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.