Schuylkill County Birdline

Monday, October 25, 2004

October 24, 2004

Pennsylvania
^Schuylkill County
*October 24, 2004
*Birdline: 570-622-6013
*Compiler: Tom Clauser

Species Highlights:

Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Snow Goose
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk (albino) Columbia County
Rough-legged Hawk
Golden Eagle
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Greater Yellowlegs
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Horned Lark
Tree Swallow
Winter Wren
Gray Catbird
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Savannah Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin

PORT CLINTON: (dw)
On Wednesday evening, at about 5:15, approximately 150 Turkey
Vultures were seen flying east, coming from the N & NW.

SCHWARTZ VALLEY ROAD: (sweid)
On 10/19 a first year BALD EAGLE was seen perched on a fence
post for the better part of an hour, occasionally dropping into the
grass, presumably for rodents. The eagle was periodically divebombed
by an American Kestrel.

HIDDEN VALLEY BANDING STATION: (sweid)
On 10/20 there were three more NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS
banded, bringing the total as of that date to 22 birds.

HIDDEN VALLEY: (aml)
Birds for the week included Chipping Sparrows, White-crowned
Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, American Goldfinches, Northern
Flickers, Downy Woodpeckers, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk,
Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vultures, Chickadee species, Tufted Titmice,
Song Sparrows, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinals, Common
Grackles, European Starlings, American Crows, and American Kestrel.

LEWISTOWN VALLEY - MOUNTAIN RD.: (sweis)
Birds for the week included Black-capped Chickadees, Red-tailed
Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Blue Jays, Eastern Screech-Owl, and Great
Horned Owl.

LAKE WYNONAH: (dkl)
On 10/19 there were 22 BUFFLEHEADS on one of the lakes. On 10/15
there was a huge flock of from 3000 to 4000 Common Grackles.

ROEDERSVILLE: (dd)
On 10/23 birds included PALM WARBLER, and Blue-headed Vireo.

SWEET ARROW LAKE: (dd)
On 10/19 birds included PIED-BILLED GREBE, Great Blue Heron,
PURPLE FINCH, and Swamp Sparrow.
On 10/20 a Red-breasted Nuthatch was seen.
On 10/23 birds included Fish Crow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-
crowned Kinglet, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker,
and Downy Woodpecker.

SGL-160 ROCK: (tc)
Birds on 10/24 included GRAY CATBIRD, 7 Chipping Sparrows,
Northern Flicker, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, 30 Rock Pigeons, 84 Cedar
Waxwings, 23 American Robins, 14 Blue Jays, 10 American Crows,
7 White-breasted Nuthatches, 98 White-throated Sparrows, 16
Northern Cardinals, 30 Field Sparrows, 32 Song Sparrows, 32 Dark-
eyed Juncos, 5 Chickadee species, 8 Downy Woodpeckers, 3 Tufted
Titmice, 1 Swamp Sparrow, 1 Northern Mockingbird, 3 Red-bellied
Woodpeckers, 3 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 6 American Goldfinches,
and 1 FOX SPARROW.

McADOO: (jd)
Birds for the week included House Finch, House Sparrow, American
Goldfinch, and 2 PINE SISKINS on 10/22.

LANDINGVILLE: (tc)
On 10/22 birds included RING-NECKED DUCK, Great Blue Heron,
Winter Wren, Eastern Phoebe, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped
Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, Chipping Sparrow, Turkey Vulture,
Carolina Wren, American Robin, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern
Bluebird, and Chickadee species.

TUMBLING RUN WATERSHED: (tc)
On 10/22 there were 16 Turkey Vultures and 2 Black Vultures near
the #1 reservoir. Other birds included Great Blue Heron, and Yellow-
rumped Warblers.

HAWK MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY: (db,staff/vols)
Non-raptor highlights for the previous week included 2,634 Canada
Geese and 167 SNOW GEESE on 10/18, and 809 Canada Geese
and 7 SNOW GEESE on 10/19. PURPLE FINCHES were reported
most every day during the week. Besides Yellow-rumped Warblers,
there were also reports of Black-throated Green Warblers, Black-
throated Blue Warblers, PINE WARBLERS, and PALM WARBLERS.
Other highlights included 2 GREATER YELLOWLEGS on 10/16, a
WINTER WREN on 10/14 and 10/16, and 22 DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANTS on 10/13. There were also 159 TREE SWALLOWS
reported during the previous weekend.
On 10/20 and 10/22 a GOLDEN EAGLE flew by the North Lookout,
bringin the total to 10 birds. On 10/20, 10/22, and 10/23 a BALD EAGLE
flew by, bring that total to 155 birds. On 10/20 and 10/23 a PEREGRINE
FALCON was seen, bringing that total to 41 birds. On 10/20 there
were 7 MERLINS reported, as well as 3 more on 10/22, bringing their
total to 93 birds, and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen on 10/18 and
10/22, bringing that total to 3 birds. Other overall totals for 2004 include
9 Black Vultures, 130 Turkey Vultures, 1 Northern Goshawk, 2686
Sharp-shinned Hawks, 471 Cooper's Hawks, 517 Red-tailed Hawks,
99 Red-shouldered Hawks, 6387 Broad-winged Hawks, 103 Northern
Harriers, 664 Ospreys, and 355 American Kestrels. The overall raptor
total for 2004 including unidentified birds is currently at 11,842.

COLUMBIA COUNTY: (mg)
An albino RED-TAILED HAWK was seen near the intersection of the
Old Reading Railroad and Ringtown Mountain Road, about 3 miles
from the Schuylkill County line.

RINGTOWN: (mg):
Birds for the week included 7 American Crows, 8 Blue Jays, 18 Dark-
eyed Juncos, 2 Blue-headed Vireos, 5 Red-tailed Hawks (2 adults and
3 juveniles), Cooper's Hawk, Northern Harrier, 4 American Kestrels,
5 Downy Woodpeckers, 2 Pileated Woodpeckers, Brown Creeper,
6 Eastern Phoebes, 6 Tufted Titmice, 11 Black-capped Chickadees,
WINTER WREN, 3 White-breasted Nuthatches, 13 Ruby-crowned
Kinglets, 2 American Robins, 6 White-throated Sparrows, White-
crowned Sparrow, 12 House Sparrows, 5 Northern Cardinals, 17
American Goldfinches, 17 Canada Geese, 2 Ring-necked Pheasants,
Ruffed Grouse, 9 Turkey Vultures, 2 Mallards, 8 Yellow-rumped
Warblers, Great Blue Heron, 8 House Finches, 30 Common Grackles,
14 Mourning Doves, 10 Rock Pigeons, Great Horned Owl, 3 Northern
Mockingbirds, 5 Eastern Bluebirds, 4 Cedar Waxwings, 50 European
Starlings, 4 Chipping Sparrows, FOX SPARROW, 2 Field Sparrows,
and 26 Wild Turkeys.

TUSCARORA STATE PARK: (dkr,nt)
On 10/23 there was a Blue-headed Vireo as well as other birds.

PITMAN: (dkr,nt)
On 10/23 birds included 2 American Kestrels, SAVANNAH SPARROW,
and a few HORNED LARKS.

WOODLAND ACRES: (dkr)
On 10/23 a few PURPLE FINCHES were heard calling.

Weishample: (rb)
Birds on 10/22 and 10/23 included American Crow, Red-bellied
Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, Common
Grackle, Pileated Woodpecker, Canada Goose, American Robin,
Great Horned Owl, White-breasted Nuthatch, Dark-eyed Junco,
Northern Cardinal, White-throated Sparrow, and Blue Jay.

SGL-110 SCHUYLKILL/BERKS COUNTIES: (kg)
Birds on 10/24 included 44 Canada Geese, 6 Rock Pigeons, 2 Downy
Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpecker, 3 Blue Jays, 13 Chickadee species,
3 Tufted Titmice, 2 White-breasted Nuthatches, 3 WINTER WRENS (all
Berks County), 9 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets,
2 Hermit Thrushes, 1577(!) American Robins, 60 European Starlings,
14 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 Eastern Towhees, 1 FOX SPARROW,
1 Song Sparrow, 30 White-throated Sparrows, 125 Dark-eyed Juncos,
323 Common Grackles, 1 PURPLE FINCH, 1 PINE SISKIN, and 6
American Goldfinches.

Contributors: David Barber, Roland Bergner, Tom Clauser, John
DeBalko, Denise Donmoyer, Marilyn Gamble, Kerry Grim, Doris
Klint, Dave Kruel, Ann Marie Liebner, Nancy Trout, Scott Weidensaul,
Sally Weisacosky, Doud Wood, and Hawk Mt. staff/vols.

Monday, October 11, 2004

October 10, 2004

*Pennsylvania
*Schuylkill County
*October 10, 2004
*Birdline: 570-622-6013
*Compiler: Tom Clauser

Species Highlights:

Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Red-headed Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Winter Wren
Lincoln's Sparrow
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin

SCHWARTZ VALLEY ROAD (sw):
There were 2 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS present this weekend, as well
as White-crowned Sparrows, Northern Harriers, and Eastern Meadow-
larks.

HIDDEN VALLEY BANDING STATION (sw):
As of 10/8 there were 5 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS banded. With
reports of a major irruption of Boreal Owls underway in central Quebec,
a few banding nets will be set in hopes of possibly banding one of these
owls.

SWATARA STATE PARK (mt):
Birds on 10/3 included Brown Creeper, Red-eyed Vireo, 2 Blue-headed
Vireos, 2 Black-throated Green Warblers, 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers,
Chickadee species, Tuftted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Northern
Flicker, 3 White-crowned Sparrows, and a female Ruffed Grouse.

WEISHAMPLE (rb):
Birds on 10/9 included Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse,
Northern Flicker, Dark-eyed Junco, American Crow, and Wild Turkey.

SGL-110 RT. 183 (kg):
34 species of birds were observed in both Schuylkill and Berks Counties
during the morning of 10/10, some of which were Sharp-shinned Hawk,
Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy
Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireo, Chickadee species,
Red-breasted Nuthatch, 8 WINTER WRENS, Golden-crowned Kinglet,
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped
Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern
Towhee, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed
Junco, Purple Finch, and a possible heard PINE SISKIN.

SGL-110 PORT CLINTON (dk):
Birds on 10/6 included 77 White-throated Sparrows, 7 WINTER WRENS,
3 Black-throated Blue Warblers, 17 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 3 Black-
throated Green Warblers, Nashville Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, 28 Blue
Jays, Hermit Thrush, 3 Northern Cardinals, Carolina Wren, 8 Ruby-
crowned Kinglets, Turkey Vulture, Tennessee Warbler, Yellow-rumped
Warbler, 2 Eastern Towhees, 2 Ruffed Grouse, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-
eyed Vireo, Red-bellied Woodpecker, 9 Chickadee species, 3 Blue-
headed Vireos, 2 American Crows, 7 Tufted Titmice, 3 White-breasted
Nuthatches, and 3 Downy Woodpeckers.

WEST PENN TOWNSHIP - CLAMTOWN (bb):
Bird reported on 10/9 included 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Eastern
Phoebe, Downy Woodpecker, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-breasted Nuthatch,
2 Mourning Doves, 2 American Crows, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted
Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, and American Goldfinches.

HAWK MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY (db,dk,vols,staff):
Non-raptor birds of interest for the week included a big flight of RED-
HEADED WOODPECKERS (totalling 28 last Saturday and Sunday,
10/2 & 10/3. Also 22 Golden-crowned Kinglets on 10/2 and their year's
first YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER.
On 10/8 non-raptor birds included Northern Parula, Black-throated Green
Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-
crowned Kinglet, Blue-headed Vireo, PINE SISKIN, PURPLE FINCH,
Red-breasted Nuthatch, WINTER WREN, and a somewhat unusual
Field Sparrow for the North Lookout.
On 10/10 a GOLDEN-EAGLE flew past the North Lookout, the first one
for the 2004 count. 6 BALD EAGLES were also seen on 10/10, as well
as 2 PEREGRINE FALCONS. Except for 10/6, PEREGRINE FALCONS
were reported every day 10/4 through 10/10. MERLINS were also seen
most every day during the week, except on 10/6 and 10/10. Following
are the current overall totals for 2004: 6 Black Vultures, 66 Turkey
Vultures, 1723 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 314 Cooper's Hawks, 209 Red-
tailed Hawks, 40 Red-shouldered Hawks, 6387 Broad-winged Hawks,
1 GOLDEN EAGLE, 145 BALD EAGLES, 70 Northern Harriers, 625
Ospreys, 34 PEREGRINE FALCONS, 60 MERLINS, and 335 American
Kestrels. The grand total including unidentified raptors is at 10,103.

Contributors: Roland Bergner, David Barber, Barb Birosik, Tom Clauser,
Kerry Grim, Dave Kruel, Mike Tanis, and Scott Weidensaul.

Monday, October 04, 2004

October 3, 2004

Pennsylvania
*Schuylkill County
*October 3, 2004
*Birdline: 570-622-6013
*Compiler: Tom Clauser

Species Highlights:

Double-crested Cormorant
Mississippi Kite (Berks County)
Bald Eagle
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Red-headed Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Philadelphia Vireo
Common Raven
Winter Wren
Swainson's Thrush
Cape May Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Lincoln's Sparrow
Purple Finch

SWEET ARROW LAKE (dd):
Birds from 9/27 through 10/2 included Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey, Great
Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT,
Green Heron, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Fish Crow, Northern Flicker,
Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker,
Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern
Phoebe, and Eastern Screech-Owl.

FROG HOLLOW (tc):
Birds during dusk of 10/3 included Eastern Screech-Owl, WINTER
WREN, 2 White-breasted Nuthatches, 7 Black-capped Chickadees,
Hairy Woodpecker, Hermit Thrush, Blue Jay, 4 American Robins,
3 Gray Catbirds, 2 Song Sparrows, 6 White-throated Sparrows, and
4 Northern Cardinals.

HAWK MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY (db,dk,jond,vols & staff):
On 9/29 a MISSISSIPPI KITE was observed soaring on the south side
of the North Lookout. This kite was apparently only seen on the Berks
County side of the lookout.
On 10/2 a PEREGRINE FALCON and a MERLIN were seen from the
North Lookout. 6 MERLINS were seen on 10/1 and 2 more on 10/3.
Also 5 nice Red-shouldered Hawks were seen on 10/3. Overall totals
for the season include 1205 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 186 Cooper's Hawks,
121 Red-tailed Hawks, 27 Red-Shouldered Hawks, 6387 Broad-winged
Hawks, 136 BALD EAGLES, 59 Northern Harriers, 597 Ospreys, 16
PEREGRINE FALCONS, 52 MERLINS, 296 American Kestrels, and
1 MISSISSIPPI KITE. Including unidentified raptors the grand total is
currently at 9150.
Non-raptor species of interest for the week included RED-HEADED
WOODPECKERS and Red-bellied Woodpeckers almost daily, as well as
2 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS on 10/2. The previous week's Blue
Jay total was at 1,794, and Cedar Waxwings moved through at a 1,497
count. The previous week also accounted for the year's first sightings of
Dark-eyed Juncos, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and PURPLE FINCHES.
Although in dwindling numbers, 14 species of warblers were reported the
previous week, including WILSON'S WARBLER and PALM WARBLER.

RT. 183 HAWKWATCH (aml):
Reports from 9/27 included an adult BALD EAGLE, MERLIN, American
Kestrel, 11 Turkey Vultures, 4 Black Vultures, 11 Sharp-shinned Hawks,
Cooper's Hawk, Tree Swallows, Chimney Swifts, numerous Blue Jays,
20 Canada Geese, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, American
Goldfinches, Eastern Towhee, Northern Flicker, Gray Catbird, and
Northern Cardinal.

SGL-110 RT. 183 (kg):
Birds in or near the Schuylkill County side included COMMON RAVEN,
Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3 WINTER WRENS, Golden-crowned Kinglets,
Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 PINE WARBLER, Eastern Towhees, White-
throated Sparrows, Scarlet Tanager, 3 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS (all in
Berks County), and Dark-eyed Juncos.

TUMBLING RUN WATERSHED (tc):
On 10/3 birds included Canada Geese, Belted Kingfisher, 2 Downy
Woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, Blue-headed Vireo, 3 Ruby-crowned
Kinglets, Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk,
numerous Blue Jays, American Crows, 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets,
SWAINSON'S THRUSH, 2 Hermit Thrushes, 9 Gray Catbirds, Brown
Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, 4 White-breasted Nuthatches, 2
Eastern Phoebes, 14 Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmouse,
2 House Wrens, WINTER WREN, 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black-
throated Blue Warbler, 4 Black-throated Green Warblers, Common
Yellowthroat, 23 Eastern Towhees, 4 Song Sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco,
numerous White-throated Sparrows, 2 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, and
2 Field Sparrows.

COAL MOUNTAIN ROAD (lg):
A nice warbler fallout was reported recently, which included Magnoila
Warbler and Tennessee Warbler. Other birds included Ruby-crowned
Kinglets, Eastern Phoebes, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers.

HIDDEN VALLEY (aml):
Birds for the week included Eastern Phoebe, 7 Killdeer, and
Chipping Sparrow.

SGL-227 TUSCARORA (dk,nt,jond):
On 9/29 birds included PHILADELPHIA VIREO, 5 Black-throated Blue
Warblers, 2 Black-throated Green Warblers, Sharp-shinned Hawk, and
Osprey.
On 10/2 birds included a MERLIN perched on a telephone pole, Common
Yellowthroats, 3 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, Field Sparrows, 10 Northern
Flickers, Blue Jays, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, Red-breasted Nuthatch,
3 House Wrens, 2 WINTER WRENS, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Golden-
crowned Kinglets, Nashville Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, 6 Yellow-rumped
Warblers, 2 CAPE MAY WARBLERS, Black-throated Green Warbler,
Indigo Bunting, and PURPLE FINCH.

AIR PRODUCTS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (jond):
On 10/2 birds included 10 Wood Ducks, Osprey, Belted Kingfisher,
Common Yellowthroats, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-throated
Sparrows, and Eastern Phoebe. 3 American Kestrels were also seen
on telephone wires near Air Products and Tuscarora State Park.

WEST PENN TWP. - CLAMTOWN (bb):
On 9/27 there were 2 Dark-eyed Juncos. On 9/29 there was a Ruffed
Grouse. On 10/1 there was an Eastern Screech-Owl. On 10/2 there
was Downy Woodpecker and Red-tailed Hawk, and on 10/3 there were
2 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS, Brown Creeper, 2 Red-bellied
Woodpeckers, and Pileated Woodpecker. Other birds for the week
included Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-
breasted Nuthatch, Mourning Dove, American Crow, Rock Pigeon,
American Goldfinch, and American Kestrel. Also a Black Bear stole
some suet and destroyed a tube feeder.

Contributors: David Barber, Barb Birosik, Tom Clauser, Jonathan
DeBalko, Denise Donmoyer, Laurie Goodrich, Kerry Grim, Hawk Mt.
vols & staff, Dave Kruel, Ann Marie Liebner, and Nancy Trout.