Holiday birding ideas for the kids

The kids are home on their holiday vacation. What a great opportunity to teach them about birding and the natural world! Here are a few family projects that you might wish to consider.

Classic pine cone feeder

Naturally this project calls for pine cones. Send the kids outdoors in the backyard, the neighborhood or a park to collect a few pine cones. (Of course it's a good idea to remind them to ask permission if the pine tree is one someone else's property.) The bigger and more open the cone, the better.

Pine cone is hung upside down to catch the seed

Thread 24 inches of yarn, string or craft wire through crevices near the bottom of each pine cone. Dental floss will work, too. The pine cone will be hung upside down so the seed will catch the cone's concave pedals.

Have the kids mix bird seed and peanut butter together in a bowl. There is no specific mix to the ingredients. Any seed will do. You probably will attract the most birds if you use a seed blend that contains black oil sunflower, safflower and white millet seed.

The kids can press the mixture into the crevices of the pine cones. This may be a bit messy, so have some paper towels at the ready.

The final step is to hang the pine cones from backyard trees. It may take birds a little while to spot the treat but don't give up. Eventually they will find them. Also, select branches or twigs that are light and long. That may discourage squirrels from inching down from heavier branches. Then again, don't worry if a squirrel makes off with the pine cone ornament. They're part of nature, too!

Orange bird feeder

The plan is to provide fresh fruit for mockingbirds, robins and other fruit-lovers while creating a small bowl that will attract seed-lovers as well.

Birds will enjoy seed and fruit

Cut an orange in half. Remove the center to create a bowl, but leave a bit of the fruit intact. (For safety's sake, this is something you might wish to do. A grapefruit knife works well for this job.) Carefully poke three or four holes in the rind and feed string or yarn through the holes. Set the orange in the freezer to harden.

Remove the orange, which by now should be fairly firm, and place seed in the bowl of the orange. Any type of seed—or seed mixture—will do. Another option is to blend the seed with peanut butter and spread the mixture into the bowl. If you have any leftover cranberries from the holiday (the actual berries, not the sauce), you could add some of those to the mix as well.

Hang the feeder outside near a window. A tree branch or shepherd's hook will work fine. During cold weather the orange should remain fairly solid. The birds will peck from both the seed and the fruit. You may see a wide variety of birds at the feeder!

Keep a birding journal

Observing birds can become a fascinating and educational hobby for youngsters. The children can watch the birds from the window as they feed and perch in the backyard. Buy them a simple birding book with color photographs so they can identify the different birds they see. Also provide them with a notebook so they can jot down which birds they've seen, where they saw them and when.

Children can learn even more when they visit different habitats. Finding a new place to observe birds can be as simple as visiting a local park, especially if it has a stream or a pond which will draw the birds close. You may also wish to take them on a stroll through the woods or along a pond. 

These birding walks will help children learn about the best places to see birds, the characteristics of the birds' habitats and the frequency in which particular species are seen. Ask if they have a favorite bird of their own. Birds can be shy, intelligent, resourceful, outgoing or aggressive—personality traits that children can relate to.

A birding book will help your child learn about bird migration. Some of the birds we see in the winter will be gone by spring. And some birds that they might be in summer are now spending their time in the south. Some birds fly thousands of miles during their migration.

Visiting a birding exhibit

Some nature centers offer birding exhibits or other attractions.

Merrill Creek Reservoir. Located near Washington, New Jersey. Includes wildlife exhibits and a bird-feeding viewing area. Hours: Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; weekends, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 908-454-1213.

John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove. Located near Audubon in Montgomery County. Includes exhibits of the work of John James Audubon. If you have a group of at least eight people, you can arrange for an owl presentation with a guided staff member. Museum hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Admission fees: call 610-666-5593. 

Learn about our state bird

The Ruffed Grouse is Pennsylvania's official bird. Ask your kids to go online or visit the library to learn more about this species. Maybe they can find out why the Ruffed Grouse was chosen as the state's bird, or where in the state the bird can be found. 

Are there any laws to protect this bird? Is the bird becoming more common or less common in Pennsylvania? Is this the best bird to represent the state, or would they have another species in mind? What are the state birds of nearby states, or the states where their grandparents or cousins live? Do any states have the same official bird?

Which birds are endangered?

Educate children to learn about how nature affects them and how they affect nature. Again, have them go online or visit the library to find out which birds are in danger of extinction. Why is it important to protect birds? Do any conservation programs exist to protect endangered birds? 

You might wish to discuss with them the Bald Eagle, the nation's symbol. It was once near extinction but vigorous conservation programs have saved it. Bald Eagles can now be seen flying across the Lehigh Valley. On the other hand, Passenger Pigeons, once the most numerous bird in the United States, is now extinct. Have them research how that happened and what lessons can be learned from that experience.

Enjoy a craft project

Younger children might wish to take part in a craft project. Use construction paper of different colors to draw or cut out shapes of birds they like. Crayons are a must for this project. Youngsters might wish to use safety scissors to cut the head, tail and wings of their favorite bird. You can slice a small potato for them to insert these components. Also, craft stores sell bird shapes made of wood. They offer little bird houses, again made of wood. Perhaps the child might wish to paint these items.


Hawk Mountain, in Kempton, Berks County, offers free, downloadable coloring books such as "Raptors of Hawk Mountain," "Kestrels of the World" and a "Raptor Activity Book." The coloring books are available at this link.


The benefits of birding

Learning about birding is a great way to educate children about nature and to help them develop observational skills that could last a lifetime. An appreciation for the sights and sounds around them will help them in the classroom and with their peers. Watching birds also may teach them about patience, since birds do not always cooperate with the child's timetable. Birding is a great way to get some physical exercise. During the holiday vacation, kids will continue to hone their research skills. It's a lot better for them to learn about birds than to spend their vacation sitting before a video game or television!

The 12 days (or so) of Christmas

Gray Partridge

Birds are mentioned in many songs, including the "Twelve Days of Christmas." The song is an English Christmas carol that enumerates a series of increasingly grand gifts to be presented during the 12 days between Christmas Day and the day before the Feast of the Epiphany, which is January 6. 

The song, first published in England in 1780 as a chant, may have been French in origin. In 1909 an English composed put the words to music using a traditional folk melody.

So what are those birds that are part of this big package of gifts?

A Partridge in a Pear Tree. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the partridge in North America is the Gray Partridge, which was introduced from Eurasia. The bird is found in flat agricultural land along most of the United States-Canadian border. It is a small chicken-like bird with a short neck and tail. It has a grayish brown back and chest, with some chestnut barring on the flanks. The tail is chestnut colored. One of the most amazing facts about the Gray Partridge is the size of the broods. The hen may lay up to 22 eggs. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving!

Ringed Turtle-Dove

Two Turtle-Doves. The Ringed Turtle-Dove has been domesticated for so long that its wild origins are not know for certain. Feral populations have become established in some cities in the southern United States. They are related to Mourning Doves and common street pigeons. The Ringed Turtle-Dove seems to have lost the fear of large, strange or moving creatures with the exception of predatory birds. They will still "freeze," which is helpful when their pale color is contrasted with a lawn.

Three French Hens are "Favorolles" or chickens. Enough said.

Old World Common Blackbird

Four Calling Birds. This gets trickier. These are the Common Blackbirds, part of the thrush family, found throughout most of Europe. They are not necessarily what we know as blackbirds. The Old World male is all black, with yellow eye-ring and bill, and has a rich melodious song. These birds are omnivores, eating insects, earthworms, berries and fruits.

New World blackbirds are part of the Icterid family, which includes grackles, orioles, meadowlarks, cowbirds and Bobolinks. However, these are not evolutionary close to the Old World thrushes.

Six Geese a-Laying. Domesticated geese have been kept for their meat, eggs and down feathers since ancient times. Physically they are different from wild geese, often weighing almost twice as much. Wild geese have a more horizontal posture and a slim rear end. Domestic geese lay down large fat deposits toward the tail, forcing them into a more vertical posture. This also prevents flight although geese will run and flap their wings when startled. Females lay almost 50 eggs per year, almost four times as many as wild geese.

Mute Swan

Seven Swans a-Swimming. The swans in the carol are probably Mute Swans, which are native to northern and central Eurasia. They were introduced to North America to grace ponds of parks and estates. Mute Swans have black masks above their orange beaks. Mute Swans are somewhat aggressive in locations where they have escaped from their owners and established their own breeding populations. They will disrupt the nesting of native waterfowl. Some states are attempting to control Mute Swan populations.

Wild native swans in North America are Trumpeter Swans or Tundra Swans. Both are white-bodied. 

Trumpeter Swans have black beaks and black face masks. These are the largest North American waterfowl. These swans were hunted for their feathers into the late 1800s, causing a tremendous decline in numbers. Trumpeter Swans mate for life and can live a long time, some longer than 24 years.

Tundra Swans have a black bill and face but they are smaller birds. They breed on the North American tundra and, in the east, winter along the Atlantic Coast and Great Lakes.

Where are my birds?

Ready for the birds

People sometimes will ask why they suddenly have no songbirds coming to their feeders. What's going on?

Unfortunately there is no simple answer to this question. A lot of factors could be involved, so you may have to play detective on this case. 

One possible explanation is that birds of prey—particularly hawks—have moved into the neighborhood. The songbirds understandably stay away. They'll feed elsewhere for the time being but eventually should return to your feeder once the hawk moves on.

Cats can be a problem. Feral cats and house cats left to roam outdoors could be frightening your birds away, especially if the songbirds are primarily ground-feeders. As with birds of prey, cats are predators that look for an easy meal. First, please keep cats indoors. Feral cats are harder to deal with. Cats are opportunistic killers. Remove your ground feeder for a week or two. Place your feeders 10 to 15 feet away from any dense foliage or brush pile. That gives birds a chance to fly off if a cat lunges at them.

Weather patterns sometimes cause birds to relocate. This is especially so in winter. When it's snowing or bitterly cold, birds will seek protection in evergreens. If you or your neighbors have no shelter to offer, the birds may travel elsewhere—and then feed elsewhere. You can create shelter. Nesting bags or bird houses may do the trick. You may see several birds occupy nesting bags or houses so they can snuggle together for warmth. Encourage them to move in by replacing old nests with clean material, such as wood chips. Another option is to create a brush pile. For instance, place your discarded Christmas tree in the backyard for the winter.

Habitat changes affect bird populations. If there has been a big change in your neighborhood, such as the removal of large trees or the construction of new buildings, some birds might move elsewhere. 

Fluctuations in natural food supplies could explain a sudden change in bird populations. Studies show that feeders are a secondary food source and that birds shift feeding habits to take advantage of a surplus of berries, fruit, seeds, insects or cones. When those sources of surplus food dwindle, they probably will return to your feeder.

Keep in mind that birds are creatures of nature. Family groups break up. They establish new territories. Some species migrate.

An important item on your checklist ought to be your bird seed and feeders.

Is your seed fresh? Bird seed doesn't stay fresh forever. Discard seed that has been sitting in feeders for weeks. It has been subject to rain, humidity, heat or sunlight, and may lose its nutritional value. For instance, Nyjer seed is high in fat. Once Nyjer remains in the feeder too long in summer, it dries out and loses some of its fat content. Goldfinches will turn away. 

How has your seed been stored? Seed that has been left in a hot garage during the summer may become spoiled or infested with unwanted bugs. Seed left for awhile in a humid basement may become moldy.

Is your suet or suet dough fresh? If it's moldy in the feeder, throw it out. If it's mushy, throw it out. Clean the feeder before you add fresh material. Hummingbird nectar should be changed regularly. Immediately remove it if it appears cloudy or moldy. Be sure to clean the feeder thoroughly before adding new nectar.

Are the feeders clean? Does your feeder have seed residue, mold or bird droppings? If so, wash your feeder in a solution of 1 part household bleach to 10 parts water. Let the feeder dry thoroughly in the sun before adding new seed or suet. If you don't have time (or it's too cold) to clean the feeder, get a new one. Contaminated material is harmful to birds. It can spread disease and cause deaths.

The best way to attract and keep songbirds visiting your backyard is by offering them food throughout the year. Natural food will remain their source but they'll know they can count on you if their usual supplies run out. And they'll be guaranteed a quick meal during nesting season or when the weather turns bad.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for December 26

Ross's Goose

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended December 26. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

One noteworthy event is the sighting of two Ross's Geese amid thousands of Snow Geese that flew over Moore Township in Northampton County on December 21. At first glance, the two species seem almost identical. 

Both geese are white-bodied with black tail feathers. 

The main difference is that Ross's Goose is a miniature version of the Snow Goose. The Ross's Goose has a shorter neck and a domed head shape. It looks chunkier. The Snow Goose is sleeker and larger. It has a pinkish bill with a dark line along it, which gives the appearance of a grin. The Ross's Goose lacks this "grin."

Snow Goose

You are more likely to see a Snow Goose than a Ross's Goose. Ross's Geese winter primarily in California and the central United States, although a few seem to be moving eastward as the years pass by. Snow Geese, on the other hand, are abundant in our area during winter, congregating in the tens of thousands as they fly across the landscape. You may see the Snow Goose sifting through fallow cornfields and keeping to wetlands and lakes.

Both species breed in the tundra of the Arctic and subarctic of Canada, including areas around the Hudson Bay and Baffin Island.

Other birds seen during the period ended December 26 include the following:

Nazareth Quarry, Northampton County

Snow Goose, approximately 30,000 on December 21.

Williams Township, Northampton County

Harris's Sparrow, 1 continuing to visit through December 25.

Moore Township, Northampton County

Ross's Goose, 2 fly-bys on December 21 among several thousand Snow Geese.

Peregrine Falcon, 1 on December 21 near Church Road.

Brodheadsville, Monroe County

(at Weir Lake)

Barnacle Goose, 2 through at least December 23.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County

Surf Scoters, 2 on December 21.

Northern Goshawk, 1 on December 21.

Fogelsville Quarry, Lehigh County

Snow Goose, approximately 50,000 on December 25.

Cackling Goose, 2 on December 25.

Fogelsville, Lehigh County

(along West Main Street)

Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 on December 24.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County

Long-tailed Duck, 1 on December 20.

Common Merganser, 272 on December 20.

Red-breasted Merganser, 1 on December 20.

Iceland Gull, 1 on December 20.

Lesser Black-backed Gull, 185 on December 20.

Great Black-backed Gull, 27 on December 20.

Also seen: Brown Creeper and Winter Wren.

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

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for December 19

Male Black Scoter

The Black Scoter, a coastal duck that breeds in the subarctic, has made a rare appearance in the Lehigh Valley region. One was seen on December 12 at Peace Valley Park in Bucks County.

The Black Scoter is a stocky diving duck. The male is all-black, except for a yellow eyelid and a bulbous orange-yellow knob on the base of the upper bill. The female has a sooty brownish color with indistinct barring. Its dark cap contrasted with pale grayish feathers on the rest of her head. It has only a hint of yellow around the nostrils. An immature bird look similar to the female's but has a white belly.

The Black Scoter dives deep, sometimes to the bottom of a lake, to locate aquatic invertebrates. Their favorite diet is insects and mollusks. They'll eat duck weed, too.

In the summer, the North American version of the Black Scoter breeds on the tundra of Labrador and Newfoundland to the southeast of Hudson Bay. The nest is placed in a hollow near water, lined with grass and down and protected by clumps of grass. Five to seven eggs are laid.

Female Black Scoter

Black Scoters migrate south for the winter, usually staying near the Atlantic Coast and the Great Lakes. A subspecies breeds on the Siberian side of the Bering Straits and winters along the Pacific coasts of California and China.

Through common in the subarctic, the birds' population has shown a gradual decline between 1954 and 1994 but data are unreliable for determining current and future trends, according to Ducks Unlimited.

Black Scoters are rarely seen in the Lehigh Valley. When they do appear, it's usually in larger lakes and reservoirs in October through December, according to Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity, a publication of the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society. The last time they were seen in numbers was in 1977 when about 500 congregated at Green Lane Reservoir in Montgomery County.

The Black Scoter was among the bird sightings reported to Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, for the week ended December 19. The Eastern PA Birdline is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society. Other sightings include:

Williams Township, Northampton County
Harris's Sparrow, 1 through at least December 15.

Seemsville, Northampton County
Snow Goose, approximately 10,000 on December 12.

Brodheadsville, Monroe County
(at Weir Lake)
Barnacle Goose, 2 through at least December 17.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Red-necked Grebe, 1 through at least December 15.

Allentown, Lehigh County
Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 on December 13.

Lake Nockamixon, Bucks County
Northern Goshawk, 1 on December 14.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Black Scoter, 1 on December 12.
Red-breasted Merganser, 1 on December 13.
Red-necked Grebe, 1 on December 13.
Iceland Gull, 2 on December 12.
Also seen: Cackling Goose and Red-breasted Nuthatch.

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

Pre-Christmas sale on bird feeders

Just 5 days until Christmas!

Can you believe it? Saturday leaves us only 5 days until Christmas! Have you finished your shopping? No? Stop at The Bird House to find the ideal gift for the backyard birder in your life.

The Bird House is open on: 
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
Sunday from 12:30 to 4 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

We offer the largest array of bird feeders and bird houses. 

You'll find a wide selection of Droll Yankees feeders, ranging in price from budget feeders to top-of-the-line models. You'll see an amazing selection of hopper feeders in both wood and recycled materials. And you'll be intrigued by several new types of suet feeders.

You'll be able to choose from a superb array of birdhouses for chickadees, wrens, bluebirds, woodpeckers and other birds. Our locally crafted Barn-wood Birdhouses, some made of lumber from century-old barns that are being demolished, are always a popular item. 

You'll find a selection of heated bird baths, which will provide birds with an ice-free source of water for drinking and bathing.

What better way to put a birder into the holiday spirit by giving a Birdie Wreath made of various kinds of bird seed? The wreaths are both decorative and functional.

Need a stocking stuffer? How about women's socks, decorated in bird-related styles? Or notepads, cocktail napkins, aprons or Christmas ornaments? 

In addition we have gift items, birding books for amateur and experienced birder alike, artwork for home decor, rain gauges, and of course quality seed and suet.

Can't decide what your backyard birder might enjoy? We have gift certificates to make your gift-buying decision easier and quicker.

Hurry in for the widest selection of products! Don't miss out on the item on your shopping list!

Winter-themed Mail Box Wraps now available

Is your mailbox looking a little bland? Maybe a bit scratched or tired-looking after years of use? Revive it with one of our MailWraps. 

These all-weather vinyl covers can be applied to any regular-size metal mailbox. No tools are needed. The cover attaches securely with built-in magnetic strips. The covers conform to U.S. Postal Service standards.

We carry several winter- and holiday-themed covers. A new mailbox cover will brighten the season for you, your neighbors and for passersby!

Hurry in for the widest selection! We won't be ordering any more for the season.

 

Barn-wood Birdhouses return for the holidays

We just received a new collection of Barn-wood Birdhouses, locally handcrafted from lumber that has been salvaged from barns that are being demolished.

Each birdhouse is unique. Some of them contain structural elements made of American Chestnut, an exceptionally durable wood that is now extinct. Wood from several barns date back to the early or mid-1800s. Still others are made of redwood or spruce derived from renovated structures that were erected 60 years ago.

Among the houses featured are wood from a barn built in 1806 in Martins Creek, a second from the similar period in Wind Gap and another dating to 1853 in Moore Township in Northampton County.

One of the nice features of the house are metal objects decorated with blacksmith-made nails as perches and solid brass door knob plates salvaged from old farmhouses. One has a roof whose peak has cooper flashing retrieved from one of the barns.

Many of the birdhouses are meant as homes for chickadees or wrens. Most of the houses are designed to be hung from trees; others are designed to be erected on 4-by-4 posts.

The wood in the Barn-wood Birdhouses is extremely durable. After all, some of the lumber withstood the elements for more than a century, so you can be sure that your bird house will last for decades to come. The roofs of many of the houses are finished with decades-old red barn paint that has acquired a weathered patina.

The houses are so attractive they can be used as indoor decor for the dedicated birder.

We're proud that the houses are locally made using recycled materials—and that all proceeds from the houses circulates within the Lehigh Valley.

The Barn-Wood Birdhouses made an ideal addition to any backyard garden. They also are an excellent gift for the birder in your life.

For the best selection, hurry in! We won't be ordering any more until after the new year.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings include another rare bird

Barnacle Goose

The Lehigh Valley region has another visitor, and it's a very unusual one. Two Barnacle Geese were reported on December 11 at Lake Weir in Brodheadsville, Monroe County.

Barnacle Geese rarely are seen anywhere this far inland. Normally they breed on the North Atlantic coasts of Greenland and Russia’s Novaya Zembla and Vaygach islands. The Greenland population usually heads east for winter. They'll stay in Ireland, the Hebrides and Scotland. Sometimes they’ll reach England, Norway and the Baltics. 

Lately an increasing number of the Barnacle Geese are heading to the west instead.

The Barnacle Goose is superficially similar to the Brant but they are separate species. The   Barnacle Goose has a black neck and crown, with a cream-white face. The sides and flanks are black, and the belly, undertail coverts and rump are white, contrasting markedly with the black tail. The sexes are similar in appearance but males typically are larger. The average male stands 27 inches tall; the female, 24 inches.

Barnacle Geese feed on grasses and coastal plants found in salt marshes, grasslands near river estuaries or tidal mud flats.

The first recorded appearance of a Barnacle Goose in the Lehigh Valley occurred in March 1982 with a sighting in Lake Muhlenberg in Lehigh County. Since then only four sightings have been reported, according to Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity. This week's sighting is the fifth.

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Geese are becoming more frequent on the New Jersey coasts in winter, according to the New Jersey Audubon Society. The society even reported sightings inland at Highstown and Lake Mercer on December 13. Birders interested in seeing Barnacle Geese along the Jersey shore might wish to contact the New Jersey Audubon Society for advice.

In the past two weeks, Barnacle Geese have been reported in Farmingdale, Millers Pond and Smithtown, all on Long Island; East Windsor in Connecticut; and the Stuyvesant area along the Hudson River in New York City, according to E-bird.

Birders watch for the appearance of Barnacle Geese in Scotland and England each winter. The BBC reported that a 30-year-old banded bird was recently seen at Caerlaverock Wetland Centre in Scotland.

One theory about the increase in the number and range of Barnacle Geese is overpopulation. The warming of Greenland has created new habitat and feeding areas for the geese. They build their nests on mountain cliffs, away from Arctic foxes and other predators. The melting of glaciers has exposed more crags where Barnacle Geese can breed and more land where grasses can grow.

By the way, Barnacle Geese don’t carry barnacles. That’s a legend that dates back to the 13th century. The Welsh didn't see Barnacle Geese during the summer so they assumed that the birds were generated by barnacles during the warm months. They concluded that, because the geese originated from seafood, it was acceptable to eat the bird flesh during Lent. Pope Innocent III put an end to the practice. The pope decided that the birds actually were birds and therefore Catholics must abstain during Lent.

Other bird sightings for December 12

Several other bird species were reported to Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, during the past week. The Birdline is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society. The birds include:

Williams Township, Northampton County
Harris’s Sparrow, 1 through at least December 10.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Red-necked Geese, 1 on December 10.

Lake Muhlenberg, Lehigh County
Tundra Swan, 1 from November 22 through at least December 11.

Center Valley, Lehigh County
Red-tailed Hawk, 1 on December 7 (partly albino).

Lake Nockamixon, Bucks County
Red-necked Grebe, 1 from December 4 through at least December 8.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Long-tailed Duck, 2 on December 4.
Red-necked Grebe, 1 from December 3 through at least December 6.


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

Join the Christmas Bird Count

You can be part of the largest, longest-running bird census on the planet. The Christmas Bird Count takes place in later this month, and the Lehigh Valley and vicinity will play an important role.

The Christmas Bird Count is fun but it’s also a crucial element in scientific studies and conservation efforts. For instance, data derived from Christmas Bird Counts helped document the decline of the Bald Eagle in North America and lay the groundwork for the species’ recovery.

Locally, counts will take place in three areas:

Allentown area. Scheduled for all-day Saturday, December 20. Contact your group leader from last year or call Stephen Kloiber at 610-863-3889 to link up.

Wild Creek/Lehigh Gap. Scheduled for all-day Sunday, December 21. Contact your group leader from last year or call Josh Nemeth at 610-573-8577 to link up or e-mail him at allroy1313@rcn.com.

Bethlehem-Easton-Hellertown. Scheduled for all-day Saturday, December 27. Contact your group leader from last year or call Don and Elaine Mease at 610-346-7754 to link up.

The Christmas Bird Count is a major citizen science program. The Christmas count, along with the Breeding Bird Survey, is an essential component of conservation policy in the United States, says David Yarnold, president and CEO of the National Audubon Society.

“Fights over conservation dollars in Congress and statehouses, land management decisions and wildlife policy are all influenced by information collected through the CBC and other citizen science projects,” Yarnold says.

Several improvements are coming to this year’s Christmas Bird Count. The long-standing $5 fee for participation has been eliminated, making the count more inclusive than ever. The National Audubon Society will publish information about the count in Spanish for the first time ever, making the program more accessible to Spanish speakers in the United States and throughout the hemisphere.

Snowy Owl

In southeastern Pennsylvania, another change is the creation of a new category for chickadees. No longer will attempts be made to distinguish Black-capped Chickadees from Carolina Chickadees. These species have overlapped and hybridized, making it difficult to identify one bird from the other.

Locally, last year’s Christmas Bird Count was marked by unusual weather fluctuations, including heavy snowfall, and an amazing influx of Snowy Owls at numerous locations. The birds were rarely seen before in the Lehigh Valley.

Bethlehem’s group led statewide tallies for Greater White-fronted Geese, Ross’s Geese and Cackling Geese. The Lehigh Valley also reported the only Great Egret in Pennsylvania. Bethlehem’s two Iceland Gulls contributed to a statewide record of 28 individuals.

Statewide counts resulted in several noteworthy developments.

The Ruffed Grouse decreased to just 51 individuals, the smallest number statewide since the 1960s when there were fewer counts and fewer observers. This decline doesn’t bode well for the state's official bird, which is considered among the most vulnerable species in Pennsylvania because of dwindling range and climate change.

On the other hand, the Wild Turkey rebounded from the previous decade, with a jump of almost 4,000 birds reported statewide.

The tally of Red-breasted Nuthatches fell 90 percent from the 1992 count. No one knows why.

Carolina Wrens set a near-record count of 5,671 birds. The figure could be a fluke because of the weather or it could be a harbinger of a change in the species' range.

Bald Eagles set a record of 464 individuals, with southern Lancaster County’s 53 birds the most reported in any area of the state. The volunteer efforts in previous Christmas Bird Counts demonstrated how Bald Eagles had become an endangered species. Congress passed strong legislation to save the national symbol from extinction, and today the population of Bald Eagles is on the rise in locations where it had disappeared just a few decades ago.

This year’s Christmas Bird Count could highlight changes in other species and help provide the documentation needed to enact conservation and land management efforts to keep species from extinction.


Guess which 10 backyard birds were seen most often last year!

A.  American Crow
B.  American Goldfinch
C.  American Robin
D.  Black-capped Chickadee
E.  Blue Jay
F.  Carolina Wren
G.  Cedar Waxwing
H.  Common Grackle
I.  Dark-eyed Junco
J.  Downy Woodpecker
K.  Eastern Bluebird
L.  European Starling
M.  House Finch
N.  House Sparrow
O.  Mourning Dove
P.  Northern Cardinal
Q.  Purple Finch
R.  Red-bellied Woodpecker
S.  Red-breasted Nuthatch
T.  Rock Pigeon
U.  Song Sparrow
V.  Tufted Titmouse
W.  White-breasted Nuthatch
X.  White-crowned Sparrow
Y.  White-throated Sparrow
Z.  Winter Wren

ANSWERS
(in order of frequency of sighting)

L, I, Y, A, O, P, U, N, E, M

Subspecies of Red Knot is designated as 'threatened' bird

Tagged 'Rufa' Red Knot; photo by Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service yesterday designated the "rufa" subspecies of the Red Knot, which frequents the Delaware Bay during its 20,000-mile migration, as a "threatened" species.

Under the federal Endangered Species Act, the threatened status means the bird is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. Endangered means the species faces extinction.

The designation does not affect all Red Knots, only those in the rufa subspecies.

Since the 1980s, the population of the robin-sized shorebird has fallen by 75 percent in some key areas, largely due to declines in one of its primary food sources—horseshoe crab eggs in Delaware Bay, a crucial migratory stopover site.

Horseshoe crabs—considered "living fossils" because of their origin 450 million years ago—spawn on the New Jersey and Delaware beaches in May or early June, depending on the moon phase and tides. Each female will produce 80,000 eggs, which are located in dense masses near the front of her shell. She will lay four or five clutches of these eggs, timed to successive tides. The Delaware Bay is the primary spawning grounds of the crab.

Excessive harvesting of horseshoe crabs has meant less food for the rufa Red Knot. The crabs are caught and placed in bait pots to fish for conch and eels.

It is estimated that 90 percent of the entire population of the Red Knot subspecies can be present on the bay in a single day, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The birds gorge themselves on high-protein crab eggs, and nearly double their weight to prepare for the final leg of their long journey to their Arctic breeding grounds.

Rufa Red Knots usually winter in South America—some as far south as Tierra del Fuego—and fly north to breed in the Canadian Arctic. One bird, banded by biologists in 1995, has become known as Moonbird because he has flown the equivalent of a trip to the moon and back in his 21 years of migrations.

Horseshoe Crab

During their lengthy journey, the rufa subspecies must arrive at the Delaware Bay at the exact the moment when horseshoe crabs have come ashore to lay their eggs. Climate-driven mismatches in migration timing and egg laying affect the birds’ food source.

Officials in New Jersey and Delaware are trying to manage the size of horseshoe crab harvest with the goal of stabilizing the Red Knot population. New Jersey already lists the bird as endangered and has designated the bay as a protected habitat. Law enforcement guards the birds from harassment. Delaware is awaiting guidance from the federal government, the Wilmington News Journal reported today.

Rufa Red Knots also feed on clams and mussels but these are more difficult to extract during the brief time the birds feed in the bay. Crab eggs are soft and more abundant. 

The bird has pencil-thin legs and a slender beak. They are only 9 inches long, about the size of a robin. Their wings extend to 20 inches in flight.

Each May or early June birders gather along the Delaware Bay to watch for the spectacular arrival and feeding of rufa Red Knots. In the Lehigh Valley, Red Knots in general are seen infrequently, sometimes absent for several years at a time, according to Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity, a publication of the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Winter-vacationing Red-throated Loon visits Beltzville

Red-throated Loon during breeding season

The Red-throated Loon, which in North American breeds as far north as the Aleutian Islands and the Arctic provinces of Canada, has made an unusual wintertime appearance in the greater Lehigh Valley.

A single loon was seen on December 3 at Beltzville State Park in Carbon County, according to Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdine, a project of the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

The smallest of the loons, the duck-like Red-throated is seldom seen far from salt water, and it does not venture far out to sea. Rarely will it be seen this far inland, according to Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity, a must-have publication of the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society. There may be several years in a row where it is not seen at all.

The Red-throated Loon forages in shallow bays and estuaries where it feeds on fish, mollusks, frogs, crustaceans, insects and fish spawn. It has the ability to stay underwater for one minute or longer.

The loon is attractive during breeding season. It has a distinctive bright rusty red patch on the throat, which contrasts with its dark gray head and neck. Before the birds leave their breeding areas for the winter, they molt and produce a nondescript gray back speckled with white, giving the bird an overall light gray appearance. The throat and face become white. Juveniles are brownish gray overall.

Unlike most loons, which must paddle furiously across the surface of the water to become airborne, the Red-throated Loon can spring into the air from land. That's necessity because they aren't very good at walking.

The Red-throated Loon is a global bird, traveling to Portugal, the Mediterranean and China for the winter.

The Red-throated Loon faces threats from oil spills, degradation of habitat and entanglement in fishing nets, especially in Alaska. The saving grace for this species is that it has a very large range and the declines are not rapid enough to warrant special concern.

Copies of Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity are available for sale at The Bird House. The publication is a vital resource for both amateur and veteran birders, and it makes a great Christmas gift.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for December 5

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended December 5. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Martins Creek, Northampton County
(near the PPL power plant)
Northern Harrier, 1 on November 30.

Palmer Township, Northampton County
(at Main Street and Van Buren Road)
Lapland Longspur, 3 on November 30.

Williams Township, Northampton County
Harris's Sparrow, 1 through at least December 4.
"Gambel's" White-crowned Sparrow, 1 on December 2.

Seemsville, Northampton County
Red-breasted Nuthatch

East Allen Township, Northampton County
(along Arrowhead Road)
Snow Bunting, 25 on November 28 and 28 on November 29.
Also seen: American Pipit.

Allen Township, Northampton County
(along Spring Hill Road)
Rough-legged Hawk, 1 on November 30.
Snow Bunting, 19 on November 30.

Graver's Hill, Northampton County
Snow Bunting, 1 on November 27.
Bald Eagle, 4 on November 27.
Also seen: Savannah Sparrow.

Allentown, Lehigh County
(at the PPL General Office Building
Peregrine Falcon, 1 on December 1.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
White-winged Scoter, 1 on December 3.
Red-throated Loon, 1 on December 3.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Walt Road area)
Red-breasted Merganser, 1 female on November 29 and December 2; 1 male on December 1.
Also seen: Wood Duck.
(at the Knight Road area)
Gadwall, 109 on November 30 (high count)

Unami Creek Valley, Montgomery County
Chipping Sparrow, 1 on November 30.

Lake Nockamixon, Bucks County
Peregrine Falcon, 1 on November 28.

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