Green Pond became the focus when a total of five White-rumped Sandpipers and a Semipalmated Sandpiper were seen at the flooded field. They were pretty distant, but I was able to get some photos of both species.
Other interesting birds included 17 Lesser and 3 Greater Yellowlegs, 9 Least and 7 Solitary Sandpipers, a Spotted Sandpiper, 3 Killdeer, plus Eastern Kingbird, Baltimore Oriole, Blackpoll Warbler, and the two lingering Snow Geese.
Later, I stopped along Christian Springs Road where I found a Dunlin among several Semipalmated Plovers.
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Jacobsburg State Park and Newburg Road retention pond ~ May 17, 2022
Charlie Zafonte met me at the Sober's Run Loop Trail area of Jacobsburg State Park. Although the migration appeared to be winding down, we did see eight species of warblers that included Blue-winged, Magnolia, Louisiana Waterthrush, and two Canada Warblers, which in most cases are tough to get a photo of. Here's a mediocre photo of one of them.
A Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a Bald Eagle, and a Northern Rough-winged Swallow were a lot more cooperative.
From there, I stopped at the Newburg Road retention pond where I found an adult Killdeer watching over its chick and a pair of Eastern Kingbirds.
A Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a Bald Eagle, and a Northern Rough-winged Swallow were a lot more cooperative.
From there, I stopped at the Newburg Road retention pond where I found an adult Killdeer watching over its chick and a pair of Eastern Kingbirds.
Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs comparison ~ May 17, 2022
My last stop of the day was at Green Pond where I was lucky to get a nice series of flight shots of a Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs together. On the Greater Yellowlegs, note the larger size, heavy barring running down the sides almost to the tail, and the much longer bill, which has food in it.
A Blackpoll Warbler was at the little pond next to the house.
The Bufflehead continued in the flooded field area.
A Blackpoll Warbler was at the little pond next to the house.
The Bufflehead continued in the flooded field area.
Sunday, May 15, 2022
L.V.A.S. Bird Walk at Lake Minsi and Bear Swamp ~ May 15, 2022
This morning, I led a bird walk at Lake Minsi and Bear Swamp for the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society. The group met at Lake Minsi where we saw or heard a distant Common Loon, Wood Ducks, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Pileated Woodpecker, many 'flyover' Blue Jays, and a nice count of 32 Purple Martins.
Next, we walked the boardwalk at Bear Swamp. There, we saw or heard Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawk, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and warblers that included Ovenbird, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Blue-winged, Black-and-white, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Common Yellowthroat, and Northern and Louisiana Waterthrush.
The archery complex area of Bear Swamp produced Yellow-throated Vireo, Veery, Wood and Swainson's Thrush, Tennessee Warbler, and an Acadian Flycatcher, which was a 'life bird' for several in the group.
Next, we walked the boardwalk at Bear Swamp. There, we saw or heard Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawk, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and warblers that included Ovenbird, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Blue-winged, Black-and-white, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Common Yellowthroat, and Northern and Louisiana Waterthrush.
The archery complex area of Bear Swamp produced Yellow-throated Vireo, Veery, Wood and Swainson's Thrush, Tennessee Warbler, and an Acadian Flycatcher, which was a 'life bird' for several in the group.
Friday, May 13, 2022
Upper Mount Bethel Township birding ~ May 13, 2022
I started the day at Bear Swamp where I found an Acadian Flycatcher among the hemlocks in the archery area.
A Common Loon in non-breeding plumage was at nearby Minsi Lake.
A short drive to the Totts Gap Conservation Area produced several Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlark, and a chick in the Osprey nest.
A slow drive down Institute Road yielded a Scarlet Tanager in addition to Chestnut-sided Warbler and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
On Fox Gap Road, a Cerulean Warbler was the best bird seen among Great Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Parula, American Redstart, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
At Green Pond, a Canada Goose was protecting her goslings.
The small wooded patch at the intersection held a Northern Parula and a Black-and-white Warbler.
A Common Loon in non-breeding plumage was at nearby Minsi Lake.
A short drive to the Totts Gap Conservation Area produced several Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlark, and a chick in the Osprey nest.
A slow drive down Institute Road yielded a Scarlet Tanager in addition to Chestnut-sided Warbler and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
On Fox Gap Road, a Cerulean Warbler was the best bird seen among Great Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Parula, American Redstart, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
At Green Pond, a Canada Goose was protecting her goslings.
The small wooded patch at the intersection held a Northern Parula and a Black-and-white Warbler.
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Jacobsburg, Moore Township, and Green Pond ~ May 11, 2022
I took a walk along the Sober's Run Loop Trail in Jacobsburg State Park in the morning. Partway through the walk, I ran into Adam Miller and Guy de Bruyn and the three of us continued on. Among the 40 species were Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Green Heron, Bald Eagle, Belted Kingfisher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, and 10 species of warblers that included Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, and a Wilson's Warbler that Adam spotted but stayed hidden, eliminating the chance for a photo.
My next stop was along East Best Road in Moore Township where I was able to get some distant photos of a Red-headed Woodpecker.
From there, I drove down Schlegel Road where I heard Vesper Sparrow and saw four Horned Larks.
I also found a couple Horned Larks at the nearby Graver's Hill area.
On the way back home, I stopped at Green Pond and found the continuing Bufflehead and got a nice photo of one of the Spotted Sandpipers.
My next stop was along East Best Road in Moore Township where I was able to get some distant photos of a Red-headed Woodpecker.
From there, I drove down Schlegel Road where I heard Vesper Sparrow and saw four Horned Larks.
I also found a couple Horned Larks at the nearby Graver's Hill area.
On the way back home, I stopped at Green Pond and found the continuing Bufflehead and got a nice photo of one of the Spotted Sandpipers.
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Leucistic Gray Catbird at Jacobsburg State Park ~ May 10, 2022
I returned to Jacobsburg State Park hoping that the migration would be as busy as yesterday. Although it wasn't, I was lucky to get another chance to see a bird that was a mystery the day before. Yesterday, I got a brief look at a grayish bird with a whitish head as it flew deeper into the woods near the Henry Road bridge. My first impression was Canada Jay, which would've been an extremely unlikely find, so I pretty much knew it had to be something else. As I reached the area, I caught a glimpse of this same bird. It took several minutes, but the bird finally came out into the open and I realized that it was a leucistic Gray Catbird. It allowed me to get a few good photos of this strangely-marked bird.
Other interesting birds among the 42 species included Common Merganser, Belted Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, and ten species of warblers comprised of Ovenbird, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Cape May, Chestnut-sided, Black-and-white, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Northern Parula, and Louisiana Waterthrush.
Other interesting birds among the 42 species included Common Merganser, Belted Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, and ten species of warblers comprised of Ovenbird, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Cape May, Chestnut-sided, Black-and-white, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Northern Parula, and Louisiana Waterthrush.
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