It took me 48 years, but I was finally able to see my 300th species for Northampton County!
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
300 Species for Northampton County! ~ March 24, 2021
Late Tuesday night, I read that Danielle Gustafson had seen an Orange-crowned Warbler at the Nisky Hill Cemetery in Bethlehem. That was one bird that I had never been lucky enough to cross paths with in my home county. Thursday's weather was calling for showers and then rain to move into the area about an hour after sunrise, so I drove over there, arriving at sunrise. The light rain was already falling when I started walking the southern rim of the cemetery. As I was nearing the western end of it, I heard some 'chip' notes, which was amazing since my high-end range of my hearing is pretty much gone in my right ear. I spotted a warbler-sized bird above me, but even with binoculars, the lighting was terrible. The silhouetted bird seemed to have yellow undertail coverts that were brighter than the rest of the bird. I was pretty sure it was the Orange-crowned but wanted to be certain. I tried walking uphill to see if I could get a better angle on it, looked up, and saw TWO small birds. I followed the one bird and eventually got a good enough look at it to realize it was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Now I was worried that I might lose the other bird. I quickly refound it and thankfully, after a couple minutes, it flew down to a tree on the steep embankment, which put it almost at eye level. I could now see the colors and the subtle markings. It was the Orange-crowned Warbler! I grabbed for my camera and, over the next several minutes, managed to get some pretty good photos of it.
It took me 48 years, but I was finally able to see my 300th species for Northampton County!
It took me 48 years, but I was finally able to see my 300th species for Northampton County!
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Iceland Gull at Lake Nockamixon ~ March 10, 2021
Since Lake Minsi was still frozen, I decided to drive down to Lake Nockamixon and see what was there. Among the numbers of Common Mergansers, I found a few American Wigeon and a couple Ring-necked Ducks and noticed a gull flying along the eastern edge of the lake that looked real pale. I got it in the scope and realized it was an Iceland Gull! I watched it as it continued to get closer. It eventually flew right by me where I got these fairly good, but backlit photos before it continued west towards the marina.
A stop at the marina produced Hooded Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, and Buffleheads. While there, a Sandhill Crane called three times from somewhere high overhead, but I never was able to find it in the blue sky.
The last stop was the fishing pier where the lake was mostly frozen but had several large patches of open water. I counted 7 Bald Eagles----2 adults and 5 immatures. The young birds and one of the adults were taking turns flying around stirring up the ducks and gulls and often perching on the ice.
Two of the young birds were toying with each other.
While checking out the gulls, I spotted the Iceland Gull. Judging by the wingtip pattern, I'm pretty sure that it was the same bird that I saw earlier at the Tohickon area. It flew in and landed fairly close where it bathed in the open water. This time the lighting was much better and I got some fairly nice photos of it.
As I passed the Haycock area on the way home, a male American Kestrel provided the "cherry on top." Needless to say, the drive was well worth it.
A stop at the marina produced Hooded Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, and Buffleheads. While there, a Sandhill Crane called three times from somewhere high overhead, but I never was able to find it in the blue sky.
The last stop was the fishing pier where the lake was mostly frozen but had several large patches of open water. I counted 7 Bald Eagles----2 adults and 5 immatures. The young birds and one of the adults were taking turns flying around stirring up the ducks and gulls and often perching on the ice.
Two of the young birds were toying with each other.
While checking out the gulls, I spotted the Iceland Gull. Judging by the wingtip pattern, I'm pretty sure that it was the same bird that I saw earlier at the Tohickon area. It flew in and landed fairly close where it bathed in the open water. This time the lighting was much better and I got some fairly nice photos of it.
As I passed the Haycock area on the way home, a male American Kestrel provided the "cherry on top." Needless to say, the drive was well worth it.
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