Lancaster County Bird Club
preservation of our native bird life.
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Lancaster County Bird Club |
| Lancaster, Pennsylvania | |
| Founded December 8, 1937 | |
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to secure the cultivation of public sentiment in the preservation of our native bird life. |
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This is the eleventh edition of the Research Issue. It represents the field activities conducted by the Lancaster County Bird Club within the county. This issue reflects the Club's commitment to documenting the county's birdlife. It shows the dedication and hard work of many of our members in pursuit of this goal. I would encourage all Club members to take advantage of the Club's activities to get out and enjoy the county's birds and thus assist in the compilation of this data.
This year's issue includes the following reports:
The ninth Annual North American Migration Count was held on Saturday, May 13, 2000. This year marked Lancaster County's fifth year as a participant in this annual event. Various birding hotspots were covered on this day, which included the three Warbler Walk areas, selected locations along the Susquehanna River, Octoraro Lake area, just to name a few.
The were 166 species observed by 45 participants. This marked the fifth year out of five that 160 species or more were identified on this count on a single day. The 166 species also ranked Lancaster County first in the state for the first time since we started in 1996.
Some of the highlights for the day included the following:
Sixteen Species of Waterfowl - Two Horned Grebe, nine Common Loon, two Snow Geese, one Blue-winged Teal, one Lesser Scaup, two Hooded Merganser, two Common Merganser, one Red-breasted Merganser, and three Ruddy Duck.
Twelve Species of Raptors - 12 Osprey, 12 Bald Eagle, one Northern Goshawk, and two Northern Harrier.
Ten Species of Shorebirds - 33 Semi-Palmated Plover, 203 Least Sandpiper, 24 Dunlin, and five Short-billed Dowitcher.
Twenty-nine Species of Warblers - One Brewster's Warbler, one Tennessee, one Cape May, two Bay-Breasted, 28 Blackpoll, one Cerulean, three Prothonotary, seven Kentucky, two Hooded, five Blackburnian, one Wilson's, and two Yellow-throated.
Ten Species of Sparrows - One Vesper, six Savannah, two Lincoln's, four WhiteCrowned, and 26 White-throated.
Other notable sightings included:
One Wild Turkey, two Northern Bobwhite, one Virginia Rail, one Common Tern, one Forster's Tern, four Common Nighthawks, one Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, one Olive-sided Flycatcher, 28 American Pipits, three Horned Lark, 11 Swainson's Thrush, three Blue Grosbeak, two Purple Finch, and all six swallow species.
As you read this report and view the count chart [in the print edition of this newsletter], the opportunity to observe a wide variety of species during spring migration in Lancaster County is very enticing. So, whether you are young or old, novice or experienced, I hope after looking over results like this that we could gather a few more volunteers for next year's count. It is a wonderful time of year to go birdwatching and could be a learning experience for someone getting to know more about Lancaster County's favorite birding spots and birdlife. Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions regarding the North American Migration County in Lancaster County. The count for 2001 will be held on May 12.
It was a record-setting year for Shorebirds on the Conejohela Flats. The year 2000 produced 32 species of shorebirds which was 7 better than the thirteen year average of 25. It was also 5 better than the previous yearly record high of 27 species, which been tallied on four occasions.
The highlights were many, with Pennsylvania's first Little Stint recorded by Bob Schutsky leading the pack. Details been submitted to PORC, but the single observer sighting of this rare shorebird without photographs will almost certainly result in the record not being officially accepted. However, this does not reflect on the accuracy of the identification nor the importance of the sighting.
Following close behind was the Piping Plover located by Eric Witmer, Tom Garner, and Bruce Carl. This species is rarely recorded anywhere in Pennsylvania, with only four previous sightings on the Flats back in the 1950's and early sixties. The Piping Plover stayed in the area for approximately nine days and was enjoyed by many.
Marbled Godwit was found by Duanne Hoffman and was a nice addition to the list. There have been only four previous sightings. Hudsonian Godwit, which is seen about every other year, was represented by 2 individuals in year 2000.
For the first time in recent history, all three Phalaropes were found on the Flats. Wilson's is the least common on the Flats and has only been recorded twice in the last fourteen years. Red is located about every other year, while Red-necked nearly every year.
Whimbrel put on a great show during the rainy weather in May. The 56 tallied in year 2000 were more than the cumulative total of all sightings on record. Whimbrel was also recorded during the southbound migration, which is unusual but not unprecedented. One Avocet was also picked up, and this species is at best an every other year bird. Short-billed Dowitcher came through in record numbers, with most of the birds found during the same bad weather that brought in the Whimbrels. The same was true for Red Knots. Western Sandpiper, which was not tallied last year for the first time since 1987, was picked up in 2000. This species can slip through the cracks. Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Stilt Sandpiper, Buff-breasted, Stilt, White-rumped, Baird's, and Solitarv Sandpipers were all reasonably well represented.
What did we miss? Willet and Woodcock could not be located. The former had been seen each of the last five years, but not in 2000. The latter was almost certainly on the islands but was not flushed.
The totals listed for the key species referred to in the text above represent all known sightings for the year as reported from many sources. Totals for other species are under-represented since sightings of these species often go unreported.
The total of all shorebirds that used the Conejohela Flats during 2000 is "estimated" to be between 14,745 and 19,169. More work will be done over the next two years to get a better handle on how to estimate total numbers from sample data collected during the official Lake Clark Shorebird Study.
There were other notable highlights. A well-documented alternate plumaged Long-tailed Jaeger, a first state and county record, was found by Steve Ferbotnik and Jason Horn. This arctic breeder and ocean-going migrant was infrequently observed for two days.
Black Skimmer was found for only the fourth time, as was Gull-billed Tern. Least Tern was tallied again for the fifth time in the last seven years. Franklin's, Little, and Laughing Gulls were all represented by three individuals.
Merlin had its second best year, with several of these falcons spending several days on the Flats before moving on.
Habitat maintenance by the Safe Harbor Water Power Company is providing significant dividends, and we all appreciate the positive impact this is having for shorebirds and other river migrants. The "no wake" zone restrictions help both the birds and the birders. It's a little more peaceful without the constant droning of "personal watercraft". The Bald Eagles agree. Seventeen individuals were seen at one time on or near Avocet Point. We know that there are at least twenty-one that used the Flats during the spring and summer of 2000.
The year 2000 will be a tough act to follow. Everything came together to produce a banner year. Maybe we'll put out a bigger spread of shorebird decoys to help pull in enough migrants to match our new level of expectations. Even if we don't duplicate 2000, 2001 will still be a good year.
On a cloudy, windy, rainy day with temperatures ranging from 38° to 62°F, the 42 participants recorded 99 species. One additional species was added during count week for a total of 100 for the count. The total number of birds counted was 79,294. The fact that there was no snow cover and no ice on the streams, ponds, lakes, and the river led to the birds being dispersed over a wide area. The rain didn't help matters either.
Many thanks to all the participants who spent a total of 160 party hours in the field for the day. It would be a great help if more people would assist on this count. Every year it is one of the top counts in Pennsylvania and it probably could even be better if more people volunteered to help.
What a difference two weeks can make in the weather conditions! This count had below freezing temperatures all day, light wind, partly cloudy with four inches of snow cover. Practically all water sources were frozen. A total of 15,968 birds were counted. This included 82 species. The most unusual bird being the Ash-throated Flycatcher, which had been sighted in the Safe Harbor Dam area.
Thanks to the 24 participants who braved the elements. As with the other counts, this one could benefit with more volunteers. Please consider helping out on one of the counts next year.
The 5th Lititz Christmas Bird Count was held on Sunday, December 31, 2000, as part the 101st National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count. There were a total of forty participants in the field for the day.
After three consecutive years of 90+ species being seen, this year's count brought us back closer to more normal numbers with 77 species being seen on count day and an additional four species seen during count week (cw).
Highlights included ten species of waterfowl, 11 species of raptors, and nine species of sparrows. Special sightings within these groups included two Gadwall (cw), two Brant (cw), one Ring-Necked Duck, three Ruddy Duck, two Hooded Merganser (cw), one adult Bald Eagle, one immature male Northern Harrier, one juv. Rough-legged Hawk (light-phase) (cw), one Merlin, one Savannah Sparrow, one Fox Sparrow, and one possible juv. LeConte's Sparrow. If the LeConte's Sparrow is accepted, it would be a first for this count, along with the Brant seen during count week.
Other notable sightings for this count included two Ruffed Grouse, seven Common Snipe, one Herring Gull, 12 Eastern Towhee, one Eastern Phoebe, two Red-breasted Nuthatch, one Gray Catbird, 12 Eastern Meadowlark, one Rusty Blackbird, and three Purple Finch.
My thanks goes out to everyone who helped with this year's count. As always in this type of event, more eyes and ears are always welcome. If anyone has questions or comments about this count, please feel free to contact me. Have a good year of birding in 2001.
Lancaster County birders identified a record 274 species of birds during 2000. This number broke the previous record high of 271 held on three occasions--1992, 1995, and 1997. Four new species were added to the 24-year cumulative list which now stands at 328 species with the yearly average remaining 255.
Listed below are the new species added during 2000:
Thirty-one species of waterfowl were identified during this past year with highlights that include an estimated 75,000 Snow Geese at Middle Creek WMA (MCWMA) during late February into early March with a total of up to five Ross' Geese seen here during the same period. Other notable sightings include Trumpeter Swan (fourth in six years) and Greater White-Fronted Goose (fourth in five years).
A remarkable 33 species of shorebirds were identified in Lancaster with 32 species being seen on the SRCF, which breaks the old record of 27 species held in 1992, 1993, 1997, and 1999. Some of the highlights include Piping Plover and Little Stint, as mentioned earlier, American Avocet (first since 1997), Whimbrel (seen for four days in a row from May 20-23, 2000, that totaled 54 birds), Both Hudsonian and Marbled Godwits were seen for the second year in a row, Red Knot (third in four years) with a high count of 31 seen on May 22, 2000, and Long-billed Dowitcher (third in four years). All three phalarope species were seen during 2000, marking the first time that this has happened since this list started 24 years ago. Wilson's since 1994), Red-necked (fourth in five years), and Red (third in four years), notable miss during 2000 was Willet after being seen for five consecutive years. Another notable miss was Upland Sandpiper for the second year in a row. This species probably occurs in the county every year. Unfortunately, the time spent looking for this species in its preferred habitat during migration is not what it probably should be. Keep this in mind for 2001 and years to come.
From the beginning of January to the end of February, there were two species of orioles being seen in Lancaster County. From January l, 2000, to February 12, 2000, a female Baltimore Oriole was visiting suet and other feeders in Peach Bottom. From January 9, 2000, to February 27, 2000, a female Bullock's Oriole was seen at suet feeders in Mount Joy. There were a few birders who were fortunate to see both of these orioles on the same day to really get a good comparison of these two species.
From January 2, 2000, to February 13, 2000, a Wilson's Warbler took up residence at the sewage discharge area just south of Washington Boro.
The reports of Least Flycatchers in the Safe Harbor area during the first 2 1/2 weeks of June were also noteworthy.
Thirty-three warbler species were identified during 2000 with highlights being Brewster's (second year in a row) and Mourning (third year in a row). The year 2000 marked the fifth year in a row without a sighting of Connecticut Warbler. This is probably the toughest migrant warbler to get in Lancaster County other than Orange-Crowned, which ranks a close second. I'm sure there is one out there somewhere, especially during fall migration. Who will be the lucky person to find one?
The following is a list of other important bird sightings for 2000 in Lancaster County. Included are the following: Franklin's Gull (first since 1997), Gull-billed Tern (second year in a row), Black Skimmer (first since 1995 and fifth county record), Olive-Sided Flycatcher (third in four years), Alder Flycatcher (first since 1997), Western Kingbird (third county record), Common Raven (second year in a row), Sedge Wren (third in five years--first since 1997), Northern Shrike (second year in a row), Clay-colored Sparrow (first since 1993), Red Crossbill (third in four years), and Common Redpoll (third year in a row).
Created for the Internet on ... 4 September 2005