Lebanon County 1st Butterflies recorded in 2020

The 2020 butterfly season had an early start this year with the rather mild winter we've been having.

On March 9, a Cabbage White was observed at Tunnel Hill Park in Lebanon. The Cabbage White may be the most widely seen and recognized butterfly species in Lebanon county. It can be seen fluttering around in almost any farmers field and home yard in county.

Cabbage White

Two days later, on March 11th at the same park a Morning Cloak and Eastern Comma were also observed.

Eastern Comma

Mourning Cloak

A nice start to the 2020 Lebanon County Butterfly season and count.

Until Next time

Lebanon County Pa 2019 Butterflies

2019 was the 2nd year that I started keeping the list of butterfly species that where verified and confirmed sighting in Lebanon Count Pa - for the year 2019 there where 50 species sighted.

As I just saw my first butterfly of 2020 on March 13 (a Cabbage White at Middle Creek wildlife Area) , I thought I would review some of the highlights of 2019.

In 2019 both a Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulphur & Cabbage White where recorded March 20 as the first species seen and recorded in Lebanon County. The Cabbage White may be the most recognized and abundant butterfly species seen  in Lebanon County. Just look out over any farm grass field and you will see them fluttering. Quite a site when you see hundreds of them in June & July.

Spring Azure

Cloudless Sulphur

Also as with other years, my yard meadow again this year had an abundance of Tiger Swallowtails, Pearl Crescents, Silver Spotted Skippers, Spicebush Swallowtail, Spring and Summer Azures just to name a few. The pollinator meadow continues to amaze me with the abundance of species I record there each year.

Red admiral

Hobomak Skipper

Tiger Swallowtail

A real surprise was the sighting of a Tawny Emperor on July 2 sitting on my house siding - the first recorded yard sighting of this species.

Tawny Emperor 

Tawny Emperor

The Painted Lady and Buckeye butterflies seemed to be in abundance in 2019, with many reported sighting throughout the Lebanon County. Pearl Crescents where also quite common in 2019.

Painted Lady

A Swarthy Skipper was recorded for the first time on July 26..another yard first.

Swarthy Skipper

August 25th also saw a surprise with a Hackberry Emperor sighted at the edge of the forest bordering my yard. Another yard first in 2019

Hackberry Emperor

Hackberry Emperor

While Monarch numbers where down somewhat from other years, there was still many reported sighting of Monarch's in the Lebanon and the surrounding counties.The last species of 2019 I recorded in Lebanon County, was a Buckeye on October 11.

As the Spring of 2020 approaches I look forward to another exciting year of recording the butterfly sighting of Lebanon County Pa.

Until next time.

Harlequin Duck in Williamsport, Pennsylvania

During the month of December, 2019 there were rare ebird alerts that a Harlequin Duck was being seen on the Susquehanna River near Williamsport, Pa. I decided to 'chase' this bird and hopefully make it my last counted bird for 2019. I contacted a few follow Audubon members and we set off on the 1 1/2 hour drive to locate the species.

We arrived in Williamsport around 10am. We then drove around for another 45 minutes trying to locate the parking area near the river that we could see but didn't know how to reach. We finally got accurate directions and arrived at the parking area. We parked and walked up on the river dike and starting scanning the river for the Harlequin.

We spotted Common Goldeneye and Common Mergansers but no Harlequin. Was the trip going to end a DNFTB (did not find the bird).

After about 15 minutes, I finally spotted a smaller duck in the rapids near some 'islands' in the river. As we all trained our scopes on the duck...sure enough it was the Harlequin.

Harlequin Duck

After a few high fives, we watched the Harlequin for about 20 minutes and then packed up our gear and headed home....having successfully added the Harlequin Duck as the last recorded species for 2019 and a lifer for everyone's Pennsylvania bird (waterfowl) list.

A nice way to end the 2019 birding year.

Until next time.

Lark Sparrow in Lancaster Pa

Every year I help with the Lititz CBC – this year it was held on Dec 29 – and I was helping Bruce Carl in his section 12 area – which is in and around the Elm/Locust Grove area of Lancaster county.

The day was cool and overcast with rain forecast starting in the early afternoon…so our game plan to hit all the ‘hot’ spots before the rain began. We started the day owling at 4am and had Saw whet, Great Horned and Screech Owl before the sun had risen.

The day was proceeding as planned when we arrive at a woodlot along Boyer Run Road around 1:45 pm – we noticed a few Junco’s, White Throated sparrows some other birds moving around the area. We scanned those birds and as we are standing along the roadside talking – another bird popped up – a lighter colored slightly larger bird then the other sparrows we had been seeing…we immediately put our bins on the bird and where amazed to see a Lark Sparrow.

















Needless to say, we where both rather excited about this rare find. As of this writing the Lark Sparrow has been hanging around the same area and been providing many birders the opportunity to add a rare bird to their PA and overall life list. It always amazes me where these rare birds show up and how the are mostly accidently found – makes you wonder how many are out there that we don’t know about. Below is a link to the ebird hotspot with directions and recent sightings.

Lark Sparrow ebird hotspot

The moral of the story – keep looking at all the birds you see as you never know what you will see in your bins or where it will show up…. perhaps the next rare bird will be in your backyard.

Until next time

Pink Footed Goose in Lebanon County

A Pink Footed Goose was being reported in nearby Lancaster county since mid February but none had been reported in Lebanon county.

On March 22, 2020 a Pink Footed Goose was found and reported on a pond at Middle Creek wildlife area. The pond was in Lebanon County.

After I saw the notice on the Pa rare ebird alert, I drove to MCWA and was lucky enough to see the species. There where several other birders when I arrived and someone pointed the gooses location out to me.

The sighting of the Pink Footed Goose was unofficially a first Lebanon county record.

I took some very poor quality pictures thru my scope with my iPhone and they are posted below.

Several unusually species have been showing up in the area (and around the country), so keep your eyes opened  - you may the one reporting the next rare bird in your area.

Until next time

Hanalie NWR Hawaii April 13 & 14, 2019

My families last two days in were April 13 & 14 on Kauai. This is a beautiful Island and we enjoyed traveling around it and enjoying it's many sites and activites.

I did get to do some birding on our travels as we visited the Hanalie NRW.  The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge on the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaiʻi. It is located within the Hanalei River Valley along the island's northern shore. The Refuge was established on 30 November 1972 for the conservation of endangered plants and animals, especially the Hawaiian stilt, Hawaiian coot, Hawaiian gallinule and Hawaiian duck.(see link below).

 Hanalei NWR

We arrived at Hanalie around 9:30am and started our tour of the area. I was searching for Hawaiian Duck that had eluded me so far on the trip. One of the first species we saw was a Scaly Breasted Munia -  another lifer to my life.

Scaly breasted Munia

We continued our exploration of the area and observed 17 species other species including the target species - Hawaiian Duck. Actually, it looked very similar to the Mallards I see back home in Pennsylvania.

Hawaiian Duck

We left the NWR with a total species count of 17 and my life list for trip standing at 44.

We did continue to explore the island, and revisited Kilauea Point NWR were I added the last lifer for the trip - the Great Frigatebird.

I ended my Hawaiian vacation with a total of 45 lifers and my overall life list at 550.

Great Frigatebird

Our last day in Hawaii was April 14, we had an early flight to SF - unfortunately no birding was done except what we saw on the way to the airport.

I can't wait to return the Hawaii Islands sometime in the future.

Until next time.

Hawaii - Kauai birding - April 12, 2019

After arriving in Kauai and picking up our rental car we traveled https://www.fws.gov/refuge/kilauea_point/ Kilauea Point NWR in search of off shore waterfowl in particular the Laysan Albatross, Red Tailed tropicbird  and Red Footed Booby.

We paid our entrance fee and found a parking spot at the near full lot and walked a short distance to the overlook and were stunned and amazed at the site before us.

There on the cliffs where over 600 Red Footed Booby's. I was speechless at the site. I have heard stories but never expected what I saw...it was a birders paradise.

Red Footed Booby

Red Footed Booby

After recovering my senses, and a many minutes of observation, we moved on in search of our other target birds. We didn't have to go far before we spotted a Laysan Albatross & Wedge Tailed Shearwaters.

The Laysan Albatross where taking off from the so called 'albatross hill' and watching them making the running start before taking flight was an amazing experience.

Laysan Albatross - lifer 542

Laysan Albatross

Laysan Albatross in flight  - and amazing wingspan

The wedge tailed Shearwaters where nesting in the sands right along the walkways...quite and amazing site.

Wedge Tailed Shearwater - lifer 541

Shearwater's in flight

As we moved toward the lighthouse, we spotted both Red & White Tailed tropicbirds - all our target birds in less than 1 hour...amazing.

We spend the next 2 hours there (until they closed and we had to leave) and planned on returning before leaving and the 14th.

In addition, I added a Warbling White Eye to my life life...which now stood at 545

Warbling White Eye lifer - 543

I have already added 41 species to my life list - how many more would I add before leaving in two days...the next post will hi-light the birds I saw on our last two days in Hawaii.

Until next time - good birding.

 

Golden Plovers sighted in Lebanon County Pa

On August 30, 2019 several Golden Plovers where sighted in a small flooded field in South Lebanon township, Lebanon County Pa.

Golden Plovers are a very rare sighting in this part of the county and I was excited to get a chance to view them.

As the sighting location was only 6 miles from my home, I packed my gear and headed there soon after the reporting. I arrived to find many other birders at the area. This was a good sign. As I parked and walked toward the area were everyone was looking, I didn't even need my bins to spot the plovers.

I set up my scope and took a few photo's with my iPhone for my records. I lingered watching the Golden plovers for quite a while talking to many birders as they came and went.

It's nice to see these rare species, but it has me wondering why there are so many showing up in the last few months...could it be global warming and changing migration patterns....only time will tell.

Golden Plovers

Golden Plovers

Until Next time

Snowy Egert in Lebanon County Pa

After being reported few a few days, on August 9, 2019 I decided to try and see the Snowy Egret that was being reported at the Quittapahilla  Educational  Wetland Preserve  in nearby Lebanon, Pa.

Quittie Wetland Preserve

Quittie Weland Preserve Ebird Hotspot

As I arrived in the parking area, there was no one else present...not a good sign...was the bird gone.

I walked the trail to the viewing platform and started scanning the area. After a short time, I spotted the Snowy Egret. Below are some rather poor quality pictures that I took with my iPhone thru the scope. The are definitive in that you can see the Snowy Egrets yellow feet on them

This was the first sighting of a Snowy Egret in Lebanon County in several years and the first Lebanon County sighting for me.

Snowy Egret - notice the yellow feet

Snowy Egret and Great Egret.

Until Next time

Hawaii - Maui birding - April 12, 2019

After packing and eating a quick breakfast - it was off to the airport for a short shuttle ride to Kauai...but first as we where passing the https://www.fws.gov/refuge/kealia_pond/ Kealia Pond NWR we decided to make one last stop.

As it turned out the stop proved rather productive as we added a Chestnut Munia and Java Sparrow to my life list.

Chestnut Munia

Java Sparrow

As we left Maui my life list was a 537.

We boarded the plane at 11:30am and arrived in Kauai at 12:45pm and after picking up luggage and rental car we headed for https://www.fws.gov/refuge/kilauea_point/ Kilauea Point NWR on the northern end of the island arriving at 3;30pm. My search for the Laysan Albatross was about to begin.

More on this on the next post.

Until then good birding.

Western Tanager in Bombay Hook NWR, Delaware

A Western Tanager was being reported over several weeks from mid-December. I had seen this species on my Arizona trips but had never seen it on the East coast.

So on January 2, 2020 several members of the local Audubon made the 3 hour trip to Bombay Hook NWR in an attempt to see the Western Tanager. It was a mild mid-winter day and drive was uneventful. We arrived around 10:45am to find the main parking around the visitors center full with lots of birders and photographers.

We parked, and started walking in the general direction of the visitors center and had only been there l/t 5 minutes when someone shouted...'there it is'.

Sure enough, less that 100 ft away feeding on some berry next the VC building was our bird - the Western Tanager.

We had great looks and after about 10 minutes it flew off, so we decided to drive the tour road as we had plenty of time before heading home later that afternoon.

On the tour road loop we had Long Tailed, Pintail, Black, Mallard, Ruddy, Green winged and several other duck species.

We ended the day with 43 species and started for home around 3:30pm - after another successful 'chase' for a rare bird species.

It was a great day and a nice start to my 2020 birding season.

Until Next time

Hawaii - Maui birding - April 10, 11, 2019

We arrived in Maui after a short flight from the Big Island and after picking up the rental unit drove to our hotel - the Grand Wailea  Grand Wailea hotel - Maui . After checking in, we decided to drive to the nearby Wai'Anapanapa State Park - where I observed two more life birds - a White Tailed Tropic bird and a Black Noddy. As it was getting late, we returned to the hotel for dinner and plan the next day's activities.

White Tailed Tropic Bird

Black Noddy

After breakfast we drove the the Kelia Pond NWR in search of the endemic Hawaiian Coot. We arrived shortly after 7am and were no sooner there when we spotted our taget bird: the Hawaiian Coot - another life bird for the trip #24

Hawaiian Coot

While at Kealia Pond NWR I also added Pacific Golden Plover, Wandering Tattler and African Silverbill before leaving for Homers Grove and Haleakala Natl Park. Haleakala Natl Park 

African Silverbill

As it was raining and very foggy we really didn't get to see much at the top of the volcano, although they told us the view is spectacular -maybe next time -  but we where there!

On the way back from the top of the volcano, we stopped at Homers Grove and I picked up two more lifers: Maui Alauahio and a Red Crested Cardinal #29 for the trip. 

Red Crested Cardinal

We returned to the hotel (after some stops a few beaches & lookoutd) for dinner and while walking around the grounds I spotted a Gray Francolin - lifer #30 for the trip.

Gray Francolin

After two days in Maui my life list now stands at 535.

The next post will look at our last half day in Maui and our first afternoon in Kauai and my search for a Laysan Albatross.

Until next time - good birding.

Hawaii - Big Island Birding - part 2

after we finished lunch on our guided tour of the Hakalau Forest NWR forest, we continue to travel along the downward trail continuing to see some of the same species as in the morning. There was still four endemic that I need to see to complete my target list: the Iiwi, Hawaii Akepa, Akiapolaau, and the Omao.


We saw several more  Hawaiian Creeper and the Hawaiian Goose or Nene.

We kept looking for the needed species and finally heard a Omao calling. We searched for the calling Omao for about 25 minutes before it finally showed itself...a rather secretive bird. I now only had 3 more endemics to go.

After watching the Omao for several minutes our guide heard another trget bird calling the Iiwi - and again we started our search. The Iiwi didn't prove to be as elusive as the Omao and we found several rather quickly. This quickly became one of my favorite birds for the entire trip - as you will see.

We watched to Iiwi feeding in the tree tops for several minutes and then continue our quest for the last 2 endemic species. We first heard and then a  Akepa while we where still watching the Iiwi's - a nice site watching them both in same view. The Akepa is a striking orange color and a species you willnot soon forgot after seeing them.

  We now only have 1 more endemic species to go and it would prove to be the hardest to find. We continue walking down and then ack up the trail several times over thec ourse of abut 2 hours...hearing Akiapolaau calling on several occasions but not being able to see them. 

Finally the guide found a pair and we all quickly rushed over to get some great looks at what because the #1 bird species for the day and maybe the entire trip. The Akiapolaau are absolutely stunning to see and watch. The needle beak is until anything have I ever seen...simple stunning! 

the finding of the Akiapolaau capped off a great day of birding and with some regret we started the trek back to our vehicle and the return trip. I must say it was one of the most interesting days of birding I have had and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Big Island. 

We arrived back at the guides vehicle with a total species count of 28 - not a particularly high count - but we had found al the endemics and the was the main purpose of the trip.

My next post will be on the birds I observed in Maui


Until then - good Birding