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.