May 30, 2004
Pennsylvania
*Schuylkill County
*May 30, 2004
*Birdline: 570-622-6013
*Compiler: Tom Clauser
Comments: Schuylkill County has now recorded 195 species for 2004,
with two new species for the week, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON,
and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. I have been checking over the
numerous reports coming into the Birdline over the past month or so,
in an effort to see if there may be any common species which seem to
be showing a decline in birds reported. One species stands out above
all others, that being Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The only report for these
last two Birdlines is the one at Rattling Run, Port Clinton, on 5/22.
Species Highlights: (1st year birds in caps)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON
Common Merganser
Northern Harrier
Black-billed Cuckoo
Whip-poor-will
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER
Acadian Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Horned Lark
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Hermit Thrush
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Bobolink
STEPHENS ROAD: (sg)
On 5/23 two BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were heard calling,
as they were migrating along the Schuylkill River. Also at this same
location are possible nesting pairs of Black-billed Cuckoos and Willow
Flycatchers.
SWEET ARROW LAKE: (ddon)
On 5/27 a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was heard calling while
flying in a northerly direction. Other birds included Great Blue Heron,
Green Heron, Great Horned Owl, Cedar Waxwings, Wood Thrushes,
Eastern Towhee, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ovenbird, Common
Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler, Great Crested Flycatcher, Baltimore
Oriole, and Indigo Buntings.
On 5/29 birds reported were Fish Crow, Red-eyed Vireo, and Belted
Kingfisher.
LEBANON RESERVOIR: (dkr)
On 5/30 there were numerous excellent birds reported from this location
all the way northeast along Fishing Creek to the De Haas Run area,
including: the year's first YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, 2 Alder
Flycatchers, 11 Acadian Flycatchers, 4 Pileated Woodpeckers (two
territories), 2 Hairy Woodpeckers, 5 Hooded Warblers, Broad-winged
Hawk, 9 Eastern Wood-Pewees, 7 Blue-headed Vireos, 4 Great Crested
Flycatchers, 3 Louisiana Waterthrushes, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Black-
billed Cuckoo, Blackburnian Warbler, 6 Black-throated Blue Warblers,
Blackpoll Warbler, 2 Swamp Sparrows, 5 Yellow-throated Vireos, Worm-
eating Warbler, and 2 Common Mergansers.
SGL-160 ROCK: (tc)
On 5/27 birds included 2 Great Blue Herons, Yellow-billed Cuckoo,
Northern Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, 2 Eastern Kingbirds, 4 White-
eyed Vireos, Red-eyed Vireo, 3 House Wrens (and nest), 4 Blue-gray
Gnatcatchers, 4 Veeries, 6 Wood Thrushes, 5 Cedar Waxwings, 4
Blue-winged Warblers (one singing the extended song), 4 Yellow
Warblers, 4 Black-and-white Warblers, 5 Ovenbirds, 9 Common Yellow-
throats, Scarlet Tanager, 4 Indigo Buntings, and 2 Baltimore Orioles.
STILL CREEK RESERVOIR: (dkr)
On 5/28 birds included Cliff Swallows, which have returned after a short
absence, with possibly two dozen nests observed. Also a Pine Warbler
was heard, which hadn't been heard at this location since early April.
MOLINO: (dkr)
On 5/28 the same Kentucky Warbler from 5/23 was still singing from
the exact same location, along the railroad tracks between the Acopian
Center and Route 61. Also heard were Prairie Warbler and White-eyed
Vireo.
LANDINGVILLE: (tc)
As mentioned on the last Birdline, the Bank Swallow colony at the
siltbanks remains quite active and successful, with possibly well over
six dozen swallows present.
ADAMSDALE: (vc)
Birds for the week include Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Gray Catbird,
Northern Mockingbird, Eastern Bluebird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, House
Wren, American Goldfinch, Downy Woodpecker, Barn Swallow, Tree
Swallow, Belted Kingfisher, Turkey Vulture, Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal,
Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chcikadee, Common Yellowthroat,
House Finch, and Yellow Warbler.
NEW RINGGOLD area: (ddol,ldol)
A Pileated Woodpecker has been observed regularly at a location north
of New Ringgold. Indigo Buntings were also commonly seen, but Rose-
breasted Grosbeaks seem to be absent this year.
RINGTOWN: (dkr)
On 5/29 birds included Black-billed Cuckoo, 2 Alder Flycatchers, Pine
Warbler, 2 Horned Larks, 4 Bobolinks, 3 Grasshopper Sparrows, 2
Eastern Meadowlarks, and 2 female Northern Harriers.
GREENWOOD DAM & NESQUEHONING CREEK: (dkr)
On 5/29 this area east of Hometown held Northern Parula, 4 Blue-headed
Vireos, 2 Black-throated Blue Warblers, 3 Canada Warblers, and a
Hermit Thrush.
HIDDEN VALLEY: (aml,dkr)
On 4/25 there was a Blackpoll Warbler heard. Other birds for the week
included Whip-poor-will, Cedar Waxwing, Brown Thrasher, Northern
Flicker, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, nesting Tree Swallows,
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Common Grackle,
Red-winged Blackbird, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Tufted Titmouse,
Black-capped Chickadee, American Kestrel, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-
tailed Hawk, Chipping Sparrow, American Goldfinch, and House Finch.
WEST PENN TOWNSHIP - CLAMTOWN: (bb)
On 5/30 there were mnay birds reported, some of which were Veery,
Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-bellied
Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird,
Wild Turkey, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Yellow Warbler, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Gray Catbird, Blue Jay, Baltimore Oriole,
Red-eyed Vireo, American Redstart, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow,
Ruffed Grouse, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, American Crow nest with
young, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, and Northern Cardinal.
LAKE WYNONAH: (dkl)
Birds reported for the week include nesting Cedar Waxwings, nesting
Baltimore Orioles, and nesting House Wrens.
PLUM CREEK - LUTZ VALLEY: (bc)
On 5/30 birds included 2 Savannah Sparrows, 7 Northern Cardinals, 4
House Finches, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, 10 Common Grackles, Chimney
Swift, 19 American Robins (some fledglings), 5 Red-eyed Vireos, 4 Wood
Thrushes, 2 Eastern Wood-Pewees, 7 Song Sparrows (nesting activity),
9 Gray Catbirds, 2 European Starlings, Northern Flicker, 3 Indigo Buntings, 10 Red-winged Blackbirds, 4 Tree Swallows (one nesting pair),
2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Towhee, Blue Jay
(one carrying food), 5 Cedar Waxwings, 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds,
11 Mourning Doves, and 2 Tufted Titmice.
LEWISTOWN VALLEY: (sw)
Birds for the week around the Mountain Road area include Veery, Ruby-
throated Hummingbird, Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Oriole, Wood Thrush,
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, Eastern Bluebird, Turkey
Vulture, Killdeer, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Blue Jay, White-
breasted Nuthatch, American Goldfinch, Red-tailed Hawk, Tree Swallow,
Barn Swallow, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow, Common Grackle, American Robin, European Starling & Mourning Dove.
Contributors: Barb Birosik, Brian Clauser, Tom Clauser, Viv Connor, Dave Dolinsky, Laurie Dolinsky, Denise Donmoyer, Sue Guers, Doris Klint, Dave Kruel, Ann Marie Liebner, and Sally Weisacosky.
*End Transcript.
