Over at the Regency Boulevard ponds, two Ruddy Ducks were in the north pond.
The south pond held two Northern Shovelers, a Green-winged Teal, and a Ring-necked Duck as two Common Ravens circled overhead.
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Mountain Bluebird - 'No', Orange-crowned Warbler - 'Yes' ~ November 8, 2022
After voting, I headed over to the Newburg Road pond area to see if the Mountain Bluebird was still present. Despite several birders looking for it, it had not been seen all morning. I decided to walk over and look for the Orange-crowned Warbler. A few birders went with me and, after some searching, I spotted it very close to the same place I found it on Sunday.
Over at the Regency Boulevard ponds, two Ruddy Ducks were in the north pond.
The south pond held two Northern Shovelers, a Green-winged Teal, and a Ring-necked Duck as two Common Ravens circled overhead.
Over at the Regency Boulevard ponds, two Ruddy Ducks were in the north pond.
The south pond held two Northern Shovelers, a Green-winged Teal, and a Ring-necked Duck as two Common Ravens circled overhead.
Monday, November 7, 2022
Mountain Bluebird in Northampton County --- Day 3 ~ November 7, 2022
A few birders were checking out the Mountain Bluebird when I got there. It was actively feeding in the grass and then often returning to perch on one of the gray wooden stakes supporting the planted trees. Because the bird closely matches the color of those wood stakes, it blends in well, appearing to be just a longer extension of them. This morning, it was spending most of its time along Wellness Way between LVHN Drive and the pond. At one point, it perched on the sewer line cover plate that held water from yesterday's rain and took a drink.
I wish I had reacted just a bit faster on this photo, but the bird got just out of frame before I took it, which was a shame since it's pretty well in focus. I included it hear to show the electric blue coloration of the feathers.
I wish I had reacted just a bit faster on this photo, but the bird got just out of frame before I took it, which was a shame since it's pretty well in focus. I included it hear to show the electric blue coloration of the feathers.
Sunday, November 6, 2022
Mountain Bluebird Continues plus an Orange-crowned Warbler! ~ November 6, 2022
The Mountain Bluebird continued on Sunday between the Newburg Road retention pond and the Lehigh Valley Hospital. It spent a good amount of time in the vicinity of the intersection of LVHN Drive and Wellness Way.
I was telling Adam Miller about the productive area along the walking path east of the pond and that I was going to take a walk over there. He decided to go along with me. As we were checking the area, I spotted a warbler that turned out to be an Orange-crowned Warbler! I managed to get some pretty good photos of it as it flitted along the edge of the brush.
I headed over to the Regency Boulevard ponds. The cove of the north pond held a Ring-necked Duck and a Green-winged Teal.
Two Ruddy Ducks and an American Coot were also present there.
I drove over to the Hollo Road retention pond to see the Dunlin that Mike Schall found there earlier in the day. It was still there along with 33 Green-winged Teal and a male Northern Shoveler.
I was telling Adam Miller about the productive area along the walking path east of the pond and that I was going to take a walk over there. He decided to go along with me. As we were checking the area, I spotted a warbler that turned out to be an Orange-crowned Warbler! I managed to get some pretty good photos of it as it flitted along the edge of the brush.
I headed over to the Regency Boulevard ponds. The cove of the north pond held a Ring-necked Duck and a Green-winged Teal.
Two Ruddy Ducks and an American Coot were also present there.
I drove over to the Hollo Road retention pond to see the Dunlin that Mike Schall found there earlier in the day. It was still there along with 33 Green-winged Teal and a male Northern Shoveler.
Saturday, November 5, 2022
Mountain Bluebird in Northampton County! ~ November 5, 2022
At noon, I joined a Waste Management-sponsored walk into the Grand Central Landfill near Pen Argyl. Birds seen there included around 200 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 50 Herring Gulls, a Cooper's Hawk, and six Bald Eagles.
I stopped at the Hollo Road pond on the way back home. The only birds there were 19 Green-winged Teal and two Killdeer.
I was going to head home from there, but I decided to see if any ducks might have dropped into the Newburg Road retention pond. I got there around 2:30. There were five Killdeer at the back of the pond. I scanned over the large, grassy area between the pond and the hospital with my binoculars and spotted more Killdeer there. So, I drove along the road that parallels the north side of the hospital to see how many were there. After counting eight more Killdeer, I noticed what appeared to be a bluebird atop one of the planted trees. Instead of seeing an expected Eastern Bluebird, I noticed that the bird was an overall grayish color and had a noticeable eye ring. For a second, Townsend's Solitaire flashed in my brain, but then I noticed the turquoise blue color in the tail. Finally, it registered that I was looking at a female Mountain Bluebird! I grabbed my camera as quickly as I could, hoping that it wouldn't fly away, and blasted several photos from the car. After getting what I was pretty sure were good enough documentation photos, I sent a text out on the GroupMe app to let others know. Luckily, the bird stayed, allowing a good number of birders to see this first Northampton County record and even a first for the Lehigh Valley! To my knowledge, it represents the 8th record for Pennsylvania. Here are several of the photos I got of this bird from the western United States.
I stopped at the Hollo Road pond on the way back home. The only birds there were 19 Green-winged Teal and two Killdeer.
I was going to head home from there, but I decided to see if any ducks might have dropped into the Newburg Road retention pond. I got there around 2:30. There were five Killdeer at the back of the pond. I scanned over the large, grassy area between the pond and the hospital with my binoculars and spotted more Killdeer there. So, I drove along the road that parallels the north side of the hospital to see how many were there. After counting eight more Killdeer, I noticed what appeared to be a bluebird atop one of the planted trees. Instead of seeing an expected Eastern Bluebird, I noticed that the bird was an overall grayish color and had a noticeable eye ring. For a second, Townsend's Solitaire flashed in my brain, but then I noticed the turquoise blue color in the tail. Finally, it registered that I was looking at a female Mountain Bluebird! I grabbed my camera as quickly as I could, hoping that it wouldn't fly away, and blasted several photos from the car. After getting what I was pretty sure were good enough documentation photos, I sent a text out on the GroupMe app to let others know. Luckily, the bird stayed, allowing a good number of birders to see this first Northampton County record and even a first for the Lehigh Valley! To my knowledge, it represents the 8th record for Pennsylvania. Here are several of the photos I got of this bird from the western United States.
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Regency Boulevard, Hollo Road, and Newburg Road ~ November 3, 2022
There was nothing notable at the woods edge by the Regency Boulevard ponds. The north pond held a female Bufflehead, the young Ruddy Duck, a couple Killdeer, and a Great Blue Heron.
The Dunlin was still present at the south pond along with a male Ruddy Duck, an American Coot, and 21 Killdeer.
I stopped at the Hollo Road pond to see if the Stilt Sandpiper was still there, but it was gone. Twelve Green-winged Teal were there with Canada Geese.
A Hermit Thrush was the best bird along the walking path over at the Newburg Road pond.
The Dunlin was still present at the south pond along with a male Ruddy Duck, an American Coot, and 21 Killdeer.
I stopped at the Hollo Road pond to see if the Stilt Sandpiper was still there, but it was gone. Twelve Green-winged Teal were there with Canada Geese.
A Hermit Thrush was the best bird along the walking path over at the Newburg Road pond.
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Regency Boulevard and Hollo Road Pond ~ November 2, 2022
Notable birds seen at the woods edge by the Regency Boulevard retention ponds included Cedar Waxwings, Field and Swamp Sparrow, and a very obliging Hermit Thrush.
A young Ruddy Duck continued in the north pond. The south pond was much more productive. While scoping the eastern edge, I found a Dunlin feeding there. Unfortunately, the bird appeared to have some oily feathers on its breast and left side, but it didn't seem like it was hindering the bird in an obvious way.
I also spotted two Cackling Geese among the several hundred Canada Geese.
A Green-winged Teal and an American Coot were also there.
I drove over to the Hollo Road Pond to check on the Stilt Sandpiper and it was the only shorebird there. Also there were 16 Green-winged Teal and a male Northern Shoveler.
A young Ruddy Duck continued in the north pond. The south pond was much more productive. While scoping the eastern edge, I found a Dunlin feeding there. Unfortunately, the bird appeared to have some oily feathers on its breast and left side, but it didn't seem like it was hindering the bird in an obvious way.
I also spotted two Cackling Geese among the several hundred Canada Geese.
A Green-winged Teal and an American Coot were also there.
I drove over to the Hollo Road Pond to check on the Stilt Sandpiper and it was the only shorebird there. Also there were 16 Green-winged Teal and a male Northern Shoveler.
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