Walking the Lebanon Valley Rail - Sept 6

As the fall migration is starting, I thought I would return to one of my favorite fall and winter birding location - the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail Expo Center area Lebanon Valley Rail Trail

entrance to Rail Trail at Expo center

In didn't expect to see much...and I have never seen a warbler in this area,,,,but I was hopeful. As it turns out, the trail was very, very active on this wonderful late simmer day...lot's of bikers.

I followed my normal route, and started out hearing the Blue Jays and American Crows....and seeing Morning Doves sitting on the power line wires....a usual...nothing changed in the past 6 month.

Morning Dove

I stated down the trail and and immediately heard the Catbirds calling...along with the house finches...and Cardinals....then I heard a hawk calling and looked up to see a Broad Winged Hawk sailing overhead....a first for me in this area of the trail.

Broad Winged Hawk

as I continued down the trail (dodging bikers) I spotted several Downy, Red-Bellied and Hairy Woodpeckers and Yellow Shafted Northern Flicker...a little too early for the Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers. As it turns out..these where the hi-lights of the morning walk.

Yellow Shafted Flicker

I walked a total of 3 miles round trip...and ended the 2 hour walk with 28 species....not a bad day,,,,and I always enjoy walking this area....I will be returning at a later date once the wintering residents arrive in another month.

Not all that wander are lost.
 

Hammer Creek Road trip - Sept 4

On September 4 I led an Audubon birding walk along the Hammer Creek Road locating Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The walk started at 8am and as we assembled and left the parking area and female Rose Breasted Grosbeak was spotted.....we all had wonderful looks and added several most species to our trip list before leaving the parking area.

female Rose Breasted Grosbeak

We walked the next 1/2 mile- seeing resident species: Cardinals, Blue Jays, and had a Turkey Vulture flyover. We then observed some movement in the trees adn as it turned out...it was a small flock of warblers. We observed a female Redstart, Black Throated Green and a very drab Tennessee warbler plus several Red Eyed Vireo's mixed in the group. The trip count was not at 17 species.

female Redstart

Tennessee Warbler

Continuing along the road, we next saw a real surprise....a Canada Warbler....always a treat, After everyone got looks....we moved on and spotted a second small flock of birds foraging ahead.

Canada Warbler

As we approached several Red Eyed Vireo's, a Warbling Vireo and another surprise a Yellow Breasted Vireo was observed....no warblers in this group.....but no one was disappointment in seeing the Yellow Breasted Vireo.

Yellow Throated Vireo

After spending some time observing the vireo's (in hopes a warbler would show up) we moved on. At out next stop, we again ran into a small flock of warblers....adding to the list - Black & White warbler...our trip count moved up to 23 species.

Red Eyed Vireo

As we approached the power line cut  turnaround point @ 1.5 miles we heard the song of a Carolina Wren and several Easter Wood Peewee's. At the power line cut....we observed several Ruby Throated Hummingbirds and had looks at several more Black Throated Greens....but no other warblers where observed.

We returned to the parking area with a total species count of 36....and had only 6 species of warblers...but had good looks at them all....until next trip.

 

A Middle Creek Morning - August 15

After the thunderstorms last evening, I decided to check out Middle Creek wildlife Area to see if any early migrants had shown up...the fall migration usually only really gets started in our area the last week of August and only lasts about 3 weeks (if that - last yer we really only had on good week of birding).

I arrived @ stop 1 @ 7:45am, and scoped the ponds...the first species stopped was a Great Egret foraging along the edge of the pond, then a Great Blue Heron flew in, and I a found a pair a Wood Ducks in the back of the pond.,,,on the main pond there where Cormorants and one Spotted Sandpiper foraging on the tree stumps...I decided to move on and had 21 species.

Great Egret

Spotted Sandpiper

I next stopped just up the road from stop 1, as I spotted raptor flying low across the grass-fields (a possible Harrier), but I glassed the raptor, I turned out to be an juvenile Red Tailed Hawk...one of 4 I would see today. But all was not lost, in the same field I found Eastern Meadowlarks, Field Sparrows, and Eastern Kingbirds.

Eastern Kingbird

With my species count at 28, I next moved Stop 3 along the tour road....there was not much to see here toady, only some Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows, and several Goldfinchs....I did have a flyover Green Heron..but after about 20 minutes of scoping the area, I decided to move on...only adding 8 species to my daily total...now at 36.

Barn Swallow

I continued on the tour road without really seeing much until I was about to exit the Wildlife area and I heard the familiar song the Eastern Meadowlark,,,,I decided to see if I could spot the signing Meadowlark and was rewarded with a very close observation...and as an added bonus I also heard and saw several Bobolinks (a little surprised - they should almost all be gone by now - the hot, humid weather had a few hang around longer then normal). 

Bobolink

Exiting the tour road I proceeded to my last stop of the day, the Reesers Ponds along the entrance road to look for any shorebirds.

I set up the scope and began scanning the area....the first shorebird species spotted was a Killdeer, followed by Greater Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, Semi-plamated, Least and another Spotted Sandpiper,,,,I did see the recently reported juvenile Little Blue Heron. After about 30 minutes I decied to call it a day...,,,total species count was 47,,,,a good morning for sure,

I packed my scope away and started or home...after about 1 mile...I reached for my Monarch 7's and they where not on the seat.....panic set in....I then realized I left them on the rear bumber of my Blazer....I stopped and checked no gone.....more panic,,,,turned around and backtracked my trail....as I was re-entering the wildlife area I saw a man walking his dog,,,and as a long shot...stopped t ask if had found any bin...sure enough....he had found then laying on the road...I offered him a reward,,,but he refused....I thanks him and began checking the bins...no damage or cracks and still working precisely well...thanks Nikon for building a sturdy and hardy pair of bins...I would recommend Monarch 7's to anyone....they are light, clear, have a wide field of view and lastly they are tough and resist falls....it was an interesting 3 1/2 hours of birding this morning.

Not all that wander are lost.

Huntington Beach State Park - July 2016 Vacation

Again this year we took a beach vacation to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and again this year I scheduled my yearly visit to Huntington Beach state Park...one of the premier birding location in the state of South Carolina.

Huntington Beach State Park

I arrived at the park entrance by 7:30am to find the park closed due to a fire...the person at the office said the park would be closed for a few hours...since it took me over 45 minutes to drive to the park from our condo..I decided to wait and see what happened....after about 1 hour they reopened the park..but only a limited area....so I decided to explore.

As I crossed the causeway, I could see the smoke rising to my left....a bad sign indeed....that's where the nature center is located....well it turns out that's what burned completely to the ground..seems it was struck by lighting during the previous nights storms. (see story below)

carolina-parks-to-rebuild-destroyed-huntington-beach-nature-center

The nature center was where I would always see Painted Buntings, Clapper Rails, and various other species..in the nearby woodlot...not to be today.

I decided to park at the causeway and walk the trails....as I exited my car and started across the road..I heard a call I have not heard in a a year...a Painted Bunting...needless to say..I was quite excited...having thought I would not add them to my yearly list....I proceeded across the roadway and started checking the nearby brush..and sure enough I spotted my quarry..a beautiful male Painted Bunting.

Painted Bunting - male

After checking the brush and surrounding woodlot and adding a few more species , I proceeded to the causeway walkway....which has fresh water on the right side and saltwater on the left...which means lots of species are present...and I was not disappointed.

I had not even walked 20 ft when I say my first Alligator...always nice to see..but not what I came for...well now on to the birds.

It see the bird aren't in the least bit worried about the gators...they just continue to feed..but I am sure they keep a wary eye on those gators..for sure. The first species I spotted where Tri-Colored Herons, Green Herons, and Great Egrets....the Tri-Colored Herons where in abundant this year and I had very good looks at several from one of  several the viewing platforms (see example of one below)

Tri-Colored Heron

I continue my walk, and next saw several Angina's, Wood Storks, and a real surprise a Reddish Egrets- standing on the opposite side of the lake....I did get my scope on it and had several very good looks....this is only the 2nd Reddish Egret I have ever recorded at this park...a real treat it was.

Reddish Ergert

Wood Stork in flight

As I reached the end of the causeway, I again received another treat...I Royal Tern flying over the lake....followed closely by a Caspian Tern and a pair of Ospreys.....this was turning into a  pretty good birding day after all...I was at 30 species as I retraced my steps back to my car and proceeded to the visitors center and the Kerrigan nature trail....to continue my trip.

VC..trail is to the right

looking back toward the causeway

I grabbed my bins, scope and insect repellent and proceed to enter the trail....in past years I have had several species of warblers along this trail..but not today..not a single species was seen..until I emerged near the lake platform viewing area...as I followed the broad walk leading to the platform..I spotted movement to my left....it was a Little Blue Heron...feeding in the swallows...as it would turn out...this would be the only Little Blue Heron I would see today...but it became species number 31 for the day. 

From the platform, I viewed a nice flyover of Glossy Ibis, White Ibis and many, many Green Herons, and several Gull Billed Terns...but the big surprise was when I was getting ready to leave and two Spotted Sandpipers flew in and landed.....I usually only see this along the nature center trail and then only at low tide...another treat for the day and species number 35.

Spotted Sandpiper.

Gulled Billed Tern

As I left the platform, I decided to check out one more spot..along the side trail where I had seen night herons on the past....I was again not disappointed..as I spotted a male Black Crowned Night Heron..and I I scanned the area, I spotted a pair of Coots and a Common Moorhen....and as it turned out...that was the number 38 and the last new species I would add to the list for the day...

Black Crowned Night Heron

I returned to my car, seeing several more species I had already recorded....and ended the day with 38 species....a little low...as I usually break 50 at this park....but considering the circumstances it was a great day of birding and I can't wait to come back next.

Not all that wander are Lost.

A morning at Middle Creek Wildlife Area

After the very heavy rain storms we had last evening, I decided it would be a good morning to check out MCWMA.

I arrived around 8:15am and began my morning by checking the ponds at Stop 1. Not much was on the ponds - a few Canada Geese and 2 Great Blue Herons on the water. The fringe area around the ponds was very active with birds as I recorded 21 species before I left the area - including willow flycacther, yellow warbler, common yellow throated warbler, eastern kingbird and tree, barn & northern rough winged swallows before moving on.

Common Yellow Throated Warbler

Great Blue Heron

I next made my way to stop 3 and the scoped the fields overlooking the lake area and added another 12 species including Eastern Meadowlark signing in the fields.

Eastern Meadowlark - singing away

After I finished scanning the fields I continue along the tour road toward the cul-de-sac area ponds. As I approached the area, I caught a 'flash' something sitting in a tangle of brush near the ponds. After finding a place to park, I scanned the area and much to my surprise - spotted a Black Crowned Night Heron and a Green Heron sitting the brush about 10 feet from each other. BCN Herons are fairly common in our area, but very rare at MCMWA - only the fourth time I ever saw one here.

Black Crowned Night Heron

I next continue on the tour road toward the fields where Bobolinks seen. I pulled up and wasn't disappointed, as I heard several Bobolinks signing and  spotted several in flight along with many tree swallows and more eastern Meadowlarks.

Bobolink

Tree Swallows

I next went to the where I had previously seen and heard Yellow Throated Vireo's - and sure enough the Vireo was present again today - along with several red Eyed Vireo's. I finished the morning back at stop 1 and spotted a Red Tailed Hawk (no eagle's today) and a Baltimore Oriole to end the day.

 

Total species for the day was 57 in 3 hours of birding -a very good morning indeed. 

An afternoon at Middle Creek Wildlife Area

Today I decided to make an early afternoon trip one of my favorite spots for birding...Middle Creek Wildlife Mgt Area...looking for the Alder Flycatcher that had been reported there recently.

As I arrived at the area, where the Alder Flycatcher was reported been heard, but rarely seen, I immediately heard the distinct call....  well 5 minutes and I already had my target bird for the day...so I decided to check the other area's of the management area and see what was about.

After about two hours of driving and walking around the area, I had 55 species...with the surprise being an Yellow Throated Vireo in the trees near the boat launch area of the park, as I was nearing the end of the tour.

Yellow Throated Vireo

Another interesting species seen was one Snow Goose....only one....I would guess the Eagles have taken care of the rest that where here a few weeks ago. I also had a first of year Blue Grosbeak. I know they where in the area..I have just been missing them on my visits..not this time....I had several goods looks...always a treat.

Blue Grosbeak

All in all a good two plus hours of birding with several species added to my year list

Biggest week in American Birding -  Day 5 - May 12

It was Thursday, May 12 - and time to pack up and head for home...but not before one last trip thru Ottawa NWR and one more walk on the Magee boardwalk.

As we entered Ottawa NWR we spotted what we thought was a Pied Billed Grebe - didn't really pay it much attention as it was on the main pond in front of the visitors center....we proceeded to enter the visitor's center and came to find out it was a Horned Grebe in full breeding plumage.... another life bird for several in the group - and a lesson learned - always check the bird don't assume.

Horned Grebe

After seeing the Horned Grebe we drove to the boardwalk for the last time. We arrived and decided to start our walk at the west end and park at the east end of the boardwalk. As we where getting our gear ready, one of the group walked to the Lake Erie beach area for a look around. She excited called us to look at what she had found - a Ruddy Turnstone sitting on the concrete abutment...another life bird for one of the group..and a wonderful way to start our last walk in and around the boardwalk area.

Ruddy Turnstone

What else could happen...we just wait.

As we where walking to the west entrance - all the people where leaving and heading to the east entrance - what had happened to cause this exodus - only one thing - a Kirkland's Warblers was spotted not 100 feet from where we where parked!! We walked (or fast walked) back and joined the growing crowd trying to get a look at the Kirkland's Warbler - but could not..as way too many people had gathered in the area. 

We decided to walk the boardwalk in hopes that maybe it had moved into the broadwalk area -we didn't see a Kirkland's but we did see many other warblers including Black Throated Blue, American Redstart, Black & White and Nashville and had great looks at Gray Cheeked Thrush. 

As it was getting close to our leaving time - we decided to look for the Kirkland's Warbler one last time....the crown had grown larger since we left and several in the group found 'spots' and waited.

Kirkland's Warbler

As it tuned out only two in our group did see the Kirkland's Warbler - but as we where standing there discussing what to do...a Black Billed Cuckoo flew in a landed on a tree not 100 feet for us...a fitting end for a wonderful trip....a Kirkland's Warbler and Black Billed Cuckoo

Black Billed Cuckoo

We reclucklently, headed for our vehicle to start the 8 hour drive home - as we left the Magee Broadwalk area - we all where looking forward to next trip.


We ended the five day trip with 139 total species and several in the group added as least one lifer to their life list - with one in the group adding 12 to her life list.

Can't wait to go back next year - already counting the day!!!


 The Biggest week in American Birding and the Warbler Capital of the World.

biggest week in american birding

 

magee marsh map

 

Biggest week of American Birding Day 4 - May 11 - Oak Openings & Ottawa NWR

On Wednesday, we decided to visited  Oak Opening MetroPark in search of Red Headed Woodpeckers and Lark Sparrows (this would be a lifer for two in our group). 

The day was sunny but cool as we left our hotel at 8am for the 1 hour drive to the park. We arrived at the visitors centers an immediately heard a Great Crested Flycatcher calling - a great start to the day. After walking a few trails in the immediate area and adding and seeing several more species - we drove a short distance to the area where we previously had seen & heard Red headed Woodpeckers and sure enough as we pulled into the parking area...someone in the group spotted the first flash of those tell tale white wing bars....it wasn't long after that that we spotted the first of many RH Woodpeckers in the area.

Red Headed Woodpecker

We stayed in the area, watching the Red Headed Woodpeckers, for another 30 minutes, before deciding to take our lunch break in the area where the Lark Sparrow where being seen - a small dunes meadow area - the dunes area is closed during the nesting season and you must watch for the Lark Sparrows from the road over looking the dunes meadow. This area is the eastern most range of the Lark Sparrow, and one of the few area's where it can observed on a regular basis. We where there about 45 minutes we one of the group - spotted the first one - this was a life bird for several in the group and they where very excited to see it....we ended up seeing 5 in the 2 hours we spent in the area  - and to top it off as we where getting ready to leave a male Summer Tanager appeared - what a way to end the day...can it get any better then this....just wait and see what happens on Thursday - our last day.

Pair of Lark Sparrows - photo by L Black

Lark Sparrow

After leaving Oak Opening we decided to return to Ottawa NWR for another look at the American Avocet again and to see if any other shore birds had arrived overnight.

We ended the tour of Ottawa NWR with no new species to add to our growing list - even thought we did tally 45 species - we did not see the American Avocet again. As it was getting late, we decided to call it a day and get some dinner - it was 8:30pm!

We ended the day with 75 total species and upped the trip total species count to 118 - it was a good day of birding for sure.

Biggest week in American Birding - Day 3 - May 10 - Maumee Bay, Metzger Marsh & Mallard Creek Preserve

On Tuesday, after breakfast,  we traveled the 10 miles from the hotel to Maumee Bay State Park - looking for red phase Eastern Screech Owl;....but had no luck this year. We did however, add Purple Martins and more White Crowned Sparrow's plus a few others species to our trip list...we left Maumee with total species count of 38.for the area.

 metzger marsh

Looking toward Ottawa NWR

Our next stop was Metzger Marsh Park (see link above) as a Black Tern was recently reported there. When we arrived everyone in the group began scanning the marsh for the Black Tern. After about 15 minutes, someone in the group shouted..'I have it'. In the early afternoon sun, the colors of the Black Tern where brilliant, and everyone had wonderful looks as the the tern flew back and forth over the marsh. We left the Marsh with a total of 28 species and headed back to Magee Boardwalk, after a very late lunch break.

Black Tern

The Magee boardwalk was much more crowded when we arrived...but a fast moving mid-afternoon thunder shower sent many packing.

Several new migrating species arrived overnight as we saw Black Throat ed Blue, American Redstart, Nashville and Tennessee warblers..plus we had several Northern Water thrush's calling all along the boardwalk - we never did get to see one.. In the early evening we received a report of several American Bittern and Sora Rails being seen in a nearby marsh.

American Redstart

Black Throated Green

We decided to travel to the swamp area and began asking if anyone knew how to get there. We ended up receiving directions for a friendly local birder and headed to the Mallard Creek Swamp area. Once we arrived at the correct parking area (a long story about this - we went to 2 others before finding the right one) - we proceeded to the dike area and found a large group of birders standing nearby. They informed us that the just saw and heard a American Bittern and had several Sora's calling - needless to say - our group was very excited.

Sora Rail

We stood with the group for several minutes - but no calling or visuals - so we decided to walk around the dike - we didn't proceed 200 feet when someone in the group spotted our first Sora Rail - everyone had great looks and where very excited  - as this a very rare bird in our our home area. We continued on our walk and began hearing American Bitterns calling as well as several more Sora's - our group was starting to get very excited as the American Bittern would be lifer for several of them. We kept hearing American Bitterns but could not get any visual....as we continued our walk around the dike....we did get to see several more Sora's. Then as we approached the starting point (where the original group was) - a American Bittern took flight and sailed across the marsh - giving everyone a very special in flight look - this was also a fist for me - I had seen Bitterns before but never in flight - and then a few minutes of talking about what just happened - another Bittern took flight....a WOW moment of the whole group!! Two American Bittern's observed in flight - a first for everyone in the group - not soon to be forgotten.

American Bittern

 

We ended the walk with a total of  11 Sora's calling, 3 visually, and 6 American Bitterns calling with two visually seen in flight - what a way to end the day. Needless to say - we will be back to this area next year.

We ended the our third day of the trip with a total species count of 96.