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, the 14th edition of the Lancaster County Bird Club's Research Issue, documents the Club's special projects in Lancaster County for the year 2003. It reflects the dedication and hard work of many of our members in pursuit of the Club's goal to record the county's bird life. I encourage more members to take an active part in the compiling of this data by becoming participants in these Club activities.
Upon suggestion from a Club member, the format for the report of the three Christmas Bird Counts has been changed from recent years. I hope it provides an easier and more comprehensive look at the county, as well as a means of comparing these counts.
This year's issue includes the following reports:
- Jan Witmer
President and Newsletter Editor
The 12th Annual North American Migration Count was held on Saturday, May 10, 2003. This marked Lancaster County's 8th year as a participant on this count. As in years previous, a variety of areas were birded throughout the day, including the Susquehanna River Conejohela Flats, Octorara Lake area, Susquehanna State Park, Woods Edge Ponds, Landis Woods, and Alcoa Marsh, just to name a few.
Forty-three Lancaster County birders tallied a total of 168 species for the day. This total was the highest in the state for the second year in a row. It also marked the 8th year in a row that 160 species or more have been identified in the county on count day.
Species totals included: warblers (30), shorebirds (10), vireos (5), swallows (6), raptors (11), and waterfowl (15) which includes loons and grebes.
Highlights were the following: Red-necked Grebes (4), Snow Geese (6), Red-breasted Mergansers (12), Bald Eagles (15), Merlins (2), Peregrine Falcons (2), Virginia Rails (2), Soras (3), Dunlin (8), Wilson's Snipe (1), Woodcock (1), Bonaparte's Gulls (18), Common Terns (2), Common Nighthawk (1), Ring-necked Pheasant (1), Turkey (1), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1), Olive-sided Flycatcher (1), Philadelphia Vireo (1), Hermit Thrush (1), Golden-winged Warbler (1), Prothonotary Warblers (5), Bay-breasted Warblers (28), Vesper Sparrows (5), and Lincoln's Sparrows (4).
Notable misses for the day included Pine Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, Barred Owl, Bobwhite, Ruffed Grouse, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron.
Please feel free to contact me if you have interest in or questions about the North American Bird Count via the phone at (717) 859-4179, or by e-mail at carls@desupernet.net.
The year 2003 was a relatively typical year for shorebirds with a total of 27 species observed. This matches the 10-year average. There was no attempt to estimate the total number of shorebirds seen since coverage was sporadic.
New high single-day counts were established for Semipalmated Sandpiper (850), Dunlin (253), and Red-necked Phalarope (6). All three of these records were set on a cold, rainy, windy day on June 1st. Six Red-necked Phalaropes were also seen after Hurricane Isabel. A single day count of Pectoral Sandpiper (72) was the best since the Ted Hake days in the 1950s.
A new yearly high count was tallied for Ruddy Turnstone when a flock of 25 were noted during the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel. This is also the highest single day count since 1958. A new yearly high count was also reached for Red-necked Phalarope. American Golden-Plover hit its lowest levels in many years.
Hurricane Isabel put down a Hudsonian Godwit and hundreds of shorebirds on the extensive mudflats. Long-range observation was limited to the Lancaster and York shoreline, leaving many to speculate on the identity of the shorebirds.
The most noteworthy occurrence of the year was the terns. In the years 1987 through 1993, only four species of terns were seen each year. During the nine-year period, 1994 through 2002, six species of terns were noted in six of the years and seven in 1996.
On May 25th a Black Skimmer was located at the "Rocks" near Columbia. It later moved down river to the Conejohela Flats. On the 26th Caspian, Forster's, Common, Black, and a single Least Tern were present, producing an unusual "Five-Tern Day." During the very rough and wet weather on June 1st, there was significant movement of both shorebirds and terns. Approximately 200 Forster's Terns were observed along with 41 Black Terns. A dozen Common and a single Caspian were also seen. We stood at six species of terns going into summer.
As summer was drawing to a close on September 19th & 20th, Hurricane Isabel arrived. The worst weather went to our west, but the winds were strong enough to lift a well-anchored observation blind on Avocet Point and deposit it virtually undamaged on its roof about 30 feet from the original location. At first light on the 19th, a contingent of club members was positioned at Long Level in York County and a couple on the Lancaster County side.
Shortly after 10:00 am a pair of Sooty Terns was picked up over the extensive mudflats as they moved downriver. Their progress was slow, but determined, as they flew against strong south winds. Their pelagic nature prepared them well for handling these conditions. The birds were distant, but still afforded all present a lengthy look.
During the early afternoon, two departing members checkED the "Rocks" before heading north to look for other reported rarities. There were few birds found in this location, but one was a Royal Tern. This was a first record for Lancaster County and first fully-documented record for the entire state. I find it interesting that this species, which is found in significant numbers along the Atlantic coast and in small numbers in the Chesapeake Bay, is seldom blown inland during major weather events. Many enjoyed the Royal Tern as it remained in the area of the "Rocks" for the entire afternoon. We were now at eight species of terns for the year, which surpassed the previous high of seven that occurred in 1996.
Another noteworthy sighting in the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel was an adult Pomarine Jaeger. This bird was visible for quite some time on the water and in flight. Three Sabine's Gulls were picked out of the distant white swirl of terns, gulls, and shorebirds. Five Laughing Gulls were noted as well. As might be expected in September, and particularly after bad weather, a Merlin rocketed downriver. It knifed low over the two foot waves, appearing oblivious to the strong winds. The next day Cattle Egret, Tricolored and Little Blue Heron were on the Flats, as was a Peregrine. Seventeen species of shorebirds were confirmed after the storm. Those who were present on the 19th can't help but wonder what species were actually on the extensive mudflats but could not be identified.
On September 28th, the week after Isabel, two birders hoping for storm birds to return via the Susquehanna River were not disappointed. They discovered Lancaster County's second record of Arctic Tern. From their boat they were able to carefully observe the bird perched and in flight. It was often close to two Common Terns, affording direct comparison. We had now reached nine species of terns for the year, a new record, and one that is likely to stand for a long time.
The clich�, "bad weather--good birds," is supported once again by the majority of the noteworthy sightings on the Flats for 2003. The cold, wet, windy weather on June 1st produced impressive numbers of shorebirds and terns. Hurricane Isabel produced good numbers of birds, but will be remembered most for the rarities.
The Southern Lancaster County Christmas Count was held on Sunday, December 21, 2003, with 46 participants identifying 100 species, totaling 145,671 individuals. Originally scheduled for December 14, inclement weather caused postponement to December 21, which provided more favorable weather conditions. Some highlights of this count: sightings of three considered rare for this count &EMDASH; Ross' Goose, Lesser Black-backed Gull, and Glaucous Gull. Other species that had counts that were high this year were: three Peregrine Falcons, two Saw-whet Owls, and 23 Eastern Towhees. Another interesting note of this count was the sighting of 38 Bald Eagles (14 adults, 17 immature, 7 unknown age).
The Lititz Christmas Bird Count was held on Sunday, December 28, 2003. There were 47 participants, who identified 88 species, totalling 51,423 individuals, for the day. Among the highlights were 15 species of waterfowl, nine species of sparrows, and 11 species of raptors, which included both vultures.
Individual highlights were as follows:
| 3 Wood Ducks | 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch |
| 3 Bald Eagles (1 imm., 2 adult) | 3 Hermit Thrush |
| 1 Rough-legged Hawk | 12 American Pipits |
| 1 Merlin | 1 Vesper Sparrow |
| 55 Wild Turkeys | 2 Fox Sparrow |
| 10 Wilson's Snipe | 26 Eastern Towhee |
| 1 Great Black-backed Gull | 12 Eastern Meadowlark |
| 3 Short-eared Owls (heard barking at dusk) | 16 Rusty Blackbirds |
Compiler Chris Pederson reported that this season's Lancaster Christmas Bird Count was conducted on Saturday, January 3, 2004, with 23 participants tallying 75 species and a total of 30,800 individuals. Nothing out of the ordinary was sighted in terms of the species or numbers of individuals.
Thanks to all who participated. We really could use more help on this count. Hopefully, more people will be volunteering to assist next year.
Birding in Lancaster County during 2003 produced a record 283 species being identified. This surpassed the old mark of 276 species set only last year. Three new species were added to the 27-year composite list, along with Monk Parakeet seen in recent years, which was accidentally omitted, now makes the new county list total 333 species. The Monk Parakeets, along with two of this year's species will have an * next to them to signify that origin of this species was uncertain.
Royal Tern was found at the "Rocks" south of Columbia on the Susquehanna River during Hurricane Isabel on September 19 & 20, 2003. (1ST COUNTY RECORD)
*European Goldfinch - A well-described male was coming to a bird feeder near Strasburg in September. (Origin uncertain)
*Ringed Turtle-Dove - One bird was found in Manheim on July 9 and stayed in the area until July 24. (Origin uncertain)
Henslow's Sparrow - A single bird was heard well and seen briefly along the area of Stop #3 at Middle Creek WMA on August 8 & 9. This marked the first time since the mid-1970s that this species was identified in the county.
Imm. White Ibis - One bird was seen at Middle Creek WMA on July 25 and continued to be seen sporadically until mid-August.
Arctic Tern - Lancaster County's 2nd record of this species was found on the Susquehanna River Conejohela Flats (SRCF) on September 28.
Black Skimmer - A single bird was located at the "Rocks" south of Columbia on the Susquehanna River on May 31 and was also seen at the SRCF area the same day.
Rufous/Allen's-type Hummingbird - There were two separate sightings of this possible species during the fall of 2003. One was near Peach Bottom in southern Lancaster County on October 19. Another was seen near Churchtown in northern Lancaster County on November 3. Both seemed to be one-day sightings.
Hurricane Isabel moved through the area on September 19 & 20 and produced some interesting sightings along the Susquehanna River from the "Rocks," SRCF to Long Level. They included the following: two Sooty Terns, three imm. Sabine's Gulls, one Adult Pomarine Jaeger, one Hudsonian Godwit, five Laughing Gulls, and, of course, one Royal Tern to go with a total of 17 species of shorebirds.
Waterfowl - Again, Snow Geese captured most of the spotlight this year with about 120,000 birds seen at Middle Creek WMA in mid-March. Three Ross' Geese were found among this flock of Snow Geese. Red-necked Grebes seemed to be everywhere this spring with the highest totals coming from the Susquehanna River. A high count of 91 Red-necked Grebes were at Long Level on March 7. On March 9, there were still 50+ Red-necked Grebes at Long Level and a nice raft of about 200 Canvasbacks on the SRCF. Other highlights include Eurasian Wigeon and Greater White-fronted Goose.
Shorebirds - Thirty species were found in Lancaster County during 2003. One special highlight was the finding of a pair of Red-necked Phalaropes at Middle Creek WMA on May 24, with the male of this pair staying until June 4. For this species to stay for this amount of time was quite unusual and gave many birders a close view at this seldom-seen bird. Other notable sightings include American Avocet, Whimbrel, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Wilson's Phalarope, and Upland Sandpiper.
Gulls & Terns - 2003 was a banner year for these two species groups with ten species of gulls and nine species of terns (Lancaster County Record) being identified. Gull highlights include Iceland and Glaucous Gulls (1st time since 1998 that these two species were seen in the same year), Lesser Black-backed Gull and Sabine's Gull (2nd year in a row). Tern sightings include Royal Tern (as mentioned earlier), Arctic Tern (2nd time in three years), Sooty Tern (1st since 1996) and Black Skimmer.
Warblers - Thirty-six species were identified this year with some of the highlights as follows. There were a nice number of Prothonotary Warblers (five) found on the North American Migration Count (NAMC) on May 10. Connecticut Warbler (3rd year in a row), Orange-crowned Warbler (5th time in six years), and Mourning Warbler (six years in a row) were also recorded.
Some other notable sights for the year include:
The Great Blue Heron rookery along Meadow View Road was again active for the third year in a row with seven nests. A second Great Blue Heron rookery was found this year on private property near State Game Land 156 in the Furnace Hills area.
A Summer Tanager was heard singing near Adamstown on May 18.
From one to three Glossy Ibis were at Wood's Edge Ponds from April 18-22.
A Mississippi Kite was found near Marietta on July 13.
On November 3, along Memorial Road northwest of Lititz, a Snowy Owl was seen chasing Rock Pigeons in the area.
A singing Clay-colored Sparrow was found on Elizabethtown Road in northern Lancaster County on November 18.
A possible, but not fully-identified, large gray falcon (Gyrfalcon?) was seen in the area north of Bareville between Leola and New Holland by an experienced birder visiting from out of state on December 4. Looks like this one may have gotten away.
Short-eared Owls put on quite a show on the Lititz Christmas Bird Count with three to four birds in the area of Stop #3 at Middle Creek WMA at dusk on December 28. What made this sighting special was that the birds were calling (barking) at each other as they flew over the fields. Also seen were five Northern Harriers in the same area.
Two species not listed for this year were Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. The first species was not located this year for the first time in many years. High river levels during this bird's southern migration in late September and early October prevented suitable habitat being available for them to use on the islands near Bainbridge. The second species has not been confirmed nesting in the county in the past few years. Sightings were of individual birds in recent years, with none being found this year. Hopefully, the upcoming Breeding Bird Atlas will relocate this species in the county. Seems like the reliable spots of the past have been abandoned.
Created for the Internet on ... 1 September 2005