Saturday, February 28, 2009
Varied Thrush in Lehigh County! ~ February 28, 2009
I made another trip over to Salisbury Township to attempt to get more looks, and maybe some photos, of a Varied Thrush that had been favoring the backyard of Denise Reinhart since January 30th. I was lucky to be able to get these poor, long-distance photos through some brush.
Varied Thrush in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County. This first-year male represents the 1st record for Lehigh County.
Varied Thrush in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County. This first-year male represents the 1st record for Lehigh County.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Western Grebe in PA! ~ February 14, 2009
The word got out about a Western Grebe that was found near Huston's Mill in Cumberland County. This new state bird was being enjoyed by many when I got there. It was in the company of a Red-necked Grebe, which afforded a great comparison between the two species.
Western Grebe near Hustons Mill, Cumberland County. A Red-necked Grebe is preening itself while swimming alongside. This long-distance photo was taken through a backyard while standing on East Willow Terrace. Because of the great distance, the bird's head pattern appears to match that of a Clark's Grebe, but the photo is deceiving. Closer views confirmed the identification. This bird represents the 1st record for Pennsylvania!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Released Rough-legged Hawk, "Audubon's" Warbler, Long-tailed Duck, field birds, and White-winged Crossbills! ~ February 1, 2009
I started the morning off with a visit to Arlene Koch's property. She had informed me that a rehabilitated Rough-legged Hawk was going to be released on her farm. It was neat seeing the bird up close for a few moments before it was successfully let go.
Kathy Uhler of Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation, holding a light morph, immature male Rough-legged Hawk just prior to its release on the Koch property in Northampton County. The bird was in 'rehab' for about five weeks after being found in a field near Center Valley below Allentown. Its exact problem was never confirmed.
Around noon, I headed for the Dorney Pond in Allentown where I saw the "Audubon's" Warbler that Cameron Rutt and Tom Johnson found back on January 16th. The warbler's call note gave it away. I found it in the lone, large willow along the pond's edge near the green shed before it flew up into the trees on the hillside behind the house numbered "3801".
The continuing Long-tailed Duck swam around the east end of the pond, allowing me to get some nice photos of it. Several Lesser Black-backed Gulls, some Common Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, and a Coot were also there.
Long-tailed Duck at Dorney Pond in Lehigh County.
Long-tailed Duck at Dorney Pond in Lehigh County.
I then went to Arrowhead Road near Bath and saw at least 5 Lapland Longspurs among the fairly large numbers of Snow Buntings and Horned Larks.
Lapland Longspur near Bath in Northampton County. Note the long 'spur' (hind toe) for which the bird is named.
Snow Bunting near Bath in Northampton County.
Next, I decided to drive up to Graver Arboretum in Moore Township where, back on January 13th, Dustin Welch found a group of White-winged Crossbills. On the 14th, I refound the group in the same general area, which were my first ones for the county, but they flew off within a minute. This time, when I got there, I found Jim Wilson already watching about 8 White-winged Crossbills at the top of one of the tall Norway Spruces by the pond next to the entrance kiosk. They worked the same tree for almost an hour, never coming down any lower, hence the long-range, 'so-so' photos. But they were a fine sight through bins with the sun shining on them. Needless to say, it was a very productive day.
White-winged Crossbill at Graver Arboretum in Northampton County.
White-winged Crossbill at Graver Arboretum in Northampton County.
Around noon, I headed for the Dorney Pond in Allentown where I saw the "Audubon's" Warbler that Cameron Rutt and Tom Johnson found back on January 16th. The warbler's call note gave it away. I found it in the lone, large willow along the pond's edge near the green shed before it flew up into the trees on the hillside behind the house numbered "3801".
The continuing Long-tailed Duck swam around the east end of the pond, allowing me to get some nice photos of it. Several Lesser Black-backed Gulls, some Common Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, and a Coot were also there.
I then went to Arrowhead Road near Bath and saw at least 5 Lapland Longspurs among the fairly large numbers of Snow Buntings and Horned Larks.
Next, I decided to drive up to Graver Arboretum in Moore Township where, back on January 13th, Dustin Welch found a group of White-winged Crossbills. On the 14th, I refound the group in the same general area, which were my first ones for the county, but they flew off within a minute. This time, when I got there, I found Jim Wilson already watching about 8 White-winged Crossbills at the top of one of the tall Norway Spruces by the pond next to the entrance kiosk. They worked the same tree for almost an hour, never coming down any lower, hence the long-range, 'so-so' photos. But they were a fine sight through bins with the sun shining on them. Needless to say, it was a very productive day.
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