Lehigh Valley bird sightings for November 7

Male Ruddy Duck during breeding season

There is no mistaking a male Ruddy Duck during breeding season. The comical-looking waterfowl has an oversized tail that he holds upright. He has a rust-red body, a sky-blue bill and brilliant white cheek patches.

This time of year, though, the male has lost its flamboyance. It now resembles the female's year-long color: a subdued gray-brown. The male's beak has turned to gray though its white cheek patches remain. The female's bill is grayish as well.

Ruddy Ducks breed primarily in the prairies of south-central Canada and the Dakotas and winter along coastlines from southern New Jersey to Texas. 

It's uncommon to see a Ruddy Duck in the Lehigh Valley area, but last week 287 Ruddy Ducks were spotted at the Green Lane Reservoir in nearby Montgomery County. The ducks had congregated along the Walt Road area on November 6.

The Ruddy Duck was among several noteworthy species reported to Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society. The bird sightings cover the week ended November 7. 

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Brant, 1 on November 5.

Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Bald Eagle, 11 on November 2.
Northern Goshawk, 2 on November 2 and November 3.
Red-tailed Hawk, 214 on November 2.
Golden Eagle, 23 on November 2 and 9 on November 3.
Peregrine Falcon, 2 on November 3.

Fogelsville Quarry, Lehigh County
Cackling Goose, 1 on November 2.

Allentown, Lehigh County
(at Trexler Pond)
Cackling Goose, 2 to at least November 2.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Church Road area)
Cackling Goose, 1 on November 4.
Black Scoter, 1 on November 1.
(at the Walt Road area)
Boneparte's Gull, 7 on November 6.

State Game Lands 157, Bucks County
Orange-crowned Warbler, 1 on November 5.

Lake Towhee, Bucks County
Trumpeter Swan, 1 through at least November 3.
Brant, 1 through at least November 3.

Merrill Creek Reservoir, New Jersey
(at Scotts Mountain Hawkwatch)
Bald Eagle, 7 on November 2.
Northern Goshawk, 1 on November 3.
Red-tailed Hawk, 161 on November 2.
Golden Eagle, 1 on November 2.

Pine Siskins and Purple Finches were reported at several sites during the week.

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