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1 PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS Volume 26, No. 2 Mar - May 2012 Issued October 2012 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY FOR ORNITHOLOGY
2 Contents 73 Editorial 74 Pennsylvania s Peregrine Falcons: a Comeback in Progress Art McMorris and Patti Barber 76 Raptor Migration Summary Spring Laurie Goodrich 79 Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania publication forthcoming..... Andrew M. Wilson, Daniel W. Brauning, Robert S. Mulvihill 82 Book Reviews Avian Architecture and What the Robin Knows Gene Wilhelm 85 Summary of the Season Mike Fialkovich 87 Birds of Note March through May Arctic Terns in Elk County Al Guarente 91 Photographic Highlights 97 Local Notes In Focus inside back cover Suggestions to Contributors appear on page 84 PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS Journal of the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology Volume 26 Number 2 Mar May 2012 Geoff Malosh, Editor-in-chief 450 Amherst Avenue Moon Township, PA (412) Seasonal Editors Daniel Brauning Michael Fialkovich Greg Grove Geoff Malosh Department Editors Book Reviews Gene Wilhelm, Ph.D. 513 Kelly Blvd. Slippery Rock, PA (724) CBC Report Nick Bolgiano 711 W. Foster Ave. State College, PA (814) Hawk Watch Reports Laurie Goodrich Keith Bildstein 410 Summer Valley Rd. Orwigsburg, PA (570) PAMC Franklin Haas 2469 Hammertown Road Narvon, PA John Fedak 26 Race Street Bradford, PA Pennsylvania Birdlists Peter Robinson P. O. Box 482 Hanover, PA Data Technician Wendy Jo Shemansky 41 Walkertown Hill Rd. Daisytown, PA Cover: Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe). Nearly a decade in the making, the Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania is finally complete. This timely image of Eastern Phoebe nestlings was made at Duck Hollow, Allegheny in May 2012 as the publication was in the final stages of preparation. Please see the preview of the Atlas in this issue on p. 79. (Photo by Geoff Malosh) Publication Manager Franklin Haas 2469 Hammertown Rd. Narvon, PA
3 ... from the Editor The Atlas is here! In this issue we are very happy to provide you with a sneak preview of the forthcoming second Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas publication. No less than eight years in the making, the second atlas is the culmination of six seasons of field work performed by nearly 2000 volunteers, and untold thousands of hours spent at the keyboard by the project s army of regional editors, account authors, and editorial team. I personally have been involved in the atlas project from the beginning, first as a field volunteer, later as species account author, and finally as the publication s photo editor. In this last role I was afforded a close look at the publication as it was in process, and I have to say, it is a monumental achievement. An enormous debt of gratitude is owed to the project s leaders: Andy Wilson, Dan Brauning, and Bob Mulvihill, without whom the book would not exist. But the giving of thanks does not stop with them not even close. As I look back on it now, I can only boggle at the sheer volume of time and energy it took to see this project through. Everyone involved from the Regional Coordinator who spent six years compiling and vetting data to the volunteer who atlased a single block for one season all of them own a piece of the final product, and all of them not only have an impressive and important publication to look forward to, but something in which they can all take pride. The publication preview appears on page 79 of this issue, and includes a look at a full species account exactly as it will appear in the book (Hooded Warbler). Also be sure to check out the Pennsylvania Birds pages on the PSO website < where we will be displaying full color copy of this article for a short time. County Compiler News Good news came this quarter in the ranks of our county compilers. Brian Henderson has agreed to take on the compiling job for Montgomery, relieving August Mirabella who had been acting as interim compiler for that county while we searched for a new permanent compiler for this storied county. Thanks very much to both Brian and August! Amy Davis has agreed to compile for Susquehanna, a county that has been without a compiler ever since I began as editor of this journal. Many of you will recognize Amy as the ABA s Sightings Department Editor for Birding and Winging It. Thanks very much to Amy for taking this task on alongside everything else she is doing. Be sure to help her out and send her your sightings. United States Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation Nan Butkovich, currently also cocompiler for Centre, has agreed to also submit reports for Blair, another longvacant county. Thanks Nan! Contact information for all of these new compilers can be found in the Local Notes of this issue. Geoff Malosh Editor-in-Chief 1. Publication Title: Pennsylvania Birds 2. Publication Number Filing Date 09/03/ Issue Frequency Quarterly 5. Number of Issues Published Annually 4 6. Annual Subscription Price $30 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 2469 Hammertown Rd, Narvon, Lancaster, Pa ; Contact Person Franklin Haas; Telephone Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 2469 Hammertown Rd, Narvon, Lancaster, Pa Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor Publisher: Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology, 2469 Hammertown Rd, Narvon, Lancaster, Pa Editor: Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology, 2469 Hammertown Rd, Narvon, Lancaster, Pa Managing Editor: Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology, 2469 Hammertown Rd, Narvon, Lancaster, Pa Owner: Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology, 2469 Hammertown Rd, Narvon, Lancaster, Pa Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities. If none, check box: X None 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below 07/23/ Extent and Nature of Circulation Average No. Copies During Preceding 12 Months No. Copies Published Nearest to Filing Date a. Total Number of Copies (Net Press Run) Paid/Requested Outside-County (1) Mail Subscriptions Stated on PS Form b. Paid Paid In-County Subscriptions Circulation (2) Stated on PS Form (3) Sales Through Dealers, etc. 0 0 (4) Other Classes 0 0 c. Total Paid Distribution (Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), (4)) (1) Outside-County 0 0 d. Free or (2) In-County 0 0 Nominal Rate (3) Other Classes 0 0 Distribution (4) Outside the mail 8 8 e. Total Free Distribution (Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3), and (4)) 8 8 f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e) g. Copies Not Distributed h. Total (Sum of 15f and 15g) i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation Publication of Statement of Ownership Publication required. Will be printed in the Vol 26 No.2 issue of this publication (October 2012). 17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner Date Franklin C. Haas, Treasurer, 08/29/2012 I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties). PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS (ISSN ) is published four times a year by The Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology. Editorial and business offices are located at 2469 Hammertown Road, Narvon, PA Subscriptions, all in US$: One year U.S.A $30, Canada $48, Foreign $60. Library rate $33. Single copies: $9. Checks and money orders in U.S. dollars only should be made payable to PSO. Copyright 2012 by the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology. SECOND CLASS POSTAGE PAID AT NARVON, PA and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PSO, 2469 Hammertown Road, Narvon, PA PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
4 Pennsylvania s Peregrine Falcons: a Comeback in Progress Art McMorris 1 and Patti Barber As almost everyone is aware, Peregrine Falcons underwent a startling population crash during the 1940s and 1950s. Although the reason was unknown at first, it gradually became clear that the crash was due to the effects of DDT and other chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides, which disrupted hormonal function in Peregrine Falcons and resulted in reproductive failure. This population crash occurred to a greater or lesser extent worldwide, and also affected other top predators, which bioaccumulated the insecticides that they ingested with tainted prey. Although numbers of Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Brown Pelicans and others were greatly reduced, remnant populations of these species remained. The effect was especially severe on peregrines, however, particularly in eastern North America. A thorough search in 1961 failed to turn up any evidence of successful nesting east of the Rockies. These majestic birds, the fastest animals on earth, which thrill with their domination of the air, were gone. But thanks to the dedication and hard work of hundreds of wildlife biologists, cooperating individuals and agencies, and a veritable army of amateurs who volunteered their time and effort, we can enjoy these charismatic birds again. The population recovery of peregrines is one of the great success stories in the history of conservation. But it did not get off to an easy start, and the work is not done yet. The population recovery was brought about by captive breeding and release of Peregrine Falcons at many locations in North America and abroad where populations had crashed. The falcons we enjoy today are their descendants. Release of captive-bred birds began in the 1970s, following three events which made it possible to even begin thinking of restoring peregrines to the wild: DDT and related compounds were banned; the Endangered Species Act was passed, giving peregrines protections that they had previously not had; and the public became better aware that peregrines and other raptors are an important part of the ecosystem, and are not simply vermin. The rationale of the captive-breedingand-release approach seems fairly straightforward, even if it involves a huge amount of effort and expense. At the time, though, the main problem was that no one knew how to breed peregrines in captivity. No one had tried in a systematic way, and the very rare cases of success were due more to accident than to design. Due to the vision and dogged work of Dr. Tom Cade and associates, The Peregrine Fund was undertaken at Cornell University to breed peregrines in captivity. Assistance by falconers played an important role in this effort: falconers had literally millennia of collective experience in handling falcons in captivity, even if they hadn t actually bred them. Seven different subspecies, with a combination of characters resembling those of the by-then extinct Eastern anatum subspecies of Falco peregrinus, were chosen for the breeding program. Thousands were raised in captivity and released in the eastern United States and Canada. The release program in Pennsylvania was initiated by The Peregrine Fund and then carried forward by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). It got off to a rocky start. Releases were initiated in 1976 at two cliff sites: along Towanda Creek in Bradford County, and at Dauphin Narrows on the Susquehanna River in Dauphin County. These sites seemed like good choices; both had supported successful Peregrine Falcon nests in the pre-ddt era, so they should have everything that peregrines would need. However, all of the falcons released during this first stage succumbed to predation by Great Horned Owls. The released peregrines were naïve and did not have experienced adults to protect them, and during the decades-long absence of peregrines, Great Horned Owls, a traditional enemy of peregrines which nest on some of the same cliff ledges, had no competitors at the cliffs. Peregrines released in other states met a similar fate, and releases were suspended. When they resumed, birds were released at urban sites and at hack towers in coastal marshes that had an abundance of avian prey, but much less pressure from predators. The site chosen in Pennsylvania was the PNB building in downtown Philadelphia. This time it worked, and the rest is history. In the mid-1980s, for the first time in decades, peregrines were found nesting in Pennsylvania. They were nesting on three large bridges: the Walt Whitman and Girard Point bridges in Philadelphia County, and the Commodore Barry Bridge in nearby Chester County. Starting with the first instance of nesting in 1986, the peregrine population in Pennsylvania has gradually increased. The population was bolstered by a third round of releases during the 1990 s at four sites: downtown Allentown, Harrisburg, Reading, and Williamsport. During the intervening 26 years, the population has grown to the 32 nesting pairs documented in This is an all-time high in the post-ddt era and is three quarters of the pre-ddt state-wide population of about 45 nesting pairs. The recovery is very well underway! At first glance it seems that the population recovery is nearly complete. Indeed, peregrines were taken off the federal Endangered Species list in 1999, in part because of robust populations, mostly on natural cliffs, in many western states such as Arizona and Alaska. But there are important differences between the population in the pre-ddt era and the population today, and the difference is not just one of numbers. Historically, all but one of Pennsylvania s Peregrine Falcon nests were on natural cliff ledges in nonurban environments. The one exception was a nest on Philadelphia City Hall, one of only a handful of nests known on manmade structures in the world at that time. Today, 28 of Pennsylvania s nests are on man-made structures: 16 on bridges, ten on buildings, and two on smokestacks, all tall structures which can be thought of as manmade cliffs. Only four Pennsylvania nests are on natural cliff ledges. The reason that the population has shifted so heavily to man-made structures (almost all of them in an urban environment) is poorly understood. Poorly understood is what scientists say when they just plain don t know te answer to a question. But several factors quite possibly contribute to the overall pattern. One is imprinting: falcons may prefer to nest at sites that resemble the sites from which they fledged. Some published studies show that peregrines that fledge from cliffs choose to nest on cliffs more often than random chance would indicate, whereas those from manmade structures prefer man-made structures. But there are plenty of exceptions, and the preferences are not absolute. Indeed, some peregrines that fledged from Pennsylvania cliffs have been found nesting on man-made structures, and vice versa. The ready availability of abundant easy prey such as pigeons in cities has been cited as another possible explanation for the shift to urban sites, as has the reduced pressure from predators in urban settings, especially nest predators. Another possibility is that, during the decades-long absence of peregrines, many potential cliff sites became overgrown, or have been occupied by Great Horned Owls. It is likely that several of these factors, and perhaps others, each contribute to the net shift towards a preference among peregrines for man-made structures in urban settings. Much remains to be learned, but the bottom line is that the population today is very different from the pre-ddt era. So what does it matter, if the falcons are successful and productive (which they are) on man-made structures? What does PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
5 it matter if urban-nesting peregrines produce young, some of which, as they do, go on to nest on natural cliffs? Why are peregrines still listed as Endangered in Pennsylvania and many other eastern states? If the objective of the PGC, which is responsible for Peregrine Falcons (and indeed all birds and mammals in Pennsylvania) is to establish a secure, wild population of Peregrine Falcons, hasn t this been achieved? One concern is that, with only five cliff-nesting pairs, there remains a great deal of vacant habitat in Pennsylvania. Therefore if a goal of the PGC s recovery program is to restore the Peregrine Falcon to its normal place in the ecosystem, this has not yet been achieved. Another reason is that the success of peregrines nesting on man-made structures is heavily dependent on human assistance, both by the PGC and by the owners and managers of the many bridges, buildings and power plant smokestacks that host peregrines. Many of these structures do not have adequate nest sites, rather, the birds nest in nest boxes placed for their use. Another concern is that those manmade structures are used by people. This can result in a great deal of disturbance that could easily cause nest failure if they were not highly regulated. This disturbance comes in many forms: installation and maintenance of rooftop equipment, bridge inspection and maintenance, use of balconies or rooftop patios, window washing, and even wellmeaning attention by people peeking through windows at nesting falcons. All of these are regulated by a combination of legal protections and voluntary cooperation, often at significant inconvenience and expense to property owners and managers. Thirdly, fledglings often get into trouble. The early post-fledging period is the most hazardous time in a peregrine s life. If the nest is on a manmade structure, getting into trouble includes falling into a river, becoming grounded on a street or sidewalk, flying into glass, getting hit by cars, and other problems that just don t come up at natural cliff ledges. Individuals and organized rescue squads frequently rescue fledglings that would otherwise die. At some urban sites it is not uncommon for every fledgling to be rescued at least once in a season. Given all of these factors, it is fair to ask whether urban-resting peregrines are either wild or secure. Although it is undeniable that urban nesting peregrines contribute substantially to the growth of the population, any formula for determining whether the species has truly recovered must depend heavily on nests on natural cliffs, which succeed with minimal or no help from humans. There is much reason for optimism about the recovery of Peregrine Falcons in Pennsylvania, but a lot remains to be done. The long-term management goal of the PGC s Peregrine Falcon Recovery and Management Program is to re-establish a self-sustaining, secure population of Peregrine Falcons in Pennsylvania. Besides many people from various departments at PGC, many other people have made indispensable contributions. These include several dozen cooperating government and non-governmental agencies, many landowners and managers, and a veritable army of volunteers, people like those of you who are reading this now, who have made essential contributions. Especially important are volunteers across the state who search for new nest sites and monitor known nest sites for activity; it is only because of these volunteers that the PGC has the information needed to carry the recovery program forward. Searching for new nest sites can be a targeted effort of searching tall structures and (most importantly) cliffs, or just a casual report of what you saw while hiking, canoeing or birding. Monitoring of known nests is especially important during the nesting season from mid-february until the end of July. Some nest sites are well-covered by local monitors; other sites could use some help. Anyone with sightings to report or who would like to help monitor nest sites is urged to contact Art McMorris: 1corresponding author 405 Bryn Mawr Ave. Bala-Cynwyd, PA Art McMorris is the Peregrine Falcon Coordinator and Patti Barber is the biologist leading conservation of endangered and threatened birds for the Pennsylvania Game Commission s Wildlife Diversity Program. PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
6 Raptor Migration Summary Spring 2012 Laurie Goodrich January and February were warmer than usual, and were followed by a warm spring that saw an early leaf-out across Pennsylvania forests, and early arrivals for some songbirds in spring Despite these patterns, raptor migration appeared to be right on schedule. Peak flight dates were similar to prior years and none of the sites reported unusually early dates. Rain and northerly winds occurred more often than usual throughout the season, possibly dispersing migrants and reducing daily and season totals below those of recent years at some sites. Migration Summary Four Pennsylvania watchsites tallied 21,164 hawks during 1502 hours of counting between mid-february and late May (Table 1). Two Mississippi Kites were recorded, an adult at Hawk Mountain in Berks/Schuylkill 15 April and a sub-adult at Presque Isle in Erie 24 May. A Swainson s Hawk at Tussey Mountain, Centre 14 April was the only other rarity spotted this spring. Despite counts dropping at three of the four sites compared to 2011, the total number of raptors counted in 2012 was the second highest total recorded for the spring in more than a decade (Table 1). Prior to the beginning of coverage at Presque Isle in 2009, total counts of spring raptors in the state ranged from 6000 to 13,000, and often included more sites reporting than in recent years. The largest boost in counts from Presque Isle has been in tallies of Turkey Vulture, now exceeding 6000 birds each spring, when earlier statewide counts ranged from 600 to 2100 birds. Table 1: Pennsylvania watch-sites reporting for spring 2012 Site Hours Total Allegheny Front Hawk Mountain Presque Isle Tussey Mountain Total In 2012, the total hours of effort increased to 1502 compared with 1250 hours in 2011, and the number of days of coverage increased to 245 compared to 210. This welcome increase in coverage at the four count sites, however, led to a slight dip in birds per hour, with sites averaging 14.1 migrants per hour of effort in 2012, compared to 22.3 migrants per hour in Presque Isle led with 62 birds per hour of effort in 2012, while Allegheny Front (Bedford/Somerset) and Tussey Mountain led with 492 and 489 total hours, respectively (Table 1). Pennsylvania set a new record for Bald Eagles in spring with 236 spotted among the four sites. The two Mississippi Kites tied the 2004 record of two sighted for spring watchsites, and the lone Swainson s Hawk matched the 2003 spring count. Presque Isle recorded the highest one-day count for Bald Eagle with 17 on 2 May. Other peak counts of this species were scattered throughout the season, underscoring the broad migration period for this species. March was the best month to spot Golden Eagles in Pennsylvania. Tussey Mountain led the Golden Eagle parade with 32 on 1 March, and Allegheny Front had its peak Golden Eagle flight of 10 on 17 March. The most numerous migrant statewide was the Turkey Vulture, with 10,848 total birds representing 51% of all migrating raptors observed, and Broadwinged Hawk at 5089, representing 24% of all migrants (Table 3). Vultures peaked in late March with 1400 on 28 March at Presque Isle, and 89 Turkey Vultures at Allegheny Front 18 March. Tussey recorded 21 on both 22 and 23 March as well. Hawk Mountain had minimal coverage in March but recorded a peak of 8 Turkey Vultures 3 April. Site Highlights Allegheny Front (Somerset/Bedford) Watchers at Allegheny Front recorded 1527 hawks in 492 hours of counts from 22 February through 7 May, at a rate of 3.1 hawks per hour (Table 3). The peak one-day tally occurred 18 March with 142 total hawks including 89 Turkey Vultures, 24 Red-tailed and 19 Sharp-shinned hawks. Lower than usual counts of Broadwinged Hawk disappointed observers, with a peak one-day count of just 42 on 14 April. In contrast, 67 Osprey flew past 30 April, setting a new one-day site record for this migrant. Six Bald and three Golden eagles were spotted that same day, making for a especially memorable time at the mountain (Table 2). The last day of counting 7 May resulted in 19 migrants including 9 Osprey and 2 Golden Eagles, a respectable ending. A new spring record was set in 2012 for Cooper s Hawk with 108 counted, and Osprey, Northern Goshawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawk were all above the 10-year average. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (Berks/Schuylkill) Hawk Mountain counters recorded an above-average 1131 raptors in 259 hours of counts from 10 March through 13 May, at a rate of 4.4 birds per hour (Table 1). New season records were set for both Bald Eagle (46) and Black Vulture (121). A new one-day spring record also was set for Black Vulture with 11 migrating north above North Lookout 4 May. Frequent windy days in April and May might have increased slope-soaring migrants in 2012, as Hawk Mountain recorded total counts 25% above the ten-year average. The rarest migrant was sighted 15 April, an adult Mississippi Kite heading north along the mountain. The peak oneday count of 92 hawks swirled past 16 April, including 72 Broad-winged Hawks. Several other days saw more than 50 migrants, but kettles of Broad-winged Hawks were rarely observed. Early May counters were challenged by rain, but on 12 May, Hawk Mountain sighted six Bald Eagles (two adult and four immatures) for the peak one-day count for the season (Table 2). The count ended early on May 13 as the lookout was shrouded in fog and drizzle for 14 and 15 May. Presque Isle (Erie) In the fourth season of counts at Presque Isle, watchers tallied 16,290 migrants in 263 count hours, a rate of 62 birds per hour across 66 days between 1 March and 26 May. The total was above average but below the 2011 total of 23,417 (Table 3). The peak day in March occurred on the 28th with 1429 migrating hawks including 1400 Turkey Vultures and 16 Red-tailed Hawks. In April the best count day occurred 15 April with 585 migrants including 355 Broadwinged Hawks. 2 May brought the highest count for the season with 1999 Broadwinged Hawks, 20 Osprey, 17 Bald Eagles, and 59 Sharp-shinned Hawks among the 2255 raptor migrants (Table 2). The rarest migrant for the season was spotted 24 May when a sub-adult Mississippi Kite glided into view while watchers were observing an approaching Bald Eagle. Tussey Mountain (Centre) Tussey counters tallied 2216 hawks in 489 hours from 21 February through 25 April, for 4.5 birds per hour (Table 1). Totals were slightly below the ten-year average of Golden Eagles concentrated at the site during early March with 32 spotted 1 March, 19 on 2 March, and 21 on 7 March. Golden Eagles were seen nearly daily throughout March, and the season total of 212 was average for the site, but the highest for Pennsylvania. A peak one-day count of four Bald Eagles also sailed past 7 March. The rarest migrant of the season, a Swainson s Hawk, was observed heading north on the afternoon of 14 April. Broadwinged Hawk numbers peaked 26 April, with 278 high-flying birds swirling past, PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
7 Table 2. Peak count dates for selected species at selected Pennsylvania watch sites. Bald Eagle Site Count Date Count Date Allegheny Front 6 4/ /17 Hawk Mountain 6 5/12 2 4/9 Presque Isle 17 5/2 1 many Tussey Mountain 4 3/7 32 3/1 among a total of 323 migrants for the day. Above-average season counts were recorded for Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned and Broad-winged hawks. Conclusion In spring 2012, migrants appeared to be more dispersed than in past spring seasons. Although vultures passed by in impressive flocks at Presque Isle in March, Broad-winged Hawks rarely surpassed 100 birds at any of the sites. Eagles continued to amaze Pennsylvania spring observers, with 291 Golden and 236 Bald eagles tallied among the four sites. Most Golden Eagles were seen at Tussey Mountain and Allegheny Front (284), whereas Bald Eagles were observed in good numbers at all watchsites, although the lake shore site, Presque Isle, observed twice as many as the other three locations (128). Despite the lowering number of Golden Eagle spring sites covered in recent years, Pennsylvania plays a key role in eastern eagle monitoring in spring and in autumn. Tussey Mountain consistently records the fourth highest spring count for Golden Eagle across the continent, and autumn totals at both Allegheny Front and Waggoner s Gap are some of the highest in the east. Presque Isle is fast becoming a key spring site for vultures, where their season counts have been among the highest recorded at any spring site in the past two years. Trends in numbers of eagles and other raptors sighted at Pennsylvania sites, for any watchsite with at least 10 years of hourly data are available at < I encourage all Pennsylvania birders to assist your local hawkwatch in covering their location in either spring or autumn and to see the fruits of their labor at the above website. You only have to read the daily reports (archived on < to realize how much fun these observers are having, and how many other migrants they are seeing. Acknowledgements I thank site compilers Adam Carter, Jerry McWilliams, Dan Ombalski, and Bob Stewart, the hawkcount.org database manager Jason Sodergren, and the sponsoring organization Hawk Migration Association of North America for access to the data and their insight on the spring 2012 flight. I also thank the many spring hawk counters for their dedication in manning the lookouts to collect these data despite sleet, snow, rain and heat. David Barber provided the map of watchsites and Keith L. Bildstein provided helpful comments on an earlier draft. This is Hawk Mountain contribution number 220. Acopian Ctr. for Conservation Learning Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association 410 Summer Valley Road Orwigsburg, PA PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
8 PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2 Table 3. Spring 2012 count results for Pennsylvania watch sites. ALLEGHENY FRONT (Bedford) - Bob Stewart, compiler Month Hours BLVU TUVU OSPR BAEA NOHA SSHA COHA NOGO RSHA BWHA RTHA RLHA SWHA GOEA AMKE MERL PEFA UNID. MK TOTAL February March April May Total Total/hr. % flight Average HAWK MOUNTAIN (Berks/Schuylkill) - Adam Carter, compiler Month Hours BLVU TUVU OSPR BAEA NOHA SSHA COHA NOGO RSHA BWHA RTHA RLHA SW GOEA AMKE MERL PEFA UNID. MK TOTAL March April May Total Total/hr. % flight Average PRESQUE ISLE (Erie ) - Jerry McWilliams, compiler Month Hours BLVU TUVU OSPR BAEA NOHA SSHA COHA NOGO RSHA BWHA RTHA RLHA SW GOEA AMKE MERL PEFA UNID. MK TOTAL March April May Total Total/hr. % flight Average TUSSEY MOUNTAIN (Centre ) - Dan Ombalski, compiler Month Hours BLVU TUVU OSPR BAEA NOHA SSHA COHA NOGO RSHA BWHA RTHA RLHA SW GOEA AMKE MERL PEFA UNID. MK TOTAL February March April Total Total/hr. % flight Average TOTAL FOR ALL PENNSYLVANIA WATCHSITES Month Hours BLVU TUVU OSPR BAEA NOHA SSHA COHA NOGO RSHA BWHA RTHA RLHA SW GOEA AMKE MERL PEFA UNID. MK TOTAL February March April May Total Total/hr. % flight Average
9 Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania publication forthcoming Andrew M. Wilson, Daniel W. Brauning, and Robert S. Mulvihill Twenty years after the first Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania was published (Brauning 1992), the Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania brings our knowledge of the state s breeding bird populations up to date, documenting current distributions and changes in status for nearly two hundred bird species. Highlights from that project are summarized here, including a sample species account from the publication (expected November 2012). Pennsylvania Birds subscribers make up the core of the nearly two thousand dedicated birders who contributed to this project, which covered each of the state s 4,937 blocks during the period from Those volunteers reported over 106,952 field hours and another 34,192 administrative hours (entering data) to complete this massive project. The resulting data provide an updated picture of the current distribution of every breeding species and reveal changes that have occurred since the first Atlas. In addition to the volunteer effort, a trained field crew carried out a rigorous pointcount survey protocol at more than 34,000 locations statewide. These surveys tabulated individual birds in a manner that enabled the first ever statistical estimation of the statewide population size for more than half of the 190 breeding species detected during the second Atlas. In all, more than 1.5 million breeding bird observations were compiled and analyzed during the second Atlas, providing an unprecedented snapshot of the bird life of Pennsylvania perhaps even of any comparably sized region in the world. A total of 218 species and two hybrids were reported to the second Atlas, of which 190 species were considered breeders and given full species accounts. The resulting database equates to a median of 72 species per block (77 species per priority block), with a range of 24 to 126. Included among these confirmed breeders are three that had never been documented to nest in Pennsylvania prior to the second Atlas: Merlin, Great Blackbacked Gull, and Eurasian Collared-Dove. All three species had been undergoing range expansions in recent years. Of these, the Merlin is part of a broad pattern of unaided expansion, which has continued since the completion of this project. Increased Great Black- backed Gull breeding populations in the mid-atlantic may be due to increased food resources there, but the colonization of the Eurasian Collared-Dove has been more directly aided by humans, having spread rapidly across North America since the 1970s. The Trumpeter Swan, a probable breeder in the second Atlas, was also aided by humans, having been reintroduced into eastern parts of its former range, including neighboring Ontario and Ohio. Additionally, Double-crested Cormorant, Sandhill Crane, and Blackpoll Warbler had not nested in Pennsylvania at the time of the first Atlas, so they represent new species for atlas projects in Pennsylvania. Other nesters confirmed breeding in the second Atlas but not during the first, were Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, and Red Crossbill. The second Atlas documented major range expansions in a number of species. Notable among these is the Clay-colored Sparrow, not confirmed breeding in the first Atlas and increasing over nine fold, from three block records in the first Atlas to 29 in the second. Impressive, by sheer numbers, is the doubling of blocks documenting Canada Goose, the largest increase in number of block records (1,816) of any breeding bird. Other species increasing more than 1,000 blocks were Wild Turkey, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, and Hooded Warbler. In all, more species expanded their ranges than retracted. However, a number of species with established nesting histories showed dramatic declines in second-atlas block records. Most notable among these are Summer Tanager (declining 91% in number of blocks), Black Tern (73%), Common Nighthawk (71%), Blue-winged Teal (68%), and Northern Bobwhite (68%). The nighthawk and bobwhite had previously been widespread. Other striking declines include the Ring-necked Pheasant (52%) and Ruffed Grouse (33%), each declining by approximately 1,000 blocks. These and many other changes are documented and interpreted in species accounts written by more than forty contributing authors. Compilation of the point count results as density maps and population estimates for about 100 species constitutes a new feature of the Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania. Analysis showed that the population sizes of no fewer than 23 species in Pennsylvania exceed one million adult birds. The three most abundant species Red-eyed Vireo, Chipping Sparrow, and Song Sparrow each have populations of close to three million pairs, closely followed by American Robin and Gray Catbird. The detailed density maps that accompany the written accounts for these species provide a thirddimension of distribution for these widespread species that the first Atlas did not. The second Atlas shows not only where the species were found across the state, but also where they were found most commonly. The species accounts (of which the following for Hooded Warbler is an example) highlight some of the changes in Pennsylvania s environment that are contributing to ups and downs in the state s bird community. Long-term declines in quality wetland and grassland habitats have resulted in declines of many birds associated with those habitats-- several wetland and grassland birds are now seriously imperiled in the state. Similarly, species of successional habitats and young forests have also been lost from swathes of the state. In contrast, birds of mature forests and those that fare well in highly altered landscapes have generally fared well. However, the book s author s caution that all of these habitats face ongoing and new threats ranging from development and expanding energy infrastructure, to climate change, invasive species and diseases. The effects of climate change may already be evident species such as Carolina Wren and Red-bellied Woodpecker are gaining ground, while some high elevation or northern species show early signs of retreat. However, changes in the status of many species are perplexing and difficult to explain, demonstrating the importance of atlas data in monitoring changes in an unpredictable world. Many additional features, results, and insightful analysis are provided within the 616 pages of this full-color book, beautifully illustrated on the cover with a painting by Julie Zickefoose (who also painted the cover of the first Atlas) depicting a Brewster s X Golden-winged Warbler pair at their nest. Accompanying each species write-up is For each of the species receiving a full write-up, a beautiful photograph of the species illustrates the account, and most were taken by Pennsylvania photographers. Up to three maps per species show in fine detail the current distribution based on the second Atlas, changes in distribution since the first Atlas, and, where we had sufficient, the detailed maps of abundance, and a chart of 40-year population trends based on the Breeding Bird Survey. Introductory chapters describe and discuss recent changes in climate, geography, and bird habitats within Pennsylvania. The chapter on bird conservation summarizes just some of the many reasons why the second Atlas promises to be a vital tool for bird conservationists in Pennsylvania. Accounts of past breeding species and a summary of nesting phenology and habitat correlations round out the Second Atlas. It is a definitive reference and rich source of information for anybody interested in the nesting birds of Pennsylvania. PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
12 BOOK REVIEW Gene Wilhelm AVIAN ARCHITECTURE by Peter Goodfellow, edited and foreword by Mike Hansell, includes 300 full-color images covering more than 100 avian species worldwide, resources (books and websites), glossary, index, and acknowledgments, 8 x 10 in., 160 pp., published by Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2011, hard cover, $ Perhaps this is the most appropriate time to congratulate the Princeton University Press for its 2011 American Publishers Awards for Professional and Scholarly Excellence. Two of the press s recent bird book titles won awards. The Crossley ID Guide by Richard Crossley received the Best Single Volume Reference in Science award as well as the highly prestigious Award for Excellence in Reference Works. See Pennsylvania Birds, Volume 25, No. 3, pp for a review of that book. The other tome, Avian Architecture, received the award for best book in Popular Science and Popular Mathematics and is being reviewed herewith. The Princeton University Press is not new at publishing bird books. Its first avian title, Birds of Panama, appeared in Currently, about 100 bird titles are available, the most of any American bird book publisher, surpassed only by Bloomsbury in the United Kingdom. Robert Kirk, Group Publisher in Science, Princeton University Press, tries to publish a diverse and high quality avian list that comprises the best domestic and inter-national field guides, references, and books that help people appreciate birds and other wildlife in all its dizzying variety. Avian Architecture is an excellent example of honoring Kirk s publishing philosophy and guidelines. Written and beautifully illustrated by Peter Goodfellow, a retired English teacher and lifelong birder, who has published books such as Birds as Builders and A Naturalist s Guide to the Birds of Britain and Northern Europe. As emphasized on the inside front cover, Birds are the consistently inventive builders, and their nests set the bar for functional design in nature. Avian Architecture describes how birds design, and build their nests, and deconstructs all types of nests found around the world, using architectural blueprints and detailed descriptions of the constructing processes and engineering techniques birds use. The wonderful blueprints are an artistic marvel, thanks to the dedication of Coral Mula. Indeed, birds are excellent nest builders that far surpass other vertebrate animals, including mammals other than the human. Yet their excellent skills at nest building are surprising for two reasons. First, birds spend comparatively little time in nest-building, even as nests serve as containers for eggs and a secure home for the growing chicks (but only for altricial species). Secondly, a bird builds a nest largely with only the beak, with some help from feet and belly or breast. Of course, a crucial scientific question is how do birds know how to build nests? Most evidence points to strong genetic influence, although in some birds, such as weaver-birds and bower-birds, it may be learned behavior. Regardless of the answer, another surprising fact about bird nests is that the topic receives little attention by birders and even field ornithologists. This fantastic book will change their minds. Each of the twelve chapters begins with an overview of a specific nest type (e.g., Scrape Nests, Holes & Tunnels, Platform Nests, Aquatic Nests, Cup- Shaped Nests, Domed Nests, Mud Nests, Hanging, Woven & Stitched Nests, Mound Nests, Colonies & Group Nests, Courts & Bowers, and Edible Nests & Food Stores). For each, key structural characteristics and building methods are outlined, and the varied bird families and species that construct a specific type of nest are identified. Cleverly, the architectural characteristics of specific forms of the nest type are presented next as blueprint drawings. These annotated illustrations show the structure, shape, and dimensions of archetypal nests, stress specific architectural elements, and place the nest type in the context of different micro-habitats. Further, each chapter offers a close-up study of the materials and features used in nests via special figures, while pages of building techniques emphasize the remarkable construction skills such as the intricate stitching of the African Masked-Weaver through step by step illustrations. Finally, each chapter provides case studies (e.g., Killdeer, Ostrich, Arctic Tern, Common Eider in Chapter 1: Scrape Nests) how different species adapt the nest type to their specific habitat and requirements, alongside general information on the species itself. The evolutionary pattern of nest building is still debated, but it is clear that nest evolution can be very rapid, as demonstrated by the different forms that can be found in one family. Of course, the nest is dependent upon and adapted to the habitat in which birds attempt to survive and reproduce. This statement can be illustrated by the swallows (Family: Hirundinidae) of North America. Nest construction and site vary widely among species, from the lone Northern Roughwinged Swallow pair nesting in a drainage pipe of a bridge with scant grass, to a few scattered, platform mud nests of the Barn Swallow beneath the bridge, to colonial Cliff Swallows with hundreds of jugshaped mud nests side by side on the outsides of the same structure. However, it is the weaver birds (Family: Ploceidae) of Africa that epitomize the extreme of variation in nest building and micro-habitats. Ploceids occupy varied habitats from thorny bush, to marsh and swamps, to dense forests. Although their breeding habits are particularly diverse, all species construct covered nests. The buffalo-weavers build arboreal communal structures of sticks with separate internal nest chambers. Social weavers, on the other hand, build rounded or ovoid nests of dry grass or leaves with an entrance at the bottom. True weavers intricately construct elaborate nests with downward-pointing entrance tubes. Most weavers build nests in shrubs or trees but the thick-billed Compact Weaver and the Grosbeak Weaver build a ball of dry grasses with a side entrance hole attached to reeds. Weaver birds are indeed a celebration of the diverse ingenuity and great dexterity of the finest avian architects and engineers. Field ornithologists and birders alike can identify nearly 100 weaver species by their different nests on the African landscape, often long before the birds themselves are observed. Chapter 11, Courts and Bowers, deserves special attention because it is the only chapter devoted to bird display, not nest type. For millennia, when Homo sapiens was much closer to nature, biomimicry (humans imitating nature in many ways) was best exemplified perhaps by primal peoples in New Guinea and Australia, who copied the male bowerbird s antics of singing, dancing, building, and decorating ostentatious bowers, courts, and lawns to charm females. Each bowerbird species has its own bower structures and decorations that are beautifully shown in colorful photographs and detailed blueprints (pp ). Although rare nowadays, biomimicry still exists in human art and architecture. Finally, the last chapter deals with edible nests and food stores (pp ). Although a number of avian species use special skills to create and exploit food stores by constructing and using pantries, granaries, and orchards of various designs, two white-rumped swifts, the Edible-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) and the Black-nest Swiftlet (A. maximus), found in Malaysia and Indonesia, are the only species in the PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
13 world that produce a natural nest-building material from their own solidified saliva. The matter has been a significant human food resource for centuries. In fact, since the 1990s, a huge nest-farming industry has developed in northern Sumatra, with most nest-building material going to China to make bird s-nest-soup. In sum, few avian titles have left me spellbound and excited to read cover to cover through the night as Avian Architecture. Everything about this book, layout, color photographs, handsome blueprint illustrations, a fascinating subject that deserves this overdue exposure, and succinct text, proves that this book deserves the recent publication awards. It shows too that the author had a top-notch editorial team at Ivy Press, coaching the author all the way through the publication process. Avian Architecture deserves to be placed in the bookcase next to the best of all avian titles. Ornithologists, naturalists, teachers at all levels of education, yes, even the curious public will be thrilled with the contents of this primary reference. Thank you, Peter Goodfellow, for sharing your avian nestbuilding expertise. WHAT THE ROBIN KNOWS: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World by Jon Young, with science and audio editing by Dan Gardoqui, 17 ink illustrations by Kiliii Fish Photo & Design; includes dedication, acknowledgments, introduction, 2 appendices, notes, references, and index; 5 ½ x 8 ½ in., 272 pp., published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston, MA, 2012, hard cover, $ It s 4:50 a.m., June 10, and the American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is the first bird to sing in the predawn darkness. Within two minutes, every male robin in a city square block is singing the many different vocalizations of the thrush s rich repertoire. However, songs are only one (major) part of avian vocalizations, performed chiefly within the breeding season. A second segment of avian vocalizations are call notes that are uttered throughout the year for many particular reasons: alarm, surprise, flying, flocking, greeting, young begging food, feeding, communicating, and migrating, to name a few. Songs are usually mentioned in bird field guides or on tapes and disc recordings, but not calls. Simply stated, there are too many call notes of the robin, or really of any bird, to learn, even for most dedicated field ornithologists and hardcore birders because it would take a lifetime. Yet, long ago when Homo sapiens was an integral part of nature, such learning was an accepted routine of education for primal peoples of the world from youth through adulthood. Thus, the robin, so common and recognized so easily by contemporary urban inhabitants, is a fitting model for this book. For the past 300 years, the western industrial syndrome has severed the human from nature, and in so doing, dulled human senses almost completely with every advancing technology. That is why Jon Young, author of this book, tracker, naturalist, and birder for four decades, has combined native skills with the tools of post-modern field ecology, emphasizing the nearly lost art of understanding deep avian language, or bird talk if you prefer. Young is an iconoclast; his book challenges many of the beliefs and attitudes of 21st century living. The simple but accurate message of the book is to go beyond just identifying bird calls, and to really listen to them as a deep, new, avian language, as messages of communication with you that truly reveal the secrets of nature. Use the robin, or other reference species like cardinal, blue jay, chickadee, or titmouse, to be your guide, because each bird already knows everything important about its habitat, be it your backyard or a nearby forest. Learn a new language by tuning into the bird s call notes and behavior in a special microhabitat, and in the process acquire much of this natural wisdom for your own pleasure and benefit. It is an attempt to raise selfconsciousness, to become aware and sensitive to nature, using birds as our sentries and guides that demand frequent, long-lasting, and intimate contact through all of our senses. After all, the human is a sensuous being and there is a dire need currently to revitalize deadened sensations and feelings. So how do we start? The key to comprehending the natural world beyond our doorstep is to start at the most basic level of learning, by tapping the individual innate power of human curiosity in a natural setting (Young calls it a sit ), whether it be a field, marsh, or forest. Once there, away from all human distractions, open all of your senses but concentrate on bird sounds and behavior. Unwitting humans create a zone of disturbance that scatters wildlife, whereas respectful humans using deep bird language, who heed birds and other wildlife, acquire an awareness that radically changes how they interact and interconnect with all life. Such folk are welcomed in this type of environment; birds don t fly away; larger animals don t race off. We are no longer hapless intruders but actually kin members of a community. Remember, other animals in attend to bird language and behavior too. This fact is well illustrated by Young: how deeply bird language works in practice, with various alarm shapes that are discussed at length in Chapter 7: A Shape for Every Occasion. The chapter lays out bird language specialists codification of twelve alarm shapes, each a time-tested response by the birds to a specific kind of threat: bird plow, sentinel, hook, popcorn, parabolic or umbrella, weasel, cat, bullet, ditch, hawk drop, safety barrier, and zone of silence (pp ). Appendix A: Learning Bird Language provides a tool kit to use in learning the ancient art of deep bird language. There is also a helpful DVD called Bird Language with Jon Young. The author reminds the reader that birds surround us every day and are our teachers, so start paying extra attention to them. Get to know your sit spot in all seasons, all times of the day, and in all weather conditions. This is the key to learning the baseline or the daily routine of your spot. Keep a pocket journal to write down key call notes or observations that you can transfer to a more permanent diary later (pp ). Specific comments are geared to each chapter in the book. 1. A Cacophony of Harmony asks: What s Happening Today? 2. In the Beginning is the Song: Learn all the voices of one bird; put your audio source on repeat, and listen to the tracks over and over again until you have internalized the sounds. Listen for them in the landscape and after you learn one bird, learn another. 3. More Cacophony of Harmony: Listen for the quietest sound. Observe companion calls, territorial aggression, and adolescent begging. 4. The Sit Spot: Ask routine questions that connect: What did I observe? Hear? What is this telling me? What is this teaching me? How is this helping me? How is it helping me to help others? Asking these types of questions is at the core of learning deep bird language. Owl Eyes: Open your peripheral vision wide like an owl when you sit in your spot. Deer Ears: Send your hearing out in one direction at a time left, right, behind, ahead, and up and down. Listen first for the quietest sounds in each direction. Then let your ears soak in all the sounds at once and keep track of the direction and distance of the origin of each sound. 5. An Alarm for Every Occasion: Ask questions about alarm calls. 6. They re All in This Together: Observe sentinel behavior, variations in aerial predator alarms, and land-based predator alarms. 7. A Shape for Every Occasion: Study the universal alarm shapes in this chapter. When understood, they will allow you to interpret bird language in many contexts around the world without even knowing the species in a particular area. 8. From Collision to Connection: Squirrels on the brain, Body tension checkup, the two-minute drill, etc. Let me interject a few personal comments here. Let s face it. Bird calls are not easy to learn, but bird vocalizations are a big part of birding. Not only are bird PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
14 sounds aesthetically appealing, they re also a vital aid to locating birds and identifying them. Here are a few tips for improving your sound birding based on decades of field research. 1. Ears before eyes. You will always hear more birds than see them so develop the habit of being attuned to bird sounds, no matter where you are. 2. Try identifying every sound so that you can compare the known with the unknown. 3. Organize the sounds in your mind by asking the question, what does it sound like? Sound identification is based on discriminating between different sounds and sound patterns. The more conscious you are about how sounds are different and similar, the better organized your sound files are and the more easily you will remember and recognize bird calls. 4. Believe in your brain s capacity, for the human mind has the capacity for a lot more bird calls than you suspect. Don t tell yourself you can t do it. 5. Work at it. With patience and determination you can usually track down the origin of any unknown call; listen to recordings of bird sounds again and again, especially to those you have recorded yourself with a hand-held recorder, because the sounds will represent your birds in your special spot or sit. Appendix B: Audio (pp ) includes many of the baseline voices of backyard birds and recordings of birds in the presence of imminent danger. It also includes the voices of non-avian species whose calls can be helpful in detecting sneaky predators (e.g., chipmunks and squirrels), as well as tricky mimics. In effect, the good news is that deep bird language allows humans to turn the tables, so to speak. If we learn to understand the birds behaviors and vocalizations, we can, through them, understand nature surrounding us. As the author rightly concludes, [i]n bird language, the idea is to look at bird culture as an anthropologist looks at human culture. Each species occupies a different niche in the environment... The better we understand the whole ecology of a given place, the better we become at looking at this world from the birds perspective, and the better we will be at learning the birds language. Every living being has a purpose, a mission, a life strategy, a set of gifts, and a set of weaknesses. Set aside any assumption that its behavior is random and meaningless. Such a categorization applies to birds and other animals about as much as it applies to people, which is not at all. Each of us, by practicing daily respect, reverence, responsibility, and reciprocity with nature, attains harmony, connection, and dynamic equilibrium with the earth. 513 Kelly Blvd. Slippery Rock, PA PUBLICATION SCHEDULE: Materials to be included in the publication are needed by the due dates below. Issue Sightings due to Compilers by Articles due to Editor by Publication Date Dec-Feb (Vol. 1) 31 March 1 May July Mar-May (Vol. 2) 30 June 1 August October Jun-Jul (Vol. 3) 31 August 1 October December Aug-Nov (Vol. 4) 31 December 1 February April SUBMISSION OF MATERIALS FOR PUBLICATION: We welcome submission of feature articles, artwork, or photographs focusing on any aspect of Pennsylvania birds or birding. We strongly encourage that submissions be sent in electronic format by but will accept handwritten or typewritten material if necessary. For articles, the Microsoft Office suite (any version) is preferred; however we will accept any popularly used format, or plain text. Please written materials in an attached document in its original source format (i.e., no PDF files, please). 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REPRINTS: Request reprints of articles from: PSO, 2469 Hammertown Rd., Narvon, PA 17555, or ADVERTISING: Current rates for classified ads are $0.75 per word with a minimum of 20 words. A copy-ready block of approximately 2" by 2" would be $50.00 per issue. Rates for other sizes or types of advertising are negotiable. Copy deadline is as noted above. Payment should be sent with copy. PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS and PSO are not responsible for the quality of goods or services advertised herein. Send all articles, artwork, advertising, etc. to: Geoff Malosh, 450 Amherst Avenue, Moon Township, PA , PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
15 Summary of the Season Mike Fialkovich, Spring Season Editor This spring was unusually warm with summer like temperatures in March. This followed an exceptionally mild winter. Waterfowl left the state early and were not seen in large concentrations. Few storm systems meant a lack of fallouts. Despite the exceptional weather, many compilers for the most part noted normal arrival dates. Reports were submitted from 51 counties. Only two Greater White-fronted Geese were reported, one paired with a Canada Goose in Berks, the other in Lancaster. Snow Geese are notable on the western side of the state. They were recorded on passage in Bedford, and a flock of 85 flying over in Erie was quite unusual. Four birds in Centre were a rare sight but a fallout the end of March brought two large flocks in two locations in that county. Ross s Geese made their annual stop over at Middle Creek; the only other report came from Dauphin. Rare in spring, there were two reports of Brant. Six were in Bedford and one that wintered in Chester remained into early March. Cackling Geese were found in eight counties. Ten counties reported Mute Swans which is concerning. There were many reports of Trumpeter Swan including six in Bedford. Despite the mild weather, fallouts of waterfowl were noted in Berks, Centre, and Somerset on the last day of March resulting in impressive totals of over 1780, 6246 and waterfowl, respectively. Long-tailed Ducks were found in terrific numbers at some sites during this time. Bedford tallied 48, 400+ must have been an amazing site in Centre, Dauphin tallied 83, over 85 were in Lancaster, 22 in Lebanon, 24 in Lycoming, 24 in Luzerne, and over 70 in Snyder. Only one Eurasian Wigeon made the record books this spring, found in Wayne. An eider sp. flew past Presque Isle, unfortunately too quickly to be identified to species. Small numbers of Black Scoters were found in five counties. Surf and White-winged Scoters were widely reported. A great count of 1233 Buffleheads were at Lake Ontelaunee and Blue Marsh Lake in Berks and over 2000 were in Centre on the last day of March. Hybrid waterfowl presented interesting identification challenges. A Common Teal x Greenwinged Teal in Berks was noted as showing both the horizontal white stripe along the wing and vertical white stripe near the breast, but only on the left side! The Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser continued from the winter in Erie. A Snow Goose x Canada Goose was in Bucks. Although reported in six counties, all Northern Bobwhites were thought to be released. Red-throated Loons were in 14 counties with an impressive 62 in Lancaster. Chester hosted 66 Common Loons during a fallout in early May. Red-necked Grebes were in seven counties and Eared Grebes were in five counties. The only American White Pelican was one in Somerset for two days. Great Cormorants were along the Delaware River in the usual locations in Bucks and Delaware where they winter. One was in Northhampton and another was at Peace Valley Park in Bucks. Egrets and herons were at their best this spring. Least Bitterns were in seven counties. Single Snowy Egrets were at Presque Isle in Erie and the beautiful Dunnings Creek Wetlands in Bedford. Four were in Bucks including two at Washington Crossing State Park. A Little Blue Heron in Allegheny was only the second and singles were in Bucks, Lancaster, and Lebanon. A Tricolored Heron was at Presque Isle in Erie the same day as the Snowy Egret! Three Cattle Egrets were found in Bucks (two at one location, one at another), two were in Lebanon in two different locations and one was seen in flight in Erie. The small nesting colony of Yellow-crowned Night-Herons continues in Harrisburg, and one was in Philadelphia. The long staying immature White Ibis in Berks continued into mid- March, and one was in Centre in early May. Reports of Glossy Ibis came from four counties in the southeast. A nice count of twelve lingered in Philadelphia for a few weeks. A White-faced Ibis stopped in Huntington for a single day, but was well photographed and documented providing only the second state record. A dark ibis flying along the Susquehanna River in Dauphin was too distant to identify to species. Both Swallow-tailed Kite and Mississippi Kites were present this spring. A Swallow-tailed Kite was seen in flight in Allegheny providing the first county record, and one in York provided the first spring record for that county. Mississippi Kites were seen in seven southeastern counties. The eighth was in Armstrong, a first for that county. Normally an extremely rare fall migrant, two Swainson s Hawks were found this spring: one flying over the Tussey Mt. Hawk Watch in Huntington and one in Monroe at the Delaware Water Gap. Spring records are exceedingly unusual in the state with only two previous records. An interesting dark morph Redtailed Hawk was in Lancaster. Golden Eagles were counted at the usual spring hawkwatches in Bedford, Erie (where rare), and Huntington. A rare sight for Allegheny, one was seen as a flyover; two in Berks were rare away from the high elevations in that county. Middle Creek W.M.A. in Lancaster and Lebanon hosted two. One was in Crawford where they are rare but regular. Other counties with reports away from high elevations included Bradford, Dauphin, Juniata, McKean, and Somerset. Luzerne, Lycoming and Sullivan also had reports. A late report was submitted to the Philadelphia compiler of a window killed Yellow Rail from October See the county report for details. A King Rail was in Lancaster for a day in early March. Sandhill Cranes were found in 14 counties with nesting noted in Crawford and likely Mercer. Two migrating in Allegheny were a rare sight. Shorebird migration is usually more exciting in fall, but there were many highlights this season. Rare in spring, an American Golden Plover was in Franklin. A Black-necked Stilt briefly graced Lancaster. Three counties hosted Willets in their narrow window of passage in early May. Nine were in Allegheny, seven were in Bedford, and one in Erie. Upland Sandpipers are always a highlight at any time. One in Beaver provided the first county record, and breeders returned to five other counties. Now rare in Erie, one flying over Presque Isle was noteworthy. Ruddy Turnstones are usually found in Erie, but this spring they appeared in Bedford, Lebanon, and Somerset. Two Red Knots stopped in Somerset. Four Sanderlings were in Bedford and one was in Bradford. Another spring rarity, three Western Sandpipers were in Bedford and one was in Franklin. Whiterumped Sandpipers were only found in four counties. Up to 28 were in Somerset, an impressive number. Another spring rarity, Baird s Sandpiper was in two counties, four in Bedford and one in Somerset. The most amazing shorebird this season was a Ruff that stopped briefly at Somerset Lake in Somerset. Fortunately it was documented. Shortbilled Dowitchers were in good numbers in Crawford where at least 48 were found in several locations and in Mercer where 31 were present. An amazing find was a Long-billed Dowitcher, seen and heard and photographed in Allegheny; the second in that county. Two phalaropes were recorded: one Wilson s Phalarope in Lebanon and Red-necked Phalaropes in Berks, Centre, Lebanon, and Northampton. Laughing Gulls were numerous in PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
16 Bucks as they are every spring. The only other report was a bird in Erie. Notable was the lack of Little Gulls in Dauphin this spring; the first time this species has not been reported in the county in a decade. An immature in Centre was the county s first, soon followed by an adult four days later. One in Somerset was a first for that county. One was in Luzerne, two in Erie and several in Lancaster. A Black-headed Gull first reported in February continued into March in Lancaster. The only Thayer s Gull was in Erie. A number of Iceland Gulls were in Bucks and Erie. Bucks continues as the Lesser Black-backed Gull capital with over 400 tallied. Northampton had a nice total of 41. Erie led the count for Glaucous Gulls with five; single birds were in Bucks and Northampton. Great Black-backed Gulls are regular in Erie, but a leucistic individual photographed at Presque Isle was an interesting find. The only other report was in Indiana providing a first county record. A few Common Terns appeared in eight counties including a bird flying over the Allegheny River in Forest. An Arctic Tern in Carbon and two in Elk were excellent finds and were documented. A Monk Parakeet was a surprise in Northampton. Could this individual have come from a nesting colony in the northeast? Eurasian Collared Dove sightings continue, but still in limited areas. A pair was in Berks where they were observed mating, but young were never found. One was in Centre, one in Cumberland and two in Lebanon. Several pairs continue to nest in Franklin. Barn Owls were reported in six counties with nesting confirmed in three counties. A beautiful, nearly all white Snowy Owl was discovered perched along a road in Armstrong in mid-march. Its favorite perches included utility poles along the road and the roof of a home, where it sought shade from a chimney during the unseasonably warm weather. Long-eared Owls continued at winter roosts in March and individuals were heard calling in three counties. Shorteared Owl reports were limited to two counties. Northern Saw-whet Owls were reported from seven counties. Chuck-wills-widows were heard in Bucks, Lebanon and Philadelphia. The Lebanon bird returned to the same location for the third year. Two Rufous Hummingbirds that wintered in the state remained into March. One in Chester was last seen March 9 and one in Northampton remained until March 28. This was the spring of the Redheaded Woodpecker. This species, so spotty in distribution in Pennsylvania, was reported in 19 counties in every corner of the state, including many where they are considered rare or unusual (e.g., Huntingdon, Indiana, Schuylkill, Wayne) and were seen in others in above average numbers (Bucks, Crawford). Please see the county reports for additional details. The long staying Say s Phoebe in Bucks lingered until late April. A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was seen for the first time at Monroe County Environmental Education Center in Monroe. Northern Shrikes continued from the winter season as usual and were found in nine counties. A Loggerhead Shrike was present for a day in Bucks. Common Ravens continue their expansion away from the high elevations in the state. A pair nested in Allegheny and Armstrong (not a first for either county). Beaver recorded one in a new location, Berks recorded its first nesting (two pairs), nesting continues at several locations in Bucks with increased sightings, seen at a new location in Chester, sightings in Delaware, Erie, Indiana, Mercer (first county record), Venango and York. Another corvid spreading beyond the usual boundaries the past several years is the Fish Crow. Nesting was confirmed in Bradford and (after several years) Allegheny and birds were reported in Centre (increasing), Indiana (regular, but local), Lycoming and Westmoreland. A Bewick s Wren was in Lancaster, the first reported in the state since 2000, and a Sedge Wren was in Clinton for a day. Marsh Wrens were reported in five counties. What was believed to be a Bicknell s Thrush was in Bucks. The only Snow Buntings were in Crawford where six lingered into early March. Golden-winged Warblers were reported in sixteen counties. Most were migrants. One in Erie and Mercer were rare, and birds returned to traditional sites in Bedford, Berks, Centre, Cumberland, Fayette, Somerset, Pike and Westmoreland. Brewster s Warblers were in eight counties and Lawrence s Warblers were in two. Prothonotary Warblers were in nine counties; breeding birds returned to a traditional site in Crawford and were noted nesting in York. Two Swainson s Warblers were found this spring in Lancaster and Westmoreland. The Westmoreland bird was present for at least a few days. A Kirtland s Warbler was discovered in Erie in an unexpected location near railroad tracks, but who expects to find one of the world s rarest birds when in the field? Although it did not remain into the following day, it was photographed extensively and seen by several fortunate observers. The Townsend s Warbler in Cumberland enjoyed by many remained until 22 March. An Orange-crowned Warbler that wintered in Chester was last seen in mid-april and the one that wintered in Lancaster remained until late March. A bird in Philadelphia overwintered and one seen in April was a migrant. Migrants were also in Erie and Huntington. McKean and Mercer were the only two counties with sightings of the elusive Connecticut Warbler. A male Summer Tanager returned to Schenley Park in Allegheny for the second year in a row. Unlike last year, a female was not seen. Two were in Bradford and one was in Montgomery. A male at Presque Isle State Park in Erie was found during an annual birding festival so many people had the opportunity to see it. The overwintering Green-tailed Towhee at Lake Ontelaunee in Berks was last seen 2 April. Clay-colored Sparrows continue in Clarion as breeders, three were in Erie and singles were in Huntington, Jefferson and Mercer. Another sparrow continuing from a long winter stay was the Harris s Sparrow in Berks, last seen 2 April. One appeared at a feeder in Centre where it remained for two weeks. A Gamble s White-crowned Sparrow was in Lancaster. A leucistic Dark-eyed Junco continued from the winter in at the Monroe County Environmental Education Center. A male Dark-eyed Oregon Junco was photographed in Erie in March. Blue Grosbeaks continue in the usual counties with reports from Bucks, Chester, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia and York. This was a Dickcissel year as the worsening drought in the Midwest pushed birds east. Reports this season came from across the state in eleven counties. Look for news of Dickcissels to continue in the summer season. A Yellow-headed Blackbird surprised Erie hawkwatchers as it flew past. An early Baltimore Oriole was seen in Dauphin in March and the overwintering individual continued in Lancaster into March. The individual Bullock s Orioles that wintered in Huntington and Montgomery departed a month apart from each other. A few Common Redpolls were surprise visitors this spring. Single birds visited feeders in Crawford and Erie, a flock of 16 were at Tussey Mt. in Huntington and seven were in Wayne. Pine Siskins were widely reported. Most were birds were on passage stopping briefly at feeders or seen in the field. A pair in Clinton may have been nesting. An amazing Lesser Goldfinch appeared at a feeder in Franklin, but only for a day. Seen by few and photographed, this represents the first state record pending acceptance. This species is on the hypothetical list for Pennsylvania due to the issue of provenance. PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
17 Birds of Note March through May 2012 This report summarizes unexpected species reported in Pennsylvania for this period. As a general rule birds must have been recorded in five or fewer counties to qualify for inclusion here, but rare species recorded more frequently, or irregular species exhibiting an unusual seasonal occurrence, are also included. Listserv indicates records deemed credible which were gleaned from the PABIRDS listserv for counties with no reporting compiler. ebird indicates valid records deemed credible which were entered into the ebird database for counties with no reporting compiler. An * denotes species on the Pennsylvania Ornithological Records Committee (PORC) Review List. Details or descriptions that are submitted for species on the PORC Review List will be reviewed by the committee. The terms no doc and doc submitted indicate whether documentation has been submitted on reports of Review List species listed herein; no doc indicates that no documentation was known to have been submitted as of the time of writing. The PORC Review List can be found at the PSO web site < Birds in Italic typeface are uncommon or rare, but occur during this time period in most years. Birds in Underlined typeface occur at least 4 to 7 out of 10 years during this time period. Birds in Italic and Underlined typeface occur fewer than 4 to 7 out of 10 years during this time period. Birds in Normal typeface are noteworthy for rarity, but are recorded annually, usually in more than one county. Greater White-fronted Goose Berks: one at Lake Ontelaunee paired with a Canada Goose 3/6 (Rudy Keller), one at Big Spring Farm 4/16-19 (Kevin Lutz, Ken Lebo, Peter Montgomery); Lancaster: one at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area 3/3 (Aden Troyer). Ross s Goose Dauphin: one along Rte. 734 on 3/16 (Tim Becker); Lancaster: up to 4 at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area (Gordon Dimmig, Mike Epler); Lebanon: one flying over Mt. Gredna 3/2 (Sid Hostetter, Randy Miller), one at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area 3/5 (Randy Miller) and 3/10 (Rose Anderson, Kevin Graff). Brant Bedford: six at White-tail Wetlands 2/28 (Connie Hunt); Chester: one from last season continued at Somerset Lake to 3/7 (Joe Sebastiani, et al.). Cackling Goose Berks, Centre, Chester, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Northampton, Somerset. Mute Swan Berks, Bucks, Chester, Clarion, Delaware, Indiana, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming. Trumpeter Swan Bedford: six at Dunnings Creek Wetlands 3/24-27 (Tom Dick); Chester: an untagged immature at Chambers Lake 5/2 through the end of the period (Amy Davis); Clarion: an immature in New Bethlehem 3/13-5/20 (Ron Montgomery, Gary Edwards, Dave Wilton, Alex Lamoreaux, Carole Winslow, Cory DeStein, Michael Dreibelbis, et al.), an adult at Kahle Lake 4/2 (Gary Edwards); Dauphin: one on the Susquehanna River at West Fairview 3/4 (Jim Dunn, Chad Kauffman); Venango: one listed as probable at Kahle Lake 3/30-4/2 (Gary Edwards, Russ States). Eurasian Wigeon Pike: one at Peck s Pond 4/7-14 (Amy Davis, Michael and Corinne Schall). Green-winged (Common) Teal* Bucks: one at Upper Makefield Township Firehouse 3/7 (Mark Gallagher, doc submitted), one at Silver Lake Park 4/19 (Doug Filler, no doc). Common x Green-winged Teal Berks: one at Lake Ontelaunee 3/12 (Rudy Keller). Eider sp.* Erie: one flew past Gull Point 3/7 (Mike Weible, no doc). Black Scoter Berks: one at Lake Ontelaunee 3/31 (Rudy Keller, Ken Lebo, Matt Spence); Dauphin: one on the Susquehanna R. at Harrisburg 4/2 (Chuck Chalfant), two on the Susquehanna River at West Fairview 5/3-7 (Ramsay Koury); Erie: up to 4 from 3/7-4/1 at Presque Isle (Mike Weible, Jerry McWilliams); Northampton: one at Nazareth Quarry 3/31 (Michael Schall, Corinne Campbell Schall), Somerset: one at Somerset Lake 3/31 (observer not listed). Hooded Merganser x Common Goldeneye Erie: one continued from last season at Presque Isle 3/1-12 (Jerry McWilliams). Northern Bobwhite Bedford, Centre, Lancaster, Lebanon, Northampton, Sullivan. All listed as likely introduced birds. Red-necked Grebe Berks: one at Lake Ontelaunee 3/31 (Ken Lebo); Bucks: one at Nockamixon State Park 4/1-4 (Paul Cooper, Diane Allison); Chester: one at Marsh Creek State Park 3/9 (Holly Merker, Kevin Fryberger); Crawford: one at Jamestown 3/31 (Ronald Leberman), one at Conneaut Lake 4/3 (Ronald Leberman); Dauphin: one on the Susquehanna River at Harrisburg 3/11 (Chad Kauffman), two at West Fairvew 3/25 (Ramsay Koury, Annette Mathes); Mercer: two at Shenango River Reservoir 4/14 (Steve Sanford); Somerset: one at Somerset Lake 4/15 (Mike Lanzone). Eared Grebe* Bedford: present at Dunnings Creek Wetlands following a storm (Dawn Kleinflesher, no doc); Cambria: one at Prince Gallitzin State Park 4/25-26 (Michael David, doc submitted); Erie: one at Presque Isle 3/31 (Mike Weible, no doc); Lancaster: one noted as probable on the Susquehanna River 3/20 (Justin Bosler, no doc); Wyoming: three 3/31-4/1 at Lake Carey (Mark Catalano, no doc), two there 4/15 (Alan Thatcher, no doc). American White Pelican Somerset: one at Somerset Lake 3/24-25 (Mike Lanzone, Jeff Payne, Carolyn LaBute). Great Cormorant Bucks: one at Peace Valley Park 4/17-21 (August Mirabella), 8 on the Delaware River at Bristol 3/17 (Mark Gallagher); Delaware: one on the Delaware River 4/17 (Al Guarente); Northampton: one at Martin s Creek Quarry 3/16 (Michael Schall, Corinne Campbell Schall). Least Bittern Bedford, Bradford, Clinton, Erie, Franklin, Huntingdon. Snowy Egret Bedford: one at Dunnings Creek Wetlands 5/12 (Tom Dick); Bucks: one at LaSalle College in Newtown 4/30 (Bill Keim), one at Peace Valley Park 5/4 (Chuck Crunkleton), two at Washington Crossing State Park 5/4 (Jeff Vinosky); Erie: one at Presque Isle 5/27-30 (Dave Wilton, Shannon Thompson). Little Blue Heron Allegheny: one at Boyce-Mayview Park 5/28-30 (Fred Kachmarik, m.ob.), second county record; Bucks: one at Peace Valley Park 4/19-22 (August Mirabella, m.ob.); Lancaster: one at the Conejohela Flats (Bob Schutsky); Lebanon: one at Camp Shand 5/12 (Susan Wheeler). Tricolored Heron* Erie: one at Presque Isle 5/27-31 (Dave Wilton, Shannon Thompson, doc submitted). Cattle Egret* Bucks: one at the Penn-Warner Tract 5/2-4 (Howard Eskin, doc submitted), two at Blooming Glen 5/15 (Henry Rosenberger, August Mirabella, no doc), Erie: one flying over just outside of Presque Isle 5/28 (Ramsay Koury, no doc); Lebanon: one at Reistville and Prescott Road Ponds 4/30-5/1 (Randy Miller, Tim Becker, no doc), one at Fort Indiantown Gap 5/2 (Jarrod Derr, David McNaughton, no doc). PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
18 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Dauphin: up to 11 in Harrisburg 5/29 (Deuane Hoffman); Philadelphia: one at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum 5/9 (Denis Brennan, Martin Dellwo). White Ibis* Berks: one continued from last season at Kaercher Creek Park to 3/19 (Charles Hickey, doc submitted); Centre: one at the Penn State University Arboretum 5/4 (Nancy Ellen Kiernan, no doc, fide Alex Lamoreaux). Glossy Ibis Bucks: six at the Penn-Warner Tract 3/31 (Devich Farbotnik); Chester: one in Parkesburg 4/13 (Elaine Chalfant, Chuck Chalfant); Lancaster: one at the Conewago Trail Wetlands 5/5 (Mike Epler), four flying over Pumping Station Road 5/12 (Glenn Shaffer); Philadelphia: 12 at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum 4/8-10 (Frank Windfelder, Doris McGovern, Todd Fellenbaum), small numbers seen there up to 5/3 (Todd Fellenbaum, George Armistead), small numbers at Woodland Cemetery in West Philadelphia up to 5/3 (Alexander Zorach). White-faced Ibis* Huntingdon: one at Old Crow Wetland 5/3 (David Kyler, Trudy Kyler, doc submitted), second state record if accepted. Plegadis sp. Dauphin: one flying over the George Wade Bridge in Harrisburg 5/2 (Deuane Hoffman). Swallow-tailed Kite* Allegheny: one flying over Marshall Township 4/30 (Grace Smith, doc submitted), York: one along the Susquehanna River at Accomac 5/3 (John Prescott, Jean Prescott, doc submitted). Mississippi Kite* Armstrong: one near Crooked Creek County Park 5/3 (Betsy Fetterman, Carolyn Glendening, Margaret Higbee, Josie Valesek, no doc), first county record; Berks: one at Hawk Mt. Sanctuary 4/16 (Matt Wlasniewski, et al., no doc), one at Lake Ontelaunee 5/24 (Rudy Keller, no doc); Bucks: one at New Hope 5/5 (Vincent Koczurik, ebird, no doc), one possible bird seen briefly from a moving car in Warrington Township 5/15 (August Mirabella, no doc), one possible bird high over Nockamixon Cliffs 5/31 (August Mirabella, Judy Mirabella, no doc); Chester: one at Bucktoe Creek Preserve 5/19 (Larry Lewis, et al., no doc); Dauphin: one in Susquehanna Township 3/26 (Ed Chubb, Randy Brenner, no doc), one north of Wildwood Lake 4/13 (Marc Faubel, no doc); Erie: one flying over the Presque Isle Hawkwatch 5/24 (Jerry McWilliams, Roger Donn, doc submited); Lancaster: one at Speedwell Forge 4/22 (Bruce Carl, Jim Fiorentino, no doc); Philadelphia: one flying over Pennypack on the Delaware 5/22 (Frank Windfelder, doc submitted). Northern Goshawk Bedford: a total of 12 for the spring count at the Allegheny Front Hawkwatch (Tom Dick, et al.); Centre: one flying over State College 3/23 (Kurt Engstrom), one at Kurtin 3/24 (Joe Verica); Clarion: nesting attempt observed 4/27 (Dave Brinker); Cumberland: one at Carlisle 3/18 (Frank Galaskewicz); Lebanon: one in the Mount Gretna area 4/27 (Sid Hostetter, Randy Miller); McKean: one near Sugar Bay 4/10 (John Fedak); Mercer: one flying over Williamson Road 4/7 (Neil Troyer). Swainson s Hawk* Huntingdon: one over the Tussey Mt. Hawk Watch 4/13 (Nick Bolgiano, Chuck Widmann, no doc); Monroe: one over the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area 5/11 (Katie Barnes, Nick Ernst, Greg George, Terry Master, no doc); Montgomery: one 4/15 on private property (Scott McConnell, no doc). Yellow Rail* Philadelphia: late report of a window-killed bird at Temple University 10/11/2011 (Keith Russell, specimen at the Academy of Natural Sciences). King Rail* Lancaster: one at Woods Edge Park 3/9 (Roger Stoner, no doc). Common Gallinule Bedford: one at Dunnings Creek Wetlands 5/6 (Dawn Kleinflescher); Centre: one at the PennDOT Remediation Ponds near Julian 4/23-26 (Alex Lamoreaux); Clinton: one at the Mill Hall Wetlands 5/20 (m.ob.); Crawford: two at Erie National Wildlife Refuge 4/15-16 (Shawn Collins), one or two at Conneaut Marsh during the season (m.ob.); McKean: one at Eldred Swamp 4/12 (John Fedak); Philadelphia: one at John Heinz Refuge at Tinicum 4/30 (Adrian Binns), one at Roxborough Reservoir 5/12 (Matt Sharp). American Golden Plover Franklin: one along Kriner Road on the south edge of Chambersburg 5/11-12 (Carl Garner). Black-necked Stilt* Lancaster: one at the Conewago Trail Wetlands 5/22 (Mike Epler, Chuck Chalfant, Gordon Dimmig, Meredith Lombard, doc submitted). Willet Allegheny: nine along the Monongahela River at Duck Hollow 5/4 (Tom Moeller, Nancy Moeller); Bedford: 7 at Dunnings Creek Wetlands 5/1 (Tom Dick); Erie: one at Presque Isle 5/4 (fide Sam Stull). Upland Sandpiper Beaver: one in Independence Township 4/23 (Geoff Malosh), first county record; Bedford: one at Rte. 30 on a Buffalo Farm, no date (Tom Dick); Clarion: at least 4 returned to Mt. Airy 5/2 (Carole Winslow); Crawford: one at the Pymatuning Goose Management Area 5/12 (Thomas Clare Nicolls) and 5/30 (Ronald Leberman); Erie: one flying over Presque Isle 5/6 (Mike Weible); Somerset: 4 near New Centerville 5/6 (Mike Lanzone, Chris Payne, Jeff Payne), two in Summit Mills 4/17 (Elmer Brenneman); Venango: one at the Barkeyville Strips last reported 5/23 (Andy Wilson). Ruddy Turnstone Bedford: three at Dunnings Creek Wetlands 5/20 (Tom Dick); Lebanon: one at the Kreider Farm on Mount Pleasant Road 5/21 (Tim Becker, David McNaughton, Jarod Derr, Randy Miller); Somerset: single birds at Somerset Lake 5/23 (Jeff Payne, Carolyn LaBute) and 5/30 (Mike Lanzone). Red Knot Somerset: two at Somerset L. 6/2 (Mike Lanzone). Sanderling Bedford: four at Dunnings Creek Wetlands 5/20 (Tom Dick); Bradford: one in the Edinger Hill Area 5/12 (Ellen Whipple, Phyllis Rosencrance). Western Sandpiper Bedford: three at Dunnings Creek Wetlands 5/20 (Tom Dick); Franklin: one at Greencastle Reservoir 5/12 (Carl Garner, Dale Gearhart). White-rumped Sandpiper Bedford: three at Dunnings Creek Wetlands 5/22 (Tom Dick); Crawford: one at the Pymatuning Goose Management Area 5/19 (Ronald Leberman); Lancaster: one at Speedwell Forge 5/25 (Bruce Carl); Somerset: up to 28 at Somerset Lake 5/17-6/13 (Jeff Payne, Mike Lanzone). Baird s Sandpiper Bedford: four at Dunnings Creek Wetlands 5/24 (Tom Dick); Somerset: one at Somerset Lake 6/4-12 (Mike Lanzone, Jeff Payne). Ruff* Somerset: a male in transitional plumage at Somerset Lake 4/16 (Mike Lanzone, doc submitted). Buff-breasted Sandpiper Crawford: one at Miller s Pond 5/12 (ph. Andy Wilson, listserv) may represent just the second spring record for Pennsylvania. Short-billed Dowitcher Bedford: two at Dunnings Creek Wetlands 5/21 (Tom Dick); Chester: 18 at Bucktoe Creek Preserve 5/23 (Holly Merker, Chuck Chalfant, Brian Novak); Crawford: 3 at Tamarack Lake 5/3 (Ronald Leberman), 15 at the Pymatuning Goose Management Area 5/10 (Ronald Leberman), five at Tamarack Lake 5/12 (Thomas Clare Nicolls), 18 at the Pymatuning Goose Management Area (Steve Sanford), 28 there 5/11 (Mark Vass); Lancaster: one at Speedwell Forge 5/3 (Stan Stahl); Mercer: one at the Shenango Wildlife Propagation Ponds 4/17 (Steve Sandford), 31 at that location 5/9 (Neil Troyer), Somerset: present at Somerset Lake 5/12 (Mike Lanzone), five at Buffalo Creek 5/23 (Jeff Payne, Carolyn LaBute). Long-billed Dowitcher Allegheny: one at Imperial 5/1 (Geoff Malosh) was the second for the county. PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
19 Wilson s Phalarope Lebanon: one at the Kreider Farm on Mount Pleasant Road 5/30 (Richard Williams, Pat Williams, Randy Miller, Chris Bortz, Stan Stahl, Mike Epler, Jim Fiorentino). Red-necked Phalarope Berks: one at Gotwals Pond 5/21 (Rudy Keller); Centre: one in Howard 5/22 (Nick Thomas), two at Bald Eagle State Park 5/22 (Drew Weber); Lebanon: one at the Kreider Farm on Mount Pleasant Road 5/26-30 (Tim Becker, Jarrod Derr, Randy Miller, Chuck Chalfant, Chuck Berthoud); Northampton: two in Bath 5/21 (Jeff Kaboly). Laughing Gull Bucks: first reported for the season at the Penn-Warner Tract 3/24 (Devich Farbotnik), PAMC total of 550; Erie: one at Presque Isle 5/28 (Ben Coulter). Little Gull Centre: an immature at Bald Eagle State Park 4/14 (Alex Lamoreaux, et al.), an adult at the same location 4/18 (Alex Lamoreaux, Nadia Barkawi, Steve Brenner, Josh Lefever); Erie: single birds at Presque Isle 3/29 and 4/17 (Jerry McWilliams); Lancaster: one on the Susquehanna River at The Rocks 3/12 (Chuck Chalfant), one at the Rte. 462 Bridge 4/8 (Meredith Lombard, Joe Yoder); Luzerne: one at Harvey s Lake 4/22 (Jim Hoyson); Somerset: one at Somerset Lake 4/25 (Mike Lanzone), first county record. Black-headed Gull* Lancaster: the bird present from Feb in Washington Boro was last seen 3/10 (Eric Whitmer, et al., doc submitted). Thayer s Gull* Erie: one at Presque Isle 3/3 (Ed Kwater, Jerry McWilliams, doc submitted). Iceland Gull Bucks: one at Peace Valley Park 3/11 (Sam Perloff), two at the Penn-Warner Tract and 3 at Falls Twp. Community Park 3/31 (Devich Farbotnik), one at Falls Twp. Community Park 4/2 (Michael Mayer); Erie: one at Presque Isle 3/10 (Dave Wilton, Shannon Thompson). Lesser Black-backed Gull Bucks, Crawford, Erie, Luzerne, Mercer, Northampton, Somerset. Glaucous Gull Bucks: one at Morrisville 4/19 (Nick Delo); Erie: five at Presque Isle between 3/3 and 5/7 (Jerry McWilliams); Northampton: one at Nazareth Quarry 3/17 (Michael Schall, Corinne Campbell Schall), one (perhaps the same bird) at Nazareth Quarry 4/1 (Michael Schall, Corinne Campbell Schall). Great Black-backed Gull Erie: present all season. A leucistic individual was noted at Presque Isle 5/28-31 (Jerry McWilliams, et al.); Indiana: one at Yellow Creek State Park 5/15 (Lee Carnahan, Tom Glover, Margaret Higbee, Richard Nugent, John Taylor), first county record. Common Tern Bedford: two at Dunnings Creek Wetlands 4/15 (Tom Dick); Berks: one at Blue Marsh Lake 5/8 (Peter Montgomery); Bucks: two at Peace Valley Park 5/8 (August Mirabella, Judy Mirabella, Mike Homel); Centre: five at Bald Eagle State Park 5/4 (Nan Butkovich, et al.); Dauphin: one along the Susquehanna River at Marysville 5/8 (Ramsay Koury); Forest: one near Tionesta 5/12 (Flo McGuire, Jim McGuire); Lebanon: one at Memorial Lake State Park 5/15 (David McNaughton, Jarrod Derr); Somerset: one at Somerset Lake 5/8 (Mike Lanzone, Jeff Payne). Arctic Tern* Carbon: one at Beltzville State Park 5/21-22 (Rick Wiltraut, Dustin Welch, et al., doc submitted); Elk: two at the East Branch Clarion River Lake in Elk State Park 5/22 (Al Guarente, doc submitted). Monk Parakeet Northampton: one in Williams Township 3/22 (Arlene Koch). Eurasian Collared-Dove Berks: a pair in Shartlesville 4/15-16 (Ellen Grim, Matt Wlasniewski); Centre: one at State College 4/2-3 (Larry Ragan, Joe Verica, Alex Lamoreaux, Steve Brenner, Josh Lefever); Cumberland: one on Fish Hatchery Road in Middle Spring (Vern Gauthier); Franklin: nesting in Shady Grove (Dale Gearhart); Lebanon: two in Fontana 3/19 (Randy Miller), single birds reported through 5/31 (Tim Becker, Pat Williams, Richard Williams, m.ob.). Barn Owl Bedford, Bucks, Dauphin, Franklin, Huntingdon, Lebanon, Snyder, Somerset. Snowy Owl Armstrong: one near Worthington 3/14-3/23 (Mark McConaughy, m.ob.). Long-eared Owl Bucks: last seen at Peace Valley Park 3/8 (Barbara Hiebsch); Centre: one near University Park Airport 3/3-4 (Justin Valentine), one heard at Scotia Barrens 3/11-15 (Drew Weber, Steve Brenner, Alex Lamoreaux, Josh Lefever, Mike Dreibelbis); Erie: found at Presque Isle, 3/14, 3/31 and 4/8 (Jerry McWilliams, Mike Weible); Huntingdon: one heard at Ennisville 5/12 (Doug Wentzel); McKean: one near Smethport last seen 5/12 (John Dzemyan); Somerset: one at the Payne property 3/13 (Jeff Payne), one at Somerset Lake 4/8 (Mike Lanzone). Short-eared Owl Adams: last reported 3/4; Clarion: up to 4 present at Mt. Zion 3/3-4 (Carole Windslow, Ron Montgomery), one at Curllsville 3/8 (Carole Winslow), one at Mt. Airy 4/5 (Carole Winslow). Northern Saw-whet Owl Bradford: one at Peck Hill 2/8-3/22 (Anne Vivino-Hintze, George Vivino-Hintze); Erie: one at Presque Isle 3/15 (Cory DeStein); Fayette: one near Hopwood (EJ Regula, ebird), Huntingdon: five near Whipple Dam State Park 5/15 (Diane Bierly, Nan Butkovich); McKean: a total of 15 on the PAMC 5/12 (John Fedak); Sullivan: one heard in the Splashdam Pond area in mid-april (Doug Gross); Somerset: one calling at Mount Davis 5/8 (observer not listed). Chuck-wills-widow* Bucks: one calling in Springfield Township 5/25 (Mark Chilten, fide Diane Allison, no doc); Lebanon: one at Tomstown Road 5/2-29 (Kath Becker, Tim Becker, et al., doc submitted), Philadelphia: one calling at Spring Lane 5/8 (Cliff Hence, no doc). Rufous Hummingbird* Chester: the bird that wintered in Paoli was last seen 3/9 (Bruce Garrard); Northampton: the bird that wintered in Walnutport as least seen 3/28 (Dave Wagner). Say s Phoebe* Bucks: the bird that wintered at Maple Knoll Farms and Crooke Farm was last seen 4/24 (Richard Smith, Vicky Smith, doc submitted). Loggerhead Shrike* Bucks: one at Van Sant Airport 5/27 (Mark Gallagher, doc submitted). Bewick s Wren* Lancaster: one on the Canal Path Trail 5/2-3 (Mike Epler, no doc). Sedge Wren Clinton: one at Mill Hall Wetlands 4/15 (Jim Dunn). Marsh Wren Bedford: two at Dunnings Creek Wetlands 5/26 (Tom Dick); Centre: one at the Penn State University Arboretum 5/1 (Drew Weber, et al.); Chester: one at Waterloo Mills Preserve 4/17 (Kevin Fryberger), one at Exton Park at Church Farm School 4/23 through the season (Brian Quindlen, et al.); Huntingdon: one at Old Crow Wetland 4/28 (Ian Gardner, et al.); Montgomery: one at Wings Airport 5/12 (Barbara Hiebsch). Bicknell s Thrush Bucks: one at Chalfont 5/21 (Chuck Crunkleton, Eileen Chalmers, no doc). Snow Bunting Crawford: six at the Pymatuning Causeway 3/7 (Ron Leberman). Brewster s Warbler Centre: one at Bald Eagle State Park 5/29 (Matt O Donnell); Clarion: one near Curllsville 5/10-17 (Carole Winslow); Crawford: one at Toby s Road 5/7 (Steven Rotkovecz); Fulton: one at Knobsville Tract 5/15 (Dan Snell); Greene: one in Washington Township 5/12 (Jan Churney); Juniata: one on the PAMC 5/12; Pike: one at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area 5/2 (Patrick Blake); York: one at Rocky Ridge County Park 5/11 (Randy Phillips). Lawrence s Warbler Franklin: one in Lower Horse Valley PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
20 (Bill Oyler, et al.); Lebanon: one at Fort Indiantown Gap 5/4 (Jarrod Derr, David McNaughton). Swainson s Warbler* Lancaster: one at Octoraro Lake 5/11 (Tom Raub, no doc); Westmoreland: one at Linn Run State Park 5/22-28 (Mike Lanzone, et al., no doc). Orange-crowned Warbler Chester: the bird wintering in West Chester was last seen 4/19 (Mary Alice Knox); Erie: one banded at Presque Isle 5/2 (Walter Wehtje), one at Presque Isle 5/16 (Jerry McWilliams); Huntingdon: one at Masseyburg 5/5 (Doug Wentzel); Lancaster: the bird that overwintered at Wood s Edge Park was last seen 3/22 (Justin Bosler, Jim Smith, Rita Smith, Chuck Chalfant, Elaine Chalfant, Bruce Carl, Barbara Hunsberger); Philadelphia: a bird believed to be overwintering was last seen at Pennypack on the Delaware 3/10 (Frank Windfelder), one at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum 4/18 (Adrian Binns, Todd Fellenbaum). Connecticut Warbler McKean: one at Kinzua Bridge 5/12 (John Fedak); Mercer: one at Rattlesnake Swamp 5/17 (Neil Troyer, Samuel Troyer). Kirtland s Warbler* Erie: one in Erie 5/22 (Mike Weible, doc submitted). Townsend s Warbler* Cumberland: the bird that wintered in Dickenson Township was last seen 3/22 (Andy Green, doc submitted). Summer Tanager* Allegheny: one at Schenley Park 5/6 through the end of the season (Hiro Fukuda, et al., doc submitted); Bradford: two at Barclay Mountain near Franklindale 5/18 (Dan Natt, no doc); Erie: one at Presque Isle 5/13 (Shawn Collins, et al., doc submitted), Montgomery: one at Pennypack Environmental Restoration Trust 5/6 (Paul Driver, no doc). Green-tailed Towhee* Berks: the overwintering bird at Lake Ontelaunee was last reported 4/2 (Jeffrey Ritter, et al., doc submitted). Clay-colored Sparrow Clarion: first noted at Curllsville 5/3 (Carole Winslow); Erie: up to 3 at Presque Isle 5/8-15 (Don Snyder, Dave Wilton, Cory DeStein); Huntington: one at Old Crow Wetland 5/1 (David Kyler); Jefferson: one at Coal Glen 5/11 (Dan Richard); Mercer: one in a yard along Airport Road 5/5 (Jerry Troyer). Harris s Sparrow* Berks: the bird that overwintered at Old Philly Pike was last reported 4/2 (Jeffrey Ritter); Centre: one in Howard 4/17-5/2 (Bob Snyder, et al., doc submitted). Gamble s White-crowned Sparrow* Lancaster: one at Wood s Edge Park 3/7 (Justin Bosler, no doc). Oregon Dark-eyed Junco* Erie: one at Presque Isle 3/25 (Michele Franz, doc submitted). Yellow-headed Blackbird Erie: one flew past the Presque Isle Hawkwatch 3/20 (Jerry McWilliams, Russ States). Bullock s Oriole* Huntingdon: the bird that overwintered was last seen 3/7 (m.ob.); Montgomery: one that wintered in Douglas Township was last seen 4/7 (Mary Ache, m.ob.). Common Redpoll Crawford: one at a feeder in Meadville 3/11 (Shawn Collins); Erie: one in Waterford 3/15 (Chuck Gehringer); Huntingdon: 16 at Tussey Mt. Hawk Watch 3/1 (Adam Sell); Wayne: seven near Honesdale 5/12 (Roberta Vrona Lichtenstein). Lesser Goldfinch* - Franklin: one visited a feeder in Shady Grove 4/9 (Dale Gearhart, doc submitted). CORRIGENDUM: The Birds of Note in Volume 26, No. 1, page 34 listed a Baird s Sandpiper in Centre 12/7/2011 as the first winter season record for Pennsylvania. In fact it was the second record; the first was of one bird in Lehigh 12/2-9/2008, as reported in Volume 23, No. 1. Arctic Terns in Elk County Al Guarente My wife Sharon and I have been trying to visit all the counties in Pennsylvania for some years now. This spring we decided to visit Armstrong and Forest counties, both of which would be new for our list. While visiting Kinzua Bridge State Park in McKean County during a thunderstorm (not recommended by the way), we picked up a brochure for Elk State Park. On 22 May we headed south to the park just across the border in northern Elk County. Upon our arrival and not having a map of the park, it looked as if there was only one way in, so we proceeded down the only road toward the lake, where there was a large parking area adjacent to the lake. While still in the car I immediately saw two white birds flying over the lake, which I took to be terns. Once I got a decent view with binoculars I saw they were indeed terns. I figured they would be Forster s Terns but I wanted to check them out just in case it was something unusual. By the time I had the scope set up, the birds were approaching for a closer view. I could see stiff wing beats and a very uniform gray color on the upper wings. The upper wing had no black on the primaries that I could see, and the photos that I made of the birds didn t reveal any black markings either. As the birds passed and allowed a profile view, I noticed a thin black trailing edge on the under wing primaries. The outer primaries only had a trace of black on the tips of the feathers. The birds also had very dark, red bills, which to me appeared to be short. The birds were bullnecked in flight; that is, the neck was short but thick. The breast also looked to be gray. The tail on both birds was deeply forked, but one bird showed a very long tail while the second bird appeared to have a shortened tail. This could have been due to the angle of view or actual physical differences. All of these are good field marks for Arctic Tern I was psyched! Arctic Tern at Elk State Park, Elk, 22 May (Al Guarente) We observed the terns for approximately a half an hour to make sure of the identification, and made a call to put the word out on the PABIRDS listserv. This was only the third sighting of Arctic Tern for me in Pennsylvania; the other two were in Delaware County along the Delaware River. I filed a report of these birds with the Pennsylvania Ornithological Records Committee. Unsurprisingly, this represents the first record for Elk County if accepted. The day before (21 May), an Arctic Tern was also spotted at Beltzville State Park in Carbon County. There seemed to be no significant weather factors that contributed to these sightings. In the end, we added two new counties and eight new state parks to our list and had a great opportunity to study a rarely seen bird in Pennsylvania. Media, PA PENNSYLVANIA BIRDS VOLUME 26 NO. 2
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