Lehigh Valley bird sightings for November 28

White-crowned Sparrow, Gambel's subspecies

Another wintertime sparrow has arrived in the Lehigh Valley. A White-crowned Sparrow was seen on November 22 in a backyard in Williams Township, Northampton County. That is the same backyard where a Harris's Sparrow was reported one week ago.

Specifically the White-crowned Sparrow was a Gambel's subspecies, which breeds from Alaska to Hudson Bay, so far north that in summer the sun almost always shines. As with any of the five variants of the White-crowned Sparrow, the Gambel's migrates south for the winter. The Gambel's subspecies is not often seen locally.

The handsome White-crowned Sparrow is similar is size to the White-throated Sparrow, another winter migrant, but the former's crown has bold black and white stripes. Its throat, neck and underparts are gray. Its bill is orange. It's also more slender.

White-crowned Sparrows can be found scurrying through brushy borders between woods and fields or through overgrown fields. They can be seen at backyard feeders. You may see them intermingling with Fox Sparrows but they'll chase away Dark-eyed Juncos. White-crowned Sparrows mostly eat seeds of weeds and grasses, including wheat and corn. In the summer they consume caterpillars and other insects. They're also fond of elderberries and blackberries.

They nest on bare ground or small shrubs using grasses using twigs, grasses, mosses, lichens and hairs. The female lays three to seven eggs, which she incubates for 10 to 14 days. The youngsters remain in the nest for another eight to 10 days. One to three broods are raised each summer.

White-crowned Sparrows are ambitious migrants. One bird was tracked for 300 miles in a single night. Their numbers have declined by 33 percent between 1966 and 2010 but a breeding population of 60 million remain.

The White-crowned was among several birds reported to Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, during the period ended November 28. The reporting project is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Martins Creek Environmental Center, Northampton County
(Tekening area)
Bonaparte's Gull, 2 on November 23.

Nazareth Quarry, Northampton County
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 on November 20.

Williams Township, Northampton County
Harris's Sparrow, 1 from November 17 through at least November 27.

Bethlehem, Northampton County
Peregrine Falcon, 2 on November 22.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Forster's Tern, 1 on November 23 (late date for the season).

Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Bald Eagle, 5 on November 21, 6 on November 24 and 5 on November 27.
Northern Goshawk, 2 on November 21.
Golden Eagle, 9 on November 21.
Also seen: Pine Siskin, several fly-bys.

Green Lake Reservoir, Montgomery County
(Church Road area)
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 on November 25.
Cackling Goose, 1 on November 25.
Northern Shovelers, 55 on November 25.

Lake Nockamixon, Bucks County
(at the marina)
Trumpeter Swan, 1 on November 21.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Redheads, 2 on November 20 and November 21.
Greater Scaup, 3 on November 22
Also seen: Double-crested Cormorant and Bald Eagle.

Merrill Creek Reservoir, New Jersey
(Scotts Mountain Hawk Watch)
Bald Eagle, 5 on November 21.
Northern Goshawk, 1 on November 24.
Golden Eagle, 1 on November 24.

The Common Raven was seen at several sites from many sites.

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