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 eighth edition of the Research Issue. It represents the field activities conducted by the Lancaster County Bird Club in 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. Since the gathering of this information is usually great fun for those participating, 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 research issue includes the following reports:
The sixth North American Migration Count (NAMC) took place on Saturday, May 10, 1997. This was Lancaster County's second year as a participant. There were 54 observers this year, up from 33 in 1996. This count covered various areas across the county, and included the "Warbler Walk" areas. This year's final species count was 161, which fell two species short of last year's total of 163. The 161 species ranked Lancaster County second in the state, only behind the Dauphin County count of 165. The complete listing for the state can be found in Volume 11, No. 2 edition, of the publication, American Birds.
Some areas of the county reported very high numbers of species with the Middle Creek WMA area, Central Hammer Creek area, and the northwest portion of Lancaster County all reporting in at 100 species or more for the day.
Some sightings from the count included the following lingering migrant species: Common Merganser (1), Snow Geese (17), Pied-billed Grebe (1), Northern Harrier (1), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1), Winter Wren (1), Golden-crowned Kinglet (1), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (24), White-throated Sparrow (105), White-crowned Sparrow (7), Northern Junco (4), American Pipits (118), and American Coot (3).
Other highlights of the day included Common Moorhen (1), Merlin (1), Peregrine Falcon (1), Bald Eagle (10), Alder Flycatcher (1), Least Flycatcher (5), and Sedge Wren (1). Thirty-one warbler species were also identified for the day, which included 1,058 Yellow-rumped Warblers. The only migrant warbler species missed were Mourning and Connecticut.
It was again a very exciting day of birding at a good time of the year. I hope to see all who helped out in 1997 again next year.
Please contact either Bruce Carl (Akron 859-4179) or Randy Miller (Manheim 664-3778) if you would like to help or have questions regarding this count. The 1998 count date is Saturday, May 9.
The 1997 Southern Lancaster County Christmas Bird Count was held on Sunday, December 21, under very favorable conditions for this time of year--clear skies, very little wind, and open water. There were 59 participants in the field and one at feeders. The number of species observed was 109 and total individuals were 136,616.
This year's 109 species was exceeded only by the total of 112 which was recorded both in 1994 and 1995. Greater White-fronted Goose and Blue-headed Vireo were new species for this count, bringing the 22-year cumulative species total to 159.
If my calculations are correct, the 60th annual Lancaster CBC was one of the wettest on record. It started snowing at daybreak and continued the rest of the day. Temperatures were above freezing, so most of the snow melted with about an inch accumulating by nightfall. Most people in the field were soaked to their knees by mid-afternoon. One experienced birder said it was the worst count she had ever participated on! The snow, plus fog and mist, made visibility something wished for. A flying bird was a silhouette until mid-morning.
The snow and dampness kept most birds quiet. They practically had to be stepped on before they'd move. We followed two Robins a hundred yards through three-foot firs before they flew. The majority of vultures seen were on the roost.
But in spite of the weather, it was not a bad count; 88 species and 73,000 individuals were tallied. Numbers were inflated by the 45,000+ Starlings seen in the Washington Borough area. Eighty-eight species is a good number; third highest in the last twenty years, surpassed only by 96 in '91 and 90 in '96
Even though the weather was against us, we found some good birds. Our "oasis," the discharge stream from the Washington Borough sewage treatment plant, had most of our Pine, two Palms, and 27 of 29 Yellow-rumped (Myrtle). Five Ruddy Ducks with other waterfowl were found in the ponds along Centerville Road. These are the first for the count since 1964!
We did miss some good birds, both Bald Eagle and Barred Owl, regular for several years now were seen Count Week, but not Count Day. Weather was the most likely cause for the miss. Sometimes there is a trade off. While we walked out our favorite Snipe stream, without finding any Snipe, Chris flushed a small bird that flew directly away into heavy brush. The only field marks briefly glimpsed were yellow undertail coverts and olive back. Based on habitat, a marshy stream, and brief look, probably a Common Yellowthroat. We searched fruitlessly without relocating the bird. However, after about five minutes, a Common Snipe tucked in by a small pool behind some brushy willow became disturbed by the activity and flushed, our only one for the count. Perseverance does help!
My grateful thanks to all who helped. Hopefully, next year we will have better weather.
This year's Lititz Christmas Bird Count could be one for the record books when it comes to species identified. I'm still researching to get some older records of this count, but since 1982, ninety species has been achieved only once and that was in 1987 when ninety species were tallied. So when you look at the 95 species identified this year, you know that this was a very memorable day.
The combination of warm weather leading up to the count, a light snowfall the day and evening before the count, and a clear, calm day on the day of the count probably contributed to this year's species list.
Many thanks to all 33 participants and 13 feeder watchers for their time and effort in the count. And a special thanks to Margie Rutbell who provided me with all the information needed to make the transition of compilers a relatively smooth one.
Now to some of the highlights:
The Middle Creek Section #1 group identified 79 species in their section alone. They had 18 of the 19 species of waterfowl, including Oldsquaw, Redheads, Ruddy Ducks, Horned Grebe, Common Merganser and Mute Swan. Also found were Greater Black-backed Gull (1) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (2). This section also tallied the Phoebe, Towhees, Rusty Blackbirds, Bald Eagle, and Red-shouldered Hawk.
Section #2 group observed the only Rough-legged Hawk, a dark-phase.
Section #3 group was one of two groups to report Purple Finch, the other being Section #12.
Section #4 group recorded the only Snipe and Fox Sparrow.
Section #7 group had one of two reports of Red-headed Woodpecker for the count and also had the only Pintail.
Section #10 group located the other Red-headed Woodpecker and also had the count's only Vesper Sparrow.
Section #12 group identified the only Lapland Longspur and was one of two groups to record Meadowlarks, the other being Section #1. This section also produced Evening Grosbeaks with the only other report of this species coming from one of the feeder watchers.
The bird feeders also produced the only Pine Siskins.
After being involved in a count like this one and seeing the results, I can't wait until next year. I hope all who helped with this year's count will return again next year. Maybe we can get a few more people in the field so that each section can be covered thoroughly.
Have a good year of birding in 1998!
P. S. New species added to the count this year included Mute Swan, Horned Grebe and Oldsquaw.
Lancaster County birders identified 271 species of birds in the county during 1997. This marks the fifth time in six years that 270 species or higher have been recorded.
No new species were added to the 21-year cumulative list, which remains at 320, but the yearly average has increased to 254.
Thirty-four species of waterfowl were reported with highlights that include a Pacific/Arctic Loon (second county record), Eurasian Wigeon (ninth year in a row), Ross' Goose (seventh year in a row), which included as many as seven at Middle Creek WMA, Barnacle Goose (fourth county record and second year in a row), and Trumpeter Swan (third year in a row). The origins of the latter two species have not been definitely determined.
Twenty-nine shorebird species were identified during 1997, with the Susquehanna River Conejohela Flats area having 27 species recorded, which ties a record high set in both 1992 and 1993. Some highlights from the SRCF include the twenty species of shorebirds found during the spring of 1997, which eclipsed the old record of 18. Of the spring sightings, most noteworthy include first spring records of both American Golden Plover and Stilt Sandpiper, and a second spring record of Sanderling. Other shorebird sightings include American Avocet (fifth year in a row), Willet (fourth time in six years and third year in a row), Hudsonian Godwit (fourth in six years), Red Knot (first since 1993), Red Phalarope (first since 1993), and Long-billed Dowitcher (first since 1991). A notable miss was Buff-breasted Sandpiper, the first time in seven years.
There were also 12 gull species found in the county during 1997 with some highlights that include Little Gull (fourth year in a row), Common Black-headed Gull (third county record), Franklin's Gull (fifth in six years), and Black-legged Kittiwake (second county record and second year in a row).
All common tern species were found with the exception of Least Tern, the first time in six years that this bird was missed.
Warbler species were again well represented with 31 being identifed. Notable misses included Mourning and Connecticut Warblers. This marks the first time since 1981 that both these species were missed in the same year.
Other highlights for the year included American White Pelican (second county record, Common Moorhen (second in three years), Sandhill Crane (fifth in six years), Sedge Wren (second year in a row and third in five years), Dickcissel (fourth year in a row), and Swainson's Hawk (first since 1990). Short-eared Owl was missed for the first time since 1980. Glossy and White Ibis were also missed, which marked the first time these species were not reported in the same year since the Lancaster County Year List was begun in 1977, and maybe longer.
After being overlooked in 1996, Olive-sided Flycatcher was again reported in 1997. Other flycatcher sightings include Alder Flycatcher (third in five years) and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (first since 1993).
Winter finches made a decent showing in the county during the last quarter of 1997. Two of the more unexpected species reported included Red Crossbill (third in four years) and White-winged Crossbill (first since 1985).
The 1997 summary follows on page 14 [of the paper edition].
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