a notable/significant sighting from that period?
I am currently accepting photo submissions through end of day January 24 to be considered for publication as space permits in the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology (PSO) Fall 2024 issue of Pennsylvania Birds.
**Important Note** Images submitted must be high-res and are preferred to be horizontal shots. Submitted images must be able to be cropped to 1050px x 700px with a resolution of 300 px/in for horizontal images. If space allows high-quality vertical portrait shots may be used, but they take up the space of 2 photos in the layout used by the journal. Vertical photos submitted must be able to be cropped to 1050px x 1313px at 300 px/in.
Some further instructions... If your submission does not follow the instructions below or contain the info requested below, it will not be processed!
- Submissions for consideration **must** be taken during the above date range and emailed to <radickerson...>, please make mention of the word Fall in the subject line to simplify processing.
- Please do not submit me dozens of images for consideration, please do some initial limiting/judging of selections on your end that reflect the best of your work. However, if you have 15 different images of truly notable sightings in the state from this period, I'll gladly accept them for consideration!
- VERY important! For each image attached to the e-mail, you must include a description in the body of the e-mail for that image. Best format to follow: Species Name - Location, County, DD Month. Sentence about significance if known/applicable. (Photographer Name) Example: Antillean Nighthawk - Presque Isle SP, Erie, 12 June. This bird represented a first state record and was observed through 1 July. (John Doe)
- Please also submit your photos for consideration in full resolution or as close to full resolution as possible as these will be printed. Your photo also may be considered for a cover shot and a 250KB image just won't work for that! I need to be able to crop your photo to fit the space as it permits in the journal and a precropped / low-resolution image is problematic for that. It's safe to say that if you're sending me an image under a megabyte in size, it isn't going to be the resolution I need to work with. I also need room to crop the image to the specs used for the newsletter (exact specs posted above) and an extremely tight crop may not allow me to do that.
- Photos selected for printing in the issue will be credited to the photographer, please DO NOT submit watermarked/signatured images or they will not be considered. The image should be clean of any add-ons.
Thanks for considering submitting your photos for consideration for our statewide ornithology journal!
While getting ready to fill the feeders around 4pm, I noticed a large dark bird at one of them. I got my binoculars and was quite surprised to find a Grackle at the feeder. It was there for about 3 minutes before moving up into the trees.
Stay warm! Karyn Delaney
Subject: Beaver County eBird Report - Economy Borough, Jan 8, 2025 To: <delaneykaryn...>
Economy Borough Yard Birds, Beaver, Pennsylvania, US Jan 8, 2025 4:01 PM - 4:44 PM Protocol: Stationary Checklist Comments: 6 White-tailed Deer 11 species
Wild Turkey 10 Mourning Dove 16 Downy Woodpecker 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Carolina Wren 1 American Goldfinch 30 Dark-eyed Junco 21 White-throated Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 1 Common Grackle 1 Was at the feeder for a short time. Northern Cardinal 6
Date: 1/8/25 11:42 am From: Carole Winslow <cjwinslow94...> Subject: Clarion Co- Short-eared owls for the yard list
For many years, I have watched the fields right around my farm for short-eared owls, my own reclaimed strip field and the one across the road from my house. Despite all of the hours and days of watching, I have never seen them nearby to add to my yard list. But that changed Monday night. Don was up at the strip field hunting before dark, and at 5:32 pm he called me to say he was sure there was an owl hunting below him in the field, it had just appeared and flew around briefly before flying across the road. He has been out with me many times to watch for them and so I had no question that he was seeing one. I grabbed the bins from the kitchen and ran out onto the porch on the slim chance I could look down across the driveway and see them if they crossed over. Just like that, my dream was finally realized.. there they were, not one but two owls, flying about together over the snowy field. I watched them for several minutes as it got darker, and they moved off out of sight. I couldn't believe they were actually there. It's not that it's that unusual, as I watch them regularly just several miles away on Rankin Rd, but after so many years, I had given up seeing them here. Last night, I went out around the same time, and sure enough, there was one again flying about through the falling snow in the fading light. Both these fields were stripped in the 70's, but the one they were in has been mowed periodically for horses and such, so it's not totally overgrown. Our own field we mowed at least a third of this year for the first time in years, and so I believe that's what attracted them possibly. But I also suspect it is a good year for them based on the numbers I have seen, and so they may be spreading out more around here to make use of more habitat. Either way, a thrill for me to finally have them here. Tonight, I plan to get out earlier and walk down the road to hopefully see them more clearly.
I don’t have any unusual birds to report except for tree sparrows and several purple finches that are here daily. But bird activity is really high at feeders and millet on the ground. Chickadees are almost constant, with most of them looking like black-capped’s. I’m mostly posting to reiterate what Jerry said about water. My three heated bird baths are being used all the time by every species currently present. One flat one on the ground is especially busy. That’s all.
Sent from my iPhone
Date: 1/6/25 10:30 am From: jerry Kruth <00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Golden Eagle update from Centre Co, CBC data review
Nick,
Thanks for the interesting post, and the great job you do! I, for one, had o idea of the"wave" of GE that move through PA.
HNY!
Jerry Kruth
Pgh
On Monday, January 6, 2025 at 01:07:18 PM EST, Nick Bolgiano <nickbolgiano...> wrote:
For a 5th fall season, I and others watched for Golden Eagles on Bald Eagle
Mt just north of State College when winds were from W or NW. Bald Eagle Mt
is the northernmost ridge in the Ridge & Valley. We counted 303 Golden
Eagles during Oct 24-Dec 22, the 4th season with 300+.
When winds were from the S or SE, I watched from the nearby Allegheny Front
(AF-Sandy Ridge site) for Golden Eagles and counted 162. Total = 465 for
both sites.
The Allegheny Front-Bald Eagle Mt corridor acts like a half-pipe and the
GEs readily switch sides when the wind switches to favor the other side. It
is a very unique and efficient migration system that the eagles have
figured out. So proof of a floor of 465, but I believe that combined with
Allegheny Front HW data, the floor this year was 500+. I suspect that at
least 500-600 use this corridor nearly every fall and more on high
migration years. I'm preparing an article about this corridor, one of the
Golden Eagle's high volume fall corridors in the East.
Also, if you are a CBC site compiler and receive an email from me about
your count, I am doing the data review for PA this year. Bill Boyle of NJ
previously did this for over three decades. Bill is still covering NJ but
passed along the PA duties. I will try to help you avoid any errors.
Date: 1/6/25 10:07 am From: Nick Bolgiano <nickbolgiano...> Subject: Golden Eagle update from Centre Co, CBC data review
For a 5th fall season, I and others watched for Golden Eagles on Bald Eagle Mt just north of State College when winds were from W or NW. Bald Eagle Mt is the northernmost ridge in the Ridge & Valley. We counted 303 Golden Eagles during Oct 24-Dec 22, the 4th season with 300+.
When winds were from the S or SE, I watched from the nearby Allegheny Front (AF-Sandy Ridge site) for Golden Eagles and counted 162. Total = 465 for both sites.
The Allegheny Front-Bald Eagle Mt corridor acts like a half-pipe and the GEs readily switch sides when the wind switches to favor the other side. It is a very unique and efficient migration system that the eagles have figured out. So proof of a floor of 465, but I believe that combined with Allegheny Front HW data, the floor this year was 500+. I suspect that at least 500-600 use this corridor nearly every fall and more on high migration years. I'm preparing an article about this corridor, one of the Golden Eagle's high volume fall corridors in the East.
Also, if you are a CBC site compiler and receive an email from me about your count, I am doing the data review for PA this year. Bill Boyle of NJ previously did this for over three decades. Bill is still covering NJ but passed along the PA duties. I will try to help you avoid any errors.
Date: 1/5/25 8:41 am From: K Springer <springer0707...> Subject: Bald Eagles, Mercer County
There are currently 16 bald eagles just at the Chestnut Run Swim Beach area of Shenango Lake right now. This should make for a good eagle fest next weekend.
Date: 1/5/25 7:59 am From: jerry Kruth <00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...> Subject: Red phase screech owl in box
Linda and I went for a walk the other day,and I strayed down to the marsh to check a couple of my boxes. Nothing in the small nestbox but the usual pile of cattail fuzz for a mouse nest (sigh). I leave them alone for winter -- everything needs a warm place to sleep!
I opened the duck box next to it, and who looks over at me but a beautiful red phase screech owl. Foolishly, the door slipped from my fingers and slammed, creating a disturbance. I heard the little critter scramble inside, and I did not want to disturb it further, so I didn't re-open the box for another look.
Nestboxes make a difference. If you want to DO something for our birds, do nestboxes. More on that soon.
Happy New Year, and remember -- birds need water this time of year too. A heater for your birdbath would have been a nice Christmas present, but there's still time!
My 2c
Jerry Kruth
Pgh
Date: 1/3/25 6:12 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for January 3, 2025
Location: Sunset Point, PresqueIsle State Park
Date: January 3, 2025
Time: 0745 to 0815 AM
Weather: Cloudy. Snow showers, WNW wind to 5 mph, waves2’, temp. 28 F.
Comments: Snow fall was so heavy visibility was limitedto the breakwaters and no further offshore, so I ended the watch after 30minutes. This is my last day of the waterbirdcount for the season.
Waterbirds recorded:
Mallard 13
Greater Scaup 13Common Goldeneye 12Red-breasted Merganser 77
Jerry McWilliamsErie, Erie County, <Pa.jerrymcw...>
Observation start time: 14:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 2 hours
Compiler: Bracken Brown
Counters:
Visitors: 10
Weather: Overcast in the afternoon with snow flurries. West wind 10-20mph
Raptor Observations: Decent afternoon flight of bald eagle
Non-raptor Observations: Common raven ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Date: 1/2/25 10:41 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for January 2, 2025
Location: Sunset Point, PresqueIsle State Park
Date: January 2, 2025
Time: 0740 to 0910 AM
Weather: Cloudy. Snow squalls, W wind to 30 mph, waves4’ to 5’, temp. 32 F.
Comments: Off and on squalls that were very intense attimes with visibility down to less than 100 feet, but there were occasionalperiods when it stopped allowing me to make a quick scan of the lake before thenext snow event began. There was a burstof activity during the first 30 minutes almost entirely of Greater Scaup andRed-breasted Merganser.
Waterbirds recorded:
Canvasback 4Redhead 2Greater Scaup 420White-winged Scoter 5Long-tailed Duck 2Common Goldeneye 4Common Merganser 3Red-breasted Merganser 357
Jerry McWilliamsErie, Eerie County, <Pa.jerrymcw...>
Observation start time: 11:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 4.75 hours
Compiler: Bracken Brown
Counters:
Visitors: 36
Weather: Overcast with bands of rain/snow. Sustained west winds 15-30mph
Raptor Observations: Great looks at both eagle species and young peregrine falcon stooped on owl decoy
Non-raptor Observations: 28 common raven and flocks of canada geese ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Date: 12/31/24 2:34 pm From: Michael Fialkovich <0000012b4af48ab0-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Allegheny County vultures
I'm sure Randy and others remember in years past, Turkey Vultures were nearly unheard of in Western PA in winter. That has changed over the decades.
They were not even common in summer in the Pittsburgh area like they are now. You would see them driving north on I79 in summer once you were north of Allegheny County.
And Black Vulture was EXTREMELY rare away from the southeastern part of Pennsylvania anytime of year.
Mike Fialkovich
Pittsburgh Area
Allegheny County
On Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 12:01:55 PM EST, Randy Stringer <0000014328ddae02-dmarc-request...> wrote:
Dear Birders.
The calendar says mid winter but some vultures are ignoring the bulletin. Yesterday I watched a kettle of 26 Turkey Vultures navigate the hills of East McKeesport.
Just sayin'
Randy StringerGrove City, PA
Observation start time: 10:15:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 2.75 hours
Official Counter: Bob Stewart
Observers: Ed Gowarty,Sr
Visitors: 3.(1 adult with 2 children)
This is the last day of the fall count. The watch will be closed until some time in February.
We thank everyone who participated in the count.
Weather: 100% cloud cover. Winds out of the SE consistently steady about 20 mph/ Visibility 40 km.
Rain at 12:30 PM. Watch ended at 1 PM.
Raptor Observations: 3 raptors. 1 GE- 10:45 AM Adult 2 BE- 11:40 AM Adult; 11:56 Sub-Ad
Non-raptor Observations: An unkindness of ravens= 12 2 Blue Jays. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Robert Stewart (<bob...>)
Date: 12/31/24 12:37 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (31 Dec 2024) 12 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 31, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 4 57 963 OS 0 0 154 BE 3 50 795 NH 0 0 148 SS 2 4 4334 CH 1 4 399 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 2 46 1883 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 17 154 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Date: 12/31/24 10:43 am From: Ryan Tomazin <wvwarblers...> Subject: Re: Allegheny County vultures
Wheeling, WV, just down the road, has had sometimes massive winter roosts of mainly TUVUs for over 25 years. Black vultures have been sprinkled in that whole time. Only a matter of time before the vultures stuck around in larger numbers around the 'Burgh.
Happy new year, all,
Ryan Tomazin
Burnsville, MN (where some people said they had a TUVU a week or so ago...must have been behind the Snowy Owl...)
________________________________
From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania <PABIRDS...> on behalf of Marcy Cunkelman <plant4nature...>
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2024 1:08 PM
To: <PABIRDS...> <PABIRDS...>
Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Allegheny County vultures
Thought I possibly saw about a dozen Black vultures right over the park and ride lot off of 286 Holiday park by ramp to parkway today 12/31. Also 1 TV just past parkway and Churchill split. (Up to 4 TV on 12/29 same area) We have been there traveling to Presbyterian in Pittsburgh from Indiana co.
Marcy Cunkelman, Clarksburg, Indiana co.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Dec 31, 2024, at 12:14 PM, Christopher T <christurbert...> wrote:
>
> They're likely the same ones that have been hanging out at St John's
> cemetery in North Versailles off Crooked Run Rd along with 20ish Black
> Vultures. They've been reported on eBird for the past few weeks. I've never
> seen that many vultures in the same location.
>
>> On Tue, Dec 31, 2024 at 12:01 PM Randy Stringer <
>> <0000014328ddae02-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Birders.
>> The calendar says mid winter but some vultures are ignoring the bulletin.
>> Yesterday I watched a kettle of 26 Turkey Vultures navigate the hills of
>> East McKeesport.
>> Just sayin'
>> Randy StringerGrove City, PA
>>
>>
>> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
>>
Date: 12/31/24 10:08 am From: Marcy Cunkelman <plant4nature...> Subject: Re: Allegheny County vultures
Thought I possibly saw about a dozen Black vultures right over the park and ride lot off of 286 Holiday park by ramp to parkway today 12/31. Also 1 TV just past parkway and Churchill split. (Up to 4 TV on 12/29 same area) We have been there traveling to Presbyterian in Pittsburgh from Indiana co.
Marcy Cunkelman, Clarksburg, Indiana co.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Dec 31, 2024, at 12:14 PM, Christopher T <christurbert...> wrote:
>
> They're likely the same ones that have been hanging out at St John's
> cemetery in North Versailles off Crooked Run Rd along with 20ish Black
> Vultures. They've been reported on eBird for the past few weeks. I've never
> seen that many vultures in the same location.
>
>> On Tue, Dec 31, 2024 at 12:01 PM Randy Stringer <
>> <0000014328ddae02-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Birders.
>> The calendar says mid winter but some vultures are ignoring the bulletin.
>> Yesterday I watched a kettle of 26 Turkey Vultures navigate the hills of
>> East McKeesport.
>> Just sayin'
>> Randy StringerGrove City, PA
>>
>>
>> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
>>
Date: 12/31/24 9:14 am From: Christopher T <christurbert...> Subject: Re: Allegheny County vultures
They're likely the same ones that have been hanging out at St John's
cemetery in North Versailles off Crooked Run Rd along with 20ish Black
Vultures. They've been reported on eBird for the past few weeks. I've never
seen that many vultures in the same location.
On Tue, Dec 31, 2024 at 12:01 PM Randy Stringer <
<0000014328ddae02-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Dear Birders.
> The calendar says mid winter but some vultures are ignoring the bulletin.
> Yesterday I watched a kettle of 26 Turkey Vultures navigate the hills of
> East McKeesport.
> Just sayin'
> Randy StringerGrove City, PA
>
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
>
Date: 12/31/24 9:01 am From: Randy Stringer <0000014328ddae02-dmarc-request...> Subject: Allegheny County vultures
Dear Birders. The calendar says mid winter but some vultures are ignoring the bulletin. Yesterday I watched a kettle of 26 Turkey Vultures navigate the hills of East McKeesport. Just sayin' Randy StringerGrove City, PA
Date: 12/31/24 5:16 am From: Lisa Dziuban <dziubanlisa...> Subject: Black vultures - New Britain Twp., Bucks Co.
I observed a committee of 15+ black vultures on the roof at one of the buildings in the Town Center shopping center along rt 202 in New Britain on Friday, 12/27/24. Very mild day, temps in the 60’s.
Lisa Dziuban
Date: 12/30/24 12:30 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (30 Dec 2024) 9 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 30, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 1 53 959 OS 0 0 154 BE 7 47 792 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 3 398 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 1 44 1881 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 17 154 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Date: 12/28/24 2:18 pm From: Cathy Wood <00000200dbab60fd-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: PABIRDS Digest - 26 Dec 2024 to 27 Dec 2024 (#2024-336)
Hello, Please remove me from the distribution list. Thank you.
-----Original Message-----
From: PABIRDS <LISTSERV...>
To: PABIRDS <PABIRDS...>
Date: Saturday, 28 December 2024 12:00 AM EST
Subject: PABIRDS Digest - 26 Dec 2024 to 27 Dec 2024 (#2024-336)
There are 3 messages totaling 106 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Erie County waterbird count for December 27. 2024
2. Kahle Lake Venango Co. 12/26
3. Waggoner's Gap (27 Dec 2024) 3 Raptors
Jerry McWilliamsErie, Erie County, <Pa.jerrymcw...>
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 27 Dec 2024 15:27:15 +0000
From: Meg Kolodick <meg_kolodick...>
Subject: Kahle Lake Venango Co. 12/26
The lake was still frozen so no waterfowl were seen, but around the lake we saw no less than 6 Red-tailed hawks flying or perching in trees and on a post in various fields, as well as one Bald eagle. 2 more Red-tailed hawks were spotted in trees in Seneca.
Meg/Nick Kolodick
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:15:26 +0000
From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports...>
Subject: Waggoner's Gap (27 Dec 2024) 3 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap
40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 27, 2024
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
BV 0 0 3
TV 0 52 958
OS 0 0 154
BE 2 40 785
NH 0 0 148
SS 0 2 4332
CH 0 3 398
AG 0 0 4
RS 0 2 208
BW 0 0 9384
RT 0 43 1880
RL 0 1 1
GE 1 17 154
AK 0 0 179
ML 0 0 80
PG 0 1 40
UA 0 0 13
UB 0 0 11
UF 0 0 5
UE 0 0 0
UR 0 2 38
Date: 12/27/24 1:15 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (27 Dec 2024) 3 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 27, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 0 52 958 OS 0 0 154 BE 2 40 785 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 3 398 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 0 43 1880 RL 0 1 1 GE 1 17 154 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Date: 12/27/24 7:27 am From: Meg Kolodick <000000dc3b46d747-dmarc-request...> Subject: Kahle Lake Venango Co. 12/26
The lake was still frozen so no waterfowl were seen, but around the lake we saw no less than 6 Red-tailed hawks flying or perching in trees and on a post in various fields, as well as one Bald eagle. 2 more Red-tailed hawks were spotted in trees in Seneca. Meg/Nick Kolodick
Observation start time: 11:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Dave Poder
Observers: Adam Katrancha, Bob Stewart, Ed Gowarty,Sr, Greg Gdula, Jim Rocco
Visitors: Chuck and Alice from Kentucky
Weather: Mostly sunny, SE winds 8-12mph, visibility 3-7km with valley fog and haze, temp -1.6C to 1.1C
Raptor Observations: GE ad @ 12:50, BE ad @ 2:26 and 2:27 4 RT
2 TVs flying N up the valley!
Non-raptor Observations: BC Chickadees, WB nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, Crows, Ravens, Blue jays
Predictions: Partly to mostly cloudy, morning fog, SE winds, high temp near 3C ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Poder (<avions...>)
Date: 12/26/24 11:36 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (26 Dec 2024) Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 26, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 0 52 958 OS 0 0 154 BE 0 38 783 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 3 398 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 0 43 1880 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 16 153 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Date: 12/26/24 7:42 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for December 26, 2024
Location: Sunset Point, Presque Isle State Park
Date: December 26, 2024
Time: 0735 to 0935 AM
Weather: Mostly cloudy, ESE to 5 mph, waves 1’ , temp. 33 F.
Comments: Ducks hunters boating around thelake had the scaup stirred up, so I had large flocks flying west. Other than a few Red-breasted Mergansers,there was little else moving. PurpleSandpipers continue to be seen flying past or on the jetties. Russ States assisted with the count.
Date: 12/25/24 11:36 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (25 Dec 2024) 1 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 25, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 0 52 958 OS 0 0 154 BE 1 38 783 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 3 398 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 0 43 1880 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 16 153 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Date: 12/25/24 7:06 am From: <jerrymcw...> <0000001b5c226889-dmarc-request...> Subject: Erie County waterbird count for December 25, 2024
Location: Sunset Point, Presque Isle State Park
Date: December 25, 2024
Time: 0740 to 0910 AM
Weather: Cloudy, light wind, waves less than 1’ , temp. 33 F.
Comments: Very little happening with mostbirds observed being local ones. Highlight was a Purple Sandpiper flying in from the east and landing onthe north side of the breakwater. RogerDonn stopped for a visit.
Date: 12/24/24 12:52 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (24 Dec 2024) Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 24, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 0 52 958 OS 0 0 154 BE 0 37 782 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 0 3 398 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 0 43 1880 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 16 153 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Observation start time: 11:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: Nancy Ott
Observers: Bob Stewart, Dave Poder, Ed Gowarty,Sr, Sandy Cline
Visitors: Dave Poder, Ed Gowarty Sr, Sand Cline, Bob Stewart.
Weather: SE winds partly cloudy to mostly cloud cover. Temps teens.
Raptor Observations: Sub ad-GE 12:20, Ad GE 1:12, 3:15, 3:21, 3:30. BE Ad 3:59. all looks were good naked eye. 2 migrating RT.
Non-raptor Observations: Red bellied wp, juncos, chickadees, nuthatches, tufted titmouse, blue jays, ravens.
Predictions: W winds , Temps in low 30's, precip in am and cloudy. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Nancy Ott (<ednancy.ott...>)
Date: 12/23/24 12:49 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (23 Dec 2024) 9 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 23, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 3 TV 1 52 958 OS 0 0 154 BE 4 37 782 NH 0 0 148 SS 0 2 4332 CH 1 3 398 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 2 208 BW 0 0 9384 RT 3 43 1880 RL 0 1 1 GE 0 16 153 AK 0 0 179 ML 0 0 80 PG 0 1 40 UA 0 0 13 UB 0 0 11 UF 0 0 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Dave Grove, Ron Freed
Observers: Gene Wagner, Pat Freed, Pete Biasucci , Shorty Lowe
Visitors: Mike and Nathaniel Jumper. 8
Weather: Mostly sunny with light SE wind.
Raptor Observations: First bird BE 10:58 Last bird CH 2:50
Non-raptor Observations: Hermit thrush joined the regulars at the feeder - purple finches, titmice, chickadees, juncos, white-throated sparrows, white-breasted nuthatches, Carolina wren, cardinal, bluebirds CEWA 34 ======================================================================== Report submitted by dave grove (<waggap...>)
