Date: 5/19/24 3:47 pm From: Grove, Deborah Shuey <dsg4...> Subject: Re: Request for contact information
Emailed a link to you.
Deb
Deborah S. Grove
________________________________
From: State College (PA) Bird Club <SCBIRDCL...> on behalf of Wayne Laubscher <wnlaubscher...>
Sent: Sunday, May 19, 2024 5:52:04 PM
To: <SCBIRDCL...> <SCBIRDCL...>
Subject: Request for contact information
I would like to get in touch with Jeff Katen. If anyone could assist with that, please & thanks. Reply to my personal email please.
There is still space on the tour if you or anyone you know wants to explore the sounds (and sights!) of the birds of northern Colombia :) And, if anyone has run across tours that specialize with sound recording, let me know that too as I hadn't been able to find any.
Date: 5/17/24 5:07 pm From: S.B. Smith <sbsmith333...> Subject: Sweet and Swifts 7/17/24
Dear Bird Club,
We have a new field trip to add to the calendar: Jon Kauffman will be
leading Sweets and Swifts on Wed. July 17. Come on out to see the show!
Susan Smith
VP Field Trips
State College Bird Club
*Wednesday, July 17, 2024 (8:15 pm – 9:15pm or until the last swift
disappears)*
Rain Date: Thursday, July 18, 2024
Sweets and Swifts at Ferguson Township Elementary School, Pine Grove Mills
Come enjoy an amazing evening flight of Chimney Swifts as they circle above
Ferguson Township Elementary before they dive one by one into the chimney
to roost for the night. The town of Pine Grove Mills and the nearby
elementary school can observe dozens of circling swifts during the day.
During dusk, one may gain a better understanding how many swifts are
actually utilizing the school's chimney during this unique time where
swifts finally come to rest. Historical counts range from 97 to 197
individuals!
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a favorite baked or non-baked sweet dish
to share with others while enjoying the evening sunset. Who will bring the
best-looking and tasting Chimney Swift themed cookie?
Date: 5/16/24 2:31 pm From: Lee, Jen <jal21...> Subject: Falcon breeding & racing article
A friend shared this article with me. I have mixed feelings about falconry but there were some interesting bits in this story from other parts of the world.
Date: 5/16/24 10:01 am From: Nick Bolgiano <nickbolgiano...> Subject: Lower Trail field trip report
On this morning's field trip to the Lower Trail, I tallied 12 Warbling Vireos, 12 Red-eyed Vireos, 11 American Redstarts, 13 Cerulean Warblers, and 2 Yellow-throated Warblers. A typical trip there.
On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, Hannon, Daniel <dbh126...> wrote:
> Of interest, I saw this 3½-legged Bobcat while at Scotia (at the bend
> about midway between the "Shooting Range" and "General" hotspot pins) on
> Sunday, 5/12. Just FYI, so you all are aware.
>
>
>
> -----------------------------
> Daniel Hannon
> Penn State University
> Genomics Core Facility
> 408 Chandlee Laboratory
> University Park, PA 16802
>
> *“A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight
> line.” -- CS Lewis*
>
Of interest, I saw this 3-legged Bobcat while at Scotia (at the bend about midway between the "Shooting Range" and "General" hotspot pins) on Sunday, 5/12. Just FYI, so you all are aware.
[cid:8de5e82d-bc3a-4d75-8f01-b7e8cd6ff289]
-----------------------------
Daniel Hannon
Penn State University
Genomics Core Facility
408 Chandlee Laboratory
University Park, PA 16802
A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. -- CS Lewis
Date: 5/14/24 2:21 pm From: Peggy Wagoner Saporito <raven966...> Subject: Minutes from State College Bird Club meeting, April 24
Hello Everyone,
Please find attached minutes from our April 24 bird club meeting. Sorry for the delay. Somehow the first half of May with travel, graduations, gardening and not to mention great birding slowed me down more than usual.
Date: 5/14/24 12:50 pm From: Thomas, Brady Scott <bst5117...> Subject: State College Bird Club May 22nd Potluck at Millbrook Marsh
Good afternoon Bird Club!
I am excited to share some more information about our May meeting next week. We will be having a potluck supper at Millbrook Marsh starting at 6pm. See below for a more detailed schedule!
Please bring a potluck item to share. Compostable plates, cups, and dinner ware will be provided. Consider options for those with dietary choices and restrictions.
Starting at 4pm, there will be an optional native tree planting project also at Millbrook Marsh. We will have an opportunity to plant river birch and willow; bring work gloves if you have them. Tree planting will last until dinner begins or we run out of trees, whichever one comes first!
I am looking forward to seeing you all there!
Best,
Brady Thomas
(he/him)
Education Program Coordinator
School Programs and Summer Camp
Shaver's Creek Environmental Center
3400 Discovery Road
Petersburg, PA, 16669
Date: 5/14/24 9:52 am From: Lee, Jen <jal21...> Subject: Re: Question
female Rose Breasted Grosbeak
Jen
________________________________
From: State College (PA) Bird Club <SCBIRDCL...> on behalf of Amy Roberts <1amyeroberts...>
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 12:36:17 PM
To: <SCBIRDCL...> <SCBIRDCL...>
Subject: Question
Date: 5/14/24 4:44 am From: L Wiegand <marmotfarm...> Subject: Fwd: Important Event on Bird-Glass Collisions in Lancaster – May 21!
Am forwarding this missive from Lancaster County Bird Club president Ted Nichols II as SCBC folks may be interested. Note that there will be an online broadcast link through the LCBC events page listed below.
Date: 5/13/24 4:13 am From: Nick Bolgiano <nickbolgiano...> Subject: Lower Trail field trip - change day to Thursday
Because rain is forecast for Wednesday, I am switching the Lower Trail field trip to Thursday instead. I want the best chance for people to see Cerulean Warblers and the other target species.
As Susan Smith noted earlier, Fox Run Rd is closed to the north of the Mt .Etna trailhead. If you are coming from the State College or Huntingdon areas, the signed detour is via Polecat Hollow Rd, 5.1 miles from the traffic light at rts 453 and 22. At the end of Polecat Hollow Rd, turn L onto Fox Run Rd and the Mt. Etna parking lot is in view.
Many drivers on rt 22 drive fast - if someone is close behind you so as to make turning left onto Polecat Hollow Rd unsafe or if you miss the turn, there is an easy workaround. There is a large pulloff on the L just 0.1 mi past Polecat Hollow Rd, just before Yellow Springs Rd. There is even a turning lane. Be watchful about this.
In the past, there has been limited parking at Mt. Etna, so please park to minimize space between vehicles.
On Saturday, there was much Cerulean Warbler and other riparian bird activity,so we should see many of our target species.
Date: 5/11/24 6:39 am From: Shawn Davis <davisflydesigns...> Subject: Blue-winged/Golden-winged songs
I was at Scotia a few days ago and heard a bird singing a song I'd never heard. It had tonal qualities of a Blue-winged/Golden-winged, with a tinkling, glassy quality reminiscent of a wood thrush, and it was in a spot I'd found a Brewster's a few years ago, so I thought it might be a hybrid. Took me almost an hour to finally track down the little ventriloquist, and it appeared to be a full-blooded Golden-wing, but I wonder if it had something else in its recent ancestry, because the song was unlike any I'd ever heard. I suppose it could also have been a young male trying to figure things out. I've heard GW's make traditional BW songs and BW's make traditional GW songs - and with hybrids all bets are off - but this was like the tail end of a GW song repeated 7-8 times, with a little ramp-up and ramp-down in volume at beginning and end: bzzz bzzz bzzz bzzz bzzz bzzz bzzz bzzz
Anyone encounter this bird or something like it? It was covering an area about a hundred yards in diameter next to the parking area at the power line stretch. A few hundred yards further into the game lands I heard another bird with a more traditional GW song, (beee bzzz bzzz bzzz bzzz), but I couldn't see it. I quite enjoy identifying birds by song, but having been fooled by BW's and GW's more than once, these are two species I always feel I have to see to believe.
Date: 5/11/24 5:35 am From: Constanza Ehrenhaus <cxe1169...> Subject: Common and Forster´s terns
Good morning group,
Yesterday at the Tadpole rd. ponds there was a party of birds-that-should-not-be-here, as my sons would put it. In between the fun mix, I saw four terns that Mr. Winograd said were Forster's Terns, when I got home and looked at the pictures I saw one that was slightly different, having a dark lining on the wings. I checked my field guides, would it be reasonable to think it is a Common Tern?
Date: 5/10/24 9:18 am From: Mark Nale <00008ff0c316580d-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Help with Shore bird ID
Shorebirds can be tough! I can give you no positive IDs from your photo, (except the dowitcher) but something to consider. Greater or Lesser Yellowlegs - I read this -- if you have a profile shot (not angling toward or away) if you shoved the bill back into the bird's head, if it would stick way out the back, it is a greater yellowlegs. If the bill is about the same length as the thickness of the head, then it is a lesser. See the difference in this photo of mine?
Mark
On Friday, May 10, 2024 at 11:23:59 AM EDT, Navin Viswanathan <mailnavin...> wrote:
Here are my attempts
1: Lesser Yellow Legs2: I am kinda stumped here. The really upright posture and the shortbill really makes me think it is not one of the yellow legs. 3. Short-billed Dowitchers4. Pectoral Sandpiper5. Greater Yellow legs
Happy birding and thanks for your suggestions/corrections,Navin
p.s. I missed the Ruddy Turnstone, I'll go look through the rest of my rainy, grainy pictures
Date: 5/10/24 8:23 am From: Navin Viswanathan <mailnavin...> Subject: Help with Shore bird ID
Hi folks,
I counted up to 25 dowitchers (I could see spots on the sides for the ones that were really close, pics on Ebird later).
I was hoping you all could help confirm/correct the shore birds in the linked picture. I apologize for the size of the picture so I am including it as a link.
1: Lesser Yellow Legs 2: I am kinda stumped here. The really upright posture and the shortbill really makes me think it is not one of the yellow legs. 3. Short-billed Dowitchers 4. Pectoral Sandpiper 5. Greater Yellow legs
Happy birding and thanks for your suggestions/corrections, Navin p.s. I missed the Ruddy Turnstone, I'll go look through the rest of my rainy, grainy pictures
Date: 5/10/24 8:09 am From: Jeff Katen <jeffkaten...> Subject: Also a Ruddy Turnstone at tadpole road
Among the dowitchers found earlier today I believe there was a Ruddy Turnstone seen at 10:45 AM. It had a notably red back, black chest contrasting with white parts of head and white stomach.
Date: 5/9/24 9:59 am From: Wentzel, Doug <djw105...> Subject: Fwd: Warbler Walk on Saturday May 11
Hi all,
Quick reminder that the warbler walk is on Saturday, May 11 at 8 am. This is a special program and requires registration <https://forms.gle/4y3APbvwCddHxNtX6> and parking will be limited at the trail head on Red Rose Road.
Hope to see some of you on Saturday,
Doug
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: "Gyekis, Joseph Peter" <jpg186...>
> Subject: Fw: Warbler walk to forward to State College Birding Club
> Date: April 25, 2024 at 12:45:29 PM EDT
> To: <SCBIRDCL...>
> Reply-To: "Gyekis, Joseph Peter" <jpg186...>
>
> Hi Bird Club,
>
> An activity of interest:
>
> Postdoc Kevin Bennett and biology professor David Toews are leading a bird walk at Shaver's Creek / seminar on fun warbler evolution (golden-winged and blue-winged ... and beyond!) next Saturday May 11th at 8am (bird walk), 10 am (food / coffee provided), 10:30 warbler seminar.
>
> Please RSVP just to have an estimate of numbers: https://forms.gle/4y3APbvwCddHxNtX6 >
> Joe
>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> David Toews, PhD.
> Assistant Professor
> Department of Biology
> Pennsylvania State University
> 619 Mueller Lab, University Park
> State College, PA, 16802
> <toews...> <mailto:<toews...> > @davetoews
> (814) 863-0848
> http://www.davetoews.com <http://www.davetoews.com/> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 5/9/24 9:16 am From: Margaret Brittingham <mbrittingham01...> Subject: Centre Gives -Wildlife for Everyone Foundation - Dreibelbis and Soaring Eagle
Hello Birders If you enjoy birding at the Dreibelbis wetland and birding, fishing and walking at Soaring Eagle wetland, please consider making a gift to the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation during Centre Gives. I have been working with this organization for the past 10 years and love the trails, blinds and birding opportunities. Your support will go towards maintenance of the sites as well as expanding the trail system. Let's show support from the birding community. Any donation amount is great.
Saturday is World Migratory Bird Day. I would appreciate it if you could help get the word out about this years theme and the programs that we have developed to help raise awareness about the importance of birds. In addition to the email text below, I have also attached the flyers for the events to this email. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know (if you ask me any questions I can share them to Jasmine). Thank you in advance!
Celebrate migration and the partnership between birds and insects on World Migratory Bird Day 2024 this May 11th & Oct 12th.
The United States and Canada have observed avian population declines, with a significant 29% drop in bird populations since 1970, equating to around 2.9 billion fewer birds (about one in four birds). World Migratory Bird Day is a global campaign that educates and promotes conservation efforts for migratory birds and their journeys across borders. It spreads awareness about the challenges birds face and encourages conservation actions worldwide. Each year features a theme, prompts action, and coordinates global efforts to safeguard migratory birds and their habitats.
Protect Insects. Protect Birds. In a display of interconnectedness, World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2024 shines a spotlight on the relationship between migratory birds and insects as a message of conservation considering alarming declines for both populations. Insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory bird species, supporting their extensive journeys and greatly affecting the timing, duration, and overall success of bird migration. Birds play crucial roles in pollination and pest control, and a lack of insects disrupts these ecosystem functions.
What We are Doing: On Monday May 6th, State College Borough Council adopted Resolution #1388, proclaiming May 11th and October 12th as World Migratory Bird Day in the Borough of State College. Sustainable State College has been partnering with various organizations like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State College Bird Club, Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, and Bird Safe Penn State to develop programs and educational campaigns that raise awareness about the threats that migratory birds face in our urbanizing environment and inspire people to appreciate migratory birds, which are some of the most beautiful and easily observed wildlife in our communities.
Upcoming Events:
*
Movies Under the Stars - Migration - Friday May 17th at Sidney Friedman Parklet, starting at dusk
*
Bird Friendly Glass Demo - Tuesday May 21st in Room 220 of the State College Borough Municipal Building from 5:30pm - 7:00pm.
*
Birdwatching for Kids - Saturday June 13th in the Downsbrough Community Room at Schlow Library, starting at 2:30pm.
Saturday is World Migratory Bird Day. I would appreciate it if you could help get the word out about this years theme and the programs that we have developed to help raise awareness about the importance of birds. In addition to the email text below, I have also attached the flyers for the events to this email. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. Thank you in advance!
Celebrate migration and the partnership between birds and insects on World Migratory Bird Day 2024 this May 11th & Oct 12th.
The United States and Canada have observed avian population declines, with a significant 29% drop in bird populations since 1970, equating to around 2.9 billion fewer birds (about one in four birds). World Migratory Bird Day is a global campaign that educates and promotes conservation efforts for migratory birds and their journeys across borders. It spreads awareness about the challenges birds face and encourages conservation actions worldwide. Each year features a theme, prompts action, and coordinates global efforts to safeguard migratory birds and their habitats.
Protect Insects. Protect Birds. In a display of interconnectedness, World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2024 shines a spotlight on the relationship between migratory birds and insects as a message of conservation considering alarming declines for both populations. Insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory bird species, supporting their extensive journeys and greatly affecting the timing, duration, and overall success of bird migration. Birds play crucial roles in pollination and pest control, and a lack of insects disrupts these ecosystem functions.
What We are Doing: On Monday May 6th, State College Borough Council adopted Resolution #1388, proclaiming May 11th and October 12th as World Migratory Bird Day in the Borough of State College. Sustainable State College has been partnering with various organizations like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State College Bird Club, Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, and Bird Safe Penn State to develop programs and educational campaigns that raise awareness about the threats that migratory birds face in our urbanizing environment and inspire people to appreciate migratory birds, which are some of the most beautiful and easily observed wildlife in our communities.
Upcoming Events:
*
Movies Under the Stars - Migration - Friday May 17th at Sidney Friedman Parklet, starting at dusk
*
Bird Friendly Glass Demo - Tuesday May 21st in Room 220 of the State College Borough Municipal Building from 5:30pm - 7:00pm.
*
Birdwatching for Kids - Saturday June 13th in the Downsbrough Community Room at Schlow Library, starting at 2:30pm.
Date: 5/9/24 5:31 am From: S.B. Smith <sbsmith333...> Subject: Wed. 5/15 Lower Trail: possible road work
Dear Bird Club, > > The next field trip will be Lower Trail Wed. May 15 with Nick Bolgiano. A > member shared that there is construction in the area: Fox Run Road is > closed (to replace the bridge over Roaring Run) between Rt. 22 and the > Mount Etna trailhead parking area. The posted detour shows traveling > further west and turning left onto Polecat Hollow Road. It is also > possible to turn left onto Etna Furnace road, which is before reaching > Polecat Hollow Road. >
> Wednesday, May 15, 2024 (7:30am - 9:30am) > Search for Cerulean Warblers on the Lower Trail, Blair County > > Please join Nick Bolgiano for a leisurely walk along a stretch of the > Lower Trail in Blair County. The goal of this trip is to find Cerulean > Warblers, in the core of their Lower Trail habitat. See > keystonefund.org/success-story/a-perfect-habitat/ for more information on > Nick Bolgiano's search for Cerulean Warblers. This stretch of the Lower > Trail is also great for Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Warbling > Vireo, Wood Thrush, Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-throated Warbler, > Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Baltimore Oriole. > > Please meet at the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot at 7:30am ( > https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rttcpa.org%2Findex.shtml&data=05%7C02%<7CSCBIRDCL...>%7Cf888ea9083574696eb5908dc7023f5db%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C638508546961807036%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cQ571Ibw0FabjkXsoPGj2F9qxb6GQySz%2Fqh0pTvyzPk%3D&reserved=0). See note above on possible detour. Travel > West on Route 22 from the intersection of Route 453 at Water Street. Turn > Left on Fox Run Rd at 3.3 mi (just after the westbound turns to 2 lanes, > making this easier if traffic) or Left on Etna Furnace Rd at 4.6 mile. > Continue Right near the river to reach the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot. > There is a modern outhouse available. > > From the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot, the group will walk South along > the Lower Trail for 1-2 miles out and back. >
Date: 5/9/24 4:49 am From: S.B. Smith <sbsmith333...> Subject: Fwd: Family Bird Walk this Saturday 4/27
Dear Bird Club, > > The next field trip will be Lower Trail Wed. May 15 with Nick Bolgiano. A > member shared that there is construction in the area: Fox Run Road is > closed (to replace the bridge over Roaring Run) between Rt. 22 and the > Mount Etna trailhead parking area. The posted detour shows traveling > further west and turning left onto Polecat Hollow Road. It is also > possible to turn left onto Etna Furnace road, which is before reaching > Polecat Hollow Road. >
> Wednesday, May 15, 2024 (7:30am - 9:30am) > Search for Cerulean Warblers on the Lower Trail, Blair County > > Please join Nick Bolgiano for a leisurely walk along a stretch of the > Lower Trail in Blair County. The goal of this trip is to find Cerulean > Warblers, in the core of their Lower Trail habitat. See > keystonefund.org/success-story/a-perfect-habitat/ for more information on > Nick Bolgiano's search for Cerulean Warblers. This stretch of the Lower > Trail is also great for Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Warbling > Vireo, Wood Thrush, Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-throated Warbler, > Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Baltimore Oriole. > > Please meet at the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot at 7:30am ( > https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rttcpa.org%2Findex.shtml&data=05%7C02%<7CSCBIRDCL...>%7C28b9a5950a8d42bbf91108dc701dfcde%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C638508521306075588%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=BRyZDruo4GEL7Ok9SW%2BYOTIEBaKGfCAlbVVhLa9JKxI%3D&reserved=0). See note above on possible detour. Travel > West on Route 22 from the intersection of Route 453 at Water Street. Turn > Left on Fox Run Rd at 3.3 mi (just after the westbound turns to 2 lanes, > making this easier if traffic) or Left on Etna Furnace Rd at 4.6 mile. > Continue Right near the river to reach the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot. > There is a modern outhouse available. > > From the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot, the group will walk South along > the Lower Trail for 1-2 miles out and back. >
Date: 5/8/24 4:23 pm From: Wentzel, Doug <djw105...> Subject: Fwd: Migration Morning and PSO Birding Festival - time's running out!
Greetings all,
Many of you were able to attend last year’s PSO festival held in State College. See Frank’s note about the May 31 to June 2 festival south of Pittsburgh — with Keynote by Katie Fallon, presentations on Saturday afternoon and field trips in the mornings. Should be a wonderful weekend and feel free to share with others.
Date: 5/8/24 12:37 pm From: Margaret Brittingham <pba3.centre...> Subject: Re: Red knot retraction
Ok. Now I'm fairly sure its a Dowitcher and probably short-billed but I'm
not positive. Hoping others find them. They were first near the Horseshoe
rd entrance and later by the farm rd.
On Wed, May 8, 2024 at 3:23 PM Margaret Brittingham <
<mbrittingham01...> wrote:
Date: 5/7/24 2:26 pm From: Feldstein, Steven B <sbf1...> Subject: Addendum to my March 2023 State College Bird Club presentation on Bar-tailed Godwit migration
Hi Everyone,
As some of you may know, I was in Korea for the past six months, spending most of my time birding. I had one experience at the Yellow Sea in March 2024 that is related to the topic of my March 2023 State College Bird Club presentation. Perhaps some people will find this to be interesting.
On March 26, 2024, I went with a group of Korean birders to Hwaseong on the east coast of the Yellow Sea. We saw about 100 Bar-tailed Godwits. This was particularly exciting for me because of the research that I had done on the 9-day nonstop migration of Bar-tailed Godwits from western Alaska to New Zealand. After this field trip, I contacted a Bar-tailed Godwit researcher in New Zealand who told me that large numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits departed New Zealand on March 19, 2024, for their long 7-day nonstop flight from New Zealand to the Yellow Sea. Together with my birding companions, we had arrived one day after the godwits completed their incredible flight.
After returning to State College from Korea, I generated a series of weather maps for the 7 days of the Bar-tailed Godwit migration. I found that these birds departed New Zealand on the third day of consecutive northerly winds and that they encountered tail winds on each of the first six days of their migration. On the last day, they would have encountered light cross winds. Therefore, the godwits used a departure date with tailwinds along almost the entire route from New Zealand to the Yellow Sea of Korea!!! It was also interesting that these birds departed New Zealand during an active Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) event. The MJO, which occurs in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans, affects the weather across the globe. This is well known amongst atmospheric scientists but not ornithologists and birders. The thunderstorms associated with the MJO in mid-March 2024 were in the appropriate location for generating the tailwinds that the Bar-tailed Godwits encountered for the first six days of their flight.
The Bar-tailed Godwit researcher told me that all of the Bar-tailed Godwits that winter in New Zealand fly to the east coast of Yellow Sea, where I was, and then to western Alaska to nest. He told me that the Bar-tailed Godwits on the west coast of the Yellow Sea arrive from Australia and nest in Siberia.
I wrote up a description of the weather associated with this Bar-tailed Godwit flight for my birding companions. If anyone is interested, I can email it to them too. Also, if anyone is curious about what birds one can see by spending six months in Korea (early October 2023 to late March 2024), I can email them my eBird list for my trip. I saw close to 200 species including 50 lifers. It was an amazing experience.
Best wishes,
Steven
Steven B. Feldstein
Emeritus Professor
Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
516 Walker Building
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802 USA
email: <sbf1...><mailto:<sbf1...> phone:(814) 865-7042
website: https://sites.psu.edu/stevenfeldstein/
Date: 5/7/24 9:48 am From: Wentzel, Doug <djw105...> Subject: Native Plants for sale and the last Migration Morning walk of the spring.
Greetings all,
Birding Cup was very successful in terms of enjoyment, safety, birds (I did run into that Glossy Ibis!) and funds raised! Thanks to all who participated, contributed and sent good thoughts our way. A full recap will be out soon.
Tomorrow (May 8) is our last Migration Morning bird walk of the season, and we are early risers; 7 to 8:30 am. Following the walk, we will open the bookstore for one last chance to purchase some of our native plants. We still have Milkweed, Mountain Mint, Columbine and more, and we will move the plants off site and end this year’s sale by 5 pm tomorrow. Hope to see some of you in the morning,
Best wishes,
Doug
Doug Wentzel
Program Director & Naturalist
Shaver's Creek Environmental Center
The Pennsylvania State University
3400 Discovery Road
Petersburg, PA 16669-2114
Date: 5/3/24 2:06 pm From: Wentzel, Doug <djw105...> Subject: Birding Cup starts in less than 2 hours!
Greeting all,
I’m counting down the minutes to the start of Birding Cup 2024! We have over 100 birders on 21 teams that will take to the field this evening at 7 pm to begin the 24 hours of the Birding Cup and the associated categories like the Birding Boot, County Cup, Potter Mug and the Micro Cup. Plus individuals further afield contributing as Global Birders. All funds raised this year will be used to address various financial barriers that prevent community members from accessing outdoor spaces. Thanks to all those Bird Club members who are joining the fun this evening and to those that are sponsoring a team <https://www.shaverscreek.org/public-programs-and-events/birding-cup/>. We appreciate you!
Hope to see many of you at the Birding Cup finish line tomorrow at Shaver’s Creek; always a treat to find out what birds 100 people can find in Central PA in 24 hours! For those participating in the event, I wish you safe, responsible and joyous birding. Now I’m off to find out where those ibis have gone.
Best wishes,
Doug
Doug Wentzel
Bad Optics Team member
Shaver's Creek Environmental Center
The Pennsylvania State University
3400 Discovery Road
Petersburg, PA 16669-2114
Date: 5/1/24 9:11 am From: Bryant, Don <dab14...> Subject: [The Washington Post] John James Audubon was flawed. Should he get credit for his good work?
Some of you may find this interesting:
A new book, “The Birds That Audubon Missed” by Kenn Kaufman, delves into the controversies dividing the birding world.
https://wapo.st/4a9qfva
don
Donald A. Bryant, Ph. D.
Academy Professor,
Ernest C. Pollard Professor Emeritus of Biotechnology ,
and Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
Date: 5/1/24 5:01 am From: S.B. Smith <sbsmith333...> Subject: New field trip 5/25/24
> Dear Bird Club,
>
> We have a new field trip to add to the calendar: Amber Weiwel will be
> leading a workshop and walk at Shaver's Creek to bring all of us up to
> speed on contributing to the Breeding Bird Atlas on May 25. Please see the
> description below for registration information. Our next trip will be May
> 15 to the Lower Trail.
>
> Wednesday, May 15, 2024 (7:30am - 9:30am)
> Search for Cerulean Warblers on the Lower Trail, Blair County
>
> Please join Nick Bolgiano for a leisurely walk along a stretch of the
> Lower Trail in Blair County. The goal of this trip is to find Cerulean
> Warblers, in the core of their Lower Trail habitat. See
> keystonefund.org/success-story/a-perfect-habitat/ for more information on
> Nick Bolgiano's search for Cerulean Warblers. This stretch of the Lower
> Trail is also great for Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Warbling
> Vireo, Wood Thrush, Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-throated Warbler,
> Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Baltimore Oriole.
>
> Please meet at the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot at 7:30am (
> https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rttcpa.org%2Findex.shtml&data=05%7C02%<7CSCBIRDCL...>%7C1a14b6b8b2df46eb14d108dc69d677a2%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C638501617087328226%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=w66ncPt1fOjnohO4qzd7JtmRb0Npld0iNP9GdiKY87c%3D&reserved=0). Travel West on Route 22 from the
> intersection of Route 453 at Water Street. Turn Left on Fox Run Rd at 3.3
> mi (just after the westbound turns to 2 lanes, making this easier if
> traffic) or Left on Etna Furnace Rd at 4.6 mile. Continue Right near the
> river to reach the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot. There is a modern
> outhouse available.
>
> From the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot, the group will walk South along
> the Lower Trail for 1-2 miles out and back.
>
*Saturday, May 25, 2024 (9:00-11:00 am)*
*Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, Petersburg, PA*
PA Bird Atlas Workshop and Bird Walk
Trip Leader: Amber Wiewel
Pennsylvania’s 3rd Bird Atlas is a community science project to document
the birds breeding and wintering in Pennsylvania from 2024 to 2029. This
event is geared toward birders who are interested in participating in the
Atlas but need help getting started. The workshop will begin in the
classroom to cover topics including using the PA Bird Atlas portal in
eBird, finding block maps, and submitting data. Next the group will head
outside for a birding walk around Shaver’s Creek to demonstrate identifying
breeding behaviors and coding these observations in eBird.
If you use a mobile phone, please come with the free eBird app already
installed.
For planning purposes, please email Amber if you will attend:
<wiewel...>
Yes- I think that might be what happened. The red-tail landed in the
tree on the tree line next to where they were feeding.
On Tue, Apr 30, 2024 at 5:09 PM Jim Cassidy <j-cassidy...> wrote:
> I have a photo of a Redtail Hawk with the timestamp of 15:00:05. It flew
> from a tree midway between Whitehall Rd and the farm lane to the NW and
> parallel to the “shoreline” on the NE side of the flooded field. That was
> toward their last known location. I wonder if that precipitated the
> departure of the Ibis’s.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* State College (PA) Bird Club <SCBIRDCL...> *On Behalf
> Of *Margaret Brittingham
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 30, 2024 3:38 PM
> *To:* <SCBIRDCL...>
> *Subject:* Re: Glossy Ibis Tadpole Rd
>
>
>
> They took off at 3:05. They headed down Whitehall Road and I spotted them
> in flight at Diebler and Whitehall Road. I lost them and it looks like they
> were heading towards Spruce Creek.
>
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 30, 2024 at 2:50 PM Roana Fuller <roanafuller1956...>
> wrote:
>
> They are still there at 2:30
>
>
>
> Roana
>
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 30, 2024 at 12:07 PM Michael Dreibelbis <mjd5243...>
> wrote:
>
> 20 Glossy Ibis currently at Tadpole Rd just north of Whitehall in the
> flooded fields along the long farm lane.
>
> Mike Dreibelbis
>
> <mjd5243...>
>
> 814-571-6860
>
>
I have a photo of a Redtail Hawk with the timestamp of 15:00:05. It flew from a tree midway between Whitehall Rd and the farm lane to the NW and parallel to the “shoreline” on the NE side of the flooded field. That was toward their last known location. I wonder if that precipitated the departure of the Ibis’s.
From: State College (PA) Bird Club <SCBIRDCL...> On Behalf Of Margaret Brittingham
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2024 3:38 PM
To: <SCBIRDCL...>
Subject: Re: Glossy Ibis Tadpole Rd
They took off at 3:05. They headed down Whitehall Road and I spotted them in flight at Diebler and Whitehall Road. I lost them and it looks like they were heading towards Spruce Creek.
Date: 4/30/24 1:43 pm From: Debra Rittelmann <dlrittelmann...> Subject: Re: No Glossy Ibis as of 4:25pm
These are the last photos I took of the Glossy Ibis at 2:44 pm. I was so
concentrating on photographing the other shorebirds, I didn't see them take
out! What a sight that would have been!
Deb Rittelmann
On Tue, Apr 30, 2024 at 4:27 PM Lee, Jen <jal21...> wrote:
> Saw them earlier. They are not in any of the water areas.
>
> Jen
>
Date: 4/30/24 12:38 pm From: Blizard, David A <dab22...> Subject: Re: Glossy Ibis Tadpole Rd
Must have come up on the Auto train with me, Haha!
Sent from my iPad
On Apr 30, 2024, at 2:51 PM, Roana Fuller <roanafuller1956...> wrote:
They are still there at 2:30
Roana
On Tue, Apr 30, 2024 at 12:07 PM Michael Dreibelbis <mjd5243...><mailto:<mjd5243...>> wrote:
20 Glossy Ibis currently at Tadpole Rd just north of Whitehall in the flooded fields along the long farm lane.
They took off at 3:05. They headed down Whitehall Road and I spotted them
in flight at Diebler and Whitehall Road. I lost them and it looks like they
were heading towards Spruce Creek.
On Tue, Apr 30, 2024 at 2:50 PM Roana Fuller <roanafuller1956...>
wrote:
> They are still there at 2:30
>
> Roana
>
> On Tue, Apr 30, 2024 at 12:07 PM Michael Dreibelbis <mjd5243...>
> wrote:
>
>> 20 Glossy Ibis currently at Tadpole Rd just north of Whitehall in the
>> flooded fields along the long farm lane.
>>
>> Mike Dreibelbis
>> <mjd5243...>
>> 814-571-6860
>>
>
On Tue, Apr 30, 2024 at 12:07 PM Michael Dreibelbis <mjd5243...> wrote:
> 20 Glossy Ibis currently at Tadpole Rd just north of Whitehall in the > flooded fields along the long farm lane. > > Mike Dreibelbis > <mjd5243...> > 814-571-6860 >
Date: 4/30/24 11:28 am From: Julia Plummer <julia...> Subject: Spring Creek Park walk
This morning, Susan Smith and I led a walk at Spring Creek Park (for Millbrook Marsh). It was a beautiful morning for the 15 of us to slowly meander around the park! The highlights included:
- Shortly after we started, Carrie pointed out an interesting bird with a bright yellow chest. We watched this for a while, suggesting various possibilities. Finally it moved enough that I got a look at its dark wings and realized we were seeing a female Scarlet Tanager! - We had another interesting bird to ID later on the walk. A grey-brown bird was perched on a branch next to the bridge. At first glance, we thought this must be an Eastern Phoebe. But after we got a better look at the bird (and could hear its very non-phoebe calls!) we realized it was a Northern Rough-winged Swallow. It was a great opportunity to study this species as it perched for quite a while on the branch. - A final highlight was the committee of Turkey Vultures sunning themselves on some trees and posts. They were just on the other side of the road from us. We wondered why they were spreading their wings. According to Birds of the World, Turkey Vultures spread their wings for two functions: 1) to dry themselves and 2) to help with thermal regulation.
Date: 4/29/24 1:16 pm From: Peggy Wagoner Saporito <raven966...> Subject: Wednesday April 24 Bird Club recording
Hello Everyone,
Hope you are all enjoying this late spring/summer weather and that you have had a chance to get out and marvel at the migration we are experiencing right now.
For those of you who did not have the opportunity to see Jon Kauffman's presentation on the nest box lives of breeding kestrels and barn owls at last Wednesday's bird club meeting, or would like to see it again, here is the link to Jon's zoom recording. The minutes from the meeting will be delayed this month. I apologize for any inconvenience.
Donald A. Bryant, Ph. D.
Academy Professor,
Ernest C. Pollard Professor Emeritus of Biotechnology ,
and Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
> On Apr 28, 2024, at 1:04 PM, David Brandes <000016035b42742c-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> Fantastic report, Nick! so grateful to you and Jon for keeping this important site running all these years, and to Andrew for continuing the tradition of counting excellence!
>
> Dave Brandes
>
> On Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 04:43:04 PM EDT, Nick Bolgiano <nickbolgiano...> wrote:
>
>
> 2024 was the 24th full season of the spring hawk watch at Tussey Mt, staffed daily Feb 20-Apr 26. The watch site is located on the top of Tussey Mt, the second ridge from the north and west in the western Ridge-and-Valley physiographic province and near the boundary between Huntingdon and Centre counties. The watch’s primary focus is monitoring the spring Golden Eagle migration. This report reflects that focus.
>
> Annual Golden Eagle totals at western sites such as Bridger Mts, MT; Mt Lorette, AB; and Gunsight Mt, AK, are commonly around 1,000-2,000. However, they draw from a western population of approximately 60,000 birds. The eastern Golden Eagle population is thought to have about 4,000-5,000 birds. Among eastern watch sites, the Golden Eagle total at Tussey Mt ranks second to Mackinac Straits, MI, in the spring, while Bald Eagle Mt ranks first in the fall (Table 1). No other spring site east of Michigan consistently counts close to the number of Golden Eagles that we do at Tussey Mt, although the 2024 total at the Allegheny Front site was close. Thus, these local hawk watches are important in monitoring the eastern population.
>
> Table 1. 10-Year Golden Eagle Averages (2014-2023) at Some Eastern North American Watch Sites.
>
> Spring
> Fall
> Site
> 10-year average
> Site
> 10-year average
> Tussey Mt, PA
> 169
> Bald Eagle Mt, PA #
> 324
> Allegheny Front, PA
> 80
> Allegheny Front, PA
> 208
> Derby Hill, NY
> 55
> Franklin Mt, NY
> 178
> Braddock Bay, NY
> 27
> Stone Mt, PA
> 150
> Mackinac Straits, MI
> 231
> Jacks Mt, PA
> 128
> West Skyline, MN *
> 155
> Waggoner’s Gap, PA
> 215
>
>
> Hawk Mt, PA
> 123
>
>
> Detroit River, MI
> 82
>
>
> Holiday Beach, ON
> 59
>
>
> Hawk Ridge, MN
> 195
> * - 6-year average for West Skyline; # - 4-year average for Bald Eagle Mt
>
> The 2024 official counter was Andrew Bechdel, who returned for a second year. Andrew did an excellent job; he was very diligent and his increased raptor ID skills were apparent. He joints a cohort of distinguished local birders who have been hawk watch counters at Tussey Mt: Jon Kauffman in 2009-2010 and 2014, Lewis Grove in 2017, and Sean McLaughlin in 2021 (Sean has subsequently counted raptors in Duluth, MN, at the West Skyline site in the spring and the Hawk Ridge site in the fall).
>
> The 2024 watch was conducted on 56 days, with 414 hours of watching. This closely matches past median (middle) effort of 56 days and 403 hours. We accomplished our primary goal of conducting the watch over the same time span as previous years and with similar hours and watchfulness. Season totals are shown in Table 2.
>
> Table 2. 2024 season totals and 10-year averages (2014-2023).
>
> Species
> 2024
> 10-year average
> 2024 Ranking
> Turkey Vulture
> 196
> 186
> average
> Osprey
> 59
> 89
> below average
> Bald Eagle
> 69
> 69
> average
> Northern Harrier
> 19
> 21
> average
> Sharp-shinned Hawk
> 203
> 162
> above average
> Cooper’s Hawk
> 28
> 26
> average
> American Goshawk
> 0
> 1
>
> Red-shouldered Hawk
> 35
> 40
> average
> Broad-winged Hawk
> 1378
> 920
> above average
> Red-tailed Hawk
> 213
> 286
> below average
> Rough-legged Hawk
> 0
> 2
>
> Golden Eagle
> 164
> 169
> average
> American Kestrel
> 38
> 42
> average
> Merlin
> 4
> 6
> average
> Peregrine Falcon
> 4
> 3
> average
> Total
> 2425
> 2020
>
>
> Below-average counts were observed for Osprey and Red-tailed Hawk, but these observations were consistent with long-term trends. Ospreys in Northeastern North America have been experiencing a decline, possibly related to the rise of Bald Eagles, and there is evidence that Red-tailed Hawks are not migrating as much as their ancestors did. Above-average counts were observed for Sharp-shinned Hawk and Broad-winged Hawk. The Sharp-shinned Hawk count was the highest since 2104 and was somewhat surprising since we had observed low Sharp-shinned Hawk totals during the previous fall. The 1378 Broad-winged Hawks was our 4th highest season total; 83% were observed during a four-day period, Apr 15-18. All other raptor species were observed in average numbers.
>
> The 24-year trend in Golden Eagle total count has an overall hill shape, with lower counts during 2001-2007 (average 161), higher counts during 2008-2015 (average 205), and lower counts again in 2016-2024 (average 153). The 2024 total of 164 was just below the 10-year average of 169 and welcome after 2023’s low count of 118 (Figure 1). I suspect that lower totals occur when less severe winters cause Golden Eagles to winter farther north than they previously did or allow them to begin filtering back north before the spring migration begins in earnest during late February and early March. Sometimes, as in 2023, a sustained W/NW wind regime in the first half of March seems to limit Golden Eagle counts, but the 2024 wind regime was much more favorable during the peak Golden Eagle migration period.
>
> The first detections of migrating Golden Eagles at Tussey Mt have been fairly consistent across seasons, so there is no indication that many have moved past us before we start (the Allegheny Front watch starts earlier than we do and they have only detected a few before we start). In 2024, we recorded the first three Golden Eagles on Feb 21 and the first significant count, nine, on Feb 26. They then came with a rush in early March, with 95 counted during the first 12 days (which includes four rain days), 58% of the season’s total. The high count was 27 on Mar 8. The cumulative Golden Eagle chart shows that the 2024 count was slightly ahead of the long-term average through Mar 16, but from mid-March on, the detection pattern was very similar to the observations of other years (Figure 2).
>
> The best winds at Tussey Mt are from the S or SE, which we observed on Feb 26-27 and Mar 1, 3,4, 8, and 11-12. This largely explains the early Golden Eagle movement. At the Allegheny Front hawk watch, on the Allegheny Front west of Bedford and about 61 air miles to our southwest, favorable flights occur when winds are from the E or SE. The Allegheny Front site experienced their best Golden Eagle count this season and it was concentrated during the same time period as the good flights at Tussey Mt (Figure 3). Interestingly, the Derby Hill, NY, site, near the SE end of Lake Ontario, also has experienced one of their best Golden Eagle seasons (Figure 4).
>
> I suspect that when a sustained period of S or SE winds occurs during the peak period, as happened this year, a large percentage of Golden Eagles moves north along the Allegheny Front and Laurel Ridge to its west and we miss seeing those birds. I have noticed before that sustained S or SE winds seem to push many Golden Eagles toward the Allegheny Front and, at Tussey Mt, I theorize that we need periods of both S/SE and W/NW to keep them on our ridge. While Tussey Mt has many of its best flights on S/SE winds, we also see Golden Eagles on W/NW winds. Tussey Mt is not situated along a landscape feature that is commonly called a “leading line”, like at the Great Lakes sites, or acts as a natural “collector” of Golden Eagles, like Bald Eagle Mt does in the fall. Instead, we benefit from the length of our ridge, which extends south into Maryland, and its location in the western Ridge & Valley.
>
> The shapes of the three cumulative curves help to tell a story about the three sites. Counts at Tussey Mt have been more consistent, which I believe is related to the many Golden Eagles moving through here and the consistency of our effort over the years. Counts at Allegheny Front have been more variable largely because of that site’s strong dependency on E and SE winds. Derby Hill observations are dominated by immature birds, as shown by consistent flights occurring in April. However, as in 2024 and 2021, they sometimes see many Golden Eagles in March, probably related to more adult Golden Eagles being seen there when winds have been from the S or SE.
>
> Thanks to our sponsors, Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, the State College Bird Club, and individuals. Also, thanks to the many people who visited and helped to spot migrating raptors; we appreciate all the good help. Next year will be our 25th season, a good milestone to achieve.
>
> Nick Bolgiano
>
Date: 4/28/24 10:05 am From: David Brandes <000016035b42742c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: 2024 Tussey Mt hawk watch summary
Fantastic report, Nick! so grateful to you and Jon for keeping this important site running all these years, and to Andrew for continuing the tradition of counting excellence!
Dave Brandes
On Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 04:43:04 PM EDT, Nick Bolgiano <nickbolgiano...> wrote:
2024 was the 24th full season of the spring hawkwatch at Tussey Mt, staffed daily Feb 20-Apr 26. The watch site is located onthe top of Tussey Mt, the second ridge from the north and west in the westernRidge-and-Valley physiographic province and near the boundary betweenHuntingdon and Centre counties. The watch’s primary focus is monitoring thespring Golden Eagle migration. This report reflects that focus.
Annual Golden Eagle totals at western sites such as BridgerMts, MT; Mt Lorette, AB; and Gunsight Mt, AK, are commonly around 1,000-2,000. However,they draw from a western population of approximately 60,000 birds. The easternGolden Eagle population is thought to have about 4,000-5,000 birds. Amongeastern watch sites, the Golden Eagle total at Tussey Mt ranks second toMackinac Straits, MI, in the spring, while Bald Eagle Mt ranks first in thefall (Table 1). No other spring site east of Michigan consistently counts closeto the number of Golden Eagles that we do at Tussey Mt, although the 2024 totalat the Allegheny Front site was close. Thus, these local hawk watches areimportant in monitoring the eastern population.
Table 1. 10-Year Golden Eagle Averages (2014-2023) at SomeEastern North American Watch Sites.
|
Spring
|
Fall
|
|
Site
|
10-year average
|
Site
|
10-year average
|
|
Tussey Mt, PA
|
169
|
Bald Eagle Mt, PA #
|
324
|
|
Allegheny Front, PA
|
80
|
Allegheny Front, PA
|
208
|
|
Derby Hill, NY
|
55
|
Franklin Mt, NY
|
178
|
|
Braddock Bay, NY
|
27
|
Stone Mt, PA
|
150
|
|
Mackinac Straits, MI
|
231
|
Jacks Mt, PA
|
128
|
|
West Skyline, MN *
|
155
|
Waggoner’s Gap, PA
|
215
|
|
|
|
Hawk Mt, PA
|
123
|
|
|
|
Detroit River, MI
|
82
|
|
|
|
Holiday Beach, ON
|
59
|
|
|
|
Hawk Ridge, MN
|
195
|
* - 6-year average for West Skyline; # - 4-year average forBald Eagle Mt
The 2024 official counter was Andrew Bechdel, who returnedfor a second year. Andrew did an excellent job; he was very diligent and hisincreased raptor ID skills were apparent. He joints a cohort of distinguished localbirders who have been hawk watch counters at Tussey Mt: Jon Kauffman in2009-2010 and 2014, Lewis Grove in 2017, and Sean McLaughlin in 2021 (Sean has subsequentlycounted raptors in Duluth, MN, at the West Skyline site in the spring and the HawkRidge site in the fall).
The 2024 watch was conducted on 56 days, with 414 hours ofwatching. This closely matches past median (middle) effort of 56 days and 403hours. We accomplished our primary goal of conducting the watch over the sametime span as previous years and with similar hours and watchfulness. Seasontotals are shown in Table 2.
Table 2. 2024 season totals and 10-year averages (2014-2023).
|
Species
|
2024
|
10-year average
|
2024 Ranking
|
|
Turkey Vulture
|
196
|
186
|
average
|
|
Osprey
|
59
|
89
|
below average
|
|
Bald Eagle
|
69
|
69
|
average
|
|
Northern Harrier
|
19
|
21
|
average
|
|
Sharp-shinned Hawk
|
203
|
162
|
above average
|
|
Cooper’s Hawk
|
28
|
26
|
average
|
|
American Goshawk
|
0
|
1
|
|
|
Golden Eagle
|
164
|
169
|
average
|
|
American Kestrel
|
38
|
42
|
average
|
|
Merlin
|
4
|
6
|
average
|
|
Peregrine Falcon
|
4
|
3
|
average
|
|
Total
|
2425
|
2020
|
|
Below-average counts were observed for Osprey and Red-tailedHawk, but these observations were consistent with long-term trends. Ospreys in NortheasternNorth America have been experiencing a decline, possibly related to the rise ofBald Eagles, and there is evidence that Red-tailed Hawks are not migrating as muchas their ancestors did. Above-average counts were observed for Sharp-shinnedHawk and Broad-winged Hawk. The Sharp-shinned Hawk count was the highest since2104 and was somewhat surprising since we had observed low Sharp-shinned Hawktotals during the previous fall. The 1378 Broad-winged Hawks was our 4thhighest season total; 83% were observed during a four-day period, Apr 15-18.All other raptor species were observed in average numbers.
The 24-year trend in Golden Eagle total count has an overallhill shape, with lower counts during 2001-2007 (average 161), higher counts during2008-2015 (average 205), and lower counts again in 2016-2024 (average 153). The2024 total of 164 was just below the 10-year average of 169 and welcome after2023’s low count of 118 (Figure 1). I suspect that lower totals occur when lesssevere winters cause Golden Eagles to winter farther north than they previouslydid or allow them to begin filtering back north before the spring migrationbegins in earnest during late February and early March. Sometimes, as in 2023,a sustained W/NW wind regime in the first half of March seems to limit GoldenEagle counts, but the 2024 wind regime was much more favorable during the peakGolden Eagle migration period.
The first detections of migrating Golden Eagles at Tussey Mthave been fairly consistent across seasons, so there is no indication that manyhave moved past us before we start (the Allegheny Front watch starts earlier thanwe do and they have only detected a few before we start). In 2024, we recordedthe first three Golden Eagles on Feb 21 and the first significant count, nine,on Feb 26. They then came with a rush in early March, with 95 counted duringthe first 12 days (which includes four rain days), 58% of the season’s total. Thehigh count was 27 on Mar 8. The cumulative Golden Eagle chart shows that the2024 count was slightly ahead of the long-term average through Mar 16, but frommid-March on, the detection pattern was very similar to the observations ofother years (Figure 2).
The best winds at Tussey Mt are from the S or SE, which weobserved on Feb 26-27 and Mar 1, 3,4, 8, and 11-12. This largely explains theearly Golden Eagle movement. At the Allegheny Front hawk watch, on the AlleghenyFront west of Bedford and about 61 air miles to our southwest, favorableflights occur when winds are from the E or SE. The Allegheny Front siteexperienced their best Golden Eagle count this season and it was concentratedduring the same time period as the good flights at Tussey Mt (Figure 3). Interestingly,the Derby Hill, NY, site, near the SE end of Lake Ontario, also has experiencedone of their best Golden Eagle seasons (Figure 4).
I suspect that when a sustained period of S or SE windsoccurs during the peak period, as happened this year, a large percentage ofGolden Eagles moves north along the Allegheny Front and Laurel Ridge to itswest and we miss seeing those birds. I have noticed before that sustained S orSE winds seem to push many Golden Eagles toward the Allegheny Front and, atTussey Mt, I theorize that we need periods of both S/SE and W/NW to keep them onour ridge. While Tussey Mt has many of its best flights on S/SE winds, we alsosee Golden Eagles on W/NW winds. Tussey Mt is not situated along a landscapefeature that is commonly called a “leading line”, like at the Great Lakessites, or acts as a natural “collector” of Golden Eagles, like Bald Eagle Mt doesin the fall. Instead, we benefit from the length of our ridge, which extendssouth into Maryland, and its location in the western Ridge & Valley.
The shapes of the three cumulative curves help to tell a storyabout the three sites. Counts at Tussey Mt have been more consistent, which Ibelieve is related to the many Golden Eagles moving through here and theconsistency of our effort over the years. Counts at Allegheny Front have been morevariable largely because of that site’s strong dependency on E and SE winds. DerbyHill observations are dominated by immature birds, as shown by consistent flightsoccurring in April. However, as in 2024 and 2021, they sometimes see manyGolden Eagles in March, probably related to more adult Golden Eagles being seenthere when winds have been from the S or SE.
Thanks to our sponsors, Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center,the State College Bird Club, and individuals. Also, thanks to the many people who visitedand helped to spot migrating raptors; we appreciate all the good help. Nextyear will be our 25th season, a good milestone to achieve.
Date: 4/27/24 3:51 pm From: Blizard, David A <dab22...> Subject: Re: Children's walk- Sat April 27th
Thank you Constanza/Coty for a delightful verbal tour! Reminds me, once missed, never recovered. I’ll look fed to the next opportunity! Dave
Sent from my iPad
On Apr 27, 2024, at 5:38 PM, Constanza Ehrenhaus <cxe1169...> wrote:
Good evening, Bird Club,
The threat of rain and the chilly morning were no match for the small group that gathered this morning at Tudek Park to watch birds. We had children 1.5 to 12 y.o., and their adults.
We got to see some nice vignettes of Northern Cardinal and Tufted Titmouse males courtship-feeding their mates, always a sweet sight! A Pileated Woodpecker majestically flew low along the trail in the direction of the tree line, giving us a good view of the contrasting white patches in its wings. A House Wren sang for us, letting us know they are back from their wintering grounds! And a small, agile warbler quickly passed over us, hopping in the branches. So quickly that we did not get to see more than a streaked belly, and we could not properly ID the bird. The Pine Siskins are still hanging around Tudek Park after two weeks, making this irruption year a fun one to find them all over the area, even in town!
Other observations included spring violets in the Butterfly Garden, a gray squirrel with a stubby tail, and huge pieces of a cut tree that delighted our sense of smell.
Date: 4/27/24 2:37 pm From: Constanza Ehrenhaus <cxe1169...> Subject: Children's walk- Sat April 27th
Good evening, Bird Club,
The threat of rain and the chilly morning were no match for the small group that gathered this morning at Tudek Park to watch birds. We had children 1.5 to 12 y.o., and their adults.
We got to see some nice vignettes of Northern Cardinal and Tufted Titmouse males courtship-feeding their mates, always a sweet sight! A Pileated Woodpecker majestically flew low along the trail in the direction of the tree line, giving us a good view of the contrasting white patches in its wings. A House Wren sang for us, letting us know they are back from their wintering grounds! And a small, agile warbler quickly passed over us, hopping in the branches. So quickly that we did not get to see more than a streaked belly, and we could not properly ID the bird. The Pine Siskins are still hanging around Tudek Park after two weeks, making this irruption year a fun one to find them all over the area, even in town!
Other observations included spring violets in the Butterfly Garden, a gray squirrel with a stubby tail, and huge pieces of a cut tree that delighted our sense of smell.
2024 was the 24th full season of the spring hawk watch at Tussey Mt,
staffed daily Feb 20-Apr 26. The watch site is located on the top of Tussey
Mt, the second ridge from the north and west in the western
Ridge-and-Valley physiographic province and near the boundary between
Huntingdon and Centre counties. The watch’s primary focus is monitoring the
spring Golden Eagle migration. This report reflects that focus.
Annual Golden Eagle totals at western sites such as Bridger Mts, MT; Mt
Lorette, AB; and Gunsight Mt, AK, are commonly around 1,000-2,000. However,
they draw from a western population of approximately 60,000 birds. The
eastern Golden Eagle population is thought to have about 4,000-5,000 birds.
Among eastern watch sites, the Golden Eagle total at Tussey Mt ranks second
to Mackinac Straits, MI, in the spring, while Bald Eagle Mt ranks first in
the fall (Table 1). No other spring site east of Michigan consistently
counts close to the number of Golden Eagles that we do at Tussey Mt,
although the 2024 total at the Allegheny Front site was close. Thus, these
local hawk watches are important in monitoring the eastern population.
*Table 1. 10-Year Golden Eagle Averages (2014-2023) at Some Eastern North
American Watch Sites.*
*Spring*
*Fall*
*Site*
*10-year average*
*Site*
*10-year average*
Tussey Mt, PA
169
Bald Eagle Mt, PA #
324
Allegheny Front, PA
80
Allegheny Front, PA
208
Derby Hill, NY
55
Franklin Mt, NY
178
Braddock Bay, NY
27
Stone Mt, PA
150
Mackinac Straits, MI
231
Jacks Mt, PA
128
West Skyline, MN *
155
Waggoner’s Gap, PA
215
Hawk Mt, PA
123
Detroit River, MI
82
Holiday Beach, ON
59
Hawk Ridge, MN
195
* - 6-year average for West Skyline; # - 4-year average for Bald Eagle Mt
The 2024 official counter was Andrew Bechdel, who returned for a second
year. Andrew did an excellent job; he was very diligent and his increased
raptor ID skills were apparent. He joints a cohort of distinguished local
birders who have been hawk watch counters at Tussey Mt: Jon Kauffman in
2009-2010 and 2014, Lewis Grove in 2017, and Sean McLaughlin in 2021 (Sean
has subsequently counted raptors in Duluth, MN, at the West Skyline site in
the spring and the Hawk Ridge site in the fall).
The 2024 watch was conducted on 56 days, with 414 hours of watching. This
closely matches past median (middle) effort of 56 days and 403 hours. We
accomplished our primary goal of conducting the watch over the same time
span as previous years and with similar hours and watchfulness. Season
totals are shown in Table 2.
*Table 2. 2024 season totals and 10-year averages (2014-2023). *
*Species*
*2024*
*10-year average*
*2024 Ranking*
Turkey Vulture
196
186
average
Osprey
59
89
below average
Bald Eagle
69
69
average
Northern Harrier
19
21
average
Sharp-shinned Hawk
203
162
above average
Cooper’s Hawk
28
26
average
American Goshawk
0
1
Red-shouldered Hawk
35
40
average
Broad-winged Hawk
1378
920
above average
Red-tailed Hawk
213
286
below average
Rough-legged Hawk
0
2
Golden Eagle
164
169
average
American Kestrel
38
42
average
Merlin
4
6
average
Peregrine Falcon
4
3
average
Total
2425
2020
Below-average counts were observed for Osprey and Red-tailed Hawk, but
these observations were consistent with long-term trends. Ospreys in
Northeastern North America have been experiencing a decline, possibly
related to the rise of Bald Eagles, and there is evidence that Red-tailed
Hawks are not migrating as much as their ancestors did. Above-average
counts were observed for Sharp-shinned Hawk and Broad-winged Hawk. The
Sharp-shinned Hawk count was the highest since 2104 and was somewhat
surprising since we had observed low Sharp-shinned Hawk totals during the
previous fall. The 1378 Broad-winged Hawks was our 4th highest season
total; 83% were observed during a four-day period, Apr 15-18. All other
raptor species were observed in average numbers.
The 24-year trend in Golden Eagle total count has an overall hill shape,
with lower counts during 2001-2007 (average 161), higher counts during
2008-2015 (average 205), and lower counts again in 2016-2024 (average 153).
The 2024 total of 164 was just below the 10-year average of 169 and welcome
after 2023’s low count of 118 (Figure 1). I suspect that lower totals occur
when less severe winters cause Golden Eagles to winter farther north than
they previously did or allow them to begin filtering back north before the
spring migration begins in earnest during late February and early March.
Sometimes, as in 2023, a sustained W/NW wind regime in the first half of
March seems to limit Golden Eagle counts, but the 2024 wind regime was much
more favorable during the peak Golden Eagle migration period.
The first detections of migrating Golden Eagles at Tussey Mt have been
fairly consistent across seasons, so there is no indication that many have
moved past us before we start (the Allegheny Front watch starts earlier
than we do and they have only detected a few before we start). In 2024, we
recorded the first three Golden Eagles on Feb 21 and the first significant
count, nine, on Feb 26. They then came with a rush in early March, with 95
counted during the first 12 days (which includes four rain days), 58% of
the season’s total. The high count was 27 on Mar 8. The cumulative Golden
Eagle chart shows that the 2024 count was slightly ahead of the long-term
average through Mar 16, but from mid-March on, the detection pattern was
very similar to the observations of other years (Figure 2).
The best winds at Tussey Mt are from the S or SE, which we observed on Feb
26-27 and Mar 1, 3,4, 8, and 11-12. This largely explains the early Golden
Eagle movement. At the Allegheny Front hawk watch, on the Allegheny Front
west of Bedford and about 61 air miles to our southwest, favorable flights
occur when winds are from the E or SE. The Allegheny Front site experienced
their best Golden Eagle count this season and it was concentrated during
the same time period as the good flights at Tussey Mt (Figure 3).
Interestingly, the Derby Hill, NY, site, near the SE end of Lake Ontario,
also has experienced one of their best Golden Eagle seasons (Figure 4).
I suspect that when a sustained period of S or SE winds occurs during the
peak period, as happened this year, a large percentage of Golden Eagles
moves north along the Allegheny Front and Laurel Ridge to its west and we
miss seeing those birds. I have noticed before that sustained S or SE winds
seem to push many Golden Eagles toward the Allegheny Front and, at Tussey
Mt, I theorize that we need periods of both S/SE and W/NW to keep them on
our ridge. While Tussey Mt has many of its best flights on S/SE winds, we
also see Golden Eagles on W/NW winds. Tussey Mt is not situated along a
landscape feature that is commonly called a “leading line”, like at the
Great Lakes sites, or acts as a natural “collector” of Golden Eagles, like
Bald Eagle Mt does in the fall. Instead, we benefit from the length of our
ridge, which extends south into Maryland, and its location in the western
Ridge & Valley.
The shapes of the three cumulative curves help to tell a story about the
three sites. Counts at Tussey Mt have been more consistent, which I believe
is related to the many Golden Eagles moving through here and the
consistency of our effort over the years. Counts at Allegheny Front have
been more variable largely because of that site’s strong dependency on E
and SE winds. Derby Hill observations are dominated by immature birds, as
shown by consistent flights occurring in April. However, as in 2024 and
2021, they sometimes see many Golden Eagles in March, probably related to
more adult Golden Eagles being seen there when winds have been from the S
or SE.
Thanks to our sponsors, Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, the State
College Bird Club, and individuals. Also, thanks to the many people who
visited and helped to spot migrating raptors; we appreciate all the good
help. Next year will be our 25th season, a good milestone to achieve.
Date: 4/27/24 10:10 am From: Jon Kauffman <jvk5019...> Subject: Blue Grosbeak -Pine Grove Mills
Hello all,
I just observed a Blue Grosbeak in my yard in Pine Grove Mills. It was in the garden and it flew up the street to my neighbors yard. I have not been able to relocate.
Raptor Observations: Despite favorable SE winds, raptor migration was light. This is the last day for our 2024 season. It was another successful season. Thanks to Andrew for his good work.
A Peregrine Falcon circled near the tower, then flew S.
Non-raptor Observations:
======================================================================== Report submitted by Nick Bolgiano (<nickbolgiano...>)
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 3 hours
Official Counter: Darrell Smith
Observers: Craig Kochel, Diane Stewart, Ken Tucker, Linda Whitesel, Phil Park
Visitors: This was our postponed Earth Day get together from Monday. Craig Kochel, Diane Stewart, Ken Tucker, Phil Park and Linda Whitesel. A group of fishermen that were on there way to Standing Stone Creek. A hang glider waiting for a little less wind to launch.
Weather: A little chilly with brisk winds from the SE. Clear blue to start with partly cloudy at the end.
Raptor Observations: A good Osprey day for 3 hours. One good hour of Broad-wings. A fast moving Peregrine Falcon.
Non-raptor Observations: Local Red-tails, Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures, Ravens. Nemo made a visit. A Black-Capped Chickadee popped in and out of a nest hole in a dead tree.
Date: 4/26/24 12:18 pm From: Grove, Gregory William <gwg2...> Subject: Huntingdon County Birding FB group - Kestrel and Barn Owl
As some of you know, there is a facebook group : Huntingdon County Birding.
I just posted there a link to the talk by Jon Kauffman on action (videos) from his kestrel and Barn Owl boxes, mostly in Huntingdon and Mifflin Co. Fascinating to watch what goes on with the young birds and their parents.
Greg Grove
eBird reviewer: Blair, Cambria, Clearfield, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin
PBA Ridge and Valley Coordinator
Stone Mt. Hawk Watch, Winter Raptor Survey
Huntingdon, PA.
From: State College (PA) Bird Club <SCBIRDCL...> on behalf of Gyekis, Joseph Peter <jpg186...>
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024 at 10:22 AM
To: <SCBIRDCL...> <SCBIRDCL...>
Subject: Muddy Paws accessible during Birding Cup
Birders are welcome to visit the usually closed wetland Muddy Paws (east of Spring Mills) during the Birding Cup hours, which are May 3 at 7:00 p.m. (ET) until May 4 at 7:00 p.m. (ET).
Date: 4/26/24 7:22 am From: Gyekis, Joseph Peter <jpg186...> Subject: Muddy Paws accessible during Birding Cup
Birders are welcome to visit the usually closed wetland Muddy Paws (east of Spring Mills) during the Birding Cup hours, which are May 3 at 7:00 p.m. (ET) until May 4 at 7:00 p.m. (ET).
Date: 4/25/24 6:52 pm From: Andrew Bechdel <andrewbechdel...> Subject: Tussey Mountain Hawkwatch - April 25th, 2024
Good Evening Y'all,
Although the forecast didn't look promising, we still had a decent flight with 63 Broad-wingeds moving steady throughout the day. The BWs did not seem to settle into any particular flight path, but were mostly spotted along the ridgetop and out to the N side of the ridge. In the final 15 minutes, a Peregrine Falcon (a raptor we only see about 4 times a season) was spotted behind the tower. Knowing how much Broad-wingeds can be confused with Peregrines due to their pointed wings, I initially discredited it as a BW. However, as it glided closer there was no doubt what it was. Unlike the other 8 sightings in the previous 2 years, this Peregrine took the time to give me a show, circling for about a minute overhead in the powercut before moving along. During that time, it dropped its talons, grabbed at the air as if it was playing with an imaginary prey item, and pulled at its feathers as if midair preening. I've observed this at the Grand Canyon, but never in PA.
Another special thanks to my parents who supported me yet again. And, thanks to all who've supported our watch throughout the season.
Tomorrow will be the last watch day and hopefully a nice cap to the season. The SE winds could bring big numbers of Broad-wingeds. Today's steady flight indicated that the pipeline is still full of BWs.
See you at the Watch!
-Andrew
*------------------------------Tussey Mountain Hawk WatchState College, Pennsylvania, USADaily Raptor Counts: Apr 25, 2024SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason TotalBlack Vulture000Turkey Vulture0123194Osprey44855Bald Eagle23367Northern Harrier01819Sharp-shinned Hawk5149199Cooper's Hawk01228American Goshawk000Red-shouldered Hawk0535Broad-winged Hawk6313711371Red-tailed Hawk095209Rough-legged Hawk000Golden Eagle015164American Kestrel02237Merlin034Peregrine Falcon114Unknown Accipiter015Unknown Buteo002Unknown Falcon012Unknown Eagle001Unknown Raptor025Total:7518992401Observation start time:08:30:00Observation end time:16:30:00Total observation time:8 hoursOfficial CounterAndrew BechdelObservers:Kathy Bechdel, Nick BolgianoVisitors:Kathy & Dave BechdelWeather:In the morning, partly cloudy, mild, and light to moderate NE wind. In the afternoon, mostly full sun, warmer, and light to moderate ENE wind. Wind Speed: 2-8mph. Temperature: 5-14 Celsius.Raptor Observations:No Golden Eagles. Today's flight was a slow but steady trickle of BWs. There seemed to be no established flight path. Almost all BWs followed the ridge top or parallel to the N side, but they were seen at a variety of distances and heights. Non-migratory raptors: 1 Black Vulture, 5 Turkey Vulture, 2 Bald Eagle, 2 Red-tailed HawkNon-raptor Observations:Notable Birds: 10 Dbl Crested Cormorants, 5 Common Loons, FOY OvenbirdPredictions:Uncertain; Tomorrow will likely be the final day of the watch. With SE winds forecasted, it could be an excellent day to see big kettles of BWs and other migrants.*
Date: 4/25/24 9:48 am From: Gyekis, Joseph Peter <jpg186...> Subject: Fw: Warbler walk to forward to State College Birding Club
Hi Bird Club,
An activity of interest:
Postdoc Kevin Bennett and biology professor David Toews are leading a bird walk at Shaver's Creek / seminar on fun warbler evolution (golden-winged and blue-winged ... and beyond!) next Saturday May 11th at 8am (bird walk), 10 am (food / coffee provided), 10:30 warbler seminar.
Date: 4/24/24 5:18 pm From: Andrew Bechdel <andrewbechdel...> Subject: Tussey Mountain Hawkwatch - April 24th, 2024
Good Evening Birders,
Our penultimate day was punctuated with rain in the morning and afternoon. We still enjoyed an Osprey and a few more Broad-winged Hawks. Despite the slow raptor day, Eastern Tent Caterpillar webs can be seen in the Cherry behind the rock pile and some adult moths were seen on the walk into the site. Perhaps these are a preferred snack of the now abundant Black-throated Green Warblers on Tussey. Moreover, the maples and oaks are budding, ephemerals are blooming on the trail, and the Appalachian Gooseberry has been blooming in the powercut. All are nice harbingers of spring and the flood of migrants yet to come in the next couple weeks. As mentioned previously, Friday will be our final day and potentially a big one for BWs!
See you at the Watch!
-Andrew
*Tussey Mountain Hawk WatchState College, Pennsylvania, USADaily Raptor Counts: Apr 24, 2024SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason TotalBlack Vulture000Turkey Vulture1123194Osprey14451Bald Eagle23165Northern Harrier01819Sharp-shinned Hawk0144194Cooper's Hawk01228American Goshawk000Red-shouldered Hawk0535Broad-winged Hawk1413081308Red-tailed Hawk295209Rough-legged Hawk000Golden Eagle015164American Kestrel02237Merlin034Peregrine Falcon003Unknown Accipiter015Unknown Buteo002Unknown Falcon012Unknown Eagle001Unknown Raptor025Total:2018242326Observation start time:10:00:00Observation end time:16:30:00Total observation time:4.75 hoursOfficial CounterAndrew BechdelObservers:Visitors:N/AWeather:Started the watch at 1000 due to rain and had to take a couple breaks for showers at 1100 and 1300. Wind was moderate WNW in morning, shifting to NW in the afternoon. Skies were partly cloudy and variable throughout the day. Wind Speed: 5-14mph. Temperature: 10-14 Celsius.Raptor Observations:No Golden Eagles. Flight was slow to non-existent. Non-migratory Raptors: 5 Turkey Vultures, 2 Bald Eagles, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 1 Broad-winged HawkNon-raptor Observations:N/APredictions:Uncertain; Tomorrow doesn't look promising. Friday could be a great day for BWs with moderate SE wind.*
Date: 4/23/24 4:44 pm From: Andrew Bechdel <andrewbechdel...> Subject: Tussey Mountain Hawkwatch - April 23rd, 2024
Good Evening Birders,
Today, we enjoyed warm weather, good company, and some late afternoon raptors. Another 5 Bald Eagles soared sky high and migrated straight N, adding some numbers to what has been a below average count this season. Although the Broad-winged Hawk flight never took off (pun intended), Nick spotted our *164th Golden Eagle of the season gliding high over Stone Valley*. This was our 3rd straight day with a GE and we hope to finish off the season strong and keep the streak going until the end!
In other bird news, we had 7 Common Loons and our FOY (and possible first for Tussey Hawkwatch) Wood Duck. The Wood Duck flew low over the ridge late this afternoon and seemed destined for the ever attractive Fairbrook Wetland.
Thanks to our Penn State SEED semester students who joined us during the morning to learn about hawkwatching and raptor migration. Doug Wentzel and Laurie McLaughlin were wonderful to have at the sight as always. And... Doug has, after 23 long awaited years, earned observer status in the hawkcount database. Congratulate him if you see him!
Tomorrow and Thursday do not look auspicious for Broad-wingeds or other raptors. However, Friday could be a great final day for Broad-winged Hawks. I will give a better forecast in the next couple days.
Date: 4/23/24 11:49 am From: Wentzel, Doug <djw105...> Subject: Fwd: Important Club Meeting Wednesday, this morning walk and PSO news...Birding Festival, Blitz, Art Auction, Birding Tours
Hi All,
Looking forward to Zooming with you all on Wednesday and hearing from Jon Kauffman on "Life in a Nest Box of American Kestrels and Barn Owls." This program will provide an in depth look of the breeding behavior of American Kestrels and Barn Owls through live nestcam footage.
Let me know if you have New Business items for the club in advance so we can make sure we have time, and of course April means board elections and I know our nominating committee has been working on a slate of candidates.
Nice walk at Spring Creek this morning with 21 of us and 30 species. Highlights were chimney swifts, blue-headed vireo and happy bird watchers.
https://ebird.org/atlaspa/checklist/S169930882 Pennsylvania Bird Atlas Checklist - 23 Apr 2024 - Spring Creek Park - 30 species (+1 other taxa)
ebird.org
Finally, news from our friends at PA Society for Ornithology (PSO).
Date: 4/23/24 10:47 am From: Mark Nale <00008ff0c316580d-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: FOY Whippoorwill
We also heard a whippoorwill calling at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday - Along the road to Scotia Range (between 10-Acre Pond & the range)
On Monday, April 22, 2024 at 10:16:17 PM EDT, Anderson, Jennifer Lynn <jab56...> wrote:
Also at Shaver’s Creek about 9:55 PM!From: State College (PA) Bird Club <SCBIRDCL...> on behalf of Mark Ott <000027d7a2c8cc0b-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2024 9:23:45 PM
To: <SCBIRDCL...> <SCBIRDCL...>
Subject: FOY Whippoorwill 9:00pm western suburbs of Howard. Two whippoorwills calling from two sides of the hollow.
Also at Shavers Creek about 9:55 PM!
________________________________
From: State College (PA) Bird Club <SCBIRDCL...> on behalf of Mark Ott <000027d7a2c8cc0b-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2024 9:23:45 PM
To: <SCBIRDCL...> <SCBIRDCL...>
Subject: FOY Whippoorwill
9:00pm western suburbs of Howard. Two whippoorwills calling from two sides of the hollow.
Date: 4/22/24 5:27 pm From: Andrew Bechdel <andrewbechdel...> Subject: Tussey Mountain Hawkwatch - April 22nd, 2024
Good Evening Birder's,
Is it still worth going to the watch when you see almost nothing other than a single Golden Eagle? I think so! At 10:42, an *immature (juvenile or subadult) Golden Eagle flew very high overhead and marked our 163rd GE of the season. *Otherwise, the flight was dead save 6 Broad-winged Hawks. However, the local Cooper's Hawk entertained with flight displays and a couple Bald Eagle chased each other around Nittany Valley.
In other bird news, we had another 3 Common Loons, a few more Barn and Tree Swallows entering Centre county, and a Chimney Swift. I can hear some Chimney Swifts here in Bellefonte and am excited to see them roost again! I hope y'all get to enjoy the roost in Pine Grove or State College.
Thanks to my parents and Ken Bowman for continuing to support the watch effort and hope they keep coming back next year!
Tomorrow has a forecasted SSW wind. It could be a great day or just be mediocre. We will just have to go scan and find out. Friday will be the next good day as we plan on extending the watch to count more BWs and Ospreys.
> Wednesday, May 15, 2024 (7:30am - 9:30am) > Search for Cerulean Warblers on the Lower Trail, Blair County > > Please join Nick Bolgiano for a leisurely walk along a stretch of the > Lower Trail in Blair County. The goal of this trip is to find Cerulean > Warblers, in the core of their Lower Trail habitat. See > keystonefund.org/success-story/a-perfect-habitat/ for more information on > Nick Bolgiano's search for Cerulean Warblers. This stretch of the Lower > Trail is also great for Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Warbling > Vireo, Wood Thrush, Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-throated Warbler, > Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Baltimore Oriole. > > Please meet at the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot at 7:30am ( > https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rttcpa.org%2Findex.shtml&data=05%7C02%<7CSCBIRDCL...>%7C817c1b5834c543658fc808dc63172541%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C638494198255255132%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=sLHG27f4QnJVW%2FqqQhyyeJUJzGyVzhOsxtBnVjnR04A%3D&reserved=0). Travel West on Route 22 from the > intersection of Route 453 at Water Street. Turn Left on Fox Run Rd at 3.3 > mi (just after the westbound turns to 2 lanes, making this easier if > traffic) or Left on Etna Furnace Rd at 4.6 mile. Continue Right near the > river to reach the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot. There is a modern > outhouse available. > > From the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot, the group will walk South along > the Lower Trail for 1-2 miles out and back. >
Date: 4/22/24 6:30 am From: Julia Plummer <julia...> Subject: Re: 5 star Sandhill Crane audio recording!!
Thanks, Jen! And thanks to Lindera and Mark Nale for finding it the day
before.
The bird was asleep when I arrived. It made those calls very soon after it
woke up and started looking around. I was lucky to already have my
parabola pointed in its direction and recording when it started calling.
The echo effect of that location does add something interesting to the
recording.
Julia
On Sun, Apr 21, 2024 at 7:16 PM Lee, Jen <jal21...> wrote:
Date: 4/22/24 4:43 am From: Peggy Wagoner Saporito <raven966...> Subject: SCBC 2024 Grant Application Reminder
Happy Monday,
The April 30 deadline to submit an application for our State College Bird Club grant is next Tuesday. We encourage everyone to apply who has a project or research or educational activity related to avian conservation.
SCBC has $1331.00 available for distribution from the SCBC Endowment managed by Centre Foundation. These funds will be distributed either as several small grants or one large grant. Activities that could be funded include (but are not limited to): Projects: - setting up or maintaining bird boxes at a public park or installing bird safe window treatments in a public building. Research : - helping with costs of materials, equipment, transportation or professional conference fees related to conducting avian research. Education: - helping with costs of materials, equipment, transportation or professional conference or workshop fees related to avian educational activities.
We look forward to your ideas. Please pass this notification onto students or others who are doing any activities related to bird conservation who may be interested in applying.
Anyone interested in applying for the funding should complete the attached grant application submitted as a PDF attachment by April 30, 2024 to Susan Braun (<braun3112...>). Applications will be reviewed in May by the SCBC selection committee (Susan Braun, Deb Escalet, Roana Fuller and Peggy Wagoner). Applicants will be notified about funding decisions by June 1, 2024. Any questions regarding the funding or application can be directed to selection committee members: Susan (<braun3112...>), Deb ( <d5me16...>) or Peggy (<raven966...>).
Date: 4/21/24 4:15 pm From: Lee, Jen <jal21...> Subject: 5 star Sandhill Crane audio recording!!
Congrats Julia !!
I just listened to her awesome early morning Sandhill Crane recording. Such an accommodating bird! Love the echo effect of Black Mo and all the other birds you can hear!!
One highlight was the 94 Common Loons, including 15 which flew in circles for about 4 revolutions before continuing NW. This is the 2nd highest loon total for the season. A second highlight was the season's 162nd Golden Eagle, a subadult, which flew overhead. It had been one week since we last recorded one.
This starts the last week for this season's watch, which we usually plan to end Apr 25. If favorable S wind forecasts hold for Fri-Sat, I may extend the season to include those days. S winds are sometimes are very favorable for our site.
Nick Bolgiano
Tussey Mountain Hawk Watch State College, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 21, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours
Official Counter: Nick Bolgiano
Observers: Debra Rittlemann
Weather: Wind initially SSW 3-5 mph, eventually swinging around to W 8-12 mph in the afternoon, sky mostly overcast with a few peeks of sun, temp 36-46F
Raptor Observations: GE: 1222 Sub
Non-raptor Observations: Gr. Blue Heron-2, Barred Owl-1, C. Loon-94
Predictions: Monday: wind NW 8-10 mph and sunny, could get good thermals Tuesday: wind SSW 10-12 mph and cloudy, depends on cloudy thickness Wednesday: WNW/NW 12-15 mph and cloudy - least promising
This is the last week for the 2024 watch, which usually ends Apr 25. I will be looking at the Fri-Sat forecasts, currently predicting favorable S winds, for possibly extending the season.
With the first year of the 3rd PA Bird Atlas underway, I would appreciate any reports on color banded Purple Martins (PUMA) that birders might observe. I am particularly interested in any sightings in Blair, Centre, Juniata and Mifflin counties. Observations from other nearby counties would also be of interest. Please include date, location, band color and which leg is banded. This is the final year of my three year study on natal dispersal.
As a side note I have been able to locate 81 locations offering 165+ housing units (multiple cavity boxes or gourd racks) in the central PA four county area..
Nick Kerlin
