Easy to clean tube feeders

For those of us who feed birds, we all know how important it is to keep feeders clean. After it rains, seed may get wet and over time, may even get moldy. Moldy seed is not good for any bird and they soon stop coming to the feeders. Sometimes, you may notice a sick bird which is often obvious because you can walk up to the feeder and that bird does not fly away or even see you. This could be a result of a highly contagious conjunctivitis that affects the bird's eyes. In these cases, the feeder must be taken down and cleaned well. We should be cleaning the feeders year round to keep it free of mold, dirt and disease by using diluted dish soap and rinsing very, very well. It can then be dried in the sun.

However, many tube feeders are challenging to clean. The bottoms may be difficult to remove and even with a bottle brush, the seed ports are tough to clean around. Even if you can take them apart, you need steady hands to reattach those screws and nuts. More than once, I have walked away, counted to "ten" and started over.

Now Droll Yankee has introduced a new line of feeders with a "ring-pull system" that in one easy motion, takes the feeder apart for complete and easy cleaning. No tools needed to disassemble for cleaning – simply lift the cap, then pull the metal rod to remove the ports and feeder base in just seconds. And it is just as easy to reassemble!

The Bird House has three styles of Ring-Pull Feeders - 15" Green and 23" Midnight Blue Sunflower or mixed seed feeders and the 15" Finch Feeder.

Remember - Clean is good. Now it’s easier than ever to give songbirds just what they need – fresh food from a clean, hygienic feeder.

Pine Siskins have been seen

Pine Siskin

Keep your eye out for Pine Siskins. There have been several reports of the finch-link songbirds making a rare appearance in the Lehigh Valley area, according to Dave DeReamus, who coordinates the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

For instance, six Pine Siskins were seen on October 19 at Little Gap in Northampton County. (If you'd like to try to find the birds, you may be rewarded with the sight of migrating raptors as well.)

Another four Pine Siskins were see at Bake Oven Knob in Lehigh County.

The winter range of the Pine Siskin changes from year to year, according to "Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity," a must-have reference book for birders. In the East, the Pine Siskins' summer breeding territory extends from Newfoundland to the western edge of Ontario.

These finch-like songbirds are about the size of a goldfinch but their bills are more slender than that of most finches. They are brown, heavily streaked birds with subtle yellow edgings on their wings and tails. When they take flight, you might see a flash of yellow. They closely remember a female House Finch, except that the House Finch has a thicker bill, no wing bars and no yellow coloration on the wings or tail.

Another treat is that Pine Siskins come to feeders that offer Nyjer, white millet or shelled sunflower seeds. They also may be seen beneath feeders filled with unshelled sunflower seeds, where they hope to catch any leftovers. Occasionally they will eat suet. In the wild, you may spot them at the ends of conifer branches, where they cling, even upside down, feeding on the seeds of pine cones.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for October 24

Greater White-fronted Goose

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended October 24. The listing was compiled by several sources, including the American Birding Association website, the Ebird website and the Eastern PA Birdline, which is run by Dave DeReamus and sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

One of notable entry this week is the sighting of two Greater White-fronted Geese in Peace Valley Park in Bucks County. They were seen at least through October 17.

The Greater White-fronted Goose is rarely seen in our area. The goose breeds primarily  across the tundra wetlands in the Canada's Nunavut region and in Siberia. A subspecies that breeds in Greenland usually winters to the east, in Ireland and Scotland, but some birds instead fly west to winter on the East Coast. 

A medium-sized goose, the Greater White-fronted Goose had a gray-brown body, a white forehead and base of the bill, and a pinkish or orange bill. They sometimes are confused with domesticated geese, but the domesticated ones lack black belly markings and tend to have bigger bellies.

As is the case with many other species of geese, pairs stay together for years and migrate together. 

Now to the other birds seen during the week ...

Easton, Northampton County
Black Vulture, 3 on October 24.
Turkey Vulture, 12 on October 24.
Also seen: Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk.

Jacobsburg State Park, Northampton County
Blue-headed Vireo, 6 on October 19.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 3 on October 19.
Also seen: Yellow-rumped Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, and Song, Lincoln's, Swamp and White-crowned sparrows.

Plainfield Township, Northampton County
(along Heitzelman Road)
Northern Harrier, 1 on October 21.

Bath, Northampton County
(along Cigar Road)
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 on October 18.
Cedar Waxwing, 13 on October 18.
Also seen: Turkey Vulture, Chipping Sparrow and Eastern Towhee.

Ring-necked Duck

Echo Lake, Northampton County
Ring-necked Duck, 31 on October 24.
Pied-eyed Grebe, 1 on October 24.

Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary, Northampton County
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 10 on October 21.
Red-tailed Hawk, 3 on October 21.
Also seen: Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture and Cooper's Hawk.

Graver's Arboretum, Northampton County
Brant, 12 on October 19.
Double-breasted Cormorant, 33 on October 19.
Turkey Vulture, 20 on October 19.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 25 on October 19.
Bald Eagle, 4 on October 19.
Tree Swallow, 23 on October 19.
Pine Siskin, 6 on October 19.
Also seen: Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Winter Wren, White-throated Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco.

Monocacy Nature Center, Northampton County
Black Duck, 10 on October 24.
American Robin, approximately 58 on October 24.
Nashville Warbler, 1 on October 24.
Also seen: Red-tailed Hawk, Mute Swan, Eastern Phoebe, Cedar Waxwing and Golden-crowned Kinglet.

Little Gap, Northampton County
Brant, 12 on October 19 (fly-bys)

Lehigh Canal, Lehigh County
(near Sand Island)
Double-breasted Cormorant, 2 on October 20.
Also seen: Great Blue Heron.

Dorney Park, Lehigh County
Canada Goose, 379 on October 24.
Blackpoll Warbler, 1 on October 24.
Also seen: Mute Swan, American Black Duck, Pied-eyed Grebe, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed hawks, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowed Kinglet, and Song and White-throated sparrows.

Trexler Pond, Lehigh County
Cackling Goose, 1 on October 24.
Canada Goose, 489 on October 24.
Also seen: Mallard, American Robin and Gray Catbird.

Trexler Nature Preserve, Lehigh County
Wood Duck, 1 on October 18.
Blue-headed Vireo, 1 on October 18.
American Robin, 193 on October 18.
Cedar Waxwing, 42 on October 18.
Also seen: Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel and White-throated Sparrow.

Rodale Park, Lehigh County
Blue Jay, 7 on October 24.
Also seen: Red-shouldered Hawk, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Chipping and White-throated sparrows.

Tennessee Warbler (in fall plumage)

Pool Wildlife Sanctuary, Lehigh County
Bald Eagle, 2 on October 23 and 1 on October 19.
White-throated Sparrow, 30 on October 23.
Tennessee Warbler, 1 on October 19.
Black-throated Blue Warbler, 1 on October 19.
Dark-eyed Junco, 1 on October 19.
Also seen: Canada Goose, Cedar Waxwing, Great Blue Heron, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed hawks, and Turkey Vulture.

Haafsville, Lehigh County
Canada Goose, 23 on October 23; 30 on October 22; 2 on October 21.
Brown-headed Cowbird, 2 on October 23; 1 on October 22; 2 on October 21.
Blue-headed Vireo, 1 on October 21.
Red-headed Blackbird, 1 on October 19.
Also seen: Turkey Vulture, Song and White-throated sparrows, and Pine Warbler.

State Game Lands 205, Lehigh County
American Robin, 75 on October 19.
Hermit Thrush, 1 on October 19.
Palm Warbler, 2 on October 19.
Also seen: Dark-eyed Junco, and Chipping, White-throated and Song sparrows.

Zionsville, Lehigh County
American Robin, 12 on October 23.
Carolina Wren, 1 on October 23.
Also seen: Turkey Vulture, Red-bellied and Pileated woodpeckers, Eastern Towhee, and Song, White-throated and White-crowned sparrows.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Church Road area)
Dunlin, 1 on October 17.
Semipalmated Sandpiper, 8 on October 17.
Also seen: Pectoral Sandpiper and Red-breasted Nuthatch.

Lake Towhee, Bucks County
Trumpeter Swan, 1 on October 19 and October 20.
Brant, 1 to at least October 23.
Rusty Blackbirds, 20 on October 23.

Merrrill Creek Reservoir, nearby New Jersey
Bald Eagle, 8 on October 7.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 152 on October 18.
Northern Goshawk, 1 on October 18 and October 22.
Merlin, 6 on October 17; 8 on October 18.
Peregrine Falcon, 2 on October 18.

To report bird sightings to Dave DeReamus, send an e-mail to becard@rcn.com with the word "Birdline" in the subject heading.

Bake Oven Knob sightings for October 24

Sharp-shinned Hawks continue to be the most numerous birds seen at Bake Oven Knob atop the Appalachian ridge in Lehigh County.

A total of 820 Sharpies were seen during the week ended October 24. That's an increase of nearly 400 reports from the previous week but still shy of the peak of 1,181 sightings during the seven-day period that ended October 10.

Also reported during the week ended October 24 were Red-tailed Hawks, 236; Turkey Vultures, 59; Cooper's Hawks, 40; Bald Eagles, 39; Ospreys, 32; American Kestrels, 30; Northern Harriers, 26; Merlins, 21; Black Vultures, 17; Golden Eagles, 16; Red-shouldered Hawks, 7; Northern Goshawks, 6; and Peregrine Falcons, 4.

Canada Geese accounted for the most bird species seen at Bake Oven Knob, with 2,231 birds reported during the week. Double-breasted Cormorants numbered 76. Other species included Raven, American Crow, Blue Jay, Hairy Woodpecker, Rock Pigeon, Black-capped  Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, Carolina Wren, White-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Pine Siskins, Eastern Towhee, Great Blue Heron and Red-winged Blackbird.

New Product: Mango tree bird house

Thinking ahead to Christmas gift-giving? Here's a great present for the backyard bird enthusiast: a bird house handcrafted from a mango tree.

The bird house is a true example of the use of sustainable resources. Cultivated mangoes in Thailand are cut down once the trees reach the end of their prime fruit-producing cycle of 10 to 15 years. New seedlings are planted to replace them so the groves can continue a new cycle of growth.

The wood is saved. Mango wood, which is a densely grained hardwood, is increasingly being used for chairs and other furniture. Byer Birding has found another use: bird houses. 

Local artisans hand-turn the lumber, which comes from the Chiag Mai Province in northwestern Thailand. The bird houses are then dried in kilns that are fueled by wood shavings from the mango trees. The entire process represents in a responsible re-use of timber.

The bird houses are ideal for wrens or chickadees. They can be hung from a tree limb or a shepherd's hook. The roof is removable for clean-out once the nesting season is over. Drainage holes are provided.

As with our line of bird houses recycled from local barn wood, the mango tree bird house will be appreciated by those who care about the stewardship of the environment.

The mango tree bird house is available at The Bird House for a limited time, so hurry in!

Historian will discuss Audubon's last great adventure

Robert McCracken Peck

Historian and author Robert McCracken Peck will speak at Hawk Mountain on Saturday, November 1, on the last adventure of naturalist John James Audubon to the American West.

Back in 1843 Audubon set off from New York City to travel up the Missouri River to the mouth of the Yellowstone to gather specimens for a planned book on American mammals and birds.

Peck will relate Audubon's nine-month journey using visuals from the naturalist's trip. He'll put the accomplishments of Audubon's expedition into the broader context of the time.

Peck is a senior fellow of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and a naturalist and historian who has traveled extensively in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. He has written several books, including Land of the Eagle: A Natural History of North America, which was a companion volume to an eight-part BBC/PBS television production of the same title.

The lecture coincides with Hawk Mountain's four-month-long Audubon exhibit in the Wings of Wonder Gallery.

Peck will make his presentation from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Visitor Center at Hawk Mountain. The event is free.


Hawk Mountain is located in at 1700 Hawk Mountain Road in Kempton, Berks County—an easy drive via Interstate 78. For information, visit Hawk Mountain's website or call 610-756-6961.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for October 17

Dark-eyed Junco

It there was any doubt that winter is coming soon, that question was settled when Dark-eyed Juncos began arriving all across the Lehigh Valley this week.

The “snowbirds”—so named because their slate-gray back resembles the dark, cloudy days of winter and their chests are nearly white as snow—have been seen throughout Northampton, Lehigh and Bucks counties.

The juncos haven’t arrived yet in large numbers. These are the early arrivals. But the rest are now moving south from Canada, even as another wintertime bird—the White-throated Sparrow—is now becoming more numerous.

You should begin seeing Juncos and White-throated Sparrows at your backyard bird feeders any time now (if you haven’t seen one already). Juncos generally feed on the ground, so be sure to have a ground-level feeder ready.

If juncos and White-throated Sparrows weren't enough to remind us of the changing of the seasons, a Snow Goose was seen in Orefield, Lehigh County, on October 13. That is the usual time for these birds to begin arriving in our area.

White-throated Sparrow

In the meantime, the remaining summertime birds are getting ready to leave for the South and beyond. The remaining ones are still feasting on insects and other small invertebrates and on fruit. But the colder nights have sharply reduced insect populations. For most flying insects, breeding becomes difficult when nighttime temperatures dip into the 40s and do not rebound until noontime.

With that said, here are the latest bird sightings in the greater Lehigh Valley area during the week ended October 17. The listing is based on reports from the American Birding Association website, the E-bird website and the Eastern PA Birdline, which is coordinated by Dave DeReamus and sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Williams Township, Northampton County
Indigo Bunting, 3 on October 11.
Purple Finch, 12 on October 13.
Also seen: Common Yellowthroat, Hairy Woodpecker, Palm and Yellow-rumped warblers, and Song, Swamp, Lincoln’s, Field, Chipping, Savannah and White-throated sparrows.

Jacobsburg State Park, Northampton County
Dark-eyed Junco, 1 on October 16.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 on October 16.
White-throated Sparrow, 15 on October 16.
Cedar Waxwing, 20 on October 16.
Also seen: Tree Swallow, Turkey Vulture, and Chipping, Song and Swamp sparrows.

Bethlehem Township, Northampton County
(along the Canal Towpath, below the Bethlehem Boat Club)
Dark-eyed Junco, 2 on October 11.
Also seen: Winter Wren.
(at Housenick Memorial Park)
White-throated Sparrow, 10 on October 16.
Also seen: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Ovenbird.

Common Yellowthroat, soon to migrate south

Bethlehem City, Northampton County
(at Monocacy Park)
Dark-eyed Junco, 1 on October 12 (first of the season here) and 1 on October 13.
White-throated Sparrow, 5 on October 13.
American Robin, 25 on October 13.
Also seen: Brown Thrasher, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Common Yellowthroat and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
(at Sand Island and Lehigh Canal)
Mute Swan, 2 on October 14.
Also seen: Fish Crow and Mallard.

Newburg, Northampton County
Dark-eyed Junco, 1 on October 13.
White-throated Sparrow, 9 on October 13.
Also seen: Cooper’s Hawk.

Bath, Northampton County
(at Graver’s Arboretum)
Canada Goose, 250 on October 16.
Dark-eyed Junco, 1 on October 16.
White-throated Sparrow, 10 on October 16.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 on October 16.
Cooper’s Hawk, 1 on October 16.
Yellow-throated Vireo, 1 on October 16.
Great Horned Owl, 1 on October 16.
Also seen: Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Downy Woodpecker, Common Yellowthroat and Red-winged Blackbird.

Seemsville, Northampton County
Dark-eyed Junco, several seen on October 17.
Also seen: White-throated Sparrow.

Turkey Road Game Lands, Northampton County
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 on October 14.
Swainson’s Thrush, 2 on October 14.
Also seen: Eastern Phoebe and Golden-crowned Kinglet.

Little Gap Hawk Watch, Northampton County
Dark-eyed Junco, 12 on October 12.
Northern Harrier, 4 on October 12.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 143 on October 12.
Cooper’s Hawk, 20 on October 12.
Bald Eagle, 6 on October 12.
American Kestrel, 5 on October 12.
Also seen: Black Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Merlin, Peregine Falcon, Canada Goose, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Phoebe and Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

Walking Purchase Park, Lehigh County
Dark-eyed Junco, 1 on October 12.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 4 on October 12.
Cooper’s Hawk, 1 on October 12.
Palm Warbler, 6 on October 12.
Also seen: Pied-eyed Grebe, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireo, Brown Creeper, Brown-headed Cowbird, and White-throated and Song sparrows.

Fountain Hill, Lehigh County
Raven, 11 on October 11.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: a short-distance migrant

Allentown, Lehigh County
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 1 through at least October 10.
Red-tailed Hawk, 2 on October 14.

Mosser Woods, Lehigh County
White-throated Sparrow, 5 on October 16.
Also seen: Blue-headed Vireo.

Dorneyville, Lehigh County
Red-winged Blackbird, 45 on October 15.
Also seen: Pine Siskin.

Trexlertown, Lehigh County
(at Trexler Memorial Park)
American Robin, 40 at October 12.
Also seen: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cooper’s Hawk, White-throated and Song sparrows, and Scarlet Tanager.
(at Trexler Nature Preserve)
Black-billed Cuckoo, 1 on October 11.
American Robin, 123 on October 11.
Tree Swallow, 6 on October 11.
Palm Warbler, 3 on October 11.
Cedar Waxwing, 53 on October 11.
Also seen: Great Horned Owl, Brown Creeper, White-throated Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Phoebe, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Black-throated Green Warbler.

Leaser Lake, Lehigh County
Tree Swallow, 50 on October 11.
Great Egret, 2 on October 11.
Also seen: Pied-eyed Grebe and Winter Wren.

Pine Warbler, another southbound migrant

Haafsville, Lehigh County
White-throated Sparrow, 1 on October 11 and 3 on October 13.
Pine Warbler, 1 on October 13.
Also seen: Eastern Phoebe and Common Yellowthroat.

Pool Wildlife Sanctuary, Lehigh County
Dark-eyed Junco, 1 on October 15.
Cedar Waxwing, 8 on October 16.
White-throated Sparrow, 1 on October 15.
Also seen: Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Eastern Phoebe.

Orefield, Lehigh County
Snow Goose, 1 on October 13.
Also seen: Cackling Goose and Canada Goose.

New Tripoli, Lehigh County
Ring-necked Pleasant, 1 on October 14.
American Kestrel, 1 on October 13.
Also seen: Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Song and Field sparrows.

Zionsville, Lehigh County
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1 on October 12.
Also seen: Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Chipping Sparrow.

State Game Lands 205, Lehigh County
Ring-necked Pleasant, 7 on October 12.
Northern Harrier, 1 on October 12.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 on October 12.
Merlin, 1 on October 12.
Cooper’s Hawk, 2 on October 12.
Also seen: Pine Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireo, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-throated Green Warbler and White-crowned Sparrow.

Riegelsville, Bucks County
(at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary)
Nashville Warbler, 1 on October 11.
Also seen: Red-bellied Woodpecker, Black-throated Blue Warbler and Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 from October 10 through at least October 12.
Cackling Goose, 3 on October 7.
Ruddy Duck, 32 on October 10.
White-eyed Vireo, 1 on October 10.
Double-crested Cormorant, 30 on October 10.
Also seen: Northern Shoveler, Pied-eyed Grebe, Horned Grebe, Great Egret, Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Blue-headed Vireo, House Wren, Scarlet Tanager, and Swamp and White-throated sparrows.

Brant, rarely seen in our area

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
Glossy Iris, 1 on October 6.
White-rumped Sandpiper, 2 on October 12.
Semipalmated Sandpiper, 4 on October 12.

Merrill Creek Reservoir, New Jersey
(at Scotts Mountain Hawk Watch)
Brant, 28 on October 2.
Bald Eagle, 6 on October 5 and 11 on October 8.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 183 on October 5.
Northern Goshawk, 1 on October 10.
Golden Eagle, 1 on October 10.
Merlin, 6 on October 14.
Peregrine Falcon, 4 on October 5.

To report bird sightings to Dave DeReamus, send an e-mail to becard@rcn.com with the word "Birdline" in the subject heading.

Bird sightings at Bake Oven Knob starting to wane

Merlin preparing to dive

The migration of Sharp-shinned Hawks continued at Bake Oven Knob in Lehigh County this week but at a greatly reduced number.

A total of 437 Sharpies were reported during the week ended October 17, which is less than the 1,181 recorded in the previous year. Part of the drop-off was attributable to dense fog and rain on the mountain on Wednesday, which made visibility impossible.

The number of Turkey Vultures rose a bit, to 131 this week from 76 the previous week. Turkey Vultures now are the most common species seen at Bake Oven Knob, other than the Sharp-shinned Hawks.

Other totals for the week were: Red-tailed Hawk, 63; Black Vulture, 29; Cooper's Hawk, 29; Osprey, 28; Northern Harrier, 24; Merlin, 14; Bald Eagle, 13; Peregrine Falcon, 12; American Kestrel, 9; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; and Golden Eagle, 1.

Canada Geese are on the wing. A total of 497 were recorded during the week. That's the highest number during this migration season.

Other species seen included the Dark-eyed Junco, Common Raven, Blue Jay, Pileated and Hairy woodpeckers, Northern and Yellow-shafted flickers, American Crow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Carolina Wren, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Ruffed Grouse.

Which feeder is better for goldfinches?

Tube feeder

People sometimes ask which is the better feeder to use for offering seed to goldfinches: the seed sack or the tube feeder?

Hands down, the answer is the tube feeder.

You'll see goldfinches eating Nyjer seed all year long, especially during the late summer breeding season. Right now the males have turned from their bright yellow summertime plumage to the olive green similar to what females wear throughout the year.

Goldfinches love Nyjer seed, the thin little black seeds that resemble grains of wild rice. They're sometimes called "thistle," but actually the seed doesn't come from the domestic thistle that you may see along the roadsides. Nyjer is the seed of the African yellow daisy that is imported from Africa and South Asia. Because of federal regulations that prohibit the importation of non-native weeds, Nyjer is heat-treated so there is no chance of it sprouting. The nutritious and high-fat content in the seed isn't harmed.

One way of offering seed to goldfinches is by feeder sacks. These are plastic mesh bags that can be hung from tree limbs or shepherd's hooks. They are very inexpensive but, as they say, you get what you pay for.

Seed sack

A huge drawback to feed sacks is that they get wet even in the lightest rain. The seed can remain damp even after the rain clouds part. The wet seed causes mold and other spoilage that can sicken birds. Another problem is that the seed tends to spill as birds peck at the bag to reach inside. During bitterly cold winter days the seed sack can freeze solid, which isn't much use to the birds.

Tube feeders, on the other hand, are made of rigid clear plastic. They protect the seed from the elements. Perches that extend from the feeder allow the birds to perch while eating. Also the birds have no trouble getting at the seed. They easily can reach their beaks into the seed ports or openings. Some feeders are designed to allow the birds to perch upside down—just as they often do when eating natural food in the wild.

Also tube feeders last for a long while—a good model with last for several years.

New Product: Splash of color on hopper feeders

Regular feeder with red roof

The Green Solutions feeders manufactured by Birds Choice have become one of the most popular feeders at our store, and we now are offering them in two new colors: red and blue.

The feeders are made of the same polylumber that is used in backyard decks, so you know the material will last. The feeders are maintenance-free and guaranteed not to fade, crack or split.  The polylumber in one feeder keeps 17 plastic milk jugs from reaching the landfill.

 

Don't worry about rusting: the fasteners are stainless steel. The bottoms of the hopper feeder consist of patented metal mesh screens to let seed dry quickly after a rain storm. And the feeders are made here in the United States.

 

Feeder with attached suet cages

The Green Solutions hopper feeders come in two styles: the regular style and and a second variety that has suet cages attached to either end.

 

Hang one of these feeders from a shepherd's hook or tree limb and you're bound to attract a wide array of birds: cardinals, finches, chickadees, titmice, towhees, siskins, wrens, goldfinches, grosbeaks, sparrows, Mourning Doves and Blue Jays and (if you choose the suet-style feeder) woodpeckers, nuthatches and bluebirds as well.

 

The original feeders were offered in a pale green color only. Now you have two more color options: a red roof with a rustic gray body, or a blue roof with gray body. The added choices give you greater flexibility in matching your feeders to the decor of your backyard!

Standard feeder in lime green

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for October 10

Cedar Waxwing

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended October 10. The list was compiled by The Bird House from two sources, the American Birding Association and the E-bird online reporting service.

Easton, Northampton County
Cedar Waxwing, at least 50 on October 10.
Bald Eagle, 1 on October 8.
Also seen: Wood Duck and Mallard.

Bethlehem Township, Northampton County
(at Houseneck Park)
Northern Waterthrush, 1 on October 10 and as many as 5 at other times during the week.
White-throated Sparrow, 5 on October 10.
Cedar Waxwing, 14 on October 10.
Also seen: Turkey Vulture, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Phoebe, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird and Song Sparrow.

Bethlehem City, Northampton County
(at Monocacy Park)
Cedar Waxwing, 23 on October 9; 10 on October 8; 16 on October 6.
White-throated Sparrow, 12 on October 9; 9 on October 8; 4 on October 6.
Also seen: Blue-headed Vireo; Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Brown-headed Cowbird, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Gray Catbird, and Nashville, Blackpoll, Yellow-rumped and Black-throated Green warblers.

Blue-headed Vireo

Moore Township, Northampton County

(at residence along Cigar Road)
Cedar Waxwing, 34 on October 9 and 13 on October 7.
Purple Finch, 4 on October 9.
Tree Swallow, 2 on October 9; 13 on October 7.
Also seen: Red-tailed Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren and Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Little Gap, Northampton County
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 16 on October 7 and 5 on October 5.
Turkey Vulture, 10 on October 7.
Bald Eagle, 1 on October 7.
Ruffed Grouse, 1 on October 5 (flushed from wooded area near the Superfund site).
Also seen: Black Vulture; Cooper’s and Red-tailed hawks; Merlin; Peregrine Falcon; American Kestrel; Northern Flicker; Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos; Black-throated Green Warbler; Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Downy, Red-bellied and Hairy woodpeckers.

Ruffed Grouse

Allentown, Lehigh County
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 1 at a feeder outside a residence, on October 7.

Allentown, Lehigh County
(at Dorney Park Pond)
Mute Swan, 2 on October 7.
Gray Catbird, 7 on October 7.
European Starling, an estimated 100 from flyovers of several flocks on October 7.
Also seen: Great Blue Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-bellied and Downy woodpeckers, and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

Trexler Nature Preserve, Lehigh County
American Robin, 106 on October 10 and 240 on October 4.
White-throated Sparrow, 14 on October 10 and 1 on October 4.
Blue Jay, 28 on October 10.
Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2 on October 10.
Brown Creeper, 1 on October 10.
Cedar Waxwing, 15 on October 10; 26 on October 4.
Also seen: American Kestrel; Red-tailed, Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks; Black and Turkey vultures; Osprey; Great Blue Heron; Ruby-crowned Kinglet; Eastern Bluebird; Gray Catbird; Northern Mockingbird; Purple Finch; Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied woodpeckers; Field, Song, Lincoln’s and Swamp sparrows; and Magnolia, Palm, Pine, Yellow-rumped, Wilson’s and Black-throated Green warblers.

Blue Jay

Trexlertown, Lehigh County
(at Rodale Park)
Gray Catbird, 17 on October 4.
White-throated Sparrow, 8 on October 4.
European Starling, 56 feeding on poison ivy fruit, on October 4.
Also seen: Red-tailed Hawk; Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied woodpeckers; Scarlet Tanager; Red-winged Blackbird; and Magnolia, Blackpoll, Pine and Yellow-rumped warblers.

Leaser Lake, Lehigh County
Snow Goose, 1 on October 10 and 1 on October 5.
Blue Jay, 15 on October 10, 30 on October 5 and 20 on October 4.
Tree Swallow, approximately 100 on October 10.
Also seen: Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, Ring-billed Gull, White- and Red-breasted nuthatches, Northern Mockingbird, and White-throated, Savannah, Chipping, Field, Song, Lincoln’s and Swamp sparrows.

Haafsville, Lehigh County
Blue Jay, 13 on October 8.
Blue-headed Vireo, 1 on October 5.
Palm Warbler, 1 on October 5.
Also seen: Black and Turkey vultures; Red-tailed Hawk; Red-bellied, Downy and Hairy woodpeckers; American Robin, Gray Catbird.

Pool Wildlife Sanctuary, Lehigh County
Swainson’s Thrush, 1 on October 8.
Gray Catbird, 5 on October 8.
Ovenbird, 3 on October 8 and 2 on October 5.
Cedar Waxwing, 7 on October 8.
Also seen: Turkey Vulture, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-bellied and Downy woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, Black-throated Blue Warbler and Black-throated Green Warbler.

New Tripoli, Lehigh County
Northern Harrier, 1 on October 6.

Fogelsville Quarry, Lehigh County
Canada Goose, approximately 250 on October 5.
American Black Duck, 4 on October 5.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Zionsville, Lehigh County
Red-winged Blackbird, 50 on October 5.
Also seen: Red-tailed Hawk.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Osprey, 2 on October 8.
Bald Eagle, 3 on October 8.
Also seen: Sharp-shinned and Red-tailed hawks, American Kestrel, Ring-billed Gull, Swainson’s Thrush and Blue-headed Vireo. 

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1 on October 4 (the first report here this season).
Bald Eagle, 1 on October 10.
Brown Creeper, 1 on October 2 (the first report here this season) and 1 on October 10.
Chipping Sparrow, approximately 25 on October 10.
White-throated Sparrow, 2 on October 10.
Blue Jay, 241 in several flocks on October 9.
Common Grackle, approximately 100 on October 7.
Turkey Vulture, 26 on October 7.
Tree Swallow, approximately 300 swarming over the water, on October 9.
Also seen: Gadwall, Little Blue Heron, Cackling Goose, Common Merganser, Peregrine Falcon, Blue-headed Vireo, Double-crested Cormorant, Brown-headed Cowbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Green-winged Teal, Swainson’s Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Gray Catbird, Purple Finch, and Magnolia, Palm and Yellow-rumped warblers.

Nockamixon State Park, Bucks County
Bald Eagle, 1 on October 5.
Brown Thrasher, 1 on October 5.
White-throated Sparrow, 18 on October 5.
Also seen: Swainson’s and Wood thrushes, Blue-headed Vireo, Northern Parula, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Lesser Black-backed Gull, American Redstart, Scarlet Tanager, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Chesntut-sided, Yellow-rumped, Black-and-White and Black-throated Green warblers.

Green Lane, Montgomery County
(near Church Road)
Glossy Ibis, 1 on October 6.

To report bird sightings to the Eastern PA Birdline, send an e-mail to Dave DeReamus at becard@rcn.com with the word “Birdline” in the subject heading.

Sharp-shinned Hawks at Bake Oven Knob

Sharp-shinned Hawk

The migration of Sharp-shinned Hawks intensified this week at Bake Oven Knob in Lehigh County.

During the week ended October 10, watchers reported 1,181 Sharpies, much higher than the 201 seen during the previous week and 304 the week before. Broad-winged Hawks, which occupied the skies from early to mid-September, were virtually absent.

Identifying a Sharp-shinned Hawk takes a quick eye. The smallest hawk in North America (about the size of a jay), they breed in deep forests during the summer. They are daring, acrobatic fliers, easily moving among the dense canopy of trees to hunt birds and small mammals. They occasionally hunt at bird feeders. If you hear a sudden commotion of high-pitched alarm calls among backyard songbirds, that often means a Sharpie is lurking.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

It is difficult to distinguish a Sharp-shinned Hawk from a Cooper’s Hawk. The adult Cooper’s Hawk is bigger but the juvenile Cooper's is about the same size as an adult Sharpie. Coopers have a larger head. Sharpies seem more compact in flight than Coopers; the latter's head projects beyond the leading edge of the wings. The Sharpie's tail is sharper. The Cooper's Hawk's wingbeats are slower. If the hawk has thicker legs and larger feet as it perches, the bird usually is a Cooper’s. Another distinction is their behavior. In the Lehigh Valley Sharpies tend to be seen most often during migration periods; Cooper’s Hawks remain in the Lehigh Valley year-round.

Also seen in the skies of Bake Oven Knob during the week were Red-tailed Hawks, 32; Cooper’s Hawks, 26; Ospreys, 25; American Kestrels, 25; Peregrine Falcons, 18; Bald Eagles, 17; Merlins, 13; Northern Harrier, 12; Broad-winged Hawks, 5; Red-shouldered Hawks, 3; Northern Goshawks, 1, and Golden Eagles, 1. Turkey Vultures numbered 76, Black Vultures, 20. 

Other birds included the Canada Goose; Common Raven; Blue Jay; Northern Flicker; Black-throated Blue Warbler; Black-throated Green Warbler; Yellow-rumped Warbler; Blue-headed Vireo; Double-breasted Cormorant; Chimney Swift; Tufted Titmouse; Ruby-crowned Kinglet; Eastern Bluebird; Pileated, and Red-bellied and Hairy woodpeckers. 

Arrivals and departures

Where do backyard birds go during the winter?

The Gray Catbird spends its winter on the southern Atlantic Coast of Florida and the Gulf Coast into Mexico. Most have already have left the Lehigh Valley area.

The Tree Swallow prefers the South Carolina southern coast, along the Gulf Coast to Texas.

The House Wren travels to the coast of Georgia, southern Florida, Alabama and Mississippi.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird has one of the longest travels. It flies 500 miles across the Gulf of Mexico to reach its wintering grounds in central Mexico. You still may see a few juveniles who are busy fattening up on insects and nectar for their first migration. But they're almost all gone.

The Chipping Sparrow migrates to Florida and the Gulf Coast into Mexico.

The Chimney Swift is another long-distance migrator. It flies to South America, either across the Gulf of Mexico or along the Texas coast and then heading south.

The Purple Martin deserves the title of the longest distance migrator of any backyard bird in the Lehigh Valley area. It flies over the Gulf of Mexico and winters as far south as Argentina. It's no wonder that they've left our area already!

The Baltimore Oriole heads to the Georgia coast and Florida.

The Brown-headed Cowbird chooses the Florida peninsula.

The Broad-winged Hawk heads to the southern tip of Florida and Central and South America. Most of these hawks already have passed through our area by following the Blue Ridge.

The Sharp-shinned Hawk winters in the southeast United States into Central America. Their migration remains in progress. You might wish to watch them as they pass above Bake Oven Knob, a rocky summit about two miles north of Germansville in Lehigh County.

Several species of warblers that visit backyard bird feeders in the summer migrate south for the winter. The Yellow-rumped Warbler, one of the more common of these species in our area, leaves for Florida. The Yellow-throated and Pine warblers have similar wintering grounds in the Sunshine State. 

Not all birds migrate

Many backyard birds stay the winter. These include cardinals, chickadees, titmice, many sparrows, House Finches and goldfinches, Blue Jays, Northern Mockingbirds and Cooper's Hawks. 

Red-headed, Red-bellied, Hairy, Downy and Pileated woodpeckers remain all winter. (It's a good idea to offer them suet to complement the nuts they have stashed in tree bark.)

It's a common misconception that all robins fly south for the winter. The vast majority do migrate but some stick around. It all depends on the food supply. If a robin can find enough berries or fruit—its main winter diet—it will remain here.

And of course, two common English immigrants to North America stay the winter in the Lehigh Valley. European Starlings may seem less numerous in the winter but House Sparrows are ever present. They congregate in small flocks, aggressively seeking space at the feeder.

New arrivals

Remember, too, that our backyards will be graced by many arrivals from Canada. Their idea of winter vacation is spending time in the Lehigh Valley! White-throated Sparrows already have been seen. 

There are scattered reports of arriving Juncos—the "snowbirds," nicknamed because their backs remind one of the gray skies of winter and their bellies resemble the winter snow. Let's hope their early October arrival doesn't forecast a cold, snowy winter ahead!